Indian couple donates $1m to OH temple

YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Hindu Temple of Youngstown has received an in-kind donation of $1 million made by Raxit and Ketki Shah.

The Shahs, who currently live in Tampa, Florida, were residents of the Youngstown community for 20 years prior to relocating to Florida.

Dr. Perni, president and trustee of the temple, acknowledged the Shah family’s gesture as the single largest donation in the Temple’s history, and noted that the proceeds from the donation will be used to improve Temple facilities and infrastructure.

Raxit and Ketki Shah are immigrants from India, arriving to Toronto, Canada in 1970, and moving to the United States in 1981. The couple established national real estate investment firm Liberty Group, named after Liberty Township in Youngstown, where they purchased their first hotel.

Their sons Punit and Dr. Prem Shah, both grew up in the community until the family relocated their primary residence and corporate headquarters to Tampa, Florida in 2002.

Raxit and Ketki Shah have long been recognized as generous philanthropists throughout the Youngstown community, including the in-kind building donation to Liberty Township in 2005 valued at $800,000, which also represents the single largest donation to Liberty Township.