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Vashi2Panvel.Com: Navi Mumbai: January 30: 24 minutes link between Navi Mumbai and Mumbai?
“It’s possible and I’ll ensure this happens,” says Capt Partho Das. Capt Das is a Navi Mumbai achiever who has made headlines across cities. He has been the brain behind one of Navi Mumbai’s premiere clubs (Marine Centre), he had started Navi Mumbai’s first ISO certified computer academy, and also marine courses to ensure employment for SSC pass outs. Besides, he has also been associated with Bollywood having played the mouth organ for many hit golden oldies. Right now, the man who wanted “to create the richest India” is planning to revamp Navi Mumbai in several ways. We spoke to this entrepreneur to find out more about his plans for this satellite city…

What are you planning currently for Navi Mumbai?
There are many things that I’ve in the pipeline but right now I’m coming up with these two major projects. One is a Marine Disneyland in Old Panvel and the other is a Mega Marine Transport to link Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Both of these are very expensive projects and I’m really putting in loads of efforts and money for it to be a grand success.

Can you provide some details about your project in Old Panvel on the Marine Disneyland?
We have already bought a 22 acre plot in Old Panvel (behind the Panvel sessions court) from the Panvel Nagar Parishad for this purpose. It is a mega project wherein we are planning to build a Disneyland just like the one in Britain. We will construct a man-made lake with boats where people can party, organise events and celebrate days. Besides, there would be fun-rides and we will try to re-create the ‘Disneyland’ atmosphere. But we will take almost five years to complete this entire project successfully.

And, what about the Mega Marine Transport?
We are floating a new company called Mega Marine Ltd and with this we enter into the transport business. We are tying up with a transport giant, Raj Travels, for this venture through which we would link Navi Mumbai and Mumbai via sea. The ship, completely designed by me, will be fully air-conditioned and would house 100 passengers at a time. Initially, we would launch 2 ships and later will start 6 ships that would run at an interval of ten minutes! Besides, we will have floating jetties where all the hover-crafts will arrive and depart. We have sketched a cafeteria, emergency response office, technical assistance offices etc there itself. The jetties would be built either near Nerul or near Sarovar Vihar.

So, what’s its USP?
It’s not just one, if you ask me! It would be the first of its kind in Navi Mumbai. Then, it will link the town to this satellite in just 24 minutes. The ship-its design and make-up itself is a USP.

How are your other programmes running?
I had started marine courses and computer academy in the past. But now, they’ve actually become a thing of past. I’ve stopped both these projects. Currently, I’m only handling Marine Centre and Mega Times, which was also the first e-paper of India.

Why did you terminate those projects? Were they not profiteering?
My motive is not profit making, it’s only community service. My main purpose to start marine courses was to ensure employment opportunities. The course that I offered was also made mandatory by the Director General and students were getting in jobs. But later, it resulted in excess supply of these students, which was not desirable. So, I had to terminate this course. And, I had started the computer academy named ‘Aversoft’, affiliated to CEDTI, when there were hardly any computer courses here. We provided training in software development and multi-media presentation. It was first ISO certified computer academy. But later too many of these big and small time academies flourished so I shut down.

You’ve been part of so many projects. Is there any one best you would like to point out?
It’s just next to impossible for me to point out any one best. All of them have been my work, my babies and I cherish them all. I think the best that went are my efforts. It has set an example for many people.

What has been the turning point of your life?
It has to be the drastic shift from shipping to hospitality and entertainment. When I had just two stripes on my uniform, I had dreamt of starting a community thing- a club probably. So, Marine Centre is a dream-come-true for me.

You’re quite a versatile man. So, what have been your other areas of interest?
I’m immensely interested in cultural activities like painting and music. I had a complete orchestra band before I joined shipping. Besides, I’ve played mouth organ for several Bollywood movies like Chakke Pe Chakka, Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu, Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh, Ek Din Bik Jaaega, Dheere Dheere Chal Chand Gagan…and many more. I’m trying to re-record these numbers and create a DVD with a different, spicy and funny video. I’ll start the recording in March and it would be completed within a week. So, you can expect my music videos in the market very soon!

So, how do spend your spare time? What do you prefer doing?
I cannot afford to spend time. I’m not a luxury person. It’s not permitted in life, otherwise growth stops. I keep working all the time. There’s no stopping…

After having done and achieved so much, is there something you regret?
I think I would have done much better than what I’m doing right now. Probably, some avenues are unexplored, some talents are still hidden…I’m not sure.

Any dream unfulfilled and will remain so…
I had dreamt of creating the richest India.

Interviewed by Swati Pandey