Industrialist Rama Prasad Goenka, founder of conglomerate RPG Enterprises, spanning varied interests from power to music, passed away at his residence in Kolkata on Sunday morning.
Known as the country's 'takeover specialist', the 83-year-old industrialist was suffering from old-age related illnesses and breathed his last at 6am.
Eldest son of Keshav Prasad Goenka, he belonged to one of the oldest business families of the city. RP Goenka is survived by his wife Sushila and sons Harsh Vardhan and Sanjiv.
Goenka studied History from the prestigious Presidency College here and later attended an advanced management programme at the Harvard University in USA.
Described as “one of Bengal's true champions of industry” by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, RP Goenka established RPG Enterprises in 1979 which included Phillips Carbon Black, Asian Cables, Agarpara Jute Mill and Murphy India with a turnover of about Rs 100 crore.
Other major companies in the group's fold are power utility CESC, music production company Saregama and CEAT Tyres.
Goenka was one of the few industrialists who did not move out of West Bengal despite decline in the industrial atmosphere in the turbulent 1970's and 1980's and instead took over several industries owned by expats, who sold off their interests and left for their native places during this period.
The takeover baron acquired one giant company after another during the 80s, expanding the group's footprint across several businesses, including tyre, carbon black, transmission, pharmaceuticals, IT, power generation and music.
In 1990, his sons Harsh Vardhan and Sanjiv took over as chairman and deputy chairman respectively of RPG Enterprises.
In 2011, Sanjiv Goenka set up the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group for his own brand identity. Harsh Goenka continued as chairman of RPG Enterprises.
RP Goenka remained chairman emeritus of both the groups with a combined turnover of around Rs 30,000 crore.
He had served as president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FICCI) and Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
For several years he was chairman, board of governors, IIT-Kharagpur, which later conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
He also took interest in politics and was a member of Rajya Sabha from 2000 to 2006.
Goenka was known to be an excellent crisis manager and was close to former chief minister Jyoti Basu.
Following his demise, several industrialists, ministers and leaders visited the Goenka residence in south Kolkata to pay their last respects.
“I express my heartfelt condolence for the sad demise of RP Goenka. Today we have lost one of Bengal's true champions of industry,” chief minister Mamata Banerjee said.
Nirupam Sen, former industry minister during the left Front government, said it was a loss for the state and that he was indebted to Goenka for his advice on improving the industrial climate in the state.
Industry also condoled the death of noted industrialist and RP Goenka group founder Rama Prasad Goenka.
“One of the tallest business leaders has passed away from our midst and the country has lost one of its business doyens,” CII President Kris Gopalakrish Gopalakrishnan, who is also Infosys Executive co-chairman, said in a statement.
The CII has had the benefit of the late Goenka's visionary thoughts and guidance from time to time on matters of policy and issues, which ensured that the industry always moved in a progressive way in the country, he said.
“Goenka's erudition and knowledge was vast and helped the industry draw from his worldview “ he said.
FICCI President Naina lal Kidwai termed the demise of Goenka as a deep loss for the country. “Shri Goenka has been former President of Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce and Industry and through his relentless work he helped strengthen industry's recognition in the global economy. As President of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry he continued to strengthen India's ties with other nations...,” Kidwai said.