Sandesha Awards presented

Sandesha Awards presented

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 8: The Sandesha Awards 2010 were conferred on 8 achievers from Karnataka in recognition of their contributions to society. The awards ceremony was organized at Sandesha in Bajjodi on February 7, Sunday. Rev Fr Henry D’Souza, President of Sandesha and Bishop of Bellary Diocese and P Jayaram Bhat, the CEO of Karnataka Bank, were the chief guests. The awardees were given a cash prize, a trophy, a certificate, and a citation. 











The Sandesha Awards were conferred on Dr. Chandrashekar Kambara (Kannada Literature), Dr. Edward Nazareth (Konkani Literature), Janaki Brahmavar (Tulu Literature), Kalamandhalam Usha Dathar, the classical dancer (Sandesha Arts Award), S N Sethuram (Sandesha Cinema/TV Award), Walter Nandalike, the editor-in-chief of Daijiworld (Sandesha Media Education Award), Louis Mendonca, the founder principal of St Mary’s College Shirva (Sandesha Education Award), and Chandinya Mandira of Hassan (Special Sandesha Award for the care of the aged and the sick). Dinesh Amin Mattu, who was selected to receive the Sandesha Journalism Award, was not present at the awards ceremony. 

Referring to the nine awardees as “Navarathnas” in his presidential address, Bishop Rev Fr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza congratulated them for their value-based service to society. He said that their selfless service will be an endless source of inspiration to the young. 











The chief guest of the event, P Jayaram Bhat, said that “excellence is not an accident.” Instead, it is the produce of sincere efforts with wilful execution of vision and the treatment of obstacles as opportunities. Mentioning that the Karnataka Bank invites reputed artists to perform in Mangalore on the occasion of its Founders’ Day in February, he extended a warm invitation to all present to the classical vocal music programme by Aruna Sairam, the widely acclaimed vocalist from Chennai on Feb 18, 2010. 

Pointing out the need for role models in modern society, Rev Fr. Henry D’Souza, the guest of honor, said that God expects us to give our best, to become the best, and to take the best with us. 

Na D’Souza, the chairman of the selection committee for the Sandesha Awards, said that the committee has been applauded for fairly selecting achievers who rightfully deserve the awards. 

The awardees expressed their gratitude to Sandesha for recognizing their services and conferring the award on them. 

Fr. Valerian Mendonca, the Director of Sandesha Foundation; P M Castelino, Galdin D’Souza, and Roy Castelino, the trustees; Na D’Souza, the chairperson of the selection committee; Leo D’Souza, the manager of Sandesha, were also present on the dais. Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Director of Sandesha, welcomed the gathering. Mallika Shetty Siddakatte compered the programme. 

The students of Sandesha College presented a cultural programme at the end of the awards ceremony.