1

The Sanmar Group

9, Cathedral Road, Chennai 600 086.
Tel.: + 91 44 2812 8500
Fax.: + 91 44 2811 1902

Sanmar Holdings Ltd Sanmar Consolidations Ltd

Chemplast Sanmar Ltd Sanmar Shipping Ltd
TCI Sanmar Chemicals S.A.E. Cabot Sanmar Ltd

Sanmar Speciality Chemicals Ltd Sanmar Engineering Technologies Ltd

- Products Divn.
Flowserve Sanmar Ltd
BS&B Safety Systems (India) Ltd
Xomox Sanmar Ltd
Xomox Valves Divn.
Pacific Valves Divn.
Anderson Greenwood Crosby Sanmar Ltd
- Steel Castings Divn.
Sanmar Matrix Metals Ltd
Matrix Metals LLC

2
 In this issue...

4 10

Vijay Sankar, elected

12 Sanmar Shipping at the

4 President of the
Indian Chemical Council 21
International Marine
Environmental Protection
Committee
‘Responsible Care’ logo
‘Sanmartini’ 2018
6 for Sanmar Speciality
Chemicals and Cabot Sanmar 22 Employee engagement at its
best
Chemplast, Karaikal
N Kumar presides
recognised with ICC Award
7 for Excellence in Management 24 Musicology Memorial
Lecture
of Health and Safety

“Opportunities and
28 Beyond Sanmar
‘Electronic Eyes’ to enhance
Challenges in the Chemical
8 Industry” - Vijay Sankar’s The Sanmar Group Annual 25 City vigilance
Relief measure post cyclone
special address at CII’s Day 2018
ChemVision 12 A time to look back and Gaja
move forward
Sri Sankara Schools - All
Tribute to Founder President
KS Narayanan at the IACC N Sankar completes 50 years
26 round excellence
10 Southern Regional Council 15 of exemplary service
Golden Jubilee Madhuram Narayanan

TCI Sanmar’s Project
‘Challenges facing Chemicals
Industry’ -
28 Centre for Exceptional
Children
Expansion and Investments 10th Krishnaswamy
11 highlighted - Egyptian 20 Memorial Endowment Iconic Institutions of
Government’s Press Meet at
Cairo
Lecture - special
address by Vijay Sankar
30 Chennai
Madras Cricket Club

Matrix can be viewed at www.sanmargroup.com

Designed and edited by Kalamkriya, 9, Cathedral Road, Chennai 600 086. Ph: + 91 44 2812 8051/ 52
For Private Circulation Only.

3
Vijay Sankar, elected President of the
Indian Chemical Council

V ijay Sankar took over as the

President, Indian Chemical
Council (ICC) for a two-year period
Vijay reiterated ICC’s commitment
to ‘Responsible Care’ - the
environmental, health, safety and
on 28 September 2018, at a function security performance certification
organised by the ICC at the Taj Mahal programme, which currently has
Palace & Towers Hotel, Mumbai. around 50 members holding the
Vijay Sankar after taking over ‘Responsible Care’ logo, while over
Addressing the august audience, Vijay
the baton of ICC reigns from
Sankar noted that for many years the 100 members are signatories to the
Ravi Kapoor, the outgoing
President. industry had not got the prominence programme.
it deserves - either in the government “Even though the number of
or the media. “This sector needs very ‘Responsible Care’ companies have
intense interface with the government not gone up much beyond 50, ICC
and it is heartening to note that the is very focussed on not handing
dynamic new Chemicals Secretary
over the logo to all and sundry. We
at the helm has already initiated a
are also keen on ensuring that the
dialogue with the industry and is also
re-audits under this programme are
taking proactive steps to take along
also conducted diligently. We are
his colleagues from other departments
putting more resources behind this
in environment, commerce and
important programme,” he said.
finance,” he commented.

4
Vijay Sankar added that the ICC intensive sectors in the country and Vijay Sankar presenting a
had made a significant financial even though it was opened up for memento to the Chief Guest,
P Raghavendra Rao, Secretary,
commitment to ensure success of 100 per cent foreign direct investment Department of Chemicals and
its “Nicer Globe” initiative aimed at in 1991, the track record in attracting Petrochemicals, Govt. of India.
improving chemical transportation foreign investments has not been
safety. good. “ICC is totally focussed on
Speaking about the government’s investments in India and willing to
“Make in India” initiative, the ICC support any company wanting to
President noted that the chemical invest in the country,” he added.
industry is one of the most capital-

