Assocham mourns L M Thapar's demise

New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) Assocham today expressed grief over demise of noted industrialist and Chairman of Ballarpur Industries Ltd (BILT) Lalit Mohan Thapar, who passed away yesterday.

The newly elected President of the chamber Venugopal N Dhoot described Mr Thapar as one of the pillars of Indian industry and said with his death a vacuum has been created which will be difficult to be filled in.

''Mr Thapar was one of the most admired sons of domestic business who founded BILT and earned for him a name in the paper industry in particular and also cultivated diversified business interests. His contribution for industrialisation will be remembered greatly,'' he added.

Mr Dhoot said that the real tribute to the departed soul will be in carrying forward his legacy that he left behind in undertaking many philanthropic activities particularly in the field of higher education and other areas of industry.

Mr Thapar, 76, died due to cardiac and renal failure. He was also Assocham's Past President.

The founder of Thapar Group of Industries, Mr Thapar took over The Pioneer newspaper in 1991 and ran it till 1998 when it was handed over to the present management.

UNI