The Indian maritime industry has suffered an irreparable loss with the sad demise of Mr. Vijay Kumar, former Managing Director at Bharati Defence and Infrastructure Ltd. An IIT Kharagpur graduate, Mr. Vijay Kumar was a transparent, straightforward and forthright human being. A qualified Naval Architect (B. Tech Hons) par excellence, he has left a legacy of technocrats leading the way in ship building. A highly knowledgeable entrepreneur, he along with Mr. P C Kapoor, were instrumental in the establishment of Bharati Shipyard Limited in the year 1968, a leading Indian private sector shipyard engaged in design and construction of Sea-going, coastal, harbour, inland crafts and vessels.
Going beyond self, he always strived for growth and progress of the whole ship building industry in the country. With a vast experience in ship design, construction and management, he had started his career as a design and construction consultant with Mazagaon Dock Ltd. (MDL). After serving MDL for seven years, he along with Mr. PC Kapoor, co-promoted Bharati Shipyard Ltd. He possessed an experience of over three decades and was mainly involved with design and marketing the products of the company. His efforts have resulted into large export orders being executed by the company in the past. He also advised the company on quality standards and local and global business strategy.
He has been a member of various organizations such as SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers), Governing Council of NSRDC (National Ship Design & Research Centre). He was a member of technical and management committee of Indian Registrar of Ships. Also a member of the eighth, ninth and tenth five-year plan panels for shipbuilding and repair industry. He also served as the secretary of Shipyard Association of India and convener of DGTD Ship Repair Group.
The ship building industry would miss his guidance, support and leadership. His contributions to Indian shipbuilding will be remembered for long. Sincere condolences to his family.
