In the early 1970s, the posh locality of Mumbai, where the Arabian Sea meets its shores, Cuffe Parade housed a beautiful bungalow ‘Taraporevala Mansion’ sprawling 5000 sq. ft. It captured Vivek’s happy childhood memories surrounded by his three doting sisters and innumerable friends.

Adorned with Italian marble and completely hand-painted gold ceilings, the house bustled with the cheers and activities of the children. The household helpers never let the glasses of ‘rasnas’ and plates of sandwiches go empty.

Vivek was a child with a high emotional quotient. He realized the challenges of the children from a lower stratum of society, especially the children of his household helpers, who were his early friends. As a 6-year-old boy, Vivek was highly sensible and played with them barefooted to save their little toes from being hurt as they couldn’t afford shoes. 

No regrets, no negativity – that’s Vivek. Vivek has fixed arms by birth, a problem with no major health implications but one that strongly impacted him. However, Vivek’s resilient mind didn’t allow it to negatively affect him.

Vivek was deeply impacted when a huge slab falling from the kitchen ceiling missed him only by a fraction of a second as he instantly moved away. His presence of mind saved him but it utterly distracted him leading him to fail in his 7th grade. It meant repeating the same syllabus while making new friends. But Vivek’s go-getter spirit helped him bounce back not just emotionally but academically too.

The first person in his life, his mother is Vivek’s first inspiration. She worked with Glaxo for 25 years where she joined as a stenographer and moved on to be part of the secretarial team to the chairman. Vivek inherited her discipline, methodical nature, good public relations, and aptness at drafting letters. Always impeccably dressed, she taught Vivek to be generous yet to value money. 

Vivek’s father was born in Calcutta, later on, moved to Lahore. At the age of 15, after losing everything during the partition of India he chose to settle in Bombay. He started from scratch to finally own a house in Mahim, from where they later moved to Cuffe Parade. Methodical and observant, in many ways, Vivek is a carbon copy of his father at a young age. He has even adopted his color-coordinated dressing style from his father.

During his summer vacation, young Vivek was entrusted with the responsibility to hand over the office keys sharp at 8 in the morning. His mother wanted him out of bed early in morning and found innovative ways to train him to be responsible and disciplined. He cycled to the office and made sure no one had to wait. He would cycle in speed. A trait he always carried. Later it found an outlet in his power of ideating and quick decision-making.

Vivek loves reading the newspaper. At the age of 16, while his exams were round the corner, he was still reading one. Annoyed his father tore off the newspaper instantly. His father’s furious attitude, however, couldn’t stop Vivek from leaving his zest for reading newspapers, a tradition he religiously continues even today, of reading at least 4 different newspapers every day and 4 e-books a month.

Confidence, courage, and a convincing attitude were a part of Vivek since childhood. He could approach and converse with people of any stature. A clear indication of his uninhibited spirit is when he went to meet his college principal for his punctured bicycle tire. His confidence and convincing attitude made the principal leave his desk to resolve his problem. 

First dates are always memorable. So was Vivek’s and Suhani’s. Vivek, along with Suhani had just begun his drive, when on their way he noticed a commotion on the street where one person was throttling the other and if Vivek did not intervene, one would die. Vivek couldn’t help but drove his car backward to break through the warring two and got the man out. He immediately got back to his car and drove off with Suhani. In his mind raced the words, “What a start to our date”! Vivek’s sensitivity towards other’s sufferings weighed stronger than impressing his date with a beautiful evening. But it did end up leaving the right impression!

Recognition for various school projects and medals at the district level motivated him to further excellence. In the fourth grade, he received the first public speaking opportunity before an entire assembly. 

Vivek studied in a Jesuit Education Institution, Campion, Mumbai and then went on to do his Honors in Commerce from Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai. His further enhanced his skills in Optometry at Dnyan/Jnana Prabodhini College, Pune. He completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management, from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune. Being passionate about Marketing he did a Management Development Program (MDP) at IIM- Bangalore in Advertising. 

He has been one among 60 candidates selected out of 950 for an Honorary Doctorate in Marketing Excellence, based on his 30 years of marketing achievements. Dr. Vivek G Mendonsa, continues to be a learner at the same time empowers others with his knowledge and guidance.