Former Raymond Chairman Vijaypat Singhania passes away at 87:Last rites to be held in Mumbai today

Former Raymond Group Chairman Vijaypat Singhania passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai on Sunday. His son Gautam Singhania shared this information on social media. His last rites will be performed today at 3 PM at Mumbai’s Chandanwadi crematorium. Gautam Singhania wrote in his message that his father was a visionary leader and philanthropist whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. Vijaypat Singhania was the former Managing Director of Raymond Group, a leading textile company in the country. Since 2017, Vijaypat has been in the headlines over disputes with his son, Gautam Singhania, over family and property matters. Business expanded in cement and steel sector Vijaypat Singhania became Chairman and MD of the Raymond Group in 1980. Under Singhania’s leadership, the Raymond Group expanded beyond just textiles. He expanded the group into areas such as synthetic fabrics, denim, steel, industrial fibers, and cement. His vision transformed Raymond from a textile company into a major industrial conglomerate. Beyond business, he also contributed to the field of education. He served as Chairman of the Governing Council of IIM Ahmedabad from 2007 to 2012. World record was made in hot air balloon Vijaypat Singhania was known as a risk-taking corporate leader. He had a passion for adventure and aviation. In November 2005, at the age of 67, he set a world record by flying to an altitude of approximately 69,000 feet in a hot air balloon. Earlier, in 1988, he set a speed-over-time endurance record by flying solo from London to New Delhi in a microlight aircraft in 23 days. In 1994, the Indian Air Force made him an honorary Air Commodore for his more than 5,000 hours of flight experience, while in 2006, he was appointed Sheriff of Mumbai. Gautam Singhania’s X post announcing the news of his father Vijaypat Kailashpat Singhania’s death… Some facts about Vijaypat Vijaypat once flew alone from Britain to India For Singhania, who was passionate about adventure and aviation, the sky was the limit. He was a rare corporate leader who took risks outside the boardroom as well. He received much acclaim in both business and adventure fields. He was awarded India’s third-highest civilian honor ‘Padma Bhushan’ as well as the ‘Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award’. In November 2005, when Vijaypat was 67 years old, he set a world record by reaching an altitude of approximately 69,000 feet in a hot air balloon. Earlier in 1988, she set a ‘Speed-over-Time Endurance Record’ by flying solo from London to New Delhi in 23 days in a microlight aircraft. In 1994, the Indian Air Force made her ‘Honorary Air Commodore’ due to her flight experience of over 5000 hours, while in 2006 she was appointed as the ‘Sheriff’ of Mumbai. Vijaypat had also written a book titled ‘An Angel in a Cockpit’. Property dispute with son Gautam remained most talked about Vijaypat Singhania had handed over the reins of the company to his son in 2015. A long dispute continued between the two after this. In a 2017 interview, Vijaypat revealed that his son Gautam Singhania had evicted him from JK House. Several media reports showed him living in a rented house. On March 20, 2024, Raymond Group Chairman Gautam Singhania posted a photo with his father on X and wrote – ‘Happy to have my father at home today and receive his blessings. Always wishing for your good health, Papa.’ However, just 6 days later, Vijaypat Singhania dismissed all speculation about reconciliation with his son. Vijaypat claimed that his son had forced him to meet at JK House. The photo shared in the post was also taken for this purpose. Now learn about Vijaypat’s company ‘Raymond’ Raymond is a trusted menswear brand in India, which started in 1925 from Thane. Initially, this mill made uniforms for the army, but later it was made available to the general public. During Vijaypat Singhania’s time, the company progressed rapidly and opened showrooms in small cities. Gautam Singhania carried forward this legacy by modernizing the company. He worked on new fabrics, designs and technology, which strengthened Raymond’s identity. Today, the company is doing business both in the country and abroad.