Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. And Dr. Arvind Pandalai, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, State Trading Corporation of India Limited, is one of those individuals who are not only self-motivated but inspire confidence among their juniors. A man known for his never-say-die attitude; Pandalai has been instrumental in making this 2.5 billion dollar Government of India Undertaking a premier trading organisation in the country.

And when it comes to his contribution to the company, few would contest that it was his 28 years of invaluable guidance to the STC that earned the company 86th ranking in India's Top 500 Companies in a survey brought out by Dun and Bradstreet, the world's leading provider of business information services. With a track record of 32 years of experience in international trading, export and import management, joint ventures, project management, financial management, strategic planning, market research, counter trade and off-shore trade, Pandalai has earned the reputation of a great resource person, who has helped in formulation of various policies of the Government of India.

With expertise in import and export sectors, counter purchase arrangements, offset programmes, demonetisations of debts and market intervention, Pandalai was instrumental in launching several successful projects for the STC. Known for his thorough understanding of international trade, Pandalai, over the years worked on different capacities including Branch manager (Kuwait), Branch Manager (Madras), Regional Manager (South India), Chief General Manager at Corporate Office, and Director (Marketing).

Also the Chairman of Spices Trading Corporation, Pandalai holds a number of other important offices in commercial, academic, trade and social bodies. To mention a few, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, UK and a Member of many Academic Associations including Alumni of Henley Management College, UK British Council Scholars, Senate Committee of University. A visiting Professor in Management Institutions and Universities in India and abroad, Dr. Pandalai is also the recipient of IMM Award for Excellence in 2004 for his contribution to national and international trade. A researcher, who worked on "Globalisation of India's Foreign Trade and Role of Counter Trade in that process", Dr. Pandalai has several publications to his credit. And with a person like him heading the STC, there could hardly be any target beyond his grasp.