Ace Banker, social worker, educationist, philanthropist & Konkani lover, Shri. John D'Silva is a household name among the Mangalorean community in Mumbai.  Born in Sanur, Karkala of South Kanara District of Karnataka State in 1936, D'Silva rose from humble beginnings to establish four Co-operative Banks in Mumbai and is currently the Chairman of the Model Co-op. Bank Ltd.  He is the Founder Secretary of Abhyudaya Education Society and Banks Sports Board.  He is the Chief Editor of Co-operative Banks' Directory for the last 23 years.  Shri. J.B. Moraes, Award winning writer and journalist interviews him for the daijidubai.com / konkandaiz.com.

J.B. Moraes: You have helped to start and run four co-operative banks in Mumbai.  You helped George Fernandes to start the New India Co-op. Bank. You are now the Founder Chairman of the Model Co-op. Bank.  How did you come to specialize in co-operative banking field?  What is the difference between a Co-op. Bank and a commercial bank?
John D'Silva: I had a liking for social activities since young.  As I was born and brought up in a farmer's family, I had to work in the fields while schooling at native place.  When I came to Mumbai, again I had to work during day and attend school at night and thereafter Morning and Evening colleges.  As I have come up the hard way, I was aware of peoples' needs and difficulties.  After graduation, I got into social activities.  The first assignment taken by me was to get elected as President of the Housing Board Tenants' Association.  Thereafter, there was no looking back.  During pre-Nationalization of Banks i.e. before 1969, Banks were opening their Branches only in affluent areas.  There were no Branches of any Banks in the Cotton Green area where I was staying.  I requested some of the south based Banks to open their Branches in our area.  They were reluctant to do so.  As the people had no banking facility, they used to keep the money with shopkeepers and take it back when they went to their native place.  Shopkeepers used to enjoy the fruits of the money free of interest.

There were many co-operative Banks working successfully in Mumbai.  Hence I also thought of starting a co-operative bank.  However, when I went to the Registrar's Office, they advised me to start a credit society first with Rs. 5,000/- as share capital.  If I got good response, then I could convert it into a Bank with Rs. 50,000/- as share capital.

Due to my social activities, and as I was president of the Tenants Association, I had good rapport with the Housing Board.  When I broached the subject to the then Housing Commissioner, Shri. D.S. Borker, he was impressed with it and readily agreed to allot a place on a three month's rent deposit of Rs. 160/-.  Within a few days, I collected Rs. 250/- each from 10 Members, who became founder Directors and balance amount from another 73 Members, a total of Rs. 5,000/- and registered the Society on 16th January' 1964.  In 1965, when the paid up capital crossed Rs. 50,000/-. I converted it into a bank and named it Abhyudaya Co-op. Bank Ltd.

Shri. George Fernandes had seen the working of a co-operative bank in Germany managed by workers.  Being a trade union leader, he wanted to start a similar kind of Bank in Mumbai.  He was on the lookout for a person who could realize his dream.  Mr. Fernandes was impressed with my achievement in starting Abhyudaya Bank.  Through a common friend, namely Mr. C.F. D'Costa, Konkani poet and dramatist, a meeting was arranged.  I presented the plan for a worker's bank.  Mr. Fernandes was impressed and requested me to help him to realize this dream.  It took almost a year to get signatures of Promoter / Members and collection of Rs. 1 lac, the capital required for registering the Bank at that