On May 10, an unknown number flashed on my phone. A few minutes earlier, I had received a message from the same number, introducing the sender as Mr. Halbe’s student and current colleague, requesting to speak with me about a surprise event for Mr. Halbe’s 76th birthday.
The caller was Mr. Shrirang Padhye, a Mumbai-based chartered accountant. A former student of Mr. Halbe, he had known him since 1970 when he first met Mr. Halbe and his friend Mr. Damle. Mr. Halbe had taught him during his CA studies, offering valuable tips and tricks and helping him gain a solid grasp of finance.
As we talked, it became clear that Mr. Halbe’s friends were keen to keep this celebration a secret. Aware of Mr. Halbe’s aversion to birthday festivities and his tendency to disappear days before his birthday to avoid any celebrations, his close friends, associates, former students, and inner circle devised a plan to hold a surprise event a week early, on May 18.
Mr. Shrirang Padhye got my number from an email Mr. Halbe had sent. After thinking it over, I accepted the invitation the next day and quickly booked my tickets. Mr. Padhye also asked if I’d like to speak at the event since my name was on the list of speakers. I happily agreed to share some words in honour of Mr. Halbe.
I reached Mumbai on Saturday morning and headed straight to Bombay Gymkhana from the airport in a taxi. The driver, a local Maharashtrian in his sixties with forty years of driving experience in Mumbai, engaged me in conversation throughout the journey. He shared anecdotes about the challenges faced by Ola and Uber drivers, local politics, and fearlessly opined on Balasaheb Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray. He spoke about the real face of Sharad Pawar, the corruption scandals in politics, and the various deeds and misdeeds of politicians.
He was an ardent admirer of Narendra Modi and often struggled to find words to praise the Prime Minister. As we drove through India’s first undersea tunnel between Marine Drive and Worli, his face lit up with pride. “Time the distance,” he urged, his voice brimming with excitement. “Even Americans in my taxi can’t believe this road! It’s world-class, isn’t it?” He glanced at me, eager to share his joy and admiration for the government’s achievement.
Where did the idea of honoring Mr. Halbe on his birthday come from? Mr. Padhye revealed the story. In January 2024, Mr. Shriharsh Fene from The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) proposed honoring Mr. Halbe as he turned 75. His admirers—Mr. Shrirang Padhye, Mr. Dilip Nanda, and Ms. Shagun Kapur—who had benefited from his guidance and support for decades, eagerly embraced the idea. They decided to host the event at Bombay Gymkhana. Despite the availability of larger venues like the CCI Club, they chose the intimate setting of Bombay Gymkhana for a more personal celebration.
To ensure a diverse and engaging program, seven speakers from different fields were chosen to speak on Saturday. Mr. Kushagra Bajaj and Ms. Shagun Kapur were to represent industry, Mr. Ravi Mandrekar from the cricketing world, and Ms. Chetna Gala Sinha was scheduled to speak as a social activist. Mr. G. C. Vasudeo would share insights from commerce, Mr. Yug Mohit Chaudhry would contribute his expertise as a criminal lawyer, and Mr. Anant Shinde was set to speak as an arbitrator. I was to represent Sevagram Medical College, offering perspectives from the field of medicine.
By noon, almost all of Mr. Halbe’s friends had arrived. Out of the 42 invited, 40 were there in the hall. During introductions, many of them recognized me, thanks to the Covid articles I had written, which Mr. Halbe had shared with them.
Despite being tasked with picking up Mr. Halbe from home, Ms. Shagun Kapur, daughter of late Yes Bank co-founder Ashok Kapur, was told by Mr. Halbe that he would make his own way to the event. Mr. Ravi Mandrekar picked up Sulbha, Mr. Halbe’s sister, who was also unaware of the surprise celebration awaiting her brother. Both Mr. Halbe and Sulbha remained oblivious to the planned festivities.
