Mangalorean born Entrepreneur Dr. Devid Frank Fernandes Thottam a Philanthropist-cum-Producer of South Indian Movies living in UAE is being recently honoured with Hon. Amb. Ltd. Gen. Commander Middle East Chancellor by U.N. in the Philippines.
Frank’s Journey of life:
1951 born hardworking 10th standard pass student, Frank Fernandes left his small home town Thottam in the year 1967 searching for a job and landed in Mumbai, a dream city for many aspiring talents. After a brief struggling life he got an opportunity to join Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as a Machine Operator where he served until 1969. Later enroot his striving for betterment; he got an offer from Shapoorji Pallonji Constructions in a role of Supervisor where he served for 3 years until 1973. Going forward in Mumbai he moved to another company SDS Chemicals where he was offered a job of ‘all-rounder’ and served there for 3 years term.
It was in 1977 Frank’s dream explored to greater heights as he was called to move out of India to the land of golden sands Dubai where he got an offer from UASC (then Kuwait Shipping) and served there as an Operation Clerk. He got an opportunity to learn the shipping and freight forwarding operations which he never dreamt would later become his main trade. His experience and interest grew in the course of time and in the year 1989 he founded Mosaco Shipping & Forwarding Company LLC with 8 staff to begin with. Later in the year 2001 his venture in the name Ferns Shipping Company got to birth and was simultaneously growing which later in the year 2016 jointly had more than 100 staff working. 2 Warehouses & Distributing Centers in Jebel Ali, Dubai added to the growing business which is well managed by his Sons now and monitored by him in the day to day activities. Today Mosaco Shipping is a household name in the UAE known for their professional service in their trade of business. True honesty and best service has gained them lots of awards and accolades which added reputation to his business. The company has succeeded in retaining a diversified customer base across the full spectrum of multi- modal logistics and transportation services with proven value to customer’s global logistics requirements. It has nurtured its growth in both local and international market. Currently, they cater to worldwide Sea, Air and Land destinations strongly backed by its vast network of overseas forwarding agents and correspondents.
Frank’s Films:
A successful businessman turned orator developed some likeness towards Dramas in the UAE where he started promoting and sponsoring some of the great Konkani & Tulu famous dramas to present. Having tasted success in business and later with some likeminded people looking into an opportunity to push him into film production, he explored the new filmy business which he named ‘Ferns Movie International’ which later became a well-known tri-lingual production house.
It was in 2008 his first movie in Konkani ‘Kazar’ (Marriage) came into production which was directed by the well-known stalwart of Konkani, National Award recipient Richard Castelino and which received State Award from the Government of Karnataka in the year 2009 when it was released. Frank cast his youngest son Larry Fernandes along with Harshika Poonachcha. The movie which was initially scheduled to get released on 9 September 2009 got delayed by two months and finally released on 27 November 2009 blessed by Bishop of Mangalore, Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza during the first show at Adlab’s Big Cinemas in Bharat Mall, Mangalore.
Ferns Movie International’s second movie in Kannada ‘Ellellu Neene, Nannallu Neene’ and again directed by Richard Castelino was produced in 2009 which got released in 2011 April. Son Larry Fernandes was cast along with ‘Ambari’ film fame Supreetha who played the female lead in the movie. The songs of the movie were shot abroad in Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia and in India like Shimla, Madikeri, Bangalore and Malpe. The premiere was done at Renukamba Theatre, Malleshwaram on April 14, 2011. Mangalore-based A J Group chairman A J Shetty inaugurated the screening of premier show.
In 2012 the third production a religious Kannada movie titled ‘Karkalada Pavada Purusha Santa Lawrence’, which had Walter Stephen Mendes as Producer and Co-Produced by Frank Fernandes, Rajesh Mendes, Jagadish Shetty Devidayal, Alwyn D’Souza & William Rebello was released in 2013. This was directed by Pravin Thokkuttu and the cast included Ravichetan as the hero and Shobharaj as the villain. Other members of the cast included Swastik Shanker, Bhavya, Rekha Dutt, Tennis Krishna besides dance by three dancers from Turkey. The film had seven songs, two were sung by legend S P Balasubrahmaniam.
In 2016 Frank produced Ferns Movie International’s first Tulu movie ‘Jai Tulunaad’. Co-produced by N.G. Shivanna Nandihalli & Ali Nisar Ahmed the movie had muhurat in Feb 2015 at Nandihalli Tumkur. Directed by Praveen Thokkottu the movie had Avinash Shetty as male lead alongwith Sonal Monteiro as female lead. Navin D Padil, Aravind Bolar, Bhojaraj Vamanjoor, Bhavya, Swatik Shankar, Nayana Grahan, Alisha Andrade and Manmohan Rai were also part of star cast. For the first time Frank Fernandes also acted in ‘Jai Tulunaad’ and had Sarojini Shetty, Sai Prashanth D S, Shivanna Nandihalli, Jagadish Shetty, Ravi Gokak, and Byndoor Meese Gopala in some of the scenes. Kannada music direct Rajesh Ramanath provided the background score for the movie.
In May 2016 Frank produced Ferns Movie International’s blockbuster ‘El Aslyar Ek Na’ Konkani Movie which was the first Konkani Movie which had premier released abroad in Dubai. This high budgeted Konkani Movie created a history in Dubai with more than 1600 spectators witnessed screening in one Theatre for the full day with 4 shows. Distributed by Sandhya Creations who arranged the stars arriving glamorously in a white Limo while more than 400 people welcoming them on red carpet laid in front of the theatre decorated with huge cut outs and roll up stands erected at the venue was something out of the world. Fr. Robert of Dubai Church and Michael D’ Souza, MD of Ivory Grand Hotel Group did the honours of the Premier release. Well known Konkani Writer-Director Pradeep Barboza who also acted in this movie along with actress/singer Priya Menezes, had Alphonse D’Souza, seasoned actor Deepak Paladaka, Lavina Fernandes, Claud Dlima, Joseph Mathias, Prathap Menezes, Godwin Castelino, Lucy Bai from Kuwait, Mellu Melwyn D Almeida & Frank Fernandes who also acted in a special role.
