Mangalore: Five eminent men of the Catholic Christian community were conferred the Rachana Awards at a function held at the Milagres Jubilee Hall in Mangalore on November 25, Sunday. The awards are instituted by Rachana, an organization of entrepreneurs, businessmen and professionals of the Catholic Community.

Those who were conferred the awards include Prof Hilda Rayappan, founder of Prajna Counseling Center (Rachana Outstanding Woman of the Year); Florine Pinto Perne (Rachana Agriculturist of the Year); Walter D’Souza, leading exporter in the city and chairman of Federation of Indian Export Organization (SR), ministry of commerce (Rachana Entrepreneur of the Year); Dr Oscar G Concesso, architect in Chennai (Rachana Professional of the Year); and Mark Denis D’Souza, Sharjah (Rachana NRI Entrepreneur of the Year).
Fr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Manglaore, blessed the occasion. Jan Cardoza, AVSM, Chairman, Rehabilitation, Ministery of Social Justice and Empowerment, was the chief guest. Precilla Cardoza, Roy Castelino, Preisdent of Rachana, John Monteiro, Secretary and Marcel Monteiro were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Hilda Rayappan, said  her service to the society has given a meaning to her life and exhorted yonng people to take the initiative in serving the society.

 Among others present were Fr Valerian D’Souza, Ivan D’Souza, Elias Fernandes, Lancy Mascarenhas, Austin Peris and  Louis J Pinto.