( Text as published in Parsiana, December 2006)

"The Inspirational Commandant"
Arnavaz S. Mama

Died: Lt Gen (retd) Adi Meherji Sethna, 81, Padma Vibhushan, PVSM AVSM, member of the National Commission for Minorities(NCM) and president of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) of cancer on October 17, 2006 in New Delhi.

He was a 21st century akabar – a highly successful military strategist who used every moment of his retirement years for the benefit of civil society in general and the Zoroastrian community in particular. At 81 he vibed better with GenNext than most half his age, and he did so without ever forfeiting his dignity, good humor or commonsense. So, when Sethna lost his last battle, the sorrow at his loss was palpable.

India accorded the former vice chief of army staff a state funeral, his body covered by the national flag was conveyed on the gun carriage to its resting place in the Delhi Parsi Anjuman’s aramgah to the sound of bagpipes, the army jawans reversing their rifles in the last salute.

“I was, in fact, looking forward to meeting him at the Iftar on October 20 at my residence. Fate has willed otherwise. His death has created a void which will be difficult to fill,” wrote Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a letter commiserating with the family in its grief.

“Gen Sethna was a person of rare integrity and ability, who brought the highest standards of professional excellence to his many and varied responsibilities. These qualities, together with his warm and humane personality won him widespread respect and admiration during his distinguished career in the army, his work for the Asian Games, his initiatives to preserve the rich and unique Zoroastrian culture, and as a member of the Minority Commission. His commitment to human rights, secularism and social justice were exemplary,” recalled Sonia Gandhi, president of the All India Congress Committee.

The condolence resolution of the NCM-- where he was the first ever member to be appointed for a third term—notes, “Gen Sethna was member of the Third and Fourth National Commission for Minorities and served them with great distinction. He joined the Fifth Commission on June 27, 2006 and contributed considerably with his knowledge and experience.” The resolution of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities (NCRLM)speaks of his work as deputy chairman of the IX Asian Games Special Organizing Committee and for bringing adventure tourism to India for which he was “aptly conferred the Padma Vibhushan award and the Dadabhai Naoroji Award for his active involvement in inter-faith activities.”

“The Australian Government appreciated the significant role General Sethna played in promoting relations between Australia and India, particularly his role as the founding chairman of the India-Australia Council. His contribution was important at a time the relationship was starting to grow more strongly,” wrote Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy in a letter to Sethna’s wife, Khorshed.

Letters endorsing his 40 years’ commitment to the Indian army came from retired and serving officers. “Adi had contributed a lot for the good of the army and the country. He was very useful in the Army, particularly as my vice chief professionally,” wrote Gen (Retd) K.V.Krishna Rao, former chief of army staff.

Lt Gen Deepak Summanwar, Colonel of the Rajputana Rifles – a position of distinction conferred on outstanding officers of the regiment and one which Sethna had held in his time – notes, “Ever since I joined the regiment, Gen Sethna had been a father figure and an institution in the regiment…(He) had done yeoman service for the regiment and the army. He was responsible for having documented the regimental history (Story of a Regiment) and had contributed in large measure towards creation of various institutions in the Regimental Centre, particularly the museum.”

Lt Gen (Retd) H.C.Rai stated, “I could not think of anyone better to hand over the Colonelcy of the Regiment when I retired. His cheerfulness and his optimistic approach even in difficult times, were qualities we all admired. Always helpful, caring and considerate, he gave his time and energies for uplifting the needy. In his passing away, the Regiment has lost one of its true stalwarts, and we know how much he will be missed on every Regimental occasion in the future.”

Lt Gen (Retd) Rostum Nanavatty recalled “wonderful memories of Gen Sethna at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington – the first time I met him. He was an inspirational Commandant – a person of great intellect, complete honesty of purpose, openness and unflagging enthusiasm and zeal…(We) would often talk of his wide interests; exceptional energy, drive and commitment; his extraordinary capacity for hard work; but above all, his selflessness, kindness and goodness that shone through in everything he did. Every meeting I had with him, however fleeting, left me stirred and resolved.”

