"For the past 40 years Knowledgiate has been instrumental in channeling and reflecting the creative thoughts and imagination of our young students,” wrote Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, president of the Athornan Mandal (AM) which runs the Dadar Athornan Institute (DAI).
Dastur Tehmton Mirza appreciated, "Each meticulously curated edition of Knowledgiate showcases a wealth of knowledge, fostering a culture of continuous learning and intellectual growth… The magazine not only informs and educates its readers but also ignites a sense of intellectual curiosity.”
Ervad Cyrus Sidhva: founder editor
For its ruby jubilee, Knowledgiate, the in-house magazine of DAI, brought out a special edition with philately as its central theme. A special first day cover, the first one in 3D, was released to mark the occasion. Daara Patel, who along with his family sponsored the issue, complimented principal Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, the trustees and staff of DAI as well as founder editor Ervad Cyrus Sidhva for "this publication which offers information, ranging from general knowledge to specialized topics such as science, technology, nutrition, health and discipline.”
Sidhva, who teaches at the Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly School as well as DAI, explained that the thematic philately special issue meant "a study of stamps based on a particular theme like music, astronomy, airplanes, wild life, eminent scientists and freedom fighters” of our country. The issue also carries "articles on the brief history of four decades of Knowledgiate, history of the building of DAI which has completed a centenary, opinions of authors and readers.”
"I am also a philatelist,” mentioned Sidhva, on a visit to the Parsiana office. He has written on the subject in the Parsi Press, and has also won prizes for the stamps in his collection in exhibitions. He collects matchboxes too.
Sidhva was a college student when he started Knowledgiate. It was meant to be a surprise for the then principal of the madressa, Ervad Rustomji Panthaki who was encouraging, even obtaining advertisements for the nascent venture, he told Parsiana. The first issue was cyclostyled, but later ones were done by xerox offset before they were printed. DAI does not finance Knowledgiate, which helps to maintain editorial independence. The magazine occasionally prints calendars, the most recent one being on the theme of Parsis stamps and statues.
The ruby jubilee issue also carries tributes to the late Ervad Vispi Dastur, an acclaimed philatelist and chartered accountant, as well as Ervad Marzban Bhesania, administrative consultant and managing committee member of AM for over two decades.