From crossing a river on a boat every day to reach school to owning a small company to being the one-stop-shop for all piping requirements, he has the world at his feet!
After 44 years of its establishment, the pipe-support business continues to be very competitive still. “Adaptation to new technology and strategies is a must – for life in general and to be ahead in competition,” he expresses his firm belief. To stay updated, he keeps himself busy with various organizations. He is an associate member of National Society of Professional Engineers, a member of Engineering Leadership Board, Cullen College of Engineering, Regent and Secretary of University of Houston System Board of Regents, Chair of Academic & Student Success Committee and Vice Chair of Endowment Committee at UH System Board of Regents, Founding President and Trustee of India House Houston and Associate Member of MD Anderson Board of Visitors.
Durga’s life philosophy is to always be optimistic. He quotes the stereotype, “All glasses are half full,” to share his firm belief in following his passion in every situation. “It’s all about passion. Whatever work you choose, it will be a large part of your life; so try to choose a field where you’ll be satisfied.”
It’s in the Blood!
It was the year 1968 when Durga, a young college student from Lakhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, landed in the US. The country of dreams seemed like a dream especially after having grown up in a small village that had no railroad, no electricity, no water supply and had only kerosene lamps for reading. His father, Badalu Ram, owned a fabric shop that grew into a kind of general store that he operated as a wholesaler, retailer and general merchandiser. “I would sit with my father at his shop every afternoon and calculate customers’ accounts in my head. That was my training into business – that’s how I spent all my spare time. Accounts interested me and I aced it.” His mother, Sunheri Devi, was a very pious lady and instilled the Hindu values and traditions in their children. “Whatever I am today is thanks to them. They had a vision – of sending me abroad. My ability to give back to society is all because of them.”
He remembers all the fun he had as a child. “So my high school was around 20km away and sometimes we had to cross rivers on a boat. During floods, I’d stay in a nearby village till it was safe to ride the boat.”
Durga has always been an all rounder – he enjoys volleyball and success as much as the ease he reflects in solving math problems like a genius! He completed his high school from a nearby town and earned a gold medal for his outstanding performance in class, but unfortunately, did not receive it due to the Indo-China war in 1962. “I am that academic gold medalist who never got one (chuckling).”
He won a national scholarship and studied mechanical engineering (1962–1967) at the prestigious Delhi College of Engineering, New Delhi and took summer training at a Tata Group factory. He started filling in admission forms at many US universities in his final year of graduation. “I applied to some 30–40 universities and was accepted into two or three places. Many of my friends were going to Houston, so I too decided for the University of Houston to study Industrial Engineering. I had begun with the plan to complete my postgraduation and return to India and start a business or add to our family business.”
Who would have thought at that time that he’d create his own legacy… in the US!
Riding High
Durga cherishes all his associations and friendships, especially the ones from school. “A lot of a success story depends on the people around you. School and college friends always make an impact on our thought process and I also believe that learning from peers during school has its own importance – not only for memories but also because it polishes a personality.” Dr Ben Rhodes, his professor at the University of Houston, is not only his mentor but also served as a Senior Executive at Piping Technology & Products.
Soon after college, he got a job at Phil Rich Fan Manufacturing Co and worked under Hershel Rich, one of his mentors, and Louis Atlas, who remained a close friend. “I was very intrigued by the things I designed on paper – I wanted to put them to use. My training in India and experience from my first job helped me get into the manufacturing industry.”
His family summoned him home, and upon arrival he met Sushila. The two got married in January 1971 and began building themselves a new life in Houston.
Durga continued working at the fan company and eventually became the firm’s chief engineer. Among the projects that he worked on was a special design for fans sold to the Defense Supply Agency (DSA) for use by the Navy. He started deliberating between continuing to work to starting his PhD in Engineering. “We were expecting our first child and it was a hard decision. Sushila suggested me the best.”
He left Phil Rich and started working part-time with Comfort Supply Company while he continued his academic work. Durga received his master’s degree in 1969 and doctorate degree in 1974 from the University of Houston. He became a partner of an engineering consulting firm in 1975 in Houston. “We kept really busy for two weeks and then we had nothing to do for a while. I wanted something where I could better explore my skills.”
He’s Got it Made
When Durga launched Piping Technology & Products in 1978, he wanted to create a niche in the pipe support industry by providing fast, dependable services. The company soon made inroads into the US markets – he developed innovative designs that helped improve their production methods and also the line of products. “I believe one can achieve any goal with hard work, persistence and determination.”
He is, at the same time, quick to credit his success to his family. From his parents, he learnt the value of hard work and honesty on the path to achieve goals. Compassionate, loving and one-of-a kind father, he enjoys the company of his children. Anu and Aarati have joined him and serve as the Vice Presidents. Rakesh is the President & CEO of Snapstream and Alpna is a psychiatrist at UCLA.
He believes the US can absorb the value of love for family and “probably spend more time with each other. “Sushila and I ensure taking time out for our grandchildren. They are the source of our energy and joy; they are a lot of fun to be around!”
A die-hard fan of Indian movies like Mughale-Azam, Awaara and Dhool Ka Phool, he enjoys listening to Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle, the singers he thinks to be the best.
Big Industrialist, Bigger Heart
Philanthropy isn’t only about donating money… time, energy, ideas, efforts count more. Durga has been very active in the community over the years. He was a member of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC, 2004–2013) and helped in advising policies where President Obama created a task force for issuing business visas. As a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), he pushed for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program to be approved in Texas in 2013, which would allow practitioners to practice medicine at less cost and faster graduating time.
“I met Prime Minister Modi in February 2017 and told him about DNP in Texas. He was impressed and requested Dr Jitendra Singh, leading the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, to follow-up and have the program implemented immediately to benefit rural areas of India.” In 2022, two Indian institutions began implementation of DNP programs.
He was also a part of the MoU signing between the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering and Oil India Ltd, which helped OIL save over $200 million and create significant business value.
A Rice Associate, he has helped raise funds for Rice University as a member of the Rice Fund Council. “In 1996, I was involved with the donation from Texas Instruments to Rice to fund research projects in digital signal processing and information engineering and also in developing a wing in the University’s Computer Engineering building.”
Durga is an essential believer in community development for a better future. “It is a joy to be able to give back to society!”