Engineering a career

It was the summer of 1950. A slim young girl recently passed out of St Xavier’s College clutched her inter-science certificate closely in her hands as she gazed at the Institute in front of her. She was excited at the thought of entering the Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute (VJTI), Bombay to pursue a career in engineering. No female student had ever entered the hallowed portals of the male dominated Institute. But there was a hitch. Her parents Goolcher (née Bhiwandiwalla) and Darab Forbes "would allow her to take it up only ‘if another woman applied.’ Colly was fortunate to get a colleague Jaswanti Khushlani the same year,” a speaker shared with the audience at one of the centenary celebrations organized by VJTI (since renamed as Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute) around 1987, according to a newspaper clipping.
Both young women were enthusiastic and competent, and cleared their degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering without any hitches. Coincidently, both ended up marrying army and navy personnel, Colly having found her life partner in the young and dashing Pheroze Barjor Sanjana, a senior to her in the same Institute.
But though a bachelor of engineering graduate, she found her job applications turned down by prospective employers as she was a woman. "In desperation I stopped putting ‘Miss’ before my name. That appeared to work and I was called for two interviews. Both times I was met with nonplussed stares, followed by polite smiles, implying I should give up hope,” stated the newspaper report. She wrote to J. R. D. Tata requesting Tata Electric Companies (TEC, now Tata Power) to call her for a job interview and "if found suitable not reject me on the grounds of being a woman.” The Tata group, known for their open-mindedness and willingness to encourage young women, hired her. Colly was soon involved in the planning of some of the early TEC projects in and around Bombay, and was a quiet but hardworking employee.
In 1957 she married Pheroze who later rose to be a colonel in the Indian Army. As he was in a transferable job, Colly had to take a break in her career and leave TEC. In 1965, they were transferred back to Bombay and Colly joined Tata Consulting Engineers. She worked with them diligently, retiring as deputy chief electrical engineer in 1990.
Still youthful, enthusiastic, with an inclination towards social service, she volunteered for The Spastics Society of India at Navy Nagar. The institute dealt with children suffering from varying degrees of cerebral palsy. She worked dedicatedly as an assistant for over a decade, being awarded a medal for exceptional services during her tenure. Apart from her work, Colly had a number of interests. She loved to read and had an impressive library, including the works of English playwright William Shakespeare, English novelist Charles Dickens and historical novels. She loved nature, having written poems on the subject in her college days. Both she and Pheroze appreciated classical music and enjoyed the concerts, ballets and plays at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), where they were regulars. They had a love of travel and were frequent visitors to hill stations and places of historical interest in India.

The couple had always wanted children, but remained childless. Their desire for adoption of a Parsi child did not materialize. Instead they became foster parents and funded the education of several disadvantaged children. They took an active interest in the children’s academic progress, attended school functions and took them out for birthday celebrations. Many of these children are now graduates, in well-established jobs.
Life dealt her a cruel blow when she lost her dear husband to stomach cancer at a relatively young age. She never fully recovered. But, being a fighter, her inner strength made her overcome her setbacks. She soon resumed work with the Spastics Society, learned how to operate a computer and kept herself occupied. She kept in touch with colleagues and friends, invited them to the United Services Club and attended events at the NCPA.
For my husband Pervez, and me, Colly and Pheroze were indeed part of our family, being our immediate neighbors for over 50 years. We had meals and drinks together, were in and out of each other’s homes; our children grew up with them and felt the warmth of Colly Aunty’s affection.
In her warm and special way, Colly touched the lives of all who knew her. Even in a large society building such as ours, she was known to all and was very special, always having a kind word and smile for everyone. From the two-year-olds to the aged, the richest to the poorest, the warmth exuded was the same.
Colly, who was born on March 10, 1930 will always be remembered by those who knew and loved her. We are happy that she had a peaceful end on June 12, 2021 at the age of 91 and is now reunited with her beloved Pheroze.
The last verse of a poem she wrote resonates well with her memory:
"You, who give light to the sky,
I ever seek to know.
You, who show us love cannot die,
Someday I shall know.”

Top: Colly Sanjana (l) and Jaswanti Khushlani with college mates; above: Colly in later years