The seed of Social responsibility sown by Shri. Shantanurao Kirloskar has spread across all Kirloskar Group of companies. Today, this ‘responsibility’ embraces many more facets of social causes.
A visionary industry stalwart, Shri. Shantanurao was equally concerned with the responsibility a corporate entity has in moulding society in which it operates. It was his firm belief that any social transformation would be successful and sustainable if it began with children.
He said …and we quote : ” Cleanliness and beauty are two sides of the same coin. It is a misconception that cleanliness and beauty requires more money. Cleanliness and beauty require only vision, and if a citizen has this vision, he will create a clean and beautiful environment around him”.
” However, the passion for cleanliness has to be nurtured from childhood. Children are most receptive to good values and are prone to inculcate what they see around them. Aren’t our school children the future citizens of India ?”
“It is our responsibility to nurture and develop millions of future citizens who are committed to cleanliness and beauty. To achieve this, we should sow the seeds of these values in children at school level. Patriotism has many outlets and I consider the mission of promoting cleanliness through ‘Clean and Beautiful School Scheme’ no less an act of patriotism. “
Shri. Shantanurao Kirloskar was the Chairman and the mastermind pillar of the more than 130 years old Kirloskar Group's growth and transformation into one of India's leading business conglomerates.
A quintessential industrialist, Shri. S. L. Kirloskar was awarded the Padma Bhushan in the year 1965 for his contribution to trade and industry. On 26 February 2003, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India, released a commemorative postage stamp marking the 100th anniversary of Shri. S. L. Kirloskar's birth.
The commemorative postage stamp issued by Department of Post office and Telegraph, Government of India on the occassion of Shri. Shantanurao Kirloskar's birth centenary was released by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on 26th February 2003.
Shri. Shantanurao Kirloskar was a global thinker and an enterprising person who had the courage and the confidence in the potential of his own country even in the pre-independence era. He often said, "Economic preparedness is as vital as military preparedness." He viewed India as a part of the rest of the world and worked towards making India globally competitive. After the end of World War II, the Kirloskar Group grew rapidly under the leadership of Shri. S. L. Kirloskar. He created a business empire that enjoyed one of the highest growth rates in Indian history, a 32.40% growth of assets from 1950 to 1991.
Shri. Shantanurao Kirloskar was awarded Padma Bhushan in the year 1965 for his contribution to trade and industry.
Date of Publication : 26th February 2003
The stamp has been designed by India Security Press, Nashik Road and depicts the growth of Kirloskar industries from the barren field of cactuses to Engineering excellence during the past 100 years and published by Department of Post and Telegraph, Government of India was released by the Prime Minister, Mr Rajeev Gandhi.
Date of Publication : 20th June 1989
