Tributes pour in for late PV Narayanan

In our obituary article, Packaging industry bemoans the demise of PV Narayanan, we had mentioned about the cause of his demise with a brief about his journey in the Indian packaging industry.

Narayanan is indeed regarded as the Bhishma Pitamaha of packaging education and training in India, who helmed almost every successful packaging organisation that exists in the country today such as the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), SIES School of Packaging (SIES SOP), Indian Flexible Packaging and Folding Carton Manufacturers Association (IFCA) and the Institute of Packaging Machinery Manufacturers of India (IPMMI).

He was not only an inspiration for the Indian packaging industry but also for global packaging professionals.

In Memoriam – PV Narayanan

Akshata Sawal, packaging professional and alumnus of SIES SOP (2010-2012 batch)

He was a go-to resource for anything packaging

I am deeply saddened on hearing the news of the demise of Professor PV Narayanan. He was associated with my alma mater SIES School of packaging, a distinguished scholar and a dedicated mentor. He was a go-to resource for anything packaging. He was humble and kind and always willing to help his students.

As a person and mentor, he was friendly and encouraging, always providing insights on future in packaging. Whichever organisation he was associated with, he ensured to take it to new heights. His contribution and passion for the world of packaging will always be remembered.

Deep condolence to his family and dear ones. May his soul rest in peace.

 C Kannan, Narayanan’s ex-colleague at IFCA and IPMMI 

He was an institution himself

During my association with him at IFCA and IPMMI, which he headed, he taught me a lot. I later realised that I was an absolute misfit to take over from him, in fact, no one can replace him.

However, it was a great experience to be with him and share the same office for about two or three weeks. In fact, I had requested him long back to write a book on packaging in totality using his decades of experience.

This loss can’t be explained. He was an institution himself. The packaging industry has lost its encyclopedia – the man who laid the foundation of the packaging industry.

No words can describe this loss. I tried to pick up an iota of his knowledge but could not do so.

PV Narayanan = Packaging

Jay Singh, programme director, Cal Poly Packaging and president of International Association of Packaging Research Institutes

He was indeed the Bhishma Pitamaha of the packaging academic and research community in India

PV Narayanan, as someone else stated, was indeed the Bhishma Pitamaha of the packaging academic and the research community in India. While I only got to know him over the past 4-5 years, it was immediately apparent to me that professor Narayanan was one of the most influential and respected people within the Indian packaging community.

Humility, respect for all, enviable wealth of knowledge, jumping into the trenches without hesitation, an inspiration to global packaging professionals and academics, are just a few of the many unparalleled traits that he had.

His critical assistance in the two groundbreaking International Safe Transit Association studies with me contributed to its success. The researches – Retail supply channels for CPGs in India: an evaluation of handling, storage, and transportation in the distribution environment (2016) and Distribution environment data collection the project, India: A transport and small parcel shipments environment data collection study (2020) – will shape the distribution testing standards for packaged goods in the Indian subcontinent.

The song has ended, but the melody lingers on…

Rachana Ghare, senior engineer – packaging, Tata Elxsi

His guidance, support and exceptional zeal for life is an example for all of us to follow

Professor Narayanan, a name taken with great respect among the academic and packaging fraternity was instrumental in shaping my professional career along with many others. He was a visionary, whose guidance, support and exceptional zeal for life is an example for all of us to follow.

My condolences and prayers to his family and friends in this tough time.

Rajendra Kumar Anayath, vice-chancellor, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology

Packaging science was his passion

Packaging science was his passion. I do remember Narayanan's active role in organising an in-depth colour management training programme 20 years ago, along with myself and industry stalwart Kiran Prayagi. Supported by Kodak, it was probably the most extensive colour management programme ever to be organised in India. He has been an integral part of any such development programmes, which truly helped the Indian packaging industry grow.

My humble pranam and tribute to him.

S Venkatraman, ex-colleague of PV Narayanan at IIP and SIES SOP

I owe my present stature in the packaging industry to Narayanan

I was associated with Narayanan for close to sixty years. He was my colleague for about three decades at IIP and SOP. For him, in comparison to work, everything was secondary. In fact, I learned that one of the causes that led to his end is also linked to this characteristic of workaholism. But that defined, who he was, a perfectionist who pushed each individual associated with him to reach newer heights. He would never let his colleagues down in front of outsiders.

I owe my present stature in the packaging industry solely to Narayanan as he guided and groomed me to become what I am today.

I will cherish his memories forever. He was my friend, philosopher and my guide.

Venu Ayyar, associate director, MCMA

His loss to the Indian packaging industry will never be replaced

Whatever I know of packaging today is because of him. He was my godfather in packaging. As a matter of fact, I recollect the incident from 2003, when he told me to enrol into a packaging course at SOP, explaining that it would enable me to grow in the long term – an indication of his foresight and vision about the packaging industry.

I obviously joined the course and by the time I finished it, I had assisted him in various packaging development activities at SIES SOP. This was the beginning of a hardworking and forward-thinking journey. Initially, he coaxed me to assist him for 5-6 hours a week. Then as years went by, the hour count increased and we also ended up working at nights. For him, days would never start or end. His logic was very simple. If he can work 24 x 7, then why can’t you. No discussions or arguments would be heard. He was also a great teacher, who would patiently answer your questions no matter how many times you ask.

He loved cricket. During working hours, if there was a cricket match, I used to set up the cricket commentary on his laptop so that we could listen to the scores. However, it was never a distraction. Nothing could distract you when you worked alongside him as he ensured that all your needs, be it monetary or even food, everything would be taken care of so that nothing impedes your work.

A great man indeed! his loss to the Indian packaging industry will never be replaced.

SIES: He has carved for himself a niche in the rocky temple of reverential gratitude