Mangaluru: Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore and Patron of the Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK) distributed 46 Scholarships, each of value Rs.5,000-10,000/- to deserving students from schools, colleges, and professional courses, on 24th August 2019, at the Bishop’s House.
The recipients included students from primary/secondary schools, PU/Degree Colleges and those pursuing Nursing, B.Ed and Engineering courses. The Scholarships are provided without any distinction of religion or caste. The scholarships are meant for books, extra coaching, and transport or to cover a part of the Annual fees. Speaking to Newskarntaka.com, the beneficiaries said that even though the amount is small, it is very handy and useful for their education.
In addition, CASK has separately given two Scholarships of Rs.25,000/- each to two students of St Agnes College pursuing their graduation for this academic year. These two Scholarships are given through the Franklin Mathias Fund and Judith Brown nee Colaco Fund, operated by CASK.
Addressing the gathering, Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha commended CASK for many of its projects, especially citing sponsorship of footwear, snake-bite treatment, and promotion of blood and organ donations. He said “The generosity of the Catholic community is evident when we see the names on the plaques installed at various institutions doing charitable work.
The programme commenced with the rendering of a meaningful prayer by Ms. Joan Lobo. Ms. Nayana Fernandes, President-CASK in her welcome address mentioned that the Annual Scholarships are being distributed by CASK to deserving students over many decades but the number of beneficiaries, as well as the Scholarship amount, has been substantially raised since the CASK Centenary that was celebrated on a grand scale in 2013-2014. Since the Centenary year, CASK has disbursed a total of more than Rs. Sixteen Lakhs (Rs.16 lakhs) in Scholarships benefiting 400 plus students.
Dr. Anand Pereira, CASK Joint-Secretary, CASK, briefly explained about the need for greater tree cover in Mangalore city. As a part of CASK’s commitment to greener, cleaner city, a cheque for Rs.48,000/- was handed over to Ms Selma Roche, wife of Mangaluru’s Tree Planting Hero – Jeet Milan Roche, for planting tree saplings on behalf of CASK, in the ‘Rudrabhoomi’ – the crematorium and burial ground in Nandigudde-Attavar, which is spread over 8 acres. The awardee, Jeeth Milan Roche, could not be present as he had travelled to New Delhi to receive the All India Catholic Union Centenary Environment Award 2019, on 23 August 2019.
The programme was ably compered by Mrs. Patsy Lobo, Vice-President of CASK, who also delivered the Vote of Thanks.
