PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: Praful Manoharbhai Patel
Profession(s): Politician, Businessman, Philanthropist
Date of Birth: 17 February 1957 (Sunday)
Age (as of 2025): 68 Years
Birthplace: Nadiad, Bombay State (Now, Maharashtra), India
Zodiac sign: Aquarius
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Nadiad, Maharashtra, India
Religion: Hinduism
Caste: Patidar [1] TOI
Marriage Date: 10 February 1977 (Thursday)
Age: 68 Years
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EDUCATION
School: Campion School, Mumbai
College/University: Sydenham College, Mumbai, India
Educational Qualification: B.Com
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Married
Wife/Spouse: Varsha Patel
Children: Son – Prajay Patel Daughters – Poorna Patel, Niyati Patel, Avni Patel
Parents: Father – Manoharbhai Patel (Politician) Mother – Shantaben
Siblings: None
Wife: Varsha Patel
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Awards/Honours: • CAPA (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation) award for the Aviation Minister of the Year (2005) • Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Metropolitan University (2007)
MONEY FACTOR
Salary (approx.): Rs. 1 Lakh/month + Constituency allowances Rs. 45,000 (US$650) + Parliament office allowance Rs. 45,000 (US$650) + Parliament session allowance (Rs. 2,000 (US$29) per day) [5] Rajya Sabha
Net Worth (approx.): Rs. 252 crore (as in 2014) [6] My Neta
OTHER INFORMATION
Political Party: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
Political Journey: 1985 : Became the President of the Municipal Council Gondia (Maharashtra) 1991 : Elected to the 10th Lok Sabha, a member of the Consultative Committee, Ministry of Environment and Forests (1991–1996), a member of the Committee on Science and Technology (1994–1995), a member of the Committee on Home Affairs (1995–1996) 1996 : Re-elected to the 11th Lok Sabha, a member of the Committee on Finance (1996–97) 1998 : Re-elected to the 12th Lok Sabha 2000 : Elected to the Rajya Sabha, representing Maharashtra 2004 : Minister of State for Civil Aviation 2006 : Re-elected to the Rajya Sabha 2009 : Elected to the 15th Lok Sabha for a fourth term 2011 : Cabinet Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises 2016 : Re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra
Address: Permanent – Ceejay House, 12th Floor, Dr. Anne Besant Road,Worli, Mumbai – 400 018 Maharashtra, India Present – 26, G.R.G. Road, New Delhi – 110 001
Hobbies: Travelling
Actor: Salman Khan
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Praful Patel’s journey is deeply rooted in a family legacy that intertwines politics and entrepreneurship. Born into the Patel family, he was shaped by his father’s political influence—Manoharbhai Patel, who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Gondia constituency in Maharashtra. This early exposure to public service would leave a lasting impression on Praful, who faced a significant life event at just 13 years old when his father passed away. Despite this profound loss, Praful emerged as a resilient figure, carrying forward the family’s commitment to both business and community service.
As a businessman, Praful Patel has successfully managed his family’s tobacco and bidi manufacturing enterprise, while also exploring ventures in pharmaceuticals, finance, real estate, and packaging. His leadership extended to ‘Ceejay House,’ a company engaged in tobacco trading, reflecting his diverse business interests. Beyond business, the Patel family has been instrumental in promoting education through the ‘Gondia Education Society,’ an organization founded by Manoharbhai Patel in 1958. This esteemed institution serves over 100,000 students across various disciplines, including Arts, Commerce, Law, and Engineering, cementing the family’s dedication to fostering knowledge and empowerment in their community.
In addition to his business pursuits, Praful Patel has made significant contributions to Indian sports, particularly in football and cricket. His involvement with organizations such as the Gondwana Club, Nagpur Lions International Club, and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) showcases his passion for sports and leadership. His tenure with the AIFF was marked by a transformative initiative—the introduction of the ‘Indian Super League,’ a project that garnered attention and enthusiasm across the nation. For his efforts in reforming sports governance, Patel was honored with the title of ‘Reformer of the Year’ by The Economic Times, a testament to his impactful work in promoting sports in India.
In the political arena, Praful Patel’s influence extended to significant roles within the government. He served as the Minister of Civil Aviation, where he successfully advocated for raising the foreign direct investment cap in the domestic airlines sector from 40% to 49%. His tenure as Minister of Heavy Industry also bore fruit; he initiated the ambitious project to construct the world’s largest solar power plant near Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan and inaugurated the Auto Hub in Nagpur, showcasing his commitment to sustainable energy and industrial growth. In October 2009, he was elected President of the AIFF for the first time, a position he reclaimed for a third time in 2016 unopposed, reflecting his unwavering support for the sport.
Praful Patel’s leadership within the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) began on December 1, 2016, when he was appointed as Senior Vice President, further enhancing his influence in the region’s football development. His dedication to promoting women in sports was evident when he launched the inaugural edition of the Indian Women’s League on January 24, 2017, in New Delhi. Recently, on June 10, 2023, his political journey took another step forward as Sharad Pawar, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), announced his appointment as a working president alongside Supriya Sule. Praful Patel’s multifaceted career continues to evolve, embodying a legacy of leadership, innovation, and service to both his community and the nation.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.