Draft:Rajendra Khetan

Rajendra Khetan (Rajendra Kumar khetan, born December 7, 1970) is an industrialist, businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the chairman of the Khetan Group, one of Nepal's oldest and most prominent business houses. He also serves as a member of the Kathmandu University Senate, Honorary Consul of Portugal, and President of the Nepal Britain Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Alliance Francaise de Kathmandu. Other Khetan's titles include Vice President of FNCCI (Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry) and Chairman of Laxmi Bank, among twelve others. He works in a variety of industries, including mining, consumer commodities such as beverages and groceries, insurance, banking/financial services, telecommunications, information technology, real estate, and energy, and is considered an accomplished industrialist.

He is involved in several Khetan Group companies, including Mutual Trading Company Private Limited, Gorkha Brewery Private Limited, Himalayan Snax and Noodles Private Limited, Everest Insurance Company Limited, Laxmi Bank Limited, Himalayan Bank Limited, Himalayan Petrochemicals Limited, Himalayan Agriculture Private Limited, and Prime Life Insurance Company Limited. He is also one of the richest person in Nepal.

Early Life and Career
Rajendra Khetan, a prominent figure in Nepal's business community, was born in Makhan, a central district of Kathmandu's old city, in 1970. He was the eldest son of the late Mohan Gopal Khetan, a wealthy industrialist. Khetan's family introduced him to the complexities of business and entrepreneurship at a young age.

Rajendra Khetan became a successful entrepreneur after completing high school at Adarshsa Vidya Mandir and continuing his study at Tribhuwan University-affiliated institutes. He was driven by a desire to contribute to Nepal's economic development. He witnessed firsthand the socio-cultural, economic, and business upheavals that transformed Kathmandu Valley and Nepal..

Khetan Group
Kishun Ram Purna Mal (Great-Grandfather of Rajendra Khetan) founded the Khetan Group in Kathmandu, Nepal, over two centuries ago in 1848, with a trade focus. The group has evolved and modernized over time, thanks to the innovative leadership of succeeding generations, including Rajendra Khetan's father Mohan Gopal Khetan, grandfather Purna Mal Bihari Lal Khetan, and Rajendra Khetan, who is currently joined by his two brothers Prem Prakash Khetan and Chandra Prakash Khetan.

The Khetan Group family business started in Nepal nearly 170 years ago, during the Nepal-Tibet War (1855-1856), also known as Bhot ko Ladai, when Mr. Rajendra Khetan's great-great-grandfather, Mr. Kishun Ram, began supplying rice and salt to Nepalese soldiers. Since then, the Khetan family has not looked back. After establishing their family business as small traders in 1845, the Khetan family began importing fabrics from India in 1910. Finally, in 1937, they registered their firm, becoming one of Nepal's first 32 registered businesses. The Khetan Group also proudly shares the legacy of their family business being one of the first taxpayers, practically starting the modern tax regime in Nepal.

The Khetan Group has now expanded beyond trading into industries such as service, finance, insurance, aviation, and tourism. Notable milestones include the founding of Gorkha Brewery in 1989, Himalayan Bank Limited in 1993, and Prime Life Insurance Company in 2007, among others. . In 1970, they began their first diversification efforts by exporting jute and lentils. In 1989, the family established Gorkha Brewery in collaboration with foreign multinationals. They then expanded their business empire in subsequent years, entering banking and insurance in 1993 and 1994, and food processing and manufacturing in 2000.

Over the years, the Khetan Group has played an important role in Nepal's economic development. They were one of the first to start a private bank entirely locally owned, named The Himalayan Bank, and the first to start an aviation company called Nepal Air Charter Service (NACS). .

Gorkha Brewery
Gorkha Brewery Private Limited was founded in 1989 as a joint venture between the Khetan Group and the Danish multinational company Carlsberg A/S. It was and continues to be one of Nepal's largest single foreign investments, and since 2004, it has brewed and marketed San Miguel beer under a license agreement with San Miguel Brewing International Limited in the Philippines. Tuborg became Nepal's first international brand in 1990, and Carlsberg followed in 1995 distributed under Khetan Group's Gorkha Brewery. Gorkha Brewery has grown to become the market leader, accounting for more than 80% of the Nepalese beer market.

Coca-Cola in Nepal
Coca-Cola was first imported from India and introduced into Nepal in 1973, after which it began local production in 1979. Bottlers Nepal Limited (under Khetan Group) is the sole bottler of Coca-Cola products in Nepal, which has two bottling plants known as Kathmandu (Bottlers Nepal Limited) and Bharatpur (Bottlers NepalTerai Limited). Since 2001, fully automatic Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) have been installed in both of the company's plants to protect the local environment while also meeting The Coca-Cola Quality System (TCCQS) standards. It also supports a free health check-up clinic in Bharatpur in collaboration with the local community.

