Suzlon Energy founder Tulsi Tanti dies of cardiac arrest
New Delhi (PTI): Suzlon Energy founder Tulsi Tanti, popularly known as India's 'wind man', died of cardiac arrest at 64 on Saturday evening, the company said.
One of the pioneers of the wind energy business in India and a globally renowned expert on clean energy, Tanti envisioned the opportunity in the renewable energy industry back in 1995 when the global wind energy market was dominated by international players.
Under his leadership, Suzlon Energy grew to become the country's largest wind energy player with 19.4 gigawatt (GW) of cumulative installed capacity, 33 per cent market share in India and a presence in 17 countries. It has over 2 GW installed capacity in its second largest market, the US.
"With profound sadness, we inform you of the untimely demise of Shri Tulsi R Tanti, the Founder, the Chairman and Managing Director, and one of the promoters of Suzlon Energy Ltd on October 1, 2022. Shri Tanti suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away the same day," the company said in a stock exchange filing.
Before foraying into wind energy, Tanti owned a textile business which he sold in 2001. Suzlon got its first order in the US in 2003 from DanMar & Associates for supply of 24 turbines in southwestern Minnesota.
"In this difficult time, the company continues to be supported by its highly experienced board of directors and senior management who are both able and committed to taking Shri Tanti's legacy forward and realise his vision for the company," the firm said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too condoled his death.
"Shri Tulsi Tanti was a pioneering business leader who contributed to India's economic progress and strengthened our nation's efforts to further sustainable development. Pained by his untimely demise. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," he tweeted.
Tanti complained of chest pain in his car in Pune after returning from a press conference in Ahmedabad. He asked the driver to take him to a hospital but died before getting any medical help.
He is survived by his wife Gita, son Pranav, and daughter Nidhi.
Born in 1958 in Rajkot, Tanti graduated from Gujarat University with a bachelor's degree in commerce. He founded Suzlon Energy, now valued at Rs 8,535.9 crore, in 1995.
He was also the chairman of Belgium-based turbine parts maker ZF Wind Power Antwerpen since May 10, 2006 and the president of the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association.
Sumant Sinha, founder and CEO of ReNew Power, took to Twitter to condole his demise.
"Very saddened to hear about the passing away of Tulsi Tanti. He was such a visionary and a pioneer of our industry. Many of us owe a lot to him. Truly a loss for all of us. Deepest condolences to the entire @Suzlon family."
"He was the one who got me into the renewable energy industry, and made it more interesting through the sheer force of his personality. He was truly one of a kind," he added.
Tanti's death comes at a time when Suzlon Energy was set to open its Rs 1,200 crore rights issue on October 11.
The group was looking to repay debt, fund working capital and deploy the rest for general corporate purposes.
He was widely known as the visionary who pioneered the renewables revolution in India. He spearheaded the wind energy revolution in India with the founding of Suzlon Energy in 1995.
He envisioned the opportunity in the Indian renewable energy industry at a time when the global wind energy market was dominated by international players and characterised by expensive and complicated technologies that were largely unviable for traditional businesses.
Instituting a new business model, he conceptualised an end-to-end solution to create realistic avenues for businesses to 'Go Green' and thus emerged as a strategic partner in developing sustainable businesses.
Under Tanti's leadership, Suzlon emerged as a prominent player in the global renewable energy market.
His vision led to Suzlon setting up R&D centres in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and India that employ over 200 engineers.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
