Caring for colonies

As a result of the persistence of architect Mehernosh Sidikala, a sum of Rs 20 lakhs was sanctioned by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) for the maintenance of Navajbai Contractor Baug in Mahim. Having grown up in the Baug, Sidikala was concerned at the general neglect of the colony and had in the past often approached the BPP for funds to maintain the place, but allegedly was brushed off, he told Parsiana over the telephone on October 20, 2016. He and a group of like-minded residents who had revived the Navajbai Contractor Baug Zoroastrian Charitable Association then set to work, and within one year a remarkable difference was apparent. This was acknowledged by BPP chairman Yazdi Desai in "BPP Connect” in Parsi Times (PT) of October 1, 2016.

(Clockwise, from left): children’s play area; neatly paved roads; proper parking in Contractor Baug

According to Desai, in 2014 the Association came up with a proposal to repair the roads of the colony so that the senior citizens would not stumble on the unpaved paths and also to demarcate space for a children’s garden. Along with former BPP trustee Jimmy Mistry who was most helpful, Sidikala informed Parsiana, they had all the roads in the colony covered with paver blocks and also re-aligned the storm water drainage system. Desai appreciates that the Association has, on its own initiative, undertaken small maintenance jobs like replacing street lights, clearing debris, replacing damaged pipes, etc, with the cost being reimbursed by the BPP. Though the BPP has to maintain its colonies and the Wadia Baugs, residents’ associations can play a crucial role, and the BPP looks forward to more such involvement in the future, Desai writes in PT.
Sidikala also shared with Parsiana an interesting facet of the history of the Baug. Initially a preserve of the Catholic community, it was called Palmland. Buildings numbered one to seven are occupied by Catholics to this day. It was only after the BPP acquired the place and named it the Navajbai Contractor Baug that new buildings were constructed, one at a time, and today there are nine such buildings housing 240 Parsis.