Bahrain : Dr Kalam presents Indian Club Centenary awards to Colaco, B R Shetty


Daijiworld Media Network - Bahrain

Bahrain, Feb 7 : Five NRI entreprenuers who have immensley contributed to the development and humanity causes of Indians in India and all over the world were recognised by the Indian Club - Bahrain during its centenary year celebration held here on Thursday, February 5.

Former President of India Dr A P J Abdul Kalam conferred the Indian Club Centenary Awards on Mangalureans - noted NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Ronald Colaco and NMC and UAE Exchange chaiman Dr B R Shetty - as well as on Lulu Group founder Yusuf Ali, Bahrain-based entrepreneur Dr Ravi Pillai, and Dr Varghese Kurien.

The colourful centenary ceremony was held under the leadership of Anand Lobo, who is also a Mangalurean and current president of Indian Club Bahrain.

Hundreds of people were seen outside the venue wating to catch glimses of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, who arrived with full state security amidst loud cheers from the huge crowd that had gathered.

Over a 100 women dressed in traditional attires welcomed the former President with 'arati'.

Ram Singh, first secretary, Embassy of India, Bahrain, Mala Mohan Kumar, wife of the Ambassador of India to Bahrain, Ashok Kumar, vice-president of Indian Club Bahrain, Mathew Joseph, former president of Indian Club Bahrain and general convener of the Indian Club Bahrain centenary celebrations were present.

The music band of Indian High School, Bahrain rendered the national anthems of both Bahrain and India.

Anand Lobo in is presidential address said that India - Bahrain relation has reached a new height with the arrival of Dr Kalam for the Indian Club centenary celebrations. He thanked all the former presidents, general secretaries and members for their huge contributions towards the development of Indian Club. He hailed the five achievers who have immensely contributed to the Indian population in Bahrain as well as the wider GCC. "Indian Club Bahrain will always strive for the betterment of its members and the Indian citizens in Bahrain," he said.

Dr B R Shetty and Yusuf Ali could not attend the event due to prior committments abroad. Vineesh Kumar, country manager, UAE Exchange accepted the award on behalf of Dr B R Shetty, while Juicer Roopawala, head of Lulu Group in Bahrain accepted the award on behalf of Yusuf Ali.

Ronald Colaco, who is known for his invaluable charity works irrespective of caste and creed, humbly accepting the award thanked Indian Club Bahrain for chosing him as one of the awardees. He said he felt fortunate to accept the award from legendery Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.

"Whatever little things I am doing for this society is purely on the behest of my parents, the greatest souls living on this earth, who worked day and night without getting any rewards in return, who poured continues love and care from the womb to the tomb. My mother's advise was, son, your richness do not count your wealth, you count your richness from what you share and care with those who are around you. My father simply followed the principle of not preaching but practicing, I am just following their advice," said Colaco in his thanksgiving address.

Colaco was hailed for initiating the Link De-Addiction Centre in Mangaluru which was built and has been maintained at a cost of Rs 40 million, and which is helping drug and alcohol addicts. The Centre has already helped over 20,000 families from around Karnataka. His contribution towards buidling churches and temples independently was also applauded and he was hailed as a role model to humanity.

Dr Kalam in his address inspired youth and children, and said, "I met rulers of Bahrain. Themessage I got from the Bahrain palace is what I am conveying to you now, and that is, 350,000 Indian people are residing in Bahrain, consisting nearly 40% of the population, and they are doing very well."

He congratulated and lauded Indian Club Bahrain on celebrating 100 glorious years.

He read out his own inspiring poem, and the audience repeated after him, as follows:

I will fly
I am born with potential
I am born with goodness and trust
I am born with Ideas and dream
I am born with greatness
I am born with confidence
I am born with wings
so, I am not meant for crawling
because I have wings
I will fly, I fly, I fly

He urged chidren to watch less of TV and read more books. He advised parents in Bahrain to keep at least 10 good books in their home libraries. "Chldren can make a happy home," he said, and asked children to follow what his advice, which was, "From today onwards I will make my mother happy, if my mother is happy, my home will be happy, if home is happy, society will be happy, if society is happy, Bahrain will be happy, Iif Bahrain is happy, India will be happy, if India is happy, world will be happy." He thus inspired children amidst huge round of applause from the audience.

He further said, "After 100 years of celebration, now its time to fly." He appreciated the founder of the Club who thought of establishing it 100 years ago for the benefit of Indians in Bahrain.

He also congratulated the five achievers on receiving the Centenary Award.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Royston & Amitha, Bejai / Riyadh

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    Congratulations to all the Mangalorean NRI's who deserved to be honoured by none other than Dr. APJ Kalam. Mr. Lobo has done a wonderful job. Continue the good work and programmes.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lydia Lobo, Mangalore Bajal

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    Congratulations sir. You are a person filled with talents and potentials. really you deserve more honour. May Almighty God bless you with Good health.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • L N Rego, Bendur

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    As i congratulate Mr Ronald Colaco for being recipient of the Award, may god bless him and his family.
    What a inspiring thought of Dr Kalam encouraging little children to read books. Leaders are Readers. Good job.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bryan, Bahrain

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    Well deserve award for Mr. Colaco...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    It is a matter of great joy and pride to The Mangalorean community to see B.R. Shetty and Ronald Colaco in the limelight. Indeed these two philanthropists have contributed a lot for India and the Indians. I have had the pleasure of meeting both these stalwarts and I have no hesitation in stating that they deserve high praise.

