Rahul Bajaj, Indian billionaire, industrialist, individualist, died at age 83 leaving behind a mourning nation remembering him with love.
Rahul Bajaj, Indian billionaire, veteran industrialist, and head of the Bajaj group passed away on Saturday at age 83, and he had pneumonia and also a heart problem was admitted to the Ruby Hall Clinic a month ago and breathed his last at 2.30 pm on Saturday
He was born on 10 June 1938 – 12 February 2022, chairman emeritus of the Indian conglomerate Bajaj Group and awarded the third-highest civilian award Padma Bhushan in 2001. He ran a debt-free company for decades as he built one of the most successful two-wheeler brands in the world. ‘Hamara Bajaj’ was one of his favorite lines. He managed a split in the family while keeping his and the company’s image intact. A regular at Davos and several international platforms, he represented the entrepreneurial and go-getter spirit of India. He was a nationalist with a spine and was not afraid to ask tough questions to the extent of losing friends.
Bajaj took over the Bajaj Group in 1965 in a career spanning over five decades, he led the group’s flagship company, Bajaj Auto’s turnover from ₹7.5 crores to ₹12,000 crores, with the company’s scooter Bajaj Chetak being the main growth driver.
Bajaj was elected to the Rajya Sabha, India’s Upper House of Parliament, filling the seat vacated by the death of Pramod Mahajan for the 2006-2010 period.
Bajaj was elected as the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) twice in 1979-80 and 1999–2000. For his amazing work to the Indian industry, the then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee presented him with CII President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2017.
Some of the other positions that Bajaj held included chairman of Indian Airlines, chairman of the International Business Council at the World Economic Forum, chairman of the board at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, member of the International Advisory Council at the Brookings Institution, and a member of the South Asia advisory board at Harvard Business School.[10]
On the Forbes, 2016 list of the world’s billionaires, he was ranked No. 722 with a net worth of US$2.4 billion.
Personal life
His sons Rajiv Bajaj and Sanjiv Bajaj are involved in the management of his companies. His daughter Sunaina is married to Manish Kejriwal, the former head of Temasek India.
The nation remembers him with awe and love
Narendra Modi@narendramodi·Feb 12 “Shri Rahul Bajaj Ji will be remembered for his noteworthy contributions to the world of commerce and industry. Beyond business, he was passionate about community service and was a great conversationalist. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”
Shri Rahul Bajaj Ji will be remembered for his noteworthy contributions to the world of commerce and industry. Beyond business, he was passionate about community service and was a great conversationalist. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 12, 2022
Satish Acharya@satishacharya “Created this cartoon in 2019 when Rahul Bajaj showed exemplary courage to question the mighty govt. #RahulBajaj
Created this cartoon in 2019 when Rahul Bajaj showed exemplary courage to question the mighty govt. #RahulBajaj pic.twitter.com/xEKodZKyVI
— Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) February 13, 2022
Amul Topical: “Tribute to one of India’s most dynamic and respected industrialists…”
#Amul Topical: Tribute to one of India’s most dynamic and respected industrialists… pic.twitter.com/9jZiZPmp6O
— Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) February 13, 2022
Ashok Swain@ashoswai·Feb 12Probably India’s only industrialist who had a spine! RIP #RahulBajaj
Probably India’s only industrialist who had a spine! RIP #RahulBajaj pic.twitter.com/40HB2ZIQSX
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) February 12, 2022
in the policy or journalism or business circles will have a Rahul Bajaj story to share. Rahul Bajaj, Chairperson of the Bajaj Group, was known to ask tough questions and hold the powers that be accountable, a rarity in India Inc. and the song Humara Bajaj resonates in India’s heads!