Rachana awards presented to five achievers

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Savitha B R)

November 27, 2011

Mangalore, November 28: The ninth Rachana Awards, instituted by Rachana, the Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, were conferred on five individuals for their meritorious service in their respective fields, at a glittering programme at Milagres Jubilee Hall on Sunday night.

The awardees included Rev Sr Maria Goretti, Mother General, SRA, Austria (Rachana Outstanding Woman of the Year); Paul Tauro, Madyanthyar, Belthangady (Rachana Agriculturist of the Year); Richard Rodrigues, Mangalore (Rachana Entrepreneur of the Year); C T J Gonsalves, Mangalore (Rachana Professional of the Year); and Lawrence D'Souza, Kuwait (Rachana NRI Entrepreneur of the Year).

Addressing the gathering after conferring the awards, IAS officer Dr Christy Fernandez, the secretary to the President of India, lauded the efforts of Rachana for honouring the deserved.

Stating that he was happy to note that Rachana, the Catholic Chamber of Commerce, has been a source of encouragement to the 'stakeholders,' unlike the other Chambers of Commerce which are generally concerned about only 'shareholders,' Dr Fernandez complimented Rachana for boosting the morale of the deserving and needy.

Terming stakeholders and shareholders as the two wheels of a chariot, he stressed the need to take stakeholders along with shareholders for a better society.

Presiding over the award ceremony, Mangalore Diocese Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza too congratulated the awardees and complimented Rachana for encouraging the deserved for their contribution to the welfare of the society.

Earlier, Rachana President Marcel Monteiro, on behalf of Rachana, handed over a cheque for Rs 2 lakh to the Bishop for construction of a house to the poor in the diocese. The diocese has planned to construct 125 houses to the poor as a part of the celebrations of the formation of 125 years of Mangalore diocese.

Jury

The jury for the prestigious awards comprised CA Rudolf Rodrigues, Dr Meera Aranha, Casmir Menezes, Roy Castellino, Marjorie Texeira, Austin Peres, Louis J Pinto, Capt John Prasad Menezes, Ronald Gomes, Joe Coelho and John D'Silva among others.

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From Dubai boom to Bengaluru backlash: Inside CJ Roy’s journey

News Network

January 31,2026

Bengaluru: The shooting incident involving CJ Roy, founder of the Confident Group, has once again put the spotlight on a businessman whose life has swung between flamboyant global success and persistent controversy at home.

Though Roy’s business interests extended across continents, his roots lay firmly in Karnataka. An alumnus of Christ School in Bengaluru, he later moved to Tumakuru to pursue an engineering degree. Those familiar with his early years describe him as intensely ambitious, beginning his career as a salesman at a small electronics firm dealing in computers.

Roy’s entry into large-scale real estate came through the Crystal Group, where he worked closely with Latha Namboothiri and rose from manager to director. However, the launch of the Confident Group in 2005 was clouded by industry speculation. Insiders speak of a fallout involving alleged “benami” properties and claims of deception that ultimately led to his independent venture—an episode Roy spent years trying to distance himself from, according to associates.

A tale of two cities

Roy’s professional trajectory diverged sharply across geographies.

In Dubai, he built a reputation as a bold and efficient developer, completing massive luxury residential projects in record time—some reportedly within 11 months. His rapid project delivery and lavish lifestyle in the Emirates earned him admiration and visibility in the real estate sector.

In Bengaluru, however, his image remained far more fractured. Sources say Roy stayed away from the city for several years amid disputes over unpaid dues to vendors and suppliers. Several projects were allegedly stalled, with accusations of unfulfilled commitments to cement and steel suppliers continuing to follow him.

Roy’s return to Bengaluru’s business and social circles began around 2018, marked by a conscious attempt at rebranding. His appointment as Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic added diplomatic legitimacy, which he complemented with visible CSR initiatives, including ambulance donations and high-profile charity events.

Heavy police presence in Langford Town

Following the incident, police personnel from the Central division were deployed outside the Confident Group building in Langford Town, which also houses the Slovak Honorary Consulate in Bengaluru.

The otherwise busy premises near Hosur Road wore a deserted look on Friday, reflecting the shock and uncertainty that followed the tragedy.

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