Jun 1976

?? SEPTEMBER 1374 PRICE Rs. 39 I 'b June - September 1976 CONTENTS Q, EDITOR'S COLUMN ............................ READERS' FORUM ............................ IN THE NEWS PATENT PEN DING THE LOST GENERATION THE STUDENT PRINCE by Jeroo Gorimar NATURAL JUSTICE ............................ THE BEST MAN ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD TWILIGHT YEARS ............................ by Dr. Paul Axelrod CAN ANYONE CONVERT ? by Feroza Paymaster MAHBURZIN, MAH DAT, MAHMEHER THE MYSTERY OF MY MOTHER by Homi Engineer UNFORTUNATE RELICS by Noshir Vajifdar ARTIST OF THE MIDDLE MIST by Geeta Doctor PARSI TANSENS .............................. by Ruzbeh Antia BOOK REVIEWS IN MEMORIAM............................... 3 9 15 19 19 21 23 25 27 28 32 38 40 41 48 49 51 55 Parsiana cover on 'Twilight Years' designed by Manjula Padmanabhan.r f **¦ # ! t Editor's Column t the OM&mufiity. .. shall have the right to vote in matters concerning the well-being of the association. ” The Australian Zoroastrian As. sociation in New South Wales sent us a newsletter noting they cele ­ brated the New Year on 28 August a piano recital, dress competition arid dinner. The new executive committee headed by Dorab Kotwal will communi ­ cate to members through the news- pni If Parsis feel their influence is fad ­ ing, they may take heart that thanks to the community ’s lobby ­ ing for Navroz to be declared a public holiday, millions of inhabr- tants in the state of Maharashtra * did not have to go to work on Friday 27 August. Seldom before have so few done so much for so many. But while it is true that all work and,no play makes Jehangir a duller boy. Parsis must keep in min ’d that hard work and iron dis­ cipline are the need of the hour if the country is to consolidate the hundred new gains of the Emer _To this end the Parsiana office remained open on Ganesh Chaturthi for half an hour, the equivalent of a half day for us. Before we move on to less press ­ ing matters, we take this oppor- tunity to wish our subscriber^ , - Whose subscriptions are still valid. secular^we m- Ihose who have renewed their tend to la nerrt subscriptions and those who have issue a religious question and gifted subscriptions to others, all answer column. Now you can get Sur advertisers (especially those .v^rvth.iw-vou- who don ’t get any response but keep advertising anyway) and all nan-rehgion if youl take the our donors (one in Ghatkopar. two trouble to write and ask Ms Piloo in Girgaum) a Happy New Year. Jungalwalla of New Delhi has May Parsiana continue to bring offered to help us on this venture joy and sunshine in your lives «ther scholars m throughout Yezde Zerdi 1346. • The Editor ’s Column is the clear- mg house of much material. Little be donated by v^ous mffividuals snippets that had humble begin- «i«cmcr ! nings in this serious forum have graduated to full-fledged columns. .... —- --- such as Tn the News ’ and starting sponsor certain features; unfortu- with this issue Zoroastnans r Abroad. ’ column been written, than we re ­ ceived news of a Zoroastrian asso ­ ciation being formed deep in the the community ’s youth aspire to heart of Texas. L------- Zoroastrian Association of Hous ­ ton, its objective is to --- ------ ----- - brotherhood and friendship within to know that among the bl Zoroastrians residing in Houston s^dents selected this year by the and the community at large. ” Those J. N. Tata Endowment for Higher of us who have worked with Parsis Education of Ipdians, twelve are know this is no mean goal, but the Parsis. Hafeez Contractor, Behram Texan Zoroastrian (there is no ja Taraporewalla, Arda-E-Viraf truth to the rumour that they have — - replaced the pugree with a ten- gallon cowboy hat) are going about It in the right manner. Member ­ ship is open to all regardless of race, sex, creed or color. All per ­ sons of Zoroastrian lineage, includ ­ ing those who have married into GAZDAR AffipfE JEWELS AND ANTIQUES religious question and the answers to everythii^qj-you- wanted-te “laiow-abouf-%e-Zdi ’oast. TAJ MAHAL HOTEL BOMBAY lives as have several other scholars in the community. The space for this column will - - ¦ • *• • ’ and institutions. Instead of placing advertisements, some parties have • it suggested we use the amount to and ruby jewellery for which issue ‘Zoroastrians nately no one came forward for the highest prevailing Barely had the latter Editor s Column. • Those who complain that Parsi scholarship is on the wane and that Named The little beyond" clerical jobs and ; ___ ¦ serving coffee and tea 33,000 feet “enhance above sea level, will be pleased We are buyers of your old emerald, diamond, pearl market prices. Please consult us before selling your c4d jewellery. M. Minocherhomjee, Khushroo S. Bagli, Darius B. Dahmubed, Jamas B. Irani, Shahrukh H. Hiramanek, Jimmy M. Wadia, Sorab G. Sadri. Hoshi D. Deboo and Yesvy G. Dordi will join universities in America and Europe B. Phone: 255577 3to study subjects ranging''from adults into creatiw activities by Isrtel and Soviet Jewry, the con- Bngmeermg to English. The J. N. Tata Endowment was , established over 80 years ago by or a Sunday nearer to these festi- Jamsetji Tata, the Founder of the vals. The amount collected by us House of Tatas, and now enables through the sale of tickets and the greatest threat to Jewish sur­ about 60 mdian graduates “with advertisements is solely used for vival is being increasingly talked an apaHftmic rftpnrd nf conspicuous charity, without distinction of about: the trend among modem distinction ” to go abroad every caste or community, though needy Jews to have small families. In the year for higher studies • Parsis are given preference. So U.S. for example, enrollment in Every year for the last nine years, far we have distributed about synagogue classes and day schools the Poona Parsi Dramateurs has Rs 50,000.” • has declined by roughly one-fourth been staging plays to raise funds Parsis who are concerned about since 1965, owing largely to the for various charities This year our dwindling numbers, may find falling Jewish birth rate. they put up Dorab Mehta ’s Tirungi consolation in the knowledge that At this spring ’s meeting of the TemuJ (Colourful Temul) on 29 this phenomenon is not restricted Conservative rabbinate, a study August at the Balgandharva to the community. Lovji Cama was presented that advocated Rangmandir to a packed cosmo- sent us a clipping from Time “immediate reconsideration of politan audience. The cast in- magazine (July 14, 1975, an issue attitudes toward family size ” and eluded Firdauz Kothavala, Noshir that many of us were denied the asked rabbis to promote bigger performing the Parsi Drama once cept iacdudes attempts to counter- a year, either on Navroze, Pateti act losses through secularization " ’ ¦’— and intermarriage of Jews with Gentiles. Another, and some say the Ralgandhar va to the Community. Lovji Cama was presented that advocated • a packed cosmo- sent us a clipping from Time “immediate reconsideration of magazine (July 14, 1975, an issue jUlb Press, Armaiti Golwala, Yasmin privilege of reading due to its families in their synagogues. The Gandevia. Shemaz Amaria and misinterpretation of developments liberal Reform branch is, less wor- _ TX? _ •_! __- !_•____ _ X___ xt* __ XV .1^ Zenobia Pajnegar and was directed in this country) titled “The Dis- ried about birth rates than the by Ms Rati Ginwalla with Ms appearing Jews ” which shows our Conservative, but its national rab- Tehmi Grant in charge of stage two communities have more in binical conference last month also dpsignin g. Pesi Anklesaria ’s Penosh common than just high regard for expressed concern over Jewish Transport firm provided free bus Cyrus the Great: population trends and authorized service to theatergoers. Since the Nazi holocaust, which a study of the issue. The Dramateurs President, wiped out one-third of the world ’s Revering Z.P.G. “The statistics Comdr Kaiki B. Godrej notes “the Jews, “Jewish survival ” has been only really began to hit us in the aim of the society is to ch anneliz e a slogan that encompasses a num- past few years, ” says New York the energies of young and also ber of issues. Besides support for City Conservative Rabbi William I I, ¦- Brown & Polson Custard Powder presents a delicious 'quick trick' Pouring Custard I Cheer up fruit salad, cake, jelly — pour on custard. To make pouring ig custard: take H tsp BROWN & POLSON s Custard Powder, 3 tsp sugar, a little I cold milk. Mix to a smooth cream. I Heat a cup of milk, add the mixed I custard powder. Stir till boiling. Serve hot or cold. Made from the finest ingredients, processed with extra care, BROWN a POLSON is truly the bast Custard Powder you can buy I ¦ *> VarMty CuMard PewKitr fat «* I Man RuMal ... V ' J Brown » Polson 6 Cuaiard ; rowow a 40 2 5 60 o 1 iS <1 A Contains no oggs^v fj X»! 