A priceless deal

 

On one fine day during seventies or early eighties, I got a message from Shankarkaka that he wanted to see me. Shankarkaka or late Dr. S.D. Karve, elder son of Bharat Ratna Annasaheb Karve, stayed during his last years in a one room dwelling next to our house built for him by his younger brother Late Bhaskar Karve. Shankarkaka was the legendary medical Doctor, who had spent his lifetime in Mombasa, Kenya. He was associated with Pandya hospital there and was a very well-known figure in Africa. He must have been in his eighties then.

I visited him later that day. His wife Late Revatikaku also was there. Shankarkaka showed me a watch case. I opened it and saw that it contained a brand-new automatic wristwatch of Favre-Leuba Swiss make with day and date indicators. I saw that watch with great interest as such beauties were just not available in India in those days. There was total import ban, and we had to use HMT watches only assembled in India.

Shankarkaka told me that this watch was presented to him by the staff of Pandya hospital in Mombasa on his retirement as a token of their gratitude. He was never able to use it since and wanted to offer it to me as a gift but not free but at a price in true ‘Karve’ style. He told me I would have to pay him Rs. Five Hundred for the watch.

I found myself stunned and speechless. I had only seen pictures of such watches on back covers of glossy magazines they give you to read on flights. I just took his hand and held it for a few minutes. Revatikaku probably understood my feelings as she looked at me.

I told Shankarkaka to wait for few minutes. I went home, picked up my checkbook and returned. I wrote a cheque for Five Hundred Rupees in favour of Dr. S.D. Karve and handed it over to Shankarkaka. I felt so overwhelmed with emotion that I could not say anything. I just touched their feet, collected the watch and left. I could see the eyes of the old couple beaming with joy.

I used that watch for a long time until it became old and needed many repairs. I keep it as a cherished memory of this distinguished person. I sincerely hope that next generations of my family will keep this watch as a souvenir in memory of Shankarkaka.

My association with Shankarkaka and Revatikaku continued. Whenever we bought a new piece of machinery, I would invite them to break coconut to start it. Even after their deaths, I was greatly honoured to be made trustee of their estate and an executor of their will. I felt very proud to sign the checks as a signatory, distributing his modest estate to his grandchildren and two institutions associated with Late Annasaheb Karve.

I was made a member of these two institutions because of this. Later one of these institutions, namely Karve Institute of social sciences, had an unpleasant incident, as some political or pressure groups tried to take over. This made the General body resolve to delete names of people, who had become members in an indirect way. I have continued to be member of Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha till now. I consider it a honour.

I made many deals as a businessman. No other deal can ever match this. This was a deal of a lifetime for me.