 The eighty six year- old Mr Naqshband who died on March 5, was a soft spoken low- key wine lover who had founded the Wine Society in 1997 in consultation and co-operation with the French Embassy to promote wine culture in Delhi through wine tastings. This was the only association of wine lovers at that time, followed later by the Bangalore Wine Club and the Delhi Wine club in 2002.
He was a doyen of the Indian tourism industry and was much admired and respected for his contribution to the industry as also for setting benchmarks for coming generations to emulate.
He was pillar of strength, discipline and perseverance and was referred popularly as the ‘man of action’ owing to his organizing and leadership skills. His eclectic interest apart from travel included reading, writing and art took him beyond the travel and tourist trade and he was actively involved in many social and cultural organizations.
Each year, a deserving student of travel and tourism management at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Gwalior, receives a scholarship in his name from the Naqshband Educational Trust for Indian Culture. He also set up the Rotary Naqshband Institute for the physically challenged.
He loved parties and enjoyed the company of friends and intellectuals. Born and brought up in Kasur in Pakistan, he chose to stay back in India even though it meant living by himself. 'I don't believe in two-nation theory. I believe in one God and don't adhere to religious demands. Today I am content human being,' he'd say.
He founded Alliance Francaise de Delhi in 1952 to promote French language and culture. This perhaps explains the initial influence and support of the French Embassy towards the Wine Society.
He would go dancing, drinking and flirting but worked sincerely and honestly all his life. ' What goes around, comes around,' was his motto.
DelWine extends their sincere condolences to his family and the members of the Wine Society.
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