Dr Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan
Chairman, Process Research ORTECH Inc.
Chairman, Process Research ORTECH Inc.
Chairman, Sringeri Vidya Bharti Foundation
Ontario, Canada
Janam Bhumi:
Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
Dharma Bhumi:
Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
Karma Bhumi:
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Of Ores, Atman, and a Life of ‘Spirience’
The ‘Lakshmanan’ Factor: “The union of spirituality and science forms a magnificent connection to life’s more profound experiences.”
THE MAN
At 85, Dr Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan still considers himself a student. He says, “I’m still learning—whether it’s science, spirituality, or life skills. Education is a lifelong journey.”
There is a quiet strength in the way Dr Lakshmanan speaks. It reflects his upbringing and values that have travelled with him on his “gypsy life” much like a protective charm. Born in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, Dr Lakshmanan lost his father at the age of six and was raised by his widowed mother, Rukmini Ammal, who became his first teacher. “Even today,” he recalls, “The ‘shlokas’ (religious chants) my mother recited remain etched in my mind.”
From a young boy in a small town in Tamil Nadu to a globally recognised leader in metallurgy, academia, and community service, Dr Lakshmanan has lived through extraordinary shifts. His mother’s teachings and lessons that life taught him have traversed great distances from India to England to Canada. Canada has been home to Dr Lakshmanan and his wife Sarada for decades. Here, they not only found success but also purpose.
THE JOURNEY
Much like the complex process of extracting strength from raw, unrefined matter, Dr Lakshmanan’s journey from a small town in India to becoming a nationally decorated scientist and philanthropist in Canada is forged in resilience. After earning a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Bombay, Dr Lakshmanan moved to England in 1969 as a postdoctoral fellow and later as a lecturer at the University of Birmingham. He immigrated to Canada in 1974, working with industry leaders such as Noranda, Eldorado Nuclear, and ORTECH Corporation. When the Government of Ontario planned to divest ORTECH, he boldly acquired its Process Technology group and founded Process Research ORTECH, transforming it into a global leader in sustainable process technology innovation and commercialisation.
A prolific author and holder of numerous patents, Dr Lakshmanan also served as Adjunct Professor at McMaster University and the University of Toronto. His technical achievements earned him Fellowships in the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, and recognition from the Society of Chemical Industry for his industry contributions. Over the years, Dr Lakshmanan has taken on many roles—adviser, strategist, and institution-builder—serving on boards and national task forces in both India and Canada. He has worked with organisations such as IC-IMPACTS, the Canada India Foundation (which he co-founded and served as its Chair), the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, and the Canada India Business Council, to highlight and promote issues of strategic and mutual importance for India and Canada, such as energy, mining, agriculture, and healthcare.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Dr Lakshmanan is a man of ‘Spirience’ – a blend of two words: spirituality and science, it not only captures the essence of the two words, but it also encapsulates Dr Lakshmanan’s professional and personal ethos. He articulates this ethos in his latest book, ‘Spirience: Experiencing Peace and Prosperity through Spirituality and Science’, which he authored alongside Mahāmahopādhyāya Bhadreshdas Swami and technology expert S Kalyanasundaram.
Spirituality has always been Dr Lakshmanan’s guiding force, with the religious incantations of his mother serving as a mental soundtrack to his every move and thought, including the belief that for innovation to truly work it must be grounded in equity in education. He co-founded Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation (Canada), which promotes Indian spiritual and cultural heritage across North America and has spearheaded youth camps that focus on teaching children soft skills, leadership, and cultural values. “It’s not just about teaching them music, dance, or public speaking. It’s about showing them how to conduct themselves in a global village, while staying true to their core values,” Dr Lakshmanan says and adds, “You also need community and spiritual grounding for sustainable peace and prosperity.” His deep sense of community service is best exemplified by two events nearly 40 years apart, the Air India bombing in 1984 and the COVID-19 pandemic, when he provided yeomen support to the impacted.
