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my experience has been fruitful and driven with confidence”
Bharat J Thakkar
Co Founder & Joint Managing Director, Zeus Air Services Pvt Ltd Journey So Far My journey has witnessed fruitful results, which has given me the confidence to overcome speed breakers. Since the beginning of my career in this business back in March 1973, I have continously welcomed the growth with systems driven processes and have effortfullty tried contributing to the industry in whichever way possible. Nonetheless, I have received the same in abundance from all.
Industrial Revolution To start with, French Post is an IATA accredited forwarder but not India Postal Service, though the latter has reached every corner of India. Having said that, as a forwarder, a Boeing 737 Aircraft with 180 passengers, on arrival are able to clear customs duty payable within an hour and go back to its place of origin, while on the same plane if you place only 2 tons of cargo or even less, it takes days for pickup, post clearance. We need Paper Less System driven processes without human intervention. If our regulators have staff shortage, they need to strategise and implement policies, so that things move faster from far-fetched locations. Stakeholders don’t sing the same song; airlines, forwarders, terminal operators, all have one aim but they work in isolation. But, Digital India dream means all should be players of the same system With these challenges for air cargo, we need to work together as an industry to improve competitiveness and protect its value proposition. Otherwise, in any case LMP will take away business with integrators. As air cargo gets competitive and airlines are connecting to destinations like never before, a forwarders responsibity invigorates. As an industry, if we are to witness growth, the industry must collectively embrace an agenda for enhanced quality, efficiency and security.
Message for Aspirants I would like to share a lesson written by my friend Prakash Iyer, “Baby Giraffes never go to school but they learn very important lesson rather early in their life. The birth of a baby Giraffe is literally an earthshaking experience. The baby falls from its mother’s womb some 8 feet above ground. It shivers up and lies still to weal weak to move. Happy to see the baby standing on its own feet the mother Giraffe comes over and gives it yet another kick. The Baby falls one more time, but now quickly stands up. Here is an important lesson, no matter how hard you fall always remember to pick yourself up and get back on your feet. That’s why industry says, “We the forwarders are the unsung heroes and the backbone of global economy.”
24 CargoConnect - may 2018