Presenting the president

"As president of the World Zoroastrian Organisation — India (WZO-I) since its inception, a post he has held with great dynamism and statesmanship…as a fellow member of the international board of the WZO, we admire your skills, your judgment and your perseverance in guiding us through the good and turbulent times in our history,” commended Darayus Motivala, president of WZO-UK, while conferring Dadi Engineer with the Lifetime Achievement Award at a function at the Allbless Baug on the evening of February 6, 2009. The audience gave a standing ovation when Engineer was presented the silver salver on behalf of the WZO-I managing committee. In the background could be heard the popular musical Congratulations and celebrations…

"The growth and success of WZO-I has been in no small measure due to the guiding hands of Dadi,” acknowledged Motivala while the chairman of WZO-UK Sammy Bhiwandiwalla, in a message carried in the souvenir brought out on the occasion, gave him credit for being "a shining example to the present generation on leadership, diplomacy and the highest level of professional achievement through perseverance, dedication and hard work.” Engineer was also presented a crystal bowl on behalf of the WZO international board "for his long and devoted service to the Zoroastrian community in India.”

Dadi Engineer (left) receiving award from Darayus Motivala

Earlier the evening’s master of ceremonies Percy Mistry had introduced Engineer as president of WZO-I for 25 consecutive years, for serving the Bombay Parsi Punchayet as trustee for over 13 years, for completing 50 years in the legal profession as a solicitor and advocate being a senior partner of Crawford Bayley and Company, a specialist in indirect taxation who has chaired different committees, "a multifaceted personality…respected for his ability and integrity, soft compassionate heart, fine sense of humor, believing in harmony, understanding and tolerance,” and practising Abraham Lincoln’s adage: "The best way I know to defeat an enemy is to make him your friend.”

Accepting the laurels "with grace” Engineer remarked, "I can merely say in all humility that it is only from the goodness of their hearts and their love and affection that they have honored me thus…” He referred to the envelope marked ‘Personal’ he had received 25 years ago from WZO. Expecting it to be an appeal for donations from the World Zoological Organization, he had kept it aside, little knowing that the sender of the letter, Dadi Mistry of Delhi, was "fuming and fretting” at the recipient for "not having the courtesy to reply to a letter inviting him to be president” of the India chapter of the World Zoroastrian Organisation! Acknowledging Mistry’s presence on the dais, Engineer added, "I owe all to Dadi Mistry — the man who brought the concept of WZO from UK to India.”

As an organization the WZO "does not believe in any religious controversy nor in political conflicts. We only want to do good to Zoroastrians…” stressed Engineer. Earlier in the evening there were references to WZO-I’s service and social projects promoting computer education, extending medical aid, organizing gahanbars, get-togethers, religious pilgrimages, upcountry visits, fund-raising programs, donating towards the upkeep of Doongerwadi, granting loans for professional courses…

In appreciation of Motivala’s gesture Engineer reciprocated by presenting him a plaque "for his outstanding services to the WZO and the Zoroastrian community.” After a career in the information technology (IT) domain spanning three decades in the UK, Motivala opened a theme restaurant and is very active in charity work. "He joined the WZO board in 1983 and became president of WZO-UK in 2006, using his IT experience to develop the WZO membership and to create a wonderful website,” mentioned Engineer. "Modest, unassuming and a great asset to our organization,” Motivala has been living in the UK since 1961. His wife Arnavaz is confined to a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis and daughter Zenobia, with a love for horses, has chosen to be an equestrian.

Recognizing talent

Known to be "quick to recognize outstanding achievements in the Zoroastrian community,” the WZO has in the past held functions to honor eminent individuals like Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Nani Palkhivala, Justice Sam Bharucha, Fali Nariman, Soli Sorabjee…. For the 2009 awards function 16 awardees were selected "who have achieved something significant in their lives and/or contributed in some measure to the welfare of the Zoroastrian community… It is good to recognize their talent because people have short memories,” noted Engineer.

Of the 10 male awardees the three who generated maximum interest were Sarosh and Burgess Cooper who have accomplished the rare feat of crossing the four highest mountain passes in the world in less than 24 hours on their motorbikes. Their feat has also been featured in the Limca Book of World Records. Before the duo roared up to the stage on their bikes to receive their awards, escorted by Nainaz Shroff on her two-wheeler Engineer conveyed their philosophy: "Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body but to slip into a grave, sideways, totally worn out, shouting, ‘What a ride!’”

