It is with profound sadness, we inform you that one of our most dynamic founding VHP UK leader, Shri Thakorbhai Bhullabhai Patel, has left the mortal world for his onward journey to Vainkuth Teerthdham.
He was born in Datej, Near Navsari, Gujarat, Bharat
Thakorbhai went to Kenya in 1946/47, aged five.
In 1960 he went to Bharat, for further studies at Ferguson College, Pune from where he graduated as a Physicist.
While in Pune, he stayed at the Sangh Karyalaya where he was awash in the Sangh Ganga, and immersed himself in Sangh Sanskaars under the guidance of intellectual scholar Ma. Professor Shripati Shastri Ji, (who later on became Akhil Bharatiya Saha-Baudhik Pramukh of Sangh). Pune had the honour of developing intellectuals and fiery karyakartas. Shri Thakorbhai returned to Nairobi, Kenya with these sanskaars imbibed in him. He started going to Pratap Shakha, Eastleigh, Nairobi and rose to become a Karyakarta.
In 1966 he travelled to UK for his master’s MSc degree at Manchester University where he was also a lecturer for a few years.
In 1969 Thakorbhai married Kantaben who in the later years became his steadfast companion in promoting Dharma with equal zest and wise counsel in matters close to his Mission.
He joined, the huge multinational Phillips, as a senior scientist/electronics developer of new products, one of which was the TV Diode which became the mainstay of all televisions at that time. In one incident while travelling back from Phillips HQ in Holland with one of his developments, he was stopped by the Custom Officer at Manchester airport who thought Thakorbhai had some illegal contraption, secretly bringing into the UK. Thakorbhai remained calm without fear under the circumstances, and showed the letter from the Government of Holland, authorising him as the inventor to carry it with him to the UK Phillips office. This was the strength of his fearlessness, which he displayed all through out in his life.
In 1977, after living in a flat for several years, he bought Kantaben (spouse) their present house, which had a “Rose Garden”, that she adored immensely. She placed roses from the garden at the Lotus Feet of the Deities at Veda VHP Mandir for many years to come.
Thakorbhai leaves behind his beloved spouse, Kantaben, three daughters Anita, Sunita and Gita and their partners, three grandchildren Melissa, Jaysen, and Caelan who will miss him dearly. He was their Guru, Friend, Guide and inspirer.
Thakorbhai was the eldest of seven children and leaves behind Kamuben & Santaben in Bharat, and Kantibhai, Bhaghubhai, Jayaben & Vinubhai in the UK.
Lately he had not been keeping good health. Only few days ago, he contracted Covid-19 and was admitted to Royal Blackburn Hospital, from where he departed this mortal world on Saturday, 4th September 2021. It was an unbelievable and unbearable shock for all of us.
We pray to Bhagwan Shree Parbrahma to grant Swargastha Thakorbhai’s Divya Aatma Param Shanti and a place of abode at His Lotus Feet. We also pray to Bhagwan Shree Ram to give the extended family and all of us strength to bear this huge loss.
Thakorbhai’s Sangh and VHP related Responsibility:
North Mandal – He was North Mandal Karyawaha of HSS UK in the early days of Sangh. Despite having a young family, he travelled extensively to help establish Shakhas in all the major Northern Cities. In fact, he immersed the family in this noble work. In parallel he also engaged with many Hindu Mandirs and organisations in his pravas, which later helped to establish VHP branches.
One of the first Mandirs under the aegis of VHP, Thakorbhai helped to establish Leeds Mandir in 1969, along with Sarva Shri Swargiya Ma. Manharbhai Patel, Kamlesh Ji & Surendra Ji Sharda, Dr K.P. Hardas Ji, and Hasmukh Bhai Shah. He also arranged for Mananeeya Dada Saheb Apte Ji, the then Secretary General of VHP Intl, to inaugurate the Mandir.
First UK Karyakarta Varg in 1974 – Under his guidance the first Karyakarta Varg was held in Bradford, and Swargiya Ma. Shri Laxmanrao Bhide Ji, Swargiya Ma Jagdish Ji Sood, Swargiya Ma Satyanarayan Ji, and Ma Pravinbhai, came to inspire all the key UK Karyakartas.
Kalyan Ashram Trust organised concert of Asha Parekh Ji – for Mobile Hospitals in Bharat – Long Pennine walk of 20 miles – Thakorbhai was also a Trustee of the Kalyan Ashram Trust, U.K. In aid of healthcare and wellbeing of Vanvasi (forest dwellers) in Bharat, he organised a countrywide dance performance of famous dancer/actress Asha Parekh Ji along with a troupe of 40 dancers. Thakorbhai travelled to all the major cities organising the concerts. He also initiated a Pennine Walk of 20 miles. Both events helped to raise funds to buy seven mobile hospitals, which were sent to remote parts of India to serve Van-bandhus.
First SSV in 1975 – as North Mandal Karyawaha, he enthused many young karyakartas to organise the historic first Sangh Shiksha Varg (SSV) held at Bradford University Campus. Many young & upcoming Shiksharthis then became leading Karyakartas working in various Sangh fields.
Instrumental in establishing VHP Mandir in Ilford, East London – Thakorbhai worked tirelessly with Karyakartas of Ilford to establish the second VHP Mandir. He endeared himself to many swayamsevaks till today, who will always be grateful to him for this Dharmic Centre in Ilford, East London.
