Remembering Mr. Vikram Kirloskar

A tribute to Mr. Vikram Kirloskar

Of late I have coined a saying.

The only thing clear in life is, everything is unclear.

One never knows what the next day brings. I woke up today to see the devastating news that Vikram san as we used to call him, is no more. He was just 64 years of age.

My first meeting with him was in the year 1995, when I had joined KTTM as a young engineer. Those days our offices were at Sri Lakshmi Complex on St. Marks Road in Bengaluru. Being the Chairman of Kirloskar Systems Ltd, he had his office in the same building. On being introduced, he was so warm and friendly and made us all feel at home. I can never forget that simplicity and amiable nature which he displayed.

In the year, 2000 when I was facing a major storm in my career, his timely intervention and staunch support saved me. My family and I are indebted to him for life. I cannot express my gratitude in words. In fact he was a Prathasmaraniya, or a person whom one remembers in the morning for me.

On the work front, he was a brilliant engineer. Though I was a lowly Assistant Manager and he was Chairman, he would discuss at eye level and engage in a healthy sparring. I do not recollect one single occasion where he threw his weight. He would show keen interest in what we were doing and appreciate generously. On one occasion when I explained a Rejection Reduction system which I had developed and shown a result of reducing rejection levels from 3% to 0,5%, he had playfully patted me with the cap he was wearing. All this happened in 2003 – 2004 and it is so crystal clear in front of my eyes.

We faced a strike in 2002 or so and it was decided that all management staff should operate the lines and produce whatever could be done. We slogged 14 hours a day for almost a month, and Vikram sir worked in the Diff Assy Line showing no frustration. In fact he would be cracking jokes with the young engineers. His biggest display of humane behavior was to ask HR to organize water and snacks for the striking workforce sitting outside in the hot sun.

On another occasion we were invited to his home for a dinner, around 15 – 20 of us, and he treated us so warmly, as if he would treat a guest of his stature. Can you believe he always addressed me by my name!!

Years rolled by and when I left Bengaluru, I decided to meet him and thank him for all the unflinching support he had extended to me. I was granted an appointment instantaneously and I took along some sweets and a fruit basket. He was in his office and politely chided me for being so formal, and immediately offered me a Head of Production position in an upcoming venture. It did materialize due to other reasons, but this was his way of showing recognition.

A few years passed and I joined TTIPL as a General Manager and my VP declared that he wanted me to meet Vikram sir, who was the Vice Chairman. On reaching his office at President Chambers, Ms. Claire Periera, his longtime secretary spoke to me warmly and inquired about me. My VP was aghast and when Vikram sir entered he engaged in a tete-e-tete for a few minutes enquiring what I had done during my stint in Germany with the another company. I can never forget my boss’s reaction, who said how come I knew him so well. All these are testimony to his great humane behavior.

Now that I had reached a top management position, we had the honor of being invited to the Diwali Celebration party he used to host at his mansion every year. I went with my family and Mr and Mrs Kirloskar greeted us very warmly, took us to the food pavilion and he personally asked me to try a few dishes. Mrs Kirloskar appreciated my wife’s attire and took a picture of our entire family. We did not for a moment feel that we were in the company of one of the richest and respected families in India, but felt very much at home.

I would wish him on his birthday every year on 19th November and he would promptly respond. I did it this year too, but alas can never do it again.

He was a great man, a brilliant engineer and visionary. But for him Toyota may not have set shop in India. He provided a source of life for many thousands and brought a great name to Karnataka and India.

May his soul rest in peace and may the Lord give his family strength to bear this huge loss.

Please forgive me if I have been a bit emotional.

The views expressed are that of the author only and not of AGCO GmbH.