4. L^vo- L?- Corn Producto Co. (India) Pvt. Ltf . ShrM Niwat Houw, H. Somani Marg, Bombay 400001 i 5Berman, who a year ago organized the Jewish Population Regenera ­ tion Union to promote a reversal. Zero population growth (Z,P.G.) the Trustees appeal to the com- may be a good idea for humanity in general, he believes, but “it ’s not ! disappear. ” Since Jews constitute only three-tenths of one per cent of die world ’s population of four billion. Sol Roth, president of the New York Board of Rabbis, rea ­ sons that “the Jewish co mmuni ty will not solve the world ’s probl ems by applying Z.P.G. to itself. ’ Orthodox Rabbi Norman Lamm, who raised the question in a recent speech in Milwaukee, admits that world population control is a to maintain the premises “in good West Hill, 27 Nepean Sea Road, condition —symbolic of a place for Bombay 400 036, • worship and Ashoiyee” (purity). Among the mail we receive around ... New Year time, bills, subscription munity to make “any donation cancellations, lawyers ’ notices, we - . , . - -------- are privileged to receive a few a service to humanity for Jews to .___ greeting cards, especially so from 99 ^^“mord imperative, ” but maintains that it must be balanced by a con- the N. M. Rustomji family of Belgaum. Instead of the usual pretty-picture-and-rhyme cards, the Rustomjis send a. poem or proverb that conveys their resolution for the coming year. The first card We received carried a poem by Annie Besant written in 1875 which is still relevant today: Who pants and struggles to be free/Who strives for others ’ liberty/Who failing, still works patiently/He truly prays. Greeting cards must bear the stamp of the individual, if they are to have meaning. At Parsiana, for example, this New Year we sent our subscribers reminder cards. And so friends, till the next issue, whenever that be, let your New Year resolution be otae of patience towards Parsiana. As the Rustomjis ’ latest message (which must have been chosen keeping Parsiana's erratic appearance ih tions should be made ih favour of mind) notes, “Time waits for no the Zai Bordi Parsee Anjuman cem for the survival of all human groups. “Jews are a disappearing specif, ” he says, “and should be treated no worse than the kangaroo and the bald eagle. ” Lamm ’s re ­ commendation: each Jewish couple should have 4 or 5 children. • For over 60 years, a fire has burned in the Adariyan of Bordi village. Now, notes the Zai Bordi Parsee Anjuman Fund President, Ms Khorshedbanoo M. P. Mistry, they deem fit for the general main- with the very limited funds at ..............................- our disposal, we are finding it difficult to cope with the ... ad- _ ______ ____ miliistratioli and upkeep. ” In order Fund and mailed to Ms Mistry at tenance of the Adariyan. ” Dona- man; rise therefore to the occasion if you can ”. Go east, go west — enjoy Swisscare all the way The world-renowned Swiss hospitality is at your service on all our 14 flights weekly from Bombay. Enjoy it in DC-10 comfort or in our tried-and-true DC-8s...with choice of tempting Continental cuisine or piping hot Indian vegetarian meals. V SWISSAIR ? For details call your IATA travel agent or the nearest Swissair office: \ Bombay 283636 Madras 82683 Ahmadabad 20401 Calcutta 444643 Dalhi 44237 Bangalora 24062J) 1 I 111 1- * .•is, I L rWlh?/ I I -MW* I -»»—«*<>»' . e Is Charity Harmful? Eckehard Kulke in his book The can we nof do something tangible Parsees In India pays tribute to Parsi philanthropy. Then he adds: “The problems and, in spite of all . , _ . merits, the inadequacies of the charities have not helped the Parsees ’ welfare system have be- community as they should. Oh the come more obvious in the last de- other hand, there are critics who cades. For one, the system is opine that dependence on charity suffering under a lack of coordina- is partly responsible for the present tion. No one is able to say with state of affairs. We need experts authority exactly how many Parsee to present suggestions to improve charities there actually are. A the present economic state of the great number of small endowments community, that were started at some time in memory of someone deceased are not sufficiently equipped and are waning away; a part has lost its origin^ function. ” Referring to - the efforts made by the “Parsi (Parsiana May 1976), answered toat Charity Organi^tion Society ” and “Central Investigation Bureau ”, Kulke adds: “A necessary com ­ bination of small, unprofitable en ­ dowments has !b^n run aground . _.,. . . .. upto now by «Ik opposkim of the I»™>ns who are hai^cappeO ‘‘‘ SaH^°'^S'’t^rw"o”k tastS. He fartto says that a large n™- ikhS ^^t^ o? ^[TSt'Somte dowments has .’been run aground ber of endowments were rather aimed at a direct alleviation of need than at a real rehabilitation 9 behedi. ture was under repair at the time Pudumjee with one of his creations -.: with glass panels dividing the room. Academy of Performing Arts Not crashed, giving the Editor no time under the able guidance of Ms . • Meher Contractor, honora^ direc- “Simultaneously the masonry for of the puppet section. The young puppeteer, who specia- ...The staff and press workers lizes in Voice and Manipulation Mabel being older, could rushed to the crushed portion en- of string puppets, has participated . ' ’ ’’ . ’ "" ...................... _ ' ’ ’ , in the IWIMA International I explained the situation, they both broke the glass panels of the ad- Puppet Festival and toured Europe had a hearty laugh. ” joining room and rescued Mr. --------"------- - - Ms Mowdawalla, who has been Heerjibehedin. ” I" corresponding with Ms Carter to St. George ’s Hospital where he since she left for America in 1968, recalls that Jimmy “was her fav ­ ourite son. She was ambitious for him. At the time he wasn ’t even Governor of Georgia, so we never aged but as a preventive measure, electric power was turned off for a few days causing the Kaiser's study under Micheal Meschke at issue of July 18 to be delayed by a the Swedish Institute of Puppetry, after vhich he has been invited to work a month in Bucharest, Ruma, nia, and to visit Poland, Czecho ­ slovakia and Iran. * with the Darpana Puppet group in He was rushed 1972. In 1974 his play. Black was under treatment for five days awatd in Madras. for head and hand injuries. <. J Fortunately the premises where Satellite the press is located were not dam- Theatre, won the All India Students Dadi worked as production assistant for the Instruction Television Experiment (SITE) on puppet pro ­ grammes for rural education. Presently in Europe, E^di will dreamt that he might rise to the highest office in the States. ” Before she left, Ms Carter had lost 30 lbs and could not eat with ­ out thinking of her Indian friends the damaged portion were under —the workers she had counselled, the asthmatic gardener, the 11-year- old she had treated for leprosy. Dadi Dorab Pndumjee of Poona * * ? She gave away as gifts all that she is the first Indian to win the Union The Lady Tata Memorial Trust had brought from the U.S.A. but Internationale de la Marionette has singled out Ms P. N. l^vrl of carried away warm memories of Scholarship (UNIMA) offered to the Grant Medical College, Bom ­ ber stay. “She gave me a sleeping students of puppetry around the bay, and Ms M. S. Bamji of the bag. But the best gift they left world. An economics graduate Bhabha Atomic Research Center, for me is the memory of two love ­ able neighbours, ” said Ms Mowda ­ walla. week. At last reports, repairs to way. * ¦ ; ? • Dadi Dorab Padumjee of Poona is the first Indian to win the Union who sti^ied at the National Insti- Bombay, for “research work in ’ ...... ....................