Mahesana: BJP leader, founder of Ganpat University and former Industry minister in then Narendra Modi led Gujarat government, Anil Patel passed away today. He was 73. He was suffering from cancer for last over a year.

Some of leading organizations Anilbhai served and contributed to include GIDC, Mahesana Urban Cooperative Bank, Umiya Mata Sansthan, Dharti Vikas Mandal and Apollo Industries.

Anilbhai’s father Tribhovandasbhai had give his life against the menace of cattle theft back in 1950s. Tribhovandas had given a piece of his land to Vinoba’s Bhudan movement.

Born on 8 March 1944, Anilbhai was 11 when he lost his father. He had his education in Kadi Sara Vidyalaya, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Birla Vishwakarma Maha Vidyalaya and later in America. Anilbhai completed in M.Tech in America but returned back to India leaving a job in America to serve the country.

Anilbhai with his brothers Manibhai, Arvindbhai, Ajitbhai and Ashokbhai started Apollo Industry on small-scale basis which later became a public limited company. Apollo is among top firms that are into making of earth moving equipment. Its turnover is worth hundreds of crores of Rupees per year.

In his 30s, Anilbhai was appointed as Managing Trustee of Sardar Vidyabhavan Trust, which runs arts, commerce and science colleges in Mahesana.

With Rs 25 lakh donation by America based NRI Gujarati, Ganpat Patel who is originally from Bhunav village, Anilbhai developed science college of Sardar Vidyabhavan. Later with Ganpatbhai’s donation worth Rs 5 crore, Ganpat Vidyanagar was setup near Mahesana. This was a dream project for Anilbhai who wished development of entire Mahesana district with education-hub of Vidyanagar in the center.

With further donations by Ugarchandbhai, BS Patel, Sakalchand Patel, Mahesana Urban Bank, Darshrathbhai Patel, Motibhai Patel’s daughter Hasuben and son in law DS Patel, Ganpat Vidyanagar could eventually have pharma, management, engineering, computer science, bio science, social science and other colleges along with 10 complexes, hostel for 4,000 students, staff quarters, shopping centre, gym, clinic, two banks, canteen, bus service, open air theater, AC auditorium etc facilities with 10,000 students. Ganpat Vidyanagar was given University status in 2005 with approval of UGC.

Anilbhai Patel had elected as MLA from Mahesana for two terms. He was made Industry minister in first term during which Vibran Gujarat Global Summit was held.

Anilbhai is survived by his wife Shardaben, two sons Asit and Anand, grand children and thousands of students, teachers, staff of Ganpat Vidyanagar and Apollo Industries.

Ganpat Patel, Nitin Patel, Raman Patel, Darshrath Patel, Khodabhai Patel, Prakash Jani, Mahendra Sharma, Amit Patel etc were present for darshan of his mortal remains.

DeshGujarat