Adenwalla honored
Sir Hormusjee Cowasjee Dinshaw (Adenwalla) was honored on his 158th birth anniversary on April 4, 2015 by the Bombay Parsee Association (BPA) whose president Vispi S. Dastur garlanded the statue of the stalwart at Veer Nariman Road in Bombay on the occasion. Dastur recalled that Adenwalla was the founder patron of the BPA and founder president of the Iran League, mentions a write-up on the event sent by the BPA.
Others who garlanded the statue were FOZAWAC (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations for Welfare and Culture)president Adi Mehta, Cmde Aspi Marker, Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Khojeste Mistree, community activists Rusi Bhumgara and Rustom Cooper. Flowers were placed on behalf of the BPA, Iran League, Cowasjee Dinshaw Trust, Navsari Parsee Association and Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay.
At Sir Hormusjee Cowasjee Dinshaw Adenwalla’s statue, garlanded by BPA on his birth anniversary
An article on the Adenwalla family was read out which noted how the family had established and developed business in Aden in the 19th century when it was little more than an anchorage for dhows and bore no resemblance to the great port and entrepôt center it was to become. Hormusjee’s father Cowasjee had the imagination to see opportunities at the advent of steamships which were plying the world’s sea lanes. He established Cowasjee Dinshaw and Sons in Aden in 1850, a firm which began to specialize in military and naval contracts. Known for its fair dealings and efficiency, the establishment earned the founder many commendations. With growing prosperity, the family set up institutions like a dispensary for the poor, a free library and an agiary. Cowasjee’s benevolence extended to the poor and needy in India as well.
Hormusjee, who joined the firm in 1879, expanded its operations by opening further branches while continuing the benevolence of his father. He started the Sir Hormusjee Cowasjee Dinshaw Anglo-Vernacular School in 1920. Among the many honors he earned were appointment as Portuguese Consul, being made Knight Commander of the Royal Military Order of Our Lady of Conception at Villa Viroza and membership of the Royal Victorian Order.
Those present included Adenwalla’s great-great-grand-daughter Lyla and her children Nairika and Darius Mehta, Aloo Shroff, Tehmina Peer, Shernaaz and Baji Avari, Pervin Sidhva, Gev Bhumgara and Nariman Amaria. Snack boxes were provided courtesy Marker, the write-up mentions.