There was added reason to celebrate Republic Day 2024, as two of our community stalwarts were recognised and honoured with the nation’s top civilian awards of the country. Renowned microbiologist, who pioneered the development of India’s inaugural Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program – Dr. Yazdi Maneksha Italia, was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri in the field of Medicine, representing the state of Gujarat; while Hormusji N. Cama, Managing Director of the Mumbai Samachar was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award in the field of Literature and Education (Journalism), from Maharashtra, on the eve of Republic Day 2024. The Padma Awards are India’s highest civilian awards. The ‘Padma Bhushan’ is awarded for distinguished service of high order and the ‘Padma Shri’ is awarded for distinguished service in any field. Announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year, these Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions, which will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, in a couple of months.

Leading the foremost Bombay Samachar Gujarati Newspaper for four decades, Hormusji N. Cama, Director, Mumbai Samachar, has also served as the Chairman of Audit Bureau of Circulations (2018-2019). He was earlier the President of Indian Newspaper Society (INS) for two terms as well as Chairman of the Press Trust of India (PTI) and Media Research Users Council (MRUC). Hormusji Cama continues to be an active member on the Board of INS, PTI and MRUC.

72-year-old expert microbiologist – Dr. Yazdi Italia, is revered for developing India’s first Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program, since 1978, which went to impact over 15 lakh tribals of Gujarat. A Translation Scientist, he is one of the pioneers and Ex. Hon. Director (2006 – 2012) of India’s first Sickle Cell Anemia Control Program of Government of Gujarat. His program was awarded the ‘Prime Minister’s Award’ as a model project, on all-India level. He is also a co-investigator for many ICMR research projects, including the Indo-US NBS project. In 2022, the Government of Gujarat bestowed him with an award honouring his significant contribution in Health Services for Prevention and Control of Sickle Cell Anemia and Thalassemia, presented to him by Gujarat CM – Bhupendrabhai Patel.

Parsi Times salutes these greats for adding to the glory of the community, and keeping the proud Parsi flag fluttering ever so high!