Dave Kissoondoyal Privileged Web Site

Dewandranath Kissoondoyal also known as Dave Kissoondoyal is currently employed as IT Manager and Head of IT Department at Teleforma Mauritius Ltd. Dave is an Associate Member of Chartered Management Institute, UK.  

Dave Kissoondoyal has been one of the nominees for the Most Outstanding Young Person for the Republic of Mauritius for the years 1996 and 2003. The AOYP program of Jeune Chambre Economique de Maurice serves to recognize individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 who exemplify the best attributes of the young people of Mauritius.

Dave has been selected by the Board of Directors of the World Summit Award as the NATIONAL EXPERT from Mauritius in the framework of  the World Summit on the Information Society. He has been selected from among the 489 Eminent Expert nominations from 136 countries from the leading governmental, industry and NGO institutions and associations in the field of e-content, multimedia, internet and ICT. He is  an Editor of the Open Site Internet Encyclopedia. http://open-site.org/profiles/mauritian.html . He is a featured member of the TakingItGlobal Community. http://profiles.takingitglobal.org/Mauritian . Dave is a member of the Development Gateway Community. http://www.developmentgateway.org/shared/community-member?user_id=987729. He is also a member of the Digital Divide Network. http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/mauritius. He is a member of the Small Islands Developing States  Network  http://whoiswho.sidsnet.org/index.cfm?module=Members&page=Profile&UserID=1216.

Dave is a Member of the Public Interest Registry .ORG Advisory Council. Public Interest Registry (www.pir.org) is a not-for-profit corporation created by the Internet Society to manage the .ORG domain. PIR's mission is to manage the .ORG domain in an exemplary manner while educating and empowering the global non-commercial community to more effectively utilize the Internet. PIR is based in Reston, Virginia. PIR created the .ORG Worldwide Advisory Council in 2003 to focus solely on .ORG issues. It is made up of leaders from the broad spectrum of the non-commercial world. The Council serves as a key resource to the PIR Board and Staff to incorporate worldwide input on policies, strategies, programs, and services affecting the international non-commercial community.

Dave is a member of the The African Stakeholders Network (ASN) of the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force. The ASN has been launched to ensure that United Nations-efforts to bridge the digital divide in Africa are better coordinated, more inclusive and reflective of the significant efforts already underway to develop an African information society. He is a member of the following working groups of the UN ICT Task Force http://www.unicttaskforce.org/perl/user.pl?do=profile;id=2525

• ICT Policy and Governance

• Enabling Environment

• Human Resource Development and Capacity Building

• ICT Indicators and Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Mapping  

Dave Kissoondoyal is a member of the UNESCO's Information for All Programme (IFAP)  National Committee of Mauritius. Information for All (IFAP) is an intergovernmental Program of UNESCO. http://www.unesco.org/webworld/ifap

UNESCO's Information for All Program provides a platform for international policy discussions and guidelines for action on:

When Dave Kissoondoyal returned to Mauritius after working two and a half years in the United Kingdom, he realised the lag Mauritius had in terms of Information and Communications Technology. Therefore he founded the Internet Society of Mauritius (http://www.isoc-mu.org) with the objective of promoting the Internet in Mauritius. He is the President of the Society. The Internet Society of Mauritius is a chapter of the Internet Society (International), http://www.isoc.org. The Internet Society of Mauritius was nominated in the E-Achievers Award 2002 and was the finalist of the ICT Achievers Award 2004 for the whole African Region. Dave helped in drafting the Global Information Technology Readiness Report in 2001, initiative by the World Economic Forum and the Harvard University. He is also the Manager of the MSN Group for Mauritius, Manager for Google Groups for Mauritius, Manager of the Yahoo group of Mauritius as well as the Ringmaster of the Mauritius Webring. He is also a Zealot, an especially prestigious role in building one of the most influential directories on the Web. Zealots control and shape non-commercial categories in the Zeal-LookSmart directory. Sites and categories he adds to Zeal are published throughout the LookSmart Network, which includes Microsoft's MSN, AltaVista, Prodigy, CNN.com, and hundreds of other sites.

