Shapur Kharegat

Shapur Kharegat
Born	(1932-11-01)1 November 1932 Bombay,British India
Died	29 September 2000(2000-09-29)(aged 67) London,United Kingdom
Education	Malvern College,Jesus College, Cambridge,theUniversity of Toronto
Occupation(s)	Journalist, Editor and Asia Director ofThe Economist
Title	Asia Director

Shapur Sorab Kharegat(1 November 1932 – 29 September 2000) was aParsijournalist, editor and former Asia Director ofThe Economistmagazine.

Kharegat was born in Bombay, at "Palm Land", the home of his maternal great-grandfather, the ship chandler magnate Kavasjee Dadabhoy Dubash (+31.10.1921), to Col. Dr. Sorabjee Merwanjee Kharegat *1900 +19.10.1963 (son of Col. Dr. Mervanji Pestanji Kharegat of Madras Medical Service *20.11.1855 +17.12.1932), and his wife Dinbai Mehta (daughter of Navazbai Dubash and Byramji Mehta). He spent his childhood at "The Clif" onCarmichael Road,Bombay at "Babington House" inMahabaleshwarand at 17Carlyle Mansions,Chelsea, London. Kharegat, who had a younger sister, Ratanbai (*15.1.1941 +11.8.2003), was a Parsi and a descendant ofSir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy,the first Indian Baronet and a first cousin once removed ofRussi Mody,Chairman and Managing Director ofTata Steel.

His maternal step-cousin was the World War II hero Lt. George Clement, né Spiridonoff, (20.11.1917 - 7.9.1944). His first cousin was the late wife ofRustom K. S. Ghandhi.

His paternal family was responsible for the building of "Kharegat Colony", a charitable housing estate scheme in India. Sam Manekshaw,a family friend and his father served together duringWorld War IIinIndo China. Kharegat was a member of theTravellers Club.

As one of the last great old colonial characters, he was Asia director ofThe Economist,based in Hong Kong from August 1966 until his retirement in 1993, and died in London.

He was a major catalyst forThe Economist'sinclusion in Asia and according toThe Economist'spublisher David Hanger, S.S. Kharegat is remembered as "a huge character who travelled the world in his own inimitable style. He argued the case for the business side to enter Asia long before many of us realised its potential, and made all of the early running to develop the region ahead of many of our rivals."