What does it take to turn a single travel agency into a multi-national business empire? However, Devi Prakash Bhattachan believes that the answer lies in making bold decisions with unwavering focus and an unrelenting desire to rewrite Nepal’s economic history.
With Prabhu Travels in the early 1990s, Devi Prakash Bhattachan not only established a company but also laid the foundation upon which the Prabhu Group would stand in the years to come, a comprehensive business empire spanning various domains, including banking, insurance, remittance, telecom, media, helicopter services, and more.
He is not only a businessman but also a visionary strategist and a bold risk-taker, currently recognized as a prominent figure whose presence in Parliament is crucial in shaping policy and governance.
In this regard, Devi Prakash Bhattachan remains an important node linking business with national development; his story is thus one of the most fascinating in modern Nepali business history.
This article traces his rise, explores the values that have built his empire, and examines the legacy he is crafting for Nepal’s future.
Early Roots: From Travel Dreams to Business Vision
Each empire starts with a single action, and for Devi Prakash Bhattachan, that initial action occurred in 1990 when he established Prabhu Travels. At a time when Nepal’s private sector was still in its early stages of development, Bhattachan recognized an opportunity in transportation and access.
What started as a small travel business rapidly gained a reputation for dependability, customer service, and organizational discipline.
Featured – Devi Prakash Bhattachan – Pic – Bikash News
During the 1990s, Prabhu Travels underwent steady growth, serving both urban and rural areas. More than just providing transportation, the company became the tireless logistical backbone for communities forsaken by inadequate infrastructure.
This early exposure to further concepts of scalability, systems, and sustainability principles laid the groundwork for Bhattachan’s ventures in finance and beyond.
By the early 2000s, Devi Prakash Bhattachan had already begun expanding into the field of finance, foreseeing the critical role finances play in economic empowerment.
Although his attention gradually shifted towards Prabhu Finance and, subsequently, Prabhu Bank, his travel business continued to be a symbolic and emotional source of strength in his entrepreneurial pursuits.
After many years of dormancy due to strategic reasons, Prabhu Travels was relaunched in 2022 as a company with upgraded services and a new brand image, reflecting Bhattachan’s comparison between legacy and evolution. In the new service, digital booking options, safety-first policies, and intermodal partnerships were included, making the company an innovative leader in the Nepali travel ecosystem.
As of 2025, Prabhu Travels continues to run with the backing of the Prabhu Group, the addition of this company to a diversified portfolio being a testament to the humble beginnings of the group.
The continued existence of Prabhu Travels thus highlights Bhattachan’s concept, as he claimed that no matter how small the beginnings of the setup were, everything can be transformed.
This chapter of his journey is viewed as a pivotal moment that marks the beginning of an enterprise while also providing an account of the values of resilience, foresight, and loyalty to the land that continue to define his leadership to this day.
Building the Prabhu Empire: Sectors & Services
Started by a single travel agency in 1990, Prabhuu Group has become one of the largest and most diversified partnerships in Nepal by 2025.
Having grown to cover virtually every key sector of the Nepalese economy under the able leadership of Devi Prakash Bhattachan, the group now operates through a network of 36 companies, employing over 5,000 professionals nationwide.
Banking and Financial Services
At the core of the empire is Prabhu Bank, the result of strategic mergers and acquisitions that have now ranked it as one of the leading commercial banks in Nepal.
Accompanying Prabhu Bank are Prabhu Finance, Prabhu Capital, and a series of microfinance institutions serving both urban-based clients and rural communities. The operations of the financial group focus on inclusion, digital banking, and regional expansion.
Insurance
With the increasing demand for financial security, Bhattachan spearheaded the launch of life and non-life insurance companies under the Prabhu brand.
These institutions have rapidly gained market share through innovative approaches to policy design and the integration of technology for various population segments.
Remittance and Fintech
As Nepal is a vital remittance economy, Prabhu Money Transfer, along with its international partnerships, has been facilitating faster and more secure international money transfers.
The fintech incursion into the group paved the way for opening digital wallets and mobile banking platforms to meet the skyrocketing demand for contactless payments.
Telecommunications and Media
The Prabhu Group recognizes the importance of communication. It has expanded into the telecommunication business, owning equity in several digital media platforms that serve to promote the business while also providing information to remote areas, aligning with Bhattachan’s broader socio-economic vision.
Aviation and Transport
Prabhu Helicopter was born out of the need to address Nepal’s geographical barriers and thus became a lifeline for remote tourism, medical evacuations, and disaster relief.
With the revival of Prabhu Travels in 2022, the group further consolidated its position in domestic logistics and intercity mobility.
