Normally, educators are meant to educate people; however for me, every meeting that I had with Balasaheb Thackeray proved to be an educating experience. Whenever I met him, I could not help but get impressed with his forthrightness, quickness in spotting the qualities of fellow human beings, courage of conviction in whatever he pursued, and his deep concern about providing quality education to the masses. Thus, each time that I met him, my respect for him only got enhanced.
Interestingly, my first tryst with Balasaheb was purely accidental.
I had just founded the Indian Institute of Modern Management. Starting a new institute is beset with numerous challenges, which only multiply if the person launching it does not have strong financial backing or political clout. The Indian Institute of Modern Management was no exception. Every day I would encounter new problems, but I had firmly resolved not to buckle under any circumstance. Fortunately, my friends were generous with their support for me and so any hurdles that came my way used to be eventually solved. Nonetheless, life was on edge, constantly.
One fine day, I was travelling from Pune to Mumbai on the old Mumbai-Pune highway. Somewhere between Malavali and Lonavala, traffic came to a grinding halt. The taxi I was travelling in got stuck in this traffic maze near Waksai Phata, where incidentally a ghastly road mishap had snuffed the life of Bindumadhav Thackeray, the eldest son of Balasaheb, in 1996.
Curiosity got the better of me and I alighted from the car to inquire with the police who were present there. They informed me that Balasaheb himself had arrived at the accident spot to pay homage to his son, Bindumadhav -- an annual ritual he performed, on his death anniversary. That explained the traffic hold-up.
Since there was little else to do, I walked down to the accident spot. I could see garlands and flowers adorning the photograph of Bindumadhav. Balasaheb himself was present there along with five other people.
I, being stoutly built, and coincidentally wearing a Safari suit, could be why I could go very close to the spot without being questioned. Those present perhaps mistook me for a police officer. I audaciously walked up to Balasaheb and greeted him. Though we had never met earlier, he too greeted me back. That must have made the police security personnel believe I was his acquaintance.
A few moments later, Balasaheb walked to a vacant farmland in the vicinity. I too followed him there and suddenly realised that we were just the two of us; the other five people had not accompanied him. Pointing to the piece of land, he told me he was distressed that immediate medical aid could not be provided to Bindumadhav since no hospital was located near the accident spot. Hence, he was contemplating setting up a hospital there and asked what I thought about it. I said it was a thoughtful gesture. We got into a conversation for about 15 to 20 minutes. He enquired about my activities.
Before taking his leave, I gave my visiting card to Balasaheb. He said that he found me to be a very interesting person and asked me to meet him at ‘Matoshri’ – his residence in Mumbai. In fact he also affectionately added, “If you come to Mumbai and leave without meeting me, then I will make your life miserable.” To that I said, “But who will allow me to meet you with your ‘Z’ category security around you?” Balasaheb promptly gave me a telephone number and asked me to get in touch on that number whenever I wanted to meet him.
That was my first accidental meeting with him, which is unforgettable, more so because he is generally believed to be a haughty person. In reality, I found him simple and friendly. He had a magnetic attraction about him.
In the year 2000, we, as an educational institute, decided to felicitate prominent people from different fields to mark the beginning of the new millennium. We decided to honour them with the ‘Millennium Award’ for their commitment and contribution in their respective fields. The awardees included the noted educationist and founder of Symbiosis. Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, prominent medical professional and Magsaysay recipient, Dr. Banoo Coyaji, besides a few other noteworthy dignitaries. In those days, the Indian Institute of Modern Management was located within the campus of Agrasen High School in Vishrantwadi, in Pune. We had planned to organise the programme on the school grounds.
Since the recipients of the award were renowned people, we needed to invite someone of a high stature as chief guest for the function. The patriotic stance taken by Balasaheb Thackeray from time to time had impressed me, so I wrote a letter requesting him to accept the honour of being the chief guest. Balasaheb immediately agreed. I could not help feeling overwhelmed about Balasaheb’s acceptance of my invitation, despite ours being a fledgling institute, and despite he not knowing me so well. However, I kept my fingers crossed as I was still not sure whether Balasaheb would actually make it to the programme. There were several reasons. One, the mundane venue; two, several local Shiv Sena leaders had been advising him against it, as I was mired in a controversy at that time. Hence, we decided to keep it a low key event, choosing not to promote it.
