Indian American telecom pioneer Sam Pitroda unveils autobiography of tech leader Javad K. Hassan — The Indian Panorama

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian American telecom pioneer Sam Pitroda unveiled the autobiography of Javad K. Hassan, a renowned Indian American tech innovator, at an event in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, September 11. The book, titled “The Art of The Possible: A Maverick’s Journey to Success, Innovation, and Fearless Leadership,” chronicles Hassan’s journey from Kerala, India, as a graduate student to his rise as a global business leader.

In the memoir, Hassan shares the story of his career, highlighting his relentless pursuit of innovation, leadership, and breaking conventional barriers. The book offers insight into his philosophy of success and his fearless approach to leadership in some of the world’s top technology companies.

Hassan, a former senior executive at IBM and former president of Global Inter Connect Systems at AMP Inc (now TE Connectivity), is the chairman of the McLean, VA, -based NeST Group.

Hassan first came to the United States in 1966 to pursue a master’s degree in material engineering at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. After completing his studies, he began his career as a young engineer at IBM’s East Fishkill campus in New York.

Over the next 25 years, Hassan climbed the corporate ladder at IBM before leaving to join connector manufacturing giant AMP in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. At AMP, his unconventional strategies and leadership style sparked groundbreaking innovations and facilitated key mergers, transforming the company’s trajectory.

After his time at AMP, Hassan embarked on an entrepreneurial journey by founding the NEST Group, a conglomerate based in Kochi, Kerala. Over the years, he acquired more than a dozen companies, reshaping industries such as fiber optics, software, healthcare IT, and digital media.

Comparing Hassan’s journey to his own odyssey, Pitroda, who is credited with modernizing India’s telecommunications industry, said: “I see this as a journey of India in many ways, coming from a very simple background, humble background, fighting it along, struggling and making something happen, and then in the process helping others, bringing other from the mainstream. And that journey is what this book is about. It is not just about his journey, but [the] journey of a nation. Many people like him came here, made a contribution, made money … help people back in India, brought some people from India to here, created jobs in India and that multiplying effect is what India is today.”

Hassan was born on October 7, 1940, in Aluva, located in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, as the eldest child of M.M. Khadijoo and Assanu Nagoor Rawther, a police officer. His maternal grandfather, Mackar Pillay, was a prominent businessman in the Travancore-Cochin region and a member of the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha (Popular Assembly).

In 1962, Hassan earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the College of Engineering, Trivandrum. He worked for two public sector companies in India for a few years before coming to  the United States.

Hassan’s autobiography touches on key themes that defined his career, including:

• Hassan emphasizes his fearless commitment to challenging conventional norms and embracing bold, unconventional strategies that have redefined business and technological landscapes. His forward-thinking mindset has been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs for decades.
• He shares the secrets behind his ability to build and inspire high-performance teams, drive operational excellence, and achieve visionary goals while maintaining a strong commitment to integrity, lifelong learning, and self-reflection.
• Philosophical Insights: In the book, Hassan explores his personal philosophy and “inner game,” offering readers a deeper understanding of the mindset required to excel in high-stakes environments. He combines strategic acumen with a profound personal ethos to illustrate his approach to leadership.
• Hassan offers a balanced reflection on his victories and setbacks, sharing how he confronted industry norms and redefined what it means to succeed in the business world.

Hassan’s contributions to technology and business have earned him numerous accolades, including an honorary doctorate from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Co-written and edited by London-based Sanjeev Loomba, “The Art of The Possible” gives an account of Hassan’s professional achievements but also a guide for those looking to push boundaries and lead with courage in the modern business world. The book provides valuable insights for aspiring leaders, offering lessons in both innovation and integrity.

Hassan, who lives in McLean, VA, with his wife, Sabiha, is the subject of a documentary in the Desimax series, “The American Journey.”

He has two daughters, Hafiza Khan, a cardiac electrophysiologist in Plano, TX, and Naureen Hassan, President of the Americas operations at the Swiss financial giant UBS.