Ritual remembrance

Camaji ni baj, the annual tradition of remembering Merwanji Mancherji Cama, founder of the M. F. Cama Athornan Institute (MFCAI) was undertaken on July 20, 2004. This 81st baj is "per­haps the largest remembrance of a single individual with all relevant rites, rituals and bhantar (prayers),” notes a press release.

The morning prayers started with khub, hom galna (some of the higher liturgical ceremonies) and two yazashnes alternately by the father and son duo Mahiar and Hormazd Panthaki, and the amal was maintained throughout with neither a sip or a morsel without the khub. Rigorous practice and revision for over a month was under the watchful eye of Ervad Savaksha Sidhwa, the bhantar teacher. The ex-students and volun­teers took great care to ensure that all religious requisites were in place. The chairman of the MFCAI Trust Mancherji Cama’s personal interest in the activities of the Ex-Students’ Associa­tion was also gratefully acknowledged.

In the evening there were two jashans — one in memory of Cama and the other, in memory of Kaikhushru Daruwalla, former principal of the school whose rojgar coincided with that of Cama’s. This was followed by a small function when guest of honor philanthropist Jamshed Guzder distributed cash awards of Rs 1,000 to each of the participants of the third refresher course for ostas and ervads. Subsequently one of the mothers offered shawls to Mancherji Cama and the present principal Adi Bhiwandiwala for guiding her son to academic excellence when she herself had lost hope.

Jashan in progress at the Wadia Atas Bahram; (Right): the team who contributed to the success of the 175th anniversary

Students, mentors and well-wishers of the Cama Athornan Institute

On behalf of the Ex-Students’ Association Ervad Cyrus Dastur thanked trustee Ratan Lalkaka, acknowledged the coopera­tion of Ervads Savaksha Sidhwa, Homi Gowadia, Pirojsha Sidhwa, Keki Panthaky, Minocher Vimadalal, and expressed his gratitude to ex-student Ervad Jamshed Bhesadia for sponsoring the dinner that night. Even after the gathering dispersed the all-night recitation of the Vendidad prayers continued.