Pandoles were owners of iconic soft drink brand Duke

MUMBAI: "Good morning. I am sorry to disturb you early morning, but I need your help. Along Western Express highway in the disguise of signage for traffic, they have put up humongous hoardings on poles and pillars on the road... They are in total contravention of guidelines," Anahita Pandole texted TOI last week.

Anahita, 55, is not only a senior gynaecologist but also a civic activist and tree lover. The soft-spoken doctor would often visit the TOI office carrying pictures she had clicked of hacked trees which had fallen prey to advertisers intent on an unobstructed view for hoardings. She filed a public interest litigation on this which led to directions to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to ensure hoardings are not permitted unless they adhere to the law. She continued to take on the authorities from time to time.

Her husband Darius, 60, and his brother Jehangir, who died in the road accident, were squash champions in their youth.

Darius was junior national champion and represented India at international tournaments. "Both Darius and Jehangir were at least 10 years younger than me, so I never played with them at a competitive level. But yes, we regularly played practice games at CCI. Both were good players and very well-behaved on and off the court," said Vaman Apte, son of cricket great Madhav Apte. Darius is manadic director & CEO of JM Financial Private Equity. Brother Jehangir was director at KPMG. The Pandoles owned the over 100-year-old soft drink company Duke and Sons, which PepsiCo bought in 1995.

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