Vardhaman Book on Jainism

Author(s): Jayshree Menon
Publisher: Bennete Coleman & Co Ltd

Page 94

an affluent upbringing. His father was a government servant, a deputy political agent - the highest post an Indian could achieve in the pre-Inde. pendence era. Mehta enjoyed many luxuries that only a few Indians could avail of those days. With easy accessibility to a club, he developed a deep interest in sports like football, hockey, cricket and badminton. Even today, in his spare time, he turns on television only to watch sports.
Mehta realised from childhood that he could not be totally disassociated from the family business. His three uncles were in the diamond trade. Yet, he nurtured hopes of becoming a doctor and even enrolled in the science stream, but the pro cess of dissecting animals made him uneasy. He then decided to become a barrister, but fate ob viously had other plans in store for him.
When he was barely 17, one of his uncles, Bapalal, who had successfully set up Bapalal & Co. Jewellers in Chennai, suddenly passed away. Young Mehta was immediately summoned to shoulder part of the responsibility. "At that time, there was no question of protesting or questioning. You simply complied with orders from the elders," he says.
In Chennai, he was put under the tutelage of a senior assistant and trusted aide in the business, Narayan Das. Like an uncut rock, the raw Mehta too was chiselled and polished, till a diamond emerged. His worth and respect grew with time.
For almost half a century, Mehta worked assiduously and managed the family business. From small traders, they grew to become one of the premier jewellers in South India. With a high degree of mastery and integrity, Mehta soon became a legend in his own right at Bapalal & Co. Jewellers. People came from far to seek his advice.
However, a decade ago, Mehta was put to the biggest test of his life. Differences in the family forced him to take a heart-wrenching decision - to break away from Bapalal. This was in 1992, aires, but we have enough to satisfy our needs. the "darkest period of his life", he declares. We have always been taught to stay away from
He spent months discussing the dilemma with greed. However, these days, people have become his two sons Tushar and Abhay. A host of busi- very materialistic. They want to own 100 pairs of ness ideas were thrown up, including construc- shoes, 50 suits..." Mehta, in contrast, manages tion, garment export, speculation in the share with two pairs of chappals and shoes and drives market, but none appealed to him. His heart lay an 11-year-old Contessa. in diamonds. "I'm glad that my sons accepted all To many, Mehta seems to be in the wrong busimy suggestions and abided by my advice."
ness, a business that appears to be in conflict Surendra Mehta finally started his own indepen- with his credence. However, the diamond master dent business on July 9, 1992, at the ripe age of clarifies that "It is only now that ornaments have 70. A grand state-of-the-art 10,000 sq ft show- begun to symbolise opulence and make a fashroom was opened in Chennai, offering a dazzling ion statement. There was a saying," he recollects, range of contemporary as well as traditional "that if you have a rupee, you invest 25 paise in jewellery and silverware. In a short span of less land, 25 in jewellery, 25 in business and the rethan eight years, Mehta Jewellery has become one maining quarter you reserve. In the olden days, of the most reputed in the region with an annual there was religious significance attached to turnover exceeding Rs. 5 crore.
jewellery. It also served as high security for "We are moderate jewellers," maintains the women. But today its sanctity is lost." highly principled Mehta. "We may not be million- Mehta's other deep-rooted passion in life is veg