Nawshir Mirza has pointed out several flaws in Berjis Desai’s "The engine driver’s curse” (Parsiana, March 7-20, 2021), providing authentic facts and figures from his vast knowledge on the subject.
Though impressed by Mirza’s knowledge, we are more impressed by the humility and grace with which Desai has accepted his corrections, praising Mirza for his knowledge and promising to verify the facts with him whenever he writes on the subject in the future.
This is the hallmark of a leader and gentleman. Desai makes no excuses, nor utters a word in self-defense. He accepts his errors and gives credit to the critic. No wonder he earns the goodwill of all his associates. He is known to be a professional peacemaker, an arbitrator settling thorny issues. The way he handles the situation and makes friends of his adversaries shows he is the right candidate to occupy a seat on the board of the prestigious Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP).
At a time when BPP trustees are fighting each other tooth and nail on frivolous issues, Desai’s inclusion will serve as a breath of fresh air in the atmosphere of abuse and hostility, bringing much desired peace and harmony. He needs no favors from others, nor has any hidden agenda to serve his personal interest. He is not power hungry and is ready to quit if he fails to perform. Known for his integrity and hard work, he is brilliant in his profession and humane in his approach. If he is able to make all seven trustees work in unison, there is no doubt that the BPP will be able to serve the community effectively.
Voters should beware of dummy candidates; they are warmongers with a hidden agenda. They want to use the boardroom to settle personal scores and rob the poor and the needy by using trust funds to fight frivolous litigations.
Those who made tall promises before elections ultimately became rubber stamps of the master strategist and, reveling in having the majority, are now trying their best to postpone the elections. Will we ever learn to put the good of the community above our own petty squabbles?
PIROJA HOMI JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@yahoo.com