A fulfilling life!!
October 18, 2020
Dr Bhagwati S. Johari MD was born in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh India on November 17, 1931 to Suraj Narain Johari and Kamala Devi. He was the oldest of five siblings, followed by 3 sisters Rajesh, Sarla and Shashi and then Sanjay the youngest.
His father, Suraj Narain was a Chartered Accountant for the local Royal family and inculcated in him an ethic of work, order and responsibility that he maintained till his passing. He rapidly progressed academically and found himself at the GR Medical College in 1951. After completing his undergraduate medical education he completed his Residency in General Medicine earning a MD in 1958.
Marriage to his beloved wife, Pushpa Saxena of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh followed in 1959. His children Sarika, Sandeep and Piyush soon followed.
He moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1960 to join Jagjivan Ram Railway Hospital and later moved to MGM Hospital, Parel to practice Internal Medicine. After his retirement from MGM he joined PD Hinduja hospital and his own private clinic in Worli and Mahim. He was loved by his patients and their families who he cared for many years with attention and compassion. He was unfailing in his love of Medicine and saw it as a calling and always remembered and lived true to the Hippocratic Oath. He retired after a long and successful career in 2008.
He then shifted his talents to exploring the social history of his community of Kayasthas and co-authored a book “Kayasthas, Ek Anveshan“ with his wife. Another book soon followed titled “Upanishads Made Easy”. Both books were published in English and Hindi and were well received.
He was a deeply religious person and believed that Durga mata in her form of the protective mother goddess would protect the family. Nothing would come in the way of his twice daily pujas and the 9 day Navratri puja culminating in a havan on the last day.
In the Indian tradition, at home he was never called by his given name. He was variously called “Bhaiyya” “Papa” “Dada” “Mama” and even “Suniye” depending on who addressed him. He wore a light- hearted demeanor, quick with a joke and quicker with a comeback. He was practicing Telemedicine (with countless family members all over India) before it was even called that! The Hindu humanistic tradition of a moral and principled life was what he modeled. His service to friends and family was legendary and many will remember his role in their hour of need. His conviction of the importance of Professional education was unwavering in keeping with the learning traditions of his family and Kayasthas. He supported a long line of proteges in their pursuit of a higher education and good values. He hosted many of them in Mumbai for extended periods.
He leaves behind his wife Pushpa of 61 years, and the families of his daughter Sarika Saxena of Needham MA (Pradeep/Akriti/Abhinav), son Sandeep Johri of Los Altos Hills CA (Aarti/Anish/Nitika) and son Piyush Johari of Longmeadow MA (Vandita/Sharvari/Sanjiti) in addition to extended and close families in Nashik, Mumbai, Hamirpur and Bharatpur India.
He was highly respected, revered and appreciated as the patriarch of the extended family. On his next journey he will continue to guide us and will always be by our side.
His father, Suraj Narain was a Chartered Accountant for the local Royal family and inculcated in him an ethic of work, order and responsibility that he maintained till his passing. He rapidly progressed academically and found himself at the GR Medical College in 1951. After completing his undergraduate medical education he completed his Residency in General Medicine earning a MD in 1958.
Marriage to his beloved wife, Pushpa Saxena of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh followed in 1959. His children Sarika, Sandeep and Piyush soon followed.
He moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1960 to join Jagjivan Ram Railway Hospital and later moved to MGM Hospital, Parel to practice Internal Medicine. After his retirement from MGM he joined PD Hinduja hospital and his own private clinic in Worli and Mahim. He was loved by his patients and their families who he cared for many years with attention and compassion. He was unfailing in his love of Medicine and saw it as a calling and always remembered and lived true to the Hippocratic Oath. He retired after a long and successful career in 2008.
He then shifted his talents to exploring the social history of his community of Kayasthas and co-authored a book “Kayasthas, Ek Anveshan“ with his wife. Another book soon followed titled “Upanishads Made Easy”. Both books were published in English and Hindi and were well received.
He was a deeply religious person and believed that Durga mata in her form of the protective mother goddess would protect the family. Nothing would come in the way of his twice daily pujas and the 9 day Navratri puja culminating in a havan on the last day.
In the Indian tradition, at home he was never called by his given name. He was variously called “Bhaiyya” “Papa” “Dada” “Mama” and even “Suniye” depending on who addressed him. He wore a light- hearted demeanor, quick with a joke and quicker with a comeback. He was practicing Telemedicine (with countless family members all over India) before it was even called that! The Hindu humanistic tradition of a moral and principled life was what he modeled. His service to friends and family was legendary and many will remember his role in their hour of need. His conviction of the importance of Professional education was unwavering in keeping with the learning traditions of his family and Kayasthas. He supported a long line of proteges in their pursuit of a higher education and good values. He hosted many of them in Mumbai for extended periods.
He leaves behind his wife Pushpa of 61 years, and the families of his daughter Sarika Saxena of Needham MA (Pradeep/Akriti/Abhinav), son Sandeep Johri of Los Altos Hills CA (Aarti/Anish/Nitika) and son Piyush Johari of Longmeadow MA (Vandita/Sharvari/Sanjiti) in addition to extended and close families in Nashik, Mumbai, Hamirpur and Bharatpur India.
He was highly respected, revered and appreciated as the patriarch of the extended family. On his next journey he will continue to guide us and will always be by our side.