Funds for Mahuva

The Shree Mahuva Parsi Anjuman has an agiary, a community hall called Manek Wadi and a dakhma at village Mahuva in Surat district, 50 kms from Surat. The agiary and Manek Wadi were established in 1910 from a handsome donation received from Ardeshir Bikaji Patel, who had also established the Patel Agiary in Andheri, Bombay. Manek Wadi was named after the donor’s son who died in the prime of his life. In 2010 we celebrated the centenary of the agiary in Mahuva and felicitated the heirs of the late benefactor (see "Motivation at Mahuva,” Parsiana, December 21, 2010).

Front (far left) and rear views of Manek Wadi community hall in Mahuva, near Surat

At one time there was a sizeable Parsi population in Mahuva and 20 villages in its vicinity. Today, with migration to cities like Surat, Navsari and Bombay, there are few Parsis left in Mahuva and eight to 10 nearby villages. Our Anjuman maintains the agiary and Manek Wadi. Though our dakhma and its adjoining land are protected, the dakhma has not been in use since many years. Manek Wadi is used for jashans, the agiary’s salgirah celebrations and other functions which are held in its spacious hall. A well maintained kitchen provides dining facilities. To augment the revenue, at present we give Manek Wadi on daily rent to members of other communities. The income from this is used to meet the recurring expenses of the agiary, as is reflected in our audited statements.

Manek Wadi is in need of repairs, renovation and repainting, the estimated cost for which is Rs 20 lakh. Once this is done we will be able to earn more income by way of rent. Since we do not have adequate funds to undertake this task we appeal to members of the community to donate generously. No amount of donation will be too small and all amounts received will by judiciously used by us for the stated purpose. Cheques drawn in favor of "Shree Mahuva Parsi Anjuman” may be sent to the Anjuman at Parsi Street, PO Tal Mahuva, District Surat, 394250.

HOSI G. BAJINA

President, Shree Mahuva Parsi Anjuman

Mahuva, Surat District