Mumbai — In a country where some scooters become family members and EMI approvals sometimes feel more emotional than wedding proposals, the Bajaj Group has completed a remarkable 100-year journey — from India’s freedom movement to becoming one of the country’s most influential business empires.
The Bajaj Group, now valued at nearly USD 148 billion by market capitalisation, marked its centenary celebrations in Mumbai with a gathering that blended history, industry, nationalism, philanthropy and future-facing technology. The event also received a special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hailed the Group’s contribution to India’s economic and social development over the past century.
Founded in 1926 by Jamnalal Bajaj in Bombay (now Mumbai), the Group today touches one in every three Indian households through its presence across automobiles, financial services, consumer electricals, engineering and soon, healthcare. From the iconic Bajaj Chetak to global motorcycle partnerships, and from consumer finance to AI-driven financial inclusion, Bajaj’s story mirrors India’s own industrial evolution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his message to the Bajaj family, described the Group as an institution that has adapted across generations while contributing to India’s growth story. He noted that the company has played a vital role in job creation, innovation, manufacturing and community development, adding that institutions like Bajaj will remain important in India’s journey toward becoming a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
The PM’s message carried particular significance because Bajaj’s origins are deeply intertwined with India’s independence movement. Founder Jamnalal Bajaj was not merely an industrialist but also a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, often referred to as Gandhi’s “fifth adopted son.” Long before “Make in India” became a national slogan, Jamnalal Bajaj believed India should build for itself, produce for itself and stand on its own feet.
And Bajaj wasn’t just making products — it was making statements.
Back in 1928, the Bajaj family-run Laxmi Nayan Mandir became the first temple in India to allow Dalits entry despite resistance from orthodox groups. During the freedom struggle, Bajajwadi in Wardha became a nerve centre for political discussions involving Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose and several other national leaders. Even the draft of the Quit India Movement reportedly took shape there.
At the centenary celebration held at Mumbai’s National Sports Club of India, the Bajaj family reflected on how those values shaped the company’s future across generations.
Niraj Bajaj, Chairman of Bajaj Auto, said the stories of Bajaj and India have “never really been separate.” He credited Jamnalal Bajaj’s philosophy of “common good over individual gain” for guiding the Group through generations of growth and diversification.
Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, focused on the Group’s global ambitions, highlighting how Bajaj Auto has evolved into one of the world’s top three two-wheeler manufacturers with exports to over 100 countries across Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. He pointed to Bajaj’s partnership with Austrian motorcycle brand KTM as proof that Indian companies are now co-creators of global brands rather than merely participants.
And yes, somewhere between Pulsars dominating highways and KTM bikes starring in late-night YouTube drag races, Bajaj quietly became one of India’s strongest global automotive ambassadors.
Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv, spoke about the next century being driven by innovation, AI and youth-led entrepreneurship. He noted that the Group sees artificial intelligence not merely as a technology trend but as a tool for financial inclusion and opportunity creation.
Meanwhile, Nirav Bajaj, CEO of Bajaj Integrated Health System, outlined the Group’s future social ambitions through “Bajaj Beyond,” a CSR initiative focused on education, livelihoods and sustainability with the goal of positively impacting over two crore young Indians within five years.
The event itself was a mix of business summit and cultural retrospective. Guests included industrialists, ministers, political leaders, celebrities and long-time partners. Highlights included a specially composed live performance by Grammy Award-winning composer Ricky Kej, the unveiling of the “100 Years of Bajaj” logo, and the screening of Kathni Karni Eksi, a film on Jamnalal Bajaj and Mahatma Gandhi directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
The Group’s timeline over the last century reads almost like a parallel history of modern India. From Jamnalal Bajaj participating in the Non-Cooperation Movement and Salt Satyagraha, to Rahul Bajaj building the company into an industrial powerhouse, the Group steadily expanded into automobiles, finance, insurance, electricals and engineering.
The launch of the Bajaj Chetak in 1972 became a defining moment in Indian mobility culture. For many Indian families, owning a Chetak was less about transportation and more about achieving middle-class prestige. Decades later, Bajaj Finance would similarly redefine consumer lending, turning “instant approval” into one of India’s favourite modern-day phrases.
Today, the Bajaj Group includes companies such as Bajaj Auto, Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Electricals, Bajaj Housing Finance, Bajaj Holdings & Investment and Mukand. Collectively, the conglomerate employs more than 130,000 people and exports products and services to over 100 countries.
The Group’s social initiatives have also impacted more than 10 million beneficiaries through programmes focused on child health, education, skilling and rural development.
As Bajaj enters its second century, the company appears determined to balance legacy with disruption — preserving Gandhian values while embracing AI, electric mobility, healthcare and digital finance.
After all, not many companies can claim they helped shape both India’s freedom movement and your monthly EMI cycle.
