IDFC-Shriram merger shows Piramal's entrepreneurial approach: R Thyagarajan

In a Q&A, the group's founder says he is optimistic about the merger deal

Last week, the Chennai-based Shriram Group and IDFC announced they were looking at a possible merger of Shriram’s finance businesses with IDFC and IDFC Bank. R Thyagarajan, who founded the now-huge conglomerate in 1974, speaks to T E Narasimhan and Gireesh Babu on merger talks and the way forward. .Edited excerpts:

What led Shriram to consider this merger?

Shriram has always believed in partnership. Over the years it has had various partners who have contributed. It was not only IDFC — many proposals came in the past two or three years, from a big bank, a small bank and an NBFC) non-bank