“It is a nice feeling when you get a pat on your shoulder,” is the modest reply Syed M. Salahuddin gives when asked about his feelings on receiving the rare honour. He was one among the chosen 15 to receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman at this year’s Indian diaspora meet — Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 9. His simplicity hides the fact that as managing director of the Dubai-based ETA Ascon and Star Group, he has scripted one of the most successful stories of the Indian diaspora. He is at the helm of a multi-faceted $3.5 billion business conglomerate that operates in 21 countries with 45,000 employees worldwide. The award was in acknowledgement of his contributions in business and efforts to promote India and foster the interests of overseas Indians, apart from his charity work. “As Managing Director of ETA Ascon and Star Group, it gives me great satisfaction that we have been able to generate large-scale employment for Indians not only in Dubai and other parts of the world, but also within India,” says Salahuddin. Besides providing employment, the group is also associated with several educational institutions, aimed at empowering the youth. In an effort to make Indian education a global brand, it has introduced BITS Pilani and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education to Dubai. As president of Indian Muslim Association (IMAN), since 1976, Salahuddin has been involved in sponsoring higher professional education to underprivileged meritorious students in India, irrespective of their religion. Also, thanks mainly to his largess, and that of IMAN, during Ramadan, meals are provided for about 4,000 people in mosques in Deira.

“When I received the award from the President of India, I was receiving it on behalf of the thousands of Indians who work with me,” says the businessman, who is reticent about his generosity.

Ask him about his journey from the day he came to the Gulf to the great moment when he won the prestigious award, and he reminisces: “It has been over 35 years now since we came to the Gulf and set up the ETA Ascon and Star Group. To begin with, it was a small construction company established between Amana Investments of Hong Kong and the Al Ghurairs of Dubai. Over the years, as opportunities came our way, we made an effort to tap them. Each day brought with it a new challenge and we took it head on.”

Today, the group is a pre-eminent, multi-dimensional corporate entity with a presence in a varied range of sectors like contracting, shipping and trading.
“I am grateful for the immense support given to us by the host country and by the Chairman of our group, Abdullah Al Ghurair,” says Salahuddin.
 

When he started his career, did he ever envision the moment when he would be honoured by the President of India?

He smiles and replies: “Honestly, no. One never thinks of rewards while pursuing one’s goals. We are not in a race where people are ranked. We are engaged in a business and in the service of people.”

Talking of his impressions about Pravasi Bharatiya Divas — an event dedicated to the Indian diaspora, he says: “I would like to be candid here. There was a time when NRIs were rather unwelcome in India in the sense that there were many restrictions on their stay, investments and so on. In the last 10 years, however, things have changed due to liberalisation. NRIs now have the satisfaction of being able to make some contributions to their home country. In this context, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas comes as a pat on the shoulder of every Indian living abroad. Every Indian working in a foreign country, whether he is a professional, businessman or unskilled worker, is an asset of the Indian Government. He sacrifices a lot in order to earn enough and the remittances he makes back home contributes to foreign exchange.”

As a symbol of the success story of the Indian diaspora in the Gulf, he feels he represents the expatriate Indians here.

Countering the oft-repeated charge that the Pravasi Divas does not highlight the contribution of the Gulf Indians, he says: “If that were true, I would not have received the award along with Yousuf Ali and BR Shetty. Every Indian, at whatever level, contributes to the host and home country. I am sure, even a blue-collared worker will get the recognition very soon.”

Talking about how the condition of the Indians in this region can be improved, he says: “I firmly believe that most Indians abroad are monetarily more well-off compared to what they were back home. But they do sacrifice a lot for this. In the Gulf, which is a place of great opportunity, Indians may face language barriers in assuming top posts. Educational institutions in India can help by introducing Arabic as an optional language for the benefit of those wanting to come to the Gulf. Culturally, the Gulf is like a salad bowl. Adding to its flavour are people from different parts of the world who have the freedom to pursue their own culture and yet live together in a harmonious mix.”

Talking about the future, he hopes to further consolidate his business interests and areas of strength. As a benefactor, he envisions starting an educational institution in India for poor students. The day is not far when this dream will become a reality.

Salahuddin credits his achievements to his family background. “My family motivated me to believe that it is not money that counts, but respect you earn. I was always told that it was more important to be a good businessman than a big businessman.”

A great believer in the positive influence of the rich Indian culture, he says that he is happy to live in a tolerant country like the UAE that allows him to practise his way of life. “My culture teaches me to live in harmony with others,” he says. “The motto that keeps me going is, be good to people, don’t hurt or humiliate anyone and lead a humble life.”