Neglected agiary

The Seth Cowasji Maneckji Ashburner Agiary at Ardeshir Dadi Street, next to Khetwadi first lane, is in a pathetic condition.

Not only is the structure dilapidated, dirty and smelly, but I was shocked to see a non-Parsi enter the premises (not inside the fire temple but its surroundings). I followed him to see where he was going and was appalled to see a public toilet without any doors right next to the Agiary which is very convenient for outsiders to use. It is shameful that instead of the flowers and plants that are usually grown around most of our fire temples so that the atash padshah is surrounded with purity and fragrance, the Ashburner Agiary reeks of urine and what not. I tried to find out why part of the Agiary property had been allotted for a public toilet. There was no answer.

Thereafter, I made a couple of other visits and on one weekend, along with friends and family, cleaned the Agiary. As we were not many in number, about seven or eight, and had only a Sunday in hand since all of us work, we could tackle only the hall and the front portion. There are two servants in the Agiary employed to clean the place. They are in their 60s or perhaps even older and are unable to do such hard work in a massive construction. There is another worker in his 50s as well, but all I heard from them were complaints about salaries of not more than Rs 3,000 with no extra benefits. There is therefore little to motivate them and they manage to survive in pathetic living conditions.

I appeal to all Zarathushtis to come together and so something. Let us organize a cleanliness drive to improve the conditions in which our atash padshah has been placed and contribute toward the Ashburner Agiary’s maintenance. Help me to make this possible by contacting me on the telephone at 9820174387.

YASMIN SHROFF

syasmin.shroff@gmail.com

The trustees of the Seth Cowasji Maneckji Ashburner Agiary respond

This Trust has inherited a few commercial use tenants, all of them non-Parsis. Unfortunately, they have access to the toilets within the compound. The Trust is trying to figure out a way to send them to another toilet outside the compound. Until such time as this is resolved the Trust will fix the toilet block and at least try to keep it clean with the help of the tenants and Trust employees.

The Trust is able to manage the salary for the staff based on the corpus and donations received each year. Even today the Trust runs in a deficit. Major repairs to the Agiary roof and certain structural repairs need to be carried out. If Parsis like you can contribute toward the repairs and maintenance of the Seth Cowasji Maneckji Ashburner Agiary, whose office is C/o Sir H. C. Dinshaw Building, 1st floor, 16 Horniman Circle, Fort, Bombay 400001, the Trust would be very grateful.

Lastly, we thank you for coming over with your family and friends to help clean certain sections of the Agiary.