In Memoriam
The humane hotelier
Died: Jehangir Rustom Cama, 76, respected hotelier and business leader who was the former president of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) as also the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); at the HCG (Health Care Global group) Medisurge Hospital in Ahmedabad on August 25, 2014 following complications arising after a cardiac arrest.
"A shining star in the world of industry, Jehangirbhai had scaled great heights in community service and philanthropy,” noted a condolence letter in Gujarati from the chief minister of Gujarat Anandiben Patel who further described him as a "wonderful, accomplished personality whose fragrance will continue to inspire us.”
"A shining star in the world of industry, Jehangirbhai had scaled great heights in community service and philanthropy,” noted a condolence letter in Gujarati from the chief minister of Gujarat Anandiben Patel who further described him as a "wonderful, accomplished personality whose fragrance will continue to inspire us.”
Jehangir Cama: warm hospitality
A communiqué from FHRAI president S. M. Shervani voiced the sentiments of the fraternity when referring to Cama as "a widely admired and respected industry leader. Through his remarkable business acumen, keen foresight and zest for perfection, he had nurtured Cama Hotel into a brand that epitomizes a unique blend of warm hospitality and elegant luxury. Cama was a towering figure of the business community in Gujarat and his vast contribution over the decades in the growth of the state’s tourism industry will forever be recalled with gratitude. He will also be remembered for his generous philanthropy and patronage of far-reaching community initiatives as well as his ever-willingness to be a personal guide and mentor for others.”
Founder member of the Gujarat Rajya Hotel Federation (GRHF), Cama, who also spearheaded many other allied organizations, was an "outstanding” representative whose services to the industry will be "immortalized,” commented Markand Desai, president of The Baroda Hotel Owners’ Association and GRHF. Cama had served too on the board of governors at the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition in Ahmedabad and Bombay, and on the board of directors for the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.
(From left): Homai Engineer, Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, Narendra Modi, Dinshaw Tamboly and Jehangir Cama
Cama family: Rustom, Mehroo, Laila and Jehangir
Among his close friends was Baiju Pandit, managing director and chief executive officer of Renaissance Hospitality Private Limited who stated, "For the hospitality industry he has always been a strong foundation and a vehement defender on all platforms… Cama is in the history books of the State of Gujarat for his immense contributions… Binding everyone together in unity was one of his greatest strengths.” "Honored to have met him and worked with him for decades,” wildlife enthusiast Divyabhanusinh Chavda of Jaipur recalled their years together in the hotel industry and then in WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature).
Owner of Cama Motors Limited, during the 23 years he was president of the Ahmedabad Automobile Dealers’ Association (AADA) the stalwart impressed his colleagues as being "dutiful, affable and popular,” as noted the condolence letter in Gujarati from Dikshitbhai Shah. Jehangir’s father Rustom had started Cama Motors in 1931 as a dealer for Ford Motor Company. On Ford’s exit from India after Independence they got the dealerships for Hindustan Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, DCM Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Skoda and Ducati Superbikes, enjoying today the distinction of being the country’s second oldest automobile dealership firm. After Jehangir completed his Inter Science from M. G. Science College he was absorbed into the family’s automobile business. His father insisted that Jehangir study in a Gujarati medium school so that his grasp of the language would help him in his business dealings in Gujarat. His mother Minnie (from the Adenwala family of scholars) taught him English at home.
In 1956 Jehangir joined Messrs Ford Motor Company, Dagenham, UK, for apprenticeship and dealer management training. Later he joined Ferrari and with his passion for cars and speed, started training in racing but his father promptly asked him to return and assist him in his new venture, the first four star luxury hotel in the newly formed state of Gujarat. Cama Hotel opened in Ahmedabad in 1960 and Jehangir qualified as a Fellow of the Hotel Catering and Institutional Management Association, London. Following the sudden demise of his father in 1965, the responsibility of managing the businesses fell on Jehangir, the only child. "In fact the hospitality trade suited Jehangir’s outgoing nature perfectly. Always fond of good food, good living, entertaining and traveling, this was the perfect outlet,” felt his wife Mehroo who took over as managing director of Cama Motors after the passing away of her father-in-law. Jehangir expanded the family businesses by adding Camarro Travels, a travel agency with a taxi division, and The Cama Rajputana Club Resort, a heritage resort in Mt Abu. "It was his vision which restored a completely dilapidated club from the Raj period into a beautiful resort offering all modern amenities,” added Mehroo.
