INDIA: Veteran industrialist, Whole and Sole of the Bajaj group Rahul Bajaj passed away on Saturday. He was 83, A month before he was admitted at the Ruby Hospital, Pune. He was under treatment for cardiac and lung-related problems, breathed his last at 2.30 pm on Saturday. He is survived by sons, Rajiv and Sanjiv Bajaj, and daughter Sunaina Kejriwal.
His last rites will be performed at Pune’s Vaikunth crematorium on Sunday. CM Uddhav Thackeray has ordered the funeral of Padma Bhushan-awardee industrialist Bajaj to be held with full state honours.
Bajaj took over as chairman of the Bajaj Group in 1965. He took over as CEO of Bajaj Auto in 1972. In 2005, he stepped down as chairman. His son Rajiv became the managing director of the Bajaj Group after his tenure. Bajaj served in the Rajya Sabha from 2006 to 2010.
Bajaj was ranked 722nd on Forbes Magazine’s 2016 list of the world’s wealthiest people.
Many politicians, industrialists and other dignitaries took to Twitter to pay glowing tributes to Bajaj.
“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,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
President of India Ramnath Kovind pays tribute to Bajaj, called him, “doyen of Indian industry.”
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi called Bajaj’s death a big loss for India.
Life Journey of Rahul Bajaj at a glance
– Bajaj was born on June 10, 1938 in a Marwari family in Kolkata.
– Bajaj holds a BA (Hons) degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. On his return to Mumbai, he studied law at the Government Law College for two years. He graduated from Harvard University in 1964 with an MBA.
– Bajaj married Rupa Gholap, a Maharashtrian girl in 1961. He has three children, Rajiv, Sanjeev and Sunaina
– Bajaj became the chairman of Bajaj Group in 1965.
– In 1972, he took over the reins of Bajaj Auto. He stepped down as chairman in 2005.
– Bajaj was a member of Rajya Sabha from 2006 to 2010.
– In 2001, Bajaj was awarded the Padma Bhushan.
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