Know Your BPP - Bombay Parsi Punchayet

cover story
Know Your BPP
The new Board of Trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, elected for the first time in the community’s
history by adult franchise, completed two years in office on October 23, 2010.
On this occasion, the Trustees acknowledge the large ‘task force’ of the BPP, which ensures its smooth
running on a day-to-day basis. These are the men and women who take forward the multifarious
activities of the BPP. This photo-feature will enable you to know the many people who work hard behind
the scenes to help the BPP serve the community better.
The staff at 209, D. N. Road
The Head Honchos
The BPP – taking care
of the community
I
f you were to ask someone at the
BPP what exactly the functions
of the organisation are, chances are
their reply will go something like this:
“the BPP looks after every Parsi in
need – from the womb to the tomb.”
And while this may sound a little
strange, once you understand the
extensive functions of the BPP, it’s
hard not to agree. From prenatal care
to funerary arrangements, the BPP
covers all bases with the help of a
hardworking and loyal staff.
Standing (l-r): Mr. Khushru B. Bharucha, Chief Engineer; Mr. Aspi Sarkari, Estates; Mr. Rustom K.
Todivala, Projects; Mr. Cawas Panthaki, Welfare
Sitting (l-r) Mrs. Niloufer N. Patel, Chief Accountant; Mr. Mehli Colah, CEO; and Mr. Godrej N.
Dotivala, PRO. Inset: Mr. Phiroze Patel, Housing
The BPP Review 14 October – November 2010
cover story
Mehli Colah: CEO
Mehli Colah has been
with the BPP since 1983,
starting off with the
Finance Department. As
CEO, he is in charge of
all the departments of the BPP, from
Welfare, which looks after the needs of all
the members of the Parsi/Irani
Zoroastrian community, to Estates, which
means looking after the BPP’s residential
properties. He also oversees Housing, be it
charity housing, housing under the leave
and licence deposit scheme or on
ownership basis, the Maintenance/
Engineering Department, which looks after
the maintenance of all the Trust Properties
by employing carpenters, masons,
electricians, painters, plumbers and finally,
Accounts, which manages the Finances of
the Trust.
Mr. Colah says that with the variety of
problems that are brought to his desk daily,
every day is a learning experience for him!
Apart from executing the directions and
orders of the Board of Trustees, he often
has to be an arbitrator for two or more
occupants or groups in a colony. The
problem may be due to parking or one
neighbour disturbing the peace of another.
Mr. Colah is also the man who prepares
and delivers the Agenda and Minutes of
the Trust’s weekly Board Meetings to the
Trustees. He is the liaison between the
Trustees and the staff members, the
Trustees and Community members and of
Class IV Union members and the Trustees.
Most of the labour problems are amicably
settled by him with the workers/employees
and he tries to ensure that any
confrontation with Class IV Union is
avoided. During the time of Settlement of
an Agreement with Class IV Union, which
takes place every three years,
Mr. Colah has to walk a tight rope to see
that the settlement is completed with
minimum cost to the Trust, but at the same
time, granting maximum benefit to the
Class IV workers.
Mr. Colah, being a ‘man of finance’,
keeps a close watch on the various
expenditures to be incurred and
meticulously ensures that the income
received by the Trust gets maximum
returns and is fully utilised towards the
Objects of the Trust. He oversees all the
accounts and ensures that accounting
returns with the Tax Department and the
Charity Commissioner’s Office are filed
on time.
Cawas Panthaki:
Welfare
The sheer magnitude
of the departments that
fall under Cawas
Panthaki’s supervision
is enough to frighten anyone. He is in
charge of the Welfare Department, which
covers more than sixty small and big
portfolios. Yet, in spite of all that he has to
do, he seems to remain completely calm
and collected — whether it’s taking care
of doles or finding someone a job
through the Central Employment Bureau,
it’s all in a day’s work for him.
Not many people are aware that the
BPP is not just a charitable organisation
for the Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians of
Bombay, its functions extend to every
corner of the country — “from Kashmir
to Kanyakumari and Rann of Kutch to
Arunachal Pradesh”, as Mr. Panthaki says.
Aid, in all forms, is provided to any
needy Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian, based on
the collective family income of the person
asking for assistance. A huge plus point
about the loans given by the BPP to needy
Parsis, outstation students as well as to
their own staff is that they are
interest-free, with a nominal service tax of
six per cent added.
Elaborating on the Welfare
Department’s many functions,
Mr. Panthaki and Mehli Colah tell us that,
as the apex body of the Parsi/Irani
community, the BPP is ready to look after
just about anything for a Parsi in need.
One of the first things the BPP covers is
medical aid, which also includes care for
expecting mothers and care for a newborn
child. It also covers medical procedures,
hospital stays and cancer treatment
— something that does not come cheap.
Both Mr. Panthaki and Mr. Colah talk
about a new scheme the BPP has
contemplated along with the Parsi General
Hospital. Taking into consideration the
high number of Parsi women that suffer
from breast cancer, the new scheme allows
all Parsi women to get a mammogram at
the Parsi General Hospital, with the cost
of the procedure completely covered by
the BPP, regardless of income and social
status. Yet another scheme the BPP are
trying to get started, is the establishment
of crèches and day-care centres at all baugs
and colonies. The BPP presently extends
monetary compensation of R 300/- p.m.
for a child kept in a day care centre or even
being looked after by grandparents as
babysitters till the child completes 12 years
of age.
A perfect example of the range of
Mr. Panthaki’s many functions is the
difference between two very dissimilar, but
equally important tasks. He is responsible
for the organisation of the Trustee
Elections — a big responsibility to say the
least — as well as the sale of kustis and the
distribution of wool to kusti makers.
Another amazing function of the
Welfare Department is the Amelioration
of the Priestly Class Scheme. The BPP
encourages young boys to be ordained in
the priestly class by offering out-of-pocket
expenses at both the Mumbai Madressas.
