‘Mom has always been a friend’

On a nippy January morning, her three daughters meet up at their mother, ace businesswoman, Sharayu Daftary’s residence.  The matriarch of the family – fondly called ‘Bai’ — turned 75 last November but to quote an old adage age in a slightly different way, age has not withered her personality in any way! 

Czaee Shah, Gauri Pohoomul and Kavita Khanna troop in separately and soon the four ladies are in the midst of memories and munches. For even before the conversation starts, Bai has ensured that tasty bites are on the glass-topped table.

Dressed in her trademark white sari, the woman — one cannot even think of calling her old, so young is she in thoughts and actions — who is Lalchand Hirachand’s daughter and has lived her dream of becoming a successful businesswoman to the hilt, remembers, “Initially I had to prove my ability and knowledge every time. The journey was hard. I used to come back from work at my factory, take care of the girls and then read books. My husband (Arvind) a voracious reader himself, was very supportive of my work.”

The trio acknowledges her hand in their development. Gauri remembers, “We were awkward about learning kathak and hesitated to go to a class. To motivate us, Bai joined up with us. She taught us to work with dedication and pursue our creative interests with passion, striving for excellence.”

The foursome remembers their annual holidays with fondness. “Those were the times we went to Satara, Kodaikanal and Kashmir. It was not exotic,” they say in unison.
“We spent time outdoors and were thrilled with small things like catching sight of a mongoose.”

Remembering how Bai made them learn their tables the traditional way — by rote in Marathi — the girls insist she still plays an important part in their — and their children’s — lives. They laugh about how when their mother would call them to learn cooking, the younger two would willingly participate in the ‘lesson’ while Czaee — who later started her own restaurant — loitered in the doorway. “She drove us to seek excellence. The emphasis was whatever you do, do it well,” says Czaee. 

That attitude has made them what they are today. Cool, confident and complete. “If we are comfortable under our skin today, it is all because of her,” says Gauri. “She was a friend right from the beginning. We could talk to her about anything.”

Kavita, who hugs her mother with child-like abandon, says, “When I look back I get a feel of ahimsa parmo dharma. That is what Bai’s life has been; it is her legacy to me.”
Bai is often with the Khannas (Vinod and Kavita) when they are campaigning. “She is up at 5.30 am,” says Kavita, “getting everything organised, ensuring everyone is taken care of.” Something the matriarch is busy doing, even as we all speak. Cups of tea, bowls filled with crushed strawberries and sweet curd. The moments of togetherness continue.