Rahul Bajaj, Former Chairman of Bajaj Auto, Dies at 83

Rahul Bajaj had been awarded a Padma Bhushan in 2001.

Rahul Bajaj, veteran industrialist, Padma Bhushan awardee and former chairman of Bajaj Auto passed away at the age of 83 in Pune on Saturday, 12 February.

After taking over the Bajaj Group in 1965, he stepped down as the non-executive director and chairman of the company in April 2021. The company said that he had retired due to age.

Bajaj is a former member of the Rajya Sabha, former chairman of Indian Airlines, and former chairman of the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

Besides heading Bajaj Auto, he also spearheaded the CSR activities of the Bajaj Group of companies and charitable trusts, including the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation.

In a statement last year, the company had said, "Shri Rahul Bajaj has made a huge contribution to the success of the Company and the Group over the last five decades. Considering his tremendous experience and in the interest of the Company and to continue to benefit from his experience, knowledge and wisdom from time to time in an advisory role and as a mentor, the Board of Directors at its meeting held today and as recommended by Nomination and Remuneration Committee has approved the appointment of Shri Rahul Bajaj as Chairman Emeritus of the Company for a term of five years with effect from 1 May 2021."

'Outspoken Industrialist, Philanthropist': Tributes Pour In

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari paid tribute to Bajaj on Twitter, saying that he was a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, with whom he had shared a personal relationship.

यशस्वी उद्योजक, समाजसेवी और बजाज के पूर्व चेयरमैन राहुल बजाज जी को मेरी भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि। पद्म भूषण से सम्मानित राहुल जी से मेरे अनेक वर्षों से व्यक्तिगत संबंध रहे हैं।

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) February 12, 2022

P Chidambaram, former finance minister, referred to him as a far sighted and outspoken business leader.

Rahul Bajaj was the one who put average Indians on two motorised wheels.

In his passing away, we have lost a far sighted and outspoken business leader.

My sincere condolences to his family and numerous members of the Bajaj family and Bajaj group of business.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 12, 2022

Milind Deora, former minister, Communications and Shipping, called Bajaj, 'India's most outspoken industrialist,' while paying his condolences to his family.

Hard to come to grips with the news that India’s most outspoken industrialist, Rahul Bajaj is no more.

Many of us knew of Rahul uncle’s health was deteriorating but the news of his passing comes as a shock.

Deepest condolences to Sunaina & Manish Kejriwal, Rajiv & Sanjiv Bajaj pic.twitter.com/2J5PTGaZOX

— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) February 12, 2022

Amitabh Kant, CEO Niti Aayog, called him the 'pillar of the auto industry' while paying his tribute.

Rahul Bajaj was the captain & voice of Indian Industry. He was the doyen of manufacturing & truly the pillar of the auto industry. As Secretary, DIPP interacted with him on several occasions. Admired him for being always frank & fearless.India has lost a Gr8 nation builder. RIP.

— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) February 12, 2022

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil said that Bajaj had influenced the Indian entrepreneurial world for over five decades.

Deeply saddened to know about the demise of veteran industrialist Padma Bhusha Shri Rahul Bajaj. He influenced the Indian entrepreneurial world for more than five decades.#RahulBajaj pic.twitter.com/FVLyjV4xBC

— Dilip Walse Patil (@Dwalsepatil) February 12, 2022

(With inputs from The Indian Express)