Founder chairman and managing director of Suzlon Energy Tulsi Tanti died on October 1. The 64-year-old was on his way to Pune from Ahmedabad when he suffered a cardiac arrest.

A few hours before his death, Tanti held a media interaction in which he said Suzlon Energy plans to repay its debt and reduce its interest liabilities.

“With profound sadness, we inform you of the untimely demise of Shri Tulsi R.Tanti, the Founder, the Chairman & Managing Director, and one of the promoters of Suzlon Energy Limited (the “Company”) on 1st October 2022. Shri Tanti suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away the same day,” the company said in a regulatory filing.

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Ashwani Kumar, CEO, Suzlon Energy Ltd addressed the employees of the company in a letter and said, “This is by far the most heart-breaking communication I have ever sent…”

“While the world will remember Tulsibhai as the pioneer of wind energy and a warrior against climate change, we know him better as the champion of creating a better world for our future generations. If there was anything that our CMD taught us it was resilience, the will to fight back and the strength to stand up tall in our worst times.”

Here are some things to know about the late Suzlon chairman.

1. Tanti’s name was featured in the Forbes List of 40 Richest Indians in 2005.

2. Born in 1958 in Rajkot, Tanti graduated from Gujarat University with a bachelor’s degree in commerce.

3. Tanti spearheaded the wind revolution in India with the founding of Suzlon Energy in 1995.

4. In 1990, he invested in two Vestas wind turbines and realised their huge potential.

5. He is considered the Captain of the Indian and global renewable energy industry.

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6. He has been globally recognized for his achievements, including being named ‘Champion of the Earth’ by the United Nation Environment.

7. He also won ‘Global New Energy Business Leader Award’ by China Energy News.

8. The company was listed on the bourses on October 19, 2005, at a premium of 35%

9. Suzlon had established a marketing outpost in Denmark to canvas for customers outside India.

10. He is survived by his wife Gita, son Pranav, and daughter Nidhi.