Saturday, January 20, 2024
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My heart is filled with emotion as I write this tribute to a person who was more than a father figure to me. Mukund Kulkarni, Mukund Ji as we referred to him, was a selfless man who inspired, cheered, and guided innumerable lives!
I met Mukund Ji when I arrived in Kingston, Canada, for my graduate studies at Queen's University in 1985! Below is a picture of the day I met him. I am fourth from the left on the top row, and Pradeep is first on the top. Picture courtesy: Srinivasan Rajagopal. This was at a prayer meeting in Kingston. They both were so welcoming. The first sight melted all my homesickness away for someone who had never left home and had to travel to a foreign country.
From that day onwards, the Kulkarni family became my new adopted home.
Throughout my six-year stay in Kingston, Kulkarni's residence became my adopted home! I feel bad that I did not visit him and Nandini Ji more often since I moved away to Texas. When I visited Toronto, I made it a priority to see them.
I feel so blessed that Pradeep and I got to see him and spend a couple of hours with him last December -picture below: I am second from the left on the top row, and Pradeep is third on the top. I don't know if he recognized us, but his smile was the same one I remember from our first meeting! Pradeep sang bhajans, to which Mukund Ji also sang. It was one of my most precious memories for a long time.
Mukund Ji will continue to guide our lives.
Thank you, Mukund Ji, for all you have done for us! You and Nandini Ji will be in our hearts forever!
Jayanth, your “adopted” son!
