Ahmedabad, 19 June, 2014

Leading Jain philanthropist and head of Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi Shri Shrenik Kasturbhai, son of Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai passed away today morning at 7.35 in Ahmedabad after year long illness. His funeral procession is scheduled at 5.00 pm today. His body has been kept at his bungalow at Koteshwar, near Narayani farms, opposite Apollo hospital, Bhat(Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar highway).

Sanjay Lalbhai shares details of Shrenikbhai’s last one year

He suffered diverticulitis rupture a year ago and was operated in emergency. Later he was suffering from Myasthenia gravis. But he was in good health during last year and was working from home. In last month his health deteriorated. He was admitted to Apollo hospital for first five months and later when his health improved he started working from home.

Gandhian values, simplicity and service to society was his main motive. He worked a lot for Jain community. He is known as prominent leader of Jain community.

Shrenikbhai was into social work for last fifteen years. Prior to that he was contributing in the areas of finance and overall strategy. All present companies of Lalbhai Group – Arvind, Atul, Anil Starch were started by his father Kasturbhai Lalbhai, and now they are prospering with fourth generation.

His activities contributing to education, religion, art and museums, charitable institutions will be continued and made properer in future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers condolences

Shri Shrenik Lalbhai left a distinguished mark through his service to society. May his soul rest in peace. Offered condolences to his family

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2014

CM expresses grief

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel expressed grief and sorrow on sad demise of well known educationist Shri Shrenik Kasturbhai.

Ahmed Patel, Congress leaders mourn passing away

Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Gujarat BJP President Shri RC Faldu, Leader of opposition in assembly Shri Shankersinh Vaghela, Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhwadia, president of Ahmedabad Congress Chetan Raval have express grief over Shri Shrenik Kasturbhai Lalbhai’s departure.

Business background:

Mr. Shrenik Kasturbhai Lalbhai served as the Chairman of Deepak Nitrite Ltd. until 1998. Mr. Lalbhai served at Lalbhai Group of Companies for many years. He was a financial expert and known for upholding the highest virtues. Mr. Lalbhai had been a Director of Nirma Limited Anukul Investments Pvt. Ltd., Able Investments Pvt. Ltd., Animesh Holdings Pvt. Ltd. and Sonalank Investment & Trading Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Lalbhai served as a Director of Deepak Nitrite Limited until May 25, 2011. Mr. Lalbhai was a well known Industrialist and earned an MBA from Harvard University.

Head of Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi

Shrenikbhai was final decision maker and head of Anandji Kalyanji Trust which is the largest and the oldest Jain trust. The original charitable trust is said to have been founded somewhere in decades of 1630-40 AD by Shantidas Zaveri to manage the Shatrunjaya Palitana temples and is running under name & style of Anandji Kalyanji ni Pedhi of Ananadji Kalyanji Trust since decade of 1720. The available documentation takes the history of the trust to samvat 1777(1720 AD.The name ‘Anandji Kalyanji’ refer to the role of the trust bringing pleasure and bliss to the Jain pilgrims. A sister organization, Seth Kalyanji Parmanandji Pedhi of Sirohi manages temples at Mt. Abu at Delwada, Bamanvad and Mundalstha. The trust spends more than Rs 15 crore every year in repair works of various Jain temples. The trust members meet twice a year.

Kasturbhai Lalbhai headed the trust for 50 years, followed by Shrenik Lalbhai for 30 years. Samveg Lalbhai now heads the trust. The trust manages the following tirthas or temples.

-Shatrunjaya
-Ranakpur
-Girnar
-Kumbharia
-Taranga (hill shared with Digambaras, the Ajitnath temple is in exclusive possession of shwetambars.
-Maksi (shared with Digambaras)
-Sherisa
-Muchhal Mahavir Temple
-Chittorgarh Sattavis Dehra Temple
-Sammet Shikhar (shared with Digambaras under disputes, shwetambars does not recognise admin authority of Digambars)
-Vamaj
-Banaras Kothi
-Rikhabdeo (shared with Digambaras and Hindus)

Shrenikbhai was final decision maker in Ahmedabad’s LD Institute of Indology too.