The Bombay Parsi Punchayet in its nearly 350 years of its History has developed from time to time and with the passage of time, has increased its functions / activities multifariously.
To give a glimpse of what we do here are few of the activities in brief –
(1) Manages a vast Doongerwadi Estate at Mumbai.
The Doongerwadi Estate is approximately 57 acres, a prime property in a prime locality whose value is invaluable. The Doongerwadi itself has many fold functions controlled by the Head Office :-
(a) Maintenance and upkeep of the property, both constructed Bunglis, Pavilions, Dadgha Saheb, the open garden of forest area, not to forget the Dokhmas which are built in 1672 onwards.
There are five Dokhmas, out of which three are constantly functional, viz. Anjuman, Sethna and Bisni. Banaji Dokhma at the moment is not in use but would be shortly made functional. Besides, there is one Modi Dokhma which is specially used for Parsi ladies married to non-Parsi but who had continued to profess Zoroastrian religion till death and who had desired to be consigned to the Towers of Silence.
(b) Staff which are over 100 in number at Doongerwadi itself as shift work system for Khandhias, Bungli Kamdars and supervisors is in vogue. There are malis, Morgue operators, Ozone operators and other like Mehtajis etc.
(c) There are 12 Solars , 4 each at Anjuman, Sethna and Bisni Dokhmas, with a separate team of Engineers and Solar operators.
(d) The Priests section, though is separate overall, it falls under the Bombay Parsi Punchayet control.
(e) The forest area and gardening is a chapter by itself as environmental laws and other aspects are taken into consideration.
(2) Provides Relief from poverty to the needy.
About 650 recipients are on date receive monthly doles ranging from Rs.600/- to Rs.2000/-. Every two years, they are reviewed, investigations are carried out and further continued. The poor and the needy are spread from Kashmir to KanyaKumari and from Rann of Kutch to Arunachal Pradesh. In short we cover the entire country’s territory.
(3) Extend financial support towards medical expenses.
Similar to the above, medical expenses are disbursed for the beneficiaries spread all over the country for various ailments, including hospitalization of different nature of operations.
(4) Support to pursue education at all levels.
(a) From Kindergarden to the Post-Graduation and special courses like Marine, Pilot, etc., we give scholarships/ gifts as well as interest free loan (with a moratorium to repay of one year after the completion of the courses, even if the course is spread over 5 years or more).
(b) For securing higher percentage under Std.X Special Coaching Classes part fees, are also extended.
(c) Similarly, those students who take Science stream for Std. XII Coaching are given (in Std. XI itself, special Coaching Classes fees are given).
(d) There are separate scholarships for the Parsi / Irani Zoroastrian students who show exemplary performance, They are: -
i) Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Scholarship for Std.X passed (from B.P.P. and Jamshed & Shirin Guzder Trust).
ii) J. R. D. Tata Scholarship for Post-graduation passed (from B.P.P. and Jamshed & Shirin Guzder Trust).
iii) For Std.X and Post-Graduation (Sapur and Tehmina Desai Memorial and B.P.P. Scholarships).
iv) For Std. X, I.C.S.E. and C.B.S.E. (Fali Forbes and B.P.P. scholarships).
(5) Second Child Scheme.
Effective from 1-4-2009, Rs.1000/- p.m. for 2nd Child born on and after 1-4-2009 till the child completes 18 years of age.
(6) Third Child Scheme.
Effective from July 1993, Rs.1000/- p.m. for 3rd Child and since raised to Rs.3000/- for child born on and after 1-4-2009 till the child completes 18 years of age.
(7) Day Care Centres
Rs.300/- p.m. per child for Day Care Centres.
(8) H.P.Y.
A month long H.P.Y. Programme for Std.X appeared which is highly popular and effective.
(9) Central Employment Bureau.
We also find placement for those seeking jobs mostly retired. Besides, lately, in collaboration with Ms. Hira Pithawalla every week the placement requirements for the Parsis are announced by putting on Notice Boards of all the Baugs / Colonies the announcement.
(10) Distribute Kusti Wools and Sale of Kustis.
On subsidized rates wool imported from Australia is distributed to those who weave Kustis. Similarly, the readymade Kustis are also sold in sizes ranging from 3½ ‘gaj’ to 6¾ ‘gaj’. The Kustis are purchased from Navsari by the B.P.P.
