Remembering Lord Swraj Paul

A tribute to a champion of Indo-British ties, philanthropy, and quiet resilience

- SUNDEEP BHUTORIA

I write these words with a heavy heart, mourning the loss of a man who was at once a titan and a guiding light for countless cosmopolitan Indians. Lord Swraj Paul was not just an industrialist, philanthropist, and parliamentarian—he was a beacon. A beacon between India and the United Kingdom, between tradition and modernity, between personal tragedy and public service.

My association with Lord Swraj Paul goes back more than 25 years. I first met him in London when the late Hashim Abdul Halim introduced me to him at the House of Lords, and we immediately connected. Since then, meeting him became an essential part of every London visit—whether it was a weekend at his farm, meals at his favorite Italian restaurant near Baker Street, evenings over samosas at his residence, or tea at the House of Lords.

In his last three visits to Kolkata, he was kind enough to visit my home, and I will always treasure those moments. I also spent time with him post-Covid when he was in Kensington Hospital, and the last time we met was at his house in London, where he was, as always, extremely affectionate towards me.

Fifteen years ago, he graciously wrote the blurb for my book on tigers, and to my surprise, last year, his caretaker Salma called to say he had penned a note on my latest book 'Norway Diary'. Such gestures reflected his warmth and generosity of spirit.