By Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)

Mumbai, May 15: Born and brought up in a village in Karkala, he turned out to be the man who revolutionized the co-operative banking movement in his young age. He was the pioneer behind the founding of four co-operative banks, and now he is approaching his platinum year.

John D’Silva will turn 75 on Monday May 16.

D’Silva was born on May 16, 1936, in an agrarian family to Anthony and Remedia D’Silva in Sanoor village in Karkala taluk of Karnataka. He was one of six sons and a daughter and was used to tough times in his early childhood.
John D’Silva is now settled in Dadar (West) and also owns John Farm House in his hometown Kuntalpady in Karkala which he has developed from his love for conservation of nature.

After his early studies at St Joseph’s School in his hometown, D’Silva attended classes at SVT School located in Karkala. He also had to work in his family’s farm early morning every day. His thirst for knowledge was abundant and the free meals from the temple were a boon to rural youth like him.

D’Silva migrated to the metro, like his elder brother, to study further. He was working during the day at his brother-in-law’s shop and completed Class X by attending evening classes at Karnataka Free Night School. He joined government service and secured a B A from Jai Hind College, and B Com from R A Poddar College.

D’Silva, armed with degrees, joined Glaxo Pharmaceuticals. He was interested in social service which was a childhood dream. First of all, he had set up a school in his neighbourhood of Abhyudaya Nagar, in 1962. When this reporter asked him how he got this vision, he said, “Life struggles teach memorable lessons”.

D’Silva is the chief promoter and first managing director of Abhyudaya Co-operative Bank, promoter and first managing director of New India Co-operative Bank, chief promoter and first chairman of Citizen Credit Co-operative Bank, and chief promoter and first chairman of Model Co-operative Bank.

He is serving as the chief promoter and first chairman of Brahanmumbai Nagari Banks’ Association, promoter and founder director of Maharastra Urban Co-operative Banks’ Federation, director of National Federation of Urban Co-operative Banks and Credit Societies, New Delhi, advisory committee member of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Agriculture Banking College, visiting professor at RBI Agriculture Banking College, president of Lokamitra Sahakari Mudrana Prakashan, honorary secretary and governing council member of Indian Banks’ Association, founder secretary of Banks Sports Board of Indian Banks Association, chairman of RBI committee on extension of Bombay Bankers’ Clearing House, and founder secretary of Abhyudaya education institutions.

D’Silva is also actively involved as chief editor of Co-operative Bankers’ handbook, chief editor of Urban Banks All India directory, chairman of Mangalorean Catholic Education Co-operative Credit, chairman of Fudar Foundation, as well as founder director and deputy secretary of Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI and vice president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Maharastra.

He has bagged the ‘Entrepreneur of Year – 2005’ award by Rachana, Mangalore, ‘Lifetime achievement Award – 2008’ by Bangalore-based Federation of Konkani Catholic Association, and ‘Top Achiever’s Award – 2008’ by Dr T M A Pai Foundation, Manipal.