Navroji R. Mistri

Navroji R. Mistri (b. 3 June 1885, Bombay, India - d. 29 October 1953, Singapore) was a prominent Parsi entrepreneur who made his fortune selling soda water in Singapore. Known as the "godfather of the poor" and the "bachelor godfather" of Singapore's poor children, Mistri donated a significant part of his wealth towards the improvement of medical services in Singapore. The Mistri Wing of the General Hospital (now Singapore General Hospital), which housed the pediatric wards, and Mistri Road in Tanjong Pagar are named after him.

Career
Born in Bombay and trained as an engineer, Mistri worked with the Royal Indian Marine Dockyards in Bombay before coming to Singapore in 1909. Hired by Sir John Aird & Co., he was involved in the building of the graving dock at Keppel Harbour. Thereafter, he worked at Riley, Hargreeves & Co. (later renamed United Engineers Ltd.) for a brief period before joining fellow Parsi, Framroz, in his aerated water business, as a manager in 1913. Mistri left the company after ten years to start his own soda water factory called Phoenix Aerated Water Company in 1925. This soured his relations with Framroz for Mistri had previously signed an undertaking promising that he will not start a similar business when he leaves the company. The matter was brought to court and the case ruled in Mistri's favour. The relationship between Mistri and Framroz remained strained for many years and was only restored in the days leading to Mistri's death. Meanwhile, Mistri's business grew and became very successful. His soda water was sold all over Malaya and in the region. In 1931, Mistri set up G. H. Café. With his wealth, Mistri purchased the Caldecott Hill Estate for over $900,000 after the Japanese Occupation.

Philanthropic Works
In June 1952, Mistri, who had been a patient of the General Hospital, donated $950,000 to the hospital for the building of a third-class ward for non-paying patients. On his single largest donation, Mistri explained, "I cannot bear to think of sick children, and their mothers lying on the floors of hospital wards...because of the shortage of space and funds...I donated my recent gift of $950,000 because I thought it was my duty to do something for Singapore's children." Prior to this donation, Mistri had already donated $50,000 to the University of Malaya for the purchase of medical equipment for research and studies.

With the $950,000, the government built a $1,500,000 block for sick children in the General Hospital in 1955. The four-storey building, named Mistri Wing, had two pediatric wards with 150 beds each, and the latest medical equipment. Mistri died a year after his donation so in 1954, the foundation stone was laid by his brother Mr H. R. Mistri. Buried beneath the foundation stone was a container holding articles which represented the late Mistri's interests. They included a Rotary Club banner, a golf ball, the University Gazette, the previous day's newspaper and Malayan notes and coins. In 1956, his brother also presented a bust of N. R. Mistri, which was placed at the entrance to the Wing. Today, the Mistri Wing houses the National Heart Centre.

Death
Mistri died on 29 October 1953, at the age of 68, after a period of prolonged illness. The funeral was held at his home in Grange Road, and he was buried in the Parsi Cemetery at Tampines Road. In his will, he bequeathed $1 million or half of his estate, to charities in Malaya and Bombay. The funds were managed by the Mistri Singapore Trust and the Mistri Bombay Trust. The objective of the Mistri Singapore Trust was to help poor children in Singapore, provide scholarships, and aid tuberculosis sufferers. The rest of Mistri's estate was distributed to family members, friends and employees. In honour of his contributions, Mistri Road was named after him in 1955.

Commendation

In 1947, Mistri received the King's commendation for brave conduct and services rendered to British prisoners-of-war in Malaya during the Japanese Occupation. The award was received under the name Noel R. Mistri.

Family

Father: Rustamji Ookerji Mistri

Brother: Hormasji Rustamji Mistri

Sister: Shiranbai Pagdivala (Shirinbai Framji Paghriwalla)

Step-brother: Bapoo Rustamji Mistri

Step-brother: Sohrab Rustamji Mistri

Cousin: Pesi Davar
Nephew: Noshir H. Mistri

Author
Joshua Chia Yeong Jia



References
Agreement case: Action under restraint clause fails [Microfilm: NL 522] (1924, September 30). The Straits Times, p. 9.

