Events & Personalities
Navroz at J.J. Parsi Ward
The annual jashan held at the Parsi Ward of J. J. Hospital for Jamshedi Navroz was preceded by sprucing up the place, having it painted, providing new curtains, bedsheets and clothes for the 45 residents and decorating it for the festive day. These efforts of Arnavaz Mistry, trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) who has been looking after this haven for senior citizens for several decades, are part of her commitment to creating a "happy, healthy and hygienic atmosphere" there, mentions an email received by Parsiana.
(Clockwise from top l): Jashan, Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy, Arnavaz Mistry, Khojeste Mistree, Yazdi Desai,
Jini Daruwala; Bomi Dotiwala, Yasmin Mistry, Armaity Tirandaz; residents and guests; entrance;
Zarin Havewala speaking Photos: Jasmine D. Driver
"I am delighted to be over here for the jashan ceremony," said Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy who was pleased to see "the Ward in this bright, spruced up condition… I distinctly remember the time when this Ward was in such a dilapidated state that the residents here would think of it as a curse and a punishment. The doctors would be wary of attending to them, and would refuse to step into the Ward. The first floor was being used as a godown for the whole Hospital, and all sorts of useless stuff used to be dumped there."
BPP trustees Khojeste Mistree and Yazdi Desai, who were present, appreciated the care that is being taken of the residents. Navroz is celebrated in many parts of the world by people from diverse ethnic communities and religious backgrounds and is a secular holiday, noted Mistree. Actor Bomi Dotiwala mentioned that he has been a regular visitor at the Ward for many years and seen the commitment of the volunteers in keeping it spic and span. Social worker Jini Daruwala recalled the munificence and philanthropy of the first Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy in creating the Hospital which had "not only benefitted the members of our community but also all the poor and needy… who knock on (its) doors… in their hour of desperation and medical needs."
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From the archive