    Joe Gonsalves

    DisAgree [4] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • A Visionary Indian, Mangaluru/UAE

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    This gentleman Mr APJ Abdul Kalam, a mighty gift to our Nation. But its a pity that we do not want to accept his ideology, a true ideology of learning, progress, analyze, improve, excel, explore..... There is always scope for improvement. Unfortunately, we never want to learn but only want to earn, by whatever means. Let us understand the true meaning of democracy, secularism and equal freedom to all. We have already wasted 65 years, let us not add some more, rather, think internationally, join our hands and work for developed India. No need to bother about what is being cooked at our neighbours kitchen?? Rather, invest our energy and expertise to make our home secure in all respects, so that external threats fall in place on its own.... Be united, Be Indian............and promise a better tomorrow for our next generation at least.........This will be a big reward to a man who was able to rise from ordinary to extraordinary limits........

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • vincent fernandes-mogachi lahran, cascia/dubai

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Dear Mr. Ronald Colaco & Dr. B.R.Shetty Congratulations. Great achievement. You both made us Mangaloreans proud. Keep it up.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Austin Prabhu, Nantur/Chicago

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Congratulations Ronald on the occasion of received Indian Club Centenary Award from one of India's greatest past presidents Dr. Kalam. Wish you all the best and God bless.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Frazer Town,B'lore

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Both are great with unique contributions to the upliftment of Indian society in Baharin and deserve this award.Congratulations and all the best.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mark Denis Dsouza, Niddodi/Sharjah-U.A.E.

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Congratulations to Ronald Colaco and B R Shetty on receiving Indian Club Centenary Awards by Dr.Kalam.May God bless you both with health and wealth emerging to humanbieng need and benefit.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • RTN MICHAEL MATHIAS SHIRVA ROTARY, PILAR SHIRVA

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    congratulations.wish u all the best

    DisAgree [9] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Little Sisters of the Poor, Mangalore

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Congratulations to Mr. Ronald Colaco on receiving the award. Wish you continued success in your endeavors. May God bless you and your family abundantly. Keep up the good work!

    DisAgree [12] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • THERESA LOBO, Mukamar-Sharjah

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Congratulations to all the Award Winners. Truly all deserve this type of Awards. Thanks to Indian Club Bahrain for the great job in organising such a beautiful event. Beautiful and colour pics. God bless each and everyone.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rinna D Souza, Salmiya Kuwait

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Wow, its obviously a great occasion to have Mr. A Kalam in one of the Gulf country like Bahrain.
    Kudos to you Mr. Ronald Colaco, you duly deserve this and more.

    DisAgree [15] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alban D Souza, Udyavara/Bajjodi/Mumbai/Doha Qatar

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Congratulations! All the dignitaries and businessmen. Success Abroad!What more example we need than Indians are shining abroad with success, ability & talent and we are all proud of all of them. Unity in diversity. They are from different background in India but united in one spirit to help the Humanity in general and Indians in particular. Wish you all the success. Nice to see great man of India Dr. Abdul Kalam.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Linus Moras, Dubai

    Sat, Feb 07 2015

    Dear Mr. Ronald Colaco & Dr. B.R.Shetty Congratulations. Great achievement. You both made us Mangaloreans proud. Keep it up.

    Linus Moras & fly. Dubai

    DisAgree [14] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, INDIA

    Sat, Feb 07 2015

    The award deserves the best. Congratulation to Colaco. May God give you the all happiness available on this globe. :) Good job done by Indian club, Bahrain,Kudos.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudy D souza & Family, Kuwait, Omzoor/ Kuwait

    Sat, Feb 07 2015

    Congratulations to all the award winners. All are right choices. Congratulations to Indian club Bahrain too. Thanks to our beloved former Indian President the great scientist Dr. Abdul Kalam for gracing the occasion and giving away the prestigious awards. My special congratulations goes to Mr. Ronald Colaco who is generously helping the society in large without any discrimination of caste creed or religion. Hats of to you Mr. Ronald Coloco

    DisAgree [14] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • RAM , Mangalore / Bahrain

    Sat, Feb 07 2015

    Message from DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM
    A GREAT Person of GREAT INDIA.
    He urged children to watch less of TV and read more books. He advised parents in Bahrain to keep at least 10 good books in their home libraries. "Children can make a happy home," he said, and asked children to follow what his advice, which was, "From today on wards I will make my mother happy, if my mother is happy, my home will be happy, if home is happy, society will be happy, if society is happy, Bahrain will be happy, If Bahrain is happy, India will be happy, if India is happy, world will be happy." He thus inspired children a midst huge round of applause from the audience.

    Many many thanks to Mr. Anand Prabhu (Present President of INDIAN CLUB - Bahrain) and the committee your efforts for this GREAT event.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • SK, Mangalore

    Sat, Feb 07 2015

    Congratulations to all....

    DisAgree [12] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Bahrain : Dr Kalam presents Indian Club Centenary awards to Colaco, B R Shetty



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