AFJAL J SANAI Story

Afzal J. Sanai a senior and successful NRI, who has been in the Kingdom for the past 29 years. He is the General Manager and Chief Executive of Arabian Farms Development Company Limited, the fifth largest poultry farm in the Kingdom with an output of 175,000 eggs per day. Afzal Sanai is noted for his oratorical skills. His flair for community service is reflected in the charity works that he undertakes. Sanai, who hails from a successful business family of Hyderabad, did his early schooling from All Saints High School before he graduated from Nizam College, Hyderabad, in 1955. He subsequently did his M.A. in English Literature from Osmania University Arts College in 1957. Sanai made a name for himself as a student leader and the winner of many debating competitions. He was the President of Nizam College students’ union 1954-55, and the President of Arts College Students Union (1956-57). He won Inter University live debate on All India Radio in 1956. Sanai launched his career as a Sales Executive with Burmah-Shell Oil Company and worked with it till 1974. Subsequently, he joined the Hyfed Group as Managing partner. In 1977 he moved to the Kingdom and established Arabian Farms with his brother who is a Saudi National. Since its inception, the Arabian Farms has been a huge success, thanks to Sanai’s business acumen and personal dynamism. He was the first nominated Chairman of International Indian School Riyadh. Presently, he is the Chairman of India Forum Riyadh, and patron of Deccan Cultural Association. Happily married to Ms. Sayeeda Banu, he is the father of three children. Two daughters, both married and settled and his son Ajmal Sanai, an MBA, is managing the Dubai branch of Arabian Farms. The following are the excerpts from an exclusive interview with Yahind.com. Yahind: You have established the Arabian Farms Company in 1977. Could you share your experience with us? Sanai: It was a very hard task to begin with. Rules and regulations specially as applied to expatriates are a little harsh. Although ours is a 100% Saudi Company, with my brother as a Saudi national, the entire responsibility of running the company is left to me. So the ground work at the start and thereafter whatever problems arose, continue to arise till today. But they are resolved within the framework of rules and regulations. Yahind: You are a successful entrepreneur both in India and Kingdom. What is the secret of your success ? Sanai: Total commitment to work. You should have no reservations; you should not have hang-ups about people over here; you should know you have come to a new country; its rules and regulation are completely new; some of the rules might appear irrational to you because they are so restrictive, but you have got to learn . The basic attitude I have adopted towards my professional works is to follow the rules and regulations as they are. Otherwise you will be in serious trouble. You must accept the ground realities specially in business. My board of directors says that I have done extremely well. Yahind: You are from a family with business background, how did this help you ? Sanai: The fact that you are from a business family helps you to develop your mindset and define your attitude. If you are in a job and then switch over to business, you are bound to have complexes and phobias. But if you are from a business background, then automatically you tend to have a mindset which helps you a lot. By the grace of Almighty our company never had any losses, not even one single year in these 29 years. Yahind: Bird Flu has affected the poultry industry worldwide. How did you cope with this situation ? Sanai: Avian influenza did not touch the Kingdom, It touched various countries including India. To a large extent the poultry industry in the Kingdom was not affected. The chicken-type poultry was affected because rumors were rife all over, and there was a lot of media hype regarding the bird flu. In its worst form when it mutates, it not only jumps the species—from chicken to human beings--but it can also jump from human being to human being. That possibility is the worst case scenario, as it will lead to a pandemic. Luckily, such a situation did not arise anywhere in the world. In the Kingdom there is no outbreak of the most dangerous H5N1 type of virus. On the other hand, ironically, it has helped us, because in the UAE where we also have a branch of the company, a large quantity of eggs are imported from India. We stopped importing them because there was an outbreak of bird flu of the H5N1 strain in India. The UAE and other Gulf countries similarly stopped the imports from India. That helped us to siphon off our surplus production to many Gulf states. This year we had no problem of surplus production, therefore the prices remained steady . Probably we may end up with the best possible financial year. Yahind: Since the door has been opened for foreign investors in the Kingdom, have you taken advantage of this offer? Sanai: Yes, we have been thinking of starting an egg powder plant here by importing low-priced