March 30, 2005

'Brilliant' A V Rego - A True Role Model

Man Who brought Konkani in the map of Bangalore

Profile & Interview by Walter Nandalike

Success and wealth change one's lifestyle.  They change one's attitude and behaviour too.  It becomes obvious for someone to forget his past. Antony Victor Rego is a rare exception to this fact. Meet him and the first thought that creeps up in your mind is: 'You must look back as you walk! He has done so in his life, and that’s the reason he is one of the best role models to the present generation.

A very simple personality for one reason being that he has acquired seven years of education in his life.  But the other reason is his unchanged attitude and behaviour despite being on the zenith of success.

He is undoubtedly one of the most successful businessmen in the community. He is a down to earth man.  He is an ardent supporter of his mother tongue and he proudly claims that he has done enough to uplift Konkani in his capabilities. He is ready to do any sacrifice for it too.

A V Rego is a man of a great helping hand. There is always A V Rego when there is a genuine cause.  Today especially, he becomes an instrument for shaping a bright future of thousands of youngsters across the community. His biography 'Jivithanchi Metaam' is impressing and holds a true mirror on his life. Walter Nandalike, editor-in-chief daijiworld.com, got an opportunity to meet this legendary personality in Dubai, at the residence of Ivan Fernandes (Ducont) at Emirates Hills, Jebel Ali

Walter Nandalike with Rego

Born in 1938, A V Rego had to say goodbye to his primary school because his parents could not afford the fees of fifty paise those days. He was the only brother to three sisters, and their father was the only source of income.
Hence, Rego had to look for a job at the tender age of 13.

Rego joined a cloth shop but could not carry on with his job, as he did not like it. He got a real break when he joined Sharada Press in Mangalore in 1952. He learnt the basics of a printing press there.

Days of struggling:

Travelling to Mumbai in search of a job was the passion those days. A V Rego too got attracted to the commercial capital. Thus, Rego travelled by a steamer and reached Mumbai after three days. Since he had some relatives, he
managed to get food and accommodation. Since he had knowledge of press, he got a job easily and started earning Rs 130 per month.

But somehow he could not find Bombay as a suitable place for his future. His friend in Bangalore Lawrence D`Sa, an engineer by profession promised him of a job in Bangalore and with that hope he took his belongings and set-off to Bangalore.

Warm welcome to Bangalore?

On his arrival at Bangalore, there was no sign of anybody to receive A V Rego, he says. Lawrence D`Sa was not there to receive him at Bangalore railway station. Bangalore being a new place, new people, no one there to take care of him or to guide him.

The basic questions were - where to stay, what to eat, and what to do?

That night he slept in on the railway platform. He could not control his tears. And he made up his mind to build a hostel for people who travel from Mangalore looking for a job but do not have a place to stay or those who do
not have any one in Bangalore.

Soon A V Rego got a job in a press for a salary of Rs 80 per month. Within the next few weeks, he found Lawrence D`Sa, who due to some urgent official work had to travel outside Bangalore and due to the lack of communication
could not c