Anarben Patel is a personality in whom devotion, service and dedication converge like the triveni sangam

(Utkarsh Patel)

In Gujarat, in the spheres of service and cultural heritage, Anarben Patel is an inspiring name. The daughter of former Chief Minister and current Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel, Anarben Patel is not merely an entrepreneur but a living example of the harmonious confluence of devotion, service and dedication. Her personality is unpretentious, naturally transparent and dedicated to service, serving as an inspiration for numerous women, artisans and especially the youth.

For Anarben, her mother Anandiben Patel is her ideal. Inspired by her mother’s spirit of service, karma yoga and dedication to society, Anarben embarked on the path of service from a young age. In 1995 she established the Gramshri Trust, which has become a means of providing economic self-reliance and dignity to women living in challenging conditions in remote areas. Under her mother’s guidance, Anarben has never chased fame or position, and her life has remained a symbol of service and dedication to this day.

Anarben’s personality is entirely unpretentious. She attaches great importance to yoga and meditation in life. While fulfilling the responsibilities of motherhood at home, managing service activities and listening to the stories of the suffering and afflicted sections of society, she always maintains balance. The simple statement that she makes her best efforts is a symbol of her humility. On no occasion does she amplify her own words, but instead advances the work of service. This unpretentious approach gives her a unique place in society.

In the Shri Khodal Dham Trust, Anarben’s devotion and spirit of service for the Patidar community remain central. In January 2026 she was entrusted with the responsibility of president of the Khodal Dham Organisation. Prior to this she was actively involved as a trustee and in the leadership of the women’s wing. In Shri Khodal Dham, the spiritual centre of the Leuva Patidar community, she is integrating devotion with service and social reform. She continuously strives to teach the youth of the community lessons in history, values, culture and unity. Her active involvement in the development of the Patidar community, women’s empowerment and social organisation is a major inspiration for the sisters and daughters of Gujarat.

Anarben’s service-oriented works are numerous and touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. In 1995, through Gramshri, she provided skills such as sewing, fabric work and embroidery to women in the slum areas of Ahmedabad, opening the path to economic self-reliance. Today Gramshri directly benefits more than 2,000 women. After the 2001 Kutch earthquake she undertook the reconstruction of villages such as Ludiya and Gandhinu Gam and provided employment to artisans. Through an organisation like Manav Sadhana she has also made a significant contribution to providing education and values to more than 10,000 slum children. In all these works her aim is not merely to provide assistance but to make society self-reliant and prosperous.

Anarben’s dedication to the arts is extraordinary. Craftroots is the living embodiment of this vision. Under Gramshri, Craftroots has connected more than 35,000 artisans in the last two decades and revived over 75 traditional handicrafts. By reviving dying arts such as mashru weaving and organising exhibitions in major cities of Gujarat as well as from Dubai to Mumbai, they have provided global recognition and markets to the artisans. By providing training, design workshops and economic support to women artisans, Craftroots has created an environment of respect for them in society. Anarben believes that providing employment to every artisan with honour is true service. With this dedication she is carrying forward Indian handicrafts to the next generation.

Anarben’s respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi is consistently evident in her words and actions.

She always describes Prime Minister Modi as a karma yogi and a compassionate personality with great reverence. In her works the spirit of Nation First is clearly visible. Through Gramshri and Craftroots she is giving practical shape to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of women’s empowerment along with Atmanirbhar Bharat and the preservation of cultural heritage. Thus in her works the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas constantly resonates.

Anarben Patel is a simple, dedicated and inspiring personality whose life conveys the message that service is true devotion. Her works demonstrate how work done with a humble heart can transform society. For today’s youth, Anarben can be called an ideal who, by adopting her mother’s ideals, dedicating herself to society and making art an integral part of life, has created a new bridge of service.

(The writer is a prominent businessman, social worker and founder of khabarchhe.com)