Noted chip designer and former Intel India chief Avtar Saini was killed after his bicycle was rammed into by a speeding taxi in the adjoining satellite township of Navi Mumbai.
The incident took place at the Nerul Junction and the NRI-Seawoods Estate Signal in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday, when 68-year-old Saini, a resident of Chembur in north-east Mumbai was cycling along with a group of cycling enthusiasts.
Saini was rushed to the D Y Patil Hospital but pronounced dead on admission.
Immediately after the accident, cab driver Hrishikesh Khade tried to flee the spot but was caught and handed over to the police by those present at the mishap site.
A member of the Chembur Amateur Cycling Group, Saini is survived by a son and a daughter, who live in the United States. Saini’s wife had passed away three years ago.
During his tenure in Intel from 1982 to 2004, Saini-who held a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota -- was instrumental in the design of several processors including Intel 386, Intel 486, Pentium, and more. . He held seven patents related to microprocessor design.
“At Intel, we are deeply saddened by the demise of former country manager and director Intel South Asia, Avtar Saini. He played a key role in setting up the Intel R&D centre in India. Avtar will be remembered as a prolific inventor, an outstanding leader and a valuable mentor,” Gokul V Subramaniam, Intel India President and Vice President, Client Computing Group, Platform & Systems, Sustainability Strategy at Intel Corporation, posted on LinkedIn.
Saini’s death comes after runner Rajalakshmi Vijay, the Chief Executive Officer of Business Altruist Technologies Pvt. Ltd, a BPO company, was killed after being run over while cycling on Worli Sea Face, on March 19 last year.
