Self help

Jasmin Darrayas Mistry, a first class first MSc bio-chemist,married at 28, by a quirk of fate became a widow at 36. Her husband an executive engineer for Godrej was run over by a tempo, on his way to work. All their major savings were exhausted in trying to save him at the Breach Candy Hospital. Mistry’s pleasant family life was shattered. She has two young children to take care of — son Cherazade, under eight and daughter Zarastyn, under three. She was staying at Dadar and had to move to Godrej Baug to be near her sister Pervin Homavazir’s premises. She had to give up her old bigger flat in exchange for a smaller one.

Mistry with Cherazade and Zarastyn

In consultation with Pervin, Jasmin had to decide on what to do next, to exist respectably on her own without resorting to charity. For her to resume her research career was out of the question. She had knowledge about stitching. So she and Pervin decided to go in for stitching of school uniforms. Easier said than done. Getting orders, procuring material of specific count and weave, dyeing, cutting, stitching, delivery of finished uniforms to various schools, accounting, licencing all had to be done. To canvass for orders they had to go up to Dahanu, to get a specific material of count and weave they had to travel to her brother-in-law Maneck’s fabric manufacturing unit situated in Boiser; for a specific dye, to Badlapur; for industrial stitching they had to go to New Bombay. These two young ladies have to drive around and take deliveries of the goods in the middle of the night, to be on time for delivery at the schools the next morning.

Part of the finance was provided by her father Gustadji from his meagre provident fund which he got when he retired as a lighthouse keeper.

From a desperate and helpless situation Mistry has emerged to be a self sufficient lady.

She is in great need of a small shop in central Bombay from where they can operate and coordinate their business activities instead of driving to the suburbs. But that again needs finance. Those desirous of helping Mistry can contact her on 9821405673.

ZEND M. ZEND