In honor of the Hospital

The gala dinner and dance organized by the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) on October 11, 2014 succeeded in raising £ 50,000 (Rs 5,000,000) for the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital, notes a report by ZTFE president Malcolm Deboo. The recent effort was in continuation of their earlier initiative to raise funds for the Hospital by setting up the "ZTFE Friends of the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital” on the Meher mah parav on March 1, 2014. "The idea came as a tribute to the memory of ZTFE patrons, the late Faridoon and Mehraban Zartoshty who held the Hospital very dear to their hearts,” writes Deboo. "Our target for the year ending March 31, 2015 is £ 100,000 (Rs 10,000,000).”

Entertainers from the English National Youth Opera of the North

Chair and vice chair of the Hospital, Homa and Aban Petit, having specially flown in for the event, Homa summarized the work of the Hospital, referred to its free patient care for the indigent members of the community, and its repeated deficits for which substantial funds are required. The other dignitaries present on the occasion were introduced by ZTFE past president and current treasurer Dorab Mistry whilst erstwhile president and current trustee Rusi Dalal made the presentations. Dr Virendra Paul, the deputy high commissioner of India, spoke of the Parsi contribution to India’s growth. Navin Shah, Greater London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow, recalled his origins in Bombay when he had witnessed Zoroastrian charity in action. For the occasion messages of support were received by ZTFE patron Lord Karan Bilimoria and Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas.
Expressing his admiration for the work undertaken by the Hospital, prominent London solicitor Sarosh Zaiwalla made a substantial pledge to the Hospital. The occasion also accorded an opportunity for the ZTFE fraternity to felicitate Zaiwalla on his legal firm Zaiwalla and Company, the first Asian law firm in the city of London, completing 30 years. Whilst acknowledging the recognition from the community, Zaiwalla exhorted young Zoroastrians to strive for success regardless of the odds.
A 10-minute film on the Hospital, made by Bomi and Shazad Patel, sensitized the gathering to the functioning of the Hospital whilst three talented members of the English National Youth Opera of the North entertained the guests. ZTFE counsel emeritus Noshir Avari led the Toast of Loyalty to the Queen after which members and friends enjoyed a scrumptious four course meal prepared by Greenleaf and complemented with Cobra Beer. Later those present danced away to the music by ER London.
On October 2, 2014, at a special general meeting convened by ZTFE, Ervad Zal Sethna, Ervad Marazban Dastoor and Dr Cyrus Poonawalla were elected as honorary members. Besides serving as former treasurer and president of ZTFE Sethna is a practising priest. Dastoor has rendered over half a century of honorary service to the ZTFE as a priest and regularly demonstrates Zoroastrian rituals to interfaith visitors and students at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Poonawalla was commended in recognition of his sponsorship that was considered "vital for the success of ‘The Everlasting Flame’ exhibition” held at SOAS in 2013.