Larsen was a pioneer of engineering industry in India: PM

Prime Miniser Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Monday condoled the death of Henning Holk-Larsen, one of the founders of Larsen and Toubro, describing him as a lover of India who contributed significantly to the country's industrialisation.

"I am sad to know that Mr Henning Holk-Larsen passed away in Mumbai yesterday (Sunday). He was one of the pioneers of engineering industry in India. Though a foreigner, this Danish engineer made India his adopted country and developed L&T from a modest firm in the late 1930s into a giant conglomerate with diversified business," he said in a message on Monday.

Vajpayee recalled that he did the "pleasant duty" of honouring Larsen, in his absence, in his country of birth when he visited Copenhagen last year.