Brig John Powell of the British Army - son of the late Col Geoffrey Powell who had been Sethna’s first commanding officer when he joined the army in Malaya in World War II – noted, “To me Gen Adi was not only the epitome of the Indian Army – immaculately smart, full of regimental pride, highly professional as well as enormous fun, but he was bigger than life and so very kind and thoughtful to me. So he made a deep impression, as he must have done on so many people throughout your great country and the world…My father held him in the highest regard and was very close to him – he always spoke so strongly and warmly of him, up to his last days.”

“(He was) a great guy – an absolute salt of the earth kind of gentleman, a military leader who meant a lot to his soldiers, seniors and subordinates alike, and who was a moving force to bring together the Parsis, make their presence felt in this crazy capital of India and all over, through the painstaking process of compiling and conveying their unique history and contributions to society through Parzor,” attested Lt Col (Retd) Anil Bhat, now chief editor of WordSword Features and Media.

A prayer meeting was organized by the DPA on Sethna’s birthday, November 11 when a number of speakers including former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee , former solicitor general of India Tehmtan Andhyrujina and Tarun Das, chief of the Confederation of Indian Industry and former secretary of the NCM Trilochan Singh paid tribute. Sorabjee captured the mood of the Delhi Parsis feeling bereft by Sethna’s loss: “How can I give condolences. I need to be condoled!” in nostalgic remembrance Das spoke of one he considered his mentor. Attending official functions in Brussels Sonia Gandhi sent a personal message to be read on the occasion: “He was a man of many parts- an officer and a gentleman, a brave soldier and an able administrator, a doer and a thinker, and a man of deep humanity and compassion, who was unwavering in his commitment to human rights and secularism. He was also a loyal friend, and a person of great person of great personal warmth and charm... we deeply mourn his loss, and express our heartfelt gratitude for his rich contribution to national life. India will always honour his memory.”

“He had deep knowledge of Zoroastrian teachings, but he even spoke and wrote on Sikhism and I always marveled at his interests, his broad comprehension and catholism. He enjoyed talking of other religions and recalled the days of his life in the Army when they had to observe functions with jawans of different religious denominations,” said Singh

“Most importantly, however, he was a loyal family member.  He was adored by his Ratti Aunty, who so looked forward to his visits when he would make himself at home, put his feet up and speak to her for hours.  I will also never forget how he dropped everything to come to Dehradun with (mobed)Kavas (Bagli) when Dad passed away last year.  He was a rock of support for all of us during that very difficult time,” recalled his nephew Karan, Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea, in a letter to the family.

At the condolence meet jointly organized by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India on November 8 – Sethna had served on the latter body as Vice President, North Zone, ever since he assumed the mantle of president of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman in 1986 after the death of Shiavax Nargolwala - chairman and president Minoo Shroff recalled Sethna’s “sane and mature voice, especially when deliberations during Federation meetings became raucous” and the extensive traveling he did to represent community interests to the state and central governments. “He put demography, the revival of Parsi crafts in the limelight.”

It is only when a tree falls that we can appreciate its enormous size and strength, said BPP trustee, solicitor Burjor Antia, recalling Sethna’s various stints as aide-de-camp to independent India’s first Governor General C.?? Rajagopalachary and President Rajendra Prasad. Never too old to learn, Sethna had completed his MSc 36 years after his initial graduation and was one of the founders of the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre in Delhi, noted Antia. He was particularly mindful of Sethna’s substantial donation to the Banaji Atash Behram in Bombay because, as he had told Antia, he had visited it with his father every time they came to the city. The two had also interacted when Sethna had sought space for the preservation of vulnerable community heritage including blood samples for research collected by Parzor and, as a trustee of the Masina Hospital, Antia had been able to get the endorsement of his fellow trustees to the project, since housed on the first floor of the hospital.

