London/New Delhi— Lord Swraj Paul, a towering figure in global industry, philanthropy, and public life, passed away in London on Thursday evening at the age of 94. He had been hospitalised recently after a period of illness, according to his family, and died peacefully at the hospital.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes from India, expressing sorrow over the loss of a man whose life bridged two nations. “Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Swaraj Paul Ji,” PM Modi wrote on X. “His contributions to industry, philanthropy and public service in the UK, and his unwavering support for closer ties with India will always be remembered.”
The Prime Minister also reflected on his personal rapport with Lord Paul: “I fondly recall our many interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Born on February 18, 1931, in Jalandhar, Punjab, Lord Paul moved to the UK in the 1960s to seek treatment for his young daughter Ambika, who tragically passed away from cancer at age four. Her loss became the genesis of a lifelong philanthropic mission. He founded the Ambika Paul Foundation, a charitable trust that focused on improving the lives of children and youth — a cause that would define much of his later life.
A self-made industrialist, Lord Paul went on to establish the Caparo Group, a major industrial conglomerate in the UK. He was elevated to the British Parliament’s House of Lords in 1996, where he played an active role in promoting trade, education, and entrepreneurship, as well as advocating for stronger India-UK ties.
Lord Paul’s philanthropic contributions were as expansive as his business empire. He played a pivotal role in saving the London Zoo from closure, and its children’s section — now known as the Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo — was named in honor of his daughter. Speaking at a commemorative event there last month, he said: “The London Zoo is where she was always the happiest.”
Despite personal losses — his wife Aruna passed in 2022 and his son Angad in 2015 — Lord Paul remained committed to public service and charitable causes. His resilience, humility, and vision made him one of Britain’s wealthiest and most respected Asians, a symbol of cross-cultural impact, and a beacon for generations of entrepreneurs.
Lord Swraj Paul is survived by his children and grandchildren. Plans for a memorial service in both London and India are expected to be announced in the coming days.
His legacy — rooted in compassion, courage, and cross-continental contribution — will endure.
