Leading industrialist Lord Swraj Paul has dedicated Caparo plants in India in honour of his late son Angad Paul.
Speaking at a reception at the London Zoo, ‘Remembering Ambika and Angad’ yesterday, Lord Paul said what especially moved him was the interest his son showed in India.
Lord Paul noted that Angad, who died on November 8, 2015, was his only son who was not born in India but he loved India the most.
“Well, I am very proud of what he created in India, building more than 25 first class factories in a short period of 10 years. These factories are dedicated to him,” he said.
Lord Paul said that Angad was always fascinated by the history of India and the vast scope that prevailed for enhancing India-UK cooperation.
"In his short life, he accomplished so much. So much that was visionary and so much that was innovative beyond the conventions of his background. His diversity of interests was amazing – film, furniture, automobile design, hospitality ventures and many others.
"The success of his film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the development of the Caparo T1. A car far ahead of its time testify to this. They remain symbols of what his thinking and imaginative talents would have accomplished, if fate had been kinder to him. But, perhaps even more than this, what best represented Angad’s humanity was his commitment to bettering the lives of less fortunate people both here and abroad."
Stating that his daughter Ambika, who died of leukaemia in 1968 when she was four years old, was “an angel who changed our lives”, he said “she loved the zoo and visited as much as it was possible to do".
He added: "In the worst of times, it brought joy into her life. That is what moved us to ensure the survival of this special place for future generations of children.
"I have always believed that the zoo is the best environment for children and parents to be together and share each other’s company. Even today, I enjoy coming with our grandchildren Amalia and Arki who also love the zoo. They are here today as always. I especially welcome their friends and parents who have come."
Gordon Brown, former prime minister of Britain, complimented Lord Paul and his family for helping in keeping the zoo alive.
Caparo India, through its multiple strategic business entities offers end-to-end solutions in the design, development and manufacturing of automotive systems, assemblies, advanced composites, modules and components for automakers and engineering majors.
India’s High Commissioner to the UK Y K Sinha, Lord Karan Bilimoriam, Joginder Sanger, Chairman of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and several leading dignitaries attended the reception.
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event