I came to know Farrokh Jijina less than a decade ago through a friend and colleague, Meher Gundevia-Billimoria. Farrokh, a chartered accountant, had taken voluntary retirement from Deloitte and was interested in doing things which he loved, a wise decision.
He conducted several workshops for the Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy on the subject of human resource management. The participants enjoyed listening to his anecdotes and would break into periodic bouts of laughter. His favorite cartoon strip was Scott Adams’ Dilbert and his favorite character in that strip was the fat red cat called Catbert — the evil director of human relations. Every time I saw this cat in the cartoon strip I would laugh and think of how Farrokh described this particular character with great glee.
Farrokh remained interested in the arts and fine dining till diabetes led to kidney failure and later cancer, all of which he bore stoically with his characteristic sense of humor. When he was put on dialysis he referred to the procedure as his "spa treatment.” Though, in later years he looked physically frail and vulnerable, he was strong from within and did not give up hope or his battle with his health challenges till the very end.
He loved the city of Bombay and would regularly conduct heritage walks with Khaki Tours.
Not only was he generous with his wisdom but also with his wealth. He silently helped a number of needy individuals and welfare institutions with financial assistance. One could say that he truly gave of himself — in thought, word and deed.
He was so full of life, wit and good cheer that it is hard for us to reconcile with the fact that he is no more. He was very private about his ailments and very few were aware that he was so critically ill until he breathed his last. He will be missed by his friends and admirers.
Goodbye Farrokh, I am sure from somewhere out there you must be wearing that mischievous smile of yours as you eye us thinking of you!
NOSHIR DADRAWALA
noshir@capindia.in
When I asked Farrokh Jijina on Monday, March 17, 2025 whether I could drop by and see him that day, he replied, "Do you really want to? I lie in bed all day and it’s not a pretty sight.” I said I would like to see him, regardless. "You’re welcome,” he replied.
We spent 45 minutes together, chatting about this and that. At one point I asked him if he was frightened. He said he had been, but no longer. He added, half-joking, half serious, "I wish things could be expedited though, and brought to a speedy conclusion!”
His wish was granted just three days later, sooner than anyone thought likely.
We had worked as colleagues and had kept in touch over the years, meeting frequently at literary or cultural events. I was struck when, due to kidney failure he had to endure never-ending sessions of dialysis, he never complained. "I have become very religious,” he once said to me. I feel sure that it was this, together with the support and care of his wife, Dr Farah, his friends, and his trusty household help, which kept him going after he had received the devastating news that he had advanced cancer. TULSI VATSAL
tulsivatsal@gmail.com
It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to Farrokh Jijina. He was very willing to share his knowledge for which I am truly grateful. When Dr Zenobia Dumasia and I were editing Mumbaino Bahaar I often turned to Farrokh for help to check on some of the meanings of Persian words that have been incorporated into Parsi Gujarati. And he always clarified our doubts.
We would correspond on WhatsApp discussing typical Parsi phrases and idioms and the Gujarati language in general. I looked forward to his messages which enhanced my knowledge of Parsi Gujarati considerably.
He had a great sense of humor and will be sorely missed by all who came in contact with him. ABAN MUKHERJI
mukherji.aban@gmail.com
I was shocked to hear of Farrokh Jijina’s passing. He was a gem of a person. His sense of humor was excellent and we loved his wit and wisdom.
DILNAVAZ SHROFF
Toronto, Canada
sandocommunications@gmail.com