User:Kuthaman

Father's name: Thandar Kuppusamy Naidu, also called German Kuppusamy Naidu due to his tough physique Mother: Nachammal, Mallinnar Naidu.. married at the age of 13.. five sons and two daughters Kuppusamy Uthaman: Date of birth - 7th March 1952, Married with Chitra Uthaman in 1984

Kuppusamy Uthaman is an oil expert and possess more than 40 years experience in oil and gas industries in various positions. In the Middle East region which is a hub for production of crude oil, he is a well known figure in international conferences and exhibitions. He is also an environmental expert and was a key figure in desert remediation and land degradation issues. He was applauded for his services to the local community, summer students tutoring, awareness sessions and best practices sharing.

Profile: He was largely a village simpleton and was born in a small Kallappalayam village in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. In his childhood, he had very limited exposure to modern luxuries, lacked urban school life and had to walk 3 kms to his school. But this did not stop him from harbouring and nurturing big dreams. In his meticulous mind, Uthaman had sensed hazards of chemicals since his childhood and has been on look out for greener chemicals that help in conserving the planet. Following his obsession with chemicals and environment, Uthaman completed his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Madras – one of India’s oldest and most premier university and later, Chemical Technology from CTI Bombay. The work of some of India’s sharpest minds – Dr. S Radhakrishnan, Sir CV Raman and Dr Abdul Kalam had a significant impact on him. He grew up idolizing these legends and dreamt of replicating their success. At the end of his initial career with Govt’s FACT-Cochin in 1977, he was one of finest minds of chemical technology. Later, he joined World’s largest oil producer-ARAMCO in 1978 followed by Kuwait Oil Company in 1984, and quickly elevated to the distinguished post of Chief Chemist. Uthaman, over 40 years of work in the oil & petrochemical industry is also a keen environmental warrior, and is constantly on the lookout for using greener chemicals and making the planet a cleaner, healthier place to live in. Recognizing Uthaman’s  contribution to the oil & petrochemical industry, the Petroleum Economist honoured him with ‘Honorary Legacy Award’ in the Banking Hall of London (2016) – an award that aims at encouraging personnel for their long time commitment for improvement, innovation and operational excellence. He was again shortlisted in 2017 along with current Malaysian prime minister-Mahathir. Two of Kuwait’s English dailies, Indians in Kuwait website and KOC magazines published the news since he  was a lone awardee from Kuwait and his parallel appearance with influential oil ministers in the stage like Ali Naimi of Saudi Arabia. Indian Ambassador congratulated and provided an appreciation certificate for making Indian community proud in Kuwait. Another notable feat was National Energy Globe Award 2017 conferred on UN World Environment Day on June,2017 under the patronage of UNESCO and in cooperation with UNEP,  and a momento  issued  by Mrs Meneka Gandhi- Indian Minister -Chair Woman of this Austrian foundation. ENERGY GLOBE is one of the world's most respected environmental awards, recognizing sustainable initiatives from across the globe every year. The Energy Globe Award honors each year outstanding, sustainable projects in the field of environment and energy. High profile experts from the Energy Globe evaluation committee have evaluated and selected the national winners. The communique said that the main objective is to encourage creative people in the world like Mr Uthaman, who have implemented great projects with solutions to many environmental problems.He was also awarded the UNESCO IYC (International Year of Chemistry) Award in 2011 for his year long chemistry related activities in Kuwait. He is well known in international conferences for greener chemicals, best practices sharing and produced water management programs.

Indian Connection: Although he was in a foreign soil, his affinity towards India was always there, supported Indian companies to enter oil sector contracts with required procedures, facilitated Indians recruitment in the key sectors, supported in their elevation and active in Kuwait Indian community. His wife and children (born in Kuwait) were very active in INDIAN cultural activities and his daughter was a classical dancer, (now a MD  doctorate student  in India) attended many Indian Embassy functions. His wife Chitra, who was backbone to his success, was an executive member of ex-Bharathi Kalai Mandram (BKM)- Kuwait and also involved in social service of delivering homely food to labour camps once a week and during festivals. Our home garden in Ahmadi produces Indian vegetables especially rare ones like curry leaves, methi, drum sticks in plenty ,ladies finger, brinjal etc along with devotional flowers, tulsi, Ram Jasmine which was freely distributed  to the Indian community in Kuwait. Apart from this, he was also involved in local Kuwaiti community in participating in awareness events in Kuwait schools, being a mentor and examiner for Kuwait University/Indian summer visiting students, providing their internship training in his work facility and developing new Kuwaiti recruits to deal with oil company challenges.

