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Died: Maneck Ardeshir Dalal, 98, former trustee of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE), managing director of Tata Limited and a stalwart of Air India who pioneered the carrier’s operations in London; on March 6, 2017 in London.
"His discipline was legendary and even in his nineties, he made it a point to attend Indo-British events at all times and always on time. He was Indian, British and Parsi — of the highest distinction,” summed up erstwhile ZTFE president Dorab Mistry, appreciating that he could always turn to his friend of nearly four decades who was "a constant source of encouragement and advice.” Having served two seven-year terms as ZTFE trustee, at the Jamshedi Navroz celebration in 1998, Dalal had been felicitated for his lifetime achievements and the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) honor that he was conferred five years prior.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Viewing his senior as "a man of integrity and righteousness,” ZTFE trustee Rusi Dalal commented, "Maneck was a born leader, championing the cause of any organization he headed… sowing the seeds of service, dedication and leadership in all those who came in contact with him... At the age of 70, Maneck was still a dynamic person, full of vitality and vigor, yet as per true Tata tradition, relinquished his multifaceted involvement with Tata Sons as well as from the trusteeship of ZTFE.
"Few people knew the late J. R. D. Tata better than Maneck as was evident when he delivered the ZTFE Sesquicentennial Lecture in the Zartoshty Brothers Hall in 2011 titled ‘Recollections of the late J. R. D. Tata,’” appreciated ZTFE president Malcolm Deboo. That turned out to be his last visit to the Zoroastrian Centre. Although already in his nineties, "he stood erect for 65 minutes and spoke…without notes and without repetition or hesitation,” remembered Mistry. 
Founder patron and chairman of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB), London from 1973 to 2011, the BVB had planned a commemoration meeting for "our dear Dalalji” in conjunction with ZTFE and Air India on May 15, 2017. When news of his demise was shared by BVB, many stalwarts responded: Describing him as  "a courageous and formidable leader who made an outstanding contribution to the British Indian community,” Lord Dolar Popat added, "His name will go down in history for helping to establish one of the greatest Indian institutions in Britain; the Bhavan will forever remain his lasting legacy.” "He was the guiding spirit of the Bhavan and it would not have been what it is without his dedication,” noted Lord Bhikhu Parekh. Former Indian High Commissioner to the UK Ranjan Mathai described his "good friend,” as "a fine chairman and a gracious and dignified host for the various functions organized by the Bhavan.” Shashi Vekaria, director of Vascroft Contractors Limited, stated that Dalal "lived a life of divinity and sanctity. His humility reflected his nobility.” Commented Amitav Banerji, Indian diplomat in the UK, "An icon has been taken away from us… His wonderful and soothing presence will be sorely missed, not least of course by the BVB whose affairs he guided with such skill and foresight.”

 

 

 

 

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth sent a condolence message to Deboo: "Often referred to as a man of great intellect and vision, I am sure that Dalal will principally be remembered for his selfless attitude to others. He was a man who believed so passionately about equality, choosing to engage with a wide range of people, regardless of background or social position. A man who was quick to show respect and genuine humanity to others, he did his best to help the poor in India, passionately believing in them and striving to unlock the intellectual talent he fervently knew they had.”
Among the many organizations with which he was connected, Dalal had served as president/chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Foreign Airlines Association, Festival of India in Great Britain, Royal Overseas League where hangs his portrait painted by Christian Furr, Indian Women’s Education Association. Dalal undertook his voluntary roles seriously: "If he joined a committee, he believed it important to work both to contribute and to make a difference,” stated his daughter Caroline.
"He was truly India’s cultural ambassador to the UK for four decades,” commented Mistry. As chairman of the first Festival of India in London in 1981, at the inauguration, he was flanked by the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the British PM Margaret Thatcher. "Out of admiration I would refer to him as the ‘tallest Indian Brit.’ He would shudder and say, ‘Nahi ré nahi (not at all), you embarrass me,’” recalled Mistry who appreciated that Dalal was "always polite but he could be firm and strong. His nature was always generous and he always felt moved by other people’s difficulty.”
Born in Bombay, the youngest among four siblings, barely a month after the end of World War I, "he had lived through seven viceroys, 16 Indian Presidents, 15 Indian Prime Ministers, 19 British Prime Ministers and the reign of four British Monarchs,” observed Rev Gareth Wardell when delivering the funeral sermon on March 27.
He had studied at the Barnes Boarding School in Deolali and later law at the Trinity Hall, Cambridge where he captained the tennis, squash and badminton teams. After his marriage to Kathleen (Kay), he returned to India "just as the tumultuous events of India’s independence and partition were about to unfold.” As manager of the fledgling Tata Airlines, he was involved in the movement of significant numbers of passengers across the India-Pakistan border while trying to prevent mayhem.
 The following year, Dalal, aged 29, was entrusted by J. R. D. Tata to establish the new Air India operations in London. As Dalal had recalled the scenario then, Heathrow Airport was just a collection of huts and caravans with Air India’s traffic department initially housed in a single caravan. In the winter of 1948 they had to trudge through slush and mud to get to the caravan with only oil heaters to keep them warm. Nearly a decade later, he was appointed Air India’s regional director for the UK, a post he held until 1977 when he was made managing director of Tata Limited. As remarked Wardell, "He was ambitious certainly, but always in a good sense – driven as he was by a desire to change the world and make it a better place.”
Commending the "total loyalty” displayed by Dalal towards the various organizations and individuals he was associated with, Minoo Kalifa, former company secretary of Tata Limited added, "Rarely did he miss an opportunity to be with his friends or members of his staff, be it a family celebration or bereavement. At work and in retirement, he kept in touch with his friends and colleagues…”
He continued to play squash into his 50s following which he developed an interest in yoga.
"Our father had strong links and affection for the Parsi community throughout his life and of course always identified himself as a Parsi in terms of his origins and affinity to family, friends and the wider Parsi community. However he attended church for many years with our mother and, as time went on, came to regard himself as a Christian. He requested a simple Christian funeral. He believed in a universal God and retained a great respect for Zoroastrianism and indeed for other great religions also,” clarified Caroline. Wardell, as the local vicar, remembered taking communion to the Dalal residence in the last few years when his visits would always be preceded by a phone call confirming, "You will remember to bring your labrador Libby with you, won’t you?”
The well respected icon is survived by his wife Kathleen, daughters Suzie and Caroline.