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Rahul Bajaj, a titan of Indian industry, passed away. His biography by Geeta Piramal highlights his Gandhian values and leadership of Bajaj Auto, a top two-wheeler manufacturer
Bajaj Auto even revived the Chetak in 2019 as an electric scooter. (PTI File)
Rahul Bajaj, a titan of Indian industry, passed away leaving behind a legacy intertwined with India’s economic landscape. His life, chronicled in the biography “Rahul Bajaj, Ek Bemisal Zindagi” by Geeta Piramal, reveals a man deeply shaped by his family’s close ties to Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian independence movement.
Despite his family’s traditional Marwari background, Bajaj’s upbringing instilled in him Gandhian values that would later influence his business practices. Under his leadership, the Bajaj Group, and Bajaj Auto in particular, reached new heights. Bajaj Auto secured its place as the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of two-wheelers and three-wheelers.
The book details pivotal moments, such as the rebranding of Bajaj scooters after the company’s partnership with Piaggio ended. Bajaj decided to use the family name for the company’s vehicles, a move that proved successful thanks to the brand’s strong reputation and a ten-year waiting list for their scooters.
The Bajaj Chetak, named after the legendary steed of Maharana Pratap Singh, became an iconic symbol of middle-class India. Its affordability and reliability made it a common sight on Indian roads. Owning a Bajaj Chetak was a status symbol, often sought after as dowry and even fueling a black market due to high demand.
However, the company’s commitment to the Chetak’s original design, despite growing competition and changing market trends, ultimately led to its discontinuation in 2005. Bajaj admits that the company failed to recognize the shift towards motorcycles in the late 1990s, a miscalculation that cost them market share.
Despite this setback, Bajaj Auto continued to thrive, ending 2021 with a market capitalization of Rs 1,00,670.76 crore ($13.6 billion). The company even revived the Chetak in 2019 as an electric scooter, demonstrating its ability to adapt and innovate.
Rahul Bajaj’s life story is a testament to his business acumen and the enduring legacy of a brand that has become synonymous with Indian mobility.