5
 ‘Responsible Care’ logo for Sanmar Speciality
Chemicals and Cabot Sanmar
S anmar Speciality Chemicals
Limited (SSCL) and Cabot
Sanmar have been granted the
the past 30 years, Responsible
Care has helped its member
companies to significantly enhance
‘Responsible Care’ Logo by the their performance and improve
Indian Chemical Council for a the health and safety of their
period of three years, beginning April employees, the communities
2018 to March 2021. The Logo was in which they operate and the
presented at a function organised environment as a whole.
by the ICC at the Taj Mahal Palace Responsible Care comprises
& Towers Hotel, Mumbai on various codes of practices
28 September 2018. including process safety, product
Responsible Care, a global initiative  distribution, product stewardship,
that began in Canada  in 1984, was community awareness and
enacted by the U.S. chemical industry emergency response.
in 1988, and is practised today in Chemplast Sanmar has already
68 economies around the world. been granted the RC logo since
Responsible Care is the October 2015. 
chemical manufacturing industry’s The above reiterates The Sanmar
environmental, health, safety and Group's commitment to excellence
security performance initiative. For in safety and sustainability.

Yogeeswara Basappa Gowda

receiving the Responsible Care
logo on behalf of Sanmar
Speciality Chemicals and
Cabot Sanmar from Samir
Kumar Biswas, Joint Secretary
(Chemicals), Govt. of India.

6
Chemplast, Karaikal recognised with ICC Award
for Excellence in Management of Health and Safety

N Palanisamy, Chemplast Sanmar,

Karaikal, receiving the Certificate
of Merit and Citation from
P Raghavendra Rao.

Chemplast Sanmar, Karaikal won

the Indian Chemical Council
(ICC) award for Excellence
in Management of Health
and Safety 2017. Chemplast
Karaikal has achieved 6.72
million accident free man hours
as on 31 August 2018 through
the stringent implementation
of safety management system,
strong commitment by the
top management and effective
employee participation. Being
a Responsible Care logo holder,
Safety Management System has
been extended to the neighbouring
community also through
sensitisation programmes. The unit
ensures optimum conditions to
ensure no issues arise on employee
health, with regular monitoring
measures in place to evaluate
occupational health.

7
 “Opportunities and Challenges in the Chemical
Industry” - Vijay Sankar’s special address at CII’s ChemVision
“
W ith its favourable ecosystem
and great legacy, Tamil Nadu
should seize the opportunity to
attract them as the State has a huge
coastline, the presence of capital
goods equipment manufacturers
attract investments from chemical and acknowledged talent pool – an
companies in Gujarat that are looking ecosystem that fits for the chemical
for an alternative base now,” said Vijay sector,” he added.
Sankar speaking at the 2nd edition of
“In Ankleshwar-Vadodara area in
ChemVision conference organised by
Gujarat, there are about 2,000
CII at Hotel Crowne Plaza in Chennai
chemical units/companies, which
on 21 November 2018.
is significantly higher than the
Addressing the CII seminar on combined units in South India.
“Opportunities and Challenges in the Despite having an impressive legacy,
Chemical Industry”, Vijay Sankar Tamil Nadu accounts for just
pointed out, “Tamil Nadu has always about five per cent of the chemical
been a pioneer in the chemical industry.”
industry. It lost out in recent decades.
“There is no reason why it should
However, things are changing, and
not be multiple times of the current
the State has the potential to attract
share,” Vijay Sankar said.
huge investments in chemicals
because of domestic and international He also discussed the challenges in
developments.” terms of infrastructure faced by the
Indian chemical industry though the
“Many of the chemical companies
sector’s pollution and environment
in Gujarat that account for around
challenges are nowhere near China’s.
60 per cent of India’s chemical
“India is developing the chemical
industry, are exploring a second
industry in a sustainable way, unlike
manufacturing base
China,” he noted.
outside of that State.
Tamil Nadu has Tamil Nadu has three chemical
immense clusters at Manali, Cuddalore and
scope to Thoothukudi. The familiarity with
the industry for over eight decades,
the abundance of skilled,
educated manpower
and the well-spread
infrastructure can help
tap the potential.

8
 Ramkumar Shankar, Managing Director of Chemplast Sanmar
and Convenor, CII Tamil Nadu Chemical Taskforce, said that
the chemical industry with present size of around $ 165 billion
has been registering 8-10 per cent growth and is the sixth largest
globally. With low levels of per capita consumption and fast
economic growth, there is huge potential for growth.

N Krishnamoorthy, Executive
Director - Commercial, Chemplast
Sanmar, made a presentation on
“Trade Challenges” focussing on
free trade agreement and anti-
dumping.

