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Died: Rohintan Maneckshah Daviervala, 70, erstwhile sarpanch of Sanjan and long-standing president of the Sanjan Memorial Committee Local Committee (SMCLC) on August 10, 2006 at Bombay’s B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital following aspiration pneumonia.

 "He lived for others…He lived his life according to the principles of Zoroastrianism,” said Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Burjor Antia when addressing the gathering on Sanjan Day (mah Tir, roz Bahman), November 19, 2006, recalling Daviervala’s commitment to make the elaborate arrangements each year for a communal thanksgiving. The SMCLC commemorates the memory of Dastur Neryosang Dhaval who brought our forefathers to Indian shores and for the largesse extended by the Hindu rulers who offered a home to the refugee Parsis. The Sanjan Day celebrations have, over the last 22 years, brought together nearly a thousand pilgrims each year who converge on the Sanjan soil (where stands the Stambh) for the morning jashan, speeches by eminent members of the community and a free luncheon. While busloads of devotees come from Bombay and the neighboring Gujarat towns, the Western Railway permits special halts at Sanjan for the Gujarat Express and Flying Ranee for the convenience of rail passengers. 

Describing Daviervala as a "noble, enlightened, advanced soul,” Antia mentioned how Daviervala could have minted money had he chosen to practice law in Bombay instead of opting to return to Sanjan to assist the poor and the adivasis in the villages.

"All the time he was ready to serve people and society,” commented his good friend Nathubhai Desai remembering how they had worked together for Congress (O) and Janata when many ministers and leaders would come visiting Daviervala’s home, adding,  "Very recently he was with me for the District Senior Citizens’ Association. I could organize senior citizens group in Umergaon Taluka only due to him…Though he was a zamindar (landlord) his relations with the common people were very generous” and cordial. Nathubhai Shah mentioned that Daviervala’s loss would be felt not only by the senior citizens whose cause he espoused but by everyone in Valsad district.

Besides giving free advice on law and agriculture to the villagers he lent his expertise on different committees as member of: the Surat and also Valsad State Transport Divisional Advisory committee, the Maharashtra-Gujarat State Land Distribution, Market Union and Welfare Fund Establishment Committee, the Railway Station Committee Bulsar. "No committee was complete without him,” pointed out Dr Karulkar of Umbergaon recalling how Daviervala was "a person who commanded respect in society.”

 "He was the greatest contributor in serving our village in terms of political, legal and social affairs and dealing (with) the problems of Sanjan with his remarkable intelligence,” noted a condolence letter from Shri Jay Ambe Navyuvak Mandal, acknowledging Daviervala’s "immemorial and munificent contribution in bringing the ambulance to Sanjan and nearby villages…”

On behalf of the World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation, founder Homi Dhalla wrote, "He would go out of his way to do all he could for others. The community has lost a true Zoroastrian. Our team which had been working for the Sanjan excavations remember him and miss him for what he did for us.” Among the community institutions with which he was associated were the Saronda Agiary and the Saronda Charitable Dispensary. He was a managing committee member of the Jadi Rana School in Sanjan.

Daviervala’s education was in Bombay’s St Xavier’s School after which he graduated in Commerce from Sydenham College, did his graduation in Arts from Bombay University and Law from the Government Law College. He returned to Sanjan to follow his father Maneckshah’s footsteps in serving the local populace and the Taluka Panchayat as sarpanch for several terms. When the rules did not permit his reelection as sarpanch, the Gram Panchayat insisted on having him as deputy sarpanch! He was the great-grandson of Ardshir Darabji Daviervala who had been conferred the title of Khan Bahadur by the Britishers in 1906 for his selfless service to the Adivasis during the famine. Keenly interested in sports, Daviervala had won prizes as captain of the Sanjan Cricket Team and for his prowess in carom and table tennis. Past president of the Umbergaon Lions Club he had served the Lions movement in different capacities. 

On his short, frail frame he shouldered many responsibilities, admired former BPP trustee Rustom Tirandaz, referring to the many challenges Daviervala faced and his determination to ensure that community lands in Sanjan were not encroached upon. The former municipal councilor further acknowledged how Daviervala with his persuasive ways was able to cow him down when Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray could not! 

"I always remember all his great and good help and support for our College work right from the very beginning in 1982 for all the work with government officials, mamlatdars, talatis… (His) house was really like the social club of Sanjan for Parsis and others,” recalls Dr Meher Master-Moos, founder of the Zoroastrian College, adding, "He was a pillar of support, nay – the heart and soul – of Sanjan life. Without him it is hard to imagine Sanjan.” 

The selfless social worker is survived by his wife Bapsy, son Ardshir, daughters Khooshnum and Pareecheher, and sister Nergish Daviervala.