- Tuesday, February 11, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
VETERAN Indian industrialist Rahul Bajaj passed away in Pune in the western Indian state of Maharashtra on Saturday (12). He was 83.
A statement from Indian conglomerate Bajaj Group, of which he was chairman emeritus, confirmed that the veteran died in the “presence of his closest family members”.
Bajaj was not keeping well for some time and died at 2.30 pm local time, an official from the company said. His funeral will be held on Sunday (13).
Bajaj, who was born in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata in June 1938 and is son of Indian freedom fighter Jamnalal Bajaj, had resigned as the chairman of Bajaj Auto, with which he was synonymous, last year. He was appointed as the company’s chairman emeritus for a period of five years.
He received his education in Mumbai, Delhi and Harvard Business School, the US. He is survived by his two sons Rajiv and Sanjiv and daughter Sunaina.
Bajaj Auto is known for producing two-wheelers and the brand has been one of the most iconic in India, dating back to the pre-liberalisation days.
Tributes started pouring in as the news of his death spread.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, who is currently campaigning for the ongoing elections in Uttar Pradesh, said in a tweet, “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
“My heartfelt tributes to Rahul Bajaj ji, a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and former chairman of Bajaj. I had a personal relationship with Padma Bhushan awardee Rahul ji for many years. Rahul ji, who has led the Bajaj Group for the last five decades, has been instrumental in the industry. May God rest the departed soul and give strength to the family members. Om Shanti,” India’s transportation minister Nitin Gadkari said.
https://twitter.com/nitin_gadkari/status/1492449617127952384
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the chief minister of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, condoled Bajaj’s death.
“The demise of 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,” he tweeted.
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.
।। ॐ शांति ।।
— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) February 12, 2022
Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said he was “deeply shocked” by the news and lauded the late industrialist for his affordable two-wheeler which brought a big change in India’s socio-economic landscape.
In a tweet, Pawar said, “I am deeply shocked to learn about the sad demise of Padma Bhushan Shri Rahul Bajaj! 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!”
I am deeply shocked to learn about the sad demise of Padma Bhushan Shri Rahul Bajaj! 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!
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) February 12, 2022
Former Indian minister Praful Patel condoled Bajaj’s death saying he is credited with making the brand Bajaj a household name.
“Saddened by the passing away of renowned industrialist & one of the longest serving chairman in corporate India, Padma Bhushan Shri Rahul Bajaj ji. He is credited with making brand Bajaj a household name. My heartfelt condolences to his family members. Om Shanti,” he said.
Saddened by the passing away of renowned industrialist & one of the longest serving chairman in corporate India, Padma Bhushan Shri Rahul Bajaj ji. He is credited with making brand Bajaj a household name. My heartfelt condolences to his family members. Om Shanti ??#RahulBajaj pic.twitter.com/9dfSvk9Vmo
— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) February 12, 2022
