Despite almost botching up his final interview, Naik was hired. 'I've sacked thirty-eight engineers-don't be number thirty-nine' is what Naik's boss T. Baker told him on his first day at work. Thus began an era of relentless hard work, infectious zeal and remarkable achievements, which not only elevated Naik in the L&T hierarchy, but also helped transform the company into a multinational conglomerate with presence in more than fifty countries.