eggs from India. Prices of eggs are half in India compared to those in the Kingdom. Yahind: Can you elaborate on this egg powder? Sanai: Egg powder is simply a dehydrated egg. The yellow separated and white separated are dehydrated in such a manner that the entire moisture (which is about 80-85%) is removed by the dehydration process, and what remains is a little bit of powder. That powder is very convenient to handle. It can be put in sterilized jars and other kinds of packages suitably sealed and can be stored for several months. Those who don’t want to handle normal fresh eggs due to the storage difficulties , like restaurants, hospitals and army barracks, will find that the egg powder is an excellent substitute. Just add the required amount of water and ingredients needed for an omelette or scrambled egg or whatever type of egg you cook, and it is ready on your table. Yahind: What is your advice to the young entrepreneurs ? Sanai: Believe in what your doing. First you should select a line suitable for your temperament and believe completely that you can do it. Never be afraid of any obstacle and problems that may arise. If you believe in what you are doing and have dedication and commitment to do it, you will succeed. Now a days finance is not a problem if you establish your credentials. Commitment and right selection of business is very important. Yahind: You are also the president of the India Forum. What are the aims and objectives of this forum ? Sanai: It is not yet functional. I am an interim Chairman to look after the organization part of it. It is not going to be a cultural organization or one involved in debates, discussions and so on .The main aim is to get a group of sensible people who have the interest of the community at heart, especially those who have certain qualifications either by way of academic background, business background or working background. And generally to organize forums where capable people will come and speak. It is going to be an organization to enable our group to invite people of some caliber and qualification to give their experience and enlighten our community about what is happening in the world and what is happening in this part of the world etc., Yahind: Being a senior community leader and social worker what is your contribution to the community ? Sanai: I have been Chairman of the International Indian School, Riyadh. When the electoral process started in 2000, we left a surplus budget of SR19 Millions. And that point of time we were ready with land and the plans to construct our own building for the school. When the new committee was elected, the group that was elected with popular vote consisted of people who were different from the kind of people required to run the school. After six years it is in a very sorry state of affairs. Yahind: It is believed that there are lot of differences among the community. Can you elaborate on this ? Sanai: Differences exist because of two reasons primarily, One is because of the ego problem. In Riyadh itself, we have three dozen Kerala Associations and a dozen Tamil associations, what for ?It is purely an ego problem. Some people are not office-bearers of a particular section of an organization or association, so they formed another association. The second reason is the school. The school has become a big divider, people want to become member of the managing committee and chairman. As soon as they become members everybody wants to become the Chairman. Yahind: Are you making any effort to resolve these differences ? Sanai: I am sorry, at this stage I cannot elaborate much on this matter. But I am trying to find a consensus to find the right people to run the school. Because the school is the most important asset of the community. So we have to salvage the school. I am not interested in committee membership, not to speak of the Chairmanship. But I am trying to find an answer to this problem. The school must be run properly. Yahind: What about other differences like you said ego problems. Are you doing anything in this regard? Sanai: Yes, we intend to have under the banner of the India Forum people from various associations, if possible. And if they come with a clean and open mind, then this community can again largely be united and speak with one voice. We are trying to do that, Inshallah. As soon as all the people who are on vacation are back, we propose to have a meeting. Yahind: What is your message to the community? Sanai: Be happy and make others happy Yahind: How do you describe success ? Sanai: Success itself is success, success is automatically a success and there after the ladder to the further success. But basic success guarantees success. Copyright © 2006 YaHind.Com. All rights reserved. The information contained in the YaHind News Portal Report/Article/Interview may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The YaHind.Com. The contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of YaHind.Com For reprint rights: Contact Syndication Service at news[at]yahind.com "replace [at] with @ when you send email".