At the stroke of noon, Ms. Shagun Kapur quietly led Mr. Halbe into the dining area on the first floor of the Bombay Gymkhana. As he stepped into the room, his eyes widened with surprise, and a radiant smile illuminated his face. The warm applause from his friends welcomed him, adding to his astonishment. His gaze swept over the gathering, taking in the sight of familiar faces gathered to honor him. The emotions of surprise, joy, and gratitude mingled visibly on his face, leaving no doubt about the depth of his feelings in that moment.
Barely able to conceal his emotions, he scanned the hall, recognizing the friends he had known for almost four decades. These were the people who had gathered to acknowledge the profound impact Mr. Halbe had on their lives. They were colleagues whose careers he had shaped and individuals who knew they owed much of their success to his influence.
He sat down, tears welling up in his eyes. His voice choked and broke as he tried to speak. Normally articulate and known for his brilliant and incisive speech, Mr. Halbe struggled to find the words at that moment.
Over the next hour, seven men and women took turns speaking, each sharing anecdotes, stories, and events that were truly inspiring and motivating. These heartfelt tributes painted a vivid picture of Mr. Halbe’s remarkable influence on their lives and careers.
Mr. Dinkar Gangal, a senior journalist, editor of Think Maharashtra and founder of Granthali, was chosen to compere the program, adding his expertise and flair to the event.
I was the first to speak. I started by talking about Mr. Halbe’s contribution to introducing the electronic hospital information system at Sevagram. He not only arranged funding for the project but also supported us in making MGIMS one of the few teaching hospitals in India to become nearly paperless. I mentioned how he helped provide laptops, MacBooks, and iPads to doctors and residents, making it easier for them to access patient data at the bedside.
I then spoke about his significant contribution to extending health services to Melghat. I painted a vivid picture of the region’s poverty, illiteracy, superstitions, and lack of healthcare, which have led to high infant and maternal mortality rates and widespread malnutrition. I shared how Mr. Halbe brought funds and devoted immense effort, energy, and time to reach these underserved communities.
Finally, I wrapped up with a cricket metaphor. I explained how Mr. Halbe played a traditional and orthodox game throughout his life. Yet, when needed, he didn’t hesitate to pull, hook, or hit straight sixes. What was most remarkable, I said, was that he always knew where his off stump was, guarding it carefully. He understands when to leave and when to defend.
Kushagra Bajaj, a 47-year-old corporate czar from Mumbai, spoke next. He began by sharing how he regards Mr. Halbe as greater than his own parents combined, explaining the deep respect and admiration he holds for him. During the turbulent years between 2001 and 2009, when the Bajaj empire was undergoing a partition, Mr. Halbe stood by Kushagra and his father, ensuring that in the battle between David and Goliath, David secured his rightful place.
Twice during his speech, Kushagra got emotional as he remembered those tough times. He talked about how they used to talk every day at 6:30, no matter where they were. Kushagra admired Mr. Halbe’s deep knowledge, great negotiation skills, and ability to think creatively. He praised Mr. Halbe’s honesty and integrity, mentioning his commitment to playing fair and never cutting corners. Kushagra even mentioned how he’d seek Mr. Halbe’s advice on personal matters, like whether to have another child.
Chetna Gala Sinha, an Indian social entrepreneur lives in Mann Desh, a taluka in Satara district. She spoke next. Chetna talked about the tough times in 2010 when there was hardly any rain, causing a lot of suffering for people. It was especially hard on animal farming, putting the livelihoods of those who depended on it at risk.
During the crisis, Chetna’s group helped by giving shelter, food, and fodder to animals, especially cows and buffaloes. She mentioned how Mr. Halbe supported them and got fodder from Barshi, a town in Solapur district.
Mr. Halbe supported them and made sure they had enough money and supplies to keep the domestic animals from starving or getting thirsty.
The project initially started with a thousand animals, but within a month or two, the number rapidly grew to 12,000. This growth led to the establishment of Chhaoni, a sanctuary for animals, including cows, buffaloes, and goats. Chetna’s story showed how Mr. Halbe’s support made a big difference in helping animals during the famine in Maharashtra.
