In this podcast, Shashidhar, a seasoned engineer and very successful entrepreneur from Bangalore, India describes the story behind the inception of Unit Alfa, a thriving business he started that specializes in sheet metal fabrication for all types of industrial applications and in manufacturing components for hydraulic earth-moving equipment. Unit Alfa boasts a vast clientele of very recognizable and successful businesses such as Komatsu, L&T Construction and Kobelco. Shashidhar had an unusual entrepreneurial journey and a challenging one at that. He describes some of the endemic corruption and challenges facing Indian industrialists.
On the personal front, Shashi describes his challenging family situation with a brother who suffered from a serious intellectual disability, and an ailing mother both requiring special care. Shashi and I also delve into some of the stubborn social issues facing South Indian communities with regards to religious sensibilities, beliefs, education, awareness and ignorance.
Shashi has a very unique and special bond with his wife Roopa which struck me as an example of a collaborative, constructive and loving spousal relationship worthy of showcasing on my podcast platform especially since they're a South Indian couple and have successfully dodged some of the typical negative stereotypes. I hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I did and take away something useful.
Love and Peace. The Idea Sandbox.
Theideasandboxpodcast.com
Chapters:
00:00:00 Start
00:02:46 Shashidhar and me discuss religious symbolisms
00:07:41 Shashi's background and roots
00:13:21 Not caring for society's constructs
00:18:21 What did Shashi's engineering firm produce?
00:25:40 What is the makeup of Shashi's company?
00:30:38 Why aren't there more Naidu community folk in the factory business?
00:32:06 We discuss the challenges facing the Indian business landscape
00:36:03 We discuss endemic corruption in Indian life
00:46:07 Politicians rule the country and not statesmen
00:54:49 Elites have captured the narrative
01:00:08 Shashi's special relationship with his wife
01:05:48 Hindu scriptures and interpretations of it
01:09:15 Propitiation of Gods
01:17:19 West borrowing good ideas from the east and vice versa
01:19:54 Borrowing the method of inquiry, socratic questioning
01:22:53 Shashi elaborates on his special relationship with his wife
01:34:05 My take on Shashi's perceived image in the close family circuit
