Badhai.. Badhai...Badhai!!! Installation of VYO International Board by VYO

Dear All,

Jai Shree Krishna.
With enormous grace of Shree Nathji Prabhu and blessings of HDH Yuva Vaishnavacharya Goswami 108 Shri Vrajrajkumarji Mahodayshri, VYO is pleased to announce the installation of VYO-International Board to connect and inspire Vaishnavs worldwide to spread selfless Pushti Bhakti as envisioned by Jagatguru Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji Mahaprabhuji and Prabhucharan Shree Gusaiji.

The aim of the VYO International Board is to undertake an enormous project and transforming Pujya Jejeshri’s vision, mission and goals into reality and bring VYO to new heights and serve “Happiness through Spirituality” worldwide.

In today’s fast-paced and hyper-consumerism society, we are faced with many temptations and desires, which eventually leads into fatigue and stressful event. Therefore, balance of spirituality is necessary to restore peace of mind. Pujya Jejeshri’s vision is to bring inner happiness, unity and solidarity among Vaishnavs by teaching young generation to reconnect with their rich Indian heritage, take pride in their religion, roots, culture, and core values to be competent and compassionate citizens of tomorrow. Pujya Jejeshri’s Mission is to build spiritual centers and/or Havelis for religious rituals, congregation, and teach religion based on Pushtimarg. Offer curriculum classes for Kids on Hinduism and various facets of Indian philosophy including our own Pushtimarg. The entire objective is to provide bond among Vaishnavs and strengthen our Pushtimarg with huge network to benefit Vaishnavs worldwide.

Additionally, the Board will also promote, support, and follow up on VYO’s signature projects worldwide such as Krishna Sanskar World, Love for Gau, Educational help for under-privileged children and other Humanitarian projects. 

Moreover, the Board is committed to strengthen and provide guidance and support to the existing and new VYO centers across the world.

With Pujya JeJe’s Aashirwad, VYO Intl Board was formed as under. Please see below a short introduction of the VYO-International Board members . Thanks you.

VYO International Chairman (USA)

Ramesh Rakholia

My name is Ramesh Rakholia, born in a small village Mandorana - Gir in Junagadh District of Gujarat. Currently residing in San Diego, California. I am happily married to my wife Varsha and we have lovely daughters Kosha, Vishwa and Ruhi. I have completed my Pharmacy education in Ahmedabad in 1989 and now am a registered Pharmacist owning a community pharmacy in San Diego, California. I am also a RYT 500 - Registered Yoga Teacher and like to teach and practice Yoga & Guided Meditation. With the Blessings and guidance of Pujya JeJe Shri Vrajrajkumarji Mahodayshri, I am actively involved with VYO USA since its inception and currently serve as Vice Chairman of VYO USA.

My prayers to the lotus feet of Shri Thakorji, Jagatguru Shrimad Vallabhacharyaji Mahaprabhuji and our beloved Guru Shri Vrajrajkumarji Mahodayshri to make VYO Vaishnavs Nimmit for Pushtimargiya revolution and take VYO to new heights to fulfill the motto of VYO “Serve Happiness through Spirituality” by various religious, cultural, social and humanitarian activities across the globe.

I feel blessed, lucky and humbled to be selected by Pujya JeJe to lead VYO’s spiritual activities worldwide along with other fine group of Vaishnavs from across the World.

VYO International Vice Chairman (India)

Ashok Shah

My name is Ashok bhai Jamnadas Shah and I was born and brought up in Mumbai. I did B.tech (Textile) in VJTI, Mumbai and later was an industrialist in textile and high precision spares. I am currently retired and in full time seva of Pujya Jejeshri.

I enjoy Research and Development and like to engage in PR activities. I am by Shree Thakorji and Pujya Jejeshri’s blessings a very positive person in life and have a motto in life ‘Everyone can sail a ship in the ocean, blessed is he/she who can sail a ship even in the dessert’. I have been a trustee of VYO since the organization was established. I wish to continue giving my services in every possible way to take Pujya Jejeshri’s vision to new heights.

VYO International Fund Raising Chair (Canada)

Kirit Shah

My name is Kirit Balkrishna Shah I am married to Urvashi and a proud grandfather of Madhav and father of Dhrasti (married to Mitulkumar) and Meghna (recently engaged to Bhavik). I was born in Sojita, India and have lived in Uganda, Nadiad, Vadodara, as well as Dubai (UAE) and New York intermittently. Since 1992, I am living in Ottawa, Canada. I am a part owner of a custom plastic injection molding company. 

Since childhood I have enjoyed being involved in both charity and religious organizations. My commitment and enthusiasm for volunteering has started at very young age. I have been President of the Gujarati Cultural Association, Ottawa, trustee of Shrinathji Haveli, Toronto (PMVS), trustee of VYO USA, and was on the board of trustees for the Hindu Temple of Ottawa Carleton from 2002 to 2013. Currently, I also sit on the board for Festival of India, Ottawa and am a part of volunteer group who prepares and serves vegetarian meals to over 350 homeless persons monthly and am an active member of the ruling Liberal Party of Canada.

Aligning with VYO’s mandate, me and my wife are committed to spreading awareness of Hinduism to the next generation, helping them understand and appreciate the various facets of Pushtimarg.

