Valli Arunachalam, a nuclear scientist and daughter of former Murugappa Group executive chairperson M.V. Murugappan, is engaged in a legal battle to secure a board seat in the male-dominated conglomerate, challenging patriarchal norms and stereotypes.
Valli Arunachalam, 62, a nuclear scientist with an impressive career in the US semiconductor industry, is now fighting a different battle: challenging patriarchy within the $7 billion Murugappa Group. As the daughter of the late M.V. Murugappan, who served as the group's executive chairperson for two decades, Valli is locked in a legal dispute with her uncles and cousins for what she believes is her rightful place within the company. She seeks a board seat in Ambadi Investments Ltd, the holding company, which has been denied to her.
The Murugappa Group, a Chennai-based conglomerate with a history spanning over a century, operates 29 businesses, including 10 listed companies. Despite her qualifications and experience, Valli has been excluded from leadership roles, raising questions about gender equality within the group. She points out that there have been 18 daughters in the Murugappa family across three generations, yet none have been included in the business at any level.
Valli's father, before his death in 2017, expressed his wish that his stake be acquired at fair market value, with the proceeds going to his heirs. However, Valli and her sister are now fighting for representation in the holding company. She highlights the fact that some of her male cousins were appointed to the board in their early 20s, despite lacking experience in the family business.
Rustom Desai, a visiting professor at Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Business, notes that such disputes often arise when the prior generation fails to clearly define succession plans. Shriram Subramanian, founder of InGovern, observes that it's anachronistic to deny a family member of the other gender a leadership role, especially when many Indian corporate houses have embraced global best practices.
Valli remains determined to fight for her rights and empower women in India. She vows to continue her legal battle all the way to the Supreme Court, emphasizing that this is about the fundamental rights of women in business. She draws a parallel between cooking and nuclear physics, stating that both require precision and creativity. She adds that she is focusing on her mission and committed to enabling girls to achieve their dreams.
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