JJ Hospital’s Parsi Ward Residents Celebrate Jamshedi Navroz
On 21st March, 2021, Jamshedi Navroze was celebrated with much joy by the 45 residents of the Parsi Ward at J J Hospital, along with community members who brightened up the auspicious occasion for them. The day began with a Jashan ceremony, in remembrance of residents who had passed away this year, followed by the Tandarosti prayer and a Humbandagi. The oldest resident, Burjor Buchia handed the Ashodad to the mobeds.
The congregation then moved to the main hall, and included Dr. Gustad Davar – ex-Dean of Sir JJ Group of Hospital and his wife, Dr. Rekha Davar, former head of the hospital’s Gynecology Department; including Dr. Sanjay Surase – Hospital Superintendent and Jeeta – Head Sister of Parsi Ward.
Arnavaz Mistry, who is the heart and soul of the Parsi Ward and responsible for its excellent upkeep, shared how the day marked the 34th year of continuously conducting the Jashan ceremony on Navroze Day, and spoke of her lasting association with the Ward. She said that the Parsi Ward had been the stepping-stone encouraging her to extend her service to other philanthropic activities and that she had developed a spiritual bond with her body of service-work which has grown increasingly stronger with the passage of time.
She informed that the ward was the only place in the city where free services were provided to bed-ridden, old and poor, physically or
mentally disabled community members, who were accepted and taken care of till they passed away. She shared that it was her dream, to some day, take under her wings, every senior citizen who had nowhere to go and was bereft of love and dignity from others.
Hospital Superintendent, Dr. Sanjay Surase greatly praised the generosity of the Parsi community, saying that other communities too should emulate this as well as other commendable Parsi/ Zoroastrian aspects. Arnavaz Mistry’s dynamic daughter, Yasmin Mistry – founder and driving force behind ZTFI (Zoroastrian Trust Funds of India), the community’s leading charitable organization providing various relief measures for under-privileged humdins – summed up her mother’s incomparable contributions by remarking, “we all are very proud of you!”
Arnavaz Mistry then thanked all – including Sir Jamshedji, Jeejibhoy, the Dean, the Doctors, nurses and all the staff of the ward – without whose efforts and support, she would not have been able to carry out and continue her work. She commended them for their untiring efforts which made the lives of the residents comfortable and happy. She thanked all the donors and well-wishers of the Ward for their unstinted support. The celebrations ended with snacks and drinks served to all attendees.
