Raj Kumar

A Life of Devotion, Principle, & Family

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Raj Kumar, a beloved husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, entrepreneur, and devoted member of the community, who passed away recently.

Born into a loving family, Raj Kumar’s life was defined by his strong principles, unwavering dedication to his family, and sharp intellect. His passion for learning led him to the prestigious Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where he completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree between 1962

and 1965. Though he was accepted into the Masters in Pharmacy program at BITS Pilani, he made the difficult, but principled, decision not to attend due to financial constraints.

His personal life began its most joyous chapter on September 29, 1974, when he married his wife, Asha Devi. Their connection was immediate and when he first traveled to see her, she glimpsed him through a slightly opened window, and he caught sight of her—a moment he cherished as love at first sight. Their wedding was a lavish affair for the time, attended by approximately 700 guests, with Asha Devi’s family traveling from Kanpur to Lucknow for the celebration. His mother held a special fondness for Asha Devi, as both their families hailed from the Sukkur Sindh area.

Raj Kumar was a dedicated family man. On August 11, 1975, they welcomed their first child, a son, Anand Kumar, in Lucknow.

Their family continued to grow with the arrival of their second son, Vishal Gaurav, on June 2, 1981. Their first daughter, Priyanka, was born on December 16, 1985, and their youngest daughter, Sameeksha, completed the family on August 16, 1992.

Raj Kumar’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to service led him to open his first pharmacy on January 1, 1983. For nearly four decades, from 1983 to 2021, he successfully ran his pharmacy business and, crucially, ensured all four of his children received the best possible education in Lucknow.

He was known affectionately by many as “Raja Sahib” for his trustworthiness and reliability. He possessed a remarkable aptitude for numbers and accounting. Beyond his professional life, he enjoyed the simple pleasures of reading newspapers and indulging in sweets. He held a deep reverence for education and was fond of traveling, especially on the railways.

Raj Kumar was a passionate Hindu. He carried deep wounds from the Partition of India, often recounting the traumatic stories of that era to ensure the memory of those struggles was not lost.

Above all, he was a profoundly devoted and protective brother, always going out of his way to help his siblings financially, legally, and socially.

Raj Kumar’s legacy is one of unwavering moral conviction, immense generosity, and unconditional love for his family. He will be deeply missed by his children, and all those whose lives he touched.