Anu has the rare capacity to heal grief. She is always ready to talk people through their traumas. What I most admire about Anu is her courage and meticulousness. Under Anu’s leadership, Thermax grew in size and profits. After she handed over the reins to her daughter Meher, Anu decided to help the underprivileged. She could have written out many cheques but chose the harder route.
The Loss Seemed Insurmountable
Moreover, having gone public a year earlier, the company was now accountable to shareholders. “It was a huge responsibility. The board had to take the tough decision of her heading the organisation within 48 hours of dad’s demise,” Meher says. What made things worse was the downturn in the Indian economy, which caused Thermax’s share price to plunge from Rs 400 to Rs 36.
“My mother’s courage of conviction surfaced and she had to come up with a turnaround plan,” Meher says. Soon after, says Gita Piramal, Anu transformed herself with “courage and uncommon common sense from an HR head to a chairman. She succeeded magnificently, as Thermax’s performance shows.”
(This story appears in the 02 September, 2016 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
Bare words are not enough appreciation for Anu. Salute! She is just amazing, Meher doesn't fall short by any means ...Kudos ! My sincerest regards and wishes goes to them.
on Sep 5, 2016I was fortunate to work for Thermax. I have seen Mrs. Anu Aga from close quarters. Thermax is surely an 'institution in itself' with a humane approach, excellent HR policies and a desire to excel with strong values. Long live Anu and very best wishes for Thermax for their ambitious journey.
on Sep 5, 2016I first met Anu at one of those PUNE NHRD CHAPTER meets along with the other founder members of the Pune chapter. Anu was very passionate about human resources as one of the key functions of an organisation and at that she was also heading the HR portfolio at Thermax. Subsequently I kept meeting her on a few occasions for HR Meets, few of which were held at the Thermax factory premises. She handled her personal loss with bravery and resilience. I got to understand from our close associates in the fraternity that she found vipassana to be a very powerful practice. I continue to have the highest regards for her as a great human being with humility, and very down to earth....besides being a great business leader who created an enviable environment for employees to want to stay with THERMAX contributing to the low attrition rate thermax has enjoyed, which the then HR TEAM used to proudly refer to as the THERMAX FACTOR.
on Sep 5, 2016I started my career with Thermax quite some time back just after completing my education. Getting selected in a campus interview and that also to work for Thermax was an achievement those days. Thermax moulded me into what I am today. Those professional seniors I worked with, made my working habits! Though reluctantly I left Thermax for better career options, I won't forget the 'Sanskaar' at Thermax which made me what I am today. One thing I will never ever forget is the simplicity of the gem of a person, Mr. Aga and then Mrs Anu Aga. Once at Thermax office, I heard a voice coming from behind: "I am sorry, but I am rushing for some work." The gentleman wanted me to give him a way. That was a request from the senior most person to the junior most person. He was Mr Aga. That noble spirit guided the way and Thermax reached greater heights. Wish Thermax growth n Success ...Always!
on Aug 30, 2016Today I met this noble, graceful lady at the ETPrime Women Leadership Awards function at the Taj Lands End, Bandra. The evanescence of our life on earth was one of the things that she stressed in her speech today . The tragedies in her life as mentioned in this article and the way in which she faced them add another dimension to her words.
on Mar 29, 2019