- India. .. having a bearing on the alleviation of human suffering from tute of Design in Ahmedabad, Dadi • took to puppetry at the Darpana 15disease. ” alike in loose bush shirts and Ms Pavri who is in the Genetics trousers with limited choice as to department, and Ms Bamji who is quality, texture and colour. The in the Biology and Agriculture only ‘jewellery ’ is a watch... division, have both won the awards for the second year. ' Tata Memorial Trust was estab- that in accordance with Chairman lished in 1932 by Sir Dorabji Jam- Mao ’s thoughts, a new strategy has setji Tata in memory of his wife, been adopted. The medical course Since its inception, the trust has has been reduced from six to three given support to 124 international years. . . and the students should' research workers and awarded 196 be well-versed in class struggle and scholarships to Indians for research proletarian politics. .. in India. “Everywhere there is a sustained A total of 15 awards, five to and strong _ propaganda to break foreigners and ten to Indians, were presented this year. * ? One of the few Indians to step reported that China s progress When we visited the Shanghai The Lady No. 2 Medical College we learnt ? with old ideas and customs and implement a new way of life in which birth planning is essential. .. jLA behind the bamboo curtain into family planning has led to a Communist China is Ms Avabai drop in the rate of population <11 Wadia president of the Family growth, though no precise figures Planning Association of India, are available. The growth rate is Along with a group of 16 family now said to be about 1.9 per cent planning officials from 11 countries, P®r annum. This still means, of Ms Wadia went on a study tour fo course, that 15.2 million people are observe how the Chinese controlled added to China ’s population each their population. Below are a few year —-about toee million more snippets from an article she wrote than in India. ” for The Tinies of India (August 1) giving her impressions of the main ­ land : , “China ’s Constitution (revised gromng rarer and in 1975) proclaims: ‘He who does not work, neither can he eat ’. . . work i$ not a matter of personal fancy or choice —^it is allotted at the place where it exists and may involve travelling far away from home. Men and women dress If readers know of any news item of to the belief that what a nation interest to the community they really needs above all things are should send them to The Editor, social skills —critical ability and In The News, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box decision-making skills. ” 892. Bombay 400 001 Please turn to page 71 col. 3 In many ways university educa ­ tion (in my old-fashioned definition rarer. There are others who find this acceptable and indeed desir ­ able. They consider that every modern nation neteds more and more men with practical skills, such as engineering, economics, physics, chemistry and the like. I am old-fashioned enough to adhere About 500 people attended the reception hosted by the Delhi Parsi Apfuman in honour of Admiral and Ms Jal Cursetji on July 21 at the Anjuman Hall. Seen in the picture from left to right are Anjuman Pre­ sident Shiavax Nargolwala, Cursetji and Zal Nowsher- wanji, vice-president of the Anjuman. I IN MEMORIAM We regret to announce the sudden passing away of Mr. Mohan J. Bijiani.the Joint Managing Director of Blaze Advertising Private Limited and Blaze Film Enterprises Private Limited and partner of many other concerns on July 31, 1976. The late Mr. Bijlani was Miss Freni Meherji Variava's partner for over 30 years and together they launched on an equal basis, many successful companies and firms. Bijlani was a gentleman of rare good humour, of whom it is said that laughter virtually followed at his heels. In his passing, the film advertising world has lost its pioneer, and the field of feature film pro­ duction, a producer of films like Ankur and Nishant—films of stark reality totally divorced from any vulgarity or box­ office gimmicks. Mr. Bijlani leaves behind him three capable sons, the eldest of whom, Lalit M. Bijlani, has now become the Joint Managing Director with Miss Freni Meherji Variava. Mr. 17MB ¦ Patent Pending Maneksi.a with his Hommak-6 water pump < I “Whenever I have any engineer- I itig problem, I think to myself that I there must be a better, and easier I way out, ” says the electrical and I mechanical engineer. “I lie awake I at night trying to solve the problem. I Then I put it down on paper. When I I was with Ahmedabad Pottery I works, I designed a machine for I making tiles and bricks. ” During I a stint in hospital he conceived I his water pump, christened Hom ­ mak-6; his silent railway track joint was inspired by a post ­ Independence sabotage attempt near Igatpuri. Maneksha has many more inven ­ tions in an embryonic stage. “The He has several inventions up the sleeve of his faded bush shirt add itmvu num xun fhe detailed plans of his latest Trust after 27 years of service. But break fh mil ah in his hiilaina cloth k:- bag; At 58, Homi Maneksha has efforts to market his inventions, the prognosis is not very bright, selling I can use the modey to fin- “The design of my first invention ance more projects, help my com- was discussed in Parliament, but munity and use a part of it for nothing came of it. This country charity here and abroad. I have treats her inventors very badly, ” Bulsar born inventor who recently retired from the Bombay Port time I take over an invedtion ; . , --------------------------------------- —varies. I have to depend on breakthrough in his bulging cloth judging from his past abortive other people and a lot of time is bag. At 58, Homi Maneksha has efforts to market his inventions, wasted. Once my inventions start to his credit a waiter pump which ” ' ' ' ' ' - incorporates a dew principle of motion, the first swadeshi positive segregation valve and a silent rail ­ way track joint that promises to treats her inventors very badly, ” also 'drawn up a plan to make make travel quieter and sabotage says Maneksha. After months of India self-reliant. ” He hidfs at next to impossible. being “id suspense ”—^without fin- another invention which will aug ­ ment human happiness, “I caq ’t give you ady details now. It ’s a secret. ” being “id suspense ”—^without fin ­ ance, workshop or permanent “I have written to Russian and home —Maneksha now has a job Iradian authorities, ” says the with J. N. Marshall. says the with J. N. Marshall. The Lost Generation The essays came in from all over India and as far away as California and Canada. ~ Third Prize of Rs 200 to Piloo Homi N. Dumasia, Nasik; Darayus, N. Jungalwalla of New Delhi Bombay; D. K. Engineer, Bom- , - . Special Award of Rs 100 to bay; Hormuzda B. Davar, Asansol; wealth of information and a variety Berjis M. Desai of Bombay Ms Khurshid S. Medhora, Bom- I of suggestions ranging from the Amodgst the other essays singled bay; Ms Yasmeen R. Nazir, Shil- creation of a 70 lakh rupees re- out for merit and a prize of two Piloo R. Nazir, Assam; ± MiJoo S. Pithawala, Bombay; prayers with understanding. Their sjnt published by the P. N. Mehta p Mehta, Bombay- Dr. Homi Choksey, Bombay; Shehdaz T. Athugar, Bombay; Ms Freny B. Sanjana, Bombay; A. N. Bharucha, Bombay; Ms Hira F. Bhandara, Bombay; Ms Banoo R. Hodivala, They contained a length varied from a page to 39 Education Trust and Let Us Pray hand-written sheets by Ms Rati i ' - Pire of Bombay; B. S. Surti of dar, Secunderabad deserves special men. tion for his beautifully bound, 14- page typed essay with Persian Dastur of California; K. M. Mistry quotes neatly inked in. ------------ Most of the essays reflected a considerable amount of thought add effort on the part of the writers. Parsiana intends to carry extracts from several of the essays in future issues to highlight the BanuJCaoosji, Hyderabad; Manek- various ideas put forth. ” The results are: First Prize of Rs 500 to Jamshed A. Modi of Bombay Second Prize of Rs 300 to Lovji Bombay; Murzban J. Daroowala, Cama of New Jersey, America to Ahura Mazda by Noshir Vajif- are: Jamshed K. Pavri of Canada; A. H. Sethna of Calcutta; Jehangir of Sangli; Ms Mani M. Gatta of Bombay; Ms Mani Sahukar, Born- Surat; Ms Goolshan K. Hathiram, bay; A. B. Bhiwandivalla, Bom- Bombay; B. S. Surti, Secund era- bay; A. K. Kathawalla, Bombay; bad; Ms Rati Pire, Bombay; Homi Ms Zenobia J. Aga, Poona; Burjor M. Engineer, Vancouver; J. R. Doomasia, Bombay; Ms Muneezah M. Bilimoria, Bombay; Nariman P. Suratia, Navsari; M. F. Engi ­ neer, Bombay; Dr. Jal K. Wadia, sha D. Mistry, Bombay; Rustom Calcutta; Minoo C. Dalal, Cal- A. Kotwal, Bombay; K. D. Charge- cutta; Ms Khorshed J. Chesson, man, Bombay; Ms Thrity Keeka, Bombay; J. R. Mulla, Bombay; Bombay; Dinshaw B. Irani, Bom- F. P. Cooper, Bombay; A. F. bay; Jamshed R. Darukhadawalla, Cama, Bombay; Ms Homai J. Satha, Nagpur and F. B. Kapadia, Bombay; Keki E. Hilloo, Bombay; Bombay. 