Mangalore
July 10, 2011
“Some people dream of success… while others wake up and work hard at it”. One cannot help recalling this quotable quote attributed to an unknown author, when we evaluate the saga of success attained by Siraj Ahamed and the position of eminence his companies have come to occupy in the competitive and volatile real estate field in Mangalore, Bangalore and Mysore. To complete 25 eventful years and keep up the pace of winning accolades as a top notch and trustworthy builder and developer striving hard to live up to the people’s expectations, is a herculean task, something which Siraj Ahamed has accomplished with élan. His success is built on his efforts to convert his dreams into goals and his ardor for perfection in whatever he does. Credit goes to him for transforming the skylines wherever his companies have made a foray and it goes without saying that many of his projects have become architectural landmarks in their own right.
While his projects are an epitome of splendor, grandiose, opulence, magnificence, luxury and comfort, Siraj who has singlehandedly crafted the success of the brand “IN-LAND”, is a soft spoken down to earth man who has taken success in his stride and has no airs about it. He is a workaholic, a perfectionist, who works assiduously in pursuit of excellence guided by the maxim of ‘sincere dealings pay handsomely’. His adherence to this dictum has certainly earned him rich dividends as he has been known as a builder and developer of credibility whom people trust. He humbly acknowledges it saying “our journey of the last 25 years has been a rewarding experience which is made possible due to the trust bestowed on us by our customers. Without people’s support and trust we would not have been able to catapult to the pre-eminent position we have come to occupy in the real estate sector”.
Humble Entry
Siraj Ahamed, who was born in Karkala, had his education in Karkala and Kinnikambla. He also secured a diploma in Business Management from the British Institute, Mumbai before heading to Doha Qatar to work for the Grindlays Bank. During his stint as a banker in Doha Siraj came in contact with some clients who were in the real estate business and dealing with them gave him a valuable insight about the construction business. Armed with a rich work experience he gained in Doha and with a burning desire to strike it big in the real estate business in his home town Mangalore, Siraj returned to India in 1986 to give shape to his dreams.
The baby of his dreams was born when In-Land Real Estates was established in a small way in 1986 at SGDS Building in Hampankatta, to cater to the housing needs of the people of Mangalore. With that Siraj Ahamed had arrived on the real estate arena and that too with a bang. And from then onwards, it has been a journey step by step, brick by brick, a triumph which has witnessed only an upward swing, finding no parallel in the real estate scenario of Mangalore. Siraj was convinced that he is made up for the real estate business and in the last 25 years he had no reason to regret his decision. He won the trust and confidence of people by sticking to the cardinal principles of construction business namely, quality, professional integrity, timely execution and strict adherence to ethics.
Siraj Ahamed (Centre) with Meraj (L) and Wahaj (R)
Siraj who firmly believes in the power of team work says “an organization is a tune to be sung in unison”. This spirit is reflected in each of his projects which bear the distinct persona and the imprint of “IN-LAND” in terms of architecture, aesthetics and amenities. Today, he is proud to look back with felicity and a sense of satisfaction at his achievement, though he is not the one to bask on his present glory. In the vicissitudes of last two and half decades his penchant for qualitative excellence remains vibrant, steadfast and undiluted, his outstanding success notwithstanding. He is eager to surpass the credibility he has attained by moving with the times and keeping himself attuned to the changing requirements and needs of the people.
Even the sluggishness in the real estate sector for nearly a decade refused to cow down him and he was one of the very few survivors who withstood the downslide. He refused to diversify and stood by his gumption even when the market was facing a slump. But that did not deter him from eyeing the market in cities like Bangalore and Mysore. With a desire to expand and remain competitive Siraj Launched “IN-LAND Infrastructure Developers Pvt Ltd”, with its registered office in Bangalore under his chairmanship. He appointed his sons Meraj Yusuf and Wahaj Yusuf as Directors of the company, a right move at an opportune time to introduce them to learn the nitty-gritty of construction business. Elder son Meraj who holds an International business management degree from Griffith University of Australia, has strengthened the hands of his father in further expanding the business.
Younger son Wahaj, an architect in the making, will join his father and brother soon after completion of his studies. The infusion of young blood at the helm is sure to permeate a wave of fresh thinking, and would augur well for the company.
Aiming High
In an expansion- spree drive, the company has set its eyes beyond the frontiers of the India and it opened In-Land General Trading LLC, a new venture in Dubai, last year, which deals with oilfield equipments. Plans are on the anvil to make a foray into the real estate sector in Mumbai and Cochin. Today, IN-LAND family comprises “IN-LAND Builders”, IN-LAND Infrastructure and Developers Pvt Ltd., IN-LAND Real Estates, IN-LAND Indoors (interior designers), IN-LAND Avenue Service Apartment and these companies amply demonstrate the business acumen of Siraj Ahmed.
His companies have taken a strong footing and enjoy the goodwill as one of the most trusted and respected names in the real estate arena, in Southern India. Keeping by the standards it has set for others to follow, IN-LAND has launched “Inland Windsors”, the iconic 24-storey residential tower, with a helipad on top. This iridescent structure located on airport road is going to be Mangalore’s tallest residential tower and will be another landmark in the city’s skyline. IN-LAND has also left its imprint in the real estate scene of Mangalore by creating “Inland Ebony”, a unique, circular and the first-of-its kind residential tower in Karnataka, and one of the very few in the country.
This architectural marvel has caught the fancy of many locals as well as professional architects from across the country.
Apart from completing the numerous projects on hand Siraj has embarked on an ambitious plan to develop his 30 acre property on the national highway Tumbay, about 12 kms from Mangalore by developing independent villas and bungalows. This luxury gated community project will have all ultra-modern conveniences and amenities to provide an experience of extraordinary life of indulgence. The project will be launched shortly and will be another feather in the cap of the crowning glory of the IN-LAND brand.
Moving with the Times
In fact, Siraj is the only builder who has kept pace with the latest styles and trends in the construction sector by attending various national and international workshops, seminars, conferences and meetings that helps him keep abreast of the developments in the field. He has comprehensively knowledge of every aspect of construction industry and housing requirements of the Indian household. “Construction industry is risky and is saddled with responsibility.
A person spends his life’s earning to have a decent roof over his head and I honestly feel I should be sincere in my dealings with people. My company has been able to establish firmly and win over the confidence of the people because of our sincere dealings”, says an ebullient and contented Siraj, attributing his success to the hard earned credibility factor. His projects are aimed at providing true value for the money for his growing list of clientele.
Siraj Ahamed is gifted with that rare talent of feeling the pulse of the people and responding to their assorted demands with a professional touch. He is a man of deeds who works in accordance with his conscience. He respected both by his peers and competitors. He is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm and exudes oodles of confidence, which is quite infectious. As a man known for his team philosophy, he has suffused the same high-octane energy among his staff and they work in tandem towards a common goal.
With him at the helm of affairs, ably supported by a team of enthusiastic and energetic professionals, IN-LAND is sure to scale the summit of glory, popularity and success in the years to come. The company’s anthem gives us a peep into what the company has been striving for all these years:
Organization is a Tune, to be Sung together
What we are today is because we believed in:
We. Our. Us.
Teamwork that ensures perfect harmony,
reflects in our performance. As the performance continues,
the applause gets louder and louder and calls for an encore!