Parag Desai: The man under whom Wagh Bakri’s turnover jumped to over Rs 2,000 cr

Renowned Wagh Bakri tea brand executive tragically passed away following an attempt to evade a group of street dogs.

Desai, the executive director of Gujarat Tea Processors and Packers endured a brain haemorrhage as a result of a fall that occurred while he was trying to protect himself from the aggressive canine attack. Desai is survived by his wife Vidisha and daughter, Parisha.

According to sources close to the family, Desai met with the accident during his morning walk near Iscon Ambli Road on October 15. He suffered a severe head injury from a fall. As per Monday's Ahmedabad Mirror report, the 50-year-old Desai was taken to Shelby Hospital right away after he apparently slipped outside his home while trying to protect himself from street dogs that attacked him.


Who was Prag Desai?
“Be it a tiger or a goat, the powerful or the meek, each one is important and can coexist. Tea is a catalyst that brings these two forces together,” Parag Desai told Stir in an interview in 2020.

Parag Desai was the son of Rasesh Desai, who held the position of Managing Director within the Wagh Bakri Tea Group.

Desai, a fourth-generation entrepreneur of the renowned tea conglomerate, held an MBA from Long Island University in New York, USA. He played a crucial role in the growth of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group, leading its sales, marketing, and exports division.

Desai was not only passionate about tea but also actively involved in sustainability projects and had interests in travel and wildlife. Desai had 30-plus years of Entrepreneurship experience.

Desai received an award from the Ahmedabad Management Association for his significant contribution in leading the group to numerous achievements through creative marketing, branding, and packaging strategies.

ALSO READ: Wagh Bakri's executive director Parag Desai passes away after attack by stray dogs during morning walk

When Desai joined the group in 1995, the company’s value was less than Rs 100 crore. The company has now become one of the leading packaged tea companies in India, with a turnover of over Rs 2,000 crore and distributing over 50 million kg of tea.

He led the transformation of Wagh Bakri Tea Group to Tea Lounges, Ecommerce & Digital and Social Media. He loves travelling, wildlife and taking part in globally relevant environment sustainability projects.

Parag was active on leading industry platforms such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and many more International Organisations.

In an interview given to the Economic Times earlier, Desai said his favourite book was The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. “It proves that if people believe they are destined for greatness and are not selfish, they will be successful,” he had said.

He had mentioned how he loved experimenting with cuisines, but Indian food was his “absolute favourite.” He also fancied watching Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

Wagh Bakri Tea Group operates in 24 Indian states and exports its products to approximately 60 countries.