8/6/2019 Nirmala Lakshman Resignation Letter

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The Board of Directors

Kasturi and Sons Ltd.

Dear colleagues,

It is with a deep sense of disappointment and sadness that I write

this letter. The present Board of Directors has used a tenuous

majority to force me out of my position as Joint Editor of The Hindu.

With the appointment of Siddharth Varadarajan as Editor it has

become untenable for me to continue as Joint Editor of The Hindu.

I would like to state for the record that I strongly protest this manner

of trying to reorganize the company; with little foresight, complete

insensitivity, and a lack of grace and decency. Opportunistic

factionalism has taken precedence over concern for the institution's

welfare and progress as demonstrated in recent months. Under the

guise of professionalizing, experienced and professionally trained

family members who have worked conscientiously and tirelessly for

this institution for decades have been jettisoned to serve the self

interest, the misguided perceptions and the personal agenda of a

few. With competitors making alarming inroads into our territory,

functioning in this cavalier manner and playing the numbers game

does not bode well for the future of The Hindu.

8/6/2019 Nirmala Lakshman Resignation Letter

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I would like to also reiterate that I am not "stepping down" as per the

majority propelled Board diktat but resigning of my own accord as

Joint Editor. I will however continue as Whole Time Director of the

Company.

Please take this letter on record.

Nirmala Lakshman

20th July 2011