Jewels of Gujarat
Leading Global Gujarati Personalities Volume-II
This book is a celebration of victory over struggles, over endeavours. It’s an ode to grit and valour ofthe most precious jewels of Gujarat bonded together. Our 37th coffee-table book based on the life odysseys of 100 families across 30 countries, it showcases how today’s reckoned names earned their label with a meagre start by themselves and their forefathers.
As they say, all good things come in small packages, the Indian state of Gujarat is the same. Taking note of the remarkable contribution of this state, this book unveils the achievements of Gujaratis, in the country and outside it, in their respective fields. Their backbreaking endeavours and passion have not only made their lives prosperous but their land of work proud. Highly inspiring and motivating, the stories of each one herein will certainly change the lives of someone, somewhere.
People Inside The Book
Abdul-Gafoor Yakub
Chairman & Managing Director Penlac Co. Ltd. & Chaka Brothers (Pty) Ltd., Seychelles
He refuses to be drawn into negativity, blocking it out deliberately and sees each problem as a challenge, not as a
failure. It is because of the high spirits that he is an able person to serve various positions in America, England and
Seychelles until his family called him back home to serve his family business. And there too, he has churned miracles
by transforming the company into the biggest paints producer in the country.
Arun Daloobhai Mistry
Managing Director Carmi Hatters (Pty.) Ltd., South Africa
His family has invented today’s home delivery system! Inheriting his grandfather’s determination and innovation of his father, Arun jumped into the business when his father fell unwell and the company had almost died. Starting from the scratch, he and brothers enlivened a dormant Carmi Hatters to success. Crediting everything to family
unity, he now preaches the same.
Dr. Bharat Haridas Barai
Founding Member & Former Chairman, Manav Seva Mandir Medical Director, Cancer Institute, Methodist Hospitals, USA
His voluntary services and medical expertise made his name be featured right next to the Statue of Liberty, in the US National Museum of Immigration, New York, though he came empty-handed to the USA as an intern. Working hard
to enable himself to help others, he today is a Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardee (2017). One of the favourite most
respected doctors, he is the only person in the USA to be appointed four times as the Chairman of Medical Licence of Board by the Governor of Indiana.
Bharat Natvar Patel
Founder & CEO
Sun Development & Management Corp., USA
Since he had always helped his parents in farming, he valued hard-work. Studying for Ph.D. in America, he dropped
out to listen to his heart. Buying a small property the first, he grew, with his spirit flying high even during the economic crises of 1996, 2001 and 2011. Today he waves his flags on Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites and runs Rami Patel Endowed Scholarship to support education of the needy.
Bharat Haribhai Patel
Judge of Appeal
Constitutional Court & Supreme Court of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
He was rebuked and attacked for his stand for the national interest as he announced legislative changes to effectuate the Land Reform Programme. Serving his birth land was always his dream; chucking the option of living luxuriously, he went to study law to eventually become the Judge of Supreme Court and appointed to the
Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe by certain transitional provisions in the new Constitution of Zimbabwe.
Bhikubhai Ukabhai Patel
Founder Tarsadia Hotels, Inc. & Tarsadia Foundation, USA
An accountant, driver, helper, once, he successfully opened and tactically ran a cloth store in Zambia and took it
Hong Kong as a uniform-stitching business. Foresighted and adventurous businessmen, he bought a motel in the USA when Zambia experienced foreign-exchange problem. Today a large turnkey hospitality solution provider, he educates the people of 1,000 Indian tribal villages and trains around 1,000 women every year, among others.
Bhimji Depar Shah & Sons
Founding Father BIDCO Africa Limited, Kenya
Coming from a destitute family, he worked to fund his basic education, dreaming big. It started with a shop and then
the modern-era petro-stations. Who knew with his spirit and innovation he’d soon be heading THE BIDCO, a conglomerate in 13 African countries, be listed as one of the wealthiest in Kenya and be the mentor to African youth! Understanding the treasure of Africa, he promotes agri-business. He has fought cancer to emerge a winner.
Bhupeshchandra Narottambhai Patel
Chief Executive Officer
B.N. Patel & Associates, USA
Grasping ethics and hard-work from his parents, he took remote business courses and took a job to learn the intricacies. He had the choice of becoming the director there or joining the family business, yet he chose to be selfmade, buying out a small company and grew to different fields in parts of Africa and the USA, impressing clients with
his skills. A firm believer of BAPS, he is always helping any needy he comes across.
