Iconic Indian businessman Ram Buxani passes away in Dubai

Well-known business personality and philanthropist, Dr Ram Buxani, passed away in Dubai on Sunday at the age of 83.

Born in 1941, Buxani was among the first Indians to settle in Dubai when he boarded a ship at the age of 18 and arrived in the emirate in 1959 to take up a job as an office clerk at ITL.

He climbed the corporate ladder to become chairman of Cosmos ITL group in 2014.

He was also a prominent figure in the Indian community amid his role in influencing the Indian government to abolish estate duty in 1985.

As a philanthropist, he was a board member of Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs, Dubai, and he was connected with various other charitable and voluntary organisations, including Rotary Club of Jumeirah.

During his notable career, he was a spokesperson of the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community, and a recipient of the coveted ‘Man of the Year’ award from the Hong Kong based Bharat Ratna magazine. He also received the Shield from the President of India, among many other honours.

As the Founder-Chairman of the Overseas Indians Economic Forum in the UAE — a prime NRI organisation which recently merged with the Indian Business & Professional Council — Buxani’s involvement extended to institutions such as India Club, Dubai, of which he was the Chairman since 2012.

Motivate Media Group published his autobiography Taking the High Road. In the book, Buxani recounts his life journey from growing up in Hyderabad, Sind and Baroda to taking a ship to Dubai and embarking on a new career. The book has been reprinted many times and remains available throughout the Gulf and in India where it was also published. 

Ian Fairservice, the Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group and Vice Chairman of Al Noor, expressed his condolences at Buxani’s passing.

“As a long-term member of the Al Noor Training Centre Board of Governors as well as a prominent Motivate author, and a dear friend, I was extremely saddened to hear of Ram’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,” said Fairservice.