Page 93 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition July-August 2021

honest. There is nothing that can
hold a candle to honesty.

TIO: The life you have lived
is sure to be full of many good
and bad stories. Please share an
interesting anecdote that you
fondly remember till date.

JS: There are many but one that
I vividly remember even today is
when I decided to venture into
retail. At that time that retail stores
were mostly concentrated in the
South Mumbai area. I zeroed in GRANDSON
- HARSHIT,
on Vile Parle (East), Mumbai – a JAYANTILAL
catchment I felt was conducive for R SHAH, SON
MILIND
flourishing. The deal for the place
was done – I paid some advance
and started working for accumulating the hesitate to adapt. You may not succeed in the
balance amount. I exploited every possibility new way but it’s okay. Everyone who has ever
– squeezed business resources, austerity in accomplished things in life has had many
food and lifestyle, even had family ornaments failures along the way. The key is how we move
mortgaged, but I was still falling short of funds. on from that low without fearing to evolve
Day went by working hard and nights went further.
sleepless thinking what can be done. After a
long deliberation I shared this issue with few TIO: Lastly, how would you like to be
of my industry friends – Shri Dilipbhai Kothari remembered?
(Ganko Opticians), Shri Lalchand Vasani JS: I will be more than happy if I become
(New Bombay Optical Co., Kolkata) and F A synonymous to “Centrex Opticians”. We all want
Chasmawala (Baroda). To my disbelief and to leave behind a legacy. Unfortunately, we can’t
overwhelming surprise all three handed me the all be boundary-breaking artists, but each of us
money I was short of in a split second. So, when has within us the chance to be remembered for
I say I am rich by the friends this industry has making a positive impact on peoples’ lives. We
given me – I can swear by it! I have more than can’t all be famous and we can’t all be heroes.
100 dear friends who have helped me, taught However, what we can be is authentic. What
me, and supported me. It’s difficult to name all that means is speaking and acting truthfully in
but even today when I remember them, I am ways that align with your deepest values. The
filled by gratitude towards each one of them. same value set based on which you build and

TIO: We salute our elders who are far run your business. I want to be remembered as
more experienced and truly make the best a man who had a wonderful time living life, with
teachers in the world! Please say some inspiring honesty, and one with a compassionate heart.
words of wisdom for the future generation/or I don’t live for making a legacy – I live for my
for our readers.
family, friends and my people. Legacy-building
JS: Learn how to learn. In all likelihood, most is counterproductive as an end. I believe in
of us have not mastered this one yet. And when building other people. I am proud that there are
you think you have it down, a new technology, so many people who use to work under me and
a new way of business, a new dimension to today, run their own successful business. Even
do the same old work will evolve. You will be today people fondly refer to me as “Jayantibhai,
late to adapt to it whenever you start. So don’t Centrex Opticians.”

89 | JAYANTI LAL SHAH