A tribute to untold greatness!

For someone who came to Mumbai more than four decades back with nothing but a little amount of money (Rs. 18 as he puts it), “head start in life” would have been the most alien term.

With no place of his own to stay, not much knowledge of the local language or the national language, and no references, network or friend circle, life would have shouted aloud – “Give up and go back home”.

It takes steely resolve and immense will power to stay on and a lot of optimism to believe that tide will turn. But it does!

He did not have the option of going back as there was a family of siblings and aging parents who needed the financial aid to stay afloat.

He stayed for a while with a cousin brother and his family in Navi Mumbai while working two shifts in Mumbai (one in Mumbai CST and other in Tardeo). The shifts were from 9 to 5 and then 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. After this, travelling back to Navi Mumbai is unfathomable even today with much better transport systems available. So, doing it pre-1975 would have been nothing short of a nightmare.

But he managed - to stay afloat and worship his work. With 100 per cent dedication, determination and discipline, he focused on the work that came his way. He quickly got a house on rent and started staying independently.

If you are true to your work and respect it, your work will definitely respect you back. His work did respect him back and how!

He went on to educate himself on managing the stores, excise and supply chain division for chemical manufacturing companies. He put in 42 years of focused glorious service on display – a display which found immense admirers in his colleagues and great respect from his seniors and owners of the companies.

In the journey, he found a great companion in his wife. Both of them worked immensely hard to take care of their children and the extended families from their respective sides to the best extent they could.

The universe is kind to those that it doesn’t give options. The tide did turn and he bought his own house in Mumbai, gave the best possible education to his children though it was a very expensive one, and worked hard with razor sharp focus to make ends meet. His constant support system is his wife – who took immense care of the family and took tuitions to earn and contribute to the family income.

As he retired yesterday, colleagues gave him a standing ovation, a note of appreciation (which bears strong testimony to his work ethics, professionalism and dependability) and lot of good wishes. A car was arranged to drop him home from work and it speaks volumes about what he meant to the company. Kudos to Dorf Ketal (his company) for this lovely gesture and for giving him the opportunities to show what he is made of!

Four decades from when he stepped into this magical city, life has now given up on throwing him more challenges. It is convinced that he can overcome them with a smile! It’s time for him to now live for himself and spend quality time with his wife and do the things that give him the most happiness. Maybe a few vacations like the one seen in the picture below (they are at a place called Chamarel in Mauritius which is famous for its seven colored earth as seen in the background)

The “he” is my father and I am very proud of him and my mother. They have shown the way on how to lead a great life and it is rather impossible to imitate. However, it is nothing short of heroic to have achieved a magnificent feat by consistently overcoming odds and moving ahead.

This is a tribute to him and the many millions (who travel with you in trains and buses in Mumbai) like him; who live a self-less life to ensure that life gives their children – a head start. Their stories, however, are more often than not, untold!