Felicitating Fali

"I wish I was holding this office when I was 10 years younger,” admitted Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, referring to his heading the "fourth largest air force in the world… a very challenging and responsible position.” He was addressing members of the relatively small Parsi Irani Zoroastrian Anjuman of the Nilgiris in south India which had hosted an evening of fellowship to felicitate him on April 16, 2008 at the Wellington Gymkhana near Coonoor, writes Sam S. Choksey of Bombay who happened to be on a visit to Ooty at the time and was invited to attend.

Dr Homi Edulji, president of the Anjuman welcomed the chief guest and his wife Zareen with flowers, while managing trustee Feroze Chenoy briefly introduced the Air Chief Marshal, listing his many achievements. Considered as "one of the most decorated officers of the Indian Air Force,” Major’s professional competence has earned him many awards including the Shaurya Chakra, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Param Vishisht Sena Medal, Chenoy informed those present.

Clockwise (from top l): Air Chief Marshal Fali Major with Dr Homi Edulji; lunch at Welling­ton; Zareen and Fali flanked by the Eduljis

"Some of us who have roots in Secunderabad have known his parents Homi and Villoo, and Zareen is the sister of trustee and popular member of the Parsi community of the Nilgiris — Sheeroy Sunawala,” Chenoy added. He also mentioned that the Secunderabad born Major has two children, son Zubin who is a pilot with Jet Air based in Madras and daughter Tooshna, a trained teacher whose husband Homi Gandhi is a banker in Dubai. Zubin and Tooshna, have two children each.

Major presented the Nilgiris Anjuman with a salver and the Anjuman gave him a suitable memento, after which the unassuming Air Force chief mingled informally with the guests. The well attended function ended with a sumptuous lunch hosted by the Anjuman, Choksey concludes.