Eminent Businessman Kasturi Prabhakar Pai Passes Away

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 26, 2025: Sri Kasturi Prabhakar Pai (75), an eminent businessman and President of the Dakshina Kannada Automobile and Tyre Dealers Association, passed away on Saturday evening at a private hospital in the city following a brief illness.

Born on October 26, 1950, in Mangaluru to the late Kasturi Mangesh Pai, Mr. Pai completed his schooling at Canara High School (Main) and pursued Mechanical Engineering at Manipal Engineering College (now MIT, Manipal) from 1968 to 1973. He later earned his MBA from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA.

After returning to India, he joined the family business, Kasturi Group of Concerns, where he managed the manufacturing division of fish meal and fish oil. In later years, he headed Quest Marketing & Services, a wholesale dealership in automobile spares and cement, and was also involved in transportation and ready-mix concrete pumping. He served as Director of Benchem Corporation and Aspa Logistics Pvt. Ltd.

A respected figure in the business community, Mr. Pai was actively involved in several professional and social organisations. He had been serving as President of the Dakshina Kannada Automobile and Tyre Dealers Association since 2017, following earlier roles as Secretary (1999–2013) and Vice President (2013–2017). The Association has expressed deep sorrow at his demise, describing him as a dedicated leader whose service spanned nearly three decades.

Mr. Pai is survived by his wife, mother, son, and daughter.

Last rites: The funeral will be held on Sunday, October 26, at 9:00 a.m. at his residence “Prakrithi,” Collectors Gate, Balmatta (on DC Bungalow Road).