There had been a huge outpour of emotions from Ranbaxy employees for the last few days after he announced his decision to step down, DS Brar, the outgoing managing director and chief executive officer of Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd told Business Standard.
"I've been inundated with telephone calls and emails from my colleagues across world in the last two days," Brar said. Early in the morning, he received a phone call from his driver in Mumbai, who had read the news of his exit on Tuesday.
"He broke down on the phone, saying he wouldn't get the opportunity to serve me," Brar said. "This is my biggest treasure. This is what one works for."
However, the overflow of sentiments would not result in senior members of his team leaving Ranbaxy to work with him in his new venture, Brar said. Only one senior member of the staff resigned in the recent past.
"It happened in November, much before I made the announcement of leaving the company," he said.
Senior Ranbaxy executives were briefed by Brar, CEO-designate Brian Tempest and Malvinder Singh, among others, on the latest developments. The employees were also sent emails apprising them of the managerial changes.
Several serving and former members of the Ranbaxy board and senior executives said Brar's departure would not impact the company's operations.
"It is just a professional transition," said Surendra Daulet-Singh, a serving director. "There is a very robust team in place, looking after the various functions of the company," added former Ranbaxy Director JM Khanna.
Ever since Brar announced his exit plans, corporate circles have been rife with the rumour that he will be relocating to the US to pursue a new career.
Ranbaxy has had spectacular success there and Brar is bound to have gained valuable insights into the market and contacts in the industry. In addition, both his sons study in Boston.
But discounting any such relocation, Brar said there was such a proposal in the past but was no longer under consideration. Brar also said he would not leave Ranbaxy before his current term expired on July 4, 2004.
Asked if he would continue to serve on the board of Barista Coffee Company Ltd and head the committee set up by the Confederation of Indian Industry to help Indian companies become multinational corporations, he replied in the affirmative.