But the Welfare Department’s work does
not stop here. They also look after the
Holiday Programme for Youth; education
scholarships/loans; and the Defunct
The BPP Review 15 October ­­– November 2010
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Anjuman Project of the Federation of Parsi
Zoroastrian Anjumans of India.
Along with this, Mr. Panthaki also
handles a number of institutions including
the Godavara and Shapurji Fakirji Jokhi
Agiaries; the Parukh Dharamshala; C. J.
Health Unit; Gamadia Boys Hostel;
Doongerwadi and the Sanjan Boyce
Dharamshala. Added to these
responsibilities is the maintenance of the
Library and overseeing the publication of
religious and historical books. With all this,
and more, it’s safe to say that the Welfare
Department plays a large part in looking
after the Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian community.
responsibility. From obtaining the requisite
permissions from the authorities to inviting
tenders for the various construction
activities, he does it all. He is also in charge
of appointing architects and contractors;
having plans passed; and overseeing the
working of the entire gamut of related
activities, which are part of a whole project.
Niloufer Patel:
Accounts
The people working in
the BPP’s Accounts
Department sure have
their work cut out for
them. With large amounts of money being
Khushru Bharucha: Engineering spent on loans, doles, aid and other kinds
and Maintenance
of charity work, someone’s got to keep a
If you’re curious about
track of how the BPP’s money is being
just what it takes to run
spent. And it is up to Niloufer Patel to do
the baugs and colonies in all this.
Mumbai, the person you
The BPP’s accounts are broken up into
need to turn to, is
three categories or classes. Class I Accounts
Khushru Bharucha. As you can imagine,
include the accounts of all the institutions
looking after the welfare of all the baugs
that fall under the BPP – from baugs to
and colonies is not an easy task, especially
agiaries. Class III Accounts include all the
considering the logistics and sheer amount
money that has been donated to the BPP
of work that needs to be done.
over the years. As per each person’s choice,
Mr. Bharucha’s functions include repairs
the donated money is put aside for the
and renovation of all the exteriors. This
projects that they wish to contribute to. If
includes roads, benches, street lights, the
money is donated and no particular wing
painting of the exteriors of buildings and
of the BPP is specified, the money goes to
repairing any damage caused to baug
a general account, which is used to help out
property. He also looks after all the staff
in any BPP activity — such as educational
that works in the baugs and colonies, from
loans or medical aid. At present, Class III
managerial staff, to watchmen, sweepers
Accounts include some 1,255 accounts,
and gardeners.
all of which are looked after with
meticulous efficiency.
Rustom Todivala: Projects
Finally, Class II Accounts are the
Department
accounts of all the remote or defunct
Rustom Todivala joined
anjumans. Here, the BPP is a custodian of
the BPP in 1997 as an
the funds and, in many cases, even
Assistant Engineer. He
handles the investment of these funds for
has since risen to head the the anjumans.
Projects Department of
the BPP, which means that all new projects Phiroze Patel: Housing
undertaken by the BPP are his
Another important service of the BPP,
which is ably taken care of
by Phiroze Patel, is
housing. And mind you, it
is no mean feat. Every new
applicant for free housing
fills in a detailed form and
submits it to the BPP. Each applicant gets a
certain number of points according to their
current condition, with specified categories
like newly married, expecting a baby or a
joint family in a congested home. According
to these points, the applicant’s priority as per
the Merit Rating System on the housing list
is established.
Beside free, charity housing, community
members can also obtain a house under the
interest free Deposit Scheme, where houses
are allotted on leave and licence basis.
Mr. Patel informs us that there are
projects underway, such as the one at
Panthaky Baug, where the BPP would like
to construct towers to accommodate more
flats, so that the waiting period under the
Merit Rating System is reduced.
With new colonies, more flats and more
applicants waiting for a roof over their
head, Mr. Patel has a huge responsibility.
Aspi Sarkari:
Estates
In charge of all the
baugs and colonies, Aspi
Sarkari is the man who
supervises the duties of
the custodians, takes cognisance of the
complaints made by the occupants and
grants permission for use of trust
properties. Along with the Trust’s legal
team, he holds conferences with our
Advocates and keeps tab on the cases in
various courts, including the Charity
Commissioner’s Office, Greater Mumbai
Region, for any litigations pertaining to
Trust Properties. Mr. Sarkari’s work also
includes inviting tenders for advertisement
hoardings on Trust properties and
negotiating the best prices for them.
The BPP Review 16 October ­­– November 2010
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Godrej Dotivala:
PRO
Though The BPP
Review began as a
four-page newsletter, it
has increased in pages
and popularity during Mr. Dotivala’s tenure.
Mr. Dotivala joined the BPP as the PRO in
2000, after retiring from a long and
illustrious career in sales and marketing. His
responsibilities at the BPP include covering
every event, meeting or news that is of any
consequence to the community.
Mr. Dotivala can be credited with a
number of noteworthy achievements. He
used his good offices with former Chief
Minister of Maharashtra Mr. Vilasrao
Deshmukh to get Parsi New Year reinstated
as a Public Holiday. He also played a pivotal
role in launching the special 5-rupee
Commemorative Coin in honour of Dr.
Dadabhai Naoroji. This was the first and,
so far, the only time a Parsi has appeared on
the Government of India’s currency.
Mr. Dotivala has also been actively
associated in the social and cultural life of
Mumbai and is Chairman of the Junior
Red Cross, President of the
Indo-Australian Society and
Secretary-General of the India-Iran
Friendship Society. A Rotarian of
long-standing, he was Founder and Past
President of the Rotary Club of Bombay
Hills South and has been Chairman of
Rotary International District 3140 for
several years. The BPP Review continues
to be a magazine led, mentored and
guided by Mr. Dotivala, making its success
in the coming years a certainty.
The Welfare Department
Welfare Department: (sitting l-r) Mrs. Feroza Mewawalla (Telephone operator), Mrs. Bakhtavar P. Dastur (Asst. Executive), Mr. Cawas S.
