Ariz Pirojshaw Khambatta (1937–2022) was an Indian industrialist and philanthropist, best known as the founder of the iconic domestic beverage brand Rasna. He was also the former Chairman of Ariz Khambatta Benevolent Trust and Rasna Foundation. He died on 19 November 2022 due to heart failure.
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Wiki/Biography
Areez Khambatta, also known as Areez P. Khambatta, was born on Wednesday, 22 September 1937 (aged 85 at death) in Karachi, Punjab Province, British India (now in Punjab Province, Pakistan) . His zodiac sign is Virgo. He came to India for the first time when he was only two years old. Subsequently, he frequently visited India before settling in Ahmedabad, Gujarat with his family. Growing up in Karachi, Areez along with his mother participated in many ‘Hauji’ sessions, fun sessions organized by the Parsis of Karachi.
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 6″
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye colour: brown
Family
parents and siblings
Ariz Khambata’s father Firoza Khambata founded the kids drink brand Rasna in 1976. There is not much information about his mother.
wife and children
Ariz Khambatta was living in Ahmedabad with his wife Persis Khambatta, a Pune girl with whom he had an arranged marriage. While talking to the media, Persis told that she always wanted to have an arranged marriage. Talking about Ariz he said,
He was the first person I met and fell in love with.”
Ariz further said,
By then I had seen and rejected about 50 girls.
Areez has a son named Piruz Khambatta, who is the chairman of Rasna Group. Piruz is married to Binaisha, a businesswoman. They also had two daughters, Delna Boyce and Ruzan Khambatta, who was a social reformist.
Piruz Khambatta, son of Ariz Pirozshaw Khambata
Ariz Pirozshaw Khambatta’s daughter-in-law Binaisha and granddaughter Arzeen
Ruzan Khambata, daughter of Ariz Pirozshaw Khambata
Delna Boyce, daughter of Ariz Pirozshaw Khambatta
grandchildren
He had six grandchildren – Arzeen (Piruz’s elder daughter), Arzad (Piruz’s son), Awan (Piruz’s younger daughter), Arez, Firuza and Arnawaz.
Ariz Pirozshaw Khambatta with his family
Religion
He belonged to a Parsi family and followed Zoroastrianism.
livelihood
entrepreneur
Ariz Pirozshaw Khambatta started his career in 1976 with a company named Jaffe. In 1978, he left Jaffa to join Rasna Group, the iconic domestic beverage brand founded by Arees’ father as an alternative to soft drink products sold at high cost. Under his leadership the brand crossed a turnover of Rs 1 crore in the first year. Talking about the initial phase of Rasna Group in an interview, Areez said,
We had about 500 people per shift packing drinks by hand and when demand increased, we had to introduce a third shift.
Their brand focused on providing affordable beverages to the people, which was one of its USPs. With a presence in over 60 countries, Aries has led its brands to become one of the market leaders in the beverages sector. During the 80s and 90s, Rasna’s advertising campaign ‘I Love You Rasna’ gained immense popularity among the audience and ruled the television commercials on the national broadcaster Doordarshan channel.
Rasna Products
Over the years, Rasna Group has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Superior Taste Award 2008 instituted by The International Taste and Quality Institute, Belgian Cannes Lions London, Monde Selection Award, Master Brand The World Brand Congress Award and ITQI Superior Taste and Quality Award Are. Rasna, sold at approximately 1.8 million retail outlets, is one of the world’s largest soft drink concentrate manufacturers. As of 2022, it has 9 manufacturing plants and a strong distribution network with 26 depots, 200 super stockists and 5000 stockists across the country. In 1997, Ariz Khambatta handed over the chairmanship of Rasna Foundation to his son Piruz Khambatta. Aries was the former president of the World Alliance of Parsi Iranian Zoroastrians (WAPIZ). Earlier, he was also the President of Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat and Vice President of Federation of Parsi Parsi Anjuman of India.
Philanthropist
Arees was actively involved in philanthropy and contributed greatly to social development through social service. Under his chairmanship, Ariz Khambatta Benevolent Trust and Rasna Foundation were involved in several projects related to health care, education and scholarships, which have benefited thousands of people.
medal
- President of India Home Guard and Civil Defense Medal
Awards and Honors
- Awarded the National Citizen Award by the President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma for his outstanding contribution in the field of commerce.
- Selected as the ‘First Excellent Parsi’ of Ahmedabad.
Death
Ariz Pirozshaw Khambatta died of a heart attack in Ahmedabad on 19 November 2022. He was suffering from a long illness. Announcing the loss, Rasna Group issued an official statement saying,
With deep sorrow and grief, we announce the tragic demise of Ariz Khambatta – Founder Chairman of Rasna Group, Ariz Khambata Benevolent Trust and Chairman of Rasna Foundation – at his heavenly abode on November 19, 2022. Khambatta has contributed immensely to Indian industry, business, and most importantly social development through social service.”
Uththmana of the departed soul was held on 21st November 2022 at 3.40 pm at Parsi Agiyari Khamasa Gate, Ahmedabad.
Facts/General Knowledge
- He was often called the Lion of Ahmedabad and the Doyen of the Parsi community.
- Ariz Khambatta served as the Commandant of Ahmedabad Home Guards and Civil Defense for 20 years.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn