Devendra Azad Ji, as he was known to all of us, was well-known in the expatriate community ( Azad ji joined Birla Group of Industries here in Bangkok in 1977) because of his work. An engineer by profession, he was handpicked by Mr. Birla and had a lot to do with the success of Thai Carbon Black Industry and Thai Polyphospate , the two big plants set up by him. His wife, popularly known as Mrs. Azad or addressed as Mrs. A by many of us, added more to his already well-earned professional reputation with her impeccably organized social get togethers at their residence, her culinary skills and her flair for reaching out to people. From 70’s to 90’s, parties use to be hosted by the famous Birla Group of Companies where I would have the opportunities to meet Mr. Azad and interact with him and I would look forward to those meetings because I was able to learn a lot from him. During one of the sessions, I told Azad Ji that I looked up to him for what he had done in his professional journey as an engineer and his reply surprised me. He replied that everyone can perform well in his or her career if sincerity and enthusiasm to do one’s best are the two factors embraced and that he, Azad Ji, was rather impressed by my ability , Beena’s, to send my messages across to others. He said I should be proud of that God- given gift I possessed. His next line was: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade so Beena, shine more in your chosen career path. He added he might have been more qualified and doing exceptionally well at that time, given an opportunity he wouldn’t be able to teach as I did. I still remember his words and I did take them seriously. Sometimes some people impact your life directly or indirectly. Mr. Azad’s words still echo in my ears. May his departed soul Rest In Peace and may his family be blessed.
BY BEENA HORA
Devendra Azad Ji, as he was known to all of us, was well-known in the expatriate community ( Azad ji joined Birla Group of Industries here in Bangkok in 1977) because of his work. An engineer by profession, he was handpicked by Mr. Birla and had a lot to do with the success of Thai Carbon Black Industry and Thai Polyphospate , the two big plants set up by him. His wife, popularly known as Mrs. Azad or addressed as Mrs. A by many of us, added more to his already well-earned professional reputation with her impeccably organized social get togethers at their residence, her culinary skills and her flair for reaching out to people. From 70’s to 90’s, parties use to be hosted by the famous Birla Group of Companies where I would have the opportunities to meet Mr. Azad and interact with him and I would look forward to those meetings because I was able to learn a lot from him. During one of the sessions, I told Azad Ji that I looked up to him for what he had done in his professional journey as an engineer and his reply surprised me. He replied that everyone can perform well in his or her career if sincerity and enthusiasm to do one’s best are the two factors embraced and that he, Azad Ji, was rather impressed by my ability , Beena’s, to send my messages across to others. He said I should be proud of that God- given gift I possessed. His next line was: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade so Beena, shine more in your chosen career path. He added he might have been more qualified and doing exceptionally well at that time, given an opportunity he wouldn’t be able to teach as I did. I still remember his words and I did take them seriously. Sometimes some people impact your life directly or indirectly. Mr. Azad’s words still echo in my ears. May his departed soul Rest In Peace and may his family be blessed.
BY BEENA HORA
