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Memorial



Shree Ram  


Late Kantaben Chhaganbhai Arjan Dhanak
Born: 11.12.1929 - Lalpur, India
Demise: 19.03.2006 - London, UK


Late Chhaganlal Arjan Dhanak
Born: 12.08.1928 - Lalpur, India
Demise:
24.07.2008 - London, UK


Om Namah Shivaya

 



Memorial
Late Chhaganlal Arjan Dhanak
Demise:
Thursday, 24th July 2008

 

Our Bapuji, Shree Chhaganlal Arjan Dhanak, aged 80, very sadly passed away peacefully at 11.45pm on Thursday, 24th July 2008 Ashadh Vad Chhath, 2064 in London


Tributes by Pranlal Chhaganbhai Arjan (son) at the Prathana Sabha and at the crematorium

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved father and grandfather. Bapuji, Chhaganlal Arjan, was born on the 12th August 1928 in Lalpur, India. At the age of 18, he married Kantaben, daughter of Shree Sunderjibhai Kalidas. He later settled in Mombasa. We used to live in a joint family where we were 30 members living under one roof in a large house with many rooms called Mohammed Ali Manzil. My father left Mombasa in 1975 to settle in London and started his own jewellery store called Arjan Jewellers.

Bapuji had a gentle soul, strong determination and proud vision. He was a stable force in our lives and will remain so, even with his passing. We will always cherish his selfless and unconditional love for all of us. His spirit will remain in our hearts and minds forever.

 

Our neighbour friend told me a wonderful analogy on the aspects of our life. “Life is like a train ride” he said, “We are all on this train ride together. We each make the final stop and leave the train for the last time. The bigger mystery of our journey is that we don’t know when our last stop will come but your stop will surely come”


It is difficult to find the words to express our gratitude for the many kindnesses our Parajiya Pattni community members around the world have shown us during this sad time. There is almost nothing that can prepare anyone for the death of someone dear. It is traumatic, especially when that person is a father.

The cards, phones and emails, messages of Condolences on Pattni Connection, prayers, and visits to our residence, Sog Sabha and the funeral by our relatives, community members and friends meant a great deal to us as we struggled with our heartbreaking loss.


Our special thanks to all Parajiya Pattni Samajs and Association Presidents, Committees and representatives:

         Parajiya Soni Federation of India

         Jamnagar Soni Samaj

         Rajkot Mahamandal

         S. Africa Pattni Social Club

         Nairobi Pattni Brotherhood

         Mombasa Soni Samaj

         UAE Soni Samaj

 

for their messages of support by phone, e-mail, signing the Pattni Connection Book of Condolence and observing two minute silence at the Samaj meeting.

We also thank presidents of PPA Leicester and PPA Luton for personally visiting our residence to pay their respects and all the office bearers from other regions for attending the Prayer Meeting and the Funeral.

 

We are unable to write individual thank yous to each one of you, given the great outpouring of support. Please know that your generosity, thoughtfulness and the emotional support that you all gave us have touched us deeply.

 

Knowing that we were not alone helped us bear our grief and sadness. Thank you all for being there for us.

 

Jai Shree Krishna

Tributes by Amish Pranlal Dhanak (Grandson) at the crematorium
Jai Shree Krishna

I will be speaking on behalf of Bapuji’s grandchildren and would like to say a few words to tell you a little about him. He was a simple person and someone who didn’t ask for much and mainly kept to himself. He was most happy using his independence and travelling by bus and train to mandirs,  and by doing this he managed to create a small groups of friends for himself who he would meet to pass the days with.

 

The time I spend most with him was during Diwali where each year he would sit next to me and give me guidance on the Mataji Nived and the knowledge he passed on will long be remembered, although now he will be greatly missed especially on such occasions.

 

During his last few months he seemed to open up and talk a lot more to people about general life and how he was feeling and there seemed to be a closer bond growing which allowed us to see a different side to him.

 

So even though we have just lost our grandfather, on some levels it seems as though we have lost a friend. No one really knows what the after life holds but what ever it is I hope Bapuji is happy and at peace.

Jai Shree Kirishna

 

Tributes by Shri Chhotalal Damjibhai Pattni, London

Our close family friend.

