Dhirubhai Shah

Dhirubhai Shah (December 18, 1952–17 March 2008) was elected Speaker of the Tenth Gujarat Legislative Assembly on 19 March 1998. He was the youngest Speaker in the history of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

Dhirubhai Shah was born in a Jain family in the village of Bela, Taluka-Rapar, District of Kutch, in Gujarat state. After obtaining degrees in Commerce and Law, he started his legal profession in Gandhidham. Public contacts encouraged him to turn his career to politics. His devotion to social service appealed to the public. His hard work and commitment to the development of the Kutch region were well accepted by the people, which led to his rise as a leader. He built a firm base to his political philosophy during his tenure as the Leader of the Opposition in Gandhidham Municipality. He served the people through various activities and programmes as President of Gandhidham Municipality and also as Vice President of Gujarat Nagarpalika Parishad for 8 consecutive years. He was honoured with the award "Glory of India 1998" for rendering social services by the India International Friendship Society at a Seminar on "Economic Development and National Integrity" held in New Delhi. He was also awarded "Gujarat Gaurav Award 1999" for his contribution in the field of Excellent Parliamentary Procedure by the International Association of Educators for World Peace, a United Nations agency.

Dhirubhai Shah has attended and participated in a number of national and international conferences. Besides the All India Presiding Officers' Conferences in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Bangalore, Mr. Shah has attended the 44th and 45th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences held in Wellington, New Zealand and Trinidad and Tobago respectively. He was elected as the Asian Region Member of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (C.P.A.) in September 2000 and attended the 47th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Canberra, Australia. He had the honour of attending the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of H.M. The Queen Elizabeth II, the patron of the C.P.A., held in London in March, 2002 and represented the Union of India on the occasion. He also attended the Mid-Year Meeting of the C.P.A. held in Kiribati in 2002.

On 19 November 2003 he was appointed as the Chairman of the Gujarat Finance Commission, a position that he continues to hold.

Dhirubhai Shah died at his residence in Ahmedabad (Gujarat - India) on 17 March 2008 (11:00pm – 11:30pm approx.) suffering from a sudden heart seizure besides his loved ones. He was 56 yrs of age. His body was cremated on 18 March 2008 in noon hrs. A public prayer was held in his remembrance at Kutchi Bhuvan, Paldi, Ahmedabd on 19 March 2008. Also a similar prayer session was held in his hometown, Gandhidham on 21 March 2008.

On 25 March 2008 a special condolence session was taken in Gujarat Legislative Assembly in which Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat and Speaker Ashok Bhatt conveyed the condolences to the family among others. The house was adjourned for the day after condolences. It was a historical incident wherein posthumously high honour was given to a former speaker of the assembly.

On 20 December 2010 Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat honoured the statute of Dhirubhai Shah in Gandhidham, the home town of Dhirubhai Shah. The function was attended by over 10000 people. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today described the late former Assembly Speaker Dhirubhai Shah as a man full of life, who lived a fulfilled life. Unveiling his portrait at a function at Gandhidham in Kutch district, Mr Modi said Dhirubhai was one of the rare political leaders who combined values, and who never cared for posts or offices of profit or projecting political heirs. His contributions to the Sindhi community in the Gandhidham-Adipur-Kandla belt in Kutch district will be remembered for long. Mr Modi said how Dhirubhai, even after 1,158 days illness, bore a smile of contentment while departing. His death has created a void, comparable to that by late Arvindbhai Maniar, late Vasantbhai Ganjendra Gadkar and late Makarand Desai. He also remarked that in a public life span of over 3 decades Dhirubhai Shah was one rare politician with a spotless white career.

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Name	Shah, Dhirubhai
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Date of birth	18 December 1952
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Date of death	2008
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