Mr Ivan D’Souza – Mangalorean Star
Mangalorean.com is very pleased to introduce a talented leader, a daring sturdy youth, a trained advocate, a zealous social activist and above all an efficient politician hails from Mudarangady of Udupi Taluk, Mr. Ivan D’Souza – Mangalorean Star of the month of August, 2007. Leadership and politics is in his blood.
Leaders are best when people barely know they exist,
Not so good when people acclaim them,
Worst when they despise them,
But of a good leader, who talks little,
When their work is done, their aim fulfilled,
Their people will all say, “We did this ourselves”. – Lao-Tse (Ancient Chinese Philosopher)
Born on 10th August 1965 to a devout couple at Mudarangady, Ivan did his primary education in St. Francis Xavier Higher Primary School in Mudarangady and high school education at St. Mary’s High School, Shirva. He continued his education at St. Aloysius College Mangalore and completed PUC and graduation. In 1986 he joined SDM Law College in Mangalore to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer and obtained LLB degree in 1989. Then he began his career as a junior lawyer under the direction of Mr Sitaram Shetty, a senior advocate of Mangalore. While practicing his profession as a junior advocate, his desire to learn further enabled him to achieve PG diploma in Personnel and Industrial Relations, which added, one more feather to his educational achievements.
Mr. D’Souza’s leadership journey began in 1979 with his entry into catholic Youth Movement (CYM) of Mudarangady parish at the age of 14. He was the president of the above unit in 1980. His next leap was to the president’s seat of Shirva Varado Youth Co-coordinators committee as a member. His daring leadership with outstanding personality and performance were noted by other members of the Varado and he was elected as the president of Shirva Varado Youth for 3 years. He used the youth force to uproot the obstacles that were deep rooted in the process of starting St. Mary’s College Shirva. Under his able leadership the Varado Youth Committee organized 2 musical nites to raise funds and contributed Rs 35,000/- to St. Mary’s College and started a higher education fund for poor students with an initial amount of Rs 21,000/-. Then he made his way into Jasmine Jaycees of Shirva where he was elected president of the same at the age of 19. Ivan had enough opportunities to show his youth vigour and mite and he made use of, all of them to carve a niche to his later political career.
(L) National Excellence Award; (R) Satriya Ektha Award
He was elected director of Shirva Agricultural Co-op Society in 1988 and served for three terms as Director and one term as President. Now it is a full-fledged bank with 7 branches.
As a member of the Parish Council of Mudarangady parish he rendered his services to the Church. He became the secretary of the Parish Council for three terms and Vice President for one term.
Ivan began his political career in the year 1983 as a party worker of Janatha Party. He was appointed as President of Yuva Janatha Party of Kaup Block in 1985 and served the post till 1989. In 1986 he contested for the Mandal Panchayath elections as the party candidate of Janatha Party and got elected.
(L) Peace Rally in Kalladka; (R) Tsunami Fund Collection Program
He served as the head of various committees in the Mandal Panchayath for six years. In the same year he became the CYM President of Mangalore Diocese. In 1989 he became the President of Student Council of SDM Law College and General Secretary of All College Students Union of Mangalore University. In 1992, he contested for Village Panchayath elections of Mudarangady, got elected and served for seven years as a member of the same. In the same year he was appointed as the Districtor of Yuva Janatha Party of Kaup Constituency.
In 1990 he became the District President of Yuva Janatha Dal of Undivided Dakshina Kannada District. He mobilized youth all over the district conducting more than 15 Leadership Training Programmes for the Party workers from Byndoor to Sullia. During this period the Media projected the activities of the Yuva Janatha Dal as People’s Force. He conducted several Social Work programmes through the party workers, which was a rare phenomenon in those days. He utilized his position to get funds from CM’s Fund. He organized rallies and implemented policies of the Janatha Dal Govt. He also worked as an election agent in all General Elections for Assembly, Parliament and other local bodies.
