Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the death of NRI industrialist and philanthropist Lord Swaraj Paul, recalling his contributions to industry, philanthropy and India-UK relations.
Lord Paul, 94, passed away in London on Thursday evening. He had been hospitalised recently after falling ill, his family said.
“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,” the prime minister said in a post on X.
PM Modi also remembered his personal interactions with Paul. “I fondly recall our many interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” he wrote.
Born in Punjab’s Jalandhar in 1931, Swraj Paul moved to the UK in the 1960s for the treatment of his daughter Ambika, who later died of cancer at the age of four. In her memory, he set up the Ambika Paul Foundation to promote child welfare and education.
He went on to establish the Caparo Group of industries in the UK and became one of Britain’s most prominent NRI businessmen. Made a life peer in the House of Lords in 1996, Paul contributed actively to committees on trade, education and entrepreneurship.
Over the years, he became well known for his philanthropy, including efforts to save the London Zoo from closure and support for its children’s section, named after his daughter.
Paul also suffered personal tragedies, losing his son Angad in 2015 and wife Aruna in 2022, but continued his charitable initiatives in their memory.
A key figure in strengthening Indo-British ties, Paul was regarded as one of the richest Asians in Britain, straddling the worlds of business, politics and philanthropy with distinction.
(With IANS inputs)