Ashtrays are his proud possessions, but if that makes you think Dhanpal Vakil is a chain smoker, then you are in for a big surprise.

A retired businessman, sixty-five-year-old Vakil has never ever smoked, but boasts of a unique collection of 1,500 ashtrays from around the world.

His rare collection includes ashtrays in various shapes and designs of animals, human faces, motorcars and the like.

Vakil, who displays his collection in a special showcase at his residence in Adajan area of Surat says he started his hobby when he was 25. “While visiting a friend in Surat, I chanced upon two ashtrays at his house whose designs were quite appealing. I kept on thinking about them even after I returned home. This slowly transformed my liking into a passion for collecting different types of ashtrays,” says Vakil.

He says one day when he returned home with three ashtrays, his wife Leena was a bit surprised. “She asked whether I had started smoking and was pacified only after I told her that I have developed a hobby of collecting ashtrays,” he says.

Vakil says he was inspired and motivated by one of his Ahmedabad-based friend Surendra Patel, who has a hobby of collecting nutcrackers and helped him initially.

“Most of the ashtrays in my collection are those which have names of various liquor companies inscribed on them, that is, companies which have advertised on ashtrays. Many of the companies are now closed. The imported ashtrays, from 15 different countries, are in different shapes and sizes. One looks like a toilet tub, some have models of animals and Chinese dragons and still others in the form of a woman’s face or motorcars. The majority of them are made of ceramic and glass,” he says.

Vakil says as many as 900 from his collection have been bought while the rest have been received as gifts from his friends and relatives abroad.

His son Pawan, who is a software engineer, is equally enthusiastic about his father’s hobby.

“I am proud of it. I’ll continue with my father’s hobby and take care of his rare collection. In fact, my wife also assists him. Friends, relatives and my bosses have appreciated the collection,” says Pawan.

He says he has also asked his father to hold an exhibition of these ashtrays. “I think people who smoke would take interest in it,” he says.

source: expressindia.com