Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jan 13: Chairman and managing director of the prestigious Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE), which is based in Chennai, A Sivasilam (76), breathed his last due to cardiac arrest at Manipal Hospital on Wednesday January 12. He was on a pilgrimage to Sringeri, when he suffered cardiac arrest.

Sivasailam was on a visit to Sringeri temple along with his daughter, son-in-law and other family members. Immediately after he suffered cardiac arrest there, he was brought in a special helicopter to Manipal Hospital. Although specialist doctors tried their best to save him, Sivasailam could not be saved. His mortal remains were later flown by air to Chennai.

TAFE is a reputed firm engaged in manufacturing tractors, diesel engines, gears, and other farm equipment. Sivasailam was the chairman of India Pistons Ltd, Amalgamation Group, IP Rings Ltd, in addition to TAFE. TAFE has its manufacturing units in Bhopal, Madhurai, Doddaballapur, and Chennai, and it is one of the top ten companies in terms of the number of tractors being manufactured annually. It has a work force of 12,000, and the company’s annual turnover exceeds one billion dollar.

Sivasailam studied in the Institute of Chartered Accountants, London, before joining Edison Company, Chennai, as controller, in 1957. He joined TAFE as general manager in 1961, and since 1968, has been its chairman and managing director. Sivasailam, a globally renowned personality, also had been conferred top civilian award, ‘Padma Shri’ by the Government of India this year.