Dave is the only Mauritian WEAVER for the Internet Fiesta 2005.http://www.tutytam.org/internet-fiesta/en/ficha-tejedores.php?id=358.

The Internet Fiesta is a worldwide event and is being held From 14 to 27 March 2005. This 7th edition of this event will be centered on the preparation of the Virtual Planetary Exhibition and projects that concerns the main topics of the World Summit of the Information Society to be held in Tunis in December 2005.  Internet Fiesta started in March 1999 as a worldwide event with the main objective of promoting access to the Internet and creating awareness on the opportunities offered by this technology to the less developed areas of the globe.

Dave is one of the five founder members of the Mouvement Républicain Political Party. He resigned when he realised that the Party diverted from its goals and objectives. After mere reflection, he joined the MMM Political Party. He is the Secretary of the MMM Regional No. 11 and from time to time he attends the Comite Centrale of the MMM. 

Dave’s youth was not an ordinary one since he comes from a poor family. His family did not have any property at all. His father was an attendant at the Civil Aviation Department. His mother was a cow rearer. His family was living in a rented house at Mare d’Albert. With the small income of his father and the revenue from milk, it was really difficult to send all the five children to School. However, with the help and comprehension of all the seven members of the family and the perseverance of the parents, all five children have been able to study till Cambridge Higher School Certificate. Dave, being the eldest son of the family had to wake up at 5:00 AM in the morning and go to fetch fodder for the cows before going to school. Dave’s father was allowed to do some plantation in a plot of state land within the Civil Aviation Department complex. So Dave had to go on weekends to work on the land at Plaisance Airport. He had to cycle from Mare d’Albert to Plaisance and on his return either brings wood, grass or tomatoes on his bicycle. 

During his school holidays, Dave had to go and work in sugar cane fields to be able to earn some money to be able to buy new clothes and books. Dave only took private tuition for his Higher School Certificate exams. Though he was really shocked after the death of his father in April 1984 – since, being the eldest son, he would have to work, to care for his family, and continue schooling for his younger brothers – he passed the Higher School Certificate exams in November of the same year. 

After leaving School, Dave had a very bad experience when he was thrown in the job market against his will since he always had the desire to study till university level. Dave made more than 300 applications for job but was never given one since he came from a poor family; he was not related to any influential personality. 

Since, he did well in interviews and was not selected, he was informally recommended to have a backing from somebody influential. Dave wrote various letters to the Prime Minister in relation to interviews at Overseas Telecommunications Ltd as he was subject to injustice. Dave personally explained his situation after having granted an appointment with the Prime Minister, however this did not remedy his situation because the Prime Minister's instruction was not followed to the letter since he was somebody that could be ignored. Dave addressed again to the Prime Minister where he mentioned that he agreed to what Mr Harish Boodhoo mentioned in his memorandum- that all the jobs at the Overseas Telecommunications Services were held by the relatives of Ministers and MLAs. 

Dave remained unemployed from Dec 1984 to March 1986. His first job was as a Clerk at Gaytree Textiles industries. Dave started working with a salary of Rs 1,200.

Now, he is the Group Technical Director and Chief Technology Officer of the Bowman Group of Companies. Dave climbed the ladder solely with his efforts and hard work and now he has reached the topmost position in his field. 

 He reached this position only because he is committed to his work and has been hard working throughout the years. Dave Kissoondoyal had received offer for employment from different companies both in Mauritius and overseas. 

In 1990, he received an offer from the MBC for the post of Trainee Technical Operator, which a starting salary of Rs 2,550. He declined the offer since he though that it would not be better than the OTS, since he was not related to eminent personalities. He opted for the private sector and joined Blanche Birger Co. Ltd because he knew his capabilities and strives for learning as well.

