Shri Rampratap Zanvar, the Founder of Zanvar Group of Industries, passed away on Monday evening at Kolhapur, Maharashtra. For the last fifteen days, he was admitted to a private hospital in Kolhapur. His condition deteriorated on Monday following which he departed for the heavenly abode. He was 87, and the cremation took place on Monday evening.
A visionary entrepreneur with a conviction to values, Rampratap Zanvar established Zanvar Group in 1982. Hard work, perseverance and an indomitable spirit were the cornerstones by which he led the Group to become one of the leading names in the foundry segment.
Hailing from his home town Astha in the Sangli district, Rampratap Zanvar graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the College Of Engineering Pune and joined the Kirloskar Company. After working for eight years, he established a foundry which is today known as Shriram Foundry Limited. His unique vision shaped the identity of the Group for its outstanding manufacturing capabilities of quality castings. Today the Group has Shriram Foundry, Astha Liners, Kasturi foundry around Kolhapur and one in Uttaranchal.
Honoured in India and abroad for his ability to innovate and develop new modes of production, Rampratap Zanvar was elected as the Chairman of The Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) Kolhapur Chapter, Kolhapur Engineering Association and Kolhapur Foundry Cluster.
He was awarded the prestigious FIE Foundation Award, KEA Udyogshri Award, ‘Kolhapur Udyog Ratan Award’ by Standard Club Global. Many more titles have also been conferred on him, including the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rampratap Zanvar will also be remembered for his involvement in various social activities. Recognized by numerous national and international organizations, he had envisioned an inclusive growth of the society empowered by social and economical progress.
Words cannot fill up the void. His Rampratap Zanvar’s story serves as a point of reference for a generation of entrepreneurs and companies in the foundry segment. It is under his leadership Zanvar Group has earned itself a respectable position among the global corporate players such as John Deere, Tata Motors and Cummins. The spirit of Rampratap Zanvar will live on as a beacon of integrity and foresight for the future.
