Seervai Vad was snooty, conservative and constipated. Not that the Seervais were rich; far from it. In the distant past, they had been revenue collectors of the Gaikwads of Baroda which included Navsari. However, even prior to India’s independence, their wealth had dissipated but not their inner feelings of privilege and superiority. They were the Brahmins of Parsi Navsari. Genealogically, they were divided into three branches, pompously called sarkar — motti, vachli and nalli (under the heads: upper, middle and lower); all cousins many times removed. To marry a non Seervai was not exactly frowned upon but the new bride......