Bijal Rupesh Patel
Mayor Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, India
A follower of Rani Laxmibai, she knows she has a lot more to do. Today, a Mayor of one of the richest cities in India,
she was once as naughty as a child could be, who was sobered down bythe sad demise of her parents. In an effort to support her young siblings, she began fighting for the right of others which soon brought significant changes around
her, encouraging her to take it forward passionately.
Bimal Sobhagchand Shah
Managing Director Broadway Bakery Limited, Kenya
For a bakery business that cares for its nation’s health, he stands firm and tall behind it. Taking the family-owned grain business forward to a bakery and later setting up a large-scale factory in Thika and venturing into milling industry, he delivers the best bread in entire Kenya. His active involvement in the society’s education and health sets him apart; someone who not only takes a legacy forward but believes in making his own.
Prof. Bipinchandra Jethalal Sangankar
Founder & President Sardar Patel Foundation USA, Inc., USA
Having met India’s first Prime Minister of India rose his interest in bringing the change in his nation. He worked as a
lecturer, inspired students and himself moved to the USA to learn more. He also wrote many newspaper columns
and biographies of freedom fighters to spread the sense of unity. Proud to be an Indian, he is one among a very few who apply Sardar Patel’s legacy even in today’s world and has made a foundation that prepare 100 students everywhere for political leadership for the betterment of India.
Chandrika 'Rika' & Manahar 'Manu' Shah
Co-Founders MS International, Inc., USA
Building their lives together and exploring opportunities, they started MSI which builds lifetime opportunities for thousand others immigrants to the USA. Once successful, they started a trust, Sarva Mangal Family Trust, which aims to improve and strengthen the societal health, education and wellness providing latest technology, with a special focus on sustainable growth. They now hold special sessions for better health among pregnant women and distribute educational material to schools in India.
Chandrakant Babubhai 'C.B.' Patel
Chairman Asian Business Publications Ltd. (ABPL) Group, UK
He wanted to join the Indian army and serve his nation, but is serving Indians from a far away land. From civil service
to business to journalism, he has been there and done it all. His efforts to help the Indians settled in the UK made him an active participant ofthe Labour Party. With his two newsweeklies, he has set a name for himself by focusing on issues including race equity and assorted variety, nationality and migration with collaboration of Gujaratis and Indians around the world.
Dahyabhai Revabhai Patel
Founder & Chairman J-Tip, National Medical Products, Inc., USA
A teacher, textile chemist and innovator. A regular child, he grew up amid love and sibling fights, always very sensitive. So sensitive that seeing his child in tears while injecting, he invented a revolutionary needle-less injection system that doesn’t hurt when injections are administered, the J-Tip. He is equally sensitive towards education,
infrastructure, animal care, health-care and community development, which he helps through his NRP Foundation.
Dinesh Manilal Zaveri
CEO & Director, All Nippon Pearl Co.,Ltd. Former President, The India Club, Japan
Stunned by the determination and unity of Japanese to rebuild themselves after several natural and man-made
mishaps, he decided to settle here, where his honesty and punctuality helped him befriend and establish himself as
a diamond industrialist. Building a legacy for his future generations, his prominence among the Indians made them
elect him as the President of India Club – Kobe, when he started to help bi-lateral ties ofthe two countries.
Dinsha Jhaverbhai Patel
Member of Parliament, Former Union Minister (Govt. of India) Indian National Congress, India
One of the youngest in the family, he was taught responsibilities since very young, which helped when his parents unfortunately breathed their last. Shelving studies, he started a small tea-shop, made enough money to buy a truck and started a transport business around 1947. Influenced by Sardar Patel, he started helping Gujarat, contested
elections and started educational and health organizations. He is the name that Gujarat couldn’t forget.
Durlabh Chaturbhai Patel
Founder & Chairman Zealot Ball Industries Pvt. Ltd., India
When this impeccable and unmatched genius started his journey, he was uncertain about his future but the determination his life. He worked hard, irrespective of his earning and set up a factory manufacturing not only world-class pen balls but also the machines to support it, making ita one-of-a-kind company in India. Today he is the
leading manufacturer of all types of materials of pen-balls in the world, with a worldwide network and having worldwide export network.
Dr. Ela Gandhi
Trustee Gandhi Development Trust, South Africa
Grand-daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, she had learnt many lessons from him, the first being on freedom. For her freedom meant liberation from the discrimination of caste, race and gender. She is a former MP of South Africa and anti-apartheid activist since a very young age; she is among the few who have done good for humanity, even when
she herself was under house-arrest and banning orders for eight years. True representation of her grandfather.
