David Sassoon's heir visits old-age home named after great grandfather

PUNE: The 149-year-old Niwara Old Age Home in Navi Peth had a very special guest on Saturday.
California-based Timothy Sassoon, whose great-great-great grandfather David Sassoon had made a handsome donation of Rs 50,000 way back in 1860s to establish the old-age home, spent almost four hours at the venue renewing the cherished link. He also made a donation, details of which were not disclosed, to strengthen the emotional bond and promised to come back again to celebrate the 150th year of the institution on August 9.
The Niwara David Sassoon Infirm Asylum, better known as Niwara Old Age Home, has been named after the Jewish philanthropist from Mumbai.
Visiting every dormitory and living quarters at Niwara, Sassoon spent nearly four hours chatting with the members and later enjoyed an Indian lunch comprising matki usal, batata bhaji and fruit salad. "I am very impressed with the programme held at Niwara and how the institution has done a commendable job of providing support to the marginalised and old people, individuals who deserve dignity and friendliness well into the later stages of their lives," said Sassoon, who took the Deccan Express train from Mumbai, to get a better feel of the country.
He had visited the Sassoon Hospital last year. "I have a few business appointments in Mumbai this time too.
Niwara marks my second trip to Pune. I hope to be back here with my wife and children, for Niwara's 150th anniversary on August 9," said Sassoon.
Over the years, Sassoon has kept tracks of institutions and organisations that had received donations from his great-great-great-grandfather. "I, in my capacity, am involved in philanthropic activities in California. I try my best to keep contact with all the institutions that have benefitted from David Sassoon's philanthropy. It's amazing how these institutions are doing a great job. India, in particular, is special and I'm keen on strengthening ties with this country," he added.
The Niwara David Sassoon Infirm Asylum was founded on August 9, 1863. "Back then, it was known as the Poona Infirm Asylum, which provided support to the destitute, needy and old people. It was founded by an organisation called Citizens of Pune. David Sassoon, on hearing about it, wrote a letter to Citizens of Pune expressing his wish to donate Rs 25,000 to Poona Infirm Asylum. This also led to contributions from citizens. This encouraged Sassoon to contribute double the amount he had promised and he donated Rs 50,000," said P R Kulkarni, executive member at Niwara, who received Timothy Sassoon.
The local government, under the British rule, gave the institution land which comprises its present-day premises at Thosar Paga, along with some money for construction of rooms. From then, the institution was named the Niwara David Sassoon Infirm Asylum, said Kulkarni.
"Sadly, David Sassoon couldn't visit Niwara as he passed away a few months after making the donations. It is only after so many decades that a Sassoon family member has visited Niwara. We are very happy to have Timothy Sassoon, who also gave us a donation," added Kulkarni.
It was Subhash Karmarkar, a volunteer at Niwara, who had been corresponding with Timothy Sassoon over the last one year. "His visit to Pune this year is purely a goodwill gesture. We hope he will visit us frequently," said Karmarkar.
Later, Timothy Sassoon also paid a visit to the Ohel David Synagogue, built by David Sassoon in 1863, and Sassoon Hospital.