By Praveen Sequiera [New Correspondent, daijiworld.com]

Rudolf D`Souza, Dynamic and veteran business person from Sharjah UAE has been crowned with "HIND RATTAN AWARD" on the eve of republic day, Jan. 25, 2004.   Thirty NRI’ s from all around the globe were honored with this prestigious award for their outstanding service, achievement and contribution for keeping Indian flag high in abroad. This award was presented by K.C.Panth, deputy chairman planning commission of India on the eve of republic day the 25th January, 2004, in New Delhi.

Rudolf is engaged in insurance sector, beat off the stiff competition and received this award among 30 others before huge crowed gathered to witness this ceremony. Awards bestowed by the NRI WELFARE SOC. OF INDIA on eminent personalities on republic day every year are generally intended to renew public esteem on individual achievement.

Brilliant, hard working and fearless entrepreneur born on March 11, 1948, as eldest child to Denis Dsouza and Hilda D’souza is from Thottam. He has 7 siblings. His father was rich.

Rudolf D’souza followed up his elementary and high school studies in the "Malpe Government fisheries high school". It is said, "he was very energetic, enthusiastic and had a desire to learn more". While in school he inspired his classmates by his sense of order and discipline. He always did his best to help his schoolmates since he had an attitude of noble service.

When he finished his high school he went to Mumbai and took up BBM and Computer course. After completing BBM course he started working for I.C.L. head office in Mumbai.

Rudolf spent his early career in Kuwait as he moved to Kuwait in the year of 1970 and started working for "Royal Insurance Co." in marine dept for three years. Then he joined "Al Ittihad Al Watani Insurance Co."

After couple of years, he responded a call from "Guardian Royal Assurance Co." Muscat, to work as Assistant Branch Manager.

He took up high profile job in "Kuwait insurance Co." as branch manager due course in Muscat.

In 1979, he arrived in Dubai, the land of gold. In Dubai he took up his first job as Assistant Production Manager and later promoted as Production Manager & Marine Manager at "Arabian Scandinavian insurance" for many years. He had about 26 staffs reporting to him and he was reporting directly to the Managing Director while he was leaving the organization.

Receiving award from K.C. Panth

In course of his service with various Insurance organizations, he had vast knowledge of insurance sector and he was planning to start an insurance company of his own. Indeed, he could do that in the year of 1988. He not only just started his organization, but he proved his ability. Today his "AL SALAM INSURANCE SERVICES CO. LLC." is a well-established and noted organization in U.A.E.

Today, "Al salaam Insurance Services Co. LLC.", provides all sort of services to the public. They handle his customers with special care.

Perhaps most of us do not know that Rudolf D’souza is first Indian to introduce brokerage business in U.A.E.

In the year 1975, he married with Jacintha Lewis, Kalyanpur who is very supportive and caring throughout Rudolf’s Career. He is married for 29 years now. He is blessed with three boys. His wife is always supportive he says, "Without my wife’s assistance, today I would not have been here. She is always kind towards me. She never annoyed with what ever I do. At times, I used to work late and used to come late. But she is always kind and patient. "

D’Souza is without doubt an outstanding businessman and demonstrates this consistently through his determination and drives to grow the business to make it UAE’s noted insurance company.

He says "Opportunity surely comes to you in one or the other way, but it is important to realize that in time and we will have to fully utilize that. Hard work, dedication and commitment are the ways to success. Difficulties are the challenges and we should not give our efforts until it lands on the land of success irrespective of any barriers or constraints"

"He is a nice person to work with and nice person I have ever seen. He touched the hearts of the officials and his colleges by his hard work, discipline and genuineness" one of his colleagues told him when we called him

Being a prominent, well-established businessman in U.AE, he is also very softhearted and generous person. Whenever anybody calls him for any thing, he offers his best.

While concluding he says, "opportunity was there and I grabbed it. The only thing I did was, I did not allow the opportunity to go by and I made the best use out of it and because of that today I am here "with a smiling face.

He is the model for all of us, especially for young generation to learn how to accept challenges and how to be successful in life