The 90th anniversary celebrations and prize distribution function of The Bombay Parsee Association (BPA) was held at Allbless Baug on December 4, 2010, where several achievers in the community were presented awards, notes a write-up sent to Parsiana by BPA president Vispi S. Dastur. The function started with a jashan performed by Ervad Asphandiar Dadachanji’s sons Hormaz and Marespand, followed by a humbandagi conducted by students of the Dadar Athornan Institute and Andheri’s Cama Madressa. All those present stood, observing two minutes’ silence in memory of the late Dastur Meherji Meherjirana of Navsari, Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) chairman emeritus Jamshed Guzder, Cowasjee Dinshaw, Dr Katy Dalal, Ervad Irach Kuka, Silloo Mahava, and the BPA’s founder member and past presidents Vicaji Taraporewalla, Major Bamji and Jehangir Shroff, the write-up mentions.
Awardees, guests and trustees at BPA’s annual function; (left) Dr Keiki Mehta accepts award from Vispi Dastur
Welcoming chief guest Dastur Kaikhushroo Meherjirana, guest of honor Shernaaz Engineer, editor of Jam-e-Jamshed, Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla, BPP trustees Yazdi Desai and Armaity Tirandaz, as well as the achievement award winners, Dastur recalled the services rendered by the Association over the past nine decades, mentioning that even today Parsis are achievers and do not just live on past glory. The dignitaries were presented flowers after which Parveen Sidhwa spoke of the activities conducted by the BPA. A monajat was recited by Anahita Karanjia and an English song rendered by Pesi Sidhwa.
Dr Keiki Mehta, surgical chief and medical director of the Mehta International Eye Institute was presented the BPA achievement award along with Rusi Bhumgara, D. F. Hodiwalla, Kaizeen Jehangir and Kerzin Mogal [wife of the late Lt Cmde Firdaus Mogal (posthumous)] whose bio datas were read out by Adale Patel, the write-up notes. Ten Parsi ladies who have been weaving kustis or serving in agiaries for over 40 years were felicitated by Dastur who presented each one with a cash award sponsored by the Parsee Vegetarian and Temperance Society while Tehmina Peer called out their names. Dastur also felicitated Cyrus Siganporia and 14 other Parsis who clean the dakhmas, atash behrams and agiaries on a voluntary basis, each one of whom received Rs 5,000 from the BPA. Both groups were applauded for their services to the religion and the community, the write-up mentions.
Chief guest Meherjirana lauded the excellent work done by the BPA and asked Parsis, especially the youth, not to forget their ancient religion and to lead a moral and fruitful life. Engineer exhorted youngsters to respect their parents and revere the Zarathushti religion. The two dignitaries distributed the Navaz Jimi Kathawalla Memorial Prizes along with Maharukh Noble and Kaizeen Jehangir to the winners of the prayer recitation and kusti weaving competitions. These prizes, along with two complimentary dinner coupons per prizewinner, were sponsored by the Kathawallas. Winners also received religious books donated by Rustom Vakil. In her vote of thanks Aloo Shroff mentioned that BPA committee members Arnavaz Mistry, Dinoo Dastur and Sidhwa were among those who had contributed to the evening’s success. The function, which was attended by 500 persons, concluded with the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarathoshti and the national anthem.