Opinion - Letters to the Editor

A banking stalwart

Sir, — The passing away a few days ago of the former chairman of State Bank of India, Raj Kumar Talwar, has not elicited the type of eulogies the great banker deserved. Talwar created history when he took over as SBI chairman at the age of 45. If Lt. Gen. Bhagat was the best soldier independent India produced, Talwar was easily the best commercial banker. Himself a brilliant man, Talwar spotted and recognised talent and brilliance in others.

The way he stood up to the political masters of his time is of the stuff banking folklore is made of. He always called a spade a spade. He served as advisor to the Central Bank of Ceylon and also as Industrial Development Bank of India chairman. He strode the banking scene like a true and veritable colossus.

P.N. Ananthanarayanan,

Chennai

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Winning the vote and losing the debate
• A flawed `mandate' in Pakistan
• Living with the new world order
• Le Pen's rise
• Govt. wins, but emerges weaker
• Revive MEA's Historical Division
• After the vote
• The electoral cake
• An anti-climax
• A charade
• Wrong opinion
• Opportunistic visit
• Don't tax passes
• Congress and Sikhs
• Impracticable suggestion
• A banking stalwart

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu