Story of Preserving the Family Legacy for Future Generations
An inspiring story of Abazer Siraj Biviji (Khyaal Club Member)
“My name is Abazer Siraj Biviji and I am 75 years old. I was born and brought up in the heart of Bombay, at Mohammed Ali Road. I was the twelfth child of my parents. Growing up in such a big and loving family has always made me feel blessed and connected. I completed my B.Com degree and moved to Italy for work. There, I spent a few years marketing Italian products. Then I returned to India and entered the world of interior decoration. For the last several decades, I have continued this business from home. My wife helps me with managing the accounts. My elder daughter is now a Ph.D. doctor in the USA, and my younger daughter has completed her Master’s. Looking back, I feel grateful for the education, the opportunities, and above all, for my united family that has always stood with me.
Over the years, I have been fond of reading. I wished to write a book, but never took it seriously. I felt a strong desire to write. I wanted to preserve the story of my family, our history, and the values that shaped us. I did not want to write about strangers or great leaders, but about my own family. My elder brother encouraged me, saying that since I was the youngest, I should write about our family so the next generation would never forget their roots. At the age of 60, I began writing a book about my family and its heritage. It was not an easy task, as it required a lot of research and finding the roots of the family. I spoke to my brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces, distant relatives, and slowly the book began to take shape. It took me ten years to collect photographs, stories, and memories. Some of these pictures were more than 150 years old. On my 74th birthday, I finally held my book in my hands. I titled it ‘Untold Chronicles of a Common Man’.
The book is about my family’s journey. It goes back hundreds of years, telling where we came from and how we lived. I have written about my father, a highly educated and respected man, who was even offered a high post in Pakistan but chose to stay in India. I have written about how our family is well-educated and spread across the world today, living in places like America, England, New Zealand, Dubai, and Singapore. I have shared memories of my grandparents, their businesses, and the sacrifices they made. I have written about my brothers and sisters, some of whom we lost at a very young age. These were stories many of my nephews and nieces did not even know. When they read the book, many of them became emotional. For me, that was the greatest reward. I felt I had done my duty in preserving our legacy.
Writing gave me peace and a deep sense of fulfilment. It also gave me recognition. My community appreciated the effort. Friends and relatives congratulated me. But above all, it gave me joy to see that the younger generation now has something to look back to; they will get to know where they truly belong. I was never after money or fame. What mattered to me was that my family’s story lives on.
In the middle of all this, I also kept myself busy with work. Even now, I run my business and have also started working with an Insurance company. I like to remain active and involved. I have always believed in learning, so I continue to read, write, and explore. I am well-versed with multiple languages such as Arabic, Italian, French, Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi, and English. Over the years, I have also had the chance to meet remarkable people, from Rajiv Gandhi to Aga Khan to even the Pope. Each of these meetings has been special. I carry these memories in my heart with gratitude.
One day, while scrolling through Facebook, I saw an ad for 50 Above 50. From there, I got to know about Khyaal. I downloaded the app, and I must say it has brought me a lot of joy. I enjoy connecting with other seniors. I like sharing my thoughts, listening to others, and learning from every interaction. The singing sessions and activities bring a lot of joy. It feels good to be part of such a community.
To my fellow seniors, I would like to say this from my heart: Always remain active. Do not complain about life. There is so much more to see, to do, and to give. Have faith in God and in yourself.” - Abazer Siraj Biviji (Khyaal Club Member)