(11) Matrimonial Bureau.
For youngsters expiring to have life-partners both for boys and girls requirements, matrimonial applications are received and matching is facilitated.
(12) A Career Guidance Programme.
A separate Cell called Vocational and Educational Guidance Bureau is run by the professional Counsellors.
(13) Bai Soonabai & Seth Behramji H. Sorabji Parsi Students Hostel at Mumbai (popularly known as Gamadia Boys’ Hostel, Gamadia Colony).
It is a boon for upcountry students especially from interior Gujarat who have no dwelling place in Mumbai and desires to study in Mumbai Colleges. The fees charged are negligible
(14) F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla.
It is a Home for aged old, especially for those who have no near and dear ones in Mumbai. There are two separate Wings – one for Gents and one for Ladies and on an average, 92 residents stay in Dormitory as well as private rooms. For the aged, it is bounteous in the evening of their lives where they are taken care of not only by providing the roof over their head but personally caring with a provision of nutritious diet and a very healthy and clean and hygienic environment.
(15) Godavara Darameher at Mumbai.
It is also called Gamadia Agiary situated in the Heart of City and ofshoot of P.M. Road is managed by B.P.P. and which shortly would be renovated after monsoon.
(16) Shapoorji Fakirji Jokhi Agiary at Godrej Baug.
For the residence of Godrej Baug, this Agiary is established in 1999. Not only the Godrej Baug residence, but the Parsi / Irani Zoroastrians living in an around Nepean Sea Road, Walkeshwar as well avail the services / facilities.
(17) Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Zarthoshti Madressa at Mumbai.
This one specially is meant for Aveshta learning. The Aveshta courses are of 7 years, broken-up into 3 parts with separate Certificates, after completion of 3 years course, 5 years course and the final 7 years course. It is run by eminent Scholars like Ervad Ramyar Karanjia and Ervad Parvez Bajan.
(18) F. D. Alpaiwalla Museum.
Rare items including those from Persia are placed in this Museum which is situated at Khareghat Colony.
(19) Lady Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Health Unit at Gamadia Colony, Tardeo.
This is another organization which takes care of patients, especially old for post-operative needs. Now a day, many of the old patients stay for life-time.
(20) Memorial Column and Dharamshalla at Sanjan.
By placing separate Manager, Dharamshalla at Sanjan is managed along with the Memorial Column. Dharamshalla is run at a highly subsidized rate and many Zoroastrians avail the same.
(21) Liaison Committee for the Organisation of Parsi Charities.
This is a sort of an Investigation Cell done by the paid Social Workers for the cases of Medical Assistance, Doles and School Education, referred to not only the B.P.P. but by other Trusts as well. The Liaison Committee also helps the poor for selling Sadras, etc. items. It as well arranges for grain distribution and arranges camp for poor children.
(22) Sir J. J. College of Commerce at Mumbai.
Presently, it is housed in Parsi Lying in Hospital. It primarily teaches Secretarial Courses having skillful staff.
(23) Sports.
Various Colonies / Baugs are financially assisted for different Sports and Cultural activities on regular basis.
(24) Fertility Clinic.
We extend financial help to the last paise at times running over a lac of rupees per person per treatment. However, the reinstatement is accorded only when the treatment is taken from a Gynaecologist Dr. (Ms.) Anahita Pundole. Along with Dr. Pundole, a Psychiatrist Dr. Parvin Dadachanji is also associated for the fertility treatment, as the treatment involves over and above the physical aspects mental attitude.
(25) Dental Courses and Enginering Courses.
Students are assisted to undertake Comed-K Exam for admission to Colleges at Mangalore Like A.B. Shetty College and N.M.A.M. Institute of Technology, both for Graduate and Post-Graduate Courses. Even Physiotherapy courses admission is arranged.
(26) Estates.
We have army of staff deployed at various Baugs / Colonies for looking after and maintenance for cleanliness as well as security angles and the same is controlled from the Head Office.
(27) Housing.
It plays the major roles as houses are allocated to different income strata of Parsi / Irani Zoroastrians and emphasis laid on giving houses to needy and poor.
