“Purposeful giving”

On its 14th anniversary the Parvez Katrak Foundation felicitated another batch of five "simple but sincere Parsi community workers” thus taking the count of those honored over the years to 70. Columnist ‘Kamal’ (Thrity Mistry) of Jam-e-Jamshed was the chief guest at the function on March 11, 2004 at the Zoroastrian Colony Pavilion at Chikalwadi, Nana Chowk, when a memento, a silver coin and a rose were presented to each of the awardees: Jeroo Nargolwalla, Mani Vajifdar, Dinamai Mehta, Sheroo Vakil and Aloo Shroff.

From left: Nargolwalla, Vajifdar, Mistry, Katrak, Mehta, Vakil and Shroff Photo: C. C. Gandevia

During the last 30 years, Katrak has reportedly rendered over 1,000 free programs, sharing his musical and lyrical talents with the audiences at widows’ homes, orphanages and senior citizens’ homes where he seeks to spread joy. He is content to receive their love and blessings in return. Believing in séva, bhakti and daan (service, devotion and charity), 80-year-old Katrak has chosen to lead a life of "purposeful giving,” notes a press release.

Through the Foundation Katrak has sought to extend a charitable hand to the needy, convinced that he is but a tool in the hands of the Almighty.