5/12//39    Baba this morning called all the women at the "Links" when he saw Rano, Nilu and I talking on the veranda. Instructions not to talk except when in Baba's room. Nilu got most of the digs, though I deserved it just as much.

9/12/39    Yesterday there was a big to-do because Vishnu brought back from the market some leaflets against Baba, mostly quoting Dastur, and "John Bull,” very old stale stuff. Dr. Ghani wrote out a spirited reply; the Dewan said it was run by an ex-convict lawyer, who is trying to stage a comeback. If they knew that since then Dastur has threatened to commit suicide, if Baba did not give him money to pay his debts, and has wept at his feet begging for cash, since he left Baba, and that Baba has sent him hundreds of rupees, they might think differently. If they knew that the last letter of M., an early follower in the West, who has turned against Baba demanded "£400 or God-Realization," and that another "row" about money matters, in which another follower involved Baba, was all unfounded, and that R. only left Baba because of lack of signs and wonders...

At any rate, Baba says this is a mere nothing, but that the real opposition will soon come. He says it helps His work, and mentions in particular two definite "cliques" who are behind it all.

10/12/39    Today, five of the Indian "boys" have all gone in to town to the meeting against Baba, to listen to it and distribute pamphlets. Baba doesn't seem to attach much importance to this opposition. I suppose it's a mere flash in the pan, compared to what may come later. Today was Mani's (Baba's sister's) birthday, with special lunch, ice cream; I drove the ladies in the bus to the Lal Bagh for half an hour, in the afternoon with Baba.

11/12/39     There is no doubt Baba likes a "row". Yesterday morning, there was a superb clash in our room, with Baba sitting quietly on Nilu's bed. Four of us, including one Westerner, a noted arguer, talking and accusing each other about nothing at all, Baba with a real twinkle in His eye. Baba too mimicking one of the party, as he shaved, when he keeps on showing his teeth in a funny way. It seems as if Baba really enjoyed getting them all worked up. (Strange as it may seem, this is a definite aspect of Baba's inner work for the energy manifested by those present is used by Him, and the incident also is a training ground for those taking part . . . Ed.)

It seems as though the opposition has increased the demand for tickets for the foundation ceremony next Sunday. Seventy students now want to come. Some Parsee boy got up at the protest meeting the other day, as all thought, to second the resolution, but he started to defend Baba, much to everyone's surprise. Last night, we all collected in Baba's room to hear of the visit to the Dewan. The Dewan is with Baba wholeheartedly.

18/I2/39   Yesterday, the foundation function of the Centre took place. We all had different duties allotted to us, and my job was to drive the bus to and from the site as often as necessary, with Mandali men and ladies, etc. I made in all 5 double journeys, 250 miles in all. The first trip I made at 7 a.m. with some of the men, and Baba's granite foundation seat. This was designed by Beramshed*, and is rather too small. The previous night, there had been a "row" about this and Beramshed was rather "hurt". The stone seat is made of grey polished granite, about 8 ft. 6 in. high and square, i.e., 2'6 by 2'6 with these words on the four sides, engraved and painted in gold; "FOUNDATION SEAT OF MEHER BABA UNIVERSAL SPIRITUAL CENTRE 17/12/39".

*"This is Eruch's father - Papa Jessawala:  Byramshaw Dorab Jessawala.
In my copy of Donkin's diary, it is spelled:  Beramshal. His given name was spelled in different ways by others - but Byramshaw is the correct way, according to his son Meherwan."-David Fenster, in an email to webmaster JK in 2009.