BPP Candidature: Advocacy over Meritocracy

Date

June 7, 2011

Post by

arZan

It is with regret that I have to mention that the BPP is heading in the wrong direction. I say this after I read articles in Free Press and Jame Jamshed proposing Anahita Desai for BPP Trusteeship by Homi Ranina.

Op-Ed by Arzan J Ghadially

Ranina has proposed even when no one has asked him to propose except WAPIZ which is evident as it got printed in Free Press which also makes Homi an interested party so as to say. I would have understood if Ranina or the others have paid to Jame to get their views printed but it was all paid for by WAPIZ/ Rasna . That makes it a case of a saying “A Donkey praises his own tail’. Why did the husband wife duo not stand for elections before on 2 prior occasions or is it that he has suddenly realized her worth after Noshir resigning?

To me it seems that the WAPIZ wish to fill up the post and desperately want someone from their fold to become a Trustee so that they may have a better say. The Husband Wife duo are staying in a colony which is meant to house the poor while they can afford to buy a ownership flat. I agree with Homi that if we believe in meritocracy it should be allowed but what is Homi gaining by pushing her case? Let her merits be recognized by her work and not by such paid propaganda. It clearly indicates that Anahita sowed the seed on the pretext of helping and harvesting the same with recommendation letters from those she helped at the time elections.

Please give others a chance to come up and work for the betterment of the community. She can still continue to work with the same dedication that she has worked before without any post. Or is it that she was being groomed to become a Trustee? Does she need the post badly? Can she not work without having a Post? Mr Ranina please apply your mind before you pen about someone. The views expressed are your own and could be wrong or you may have been asked to recommend her case or could be influenced.

Any one can win the BPP Elections if the candidate is supported by Board members and some self acclaimed eminent personalities. Take the case of a existing Trustee whom no one had heard of before her husband’s demise but she won the elections because she had the backing and personal funding of some of the members from the BPP Board. It thus appears that merit does not count in such cases .My intention is not to belittle anyone. Stop this trend and give others a chance to come up.

I feel the BPP Trustees should not endorse any candidate standing for elections as they become the interested party. The code of conduct must take place before and not after Anahita’s elections as stated in the article by Dinshaw Mehta.

Finally a joke I enjoyed reading in jame about a candidate who withdrew after filing his nomination because he observed that there was no code of conduct and it is against his principles to give freebies. This same candidate had filed his nominations earlier for Trustee’s post on 2 occasions and needless to say obviously lost. During both elections there was no code of conduct and freebies were given but he still stood for elections and lost. Where were his principles then? The candidate withdrew because he was asked to withdraw by one of the candidates. Anyway had he stood it would still have made no difference.

There is no grace or dignity left in the BPP anymore where some Trustee’s think the BPP is their own domain and wants control.

 

 

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36 Comments

  1. Sanjana Kersi

    Hey Arzan,

    I totally endorse your views on the BPP elections.  Kersi Sanjana

  2. Sanjana Kersi

    Hey Arzan,

    I totally endorse your views on the BPP elections.  Kersi Sanjana

  3. Sanjana Kersi

    Hey Arzan,

    I totally endorse your views on the BPP elections.  Kersi Sanjana

  4. Zerxes Dordi

    Arzan dear, For a change I am on your side and fully agree with you. Yes, Code of Conduct must come to play first. 

  5. Zerxes Dordi

    Arzan dear, For a change I am on your side and fully agree with you. Yes, Code of Conduct must come to play first. 

  6. Zerxes Dordi

    Arzan dear, For a change I am on your side and fully agree with you. Yes, Code of Conduct must come to play first. 

  7. Sanjana Kersi

    Hey Arzan,

    I totally endorse your views on the BPP elections.  Kersi Sanjana

  8. Sanjana Kersi

    Hey Arzan,

    I totally endorse your views on the BPP elections.  Kersi Sanjana

  9. Sanjana Kersi

    Hey Arzan,

    I totally endorse your views on the BPP elections.  Kersi Sanjana

  10. Sanjana Kersi

    Hey Arzan,

    I totally endorse your views on the BPP elections.  Kersi Sanjana

  11. Zerxes Dordi

    Arzan dear, For a change I am on your side and fully agree with you. Yes, Code of Conduct must come to play first. 

