The Catholic Association Of South Kanara(CASK) Annual Report 2014 – 15

Annual Report: 2014 – 15

The Annual Report of the Association for the year 2014-2015 is presented below:

1. Governing Council Meetings & AGM:

During the year, the Governing Council met eight(8) times and took important decisions with regard to the affairs of the Association and organized various activities/programmes.

The General Body meeting of the Association was held at St Aloysius College Auditorium on Sunday, 28th September 2014 – 56 members attended. At this meeting, the Annual Report and the Audited Statement of Accounts for the year 2013-2014 were duly approved/ adopted.

Since the current office-bearers and Governing Council members completed their 2-year term : 2012-2014, elections were held for the posts of 6 Office bearers and 10 Governing Council members. Past President – Ms Lily Pereira functioned as the Election Officer. The following members were unanimously elected as Office-bearers and GC members for the term : 2014-2016 :

President – Capt John Prasad Menezes; Vice-Presidents – Ms Nayana Fernandes & Mr R.C.Rodrigues; Secretary – Mr Mario Saldanha; Joint Secretary – Dr Anand Pereira; Treasurer – Mr Walter D’Sa

• Elected Members of Governing Council(10) – Dr Derek Lobo, Winston D’Souza, Dr Antony Mathias, Ms Thelma Pais, Ulhas Rasquina, Capt Vincent Pais, Lawrence Pinto, Oswald D’Cunha, Terry Pais, Zozimus Pais.
• Nominated Members of the Governing Council(5)-Lydia D’Cunha(DCCW), Prof Edmund Frank (Representative of the Bishop), Patsy Lobo(Editor of “Mangalore”), Trevor Pinto(Christian Planters Guild), Ian Lobo(Sodality of Immaculate Conception).
• Coopted Members of the Governing Council(4) – Dr Christopher Pais, Ms Joan Lobo, Ms Zita Farias & Allan Fernandes.

During the year under review, the Valedictory function of the CASK Centenary celebrations was organized in a grand scale. The projects in honor of the CASK Centenary, aimed at benefitting the marginalized groups were launched and many activities/programmes were organized in line with the aims and objectives of CASK.

2. Sub – Committees

The following Sub-Committees were formed for the term 2014-16. The conveners of the sub-committees for the year 2014-2016 are :

Mr Walter D’Sa – Administration and Finance; Dr Derek Lobo – Centenary Projects and Centenary Trust; Mr Winston D’Souza – Medical Aid & Organ Donations; Ms Terry Pais – Social Issues; Ms Nayana Fernandes – Scholarships & Cultural Issues; Ms Patsy Lobo – Personality Development Programme; Editorial Team – Patsy Lobo(Editor), Mr Zozimus Pais, Dr Anand Pereira, Joan Lobo.

CASK Centenary Celebration Committee with Capt J.P.Mernezes as Convener and CASK Centenary National Steering Committee with Mr Vivek Aranha of Pune as Chairman, functioned effectively until the Valedictory function of the Centenary Celebrations on 21st September 2014 and were then disbanded.

Patron of CASK – The President and office bearers of the Association periodically met the Patron of CASK-Most Rev.Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore and briefed him about the activities of CASK and sought his guidance.

3. Adminstration and Finance

Since 2010-2011, the Administration and Finance Management of the Association has been streamlined. The membership records, accounts and the subscriber list of “Mangalore” were computerized and constantly updated.

In pursuance of the decision of the General Body, the CASK Centenary Trust was formed and duly registered in July 2014. We have now obtained a PAN CARD in the name of the Trust and opened a Current Account at The South Indian Bank-Mangalore.

Capital Fund – The Life Membership fees collected during the year amounted to Rs.50,000 which has been taken to the capital fund. As in the previous year, the same will be invested in fixed deposit.

Franklin Mathias Education Fund – The core amount of this Fund is Rs.6,00,000. Interest accrued on investments during the year was Rs.54,000 which along with the balance carried forward from the previous year viz.Rs.6,25,182 amounted to Rs.6,79,182. This year, CASK granted scholarships worth Rs.25,000 to 4 students and one handicapped(wheelchair

bound). An amount of Rs.54,182/- is available for scholarships during 2014-15.

