Dadi Balsara’s will to donate 5 crore to Tajbagh Dargah

The son of the soil, who came from a very humble background, and rose to become a billionaire, has paid his obeisance to the city of his birth, albeit after his death.
Business tycoon Dadi Balsara breathed his last in June this year at suite number 901 at a five-star hotel in Delhi, which was his home for the past 36 years. But, the man, whose name was associated with some of the high-end watches, perfumes, jewellery and mineral water, didn't forget Nagpur, the city, which dared him to dream big.Months after his death, as his vast estate is being settled, Nagpur is definitely a beneficiary of his philanthropic endeavours.
Humble beginning
According to Shiraz Gimi, the President of Parsi Gymkhana and Secretary of Parsi Panchayet, Balsara started his career as an LIC officer in Nagpur, earning a monthly salary of Rs 600. "His father and my grandfather worked together in Empress Mill. He was six years older to me and his family was very close to us. In fact, Aspi Bapuna and I were earlier made the executors of his will when he was alive, but we requested him to relieve us because his estate is vast and we couldn’t spare too much time. So, his man Friday Milan Sharma was made one of the executors of his will along with Lodha and Company of Delhi," says Shiraz and adds: "Dadi was a brilliant student and a go-getter. He went abroad to do his Ph.D. He was also an astrologer and gained fame during Nanavati case when he predicted the verdict. But his fortunes turned when he went to Singapore and started selling perfumes and later deviated to other lifestyle products too. He married Christina, one of the daughters of the original owner of Sentosa Island, Singapore, who was a well-known wildlife photographer. She passed away a few years back and the couple didn’t have any child. Despite reaching the pinnacle of glory, Dadi remained emotionally attached with Nagpur."
A Spiritual tribute
A few days back, the executors of Balsara's will handed over a donation cheque of Rs 2 crore to the dargah committee of Ajmer Sharif, in keeping with the wishes of the tycoon. And the management of Tajbagh Dargah in the city will receive a much bigger donation. "Dadi was basically a very spiritual man and a philanthropist. In the next couple of days, as per the directions in his will, a cheque of Rs 5 crore will be handed over to Tajbagh Dargah committee. He has also donated generously to Parsi Gymkhana and Panchayet, and that money will be used for the welfare of the people. He has also donated to Baba Amte's Anandvan Ashram," says Shiraz.