Kathmandu. If you have the passion for business, no one can stop you. That’s exactly what TV Sundaram Iyengar did. You must have heard about TVS, a company famous for two-wheelers. The company was founded in 1911 by T.V. Sundaram Iyengar.
It was the British era. At that time, T.V. Sundaram was working in Imperial Bank (now State Bank of India). But he had the passion to start a business. However, during the British rule, he did not get a chance to move forward. He quit his bank job and entered the business world.
Not everyone achieves success immediately. T.V. Sundaram was one of them. After quitting his job at the bank, he started working as a bicycle repairer. However, it did not succeed. He then tried several other jobs but each proved to be frustrating. He later ventured into the bus business in Tamil Nadu and never looked back.
5 buses started business
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TV Sundaram’s life changed when he realized that the railway system built by the British government was only for the British. He felt that the Indian people also needed it. So he decided to start a bus service that would connect them to railway stations.
At the time, he had no money and his previous businesses had failed. So he first asked his father for help. He bought 5 Chevrolet buses and asked for permission to operate buses between cities in Tamil Nadu. However, the South Indian Railways opposed it. He argued that this would hurt their investment.
Plan change
When TV Sundaram didn’t get permission, he changed his plans. He decided to transport Indians from their homes to railway stations. The agreement marked the launch of the first TVS transport service.
It wasn’t easy for him either. The Indian people were afraid of buses because they were used to bullock carts. So his wife used to cook and feed him under the umbrella. People came to eat and buy tickets. And so the TVS company was born.
Billions of Businesses
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T.V. Sundaram died in April 1955 at the age of 78. Today, his family members manage the TVS Group. The company’s portfolio includes TVS Motor Company, TVS Electronics, TVS Holdings, Turbo Energy and Sundaram Textiles. TVS produces 20 percent of BMW’s motorcycles.
TVS Motor Company, the flagship company of the group, is listed on the Stock Exchange of India. Its market capitalization is more than 16.62 trillion rupees today.
First name and beliefs
The story of TVS Company is a shining example of innovation, hard work and customer centricity. TVS has always upheld its values and that is the secret of its success. The company believes that name and trust come first and profit will come later. –Navbharat Times
