By D.D. Pandey
Gola Gokarnath, located in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district, is widely known for its ancient Shiva temple, often referred to as Mini Kashi. While the town holds deep religious significance rooted in mythology, it also occupies an important place in India’s corporate and industrial history.
In 1931, following the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, renowned freedom fighter and industrialist Jamnalal Bajaj established his first sugar mill in Gola Gokarnath. This initiative laid the foundation of an industrial legacy that would later play a transformative role in the region’s economic development.
Carrying forward this legacy is Mr. Kushagra Nayan Bajaj, the great-grandson of Jamnalal Bajaj. Known for his energetic leadership and sharp business acumen, Kushagra Bajaj has emerged as a prominent business leader who has successfully preserved and expanded the heritage of the Bajaj Group.
Currently, Kushagra Nayan Bajaj is the Promoter and Non-Executive Chairman of the diversified Bajaj Group, a USD 2.5 billion conglomerate with significant interests in sugar, ethanol, power generation, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
Educated in the United States, Mr. Bajaj holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, and a Master of Science degree in Marketing and Finance from Northwestern University, Chicago. When he took charge of the group’s traditional sugar business, the Bajaj Group operated only two sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh—Gola and Palia.
Through strategic expansion, operational efficiency, and timely execution of projects, Kushagra Bajaj increased the number of sugar mills from two to sixteen. Under his leadership, the Bajaj Group rose to become India’s largest sugar producer, the second largest in Asia, and among the top three globally in sugar production capacity.
Industry observers often highlight his hands-on leadership style. During the establishment of new sugar mills, it is said that Kushagra Bajaj personally spent several days and nights at project sites, even sleeping on a simple cot in the open, ensuring work progressed as planned. His insistence on completing projects ahead of schedule became a defining strength of the group.
In 2009, when Uttar Pradesh faced an acute power shortage, Kushagra Bajaj stepped forward with a bold initiative. He established a 1980 MW coal-based thermal power plant in Lalitpur, one of the state’s most backward regions at the time. Despite logistical and geographical challenges, the project was completed on time and played a crucial role in stabilizing power supply in the state, earning it the reputation of being a “crisis-reliever” for Uttar Pradesh’s energy sector.
Recently, the Bajaj Group marked another milestone as Anandmayi Bajaj, daughter of Kushagra Bajaj, assumed the role of General Manager (Strategy) within the group. Her induction reflects the growing participation of women in leadership roles within India’s leading business families and reinforces the group’s commitment to women empowerment and progressive corporate governance.
On the occasion of his birthday, Kushagra Nayan Bajaj stands as a symbol of continuity and change—an industrialist who blends legacy with innovation and contributes meaningfully to regional development and nation-building.