A good account of himself - By Hemal Ashar | Mid Day
Posted on - 29 Nov 2016
Secretary Behram Engineer, who calls himself a lucky chartered accountant, ends his four-decade long association with RWITC; says leaving during demonetisation is his only regret
Behram Engineer (65) secretary of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) will fly past the finish post like a true blue thoroughbred of the turf.
The veteran RWITC worker will mark his last working day, tomorrow, at the turf club office in Mahalaxmi. Engineer has put in his papers. "I thought it's a right time, after four decades with the turf club. I have also reached my retirement age. I now will help my daughter, in her business," Engineer said. Engineer, who joined the RWITC 40 years ago, added, "I was a chartered accountant and I thought to myself, where can I find a better office?
"I am one lucky CA to be sitting in an office hearing the galloping of hooves, the dust rising from horses in training.
"The green expanse outside, which is a stress buster, the sound of birds chirping on the trees and the flowers in shouting colour just before the racing season… which other accountant can boast of working from such an office ambience?" laughs Engineer.
The accountant joined the club in 1977, working half the year in Mumbai and then in Pune. Eventually rising to the role of a secretary.
"The expansion of my role from number crunching to administration and more, it was fun," Engineer said.
On his long innings, Engineer said, "It has been such a pleasant journey.
"If I have one big regret, it is leaving the club when it is going through its toughest times. Demonetisation has come as another blow to the club reeling through a financial crunch.
"I shall continue to be very concerned about the future of Mahalaxmi.
"A 40-year association means I feel the thunder of hooves in my heart, hear the roar of spectators in my head, and feel the clicking of turnstiles in my blood," the Colaba native said.
