Bansod met with an accident while boarding a train in Mumbai and breathed his last on the way to the hospital.
November 19, 2016 wasn’t like other Saturdays for Dhananjay Bansod, as it took away his life. The professional world lost a genuinely humble and much appreciated leader and mentor. On usual Saturdays, Bansod would apparently be present at the Welingkar Institute of Management as a visiting faculty. However, on this fateful Saturday morning, he boarded a crowded train from the Dadar Central Line, never to return.
Sources share that although he managed to get on to the crowded train, due to the swarm, he could not enter properly and hit the first signal outside the station, after which he fell down. Since the train had just left the station, people around immediately rushed him to a hospital, but the injuries took their toll. He breathed his last even before reaching the hospital. He leaves behind his wife and two daughters. The daughters, who were in Canada at the time, were inconsolable when informed of the incident.
Bansod was earlier the president, people & strategy, at Leighton Contractors for over a year after he left Deloitte as the chief people officer in 2011. Since 2013, he had been working in independent capacity as an OD consultant & professional life coach. He worked with Deloitte for over six years, before which he was the president, human resources, Nicholas Piramal. He was also associated with Siemens before working as the director at Mercer.
A physics graduate, Bansod studied business from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. His colleagues and subordinates among whom he used to be popularly known as ‘Jay’ profoundly remember him as a true leader. S V Nathan, senior director, chief talent officer, Deloitte says, “Dhananjay was a gentle soul and had always been like that. I was in complete disbelief when I heard the news. He was someone who could make friends with anyone. What has happened is very unfortunate and is certainly a huge irrevocable loss for the industry and for his family. I pray and hope that his family finds the strength to overcome the grief of the sudden loss.”
Adil Malia, group president-HR, Essar Group remembers Bansod as, “A friend so dear, never demanding, a competent professional, very unassuming, always smiling and ever eager to help. He had great interpersonal skills, which made him very popular in the HR fraternity.” He grieves as he posted on LinkedIn, “You mixed-up your diary dates, my friend. Your divine appointments preceded the dates we fixed to meet, next week. Not forgiven this time for we could certainly have met earlier! Will miss you a lot. May you find your spot in heaven above.”
(If you knew Dhananjay Bansod in person, you can share your thoughts, experiences and condolences in the comments section. #RIPDhananjayBansod)
35 Comments
Had the opportunity to interact with Jay at NHRDN Mumbai meetings on a regular basis. He was warm, affectionate and great with numbers. From hearing him at various HR programs to working with him to put together some great programs for the HR fraternity, it was an absolute pleasure to have known him. His smile & salt pepper look will stay with all of us for eternity.
Dhananjay Bansod was a fantastic teacher who taught me HR at Welingkar Institute. The news is completely shocking. May his soul RIP !!
RIP is all that I can say so tragic and sudden
I don’t know Dhananjay but my prayers and thoughts are with the family
You will be missed Jay.
I will seek to imbibe your gentle humility and warm nature.
Rest in Peace
Very sad to read this. Prayers and thoughts with the family.
In my interactions with him as a headhunter over the years, he came across as a very affable human being.
May your soul rest in peace, Dhananjay. Much strength to your family and loved ones.
Jay was an extremely gentle and warm soul. We used to meet frequently at the NHRDN programs and at various other HR meets. He was a universal friend and would go out of the way to help anyone who approached him for any kind of help. In these moments of utmost grief, I join his wife and daughters in their prayers for his gentle soul to rest in eternal peace.
An unfortunate end. May the soul rest in peace. Prayers to the Almighty GOD to give the family the strength to cope up with the loss.
RIP to his soul.
I had worked closely with Mr Bansod on few projects at Deloitte. A jovial character, he always made situations lighter and eased out tensions without much effort. Cant believe he is no more. May his soul rest in peace.
RIP to his soul
Extremely sad t hear about Jays very untimely passing. He was a jovial and unassuming person, a great professional, and always had time for a laugh. May his soul rest in peace. I will personally miss him
Dhananjay was a school mate at Sacred Heart School and we batch of 75 reconnected thru WhatsApp after 3 decades! The news is devastating and we lost a mate whose great humility , warmth and friendship will be treasured thru our lifetimes ! RIP friend and hope to meet u again after life ! We will feel blessed and thankful that we met In this lifetime!! / Rajiv Sodhani and all school friends
Jay a dear friend as we worked together in Deloitte in a few projects. A great spontaneous person. RIP
He was a wonderful human being,always witty,jovial,and full of ideas and,suggestions .We will miss him as a HR leader,Teacher and a Mentor.May his Soul R.I.P.