19The Student Prince career. I’m totally absorbed in Bharata Natyam. ” He practises till he is “satisfied. I practise more at the time of a performance and I go to the Institute every day. Pre ­ paring for a recital takes time, “Being male and a dancer is no especially if there are new items to learn. In the secular bareness of Patkar lithe frame and delicately etched Hall, a lissom youth paid homage features, Rohinton “has the liveli- to the God of Dance in the sculp- ness and grace of a young prince, ” turesque movements of Bharata says Dr. Narayana Menon, execu- Natyam. Acclaimed by critics as tive director of the National a “promising, eloquent artist ” with Centre for the Performing Arts, clean lipes and powerful footwork, 19-year-old Rohinton Cama ’s first disadvantage, ” says Rohinton, of to learn. It ’s not taxing, I tho- public performance following his a dance form that has for long been roughly enjoy it. I feel nervous debut as a professional dancer a associated with the temple pries- year ago, has already earned him tesses of Tanjore and Chidam- three bookings. baram. “There have been male A product of Natyalaya, the Bharata Natyam dancers in the Rohinton ’s association with dance school run by the noted past, ” he notes. “It ’s a matter of Natyalaya, where he recently com- Bharata Natyam exponent Vyjayan- feeling and expressing emotion, pleted a rigorous five-year diploma thimala Bali, Rohinton has per- Only the costume varies. ” course, is going to be lifelong, formed with Ms Bali ’s troupe all A sociology and political science “The more you learn, the better. A tradition is handed down and you follow it. You may perfect tradi ­ tional patterns and create new pines. With the archetypal dancer ’s haven ’t thought of any other things within the framework. ” But in the process of innovating, “the art shouldn ’t be commerci^ized, ” says Rohinton. He feels traditional, religious themes are still relevant. “I am not religious in the ortho ­ dox sense but I am religious about my art. After all, Bharata Natyam is a temple dance of a devotional nature. The audience has to identify with the dancer in order to be one with God. But eighty per cent of Bombay audiences don ’t appreciate this. ” As for his family members, “they love to see me dance, ” says Rohinton who has been dancing since he was nine years old. He did not encounter any opposition to his decision to pursue his art professionally, though he admits that “there exists an orthodox section among Parsis ” for whom dancing has a slightly dubious aura. “But it all depends on the family, and mine gave me a lot of encouragement. ” Rohinton shares with his family, a love for Indian music and plans to study Carnatic music. “I intend to learn Tamil too as the songs are in the language. ” Even thou^ Bharata Natyam evolved in the South, Rohinton feels the dance form “is not the trademark of any region. You don ’t have to be a South Indian to be a good dancer. ” before going on stage but once I’m on, all my nervousness melts away. ” Rohinton ’s A sociology and political science over India and to appreciative graduate from Bombay ’s St. audiences in Mauritius, Hong Xavier ’s College, Rohinton is “not Kong, Thailand and the Philip- interested in further studies. I from Bombay ’s Cama: Nobody's trademark Jeroo Gorimar 21\ * "j ’¦! j I ! ¦ » Natural Justice By Jeroo Gori mar JEENA & COMPANY (ESTD. 1900) IATA AIR CARGO Clearing, Forwarding Warehousing and I A sense of humour is not a hallmark says Taraporewala. A year after of imposing government edifices, discovering the mute simians in But if the visitor to Bombay ’s High stone, he wove a tongue-in-cheek Court glances up at the sandstone fantasy around them for The Illus- pillars flanking the wide, cool corri- trated Weekly of India. “ Murder dors, he will see a solemn animal in the High Court ” was spun round court in session, paralleling with the murder of a duck and high-ligh- mock earnestness the human procee- ted the ironies of the legal system : the dings below. A monkey judge with unreliable witnesses to the crime — one eye blindfolded, holdsabalance an aged monkey ridden with cataract heavily tilted to one side; a litigant and the waiter who eavesdrops on frog looks bewildered by the battle the conspirators but is actually hard between his foxy pleader and the of hearing; the monkey judge who opposing advocate, a snake; a prosecutes these witnesses for per- ghoulish owl, a proud maned lion, a jury on the grounds of “ trying to poised, crouching tiger and a variety make monkeys of us all, ” and Ster of Indian flora and fauna are all stating he has nothing to add, reels expressively carved. off a judgement running into a “Whoever conceived them was a hundred pages. genius with a delicious sense of At the moment Taraporewala is irony, ” notes Burjor Taraporewala, working on a book about animals a lawyer and amateur photographer which is almost ready and in which who has filmed for posterity every he will use his photographs : “ I’ve carved nook and ornate column, taken pictures of East African and “The carvings are a little weather- Indian game. My favourite game beaten but in no real danger except sanctuary is Kanha in Madhya where they have been eroded by Pradesh. It has beautiful tigers and water trickling down them. the sal forests are lovelier than in “There is a story behind the East Africa. And Shravantar Lake friezes ”, recalled the tall, bespecta- never dries up. The game collects cled advocate, rubbing his chin here in the second half of May. thoughtfully, “but I put no store That ’s the best time to take pictures. ” by it. ” A Phirozeshah Vatcha who r ' ~ wrote the history of the High Court himself to animals. portraits. Insurance Agents 10, Veer Nariman Road Fort, Bombay-1 Cable: Justitia* Telex : 2313 PHONE: 312032 Branches: E. Merc House 19/B, Shakespeare Sarani ( Formerly Theatre Road ) CALCUTTA-16 PHONE: 444711 But Taraporewala does not restrict mentions a dispute between the landscapes, portraits, abstracts, government and the contractor; cities. ...” he noted, “ Photography die result was justice caricatured for trains the eye and makes you all time on the five hundred pillars observant; it teaches you the art of of the court. composition, of deleting the inessen- But though generations have tials. ” Asked which camera he uses, worked in the 98-year-old High the Groucho Marx moustache brist- Court building, “ their noses buried led with indignation : “ It ’s not the in papers, ” few have ever noticed camera that ’s important, but the “ this wealth of beauty in stone, ” person behind it. ” person behind it. •Jeena House, ’ 50, Hanuman Road Connaught Circus NEW DELHI PHONE: 3I0B2I 23PANCHAYAT PRIVATE LIMITED trusts. And at 71, it seems un- November, but held back in favour likely that he will attempt any of Eruch Desai, who came on the major policy upheavals. Indeed board unopposed. But without his subdued and low-key cam- Lady Jehangir ’s mediating influ- paign style resulted in his critics describing him as an aged and dis­ abled person, causing him to factions within the Panchayat be- write in The Kaiser-e-Hind that came involved in yet another no- “1 am neither old nor have I ever holds barred power struggle. As suffered from diabetes or heart the Samachar queried, “is it a straight contest between the two candidates or is it a fight inter se among the trustees? ” It was a rhetorical question given the , present electoral system where i the Trustees have inordinate in- I fluence over the 388 voters of the “E” and “F” Registers who elect J candidates. The contest between Hodiwala I and Kuka initially swayed in the j older man ’s favour as he was bet ­ ter known in the community and believed to have closer ties with the 205 “F” Register donors, those who have donated Rs. 5,000 or more. But Kuka ’s impressive campaigning and his image as a man who got things done won him many converts. His manifesto stressed his role in getting govern ­ ment sanction for an access road to a proposed housing colony on the “unused land behind the Dokhmas, ” and his membership on the Doongerwadi Advisory Com ­ mittee, a body created in the wake of Shiavax Vakil ’s statements on the Towers, established his bona- fides with the orthodoxy. But his candidacy suffered a damaging blow when the Kaiser carried a letter signed by Dara R. Meher- Homji, a retired journalist from The Times of India and Minocher Buhariwala, stating that Kuka had been a director of Anil Hard ­ boards, a company which allegedly “over the years. . . has been evading payment not only of inte ­ rest but also of the principal amount (on maturity) to nume ­ rous depositors many of whom are Parsi widows and pen ­ sioners. . . during his tenure (of 17 months) as director many de ­ positors failed to get back their money. Many cheques issued by Anil Hardboar'ds have bounced. ” Kuka, who made no mention of his association with the company in his two English manifestoes, re ­ plied that “when I came to know that the company was not fulfill ­ ing the promises, I could not {Please turn to page 65) And at 71, it seems un- Indeed board unopposed. ence a compromise was not possi ­ ble this time and the various The politicking got off to an early start —too early for even the Panchayat ’s traditional supporter, the Jam-e-Jamshed. In a column titled “No Indecent Haste ” the Gujerati daily ’s Editor, Adi Marz ­ ban, bemoaned that “whenever a member of the Parsi Panchayat Trustees passes away, it results in a flutter of activity (that) starts even whilst the funeral ceremo ­ nies are going on. ” Whatever the timing, the sudden ; death of the Bombay Parsi Pan- i chayat President Lady Hirabai Cowasjee Jehangir on June 9 fol ­ lowing a massive coronary attack, threw the best laid plans of Parsi politicians out of gear. According to The Bombay Samachar Editor Jehan Daruwala, Lady Jehangir was being “persuaded to stand for another term of teti years. . . for the simple reason that Mr. Erach Nadirshah. . . who is next in line of succession may be automati ­ cally eliminated ” from the presi ­ dency. But the octogenarian Senior Trustee was not to be denied ascendency to the most prestigious chair in the community. Shortly after taking over the presidency. Nadirshah let it be known he would continue the open door policy initiated by Lady Jehangir and administer the trust in accor ­ dance with the wishes specified by the donors. In an informal talk he defined the Panchayat ’s role as an institution func ­ tioning for the uplift of the com ­ munity and felt the best candi ­ dates to fulfil this role would be influential individuals from estab ­ lished families with a tradition of service. The next Trus ee to be elected ported the candidacy of Rustom to the Panchayat, Maneck B. Hodi- Behramji Kuka. wala, fits that mold. The son of A well-to-do real estate agent Khan Bahadur Bejonji M. Hodi- with “vast influence in govern- wala, an industrialist in whose ment circles, ” Kuka was consider- memory his children built the ed the more active and ambitious Hodiwala Bungli at Doongerwadi, of the two candidates. He had he is a director in two family con- considered contesting for the seat cems and chairman of three vacated by P, P. Khambatta last Hodiwala : Hale and hearty J. ’ S’ j I ! disease. ” Hodiwala ’s candidacy was engineered by Trustee Nelie Noble and his 163 to 132 vote victory was a major set-back to B. K. Boman-Behram, the next seniormost Trustee who along with Trustees Aspi Golwalla and Jamshed Guzder reportedly sup- A well-to-do real estate agent 251 c ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD From Sydney in the East to San Francisco in the West, Zoroastrian associations are springing up abroad as fast as those in India are closing down. Indeed the level of Parsi activity seems to in ­ crease in direct proportion to the distance from Bombay.Whether it is the new environment or the longing for home that goads them to action, Zoroastrians abroad are engaged in a host of community activities ranging from bingo to constructing community centres. To keep track of their doings, Parsiana introduces a " Zoroastrians Abroad '' column, whose frequency an>l length will be determined by the response we receive from our fellow travellers. Iran Irani, Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India decided to hold a Congress in India in November 1977. ZSO outgoing President Yezdi The Zoroastrian Society of On- Antia in his annual report, writes tario (ZSO) is gathering funds ‘ “ for a community center. Accord ­ ing to the President ’s Report for 1975-76 “there has been an im ­ mense work and study required for this themselves, project. Determination of the size and scope of the center, the necessity of making it a revenue Very few amongst us can discuss producing proposition, capital very knowledgeably our history, funding, location etc. are some of Iranian and Indian. This is not the problems the committee has surprising and is due to the lack to tackle. ” The committee, con ­ sisting of Kawas Nanavati, Bomi Boyce, Dastur, and Kobad Zarolia note also prevents us from imparting the total planned target for the to our children basic and factual project is $600,000 (around 50 knowledge about ourselves that lakh rupees) of which they hope to can give them a sense of identity, get $200,000 as a grant from the I would like the Z.S.O. to take a Government, to collect $200,000 lead in this matter and am pleased as donations from the commu ­ nity and friends and $200,000 to Canada of “The Tasks Ahead ”: “Perhaps the greater challenge to the retaining of our identity _ .. is the dissemination of informa ­ amount of background tioti amongst Zoroastrians about An average Zoroas- trian is not veiy well acquainted with the principles of his religion. of simple and concise publications on this subject that are suitable Katy Khambatta, Adi in a North American context. This Dinshaw Behram Irani, vice- president of the Iranian Zoroas ­ trian Anjuman in Bombay writes from Teheran that there are around 1,000 Parsis settled in be raised from financial institutions. Iran. They have formed the Zoro- “ astrian International C Association (ZICA) whose mem ­ bership is open to all Zoroas ­ trians over 18 years of age on payment of 600 rials (10 rials= Rs. 1.30). ZICA activities for the ciatiop should contact summer include a jashan-cum- 7 " ------ dinner, a trip to the Caspian Sea, Blvd., Unit 162, Mississauga, vidual members. From the Pre- a puri-bhaji party, and a film Ontario, L5A 2M1, Canada. sident ’s chair, I have been privi- show. The spacious premises of In the field of communication, leged to see this increasing sacri- the Sazmane Farohar is at the dis- the ZSO has a lively and attrac- fice of time and effort by the Exe- posal of ZICA for social activities tively produced newsletter edited cutive, by the sub-committees through the courtesy of two pro- by Sabar Balsara. Aside from and by the members. . . . I feel minent, local Zoroastrian^, Mer- keeping members informed of happy to announce an increasing wan