New Delhi, Jul 9 (IANS): Ashok C. Burman, chairman-emeritus of the 125-year-old Dabur Group, died in London Saturday noon. He was 81.
According to family members, his body will be brought here for the last rites. His wife Sudha died two years ago and he is survived by his son Anand, who serves as the chairman of the group.
Born in Kolkata June 19, 1930, Burman joined Dabur in 1948 as a third generation member of the group and was named director two years later. In 1985, he became chairman -- a post he relinquished in 1998.
Burman is credited with turning a family-owned enterprise, which started from the bylanes of Kolkata, into a professionally-run group. He ensured that his family's representation on the group companies' board was successively scaled down over the years.
Among the group companies, $900-million Dabur India is a leading enterprise in the fast moving consumer goods space with a presence in 60 countries and ranks among the largest Ayurvedic and natural healthcare companies in the world.
Some of its better known brands include Odonil, Vatika, Hajmola, Promise, Lemoneez, Pudin Hara, Real juices, Glucose-D, Hommade and Babool.
Besides Dabur, Burman was also on the boards of Gannon Dunkely and Co, Polyplex Corporation, Satnam Overseas, Himal Laboratories and Filatex India.