A commitment of Rs 15,00,000 towards the education fund of the Parsi Panchayat Charitable Fund Vadodara (PPCFV) was made by family members of the late educationist Dr Rumi Mistry, it was announced at the 19th salgirah of the Bai Dhunbaiji Dadabhai Bhimji Umrigar Agiary in Baroda on March 22, 2023. Mistry’s portrait and that of another "legendary (Baroda) stalwart” Shavakshaw Patel were unveiled in the fire temple hall by trust president Phiroz Patel.
An evening maachi was followed by a jashan led by Udvada High Priest Dastur Khurshed Dastoor who was also the chief guest at the event. A note on the event was sent to Parsiana by PPCFV manager Homi Patel.
From l, top: Ervads Hoshang Bhesania, Cyrus Panthaki, Aspi Antia, Porus Mandviwala, Kersi Bhesania,
Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, Ervads Hormazdiar Bhesana, Firoz Vimadalal with Rayomand Vimadalal,
Lt Col Adi Chinoy (retd) flanking images of Shavakshaw Patel (l) and Prof Rumy Mistry;
above: Phiroz Munshi, Aspi Vajifdar, Baman Cama, Jahangir Parabia, Phiroz Patel, Ruhshad Cama, Chinoy,
Manek Modi with photo of Shavakshaw Patel
Mistry was a senior member of Baroda University. A professor of textile engineering, he went on to be the vice-dean of the faculty of technology and engineering, as well as a member of the senate and syndicate of the University. "Modest and courteous, he dedicated his life to the field of education and helping the youth to select their correct goals.” Also a sportsman, dramatist and a member of various advisory committees at the local and central government levels, Mistry chaired the education and election committees of the Panchayat.
Shavakshaw "had a long standing lineage of serving the community since the days of his father and grandfather,” stated the note. Actively involved with the activities of the Panchayat for over four decades, Shavakshaw "had the distinction of serving as president for four terms.” The businessman was a keen sportsperson and mentor to many youth in the fields of cycling and table tennis. "His fundraising abilities for the benefit of the Panchayat were legendary,” stated Homi. During the late 1990s he was appointed on the committee for the Save Udvada campaign.
Community members present expressed their respect and appreciation for those honored.
Dastoor’s address focused on the journey of Parsis from Iran to India, the five Iranian dynasties, our prayers, rituals, and the journey of Iranshah from Iran to Udvada, stated Homi.
Phiroz and his brother Hector kicked off a donation drive for the renovation of Godrej Hall. An appeal was made to community members to contribute towards the renovations as scheduled, noted Homi. A community dinner followed.
The fire in the Umrigar Agiary was elevated from a dadgah to an adarian in March 2004 following three weeks of ritual ceremonies (see "Ablaze in Baroda,” Parsiana, May 2004). Originally installed in 1845 in Anandpura, Kothi, it was shifted to the old Parsi dharamshala at Fatehgunj when the government requisitioned the land. In 1959 with the munificence of Hirabai Contractor who bequeathed the land and a generous contribution from Dhunbai Umrigar in memory of her husband Dadabhai, the Agiary was built on the main road of Fatehgunj.