I was really saddened to hear the news of Chhagnbhai’s death.  I saw him a couple of months ago and he looked well. He was in good spirits and no one ever thought that he will take our leave so soon.  It is very sad when deaths occur in the family particularly that of the head of the family.  My family and I  join in your grief and extend to you our most sincere and heartfelt condolences.  The attendance at the Prayer meeting of so many people from various walks of life showed how popular and well liked he was.

 

I knew him ever since he started the Arjan Jewellers in Sudbury nearly 35 years ago. The relation of our families goes even beyond that time. He was very humble and moderate in his life.  He had above all, the greatest gift of human nature, to be content with whatever he had.  He was kind to all and sundry. Very religious in his outlook, very polite, and ever ready to help the needy. He hardly said no to any one. But as it is said in Bhagwad Gita, “Nothing is permanent in this world, those who are born, one day will die.”  When you loose such a head of the family, the loss is unbearable.

 

Chhaganbhai’s departure from this world is not only a big loss to you, but to the whole Arjan family in general.  The priests remind us that our scriptures tell us about immortality of Soul and the ties of life in a world full of Karma. You can read and digest all the philosophy but nothing will console your heart until such time you can say “God, You gave the life to him and  You have taken it away, why and what for he was with us and brought us in this world, we do not know, but we are grateful for the care, attention love and guidance he gave us when we were young. There was no motive, no question of any reward, it was just pure love and his guidance is still fresh in our minds. Please God, take him  under your protection and give him  eternal peace”.

 

Today we mourn the loss of a loving husband, who looked after his partner until her dying days, a caring father, a joyous and smiling grandfather, and a humble servant of the community. We join you and your family in this hour of your grief and distress. We share it with you. Please, once again, accept on behalf of our whole family, our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and all your family. We pray to Almighty to rest his soul in eternal peace and bliss. May God grant you and your family, courage and strength to bear and sustain this great loss, and care the family as he did during his lifetime.

 

Yours sincerely,

Chhotu Pattni and family.

Shanti:  Shanti:  Shanti:






First Tithi - Ba Kantaben Chhaganlal Arjan – First death anniversary
Our Ba passed away in March 19th of 2006. The first anniversary is always hard. I don't know what it is, but for some reason it really had an impact on us all. We rejoice that our mother lives on in us and her grandchildren.


Our Ba lived her life devoting herself for love of friends and family

Her Mission of Light

Ba lived her life for love of friends and family,
Neither asking for nor wanting a return.
Her home became a mandir for her Satsangi friends,

With others' joy was her joy

When we were ill, she also became sick

When we were cut, she too began to bleed.

She lives on in the sparkle in our eyes,
Laughing, quiet, gentle, loving and wise

Of our ghee diva she was the wick,
Shining her bright flame from our need.

 

Memorial

          
             
Shree Ram    

 

 

          Born
         11th December1929
          Lalpur, India 

     
          
Jai Gayatri Maa

 

 

               Demise
       19th March 2006
           London, U.K.

Late Kantaben Chhaganbhai Arjan Dhanak

It is with great regret that we inform members of our community that Late Kantaben Chhaganbhai Arjan Dhanak, aged  76 of Sudbury Hill, Greenford,(London) U.K. very sadly passed away at 9.00a.m. on Sunday, 19th March 2006 following a short illness. The funeral took place on Thursday 23rd March 2006 at the Golders Green crematorium

Tributes at the funeral service


Jai shree Krishna

by Amish Pranlal Arjan (Grand son)

I will be speaking on behalf of all of Ba’s grandchildren.I would like to take a moment to talk about Ba and how she will be remembered.

 

Ba was the type of person whose personality was very outgoing and full of energy. While able, I remember she would go on many group trips and always enjoyed organising Satsangs and generally enjoying life.

 

I think her main struggle over the last few years was being bed-ridden and the loss of her independence which was difficult for such a free spirited person to take. She always tried to have a positive outlook to life and always looked out for others. She used to tell me how much she appreciated all the help and care she was getting from friends and family.

 

When I used to visit her on weekends, she would normally talk about life in general and ask about the wellbeing and happiness of others. There was however one person that she would always mention to me…and that was Dad. She would always say how much she adored my Dad and how thankful she was for all he was doing for her.

