A year ago, we lost one of our most loved writers and a fabulous soul, Farokh Dordi, who won the hearts and unparalleled patronship of our readers, with his popular column, ‘God and Gustad’.  Born in Lucknow and a Commerce graduate from Mumbai’s Poddar College, Farokh will be missed and remembered by all at Parsi Times as the every-jolly man who never failed to bring in some of his daughter, Farah Kasad’s delicious home-made chocolates for all the staff.

Farokh’s association with Parsi Times runs back a few years when the editor, impressed with his writing style, asked him to start writing for your favourite weekly. In keeping with his belief that “it’s a person’s perspective’ towards a situation which mends or bends it,” Farokh started the famous ‘God and Gustad’ column, which became an instant and huge hit with our readers.  ‘God and Gustad’ shared how Gustad, the protagonist, translated life’s ongoing situations from the common man’s viewpoint, and the positive amends for the same. Encouraged by his fans, as well as a beautiful note of appreciation that he received from Ratan Tata, Farokh had decided to put together ‘God and Gustad’ series into a book.

A positive and straight forward man, Farokh was known for motivating and helping people find their way out in times of difficulty, in the most genuine and humble way possible. “It feels like yesterday, when I’d wake up every morning to his whatsapp message on positive thinking,” says Farah. A loving husband, a caring father and a doting grandfather, Farokh is survived by a loving family comprising his wife, Berose, daughter, Farah, son-in-law and two beautiful grandchildren.

Farokh’s philosophy of life held him and his friends and family in good stead – in his words, “We’re all humans, we all make mistakes. But don’t feel ashamed and sulk because of what’s happened in the past. Try doing something good, something that makes you feel happy from within and something that makes your dear ones proud of you. Do what is right, you don’t have to please everyone. Ushtate!”