Kampala, Uganda: The two sisters of the late businessman Rajiv Ruparelia, on Tuesday delivered an emotional farewell, describing their younger brother as a rare soul with a “heart of gold,” whose compassion and generosity changed countless lives.
Speaking after his cremation ceremony at the Hindu Crematorium in Lugogo, Kampala, Sheena and Meera Ruparelia said Rajiv’s life was defined not just by the prominence of his family name but by his deep empathy, selflessness, and devotion to others, particularly the less privileged.
“You had a heart of gold. Your generosity was boundless,” said Sheena Ruparelia in her eulogy. “Rajiv, you touched more hearts than you will ever know; you changed the course of people’s lives with your strength, your empathy, and your joy.”
The sisters recounted how over the past few days, stories had emerged from people who were quietly supported by Rajiv, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. “Even in your hardest moments, you reached outwards, not inwards. You gave even when it cost you. That is the mark of a rare soul,” Sheena added.
Sheena reflected on growing up with Rajiv, sharing humorous memories that highlighted his mischievous but warm personality—from getting suspended at school to throwing wild house parties and even pranking her by dropping her off on an island while wrapped in a blanket.
“Rajiv, through all our moments—every laugh, every fight, every wild idea—you were always the one who understood me best,” she said. “Even though you were my younger brother, you somehow always looked after me.”
She also described Rajiv’s deep devotion to his daughter Inara, whom he referred to as his “whole heart.”
“Everything you did, every plan, every decision, every moment centered around her,” she said. “You lit up when she walked into the room. You made her third birthday a fairy tale. She was your pride, your joy, your whole world—and you were hers.”
Her sister Meera echoed that sentiment in an equally emotional tribute. “It’s hard to speak of you in the past tense… you’re still everywhere in our hearts,” she said, recalling their childhood in London and the bond they shared through school, mischief, and life’s trials.
Meera described Rajiv as not just a sibling but a steady presence who brought comfort during difficult moments. “You were there, calm, kind, and quietly reassuring. You always had a way of softening the edges,” she said.
The sisters said Rajiv gave them 35 years of laughter, chaos, comfort, and love—“a lifetime’s worth.”
Rajiv, the Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group and a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, was particularly known for sponsoring the education of underprivileged children. Among the most celebrated beneficiaries are child rapper Fresh Kid and Felista De Supasta, both of whom he enrolled at Kampala Parents’ School.
The visionary businessman died in a car crash on Saturday, May 3, when his high-performance Nissan GTR collided with barriers along the Entebbe Expressway and burst into flames.
Rajiv’s funeral drew thousands of mourners, including political, business, and religious leaders from across Uganda and beyond.
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