"For us he has been a pillar of strength,” declared Mala Goenka, honorary secretary and trustee of The Victoria Memorial School (VMS) for the Blind referring to the unstinted magnanimity of 85-year-old Noshir Gotla. To acknowledge the recent donation of Rs 1.35 crore from the "very active philanthropist” that helped renovate their Learning Centre, a brief yet cordial event was organized at the VMS conference room on June 15, 2022.
In 2015 he had borne the cost of around Rs 16 lakh on waterproofing the roof of the main heritage building, and contributed Rs 19 lakhs later towards the renovation of their in-house therapy center. Work on the Learning Centre had commenced in 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic, VMS chief executive Dr Salil Jandyul informed Parsiana. Around 70 children with special needs — autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, mental retardation, muscular dystrophy and slow learners — most of whom are from an economically weaker background, avail of the opportunities offered here.
To supplement the efforts of the VMS that serves as a residential facility for visually impaired boys, the Learning Centre was set up in 1999 in collaboration with the SNDT School for Special Education. The Learning Centre operates from a separate building on the VMS complex in Tardeo, offering both boys and girls a functional academic education as also a holistic development program using a variety of therapies and hobbies to help them learn essential life skills.
From l, 1st row: renovated Learning Centre; Katy and Noshir Gotla;
2nd row: The Victoria Memorial School (VMS) for the Blind; brightly colored
corridor and classroom for children with special needs Photos: Parinaz M. Gandhi
"I believe in individual social responsibility,” declared the modest Gotla, adding, "I got hooked to VMS about seven years back” when he was introduced to this institute by Nagji Parmar who had served as contractor when Gotla had financed the renovation of the two Bhabha Bunglis at Doongerwadi in 2020 at a cost of Rs 47 lakh (see "Benefactor for bunglis,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, November 7-20, 2020). "I readily agreed to bear the entire cost” of waterproofing on condition that the work is undertaken by Nagjibhai and his son Anil, Gotla told the gathering of around 70 invitees that included well-wishers and staff members of VMS, his family, friends from Rustom Baug, and Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustees Viraf Mehta, Anahita Desai, Hoshang Jal and Dr Adil Malia. In 2011 Gotla had unsuccessfully contested the BPP trusteeship elections.
"My first thanks are due to Ahura Mazda… who gave me money to use wisely,” acknowledged Gotla, his head dutifully covered with a cap at all times. He further gave credit to his wife Katy who for the last 56 years has been managing the household frugally so that their savings and investments may be used for worthy causes. Having made his money by wisely investing in shares, two years ago he had told Parsiana how he had made it a practice of investing Rs 10 in shares from his monthly salary of Rs 195. "My name is No-shir (no head, shir in Hindi meaning head), but I have been able to perform this kind of work,” remarked the benefactor in jest.
He further reminded the audience, "God has given us all one tongue; use it wisely.” He subsequently elaborated, "We must not pamper and indulge it (knowing its unhealthy cravings) otherwise we will need to regularly visit a doctor.” A vegetarian by choice since 1985, he told Parsiana that even as an employee of Burmah Shell, when a lavish buffet lunch would be laid out for the staff, he would just partake of a soup and salad. Parinaz M. Gandhi