Cooverji Bhabha’s 100th

The year 2010 is the 100th birth anniversary of my father, the late Cooverji Hormasji Bhabha. I am in the process of researching his life and bringing out a publication on the occasion.

My father was involved with the Central Bank of India from the late 1950s until 1968, when banks were nationalized. We have been looking for annual reports of the Central Bank for those years as well as for any interesting events at the Bank which took place during the time my father was involved with its working.

If any reader of Parsiana has such documents, letters or papers pertaining to this matter, would they please share them with me? I would be happy to acknowledge the source in the publication. The best way to reach me is by e-mail.

RATI FORBES (née) BHABHA

Poona

rforbes@forbesmarshall.com

Dinyar Vajifdar, RIP

Our beloved Ervad Dinyar Vajifdar, panthaky of Bandra’s Tata Agiary, passed away on May 16, 2010. He was a man whose humility, kindness, and integrity were unquestioned and rare. Soft spoken, he had a sonorous and clear voice while reciting the Avesta prayers. It was always a great religious experience to hear him pray and invoke Ahura Mazda’s blessings on us and on our loved ones. His health was always suspect and he made many visits to hospitals for various ailments. The last one, a liver transplant, claimed his precious life. His noble wife donated part of her liver to help him survive but it was not to be.

At a time when our Parsi community is facing so many problems — passing fatwas, banning priests who do not agree with the high command of our high and mighty Bombay Parsi Punchayet — Vajifdar was like a beacon of light who strongly believed that one must live within the parameters of our scriptures yet not be rigid in thought or deed, but rather try to follow the spirit of our prayers and not get bogged down in useless controversies which have only succeeded in dividing the Parsi community. GOOLOO R. MEHTA

gooloomehta@hotmail.com