Bharat Chimanlal Thacker
Chairman
Vivek Group | Nairobi (KENYA)
Native:
Babra (Dist. Amreli)
Birth:
Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Residence:
Nairobi (KENYA)
Styling Up Lives!!
Curiosity is, in Great & Generous Minds the First Passion & the Last
A textile engineer by education, Mr. Bharat Chimanlal Thacker shares his inspiring journey of resilience and hard work that has seen him become a successful and famous personality in Kenya.
It is Better to Look Ahead & Prepare than to Look Back & Regret
On March 1, 1954, Mr. Thacker was born to Mrs. Jaswantiben Chimanlal Thacker and Mr.Chimanlal Purshottamdas Thacker. The fourth born in a family of five has two brothers and two sisters. A native of Babra village in Saurashtra, the family had moved to Mumbai for better prospects. After completing his schooling in Mumbai, he joined SASMIRA (The Synthetic and Art Mills Research Association) and graduated in textile engineering in 1978.
In 1992, armed with considerable experience; Mr. Thacker made his way into Kenya to set up a textile manufacturing plant. But fate had something else in store for him. The East African nation was having its first multiparty election. The political temperatures were high and this made the business environment un-conducive. Even more, the new quota system in the country made it difficult for him to set up a textile manufacturing plant.
Struggle you are in Today is Developing the Strength you Need for Tomorrow
Inspite of hardships, he did not get discouraged and started trading in household items. Though survival was very difficult, but Mr. Thacker kept on his determination, focused on his goal and hoped that one-day his trading business would grow into a manufacturing plant as were his dreams. Today, Mr. Thacker’s business has grown into the Vivek Group of Companies having interests in Manufacturing (FMCG), Household Consumer Goods, Chemicals, Pharma (OTC), Interior products, Precious Metals and Stones and investments in Real Estate. In addition to Vivek Investments Ltd., other companies under the Vivek Group include : Vivek Industries (Uganda) Ltd, Rose Jewellery Co Ltd. and Marvel Lifestyle Ltd.
Vivek Investments Limited belongs to a prestigious club of The Top 100 companies in Kenya. The company was ranked 7th amongst Kenya’s fastest growing companies in 2013 by KPMG.
You are Never too Old to Set another Goal or to Dream a New
Vivek Group of Companies grew exponentially when Mr. Bharat Thacker saw his son Mr. Chintan Thacker enter the business to combine their efforts in the running of the business. Seasoned business practice blended well with modern business sharp-wit. This cumulative experience saw the father-son duo, turn around the business positioning, making it a successful venture.
A graduate in International Business Administration in Finance and Marketing, Mr. Chintan injected into the business not only fresh zeal but the expertise that saw the Vivek Group of Companies venture into new sectors such as Manufacturing, Retail & Trade, Chemistry & Pharma, & Real Estate. The Group has three factories in Kenya where they do all their manufacturing. In his late fifties, with his son as the Managing Director of the group, Mr. Thacker got time to add yet another feather to the Vivek Group of Companies with the establishment of Marvel Lifestyle Ltd. – Manufacturing of Window blinds, Curtain rods and tracks.
Thanks to his amazing business acumen Marvel Lifestyle Ltd. is already the most popular brand in the window blinds and curtain rods segment in Kenya. Marvel Lifestyle Ltd. has four exclusive showrooms in Kenya and plans to add a couple more in the near future in Uganda and Tanzania to enhance the trans-national outlook of the Vivek Group of Companies.
Behind every successful man there is a woman and Mr. Thacker’s wife, Mrs. Bhavana Thacker is a perfect example. Under the guidance of her husband she has carved her career path and is managing the entire operations of Rose Jewellery Company Ltd. Mr. Thacker’s daughter in-law too is very enterprising, Mrs. Nina Thacker is the Managing Director of Bounty Ltd & under the guidance of her father is manufacturing beverages (Soft drinks and Mineral Water).
As the group Chairman at the Vivek Group of Companies, Mr. Thacker provides that much-needed visionary leadership and guidance that has seen the business clinch new heights. He eyes to further expand his business interests and set up an office in London, United Kingdom.
The Best Feeling you can Ever Have is to Give to Others
Mr. Thacker has been involved in several social activities. He has served as the Chairman of the Lions Club of Gigiri, Nairobi and as Zone Chairman for the Lion Club District 9200. He is presently the secretary of the Lohana Mahajan Mandal – Nairobi.
In his tenure as overall Chairman of the Lions Club of Gigiri, he received several awards in the district and still actively participates in many social activities of the club as a senior Lion. He is currently involved in the construction of a residential facility for mentally challenged girls – ‘Sister of Mercy’ and a house for the poor street children under The Children’s Village Trust – Kenya. Mr. Thacker’s family is also involved in community service in India and has started two schools in his native land under the names Jaswantiben Chimanlal Thacker Kanya Shala and Chimanilal Purshottamdas Thacker Kumar Chatralya under the leadership of his elder brothers – Janak Thacker and Deepak Thacker where nearly 1500 children are studying.
A religious man, Mr. Thacker has served as secretary at the Pushtimargiya Vaishnav Sangh temple in Nairobi and has been involved in many religious and fundraising activities.
Good Writing is Clear Thinking Made Visible
Once in a while Mr. Thacker takes a time out of his busy schedule to engage in his passion – writing and he has published three books so far. Two of his published works are based on religion – Pushti Pushp and Pushti Utsav in Gujarati. The third title is a souvenir, which he wrote on the completion of five years of the Vaishnav Temple. As a writer, he also indulges in reading inspirational books.
Mr. Bharat Chimanlal’s Thacker’s Gujarat
According to Mr. Thacker Gujarat has shown significant development under the strong and able leadership of Honorable Narendra Modi. Mr. Thacker is quite hopeful that with Honorable Modi’s leadership, India will soon be ranked among top 10 countries in the world in matters of development. He believes that reduction in taxation will certainly encourage NRIs to invest back home. The OCI Visa, which has encouraged Indian Diaspora to travel to their country any time and encourage them to establish industry in their motherland.
Message for Youth
Mr. Thacker urges the youth to work hard and believe in themselves. He singles out determination, resilience, setting goals and working towards actualizing them as important ingredients if anyone is to succeed in life.
Family
Mr. Thacker got married to Bhavana Thacker on January 21, 1979. They were blessed with two sons, unfortunately, they lost their youger son – Vivek Thacker to a neurological problem and Mr. Chintan Thacker is now their only son. A graduate in International Business Administration in Finance & Marketing, Mr. Chintan Thacker is presently looking after all their ventures and he is married to Mrs. Nina Thacker. They are blessed with a bubbly three years old son, Master Prem Thacker.
Gallery
ISBN : 9788192722146