Vaidya, who started his career working for other organizations, including US Assistance for International Development, had embarked on a journey to build his own business empire at the age of 29. At that time, he had just $700.[break]
His first major success came in the year 1967 when he founded United Traders Syndicate (UTS) and bagged sole authorized distributorship of Toyota vehicles and genuine parts for Nepal.
The success of Vaidya also marked new era of auto business in Nepal. His showroom enabled Nepalis to easily choose, order and get hold of Japanese cars within the country.
As Vaidya laid focus on clients beyond traditionally well-off Ranas and Shahs, he started the era of owning private vehicle in the country. People owning private cars today can attribute this luxury to Vaidya.
While Toyota revolutionized status symbol and consumption pattern of high-income groups, Vaidya jumped into agricultural ventures. Today, VOITH (45 years into being) has more than two dozen subsidiary firms with interest in areas like automobiles, tea, agricultural products, construction and education, among others.
“He was a genuine dreamer and truly a self-made man,” Banwari Lal Mittal, his longtime friend, told Republica.
Like Mittal, people who knew Vaidya closely admire him for his immense contribution in the development of private sector.
While Vaidya raised the aspirations of urban consumers with UTS, he delivered tractors to farmers through Agni Incorporated (authorized distributor of Mahindra & Mahindra brand of Multi Utility Vehicles & Tractors).
Vaidya also introduced prestigious auto brands like Subaru and General Motors in Nepal and was planning to establish electric-bicycle assembling plant in joint venture with Chinese partner in Nepal.
Being a man who turned industrialist from development worker, Vaidya gave priority to labor-intensive, agro-based industries. Staff members at VOITH attribute his jump into tea sector as very reflection of this conviction.
Through Guranse Tea Estate in Dhankuta, Mai-Ilam Guranse Tea Estate Industries in Ilam and Nirvana Tea Processing and Packaging, Vaidya created direct income opportunities for over 5,000 farmers. That is not all. Vaidya even adopted a business model under which he made local farmers his business partner in tea production and processing, enabling them enjoy profit returns as well.
Agri Breeders, Nepal Wellhope Agri-Tech are Vadiya´s ventures in agricultural sector, while Nepal Singha Construction represents his presence in the construction sector.
Though Vaidya was not active in business due to health ailments for a few years, he was busy carving the future of VOITH. Under his guidance, the group is soon jumping into education sector in partnership with top universities from countries like Australia. Vaidya was also a social worker, involved in many social organizations. He was also the Honorary Consul General of the Philippines to Nepal and was well regarded in the business community for his contribution in making Nepal known in the international arena.
Vaidya is survived by a daughter and two sons, including Suraj Vaidya -- the newly elected president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries.
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