Appeal Court: Local contract in restraint of trade [Microfilm: NL 524] (1924, November 21). The Straits Times, p. 10.

Caldecott Hill Estate sold for $912,500: Biggest land deal since liberation [Microfilm: NL 4974] (1946, October 9). The Straits Times, p. 5.

Chew, D. (Interviewer). (1983, July 16). Oral history interview with Mr Behramgpore Vakil on Communities of Singapore (Parsi) [electronic transcript]. Retrieved December 11, 2008, from http://www.a2o.com.sg

Chew, D. (Interviewer). (1983, July 25). Oral history interview with Mr Rutton Patel on Communities of Singapore [electronic transcript]. Retrieved December 11, 2008, from http://www.a2o.com.sg

Colony gets $950,000 gift [Microfilm: NL 2630] (1952, June 14). The Straits Times, p. 1.

The dining Parsis [Microfilm: NL 3693] (1955, January 30). The Sunday Times, p. 3.

Dorset, J. W. (Ed.). (1939).  Who's who in Malaya, 1939 (p. 100) [Microfilm: NL 10897]. Singapore: Dorset & Co.

(Call no.: RCLOS 920.9595 WHO -[RFL])

Framroz, P. M. (1925, December 11). Soda water amenities [Microfilm: NL 537]. The Straits Times, p. 10.

Funeral of Mr. Mistri [Microfilm: NL 3306] (1953, October 31). The Straits Times, p. 7.

'Godfather' Mistri praises Sunday Times Fund [Microfilm: NL 2427] (1952, December 2). The Sunday Times, p. 1.

'Godfather of the poor' dies [Microfilm: NL 3306] (1953, October 30). The Straits Times, p. 2.

Hairani H. (2004, July-September). Flame of the faith. Heritage Newsletter. Retrieved July 31, 2006 from
http://www.nhb.gov.sg/PE/downloads/heritage_newsletters/heritage04_jul_sep_flame.pdf

His dying wish to become true: Stone laid for hospital wing [Microfilm: NL 1766] (1954, March 3). The Straits Times, p. 7.

Lady Black opens hospital wing: $1,500,000 block for children [Microfilm: NL 1795] (1955, October 15). The Straits Times, p. 4.

Lee, Y. K. (2005, July). The 1926 General Hospital, Singapore. Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore, 34(6). Retrieved July 31, 2006 from http://www.annals.edu.sg/pdf/34VolNo6200506/V34N6p52C.pdf

London Gazette (Issue no. 38036). (1947, 1 August). Retrieved December 11, 2008, from http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk

Mistri is honoured [Microfilm: NL 1823] (1956, November 14). The Straits Times, p. 7.

Mistri left $1 million on trust for charity: Probate of will granted [Microfilm: NL 3307] (1953, November 21). The Straits Times, p. 1.

Mistri, N. R. (1925, December 7). Soda water amenities [Microfilm: NL 537]. The Straits Times, p. 10.

Mr Mistri, man who thought of everyone [Microfilm: NL 2490] (1953, November 22). The Sunday Times, p. 1.

Parsi thy name is charity. (2004, July 11). The Straits Times. Retrieved on March 3, 2011, from NewspaperSG.

Quak, S. H. (2005, July). Pediatrics in Singapore: The early days. Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore, 34(6). Retrieved July 31, 2006 from http://www.annals.edu.sg/pdf/34VolNo6200506/V34N6p126C.pdf

Singapore General Hospital. (2005). Rediscover Singapore's medical history at the Outram Campus Heritage Trail. Retrieved August 1, 2006 from
http://www.sgh.com.sg/NR/rdonlyres/40E7E746-A682-48F1-8819-F510CA64EFD5/2741/CampusHeritageTrail.pdf

When experts disagree: conflicting evidence in agreement case [Microfilm: NL 522] (1924, September 24). The Straits Times, p. 10.

The information in this article is valid as at 2008 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject.  Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.