On the eve of the function, a police inspector came to see me. He wanted to check the security aspects as Balasaheb Thackeray was to attend our programme. That reassured us that indeed Balasaheb would be gracing it. When the police inspector asked me whether we had taken police permission, I was baffled. I told him since it was meant to be a small function by an educational institute, we did not think it necessary to get police permission. He said it was mandatory and said we would not be permitted to hold the function and began walking out. He suddenly turned around and said, “Who knows, you may become a minister tomorrow, the fact that Balasaheb has agreed to be here.” He suggested that we immediately apply for permission. Accordingly, we succeeded in obtaining it without any glitch.
Indeed, besides feeling proud about the fact that Balasaheb would be gracing our function, I somehow felt empowered with this singular gesture of Balasaheb. It was as if some power was connecting us. I must also confess that his visit did change the outlook of many who had an adverse opinion about me and my work.
On that eventful day Balasaheb flew to Pune in a helicopter to attend our function. When he arrived, he told me that some Shiv Sena leaders had discouraged him from attending the programme, but he felt from his heart that he should be here.
Normally, educators are meant to educate people; however for me, every meeting that I had with Balasaheb Thackeray proved to be an educating experience. Whenever I met him, I could not help but get impressed with his forthrightness, quickness in spotting the qualities of fellow human beings, courage of conviction in whatever he pursued, and his deep concern about providing quality education to the masses
The embarrassment came after the cup of tea. Balasaheb wanted to relieve himself. Though we had not advertised the event, Shiv Sainiks had gathered in large numbers. Several Shiv Sena leaders accompanied Balasaheb. The entire ground was jam-packed and the only toilet block in the college was unclean. We tried to quickly clean it by pouring several buckets of water. Seeing our predicament, Balasaheb used the temporary toilet in the ambulance of his motorcade. Then he told us, “You people are doing good work. I thought your college would have a bigger campus.” I informed him that even the building where we were conducting the classes did not belong to us and we had acquired it on lease. At this point he said that he may not be ruling Maharashtra, but the Bombay Municipal Corporation was his forte. He would like to help me in my endeavour and so suggested that we start the institute in Mumbai. Once I had the premises there, he could then work towards providing me land for my institute. I was overwhelmed.
I requested Balasaheb that it being a function of an educational institute, I would not like to have any other politician on stage. He promptly agreed and the Shiv Sena leaders too had no qualms about sitting in the audience. From our side, we decided only Maj. Gen. Krishnamurthy, S. K. Jain and I would be on the stage, and others would sit among the audience.
Just before the programme started, I requested Balasaheb that since it was the function of a college where many students did not know Marathi, it would be appropriate if he spoke in English. He promptly agreed to this too and began his speech thus: “Today, this Balasaheb has been ordered by the other Balasaheb to speak in English. Therefore, I will speak in that language.” And then in flawless English he delivered a spectacular speech in which also gave his opinion on the controversy over his opposition to Valentine’s Day.
The students of our institute were confidence personified as they did everything that was required to impeccably conduct the programme and compere it too. Balasaheb was impressed when he came to know that the compering was done by the students of our institute. He then asked me when the course had started. When I told him that it had been about four months back, he was astonished and said, “You gave them so much training in just four months?”
After the conclusion of the function, as we were alighting from the stage, Balasaheb asked me, “What would a fauji do now?” Pat came my light hearted reply, “Sir, now that the programme is successfully over, a fauji would go and have a drink.” I was left stunned by Balasaheb Thackeray’s reaction to it. He just said, “Then let’s go.” I did not anticipate this even in my wildest dreams. A thousand questions cropped up in my mind. What to do now? Where could I take Balasaheb Thackeray? Finally I made a call to the manager of Hotel Pride Executive who immediately vacated the Crescent Hall and made it available to us.
After we settled down, Balasaheb asked me my preference and again like a good fauji I said ‘rum.’ We discussed various subjects and Balasaheb with his quick wit and sense of humour had me in splits.
