Celebrating a Legacy: Reality Check

 On the 22nd of December the residents of Rustom Baug, by Parsi population  standards a large  collection of 168 housing flats celebrated 100 years of the existence of this baug. For the uninitiated the Parsis are followers of the Zoarastrian religion who escaped persecution by Alexander the Great and later Islamic rulers of  Persia (present day Iran) and migrated to India. As with such ancient migrations the mystery and the stories surrounding this migration are not very clear. However, as with all such stories encapsulated in Qissa-e-Sanjan a minority community tales of woe are filled with tales which border on myth and reality. To cut a very long story short the Parsi community has a glorious past and even today has a stellar reputation in India the country which welcomed Parsis in the 8th to 10th century. 

So, a persecuted race lived and imbibed a need to assert a religious identity, but the difficulty of remaining the same needed some compromises and a pragmatic leadership. They made peace with the locals by agreeing to adopt some customs like language and rituals, but were uncompromising in relation to the exclusivity of the places of worship (fire-temples) and allowing conversion to another faith. They did not evangalize or solicited conversion for fear of  both angering the locals and losing their unique identity. Even as the Parsis started increasing their small numbers, the present day claim of purity of race seem farfetched and impractical. As with most such migrations marrige with local women of Indian origin may have taken place. But this article or blog is not about this but about the foresight of one humble but wise lady poularly known as Bai Jerbai Wadia. 

The British rulers who came as traders quickly realized the value of India in terms of natural resources and started dreaming of becoming rich in India. The need for local help for the British turned into an opportunity for the hard working skillful Parsis. Their artisanal abilities along with the progressive education made them most suitable as the first choice for the British rulers. Among these were the Wadia family ship builders in the 1700's. Lovji Nusserwanji Wadia of Surat started this work and made a name for himself and soon the Wadia family gained name fame and fortune as great ship builders. Their ships HMS Minden and HMS Trincomalee were part of the famed naval battles of Britishmen. Later generations diversified into textiles, jewellery, showbiz, biscuits bakery, tea and rubber plantations and even aviation and IPL cricket. Three ladies strong women in a patriachal society made a great contribution to the story of the Wadias and because of them the wadia charity and philanthropy continue. They were Bai Motlibai Wadia, Bai Jerbai Wadia and Lady Hirabai Jehangir. 

They from their personal wealth and inheritance created community and secular charitable institutions that survive and prosper to date. Places of worship fire temples including the Iransha, hospitals, educational institutions, public halls, roads and infrastructure amouting to several crores of rupees in value were spent by these ladies. By today's estimate the value of their contributions would be valued at over 10,000 crores. Wadia children and Maternity Hospital remains landmark institutions for the Mumbaikars. 

However, as I sat in the Rustom baug celebration it bagan to dawn on me that the contribution of three ladies is immeasurable in terms of the transformation they made to the lives of ordinary Parsis. Those who got the opportunity to live in the city of Mumbai and made themselves rich and prosperous. They in turn made the stellar contribution to the to city of Bombay which they call their home. Generations have benefitted and it was but fitting that the year long celebration was marked by short but effective speeches by Justice S. Kathawalla, Mr. Dinshaw Tamboly and Mr. Burzis Taraporvala who ensured that amidst the fashion shows and entertainment the element of gratitude and inspirational tribute was not lost. 

Mr. Dinshaw Tamboly with Burzis Taraporvala and Justice Kathawalla and Ness Wadia 

Fashion Show Parsi Garas                                      Dr.Mazda Turel Compere and MC pun

Fashion show of children                                           Dr. Vispi Jokhi 

The food was great, entertainment good but the inspiration and gratitude was the highlght of the evening. My friend Dr. Mazda Turel conducted the proceedings with typical Parsi humour and PJ's. As a head of neighbouring Masina Hospital, I feel proud that the community till today still have these institutions in our midst but worry weather there will be enough Parsis left to nurture and benefit from these iconic charities. Today the community seems to have a sense entitlement. Parsis and wants things on a platter. I was given an opportunity to talk about Masina Hospital which was established by one more visionary Dr. Hormusji Masina in 1902 in a small house on Clare Road. Today, it is a 270 bedded multispeciality unit on a 7.5 acre plot with 10 buildings. While the organizers of this event are trying their best to get the community interested, the age profile and the priorities of the young do not seem to have the energy or the will to get enthused. Can we really do something and address the question of survival and ensure that before the community nears extinction a line of succession is established? Can there be a plan to ensure that the properties and institutions continue in some form or another and serve the community and if not the community society at large? These questions need deliberation and seroius introspection. I am hopeful that this event and many such can generate the passion to make the youth and common Parsis take inspiration from the Wadia's and Masina family and make the Baugs, hospitals, educational institutions, fire temples and infrastructure established by our visionaries as their own. May Ahura Mazda save us and our institutions in years and decades to come. 

Vispi Jokhi