Life in Public Service
Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria’s participation in public service began early, as a swayamsevak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Patanvav where he pursued high school studies at his paternal aunt’s home from 1968 to 1972.
RSS instilled virtues like patriotism, righteousness, honesty, discipline, devotion, dedication, and service to mankind which went on to become the basis of both his public and private life. He remains grateful to his roots in RSS’ teachings and continues to live his life in accordance with the values and ideals of the Sangh.
He is closely associated and contributing to the cause and mission of RSS Parivar Organizations like:
- Seva Bharati
- National Medicose Organization
- Aarogya Bharti
- Vishva Hindu Parishad
- Gauseva Gatividi
- Akshay Krishi Pariwaar
- ABVP
- Vidhya Bharati
- Vigyan Bharati
- Samskrita Bharati
- Kishan Sangh
- Bharat Vikas Parishad
His dedication and leadership skills earned him increasing responsibilities in the RSS over time in the form of from Jilla Karyavah, Mahanagar Seva Pramaukh and Sangh Chalak of Rajkot.
In 1973, Dr. Kathiria actively participated in the Nav Nirman movement in Gujarat during his college days. When the Emergency was declared in 1975 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he courageously participated in underground resistance efforts and was imprisoned for fifteen days for protesting against the suspension of civil liberties.
Dr. Kathiria continued social work along with his medical practice. In 1994, he formally entered politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His unwavering commitment to people rapidly propelled him up the ranks in BJP cadre, from Rajkot District President to Gujarat State Secretary within four years.
1996 Elections : First Stint as MP
In the 1996 Lok Sabha elections, Dr. Kathiria secured the BJP ticket for the Rajkot Lok Sabha constituency.
Riding on a wave of support from his selfless public service, he registered a stunning victory in his first ever electoral contest.
As a newly elected Member of Parliament, Dr. Kathiria got deeply involved in various parliamentary committees to expand his governance expertise. He served on the Committee for the Health and Family Welfare, Rural Development, Agriculture, and the Defense Ministry.
1998 Elections : Record Victory Margin.
Dr. Kathiria’s pro-people political approach and integrity convinced the citizens of Rajkot to re-elect him in 1998. He won by a mammoth margin of 3.54 lakh votes, the highest victory margin in the Lok Sabha election since independence. His feat was applauded by senior leaders like Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and others.
During this second parliamentary term, Dr. Kathiria was again at the forefront of critical legislative work. He served on the Committee on Petroleum and Chemicals, Water Management, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Nursing Council of India, Communications, Tuberculosis Association of India, International Parliamentarian’s forum, Indian Parliamentary Group, Indo-German, Indo- US, and Indo-Japan Parliamentarian’s forum, Forum of Cooperation, Indian Council of Medicine and Research, Constitution club etc.
1999 Elections: Rise to Union Minister
In the 1999 mid-term general elections, amidst the Kargil war crisis, the Vajpayee government returned to power due to its nationalistic stance. Riding the pro- incumbency wave, Dr. Kathiria effortlessly won the Lok Sabha seat from Rajkot for the third consecutive term.
In recognition of his merit, he was inducted as Minister of State in the Vajpayee cabinet. From 1999 to 2003, he managed the crucial Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises portfolio involving more than 250 PSUs like BHEL, BEL, ONGC, NSIC, FCI, NTPC etc.
Dr. Kathiria contributed in revival of loss-making PSUs and policy making for industries. He also organized trade fairs to boost industries.
2003 Cabinet Reshuffle : New Responsibilities
In a cabinet reshuffle in 2003, Dr. Kathiria was assigned the new portfolio of Minister of State for Human Resource Development (Education). As the minister steering India’s education sector, he supervised key schemes related to literacy, curriculum reform and infrastructure upgradation.
He was later allocated the Health Ministry in another reshuffle in 2004. Dr. Kathiria leveraged his expertise
as a medical practitioner to guide schemes expanding healthcare access. He worked closely with Late Shrimati Sushma Swaraj for widening access to state-of-the-art healthcare in establishing new AllMs across Indian states in 2004.
