Khan's kindness

Died: Arnavaz Faramjee Khan, 81, social worker and managing trustee of the Lady Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Health Unit, of a heart attack on January 27, 2005 in Bombay.

"Popularly known as Arny, she rendered selfless and honorary services to several institutions. Among her philanthropic invol­vements, her first love was the Lady Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Health Unit (HU) which she nurtured and served for over half a century, on almost a daily basis, looking after the sick and ailing of the community. Begun as an outpatients department and run by a committee of doctors, she transformed the Health Unit into a full-fledged medical facility, consisting of various departments which included cardiology, dentistry, ophthalmology, gynecology, orthopedics, physiotherapy, pediatrics and dermatolo­gy. Homeopathy, acupuncture and pathology were also included,” states the condolence resolution of the special meeting convoked by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) to mourn her passing.

Everything about Khan was built on a grand scale — her physique, her love for the community, her passion for the welfare of the institution she served, her concern for the ailing poor, her fondness for the good things of life and her commitment to share them with the less fortunate. Speaker after speaker re­called her grit and determination to see that those in need were helped to whatever extent.

Khan: "share the good things”

BPP chairman Minoo Shroff recalled the "umpteen cases that needed help” which she brought to his notice when he initially began visiting the Gamadia and Captain colonies assigned to his beat as a novice trustee. He recalled her "formidable exterior with a golden heart,” their "brushes and differences of opinion” which could not conceal her "sincerity and conviction.” He attested to her "touch of class:” the breeding and education, the subtlety and dignity with which she pursued her end to involve others in the care of the needy. "She struggled, pestered, re­minded...and left fragrant memories.”

Describing Khan as sympathetic, upright, with a sense of humor, BPP chairman emeritus Jamshed Guzder noted simply, "I really miss her.” At the opening of the Firoze S. Wadia ward which added nine beds to the cottage hospital’s original 22, Guzder had dwelt on the quality of service that the patients at the HU receive, describing it as "unique and probably the best in Bombay.” All because Khan not only insisted on discipline, but personally ensured that the food provided to the inmates was both nutritious and highly palatable.

Former BPP trustee and former vice chancellor of Bombay University Dr Mehroo Bengalee spoke of the "pure hearted Zoroast­rian’s five decades of service to poor and not so poor lonely souls” which had been fulsomely acknowledged by a felicitation organized by the BPP at the Lady Engineer School Hall a couple of years ago. Columnist Noshir Dadrawala, in his tribute in the Parsi Press, had noted the munificence of the Khan family which, apart from the HU included the Paruch Dharam-shalla in Khareghat Colony, two buildings at the Zoroastrian Colony in Chickalwadi, one in Mahim, as well as the Nurses’ Quarters at the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital (PGH). Recalling the "intensity with which Khan lived,” Dadrawala noted, "Often, individuals grow with institu­tions, but as in the case of Dr Homi Mehta of the PGH, in this case too, the institution grew because of Khan.”

Dr Dinyar Gamadia, who leads the large team of medical specialists who provide free service at the HU, spoke of Khan’s dream to restart the ophthalmic theater, provide intraocular facility to the poor, restore eyesight and help them back on their feet. Dentist Dr Arnavaz Havewalla noted Khan’s insistence on discipline: "the staff was scared silly of her.” Khan was wont to say, "This clinic was created by my father. As long as I’m there, I’ll see that it works properly,” added Havewalla. "She signed a roll call like the rest of the staff...I attended clinic meetings with her and saw her stand up to BPP trustees on mat­ters of principle, on behalf of the clinic or its staff,” attest­ed Dr Dinoo Dalal. Social worker and the day’s emcee Homai Modi added that Khan’s yearning for perfection included not only the finest preparation of a meal but the presentation so that she would pack and bring the right crockery and cutlery to go with it even when the repast was being offered at the HU!

Always well turned out, Khan had been all dressed up to go to Eric Elavia’s wedding when she passed away. Elavia, vice principal of the Lady Engineer School, had been known to her for 20 years. He told the audience that after her death he had re­ceived a small note she had written to him a few minutes before she passed on, wishing him many happy years of wedded life.

The daughter of Freny and Faramjee Khan, Arny completed her master’s degree in French literature from St Xavier’s College ere she entered the field of social work, not as a professional or a dilettante, but in the tradition of her charity-minded family under the tutelage of the late Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir. "Her temperament was very suitable. She could face any eventuality,” says former BPP trustee Dr Nelie Noble. Friends and confidantes, Noble and Khan were always together. "She would say we were a single soul in two bodies,” recalls Noble, feeling very lonely without her friend. According to Noble, Khan was an early riser, would