VYO International President (Kenya)

Sanjay Mandavia

My Name is Sanjay Mandavia, born and brought up in Kisumu, Kenya, East Africa. I am currently residing in Kisumu and live with my family. I am happily married to Preeti and have two lovely daughters, Nikita and Bhavita. I completed my O Levels here in Kisumu and joined business since 1983. I own a printing and a stationery business since 1989 and with Thakorji’s grace we have been established successfully for the last 25 years. My hobbies are sports and I am also into music. I sing and play few instruments like harmonium and tablas. With the blessings and guidance of Pujya Jejeshri Vrajrajkumarji Mahodayshri, I am actively involved in the VYO Kisumu and serve as the first President of VYO Kisumu.

With the blessing of Shree Thakorji and guidance of Pujya Jejeshri, I feel blessed that I have been chosen to serve this board and will do the best of my ability to take VYO worldwide to greater heights. I look forward to working with all on this board and promote Pushtimarg in every part of the world.

VYO International Vice President (USA)

Parool Modi

My name is Parool Modi, born in Pushtimargiya Vaishnav family and was raised in small village called Bahadarpur located in Vadodara district. From early childhood, emphasis were given on spirituality and education. With the grace of Shree Thakorji, I earned full scholarship to attend MS University in Vadodara and earned bachelor degree in accounting. Right after my education, I entered into Grihastha Ashram, got married to my wonderful husband Rohit and moved with him to NJ, USA. We are blessed with two beautiful children, daughter Nima and son Raj.

I held professional jobs in the field of accounting and finance for many years. Being an internal auditor to preparing and analyzing financial statements for manufacturing, banking, and service industries.

When my husband and I first met our beloved Pujya Jeje, Shri Vrajrajkumarji Mahodayshri, we were totally captivated and thrilled to hear His vision, mission, and objective of life. Since then, our lives have transformed and renewed by His teachings and making significant progress to attain inner peace and happiness through spirituality. I am truly delighted to be a part of this great International team and willing to contribute any anything I can to fulfill Pujya Jeje’s wish for the benefits of humanity.

VYO International Secretary (UK)

Roopa Kakar

My name is Roopa Kakar. I was born in Uganda, East Africa and brought up in India. I have spent most of my life in Sweden where I did Master’s degree in Financial Management from University of Gothenburg. Currently I am residing in the UK where I am professionally working as a Project Manager. I am a qualified yoga and meditation teacher and a keen practitioner of the same.

Pushtimargiya values have been my guidelines since birth and these have provided stability and strength throughout all the various phases of my life.

JeJeShri’s vision of VYO, Krishna Sanskar World, VYO Education and Pushtimarg is unique and indeed tremendously inspiring. I feel honoured and humbled to have been given the opportunity by JeJeShri to serve and manifest Aapshri’s vision through VYO International Board. I am looking forward to contribute in the best possible way to VYO initiatives globally along with Vaishnavs from all continents.

VYO International Jt. Secretary (UK)

Tejal Nathadwarawala

My name is Tejal Chandarana Nathadwarawala and I am also known as Pari. I hail from ‘Dwarka’ and have been brought up in Baroda. I studied Bachelors of Business Administration in M.S. University, where I did my specialization in Marketing. I then started studying Clinical and Community Psychology in M.S.U. and further studied Masters in Business Psychology from the University of Hertfordshire. Currently, I am a PhD student and a Visiting Lecturer in the University of Hertfordshire. Moreover, I am a ‘Fellow of Higher Education Academy, UK’ also a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Psychometric Tester (level A and level B). I also help my husband Jay with HinduReligiousItems.com as that also forms to be one of my passions. My other areas of interest are dancing, anchoring, singing, performing Yoga, counselling and cooking.

With shree thakorji’s krupa, I come from a family where both my maternal side and paternal side follow Pushtimarg, helping me to contour my talent that can be useful for our marg. With Hari, Guru and Vaishnavs’ krupa and Bhagwad ichcha, I have been working in the VYO Education course development and being a part of the International VYO Education committee, I would be able to reach out to the world to spread the awareness and develop VYOE program on a global platform.

VYO International Public Relations (UK)

Neha Thakkar

My name is Neha Thakkar and I feel most privileged to have been asked by Pujya Jejeshri to join VYO International Board.

I was born in the United Kingdom, as my parents moved here from East Africa in 1961. Despite residing in the western world and away from our country of origin, both my parents have from a very young age instilled within me strong moral, religious and cultural values.

My husband Ashit Roy Thakkar and I are both solicitors and we have been blessed with 2 sons aged 16 and 12 years respectively. My husband is the trustee of Sanatan Hindu Mandir in Wembley and it is there where we were first honoured and privileged to have met Pujya Jejeshri 3 years ago.

As a family we were immediately mesmerized by Pujya Jejeshri’s warmth and love and thereafter made him our Guruji. Over the last few years JeJeShri has truly been our guiding light and we feel very blessed to have him in our lives.

I look forward to being an integral part of this VYO international board and will use my best endeavors to advance VYO worldwide in accordance with Pujya Jejeshri’s Agna.

Jai Shree Krishna,

Jai Shree Vallabh,

Parool Modi