Bangalore : The Bangalore-based Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA),a premier umbrella organization representing Konkani Catholics of Karnataka and world-wide, has announced the names of its prestigious FKCA Award Winners for the Year 2014-15.
The FKCA has instituted 3 awards to honor Konkani Catholics for their achievement and services not only to the community but the country in different fields. The 3 awards are as follows.
(1). Lifetime Achievement
(2). Professional Excellence
(3). Entrepreneur of the Year.
The awards shall be presented at FKCA’s 16th year celebrations – ¡¥FEDERATION DAY-2015, to be held at the St Joseph’s Indian High School Grounds, Opposite Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore, on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at 5 PM, by Chief Minister of Karnataka SIDDARAMAIAH, who has consented to become the Chief Guest of the program.
Arch Bishop Dr Bernard Moras will preside over the function. Below mentioned Prominent Political and Christian leaders of Karnataka,
V Srinivas Prasad – Revenue Minister ¡V Govt. of Karnataka,
K J George – Home Minister ¡V Govt. of Karnataka,
J R Lobo – Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly
Ivan D’Souza – Member Karnataka Legislative Council
Ronald Colaco (N.R.I.) ¡V Chairman of Federation of International Christian Associations IFKCA ]
Roy Castelino ¡V President of Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy
shall be part of the event as Guests of Honour, said FKCA Chairman Victor Edward D’Souza.
BRIEF DETAILS OF THE AWARDEES:
(1). Lifetime Achievement: Edwin Joseph Francis D’Souza ( Vasu Valencia)
The current Executive Director of Institute of Konkani, St. Aloysius College (Autonomous) Mangaluru and Editor of ¡¥Amar Konkani¡¦ a bi-annual research journal in Konkani (both Nagari/Kannada scripts)
Edwin Joseph Francis D’Souza fondly called as Vasu Valencia, was born in June 1948. He¡¦s a product of St. Aloysius Autonomous College Mangaluru and holds a degree in Commerce and a Post Graduate Diploma in Konkani.
His first short story in Konkani was published in 1964. Since then he has come a long way with 33 published novels, over one hundred short stories, columns, satires etc. His famous works include- ¡¥A Cup of Hot Tea¡¦, ¡¥Chocolates¡¦, ¡¥KallemBhaangaar¡¦, ¡¥Poinn¡¦ and many more. His contributions have been highly lauded when it comes to the Translations of English books, biographies, Novels, short stories etc¡K into Konkani and vice versa. He¡¦s been a proud recipient of some of the renowned awards such as ¡¥Best books of the year 2013¡¦ award¡¦ (for his novel- KallemBhaangaa) from both Konkani Sahitya Academy and Vimala V PaiVishwa Konkani Academy.
(2). PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE: JACOB CRASTA
An exceedingly renowned professional, who has set a benchmark for prominent industrialists, Jacob Crasta is inthe limelight for his skills such as business strategy, Market research, Business and Strategic Planning, Entrepreneurship, Business and Product Development and the list goes on.
He was born to Baptist and Sabina Crasta in 1951 near Kinnigoli in Mangalore. His affiliation for environment and ethical life values have molded him into a multi-talented and delightful personality of what he is today. His journey into the entrepreneurs¡¦ world started with his own glorious venture namely CM Equipments& Instruments India Pvt. Ltd., a pioneering company in the manufacturing of Environmental Simulation Testing Systems in India.
He has over 30 years of experience in the Manufacturing, Industrial space& Social forums, and is associated with various organizations in India and abroad, in various capacities. Some of which are:
Chairman, Karnataka State Council: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
Executive Member: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) India
Past President & Member of International Trade Committee: Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI)
State level Export Promotion Council Member: Government of Karnataka (GoK)
Member and Past President: Peenya Industries Association (PIA)
Member and Past President: Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA)
(3). ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: AUSTIN ROACH
A Founding Member of the prestigious Ferns Group, Mr. Austin Roach has over 18 years of experience in Bangalore’s development and real estate sector. Mr. Austin Roach and his colleagues at the ¡¥FERNS GROUP¡¦ have a reputation as transformers of Bangalore’s skyline, men with the vision to initiate Bangalore’s vertical development, to keep up with its rising status as India’s Silicon City.
Austin Roach was born as the 5th child of Late P. A. Roach and Late Caroline Roach. He obtained his graduate degree from St. Joseph¡¦s Arts and Science College Bangalore and ever since has made his name in the fields of Politics, Social Service and Real Estate. He was once the Secretary of Youth Congress of Mudigere taluk and later embarked his career journey with a 3 year stint in the Gulf and later got into the Real Estate Innovation. His firm RBD Shelters, carries the pride of having created over 10 gated communities and is the promoter of the prestigious 5-star Park Plaza Hotel at Bengaluru.
Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations takes pride in honoring Austin Roach, who was a Founding Member of this prestigious organization and also has served a term of two years in the capacity of its Chairman and was responsible for bringing many Konkani Christian Associations under FKCA¡¦s banner.
ABOUT FKCA
The FKCA, established in 1998 for espousing the cause of Konkani Catholics of Bangalore and also to work in the larger interests of the community in the entire state of Karnataka and other parts of India and even abroad, comprises as many as 30 Konkani Catholic associations in different parts of Bangalore and Mysore, besides nine associations in different countries, including four in Dubai, Abu Dhabi in UAE, one each in Kuwait, Qatar, USA, UK and Canada.
The FKCA today has made a strong presence by putting forth and taking up grievance of Konkani Catholic community with several governments as a united forum and fighting for their rights.
FKCA has taken up various programs like annual sports, free placement service cell, matrimonial cell, entrepreneurs¡¦ forum and free medical camps. It has also launched a worldwide directory of Konkani Catholics on its website, www.fkca.net. Major achievements of the Federation include the below:
„« Initiative in helping several members of different affiliated associations in getting well-developed housing sites on the Bangalore-Tumkur highway near Nelamangala.
„« Concerted efforts by meeting successive Chief Ministers and leaders of different political parties to demand suitable representation to minorities, especially Christians.
„« Launch of Free Placement Service Cell to help the unemployed to get jobs, has benefited several job-seekers. A free medical camp was conducted in a government school near Benson town .About 400 poor school children and their parents were examined by qualified doctors. Distributed school bags, books and shoes to students. Free medicines were given to the old aged home run by the Little sisters of the Poor,Hosur Road, Bangalore.
„« In view of the injustice done in the Minority development Corporation and Karnataka state minorities Commission, Federation office bearers met the leaders of other minority communities like Jains, Parsis and Sikhs to discuss future course of action.
„« Met the Chairman of National Minority commission standing committee¡V Justice Ranganath Mishra and submitted a memorandum highlighting community grievances with regard to the state minority board and minorities commission wherein only one community is favored by the government ignoring Christians¡¦ among the rest of the minority groups.
„« Started recognizing people who have succeeded in their respective fields Award program was introduced during the Federation day ¡V mainly for 3 categories ¡V Best Entrepreneurs, Life time achievement award and Professional excellence award. Idea was to inspire youth and induce hunger for success.
FKCA extends a warm invitation to all to participate in the felicitation and awards ceremony to encourage the awardees for their yeomen contributions to the community.