Frank’s Social Life:
Frank was actively participating as Sponsor in very many social organisations in the UAE and had promoted charity events with his contributions. He was also the elected President of ‘Tulunadochhaya 2017’ a mega Tulu Ayona Event in the year 2017 held in Nisarga Dhama, Pilikula. A 2 day successful programme under his leadership had more than 2 lakh people gathered and had collected and contributed huge amount for the event’s expenses appreciated by all.
Frank’s Awards:
Frank Fernandes in his path of business career has won lot of awards and accolades, some of them are listed here below:-
In the year 2015 was bestowed with ‘Yeomen Service Award’ by Canadian Canara Vision at Versailles Convention Centre by Member of Parliament, Canada
Received Participating Certificate for ‘Establishing Global Peace’ by International Open University of Humanity, Health Science & Peace (USA), at Kaula Lumpur Malaysia.
In the year 2015 Astamata Udupi Pejaver Seer Swami Vishwatheertha felicitated him with ‘Pariyaya Award’
In 2015 Jain Swamiji from Thousand Pillar Basadi, Moodbidri felicitated him with ‘Charukeerthi Battaraka’ Award.
In 2016 all the major Associations of Karnataka in the UAE have continuously felicitated and awarded during their annual celebrations.
Was presented with ‘Geetha Yoganugraha Prashasthi’ Award at Bhagawath Geetha Mangala Mahotsava Samaramba, Kidiyoor, Udupi.
In 2017 ‘Appreciation Award’ was presented by Kala Jagathu (R) Mumbai
In 2017 his company Mosaco Shipping bagged Dubai Governments E-Service Excellence Award.
In 2017 United Nations Organisation (UNO) awarded him with Honorary Doctorate in Malaysia.
In 2017 Appointed as UNO’s Consul General for UAE in Malaysia
In 2018 was bestowed with ‘Global Peace Prize’ during the 38th People’s Choice Excellence Awards Ceremony for Entrepreneurship & Humanitarian Service.
In 2018 Appointed as ‘Vice Chief of Missions & Business Ambassador of UAE’ by International Commission of Diplomatic Relations, Human Rights & Peace in Philippines.
In 2018 Awarded ‘International Driver’s License’ with Diplomatic Immunity by International Comm. Of Diplomatic Relations, Human Resources & Peace UNO in Philippines.
In 2018 Awarded Honorary Brigadier General for U.S. Federal Police Chaplaincy, U.S.A.
In 2018 Awarded Major General for U.S. Federal Police Chaplaincy, U.S.A.
On 12th September, 2018 he was promoted as Honorary Lt. General for U.S. Federal Police Chaplain, U.S.A. with 3 Star in citation during their 2nd annual Global ISCAAR Inter-Govt. Court Convention.
In 2018 he was also appointed Honorary Commander for Middle East by UNO
In 2018 he was also appointed Chancellor for UAE & India by UNO
In 2018 he was also conferred with Diplomatic Passport by UNO in Philippines.
He was also presented with ‘Diplomatic Identity Card, with position ‘Vice Chief of Missions & Business Ambassador, UAE.
Frank Fernandes contribution to charity, social service, peace mission and business development has led him to be the recipient of various awards and accolades. As he says ‘my main motto is to do service to mankind on humanitarian grounds and build peace globally with cantonment’. He has committed to continue the peace work with all his effort to go round the world with the same clear vision.
It is hard to believe but true a 10th standard pass from High School mastered the world with his larger than word motto, gained vast knowledge of various religious manuscripts and with fluency in Sanskrit slokas and upanishads spreads the peace magic everywhere he goes. His oratory capabilities are being witnessed by most of his audience wherever he is invited on the stage and delivered the peace message.
Listening to him speaking in Konkani, Tulu, Kannada or English with ease interspersed with Sanskrit verses is an absolute pleasure. He has clearly demonstrated that no matter where he lived his emotional connect with his moors was strong and steadfast.
Frank’s success story is a dream he nurtured in his childhood and is all the more exemplary because of his humble background he came from. Looking at other rich people in the vicinity during his earlier days, he always dreamt of becoming a businessman. But the difference in Frank is that he did not allow his dreams to overpower him. Instead he overpowered his dreams in his own inimitable style to care out his success story. Above all, he is a humanitarian, with concern for the fellow human being and is known for his wide-ranging philanthropic activities which have benefitted many individuals and institutions across the country.
Frank is blessed with two very profound qualities like a sonorous voice and a photographic memory and he has accentuated these qualities with his reading habits. He is a voracious reader who reads all sorts of books and scriptures and these qualities have made him a top notch public speaker.
He adheres to a daily regimen of exercise and eats moderately which he says keeps him healthy and energetic to face the rigors of life. You will doubt his age when you see his personality and one will surely follow his way of life to keep themselves fit. However he always gives the credit to his wife who he says is always supportive and caring ‘and that’s the secret of my good health & youthful looks’ he admits.
Frank gratefully recalls the calming effect his wife Alice (Correa) Fernandes in his life as she had taken up the full responsibility of the family and has given him 4 handsome sons, Oliver Fernandes, Larry Fernandes, Nelson Fernandes Herick Fernandes and a beautiful daughter Sharon Fernandes who is married to Loyel Sequeira and who resides in Ireland, Dublin.
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