  12. Zerxes Dordi

    Arzan dear, For a change I am on your side and fully agree with you. Yes, Code of Conduct must come to play first. 

  13. Zerxes Dordi

    Arzan dear, For a change I am on your side and fully agree with you. Yes, Code of Conduct must come to play first. 

  14. Zerxes Dordi

    Arzan dear, For a change I am on your side and fully agree with you. Yes, Code of Conduct must come to play first. 

  15. Farhad Hozdar

    Couple of points I feel strongly about – ofcourse my personal opinion and not targeted towards any individual:

    – Adult Franchise is not suitable procedure for elections of Trustees of BPP .

    – In a Trust the beneficiaries cannot be given a overiding power to elect; The Donors who have contributed to the Trust should have the upperhand in deciding the Trustees who will manage the Trust affairs.

    – The role of a Trustee of BPP is not being properly recognised – The Trustees are responsible to Manage the vast Trust Properties and Funds and be professionals in handling the needs of the Community. It should be clearly understood that BPP is not required to meddle in Relligious Matters and that should be the Domain of The Vada Dasturjis only. Presently the focus of who a Trustee should be is totally lost.

    – In the present scenario every Tom Dick and Harry feels he or she is qualified to contest for elections – Merit has taken a back seat. Persons of stature would not like to comeforward and fight elections.

    – Person of high Intellectuality, Integrity and Stature in community should be invited in place of the retiring Trustees by the remaining Trustees on Board.

    – Vada Dasturjis should not at all propose or support any candidate and remain Neutral. They should not be political as it only reduces their stature.

    Now coming to Arzans Points of View –

    I totally agree that till such times we have to elect a Trustee thru the system of Adult Franchise a Code of Conduct should be put in place:

    – Independent Election Commissioners should be appointed to conduct the Elections

    – The Term of all Trustees should run concurrent for the remaining Term. Incase of By-elections inbetween for any reasons, the term of the elected Trustee should be for the balance term only and not for Seven Years.

    – The sitting Trustees should not suppport the BPP Trustees Candidates and remain absolutely Neutral

    – Know your Candidates Election meetings should always be conducted in a dignified manner with as little frills as possible.

    In Conclusion:
    Merit should be the sole criteria for election and not the personal Affliations of the Candidate.

  16. Farhad Hozdar

    Couple of points I feel strongly about – ofcourse my personal opinion and not targeted towards any individual:

    – Adult Franchise is not suitable procedure for elections of Trustees of BPP .

    – In a Trust the beneficiaries cannot be given a overiding power to elect; The Donors who have contributed to the Trust should have the upperhand in deciding the Trustees who will manage the Trust affairs.

    – The role of a Trustee of BPP is not being properly recognised – The Trustees are responsible to Manage the vast Trust Properties and Funds and be professionals in handling the needs of the Community. It should be clearly understood that BPP is not required to meddle in Relligious Matters and that should be the Domain of The Vada Dasturjis only. Presently the focus of who a Trustee should be is totally lost.

    – In the present scenario every Tom Dick and Harry feels he or she is qualified to contest for elections – Merit has taken a back seat. Persons of stature would not like to comeforward and fight elections.

    – Person of high Intellectuality, Integrity and Stature in community should be invited in place of the retiring Trustees by the remaining Trustees on Board.

    – Vada Dasturjis should not at all propose or support any candidate and remain Neutral. They should not be political as it only reduces their stature.

    Now coming to Arzans Points of View –

    I totally agree that till such times we have to elect a Trustee thru the system of Adult Franchise a Code of Conduct should be put in place:

    – Independent Election Commissioners should be appointed to conduct the Elections

    – The Term of all Trustees should run concurrent for the remaining Term. Incase of By-elections inbetween for any reasons, the term of the elected Trustee should be for the balance term only and not for Seven Years.

    – The sitting Trustees should not suppport the BPP Trustees Candidates and remain absolutely Neutral

    – Know your Candidates Election meetings should always be conducted in a dignified manner with as little frills as possible.

