Sadness grips Novak Djokovic’s family as “beautiful soul” passes away
Jelena Djokovic sent her condolences to Padma Rajan, a prominent and kind fan of Novak Djokovic and tennis in general who died on Tuesday, July 25.”I remember Padma very well. What a beautiful soul she is! Usually when people hug me, they say how tiny I am.
But I remember hugging her and feeling how gentle, almost fragile she is! How much love I felt and kindness in our few encounters #Nolefam. My condolences to the family, to her two children she loved and cared for very much.
I am really sad and heartbroken to learn about her passing. Whole @novakfoundation loved her enthusiasm and passion for ECD and we valued her support over the years. May she rest in peace,” Jelena wrote on Twitter.
Padma Rajan “was one of a kind human being”
According to her obituary, Padma Rajan “passed away just after the clock struck midnight on Tuesday July 25, 2023, at the tender age of 61 years old, after a difficult battle with a rare and rapidly progressive chronic lung disease.
Padma was a one of kind human being. She made everyone she met feel special and loved. Padma was a fierce advocate for underprivileged children, dedicating her career to directing early childhood Head Start programs after obtaining her CPA certification.
She spent most of her career working for the Early Learning Coalition of Duval County in Jacksonville, FL, continuing work in this field after moving to Lawrenceville, GA with her husband Ranga in 2022. She was only 5’0” tall but larger than life in spirit, and her ability to connect with every single person she met was unmatched.
She was the biggest sports fan known to all humankind, with a special place in her heart for the tennis player Novak Djokovic and basketball player Lebron James. Ask her about a stat, and she would tell you ten-fold more. She was the most nurturing wife, sister, mother, aunt, boss, and more, that you could ever meet.
She is survived by her husband Ranga Rajan, 71, her daughter, Preethi Rajan, 32, and her son, Sriram Rajan, 35.”
