Holaram Hasija

Spotlighting Some Select Characters by Holaram Hasija

1. Mr. Butani was one of my colleagues in the B.E.S.T undertaking , having worked for > 30 years in various departments, viz Traffic, Bus Engg (Dadar) Ticket & Cash (Dadar) , Electric Services south (Colaba) and lastly consumers Dept (Elec House) from where he honourably retired as Sr. Consumers' Assistant in B Grade Officers Cadre. He was the first graduate to set foot in the Traffic Department joining as Sr. Clerk in a total salary of Rs. 65/- per month (Rs. 50/- basic plus Rs. 15/- D.A. = Rs. 65/-) !

2. Butani let out a secret. He disclosed that from his very school days, he wanted to excel in English and so he had a good command on English language. This set him apart from other colleagues ( and officers) who seeing his superior drafting  held him in good esteem. Slowly the Traffic officers sought his help to see whether their reports/appeal orders were okay or needed modification.

This quality (proficiency in English) helped him to establish a firm foot - hold in Bus Engg. Dept also. Poor Butani was feeling like a 'fish out of water' becuase he had absolutely no knowledge of the working of Bus Engg. Dept. (Mr. S.G.Laud was the Chief engineer, Transport , Head of the Buss Engg. Dept and his deputy was P.B. Kerkar , who later became the General Manager.). But soon the flavor of his spoken and written English started floating across the dept. and  began to impress his new colleagues and officers. After 6 month probationary period, Butani was confirmed in the alien Dept. The Engg Dept's officers, being technocrats, had no good knowledge of English. So they used to call him in their cabins and requested him to go through their reports/appeal orders, to see whether they were okay or needed improvement. He never said NO to anyone. 

Thus Butani conquered Bus Engg Dept, with his 'gun of polished English'.

3.While in service, he enrolled for MA course (In History & Economics) keeping terms at the 'University School of Economics & Sociology (Fort) and obtained his  M.A. degree, a few marks below 2nd class in 1952. This got him one accelerated increment in his salary. Two weeks later, he enrolled for 'Compact B.Com' course taking 'Transport ' as a special subject at Potdar college of commerce (Matunga, holding evening classes for working persons) and walked out of it with B.Com degree (3rd one in his cap in 1954). 

4.Mr. Butani was the founding father of the BEST Sindhi Sabha. Sometine in 1958, he along with 2,3, colleagues led a delegation to the then Dy. G. M. (Mr. P.R. Shivdasani) requesting for permission to form an association of Sindhi employees in the undertaking for social and cultural interaction purpose. He assured him (DGM) that the proposed BSS would be non-political and purely a social entity, causing no problem to anyone in the undertaking. The tactful diplomatic approach convinced the DGM of our bonafide intentions and he granted the permission. Thus BEST SINDHI SABHA was born (Cheers!). Mr. Butani was made the secretary of BSS assisted by other office-bearers. Mr. Butani gave cent to his literary skills and brought out an annual magazine 'Pushp' (Flower) in Sindhi which was much appreciated. Mr. Butani continued to be elected as secretary for three consecutive years 1959 - 1960 after which he bowed out voluntarily and gracefully. The magazine still continues to be published without break, thanks to the untiring efforts of Mr. Holaram Hasija (Hans).

5. Being of an artistic bent of mind Mr. Butani joined the Natya Academy of the Indian National Theater (affiliated to UNESCO, Paris), for a one-year course in Dramatics, specializing in 'Stage Lighting' for which he was awarded First Prize in 1960.

6. Side by side, because of his tremendous interest in travel and tourism. he joined, 'Tourist Guides' 6-month certificate course conducted by Govt. of India Tourist office, Churchgate, , Bom. 20 and successfully passed both written and practical tests. He now became certified 'Tourist Guide' and started taking assignments on Sundays and holidays. Not long thereafter, Mr. Butani founded the 'Tourist Guides' Association (TOGA) and remained its Hon. Secretary for three consecutive years viz. 1967-1969. He also started an annual house magazine named "TOGA" in English, of which he was the editor as well.

During the third quarter of 1969, an unbelievable thing happened. America sent Apollo 11 spacecraft to Moon with three astronauts. Two of then Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin landed on the Moon on on 21st July 1969. the news mesmerized the world. Later it came in the news papers that Apollo 11 Astronauts along with their wives would be travelling round the world and would be in Bombay on 26th Oct 1969 for a day. On reading this news, Mr. Butani got a brainwave and decided to congratulate them on behalf of Tourist Guides Association, present a gift and a copy of last year's 'TOGA 1968 magazine to each of them. But how was it possible? Butani pondered over this and hit upon an idea "to route the gifts through the American consulate in Bombay!" Fortunately, the consulate officials agreed to deliver the gifts to astronauts. Believe it or not, just 4 days later Butani received a letter directly from the astronauts appreciating our gifts and magazine, signed by each of them in their own hand. A photocopy of the letter is attached.

7. Mr. Butani is a freelance writer cum poet. His letters, poems and articles have been published in many newspapers. His main theme is cruelty to animals and environment. He is also an ace photographer , having held two solo photographic exhibitions of 111 color photographs in Madras in 1982 and in Calcutta in 1983. He has also bagged many awards and honors. Hut despite these achievements , he is not swollen-headed and prefers to maintain a low profile.