• Eminent Physician, community leader and a gem of a person Ajay Lodha passes away at 58

• Ajay Lodha is survived by  wife Smita, son Amit , daughter Shweta, and daughter-in-law Priyanka

I.S. Saluja

LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): Dr. Ajay Lodha, eminent Indian-American physician and community leader and  a former President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has passed away after battling covid-19 for eight months at the Cleveland Clinic. He was 58.

Lodha, who died on Nov. 21 is survived by his wife Smita, son Amit,  daughter Shweta, and daughter-in-law Priyanka. Dr. Lodha’s funeral on November  24 was a restricted affair for close family only   due to COVID restrictions on gatherings. However, hundreds of Dr. Lodha’s friends and relations attended the ceremony via live telecast on YouTube, courtesy Vaaho Studio. Present at the funeral included Ajay Lodha’s father Prof. Shyam Sunder Lodha, mother Mrs. Vallabh Lodha, wife Smita Lodha, Son Amit Lodha, daughter Shweta Lodha, daughter-in-law Priyanka Lodha, brother Dr. Sanjay Lodha and his wife, and maternal uncle K K Mehta, besides many other relations from paternal and maternal families. Born in Rajasthan, Lodha  was a graduate of RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Lodha completed his Residency at the Flushing Hospital, New York. He was the founder and president of Queens Medical Services, a primary care practice with two locations serving Queens, New York since 1995 and was a partner in Hillaire and Nesconset Nursing homes.

During his career as a physician, he came to occupy a number of positions of honor and received recognition, honor and awards  for his professional competence and community services.

He was a former president of 100,000 strong body Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI).

He  was a former president of Rajasthan Association of North America and Rajasthan Medical Alumni Association and Director of Research Department at Flushing Hospital, New York.

Lodha was a former Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Caritas Health Care System representing St. John’s Hospital and Mary Immaculate Hospital in New York. Dr. Lodha  was a recipient of Lawrence J. Scherr Award of Excellence for being an Outstanding Physi­cian. He has also been honored for Out­standing Contributions to Research & Hypertension Department at the Flushing Hospital, New York.

In 2008, he was bestowed with the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation Physician of the Year Award. He was also a recipient of the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor, besides scores of awards and honors by various US governmental and government of India bodies, professional and community organizations

Dr. Lodha’s death due to COVID has sent shock waves among all sections of Indian American community.

The Consulate General of India in New York tweeted: deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Dr. Ajay Lodha, a prominent member of the Indian-American community. He will be in our hearts always. His humility, kindness and contribution to the society shall continue to inspire us.

AAPI President Sudhakar Jonnalagadda expressed shock and sadness at the passing of the visionary leader and said his death is “the darkest day in AAPI history.

President-Elect of AAPI Dr. Anupama Gotimukula said “Lodha’s heroic fight with COVID-19 epitomizes the struggles of frontline health workers. Lodha along with other physicians of Indian origin who have lost their lives due to the pandemic “will continue to inspire us and AAPI forever.”

Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari expressed condolences on the passing of Lodha, who he described as “a dear friend and a great human being who used to go out of his way to help those in need.”

Condolence messages also came from Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje who recalled Lodha’s immense contribution to the diaspora, especially the Rajasthani community, in the U.S.

Former Director General, Border Security Force, K.K. Sharma said Lodha was not only a proficient doctor but also an important functionary of Rajasthan Association of North America. He was always ready to help others and will be fondly remembered.

Describing him as a dear friend and courageous soul, Vice-president of AAPI Dr. Ravi Kolli said Lodha was a “man of passion, integrity, determination and generosity. He fought till end with great valor befitting of a warrior. His commitment to AAPI family was unprecedented.”

The Indian Panorama received condolence messages

A large number of community  and professional leaders, and Dr. Lodha’s friends and admirers sent their tribute to the dear departed  to The Indian Panorama which we are publishing below.

Dr. Uma Mysorekar,  President,  The Hindu Temple Society of  North America in her condolence message sent to The Indian Panorama said, “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn the passing away of Dr. Ajay Lodha, who was not only an eminent physician but also one of the great community leaders. His passing away leaves a big void in the community. His contributions to the society as a leader of AAPI will be forever remembered. His humility and kindness added to his distinguished personality. On behalf of The Hindu Temple Society of NA, I want to convey my deepest condolences to his family and the community and offer our prayers for his soul to rest in peace.”

