Had a heart of gold, helped all

Murli and I go back a very long time. Our introduction to each other was made through our sons. Milind (Deora) and my son were together from their nursery days and were inseparable as kids. That is how our friendship began. It was only in the later years that he went on to become a Congressman, and mayor of Mumbai and got into the political limelight.One common passion was bridge and we made it a point to play together every Saturday and Sunday for decades. Even when he was in Delhi and I was there, we would get together and play bridge at his house.
The thing about Murli was that he was friendly to all. He would go out of his way to help others. He would help people get jobs, provide assistance to poor people, and would help raise money for charity. He had a heart of gold and was a great human being. He believed in simple living and was a teetotaller and a vegetarian. As an old friend, I feel heartbroken and shattered that he suffered so much in the last few weeks.
What many people do not know is that he came from very humble beginnings. Once when we were around Chowpatty, he showed me the place where he used to study on the pavement below a lamp post. But he went through a total transformation. He had excellent `PR' skills and was good at man management. He was also close to the Gandhi family. But I knew him more socially than as a politician. At the time of reforms, Deora was among those who fought for opening up the insurance sector. He was probusiness and always believed in less bureaucracy and in privatization.
(As told to TOI by the HDFC chairman)