The Aryavarth Express
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: On the 133rd birth anniversary of Padma Vibhushan awardee Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj, Shishir Bajaj, patriarch of the Bajaj Group, paid a heartfelt tribute to his grandmother, remembering her as a symbol of simplicity, courage and selfless service to the nation.
Recalling her life and values, Shishir Bajaj said Jankidevi Bajaj embodied discipline, compassion and an unwavering commitment to Gandhian ideals. Deeply inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, she adopted swadeshi and khadi, dedicating her life to social service, women’s empowerment and rural upliftment.
“My grandmother, Jankidevi Bajaj, lived her life rooted in discipline, compassion and unwavering commitment to Gandhian values. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, she embraced swadeshi, khadi and a life of simplicity, dedicating herself to the service of society, women empowerment and rural upliftment. My son Kushagra was blessed to have played on her lap, and I am glad that her quiet strength and moral clarity continue to guide the Bajaj Group’s philosophy of nation-building through ethical enterprise,” he said.
Born on January 7, 1893, in Jawra, Madhya Pradesh, Jankidevi Bajaj devoted her life to social reform and public service after marrying Jamnalal Bajaj at a young age. The couple later moved to Wardha, Maharashtra, where she actively participated in India’s freedom movement. Her work spanned women’s education, social equality, animal welfare and rural development. She also played a key role in the Bhoodan Movement alongside Acharya Vinoba Bhave and served as President of the Akhil Bharatiya Goseva Sangh.
In recognition of her exceptional contribution to society, Jankidevi Bajaj was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1956 by then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Despite the honour, she remained a lifelong embodiment of humility and service. Her autobiography, Meri Jeevan Yatra, reflects the simplicity, discipline and moral strength that defined her life.
As the nation remembers her enduring legacy, the family-owned Bajaj Group—founded on the principles she upheld—has paid tribute through a short Instagram video shared on @bajajgroupofficial. Today, the group is led by her great-grandson Kushagra Bajaj and continues to uphold her values.
About Bajaj Group
Founded in 1926 by eminent freedom fighter and philanthropist Jamnalal Bajaj, the Bajaj Group is among India’s most respected and diversified conglomerates. Its flagship companies include Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Ltd., India’s largest integrated sugar company with 14 sugar mills and six ethanol plants; Bajaj Energy Ltd., which operates six power plants in Uttar Pradesh with a total capacity of 2,430 MW, supplying around 10 per cent of the state’s electricity demand; and Bajaj Consumer Care Ltd., a market leader in the premium hair oil segment with its flagship brand Bajaj Almond Drops Hair Oil.
The group continues to blend industrial excellence with social responsibility, guided by its enduring philosophy of “Nation Building Through Business and Service.”
