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With community numbers dwindling, combining organizational efforts, funds and trusts helps better utilize scarce resources. "After long years of sustained efforts by the Nowroze Baug Play Centre (NBPC), the two organizations within the Baug, N. N. Wadia Welfare League (NNWWL) and NBPC have decided to join hands and form one association,” stated NBPC president Homi Ustad, speaking at their 72nd annual cultural and entertainment program on June 3, 2023 at the Sophia Bhabha Auditorium. Ustad thanked the joint efforts of both the committees and offered special thanks to NNWWL president Capt Roozbeh Mamlatdar. A note on the event and a copy of their brochure was sent to Parsiana by NBPC joint general secretary Yasmin Engineer who has been associated with the organization for 32 years.
In the backdrop of many overlapping activities, about a decade ago a step was taken to host events jointly, noted Ustad, a retired logistics professional, in dialog with Parsiana on June 17. After a few years, the efforts faltered. In about 2015 "a meeting of both committees was called and they agreed to join hands, organize combined events with the ultimate aim to have one association in the colony.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That the benefits will accrue to both organizations is a sentiment echoed by Mamlatdar, a merchant navy professional. "It makes total sense to do this,” he stated, talking to us on the same day. When a new NNWWL committee took over about three years ago under his leadership, he said he was able to convince most stakeholders to combine forces. The entities are getting professional advice on the legal and operational aspects of the merger. The possible name of the merged entity will be Nowroze Baug Play Centre and Welfare League, reiterated both presidents.
Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy director and erstwhile Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Noshir Dadrawala was consulted "many years ago” on aspects of a merger at the request of Nariman Mehta, then NBPC president and now chairman emeritus. "I had told them that under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act 1950 the merger of two or more trusts is legally possible provided all agree…I am happy to see this finally fructify…We are too small a community to be competing… The need of the hour is partnership and avoidance of clutter,” he told Parsiana on June 19. He stated that he was glad to see Nowroz Baug "lead the way for formerly warring organizations coming together in the spirit of unity, cooperation and consolidating our scarce resources.”
The League evolved from the Nowroze Baug Sports Club (NBSC) established on Jamshedi Navroz day, March 21, 1935, about a quarter century after the Baug was constructed, Mamlatdar strung together a brief history of NNWWL by jogging the memory of past president Jimmy Kateli. Starting with indoor and outdoor games, their calendar included an entertainment show every March 20, put up in the open space between their M and N Blocks. Gymnasium classes were started in 1943. Plans were reportedly drawn up in the early 1950s to construct a pavilion within the Baug, but these did not fructify. 
At the golden jubilee of the Baug in 1958, industrialist and scion of the founding Wadia family, Neville Wadia was presented a memento depicting the impressive colony gates. The function was organized by NNWWL at the Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Hall where Wadia was the chief guest. "He was so pleased that he asked the committee what they wanted.” On being told that they would like access to the presently unused bungli in the colony for their activities, Wadia immediately agreed. To mark this generosity, the NBSC changed their name to NNWWL in honor of Neville’s late grandfather Nusserwanji, in whose memory his grandmother Jerbai had built Nowroz Baug, the first of the five Wadia Baugs. Since then, NNWWL has undertaken religious competitions, tours, social welfare, gymnasium and organized sports.
Meanwhile, the NBPC was set up in 1946, reportedly in response to awareness built up by social workers from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences to establish such centers for children, states a write-up to commemorate NBPC’s 75th anniversary. "A physical instructor, the late Khody Kolah approached the trustees of N. N. Wadia Trust for permission to use the playground for children’s activities.” In its first decade, NBPC organized group games for youngsters on Tuesdays and Saturdays, picnics, training camps and cultural events. A free exercise books scheme was started. Children over 12 years were given the right to elect their leadership. 
In the 1950s the NBPC fought hard to retain the use of the playground when it came to be known that the trustees proposed to construct more residential buildings. "All-out efforts by NBPC made the trustees bow down and cancel the building plans…But NBPC suffered another setback… Trustees cancelled all permissions and support to them.” In 1956 the annual athletic meet and cultural program were started. Other activities followed: a medical scheme to provide support to the less privileged of the colony and its surroundings, merit scholarships, outdoor film shows, a circulating library from the residence of one member, drawing and painting competitions, kusti weaving, rangoli, cookery, a magazine called Pukar (Call) and a homeopathic clinic was established in September 1979. The playground was redeveloped.
As Ustad pointed out to Parsiana, "This (merger) will be in the interest of both entities.”
The NBPC committee includes, besides Ustad and Engineer, vice president Firdosh Khambatta, joint treasurers Shirzad Bhathena and Pilzad Engineer, and members Armin Bavan, Meher Porbunderwalla, Naznin Govadia, Rumy Zarir, Zubbin Khambatta, Zubin Luth and Cyrus Siganporia.
The League’s office bearers include, besides Mamlatdar, vice president Honoze Nekoo, joint treasurers Aspi Kathawalla, Shahrukh Divecha and Frenaz Mamlatdar, joint secretaries Anaihita Irani and Havovi Parekh and members Cyrus Patel and Firuza Munshi.