APP welcomes Nano

The Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat (APP) has, in a letter written to "our very own dear Mr Ratan Tata,” welcomed the industrialist and his entire team for the one lakh rupees Nano car project to the state of Gujarat. "May this shifting to Ahme-dabad prove to be a repetition of the event of about 1,300 years ago when this same land of Gujarat had nurtured us, encouraged us and enthused us to grow and prosper,” the letter signed by APP president Kersi J. Shethna states, a copy of which was forwarded to Parsiana via e-mail by APP trustee Navroze Kanga.

The fulsomely worded missive states: "Pardon us the liberty in pointing out that your own name Ratan is a derivative of the correct word ratna, a jewel, which befits you so well. Please do not consider this as a mere lip service from us… but as a sincere appreciation of your singular qualities which have molded you as a true ratna — of the Tata group, of our small vibrant Parsi community, of our beloved state of Gujarat from where your ancestors hailed, and of our beloved country.” The APP also is confident that the Nano would be nurtured and encouraged in Gujarat with "warmth and fervor.”

The APP plans to hold a jashan ceremony followed by a humbandagi to welcome the Nano to Gujarat and has invited the industrialist to be present at a small get-together of the Parsi community of Ahmedabad, while urging him to "call upon us for any assistance that may be desired.”