Renowned industrialist Rahul Bajaj, former chairman of Bajaj Auto, passed away on Saturday in Pune due to prolonged illness. He was 83.
The Bajaj Group confirmed his demise in a statement which read, “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 12th February, 2022 in the presence of his closest family members.”
Dr Parvez Grant, chief cardiologist and managing trustee of Ruby Hall Clinic, said Bajaj was admitted to the hospital for the last one month. “He died due to age-related and heart- and lung-related ailments,” Grant added.
Bajaj was awarded with the third-highest civilian award Padma Bhushan in 2001. Also a Rajya Sabha MP,
Rahul Bajaj quit as the company’s chairman in April 2021.
A household name, Rahul Bajaj was born on June 10, 1938. He led the Bajaj Group as its chairman for over 4 decades. His last rites will be held on Sunday. He is survived by two sons, Rajiv Bajaj and Sanjiv Bajaj, and a daughter Sunaina Kejriwal.
Condoling the demise of the great industrialist, PM Modi tweeted, “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.”
President Ram Nath Kovind said his death leaves a void in the world of industry. He tweeted, “Saddened to learn of Shri Rahul Bajaj’s demise. A doyen of Indian industry, he was passionate about its priorities. His career reflected the rise and innate strength of the nation’s corporate sector.”
Paying tribute to Rahul Bajaj, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari tweeted, “My heartfelt tributes to Rahul Bajaj ji, a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and former chairman of Bajaj. I have had a personal relationship with Padma Bhushan awardee Rahul ji for many years.”
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan also expressed grief on Rahul Bajaj’s demise, “Demise of Mr. Rahul Bajaj the Chairman emeritus of the Bajaj Group is a loss to India’s business community. My condolences to the bereaved family and the group. Om Shanti.”
Biocon’s Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said the country has lost a great son and a nation builder.
Congress leader P Chidambaram also condoled Rahul Bajaj’s demise saying, “We have lost a far sighted and outspoken business leader.”
“Rahul Bajaj was the one who put average Indians on two motorised wheels. My sincere condolences to his family and numerous members of the Bajaj family and Bajaj group of business,” he tweeted.