    In Conclusion:
    Merit should be the sole criteria for election and not the personal Affliations of the Candidate.

  17. Farhad Hozdar

    The Code of Conduct is a must and should have been put in place before this election as rightly suggested by The Chairman Mr. Dinshaw Mehta. I do agree with Arzan that Merit must be the sole criteria and personal affiliations should not have any role to play.

  18. Farhad Hozdar

    The Code of Conduct is a must and should have been put in place before this election as rightly suggested by The Chairman Mr. Dinshaw Mehta. I do agree with Arzan that Merit must be the sole criteria and personal affiliations should not have any role to play.

  19. Farhad Hozdar

    The Code of Conduct is a must and should have been put in place before this election as rightly suggested by The Chairman Mr. Dinshaw Mehta. I do agree with Arzan that Merit must be the sole criteria and personal affiliations should not have any role to play.

  20. Farhad Hozdar

    Couple of points I feel strongly about – ofcourse my personal opinion and not targeted towards any individual:

    – Adult Franchise is not suitable procedure for elections of Trustees of BPP .

    – In a Trust the beneficiaries cannot be given a overiding power to elect; The Donors who have contributed to the Trust should have the upperhand in deciding the Trustees who will manage the Trust affairs.

    – The role of a Trustee of BPP is not being properly recognised – The Trustees are responsible to Manage the vast Trust Properties and Funds and be professionals in handling the needs of the Community. It should be clearly understood that BPP is not required to meddle in Relligious Matters and that should be the Domain of The Vada Dasturjis only. Presently the focus of who a Trustee should be is totally lost.

    – In the present scenario every Tom Dick and Harry feels he or she is qualified to contest for elections – Merit has taken a back seat. Persons of stature would not like to comeforward and fight elections.

    – Person of high Intellectuality, Integrity and Stature in community should be invited in place of the retiring Trustees by the remaining Trustees on Board.

    – Vada Dasturjis should not at all propose or support any candidate and remain Neutral. They should not be political as it only reduces their stature.

    Now coming to Arzans Points of View –

    I totally agree that till such times we have to elect a Trustee thru the system of Adult Franchise a Code of Conduct should be put in place:

    – Independent Election Commissioners should be appointed to conduct the Elections

    – The Term of all Trustees should run concurrent for the remaining Term. Incase of By-elections inbetween for any reasons, the term of the elected Trustee should be for the balance term only and not for Seven Years.

    – The sitting Trustees should not suppport the BPP Trustees Candidates and remain absolutely Neutral

    – Know your Candidates Election meetings should always be conducted in a dignified manner with as little frills as possible.

    In Conclusion:
    Merit should be the sole criteria for election and not the personal Affliations of the Candidate.

  21. Farhad Hozdar

    Couple of points I feel strongly about – ofcourse my personal opinion and not targeted towards any individual:

    – Adult Franchise is not suitable procedure for elections of Trustees of BPP .

    – In a Trust the beneficiaries cannot be given a overiding power to elect; The Donors who have contributed to the Trust should have the upperhand in deciding the Trustees who will manage the Trust affairs.

    – The role of a Trustee of BPP is not being properly recognised – The Trustees are responsible to Manage the vast Trust Properties and Funds and be professionals in handling the needs of the Community. It should be clearly understood that BPP is not required to meddle in Relligious Matters and that should be the Domain of The Vada Dasturjis only. Presently the focus of who a Trustee should be is totally lost.

    – In the present scenario every Tom Dick and Harry feels he or she is qualified to contest for elections – Merit has taken a back seat. Persons of stature would not like to comeforward and fight elections.

    – Person of high Intellectuality, Integrity and Stature in community should be invited in place of the retiring Trustees by the remaining Trustees on Board.

    – Vada Dasturjis should not at all propose or support any candidate and remain Neutral. They should not be political as it only reduces their stature.

    Now coming to Arzans Points of View –

    I totally agree that till such times we have to elect a Trustee thru the system of Adult Franchise a Code of Conduct should be put in place:

    – Independent Election Commissioners should be appointed to conduct the Elections

    – The Term of all Trustees should run concurrent for the remaining Term. Incase of By-elections inbetween for any reasons, the term of the elected Trustee should be for the balance term only and not for Seven Years.