Building Fund – The Building Fund amounting to Rs.65,625 as on 31March 2014 was merged with the CASK Centenary Celebration Fund since CASK purchased a 550 sq. feet Office premises at Pio Mall, Bejai, Mangalore, from the Capuchin Fathers. The cost of the Pio Mall Office premises including Registration and Office furniture/equipment etc. came to Rs.24,30,037. The longstanding dream of CASK to own its own office premises was fulfilled during the Centenary year.

CASK Centenary Celebration Fund – As the CASK Centenary Year came to a close with the valedictory function held on 21 September 2014, an account of the entire donations/interest on investments received and the amount spent/disbursed of the CASK Centenary Fund from upto 31 March 2015 is summarised below:

The surplus of Rs.24,04,186.90 has been invested in fixed deposits(FDs) and used for other CASK Projects. The FDs with banks stands at Rs.30,88,979.00 as on 31 March 2015.

“Mangalore” Magazine: The expenditure in publishing ‘Mangalore’ magazine during the year amounted to Rs3,36,554.75 and the receipts by way of subscriptions, advertisements, sponsorship, etc amounted to Rs.3,20,437.98 resulting in a deficit of Rs.16,116.77. This is mainly due to the pending payment of an Advertisement bill. If arrears in subscriptions/advertisements come in time and sufficient advertisements/ sponsorships secured, ‘Mangalore’ should be providing some surplus funds to the Association. Efforts are in this direction.

Income Tax Assessment : The income tax assessment of the Association for the year 2013-2014 has been completed.

4. Membership

4.1. Life Members – During the year 2014-2015, 50 new life members were enrolled, bringing the new members enrolled since October 2010 to 237. The life membership fees collected i.e. Rs50,000 has been taken to the Capital Fund.

4.2. Subscribers to Mangalore Magazine – During the year 2014- 15, 11 Founders, 7 Benefactors, 105 Life Members, 71 new Life Members and 43 Annual Members subscribed or renewed their subscriptions. The total amount of subscription fees collected was Rs2,15,312.92. The subscribers for the ‘Mangalore’ magazine including those on the free mailing list comes to 1,264 (Founders-48, Benefactors-39, Life Members- 698, members residing abroad-75, Annual subscribers-149, members on Free Mailing List-138 and members whose subscription has lapsed-117.

5. Programmes & Activities

5.1. Personality Development Programme – This is an ongoing programme since 2011-12 – CASK started the programme in two Parish Schools-St Aloysius High School, Urwa and Rozario High School, Bolar. A total of 249 students from the 2 schools benefited from the programme.

During 2012-2013, the programme was included as a CASK Centenary project and received a boost with a donation of Rs.2 lakhs by Mr Anthony D’Silva Prabhu of USA. The programme was organized in 5 schools during 2012-2013 and during 2013- 2014, with a total of 786 students from the 5 schools benefitting.

During the year under report(2014-15) the programme was conducted in 5 schools and 2 colleges as follows : St Aloysius Gonzaga School-Kodialbail; Mount Carmel Central School- Mary Hill; Lourdes Central School-Bejai; Carmel School- Bolar; St Theresa’s School-Bendur; St Aloysius Institute of

Education; St Agnes College. A total of 366 students from the 7 institutions benefitted. The total number students that participated and benefitted from the start of the programme in 2011-12 to date is 1,158.

5.2. Promotion of Blood, Blood Products, Organ and Whole

Body Donations – This is a CASK Centenary project. CASK donated a deep freezer to the Blood Bank of Fr Muller Hospital(cost of Rs.6.25 lakhs defrayed by Mr Vivek Aranha & Family, Pune) and has collaborated with the Fr Muller Instututions in three areas (a) Supporting Eye Care Services (b) Increasing the mortuary capacity from 8 to 14 and (c) Promoting the concept of corneal and whole body donations. The Freezer enables ‘plasma’ an important blood product to be stored for a longer period of 3-5 years.

Through effective lobbying by CASK, the Fr Muller Charitable Trust of USA(FMCTU) donated a sum of USD-27,500/- (approx.Rs.12,50,000/-) towards enhancing the Corneal transplants and Eye Care at Fr Muller Institutions. The contribution came from Drs Vinaya and Sameer Kapoor and was transferred from FMCTU to Fr Muller Charitable Institutions(FMCI). We are deeply grateful to them. Under this project, CASK in collaboration with FMCI organized 4 Eye Camps and one Paediatric Camp as follows : Holy Cross Hospital, Chikmagalur – 24 August 2014 – 256 persons examined, 108 free spectacles given and 30 referred for free surgery.

