Pratap Bhogilal Journey Through Life

Author(s): Rauf Ahmed
Publisher: Bhupendra Singh Anand

Page 26

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PRATAP BHOGILAL - JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE
Ghelakaka's westernised lifestyle conflicted strongly with Bapaji's asceticism. However, that did not come in the way of Bapaji taking full responsibility for bringing up Babubhai along with Ghelakaka's business associate, Mister Kaka, who used to be with Bapaji at the Jhaveri Bazaar pedhi. Bapaji treated Babubhai like his own son, groomed him and taught him the rudiments of the diamond business and when Babubhai was ready for it, inducted him into the business. Everyone used to call Babubhai'Nano Babu, meaning younger Babu'; I was called 'Moto (elder) Babu. Since I didn't have the time to join Bapaji in his diamond business, he carried on with Babubhai, first in the name of Bhogilal Leherchand and later in the combined names of S.G. Jhaveri & Company and London Star.
Around the time of my marriage, Mister Kaka suggested that Bapaji should consider giving my eldest sister Sushila's hand in marriage to Babubhai. Bapaji and Ba thought over the proposal for a while and, just before my marriage, announced Sushilaben's engagement to Babubhai. This did create a controversy as Babubhai was an 'outsider' to Patan. But my father, true to his nature, stood his ground. Soon after my marriage, Sushilaben married Babubhai in Mumbai. They stayed in our Andheri bungalow in the wing we had built during the war as an 'Air Raid Shelter' They lived there happily for a few years before deciding to move out into their own separate house, which was close by. Bapaji wasn't very happy about the decision, but I managed to persuade him to allow the couple do what they wanted to. Sushilaben still lives in the same apartment in Andheri with her family.
Business in 'cultured' pearls....
My father had forayed into the cultured pearl business quite by accident. Popatlal Bhikhachand (Popatkaka), who had come down from Patan to Mumbai to do business, joined Devchandbhai in his pearl business. At some stage he approached Bapaji for starting a 'cultured pearl' business. Bapaji agreed on condition that they would sell the pearls as 'cultured pearls' and not as 'real' pearls as some other firms were doing. He agreed and the business was launched during 1921-1922. Popatkaka and Nagarkaka (Nagardas) were equal partners with Bapaji in the pearl
Great nations are never impoverished by private, though they sometimes are by public prodigality and misconduct - Adam Smith