“Corona’s honest broker”

"My religion requires me to practice it in my daily life according to the precepts I learned, to use my thinking ability and make decisions accordingly. That is how I earned my laurels and excel in all that I undertake,” writes Dr Aban Daruwalla, whose bio data describes her as the first female scientist with a doctorate degree who has worked at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Corona Division, Corona, California. After a quarter century of distinguished service, first with the US Army and then the US Navy, Daruwalla retired on January 3, 2007 on a pension that will last for her life time.

"I want to present the possibility to our younger Zarathushtis, born in the US, to consider the opportunities the Federal Civil Service has to offer,” says Daruwalla, very aware of the lack of interest among females in the math and science arena. "I launched my own campaign to bring an awareness to them. For several years I coordinated Science and Technology Conferences for youn­ger females so that they realize the importance of completing mathematics, algebra, geometry courses while they are still in high school and then go on to calculus, physics and chemistry. The application of those courses allows students to work in high salaried positions. I intend to continue with this effort and possibly extend it into all schools with low income families,” she adds.

Prominently involved in "space exploration activities as well as the Science and Technology Conference for Girls in the Inland Empire,” Daruwalla is happy to "have been a role model for adults and school students alike… I vigorously promote the Mission to Mars program in the local school districts. Because of my efforts bus loads of students attended the Planetfests that (were) arranged at the time of the landing of the rovers in the past decade. That is when students get exposed to astronauts, scientists, science fiction writers who give them encouragement to study science and make it their career.”

Aban Daruwalla with retirement certificate presented by R. Shafer

Annual awards from the civic community as well as the Federal Government have come Daruwalla’s way: employee of the month and year from the US Navy; a Lifetime Achievement Award; Woman of Achievement Award; Riverside Community College Outreach Award; US Senator Barbara Boxer Award; Mayor of Riverside Award; and several others adorn her mantelpiece, as notes her bio data. At the retirement farewell, attended by military and civilian community leaders, arranged in her honor, the legend on the farewell cake read, "Fair Winds and Following Seas to Corona’s Honest Broker.” Capt R. Shafer presented the retirement certificate and the NSWC plaque.

The eldest child of the cousin marriage of Tehmina (née Satarawalla) and Nariman Darashaw Daruwalla, both of Abu Road in Rajasthan, Bombay born Aban continued with her education at St. Joseph Convent High School, Lady Amritbai Daga College and Hislop College, all in Nagpur. Nariman, a dentist at a time when it wasn’t the high paying profession it is today, "took up a position with Hindustan Lever, and after a distinguished career, retired from there. My mum (was) a housewife with high powered coordination skills… According to my parents, education was uppermost for every Zarathushti to excel and that is what they taught all three of their children… Both parents influenced my values, standards, morals which made me want to excel in all my endeavors. They were powerful role models for me which resulted in my high achieving attitude and never to settle for the second best,” Aban writes in response to an email questionnaire from Parsiana. "Luckily, I inherited all their characteristics plus learned many more from them.”

Nagpur was an educational center when she was growing up so it was the best place to acquire an education there, she writes. After graduation, the Fulbright Scholarship in hand, Daruwalla left for the US to attend the State University of Iowa, Iowa City. Having worked a few years before completing her doctoral studies enabled her to acquire US citizenship and thence, an entry into government service.

Joining the US Army civil service at Fort Lee, Virginia, in 1981 after completing a doctorate degree in research design and statistics and a year of post doctoral studies at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, Daruwalla went to various places. "In my career with the US Army I was at Fort Bragg, as well as White Sands Missile Range where I conducted empirical studies which took me to Korea, Japan, Germany, Italy, Guam, Hawaii and several Army Bases. I had the opportunity to conduct a joint Army/Airforce study at Nellis Airforce Base, Nevada on the Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) missiles including the Stinger, Vulcan, Chaparral and Redeye,” Daruwalla traces her path as a defence scientist. Changing over to the US Navy after nearly eight years of civil service with the Army, Daruwalla started at the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, California, before joining the Fleet Training Analysis Center (FLTAC), presently NSCW, Corona Division, located in Norco, California. Her many technical assignments included submarine missiles, gun mounts, fire control systems and more.

"I served on several committees to formulate base wide policy and procedures. I was respected for the thoroughness reflected in all my products, which is a characteristic of a Zarathushti. I trained several new hires, set a high standard for them to follow so that they get recognized for their zeal and fervor,” she notes with pride. In the process, she earned the title of "honest broker” for her analytical work which she attributes to her Zarathushti upbringing and later mentors: "I received this training at a very early age from my parents. As an adult I was taught by experts like W. Edwards Deming, Keki Bhote, Kaoru Ishikawa, Stephen Covey and several other leading managers.”

Daruwalla’s sister Pervin works for a provincial government in Canada. Her brother Hoshang pursues his business in California. For relaxation she says she enjoys reading about space exploration, astronomy and its promotion to the youth specially young girls right from the elementary school age, is a firm believer in physical fitness and its benefits and indulges in watching the performing arts — live drama, opera and ballet.

Not one to remain fixed in a single location Daruwalla says she has visited most parts of every continent to study the life and times in those areas. Starting with the east coast in Virginia, she moved through all the mid west states, and continued till she hit the west coast. "My job provided that opportunity which is feasible with the civil services,” she explains.

Despite her professional mobility, she says she is a life member of the Zarthusti Association of Northern California, the World Zoroastrian Organization, UK, and the Zarthusti Association of California, keeping up with community issues through their newsletters and by attending the North American Zarthusti Congresses. In response to Parsiana’s query regarding the depleting Zoroastrian population, Daruwalla does not mince her words: "In my profession it is the quality that counts, not the quantity. The Zarathushti religion has preserved itself for three to five thousand years. In India I was a Zarathushti, or Parsi. On this continent I am identified as a Zoroastrian, which I am NOT… to refer to Asho Zarathushtra as Prophet Zoroaster is sacrilegious to me. Instead, as a Zarathushti, I point out this inaccuracy so as to eliminate the error. Regardless of the language in which it is used, the name is still Zarathushtra.” Nonetheless, to Daruwalla, whether a Zarathushti is one "by birth or choice is immaterial.”

How do you view the younger generation of Zarathushtis today — as men of mettle or mama’s boys? we ask. Her answer is a putdown: "Does your society comprise of one gender, only? That will be a sad day if it happens.” She continues, "We are a powerful force to contend with, regardless of where we exist. A practicing Zarathushti, of both genders, will be successful and prominent. The Zara­thush­ti religion does not dictate precepts. Rather it is scientific, logical and enables individuals to exercise their free will. The last concept makes the religion unique. The entire responsibility is on each individual and each one can succeed to the extent desired.”