Page 179 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition Jan-Feb 2020

CONDOLENCE MESSAGES RECEIVED FOR RAJNI TURAKHIA
FROM THE FRATERNITY

We are all saddened to hear of the loss of our senior valued colleague and associate Mr. Rajni Turakhia. In the last almost a
year the Indian Optometric fraternity has lost four stalwarts – Ashok Malik, Vinay Agarwal, Darshini Desai
and now Rajni Bhai. All four of them were virtual pillars of our profession and went out of the way for the up-liftmen
of Optometry.
My first interaction with Rajni ji was when he was my Viva examiner in 1976 and I distinctly remember how he made me
feel comfortable. Since then I have been privileged to receive his continued blessings and support on various activities that
we did together. We even travelled overseas for conferences and actively participated on several platforms. I will never forget
that on our trip to Korea, Rajni Bhai had to virtually starve for four days as vegetarian food was not available and he found the
smell of food in Korea nauseating. He did not complain even once and even attended the paid banquet by having only water.
My heartfelt condolences to his entire family and I am positive that he would be greatly missed by all the people who
came in touch with him in his long eventful journey.
– Optom Vipin Buckshey

Rajni bhai Turakhia or Rajni uncle as I used to address him was Rajni uncle as I called him was an inspiration for all of
so much more than a well reputed Optometrist for me. us since our college days. All the more as Snehal Turakhia
was our classmate in college. Going forward he just loved
He was a father figure to me and to many more in the to meet us and get to know what we were doing in the
industry. His ever helpful nature, fair dealings, tremendous energy profession. When OCI was formed and I commenced
when it came to working for the betterment of the profession, working as a volunteer (still am), he had words of advice
his vast experience and knowledge helped majority of the “all this social service is ok, but please don't neglect your
Optometrists at some point in their lives. Indian Optometry practice. I have burnt my hands enough and I don't want
Association under his guidance rose to greater heights and glory. you to do the same”. Those words will always remain with
The Chennai conference that was organised under his leadership me forever. Miss him and his guidance!!!
set a new benchmark for IOA conferences that were professionally
managed after this. I was a student back then and remember him – Optom Lakshmi Shinde
mentioning that the conference souvenir of this conference would
be preserved by all, for years to come. Sure enough it was made in
such a way that all of us read through it many times. I am deeply saddened and shocked by the untimely
loss of my friend, guide, adviser and elder brother Shri
On the personal front he used to welcome me to Chennai Rajni Turakhia.
saying welcome to your second home! When we graduated, he My association with Rajni bhai dates back to 1986
gave us free hand to use Turakhia name to get things done in the when I had just graduated from optometry college and
industry, after all Turakhia was like that secret password which joined business. He made me the treasurer of the first
will welcome you to any corner of the industry. He would inform optometry conference in Chennai and later, when he
the dealers to give credit and assure them if “Yeshwant doesn’t became the President of IOA, he appointed me as the
pay, bill it to Turakhia Opticians!” But also made me promise Secretary. From then onwards there was no looking
to pay them on time with Demand Draft and not cheque – the back – we were always together in all the professional
importance of which I understood much later. It helped me to meetings, conferences etc.
build credibility in the market.
Rajni bhai was a humble person, full of life and
He was against my working as an educator and instead always ready to help anyone who came in his contact
wanted me to concentrate on business and increasing my whether from the optical fraternity or any other
earnings, however, in recent times he was proud of what I had profession. His ever smiling face was an inspiration to all
become. Visit to Chennai included a mandatory visit in his cabin at of us – above all he was a super human being whom I will
Turakhia Opticians and getting admonished with lot of love and miss forever.
affection for not opening more branches of Saoji Vision Care and - Optom Dinesh K Shah
lot of words of encouragement for all the future plans. I was very
lucky to have met him very recently and got his blessings.
I bid my last obeisance to this great man during his last रजनी भाई Turakhia के अक मात िनधन पर, मुझे व मेरे पिरवार
moments wondering when he will raise again and share his words को बहुत दुःख हुआ। ई वर उनकी आ मा को शांित दे और उनके
on wisdom that I so cherish. “I promise you Uncle, though I may पिरवार को दुख सहन करने की श त दान करे।
not open another branch but assure you that you will always be Rajni भाई तमाम Optometrist के िलए ेरणा ोत थे।
proud of my achievements. Keep blessing us from wherever you Optometry profession की तरफ से ांजिल।
are!”. Om shanti. – Optom Satish Gupta
– Optom Yeshwant Saoji

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