“Parsis preferred”

The Sorabji Burjorji Garda College of Arts and P. K. Patel College of Commerce in Navsari have good news for the community. Thanks to the efforts of donor trustee Noshir Kavasji Sabawalla, the Sorabji Burjorji Garda College Trust has obtained minority status, and all Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian students from anywhere in India can avail of education there free of cost. This was announced in a notice published in the Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly of May 6, 2012. "Parsis preferred,” the notice mentions, and "there is no bar for marks percentage also at the time of giving admission.”

The 67th edition of the institution’s annual magazine, Guardian, for 2011-2012, which was sent to Parsiana by Sabawalla is almost entirely in Gujarati. It carries messages from several leading personalities in politics, education and from the community. The current Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy wrote, "In the last 66 years the S. B. Garda College Trust has devotedly served the needs of the Parsi community by establishing colleges for arts, science, commerce and law. May the torch of learning and its sacred flame burn brightly within its portals so that it continues to inspire future generations to attain greater heights.”

Dastur (Dr) Peshotan Mirza of Udvada’s message mentioned that the institute has special significance for his family as his father, the late Dastur (Dr) Hormazdyar Mirza of Iranshah, Udvada, "served the College for over a decade (1945-57) as the professor of Avesta Pahlavi... (He) had fond and respectful memories of the same all his life.” Lauding Sabawalla’s efforts, Dr Shernaz Cama, director Unesco-Parzor Project, wrote: "Navsari has produced great Parsis who have done much for the Indian nation and have contributed to its economic, social and cultural growth. One has to appreciate the vision of the founders of the Sorabji Burjorji Garda College who in 1945 provided Navsari with centers of excellence for higher education. I congratulate the trustees... for not only providing educational facilities to all the people of Navsari but also protecting the minority communities and taking them forward.” In his message, Bombay Parsi Punchayet chairman Dinshaw Mehta mentioned that "the most important factor is retaining and giving emphasis to the mother tongue Gujarati even in these days of fierce competition especially with emphasis on the English language.”

Prof T. R. Naik, an alumnus of the College who had edited Guardian for eight years, was invited to write for the magazine and recalled how the institution "takes care of the students, teaching and non-teaching staff.” He mentioned the galaxy of teachers who were "examples of inspiration for the young” and that the "atmosphere of the college was fully academic and of very high status.” He acknowledged the "very valuable service” being rendered by Sabawalla whom he describes as the "true representative of this minority community institution” who has preserved and enhanced its prestige.

The Sorabji Burjorji Garda College of Arts and P. K. Patel College of Commerce is located at Sayaji Road, Navsari 396445, Gujarat, India. Office tele/fax No: (02637) 250277, 250860.