9
 Tribute to Founder President KS Narayanan at the
IACC Southern Regional Council Golden Jubilee

A t the golden jubilee of the Southern Regional

Council of the Indo-American Chamber of
Commerce (IACC) on 26th October 2018 at Hotel
its founder President, KS Narayanan (KSN) for
his initiative to start the IACC Southern Regional
Council in September 1969 and paving the way for
Taj Connemara, Chennai, rich tributes were paid to its success.
KSN laid a strong foundation for a new chapter
in Indo-American co-operation and under his
mentorship, IACC made rapid strides towards the
promotion of the twin fields of bilateral trade and
investment between the two largest democracies of
the world, India and the USA.
Accepting the memento on behalf of his father KSN,
N Sankar shared his nostalgic memories of the
inauguration of IACC Southern Regional Council
at the majestic Rajaji Hall and his involvement
with the Chamber activities. He also recalled the
success of several joint ventures with American
N Sankar receiving the memento from Robert G Burgess, US Corporations, including several joint ventures of
Consul General in Chennai in the presence of A Sakthivel, The Sanmar Group. Both Sankar and his brother
Chairman, IACC, Tamil Nadu. N Kumar have been past presidents of the chamber.

KS Narayanan with Kenneth B Keating, American Ambassador at the inauguration of the Indo-American Chamber of
Commerce, Southern Council.

10
TCI Sanmar’s Project Expansion and Investments
highlighted - Egyptian Government’s Press Meet at Cairo

A Press Meeting was organised

by H.E. Dr Sahar Nasr,
Minister of Investment &
successfully with no time and cost overrun.
Production has started in September 2018.
• TCI Sanmar facilities in Egypt are the largest in
International Co-operation,
Egypt, on the 17 September 2018 terms of capacity in the entire MENA region.
at Cairo, Egypt. Ms Yasmin Salah • 60 per cent of the production is exported to
Al-din, Minister of Environment neighbouring countries, thus bringing valuable
of Government of Egypt, also foreign exchange into the country. The products
attended. During this occasion, sold locally substitute imports, thus saves foreign
PS Jayaraman, Chairman, TCI exchange outgo of the country.
Sanmar Chemicals, spoke to
the Press in the presence of the Ministers and other • The company is contemplating to undertake
dignitaries. Highlights of PS Jayaraman’s speech: Phase 3 expansion involving an investment of
USD 125 million in Port Said.
• The Sanmar Group from India has invested
approximately USD 1.50 billion so far in TCI • TCI Sanmar involves itself in a number of CSR
Sanmar Chemicals S.A.E. and set up world class activities such as, providing ration to about
facilities to manufacture 400 KTPA of PVC, 450 poor families living near the plant, providing
275 KTPA of Caustic Soda and 130 KTPA of vocational training to unemployed youth in Port
Calcium Chloride granules. This is the largest FDI Said, providing medical assistance to the local
from India into Egypt in any project. villagers, etc. Moving forward the company
• The Phase 2 expansion involving an investment contemplates to increase the CSR activities
of USD 280 million has been completed substantially.

PS Jayaraman seen with Dr Sahar Nasr, Minister of Investment & International Co-operation, Republic of Egypt at a dinner
hosted at Cairo, Egypt.

11
 The Sanmar Group
A time to look back and move forward
An event that continues to make its decade. 7.3 % for the 5 years of this
mark in a new way year after year, government that will conclude and
the Group Annual Day this year 7.3% of the previous government.
hosted two voracious guest speakers, So,  7.3%  is a sort of average growth
at the helm of business publications - rate we have seen. This has to be
TN Ninan, Chairman, Business compared with what other economies
Standard and Adit Jain, Editorial with a similar stage managed to
Director and Chairman of IMA India. do, if you look in particular at the

A ddressing the subject, “Indian East Asian economies, during their

Economy and Politics,” Ninan period of rapid acceleration.... The
began robustly on the Indian economy, half century that I have projected for
“India is now the fastest growing large India, China has done in 30 years. So
economy in the world, and has been this is like a 400 metre race in which
so for a few years. It is likely to be so China is at the finishing line and we
TN Ninan, Chairman, Business for the foreseeable future. We have are still at the 250 metre mark.
Standard. tripled our per capital income since On the infrastructure development,
1991. We will end up as the third Ninan commented, “we have pumped
largest economy on the planet. huge sums of money, into the
The first and most immediate question physical infrastructure...But much
is we have done 7.3 per cent average of this infrastructure investment has
annual GDP growth, for the last not generated a surplus. Many of the

