Kirtilal Manilal Mehta
Kirtilal Manilal Mehta | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date India |
| Died | July 21, 1993 (aged 86) Antwerp, Belgium |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of Gembel Group, Beautiful Diamonds, Lilavati Hospital |
Kirtilal Manilal Mehta (7 February 1907 – 21 July 1993) was a prominent Indian entrepreneur.
Career
Mehta, born in 1907 within the Palanpuri Jain community, adhered strictly to Jain vegetarian principles.
His professional journey commenced in 1918 in Rangoon, Burma (present-day Myanmar), where he established diamond production and export ventures under the Gembel Group, which has since developed into a global enterprise.
In 1944, he founded Beautiful Diamonds in Bombay (currently Mumbai), during British colonial rule. His international expansion included setting up Gembel offices in Antwerp, Belgium (1953), Hong Kong (1956), Tel Aviv, Israel (1968), and launching Occidental Gems in Manhattan, United States (1973).
Philanthropy
Mehta was the founder of Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, named to honor his first wife, Lilavati Mehta, who passed away due to insufficient medical care while on a pilgrimage. Additionally, he established both a hospital and an educational institution in his hometown of Palanpur. He also took responsibility for 50 villages in Gujarat, ensuring access to fundamental amenities such as education, clean water, and healthcare services.
Death
At age 86, Mehta passed away on 21 July 1993 at a hospital located in Antwerp, Belgium. His funeral drew notable dignitaries from the diamond sector, including Nicky Oppenheimer, representatives from De Beers, along with officials from Belgium, Israel, and India.
Awards and honours
Throughout his career, Mehta earned several accolades acknowledging his contributions to commerce and economic development across regions where he operated. These honors included Belgium’s highest distinction, the Order of Leopold, bestowed by King Boudewijn; an Outstanding Exporter's Award granted by the Government of Israel; and the title Azazur-E-Riazat conferred by the Nawab of Palanpur.
In 2013, the Hirani Mata Sthanak Trust posthumously recognized him for founding Lilavati Hospital, with the award received by his son, Prabodh Mehta. To commemorate his 111th birth anniversary in 2018, the Government of India released a special postal stamp featuring both Mehta and Lilavati Hospital.