Hello everyone, and welcome back to the blog. Today, we have some very sad news to talk about from the Indian business world. It is truly the end of an era.

If you live in India, you have definitely heard of the brand Raymond. Behind that massive, globally recognized brand was a very special man. Former Raymond Group chairman Vijaypat Singhania has sadly passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai.

We were reading through the news reports today, and We wanted to share the full story of his passing, his amazing life, and his legacy with all of you here on the blog. He was so much more than just a businessman, and his life story is actually quite inspiring.

The Sad News and Final Rites

The news of his passing came out over the weekend. A spokesperson for the Raymond Group officially confirmed the sad development. They shared that Vijaypat Singhania who also held the honorary title of Air Commodore passed away peacefully on a Saturday evening in Mumbai.

His son, Gautam Singhania, who is the current Chairman and Managing Director of the Raymond Group, took to X (which we all still casually call Twitter) to share a short but very touching tribute. He simply posted: “RIP. Om Shanti.”

The Singhania family also put out an official announcement regarding his final journey. For those who wish to pay their respects, the funeral assembly is scheduled to be held at 1:30 PM on Sunday, March 29, 2026. This will take place at Haveli, located on LD Ruparel Marg in Mumbai. Following the assembly, the cremation will happen at the Chandanwadi crematorium at 3:00 PM. The family has kindly requested all family members, friends, and well-wishers to attend and pay their final respects to the great man.

A Touching Family Tribute

When a loved one passes away, finding the right words is always hard. But the Singhania family released a beautiful condolence message. They described him as a “visionary leader, philanthropist, and an inspiring personality whose legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations.” We think that is a wonderful way to be remembered.

They also shared a very deep and meaningful verse from the holy Bhagavad Gita to honor him. The verse they chose was: “Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana, ma karmaphalahetur bhur ma te sangostvakarmani.” Along with this powerful verse, the family stated that they are praying for his departed soul to attain eternal peace.

Building a Global Brand

So, who was Vijaypat Singhania beyond the headlines? Born into the well-known Singhania business family way back in the late 1930s, he grew up to become one of India’s most prominent and famous industrialists.

He was the big boss the chairman of the Raymond Group for nearly two whole decades, leading the company right up until the year 2000. During his time at the top, he didn't just keep the business running, he totally transformed it. He turned Raymond into a globally recognized brand, famous everywhere for its top-quality suiting fabrics and menswear. He personally oversaw massive expansions in how they manufactured goods, how they ran their retail shops, and how they exported their products all over the world.

There’s more to life than simply increasing its speed.

By Udaipur Freelancer

The Flying Industrialist

Now, this is the part of his life that We find absolutely the coolest. Vijaypat Singhania wasn't just a guy who sat in a boring boardroom all day. He had a massive passion for aviation and real adventure.

Did you know he was a trained pilot? He even held the rank of honorary Air Commodore! But it gets even better. He was actually one of the world's leading balloonists. Yes, hot air balloons! He set several different aviation and ballooning records during his life. His biggest adventure was when he actually set a world record for achieving the highest altitude ever in a hot air balloon. It just goes to show that his passion for the skies was just as strong as his passion for business.

Because of his great standing in society, he even served as the Sheriff of Bombay for a time, which really shows how much the city respected him.

Family Changes and His Final Legacy

After steering the Raymond ship through years of amazing growth, he finally stepped down in the year 2000. He decided it was time to pass the torch. He handed over the leadership of the company to his son, Gautam Singhania. Along with the leadership role, he also transferred his entire 37 percent stake in the company directly to his son.

It is true that in his later years, there were some legal disputes and differences between the father and son that made it into the news. Families are complicated, and business families are no different. However, the reports thankfully note that these differences were eventually resolved amicably between them.

At the end of the day, his contribution to Indian industry and society was huge. The Indian government recognized his hard work and his adventurous spirit by awarding him the Padma Bhushan, which is India’s third-highest civilian honor.

Vijaypat Singhania lived a huge, full life. From the factory floors to the highest clouds in a hot air balloon, he truly saw it all. Rest in peace to a true Indian legend.