Iraqi Occupation- Aug 1990 Iraqi invasion in 1990 disturbed his career, but his support and shelter to Indians in his  big villa during initial period until evacuation by Air India  was an  unforgettable experience. The uncertainty during this period with all their savings trapped in Kuwait banks and personal properties ransacked, the future was bleak. Kids had to be shifted to schools in India and so many difficulties faced in getting admission in the middle of year. After liberation of Kuwait, restarting of damaged facilities/ labs (including his office which had been damaged by a bomb) and his restoration effort in a record time for crude export was an achievement. Keeping the environment safe was a challenge since VOCs from crude oil, H2S, produced water and so many oil field chemicals are hazardous & corrosive and needs special handling and disposal. Led Task Force Teams (TFTs) in this regard and introduced greener chemicals and developed safe handling procedures. Ozone depletion chemicals were identified and banned, alternative chemicals researched and applied.

Another memorable experience was the relief offered by him to the terrified suffering Indians during sudden Iraqi occupation on  Aug 2,1990 by offering shelter and food during initial days. The royals fled to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait was swiftly taken over by Iraqis. On that day, he recalls when he woke up at 5 AM with bomb explosion sounds, he immediately realized the danger and called all friends to inform what to do next. Nobody believed and mentioned it will be over, but I forced them to rush to ATMs to withdraw money as a first step in emergency. I myself was in the ATM at 5:30 AM and there was already a queue. Many of his friends joined him afterwards but all money was over in 1 hour time and many returned back empty handed and tried in other banks with the same fate. The banks never opened and whoever took money and whatever the amount was worth millions during that time since all credit cards were made useless during occupation. He withdrew max amount of 500 KD and by God’s grace had company villa with a garden with vegetables and we Indians lived together (luckily my wife and kids were away for summer vacation in India) until rescue from Air India arrived. Also, during departure from Kuwait, we went by a Caravan of cars to board AI flight in Amman, he gave rides to many Indian embassy officials in Basra, Iraq on our way to Baghdad. Over 1.7 million Indians trapped in Kuwait and the then Indian foreign minister I.K.Gujral hugged Saddam Hussein which was controversially criticized during those days.But, it helped to free some captured key oil sector Indians through Saddam's good will and also get permission to fly AI flights for evacuation,through buses from Kuwait/BAsra/Baghdad. AI flew 488 flights for 59 days and evacuated 1,11,711 indians, starting on 18th Aug 1990, the largest in history. Elderly, women and children were given priority who were ferried from Kuwait through Basra and to Jordan airport, from where AI flew to India. Some foreign nationals including arch rivals Pakistanis were also evacuated on humanitarian grounds. Uthaman started his journey on Aug 21 from Kuwait in his own Nissan skyline car along with convoy of his friends, stayed in Basra for a few days and further drove to Baghdad until he could manage a Iraqi airways ticket to Amman. Saddam had made Iraqi dinar equal to Kuwaiti dinar but both Iraqi/kuwait money were made worthless. Uthaman sold his car for 1400 IKD but currency had no value, and later made worthless. Iraqi airways accepted only US$ cash of 50 dollars for a ticket to Amman from Baghdad. There was some black market going on and I managed to buy 50$ by giving an NRE cheque for a bank in India at triple the dollar value.

Apart from this, he was also involved in local Kuwaiti community in participating in awareness events in Kuwait schools, being a mentor and examiner for Kuwait University students, providing their internship training in my facility and developing new Kuwaiti recruits to deal with oil company challenges. Well known in international conferences for water management, chemicals and organized many awareness sessions, leaflets etc for Ahmadi community during 2011 International year of chemistry IYC -UNESCO celebrations. My wife and children (born in Kuwait) were very active in INDIAN cultural activities and my daughter was a classical dancer, (now a doctor in India) attended many Indian Embassy functions. My wife Chitra, who was backbone to my success, was an executive member of Bharathi Kalai Mandram (BKM)- Kuwait and also involved in social service of delivering homely food to labour camps once a week and during festivals. Our home garden in Ahmadi produces Indian vegetables especially rare ones like curry leaves, methi,drum sticks in plenty ,ladies finger, brinjal etc along with devotional flowers, tulsi which we freely distribute to the Indian community in Kuwait.Indian national and Chief Chemist of Kuwait Oil Company Mr Kuppusamy Uthaman bags the honorary legacy award by the famous oil magazine - Petroleum Economist. The Award ceremony was held in a mega black tie function in the Banking Hall of London on 15th September. The award ceremony was attended by senior officials and decision makers/ministers of oil /energy sector.

The award constituted by Petroleum Economist magazine that provides macro-economic and geopolitical analysis of the energy industry, aims at encouraging energy personnel for their long time commitment in the improvement, innovation and achieving operational excellence.

During the event Saudi ex oil minister Mr Ali Al Naimi was awarded Legacy award and Mr Abdulhussain bin Ali Mirza, Bahraini Electricity minister was awarded 'minister of the year' award.

Petroleum Economist Award is an annual award event honoring energy personnel with significant achievement in their career, awarded in the prestigious Banking Hall Avenue in the city of London.

K. Uthaman, hailing from Coimbatore, is a native of Kallappalayam village in the outskirts of Coimbatore and has spent more than 40 years in the oil/petrochemical industry and held various posts including the current position in Kuwait Oil Company.

Article published at IIK - Read more