Page 4 - Lady Navajbai Tata

Bhabha family. Jamsetji, took a great
liking to their young daughter
Meherbai, or Mehri as she was then
called, and had a hand in the
selection of Meherbai as his
daughter-in-law. Jamsetji thought
that his son Dorab should make his
own decision and selection without
any prompting from him. He advised
Dorab to visit Mysore State and call With Sir Esme Howard, the British
Ambassador at the White House – circa
Mehri and Dorab - circa 1900. 1927.
Sir Esme Howard. They were guests
FROM THE
of the British Ambassador and were
invited to dinner to meet Lord
Willingdon, who was then Governor-
General of Canada, and Lady
Willingdon. During the course of
their visit, the couple were also
COLLECTION
received and entertained by
members of the American society
and made Honorary Members of
several clubs.
on the Bhabha family. Dorab did
just that, and when served
OF THE
refreshments by Mehri, he
predictably fell in love with her at first
sight. On Febuary 14, 1898, the
beautiful Mehri married Dorab.

Wide and frequent travels with Dorab
TATA CENTRAL ARCHIVES
were a means of self education
which Mehri greatly enjoyed.
Jamsetji’s increasing age and the
rapidly expanding business of the
firm threw a heavy burden of
responsibility on Dorab and the
heavy duties of hostess of Esplande
House, fell on the young daughter-in-
law, Mehri, .

In 1927, Dorab and Mehri visited
Europe and subsequently travelled to
America where they were presented
to the then President, Calvin
Coolidge by the British Ambassador,
Mehri - circa 1925.