Page 2 - Al-Rashed Newsletter December 19

TÊTE-A-TÊTE

MR. RAVI VARRIER- CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

How did you get affiliated with Al-Rashed International Shipping?

My journey of more than 4 decades from a junior clerk to the Chief Executive Officer of Al-Rashed International Shipping Co.,

Kuwait was not an easy ride.
In 1977, at the tender age of 19, I followed my uncle’s footsteps and landed up in Kuwait to pursue my dreams as many other
Indians did. As a college dropout, inexperienced in a strangers land with a different language, diverse culture, and extreme
weather it was a task to find a job. I was wandering on the streets, knocking umpteen doors but my search was ended only
when Mr. V P Prasad, a family friend introduced me to Al-Rashed Group.
42 years ago, I started my career as a junior clerk, I was always determined, eager to learn, and never bogged down by any
shortcomings. I believe that’s what took me forward even in unfavourable circumstances.
Mr Ghassan Zein, the GM then, spotted the fire in me and allowed me to lead. Soon I began communicating with the owners
and principals directly. His work ethic, personality had a great influence on which unknowingly groomed me too.
I am thankful to the Al-Rashed family to have had me here for over 4 decades and instilling their belief in me which has grown
over the years in leaps and bounds.

What made you join the shipping industry but not any other field?
For a 19-year-old inexperienced kid, choices were limited especially in a foreign land. The luxury of choosing a career path
was never the option so I took whatever came my way, to evaluate an industry, its future potential never crossed my mind.
With each opportunity I got and the exposure I received, my interest in the shipping industry grew incessantly. And to this day,
I have never lost that passion. As the years passed by, I saw the crucial impact this industry has had on the development of
not only Kuwait but the regional and global economy.

What are the 3 biggest accomplishments of your career?
I think the biggest accomplishment one could achieve in any career is the ability to adapt to the work environment. I have built
my personality, character and self-confidence from this industry. I gained wisdom by taking part in all activities without thinking
it as a burden rather an opportunity. The ability to take calculated risks helped the company to grow from a small to a
multinational company. Our headcount grew exponentially, it helped in creating value to the company and the staff’s personal
lives. A risk well paid off made me confident to take more calculated risks. Began with 2 KD gradually increased to 200 KD,
2000 KD so on and forth. Each risk improved my own awareness about the business settings and the industry.

What were the 2 challenges that you believe had shaped up your life?
The Gulf war in 1991, made me look up to the people whom I trusted and found that many could not be trusted at all. After
returning to India during the war, I used to meet Mr. Pradeep (current CFO) and umpteen other colleagues to help them, in a
way that alleviate my tensions and fears of crisis. I was in constant touch with Al-Rashed Family. I was ceaselessly listening to
BBC news and believed that Kuwait will regain its freedom and normalcy. During the same phase, I went through many
personal crises, returning home with only a bag of clothes, with no financial stability, challenged my life to the core and the
faith I had in God. Though, I never gave up and continued to cultivate positive thoughts and soon realized if you believe in
spirituality and God, it changes your fortune and with it, your future.
The post-war recovery, the aftermath of the war was devastating. We had to build the company and the service industry
from scratch. I have spent countless nights in the office trying to recover and rebuild the business with very few staff
members. It was a life-changing challenge completely. That circumstances made me a stronger person mentally and affirm
the belief that “nothing is impossible” if you put your mind to it.

From whom do you drive your inspiration?
The first person that comes to my mind is Mr. Ghassan Zein whom I had worked with very closely, gained infinite experience
about the industry. In fact, I was closely in touch with him until he passed away.