I am well on the way to organising the 65th Reunion of our Class of 59.
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| 47er Farrokh Mehta (1932-2023) |
I was looking for infomation about the many Cathedralites who have over the years had been regularly corresponding with me.
One was 47er Farrokh Mehta.
Although I did not meet Farrokh in my school years, when Annikki and I travelled back to India on board the M. S. Victoria in 1969, on board was another Indian family, Farrokh, his wife, Vijaya, and two small children.
On board there was a chess competition and the final was between a very racist South African, who thought us brown people were inferior, and me.
Standing behind me was Farrokh who spurred me on to win that battle.
Photos from our 1969 trip on the Lloyd Triestino M. S. Victoria.
Later there was a battle between Farrokh and me in the ship Table Tennis competition. Farrokh was a mile ahead of me and it was tough playing table tennis on a tilting lilting ship.
Farrokh and my paths crossed a fews years later as he was working with a couple of dear friends of mine, Nargis and late Vinci Wadia of Interpublicity.
Farrokh was a regular correspondent and would read this blog.
Farrokh was married to Vijaya, one of the most well known and celebrated stage actresses of Marathi theatre. Farrokh was also well recognised in the field of theatre as is conveyed in these articles.
It was a shock to read that last June (2023) Farrokh, at the age of 91, he had passed away.
And here is another report on the passing of Farrokh.
When reading the reports online I found that his daughter was Anahita Uberoi, who had married the son of one of my dearest friends, late 56er Harminder Uberoi (Ubi), my friend guide and counsellor. Ubi had adopted me, a 59er as an honorary member of the Class of 56 as I helped him organise his class Golden Reunion! Ubi's sister , Harmoihina, had been my classmate in school.
Anahita had married her classmate, Samir, Ubi’s son. Both had been school captains.
I addressed a condolence letter to Anahita and she replied me immediately with a lovely tribute to her father who had passed away peacefully with Anahita at his bedside.
A few moments later I had an email from Farrokh’s son, Deven, who sent me the above photo of his father.
We rejoice in having had the pleasure to know Farrokh.
We honour Farrokh, remembering him with a smile on his face and the joy of the jazz beat of Charlie Parker in our hearts.
