MEHRU FITTER MBE: The Update of ME
Mehru Fitter MBE’s Museum of Me highlighted her life as a community leader, educator, and advocate for change.
Born in Kenya and educated in India, Mehru has since worked in Coventry for 28 years, championing multiculturalism, volunteering, and interfaith understanding.
Her work in libraries and community festivals has earned her numerous accolades, including an MBE and a Library Association Centenary Medal. Her museum celebrates her dedication to bringing people together and her Zoroastrian faith
After catching her talk on Zoroastrianism in Coventry’s Heritage Open Day, we caught up with Mehru and she said:
“The last eighteen months have been busy for me.
In August and September 2023, I worked closely with Hardish Virk, Director of the South Asian Migration Project. During South Asian Heritage Month, I undertook two speaking assignments to talk about South Asian fashions in the last eight decades. I thoroughly enjoyed taking my audience on a voyage of discovery.
In October, I presented my personal journey through Black History Month to service users of Wellness Junction, who meet at Broad Street Hall. My account was based on my life in Kenya, my visits to other African countries as well as the Caribbean and my association with Black communities in Coventry.
December was a sad month for me as Colin Scott, with whom I co-founded Positive Images Festival in 1994, passed away. We had worked together for 38 years. This was followed by another loss: Kusumika Chatterjee, a storyteller who had entertained children at several Positive Images Festival, passed away a few months later.
It was wonderful to celebrate the Zoroastrian New Year in Solihull, with 70 other Zoroastrians. Prayers were recited by our priest, who had travelled all the way from London for this event.
Coventry’s Heritage Open Days 2024 provided me with a wonderful opportunity to share my faith heritage with visitors to Priory Visitor Centre. Some of my visitors had never heard of the 3,500 year old Zoroastrian faith. They were thrilled to see a 110 year old sari, which once belonged to my great grandmother.”
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