Mangalore : Rachana Awards 2011, registered by Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will be conferred the awards of present year on Sr. Maria Goretti, the mother general of SRA, Austria (outstanding woman of the year), Paul Tauro of Madanthyar (agriculturist of the year), Richard Rodrigues (entrepreneur of the year), C. T. J. Gonsalves (professional of the year), and Lawrence D’Souza of Kuwait (entrepreneur of the year) at Milagres Jubilee Hall on Nov 27 Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

The achiveres were selected by a panel of judges such as CA Rudolf Rodrigues, Dr. Meera Aranha, Dr. Ronald Fernandes, Pradeep D’Souza, Casmir Menezes, Roy Castelino, Marjorie Texeira, Austin Peres, Louis J. Pinto, Captain John Prasad Menezes, Ronald Gomes, Joe Coelho, John D’Silva.

Dr. Christy Fernandez IAS, the secretary to the president of India, New Delhi, will be the chief guest , while Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the bishop of Mangalore, will preside over the event.

Rachana Outstanding Woman of the Year – Sr Maria Goretti

Sr Maria Goretti was the initiator and first coordinator of the Dharmajyothi Social Centre in Vamanjoor which built over 900 houses for the poor and the marginalized.

Her notable contributions in Karwar Diocese are establishment of the Marie Vianney Home in Honavar for abandoned children, the establishment of the sponsorship programme through which helped over 5000 children, the formation of ‘ children’s clubs’ in various villages to identify and promote the talents of the children with learning, the commencement of ‘alternative’ teaching for children with learning disabilities along with a nutrition programme, the establishment of study loan sponsorship programme to help students from under privileged backgrounds to pursue college and professional education, youth animation through rural development (YARD) centre in Haliyal, Uttar Kannada, and the establishment of computer centres under the National Institute of Continuing Education at many towns in Karwar.

Rachana Agriculturist of the Year – Paul Tauro, Madantyar, Belthangady

His well-planned and modern outlook to cultivate high yielding crops such as coconut, areca nut and rubber in his 19 acres of irrigated land, bagged him the Rachana award.

He is a first generation agriculturist, an inspiration and role model to aspiring farmers.

Rachana Entrepreneur of the Year – Richard Rodrigues

Mr. Rodrigues is the managing partner of M/s Karnataka Agencies Mangalore, which was launched in 1976, and has 9 outlets in 4 districts, employing 425 people.

Karnataka Agencies is known for its effort in upgrading the skills of St. Joseph’s ITI. It runs an annual one-month programme with RUDSETI, an institution sponsored by Dharmasthala.

CA Claud T J  Gonsalves

Mr. Gonsalves is the senior-most CA in Mangalore, who has established the first CA firm in Mangalore.

The award is being conferred on him in recognition of his valuable services, his professional ethics, his support to worthy social causes, his love of music, and his ability to play 9 musical instruments.

Rachana NRI Entrepreneur of the Year – Lawrence D’Souza Kuwait

Lawrence D’Souza is one of the most respected entrepreneurs in the community and owns more than 24 A-grade restaurants around Kuwait, Dubai, Bahrain and other Gulf countries, and more than 35 famous confectionary outlets.

About 1,200 workers, from helpers to general managers in his companies are from the undivided South Kanara district. He has generously contributed to various philanthropic causes in and around DK and Udupi districts.