This month, we interview a well-educated Parsi lady who worked for decades in XLRI, which is, without doubt, one of the premier management institutions in India.
- What has been your association with Catholic institutions?
My very close association with Catholic institutions began from my childhood when I joined Sacred Heart Convent School here in Jamshedpur. An added benefit was the fact that we had a very fine Catholic family, the Gomes family, with whom we grew up and also accompanied them to the School Chapel. A beautiful memory when I look back.
- What are the best things you learnt as a student in a Catholic School?
I think the best things revolve not just around academics, but more importantly around character formation and values which the Sisters at Sacred Heart ingrained in us so well that they stayed with us all through our lives. The Moral Science classes with which the school day began taught us so much about virtues, vices, and all those ingredients for a well-balanced life to face in our future.
- Looking back, what suggestions would you make to your educators to make educational experience even better?
I think for the challenging times we are living in, if schools have subjects like Current Affairs, as well as Personality Development, this would go a long way in enabling students to prepare for their personal and professional growth.
- You became part of the administrative team at XLRI. What impressed you and inspired you in this experience?
I joined XLRI as Secretary to Fr E H McGrath SJ, one of the founding fathers of XLRI. I might mention here that, though I was a graduate from Jamshedpur Women’s College, my actual learning began after I joined XLRI, assisting Fr McGrath. Fr McGrath inspired not just me but all the students and each and every person whose lives he touched. Firstly, he taught me to think! His humanistic approach towards the poor and marginalized had a tremendous impact on me. Fr McGrath was a “labour” person and so the dignity of labour stood out tall. Later, I was part of a team in the Director’s Office at XLRI. I assisted Fr Casimir Raj and Fr E Abraham—both Directors at XLRI. It was a very challenging time for me, as I worked as part of the team. Each responsibility given to me brought out the best in me. The Jesuits in XLRI worked with a vision and mission awareness that was unparalleled, as they strove to place XLRI on the world map, with so many foreign universities from Europe, USA and UK.
- What would you suggest for making the contribution of this and other
Catholic institutions still more relevant and inspiring ?
Catholic institutions have made a significant contribution in so many fields. They continue to amaze me with so much excellent work they have done, particularly in the field of education. We have truly been blessed with the role played by Catholic institutions in our lives. I think Mother Teresa and Missionaries of Charity stand a class apart. I honestly do not have any suggestions from my side. I think they have done and are doing their best. God bless them!
Mother Mary and Infant Jesus continue to protect us. Mount Mary’s Church in Bandra is flooded with worshippers from all faiths. What is holding them together is their infinite faith in Jesus.
- Any person who stands out in your memory from your years as a student or as a staff member? What did you learn from this person or these persons?
XLRI was set up by the Jamshedpur Jesuit Society. Since its inception in 1948, the Jesuits toiled endlessly to lay the foundation of Xavier Labour Relations Institute in Jamshedpur. From a modest beginning, XLRI, which is now called Xavier School of Management, is indeed a premier Business School in the country and is the Number One private business school in the country. It maintains a consistent excellent ranking in the country as a whole.
The three persons who stand out are Fathers Quinn Enright, William N Tome, Edward H McGrath and Oswald Mascarenhas. Fr Oswald was JRD Chair Professor of Business Ethics at XLRI, whom I assisted in his research and publication work. As I have mentioned earlier, Fr McGrath, being my mentor, inspired me the most. He moved to Orissa in 1987 as Director of the Human Life Centre. His was a clear mission to serve the poor and he pursued it with single-minded passion. I feel personally indebted to him for all his grooming and mentoring which has made me “Fully Human and Fully Alive.”
- According to you, what do we Indians of different faiths and backgrounds need to do to make our country a nation of well-educated, harmoniously integrated and reasonably prosperous people ?
I think we Indians need to adopt a more inclusive approach so as to permit people of different faiths to “live and let live.” Such an approach will bring in harmony and peace between people of different faiths. One way to achieve this end is to have small videos showing both grown-ups and children from different faiths weaving a beautiful friendship together. The motto should be “Love Conquers All.” Such video clips should be in Hindi, so that people in the rural areas can understand the meaning of friendship and how religion has nothing to do with all the futile fighting and killings going on, most of it sadly politically motivated. So too, some seminars need to be conducted in schools and colleges highlighting the importance of all faiths woven together to make India the beautiful country it is. Mera Bharat Mahaan!
- What do you see as your main contribution to XLRI as a team member? Who or what inspires you? What difference do you want to and hope to make?
I served XLRI for forty-three years. So, my emotional connect with XLRI is very much there. My main contribution was in the field of publication work initially and subsequently, while in the Director’s Office, interacting with our collaborators and a host of endeavors involving students and student activities.
I believe each one of us can make a difference in the lives of those we encounter in such a way that we leave this world a slightly better place than what it was when we arrived. The conscious choice is ours.
Ms Roshan N Dastur was secretary to Fr E H McGrath SJ, Senior Professor of Organizational Behaviour and one of the pioneers of XLRI, Jamshedpur, which is one of the premier business schools in India. She was then Executive Assistant to the Director of XLRI, Fr E Abraham SJ. Her hobbies are: music, debating, dramatics and singing. She believes in people therapy and doing her bit for the marginalized.
Ms Roshan Dastur
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