Mandal honor for Besania

For the first time in the nearly 70-year history of the Parsi Pragati Mandal of Surat a person has been honored as president emeritus. Author Rusi Besania was given that distinction for his over 45 years of dedicated service to the Mandal at a well-attended function at the Tamna ni Dharamshala on July 10, 2016, mentions a write-up sent to Parsiana by trustee Yasmin Dotivala and outgoing president of the Mandal Aspi Rao. Noshir Pestonjamas is the incoming president.
Accolades were heaped on Besania by many, notably by Vada Dastur Cyrus Dastur who had recited the manthravani before the gathering. Dastur dwelt on Besania’s contribution to the Pragati Mandal and Bag-e-Parsa Adarian. After a religious song sung by Dilnaz Besania, Rao said that his term as president would not have been so eventful without Besania’s guidance, encouragement and cooperation. Jimmy Kharadi described Besania as a teacher, banker, writer, social worker and a perfectionist because of whom the people of Surat had benefitted from the cultural activities organized by the Mandal, states the write-up.
Bombay based solicitor Burjor Antia and managing trustee of the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds Dinshaw Tamboly had sent letters of appreciation which were read out by Cyrus Dotivala. Tamboly wrote that he and his wife Bachi had been instrumental in having six of Besania’s 53 major books presented to the public. He expressed that Besania, who had started his journey in the Pragati Mandal as a mere sepoy, had risen to become general and had now been appointed field marshal of the Mandal!

Jamshed Dotivala, president of the Surat Parsi Panchayat, shared memories of his own dealings with the Mandal and was happy that it had come a long way largely because of Besania’s efforts to keep it active and prosperous. Guest of honor Marazban Baria, president of the Bilimora Parsi Anjuman stated that his anjuman derives inspiration from the Surat Pragati Mandal. In fact the Bilimora Parsi Anjuman had honored Besania with a Lifetime Achievement Award when the latter had presented his book, Life Sketch of Dasturji Kookadaru, co-written with Yasmin Dotivala, at Bilimora (see "Bilimora honors Kookadaru,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, October 21, 2015). Delegates from other associations and institutions like the Pak Kadim Atash Behram Saheb Trust, Surat Athornan Mandal, Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat, Cambay Institute of Commerce and the Yazdi Karanjia Group also offered their good wishes to the honoree.
Yasmin Dotivala read out the memorandum of honor where Besania’s contributions to the Mandal’s moral, financial and cultural growth were highlighted. She related that his literary works include episodes from the Shahnameh, tributes to Asho Zarathushtra, Kookadaru, Dastur Meherji Rana, Ustad Behramshah Shroff, Sant Homaji and many other saintly figures. He had also led a convention to Parliament to present a portrait of Madame Bhikaji Cama. Besania had presided over the 40th, 50th and 60th year celebrations of the Mandal, and won an award in Mhow which was presented to him by senior jurist Soli Sorabjee, the report notes.
Overwhelmed by the love and honors heaped on him, Besania thanked his friends, family and co-workers in the Mandal for being his strength and support. He referred to his wife Yasmin as his guardian angel. He was also grateful to the late Dr Minocher and Dinamai Contractor, Yasmin Dotivala, Rao, Aspi Gheyara, Nergish Hadvaid and Hormazdiyar Patel for their support.
The dignitaries were presented mementos by the Mandal. Pestonjamas and his team expressed enthusiasm in carrying forward the Mandal’s torch of social work. The event was compered by Maharukh Chichgar and Dilnaz Besania while Farzana Kharadi introduced the dignitaries. In charge of backstage operations were Shahrukh and Daizy Patel along with Benaiffer Variava, the write-up concludes.