Youth matters, improved infrastructure and close working with other community bodies are priorities for the newly elected board of seven Poona Parsi Panchayat (PPP) trustees. "I have named us as WE-7,” president elect Tehmasp Bharucha wrote to Parsiana. The new team will take charge on April 3, 2022, he stated. Bharucha’s co-trustees include vice chairman Yezdi Motiwala, secretary Bakhtiar Narielwala, treasurer Rohinton Bharda, joint secretary Sarosh Mistry, Kaizad Bhaya and Nauzer Batliwalla. "We are aware of the expectations and problems of our community members… We propose to work unitedly in a harmonious and cordial relationship,” wrote the president elect.
Ten community members stood for the elections which took place on March 13. Bharucha detailed the number of votes each candidate polled: Narielwala 305; Bharucha 298; Bhaya 296; Mistry 275, Motiwala 271, Bharda 253, Batliwalla 244, (chairman till April 2) Homi Kaikobad 243, Farrokh Chinoy 220 and Farrokh Irani 215. Bhaya is a sitting trustee. Bharucha has been trustee and chairman for two earlier terms. Farsheed Irani and his team of volunteers conducted the elections at the Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy Agiary, he stated.
Above, from l: Poona Parsi Panchayat’s new trustees, Sarosh Mistry, Nauzer Batliwalla, Rohinton Bharda,
Tehmasp Bharucha, Bakhtiar Narielwala, Kaizad Bhaya and Yezdi Motiwala
Bharucha detailed the 10 priorities before WE-7: Infrastructural improvements, safety and security at the PPP owned colonies; better facilities for youth for sports and recreation; working closely with sister bodies such as the Poona Zarthosti Seva Mandal, World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce, Poona Drametures and Poona Parsee Gymkhana; medical and educational requirements for those in need and housing for the deserving; to promote self-sufficient professionals; to improve the financial status of the PPP; to organize community get-together events such as jashans and gahanbars; to maintain their Doongerwadi; to provide transparent, efficient and professional services.
In an effort to safeguard their Doongerwadi lands and offer a choice to community members, the earlier board of trustees had examined the possibility of setting aside 15 to 20 acres of the existing property to house an aramgah while continuing with dakhmenashini (see "Dual disposal?” Parsiana, September 21-October 6, 2021). Reportedly, based on a referendum held in late 2021, the community was in favor of such a move. Bharucha gave Parsiana the latest position: "The matter of an aramgah was taken up in the annual general meeting (AGM) in late 2021 to get the views of the members of the community. After some discussion in the said AGM, majority of the members present declined to allow starting of aramgah on the lands at the vacant plot on Anjuman Doongerwadi site as the trust deed did not allow use of land for this purpose. As of now the matter stays at this level.” Farrokh Jijina