A Tribute to Mrs. Perviz Dara Bhote | Gandhi Peace Foundation | Madras

A Tribute to Mrs. Perviz Dara Bhote
Chairperson, Gandhi Peace Foundation, Madras

Mrs. Perviz Dara Bhote (1952–2026), Chairperson of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, Madras, passed away peacefully on the evening of 27 June 2026 at the age of 74. With her passing, the Gandhian movement has lost a gentle, steadfast, and deeply compassionate soul.

An educationist, editor, writer, and social thinker, Mrs. Bhote dedicated her life to learning, service, and the promotion of universal human values. She served as a Lecturer in English, worked as a professional editor, and contributed significantly to cultural and heritage initiatives. Her life reflected the timeless ideals of truth, harmony, and selfless service.

For over three decades, beginning in 1995, Mrs. Bhote stood firmly with the Gandhi Peace Foundation, Madras. As its Chairperson, she offered constant encouragement, thoughtful guidance, and unwavering moral support to its peace education and youth development programmes.

One of her most cherished contributions was her regular participation in nearly fifty All Religions Prayer for Peace gatherings, where she rendered the Zoroastrian Prayer in her sweet and prayerful voice. Through this, she beautifully demonstrated the spirit of interfaith harmony that Mahatma Gandhi cherished throughout his life.

A sincere devotee of Mahatma Gandhi, she believed that the values of truth, non-violence, compassion, and constructive work should be passed on to younger generations. She quietly inspired many through her humility, wisdom, and personal example rather than through words alone.

To me, she was much more than our Chairperson. She affectionately called me “Thambi” and, with the loving authority of an elder sister, never hesitated to correct my shortcomings while standing beside me during some of the most difficult moments of my life. Her affection, guidance, and encouragement will remain among my life’s greatest blessings.

When I received the news of her passing during my morning walk, I was unable to move forward. I sat down, overwhelmed with grief, unable to hold back my tears. It was the same profound sense of loss that I experienced when I lost my own mother.

Mrs. Perviz Dara Bhote will be remembered as a woman of warmth, grace, quiet strength, and unwavering humanity—a devoted wife to the late Dara J. Bhote, a loving mother, grandmother, family member, and a cherished friend to countless people whose lives she touched with kindness and compassion.

Her passing is an irreparable loss to the Gandhi Peace Foundation, Madras, to the Gandhian fraternity, and to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

We offer our heartfelt condolences to her children, grandchildren, and the entire Bhote family. We pray that her noble soul rests in eternal peace and continues to inspire and guide us in our journey towards truth, peace, and service.

Mrs. Perviz Dara Bhote’s life reminds us that the greatest leadership is exercised not through authority, but through love, humility, and silent service.