Speaking as a member of the board of Parzor, former chairman of the University Grants Commission Dr Armaity Desai recalled Sethna’s personality, his robust approach to life: “I have yet to see a more buoyant person at his age …his peals of laughter (yet he was) a real patriarch who inculcated values which bind and support families. He practiced the teachings of the religion. Even in the ICU he was dictating to his secretary regarding miners trapped in Assam.”

“He looked upon retirement as rebirth, rejuvenation, accepted new responsibilities,” said art historian Pheroza Godrej who, with her late uncle Sohrab, had many interactions with Sethna. The three generally had a breakfast meet at 7.30 in the morning whenever he was in Bombay. She remembered his representation to the Governor and Chief Minister of Maharashtra, registering the community’s shock and sorrow at the vandalism at the Bhikha Behram Well as also his support for the creation of a Parsi cell in INTACH to preserve the community heritage in Gujarat.

Sethna’s “skill and mastery in the way he handled people” was underscored by former IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer Jamsheed Kanga, illustrating his statement by reference to the way Sethna and former IAS officer the late K.T.Satarawalla had done “a great job at the Asian Games without stepping on any toes” as also the DPA’s record of being “almost free of conflict and tension.” No member of the NCM spent as much time in its office as Sethna did and Kanga noted that it was Sethna who had much to do with the formation of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities. “Thanks to him we have now got a few seats in VJTI”

Concurred BPP trustee Dinshaw Tamholy: “He could call a spade a spade without creating problems.”

“During the riots in Malegaon in 2001, Sethna put me to shame with the zeal and energy he possessed at his age,” admitted Abraham Mathai, vice-chairman of the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission, adding, “He was the only member of the NCM to be accepted by two ruling coalitions.”

Thrity Taleyarkhan, wife of the late politician and NCM member Homi Taleyarkhan, had hosted Sethna during his recent visits to Bombay. She referred to him as “one of the finest Indians, one of the most distinguished Parsis (who) never bragged, never tried to show off.”

DPA vice president Dadi Mistry spoke of Sethna’s five-year tenure as chairman of the India-Australia Council, his non-judgmental attitude, emphasis on problem solving rather than polarizing of attitudes. “When he spoke, people listened. Sethna’s representation to the government, on the proposed draconian law for the regulation of public trusts, led to the bill being dropped…Even when he was in the ICU on gas he wanted to know about the anjuman and asked for a copy of Parsiana.”

Describing him as a “many splendored whirlwind,” K.R.Cama Oriental Institute trustee-secretary Homai Modi recalled Sethna’s early morning call. “Pack your bags!” he had boomed. Her initial visit to Iran in the company of the General and his wife and Sorab Godrej was to help the Tehran anjuman appreciate the formalities of organizing the proposed Sixth World Zoroastrian Congress in 1996. It was Sethna who had been the moving force in its initiation with the Iranian Ambassador in Delhi and meeting with then visiting Iranian Prime Minister Rafsanjani. Being a state guest had not stopped Sethna’s mischievous bouts of humor nor youthful appreciation of Iran’s fabulous fruits, said Modi.

Modi’s comments reminded this reporter that

when the Indian delegation to the Congress was waiting to board the Iran Air flight to Tehran, there was an inordinate delay as the incoming plane had burst all its tyres on landing. The airline failed to provide for the comfort of the stranded passengers – there was barely place to sit, the restaurant doors in the old Bombay terminal endured prolonged hammering before any food was available late at night. After one restless night Sethna was on the phone to the Iranian Ambassador, demanding hotel accommodation for all passengers, complimentary meals and a new plane to be flown out if the Indian delegates were at all expected to attend the Congress after this fracas. All his demands were met and the seething passengers, which included a load of non-Zoroastrians, were transferred to a hotel the second day but not before the General had quelled their acrimonious behavior with a few choice disciplinary commands! We boarded a plane specially flown out for us, reaching Tehran on the third day.

BPP chairman emeritus Jamshed Guzder and Antia were both keen to perpetuate Sethna’s memory. Though nothing cogent has even been debated, Guzder has initiated the project with a promised donation of one lakh rupees. The BPP and a number of anjumans across India passed condolence resolutions in Sethna’s memory. He had visited most of them in his capacity as member of the NCM.

