N W Shivdasani, former principal of Mumbai's Jaihind College, is shaken moments after he hears about actor-politician Sunil Dutt's demise.
Dutt joined Jaihind College in 1951. He passed out with a BA Honours in History in 1954.
Though Shivdasani joined Jaihind much later, he was the college principal for 14 years, from 1990 onwards. He is now on the college's board of directors.
One of Dutt's friends, his voice quivers as he relates the tale of how a poor, yet determined, boy strove to make something of himself.
"When he first arrived at Jaihind for admission, the head clerk turned him away because the seats were filled up and, possibly, because Sunil was dressed very shabbily in a kurta-pyjama. The then principal happened to pass by and wanted to know what the problem was. Sunil explained why he had come to Jaihind, and not to any other institute.
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"The founders of Jaihind College and Sunil Dutt had something in common: they were all victims of Partition.
"Sunil moved from West Pakistan to India. The founders of Jaihind were a group of teachers who worked at D J Sind College, Karachi, pre-Partition. The latter established the college in 1948, after much effort."
"Sunil identified with the college motto, 'I Will and I Can', and made his way there.
"The principal agreed to take Sunil in. But he could not afford to pay the fees. So he was given a 50 percent concession, which he could still not afford. A gentleman who happened to be in the vicinity, overheard the conversation and agreed to pay on his behalf. His admission came through."
Not surprisingly, Dutt actively participated in college dramatics. "He was a bright student who went on to become the general secretary of the college," says Shivdasani.
Dutt was felicitated by the college in March, during which he recounted his difficulties when seeking admission.
"When Sunil assumed the position of Union minister for sports and youth affairs, he adopted his college motto and shared it with everyone. It was: I Will and I Can."
"Sunil was a very warm, polite, humble-natured man, and his achievements are very commendable. He was also very helpful. When Dr Duru Shah (a well-known Mumbai gynaecologist), also an alumnus of Jaihind, wanted to contact him for a national project, I told him about it about it. He took her number from me and said he would call her."
And call her he did. "Just a week ago, I was trying to contact him about the project dedicated to the youth," says Dr Shah. "Professor Shivdasani put in a word and gave me his number. Before I could call him, he called me. He was very supportive."
"His behaviour is unlike what you expect from a politician. I learnt of his demise when I called this morning to discuss the project. I was shocked. I first met him 15 years ago when he agreed to be the chief guest at a function dedicated to a women's cause. He was there at 8 pm, no airs, no stiff upper lip. He was a truly amazing person."
Sunil Dutt on rediff.com
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