The ‘Thacker’ Family….
I always thought that “Hum Saath Saath Hain” type of families existed only in the Bollywood movies. I was wrong, until I met the Thacker family. I know that you know them, if you don’t know them you must have heard about them surely; I assure you there is no student or a parent in this city, country and many parts of the world who isn’t aware of this Thacker family. For the unknown this family is one of the first families in the Education field in our country. Yes, this is the family of the Narsee Monjee Educational Trust who has been in this education sector since generations now. The famous Narsee Monjee College popularly known as the NM College, along with DJ Sanghvi college for engineering and the world famous NMIMS are all founded by this family. Then there is this famous Jamnabai Narsee school and Chatrabhuj Narsee School whose ex-students are Alia Bhatt, Sharddha Kapoor and so many other biggest names from so many fields who have at least once in their life, taken their baby steps here either in the family’s schools or colleges. The campuses are not only in Mumbai but also in Gujarat and now the family has entered the ‘Cultured City’ of India-Pune, at the Amanora Park Town. BY the way, you got to see everything to believe everything I write. This is not a PR, but it is my humble tribute to the family for what they have done for us and generations to come. Today, both my son’s Aryaveer and Anmol are studying in their school and are turning out to be just the way we wanted. Educated, Polished, smart and ready to take on the world! By the way, along with these attributes, my children (along with thousands) have learnt one more thing–it is the Value’s what we Indians are made of which the school teaches the child at every step. I won’t say much about the courses, campuses and boards this family has to offer, just google it and tour it…
The family’s patriarch is Jairaj Thacker or Jairaj Bhai as he is popularly known. What a great personality! One, when you just meet him even for 10 minutes, you are already in awe of him, such is his magnetic personality. This man eludes only positivity, discipline and humbleness. Just a few days back the Thacker family inaugurated their newest school in Pune. The chief guest was Amruta Devendra Fadnavis and when everyone on the dias spoke, it was time for the ‘young man’ Jairaj bhai Thacker to speak which we were waiting for. Jairaj bhai began his speech by telling us stories as to how it all began and in fact it was the vision of his father, Chatrabhuj bhai to enter the education sector. He said, my father Chatrabhuj bhai, after doing well in business, decided at a very early age that it is time to give back to society and what better way than imparting education. Chatrabhuj bhai then founded the Narsee Monjee trust in the name of his father, the first of many more to come. Boss, in today’s world when an ordinary man goes ga ga over his little bit of success and fame and forgets his ‘roots and contribution of the family’ Jairaj Bhai, even today, does not forget the struggle and contribution of his his father, and today what his wife Urvashi ben, son Sujay and daughter-in-law Minal are making.
Sujay, what do I say about him? Born in one of the biggest and greatest family of our times, this boy was my batch mate in college (NM). The way he and his wife are carrying forward the legacy, it is so inspiring. Mother of Sujay, Urvashi ben, even today does not miss one single function in the school halls be of the Nursery grade or of the Grade 12th students. She is sitting in the first row cheering the students while they perform. Minal the daughter-inlaw of the family too comes from the famous Gundecha family (Gundecha Education Trust and owners of the Sea-Princess Hotel). She is standing toe to toe with her husband Sujay every single day to take this legacy ahead, and yes with a smile! And this is the success formula of the Thacker family. The ladies of the house too are contributing as equally as the men! When Sujay is away for his ski-trips twice in the year in the Alps, not once the system collapses or there is a challenge that arises, that isn’t solved. Key thing the family has imbibed is, the systems they have set which are based on honesty, transparency and discipline. But not once, when you meet any of the family members, will you see any air about themselves. The humbleness and with the love and affection they meet you it is magnetic. I haven’t met a parent or a teacher or an ex-student who just can’t stop talking about this school or college once they know you are attached with the Thacker family.
And to add a bit more, the staff that are working with this family are here for generations too. The strength of this family is the people who work for them. The Principles, the teachers, the staff of the school wholeheartedly work for this family. As for students, some 3rd generation students of the family have passed from this school/colleges, such is the reputation.
Sirs and Madam, I have taken this opportunity to express myself what I feel about you and your family! I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to the THACKER family for letting my city and country and the world know WHAT Education in India stands for ! May I pray to the lord that this torch bears the light for generations to come and even my great-grandchildren pass out from your education institutes which constitutes “Indian” values and culture!
Vikrant Hemant Joshi.
