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Mumbai: On Tuesday morning, an official of the Oberoi Group said that Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, chairman emeritus of the Oberoi Group, passed away at 94. In 2002, he took over as the Chairman and Director of EIH Limited after the death of his father and founding chairman of the Oberoi Group Mohan Singh Oberoi. He remained the CEO of EIH Limited till 2013.
PRS Oberoi was widely known as the doyen of Indian hospitality, who has now left behind a huge legacy. The hospitality industry veteran’s passing comes more than a year after he relinquished his position as the Chairman and Director of EIH Limited.
A statement said,”It is with deep sadness that we inform the peaceful passing of PRS Oberoi, Chairman Emeritus of The Oberoi Group, earlier today.” It further added that a luminary in the hospitality industry, Oberoi’s legacy transcends borders, leaving an indelible mark on the global landscape.
The statement also said, “As we mourn the loss of a true icon, we also aim to celebrate the extraordinary legacy PRS Oberoi leaves behind. In the coming days, we will share details of our plans to honour and remember him.”
The cremation ceremony will be held at the Bhagwanti Oberoi Charitable Trust, Oberoi Farm, Kapashera, starting at 4 pm on Tuesday. According to a company filing, the Oberoi Group head decided to leave his position as the Chairman and Director of EIH Limited in May 2022. His nephew Arjun Singh Oberoi was appointed in his place as the Executive Chairman with immediate effect.
His son and Oberoi Hotels Managing Director Vikram Oberoi said in a letter that the industry veteran will devote more time to his health. The statement further said, “We extend a heartfelt invitation to those who know Oberoi to attend and pay their respects. Additionally, prayers will be held for him at our hotels and the Corporate Office today”.
PRS Oberoi received numerous awards and accolades, amongst the most noteworthy the Padma Vibhushan, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the country in tourism and hospitality. Business India magazine awarded PRS Oberoi with the Businessman of the Year 2008 title for building world-class hospitality brand.
He was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for redefining standards in luxury hotels. In November 2010, the Oberoi Group patriarch was presented with the 2010 Corporate Hotelier of the World award by HOTELS magazine.PRS Oberoi was presented with the ‘Corporate Hotelier of the World’ award by HOTELS magazine USA.
In February 2013, he was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award for Management by The All India Management Association (AIMA). In 2015, he was voted among CNBC TV18’s Top 15 Indian Business Icons. He was also the recipient of Forbes India Leadership Awards, Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence, CNBC TV 18 India Business Leader Awards, Business India magazine’s Businessman of the Year, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
