The 129th salgirah of the Bai Hirabai Mulla Dar-e-Meher at Nagpur on October 3, 2024 was also an occasion to felicitate four women of the Orange City for their community service with Lifetime Achievement Awards in fields as diverse as social work, law and research and for being present for community members in times of distress. "Why all women?” we asked Nagpur Parsi Punchayet (NPP) trustee Shernaz Davar, who sent Parsiana a note on the occasion. "Just a coincidence,” she said. The Awards were presented by NPP president Aspi Bapuna.
The late Mehru Bapuna was conferred the Award for her work for the upliftment of the poor, underprivileged, handicapped and needy through the Late Dinshaw Bapuna Charitable Trust, Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, social worker Baba Amte’s Anandwan, among others. "She was instrumental in sponsoring cataract surgeries, installation of a lift at an old age home, donating ambulances at rural hospitals, donating dialysis machines and overseeing a water-based project in Gwalior…Her work brought her recognition from Rotary International and her portrait has been installed at the Rotary International Hall of Fame at its headquarters in Chicago.” Mehru is known to have collected USD 250,000 (Rs 2,10,28,925) towards Rotary projects worldwide, stated Davar.
Top, from l: Aspi Bapuna with Dr Thrity Patel; Navroze Davar
with Narges Desai; Meheroo Watchmaker; Mehru Bapuna;
above: section of the audience
Among the many awards that emeritus professor of law Dr Thrity Patel has received in her long career are an emeritus fellowship by University Grants Commission for her expertise in law and research; lifetime achievement award from Nagpur University; Best Teacher Award from the Maharashtra government; being listed among the top 100 eminent personalities selected by Nagpur University for reaching the top of her chosen career. President of the Centre for Education of Human Rights, Research and Advocacy, Patel has mentored 26 research scholars towards their doctorates. With three books on law to her credit, Patel has been on the board of trustees of the J. N. Tata Parsi Girls’ High School as also the NPP since decades.
"Meheroo (Watchmaker) Aunty’s service to the Nagpur Parsi community will remain etched in golden letters,” stated Davar. Having served the Nagpur Parsi Gymkhana as honorary secretary and now as vice president, Watchmaker was first elected as lady member of the NPP since the 1970s. Ever willing to lend a helping hand, she has been in the forefront putting in huge efforts to bring financial aid to the needy. She has been catering delectable meals in an honorary capacity for community dinners and gahanbars over many decades, has served sumptuous meals for the week-long Jiji Irani cricket tournaments. "Khali sukh ma nahin....dukh ma bhi (Present not only on happy occasions, but also on sad ones), Meheroo aunty has often been the first one to reach the house of a departed soul to assist in funerary preparations,” noted Davar.
With her vibrant, helpful and forthright nature, Narges Desai has "always been in the forefront for Gymkhana programs, coming up with new ideas for shows and competitions year after year.” As the treasurer she managed the Gymkhana and NPP accounts "meticulously and painstakingly for years... in an era when there were no computers.” Desai has also been known to have been a catalyst in bringing together many young Parsi boys and girls, eventually leading to marriage! A religious educator for both children and adults, her "Sunday classes are legendary,” noted Davar. The Award was presented to Desai at her residence by NPP honorary secretary Navroze Davar.
The festivities commenced with a jashan in the morning led by head priest Ervad Percy Panthaky with six mobeds in attendance. After the felicitation ceremony, awards were distributed by the NPP for excellence in academic and sports achievements. A community feast organized by the NPP rounded off the evening.