Pratap Bhogilal Journey Through Life

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

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PRATAP BHOGILAL - JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE
Many would join as salesmen and, after working for sometime, would leave and start their own business. We didn't grudge it. Instead, we were happy that those who left Batliboi to start their own business were doing well. Bapaji was happy to see those trained at his companies going places. It served the purpose of his creating more and more opportunities for people. He wanted people to progress and lead a better life.
Bapaji didn't go to Batliboi regularly, he went there once in a while. His normal routine comprised going to Shree Ram Mills everyday and from there to Zaveri Bazar to attend to his diamond business.
Maneklalmama lived in the annexe wing of our Andheri bungalow with his family, like Vadikaka, Popatkaka and Khubchandmama. When Nagarkaka was diagnosed with cancer, Bapaji decided to send Vadikaka with him to Paris for treatment at the famous Madame Curie clinic, as he (Nagarkaka) could not speak English, despite apprehensions that Vadikaka's absence would affect the working of the company. Bapaji felt that Nagarkaka's life was more important. Thanks to the timely treatment (in Paris), Nagarkaka recovered and lived for another 25 years! Maneklalmama resigned from Batliboi after some years and started his own business at Nagdevi Cross Lane. Another maternal uncle of mine, Khubchandmama, also left Batliboi to start his own business.
My father followed stringent business ethics, never compromised on them
Bapaji lived by very high ethical standards. He never hesitated to own up his mistakes. He expected his business associates to do so too. I remember, one day when Bapaji went to the Batliboi office on Forbes Street, Mumbai, he saw Vadikaka in deep thought. Bapaji asked him what the matter was. He said a customer had made full payment without deducting the advance he had paid. Bapaji said, "So? What's there to think about it? Just send the customer a cheque for the excess amount with a regret note." Bapaji never evaded tax, he would pay more than 100%
Not excellence. Perfection. You aim for perfection, you will attain excellence.
If you aim for excellence, you will go lower - J.R.D. Tata