Banker shunned retired life to fight for people

Vadodara: Having retired from a senior position in the Bank of Baroda, Praful Desai could have preferred to spend a relaxed retired life. But that was not the case as he started taking up the issues of senior citizens and, later, fought for other issues too.

Desai had taken voluntary retirement from the bank and later joined senior citizens groups in the city. He floated the Gujarat Senior Citizens’ Federation and was its secretary. He also brought out a newsletter for senior citizens.

During the 2002 communal riots in the city, Desai along with other activists had arranged for a rally on communal harmony. He used to travel frequently to Ahmedabad in connection with his PILs. Those close to him remember that his vision was very less and he had several age-related health problems, but did not lose enthusiasm.

Activist Dhiru Mistry, who had worked with Desai on several issues said that he was fearless. “I remember his plan of standing on the route of the convoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was then the chief minister of the state. I asked him if he was sure and he replied in the affirmative. We were detained and our placards were taken away. He raised the issue in the high court and was even granted a personal meeting with Modi,” said Mistry. Desai will be cremated at the Vadiwadi crematorium on Thursday, added Mistry.

“He was a fighter and kept taking up causes despite problems on his personal front. Often, we used to wonder what motivates him? Today people do things only if they see personal interests, but he was an exception. He never cared if someone was standing by him or he was alone,” said Jagdish Patel from the People’s Training and Research Centre.