"Our Classical Indian Art Auction 3, (slated for April 16, 2024), had a few pieces of important Jain sculptures that were legally imported into India for the purpose of sale by us… The high profile and large-scale advertising of the auction caught the attention of some social media activists and snowballed to a huge uproar disseminating false information about the procurement of these sculptures,” communicated Malcolm Todywalla of Todywalla Auctions to Parsiana on April 5, elucidating on why 17 sculptures of Jain tirthankaras (supreme spiritual teachers) had been withdrawn from the auction. "When we were invited to meet with the Acharyaji Pushyapant Sagarji, high authority of the Jains at the Gulwadi Jain Derasar, we engaged in (creating) a mutually amicable, compassionate and respectful outcome for all parties involved.”
"Ensuring veneration of Jain idols”
The Free Press Journal of April 5 had stated that "after a huge uproar, auction of Jain idols (was) withdrawn.” The newspaper also reported that the Delhi based Vishwa Jain Sangathan had filed a case of cyber crime against the auction house.
Todywalla explained, "Giving consideration to the Jain religious sentiments that their idols should not be sold to the highest bidder and should remain within the Jain community so that they could ensure their proper veneration, we have removed these items from our public auction.” He added that the matter has been dealt with great sensitivity and that in fact they were praised by the Acharyaji for rescuing this lost heritage and cultural icons from overseas markets and bringing them back to our country.
Todywalla stated, "We told the respected Acharyaji that as Parsis we have always lived peacefully with all other communities and keeping the goodwill of the Parsis in mind and our own reputation we will withdraw the Jain objects from our auction…We further discussed and agreed that we would sit with representatives of the Jain community and find an apt redressal to this issue.”
Family patriarch Farokh Todywalla explained that though "what we were doing was all legal,” the items were withdrawn to assuage the sentiments of the Jain community.
Established in 1965, Todywalla Auctions is a registered licence holder for sale and auctioning of Indian art objects and antiques.
Comprehensive caring
"We want to help the poorest of the poor,” stated Tehnaz Byramji, vice chairman of the Medical Centre project of Lions Club of East Bombay at Matunga. She was speaking to Parsiana on April 4, 2024 about the Club’s second "permanent project.” The 2,000 sq ft space, established in April 2023 at a cost of Rs 14 crores, provides a multitude of services at highly subsidized rates, she stated. Its first project, a polyclinic and diagnostic center, also located in Matunga, was established in 1960. The Medical Centre is managed by a committee comprising chairman Dr Keki Dalal and vice chairpersons Shirish Mehta and Byramji.
The imaging center provides radiology services with a digital x-ray machine which has a capacity of 60 images per minute; the Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) machine can facilitate treatment planning and diagnosis in implant dentistry, ear-nose-throat and orthopedic cases; the new sonography machine with 4D Echo and advanced color doppler system assists in cardiology, radiology and gynecology investigations, elaborated Byramji in a note to Parsiana. The Centre handles about 70 patients a day, she said.
The cardiology department is equipped with a treadmill, equipment for conducting stress test, defibrillator and the latest ECG (electro cardiogram) page writer while the physiotherapy department has the latest state-of-the-art machines to heal aches and pains, besides acupressure and acupuncture treatments. The pathology department provides all the latest tests. "In addition to general dentistry, we have introduced new specialties like orthodontics, pediatric dentistry and implantation,” stated Byramji. Consultants in orthopedics, dermatology, ear-nose-throat, gynecology, homeopathy, speech therapy, dietetics and general health are available.
Byramji stated that "the erstwhile clinic has been nurtured with complete dedication” by chairman Dalal "to bring it to its present flourishing status with an annual turnover of over one crore rupees… The Clinic is described as a monument of Lionism in India,” she noted. Those who wish to donate to the project may contact the Clinic by telephone at 022 31820470 or email at eastbombaylionsclinic@gmail.com.