Mr. G. C. Vasudeo, a member of several professional organizations and with 39 years of industrial experience, shared his thoughts next. He reflected on his younger days and remembered how Mr. Halbe didn’t just give him answers but taught him how to find them himself. “Mr. Halbe didn’t simply offer me fish but taught me how to fish,” he said.
Mr. Vasudeo shared how Mr. Halbe helped him get an articleship in the firm he wanted. He mentioned Mr. Halbe’s advice to approach Vijay Merchant, a famous cricketer, which eventually led to him securing the articleship. These stories highlighted Mr. Halbe’s mentorship and guidance, which greatly influenced Mr. Vasudeo’s career and life.
Another speaker shared a heartfelt story about how Mr. Halbe had helped him during his time as a student. He remembered Mr. Halbe’s dedicated efforts, coming to the hostel to teach cost accountancy, and how just a week of classes made a big difference in passing his toughest exams.
What really moved the speaker was Mr. Halbe’s selflessness. Even though he didn’t expect anything in return for his time, Mr. Halbe gave his all to help his students because he genuinely cared for them. This act of kindness left a deep impression, showing Mr. Halbe’s commitment to guiding and supporting the younger generation.
Mr. Ravi Mandrekar, author of the book “Bouncer – The Story of David and Goliath in MCA,” recounted stories of corruption within the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). The MCA is a powerful state board in India and a major hub of Indian cricket, hosting the BCCI headquarters at the Cricket Centre within the famous Wankhede Stadium in South Mumbai, known for hosting international test matches since 1975.
Mandrekar, a cricket player and passionate cricket activist for three decades, talked about the hidden dishonesty, scandals, and deceit in the association. He remembered how Mr. Halbe fearlessly stood up to powerful forces in the organization, aiming to bring back ethics and integrity to the world of sports. Mr. Halbe’s bold actions left a lasting impact on the cricket community, ensuring that fairness and justice were maintained.
Yug Mohit Chaudhry, a well-known criminal lawyer recognized for his work in advocating for the abolition of the death penalty in India and for contributing to the London School of Economics blogs, shared his thoughts next. With impressive academic achievements, including a scholarship to Oxford for a doctorate in English, a law degree from Cambridge, and a book based on his doctoral dissertation on Yeats, Mr. Chaudhry’s qualifications are impressive.
In his eloquent speech, Mr. Chaudhry highlighted several qualities that make Mr. Halbe respected: his honesty in speaking plainly, his courageous advocacy, his steadfast commitment to doing what’s right, and his exceptional expertise in his field. Through his words, Mr. Chaudhry emphasized the deep impact of Mr. Halbe’s character and values on those fortunate enough to know him.
Anant Shinde, who had a longstanding connection with the Walchand group and had been Mr. Halbe’s school and college mate, also spoke to share his thoughts. Reflecting on their shared past, he shared childhood memories and stories that revealed different aspects of Mr. Halbe’s personality. Through these recollections, Anant Shinde provided the audience with a better insight into Mr. Halbe’s character and background.
This occasion warranted a cake uniquely made to reflect Mr. Halbe’s deep interest in cricket and corporate law. The friends carefully ordered an artful cake to reflect Mr. Halbe’s deep interests in cricket and corporate law. In the middle was a cricket bat and ball, showing his lifelong love for the sport, while surrounding them was a meticulously sculpted book on corporate law, symbolizing his expertise and dedication in the field.
Mr. Halbe received a special gift—a small silver statue of Goddess Saraswati. This thoughtful present symbolized respect for knowledge and wisdom, qualities Mr. Halbe values. Engraved on the statue was a heartfelt message capturing Mr. Halbe’s essence, reminding everyone of the admiration and respect they hold for him.
This modest gift perfectly suited Mr. Halbe’s preference for simplicity over grandeur.
Nowadays, birthday celebrations tend to be grand and formal affairs, filled with noise, speeches, decorations, and elaborate meals. But this one was different. It was simple, informal, and cozy. Only those who knew Mr. Halbe well were invited. There were no politicians, bureaucrats, or media big shots—just a warm and homely atmosphere.
I’m sure Mr. Halbe found it touching and satisfying, and for me, it was truly special and inspiring.
