A decade of devotion

"Jimmy, don’t sponsor another motorcycle rally.” Journalist Shernaaz Engineer, as guest speaker, was addressing chief guest Jimmy Mistry, trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and founder of the Parsi Resource Group that has twice in the past convened such events. At a function to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the installation of the sacred fire at the Shapoorji Fakirji Jokhi Agiary at Godrej Baug, Engineer, a resident of the Baug was keen that with support from community stalwarts the Godrej Baug Residents Welfare Association (GBRWA) "take up a youth leadership program… It is our collective responsibility to inspire the youth,” she urged some of the members of the community who had assembled at the Eco Park on December 18, 2009 for the evening celebration, the rest having already started their gahanbar meal or being more interested in getting the latest updates from the community grapevine.

"The trek to the top may be difficult,” she reminded the youngsters beseeching them to experience "the joy of having fulfilled your purpose” and the reward of making an "impact on the lives of others.” Considering the fire temple to be a "repository of faith, power, hopes and dreams,” she dwelt at length on the "legacy… of faith…of values/ethos…of race…of cuisine…of excellence” that should drive members of the community. "There is abuse of charity within the community today. Instead of gratitude towards the BPP there is a sense of arrogance,” commented the guest speaker who was filling in for an indisposed Dr Jimmy Sidhva.

As an endeavor to encourage the youth of the Baug, for the first time the GBRWA managing committee had appointed youth office bearers for the evening function "to share the dais with the dignitaries.” Thus Peshotan Kapadia chaired the program as president, Nutash Kotwal officiated as vice president, Ruhshaad Daroga as honorary general secretary, Zubin Pardiwala as master of ceremonies.

Shapoorji Fakirji Jokhi Agiary (top) and the finale of Vibrations

"There is nothing bleak for our community… I have a positive mindset. Insha Ahura (a variation of the Urdu term Insha Allah meaning God willing that is frequently used by some community members but having offended Areez Khambatta, the founder of the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis, now appears to have been modified) our community will always keep growing,” declared Mistry, announcing that one of the first few projects of his career was the interior designing of a flat at Godrej Baug.

BPP being the second largest property owner in Bombay all the seven trustees have resolved never to sell or lease community property to non-Parsis, assured Mistry. And even whilst the BPP board was divided on certain issues and some litigations continue in court, efforts are on "to strengthen dakhme­nashini” with trustee Khojeste Mistree visiting Doongerwadi every single day and two architects being invited from UK, Mistry told the members of the residential colony abutting Doonger­wadi.

Appreciating "what the youth performed, especially on the importance of the sudreh-kusti,” Mistry alluded to the evening’s proceedings that commenced with a humbandagi, welcome song and skit by the children of Godrej Baug, coordinated by Ervad Yezdi Panthaki and Jeroo Nargolwala. A maachi in the Uzirin gah and a jashan ceremony at the Jokhi Agiary had preceded the evening function. After the speeches the youngsters of the Baug were presented prizes for accomplishments in academics and extracurricular activities.

Spotting "light at the end of the tunnel,” guest of honor Commodore Medioma Bhada referred to the elation he experienced on learning that "a young Parsi boy had joined naval aviation.” He was however disturbed with the fissiparous tendencies in the community resulting in a spate of litigations, enquiring, "Where is the money coming from?” Describing the community media as "a fly in the ointment” he appealed to them "not to encourage divisive tendencies.” Supporting the work of the seven elected BPP trustees as also the Godrej Baug committee, Bhada believed, "We must allow them to do what they are doing. Today, if I am offered a flat with two extra rooms I won’t trade my N-7 Godrej Baug flat.”

"Come December, Godrej Baug starts bustling with activities and lights,” remarked Daroga.

Godrej Baug office bearers (far left) and Mickey Mehta at the annual sports; (below) grooving at Vibrations

Bustle in the Baug

The gahanbar function in December has religious overtones whilst the New Year’s eve celebration, Explosion 2010, signals "it’s time to rock.” The December 31 function offers "all the thrills of a regular program…at a fraction of the cost. You can also save yourself from the mindless traffic on that night and enjoy complete safety for yourself and your children within the Baug,” noted a circular announcing the event.

On January 24, 2010 Godrej Baug residents — little children and senior citizens included — wore their spikes and sports shoes to compete for the prizes in different track and field events at the annual sports organized at Priyadarshini Park. Seeing the same faces collect certificates in many events chief guest Mickey Mehta suggested that Zoroastrians from other residential colonies too could be invited to participate.

Yet another popular event hosted by the Baug is the biennial Vibrations – a music and dance extravaganza choreographed by Merzi Anklesaria and Maha­freen Sarkari that brought 85 participants on stage on November 7. Considered "a celebration of the youth, for the youth and by the youth” the youngsters took upon themselves the responsibility of augmenting the funds of the association for its multifarious activities. Seeing the lively items by the "terrible teens,” the young mummies and the seniors, chief guest Parizad Kolah Mar­shall commented she "had a great time” and was particularly impressed with the items depicting beach­wear and sportswear where one of the participants gave his football a kick from the ramp that sent it flying over the heads of the spectators and beyond the Eco Park walls. Yet another captivating item saw the boys, dressed up as girls, sway on stage and finally toss the concealed tennis balls to those in the crowd! While some residents danced, a few tested their vocal chords on stage.

For this program many hours were spent in rehearsal. For the cleaning of the Agiary prior to the 10th anniversary residents of the colony were requested to spend just a few hours. As Engineer had remarked at the celebration function, when in communion with the holy fire in the temples, devotees derive "solace and protection…The power of our prayers is phenomenal.” She further declared, "Being a Parsi is a lifelong obligation to an ethical way of life… Our birth (into this religion) is part of a divine plan, not an accident of fate.”