12
Annual Day 2018

Commenting on politics and the

coming elections Ninan observed,
“I do not see any situation, where the
BJP is not the single largest party in
the Lok Sabha after the elections. If
tradition is followed then the leader
of the single largest party, will be
called to form a government. There is
some speculation that there could be
a challenge to Mr. Modi’s leadership
from someone like Nitin Gadkari,
or others. I don’t subscribe to that.
And I have little doubt that when
the BJP parliamentary party meets
Adit Jain, Editorial Director and they will elect Mr Modi as a leader.
Chairman, IMA India. The question is, if the BJP does not
do well and face a significant reverse,
projects are stuck, they had to be will they take the position that Rajiv
salvaged, they have led to loans going Gandhi did in 1989, when he got a
bad, so in terms of contributions to 190 odd seats?”
GDP, this is pretty much negative,” A typical story teller that he is,
he said. Adit Jain discussing on the topic,

13
The Sanmar Group Annual Day

“Pieces of a Puzzle,” traced several Vijay Sankar took the audience

chapters of history, post-cold war era, through the major trends that
decoupling of United Nations with impacted business in the last decade
China, economics and the financial from a Sanmar perspective. The
crisis. global head-in and the financial
Adit Jain shared his perspectives under crisis, legal challenges, reconfigured
six heads - a move away from the rules- projects, serious challenges and
based order, an effort to decouple instability in Egypt, restructuring
the economies of the US and China, businesses on the one hand, and the
changing interest rate cycle and the PVC industry turnaround, stability
next recession, adjustments in the in Egypt after 2014, new investments
global supply chain, realignment of in Chemplast, financial closure for
geopolitical equations and changing Egypt projects, focus on product
business models - asset light structures, tankers and gas carriers in Shipping,
Vijay Sankar
automation, and artificial intelligence, and successfully restructuring the
that will come in a big way. foundry business on the other – Vijay
On the present trend of companies Sankar narrated the way in which
looking for ways and means to be asset the Group’s resilience stood in strong
light, Adit said, “everybody cannot be stead through a tough decade and
zero asset, but companies are looking weathered it all quite well.
for ways and means to be asset light.
Have a lighter balance sheet, use Complimenting the people factor at
leasing arrangements, etc. So, Airbnb, Sanmar, Vijay said,  “the important
Uber, cycle rentals in Europe are little reason for us having overcome a
examples that are indicative of what fairly turbulent decade has been our
might become a wider trend. GE no people. This is Sanmar’s strength.”
longer sells aircraft engines; it actually “We have also lived up to our
leases them out to airlines and reduces principles and value systems. We
the upfront cost and GE becomes a have not weathered it well at the cost
service provider and charges for the use
of compromising our principles and
of engines rather than a product seller.”
value system. That is something for
Both the speakers fielded a volley us to be proud of. We are also coming
of questions from the discerning out with our reputation intact and
audience. our head held high,” he stated.
The business managers of various
Sanmar businesses presented their
outlook on the year that went and
what lay ahead and highlighted key
focus areas.
Sarada Jagan, who anchored the
proceedings of the day and the previous
evening, raised and discussed several
internal issues. Ethics and Integrity
being hallmarks Sanmar is known for,
was the main thrust of her presentation.

14
 The Sanmar Group Annual Day

N Sankar completes 50 years of exemplary service

“A passion for excellence and a relentless pursuit of perfection have been the hallmarks of
his leadership,” - V Narayanan on N Sankar completing 50 milestone years at Sanmar.

T his Annual Day was special, as

it was an occasion to recognise
N Sankar for completing 50 years of
of perfection’ have been the hallmarks
of his leadership.”
“There are many facets to Sankar’s
service with the Group. Leadership. However, I will focus
V Narayanan, Independent Director, only on two of them.
The Sanmar Group Corporate Board, First he is a Proneurial leader - a
felicitating Sankar on his 50 years of Leader who combines the skills
“Management is
exemplary service said, “I have known and competence of a professional nothing but common
Sankar as a friend and as a Business manager with the vision and instincts sense. No bells and
Associate for over 40 years. I have
seen him evolve as an outstanding
of an entrepreneur is in American whistles.” - N Sankar
parlance Proneurial. Dave Ulrich,
entrepreneur, astute businessman, HR professor at Michigan has said
socially responsible citizen and an ‘Proneurial leaders envision and
iconic corporate leader. I have also execute;  only they ensure long term
seen him develop qualities and traits Success.’ Proneurial Leaders like
that endear him to people.” Sankar are thinkers and doers. They N Sankar receiving his 50 years
“Sankar’s leadership has played turn ideas into reality. They execute award for exemplary service from
a pivotal role in Sanmar’s rapid their magnetic vision with precision. V Narayanan, Independent
expansion and growth. A passion for They are a rare breed. India can do Director, The Sanmar Group
Corporate Board and N Kumar.
excellence and the relentless ‘pursuit with more of them.
Vijay Sankar is also present.

