Shri Rohit M. Mehta

16-04-1938 – 10-08-2010

The Executive Council of the Textile Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (India) is saddened to learn about the sad and untimely demise of Shri Rohit Mehta on 10th August 2010. The Textile Engineering Industry has suffered a grievous loss on his passing away and recalls with high appreciation his abiding contribution to the growth and development of this industry.

Shri Rohit Mehta was born on 16th April, 1938, and had his early education in Mumbai. He had obtained his B.Com degree of the University of Bombay from Sydenham College of Commerce specializing in Advanced Accountancy & Auditing. For his higher education, he went to the U.S.A. and obtained his MBA from New York University.

In industry, he was well recognised for his leadership. He was the Managing Director of Star Precision Electronics (India) Ltd., the Director of APS Star Industries Ltd., Chairman of Star Marketing & Services Ltd. and the Vice Chairman of the Star Group. The Companies were engaged in textile electronic instruments such as yarn evenness testers, fibre testing instruments, process control instruments with Swiss & German technical know-how, research & development for quality control instruments etc.

He was also Director-in-charge of International Engineering & Textile Services Ltd., Singapore – a firm engaged in the marketing of textile machinery and electronic testing instrumentation across South Asia and also in the modernization of textile mills – including project reports, team management and implementation assistance.

Shri Mehta was associated with the textile machinery and instrument manufacturing, management of textile mills, marketing and finance for over 4½ decades. He served industry in many ways. He was the Chairman of TMMA from 1989 – 1991 and was a permanent member of the Executive Council of the Association since 1989. He was the Co-Chairman of the Federation of Indian Textile Engineering Industry for the year 1991. He was the Chairman of Textile Mill Machinery and Accessories Panel of EEPC and also a consultant to textile mill & textile machinery units for setting up of new projects from 2005-2009.

His expertise and quick grasp of the problems relating to the textile engineering industry especially the actions taken in the direction of exports of textile machinery, parts & accessories evoked admiration. He was highly respected in the industry and the Government quarters and his advice was sought on important issues concerning the textile engineering industry.

He led delegations sponsored by various Associations to Indonesia and Philippines. Widely travelled all over the world, Shri Mehta had extensive knowledge of the products and markets of the Textile Engineering Industry.

He was also connected with and served in various social and cultural organizations.

He was ever pleasant, hard working and persevered continuously in achieving important goals.

The demise of Shri Rohit Mehta has created a void which is difficult to fill. He will be missed by the members TMMA and all his colleagues who had benefited by his counsel.

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Dr. D. Jayavarthanavelu

02-07-1940 - 11-06-2010

Dr. D. Jayavarthanavelu, [Past Chairman, Textile Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (India)]  and Chairman and Managing Director of Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd., Coimbatore left for heavenly abode on Friday, 11th June, 2010 at Chennai.  He was 70.

After his schooling in Coimbatore, Dr. Jayavarthanavelu equipped himself in the Faculty of Engineering in Coimbatore before proceeding to the US to complete B.S. (Textiles) at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science.  Thereafter, he took intensive training in production and management at Rieter Machine Works, Switzerland.

Dr.Jayavarthanavelu was the Chairman of TMMA from 1983 to 1984.   He was a permanent member of the Executive Council of the Association since 1985.  He was a member of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India and of the Development Council for Textile Machinery Industry constituted by the Government of India.  He was also associated with many other Committees of the Central and State Governments and made valuable contribution to the development/progress of the Textile Engineering Industry.

The late Dr. Jayavarthanavelu was granted the Status of Companion of Textile Institute, Manchester in May 1995 and was the world President of the Textile Institute  from 1998-2000, the first Asian to hold this high office.  He was also the past Chairman of the Indian National Office of the Textile Institute.
He has been conferred with Doctor of Letters by various Universities. He was also selected for the “Vivekananda National Award for Excellence” by the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya in February 2006.

He was a soft-spoken philanthropist and institution builder - he was President and Trustee of many Charitable Trusts.

He was amiable, hard working and persevered in achieving his goals.

Late Dr. D.Jayavarthanavelu was a guiding spirit for the Textile Engineering Industry.  His sudden demise has created a permanent void, which no one can fill.