25th issue of Knowledgiate

The 25th issue of Knowledgiate, the magazine of the Dadar Athornan Institute (DAI), contains a tribute to the late Ervad Dinsha Darabsha Sidhva, father of Ervad Cyrus, the editor, as also a remembrance of Ervad Soli Mulla who taught at the Institute for a number of years. The magazine first saw light of day on December 22, 1984 under the editorship of Ervad Rustomjee Panthaki, then principal of the Institute, notes the preface. Chairman Ervad Nadir Modi has been thanked for his "keen interest, appreciation, comments and suggestions” to enhance the value of the publication.

Ervad Cyrus Sidhva: editor, teacher, philatelist

The DAI report for the academic year 2010-2011 mentions that three new students were enrolled, bringing the total strength to 25, of which six are college-going. One student appeared for the SSC and secured 50 percent. No navars were initiated, though four students became maratabs during the year. Bhantar (pra­yers) examinations were conducted by Ervad Darayus P. Bajan. Some foreign scholars visited the Institute this year. Prof Albert deJong from Leiden University shared his work on Parthian history with the students, while Prof Prods Oktor Skjaervo of Harvard University, accompanied by Prof Yuhan Vevania from Stanford University interacted with them, the report mentions.

To offer the best to students and their parents, this issue of Knowledgiate contains articles by a number of renowned writers in English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi. Students have contributed articles, sketches, crosswords and puzzles. Reports of the Institute’s activities, information about the Dadar Parsi Youth Assembly, articles on religion, nature, astronomy, science, finance, population, personality development, computers and poems comprise the contents. A well researched article by the editor on flora featured on Indian postage stamps is interesting and informative. While not detracting from the sincere efforts expended, one feels that had the many accompanying illustrations been in color, it would have added immense visual value to the piece.
More SMS Treasures, the second booklet to be published by Knowledgiate Publications, was also brought out by Ervad Cyrus Sidhva at the same time. The pocket sized collection follows the earlier successful publication of SMS Treasures. Tracing the history of this mode of communication, Sidhva mentions that "Happy Christmas” was the first ever text message in the world to be sent by 22-year-old Neil Papworth 19 years ago. Today the SMS has become an indispensable tool for communication. The booklet contains samples of text messages in true "SMS style” on a variety of themes like friendship, good thoughts, greetings, love, actors and music in English, Hindi and Marathi, ranging from the funny to the profound. Here’s a sampling: "When you have an ass for a friend, expect nothing but kicks.” Another one reads: "Truth is like surgery, it hurts but it cures... (a) lie is like a pain killer, it gives relief instantly but has its side effects later.”