Chairman, Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI)
Interview with Mr. Sivarajah and Mr. Murugappan by Mr. Jubran Siddique | StartupTN | Murugappa Group
It was my honor to host a short and crisp panel discussion with Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan, Mission Director, StartupTN, and Mr. MM Murugappan, Executive Chairman of the Murugappa Group at TiECON Chennai 2022.
Interviewer: Mr. Jubran Siddique, CEO (Evoqe Digital)
www.jubran.in
Interviewee 1: Mr. M. M. Murugappan (Former Head of the Murugappa Group)
Mr. Murugappan is a fourth-generation member of the Murugappa family and the Executive Chairman of the Murugappa Group Corporate Advisory Board since Feb 2018. He is Chairman of Tube Investments of India Ltd, Carborundum Universal Ltd and Coromandel...
Transcript (17 segments)
M
M Murugappan1:19
My name is Murugappan. I used to be the head of the Murugappa Group. I retired two years ago. Now I'm happily and busily retired, and amongst the various things that I do, I spend time here at the IIT Research Park, working with companies that need my time. And I learn a lot from them, so I hope to learn even more.
I
Interviewer1:48
What is your experience of TiEkon till now?
M
M Murugappan1:50
The startup ecosystem, this iconic event—for the past, this is the 15th year I think. So for 15 years I was in the startups... Close to heart event and the organization. So this is the first time I've ever been to a TiEkon event. And to TiEkon, thank you very much for the honor. I find it very energizing and inspiring.
I
Interviewer2:56
A moment in your life that defines resilience?
M
M Murugappan3:00
There are many situations that I faced in life where I think I may have failed in whatever I set out to do. I think the important thing is to learn from that failure and get back up on your feet again. And it could be an issue relative to a failed investment, it could be an issue relative to a failed product design, it could be an issue relative to a failed strategy. Who else is going to help you other than yourselves? And you shouldn't be afraid of going and seeking help where you can get it, and perhaps you can get it at TiEkon.
I
Interviewer3:39
What is your defining moment for resilience in your life?
M
M Murugappan3:45
Gratitude.
I
Interviewer4:16
Which part of your daily routine makes you really happy?
M
M Murugappan4:37
When I entered into my 40s, I started a social enterprise called Native Lead to inculcate the entrepreneurship culture in small towns. The government wanted me to take up this initiative for establishing the ecosystem, so this is something I really love, without any other expectations. But otherwise, now every day is a gift, and that's the way I like to look at life. And if you really ask me what I enjoy most, it's those brief moments with my grandson. I don't see him very often, but at least the time—I'd say maybe once, twice a week—it's great fun because he's the one who now bosses over me.
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Interviewer5:47
So how do you advise on time management and decision making?
M
M Murugappan5:52
Well, it's always hard because it's sort of native to each one. But what I would recommend, and that's something that I do, I try to spend some time every day on reflection and introspection. At the moment you spend some time on reflection, on introspection—how your day was, or how you can do it better, or what was priority and what was not—and then focus on the vital few rather than the trivial many. I found this has helped me quite substantially.
I
Interviewer6:32
Which quality of yours would you define your success to, which you feel brought you here?
M
M Murugappan6:38
I can say only one word: gratitude. I'm proud to say that I've been very fortunate, and I've never forgotten that. And the question is now, how do you add to it and how do you give back to society in whatever form? And that's really my joy.
I
Interviewer6:57
What do you think—what's the motivation for yourself to become better?
M
M Murugappan7:00
I always remember my yoga teacher Krishnamacharya. He would always advise me, whenever in any difficulty of any kind, take a few deep breaths. I tell you, it works. Though I am not a believer of any particular God, I believe in the power—the power to understand. So this has helped me. Sometimes I leave it to that power and I just go on, I don't think about it. So that gives me a new energy.
I
Interviewer7:51
So one thing—these young entrepreneurs these days, you think they should add, or we should take from them, which would probably make a difference to entrepreneurship? They are thinking out of the box more. We used to think out of the box, but the generation in their 20s really thinks out of the box, more than our age. Maybe I'm 51 now.
M
M Murugappan8:20
So I am trying to spend a lot of time being in the startup industry and working with a lot of youngsters. Very, very remarkable. Have a world view, and seek people who are better than you, and learn from them. And don't give up.