Panthaki (Sr. Executive), Miss Armaity H. Surty, Miss Gool J. Kias (Asst. Executive). (Standing l–r) Mr. Farrokh R. Vakil (Godown Keeper),
Mr. Adi A. Tarapore, Mr. Yezdi R. Mowdawalla (Asst. Executive – Higher Education), Mrs. Aban P. Vankadia, Mr. Jimmy Homiar (Asst.
Executive), Mr. Adil S. Crawford (Dy. Executive), Mr. Jimmy F. Merchant and (inset) Ms. Bakhtawar R. Appoo (Head Assistant) Education
Apart from giving monthly financial help
(doles) to deserving families, the Welfare
Department sanctions medical aid, help
for educational purposes, scholarships,
runs a matrimonial and vocational
guidance bureau, handles the 3rd child
assistance scheme, co-ordinates the fertility
programme, disperses kusti wool to
women who weave kustis, sells kustis,
oversees Doongerwadi, the Parukh
Dharamshala, the Alpaiwalla Museum,
Godavara Agiary and Godrej Baug Agiary,
the Health Unit and the FPZAI Defunct
Anjumans Project, among other
programmes.
The BPP Review 17 October – November 2010
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The Estate Department
The Estates Department is headed by Aspi Sarkari.
This department is in charge of all the baugs and
colonies. The baug custodians are under the
supervision of this department. Permission and
negotiation of rates for any hoarding; shooting of
any advertisement on BPP property; and
promotional events by any company in any of the
baugs, is the responsibility of this department.
Leave and licence documentation and renewals are
handled by the personnel of this department,
specifically by Vijay Shinde. Mr. Sarkari helps the
BPP legal team with any litigation concerning the
Trust properties. Once an allotment is done by the
housing department, the papers or case file is
passed on to the Estate Department. All
grievances of the occupants, except repairs, are
handled by them.
Estate Department: (sitting l-r) Ms. Prochi H. Shroff (Asst. Executive),
Mrs. Dilnavaz S. Dehmeri, Mrs. Binaifer N. Avari. (Standing l-r) Mr. Adil J.
Master, Mr. Aspi F. Sarkari (Sr. Executive), Mr. Vijay Shinde
The Engineering, Maintenance
and Projects Department
Chief Engineer, Mr. Khushru Bharucha,
heads the Engineering Department. The
duties of this department range from fixing
the lights in a baug compound, to repairing
stretches of potholed roads, to scrutinising a
proposal received from a tenant for
renovation in a flat, to overhauling a water
supply system in a particular baug. In short,
covering any and everything that is required
for the maintenance and smooth running of
the properties of the BPP.
The Projects Department, under
Mr. Todivala, handles most of the new BPP
projects. Their duties include the obtaining of
permissions, inviting of tenders and all other
preliminary work that is connected with the
construction activities of the BPP.
Engineering, Maintenance and Projects Department: (sitting l-r) Mr. Yatin G. Pupala
(Asst. Engineer), Mr. Rustom K. Todivala (Sr. Executive Engineer, Projects), Mr. Khushru
B. Bharucha (Chief, Engineering, Maintenance), Mr. Jitendra M. Mehta (Dy. Engineer)
(Standing l-r): Mr. Percy E. Mistry (Typist), Ms. Sophie M. Gomes (Typist), Mr. Deepak D.
Tawde, Mr. Devsan L. Zala (Asst. Engineer). (Not in picture: Mr. Soli Kotwal)
The BPP Review 18 October ­­– November 2010
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The Accounts Department
Accounts Department Head Office and Sub office: (sitting l-r) Ms. Mani J. Deboo, Ms. Puran P. Niroo (Dy. Chief Accountant), Mrs. Niloufer N.
Patel (Chief Accountant H.O.), Mr. Tehmton P. Dastur (Dy. Chief Accountant S.O.), Mrs. Ruby M. Parva. (Standing l-r) Mr. Hirji B. Elavia (Chief
Cashier), Mr. Behram Bharucha (Asst. Cashier), Mr. Sandesh A. Sawant, Mr. Jimmy M. Captain (S.O.), Mr. Mahiyar A. Jijina, Mr. Zarthosh J.
Mehernosh (S.O.), Mr. Aspi J. Engineer (S.O.), Ms. Veera Zaroliwala, Ms. Zarine Elavia (S.O.), Mrs. Behroze B. Vakharia (S.O.)
The Accounts Department, headed by
Niloufer Patel, keeps track of all the
expenses of the BPP, which include all
charitable disbursements, expenses
related to all the institutions managed by
the BPP and expenses related to
maintenance of BPP properties including
Doongerwadi and the various baugs. The
income of the BPP, including donations
received and disbursed according to the
wishes of the donors, the interest from
various investments and a host of other
duties is taken up by the Accounts
Department. To understand the
magnitude of the responsibilities of this
department, consider the fact that there
are more than 1,255 accounts or khatas
of the BPP!
The Administration Department
The responsibility of preparing the Minutes of the Board Meeting of Trustees,
preparing appointment letters and maintaining the staff muster, attendance
data and leave cards is handled by the Administration Department. They also
attend to the maintenance of office equipment and are in charge of office
supplies. The translation fund and the organisation of Avestan classes also fall
under this department.
Administration Department: (l-r) Mrs. Niloufer
A. Unwala, Mr. Aspi S. Bharucha (Dy. Executive)
The BPP Review 19 October ­­– November 2010
cover story
The Housing Department
This very important department is headed by Phiroze Patel. Any
application for housing under the Merit Rating Scheme or under
the Security Deposit Scheme is handled by this department.
Under the Merit Rating Scheme, points based on various criteria
are computed by this department and assigned to the applicant.
Investigations and verifying the details submitted by applicants is
also done by the Housing Department.
Housing Department: (l-r) Mr. Jagdish G. Solanki, Mr. Phiroze Patel,
Mr. Ronny F. Patel (Asst. Executive)
The Legal Department
The Legal Department handles all
tenant-related disputes, usually in the Small
Causes Court. They prepare the papers and
engage advocates and counsels to represent
the BPP in Court. Mangesh Chavan is
retained by the BPP to liaison with the
advocates and counsels for cases other than
those that are tenant related.
