NEW DELHI: A leading light of Indian hospitality — Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi — died on Tuesday morning. The chairman emeritus of The Oberoi Group, “Biki” (94), as he was popularly known as, had stepped down as executive chairman of EIH LTD and EIH Associated Hotels Ltd last May. Son of group founder late Rai Bahadur M S Oberoi, he was among the doyens who put Indian hospitality on the world map where it is now recognised as among the best.Legions of leading hoteliers have graduated from TheOberoi Centre of Learning and Development which he had established in 1967 and now occupy top positions in the industry and some who even went on to establish their own brands.
In a statement, his son and nephew Vikram and Arjun Oberoi said: “It is with deep sadness that we inform the peaceful passing of P R S Oberoi earlier today (Nov 14). A luminary in the hospitality industry, Oberoi’s legacy transcends borders, leaving an indelible mark on the global landscape. A visionary leader, (his) unwavering dedication and pursuit of excellence elevated The Oberoi Group to international acclaim. His influence extended beyond corporate success, touching the lives of countless hoteliers through mentorship and a commitment to unparalleled standards.”
Taking forward the legacy of the founder M S Oberoi, “Biki” ensured that the group set new benchmarks for Indian hospitality in terms of quality. His “impact, however, reached far beyond business achievements, as he fostered a corporate culture rooted in compassion, integrity, and genuine care for every member of our organisation… As we mourn the loss of a true icon, we also aim to celebrate the extraordinary legacy P R S Oberoi leaves behind. In the coming days, we will share details of our plans to honour and remember him,” the statement added.
Calling Oberoi a “perfect gentleman”, ITC executive director Nakul Anand (67) fondly recalled an anecdote from a meeting about a decade back. “Biki” had invited Anand and his wife to his farmhouse to watch an India-Pakistan cricket match. “We were served chicken sandwiches there. Mr Oberoi told me this must be the finest sandwich I have ever had. I tasted it and said, ‘I beg to differ’,” Anand said. Oberoi then told Anand he didn’t think “ITC can do better than this.”
“I said ‘I never mentioned ITC’. I told him about a central Delhi confectionary and he replied saying he had never heard of such a hotel. My exact words to him were, ‘there is good food beyond hotels’,” Anand said.
The next day Anand sent a box of chicken sandwiches from that confectionary to Oberoi. “He called me a few hours later to say, ‘for once you are right Mr Anand’. A gentleman to the core (he always referred to Nakul as Mr Anand despite the age gap). We agreed to disagree on many things but agreed on the chicken sandwich! The greatness of the man reflected in his attention to details,” Anand, who oversees ITC’s hospitality and travel vertical, said.
Taj parent IHCL MD & CEO Puneet Chhatwal said: “Mr. PRS Oberoi’s passing is an end of an era in hospitality. An inspirational human being and a visionary leader, he was a phenomenal hotelier who leaves behind an unmatched legacy of luxury hoteliering. ‘Biki’ Oberoi as he was known to all defined what Indian luxury has today come to mean to the world. He will be remembered for transforming the industry landscape and elevating Indian hospitality on a global stage.”
“Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development founded by him has groomed generations of fine hoteliers and he is deeply revered and respected by the many lives he touched. He spotted the trend of luxury hotels and introduced the world to the concept of ‘Vilas’ offering authentic and grand stays to the connoisseurs. In recognition of his exceptional contribution to the country in tourism and hospitality, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. We, at IHCL will fondly remember and cherish the man and the legend,” Chhatwal added.
Watch Hospitality icon, PRS Oberoi passes away: Oberoi Group mourns the passing of chairman Emeritus
In a statement, his son and nephew Vikram and Arjun Oberoi said: “It is with deep sadness that we inform the peaceful passing of P R S Oberoi earlier today (Nov 14). A luminary in the hospitality industry, Oberoi’s legacy transcends borders, leaving an indelible mark on the global landscape. A visionary leader, (his) unwavering dedication and pursuit of excellence elevated The Oberoi Group to international acclaim. His influence extended beyond corporate success, touching the lives of countless hoteliers through mentorship and a commitment to unparalleled standards.”
Taking forward the legacy of the founder M S Oberoi, “Biki” ensured that the group set new benchmarks for Indian hospitality in terms of quality. His “impact, however, reached far beyond business achievements, as he fostered a corporate culture rooted in compassion, integrity, and genuine care for every member of our organisation… As we mourn the loss of a true icon, we also aim to celebrate the extraordinary legacy P R S Oberoi leaves behind. In the coming days, we will share details of our plans to honour and remember him,” the statement added.
Calling Oberoi a “perfect gentleman”, ITC executive director Nakul Anand (67) fondly recalled an anecdote from a meeting about a decade back. “Biki” had invited Anand and his wife to his farmhouse to watch an India-Pakistan cricket match. “We were served chicken sandwiches there. Mr Oberoi told me this must be the finest sandwich I have ever had. I tasted it and said, ‘I beg to differ’,” Anand said. Oberoi then told Anand he didn’t think “ITC can do better than this.”
“I said ‘I never mentioned ITC’. I told him about a central Delhi confectionary and he replied saying he had never heard of such a hotel. My exact words to him were, ‘there is good food beyond hotels’,” Anand said.
The next day Anand sent a box of chicken sandwiches from that confectionary to Oberoi. “He called me a few hours later to say, ‘for once you are right Mr Anand’. A gentleman to the core (he always referred to Nakul as Mr Anand despite the age gap). We agreed to disagree on many things but agreed on the chicken sandwich! The greatness of the man reflected in his attention to details,” Anand, who oversees ITC’s hospitality and travel vertical, said.
Taj parent IHCL MD & CEO Puneet Chhatwal said: “Mr. PRS Oberoi’s passing is an end of an era in hospitality. An inspirational human being and a visionary leader, he was a phenomenal hotelier who leaves behind an unmatched legacy of luxury hoteliering. ‘Biki’ Oberoi as he was known to all defined what Indian luxury has today come to mean to the world. He will be remembered for transforming the industry landscape and elevating Indian hospitality on a global stage.”
“Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development founded by him has groomed generations of fine hoteliers and he is deeply revered and respected by the many lives he touched. He spotted the trend of luxury hotels and introduced the world to the concept of ‘Vilas’ offering authentic and grand stays to the connoisseurs. In recognition of his exceptional contribution to the country in tourism and hospitality, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. We, at IHCL will fondly remember and cherish the man and the legend,” Chhatwal added.
Watch Hospitality icon, PRS Oberoi passes away: Oberoi Group mourns the passing of chairman Emeritus