Readers' Forum
Serious controversies
It is unfortunate that just when things seemed to be moving in the right direction in the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) boardroom, we are again beset by serious controversies.
Without putting the blame on anyone, we need to assess whether there is justification in allotting a free flat in Cusrow Baug to homeopath Dr Farokh Master. When all other allotments are put under the public scanner, why was this allotment kept a secret from the community? It seems that all the trustees unanimously consented to this proposal, influenced by two stalwarts of the community, Nusli Wadia and Fali Nariman, who recommended the allotment.
Firstly, the trustees have not been elected by these two gentlemen but by the community, and it is their duty to safeguard the interest of the latter without any fear or favor. As custodians of the property it is their duty to preserve and protect the estates. They have no right to gift them as they are not the owners. They cannot do favors to anyone, especially to those who do not need to depend on charity.
The community is greatly indebted to the Wadia family, especially Bai Jerbai Wadia who, out of love and compassion, magnanimously gifted a large chunk of her wealth for housing the less privileged families of the community. In her life time she herself took on the responsibility of allotment of housing to the needy families. Would she have approved of this allotment?
Master is a popular homeopathic consultant who has earned name and fame in his profession. The community is proud to have men of such caliber and distinction, but one is not aware of what social service he has rendered to the community. He is a man of honor and surely will not like to live on charity, depriving others whose needs are far greater than his.
Regarding the tussle between the Parsi Times and Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly, a settlement should be arrived at urgently, otherwise it will create an ugly situation and further damage the image of the community. Discounts need not be given for advertisements meant to tarnish the image of opponents or politicize issues. The fewer such ads there are the better for the community. As for notifications, they are in the public interest and it is not fair for the trustees to debar the community Press from publishing them. Jamé should reduce the rates for such notifications. If the BPP still finds it unaffordable, they can reduce the content and size to pay less, but should not debar the publication. As a last resort the BPP can issue notifications in the Press and leave it to the publication to print it or not.
PIROJA HOMI JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@yahoo.com
Without putting the blame on anyone, we need to assess whether there is justification in allotting a free flat in Cusrow Baug to homeopath Dr Farokh Master. When all other allotments are put under the public scanner, why was this allotment kept a secret from the community? It seems that all the trustees unanimously consented to this proposal, influenced by two stalwarts of the community, Nusli Wadia and Fali Nariman, who recommended the allotment.
Firstly, the trustees have not been elected by these two gentlemen but by the community, and it is their duty to safeguard the interest of the latter without any fear or favor. As custodians of the property it is their duty to preserve and protect the estates. They have no right to gift them as they are not the owners. They cannot do favors to anyone, especially to those who do not need to depend on charity.
The community is greatly indebted to the Wadia family, especially Bai Jerbai Wadia who, out of love and compassion, magnanimously gifted a large chunk of her wealth for housing the less privileged families of the community. In her life time she herself took on the responsibility of allotment of housing to the needy families. Would she have approved of this allotment?
Master is a popular homeopathic consultant who has earned name and fame in his profession. The community is proud to have men of such caliber and distinction, but one is not aware of what social service he has rendered to the community. He is a man of honor and surely will not like to live on charity, depriving others whose needs are far greater than his.
Regarding the tussle between the Parsi Times and Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly, a settlement should be arrived at urgently, otherwise it will create an ugly situation and further damage the image of the community. Discounts need not be given for advertisements meant to tarnish the image of opponents or politicize issues. The fewer such ads there are the better for the community. As for notifications, they are in the public interest and it is not fair for the trustees to debar the community Press from publishing them. Jamé should reduce the rates for such notifications. If the BPP still finds it unaffordable, they can reduce the content and size to pay less, but should not debar the publication. As a last resort the BPP can issue notifications in the Press and leave it to the publication to print it or not.
PIROJA HOMI JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@yahoo.com
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