In 1994, Ivan contested for the MLA post of the Kaup constituency from Janatha Party. He was the only Catholic Candidate in the State contesting in the Janatha Party. He lost it with a small margin of 1500 votes against Mr. Vasanth Salian, a Minister from Congress Party.
In 1995, he was appointed Chairman of the Karnataka State Cashew Development Board. He was the youngest among all the 78 Chairmen in the State. He organized training programmes for the cashew growers in the State and supplied seedlings for free distribution.
In 1996, he became the Senate Member of Mangalore University and thereafter elected to be the member of Syndicate and member of Academic Council. He was the first Christian candidate to secure that position in the history of Mangalore University. He used this opportunity to influence the authorities to introduce new Vocational Courses such as BCA, BHS, BFND, and to promote sports at the university level. While serving three years term as Senate and Syndicate member he worked as the head of several commission appointed by the University.
In 1999, Janata Dal party got divided as JDU and JDS. He remained in JDS and contested for the MLA’s post from Kaup Constituency again. The division in the party affected the election adversely and his efforts did not bear fruit. In the same year he became District President of JDS and served the Party till 2003. Again division in the party forced him to quit JDS.
In 2004, he joined Congress in the presence of CM, Mr. S. M. Krishna in Bangalore. Recognizing his caliber the party appointed him to be the District Vice President of Congress Party.
In 2005, Karnataka Govt appointed him to be the Director of CAMPCO, a prestigious Public Enterprise in the State.
In 1994, he began his profession as independent lawyer opening an office in Mangalore. He fought Criminal cases of TADA act. He had argued cases in Udupi, Shimoga, Bangalore and in Mumbai High Court. In 2005, he got the status of the Notary Public from the Karnataka Govt.
In 2006, he was appointed to be Christian Marriage Registrar by the Govt of Karnataka. This office gives him rights to register marriages and issue certificates.
His services are well appreciated by the people of all religions without the barrier of caste and creed in the District. His advice has been sought by the diocese in criminal cases and often he is involved in resolving disputes.
In 2000, he started a forum called Dakshina Kannada Karmika Parishath and became its founder President. This is a workers’ forum to fight for their rights and promote healthy relations between employers and employees. Presently more than 5000 members are in this forum.
From 2003 till today he is the president of Mahanagara Auto Chalakara Sanga. From 2004 till today he is the president of Dakshina Kannada Bus Workers’ Union. He also started the tempo workers union in Mangalore and Surathkal and became its founder president.
He is the President of Body Builders Association of Dakshina Kannada. He has conducted National Body Builders Championship in Mangalore in 2006. It was organized for the first time in Mangalore.
He was the main organizer of the recent Christians Rally against the Hindu attacks on Christian institutions and hotels. He had addressed a gathering of 2000 people in front of the Kadri Police station.
In October 2006, he organized the PADAYATHRA, (a rally on foot) and walked for 26 kilometers from Kottara to Mulki, and addressed 8 gatherings on the way, appealing the Authorities to repair the National Highway.
With Siddaramayya at his residence
Being the former President of ICYM, (CYM was later baptized as ICYM) he was appointed to the Honorary President of ICYM Diamond Jubilee Committee and organized a Motor Bike Rally and worked for the success of the Jubilee Event.
Awards:
1. Best Jaycees President Award, by Shirva Jaycees for his out-standing performances at the age of 19.
2. Rashtriya Ektha Award for outstanding individual achievements. Award presented in Bangalore.
3. National Excellence Award.
No one becomes a leader by birth. It is one’s hard work and continuous striving to achieve the goal that brings success. Mr. Ivan D’Souza has walked a long way to acquire his present position. He has entered Politics, a most prestigious field yet the most difficult one. In the present situation for a Christian Leader, belonging to a minority community to climb the ladder of leadership is next to impossible due to caste politics. Mangalorean.com lists the meritorious achievements of Mr Ivan D’Souza and appreciates his hard efforts, achievements and confers on him the title Mangalorean Star.
