Palanpur - Famous People Associated With Palanpur

Famous People Associated With Palanpur

Palanpur is closely associated with Jainism. It is also the ancestral birthplace of the majority of India's diamond trading families. India's modern diamond cutting industry was founded by several Jain families of Palanpur who, in 1909, met to devise a means of lifting their village from poverty, eventually settling on the diamond trade. Because of its remote location, the families started their businesses in Bombay (now Mumbai) and later Surat. However, they still maintain close ties to their ancestral home. India's diamond industry, still dominated by Palanpuri Jains, now processes the majority of diamonds used in jewellery. Earlier Palanpur was well known in Gujarati literature with its shayars like Shunya Palanpuri, Agam Palanpuri, Shail Palanpuri, saif palanpuri. The famous Gujarati columnist Chandrakant Bakshi also hails from Palanpur. The great Jain saint Jagadguru Shri Hirsurishwarji was born in this city. His house was located just opposite to Mota Dehrasar. Also born in this city was the famous Jain saint Acharya Shri Somsundarsurishwarji, who was the main inspiration behind world famous Jain Temple of Ranakpur, which is known for its architecture.

This city is also the birthplace of several personalities such as,

• Late Surehbhai Saralal Mehta, Former revenue minister, Former president of Palanpur municipality.
• Late Shri BK Gadhvi, Former Union Finance Minister for State, Former Member of Parliament, Banaskantha.
• Pranav Mistry, famous computer scientist and the inventor, welknown for his work of SixthSense and many other interaction technologies.
• Bharat Shah, a Bollywood film producer,B4U Channel owner
• Rohit Jivanlal Parikh, mathematician, logician and philosopher, was born in Palanpur. He holds the position of distinguished Professor at Brooklyn College, New York (1982–present).
• The family of Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad hails from Palanpur
• Arun Mehta, MD hails from Palanpur.
• Chandrakant Bakshi, (1932–2006) A well known Gujarati Author. Born in Palanpur.
• Ojas Palanpuri,(1927-1969) A well known Shayar of Gujarat Born,Brought up and died in palanpur
• Shunya Palanpuri was also hails from here.
• Musafir Palanpuri A well known Shayar and Poet
• Late Shri Kalidas Karnavat, a famous social worker and founding trustee of many organizations (N.B.Karnavat Hostel, Karnavat High School, BK Merc Co-op Bank Ltd, Brahmpuri Ashram etc...)