- By Priyanka Payal
- Mon, 10 Jul 2023 02:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A living example of this is Prahaladbhai Shivrambhai Patel. Prahlad Bhai Patel, who started his career as a contractor on a salary of Rs 500, has today built an empire of PSP Projects Pvt. Ltd. with his hard work. Prahlad Bhai Patel shares his journey from his struggle days to a successful career with Gujarati Jagran.
Learned Discipline and hard work from Sainik School
Talking about his family and studies, Prahlad Bhai Patel said, "I am a native of Rooppur village on Chanasma-Patan road. Till the fourth standard, I studied in the village. After that from 5th to 12th standard, my father sent me to Sainik School Balachadi. Since we were three brothers, it was decided that at the time of the division of land, each one of us would get four bighas of land. At that time my father said that if you do not study you will do nothing in life. And this is why I was sent to Sainik School. I still say that I learned Ethics and Honesty from my parents and discipline and hard work from Sainik School. I will never be able to forget my journey at Sainik School in my entire life.
Had zero knowledge about engineering
Talking about his studies, he said, "I had zero knowledge of engineering at that time. In my village, very few people knew about engineers. But in the village where I lived, in 1963, Khodu Bhai Patel was a BE Civil Engineer. At that time when he went to America after doing BE Civil Engineer, we used to think "What is BE Civil Engineer"? The only idea we had about it was that it is something related to construction. Other than that we knew nothing about it."
Will never do a government job in my life
He further said, “I passed 12th in CBSE and at that time, if you wanted to take admission in engineering college in Gujarat, there were only 2% seats and you could take admission in only 5 colleges. Of these five, I failed to get admission in Ahmedabad, Vidyanagar and Baroda college. Finally I got admission in Morbi. When I was in the first year of my college I had decided that I will never do government job in life, instead I will myself learn how to build building and go deep into its to understand the building line better.”
Worked at uncle's friend's place
Talking about his first job, Prahladbhai Patel said, “At that time a friend of my uncle was a big contractor in Ahmedabad. After appearing for my exam, the next day I went to the village after one day I went to meet him. He directly asked me to go to the site. However, since I did not have practical knowledge at that time, I did not know what to do at the site. In this way, I started my journey from December 17, 1985."
Started life with a salary of Rs 500
He further said, “At that time there was not so much demand for engineers in private companies. However, during this time my salary was Rs 500. On the site, I never thought that I am just an engineer. Whenever there was a need for the work of a supervisor, or mechanic, I used to do it. At that time, hard work and passion were such that no work was small or big. I aimed to do better work where I am working so that the company can be taken forward. Seeing the work, my boss felt that this man is very hardworking.
Company's first engineer
Prahlad Bhai Patel said, "In this way, I was shifted to Chhatral in 6 to 8 months. At that time I was at the construction site. After that, after 5 to 7 years in the year 1991, after securing the Gujarat High Court project, I realized that I should start my own business. Because, I was the first engineer of the company, who used to work on-site, I used to do all small and big calculations on how money can be saved and because of this passion, I got the opportunities as well.
Became the company’s sales partner in seven years
He further said, "My Seth listened to me and told me that you don't need to go anywhere, and he will share a sales partnership with me in the company so that I stay connected with the company." I am the son of a normal farmer and at that time I did not have any capital so felt that we should be associated with this company. On the same day in 1991, my salary was increased from Rs 500 to Rs 3500, due to which I remained in the company as a sales partner," he said.
Used to lead the company from the front face
Talking about starting PSP Project Ltd., Prahlad Bhai Patel said, “I was a sales partner in the company from 1991 to 1998. In the year 1998, my boss formed a private company, in which he gave me 25% stake. After that he formed a private limited company, where I was given 40% stake. I stayed in that company for 20 years till 2005. The best thing about me during this time was that my goodwill was so good that I was the front face of the company. Most of my boss used to handle the office. My job was to see the site, see the tendering works, meet the customer, meet the architects and see the small works on the site. It gave me a lot of experience in that company."
Started my own company with just Rs 2 lakh
He further added, “When I left the company in the year 2006, I had only Rs 2 lakh with me. When I started my new journey, my first goal was that no work from my old company or client work was left unfinished. I started my own company in the year 2006.
The first order secured was worth Rs 14 lakh
Talking about the first project that PSP Projects Ltd. got, Prahlad Bhai Patel said, “When I started my company in the year 2006, I got the first order from Intas Pharmaceutical for Rs.14 lakhs. Till the year 2009, I used to get orders of 10 to 12 crores only. In the year 2009, when we got the project of Pankaj Bhai's Gujarat Cancer Hospital and Medical College, we started the project with the same belief of completing small projects on time. That project was 125 crores which we completed in twelve months and it was the first medical college in whole of India which started in a year."
Completed Government project in one year
Talking about the first government project, Prahlad Bhai Patel said, “I got the Swarnim Sankul project, which was the first work undertaken by the company for the government. During that time it was said that only L&T could complete such work on time for government projects. When the work of Swarnim Sankul 1, 2 was completed, it was a big achievement for me because It was through this that people came to know about PSP."
The goal was to work with passion
Prahladbhai Patel concluded, “While starting the company with 2 lakhs, there was no such target. It was the passion to make the job done like a journey, well, with quality, with speed and with customer satisfaction.” So we got listed in the year 2017 and then we got the world's biggest project - Surat Diamond Bourse last year and we completed it. The journey is something I still focus myself on. That's what we are known for. That's why we've got the credentials to complete projects on time and with quality. According to me if we keep up this good work this company can achieve great heights. My only passion is that I get job satisfaction every evening and feel that we are doing the best work."
