"Zarsis wasn’t just a friend, he was family… He touched so many lives. His laughter, his wisdom, his unwavering love — they live on in all of us. He knew how to win hearts,” said Percy Karani, vice president of Thana Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman (TPZA) on the passing away of Zarsis Udhnawala, president of the TPZA, at a condolence meeting at the Khan Bahadur Divecha Town Hall on August 3, 2025. Udhnawala, who died on July 27, at the age of 77, had been involved with the TPZA for over four decades. Stories of his selflessness were shared by his nephew Joy, sister-in-law Khorshed Gotla, banker Homai Daruwalla, Rumi Kasad, Rohinton Patel and others.
Clockwise, from above l: Zarsis Udhnawala; at the condolence meeting called
by Thana Anjuman; audience
Udhnawala was a Life Insurance Corporation agent who had set up his own firm, Udhnawala Insurance Consultancy, now helmed by his wife, Kety. "He didn’t just serve clients; he embraced them as family,” shared a tearful colleague, Sheetal Khandekar. He lived up to his motto "Commission is not my mission” in myriad ways: personally covering premiums for clients to prevent policy lapses to ensure they remained protected; extending assistance to anyone in need, even if they had purchased a policy from another agent. He set a very high benchmark for service and professionalism, wrote Karani in a detailed write-up sent at Parsiana’s request.
Zarsis joined the TPZA committee in 1977 and held various positions: trustee, honorary secretary, treasurer and finally president for many years. He was also member of the managing committee for the Ahura TPZA Co-Operative Housing Society Limited and its chairman for a decade. During his presidentship, the TPZA brought out the third edition of the directory of Parsi Irani Zoroastrian residents of Thana in 2018-19; conducted a fundraising and donation drive for the golden jubilee function "Awaz ki Duniya”; organized religious lectures for the community and initiated a Jiyo Parsi program in Thana. S. V.