London: Lord Swraj Paul, a leading UK-based industrialist, philanthropist, and a member of the House of Lords, has passed away at the age of 94. The founder of the Caparo Group died on Thursday evening in London, surrounded by his family, following a recent period of illness.
Born in Jalandhar, Punjab, Lord Paul moved to the United Kingdom in the 1960s seeking medical treatment for his daughter, Ambika, who later succumbed to leukemia. This personal tragedy led him to establish the Ambika Paul Foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to the welfare of children and young people.
Lord Paul’s business journey began with the establishment of the Caparo Group in 1968. He built the company into a global enterprise with interests spanning steel, engineering, and property. He was a regular on the “Sunday Times Rich List” and was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and strong advocacy for closer ties between the UK and India.
His contributions to public life were recognized with a life peerage in 1996, and he served actively in the House of Lords, focusing on issues of trade, education, and entrepreneurship. Lord Paul also played a crucial role in saving the London Zoo from closure, with its children’s section named in memory of his daughter.
Tributes have poured in from both India and the UK. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, recalling his interactions with Lord Paul and highlighting his significant contributions to industry and public service. Lord Paul’s legacy is defined by his success in business, his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, and his role as a bridge between two nations.
