Dads are someone to look up to, someone to follow, someone to admire, someone to be proud of and someone to brag about. Someone to hold, someone to learn from and someone to respect. Someone to listen to and someone to talk to, someone to try and impress, sometimes rebel against and, someone, most of all, with whom to share everything this wonderful life has to offer.

We are so incredibly grateful and happy that I can stand here today and on behalf of my mum, Vikash and Parina and tell you that we have had all this and much, much more with our dad. We have been blessed to have had Ishwar as our Dad. To say I loved my dad would be an understatement – and to say I’m going to miss him would be an even greater understatement.

At times, Dad was so silent but your beautiful soul spoke so much kindness, it radiated warmth, care and most importantly strength. You were determined to do anything and help anyone whenever they needed you. Even if there were things to do at home, you always put others before yourself. You were a man of few words and not one to be the centre of attention but you was truly a man of action. Big in stature and soft in nature is how I and so many others will remember you by.

I cannot begin to imagine not seeing my Dad sat by the window in Sainsbury’s Petrol station and waving at eachother, or seeing Dad sat on his sofa when I come home and making him his favourite coffee. I can’t even imagine traveling to India without you. My protector, our protector. You always made those trips so unforgettable. These are just a small fraction of the things I already miss so much about you.

Dad was always there for mum. For 35 years they have shared everything life can offer – together. They were a great team supporting each other in every way. I am humbled by Mum’s strength over the past few days and her ability to focus on the amazing life she shared with my Dad and not dwell on what she has lost. I hope that through this I can find strength from her example and be there for her whenever she needs me.

Thanks for everything you’ve done for all of us dad. You’re greatly missed, we’ll always love you and you’ll forever be in our hearts. How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

Em neh atma ne shanti aape. JSK My sweet, handsome and adorable dad.
OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI