Allahabad’s A-list

From pre-Independence days Parsis have been a respected community in the holy Sangam city of Allahabad. In the past they numbered 150 or more in the Allahabad Parsee Zoroastrian Anjuman (APZA). Almost all were engaged in business, and enjoyed a good reputation. They were more like pioneers, who had made Allahabad their home in the mid-19th century, and lived in grand homes, in the prestigious Civil Lines locality.
The best cinema house, Palace Theatre which was run by the Madans when the Ghandhis leased it to them and later further developed by Shapoorji R. Ghandhi and Sons, still stands as a landmark in Civil Lines. This cinema house had a highly efficient Parsi manager, Jalbhoy Marolia, a post held earlier by Sohrab Maneckshana, and had a unique open ticket counter where the queue was orderly with no crowd disturbance ever. The Palace also had the best cinema operator, Dali Eduljee, who ensured excellent viewing pleasure. The Ghandhis also built the Jalejar Ghandhi Fire Temple for the community. The renovated Palace Theatre is today a cinema-cum-shopping center run by the capable Vera Dossabhoy Gandhi.

At the top of the list of Allahabad’s general merchants were Parsis — the Shapoorjees, Guzders and Ghandhis. The first acknowledged X-ray center was at the Guzders’. And later they became well-known for the famous Guzder’s Ice Cream. Ardeshir Guzder was the pioneer, while his son Jalejar was president of the APZA for years.
C. D. Motishaw had the best automobile showroom, which could compare favorably with any in the state. He had a vast display of imported cars, motorbikes and cycles. Sale and repair work were done at the showroom. Motishaw’s patrons included persons from the Indian princely families. The civic authorities of the city inscribed Motishaw’s name, alongwith a few others, on a pillar at the All Saints Cathedral Crossing, to mark their contribution to Civil Lines.
Located on the same premises was the best photographer in the state, his showroom always full of British and Indian customers, including rajahs, maharajahs and their families. The studio, started by M. B. Mistry, was later run by his son-in-law J. M. Patell. They were "photo-artists” in the right sense, and could tackle any problem confronting the customer. Patell had a daylight studio, with one entire wall and a large part of the roof made of glass. His work was often sent to England. The daylight studio provided soft, natural lighting. It was the era of black and white photographs which were colored/tinted in the most natural way. Patell was the family photographer of the Nehrus; he had photographed (later to be Prime Minister) Indira and Feroze Gandhi’s wedding. He was the official photographer for all events at the railways, courts and official premises.

The top hoteliers in Allahabad were Parsis: Royal Hotel, proprietor Framroze Patel, Cavendish Hotel, proprietor Sunny Kotwal, Finaro Hotel, proprietor Roda Gandhi. Roda was very well known for her social work and culinary expertise. She was highly respected as one who was always ready with a helping hand. She was married to Feroze Gandhi’s elder brother, Feroze being known for practising the right kind of honest politics.
Dossa Gandhi, later proprietor of the Gandhi Palace Theater, was a socialite who mingled with all kinds of people in the city and was well versed in legal affairs.
Faredoon Gandhi, a quiet person, was president of the APZA at one time. He was a superb lawyer who never hankered for high fees and gave excellent advice. His son Rustom Gandhi, a businessman, well-known in Allahabad’s social circle, is the current president of the APZA. He succeeded Capt Homi Dandiwalla who had served as president for several terms. Rustom’s wife Shernaz is the vice president. She retired from St Joseph’s College (SJC) where she taught English. Shernaz won an award for her work in the field of education which was presented to her by the late governor Shashtri. She had also won a community award from the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India at Bardoli near Surat. Shernaz and Rustom Gandhi are also top Reiki masters and extend their help whenever needed.
The best dentist in Allahabad was Roda Gandhi’s father, Dr B. Hirji. Dentists of later times using highly advanced techniques have marvelled at his work.
The two leading educationists were reputed professors of the Allahabad University, Dr J. K. Mehta and Dr P. E. Dustoor. Besides being highly proficient in their subjects — Economics and English respectively — they were known as good citizens of the city.
Mehta is still remembered by the University faculty for his contribution to the subject, as also for his homeopathic medicines (given free), which never failed to cure. He was a humane man with knowledge of the sensitivity of human nature. The University holds a memorial service in his name very year. His son Dr Sohrab J. Mehta was an acclaimed doctor of homeopathy, who offered free treatment.
Dustoor used to write plays for the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) and also ran a theater and the Friday Club at Allahabad University. As proctor, he was annoyed when the administration asked him to be lenient in student discipline, and resigned.
This writer won four local awards for teaching and her contribution in counselling teenagers when they faced any predicament. The anti-drug and anti-smoking campaign was dear to her heart. She won recognition from the International Women’s Council for this work. She has been speaking on anti-fanaticism and communal harmony. From 1955 to 2009 she wrote regularly, with several magazines publishing her poems and articles.

In service of the nation
Sqdn Ldr Rohinton B. Framjee, from the Guzder family won an award for his presence of mind in saving an Indian Air Force aircraft from crashing.
The Railways had an officer, Jal Muncherjee, who was known for his valuable services to the Railways and his humanitarian feelings for his workers.
Tehmina K. Gandhi was a respected inspectress of schools in Uttar Pradesh. She initiated the Behram roz evening at Bazam Hall in the Agiary compound. All Parsis in Allahabad dined and enjoyed an evening together once a month. Parsi New Year and Christmas were also celebrated at the Bazam Hall. This writer, then Meher Patell, and Roda Gandhi often put up programs for youngsters — fancy dress, raffle, games, etc at these functions. Well known as artists and art teachers, Mehru Mehta and Khurshid Patell put up variety entertainment programs.
For several years Dr Katie H. Bhamgara provided homeopathic treatment thoughout the city. She is now leading a retired life in Surat.
Beji F. Dhondy, deaf-mute since the age of one-and-a-half, earned a name for his master tailoring at Gents House for over 40 years. He was an active member of the Deaf Association at Allahabad. He was good at sports and is still greatly interested in sporting activities across the world.
For over a century Parsis have enjoyed a good reputation and respect amidst the people of Allahabad. Sadly, now just three families remain.

Meher Dhondy, now 84, was born and brought up in Allahabad where five generations of her family lived. A teacher with over 60 years’ experience, she has won awards for her crusade in counselling teenagers on the evils of drugs and cigarettes. She has been the Zoroastrian representative at all-religion meets and was a freelancer whose poems and articles appeared in many periodicals until 2009. She now lives in Gurgaon, Haryana.