These are challenging times for all industries and they must continually develop to compete. This brings fresh demands, new opportunities and the scope to diversify. For the Batra Group, such demands are nothing new...

They started in 1947, when Ram Batra, a young man of 20, heard Jawaharlal Nehru speaking of the Indian people's "Tryst with destiny". Leaving his home in the Punjab after partition, this entrepreneurial graduate settled in Bombay. Despite many obstacles, he established numerous businesses. Bandbox was the first; a string of laundries that grew and diversified to became one of the largest chains of dyers and dry cleaners in India.

Over the years Ram Batra gained a reputation for absolute integrity. His business acumen and interests encompassed 19 industries, ranging from textiles to plastic.

A compassionate philanthropist, he supported many medical, cultural, religious and sporting charities and was appointed Sheriff of Bombay.