Martyrs, Naoroji honored

A sizeable congregation, including the largest gathering of family members of Parsi war veterans attended the annual Farvardin mah, Farvardin roz ceremony at the War Memorial inside Khareghat Colony on September 5, 2012, stated Vispi Dastur president of the Bombay Parsee Association (BPA) that honors the martyrs each year.

"We never had so many relatives” of the deceased veterans before, noted Dastur, attributing the large turnout to the publicity the event has generated over the years and also to the efforts of Comde Aspi Marker in contacting the family members. A sense of "patriotism and family values are being inculcated” amongst those who attend, added Dastur.

Wreaths were laid in memory of the valiant departed serving in the armed forces who had sacrificed their lives for the country during World War I and subsequent conflicts, mentions a write-up received from the BPA.

Line-up of dignitaries holding wreaths to place on War Memorial at Khareghat Colony (below)

A naval bugler played the Last Post and Réveille, while Dastur, Marker, Vir Chakra awardee Sqn Ldr Parvez Jamasji, Cmde Medioma Bhada, Adi Mehta, Marazban Wadia and Pervin Sidhwa placed wreaths at the Memorial. Those present at this solemn salutation included Aloo Shroff, Tehmina Peer, Rusi and Gev Bhamgara, Ervad Cyrus Dastoor, Dara and Armin Mogal, Kersi and Pervin Surti and Navaz Sanjana, the write-up lists. Two minutes’ silence was observed in memory of the gallant souls.

Speakers included Dastur, Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustees Khojeste Mistree, Arnavaz Mistry, Armaity Tirandaz along with Marker, Bhadha, Jamasji, Mehta, Godrej Dotivala, Rustom Jasoomoney, Sanjana, Marzban Giara and Wadia, notes the write-up. The function concluded with a humbandagi led by Dastoor, followed by breakfast courtesy the BPP administered F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, inside its premises, where all (including the naval buglers) were served akoori, bread and butter along with tea or coffee, Dastur revealed.

Attendees at BPA function to honor Dadabhai Naoroji on his birth anniversary at his statue

On the 187th birth anniversary of Dadabhai Naoroji, which fell a day earlier on September 4, 2012, BPA’s members met at the statue of the Grand Old Man of India at Flora Fountain in Bombay. Dastur garlanded the statue, as in previous years, mentions the write-up. Garlands were also offered by the Iran League, Rahumae Mazdayasnan Sabha, Navsari Parsi Association, Cowasjee Dinshaw Trust, BPP trustee Yazdi Desai, FOZAWAC (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations for Welfare and Culture) and the Municipal Corporation. These were placed on the statue by Marker, Mehta, Rustom Vakil, Dotivala, Sidhwa, Dr Shernaaz Avari and others. In their speeches Dastur, Marker, Mehta, Dotivala and Giara paid rich tributes, the write-up mentions. Wadia recited a poem on Naoroji in Gujarati followed by two minutes’ silence.