11/10/2024
Adieu
I was fortunate enough to work with in 1998 as part of the Prime Minister Task Force on Food and Agri Reform. Bombay House 6th floor was the venue for the brainstorming meetings and discussions for 3 months. I realised the person and the leadership abilities that is required to lead India's largest Industry Group. He was quite a visionary and practical in his approach to take the reform process in the Indian Agri sector. Moreover, his jovial nature and playful bantering with of the Group lightened up the conference room.
In 2003, when I was returning back to India after completing my stint with , I wrote to him to explore with his group. He quickly lined up the leaders of and to interview me and work out a career path. I was equally impressed meeting, , , and then also. Things did not work out and I joined in Bangalore.
Fast forward to 2010, I was talking to as was the principal donor for the Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine and where I was on their advisory board. His humility in standing in the sun for over half an hour to wait for the political dignitaries who are always late. We had an occasion to discuss many topics while waiting.
In 2013 when I was visiting New York to attend the annual board meeting of , I came across RNT at the . Surprised to find him there, we greeted and again casually chatted. He had forgotten my name, but remembered me by face.
By 2017, when I was planning to set up my dream project of world's first Holistic Healing Resort and wanted his guidance, he gave me time and also quickly connected me to the board and leadership team at the . By this time, he was not at the helm as Chairman of .
On and off, I was in touch with his family office and his personal team and received positive response, guidance and inputs from his and his team.
The world has lost a great person and an industry doyen.
🙏 will forever live longer in my heart till I live.
