Imagine leaving your infant and wife and vanishing for weeks. That too in the late sixties. No easy way to be reached. This is what drive and motivation makes you do. He was twenty-seven then. Newly married. Baby in tow. In a country barely twenty years into its independence. A fledgling democracy, yet to find its proper place in the world. Just like him and his fledgling family, yet to find their place in the world.
His father was an astute lawyer. Gold medalist with a comfortable practice in Punjab. The Indian side of Punjab, erstwhile East Punjab. Very revered in the local community. But of simple means. Even as a lawyer in a small town of Punjab, he had built a good life for his family despite the ravages of partition.
The family was flummoxed about their son’s whereabouts. They were also very worried as he had left with barely any money. As far as they knew he was going to Delhi for some work. But he never went to Delhi. His calling was to go to Bombay.
With barely any money he had to rent a balcony in a, then distant, suburb of Bombay. Those were different times. The suburbs were down-market. Times were such, that people chose to rent their balconies to make some money. Effectively he was a paying guest, given place to sleep in the balcony of the house. The host family, his first connect in Bombay, was nice though and he kept in touch with them over the years.
For him they were especially challenging times. He had put himself out on a limb. And now had to prove, not only to himself but to those he had left behind that he could make it happen. All by himself. With no support system. He knew no one in this new city of his choosing — Bombay or Mumbai as it is known now. The city of dreams as it is popularly called. The financial capital of India. Was then and is even now. Just like New York. He had to start from scratch. And he did make it. His is the rags to riches story that dreams are made of. Risks were taken and much was achieved.
Having abandoned his education after reading one year of law, he worked for a while at a sugar factory near Calcutta and then went on to run a small building contracts business in Punjab. These were primarily building contracts for the local government. The learnings from these years were an integral part of the rest of his life and stood him in good stead as he settled in to make a life in Bombay.
Life in Bombay, for him, started with some property broking business. After a few weeks in Bombay he did inform the family of his decision, and later once he was able to rent a small home, he brought his young family to Bombay. In those early years this young family changed many homes, at times living in one place only for a few months. The child also had to keep changing schools.
It is hard to imagine how tough life would have been for them. At one point they almost gave up. Went back home for a bit. But it wasn’t meant to be, and they were back. By 1971, with a second child, and with oodles of tenacity and grit he was able to make enough money to be able to get a spacious home in the main city. From that point on there was no looking back, and he still continues to life at the same location, nearly fifty years on.
From broking he went on to become a property developer. And within a short time, the business grew. This law college dropout became a force to reckon with in Bombay. The family grew with the addition of a third child. He was unstoppable though. The business faced many challenges, but he was also very focused. Very determined. Always taking on every problem head on. He must have felt fear, but never showed it. The working hours were long and tough. Along the way he sleighed many a dragon purely with his zeal and energy.
Despite any hurdles, no construction project was ever left unfinished. His energy, vision, conviction and commitment always ensured that. Real estate went through its business cycles, but he was unwavering. Riding out the tough times and making the most of the growth spurts. His gumption was his hallmark.
Many attempts were made to diversify, but none really worked. Real estate was his destiny and his calling. His strength.
Today, on 2nd of May, he completed eighty glorious years. Even now he is as formidable as ever. Short in height but big in stature. Astute even now. Age has not diminished his supercomputer brain. He still works almost every day. Manages his business and his team like a hawk. All by himself. Despite over forty years of diabetes. Forgets nothing. A lockdown like now would have been hard to handle for a soul so energized, but to his credit he has handled this also in his stride. Accepting the inevitability of it with grace.
I am that little infant that he left behind when he vanished from home and this is my father, M L Gupta’s motivating story. Today, on his eightieth birthday, I am overwhelmed by pride at all that he has achieved. I feel honoured and grateful for the love he has always showered us with and continues to shower us with. Being a very tough individual, he may have a strange way of showing it at times. But show it he does.
In my fifties now, I have to admit that I am no match when compared to him. He is a towering personality and I have learned so much from him and look forward to learning more. Love you dad. May your life be full of love and happiness always. Happy Birthday!
Written By Mohit Gupta
Week 18, May ’20
