Navsari has three important edifices which remain closed: the houses of Jamsetji Tata, Dadabhai Naoroji and Khurshedji Tehmulji Desai (the Desaiji of Navsari, also known as Khurshedji Bapa/Polia Desai).
Whenever I have traversed the lanes housing these edifices, I have marked that they are closed and hence of little interest to people. I suggest that the houses be turned into museums which are open to the public displaying historical write-ups, their personal belongings, etc. In this manner we will be paying homage to these grand old men of yore who did more than their mite for their hometown, Navsari.
The first two personages are very well known, but few know of the importance of the Desaijis of Navsari. Navsari has two gaadis (seats), one of the Meherjirana family and the other of the Desaiji family. Khurshedji Tehmulji Desai was in the lead of those who helped consecrate the Atash Behram at Navsari.
Behdin Changa-Behdin Asa (known as Changa Asa) was made the first Desai of Navsari. He made tremendous efforts to bring the Iranshah to Navsari.
BURJOR DABOO
Ahmedabad
burkhurdar@yahoo.com