Mangaluru: Rachana awards announced; Aloysius Richard Lobo is NRI of the year

Media Release
October 16, 2018

Mangaluru, Oct 16: Rachana, a forum of Catholic entrepreneurs, businessmen and professionals, has announced its annual awards for this year. Here’s the list of winners:

1. Rachana Agriculturist of the year       - Mr. Lawrence Pinto

4. Rachana Entrepreneur of the year     - Mr. Ronald Castelino

2. Rachana Professional of the year      - Ms. Faye Dsouza

3. Rachana NRI of the year                    - Mr. Aloysius Richard Lobo

5. Rachana Woman of the year              - Sr. Maria Jyothi A.C

Announcing this at a press meet here, Stany Alvares President of Rachana, said that the award ceremony will be held on Saturday, 17th November 2018 at 6 pm at Milagres Jubilee Hall.

The ceremony will be presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese. Dr Charles Lobo, IPS, Chief Post Master General, Karnataka Circle will be the Chief Guest and Mr Ronald Colaco, NRI Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Bengaluru will be the Guest of honour.

He said it was in the year 1998 that Catholic businessmen, agriculturists and professionals formed Rachana, with an objective of encouraging youth to take up entrepreneurship, for training them in investment and for supporting them with technical backup.

He said, in the last 20 years Rachana has worked to achieve its goals and has trained over 200 youth through Rachana Entrepreneur Development Cell (REDC). The youth who have been trained thereby have started printing press, Nano Taxi, poultry farming, candle manufacturing and other enterprises.

Rachana has recognized the successful entrepreneurs, professionals, agriculturists, NRI entrepreneurs and women who have achieved in their distinctive field and brought them into limelight, more so that their example may be emulated by the young and the upcoming. Rachana had also organized Magnet 2014 Conference in April, which was attended by Catholic achievers from the world over.

Elias Sanctis, Vice President, John B. Monteiro, Convener, Rachana Awards 2018, Felix J. Pinto, Treasurer, Anil Vas, Secretary were present in the press conference.

 

About Winners

 

      Lawrence Pinto

Lawrence has been awarded for his skill to convert the 20 acres of farmland into a model farm growing areca, rubber and coconut garden withanimal husbandry to supplicate the income. And using innovative farming approaches towards irrigation, manuring and other activities like generating greenorganic manure within the farm through in-house compositing.

Social Work: Served 15 years as Gurkar of Algangar Church and also extended his service in Catholic Sabha, Parish Pastoral Council and Rotart Club as a member.

Awards: He has been awarded from the Moodbidri Co-operative Service Bank with the Excellent Farmer Award for 2015;

K. SomappaSuvarna Award for 2016 from late SomappaSuvarnaNeraluNempu Committee identifying his services in agriculture.

Excellent Agriculturist Award for 2017 during Silver Jubilee celebration of Catholic Sabha, Moodbidri.

Setting benchmarks to prove that intelligent farming techniques reap dividends in today’s world and society withincity limits.

Above all, silently being involved in the Agricultural Growth of our country where farm produce and supply is mostessential to curb inflation.

 

      Ronald Castelino (Roy Castelino)

Ronald Castelino, former president of Karnataka Konkani Literature Academy is popularly known as Roy Castelino. During his tenure, he has worked with the motto 'Konkani education - Konkani literature - Konkani culture'. He has succeeded in his mission by providing all-around co-operation for the study of Konkani in schools, publishing of 75 Konkani books written by various writers on various subjects at two books per month and introduced 'Mobile Konkani Bazaar', a unique project to spread the flavour of Konkani literature and music to each and every household. Out of the 41 Konkani communities of Karnataka, Roy has interacted with more than 30 communities and organized more than 200 programmes to radiate the Konkani language. Roy Castelino has organized fellowship training and workshops through the special grant for the Konkani speaking backward communities like Siddi and Dalit Konkani people. The establishment of Konkani study center in Mangaluru University is one of the important milestones of his tenure. He has also extended co-operation in starting Master of Arts (M.A.) in Konkani language in the university.

Roy Castelino has donned several responsible positions in the society. He is the founder president of Konkani Prachar Sanchalan and president for two terms of Rachana - Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Roy is the former member of Karnataka Konkani Literature Academy. He is serving as the sponsor of Maand Sobhann, an important cultural organization of Konkani language. He was the former treasurer of the World Konkani Organization and former president of Lion's Club, Kulshekar. He is the present trustee of Sandesha Education and Cultural Foundation. He is serving as the president of Pragati Co-operative society since 15 years. Roy is also serving as a nominated member of the Diocesan Parish Council of Mangaluru Diocese. Roy Castelino, who is a science graduate, established 'Roy Constructions' 32 years ago and is known as one of the successful entrepreneurs of Mangaluru. He is an able and successful leader without any doubt. Though he is a Christian, he has kept harmonious relation with people of all religion of the society.

