A patriot, teacher, farmer, mentor, businessman and a loving father, Kesari Patil’s facets of his illustrious journey through life are myriad. He began this journey from a small village called Mathane, where he was a teacher of Geography. From this humble beginning, started a saga of success — when most people were thinking of retirement, Kesari Bhau, who recently won the life time achivment award from The Galileo Bird Travel World Awards 2009, started a travel company with no money and no place. All he had were the goodwill of his guests and the respect of his business associates.
Named Kesari Tours, this small travel company started only with family members and no staff. But Bhau’s relentless drive, his passion for excellence and innate sense of caring made it all seem easy. His fondness for Kashmir gave Kesari the singular honour of being the largest domestic tour operator to Jammu Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal Rajasthan, Kerala, and various other states. No wonder, Kesari today has grown into one of India’s reputed travel companies with 500 office staff and a fleet of 400 tour leaders spread all over in India.
With a constant urge towards innovation, Patil encouraged the creation of various brands under Kesari Tours Pvt Ltd My Fair Lady — a ladies only tour, Second Innings — exclusive tour for senior citizens, Honeymoon Special — tours for newly married couples, Apple Pi — non classroom learning tours as well as Funtoosh — student special fun tours and exclusive experiences to individuals through Strawberi Holidays are some of the few innovations Kesari has made over the years.
Even now Bhau travels extensively, participating in every event and activities with the same enthusiasm and excitement of a child. Penning his experience of working in the tourism industry for 25 years, he has shared this knowledge in his book titled Pravas Eka Pravasacha. Not one to rest, Bhau is now busy planning on opening one more chapter in the journey of his eventful life. This time it will be with Kesari Foundation and its charter of social responsibility.
