A Karma yogi-ITNEXT

“Criticism is an opportunity for me to plug any gaps in my work” says Bhavin Patel, Head IT, Fortis Emergency Services

BY Jatinder Singh | 14 July 2010

The Bhagvada Gita’s teaching that suggests individuals to do their jobs with complete commitment without having any attachment to its outcome, has played an important role in the life of Bhavin Patel, Head - IT at Fortis Emergency Services.

Patel had a keen interest in art and culture and wanted to become an architect. “To become an architect was my dream. And I tried my level best to get enrolled in some of the best institutions available at that time, but I missed the bus by a few points in the entrance,” he recollects.

However, his love for IT today is undivided. “What might have started as an arranged marriage has now become a lifelong love affair,” he smilingly says.
Seeing A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as his role model for his hard work and simplicity, Patel trusts hard-work and positive outlook are the key traits for achieve long-term success in life.

“There is always light at the end of a tunnel. There is always some happiness hidden beneath every sorrow. So have faith and keep doing your work in an honest manner,” he says with a touch of belief.

But how does he handle criticism? “It usually never irritates me as I see it as an opportunity to plug any gaps in my own work and performance. And if nagging is done just for the sake of it, my golden rule is to ignore and move ahead,” he says.

As a professional, Patel is committed to his work and believes in motivating people by showing how things can be done. He loves challenges and is a stickler for rules and processes. According to him, these things are very much required in a good IT manager. There are other attributes that Patel considers important for an IT manager--having the zeal to innovate, sound analytical skills and qualities of managing a team.

He is currently working on “Techno Excellent Emergency Response Call Center” project that will help his organisation in coordinating the emergency medical services across NCT of Delhi. “The service will help people to get mobile medical aid instantly by just dialling a number and will also be available during the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010,” he says quite excitingly.

Patel spends a great deal of his time in reading books and considers “The Prophet” by Khalil Gibran as his favourite book. Besides having a great affection for books, he reckons travelling and listening to music as his other interests and hobbies. “I can’t start my week before having a long-drive session on weekend. It’s something that pumps me up for the entire week,” he shares.

While admitting that designations like CIO do turn on his feelings, he doesn’t believe in setting up targets. “I do not have such specific targets but as I said earlier, I will continue to do my karma and god is there to take care of the outcome.”