Fr L.M.Pinto Health Centre, Badyar – Eye Camp on 16th November 2014 – 231 persons examined, 130 free spectacles given and 26 referred for free surgery.

Fr L.M.Pinto Health Centre, Badyar – Paediatric Camp on 18^th January 2015. 134 children examined, 10 referred for free investigations/ surgery at Fr Mullers.

Concetta Hospital, Kinnigoly – Eye Camp on 19th April 2015 – 133 persons examined, 68 given free spectacles and 24 refered for surgery.

Holy Cross Hospital, Chikmagalur – Eye Camp on 12th July 2015 – 249 people examined, 138 given free spectacles and 26 referred for surgery.

CASK is actively promoting Whole Body Cadaver donations to FMCI for teaching and research purposes. Through the Fr Muller Charitable Trust-USA, funds were provided to increase the mortuary capacity of Fr Muller Hospital from the present 8 to 14, in order to promote cadaver organ transplants.

5.3. Valedictory Function of the CASK Centenary Celebrations and Implementation of Centenary Projects

The Valedictory Function of the CASK Centenary Celebrations was held on a grand scale befitting the centenary milestone, on Sunday, September 21, 2014.

It started with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Milagres Church in the morning led by the Patron of CASK – Most Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza. Fr Denzil Lobo, Rector-St Aloysius College preached an apt Homily. This was followed by lunch for the inmates of 7 charitable institutions of Mangalore. The lunch at Prashanth Nivas was sponsored on behalf of CASK by Mrs & Mr Christo Noronha in honor of the 80th birthday of his mother – Mrs Rene Noronha and the lunch at other 6 institutions was sponsored by Victor & Alina Pais of New Jersey-USA.

The formal Valedictory function was held in the evening at the Milagres Hall. The Hon’ble Vice-President of India – Sri Hamid Ansari was the Chief Guest and The Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka – Sri Vajubhai Vala was the Special Guest of Honor. Sri Ramnath Rai, District- In-Charge Minister represented the Chief Minister of Karnataka-Sri Siddaramaiah. Sri M.S.Ramanujam, Chief Postmaster General- Karnataka and Sri Eric Gonsalves, IFS(Retd), Former Ambassador were also present. His Lordship Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore and the Patron of CASK presided. At this function, the following special events related to the CASK Centenary took place :

5.3.1. Release of the CASK Centenary Souvenir – The Centenary Souvenir was formally released by the Hon’ble Vice-President of India.

5.3.2. Release of the Special Postal Cover and ‘My Stamp’ – with the CASK Logo was brought out in honor of the Centenary. The album containing the Special Postal Cover and ‘My Stamp’ was handed over by Sri M.S.Ramanujam, Chief Post Master General, Karnataka Circle to the Hon’ble Vice-President, who formally opened and released them.

5.3.3. The CASK Anthem – composed and Music written by Ms Giselle Mehta.

5.3.4. The CASK Centenary Poem titled ‘The Heritage Building’ was composed by Professor Geralyn Pinto.

5.3.5. Handing Over of Scholarship Cheques – A total of 110 Scholarship cheques of Rs.5,000/- each, totalling Rs.5.5 lakhs were handed-over to 110 students from 24 P.U.Colleges from DK and Udupi districts.

5.3.6. Release of the Konkani Version of the Book ‘Gandhi’s Outstanding Leadership’ authored by Pascal Alan Nazareth IFS(Former Ambassador) was done by the Bishop of Mangalore Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza.

5.3.7. Handing Over of a Cheque of Rs.3.5 lakhs to the Bishop of Mangalore for the Diocesan ‘Home for the Homeless’ Project.

5.3.8. Handing Over of a Cheque of Rs.25,000/- to the ‘Poor Patient Fund’ of Holy Cross Hospital-Chikmagalure.

5.3.9. Recognition of Centenary Star Donors – The 5 Centenary Star Donors who had contributed or pledged >Rs.10 lakhs were duly recognized and thanked during the Welcome Address by the President of CASK – The Pinto Family of ‘Rosedale’ Mangalore, Mr & Mrs Michael D’Souza of Dubai, Drs Vinaya and Sameer Kapoor of USA, Mr & Mrs Vivek Aranha & Family-Pune and Mr & Mrs Ronald Colaco & Family- Bangalore. The names of all other donors were prominently displayed in the hall.

