107 years of selfless service and counting

MUMBAI: The St John Ambulance Brigade No. III (Maharashtra unit) held its 107th annual review parade at Azad Maidan on Sunday.
To the strains of traditional Scottish airs on nine sets of bagpipes, more than 400 brigade members, aged 12 to 93, marched in the parade which concluded with the playing of the national anthem. The volunteers, led by the brigade's commissioner Feroze Sethna, marched before Brigadier N K Misra, who was the chief guest, and patron Captain Roddy Sale.
In 2010, the volunteers responded to 11,248 calls to take people to hospitals, helped out 4,032 patients at free TB clinics and answered 389 calls on house collapses, fires and road accidents. They also offered first aid at public events, including the marathon.
Brigade members, who worked round the clock transporting the injured to hospitals, were awarded for their tireless dedication.
The event saw Goolchecher Patel attend the parade for the 61st time. At 83, Goolchecher is the longest serving member of the Parsi ambulance and nursing division. In matching uniform of white smock, socks and shoes, she was accompanied by her two nieces, both of whom have given more than 26 years to the service. The trio is keeping up a family tradition: Goolchecher's great uncle and great aunt-Mr and Mrs D F Panthaky-set up the division, which happens to be the first in Asia, in 1904.
Most members of the brigade are full-time professionals who have managed to take time out for voluntary work. For instance, district nursing division commander Dilshad Tavadia is a lawyer for a multinational bank, while his sister, nursing officer Havovi Patel, is a banker. Havovi bagged maximum prizes this year.
"I hope the next generation will continue the tradition," said Dilshad.