Mr Ivan D’Souza’s Message to Mangalorean.com readers:
Mangalorean catholic community is a talented community but lags behind in unity. There is no significant achievement done by the community as a whole either in the political line or in the bureaucracy of the country. All the resources of Mangalorean catholic community, if pooled together, and rightly channelised then we can work wonders. I wish the community to be a model to the society in the days to come. Let’s all work hand in hand.
Mangalorean.com wishes Ivan D’souza, all the very best in his future endeavors.
By: Rev. Dr Ronald Cutinha, Samanvaya
——————————————————————————————–
Comments:
Edward Noronha, India:
Dear Mr.Ivan, Many congratulations to you. Finally u have received what u deserve. Wish u every success in your political career. May the almighty God bless you and guide u in his ways.
Sahana, Angola:
Election Commission Of India – State Elections 1999
Kaup Assembly Constituency
Status: Result Declared Snapshot at 14:35 Hrs. on Mon Oct 11, 1999
No. of Electors
105449
Total votes cast
67803
No. of Contestants
4
Polling %age
64.3
Candidates
Valid Votes in AC
Sl no.
Name
Party
Number
Percentage
3
VASANTHA V SALIAN INC
31151
47.49
2
LALAJI R MENDON BJP
27653
42.16
1
IVAN D\’SOUZA JD(S)
6046
9.22
4
ABDUL HAMEED IND
745
1.14
Total Valid Votes
65595
100
Total Rejected Votes
2208
Total Votes Counted
67803
%age Votes counted
100
Lead Margin
3498
rajdeep, India:
i knew ivan sir from st.aloysius to SDM college as a senior and gentalman.
After long years i got this oppurtunity to ask sir want to join ur organisation to help the needy
where can i contact you sir,
my mail id hrajdeep@rediffmail.com
Really you are a role model to everyone
Valson Mendonsa, USA:
Mangalorean Star Congratulation, you are the role model to our community and motivation for others to attract towards political ladder, I wish you bright future in your political Career.
PATRIC LASRADO, Bahrain:
AS MY MOTHER HAILS FROM MUDARANGADY AND I KNOW MR.IVAN D’SOUZA FROM MY CHILD HOOD WHEN I USE TO SPEND MY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN MY GRANDPAREENTS HOME. HE IS THE MAN WITH MULTIPLE TALENTS. I WISH HIM ALL THE BEST.
Allen Pais, Australia:
Ivan.
Excellent achievement, I only remember seeing you 25 years back when we were residents of the same Hostel (Loyola Hostel) @ St Aloysius-Mangalore,Very proud of your achievements & hoping to meet you one day-Allen Pais (Adelaide,South Australia)
sreekesh cp, UAE:
Hi
I knew this Ivan when i was in University college, he was so helpful in those days during small college scuffles he was the one who used to sort out issues with a smile always stuck on his face.
Truly he is a great leader may god and the people be with you.
Luca Alban D’silva, Saudi Arabia:
Hai Ivan,
I read all the achievements. Hats off.
I pray God to give more and more success and achieve more and more. Don’t look back. I hope you recognised me. Childhood friend and neighbour. Don’t forget the days which we spent when we are in school.
IVAN RODRIGUES, UK:
I MET IVAN WHEN HE WAS ASSISTING SITARAM SHETTY, I NEVER THOUGHT HE WILL CLIMB THE LADDER OF HEROES.
I BELIEVE THAT GREAT HEROES HAVE GREATER SACRIFICES.
KEEP IT UP FOR THE SACRIFICES MADE BY YOU FOR THE SELFLESS SERVICE TO THE SOCIETY OF MANGLORE. YOU HAVE A GREATER ROLE TO PLAY.
MY WISHES & PRAYERS ARE THERE WITH YOU TO FIGHT GREAT BATTLES TILL THE END LIKE GOOD SOLDIER & KNIGHT IVAN HOE.
Elias Cyril D’ Souza, UAE:
He is great and able leader in Konkani Community & I have heard about him from my college Days, by meeting his family members i feel we need like him to serve our mangalore people, Ivan God wiil help you to do the good work