UAE: Mangalurean born Entrepreneur Dr. Devid Frank Fernandes Thottam, a philanthropist-cum-producer of South Indian movies living in the UAE, has recently been honoured with Hon. Amb. Ltd. Gen. Commander Middle East Chancellor by the U.N. in the Philippines.
Frank’s journey:
Born in 1951, Frank Fernandes, a mere 10th standard pass-out, left his small hometown Thottam in the year 1967 to look for a job and landed in Mumbai, the dream city for many aspiring talents. After a short struggle, he got an opportunity to join Larsen and Toubro (LandT) as a Machine Operator, where he served until 1969. Later, he got an offer from Shapoorji Pallonji Constructions as a Supervisor, where he served for 3 years until 1973. He then moved to another company SDS Chemicals where he worked as an ‘all-rounder’ for 3 years.
In 1977, Frank was called to move out of India to the land of golden sands, Dubai, where he got an offer from UASC (then Kuwait Shipping) as an Operation Clerk. Here he got the opportunity to learn shipping and freight forwarding operations which he never dreamt would later become his main trade. His experience and interest grew in time and in the year 1989 he founded Mosaco Shipping and Forwarding Company LLC with 8 staff. Later, in the year 2001 his venture, Ferns Shipping Company came into being and in the year 2016, had more than 100 staff.
His business is now being managed by his sons while being monitored by him. Today Mosaco Shipping is a household name in the UAE known for their professional service. Honesty and good service have gained them lots of awards and accolades which added to his business’ reputation. 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 markets. Currently, they cater to worldwide destinations, strongly backed by its vast network of overseas forwarding agents and correspondents.
Frank’s Films:
Frank developed some liking towards drama in the UAE, where he started promoting and sponsoring some of the great Konkani and Tulu famous dramas. After having tasted success in the shipping business, he explored the film business with a production house named ‘Ferns Movie International’, which later gained fame as a 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 the 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 and 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 and 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 along with 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 the red carpet laid in front of the theatre decorated with huge cutouts 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 and Frank Fernandes who also acted in a special role.
Frank’s Social Life:
Frank actively participated as a sponsor in many social organisations in the UAE and 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 a huge amount for the event’s expenses appreciated by all.
Frank’s Awards:
Frank Fernandes, in his career, won a lot of awards and accolades and 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 and 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 ‘GeethaYoganugrahaPrashasthi’ Award at BhagawathGeethaMangalaMahotsavaSamaramba, 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 and Humanitarian Service.
• In 2018 Appointed as ‘Vice Chief of Missions and Business Ambassador of UAE’ by International Commission of Diplomatic Relations, Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines.
• In 2018 Awarded ‘International Driver’s License’ with Diplomatic Immunity by International Comm. Of Diplomatic Relations, Human Resources and Peace UNO in the 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 and India by UNO
• In 2018 he was also conferred with Diplomatic Passport by UNO in the Philippines.
• He was also presented with ‘Diplomatic Identity Card, with position ‘Vice Chief of Missions and Business Ambassador, UAE.
Frank Fernandes’ contribution to charity, social service, peace mission and business development has resulted in him becoming 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.” He has committed himself to continue the work of peace.
It is hard to believe, but it is true that a mere 10th standard pass-out mastered the world with his larger-than-life motto, gained a vast knowledge of various religious manuscripts and with a fluency in Sanskrit slokas and Upanishads, spreads peace everywhere he goes.
Frank’s success story is a dream he nurtured in his childhood and is all the more exemplary because of his humble background. He did not allow his dreams to overpower him instead, overpowering his dreams in his own inimitable style. Above all, he is a humanitarian and is known for his wide-ranging philanthropic activities which have benefitted many individuals and institutions across the country.
He is a voracious reader who reads all sorts of books and scriptures and this quality made him a top notch public speaker.
Frank is married to Alice Fernandes nee Correa and together they have four sons, Oliver Fernandes, Larry Fernandes, Nelson Fernandes and Herick Fernandes and a daughter, Sharon Fernandes who is married to Loyel Sequeira and resides in Ireland, Dublin.
