Jhansi appeal

In Jhansi we have a Parsi Dharamshala in Sipri Bazar and an aramgah in the Cantonment area which is over 110 years old. In the year 2002 the Jhansi Parsi Anjuman received a donation of Rs 1.5 lakhs from the late Beji Mirza through the executor of his estate B. S. Postwalla for the renovation of the prayer hall in the Parsi Dharamshala and aramgah in memory of his father the late Khan Sahib Maneckji Hormusji Mirza.

The Jhansi Anjuman is also thankful to the Zoroastrian Foundation (India) for sending a donation of Rs 25,000 towards the maintenance of the Dharamshala hall and the priests’ quarters.

Jhansi is a small town on the border of Uttar Pradesh which has been home to outstanding Parsis. The current chairman of the Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Limited Hosang Kohina and the deputy general manager Burjor Bharucha all studied and grew up in this very place. Earlier most of the men here were employed by the Railways with barely four families from a total of 400 running their private business. At present there are only 48 Parsis left. We have a jashan on every Fravardin mah, Fravardin roz at the aramgah and the very next day at the Parsi Dharamshala.

We appeal to all readers and all the big anjumans around India and abroad to kindly donate towards the maintenance of the Dharamshala and the aramgah. Please send your cheques/demand drafts to the president or secretary at 239 Azad Ganj, Sipri Bazar, Jhansi.

R. J. DICK and D. BILLIMORIA

President and Secretary, Jhansi Parsi Anjuman, Jhansi