Abu Dhabi: Indian Embassy  to Honour Richard D’Souza 

Profile by Oswald M D'Souza - Abu Dhabi
Daijiworld Media Network Abu Dhabi

Feb 11, 2008

Mangalore the city of intellectuals has produced many stalwarts who are  spread across the country and worldwide and are the pride of this glorious city. We find people in all walks of life, some of them become icons, live modestly without any fanfare or clamor.  Their modesty and simplicity is noticed by the elite and are being respected and honoured.

We have such person in our community a thorough gentleman, who shies away from publicity and public glare, who has achieved so much in a foreign land - It is none other than Richard D’Souza – a Mangalorean based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

It is a moment of pride to all Mangaloreans and Indians at large that Richard will be honoured by the Indian Ambassador to the UAE His Excellency Talmeez Ahmad on Thursday, 14 February 2008 at the Embassy premises for his distinguished service to the community in the host country, that is Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates since the past 40 years, a rare feat by an Indian.

Many may not know that Richard is an accomplished sports man, actor, singer, organizer  and a philanthropist  - all packaged into one.

Daijiworld brings to you a brief profile of a man who is so simple, modest and down to earth with his mannerisms.

A Brief Profile

Richard D’Souza fondly called as Richy or Richiyab by the youngsters is an unique personality so simple, humble and a goodhearted person, though he holds a top most position in the Finance Department ever held by any Indian and a Mangalorean, in a Abu Dhabi’ Government Department

He is currently 'The General Controller” in the Finance Department', and Head of Cash Management - Government of Abu Dhabi (U.A.E) a key and important position held by any foreigner in the UAE.

Richard landed in Abu Dhabi 40 years back, a co-incidence that it turned out to be his birthday, that is 2nd February 1968, that too his 25th birthday, even the current UAE Federation was not yet formed and was at its transition period. (it was Trucial States then.) Abu Dhabi’S local Government was at its infant stage and was just being formed.

He joined the Abu Dhabi Finance Department as a Senior Accountant and his rise towards his current position is phenomenal.

Earlier Days

Richard was born on 2nd February 1943 and was the eldest son of the devoted and God fearing parents late  Joseph D’souza and  Marcelline D’Souza of Bendore Parish, Mangalore.

He completed his primary education at  St. Sebastian’s Higher Primary School and Padua School, High school at Milagres, Mangalore and College at the renowned St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, where he excelled in his studies. He was adjudged as the Outstanding Student when he passed out from the College, mainly due to his academic and his extraordinary abilities in extra curricular activities.  He was an all rounder a keen sportsman too. Richard secured 6th rank in B.Com from the University of Mysore.

During his college days, being part of the NCC – Naval wing he was sent to Mount Abu to attend Advance Leadership training.

Richard then continued his further studies and pursued Chartered Accountancy and here too obtained 18th Rank from all over India in 1966 and started his own Chartered Accountancy consulting firm.

As a Youth Leader in Mangalore

Richard’s leadership qualities were evident in his youth days.  He was a member and President of Mangalore’s foremost and premier youth organization, Catholic Action League of Bendore Parish (1962-1968), which has nurtured vast number of youth leaders.  He brought about revolution by inducting youth from all walks of life, that is Doctors, Engineers, Accountants, clerks, graduates, blue collared and white collared youth etc, giving everyone the ample chance to demonstrate their abilities and talents.

He was the President of Mangalore Diocese’s Catholic Youth Movement’s Central Council for nearly 3 years and at this time he was instrumental in organizing the first and largest Youth Rally held in Mangalore, being its Chairman, under the guidance of late Rt. Rev. Basil D’Souza, then Bishop of Mangalore, involving youth from all colleges of Mangalore, coinciding with the visit of Cardinal Gracious’s visit to Mangalore.

Impressed by his leadership and organizational abilities Cardinal Valerian Gracious called him at the Bishops house and offered him scholarship to further study overseas in whatever field of his interest, the incident Richard highlights and doesn’t want to forget.

But destiny and fate landed him in Abu Dhabi, when a friend visited Mangalore hinted and insisted in pursuing his career in Abu Dhabi, without second thought, he applied for the Job in Abu Dhabi Government and the job was his within 15 days.  Still it took him some time to decide on his future and ultimately he took his decision to go overseas.