Besides Engineer, the only other recipient that evening to get a standing ovation was Noshir Sanjana, group security manager at the Taj who stoically stood on crutches, supported by his wife on one side and Ruby Bharucha on the other, to receive recognition for acting beyond the call of duty on the night of terrorist attacks on 26/11. He was at his residence oblivious of the incident initially. As soon as news of the dastardly attack reached him he felt obliged to return to the Taj. Shot in the leg by terrorists as he helped hotel guests, he lay bleeding through the night until some fellow colleagues helped him out the next morning.

Other men to be conferred awards were: Percy Damania, recipient of the Silver Elephant Medal — the highest National Award for scouting; Aspi Sarkari for rendering 45 years’ honorary service in the Parsi Ambulance Division of St John Ambulance Brigade No. 3; Commodore Aspi Marker (retd) of the Indian Navy who was conferred the Nao Sena Medal for distinguished service; Pervez Kanga who even at the age of 83 years creates artistic wonders like the Ellis bridge in Ahmedabad, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Sanjan Memorial Column from pieces of broken glass bangles etc; athlete Adille Sumariwala, 11 times gold medal winner at the national games in 100 meters sprint who has been conferred the Arjuna Award; philanthropist-businessman Pheroze Sethna who started his enterprise Avan Foods and acts as commissioner of the St John Ambulance Brigade; television producer Ervad Cyrus Dastoor who is best known for his teleserial Humata Hukhta Hvarshta educating the Zoroastrian community.

Among the six distinguished ladies who were honored, ghazal singer Penaz Masani was clearly the favorite of the crowd. The only Parsi to feature in this year’s Republic Day list of the nation’s highest civilian awards, as mentioned Mistry, she was invited to the Delhi Parsi Anjuman’s Navroz function which she graciously agreed. As she conveyed in her acceptance speech: "I am so humbly honored to get the Padma Shri but this special award given by WZO, from my own community, means so much to me… Whenever my music is needed for any cause, please, please feel free to let me know.”

The other ladies to earn encomiums were: promising athlete Ayesha Billimoria who specializes in the 100 meters sprint; Tehmina Shroff for her distinguished service at her mother’s Jai Vakeel School for children in need of special care; Behroz Daruwalla, described by the Limca Book of Records as the "most versatile adventurous sports person in the country;” eminent educationist Diana Marfatia, formerly principal of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution and Junior College and currently head mistress of Dhirubhai Ambani International School; and Yasmin Charna supervisor of the boarding section at the Bai Avabai Petit School.

The services of the office bearers and committee members of WZO-I, recognized with a memento by Engineer were: vice president Nozer Meherji, joint honorary secretaries Rusi Bhumgara and Bahadur Mistry, joint honorary treasurers Silloo Mahava and Marzi Vatcha, committee members Darayus Chacha, Minoo Khan, Nozer Commissariat, Ruby Bharucha, Homiyar Doctor, Mehernosh Zaveri, Percy Mistry, Soonoo Andhyaru­jina and Zubin Bharucha.

Managing committee of WZO-India (standing, from left): Homiyar Doctor, Darayus Chacha, Marzi Vatcha, Zubin Bharucha, Minoo Khan, Nozer Commissariat, Mehernosh Zaveri, Ruby Bharucha, Soonoo Andhyaru­jina and Percy Mistry; (sitting, from left): Bahadur Mistry, Rusi Bhumgara, Nozer Meherji, Dadi Engineer with Darayus Motivala and Dadi Mistry

The awards presentation was followed by a hilarious skit performed by Dinyar Tirandaz and his group, dancing to the lively music by DJ Osh, singing Chhaiyé Hamé Zarathoshti and partaking of Tanaz Godiwalla’s contributory dinner.

Engineer was prompted to share a verse from William Wordsworth: "Small service is good service/O humble friend, bright creature/ Scorn not one./The daisy by the shadow it casts/Protects the lingering dewdrop/From the sun…” Summing up, Engineer added, "WZO-I has endeavored to be like a daisy — protecting the poor and needy…in our community. If you like the work we do, please join us. We don’t necessarily need your money but come and work with us.”