As industries grow over long periods, their transformational journeys are often sparked by leaders who bring together will, desire and vision. Further still, leaders who combine these attributes with experience, strong relationship networks and policy awareness are the ones who carve out new paths for long-term collective growth.
In the 1970s and 1980s, as the Indian natural stone industry was evolving, it found its leader in Mr R Veeramani. While the stone industry wasn’t his first choice of profession, it would not be wrong to say that it was the industry that chose him. Mr Veeramani, trained in law, was on his growth path as an advocate in the Madras High Court at the time, and he joined the stone industry by way of a serendipitous accident.
In stone by serendipity It was when an acquaintance approached him seeking help in sourcing granite from a region in Tamil Nadu, that owing to family circumstances he thought of it as an opportunity his family could use. In the following year of 1972, his company Gem Granites was formed.
Admittedly, being the most educated family member, his involvement in the venture kept growing as they explored new international markets for growth. He went on from aiding the business setup to working full-time on plans for its growth.
Industry lessons
And then one thing led to another and Mr Veeramani soon found himself in the company of the global business leaders who helped him build practical knowledge about the industry.
That journey took him to Aberdeen, Scotland and to the mines of Italy as he learnt about advanced processes and trade.
This experience helped him work on value-added products in stone while also giving him an opportunity to promote lesser known Indian stones.
As business evolved and the scope of work expanded, Mr Veeramani worked to co-build an ecosystem to help Indian stone business to grow. This culminated in the coming together of many stone business leaders and visionaries at the time for sectoral, inclusive and collaborative benefit.
In the image above: Mr R Veeramani with fellow FIGSI Office Bearers and industry leaders during the inauguration of the first STONA Fair in 1987 held in Bengaluru. Front row, third from left onwards: Mr Yogesh Shah, Executive Committee Member; Mr Rajni Kanth, Executive Committee Member; Mr R Veeramani, President AIGSA; Mr Taichiro Hosono, Chairman and MD, Kohsan Trading Company, Tokyo Japan; Mr Deshmukh Minister of Mines, Government of Karnataka; Mr S Subba Rao, General Secretary, AIGSA; Mr Y R Shah Treasurer and STONA Chairman.
Formation of FIGSI
This collective effort led to the formation of FIGSI (formerly as the All India Granite & Stone Industry Association in 1983) and the subsequent organization of the first edition of STONA in 1987. Mr Veeramani, unanimously elected as the President of the inaugural term went on to be awarded the title Founder President of the Federation.
Many small and big initiatives followed that bear mark of Mr Veeramani’s invaluable contributions to the natural stone industry. His consistent interactions with business and policy leaders have positively helped stone business to work.
The success of FIGSI and the industry though came at the cost of personal sacrifices that Mr Veeramani had to make while providing undivided attention to the sector, as with the business leaders he worked with at the time.
Having closely observed the Indian natural stone industry and policy environment since the time he started work, Mr Veeramani has seen many industry ups and downs over the last few decades.
Today, FIGSI serves as the voice of the Indian natural stone industry and has about 1,500 members from all over India.
Meanwhile, his Gem Group has grown into a conglomerate that employs over 5,000 people across mining, exploration, textile, sugar, energy, hospitality, infrastructure, agricultural research and real estate.
The road ahead
With over five decades of experience and industry service, there are many lessons to be learnt from Mr Veeramani’s inspiring journey. One suggestion he particularly has is for Indian stone business to work smartly together to command better prices in global markets.
The opening of the FIGSI Centres for Stone Excellence give Mr Veeramani great optimism, and he appreciates the continued leadership of the Federation. He believes such initiatives along with right policy support can help India to achieve the top position in the global market.
Long term vision
The government should formalize a policy for long-term lease of land for mining purposes and subsequent renewals.
Secondly, industry should have a competitive policy to help the Indian exporters to get the Global Market share for Indian Stones.
Manufacturing value-added products and brand-building with Indian names world over is the need of the hour.
Further the Natural Stone Industry should be adequately supported by the government like any other industry.
Towering professional and personal accolades
Public offices:
- President: CEU (Confederation of Export Units), Delhi
- Founder President: FIGSI (Federation of Indian Granite & Stone Industry), Bangalore
- CAPEXIL: Granite and Natural Stones panel, Ministry of Commerce, Govt of India
- Founder & Chairman: 100% Exported Oriented Units & Special Economic Zones, New Delhi, Govt of India
- President: Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce, Chennai
- National President: Indo American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mumbai
- Chairman: Extreme Focus Committee on Granite and Natural Stones, Ministry of Commerce, Govt of India
- Founder President: WONASA (World Natural Stone Association) (Formerly in Norway, now in Spain)
- Member: Prime Minister’s Committee, New Delhi
- Member: Board of Trade, Top Apex Body and Industry, Exports & Finance Matters (One of the 30 members) constituted by Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Finance
- Member: National Executive Committee. FICCI, Delhi
Achievements:
- Special Award: On the eve of 50th year of India’s Independence, awarded for outstanding contribution in the field of mining and marketing of granite
- Extreme Focus Committee, Ministry of Commerce & Industry: Report submitted by him was accepted & was the first report on the granite industry in the country
- Environmental Awards: Gem Granites Environment: Award instituted by Gem Granites since 1991 under the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) presented to companies that adhere to safety, preservation of environment & sustainable growth in the mining sector.
- Non profitable Educational Institution: Anna Gem Science Park Matriculation Hr.Sec. School – a joint venture with Anna University in which Mr R Veeramani and Vice Chancellor are Patrons.
Life-time Achievement Awards
- CDOS (Centre for Development of Stones): In recognition of his immense contribution made towards overall Development of the Dimensional Stone Industry in India.
- Saveetha University: In recognition of his exemplary contribution towards Entrepreneurship and social service
Contributions:
- 80 HHC: Got the Income Tax Exemption on Granite and Natural Stone Exports from payment of Income Tax under Section 80 HHC.
- Section 10 A & 10 B of the Income Tax Act: Income Tax Exemption for 100% EOUs and SEZ Units under Section 10 A & 10 B of the Income Tax Act.
- GCDR Rules: Helped to implement GCDR Rules (Granite Conservation and Development Rules) in 1999.
- EPCG License: Obtained EPCG License for import of Mining Machines for quarries & consumables therefor.