15
The Sanmar Group Annual Day

Second he is a People Centric Leader. People are the most “If I was asked to pick two reasons for succeeding, the
valuable assets of any organisation. They, not Products reasons would be, first, good fortune with luck and
deliver results. They form the vital link between second, and more important, people,” said N Sankar
strategy and implementation. People orientation is after receiving his 50-year award from V Narayanan.
therefore, central to Sankar’s Leadership. He spends
“My approach has always been to surround myself with
time and money to recruit talented people and to train
excellent people and stay out of their way and let them
and develop them. Rewards and promotions are merit
do their work. I have been blessed with a number of
based. He has in place a sound succession plan.
extraordinary people who had come to work for me
Trust is the glue that binds people together in any and have stayed with me. To have people of this calibre
organisation. In my view, it is trust which has united in the senior management willing to stay with us for 30
people in Sanmar to perform at peak levels and dedicate years and 40 years means we must be doing something
themselves to the corporate mission. All of you in the right. And we must be lucky to have such excellent
audience bear testimony to this statement. people work with us. It is built on trust. That trust
Sanmar today is what Rosabeth Kanter of Harvard is something that we have tried to practice, and it is
Business School calls a 5F Organisation – focused, engendered to our advantage. People have responded
flexible, friendly, fast and a fun place to work.” to our trust very well.”

A time to recognise performance

Employees of the Year

Clockwise: S Sankaran, Ramkumar Shankar, Dr Krishna Kumar Rangachari and Narayan Sethuramon receiving their ‘Employee of
the year’ award from N Sankar.

16
 The Sanmar Group Annual Day

Long Service Awardees

S anmar’s long service awards commemorate the significant milestone years of service of an employee. It recognises
10, 20, 30, 35, 40 and above years - the long-term commitment and loyalty of employees.

Standing (L to R): B Natraj, Preety Kumar, Adit Jain, R Padmanabhan, Dr Krishna Kumar Rangachari, N Sankar,
S Venkatesan, S Sankaran, V Narayanan, Vijay Sankar, Pradip N Kapadia, MK Sharma, Sanjay Bhandarkar,
PS Jayaraman, N Kumar.

Standing (L to R): Raju K Davis, V Srinivasan, PL Alagappan, T Muralidharan, K Chandrasekaran, TS Muralidharan,

Hemant S Dave, N Ramamoorthy, K Anandh, L Chirchabesan, N Sabaa Thanneermalai, K Karnan, M Ponnusamy, N Seshadri,
R Srinivasan, K Ramachandran Nair, A Rokkennedy. Sitting: V Narayanan, PS Jayaraman, Pradip N Kapadia, Vijay Sankar,
N Sankar, Sanjay Bhandarkar, Preety Kumar, B Natraj, MK Sharma.

17
The Sanmar Group Annual Day

The Sanmar Group Annual Safety Awards

As part of the Group’s commitment to Safety, awards are given away every
year to various plants, after a detailed review of their respective Safety
practices and performances.
A Safety performance award is given to each business, based on safety
metrics.
A Safety management practices award is given across the group based on a
comprehensive review/audit of safety systems and practices.

Winners of Safety Performance Award 2017-18

Non Process Category: Xomox Sanmar – Pacific Valves Divn.

Process Category: Coal Based Power Plant, Chemplast
Sanmar, Mettur

Shipping: Sanmar Stanza

Foundry Category: Sanmar Matrix Metals, Investment Foundry Safety Management Practices Award

Chemplast Sanmar, Plant II, Mettur.

18
 The Sanmar Group Annual Day

A time for camaraderie and fun

I t was an evening for fun and games with the Sanmar families coming
together. The decor, the games and the cuisine all spelt ‘Parampara,’ the
theme of the evening.

19
 ‘Challenges facing Chemicals Industry’ -
10th Krishnaswamy Memorial Endowment Lecture - special
address by Vijay Sankar
the current $ 150 to $ 170
billion.
As I mentioned in my
last talk at ChemVision
as well, there is enormous
opportunity for Tamil
Nadu to capture share
in the Indian Chemical
Industry. I think the basic
South Indian and Tamilian
ethos of being compliant,
allows us a far more
sustainable future.
There are many areas
where the Industry’s
Dignitaries on stage with
SN Pandey, Managing
Director, CPCL, Vijay
T he 10th Krishnaswamy
Memorial Endowment Lecture
organised by the Chemical Industries
growth depends on the
State Government’s initiative.
I recently took over as the President
Sankar, MC Sampath,
Minister of Industries, Association on ‘Challenges facing of Indian Chemical Council –
Government of Tamil Nadu, Chemicals Industry’ took place on leading Chemical Association of
M Ponnuswami, Chairman
14 December 2018 at Hotel Crowne the Indian Chemical Industry and
and MD, CII, Tamil Nadu
and N Venkateswaran, Plaza, Chennai. MC Sampath, had extensive interactions with
Chairman and Managing Minister of Industries, Government the Chemical Industry. As far as
Director, of Tamil Nadu was the chief guest. State is concerned, I am glad that
Ram-Nath & Co and Former
President of Chemical Speaking on the occasion, Vijay the Tamil Nadu Government has
Industries Association. Sankar as the President, Indian gotten off to a very good start.”
Chemical Council, said, “The Indian He felicitated N Venkateswaran,
Chemical Industry has huge amount Chairman & Managing Director,
of opportunities, and the Chemicals Ram-Nath & Co and Former
Ministry has set itself $ 1 trillion president of Chemical Industries
target, against our own estimate of Association on being conferred
close to $ 370 billion if we grow it by the “Rasa Udyog Ratna Award for
8% to 10% by the year 2025 from 2018.”

