"Rather than pursuing a career as a chartered accountant, I joined the publishing world supporting my father's vision on stock-market information," Padode told Arab News. The decision, a rather brave one at the time, proved to be the right one.

Following his contribution to the success of Dalal Street Journal in India from 1986 to 1999, and minor forays into television and films, he launched Construction World in 1996, recognizing early on that construction was set to become India's sunshine sector.

Today, he is editor-in-chief and managing director of Mumbai-based ASAPP Media Information Group, which publishes a bouquet of magazines on the construction and infrastructure sectors. Apart from the flagship Construction World (CW), its titles include Infrastructure Today, CW Interiors, Projects Info, Equipment India, Power Today, Property Today and Project Reporter.

Padode, though, has no intention of resting on his laurels. In fact, his recent visit to Arab news had a clear aim: To partner with the Middle East's leading English daily to organize meetings, incentives, conferences and events, including exhibitions and awards in the Kingdom, as well as B2B activities.

"Our tie-up with Arab News will prove to be a win-win situation for both of us, as we'll also contribute to building the newspaper's advertising interests overseas," he explained. "Our aim is to bring the kind of publishing specialization we have established in India and the UAE to this part of the world, especially when there is a strong focus on booming construction activity and infrastructure projects. It's also our objective to bring international delegations of businessmen and investors to the Kingdom to explore its vast potential. We will use the linkages to mobilize investors as well as technologies and expertise to the infrastructure and development projects the Kingdom continues to focus on."

Lofty goals, but Padode's track record is testament to his group's ability to get the job done. As he tells us, ASAPP Media is a 360° infrastructure information and research company and CW is the "largest circulated" construction business magazine with its two editions: Gulf (Dubai Media City) and India (Mumbai). Indeed, CW recently received the Indian Construction Industry Development Council's Vishwakarma Award.

"CW updates its readers on projects, tenders and contracts, and tackles subjects ranging from logistics to consultancy, design, infrastructure and interviews with the who's who of construction," adds Padode, who was also honored with a council award for "best journalist" in construction.

Recognizing the need for a strong presence on the Internet, the group has a website www.ConstructionUpdate.com, which is described as India's largest construction portal. The group's events division, AM Events, has organized conferences on rail, roads, coal, power, infrastructure, oil and gas, with plans for conferences on water, realty and finance on the anvil this year. And in a bid to celebrate building excellence, Padode instituted the CW Architect & Builder Awards four years ago.

Meanwhile, the CW Annual Awards, which awards contractors, equipment manufacturers and building material manufacturers, is on its eighth year and is widely regarded as the "Oscars" of the construction industry. There's more: Foundation of Infrastructure Research Studies Training. "This is a strong research organization that publishes reports on various sectors of infrastructure," said Padode. "Our effort is to benchmark data and analysis with the best in the world, with focus on transparency and good governance."