As regards Mumbai, he candidly explained, “The population of Tamilians in Mumbai was increasing and they were occupying all key positions. Therefore we had to launch that campaign.”
When the topic of smoking came up, he said, “I do not believe that only addictions harm one’s health. I knew a doctor who had no addictions and yet died an early death.”
I asked Balasaheb, “Why do you wear a rudraksha bead necklace?” He explained that it was good for the heart and moreover, it had been given to him by one of his fans.
I was so overwhelmed that we were spending the evening together that I said to him that nobody would believe that a man of such a small stature as me had a few drinks with him. He asked me, “But what is the need for the people to know this?”
I quipped, “You are a big leader but I am a small man. This is a big thing for me.”
To this, he said, “Okay. You may summon a few of your friends if you wish to, but do not call too many people.”
I immediately called up Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, Mr. Prakash Kardaley, former editor of The Indian Express and Mr. Shripad Wagh, Former Editor of Maharashtra Herald. They were thrilled to have received this surprise invitation and reached there in a short while. We all had a nice time together, with Balasaheb uplifting the evening with his jokes.
Dr. Mujumdar showed his disappointment at the fact that he had been inviting Balasaheb to his institution for many years but he had declined to come, although he was a Marathi manus, but had promptly attended my programme, despite my being a Madrasi. By the way, he had also asked me how many of my students were Maharashtrians.
The programme was over but I decided not to miss the golden opportunity of meeting Balasaheb at his residence in Mumbai, sometime in the near future.
I went along with Krishnamurthy and four students. Balasaheb summoned the Mayor of Mumbai, Executive Editor of Saamna, Mr. Sanjay Raut and Narayan Rane. Later, Balasaheb Thackeray told me, “You are well educated. People like you must join politics. You should contest elections from Matunga on the Shiv Sena ticket.” I quickly turned down the offer saying it was not my cup of tea. Then Balasaheb went to his ante- chamber to release a CD of Ustad Ali Khan. While leaving, he told Narayan Rane who was present there, “He (me) runs a B School in Pune, which is one of its kind. The students there are very smart. You must go and see the college.” He also asked him to convince me about contesting the elections.
Rane tried to convince me, to which I said that besides not being interested, I wasn’t even connected with the people there. To which Rane said, “You just fill up the nomination - we will take care of the rest.” When I further told him that I resided in Pune, he said, “You need not worry about that too. We can take care of it all.”
Raj Thackeray too was present there. He called me ‘uncle’ and asked me how I was acquainted with Balasaheb. After I narrated the whole incident to him, he gave me his phone number and asked me not to hesitate calling him if I needed anything, anytime.
Meanwhile, Balasaheb Thackeray released the CD of Ustad Ali Khan and returned. He told the Mayor, “This man runs a good college in Pune. We must give him land in Mumbai.” The Mayor promised to inquire and get back. We then decided to meet up again after three days.
When we met again, the Mayor reflected Balasaheb’s views. He said, “We can allot land if you start a college in Mumbai.”
Brig. M. L. Bambani and I started looking for a place to start a college in Mumbai and simultaneously began the admission process for the Mumbai branch of the Indian Institute of Modern Management.
We zeroed in on a 10,000 sq. ft. building in Chembur. When it was time to pay an amount in advance and sign the agreement, we handed over a brochure of our institute to the landlord. When he saw the photograph of Balasaheb Thackeray on it, he asked us whether we knew him. When we replied in the affirmative, he started pleading with us with folded hands to withdraw this agreement. He offered to give us money and requested us not to let Balasaheb know about this request. I was flabbergasted. Later, he told us that since we had links with a political party, he apprehended that we would not give up the premises once we got possession.
Thus my dream of running an educational institution in Mumbai could not fructify. But I could get acquainted with the overwhelming personality of Balasaheb, who strived to provide quality education to the youth. Moreover, he appreciated my efforts.
We kept on meeting regularly thereafter. These meetings between us, however, became infrequent later on, owing to age and the deteriorating health of Balasaheb Thackeray. Still, I consider it to be my good fortune to have got acquainted with the Roaring Tiger, who was so magnanimous and gentle hearted!
Dr (Col.) A. Balasubramanian
editor-in-chief