"His contribution towards building the reputation of the GCCI was exemplary. There is a whole generation of office bearers who have learnt from him,” acknowledged the current GCCI president Rakesh Shah who further described Cama as "an endearing personality as also a beacon of guiding light to innumerable entrepreneurs.” Added Shah, "Cama was a quintessential Parsi gentleman (who) had all the wonderful qualities for which the whole Parsi community is renowned the world over: kindness, sympathy for the needy, culture and refinement, sweetness of their own Gujarati language…”
Being a governing board member of the Consumer Education and Research Society, a condolence meeting in his honor was convened by the Consumer Education and Research Centre whose chairman Dr V. G. Patel valued him as "an integral part of our consumer movement.” As member of The Ahmedabad Education Society council, Jehangir’s guidance and cooperation were valued by his colleagues.
Cama Hotel in Ahmedabad
The uplift of the blind was particularly dear to Cama who had served as president of the Gujarat chapter of the National Association for the Blind (NAB) as also the Blind People’s Association (BPA), both these organizations having convened a prayer meeting on August 30. "He has worked relentlessly for the visually challenged brothers and sisters, and considering the magnanimous work done in the field of blind welfare and fundraising activities, we salute his dedication…which will always be remembered by us for a long time,” commended a condolence letter from the office bearers, executive committee members and staff of NAB. In fact Mehroo could relate well with the poem composed for the occasion by Nandini Rawal, project director of the BPA, that started with the lines: "I could not say bye as I went away/ My days were done and I could not stay/ I am away but never can be apart/ All of you are my soul and heart…”
As president of the Sankat Nivaran Society, Gujarat Jehangir went to "the rural areas of Gujarat to serve the people,” recalled trustee Navnit Choksi. Endeavoring to give "joy and happiness to everyone around him,” for the Gujarat Sarvar Mandal activities where Mehroo serves as president he would permit them "the free use of Cama Hotel whenever required,” noted the condolence letter.
Whilst he continued as president of the Parsi Gymkhana in Ahmedabad and was endeavoring to relocate this institution to a more congenial environment, Cama refused to be an office bearer of the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat (APP), jokingly describing it as "panchat” (trouble). But he was always willing to support the APP when required. To him, what mattered more than the Zoroastrian practices were the values of compassion, charity and honesty that he practiced in his business dealings. However he was convinced that the dakhmenashini system had outlived its usefulness and was vociferous in his campaign for change. Just a day before he was hospitalized, he had finalized a five-page letter to the APP where he and his co-signatories had made "a plea for an enlightened outlook towards the needs of the community in the 21st century” and more particularly that "the Panchayat and leaders of the community consider providing alternative means of disposal such as burial...” Respecting his wishes, his family opted to have him buried although last year when his daughter Aiyesha passed away they had decided on cremation. There being no Parsi cemetery in Ahmedabad, the head of the Baha’i community graciously permitted Jehangir’s body to be interred there. Each time Ahmedabad’s orthodox mobeds refuse to recite prayers, priests have to be brought from Baroda, Mehroo explains the difficulty. For the Camas’ golden jubilee jashan in 2010 too, Baroda priests recited the prayers because the family had non-Parsi guests. Jehangir used to be equally critical of the special privileges granted to the men in the community enquiring: "Why should women be discriminated against in this magnificent religion of ours (see "Catalysis for Camas,” Parsiana, March 7, 2012)?”
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jehangir enjoyed a cordial friendship ever since Modi (then chief minister of Gujarat and an admirer of the Parsi community) had initiated a donation of Rs 1.25 crores for the development of the Zoroastrian Information Centre in Udvada which was undertaken by the Foundation for Development of Udvada despite persistent attempts by the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis to stall this project. Dinshaw Tamboly who had worked with Jehangir on this project referred to the "loyal and noble citizen” as "a stalwart.”
In addition to the many honors he was conferred for his business and welfare commitments, Jehangir was presented an award by the mayor in 1998 for being one of the 10 citizens who have contributed maximum to the city of Ahmedabad in all spheres of its development. Although he had learnt the tabla, sitar and Indian vocal music, he also enjoyed Western classical music. With his interest in history, archeology and culture, he enjoyed traveling frequently to exotic destinations. He was also a voracious reader on all subjects — spirituality, politics and fiction, and an avid collector of antique books, paintings, porcelain and crystal, as also his "classy” accessories.
