Who are the best inspiring persons for you in both personal and professional life? What are the lessons you learned from them?
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is one of the most inspiring figures of modern India. I had an opportunity to work under the leadership of Dr. Abdul Kalam when he was the Director of DRDL. He was not just a great scientist and President of India but also a motivational source for many young minds aspiring to make a mark in the field of space, defence and aerospace. I was highly motivated by his knowledge, perseverance, hard work, and dedication which was always aimed at the development of the nation. I have always incorporated his values, ethics and learnings in my personal and professional life. His life, work and words have always been my guiding force.
Since, the beginning of my career in DRDO, I was fortunate to be surrounded by visionary people who were constantly striving to achieve next-level of military inspired technologies which will help our nation to build more robust defence systems.
Dr. A Sivathanu Pillai was one such name to reckon with in the arena of defence technologies. Dr. Pillai – a man of vision, is one of the most successful and inspiring leaders. From setting goals to embracing challenges together with positive thinking, teamwork, integrity and courage, his clear vision encouraged me immensely to work towards achieving goals with dedication and determination. His outstanding techno-managerial skills in networking multiple institutions for the development of critical missile technologies overcoming denial regimes. I have gained invaluable experiences working with him. It is a great honour for me that today, I am heading the organization which was created and nurtured by him.
In my personal life, I would have to say that the persons who have most greatly inspired me are my family members, friends & teachers. They are the only ones in the whole world who have always supported and continue to motivate me to achieve my goals.
Can you share one nostalgic moment in the process of becoming successful in your journey?
Since my initial years in DRDO, I have worked in various areas of military technology with a mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems. As a Programme Manager for Programme PJ-10, steering the feasibility studies, conceptual design, planning, development, testing, integration and certification of DRDO Onboard systems culminating in successful demonstration, induction and subsequent productionisation of BRAHMOS. I was part of all the flight trial campaigns in the initial time. Every flight trial was nostalgic and posed different challenges which we could overcome and establish that we can do it. It paved the way for strengthening our Armed Forces with a formidable weapon system. This unforgettable experience of developing hi-tech systems for the realisation of BRAHMOS weapon system and today as DG BrahMos, DRDO and CEO&MD of BrahMos Aerospace I am leading this prestigious organisation, all these can be termed as nostalgic moments in my journey.
What are the best quotes still you follow in your day-to-day life?
“To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal”
– by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success”
– by Swami Vivekananda.
How do you feel when you get awards/recognitions for your work?
Awards and Recognitions make people feel that their work is valued. I always feel deeply humbled and honoured to receive awards recognising our commitment in the field of Aerospace and Defence and take such special moments as another step in the learning curve to focus on new technologies, future challenges and growth opportunities.
What is your message to young entrepreneurs who wish to become influencers?
India today is in a unique position in the world, attracting all developed countries to look at, because India is the best resource hub of young intelligent minds. Today’s youth have a tremendous responsibility to shape India’s future. Everyone should fix a goal for themselves. There should always be a thirst in themselves to achieve the goal. These budding intellectual minds will play a crucial role in leading nation towards greater heights.
Can you please share your achievements in last one decade to our readers?
In the world missile arena, BRAHMOS has established its credence as a versatile, universal and unparalleled weapon. In this glorious journey of 25 years, BRAHMOS has fortified the firepower of the Indian Armed Forces and in the process also indigenised major systems and sub-systems as its resolve to empower India’s Atmanirbharta Abhiyaan in the defence sector. We have also been associated with many public-private industries right from the development stage. BRAHMOS is a success story in India’s defence domain. Additionally, the successful Joint venture has also bagged India’s first military export order along with more in the pipeline. It is the first of its kind that India has achieved a new milestone by the signing of an export contract for whole weapon system.
BRAHMOS
BRAHMOS has positioned India as a World Leader in missile technology with the fastest, high precision Supersonic Cruise Missile, realised in a short period of time. BrahMos Aerosapce, JV between DRDO of India & NPOM of Russia, has successfully developed numerous variants of BRAHMOS – land-to-land, land-to-sea, sea-to-sea, sea-to-land, sub-sea and also the air-launched one strengthening all the three wings of the Armed Forces – Army, Navy & Air Force. The BRAHMOS has become a vital part of modernisation drive of Indian Armed Forces wherein it is being installed in various platforms.
Over the years, BrahMos has successfully developed and tested different variants of the potential missile to meet divergent war scenarios. BRAHMOS, as a role-model, has also set precedence by successfully establishing a robust Missile Industrial Complex in both India and Russia. The public and private sector Indian defence firms have been actively involved in designing, developing and producing various components of the missile. After first mega export deal, India is in advanced talks with several countries.
