When Joseph Mathias moved to the United Arab Emirates in the late 1990s, he decided it was time to give back to the Konkani community he grew up in.
The 55-year-old, who is originally from India, now lives in Dubai, where he runs a shipping company that handles shipments from around the world, the Telegraph reports.
But while he's been active in promoting Konkani culture in the UAE, it wasn't until recently that he decided it was time to give back to the community he grew up in, according to a press release from his hometown of Mangaluru in southern India.
Mathias was honored with the Pejawar Vishweshtirtha Lifetime Achievement Award by the city's foundation in December.
The seer of the Pejawar Pejawar Adhoja Math, Sri Vedahana Teertha Sripada of Shirur Math, Sri Vidyendra Teertha Sripada of Chitrapur Math, and other members of the community presented him with the award.
"Joseph Mathias is known for his social work and charity projects among the Konkani, Tulu, and Beri community in the UAE as well as in the country," the release says.
"He has been supporting all types of musical nights
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