Diwali 2024 – Remembering Raman Ranchhod: Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, Man of Faith
Diwali 2024: The Indian Hindu festival of Diwali celebrates light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and right over wrong. In New Zealand, the Indian community has a long history of bringing these timeless values to life.
RAMAN RANCHHOD: PHILANTHROPIST, ENTREPRENEUR, MAN OF FAITH
An example of this is the life of Raman Ranchhod. He left a legacy of community service, outstanding business leadership and genuine care for people.
Raman lived in New Zealand for 65 years, spending his early life in Wellington where initially he sold fruit and vegetables. Then, after 16 years, he launched into the car business in Wellington, and over the next 35 years, he grew the business to include four dealerships with rental and finance divisions.
THE RANCHHOD GROUP AND RANCHHOD FOUNDATION
His next move was to develop a property business with his son Mahesh. Success in the sector led to selling the car business to invest further in properties across New Zealand and Australia. The expanding business became the Ranchhod Group, comprised of New Zealand and Australian companies investing in and managing commercial properties.
In 2011, Raman started the Ranchhod Foundation, which works towards the betterment of all people, undertakes charity work and offers solace and comfort to those in need in New Zealand and India.
The Foundation constructed the Laduben Ranchhod Urban Hospital in Navsari, Gujarat – his birthplace. The medical centre provides services at no cost to people in rural areas.
Among other beneficiaries are the Starship Children’s Hospital, At Heart New Zealand, CBM Foundation of New Zealand, a rural hospital in Tanzania and numerous villages in India.
Mahesh with Raman
MAN OF FAITH
Raman’s son Mahesh remembers his father as a great mentor- not only in business but in life and to the whole family.
“He knew how to balance the material and spiritual worlds. We carry on the family legacy today in the same way with the opening of a Wellness Centre in Auckland in his memory.”
Deeply religious, he had a sound knowledge of the Hindu faith, sometimes conducting weddings. He was also a Justice of the Peace who was widely available to all people.
In 2015 he was awarded the Queens Service Medal in recognition of his lifetime of service to the community.
Raman Ranchhod, 18 February 1938 – 6 June 2017. Ashes interred at Purewa, Block E/X/01/02
