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Mumbai, Nov06 : Governor of Maharashtra, C Vidyasagar Rao, conferred ’Excellent Achiever Entrepreneur Award’ from CCCI for the year 2014 to six outstanding achievers on Saturday. The awardees are Prakash Pereira (social service), Fr Francis Swami (educational achievement), Thomas C Benjamin (social service), Janet Lawrence D’Souza (social service), Marjorie Aranha Texeira (woman entrepreneur achiever), and Walter D’Souza Nandalike (young entrepreneur) and congratulated the award winners. Dr Richard Pereira introduced the awardees.

Walter Nandalike, founder of Daijiworld media group has been conferred with ’Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2014’ award by Christian Chamber of Commerce of Industry (CCCI) for his outstanding contribution to the field of media and excellent entrepreneurial skills. CCCI has hailed his achievement of establishing three forms of media, Web, Print and TV, and called upon the youth to walk on his footsteps.

Governor Vidyasagar Rao speaking on the occasion said "The state of Maharashtra has gained immensely through chambers of commerce and industry. The contribution of Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) to the state has also been invaluable. These entities have considerably served by inspiring the young populace to become entrepreneurs. Our country is naturally rich, and has tremendous employment potential. But our people have lagged behind in making use of these opportunities and utilising the potential.

“To bridge this gap, our Prime Minister and other national leaders have been planning to impress upon the other countries about the great contributions made by India, and set up projects where give-and-take policy will be practicable. The institutions like this should voluntarily come forward to positively respond to these efforts. If younger generation gets inspired and draws our support, our country will automatically move in the path of progress and welfare. Self reliance will be achieved automatically in such a scenario. Anyway, Christians have a tendency to do self service, and their unblemished service is a model for the whole universe, not alone our country, to emulate,"

He was addressing the gathering organized at Hotel Kohinoor Continental’s auditorium at Andheri (east) here on Saturday October 24, on the occasion of the 13th annual general body meeting, friendly meet, and presentation of annual excellence awards of CCCI. He had participated in the function in the capacity of chief guest.

Bishop of Amaravathi Diocese, Fr Elias Gonsalves, also participated as chief guest of the function, which was presided over by working president of CCCI, Henry Lobo.

In his benedictory address, Bishop Gonsalves said that meaningful life always stands apart and scores over successful life. "Only in such a scenario, a life that is purposeful also becomes an achievement. The programmes like this, in which achievers are identified, inspire achievers. Frictions result in degeneration, decay and destruction. Service reinforced with harmony alone can bring lofty result. For this purpose, a life backed by compassion and warmth would be very essential," he stressed.

Working president of CCCI, Henry Lobo, expressed his gratefulness to everyone who strove for CCCI during his term with the body, and promised to continue to work for CCCI in future. He handed over power to new working president of CCCI, Antony Sequeira, and wished him well.

New working president of CCCI, Antony Sequeira, in his address, explained that his main purpose would be to realize the dreams. He said he would lay emphasis on the task of creating awareness to make this happen. "We will create more opportunities to our members, keep creating awareness about industry, and take bold steps towards evincing interest among the youngsters, thereby making an effort to win this institution global recognition," he said.

CCCI founder working president, Vincent Mathias, CCCI awards committee convener, John D’Silva, deputy working president, Albert W D’Souza, and director, John Mathew, were present at the dais. The awardees, reciprocating to the honour bestowed upon them, praised the functioning style of CCCI, which happens to be a premier Christian body.

Managing director of Ryan international group of educational institutions, Grace Pinto, Catholic Sabha Mumbai president, Gordan D’Souza, vice president, Lawrence Ronnie D’Souza, directors of CCCI, Lawrence Coelho, John Mathai, Justice Pius Vaz, Walter Buthello, and Gregory D’Souza, conveners of different sub-committees, other office bearers, and a large number of members, were present at the function.

At the beginning of the awards function, the 13th annual general body meeting of CCCI was conducted under the leadership of working president, Henry Lobo. CCCI working secretary, Felix D’Souza, provided information on the activities undertaken by CCCI during the previous year. Philomena H Lobo and Prameela V Mathias honoured the guests by handing over bouquets. Kenneth Sequeira and Payal Mathias compered the programme. Agnello Rajesh Athaide proposed the vote of thanks.