Apollo Tyres Raunaq Singh, 79, passes away :

New Delhi: Noted industrialist Raunaq Singh died at the age of 79 on 30 September 2002. He presided over a business empire with a turnover of about Rs 2,700 crore. A doyen of the post-Partition era of the industry, he rose rapidly from being a mere trader to a corporate giant with his flagship company Apollo Tyres.

The eminent businessman, who was known for his blunt and down-to-earth manner, had only recently handed over charge of the group to his son, Omkar Singh Kanwar, who was appointed chairman and managing director of Apollo Tyres.

Raunaq Singh, who is survived by his wife, four sons and a daughter, has over the years been at the helm of virtually all the major trade and industry associations. He was president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, Punjab and Haryana Chamber, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.

Always active in corporate associations, he was chairman of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Engineering Export Promotion Council and various joint business councils. He was also a member of the executive board of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce for three years.

The Apollo group of companies now includes Bharat Gears, Raunaq International, Raunaq Automotive Components and Menarini Raunaq Pharma and has over 9,000 employees.