Appeal for funds

The New Year is approaching. We all look forward to celebrating, wearing new clothes, going to the fire temple, meet ing relatives and friends, exchanging greetings and having sev dahi for breakfast, dhan dar and macchi for lunch, seeing a Parsi natak in the evening and winding up the day with drinks and dinner with the family.

But while enjoying ourselves let us spare a thought for hundreds of our poor sisters and brothers who will not be able to wear new clothes, have hearty meals or enjoy a Parsi natak. Many poor, old, infirm and lonely co-religionists have no one to look after them. Some have no children, others have children who have deserted them for greener pastures, while yet others have children who are physically or mentally challenged.

These are people beyond retirement age, who can no longer work because of their age and health, whose meager savings have been eroded by sickness, inflation and diminishing returns on investment. Such people need to spend more money on medicines than food and can barely afford a square meal. Several of them are widows residing in widows’ chawls.

The Dadar Matunga Parsi Zoroastrian Association (DMPZA) helps such people in its own humble way. Established in 1925 by the founder of the Dadar Parsi Colony, the late Seth Mancherji Edulji Joshi, DMPZA gives medical and poverty aid to over 200 such old and infirm persons every month and also extends educational aid to deserving poor students.

The DMPZA needs the help of magnanimous individuals and organizations by way of donations so that we can ensure a better New Year for these unfortunate ones. Cheques made in the name of "The Dadar Matunga Parsi Zoroastrian Association” may be sent to the Association at 757, Road No 7, Parsi Colony, Dadar, Bombay 400014.

RUSTOM C. CHOTHIA

President, Dadar Matunga Parsi Zoroastrian Association