    – The sitting Trustees should not suppport the BPP Trustees Candidates and remain absolutely Neutral

    – Know your Candidates Election meetings should always be conducted in a dignified manner with as little frills as possible.

    In Conclusion:
    Merit should be the sole criteria for election and not the personal Affliations of the Candidate.

  22. Farhad Hozdar

    Couple of points I feel strongly about – ofcourse my personal opinion and not targeted towards any individual:

    – Adult Franchise is not suitable procedure for elections of Trustees of BPP .

    – In a Trust the beneficiaries cannot be given a overiding power to elect; The Donors who have contributed to the Trust should have the upperhand in deciding the Trustees who will manage the Trust affairs.

    – The role of a Trustee of BPP is not being properly recognised – The Trustees are responsible to Manage the vast Trust Properties and Funds and be professionals in handling the needs of the Community. It should be clearly understood that BPP is not required to meddle in Relligious Matters and that should be the Domain of The Vada Dasturjis only. Presently the focus of who a Trustee should be is totally lost.

    – In the present scenario every Tom Dick and Harry feels he or she is qualified to contest for elections – Merit has taken a back seat. Persons of stature would not like to comeforward and fight elections.

    – Person of high Intellectuality, Integrity and Stature in community should be invited in place of the retiring Trustees by the remaining Trustees on Board.

    – Vada Dasturjis should not at all propose or support any candidate and remain Neutral. They should not be political as it only reduces their stature.

    Now coming to Arzans Points of View –

    I totally agree that till such times we have to elect a Trustee thru the system of Adult Franchise a Code of Conduct should be put in place:

    – Independent Election Commissioners should be appointed to conduct the Elections

    – The Term of all Trustees should run concurrent for the remaining Term. Incase of By-elections inbetween for any reasons, the term of the elected Trustee should be for the balance term only and not for Seven Years.

    – The sitting Trustees should not suppport the BPP Trustees Candidates and remain absolutely Neutral

    – Know your Candidates Election meetings should always be conducted in a dignified manner with as little frills as possible.

    In Conclusion:
    Merit should be the sole criteria for election and not the personal Affliations of the Candidate.

  23. Farhad Hozdar

    The Code of Conduct is a must and should have been put in place before this election as rightly suggested by The Chairman Mr. Dinshaw Mehta. I do agree with Arzan that Merit must be the sole criteria and personal affiliations should not have any role to play.

  24. Farhad Hozdar

    The Code of Conduct is a must and should have been put in place before this election as rightly suggested by The Chairman Mr. Dinshaw Mehta. I do agree with Arzan that Merit must be the sole criteria and personal affiliations should not have any role to play.

  25. Farhad Hozdar

    The Code of Conduct is a must and should have been put in place before this election as rightly suggested by The Chairman Mr. Dinshaw Mehta. I do agree with Arzan that Merit must be the sole criteria and personal affiliations should not have any role to play.

  26. Farhad Hozdar

    The Code of Conduct is a must and should have been put in place before this election as rightly suggested by The Chairman Mr. Dinshaw Mehta. I do agree with Arzan that Merit must be the sole criteria and personal affiliations should not have any role to play.

  27. Neville Velati

    But all in all i loved the last para – that was / is truly the biggest joke i have heard / read in the recent past.

    I personally feel , there should be some do’s and donts for accepting candidature for this election specially because the world looks out for this elections as ” Parsi Board ka elections” – the least one would expect from a candidate is :  some basic Qualification , some standing in the society , a good background , some social work within the community  et etc etc . Any TOM , DICK  and Harry contesting the elections would dilute the image of the mega institution called BPP !!

  28. Neville Velati

    But all in all i loved the last para – that was / is truly the biggest joke i have heard / read in the recent past.

    I personally feel , there should be some do’s and donts for accepting candidature for this election specially because the world looks out for this elections as ” Parsi Board ka elections” – the least one would expect from a candidate is :  some basic Qualification , some standing in the society , a good background , some social work within the community  et etc etc . Any TOM , DICK  and Harry contesting the elections would dilute the image of the mega institution called BPP !!

