Nagpur's octogenarians

The enthusiastic endeavors of their popular priest Ervad Hormuzd Meherwanji Pavri and the confidence of Dinshaw Rustamji Mistry who won Second Innings, a fashion show for senior citizens, should inspire generations of Nagpurians.

In appreciation of the "stupendous services rendered by him to the Bai Hirabai Mullan Dar-e-Meher in particular and the Nagpur Parsi Anjuman and the Parsis of Nagpur at large,” a special general body meeting was convened on the passing away of Pavri on October 2, 2005. As resolved at the meeting called by the Shree Nagpur and Kamthi Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman on October 8, 2005, "to perpetuate his memory and to serve as a beacon for generations to come,” his portrait will be placed in the Agiary Hall as also the Dharamshala Hall and his name invoked in the Anjuman prayers, notes a report forwarded to Parsiana by Anjuman vice president Navroze Daver.

Besides Daver, among those who paid their tributes to the nearly 90-year-old stalwart were Anjuman honorary treasurer Shiraz Doongaji, and members Shiraz Gimi, Gev Awari, Dr Mehroo Major, Dr Thrity Patel and Diana Hor­musjee.

On the demise of his father, 20-year-old Hormuzd, or Hormuzdiar as he came to be respectfully addressed, took over as panthaky of the Mullan Dar-e-Meher and served in that capacity for the next 34 years. While he was panthaky he established a Parsi library, conducted Dharmagyan classes for children of the J. N. Tata Parsi Girls’ High School, played a major role in planning and designing the new agiary building and introduced the week-long celebration of the Dar-e-Meher’s salgirah. He was the guiding spirit behind the formation of the Forum of Young Zoroastrians, acknowledged the resolution. When barely 22 he had authored the book Pao Mahel ni kriya describing the religious ceremonies to be performed by practicing priests. His other works include a book on the Nagpur Parsis and another titled Messages from and Knowledge about the Spirit World.

Besides serving the religious needs of the Nagpur Parsis, he was also active with the Anjuman and the Nagpur Parsi Gymkhana. He had functioned as secretary of the Anjuman and the Gymkhana, and later as president too of the Gymkhana taking a keen interest in sports, drama and religious discourses, having good knowledge of Avesta, Pahlavi and Persian.

For nearly 40 years he undertook catering assignments for wedding and navjote functions and is known to have extensive mining contracts for excavation of kyanite, mica and quartz.

Pavri (top) and Mistry (right) at Second Innings

Sexagenarians, septuagenarians and octogenarians enthusiastically walked the ramp to foot-tapping music at the fashion show for senior citizens, Second Innings, jointly organized by Vishnu Manohar Entertainment and the Institution of Engineers on September 30, 2005, notes a write up in The Hitavada of October 1, 2005. While the first round saw participants dressed in traditional attires, the executive round saw both men and women dressed in formals. The show reached its zenith in the casual round.

"Ushaben Mehta and Dinshaw Mistry, the two winners, have put many a youngster to shame with their raring-to-go energy,” commented Nagpur Plus of October 19, 2005. He draws his vitality from "yoga, disciplined life and inner energy,” reported Mistry adding, "If you want to remain young, think young and work a lot. By the evening I am so tired that I just fall asleep on my bed and I have never faced any physical problem ever.” Once the owner of a glassware shop in the city, Mistry now plays the role of a good Samaritan, helping his neighbors and friends by writing their letters, buying food or grocery, taking them to the doctor or assisting with their bank work. Until two years ago he used to commute on his bicycle. "My old romance with my wife is still quite young,” quipped Mistry.