PANAJI: The Goa Institute of Management (GIM) has mourned the passing of Susim Mukul Datta, former Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) chairman and GIM’s first Chairman of the Board of Governors. Datta, 89, passed away in Mumbai on Saturday. He led HUL from 1990 to 1996 and played a key role in merging Lipton Tea and Brooke Bond. Datta’s career with HUL began in the 1950s, and he held leadership roles in 21 organisations including Philips India, Castrol, Tata Trustee Co., and IL&FS Investment Managers. He chaired GIM’s board from 1993 to 2006, guiding the institute during its formative years. GIM Director Dr Ajit Parulekar said Datta’s guidance laid the foundation for GIM’s growth and his mentorship continued even after his formal retirement.