Zartoshty and Tahamtan ZSO happenings, births, navjotes, tendency to sink small differences Aresh. marriages, awards, where to buy and pull towards the common ^‘Newcomers are helped by the chutney, and so on, the news- good in the service of the com- Teheran Zoroastrian Anjuman letter also provides brief write- munity. All this means only one with regard to residence and work ups on the community in India, thing: the Zoroastrian Society of permits, ” writes Irani. “Those Among future projects on the Ontario is growing from strength who are qualified have lucrative ZSO anvil are: * --j-—” to announce that various mem ­ bers are currently preparing both a folder and a brochure about _ . . . Zoroastrians and the Z.S.O., as a Cultural Zoroastrian library and at last first step in this direction, and 1 report had 75 books catalogued, hope a Publications Committee More publications are on their will be set up by our future Exe ­ cutives. . . . “The strength of any organiza- Kobad tion can only depend on the sacri- The ZSO has also set up a way from India and anyone wish ­ ing to donate books to the asso- ¦ ------ - ' r-¦ ¦ . . Zarolia at 180 Mississauga Valley fice of time and effort of its indi- Blvd., Unit 162, Mississauga, vidual members. F-—-- Ontario, L5A 2M1, Canada. In the field of communication, the ZSO has a lively and attrac- 162, Aside from and by the members. ... I feel Anjuman letter also provides brief write- Among future projects on the " : a directory of to strength. ’ jobs and have created a good im- Parsis in Toronto along the lines Quebec pression. A few have returned of the sleek, xeroxed publication to India because they lacked issued by the Zoroastrian Asso- qualifications, did not have the ciation of Greater New York list ­ aptitude for work or could not ing names, addresses and profes- bear extremes of climate. Living sions; a Zoroastrian Credit Union here is costly, especially apart- and the hosting of a Zoroastrian ment rents, but the income is World Congress which was ini- high and if ode is thrifty, he can tially planned for 1977 but post ­ save a good sum every month. ” poned when the Federation of the 99 poned when the Federation of the While the controversy over con ­ version rages in Bombay, the Zoroastrian Association of Que ­ bec ’s newsletter, Gavashni has come forward with some definite points of view on the subject: “How does proselytism fit in Please turn to page 72 27I ¦¦ i I TWSJS A great deal of speculation has centered on the population decline ties studied. All the three Zc -------------- trian groups —Bombay Parsis, While the rest of India breeds at the m the Parsi community. There are Parsis and Iranis —favour the rate of 100 babies every 30 seconds, sound reasons for this concern; re ­ maternity wards in Parsi hospitals < are going out of business. To study have shown that their population this phenomenon for i ' .....------------------------— thesis, a young anthropologist from the University of North Carolina in America came to India in 1972, Financed with s from the Carolina Population Center at the University and from the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, Paul Axel ­ rod spent several months in the country gathering data for his dis ­ sertation, "A Social and Demo- -l. j graphic Comparison of Parsis, Sara- 'Widely attributed to a number marriage, the less the space swat Brahminsand Jains in Bombay." which are well-known in tween the marriage and the With the aid of two field assistants, community,^ They include late pregnancy. Thus, it appears Aloo Contractor and Khorshed Med- . hora, Axelrod interviewed around 1500 Parsi families in Bombay and ®. con^^unity, emigration from the towns and villages in and around \ Surat, Navsari, Sanjan and Dahanu. Sojne also believe that The purpose of the comparative study was to show that "the unique social and demographic patterns volved. found in the Parsis are attributable not to the economic success and urban experience they share with the In the course of the interviews, behaviour. Amotig those mar Saraswats and Jains, but to the all married informants were asked individuals sampled in the st unique historical experience, religion if they had ever made any effort and culture of the Parsis." Be!;-,-.- ... Parsiana carries r . - - . edited report of an article written by Dr. Axelrod who is presently teaching at Ripon College in Wis­ consin. Financed sound reasons for this concern; re- ausuunwe num » cent censuses of the Parsis in India relations and female sterilize . I Seventeen per cent of those almost 120,000 between 1905 and 1915 have the condom, while those born 1935 favour the pill. - - „ . As for spacing of children plications of these figures. Over average number of years bet onto. „ J , marriage and the first birth i years, a shorter period than fo other two communities. Bet year^ while the population of India the first and subsequent chili ^'71 - "'* — ’ - ’----------a gn 2.5 per cent per year. The drop time span. “ ' in 1951 to 91,000 in 1971. does not have to be a professional I January demographer to recognize the im- a j ----- " . - - One a 20-year period, the population of the Parsis in India has declined at a rate of about one per cent per 28 of condoms, abstinence from si has been growing at a rate of about however. Parsis prefer __ . .... r... , The later the as IS widely attributed to a number ' of causes which are well-known in marriage, a high percentage of un ­ married adults, marriage outside the Parsis are not subfecum some suggest. Once married, -- are able to have children v India, and the use of family plan- they want them. genetic factors, accentuated by All in the family As there is a Certain amouh inbreeding in the Parsi commu: it is important to consider whe genetic factors affect demogra centuries of inbreeding, are in ­ Making love, not babies 17 per cent have married a or second cousin; among t] born before 1906, 23 per cent 1 married a first or second cot Below 1 _ _ an abridged ^nd the reliability of responses to this “ — type of question is suspect, 47 per cent of the Parsi couples inter- The findings indicate that thei no relatioti between such marrii and subfecundity or sterility. to plan their families. Although viewed claim to have used some form of family planning. This is ___ somewhat hi^er than the other statistics show " that despite wealthy and educated communi- late age at marriage among P} women, the frequency of married clearly related to education. The school in the Parsi community women who have hever had a census shows that among Parsi marry at a later age than college pregnancy (regardless of whether women, 16 per cent of those who graduates in either the Jain or they have married a cousin) is have not completed secondary Saraswat communities. about the same as in other com- school, 39 per cent of the secondary munities. schnol graduates and 50 ner cent LOVC StOry school, 39 per cent of the secondary school graduates and 50 per cent of those educated beyond high In order to understand the differ- Outward bound school, have never married. In ences in age at marriage, each com- According to the figures publish- the other communities studied, munity s social structure and ed by the Trustees of the Parsi only four per cent of the Saraswats values must be understood. One - - - T-.