AFPTo use a cliche, but it is not a cliche when it comes to Rahul — he strode the Indian industrial landscape like a true Colossus. I have not seen many taller personalities than him. He stood out for integrity in business and he spoke up for Indian business where it was required.
He was very forthright and frank and said what he thought was right for the country and for the industry. He did not mind what the government felt. it was accepted when it came from Rahul, because it was in his character and they all knew that he was brutally honest.
At the same time, he had chutzpah. He could make tongue-in-cheek comments that would get everybody to burst out laughing and he could break up a very serious or tense moment with his sense of humour.
He was one of the people who shaped the automotive industry. It started with the Vespa and then Chetak became a byline for scooters. Nobody could ever challenge Bajaj in the scooter space. Even in the environment of monopoly, where you had to wait for years for a Bajaj scooter, he never ever compromised on quality or service.
He could push the government towards change. He was a great colleague and a senior industrialist to be associated with in the progress of not only the automotive industry, but for India as a whole
We might have differences, we might have had issues as competitors, but that never stopped him from coming along and saying "Hello, Venu," and putting his arms around my shoulders. He never mixed business with personal relationships.
He was a great leader and as all great leaders he had the ability to spot and nurture talent, whether it was family members or professionals.
There is a Kural in Tamil that roughly translates as - "The greatest service that a Son can do to his Father is for the world to ask , what great penance the father did to beget sons like these?" I think with Rajiv and Sanjiv as his sons this saying is apt.
He belongs to the galaxy of stars that include one of - late Sumant Moolgaokar (Tata Motors), Keshub Mahindra (chairman emeritus -M&M), late HP Nanda (founder Escorts) and late Brijmohan Munjal, (founder Hero Group) the great pioneers of the Indian automotive industry.
As told to ET. Venu Srinivasan is Chairman – TVS Motor Company.
He was very forthright and frank and said what he thought was right for the country and for the industry. He did not mind what the government felt. it was accepted when it came from Rahul, because it was in his character and they all knew that he was brutally honest.
At the same time, he had chutzpah. He could make tongue-in-cheek comments that would get everybody to burst out laughing and he could break up a very serious or tense moment with his sense of humour.
He was one of the people who shaped the automotive industry. It started with the Vespa and then Chetak became a byline for scooters. Nobody could ever challenge Bajaj in the scooter space. Even in the environment of monopoly, where you had to wait for years for a Bajaj scooter, he never ever compromised on quality or service.
He could push the government towards change. He was a great colleague and a senior industrialist to be associated with in the progress of not only the automotive industry, but for India as a whole
We might have differences, we might have had issues as competitors, but that never stopped him from coming along and saying "Hello, Venu," and putting his arms around my shoulders. He never mixed business with personal relationships.
He was a great leader and as all great leaders he had the ability to spot and nurture talent, whether it was family members or professionals.
There is a Kural in Tamil that roughly translates as - "The greatest service that a Son can do to his Father is for the world to ask , what great penance the father did to beget sons like these?" I think with Rajiv and Sanjiv as his sons this saying is apt.
He belongs to the galaxy of stars that include one of - late Sumant Moolgaokar (Tata Motors), Keshub Mahindra (chairman emeritus -M&M), late HP Nanda (founder Escorts) and late Brijmohan Munjal, (founder Hero Group) the great pioneers of the Indian automotive industry.
As told to ET. Venu Srinivasan is Chairman – TVS Motor Company.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)
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