Every year on October 12, the local Zoroastrian community commemorates the birthday of Sir Hormusjee Mody and his generosity to the University by having a priest place a garland of flowers around the bust of Mody located inside the Main Building.
The bust was presented by the Incorporated Trustees of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong, Canton and Macao to commemorate the 90th anniversary of HKU.
Renowned philanthropist and benefactor, Mody was a successful Zoroastrian businessman whose major donation ensured the fulfilment of the dream of establishing a university for Hong Kong.
On March 16, 1910, a grand ceremony was held for the laying of the foundation stone. Mody explained, “Life is incomplete when man lives for his own self. Life is best lived when it is lived for others.”
His initial offer of a donation to construct the Main Building was the very first such pledge, setting an example that other benefactors followed. Without his generosity, the University’s existence may not have been realised. We will always remember his contributions with deepest gratitude.