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Prominent businessman Bhagwandas ‘Baboo’ Haridas Kewalram died yesterday, aged 89.
The chairman of Kewalram and Sons, who had called Bahrain home for more than 70 years, passed away, after complications arising from age-related medical conditions, according to his nephew Kishore Kewalram, the managing director of the family business.
Born on October 5, 1935, in Karachi, then part of India and now Pakistan, Mr Baboo Kewalram had first arrived in Bahrain in 1954 to join the family business.
The Kewalram family has roots in Bahrain since 1880 when Baboo’s grandfather Kewalram reached the shores of the island.
The initial business included trading in textiles and pearls. His father Haridas came to Bahrain in 1920, followed by his elder son Sunderdas in 1951.
By the end of the 1950s, the family had six stores in Bahrain, including jewellery shops, and the Kewalrams began working with relatives in the UAE to expand regionally.
According to the family, Mr Baboo Kewalram expanded the textiles business and also started dealings with Japan, India, Indonesia and Korea.
Now involved in several industries in Bahrain including textiles, jewellery, electronics, real estate and education, the Kewalrams continue to be one of the most prominent Indian families within the kingdom.
From 1975 to 2012, Mr Baboo Kewalram was the chairman of the Thatthai Hindu Community executive committee, which manages the 200-year-old Shri Krishna Hindu temple in Manama.
He also served in the Asian Wing of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He was instrumental in founding the Indian Community Relief Fund, a body formed under the Indian Embassy for the benefit of blue-collared Indians, and also served as its vice chairman.
Always one to call Bahrain his home, Mr Baboo Kewalram, in the course of business, picked up multiple languages including Farsi, Arabic, Hindi, Sindhi and English.
He also spoke fondly of the relationship between the Royal Family and the Kewalrams.
In addition to receiving visits from the Royal Family during Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, Mr Baboo Kewalram and his nephew Kishore also attended a state dinner in honour of the first visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hosted by His Majesty King Hamad.
Mr Baboo Kewalram is survived by the next generation, including sons Jai, Vinod, Anoop, daughter Niloo, nephew Kishore, niece Taru and their families.
He will be cremated today at 12.30pm at the Hindu crematorium in Asker, near Alba.
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