Rahul Bajaj facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rahul Bajaj
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Bajaj in 2014
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| Born | 10 June 1938 |
| Died | 12 February 2022 (aged 83) Pune, Maharashtra, India
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| Occupation | CEO emeritus, Bajaj Group |
| Net worth | US$25 billion (July 2021) |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse(s) |
Rupa Bajaj
(m. 1961; died 2013) |
| Children | 3; including Rajiv and Sanjiv |
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| Awards | Padma Bhushan |
Rahul Bajaj (born June 10, 1938 – died February 12, 2022) was a very important Indian businessman. He was the leader of a big Indian company called Bajaj Group. In 2001, he received the Padma Bhushan, which is one of India's highest awards for citizens.
Early Life and Education
Rahul Bajaj was born on June 10, 1938. His parents were Kamalnayan Bajaj and Savitri Bajaj. His grandfather was Jamnalal Bajaj, a brave fighter for India's freedom. Jamnalal Bajaj worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi.
Rahul Bajaj studied at several well-known schools. He went to Cathedral and John Connon School. He also studied at St. Stephen's College, Delhi and Government Law College, Mumbai. Later, he went to the Harvard Business School in the United States.
Leading the Bajaj Group
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Rahul Bajaj took charge of the Bajaj Group in 1965. He worked there for more than 50 years. Under his leadership, the main company, Bajaj Auto, grew a lot. Its earnings went from 7.5 crore Indian Rupees to 12,000 crore Indian Rupees. The popular Bajaj Chetak scooter was a big reason for this growth.
In 2005, Rahul Bajaj stepped down from his main role. His son, Rajiv Bajaj, became the managing director of the group. In 2008, Bajaj Auto was divided into three separate companies. These were Bajaj Auto, Bajaj Finserv, and a holding company.
Rahul Bajaj continued to be involved with the companies. In 2019, he became chairman emeritus of Bajaj Finserv. This means he was still honored as a leader, but not in charge of daily work. In 2021, he also stepped down as chairman of Bajaj Auto. His cousin, Niraj Bajaj, took over that position.
Public Service and Awards
Rahul Bajaj was also involved in India's government. He was chosen to be a member of the Rajya Sabha. This is India's Upper House of Parliament. He served there from 2006 to 2010.
He was also elected as the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) twice. This is a big group for businesses in India. He was president from 1979 to 1980 and again from 1999 to 2000. In 2017, the President of India gave him an award for his great work in Indian industry.
Rahul Bajaj held many other important positions. He was the chairman of Indian Airlines. He also led the International Business Council at the World Economic Forum. He was chairman of the board at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. He was also a member of important advisory groups.
In 2001, he received the Padma Bhushan. This is India's third-highest award for citizens. In 2016, Forbes magazine listed him as one of the world's billionaires. His wealth was about 2.4 billion US dollars.
Family Life
Rahul Bajaj had three children. His sons, Rajiv Bajaj and Sanjiv Bajaj, work in the family businesses. His daughter, Sunaina, is married to Manish Kejriwal.
Rahul Bajaj passed away on February 12, 2022, at the age of 83. He died from pneumonia.