Govind Laljibhai Dholakia
Founder & Chairman, Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd.
Chairman, SRK Knowledge Foundation, India
Hailing from a humble background and with little education, this lifetime learner started working at an early age of life. Polishing diamonds for someone else, one day he started a diamond factory, listening to his heart with just two workers. Growing gradually to own an entire business with his passion and determination, he established many schools, colleges and hospitals, along with offering his committed services to Art of Giving
H.R. Shah
Chairman & CEO, TV ASIA Chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, USA
Growing up in destitution and rejections while searching jobs did not fizzle his dreams out; rather it strengthened
him. Landing in USA, with his lack of English, he started selling fruits and vegetables, drove taxis, started smallfirms, which failed. But he was not to lose heart. Buying a department store on sale gave him the jumpstart. Then happened the sinking TV Asia, a channel started by Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. And the rest is history!
Harish Jadavji Patel
Director Kerai Constructions Ltd., Tanzania
What Steve Jobs is to IT, Henry Ford to automobiles, he is to construction. When he read “life is too short…,” he believed it. Ever since, he is on a streak to achieve all that he wants and providing to others who cannot afford. His family is today credited for building some of the most important infrastructural constructions of Arusha and internationally, though he himself was once living in a ghetto.
Dr. Harshad Ramniklal Mehta
Founder 7Cs Group, UAE
The richest India in the GCC once used to live with 11 family members in one room… the man who now is known as the diamond king. Ever since he first saw luxury at a young age, he decided to give the same comfort to his family too. Joining his father’s small new factory, he learnt trade and today stands behind the company which wholesales and retails diamonds and jewellery, construction and real-estate, advertising and hospitality, collaborating in 15
nations.
Hasmukh Kanjibhai Patel
Managing Director Corrugated Sheets Ltd., Kenya
This pampered and favorite child sudden woke out of his dream when his father and brother breathed their last. Quitting his studies, he suddenly had to take care of the business. Not only did he take care, but took it to heights, gradually venturing into construction and winning contracts of some of the most prestigious structures that in admired by Kenyans. He soon started utilising his energies in resurrecting the futures of specially abled people,
promoting education.
Hasmukh Parshotambhai Patel
Chairman & Managing Director Universal Associates Contracting, India
Because his family could not afford toys for him, he built himself some and sold some to earn pocket money. A leader since childhood, he formed a student union. He sold clothes but moved to Qatar for better work, soon to build a factory in Gujarat to create employment and later living his father’s dream by building a charitable hospital. Realising there was no life after work for Indians, he took initiatives to connect Gujaratis, giving birth to Gujarati
Samaj.
Hemraj Viram Shah
Founder, Rekha Prakashan Former President, Bruhad Mumbai Gujarati Samaj, India
He became friends with challenges when he was a child as his parents left him after his birth. Raised by his brother, he dreamt of becoming a commercial artist but couldn’t follow his dreams. Indeed, he worked with his brother, started his own bookshop and later ventured a publication house. A writer, journalist, editor, politician and social worker, he has served many communities to uplift the spirit of Gujaratism.
Hiralal Mulji Mrug
Founder & Chairman Satellite Conveyors Pvt. Ltd., India
He went searched jobs on foot, started working at age 23, where he fell in love with the machines he worked upon, creating a bigger market for his employers. Though, he plunged into his own business, eventually starting three small factories supporting each other. As he grew, he supported his team to start on their own too, never letting them suffer like he did. Later, he built schools, organised health camps, sports activities, etc.
Dr. Jawahar Jitendra Shah
Homeopathic Physician, Speciality Clinic Co-Founder, Welcome Cure, India
A renowned homeopathic practitioner, distinguished academician, intuitive technocrat and creative organiser, he has been serving the humankind for the last 40 years. Widely known to have revolutionised homeopathic care, this
doctor has to his credit the development of Welcome Cure, a global homeopathic treatment platform that has been
instrumental in delivering quality homeopathic healthcare to more than two lakh people in over 36 countries. He is also the man behind Hompath, one of the major software programmes used by expert homeopaths in 137 countries globally.
Jayantbhai Kantilal Jhaveri
Founder & Director J.K. Gems, Hong Kong
He was stubborn since childhood, for which he was often scolded; however, when he took charge of his family’s
business post his father’s sad demise, his attribute came helping, when he travelled the world to re-establish the business, often going without food for his Jain principles. With the quality products he offered and support of his brothers and father’s friends, he was soon a well-known jeweller, whose heart was in serving the society.
