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A true ambassador of harmony for the community, Dadi Mistry’s was a benevolent voice reflecting community spirit and a connector nurturing the global diaspora through networking and community ties.

Known for his diplomatic skills and the easy rapport he could establish, Dadi was the founder member of long-standing Zoroastrian associations. Over 50 years ago he played a crucial role in establishing The Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India under the aegis of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet. As founder member of the Federation he had served on its executive council for several years and was even its honorary secretary from 1980-82.

Also a founder vice president of the World Zoroastrian Organisation, he was a member of its managing committee in the UK, and had initiated the establishment of the India chapter. Likewise Dadi was a founder director of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce and had helped establish the India Region in 2005. Featured in Meher Bhesania’s book, Ashavans: a Legacy of Leadership that profiled 101 eminent Zoroastrians, his "affable, pragmatic and sagacious” life was an inspiration to many.

Actively involved with the Delhi Parsi Anjuman, he was elected trustee in 1969 and served as its vice president from 1991 to 2007 after which he was elected president. His efforts have resulted in the expansion of the Mengusi Dharamshala facilities and the priests quarters as also the renovation of the community hall with contribution from the Godrej family. It was during his presidentship that the Kaikhushru Pallonji Katrak Dar-e-Meher celebrated its golden jubilee in 2011.

The interfaith dialog initiated by the Anjuman under his strong and wise leadership has led to a better understanding and harmonious integration of the Zoroastrian community into the cultural, social and academic fabric of the capital and the country and the Dipanjali issue of the DPA golden jubilee celebrations is a fitting testimony to his global leadership efforts.  As the Zoroastrian representative on the National Commission for Minorities he used his contacts with government organizations at the Centre and State level to further the Zoroastrian cause.

"Never leave for tomorrow what you can do today and express gratitude for what you have received by helping others in need,” was Dadi’s guiding philosophy. A pillar of strength to the community, he reached out to Zoroastrian farmers in north Maharashtra and south Gujarat, offering them technical expertise as also facilitating loans to entrepreneurs. Besides giving financial help to low income families to perform navjotes of their children and contributing towards their education, he also donated towards the amelioration of priests. 

He never forgot that when his father Eruchshaw was unable to afford the school fees for him, his grandmother approached the school authorities requesting a waiver. This was granted on the expectation that Dadi should prove his worth in school and in life. Sincere in his studies, he obtained a degree in mechanical engineering from the Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute and joined J. N. Marshal and Company the next year. Fourteen years later, he launched Mistry Engineers which provided consultancy services to multinational companies on predictive and preventive maintenance conditions for the power, petroleum and fertilizer industries, environmental engineering, oil spill response equipment, wastewater management, promotion of newer technologies and matters pertaining to joint ventures and liaising with government agencies for getting approvals.

Besides being a member of the National Committee of the Confederation of Indian Industries, Defence, Energy and Environment, he had served as chairman of the Delhi State Council. He was also a respected member of the Energy Subcommittee on Renovation and Modernization of Power Plants. 

The eldest of five siblings, after his father’s demise he shouldered the family responsibilities, putting his personal life on the backburner. At the age of 42 he met me and feeling an immediate connection we decided to marry.

With his unshakable faith in Ahura Mazda and the efficacy of prayers he believed that one’s inner strength should be used to its maximum potential for the good of all. "See divinity in each other,” advised Dadi when endeavoring to enhance peace and harmony in the community. He was a senior member of the Parsi Matrimonial Court for several decades. The younger generation, he felt, should be motivated "to contribute to the growth of the community in all spheres of life.” 

As a father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather, Dadi excelled in nurturing relationships. The love and care he showered on the family illumined our lives. His life personified discipline, integrity and service, fortifying us with the strength drawn from familial bonds. He was a guiding light ever ready to extend a helping hand and instil in us the ethos of service to both family and community. His legacy inspires us to embrace life’s adventures, to be of service and to embrace one another.