Allahabad was our home for four generations when we grew up around a good number of Parsis, including some who were handicapped but we would never address them as "moongi-moonga (dumb),” "langro (lame),” etc. It is a habit to be abhorred!
My husband’s elder brother Beji has been deaf-mute since the age of one when his ear was damaged following an attack of whooping cough. At seven years, his parents sent him to his paternal grandmother and uncles at Dadar in Bombay where he was admitted to a special school. After schooling, he studied gent’s tailoring and finally passed with honors, acquiring a certificate from London.
Beji Dhondy (inset and above) outside his tailoring shop in Allahabad
At Allahabad he was greatly popular, not only in his tailoring business but as an organizer of events for a large group of deaf-mute people. With our help his group was doing well. They celebrated all festivals together as they did the national days. They used to celebrate national days in our vast compound with flag hoisting and a chief guest. The group never had any rifts on communal issues. During communal clashes, he and his group helped to bring calm and peace in affected areas.
His main aim was to lead a normal life and not be treated differently from others. He would be upset if we indicated he could not undertake something. He was an example to his group, not to wallow in self pity but be normal. The children in the family loved him for his way with fun and games. So please stop pitying the handicapped. They are persons in themselves. MEHER DHONDY
Gurgaon