4^th September, 2022 will go down in history as one of the community’s darkest black letter days, as it marked the fateful and sudden, untimely demise of Cyrus Pallonji Mistry, the scion of the global construction giant – Shapoorji Pallonji, former Chairman of Tata Sons, and a national treasure, a business visionary with a heart of gold, a thorough gentleman, a true Parsi who embodied and lived the righteous life, who added to the shine and glory of the community and the nation.

The whole nation was in shock to hear of the horrific accident which claimed the life of Cyrus Mistry on the Sunday afternoon. Mistry was driving back with friends – eminent gynaecologist Dr. Anahita Pandole, her husband – Darius Pandole (CEO and MD of JM Financial Private Equity); and her brother-in-law – Jehangir Pandole (KPMG’s Director – London office, based in Netherlands). While Dr. Anahita and Darius Pandole survived the accident with major injuries, Jehangir Pandole, unfortunately was also killed in the car-crash, which took place around 3:15 pm.

They were en route from Ahmedabad to Mumbai when the Mercedes car, which was driven by Dr. Anahita Pandole, hit a divider in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, and crashed violently, on a bridge over Surya river. They had visited Iranshah Atashbehram earlier in the day. Dr. Anahita and her husband were rushed to Rainbow hospital in Gujarat and were brought back to Bombay the next day and are recuperating.

Cyrus Mistry’s abrupt death comes barely two months after his father, Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, Chairman Emeritus of SP Group, passed away on 28th June, at the age of 93, in Mumbai. Coincidently, the tragedy also proved to be a double loss for the Pandole family, as their father Dinshaw Pandole had also passed away last week, and they had gone to perform the post-funeral rites in Udvada.

Taking serious cognisance, the Maharashtra government ordered a probe into the incident that stunned the country’s corporate world. Deputy CM, Devendra Fadnavis ordered a detailed investigation into the incident. A seven-member forensic team, commissioned by the Maharashtra Police and the State Transport Department, investigating the crash concluded that the Mercedes-Benz SUV met with an accident due to “faulty design” of the bridge, while the deaths occurred as the rear seat occupants were not wearing seat belts. The team also concluded that the car had been over-speeding.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari expressed grief and shock over the tragedy and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Mistry’s demise is a loss not only to his family but also the country’s industrial world. Nationalist Congress President Sharad Pawar, Congress state and central leaders, Shiv Sena leaders and other top politicians and industrialists condoled Mistry’s demise.

An Irish citizen and a permanent resident of India (having acquired Overseas Citizenship of India), Cyrus Mistry was cremated at Mumbai’s Worli crematorium, on 6th September, 2022, after his elder brother Shapoor, flew into Mumbai the previous night, to pay his last respects. In addition to family, the funeral was attended by innumerable community members, industrialists including Anil Ambani, Ajit Gulabchand, Deepak Parekh and Vishal Kampani, entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala, architect Hafeez Contractor, NCP leaders Supriya Sule and Ganesh Naik and former Congress MP, Milind Deora. Industry doyen Ratan Tata’s stepmother, wheelchair-bound Simone Tata, 92, arrived at the crematorium in a special van. Former TCS head S Ramadorai also attended the funeral.

Mistry’s body, decorated with white flowers, was brought from the state-run J J Hospital to the crematorium earlier in the morning and kept for friends and family to offer their prayers. The last rites were performed at the crematorium just before noon.

Excerpts from a communique shared by the SP Group announcing the sad demise of their leader, read, “54-year-old Cyrus Mistry is survived by his wife Rohiqa, sons Firoz and Zahan, mother – Patsy Mistry, sisters – Laila Rustom Jehangir and Aloo Noel Tata, and brother, Shapoor Mistry. Cyrus Mistry was born on 4th July, 1968. Armed with a Civil Engineering degree from London’s Imperial College of Science and Technology and a Post-graduate degree of Master of Science in Management from London Business School, he joined the family business in March 1991 as Director, overseeing the group’s construction business.

His entrepreneurial mindset helped the Shapoorji Pallonji Group achieve many milestones over the past two decades, including one of India’s first integrated, project-financed power plants, and the development of India’s first biotechnology park. With his vision and eye for detail, he was instrumental in steering the Group from a pure contractor to a ‘value-added’ player, by developing competencies in allied areas such as EPC and ‘Design and Build’. He also envisioned, and oversaw, the evolution of the Group into an end-to-end business group, spanning design and engineering, construction and asset development.

CPM, as he was fondly known, was a voracious reader, committed to a journey of lifelong learning across multiple disciplines. Despite his success, he always kept a low profile, away from the limelight. Cyrus Mistry was deeply committed to the Zoroastrian principles of righteousness, honesty, and ethical dealings with all. He was known for his transparency and integrity in all his business dealings. He was extremely humble, approachable to all, and always lent a helping hand to the less fortunate. Deeply loved by his family, he was a friend to countless many. We will all miss him.”

Indeed, we will. A fine man gone too soon. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Garothman Behest Hojoji!