Ramesh Chotai
President, Bromed Pharmaceuticals Inc
Member of the Board, Canada India Foundation | Ontario, Canada
Janam Bhumi:
Gulu, Acholi District, Uganda
Dharma Bhumi:
Porbandar, Gujarat, India
Karma Bhumi:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Turning Adversity into Purpose
The ‘Ramesh’ Factor: “Every challenge that comes your way brings an opportunity to grow.”
THE MAN
He was called a traitor and incarcerated in the country, Uganda, where he was born. His motherland, India, also refused to help him, labelling him a ‘Prohibited Immigrant’. Years later, he would receive India’s highest civilian order, thus vindicating his resolve.
Ramesh Chotai proves that nice guys do not always finish last, nor do they let hurdles come in their way. Born in 1942 to Amarshi Bhanji and Reva, who moved from India to Uganda in the 1920s, Ramesh and his siblings lived the immigrant struggle. Tides began to shift after their father quit his job to start his own business, having acquired a cotton ginning plant. From one plant to five more, the business was making its mark in Uganda. Ramesh’s mother was the home maker, who nurtured her five children, one daughter and four sons, with care, teaching them values of empathy, kindness, and respect.
THE JOURNEY
Ramesh, after completing his education from Government Secondary School, Mbale, Uganda, pursued his graduation in pharmacy from the University of Sunderland, England. He then went to Switzerland for a two-year training before returning to Uganda in 1969 and started working for Imperial Chemical Industries Pharmaceuticals, now AstraZeneca, helping it grow from a company with a small team to an organisation with 1500 employees. He became the youngest CEO in the company’s history and commissioned Africa’s largest fertiliser plant in Tororo. Life was good. Ramesh’s reputation as an industry leader was growing. “It was all going well. I led the Ugandan pharmaceutical delegation to the UK and became a founder member of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association,” he remembers. In 1972, the then-Ugandan President Idi Amin waged a campaign to expel the Asian community, whom he accused of sabotaging the country’s economy.
“Those were difficult days. Families had to leave overnight. I was blamed for restricting the supply of pharmaceuticals when they were needed the most. They labelled me a traitor and imprisoned me.”
Canadian authorities helped him leave Uganda in 1972 with the family, starting from scratch in a new land. When Ramesh and his wife, Krishna, arrived in Montreal, he was wearing only a shirt until a Canadian officer gave him a coat.
Ramesh worked as a pharmacist before setting up his own company, Bromed Pharmaceuticals. His siblings joined him in expanding the business, and Bromed Pharmaceuticals soon became a familiar name across the country. The name ‘Bromed’ stands for ‘Brothers Medical,’ and the company now imports 80 percent of its raw materials from India. “I opened 27 pharmacies and then sold them to bigger industry players,” he says. His company became a source of employment for many, and with him as its President, it has continued to be one of the dominant leaders in pharmaceutical formulation technology.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Ramesh remembers the time when his nation of birth rejected him, and he had nowhere to go. That’s when Canada took a stand for him. “My parents always said that Indians are known for their sense of gratitude, and now I know where this feeling of gratitude comes from,” Ramesh says. He wanted to give back to the country that stood by his side when he needed it the most. It pushed him towards both wealth creation and social good. “I believe that when God gives us success, we should pay it forward,” he says.
He has paid it forward in more ways than one. To promote Indian culture and strengthen bilateral ties, he co-founded the Canada India Foundation (CIF), opening doors for entrepreneurs to leverage trade relations between Canada and India. As CIF Chair, he spearheaded initiatives such as the Canada-India Mining and Metals Forum, Canada-India Energy Forum, and co-chaired the Canada-India Health Care Summit held in both nations. He also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Canadian Museum of Indian Civilization. He also leads the Canadian National Council of Hindus (CNCH) to empower Canada’s 1.478 million Hindus.
Whether founding the Canada India Foundation or the Vraj Canada Community Center or raising millions for Gujarat earthquake relief, sponsoring Syrian refugees, donating hospital beds, and sending relief to India during the pandemic, he has fulfilled his duties to both his ‘Karma Bhūmi’ and ‘Dharma Bhūmi’. He also nurtured spiritual awareness among younger generations by building the Shrinathji Temple in Canada and inviting a priest from Gujarat to inaugurate it. For his social and economic contributions, Ramesh has received several honours from the Government of Ontario and other organisations, the most cherished being the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, India’s highest civilian award for overseas Indians.
THE LEGACY
Being accused and punished of treason can break a man’s spirit, and Ramesh would have given up had it not been for his wife, Krishna, who moved heaven and earth to get him out of prison and Uganda. She contacted the Canadian High Commission, which arranged for the family to move to the country. Once they moved to Canada, Krishna became his professional support too. Krishna, who comes from a famous business family in Kenya, studied pharmacy and took charge of Bromed Pharmaceuticals later on. “It is a blessing to have a supportive life partner,” Ramesh says. The couple has a daughter, Anjali, who graduated with a degree in Commerce from Ryerson University and is the Vice-President (Operations) at Bromed Pharmaceuticals. She is married to Raj, who has an MBA degree in Finance and is the CFO at Bromed Pharmaceuticals. They have two children, Shay and Keyla.
The saying goes, ‘You can’t keep a good man down for long’. Ramesh Chotai is more than just a good man – he’s a survivour, achiever, builder, and a giver.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“I did not have enough opportunities to stay in India, but based on the stories I heard from my parents and relatives, I can say that India has come a long way, be it in terms of its economic status or social status. The India that struggled for independence once is showing the path of virtue and righteousness to the rest of the world.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“Though I was born in Uganda, my parents made sure I grew up with Indian values. From respecting elders to making worship part of my routine, they taught me everything. It is the same values that earned me the trust to serve as the President of the Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, between 1985 and 1991.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“We brought up our children to be honest enough and serve the homeland that shaped them. Today, they not only respect their Canadian foundation but also their Indian roots. I have always tried to seize every opportunity to bring India and the world closer. Whether through diplomacy or humanitarian work, I believe such initiatives are among the finest ways for Indians abroad to strengthen global relations.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“When I read stories about India’s struggle for independence, I see how difficult it might have been for the nation to cope with the situation. But the country and the people there never chose to give up. Honesty, integrity, and hard work are what Bharat teaches us. It exemplified how you fall while running, but get up & restart. This spirit is both the pride and the reason behind the progress of Bharat.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“The youth must not restrict themselves, especially when it comes to learning and developing skills. Being true to their roots, they must expand their horizon and look outside Indian boundaries to explore the world. They must remember that the opportunity in other nations is a chance to show what we Indians bring to their table.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Sport Spirit
THEN
I was good at playing hockey and cricket.
NOW
I am not much into sports myself, but I love to watch sports matches on TV.
Music Tastes
THEN
I was not into listening to music much as a child.
NOW
I love to listen to Bollywood songs along with the songs from the golden era.
Leisure Habits
THEN
I have been into reading books and listening to stories of Indian origin.
NOW
I spend most of my time reading biographies and watching Bollywood movies.
AKA
Ramesh Chotai Bromed Pharmaceuticals | Ramesh Chotai Bromed Pharma President | Ramesh Chotai Canada India Foundation | Ramesh Chotai CIF Board Member | Canada India Business Relations Ramesh Chotai | Bromed Pharmaceuticals Inc President | Canada Pharma Industry Ramesh Chotai | CIF Board Ontario Ramesh Chotai
