Barkur, having rich tradition and history, is a host for several personalities, who have reached extra heights in various fields. There are also sons and daughters, whose parents and ancestors once lived, learned and reigned in this place, but for some reasons, opted to migrate, in search of better pastures and prospered both materially and in social status.
Of course they carried with them not only Barkurian fragrance wherever they settled but also ensured that the same belongingness, passed on to next generation with pleasant past memories. One such great name is Dr. Joseph Gonsalves – currently the Principal of one and only Engineering College run by Catholic Board of Education, Diocese of Mangalore – St. Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjur, Mangalore, who has got his roots at Barkur.
Dr. Joseph Gonsalves – B.E., M.Tech. (IIT-M), Ph.D., (IIT-M) F.I.E., M.I.ST.E., M.T.S.O.I., M.F.P.S.I.
Principal, St. Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjur, Mangalore
‘Dumga Gonsalves’ was a popular household name in Benne Kudru in late 30’s and early 40’s and at that time Bombay was not destination royal, instead many Christian’s of Barkur, developed the art of copper smith and flourished in Western Ghat regions of Karnataka. Many people permanently settled in places like Kollegal, Chennapatna, Sagar, Hassan and erstwhile Mysore. The journey of success must start with small steps towards the goal; Domingo Gonsalves preferred the then small town Hassan as his home away from home, as a copper utensils and vessels repair worker.
Domingo and Jethruza Gonsalves
Not long ago, over a dozen contemporaries from Barkur and around who embraced the same profession used to gather at Dumga Gosal’s house for week end, both to relax after a hectic week and to satiate socio-religious obligations. Monday, early morning they used to arrange all raw materials, spares and instruments ready to travel interiors in search of households who can engage these craftsmen for yet another week of busy and tiresome work. Surely Dumga Gosal’s home was the social nerve centre, of the time who shared and cared for the fellow brethren, playing the role of ‘indigenous Banker’. Over the years, Gonsalves family earned a name of reputation and goodwill and today, theirs is well flourished business family at Hassan.
Early Life and Education:
May be to carry on the rich legacy of his worthy and God fearing parents, it was under these surroundings and atmosphere a great man was born, on 9th May 1952, grown and endeared to everyone with his simplicity, ready accessibility. Parents rightly named their son after St Joseph, patron of workers and rightly inculcated saint’s virtues in the minds of young Joseph in the very beginning. In a way at a very young age, it is through his elders, Joseph understood that growth depends upon energetic activity and one have put effort to achieve it, which in turn can be done with dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds.
Prof. Joseph Gonsalves had his early education at Holenarsipur. He obtained Diploma in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Automobile Engineering from C.P.C Polytechnic, Mysore in the year 1971 securing First class. Later he took B.E., Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mysore with First Class in 1975. He has been a University Rank holder during the engineering course securing First rank in First Year, Eight Rank in Third year and Ninth Rank in Fourth year.
After a stint in engineering & construction business he joined the Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan, as Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering in the year 1977. He has served in this college for 31 years.He took M.Tech. Degree from IIT-Madras, Chennai, in the year 1982 in Machine Design and awarded PhD from IIT-Madras, Chennai, in the year 1994.
A career in Engineering and Education:
Once Joseph decided and joined Malnad College of Engineering he has served as Lecturer, Assistant Professor and Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Convener for the magazine committee, Member Board of Examinations for Mechanical engineering under University of Mysore as well as Vishweshwariah Technological University, Belgaum. He was responsible for the development of Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park and has served as the Director of this centre since its inception. He was the convener for “Club Infinity”, a club for the scientifically motivated students.
He developed the truck carriage building facility at Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan and supervised truck carriage building for the PWD, Govt. of Karnataka. He has developed a Pneumatic concrete dispensing system for the PWD, Gorur Division (1977). He was a consultant to M/s. Sunshine Coach Builders, Bangalore (1985 to1995).
He was responsible for the development of production centre at Malnad College of Engineering to produce furniture and equipments.
Dr. Gonsalvis has taught many subjects in the area of Mechanical Engineering both at the under graduate level and post graduate level. He has guided more than two hundred under graduate project works most of them are based on original innovative concepts. He has guided Eight M.Tech. Students, Three M Sc Engineering by research and currently guiding three scholars for PhD under the VTU, Belgaum. He has published 17 papers in National and International journals and conference proceedings. His interests are in the area of Machine Design, Mechanisms, Internal combustion Engines, creativity and innovation.
Research activities, honors and recognition:
He has developed a number of Engine test setups for research and has carried out extensive research in improving combustion and reducing emissions in spark ignition as well as compression ignition engines.