20
Sanmar Shipping at the International Marine
Environmental Protection Committee
S anmar Shipping’s
Kashyap was nominated by
CPK

the Institute of Marine Engineers

the two highest technical
bodies alongside the
Maritime Safety Committee
India (IMEI), to attend the (MSC).
73rd session of the Marine
Chaired by Hideaki Saito,
Environmental Protection
Japan, and Vice Chairman
Committee (MEPC) at London
of the Committee
between 22 and 26 October 2018,
Harry Conway, Liberia,
as part of the Indian Delegation.
the session was widely
This is the first time that a Sanmar attended by member states,
Shipping executive has been associate members and
nominated to one of the highest representatives from UN
technical bodies-the International programmes, specialised agencies and
Marine Environmental Protection other invited entities.
Committee, part of the International
During this session of the MEPC,
Maritime Organization (IMO)
some major issues were deliberated
under the aegis of UN.
and some adopted, which are likely to
The MEPC is one of the core be game changers within the Marine
committees of the International Shipping Industry going forward.
Maritime Organization (IMO). Kashyap introduced the Indian paper CPK Kashyap of
It consists of all Member States Sanmar Shipping at the
on marine plastic litter from ships.
International Maritime
(Maritime Countries) and is one of Organization, London.

21
 ‘Sanmartini’ 2018
Employee engagement at
T he Inter Business Group Competition -
“Sanmartini, a cocktail of explosive games,”
was held this year between the months of August
and November. To hone managerial skills, spot
talent, and create a sense of belonging are some
of the objectives of Sanmartini.
There were five events in all - Talk It Through
(Debate), All Roads Lead to Rome (Variety
Entertainment), Cricket Medley (Skill,

22
its best
Communication and Team Work Medley),
Convince Me (Business Presentations) and
Biz-Buzz (Business Quiz). Over eight hundred
employees came together for the different
events, from across locations, with team Midas
(Sanmar Engineering, Karapakkam) clinching
the championships. Team Atlas (Chemplast
Sanmar, Mettur) came a close second having
fought valiantly.

23
 N Kumar presides Musicology Memorial Lecture

A t the Dr SAK Durga Memorial she said, delivering a lecture on

Lecture, second edition, ‘Developing the future musician-
organised by the Centre for musicologist — challenges and
Ethnomusicology and The Study responses.’
Circle on Musicology, Dr Ritha N Kumar, Vice Chairman of The
Rajan, academic coordinator, The Sanmar Group presided over the
Music Academy, Advanced School function and presented the citation
of Carnatic Music was honoured. and cash award to Dr Ritha. Centre
“Post institutionalising music that for Ethnomusicology Director,
happened during the early 20th SA Murali Prasad, Convenor,
century, led to the rise in number Dr Shobana Swaminathan,
of musicologists in India. However, The Music Academy Secretary,
I believe one should be a musician Dr Sumathi Krishnan, were
first and then a musicologist,” present.

N Kumar presenting the citation to Dr Ritha Rajan in the presence of Centre for Ethnomusicology Director,
SA Murali Prasad, Convenor, Dr Shobana Swaminathan, The Music Academy Secretary, and Dr Sumathi Krishnan.

24
Beyond Sanmar

At Chennai
‘Electronic Eyes’ to enhance City vigilance

T he Sanmar Group has donated CCTV Cameras

to the Chennai City Police to enhance the
surveillance system in the city. This is in keeping
with the Chennai City Police Commissioner
AK Viswanathan’s aim to monitor Law and Order
and Crime with ‘electronic eyes’ by installing CCTV
Cameras every 50 metres and with minimum police
men on the road.

R Karthik handing over the cheque towards CCTV

Camera to P Govindaraju, Asst. Commissioner of Police,
Teynampet, Chennai.

