Nri publisher and GOPIO life member Prakash Parekh passes away

A great community activist and leader


Oct 07, 2009

The Indian American community is grieved by the passing away of Prakash Parekh. Parekh, editor and publisher of Gujarat Times, died of heart failure at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Oct. 1. He was 65. He was suffering from ill health for over a year and had undergone a heart transplant surgery in May.

Prakash has been a great community activist and leader. As one of the early immigrants to America, Prakash had been involved on many community organizations since the 1970s, supporting many larger causes of our community.

Prakash served the Indian community in different capacities as president of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), Secretary of the National Federation of Indian Associations (NFIA), Secretary of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in New York, President of Indian American Cultural Association of West Chester, President of India Cultural Society of New Jersey and as a Founder Member of the Global Organization of People of Indian origin (GOPIO).

He also served as a legal adviser to several cultural, religious, business and political organizations like JAINA, Vaishnav Temple of New York, BAPS, Indian Dental Association and the Indian American Center for Political Awareness. He was also an active member of the Gujarati Samaj and the Maharashtra Mandal and participated in dramas and cultural shows.

At the First Global Convention of People of Indian Origin in New York in 1989, Prakash was the chairman of the Resolution Committee. He helped and coordinated to draft 23 resolutions (http://www.gopio.net/first_resolutions.htm) which included the PIO CARD and Dual Nationality. It was based on these resolutions that GOPIO campaigned with Govt. of India to grant these demands.

He is survived by his wife Sudha, son Neil, daughter-in law Pamela, daughter Amy and son-in-law Rajeev Mehta.


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