Gratitude is the Best Attitude: Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha at Educare Scholarship Event

Mangaluru, July 27, 2025 – “Gratitude is the best attitude. Never forget the sacrifices of your parents, the support of your teachers, and the guidance of your priests. You are the shining stars of the Mangalorean Konkani Catholic community, known globally for its talent and generosity,” said Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, as he addressed scholars and their parents at the symbolic distribution ceremony of the Educare interest-free loan scholarship. The event was held at Rosario Cathedral and organized by the Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CODP), Diocese of Mangalore.

Instituted in 2013 by NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael D’Souza—also the founder of the Vision Konkani program—the Educare scholarship has completed 12 impactful years. Over this period, it has disbursed ₹29 crore in interest-free loans to students pursuing higher education. Its beneficiaries include:

125 doctors
762 engineers
491 nurses
904 postgraduates
1,013 graduates
137 diploma holders

Of the total amount disbursed, ₹20 crore has already been repaid, with ₹9 crore in ongoing loans.

For the academic year 2025–26, ₹1.90 crore was awarded to 220 students, comprising:

87 graduates
43 postgraduates
52 engineering students
31 nursing students
7 medical students

In the previous academic year (2024–25), ₹2.45 crore was distributed to 284 students, including:

46 graduates
58 postgraduates
72 engineering students
84 nursing students
24 medical students

Bishop Saldanha, while citing the story of Thomas Alva Edison and his mother’s unwavering faith, reminded students to cherish the selfless support of Michael D’Souza, likening him to a parental figure in their educational journey. Earlier, Rev. Fr. Vincent D’Souza, Director of CODP, welcomed the gathering and led the prayer, hailing Michael D’Souza as a “missionary of social development” for the Diocese. In a motivational address, Mr. Michael D’Souza reflected on the changing dynamics of education: “In our time, a graduation was considered higher education. Today, higher education is common but costly, often unaffordable for middle-class families.” He revealed that CODP has processed over 9,000 loans under the Educare program. He urged students to remain grounded, saying, “Wealth comes and goes, but knowledge stays. Let neither money nor degrees cloud your humility. Always remember your parents, your mother tongue, and your motherland.” Several beneficiaries, including Melisha Priya Quadras (Kinnigoli), Shallet Rebello (Mulky), Joyce Sharal D’Souza (Pangala), Nirmala (Kadaba), Pradeep Pinto (Bejai), Sharal D’Souza (Mariashram), Nishmitha (Vittal), and Anish D’Souza (Germany), expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Michael D’Souza, his family, and CODP. Prof. Richard Alvares, a member of the Educare panel, inspired the students with his “5G Philosophy” – God, Goal, Gratefulness, Growth, and Gift – encouraging them to invest time wisely and believe in themselves. Other dignitaries present included Mrs. Flavia D’Souza, Mr. Manu, Educare advisor Prof. CA Lionel Aranha, former banker Stephen Pinto, educationist Oswald Rodrigues, and Henry D’Souza. The program was compered by Ms. Shiny D’Souza, an Educare scholar, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Rev. Fr. Lawrence Cutinha, Assistant Director of CODP. The event witnessed the participation of over 500 students and parents.