Kesari Bhau…A Dream Chaser…

“If Space Travel becomes a reality, Kesari Tours will be the first to start offering tours to the Moon,” says 85-year-old Mr Kesari Patil- the founder & chairman of renowned Kesari. Aren’t these words motivational, especially for those who often get disappointed after small failures in life? Only those people can express this kind of assurance, who has confidence in their own capacities, transparency in following ethical business practices and a strong will-power to give quality services to the customers. And Mr Kesari Patil, popularly known as Kesari Bhau, respects this value system.

When we speak about travel and tourism industry in India, Maharashtra in particular, Kesari Tours is on the top of the list. It has a lion’s share in inculcating travelling habits among the middle class families and groups in Maharashtra. In a chit-chat with Business Mantra’s correspondent, Kesari Bhau revealed his life’s journey. It is quite rare in the business world that a person makes a start at the age of 50, when most of the people of same age already have entered into the ‘Vanprasthashram’- the retirement life. Thirty five years ago, Kesari Bhau embarked on a journey to capture the dream. The decisive point for him was quitting the job and breaking the partnership with his elder brother at ‘Raja Rani Travels’ and entering into a new venture namely ‘Kesari Tours’. It was really a courageous decision for a Geography teacher to start his own travel company and make people travel to experience the Geography. The only assets he was having at that time were support from his wife Sunita and children- Veena, Shailesh, Zelam and Himanshu and the 21 years of rich experience as a tour conductor. No bank was ready to give him a loan since his company was not producing any visible product. With a few helping hands of friends and family members, Kesari’s new office was started in a 10*10 sqft room in Matunga on 8^th June 1984.

“The first step is very important in moving ahead in the life. Having no financial support doesn’t mean we can’t progress. Rather, uncertainty can be viewed as a challenge and a resource as well. Self-confidence is the biggest asset. So don’t be afraid of taking the first step in any field and at any stage of life,” says Kesari Bhau.

A hardcore farmer, Kesari Bhau used all his skills and experience to nurture his enterprise. The first domestic tour was arranged to Rajasthan with 13 tourists, followed by a tour to Jammu Kashmir with 45 tourists. The company kept growing with hundreds of destinations in India including Kesari Bhau’s favourite Jammu Kashmir, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh and thousands of destinations abroad. Since its inception Kesari Tours and Travels has maintained perfection in management and accuracy in hospitality. Kesari Bhau believes in ‘Change’. Hence, at his enterprise he continues to introduce innovative schemes and offers for the tourists, inventing new destinations and adapting to the changing times. His experiments paid off. This diversity in tour-management helped Kesari Bhau in gaining popularity and spreading the wings nationally and internationally. The venture, started as a domestic tour operator with mere 13 tourists, gradually transformed into one of India’s leading travel companies, handling millions of tourists internationally. In January 2012, Kesari organised its first trip to Antarctica, thus covering all the seven continents.

Currently, Kesari has 26 branches in India, more than 792 office staff and more than 350 tour leaders spread across India. Over the years, Kesari Tours has launched unique specialty tours like Honeymoon Special, ‘My Fair Lady’ for women travellers, ‘Second Innings’ for Senior Citizens, Students Special, Marigold for spiritual tours and Chota Break for quick getaways along with ‘Carry Zero Money’ on tour policy and different divisions such as Strawberi for customized travel, MICE for corporate travel and many more.

Kesari Bhau is a strong admirer of the former President of India and scientist late Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. Quoting him, Kesari Bhau says, “We need to tackle the people and the situations. Here, experience is the best teacher. Miracles do happen, if a dream is chased with full determination, dedication and hard work.” For his unique and inspirational journey and contribution, Kesari Bhau has won many prestigious awards including the life time achievement award from The Galileo Bird Travel World Awards. Among the other awards include The Best Family Group Tour Operator in Gujarat Supported by Gujarat Tourism 2017, “India’s Most Valuable Travel Destination Company 2017” at 8th Annual India Leadership Conclave & Indian Affairs Business Leadership Awards 2017, Most Popular Brand 2017 by Artha Sanket Maharashtra, Preferred Partner Award 2016 by Sentosa the State of Fun (Singapore), Brand Of the Year 2016-17 by Process and Research Evaluators ibrands 360, Best Domestic Tour Operator by Today’s Traveller Awards, Gallery of Legends Award to Mr Kesari Patil by West India Travel Awards, Go Achievers Awards- Kesari Tours Pvt. Ltd. by GoAir, India’s Top 100 Travel Producers award by OTM, National Tourism Award-Best Domestic Tour Operator – Kashmir for the year 2014-2015, Best Domestic Tour Operator by ‘Today’s Traveller’ Award 2015, National Tourism Award – 2013-14 for Domestic tour operator- Rest of India, National Tourism Award-Best Domestic Tour Operator – Kashmir for the year 2013-2014 and National Tourism Award – 2013- 2014 for Best Domestic Tour Operator – First Price.

A patriot by heart, Kesari Bhau has already started giving back to the society through ‘Kesari Foundation’. To understand his illustrious journey, one must read his biography ‘Pravas Eka Pravasacha’.

Bhau has given his sweat and blood, heart and soul to make ‘Kesari Tours’ a reputed brand in India. It is his restless efforts and dedication that Kesari Tours could make a niche in the international tourism and hospitality industry. Now, his brilliant descendants are taking this legacy to the next level.

Bhau, salute to your vigour!

www.kesari.in