Rajiv Surendra Doddanavar, Vice Chairman of Bharatesh Education Trust, passed away in Belagavi after a brief illness on Thursday 2nd March 2023 at 11.45 pm.
He was 68 and is survived by his wife, two daughters, grandkids, two brothers- Vinod Doddanavar and Ajit Doddanavar and a large family. His mortal remains will be kept for public tributes at Bharatesh Education Trust on Friday 3rd March from 8.30 to 10.30 and thereafter at his home in Hindwadi till 12.00 pm. Cremation will be held at Shahapur crematorium at 1 pm on Friday 3rd March.
Son of veteran Congress leader Late Shri Komalanna Doddanavar, he left an imprint in several fields. Rajiv Doddanavar was the National Vice President of Bharatiya Jain Sanghtana, President of Federation of Jain Educational Institutions and also of Kamal Basadi Puja Committee, Belagavi. He completed his schooling from St. Paul’s. He was an avid cricketer and represented University while studying engineering at SIT-Tumkur. He brought in several innovative projects in his family business, including Nandi Chemicals, the company that they had started, which supplied aromatic compounds to Cycle Brand Agarbatthis and S. H. Kelkar & Co., two of the largest companies back then. He also successfully led the family’s business in Logistics and Mining.
After his initiation into Bharatesh Education Trust over three decades ago, he brought about several new projects, reforms and numerous developmental activities. It was his relentless dedication that saw the construction of a beautiful Jain Basadi at Kasmalagi near Khanapur which now has one of the most beautiful 11th-century idol of Bhagwan Parshwanath which was unearthed during the construction of a school.
The renovation of the Jain Basadi at Shetty Galli is also a work of his efforts, whereby he brought to closure a longstanding issue. He led the Mahaveer Jayanti celebrations at Belagavi for several years. He was one of the key persons who invited Tarun Sagarji Maharaj for the Chaturmas in 2005 and successfully conducted it for 4 months, bringing Belagavi on the National map and which is forever being etched in the minds of thousands of Belagavi people.
Rajiv Doddanavar had a large circle of friends and got along well with people of all ages, connecting with them on diverse subjects. Being a voracious reader, he had deep knowledge and keen understanding of several topics including politics, technology, education, religion, history, heritage and sports. He was a great orator and enthralled audiences with his anecdotes.
His foresightedness, leadership skills and gregarious nature reaped great benefits for Bharatesh Education Trust over these years. He was awarded as ‘Samaj Bhushan’ by Poojya Jinasen Bhattarak Swamiji of Jain Matha Nandani and also by Poojya Jagadguru Swastishri Charukirti Bhattarak Swamiji of Jain Matha Shravanabelagola for his contribution to society at large.
