Epitome of grace

"The Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) lost two great personalities within a month — both of whom were loved, revered, respected and were the hot favorites in their own fields and in their hey days,” noted an email from DPA joint secretary Veera Mavalwala paying tribute to the culinary expert Bhicoo J. Manekshaw and sports professional and social welfare crusader Mehru M. Shroff.

Bhicoo Manekshaw (left) and Mehru Shroff

Manekshaw was the "epitome of grace, beauty, elegance, sophistication and charm. But besides all that she was an intellectual — with a great sense of dedication, drive and integrity,” appreciated Dadi E. Mistry, DPA patron, at a meeting arranged a few weeks after her demise on April 17, 2013 at the India International Centre to celebrate Manekshaw’s life. She was his colleague on the board of trustees of the DPA for many years and Mistry recalled that "it was wonderful to watch her give a piece of her expertise and proficiency so generously… (despite) her advanced age (see "The grande dame of gourmets,” In Memoriam, Parsiana, May 21, 2013).”
"It is my deep rooted conviction and belief that during Mehru’s generation it was the women who developed the backbone, character and morality of their children, as the men were too busy with their professional life. Her sons Noshir and Cyrus are what they are because of their mother Mehru,” declared DPA president Yezad Kapadia in his tribute to Shroff.
"Bhicoo Aunty was on my Social Centre Committee and always called me ‘Baby!’ I can still see her in her elegant saris and lovely kerbas (amber beads),” commented Mavalwala adding, "I knew Mehru Aunty from the day I came to Delhi in 1972 and my mother was her good friend. (She was) another very elegant person whom I really admired (see "Corporator and carer,” ).”