Rahul Bajaj, former chief of Bajaj Auto, dies at 83
What's the story
Rahul Bajaj, veteran industrialist and former chairperson of Bajaj Auto, died on Saturday (February 12) at the age of 83.
He passed away in the "presence of his closest family members" in Pune, according to a statement from the Bajaj Group.
Rahul Bajaj had resigned as the chief of Bajaj Auto in April last year considering his age.
Statement
Bajaj had been hospitalized last month
Bajaj, who had pneumonia and a heart problem, had been undergoing treatment at the Ruby Hall Clinic.
"It is with deep sorrow that I inform you about the passing away of Rahul Bajaj, husband of the late Rupa Bajaj and father of Rajiv and Deepa, Sanjiv and Shefali, and Sunaina and Manish. He passed away on the afternoon of February 12," the statement read.
Details
Bajaj was appointed Chairman Emeritus last year
After his resignation, Rahul Bajaj was appointed as the Chairman Emeritus of the auto company for a term of five years with effect from May 1, 2021.
"Shri Rahul Bajaj has made a huge contribution to the success of the Company and the Group over the last five decades," the company had said in a statement last year.
Life
Bajaj awarded Padma Bhushan in 2001
Born on June 10, 1938, Bajaj graduated from St. Stephen's College in Delhi with a degree in economics in 1958.
He also held a degree in law from the Bombay University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
In 2001, Bajaj was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award. He had also served as a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha.
Work
Bajaj, one of oldest business groups in India
The Bajaj Group, one of the oldest in India, comprises 25 companies—including Bajaj Auto, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Electricals, and Bajaj Allianz—and employs around 36,000 people.
Bajaj Auto, a household name for two-wheelers and three-wheelers in India, is credited with some of the most popular slogans in the Indian ad industry. They include "Hamara Bajaj" and "You just can't beat a Bajaj."
Reactions
Politicians, business leaders pay tributes
Tributes have been pouring in for Rahul Bajaj.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar said, "India has lost an industrialist, a philanthropist and a lighthouse for young entrepreneurs!"
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the chief of biopharmaceutical company Biocon, tweeted "I am devastated."
"He was a dear dear friend and will miss him...The country has lost a great son & nation builder. Om Shanthi," she added.