Ever since its inception in 1941 by Brig. CVC Jackson in Pune, the 81-year-old Builders’ Association of India (BAI), got its first Gujarati president on Sunday. At a meet convened in the city, this biggest and oldest conglomerate of Real Estate Developers and civil engineering construction contractors voted Niimesh D. Paatel as its head for the current fiscal.
The programme was attended by MP and BJP national V-P Dr Bharatiben Shiyal, MP Kanakmal Katara, Union minister of state for communications Devusinh Chauhan, Ganesh Housing MD Shekhar Patel, Daskroi MLA Babubhai J. Patel, Former GPCC president Siddharth Patel, President of Karnavati Club N.G. Patel, Sardardham president Gagjibhai Sutaria and Gautam Jain of Metroglobal Ltd.
The body currently has 1,20,000 members listed at nearly 200 centres all across the country. At the meeting, representatives concurred that real estate, no doubt, generates employment for the largest numbers. “We have to re-think industry infra and welfare schemes for labourers,” pointed out Siddharth Patel, former MLA Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President.
A message from Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was read out. While congratulating Niimesh D. Paatel for being the first Gujarati to lead the body, he re-instated faith in the abilities of the new president.
All underscored the need for BAI to bridge the gap between the government and the sector.
Niimesh Bhai Paatel is MD Maruti Infrastructure, a public limited company listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange with business clients like Adani Group, Suzlon, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. He thanked all present for their wishes and assured his best efforts into making BAI a formidable name on a global perspective.
Niimesh Bhai also brought to attention that his appointment to the high-ranking office follows CREDAI’s selection of Jaxay Shah in a Gujarati being made head of a national organisation allied to core industries.
