South Africa, India, England and finally the US… This man has journeyed overall at the age of 75 years on four continents, changed business lanes and the usual vicissitudes of life, but it was his family with steadfast moral values based in Indian philosophy that proved a bulwark and led him to a place where wealth, as well as peace and contentment, are in equal measure. And this is what he has been inculcating in his children and grandchildren.
Having been successful in the millinery manufacturing business in South Africa, the Mistry family scored even bigger success in the commercial real estate that they entered 45 years ago in the US. They have some well-known properties in Manhattan. His son, Pankaj, with a master’s degree from NYU Stern School of Business, manages the general portfolio.
Harish is quite proud of his family history. There is a parallel with Mahatma Gandhi’s life story. “My grandfather left for South Africa in 1896 for better prospects.” The Mahatma also went there three years earlier as a lawyer.
Reminiscing… with Love
He talks about his parents with great reverence. “Both of them were kind, caring and compassionate. I learnt from them that a family must remain united to succeed and flourish in life. And also that we must never fight for money as it comes and goes, and to be humble, honest and a good human being.”
Harish was born on December 13, 1946, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He spent his childhood with his two brothers and four sisters. “My parents could not afford to educate so many of us in South Africa, so they decided to send me and my brother, Dayanand, and two sisters, Hemlata and Vina, to India where education was affordable.” His high school years were spent at Hansraj Morarji Public School in Mumbai and Barnes High School at Devlali near Nasik (both in Maharashtra). He remembers enjoying playing football, hockey, running and watching cricket matches. He was also an avid reader and a prolific writer, took interest in diverse cultural and social activities, enjoyed watching Hindi movies and Gujarati dramas and listening to Indian music.
For higher education, Harish went to England. “I enrolled for morning classes at London College of Fashion in Central London and attended business classes at Clapton College in Hackney borough in the evening. After graduation, I left for South Africa and joined my father in his manufacturing business.”
Commenced a Business Out of Hats!
In 1954, his father, Vijaydev Ratanjee Mistry, ventured into the millinery industry in South Africa in partnership with a close relative. Recalls Harishbhai about his role in the success of Swan Hats, “I managed to solve two major problems in the millinery sector – sales and productivity. We ordered additional hat-blocking hydraulic machines and employed more people to increase productivity. As a fashion designer, I created unique women’s hats in vogue and the demand grew briskly. To increase sales, we introduced mail order business, opened wholesale and retail outlets for women’s hats and accessories”. His brothers, Dayanand and Harshad, too joined the business and together they helped in paying off real-estate loans and business debts.
Harishbhai moved to the US in 1979, following his father and Harshad. The family ran a hat factory in New York for 18 years, and he served the company in many leadership positions. Then came the shift to the commercial real estate business, a brilliant idea he credits to Harshad.
Being a part of a large family made a huge difference in his life. “It made me realize the importance of sharing, caring and giving rather than taking or receiving.” He remembers, “Ma and Bapuji worked tirelessly to support us when we were growing up and gave us their endless care and encouragement. I remember Ma – her name was Maniben – for her strength and courage. Even when we settled in the US, my children, Mohini and Pankaj, would intently listen to Ma and Bapuji. The communication between the two generations was really heartening.”
Mohini is a BSc graduate and an alumna of the Fashion Institute of Technology and her specialization was Marketing and Communications.
Pankaj and Sonali have two children: Anjali and Dilan. Anjali is studying at Emory University in Atlanta with Psychology as her major. Dilan will be in grade 11 at BASIS Independent School in Brooklyn. In grade 10, Dilan did exceedingly well in all Advance Placement (AP) college-level classes.
Pankaj and Sonali have two children: Anjali and Dilan. Anjali is studying at Emory University in Atlanta with Psychology as her major. Dilan will be in grade 11 at BASIS Independent School in Brooklyn. In grade 10, Dilan did exceedingly well in all advance placement (AP) college-level classes.
Divine Love
While in South Africa, Harish married Sumitra on May 4, 1969. “My wife was an incredible gift to me from above. I was fortunate to share 48 years together with her – I lost her on November 20, 2017. She was a devoted, kind and caring person who brought joy, smiles and fulfillment to many. Her face would light up upon seeing our children and grandchildren. She constantly reminded me to accept things I cannot change, inspired me, gave me strength and a purpose to live.
She stood by me, especially during difficult moments of my life.”
Ask him the secret of happiness, and comes the one-word reply: Contentment. “If you are content, all goes well, if you are not, there is a revolution inside that will keep you unhappy for life.” So, what is the way to contentment? “You face problems but you must find solutions to them. My family went through many ups and downs but we stayed together and came out strong.”
The moral and spiritual values guide you to the right path and ultimate success, he contends. He meditates regularly and is a Lord Shiva follower. He reads spiritual books, particularly Bhagavad Geeta and argues that nothing can beat Hindu philosophy and wisdom. It is his immense faith that gave him the spiritual strength to overcome numerous ailments. Again, it was the divine grace that made Harish and his father leave the hotel Trident Nariman Point in Mumbai and fly out of India on November 25 to Singapore – just a day before Pakistani terrorists attacked Trident and Taj on November 26, 2008!
His own philosophy of life is simple, “Wish well for everybody. Your bad actions will hurt others and come back to bite you. So, our moral conduct and behavior should be exemplary”. He continues, “We are responsible for what we are and whatever we wish ourselves to be. We cannot blame God for our misfortunes, calamities, struggles and hardships. Each one of us is the effect of our infinite past and comes into this world to work out our past deeds. What we wish to be in the future can be produced by our present actions, therefore, the law of karma is inevitable as we are constantly shaping ourselves by the consequences of everything we do”.
He may have lived outside India most of his life, but his heart beats for India. Harishbhai adds that Indians in America are proud of their culture and heritage, and very supportive of India. They also undertake philanthropic projects there. His own family foundation has three projects in Gujarat. “My conviction is that what we own is not all ours. Ten percent is God’s and must go toward the welfare of the needy.” Indo-US relations, he says, have been improving over the last 30 years, whether under Democratic or Republican administrations. Americans see India as a neutral nation, which does not wage wars.