B. Ganapathi Pai, Chairman of Bharath group of companies (manufacturers of Bharath Beedi), passed away at his residence in Mangalore on Wednesday night. He was 77.
Pai was suffering from illness for some time. He breathed his last at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
He is survived by his wife Geetha Pai, two sons (Ananth and Anand), and daughters (Roopa and Rekha).
It was his father B. Manjunath Pai who established the business empire with ‘No. 30’ brand beedis. Being the eldest son, Ganapathi Pai joined his father in business in 1954.
Bharath group companies include Bharath Beedi Works Pvt Ltd, Bharath Exports, Bharath Builders, Bharath Printers & Alaknanda Printers, Bharath Auto Cars, Bharath Mall, and Book Mark. Bharath group runs two educational institutions and a cultural centre in Karkala.
A statement said here that Bharath Beedi Works Pvt Ltd and other concerns under Bharath brand employ over 50,000 people, directly and indirectly. These concerns have an annual turnover of about Rs 400 crore.
In his condolence message, Veerappa Moily, Union Corporate Affairs Minister, said that Ganapathi Pai was a great entrepreneur and philanthropist.