Another Sanjan pillar

Despite the rail roko (blockade) and highway roko at Vaitarna which forced nearly 500 pilgrims to return home, there were more than 1,000 Zoroastrians from Maharashtra and Gujarat attending the Sanjan Day celebrations on November 20, 2003 "to commemorate the historic landing of our forefathers on the sacred soil of Sanjan 1,287 years back.” Some of those who persevered with their journey reached Sanjan as late as 5 p.m. after the morning jashan, felicitation to Jamshed Guzder and free community lunch were over, noted a write-up on the proceedings.

This year the function differed from those held in the past due to the presence of the Sanjan sarpanch, deputy sarpanch, former office bearers and prominent local social workers who had gathered to join in the community felicitation for Guzder. They were particularly appreciative of Guzder’s largesse of Rs 2.25 lakhs which helped them purchase an ambulance for use in Sanjan.

"Your active support, guidance and eternal presence has been a source of great inspiration to us. Undoubtedly you have been our biggest donor for which we are beholden to you,” read the citation of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Guzder by the Sanjan Memorial Column Local Committee (SMCLC). Commending him for being the first chairman emeritus of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, the citation described him as "the genial, large-hearted Parsi sethia of the 20th and 21st century. Whenever there has been a need, financial or otherwise for any institution or individual, you have filled that gap smilingly.” It further referred to his "honesty, loyalty, integrity and devotion...the deep faith you have in the Zarthosti din and your daily prayers.” A replica of the Sanjan Memorial Column was presented to Guzder by Rohintan Daviervala, president of the SMCLC, whereafter he was felicitated by the Davier Parsi Anjuman, the World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation and nearly a dozen individuals.

In his response Guzder acknowledged the advice and training he had received from his mother who taught him to understand the woes of the common people and the downtrodden. The more he gave, the more he got, particularly the blessings of those he helped, he related, committing another lakh of rupees to the SMCLC.

At this function speeches were limited. Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s message praising the community was read after which Dastur Khurshed Dastoor advised the community against intermarriages and conversion and Dr Homi Dhalla presented a brief on the excavation projects in Sanjan and Mount Bahrot. In his vote of thanks secretary of SMCLC Nariman Balsara thanked all those who had contributed to the success of the function. Music that morning was rendered by Marazban Mehta, Marzban Wadia, Nawaz Khandadia and others. The gathering then enjoyed the community lunch prepared by Mek Caterers.