THE LEGACY
Dr Lakshmanan’s footprints are firmly etched in the Indo-Canadian scientific, economic, and cultural fabric He has received numerous honours, including the Sherritt Hydrometallurgy Award, W.R. Stadelman Award, and Teck Environmental Award. In 2022, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for excellence in science, community service, philanthropy, and advancing Canada-India relations. His contributions also earned him the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), the Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022), and the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award (2019). He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Guelph in 2024 and is the proud recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman from the President of India in 2023.
He does not consider these awards and achievements as his alone. Dr Lakshmanan has navigated life with his strongest ally, his wife, Sarada, a pioneer in her own right. A lecturer before marriage and one of the first Indian women to get a master’s degree at the University of Birmingham, she also worked as a programmer in England. Her career as a programmer continued in Canada at the Department of Natural Resources, Carleton University, and Bell Canada.
All through these years, she actively supported and encouraged her husband in his community initiatives. She also introduced him to Carnatic music, and much like the ‘laya’ (tempo) and ‘tala’ (rhythmic cycle), their lives move in harmony—measured, attuned, and deeply in sync.
The life Dr Lakshmanan has lived, the honours he has received, the friendships he has nurtured with greats like Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, whom he considers his guide in community service, and the respect he has earned from everyone he has interacted with, have earned him the moniker ‘Lucky’. If you ask him, he will simply say he’s blessed. However, we think it is us and the world that is fortunate to have such an inspiration in our midst.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“When I was growing up in India, families were close-knit. I was raised by my widowed mother, and my brother and I remain close even today. Now, India’s families are mostly nuclear, with joint families fading away. Yet, I feel proud of how far India has come, be it in world-class infrastructure, digital leadership, or global recognition.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“When you move through different countries and cultures, what stays with you are the values you inherit from your parents—in my case, from my mother. They help you adapt, build, and sustain. Education and spirituality have stayed central to my being. My life has been about sharing those values—through my work, my writing, and by mentoring the next generation.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“My wife and I have immersed ourselves in community life, mentoring youth, and preserving culture. Over time, we built temples, conducted youth camps, and created spaces that teach both life skills and Indian values. Today’s children learn to succeed while staying rooted, preserving language, tradition, and identity, even when far from home.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“India is a name respected globally in education, technology, and culture. Our IIT and IIM graduates are accepted into Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford with ease. When I taught in England, Indian students would call me for advice; now they lead global companies. What sets us apart is the blend of knowledge and values we carry. India doesn’t just send out professionals; it also sends out culture, discipline, and community spirit. We don’t arrive empty-handed, and we build peace and prosperity wherever we go.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“I dream of an India where the rich-poor gap narrows, where villages are digitally connected, and everyone gets equal opportunity. As President Kalam said, real development must include rural prosperity. India’s future lies not just in GDP growth, but also in leading the world through values, spirituality, and inclusive progress. To the youth, I would say, “Jobs today are no longer lifelong—you need new skills every few years. My advice to the youth is simple: never stop learning. Upskill, adapt, and stay grounded.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
I grew up loving curd rice and simple South Indian meals my mother made
NOW
Even now, curd rice is my favourite comfort food. I enjoy it more than pasta or pizza.
Sport Spirit
THEN
I remember playing ‘kabaddi’ and other games by the river.
NOW
I enjoy watching cricket and going for walks to stay active.
Music Tastes
THEN
I listened to old film songs and devotional songs. But I didn’t know much beyond that.
NOW
Thanks to my wife, I have learned to enjoy Carnatic music. I still hum songs from the 50s and 60s.
Holiday Life
THEN
A trip to a temple 20 miles away felt like a big holiday.
NOW
I’ve travelled the world for work and pleasure, but now my home is my peaceful retreat.
Leisure Habits
THEN
I read and wrote quietly, often by myself.
NOW
I write books, run conferences, stay connected through Zoom. I go for walks when I can.
AKA
Dr Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan OC Canada | Chairman Process Research ORTECH Inc Canada | Sringeri Vidya Bharti Foundation Chairman Ontario