At Chemplast Karaikal
Relief measure post cyclone Gaja

P ost cyclone Gaja’s trail of destruction along

the coast of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the
towns are limping back to normalcy. As part of
relief measure, Chemplast Sanmar distributed rice
to the villages – Mudali Medu, Vadakku Vanjore
and Keezha Vanjore – around Karaikal. 7.5 tonnes
of rice was distributed to 750 families.

25
 Sri Sankara Schools -
Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School, Adyar

A student of class VI of Sri Sankara Senior

Secondary School, Adyar, Kanghanaa
Karthik, clinched a gold and two silver medals in
the Scholar’s cup recently held at Yale university in
debates and quizzing competitions.

Annual

C olourful cultural programmes consisting

of classical and contemporary music
performance, classical, fusion, western and
contemporary dance and skits marked the Sri
Sankara Schools Annual Day this year.
While historian and Trustee of the Indian
Education Trust Sriram V was the chief guest
at the Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School,

(L to R) Mita Venkatesh, Principal, Sri Sankara Senior

Secondary School, Adyar, Sriram V receiving a memento from
N Sankar, and N Kumar.

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All round excellence
Sri Sankara Vidyashramam Matriculation Higher Secondary School,
Tiruvanmiyur

S ri Sankara Vidyashramam Matriculation

Higher Secondary School, Tiruvanmiyur
was awarded the Best Interact Club Award for
2017-18 and a cash prize by the Rotary Club
of Madras Dist. 3232 at a function held on
30 October 2018. The club also received the
‘First Runner Up’ award for the Four-way test
competition conducted for schools for the year
2018-19 by the Rotary Club.

Day
Adyar Annual Day, Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar,
Founder - Sneha and Trustee, of the Indian
Education Trust was the chief guest at the
Sri Sankara Vidyashramam Annual Day.
Proficiency prizes were given away to meritorious
students in the presence of N Sankar and
N Kumar, trustees, the Indian Education Trust.

(L to R) Kalpalatha Mohan, Principal, Sri Sankara

Vidyashramam, Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar receiving a
memento from N Sankar, and N Kumar.

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 Madhuram Narayanan Centre

15th National Workshop on Intellectual and

Associated Disabilities
M adhuram Narayanan Centre 
organised the 15th National
Workshop on “Early Intervention for
KYM, and Bharatanatyam dancer
from the Kalakshetra School, Paul
Devasagayam, committed to the field
children with Intellectual Disability of disability through the medium of
and Associated Conditions across physical education were the resource
Multiple Aspects of Development,” persons along with Senior teachers
on 15 and 16 November 2018 at the from MNC.
Archdiocesan Pastoral Hall, Chennai. In the deliberations during the
Dr Himangshu Das, Director - sessions at the Conference, MNC
National Institute of Empowerment presented a sharing of experiences
of Persons with Multiple Disabilities, by experts who, with their immense
Tamil Nadu was the chief guest. repertoire of expertise in the area of
Prof Sridharan, Trustee and Yoga multiple aspects of development,
Therapist at Krishnamacharya Yoga provided hands-on experience for
Mandiram (KYM), Jyotsna Narayanan, all and in particular, to the service
disciple of TKV Desikachar at providers.

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for Exceptional Children

29th Annual Day

The Madhuram Narayanan Centre for
Exceptional Children celebrated its
29th anniversary on 12 December
2018. Chief guest L Lakshman,
Chairman Emeritus, Rane Holdings,
spoke highly of the mothers of
the children for their patience and
perseverance in managing their wards
despite disability.
The highlight of the day was the
dance-drama presentation of MNC 
children with their parents, in keeping
with the theme of the Annual Day being
Mountains. A symbolic presentation of 
strong, steady and magnanimous glory
of six mountain ranges was showcased (L to R) L Lakshman, Chairman Emeritus, Rane Holdings, N Kumar, N Sankar
to the delight of the audience. and Roy Kho, Consul General of Republic of Singapore in Chennai.

