New Delhi, April 14: Renowned industrialist Rama Prasad Goenka breathed his last on Sunday morning at his residence in Kolkata. He was 83 years old and has left behind him, wife Sushila, sons Harsh and Sanjiv and daugther Yashodhara Khaitan.
He was suffering from cancer. A former member of the Rajya Sabha, Goenka was president of Ficci and chairman or trustee of several entities.
Rama Prasad Goenka was born on March 1, 1930, to Keshav Prasad and Rukmini Devi Goenka in Calcutta. RP's grandfather Sir Badridas was the first Indian Chairman of the Imperial Bank (now State Bank of India) in 1933. Due to his family background, Mr Goneka was talented in finance and commercial activities from a young age. He graduated from the Presidency College in Calcutta, in 1950.
In 1950, the Goenkas acquired two major British trading houses - Duncan Brothers and Octavius Steel. Under Keshav Prasad's aegis, and his sons' support, Duncan Brothers grew to become a huge and prosperous company. The group went on to acquire many good companies in the sectors like automobile, tyre, jute, cotton textile and electric cables. Keshav Prasad Goenka retired in the 70s. His business was then taken over by his three sons, Rama Prasad, Jagdish Prasad and Gouri Prasad. And after a few years of working together, the brothers decided to part ways, and their father reluctantly split the list of companies three ways. R.P. Goenka got Phillips Carbon Black, Asian Jute, Agarpara Jute and Murphy India.
RP Goenka's first good break came in the form of Ceat India, which he acquired after selling off his stake in Agarpura Jute. RP seized this opportunity, and bought the company for Rs 1.2 crore. Under his leadership, Ceat started to do exceptionally well and eventually became the flagship of the RPG stable. RP then further acquired KEC, Searle India, Dunlop, and Spencer & Co.
His fine business acumen and brilliant business strategies led his group to soaring heights. In 1992, the group achieved the status of becoming a $1 billion company.
Today, RPG Enterprises consists of over fifteen companies across key business sectors, with a turnover touching Rs 16,000 crore.
