Madhabhai J. Dungarani, or as many of you affectionately knew him, Madhu,  Madhu Uncle, Jijaji, Doctor Uncle or my personal favorite "Dad", passed away on December 15, 2009.  He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, and friend.  He was also a prominent member of his community, both back home in India as well as here in the U.S.  Most notably, he spent the majority of his life serving others not only as a physician but as a loving, jovial and supportive friend to many.

My dad prided himself on living life according to a certain standard of conduct and set of values.  Of those values, there were three that were very close to his heart and served as pillars for the way he raised his children, served others, and lived his life. These 3 pillars are education, healthcare, and the well-being of children.

Education - Dad came from humble beginnings, having been raised in the impoverished villages of Gujarat, India by a family of farmers.  As Indian kids growing up in America, Trushar and I always heard stories of Uncles and Aunties who were forced to walk long distances to school and suffer unspeakable hardships.  We were instructed to feel fortunate to have a car or some other such luxury.  As a young student, my father actually did walk 5 km to school each way because the nearest school was in another village.  He borrowed money from his uncle to pursue a medical school education.  

Healthcare - My dad had a passion for medicine because it gave him a way to serve others on a daily basis. Though he was a pediatrician by training, he had also spent many years helping anyone in need in whichever way he could. When he arrived in the U.S., he was the first medical doctor to live in and provide support to the small rural town of Menno, South Dakota in which 4000 families resided. Additionally, he has traveled to medical camps in Africa and has helped raise funds to build a pro-bono hospital near his former village in India.

Children - Dad loved kids, plain and simple. They were his life. His biggest passion, apart from serving his family, was serving the kids (and sometimes their parents) at his practice for the last 18+ years in Tempe and Chandler, Arizona.  Perhaps that is why he just couldn't say no to a sick or crying kid. Dad's commitment to service would often result in his seeing 60+ patients a day. I have heard stories from many parents about how their son or daughter was really sick and Dad would make time on a Saturday, sometimes even follow them to the hospital. Some parents shared their accounts of Dad saving their child from a life threatening emergency that other physicians had missed. But most exceptionally, he made every child feel like the center of the universe. He would give them little nicknames like "Ms. Universe" or "Little Princess" or “Superman” when they walked into the office. I have never seen so many kids who loved to go to the doctor's office. And many former patients, when they had their own kids, brought them in to see Dad even if they lived 15-20+ miles away.

Considering these three core values, our family feels that in lieu of sending flowers or even buying a plane ticket to visit us, you could make your dollar, pound/sterling, rupee, etc. go a long way by supporting Pratham USA- a non-profit organization based in India whose mission is “Every child in school and learning well.” Their programs address education, health and wellness, and empowerment, especially for young adult women in the field of education. Pratham has been recognized with 4 stars by Charity Navigator. To learn more about Pratham please visit www.prathamusa.org.

Donating through this website is simple, fast, and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support fundraising efforts on behalf of a cause that truly embodies Dad's values.

With Love, Compassion, and Hope,

Amit, Trushar, and Bhanuben (Mom) Dungarani