Maruti I mean “Sanjay Gandhi”, He was born in New Delhi, on December 14th 1946, as the younger son of Indira Gandhi and Feroze Gandhi, Sanjay studied first at Welham school and then at the Doon school. But maintaining family legacy, he failed to get university degree, however there must be some hidden merit in the man for him to bag an internship with Rolls- Royce in Crewe in England for three years.
After completing internship Sanjay come back to India with Dream. He thinks If United states of America have FORD, Germany have Volkswagen, Britain have Rolls-Royce, So Sanjay Gandhi think what about India?
Well In 1971, on request of Sanjay Gandhi, Prime minister Indira Gandhi’s cabinet proposed the production of “People’s car”. Sanjay Gandhi launched Maruti Motors Ltd, a private company, which would design, manufacture and assemble small cars he told this Car led to be Cheap, Affordable and the most important indigenous, the car which middle class family easily afford. In 04 June 1971 a company by the name of Maruti motors limited started with Sanjay Gandhi as its first managing director.
In 1971, the Bangladesh Liberation War and India’s victory over Pakistan made the issue take a back seat. In the meanwhile, Sanjay contacted Volkswagen AG for a possible tie-up to jointly manufacture the Beetle in India. What happened to his decision to refine and build on his indigenous effort? We don’t know.
Era began of Emergency in 1974 an opposition led uprising against the government caused widespread disturbance in the country, affecting the economy badly. After sometime in June 1975 Indira Gandhi declared Emergency. This situation demanded all of Sanjay’s attention and his Maruti project was eventually put on the back. And another drawback was that his first Maruti car was noisy and two cylinders, but it was start.
After a long period of emergency on June 1987, election held but congress party defeated very badly even Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi lost their Lok Sabha seat. The New Janta Dal government formed and Maruti was windup. It could’ve revived after congress came back to “satta” in January 1980, but GOD kept thinking something else. On 23 June 1980 Sanjay Gandhi flying two-seater aircraft near Delhi Safdarjung Airport while performing a stunt over his office, he lost control and crashed. He died instantly from head wounds.
After he died, Indra appointed Arun Nehru to take stock of the situation because she wanted to fulfill his son’s dream. Indira handpicked the best talent from public and private sector to lead Maruti. After windup of Maruti it Turns to Maruti Udyog limited and it was incorporated in February 24 in 1981.
On 2 October 1982 After signing a joint venture agreement with Japanese auto major Suzuki Motor Corporation. Maruti successfully targeted the ‘middle-class’ population in India. It also signed a license agreement on technology transfer between Maruti Udyog and Suzuki Motor Corp.
Now the Time has come production starting in 1983 with the “MARUTI 800……
The vehicle went on to rule Indian roads for two decades, today Maruti SUZUKI produce 1.5 million cars in year. People in India have an emotional attachment with this brand specially Maruti 800.