Ex-minister Anil Patel passes away

Former industries minister and founder president of Ganpat University, Mehsana, passed away at the age of 74 on Thursday.

An educationalist and technocrat by occupation, Patel was suffering from cancer for the past one-and-a-half years. He was admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad for the past two days. He breathed his last in the early hours of Thursday. Patel's body was later taken to Ganpat University, where a large number of people paid their tributes to him. He was cremated in Mehsana in the afternoon. Born on March 8, 1944, in Lanva village of Patan, Patel had completed his Master of Science (industrial engineering) from the USA.

A two-term MLA from Mehsana constituency, Patel had served as minister of state for industries, tourism, civil aviation, and other departments from 2002 to 2007. He was also elected to the assembly in 2007 but had not contested after that.

Patel was the founder president of Ganpat University, and managing trustee of Sardar Vidybhavan Trust, Mehsana. He was also secretary of the highly influential Patidar organisation Shri Umiya Mata Sansthan, Unjha, and CMD of Apollo Group.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani expressed shock at Patel's passing away and expressed his condolences to the deceased's family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid glowing tributes to Patel.