Induben Bhatt

induben bhatt
Indu Bhatt nee Pathak was born to the late Harilal bhai and Deviben Pathak on January 26th, 1927 in Palitana, India. She grew up in Palitana and in Ahmedabad, where she graduated from LD Arts College, receiving a BA in economics. She married Pravin N. Bhatt, then a student of medicine, on May 19, 1946. Ravishankar Maharaj, an ardent follower Mahatma Gandhi, was the officiating priest. Gandhi himself sent a personal letter of congratulations to the young couple. In 1950, thanks to a scholarship, Dr. Pravin Bhatt arrived in the US to continue his studies at Tulane University. Indu joined him in 1953, also enrolled at Tulane, and studied at the School of Social Work. In 1954 they returned to India, and in 1955 they moved to Poona, where Dr. Bhatt worked at the National Institute of Virology. They had two children shortly after this move: Sujata, born in 1956 in Ahmedabad, and Nachiketa born in 1959 in Poona. In 1961, the family moved to New Orleans, where Dr. Bhatt had received another scholarship to study at Tulane. In 1964 they returned to Poona. In 1968, the family moved to New Haven CT, where Dr. Bhatt began working at the Department of Comparative Medicine at Yale. After a few years, Indu began to work as a Histology technician at the Department of Ophthalmology at Yale. She worked there for over ten years, quickly earning the respect and admiration of her colleagues. After retiring, Indu supported Dr. Bhatt's efforts for the South Asian Studies Program at Yale by regularly inviting students to their home for dinners, thus providing a home away from home for these students. Many of these students stayed in touch with Indu consistently over the years. Throughout her life, Indu had many interests including music, singing (she had a wonderful angelic voice which was at the same time resonant with an original, haunting power), history, philosophy, literature, cooking and gardening. She was an avid reader, and later in life could recall all the details of what she had learned. She was an excellent writer of letters, enthralling her readers with her incredible narrations, full of deftly observed details. She was blessed with an amazing, uncanny memory. Indu Bhatt was the heart and soul of her family. Her strength, patience and resilience combined with her warm, generous nature were a source of inspiration to those who knew her. Loved by all, she was especially adored by her three grandchildren, Jenny Mira Augustin, Michael Nanabhai Bhatt and Dean Kalyan Bhatt, who all had the good fortune to spend many hours with her during their childhood and youth. Indeed, it is her grandchildren who will also continue telling the stories she loved and cooking the food she once cooked for them. Indu Bhatt passed away at 5:15pm on Friday, October 8th, 2010. Her family and closest friends were with her as she peacefully breathed her last. She is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren, as well as two of her younger siblings, Bharat Pathak and Urmi Bhatt, and a large extended family including cousins, nephews and nieces. A trust fund in the name of Indu Bhatt is being initiated at Yale University. The funds will be used to encourage promising young writers from South Asia to work for some time at Yale. In lieu of flowers you may consider giving a donation to this fund. Seed money has already been donated and your donation would enhance this project. Please make checks payable to Yale University and mail to Dr. Pravin N. Bhatt, 26 Hesse Rd, Hamden, CT 06517. You will receive an official acknowledgement of your donation from the University. Friends may call at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home on Monday, October 11, 2010 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM and may attend her funeral service which will begin at 6:30 PM in the funeral home

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  1. Dear Dr. Bhatt, Sujata , Nachi and family. I feel blessed to have known Mrs. Bhatt. Her calimg voice, gentle touch, beautiful smile,and wonderful cooking will always stay with me. She is blessed to have such a wonderful family and life with you all.I read this poem and it reminded me of her with her singing and love for beautiful flowers. May you all find strength in each other and knowing she is no longer in such pain. Light a Candle Light a candle candle for those we mourn. Into a new life they will be born. They have gone to a new world where there is no darkness, no pain. Their light and essence will always remain. Light a candle for those who have left this mortal place. When we think of them, they are near. When we sit in a beautiful garden. Their voices we hear. When we listen to a divine symphony, We close our eyes, their faces we see. Light a candle for they have not really gone. in your hearts they will always belong. With Sincere Sympathy, Tamie & family

