Rahul Bajaj, former chairman of Bajaj Group, passes away at 83

Rahul Bajaj resigned as the chairman of Bajaj Auto in April last year and was the Chairman Emeritus of the firm

Famous industrialist and former chairman of Bajaj Group, Rahul Bajaj, passed away on Saturday at 83 at a hospital in Pune.

Born on June 10, 1938, in Kolkata, Rahul Bajaj had resigned from his position of non-executive director and chairman at Bajaj Auto on April 30 last year after a stint of over 50 years at the helm of India's second-largest motorcycle producer and was the Chairman Emeritus of the firm.

Rahul Bajaj was awarded with the third-highest civilian award Padma Bhushan in 2001. Bajaj also served as a Rajya Sabha MP.

Road Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Twitter, "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"

Rahul Bajaj breathed his last today at 2.30 pm. Dr Parvez Grant, chief cardiologist and managing trustee of Ruby Hall Clinic, said he was admitted to the hospital for the last one month. "He died due to age-related and heart- and lung-related ailments," Grant added.

"He passed away on the afternoon of 12th February, 2022 in the presence of his closest family members," a statement from Bajaj Group read.

As per available indications, his last rites shall be performed at the Vaikunth Crematorium on Sunday. He is survived by two sons, Rajiv Bajaj and Sanjiv Bajaj, and a daughter Sunaina Kejriwal.

Bajaj had taken charge of the Bajaj Group in 1965 and under his helm, the group soared to one of the biggest in the sub-continent.

Top business and political leaders including his close family friend and Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Nitin Gadkari and Raosaheb Danve-Patil, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and others condoled Bajaj's passing.

Pawar on Saturday remembered Rahul Bajaj, as a philanthropist who was like a "lighthouse" for young entrepreneurs.

"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!," Pawar tweeted.

Pawar said he was grieved with the passing of his very close friend.

"India has lost an industrialist, a philanthropist and a lighthouse for young entrepreneurs! Hamara Bajaj," Pawar said.

The affordable vehicle increased mobility, eased the struggle for getting means of livelihood and became the tool of socio-economic change, he added.

"We Indians are deeply indebted for his immense contribution to the industry," he said.