“Kanpur’s past glory”

My stored memories were revived reading the article "Kanpur’s past glory,” (Parsiana, August 2001). I have very fond memories of Cawnpore as Kanpur was then known, and I try to search out old acquaintances from there. I lived in that town for eight years with my uncle Dr Manchershaw E. Variava, who was the younger brother of Dr (Capt) Hormusji E. Variava. These two well-known doctors had their practice on Mall Road, then known as Thandi Sarak. Many Parsi families were magnanimously helped by them. It is of historical significance to mention that when Subhas Chandra Bose was running underground he was helped by Dr Katiar, a physician who practiced across the road from M. E. Variava. On Katiar’s request, Manchershaw helped him. In the early 1940s many Parsis held responsible positions in various mills and were well off. It was quite common among the car owners to give a lift to a Parsi walking on the road. I had the privilege many times. Education was of prime importance amongst the Parsi families. During festive occasions, there were concerts and piano recitals. These were excellent and entertaining. During private family get-togethers the older people enter­tained with Hindi songs. One such was Noshir Byramji, a gold medallist from Poona’s Engineering College.

Our ladies often hosted the English cricket team, who enjoyed their delicious curry-chaaval, dhansak and kababs. It used to be a delightful day at Green Park with players’ families and friends. A few families were bristle merchants during those days and there was a significant number of Central Bank managers who helped the Parsi community to thrive. Though our community performed all the religious ceremonies that were well attended we had no real education of our religion in school or at home. MINU K. PATEL

Westchester, Illinois, USA