Mr. Jyotindra Thacker, credited with driving equipment procurement and operations of Reliance Infocomm (now Reliance Communications) during its formative stages, has emerged as the likely choice to head RIL’s latest foray into telecom due to his background in IT and ability to procure equipment in a cost-effective way. Reliance Industries (RIL), India’s largest private sector company, is trusting its homegrown professionals to lead its Telecom venture. The refinery-to-retail major may choose its information technology systems head Jyotindra Thacker for the top job at newly-acquired broadband services company Infotel Broadband Services, according to sources.

Mr. Thacker played a major role in rolling out operations of Reliance Infocomm which built a nationwide fibre optic leading to cheaper tariffs. A person who had worked in Reliance Infocomm said Mukesh Ambani’s trusted lieutenant Manoj Modi and Jyotindra Thacker were in charge of negotiations with suppliers like Nortel and Qualcomm. “Of course, they managed to bring down costs from companies like Nortel,” said the person. Mr. Thacker is also a close relative of Mr. Modi.

After bagging broadband spectrum for 22 circles, Infotel is drawing up plans to procure equipment and roll out operations. “This is where Thacker’s expertise will come handy,” said a telecom industry executive who had worked with him. The company is likely to start with offering wireless broadband services, analysts had told ET. The retail broadband segment has 9 million subscribers now, but despite that only eight people in 1,000 have broadband access.

Source:http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/oil-energy/2010062854924.htm

R Ravimohan, executive director for Reliance Industries who was appointed to its board earlier this year, passed away on Monday, a company statement said. Mr. Ravimohan passed away unexpectedly, on late evening on Monday, December 28, 2009 at the age of 52.

Mr.Ravimohan attended the puja that was organized yesterday on account of the birth anniversary of founder chairman, late Shri Dhirubhai Ambani to pay his homage. He was to leave for Jamnagar today, Tuesday for a business tour.

Mr. Ravimohan was a chemical engineer and had completed the advanced management programme from Harvard Business School. He is survived by his wife Madhuralakshmi, daughter Hridaya and son Jagad.

Mr. Ravimohan has previously served as Crisil’s chairman and Standard & Poor’s managing director and regional head for South and Southeast Asia and is credited with building Crisil into the largest rating, financial and business research and advisory service company in India. Ravimohan was appointed on the Board of Directors of Reliance Industries earlier this year. He was one of the key negotiators along with Manoj Modi and Alok Agrawal in the Lyondell Basell deal.

Mr. Ravimohan had developed excellent rapport and camaraderie with Mukesh Ambani, Manoj Modi and other directors of the company during his short yet memorable stint at RIL.

Chairman and Managing Director or RIL, Mukesh Ambani stated, “We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Ravimohan. He was a keen supporter of Reliance Industries and a very dear friend. On behalf of all of us at Reliance Industries, I offer my heartfelt condolences to Ravi’s family and many friends.”

Source: Official Statement by RIL