Cheril Krishna Menon, commonly known as C. K. Menon (18 September 1949 – 1 October 2019), was an Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist best known for leading Behzad Corporation, headquartered in Doha and operating in Qatar. Born in Thrissur, in the southern state of Kerala, he became a prominent figure among the Indian expatriate business community in the Gulf region.
Career and business activities
Menon spent much of his professional life building and overseeing commercial enterprises under the Behzad Corporation banner. While details of the group's internal structure vary, it was widely reported that under his stewardship the company engaged in a broad range of commercial activities that served both local markets in the Gulf and the sizeable South Asian diaspora. Menon combined management responsibilities with a role as a public representative of Indian business interests abroad.
Philanthropy and community engagement
Alongside his commercial pursuits, Menon was active in philanthropic work. He supported initiatives aimed at education, basic social services and community welfare for Indians living overseas and for communities in his native Kerala. His charitable efforts, participation in civic organisations and patronage of cultural causes earned him recognition from both Indian and overseas institutions.
Awards and recognition
- Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (2006) — one of the highest honours conferred on overseas Indians for contributions to India and the diaspora.
- Padma Shri (2009) — the Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour in recognition of his contributions to trade, community service and philanthropy.
These awards highlighted Menon’s dual role as a successful businessman and as a leading figure in the Indian expatriate community, reflecting both entrepreneurial achievement and public service.
Death and legacy
C. K. Menon died on 1 October 2019 at a hospital in Chennai in Tamil Nadu at the age of 70. His passing was noted across business and expatriate networks, with remembrances emphasising his contributions to commerce and charitable work. Today he is remembered as part of a generation of Kerala-born entrepreneurs who established businesses in the Gulf and supported social causes at home and abroad.
Notable facts: Menon’s life reflects common patterns of migration and entrepreneurship from Kerala to the Gulf in the late 20th century, marked by business growth, diaspora leadership and philanthropic engagement that linked host-country success to support for origins.