Prakash Parekh, publisher and editor of NY-based Gujarat Times has passed away. He leaves a legacy of influence that shaped the Indian-American press and the Indian-American community, including several charities. We are collecting comments below - please post your thoughts.
From the obit published in News India Times:
Pakash 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.
He was born Dec. 20 in Amravati, Maharashtra, and completed his B.Sc. from Nagpur University. He received his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, and joined Kirloskar Consulting in Pune in 1967.
Parekh came to the United States in 1970 to pursue an MBA from Columbia University. After graduating, he began his career in marketing.
He later attended the New York Law School and, after graduating, began private practice.
Parekh served as the editor and president of News India Times and Desi Talk from 1998 to 2002.
He joined the company again under the ownership of Gopal Raju as marketing director for News India Times, Desi Talk, Gujarat Times and Sher-ePunjab in 2004.
A well-known figure in the Indian-American community, Parekh served on the board of directors of various organizations and served as president of the Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester, Indian Cultural Society of New Jersey and Federation of Indian Associations (FIA).
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.
He is survived by his wife Sudha, son Neil, daughter-in-law Pamela, daughter Amy and son-in-law Rajeev Mehta.
The funeral will be held Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Edwards Dowdle Funeral Home in Dobbs Ferry, New York, followed by a cremation at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale.
Saturday, October 3: 2pm to 4pm (Visitation at the Funeral Home)6 pm to 9pm (Visitation at the Funeral Home)
Sunday, October 4:
9am to 11am (Visitation at the Funeral Home)
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to one of the following charities: Share & Care Foundation, the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross in Westchester County.