Indian Businessman and Politician
Parimal Dhirajlal Nathwani (born 1 February 1956) is an Indian politician and industrialist. He is a M.P (Member of Parliament), Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh since the 2020 Rajya Sabha elections, previously serving as a Rajya Sabha MP for Jharkhand from 2008-2020.[3]
He was an entrepreneur before he joined the Reliance Group of Industries in 1997.[4] He is currently the Director of Corporate Affairs at Reliance Industries Limited. He worked closely with Shri Dhirubhai Ambani and Mukesh Ambani and was involved in land acquisition for the world's largest oil refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat.[5][6]
Nathwani has spearheaded several schemes of Reliance Industries Limited, like land acquisition, and setting up their retail platforms as well as the roll-out of Reliance Jio in Gujarat.[7][clarification needed] As a Member of Parliament from Jharkhand, he worked towards the refinement of the villages he adopted under the PMSAGY scheme.
Biography
Parimal D. Nathwani serves as Director of Corporate Affairs at Reliance Industries Ltd. Nathwani has also served as the Vice President of the Gujarat Cricket Association during 2010-2019. He serves as Director of Gujarat Petcoke and Petroproducts P. Ltd.[8] and Shri Dwarkadheesh Salt Works Pvt. Ltd.[9][10] He served as the chairman of the Board of Vadodara Stock Exchange Limited from 30 September 2011 to 15 September 2012 and its Director from February 2008 to 15 September 2012.[11] In 1997, he joined Reliance Industries. He led several projects for the group from the grass-root level. Nathwani holds key positions in various prestigious institutions like Reliance Rural Development Trust (RRDT)- Chairman, Dwarkadheesh Devasthan Samiti (DOS)- Vice-chairman (appointed by Govt. of Gujarat), Nathdwara Temple Board- Member (appointed by Govt. of Rajasthan), National Safety Council, Gujarat Chapter- Ex-Chairman, and Organization of Business, Commerce, and Industries (OBCI)- President.[12] He also remained Director. Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board was formed to improve and enhance facilities at all important Temples of Gujarat. He is an Executive Member of Lions Club[13] of Jamnagar; Member of Rotary Club of Jamnagar, Jamnagar Chamber of Commerce and Industries and executive committee of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
Nathwani's accolades include a coveted Award for Social Service from then Governor of Gujarat Shri R.K. Trivedi.
Early life
Born on 1 February 1956 to Pushpaben Nathwani and Dhirajlal Nathwani in Mumbai, Parimal Nathwani did his schooling at Gokalibai Punamchand Pitambar High School, Mumbai. He holds a Ph.D. in management from the National Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He holds a Professional Doctorate in Management from the National Institute of Management, Mumbai. He pursued his graduation from Mumbai.[14]
After trying his luck in Mumbai, he moved to Vadodara and start working at the Vadodara Stock Exchange. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Vadodara Stock Exchange Limited from 30 September 2011 to 15 September 2012 and was Director from February 2008 to 15 September 2012.
Journey With Reliance
Nathwani played a role in removing hurdles in land acquisition and facilitated the setting up of the refinery. Reliance bosses relocated Nathwani to Ahmedabad, and he gained more responsibilities in 1997. He led several projects of the group such as land acquisition for the Jamnagar refinery, setting up petroleum retail outlets, and establishing Jamnagar Special Economic Zone. Nathwani became the face of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) in Gujarat and elsewhere.
He contributed to cross country gas transportation pipeline network, executed a telecom network for Reliance Infocomm, and helped create a consumer retail chain for the group. Since the RIL is poised to roll out a 4-G broadband network in 22 circles of the country, he is to lead the project. He remained in charge of the group's Corporate Affairs and industrial relations of the Group's establishments in Gujarat, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh. He is part of RIL's top management.[15]
Political career
In March 2008, Nathwani entered the Rajya Sabha as an independent candidate from Jharkhand.[16] He got re-elected as Rajya Sabha member from the tribal state in March 2014.[17] After completing two terms as an MP from Jharkhand he is now elected as Member of Rajya Sabha from the state of Andhra Pradesh since April 2020. He joined YSR Congress Party on 11 March 2020 in the presence of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and President of YSR Congress Party.[18]
Role as Gujarat Cricket Association Former Vice-President
Nathwani was the Vice President of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) from January 2010 to September 2019, overseeing GCA's project to rebuild the Motera stadium at Ahmedabad into the world's largest stadium.[19][20] The previously Motera stadium was demolished.[21] Nathwani worked with Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah to complete the project. Nathwani also provided umbrellas to cricketers of Gujarat like Parthiv Patel, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, and Ravindra Jadeja.[22][23] Nathwani has helped the sportsmen of Jharkhand by providing them incentives during 34th National Games at Ranchi,[24] providing cricket equipment to local sports clubs, constructing stadiums in villages, etc.
Role as Dwarkadheesh Devasthan Samiti Ex-Vice Chairman
A setback in the stock market in the early 90s drew Nathwani to Krishna and Dwarkadheesh. Previously, he has served as Vice Chairman of Dwarkadheesh Devasthan Samiti.[25] He is also a member of the Nathdwara Temple Board.[26] He has been instrumental in the development of Dwarka, an important destination for pilgrimage tourism. The Government of Gujarat and Reliance Industries have worked together for the development of Dwarka.[27] Renovation of Gomatighat, Dhirubhai Ambani Marg, Dwarka Parisar development, Kokila Dhiraj Dham, traffic circle and a road, floral decoration and illumination of Dwarkadheesh temple during festivals like Janmashtami, etc. have much of the credit to Nathwani and Reliance Industries. Sudama Setu, a cable-staid bridge to cross the Gomati River is the latest addition in Dwarka.[28] Plus, Nathwani worked on the renovation of Gomatighat, Dhirubhai Ambani Marg, Dwarka Parisar development, Kokila Dhiraj Dham, and the illumination of the Dwarkadheesh temple during festivals like Janmashtami.