In 1992 and 1993, Dave received the Merit Award Shield from Blanche Birger Co. Ltd for his exceptional work at Blanche Birger. He obtained encouraging letters from the Customers of Blanche Birger Co. Ltd, for example one from General Manager of the Status Information Technology Ltd in 1994 – “ We also wish to place on record Mr D. Kissoondoyal ‘s remarkable performance. He showed a high sense of responsibility and commitment which largely contributed to the success of the installation.”  

In 1999, Dave Kissoondoyal received an offer for employment as Software Engineer from Mastech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The starting salary was $4533.33 (USD) plus benefits (approx Rs 150,000 per month) Dave declined the offer since he wants to serve his country first before serving other countries. Money is not everything. 

In 2000, Dave Kissoondoyal declined another offer. This time was from VocalTech in Cork, Ireland for the post of Telecommunications and IT Director. The Starting salary was £49,500 per annum plus benefits (approx Rs 225,000 per month).    

Dave attended the Sookdeo Bissoondoyal State Secondary School of Rose Belle. For all the school years at SBSSSRB, he was the Executive Member of the School Council and elected Head Boy of the School in 1984. He was also an Executive Member of the “Amicale des Etudiants”, an Association of Students, which grouped all the “A” status Schools. While leaving the School, Dave received the following note from the Rector, Mr Zahur Maudarbocus:  

• In 1979, obtained 1^st Prize in the Essay Competition marking the anniversary of the Independence of Mauritius

• In 1980, took part in the Inter-College Quiz Competition organised by the Mauritius Institute of Education in collaboration with the MBC-TV.

• In 1981, obtained the 1^st Prize in Essay Competition entitled “MY COUNTRY AND I”

• In 1982, Special Prize awarded for having come first in the School in Economics for the Cambridge School certificate Examinations after obtaining distinction in the subject.

• In 1983, took part in quiz competition organised by the Mauritius Family Planning Association and in the Lornho Award Competition. Also participated in the Cultural Exchange with Lycee Roland Garros of Reunion Island. Was awarded Special Prize for good conduct and hard work during the exchange.

• In 1984, elected Head Boy and took part in debate competition organised by the MSPCA.  In July 1984, had various meetings with the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Hon. Armoogum Parsuramen in relation to the Forum on White Paper of Education. He has studied up to Parichaye (Diploma) in Hindi Language and Sanskrit Balboth.

Dave was involved in Youth club and social activities at Mare d’Albert. Was one of the founders of the Celtic Youth Club of Mare d’Albert and has been in the Executive Committee for many years. Has also been a Member of the Rural Youth Movement of Mauritius (RYMOM). Followed course on First-Aid from the St John’s Ambulance and also obtained the Bronze Award of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Was one of the pioneers of the National Young Volunteers Scheme. In 1983, followed a course on Club Management and Leadership from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. 

Dave Kissoondoyal has always been engaged in social and religious activities. From 2002 to 2004, he was an Executive Member of the Rose Belle North Government School PTA. He was the Secretary of the Mare d’Albert Community Health Centre.  He was also the Secretary of the Geetanjali Sangeet Sangh of Mare d’Albert. This is an association with the objective of performing religious musical items in public gatherings. He was a member of the Arya Samaj of Mare d’Albert. He is a member of the Hindu Samelan Sabha of Union Park and the Union Park Arya Sanatan Dharmic Sabha. He attaches much importance on moral and religious values. He thinks purification of the self helps oneself to combat all obstacles and helps to lead a happy life. Due to his religious convictions, he has maintained strict discipline on his character and personality. Since childhood he always fasts on the first day of the week. He consumes only sweet food and fruits on Mondays. He also fasts on any Hindu religious day like Shivaratree – including the Monthly Shivaratree, Ugadi, Cavadee, Ganesh Chaturthi and Ram and Durga Nawmi

To purify the society, he has organised Kathas for the public. As secretary, he performed the first katha for the village of Mare d’Albert between the 18^th and 26^th April 1987. When he moved to the village of Union Park, performed various other Kathas as Secretary of the Union Park Arya Sanatan Dharmic Sabha. 

