My first memory of Nana dates back to when I was about 4-5 years old. We were at Coimbatore and I fell very ill. My other brothers and sister were dispatched to Ooty – just in case something was to happen to me ! Nana stayed back with my father to take care of me. Nana was almost 20 years older than me. He was more a father figure than a brother. KS Subramanian (Suppamani), younger brother of KSN |
As an observer of Trade, Industry and Commerce, I know he dominated the field for the last few decades, with a rare combination of serenity and humility. Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti |
He was a visionary and it is his foresight and dedication that has resulted in the creation of a strong and dominant group of companies in the south and his loss would be felt by the entire Indian industry. Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC |
He was perhaps the last of the great legends who were responsible for putting Tamil Nadu on the industrial map of the country. N Vaghul, former Chairman, ICICI |
I cannot adequately convey the gratitude that staff of the institute owes to your revered father for all his kindness at all times. Dr V Shanta, Chairman, Cancer Institute |
He was such a lively character and a big part in India’s progress. The measure of the man lives on with his family. TD Kenneally, BS&B, USA. |
His was a name to reckon with as a visionary in the world of industry. He also set a benchmark for ethical behaviour that very few can match, and even fewer can excel. MK Narayanan, Governor of West Bengal |
He was a pillar of industry in Tamil Nadu and was a role model for many aspiring businesspersons. I …was always impressed by his modesty and unassuming behaviour. P Chidambaram, Union Finance Minister |
He was a colossus in the field of industry. He covered the entire spectrum of every aspect of human endeavour. A philanthropist to the core, he enriched the life of many including myself. P Murari, Adviser to FICCI President & Former Secretary to President of India |
In his demise, we have lost a great industrialist, a visionary par excellence and a superb human being. M Narendra, CMD, Indian Overseas Bank |
Nana, with his heart warming friendly smile, elegance, poise, humility, sense of humour, friendly nature, integrity and generosity was a noble soul, who strode the industrial scene in Tamil Nadu like a quiet Colossus. SP Ambrose, I.A.S (Retd) |
One could almost pen a whole encyclopedia reminiscing about Nana. But it would be a travesty of justice, if one forgot what an extraordinary and wonderful friend he was to us. He knew that first he had to be a friend and then making friends would take care of itself. Deepak Banker, Industrialist & former President, FICCI |
I learnt from him how to manage the younger generation. My children like his also went through the process of imbibing the cultures and values of another country, during their pursuit of higher education. Managing them is something I do not understand at all. The way KSN handled his children taught me a great deal in handling my own. MK Kumar, former Chairman of Best & Crompton, Shaw Wallace, and Board of several companies |
He was a pioneer in Indian PVC and chloralkali industry. He also adorned various positions in public life and was a great benefactor of sports and cultural activities. Takahisa Miyauchi, Executive Vice President, Group CEO Chemicals, Mitsubishi Corporation |
The book (KSN’s biography ‘Friendships and Flashbacks’) is not merely reminiscence of a man who scripted an absolutely fascinating life tale for himself, but it is also a chronicle of the momentous changes that have happened in the Indian business scene, good and bad, in the last nine decades. Can we ever imagine a Commissioner of Labour giving a decision today, like the one given by the Advisor to the Governor in the Nanco Rubber Case? R Seshasayee, Executive Vice-Chairman, Ashok Leyland |
I had known him for several years when I was serving in the Ministry of Industry. He was a highly respected person and was very friendly and polite to everyone. GV Ramakrishna |