H Lakshmanan, former Executive Director of Sundaram-Clayton and Director of TVS Motor Company, passed away on Friday at the age of 92 due to age-related ailments.
Lakshmanan was instrumental in shaping the TVS Group, playing a pivotal role in the establishment of Sundaram-Clayton and leading the turnaround of TVS Credit into a successful non-banking financial company (NBFC) serving millions of customers.
“He was my go-to person when I took over at Sundaram-Clayton, and his mentorship, filled with the same enthusiasm and patience he showed my father, was truly remarkable,” said Lakshmi Venu, Managing Director of Sundaram-Clayton, in an official statement.
Lakshmanan worked closely with TS Srinivasan and later with Venu Srinivasan at TVS Motor, helping to drive the company to its position as a leading automaker. He served on the board of TVS Motor since 2000, becoming one of the most trusted mentors for the company, before retiring in 2022.
“Through him, I learned the wisdom passed down by my father. HL (Lakshmanan) had a remarkable ability to think clearly, offer sage counsel, and work tirelessly. He was my rock of Gibraltar,” said Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor. “He never settled for less, and much of what TVS is today is due to his dedication and sense of duty.”
Lakshmanan also played a key role in establishing joint ventures with global companies such as Dunlop for wheels, Clayton for air brakes, Girling for Brakes India, and Lucas for Lucas-TVS. He is survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters.
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