Legal Department: (l-r) Mr. Mangesh
D. Chavan (Advocate), Mrs. Mugdha
M. Sawant (Asst. Executive),
Mr. Neville M. Bharucha (Head Assistant)
The Rawan Department
The name, maybe, implies a record-keeper of
deaths. This is only a small part of what this
department is responsible for. Apart from keeping
records and issuing death certificates, they deal
with the staff of Doongerwadi and look after their
leave, uniforms, etc. They also look after the
supplies required at Doongerwadi, oversee the
maintenance of the hearse, the solar concentrators
and the mortuary.
Rawan Department: (l-r) Mr. Sheriar S. Dehmeri,
Mrs. Khurshid P. Bhesania, Mr. Adil S. Irani
The BPP Review 20 October ­­– November 2010
cover story
The Secretarial Department
The BPP, due to the nature of its activities,
generates a lot of paperwork. Applications
received under various criteria have to be typed in
a particular format; data gathered has to be
presented in an excel sheet; and reports, minutes,
memos, accounts, letters, notices, voluminous
papers required for legal cases, affidavits and
agreements for leave and licences have to be
readied at short notice — all this is done by the
Secretarial Department.
Secretarial Department: (sitting l-r) Mrs. Khorshed J.
Colabawalla, Mrs. Kashmira H. Elavia, Mrs. Zenobia
K. Boyce
(Standing l-r) Mrs. Sheroo J. Daruwalla,
Ms. Dilangeez P. Zaiwalla, Mr. Jerxis F. Dadachanji
(Gujarati typist), Ms. Sandra E. Fernandez
Peons/ Office boys
The BPP employs twelve peons, of these, three — Ramdas Dabholkar, Vijay Ayare and Vikas Sawant — have served the BPP for the
past 28 years! A good number of the BPP peons can converse in Parsi Gujarati and most of them can understand the requests and
directions given by the staff in Gujarati. Dispatches, couriering, photocopying, serving tea/coffee, running errands, deliveries, etc. are
the responsibilities of these office boys. Without them the BPP would come to a complete stand-still.
Office boys: (sitting l-r) Mr. Manoj Adhatrao, Mr. Roshan Sawant, Mr. Arjun Khude, Mr. Sandesh Narkar. (Standing l-r) Mr. Vithal Dabholkar,
Mr. Gundu Raut, Mr. Prabhukar Khamkar, Mr. Ramdas Dabholkar, Mr. Vikas Sawant, Mr. Vijay Ayare, Mr. Vinaydatt Temkar and
Mr. Suryakant Sawant
The BPP Review 21 October ­­– November 2010
cover STORy
Custodians of the
BPP-run baugs
Every baug has at least one
custodian. The Custodians are
the bridge between the residents,
the BPP administration and the
Trustees. The main responsibility
of a Custodian is to collect rent
from the residents. Any
correspondence by residents to
the BPP is routed through the
Custodian and any notice or
announcement to the residents is
also given through the Custodian.
Custodians are responsible for
supervising the maintenance
staff of the baugs — the
sweepers, gardeners, pumpmen,
security, etc. and they also have to
ensure the smooth running of
the baug.
THE ESTATE DEPARTMENT
ELECTRICIANS
CARPENTER
PLUMBERS
MASONS
HELPERS
2
1
9
2
21
TOTAL
35
PANTHAKY BAUG,
ANDHERI
CUSTODIAN
WATCHMAN
SWEEPER
MALI
TOTAL
KHAREGHAT COLONY
CUSTODIAN
WATCHMAN
SWEEPERS
1
4
4
TOTAL
9
KHAN ESTATE and
CONTRACTOR BAUG
A.H.WADIA BAUG &
DADAR PARSI COLONY
1
6
2
1
10
DHUNBAIWADI,
VILE PARLE
CUSTODIAN
SWEEPERS
TOTAL
1
6
1
CUSTODIAN
WATCHMAN
SWEEPERS
TOTAL
8
TOTAL
TOTAL
1
1
2
11
CUSTODIAN
WATCHMAN
SWEEPERS
2
1
11
TOTAL
14
GAMADIA and
CAPTAIN COLONY
2
4
5
11
CUSTODIAN
WATCHMAN
SWEEPERS
1
3
2
TOTAL
6
Custodians (sitting l-r) Mr. Firdosh N. Bhada (Dhunbaiwadi and miscellaneous); Mr. Dhanjisha K. Bacha (Bharucha
Baug); Mr. Homi H. Sethna (Godrej Baug); Mr. Rohinton K. Khandadia (Dadar Parsi Colony); (standing l-r)
Mr. Kersi B. Daruwalla (Khareghat Colony); Mr. Adil P. Khambata (Goregaon Complex); Mr. Bomi N. Patel
(Panthaky Baug); Mr. Yezdi R. Disawala (Captain and Gamadia Colony); Mr. Yezdi R. Irani (Contactor Baug).
Inset - Mr. Bhagat, Custodian of Multistoreyed Building Bharucha Baug. (Not in picture - Mr. Sopariwalla, Asst.
Custodian of Godrej Baug)
The BPP Review 22 October – November 2010
1
4
2
4
GODREJ BAUG
BHARUCHA BAUG,
ANDHERI
CUSTODIAN
WATCHMAN
SWEEPER
CUSTODIAN
WATCHMAN
LIFTMAN
SWEEPERS
cover STORy
The Wadia Committee of Management
In the past, the Wadia Trust was an independent entity
totally in charge of the five baugs, namely Cusrow
Baug, Rustom Baug, Ness Baug, Jer Baug and Nawroze
Baug. In the 1950s, the Wadia Trust merged with the
BPP. Since then, the Wadia Trust ceased to exist and the
Wadia Committee of Management was formed.
The Wadia Committee of Management consists of
all the BPP Trustees, Nusli Wadia, Ness Wadia and
Dhun Gagrat. Decisions regarding the five above
mentioned baugs are jointly taken by this Committee.
