TPZA’s celebrations

Urging the younger generation to join the police force, former Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Darabsha Patel rued the fact that today there are only two Parsis in the department of the rank of Inspector of Police. When he joined the force there were 10 times as many, and of those several were Deputy and Assistant Commissioners, he told a gathering of over 160 at Thana where he was chief guest at a Parsi New Year and Khordad Sal function organized by the Thana Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman (TPZA) on August 23, 2015.

Zarsis Udhnawala, TPZA president welcomed Patel and his wife Daisy, while Dara Wadia, TPZA treasurer presented her with flowers. Patel had been instrumental in establishing a prepaid taxi service at Bombay’s international airport. During his 35 year tenure in the police force he received numerous accolades and medals for outstanding achievements, Udhnawala told the gathering. Patel has also been honored by the Rotary Club, colleges, social and educational foundations. Karani and Udhnawala presented him with a plaque while Daisy received a bouquet from Pervez Bhesania, TPZA vice president.
The evening’s celebrations that has begun at the Patell Agiary with a jashan performed by five priests led by Ervad Behramsha Sidhwa who also conducted a humbandagi, then moved to Coconut Lagoon, a restaurant owned by an enterprising Zoroastrian, Dickey Makati, mentions an email received from Percy Karani, honorary secretary of TPZA. A bus sponsored by Yasmin Wadia ferried the attendees. A minute’s silence was observed to honor the departed souls.
Rumi Kasad, TPZA joint treasurer gave a vote of thanks during which he acknowledged the efforts of Yasmin Wadia, Ruxana Irani, Sammanaz Irani, Havovi Billimoria, Parinaz Gandhi, Baktaver Bhagwar, Khorshed Bhesania, Shernaz Bam and Freny Patel.