A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Any Trustee who does not easily bend to show favour but adopts a bold, aggressive and practical approach has always met with the fiercest criticism from people who are affected by progress. My detractors have tried their best to defame and malign me to suit their ends. I have faced the fiercest criticism and have been a victim of baseless allegations by those whose vested commercial interests I have strongly opposed as they were harmful and against the best interests of the community. This has not, and will not, deter me in my commitment to serve my community.

I am a firm believer that if our declining numbers are to be arrested it is imperative to prevent our youth marrying outside our community. Every fifth marriage today is an intercommunal marriage. This reality poses a serious threat to our existence. To increase the Parsi population we have to endeavour that our Parsi youth marry among themselves and the best way to ensure this is to continue to expand the legacy of Parsi Baugs and Colonies left behind by our ancestors by constructing more flats in existing colonies. Those Parsi families living in far off places like Vasai, Nalasopara and Virar also need to be brought into the baug environment.

The advent of the government policy of redevelopment and reconstruction of old buildings in Mumbai has opened up opportunities for increasing the housing stock hitherto unavailable to the cash-starved BPP.

Under the present policy of MHADA it is possible to redevelop our older colonies by utilizing FSI almost to the extent of 3.00 (which is more than double the present constructed area.) This can translate into new buildings of all types suitable to all strata of our community.

Redevelopment of Navroze Baug, which at present, houses 350 families in old and dilapidated buildings, using a built-up area of 3,13,822 sq.ft. Under the MHADA scheme we can re-develop the existing buildings to provide 650 flats, with additional FSI of 3,87,742 sq.ft. in addition to rehousing the existing 350 families in new buildings.

Redevelopment of Contractor Baug, which at present, houses 230 occupants with an area of 124,346 sq. ft. could generate additional FSI of 235,458 sq.ft. and with the available FSI, the re-development of Contractor Baug would permit the construction of 390 flats in addition to rehousing the existing 230 occupants.

Redevelopment of 782-785 Dadar Parsi Colony (DPC) can be reviewed and reinitiated before MHADA so that 240 additional flats become available for our community. There are other plots in DPC which could generate 100 new flats.

Development of the Jal Hotel plot, Panthaky Baug, along with the balance FSI would permit the construction of an additional 150 flats. Further, I propose we develop the slum-encumbered area at Panthaky Baug adding a further 100 flats.

Sufficient corpus would need to be generated to subsidize the rents as well as to maintain the buildings, which could be done from the proposed ownership building at Godrej Baug along with the current Refundable Security Deposit Scheme.

Unfortunately, with the majority of the current Trustees believing that in 10 years there will be more flats than Parsis, construction proposals for new housing ventures have been shelved. At present there are about 960 applicants on our growing waiting list in various categories whilst we have just about 84 flats available. I am of the firm belief that new developments need to be commenced on an urgent basis so that all Parsis are housed in Baugs and Colonies, with special priority to be given to engaged couples with fixed dates of marriage.

I have always stressed that next to Housing, the greatest need of the community is education, specifically providing opportunities and funding the needy among us with a thirst for bettering themselves through education. I have been serving both the education and Higher Education Committees of the BPP. Our allocation towards educational efforts has been increased four-fold. Apart from providing tuition fees and subsidizing local medical and engineering education, we have increased grants and loans for those wanting to go abroad for
further studies from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 1,20,000.

The road ahead...

1. Instead of squandering charity funds in litigation, all occupants of our various colonies, be they tenants or licensees, will be allowed to benefit from tenancies if they desire to vacate their premises, subject to the Trust getting a fair share of their transfer fees, as the law now allows this.

2. A lot of mistrust has been generated by the old occupants being tenants or deemed tenants while the new occupants allotted are being given on leave-license basis. It will be my endeavour to give all equal protection of law and convert the leavelicense to tenancy with the cooperation of my co-trustees.

3. Will ensure the restoration of Tehmulji Parsi Lying-in Hospital, which is presently in dire need of funds.

4. We need to have more homes for the aged like the Parukh Dharamshala, somewhere in the suburbs.

5. Grants for medical treatment for poor and middle-class Parsis need to be increased substantially.

6. Monthly doles to the poor of Rs. 400 to Rs, 1,000 per month need to be increased substantially.

7. Apart from housing, the greatest need of the community is education and our allocation for subsidizing tuition fees and local medical and engineering education will be increased. Grants and loans for those going abroad will also be enhanced.

8. Grants for gifted children in the field of sports will also be encouraged.

9. With the co-operation of local Corporators, water problems of all colonies should be attended to.

10. We will attempt to have a road or colony named after Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw.

11. Initiatives for Parsi marriages by way of priority in housing should be continued.

12. The BPP will function in an open and transparent manner with every member of the community having a Right to Information.

I promise to commence all these projects in earnest immediately upon my election, I hope, with the co-operation of the other newly elected Trustees. I seek re-election not for fame or personal glory or to appease my ego or settle personal scores, but only to continue to serve my community.
It is my earnest appeal that if you believe, in light of my past record of service and my vision for our future, that I am a deserving choice, I would urge you to support me in my endeavours through your vote.