Shk Moiz Tankiwala has spent 30 years in the Petroleum Industry. He has headed many projects served on innumerable boards and until January 2009 was the Director of Refineries of Hindustan Petroleum. His vast experience, genial nature and eye for detail have made him a well known name in the Industry.

Misbah spoke to him about his work, conserving resources and his audience with Aqa Maula ^(TUS).

Tell us about yourself
I am a graduate in Mechanical Engineering, and have given three decades of my life to the Oil and Gas industry. I joined HPCL as a trainee in the Mumbai Refinery in 1974 and since then, I have served in various disciplines in different capacities. I was closely associated in the development and execution of several projects for the upgradation of facilities in the Mumbai and Vizag Refineries of the Corporation. During my tenure as the Executive Director of the Vizag Refinery, I was acclaimed for the visionary approach to the Refinery issues as well as empathy towards the employees and their families.

How did you begin?
The 70s were a difficult and challenging time for India, with the war with our neighbours, declaration of emergency and enactment of many socialist, economic and industrial policies. It was in this decade, in 1974, that I passed out of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel College of Engineering, raring to be a part of the changing Indian economy. I was successfully placed in HPCL, one of the Public Sector Companies of India, where I was absorbed into the General Engineering and Construction department.

Tell us about the petrochemical resources of India

India has the potential to become a petrochemical hub. The domestic petrochemical sector offers tremendous opportunities as India is a major unexploited market with immense growth potential.

The government is very keen to develop the petrochemical sector by providing facilities and level-playing field. To this end, it has put in place a national policy on petrochemicals and has initiated steps to create mega integrated complexes called petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals investment regions (PCPIRs). These PCPIRs will be set up in a 2,000 sq km area with an estimated investment of $280 billion. As 100% FDI is permissible in chemical industry, this should provide a boost to the sector.

Domestic petrochemical sector will double its production capacity in the next four-five years, considering the current trend in capacity addition. Also, through the PCPIR route, India is going to invest several billion dollars to increase petrochemical production capacities. It will also provide great opportunities to players in the field of equipment designing, manufacturing, EPC, industrial automation, project and programme management. India’s revenues from the chemicals & petrochemicals sector, currently at $65 billion, could reach $200 billion by 2020, according to an estimate by the Indian Chemical Council.

You were in one of the top posts of the industry and your appointment was by the President of India, how did you handle the pressure?
Indeed, being appointed as Director, Refineries by the supreme position of India was an extreme honour and it came with great power and greater responsibilities. Exceeding expectations of all the stakeholders including the government, the company and the customers did add to stress at times. Prioritizing responsibilities, dealing differently with different people, thinking positive at all times and taking time to react helped me to effectively manage the pressure. Reacting to situations rather than stress, helped me to efficiently handle the situation and deter stress.

Also, spending quality time with family and grand children, acts as a stress reducer. In my spare time apart from playing with my grand children, I enjoy reading and talking to youngsters. It gives me a boost and keeps me abreast of the current generation’s thinking and fresh ideas.

A couple of years ago, you received the sharaf of Moulana ^(TUS) ziyafat...

By grace of Allah, Panjatan Paak (AS) and Aqa Maula ^(TUS), in Shabaan 1429H, my family and I received the sharaf of ziyafat for Moulana ^(TUS) at his residence in Saifee Mahal. It was indeed a dream come true and the experience and joy cannot be put down in words.

Due to the vision of Moula ^(TUS) and his dua mubarak, that I will build a refinery; even after a successful career and retirement at the age of 60, I was advised by my company to consult and personally supervise the construction of the refinery in Bhatinda, Punjab. By the grace of Allah and Moulana ^(TUS) Raza Mubarak I am currently successfully overseeing this project.

Moulana ^(TUS) had also asked me whether I will perform khidmat of Dawat and once again with his Dua Mubarak I have been grateful to get khidmat opportunities in various Idaaras.

The barakaat of Aqa Maula ^(TUS) nazaraat mubaraka are innumerable and unexplainable.

I am proud to be a Dawoodi Bohra and we are very fortunate to have been born and lived in the Burhani era. May Allah bless Aqa Maula ^(TUS) with a long, healthy and prosperous life, Ameen.

How can an individual help save energy?

If we follow some basic practices in our everyday life, we can save both energy and money. One of the best ways to save gas is to simply reduce your speed. As speed increases, fuel economy decreases exponentially. Keep a check on tire pressure. Under-inflated tires have more rolling resistance, which means you need to burn more gas to keep your car moving. Check your air-filter. A dirty air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and economy. Accelerate with care and maintain a constant speed for better fuel efficiency. Take the train, carpool, and consolidate your shopping trips to save fuel.

What is your advice to aspiring youngsters?

There is a very thin line between an entrepreneur and a knowledgeable person. The latter has the knowledge, and an entrepreneur has the heart and will to put this knowledge in to action and enjoy its fruit. We should concentrate on our efforts and not worry about the results. Only when we push ourselves hard enough will we know how much we are capable of doing. Remember that there is no end to learning and there is no reward like hard work. Whatever you do, do it with zeal and understanding. Do not leave anything half done. Be committed to everything you have started and finish it to the best of your abilities.

With Aqa Maula TUS’s Dua Mubarak each one of us is capable of doing great things.