Michael DSouza Eduare Endowment (Revolving) Fund Inaugurated by Sampada Udupi
By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi, 11 October 2024: Mr. Michael D’Souza Educare Endowment (Revolving) Fund was inaugurated by the Sampada Udupi sponsored by the Trust established by the great philanthropist of Kanara Christian Community Mr. Michael D’Souza at Anugraha Pastoral Centre, Kakkunje, Udupi on Friday, 11 October 2024. This endowment fund provides interest free loan to the economically weaker sections of the Christian Community to pursue higher education, which would be repayable within 18 months of their completion of education.
The inaugural programme was presided by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese who was instrumental in persuading Mr. Michael D’Souza to provide the Educare Endowment (Revolving Fund) to Udupi Diocese. Mr. Michael D’Souza and his wife Mrs. Flavia D’Souza were the chief guests. Other dignitaries on the dais included Rev. Dr. Valerian D’Souza-former Episcopal Vicar of Udupi and presently Advisor to the Michael D’Souza and Family Trust, and Rev. Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves-Vicar General of the Udupi Diocese.
Following a brief prayer service conducted by Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto-Executive Director of Sampada Udupi and welcome address by Rev. Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto in his introductory remarks said that since the extension of the Educare Programme from CODP Mangalore to Udupi Diocese from 2013 to 2023, 1157 students had availed interest free loan totalling Rs.5, 60, 39,500/- out of which pending Rs.10 lakhs, the remaining loan was paid off. From this year with the inauguration of Mr. Michael D’Souza Educare Endowment (Revolving Fund) through Sampada Udupi for the Diocese of Udupi, so far Rs. 8,70,400/- has been sanctioned to 12 fresh students and Rs. 32, 35,000/- as renewal loan for 37 students. Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto brought to the notice of the students and their parents their responsibility in returning the loan as per the agreement.
Mr. Michael D’Souza distributed loan to 12 students who availed the loan for the first time. He also issued letters of appointment to Dr. Eugene D’Souza and Dr, Grynal D’Mello as members of Educare Udupi (Mr. Michael D’Souza Educare Educational Endowment (Revolving) Fund Committee, effective from 01 October 2024.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo and Rev. Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves honoured both Mr. Michael D’Souza and his wife Mrs. Flavia D’Souza. Mrs. Jannet Barboza-member of the Board of Directors of Sampada fixed a bunch of jasmine flowers on the head of Mrs. Flavia D’Souza.
In his address Mr. Michael D’Souza said that education is instrumental in changing one’s financial destiny. He had a dream that any child should not suffer the loss of education due to lack of financial support. Hence, he decided to create the Trust which would provide financial support by way of interest free loan for those seeking higher education but did not have financial backing. However, he made an appeal to the students to work hard and achieve their goal and better their and their family’s future. At the same time, Mr. Michael D’Souza reminded the students not to forget their parents, their Mother Tongue (Konkani) and their Motherland. These should be considered as blessings. He urged the students to keep good relation with their parents. He found happiness in sharing. Recalling his mother’s advice, Mr. Michael D’Souza said that she used to tell him that one should always forget what he had given in donation but always remember what others had given. He further said that other than external motivation, self-motivation would change one’s destiny. He appreciated the concern that Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo has for the poor and marginalized and said that the Bishop has been an example for other dioceses in creating a model community through various schemes and projects implemented in the Udupi Diocese. Mr. Michael D’Souza further said that it was because of the support of his wife Mrs. Flavia and his children that he could contribute whatever Almighty God had granted to him to the society. He said, generosity, gratitude, forgiveness and sharing are the virtues that would bring peace and happiness.
Following his felicitation, Rev. Dr. Valerian D’Souza-Advisor to the Michael D’Souza Family Trust, in his message said that India recently lost one of the greatest businessman and philanthropist-Ratan Tata known for his generosity and empathy. He further said that we the Kanara Christian Community has our own ‘Ratan’ in the person of Mr. Michael D’Souza who has been in the forefront in helping the poor and needy. Michael had a dream of helping the poor and he chose to provide financial assistance to students seeking higher education. He started the Educare Fund Programme with the Mangalore Diocese through the CODP which was later extended to the Udupi Diocese and from this year, Udupi Diocese will be having its own Mr. Michael D’Souza Educare Endowment (Revolving Fund).
On this occasion Ms. Jannet Fernandes, Sampada Office Assistant who has been meticulously maintaining Educare Fund documents and liaison with the students and parents by sending them regular communication was felicitated by Mr. Michael D’Souza and Mrs. Flavia D’Souza.
In his presidential speech, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo said that while the new Diocese of Udupi was erected in 2012, he had a dream that there should not be any person in the diocese who would feel helpless due to financial or economic difficulties to pursue their normal life. He was very much concerned about the future of the young generation, especially the students. Since the inception of the diocese around 600 children have been provided financial assistance to complete their primary and secondary education through the Education Fund. However, for higher education additional financial assistance was required. Under these circumstances, Rev. Dr. Valerian D’Souza requested Mr. Michael D’Souza to extend the Educare Programme which was already in progress in Mangalore Diocese to the Udupi Diocese which he did since 2013. However, from this year Mr. Michael D’Souza Educare Endowment (Revolving Fund) is being inaugurated in the Udupi Diocese through Sampada Udupi. Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo expressed his gratitude to both Rev. Dr. Valerian D’Souza and Mr. Michael D’Souza. Lauding the generosity of Mr. Michael D’Souza, the Bishop said that he had generously donated for the construction of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre “Anugraha”, the Milagres Retired Priests’ Home and even the under construction Bishop’s House. The Bishop made an appeal to the students to work hard to achieve the top position in the field of their study, repay the loan in time so that other needy students will get the benefit and try to get into Civil Service.
The programme was attended by the Trustees of Michael D’Souza Family Trust: Stephen Pinto, Lionel Aranha, Oswald Rodrigues, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa and Rev. Fr. Lawrence Vutinha-Deputy Director of CODP Mangalore. Rev. Fr. Vincent Crasta-Director of Anugraha and Mrs. Shanti Pereira-Member of the Board of Directors Sampada Udupi were also present.
Mrs. Jannet Barboza proposed the vote of thanks and Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto-Executive Director of Sampada Udupi compered the programme.
Prior to the inaugural programme, Dr. Grynal D’Mello-Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte(Deemed to be Univesity) conducted an Orientation Programme to the students and their parents on “Managing Education Related Stress: Tips to Students and Parents”.
In this lecture Dr. Grynal D’Mello said that managing education-related stress requires joint efforts from both students and parents to create a supportive environment for learning. For students, effective time management, setting realistic study goals, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and seeking academic help are key strategies. Incorporating regular breaks, limiting distractions, and using active learning techniques can help reduce stress. Parents play an essential role by encouraging balance, offering emotional support, monitoring stress levels, and promoting positive attitudes toward learning. By modelling stress management, setting realistic expectations, and fostering open communication, parents can help students manage academic pressures more effectively, ensuring both academic success and well-being.