By Mandeep S Lamba, MRICS
On October 12, 2015, Homi ended up doing something that he was never known for leaving everyone he was associated with on a personal or business level…devastated, shocked and miserable which was just the opposite of exhilarated, relaxed, smiling and happy… the way everyone felt after an interaction with him. On that fateful day, Homi decided to traverse this world into the heavens to give the angels company.
It didn’t matter whether you had met Homi once or several dozen times, he had an aura that instantly connected you with him and made you comfortable. It would be impossible for anyone to have spent more than 10 minutes with Homi wihout laughing. His baritone with a permanently embedded smile made his speech have an almost hypnotic effect and got your complete attention, while his wisdom and demeanour gained your instant trust. In the Indian hospitality industry, Homi wore a halo around him for being the pioneer in hospitality advisory services and for the sheer knowledge and intellect of this domain having witnessed the growth and gradual maturity of the industry from its infancy three decades ago when he joined the accounting firm to set up Mahajan & Aibara and expand its reach from pure accounting to include hospitality advisory which he spearheaded. For hospitality advisory professionals in India, we have truly lost our captain very prematurely and at a time when the industry is at a critical stage of maturity and consolidation.
Homi, you were an inspiration for many of us while you spread happiness, cheer and sunshine during your journey on earth. You made people laugh with your amazing wit and humour leaving them always longing for more. Your absence will be felt most in every hospitality conference for your jibes at hotel owners and operators used to send audiences into guffaws including those who were the recipients of these witty nuggets.
To Sunu, Jehangir, Ambika and Zarir, my heartfelt condolences on behalf of all those who wanted to reach out but didn’t know how. We share your grief and understand that no amount of words will replace your loss. It is, however, the will of God and a reminder of our mortality for all of us who are here, will have to leave one day.
Homi Sorab Aibara… Afsoz ki hum ab na milenge dobara
(Mr Lamba is the MD-India of Hotels & Hospitality GroupJones Lang LaSalle Property Consultants India)
