Industrialist Shrenik Kasturbhai Lalbhai passes away

AHMEDABAD: Noted businessman and philanthropist Shrenik Kasturbhai Lalbhai today died following old age-related ailments at his residence here.

He was 89. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on social site Twitter that Lalbhai left "a distinguished mark through his services to society".

He also called Lalbhai's son Arvind Lalbhai, chairman of Arvind Ltd, and condoled the death, family sources said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel, Governor Dr Kamla, Congress president Sonia Gandhi's political adviser Ahmed Patel and Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhwadia also condoled Lalbhai's death.

After doing his graduation from MIT and getting an MBA from Harvard University in the USA, Lalbhai started working for textile mills of Lalbhai Group.

He played an active role in development of several educational and scientific institutes in the city, including Ahmedabad Education Society, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and CEPT.

As the president of Anandji Kalyanji Trust and being a devout Jain, he was instrumental in the restoration of more than 1,200 Jain temples across the country.