"Just after three months of regular activities in 2020 the (Dadar Athornan) Institute (DAI) plunged into an all new online universe, along with the rest of the world, and a new mode of work… There were online school study classes, bhantar classes, tuition classes and tests… Moreover there were online parent-teacher meetings, creative workshops, webinars and also an online farewell party for those who completed their schooling,” noted principal Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia’s report on the Institute’s activities from 2020 to 2022. Unable to hold their annual day program for two years, DAI finally observed the occasion on December 17, 2022 at their Mancherji Joshi Hall. DAI was established by the Athornan Mandal (AM) in 1919.
Clockwise from top l: humbandagi in progress; Ervad Darayus Bajan, Ervad Shyamak Sanjana,
Dinmeher Bunshah; Ervad Khushravi Palia; Dastur Khurshed Dastoor; Dr Behram Bunshah,
Ervad Cyrus Sidhwa Photos: Bomsi Tavadia
Chief guest Dr Behram Bunshah reminisced about his long association with DAI, not only as its physician but also as the person who helped establish the Byramjee Medicare Centre at the Institute that functioned from 1990 to 2006. Bunshah commended the diction of the students and the efforts of principal Rukhshana Parelwala of the Dadar Parsi Youths Assembly High School where the students go for their secular studies. Bunshah was accompanied by his wife Dinmeher, daughter Zenobia and granddaughter Zoe. Armaity Tirandaz, chairwoman of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet was also present.
Introducing the doctor, Ervad Cyrus Darbari, AM trustee and joint honorary secretary said that the physician "rose from humble beginnings, and in his younger days went on his bicycle for visits. He reached out to his patients not only by giving them medicines, many a time gratis to deserving people, but also gave them advice, guidance and care.”
Behram released the Institute’s in-house magazine Knowledgiate, edited by Ervad Cyrus Sidhwa. "This year’s issue is exclusively dedicated to astronomy and astrology and carries articles by specialists as well as students. It will be available at the Institute for Rs 50,” stated Karanjia.
"Priests of tomorrow should be able to answer all questions with finesse,” impressed Dastur Khurshed Dastoor. The High Priest, who is also president of the AM that runs DAI said that the Mandal was "working in this direction along with Empowering Mobeds and its dynamic team headed by World Zoroastrian Organisation Trusts’ founder Dinshaw Tamboly and counsellor Binaifer Sahukar.” Dastoor referred to the proposed scheme to financially incentivize parents to send their wards for religious training (see "Priestly study subsidy,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, January 7-20, 2023). A note on the proceedings was sent to us by Karanjia. DAI, originally named the Dadar Athornan Madressa, is the only functioning religious seminary for Zoroastrians in the world.
The Rustomji N. Panthaki outstanding ex-student’s award was presented to Ervad Khushravi Palia by Dastoor. Palia, a commerce graduate, is an "exceptional yaozdathregar” mobed who has performed "hundreds of inner rituals like yasna and vendidad, an equal number of navjotes, weddings, navars and maratabs, and several nirangdins, all this at a very young age, apart from admirably handling the affairs of the Sethna Agiary,” stated Karanjia’s note. Ervad Darayus Bajan, another alumnus of the Institute, was also felicitated. A chartered accountant, he has excelled at academics, Avestan studies, the corporate world as well as yaozdathregari, noted the principal. "He recently completed the Senior Executive Leadership Program from the Harvard Business School.”
Dinmeher presented trophies, medals, books and cash prizes to more than 20 students for various activities like prayers, academics, religious studies, extra-curricular activities and sports.
The latter part of the evening began with a talk on the maratab ceremony by Ervad Farmaan Dastoor. A short humorous skit by youngsters explaining the significance of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti, enacted by Ziyan Nalladaru, Aryameher Ruwala, Maidyarem Chinoy, Berjis Bharda and Shahan Bhesadia followed.
The program was ably conducted by students Ervads Farmaan and Zhian Turel, beginning with a humbandagi, after which silence was observed in honor of three former trustees Ervads Asphandiar Dadachanji, Farrokh Sidhwa and Shahrukh Dhalla and others who had passed away during the last three years. Students Kaiwan Sidhwa and Delyaz Panthaki showered blessings from the Avesta on the guests.
Karanjia thanked the management, donors, community members and most importantly the core staff members Ervads Kersi Karanjia and Sidhwa, Kamal Karanjia, Tehmton Dotiwala and Hoshedar Dotiwala.
In response to Parsiana’s request, Karanjia provided details of their erstwhile Byramjee Medicare Centre that closed down due to paucity of funds.
"In September 1990, the Avanbai and Dinshaw Byramjee Medicare Centre was started in the Institute Annexe building. It was funded from the donation by Avanbai and Dinshaw Byramjee of Nairobi, given through their nephew Marzi Byramji. It was equipped with basic medical equipment. Drs Kaekhushru Jalnewala and Behram Bunshah helped to set up the Centre. The Medicare Centre was meant to give basic medicines and medical guidance to people of the lower income strata, free of cost.”
Jalnewala was the first honorary physician at the Centre. After him several other doctors agreed to provide honorary services, whenever convenient, mainly Bunshah, Parvez Sinor and nurse Shirin Wadia. Others who served the DAI were Dr N. G. Tijoriwala, allopath Dr Rohinton Kanga and homeopath Dr Khushru Pavri. Dr Beenaz H. Mistry attended to the Medicare Centre’s patients from her clinic for some time.
Some of the doctors were given an honorarium but "thereafter it was realized that from the available funds it was not possible to give honorarium to doctors, spend for medicines and look after other running costs of the Centre. Hence, in January 2006, it was decided that the Medicare Centre be closed. At present, the health related needs of the students and the staff are looked after” from the donations received for the Medicare Centre.