By Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, PGP 1973
Best Friend: Madhavi Sethna (née Kaji), PGP 1974
Madhavi and Beheruz, May 25, 2024, on our Golden Wedding Anniversary, in the Maternity Ward!
How did you two meet? What was your first impression?
We met just outside the mess hall (near D-10 at that time); we were introduced by my fellow classmate, Kirit Raval (PGP 1973, who is the topic of the earlier BFF write-up.)
Madhavi was an entering student in 1972, and Kirit and I were just starting our second year at IIMA.
It was just a normal introduction. No “love at first sight” bells or chimes. Little did we know that we would spend more than half a century together.
I often say that we both got a great education at IIMA, but I came out ahead, because I also got Madhavi, but she only got me!
Madhavi and Beheruz, May 25, 1974, Ahmedabad. We got married shortly after Madhavi graduated from IIMA
Tell us about some of your fondest memories with each other.
How can I encapsulate 51 years of marriage, the birth of two awesome children (one is a surgeon and another an attorney), the addition of four wonderful grandchildren, and life in two countries and two continents, in one “fill-in-the-blank” entry?
Just one example of our crazy life together: We may be the only couple in the world to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary (50 years) in a maternity ward!
Madhavi had some serious heart and health issues, and we had to rush her to the Emergency Room a few days before our 50th Wedding Anniversary. Unfortunately, the hospital was very full, and she was in the ER for a few days because not a single room was available. Finally, when a room became available, it was in the maternity ward, so she was transferred there. And that is why we celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary in a maternity ward. The nurses were very nice and helped us celebrate. We came home later that day. Sequel: She later had heart surgery and is well now.
Madhavi and Beheruz, December 2024, back on the IIMA campus for Madhavi’s Golden Jubilee Reunion!
How do you keep in touch? What are your favourite activities to do together?
We keep in touch by being together each day in person, and given the signs of the times, we have computers next to each other at home, and sometimes exchange emails and WhatsApp messages while being in touching distance :-).
Our favourite activity is to hang out and play the fool with our grandchildren. We are also on a Trivia team once a week with other friends, where we sometimes come 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and sometimes not even in the top three. But we have fun regardless.
Entire family on Beheruz’s 75th Birthday in Houston, Texas. Children: Anita (Surgeon), Shaun (General Counsel and GM), Sunita (Shaun’s wife). Grandchildren: Zarina, Surin, Cyra, and Sian.
