Ratan Thadani – Baba’s Jewel

Dear Divine Family,

Ratanbhai, a pillar of Baba’s Yagya, peacefully flew into Baba’s lap on 22nd November, 2024 at 5.45pm India time. He was an exceptional instrument for Baba’s service especially in the building and renovation of Baba’s main centres in the UK and around the world.

Ratanbhai was born in August 1939 in Hyderabad Sindh. During partition he left by ship with his mother and 5 siblings for Baroda. After 3 years the family moved to Mumbai and shortly afterwards Ratanbhai went to Pune to study civil and structural engineering, which in those days also included architecture.

Ratanbhai came to London, UK in 1965 to study for his masters in engineering. He then stayed on and began working. He married Ratnaben in February 1972 and she then joined him in London, from India. They were blessed with two daughters, Saira and Rina. Sadly Rina passed away in July 2024.

Ratanbhai came to Gyan in 1979 and Ratna in 1980. Ratanbhai was a dedicated student who never missed class or yoga. He came very close to Avyakt BapDada and all the Dadis and seniors. Of the many blessings Baba gave him was a message through Dadi Gulzar that, “I belonged to the family and would manage its projects. I, His child, would do my best for Baba’s service and its economy.”

Ratanbhai quickly became involved in service. As UK trustee Sanjay says: “Another factor that stands out is Ratanbhai’s pivotal role in the acquisition of properties on behalf of Brahma Kumaris UK. His work behind the scenes, negotiating, and acquiring these essential assets, was nothing short of remarkable.” Ratanbhai was especially close to Dadi Janki and he would always be ready to realise her vision of the next step in Baba’s service.

The building of Global Co-operation House (opened in 1991) would not have been possible without Ratanbhai. After completion BapDada told him: “Ratan, you have done wonders and made the impossible, possible”. In 1993 he negotiated overnight to sign the contract for the Global Retreat Centre. He then oversaw the renovations. Later in 2022 he oversaw the second renovation by BKs which included replacing the plumbing throughout the whole building.

Ratanbhai went on to be instrumental for many more centres in the UK, in Worthing, Leicester and Hounslow and also Inner Spaces in Covent Garden, Wembley and Manchester. Ratanbhai was also regularly called upon for advice for buildings in other countries including India. He had a huge wealth of experience and expertise on every level.

In the past few years, Ratanbhai regularly toured many centres in India giving classes and sharing his profound life experiences with Baba. He uplifted many.

Ratanbhai is a rare jewel who will be remembered for his depth of Gyan, broad intellect, deep insight and constant loving intention and compassion in Baba’s work. Baba has taken him for an even more elevated role.

Funeral details:
Final respects will be offered on Sunday 24 November 2024 from 10.30am to 11.30am at the Brahma Kumaris Worli Centre (Merryland building) after which the body will be taken to Worli crematorium for the last rites at 11.45am.

Tributes:
If anyone would like to write a tribute to Ratanbhai, please go to the link: Tributes for Ratanbhai. Your tributes will be posted on the Our Yagya website under the News section "Transitions" https://ouryagya.brahmakumaris.org/news/list/15 

With love,
In Baba’s yaad,
Sister Jayanti