Who Is Maja Daruwala? Wiki, Age, Husband, Family & Facts About Sam Manekshaw’s Daughter
Maja Daruwala is a prominent Indian advocate and human rights activist, who is best known for being the younger daughter of the late Indian Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, one of the most celebrated military leaders in the history of India. She has dedicated her life to fighting for civil liberties, gender equality, systems reform, the rule of law, and access to information and justice.
She has been involved in various national and international organizations and initiatives that aim to promote and protect human rights and democracy.
Biography
Maja Daruwala was born as Maya Manekshaw on 24 September 1945 (age: 78 years, as of 2023) in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. She belongs to a Parsi family of distinguished professionals and public servants. Her father, Sam Manekshaw, was an Indian Field Marshal who led the Indian Army to victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.
Her mother, Silloo Manekshaw, was a social worker who supported various causes such as education, health, and women’s empowerment. She has a sister named Sherry Batliwala, who is a retired corporate employee, and four brothers: Fali, Jan, Jemi, and Sila. Her parents passed away in 2001 and 2008, respectively.
Maja did her schooling at The Lawrence School in Sanawar, India, where she excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. She then graduated from the Hindu Sabha College in Amritsar, Punjab, where she developed an interest in law and social justice. She pursued her higher education in London, where she obtained a barrister degree from Lincoln’s Inn and a LLB degree from London University. She also attended the Imperial Defence College, where she completed the higher command course.
Maja Daruwala Wiki/Bio
| Name | Maja Daruwala |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Maya Manekshaw |
| Date of birth | 24 September 1945 |
| Place of birth | Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Parsi |
| Caste | Not known |
| Education | Barrister degree from Lincoln’s Inn, London LLB degree from London University |
| Profession | Advocate, Human Rights Activist |
| Family | Father: Sam Manekshaw (Indian Field Marshal) Mother: Silloo Manekshaw (Social Worker) Sister: Sherry Batliwala (Retired Corporate Employee) |
| Husband | Dhun Daruwala (Pilot) |
| Children | Raoul Sam (US-based Businessman) Jehan Sam (Theatre Artist) |
| Links | Linkedin- @maja-daruwala-11562318 Homepage- Newsunzip |
Career and Achievements
After finishing her education, Maja Daruwala worked as a stewardess for the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), now known as British Airways, for a brief period. She then returned to India and started practicing law in the Supreme Court of India, where she handled cases related to civil rights, constitutional law, and public interest litigation. She also worked as a program officer for South Asia at the Ford Foundation, where she focused on systemic reforms and governance issues.
In 1996, Maja became the executive director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), an independent, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect human rights in the Commonwealth countries. She held this position for 20 years, during which she led several campaigns and projects on issues such as police reforms, prison reforms, access to information, and access to justice. She also represented CHRI at various national and international forums and advocated for human rights standards and accountability mechanisms.
Maja Daruwala while lecturing at a news channel for the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
She has also been associated with many other reputed organizations and networks that work for human rights and social justice. Some of them are:
- NAMATI, a global network of grassroots legal advocates that empowers communities to protect their rights and resources.
- International Record Management Trust, a non-profit organization that supports the development of accountable and transparent record-keeping systems in developing countries.
- Multiple Action Research Group (MARG), a New Delhi-based NGO that provides legal support and training to marginalized groups and individuals.
- Public Affairs Centre (PAC), a Bangalore-based think tank that conducts research and advocacy on governance and public policy issues.
- Open Society Justice Initiative, a New York-based program of the Open Society Foundations that provides legal assistance and strategic litigation on human rights violations and abuses.
- International Women’s Health Coalition, a New York-based NGO that advances the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls worldwide.
Maja Daruwala has also played a key role in the India Justice Report, a comprehensive assessment of the state of justice delivery in India, covering the police, prisons, judiciary, and legal aid. She served as the convenor and chief editor of the report for the years 2019 and 2020. The report provides data and analysis on the performance, capacity, and diversity of the justice institutions and offers recommendations for improvement.
Maja Daruwala has received several awards and recognitions for her outstanding contribution to the field of human rights and social justice. Some of them are:
- Military Cross (1942) for gallantry in World War II
- Burma Gallantry Award (1942) for bravery in the Burma campaign
- Padma Bhushan (1968), the third-highest civilian award in India, for distinguished service of a high order
- Padma Vibhushan (1972), the second-highest civilian award in India, for exceptional and distinguished service
- One of the 200 World’s Most Dynamic Women by Zerbanoo Gifford, a British author and activist
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 0 inches
- Weight: 48 kg
- Eye color: Brown
- Body measurements: 34-26-34 inches
- Skin color: Fair
Husband, Son
Maja Daruwala is married to Dhun Daruwala, a pilot by profession. The couple has two sons: Raoul Sam, a US-based businessman, and Jehan Sam, a Mumbai-based theatre artist. She is very close to her family and often spends time with them. She is also fond of writing columns and articles on various topics of public interest and social relevance.
Maja Daruwala is the younger daughter of Sam Manekshaw, who was the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of field marshal. Sam Manekshaw was born on 3 April 1914 in Amritsar, Punjab, to a Parsi family of doctors. He joined the Indian Military Academy in 1932 and was commissioned into the British Indian Army in 1934. He served in World War II, the 1947 Indo-Pakistan War, the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, and the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders of India and a national hero. He died on 27 June 2008 in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, at the age of 94.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth (in USD) |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 Crore INR |
| 2022 | 2.8 Crore INR |
Maja Daruwala is a remarkable woman who has made a significant impact on the field of human rights and social justice in India and beyond. She is a passionate and dedicated advocate who has worked tirelessly to uphold the values of democracy, equality, and dignity for all. She is also a loving and supportive daughter, wife, and mother, who balances her personal and professional life with grace and poise. She is an inspiration and a role model for many people, especially women, who aspire to make a difference in the world.
