Dr. Jayvadan Jashvantlal Shroff (J.J. Shroff), a well-known face in the field of textile chemistry in the country, passed away on December 2, 2021, in Ahmedabad after a brief cardiac disease. He was 83.
Those who have worked in any of the Lalbhai Group of Mills, or have had any business connection with them, know him as a simple, soft-spoken, polite and down-to-earth person always engaged in one or the other research topic related with textile processing.
I was lucky to have an opportunity to work under Dr Shroff for two years (1980-82) during which he gave me a free hand to explore any area of my liking and come up with new products/techniques that were cost-effective and offered new technology. We have lost a key member of our editorial Board and a well-wisher of NCM.
Dr. Shroff was born to Jashvantlal Ishwarlal Shroff and his wife Charumati on 30 October 1938 in Surat. He did his schooling from Navchetan High School, Ahmedabad. He studied at M.G. Science College, Ahmedabad for his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees (1961). He earned his Ph.D. in 1966 under the guidance of Dr. J.J. Trivedi at Khambhat. Dr. Shroff had Post Doctorate research (1967-68) at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Dr Shroff being recognized for receiving his fellowship from Textile institute, Manchester in 1983
Dr. Shroff worked at ATIRA as Senior Scientific Officer from 1969 to 1973. In 1973, he joined the R&D department of Arvind Mills where he worked at different positions including R&D Manager. He retired from Arvind Mills in 1998 as a VP. However, even after his retirement, Arvind Mills retained him as a consultant.
An undated picture of Dr Shroff with Seth Shri Niranjan Lalbhai
Dr. Shroff was awarded Fellowship of: Institution of Chemists (India) in 1978; Textile Institute, Manchester (UK) in 1983; Indian Chemical Society in 1992; Textile Association (India) in 1993, and of Science Academy in 1994. He has over 100 research papers to his credit published in national and international journals. His other publications include a monograph “Carbohydrates” published by the UGC and a book “Denim” published by ATIRA. Dr. Shroff had been conferred many awards for his research. Prominent among them are: Hari Om Ashram Award in 1976 for contribution in the field of Permanent Press Technologies and Century Mills Award in 1990-1991 for Import Substitution Developments. Also, Dr. Shroff guided over 10 Post Graduate and Doctorate Students. He also held important positions in various institutions such as the President of the Association of Chemical Technologists-India (ACTI), Ahmedabad Chapter, Chairman/Panel Expert on Research Advisory, Educational and Technical Committees at National Level; Chaired over 50 Technical Sessions in National and International Conferences; Presented Keynote Addresses.
Dr Shroff Chairing a conference session at BTRA in 1995
Dr. Shroff’s hobbies included music, reading, traveling and crossword puzzle solving. He was a keen fan of film actor Dev Anand and never missed watching his movies.
Dr. Shroff is survived by his wife Madhurika, a daughter Purvi Amrish Shah (56) – a teacher by profession – and a son Paresh (52) having pure silk weaving business in Surat. Dr. Shroff is also survived by three grandchildren: Noopur Shah, a practicing dentist in Dallas, USA; Rajvi Amrish Shah, a qualified Dentist doing Masters in Public Health at the University of North Texas, and Misha Paresh Shroff studying Masters in English literature at St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad.
With Dr. Shroff’s demise, we have lost a renowned scientist and a fine human being. May God give enough strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss. I pray that his soul rest in peace.
