And for a Friday ….. when India lost one of its greatest Corporate law luminaries ….. & me ….a dear friend & legal Guide …. some thoughts ….. some musings …….
In the corridors of the Chambers at the Taj Mahal Hotel … or Belvedre at The Oberoi in Mumbai … …. almost every evening there could be some corporate gettogether ……. whilst the Board members participating would vary …..: one constant personality in most Board Gettogethers was one of India’s most respected & iconic legal luminary ….. Mr. R. A. Shah …. in his trade -mark blue shirt … dark suit & his Tie by design stretching almost to his pants fork ….a strict vegetarian every senior cook in almost all 5 star hotels in Mumbai knew his preference for meal & how he liked his two pegs of scotch to be served ………..
He was on my Board for all of 15 years whilst I was the CMD of the German MNC …. but what was most astonishing was that he was one of our first Directors who joined the Board in 1968 & continued well past my retirement …… a true definition of an “Evergreen” Board member …… mine was just one of the MNCs …. It is rumoured that he holds the world record of being Board member in most number of publicly listed companies which included as Vice Chairman Colgate Palmolive , Chairman Pfizer etcetc …. the list is endless …..Shahsaab( as I fondly called him) was always available to me …. his sharp legal mind …. capacity to focus on the issue at hand …. & provide a practical workable & sustainable solution within the legal framework … .. was truly remarkable …….. just a fortnight back we had a long conversation at the 70th Foundation day of IGCC …..he was as fresh … as energetic & as curious as ever …..
A True Nation builder….. you leave behind a legacy of an outstanding contribution to Corporate India’s growth …… the legal way …. the sustainable way …. the SEEGOS way.