The patriarch of the Oberoi Group of hotels, Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, fondly called PRS Oberoi or ‘Biki’, passed away on November 14, 2023 at the age of 94. Oberoi was instrumental in pioneering the growth of luxury hotels in India and overseas, shaping the country’s hospitality landscape.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1929 in New Delhi to Rai Bahadur M.S Oberoi, the founder of the Oberoi Group, Oberoi was educated in India, the UK and Switzerland. After completing his studies, he joined the family business in 1947 as a manager in Shimla.
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Transforming the Oberoi Brand
In an illustrious career spanning over 70 years, Oberoi expanded the Oberoi chain started by his father from single hotel in Shimla to over 30 luxury properties across the globe. Under his leadership, the Oberoi Group set new benchmarks in luxury hospitality with fine dining experiences and impeccable service standards.
Oberoi pioneered the company’s international expansion, opening the first Oberoi hotel outside India in Indonesia in 1970, followed by properties in countries like Australia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Hungary among others. The Oberoi brand soon became synonymous with world-class luxury.
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Awards and Accolades
Oberoi’s outstanding contributions were recognised through numerous awards and accolades. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award in 2008. Oberoi also received the ‘Corporate Hotelier of the World’ award by HOTELS magazine, USA and the Lifetime Achievement Award at International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM).
Management Philosophy
Oberoi strongly believed that people are the most valuable asset of any organisation. He focused on recruiting the best talent and providing excellent training. Oberoi himself was closely involved in mentoring and grooming young hoteliers.
Legacy
Even at 94, Oberoi was actively involved in the company’s operations. He is credited with shaping the Oberoi Group into one of the most respected luxury hotel chains in the world. Through his vision and leadership, Oberoi played a key role in putting India on the global hospitality map.
Oberoi’s death marks the end of an era. He leaves behind an unmatched legacy and rich contributions that transformed the hospitality industry in post-Independence India. The Oberoi family continues to run the chain started by M.S Oberoi in 1934.
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P.R.S Oberoi passed away this morning. His many achievements were never sufficiently recognised. He made ‘Oberoi’ a global byword for the Indian luxury hospitality experience and the first to put an Indian hotel on the very top of global rankings. He also rallied the group… pic.twitter.com/q7BDVtImI3
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) November 14, 2023
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