A life of practiced integrity and humility
Nannubhai Bhoola was born in Durban, South Africa, on 28 November, 1932. The eldest son and the second child of seven, Nannubhai accepted his responsibilities toward his family early in life, gave up his education, joined the family business and quickly forged a successful career for himself as a businessman. In 1955, he married Tarabhen who gave him four beautiful and dutiful daughters. Together, Nannubhai and Taraben enjoyed a contented married life, extensively travelled the world over and were never far from the other’s side.
Active in his community, Nannubhai worked tirelessly for various charities and was instrumental in the establishment of a temple and a school for the underprivileged in Pietermaritzburg, S. A. In 1995, Nanubhai and Taraben immigrated to Australia where two of their daughters had settled, and embraced their new country of residence with open arms. Soon, they were active members of various Indian associations including the Gujarati Association of Victoria, the Swaminayaran Group, the Vaishnav Sangh, and the Indian Senior Citizens Association (ISCA) where they formed a large group of like-minded friends who were truly close-knit.
My wife Rose and I were fortunate to gain this wonderful man’s friendship by forming a smaller group that included Mohanbhai and Saraswatiben Kavar, also from South Africa, and Madhuri Haikerwal; we being the only non-vegetarians. While some friends offered prudence how best to prepare strictly vegetarian food, humanist Nannubhai never once felt that we would stoop to contaminate his faith by serving impure food.
Mid November when Nannubhai was hospitalised, his siblings from all parts of the world arrived to be with him. Chirpy as always, and looking forward to returning home, Nannubhai’s condition but deteriorated, and on 25th December he bade us all goodbye in favour of his eternal home. Two hundred of those who loved him attended his funeral. For the following eleven days, satsang was held at his home in Camberwell. The concluding satsang, attended by his innumerable loved ones, was held at the Sai Bhawan close by, where Prof. Ishwar Desai read a comprehensible eulogy and quoted from his letters to various world dignitaries seeking funds for his charities. His brother, from South Africa, also reminisced their past. An elaborate dinner, which charitable Nannubhai would surely approve, concluded the formalities of Nannubhai’s departure from this world.
Warm-hearted, down to earth, generous, quick to help others but never seeking acknowledgement, Nannubhai Bhoola will be remembered by friends and family. A family man through and through and a shining example of humanity, Nannubhai, who lived his life with practiced integrity and humility, not by words alone, leaves behind his wife of 55 years, 4 daughters, 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and a wider family of friends. He will be sorely missed.
George Thakur
