Mogrelia bids adieu

When Nariman F. Mogrelia, president of the Madras Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman (MPZA) and chairman of the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher (JPCD) Trust, handed in the baton after 20 years of service to the Zoroastrians of Madras, the community felicitated him and presented him with a memento as a token of its appreciation at the annual general body meeting held on September 23, 2006. It also appointed him honorary patron of the Anjuman, informs Zarin Mistry, the Anjuman’s honorary secretary, in an e-mail.

Mogrelia, who first came to Madras in 1972, took over as president of the Madras Parsi Association in 1985 and thereafter as president of the MPZA in 1991, giving unstintingly of his time and effort for the benefit of the Anjuman.

The Madras Anjuman was formed in 1900 with the number of Zoroastrians down the years hovering around the 300 mark. Though the Madras Parsis are a minuscule lot (around 250 at present), there has always been harmony and kinship among them.

Above (from left) active in Madras (top row): Nariman Mogrelia, Dadi Dalal, Firdause Jila, Pervez Mulla, Kersi Shahuna, Perviz Bhote, Darius Kabrajee, Zavera Shahuna; (bottom row): Jasmine Kabrajee, Zarin Mistry, Noshir Irani, Dolly Jila, Maneck- shaw Dastur, Rusi Dastur, Astad Clubwala, Mani Clubwala, Byram Byramshaw

Vice president Dadi S. Dalal, who has taken over the president’s baton, revealed that Mogrelia was more than willing to accommodate any request from those in need of assistance. He has also been largely instrumental in getting nearly Rs 50 lakhs from the Phil and Mary Clubwala Jadhav Trust to be distributed among the Anjuman, the Association and the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher. The Phiroj Clubwala Memorial Hall, which is rented out for private functions, was given a complete facelift. There are also 20 flats and the Anjuman provides heavily subsidized housing for senior citizens.

Nariman’s wife Mahabanu, gracious hostess at the numerous meetings and functions held at their residence, was presented a memento by Dhun Dalal.

Dadi Dalal is now president of MPZA and chairman JPCD Trust. The new Anjuman team includes Firdause H. Jila, vice-president, Pervez S. Mulla, honorary secretary, Kersi J. Shahuna, honorary treasurer, Perviz D. Bhote and Darius A. Kabrajee, executive committee members.

The MPA comprises: Zavera K. Shahuna, president, Jasmine D. Kabra­jee, vice-president, Zarin C. Mistry, (a most efficient) hono­rary secretary, Noshir M. Irani, honorary treasurer, with Dolly F. Jila and Maneckshaw R. Dastur as executive committee members.

The JPCD Trust’s hereditary trustees are Rusi K. Dastur and Astad J. Club­wala, with Mani J. Clubwala as honorary secretary and Byram P. Byramshaw representing the MPZA on the Dar-e-Meher Trust.