A celebration to mark the successful publication of Abundant Living, Restless Striving, the Memoirs of the late Sohrab P. Godrej, penned by B.K. Karanjia, was held at the NCPA Experimental Theatre on Tuesday, October 2 at 5.00 p.m. H.E. Dr. P. C. Alexander, Governor of Maharashtra, presided over the function.

The function began with the Governor releasing the book. Then our Udyachal School students sang some prayers / shlokas relevant to the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. This was followed by a discussion conducted by the well-known broadcaster Ameen Sayani with publisher David Davidar, author B.K. Karanjia and Sohrab Godrej's close friend and Vice-President of the Bombay Natural History Society, Dilnavaz Variava.

Ameen Sayani conducted the discussion with his usual flair, enabling each participant to give of his or her best. Dilnavaz Variava spoke nostalgically of her long association with Sohrab, of how he would confide in her and take her advice. David Davidar, while showing his keenness in publishing this book in French, remarked on its honesty of approach. "This book is astonishing," he said.

B.K. Karanjia discussed the various facets of Sohrab as industrialist and as a person. Most importantly, he pointed out the fact that Sohrab was an industrialist in spite of himself, but "never a reluctant industrialist." Becoming Chairman of the Godrej enterprise gave him the assurance and the strength to pursue causes such as overpopulation, environmental degradation and the country’s development, which to him constituted "My Holy Trinity". His final endeavours were to "Help Bring Our India Up--Quickly!" a slogan he himself coined.

Mr. Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Industries Ltd., referred to Sohrab as "champion of the civil society" and Jamshyd Godrej, Chairman, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd., recalled two well-known, modern and successful slogans Sohrab had coined years ago viz "Guardian of the Nation’s Wealth" and "Godrej for Safe and Clean Service". Also, mention was made of Sohrab’s favourite quotation of Mahatma Gandhi: "Each of us must be the change we want to see in the world."

This was followed by the programme’s highlight, H.E. Dr. P.C. Alexander’s speech, who was deeply impressed by the discussion on stage. He described his dear friend Sohrab as a man with a stoop, black patches on his coat sleeves, walking stick, "walking into my room with a sheet of paper in his hand as the basis of his discussion". On enquiring, Sohrab had told the Governor: "I value your time more than my time." He had respect for those whom he considered his friends.

Congratulating B.K. Karanjia as a "talented biographer" and "master craftsman in the art of biography", he said that the book, particularly the Prelude, brings out the personality of Sohrab Godrej adequately in a measure which Sohrab himself would not have thought of. "I think as you read along, you will discover that he (Sohrab) understood his father much better after he had reached his adult age." According to the Governor’s understanding, it was not just Sohrab who misunderstood his father, but it was also vice versa.

The Governor talked about deterioration of values in society and went beyond the conventional areas of Sohrab's interest. "While Sohrab would certainly be remembered for each one of these areas of interest, his most lasting contribution to his family which would constitute a legacy to his family and to the nation was that he lived a life of a good man … Sohrab knew what was happening and he raised his powerful voice in defence of integrity against immorality, corruption, distortion of values and that I consider to be the most precious legacy which Godrej (Sohrab) has left ... I pay my tribute to the memories of this good and caring man, the manner in which I respect him as a personal friend."

Mrs. Smita Godrej Crishna gave the Vote of Thanks and Mr. Vijay Crishna, popular theatre-personality and Managing Director, Godrej Appliances Ltd., was Master of Ceremonies.