The purpose of my brief comments on Tea and the business of Tea Broking was to put in context the human story set against that backdrop.
India got her Independence from colonial rule in 1947. But it took at least two decades to come out of the colonial mindset. For one, many expatriates stayed on – it was difficult to find suitable jobs back home. Scottish and British Tea Planters moved on to Tea growing countries in Africa, some to Papua – New Guinea, and so on. A few moved to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
At JT’s, we had John Hollander, David Naismith, John Jacques, Tony Liddle, and Norman Wilson (who later became the MD of Africa Tea Brokers, Mombasa).
By the end of 1966 all expatriates had left Calcutta. Incidentally, John Hollander was married to Philippa Thomas a direct descendant of the Thomas family but that did not give him extra privileges as J. Thomas & Co was employee-owned. The Company is uniquely structured where only current employees are shareholders. This ensured independence and professionalism.
Going back to the expats in JT, obviously it was helpful to have their presence as British companies continued to have interests in Tea Plantations. After the exit of the ones mentioned earlier the company took on Bob Nice from Balmer Lawrie, while Richard Warren joined us in South India. Richard was the son of Sir Kenneth Warren the head of James Warren & Company in the UK, which had extensive interests in North India. They started commercial activity on the South China Sea in the late 17th century. I think I heard Sir Kenneth say one time, “The early Warrens were buccaneers in search of fortune!” The substantial Warren interests in China got nationalised when Mao Tse Tung took over the country. You will hear more about Richard later. He became one of my closest friends.
Our British clients need not have had misgivings about a dent in company culture. The Indian executives who followed were loyal to their training and were more British than the Brits! After all why else would they join expat companies had they not felt privileged and completely at home in that environment? They were keen to preserve that way of life and worked hard at it!
As part of the perks that came with the job the Company provided Butlers, Gardeners, Drivers, and Watchmen to Senior Executives and Directors. In fact, JT had a couple of full time Darzis (Tailors) whose job was to upholster sofa-settees, stitch curtains and such, round the year! They would move around with their portable sewing machines from house to house.
The Directors lived in spacious houses with vast lawns and gardens. Calcutta was well known for garden parties during November – February. The lawn would be lit up by a string of tiny coloured bulbs strung along the hedge. If it was nippy there would be a bonfire. The men wore well tailored suits, while the ladies were attired in beautiful sarees, with a string of pearls or classy jewelry – nothing too garish! The clink of glasses, lilting laughter, and general bonhomie made these wonderful occasions memorable.
The who is who would be there and so it was important to be seen at these Do’s. Imperative to be on the guest list! Usually there would be two or more parties on the same evening. People would do a bit of a party crawl, have a couple of drinks at each place, before landing up at their favorite home for the evening! Dinner would be served from 10 pm onwards but it was not unusual for the hard core to eat nearer midnight. Everyone was chauffer driven, and could afford to ‘let their hair down’!
Indian men seldom drink after dinner. They prefer to tank up before. So meals are invariably delayed to accommodate this unhealthy habit! Women eat a little earlier and then start nagging their husbands to hurry up and eat. But these pleas usually fall on deaf ears!
Of course, in 1964 as a Trainee I never got anywhere near these places, but had opportunities to enjoy these dinners in later years.
But I will never forget the one invitation I got as a Trainee. Out of the blue I received the following card from the Chairman:
Vinod & Lolly Parekh
requests the pleasure of your company
to Beer
on Saturday 20th June at 11 AM
at 52/4 Ballygunge Circular Road
Calcutta
Dress: Bush Shirt
I started polishing my shoes and starching my shirt a week earlier!
But it was the thing that Burra Sahibs did to show that you were part of the company, and also introduce you to important people who were friends and clients. The clients also got to meet the bright young men the company took on. This assured them that their interests would continue to be served without missing a step!
One Response
We, along with my stepfather, Tony Liddle, did not leave Calcutta until 1972…
I remember John Jaques and the Hollanders although I was born out there (1956) so times may merge…