Outstanding Alumni: Prof. Ajeet Mathur

In a new series, parallel to "Guest Blogging by Alumni", I have started a new feature which will highlight many of our alumni who have acheived their mark not only in Indian but international spheres.

As a first in this series I have chosen a good friend who has a shared alumni with me both in Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai, and also in St.Stephen's College in Delhi University.

Considerably younger to me, our paths crossed when he came to Finland in 1993. We struck up  a friendship  which has grown stronger over the last 26 years. 

You can read his detailed biodata and his huge list of publications, research areas, teaching experience and the numerous awards he has been given on his Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, website. Prof. Ajeet Narain Mathur

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We have worked together on several projects, even writing a joint paper many years ago. In many of his writings he has acknwledged the contributions of both Annikki and myself in shaping some of his ideas. 

In his most recent book, he has given us a great compliment by referencing one of our major writings "Handbook for Survival in Finland" first published in 1994 and updated in 2014. It was the 1994 edition of our book that helped Ajeet to settle down in Finland.

We were especially happy when he wrote a short acknowledgement when he handed over a personal copy of his book for us.

Although this book covers the business opportunities between the two countries, Finland and India, it is much more than that in that his in depth coverage of the socio-economic conditions, political background and the pros and cons in both countries is much better than many other books that I have had the chance to read.

An excellent feature is the listing of the top 500 companies in both Finland and India. A study of these is most revealing in that it shows the typical differences in the structure of these countries.

Those who know Finland will understand why it is among the top countries in the world in several fields as Innovation, Quality of Life, Happiness, Education, Freedom of Speech, Environment, to name just st a few. 

Taken against our last book "The Titanic Calied India" published after our last visit to India in 2014, the stark contrast between these two countries is obvious.

 

When Ajeet was living in Finland, we had regular alumni get-togethers, which were always 100% attendance as we were were then the only two in Finland. :-)

If you are interested in picking up Ajeet's book about Finland and India you can go to these links in either UK or in the US.

Amazon UK Link for "Finland-India Business Opportunities"

Amazon US Link for "Finland-India Business Opportunities"

For your help here are a few reviews of the book which I found:

“ Due to his long and rich experience of working with Finnish and Indian companies and passionate research at IIM Ahmedabad in India , Aalto University, Helsinki and University of Tampere in Finland, Professor Mathur has a very deep knowledge of how to do business in both countries. I think that every company leader who considers starting Finnish-Indian business should read this new book. This valuable new book will help companies entering new markets to flourish by building robust sustainable business relations.”

- Päivi Leiwo, Chairperson Oilon Oy, Lahti, Finland

“This book is a treasure trove of knowledge explaining the business opportunities, policies, cultures, institutions, country trajectories and nuances pertaining to Finland and India. The author has worked in business, government and academia in India and abroad. He has also had a long association with Finland and is able to bring you an insider’s perspective of both countries”

- Ashok Sharma, Ambassador of India

“The author’s deep insider experience in the two countries enables him to make very sharp observations on both sides. This book will definitely help in understanding the cultural differences and in making all interactions and communications smoother. It is also very interesting and helpful to read about the differences in legal structures and where these differences originate from.”

- Iiro Rossi, Managing Director, Holiday Club Resorts, Helsinki

“This book is a delightful and important guide for those who want to do business between Finland and India. It brings you the numerous business opportunities which wait to be availed, and highlights the deep understanding of the author of the culture and institutional environment of both countries. Read this book, learn and be surprised!”

- Niina Nummela, Vice Dean, Professor of International Business, Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Finland

“This book is a reflection of Ajeet’s penchant for deep research on a topic and ability to structure and articulate content. This will be extremely helpful to both academia and practitioners who want to develop Indo-Finnish business relations specifically and international business in general. Sonata is currently engaged with business in Finland”

- Srikar Reddy, Managing Director, Sonata Software Limited, Bangalore

From the two of us, Annikki and myself, we can certainly say that is one of the best books that has come over our table during the last few years, and it is even more of great honour that it has been written by one of our alumni. 

Thanks and well done Ajeet.

Guest Blog: 49er Yezad Kapadia

Here is a Guest Blog by 1949er Yezad Kapadia who was also School CAPTAIN that year.

”I was scheduled to start schooling in Standard one in 1941. Having been diagnosed with a touch of asthma was, however, advised to stay a year in Deolali. Here I was tutored by one Miss Daruwala in all the subjects I would have studied in Standard one at Cathedral. Hence in 1942 I could join in Standard two.

By then Hammond had retired and Bruce had taken over. Cannot remember much of the earlier years except that my class teacher was one Miss (?) McNicol and almost certainly had Jamshed Desai in class with me and, perhaps, Naval Patel, both of whom remained with me till we left school. Was assigned to Palmer House. Still have the old report books from those days, with deep red coloured hard covers.

1949 was my final year which, also , was Bruce's last year. Do distinctly remember, as I walked into the school building one day, was greeted by one Freemantle, who mentioned that he had heard I was to be the next School Captain. I could not believe this as I was not even a prefect in 1948. A photograph I saw of prefects of that year in the book on the Schools's history, showed that both Buster Ley and Moti Malani, from my class, were prefects in that year. I was indeed appointed School Captain that year. After the traditional reading of the results of the just passed, I had lined up my prefects outside the hall, to bid a final farewell to Bruce. He broke down aS he went past us shaking hands with each one.