Overseas Career and New Beginning

As we mentioned earlier Richard landed in Abu Dhabi on February 2, 1968 to begin his new life and career.  It is worth mentioning that Richard was first Indian Chartered Accountant to land in Abu Dhabi in 1968, a profession so rare those days.  He began his career at the Finance Department of Abu Dhabi as a Senior Accountant and has risen to his present status of General Controller – a vital position in the Finance Department of Abu Dhabi Government, which requires a lot of integrity and honesty. His job demands lot of interaction with the Government authorities and high profile personnel in the society. His unblemished image has gained the respect of his peers as well as his sub-ordinates in Abu Dhabi

Being an active leader in Mangalore, his leadership and organizational capabilities and love for Konkani were uncovered when he first started the Mangalorean get-togethers, with help of like minded friends such as Fred Vas and Lawrence Fernandes.  They carried on with these functions for almost 2 – 3 years, but due to certain reasons had to discontinue.

The seed sown by him and his friends were re-established by others and the functions commenced once again, him taking the back seat and still they continue under the banner of Konkani Cultural Organization.  Richy supports any Konkani or other events in his own way.

He recalls the life those days in Abu Dhabi was tough and grueling, though he was provided with accommodation by his employers, the people around him lead a hard life.  There was no proper electricity, water supply, sanitation and the infrastructure was not developed as it is today.  But he says the life was simple, people were co-operative and were there to help each other.

Richard the Family Man

Due to his father’s early death, Richard took the burden on his shoulders to look after his family and was a guiding force to them which he still continues to do.

He married late Diana D’Souza nee Colaco, a Doctor by profession in 1971 and has one daughter, Karen, who is married and settled in the United Kingdom

Daughter Karen with Husband Lee

Richy lost his dear wife Diana a few years back, who died of cancer a dreaded disease. She was his inspiration and never came in between his social or professional life.

His Achievements

Richard was instrumental in starting the Abu Dhabi Chapter of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in 1980’s and was its first Chairman and founder Member.  They started with 40-45 members, which now boast of having over 500 Chartered Accountants and vibrant professionals.

He was the founder member and first Vice Chairman  of Indian Business and Professional Group, a group initiated by Mohan Jashanmal a top business man of Abu Dhabi, consisting of Abu Dhabi’s top business men and professionals.

In 1980 at the request of then Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Lalith Mann Singh, he took over the post of Honorary Treasurer of Abu Dhabi’s top most School the Abu Dhabi Indian School and was also  appointed as its Board Member too.  He was instrumental in solving the complex problems the school was facing and streamlined the finances in a professional way. 

The overall expansion and development of the school is mainly due to his effective and intelligent disbursement of funds with the help of the B. R. Shetty the Chairman and Yousef Ali MA the vice Chairman and other Board of Directors.  His integrity and analytical mind has played a major role and the school is one of the top most schools in the UAE imparting quality education.  He has continued with School Board since 1980 with a break of 2 years in between since then.

Richard is a keen sports lover too.  His favourite sports being badminton, Tennis and Golf.  He has been playing Tennis regularly since last 30 years, but now has taken up Golf, which he plays regularly.  “I have not received any awards in my life, but I play to keep fit and for the love of it” admits Richard modestly.  His daughter is a good tennis player and has been a Tennis Champion during her school days in Abu Dhabi.

Richard is a voracious reader and his room is filled with books on various subjects.  He doesn’t go to bed without reading a book. 

His vast knowledge on numerous issues, keeps him abreast with world issues and development  around the world.

His Vision and Future Plans

Richard’s analytical and logical mind is full of practical ideas.  He wants our Mangalorean community to come out of its shell and be broad minded, which will help them to gain knowledge of others and look out on a broad perspective.  Mangaloreans being so enterprising, literate and great intellectuals, it will further boost and enhance their status all around.

He believes when you are in a foreign country one should be loyal and honest to their employers and at the same time should not loose their Indian identity at any cost.

Speaking about our youth he opines that due to globalization, the opportunities for our youth are vast and the youth must not hesitate to take up challenges which are around them. Our youth must be honest, loyal, hardworking, and modest and keep using knowledge which in abundance which will help them to keep pace with the world development.

He wants our youth to join IAS, IPS cadres which are integral part of our future and able to streamline the destiny of our country.  There is rarely anyone taking up these professions these days.  As a minority we need people to join these forces, to make hear our voices and present our requirements, though he says that he had an ambition to join IAS, IPS during his young days, due to lack of guidance he could not pursue this ambition.

Richard has set plans for the future.  He is planning to settle down in Mangalore and Bangalore and keep in touch with his roots.  Once he retires he wants to start a trust to educate the less privileged and orphan children and want to do his little contribution in shaping their destiny. He is already working on this project.

He also wants to join some NGO’s and impart his knowledge, experience and education for the betterment of society.

To sum up we will quote a saying by Lao Tzu the great Chinese Philosopher “I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures”, which is so much true of this simple and modest man.