Bajaj Auto at 100: PM Modi Hails a Century of Nation-Building

From Freedom Movement to Global Scale, PM Narendra Modi Hails a Century of Nation-Building. Marking a landmark centenary, the Bajaj Group has celebrated one hundred years of building India’s industrial, social and economic story, from Jamnalal Bajaj’s freedom-era vision to today’s diversified global conglomerate spanning automobiles, financial services, consumer products and engineering, serving millions of customers worldwide.

At a centenary event in Mumbai, the group's leadership, dignitaries and partners reflected on Bajaj’s journey from trading house to one of India’s largest conglomerates by market capitalization, with over one hundred companies, exports to more than one hundred countries and a presence in one in three Indian households, backed by a workforce of more than 130,000 employees across India.

The Prime Minister's Message

Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the centenary with a special message, calling one hundred years “a significant journey” that reflects resilience, adaptability and relevance across generations. He praised Bajaj for creating jobs, fostering innovation and supporting community development and underlined the group's role in helping drive India towards its Viksit Bharat 2047 aspirations.

Legacy from the freedom movement

Founded in 1926 by Jamnalal Bajaj, a freedom fighter, social reformer and close associate of Mahatma Gandhi often described as his fifth adopted son, the Group’s roots are deeply intertwined with the national movement. Successive leaders, from Kamalnayan and Ramkrishna to the late Rahul Bajaj. They have carried forward a philosophy of “common good over individual gain,” blending entrepreneurial ambition with a strong moral compass.

Scale across sectors

From those beginnings, Bajaj has grown into one of India’s largest conglomerates by market capitalization, with over one hundred companies, exports to more than one hundred countries, and an upcoming foray into healthcare. Its businesses span automobiles, financial services, consumer electricals and engineering, with listed flagships including Bajaj Auto, Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Housing Finance, Bajaj Electricals, Bajaj Holdings & Investment and Mukand.

Global reach in automobiles

Bajaj Auto now ranks among the world’s top three two-wheeler manufacturers, with motorcycles sold across Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. The Pulsar brand and a long-standing partnership with KTM signal how the company has moved from being a domestic scooter icon to a co-creator of global performance motorcycle brands, standing alongside international players rather than behind them.

Centenary celebrations in Mumbai

The centenary celebrations at the National Sports Club of India in Mumbai brought together the Bajaj family, union and state ministers, industry leaders, political figures, partners and celebrities for an evening that traced this evolution from trading house to technology-led powerhouse.

A specially curated performance by Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej and his troupe, the unveiling of the “100 Years of Bajaj” logo, and a Rajkumar Hirani-directed film on Jamnalal Bajaj and Mahatma Gandhi added emotional punch to the occasion.

Social impact and future vision

Bajaj’s imprint on society goes far beyond its balance sheets, with initiatives in youth skilling and employment, child health, education and protection already touching more than ten million lives. Through its Bajaj Beyond platform, the group now aims to enable and impact over two crore young Indians in the next five years via scalable models in education, livelihoods and sustainability. Rooted in Jamnalal Bajaj’s campaigns for social equity, women’s and children’s education, rural upliftment and social reform.

Also Read: Bajaj Auto appoints Rakesh Sharma as Joint Managing Director from June 2026

CarBike 360 Says

As Bajaj steps into its next century, the group is clearly thinking beyond balance sheets towards ecosystems of opportunity and impact. Anchored in Jamnalal Bajaj’s values yet powered by new-age technology and India’s youth, its story now stretches from freedom struggle to Viksit Bharat 2047.