In loving memory of our special parents!

 In loving memory of our special parents

Mr Navnitlal Amthalal Shah, 1930-2017 

and

Mrs Indira Navnitlal Shah, 1935-1998

by Sachin Shah, Gopul Shah and their Family

Respected Elders, Family Members, and Friends,

Thank you for your sympathy and kind words of solace. We also thank you all for being kind, friendly, helpful and well-wisher’s to our parents and our families!

Our Dad’s life journey started from Randheja (his birth place) took him to Karachi, Kadi, Patan, Mumbai, Kashmir, Bangkok, Singapore, and Vidya Nagar (final resting place). His life was modest, yet, well lived, full of energy, enthusiasm, happiness, courage, honesty, dignity, self-respect, independence, contentment, and accomplishments that will be cherished by us for a long time. 

• Our dad has been a good sportsman - we remember him organising many sports and also playing street cricket with us until his late-50’s.
• His work ethics, integrity, courage, positive attitude, determination, conviction and focus ensured success and happiness –with no formal education in English, he learned English fluently and also encouraged my mom to learn and become a successful financial and LIC consultant.
• He was also financially, emotionally and physically independent - never asked for help - he earned his living until his departure. He travelled independently around the world – Australia, Bangkok, Dubai, Singapore, and he was not deterred by solitude after my mom departed 18 years ago.
• He was affable, humble and friendly – he blended well with children and the young alike - made a lot of friends and lived up to his friendship!
• His generosity and kindness to others was always discreet and selfless; neither mom nor us, knew of how he helped others until someone thanked. After retiring, at age 50 he becoming an entrepreneur, and at 62 he gave up the business to his family friends. He pursued his dreams and aspirations; lived his own life at free will.
• Both parents were tough ‘discipline and ethics master" yet empathetic - they taught us the same good values and kept us in good stead; they also forgave, forgot and forged ahead in their lives! They also helped and supported us take embark on our professional and entrepreneurial journey, explore the world, and assume calculated risks which has and will help us and our families in our endeavours.    
• Our parents also gave us the best opportunities, values and education - despite no formal English education and against all challenges they admitted us in a Catholic English Medium School which 45 years ago was a luxury and ground breaking for the family.  
• Our parents ensured that we all were well-travelled - every 6 months we were on the trains travelling to various parts of India. Thanks to Indian Railways and his friends there for the excellent hospitality! 
• Despite our parents birth into noble families they had rough and tough early lives, as our grandparents had departed young - our parents family values, past life experiences and family support was their moral compass to forge ahead in their life for a better future with determination, joy, perseverance, and in-turn shape our values and future. 
• Our parents never made us feel the hardships and the challenges that they faced in their daily lives as we pursued our education and dreams - they groomed us well, enlightened with good work ethics, values and positive attitude. 
• Our children's and family and us enjoyed every moment of his energy, joy and his wisdom; our families and we are indeed very blessed, lucky and proud to be born, bred by and associated these wonderful and special parents. 

Many thanks to our parents, grandparents, and their siblings for guiding and grooming us, shaping our wonderful life, and everything that they have done for us, and the inspiration to remain positive, happy, smiling, resourceful and develop a never give up attitude!! We and our families will miss our parents but their life journey and stories that we and our families have experienced will always remain an example and inspiration.  

We pray God to bless Dad and Mom as their soul rest in peace in the heavenly abode! 

One well-wisher nicely summed up my dad’s life journey “Life's inning - well played, Navin uncle, He ate, drank, enjoyed, and danced heartily; jolly good fellow, maintained his health thru out life. Never seen him unfit or unwell, thru out my life. He never gained or lost an extra weight.  Hats off, please give him a happy farewell”.   

Rest in Peace! Om Shanti Om! Jai Shree Krishna! Sai Ram! Jai Jinendra! Amen! 

17 January 2017