Mr K. K. Shah was born in an ordinary family but held various dignified posts right from Cabinet Minister to Honourable Governorship.

Mr K. K. Shah means Shri Kodarbhai Kalidas Shah

The present generation might not be much familiar about this invaluable gem that the land of Aravalli has gifted to this country. But Mr. K. K. Shah is that name whose leadership rendered a new direction to the country. He stood steady fast with Sardar in merger of local fiefdoms. He was a Union Minister and later the Governor of Tamil Naidu. Had the leadership of the region at that time grasped the talent of the person who had reached the pinnacle of power, the overall development of this area would have been more magnificent. Well, though decades have passed since the demise of Mr K.K. Shah, the fragrance of his services still lingers.

His hometown Gabat, is a village situated at the remote village of Aravalli. He was born on 27th October,1908 in his maternal home at Goregaon in Maharashtra. Unfortunately, his father passed away in his childhood, but he was a brilliant student and hence was not a burden to his brother.

He completed his primary education from Gabat, his higher secondary education from Modasa and Ahmedabad and finished his college education from Pune. He later settled down in Mumbai to study law. He graduated in the year 1919 and received several scholarships during his student life. He passed with first rank and became a fellow the same year at Parsuram Bhau College, Pune. His favourite subject was Mathematics. He was fully desirous to master that subject. As circumstances not being favourable, he turned his attention to law.

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Mr. K. K. Shah was nicknamed as ‘Motabhai’ (big brother) in his large circle as he viewed everyone with the magnanimity of brotherhood. His radiantly smiling face always gave solace and a golden ray of hope to depressed people. His bright eyes enticed everyone. His beautiful and eloquent speech would instil the feeling of brotherhood in all who came in his contact.

In 1930, when a whirlwind swept across the country, he too jumped into the campaign of liberating Mother India from the shackle of the bondage and was jailed for it in 1932. In 1943, when there was a nationwide agitation for ‘Quit India’ movement, he was in the forefront and the tyrannical British government again jailed him.

In 1934, having received his Sanad he started his distinguished career as an MLA from that day itself. During this time, he started practicing law in Bombay High Court in 1934, when he came in contact with the famous MLA Babubhai T. Desai and Munshi Saheb, an eminent litterateur of Gujarat. In the year 1946, Mr K. K. Shah eloquently defended the accused of Chembur murder case and got them acquitted. He gained popularity in the everywhere among the realm of judiciary. In 1939, Sardar Patel assigned him a task of Nagina Masjid riot case to this able MLA and he accomplished the task beautifully well.

Mr K. K. Shah rendered unparalleled services as an advisor to the Maharaja of Vadodara. In the year 1948 he became the advisor of Maharaja of Vadodara.

When the time came for the merger of 600 kingdoms it was Mr K. K. Shah who helped Mr Sardar Patel by persuading Maharaja of Vadodara in doing so. The Secretary of Mr Sardar Patel, Mr V. P. Menon in his book ‘The Integration of States’ has highly appreciated him for this lofty task.

When Mrs Sitadevi divorced the Maharaja of Vadodara and went to Europe with jewellery worth crores of rupees, it was Mr Saradar Patel who had sent Mr Shah to recover the valuable wealth of the country. As the advisor of The Maharaja of Vadodara, Mr Shah rendered unparallel services to the people of Vadodara.

In the general election held in 1952, Mr Shah was elected with vast majority in Mumbai Legislative Assembly. The contribution made in the field of education is highly invaluable. His career as a Senate and Syndicate member of Mumbai Vidyapith will always remain memorable. He also served for many years as a municipal member in Mumbai nagarpalika. He held the post of President in many legal committees. As a member of Senate and Syndicate member of Mumbai Vidyapith he supported education and his acumen ship in election and helping in raising local help was instrumental in getting included as a confidante member of the Prime minister’s Council.

The work done by him as committee member of Central Relief Committee during Indo -Pak conflict was highly commendable and as a token of appreciation he was appointed as Minister by Indiraji. In 1967 he took the reins of Akashwani as minister and the work the wonderful work he did in short time is highly appreciable. He devised many schemes to promote, develop and make Akashwani self-sustainable, for example starting of commercial advertising etc. At that time the Pant Pradhan entrusted him with heavy responsibilities of nation building in areas like Housing Sector, Health and Family planning. Thus, due to his unique feelings for the betterment of common men and poor, he did a very commendable job. In place of thousands of uncountable shacks littering the Bay of Bandra, Mumbai he devised grand housing scheme and had it inaugurated at the hands of Mrs Indira Gandhi. He prepared good housing schemes throughout the country, so that numerous poor and middle-class people can benefit from it. He did commendable job as a Minister of Family Planning.