Logistics, Courier, and Ports
For courier and cargo services, the group offers integrated solutions for both companies and individual clients. The recent investment in inland port development demonstrates Prabhu’s ambitions to be a key player in logistics for regional trade.
Technology, Infrastructure & Real Estate
Alongside its software development, enterprise IT, and data solutions activities, the technological division of Prabhu Group continues to invest. Infrastructure development, particularly for real estate and commercial hubs, is another rapidly emerging segment that makes a significant contribution to urban development.
As of 2025, the Prabhu brand is no longer a commercial enterprise; instead, it has evolved into a national symbol of ambition, diversification, and strategic application. Therefore, in Bhattachan’s view, each sector is a hybrid that generates profits while also fulfilling the fourfold notion of development: innovation, accessibility, application, and purpose.
Although the precise net worth of Devi Prakash Bhattachan is not available to the public, he is reputed to be among the wealthiest businesspeople in Nepal. At the same time, as the founder and chairman of the massive conglomerate Prabhu Group, which has more than 36 companies under its umbrella, Mr. Bhattachan’s wealth stems from his numerous holdings in various sectors, including banking, finance, insurance, remittance, aviation, media, and telecom.
More than 20 million shares in Prabhu Bank were sold in 2023 to Asian Life Insurance by Bhattachan, indicating his high personal stake and strategic financial arrangement. His business interests extend through his other major entities, including Prabhu Finance, Prabhu Capital, Prabhu Insurance, and Prabhu Helicopter.
Known for his social contributions and philanthropy, Bhattachan channeled a donation of NPR 175 million from the Prabhu Group into the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund in 2024 to help victims affected by floods and landslides. Prabhu Insurance gave a separate donation of NPR 2.5 million.
His contributions have indeed been widely recognized in commerce and politics. In 2022, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (CPN-UML) representing indigenous communities. Meanwhile, his daughter, Shikshya Bhattachan,was appointed Chairperson of Prabhu Mahalaxmi Life Insurance as recognition of the continuity of leadership.
Devi Prakash Bhattachan’s wealth, influence, and service make him a defining figure in Nepal’s modern economic story.
Personal Life
Although he holds an awe-inspiring position in business and politics in Nepal, Devi Prakash Bhattachan is known for leading a discreet and modest life. He is deeply entrenched in his culture and takes pride in his heritage and upbringing- factors that continue to shape his perception of the world and his leadership style.
Devi Prakash Bhattachan has maintained a marriage and has had two children throughout his life. While he prefers to keep family matters private, it surely implies that family values are a prominent force in shaping his decisions and legacy plans. His personal self-discipline and service form the very pillars of both his home life and his corporate life.
Shikshya Bhattachan, daughter of Bhattachan, has now taken on the public-facing leadership role of Chairperson of Prabhu Mahalaxmi Life Insurance. This implies an uninterrupted generational transition and a continued family influence in shaping Nepal’s corporate future.
Described as a man of character, Devi Prakash Bhattachan is famous for his calm demeanor and thoughtful public remarks. Achieving a perfect balance between ambition and humility, he has been considered a man of principle.
The life he leads away from public scrutiny has remained and still does, a strong pillar behind his enduring and eternal professional success.
Awards and Achievements of Devi Prakash Bhattachan
Bank of the Year 2023 Nepal: Awarded by The Banker (Financial Times) for excellence in SME services and digital innovation.
ISO 9001:2015 Certification: Recognized for outstanding quality management systems at Prabhu Bank.
Gold Award Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards (2024): For ecosystem-led innovation and digital engagement.
Visa Excellence Award & PCI Certification (2024): Recognized for secure, compliant payment processing and banking technology.
Corporate Governance Recognition: For operational integrity and leadership within banking, finance, and insurance.
Social Impact (2025): Prabhu Capital honors Nepali women leaders on International Women’s Day, marking Bhattachan’s focus on inclusion and empowerment.
A Lasting Legacy of the Nation-Builder
Drawing inspiration from the stories of a determined travel entrepreneur, the rise of Devi Prakash Bhattachan as the founder of one of Nepal’s most influential business empires is more than a success story; it is a national milestone. With calculated diversification, ethical leadership, and forward-thinking, he has redefined visionary leadership and clarified what it means to lead with vision and build with purpose.
The expansion of the Prabhu Group in banking, insurance, remittance, aviation, and technology replicates Bhattachan’s journey, as it begins with service, is fueled by ambition, and is driven by responsibility. From a business perspective, his involvement in public service and prudent succession planning reflects more than just a business.
Devi Prakash Bhattachan’s footprints will remain deeply ingrained in Nepal’s economic and social fabric for as long as the country continues to grow. The legacy is measured not only on balance sheets and shareholdings but in lives empowered, systems transformed, and a nation inspired.
