'Stalwart' NRI businessman dies in UK mishap

London: An 85-year-old Indian origin businessman described as a 'stalwart' for his work since arriving in the UK in the early 1970s from Uganda, has died in a road accident in Leicester.

Kantilal Shah died on Wednesday when he was hit by a lorry and a car as he crossed a road in the Belgrave area in the east Midlands town of Leicester, called 'Little India'.

The accident happened near the shop he opened in the early 1970s, reports from Leicester said.

Shah, who set up his chartered accountancy company SPK Shah in the early 1970s, was described as one of the first of the Ugandan Asian businessmen to make his mark in the town, the Leicester Mercury, a leading local daily, reported today.

Paying tributes to Shah, Uday Dholakia, chairman of Leicester Asian Business Association, said "Kantilal Shah was an outstanding man and one of the stalwarts of the Asian business community.

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His accountancy firm gave sterling service to many of the businesses in this area. He will be sadly missed." Dharmesh Lakhani, owner of Bobby's restaurant and chairman of the Belgrave Business Association, said "People are in shock. Shah was a much respected man. Any death is tragic but this is so sudden."

Two of the area's politicians, city councillors Rashmikant Joshi and Manjula Sood, added their tributes, the daily reported.

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Joshi said "Shah was one of the people who made the Golden Mile what it is today by setting up his business there back in the 1970s. His loss will be felt by many people.

He has been in business in Melton Road for many years and is a respected man in the community and among the businesses." Assistant city mayor Manjula Sood said "This is a tragic loss of life  this man is one of the people who made the Golden Mile what it is today."