Spread of science

The Indian Planetary Society (IPS) Award (2005) for "popularization of science through hobbies in the country” was presented to Ervad Cyrus Dinshaw Sidhwa on June 26, 2005 by orthopedic surgeon Dr M. P. Purohit. At the awards function at Borivli’s St Anne’s High School, Sidhwa who was presented a silver medal, citation, shawl and cash gift spoke on "The art of cultivating scientific hobbies.” A science teacher for over a decade at the Athornan Boarding Madressa, Dadar, and The Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly (DPYA) High School, the two institutions where he had received his own love for learning, Sidhwa has authored many articles on science for newspapers and magazines. He is the editor of Kids Science, a bimonthly published by the IPS and has for over 20 years been the editor and publisher of Knowledgiate, the magazine published by the Madressa annually.

Sidhwa (above and bottom, center) with Dr J. J. Rawal (left) and Purohit at the awards function

A scoutmaster of DPYA High School, Sidhwa’s hobbies extend to collecting stamps, coins, matchboxes and centuries old newspapers, all of which can be related to science, he says. Through stamps one can study animal species, coins give an insight into numismatics and archeology, old newspapers help us appreciate history. The study of "history is also science,” says the soft-spoken Sidhwa who started taking an interest in science since his college days. For two years he was at Ruia College following which he graduated from St Xavier’s College and did his BEd thereafter.

"The Zoroastrian Student Teacher Association should consider inviting him to conduct an activity workshop for Parsi children on various hobbies,” recommends Marzban Giara, adding, "An exhibition of his collection can also be put on display at the next Zoroastrian Children’s Day function. Such activities would inspire our youths to take up interesting hobbies.”