Kurjibhai Ramji Group Heritage

(Late) Shri Kurjibhai Ramji Patel (1920 – 1982)

- Founder of the Kurjibhai Ramji Group

In a remote hamlet named Baladiya in the Kutch District of Gujarat State of India, in the year 1920, Late Shri Kurjibhai Ramji Patel was born in a farmer's family. At an early age, Shri Kurjibhai recognised his inherent potential of turning aspiration into reality. With determination and zeal for success, he paved his own path for success and started his voyage by boarding a ship to Kenya.

Life in Kenya was no bed of roses, but he knew that this was just the penumbra as he could foresee a lot of mantle of success awaiting him. He started from the grass root level as a 'Stone Dresser', and even 'Boot Polisher' for foremen. In a couple of years he eventually was promoted as a 'Mason'.

The corbel of success came in mid 1940's. A solitary reaper turned into a Businessman, with the establishment of 'Karsan & Kurji Stone Crusher', in partnership with one of his associates. From dawn to dust Shri Kurjibhai strived mined, crushed, sold quarry products and even delivered them in his now owned truck.

Diversification started from late 1950's, as he envisioned the potential of the Construction Industry in the post-industrialisation era and the decline of stone masonry. Thus the crusher was withdrawn and he started taking up petty construction works.

In 1962, the Mau-Mau war between the British and the natives broke. Shri Kurjibhai voluntarily gave asylum to the native leader. As a token of reverence and gratitude, when in 1963 Kenya was liberated, for the Independence ceremony. Shri Kurjibhai was a special invitee of the newly formed Government of The Republic of Kenya,

In 1963 Kurji Ramji (Kenya) Limited was offered a 4Million Shillings contract of construction of 102 flats for City Council of Karicocore, Nairobi. And this led to the flood gates to open.

In 1968 Shri Kurjibhai's son Mr. K. K. Patel joined in his endeavours followed by his other sons, Mr. L. K. Patel, Mr. B. K. Patel and Mr. H. K. Patel. This boosted the morale and fora period of more than 12 years, the company constructed an impressive number of public and private buildings in Kenya and Tanzania

In 1973 an outstanding opportunity arose when Kurji Ramji (Kenya) in association with Laxmanbhai & Co. (M'tius) Limited, won the contract to build the "La Pirogue", 5 Star Hotel in Mauritius. This was followed by a plethora of other projects.

In 1977 Allied Builders was incorporated, thus further expanding in Building and Civil Engineering Sector. This led to the offices being transferred to Mauritius and to the founding, in Mauritius, of the Kurjibhai Ramji Group of Companies.

In 1980 the group proliferated its Horizon to Seychelles under the name Allied Builders (Sey) Limited with the award of the Contract for Re-development and extension of Seychelles International Airport; In due course it became Allied Builders (Seychelles) Limited.

In 1982 Shri Kurjibhai fell ill and left for heavenly abode, leaving the reins of the group in the hands of his son Mr. K. K. Patel.