Prominent Indian businessman and long-term Bahrain resident Lalchand Gajria has died, leaving a lasting legacy in the kingdom’s commerce community.
He passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 95 in the intensive care unit of Salmaniya Medical Complex after a short battle against pneumonia.
Mr Gajria, who arrived in the kingdom in the mid-1950s, founded Gajria Electronics, an international centre for trade and commerce.
Mr Gajria
The business began as a small radio repair shop, quickly expanding as demand for skilled servicemen grew, eventually earning a reputation across the country for quality and reliability.
He is survived by his son Ranjit, 55, daughters Poonam, 68, and Bharti, 66, and granddaughter, Maya, 12.
“My father was a man of remarkable presence and wisdom,” his son Ranjit told the GDN. “He spoke Arabic and Persian fluently, and even took formal courses later in life to learn how to read and write in Arabic – something he was always proud of.”
Ranjit also highlighted his father’s sharp memory and deep knowledge of Bahrain. “He was one of the founding fathers of the Indian School Bahrain and journalists, writers and researchers often visited him to gather accurate stories about the old days,” he explained, adding that his father’s mind was a ‘living archive, generously sharing his knowledge with anyone who sought it’.
“His passing leaves a void, but also a legacy of language, culture and history that will never be forgotten,” he added.
Known for his ‘wonderful sense of humour and spirit’, Mr Gajria overcame numerous setbacks throughout his life without letting them hinder his journey in the business world.
Ranjit recalled one incident when a major fire in 1976 destroyed his store and warehouse, with insurance covering less than 10 per cent of the losses. “Because of his reputation, the bank extended him loans and, within 12 days, he reopened a small shop behind the Gold Suq,” he said. “Loyal customers returned, seeking the same top-quality service he was known for.
“Above all, my father was a hard worker whose experiences led him to helping those less fortunate. Giving was not just something he did – it was the core of who he was,” he added, noting that charitable endeavours helped shape his father’s character and protected him from life’s challenges, both in business and personally.
“He believed the blessings he received were a result of the good he put into the world, and he lived by that belief every day,” Ranjit added.
His body has been cremated in line with his religious faith. A condolence meeting will be held tomorrow on the ninth floor of the Gajria Tower in Sanabis, from 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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