Rahul Bajaj cremated with full state honours

Rahul Bajaj, the chairman Emeritus of Bajaj Auto who passed away yesterday, was cremated with full state honours in Pune this evening.

Bajaj, 83, who was known for his outspoken views on a variety of subjects had stepped down as non-executive director and chairman on April 30, 2021.

The company’s Hamara Bajaj campaign that was conceived when he was at the helm of the company made the company’s scooters an integral part of everyone’s life. Bajaj led the company for close to 50 years starting in 1972.

He also served two stints as CII president and was president of SIAM.

Tributes have come in business leaders and government.

In a message condoling his passing, the chairman of TVS Motor Company Venu Srinivasan said: He was among the few stars who created the Indian automotive industry. He stood for high integrity in business and stuck to his principles. He will be sorely missed.

Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra Group, in a tweet paid his tribute: “I stand on the shoulders of giants.” “Thank you, Rahulbhai, for letting me clamber up onto your broad shoulders.

Satyakam Arya, MD and CEO, DICV in a LinkedIn post said: His style of leadership has always been an inspiration. His extraordinary contribution to the development of India as an industrialist and a thinker has only made our nation richer.

In a tweet, the former finance minister, P Chidambaram said: 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.

In 2001, Rahul Bajaj was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian award. He also served as a Rajya Sabha MP. People who worked with him said that he was a compassionate human being and always put the company’s interests before anything else.

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