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Dilnavaz E. Bhagwagar
"Hu laguch névu varas no? (Do I look 90 years old)?” queried former attorney general of India Soli Sorabjee to those assembled in Nagpur to felicitate him during his visit there. The jurist was in the city to attend another function. The Nagpur Parsi Punchayet (NPP) and the Nagpur Parsi Gymkhana (NPG) availed of the opportunity to felicitate him jointly at their Hirabai Mulla Dar-e-Meher and Dharamshalla lawns on February 13, 2020. Sorabjee was to turn 90 on March 9. NPP secretary Shiraz Gimi stated, "We will celebrate in advance with a cake cutting by apro (our) Soli.” The jurist was brought up to the stage in a wheelchair. That was when he quipped about his age in mock disbelief.
Soli Sorabjee (seated, foreground) with members of the managing committees of the
Nagpur Parsi Punchayet and the Nagpur Parsi Gymkhana
Community members had gathered in large numbers to greet and meet the legal luminary. NPP president Aspi Bapuna welcomed Sorabjee, stating that the Parsi community was very happy and honored by his presence. A history of the Nagpur Parsis was reiterated, with references to the setting up of the Empress Mills, the building of the agiary and the J. N. Tata Parsi Girls High School. Sorabjee was felicitated by NPG president Shiraz Doongaji.
"The Parsis are highly regarded wherever they are, in India or in the world, for two qualities — their honesty and their integrity. Let us endeavor to keep both these attributes vibrant and alive, to continue with the goodwill we have,” stated Sorabjee. The soon-to-be nonagenarian recalled his friendship with the late legal mind and Nagpur resident Sohrab Kotwal.
The cake cutting was followed by a vote of thanks and ended in a sumptuous Parsi dinner.
Dilnavaz E. Bhagwagar