A century of service

She ignited the flame 100 years ago. To render selfless service to the cause of humanity irrespective of class, creed or social status was her aim. Shirin Panthaki, supported by her husband Dosabhai established the Parsi Nursing Division (PND) on January 5, 1913 under the auspices of the St John Ambulance Brigade, London. The torch has been carried forward by her family and the PND celebrated 100 years on January 12 this year at a glittering function at Cama Baug, mentioned a press release sent to Parsiana by PND Divisional Commander (and grandniece of Shirin) Dilshad Tavadia. She welcomed chief guest Burjor Antia, senior lawyer and partner of Mulla and Mulla and Craigie, Blunt and Caroe and Shernaaz Engineer, editor of Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly. Division Commander of the Parsi Ambulance Division (PAD, which was started by Dosabhai) Aspi Sarkari also addressed the gathering. Congratulatory messages from several dignitaries affiliated to the national overseas division of St John were read out by Divisional Commander Feroze Sethna. Antia and Engineer together unveiled a silver coin and released a souvenir specially printed for this milestone occasion. For giving of her dedicated and selfless service to the PND for 63 long years, Goolcheher Patel, who is the senior most member of the Division, was felicitated that evening.

Office bearers of Parsi Nursing Division

In appreciation of its commendable work, Antia presented the PND with a magnanimous donation of one lakh rupees, notes a grateful Tavadia in the email. Nursing sister Tinaz Tata felicitated the dignitaries on and off the dais. Also present were Mehli Colah, Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) chief executive officer and trustee of the Ambulance Division, other Ambulance trustees Homiyar Vakil and Noshir Avari, BPP trustees Arnavaz Mistry and Yazdi Desai who came along with his wife Anahita and Red Cross representative Homai Modi.
After sister Dinoo Dumasia thanked one and all, the evening was brought to a close with a burst of firecrackers, music, dance and a dinner catered by Tanaz Godiwalla.

Nursing sisters with Dilshad Tavadia in the foregroung; medical camp;

The Parsi Ambulance and Nursing Divisions impart theoretical and practical training in first aid and home nursing. As per the St John Ambulance standard for excellence in first aid and disaster management, the PAD and the PND offer extensive first aid training programs and medical aid, ensuring excellent quality of service and expertise. Division members participate in all District initiatives. As part of the centenary celebrations, the division will also be organizing medical camps and social projects for the poor and needy, the email mentions.
"To run an institution of this mammoth size, not only do we require donations but we also require manpower to continue this great legacy left by our forefathers. Of late, the numbers of female members are dwindling due to lack of awareness of this institution or unwillingness to give their time for a noble cause,” laments Tavadia in her forward published in the centenary souvenir. Those desirous of donating in order "to continue in its philanthropic endeavors,” can contact Tavadia on 9820609080/9869085455.
Though the PND has an all Parsi membership, it caters to every section of society, without distinction of caste or creed, or whether the person is rich or poor. The various services provided free of cost are: transportation of sick and injured from their residence to the hospital; providing medical equipment like wheelchairs, commode wheelchairs, surgical beds, walkers, walking sticks, etc on rent-free basis (but against refundable deposit); running a free dispensary; attending to and providing first aid during various emergencies like riots, fires, terrorist attacks; organizing various medical camps in urban and rural areas; being present at functions like school sports, car and bike races, tournaments, events like Ganesh immersion, etc, notes the centennial brochure.
Steering the PND as its Divisional Commanders are Tavadia and Parvin Desai. Nursing sisters Pearl Gazdar, Dumasia, Havovi Patel, Goolcheher Patel, Tata, Kainaz Wadia, Katty Wadia, Kerman Patel, Farida Bhathena and Tanaz Kerawalla along with new recruits Karishma Sarkari, Zeenia Dalal, Sanaya Bharucha and Perviz Guzdar form the 16 member group. The PAD has 23 members on its rolls.

Burjor Antia and Shernaaz Engineer releasing centenary souvenir, coin