Saleem Iqbal, President & CEO, HAB Bank said, “On behalf of HAB Bank and its team, I extend our deepest and profound condolences to Dr. Smita Lodha, Amit, and Shweta on untimely passing of our beloved, Dr. Ajay Lodha. We would like to convey our prayers and please know that we are with you in this hour of immeasurable pain and sense of profound loss.

Dr. Lodha to us was more than a friend. He was embodiment of what a decent and caring human being is all about. He was kind and had an infectious laughter and smile. Besides being a  great doctor, he always found time to serve our community through AAPI and RANA to name a few. He impacted many lives through his service to South Asian community of Long Island & beyond. By any measure, he achieved many milestones yet he stayed humble and always found time to chat. He will be greatly missed but we know that positive impact that he had on numerous lives will live beyond our lifetime. He made our community a better place to live.

We will always carry with us the conversations we had, pleasant memories we shared and friendship that will last forever.

Bhagwan divangat atma ko cheer shanti pradan Kare!

Vandana Sharma, a former Regional Manager Americas for AIR INDIA in New York who knew Dr. Lodha well, in her message to The Indian Panorama said:

“Adieu The End.

The place of this phrase is where else…at the end. If it comes in the middle of a story, it leaves everyone wondering. “What If?” “A feeing “Abhi picture baaki hai dost!”

When “the end” cuts short a life, it leaves us shell shocked and groping to fill the vacuum. Words fail. I close my eyes. Dr. Ajay Lodha, his gentle laugh, cherubic face, kind eyes, reappear. Saat samundar paar. Yet in grief and shock that COVID has claimed another victim, devastated a family, and in taking the life of Dr Ajay Lodha, a humanitarian, a doctor, a philanthropist, a wonderful human being, it has dealt a body blow to the Community.

Dr Ajay Lodha, stood tall amongst men with his deeds. As elected President of AAPI of 2016, he officially interacted with me in my capacity as Regional Manager, Americas, Air India. He became our family physician, a confidant, a cherished friend. In my limited interactions of a few years, Dr Ajay Lodha left a mark. His persona exuded warmth and a great love of life and people. Originating from Rajasthan, India, his home in New York is a beautiful synthesis of elements across cultures, a salute to mharo Rajasthan. Built with materials sourced from across the world, their home is a reflection of their persona, exuding warmth, everlasting beauty and great hospitality.

The Lodha’s Clinic was always full of people from all walks of life. Each one was treated with dignity. As a physician, he was quick to respond and identify the ailment, look at treatment, and worked to heal his patients.

Our last interaction was of March 24, 2020, when he messaged back to wish us well and said “Keep yourself healthy in this great calamity”

How do we reconcile ourselves to this great loss of a doctor who has treated so many patients, helped them to recover, has been a great healer, succumbing himself to a disease in prime of life, where official mortality rate is less than 2 percent! No logic, no answers. Best treatment and prayers, a brave fight over eight months, and finally he hung up his stethoscope. His passing is also a tribute to the great doctor and man who did not believe in giving up. Well fought Dr Ajay Lodha. May your soul attain moksh.

May God give Smita ji and family, strength to bear this great loss. Om Shanti ?

Dr. Jagdish Gupta, Board of Trustees, AAPI 2020-2023 in his message said:

A Tribute to Ajay-my friend and Confidante:

” A legendary leader of the Indian Community passed into oblivion, leaving all of

us, heartbroken and sad. It is hard to fathom the loss to his patients, to us his colleagues,  his parents, his family and to the entire community, as he was loved by everyone who came  in contact with him. Dr. Lodha was a dynamic, enthusiastic, and visionary leader with  endless energy, who commanded as President of National AAPI, AAPI QLI, RANA and  RAJMAAI. He always strived for excellence. He made our organizations vibrant, strong and politically powerful and provided significant contributions to the society at large.

In spite of the very brave fight put up by him like a good “Rajasthani Warrior” for almost 8 months and the best medical care received, he lost the battle, as God Almighty probably had a better  calling for him. Today, I lost one of my best friends and confidante. The pain is unbearable for me. While extending my heartfelt condolences to the entire “Lodha Parivar” I sincerely pray to God Almighty, to provide strength and resilience to his parents, his wife Smita jee, his children Amit, Shweta, Priyanka and the entire Lodha Family to endure the irreparable Loss.

