Veteran industrialist Rahul Bajaj, the former chairman of Bajaj Auto, died in Pune today at the age of 83.
Bajaj was not well for a while and died at around 2.30 pm today, a company official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. His last rites will be held tomorrow.
Politicians and businessmen expressed grief and extended their condolences on Twitter.
Industrialist and Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra shared a photograph of Bajaj and thanked him for “cheering” him and “encouraging” him to be “bold”.
““I stand on the shoulders of giants.” Thank you, Rahulbhai, for letting me clamber up onto your broad shoulders, advising me, cheering me on, encouraging me to be bold. Your footprints on the sands of Indian Business will never be extinguished. Om Shanti,” he tweeted.
“I stand on the shoulders of giants.”
Thank you, Rahulbhai, for letting me clamber up onto your broad shoulders, advising me, cheering me on, encouraging me to be bold. Your footprints on the sands of Indian Business will never be extinguished..
Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/TOemOPvsELRelated stories
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 12, 2022
The ‘spine’ of Indian business cracks. A close family friend, he was a visionary, straight talking and very respected for his value systems. An era ends! He leaves behind the two most capable sons in Indian industry, Rajiv and Sanjiv. #RahulBajaj Om shanti… pic.twitter.com/IziHS03I0D— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) February 12, 2022
Industrialist Rahul Bajaj, Former Chairman Of Bajaj Group, Dies At 83 - I am devastated - he was a dear dear friend and will miss him dearly. The country has lost a great son & nation builder. Om Shanthi https://t.co/s8kpQ3dUia— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) February 12, 2022
Rahul Bajaj: bold and fearless. A rare businessman who spoke truth to power. A proud Indian. Built world class enterprise. I am truly honoured to know him. Will miss him. pic.twitter.com/UpVMh0z7R1— Uday Kotak (@udaykotak) February 12, 2022
"The Indian industry has lost a father figure. A hugely successful industrialist who wore India in his heart, Mr Rahul Bajaj's personality could be felt even before he said a single word. And when he did speak, he never minced his words," Piyush Pandey, chairman of global creative and executive chairman, India, Ogilvy said.
"He spoke from his heart, no matter who was in the audience. Though I never worked with Rahul Bajaj directly, I was always a beneficiary of his encouragement and affection. I will never forget the number of times when he saw me in the Bajaj Auto office, he took me to the family dining room where he always sat for lunch with his sons. After lunch, whether I had a sweet dish or not, I always got a very warm hug. My heartfelt condolences to his immediate family and to his huge extended family of Bajaj Auto," added the advertising stalwart.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief on the Padma Bhushan awardee's death. “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,” he tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind 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. His death leaves a void in the world of industry. My condolences to his family.”
"Rahul Bajaj was a doyen of Indian industry. A person who was fearless and spoke his mind on behalf of industry. I will always remember him for the very strong set of values he held; for the amount of philanthropy he and his family are involved with. Someone we will all miss dearly," said Thermax Chairperson Meher Pudumjee.
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