For over three generations the Calagopi family that runs the Zorastrian Homoeopathic Pharmacy (ZHP) on Princess Street has tended to people’s health. On September 26, 2021 they were felicitated for helping to make the departure of Parsis from this world more dignified and comfortable. The pharmacist family, their architect daughter and son-in-law and their doctor son-in-law all chipped in monetarily and professionally to painstakingly restore the two upper Bennett Bunglis at Doongerwadi.
The publicity shy and reticent family had to be coaxed to hold the felicitation ceremony which followed the 10.30 Sunday morning jashan, stated Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) deputy chief executive officer Shehnaaz Khambatta while addressing the gathering of around 20 that included BPP chairman Armaity Tirandaz, BPP trustees Viraf Mehta and Xerxes Dastur, World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) chief executive officer Anahita Desai and WAPIZ trustees Khojeste Mistree and Meher Panthaki.
Khambatta termed Calagopi "an amazing surname,” and when Parsiana questioned the current family patriarch, Sam, about it he said he had no idea as it had been adopted several generations earlier. (According to one source, calagopi means an apothecary, a person who prepares and sells medicines.) Sam’s father Dinshawji was also a practicing homeopath. The family moved from Surat to Bombay and in 1975 started ZHP, said daughter Dhun Vakshoor. Sam rises at 4 a.m. each morning "and goes and prays,” mentioned Khambatta. The generous donation was made in memory of his late brother Faredun and late daughter Dr Benaiferr Adajania. The family did not want to publicly state the amount, feeling it would be improper, Dhun told Parsiana. Benaiferr was married to Dr Farhad, one of the donors.
Clockwise, from above: renovated Bennett Bunglis;
the donors from left: Porus Vakshoor, Meherzad and Parizad Karanjia,
Dr Farhad Adajania, Sam and Mahrukh Calagopi; jashan
The donors with Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustees and well-wishers
Farhad "is a well-known homeopath and a very humble and helpful person who believes in assisting people,” stated Desai in a note to Parsiana on the family. Sam "has in-depth knowledge in the field of homeopathy and is extremely religious. He wished to do charity for the community…helping the poor… in consultation with his late brother Faredun.”
Desai told the gathering that when thanked for the donation, Sam had replied, "Apri faraj chhé karva (it is our obligation to do it).” This serves as an example to others. There was a "jamin asman no farak (a world of a difference)” in the Bungli, before and after” renovation, she observed. Every detail "from planning to supervision…to make the premises more spacious and user friendly” had been looked into by Dhun and Porus Vakshoor. A ramp for those differently abled suggested by the Doongerwadi manager Vistaspar Mehta was also added. The ramp’s rails are made of high quality stainless steel, noted Desai. "They have gone into every detail.” A small room has been added for the convenience of mobeds. Even the furniture was selected keeping the Bungli’s antiquity in mind. The contractor Khushroo Sukhadia had "put his heart into the project” and had taken great pains, said Desai. He has renovated the Tarachand Bungli which was reopened on January 31 this year (see, "Bungli renovated,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, February 21, 2021) as well as the Sodawaterwalla Agiary on Queens Road on this September 3 (see "Restoring Sodawater’s fizz,” Parsiana, September 21, 2021).
The Bhabha Bungli was renovated by donors Katy and Noshir Gotla in October, 2020 (see, "Benefactor for bunglis,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana November 7-20, 2020). There are 11 bunglis at Doongerwadi, seven at the upper level and four below.
The Doongerwadi estate "is over 300 years old,” noted Tirandaz. "The upkeep costs have escalated.” Maintenance is done when required. "For any help and donations we receive, we are ever grateful.”