L&T’s Shankar Raman Calls India a Hotspot for Global Investment

On a crisp Saturday in Thanjavur, the 40th convocation of SASTRA Deemed University turned into a platform for big ideas when L&T President and Whole‑time Director (Finance) R. Shankar Raman took the stage. He spoke with palpable optimism about India’s trajectory, painting a picture of a nation that’s fast becoming a magnet for foreign capital.

Raman’s message was simple yet powerful: India’s growth story is alive with opportunity, and its next‑generation workforce is the engine that will drive the country onto the world stage as a preferred investment destination. He said that the sheer scale of the domestic market, coupled with a youthful demographic, creates a fertile ground for investors looking beyond traditional borders.

He then rolled out a short list of sectors that he believes hold the most promise. Healthcare, education, public transport and utilities, semiconductors, water management, defence, and the broader energy‑environment space were all highlighted as strategic arenas where capital can find both impact and returns. Each of these, he noted, is undergoing rapid transformation and needs fresh capital to accelerate progress.

What struck the audience was Raman’s insistence on tighter ties between industry and academia. He argued that while a solid foundation in core disciplines remains essential, students must also keep their skills refreshed in emerging technologies. “Collaboration is the bridge,” he said, “that will turn theoretical knowledge into real‑world solutions.”

Turning to the graduates, Raman offered a nugget of advice that lingered long after the applause. “Your first degree lands you the first job; continuous learning secures the last one.” He urged the young professionals to stay mentally agile, to view challenges as chances to innovate, and to see nation‑building as a personal responsibility as much as a career opportunity.

The ceremony itself was a showcase of achievement. More than 4,400 students walked across the stage to receive degrees ranging from engineering and sciences to law and management. Special honors were handed out, including the Founder Chancellor’s Best PhD Thesis Awards to three outstanding researchers and the Lord Selvamuthukumaran Award for Overall Academic Excellence to Biyyappu Hari Keerthi, a B.Tech ECE graduate.

In wrapping up, Raman reminded everyone that L&T remains committed to partnering with India’s talent pool, investing in the very sectors he outlined, and helping shape a future where the country not only attracts global funds but also nurtures homegrown innovation.