------ - well-known example that demon- ___________ strates the importance of values is that celibacy has established itself the strong emphasis placed on love ¦ ~_____________ marriage in the Parsi community. Young Parsis would object if their J over 25 are not married. Thus it seems ences in age at marriage, each com- Panchayat, the natural decrease and two per cent of fte Jains indicated by the difference in births ‘ over deaths is around 300 per year. Since the census shows a decrease of around 1,000 per year over the . last 20 years, factors other than munities. parents wanted to arr^ge a marri- fertility must also be contributing The evidence also suggests that age for them after high school or considerably to the population neither the relatively late age at college. They would prefer to n^d decline. marriage, nor the proportion of jobs and wait for the “right man Migration and outmarriage affect celibates, is new in the Parsi com- to come ^ong. Fifty-eight per cent the population of the Parsi com- i ‘ . munity to a much greater degree of Bombay Parsis and the data than the other communities. It is gathered in this study, the mean difficult to determine the actual age at marriage between 1921 and rates of these factors as no official system for registering them exists. But the genealogical data I collect ­ ed from 60 Parsi families shows, for example, that for those born be ­ tween 1931 and 1940, five per cent of the women have married out, and 18 per cent of both sexes have settled abroad; some may return, others may raise their children as Zoroastrians. The likelihood of their offspring marrying Parsis is small. as a pattern in the Parsi commu ­ nity and not in the other com ­ munities. _ The evidence also suggests that age for them after high school or jobs and wait for the “right man ’ marriage, nor the proportion of ___ r_._i com- ______ „ , „ . munity. According to the census of the Parsi marriages sampled * ~ ~ ................. were love marriages. Among the wealthier and more “progressive ” groups, there is some dating and mixing at clubs. Many in the com- gathered in this study, the mean 1931 was around 24. Yet iti 1881 There is no way that Parsis can be prevented from go ­ ing abroad or marrying outside the community. Nor can young Parsis, struggling to raise a family, be induced to have more children. over half the marriages involved munity have access to Qther orga- women under 15 years of age. This nizations which encourage mixed suggests that there was a dramatic groups. But there are iso large increase in both celibacy and the numbers of young people who have 1 1920. The high age at marriage and eve a love marriage. rural Parsis, even though most vil- knowledge of parents, who go along lage women are not matriculates. ’ ’ “ ’ Rural Parsi women marry at an average age of 24, and 25 per cent of the sample over 20 have never married, women, has been difficult because many of the males have gone to the city. There is no single phenomenon many of them, because they wmt which explains the late age at to marry, have their families marriage and celibacy in the Parsi arrange their marriages for them, community better than ethnic Thus those whose marriages^are membership in the community. is generally universal. The special Factors such as urbanization, edu- census of Parsis found that in 1961 the mean age at marriage was 26.5 years for women and 31.4 for men. This compares with the figures of tant as membership in the com- 26.2 and 31.9 for 494 marriages munity. r listed in the Jam-e-Jamshed in 1972 and 1973. The high number of unmarried women in the Parsi community is Sex and the single Parsi In addition to outmarriage, mig- ration, and low fertility, the Parsis are characterized by late marriage and a high incidence of unmarried adults unusual in a country like India, where marriage The high number of un ­ married women in the Parsi community is clear ­ ly related to education. suggests that there was a dramatic marriage age between 1890 and limited means with which to achi- 1920. The high age at marriage and eve a love marriage. Much of the celibacy are also characteristic of courting is done without the with the concept of a love marri ­ age but not the idea of dating. There are a number of other fac ­ tors which make it difficult for Generally, for rural women to achieve this goal of a finding a marriage partner love marriage before they reach their mid-twenties. When these women are in their late twenties. Generally, for arranged are, on the average, older than those who have a love marri ­ age. But the desire to have a love cation and wealth that are often age. But the desire to have a love used to explain distinctive features match is ultimately responsible for the raised marriage age. I am inclined to believe that For example, in all the finding a satisfactory spouse is • communities studied, those with the primary obstacle to marriage more education marry at a higher in the Parsi community. The age. However, even those who problem is more than the logistic have not completed secondary one of “boy meets girl”; that can about the Parsis, are not as impor- 29k be J easily arranged. Rather, it ably help to lower the age at mar- seems to be one of meeting the ' ~ right person imder the right cir­ cumstances. Indeed, this can be the Young Collegiate ^roastrian hindered by a variety of factors Association, which help young ranging from strict parents to a set adults to meet each other. Gene- of very high standards about the tic counselling is available at the economic and social standing of the prospective spouse. Even if a suitable spouse can be found, there are other barriers to overcome, such as finding a residence or get ­ ting around the parents ’ powerful, psychological influence if they do not approve of the choice. cannot be changed overnight. There are already youth Moreover, some of them are prob- riage. There are already youth Moreover, some of them are prob- groups in the community, such as ably very positive. The Parsi “ couple who decide to have only one or two children probably benefit their country and their family, though at the expense of the com ­ munity. The young Parsi scien ­ tist who goes abroad to learn or work, is probably making the best possible decision for his career, but he is not helping his commu* nity. It does not seem, however, that there is cause for panic. Parsi women who do marry are hav ­ ing more than enough children to replace themselves. Moreover, the sense of community and ethnic identity is very strong in the Parsi community, a strong feeling of his ­ torical, cultural and religious pride remains. The Parsis are currently undergoing a transition in age structure; the community is pre ­ sently aging and when this process is completed, the degree of the population decline should be less dramatic. It seems to me that fears of the Parsi community some ­ day dying out are unjustified. The desire to have a love match is ultimately res ­ ponsible for the raised marriage age. We shall overcome As the causes of all the factors leading to the population problem that the problems are so complex are ultimately connected to a com- that they cannot be solved com ­ plex of psychological, economic, pletely by the kinds of dedicated historical and social factors that efforts already underway. There is are peculiarly Parsi, it would be no way that Parsis can be prevent ­ impossible to identify any mira- ed from going abroad or marrying culous cure-all “magic bullet ” that outside the community. Nor can could put an end to the problem, young Parsis, struggling to raise Some actions by community lea- a family, be induced to have more ders, such as increasing the avail- children. These problems are the ability of low-cost housing for result of values that are funda- newly married couples, would prob- mental to the Parsi community, and Tata Memorial Hospital. However, as a social scientist, I would argue From oxperionco comes faith... s This little scientist is showing us a basic principle of scientific research... "Try it, and see." Painful as it must beat times, all of us follow this approach. From our earliest days, the lessons that mean most are the lessons of experience. Wo "try it, and see". Experience gives us judgment...teaches us what to avoid and vt^at to seek... leads us to men and things in which to place our faith. The priceless ingredient of every product is the honor and integrity of its mefter A Cmtury of Experience Builds Faith SARABHAI CHBmCAtS LNIITn WMNWMN.SMOM ®npraMiit( Um (togiMeMd TndMiwk of E.R. Sauihh » Snn. inr — ECF2/74 31Can Anyone Convert ? Interviews by Feroza Paymaster and Jeroo Gorimar In the historic Petit vs Jeejeebhoy case of 1908, the Bombay High Court ruled, “The Zoroastrian re ­ ligion does admit and enjoin con ­ version. ” As Justice Daver noted, “A Zoroastrian need not necessa ­ rily be Parsi. Any