Kolkata :

Narendra Kumar, a former director of Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd (BCCL) and chairman of Wearit Group, breathed his last in Kolkata on Saturday. He was 81 and is survived by wife Pramod Rani, son Manish and daughters Neerja and Nandita.

“As member of the board for many years, Narendra Kumar’s wise counsel was of great assistance to my husband Ashok Kumar Jain. The Times family remembers him with affection,” said chairman of the Times Group Indu Jain in a message. Vice chairman of the Times Group Samir Jain said, “Narendra Kumar’s long association with our company was cherished by my father.”

Kumar served as a director in the BCCL board for close to 50 years. Wearit Group has interests in the tea and textile businesses. Known as a visionary in the tea industry, Kumar held several important portfolios. He was the chairman of Indian Tea Association (ITA) from 1989 to 1991. He also headed Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations (CCPA) and was the chairman of Tea Research Association from 1993 to 1996.

According to Manish, Kumar leaves behind two tea companies and a robust textile business. The tea companies — Scottish Assam India and SPBP Tea India Ltd — have gardens in Assam. Wearit Group has textile plants in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The group has four plants in these two states. The Wearit Group is known for viscose, cotton and polyester yarns and polyester-viscose blends, polyester-cotton blends and polyester-linen blends. It has clients in Europe, the Middle East, the United States and the Far East.

A baithak to remember and pay homage to the departed soul was organized on Sunday at his Ballygunge Park home. Another baithak will be held on Monday at the same venue.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kolkata / TNN / February 16th, 2015