Business icon leaves behind enduring legacy of leadership and philanthropy

British-Indian business magnate and philanthropist Lord Swraj Paul, who acted as a bridge between India and the UK for almost half a century and emblemised the sterling success story of nonresident Indians, died in London on Friday. He was 94.

- Agencies

Born to Pyare Lal in erstwhile British India’s undivided Punjab on February 18, 1931, Paul made the extraordinary transition from the bylanes of Jalandhar to the House of Lords in the heart of Great Britain, becoming one of UK’s richest men.

He left behind the steel and engineering multinational Caparo Group that he built, a legacy of philanthropic and educational institutions, and a rich history of acting to advance the interests of his homeland across the world.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Swaraj Paul Ji. His contributions to industry, philanthropy and public service in the UK, and his unwavering support for closer ties with India will always be remembered. I fondly recall our many interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge condoled the death. “A philanthropist, politician and Padma Bhushan recipient, he was a lifelong friend of India in the UK. His association with Former PM Smt. Indira Gandhi has been valuable,” he posted.

Paul, whose father ran a small foundry for steel goods and buckets, completed high school in Jalandhar and secured a degree in science from Punjab University in 1949. He then travelled to the US to pursue degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After completing his studies, he returned to India to join the family business, Apeejay Surrendra Group —one of India’s oldest business conglomerates.

But in 1966, he was forced to relocate to the US in pursuit of treatment for his daughter Ambika who was suffering from leukaemia. Unfortunately, she died aged four.