A heart-warming event was held to celebrate Shreekumar and Urvashi Parikh’s 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday 6 February 2022. The evening was also attributed to Late Shree Balmukund Parikh aka Parikh Saheb, who was an inspiring personality.
Speaking at this special occasion, son Sharad Parikh recalled how their father inspired them to work for a better life and society. He said, “All of us have found a balance in our commitment to our family life. Since childhood, we were taught to work, not just for money but as a service to humanity. We believed that if you did your work well then money would follow. Our parents used to teach us the lessons from Gita every day.
“My father Shri Balmukund Parikh, was a pioneer in establishing religious and cultural establishments. He was a teacher in Gujarat, transferred to Kenya and retired when Kenya got its independence. He moved us to London in 1957. Our mother supported us by running a boarding house. The early days of struggle and hardship made us more determined to forge a better life.”
Guest of honour and Editor-in-Chief of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, CB Patel said, “Parikh Saheb lived a purpose-driven life of giving- a life dedicated to the pious endeavour of educating young minds. While he no longer remains with us, he has left behind a legacy worth celebrating.
“Parikh Saheb had a spark in him so bright, that he lit up every life around him. Today, his work and achievements are carried forward by his family. His sons, Gitu, Shree and Sharad share their father’s commitment to society. Their father always believed that good education is every child’s right. This is perhaps why he became a teacher. Parikh Saheb has also inspired me to believe in family traditions and our core values.”
Remembering Parikh Saheb
Balmukund Parikh was instrumental in the inauguration of a Hindu Centre in a church hall at Golders Green in 1965. In the ‘70s, he also joined forces with Yogi Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS).
In the ’80s, Swami Prabhupada, famously known as the founder preceptor of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or the ‘Hare Krishna Movement’ visited Balmukund Parikh to establish a temple in the UK.
Balmukund Parikh was a key in acquiring the Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford, during the Hare Krishna movement in 1973. As Bhaktivedanta Manor became a popular visiting place for the Hindu population, the increased road traffic disturbed the life of the villagers. The council had permitted ISKCON to be used as a theological college, and with the complaints, the council wanted to close the place.
This gave birth to the ‘Save Hare Krishna Temple’ campaign supported by Shri Parikh, along with other prominent members of the Hindu community, Gujarat Samachar and New Life (erstwhile Asian Voice). A crowd of 30,000 Hindus protested against the closure of the temple in London and eventually, the temple was saved by a new access road and the unity of the community.
As Swami Gitaprakashnanda, Balmukund Parikh founded a UK charity – The Hasumati Balmukund Parikh Gita Association, to spread the values and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
