By Abin Kumar Das
The year 1976. My first meeting with the Man- Gopichand Hinduja. What was supposed to be a job interview for a newly acquired travel business in Iran, the encounter lasted about twenty minutes. I was then a 36-year-old Senior Airline Executive at British Airways.
Entering the office in a semi basement, I saw a shortish, swarthy young man of about my age. The most remarkable feature of his roundish face were his eyes, sparkling charcoal-black that penetrated your mind. A disarming smile that would truly put you at ease. I got hired in about 20 minutes. Within months I was working for GP in Tehran, then the resplendent & fashionable capital of Shah Reza Pahlavi-considered Paris of the East.
The hallmark of a ‘bottom line guy’
Years passed by. Our business of trading, finance and freight prospered. GP’s annual review on presenting the Balance Sheet, P&L – his stock question used to be – which bank is the profit lying in? He loved to be defined as the ‘bottom line guy’.
The Islamic Revolution came as a tidal wave and changed the Iranian society and economy 180 degrees, while all other business groups fled the country, we remained intact.
“Never abuse the hospitality of your host country!” an admonishment that helped us ride out the Revolutionary storm.
From GP, I learnt several secrets of success in business: building relationships in life is the key. His qualities – integrity, humility and generosity of spirit were uplifting. His soft and warm heart which went out to the poor and underprivileged, he gave freely and fully to the deserving.
Music was his true expression
Gopi loved life – music was his passion. He would express his outlook on life in the songs he cherished and expressed his emotion of joy, sorrow, love and friendship through them.
To recall our travels together for work or pilgrimage, he was deeply spiritual – a side of his character in the books he conceived – like, “I am?” “Blessings” reflect his deep-rooted belief in his own inherited traditions & worship, but also his tolerance of all other faiths without any bigotry.
The four brothers, Hindujas, were a rare combination as they would say “One soul in four bodies”. He took pride in calling themselves “penniless billionaires”. They created wealth for society. As their father Parmanand’s main principle was “Work to give”, their credo and attitude to wealth was “Trusteeship” – to grow wealth and pass on from generation to generation for good works.
People like Gopi are rare gems. Their passing leaves us in awe but with gratitude we pray using Shakespeare’s words
“Farewell Sweet Prince
May flights of angels
Sing thee to thy rest”
(The writer is Executive Vice Chairman, Hinduja Group)