“Function as a team”

Contrary to the popular perception that eminent individuals would not stand for election under the new adult franchise scheme for trusteeship of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), the Adult Franchise for Progress (AFP) group unveiled its panel of seven distinguished candidates on August 9, 2008 before a packed audience at the Y. B. Chavan auditorium.

The slate consisted of noted jurist Nadir Modi, who is also the group’s choice to chair the BPP, Tata Memorial Hospital director Dr Ketayun Dinshaw, managing director of HDFC (Housing Development Finance Corporation) Keki Mistry, leading income tax jurist Sohrab Dastur, real estate scion and philanthropist Byram Jeejeebhoy, charity management expert and columnist Noshir Dadrawala and sitting BPP trustee and construction expert Maneck Engineer.

If all seven are elected, Engineer as the seniormost trustee would occupy the chair unless the other six objected. By naming Modi as their head the panel has removed any speculation of differences amongst themselves over the issue.

"The USP (unique selling proposition) of the AFP is that they will function as a team,” stated AFP founder prominent solicitor and columnist Berjis Desai. "AFP has ensured that none of the candidates before you hold any extreme religious views, one way or the other. The Mission Statement of the AFP-7 provides that each candidate shall work towards strengthening the dakhm­enashini system and protecting the Doongerwadi lands. More importantly, each member of the AFP-7 enjoys such a status in society that it would be ridiculous for anyone to even suggest that he or she will be influenced or controlled in any manner by any group or individual…

Clockwise from below left: Berjis Desai, the Avabai Petit choir facing the au­dience, Noshir Dadrawala, Nadir Modi, Dr Ketayun Dinshaw, Byram Jeejeebhoy, Maneck Engineer, Soli Dastur and Keki Mistry

"Today is a very significant day... on August 9th 66 years ago, the British were told to Quit India. The attitude of indifference, who cares as to what happens to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet — nearly destroyed this 350-year-old institution... The biggest private landlord in Bombay of nearly 5,000 flats. The owner of our precious and sacred Doongerwadi, the Parsee General Hospital, immovable properties valued over 40,000 crores…Today, therefore, is Quit Indifference Day!...

"For the first time, a genuine feeling of hope is forming. The coming Parsi New Year, on August 19, may be remembered as the year in which the Parsis had their own October Revolution.”

Desai lavished praise on his co-founders of the AFP namely Kersi Randeria, Zeree Jehangirji and Percy Patel, all founders of the Alert Zoroastrians Association (AZA) that "started to question the BPP trustees, plead with them, cajole them, even threaten them. AZA has even moved the Charity Commissioner to suspend and remove the trustees on grounds of breach of trust and obtained a stay order, for the first time in history, against the trustees from entering into any financial transaction. Through the ever popular, Jam-e-Jamshed, AZA started to inform the community about what was going on in the BPP. This would not have been possible but for the daring of Rusi Dhondy, Jamé’s editor. Sunday after Sunday, AZA and Jamé educated the community and spoiled the trustees’ breakfast.” Desai writes the Sunday "Parsi Tari Arsi” column in The Bombay Samachar that often also adds to the trustees’ indigestion.

Builders of institutions

He also acknowledged the contribution of other potential candidates who have helped "increase public awareness” about the election and the BPP. "Rustom Tirandaz, who has always stood and fought for universal adult franchise. Phiroze Amroliwalla, a tireless fighter for the cause of his community who has spent unbelievable time and energy for community welfare over decades. Arnavaz Mistry, an outstanding social worker serving her constituency of the really poor and deprived. Last but not the least, is a young gentleman, Jimmy Mistry, who has done a lot in increasing awareness in the youth about the BPP by modern and innovative methods… one must appreciate his drive and enthusiasm to do something for his community, particularly the young and the mobeds.”

Referring to the litigation initiated by WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) and others to stall or nullify elections by adult franchise on various grounds, Desai noted, "But they all lost, before Justice Khanwilkar, before Justice Roshan Dalvi, before Justices Radhakrishnan and Mohta — all judges to whom this community owes a massive, massive debt of gratitude.”

Social activist and former corporate head of Thermax Limited Anu Aga told the rapt audience that when Desai first phoned and asked her if she would stand for BPP trusteeship "I thought it was in jest.” They had three meetings and Desai introduced her to the ginger group.

The AZA team from left Kersi Randeria, Zeree Jehangirji and Percy Patel

"Though I’m not a practicing Zoroastrian, I am proud to belong to the Parsi community,” she said. "I do not wear a sudreh and kusti nor do I regularly visit the fire temple. To me being a good Zoroastrian is following good thoughts, good words and good deeds.” Her endeavor if she had opted to accept Desai’s offer would have been "to try and help bright Parsi students… provide tuitions… give them a good education so they would not have to depend on charity.”

