Former principal of HR and MMK College, P Gidwani turns 100

Students outside Hassaram Rhijhumal (HR) College of Commerce & Economics at Churchgate are on a break from lectures. A bunch of girls giggle at a group of boys, some with spiked hair, who are taking a selfie. "Ask them to pout," says a girl, which sets them off into hysterical laughter.

Principal P Gidwani with his daughter Deepa P. Pic/Sneha Kharabe

A little away from the SoBo College another kind of Kodak moment is taking place. Former Principal of HR College and MMK College of Commerce and Economics (Bandra), Pribhdas Nanikram Gidwani, simply called Principal Gidwani turned 100 on Wednesday, August 3.

At the Gidwani residence at Saat Rasta, Mahalaxmi, a party and pooja rocked the Planet Godrej building that evening. "Rocking? What is that? A new age word?" asks the principal, whose lean and fit physique belies his age.

"What does it profit a man if he amasses millions and suffers the loss of his soul?" says Gidwani, a question that forms the cornerstone of his belief system. The founder-principal of MMK college, Bandra from 1961 to 1970 and, principal, HR from 1971 to 1990, waved away a listing of awards and recognition marking his academic career.

Elaine Mody, former faculty, said, "He gave the teaching staff the freedom to nurture students and foster their growth." The teacher's staff room, she added, "lacked camaraderie" after Gidwani's retirement. Seeta Desai, former principal, Hinduja College, added, "It was left to a few of us in the college to penetrate the stern demeanour of Principal Gidwani to reach the soft, large heart that he has."

Gidwani's soft, large heart will beat a little faster as August 15 approaches. Born into an affluent Sindhi family in Hyderabad (Sindh), currently in Pakistan, he was one of eight children born to Ramibai and Nanikram Gidwani. In 1947, during Partition the Gidwani family was forced to leave their palatial mansion in Karachi and migrate to Bangalore and start afresh.

Gidwani, who began his teaching career at KLE's J G College of Commerce, Hubli, North Karnataka in 1948, still keeps a finger on the rapidly changing academic landscape. He wants to see more colleges in medicine, a wider variety of vocational courses, more autonomy and flexibility in course curriculums. "There should be better compensation for teachers because they shape a nation more directly than any other profession," says Gidwani, who insists he is a "no-fuss" kind of 100 year-old and a voracious reader. Gidwani's rousing Latin end to the conversation is, ‘Quo Non Ascendum' (to what heights may I not rise).