Rachana Holds Advisory Meet to Set Action Plan for 2019-21

Rachana Holds Advisory Meet to Set Action Plan for 2019-21

Mangaluru: The Rachana Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry held an advisory meet to prepare an action plan for the year 2019-21 at Chefs, Nanthur here on October 1.

The programme began with a silent prayer. President of Rachana Elias Sanctis welcomed the gathering. Former MLA J R Lobo and Entrepreneur Walter D’Souza were the resource persons, and Roy Castelino was the moderator.

Addressing the gathering J R Lobo said, “All of us gathered here have good knowledge but we do not practically put it into action. We come together, discuss, and do things individually, but collectively we fail. If we have failed today it is because of not being united in our actions. What do we need to do and focus upon to make Rachana successful? In Udupi and DK, our population is 15%. We have an excellent church system, no other community has such a beautiful system. Unfortunately, we are not utilizing this system for economic development. Currently, the church has a very poor agenda on the economic development of families and concentrates only on the religious aspect.”

Lobo further said, “Economic development of the families should be one of the important aspects of the church activities. At present Christian communities are mostly involved in agriculture, few are in government jobs, very few own businesses and a few of them have properties. A large number of Christians are in the fisheries sector and animal husbandry and they are very hard working. Many are homeless. Most of the people who have agriculture land are marginal or small farmers. Marketing is the biggest problem they face while selling their products. If we see the credit scenario, our people are shy to borrow loans. We are smart in keeping the money in fixed deposits. If someone wants to take a loan there are many hurdles but in repayment, we are very sincere.”

Lobo stressed the point that since the community’s strength lies in fisheries, agriculture and animal husbandry, farmers should be encouraged by giving them good supporting prices for their products by exploring better marketing methods and also a solution for their housing problems. “We have good education, knowledge and are hardworking but the land is a problem. For agriculture, we do not have enough manpower. If we compare this to other districts or states, we are a century ahead in knowledge and awareness. We should encourage the farmers to adopt the Israeli Method of cultivation. We could send 30 members to Israel to learn and understand their way of cultivation. South Canara is the best region to employ this method of cultivation. Those who are interested in the Israeli Method cultivation should be motivated and trained. The Chinese are good in the piggery. China as of today has a shortage of 40,000 metric tonnes of pork. China is the largest consumer of pork and they are adopting the improved technology in pig farming. Mud crab farming can also be explored for families residing near the backwaters.”

“If we need to be successful, we need to have a co-operative society at the parish-level. If any parish starts a co-operative society, they can give loans to the parishioners and conduct training programmes. We need to promote a co-op federation in Mangalore for both the districts. Marketing through co-operative societies should be organized. The market tension of growers should be eliminated and the federation should play a major role in selling the farmers’ products and also coordinate with the government in getting the facilities. We also need to develop a technical team to guide our farmers and businessmen. We have a lot of ideas but we lack in implementing them. Our focus should be on how to implement short and long term goals. The Jewish community is the most exemplary community in the world. They are small in numbers but because of their hard work, their discipline and their way of working, they have become an exemplary community in the world. We need to follow their footsteps to be an exemplary community to other communities. In the modern world, if the priests give only sermons, people will not come to the church. The church should also go to the people and respond to their requirements. The Church has three major missions such as teaching, healing and feeding. The laypeople and the church should join hands, sit together and discuss the development plan to change the economic scenario of our community,” added Lobo.

Addressing the gathering, Walter D’Souza said, “In Mangaluru, Christians were at the forefront in business. We had people, material and money but we did not give importance to sustain our businesses. When we start a business, we spend lots of money but it is wasted. Our business is family business and succession is the main agenda here. Those who have started businesses have a good experience and the present generation has the expertise and if we want to utilize it successfully, experience and expertise should be gelled well. Rachana should develop prospective entrepreneurs. Rachana should hold workshops for budding entrepreneurs and guide them. We should remove the negative thoughts from their minds. If the budding entrepreneurs have the passion, aptitude and fire, they can achieve success in their business. Our physical presence is a must in our business because the first year is the most crucial year.”

Thereafter, an open discussion was held with many sharing their opinion. Secretary of Rachana Nelson Montiero delivered the vote of thanks. MLC Ivan D’Souza, former presidents of Rachana and other governing body members were also present.