Pillar of Rustom Baug

A function was organized by the Rustom Baug Association (RBA) on May 25, 2007 on the lawns of the Sir Ness Wadia Club to felicitate Kumi Daroo­wala for over 40 years of service in various capacities, as per a write-up sent to Parsiana by the RBA. Daroowala, now president emeritus of the Association, received a standing ovation from the large number of residents and guests present on the occasion.

Considered a pillar of Rustom Baug, from the time she went to live at the colony as a youngster in 1939 Daroowala has contributed in one way or other toward its well being. A great admirer of the late Neville Wadia, she has worked tirelessly to make Rustom Baug a better place to live in, acknowledges the write-up. Her focus has always been on encouraging the youth, a factor which keeps her young and full of energy to go on with her work, she confesses.

She has helped in establishing and organizing the annual all Parsis essay, elocution, painting, quiz and bonny baby competitions, setting up prizes and scholarships for sports and education. But Daroo­wala’s most significant contribution would be the setting up of the Neville Wadia Hall and the Ranina Nursery as well as the Jerbai Wadia Children’s Park which has become a haven for the young and old alike. The scope of her work extends beyond Rustom Baug and many a student seeking to go abroad for higher education has been extended a helping hand by Daroowala, reveals the RBA write-up.

In 1986 Daroowala, along with two dear friends Shirin Manekshana and the late Amy Gustadji set up the Zoroastrian Winter Relief Fund, primarily to provide blankets to poor Parsis in Gujarat. Today, this trust helps needy Parsis throughout the country with medical and educational aid, funding navjotes and weddings. In Bombay she is closely associated with the Girls and Boys Hostel at Gamadia Colony and the Mody Hostel for women at Worli. Her latest passion, reveals the write-up, is the Ahura Support Group which plans to extend support for children in need of special care.

Rustom Sethna presents plaque to Kumi Daroowala

The felicitation function started with a brief introduction by Behroze Gazdar, secretary, RBA, who described Daroo­wala as "our own Mother Teresa.” Rustom Sethna, president, RBA and Rustom Jasoomoney, president, Sir Ness Wadia Club, extolled her courage, commitment and dedication. The greatest praise came from Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, principal, Athornan Boarding Madressa, who likened her to the ‘Amesha Spentas,’ saying that to his mind she was a true angel. A touching tribute from Daroowala’s Vancouver-based son Sharookh was read out, in which he referred to his mother as a ‘lamplighter’ bringing light into so many lives. Also felicitated were two other stalwarts of Rustom Baug, Bapsy Chinoy and Hutoxi Irani, for selfless service to the RBA and to the colony.

Responding to the various speakers, Daroowala said that the love, respect and support she had received from her well-wishers had made all the work worthwhile. Rejecting the epithet of ‘social worker’ she said she considers herself merely a conduit for God’s work and thanked all those who had so generously funded her many activities. She exhorted the youth to do their bit to ensure that Rustom Baug "remains the best colony.”

Dance, music and karate programs by the colony’s children to regale the audience were conceptualized by Gazdar, Hutoxi Doodhwala and Roxan­ne Khodaiji. The function ended with the rendering of Chhaiyé Hamé Zara­thoshti.