Major bonds in Bangalore

The Bangalore Parsee Zoroastrian Anjuman hosted a function on October 30, 2007 at The Lady Jehangir Kothari Memorial Hall to felicitate Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major and his wife Zareen, as per a write-up sent to Parsiana by Dinshaw Cawasji, president of the Anjuman. Among the large number of Parsis present that day were several retired Indian Air Force (IAF) officers.

Following the traditional bandagi led by Dastur Nadirshah Unvalla, while welcoming the chief guests and the audience Cawasji recalled the old ties the Majors had with Bangalore, particularly Zareen who had spent her formative years there until she met and married Fali. He also paid glowing tribute to the numerous defence personnel from Bangalore who had reached great heights in their careers and were present on the occasion. Unvalla said that the prayers of the community were with the Majors while recalling with pride that he had performed Zareen’s navjote and subsequently officiated at her wedding with Fali, both at the present venue, The Lady Jehangir Kothari Memorial Hall. Honorary secretary of the Anju­man, Shereyar D. Vakil recounted Major’s career graph and his rise to the exalted position.

Air Chief Marshal Fali Major: power and responsibility

Having himself served the IAF for 37 years, Air Marshal (retired) Minoo J. Dotiwalla elaborated on the "responsibilities that go with this onerous task… People only tend to see the power and glamor that comes with this appointment. They have to remember that with it comes a very demanding accountability.” Anjuman vice president Soli Pochkhanawalla presented a memento to Major on behalf of the Parsis in Bangalore while outgoing president of the Anjuman, Phiroze B. Bharda stated that the entire community rejoiced at Major’s elevation. Air Vice Marshal (retired) Ramyar Batha, presenting Major with a decorative silver plaque from the Parsi IAF veterans in Bangalore, lauded his single-minded devotion to duty.

Thanking the Anjuman for having honored him and his wife, Major fondly recalled his posting in Bangalore and the many friends he had made, a number of whom were present at the occasion. When he spoke in some detail about his vision and plans for the IAF, the audience rose to its feet to accord him a standing ovation. Major presented a memento to the Anjuman, which was gratefully accepted by Cawasji. A congratulatory message from the Anjuman’s Bombay based trustee Cowasjee N. Dinshaw was read out by Wing Commander (retired) Dr Marzban Marker.

Wing Commander (retired) Aspy Patrawalla thanked the Majors for spending the evening with them, and the Anjuman and its trustees for their initiative in extending the invitation.