I came from a very humble middle-class family and I was not even aware of IIT till a few months before the exam. At the time, I had absolutely no knowledge of different branches of engineering. My family would have been thrilled if I had just done some graduation and taken up a bank job! Hence it was indeed destiny that I got into IIT!
The 5 years at IITB in H5 was quite uneventful. I was of the serious type, anxious to get first class in all semesters, and to continue receiving my merit cum means scholarship. I did not have much pocket money either. On weekends, after Friday dry dinner & movie in the convocation hall, three of us, all from Sion, would go home.
Once during the exam time on a Sunday in 3rd year, while playing volleyball in the hostel wearing lungis, I tripped and fell. I had fractured my left hand and the IIT hospital was closed. My friend Marballi (chem) and one other guy took me by ambulance to Sarvodya hospital in Ghatkopar. Luckily, I was well enough the next day to write my exam.
Early in the placement season I accepted a job offer from Salvy Foundry, Mulund. I was recommended by Prof Banerjee (who was consulting with them) and hence got the job without going through the interview process. When I joined Salvy and met some H5 guys the first day, they discouraged me, as they were trying to get out! On the second day I met Mr. Salvy for the first time, and he was rough. He said work well or the gates were open! I was quite put off with such an introduction on the first meeting and on my first job. I walked out of the gate!
I went back to IITB the next day and saw an ad from Sahney Kirkwood. I interviewed with them and got selected for a new commutators project. But the next week I saw an ad in the newspaper for Special Steels Ltd, Borivali for Management trainees with two years’ experience. I had done summer training there after the 4th year and was waiting for their campus visit. It was a great company and had several IITB guys. I got selected and moved to SSL where I continued for almost 3 years. Those were one of the best 3 years of my career, providing excellent learning in a professional environment. This experience in steel helped me throughout my career. Incidentally, SSL was bought by Tata Steel later on.
In 1977, I left for IIM, Calcutta for the two-year MBA program. Here I had all the fun that I missed in IITB. I learned to play basketball and played for IIMC in the inter-IIM meet. I trekked to Sandhakphu with 5 others and visited several other places during the holidays. Here too I was on merit cum means scholarship and used the savings of Rs 5000 I had from SSL.
Post MBA, I joined Tata Economic Consultancy Services (TECS) Bombay, in 1979 where I had done summer training. I did very well, rising to Divisional Manager and left in 1990 when the leadership changed. I had a great time at TECS among several IIT and IIM colleagues with very exciting, enriching and challenging assignments for Tata and other corporates. I had the opportunity to be the captain of TECS cricket and badminton teams and played badminton for Tata Sports Club.
Realising the need to make more money I went to Dubai and joined Juma AL Majid, one of the three largest companies as Business Planning & Dev Manager. I was part of Chairman Mr. Juma’s office and travelled with him to many countries in luxury. Several new businesses were developed which are still working well.
In 1996, I returned to India as my wife wanted our two daughters’ education to be in India. I was initially reluctant to leave Dubai but the return turned out to be the best move. I had written to Mr. Ratan Tata seeking a position, and it was arranged for me to meet 3 Tata companies. I accepted the offer at Tata Exports, later named Tata International, for GM-Auto components reporting to CMD. When I left in 2007, I was VP Engineering Global Business Unit. I set up a new JV for manufacturing trailers in Pune and was Director & CEO. This was a green field unit project that pioneered the modern Trailer industry. This company is now the largest trailer manufacturer in India with 4 plants and is a benchmark in the industry, a very satisfying experience, as I look back on my career.
Tatas took over an axle and suspension company, York Transport Equip (Asia) in Singapore with offices in several countries. I was appointed Global Director & CEO and continued there till retirement. I set up green field factories in China and Pune, India. The Pune factory is now the largest such factory in India and exporting world over. It was fun working with colleagues of 13 nationalities and running 9 subsidiaries!
On a more personal side, I married Usha in 1982, and we have two daughters and two granddaughters. We have been spending time between India and USA where the children are settled. Looking back, overall, I feel that it was a satisfactory life though there were some ups and downs. In the last 10+ years I have taken up reading science and Indian philosophy and am amazed by the growing convergence of quantum physics and Vedanta/Upanishads in understanding nature. I feel, Life is Destiny. All milestones in my life were determined by circumstances at that time, not that I had to take a decision.
These days I make it a point to visit and meet friends and relatives wherever I travel. I play tennis, listen to podcasts, read and spend time with grandchildren.
IIT Bombay 1974 Reunion 