Lord Swraj Paul’s Legacy Honored in London

The legacy of Lord Swraj Paul, the Indian-born British industrialist and philanthropist who passed away last week at 94, was celebrated at a heartfelt prayer meet on Monday at the London Zoo, a venue he saved from closure through generous donations. His son, Akash Paul, chairman of Caparo India and director of the Caparo Group, described his father’s principles of “truth, trust, and transparency” as a guiding light for the family and the business empire he founded in the 1960s.

The memorial, attended by luminaries from business, politics, and philanthropy, featured Vedic prayers led by Dr. M N Nandakumara of Bhavan UK. Akash, joined by siblings Ambar and Anjli, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, shared an emotional reflection with PTI: “The outpouring of tributes has touched me deeply. Papa’s principles will continue to inspire us to build on the strong foundations he left behind.”

Akash, a fellow MIT alumnus, recalled his father’s blend of tough and unconditional love, which shaped his success. He shared a poignant memory of his final conversation with Lord Paul while traveling in Iceland, urging his father to hold on. “I broke down telling him how much I loved him. Minutes later, his carer said he waited for my voice before passing,” Akash recounted.

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Lord Paul, born in Jalandhar, documented his journey in his memoir Beyond Boundaries and a biography of Indira Gandhi. His move to the UK was marked by tragedy with the loss of his daughter Ambika to cancer, leading to the creation of the Ambika Paul Foundation, which later honored his son Angad and wife Aruna. The foundation supports numerous charitable initiatives, including the Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo, which Lord Paul vowed to maintain as the world’s best.

In July 2024, as Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Lord Paul conferred an honorary doctorate on Akash for advancing Caparo’s growth across the UK, Europe, US, and India. Akash praised his father’s character, saying, “I could list the entire alphabet to describe the qualities that made him a stalwart of industry.”

Lord Paul’s contributions extended beyond business. A prominent figure in the House of Lords, he championed India-UK relations and education through his philanthropy. The Caparo Group, a steel and engineering conglomerate, became a symbol of his entrepreneurial vision. The choice of the London Zoo for his memorial underscored his lifelong commitment to giving back, leaving an indelible mark on both nations.

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