Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence), Pakistan’s third highest civilian award, was conferred on erstwhile senator and Baluchistan minister Roshan Bharucha on March 23, 2022. The award by the Government of Pakistan was conferred on Bharucha for her "selfless dedication, commitment and… social service,” noted a write-up by Meher Amalsad of California, sharing details of her political and social welfare activities.
The Sitara-i-Imtiaz recognizes individuals who have made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavors,” according to Wikipedia. Three stars of different sizes feature on the pure gold award in the shape of a circular disc. At the top of the outer ring is a symbol of a new moon with star. Another star is seen at the core. A larger five-pointed star radiating from the central ring abuts the outer circumference. The outer and inner rings are engraved with jasmine designs.
Above: Roshan Bharucha receiving Sitara-i-Imtiaz
The SOS Children’s Village of Baluchistan that she founded in 2005 to accommodate orphaned and abandoned children today houses nearly 300 residents. Any newborn brought to the orphanage is kept in her own home for the first six to 12 months and during vacations her residence is even opened up to other children who don’t have distant relatives whom they can visit. Hunar, a vocational training center for disadvantaged women that she started in 2010, has helped over 4,500 to earn a livelihood. During Ramadan, she distributes food packets to the needy. Additonally she raises funds for wrongly accused prisoners who cannot afford fines and cancer patients who are unable to meet the cost of treatment. "My vision for Pakistan is that of a progressive, educated, dynamic and peaceful society,” she states.
General secretary of the Quetta-Sukkur Parsi Anjuman that has now dwindled to a handful of elderly individuals, she has been taking care of them, some of them in her own home.
In 2019 she was conferred the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce Award for Outstanding Zarathushti Social Entrepreneur. In her acceptance speech Bharucha had conveyed, "Helping others has always been my life… Losing myself in the service of others” brings fulfillment (see "Females to the fore,” Parsiana, June 21-July 6, 2019).
A year prior when Parsiana featured her (see "Balochistan’s braveheart,” Zoroastrians Abroad, September 21, 2018), she was federal minister in the six-member Pakistan Caretaker Government from June 5 to August 18, 2018 with her appointment expected to "strengthen the cause of diversity, equality and inclusion in Pakistan.” In the preceding decade, she had served as provincial minister in the Balochistan Caretaker Government, in charge of sports, social welfare, population and tourism for five months and was provincial minister of Balochistan from June 2000 to March 2003 handling several departments plus information technology, informal education, human rights, youth, manpower training. Her forte, according to her curriculum vitae, is being a "natural and persuasive communicator recognized amongst colleagues for keen ability to energize and inspire individuals to work towards achieving a common goal; excelling in creating consensus among divergent groups.”
Appreciating her "fearless spirit and never-ending energy,” an email from Aban Rustomji, co-chair of the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress program committee, described Bharucha as "a legend and motivator for all of us. It’s a privilege and honor to be a part of (her) Quetta life.”
Daughter of Meherwanjee Irani, a humble farmer whose paternal grandparents had migrated from Yazd to Baluchistan in 1885, Roshan was brought up in Quetta and completed her postgraduation from Baluchistan University. After marriage to Capt Khursheed Bharucha she served as a Montessori school teacher during his different postings. On his retirement in 1987 she joined the International Labour Organization, then worked with a German non-profit organization GTZ for 12 years before launching her independent political and social career. In her free time she enjoys visiting her three children and six grandchildren in Malaysia and USA.