Dear Readers,
There’s something rather reassuring about institutions that outlive generations. Even as the community’s only bank – The Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Ltd. – celebrates nearly a century of service, it gives us much reason to reflect with pride and gratitude on an extraordinary legacy. Founded on 17th June, 1927, by Sir Hormusjee Cawasjee Dinshaw Adenwalla, the Bank was established with a vision of providing financial security, trust and opportunity to the community. Almost a hundred years later, it continues to stand as a remarkable example of Parsi enterprise, foresight and resilience.
But centenaries do not happen by chance. Institutions thrive across generations when communities continue to invest their trust, loyalty and support in them. They survive because people bank with them, volunteer for them, pray in them, donate to them and believe in them. The story of our own community, in many ways, is just like the story of its institutions.
Our Agiaries and Atash Behrams offer inspiring examples. The Banaji Atash Behram, established in 1845, and the Wadiaji Atash Behram, consecrated in 1830, have both crossed well over a century. Several Agiaries across Mumbai, Gujarat and elsewhere have similarly thrived for generations because devotees, trustees and donors continued to cherish and sustain them, because the community cared enough to keep them alive. The same principle applies to our schools, baugs, charitable trusts and so many community organisations as well.
In a rapidly changing world, survival itself is an achievement. Relevance is an even greater one. Institutions must continue to evolve, but communities too have a responsibility. Patronage isn’t merely about sentiment, it’s about active participation. When we support our institutions, we invest in their continuity. We ensure that future generations inherit more than memories – they inherit functioning, vibrant institutions that continue to serve and unite the community.
As we celebrate the remarkable and glorious journeys of our Parsi institutions, let us remember that their survival has never been a matter of chance. Every century earned, every milestone crossed and every legacy sustained has been made possible by a community that chose to stand behind them. When we preserve our institutions, we also preserve our heritage, our identity and the continuity of our community itself. Thus, the institutions we preserve become the very institutions that preserve us!
Have a lovely weekend!
– Anahita
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