JK Group president Hari Shankar Singhania passes away

The 81-yr old Padma Bhushan awardee had been actively involved with JK Organisation since 1951

Leading industrialist and President of JK Organisation Hari Shankar Singhania passed away late last night at his residence here.

The 81-year old 'Padma Bhushan' awardee had been actively involved with the diversified JK Organisation since 1951.

"Hari Shankar Singhania passed away on late Friday night (February 22, 2013)... The cremation will take place today at 3.30 pm at Nigambodh Ghat, New Delhi," a group spokesperson said.

Born in Kanpur on June 20, 1933, Singhania had joined the group in 1951 after completing his Bachelor of Science. He was known for his entrepreneurial capabilities and setting up various pioneering ventures in India.

For his contribution in the field of commerce and industry, the President of India had conferred him with the prestigious 'Padma Bhushan' award in 2003.

In 2005, Singhania was awarded one of the highest Swedish awards -- Royal Order of the Polar Star -- by the King of Sweden for his contribution to the development of Indo-Swedish business relations.

Besides, he also received numerous awards and recognitions, including the '2008 Paper Industry International Hall of Fame Award' by the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame, Inc, USA, and 'Lifetime Achievement Award for Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship' from Enterprise Asia in 2010.

Singhania, who led various industry chambers and councils in India, was also the second Indian to serve as the President of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris, during 1993-94.

The National Capital-based JK Organisation has a wide range of manufacturing activities such as automotive tyres and tubes, paper and board, cement, oil seals, power transmission equipment, woolen textiles, readymade suits and apparels, food and dairy products, hybrid seeds, steel engineering files and cosmetics.

The group, comprising entities like JK Paper, JK Tyre & Industries and JK Lakshmi Cement, has over 30,000 employees and exports its products to over 80 countries across six continents.