Dispelling darkness

By bringing light into our lives in any form we can dispel ignorance, poverty, evil, chief guest and Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Noshir Dadrawala reminded the gathering at the salgirah of the Umrigar Adarian in Baroda on March 25, 2010. Darkness does not exist by itself, it is just the moving away from light, explained Dadrawala, drawing an analogy with evil that can be explained as moving away from goodness. Speaking on the subject of "Significance of Holy Fire and Role of Prayers,” Dadra­wala alluded to the Atash ni Nyaish which refers to God as a friend of man. Ahura Mazda is not a "demanding God” who advocates penance, he only asks us to stay away from evil, noted a write-up by Meher Gin­wala giving an account of the salgi­rah function when "everyone was spell­­bound by the depth yet simplicity of the young speaker’s lecture.” Attested senior Baroda resident Roda Hakim, "Our community is going through a period of darkness and it’s for men like him to bring in the light and to show us the real direction.”

The function at Hira Baug began with a farewell address by the Baroda anjuman president Jal Patel who was laying down office after 10 years as president and 32 years as trustee. Listening to his experiences brought tears to some in the audience. "His capable and charismatic tenure will definitely be missed sorely by our community,” noted the write-up referring to the standing ovation he got and the honor in the form of a bouquet and shawl bestowed on him by Baman Cama on behalf of a grateful community.

Celebrating the salgirah of the Umrigar Adarian in Baroda with a talk by Noshir Dadrawala (below, fourth from left) and singing by youngsters; (right) jashan on Avan Yazad parabh

Other members of the Baroda community who were felicitated that evening were Ervad Hormazdiar Bhesania, recognizing that under him and his team of young mobeds "our Umrigar Adarian is truly well looked after.” Catering stalwarts Ruby and Marazban Khajotia too received accolades for their more than 30 years of service not only to the people of Baroda but other cities as well. Not forgotten were the commendable Barodians who volunteer for pallbearer work: Firoze Dariasha, Cyrus Tadiwala, Noshir Bhamgara, Rushad Cama, Zubin Engineer and Homi Dhandadina and those who come forward to regularly clean the Umrigar Adarian and the Contractor Agiary. Outstanding students who have shone in academics and sports were given awards as usual as also those who have excelled in their chosen field of endeavor.

The celebrations had commenced with a maachi and jashan at the Umrigar Adarian on mah Avan, roz Adar after which six eminent Parsis of Baroda were posthumously honored with their photos unveiled at the Jashan Hall of the agiary. Men and women of "fortitude, generosity and humanitarian service” who were so honored were past presidents Goolbanu Wadia, Edulji Dabhoiwala, Nariman Contractor, and other stalwarts Khansaheb Ardeshir Dalal, Ardeshir Hakim and Dr Rustom Cama.

Four days prior to this event the community had celebrated Navroz at Hira Baug with an art and craft competition followed by a musical performance by Barzin Contractor on his keyboard and the singing of Dara Gandhi’s soulful yesteryear melodies before enjoying the bhonu (repast) catered by the Khajotias.