It was with great sadness that we recently learnt of the death of Venilal Vaghela.
Venilalji was a very kind and gentle person. He was popular within the Hindu Community and held in high regard with all who came into contact with him. He will be sorely missed as he wasn’t just a colleague but also a friend to many people in the community. Our condolences go out to his family.
Umesh C Sharma, Chairman of Hindu Council UK said “Venilalji was one of the Co-Founders/Directors of the Hindu Council UK. He has always been, and will remain, a pillar of our organisation. The imprint he leaves in his work for the community is difficult to overstate. He was a pioneer; his mild temperament, encyclopaedic knowledge, and genuine connection with the community, gave him the respect that made him—among other things—a unique community leader”.
While Venilalji received many accolades, it is fitting that he always viewed his greatest accomplishment as his large role in bringing the Hindu community together in the early 80’s-90’s. It is fitting because Venilalji embodied the professional ideal; he dedicated himself not only to immediate needs of individuals who seeked his help, but to the larger good of the community.
Anil Bhanot, Director of Hindu Council UK said “I worked actively with Venilalji in the early 1990’s when we were setting up the Hindu Council UK. When community meetings got heated, it was Venilalji’s mild mannerism that kept the peace. He was a man of vision. I will miss him”.
A quiet presence but never a small one, Venilalji carried an integrity and decency about him that spoke louder than words. All of us at Hindu Council UK are proud to have been associated with him, and it is an honour for us to continue the legacy that he has left.
Anil Bhanot concluded “we will remember his greeting ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ whenever he met anyone and I would like to pay a tribute to him by sharing my newly recorded Mantra Raag on Lord Krishna:
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
on behalf of the Chairman, Trustees, Directors and Executive Committee of Hindu Council UK (HCUK)