Pune: Jairaj Group Director Rajesh Shah, widely known as the "Basmati King" of Pune's grains industry, has been awarded an honorary doctorate in social entrepreneurship by California Public University, USA. The prestigious honor was presented in a ceremony held in Delhi on January 19, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to social causes, education, and healthcare.
The representatives of California Public University praised Shah for his transformative work, stating, "Rajesh Shah’s contributions in the realm of social entrepreneurship have been exemplary. His innovative initiatives have brought about significant positive changes in the lives of individuals and communities."
Rajesh Shah has consistently prioritized social welfare alongside his business endeavors. Notable among his projects is the establishment of Gujarat Bhavan – Jairaj Sports & Convention Center in Pune, a landmark initiative. He also spearheaded the launch of PGKM Vidyadham, a bagless day school offering state-of-the-art facilities and a focus on sports development.
In Gujarat, Shah founded the "Kanchan-Hira Ayurvedic Hospital and Cancer Research Center" in memory of his parents. Located in Pedhamli village, the hospital provides affordable medical care, including free treatment and meals for general ward patients, and operates a mobile medical service to cater to rural communities.
Shah has been recognized thrice with the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Fair Business Practices and honored with multiple accolades, including the Samaj Ratna, Adarsh Vyapari, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Vyapar Bhushan. His innovative contributions to the food industry, particularly the production of laddoo and chiwda, earned a Guinness World Record.
Rajesh Shah holds several prominent positions. He chairs The Poona Gujarati Kelvani Mandal, presides over H.V. Desai Eye Hospital, and is the managing trustee of Shri Poona Gujarati Bandhu Samaj. Shah has also served as the President of Pune Merchants Chamber and Senior Vice President of the Federation of Associations of Maharashtra for over two decades.