Roshan Pundole honored

Roshan Pundole honored

28 July 2005

Roshan Pundole was honored today by Asrama Cahaya, a home for orphaned and handicapped women, for her 32 years of selfless volunteer service to the organization.

Ma & Pa Pundole Celebrate their Diamond Anniversary (60^thon the 27^th March 2005) (Milestones – Special Occasions)

Hootoksi Tyabji

It all began, as these things normally do, around a table over good food and wine. My parents asked if I would take over organizing their 60^th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. Pa said it was his dream to celebrate with his family from all over the world around him and ma wanted to invite all her friends to a big bash in KL. Ma’s wish was granted, dad’s almost. We managed to get the immediate family here with the exception of our middle son Farhad, his daughter Azura, and my brother’s son Jon.

And so began the preparations for the big bash! First, the design and printing of an invitation, the hunt for a venue, the planning of the menu, the surprise “act” the perfect music, the secret visit of Aunty Naju, Lale, Jim and Sim from Mumbai, and the logistics of where everyone would stay, be fed and watered.

We had just moved into our new house, and consequently were in an entirely new neighborhood. Driving in KL was a big challenge for me and the task ahead seemed daunting, but with the terrific support and help from Robert and Adil, things moved along nicely and the celebration began to take shape!

Adil was the first family member to arrive, and he helped us move from our rented apartment, into the house we had just bought! Michel and Rosa from Seattle came next, and we grabbed the opportunity of being together and squeezed in a glorious week’s holiday. We went to the East coast of Malaysia, to a little island paradise called Perhentian Kecil where we stayed at an exquisite, isolated spot on the beach. We lazed, chatted, snorkeled, ate, drank and relaxed, so at the end of the break, we were more than ready to enjoy the “buzz” of the next 10 days!

While we were at the beach, my sister Shehernavaz arrived from Austin Texas, and my brother Kershasp, his wife Judy and their daughter Sherie from Cleveland, Ohio. All of them stayed with Ma and Pa at their apartment on Jalan P Ramlee.

Rob’s Mum (93) arrived from Sydney a few days later, followed by Pa’ss older sister Naju (86) and cousin Lale and her children Jim (18) and Sim (14) from Mumbai. They were “the big secret” and a gift to our parents!

Our house was filled to capacity, we slept 10 and this was the perfect opportunity to test all systems especially the plumbing which I am pleased to report worked perfectly!

Mum and Aunty Naju shared a room and kept reporting at breakfast, that things went missing but by dinner time they miraculously appeared again. All except one nightdress, which we all hunted for and never found till much after everyone had left, and we found it in the garden drain. Naju aunty must have hung it on her balcony and the wind did the rest!

Robert and I enjoyed having so many of our loved ones with us in our new home and for the most part we managed to get folks into cars and onwards on time! We did have the odd stragglers and those that occasionally needed severe warnings and prodding’s, but for the most part it was very harmonious.

On the 25th afternoon we had a Jashan (A Parsi Blessing) performed by Pa and assisted by his good friend Sam Tata. We decided to present our “surprise” before the celebration began and Pa’s joy at seeing his sister, Lale, Jim and Sim manifested itself in tears while ma kept shouting “Naju Pundole. Naju Pundole” till someone calmed her down and reminded her that we all knew the name. After the prayers, we had a delicious traditional Parsi dinner cooked by Gloria, our Filipina maid!

On the 26^th, Kershasp and Shehernavaz drove over to Shah Alam for a rehearsal of a little skit we were planning to “perform” at the party. Thanks to digital technology and the generosity of relatives overseas, we managed to get old photographs and messages from those unable to travel here to be with us. These were put into an audio visual which we projected onto a large screen. Kershasp managed to get an old recording of Mama singing “Because” and we played it to the delight of family and friends, most of whom had no idea of Ma’s beautiful singing voice.

