Dr Neelkanth A Kalyani, founder of Bharat Forge, left for his heavenly abode on Saturday, August 24, 2013. He was 87 years old and died of normal old age. He is survived by his wife SulochanaNeelkanth Kalyani, his two sons, Baba and Gowrishankar Kalyani and his daughter SugandhaHiremath. Born on August 20, 1926 at Kolhapur in Maharashtra, Dr. Neelkanth Kalyani belonged to a family of renowned agriculturists and traders of Karad in Satara district, Maharashtra. Dr. Kalyani pursued his formal education at Panchgani and was a Merit List Scholar in matriculation examination. Thereafter, he joined his father in the family business. Dr. Kalyani was reckoned as a progressive agriculturist and pioneer of the co-operative movement in South Maharashtra. As Chairman of Maharashtra State Co-operative Land Development Bank for 12 years, he did unparalleled work in advancing funds to farmers for modernization, use of advanced agricultural practices and methods. As President of Mahratta Chamber of Commerce & Industries (MCCI) between 1990–1992, Dr. Kalyani gave a fresh direction to the institution in the areas of agriculture, industry, trade & commerce by providing a new global thrust to the chambers activities. Dr. Kalyani was a senior spokesperson of Industry at various domestic and International forums and was a member of the executive committee of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He was also on the advisory board of the Geneva based World Economic Forum (WEF) and, a member of the executive committee of the national level industry association viz. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). Dr. Kalyani travelled abroad extensively in connection with his group business activities and was a staunch supporter of the Governments liberalization program and believed that India’s integration with the World economy should be substantially speeded-up. He was the Founder & Chairman of Kalyani Group of Companies. Bharat Forge, the flagship company of the Kalyani Group, founded in 1961 is today the largest forging company in the world.Under his leadership, the group fostered Joint Ventures with some of the most respected global multinationals such as Rockwell International, USA; Allied Signals, USA; and Sharp Corporation, Japan. Dr. NeelkanthKalyani’s strategic direction for the group was “globalization through a technology led approach”. Dr. Neelkanth A. Kalyani was on the board of some of the most prestigious corporations that included: • Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited • Kinetic Engineering Company Limited • Finolex Industries Limited • Finolex Cables Limited • Sudarshan Chemical Industries Limited • Tata TD Waterhouse Trustee Co. Pvt. Limited • Lahoti Overseas Limited • Hindustan Construction Company Limited
Dr. Kalyani was a recipient in Doctorate in Science ‘HonourusCausa’ from Karnataka University in 1976. The president of India conferred the Padmashri on Dr. Kalyani in 1991 for his outstanding contribution to the Industry and agricultural sectors. This is indeed a great loss for all of us. Let us join hands in bidding him a last goodbye. May his soul rest in peace!