At the age of 94, Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, the Chairman Emeritus of the Oberoi Group of hotels and resorts, departed from this life on Tuesday morning. Following the passing of his father, Mohan Singh Oberoi, the founding chairman of the Oberoi Group, he assumed the role of Chairman and Director of EIH Limited in 2002. Up until 2013, he served as EIH Limited’s CEO.
The veteran of the hospitality industry passed away more than a year after he resigned as Chairman and Director of EIH Limited.
The head of Oberoi Group made the decision to step down as Chairman and Director of EIH Limited in May 2022. With immediate effect, his nephew Arjun Singh Oberoi was named Executive Chairman in his stead, according to a company filing. His son and Oberoi Hotels Managing Director Vikram Oberoi said in a letter that the industry veteran will devote more time to his health.
PRS Oberoi led the way in the creation of Oberoi Hotels and Resorts during his leadership. The seasoned veteran of the hotel business also launched multiple Oberoi Hotels in significant cities, establishing the brand internationally. The Oberoi Group website stated, “People are the most valuable asset of any organization. PRS Oberoi is a firm believer in this.”
He received his education in Switzerland, the UK, and India. In 1967, he also founded Delhi’s Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development. “Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi was a visionary leader who brought The Oberoi Group to international recognition through his unwavering dedication and pursuit of excellence. In an in-memoriam release, the Oberoi Group said, “His influence extended beyond corporate success, touching the lives of countless hoteliers through mentorship and a commitment to unparalleled standards.”
In addition, he has won numerous accolades and awards for his services to the hospitality sector. In 2008, Oberoi received the Padma Vibhushan in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the nation’s tourism and hospitality industries. PRS Oberoi was named Businessman of the Year 2008 by Business India magazine for creating a world-class hospitality brand.
In addition, he received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for setting new benchmarks for opulent lodging. The 2010 Corporate Hotelier of the World award was given to the patriarch of the Oberoi Group by HOTELS magazine in November 2010.
The magazine cover referred to him as “the founder father of modern luxury hospitality in India” and credited him with growing the company “into one of the world’s most prestigious luxury hotel groups.”
The All India Management Association (AIMA) presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Management in February 2013. He was selected as one of the Top 15 Indian Business Icons by CNBC TV18 in 2015.
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