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A feather in Chennai’s heritage hat
C ricket, the sport is literally rooted in the country’s psyche.
From gully cricket to one of the finest stadium in India,
Chennai has it all.
In 1860s, regular weekend cricket was being played on
makeshift wickets laid out on The Island close to River
Cooum. In early 1865, the Madras Cricket Club Committee
Cricket was introduced to India by European merchant sailors had sent in a request to the local government to be allowed to
in the 18th century, and the first cricket club was established use “a moveable fence” to enclose a portion of The Island, and
in Calcutta in 1792. Down south, Madras Cricket Club came to construct a more permanent cricket ground. The proposal
into existence in 1846 when an Irish civil servant, under the was rejected by the then Chief Secretary to the Madras
British government, Sir Alexander J Arbuthnot wanted a space Government, AJ Arbuthnot.
that could cater to his cricket addiction. On April 3, 1865, the newly elected Secretary of the club, Lt
For Arbuthnot, cricket was his religion and the Madras Cricket J Pennycuick, wrote another letter to Arbuthnot, this time
Club was his Church. It was a club founded for the exclusive requesting permission to enclose a parcel of land at Chepauk
use of the expatriate Englishmen in Madras at the time, who for the same purpose. Governor in Council had authorised the
would see it as a home away from home. Sir Henry Pottinger, club to enclose a piece of ground on the Chepauk premises as
the then Governor of Madras, was unanimously elected as the a cricket ground.
first President of the Club. The first half of the 20th century, was the finest years of the
Being a Victorian men’s club in the true sense of the term, club. There were four men whom historian S Muthiah in
the club had strict rules pertaining to dress and accessories, his book calls the ‘Four Musketeers,’ who took all the efforts
and did not allow native Indians on the premises till 1935. to bring the club to the forefront, but their names are not
Kumararaja MA Muthiah Chettiar was admitted as the first recognised anywhere in the history of Indian cricket. They are
Indian member, while Mary Clubwala Jadhav became the first RD Richmond, RD Denniston, CP Johnstone and HP Ward.
Indian woman member in 1948. The distinction for being The game was introduced to the native Indians and so started
elected the first Indian President of Madras CC belongs to a legacy of Indian players like M Buchi Babu Naidu, known as
AMM Arunachalam, who was elected the President in 1959. the Father of South Indian Cricket, in Madras.
The first pavilion was built according to the design created
by the celebrated architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm at an
expenditure of about Rs 3,700 and was inaugurated in 1866.
The club house and pavilion of the 1840s were demolished
in 1981. The reason being, in 1966, MCC gave the cricket
field to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) to
construct the stadium. The ground and all the stands barring
the pavilion belong to TNCA. Once the stadium came up,
little was visible from the old pavilion. The two squash courts
that were built in 1899 are now the oldest part of the club. The
first floor of the lovely red billiards room, built in 1936, used
to be the residential quarter of the secretary. 1940, Chepauk
The ‘Irwin’ pavilion and its garden seen sometime after 1927, Grasshoppers – a club for the member’s wives, children and
when the Hanbury clock was installed. lady members was started.

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 Iconic Institutions of Chennai

MCC Presidents vs Secretaries cricket match in connection with the 150th year celebrations. N Sankar and N Kumar were past
presidents of the club.
As of now, the MCC has 822 voting members. The There are two air conditioned banquet facilities in the
memberships usually open once in 10 years, the last in club. The Cricketer banquet hall can accommodate up to
2013.Madras Cricket Club also has 13 honorary members. 60 people, while the smaller banquet hall, Silver duck, can
Sunil Gavaskar was the first in 1983, followed by Kapil Dev, hold up to 25 people and is suitable for hosting parties.
MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar. The non-cricket playing For its members to spend their leisure time the club has a
ones include Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Viswanathan card room, massage centre, even a barber shop, and steam
Anand, Anand and Vijay Amritraj and Pankaj Advani. bath area. The Chambers at MCC provide a comprehensive
There are many fourth-generation members in the club range of facilities and amenities for leisure travellers. To add
today. Sometimes there are visitors from Britain who come to all these top class facilities, MCC boasts of a state-of-
to see the club because their grandfathers were members. the-art gymnasium, and international standard swimming
pool, coaching a number of games and yoga to make it a
The Madras Cricket Club has many firsts to its credit; it
desirable destination after a busy day’s work.
was the first to introduce tennis and squash in South India.
Tennis was first played at MCC in 1883, and it was the ‘Cricket’, the virulent orange tangy drink originated at the
first lawn tennis tournament in the south. The library in Madras Cricket Club and it goes well with Fish fingers - a
its premises is one of the oldest private libraries in the city. hot favourite for almost a century at MCC. The kitchen here
There are many national and international clubs affiliated for the longest time served only Continental fare. Bouncer
to MCC. Hockey started at the club in 1894. The first restaurant in the recent times has been known for serving
athletics meet in the province was conducted by MCC in lip smacking Pooris. An evening drink at ‘the Pavilion’
1895. In 1997, the club celebrated its 150th year. overlooking the ground is a visual treat to all sports lovers.

Indian cricket icon praises training camp at IIT-Chemplast cricket ground.

“We have had camps before and since, but the one at the IIT grounds in Chennai
ahead of that Australian series was the best I have been a part of. To me, that
camp was the game changer for Indian cricket. Previous camps had been about
coming together, hitting the nets, going back home. This one was different,
invigoratingly so.
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 A publication of The Sanmar Group

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