From Bhimavaram to Perth: The journey of a printing technologist G Laxman Kumar

During their 96 hours together, the teacher and former student discussed a range of topics, including printing, packaging, and other allied subjects. This reunion, a teacher meeting a former student in Australia, proved to be a unique and exciting experience, far from their usual meetings within India.

Laxman Kumar shared insights into his journey, beginning from a small village near Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh. He explained that his choice of printing as a career was largely influenced by his father. After moving to Australia, he restarted his career in printing, working as an operator in a flexo packaging factory. Later, he transitioned into managing a Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP) tanks manufacturing unit for a friend, eventually taking over the business. While his current business is not directly related to printing, Kumar emphasised the importance of putting one's heart into any endeavour for success.

Recalling his time at GIPT, Kumar spoke fondly of the friendly lecturers and vivid memories, such as seeing a massive dark room camera for the first time and the air-conditioned photo typesetting room. He also highlighted the main difference in work culture between Australia and India as the "dignity of labour" and comprehensive apprentice programs for all technical trades in Australia. Kumar said, "A bricklayer goes through an apprentice program and once it is completed, he can read a drawing and build a house on his own without any assistants."

Kumar's career has taken him across several countries. He shared experiences from Cyprus, where he worked in a press with a Morgan web offset machine; Sharjah, where he was a production manager commissioning production of stencil papers and computer stationery; Uganda, where he worked as a production manager in an exercise book manufacturing company and visited Ipex in Birmingham to buy a sheetfed offset press; and Kenya, where he worked at Kensta, establishing paper tinting, embossing, and label-making divisions.

A notable fact about Laxman Kumar is that he has a twin brother, Ram Kumar, who is also a GIPT alumnus and a well-known businessman from Kenya. (Editor's note: Good news for the readers of PrintWeek is Prof Nagarjuna plans to write a separate article about Ram Kumar during a future visit to the African continent).

Kumar's advice to the youth regarding self-employment is clear: "There is no course which is inferior or superior to the others. Once you complete graduation, if you put your heart on whatever you do, that brings success."