“His forte was in organizing events…. He visualized the course of action in every venture as a good CEO should , but when it came to implementation he worked harder then his juniors to lead the venture to a successful completion,” remarked demographer and Parzor team member Ava Khullar. Referring to Sethna’s flair for showmanship she noted, “But what was so wonderful during this process was that his whole team worked harmoniously because with a smile and encouragement he always appreciated the contribution of the team members. I never saw him lose his cool, however stressed out he may be… It was his willingness to approach the highest authorities of the land, be it a Chief Minister or even the Prime Minister to plead for justice and fair play that set him apart from others holding similar positions of power and influence.”

Khullar described the plight of the Devgadhvala family: “There was a prosperous Parsi family , the only one left in a village in south Gujarat, with a large land holding who were literally being terrorized by the local mafia who wanted to grab their land. The besieged family were not able to cultivate their land because if they tried, their land would be dug and their crop burnt; when they brought out their tractor, its was smashed and broken and they were reduced to starvation. They could not sell the land and move out because a case was pending in court. The final straw came the night the goondas threw flaming torches from four sides of their house on the thatched roof. Gen. Sethna intervened and finally approached Narendra Modi, the chief minister of Gujarat,. and a CRPF unit was stationed on their land to protect them and the family enabled to resume their daily existence. A day before the start of the Federation meeting in Bardoli we were taken on a tour of the villages around Surat and Bardoli, and visited this family and witnessed their sense of gratitude for the help Gen Sethna had given them.”

By then he had also saved a large chunk of property belonging to the Surat Parsi Punchayet from being acquired by government. But Sethna was never complacent. A realist to the core, he had told the Federation at Bardoly that individual families with large tracts of land need the support of anjumans to manage life threats and the economic pressures they face as they become older and fewer. He had also noted, “Within our own community are we holding out a hand to each other or are we pointing a finger at each other? The Parsi community is considered a leadership community. Let us start getting people together.”

Always eager that Parsis stand up and be counted, Sethna not only made the community conscious of the 2001 census, urging cooperation with the enumerators, but ensured that the Census Commissioner of India pay particular attention to Parsi figures. In the eventuality, the Census Commissioner came all the way to Bardoly to acquaint the community leaders gathered there of the depleting numbers, pleading that something be done to avert the prognosis of a disappearing community. This was followed up by a one day seminar under NCM auspices in 2004 at Sahyadri, the government of Maharashtra guest house in Bombay, when a team of demographers sought to acquaint the gathering of the dangers ahead as deaths overtake births three to one in the Parsi capital. At the next one-day meet in 2006, at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences convened by the NCRLM, it was emphasized that not only the overall numbers but the economic strength of the community was in decline as Parsis were getting poorer, financially and attitudinally. If the message has been shrugged off, it has not been for want of trying by Sethna and the specialists he enlisted to aid the community.

Shortly after becoming president of the DPA Sethna had set himself the goal of bringing all-India Zoroastrian youth in the 19-35 age group together to share ideas and develop understanding, “expose them to the mainstream of India, show them what services, what enormous resources are available to them to tap.” The first ever Youth Seminar, held in the DPA’s dharamshala complex October 22 to 24, 1987, not only had dignitaries like philosopher-prince-minister Dr Karan Singh and others of his ilk addressing the gathering, Sethna had organized a visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan where President of India R. Venkataraman hosted a tea party for the group. But more outstanding still was the intellectual fervor of the occasion resulting in spontaneous after dinner sessions on the carpeted shamina floor where community stalwarts like sociologist Prof Noshir Kekobad, BPP chief executive Rustom Anklesaria, Federation honorary secretary Keki Gandhi and others joined the youths on equal terms. Though youth seminars became an annual event thereafter, being held by different anjumans in turn, they never reached the level of the first one in Delhi in organization or content.

