Dr. Karsanbhai Patel is a well known businessman, industrialist and philanthropist from Gujarat, India. He is the driving force behind a large number of companies and institutions in India under the banner of the Nirma group of companies. He started Nirma in 1969 as a one-man operation, which today has 14000 employees and a turnover of Rs. 2500 crores. He has also contributed to the education in Gujarat by establishing the Nirma University of Science & Technology, which is one of the premier institutions of higher learning in Gujarat. Dr. Karsanbhai has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Florida Atlantic University, Florida, USA in the year 2001 in recognition of his exceptional accomplishments as a philanthropist and businessman.