How bright young entrepreneurs find the teachers they need

Intel brought out its first processor in 1971. I joined IIT Kharagpur to study Electronics in 1974. Over the next five years, I read and learnt all that I could about this new technology of making small computers. After completing my studies, I set about to make microprocessor based systems.

In the late 1970’s, the Indian Government did not allow just about any person to manufacture whatever they wanted to. They governed manufacturing with regulations and restrictions. The reason for these restrictions was that manufacturing required the use of both raw material and technology, some of which may need to be imported using precious foreign exchange. Other limited resources such as land, electricity and water were also regulated. Hence a license or permit was required from the Government to start a manufacturing unit.

I filed my application for setting up a unit for manufacturing microprocessor based systems. The concerned authorities informed me that the approval process was very lengthy and it would be advisable for a twenty two year old to start with a product that had been exclusively reserved for the small scale sector, and for which no permit or license was required.

I chose to manufacture automatic voltage correctors, or voltage stabilizers, as they were then known. During this time, the country’s electric power generation and distribution systems were unreliable. Electric power which should be supplied at 220V would fluctuate from 140V to 270V at different times. This fluctuation damaged high-priced luxury electric appliances, notably refrigerators, TV set, air conditioners and water coolers. This potential damage could be mitigated with the use of automatic voltage correctors.

I got hold of an existing voltage stabilizer and opened it up to see what it was made of. I could see a transformer, an electronic circuit which had been completely concealed, and a few relays. The only item which appeared difficult to me was the transformer.

I lived in Patna at that time, so I went to Calcutta, the nearest big city. I walked into the biggest shop in Calcutta that sold electronic components and enquired from the shopkeeper if he could help me make a transformer of my design. I sketched out a drawing of the product and the shopkeeper asked me to return in a week. A week later, I collected the transformer which was “slightly different” from what I had asked. I came home to Patna and made my own automatic voltage corrector which worked well.

After a few weeks, I returned to Calcutta and ordered four more transformers. He sought a time of three days. When I went to collect the transformers, they were not ready. The shopkeeper requested me to wait, and sent his assistant to bring the items. It was a long wait. I asked the shopkeeper to tell me where the transformers were being made so that I could go and collect them on my own. However, he was reluctant to reveal his source. The assistant returned without the transformers and I was asked to come back the next day.

I waited a day and went again. He sent his assistant to get the transformers and I noticed that the assistant came back within 2-3 minutes. I thought to myself, surely the person who is actually making the transformers is somewhere nearby.

The next time when I went to collect a new order, and while waiting for the assistant to fetch the same, I told the shopkeeper that I would smoke a cigarette outside, while waiting. I watched his assistant leave and I followed him. I saw him turn into the next building. The young entrepreneur in me did not have the courage to follow him inside so I returned. I collected the transformers this time too.

The next day I gathered my courage, returned to the market, and entered the building. On the second floor, I found an office with a small board saying “xyz transformers”. I walked in and met the owner. He turned out to be the supplier to the major manufacturers in the region. He told me many things about designing and making transformers.

This is when I learned that teachers come in all forms, from the professors who taught me electronics in IIT Kharagpur, to the self-taught geniuses making their living in a regulated yet competitive marketplace. And that I needed resourcefulness and luck to find them.

[Epilogue: Our automatic voltage correctors, called voltage stabilizers, sold continuously for the next 30 odd years. After about two years when the designs were well-tested, I gave the manufacturing reins to my younger brothers and moved to Delhi to ultimately start PRAVAK.]