"Making a difference"

What is important about Behram Dastur’s inclusion among the Guinness World Record holders is that "one of us has got in,” stated Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) chairman Minoo Shroff addressing a gathering to honor Dastur at the Garware Club on October 21, 2005. The chief executive officer (CEO) of the BPP, Dastur won the prestigious recognition for writing the largest number of letters to editors of publications (see "The letter legend,” Parsiana, September 21, 2005).

Dastur wanted to reach out, said Shroff. He wrote 2,493 letters over 50 years, approximately a letter a week. "That’s not easy when you have a full-time job,” observed the chairman.

An "indefatigable crusader for the preservation of human rights in all its manifestations,” is how BPP public relations officer Godrej Dotivala described his colleague.

"People like (Dastur) are the bastion of democracy,” said management educator Sharu Rangnekar.

Lamenting the inadequate space allotted in newspapers to letters from readers, management counsel Dr N. H. Atthreya lauded Dastur’s "achievement” in getting his letters published. "This is not a political award. You have to deserve it.”

Dastur (left) with Shroff

Former Glaxo managing director and now executive director of Tata Chemicals Limited Homi Khusrokhan said Dastur "spared no effort to remedy what is wrong.” Dastur’s persistence has "made a difference,” he said. Khusro-khan then outlined the qualities he believed characterized the Parsi community. P stood for philanthropy, a for achievement, r for righteousness, s for service and i for ideas.

Vispy Dastur, president of the Bom-bay Parsee Association (BPA) noted that "97 percent of the letters Dastur sent to the editors were published,” and referred to the felicitation planned for Dastur by the BPA.

The Bombay Samachar’s Parsi Tari Arsi columnist Berjis Desai sent a message calling Dastur "an exceptional CEO of the BPP” who "does not believe in mincing words.” His bold stand on controversial issues had prompted Desai to nickname him B. T. Bardoli Dastur when Dastur mooted discussion on adoption, interfaith marriages and other contentious issues at the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India meeting in Bardoli in November 2003.

Parsiana editor Jehangir Patel spoke of the support Dastur received from his wife Pervin in all his endeavors.

While acknowledging the accolades Dastur pointed out that it was his sister Arni Banaji who urged him to send his entry for the Guinness World Record. Till then "I had no intention of entering,” admitted Dastur. He lamented that the response under Indian conditions (to his letters) was very poor” though many of his letters had resulted in policy changes. He strived to awaken the conscience of people which was often "dull.” While championing animal rights he was told that "roj maré té kaun joi (who looks at routine everyday deaths).” But he persisted in the cause.

Dastur thanked the gathering and especially the receptive editors who over the years published his missives.

Dastur was also honored by the Tata Blocks residents and Burroughs Well­come.