Veteran Indian businessman Maghanmal Pancholia laid to rest in Dubai

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Veteran, Indian, businessman, Maghanmal Pancholia, Maghaba, Maghanmal Jethanand Group, founder,
Founder of the Maghanmal Jethanand Group, Pancholia was one of UAE's oldest residents. - Photo by Shihab/Khaleej Times

Scores of loved ones, employees and well-wishers paid respects at the community leader's funeral

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Dhanusha Gokulan

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Published: Tue 3 Sep 2019, 3:00 PM

Last updated: Wed 4 Sep 2019, 6:59 PM

Veteran Indian businessman Maghanmal Pancholia, fondly called 'Maghaba' was laid to rest in Dubai's Hindu crematorium in Jebel Ali on Tuesday, September 3.
Founder of the Maghanmal Jethanand Group, Pancholia was one of UAE's oldest residents. Family, friends, business associates, and employees have said Pancholia's demise is a tremendous loss for the Indian community in Dubai.

Several hundred members of the Indian community, including senior Emirati businessmen, with whom Pancholia had a long-standing relationship, were present at the crematorium on Tuesday evening. Final rites were conducted as per Hindu traditions, and the family announced at the funeral that a condolence meeting will be organised on Thursday.
The venue and timing will be announced shortly. The funeral prayers were held shortly after 12.30 pm, and the cremation of his mortal remains was held soon after. Dr Lalchand Maghanmal Pancholia, son of Maghanmal Pancholia, and all members of the Pancholia family including grandchildren were present at the funeral. The family said he died due to natural causes and was rushed to a hospital after developing chest pains in the office.
Dr Lalchand said, "My father's demise is not only a personal loss but also a loss for the Indian community. We pray the values he instilled in us will continue to keep the rich legacy in our family and our community."
Emirati businessman Khalil Al Sayegh and an associate were present at the funeral. The owner of Khalil Al Sayegh Jewellers and several other companies said, "I've known Maghanmal for several years. Our family has had wonderful relations and our fathers used to do business together. He has done so much for Indian people in the UAE."
Surender Singh Kandhari, the chairman and founder of the Al Dobowi Group remembers him as a very warm, affectionate, and a family man who lived up to his principles. "He was a very principled person and never missed a day of work. This was the best way to go, straight from the office. Only those people who do such good deeds have such a good end. He lived a full life, and may God bless his soul. He was also a great community leader who kept the community very strong."  
Narain Sawlani, a retired businessman and present trustee of Indian High School, India Club, and trustee of the Hindu temple in Dubai said he was a stalwart for the community who launched so many initiatives for Indian people in the UAE.
Navin Kapoor, the owner and MD of Xpertize United Dubai said, "A leading light has gone. A true symbol of success and humility, we have lost a most prominent Indian and this void will be difficult to fill. I have known Dada for over 30 years and he was my mentor and Guru. I will always remember the time spent with him."
A business associate Johny Taurani, the group general manager of DSS Steel LLC said, "I've known him for the last 38 years. He was like family, and we are very inspired by him. We have been doing business with him for the past 20 years. We always learn from him, he was very dedicated person. He was like a grandfather to me."
Pancholia's employee Girish Kumar, who is working as the divisional head for the group's steel business said there has never been a day where the staff stopped learning from him. "Every day we would learn something from him. His work ethic was so commendable. He would arrive at the office at sharp 9:00am and every time we needed his guidance, he would always be available."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com


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