Born in Akhdol, Nadiad, Kheda district, Gujarat, on April 3, 1921, Manibhai Talashibhai Patel was raised by relatives in Vaso. After matriculating in 1940, he migrated to Uganda with his aunt, where he worked in a bank in Jinja and ran a cinema in the evenings and the weekends. Manibhai left the country in 1972, settling in London and initially working in an industry for a short period of time.
He soon began his own printing business with son Girish, at 52, a venture that grew to become highly respected in the country today. Manikaka, as he was fondly called, was very active in the Liberal Democrats back when Lord Ashdown was the party leader. An over-achiever, he always however, maintained time to indulge in social and charitable work. He believed strongly in education for all. A member of the Executive Committee of the Kelavani Mandal Akhdol, he was selected president in 1996 when the school had only 250 students a staff of 12. The institution today has taken upon the responsibility of over 1000 students, and the staff has grown to 34.
Kaka was awarded Member of British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen, for his charitable work. He retired after 70. Manibhai is survived by wife Shantaben, daughters Rashmi and Sangeeta, sons Girish and Aswin, and grandchildren. He left the world at the age of 96, leaving behind memories filled with love and respect.
