In Fond Memory of Late Shri Hasmukh Shah, Our Visionary Founder Chairman

Late Shri Hasmukh Shah, our esteemed Founder Chairman, remains an enduring symbol of unwavering commitment to ecology and conservation. His legacy is etched in the annals of environmental stewardship, having served as the inaugural Chairman of the Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) and the Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology (GUIDE).

Guided by a vision marked by commitment and tenacity, GES, under his leadership, successfully executed 110 projects spanning diverse subjects related to ecological conservation.

Shri Shah played an instrumental role in shaping the trajectory of GES throughout his life, driven by a profound concern for the well-being of disenfranchised communities, including agro-farmers, fishers, and tribals. The impact of GES extended far beyond the realm of scientific research, contributing significantly to societal welfare.

Beyond his environmental pursuits, Hasmukh Shah led an extraordinary life and career in government, the public sector, and as a private citizen. His influence reached the highest echelons of power, working alongside three successive Prime Ministers – Shri Morarji Desai, Ch. Charan Singh, and Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

As the Chairman and managing Director of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd, he orchestrated transformative collaborations, persuading Jack Welch of General Electric to establish a joint venture with IPCL for the development of engineering plastics.

His efforts also propelled the widespread application of plastics in agriculture, impacting areas such as drip irrigation, canal lining, packaging film, and textiles. Under his leadership, IPCL earned international acclaim, with Chemical Insight of the UK rating it as the best petrochemical-producing company globally.

Post-retirement, Shri Hasmukh Shah devoted his time to establishing institutions that have left an indelible mark on various domains. Apart from founding GEC, GUIDE, GES, and GNCS, he served as the Founder Chairman of The Heritage Trust and the Founder Trustee of Darshak Itihas Nidhi (DIN).

At DIN, he organized multi-disciplinary international conferences on the Maritime History of Gujarat, sponsoring scholarships and publications on the subject. Additionally, he held the position of Chairman at the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

His deep involvement with institutions of higher learning shaped strategic directions at esteemed organizations, including the National Institute of Design (NID), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Institute of Rural Management (IRMA), Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DAIICT), MS University of Baroda, Surendranagar Education Society, Centre for Fuel Research, Central Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Industrial Research and Development Agency (GIRDA), and Lok Bharati.

Shri Hasmukh Shah's philanthropic endeavors extended to the boardrooms of numerous NGOs and Foundations, including Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation (BAIF), Akshar Trust, Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation, Charutar Arogya Mandal (providing medical education and care in rural areas of Gujarat), and Shram Mandir (focused on leprosy treatment and rehabilitation).

In commemorating the extraordinary life and career of Shri Hasmukh Shah, we celebrate a legacy that transcends time, leaving an enduring impact on ecology, education, and humanitarian causes.