Dr. Shailesh Kumar Agrawal Executive Director - Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Government of India, New Delhi

Coming from a humble background, I always believed in sincerity, hard work and honesty with whatever I do as key mantras to grow in life. I still practice & preach these mantras and attempt to inculcate the same in my subordinates. Also, one needs to learn to enjoy the work, one is associated with and it does not come easily especially as you require self-motivation and therefore one needs to inspire oneself and have goal to put best foot forward for the job assigned. No work is small or big, it is us who make it big or small. Also, apart from professional life, one needs to have a few leisure activities which work as stress busters throughout one’s life. For me, listening to western &Indian music, lyrical connotations of songs is one of my favorite pastime. Also, surrounding yourself with good books and reading them in your spare time help in rejuvenation.   While leading BMTPC, I always believed in working in consonance with the nation’s aspirations. Housing for all households of our nation by the 75^th year of Independence is the call given by our Hon’ble President and Government and it will not be possible with the traditional construction methods/technologies in vogue which are primarily slow track construction and, therefore, BMTPC started looking for what is happening around the globe?   I began alone without a clue but succeeded in identifying, evaluating and certifying new construction systems suiting to India. The construction fraternity initially was apprehensive about these systems but slowly albeit surely, Pan India efforts are being made not only by state governments but also by developers to make use of these new housing technologies for delivering quality houses. All, we need to do is to create a suitable eco-system for mainstreaming them.   My endeavor has always been to promote alternate building materials and technologies which are cost-effective, energy-efficient, eco-friendly and resilient to natural hazards such as earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis & floods. To promote and transfer innovations in the field I work towards promoting upscaling, mechanization, standardization, certification, capacity building & skill development, demonstration construction and users’ feedback.   Quote As a leader, I always believed in taking all together as a team. Give credit of success to one & all in team & for failures, take the brunt on yourself. Leadership is not about a title or authority but about stimulating, guiding & enthusing persons around you.