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A major reason for her to be able to do so was her adoption of the Parsi religion. It had never happened before. Not only was she from a different religion but a foreigner to boot. It was a shock to all other Parsis. But it was RD’s idea. He was quite religious and wanted his wife to adopt his religion. Sooni agreed. She would get up early morning and learn the Zoroastrian prayers. She learnt, despite initial troubles, to wear the saree the Parsi way. She learnt to wear the Parsi blouse and put the pallu over her head.

The big day finally arrived. Despite a little resistance and some tension in the air, she was initiated into the Parsi religion in the presence of the religious heads. But many elders who opposed the idea had boycotted the ceremony. Meherbai stood behind Sooni, giving her moral support. RD was aware of her habit of writing letters. He warned her, ‘You may write whatever you want to, except for one thing.’

Sooni knew what that exception was. She never confided in her mother about her having tasted the holy water. Meherbai had advised her earlier, ‘You can just act as if you are sipping the water. Don’t actually drink it.’ The vessel containing the water was brought to Sooni, who was repulsed at its smell. Her face fell but she somehow managed to make a show of having drunk it. Later, she asked, ‘What was that anyway?’ RD answered, ‘It is cow’s urine … and for heaven’s sake, don’t mention this to your mother.’

Excerpted from Pg xx of Tatas: How a family built a business and a nation by Girish Kuber