Community concerns

I have been attached to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) since 1994-95 as a software and hardware consultant. I suppose 14 years is a good enough period to form an opinion about any person or community. I have found Parsis to be the most loving, honest and accommodating

people. What I like most is that nothing is kept aside in the heart to be spoken of later or behind one’s back.

I felt extremely honored by the faith shown in me and my programs by Mehli Colah, chief executive office of the BPP for the ballot paper/votes counting software. Since this was a unique case where a voter could cast seven votes per ballot paper, availability of a readymade or certified program was completely ruled out. We created the programs in a very short period of time and within the limitations of the secrecy criteria which limited our access to actual ballot papers with which to check the working of the programs.

On the first day of the counting, fear of the unknown had set in for all of us, including the candidates. Until two or three days prior to the ballot paper counting, I was of the opinion that Parsis are soft spoken and with a positive approach towards life. During that period I observed that most of them had a negative approach towards the election or ballot paper counting. No one had any faith in the next person.

I will not mention any names here, but some people were extremely helpful and ready to go to any extent to see that the ballot paper counting went smoothly. That enthusiasm was wrongly interpreted by others and some people came to ask me: "Did any of the candidates contact you for any reasons? Did anyone try to influence you?” Let me state very clearly here that no one approached me for any kind of favor. I felt hurt every time someone said something like this either to me or in conversation with each other.

The BPP vote counting process. Inset: Ketan Adhvaryu

I felt that the community, bound by bonds of love and affection, was falling apart with negative thoughts about each other. There was no reason for such baseless negativity. It was the situation that was causing it.

I kept a smile on my face during the counting process but I had just one big fear in my heart: "I or my programs should not be a cause of problems for such a lovely community.” When I witnessed hot arguments on the first day of counting, I suffered a sort of depression because my image of the peace loving Parsis was being torn apart and the fear I should be a cause of all this or that I should add to this.

But, once the counting process started with live images on large screens people realized the transparency of the counting process and within an hour or two I felt the same old Parsi spirit around me. The whole feeling of negativity was no longer to be seen.

And on the third day I was overwhelmed by the reactions and the togetherness of the community. The cheering of the winning candidates by all present was a wonderful feeling. I could not take the smile off my face. And every person, known or unknown, was congratulating me for the software, which overwhelmed me. One thing which should be made clear here is that without inputs from the people who helped build, check and run this software, I do not think it could have been such a success. I will not mention any names here as it may please some or hurt others. Thanks are due to all of them.

I received compliments which are difficult to forget.

Dinshaw Mehta gave me a big hug and said, "A wonderful job done.” I do not think I will ever forget that Jimmy Mistry was a great support prior to and all throughout the counting process. His appreciative smile and firm handshake was compliment enough. During the counting process Khojeste Mistree said: "Your system seems to be working fine till now.” Rustom Tirandaz asked: "What kind of system have you made? Your system is keeping everyone on their toes. Very good software.” Colah said: "It was a heck of a job. Nice work!” And many other friends congratulated me. I can continue for two more pages. I thank all of them.

As an individual I am no one to advise the Parsi community nor do I intend to hurt any one’s feelings or praise anyone either. My only intention in writing this is to ensure that this lovely community remains together forever without the negativity which I witnessed and which I know was situational.

My major gain is to have made so many Parsi friends during the three weeks of the elections, who have all strengthened my image of Parsis being a most loving, honest and accommodating bunch of wonderful people.