In the field of sports too he left his mark. He was president of The Central Board of Cricket, Ahmedabad where his commitment, honesty, service and guidance were valued, noted a condolence letter from the association. Hunting was another hobby and "he had a panther trophy sitting in his office from the days permits were given,” states Mehroo.
As noted Vikram Shah on behalf of Shri Raj Saubhag Ashram – Sayla, "Cama has taught us that happiness lies in giving and living for others. We share the grief of his loss but have we actually lost him? He shall live by his values which he could inculcate in so many of us...”
The visionary entrepreneur is survived by his wife Mehroo, son Rustom and daughter Laila Dilesh Bhullar.
As president of the Sankat Nivaran Society, Gujarat Jehangir went to "the rural areas of Gujarat to serve the people,” recalled trustee Navnit Choksi. Endeavoring to give "joy and happiness to everyone around him,” for the Gujarat Sarvar Mandal activities where Mehroo serves as president he would permit them "the free use of Cama Hotel whenever required,” noted the condolence letter.
Whilst he continued as president of the Parsi Gymkhana in Ahmedabad and was endeavoring to relocate this institution to a more congenial environment, Cama refused to be an office bearer of the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat (APP), jokingly describing it as "panchat” (trouble). But he was always willing to support the APP when required. To him, what mattered more than the Zoroastrian practices were the values of compassion, charity and honesty that he practiced in his business dealings. However he was convinced that the dakhmenashini system had outlived its usefulness and was vociferous in his campaign for change. Just a day before he was hospitalized, he had finalized a five-page letter to the APP where he and his co-signatories had made "a plea for an enlightened outlook towards the needs of the community in the 21st century” and more particularly that "the Panchayat and leaders of the community consider providing alternative means of disposal such as burial...” Respecting his wishes, his family opted to have him buried although last year when his daughter Aiyesha passed away they had decided on cremation. There being no Parsi cemetery in Ahmedabad, the head of the Baha’i community graciously permitted Jehangir’s body to be interred there. Each time Ahmedabad’s orthodox mobeds refuse to recite prayers, priests have to be brought from Baroda, Mehroo explains the difficulty. For the Camas’ golden jubilee jashan in 2010 too, Baroda priests recited the prayers because the family had non-Parsi guests. Jehangir used to be equally critical of the special privileges granted to the men in the community enquiring: "Why should women be discriminated against in this magnificent religion of ours (see "Catalysis for Camas,” Parsiana, March 7, 2012)?”
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jehangir enjoyed a cordial friendship ever since Modi (then chief minister of Gujarat and an admirer of the Parsi community) had initiated a donation of Rs 1.25 crores for the development of the Zoroastrian Information Centre in Udvada which was undertaken by the Foundation for Development of Udvada despite persistent attempts by the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis to stall this project. Dinshaw Tamboly who had worked with Jehangir on this project referred to the "loyal and noble citizen” as "a stalwart.”
In addition to the many honors he was conferred for his business and welfare commitments, Jehangir was presented an award by the mayor in 1998 for being one of the 10 citizens who have contributed maximum to the city of Ahmedabad in all spheres of its development. Although he had learnt the tabla, sitar and Indian vocal music, he also enjoyed Western classical music. With his interest in history, archeology and culture, he enjoyed traveling frequently to exotic destinations. He was also a voracious reader on all subjects — spirituality, politics and fiction, and an avid collector of antique books, paintings, porcelain and crystal, as also his "classy” accessories.
In the field of sports too he left his mark. He was president of The Central Board of Cricket, Ahmedabad where his commitment, honesty, service and guidance were valued, noted a condolence letter from the association. Hunting was another hobby and "he had a panther trophy sitting in his office from the days permits were given,” states Mehroo.
As noted Vikram Shah on behalf of Shri Raj Saubhag Ashram – Sayla, "Cama has taught us that happiness lies in giving and living for others. We share the grief of his loss but have we actually lost him? He shall live by his values which he could inculcate in so many of us...”
The visionary entrepreneur is survived by his wife Mehroo, son Rustom and daughter Laila Dilesh Bhullar.
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