Patron of journalism

It was Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy’s desire to spread knowledge to his fellow citizens although he himself lacked formal education. He avidly followed the dictum from the Pahlavi Denkart, (regarded as the Zoroastrian encyclopedia): "It is not good to withhold knowledge from others, for it is said that a wise man who withholds knowledge from others, is like a well-watered garden bearing no fruit.”
Jejeebhoy had always been a great patron of journalism and literature. A considerable amount was provided by him when The Bombay Samachar was launched on July 1, 1822 by Furdoonji Murzban who has been regarded as the pioneer of Indian journalism. Moreover, Jejeebhoy helped Pestonji Manekji when the Jam-e-Jamshed Press was founded in 1829 and later on March 12, 1832 he extended financial assistance when the Jam-e-Jamshed newspaper was launched. For a short period, he was also one of the proprietors of The Bombay Courier.
The journey of The Times of India (TOI) began with the first page of the first edition of The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce being launched on November 3, 1838. The first premises of this newspaper were located at Bazaar Gate Street. Over the years, it absorbed The Bombay Standard on December 31, 1859 and another local newspaper The Telegraph and Courier in June 1861 and, on September 28, 1861, finally became the TOI.
Historical records inform us that the impetus for the establishment of the TOI came from a combination of a British syndicate of 11 firms, two barristers, a doctor and Jejeebhoy.
April 15, 2014, was the 155th death anniversary of Jejeebhoy. When the nation rejoices the 175th birthday of the TOI, let us not forget that exactly 155 years ago the most prominent founder of the TOI passed away. Dr HOMI DHALLA
wzcf@bom8.vsnl.net.in