Prem Mehta succeeds Dr Ranjan Banerjee as Chairman of Lintas India

Lowe's honcho in India and ex-vice-chairman of Lintas India, Prem Mehta, has been appointed as chairman of Lintas India, following the demise of the company's previous chairman, Dr Ranjan Banerjee, on January 31, 2004. The Board of Directors at Lintas India Pvt Ltd made an announcement to this effect in Mumbai yesterday. In addition to the chairmanship, Mehta will continue to hold the position of managing director and CEO of the company.

It may be recalled that 82-year-old Dr Banerjee had passed away late last week, leaving the office of chairman - which he had held for over 23 years - vacant. A Unilever veteran who started his career with Hindustan Lever Ltd in 1950, Dr Banerjee rose in the company hierarchy over a thirty-year period, which culminated in his retirement as vice-chairman of the Board in 1980. Dr Banerjee was subsequently made the non-executive chairman of the Board of Lintas India, a post he held till a week ago.

Paying tribute to the departed soul, Mehta had said, "His passing away is the end of an era. He was an honourable man whose values of integrity, commitment and compassion were important to him above all else - above any form of self-interest. His strength and dignity could only be an example for us." Yesterday, following his appointment as chairman of Lintas India, Mehta, in a prepared statement, said, "I aim to continue the legacy of integrity, commitment and compassion that was epitomized by Dr Banerjee. His strength and dignity were an example we all need to emulate." © 2004 agencyfaqs!