Mandvi: Khimji Ramdas family that had left Kutch, sailing in country boat to reach Oman on the other side of sea 147 years ago, yesterday returned to Kutch in their special luxurious yacht ‘Laila’ and landed at Mandvi port after 72-hour sea journey.

Khimji Ramdas firm is one of most reputed firms in Oman and head of the family has been given title of ‘Sheikh’ there.

Kanakshibhai Sheth, a member of Khimji family with other members of family including Kalpnaben, Anilbhai, Naileshbhai, Maheshbhai Sampat left Oman on January 9 to reach Mandvi port in Kutch yesterday where they all were welcomed by Mandvi Trust, local civic body, chamber of commerse, Vahanvati association, Kharva community members, senior citizens, Jiants group, school management and others.

Kanaksinh thanked Oman Navy and Indian Navy for their support. Oman Navy was with us for 45 mile in sea. In Indian sea, Indian Navy accompanied us.

Background:
147 years ago Ramdas Thackersay set sail from the coastal town of Mandvi to relocate his growing business to Muscat for faster access to strategic ports. His forefathers, dhow merchants from Mandvi, had landed in Sur in the mid-1800s. As traders, they brought grain, tea and spices from India and took away dates, dry lime, and frankincense from the sultanate of Oman. Muscat was, at that time, a very active port. Thackersay’s son, Khimji Ramdas, followed him and together, they sowed the seeds of a global enterprise that is today one of the largest business groups in Oman. Khimji Ramdas Group of Companies passed on from generation to generation and, in 1970, Thackersay’s great-grandson, Kanaksi Khimji, took over from his father, Gokaldas, after finishing his education in Mumbai. Today, with an annual turnover of more than $1 billion, the group is the chosen partner of more than 400 top global brands in consumer products, lifestyle, infrastructure, projects and logistics. It has business operations in India and UAE and is a corporate member of the World Economic Forum.