Canara Organisation for Development and Peace

(Registered Voluntary Agency operating in the coastal Karnataka Districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi and Kasargod Taluk in Kerala)

History repeats itself – but always with a difference! It is a silent beginning somewhere by someone, it is a lightening intuition received by a few chosen ones, it has has always been the unnoticed bloodshed of pioneering few that has brought about the evolutionary mutation involving progress and development. Thanks to the divine dynamic invisible force that spearheads the evolution, inspite of the innate lethargy, immobility and destructiveness, day by day we grow unaware.

Origin

“Efforts to lessen the misery of the economically backward people have gone on in a big way in the coastal belt of Karnataka districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi and Kasargod in Kerala State; since the beginning. However, to streamline and to co-ordinate all developmental activities and to give the work a scientific approach and a new dimension, C.O.D.P. was registered as the developmental organ in 1974 with a view to cater to the needs of the poor and marginalized, irrespective of caste, colour and creed.”

The C.O.D.P. was registered on 16.4.1974 under Mysore Societies Registration Act 1960 (Mysore Act No. 17 of 1960).

THE FOUNDERS

Most Rev. Basil S. D’Souza

President

Bishop of Mangalore

Rev. Fr Ligoury C. Menezes

Treasurer

Director

Rev. Fr Edwin C. Pinto

Secretary

Director

Mr L.C. Rodrigues

Director

Chartered Accountant

Rev. Fr Joseph P. Tauro

Director

Parish Priest

Mr A.D. Brank

Director

Businessman

Sr M. Felix

Director

Headmistress

IT’S PHILOSOPHY

While working for the poor C.O.D.P. has its own philosophy based on the following principles;

Every individual is created in the image and likeness of God. Recognizing the value of the individual and the capacity to develop, C.O.D.P. regards the person with esteem.
Knowledge is power. People can acquire this power which is the basis for social reform through continuous education and concientization.
Human is a social being. Therefore education must enable human to interact with other persons through group action to form people’s organizations.
People’s organization will generate people’s power. This should be strengthened with economic power.
Thus everyone tries to realize one’s own potentialities and tries to improve himself/herself through self help and mutual help, then all will reap copious fruit, acquire bountiful riches and live contented human life.