For her, "rituals were irrelevant.” She was more concerned about the spirit of the religion. "Focus on the living rather than what to do after death,” she recommended. Referring to the "mudslinging” in the community she recalled how noted Poona physician Dr Keki Grant was booed at a dinner he hosted when he told delegates at the international youth congress in Poona several years ago to accept children of "mixed marriages. They could not show respect to an 83-year-old man who happened to be their host,” she lamented.

She referred to the "many e-mails” denigrating aspirants for the trusteeship (the bulk of them attacking or siding with interior designer and developer Jimmy Mistry and WAPIZ founder trustee and Zoroastrian Studies founder Khojeste Mistree – editors). "Find areas that unite us,” she urged.

At 66 she said she was reluctant to take on the responsibility of BPP trusteeship. While debating over Desai’s offer Aga asked a close friend whose views on the religion differed from her own whether she would vote for her. "She replied, ‘no.’” If someone near to her would not extend support, Aga wondered who would. "I’ve never canvassed (for any office) in my life,” she noted adding she wanted to spend time with her grandchildren and social causes with which she was "fully involved.”

Noted journalist and The Times of India consulting editor, Bachi Karkaria said she accepted the invitation to speak as "journalists should be seen, heard and read.” She termed the panel "The Magnificent Seven” who dared "to plunge into the shark infested waters of the BPP trusteeship” campaign.

She berated people’s tendency to do nothing: "Damned if you do and damned if you don’t so do damn all.” She referred to the marginalization of women and the parents’ threat when an offspring wants to marry outside the faith. "Don’t you want to see my face when I die?… In the age of Internet you can’t close doors.” The community cannot "live in a world of bigotry. We need a 21st century mindset.”

She spoke of the RTI "not Ratan Tata Institute but the Right to Information Act. Make it work for our small community. If we don’t have transparency, I don’t know what else we can have.”

More than the sethias of old or accountants, the community needed visionaries today. "We want to be remembered as institution builders and not as an institution of builders.”

BPP trustee Dinshaw Tamboly endorsed the AFP panel stating "the need for change is imperative.” He credited Desai and his group for presenting a slate of "seven Parsi achievers.”

BPP chairman Minoo Shroff noted with some sarcasm, "We have heard words of wisdom from people who are not trustees.” He cautioned that trusteeship was "not a walk in the park. (It’s) all thankless (work). The buck stops with you.” He referred to the nature of problems trustees are confronted with including a murder and a fire at Doongerwadi. At an association of managers he was to address, he was introduced as a person "who manages the most contentious community in the country.”

Clockwise from above left: Dr Ramiyar Karanjia and the Avabai Petit choir, Dinyar Contractor and Farzin Pardiwalla, compere Zarine Commissariat, conductor Marzban Mehta and Avabai Petit’s Yasmin Charna

He said he had tried to change the BPP culture from one of "doles to self reliance, from patronage to service orientation.” People complained about the occasional discourteous manners of the BPP staff but Shroff commiserated with the trust employees faulting the uncivil way in which "beneficiaries” spoke even to the trustees. As Shroff told the Joint Charity Commissioner at one hearing regarding housing, "You’ll always have dissenters.”

"The community has large expectations but does not have the wherewithal” to deliver the goods. "Offer constructive and doable solutions,” he counseled the AFP panel. "Don’t promise the moon.” How many people have returned even a fraction of what they receive from the community? he queried. Six out of 10 housing applications contain falsified information. "Everybody does not have to be a trustee to serve the community,” he said.

Shroff’s wife told him once "if you’re in it then take it.” But he felt "It was worth it.” Trusteeship was "a viagra for me.”

An audiovisual presentation based on the community today with the candidates stating their background prepared by Homyar Mistry of Homz Prints was shown to the gathering. A short skit followed starring Dinyar Contractor and Farzin Pardiwalla poking fun at the BPP and some of the trustees. The choir from the Avabai Petit Girls’ High School performed at the start and close of the function.

The team

(Edited from bio datas released by AFP) Nadir Modi, noted lawyer

Grandson of the great Zoroastrian scholar Dr (Sir) Jivanji Modi, senior advocate Nadir Modi did his navar and maratab from Navsari. A practicing lawyer for the last 57 years Modi is acknowledged as one of the finest legal minds. He singlehandedly, and without charging any fees, won the court battle for upholding the legality of the Parsis-only covenants of over 100 buildings in the Dadar Parsi Colony.

Mithoo Jesia, a leader of the Dadar Parsi Colony says of Modi: "Without him, Dadar Parsi Colony would have lost its Parsi character.”

