Farmer Gabrial Stany Veigus of Perar, a retired forest official who turned a 37-acre land into a model farm with innovative practices, is among the five persons who will receive the Rachana awards, instituted by Rachana, the Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 2014.
Mr. Veigas planted 3,400 coconut saplings, mango, rambutan, cashew, grafted variety of jackfruit and breadfruit in the last 10 years and converted his land into a high-yielding agricultural plot, said a press release. It said Mr. Veigas has been recognised as Rachana Agriculturist of the Year for introducing sustainable farming practices.
The others to receive the awards are: Jenette Pinto, social activist from Mumbai, a professor of history who co-authored the book “Slavery in Portuguese India” (outstanding woman of the year); Raphael Sequera, CMD of Mumbai-based Reliable Group (entrepreneur of the year); Anil Keith D’Cruz, another Mumbai-based Oncology surgeon who has been instrumental in initiating a super specialty training course in head neck oncology for the first time in India (professional of the year); and Ligoury D’mello, Chairman D’Mello Group of companies, Oman (NRI entrepreneur of the year).
