Dina Wadia is the only daughter of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Unlike Quaid-e-Azad she was not involved in the struggle of an independence nation or politics, this biography is dedicated to the only child and family member of Jinnah.
She also avoided the road of political struggle which her aunt Fatima Jinnah took after Pakistan became an independent country. It is a brief profile with the life story of Dina Wadia.
Early Life:
Dina Wadia was born on 15th August 1919 in London. Her mother Rattanbai Petit was Jinnah’s second wife who came from Parsi background and converted to Islam before marriage with Muhammad Ali Jinnah. She also changed her name to Maryam Jinnah.
She was known as Ruttie Jinnah even after changing her name. Emibai Jinnah was the first wife of Quaid e Azam who died at a young age.
Her mother died when she was just 10 years old and was raised by her father and aunt Fatima Jinnah. It is said that they raised him as a Muslim despite being educated in a modern liberal western society.
Marriage & Rift with Father:
The father daughter relation deteriorated when Dina Wadia revealed her intention to get married with a Parsi man Neville Wadia. Despite Jinnah’s attempts she didn’t change her decision and got married with Neville Wadia.
The wedding and marriage ceremony were held in Mumbai (Bombay) but Jinnah decided not to participate in the ceremony. People believe that the father-daughter relation ended but in an interview Dina Wadia rejected those false rumours and revealed that Jinnah was an affectionate father.
No encounters are recorded about Jinnah and his son-in-law despite the fact that they lived in the same city.
Divorce:
Dina & Neville married in 1936 but the marriage ended within 7 years and the couple divorced in 1938. She gave birth to two children, a son named Nusli Wadia and a daughter Diana Wadia.
Last Meeting With Father:
Dina narrated the last meeting with her father which happened in 1946 after she decided to move from Mumbai to New York city. She said my father hugged Nusli, the grey cap caught Nusli attention and Jinnah put it on his head and said ‘Keep it my Boy’.
This was the last meeting between the father and daughter, though they remained in touch through letters.
Jinnah House:
Dina Wadia also filed a petition for South Court Mansion in Mumbai which was built by Jinnah in 1936. The property was declared as evacuee property but she demanded it to be transferred to her as the only child of Jinnah.
Also Read: BJP Wants To Demolish Quaid-E-Azam House In Mumbai
Visits To Pakistan:
Dina Wadia visited Pakistan only on few occasions the first one was after the death of her father in 1948 to attend the funeral. She also visited Pakistan twice to meet her aunt Fatima Jinnah who took care of her after the death of her mother.
Her last visit to Pakistan was in 2004 when she was accompanied by her son Nusli Wadia and grandsons Jehangir & Ness. Maureen Wadia wife of Nusli was not accompanied with the family. Nusli Wadia at that time was the owner of Wadia group which one of the oldest conglomerates in India.
During her stay in Pakistan she visited the mausoleum of Jinnah, mazar of Fatima Jinnah, Flagstaff House and Wazir Mansion, the birth place of Jinnah. She also attended an ODI match between Pakistan and India in Lahore.
In visitors diary she wrote that “This has been very sad and wonderful for me. May his dream for Pakistan come true.”
She also liked some rare pictures of Quaid e Azam and requested for blow-ups of those pics.
To respect the daughter of founder of Pakistan she was given an official protocol. This visit was widely covered by Pakistani newspapers and media as she was the last link with the founding father.
Death:
She died on the date of 2nd November 2017 at the age of 98. It is said that the cause of her death was pneumonia, she took her last breath in her New York’s home in Madison Avenue. This was the end of connection with a lady who knew the life 7 history of Quaid e Azam better than anyone else.
The death saw official statements from Prime Minister of Pakistan and other leaders. The nation grieved on the departure of the only child of Jinnah.