LONDON, Aug. 22 — Lord Swraj Paul, the Jalandhar-born British industrialist, philanthropist and peer in the House of Lords, passed away Thursday evening in London at the age of 94. Family members said he died surrounded by loved ones after being hospitalised in recent weeks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes, writing on X, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Swaraj Paul Ji. His contributions to industry, philanthropy, and public service in the UK, and his unwavering support for closer ties with India will always be remembered. I fondly recall our many interactions. Condolences to his family.”
Born on February 18, 1931, in Jalandhar, Punjab, Lord Paul completed his early education locally before earning a science degree from Punjab University in 1949. He later studied mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, receiving both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
He moved to Britain in the 1960s to seek medical treatment for his daughter Ambika, who later succumbed to leukemia at the age of four. In her memory, he established the Ambika Paul Foundation, which went on to fund major charitable projects for children’s health and education worldwide, including the Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo at the London Zoo. After the passing of Lady Aruna Paul in 2022, the family renamed the trust as the Aruna and Ambika Paul Foundation.
In 1968, Paul founded the Caparo Group in the UK, building it into a global steel and engineering conglomerate with a workforce of more than 10,000 at its peak. The company diversified into sectors including power generation, logistics, hotels, financial services and real estate. Although he stepped back from management in 1996, he continued to serve as a mentor to the business, with his son Akash Paul now leading Caparo India and serving as a director of the group.
A towering presence in the Indian diaspora, Lord Paul was known for his loyalty to India and his advocacy of Indo-British ties. He was knighted in 1978, created Baron Paul of Marylebone in 1996 by Prime Minister John Major, and later served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords from 2008 to 2010. In 2009, he was also sworn into the Privy Council.
In India, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1983 for his contributions to industry and public service. His philanthropy in education was significant: he was Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton since 1998, donating £1 million in 2015 — the institution’s single largest gift — and served as Chancellor of the University of Westminster from 2006 to 2014. He also contributed to MIT in the U.S., funding scholarships and the Swraj Paul Theatre.
Lord Paul’s political connections were equally deep. He earned respect in the 1970s for his steadfast support of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during her political trials, drawing the nickname “man of steel” for both his character and his business acumen.
In his later years, he remained devoted to family and philanthropy. At the inauguration of the Lady Aruna Swraj Paul Hall at London’s Indian Gymkhana Club in 2023, he paid tribute to his wife of 65 years, saying they “never had an argument.”
He is survived by his children, including Akash and Anjli Paul, and leaves behind a legacy that bridges continents — from the steelworks of Caparo to the halls of academia and public service.
