A legend from the optical industry, breathed his last on July 26, 2014
Dhirubhai was in love with the optical industry and dedicated his life for the upliftment of this trade. Following in the footsteps of his father, the late Mansukhlal Daftari, it was Dhirubhai’s belief in the power of innovation and technology which has helped in the growth of the industry.
It was his vision to set up an optometry college in India to overcome the lack of learning opportunities in the optical field which gave birth to the Lotus College of Optometry with the late Naval Balliwala, another legend from the optical field. He also started the Optometric Education Society with Mr. Balliwala.
Dhirubhai has also contributed immensely in compiling literature and optometry news. He managed the publication, ‘Optica India’, published ‘All India Optical Directory’, which was a first-of-its-kind in the industry and also helped FourPlus Media, which publishes VisionPlus Magazine, to come out with a coffee table book called ‘Visionaries’. This book is a compilation of behind-the scenes biographies of 24 families who have played pioneering roles in the optical industry.
Dhaval Daftari, grandson of Dhirubhai Daftari remembers his grandfather, “He was a strong-minded personality. My grandmother died when I was young and he has been taking care of himself since then. He was disciplined about getting up at 4 a.m. and meditating. He was an avid reader and could read for hours. Although he commercially retired a few years ago, he would come to office everyday and travelled extensively. He was also good at making Ayurvedic medicines and would help people out by making Ayurvedic concoctions.
A visionary par excellence, Dhirubhai, your loving presence will be missed sorely!
