The Darwin Platform Group is unstoppable!

Ajay Harinath Singh, group chairman, Darwin Platform Group of Companies, speaks about the steady growth of his group & their dedication to nation-building through wealth creation

You have one more feather in the cap with the ONGC contract for oil blocks. How do you see your entry into the oil exploration and production sector?
The Darwin Platform Group of Companies (DPGC) was keen on oil fields to cater to the energy requirements of INdia. Winning a bid for four oil blocks from state-run ONGC is a major breakthrough for us. We will be embarking on a new journey with our entry into this high-growth oil and gas sector. We have won a bid for four oil blocks in contract areas (CA) of Rajahmundry, Ahmedabad, Cauvery and Assam Assets.
Oil exploration and production require huge investments since it is a capital-intensive sector. Global players are expected to invest both in exploration technology and the oil recovery process. We will strive to bring in investments to the sector. Global oil and investment giants from UAE and the UK are likely to invest nearly $1 billion (approximately Rs 7,700 crore) in oil fields recently awarded to us. Several UAE and UK- based energy and investment sectors' global players including international financing agencies have shown interest in joining ur. With technical and financing support coming from them, DPGC aims to bring positive socio-economic effects to its nation-building exercise.What's next from the Darwin Platform?
Going forward, nation-building would remain a priority. Over the years, DPGC, with innovative business models, has been creating wealth for the nation. With focussed investments in the high-growth sector, we will be further accelerating the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local campaigns. After carving a niche in several sectors, energy/refineries, defence production, renewable energy, new-age technologies, green mobility and infrastructure as also several sunrise sectors would be our main focus areas.
Future-ready and purpose-driven businesses and brands will cater to the growing requirements of the nation from these sectors. We will seize emerging opportunities and meaningfully contribute to national priorities. In order to achieve these goals and create value for our stakeholders, we will focus more on technological transformation, innovative capacity building, structural cost optimisation, sustainability and empowering the team. The next level of growth would be achieved through these tools and best practices.

What are the main focus areas for DPGC over the next five years?
It is green energy, infrastructure and mobility. We are aligning our businesses to promote a green economy. It isn't just green mobility with our electric vehicle company but several other group companies will follow a proactive strategy of decarbonisation.
Along with EV, we will foray into the renewable energy and green infrastructure sector. We have won the bid for Lavasa Smart City and once approvals are in place, we will develop the world-class city as an epitome of green infrastructure. I believe that if Lavasa is completed, it would give a boost to India's Smart City Mission for 100 such cities.
We will also expand our existing businesses like energy/refineries, retail, real estate, and logistics. We are hopeful that over the next five years, DPGC would carve a niche in the defence production segment as well with its revolutionary products based on molecular nanotechnology (MNT) for Indian forces. Overall, our main focus will be on nation-building through wealth creation which is our core value. A strong nation needs to ensure sustainable livelihoods for its citizens Hence, creating millions of employment opportunities would be our top priority.

Fear of worldwide recession and economic crisis is looming large. How is India coping?
The entire world is going through VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) times. We have responded to the pandemic with resilience and managed it well. Now global risks have got accentuated by geo-political tensions especially the Russia-Ukraine war and severe economic stress caused by untamed inflation and supply-side disruptions. The recessionary trends and debt crises in certain geographies are also of concern to the global economy. There is an apprehension about food and energy security worsening. All these are possible threats to society and can lead to bigger inequities. Amidst this, the stark sustainability challenges continue unabated, with climate change becoming an existential threat and livelihood generation - a daunting task for nations across the world. Amid such a VUCA situation, India has demonstrated significant resilience and achieved robust recovery driven by the government's proactive policy measures. I find that the IIndianstory is still intact and the economy is poised to remain one of the fastest growing in the world. The government and the industry have been astutely addressing the near-term challenges. India has continued to focus on economic reforms and policy interventions to enhance the competitiveness of the economy and these measures will take us to the next level of advancement.

From a humble beginning to a global business conglomerate with a net worth of $8.9 billion - how was the DPGC's journey? How do you see your success?
Established in 1996, DPGC is one of the fastest-growing Indian global business conglomerates. We have imbibed nation-building through wealth creation as our core value. With 29 associate companies, DPGC operates in high-growth sectors such as infrastructure, finance, banking, realty, retail, logistics, mining, energy/refineries, shipping, defence, aviontrics, IT and mass media. The Group, with $8.4 billion net worth, has aligned its new initiatives with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local campaigns. We focus on creating massive jobs or income generation opportunities. DPGC has earmarked huge financial resources for CSR and sports promotion activities. Recently, we became an associate partner of the new T-20 cricket franchise team - Lucknow SuperGiants and extended support to Haryana Hockey as lead sponsor for both the men's and women's teams. We have made sustainability the bedrock of our business strategy. Our business models spur innovation to deliver competitiveness and sustainable and inclusive growth. Today, DPGC is a pioneer in the adoption of new-age technologies across sectors and has been reinventing consumer experience with business model transformation and smart operations.What is your mantra for success?
Collective sense of purpose is my main success mantra. Corporate culture based on social, especially family values, leads to creating a collective sense of purpose. It is important for gainful co-existence. I firmly believe that as group chairman, I would not be happy or satisfied if people around me and their family are not happy. Family values include love, affection, caring and sharing, support and loyalty. All these also need to be essential virtues for corporates. This sense of purpose will take us to greater heights. The high level of energy, passion and dedication of Team Darwin gives me immense strength. My mantra is very simple - always encourage leadership teams and employees to explore, experiment, adapt and scale up cutting-edge technology interventions and innovative models.
How do you see India PM Narendra Modi's works and policies in this trying situation?
Our PM Narendra Modi has been doing a remarkable job in terms of building resilience and adapting to new-age interventions. The emerging geo-economic realities call for the adoption of green technologies, mobility and infrastructure; redefined supply chains as well as rapid digital advancements. It is encouraging to note that under Modi, the Indian economy has recovered quickly from the cascading socio-economic effects of COVID. The PM has introduced several path-breaking reforms and policy interventions. His visionary Gati Shakti scheme to redefine infrastructural development, the Digital India initiative, Startup India as well as announcements made by the Union Government in the last Union Budget to enhance public expenditure to crowd in private investments, are long-term policy pushes to usher in a new paradigm of socio-economic growth. Moreover, the PLI scheme has also been fostering manufacturing investments and the proactive steps to encourage startups have unleashed entrepreneurial spirits to build a new India.

127 Ana Industrial Saki Vihar Andheri East Mumbai 400072

ashish.vishwakarma@darwindpit.com

The Darwin Platform Group of Companies (DPGC) is shaping the future through operational excellence, innovation, sustainable solutions and domain-driven advanced leadership...

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