Tribute To SNR

It is not possible to summarize and compress a lifetime of learning and mentoring and even more a special privilege to have been at close quarters with SNR over 3 decades of my career at ESSAR and if one considers the amount of time I spent with him, it is incalculable.

His humility, empathy, unique intuition to read one’s mind to get the best out of everyone, mentoring and in his own inimitable style coupled with humor and wit at the right time pushing one to boundaries beyond your optimum will always remain a part of me till eternity.

Both my wife and SNR passed away in a span of one week. Losing both has kind of numbed me and it will be indeed tough to get out of this void and vacuum which they have left in my personal life. Their strength, fortitude, resilience, precocious and charming smile will always remain a legacy for me to pass on to my children and colleagues.

My association with SNR started sometime in 1993. The breadth and canvas of learnings and teachings he has given over the years is innumerable. I started my career in ESSAR overseeing the Exim policy and related activities. Over the years (PSR was the catalyst for these lateral functional challenges). One fine day sometime in early 1996, he called me over and asking me to handle an anti-dumping case faced by our Indonesian facility (I had no idea of what AD meant), handled CRG for steel business in Delhi, international sales for downstream steel, SEZ conceptualization and execution, Odisha project completion with regard to regulatory and other clearances, heading the commercial function finally at steel business. SNR was always there to mentor me for most of my professional responsibilities.

There are many learnings, experiences, teachings over these 32 years. I have accompanied him for meetings/breakfast sessions with CM of couple of states, senior bureaucrats, ministers etc. There have been many an interesting anecdote.

During our visits to Delhi for various meetings, he would always take a brief on the subject at hand. We would then head for the meeting. Once we entered the cabin, he would suddenly start at random with the concerned bureaucrat about some issue which was just not connected with the subject at hand. Then as we were about to end the meeting and walking towards exit (and me deeply concerned that we didn’t discuss the subject concerned), he would say “sir- I forgot- there is this small issue- I will get Shekar to meet you and brief you on the same-kindly see what can be done”. After 3-4 such experiences, I took the courage to ask him on this approach. He said, “You are the person handling the issue and it is necessary that the GOI official gets the proper brief from you and this also enables you to connect with them”. That was the kind of confidence, mentoring he gave.

Another anecdote was when we met the then Chairman of Niti Aayog-
Mr. Amitabh Kant. In this meeting RNR was also present. After discussions- Mr Kant made a statement “Ruias are amongst the builders of Modern Industrial India”. This was indeed a proud moment.

The innumerable meetings in Delhi, Odisha and the special weekend sojourns to Hazira and being on the ground to ensure projects were getting executed and those brainstorming sessions with Mehra saab and others will be memories for ever.

During our trips, SNR quickly picking up a paper and drawing some cloud patterns demonstrated his multi-faceted personality. I had this fear of flying especially when there was turbulence. He noticed it and explained to me how aircrafts can withstand up to Mach 8 levels. This he learnt during his visit to Boeing facility.

There were 2 other incidents which reflected his visionary thinking. One was the discussion with NOKIA to take over their Sriperumbudur plant for making phones. We signed a formal MOU as well with Nokia. In addition, he advised us to visit we went to Microsoft to look at possibilities of contract manufacturing of phones as well. This was way back in 2010.

So, lets us celebrate the life and times of SNR. Though Usha and SNR have passed away, I can only say “RAHEN NA RAHEN HUM, MEHAKA KARENGE”