Former Intel India head Avtar Saini, renowned for his leadership in designing the Pentium processor, tragically passed away on Wednesday morning in Navi Mumbai. According to police reports, the 68-year-old was cycling with a group on Palm Beach Road in Nerul when a speeding car struck him from behind. Despite wearing a helmet, the impact resulted in severe injuries, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Witnesses reported that the driver attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by fellow cyclists. The driver, held responsible for reckless driving leading to death, has been identified and faces legal action.
A resident of Chembur, Mr. Saini lived alone following his wife’s passing three years prior, while his children reside in the US. His planned visit to them next month was tragically cut short by this incident.
Gokul V Subramaniam, President of Intel India, expressed profound sorrow over Mr. Saini’s demise, highlighting his significant contributions to Intel’s growth, particularly in establishing the company’s R&D center in India. Mr. Saini’s tenure at Intel spanned from 1982 to 2004, during which he played a pivotal role in the development of several processors, including the iconic Pentium processor.