Elections got declared in 1970. There were repeated requests for Mr Shah to contest elections in South Mumbai and Northwest areas of Mumbai. He had made ample preparations for contesting the election and had also organised the campaign for it. Thus, when Shri Shah was preparing to contest the election, suddenly a message came from Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi. She requested Mr. Shah to head the Election campaign of ruling Congress party at national level. Seeing the way Mr. Shah handled the campaign previously, the Prime minister felt that this colossal task must be taken up by Mr. Shah in the interest of the party. In spite of his desperate urge to contest the elections, Mr Shah heeded to the request of the Prime minister and immersed wholeheartedly in the election campaign. His held an unwavering and unique loyalty, both to his country and to the Prime minister. In his unique style he at times sarcastically jabbed at the congress leaders and often regaled the audience with rhymes (shayaries) and jokes.

In the general election held in 1952, Mr Shah was elected with vast majority in Mumbai Legislative Assembly. The contribution made in the field of education is highly invaluable. His career as a Senate and Syndicate member of Mumbai Vidyapith will always remain memorable. He also served for many years as a municipal member in Mumbai municipality. He held the post of President in many legal committees. As a member of Senate and Syndicate member of Mumbai Vidyapith he supported education and his acumen ship in election and helping in raising local help was instrumental in getting included as a confidante member of the Prime minister’s Council.

In June 1971, the post of Governor of Tamil Naidu felt vacant. It was a serious question arising in the mind of the Prime minister, to find a trusted person in whose hands the reigns in of such a big state with complex problems could be entrusted. Mrs Indira Gandhi knew that Mr Shah was the genius of successfully completing the task he undert00k. He has the ability of getting the work done from his colleagues. He was industrious, patient and tactful, and being loyal and hence, in the interest of the country he was asked to assume the headship of Tamil Naidu.

On taking the reins of Madras he addressed many questions of the reporters and said, “I have profound respect for Tamil Nādu for years. The people of this state have made important contribution to the culture and tradition of the country. I will try my level best as the governor of Tamil Naidu to enhance this culture and tradition.” In order to be in close contact with the community and to address to many complex problems in the state, he learnt Tamil language and could also speak it very well. When the country is entangled in linguistic issues, he set a very good example before the whole country. There should not be any resentment or hatred toward any language. He opened the doors of Madras Governor house for commoners where even a small farmer could come and discuss his problems in Tamil and get solution to them. In reply to a question asked by a Gujarati journalist he replied, “I am always ready to relinquish any post or position and serve Gujarat eagerly, whenever they demand my services.”

Mr. K. K. Shah, a great thinker of socialist society formation, has presented a beautiful example as a Governor and a guide to other Governors too. He was easily accessible to commonest of the common man. The Raj bhavan of Madras was made easily accessible to the general people of Madras. He accepted the least remuneration in comparison to other Governors. He downplayed the importance of false pretensions and gave supreme importance to public service, which was appreciated. Seeing increase in unrest and discontent in Tamil Nadu, the Centre gave him the power to dismiss Karunanidhi’s DMK government and soon the government under Karunanidhi’s helm was dismissed. Shri Shah with peace and tact did wonderful work in the progress of Tamil Nadu.

Even though he held high positions, his love for his homeland was incredible. Today, Vatrak hospital serves hundreds of thousands of poor patients at nominal rate is a result of his foresight and love for his homeland. With the spirit of giving something back to homeland, he founded Vatrak hospital in 1965 to provide health facilities to the poor and the reprieved patients of Sabarkantha area. Today, the hospital equipped with advanced facilities is proving a boon for the poor of the area.

Retiring from the post of Governor of Tamil Naidu, he joined the rural development work Gujarat and under the guidance of Shri Morarjibhai, he roamed from village to village along with his wife and continued the rural development activities. He spent a major time in Vadodara itself. He started good boys’ and girls’ hostel under the aegis of Sir Sayajirao Diamond Jubilee Trust. Both the husband and the wife without any expectations plunged into the service and teaching activities wholeheartedly. They quitted all political activities. The demand of his lectures on Yoga, Education and collective issues were in great demand in various cities of Gujarat and Mr K. K. Shah in the larger interest of the society started delivering series of lectures from village to village and different cities.

He passed all of sudden away on 14-3-1986 due to cardiac arrest at Calcutta Raj Bhavan.

Presently Mr K. K. Shah is no more with us, but his son Prakashbhai Shah is spreading the fragrance of humanity in the footsteps of his father. He has moved and is presently settled in California in America. Although serving in high position in America, he has preserved the love for his motherland which he has inherited from his father. He frequently visits his hometown. Along the banks of Vatrak River, Mr K. K. Shah charitable trust is working in the service of the poor. Jankiben, wife of Prakashbhai too is working shoulder to shoulder in service of the poor.

આ આર્ટીકલ ગુજરાતીમાં વાંચવા આહીં ક્લિક કરો.

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Email : khudishwar1983@gamil.com