As we often say, true worth of a person only comes to light when he departs, is no more with us. Convivial Vijaybhai, who embraced every moment of his time on earth, was such unique person, an unintrusive in life but luminary in death. Who could have imagined three children would be harbinger of his death? I had fleeting acquaintance with Vijaybhai at our local Surgery where he occasionally volunteered for odd jobs.
One may wonder, having 70 hours working week, that include late night shifts, how did he find strength, time to get involved in voluntary work with temples, Surgeries and helping old and infirm people with odd jobs, doing gardening, painting and decorating, making quantum improvement in their lives.
He was popular all round, irrespective of their faith, culture, creed or colour. No wonder local Jewish community Rabbi Yatzchak Schochet set up crowd-funding appeal, initially to meet funeral cost but now, as the figure has topped 40K and shop-owner and his close friends have also started separate collections, with £10k in the kitty, it is hoped to raise £75K to help his son who is studying in Australia, as well as set up his family in India for life.
A close friend of Vijaybhai, who was at his bedside on hearing sad news, has volunteered his services to travel to India to set up fool-proof financial investment with involvement of London firm of solicitors. The local Church has also organized a Memorial, Remembrance service on 15th February.
I could not help but wonder the role of Hindu, Patel community, especially temple authority and religious establishments who should be in the front to help and honour this unique person, sole exception is AV who gave full coverage two weeks running that kept us informed.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
