“I cleared B.Sc. examination after 8 attempts” - Prem Singh Mahnot 

Ambition is a natural consequence of a dream, which an individual consciously conjures up to achieve his goals and objectives in life. We should stoke up the fire of ambition with immediate action rather than mull over trivial issues, asserts Prem Singh Mahnot who is renowned for his knowledge in the realm of high speed technology and spindles in India. Psychologists describe the delay associated with a particular endeavor or challenge as the preliminary stage, when the mind moulds and conditions itself for the future course of action taken by the individual. Mahnot may not subscribe to this theory because he derives his impetus and drive from the seeds of inspiration, which were sown in the early stages of his adulthood. Even at the ripe age of 70, Mahnot possesses an intoxicating spirit and energy, which would evoke applause and admiration from the younger generation.

Blessed with an inquisitive mind, Mahnot was always eager to explore new horizons in the realm of engineering, while his contemporaries in college would opt for subjects like laws or medicine, which were more popular in the early 1950s. While pursuing his studies, Mahnot also worked as a trainee supervisor for National Bearing Company (NBC) in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Mahnot was honoured with the best award by National Bearing Company, Jaipur in 1960, for his suggestions in the realm of ball bearing designs. Mahnot draws his expertise from the accumulated experience gained while working as a supervisor or plant and works manager for different companies NBC, East Asiatic (Tool Room), Calama, Steel Age, and Kheera. His hard work paid rich dividends when he set up his full-fledged grinding workshop, Mahnot Grind Age Industries in Andheri, Mumbai in 1971.

As a young man Mahnot would often dream of going to England for higher studies, which could not materialise due to his inability to clear B.Sc. "Despite the failure to clear B.Sc. for 8 consecutive years, I received wholesome support from my parents, who always encouraged me to continue with the studies,” said Mahnot. He attributed poor health as the factor for his debacle during the examinations. He finally succeeded in B.Sc. examination in 1958 from Rajasthan University.

After graduating as an ambitious entrepreneur in course of time, Mahnot often traveled to UK and Germany in his quest for understanding the high speed technology and other finer aspects of engineering. By 1987, Mahnot had mastered the technology of high speed through extensive visits, dialogues, surveying and research studies in European countries.

Mahnot said, "My ideology has always been to serve the nation by developing high speed technology, which can renovate all machines in the industries." Under the esteemed leadership of Premsingh Mahnot, Mahnot Grind Age Industries has emerged as the pioneers of high speed technology and spindles in India, which are of international standards that are also endorsed by renowned organisations like Gamet Precision, France and Central Machine Tool Institute, Bangalore (the apex body for machine technology in India). The company takes pride in its long list of prestigious clients like Telco, BHEL, Indian Airlines, Air India, Larsen & Toubro, Kirloskar Pneumatic, Hindustan Motors, J K Engineers Files, etc.

Starting as an eager and ambitious young man who struggled to clear his B.Sc. examination, Prem Singh Mahnot has traversed a long and arduous journey; he is today acknowledged as a respected authority for his knowledge in the sphere of high speed technology and spindles in India. Being the sole lecturer on high speed spindles in the world, he is often invited to share his knowledge by renowned organisations like Telco, Indian Kirloskar Pneumatic, Hindustan Motors Ltd, etc.

While offering his pearls of wisdom, Mahnot said, "The younger generation should develop the zeal and intensity to work hard for a purposeful goal. Mere thinking and reading about a subject will not help the cause. A person should always be practical; he should act immediately towards his objective, which can be always rectified with trail and error."

By: Wasim Siddiqui