The Parsis of the sub-continent have contributed invaluable services in all spheres of life. We, the Parsis of Pakistan, are proud of the good name the Parsis of India have earned. I take this opportunity, through your magazine, to highlight some of the achievements of Parsis which have contributed greatly to progress in Pakistan.
In the field of healthcare, Parsis have established hospitals and dispensaries across Karachi and are currently working towards this end under the banner of the Karachi Parsi Anjuman Trust Fund (KPATF). In the education sector, we have the famous B.V.S. (Bai Virbaijee Soparivala Parsi High School), Mama Schools and N.E.D. (Nadirshaw Edulji Dinshaw) Engineering University. In the hotels and hospitality business, are the Avari and Minwalla families. In the food and beverages, distillery/brewery segment are the Bhandaras and Harjinas. The Kandawalla family was well-known in the automobile and related industry. In shipping, the Cowasji family was notable, along with the Dubash and Dinshaw families. In the property segment, the Katraks, followed by the Kothari and Rajkotwalla families, are known for their charity and hospitals. Lastly, let’s not forget the respected and intellectual law makers such as Dorab Patel and Sohrab Sidhwa who are illustrious names in the history of Pakistan’s judiciary.
I am sure this list is incomplete as I have probably missed out on several names. However, this is just to give an example to our Indian brothers and sisters so they know a little more about the Parsis of Pakistan and can be proud of them.
ISPHANYAR M. BHANDARA
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
murbr@cyber.net.pk