Mansukh Balubhai Popat Kalidas Radia was born in Porbandar, Gujarat to Popatlal Kalidas Radia and Zaverben Radia. His family then moved Kampala, Uganda where he grew up, then qualified as a barrister in the UK, then practised in Uganda, before having to move to the UK.
An eminent lawyer, Balubhai was on the verge of becoming Chief Justice of Uganda under President Milton Obote, a position he could not assume due to Idi Amin’s coup. Despite this setback, his contributions to the legal field and his community were significant and enduring.
Practising law in the UK, and true to his strong sense of justice and belief that everyone had a right to be represented regardless of their ability to pay, he helped many people, often without charge if they couldn’t afford it. He lived unwaveringly by his values.
Balubhai will also be remembered as the founder of the Lohana Social Centre, which has become a beloved community centre for the elderly members of our community. The centre is attended three times a week by large numbers of men and has become a valuable place in the community where elders in the community look forward to socialising and meeting.
In the early 1970s, as a young man, I had the privilege of attending a Lohana community meeting under Balubhai’s presidency. His vision and leadership during that time were instrumental in the successful division of the community into East, West, North, and South branches, each with devolved powers. To this day, these branches operate successfully, a testament to his foresight and dedication.
Balubhai was also a professionally trained volunteer and trustee for Age Concern. During this time he also supported the report on the ageing population in the Lohana community, recognising the importance of caring for the elderly. His dedication to this cause highlighted his deep empathy and foresight.
Balubhai’s drive to help others extended abroad too to his beloved India too: upon retiring from the legal profession in the UK he committed to developing and upgrading the Motibai Devraj girls school to give young girls the opportunity to be educated. This school is now thriving with girls who have graduated now inspiring others.
The Lohana community, has lost one of its great pillars in Balubahi: Balubhai’s sense of duty was profound, a constant guide in his life. He served his community in the UK and abroad and profession with an integrity that remains exemplary. His passing is a great loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Radia family and his many friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He lived a selfless life driven by his desire to help others to the extent that even on his death he donated his body to medical research with the view that the research might help others.
Balubhai peacefully passed away on 20 July 2024.
