Naik completed his 50th year in the company on March 15, but the celebrations were delayed as the man himself was in Kuwait, to do what he loves best – work.

The emotionally surcharged atmosphere must have overwhelmed Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray, who was present on the occasion. To deafening applause, Thackeray suggested that L&T be renamed L&T&N (Larsen & Toubro & Naik), in recognition of Naik’s long association with the company.

Thackeray’s light-hearted remark amused former president A P J Abdul Kalam, who was the chief guest at the function. In his speech, Kalam spoke of Naik’s abilities to overcome problems and L&T’s expertise in developing missiles, satellites and warships for the Indian defence forces.

“L&T can play a very important role in the country’s military industrial complex,” he added.

K V Venkataramanan, L&T’s managing director, two years junior to Naik in the company, praised the latter for his leadership role and placing company’s interest above everything else. Naik had joined L&T as a junior engineer in March 1965 and was originally offered the post of assistant engineer in the heavy engineering department.

However, his interviewer felt he was over-confident; so, he was given the lower post of a junior engineer and a salary of Rs 670 a month. Today, Naik leads L&T which has a market capitalisation of Rs 1.6 lakh crore and an annual revenue of Rs 56,000 crore (FY14).

In his address, Naik exhorted employees to maintain professional leadership and a spirit of entrepreneurship which will help protect the company before humming the song “Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan, Iske Siva Jaana Kahan'' from the film Mera naam Joker.

No one was surprised by the choice of the song by a man who has been breathing and living L&T for the past 50 years.