Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jan 28: In rare and significant recognition, philanthropist and NRI entrepreneur Dr Ronald Colaco has been honoured by the chief of Karnataka police for his exemplary public service and extraordinary contribution towards strengthening police infrastructure and promoting communal harmony in the state.

Honour by Present DGP

The recognition was affirmed on December 22, 2025, when the present director general of police (DGP) of Karnataka, Dr M A Saleem, presented Dr Colaco with the prestigious Karnataka Police Unique Official Memento, engraved with his name, along with a Certificate of Appreciation. The honour acknowledged his exemplary services and consistent support in developing high-standard police infrastructure across Karnataka.

Earlier Recognition by Outgoing Police Chief

Dr Ronald Colaco was honoured by the former director general of police, Dr Alok Mohan, who presented him with the Police Unique Official Memento. The recognition was conferred in appreciation of Dr Colaco’s enormous contribution to the upgradation of police department infrastructure and his sustained efforts in fostering communal harmony.

The citation also noted that Dr Colaco’s initiatives have set an inspiring example for the government, multinational companies, corporates and other philanthropists to emulate in supporting public institutions.

First one to do in the entire Country - Landmark Contributions to Karnataka Police

Dr Ronald Colaco’s association with the Karnataka police dates back to 2003. At that time, the then police chief, Mariswamy, had requested him to renovate the Frazer Town police station, now known as Pulikeshinagar. Going a step further, Dr Colaco expressed his desire to design and construct a model police station equipped with modern facilities.

He subsequently built a state-of-the-art, fully furnished 5,000 sq ft police station at Frazer Town, providing comprehensive infrastructure and amenities. This pioneering initiative is widely regarded as a pioneering act in the entire country apart from being a turning point in police infrastructure development in Karnataka.

Continuing his philanthropic efforts, in 2004, Dr Colaco re-constructed earlier police station of 3,000 sq ft as a separate traffic police station at Frazer Town, further strengthening traffic management infrastructure in the area.

Inspired by this model and following the pioneering example of Dr Colaco, leading corporate giants such as Infosys, Wipro and Jindal and many other MNC’s and corporates later came forward to construct as many as 49 additional police stations across the state, marking a major public-private partnership movement in policing infrastructure.

In 2021, Dr Colaco further contributed by constructing a police museum at Frazer Town to showcase vintage and historical police-related artefacts, preserving the legacy of policing for future generations. The museum is awaiting official inauguration, which is expected later this year.

Dr Colaco’s support extended beyond Bengaluru as well. In 2006, he provided furniture and essential infrastructure to the Chikkajala police station. He also facilitated the creation of a fully equipped modern drawing room at the Police Officers’ Mess during the tenure of Achuta Rao as police commissioner of Bengaluru City.

In Mangaluru, Dr Colaco supported the renovation of the inspector general of police office when Dr Alok Mohan was serving as IGP of the Western Range. Later, during the tenure of Seemanth Kumar Singh as commissioner of police in Mangaluru, Dr Colaco initiated scholarship programs for the children of police personnel to encourage them to study in competition for the incentives, further extending his commitment to the welfare of police families. During 2010 & 2011, scholarships worth Rs 2.6 million and another amount of Rs.0.8 million worth uniform + waterproof school bags were distributed to over 550 students. Following this legacy, Nigel Colaco, son of Dr Ronald Colaco, sponsored one year scholarship amount.

Apart from police infrastructure, Dr Colaco has also extended significant support towards the construction, development and renovation of various government institutions and contributions to over 25 different fields, including but not limited to the departments of judiciary, revenue, education, health care, horticulture, Bescom/Mescom, art & culture, panchayat raj, PWD public roads, Samudhaya Bhavans, sports, national disaster, rural area drinking water facility, mass marriages, houses for less fortunate, temples, mosques, churches, facilities for even the departed souls and other public infrastructure projects during a period of over 3.5 decades.

Historic Recognition in the World Book of Records, London

Such consistent and long term social, charitable, humanitarian services and infrastructure support to the state government of Karnataka for more than 25 fields and departments for over 3.5 decades by Dr Ronald Colaco has been well recognized and entered in the World Book of Records, London who has issued Certificate of Excellence, as announced in the House of Commons of the British Parliament, London on September 28, 2022 during Indo-UK Leadership Summit. Since Dr Colaco could not travel to London to receive this historic recognition from the World Book of Records due to his son’s wedding function in Dubai on the same day, five times elected Member of British Parliament from Labour Party (now ruling in UK), Virendra Sharma travelled to Bengaluru and bestowed this Certificate of Excellence of exclusive honour on Dr Colaco in a grand function organized by the combined 3 political parties – the then BJP national general secretary, C T Ravi, Dinesh Gundu Rao, minister from Congress, Boje Gowda, MLC from JDS, Dr Arathi Krishna, cabinet rank deputy chairman for NRI Forum, and Prof K E Radhakrishna on January 6, 2023.

Rare Honour for a Civilian

Sources point out that police medals and official mementos are generally presented to top dignitaries such as chief ministers, home ministers, governors and special foreign dignitaries who visit police headquarters. Against this backdrop, Dr Ronald Colaco stands out as one of the very few civilians to receive such rare recognition from not one but two chiefs of Karnataka police, the past and the present one.

The honour underscores the exceptional nature of his contribution with his pioneering act, the trust reposed in him by successive police chiefs, and the enduring impact of his service on institutional development of the police infrastructure, environment, work efficiency and behavioral change among the police personnel.

Known for his humanitarian approach that transcends caste, creed and region, Dr Colaco has been actively involved in public welfare initiatives for decades. His work continues to focus on institution-building, social harmony and meaningful public service, earning him widespread respect and recognition across communities and sectors, both in India and abroad.