Charat dies, cremation tomorrow

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) Eminent industrialist Charat Ram of the DCM group died here this evening.

He was 89.

He is survived by two sons--Deepak and Sidharth Shriram and two daughters. The cremation will be held tomorrow morning.

He was one of the three sons of Sir Shri Ram, who had built an industrial empire manufacturing a vast variety of goods like - textiles, sugar, alcohol, heavy chemicals, vanaspati, pottery, fans, sewing machines, electric motors and capacitors.

Dr Charat Ram was the Chairman of the Shriram Pistons&Rings Ltd. and Usha Shriram Brita Pvt Ltd.

FICCI President Habil Khorakiwala, described Dr Charat Ram as ''a visionary and an outstanding business leader''.

Mr Khorakiwala said Dr Charat Ram was a beacon of light for businesspersons in India, one who was dedicated to the cause of both business and its responsibility towards society.

Dr Charat Ram, a Patron of FICCI, was the chamber's President in 1973-74. During his tenure as the Chamber President, Dr Charat Ram, maintained that economic growth had to be so directed as to lead to larger employment opportunities and bringing down disparities in income.

Mr Krishan Kalra, Secretary General of the PHDCCI, who had worked with Dr Charat Ram for a long period, said it had been an enriching experience to have been associated with him. ''He was a tough taskmaster and I was lucky to work with him in my formative years as a professional,'' he said.

The CII in a statement said, ''In Dr Charat Ram, we have lost a doyen of the Indian Industry, noted for his business acumen, simplicity of lifestyle and respected by compatriots.'' UNI