Famed industrialist Deepak Khaitan, vice chairman of the Kolkata-based Rs.5,000 crore Williamson Magor Group (WMG), died here on Monday after prolonged illness, group sources said. He was 59.
Khaitan is survived by his wife Yashodhara, son Amritnashu and daughter Nitya Bangur.
With varied experience in the beverages, engineering and battery industry, he served on the board of four WMG companies -- McLeod Russel, Eveready Industries, McNally Bharat Engineering and Kilburn Engineering -- and was instrumental in the acquisition of battery major Eveready brand from Union Carbide in 1995.
Recalling his long-term association with Khaitan at Eveready and McLeod Russel, R.S. Jhawar, a former director of both the firms, told IANS: "Khaitan was very open-hearted and transparent person. He was very proactive in acquiring the Eveready brand and provided excellent leadership to WMG."
Jhawar also said Khaitan was a sportsman himself and loved horse races.
"He was member of many sports bodies but loved horse racing above all," he said, adding that Khaitan was a Calcutta Turf Club member.
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Industry associations in the city also mourned the death of the stalwart who turned McLeod Russel into the world's largest tea producer after acquiring the stakes of the UK-based Magor family in July 2005 in several tea estates.
"His dedication, unending patience and relentless efforts will continue to inspire younger generations. A deep void has been created in the corporate world which is difficult to fill," MCC Chamber of Commerce said in a statement.
The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industries also lamented his demise. Its director general P. Roy said Khaitan was "an industrial doyen from Bengal".