A TRUE NATIONALIST

BALA AND I ARE EXTREMELY saddened to hear about the demise of Suman, a friend, philosopher and guide for me over four decades. 

- Mahendra Kumar Sharma

He mentored me, coached me - indeed nurtured me into a professional and provided me insights into dealing with people at large and the government in particular. He also had mastered the art of influencing public policy - but it was for him - like many Hindustan Unilever (HUL) present and past stalwarts - India first, Company next. He was a true nationalist.

In any issue that we faced he would first articulate why the decision was good for India. In the 1980s and 1990s foreign companies were always expected to work in core areas. He said small and medium businesses cannot invest in non-Appendix I industries and the government cannot be expected to do everything. That stance enabled Hindustan Unilever to invest in backward areas and to setting up facilities at Chindwara in Madhya Pradesh and Orai and Sumerpur in Uttar Prades