5.3.10. Cultural programme – The formal events were followed by enacting of a humurous play ‘Around the World in Sixty Minutes’ written and directed by Patsy Lobo with the cast consisting of CASK members. This was a befitting climax to the conclusion of the CASK Centenary.

6. Other Programmes Organised

6.1.Talk by Mr Richard Saldanha, former Chairman & CEO, Unilever, Peru-South America – CASK organized a talk by Mr Richard Saldanha to the students of Aloysian Institute of Management & Information Technology(AIMIT) on 4th April 2014. Mr Saldanha captivated the 150 students through his talk titled “Thirteen Keys to Success”

6.2. Felicitation to Bishop Francis Serrao SJ – Bishop of Shimoga – CASK was a co-sponsor along with Sylvester Frank Foundation and the St Aloysius College Alumni Association(SACAA) of the Felicitation to the newly appointed

Bishop of Shimoga – Most Rev Francis Serrao SJ held at St Aloysius High School Hall on 30th May 2015.

6.3. CASK Essay Writing Competition on the subject “How have things changed for the Indian Women after Independence?” – The Essay Competetion was thrown open for Class-10 students of Lourdes Central School-Bejai and students of St Agnes College. 107 students from Lourdes School and 80 students from St Agnes particpated.

6.4. Leadership Development Workshop organized by Diocesan Council of Catholic Women(DCCW), Co-Sponsored by CASK – This was a collaborative programme organized by DCCW and Co-sponsored by CASK, held on 22nd October 2014 at the Bishop’s House. Mr Winston D’Souza, Governing Council Member of CASK introduced the CASK Centenary projects and explained about the eye and whole body donations. Some of the participants pledged their eyes.

6.5. CASK Reunion 2015 – The CASK Reunion 2015 was held 15th February 2015 at the Boat Club-Mangalore. Nearly 400 members/guests were present. The highlighhts of the evening:

• Band Ecstacy – a group of young college students
• Band-Hotel Palindrone, the visiting band from Austria with Mangalore origin-Marialena Fernandes on the key-board.
• A hilarious konkani play enacted by Mandd Sobhann
• A carnival troupe consisting of King Momo and his queen, accompanied by lively dancing entourage in colorful costumes, fancy hats and curious masks
• Dance performance by the ‘Fullabais’of Mangalore
• Enactment of “Bollywood through the Ages”
• Mock Fashion Show

The President of CASK recognized and thanked the thirteen sponsors of the Reunion function, the MC-Audrey Pinto and all the members who helped in various ways. It was certainly an event to remember!

6.6. International Women’s Day Celebration – A Workshop on “Changing Faces of Women in India” was organized at Roshni Nilaya on 9th March 2015, in collaboration with the Women’s Cell-Roshni Nilaya and Innerwheel Club of Mangalore North. Prof Malini Hebbar of St Agnes College was the keynote speaker. 96 students participated.

7. Programmes During April – August 2015 – The following programmes and activities conducted from 1st April to August 2015 are outside the purview of the Annual Report 2014-15(1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015). However, the Governing Council of CASK wishes to inform the General Body of these activities :

7.1. Eye Camp at Concetta Hospital – Kinnigoly on 19th April 2015 – organised by CASK in collaboration with Fr Muller Medical College. A 8-member team of doctors/Optometrists examined 133 persons of whom 68 were prescribed free spectacles and 24 were referred for free surgery or further investigations to Fr Muller Hospital.

7.2. Seminar on Issues & Concerns of the Christian Community in collaboration with Sylvester Frank Foundation – on 1st May 2015 at the St Aloysius College Auditorium. Over 200 guests participated. 6 eminent members of the community addressed the gathering : Mr F.T.R.Colaco, IPS(Retd) on “Issues & Concerns – The Way Ahead”; Mr P.D.Sebastian, Principal, SDM Law College-Mangalore on “Constitution & Minorities’; Ms Flavia Agnes, Director, Majlis-Mumbai on “Crimes against Women”; Mr Ronald Fernandes, Chief of Bureau, Deccan Herald on “Role of Media”; Fr Vinod Mascarenhas, Director, Vimukti-Ujire on “Ghar Wapsi-The Reality” and Prof Elsie Tharien – St Agnes College on “Effective Parenting in the Present Scenario”

7.3. Distribution of Footwear for Barefoot School Students – This is a new programme, stimulated by the fact that 20-25% of school children in rural areas come to school barefoot. This was the origin of the CASK Footwear for Barefoot School Children project. As advised by the school Headmistress, it was decided to provide footwear to all the children of two schools – St Raphael’s School in Badyar (214 students) and at Anthony’s Higher Primary School(206) in neighboring Gardady parish. Shoes will also be provided to those coming barefoot to 2 schools in Mangalore.

