Life Story of Amrut Patel

About the Book

This book is for the benefit of my children, grandchildren, and future generations, so they will know what I have lived through. It is divided into eight chapters. The first chapter provides historical background along with my childhood and family history, covering the years 1944 through 1951. I trace my heritage from records such as “India from 1000 years back,” “my Mathia family”. The second chapter is about my “Life in South Africa (1951 – ’54)”, short lived as it was due to my parental decision to return to Satem due to lack of good education in South Africa. The years from 1955 to 1967 were my career forming education leading from early education at Satem to college years at Vidyanagar and Vallabhbhai Patel Science College; my engineering years at Birla Vishwakarma Vidyalaya, Sardar Patel University. Although my job search after education are not happy memories, I went to South Africa with high hopes, only to have them dashed which are expounded in third chapter. In the following fourth chapter I recount how one friend from my school days, with whom I used to play cricket, offered to lend me $500 and told me not to worry about financial distress. In fifth chapter I chronicle my memories of the crucial years of my career from 1967 to 1972 that opened the doors for success. I was in Philadelphia, where I pursued part-time studies and entry-level work and I was able to help arrange my younger sister Aruna’s marriage. In the sixth chapter I elaborate about my professional development in corporate America, (1973 – 1989) and my marriage in 1973 turned a new leaf in my life. My first job in the USA was with ITE, Philadelphia, 1968 - 1972; Siemens (1973–1986), then in Chicago, Illinois, and later in Jackson, Mississippi. In Jackson, passing away of my beloved mother Bhikiba in 1984, plunged me into grief beyond expression. plunged me into grief beyond expression. In chapter seven I discovered my talents and the motivation that led to success beyond many pitfalls. I plunged into entrepreneurship and became involved with voluntary associations. I also stayed busy acquiring commercial properties. My activities on the “field” included cricket, tennis, and golf (1984–2020). Finally, in the closing chapter eight I felt the American Dream was within reach during 2015 through 2022. I was taking on challenging projects such as Hilton Garden Inn in 2014, and Cooperwood Senior Living (2019). I felt that my land acquisitions followed my father Ranchhodbhai’s advice when I was ten years old. In closure, I can say with satisfaction that I fulfilled my responsibilities to my family—Rambhai, Savitaben, and Lakshmiben and to my younger sister, Aruna. I kept an eye on them until they found their way in the U.S. and thus, I carried out my father’s mission. Albeit everything, my fundamental responsibility was to my children: supporting their education and helping arrange their marriages which became a hallmark of Hansa’s and my satisfaction. In this “Land of Opportunity,” we endured hardships and enjoyed the sunshine that followed. After harvesting the results of our endeavors, which I have recorded in this book. However, I leave behind some unfulfilled chores as a legacy for our progeny to complete—what my father Ranchhodbhai hoped he could accomplish: his hopes and aspirations to build a credible institution in the village of Setam.

About the Author

AMRUT PATEL Amrut Patel was born and raised at Satem, Navsari Taluk, Surat District, Gujarat by his parents, RanchhodBhai and Bhikhiba. Early on, his parents enthused in Amrut a sense of duty, motivation and hard work, which were instrumental in achieving whatever he could achieve in life. Amrut attended Satem Elementary School for grade 2 before his parents moved to South Africa where he attended briefly a grade school. His parents decided to have Amrut, and his older brother Raman Bhai have further education in India. Amrut attended High School and graduated in Electrical Engineering at Sardar Patel University, Vidyanagar, Surat District. Amrut Bhai earned his master’s in electrical engineering at Villanova University, Philadelphia and later acquired a master’s in business management at Mississippi College, Clinton, MS. Amrut Bhai was active in community services, being manager and later chairman of the Hindu Temple Society of Mississippi, (HTSM), India Association of Mississippi (IAM) and Gujarat Samaj of Mississippi. He contributed heavily along with his associates who sponsored Mahatma Gandhi statue at Millsaps College, Jackson and India Information Center (HTSM), and Taste of India (IAM). A lifetime sportsman, Amrut helped Dr. KR Rao, Chairman of the IAM in every one of IAM activities under his leadership period, including organizing the regional Cricket Tournament. Amrut Patel made several notable inventions in high power equipment including high voltage circuit breakers which are used in transmission of electrical energy. They are used currently in Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Port Gibson. Amrut continues the legacy of his father Ranchhodbhai who helped several Indians in Johannesburg, South Africa to flourish. Amrut helped several of his friends and associates of Satem Village to migrate and settle down comfortably in the US. Amrut continued the legacy of his parents Amrut created the Cooperwood Senior Living Facilities at Flowood, MS., to serve people in their last journey with health and peace. He spends time with his 3 children and 8 grandchildren, enjoying peaceful life with his wife Hansaben. Dr. K.R. RAO Dr, Rao retired as a Senior Staff Engineer with Entergy Corporation Inc. and was previously with Westinghouse Electric Corporation at Pittsburgh PA and Pullman Spindale Inc Pittsburgh PA. Dr. Rao got his bachelor’s in civil engineering degree from Banaras Hindu University, India, with a master’s in planning from School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi, India. He completed Post Graduate Engineering courses at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Rao is a Registered Professional Engineer in PA and TX. KR is a past Member of Operations Research Society of America (ORSA) and American Society of Planning Officials (ASPO). KR was Vice President, ASME International. He is a Fellow of ASME and Institution of Engineers, India. He is Chartered Engineer (I). KR was Chair, Director, and Founder of ASME EXPO(s), Jackson. He was a member ASME,s prestigious General Awards Committee of ASME International. He was Chair of Codes & Standards, Technical Committee, ASME PV&PD. Dr. Rao was Author and Editor of 22 books, several of them world classics of Technical Literature. Dr. Rao is currently the Editor in Chief of the Renewable Energy Book Series being published by ASME Press. Dr. Rao is a recipient of several Cash, Recognition, and Service Awards from Entergy Operations, Inc., and Westinghouse Electric Corporation. He is the recipient of ASME PV&P Division’s Outstanding Service Award and “Vision and Leadership”, Dick Duncan Award Mississippi. Dr. Rao is the recipient of the prestigious ASME Society Level Dedicated Service Award. Dr. KR Rao founded Education Technical Conferences (ECTCs) from 2002 to 2021, which invited 900 presenters from around the world and distributed cash recognition awards of nearly 90,000 USD. Dr. Rao was President, India Association Mississippi (IAM) and Taste of India. IAM in 2003. He founded the Hinduism Information Center (HTSM). Dr Rao is recognized as a “Lifetime Member” in the Cambridge “Who’s Who” registry of executives and professionals. Dr. Rao was listed in the Marquis 25th Silver Anniversary Edition of “Who’s Who in the World” as “one of the leading achievers from around the globe.”