Binod Chaudhary is the wealthiest person in Nepal. Renowned across the Indian subcontinent, he is best known as the founder of Wai Wai, a popular noodle brand that competes with Maggi. According to Forbes, Chaudhary’s net worth is estimated at ₹15,025 crore. While his fortune may be modest compared to Indian billionaires like Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, and Ratan Tata, his achievements remain remarkable in their own right.
Early Life And Background
Binod Chaudhary was born in Kathmandu to a Marwari family. He was raised in a family where business was a way of life, shaping his entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. His grandfather migrated from India to Nepal and established a successful textile business. After which it was later expanded by Chaudhary’s father, who ventured into various sectors, including construction. Chaudhary grew up admiring Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan and drew inspiration from the visionary business philosophies of JRD Tata, the legendary predecessor of Ratan Tata.
Binod’s Inspiration For Wai Wai Noodle
Chaudhary was obsessed with the popularity of instant noodles in Thailand. He saw a promising business opportunity in the noodles, which led him to launch his own brand, Wai Wai. Wai Wai quickly became a household name in Nepal. Chaudhary’s business ambitions extended beyond noodles. He ventured into partnerships with National Panasonic and even sought to introduce Suzuki cars to Nepal.
Chaudhary initially planned to pursue chartered accountancy studies in India. But later he decided to delay his plans to support his father, who was diagnosed with heart disease. This led him to start the beginning of his active role in the family business and his subsequent rise in the corporate world.
In 1995, Binod Chaudhary took a major step in expanding his empire by acquiring a controlling stake in Nabil Bank, backed by the Dubai government. But his impact isn’t just limited to business; he is deeply involved in social work and politics. When Nepal was struck by the devastating 2015 earthquake, Chaudhary generously donated Rs 20 crore to help rebuild schools and homes for those affected.
Chaudhary’s Philanthropy And Political Involvement
Beyond his business achievements, Binod Chaudhary is deeply committed to philanthropy and politics. His dedication to social causes shone through after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, where he donated over Rs 20 crore to help rebuild schools and homes. In addition to financial aid, he provided 500,000 packets of Wai Wai noodles and thousands of cartons of juice, food, and water to support those impacted by the disaster.