Dave Kissoondoyal has also studied Indian Philosophy, but unfortunately could not take the exams since he had to travel to the United Kingdom on his professional commitments. At some stage in time, he also started the Priest Course from the Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temples Federation to acquire the religious knowledge. Dave is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and mentions that he will follow the same path as the Mahatma and if ever he would get a death like Mahatma, he would open heartedly accept such death. 

One of the main objectives of Dave Kissoondoyal is to work for the welfare of the community especially those that are vulnerable and who need help. In this respect, much effort was concentrated for the welfare of Children. Dave held various responsible posts at the Save the Children Mauritius. His stay at Save the Children was remarkable since he was fully engaged in the activities of the Association and held important posts such as Secretary, Treasurer and President. As a volunteer, he has been continuously struggling for the betterment of the Mauritian Child. He has operated at all levels, be in the advocacy level, influencing the policies, at the grass root level with the communities, in Emergency relief, Training, national and regional levels.

He was involved in various sensitization campaigns such as “Consolidation de la famille pour la protection et bien-etre des enfants” and on “ Early Childhood Development”. He was in the organisation of the salon de l’enfance. The aim of the salon was to take stock of the services offered by the Government and NGOs towards the welfare of children and secondly to sensitize the population on Children issues. He was also involved with counselling to children in distress.

As Secretary of the Save the Children Mauritius, he organised and participated actively in street exhibitions on Children’s Rights throughout the whole island. He has been actively propagating the Rights of the Child and promoting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. He participated in the preparation of a pamphlet “Conseil aux Parents”. He conducted a survey to collect children’s views on specific issues. He also launched the child oriented and leisure activities for Children at the Save the Children Centre at Vacoas. He organised various film shows for children in different regions

To safeguard a better future of the children, Dave Kissoondoyal is convinced that the community must be empowered. He launched various Community Development projects with the support of the local community. Examples are Creve Coeur, Chamarel and Baie de Tombeau. In Creve Coeur, a library was set up and medical screening done.

When Dave Kissoondoyal was the Treasurer of the Save the Children Mauritius, he was engaged in the setting up of the Eglantyne Jebb Training centre for disabled children and school dropouts. He organised the forum on “Adolescent et les parents” and the workshop leading to the Casela Declaration in connection to the World Summit on Social Development. He was also engaged in the joint collaboration between Save the Children Mauritius and the Jeune Chambre Economique de Beau Bassin – Rose Hill on the organisation of the Play and Leisure Day. He also initiated the setting up of a Leisure ground for disabled children at Vacoas.

Dave played an important role in drafting the alternate report on the Convention of the Rights of the Child submitted to the UN Committee of the Rights of the Child. Having followed the training of trainers course from the International Save the Children Alliance, he conducted a training course for NGOs and Government Officials on the 2^nd and 3^rd April 1996. Dave Kissoondoyal attended the World Congress on the Social Commercial Exploitation of Children in Stockholm, Sweden.

Dave had set up the Rodrigues Emergency Relief Operation to bring help to the people especially children of Rodrigues. Similarly he was behind the setting up of the Madagascar Relief Operation , Rwanda Relief Operation and Hollanda Relief Operation. He had set up a training Centre for school dropouts and disabled children at Rodrigues, including a library, medical check-ups for children and nutrition course for mothers.  

Dave was an Executive Committee Member of the “Amicale des Etudiants”; he was the founder member of the Celtic Club of Mare d’Albert. He was a member of the Rural Youth Member of Mauritius. Dave was the secretary of the OTS-MTS Magazine committee. Dave followed various courses to help him in his social activities. He followed the First-Aid Course from the St. John’s Ambulance and the course on Club Management and Leadership from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He has obtained the Bronze Award of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. He has also followed training on Leadership in Voluntary Social Work of the New De-addiction Centre Mauritius. He is also trained by the International Save the Children Alliance to train trainers on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In a letter dated 18^th June 1985, the Minister of Youth and Sports of that time stated –“ Dewandranath Kissoondoyal..would seem to be the ideal type of the Mauritian Youth..”  

