Shashikumar Damodar Pradhan (Kumar) was born on July 16th, 1929 in Satara, India to
Radhabai and Damodar Pradhan. He was the second youngest of three sisters and five
brothers. Upon completing his training as a marine engineer, he sailed the oceans as a Chief
Engineer, visiting many countries over a career that spanned over 30 years. He then worked for
the Ministry of the Interior for the Kingdom of Bahrain, managing Coast Guard operations as
Director and Chief Engineer.
On August 14, 1956, he met his wife, Meenakshi at her sister's wedding as the groom's close
friend, and on February 4, 1957 they got married. The family travelled all over the world, even
after Anuradha and Anirudha were born. Sports were a part of his life, from playing golf to
watching every sport, inculcating in his children a love for badminton and sports in general. He
was deeply loved by his extended family of siblings, nephews and nieces, with their home in
Chembur serving as the gathering point for the extended family.
After retiring, Kumar and Meenakshi moved to the United States to help raise his grandkids. He
was their daily source of happiness with all of his witty jokes. Kumar was also an artistic man
who had a beautiful eye for paintings, hand for drawings, and a way with his words through
writing. He loved sharing stories about his world travels and time at sea with his family and
friends, a testament to his sharp memory and attention to detail. Kumar's attitude to life was to
always remain positive, fight the odds, and enjoy every moment to the fullest. He had an
incredible ability to make everybody feel special. His family and friends were blessed to have
such an inspiring, caring, light-hearted, and self-made man like him in their lives.
He passed away on August 14, 2021, exactly 65 years to the day that he first met his beautiful
wife Meenakshi.
He is survived by his wife, Meenakshi Pradhan; his daughter, Anuradha Divan, spouse to
Deepakraj Divan; his son, Anirudha Pradhan, spouse to Nootan Pradhan; and his
grandchildren, Amruta Divan spouse to Samay Jhunjhunwala, Rohan Pradhan, Gourav Divan,
Karishma Pradhan and Arjun Pradhan.