MAY 21: Sohrab Pirojshah Godrej, chairman of the Godrej group of companies, was an industrialist par excellence. His interest ranged from environment and population control to education, social welfare, archaeology and conservation of heritage monuments. Asked about his philosophy of life, Godrej once said, "The best philosophy is to do the best one can.""Those who are better off in life owe an obligation to those less fortunate than themselves. Another component is to live and let live, acquire tolerance and understanding of other people. The last component is perhaps what we lack most - developing a national ethos, cultivating the scientific temper," Godrej, who with the likes of J R D Tata built modern industrial India, had said.He was head of various chambers of commerce and bi-national bodies and won many prestigious awards. He was past president of the International Chamber of Commerce-India, Council of European Union (EU) Chamber of Commerce in India, Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Indo-French Technical Association.He was closely connected with various organisations committed to preservation of nature, wildlife and environment, linked with population control and development as president emeritus of the World Wide Fund for Nature-India. He was also vice-president of the Bombay Natural History Society, president of the National Society of the Friends of the Trees, patron of the Family Planning Association of India, governing Board member of the Population Foundation of India.He was deeply conscious of the social responsibilities of business. Godrej Industrial Garden Township at Pirojshanagar in Mumbai bears testimony to the various causes that Godrej was promoting in housing, education, health and family welfare and environment.He recieved international recognition for his contribution to the conservation of nature and natural resources with the "White Pelican" award conferred on him by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on the 25th anniversary of WWF.He was conferred Padma Bhushan by the president of India last year. Other national honours conferred on him include the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar, Indian Merchants' Chamber Award for outstanding contribution in enhancing the image of the business community by personal service and the Jawaharlal Nehru Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress Association.President K R Narayanan and vice-president Krishan Kant condoled his death. ''I mourn the loss of a personal friend and a generous andsensitive human being. I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and all those who grieve the departure of this outstanding personality," Mr Narayanan said in a condolence message to Jamshyd N godrej.He said called Godrej a leading industrialist with asocial commitment, who devoted himself to address the problem of population explosion. "Passionately devoted to the cause of environment, he was personally involved in the campaign to save the tiger," Narayanan said.Krishan Kant said he was shocked and deeply grieved to learn about the sudden passing away of Mr S P Godrej. A titan of the Indian industry, Godrej personified dynamism and enterprise of India, he added.''He was a man of great refinement and innate simplicity who worked unobtrusively for the uplift of the poor, protection of environment and promotion and preservation of Indian heritage and culture. A long-time member of the Indian council of cultural realtions, Godrej made significant and lasting contribution to its evolution,'' Kant said.Maharashtra governor P C Alexander has expressed grief over his demise. of ndustrialist S P Godrej in London yesterday. In a condolence messsage, he said, "In the passing away of Sorabji Godrej, Mumbai has lost one of its tallest stalwarts. There was no cause in the country which he had not championed with great zeal and commitment, whether it was environment or wild life, eradication of TB or AIDS, rehabilitation of the handicapped or promotion of communal harmony and peace.""In spite of physical handicaps from which he was suffering in recent months, he was present at every funtion to lend his support to the great causes dear to his heart," he added.The Associated Chambers of Commerceand Industry (Assocham) described Godrej as "a giant amongst industrialists". Assocham president Shekhar Bajaj said, "Godrej was not only an industrialist of the highest calibre, he was a great philanthropist, a lover of nature and a committed environmentalist."Godrej was a great human being, who left a deep impresson whoever came in contact with him, Bajaj said a statement here.The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) expressed deep sorrow at his death. In a statement issued here, CII president Arun Bharat Ram said he was among the doyens of Indian industry and his contribution to the cause of Indian industry was unparalleled. "Godrej would be remembered for his immense contribution and leadership for the promotion of art and culture," Ram said.
