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THE JOURNEY
31
have lunch at the Mill by arranging for a cook there, who made delicious food. Bapaji's business associates - the representative from Bajaj and the Menghraj family - also ate there. Bapaji would just have cow's milk and fruits brought from home.
After lunch, I would reach the University by 2.30 pm for my MA studies. C.N. Vakil, the renowned economist was the head of the Economics department and Dr. Thoothy was the professor of Sociology. J.J. Anjaria, a lecturer in the department, was later my private tutor also. All three were good teachers and I enjoyed both the subjects. Later J.J.Anjaria was appointed as Deputy Governer of the Reserve Bank of India.
After college hours, which ended at 4.30 pm, I would go to Batliboi at Forbes Street and sit with Vadikaka at Batliboi. At 6 pm, I would go to the Law College. Actually, there was no formal law college as such at the time. Honorary advocates and solicitors like Petigara (of the well known Solicitors' firm Mulla and Mulla) would come and give lectures on law at the Elphinstone College. I would be finally back home by 8 pm.
I passed my MA in 1938. At the end of the first year, I had given up on law as it required too much of mugging up and I did not have the time for it. However, one year's study of law proved very handy in business, because the mind became attuned to grasping legal nuances. Even today, our Company Secretary at Batliboi sends me the final draft of all legal documents for my comments.
* The elaborate training came in handy for me to successfully fight the case filed by the Menghraj family against Bapaji and me for 'minority oppression' after the Managing Agency system was abolished in 1966 and I was named Managing Director of Shree Ram Mills Limited.
I got married at Patan, in our ancestral home... the festivity went on for eight days!
Only strength respects strength - APJ Abdul Kalam
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