Bolton Mandir acquired in 1975/6 from Church of England, & Praan Pratishthan Establishing the Mandir in Bolton was truly a milestone for VHP UK. Shri Thakorbhai worked relentlessly to negotiate with Lambeth Palace (HQ) purchase of the church building from Church of England. H.M. The Queen Elizabeth II had given her consent for this rare event. It is this legacy of Thakorbhai for which Bolton & surrounding districts’ Hindus remember him fondly.
Hindu Sangam 1984 – Another memorable event for Sangh was Hindu Sangam, held at the Campus of Bradford University in August 1984. 1,200 Swayamsevaks took part, and on the Samarop (concluding) day 10,000 Hindus joined the final display. Swargiya Ma. Seshadri Ji from Bharat was the Mukhya Adhikari to guide the participants. Thakorbhai undertook the responsibility for preparation of meals to be served to all present on the final day. It was a huge undertaking, but he was equally up to task and took this up in his stride to ensure hygienic and safe way of all the meal preparations were adhered to.
Hindu Marathons – Hindu Sangam of August 1984, held at Bradford, was also where first Hindu Marathon took place – inspired by Swargiya Ma Bhide Ji. For many more annual Hindu Marathons, Thakorbhai inspired young Hindus to become active sports persons and eventually to be recognised as world class athletes. Indeed a laudable vision.
Respected Shri Morari Baapu Katha at Bolton – The renowned Kathakaar was persuaded by Thakorbhai to give his unique discourse on Bhagwaan Shree Ram in Bolton. Thousands of Hindus benefitted from this another historic event which lasted for seven days.
VHP Conferences in Denmark & Frankfurt (Europe) – Thakorbhai had travelled to several countries in Europe many a times to promote the work of VHP. Memorable conferences were held in Denmark and in Frankfurt (1992), in which he was instrumental to promote Sanatan Dharma in Europe. Ma Rameshbhai Jain of Germany was all praise for his efforts.
Bandung File 1986 – There are so many disoriented adversaries who will not stop to defame and spread falsehoods about VHP. Some such Characters are people like the rejected Trotskyite Labour party members Tariq Ali & Darcus Howe, who tried to malign the good name of VHP by promoting lies in a Channel 4 TV programme called Bandung File. Thakorbhai and other VHP adhikaries worked incessantly to make C4 to give us a Right to Reply, where we were able to expose the exponents of blatant lies, which they peddle for their keep.
Shri Thakorbhai B Patel, the Gen Sec of VHP UK & Virat Hindu Sammelan, unassuming charge of organising the great gathering of 120,000 Hindus
Virat Hindu Sammelan (VHS)1989 – Once again the mercurial efforts of Thakorbhai came to the fore in organising such a mammoth task of uniting 350 Hindu Mandirs and Organisations of UK to create something extra-ordinary like World Hindu Dharmic Mini Kumbha Mela called Virat Hindu Sammelan under the guidance of 35 heads of Hindu Rishi Paramparas, such luminaries as Swami Satyamitranand Ji, Swami Chinmayanand Ji, Muni Sushil Kumar Ji, Sardar Samsher Singh Ji, Ramesh Bhai Ji Oza, Man. Dr. Swami (BAPS); and many more. 120,000 Hindus of U.K. & Europe came together to celebrate this gathering, namely, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakama. Other Luminaries such as Vandaniya Lata Mangeshkar Ji, Ramanand Sagar Ji, Ma. Sudhir Phadke Ji, Shri Anup Jalota Ji also attended. Hindus and VHP were recognised as Equals amongst other faith groups. VHS created a strong British Hindu Identity. Thakorbhai’s organising skills has left an indelible print on the minds of Hindu Leaders.
Shri Thakorbhai Patel, The General Secretary giving vote of thanks at Virat Hindu Sammelan (Mini Kumbh Mela) held at Milton Keynes Bowl in August 1989, attended by 120,000 Hindus from 32 countries.
Strong Will & Resolve – Thakorbhai was a dynamic Karyakarta. In fact he was one of the most inspiring and influencing Sangh & VHP Adhikari of 1970’s and 80’s, and helped establish Hindu identity in the UK & Europe. VHP had become a first port of call for many Authorities, Print and Electronic Media, for matters relating to Hindus and Hindu Dharma.
He inspired Karyakartas to strive for excellence.
Swargiya Shri Thakorbhai Patel was born in an ordinary family, but was an extra-ordinary organiser par excellence, with a strong will power, a steely resolve, and an uncompromising belief in Hindutva and Sangh Samskaars, which he imbibed from his early childhood, playing kabaddi on the field of a Sangh Shakha. And he breathed Sangh Mantra till his last minutes.
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It is with the dedication of people like Thakorbhai that the semblance of Hindu samaj based upon Sanatan Dharma and the establishment of UK Vishwa Hindu Parishad thrives. In today’s media which also includes licence payers recipient BBC, there is an unfriendly attitude towards Hindus in the UK. Since the advent of Modiji’s inauguration as India’s PM over seven years ago, the international media has not tired of berating him, associating RSS with Nazis and such ridiculous claims. VHP Mandirs provide that breather of hope and togetherness which we must feel in a country that is supposed to give chance to practice our religion without hitches. The other Abrahamic religion which is always in the news and some followers of which take to violcne must learn something from Hindus. More of the local population understand the difference the better
There is a great need to start a VHP active Division in London, as there are a lot of Hindus who may be interested to take active part. There are 2 Senior Cabinet Ministers and several Hindu MP’s. also several senior Politicians , beuracrates and well known Professionals.
Also to organise National and international speakers to address these people either on ZOOM or meetings in the future
To encourage Hindu Philosophy and spirituality to every Hindu especially the younger generations