Navroz at Parsi Ward

It was celebration time once more, as it has unfailingly been for the past 23 years, for inmates of the Parsi Ward of the Sir J. J. Hospital on Jamshedi Navroz, March 21, 2010. Residents of the Ward, along with 150 well-wishers were present at a jashan ceremony during which all those who had passed away during the past year were remembered with reverence. A tandarosti was also prayed for all the 45 Parsis who currently occupy the Ward, as per an e-mail received by Parsiana from Zarin Havewala. She and Aspi Parakh have been stalwarts working alongside Arnavaz Mistry, Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee, who is "like a daughter, a sister and a mother, all combined in one, for the residents of the Ward,” Havewala mentioned on the occasion.

After the jashan the congregation moved into the main hall where Mistry acknowledged the role of her mentor, the late Silloo Kava­rana, who had introduced her to the Ward. The bond with the institution has grown stronger with the years and Mistry felt it was not the residents who needed her but that she needed them much more, that her life would be incomplete without them. She acknowledged the support and cooperation of Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy and the staff of the Ward, of the Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals, donors and well-wishers through the years, the e-mail noted.

Jashan at the Parsi Ward of Sir J. J. Hospital; Above: Arnavaz Mistry (left) and Zarin Havewala

Roshan Davar, a resident of Toronto in Canada, extolled Mistry’s insight and ability to carry on this good work. Davar who comes to Bombay regularly says she makes it a point to visit the Ward whenever she is in the city. Ninety-year-old Dhunmai Shroff, who resides in the F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla on Hughes Road, had come specially to support the humanitarian work done at the Ward. Later, all present were treated to falooda and snacks.

Mistry informed the gathering that this is the only old age home for the community in Bombay which takes in people even if they are bedridden or handicapped, providing treatment and accommodation free of charge. Those in need of the Ward services or any other requirements may contact Mistry personally at the Ward or telephone her at 9821009289 or 24147646.