In memoriam - Jayant Thakkar

On February 15th, long-term Aurovilian and pioneer, Jayant Thakkar, who lived in Promesse, passed away in the Ashram’s nursing home at the age of 94.

Born in Gujarat in 1920, Jayant participated as a freedom fighter in India’s struggle for independence for which also he ended up in jail for a while. During that period he studied works of the spiritual masters and this gave direction to his life. In 1946 he received his first darshan from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and thereafter, always remaining in close contact with the Ashram, Jayant established himself in Chennai where he built up a business in surgical equipment. In 1973 the Mother approved of him settling in Promesse, one of the first communities of the City of Dawn, where he has been living since. Jayant taught for several years in Udavi School and did Matrimandir duty.

Jayant Bhai was also a philanthropist, and he helped the people in Morattandi village by giving them the basic necessities at very low prices, which he got from other donors. He did not give anything free because he believed that people do not attach value to anything that is got free. The collected money was again spent for them for different purposes. He was a businessman. He said Mother gave him money in his business so that he could give it back to the Ashram and Auroville, which he did.

Jayant Bhai is fondly remembered, along with the other two of the trinity of Promesse in those days – Kusum Ben and Shanti di. They will be remembered with respect, for the way they stood up alone, against all odds, in their lives and for their undaunted spirit.