Hidden Mumbai Part 3

Opposite the Metro theatre is the Parsi Ambulance
Division, which works out of the Lady Willingdon
Building. This was set up in 1904, and continues to
render its services to the citizens of Mumbai city, often even
serving patients beyond its borders, in places within and outside
Maharashtra in times of need. Starting out as a branch of the
internationally known St John’s Ambulance Brigade, the Parsi
Ambulance Division is almost a misnomer, since it has catered
to and still caters to every section of society, irrespective of
caste or creed. The only difference is that the entire division
is run by Parsis.
Members of the Parsi Ambulance Division were present
to extend a helping hand during the First World War, the
Influenza Epidemic of 1918, the riots of 1929 and 1946 (where
two members were stabbed during the attack), and other
times of crisis like the riots of 1992 and the Latur earthquake
of 1993
Constructed in 1934, the Art Deco Magenta coloured building
won an award from the Heritage Society in 1993 for being in
good shape even though it was more than 60 years old at
the time.
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