Jayantibhai Chandubhai Patel
President Shri Gujarati Samaj, India
A man on the way to educate as many as possible, a man who is a social leader, a man who is a philanthropist, he still
finds his roots in the firm foundation that his parents laid for him. Taking forward the causes of the society, he reminds of unity. What renders Mr. Jayantibhai Chandubhai Patel a heart of giving, education, encouragement,
making him the society’s favourite.
Dr. Jayantilal Vershi Gada
Founder Popular Entertainment Network (PEN) India Limited, India
He is practical, peace-loving, transparent and a man of words. Though work is closest to his heart, Rome was not
built in a day. Starting his career with renting out VCRs, his hard-work, commitment and out-of-the-box thinking enabled him to bring the blockbuster, Sholay to TV. Never looking back since, he has grown PEN to a media company, a place that he rejoined after retirement.
Jaysukhbhai Odhavjibhai Patel
Managing Director Ajanta Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd (OREVA Group), India
Ajanta clocks are around from time immemorial. He is the man giving us his time; his family business of quartz wall clock survives and wins the Chinese competition. The company, started from a small village of Gujarat, now sells its diverse products in 45 countries. Following his father and grandfather, he tirelessly works for education and
upliftment of women. He has been taking initiatives to build schools and colleges to enhance education and showing the world the correct time.
Jignesh Kiritbhai Shah
Managing Director Oppenheimer Pty. Ltd., Australia
He was creating a wonderful world of icecreams with Vadilal in India when Cricket took him to Australia, when
America could have been it! Though welcomed by the recession, he accepted the challenge to swim across the tide
and prove himself. He bought shares of the company he was employed with and soon became the sole owner of
organic dairy product company in Australia, New Zealand, India and China, today growing it with his innovations.
Kalpesh Dhulabhai Prajapati
Board of Director Club O7, India
He is an ever-growing person and likes to keep himself engaged. One should never stop and that’s what keeps him moving all the time. Learning business ethics since teenage, he saw a dream, a dream to build the country’s biggest
entertainment club. The dream became the reality, patience and focus proving the keys to achieve anything in life.
Kamlabai Shantilal Kansagra
Founder & Board of Directors Solai Group, Kenya
She spent her childhood helping her mother. At 11 she got married, at 14, migrated to Kenya with her husband, where they started with a small shop. On the way, many struggles came; her loving husband passed away, but she didn’t break. Demonstrating all that a woman can and should be, she took charge of her home, nurtured her
children, took charge of the company, covering miles, making her company one ofthe biggest groups in Africa.
Dr. Karsanbhai Khodidas Patel
Chairman, Nirma Limited
Founder President, Nirma Education & Research Foundation, India
Every Indian would know of Nirma, though, not many of know that it was a backyard-made detergent powder created out of mixing a few chemicals, marketing it door-to-door and a lot determination to soon become an MNC.
When he earned enough wealth, he knew what to do with it and started an educational initiation and Nirma Foundation to support the needy.
Keshavlal Premchand Chandaria (O. Ont.)
Chairperson Comcraft Canada Limited, Canada
He may be heading a company, but before acting as a chairman, he ensures being a humanitarian first. A
nonagenarian, reputed as the go-to man for any help in the country, he is also a poet and a master of 12 languages. He is a prime example of those who have, against all odds, clawed their way to the commanding heights and are making a remarkable contribution to the economy, earning the Order of Ontario by the Government of Ontario.
Kirti Lakhamshibhai Shah
Founder Pragati Fashions Pvt. Ltd., India
For once he was wasting 15min to sell a vest in a retail store, but his love for Bollywood showed him the way forward and he laid a firm foundation with the bricks others had thrown at him. With this, he started with the trading of textiles and soon manufacturing the cloth. Though his new business was struck by 1993 Bombay riots, nothing could shake him, his dreams gradually took the shape of extraordinaire.
Krishnakant Gulabchand Vakharia
President Vishwa Gujarati Samaj, India
He was impeccable in debates when in school and, during his college days, formed Junagadh Student Union, which
the world-renowned Dhirubhai Ambani too joined after becoming his friend. Attending the speeches of Sardar
Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru and Raj Kapoor, he learnt the art of speaking that helped him in his professional career. A
lifetime social activist and lawyer for the six decades, five times he has been elected as the President of Vishwa Gujarati Samaj.
Lalitaben Ashabhai Patel
Founder Director Ashabhai Group of Companies, Fiji
From the times when women were barely more than household objects, she’s a lady who did it all and won. She is what every woman is supposed to be, a mother! An inspirational, amiable and inventive Fiji Indian, she has inculcated what every parent aspires to but only some are able to – values. The pillar behind Ashabhai Group of Companies, her vision and courage made the family dream and achieve new horizons.
