“Feel one with every other”

"If you ask any Parsi what are the basic tenets of the Zoroastrian religion, you will most likely hear ‘good thoughts, good words, good deeds,’ but the four principles of Zoroastrianism are enshrined in the Jasa me avanghe Mazda prayer,” stated Dr Homi Dhalla, chief guest at the meeting organized by Theosophical Order of Service to commemorate the 57th death anniversary of Jamshed Mehta on August 1, 2009 at Sir J. J. Parsee Benevolent Institution, Bombay.

In the course of his scholarly discourse Dhalla referred to Mehta as a "diamond with many facets” who exemplified the four principles of Zoroastrianism: fraspayaokhedram, being a missionary of peace, a cementing factor among warring parties and a healer; nidhasnaithishem, being a strong advocate of non-violence and satyagraha; khaetvadatham, sacrificing self for the cause of service to the poor; ashaonim, finding fulfillment in making others happy as also understanding and living the philosophy of the Gathas that stress on purity and righteousness.

Being a keen participant in the activities of different interfaith movements, Dhalla could appreciate that Mehta "was a man of dialog…he believed in universal brotherhood…he did not draw barriers of any kind.” Having initiated the practice of humbandagi during the Gathas in Karachi and being able to recite from the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim scriptures Mehta believed, "Feel one with every other and you will feel one with Him who is also life, light and love.”

Jamshed Mehta, "prophet of the poor” (left) and Dr Homi Dhalla

Quoting Mehta’s daily prayer: "O God, make me useful… keep me harmless… keep me pure…keep me your channel…” Dhalla summed up how he performed the three duties prescribed in the Shayast La-Shayast: to make the enemy your friend; the wicked, righteous; and the evil, wise.

Among the others who paid their tributes were Marzban Giara who referred to Mehta’s life of self denial, simplicity and humility, regarding "the municipal office as a temple of service to the poor” during his tenure as mayor and president of the Karachi Municipal Corporation. To this "prophet of the poor…service to humanity was service to God,” remarked Roxana Bhada alluding to the life of determination and dedication that was the hallmark of the other two Jamsheds too — Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and Jamsetji Tata.

During his life, Mehta had refused the title of Knighthood believing that the poor would then hesitate to approach him for help, recalled Rusi Toddywalla in his vote of thanks, adding that Mehta remained the only Parsi and non-Muslim from the subcontinent in whose honor a postal stamp was posthumously issued on his birth centenary by the Government of Pakistan. Reverently labeled as an "Emergency Man,” at the time of his 60th birthday in 1946, reportedly 77 organizations of Karachi got together to felicitate him.