In memory of Nanavatti

A new clinic of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) in Lullanagar, Poona in memory of the late Noshir Nanavatti was inaugurated by his wife Rashna and son Mabrin on December 1, 2016, reveals an email received from the latter. Mabrin describes Noshir as "a disciplinarian, a social activist, former Air Force personnel, a loyal Freemason, a loving father and godfather for many.”

(L-r): Rashna Nanavatti, Hutoxi Nanavatti, Dr Vikram Phatak, Mabrin Nanavatti and Sharad Goel

Noshir, who was active in the IRCS movement in Poona for over two decades, passed away on September 20, 2016. The IRCS was founded in June 1921 and Noshir had been chairman of its Poona branch for the last 13 years, the email notes. It was during his tenure that the Poona Division of the IRCS completed construction of a new building at Rasta Peth. He was responsible for the introduction of several additional services such as X-ray, sonography, CT scan, 2D echo, pathological tests, OPD, ART Treatment for people living with HIV, YPEP program for pharmaceutical professionals, H1N1, swine flu awareness program, diabetes center, disaster management training center and first aid courses.
It was Noshir’s dream to start a dispensary, hospice and school for the speech and hearing impaired. An unused two-acre plot of land leased from the military was at his disposal. With determination and hard work, he started construction of the dispensary, but passed away before the project could be completed.
"The dispensary will be run on a completely charitable basis with free consultation and dispensing of medicines for the next few months or until a suitable sponsor is found,” according to Mabrin, who now oversees the functioning of this project. "The services of the IRCS are open to all who cannot afford expensive OPD services at other hospitals and clinics. We also have a complete diagnostic center, the services of which are at the lowest of rates in Poona and that too with state of the art infrastructure.” Zoroastrians who wish to avail of these services or are willing to donate to this cause may contact him on his mobile 9822000433.