'True veteran of Tatas': Ratan Tata mourns the death of friend and colleague RK Krishna Kumar

“Words cannot describe the deep sense of loss...” These were the words of Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of the Tata Group following the death of R.K. Krishna Kumar, the former director of Tata Sons.

Krishna Kumar passed away on Sunday following a cardiac arrest. He was a Tata Group veteran, joining Tata Administrative Services back in 1963, and held key positions at companies like Indian Hotels and Tata Global Beverages (now Tata Consumer Products).

"Words cannot describe the deep sense of loss I feel on the passing of my friend and colleague Mr. R K Krishna Kumar. I will always fondly remember the camaraderie we shared both within the group and personally," Tata said.

Krishna Kumar was a close confidante of Mr Tata and had played a key role in striking major deals like the acquisition of British tea company Tetley, making Tata the second largest tea company in the world.

Krishna Kumar retired as the vice-chairman and MD of Tata Global Beverages. He was also the vice-chairman of Indian Hotels, which operates the Taj Group of luxury hotels, until 2013. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009.

"He was a true veteran of the Tata Group and the Tata Trusts and will be missed dearly by all," said Mr. Tata.
Tata Group chairman N. Chandrasekaran too had paid his tribute to Krishna Kumar on Sunday night. Krishna Kumar made an enormous contribution to the Tata Group over his lifetime, he had said.

"I had the good fortune of knowing him and what stood out was his deep sense of compassion as a human being. He always wanted to help the less privileged and positively impact their lives. We pray for his departed soul and will sorely miss him," Chandrasekaran said.