A tower and pillar

A super luxury residential tower inspired by ancient Achemenian design and style has been conceived by Jimmy Mistry, managing director of Della Tecnica, hoping to make it a Zoroastrian landmark of Bombay. Located diagonally across Mancherji Joshi’s statue at Dadar, Della Tower "will be a living exhibition of Persian architecture and the ancient Zoroastrian faith,” Mistry was quoted in Jam-e-Jamshed, November 27, 2005. Fluted columns, winged bulls, sphinxes, mythological creatures, and other engravings of historical significance will adorn different levels of the Tower façade. Mistry and his team of architects "have done considerable research for this project…guided, inspired and blessed by a few Zoroastrian scholars and high priests,” states the article.

In addition to the 27 spacious flats, the Tower, which they hope to complete by end 2006, will have facilities of a swimming pool, health spa, club house, gymnasium, kids’ play area, piped gas, high end electronic security, access controlled elevators and spacious car elevators, and ample parking. The lower section of the Tower displaying historical reliefs and panels, Mistry plans to keep open to the public every evening with guides and ushers dressed in Ache­menian costumes. Iranian marble, glazed mosaic, motifs and panels sourced from Iran will be used in construction, notes the write-up.

The impressions of leading members of the community were quoted in the Jamé article. Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada viewed the project as "a truly awe inspiring architectural marvel,” while Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal hoped it would "conserve the spiritual ambience and majestic glory of ancient Iranian culture.” Bombay Parsi Puncha­yet trustees too were supportive: Chairman Minoo Shroff noted, "When completed it will be a testament to our precious heritage and a source of pride to our present generation.” Dinshaw Tamboly was looking forward to the creation of a "Parsi wonder of the world,” and Burjor Antia was sanguine "this building would do the Parsi community proud.” Zarir Bhathena, managing director of Hilla Builders remarked, "The elevation of your building is simply fabulous.” For further enquiries regarding Della Towers, contact Della Tecnica Developers, e-mail:sales@dellatower. com; mob: 9870000007.

Front and side elevation of Della Tower conceived by Mistry (below)

A newly formed organization, Parsi Resource Group, launched in January 2006 under Mistry’s stewardship, plans to focus on three main areas – youth, agiaries and mobeds. Supported by Arnavaz Mistry, Dr Nawaz Mody, Shaha­veer Jamshedji, Fida Shaw, Hosi Charna and Viraf Patel, the rest of the core team constitutes a band of dedicated volunteers who are not only housewives, retired individuals or self-employed members but also professionals like managing directors, CEOs, doctors, lawyers, members from the service industry and individuals who have come forth even after putting in long hours of work, as per an article in the Jamé of February 12 outlining the main features. Hitherto the volunteers might not have been involved in Parsi community service but always wanted to do something for it and hence are encouraged to select a specific help area of their choice towards which they can contribute variable man hours, adds the write-up.

The youth domain covers education, vocational training, student trust, adopt a student, counseling of parents and students, preparation of CV and interviews, placement, international jobs and entrepreneurship programs. For the priests, they have envisaged a two-pronged approach – improving the quality of life and the economic standard of the priests and encouraging them to do more for the community to ensure that the community respects them.