Dina Wadia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dina Wadia
|
|
|---|---|
| دینا واڈیا | |
Dina Wadia at the 1948 funeral of Muhammad Ali Jinnah
|
|
| Born |
Dina Jinnah
15 August 1919 London, England
|
| Died | 2 November 2017 (aged 98) Manhattan, New York, U.S.
|
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) |
Neville Wadia
(m. 1938; sep. 1943) |
| Children | 2 (including Nusli Wadia) |
| Parent(s) |
|
| Family |
|
Dina Wadia (born Dina Jinnah; August 15, 1919 – November 2, 2017) was the only daughter of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Her father was the person who founded Pakistan. Her mother was Rattanbai Petit. Dina came from important families: the Jinnah family on her father's side, the Petit family on her mother's side, and the Wadia family through her marriage to Neville Wadia.
Contents
Dina's Early Life
Dina was born in London on August 15, 1919. Her father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, is often called "Quaid-i-Azam," which means "Great Leader." He would later become the first leader of Pakistan. Dina's mother, Rattanbai Petit, had changed her name to Maryam Jinnah after marrying, but she didn't use it much.
Dina's birth was a surprise! Her parents were at the theatre when she arrived early. People described her as a "dark-eyed beauty" with a lovely smile, just like her mother.
Her Father's Family
Dina's father's family, the Jinnahs, were successful merchants. Her grandfather, Jinnah bhai Poonja, moved to Karachi in the 1870s and made money in trade. He sent Dina's father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, to England for a better education.
The Jinnah family belonged to the Ismaili branch of Shia Muslims. They were originally from the Lohana caste, who were Hindus before they became Muslims many centuries ago. Dina's father led the movement to create Pakistan. After India was divided, he became the first Governor-General of Pakistan. He was given the special title Quaid-i-Azam, meaning "Great Leader."
Her Mother's Family
Dina's mother's family, the Petits, were very different. They were wealthy, well-educated, and followed the Zoroastrian faith. They were known as the Parsi community.
Dina's great-grandfather, Dinshaw Maneckji Petit, started India's first cotton mill. His work in business and charity earned him a special title called a Baronet. Dina's mother, Rattanbai, was the daughter of the second baronet. Her maternal uncle was married to Sylla Tata, whose family, the Tatas, were among the richest in India.
The Petit family did not approve when Dina's mother, Rattanbai, married Jinnah because he was 24 years older and from a different religion. They cut ties with her.
Growing Up
Dina's parents had many differences, including their age, religion, and personalities. They separated soon after Dina was born. Her mother, Rattanbai, moved to a hotel in Mumbai with baby Dina.
After her mother passed away in 1929, Dina's aunt, Fatima Jinnah, moved in to help raise 10-year-old Dina. Her father wanted Dina to learn about Islam and the Qur'an.
When Jinnah lived in London from 1930 to 1933, Dina was his main comfort. She was often away at school but brought joy to her father when she was home. Once, after Jinnah read a book about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a great Turkish leader, he talked about it so much that Dina playfully nicknamed him "Grey Wolf."
Marriage and Family Life
Dina's relationship with her father became difficult when she wanted to marry Neville Wadia. Neville was an Indian man from the Parsi community. Her father, being a Muslim, tried to convince her not to marry him, but she insisted.
A close friend of Jinnah, M. C. Chagla, remembered a conversation. Jinnah told Dina there were many Muslim boys she could marry. Dina reminded her father that her own mother, Rattanbai, was also a Parsi and not a Muslim when he married her. Jinnah replied that her mother had become a Muslim.
Some stories say that Jinnah was very upset and told Dina she was no longer his daughter after she married Neville. However, others say he sent a bouquet of flowers to the couple.
Dina and Neville lived in Mumbai and had two children: a son named Nusli Wadia and a daughter named Diana. Their marriage didn't last long, and they separated in 1943. They never officially divorced because it was not allowed in India at that time.
After her marriage, some believed Dina's relationship with her father became very formal, with him addressing her as 'Mrs. Wadia'. However, Dina herself said this was just a rumor. She shared that her father was affectionate, even if he didn't show it much. She recalled their last meeting in Mumbai in 1946. Her father hugged her son, Nusli, and even gave him his grey cap, saying, "Keep it my boy."
After Dina Wadia passed away, her personal diary showed that her relationship with her father had become close again. She had visited Pakistan twice: once for her father's funeral and again in 2004 for a cricket match. She also stayed in touch with her aunt, Fatima Jinnah, who had helped raise her.
Jinnah House in Mumbai
When Jinnah returned to Mumbai from England, he built a beautiful house called South Court, also known as "Jinnah House." This grand mansion was his home for ten years before Pakistan was created. It was designed by a British architect and built in 1936.
After India and Pakistan became separate countries in 1947, Jinnah House was considered "evacuee property." For many years, the British Deputy High Commission rented it. Since 1979, Pakistan has asked India to let them use the house as a consulate to honor their founder.
Pakistani leaders, like former President Pervez Musharraf, have asked India to give the house to Pakistan. However, the Indian government has said that while they will consider the claims of Jinnah's family with kindness, they don't plan to give the house to Pakistan.
Dina Wadia, as Jinnah's only child, was involved in a legal case about Jinnah House. She argued that the house should belong to her because her father died without a will. She claimed that her father's property should follow Hindu Law since he was from a Khoja Shia background.
Some peace activists also wanted to turn Jinnah House into an India-Pakistan Friendship Centre. In 2007, Dina Wadia officially asked the Bombay High Court to give her the house, stating it should not be called "evacuee property."
Visit to Pakistan in 2004
In March 2004, Dina Wadia visited Lahore, Pakistan. She went to watch a cricket match between Pakistan and India. She felt that this "cricket diplomacy" was an exciting new step in the relationship between the two countries. Dina and her son, Nusli Wadia, kept their personal feelings private during this emotional visit. It was Dina's first trip to Pakistan since her father's funeral in September 1948.
Dina, along with her son Nusli and grandsons Ness Wadia and Jehangir Wadia, also visited her father's mausoleum to pay their respects. In the visitors' book, Dina wrote: "This has been very sad and wonderful for me. May his dream for Pakistan come true."
She asked for copies of three pictures she saw there. One showed her with her father and aunt, Fatima Jinnah. Another was a painting of her mother, Rattanbai Jinnah. The third showed her father working, highlighting his role as a political leader. Dina also visited the tomb of her aunt, Fatima Jinnah, and her father's house, Wazir Mansion.
Death
Dina Wadia passed away from pneumonia at her home in New York City on November 2, 2017. She was 98 years old. Her death was a sad event for the people of Pakistan, who called it the "nation's grief." Many political leaders, including the Prime Minister and President of Pakistan, shared their condolences. They said she was "greatly respected and admired in Pakistan." The Sindh Assembly in Pakistan even paused for a moment of silence to remember her and her father.
Dina is survived by her son, Nusli Wadia, her daughter, Diana Wadia, and her grandsons, Ness Wadia and Jehangir Wadia.