Their love story began in 1944, Dad was a Boy Scout organizing a fund raising event for the war effort. Ma, already known as the Nightingale of Bombay, was invited to sing and the moment she did, dad fell in love with her and they started seeing each other secretly.

A few months later, Pa proposed and Ma accepted, but she had to tell her parents about this new development in her life and the ensuing scene is an integral part of our family history. So, we decided to act it out in Gujarati with Kershasp translating when we gave him the chance! Shehernavaz played the part of mama and I played Grandma Tehmina.

Tehmina was a formidable lady and mama was intimidated and often afraid to talk to her. We imagine this is how the conversation must have been!

Tehmina: Yes, Roshan, have you something to say?

Roshan: Nothing.

Tehmina: Then why are you hanging around.

Roshan: Just like that

10 MINUTES LATER

Tehmina: Still around, what is it? You better find your tongue quickly!

Roshan: I want to marry, I'm in love

Tehmina: With whom?

Roshan: With a boy

Tehmina: Yes, yes, what is his name?

Roshan: Noshir

Tehmina: Noshir who?

Roshan: I don't know

Tehmina: Does he work

Roshan: Yes

Tehmina: What does he do?

Roshan: I don't know

Tehmina: How much does he earn?

Roshan: I don't know

Tehmina: His parents, what do they do?

Roshan: I don't know

Tehmina: Brothers and sisters?

Roshan: I don't know

Tehmina: I don't know, I don't know, and you're set to marry him! Do you have a photo of him?

Roshan: Yes, yes I do, here it is.

Ma promptly produced a photo of Papa when he was two years old sitting on a pony in Matheran. We managed to find a copy of this which we projected at this point in our skit. We left out the subsequent drama that must have ensued!

We also talked of Pa being the founder of the Lions movement in India, his tremendous achievements and personal growth and the spirit of philanthropy, caring and love that our parents manifested in our home at all times and which we grew up with.

On the 27th morning, THE DAY, we zoomed over to Ma’s, picking up the garlands on the way for the traditional Parsi sagan (blessing) to be performed by Aunty Naju. The house was filled with large bouquets and baskets of the most exquisite flowers, gifts of love from family and friends from all over the world. Ma and Pa blessed each of us in turn and gave us each a piece of jewelry and we made our little offerings to them. Michel presented his grandparents with a wonderful CD of his thoughts and feelings and he also played the mbira (African finger piano) while he prayed Ashem Vohu, the first prayer a Zoroastrian child learns. This was taught to him by his grandfather when he was a little boy in Somalia. The memories came flooding and the tears flowed!

After the sagan, everyone went home to rest while Adil and I went to the venue to put our finishing touches on things. Adil, just home from University in Milan with a Masters in Design, put his education to work and converted the venue, the Lake Club Orchid room, into a flower wonderland for the evening celebration. A large black and white blowup photograph of Ma and Pa taken on their engagement was set up on the stage as the focal point.

Our guests arrived at 7 PM and we were fortunate to be able to find and hire a pianist who played old time favorites till 8.30, when we invited people to sit down while we put on “the Show”. This was followed by dinner. We had a starter, soup, main course and dessert. Between courses, there was a short speech of appreciation for the voluntary work that Ma has done in the past 30 years at the Bukit Nanas Home for handicapped. It was delivered by the Principal, Sr. Stephanie, and followed by a song specially composed and sung by a friend Phil Captain.

Pa gave a superb vote of thanks and finally the grandkids & Jim and Sim wearing sombreros (don’t ask me why,) blowing trumpets and throwing confetti in the air, wheeled out a 12 Kg cake which Ma and Pa cut to cheers from relatives and friends.

The evening ended with specially recorded music from the 40’s and 50’s and a good time was had by all. It was certainly a memorable time and one that will be remembered by all of us for some time to come!

Below: L to R from top - Robert, Hootoksi, Lale, Kershasp, Judy, Shehernavaz, Maki, Noshir, Roshan, Alice, Simonil, Rosa, Michel, Adil, Sheherezade, Jim

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