The administration of the five baugs is carried out by
the office of the Wadia Committee of Management,
which is situated at Neville House.
EMPLOYED AT FIVE BAUGS
CUSROW
BAUG
NOWROZE JER
BAUG
BAUG
RUSTOM
BAUG
NESS
BAUG
MANAGERS/CUSTODIAN
WATCHMAN
PUMPMAN
HAMAL/SWEEPER
GARDNER/MALI
2
3
4
14
5
1
7
3
7
NIL
2
4
1
4
1
2
1
2
12
3
2
3
1
4
LIFTMAN
NIL
NIL
NIL
NIL
4
TOTAL
28
18
12
20
14
MAINTENANCE STAFF
FOR ALL BAUGS
PLUMBERS
CARPENTERS
MASON
HELPERS
TOTAL
2
1
2
6
11
(l-r) Wadia Trust: Mr. Bomi R. Irani (Steno), Mr. Kerbad D. Master (Filing Clerk), Mr. Noshir P. Patel (Jt.
Secretary), Mr. Dhun S. Gagrat (Member Committee of Management), Mr. Kali J. Shroff (Accountant),
Mr. Zareer B. Panthaky (Accounts assistant), Mr. Umesh V. Desai (Assistant Engineer). Inset - Mr. Udwadia
(Secretary). Not in picture Mr. M.G. Patel (Chief Engineer)
Mr. Sanjay Y.
Ambawale (Peon)
(l-r) Mr. Mehernosh D. Hathiram (Rustom Baug), Mr. Behram J.
Daruwalla and Mr. Jimmy P. Mistry (Cusrow Baug), Mr. Farrokh R.
Motiwalla, Mr. Pervez Mistry (Ness Baug), Mr. Kersi M. Daruwalla
(Jer Baug), Mr. Dara P. Doomasia (Jer Baug). Inset - Mr. J.D. Katgara
(Custodian Nowroze Baug) and Mr. Kaizad Nanji (Asst. Custodian
Rustom Baug)
The BPP Review 23 October – November 2010
Mr. Shekhar Kadu
(Peon)
cover story
Doongerwadi
Eighty-one persons are employed by the BPP for the maintenance of the 57 acres of
Doongerwadi land and for the smooth running of the Dokhmenishini system of disposal...
Jimmy Poonawala
The entire Doongerwadi estate is
overseen by resident manager,
Jimmy Poonawalla, who was
appointed to the post in February
1990 and continues in that
position to date.
(l-r) Mr. Kersi Daruvalla, Mr. Shapur Marolia and Mr. Porus Mistry
Bungli Supervisors
Mehtajis
There are two mehtajis at
Doongerwadi. They are responsible
for making accounts, issuing bills
and collecting dues from the families
after the paidust and the four-day
ceremonies are completed.
There are three bungli supervisors — Shapur Marolia, Kersi Daruvalla, and Porus Mistry.
Whenever a death occurs, they receive a phone call from a family member of the deceased
and guide the family regarding the procedure for obtaining the death certificate from the
Municipality, make arrangements to send the hearse for the body, book the bungli for the
religious ceremonies, note the sagai for the death announcement to be forwarded to the
newspapers and to the BPP website for paidusts, inform the khandhiyas and bungli kamdars
about the time of the paidust after consulting with the family, forward to the mehtaji the
miscellaneous expenses incurred by the family of the deceased with regard to the catering,
etc. The bungli supervisors are responsible for the cleanliness and upkeep of the bunglis.
Mobed
The BPP
also employs
a mobed,
Ervad
Noshir
Ervad Noshir
Bajan, to
Bajan
look after the
sagdi (lower grade of Fire
Temple) situated on the
Doongerwadi land.
Mr. Darayus Bajan
Mr. Zaver Daruwalla
The BPP Review 24 October ­­– November 2010
For information
on deaths and
funeral
services visit:
www.bpppaidust.in
To contact the
Doongerwadi call:
022 2367 5974 /
2367 1676
cover story
Bungli Kamdars and Paniwalas
The bungli kamdars’ role is to clean the
bunglis. They ensure that the sukhar,
divo, sudrehs and chaddar for the rawan,
vases for flowers, clean linen etc., is
provided. Any other requests by the
bereaved relatives staying in the bunglis
for the four days is looked into by them.
They are responsible for bringing the dog
into the bungli during the funeral
ceremony and it is the bungli kamdars
who sprinkle the rose water on the hands
of the mourners after the uthamna.
After the body is consigned to the
dakhma, it is the paniwallas who give taro
to the relatives to clean their hands. They
also supply the prayer books.
(l-r) Mr. Nozer K. Daver (Bungli Kamdar); Mr. Nevil F. Vesuna (Bungli Kamdar); Mr. Diniyar Gabla
(Solar Operator); Mr. Sarosh G. Marolia (Paniwala); Mr. Farzad Mirza (Paniwala); Mr. Kersi J. Buchiya
(Bungli Kamdar). Not in picture: Mr. Arzan Patel and Mr. Viraf Waghchipwala, Solar Operators
(l-r) Mr. Adil Avari and Mr. Kersasp Marolia (Bungli
Kamdars). Not in picture: Mr. Yezdi Tangri,
Mr. Mehrnosh Khodiaji and Mr. Poras Marolia
Hearse Drivers
When a person dies and the Doongerwadi
office is informed about the death, a hearse is
sent to the hospital or home to bring the body
to the Tower of Silence. The driver of the
hearse will inspect the death certificate issued by
a doctor and, on being satisfied that all is in
order, will permit the accompanying khandhiyas
to take the body to the hearse and bring it to the
Doongerwadi complex.
The BPP has two hearse vans and three
drivers — Cyrus Antia, Yezdi Zaiwalla and
Noshir Zaiwalla — who work in three shifts.
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The BPP Review 25 October – November 2010
cover story
Khandhiyas/ nassasalars
Our Dokhmenishini system would not
survive without our khandhiyas and
nassasalars. For this reason alone, they are
worthy of the community’s gratitude and
respect. There are 18 khandhiyas
employed at Doongerwadi and many of
them are provided accommodation at the
Doongerwadi complex itself.