As mentioned earlier, Dave Kissoondoyal’s life was not an easy one. Dave got married at the age of 25 to Miss Rameshwaree Ramlugon, ex-secretary at the European Union (Ex EEC). After two and a half years of happy married life, his wife passed away leaving two daughters under his sole responsibility. However this did not prevent him in his urge for helping others as he continued with his responsibilities at the Save the Children Mauritius and his commitments at the religion level. Dave gave both maternal and paternal affection to his daughters for another four years before being married to Miss Devika Khulputeea. Dave is now leading a happy family life with his four daughters and one son. 

Dave’s will to struggle in every spheres of life has contributed to his success and the message he gives to anybody is as follows: 

“ There is always dawn after a dark night, one has to be patient. With patience, hard work and perseverance one can achieve the goal of his life.” 

Dave Kissoondoyal’s urge for helping others without expecting anything in return has made him exercise in various fronts like in club and associations, in social activities and within religious framework. Dave most ultimate aim is to get involved fully in politics and set an example in this field as well. He wants to be a model for the future generations.  

Dave Kissoondoyal believes much in the work done than building the political image through public exposure. Although being behind the scene, he has provided many ideas to political parties and the Government in place. He has taken his patriotic responsibility fully, by sending his views and opinions concerning the welfare of the nation. 

Though the MSM Government was in place since 1982, there was no Youth Movement of the Party up to 1988. On the 14^th of January 1988, Dave Kissoondoyal sent a letter to the President of the MSM, Mr Michael Glover with the suggestion to set up a Youth Movement of the Party. On the 10^th of February 1988, Mr Michael Glover, who was the Minister of Youth and Sports responded to Dave’s letter and mentioned that he had the green light from the Prime Minister to set up the Youth Movement. 

In 1995, Dave Kissoondoyal together with Rama Valayden, Sunil Dowarkasing, Nitin Sewduth and Gerard Louise formed the “Groupe de reflexion d’Emmanuel Anquetil” (GREA). Slowly more members joined the group. During the General elections of 20^th December 1995, the group travelled throughout the 20 constituencies of Mauritius and named it “Convoi de l’Unite”, where national reconciliation was preached.  

After the elections, meetings were held throughout the whole island and the group worked day and night for the Electoral Reforms, first document of GREA. GREA decided to regroup credible personalities irrespective of their previous political affiliations to create a true republican platform. The result gave birth of the “Mouvement Républicain”, on Friday 23^rd August 1996. 

Dave was the first Treasurer of the Mouvement Républicain. The party was doing well in the early days and promoting the republican values. After a major rise in the price of basic stuffs, the MR Party affixed posters throughout the whole island. Dave Kissoondoyal, together with four MR members was arrested in Flacq in February 1997. Though the posters were hand written, the police charged them of affixing posters without the name of the publisher. The case was sent to Court and on the third hearing, only Dave Kissoondoyal had to plea guilty since he was seconded for duty in the UK and would not be available to attend the court. 

When Dave Kissoondoyal returned to the island, after working for two and a half years in the United Kingdom, he realised that the MR party has been diverted from its initial objectives. Dave then joined the MMM Regional 11. He also noticed that not much was done on the ICT sector. Dave sent a fax to the Deputy Prime Minister on 2^nd January 2001, proposing to use ICT to boost the economy.

Dave Kissoondoyal is currently the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the MMM Regional No. 11.

Dave sends his ideas and views on the ICT sector in Mauritius to the Minister of IT and Telecoms as well as to the Deputy Prime Minister. He is invited in various seminars and conferences on the ICT sector to participate. Dave believes in "what you can give to the country rather than what the country can give you."