  2. Dear Michael, Dean and Jenny; Appa, Bamama, Mashi,Nachi and Suju: Aagi had a gift with children; she had a special love for them.If a child of any age was in the room Ma would be engrossed in conversation or play with the child, not hearing the adults around her. She was always the most excited at a sleepover with the grandchildren. She was positive that her grandchildren were the brightest, most talented, most wonderful children on the planet. She often spent time with them individually, imparting her talent for cooking, her stories of India, while constantly exhibiting an unconditional love and adoration. Michael’s first words were in Gujarti, and when she cared for him he knew who was boss (he was.) While she has left us physically, know, Michael, Dean and Jenny, that she will always be by your side in spirit.

  3. My heart goes out to all of you knowing that you will be missing Indu so much. Just knowing this gentle woman has brought me such joy. Susan

  4. Nacchi, My heartfelt love and thoughts are with you always, but especially now. It’s times like this that I wish I was closer so I can embrace you with a hug. Feel it from afar because its there for you. Take this time to celebrate your mom’s life and her spirit and know that she will be there for you, forever and always. You are in my prayers. Love you Nach, Marm

  5. Pujya Pravinbhai, Nachi, Sujata, Urmiben and family, Namaste! Our condolences to you and family. We will miss her dearly while her smile and sweet love will 4-ever be embedded in all of our hearts! We pray for Pujya Induben’s soul’s journey to eternal peace! Om Shantihi! Trayamkam yajamhe sugndhim pustivrdhnm, UUrvarukmiy bandhanat mrityormuxiya maamrutat! Love, Navin Shobha Payal Neheet Trivedi

  6. Dr. Bhatt – Indu was one of the first people I met when I started working at Yale 31 years ago. She was kind and gentle. My prayers go out to you and your family. Jennie

  7. Dear Jenny, Micheal,and Dean, My thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of the physical presence of your grandmother. As I listened to the service last night,it occurred to me why the peacock feathers I placed in the flower arrangement, were so important to me. I remember when Nachi brought Indu to the farm and placed her in a lawn chair in front of the Peacock pen. She sat well over 45 minutes watching him.I thought it reminded her of her home on India. I now realize that it was much more than that. She was not only admiring the beauty of the creature, she was taking the time to . smell the lilacs., admiring the craning of his neck, the movement of his legs as he made different strides around the pen. She was not merely looking at its beauty, she was appreciating its existence. Jenny,Michael,and Dean,always remember this important life lesson your grandmother has taught you, and no matter where this crazy world takes you, always stop and .smell the lilacs..

  8. To the Bhatt Family, My deepest condolences for your loss. I am one of the nurses that cared for Indu while she was in hospital and will never forget the warmth of her smile even at the most difficult times. Although I regret to have met her under these circumstances, it was my pleasure to know and care for Indu. Indu and her family are and will be in my thoughts.

  9. Dear Pravin: Connie & I were very sorry to learn of Indu’s passing today. She was a beautiful lady, very kind & very caring, & much loved by all her friends. Connie & were privileged to know her & be her friend. We are thinking of you, Sue, & Nochi as you deal with a very difficult time. Dean & Connie

  10. Dear Bhatt family, I am a friend of the .little sister., dear Urmi Bhatt. I remember hearing Urmi speak lovingly of her sister and family. And knowing Urmi, I am sure that her older sister Induben must have been (and continues to be) a profound influence on her — and also on the entire family. As a musician myself, I am delighted to read of Induben’s love of music and singing. This love of music must be shared by your whole family, because one of the greatest musicians I know has come from this great clan! With gratitude for my friendship with Induben’s .little sister., I offer prayers and blessings for your entire family as you move with Grace through this time of transition.

  11. Nacchi, My heartfelt love and thoughts are with you always, but especially now. It’s times like this that I wish I was closer so I can embrace you with a hug. Feel it from afar because its there for you. Take this time to celebrate your mom’s life and her spirit and know that she will be there for you, forever and always. You are in my prayers. Love you Nach, Marm


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