Finally, we would like to thank Ba for always being there for us. My last few times with her she asked me if everyone was happy and that she had lived her life and done everything she wanted but could do no more and just needed to rest.

 

Ba, you will always be remembered and we will all miss you very much, but you can now rest and be at peace like you always wanted.

Jai Shri Krishna

Tribute by Priya Pranlal Arjan (Grand daughter)

Ba was a very happy and an easy person to get on with. We all know how religious Ba was and a lot of her time was spend devoted to God and through her years or caring for us she passed on a great deal of knowledge.

Ba has always been there for us ever since we were little. No matter what she was going through, Ba would always show a smile whenever we went to see her and made me feel good about myself.  Every weekend she would be waiting for me to visit her. She always told me to stay happy and treasure the time people have together.

I'm so grateful and lucky for all the time I was able to spend with her

Jai Shree Krishna


Eulogy
by Hasmukhbhai Bhimji Pattni (Bhanej) – sister’s son

On behalf of the family of Kantaben Chhaganlal Arjan I take this opportunity to say a few words about my very dear Masi.  Whilst being a masi, a grandmother and a mother, it was in her capacity as Kantaben from the Satsang group that she was popularly known.

 

She was a remarkable woman. Born in 1929 in a humble but a highly esteemed home of Sunderjibhai Kalidas Ghaghada.  She was the third of seven siblings.  Sadly, the eldest sister Ujamben passed away some years ago.  But, for myself and a lot of those present, our ‘mossar’(Mother’s side family) has been a focal point of close family connections.  Fortunately the majority of all the cousins are here today.  She had always been closest to her sisters Muktaben and Savitaben and their brother Natubhai, a bond that developed from a difficult childhood, as a result of losing their mother at a very early age.

 

At the age of 18, she got married and a short period thereafter, in 1952, she emigrated to Mombasa with her young family.  She leaves behind two sons, four daughters and 13 grandchildren, most of whom are present today.

 

Being from a large family she was at ease in her married life in an extended family.  And when I say extended, I do really mean extended.  In Mombasa the extended family consisted of 35 family members, spanning four generations, and all living together in a 10 bed-roomed house called Mohamedali Manzil. The home was renown to all visitors who came from upcountry.  But in all this Masi was a natural leader.  Strong, both physically and in mind.  That quality of hers is her legacy.  The manner in which she addressed all the adversities in life is a lesson that we all have come to admire and learn from.

 

When she moved to London in 1975 there was no question of the UK being an alien country.  For she had all her inner strength derived from her devotion to Ram Bhakti.  She was devoted to Gayatri Maa.  With her passion for religion she was unstoppable.  She travelled by public transport, buses, tubes and trains the length and breath of London.  Lack of English was not relevant. She believed in her self and her confidence was beyond question. In fact, I had always said that given half a chance, Kantamasi would have passed her driving test and would have been driving her Satsang friends around London.

 

I shall never forget one summer’s day in the early 80s when I was driving through Willesden during the afternoon rush hour. I saw lots of school children queuing for buses and lots of Gujarati ladies among them.  … and who do I suddenly spot in amongst them?! My own Masi and her friends!  Needless to say I immediately gave her a lift and observed the enthusiasm with which enjoyed her Satsangs wherever they were. 

 

As the saint Ramanand wrote in 1400AD ‘ If man is devoted to Hari, he becomes Hari’s own’.  To her, satsangs were her life.  She was one of the founding members of Akha Mandal Satsang group within the Parajiya Pattni Association in London.  As a result of her nature she has always had a very large group of close friends, of all ages.

 

At Navratri each year she was, as they say, a front seat attendee along with her sisters; A picture that the majority of our community members will always remember her by.

 

Masi’s closest companion was her daughter Nimu, with whom in later years she experienced both the most trying and yet happiest times.

 

Kantamasi was selfless when it came to lending moral support to anyone in any situation, be it a sad or a joyous occasion. That is what people remember her for most.  I for one am a very thankful recipient of her generous nature.

