Vikas Shirodkar We Will Always Remember You
I do not even remember when I first met him. We had heard about each other but never met for a long time. He was working at SIEMENS then and I was at Asian Paints. When we met, we became friends instantly and felt as if we had always known each other for a long time.
Someone told me that Vikas had done his MBA from IIM-Kolkata (Calcutta then) in late seventies. Later I discovered that the information was not right, he had done his Fellowship in Industrial Relations from IIM-Kolkata. Fellowship is equated with Doctorate. My respect for him shot up.
Two things have never stopped thereafter. My discovering new aspects of his personality and achievements and increasing respect for him.
I later met him somewhere and like it happens between old friends I do not even remember where and when I met him first. Himanshu Bhatt had organized a seminar at Bharuch and we three were on the dais. Himanshu asked me to introduce him and handed over resume of Vikas. I was once again surprised when I glanced at it.
Vikas was the gold medalist in BA with Psychology and also in MA with Psychology. I did not know it. His close friends did not know it. Vikas never talked about it! I spoke about his excellent academic achievements while introducing him and Vikas responded that it was his irrelevant past!
‘Irrelevant past?’ I know several honchos who trumpet their small wins as if they have done something unique, and the lure of putting ‘Dr’ against one’s name prompts them to somehow get a Doctorate, and here was a man, well studied, who had done Fellowship from IIM-Kolkata, mentioning that it was his irrelevant past!
Understating personal achievements was a marked aspect of his personality. His stint in Johnson and Johnson is remembered by many even today because he left a stamp of his affable personality on his job, but he rarely spoke about his achievements.
SIEMENS job was not an easy one, there was a strong union there. But Vikas made an impact there, he was remembered by senior managers as well as union leaders of the company. Several of them are (oh! Now I have to use the past tense!!) were in touch with him always. It was a rare achievement because the IR job tests persuasion and influencing skills to the hilt, and Vikas excelled in both.
Just prior to retirement he called me up and we met over a coffee. Vikas was planning his retirement. He asked for my advice but frankly he did not need it – what he needed was a bit of assurance. He set up Basil HR Advisory and had a long queue of companies asking him to do training of their managers.
Vikas was now doing what he always liked to do, and in addition he was also teaching. He got so busy that I told him to slow down on many occasions. He started his blog and each post on his blog is a gem; I asked him to compile them in a book, but he appeared indifferent. His proficiency of English language was envy of many, it was something he had cultivated from his childhood and was perhaps a gift from his father.
He authored a few books with his learned sister Dr. Preeti and invited me to write the foreword to one of his book.
At that juncture I suggested that he should write his autobiography, and repeated it many times, a suggestion he never accepted.
We will miss you Vikas, your sense of humour, your way of sharing insights without appearing to be an intellectual, and we will miss your company over food and drink.
We will miss you always, Vikas!
Vivek S Patwardhan
A most appropriate tribute to a colossus
A most appropriate tribute to a colossus
We lost an extremely amiable, knowledgeable, and cheerful soul—our dear colleague, Vikas Shirodkar. His passing is not just a personal loss to those who knew him but a significant void in the HR fraternity and the professional world at large.
The last time I had the pleasure of meeting Vikas was on the 26th of April’25 during the session on Mahakumbh conducted by Dr. L. Kasat and organised by Thane Management Forum. I still vividly recall him sitting in the front row, fully engaged, radiating his usual warmth and positivity. He was at his cheerful best—laughing, reminiscing, and exchanging pleasantries with all of us, as if time had never passed. It was a beautiful and fitting final memory of a man who always knew how to light up a room.
Vikas was more than just a colleague; he was a thinker, a mentor, and an exceptional communicator. His monthly blogs—rich in insight, well-articulated, and thought-provoking—reflected his command over language and his deep understanding of human behavior and organizational dynamics. Each piece he penned was a masterclass in clarity, purpose, and passion.
As a doyen of the HR community, he was widely respected for his vast experience, integrity, and genuine willingness to help others grow. His corporate journey, marked by consistent success and admired leadership, was a testament to his brilliance, dedication, and strong value system.
Vikas lived his life with grace and purpose, and while we mourn his untimely departure, we also celebrate the countless lives he touched, the friendships he nurtured, and the legacy of knowledge he leaves behind.
May his noble soul find a peaceful passage to Sadgati. And may the Almighty grant his family the strength and fortitude to bear this profound and irreparable loss.
Let us hold dear his memory and honor him by embodying the values he stood for.
As we reflect on the fragility of life, we are reminded of these words:
“Life is a journey with unknown destinations. We are passengers on a train that never stops long at any station. What matters is not how long we travel, but how we touch the lives of fellow travelers. In the face of life’s uncertainty, may we learn to cherish, to accept, and to move forward with grace.”
Dignity. Seems like the man traveled an inner path that he kept private and an outer journey he garnished with service.
