Business

Rahul Bajaj passes away: President, PM, Corporates express grief

February 12, 2022
Sezarr

Corporate sector and political leaders expressed grief over the death of Rahul Bajaj

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes as corporates and political leaders expressed grief over the death of former Bajaj Group chairman Rahul Bajaj, who passed away at the age of 83, in Pune on Saturday afternoon.

A tweet from the President’s official Twitter handle read, “Sad to learn about the passing away of Mr. Rahul Bajaj. A leader of the Indian industry, he was passionate about its priorities.”

A company official was quoted by PTI as saying that Mr Bajaj was not keeping well for a long time and died on Saturday around 1430. His last rites will be held on Sunday, February 13.

He is survived by two sons Rajiv Bajaj and Sanjeev Bajaj and a daughter Sunaina Kejriwal.

Mr. Rahul Bajaj on 30 April last year resigned from his position of non-executive director and chairman at Bajaj Auto.

Read Mr Kovind’s tweet here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said that “Shri Rahul Bajaj will be remembered for his remarkable contribution to the world of commerce and industry. Beyond business, he was passionate about community service and a great conversationalist. His passing away Deeply saddened. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti”.

Mr Bajaj had pneumonia and heart problems. Dr Purvez Grant, Managing Trustee of Ruby Hall Clinic said that he was hospitalized for the past one month.

Born on 10 June 1938, Rahul Bajaj was the chairman of Bajaj Group for more than 40 years. He resigned from the post in April last year and is currently the honorary chairman of the group.

He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, in 2001. Mr Bajaj also served as a Rajya Sabha MP.

“It is with great sadness that I am informed about the demise of Mr. Rahul Bajaj, husband of Late Roopa Bajaj and father of Rajiv/Deepa, Sanjeev/Shefali and Sunaina/Manish. On the afternoon of February 12, Died. 2022 in the presence of his close family members,” read a statement from Bajaj Group.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, executive chairman of Biocon Ltd, a close friend of the late industrialist, said in a tweet that she was “devastated” by Mr Bajaj’s death and the nation had lost a “great son” and a “nation builder”.

Uday Kotak, managing director and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank, described Mr Bajaj as “courageous and fearless” who “spoke truth to power”. Will miss Mr Bajaj, he tweeted.

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra thanked the late industrialist for mentoring and encouraging him to be bold.

Read what Mr Mahindra said on Mr Bajaj’s demise.

Harsh Goenka, chairman of the RPG Group, described Mr. Bajaj’s passing as the “backbone” of Indian business, while calling him a “visionary”, whose death marks the end of an era.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and several leaders across party lines took to social media to express grief and sorrow over the demise of the veteran business leader.

Tweeting his heartfelt tribute to Mr. Bajaj, Mr. Gadkari said that he has known the former chairman of Bajaj Group for many years.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described Bajaj’s death as a ‘big loss’. Read his tweet here.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar tweeted that he is “deeply shocked to learn about the sad demise of Padma Bhushan Shri Rahul Bajaj! The grandson of eminent freedom fighter Jamnalal Bajaj has made a difference to the society especially the poor and middle class. Brought a change in people. His two-wheel technology – Bajaj bikes!”

Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram tweeted condoling Mr Bajaj’s death, describing him as a “visionary” and an “outspoken business leader” who “put the average Indian on two motorized wheels”.

This is what he tweeted.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also condoled the industrialist’s death.

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