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Kamlesh Patel (Daaji) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth28 September 1956

Age66 Years

BirthplaceKalla, district Bharuch, Gujarat

ProfessionSpiritual leader; Author

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpousePratima K. Patel

FamilySons: Akhilesh Patel and Sahat Patel; one elder brother and three sisters

Kamlesh Patel (Daaji) Biography

Kamlesh Patel, widely known as Daaji, is an Indian spiritual leader, meditation guide and author. He leads the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, founded the Kanha

Early life and background

Kamlesh Desaibhai Patel was born on 28 September 1956 in Kalla, in Bharuch district of Gujarat. Raised in a family of agriculturists, he completed his early schooling in his hometown before moving to a nearby town for further education. He went on to study at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and later attended L. M. College of Pharmacy in Ahmedabad, earning an honors degree in pharmacy.

As a young man he was drawn to spirituality and meditation. Swami Vivekananda was an early inspiration, and while still a third‑year pharmacy student he began practicing what would later be known as heartfulness meditation. In 1976 he met his spiritual guide, Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur (often called Babuji), and the following year made a memorable visit to Shahjahanpur to learn under his guidance.

Career

After completing his studies Patel moved to New York City at age 24 and practiced as a pharmacist. While in the United States he established several pharmacies, including Marg Pharmacy Inc, Carewell, Lindenwood Rx Center Inc, Woodhull Rx Prescription Center and Slope Drugs & Surgical Supply. He and his wife raised their two sons in New York before his later return to India.

Patel’s involvement with the Shri Ram Chandra Mission deepened over decades. He began working primarily with the mission from 2003. In August 2012 he was appointed vice president of the organization and in October 2011 was named successor to Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari. Following the death of Chariji on 20 December 2014, Daaji became president of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, the nonprofit founded in 1945.

He founded Kanha Shanti Vanam, a meditation center in Chepur near Hyderabad, which serves as a large training and retreat facility for practitioners from India and abroad. Since 2014 he has also been associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information.

Writing and public outreach

Patel has authored and co‑authored several books on meditation and spiritual living, including Designing Destiny (2019) and The Wisdom Bridge (2022). In 2018 he co‑wrote The Heartfulness Way with Joshua Pollock, a book that reached the top 10 best‑selling non‑fiction list in the Hindustan Times Nielsen chart in February 2018.

His articles have appeared in a range of publications, and he has produced audio programming as well: the Radio City Swaran series Dil Ki Awaaz ran for twelve episodes. Through writing, talks and the Kanha Shanti Vanam center, he has promoted heartfulness meditation and holistic approaches to wellbeing.

Awards and recognition

Over the years Patel has received several honors for his work in spirituality and holistic healing. In 2018 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. In 2020 he received the Ramakrishna Bajaj Memorial Global Award from the Priyadarshini Academy for his contributions to holistic healing through spirituality and yoga. In 2023 the Government of India conferred on him the Padma Bhushan.

Personal life

Kamlesh Patel is married to Pratima K. Patel. The couple have two sons, Akhilesh Patel and Sahat Patel. Patel has an elder brother and three sisters. He lists homemade Gujarati food and the white colour among his personal preferences, and has said that his time is devoted to sharing heartfulness meditation and developing projects such as Kanha Shanti Vanam.

Public profile

Patel is commonly known by his spiritual name Daaji and is recognized as the fourth president of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission. He has worked to build global awareness of heartfulness meditation and has maintained ties with a range of practitioners and public figures. His writings, talks and the Kanha Shanti Vanam center form the core of his public outreach.

Latest updates

Recent milestones include the Padma Bhushan awarded in 2023, continued leadership of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, and publication of books through 2022. He remains active in promoting meditation practice and in supporting related projects at Kanha Shanti Vanam.
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Recent Work

Designing Destiny

Book authored by Kamlesh Patel (Daaji).

2019
The Heartfulness Way

Co‑authored with Joshua Pollock; listed among top 10 best‑selling non‑fiction in Hindustan Times Nielsen chart in February 2018.

2018
The Wisdom Bridge

Book authored by Kamlesh Patel (Daaji).

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Fourth president of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission
  2. Founder of Kanha Shanti Vanam meditation centre in Chepur (Hyderabad)
  3. Associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information since 2014
  4. Author and co‑author of several books on heartfulness and meditation
  5. Recipient of an honorary doctorate from Sri Venkateswara University (2018)
  6. Recipient of the Ramakrishna Bajaj Memorial Global Award (2020)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kamlesh Patel (Daaji) born?

28 September 1956

What is Kamlesh Patel (Daaji) known for?

Spiritual leader; Author

What is Kamlesh Patel (Daaji)’s marital status?

Married

Who is Kamlesh Patel (Daaji) married to?

Pratima K. Patel