Four-time Indian-American lawmaker passes away

New York, Oct 13 (UNI) A Mumbai native, who had been a four-time legislator in the Rockland County Legislature in New York state, died of jaundice and other complications.

V J Pradhan, the Mumbai-born who became a dentist and later a lawmaker, passed away on October 9. He was 61. He had been hospitalised for gallstones and subsequently diagnosed with infection and jaundice.

He is survived by his wife, who is also a dentist. His son and daughter-in-law are doctors in Arizona.

Pradhan was a graduate of Parle College and the Government Dental College in Mumbai.

He headed the local India Cultural Society of Rockland and was known for organising the annual India Day Parade there.

Pradhan was first elected to the county legislature in 1997, representing District 14. For many years, he had been the highest-ranking elected official in New York state. In the legislature, he presided over the Planning and Public Works Committee and was also a member of the budget and finance committee on separate occasions.

Despite being a Democrat, he had always been endorsed by Republican and others.

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