Parag Desai, Executive Director of Wagh Bakri Tea Group, passed away at the age of 49. As a fourth-generation leader of the family business, Parag played a key role in turning Wagh Bakri into a well-known name around the world. His leadership and vision will be greatly missed and remembered by many.
Education and Career
Parag Desai held an MBA from Long Island University in New York. He joined the family business in 1995 when its revenue was less than Rs 100 crore. Under his leadership, the company’s revenue grew to over Rs 1,500 crore. Desai was responsible for leading the sales, marketing, and export departments of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group.
Personal Life
Desai was the son of Rasesh Desai, the Managing Director of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group. With more than 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship, Parag Desai was known for his expertise in tea tasting and evaluation. He was an active member of various industry bodies, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Taking the legacy forward
The Wagh Bakri website describes Parag Desai as “an expert tea taster and evaluator” who infused modern business strategies while respecting the brand’s rich heritage and traditional values. His visionary approach helped Wagh Bakri expand its global reach, making it a household name not just in India but around the world.
About Wagh Bakri
The Wagh Bakri Group, founded in 1892 by Narandas Desai, is one of India’s leading packaged tea companies. With a turnover of over ₹2,000 crore and distribution of over 50 million kg of tea, the company operates across 24 Indian states and exports to around 60 countries.
