Priest’s silver jubilee

Ervad Aspi Savaksha Patel of the Khan Bahadur Edulji Sohrabji Chenai Anjuman Dar-e-Meher in Secunderabad, who was felicitated on completing 25 years of service to the fire temple by the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad on the occasion of Jamshedi Navroz, March 21, 2016, spoke to Parsiana over the telephone. "As a trained engineer I worked for a few years with the Andhra Pradesh Flying Club, then I was in the poultry business for a while until I finally decided to do mobedi full time. My father was the panthaky of the Hyderabad agiary for 40 years and I was practicing part time. I love the agiary and have great affection for the people here. I am grateful that my children are doing well in life. It is a good experience being here,” he informed the magazine.

Ervad Aspi Patel and at function to honor him

At the felicitation, following a jashan, a shawl, toro (bouquet) and pehramni (cash gift) were presented to Patel in the presence of a sizeable gathering, notes an email received by Parsiana from chartered accountant Jehangir Bisney of Secunderabad. Patel was also felicitated by the Zoroastrian Stree Mandal of Secunderabad-Hyderabad.
Patel thanked the organizations and recollected incidents from his quarter century of service to the holy fire. The Udvada born priest was ordained as navar and maratab in Iranshah. After completing his schooling in Hyderabad, he studied engineering in the electrical field in Hyderabad, the email reveals. Patel and his wife Mehroo have two married daughters, Bakhtawar and Ruskha.