Former Bajaj Auto chairman Rahul Bajaj passes away at 83


PTI, Feb 12, 2022, 6:14 PM IST

Veteran industrialist and philanthropist Rahul Bajaj, the Chairman-emeritus of the multinational conglomerate Bajaj Group – who crafted the ‘Hamara Bajaj’ aspirational story of India, is no more.

Bajaj, the patriarch of the Bajaj family, passed away in Pune, aged 83, on Saturday, after prolonged illness. The last rites would be held in Pune on Sunday.

“It is with deep sorrow that I inform you about the passing away of Shri Rahul Bajaj, husband of the late Rupa Bajaj and father of Rajiv/Deepa, Sanjiv/Shefali and Sunaina/Manish. He passed away on the afternoon of February 12, 2022 in the presence of his closest family members,” a statement from the Bajaj Group said.

Known to call a spade a spade, Bajaj, who was the Chairman of Bajaj Group for over four decades, was one of the respected leaders of India Inc.

Born on June 10, 1938, he was the grandson of Indian independence fighter Jamnalal Bajaj, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.

He had studied in the Cathedral & John Connon School in Mumbai, St Stephens College, Delhi and Government Law College, Mumbai.

Bajaj was an alumnus of Harvard Business School in the United States.

He was the former chairman of Indian Airlines and former chairman of the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He is also a former chairman and member of the International Business Council, World Economic Forum; a former member of the South Asia advisory board of Harvard Business School and a former member of the International Advisory Council of the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC.

In 2008, he split Bajaj Auto into three units – Bajaj Auto, finance company Bajaj Finserv and a holding company. His sons Rajiv Bajaj and Sanjiv Bajaj are now managing the day-to-day affairs of the company.

A former Rajya Sabha MP, he had also been conferred with the Padma Bhushan.

The brand Bajaj is a household name with electrical appliances, four-wheelers, three-wheelers, home appliances, lighting, iron and steel, insurance, travel, asset management, and finance.

The Bajaj Group has a market capitalization of about Rs 8,67,900 crore with 40 Group Companies and approximately 36,000 employees.

Top business and political leaders including his close family friend and Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Nitin Gadkari and Raosaheb Danve-Patil, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and others condoled Bajaj’s passing.

“I am deeply shocked to learn about the sad demise of Padma Bhushan Shri Rahul Bajaj, my very close friend. The grandson of eminent freedom fighter Jamnalal Bajaj brought transformation in society, especially in poor and middle-class people with his two-wheel technology – a Bajaj bike,” said Pawar.

Saying India has lost an industrialist, a philanthropist and a lighthouse for young entrepreneurs, Pawar said the affordable vehicle – ‘Hamara Bajaj’ – increased mobility, eased struggle for getting means of livelihood and became the tool of socio-economic change, for which “we Indians are deeply indebted”.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Rohit’s road ahead: Tough to see ‘Hitman’ in India jersey beyond Champions Trophy

LPG tanker overturns on Coimbatore flyover in TN, officials avert major tragedy

Actor Allu Arjun granted regular bail in theatre stampede case by local court in Hyderabad

‘Medical seats can’t remain vacant’: SC asks Centre to hold talks with stakeholders

PM Modi likens AAP to ‘aapda’ for Delhi, calls for its defeat in polls

President Droupadi Murmu hails NIMHANS for its integrated medicine services

Periya twin murder: CBI Court sentences 10 to double life imprisonment

Related Articles More

Blinkit 10-minute ambulance service: Goyal advises firm to follow law of land

Over 400 arrested in bovine smuggling cases in Jammu last year: Police

Caste discrimination in colleges sensitive issue, will do something to stop it: SC

LPG tanker overturns on Coimbatore flyover in TN, officials avert major tragedy

Actor Allu Arjun granted regular bail in theatre stampede case by local court in Hyderabad

MUST WATCH

Tulunadu Daivaradane

Feeding Birds with Creative Paddy Art!

Areca Nut

HOTEL SRI DURGA BHAVANA

Harish Poonja


Latest Additions

Blinkit 10-minute ambulance service: Goyal advises firm to follow law of land

Over 400 arrested in bovine smuggling cases in Jammu last year: Police

Minister Jarkiholi hosts dinner for Karnataka CM, cabinet colleagues giving rise to speculations

Rohit’s road ahead: Tough to see ‘Hitman’ in India jersey beyond Champions Trophy

Caste discrimination in colleges sensitive issue, will do something to stop it: SC

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.