V Krishnamurthy: The guardian of PSUs leaves behind an unmatched legacy

In 1967, a 41-year-old took over as general manager of the BHEL plant in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy). He had been pitchforked into the position after the then GM, R S Krishnan, who was training him for the role, died suddenly. Soon after, the new GM got a bust of Krishnan installed in the factory premises, announced that Krishnan’s birthday would be observed as founder’s day, renamed a school after him and also started a bridge tournament in his name.

“Many public sector managers remain anonymous and uncelebrated despite having done yeoman service to the country. I did not want that to happen in Krishnan’s case,” V Krishnamurthy, who cut his management teeth in that role, was to write 47 years later in his memoir, At the Helm.