Voices of legacy: From Dubai to the world

With immense pride and heartfelt glamour, I celebrate 25 magnificent years since graduating from my cherished alma mater — a place that ignited my dreams and sculpted my destiny.

Those iconic halls weren’t just classrooms; they were runways to greatness, where ambition met brilliance, and vision took flight. The wisdom, elegance, and confidence I carry today were born there. Every success, every triumph, carries your signature.

To the mentors who inspired, the friendships that glittered, and the memories that shine — I owe it all to you. Thank you for being the cradle of my transformation. Here’s to the legacy of excellence and brilliance!

To my alma mater BITS Pilani, I extend my sincere gratitude. My autobiography as the founder of Maser Group and CEO of MDR Investments will be incomplete if BITS Pilani is not mentioned, for it has been the origin of my journey — from the lecture halls to the boardrooms of global investment firms and factories across continents.

The school was not only an academic institution, but also the launchpad of my life’s purpose, therefore, wherever I may go, I always carry the banner of BITS Pilani because this school is a true “nourishing mother” to me.

The grand and meticulously designed buildings of my alma mater, BITS Pilani, remain etched in my memory — spanning the hostels, the iconic main building, and the academic departments.

The institution’s defining three colours — sky blue symbolising optimism, fire engine red representing resilience and determination, and yellow denoting victory — have profoundly influenced my journey.

These vibrant hues resonate deeply with my life’s path, where I have consistently navigated challenges with unwavering optimism and emerged victorious.

Reflecting on my time there, I am filled with nostalgia for moments shared with friends and classmates at the bustling cafeteria, where laughter and camaraderie flourished.

The co-curricular activities, including sports, arts, and photography, not only broadened my horizons but also nurtured my creativity and bolstered my confidence.

The invaluable connections with my teachers and peers played a pivotal role in shaping my interpersonal skills, fostering a sense of community and mutual respect.

I vividly recall the empowering classroom discussions, where I expressed myself freely, encouraged by the unwavering support and appreciation of my teachers at public speaking class held by Dr Shazi.

These experiences cultivated my self-assurance and laid the foundation for the person I am today — a confident individual shaped by the enriching environment and cherished moments at BITS Pilani.

BITS Pilani transformed me from a wide-eyed engineering student, filled with ambition and uncertainty about my future path, into a person who is confident to speak in front of people; a person who respects the skills and virtues of other people, and who can understand his skills and strengths as well as weaknesses.

I am eternally grateful to my teachers: Professor Mohd Suhaib and Professor Miller Jothi whose versatility, persistence, precision, passion, and belief in the power of engineering deeply shaped how I see and build the world today.

The saying that good teachers inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning is so apt for these teachers because they didn’t just teach circuits and systems – they taught us how to think critically, analytically, and creatively, using a systematic approach to problem-solving and design.

Back then, I dreaded the strictness of some teachers, often mistaking their discipline for harshness. Today, with the wisdom of time, I deeply admire them. Their firmness shaped my focus, resilience, and drive. What felt tough then was actually a gift — one that continues to guide my success today.

This mentorship echoes through every television I’ve built at Maser, every innovation we’ve rolled out across Africa, and every product designed not just for profit, but to transform lives. Thus, my boundless gratitude for BITS Pilani.

The unwavering dedication of my BITS Pilani professors instilled in me the core values of perseverance and determination. Their profound teaching methods and comprehensive materials equipped me with the confidence to navigate the challenges I face daily in my pursuit of a brighter future.

Stepping out of the revered halls of BITS Pilani, I entered a world deeply intertwined with business, politics, social media, and religion. Thanks to the invaluable guidance of the right mentors at pivotal moments, I have been able to tackle life’s complexities with dynamism and success.

These exceptional educators served as guiding lights, illuminating my journey and inspiring me to document this transformative experience in my book, Gateway to Africa. Within its pages, I share how my vision to revolutionise consumer electronics was not born in a laboratory or a boardroom, but in the vibrant corridors of BITS Pilani.

Moreover, it was BITS Pilani that made me realise that it is our choices that demonstrate what we truly are, far more than our abilities. Choosing to be an engineering student at this school laid the foundation of my journey as the founder of Maser and the CEO of MDR Investments.

I remember the well-stocked library, rich with treasures of books, and the well-equipped engineering lab, which fostered learning, research, and practical application of engineering principles, resulting in the building of the televisions at Maser.

It was also at BITS Pilani that I learned the joy of discovery, as seen in the fact that MDR provides mentorship, industry expertise, and guidance to future start-ups, ensuring they are well equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving business environment. This shows that BITS Pilani remains the undisputed foundation of the man that I have become today.

At BITS Pilani I found myself among a community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to pushing the boundaries of Engineering. The mentorship and support I received at BITS empowered me to translate knowledge into action, equipping me with the skills and confidence to address the complex challenges facing the Maser and MDR Companies.

BITS gave me the privilege to be guided by mentors and peers who, not only imparted knowledge but also inspired a passion for innovation and inquiry leading to the formation of MDR investments which stands as a formidable force in the venture capital landscape, providing funding and operational support to visionary founders, thereby funding and architecting the future’s physical and digital infrastructure.

I deeply admire Mr Kumar Mangalam Birla’s visionary leadership, which continues to elevate BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus into a beacon of excellence and innovation. As we celebrate 25 years of excellence at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, I am reminded that the greatest legacy is often found in the character, faith, and positive impact one has on others’ lives.

In this regard, my hope for every current and future BITSian is simple: build boldly, solve meaningfully, and always remember where you began, keeping in mind that the sky is just a starting point. Because from Dubai, the world is not just within reach – it is yours to shape.

Congratulations to my alma mater on this remarkable milestone. The journey has only just begun.