Dharmsinh Desai

Dharmsinh Dadubhai Desai (30 October 1916 – 9 June 1980) was an Indian politician, industrialist, and educationist. A member of the Indian National Congress, he served as a Member of Parliament for the Kaira (now Kheda) constituency in Gujarat from 1971 to 1977. He founded the APAR Industries and Dharmsinh Desai University.

Early life and education Dharmsinh was born in Bhadran, Anand district, Gujarat. His father, Dadubhai P. Desai, was active in local administration and served in the legislative assembly. A cousin of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he worked closely with Patel during the independence movement. Desai attended Elphinstone College, Fergusson College, and Royal Institute of Science before earning electrical and mechanical engineering degrees from the University of Bombay's Kalina campus. He completed his studies with distinction. He became a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India) and held memberships in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Family and children In 1938 Desai married Shantaben. They had one son, Narendra (born 1940). Desai wrote five books and edited Arya Swapatra, a farmers’ bulletin.

Political career Desai was exposed to politics early through his father and his uncles, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Vithalbhai Patel. He took part in several satyagrahas during the independence movement and adopted Khadi clothing, a practice he maintained throughout his life. After independence he argued that Parliament needed greater representation from industry. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kheda in 1971 and again in 1977. While in Parliament he served on consultative committees for Industrial Development, Science and Technology, Heavy Industries, Petroleum and Chemicals, and Atomic Energy, and on select committees dealing with Foreign Exchange, Direct Taxes, and the Customs Bill. He also supported regional infrastructure projects, including a canal system that aided agriculture in Kheda district. Desai also founded Shantaben Dharmsinh Desai High School in Vallabh Vidyanagar, a girls’ school in Udwada, and several schools in Nadiad.

Death He died on June 9, 1980.