The Bombay Parsee Association (BPA) paid homage to Sir Hormusji Cowasji Dinshaw (Adenwalla) on his 162nd birth anniversary on April 4, 2019 with the garlanding of his statue near Flora Fountain by the Association’s treasurer Adale Patel. BPA president Vispi Dastur recounted the highlights of Dinshaw’s life and achievements as businessman and philanthropist, in India and in Aden. Floral tributes were also paid on behalf of the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the Iran League, Cowasjee Dinshaw Trust, Navsari Parsee Association, Federation of Zoroastrian Associations for Welfare and Culture, and Youths Own Union, among others.
Honoring Sir Hormusji Cowasji Dinshaw on his birth anniversary Photo: Farokh Mojia;
inset: Vintage image of Dinshaw Photo: Bombaywalla Historical Works
The 31-member audience included Cmde Aspi Marker (retd) and Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Xerxes Dastur among others.
Lyla Mehta, Dinshaw’s great-great- granddaughter garlanded the statue on behalf of his family. Dinshaw’s great grandson Saroosh Dinshaw was present. Archivist with Bombaywalla Historical Works (BHW) Kamna Anand spoke about a proposed archival project of images and documents associated with Dinshaw’s life, assembled from memorabilia in possession of Dinshaw’s family. BHW is a platform run by Dr Simin Patel, a great-great-granddaughter of Dinshaw, that creates awareness about Bombay’s built environment and social history.
The life size bronze image of Dinshaw, sculpted by Sheroo Sidhwa was unveiled in November 1949 by the then governor of Bombay, Raja Maharajsingh.