HAPPENING -- 8
TEA
FAMILIES’ DIVERSIFICATION VENTURES:
VAKHARIA
FAMILY’S LATEST MOVE
BY
P S SUNDAR
The
most significant development among the youngsters in the tea fraternity is to
go for diversification without compromising on their core business of tea. Given the reality that the thoughts and approach
of the youngsters in the tea industry and trade are acceptably contemporary,
the way diversification happens can be broadly grouped into two categories – those related
to the tea business and those related to other business but involving the tea
fraternity.
The
latest in this endeavour has happened in Mecca of South India’s tea – Coonoor. Those in the tea industry and trade for years
will know of Raj Traders – a Gujarati Vakharia family run tea trading business headquartered
in Coonoor. Started by Ramesh Vakharia in 1972, this
family’s tea business will enter Golden Jubilee next year.
RAMESH & VARSHA VAKHARIA |
Of
late, the two heirs – Jatin (wife: Ekta) and Nishant (wife: Sradha) have added
colour to their business culture by going in for a variety of diversifications. The most favourite among this diversification
portfolio is The Chai Wala at Bedford circle in upper Coonoor where one can
enjoy a variety of liquid tea as also authentic home-style cooked Gujarati vegetarian
dishes. Many times, it is pleasure to
see Bhavana and her two daughters-in-law Ekta and Sradha cook and serve even as
Nishant treats guests to a connoisseur tea delight.
Moving
away from this, Jatin, along with Ramesh and Varsha and ably assisted by Ekta,
runs J C Tiles – one shop solution for many construction requirements.
Now, Jatin and Ekta have brought in another dimension with their new show room – Technocraft. This has consumer durables like TVs, Refrigerators, Washing machines, mobile phones, iron boxes, kitchen equipments including chimneys and electrical bulbs and fittings. Located near UPASI, this is hailed to be a new shopping centre in Upper Coonoor.
EKTA VAKHARIA EXPLAINING TO CUSTOMERS |
More
importantly, I saw many tea industry and trading personalities keenly enquiring
about the products on display on the inaugural day on Oct 25, 2021.
Some
such persons told me that they can henceforth purchase almost at their doorstep
here rather than having to go to lower Coonoor or far away Coimbatore city.
Given the five-decade old business connection the Vakharia family enjoys, it should be possible to script a new business chapter with this endeavour.
(Response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment