Igniting Entrepreneurship: RACHANA’s Initiative to Boost Self-Employment
Mangaluru: RACHANA Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with ICYM Central Council Diocese of Mangalore, hosted “IGNITING ENTREPRENEURSHIP” on August 25, 2024, at St Sebastian’s Church Hall, Bendur. The event aimed to empower young entrepreneurs from the Catholic community and nearby dioceses.
The program began with a symbolic lighting ceremony, followed by a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. Mr. John Monteiro, President of RACHANA, delivered a warm welcome address, emphasizing the importance of inspiring and empowering young minds through entrepreneurship.
The event featured three key sessions:
Mr. Roy Castelino, Proprietor of Roy Constructions, discussed his venture into civil construction, highlighting the importance of understanding the business intricacies before starting. He urged the youth to thoroughly study the business landscape before launching their enterprises. He made it clear that self-interest and hard work are crucial to lead a small start-up. He emphasized that although it takes a while to progress, it’s not difficult to venture into any business.
Dr. Paul D’Souza captivated the audience with his passion for agriculture, speaking about the importance of positive thinking, patience, and the power of compounding. Dr. D’Souza emphasized that entrepreneurial success requires discipline. Though a professor, his love
for agriculture is deeply rooted in him and has yielded well. As an agriculturist with expertise in dairy farming, he called on young entrepreneurs to enter into the trending market of agriculture.
Mr. Leslie Rego shared his entrepreneurial journey, offering practical advice on commitment and hard work.
Chief Guest Mr. Rohan Monteiro delivered an inspiring speech, sharing his journey and discussing the challenges he faced in his business endeavors. He emphasized the importance of maintaining quality in goods and services, noting that trust and financial success should naturally follow. He likened the business world to navigating waves, where risks, self-belief, and resilience elevate one’s position. He further encouraged the youth, asserting that this was the right time to build a business. Success and failure are both part of the journey, and with a positive outlook, nothing is impossible. He advised the participants to start small, be patient, and work their way up. He added that one should believe in themselves and God and affirm that success will be theirs. Mr. Monteiro concluded by offering support to aspiring entrepreneurs through Rachana.
Throughout the event, Mr. JR Lobo moderated the sessions and provided valuable insights, pointing out the importance of having a clear vision. He stressed the necessity of hard work, calculated risks, and resilience in the face of failure, encouraging the participants not to be deterred by setbacks. Mr. Lobo also advised the audience to network with experts in similar fields and be open to continuous learning.
Former Rachana presidents, Mr. Gilbert D’Souza, and Mrs. Marjorie Texeira, chairperson of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations, also pledged their support to the young entrepreneurs.
Mr Victor Johnson Monteiro Proprietor of Paramount Cargo and Transport LLC, Dubai contributed through monetary sponsorship. Mr. Ullas Rasquinha was also recognised for his contribution.
Fr. Clifford Fernandes, Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church Kulshekar who was present for the program offered his guidance to Rachana and ICYM, stressing the importance of such programs in igniting entrepreneurial spirit. He concluded his remarks with a prayer and blessed the gathering.
The event was skillfully compered by Dr. Savannah Sequeira, Dr. Jessica Monteiro, and Ms. Rianna D’Cunha, ensuring a smooth flow of activities. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Rachana Joint Secretary, Mr. Walter D’Cunha, followed by lunch and networking opportunities.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap for aspiring entrepreneurs and build a larger entrepreneurial community.