Silveira was really a silver lining in the history of Indian Overseas Bank. He was very dynamic and he always saw to it that whatever decisions he took were always in the interest of the bank.

He was very powerful in his hay days. Fellow executives were really scared of him, as their knowledge level, particularly in FX business, was abysmally low. He kept the brokers and other vendors at a distance and hence none could accuse of any favoritism.

He was soft spoken with a very sweet voice. But he was very firm with his decisions and directions. He never misguided any of his subordinates. He encouraged them to take decisions and always supported when sometimes they took wrong ones.

He had a weakness. He never punished any one though he proclaimed he would. Taking advantage, some gained favourable postings including overseas ones, though they did not deserve. The very same people let him badly, accused and opined about him later.

He was a true Christian all through. He did not grudge any ill feelings towards other religions. My friends will vividly recall, though he was a born Christian, he remembered and followed even Rahu Kalams quite like a devout Hindu.

In fact, the period, he headed International Division or Foreign Exchange Department for a record time is still considered a golden period in the history of Indian Overseas Bank. He gave his blood, life and ultimately even his honour to this bank.

Having observed him in close quarters, I can claim that his knowledge in Foreign Exchange was very deep and he was the unconquered emperor in his chosen field. But for him his bank could not have lived up to its ‘overseas’ claim in its name.

He was an extrovert all through; he meticulously developed a vast network of correspondent banks all over the world for the bank he worked for. Some foreign banks maintained relationship with his bank only for his connections.

His single most contribution to the foreign exchange business and its development in India was the value dating system he insisted for all the drawing arrangements he provided to the overseas exchange companies.

The foreign exchange dealers of the bank who worked under him in those days either in India or abroad would passionately remember the total guidance and support provided by him. In fact, they were totally comfortable and confident.

Yesterday he passed away and merged with God at Pondicherry. By writing this blog, I am paying my respects and regards to him. But for him and his knowledge transfer, I would not have reached the present position in my life. And I publicly admit this.