It’s raining non-stop and the steaming hot cups of coffee onthe verandah are perfect in this weather. P Mara Pandiyan, chief of MormugaoPort Trust (MPT) walks in with his dog Harbindar----a chocolate brown Labradorwho has been his constant companion since he took over the reins of MPT. Thesoft notes of semi-classical music drift in the background, as he sits down forthe tete-a- tete.
The 1984 batch IAS officer prior to joining MPT was PrincipalSecretary, Taxes, government of Kerala. Not many know that before he could jointhe IAS service he served as Assistant Accountant General.
Knownamongst his friends and peers as the tiger, Pandiyan has managed shift thefocus of the port from coal and iron ore to other cargo. From the day he tookover, he always talked about diversifying. He is credited to have initiated theimport of pharmaceuticals through the port and is awaiting the notification tobegin exports. He says, “This will benefit pharma companies not only in Goa,but North Karnataka and South Maharashtra.” Besides this Pandiyan is alsoworking on ways to attract and increase the presence of cruise liners dockingin the state. He says, “For the port, there is not much financial gain, but thestate will benefit economically with high end tourist coming in.”
Askhim about the MPT and he says, “It really hurts me that despite being theoldest port, other ports are doing well. MPT could have achieved much more. Butunfortunately our growth has stagnated. We need to give something back tosociety.”
A star gazer and a violinist, Pandiyan finds it difficult topursue his hobbies. But his love for semi classical music both Hindustani,Carnatic or western can be seen from the collection that lines the shelves.
Having made the shift from finance to ports, chairman says,“I have learnt a lot in the port sector. The sea is so vast in the same way onehas so much to learn in the sector."
