Dr. Natwar Gandhi, D.C. Chief Financial Officer, paid tribute to Fakirchand Dalal at Dalal’s 80th birthday last December 17. Gandhi is a long-time family friend. Family and other friends shared the important milestone at the Bombay Peacock Grill in Columbia , Maryland .

In his remarks, Gandhi marveled at Dalal’s reaching “such longevity in good health.” He also cited his character and pioneering leadership.

Said Gandhi: “I always felt that he was far ahead than many of us in recognizing that our community should organize for collective action.  He was a founding member of Gujarati Samaj. At the same time he realized the larger Indian community needs to have an organization to represent itself to the American society. Thus, he was also a founding member of Association of Indians in America .”

The program also included prayers, songs, a dance number, a Tabla play, and a Mind Reading Show, ending with the thanks by family and friends.  Grandson Neil Dalal, the family’s youngest, was emcee.

Excerpts from Gandhi’s remarks: “One thing that has impressed me most about him is his rational view of life. Whatever the situation he may be involved--from sublime to ridiculous--he is always clear. He would sort out the issue at hand neatly and then decide what he should or should not do and then follow it without reservations. While many of us are ambivalent about what to do till the last moment and once having taken a decision we are seared with doubts and second thoughts, Dalal would have none of that. I envy that kind of clear thinking and steadfastness.

“…he was the first among a small group of friends to come to realization that we have left India for good and that we are here to stay and that we should start putting our roots here. It took many of us a while to realize the wisdom of his thinking and followed his guidance to settle down. He is always opposed to carrying a lot of emotional baggage about India . He knew that it all inhibits our inevitable Americanization.”