Foreword
"It is privilege to write a foreword for a book which I would rate as one of the finest exposition of an adventurous journey of a great technopreneur of our times - Pramod Chaudhari. It is a faithful narration of his journey, turbulent as well as exciting, from which many young technopreneurs can draw an inspiration.
I have known Pramod for a number of years now as in outstanding human being, top-class professional and a visionary leader. His personal account of his life brings out various facets of Pramod's personality, which I have not idea about.
Pramod started with a modest beginning in Phaltan and rose to great heights by finally creating Praj, which is symbolic of the emergence of a new confident and vibrant India. The account of his childhood is fascinating, whether it has to do with his days in schools or in Fergusson College or in IIT. Pramod began by working for others but then he still established a company which provided work to others.
Even while he was working of others, Pramod's personality is brought up strongly, when we hear his account of his instantaneous resignation when challenged by a Superior unreasonably. The making of a strong upright and a determined individual were visible even then.
It is a tragedy in India that the very best of its talent continues to go abroad. This is particularly true of IIT graduates. They create wealth abroad. They use their intellect to create intellectual property for others. For example, a recent report of World Bank shows that around 300,000 Indian professionals work in Silicon Valley. They have an average income of around US$ 200,000. This means an annual income of around $ 60 billion. This is almost 10% of India's GDP. But Pramod did not go and join this club. He along with another IIT graduate Shashank urtured 'Praj' in India. This is a rare phenomenon.
Pramod's subsequent journey from early 1980's in remarkable. The value of 'champions' is very critical I remembered I was on the Board of Directors of TDICI (ICICI's venture capital arm, then). Pramod got a break through TDICI, primarily because of the support he received from Mr. Vaghul, a legendary figure, who has helped many young entrepreneurs. I am sure he is particularly proud of the two he had supported through TDICI at that time. One is Pramod Chaudhari of Praj and the other is Kiran Mazumdar, CMD, Biocon, Bangalore, who has become a star by becoming the richest Indian woman. Both Pramod and Kiran has reached where they have through 'technology' and not through 'trade'.
There are many valuable lessons that young technopreneurs should draw from Pramod's tribulations and triumph. In his own words - 'collaborate is fine but for running a long term race in the market place for any business, one must become technologically self-sufficient, sow, raise and grow one's one technology'. I have often said 'strength respects strength'. Believe me, technological strength is the greatest of them all.
It is on the basis of the technological strength that Praj has won the enviable reputation as 'one-stop-shop'for alcohol technology, not only in India, but all around the world. Praj's customer base today includes Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Swaziland, Turkey, Algeria, Colombia, Japan, Australia and UK. I have no doubt that Praj will enter all G8 countries and conquer them. This is why as Secretary to Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) of Government of India, it was a matter of pride and privilege for me, when the jury decided to award Praj the 2005 National Award for Excellence of DSIR for In-house R&D efforts resulting in technology exports.
Apart from all the above, it is the intrinsic strength of Pramod and his 'Praj family' that is the greatest stock-in-trade.
Pramod and Parimal together will qualify for a national award as one of the topmost talented couples in India. Professional growth is intimately linked with a happy family life. Pramod and Parimal make a 'perfect' couple. Their future is bright.
The value of 'Praj' cannot be simply measured in terms of its 'stock' value - it has to be measured in terms of its 'inspirational' value for millions of young technopreneurs, who are about to emerge in this resurgent India of the twenty-first century".
New Delhi March 2006
Dr. R.A. Mashelkar,
Director General,
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research,
Government of India.
In the Picture
UN Leadership Forum
on Climate Change:
My Experience
