Inventor / Designer
Navin Doshi, born in 1936, is a distinguished figure whose contributions span across various fields including authorship, scholarship, philanthropy, and education. Navin is the inventor of the Mojo Superwalker® concept, and both he and his brother Deepak designed the actual device.
Deepak and Navin Doshi
Global Citizen
Founding Nalanda International
As a co-founder of Nalanda International, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering understanding and appreciation of Indian heritage and wisdom globally, Doshi has made significant strides in bridging cultural gaps and promoting peace through education.
Academic Journey and Engineering Background
Hailing from Bombay, India, Doshi embarked on his academic journey at the College of Engineering, Pune, and later earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the L.D. Engineering College of Gujarat University. In pursuit of further education, he moved to the United States in 1958, where he attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, completing his Master’s in electrical engineering. His quest for knowledge led him to UCLA, where he enrolled in a PhD program, laying the groundwork for a career that would blend technology with philanthropy.
Professional Career and Entrepreneurial Ventures
Doshi’s professional career began in the aerospace sector at TRW Inc., where he applied his engineering expertise. However, his entrepreneurial spirit soon led him to venture into the business world, starting a bedspread business and making savvy investments in real estate and financial instruments. Despite his success in business, Doshi’s heart remained with his roots and the promotion of Indian culture and philosophy.
Philanthropic Contributions and Endowments
In 1999, alongside his wife, Pratima Doshi, he endowed the Doshi Chair of Indian History at UCLA and founded the Sardar Patel Award, marking the beginning of a series of philanthropic endeavors aimed at academic and cultural promotion. His commitment to education and intercultural dialogue deepened in 2006 with the endowment of a professorship for Indic traditions at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), which also led to the inception of the annual Bridgebuilder Award.
Impact on Academic and Cultural Institutions
Doshi’s influence extends to various academic and cultural institutions; he has been a member of the LMU Advisory Board since 2009, served on the board of directors of the South Asian Studies Association, and the Indic Foundation. His vision for a more interconnected and understanding world is further exemplified by his creation of an endowment in 2020 to support the academic works of the South Asian Studies Association, attached to the Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology at LMU.
Recognition and Awards
His philanthropic efforts also reached the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) where, in 2012, he established the Haridas Chaudhuri Chair in Indian Philosophies and Cultures and a Doshi professorship in Asian Art. Recognizing the critical challenges of water and sanitation, in 2019, he established a research chair named after his parents at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar. Doshi’s contributions to promoting peace and understanding were acknowledged in 2019 when he received the Doctorate of Peace award from the Maharishi University of Management in Iowa. His meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, underscores his influence and commitment to fostering global dialogue and understanding through education and philanthropy. Navin Doshi’s life and work exemplify a profound dedication to bridging cultures, promoting peace, and supporting education, making him a true ambassador of Indian heritage and a global citizen.
My Walker Story
From Navin Doshi:
From the age of 78 on, I began needing a cane and then even a walker while going to events, parking and leaving my car, etc. Even with a walker I fell a couple of times while trying to pick something up – the walker tilted and I fell, bumping my head.
I had the thought, “Why not create some kind of crutches with wheels?” On crutches your weight is supported under the arms and you are naturally centered and balanced. But they can be heavy, and manipulating them is tiresome. Putting my engineering mind to work, I thought of the design for the MOJO Superwalker®.
The MOJO Superwalker® naturally maintains my weight in the center and significantly increases my mobility. I weigh about 165 pounds, and even if I am just standing, I used to need to sit down and rest every few minutes.
Without the MOJO Superwalker® I used to be able to walk maybe 100 feet, assisted by an old style walker, but now I can walk all the way around the block.
At this point the MOJO Superwalker® is as if a part of my body, like a powerful exoskeleton. It solves all of my mobility challenges, including stamina and balance, and eliminates the joint pain that I used to experience while walking and standing.
I invite you to join me in regaining mobility, range and enjoyment in your daily activities with our MOJO Superwalker®.
Navin Doshi with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi
Stay Mobile. Stay Healthy.
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