His ministerial performance was marked by efficiency, transparency and vision. His father’s mantra “Nothing but hard work succeeds” made a deep impact on Vallabhbhai’s work ethic.
2004 Elections : Fourth Straight Lok Sabha Term
Dr. Kathiria’s good work was rewarded yet again by Rajkot voters in the 2004 elections, as he bagged his fourth straight Lok Sabha win. During his fourth term, he assumed diverse parliamentary responsibilities and demonstrated his well-rounded leadership abilities on economic, social and foreign policy matters.
He continued serving on diverse parliamentary panels dealing with industry, education, intellectual property and agriculture.
Dr. Kathiria was deeply involved in the Parliamentary Forums on Water Management and HIV/AIDS, issues aligned with his expertise. He also chaired the Indo- Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group from 2004-09.
When the then CM of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modiji was building Gujarat as a model state, he assigned Dr. Kathiria the duty as Chairman of the Gauseva and Gauchar Vikas Board in 2010 for Gau Sanskriti-based socio-economic transformation of society.
He organized innumerous conferences, seminars, and workshops on Gau Seva, cow-based economy, Panchgavya Chitkisa, Genetic Improvements and conservation of indegenious cattle breeds, and Panchgavya workshops and Gauchar development training to establish scientific, environmental, agricultural and health importance of mother cow during his tenure as the Chairman of the Gauseva and Gauchar Vikas Board, Gujarat.
Dr. Kathiria launched many new schemes aimed at Gauchar development, stray cattle management, infrastructure development of Gaushalas and Panjrapol, biogas and bio-CNG plants, animal hostels, free distribution of bullocks to tribal farmers etc.
He gave the famous slogan “Chalo Gay Ki Aur… Chalo Gaon Ki Aur… Chalo Prakruti Ki Aur…” with a mission of “One Family One Cow.”
Dr. Kathiria initiated the discussion on cow-based economy at the 2015 Vibrant Gujarat Summit, thus putting forward the importance of Bos Indicus (Bhartiya) cows at the international stage.
He continued to serve the state in various capacities till 2017 to fulfill Modiji’s vision.
In 2019, recognizing Dr. Kathiria’s commitment to indigenous cattle conservation, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji appointed him the founder Chairman of the newly constituted Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA). He propelled PM Modiji’s Start-up India initiative by supporting cow-based industries.
RKA undertook initiatives like Kamdhenu Dipawali and Gaumay Ganesha Abhiyan as well as other programs to promote cow dung and cow urine-based household and cosmetic products under the able guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji. He also helped nurture the development of cow-based bio-fertilizers, bio- pesticides, bio gas and organic farming in conjunction with various central government ministries, playing a supportive role to the Prime Minister’s environmental initiative which is now known as Mission LiFE ‘Lifestyle for Environment’.
RKA also introduced Kamdhenu Chairs and study centers across colleges and universities to promote cow-centric education in curriculum.
During the Covid-19 crisis, he started a medical facility in Rajkot with focus on Panchagavya-based therapies and medicines. This initiative received tremendous support and praise from the public.
He also promoted Cow tourism, Kamdhenu Hostel, Gau Vigyan Examination, Kamdhenu Krushivigyan Center, Modern Gaushala etc across India. These initiatives are in line with PM Modiji’s missions: Clean India, Green India, Healthy India, Wealthy India, and Digital India.
Also, he is a regular contributor to newspapers, magazines, scientific journals, TV and Radio panels on public health and welfare.
Through his post-2004 political journey, Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria reinforced his stellar reputation as an erudite leader dedicated to people’s welfare. By chairing crucial bodies like AIIMS Rajkot, he is enabling progress on issues close to his heart.
Legacy of Integrity and People-First Governance
In his illustrious multi-decade political journey, Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria earned respect across party lines for his ethics, humility and commitment to the public good.
Though he assumed power at the highest levels, he remained firmly grounded and refrained from self- promotion. He prioritised solving people’s problems over political machinations. Dr. Kathiria, thus, inspires us with an invaluable legacy of integrity and people-first governance for the younger generation.