One of earliest South Asians to call New England their home and the founder of  United India Association of New England Mool Raj Mathur passed away Wednesday morning due to OVID-19. He was 93.

He is survived by his two daughters Madhu Mathur Anand and Kunkum Mathur Dilwali, son Rajive Kumar Mathur, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  

Here is an interview of the Mathurs in Lokvani 

Born on Nov. 9, 1927, Mr. Mathur was full of energy, very active in the Indian-American community and introduced himself as “90 years young.” A metallurgist by training, he specialized in the area of high temperature ceramics.   

Mr. Mathur was also the founding member of many community associations, including Hindu Society of North Carolina in Raleigh, United India Association of New England, Golden Club, and The Eternal Quest Forum. He has also been active member of India Association of Greater Boston. A talented musician, he was an integral part of many Bhajans. He loved to play the Manjira.

Mr. Mathur also had many other accomplishments: He was one of the youngest graduates of Delhi University, getting his B.Sc degree at the age of 16. During college days, he was active in the Quit India movement. He was nationally ranked India No. 4 Badminton Champion. He served as chief chemist and plant superintendent at Coca-Cola, India’s first bottling plant in New Delhi.

After having worked for India’s independence movement, the idea of moving to England did not appeal to him. Instead, he came to United States in a ship, and enrolled at Boston’s Northeastern University to complete prerequisites for a Masters, and settled in Boston.

On the request of his father, Mr. Mathur briefly returned to India and took up a job with Bengal Enamels in Calcutta. Eventually, he came back to the United States. He had a brief stint at a firm in North Carolina where he co-founded Hindu Society of North Carolina with Dr. G.D. Sharma.

He was always seen in high spirits and was a most beloved member of the Indian Community. He will be much missed by the Indian Community in New England.