Naveen Mendonca: A Young and Dynamic Entrepreneur in Bahrain
By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network
Moodubelle, 19 September 2010: He is young, dynamic and enterprising. Moreover, he is jovial, friendly and of helping nature. His name is Naveen Mendonca and has developed himself as a young entrepreneur running successfully his own business in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Sometimes back, Naveen was in Balakunje to witness the Silver Jubilee celebrations of his uncle (mother’s brother) Fr. Baptist D’Souza SVD who has been a missionary in Orissa. Naveen also took some time to visit Moodubelle to meet Willie Master and Rita Aunty (Naveen’s mother’s sister) where i had an opportunity to interact with him and prepare this inspiring profile.
Naveen was born on 26th November 1970. He is the only son and fifth among the six children, five daughters and a son of late John Baptist Mendonca and Pauline Mendonca. John Baptist Mendonca popularly known as ‘Bams’ was working in the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai and had been a regular contributor to the Konkani weekly, ‘Poinnari’. He was also a good actor in Konkani plays usually seen in comic roles. He had also written few Konkani plays. Bams passed away while Naveen was just 18 years old who greatly missed the guiding hands of his father.
Naveen studied in Kirem right from the primary section and completed SSLC from the Pompeii High School in 1986. Proceeding to Mumbai after completing SSLC, Naveen completed three years Diploma Course in Elecrical Engineering at Joseph Cardine Technical Institute, Dadar. With the diploma in hand, Naveen was looking out for a stable job. However, initially he had to struggle and for two years he worked for private contracts from 1989 to 1991.
With dreams of making it big in the Gulf, Naveen landed in Bahrain in 1991 and worked as Electrical Supervisor in Al-Khajah Establishment till 1996. Later he joined Yusuf Electricals as Elecrical Engineer. Meanwhile, the al-Khajah company expanded with the establishment of a sister company named Meriam Factory manufacturing lights and distribution panel boxes. Realising Naveen’s capability to manage a wide range of activities associaited with the company, he was given charge as the General Manager.
After acquiring sufficient expertise in relevant fields, Naveen ventured to start his own enterprise and in 2004 started his own company as foreign investor in Bahrain under the name of ‘VN (Varghese and Naveen) International’. This company deals with electrical trading and contracting. With business expanding and more experience gained inthe field, Naveen started another venture named ‘Westend Trading Establishment’. Recently, he started another branch under the name of ‘Span Trading Establishment’.
The group of companies run by Naveen, VN International, Westend Trading Establishment and Span Trading establishment has varied business activities and divisions. These include: electrical trading and contracting, Industrial, mechanical supply and erections, import and export of chemicals, water desalination plant installation and maintenance, computer hardware, software and office stationary, commission agencies and general trading and dealing with properties and real estate. These companies have their operations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia having a staff of twenty persons in Bahrain and twenty in Saudi Arabia.
Naveen is married to Dimple Usha Pinto of Palldka on 30th December 1999. She helps Naveen in managing his business ventures. He lives in Manama along with his mother and wife.
Like his father, Bams, Naveen is a young, dynamic and jovial person. He has a pleasant personality and friendly disposition. He is fond of making friends. Naveen has developed his father’s interest in theatre and does not miss an opportunity to witness plays and is very appreciative of the Yakshagana folk theatre. He is the General Secretary of the Mangalore Cultural Charity Association which conducts every year the festival of Mangalore known as ‘Kudlotsava’. Though being busy with his business ventures and cannot actively take part in Konkani cultural associations in Bahrain, Naveen is always supportive of the cultural activities of the Mangaloreans.