The Dean ACR newsletter is delighted to welcome Mr. Rameshwar Kumar Maini to its Chai Aur Samose Pe Charcha series, a cherished platform that celebrates the remarkable journeys of IIT Bombay alumni. Mr. Maini’s story is one of perseverance and triumph, transitioning from the vibrant corridors of IIT Bombay to carving out an impressive legacy at Zentech Technical Services.

His experiences and insights serve as an inspiration to the community, embodying the essence of what it means to be an alumnus of IIT Bombay. We are delighted to speak with him for the Chai Aur Samose Pe Charcha series for the Dean ACR Newsletter.

Thank you, Mr. Maini, for speaking to us. We always begin our Chai Pe Charcha series by asking our alumni this question: Do you have any fun memories of IIT Bombay’s chai and samosa as a student?

I have many fun memories. Here are a few of them.
In 1962, when I started as an IITB student, IIT had a rule called RB-7. If you flunked the first year you were thrown out of the university. At the age of 16 away from Home in Punjab, it was a scary thought. Our seniors used to rag us with “YOU ALL ARE IDIOTS AND WILL BE THROWN OUT.”
My admission to IITB at the main campus had my last name wrong, it was Naini and not Maini which made it tough to find the right hostel and get ragged when it was raining heavily.
I sang at IITB for most of my years and was a winner at 1500m and various other races, but it was difficult on the stage when the audience tried to harass me during singing sessions.
I was an IITB flag carrier at the inter-IIT meet held at IITB, it was a lot of fun competing in the races for IITB.
I stood for campus “Music Secretary.” My slogan was “M for Music, vote for Maini.” My posters were thrashed with “M for Murder,” etc.

How did your time at IIT Bombay influence your career in engineering?

I have been practicing engineering now for 56 years. My life has been made by IITB. Whatever I am today, and I have a great life, all credit goes to IITB. Hard work, honesty, discipline, love for my colleagues, and a winning attitude were established in me at IITB. Standing in front of any large audience presenting our Project has never been a problem. Always coming up with innovative ideas was brought to me by IITB. Never be afraid of any situation while I am in any country was established in us at IITB.

Were there any professors or mentors at IIT Bombay who significantly impacted you? Do you remember any fun anecdotes from your time as a student at the Institute?

Prof. Mhatre and Prof. Ramesh were senior professors during our time at IITB. There were many other great professors, but I can’t recall their names. In my third and fourth years, I was a topper in Civil Engineering, and I was to monitor the summer internship for others. I was surprised when I asked our professor and I won’t name him, he said “Summer training for a Civil Engineer is just to weather the heat. Why are you all making a big deal.” I wanted to ask him if we could just sit at home in the sun in that case.

With over 40 years leading Zentech Technical Services, what are some of the key projects or achievements that you are most proud of?

At Zentech we have built a great reputation for our engineering company through hard work, innovative solutions, and taking care of our clients within budgets and deadlines. It was not easy to establish a company in Texas in the Oil & Gas Industry where only the Good Old-Boys got all the projects. We have several patents for our company; several awards and several JVs with large companies like GE with eight offices around the world.
My biggest pleasure has been building rigs of our design. We are very active in MOPU (Mobile Offshore Production Units) design and construction management for the processing of Oil, LNG, and Green Hydrogen. We have also been active in Offshore Wind.

How has your role at Zentech influenced the field of structural engineering, particularly in innovative solutions for offshore and marine structures?

We started ZAIMS (Zentech Asset Management Solution) as a service to mathematically create a 3D structural analysis computer model as a digital twin of any floating vessel (Ships, Barges, Boats, Rigs) with a database of information to establish a SMART technology to establish structural adequacy of each of such vessels allowing the vessel a safe longer life and minimizing construction costs when corrosion continues to compromise vessel’s life.

As one of the early graduates from IIT Bombay, how do you view the evolution of the Institute since your time there?

I am sure if I were to appear for the IIT entrance exam today, I would never pass. IITs are great institutions and have produced a great number of leaders around the world. The reputation of IIT graduates is impeccable. I am very proud to know many of them. When I was a student at IITB, we only had five disciplines of engineering – Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, and Metallurgical. Today, you have many more and still going strong.

How do you balance your professional achievements with your interests outside of work? What are some of your hobbies or pastimes?

It is going to be hard for you to believe. My work is my first wife (according to my wife of 52 years). I love the people I work with. We have had many of them with us for over 20 years and some over 30 years.
I love to read BOOKS, articles, and papers, and watch musical programs such as “INDIAN IDOL, SUPERSINGERS, SA RE GA MA PA.” Indian music is truly meditational to me. I enjoy it thoroughly.

What role do you think alumni can play in supporting and advancing their alma mater?

IITs are great institutions. We are as good as any university in the world, but we are still ranked beyond the 100^th position. Alums need to help. We need to bring business ideas to our alma mater that can culminate IITs into bigger success. There is a lot of respect for IItians in the various Industries overseas for our dedication, hard work, intelligence, and leadership qualities. PanIIT is doing a great job for our image. IITs’ involvement in the industry needs to be increased. I may be wrong to say that because it may already be happening. Alums need to bring more research projects to our IITs.
Ideas in SMRs (small modular reactors), subsea technology, predictive analytics, AI-related, and others that haven’t even been thought of should be brought to our alma mater.

Finally, what are your hopes and vision for IIT Bombay in the coming decade?

To be recognized in the top five universities in the world which I believe we are.

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