Neville D’Souza – A Master Compere

Daijiworld.com- Abu Dhabi Network

Abu Dhabi, April 18 :  When you see an ever smiling, friendly as well as elegant  figure with an image of a guy next door one may recall a familiar face in the U.A.E. social circle  – that is– Neville D’Souza – the “Master Compere” beyond compare in the U.A.E.

“Nevy”, as he is fondly called among his friends, is a popular personality in the U.A.E. and has created a niche for himself. He mesmerizes with his presence, be it a full fledged programme, a beauty contest, a cultural programme, a quiz competition or any event. His presence on the stage means the programme is sure to be a super hit.

Neville  was born in Bahrain and he was baptized in “Dukhan” – Doha Qatar – the first Indian child baptized there – which Neville says  “That explains the halo!!!” in a lighter vein.

Neville did his initial schooling at Lady Hill - Urwa and at St. Aloysius Primary School, Mangalore, later shifted to Bangalore and did his graduation from St. Joseph’s college of commerce - Bangalore.

He has weird memories of his school days in Mangalore, where he says he had the habit of eating chalk and Fr. Farias of St. Aloysius was instrumental in stopping this habit, says Neville with a smile.

“In any community and social work that I have been engaged in, I did my best to keep the "Politics Out" and "Positives In". 

During his early days in Bangalore, when Neville moved along with his family, into Indira Nagar the stage bug caught up with him, where he acted in numerous plays.  At the same time he grasped the opportunity work towards civic awareness, where he started the Youth Club in 1968.  He initiated and tried to induce civic sense among the youth of his neighbourhood and surrounding areas.  His first initiative was to have signature drive to bring public bus service to his area, worked along with civic and police authorities to keep the streets clean and other simple neighborhood civic campaigns.

During the same time he also started a local band along with his friends called - "Spiral Staircase", specialising in birthday and baptism parties!!.  Neville is an accomplished drummer, a guitar player and a singer too.

He graduated from St. Joseph’s Commerce College in 1972, where he represented, NCC Karnataka at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. During his college days he excelled in cricket, theatre, plenty of debating competitions, Fashion Shows, Students for Bangladesh Refugees.  He was also the President of the Youth and Emergency Committee and Member of State Citizen's Council - Youth Committee, Government of Mysore.

Neville came to Abu Dhabi in 1976 as an enthusiastic young man full of energy and vivacity and worked initially for Gray Mackenzie, where he “learned the ropes” says Neville.  He later joined the British Embassy, as “Commercial Attaché” – a prestigious post held by a Mangalorean in the history of UAE - which he still holds.
Neville met his wife Joyce in 1979 in Abu Dhabi and married her in 1980.  They have two handsome sons Lennon and Elton; both are pursuing their career and studies in Canada.

Neville attributes his success to his ever supporting family - his wife and two sons, who are like his friends.
Neville – the M.C. par excellence is a multitalented personality, be it in compeering, music, dramatics, sports, singing - all packaged in one.  It is very rare to find a person like him, so vibrant and dashing.  His instant wits and humour together with his ever popular smile he has achieved success wherever he makes his presence.

Most of the people do not know his vivid talents and his hidden deeds.  Neville has been an inspiration to many budding talents.  He has rendered his helping hand to upcoming talents and trained them whenever they required his assistance.

“He is my mentor and guide” says – Suchita Moras U.A.E.’s upcoming, talented and popular female compere. “He makes you feel relaxed and gives you important tips and encouragement to face the audience and makes you go easy and builds confidence with his encouraging words” she says.

Neville will be leaving the U.A.E. shortly to join his family in Canada and His impending departure for good from Abu Dhabi will cast forlorn “doomsday” for our programme organizers - What UAE lost Canada will gain immensely.

Neville was first introduced to the public in the U.A.E by veteran Jerome Pereira (Jemma Padil) for a Mangalorean Day function way back in 1980’s in Abu Dhabi, who speaks highly about Neville – “He is an institution by himself and his talent, charisma and smile itself is enough to make any function a success. He has been a source of pride and honour for Mangaloreans and Aloysians” says Jemma, who is incidentally also the first to start the Aloysian Alumni get-together in the U.A.E.

