Vijaypat Singhania, Raymond Group's Former Chairman, Dies at 87

Vijaypat Singhania, the iconic industrialist, trailblazing aviator, and former chairman of the Raymond Group, passed away peacefully in Mumbai on Saturday evening, March 28, 2026, at the age of 87. His demise marks the end of an era for India's textile industry and the broader business landscape, as widely reported by leading Indian news outlets like The Times of India, The Economic Times, India Today, Hindustan Times, and NDTV. Born on October 4, 1938, Vijaypat Lala Kailashpat Singhania was a prominent member of the esteemed Singhania family. He took the helm of the Raymond Group as its chairman and managing director in 1980, steering the company for two decades until 2000. Under his visionary leadership, Raymond evolved from a manufacturer of woollen blankets into a diversified conglomerate, expanding into synthetic fabrics, denim, steel, industrial files, and cement. He is credited with transforming Raymond into a household name, synonymous with the 'Complete Man' tagline, which resonated deeply with the evolving identity of the Indian male. Beyond his significant contributions to industry, Singhania was celebrated for his profound passion for aviation and adventure. He achieved remarkable feats in the sky, most notably setting a world record in November 2005, at the age of 67, by ascending to an astonishing altitude of nearly 69,000 feet in a hot air balloon. This record-breaking flight, taking off from the Mumbai racecourse and landing near Nashik, cemented his legacy as one of the world's leading balloonists. Earlier, in 1988, he set a speed-over-time endurance record for microlight aircraft by completing a solo flight from London to New Delhi over 23 days. His exceptional courage and skill in aviation were further recognized by the Indian Air Force, which conferred upon him the honorary rank of Air Commodore in 1994, acknowledging his more than 5,000 flying hours. In recognition of his overarching achievements in industry, public life, and adventure, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan, the nation's third-highest civilian award, in 2006. He also served as the Sheriff of Mumbai in 2006-2007, reflecting his stature and civic engagement. The news of his demise was confirmed by his son, Gautam Singhania, the current Chairman and Managing Director of the Raymond Group, who shared the sad news on microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter). Gautam Singhania described his father as a "visionary leader, philanthropist, and an inspiring personality, whose legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations." A Raymond Group spokesperson confirmed that Vijaypat Singhania passed away "peacefully" and that his last rites were performed on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Chandanwadi crematorium in Mumbai, with a funeral assembly held at Haveli, LD Ruparel Marg. He is survived by his wife Ashadevi Singhania and children Madhupati Singhania, Shephali Ruia, and Gautam Singhania. While his later years saw widely publicized family disputes, particularly concerning the transfer of his 37% stake in Raymond to Gautam in 2015, reports indicate that these issues were eventually resolved amicably. Despite these personal challenges, his professional legacy and adventurous spirit remain untarnished, solidifying his place as a titan of Indian industry and an inspiration to many.

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