On the occasion of the 111th birth anniversary of renowned Indian industrialist and freedom fighter Shri Kamalnayan Bajaj, a special short film dedicated to his glorious life journey was released by his son and Chairman of the Bajaj Foundation, Shri Shishir Bajaj, on Friday, 23rd January, 2026.
This special short film, produced by the Bajaj Group family and available on YouTube, brings to life the great personality of Shri Kamalnayan Bajaj and his extraordinary life and times. He laid the true entrepreneurial foundation of the Bajaj Group and played a significant role in shaping India’s journey towards self-reliance. This commemorative film depicts Shri Kamalnayan Bajaj’s journey from a young freedom fighter inspired by Mahatma Gandhi to a visionary industrialist and nation-builder. He believed that business was not merely a means of earning profit, but a sacred patriotic duty to serve the nation. Born on January 23, 1915, to Jamnalal Bajaj and Jankidevi Bajaj, Kamalnayan Bajaj grew up under the moral influence of three great personalities—his father Jamnalal Bajaj, his mentor Mahatma Gandhi, and his guru Acharya Vinoba Bhave. His values were clear from the very beginning of his life. At the young age of 15, he participated in the Dandi March and became an early supporter of the Swadeshi and Khadi movements. In an era when economic empowerment was essential for the freedom movement, he believed that purpose should come before position or power, and that the goal of enterprise should be to serve the national interest. The short film illustrates how Kamalnayan Bajaj consciously established industries that reduced India’s dependence on imports and realized the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) at a time when the term itself was not yet in vogue. Archival footage shows him frequently visiting the Gola sugar mill in Uttar Pradesh, which his father had established to curb sugar imports. These scenes also feature his family and his younger son, Shishir, who later spearheaded the significant expansion of Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar. The film also illustrates how he forged global collaborations at a time when India’s economy was quite weak. One such collaboration was with the global electronics company Philips for Bajaj Electricals, and another with the Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio for Vespa, which launched Bajaj’s automobile business. These pioneering partnerships proved Kamalnayan Bajaj to be a true entrepreneur of the Bajaj Group, transforming a value-based legacy into a globally respected industrial conglomerate. Beyond business, Kamalnayan Bajaj served as a Member of Parliament from the Wardha constituency in Maharashtra for 15 years and dedicated himself to the social and economic development of rural communities. He consistently contributed to strengthening education, healthcare, relief efforts, and cultural institutions. He also played a quiet but significant role in India’s political integration, particularly assisting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during the integration of the princely states. This contribution is mentioned by V.P. Menon in his book. The video also revisits Bajajwadi in Wardha, which became a symbol of camaraderie, dialogue, and national service. Many leaders visited there, including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Sarojini Naidu, Morarji Desai, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, and even the King and Queen of Nepal. These visits were so regular, often to meet Gandhiji at the Sevagram Ashram, that Mahatma Gandhi referred to Bajajwadi as the “National Guest House.”
On this significant occasion of the film’s launch, Mr. Shishir Bajaj, Chairman of the Bajaj Foundation, said, “My father believed that what we create must be sustainable, and what is sustainable must serve society. For him, industry, public service, and social institutions were all inseparable pillars of nation-building.” He added that this tribute is a humble attempt on their part to remind future generations that value-based entrepreneurship can transform both business and society. The film also sheds light on Kamalnayan Bajaj’s personal life, primarily focusing on his marriage to Savitri Devi at the age of 19, her unwavering support in all his endeavors, and the assimilation of his values and vision by his children. His elder son, Rahul Bajaj, and younger son, Shishir Bajaj, went on to remarkably expand the businesses he established. This distinguished legacy is currently being carried forward by Mr. Shishir Bajaj and his sons: his elder son, Kushagra Bajaj, who is currently the Chairman of the business side, and his younger son, Apurv Bajaj. They are continuing Kamalnayan Bajaj’s mission of integrating enterprise with social responsibility. From the industrial expansion of the Bajaj Group to deepening rural development initiatives in Wardha, Sikar, and Lalitpur, the family remains committed to socio-economic transformation and nation-building. This tribute film, released on digital and social platforms, utilizes artificial intelligence to restore, animate, and narrate archival photographs, making history accessible to the younger generation while preserving the dignity and gravitas of Kamalnayan Bajaj’s life. The in-house production, scriptwriting and voiceover for this elegant film were ensured by Ms. Suruchi Mahatpurkar Kore, General Manager of Corporate Communications at the Bajaj Group. As the nation remembers Shri Kamalnayan Bajaj on his 111th birth anniversary, this creative tribute from the Bajaj family reiterates a timeless message: true entrepreneurship is defined not merely by expansion, but by service to the nation and the preservation of values.
