Jal Patel, who served the Parsi Panchayat Charitable Fund Vadodara (PPCFV) for over three decades, first as a trustee and then as president, passed away on August 21, 2024. "He continued to guide and support the Panchayat till the very end,” stated a note from the anjuman’s secretary Lt Col Adi Chinoy.
Jal Patel: "visionary leader”
Patel served as managing director and later chairman of automotive technologies company FAG India Limited, now known as Schaeffler India Limited. He was also on the board of directors of other companies and a trustee and founding member of various nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and institutions, stated Chinoy. The other NGOs Patel was involved with included United Way, Akshar Trust, V-One Society, and the Heritage Trust. "His in-depth understanding of the regulations governing NGOs was very useful and made sure that our trust always took the right legal and ethical steps. His formidable experience in managing large corporates as well as involvement in socially relevant ones such as the United Way helped in resolving issues carefully.” Patel was on the board of directors of British Gas, Jewel Brushes, Dinesh Mills Ltd, Elecon Engg. Ltd, informed Chinoy. Added PPCFV trustee Ruhshad Cama, "In his tenure as president, major renovation and upgrade of the Bai Dhanmai Dadabhai Bhimji Umrigar Adaran had taken place (see "Ablaze in Baroda,” Parsiana, May 2004) and also the construction of the Bai Manekbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Charity Blocks was undertaken.
"His visionary leadership, business acumen, legal and financial expertise made him a guiding force who strived tirelessly not only for the Parsi community but also for society at large.”