Modi has been associated for decades with numerous community bodies and charities including the YCZA (Young Colleagians’ Zoroastrian Association), the Wadia Atas Bahram, the Boyce Agiary, the Sethna charities, the Cama Convalescent Home. Ervad Modi is the chairman of the Athornan Mandal which runs the Dadar Madressa.

Dr Ketayun Dinshaw, noted oncologist

Dr Ketayun Dinshaw is the director of the Tata Memorial Hospital at Parel. Dinshaw has worked as a registrar in the famous Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK, for four years and has served the Tata Hospital for nearly 35 years.

Under her leadership, the Tata Hos-pital has been voted as the Best Oncology Centre in India.

Awarded the Padma Shri by the President of India, Dinshaw has been a president of the International Society for Radiation Oncology, council member of the International Union Against Cancer, a member of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

She has more than 250 publications to her credit and has delivered numerous lectures. She has been conferred the award for Excellence in Professional Competence by the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India as also the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Zoroastrian Foundation and the Great Women Achiever Award 2007 in the field of Medicine by FICCI/FLO (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.)

Dinshaw will retire from the Tata Memorial Hospital in November 2008 and has graciously agreed to serve her community.

Keki Mistry, housing finance authority

A chartered accountant by training, Keki Mistry is the vice chairman and managing director of HDFC, India’s No. 1 and one of the world’s largest housing finance companies. He is also on the board of the HDFC Bank, rated as one of the best private sector banks in India and various other HDFC group companies. He has served HDFC for over 25 years.

A fellow of the Michigan Institute of Certified Public Accountants, USA, Mistry serves on the board of directors of leading Indian corporates such as the Great Eastern Shipping Company, Sun Pharma, Next Gen Publishing and Infrastructure Leasing and Finance. He is India’s acknowledged housing finance expert, with tailor-made experience for the BPP which is the city’s largest private landlord.

Soli Dastur, eminent tax lawyer

Sohrab Erach Dastur, popularly known as Soli Dastur, is India’s leading income tax jurist.

A practicing lawyer for 50 years, he is presently chairman of the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal Bar Association, past president of the Chamber of Tax Consultants and chairman of the International Fiscal Association, Western India Region as well as of the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal Co-ordination Committee of the All India Federation of Tax Practitioners. He has written books and articles on several legal subjects and addressed many seminars and conferences. He has been advising diverse charitable organizations and trusts in a purely honorary capacity. He has freely given his time in advising the Parsi Punchayet on several occasions and has appeared for the Punchayet in several tax litigations.

After the late Nani Palkhivala, Dastur is the last word on income tax law for countless corporates and numerous charities.

Byram Jeejeebhoy, philanthropist

A direct descendent of Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, First Indian Baronet, Byram Jeejeebhoy has 40 years’ philanthropist experience in real estate with his family being one of the largest landowners of Bombay.

Jeejeebhoy is associated with numerous Parsi charities including the Jeejee­bhoy Dadabhoy Agiary at Colaba, the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy School and the Nanabhoy Jeejeebhoy Charity Trust.

Jeejeebhoy has flown military aircraft, raised thoroughbreds and is a highly accomplished violinist.

He was awarded the fellowship of the Royal Geographic Society, the Honorary Knighthood of the City of London, the coveted Vijay Ratna Award for enrichment of human life, and lately, the prestigious award of the Freedom of the City of London.

Jeejeebhoy, the great, great, great grandson of Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, will bring to the BPP compassionate charity management experience of over four decades.

Noshir Dadrawala, charity management authority

He is perhaps the only charity management expert in India. Currently, the CEO (chief executive officer) of the Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy, Dad­ra­wala is connected with international philanthropic study centers in New York and Hong Kong, Harvard University, the London School of Economics.

Dadrawala is the author of several resource books on managing charity including the internationally acclaimed publication Philanthropy and Law in South Asia. He is a trustee of numerous charities, both communal and secular, and is a part of the visiting faculty of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

A community activist for more than two decades, Dadrawala contributes regularly to the Parsi Press.

Maneck Engineer, construction expert

A sitting trustee of the BPP, Maneck Engineer is known in the community as the man who constructed Godrej Baug. A structural engineer by training, Engineer is senior vice president of Godrej and Boyce, an organization which he has steadfastly served for the last 44 years.

A keen environmentalist, Engineer is involved with various Parsi charities including the Godrej Foundation, the Banaji Atash Behram and the Mevawalla Agiary.

Engineer is the only sitting trustee of the BPP who has not been able to complete even his first term in office due to the present elections being held in October but he has been involved with the BPP since 1979.