Our Founders
Mr. M. A. Rangoonwala
Born on May 20, 1924, in Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon), Mr. M. A. Rangoonwala remained for 74 years a champion on the world’s stage of business, commerce and philanthropy. He served humanity throughout the world. A few of the over 100 organizations, national and international that he founded or participated in are Founder President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman National Bank of Pakistan, President, of the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris, Member of the Stanford Research Institute, USA which bestowed on him the International Businessmen’s Award, Founder Trustee and Chairman of The World Memon Foundation, Trustee Hamdard Foundation and Karachi Port Trust, Founder and Life President of Dhoraji Association.
His public and private activities earned him the Sitara-e-Khidmat from the Government of Pakistan and Das Grosse, Verdienst Kreutz from the German Government. He was an International Trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, whose Pakistan Chapter’s office is located at the Rangoonwala Community Centre.
A man for all seasons, a citizen of the world, a man who walked with princes and presidents but did not lose the common touch, such was the personality of Mr. Mohammad Aly Rangoonwala. His interest in the welfare of the people led him to found the Dhoraji Colony, Dhoraji Foundation and Dhoraji Association in Karachi. He was a true Muslim, he worked hard and served humanity with absolute integrity, tenacity and foresight. He touched the lives of others in many ways. He took everything that life gave and returned to life infinitely more. He worked to the very last and when he knew that his mortal frame would no longer be able to support his mind, he lay down and let his incredible mind pass away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Karachi in the early hours of Friday 12th June 1998. May his soul rest in peace.
Mrs. Banu Rangoonwala
Mrs Banu Rangoonwala (née Salehbhoy Mogul) was born in Surat, India. She was brought up by her mother and grandmother in Mumbai. They were three brothers and five sisters of whom Banu was the eldest. Mrs Rangoonwala came to Karachi, Pakistan after graduating from the University of Manchester in 1950 with a master’s Degree in Technical Science. After her degree, she worked for the (then) Dominion Government of Pakistan’s Patent Office. She was a pioneer in cosmetics manufacturing in Pakistan. Today, Forhan’s company in Pakistan still manufacture a range of personal care products which were patented by Mrs. Rangoonwala after her marriage to Mr. M A Rangoonwala in 1952. She also taught at the Fatima Jinnah Girls Collection and participated in several women’s organisations in Pakistan.
She initiated the Banu Bai physiotherapy department at the ZVMG Rangoonwala Community Centre in Karachi, Pakistan which continues to provide therapy for those in need at a nominal cost.