7.4. Installation of Purified Drinking Water Facility – We were also shocked to see that many rural schools do not have purified drinking water facility. CASK decided to give Purified Drinking Water facility to 5 schools during this academic year. 3 Purifiers are already installed to the 2 schools in Badyar and one school in Kinnigoly.

7.5. Personality Development Programme in Kannada Medium School – On 17th July 2015, the Personality Development Programme was inaugurated in the Kannada Medium Pompei Higher Primary School run by Urwa Parish. Sri Pithamber – Co-ordinator of the Block Resource Centre – District Education Dept was the Chief Guest. A 10-session schedule has been prepared by CASK Past President Lena Fernandes and GC member Lydia D’Cunha, who will coordinate the programme.

7.6. Distribution of Scholarships for the Academic Year: 2015-16 – It is proposed to give a total of 111 Scholarships, each of value Rs.4,000/ – to 111 students from 24 P.U.Colleges at a CASK function on 14^th August 2015 at St Agnes College.

7.7. Seminar on HumanRights and Release of the Book ‘Slaves of Sultans’ authored by Alan Machado Prabhu – A Seminar on ‘Human Rights’ will be held at St Agnes College on 14th August 2015. Renowned Human rights Activist-Fr Cedric Prakash SJ from Ahmedabad will deliver the Key-note address. At the same function, it is planned to Release the Book “Slaves of Sultans’ authored by Alan Machado Prabhu of Bangalore and feliciate Dr Olinda Pereira on her 90th birthday and recognize her enormous contributions in the Education and Social fields.

8. Collaboration with other Organisations / Associations

CASK continued its policy of collaboration with other organizations and associations based in Mangalore in organizing various activities/ programmes during the year. The organizations/institutions collaborated include the RACHANA, Catholic Sabha, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Ladies Social Service League, St Vincent de Paul Society, St Aloysius College, St Agnes College, Sylvester Frank Foundation, St Aloysius College Alumni Association, Ladies Club and Fr Muller Institutions. CASK continued to be in contact with Kanara/Mangalorean Catholic Associations in Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata and Pune and the ‘Dimensions’ – the Association of Catholic Entrepreneurs in Mumbai.

9. “MANGALORE” the Monthly Magazine

“Mangalore” with Mr Zozimus Pais as Editor from April-September 2014 and Mrs Patsy Lobo as Editor from October 2014 onwards supported by an Editorial , has continued to do a commendable job in bringing out the magazine on time each month and adhered to the limit of 40-52 pages. With varied articles and News/Notes of interest, the magazine has continued to receive much appreciation from the readers. During the year(April 2014 to March 2015), >80 persons contributed articles/views/tributes/eulogies in “Mangalore”. Special thanks to our regular contributors – Veronica Shearer, Patsy Lobo, Joan Lobo, Flavia Agnes, John Monteiro, Drs Anand & Geeta Pereira and the ‘Dreamcatcher’. Thanks are also due to the various Sponsors and Advertisers specially the Rosary Education Group-Pune and Rosedale Associates-Mangalore.

10. Conclusion

CASK wishes to place on record its appreciation and thanks to our Patron – His Lordship Aloysius Paul D’Souza, to all our donors/ supporters, Government agencies, our members, subscribers of “Mangalore” and well-wishers. We are grateful to the President, Officebearers and Governing Council Members of CASK for their time, efforts and commitment to the Association. We also thank the Editorial team for effective projection of the activities of the Association through the “Mangalore” magazine. Based on the articles and information about the CASK activities highlighted in “Mangalore”, CASK has received donations from its readers. The celebration of the CASK Centenary, starting with the Inauguration to the Valedictory function was a great success. We are grateful to the members and well-wishers of CASK for supporting the CASK projects aimed at benefitting the marginalized groups. We request continued support so that we can take the Association to greater heights..

Dated 1^st August 2015

Mr Mario Saldanha – Secretary