Kalidas was born on 8th December, 1942
at Kumbakonam.
Academic Background
He did his total Schooling in Ramakrishna Mission Main
School in T. Nagar, Chennai. He then pursued his AMIE Engineering
course and in the course of time he was admitted as a Fellow
Member of the Institution of Engineers, India. At a later
date he was also admitted as a Professional Individual Member
of the All India Management Association (AIMA), New Delhi.
Student Days
He was a strong NCC Cadet and also was a good Tennis Player.
For Tennis he was personally coached by Mr.Rama Rao, popular
Tennis Coach in Chennai those days. He was also a keen Cricket
Player.
Family
He got married to Ms Ambuja in 1966 and became proud father
of 3 Sons, Messrs Srinivas Kalidas, Sanjay Kalidas and Shiva
Kalidas.
Industrial Background
He first joined Ranga Structurals of famous “Sathyanarayana
Brothers” at Poonamallee, Chennai and was with them
for 3 years from 1959 to 1961. With this experience, Mr.Kalidas
was a great support to Mr.V.D.Swami and Mr.V.Muthukrishnan
to start their own family Industry under the name and style
of “Kaveri Structurals” in 1962. Kaveri Structurals
started as a partnership firm with family members only as
partners in the beginning, in the course of time became
public limited company under the name and style of “Kaveri
Engineering Industries Limited”.
It was Mr.Kalidas who contributed greatly in developing
the Industry from a mere Structural Fabricating Unit to
a major Capital Goods (Machinery) manufacturer to cater
the needs of Fertilizer, Chemical, Petro Chemical and Oil
based Industries both in the Public Sector and Private Sector.
The Company was closely competing with two majors (L&T
and BHPV) engaged in the same line. The important Customers
of the Company included ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, HOCL, IPCL, BHEL,
FACT, SAIL, MRL, CRL,TPL, MFL and many such leading Companies.
Kaveri Engineering Industries Limited was employing around
2000 Workmen, Staff and Executives.
Mr.Kalidas was identified as Pioneer in the export of Steel
Structurals for the first time to Middle East; also in the
first export of Pressure Vessels to Oil Refineries in Iran.
The Pressure Vessels / Heat Exchangers used to be imported
only by the Country for the requirements of Refineries Chemicals
and Petro Chemical Industries. Mr.Kalidas created the Record
as regards Pressure Vessels and Special Equipments of his
Company as import replacement and also created further Record
by effecting export of these items for the first time from
India.