Bhai Mohan Singh, the grand old man of India's pharmaceutical industry and founder of Ranbaxy laboratories, passed away on Monday evening at the age of 89.
Born on December 30, 1917, Singh was a pioneer of India's drugs and pharmaceutical industry.
Singh who was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution in civic matters was also nominated for Padma Vibhushan in 2005. However, the business leader had turned down the award after President APJ Abdul Kalam expressed reservations about Singh's selection for the highest civilian honour.
Singh is also credited for building India's first pharma superbrand, Calmpose, in 1968. However, he was ousted by his son Parvinder Singh in a boardroom battle in the 1990s.
He had co-founded Max India with his youngest son, Analjit Singh.
For his contribution to the industrial development of Punjab, the state government had named an industrial township near Ropar after Bhai Mohan Singh.
