Dedication
In 2014, Guruji Satyanarayana Marthe had a vision to open a temple to serve the Hindu community in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area. His vision was realized on June 8, 2017, when the Sri Siddhi Vinayak Temple Glen Burnie was officially inaugurated. I am grateful to Lord Ganesh and Guruji Satyanarayan Marathe for providing me with an opportunity to support the Siddhi Vinayak Temple. Mrs. Amrita Phatak’s and Mrs. Rekha Marathe’s ongoing support helps make our temple a sanctuary to a growing congregation of devotees.
The temple premises are dedicated in loving memory of my parents, Group Captain Prabhakar Jayvant Jakatdar and Mrs. Rekha Prabhakar Jakatdar. Group Captain Jakatdar fondly known as “Jacky” or “Baba” to his close friends and family, was born on November 21, 1932, in Bhandara, Maharashtra, India. He received his wings in 1952 and was a fighter pilot and eventually a Commanding Officer in the Indian Air Force. An avid reader, kind, and righteous, he was known for his immense generosity of spirit. My father taught me to live by the Gita shloka from Chapter 2, verse 47, “Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhur Ma Te Sango Stv Akarmani”
Rekha P. Jakatdar, nee Kunda Sathaye, was born on September 2, 1939, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. She embodied resolve, pragmatism, kindness, and a quiet strength and dignity. A firm devotee of Shri Gajanan Maharaj, her daily puja rituals were comforting and gave me a quiet joy with the sweet smell of fresh flowers and incense. She would recite, and encouraged me to recite the Raam Raksha Strotra to find solace and strength, especially in times of need or despair.
My parents encouraged me to give back to the community and to always do my duty with the best of intentions. In sum, to “Aspire and Inspire with kindness, courage and conviction to make the world a better place".
My sister, Wibha G. Lele, and my brother, Rahul P. Jakatdar join me in memorializing our parents.
Prachee Jakatdar Devadas
President, Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Glen Burnie September 2022