Again it was Adi who began the system of having on open forum at Federation meetings where community members could voice their opinion on controversial issues. While it was originally mooted at the meet in Delhi in 1991-- shortly after the tragic death of young Roxan Shah when the BPP had refused to accept her body at Doongerwadi -- and withdrawn at BPP insistence, it later became a regular feature of the biannual meets. On the same occasion – which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the posthumous award of India’s highest award for gallantry in action, the Param Vir Chakra to Lt Col Adi Tarapore – Sethna had gathered together the current and retired Zoroastrian members of the armed forces to acquaint the community of their many deeds of derring-do: “Many a brave man is remembered not by medals but in the memory of those who fought with him…” Sethna’s recitation had visibly moved the gathering which included many non-Zoroastrian comrades-in-arms.

The son of Meherji, an officer in the railways who retired as a member of the Railway Board, and the down to earth Hiranai (known in the family as Dollmai), Adi grew up in the home of his maternal grandfather Khan Bahadur Cawasjee Dhanjishaw Billimoria, the respected superintendent of police in Valsad whose lead was followed by his many grandsons distinguishing themselves in the services. It was his mother however who shapedAdi’s thinking and just two months before he passed away, he favored Parsiana (“Go, be successful,” August 21, 2006) with reminiscences of his early life. She had taught her children to pray for good health of body and mind so that they could perform their duty and imbued Adi with courage when she sent him to the Military Academy and later to the World War with the words, “Jao, fateh karo, Yatha ni madad ( Go, be successful with God’s help)” – a memory which Sethna recalled ever so often, especially when confronted with stories about the current generation of mama’s boys.

This outlook he has obviously instilled in his own scions. Zubin Shroff testified to this when he noted in a short speech after the uthamna ceremony, “Nana faced every problem and situation, however difficult, with a smile on his face. He always had a positive outlook to life, which he continuously tried to instill in us…He was the source of all our adventures.” His eldest grandson Daraius Shroff was “his closest confidante.” With Zubin he shared “a passion for history and current affairs” and a taste for culinary high jinks. With Rushad, Kersi and Jehangir he led the golfing quartet. They also played with rabbits, made rum punch, learnt to salute correctly and played cricket. “Even in death he gave Zubin, Rushad, Kersi and me a new experience: that of traveling on an open army gun carriage with his guard of honor,” noted Jehangir Cama. Adi and Khorshed had longed for a granddaughter. A huge Mickey and Minnie mouse from Disneyland awaited Tushna Baria’s arrival. “Every story he told Tushna had one moral, which was Huvarashta – perform good deeds,” said Jehangir. Adi’s son-in-law Parvez Baria could barely withhold his emotions as he spoke of life on the Sethna farm at the condolence meet in Bombay: “He is a man with whom I fell in love first and only later with his daughter Shireen.” Sethna’s three sons-in-law and five grandsons sat around his bier at the funeral, performing the ceremony that nassessalars in Bombay normally perform, Khullar informed Parsiana.

Meeting Sethna was a learning experience for Parsiana every time. Starting with our first ever interview in mid 1987 we learnt that the enlisted man in India – the jawan – does not sign a covenant: he eats a pinch of salt from the table – “Sarkar ka namak khaya – a gesture signifying promise of fidelity. Sensitive to the meaning of traditions, Sethna had told us that traditional fidelity “inculcates the courage of conviction, the ability to say ‘no,’ the ability to stake your right arm for what we, in our prayers, call farvarane – I believe.” Our last meeting was in April 2006 when, as chairman of the UNESCO-Parzor committee for the documentation and revival of the community’s cultural heritage he had welcomed the Bombay audience to a symposium and workshop on Parsi embroidery,he had noted: “Everything must start with a dream. Our dream is the revival of the art of Parsi embroidery for contemporary usage…Think of entrepreneurship. We Parsis could hope to be catalysts for the community and the country.”

Sethna is survived by his wife Khorshed, their daughters Niloufer Shroff, Rukshana Shroff, Shernaz Cama and Shireen Baria and six grandchildren.