Pratima Rao

Dear Family and Friends,

Our Mom, Pratima Rao, wife of the late Prateep Rao (the youngest grandson of Bhakta Kabi Madhusudan Rao), daughter of Vamandev Shirodkar (student of Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan). has left for her heavenly abode. She is survived by her daughters, Anindita and Aparajita; her sons-in-laws, Rajat Dhar and Asit Sen; and her four grandchildren, Nikhil Dhar, Shurmila Dhar, Ankita Sen, and Arjun Sen.

Her childhood was spent in Dehradun, where she attended Welham Girls' School. In a rare exception for the time, she also attended the Doon School as one of the few faculty daughters privileged to study at the all-boys institution. She later graduated from Miranda House, Delhi University, with a BA in English Literature.

God truly broke the mold when He created our Mom. She was a beautiful, multi-talented, compassionate, caring, and loving human being. There was nothing she couldn't achieve, whether it was arts and crafts, crochet, knitting, stitching, embroidery, cooking, practicing Bharatanatyam with movie actress Asha Parekh, or playing sports. She excelled in everything she touched. She was a phenomenal swimmer, earning a shield for Miranda House, as well as an exceptional squash and tennis player. Her talents also extended to music; she played the sitar and taught herself the Hawaiian guitar.

She was meticulous in all aspects of her life, from cooking and decorating her home to teaching her Montessori students and helping them secure placement in top high schools in New York City. With her magnanimous and magnetic personality, people were naturally attracted to her. She nurtured every relationship deeply and never forgot a birthday or anniversary. These are the values and qualities she beautifully passed down to the generations that follow her.

Below is a poem that embodies who she was and what she believed.

THE GIFT WRAP AND THE JEWEL

Author: Wanda B. Goines

I looked in the mirror and what did I see?
but a little old lady peering back at me.
With bags and sags and wrinkles and wispy white hair,
and I asked my reflection, how did you get there? You once were straight and vigorous
and now you're stooped and weak.
When I tried so hard to keep you from becoming an antique.
My reflection's eyes twinkled as she solemnly replied,
you're looking at the gift wrap and not the jewel inside.
A living gem and precious of unimagined worth.
Unique and true, the real you, the only you on earth.
The years that spoil your gift wrap with other things more cruel,
should purify and strengthen and polish up that jewel.
So focus your attention on the inside, not the out,
on being kinder, wiser, more content, and more devout.
Then when your gift wrap is stripped away,
your jewel will be set free
To radiate God's glory throughout eternity."

With love,

Dhar and Sen Family

**Funeral Information: **
Funeral Puja, Viewing &Last Rites/Cremation
*Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
*Time: 9:00 am to 11:00 am (EST USA)
*Location: The Crematory at Holy Cross
228 Cranbury-South River Rd
East Brunswick, NJ 08816

**In Lieu of Flowers the Family Requests that Donations be made by Zelle
or link below to the:**
Radha Krishna Temple of Lawrenceville, NJ
In Loving Memory of Pratima Rao
https://www.radhakrishnatemplenj.com/donate
Zelle #: 347-659-3797

Arrangements are under the respectful care and direction of Funeral Director:
Christine Cuoco of Ruby Memorial Funeral Home.
Family & Friends may offer prayers and condolences at: www.rubymemorialhome.com