Mangalore, August 26: Konkani community, a minority in the country, should strive to be recognised as being important by excelling in various spheres of society, T.V. Mohandas Pai, chairman of Manipal Universal Learning, has said.

Speaking at a function to award scholarships to students by Vishwa Konkani Student Scholarship Fund (VKSSF), Mr. Pai exhorted Konkanis to follow the Jewish community in terms of growth. “Though they are a small community, Jews are seen as eminent leaders in many professions. They have achieved control through money and power,” he said.

He hoped that in 20 years, the community could become economically forward; and, a way to achieve this was for Konkanis to bring banking, information technology and other industries to the coast. “This way, the industry can benefit other Konkanis here,” he said. Scholarships to 140 engineering and medical students were given. Cumulatively worth Rs. 2 crore, each engineering student was given Rs. 30,000, a medical student Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 1 lakh for those pursuing education abroad.

Scholarships were also distributed by MP Oscar Fernandes and Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.