#books
Driven
by Jagdish Khattar.
Jagdish Khattar passed law and later was selected to the IFS, but opted for the IAS.
He had a colourful career in Uttar Pradesh in the civil service, and his quiet efficiency and success in managing public sector undertakings caught the attention of his seniors like V Krishbamoorthy and RC Bhargava.
The government had nationalised Maruthi and Krishnamoorthy and Bhargava were chosen to lead Maruthi Udyog Ltd.
Khattar left the IAS and joined Maruthi in 1993 and succeeded Bhargava as Managing Director in 1997.
He transformed the company and turned the little Maruthi 800 into the largest selling automobile in the country. He earned the confidence of the ordinary people by establishing service centres all across the country.
He gained the confidence of Suzuki and continued as MD as their nominee from 2003 till 2007.
By the time he retired, Maruthi had introduced many other models and had the largest share of the automobile market.
His autobiography, Driven, is fascinating reading.
He dares to reveal the machinations of the politicians ( he himself received the patronage of many like MC Khanna, Sanjay Gandhi, Uma Shankar Dixit etc ).
Of particular interest is his account of the interference of K Karunakaran, the Industry Minister in the Narasimha Rao ministry and his Secretary, Thomas Mathew.
But Khattar was not able to replicate his success in his personal venture, Carnation Auto, a company formed to deal in used cars.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
