Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS) is profoundly mourning the sudden loss of our passionate young karyakarta, Milind Makwana, on July 18th, 2023 night. A Mumbai-born and raised, Milind started his journey in the United States in 2004 as a high-tech professional, initially in Rochester, NY. Like most immigrants, he aspired and achieved professional success throughout his career and was raising a loving family in San Jose, California. But beyond these similarities, Milind was markedly different from many regarding his passion for contributing to his Hindu community and American society.
Milind got connected with HSS activities in 2004. In his past 19 years of journey, he contributed to the social work he loved and energized many of our members nationwide. Regardless of physical distance and differences in the time zones, no one realized when Milind became their friend. His passion and energy were visible in his HSS activities, Dharmic causes like Sewa International, Ambedkar-Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans (APNADB), and his writing of books, creating creative games for children, and countless other activities over the years.
Milind had an aortic heart valve defect since birth. It was operated in his childhood. Milind also went through another surgery in late 2022. Although it might have forced him to limit his social work, it couldn’t stop him entirely from his activities to contribute socially.
या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी |
यस्यां जाग्रति भूतानि सा निशा पश्यतो मुने: || Gita 2-69||
Simply putting, “Sages stay alert to what masses ignore, and Sages maintain detachment from the nominal things in life that the masses are attracted towards.
Living, growing, and assimilating in a foreign land is a challenge for any immigrant community, and the micro-minority Hindu community is not an exception to this rule. Milind became highly alert and concerned by California’s SB403 Bill, “Discrimination on the basis of ancestry,” that unjustly branded the Hindu-American community based on the castes.
Milind was representative of the Hindu community and was a marginalized Hindu based on the so-called caste structure. However, he was of the firm opinion that this so-called law to protect the marginalized community was, in fact, counter-productive and regressive. For Milind, this law was branding wrongly and a cause of potential social division among the Hindu-American community.
Although recovering from major surgery, Milind, with concerned Hindu community members and Hindu organizations, continued raising awareness among the community and the elected officials and demanding the lawmakers vote down SB403 from becoming law. He fought in the state capital, Sacramento, wrote several articles, and engaged with many to express his opinions and concerns.
It was the July 18th evening when the City of Cupertino held a public hearing on SB403 and planned to vote to denounce it. Milind was present at this time, too, and spoke in front of the City Hall elected officials. He saw late at night at the City Hall that his speech contributed to convincing the City Council to vote against SB403 and the state not to make such a law targeting one minority community. Unfortunately, the same night was dreadful, taking Milind away from his family, friends, and the community.
Swami Vivekananda was one of the icons Milind always prayed and worshipped. Till his last breath, Milind lived Swamiji’s famous quote, “As you have come into this world, leave some mark behind. Otherwise, where is the difference between you and the trees and stones? They too come into existence, decay, and die.”
Purvi Makwana, while remembering her husband, made an appeal, “Milind had this clear conviction that Dalits and Bahujans are also Hindu. He was passionate about Justice for underprivileged communities and, at the same time, wanted mutual trust and harmony among all communities. All his life, he had stood for Dharma. I urge the community to support and take forward Milind’s dream of Justice, Harmony, and Dharma.”
The Hindu community in California and across the United States has felt this shock. A prayer meeting is being organized on Sunday 7/22/2023. Help is pouring to support his wife and two children on a specially established fundraising site.
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचि
नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूय: |
अजो नित्य: शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो
न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे || Gita 2-20||
For Milind’s family and equally for HSS USA, it will take time to heal. And regardless, Milind will remain live in our hearts and memories. He will remain visible from our collective actions, those that were near and dear to him.
Our heartfelt condolences and sincere prayers for Milind’s Sadgathi.
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते |
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ||
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ||