Yesterday, on 21 st June, was Father’s Day. Many journalists asked me to pen down my relationship with my father. What can I write that fits a few sentences or paragraphs for a relationship that spans over 6 decades?
Some relationships shape our lives in ways that words can scarcely capture. My relationship with my father, Dr S. B. Mujumdar, Founder and President of Symbiosis, has been an extraordinary journey. He is not only my father but also my greatest teacher and mentor. The lessons I have learnt from him have influenced me deeply, both personally and professionally.
Growing up in Pune, I watched my father balance his responsibilities as a Professor of Botany at Fergusson College with his role as a devoted parent. My mother was pursuing her PhD at Pune University during those years, and it was my father who spent more time at home caring for me. Looking back, I realise how fortunate I was to have his constant presence during my formative years.
In the early 1970s, he founded Symbiosis with a simple yet profound vision—to care for the welfare of international students and to foster understanding between Indian and foreign students. Guided by the timeless motto, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—The World is One Family—Symbiosis became much more than an educational institution. It became a way of life.
Our home reflected this philosophy. My parents opened not only the doors of our house but also their hearts to students from across the world who were far away from their families. They celebrated festivals together, shared meals, and supported students through moments of loneliness and adversity. Long before diversity became a commonly used word, I had the privilege of living it every day. It taught me one of life’s most valuable lessons—to respect different cultures, perspectives and people.
As I grew older and decided to pursue medicine, my father had a different dream for me. He hoped I would prepare for the UPSC examination and join the Indian Foreign Service. However, I was deeply passionate about medicine and secured admission to B. J. Medical College, Pune. Although my choice differed from his aspiration, he never stood in my way. Instead, he respected my decision and gave me his wholehearted support. That was another lesson in parenting—allowing children the freedom to follow their own calling.
After practising medicine in India and abroad, I returned to Pune and gradually became involved in Symbiosis’s work. Working alongside my father allowed me to witness his leadership up close. I learnt that institutions thrive when people are trusted. He firmly believes in decentralised governance, empowering colleagues at every level to take ownership of their responsibilities. Whether the suggestion came from a senior director or the youngest faculty member, he listened with equal respect if it served the institution’s best interests.
His leadership has always been rooted in trust, integrity and values. During times of crisis, I have seen him make difficult decisions guided not by convenience but by ethics and honesty. One example that fills all of us at Symbiosis with pride is that every employee continued to receive their salary on the first day of every month—even during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. His belief has always been that an institution must stand by its people, especially in difficult times.
Another value that defines Symbiosis is the empowerment of women. Today, women occupy numerous leadership positions across the organisation. The establishment of a medical college exclusively for women and scholarships for girls from neighbouring villages are reflections of his unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for women through education. Watching these initiatives evolve has reinforced my own belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for social transformation.
Over the past 55 years, my father has built Symbiosis on a foundation of compassion, integrity and service. Yet, despite all that he has achieved, he has never claimed credit for its success. He often reminds us that institutions are always greater than individuals and that Symbiosis is the collective achievement of thousands of dedicated people who have contributed to its journey. He also says, “Students are the VVIPs on our campus. We exist because of them, and every decision we make must be in their best interest.”
At 91 years of age, he continues to come to the office every day, guiding and mentoring all of us with the same enthusiasm that inspired the founding of Symbiosis more than five decades ago. Whenever someone asks him why he continues to work so tirelessly, his answer is simple: “Symbiosis is my breath.”
As his daughter, I feel profoundly privileged to have experienced this remarkable relationship—not only with a father but with a teacher, guide and role model. Every lesson he has taught me has shaped the person and leader I have become. Above all, I remain deeply grateful to God for blessing me with parents who have dedicated their lives selflessly to serving others. Their values continue to inspire me every single day, and it is now my responsibility to carry that legacy forward with the same commitment, compassion and purpose.