Niira Radia — the formidably networked corporate lobbyist whose leaked telephone conversations with politicians, journalists and businessmen tarnished or destroyed the reputation, and even career, of many movers and shakers in the Capital, has decided to quit the public relations business.
In a statement on Sunday, Ms. Radia, whose top clients include the Tata group and Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd., cited personal reasons for her decision. “To give precedence to my personal priorities of family and health, I have decided against renewing any client mandates and to exit the business of communications consultancy. It is a painful decision which has been taken after much consideration and consultation with my family, doctors, clients and colleagues,” she said.
Efforts on to place employees elsewhere
She is the head of Vaishnavi Corporate Communications Pvt. Ltd. (VCCPL) and an associate of hers told The Hindu that the company was shutting down. Efforts are on to place its 200-odd employees elsewhere, with RIL already absorbing 30.
Though she made her reputation operating below the radar as a person who could get things done during the BJP-led NDA government, Ms. Radia came into the limelight in 2009 after it was alleged that she lobbied successfully for DMK politician A. Raja, now in the Tihar jail in the 2G spectrum scam, to get him the Telecom portfolio in the Congress-led UPA-II. It is also alleged that she influenced government decisions in favour of the Tata Group's communications business.
After the infamous ‘Radia tapes,' which contain long conversations between her and a raft of top corporate, political and media figures, were leaked, Ms. Radia came under the scrutiny of various law enforcement agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.
In an internal mail to all her employees, Ms. Radia said: “For many years, a few with vested interests have been trying to cause harm to Vaishnavi and me personally. Till the recent past, I would fight back, survive and probably react. However, today, I want to give them their victory and let them savour it. If that makes them better human beings then I am happy to have brought in a positive change in them.”
Keywords: Niira Radia, Radia tapes, corporate lobbying, Vaishnavi Communications, 2G spectrum scam, radiagate
She would find it difficult to continue in the same line of work.
PR firm, if it could make a fortune in less than a decade, why not give it a call to retire, Make hay while the 'sun' was there. 300CR net assets , come on, one can retire..in cloud 9
I enjoyed the pun in 'tata'.Yet it is blind nda baiting that led Sandeep Joshi to make the line..Though she made her reputation operating below the radar as a person who could get things done during the BJP-led NDA government..'. The significance or notoriety of ms Radia lies in her effort (even over riding the 'P'uppet 'M'an) to get the(now) infamous 'king' during the Utter corrupt alliance I mean UPA.
A highly controversial lady, whose dealings and their implications for our nations' economy, we are only just beginning to fathom.
Not surprising. Niira Radia is probably less effective as a 'covert' lobbyist after all the exposure she has received. The 'radar evading' capabilities are now gone. To well heeled corporates, there are hordes of other lobbyists, PR firms and reliable 'media shapers'. Niira Radia will be forgotten by them, but remembered by the Indian public.
It's true. Democracy just does not work. No matter how many Niiras come, and no matter how much of fuss any number of Anna's create, all will be forgotten and forgiven. Vir Sanghvi is happy doing his editorial, Burkha 'Who cares' dutt has proudly followed her NDTV on screen. And public, including me, forgotten everything and stood quietly for some time and then carried on with our work. Anna'time-wasting' hazare wasted a billion people's at least 24 hours that could have put to better use. Now I would not be surprised if he is making his own political campaign. I would look like a joker also to consider govt would again kneel before him if he were to do a fasting. Nature has its own way of healing and recovering things. You cannot expect this small pack of dynamites in the form of anna and niira to blow up 50+ years of strong bridge. Good Luck India. We are with you but our daily bread winning duties get beaten up in your campaign which does not end no where.
Good Riddance!!!!
she should be requested to open an academy in 'corporate lobbying' which is her trade mark. in india, only 'fools' get caught while the 'intelligent' become 'celebrity' and earn fame and fortune with elan.
I wonder why she went unpunished for all the scam, starting from fixing the ministers appointment as per the big guns in the business to being a broker for kickbacks. May that be a reason, she was in favour of both Congress and BJP due to which, they are unable to open their mouth or take action.
There is something wrong. Shutting down the company for what? Is some evidence being destroyed? People are not dumb enough to believe she is quitting for health reasons as that is a standard reason in business. Crooks will always try to show they are something else when clearly the recorded tapes show that she has done wrong. The business world can be as corrupt and unethical as politicians unfortunately and the only way to beat them is to FIGHT.
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