Bruce taught Chemistry, Nix James Physics and Higher Maths. In the final year Arbelot, a Frenchman, taught French, my favourite in school.. Williams taught Urdu, Glynn Howell Geography and Mahar history. Stan Pharoah was great at Maths.Mahar left that year and did not seem much interested in teaching us. I plugged History in Senior Cambridge. C J Oliver had the key subjects of English language and literature. Very meticulous he was. We had to write an essay every week end. Her would compare the marks he gave , over the years, with what we got in Senior Cambridge. He said his marks were a good indication of how we would fare in Senior Cambridge.  Aroo got a distinction in English language, a rare feat. Benji Hayeem came, if I remember correctly, in the first ten in Senior Cambridge in the Commonwealth.

Played almost all the games the school had to offer, most notably cricket which, till this day is my favourite sport. I Was awarded the prize of the best all rounder. Until that year the prestigious Baria Trophy was given to the best all rounder. The rules were changed that year and the trophy was given to another cause. A bit of disappointment for me! Got my colours in cricket and football. 

However, something I still am very proud of was Bruce mentioneing in a certificate ( reproduced in the book on the history of the School ) for me that in his several years of  service to the school my selection to receive the Macdonald Medal for Leadership,was more nearly unanimous than ever before. Leadership is something that comes naturally to me. This statement by Bruce encouraged me to do things " more nearly unNimously" in order to achieve success.

Almost all my classmates have reached their heavenly abode. Aroo Moolgaoker, Buster Ley, Jamshed Desai, Shivji, Bhateja, to name a few. Although Jamshed, Raj Bhandari and I are/were part of the Alumni group in Delhi and met often, both Raj and Jamshed have passed on. When in Mumbai, Viay Ram used to organise a dinner for all class  alumni in Mumbai, but then Vijay, who had organised the 50th reunion in Mumbai, has also passed away. Chandrasen Merchant , whom I occasionally meet for lunch at the  Willingdon and Naval, who lives in Bengaluru and, perhaps Bunny Khattau ( have not heard of him in recent times) the rest have moved on.

 Yezad and his late wife Rati

Yezad Kapadia

A wonderful evening in Helsinki

49er Yezad Kapadia and Rayo

Annikki and I went to Helsinki to meet a cousin and her husband who came for a holiday in Finland. That is reported on my Jacob's Blog.

During that visit we were invited to the house of Ruki and Devinder Kishore. Devinder is a Direector in Nokia and his wife, Ruki, is the daughter of 49er Yezad Sam Kapadia (known to me in Finland as Yesh).

As Annikki's sister, Anneli, lives near Helsinki, I sort of asked Ruki whether I could bring her along as Annikki was anxious to spend as much time as possible with her sister. She graciously accepted my request.

What an incredible evening it was!

Besides Ruki and Devinder, Yesh and his radiant wife, Rati, were there, as well as Jeroo, their other daughter who lives in New Zealand. Also present were Arjun and Varun, the two sons of Ruki and Devinder. They are so incredible loving kids.

The hosts, Devinder and Ruki, in their gorgeous Helsinki home, dished out a meal which showed of Ruki in the glory as the yrained chef she is. Every dish was made to perfection. And it was topped off with a delicious home made kulfi!

The atmosphere was totally Cathedralite in that a 49er and 59er meeting in a strange land showed how close our Cathedralite families are, even if a decade spans our life style.

Yesh is so remarkably fit and well that he puts me to shame, and I rather pride myself on my physical condition.

Thank you Rati and Yesh - as you showed me what a beautiful family you have around you.

Yezad in Finland

About a week ago, on  hectic day in Oulu, I was all over the place. My phone was on silent or discreet because of meeting after meeting. (Please do remember that my phone number has changed. The new number is + 358 44 9361387)

Yezad, Rati, Ruki and Jero

We had some visitors, but as neither Annikki nor I were at home, so we did not know that they had been. They left a note in our mailbox which, because I was tied up till midnight, I missed.

The next day, I left for Helsinki at 3:30 am.

I decided to give 49er Yezad Kapadia's daughter, Ruki, a call to find out news of the arrival of her mom and dad to Finland.

Ruki answered my call, but she was not in Helsinki, but up north, about 200 km from Oulu near the eastern frontier. She was with her two kids as well as her parents!

She explained how they had been to Oulu the day before and missed us.

I was heartbroken as I was waiting to show all of them my home town of the last 26 years.

That evening I drove back to Oulu and reached about 3 am.

But I was up at the crack of dawn, finished my office work, and took off to Vuokatti, a small holiday resort near Sotkamo and Kajaani, quite a beautiful part of Finland. (Actually, these days we do not have dawn here as it has been our season of the nightless nights!)

It was really wonderful to connect with Yezad. We had lunch together, and then spent quite a few hours chin-wagging, till I finally had to take leave around 5 pm to reach Oulu at 7 in the evening.

I was really sorry that they could not visit and stay with us at Oulu, which had been the original plan.

Annikki and I will go Helsinki on the 9th of August and meet up with them at Ruki's place for dinner on the 11th night.

Yes, it will be Cathedralite Reunion! A 49er and a 59er! Any 69ers likely to join us? Barbara, game?

We talked a lot about our alma mater. The fact that Yezad is 10 years my senior just did not matter as we have so much in common to talk about.

I do wish more of you will make it to this lovely country!