When a death is reported, four
khandhiyas accompany the hearse to bring
the body to the Doongerwadi complex.
The body is taken by the khandhiyas into
the bungli and given the ritual bath
(sachkaar). Two khandhiyas are present at
the paidust. After the paidust, they take
the body to the dakhmas and consign the
body there.
(l-r) Mr. Pervez A. Rasaldar, Mr. Pervez G.
Wadia, Mr. Ardeshir Bhopti, Mr. Kersi B.
Kolah and Mr. Porus Tangri
Environment supervisor
(l-r) Mr. Sam Vesuna, Mr. Kersi S. Daruwalla, Mr. Rusi Bhopti, Mr. Dinsoo Rasaldar and
Mr. Noshir Rasaldar. Not in picture: Mr. Noshire Patrawala, Mr. Adil Khambatta, Mr. Mehli Sutaria,
Mr. Ratan Waghchipwala, Mr. Minoo Rasaldar, Mr. Noshir Patel and Mr. Yezdi Pithawala
Apart from the maalis who look after the
vast Doongerwadi estate, the BPP has
Dara Elavia, who is the environment
supervisor. Most Parsis, even in the midst
of their sorrow, greatly appreciate
the green, lush environment at
Doongerwadi, which contributes to the
soothing serenity of the place. Dara is, to
a large extent, responsible for the flora
and the garden area.
Dakhma kamdar
This is a new post created by the new Board of Trustees under the leadership of Khojeste Mistree. Just as
the bungli kamdars look after the bunglis, the dakhma kamdar is responsible for the dakhmas.
Mr. Shahrookh Wadia, the dakhma kamdar, ensures that the pavis are clean and that the dakhmas do not
have overgrown vegetation. He periodically cuts branches growing inside the dakhmas and, with dedication
rarely seen in one, cleans the rested dakhma meticulously. Shahrookh Wadia’s commitment to upholding and
ensuring the smooth running of the Dokhmenishini system is greatly appreciated by all the Trustees and
needs to be applauded by the community.
Shahrookh Wadia
The BPP Review 26 October ­­– November 2010
cover story
Ozone Operators
Dinesh Jathar (right) and Vilas Pawar
(left) are the ozone operators. Dinesh
is one of the most helpful persons at
Doongerwadi. Any small
maintenance work is done by him,
willingly and voluntarily.
DOONGERWADI
Consultant
MANAGER
1
BUNGLI SUPERVISOR
3
ENVIRONMENT SUPERVISOR
1
MEHTAJI
2
MOBED
1
KHANDHIAS
18
BUNGLI KAMDARS
9
DOKHMA KAMDAR
1
HEARSE DRIVER
3
PANIWALLAS
2
MALIS
19
MALI CUM SWEEPER
3
BUNGLI SWEEPER
1
WATCHMAN
10
SOLAR OPERATOR
4
OZONE OPERATOR/
MORTUARY OPERATOR
2
SOLAR OPERATOR CONSULTANT 1
There are three solar
operators. Consultant
Cyrus Siganporia
co-ordinates with
them and ensures the
smooth running of the
solars.
TOTAL
81
Cyrus Siganporia
Sukhar Seller
Rusi Irani is the son
of Derwish Irani. He
sells sukhar at the
pavillion in
Doongerwadi for the
general public.
(l-r) Mrs. Dolly N. Patel, Mrs. Pervin
K. Kolah
Ladies Employed
If the deceased is a lady, then one
of the two women employed by the
BPP administer the ritual bath to
the body.
Gardeners, sweepers and watchmen
Apart from the employees unique only to the Doongerwadi, there are the gardeners, sweepers and watchmen.
(Standing l-r)
Mr. Ramesh Zende,
Mr. Mohan Savdhir,
Mr. Prakash Pawar,
Mr. Suresh Ghadi,
Mr. Mahadeo Poyrekar,
Mr. Sitaram Sakpal,
Mr. Dattaram Gorule,
Mr. Ankush Navale,
Mr. Ramchandra Pawar,
Mr. Ramesh Dhavde,
Mr. Raul Choudhri.
(Sitting l-r) Mr. Sanjay Mane,
Mr. Vinod Pawar,
Mr. Rupesh Sinde,
Mr. Chandrakant Sawant,
Mr. Gajanan Warang,
Mr. Shantaram Kamble
The BPP Review 27 October ­­– November 2010
cover STORY
Parukh Dharamshala
Situated at Khareghat Colony, this is the
home for the aged run by the BPP. At
present, there are 48 women residents at
the Parukh Dharamshala, out of which
17 have separate paid rooms, while the
rest occupy dormitory facilities. The
male residents number 41, and 16 of
them occupy single rooms. There is a
waiting list of senior citizens who are
eager to be accommodated in this vibrant
and cheerful home.
The day-to-day running of the home
is supervised by the manager,
Kurush Randeria, who is assisted by
(Top, l-r) Nisha Gosh (Sister); Mini Mathew
(Sister); Kurush Randeria (Manager); Rati
Toddywalla (Sister); Aspi Elavia (Liftman and
pumpman); Darayus Asha (Manager). Inset Manashni S. Wadia (Supervisor)
(l-r): Chandrakant Bhalerao; Swapnil Dhabolkar; Atish Khadlak; Harish Surti (Cook); Anand
Bhalerao (Cook); Subash Pawar, Anirudh Kadam. (Not in picture) Anil Moleshri, Baboorao
Vanjare, Prakash Surve, Suresh Kharat, Bhickaji Mazgaonkar, Vijay Surti (Cook), Pravin
Chauhan, Prakash Bhalerao, Raman Mayavanshi (Cook), Anirudh Khude (Night shift staff
not featured in the photograph)
(l-r): Kamal Jagtap, Lata Katarnavre, Sangeeta Jagtap, Jassie Vaghela, Kalpana Vaghela, Asha
Sonavne. (Not in picture) Ratna More, Suhasini Dalvi, Kavita Salve, Surekha Bhalerao, Pratika
Mishra, Sulochna Dambale, Savitri Gaikwad, Suman Kamble, Sakoo Salve, Aneeta Kamble
(Night shift staff not featured in the photograph)
Darayus Asha and Manashni
Wadia, the supervisor. A Ladies
Committee consisting Armaity
Tirandaz, Zenobia Adajania,
Zarine Chothia, Maharukh
Noble, Bakhtavar Tarapore,
Zarine Havewalla and Pervin
Shroff and chaired by Arnavaz
Mistry, oversees the running of
the Home and it is to their credit
that this BPP facility is greatly
sought after.
