SK Maini of Maini Group, promoter of India's first electric car Reva, dies at 87

Bengaluru, December 28

The founder of the Maini Group, Dr Sudarshan Kumar Maini, who encouraged his son Chetan Maini to commercialise India’s first electric car Reva, has died, sources close to the family said on Monday.

According to family members, Maini died in Bengaluru at his residence on December 26 after prolonged illness. He was 87.

Maini is survived by wife Reva and sons Chetan, Gautam and Sandeep.

Hailing from Punjab, Maini established the Maini Group in 1973.

Under his stewardship, the firm grew to a multi-unit group of six companies with over 1,500 employees spread over 14 locations.

He encouraged his son Chetan to commercialise India’s first electric vehicle Reva car, named after his wife.

Maini obtained degree in mechanical engineering from Banaras Hindu University and studied industrial administration in the United Kingdom.

For six years from 1967, he worked as the general production manager for MICO-Bosch in Bengaluru and later launched his own company Maini Group.

Mourning his death, Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw tweeted, “Celebrated Industry doyen and founder of the Maini Group Sudarshan Maini passed away on 26th December after a prolonged illness.”

“He will be remembered as a pioneering entrepreneur who supported his son Chetan to commercialise India’s first EV Reva, his wife’s name. May his soul RIP.” PTI