GARSHOM PRAVASI RATNA AWARD 2019

Babu Varghese, The credit of designing the largest memorial to Mahatma Gandhi in the USA goes to a man who is a pioneer in the field of engineering – Babu Varghese, P.E. from Thrissur. The president and principal engineer of Abtech Engineering Inc., Mr. Babu received accolades for this design from none other than the former president of India, APJ Abdul Kalam during the dedication of the memorial at Falcon Lee Park in Davie, Florida.

Mr. Varghese is a visionary who founded Abtech Engineering Inc. back in 1988, growing along with technological advancement. Expressing his commitment to his hometown, he also started an office in Thrissur giving opportunities to the young talents to get hands-on experience with the latest trends in the engineering sector.

Mr. Varghese graduated in engineering from Cochin University of Science & Technology in 1982 and did his masters in 1986 from Florida Atlantic University. After a short stint as a structural engineer in an Architectural-Engineering firm in Miami he founded his dream company Abtech Engineering Inc.

A highly influential personality, he is called upon as expert witness to court cases in South Florida. He has professional engineering license to practice in 18 states in the United States and has made his signature in several shopping malls, high-rise buildings, airport terminals, cruise terminals, waste-to-energy facilities, and buildings for hotels and hospitals. Despite being a busy entrepreneur, Mr. Varghese always involved in the activities of various cultural and religious organizations giving emphasis on charity.

His perseverance in molding his company started some three decades back to be on par with modern standards is a rare example to follow. As recognition for his dedication, he was appointed as a board member to the Florida Board of Professional Engineers in 2015 by the Florida Governor Rick Scott and was confirmed by Florida Senate. He also became the vice chairman of the board, becoming the first Indian to be appointed to this position in the 102 years since the inception of the board.

Mr. Varghese is married to Asha, a certified public accountant. The couple has three children George, a structural engineer on bridge design, Annemarie, a final year engineering student, and Paul, a high school student.