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The Hinduja Group recently reported the passing of its chairman Gopichand P. Hinduja one of the giants of the Indian and global business community. Hinduja died on November 4th in London at the age of 85. In many ways his life and career arc followed India’s own – from small time trader to international conglomerate. Let’s delve into Gopichand’s history: Early Life Gopichand P. Hinduja was born on 29 January 1940 to Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja who had set up the Hinduja Group in 1914. The family later moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) as part of a post-independence business and trade re-orientation. Gopichand graduated from Jai Hind College in Mumbai before joining the family business in 1959. Ascendance in the Business World Hinduja started in commodity trading between India and Iran. His brothers joined the business and over time it transformed from a trading house into a multi-sector conglomerate. Key in this transformation were the acquisitions of Gulf Oil Corporation in 1984 and Ashok Leyland in 1987 which both moved the group into manufacturing and heavy industry. In the 2000s and 2010s Gopichand led the Group across diverse sectors including the automotive industry banking and finance IT services real-estate and oil. Offices and investments can be found in Europe the Americas and Asia. Philosophy and Leadership Business peers and associates would call Gopichand “GP” and he was known for a focus on family unity a group business mentality and practical decision-making. He was famous for repeating the family motto: “Everything belongs to everyone and nothing belongs to anyone.” Despite the Hinduja family’s rise to become one of the richest in the UK and globally Gopichand has been less flashy with a long-term view. In recent years the family has ranked number one on Britain’s Sunday Times Rich List. Epilogue - Legacy and Future Gopichand P. Hinduja passed away on 4 November 2025 in London at the age of 85. He was the face of the Hinduja empire a business family that was one of the largest conglomerates in India and whose roots went back over a century. In his passing the business world will remember a merchant who became a mogul whose life followed India’s emergence as a global economic power. What is left behind is a sprawling legacy: a business empire spanning sectors; a culture of family stewardship; and a template for an Indian business house going global crossing industries and investing in the next generation. Gopichand’s death also leaves a question as to how the Hinduja family business will fare. Will the next generation manage to keep both the empire and its guiding values going? In any case the influence of Gopichand P. Hinduja on Indian and international business will not be forgotten.