New Agenda

L Lakshman, who took over as chairman of the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Assocham) on October 29, is seen as bringing the fervour of youth to the top post not so much because of his own age (hes 50, after all), but because his predecessor, H L Somany, was 75.

Nevertheless, Chennai-based Lakshman is brimming with youthful zeal, which is more than evident in his attitude and his intention to spend at least four days a week in Delhi.

Currently chairman of the Rs 550 crore Rane Group, which manufactures automotive components, Lakshman joined the Chennai-based outfit as a mechanical engineer in 1970. Later, he took a sabbatical to attend a business management programme for working professionals at London Business School. In 1982, he moved to Rane Corporate Centre and was responsible for managing the groups diverse enterprises.

Since 1984, first as vice-chairman and then as chairman, Lakshman has been spearheading the Rane Group businesses. Lately, he has been focusing on the international arena, forging joint ventures with leading multinational in the automotive components sector.

At Assocham, Lakshman is concentrating on the current state of the economy and the role the chamber can play to get it going. Significantly, amid the all-pervasive gloom over the future prospects of Indian industry, Lakshman strikes a note of optimism. I expect an industrial resurgence within the next few weeks, he says, brimming with confidence.

Theres another significant difference. Despite the thick swadeshi mood of the business community all around him, Lakshman is staunchly in favour of foreign direct investment, since it brings in money, technology and management expertise. But he also wants the government to ensure transparency and devise some mechanism against hostile takeover of domestic companies by foreign entities. Thats the agenda, for now.