MANAGER
ASST MANAGER
NURSES
AYAHS
WARD-BOYS
COOKS
1
1
4
15
12
2
TOTAL :
35
A staff strength of 35
helps run this very popular
and well-run institution.
The BPP Review 28 October – November 2010
cover STORY
Lady Hirabai Cawasji Jehangir Health
Unit at Gamadia Colony
The health unit has 38 beds and
there are 28 female patients and
10 male patients presently housed
there. It has four special rooms
and one semi special room; the
rest of the patients occupy a
general ward facility. The Unit
also runs an out-patient
department. Another activity of
the health unit is to provide, on a
daily basis, eggs and milk to needy
and deserving persons who lack
good nutrition and are advised by
their doctors to improve the
nutritional value of their diets.
The Unit is overseen by Freny
Jehangir, the Hon. Administrator
Soli Hataria, the office
superintendent, manages the
Gamadia Colony Health Unit: (l-r): Amy Karanjia (Supervisor), Jenny Saji (Sister), Shirin Hilloo (Sister),
Soli Hataria (Office Superintendent), Romana Ghaswalla (Sister), Kalpana More (Sister), Behroze
Palsetia (Steno). Not in picture - Silvi Sunny and Swapna Dhanavade
accounts and administration. He is
assisted by Amy Karanjia and Behroze
Palsetia, who have both served at the
health unit for the past 26 years. There
are nurses, ayahs, ward boys, a cook
and a part-time doctor employed by
the BPP for this facility.
This Health Unit is a boon to the
community as it offers medical care,
especially for those community
members who are suffering from
chronic ailments.
HEALTH UNIT
(Front row l-r): Chandra Borge, Vimal Wahwal,
Vandana Khurat, Bharti Rokde, Jaya Parmar and
Vidya Gaikwad. (back row l-r): Ram Pawar, Sanjay
Gaikwad, Sanjay Shinde, Sangeeta Gaikwad,
Suresh Gaikwad and Rajoo Gaikwad. Inset: Raju
Kharat and Shatna Rokade (Night shift staff not
featured in the photograph)
ACCOUNTANT/ SUPERINTENDENT
OFFICE ASSISTANT/ SUPERVISOR
SISTERS
DOCTOR (PART-TIME)
AYAHS
WARD-BOYS
TOTAL
The BPP Review 29 October – November 2010
1
2
6
1
9
8
27
cover story
Liaison Committee
On January 1, 2010, the Liaison Committee,
officially became part of the BPP and its
staff is now on the BPP roll. The primary
function of the Liaison Committee is to
investigate cases for charity help. More than
30 trusts refer their applications to the
Liaison Committee for investigation. The
Mr. Ratan Lalkaka
(Honorary Secretary) three social workers — Chetna Batty, Freny
Engineer and Roda Pardiwalla — make a preliminary report after
conducting their investigation in consultation with Senior
Executive Adi Billimoria. The final report is prepared with
Honorary Secretary Ratan Lalkaka’s approval. Apart from this
vital function, the Committee gives employment under the
rehabilitation programme and Tehmi Patel and Jamshed Mistry
are two persons who have been gainfully employed under this
scheme for the last 15-20 years. The Liaison Committee also
organises two holiday programmes for the poor children of our
community. They distribute school books and stationery items to
deserving children and also undertake a grain distribution
programme. They sell sudrehs, kustis, pyjamas and dusters too.
Liaison Committee (sitting l-r) Chetna Batty, Freny Engineer, Roda
Pardiwalla, Social workers. (Standing l-r) Dinyar Falhazada (Accounts
Asst.), Adi Billimoria (Senior Executive)
Boys Hostel
The Boys Hostel, situated at Gamadia
Colony, is a residential facility for boys
from out of Mumbai, who have secured
admission to educational institutions in
Mumbai. This year there are 52 boys
registered at the Hostel and every student
has a room to himself. There is an
in-house mess, which provides subsidised
meals to the boys. The BPP is fortunate to
Jehangir Mandviwalla
have Jehangir Mandviwalla as the resident
(Manager)
manager of the Hostel. He was appointed
as manager on April 1, 2009 and, besides taking care of his many
duties and responsibilities there, he has become a wonderful father
figure to the boys. The right mixture of discipline and affection
shown by him towards the boys has paid huge dividends, and
Jehangirji’s presence at the Hostel has made a world of difference to
this once neglected institution.
Employed under the rehabilitation scheme (Sitting l-r): Anjali Irani,
Roshan Katrak, Tehmi Patel (Standing) Jamshed Mistry.
(Inset) Zenobia Mistry.
The BPP Review 30 October – November 2010
cover story
Museum
The F. D. Alpaiwalla Museum was established in 1954 and named after Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla, who
was a collector of antiquities. Alpaiwalla donated his vast collection to the Punchayet with the idea that there
should be a ‘Parsi Museum’ to showcase our rich historical legacy. He was an expert philatelist and
numismatist and he collected a vast range of antiquities. On his death, his entire collection was bequeathed
to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet. The Alpaiwalla Museum also houses the vast collection of antiquities and
archaeological finds from Susa, Nehavand and Yazd in Iran, excavated by the great Iranist and Avestan
scholar, Ervad Dr. Jamshed Unwalla.
Interestingly, the museum, in its collection, has a firman from Emperor Jehangir as well as memorabilia
Dr. Mrs. Nivedita
belonging
to Dadabhai Naoroji.