  29. Neville Velati

    But all in all i loved the last para – that was / is truly the biggest joke i have heard / read in the recent past.

    I personally feel , there should be some do’s and donts for accepting candidature for this election specially because the world looks out for this elections as ” Parsi Board ka elections” – the least one would expect from a candidate is :  some basic Qualification , some standing in the society , a good background , some social work within the community  et etc etc . Any TOM , DICK  and Harry contesting the elections would dilute the image of the mega institution called BPP !!

  30. Neville Velati

    But all in all i loved the last para – that was / is truly the biggest joke i have heard / read in the recent past.

    I personally feel , there should be some do’s and donts for accepting candidature for this election specially because the world looks out for this elections as ” Parsi Board ka elections” – the least one would expect from a candidate is :  some basic Qualification , some standing in the society , a good background , some social work within the community  et etc etc . Any TOM , DICK  and Harry contesting the elections would dilute the image of the mega institution called BPP !!

  31. Ronny

    Dear Everyone,

    Candidates speak a lot and also promise a lot during Elections. That’s part of any Elections.

    Whatever the case may be, the bottom line is that the BPP needs a Trustee, who has also faced the problems in life as a normal middle class Parsi individual generally faces. That kind of person will understand our problems better.

    A person ( whoever it maybe ) who has had golden spoon since birth and have not seen tough days in life will never be able to understand our problems.

    The Trustees earlier than 2008 were all big shots but nothing material happened in BPP all these years as we all know and so the community Elected middle class individuals in both the Elections after 2008.

    As far as managing the Trust, BPP already has good Trustees and Staff on Board.

    Regards to Everyone

  32. Ronny

    Dear Everyone,

    Candidates speak a lot and also promise a lot during Elections. That’s part of any Elections.

    Whatever the case may be, the bottom line is that the BPP needs a Trustee, who has also faced the problems in life as a normal middle class Parsi individual generally faces. That kind of person will understand our problems better.

    A person ( whoever it maybe ) who has had golden spoon since birth and have not seen tough days in life will never be able to understand our problems.

    The Trustees earlier than 2008 were all big shots but nothing material happened in BPP all these years as we all know and so the community Elected middle class individuals in both the Elections after 2008.

    As far as managing the Trust, BPP already has good Trustees and Staff on Board.

    Regards to Everyone

  33. Ronny

    Dear Everyone,

    Candidates speak a lot and also promise a lot during Elections. That’s part of any Elections.

    Whatever the case may be, the bottom line is that the BPP needs a Trustee, who has also faced the problems in life as a normal middle class Parsi individual generally faces. That kind of person will understand our problems better.

    A person ( whoever it maybe ) who has had golden spoon since birth and have not seen tough days in life will never be able to understand our problems.

    The Trustees earlier than 2008 were all big shots but nothing material happened in BPP all these years as we all know and so the community Elected middle class individuals in both the Elections after 2008.

    As far as managing the Trust, BPP already has good Trustees and Staff on Board.

    Regards to Everyone

  34. Byram Sidhwa.

    Those who enjoy residing in Charity flats depriving the legitimately genuine middle class can not be called any thing but selfish and they cannot deliver succor to the needy. We know what you are hinting at and on whose favour you want Voters to vote but sad to state, disillusionment with WAPIZ is palpable. A fact you will have to accept regardless of the outcome of election result.

  35. Byram Sidhwa.

    Those who enjoy residing in Charity flats depriving the legitimately genuine middle class can not be called any thing but selfish and they cannot deliver succor to the needy. We know what you are hinting at and on whose favour you want Voters to vote but sad to state, disillusionment with WAPIZ is palpable. A fact you will have to accept regardless of the outcome of election result.

  36. Byram Sidhwa.

    Those who enjoy residing in Charity flats depriving the legitimately genuine middle class can not be called any thing but selfish and they cannot deliver succor to the needy. We know what you are hinting at and on whose favour you want Voters to vote but sad to state, disillusionment with WAPIZ is palpable. A fact you will have to accept regardless of the outcome of election result.