He has developed two gear test rigs for research purpose based on novel concept, which permit calibrated load application, power loss measurements and flexibility to use different operating centre distances.
He has conducted a National level conference on Robotics and has conducted short term courses under TEQIP. He has delivered many invited lectures on Engineering & Technology and Intellectual Property Rights.
He has undergone training at MICO-Bosch, Bangalore in the area of design & application of Hydraulic Power systems and also at FESTO, Bangalore in the area of design & application of Pneumatic Power systems.
He has been identified as a subject expert in the area of Hydraulics & Pneumatics by the Bosch-Rexroth and undergone higher level training in their facility at Lohr (Main), Germany. Also he is requested by the VTU-Bosch- Rexroth Centre of Competence for Hydraulics & Pneumatics at Mysore, to train students of VTU as well as participants from the Industry.
He is a fellow of Institution of Engineers, Life member of ISTE, Member of Fluid power society of India and Member of Tribology Society of India. He is also a chartered Engineer.
As Principal of St. Joseph Engineering College, Mangalore from November 14, 2007.
As we were told none other than Bishop of Mangalore was keen and persuading Prof. Gonsalves to handover this pet Institute in the safe hands since its very inception. Though it was just couple of months back, Dr. Gonsalves took over the reins; he had a vision for making the College one of the best in the State. It is just not a co-incidence that he chose children’s day as auspicious one to join…. but his love for student’s welfare and their well being will prove to be a boon to student’s fraternity in days to come. Any achievement does not take place overnight; his life is a journey of experiments and a path of ups and downs. ‘Barkur-on-line Team’ not only proud, elated and overjoyed to honor Prof. Gonsalves, as ‘Personality of the Month’, but take this opportunity to wish him all the best as Principal of this prestigious Institution
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A fortnight ago Prof. Gonsalves was invited to be the Chief Guest at SMS College grounds and the occasion was the 43rd Annual Day celebrations of Orthodox Syrian Church Youth Association. While accepting the honors bestowed upon him, Prof Gonsalves spoke in down to earth Konkani and promised best of his support and co-operation to the deserving students from this area.
In the followed programmed he honored the well known Konkani Composer and singer Wilson Olivera with the title ‘Sangeet Sardar’ in the presence of thousands at Makkala Mantapa, Brahmmavar, on behalf of The Expressions Group sponsored Silver Jubilee Nite on 2nd January, 2008.
In short about family:
Domingo Gonsalves and Jethruza Gonsalves were blessed with seven children, five boys and two girls. All are well settled in their business in Hassan and in Bangalore. Jospeh was the third son and ventured into academics and excelled in it. He is married to Lilly Lewis from the famous business family of Lewis in Mandya, originally from Sasthan. The couple have two beautiful daughters both are well educated. Elder daughter Olivia is holder of Masters degree in Commerce and works for T.V. Infotech at Bangalore. Younger daughter Olita is pursuing her MBA at St. Joseph’s Engineering College after her B.Com.
Conclusion:
A man believes in, success is a journey not a destination, we would like to share just these incidents in Professor’s life to be lesson to youth –
The path to a career as an engineer begins with the knowledge of mathematics and science. Today Dr. Gonsalves has got a long list of degrees / diploma’s and certificate courses – the fact is except preliminary studies, all other outstanding qualifications are the result of ‘self study’. He derives best pleasure in life in doing and achieving what people say he can not do.
He firmly practice, prior preparations prevents poor performance, always well prepared before entering the lecture hall.
Unlike in Hassan, Prof Gonsalves has a complaint that student at Mangalore, not making best use of their teachers. Here the aspiring engineers are the losers not the teachers, so he insists them to get the best from the College as a whole, not just the Degree alone, as learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.
‘Dignity of labor’ and he hardly shy away to re-collect his past and days of work in the workshop, even at the time he was grown to be a Professor of repute. His students and admirers, at Hassan, many a times taken aback to see their master engaged in *re-tinning work inside the foundry!!!
No time like present, but one must learn from past – We discovered, Barkur has got a special place in his heart and Barkurian’s as well. We wish Dr. Joseph Gonsalves, a man promises little but always does more, a man practices what he preach, and his family – good health, prosperity and contentment in life. May Almighty works wonders through him in coming days.
On behalf of Barkur-on-line Team & ICYM Barkur Ex-Members Association.
P. Archibald Furtado, Muscat, 17th February, 2008.
(*Theirs was a famous Copper Merchant business, both sales and service in Hassan - Classically in Indian cooking, the best pots were made out of a thick layer of copper for good thermal conductivity and a thin layer of tin to prevent the copper from reacting with acidic foods. Copper pans provide the best conductivity, and therefore the most even heating. They tend to require occasional re-tinning)