Educare Scholarship Beneficiaries Urged to Value Gratitude and Education

Educare Scholarship Beneficiaries Urged to Value Gratitude and Education

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 27, 2025: “There is no greater virtue than gratitude. Never forget the sacrifices of your parents, the support of your teachers and the guidance of your spiritual leaders. As students of today, you are the shining stars of tomorrow’s society,” said Bishop Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, addressing students and parents at the Educare interest-free educational loan scholarship distribution ceremony held at Rosario Cathedral on Sunday.

 

 

Organised by the Catholic Organisation for Development and Peace (CODP) of the Mangaluru Diocese, the event celebrated the 12th anniversary of the Educare program, which has so far disbursed ₹29 crore in interest-free loans to support students pursuing higher education.

Quoting the example of Thomas Alva Edison, Bishop Saldanha noted that despite being labelled “mentally slow” by his teachers, Edison’s mother’s unwavering support helped him become a great scientist.

The event began with a prayer and welcome address by CODP Director Vincent D’Souza.

Michael D’Souza, NRI entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of Vision Konkani, who initiated the Educare program in 2013 along with his family, shared his reflections on the growing cost of education. “In our time, a degree was considered higher education. Today, though higher education has become common, it is expensive and beyond the reach of many middle-class families,” he said. He added that CODP has supported nearly 9,000 students through the Educare program.

Emphasising the lasting value of knowledge, he advised students to remain humble. “Wealth may come and go, but knowledge remains. Never let arrogance creep in, and always be grateful. Never forget your parents, your mother tongue, or your motherland,” he said.

Scholarship beneficiaries Melisha Priya Quadros (Kinnigoli), Shalette Rebello (Mulki), Joyce Sharal D’Souza (Shankarpura), Nirmala (Kadaba), Pradeep Pinto (Bejai), Sharal D’Souza (Maryashram), Nishmitha (Vittal), and Aneesh D’Souza (Germany) shared their personal experiences and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Michael D’Souza, his family, and CODP.

Among those present were Mrs. Flavia D’Souza, Michael’s wife; their son Manu; and Educare Advisory Committee members Lionel Aranha, Stephen Pinto, Oswald Rodrigues, and Henry D’Souza. Shiny D’Souza, a past beneficiary, compered the event, and CODP Assistant Director Lawrence Cutinha delivered the vote of thanks.