Parag Desai, the Executive Director of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group, passed away at a private hospital in Ahmedabad on a Sunday October 22, 2023, several days after sustaining a head injury while trying to fend off stray dogs. He was 49 years old. Parag belonged to the fourth generation of the Desai family, who are the driving force behind Gujarat Tea Processors and Packers Limited, more commonly recognized as the Wagh Bakri brand. This tea company, founded by his great-grandfather Narandas Desai in 1892, proudly stands as one of India's largest tea suppliers and exporters. 

Desai was admitted to Shalby Hospitals at approximately 6 pm on October 15, where medical professionals diagnosed him with a brain haemorrhage resulting from his head injury. He remained under their care for 24 hours before being transferred to Zydus Hospital for further treatment. 

“On October 15th, around 5.30pm, Shri Desai was taking a leisurely evening walk in his residential society close to his bungalow when stray dogs rushed towards him, which caused him to run towards his residence compound which caused him to lose his balance, unfortunately resulting in a severe brain hemorrhage due to fall.” - A statement