July 12, 2005

Robinson D'Souza - Law Secretary, Government of Karnataka

By the first look, one can never guess he holds a high post, on counts of both youngish looks and simple outlook. He does not go around with airs of babudom that are normally found among the higher-ups.

The Law Secretary of the Government of Karnataka since December 2004, Robinson D'Souza, is also the most-sought-after toast-master for weddings and such other occasions and a guest speaker at various events in Bangalore and elsewhere.

Born in a Mangalorean Catholic family on January 2, 1949,  he is a product of St. Joseph’s Educational Institutions. He did his Primary and High School education in St. Joseph’s Schools in Chickmagalur. He never remained unemployed in his life-time. He started working after his PUC.  Simultaneously, he continued his graduation and also did his Law.

He has been working for the Government of Karnataka for over 30 years. His rise to the present post has been a path of sheer hard work, dedication and intellectual brilliance.

He joined Government service in the year 1969, almost at the lowest grade as a Second Grade Stenographer. He then steadily rose in his career and worked in different capacities. He has worked as Munsiff-Magistrate, Civil Judge, Secretary to the Hon’ble Minister and the Secretary to the Chief Justice.

The woman behind the successful man -
wife Leena, a Vijaya Bank officer, who took voluntary retirement sometime ago, and Robinson

He joined as a Munsiff in the Karnataka Judicial Department in the year 1980. Since then he has worked in different capacities in the Judicial Department as well as in the Law Department. In the Judicial Department he has worked as Munsiff, Civil Judge and as Secretary to Chief Minister. In the Law Department, he has worked as Under Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Additional Law Secretary and Special Secretary prior to his appointment as Law Secretary. Besides, he has also worked as Private Secretary to the Minister for Law and also Minister for Labour.

In the Law Department, he has worked both on the litigation and opinion side. While working on the litigation side, he has handled Civil and Criminal work. On the opinion side, between 1984 and 1987, he looked after service matters as Under Secretary (Opinion). Since, December 1995, he has been exclusively entrusted with opinion matter, both service and non-service. As such, he has gained vast experience in all types service matters.

He has worked as arbitrator for the resolution of inter-departmental disputes, government of Karnataka, chairman, of the State-level Caste Scrutinizing Committee and member of the Karnataka State Water/Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Appellate Authority. Currently he is the chairman of the Karnataka State authorization committee for verification of kidney donations.

By working in the above capacities, he has also gained abundant experience on the administration side.

He is also involved in social service activities. He is the President of the Indian National Federation of UNESCO clubs and associations and also President of the Bangalore UNESCO Club. Under the above organizations, he is involved in helping the downtrodden and students.

He is the founder President of the Bangalore Toastmasters Club which Club helps people of Bangalore in improving their communication skills.

A happy family - elder son Santosh with his wife Tina, son-in-law Neil Sequeira and daughter Sonal, Robinson and Leena and younger son Sachin

Robinson spoke to Daijiworld.com's resident editor Richie Lasrado on v