Key Highlights
- Final Rites: Funeral services are scheduled for March 29 at 3:00 PM at Mumbai’s Chandanwadi Crematorium.
- Business Legacy: Transformed a small Thane woolen mill into the global “Raymond” empire.
- Aviation Record: Set a world record at age 67 for the highest flight in a hot air balloon.
- Personal Struggle: Spent his final years in a high-profile legal battle with his son after transferring his multi-billion-dollar stake.
- Branding Pioneer: Architect of the iconic “The Complete Man” marketing campaign.
The Indian business community is mourning the loss of a titan. Vijaypat Singhania, the man who steered the Raymond Group to the pinnacle of the global textile industry, died Saturday at the age of 87. The news was confirmed by his son, Gautam Singhania, the current Chairman and Managing Director of Raymond.
Singhania’s journey with Raymond began in earnest in 1980. While the company traces its roots back to 1925 as “Wadia Mill,” it was Vijaypat’s foresight that turned a manufacturer of army uniforms into a luxury household name. Through sophisticated branding and slogans like “The Complete Man” and “Feels Like Heaven,” he redefined masculinity and fashion in post-liberalization India. Under his leadership, Raymond became one of the world’s largest integrated producers of worsted fabric.
The 2015 Turning Point and Personal Tragedy
Despite his professional triumphs, Singhania’s later life was marked by a public and painful fallout with his family. In 2015, in an act of paternal trust, he transferred his entire 37% stake in the Raymond Group, then valued at approximately ₹1,000 crore, to his son Gautam.
This decision, which he later described as his “most terrible mistake,” led to a bitter legal dispute. The tycoon found himself ousted from the 37-story “JK House,” a luxury skyscraper he had built on Mumbai’s Malabar Hill. Stripped of his title of Chairman Emeritus and deprived of his corporate perks, including his car and driver, the man once worth billions was forced to move into a rented 2BHK apartment with his wife. His story became a national cautionary tale regarding the complexities of succession and family dynamics in business dynasties.
A Master of the Skies
Beyond the boardroom, Vijaypat Singhania was an intrepid adventurer. An avid pilot with over 5,000 hours of flight experience, his passion for the skies was legendary. In 2005, at the age of 67, he achieved a Guinness World Record by reaching an altitude of 69,852 feet in a hot air balloon, a feat that showcased his relentless spirit and desire to push boundaries.
Final Farewell
The passing of Vijaypat Singhania marks the definitive end of an era for the Indian textile industry. His life was a study in extremes, from the zenith of corporate power to the humility of a rented home. As the industry gathers at the Chandanwadi Crematorium today, he is remembered not just for the suits that clothe millions but for his daring spirit in both business and the clouds.
His story remains a stark reminder of the volatility of fortune and the enduring importance of legacy beyond mere financial assets.
