Meher Baba had stopped writing since 1927, but to obtain a British passport to travel to Persia was not possible without his signature. Prior to departing, for two weeks every effort was made to secure the necessary documents. Pudumjee (who had influential contacts), Padri, and Chanji approached the highest authorities, but to no avail. For his own reasons, Baba was not willing to sign his name — and without his signature, the authorities refused to issue him a passport.
The men accompanying Baba had to obtain passports and there was some indecision as to what exactly to write in concerning their professions. Most of the men simply wrote: "Private servant of M. S. Irani."
When Buasaheb went to the Persian Consulate to obtain visas in the mandali's passports, he mentioned the difficulty Meher Baba was having in obtaining a British passport. The Persian Consul himself suggested Baba declare himself to be a Persian subject, having been born to Persian parents. Baba did so. He went to the Persian Consulate on Thursday, 12 September 1929 and easily obtained a Persian passport by giving his thumbprint.
Baba went for a drive around the city that night, and again the next afternoon at 4:30 to watch a cricket match. He and the mandali shifted to the Kandivli bungalow on the night of the 13th. As ordered, Dina continued to cook meals for Baba, and Bachamai Dadachanji cooked for the mandali.
Baba had ordered Dina not to allow anyone to touch his food while she was preparing it, and she was usually vigilant not to let any of the servants or other ladies help her in any way. One day, however, unbeknownst to Dina, Bachamai sliced a lime and put it on Baba's tray. Dina didn't notice it, but when she presented the meal, Baba became angry and told her to take the tray away.
"Today, I don't want your food," he said scornfully.
Dina was taken aback, and then Baba inquired, "Tell the truth. Who has prepared this food?" Dina said that she had, but Baba continued, "You are telling me a lie."
Dina was perplexed. She assured him that she had prepared everything according to his instructions. Baba pointed to the lime and asked if she had sliced it. Dina noticed it for the first time and admitted she had not. Baba told her to find out who had done it.
All were in tears over their mistake, but Baba forgave them and told them, "Now, be more careful in the future to follow my orders, even if they seem unimportant."