Anand (Host):
Hi everyone, welcome to Two Degree Talk — a Fitsol podcast on sustainability and climate action, where we bring together people who are creating real impact in the field of sustainability and climate action.
Today, I’m joined by someone who has had a significant impact on my career — Mr. Shankar Ramalingam.
He is my former boss and mentor, with over 40 years of experience across multiple industries. Even after retirement, he continues to actively support and mentor startups. He has also gone on to co-found a new company, working at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.
Welcome to the podcast, sir.
Shankar Ramalingam:
Thank you, Anand. It’s a pleasure being here. We’ve had a long journey together, and it’s great to reconnect on your podcast.
A 40-Year Journey Across Industries
Anand:
You’ve had a long and diverse career — from manufacturing to services, and now startups. How would you describe this journey?
Shankar:
It’s difficult to summarize a four-decade journey in a single sentence, but let me try.
I’ve worked with legacy organizations like Godrej, then moved on to Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors, TVS, and for a brief while, an international company called Photon. Today, I’m in the startup ecosystem.
If I had to distill it into two key ideas:
It has been a journey of building, transforming, and continuously learning.
Across sectors and company sizes, two things remained constant — clarity of purpose and discipline in execution.
If these two are right, the rest of the journey keeps moving forward.
Anand:
That probably explains the energy you still bring today — it’s the same energy I saw 10–12 years ago.
Shankar:
Yes, almost the same even today.
Personal Side: Beyond Work
Anand:
Is there something personal about you — a hobby or habit — that most people might not know?
Shankar:
Two things, actually.
I enjoy cooking, especially South Indian food.
I also listen extensively to old Tamil movie songs, particularly live performances.
These are things I don’t usually talk about publicly, so perhaps this is the first time many people are hearing about them.
Anand:
I lived in Chennai for about three years and still miss the food. The city has incredible culinary diversity.
Most Challenging and Fulfilling Role
Anand:
Across such a long career, which role or assignment challenged you the most and also gave you the most satisfaction?
Shankar:
Without a doubt, leading the IPO project at TVS Supply Chain Solutions.
For the last two years of my corporate career, I worked closely with the Chairman and led the IPO initiative. It required deep coordination across finance, legal, operations, business teams, and multiple external partners — investment bankers, law firms, auditors, and PR agencies.
Standing on the NYSE platform when the gong rang and seeing the company listed was a defining moment. It represented the culmination of a 15-year vision and was deeply fulfilling.
Staying Grounded After Success
Anand:
You’ve achieved a great deal. What keeps you grounded?
Shankar:
My connection with frontline teams.
Whether it’s shop-floor executives, warehouse operators, or delivery riders in my current startup, the most honest insights come from people on the ground. They understand real operational challenges far better than boardrooms do.
Staying connected with them helps build scalable, realistic businesses and keeps me grounded.
Advice That Stayed for Life
Anand:
What’s one piece of advice from your early career that still guides you today?
Shankar:
Trust.
Trust people first. When you trust someone, you remove fear from decision-making. You believe in their intent and capability, which makes it easier to grow together.
I learned this early in my career, and it continues to guide me even today.
Entering Sustainability and Climate Action
Anand:
How did you enter the sustainability space through your new venture?
Shankar:
It started with everyday observation.
I live in a large apartment complex and regularly see hundreds of delivery riders coming in every evening. India’s convenience-driven consumption model is growing rapidly, but it comes at a cost to the environment.
At LinkMiles, we asked whether it’s possible to maintain convenience without increasing environmental damage. Electrifying the last mile became our answer — reducing emissions while preserving efficiency.
Logistics and Net-Zero Goals
Anand:
Logistics contributes significantly to emissions. How can it support net-zero targets?
Shankar:
The mindset must shift from “just-in-time” to “just-in-impact.”
Electrification of fleets, shared infrastructure, sustainable packaging, and efficient warehousing can significantly reduce emissions. Logistics can play a major role if sustainability becomes a core operational priority rather than an afterthought.
Sustainability and Cost Perception
Anand:
Many customers see sustainability as expensive. How do you change that perception?
Shankar:
By focusing on total cost of ownership rather than upfront cost.
At LinkMiles, we address inefficiencies in asset utilization, rider productivity, and operational visibility. With the right design and technology, sustainability can actually lower long-term costs.
Tackling Scope 3 Emissions
Anand:
Where should companies begin with Scope 3 emissions?
Shankar:
Measurement.
You cannot improve what you don’t measure. Visibility and transparency are the first steps. Once companies understand where emissions originate, improvement initiatives naturally follow.
Advice for Founders
Anand:
What mindset shift should founders make regarding sustainability?
Shankar:
Sustainability should be a design principle, not a side initiative.
If it’s embedded into product design, talent strategy, customer experience, and capital allocation, it attracts the right investors, employees, and customers organically.
Technology, AI, and Decarbonization
Anand:
How do you see AI influencing sustainability and logistics?
Shankar:
AI is a transformational force, much like the internet was in the 1990s.
At LinkMiles, AI helps improve driver behavior, enhance earnings, and encourage EV adoption. Across logistics, AI can optimize routing, asset utilization, and emissions tracking, making sustainability scalable and practical.
Quick Fire Round
One startup trend you’re excited about in 2025:
Sustainability intersecting with fintech, particularly outcome-based funding models.
Net-zero — buzzword or reality:
Overused today, but an essential reality for the future.
Podcast recommendation for founders:
First Principles — a podcast featuring Indian founders and business leaders.
Morning routine — structured or spontaneous:
Spontaneous in the morning, more structured as the day progresses.
One sustainability challenge you’d solve overnight:
Ensuring every gig delivery worker operates an EV with dignified and sustainable earnings.
Closing
Anand:
Thank you for your time and insights. This has been an incredibly valuable conversation, and I’m sure our audience will gain a lot from it.
Shankar Ramalingam:
Thank you, Anand. It’s been a pleasure. I’m glad to see your journey and the impact Fitsol is creating. Wishing you and the podcast continued success.