Lavjibhai Dungarbhai Daliya 'badshah'
Managing Director, Avadh Group & Gopin Group Social Reformer, India
Coming from a poor family, he started as a child polishing diamonds, who was also honing his skills along with, to eventually start his own diamond factory…on loan. Facing the initial difficulties and low profits, Lavji continued to share his earnings with his fellow beings. Today, established like never imagined, he helps over 40 NGOs. That is why people recognise him by not his name but the title he has earned-Badshah – who lives to serve!
Mafat Vitthalbhai Patel
Founder Patel Brothers, USA
He went to the USA to study, at a time when there were hardly any Indian students and missed the Indian food.
Struggling for the basic of vegetarian food, he started a small grocery store along with his job. This small store is today a chain of departmental stores that Asians and other throng through to get a taste of India in the USA. He and his brothers are loved by many to giving them the taste of home.
Dr. Mafatlal Jethabhai Patel
Editor Achala Magazine, India
Taking triple postgraduate degrees in Hindi, Psychology and Sanskrit, he had polished his enthusiasm for acquiring
knowledge since his college days. The author of several biographies including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr.
Radhakrishnan and Shrimad Rajchandra, Gujarat University uses his work to teach students-the ones that change the world. A great thinker, exceptional writer, devoted social worker and unique politician, he is strictly corruption and dedicated to girls’ education.
Mahesh Jayantilal Wadher
Founder & CEO, AMTEX First Vice President, JAINA, USA
Born in Sudan, he travelled from across continents to make life better, starting various ventures but all went in vain. It was in the 1980s that he found a way to his dream in the USA. His ambition and resilience led him to gain entrepreneurial success, which in turn led him to extend a hand to the needy. This kind, humble and passionate
humanitarian eventually became the first Vice President ofJAINA, promoting Jain principles.
Mahesh Ramanbhai Ranchhod, Justice of Peace (Dip Bus-Stud)
Managing Director Ranchhod Property Group & Ranchhod Foundation, New Zealand
A spiritual man with beliefs, confidence and knowledge, a businessperson reflecting his father’s values, he has a knack for growing properties, building upon his property business in Auckland and Australia. In his properties are
included some that he developed for charity, like a hospital in his native, medical and eyes clinics and better sanitation in India, New Zealand, Fiji and Tanzania, he has won various awards, including a Justice of Peace in 2016
from the New Zealand government.
Mahesh Vallabhbhai Savani
Director, P.P. Savani Group Chairman, Mitul Group, India
A father of 3,172 adopted daughters, service is the purpose of his life and has taken up an initiative to educate more than 8,600 orphan students and has taken the responsibility of over 8,400 widows and their children. This genius also holds the Guinness Book of World Record for placing mehndi on the hands of 521 daughters at a mass-marriage ceremony and Swachh Bharat World Record during another. No wonder that people recognise this diamond merchant as a diamond.
Maheshkumar Raojibhai Patel
Executive Chairman Export Trading Group (ETG), Tanzania
A qualified-CA, he bought a liquidated company pooling in all that he had and started it with no assets, large debts and minimum staff. Today, he is the largest supplier of toor daal to India and his company is a global leader in pulses, sesame and raw cashew nuts trading thus a caterpillar converted into a butterfly! He employs more than 6,000 people across 36 countries. He shares his experience and energies with people to see them grow.
Manhar 'M.P.' Parbhu Rama
Chief Executive Officer, Sima Hotels, LLC Director, Auro University, USA
A Civil Engineering, he left a well-paying government job to listen to his heart and bought a small motel in the USA. He learnt from each of his hurdles and mistakes, considering them the potter of his life. Owning and operating over 100 hotels, like Marriott, Hyatt, Westin, Sheraton, Courtyard, Radisson, Holiday Inn, Hilton, he gives his skills to African schools to develop their basic infrastructural requirements and homes to underprivileged workers in his native village.
Mayur Thakorbhai Dalal
CEO &Wealth Coach Dalal Capital Advisors LLC, USA
His grandfather woke him up at 4.30am when he was little and took him to a temple. On the way, he taught the little boy the lessons that became his life-principles, who, on growing up moved to the USA and became a wealth coach, having made many riches from the rags. Apart from this, he is a contributing author at The Future of You, a self-help
book teaching where life intersects wealth and achieves emotional freedom.