Paying homage to the L&T CEO—who helmed the AGM for the 25th time—shareholders greeted him with flowers, and poetry in English, Hindi and Gujarati. Some got humour, filling the hall with laughter and applause, while others asked for a bonus
Farewells are bittersweet, as what appeared to be permanent long ago, is seemingly bound to change. But one has to let go. Raging emotions, a sense of pride and belongingness engulfed shareholders as they gathered at the Birla Matushri Hall in Marine Lines Mumbai, one last time, to meet AM Naik chair the annual general meeting (AGM) of Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
Paying homage to Naik, shareholders greeted him with raging emotions, flowers and some poetry in English, Hindi and Gujarati. Some got humour—filling the hall with laughter and applause—while some shareholders still asked for a bonus. One shareholder went to the extent of calling Naik as a man of ‘stainless steel’. Naik, donning a red tie, navy-blue Nehru jacket and a white shirt with L&T embroidered on it, looked visibly proud and accomplished. The octogenarian was helming the AGM of L&T for the 25th time, a journey he began as a junior engineer in the company, years ago. In 1999, Naik was appointed CEO of L&T.