 

      Faye D’Souza

      Executive Editor, MIRROR NOW

Faye D’Souza is an award winning journalist and the Executive Editor of MIRROR NOW and hosts the flagship show, ‘The Urban Debate’.  Over the last year Faye has lead the editorial team at Mirror Now, to break the conventions of news television and prime time viewing to refocus on the issues that really matter to the Indian citizens . Faye’s focus on accountability of government, responsible taxation, safety of women and children, education, health and urban development has also resulted in several policy changes and impact developments that have proven that journalists can still bring about improvements in the status quo.  Under Faye’s leadership, Mirror Now has been the recipient of multiple awards this year for Social media, Reporting, Anchoring and Editorial. 

Faye is the journalist for the millennials – young, fresh and brutally honest.

She spent her initial years in the world of business news with CNBC TV 18, where she was in the thick of things related to state policies, economic offences and personal finance. She subsequently joined the TIMES NETWORK as it was stamping its authority into television news in 2008.

She has a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and English Literature.

 

      Aloysius Richard Lobo

Aloysius Richard Lobo, BA, LLB, GDA, GDCS who hails from Karkala town of Udupi District is inspiring to young Mangalorean entrepreneurs. His ups and downs in the business life are truly a lesson to be learnt for aspiring entrepreneurs and the young generation today.

Lobo was instrumental in providing job opportunities to more than  150 Mangaloreans nad Indians in general during his business days in Oman. He has also been a key support to many Mangaloreans to start business as well as get a job in London. Lobo initiated the first public Monthi Fest celebration in London and ever since he has been inviting more than 350 Mangaloreans who work around the UK. He is the backbone of Konkani cultural events in London. After SSLC, Lobo went to Mumbai at the age of 18. In SSLC, he obtained 100% in Maths and 86% in book keeping. He completed two degrees and another four years of professional courses in Mumbai. In 1974, he went to Muscat as an Accountant. Soon he started meat business in Oman  and he was importing an average 1,000 tons chicken from France and Brazil, 500 tons of Mutton and beef from Australia, 100 tons of tender lamb from New Zealand and 10,000 cartons of eggs from Holland and had around 20 freezer lorries serving the country daily except Fridays. Lobo reached London in late November 1990. Instead of doing meat business he ended up doing fish business without any prior knowledge of the field. He opened his first rented shop in London in February 1991. Lobo’s hard work resulted in the establishment of 17 of his own fish outlets across London. The outlets are aptly named ‘Lobo Fisheries’. In 2010 Lobo forayed into meat and poultry business along with his son. They established a modern factory to processes meat and poultry on a 50,000 sq. ft premises for which his son received the Young Entrepreneur Award. Boosted by the response, they opened another seven chain shops to market processed meat and poultry.  

His wife Christine is Ex Lecturer and the couple has a daughter Cheryl who is a Doctor and a son Keith who looks after business.

 

      Sr Maria Jyothi AC

Sr Maria Jyothi A.C was born on 16-12-1943. She has the qualifications of B.A., B.Ed., M.A.(Spl. Ed) DSE(MR) to her credit. She is a nun belonging to The Apostolic Carmel community.

Sr Maria Jyothi worked as Special Educator and the Founder Principal of St. Agnes Special School, Mangalore from 1970 to 2001, as Prinicipal, St. Agnes Teacher Training Institute for Special Education from 1992 to date as Core faculty- Special Education DSE(MR) from 2002-2004 and Co-ordinator RCI-Courses-DPEP& Bridge Course - study centre Madhya Pradesh, Bhoj (Open) University - Bhopal. B.Ed. Special Education (SEDE), Foundation Course on Education of Children with Disabilities FC(SEDE), Post graduate Professional Diploma PGPD (SEDE) from 2001 to date.

She is the member of Governing Body - Community Based Rehabilitation Forum-Bangalore and of Sarva Shiksha Abiyana Mangaluru division.

She helped to open the institutions for the mentally challenged children that include. Lion's Special School- Suratkal Mangaluru,Manasa Rehabiliation Centre- Pamboor, Lion's Speical School, Venur,  now Chirst Raj Navachethana Special School Venur, St. Mary's Special School- Kinnigoli, Carmel Vikas Kendr- Bailhongal, Belgaum and C.B.R. Programme- Bailhongal, Belgaum.

She has received Rajyothsava State award for Social Work and Rotary Vocational Excellence A ward 2004-2005.

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News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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News Network
December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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