I have known Jay for more than two decades both on a professional as well as on a personal front. I was shocked to hear about his tragic end. He was really a very astute thinker, demonstrated deep sense of responsibility, and an amazing friend. Our interactions was not as much after I moved to the US, but off and on we stayed in touch. We will miss him. May his soul rest in peace.
I knew Bansod thru his earlier years till he grew vertical heights in Siemens. My memories of him recall him as an unassuming boy with strange wit and humour making wise cracks, once familiar. I’d like to remember him so. Condolences, courage, strength to his family and friends. Bansod #RIP.
Deeply saddened by the untimely and unfortunate bereavement of Jay. Was a dear colleague in Siemens. Was a genuine HR person with humane touch. We pray that his soul rests in eternal peace and may the Lord give strength to his family to bear this loss with fortitude and courage.
I had the opportunity to work with him closely for many years. He was a pleasant individual with patience and courage of conviction. Rarely seen him lose his cool. Always balanced in his approach to issues. Interacted with him professionally even after he left Deloitte. A great personal loss.
Jay was a very nice person , we have worked together in Leighton Contractors. A very humble and kind person at heart. Always ready to help anyone in need. Cannot believe he is no more. We will surely miss him , may his soul R.I.P.
Bansod was very good friend of mine. We worked together in HR – peoplesoft team of Siemens for more than 4 years. Bansod was really a wonderful humanbeing. A very good guide, advisor and a great mentor to all the teammates n colleagues.
I am shocked and sad… couldn’t believe the news of his tragic demise. It’s really very unfortunate n untimely end of a great life.
My heartfelt condolences to grieving family (wife-Manjusha , daughters Aditi and Anjali) .
RIP my friend ‘Bansod’…
Very sad to know this. HR Community lost a genuine, Humble and Vibrant HR Leader. Who is always cherished and energetic in his principles. I pray god almighty to give strengths to his family and his soul rest in peace …
This is shocking… I have worked with him… he is truly an humble person. You shall be missed Dhananjay 🙁 May your soul rest in peace !!
Dear sir,
This sudden news came to me as a shock wave. Miss your advices and your smile. You will always live in my thoughts. May your soul find a good place in heaven.
Miss you
Your student
Really shocking news, wonderful human being, heartfelt condolences to his family, RIP.
Really shocking news, wonderful human being, heartfelt condolences to his family, RIP.
It is hard to believe that he is not here amongst us.
I still remember all the lectures he took, helping us in not just understanding the subject but also to know the world around. Invoking our interests and keeping the conversations interactive he was one of the best professors whose lectures were always long-awaited.
RIP respected sir, we will miss you.
Jay sir have been a great teacher and his teachings will always be treasured by us. He was a legend, a true human being and will always be remembered by us!! We all will miss our legend 🙁
Bansod was a person with depth.Spoke at Atharva in early 2016 as part of MTHR conference.Mixed with students well.
Our condolences to the bereaved family
N.S.Rajan
Ex Dir HRD Air India
Presently Dean
Atharva Institute of Management Studies
Unbelievable !!! Jay sir have been a great teacher and his teaching was very helpful, he used to always connect & help us with giving real life examples. we will miss the great soul..RIP
Jay Sir, We will miss you lot, your efforts to make H R professional more vibrant, serving student community etc was superb and has a great impact on all of us. True tribute will be, we remain committed to follow your guidance and principles you shared with us from time to time. RIP……
Shocked to hear this, learnt a lot form his training sessions. A great teacher. may his soul RIP. Will miss you Sir.
Aches to write RIP, Jay .
Heartfelt condolences to his family
It is really shocking to know that he is not with us any more. I had the opportunity to work with him in Leighton. A great soul, a humble human being and a good guide…you will always be missed Sir…May Almighty Allah grant the highest place in heaven and give strength to his family to bear this loss.
Dear Dhananjay, we all are in a great shock and still not ready to believe this news. We thank you very much for all the help and lively company and rich guidance that you have extended to us throughout our journey of life. You were always there to help all of us when needed. May you rest in peace, wherever you are, I am sure there will be a bright new star in the sky…called “Dhananjay” –Rajiv