May God bless his divine soul and provide “Sadgati & Moksha” Om Shanti Aum.??

Rakesh Dua,  Past President AAPIQLI wrote:

“Not a day has gone by since my family and I have not thought about Ajay and kept him in our prayers as he fought his long battle against Covid-19 and related complications. He was a great friend, brother, and mentor. He touched the heart of so many people across the country and shared a special relationship with each and every one of us. He was instrumental in allowing AAPI and RANA to reach its heights and the reason behind our strength as a community. Our friendship and bond grew stronger through my years in AAPI. He welcomed me and supported me as a colleague and leader. I recall the year that he was president of National AAPI.  The same year, I received the opportunity to serve as president of AAPIQLI. We would meet 3-4 times a week and speak on the phone daily. I firsthand witnessed his determination, courage, and hard work to make the local and National convention a great success. Post his year as president, our close friendship and relationship grew. We met often and would talk to each other. I was fortunate enough to attend his son’s wedding in Jaipur, and I will cherish the colorful memories forever. Ajay you will  always have a special place in our hearts and we love you very much.”

AIA, NY President Harish Thakkar messaged:

“Dr. Ajay Lodha was a tremendous individual and possessed a tireless love of his APPI and the community. His energy and laughter were infectious and instantly created warmth in any room he entered. We will remember Dr. Lodha’s many contributions to AIA, NY & to the community. This loss leaves a very big hole in our community. Dr. Lodha’s legacy will live on through all the lives he’s impacted on, in our community and the indelible influence he had on APPI, AIA & entire community. I admired all those wonderful qualities that made him the special person that he was. I will never forget all that he did for AIA, NY & me. He always supported me & all of AIA, NY Chapter’s events. He was kind, compassionate, and a caring person.

I will miss him greatly and he will be in my thoughts and prayers always. One of the things we will never forget is the great sympathy he aroused from us. He made us rejoice even in the most difficult times and give us a voice of encouragement which made us able to accomplish everything. His absence will be difficult to get over, as no one can replace him. He has left us with so many wonderful memories. I will cherish them forever.”

Jagsish Sewhani,  President , American India Public Affairs Committee sent a message which read:

“We are  deeply saddened at the untimely passing away of our dear friend Dr. Ajay Lodhaji . It’s saddest news for the Indian community. I have known him for more than two decades. He had Passion for Bharat . Ajay ji was humble , dedicated and outstanding Leader , always full of energy.

Ajay ji you will remain in our heats forever.

Our heartfelt condolences to Lodha Family”

Tirlok Malik, Filmmaker | Restaurateur | Happy Lifestyle Speaker, and Emmy nominee in  his message emailed to The Indian Panorama said, “He lived a life of GOOD KARMA helping people with his work and his being KIND Human being.

He died in the line of duty of A Doctor. People like him do not die. They live forever in our hearts.

I will remember him always.”

I am grateful to all who sent their condolence messages to The Indian Panorama. I am sorry if a message has been overlooked.

Vandana Sharma has been kind enough to send a poem on the subject of death in the cruel times of COVID. I thank her for the lovely poem. I hope she will give me her permission to publish it with retrospective effect though.

 

Rest In Peace

Each time one friend goes on, away.

A vacuum, sorrow, memories stay.

A grieving world, a gentle ache,

Oh Rest In Peace, whispered, messaged.

How does one really Rest In Peace?

Is it when our breath does cease?

When soul has left body bereft,

Which of the two in peace does rest?

Till moment passed, the soul just danced,

Carefree, the body puppet pranced.

Work, work, work, work, a sudden pause,

Left incomplete, left with no thought.

Who really knows the great beyond?

Do souls take rest? Live on and on?

No answer yet we guess, and guess.

Waste our today, in strife, unrest.

Parent’s gone on; we still live on.

Distraught, perplexed, we carry on.

He lived his life, so we could rest,

Enjoy this world, heaven at best.

Now He is just a breath away,

Beloved! In memories remains.

Last lesson taught, with breath that’s gone,

Don’t fret, enjoy each breath that’s yo