Venkataraman Krishnamurthy, better known as the ‘turnaround man’ for his work with public sector enterprises in India, passed away on Sunday at the age of 97 in Chennai.
In a spectacular career that saw many highs as well as lows, he will always be known for his leadership and contribution to turning around Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL), Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), and GAIL (India) Ltd (GAIL) into the most profit-making industry in India and globally. He was at one time among the most powerful people in India.
Mr Krishnamurthy was chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of BHEL, MUL, SAIL, and GAIL. He was also chairman of IIM Bangalore and Ahmedabad; IIT Delhi; Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar; and the Centre for Organization Development, Hyderabad.
He was also chairman of the Technology Information, Forecasting & Assessment Council. He was a Member of the National Advisory Council from 2004–08.
Among other positions, he has served as a member of the Planning Commission and secretary to the government of India in the Ministry of Industry. He was the chairman of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council, holding the rank of cabinet minister till 2014.
Born on 14 January 1925 at Karuveli in Tamil Nadu, Mr Krishnamurthy began working with the then Madras Electricity Board in 1944.
He had the privilege of working directly with India’s first prime minister (PM) Jawaharlal Nehru at the Planning…