D. Mehta – Curator
Alpaiwalla Museum
The museum’s curator, Dr. Nivedita D. Mehta, herself an archaeologist from the Deccan College, Pune, is
an enormous source of information with regard to the provenance of the various collections in the museum. It is under her
discerning eye that the museum collection has been meticulously recorded and maintained. The Trustees of the Bombay Parsi
Punchayet are grateful to Nivedita for the years of selfless service and dedication shown by her commitment to preserve the rich
historical legacy of the Parsi Irani community of India.
The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. To visit the museum, contact Curator Nivedita Mehta
at 022 2361 6586.
For more information write to: 209, D. N. Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001 • Tel: 022 2261 7421/22/23 • Fax no.: 022 2263 0010
• Email: ppbombay@vsnl.net • Website: www.bombayparsipunchayet.com
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cover story
What the Trustees have to say...
Dinshaw R. Mehta - Chairman
Few realise that running the vast multi-tiered BPP is similar to running a multinational
organisation and, while our resources are great, the problems are many. Enormous social
skills are needed to understand the individual and collective needs of our community
members. I would like to say here that we have a very loyal staff, committed to running the BPP in
the best possible way. This issue of The BPP Review is dedicated to their years of hard work and
service. We are proud of each and every member of the staff.
We are working towards a few changes in the coming year. We would like to bring in more
computers, place more information online, make the BPP more approachable and friendly, and we
hope that this issue will help you to know just who is in charge of which department, so you can directly contact them,
should the need arise.
We would also like to see greater participation and help coming from the community in making the baugs better and
improving the infrastructure. We are keen on running a ‘clean and green baug’ campaign, culminating in perhaps a festival of
lights where baugs can be lit up by the residents for March 21, in honour of Navroze. Prizes can be awarded by an
independent panel of judges — one to a baug in the suburbs and one to a baug in South Mumbai. Let us join hands to make
each baug a place we are proud of.
Our youngsters in ZYNG have done a fantastic job with regard to their social work projects and they have, as an added
value, provided the community with what they enjoy the most – sheer entertainment and high energy activities. With their
ability to bring the youth together on one platform, they have become the force of the youth. Let us, as adults, learn a lesson
from our youth and together work to make this community a happy, glorious one we can all be justifiably proud of.
Arnavaz Mistry
I think ours is one of the finest communities. People of all religions have great
respect for us. All of us need to understand that there are far too many issues we
need to focus on for our very survival as a community today and these are far more
crucial than our differences.
I have a vision, a dream which is deeply rooted in the Zoroastrian ethos.
I have a dream that one day this community will rise up to all challenges.
I have a dream that one day every young Zoroastrian will be highly educated and be able to
attain excellence in his or her chosen field of activity.
I have a dream that, one day, we will not have a single Zoroastrian who is not able to marry and start a family for want
of a roof above their head.
I have a dream that one day each Zoroastrian family will have at least three children and the population of our
community multiplies in leaps and bounds.
I want to see that every aged member of the community is well taken care of with great respect and love by his or
her son, daughter, or close relative. I would love to see a totally satisfied and content community whose wants and needs
are met with.
I want my religion, my community, living, breathing and thriving like I have always imagined.
The BPP Review 32 October ­­– November 2010
cover story
Jimmy Mistry
The BPP has achieved many milestones during our short tenure of two years. This
includes laying down a vision and a blueprint for housing, using the court sanctioned
cross-subsidy scheme to pay for our future large housing projects for the poor. It is not
the aim of the present BPP board to make money out of our future housing projects. We want to
create a large stock of housing with only 20 per cent of the revenues kept back for the corpus, and
the balance to be used for subsidised and free housing, as per the Merit Rating Scheme.
Professionalising and improving the quality of the entire design is an important goal. And applying
value engineering and cost analysis to all BPP projects is vital as well. Having a more integrated
approach to design, thereby providing better amenities to the beneficiaries, would be ideal as well.
My vision, as a Trustee, for the future is:
• To create a 1,000 flats and make sure that the poor are housed with the best possible amenities and facilities provided
by the BPP.
• To work towards the betterment of our mobeds in any and every respect.
• To work towards conserving and preparing a blueprint for Doongerwadi’s upkeep, restoration and maintenance.
• To take up the restoration of the Godavara Agiary before the end of this year.
Khojeste P. Mistree
My two years in the BPP have been a learning graph for me. The Punchayet is a very
complex organisation and its workings have to be understood from a socio-religious point
of view. It is a full-time job and no one should underestimate the time which needs to be
spent for the proper functioning of the BPP as an institution. Housing remains the need of the hour
and we are slowly moving towards revitalising all the housing projects.
My area of special concern has always been the Doongerwadi and I would like to thank the
Doongerwadi staff as well as our nassasalars and khandiyas for keeping our Dokhmenishini system
on track, and the many helpers and gardeners who have kept our dakhmas clean and the forest — our
sacred grove — green.
May we all, as Trustees, continue to serve the institution of the BPP and the community with greater strength and renewed
vitality.
Yazdi Desai
Armaity Tirandaz
We
have
completed two
years as BPP
Trustees and I
can proudly say
that we have
made the BPP
more vibrant, friendly, transparent, rich
and, above all, more ‘Parsi’, and we hold
out more hope to the community than
at any time before. Let us work together
in fulfilling that hope and in flying the
community’s flag high.
My term of two years as a BPP Trustee
is not yet complete but, even after a year
and a half, it has not been a struggle.
Yes, it has been somewhat of a roller coaster ride,
with all its ups and downs, but nonetheless very
stimulating. What is most exciting is my project for
children with special needs, which is moving in the
right direction. I have received wholehearted
support from my co-trustees, the core working group and all the
wonderful people who have extended their support for this project.
I firmly believe that, in life, there are no obstacles that cannot be
overcome with courage, honesty, conviction and a little application of the
mind. I hope to complete my term as a Trustee with honour and dignity
worthy of the seat to which the community has entrusted me with.
The BPP Review 33 October ­­– November 2010