Padma awardee & Industrialist Rahul Bajaj passes away

Veteran industrialist Rahul Bajaj, synonymous with Bajaj Auto, died on Saturday in Pune. He was 83. A statement from the Bajaj Group said that the industrialist died in the "presence of his closest family members". Rahul Bajaj had resigned as Bajaj Auto Chairman in April last year. However, he was appointed as firm's Chairman Emeritus for five years. One of the most famous taglines in the Indian corporate ad industry has been "you just can't beat a Bajaj" and the "Hamara Bajaj" for the company's iconic two-wheeler. Born on June 10, 1938, Rahul Bajaj acted as the chairman of the Bajaj Group for over 40 years. Rahul Bajaj resigned as the chairman of Bajaj Auto in April last year and was currently the Chairman Emeritus of the firm.

Paying tribute to Rahul Bajaj, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said, "My heartfelt tributes to Rahul Bajaj ji, a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and former chairman of Bajaj. I have had a personal relationship with Padma Bhushan awardee Rahul ji for many years." Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Narayan Rane said, "Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Padma Bhushan Shri Rahul Bajaj Ji, an acclaimed industrialist and philanthropist. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. Om Shanti." Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule said, "Deeply Saddened to hear about the demise of Padma Bhushan Rahul Bajaj. He was among the foremost Business Leaders our nation has seen, and an inspiration to all. We will miss him dearly and his wise counsel. My Heartfelt Condolences to Rajiv, Sanjiv, Sunaina and the Bajaj family."