Dotivala honored

For her selfless service to the less fortunate over a period of three decades Havovi Dotivala received a Lifetime Achievement Award on the occasion of World Health Day 2012. The award was presented by the Maharashtra United Nations Association (MUNA) in collaboration with the Indian Federation of United Nations Associations (FUNA) and United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) for India and Bhutan at the Islam Gymkhana, Bombay on April 13, 2012. A write-up on the event was sent to Parsiana by Dotivala’s husband Godrej, public relations officer of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet.

Mohini Mathur, executive chairperson of MUNA welcomed the dignitaries, while secretary general A. A. Syed encapsulated the activities of MUNA over the years. Chief guest Kiran Mehra Kerpelman, UNIC director, read out the World Health Day message of the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Niu Quingbao, consul general of the People’s Republic of China expressed his concern over the rapidly ageing Chinese population, while Dr Ravi Bapat, well-known gastroenterologist at the K. E. M. Hospital, speaking on the theme of ageing, emphasized the need to maintain as far as possible the quality of life.

Other awardees were Mathuradas Mehta, president emeritus of the All Indian Business Council in Bombay and Z. A. Bandukwala, president of the Indo-Arab Society. After the presentation of awards, students of the human development department of S. N. D. T. Women’s University performed a skit highlighting various problems — psychological, social, emotional and physical — faced by the elderly.

Havovi Dotivala (l) receiving award from Kiran Mehra Kerpelman

Dotivala has received recognition for her work in the form of several trophies and awards mentions the write-up, which also lists the organizations with which she has been associated. Inducted into the Zonta Club, an international organization for the advancement of women in 1968, Dotivala became its honorary secretary in 1971-73. She later founded the Zonta Club of Bombay III on March 17, 1980 and became its president from 1983-85 and area director Zonta International District 25, Area 1 in 1990-92. From 2002-2004 she was chairman of the District United Nations’ Committee.

The social activist’s involvement with the Rotary movement included serving as president of the Inner Wheel Club of Bombay Mid-Town (1981-82) and Inner Wheel Club of Bombay Seven Hills South (1996-97). In her former capacity she was responsible for the creation of a therapeutic park for the physically challenged at the All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Haji Ali in Bombay — the first one of its kind in South East Asia, as per the write-up. The park was inaugurated on June 8, 1982 by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.