Felicitating Lord Karan

It was a momentous event for the Zoroastrians of the United Kingdom — a three-hour felicitation of the first ever Zoroastrian member of the House of Lords on October 15, 2006 as notes the press release from the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE).

Beginning with a thanksgiving jashan performed by eight mobeds at London’s Zoroastrian Centre, the program included the presentation of a scroll of honor and the unveiling of Lord Karan Bilimoria’s portrait in the community center, in the august company of Dadabhai Naoroji, Sir Mancherjee Bhownaggree and Shapurji Saklatvala, the first Indian members of the British Parliament, all Zoroastrians. The inspiration for adding Bilimoria’s portrait came from the ZTFE’s largest benefactor, philanthropist Mehraban Zartoshty.

Clockwise from top left: Lord Karan with Lady Heather (center) and Khorshed Sodhi; with Paurushasp Jila and the scroll of honor; unveiling his own portrait

While 300 Zoroastrians thronged the Centre’s Zartoshty Brothers Hall, the invited guests — among whom were Lord Navnit Dholakia and Lady Dholakia, Dr Khalid Hammed, high sheriff of Greater London, deputy mayor of Harrow councillor Jean Lammiman accompanied by the deputy consort John Hinckley, and five councillors from the London borough of Harrow — were led to the stage by ZTFE president Paurushasp Jila. In the course of her response to Jila’s welcome address, Lammiman complimented the ZTFE for the fine refurbishment of the Zoroastrian Centre which had originally been a cinema she had often frequented.

Left: Rusy Shroff receiving the Bauhinia Star

While Dholakia spoke of Bilimoria’s appointment as a fellow peer, the latter’s cousin Perses Sethna provided a family perspective and former ZTFE president Dorab Mistry spoke of the Lord’s career and commercial attainments and read the message from Zartoshty who, a little over a year ago, had presented Bilimoria with the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Shernaz Engineer, herself an eminent entrepreneur and current chair of the WZCC (UK) added her congratulations.

Zarir Cama with the governor of Penang

The scroll of honor was read by ZTFE trustee Noshir Avari and presented to Bilimoria by ZTFE vice president Ervad Rustom Bhedwar and its chief architect Shahrokh Shahrokh.

After the much awaited response from Bilimoria and a hearty vote of thanks from former ZTFE president Rusi Dalal the congregation dispersed to make personal contacts with Bilimoria and partake of the refreshments without which no Zoroastrian function is ever complete.