 

Jai Shri Krsna

 

Hasmukh Bhimji Pattni

23 March 2006

 

A Memorial Satsang was held at our residence in memory of Late Kantaben.These are the impromptu photos  taken with a mobile phone at nearly the end of Satsang


Tributes to Late Kantaben at the memorial Satsang

by Kantaben Vithaldas Lakha  (English translation)

Today, we have gathered together for this memorial satsang to remember Late Kantaben Chhaganbhai Arjan. Some of you may recall that Late Kantaben, Prabhaben Maganlal Karsan, Late Kantaben Bhagwanjibhai Tulshidas and I, we four of us got together in 1981 and decided to start a Satsang Mandal. Our first Satsang was organised by Late Kantaben in this very room. We then organised Satangs, called Akha Mandal, on a regular basis. Please excuse me as I am overwhelmed with emotions and heavy heart when I talk of Late Kantaben.

 

We then used to hire a hall and organise Satsangs. These Satsangs blossomed and became very popular in our community. When we used to organise Satsangs during Pursottam month, we used spread a bed sheet on the floor to collect money. We collected nearly £700 during such Satsangs. We then used to tie a knot to this bed spread. The four of us would then sit down and open this knot by singing the Glory of the Lord. Each and every penny was counted. Both Kantabens used to go to India to distribute these funds to help the needy and also buy food for the cows and birds. Monies donated to the Arti’s were kept separate. This money was donated on Sant gurus as well as helping poor students towards their education.

Late Kantaben used to keep all the accounts. We had also decided not to open a bank account to deposit these funds and never used to accumulate the money. Whatever the money we used to collect was spent on good causes. With the Lord’s blessings, our Satsangs went very well and am sure will do better in the future.

Kantaben was a keen Satsangi. So let us all remember Late Kantaben and sing her favourite bhajan – Hey Govind Hey Gopala……..and let us pray that her soul rest in Peace.

Jai Shree
Krishna




A word of Thanks from Pranlal Chhaganbhai (son)


A word of Thanks on the last day of bhajans at our residence

By Pranlal Chhganbhai Arjan (son)  English translation

Maa

 

"Maa" is considered the most beautiful word in our Gujarati language. A mother's love is instinctual, unconditional, and forever. No matter how old you become, we’ll always be children to Maa. Mother’s loss will always be an irreplaceable loss.

 

I am not praising Late Kantaben because she was my mother but she was also indeed a beautiful divine soul. A very religious woman, kind and found the good in people. She lived on a different spiritual plane than most of us which was reflected in the way she led her life - her prayer life, her constant devotion to her family and her unheralded acts of compassion and forgiveness, only to be followed by her unparallel unconditional way of loving with an ever smiling face. Her religious life not only rubbed on us but our childrens’ lives as well.

 

She was always there for us when needed. We are now children left without our Ba

 

For the last seven days since her demise, we have been gathering at our residence singing dhun, bhajans and singing the glories of the Lord. Literally hundreds of our community members and friends came everyday to pay their respects and helped us console in our grief.
I would like to thank all Bhajaniks – Mahendrabhai and Chandubhai Jerambhai Kara, Navinbhai Damjibhai Pattni, Parshottambhai Pattni, Umeshbhai Mahendrabhai Kara, Arpanbhai Fatania, Mayushbhai, Arvindbhai, Khimdas Bapu and his sons Arunbhai and Rohitbhai, Radha Vinodji and Dharmisha, Kiran, Mayuri and Alpa Ranpura and many more bhajaniks, sisters and betis of our friends and relatives who made lot of effort to come to our house to sing and chant devotional bhajans and dhuns and helped us in our grief. Ashwinbhai Govindji Kagadada from Leicester performed a wonderful funeral service at home as well as at the crematorium.  Our thanks also goes to our family friend Lalitbhai Pandya who paid tributes at the funeral service.

We were very humbled to receive a very large number of sympathy messages by telephone, e-mails and sms from all over the world. I would like to say a big thank you to all for the tremendous outpouring of love and affection from our community and friends.

 

Ba, we know you are looking at us from above and listening. I would like to say to you please forgive us for any mistakes we made in our lives and for anything we may have overseen in taking care of you in your illness. Please consider us as your small children and forgive us.

Ba, please accept our respectful obeisance and Jai Shree Krishna from all our Vaishnavas members

 

Jai Shree Krishna

Chhaganlal Arjan Dhanak and family