Born at Bejai, Mangalore to a middle-class family, I completed my B.Com. degree from St Aloysius College Mangalore in 1960. After a Diploma in Industrial Management from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, attending evening classes, I got a Visa from Abu Dhabi, where I landed in November 1970 and in two days secured a job as an Accounts Assistant. In 1972 I changed my job and moved to Citibank handling Letters or Credits. I used to work long hours up to 7:00 pm and my devotion and hard work paid off. I was selected to attend a six-month Citibank banking training course in Athens in 1978. Within a month of returning to Abu Dhabi, I was promoted to Accounts Officer and gradually advanced in my Banking Career. In the year 1999 at the age of 59, I took prior retirement, and the bank gave me good retirement benefits with a Golden Handshake.
I got married in 1973 to Anita, from Mangalore and had two children. My son graduated from Purdue University in the U.S.A. and later did his Certified Public Accountants course (equivalent to Chartered Accountancy in India) and works for Phillips Petroleum at Houston as a Senior Executive. My daughter after schooling in Abu Dhabi did her M.B.B.S. from Mysore and is married and well settled in Dubai for the last 16 years.
My intention of spending my retired life back in my home town was supported by my wife. Since God had bestowed his blessings on us, we decided to give back to Society by getting involved in social activities. I had started my retirement investment planning at the age of 40, through a financial advisor in Mangalore which has kept me comfortable financially in spite of inflation and I have advised this to many of my Gulf friends and most of them have taken this advice.
Winston, DTM with his wife
My wife and I both joined a charitable organization that provided rations, education, and medical assistance to 28 economically weaker families. Some of them have earned degrees in nursing, journalism, and accounting, and two of them are Chartered Accountants. I also started “Arogya Kendra” when I was the President of this organization for seven years, delivering free medical consultations once a week and, with the help of sponsors, even free medicines. We volunteered at Mother Teresa’s Institution, which is directly across the street from our residence. Once a week, I assisted the inmates/men in shaving. We also assisted in the burial of inmates and even carried their bodies to the cemetery when they died. In addition to this we pay visits to the aged, lonely, and sick in their homes, tending to their needs. I also support school children for free midday meals and distribute food to 10 beggars near the railway station once a week.
Winston, DTM with his club members at Mangalore Toastmasters Club
I was invited to a Toastmasters Club meeting by a friend. As the membership of the club grew, several of us decided to form a new club – Mangalore Club – of which I became a Charter member. I served on the committee several times and was also the Club’s President in its early years. I acted as a mentor and took the assistance of mentors when it was necessary. I really enjoy being a member because of the friendly and cordial relationship among old and new members. These meetings can teach you a lot and help you enhance your public speaking and leadership skills. I was even a coach for one of the Toastmasters’ Club.
When Toastmasters transitioned from manual guides to Pathways, I was on the verge of quitting because I was not computer savvy. My Toastmaster buddies, on the other hand, encouraged me to stay and offered all of their assistance. I am really grateful to them. I got my Distinguished Toastmaster title in June 2021. If I had quit I would not have got it. It took me many years but I am glad achieved it. Perseverance pays.
I believe I am the only person in the Toastmasters organization or in India who has earned the DTM title at the age of 81 and is still going strong. I recently became a charter member of the ‘Konkani Toastmasters Club’. It is not necessary to win or participate in a Regional or District speech contest, but if you participate in all the Toastmasters activities, you can achieve amazing things and benefit personally. This is the message I’d like to deliver to Toastmaster members, both old and new.
After the age of 60 I have learnt Ballroom dancing, swimming, and playing Bridge. I also learnt to play golf and have served as Treasurer of the Golf club at Pilikula for 5 years. I have also contributed my time and effort as Managing Trustee of the Vishwas Trust, Board Member of Xavier Education Trust, President of the Old Boys Association of my Alma Mater, President of Milagres Senior Citizens Association and on Sundays, teaching Catechism to class 8 students in my parish church. This keeps me busy, active and young in spirit.
Perseverance Pays
Winston Dsouza, DTM
Mangalore Toastmasters Club
31st January 2022
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