AN ICON OF HIS GENERATION

Obituary: Khodidasbhai R. Dhamecha(August 1930 – February 2020) On Valentine’s Day this year, Khodidasbhai Dhamecha, an icon of the British Indian community passed away at his home in Jamnagar, a few months short of his ninetieth birthday, surrounded by his family.   Together with his younger brothers, Shantibhai and late Jayantibhai, he founded the eponymous Dhamecha Cash & Carry business in Wembley in 1976, which has since grown to nine depots nationwide.  But Khodidasbhai was no ordinary businessman.  He was a true pioneer, well ahead of his time, astute in commerce and generous in serving society.For those who knew him, Khodidasbhai was always immaculately dressed and groomed.  It was a sharp image which befitted an equally sharp mind.   He clearly possessed the Midas touch as an entrepreneur and was prolific across multiple businesses and investments beyond the family’s core wholesaling activities.   Infact, I remember visiting his UK home in Stanmore as a young student and being impressed by his wide knowledge of economics, finance and current affairs.  He quoted an article from The Financial Times – which he read avidly – and asked for my opinion.Family unity and proximity was a key objective for Khodidasbhai who “sacrificed and compromised for the greater good of the family”.  He led by example, following the Gandhian virtues of simple living and high thinking.  It was also clear that he strongly valued relationships and loyalty. He regularly visited my paternal grandfather Nagardasbhai Gadhia, and remained in close touch with my Nana, Girdharbhai Sangani.   I can even thank the Dhamecha Family for introducing me to my wife Angeli.Khodidasbhai also attached significant importance to nurturing community networks – not only amongst the Lohana Community – but across the wider Indian diaspora.   This philosophy translated directly into his philanthropic deeds, generously sponsoring numerous community centres, social welfare activities and health facilities across three continents in East Africa, UK and India.It is rare to find such humility and humanity in successful individuals – a trait which Khodidasbhai’s son Pradip also embodies.  Indeed, Pradip has described his father as a “mentor and guru” – and will particularly feel the void from his absence alongside his mother Lalitaben, wife Veena and children Radhika, Ridhi and Anand.Thousands of people gathered on Sunday 1st March - appropriately at the Dhamecha Lohana Centre in South Harrow - to pay their respects to the family and celebrate Khodidasbhai’s life and legacy.  The Dhamecha Family has lost its patriarch, but the wider community has also lost one of its key pillars, a man universally admired and respected as an elder statesman.  Khodidasbhai was a true pioneer whose wisdom and inspiration will have an enduring impact for generations to come.   We all pray that his noble soul rests in eternal peace.