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As a young Parsi girl growing up in the United States, July 4 was a very important day of celebration, America’s Independence Day. But, this day held even more meaning for me because it was my grandfather’s birthday. Dr Minocher Kaikushro Contractor was born on July 4, 1917 in pre-partition Karachi. It is no coincidence that for a man who so valued the democratic process and independent rule so much, he shared his birthday with America’s Independence Day. My inspiration and mentor, he spent his life serving others and advocating an India free from British rule. Even though he is not with us today, his life story and my vivid memories of the precious moments we shared still provide wisdom on how to tackle some of the challenges faced and decisions to be made.
My grandfather had a rough start in life. As a civil surgeon, Kaikushro, my great-grandfather, was often posted in remote areas, and so Minocher was sent to stay with relatives in Poona. Unbeknownst to his parents, he was physically abused and deprived of food. Rather than dampening his spirit, these traumatic experiences forged his character for the better. 
When Minocher returned to live with his family, the country was alive with the Quit India movement. As an employee of the British government, his father was in charge of the local prison along side shouldering his surgical responsibilities. Given the time, many political prisoners, including Vinoba Bhave and Jamnalal Bajaj, resided in that prison. My great-grandfather, feeling sorry for the political prisoners, would bring them to the house under the guise of needing help at home.  In reality, they enjoyed the much needed fresh air and a good meal. My grandfather, being an impressionable young man, would often sit and talk with these gentlemen who ultimately became the founding fathers of the new Republic of India. It was these influential conversations that led my grandfather on the path of becoming a freedom fighter. He was also greatly influenced by his uncle, Dr Manchersha Gilder, who was Mahathma Gandhi’s personal physician for 15 years. The family’s first sign of my grandfather’s conviction was when they were all at the theater and he refused to get up to sing God Save the King.
As Minocher became increasingly involved in the Independence movement, my great-grandfather came under pressure to force him to give up his participation in the freedom struggle. Ultimately, my grandfather left home so as not to jeopardize his father’s job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My grandfather became a family physician in 1942 and practiced for 50 years in Surat. His dream of Indian Independence came to fruition in 1947. A strong believer in the democratic process, he was very involved in local politics as a municipal representative, a role in which he served for 12 years. He advocated the installation of underground drainage and helped constituents in his ward to install tanks so they could receive water throughout the day.  He also had a park built for children, which still stands today.
On October 2, 1943 (Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday), my grandfather married Dina Behramji Udwadia in  Bombay. Her husband’s passion for serving others was infectious and soon Dina was working alongside him. She served as the president of the All India Women’s Conference, was a delegate to the Parsi Matrimonial Court, a second-class judge, president of the Nanpura Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman, president of the Laskari Ladies Club, and a member of the Ladies Advisory Committee of the Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP).
When the historic floods of Surat occurred, his district was the hardest hit. He went around for three days in a boat assisting people. With no cell phones then, Dina had no idea if he was alive.  As a municipal representative, he met Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1960. He also worked for several years for the SPP. In 1981, he was nominated as a trustee.
Over 50% of his medical practice was provided free. At the time of his death, that number was closer to 90%. He never turned back anyone who did not have the money to be treated. His beneficiaries included Parsi families in Nanpura, Surat, a school and hostel for Muslim children, hostels and schools for girls and Hindu boys from villages, a school for the blind, and the Parsi Orphanage.
Minocher strongly believed in education. He and Dina founded the Parsi progressive group called the Parsi Pragati Mandal (PPM) in Surat, which one could join for only a single rupee. To this date, the fee is still one rupee and the PPM continues to give substantial amount of scholarships. In other charitable acts, he gave all the money he received during his wedding to his friend and purposely failed an entrance exam so that his friend who had very little means could further his education. He assisted whoever came to him gain admission to various schools and colleges. 
He wrote several books advocating the use of the English script and the English language, believing that having a common script would unify a country having so many different languages. At a time when the chief minister of Gujarat, Morarji Desai, introduced Gujarati as the medium of instruction at all levels, my grandfather eventually succeeded in re-introducing English medium divisions. 
His personal mission was to see that Madam Bhikaiji Cama was honored.  He strongly believed, that as a freedom fighter and designer of the first Indian flag, she was a patriot whom India had forgotten. He eventually succeeded in having her face grace a postage stamp and had Secretariat Road renamed Madame Cama Road in Bombay. His most hard-fought achievement came after almost 50 years of advocacy when Cama’s portrait was hung in Parliament.  He met Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his wife Sonia, who later became president of the Congress Party.
With his unassuming, optimistic, warm nature, he befriended all he met. He could talk to a two-year-old or a 90-year-old with ease. With his generous spirit, he treated all with respect and dignity regardless of social status and sought the best in everyone he met. He absolutely loved children and would always carry around candy to give to each child he met. Constantly telling jokes he was a captivating story teller. In his clinic, I am convinced he cured more people with his caring, jovial disposition than any medication he dispensed. He tirelessly endeavored for the betterment of mankind and worked to the day he died. His life embodied what it means to be and live as a Zarathushti.
Even though my father, Farhad, moved to the United States after marrying my mother Houtoxi (née Randeria), both my parents have vivid memories of the lessons they learned from my grandfather. The message of his life and his legacy remains intact with the values and principles that my parents have taught my sister Cyra and me. His memory and example will continue to live on through my children and my children’s children for generations to come.