The benevolent businessman

Died: Byram Nanabhoy Jeejeebhoy, 74, business magnate who was chairman/managing director/trustee of diverse commercial and charitable institutions that his philanthropic family had endowed; in Bombay on June 9, 2020 following cardiac and other complications. As one of the largest private land owners in Bombay, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy was instrumental in co-developing the popular entertainment park, Fantasy Land as also industrial estates and upmarket residential complexes in the suburbs. He was equally committed to his onerous responsibilities as trustee of several educational, medical and religious institutions in Bombay and Poona founded by his family. Mindful of his illustrious lineage — his paternal grandmother Jerbai Jeejeebhoy was the great-granddaughter of Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, first baronet, and his paternal grandfather Sir Byramjee Jeejeebhoy was awarded the baronetcy — Byram ensured that the family charities brought succor to Parsis and non-Parsis.
Having frequently interacted with the long-standing and senior trustee during the decade she was principal of the co-educational school, The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution (BJPCI) from 1999 to 2008, Diana Marfatia described him as "A thorough and khandaani gentleman to the core…someone you could look up to for advice, guidance and direction.” She appreciated that the "upright and forthright gentleman…had clarity of thought and always did his homework before commenting or conducting a meeting. He never minced his words, and spoke firmly yet politely.” That community members didn’t take advantage of Parsi educational institutions or fill the specially acquired reservation quota caused him immense heartburn.

The current principal of the BJPCI Pavana Anchees recalled how the "exemplary personality who exuded an aura that commanded the respect of his fellow trustees… (would be) welcomed into a meeting with revered silence.” She further remarked that his "stern disposition melted into a heart of kindness for those in need. His inimitable attention to detail has caught many off guard, including myself, but his momentary chagrin always gave way to his approving smile. A charming smile, that caused all distress to dissipate, leaving behind a lesson well learned.”
Besides family trusts, he also made time for other philanthropic initiatives. "I could always rely on Byram to understand the importance of investing in young lives,” noted a tribute from Zerbanoo Gifford, founder of the ASHA Centre in the UK where Byram was a former chairman. "He was steadfast and passionate that ASHA should impact many lives for the better. When ASHA hosted the first World Zoroastrian Youth Leaders’ Forum (see "Forming youthful bonds,” Parsiana, May 21, 2018) Byram immediately donated to ensure that our Zoroastrian young were supported in every way.”
She further revealed that in recognition of his love for horses, the 15 stables that they have just acquired on their 54-acre Church Farm estate near the original ASHA Centre have been named the Jeejeebhoy stables with the permission of his family. She related her first and only experience of the races in Poona when Jeejeebhoy told her to bet on his horse. "I did so as I usually took his advice. The horse won and Byram told me to enjoy the winnings and to give up gambling. I have never put money on horses ever again!”
Lawyer and columnist Berjis Desai who shared Byram’s love for horses recalled, "When I last met him at the races, he had arrived straight from the hospital with the syringe holder attached to his hand.” To Desai, who had convinced Byram to contest the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship elections in 2008 as part of the Adult Franchise for Progress slate of seven, his friend was "as blue blooded as they come and remained so throughout his charmed life. He defeated death an incredible number of times by sheer grit and will to live…Despite a massive cardiac episode at 31, he loved his cigars and single malt; and his music (he played the violin at concerts in London) and his thoroughbred horses, though he never gambled. Always immaculately dressed, with his full shock of hair creamed and shining, he was a gentleman of yore. Polite, soft spoken with a sense of British (not Parsi) humor, he was the archetypal NCPA Parsi (one who patronizes the National Centre for the Performing Arts), the exact antithesis of the boor, the haando, the masoor paav Parsi.” Believing that to be the reason for his poor performance at the BPP elections held for the first time by adult franchise, Desai added, "In retrospect, thank Ahura Mazda that he lost, like his father decades ago, and enjoyed his joie de vivre till the end.” Passing away three days before his 75th birthday, after cremation his last rites were performed at the Worli Prayer Hall.
One of the reasons Jeejeebhoy had earned the ire of the orthodox was because he had generously offered land at Goregaon to the Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism (ARZ) for the construction of a prayer hall for use by Zoroastrians married out of the faith. As Jeejeebhoy had asserted then, "I may be called a liberal but I am not in favor of conversion (see "The community must win,” Parsiana, September 21, 2008).” He had in mind a secular prayer hall where Zoroastrianism would be explained to all those interested in it.

Enjoying his violin

Viewing him as "a colossus, an epitome of humility, wisdom, philanthropy, fair play and justice,” co-founder of ARZ, Vispy Wadia revealed that while the land offer at Goregaon for a universal Zoroastrian fire temple could not be availed of due to government regulations, Jeejeebhoy’s "liberal financial contributions, his other resources and his varied contacts assisted us in no small measure in successfully setting up Asha Vahishta, The Zoroastrian Centre in Poona.”
Equally at home in London where he had expanded his business, he was awarded the fellowship of the Royal Geographic Society, the Honorary Knighthood of the City of London, as also the Freedom of the City of London. Before his marriage to Mehroo, an accomplished pianist and currently the founder trustee of the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, Byram had studied at the Trinity College of Music in London to which he was a generous donor in subsequent years.
Byram had spent his childhood with his two sisters Avi and Jeroo and brother Rustom in their historical family home Villoo Villa in Poona. He attended Bishop’s School and the Nowrosjee Wadia College from where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in economics.
"Byram continues to be known by everyone he worked with as the most honest and upright businessman who honored his word, whatever the cost or sacrifice to him,” remarked his daughter Janine, adding, "His acumen and intelligence were only overshadowed by his kindness and positivity towards partners and associates. Relationships were more important than money. He had a keen sense of right and wrong…”
She alluded to her father’s passion for cars, golf, wines, fine dining and travelling. He was co-owner of the popular restaurant Royal China in south Bombay. "His charisma, witty sense of humor and pleasant social manners endeared him” to family and friends, added Janine.
To his son Jamshed, Byram was the "backbone.” In the book Fathers and Sons, Mothers and Daughters compiled by Meher Bhesania, Jamshed states his father was "a titan in the industry and honored by his peers in the corporate world… The core of the work ethos handed down by him is simple yet powerful. Dad never spoilt me or let me feel I could squander money. He gave me a set of values and I lived up to them… Charity colors the Jeejeebhoy enterprises and so both of us engage in sharing our good fortune with others through several trusts that we administer.”
The large-hearted landowner is survived by his wife Mehroo, children Janine and Jamshed, sister Avi and brother Rustom.