At 107 years and six months, the oldest Indian Australian, Shankerlal Dalsukhram Trivedi, took his last breath last week, on July 11 2019.
During his lifetime he witnessed five generations of his family - six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
He was the fifth oldest Australian male and the oldest Indian-Australian when he renewed his Australian passport two years ago at the age of 105, and one of the oldest voters to have their name on the voting list in the country.
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Called Australia home 18 years ago
Shankerlal married Shantaben a deeply religious and philosophical woman from Lokroda village who passed away in August 1993.
After his wife's demise Shankerlal Trivedi left India in 1993, almost 26 years ago and spent eight years in Auckland, New Zealand, before migrating to Australia's eastern coast, to Sydney in 2001.
Since his arrival in Sydney, he quickly became a renowned figure in the Gujarati community, lovingly called “Dadaji”. Even at 107 years of age he would attend weddings and festivals blessing newlywed couples and newborn babies.
The Trivedi family home in Kellyville started receiving dozens of Gujarati visitors who would visit to seek Dadaji’s blessings on his birthday.
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Early life hardships
Shankerlal Trivedi was born on 28th December 1911 in the village of Vasna in the state of Gujarat, India. His life as a child was full of hardships as he lost both parents during the influenza epidemic when he was just six years old.
However, the love and support from his uncles and aunties helped him achieve academic excellence, finishing his studies with a scholarship and joining the secretariat of the then King Sayajirao Gaekwad - the Maharaja of Baroda State as a clerk.
From Clerk to Deputy Collector
Shankerlal Trivedi began his career as a clerk at a young age and after India’s independence, he went on to become the Deputy Collector of Surat district.
Talking about his tenure as a Deputy Collector of Surat, Gujarat his son Jagdishbhai said, “During the devastating floods in Surat, the biggest disaster city had seen in modern times father did not return home for 28 days, working continuously with flood relief efforts on behalf of the Collector's office. His services during the Surat floods were especially noted and felicitated by the Government of Gujarat."
"His entire life, father (Shankerlal) adhered to honesty and hard work. And worked tirelessly and selflessly for the betterment of the poor, tribal and marginalised sections of the society". Jagdish added.
When he left the tribal area of Chota Udaipur, members of the indigenous community wrote a thank you letter to Shankerdada which said “Even the trees in Chhota Udaipur are crying without you." As a Block Development Officer in Chhota Udaipur, he ensured governtment funds were well and fully spent on building schools and other facilities for the tribal communities.
Meeting with King Gaekwad, a proud moment
“While working as a clerk in King Sayajirao Gaekwad’s secretariat, he lived the proudest moment of his life when he met King Sayajirao Gaekwad. He cherished this unforgettable moment and shared his experience with everyone he met his entire life”, said Jagdish Trivedi.
Even at 107 Shri Shankerlal Trivedi could name people he had met decades ago and would ask everyone about their parents and grandparents he had met during his time in India.
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Speaking of the enthusiasm and energy that Shankerdada showed all his life, Jagdishbhai added, "Even at the age of 107, he meets and greets everyone with the same energy and remembered that person’s small personal things.”
“Shankerdada’s unusual quality of living in the present and helping nature made him an inspiration for all.”
Shankerlal Trivedi had a fracture of the femmer (hip fracture) at the age of 98. Remembering the days after his father had gone through the treatment, Jagdish Trivedi added, "It is hard for any patient to survive even for a year after a such a fracture but Shankerdada's strong determination and dedication towards a healthy life helped him live for more than nine years after the replacement."
"He would go for 2 km walk after the hip surgery even at 98 years of age."
Shankerlal Trivedi with his grandson (L) Dr Siddharth Trivedi and son Jagdishbhai Trivedi (R). Source: Supplied
Shankerdada will be missed
"Our lives revolved around Shankerdada and suddenly his passing away has created a big vacuum and we didn't expect that, we were not ready to accept his demise", added Jagdishbhai.
His sentiments are shared by many in the community as Shri Shankerlal Dalsukhram Trivedi had touched many lives.
