Search

Mr. Viren Shah

  • 2003
  • Chief Guest

Born: May 12, 1926

Born at Calcutta in the family of industrialists with Gandhian values. Education in Bombay, Wardha; Harvard Business School- Boston, United States of America (USA). Entered the public life when only 20; was Joint Secretary-Junagadh Rajya Prajamandal, 1946-48.

Is a Trustee of Nehru Centre. Actively associated with educational and rural development activities in Gujarat. President - Central Hindu Military Education Society, Nasik; was Founder Chairman - Steel Furnace Association of India; was Chairman - Steel Re-Rolling Mills Association of India and Board of Visitors, St. George's Hospital, Bombay. Was President - Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC), Bombay (1973), Indian National Committee of International Chambers of Commerce (1987), Gujarat State Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. (1977-80) and Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) (1989-90). Member - Board of Governors, National Institute for Training in Industrial Engineering Bombay and Council of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Elected to the Lok Sabha in 1967 and the Rajya Sabha in 1975 and again in 1990. Was member of many important Parliamentary committees.

Was detained in prison under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) in July, 1976; was an accused in Baroda Dynamite Case; released in March 1977.

Member of the National Executive of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 1984.

Extensively travelled abroad to Russia, Ukraine, Europe, USA, Fiji, China, Japan, Botswana, Mauritius, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

Has written several articles on various issues including lectures published as booklets on "Prestroika" and "Privatisation" and other subjects.