News Analysis India

Tag: Rahul Bajaj

  • Hamara Bajaj: The last ride together

    By Express News Service

    He was the doyen of India’s auto industry but was better known for his outspokenness than perhaps his business acumen. Rahul Bajaj, who called himself “born anti-establishment”, had had his fair share of brush with the might of the government, regardless of whichever party was in power. Born in Kolkata, Bajaj’s entrepreneurship journey was eventful. An alumnus of Harvard Business School, he took over as the CEO of Bajaj Auto in 1968 and was appointed MD in 1972. 

    It was under his leadership that Bajaj’s scooters archived a stardom like no other product in India. In the 1970s and 1980s, Bajaj Chetak scooter became an aspirational symbol for the middle-class, with the ‘Humara Bajaj’ tune becoming synonymous with their hopes of a better future.

    Under his leadership, Bajaj Auto saw its turnover grow from a measly 17.2 crore to Rs 12,000 crore with the firm’s scooters becoming the mainstay. The industrialist for decades also steered the group’s other businesses such as general and life insurance, investment and consumer finance, home appliances, electric lamps, wind energy, special alloy and stainless steel, material handling equipment and travel. 

    While his achievements in corporate world is extraordinary, it was his courage to raise issues that were uncomfortable to the ruling dispensation that made him stand apart. According to some, Bajaj provided the much-needed spine to India Inc. “The ‘spine’ of Indian business cracks. A close family friend, he was a visionary, straight talking and very respected for his value systems,” said Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Group.Uday Kotak, MD of Kotak Mahindra Bank, described Bajaj as bold and fearless. “A rare businessman who spoke truth to power,” said Kotak.

  • ‘Hamara Bajaj’! Rahul Bajaj a lighthouse for young entrepreneurs: NCP chief Sharad Pawar

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday remembered former chairman of the Bajaj Group, 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.

    Rahul Bajaj died at a hospital in Pune on Saturday afternoon.

    He was 83.

    Pawar also said Bajaj Group came to Wardha where the (Mahatma) Gandhi’s family lived with the Bajajs.

    They had business in that area where the big business was buying and selling cotton.

    “But the later generations decided to go a different way. In a real sense, Rahul Bajaj has done a great job in the industrial sector, especially in the automobile sector,” he said in a statement.

    “Rahul Bajaj’s business started from Pune. Some members of his previous generation were leading the industry in Mumbai. When Rahul Bajaj took over the responsibility after completing his higher education, he made the first decision not to run a factory from Mumbai,” Pawar recalled.

    The NCP chief said Rahul Bajaj was the only personality who spent his entire life and had a residence in Akurdi (in Pune) on the premises where his workers work.

    He spent his life standing with the factory and its workers, the former Maharashtra chief minister said.

    He stated that the role of the state government was to step up industrialisation in the Aurangabad district.

    “Bajaj gave a big response to the state government in future without limiting the expansion of the factory to Akurdi,” Pawar added.

    The NCP chief further said that in the best interest of the country and society, Bajaj used to express his views clearly, even if the government disagreed with them.

    “Bajaj also showed his mettle by taking the responsibility given to him in some institutions of the Maharashtra government. He was outspoken. We decided at that time to use his views more at the national level and unanimously decided to appoint him in the Rajya Sabha. Though his term was limited, his work in the Rajya Sabha would be remembered,” Pawar recalled.

    He said Bajaj’s contribution to the Upper House on the economic and national issues was excellent and that his speech never had political connotations.

    “As a friend in the industrial sector in Pune, my friendship with Bajaj remained intact. He supported me in many things. He never failed to express his opposition to the dissenting opinion. Many, including me, gladly accepted his criticism,” Pawar added.

  • Industrialist Rahul Bajaj passes away at 83

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Former chairman of the Bajaj Group Rahul Bajaj died in Pune on Saturday, a company official said. He was 83.

    Bajaj had been admitted to the Ruby Hall Clinic hospital in Pune. He died around 2.30 pm, the official said.

    The last rites will be held on Sunday. Bajaj is survived by two sons, Rajiv Bajaj and Sanjiv Bajaj; and daughter Sunaina Kejriwal.

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

    Dr Parvez Grant, chief cardiologist and managing trustee of Ruby Hall Clinic, said he was admitted to the hospital for the last month. “He died due to age-related and heart- and lung-related ailments,” Grant added.

    Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar remembered former chairman of the Bajaj Group 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.