• N.M. Panicker

    ...where the mind is without fear and the head is held high

    The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure. Some people just dream of success but there are others who work hard to accomplish it. We had the privilege of meeting a man who had struggled in life never losing faith and showing complete dedication to his work, a man with a mind that knows no fear, his head held high with an undying spirit in his heart.

    Mr. N.M. Panicker was born on 11th May 1952.He enjoys his position as the Managing Director of Expert United Marine Services LLC which is one of the leading Ship Repair Company in Jeddaf.

    Mr. Panicker has spent most of his childhood in a village in South Kerala, India with his family. His father is a retail businessman and a farmer, his mother is a housewife and he has 7 siblings. He is the fourth among his brothers and sisters. Mr. Panicker is a happily married man. His family constitutes his wife Sujatha Panicker who is a housewife and three daughters namely Liny, Simi, and Nimi. His eldest daughter, Liny has graduated her engineering in 2006 and is now helping him in his business activities. His younger daughters are currently pursuing their higher studies in Kerala, specializing in Biotechnology.

    Road to life is never smooth it is always bumpy, and there are absolutely no shortcuts to success. Mr. Panicker had to face many challenges to make it big. Relating his experience to us it seemed as if memories of old days came gushing into his mind He had to work really hard to build up a career; he tried his luck in various fields at many parts of India before entering into marine industry. "I have undergone various trainings in marine industry from the companies that I

  • N.M. Panicker

    worked. After completing my studies up to ITI, I began my career at a very young age and with my personal interest, started working in a clay mining factory in a small town in Kerala without salary as apprentice for 6 months to learn the job and work under engineer professionals. Gradually I learned the process and worked in different factories for another two years in Kollam, Kerala. I did a lot of troubleshooting of the marine machineries and kick started my career in marine for the first time in 1972. It was then one of my close friends helped me get a work visa and access to UAE. I applied for different openings and responded to the ad in the newspaper and luckily got into subsidiary of Daman Shipyard in Sharjah where I successfully started my marine career." He worked as an employee in the marine industry till the year 2000 and started a firm of his own named Expert United Marine Services L.L.C in Jadaf, Dubai. "I grew my career from Marine Technician to a position of Managing Director in a span of 30 years".

    Sometimes in life, intuitions of a person guide him to success and when we enquired if this was true for him, Mr. Panicker proudly said that he knew that he would build his career in the maritime field the first time he laid his hands on marine machineries for troubleshooting. "It was in the year 1972 when I got an opportunity to work in a company in India, I solved the issues at a faster rate when compared to my colleagues that motivated me to learn and explore the marine industry. The appreciation for the work from the top level management and customers boosted my confidence and gave me courage to get involved in risky jobs in the ships".

    We all have our idols but there are only a few in this world who are drived through self inspiration, what they see, what they do, what they hear are all words of motivation for them, Mr. Panicker is one such person whose words can be related to that of a self motivated man. He believes that there are a lot of challenges and opportunities in the marine industry. It was with innovative ideas, hard work and dedication that he was able to get positive results. These were the factors which inspired him to keep going.

    We were really very excited to know about that instance in life which was one of his most unforgettable accomplishment. "The biggest obstacles I faced were during the initial years when I

  • N.M. Panicker

    started my business unit in Jadaf, Dubai. I had faced a tough path and struggled a lot with shortage of fund, lack of good infrastructure, lack of technically skilled employees etc. In spite of these issues, EUMS undertook refurbishment of a dead vessel (M. V Gabrielle) concluded her reactivation in the year 2000 and was successful in completion of job with great appreciation and customer satisfaction. This, I believe, is a great accomplishment because we could overcome all difficulties to face this challenging situation".

    Many say that business is one of the biggest risks in life where success rates cannot be determined. But one can be cautious enough taking necessary steps to make these big challenges of life, into success stories. We asked Mr. Panicker about his perspective on what one must never do in this business. With his years of experience in this industry he told us these words which one should always remember - "Never be dishonest with the customers, employees and your work". Decision making is a process in which a person has to rack his brains as it has the capacity to change an individual's destiny completely. We asked Mr. Panicker his views on making important decisions alone. One should always listen and consider the opinions from other, but a good manager would shoulder the full responsibility of taking critical decisions".

    Challenges and decisions can be termed as the stepping stones to success. It doesn't come easy to anyone. Be it business or life in order to be successful one must learn certain techniques in life to be successful. In business we call it business tactics or soft skills while in life it's Art of living. As an expert in the field of business and a man who has made it through the tough roads of life we asked him his advice on the mantra of being successful in this business. Problem management skill, positive attitude and good communication skill is what he believed to be most important two skills to succeed in this industry.

  • N.M. Panicker

    For a busy man like him we knew it was difficult to take out time to pursue his hobbies but we were really interested to know what he does when he gets time. We were even more fascinated when we got his reply "I like playing musical instruments and participate in reciting devotional songs also I sometimes get involved in charity activities".

    Just like his hobbies his future vision was even more interesting with a special human touch to it which made it even more soulful and divine. He shared with us his heart felt desire to be the ambassador of the under privileged community in this world if God permits him. Indeed a very great thought.

    Time was drawing near and we had to wind up this interesting talk with Mr. Panicker but how could we ever leave without a message from him for the youth of this country. As we put across this final question to him through his years of experience he replied "Prepare your mind to give 100% dedication in the work you will be doing with great interest and face all the challenges with no fear".

    Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion; Mr. Panicker is the man whom we can identify with this statement. With certainly a great thought in his mind we wish him all the best for his future to fulfill his noble wish to tend to the unprivileged.

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