A tribute to Raman Ranchhod as a year rolls on
Venkat Raman
It is often said that time is a healer and that memories fade as days and age advance.
That does not seem to be true in the case of our dear friend Raman (Ray) Ranchhod, whose passing will turn into a year on June 6, 2018.
These 365 days (almost) have neither healed our hearts and minds nor have they faded memories. The soft voice of Mr Ranchhod seems to come through every morning and night, saying, “I wanted to live a little longer because I had so much more to do to our people.”
We- the Ranchhod Family and Indian Newslink -would carry on his good work.
Alive, Awake and Aware
‘The Ranchhod Foundation Wishes’ is an initiative which we hope will reach out to the deserving. Please see the advertisement on this page and visit www.indiannewslink.co.nz
Lalita Ranchhod, his wife of 53 years, remembers the first time she met Mr Ranchhod.
“My first meeting with him was on Mahashivaratri Day on February 12, 1964. I felt that he was God sent and married him about three months later, on May 4, 1964. He was an excellent husband. I come from a traditional family in Gujarat and I was privileged to share the spirituality that endeared him to thousands of people. I am fortunate that our children and grandchildren have imbibed these values,” she said.
Lalitaben, as we call her, has maintained her composure over the past year, mainly because, the Divine Presence of Mr Ranchhod continues in their household and in the adjacent office.
Still a Family Guide
Mahesh is not only the only son of Mr Ranchhod but also his business partner and friend.
In our many meetings since the passing, Mahesh has seldom been able to hide his tears.
“He taught me how to live life in the material and spiritual worlds. He lived a balanced life and he taught me the same, including the importance and value of keeping the family together.
“He was a great mentor to me and I owe him my success. I was privileged to be bought up in this family. He made us work and understand the value of money from a young age. Above all, he left us the gift of spirituality and helping others. To my own children, I instill the same values and carry on the legacy. I miss him every day but I know he is with us all the time and guiding our family,” he said.
Exceptional Human Being
To Tejal, Mr Ranchhod was more than father-in-law. She was his child.
“As we mark a year since our Dad passed away, we have not stopped remembering the man that he was and the impact he had on our lives, and the lives of so many around us. Dad was an exceptional human being, who taught me a lot about how to live life. I was privileged to have him as my father in law, and I use this term only formally, as in reality he was a Dad to me, equally as my own Dad was. Dad taught me many rules of living a humble and purposeful life, and was a personal mentor through the examples he set. He was an extraordinary man, and an extraordinary father. We still feel his presence and his guiding hand. He will always remain the driving force of our family,” she said.
The Ranchhod Foundation
The Ranchhod Foundation works towards the betterment of humankind, undertakes charity work, and offers
solace and comfort to those in need in New Zealand and India.
Among the beneficiaries are the Laduben Ranchhod Urban Hospital in Navsari, Gujarat, the Starship Children’s Hospital, At Heart New Zealand, CBM Foundation of New Zealand, a rural hospital in Tanzania and a number of villages in India.
Mr Ranchhod was 78 years old and left behind his wife Lalita, son Mahesh, daughter Remela, daughter-in-law Tejal, son-in-law Chetan Patel and grandchildren Divya, Kaushal, Simrin and Rishin.
- Raman Ranchhod: He never left us
- The Ranchhod Family: Three generations of love and care (from left) Remela, Chetan, Raman, Kaushal, Mahesh, Tejal and Divya; Front Row (from left) Simrin, Lalita and Rishin
- Raman Ranchhod with his Son Mahesh: Chip off the old-block
