Mysore/Mysuru: Suresh C. Shah (84), Founder of Sapna Book House, the largest book store chain in the country, passed away yesterday afternoon at a Private Hospital in Bengaluru, following age-related ailments.

He leaves behind his sons Nitin, Deepak and Paresh and a host of relatives and friends.

Last rites were performed in Bengaluru this morning, according Sapna Book House sources.

Suresh Shah first opened Sapna Book House in 1966 in a small rented shop at Majestic in Bengaluru and went on to establish 19 branches across the State including in Mysuru. 

Suresh Shah also started publishing in Kannada and is counted as one of the leading publishers of Kannada books.

Son of a Mumbai cotton-seller and a native of Dhoraji in Gujarat, Shah started working as a coolie, and his leadership qualities saw him heading the Bombay Coolie Association, even as he studied in high school. 

He came to Bengaluru in the early 1960s, when a book distribution company he was employed with sent him here. But he quit the job and founded Sapna Book House in 1966.

Chief Minister  B.S. Yediyurappa and many of his Cabinet colleagues including Ministers S. Suresh Kumar and Murugesh Nirani have condoled the death of Shah.