Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
June 26, 2011
It is not 'achievement' that makes one great but the way achievement is handled. Being successful is not the issue but 'living the success' surely needs a character of steel, resolution of a sage and hard work of an ant. No one is born great and therefore whoever achieves greatness must pass through testing times and turbulent storms in life. So those who emerge victorious through this grinding, often have a level head on their shoulders and a firm feet that is rooted ever. They are not only successful but also lead others on the way to success. They pick each stone pelted at them with equanimity and build on.
Ravi Shetty, the managing director of Advanced Technical Services (ATS), Qatar is the living example of this. He is fondly known by his peers and well-wishers as Ravi Anna and truly he is an 'Anna' to his staff too. Ravi is a man of few words but great deeds. He is an unsung hero who has come triumphant in life through sheer dedication and hard work. Today though he lords over a successful business venture, he still remains unassuming, approachable, soft-spoken and perfectly poised. He is a perfect role model that aspiring entrepreneurs should look up to.
Ravi Shetty, hailing from Doninjeguttu family in Mangalore taluk, was born in Moodambail, Bantwal taluk as the eldest of the five children of pious couple Thimmappa Shetty and Sarojini Shetty on December 4, 1963. Few might have thought then that the studious Ravi would reach to these heights. Perhaps being the eldest among two brothers and three sisters helped him to learn a few lessons in life at a tender age itself. He had the responsibility of his younger siblings and naturally this responsibility instilled in him the spirit of hard work and dedication.
He was always good at academics and right through his school days, whether as a student at Moodambail primary school or at well-known Deepika high school at Modankaup, he topped the academic charts. In fact he stood first at the school in his SSLC public exams and pursued his pre-university studies at SVS College, Bantwal. He chose to be a mechanical engineer and came out with flying colours from the prestigious SDM Engineering college of Dharwad. His brilliant academic record secured him a trainee job with the reputed Simon Carves India Ltd, at their Mazgaon Dock (MDL) Yard in Mangalore from where he swiftly climbed on to the ladder of success and joined Tata Projects in Mumbai in the year 1987. He then moved to various Projects all over India and finally settled at their head office in Hyderabad and continued to be with them till 1997. As destiny had it, owing to some invariable personal and professional reasons, he moved to Doha-Qatar in 1997 and joined Mannai Corporation (MECON), one of the biggest business empires in Qatar as senior engineer. His commitment to work and his single-minded dedication soon helped him to climb the rungs and he was appointed as the Proposals Manager and was responsible for securing many major contracts from local and international companies.
It was perhaps at this stage of his life that he felt that it was time for him to venture into his own business. By then he had about 20 years of experience in India and Middle East in the field of construction in oil and gas industries. He had got the necessary opportunities and exposure in the line of contract negotiations by visiting many countries across the globe. Further the desire to help people to achieve greater goals and give back to society in his own way had always been his inspiration. Though he was the first-generation entrepreneur in his family, he had the experience of establishing and running two successful A Grade restaurants (vegetarian) and a boutique while in Hyderabad. He had a taste for business and a constant itching to script great things. So after studying the rudiments of business carefully, he established Advanced Technical Services Co. WLL (ATS) in 2005. ATS was established with the main objective of providing professional and efficient services to the industries in Qatar by undertaking construction works, providing highly skilled manpower, plant and machinery, construction consumables, camp furnishing materials and also specialized services directly or in the form of representing international companies. Today it also owns fleet of specialized testing and construction equipment.
Ravi always had belief in his credentials and knew that dedication and hard work was his forte. But more than this, he had the blessings of his parents and unflinching, constant support of his life partner Jyothi. Ravi Shetty tells that his wife has been his real pillar of strength and has stood by him in thick and thin eversince their marriage in 1992. Jyothi is the daughter of Yethamogaru Krishna Alva and Kolnadguttu Vajrakshi Alva. Ravi and Jyothi Shetty couple has been blessed with two children. Roshan, the eldest son is studying in 12the standard while their daughter Rachana is a Grade 5th student at Birla School, Qatar.
ATS Qatar which was started with just one person in 2005 today employs over 350 people. Ravi Shetty proudly states that more than 50% of his work force that consists of Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike, comes from the undivided Dakshina Kannada district. “Business interest has always been there and that has motivated to move further. But right from the day one I knew my social and corporate responsibility. This helped me to contribute in whatever little way towards the development of society, my native and people of my native land,” states Ravi Shetty. Just like any other business he had initial times of struggle, rough weathers. But he prevailed over them and is quick to say that as a successful business man he still has a long way to go. “Further whatever ATS is today, is owing to the dedication and sincere services of many loyal and dedicated staff," he adds.
Ravi Shetty knows the necessities of times well and despite his busy schedule, has kept himself updated with academics too. He has completed his MBA which further shows as how dedicated and passionate is he towards his business. He is also the director of Modern Safety Glass Company and CP Agencies in Hyderabad. But he is still as humble as he was and commends immense respect from his employees, friends and near and dear ones.
Ravi Shetty is known for his charity and contribution towards social causes both in Qatar and back in India and he tries his best to support those associations which are actively involved in humanitarian activities such as Integrated welfare Society in Hyderabad. Here in Qatar he has always been in the forefront in reaching to those expatriates who are in hospitals or in any other need. “I could never say NO to anyone who came to me anytime. Even while I was working, many a times went out of my way to help someone, especially those seeking jobs here in Qatar. I never helped anyone based on their community and hence today I am accepted and welcomed by people and organizations of all communities, languages and cultures,” he opines.
Apart from his business and professional interests, Ravi Shetty is actively involved in many cultural and social activities in Qatar through various organizations. He is the founder member of Tulu Koota Qatar and has led the organization as the president too. Back in Hyderabad too, he was the founder secretary of Tata Sports and Recreational Club. At present he is leading the Bunts Qatar and is the life member of ICC, ICBF and Karnataka Sangha Qatar. He is also a great sports lover and a sportsman himself. He has always highlighted the native culture and traditions even during the annual celebrations of his company and also has lent support to talented artists from his native place to perform in Qatar. ATS Day, which is company's annual day celebrations every year is an unique event wherein all the employees get an opportunity to celebrate, enjoy and showcase their talents, is being loved and appreciated by one and all. He was the man behind staging yakshagana for the first time in Doha both for his company and during Vishwa Kannada Sammelana.
Ravi Anna is a rare gem and an even rare Boss. A true gentleman, a thorough professional, a perfect role model and a loving and caring human being. In these modern times, when it is becoming extremely hard to find entrepreneurs with hearts that beat for others' welfare and upliftment of society, Ravi Shetty stands tall as a beacon light. Youngsters who take leaf from his life will surely meet success. He is a businessman who is to be emulated. Ask his employees about him and they all will speak about his generosity, affection, friendship and down-to-earth nature. He is a true Mangalorean who has added a glittering feather to the cap of Mangalorean expatriates not only in Qatar but across the GCC countries.