Rest their Souls

By Awaaz

Dream-maker moves on

Lalitchandra Jeshanker Pandit, popularly known simply as Lalit Pandit, passed away on 14 January, 2005. Among the many many messages of condolence were those from the President, H E Mwai Kibaki, and the Vice President, Moody Awori. Lalit Pandit founded the East African Building Society when he was only 23 years old and will be remembered for enabling thousands of people to achieve the dream of owning decent homes. He was a great philanthropist, his concern for the welfare of the less fortunate saw him initiate and develop charities in fields of education, health and sports. He leaves behind his widow, Tarla, and sons, Raj and Dhruv.

JOHN KARMALI 1917 – 2004

John was born in River Road, Nairobi on 4 June 1917. He qualified as a pharmacist in the UK where he met his wife Joan. They returned to Kenya in 1946. John became officially active in the East African Natural History Society, the Aga Khan Club, the Asian Sports Association of Kenya and the Kenya Olympic Association. His interest in photography focused on ornithology. In 1951, to overcome the prevailing racial segregation, they established Hospital Hill School. John became an Alderman in Nairobi City Council and a Trustee of the Kenya National Parks and chair of the National Museums of Kenya, Nakuru Wild Life Trust, Elsa Wild Animal Appeal and a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. He has authored Beautiful Birds of Kenya, Birds of Africa and Beautiful Plants of Kenya. The family moved to the UK in the 1990’s.

The independent soul

GANGABEN RAMJI HARIBHAI DEVANI passed away on Friday, 14 January, 2005 in Nairobi at the age of 87. She was born in Kijabe and married early. She had given birth to five sons and three daughters when her husband died and she was left to care for them. She developed the family business, educated her children and then as they prospered, devoted herself to charitable deeds. Though surrounded by sizeable wealth, this fiercely independent woman lived by herself in a two-room apartment in Nairobi’s South ‘C’ area. ‘Be independent’ was her message to her contemporaries. Her charities ranged from hearing and sight needs to providing boreholes, wheelchairs and prostheses. This role model will be sorely missed.

Another beautyful one passes on

BILDAD KAGGIA,

Nationalist and freedom struggle hero, died on 7 March 2005