Quite often we have heard people making promises in love- of bringing down the sun, moon, and stars, of living and dying together. However, there are people who immortalized their love by going a step ahead. While Shah Jahan gave the world the epitome of his love for Mumtaj, the Taj Mahal, Dasrasth Manjhi broke down a mountain to make a road in memory of his beloved wife. However, there is another love story that very few of us know but it is a story that defined love in all its different shades.
The Beginning
This is the story of Sir Dorab Tata and his beloved Meherbai in whose memory Sir Tata built the Tata Memorial Hospital, which has saved a million lives till that day.
Sir Dorabji Tata met Mehri in Mysore where he was sent to his father’s friend’s house for business. Sir Tata’s father perfected the role of cupid by making these two eccentric, strong, and intelligent people meet and soon this turned into an alliance of love, companionship, and trust. On February 14, 1898, Mehri and Sir Dorabji Tata were married. Mehri and her husband were not only great sports players but were great patriots too, who worked tirelessly for the upliftment of women and the country. Mehri not only embraced sports in sarees but also became a feisty young pilot with the support of her husband. Quoted as India’s Spokesperson’ by Gandhi Ji, Mehri had made a name for herself in social work and women’s upliftment and was a reknowned feminist icon of India. Both Dorabji Tata and Mehri shared a great love and bonding that was not hidden from anyone.
A Story of Love
Once, Sir Dorabji Tata gifted his beloved wife a diamond mined in Africa known as the Jubliee Diamond which she wore with great pride everywhere. This diamond was one of the most expensive diamonds during that time. However, fate seemed to have other plans for the couple when their business suffered a massive blow and they had to give up their assets and personal belongings including Mehribai’s beloved diamond. However, through hard work and smart business choices, Sir Dorabji Tata made his empire beam with pride once again and Mehribai’s selflessness helped the Tata empire to stand once again.
A Story of Loss
However, fate had to strike again when Mehri was detected with cancer. Sir Dorabji Tata scaled the world and brought the best doctors to her service, but the disease ravished her of her blood and her life.
A Story of Triumph
Unable to save the life of his beloved, Sir Tata realized two major drawbacks during this crisis- the absence of good medical centers in India and less awareness regarding a disease as deadly as cancer. Unable to bear the loss of his beloved, Sir Dorabji Tata died a year later after donating all of his assets towards the service of the people and to overcome these shortcomings in the medical field. Sir Tata believed that despite him being financially strong and going at lengths to save his wife, he failed. He could not fathom the sufferings that the common people had to go through to save their loved ones. Sir Dorabji Tata’s contribution and vision led to the creation of the Tata Memorial Hospital, a modern-day Taj Mahal, a new rendition of love that has saved so many lives today. The hospital serves as a cancer research center, tirelessly working towards developments in the field of cancer treatment and research. Tata Memorial Hospital is one of the leading cancer research centers in the country today where millions of lives have been saved and millions are being treated for the ghastly impacts of this deadly disease. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day to commemorate a day of love, we must also look into these lesser known love stories who have immortalized their tales in the most unique way possible as in the story of Sir Dorabji Tata and Mehri.
