Rahul Bajaj- A Towering Figure Who Gave 'Wheels' To Dreams
'Hamara Bajaj' not only conjured nationalism, but also empowered and transformed the lives of millions of Indians from the middle classes. The Bajaj 'Sunny,' which gave free-spirited young girls wings in a newly liberalised India, to the company's motorcycles, that became the preferred product for Indian youth anticipating in changing demographics. As a result ,the iconic jingle of Bajaj spoke to the aspirations of the people in pre-liberalized India and the man behind that brand was one of India's most powerful and daring businessmen Rahul Bajaj .Born in Calcutta on June 10, 1938, he graduated from St Stephen's College in Delhi and went on to master his MBA from Harvard Business School in the United States. Rahul started his career as a deputy general manager on his father Kamalnayan Bajaj's team and rose to CEO at the age of 30 in 1968. The man was straightforward and outspoken, not only he had the foresight to launch a two and three wheeler brand during the permit raj, but also the courage that few modern-day industrialists can speak of. However, the hero who bought the legendary market revolution has finally been laid to rest. The Tiger has fallen asleep. Rahul Bajaj, a veteran industrialist passed away on Saturday at the age of 83, spoke out for business like no one else in India, which was one of the many reasons he strode across India's industrial landscape like a colossus for over 50 years.
Rahul Bajaj witnessed India's Independence Movement, in which his family played an important role. He was deeply involved in India's industrialization and was an institution-builder who contributed to numerous charities through their practicalities. Rahul was well known for being very outspoken and forthright when it came to expressing his views on issues concerning India. These were mostly in business, economics, politics, government, and society. Most people considered him to be a powerful businessman and a towering figure in corporate and social India. But he had a different side; he was a great friend, mentor, and father figure to many of us. After taking over the Bajaj Group in 1965, Rahul who was appointed by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru led it for four decades, building a global manufacturing conglomerate before handing over the keys to son Rajiv Bajaj in 2005.
Emergence of a Homegrown brand :'Hamara Bajaj'
Few brands have as much resonance and recall in the minds of Indian consumers as Bajaj. During the post-millennium stagnation period, the stock market saw a significant decline, and Bajaj Group, one of the best domestic companies, felt the heat. The situation was exacerbated by the entry of global heavyweight Honda, which formed an alliance with the Hero Group. Mr Rahul Bajaj devised a solution by establishing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chakan and providing Indian customers with one of Bajaj's most acclaimed two-wheelers, the Bajaj Chetak and the Pulsar Motorcycle. Since their introduction, Pulsar motorcycles and Bajaj Chetak have been ubiquitous in the two-wheeler segment, and their allure has not waned.
Bajaj Transformation into a Multinational Corporation
Rahul Bajaj was known for making decisions about which risks to take and which to avoid with the foresight of a true business leader. His masterstroke plan was the entry of the Bajaj Group into various sectors. Mr. Bajaj founded the Bajaj Finance Group, which specialises in insurance services. Apart from that, Bajaj Home Appliances has received positive feedback from Indian consumers and continues to hold sway. The Bajaj Group has also expanded into steel and alloy manufacturing, as well as the crane and forging industries.
A True Leader as the President of Confederation in Indian Industry
Shri Rahul Bajaj has inspired generations of young Indians to start their own businesses and contribute to the creation of wealth. Mr. Bajaj has also shown his ability to lead as President of the Confederation of Indian Industry twice, once in 1979-80 and again in 1999-2000. In addition, he was President of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and Chairman of the Automobile and Allied Industries Development Council. Mr. Bajaj's list of accomplishments appears to be endless. Rahul Bajaj was also the Chairman of Indian Airlines from 1986 to 1989, and from 2003 to 2006, he was the Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Bombay. He was bestowed with numerous honours, including the Padma Bhushan and honorary doctorates from various universities. His industry leadership and counsel were always looked after to.
A Person Loved and Respected by Competitors and contemporaries
Tributes poured in with industry leaders acknowledging both Bajaj’s achievements and his ethics. Many consider Bajaj's contribution to India is unparalleled. For decades, his efforts to promote local manufacturing have helped lay the groundwork for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. No doubt Rahul Bajaj was a true leader and an extremely successful businessman. Dr Pawan Munjal, Chairman & CEO of Hero MotoCorp, said, "Shri Bajaj inspired generations of young people in the country to become entrepreneurs and contribute to wealth generation. The country has lost a stalwart with his death, and I feel a personal loss."TVS Motor Company Chairman Venu Srinivasan also expressed his condolences, saying, "Rahul Bajaj strode across the Indian industrial landscape like a colossus." He was one of the few celebrities who helped to establish the Indian automobile industry. He was a forerunner who established a quality and technology culture."
Final Thoughts
Shri Rahul Bajaj leaves a huge void in the lives of all those whom he touched - family, friends, employees, countless business associates who grew with Bajaj. Over four decades, his clear voice of reason and principles benefited India as a whole. Mr. Bajaj's storey exemplifies perseverance and constant evolution. Mr Bajaj's greatest strength was that he never let the times get ahead of him and always kept up with the demands of the times. He not only survived the challenges of a fast-paced world, but he also triumphed over them with the strongest of convictions.
