Cohesive committee

The Borivli and Suburban Zoroastrian Association (BASZA) is "perhaps one of the few anjumans/associations whose working is predominantly permeated in an aura of bonhomie, camaraderie and goodwill,” notes the July 2005 newsletter of the Association, reporting on the elections at the last annual general meeting convened on May 29, 2005. "Through thick and thin, the committee has stood firm as a rock and efforts directed towards creating disharmony from certain undesirable elements have been thwarted with the contempt they deserved…The members of BASZA, at the last AGM, have reiterated their faith in the team by unanimously reelecting it for a further four-year term,” adds the newsletter giving an introduction to each of their office bearers:

President Noshir G. Paghdiwalla has been associated with BASZA since 1980 having served it in different capacities like secretary and treasurer before he took over as president. With over 33 years of experience in the field of banking, he is presently a senior executive with The Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank where he handles a number of important portfolios including that of Board secretary. He is also nominated as a compliance officer to the Reserve Bank of India and as a nodal officer to The Indian Banks’ Association. Besides editing the BASZA newsletter and being an active Freemason, he is on the editorial board of The Indian Mason too. An avid sports lover he played cricket in major tournaments like The Kanga League and The Times Shield.

Vice president Marzban D. Mehta has been the live wire of BASZA since 1982, ever willing to provide entertainment at all its functions as a crooner, band leader, musician, mimic and games organizer. Following his father Dara’s demise in 1981 he took charge of the Darling Orchestra. He is also invited by various colonies and gymkhanas to conduct popular antakshari programs. Assistant manager at N. W. Exports of the Bombay Dyeing group where he has been serving for the last 38 years he had earlier represented the company in The Times Shield cricket tournament.

Secretary Khurshed N. Pastakia is a well established chartered accountant. He was appointed partner of M/s P. C. Hansotia and Company (from where he had completed his articles), C. C. Choksi and Company and Deloitte Haskins & Sells. After managing the audit department of Naushir M. Marfatia and Company he joined the audit and business administrative services of Price Water­house in 1995 and a year later joined C. C. Choksi as senior audit manager. He has headed the department of accountancy in the S. N. D. T. College of Arts and Commerce and later chaired the board and was member of the academic council there. Besides serving as lecturer at the J. K. Institute of Management he has also been trainer of Deloitte Haskins & Sells in auditing methodology. A black belt in judo (4 dan), he was continental referee of the Judo Union of Asia for five years and had served as secretary (technical) of The Judo Federation of India.

Treasurer Yazdi B. Motiwala who maintains a low profile has contributed to the success of various BASZA programs after joining it in 1981. Widely traveled with a diploma in business management, until recently he was working as deputy general manager (accounts) in a leading private company. An avid sportsperson who represented his college in badminton, table tennis and cricket, he has been committed to social service too until health conditions compelled him to slow down.

Committee member Minoo Khan, considered a very useful field worker, offers his services for all types of jobs at BASZA functions. He retired as a special assistant from the Bank of India after 40 years of service in the cash and accounts departments. He is the president of the Bal Vyayam Mandir as also The Yusuf Meherali Center.