My Humble Beginning

Born into a middleclass family as the fourth child of seven children at Chemmakadu, Kollam district of Kerala in 1952, those were days of abject poverty. Yet, I had in me a positive attitude and an urge to succeed. After schooling, with a diploma in Machine Operations from the Industrial Training Institute, I set off to north India with a National Apprenticeship.

Mission in Life

I achieved my dream long before and I deem it my responsibility to safeguard the lives of those dependent on me. I need the strength to keep them going and this is my prayer to nature. I believe that my comfort and happiness should not come in the way of another’s peace and harmony. When it comes to work, do it with full heart. When your time, intellect and physical strength is not adequate, hire others’ expertise and time and pay everyone for their real worth.

Career Milestones

For a twenty year old youth, the career start in Delhi at Rajdoot as an operator was quite rewarding. Three years there, I migrated to Faridabad in Haryana to the New Industrial Town and worked in the Escorts. Four years into it, I joined Scooters India at Lucknow and Swaraj Tractor Factory at Mohali, Chandigarh. Those years helped me sharpen my skills and enhanced my passion for technology and I returned to my homeland with a fulfilling heart and a drive to achieve further.

But, Kerala during those days were most unfavourable for a dreamer. The political and social environment made it difficult for a young technology aficionado and I booked my tickets to the UAE. In 1978, I landed in Dubai and joined the Global Shipping Company at Rashidiya. The next stop was Sharjah Shipyard for three years and later the Grand Weld at Dubai Maritime City, by 1992. Having started as a supervisor there, I retired in 2000 as a manager, a position which was usually accorded to foreigners and whites till then. Nearly 25 years of acquaintance with machines gave me the courage to kick start my dream. My life savings was my capital and my confidence, my trump card.

Philosophy in Life

I have always contemplated the difference between the employer and the employee. Isn’t one indebted to the other? You sell your services to the one seeking it; there is no hierarchy in those positions. My sole aim is to help the underprivileged.

Live for yourself primarily and once you achieve contentment, give up that urge to make more and more. Give back to nature and your fellow beings. Watch out what is happening around and see how you can contribute to make it better.

Do not forget the dream you first had in your mind before you set off. Once you reach the goal, remember that the rest is just bonus and you need to return it to the world. Prepare your mind for that. That will make you selfless and urge you to look beyond. You will start receiving happiness in giving from then on.

Making of My Empire

Expert United Marine Services had a humble start with a single employee which has risen to nearly 250 of them now. We were into small projects initially, but time and hardwork opened our doors to major projects and corresponding professional growth. Now, we are the leading players in the repair of cargo pump, dry dock and deck machinery and have also stepped into ship building. We prepare special packages of industrial gearbox, motor and centrifugal pumps to our clients.

Unlike my home country, your skill is your criteria for survival and success in the Middle East. All I aspire to do through my company is to offer a one stop centre for all marine and industrial sector services. Ships built all over the world are repaired here. We have the technology and trained professionals.

Philanthropic Activities

I actively participate in the government initiated palliative care in my panchayat, Perinadu at Kollam. This work is in its eighth year now. After having known the hardships of many families in getting their daughters married, we have conducted mass marriages in our panchayat, bearing all the expenses.

The Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences at Kochi was founded after learning about how hapless women give birth to children on their way to government hospitals. Unbearable costs drive them away from private nursing homes and this made us start the Medical College. Here childbirth is made affordable and rendered free for the poor.

Hardcore Music Lover

I was immensely influenced by tabla, a percussion instrument, the sound of which used to send waves in my mind from childhood and I set out to learn it when I was fourteen years old. That was an additional means of income during those days. Mrudangam is another instrument I play. Music has always remained a passion and when I was young, was caught between pursuing art as a career or passion. I pursued my profession as a machine expert, holding music close to heart. My home is open to music lovers on all Saturdays. We have also formed an organization called STAGE, a platform for budding talents to express their artistic magnificence

Being Spiritual

I am very critical as well as spiritual about life. I understand that when I get more, I need to share more. Having respect for spiritual leaders from all over, I understand that they are thinkers who are here to lead people to the right path.

Foresight

When I first came to UAE, Dubai was in its nascent stage. Slowly, the country was evolving. Oil was the only possession of this land and the rest had to be brought in from far off places in bulk. This triggered the thought that shipping would find its foot here and I zeroed in on its feasibility as a profession.