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Sohrab
Kavasji Hormuzdyar Katrak was born in 1892 and educated in Karachi, India
in a leading Parsi Priestly family of Karachi.
His grand father had earned the title of “Khan Bhadur” from the
British colonial government that administered the Indian Subcontinent.
King George V of England knighted his father Kawasji.
Sohrab Katrak who run his family business also served as mayor of
Karachi, and advised Ayub Khan during the presidency of the latter in the
context of independent Pakistan. In
recognition for his services to Pakistan, the government of bestowed upon him
their “SITARE-E KHIDMAT” civilian award of distinction.
The
Katrak family were also active in philanthropy. The Katrak Parsi Colony of
Karachi started by them was the forerunner of the current Parsi Colony of
Karachi where most Parsi population of Pakistan reside.
In addition, a lecture hall and a street in Karachi being named after
them bears witness to their dedication to improving the lots of all
people.
Besides,
his governmental and civilian active life, Sohrab Katrak was very interested in
matters relating to his community and religion.
He authored three books two of which “Message Eternal” and “Who are
the Parsis” contained information he had gathered on various aspects of his
religion and heritage. He
was very much inspired by Dastur Dr. M.N. Dhalla of Karachi. Mr.
Katak died in 1972 in Karachi, Pakistan. The review of his
third book “Who Are the Parsis”, now out of print, is in celebration of his
life of dedication and giving in accordance with Zarathushtra’s vision of
service to humanity.
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