The great-granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Nilamben Parikh, passed away on Tuesday at her residence in Gujarat's Navsari. She was 92 years old.
Parikh was known for her famous book about the complicated relationship between Gandhi and his eldest son, Harilal, who was also her grandfather.
"My mother was not sick, but in the last few days, she had stopped eating much because of her age. She had severe osteoporosis and was slowly becoming weaker. This morning, I decided to stay with her instead of going to my hospital. I sat beside her, held her hand, and slowly felt her pulse fade… she passed away without pain or suffering," Dr Sameer Parikh, her son who is an eye doctor, told The Indian Express.
Here is all you need to know about Nilamben Parikh:
- She lived in Navasari with her son, Sameer Parikh, who is a practicing ophthalmologist. He last rites were conducted at 8 am from her residence, while the cremation will take place at Veerwal Crematorium.
- Nilamben spent her entire life working in Dakshinapatha, an organisation she had instituted for the upliftment of tribal women by educating them and providing vocational training.
- Nilamben was the daughter of Ramiben, the eldest child of Harilal and his wife, Gulab and was admired for her quiet strength and unwavering loyalty to Khadi.
- She has also written 'Jyan Raho Tyan Mehekta Raho', a book of letters of Mahatma Gandhi to his daughters-in-law, highlighting his lasting influence on family values.
- Even after retiring 30 years ago, she remained actively involved in social work.
- Tushar Gandhi, Nilamben’s cousin and historian, said he always considered her 'an elder' due to the age gap between the two. Gandhi, who is the grandson of Manilal Gandhi, said, "Although she was my cousin, she was much older to me, about the age of my parents. Therefore, I always considered her as my elder and revered her in that way… I had more interactions with her husband Yogendrabhai in the initial years as she would always be busy and away in the tribal areas, where she worked."
- Union Minister CR Paatil expressed his condolences, saying "With the passing away of Nilamben Parikh, the great-granddaughter of revered Mahatma Gandhi, society has suffered a great loss of a true Gandhian personality and social worker. She gave selfless service throughout her life for women's welfare and human welfare. May God rest his soul in peace and give his family the strength to bear this grief."