leaderspeak
The Total Adani Man
A journey from humble roots to boardroom success: We bring to you the story of Suresh P Manglani, CEO & ED of Adani Total Gas Ltd.
Dipika Rathi
His story is a testament to resilience, dedication, and remarkable success. Born and raised in Jaipur, he comes from a close-knit family of five siblings. His father, P N Manglani, having arrived in India as a refugee during the partition, built a new life in Jaipur, working for the Rajasthan Government.
Raised in a bustling home with his extended family – his father’s five brothers and their families – Suresh Manglani’s childhood embodied the traditional Indian joint family experience. Despite the lively household, the serene surroundings of a temple (Govind Devji temple) near his home provided a sanctuary for young Suresh. Here, he found dedicated study spaces and spent long hours immersed in his studies. The tranquil environment, with its calming atmosphere and occasional wildlife sightings, fostered his concentration. He even drank water from the well here and ate prasad, mostly boondi ka laddoo, to sustain his long study sessions.
Mr Manglani’s education began at Shridhar Sanskrit Vidyalaya, a Hindi medium government school. Though limited by their financial situation at the time, his dedication to his studies shone through, evidenced by his outstanding results. While, his initial dream was to become a doctor, he followed his elder brother’s advice and pursued commerce.
As the family’s financial situation improved with his elder brothers starting to work, he continued his education at Agrawal College in Jaipur. His mother’s unwavering support, including taking on extra work by stitching clothes, fuelled his determination to excel. Balancing his studies with part-time work at the family shop, he rose to the challenge, achieving academic success and eventually qualifying as a Cost Accountant. His dedication to knowledge is further reflected by his impressive list of qualifications - MCom, LLB, ACMA and FCS.
Mr Manglani’s professional journey began with a job at Kelvinator (now Whirlpool) in Alwar. Despite his commitment to his work, his family held a preference for government jobs. Encouraged by his father, he pursued a position at GAIL in Vijaypur. A turning point came in 1994 when he was deputed to set up Mahanagar Gas Ltd in Mumbai. He played a key role in establishing the company from the ground up. He fondly recalls his first flight and stay at a five-star hotel, marking significant milestones in his professional journey. Prior to joining Adani Gas in September 2018, Mr Manglani was working with Reliance Industries Ltd.
Mr Manglani with his wife Taruna, their daughters Ria and Moksha, and Ria's husband Ashish.
Suresh P Manglani’s journey from a modest upbringing to a leadership position in the corporate world exemplifies the power of hard work and perseverance. His story serves as a beacon of inspiration, proving that relentless effort can unlock remarkable achievements.
Here’s more from a-connect’s candid conversation with Mr Manglani.
Could you share a bit about your personal life?
In 1992, I married my wife, Taruna. We are blessed with two wonderful daughters, Ria and Moksha. Ria, a Chemical Engineer with a master’s degree from the US, thrives in her career at Ernst & Young. Her husband, Ashish works at DBS Bank in Mumbai. Moksha, a recent graduate with an MBBS degree, is currently completing her internship. Their accomplishments and the values they demonstrate are a source of immense pride for me.
How would you describe yourself as a father?
My own upbringing by a stricter father definitely shaped my approach to parenthood. I wanted to foster a close and open relationship with my daughters, Ria and Moksha. Perhaps, it’s the changing times, but I’ve strived to be a friend and confidant alongside being a protective figure. This focus on open communication extends to all aspects of their lives. They feel comfortable sharing anything with me, and I take pride in being someone they can trust for support and guidance.
What has your journey been like with Adani Total Gas?
Phenomenal. Being part of the Adani family is fabulous. The respect within the Group, the support from leaders, and the push to excel are amazing. It is a fantastic environment to work in.
The only downside is that my family did not move with me to Ahmedabad from Mumbai. So, I keep travelling to see them, or Taruna comes to visit me from time to time. Apart from that, it has been a fantastic journey.
What motivates you to work passionately every day?
More work, challenges, and big projects drive me. Seeing the impact of our efforts and overcoming obstacles keeps me inspired.
How do you stay inspired and maintain your enthusiasm in your role as a leader?
The culture at Adani, the mutual respect, and the support among leaders are incredibly motivating. Ownership, commitment, sincerity and a vision for the future are my guiding principles.
A special memory of an achievement?
I vividly remember the joy of getting my first Bajaj Chetak, a pista-coloured scooter. When I called my mom and said, “Amma, I have bought a scooter,” she went to the same temple near my home, where I had practically grown up and distributed prasad to many people. I remember, even Taruna’s (my then fiancée) family was ecstatic. Owning a scooter in those days was a big thing and it was like a milestone in my life. We even had a party in my hostel, where we my friends and I celebrated this achievement. This one scooter brought so much happiness, I cannot explain it in words.
Can you share some pivotal moments in your career?
One significant moment was when I was offered the role of the CEO at Adani Total Gas. It was a validation of my hard work and commitment.
How do you foster collaboration and innovation within your team?
By encouraging ownership and commitment, and by creating an environment where everyone feels supported and motivated to excel.
quick talk
Your typical daily schedule
I wake up before 7 am or I feel I have lost the day. So that is a must, followed by yoga or walk or some form of exercise.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time with your family?
We play board games, karaoke, try new restaurants. We also love to travel, if time permits, we do a getaway time and again.
Hobbies that make you unwind and relax specifically?
While I won’t categorize my work on Projects like SOUL as a traditional “hobby”, they certainly offer a welcome change of pace. They allow me to delve into creative problem solving and explore automation possibilities, which I find intellectually stimulating and ultimately quite relaxing.
Food that uplifts your mood:
Asian food – specially Sushi, Sweets like Chikki and Gajak.
Favourite local restaurant:
Agashiye, Peshawri, Parampara
All-time favourite movie:
3 Idiots, Munnabhai MBBS
Book that has inspired you the most:
Pathways to Greatness by APJ Abdul Kalam
Any message or advice for the readers?
Commitment is fundamental. Stay dedicated and success will follow.
For this Father's Day special, we got in touch with the daughters of an extraordinary father. Their heartfelt messages paint a beautiful picture of the love, admiration and gratitude they have for the man they call dad. Here’s what they had to say about their beloved father:
Ria
“Papa keeps saying that he has two angels and that he got very lucky when each of us was born, but I think Moksha and I are the lucky ones. Everyone who knows papa says that I am his mini version, and I can’t be happier about that. He has taught us to be humble, selfless, carefree, positive, passionate about work, how to stay calm in any situation and always look forward in life. One thing is for sure and will never change - he has a solution for all my problems and is my go to person. His presence makes the room light up and keeps my world in place!!”
Moksha
“A role model, mentor and most importantly my constant support system. These are just three of the first things that come to mind when I think of my father. To everyone, he’s CEO! However for us, at home he’s just a goofy dad that never fails to make us laugh until our stomachs hurt, he’s the caring dad that always puts family first, he’s the proud dad that shows us off with the biggest smile. I’ve learnt from him to appreciate the smaller things because he sees everything to be beautiful as it is. Dad, I love you and I know if I’m ever on a rollercoaster or on a deep sea dive, you will always be by my side ready to take on every adventure.”
