Know your candidates
Zarir Bhathena
62 years. I am a practicing chartered accountant with wealth of experience in charity management particularly and not limited to work for the last 28 years in The B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital.
I have always believed that there is a solution for every problem by proper and systematic application of one’s mind and heart. Nothing can be achieved without proper planning, realistic goals and enthusiasm. My action plan includes strengthening the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) administration and building bridges, both with donors and general members of the public.
Noshir Dadrawala
58 years. Philanthropy, CSR (corporate social responsibility) and trust management expert. As chief executive of the Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy my guidance is sought on legal, governance and management related issues pertaining to the charitable/non-profit sector in India. I serve on the board of the US based International Centre for Non-profit Law and as member of the Asian Philanthropy Advisory Network, and as trustee of many foundations in India. Author of several resource books, I conduct workshops for grant-making foundations and nongovernmental organizations.
Having briefly served as trustee of the BPP on the last board I believe that BPP is essentially a charitable trust and with the help of a good, like-minded team I hope to restore dignity of this once hallowed institution as also to uphold the rights of all beneficiaries, especially the marginalized and homeless.
Ervad Xerxes Vispi Dastur
45 years. I have been proposed by Minoo Shroff and seconded by Cyrus Guzder who felt I had the ability to contribute to the BPP. As a chartered accountant I work with many trusts across the country. I have nurtured and enjoyed working with teams that have delivered remarkable results in terms of community service. These required teamwork and the ability to carry everyone along, a quality that has served me well as vice chairman and treasurer of the Mumbai chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce. This is a philosophy I bring also to my responsibility as chairman of the Ripon Club’s managing committee.
Among my financial objectives for the BPP are immediate closure of the trust’s accounts, financial transparency, pay-per-performance model for donations, better financial management and efficiency, innovative methods of fund-raising such as crowdsourcing… Administrative objectives include vacating the stay on allotment of flats by the charity commissioner, revisiting the leave and license model and possible conversion into rental agreements, right to recall of non performing trustees, code of conduct and ethics not just for the election but also for the trustee’s tenure, conflict of interest declaration, full documentation of board meetings for access by the community, an interactive comprehensive portal so that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
Maneck Davar
57 years. With 38 years in journalism and publishing, commencing my career as assistant editor of Blitz, today I am the chairman of Spenta Multimedia Private Limited, India’s largest custom magazine publisher. I was the honorary secretary of the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress, am the chairman of the Kala Ghoda Association, managing trustee of Make-A-Wish Foundation India, chairman and trustee of The Society for the Protection of Children in Western India.
My proposal for introducing e-governance is a means of not only hastening aid to those in imminent need but also to ensure that they receive this with their dignity and self-respect intact. Another plank of my platform is decentralization and devolution of authority. In my agenda for change, the basic foundation for reform is the devolution of authority from the trustees to the BPP staff and empowering people down the line.
Maj Gen Khurshed Balsara, 59 years, Cmde Medioma Bhada, 75 years, Maj Gen Soli N. Pavri, 65 years, Sq Ldr Minoo Wadia, 71 years.
Clockwise from top left: Balsara, Bhada, Wadia and Pavri
We are an independent and apolitical group determined to uphold value-based governance in the BPP. Each one of us has excelled in the complexities of administration, man-management and in the exercise of the financial, legal and operational powers vested in the senior posts we have held. One of us was dealing with the Defence lands and housing in Poona for thousands of military personnel. One of us created an orphanage cum widows home for the victims of militancy in the remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir while another created housing in the inaccessible areas of Ladakh. One among us has been on the board of the Mumbai Port Trust while the other has been instrumental in setting up institutions on aviation safety and been advisor in the establishment of one of our airlines.
We are men with our feet on the ground and unafraid to reach out to people, understand and empathize with them and then take conscious and informed decisions.
74 years. Founder president of the World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation that has launched libraries, published books, promoted Avestan calligraphy, taught Gujarati language and monajats. Played a stellar role in crafting The Zoroastrian Information Centre at Udvada and Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Memorial Museum at Navsari, and initiated conservation of Bahrot Caves and Sanjan excavations. Introduced solar concentrators at Doongerwadi and exposed serious problems with the aviary project, thus saving the community Rs 25 crores. Holding an MA degree from Harvard University in Near Eastern Languages and Literature and a PhD from Bombay University in Avesta-Pahlavi has enabled me to place Zoroastrianism on the world map through global interfaith participation for the last 30 years.To create greater awareness of our religious heritage, religious lectures should recommence and research in our religious scriptures should be promoted. A think tank of highly qualified professionals should be constituted to come up with innovative ideas.
