• Source:JND

Who isn't familiar with India's favorite car brand Maruti Suzuki? For the last four decades, this brand’s vehicles have been a prestigious presence on Indian roads. But do you know the history of how Maruti Suzuki began and the person responsible for its rise?

The foundation of Maruti Suzuki was laid in the 1980s as a partnership with the Japanese company Suzuki. The individual who transformed this name into a household brand is RC Bhargava, often hailed as the "Maruti Man" or the architect of the company. Interestingly, at that time, Bhargava was not a veteran of the automotive industry but a serving IAS officer.

Who Is RC Bhargava?

Ravindra Chandra Bhargava born on July 30, 1934, belonged to the 1956 batch of the Indian Administrative Service. After spending 25 years in government administration, he joined Maruti Udyog Limited in 1981. His leadership and strategic decisions propelled the company to great heights, making it India’s favorite car brand.

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Under Bhargava’s guidance, Maruti Suzuki has dominated the Indian auto market since 1983. Initially, the company was a joint venture between the Indian government and Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC). However, it became a Suzuki subsidiary in 2003 after the government sold its remaining shares. Maruti Suzuki has become the first automaker in the country to surpass Rs 1 lakh crore in revenue. This achievement is entirely attributed to Maruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava.

In just ten years, Bhargava rose to the roles of Chairman and CEO. After dedicating 26 years to the organisation, he retired in December 1997, though he was subsequently appointed as the Non-Executive Chairman.

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In 2016, RC Bhargava was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India.

Resigning From IAS For Maruti

When Bhargava first joined Maruti in 1981, he was on a one-year deputation from the civil services. Once the deputation ended, the government refused to extend his stay and ordered him to return to administrative duties.

At that time, Maruti Suzuki was just beginning to establish its presence in India. Bhargava faced a difficult choice, leave the car company or leave his career as an IAS officer. Driven by a vision to lead Maruti forward, he chose to resign from the IAS. It is often said that had he returned to the civil services, he could have eventually become the Cabinet Secretary, the highest-ranking administrative position in the country.


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