Disappointed in Udvada

While surfing for good holiday destinations on the internet, what is seen in the illustrations is often far from the reality when one makes a booking and goes there. This happened to us when we visited the Parsi museum set up by the Zoroastrian Information Centre (ZIC) in Udvada.

The brochure we had seen was beautifully done, which is what impelled us to visit the museum. However, we were shocked to find the entire compound covered with waist-high grass, crying out for proper upkeep. Imagine what non-Parsis who visit it will think of us or for that matter even our Zoroastrian brethren who go to Udvada on pilgrimage?

How is it that the recently built ZIC is totally uncared for? What are the trustees of the Foundation for the Development of Udvada (FDU)) doing? Have they at all visited it after it was thrown open to the public? One would not mind paying an entrance fee if that would help to keep the place clean.

I hope that the trustees work on it or else the museum will go the way of the dilapidated, uncared for Parsi bungalows one sees in Udvada. RODA D. HAKIM

Baroda

vadhakim@yahoo.com

Dinshaw K. Tamboly, trustee, Foundation for the Development of Udvada replies

In response to Roda D. Hakim’s communication, we clarify that it is common for grass to grow during the monsoon. On account of paucity of labor as well as funds, it is not possible to have the grass cut on a regular basis. It is cut and mowed post monsoon when labor is available. This is a fact of life that one has to adapt to.

As far as the exhibits and exhibit rooms are concerned, we have received nothing but acclaim. Hakim may rest assured that the trustees of the FDU visit the ZIC regularly and are in sync with all aspects of the Centre.