Vallabh vidya mandir 

Kantibhai was born and raised in Anand, Gujarat, India.

His father was an accountant by profession. Kantibhai was raised in a middle-class family that was religious and that valued education - both academic and cultural. He is the eldest among two brothers and a sister. His younger brother earned an MBA degree in the US, and worked as a cost accountant. His sister has a master's degree in economics from MS University of Vadodara. She makes her home in Augusta, Georgia.

​

Having earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, he came to the US and earned a MS in electrical engineering from UC Berkeley. He had a very good academic career. He graduated from high school ranked first in the state of Gujarat. He was first class first with distinction at the BE exam from Sardar Vallabhbhai Vidyapeeth, Vallabh Vidyanagar, and was awarded a Biral Gold medal. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a GPA of 4.00/4.00.

​

Kantibhai's religious/spiritual inclination comes from his family upbringing which provided that background and stimulated his interest. This was augmented by his attendance of several Satsangs, discourses by learned saints and sages, series of lectures and seminars on Vedantic principles, and self-study by reading scriptural books, commentaries, and articles over a span of decades.

​

Kantibhai married his soulmate, Jyoti, in 1967, and they have a very happy married life. They are blessed with two daughters both of whom make their homes in Katy, TX, and both are physicians. They are also married in Hindu Gujarati families. Kantibhai is blessed with four grandchildren.

​

Though in the US since 1964, Kantibhai and Jyotiben are in Houston since 2005, and have been associated with the VPSS ever since the Bhoomi Pujan held at the current site. Kantibhai has been with VVM since 2007, has served as the teacher for Religion 3 class for over 7 years, and has been an assistant/substitute teacher for the Adult Religion class for 4 years. He has served on the VVM Board of Directors since 2017, and has been serving as its Secretary for two+ years. He has contributed to crafting our curriculum, and constantly strives to improve our educational offering and its delivery system. 

​

Kantibhai and Jyotiben have been living in Katy, TX since 2005. Prior to that they lived in Austin, TX for 21 years. In Austin, he was one of the founders of the India Cultural Association where he has served in various capacities and roles.

​

Photography, travel, reading, and spiritual study have been his hobbies. He also loves to work with children and youth, and to make them aware of our rich Hindu heritage.  Kantibhai believes that if we are to propagate our rich cultural heritage, we have to provide selfless community service, and set an example for our future generation. That is what he enjoys and finds fulfilling about his VVM involvement.