PDG Amritlal Jivraj (AMU) SHAH, RC of Dar es Salaam North, District #: 9200 Zone 20a RGHF Board member for Africa

 

AMRITLAL JIVRAJ SHAH, commonly known as AMU SHAH was born in Mombasa Kenya on 6 November, 1941 and received primary and secondary education in Mombasa. In1959 he joined Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics from which he graduated in 1963 obtaining B.Com degree from the University of Bombay.

 

In 1966 he established a clothing industry in Dar es Salaam, which in due course became a leading textile and garments industry in Tanzania. The company has further embarked on a new venture in manufacture of corrugated cartons, which is now a major industry in packaging sector. Amu is Chairman and Managing Director of the group.

 

Amu has made significant progress in public and social life and has very many achievements to his credit as a leader, which has made inclusion of his biography in various international publications including WHO IS WHO IN THE WORLD. He has also been named MAN OF DECADE and INTERNATIONAL MAN OF THE YEAR by International Biographical Institute. In 2000 he was named one of the OUTSTANDING PEOPLE OF THE 20^TH CENTURY in honour of outstanding contribution to Social Service by International Biographical Center in Cambridge, England.

 

Amu’s involvement in public service basically began during his educational career at Sydenham College where apart from taking keen interest in drama, debates and charity work he served as Secretary to Dramatic Society, Poor Students Relief Fund and was a member of Management Committee of Students’ Union as well as Secretary and Captain of Hostel Union. In 1962 he was bestowed with an award for BEST ORGANISING ABILITY.

 

In Tanzania his achievements in public and social service are much greater and of the various position he has served a few are worth mentioning which include:

 

-           Vice Chairman of Tanzania Society for the Deaf, Tanzania Occupational Heath Service and Confederation of Tanzania Industries. 

-           Secretary of Tanzania Cricket Association and Hindu Council of Tanzania  

-           Chairman of the Textiles Manufacturers’ Association of Tanzania and Association of Tanzania Employers. 

-           Trustee of Upanga Club and Shree Hindu Mandal. 

-           Member of Executive Council of E. A. Cricket Conference and National Sport Council of Tanzania. 

-           Member of Board of Directors of International School of Tanganyika Ltd. 

-           Member of Board of Director of United farming Corporation and Household Supplies Co. Ltd. 

-           Member of Committee of Inquiry into National Provident Fund. 

-           Member of Board of Trustees of National Provident Fund. 

-           Member of Committee of Private Sector of National Planning Commissions. 

-           Member of Steering Committee on review of disclosures and accounting standards. 

-           Member of Government Task Force to review tax structure. 

-           Hon. Correspondence Secretary in Tanzania of Royal Overseas League. 

-           Member of Supervisory Committee appointed by Harvard Institute of International Development and USAID on Transparency of Tax Policies. 

-           Member of Regional VAT Committee. 

-           Member of Minimum Wages Board. 

-           Member of Management Committee and Executive Committee of EAST AFRICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL.

 

Amu is a member of Chartered Management Institute, American Management Association, The Textile Institute and a fellow of Institute of Directors as well as life member of Society for International Development. He has been a participant to workshop on GLOBAL SOCIAL SECURITY CRICIUS organized by HARVARD INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT at HARVARD UNIVERSITY.  

 

Amu has attended as a Tanzanian delegate on numerous trade missions, EU, EAC, SADC and PTA Conference and workshops as well as ILO Conferences. He is a member of Technical Committee on Textiles and at the last meeting in Geneva in 1991 was elected Chairman of Employers Group. Amu has also been a member of ministerial visits. He also accompanied H.E. President of Tanzania on his state visits to Kenya and Uganda.

 

Amu joined Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam on 14^th November, 1973 and served the club in various capacity. In 1979-80 he was transferred to Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam North of which he was the Charter President. He served the District in various positions including Chairman of the District Rotary Foundation Committee and was appointed District Secretary in the year 1979-80. He became the Governor of District 920 in the year 1984-85 and during his year as Governor he chartered 6 new Rotary Club, 8 Rotaract Club and 4 Interact Clubs. He also managed to achieve a 13.22% growth in membership in the district in his year as governor.

 

Amu has attended 24 District Conferences, 16 International Conventions, 4 International Institutes, 12 Zone Institute and most of the President’s Conferences for Africa. He has conducted 4 District Rotary Foundation Seminars and made presentation on The Rotary Foundation at various District Conferences. On many occasions he has served as Chairman of District Rotary Foundation Committee. He served as a representative of District on 1992, and 2001 COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION. He has served Rotary International as Chairman of Intercity Meeting Committee in 1985-86, Member of Organising Committee for Presidential Peace Forum in Abidjan in 1988-89, Member of Membership Development Task Force in 1994-95 and President of ROTARY ON STAMPS for the year 1990-92. He was a member of Nominating Committee for R. I. Director for ZONE 10 in 1999-2000. He has served as presenter/moderator at various conferences and institutes. Currently he is a Rotary Resource person on World Community Service Resource Network.

 

He has also attended 5 Regional Rotary Foundation Seminars. Ever since he joined Rotary until he was excused from attendance in 2002 he has a record of 100% attendance.

 

Amu is a Paul Harris Fellow, Benefactor and Major Donor. He is recipient of Citation for Meritorious Services and Distinguished Service Award from the Rotary Foundation as well as Rotary Service Above Self Award from Rotary International.

 

Amu is married to Manju who is also a Paul Harris Fellow. Amu and Manju have two children, a Son and a Daughter.