A few hours ago I received the tragic news of the passing away my oldest professional friend who was dear to both Annikki and me - Mohammad Noorani of Mumbai.
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| Mohammad (far right) and me (second from left) at a party in Mohammad’s house in Leverkusen, Germany, in 1964 |
In 1964, when I went to Leverkusen in Germany to do my internship at the Farbenfabriken Bayer Rubber Research centre, I was greeted by an Indian, Mohammad Noorani, who was assigned to take care of my programme.
Mohammad was a leather technologist who had shifted to the field of Rubber Chemicals.
MRF Ltd. was one of the largest buyers of Rubber Chemicals in India. My uncle, K. M. Mammen Mappillai, Chairman and Managing Director of MRF Ltd. thought it appropriate for me to be trained in Bayer for my professional life in India.
I had just completed a year at the National College of Rubber Technology in London and needed to be exposed to the ins and outs of industrial rubber processing and research.
It was a training that changed my life in many ways, being supervised by Mohammad, as he took care of both my education and my social life and also ensured I could play hockey with the Bayer Leverkusen hockey team. He also took time to teach me German.
Mohammad was not a complete stranger because, as a student, I had been an addict to the writings of his brilliant journalist elder brother, A. G. Noorani, who wrote a powerful political column in The Indian Express.
I was greatly moved to meet and become a friend of the younger brother of my favourite Indian journalist.
On my return to India in 1969, our friendship continued as Mohammad was given the responsibility of looking after MRF Ltd. as a customer.
As soon as he landed in Madras, he would make a beeline to our house with small gifts for Annikki and the children.
Later, during his visits, we would always have a private dinner.
When Nirlon launched its nylon fabric for tyre reinforcement, it was Mohammad who made sure that MRF Ltd. was given the topmost priority amongst the tyre producers in India. He set up private meetings with the Directors of Nirlon so I had all the information at my fingertips which I was able to communicate with the purchase and technical team in MRF.
In 1973, my father was stricken by pancreatitis which took him to the doorstep of death. I had flown in from Madras for the final farewell.
I told Mohammad the situation.
Mohammad told me that Bayer had developed a new drug for pancreatitis and he would bring it immediately from Germany for my father.
My father recovered from this very dire situation.
Later, I introduced my old school friend, Viney Sethi to Mohammad and they became fast friends.
Mohammad's wife, Sartaj, is the daughter of a Hyderabaadi Nawab, who worked for the Indian Railwdys. He was also a professional dog breeder who trained Doberman Pinschers as guard dogs for the railway yards. One dog could do the work of 10 people!
Sartaj was a classmate of my sister. Elizabeth in Cathedral and John Connon School in Bombay.
Sartaj'a elder brother, Zafar Hai, was one year my senior in St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. He is a film and art director. Zafar went on to be the best short film director in India, producing films for Air India and other leading companies.
Through Mohammad I also got to know another of his brothers, Mushtaq, who was managing a leading hotel in Bangalore.
After a distinguished career in Bayer India as the Head of the Rubber Chemicals Division, he became the Editor and Publisher of the Indian Rubber Journal. Mohammad made the publishing of rubber news something which is his legacy to India.
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| Photograph by Farzana Contractor |
I was fortunate to speak with Mohammad a few weeks ago when he was discharged from hospital after a severe illness. He sounded terrible on the phone. His ever prevalent love still came through the phone lines.
Ever since I have been saying a prayer for this dear friend.
Mohammad and Sartaj have been very private people.
I did come across one artcle, A Royal Repast, by Farzana Contractor in a magazine called The Upper Crust, which defines what a wonderful, accomplished and distinguished couple Sartaj and Mohammad have been.
I had my treasured photograph with Mohammad in Germany from 1964 (which graces the top of this obituary), but had no subsequent photos of him in my extensive photo archives.
Mohammad has been the finest example of a gentleman that has ever crossed my path. He was a fun person with an enormous sense of humour. He was always smiling and was an extremely loving caring personality.
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| Mohammad: 25th June 2023 Photo courtesy Viney Sethi |
I will miss Mohammad deep in my heart.
Our deepest condolences to his entire family.
I hope our Lord will bring comfort to his family members, his wife, Sartaj and their two children, Aida and Tabrez.
May our dear Mohammad rest in peace.
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