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In the late 1990s, when computers were not as widespread in Pardi, Tehmina Damanwalla (née Pardiwalla), then an honorary teacher at The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution in Bombay, learnt that the Institution was upgrading its computer facilities and replacing the old machines. "Mé toh dus-baar layi lidha, truck ma mookaavya ané hu aagal bessi gayi [I took 10-12 (computers), put them in a truck and sat in the front seat].” That was the beginning of computer education in the Pardi Education Society (PES). The deed followed an inquiry to a child as to what the school needed; the lisped response was: "tomputer!” Tehmina’s husband Ratansha enrolled himself in computer classes at the Young Men’s Christian Association to get the hang of this "new” technology.   
The PES runs 14 schools, colleges, computer centers and an independent reading room in the town about 15 km from Udvada. Tehmina (91) and Ratansha (94), past president of PES, travel to Pardi at least every two months for Society meetings. "I have done whatever I could for PES and will continue to do so because my school, the Dhunjishaw Cowasji Oomrigar Sarvajanik High School (DCO) has given me everything in life,” said Tehmina. DCO, now part of PES, was established in 1906. The Society was formalized in 1918 by Dr Kawasji Pardiwalla, Ratansha’s maternal grand uncle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tehmina matriculated from DCO in 1947. Over plates of warm upma (savory semolina preparation) on October 6, 2022 she walked down memory lane for us in her flat in Charni Road. Holding great esteem for DCO, she narrated, "Can you imagine, a small town Pardi girl getting a scholarship for standing second among 150 students in Ismail Yusuf College in first year arts? DCO has given us both everything we have.” Their school had a focus on extracurricular activities too, she said, noting that she could win a college mixed doubles badminton tournament only because of the facilities offered by PES.
When the Damanwallas started closely involving themselves with PES in 1988, the Society ran only four of the current 14 institutions under its fold. Ratansha, then a partner in the chartered accountancy firm C. C. Choksi and Company, joined PES as trustee and vice president in 1988 and served as president from 1991 to 2003. Researcher Marzban Giara notes that Ratansha’s maxims include, besides saving of resources, basics like "education is not a business, it is not a means for profit;” "if you are thinking of the future, give education to children.” "Hu toh khaali school né paggé parrva jati hati (I used to go with Ratansha only to pay my respects to my school),” said Tehmina who took over as president in 2003. Educationist Hemant Desai serves as PES’s current president.
"Pehlé tau aapré paisa ékhta kidha (First we collected funds),” Tehmina narrated how she started her plans to develop the institution. Cajoling erstwhile Pardi residents, using their own personal funds, activating old family contacts and friends yielded fruit, resulting in two nursery schools, two computer centers, the first English medium school, a hostel for students, yet another Gujarati medium school and a postgraduate college. "It is now truly KG (kindergarten) to PG (postgraduation),” smiled Tehmina.
With the proposed start of construction of the third building of their English medium school in November 2022, Tehmina says that she can now "breathe easy.” The building is being built with donations from her close family members and others.
When Parsiana last met the Damanwallas in 2004 (see "The pride of Pardi,” Parsiana, August 2004) Ratansha had told us that they were searching "for a Parsi who is familiar with the working of the PES and will lead the time honored institutions to a meritorious future.” One more reason why Tehmina can now breathe easy is that a niece, Vahabish Pardiwalla, has been appointed as a trustee in PES!
Giara provided the list of educational institutes managed by PES and the years of their establishment: DCO (1906);  Jamshedji S. Faramji Middle School (1918); Ramchandra Reading Room (1939);  Jehangir Pestonji Pardiwala Arts and Commerce College (1981); Dhunmai Jehangirsha Damania Balmandir (1988); Homi Jehangirshah Damania Balodyan (1994); J. P. Pardiwala Computer Centre (in the College) (1995 to 2012); Homi Jehangirsha Damania Computer Centre (in the High School) (1996); Bai Ratanbai J. Pardiwala English Medium School (1996); Noshir Jehangirsha Damania Computer Centre (English Medium School) (2000);  Dr Kawasji Tehmulji Pardiwala Memorial Hostel (2006); Ratansha Jehangirsha Damanwalla Gujarati Medium School (2010);  Ratansha Jehangirsha Damanwalla Gujarati Medium Higher Secondary School (2012) and  Nirmalaben Kishorbhai Desai Science and Arts College (English medium) (2012).