Poona Parsi Panchayat’s (PPP) 90-year-old bungli on Dastur Meher Road was renovated and reopened on June 6, 2017, on the death anniversary of Villoo Poonawalla. The refurbishment was funded by industrialists and philanthropists Dr Cyrus and Adar Poonawalla. Polly Patel, trustee of the PPP informed Parsiana on June 27 that "On the occasion of her seventh death anniversary, her husband and son came forward and…agreed to completely renovate the bungli.” Calling her an invisible philanthropist, he recalled her "magnanimous charities and good work for the not-so-fortunate of our community members.” A jashan attended by the trustees of the PPP and members of the anjuman marked the end of the Rs 48,00,000 (USD 74,517) four-month-long project, notes an email received from Sarosh Bokdawalla of the Serum Institute of India, the Poonawalla family business.
All the walls were replastered, the leaking roof was replaced and a ventilator was added. The two existing washrooms were totally refurbished. New amenities include a rest room with two beds and a shower for relatives and outstation family members to stay overnight, notes Bokdawalla’s email. A new ladies’ kusti room has been provided. An extension has been created to the pavilion outside the bungli to accommodate more mourners, Zoroastrian and non-Zoroastrian. "The ground level of the open area surrounding the bungli was raised and paved, with adequate drainage and soak pits to recharge ground water,” ends Bokdawalla.
Dr Cyrus, Villoo and Adar Poonawalla
Renovated pavilion, verandah, roof and bungli