“Karanjia’s crusades”

I was saddened to read about the demise of Russy Khursedji Karanjia ("Karan­jia’s crusades,” In Memoriam, Parsiana, April 7, 2008). Who in the subcontinent did not know of R. K. Karanjia of Blitz? Yet this news reached Quetta two months later. Thanks to the infamous "wall of sand” between our two countries, the Pakistani media did not write a word about Karanjia and his achievements.

What I was unaware of and learnt from Parsiana was that Kar­an­jia was born in Quetta. I wonder who his parents were, where they lived and what they did in Quetta. Perhaps some of your readers could throw light on this. If nothing else I’d like to believe that the clean air and fresh spring waters of Quetta gave Karanjia the strength to live a full 95 years. Some of the old Parsi Quettaites of his generation who recently passed away are Ervad Shorabji Dastur (101), Mehramai Kaikobad Marker (102), Noshirwan Ardeshir Romer (96), Mucca Edulji Rana (96) and Themurus N. Hodiwalla (91), so it is not mere speculation to attribute longevity to the air and water of Quetta.

Something else I learnt from your article was that the famous D. F. Karaka and Karanjia worked together at one time. I would love to read Karaka’s masterpiece I Have Shed My Tears once again, but the book is not available in Pakistan. Could anyone guide me as to how I could obtain this book?

PERVEZ RANA

Quetta, Pakistan

pervez_rana@hotmail.com