Bengaluru, June 23: Kanara Entrepreneurs (KE) Bangalore hosted a well-attended members' meet at The Grand Magrath Hotel on Friday, June 20. The highlight of the evening was the formal installation of the organization's new board of directors.

The event was graced by the chief guest, Justice N. Santosh Hegde — former Supreme Court judge, Solicitor General of India, and Karnataka Lokayukta. Also in attendance were Ashok Shetty, President of Bunts Sangha, and Baylon Sequeira Vaz, President of KE Goa, adding to the significance of the occasion.

The evening commenced with a prayer led by senior member Stan D’Souza, setting a reflective tone for the programme. This was followed by the formal induction of 14 new members into the KE Bangalore community, conducted by Leena Lobo, Director of Memberships.

Outgoing President Claudius Pereira then delivered a heartfelt and anecdote-filled farewell address, expressing gratitude to his board of directors for their unwavering support and contributions during his tenure. In a moving reflection, he highlighted the importance of using one's talents to bring joy to others. “Just as flowers don’t enjoy their own fragrance, life becomes more meaningful when we share our gifts with others,” he shared, leaving the audience with a powerful message on service and purpose. A commemorative newsletter chronicling KE Bangalore’s journey over the past year was unveiled by Justice Santosh Hegde, following a brief introduction by outgoing Director of Marketing and Sponsorship, Sunil D’Sa. The publication captured key moments of learning, inspiration, and achievement, offering a snapshot of the organization's vibrant and impactful year.

Subsequently, former KE President and senior member Robinson D’Souza took the stage to formally discharge the outgoing board and install the newly appointed leadership team for the 2025–2027 term. The new board comprises:

• President: Pramod D’Souza
• Director – Finance: Vijay Prakash Lobo
• Director – Marketing & Sponsorship: Eugene Mathias
• Director – Mentoring: Sunil Attavar

In his acceptance speech, newly elected President Pramod D’Souza extended heartfelt gratitude to the founders of Kanara Entrepreneurs (KE) and the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA), along with the organization’s founding members. He outlined his vision for the upcoming term, centered around the theme of “Growth and Collaboration.”

Emphasizing this vision, he introduced the acronym GIFT, representing key pillars that will guide the board’s initiatives and member engagement over the next two years:

• G – Growth with Humility
• I – Inspiration
• F – Extended Family
• T – Time

He encouraged members to foster a “growth mindset” by surrounding themselves with peers who elevate their thinking and potential. Highlighting the importance of community and collaboration, he noted that KE’s strength lies in its members’ ability to inspire and uplift one another.

In his keynote address, Justice Santosh Hegde offered a powerful reflection on the erosion of values in contemporary society. He highlighted how greed has steadily undermined honesty and integrity, sharing personal anecdotes that illustrated the alarming normalization of corruption.

Despite this sobering reality, Justice Hegde struck a hopeful note by emphasizing two foundational values: contentment and humanism. True social transformation, he asserted, but at home—with individuals and families consciously choosing to live by these principles.

The evening also featured heartfelt testimonials from new members Reshma Lobo and Jyothi Menezes, who shared how KE had quickly become a space of support, connection, and meaningful contribution in their personal and professional lives.

Bringing the event to a close, emcee Anoop Sequeira left members with an inspiring reminder: “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find,” encouraging everyone to stay actively involved, volunteer their time, and fully engage with the KE community.

The programme concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks to the outgoing board members—Claudius Pereira, Peter Anil Rego, and Sunil D’Sa—for their dynamic leadership and dedicated service. The gathering then expressed a strong show of solidarity and support for the new team as they embark on steering KE toward new milestones and greater achievements.