Politics and Policy
“Assertive, not aggressive”
Daara Patel intends to clean the mess in the Punchayet boardroom, if elected
He may be a Lion but in the Parsi community he would have to deal with many other animal species. As secretary-general of the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association he may be familiar with different medicines but the Parsi community would need special cures for its many ills, jested health guru Mickey Mehta when introducing trusteeship candidate Lion Daara Patel to the residents of Godrej Baug on September 25, 2015. What impressed Mehta is that Patel is "assertive though not aggressive…works quietly and gets people together…and realizes that to clean the mess in the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) one has to get in.”
Fellow Lions Maneck Dastur and Rumi Zarir attested that in the Lions International movement with which Patel has been associated for the last 30 years and where he has served as district governor, he is known to be "dedicated, honest, transparent, approachable… and a man who can deliver and bring about change.”
Commenting on the "bonhomie amongst candidates,” Patel was of the view that the 2015 BPP elections were the "cleanest.” His main principle when working for the Punchayet will be "community first… and to restore faith and confidence in the Punchayet by being transparent.” He advocated a press conference (for the community Press) every three months and a "janta ki adalat (meeting with the community)” every six months after the first year. A pool of 10 respected community elders could resolve differences instead of trustees taking matters to court. In fact, he insisted that trustees should be made to pay from their own pockets for any litigation. He was of the view that an empowered committee comprising office bearers of residential colonies should look into maintenance of baugs. A team of "like-minded people will do a good job. We are going to the boardroom to serve you,” he assured the audience of around 50 members.
Fellow Lions Maneck Dastur and Rumi Zarir attested that in the Lions International movement with which Patel has been associated for the last 30 years and where he has served as district governor, he is known to be "dedicated, honest, transparent, approachable… and a man who can deliver and bring about change.”Commenting on the "bonhomie amongst candidates,” Patel was of the view that the 2015 BPP elections were the "cleanest.” His main principle when working for the Punchayet will be "community first… and to restore faith and confidence in the Punchayet by being transparent.” He advocated a press conference (for the community Press) every three months and a "janta ki adalat (meeting with the community)” every six months after the first year. A pool of 10 respected community elders could resolve differences instead of trustees taking matters to court. In fact, he insisted that trustees should be made to pay from their own pockets for any litigation. He was of the view that an empowered committee comprising office bearers of residential colonies should look into maintenance of baugs. A team of "like-minded people will do a good job. We are going to the boardroom to serve you,” he assured the audience of around 50 members.
Daara Patel (top and above, center) with Mickey Mehta (left) and Maneck Dastur
Declining to comment on the suitability of any other candidates, Patel told the gathering, "You are like IPL (Indian Premier League, a cricket organization) owners, team selectors. It is for the electorate to see the qualifications, credentials of the candidates and decide on a like-minded team. People who don’t have past baggage…who can take care of trust money and have a moral obligation to increase funds.” To bring the house in order, he was keen to involve experts in the fields of property, education, finance, medicine and appoint an effective chief executive officer (CEO). "Which CEO would want to come to a sinking ship?” he asked rhetorically referring to the Punchayet’s annual loss of around seven crore rupees.
Some of the BPP flats could be sold to those who can afford for the trust needs money to build or upgrade its structures, stated Patel, a resident of Dadar Parsi Colony who had grown up in Nowroz Baug and was sorry to see the condition of some of its buildings. Residents of colonies and the Punchayet should "come together for a win-win situation.” When a Godrej Baug resident asked him whether he was willing to give an affidavit in support of colony residents who are not recognized as tenants but made to sign leave and license agreements, Patel was emphatic that he would not sign an affidavit but state on oath that to the best of his abilities he would ensure that flats are transferred in the names of heirs residing with the deceased for several years. Under the laws prevalent today, "leave and license may be the only way for the Punchayet to take care of its properties,” he realized.
"The dakhmenashini system should continue,” recommended the "God-fearing man who visits the agiary every day” but felt that the option of disposal of the dead should be left to the individual or family knowing that the solar reflector system is not working and the pipes leading out from the central well are choked in the dakhmas. Willing to "change as time progresses,” he believed as "caretakers of the Doongerwadi estate” the trustees need not be "dogmatic… but can think of what to do in right earnest… Religious matters should be kept outside the boardroom.”
Whilst assuring that "I’m a go-getter. I’m not going to resign, come what may,” Patel feels a trusteeship term of "five years is enough. Let the young people come in.” In a "quick fire round” when Mehta asked him how many of the 364 (7x52) Tuesdays he would attend for high tea, Patel replied that he would have only tea and no maava cake! (A member of the audience quipped that just as distribution of food and drinks was banned at campaign meetings, trustees should carry their own tea to board meetings.) In all seriousness, Patel mentioned that he was going to make it mandatory that poor Zoroastrians coming to the Punchayet office be served tea. The BPP staff has to be trained and motivated to attend to community members with humility, he believed.
"Do your good turn as a Zarathoshti and make sure you elect him,” urged Mehta, continuing, "If you want a change, help this man who wants to be the change.”
Some of the BPP flats could be sold to those who can afford for the trust needs money to build or upgrade its structures, stated Patel, a resident of Dadar Parsi Colony who had grown up in Nowroz Baug and was sorry to see the condition of some of its buildings. Residents of colonies and the Punchayet should "come together for a win-win situation.” When a Godrej Baug resident asked him whether he was willing to give an affidavit in support of colony residents who are not recognized as tenants but made to sign leave and license agreements, Patel was emphatic that he would not sign an affidavit but state on oath that to the best of his abilities he would ensure that flats are transferred in the names of heirs residing with the deceased for several years. Under the laws prevalent today, "leave and license may be the only way for the Punchayet to take care of its properties,” he realized.
"The dakhmenashini system should continue,” recommended the "God-fearing man who visits the agiary every day” but felt that the option of disposal of the dead should be left to the individual or family knowing that the solar reflector system is not working and the pipes leading out from the central well are choked in the dakhmas. Willing to "change as time progresses,” he believed as "caretakers of the Doongerwadi estate” the trustees need not be "dogmatic… but can think of what to do in right earnest… Religious matters should be kept outside the boardroom.”
Whilst assuring that "I’m a go-getter. I’m not going to resign, come what may,” Patel feels a trusteeship term of "five years is enough. Let the young people come in.” In a "quick fire round” when Mehta asked him how many of the 364 (7x52) Tuesdays he would attend for high tea, Patel replied that he would have only tea and no maava cake! (A member of the audience quipped that just as distribution of food and drinks was banned at campaign meetings, trustees should carry their own tea to board meetings.) In all seriousness, Patel mentioned that he was going to make it mandatory that poor Zoroastrians coming to the Punchayet office be served tea. The BPP staff has to be trained and motivated to attend to community members with humility, he believed.
"Do your good turn as a Zarathoshti and make sure you elect him,” urged Mehta, continuing, "If you want a change, help this man who wants to be the change.”
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