Colah’s new challenge

"Of course there will be challenges. Not everyone will agree with everything I do. But that is part of life. You can’t please everyone,” Mehli P. Colah, the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) responded when Parsiana asked how he would face the responsibilities ahead.

Mehli Colah: "can’t please everyone”

Colah has already served the world’s premier Parsi trust fund for 25 years, as per a write-up forwarded to Parsiana by Godrej N. Dotivala, public relations officer of the BPP. Born in December 1961, this alumnus of the Bharda New High School is a double graduate in Commerce and Law from the University of Bombay. Colah joined the BPP on January 3, 1983 as senior accountant, climbing the executive ladder rapidly because of his professional capability, zest for work, amiable disposition and punctuality. In less than a year he was appointed deputy chief accountant and in July 1987 promoted as chief accountant. Eleven years later he rose to be deputy chief executive and financial controller before being elevated as CEO in January 2008.

During his tenure he has completely revamped the financial structure of this 350-year-old institution and in keeping with modern requirements introduced computerization. When asked by Par-siana how the new regulation permitting trusts to invest in shares/mutual funds would affect the BPP, Colah informed that the amendment pertains only to the Indian Public Trusts Act 1882 and not to the Bombay Public Trusts Act 1950, under which the BPP falls. Nor does Section 5 of the Income Tax Act permit investments of this nature for the BPP. "Let’s keep our fingers crossed” for a future relaxation in regulations which will benefit the BPP, he ended on an optimistic note.

Actively associated with numerous social, religious and cultural bodies, Colah is honorary treasurer of the Indo-Iranian Friendship Society and has been a trustee of over 30 institutions and organizations including the J. D. Amaria (Sodawaterwalla) Agiary, Bai Avabai Wadia (Idavala) Agiary, Parsi Ambulance Division (St John’s Ambulance Brigade), Bharda Marzban Education Trust (Bharda New High School and Junior College). In addition, he has diligently controlled the investments of over 140 anjumans, individual and collective trust funds including those for specific purposes, places of worship and religious endowments.

In his appointment, the onerous duties of CEO have passed from the capable hands of Behram T. Dastur into equally capable hands.