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Former Union minister
Manubhai Shah dead

Former Union minister Manubhai Shah passed away in New Delhi on Thursday morning following a cardiac arrest. He was 85.

The veteran freedom fighter and Congress leader suffered a stroke which was followed by a cardiac arrest, family sources said.

Manubhai served in the cabinets of Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi.

He played a vital role in India's industrialisation drive during his tenure as industries and commerce minister under Nehru, a portfolio he held from 1956 to 1967.

He is survived by his wife Vidyaben Shah, three sons and a daughter.

Manubhai led a fairly active life till he suffered from a stroke on December 16. He was admitted to the capital's Escorts Heart Centre where he passed away.

Born in 1915 in Surendra Nagar in Gujarat, he joined the Freedom movement and was active in the Quit India movement along with Aruna Asaf Ali.

A strong votary of small-scale industries, Manubhai was instrumental in the setting up of nearly 400 industrial estates in the country - the first being in Rajkot where he began his political career.

He was a minister in Gujarat government from 1948 to 1956.

He was member of Lok Sabha for the better part of his tenure as a Parliamentarian.

PTI

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