Avtar Saini, the former head of Intel India renowned for leading the design of the Pentium processor, met with a tragic demise on Wednesday morning when a speeding car collided with his bicycle in Navi Mumbai, as reported by the police.
The 68-year-old, riding his bicycle alongside fellow cyclists at approximately 5:50 am on Palm Beach Road in Nerul, was fatally struck by a speeding taxi from behind. In an attempt to flee, the driver inadvertently trapped Mr. Saini’s bicycle frame under the car, dragging him for a distance. Despite wearing a helmet, Mr. Saini sustained severe injuries and was promptly taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him brought dead.
The taxi driver, apprehended by other cyclists, was handed over to the police. A case has been registered against him for rash driving and causing death due to negligence; however, he has not been arrested.
A resident of Chembur, Mr. Saini lived independently after his wife’s passing three years ago. He had his son and daughter residing in the United States, he was scheduled to visit them next month.
Gokul V Subramaniam, the President of Intel India, expressed sorrow over Mr. Saini’s untimely death, acknowledging his significant contributions. In a LinkedIn post, Subramaniam stated, “At Intel, we are deeply saddened by the demise of the former country manager and director Intel South Asia, Avtar Saini. Avtar played a key role in setting up the Intel R&D center in India. Avtar will be remembered as a prolific inventor, an outstanding leader, and a valuable mentor.”
Avtar Saini, a member of the CACG cycling group, was recognized for consistently prioritizing safety in his cycling and trekking endeavors, as attested by fellow cyclists.
During his tenure as Vice President at Intel India from 1982 to 2004, Mr. Saini played a pivotal role in designing several processors, including Intel 386, Intel 486, and the widely acclaimed Pentium processor.
Following his departure from Intel in January 2004, Saini maintained an active presence in the technology sector. He joined Montalvo Systems, a progressive technology company, serving as the Director of India Operations from 2005 to 2008.
