PRS Oberoi: Honorary Chairman of the Oberoi Group, Prithviraj Singh Oberoi, known as PRS Oberoi, passed away on Tuesday (i.e Today) morning. His significant contributions played a crucial role in reshaping the hotel business in India, earning him recognition for transforming the industry. At the age of 94, Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi left a lasting impact on the Indian hotel landscape. In the year 2022, he relinquished his positions as the Executive Chairman of EIH Limited and Chairman of EIH Associated Hotels Limited.
PRS Oberoi, affectionately known as ‘Biki,’ was born in Delhi in 1929 to Rai Bahadur MS Oberoi, the founder of ‘The Oberoi Group.’ Serving as the Executive Chairman of EIH Limited for an extended period, he played a pivotal role in steering the company’s growth trajectory. Prithviraj Singh “Biki” Oberoi (3 February 1929 – 14 November 2023) held the position of Executive Chairman for the third-largest hospitality chain in India, The Oberoi Group, renowned for its luxury hotels under the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Trident brands.
In 2008, Oberoi received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, from the government in recognition of his outstanding service. Commonly known as “Biki,” he took over as the chairman of EIH Limited in 2002 after the passing of his father, Mohan Singh Oberoi, who was the founding chairman of The Oberoi Group. Biki held the position of CEO until 2013.
Oberoi’s educational path encompassed St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling, India, as well as studies in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Holding a degree in hotel management from Lausanne, Switzerland, he took on the role of a director at Jet Airways (India) Limited starting on March 29, 2004. Remarkably, in 2010, he received recognition as the “Corporate Hotelier of the World” from Hotels magazine.
The Oberoi legacy continues with his son, Vikram Oberoi, presently serving as the CEO and managing director of EIH, along with two daughters. Even at the age of 89, Oberoi resided at the Oberoi Farm, his residence and office on the outskirts of Delhi. In June 2022, he was acknowledged by the International Hospitality Institute as one of the 100 most influential figures in the global hospitality industry.
On the early morning of November 14, 2023, PRS Oberoi, at the age of 94, bid farewell, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of hospitality and business.
