Suzlon Founder Tulsi Tanti, India’s Original Wind Man, Is No More

The Founder of Suzlon Energy- Indian multinational wind turbine manufacturer- has died of cardiac arrest at the age of 64. Tanti, Managing Director and Chairman of Suzlon suffered a cardiac arrest and succumbed to it the same day.

As revealed by his close friend Manu Pambhar, Tanti complained of chest pain in his car in Pune, while returning from a press conference held in Ahmedabad. He asked the driver to take him to a hospital, but breathed his last before he could get medical help.

Several leaders offered their condolences on the demise of the stalwart. Sumant Sinha, the Chairman and Managing Director, Renew Power, took to Twitter to express his grief:

“Very saddened to hear about the passing away of Tulsi Tanti. He was such a visionary and a pioneer of our industry. Many of us owe a lot to him. Truly a loss for all of us. Deepest condolences to the entire Suzlon family.”

“Shri Tulsi Tanti was a pioneering business leader who contributed to India’s economic progress and strengthened our nation’s efforts to further sustainable development. Pained by his untimely demise. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tweeted.

Suzlon Group CEO Ashwani Kumar called “Tulsibhai” the “pioneer of wind energy”, a “warrior against climate changes”.

He is now survived by his wife, Gita, son Pranav, and daughter Nidhi.

Tanti founded Suzlon in 1995- a time when the wind market was ruled by global players. He also held the portfolio of chairman for turbine part maker ZF Wind Power Antwerpen in Belgium since May 10, 2006. He also presided over as the president of Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association.

Tanti was the quintessential entrepreneur, building on a firm belief in an idea, and thinking beyond what even his biggest supporters would have imagined. The global financial crisis of 2008 tripped up his soaring ambitions to make India a wind energy hub, but he leaves behind a legacy in the form of a large market, and an ecosystem that still has an opportunity to build on the path laid by him.

Tanti’s demise precedes Suzlon Energy’s announcement on the opening of its Rs 1,200 crore rights issue on October 11. The firm was to repay debt accumulated, fund working capital and deploy the rest for general corporate purposes.