Takes someone as you Vivek Sir, to make this duality or multiplicity vivid.
Respect to the author and the one in the subject line.
Om Shanti. I think everyone who has met Vikas would recount an anecdote about him. I first met him or rather heard him speak at an OPPI meet. He was the speaker after lunch and began his speech with such wit and humor that I still remember his words distinctly even after 18 years! What a brilliant man, what a great writer. His blogs are so wonderfully written that I quote them often. He wore his brilliance lightly, as you have described. They don’t make such people any more. He will be missed deeply. Pranams to his wisdom and may attain sadgati.
We lost a dear HR leader. Was a junior resource when u first met him for an interview at J&J. His humility and the way he treated people touched me immensely. A sad day for HR
Very saddened to hear this news. I fondly remember my first visit to the General Motors factory in Pune with Vikas Sir, during my tenure as the ER Head at the Volkswagen Pune plant. During that visit, he shared his wealth of experiences from various organizations, along with deep insights.
He firmly believed that HR leaders must truly understand people — within the organization, outside, and in the larger community. He emphasized the importance of recognizing union challenges and community expectations. A thorough gentleman, Vikas Sir generously offered valuable guidance, which played a key role in shaping robust ER practices and achieving an amicable settlement at Volkswagen Pune.
His contributions laid the foundation for a strategic ER approach and several HR initiatives, including leadership development programs for workers and union leaders. These efforts have had a lasting impact — even today at ŠkodaVagen Pune ,continues to uphold strong ER practices and I follows wherever I works.
My heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you, Sir, for everything.
Regards
Mohan Patil
VP HR kSB India
A very unassuming intellectual and a very humble and simple human being.
So many tout about what they have achieved talk about visibility and promoting themselves.
Here was a human being whose work and conduct spoke volumes for the human being and professional he was.
I have interacted with him and one on a long journey to Pune. I was just listening to him and mentally noting down certain gems.
Deeply saddened by his demise and the world has a lot to lose.
My sincere and deep condolences to his family.
It is difficult to accept that Vikas is no longer with us . A dear friend ,a gentleman to core and a TRUE professional
It was a shocking news and I am stunned .
A great personal loss . Will miss his witty forwards early in the morning on our friends group.
May his soul rest in peace.
Tribute to Vikas Shirodkar
In Memory of a Gentle Giant in the World of HR and Industrial Relations
It is difficult — almost impossible — to express in words the sense of loss I feel today.
I first met Vikas Shirodkar through our common friend, Vivek Patwardhan. From that first meeting, something clicked — and a deep, lasting friendship began. Vikas soon became more than a colleague or a professional connection; he became a true friend. He visited our home many times, and I was equally fortunate to be welcomed into his. There was a natural warmth in the way he connected — gentle, unassuming, and deeply human. Every meeting with him felt meaningful.
After his retirement from General Motors, we had the opportunity to conduct several training programs together. Those moments remain etched in my memory — not just for the professional collaboration, but for the sheer joy of working alongside someone with such clarity, grace, and quiet confidence. He brought so much to the table — not only knowledge, but presence, maturity, and dignity.
Vikas was truly in his element when he was teaching, mentoring, and writing. His blog stands testimony to the depth of his thinking and the sharpness of his insight. Every post was carefully crafted, full of lived experience and human understanding. He had that rare ability to make complex ideas accessible without ever sounding simplistic. His words didn’t just inform — they moved you.
But Vikas’s legacy is not just in what he wrote or said. It is in how he made people feel. What we will miss most is not only his brilliance, but him — his ever-present sense of humour, his quiet wisdom, and the calm, kind presence that uplifted those around him. He never sought the limelight. He never spoke about his many achievements unless asked. Yet he left a lasting impact wherever he went — in boardrooms, classrooms, and hearts.
In a world that often mistakes noise for leadership, Vikas led with quiet strength. His integrity, humility, and authenticity are what made him unforgettable.
We will miss you always, Vikas. Your thoughts, your words, your warmth, and your way of being will remain with us — not just as memories, but as guiding lights.
– Arvind Shrouti
What a visionary and humanity leader we lost !!!!!
A thought leader in HR has physically disappeared but his thoughts will always remain.
Like a soldier sacrifices his life on battle field Vikas left his mortal remains while deliverong a training.What a tribute by destiny to his way of being.
HR fraternity has lost a living encyclopedia ……
No words can recover this loss.
Thanks a lot Vivek for a wonderful Tribute to Vikas ji. The first time I got to meet him was in December 2024 Goa – JNJ Alumni .. too short a period to get to know him.. but the two days were enough to know what a great person he was.
Deeply saddened. A very endearing personality. Will cherish memories of our interactions.
I only had the opportunity of meeting Mr. Shirodkar, once at our internal HR conference where he was invited as a guest speaker. He left an indelible impression on me for lifetime. I wish I had more opportunities to interact with him. May his soul rest in peace and his work continues to inspire us.