Neville with fellow Manglorean Robert Rego in Abu Dhabi helped to organize the first Christmas Bazaar in 1987 at the St Joseph's Church and over the last 17 years, the Bazaar (now renamed Christmas Festival) has raised millions for charitable works around the world.

To sum up Neville’s brief achievements -

• He has been a Member of , Indian Community Relief Fund Committee for Indians stranded in Kuwait and the refugee camps in Jordan during the Gulf war
• Assisted in the formation of the Indian Business and Professional Group in Abu Dhabi
• He has been a  MC at the India Social & Cultural Centre’s (ISC) May Queen contest for the last 20 plus years
• Has played a lead role in two English theatre productions for raising funds for the ILA Special Care Centre (Party to Murder and Run for your Wife) in U.A.E
• Compeered Dr Shivarama Karanth's Yakshagana and had been a anchor person for All India Bankers Cricket Tour of the UAE in 1990 and also for Walk Aid  for Sport Aid
• Anchor person for Om Puri's play "Bichoo"
• Quiz Master for Gulf News Blockbusters
• Compeered numerous fashion shows and cultural shows organized by Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi
• Konkani Cultural Organization (K.C.O)’s annual functions and other events
• Mangalorean Community get togethers and Paradela events in the U.A.E.
• Main compere for Aloysian Agnesian alumni Meets in the U.A.E. for the last two occasions.
• M.C. for Various Konkani Musical programmes including Wilfy Nite etc.
• He has also won the "Outstanding Export Achievement" award presented by Minister of Trade - United Kingdom in 1998

Neville’s last major function -   the “Agnesian/Aloysian Alumni in the U.A.E – Re-Union 2005”, in January 2005, was an outright success and earned him tremendous praise for his professional approach.

Neville’s charming personality and mannerisms have won him many friends.  Here what his friends have to say:

“He has been an inspiration, courage, strength, determination, compassion, selflessness and above all an inimitable FRIEND. He is the sole element of spontaneous humour.  Though dispersed in several countries now, we are grouped into a unison of eternal bond and friendship, thanks largely of course to Neville.  He possesses a character of very few men - to honour without envy another friend who has prospered or shares the sorrow of another friend in distress as his own. Neville always lends a part of him towards necessity, be it for friends, relatives or bare know-hows. He doesn't hesitate to add humour when necessary, ear when necessary, experience when necessary, romanticism when necessary and his very presence when necessary.”

This itself speaks about Neville’s charismatic personality.

Neville, though he has been so popular and has achieved so much with his status at the British Embassy, is so humble and down to earth.  Even though he interacts in British circles, he would sprout sentences and words in Konkani when you meet him - those even seasoned writers of Konkani would be amazed.  He is always available whenever someone approaches him for any help be it for social gatherings or organize any financial help etc.

He says “when I see my audience relaxed and enjoying themselves through my little effort, I find fulfillment that I have helped someone to have a smile on their face” He continues “In any community and social work that I have been engaged in, I did my best to keep the "Politics Out" and "Positives In".  “I came to the U.A.E. with less weight and more hair and I depart now with less hair and more weight” he concludes with his usual mischievous smile.

As Neville leaves U.A.E. numerous associations and friends are holding farewell functions, showering praise after praise for a thorough gentleman who was so dear to all.  Selfless and publicity shy Neville is overwhelmed by the love, warmth and support he has been receiving from the people of U.A.E regardless of communities, cast and creed.

Neville’s departure from the U.A.E. has created a vacuum among Mangalorean as well other communities in the U.A.E, where he was instrumental in spreading love and smile.

Neville will be leaving the U.A.E. shortly to join his family in Canada and His impending departure for good from Abu Dhabi will cast forlorn “doomsday” for our programme organizers - What UAE lost Canada will gain immensely.