Dr. Sudhir Parikh honored for lifetime community service; Poet Bhagyesh Jha’s book Prarthana Ne Patro launched

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Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold, was honored for his social service and philanthropy at a June 23, 2022, event held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in the presence of well-known journalists and leading literary personalities and medical practitioners.

The event was also held to launch a book by celebrated poet Bhagyesh Jha, on letters he wrote to his daughter in the United States, entitled Prarthana Ne Patro.

The Deputy Speaker of the Gujarat state legislative assembly, Jetha Bharwad presided over the event. Group Editor of NavGujarat Samay and Ahmedabad Mirror, Ajay Umat, was to deliver a special lecture on the occasion, a press release said.

An invocation from the Vedas for peace in the Universe started the event. A documentary on the philanthropic work of Dr. Parikh received frequent applause from the audience, specially on his achievements in strengthening U.S.-India relations, his love for the Motherland, and the honors he has received over his lifetime.

In his speech, Dr. Parikh dwelt on his his mission of serving humanity in whatever he does, and the love for Motherland India that motivates him.

The other highlight of the June 23 event was the release of a unique collection of letters written by a former civil servant and eminent poet Bhagyesh Jha to his daughter who lives in the United States.

The letters were poetic and literary expressions on cultural happenings in Gujarat and India. His daughter Prarthana, who spoke on the occasion, said the book, Prarthana Ne Patro, “was unfolding many grand secrets of Indian Philosophy,” the press release said.

Umat, the special guest speaker for the book launch,  hailed Jha’s style as a confluence of two great writers,  Suresh Joshi and Vinod Bhatt. Umat read several paragraphs aloud to show how Jha is creating new usages of language and unique style of communicating.

Jha explained the purpose of his writing as a combination of the eternal and the present. He cited some teachings of Lord Krishna to illustrate how he conveyed life lessons to his daughter through these letters.

The event was organized by Global Forum for Gujaratis. The local editor, Digant Sompura, introduced the purpose of the event and highlighted the achievements of Dr. Parikh, and poet Bhagyesh Jha’s oratory skills which have mesmerised Gujaratis globally.

A number of poets, civil servants, journalists and professionals from different walks of life attended the function. They included, among others, Rajanikumar Pandya and Dr.Keshubhai Desai, the renowned novelists  Ramesh Thakkar and Sanjay Thorat, two young columnists, Dr. V. S. Gadhavi and Dr. D.N. Panday, retired civil servants, Krishnakant Jha and Devendra Patel, two prominent Journalists, top doctors in Gujarat Dr. R.K. Patel and Dr. Prabhakar.

They individually honored Dr.Parikh and felicitated Bhagyesh Jha.