Mangaluru: ‘Komals’ Vitobha Nagvekar passes away

Mangaluru: ‘Komals’ Vitobha Nagvekar passes away

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, April 3, 2015: B. Vitobha S. Nagvekar, founder of Komals Group of Concerns, Mangalore passed away today due to old age at his residence in Ladyhill, Mangalore. 

He was aged 86 years and is survived by two sons, Vidyadar Nagvekar and Ganesh Nagvekar, and three daughters.

 

A prominent leader of Vaishya community, he was deeply involved in social, cultural and spiritual activities throughout his life. In recognition of his lifelong service to society, he was conferred with the titles ‘Guru Seva Niratha’ by Jagadguru HH Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji, the Shankaracharya of Shringeri Shree Sharada Peetam and ‘Vaishya Ratna’ by HH Sri Vamanashrama Swamiji of Sri Samsthan Haldipur, the Guru Math of Vaishya Samaj.

He was actively involved in Dongerkery Shree Venkataramana Temple and was the President of Vaishya Education Society. He was also the chief editor of ‘Guruvani’, a monthly religious magazine published by Haldipur Guru Math.

A successful businessman of the city, he founded the renowned Komals Group, which is famous for bakery and confectionary products. He had established the business with painstaking effort over several decades, often working late into the night in its fledgling days. In his own words, he would stay up however late and not close the shop before reaching the daily business target of Rs. 100 – a princely amount those days. He prided on calling himself the ‘King of Sweets’.

His entrepreneurial zeal and marketing acumen saw him setting up a string of retail outlets imbibing innovative big city concepts. One such outlet ‘Komals Red Rose’ situated close to Hampakatta Junction was a popular luxury café of the 80’s. Komals Pushpanjali Hall near New Chitra Talkies in the city was also started by him.
 
He has earlier served as the President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry and he was a well known figure in Mangalore due to his philanthropic nature and social worker.

His last rites will be held tomorrow (4th April) morning at 10.00 a.m. at Boloor crematorium.