Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Aug 14: All India Catholic Union (AICU) has announced the centenary award winners for their outstanding contribution to the society.
Addressing media here on Wednesday, August 14, national president of AICU Lancy D’Cunha said, Ospison Linus Marbaniang from Meghalaya has bagged the AICU Centenary Media Award, Jeeth Milan Roche from Mangaluru is awarded the AICU Centenary Environment Award, Rubina Francis from Madhya Pradesh has bagged the AICU Centenary Sports Award, Livinus K Kindo from Orissa is chosen for the AICU Centenary Public Affairs Award and Kasber Augustine from Mumbai is conferred the AICU Centenary Social Activist Award.
(From top clockwise): Ospison Linus Marbaniang, Jeet Milan Roche, Rubina Francis, Kasber Augustine Chakalakal, Livinus Kaila Kindo
“AICU, founded in 1919 at Chennai, is a pan India organization representing 20 million Catholics spread all over India, is now set to celebrate its centenary with a three-day programme in New Delhi from August 23 to 25.
“Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi minister for minority affairs will be the chief guest for the valedictory ceremony. The chief ministers of New Delhi, Meghalaya and Andhra Pradesh will be present as guests of honor. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Peter Machado, Archbishop Anil Cutto and bishop of different dioceses will be present during the programme.
“PRO Mangaluru diocese Fr Vijay Victor Lobo, Patrick Rajesh Minz from Mumbai, Dr Hyacinth Sophia, Principal Kollum Kerala, advocate James Sylvester and Titus Noronha from Mangaluru were the jury members.
“AICU also conducted national level poster painting competition for the youths on the topic ‘Nature God’s Gift’, for the seventh to 10th standard students. The winners of this competition are Godwin from Kumbakonam, Venisha Fiona Mascarenhas from Mangaluru, Steve Menezes from Udupi, Anne Lisa Augustine from New Delhi and Allen Kujur from Bareily.
“In the second category the topic was ‘Love Your Neighbourhood - Love towards brothers and sisters’, for youngsters studying in 11th standard to the age of 25 years. The winners of this category are Nielesh Rasquinha from Mangaluru, Edzel Lewis from Udupi, Shanelle Anne Mathais from Udupi, Jeevan Killo from Vishakapatnam and Milosha Patra from Goa,” he said.
Jury chairman Fr Vijay Victor Lobo and Nayana Fernandes were also present.
About the winners
Ospison Linus Marbaniang, Meghalaya
• Born in Khasi Tribal Community, Shillong
• Mass Communications Degree from St Xavier Institute of Mass Communication, Mumbai
• Worked at North-Eastern Hill University of Shillong – NEHU
• Editor of ‘Iing Khristan’ – NEHU University
• Started ‘Khasi Daily Mawphor’ – News Daily
• Passed UPSC – Worked for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India
• Consulting Editor of ‘Highland Post’
• Awareness creation in the Indo Bangladesh Villages
Jeet Milan Roche
• Planted more than 1,00,000 saplings in public places
• Target of planting 5,000 saplings every year
• Involved family in this noble work
• Award 2019 by the diocese of Mangaluru for distributing 80,996 saplings in 124 parishes
• ‘Aranya Mitra Award 2013’ from Forest Department
• ‘Environmentalist Award 2016’ from Pollution Control Board
Rubina Francis
• Achievement in spite of physically Challenged
• Gold medalist in 10m pistol – shooting at Para Olympics
• 15 gold medals in State and National Level
• Appreciation Certificate from the State of Madhya Pradesh Riffle Association
Livinus Kaila Kindo
• Born in a Adivasi family of Odisha
• Gold Medal in Masters Degree
• IAS Officer on Merit, not on reservation
• Served as Revenue Court Settlement Officer, Collector & District Magistrator, Revenue Divisional Officer and Member of Board of Revenue
• Awarded by the President of India as ‘Best District Census Officer’ in 1982.
• Served as Transport Commissioner and Director of Fisheries
Kasber Augustine Chakalakal
• Founder of ‘Thane Citizens Foundation’
• Fought to resolve the pothole issues, toll naka menace
• Protected more than 1000 trees from destruction in Thane district
• Cleaned Thane streets from abandoned vehicles
• Solved property related disputes of Our Lady of Mercy Church, Thane
• Resolved waste management issue covering 1500 housing societies
• Saved 7 destitutes by providing timely medical help and reuniting some of them with their families and other by admitting them to the old age homes
• Making Thane clean and green by being instrumental in getting 4 acres of land for a urban forest in the midst of concrete jungle