V. Narayanan, the former Chairman of Goodyear India and Founder Trustee of Chennai Willingdon Corporate Foundation, passed away on Tuesday morning at his residence here.
Born on November 7, 1918, in a small village near Chidambaram, Mr. Narayanan rose to become an elected member in the board of directors of Goodyear India, a company he joined as a junior staff member. He eventually became the Chairman and Managing Director.
On his retirement from Goodyear in 1988, Mr. Narayanan founded a family trust named Ashavattha Charitable Trust here. He was also assisting other charities, including the Andhra Mahila Sabha, as its honorary adviser.
Renovation of temples in and around his home town was another fond activity of Mr. Narayanan.
He also had a keen ear for Carnatic music.
Among the many awards and accolades he earned, was the Golden Award presented by Helpage India in 1999.
As the chief executive of the Willingdon Hospital, Chennai, from 1993, Mr. Narayanan, with great patience and skill, managed the transition of the hospital's assets into a charitable institution called the Chennai Willingdon Corporate Foundation.
He conducted the affairs of the Foundation with utmost diligence, exhibiting outstanding management skills, and establishing a worthy model of corporate governance in assessment of donation requests and distribution of funds.
Ensuring that the donations were applied to segments that benefit society, he also played a catalytic role in influencing the affluent sections of society to render help and assistance to worthy causes.
Out of the several noble initiatives for which he relentlessly endeavoured, Mr. Narayanan considered his five-year effort in Annai Sathya Nagar the jewel in his crown.
He was instrumental in transforming the slum into a liveable colony for 3,500 persons — with desirable amenities in a healthy neighbourhood.
In the demise of Mr. Narayanan, Chennai has lost a Good Samaritan and a ‘citizen' who was never afraid to speak his mind on matters of public good.
He leaves behind his wife Visalakshi, daughter and son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grand children.