Himalayan Snax and Noodles
In October 2000, the group established Himalayan Snax and Noodles Private Limited (HSNPL) in technical collaboration with Thai President Foods Plc of Thailand, which provides manufacturing technology expertise to the company. The company began with the goal of producing instant noodles under the 'Mayos' brand and has a factory in Banepa, Kavrepalanchowk district. Since 2008, the company has established a second plant in Kamharia VDC, Rupandehi district. It has produced several brands of instant noodles, including Mayos, Mayos Shangri-la, Shaka Laka Boom, Ru-Chee, Lekali, J-mee, Hurray, Doharee, Jhilke, and Humpty Dumpty.

Financial Institutions and Other Sectors
On April 1, 2002, Laxmi Bank was established as the 16th commercial bank in the country and came to its full-fledged operation in mid-May 2002. The bank, promoted by Khetan Group along with other business groups, was established with NRS 610 million as paid-up capital.

One of the leading insurance companies in Nepal, Everest Insurance Company (EIC) started in 1994 as a Public Limited Company is also promoted by Khetan Group.

Initiated by Khetan Group, Prime Life Insurance Company Limited was incorporated as a public limited company in June 2007.

Another initiative of Khetan Group, Himalayan Bank Limited was established in 1993 in partnership with Employees Provident Fund of Nepal and Habib Bank Limited of Pakistan. It is also the first commercial bank to have maximum shareholding by the Nepalese private sector.

The Group is also involved in other activities that includes the bottling and refilling of liquefied petroleum gas, drilling and boring deep tube-wells for irrigation, consultancy and representation in the fields of telecommunications, power, transmission lines, hydroelectricity, construction, and so on, real estate, various import and export activities, marketing and distribution activities, and investment in sound ventures and instruments.

Rajendra Khetan led the Khetan Group to become a business powerhouse that embraced modern infrastructure and technology, as well as high standards of excellence. With a focus on continuous development and diversification, the business group continues to lead Nepal's industrial, banking, and commercial sectors.

Entrepreneurial and Political Journey
Rajendra Khetan emerged as a successful entrepreneur, reaching significant milestones in his business, professional, and personal life. He has played a pivotal role in modernizing and corporatizing his family's traditional business, which saw a significant shift from trading to industry, service, and banking under his late father's leadership. Khetan's dynamic approach and adaptability were evident as he navigated political transformations following 2008, including his election to the Constituent Assembly.

Honorary Consul General of Portugal
Rajendra Khetan is the Honorary Consul General of Portugal, which recognizes his outstanding contributions to Nepal-Portugal diplomatic relations. This honorary title was bestowed to him on April 6, 2019, by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali who recognizes Khetan's significant role in fostering bilateral relations. He has also served as Dean of Nepal's Honorary Consular Corps and has played an important role in international cultural and diplomatic exchanges. The award was given at a ceremony hosted by the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal in the presence of Minister Gyawali, MoFA Secretary Shankar Bairagi, ambassadors, and others. Khetan, the founder and Vice President of the Nepal France Friendship Society, was also the Dean of the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal from 2017 to 2018.

Philanthropist and Social Responsibility
Rajendra Khetan is well-known for his charitable work and commitment to social responsibility, as well as his financial success. He has actively supported education, healthcare, and community development activities, significantly contributing to the improvement of disadvantaged communities and the empowerment of future generations.

Khetan's involvement in several charitable organizations, including his positions as President of Agrawal Sewa Samaj and Senator of Kathmandu University, demonstrates his commitment to give back to society. Khetan has also been involved in several educational welfare initiatives, including collaborations with Kathmandu University and the Late Hari Khetan Multiple Campus in Birgunj. In collaboration, they built a non-commercial trauma center in Naubise for the people of Dhading and the surrounding area to commemorate the state's recognition of his late father. His involvement in several charitable organizations, including his position as President of Agrawal Sewa Samaj and Senator of Kathmandu University, further demonstrates his societal commitment. As Honorary Consul General of Portugal, he also carries out diplomatic operations to strengthen international ties and cultural exchanges.

Philosophy, Legacy and Influence
Khetan's journey demonstrates a deep commitment to excellence, innovation, and societal progress. His commitment to traditional values, combined with an innovative approach, has shaped the Khetan Group's ethos, setting the standard for corporate governance and social responsibility in Nepal. As Khetan shifts into a phase of consolidation and succession planning, he envisions a future in which his daughters inherit and build on the family business's legacy. With a focus on corporate sustainability and social entrepreneurship, Khetan hopes to inspire future generations to pursue their passions while making a meaningful contribution to society.

Rajendra Khetan's influence extends beyond his business acumen to his role as a mentor, leader, and advocate for positive change. His commitment to brilliance, ethics, and social welfare has earned him widespread respect and affection, both domestically and internationally. Rajendra Khetan's life and work demonstrate the transformative power of entrepreneurialism, integrity, and visionary leadership. His legacy extends beyond business success to include philanthropy, diplomacy, and community involvement. Khetan's diverse roles as an industrialist, diplomat, and philanthropist have left an indelible mark on Nepal's corporate landscape, inspiring individuals to pursue their dreams with courage and conviction.