56 years. Doctorate in Management, Chartered accountant, CAIIB, MCom (Costing).
The Punchayet is in the ICU (intensive care unit). Let us bring it out of the hospital with my knowledge and vision.
Tehmtan J. Dumasia
52 years. Caterer and businessman. I would like to focus on senior citizens, Doongerwadi issues, education, youth and housing. Senior citizens who are being neglected need to be given warmth and love. Pallbearers need to be respected. We do not want to turn the BPP into a builders’ domain.
33 years. Holding a doctorate in human resource management, I head the department of management studies at Wilson College and am an integral member on the recruitment board with institutions and nationalized banks. Besides being a board member of The Terry Fox India Committee, I have participated in national initiatives concerning cancer awareness programs, female infanticide and child abuse eradication program, vaccination drives for stray dogs… My qualifications, experience and legal affiliation will revive trust in the institution. Besides instilling peace and rebuilding the faith, I am committed to completely eradicating favoritism in the BPP. There should be complete transparency during board meetings in the presence of the regional media. Culminate methods for dakhmenashini without hurting the sentiments of our priests – guardians of our religion. Create a forum to curtail divorces rampant amongst our community members.
Ervad Marazban Parvez Maney47 years. Tour manager with Cox & Kings.
I offer my candidature in servitude to our Parsi community. I believe that we must go back to the basics and review the exact contents of the trust deeds that govern various trust properties. Any grievances pertaining to repairs and maintenance should be expedited within seven working days. My faith in the better judgment of fellow Zoroastrians is firm and complete.
Viraf Dinshaw Mehta38 years. BSc in mechanical engineering and MSc in finance from the Illinois Institute of Technology. I am vice president at CLSA Limited, Asia’s leading and longest running independent investment and brokerage group. Recently I was ranked India’s third best trader by the Asia Money polls. One of the founders of Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation, I am a trustee of the Kapawalla Agiary.
The housing scheme, an All Parsi Directory, Merit Rating List, auction of flats and such information should be made available online for anyone to access. Providing information in an open manner will build confidence within the community and make all trustees accountable for their actions.
69 years. A community activist and retired journalist, I commit to work five days a week at the BPP office and visit colonies/baugs on weekends. At an age where one would love to retire with their family, I am willing give up the pleasure. If community issues require my presence in any part of the country, I will ensure I go there. Money is the last thing on my mind. I am a silent fighter. I am not power hungry but highly motivated. Even if I lose, I will continue to hound the BPP office and make them accountable for their actions at all times. A middle class family man and a resident of Dadar Parsi Colony, I can’t let wrongful actions and deceit go unnoticed.
Danesh K. Nejadkay52 years. First Year Automobile Engineering, partner of Paris Bakery; proposed by Ervad Aspandiar Dadachanji and seconded by Khodadad Irani.
I pledge to uphold our system of dakhmenashini and introduce newer methods of strengthening it. I strongly oppose intermarriage, conversions, etc and would like to support our mobeds and adopt defunct agiaries. Also scrap the existing policy of selling BPP flats, grant tenancy rights to the legal heirs, amicably settle litigation.
61 years. Currently working as secretary-general, Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association, worked in senior leadership positions in various multinational corporations and large business houses. Was district governor of Lions Clubs International, Mumbai. My strengths are outstanding administrator, team player, multi-tasking, impeccable integrity, innovative, excellent leadership qualities and public relations skills. I would like to revamp the functioning of the BPP by enhancing and promoting the BPP website to convey key information, initiatives, updates, facts and figures; strict implementation of conflict of interest code and quarterly briefing by trustees to the community Press. Augmentation of BPP funds, empowerment of the youth and medical assistance are the other initiatives I would like to pursue.
52 years. Chartered accountant and cost accountant with corporate professional experience at Godrej Group, Gammon Infrastructure Projects Limited, Welspun Group and Ajay Piramal Group.I would aim to reclaim the prestige of BPP. I commit towards fast response time to community members. I will do my best to work professionally and closely with colleagues on the trust board. Besides encouraging entrepreneurship and outdoor sports activities, I would help set up a 24-hour medical service unit in residential colonies and make the BPP office a more technology savvy organization.
Kemas Wadia
50 years. MD in acupressure and chiropathy (bonesetter), director of Ahura Alternative Healing, lecturer at the MS University for Adult Education.Parsiana regrets any inadvertent errors that may have occurred while compiling the bio datas. We will carry clarifications as requested, in our October 21 issue.