The Bombay Parsi Punchayet had the singular distinction of felicitating the First Parsi Lord of the British Realm, Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea in 2007, when he visited Mumbai.
Lord Karan is an entrepreneur par excellence. When it is a question of transfer of technology we invariably believe that it takes place from West to East but in his case it is the unique phenomenon of it being the other way around.
With his incisive and analytical mind, guts, gumption and painstaking effort, he was able to develop a smooth blend of beer which even the British relished - which is saying quite a lot! His now famous brand of Cobra Beer has become a household word in the United Kingdom and many other Western countries. He has now penetrated the hitherto impregnable bastion of his home front - India.
His has been the greatest success stories of our times, Parsis the world over are legitimately proud that the British Government has recognised his undoubted talents by conferring upon him the honorific title of LORD. It was on 24th July 2007 that he was formally sworn into the House of Lords as one of the 10 youngest members of this apex body. He now joins the illustrious band of PARSI FIRSTS.
He has fine academic credentials. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant from U.K. and has done his graduation in Law from the Cambridge University. He is a very successful first generation Entrepreneur and has earned his spurs in public life with a number of high powered appointments. With his infinite charm he can win friends and influence people. He embodies in himself the essential prerequisites of a successful Entrepreneur - Vision, guts, Tenacity and Passion. Starting with very modest resources and against the advice of his family, he has made a big hit in the beverage business.
Lord Bilimoria has been very active in promoting the case of India's progress in Commerce and Industry. As U.K. Chairman of the Indo-British Partnership, he has helped build extremely close relationship between the two countries.
Lord Bilimoria is indeed a fine role model for all Zoroastrians who besides aspiring to be successful entrepreneurs, also plays a prominent role in public life. To him the Parsi community has exemplified the principle that it is not good enough to be the best in the world, one must also be the best for the world. The Parsis historically have put back into their neibhbourhoods and made the world a better place. He feels lucky to belong to such an amazing community.
His motto and advice to all young entrepreneurs is “to aspire and achieve against all odds, with integrity".