Shraddhanjali to Padmakant Khambhati

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Namaste

 

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the dehant of one of our most dedicated, pioneering, and respected Governing Council members, Sri Padmakant Khambhati Ji. He took his last breath at 09.15 P.M. on Monday, April 20, 2015 after a brief illness. He was 78-years-old. Padmakant Ji hailed from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He graduated as a Mechanical Engineer with a gold medal. He came to the US and stayed in New Jersey for a short while and then ventured into motel ownership in North Carolina. He moved to Houston in 1981 and joined the City of Houston, Public works and Engineering Department as its Manager.

Undeterred by any challenges that came his way, he worked for the Hindu causes all through his life and became a role model for many to uphold Hindu Dharma in its truest form and spirit. Padmakant Ji established the “Voice of Sanathan Hinduism Radio program”, in Houston, the only radio program devoted to Hinduism as early as 1993. He pioneered participation in Inter faith ministry meetings representing Hindu faith. He served as the Governing Council Member of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America and volunteered in many of its summer camps. He actively participated in Hindu Temples and organizations and organized many festivals in the Greater Houston area. He conducted classes in Sanskrit and Bhagavad Geeta at Keshav Smruti. He was one of the founding member of Hindus of Greater Houston. He took the initiative to make the George R. Brown Convention Center the venue for the first ever community-wide celebration of Janmashtami. He served in the committee of Vedic Education at Arya Samaj Houston along with few others. He worked to establish the Sanathan Hindu Center that not only conducted weekly bhajans but provided “Anthim Sanskar” services in the traditional Hindu way; with one phone call he was able to provide services at family’s time of need.

 

Most importantly, Padmakant Ji was very caring and loving man and family meant everything to him. His wife Rama was a pillar of support and would extend gracious hospitality to all both at home and outside. Padmakant Khambhati is survived by Rama and their children, Dushyant Khambhati and his wife Anita and their children Jay and Beejal; daughter Kalpavalli and her husband Jitendra Patel, and their children Devanshi and Shivani.

 

To honor his memory, Houston’s Hindu Community has organized Shraddhanjali Bhajan programs. His Funeral services are on Saturday 25th.

 

Thursday, April 23, 2015, 7:30 – 8:30 pm

Keshav Smruti 4018

Westhollow Parkway Houston TX 77082

 

Friday, April 24, 2015, 7:30 – 8:30 pm

Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir

6640 Harwin Dr, Houston, TX 77036

 

Funeral Services and Viewing will be held on Saturday, April 25. 2015,

From: 11:00 am – 1 pm

Garden Oaks Funeral Home

 

In lieu of flowers please donate to Sanathan Hindu Center by contacting Kanti Patel at 832-361-0625 or by email at kanti_51@hotmail.com.

 

May Ishwara grant Sadgati to the Atman of this great son of Ma Bharti in its onward journey and give forbearanceto his family.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantih!

 

Abhaya Asthana

President, VHP of America

April 24, 2014

Source: WHN Media Network