one who professes the religion promulgated by Zoroas ­ ter —be he an Englishman, French ­ man or American —^becomes a Zoroastrian the moment he is converted to the faith ... the word Zoroastrian simply denotes the re ­ ligion of the individual; the word Parsi denotes his nationality or community and has no religious significance whatever attached to it. ” -- - -- - trusts (agiaries, dokhmas, scholar ­ ships etc.), require the bene ­ ficiaries to be both Parsi and Zoroastrian. Thus people who convert cannot avail of the trust benefits unless they are also Parsis, and a Parsi is one who is born of a Parsi father. Nearly all the community I 32 ¦ Dr. Aspy Rana, 44, Chairman, Dept, of Governmen ¦ & Politics, University of Baroda ¦ “There would probably be more feel that material benefits and im ¦ disadvantages than advantages if proving social status are the moti H we were to throw open our doors vating factors. On the othe H to conversion. If we wish to hand, we need fresh blood be ¦ spread our religion and enlarge cause inbreeding has resulted ii H our community, the acceptance of ¦ converts is the natural corollary. ¦ But if one ’s position is to preserve ¦ intact the ethnicity of our race, ¦ conversion would swamp our sub- fl cultural identity. ” Rana feels that the issue is “of charged with discrimination? M some significance to the com- munity because we are small in size and our survival depends U upon the ethnic homogeneity we J are able to maintain. Conversion identity within a would result in more Zoroastrians, society. This issue could split th< but not necessarily convinced community into two, and becom< a poor mutation of the species On paper, selective conversioi may be a way out, but it would b very difficult to implement. Wha could be the criteria and hov could we do it without bein; “We have been respected ii India because we have never beei a proselytizing community; mos Parsis are proud of their distinctiv< multi-ethni( Zoroastrians. My impression of another futile controversy. ” conversions in India makes mebe so selfish? If a person wants to follow the partner ’s faith or feels he will find peace and har- mohy in our religion, he sho,uld be accepted. Why should we feel that people are converting for material Nelly Kavarana, age not given} SecretaryZTIiba Geigy of India “I’m all for it, provided those who the fire temple. Why should we convert follow the rules and re- ' gulafiotis of our religion. If the law is not relaxed gradually, in a few years there will be no Parsis left and our agiaries will be empty. “I don ’t know what the law says, ” notes Ms Kavarana “but I benefits? In fact they will add to think the majority of Parsis would be against, rather than for, coh- version. In the case of infercaste marriages the bar creates a lot of problems. For instance in Rajkot, a Parsi who married a Hindu girl to switch religions. I for one would has been stopped from enterihg never change mine. ” our dwindling funds. “Religion should be a matter of personal choice. There should be no force, or door-to-door ca ’nvass- ing, I thi'nk very few would want make an election campaign out of it, but whoever wants to, should be allowed to convert. They I whole works —trusts, agiaries, * the Darius Dastur, 21, Third Officer, P & O Steam Navigation Co. “There is no law which says you can ’t convert. As far as I know, the religion was given by Zoroaster to the world. Those who accepted should also be ” entitled to the it were known as Zoroastrians. “Uhfortunately in this country towers of silence; only a minority Zoroastrianism has become a clos ­ ed shop affair. Our religion is like a precious book which has become moth-eaten because nobody reads it. ” Darius feels that reforms are needed because “there is too much inbreeding and the children are not strong genetically. You shouldn ’t J may be tempted by material bene ­ fits. “The story goes that we promised iiott to convert anyone when we landed in India. So we segregated ourselves for twelve centuries. We could continue like this for an ­ other cetitury —and die out. ” I Roda Tata, 60, Housewife i “It ’s not possible. Even Zoro ­ aster didn ’t convert everybody — only Persians. If you ’re bom into a certain religion you should stick to it. A Parsi is ohe who is born of a Parsi, wouldn ’t like any changes. If a person loses faith iti his own re ­ ligion, then today he will jump into Hinduism, tomorrow into Christia ­ nity; this shows instability. F J the case of Parsi women who marry out of the community or Parsi couples who adopt non-Parsi child- ren. The navjotes of these children should be performed at the age of seveh, so that they are full-fledged Zoroastrians. This way our num ­ bers would increase and quality and the orthodox wouldn ’t deteriorate. ” Ms Tata feels people often change their faith for the sake of convenience. “The Christians have vast futids and when you convert they help you. I wouldn ’t stop “The law should be relaxed in other people from converting. But I wouldn ’t change my own religion because there must be some reason why God made me a Parsi. ” 33c * - • B- and Econeiiiics “Of course. If a person likes the I be aliow'ed to follow it. Before Zoroaster there were no Zoro- -o-- ¦ Srians. He converted people and started a new i in more people, the community to use would get a great push —not im- H mediately, but with the years our numbers would increase. * j«^**5'* J IraWr lt-i Student, Burhani College of Most people only give up the re- ‘ 5 born into if they are deeply inspired by another re ­ ligion. They wouldn ’t convert just Sissr B - - tc „se our trust funds. Children of mixed marriages should be taught the principles of both faiths and be allowed to choose the one VWWXOW. X* *• ------- , - preachings of a religiop, he should ligion they are “When we first came to mdia they prefer. we probably accepted converts. ’’ “I like being a Zoroastrian and says Hormai “The law does not I think it s the best for me, bu£l prevent conversion, but it ’s not the i . _.------ practice here. In Iran, Muslims religion. ’ often convert to Zoroastrianism. _ _ ‘__ * ! wouldn ’t force anyone to follow my in Iran, Muslims religion. ’’ Armaity Sanga, 27, Secretary, Citibank, N.A. “Why not? The custom says it is out of the question for anyone to convert but if individuals took it — ----- * upon themselves, the law would ‘hey should avail of the U^t fniiow .suit’’ benefits. But I dont think many from within the in- must come dividual. “If someone accepts the faith, people would convert to our re ­ ligion because it ’s too full of rilles and regulations. People convert if they find some sort of attach ­ ment or they get married or they are disgusted with their family. I ___ _____ wouldn ’t convert, I like my re- I don ’t think religion ligion. ’’ Armaity favours conversion as she feels “the Parsis are too inter ­ linked. We are a minority and are declining numerically. Girls are marrying out of the community. Conversion will keep us on level. I wouldn ’t go out and canvass for converts. I ------ — - should be seeped into people. It Dr. Rustom Batliwala, 77, Retired “If you are born into a religion convert you should stick to it. By planting vemencc, — --- , the seed of a mango you cannot religion. Those who want to, get a chikoo. What ’s the point of ft"-? ”' of Zoro- taking in any Tom, Dick or Harry? astrianism. Quality is more important than numbers. “Zoroaster didn ’t convert other races. His followers were Maz- dayasnis whom he put on the right for Parsi ^omen path. When we came to India 1,300 for the sake of con ­ venience, not out of love for the JI- ' follow the principles of Zoro- __ But they shouldn ’t wear a sudrah and kusfi, enter an agiary or avail of our funds —they can ’t become Parsis; a Parsi is one who is born of Parsi parents. As _ r__: _____ 1 ’ ' . their husbands would insist on years ago, we promised Jadi Rana bringing up that we ” " wouldn ’t convert any of own religion. his people. It hasn ’t become a 1 law, but it is a principle. ’’ wear a can ’t become Pareis; a Parsi is one who marry out, * ¦ ¦ ¦ 1 the children in their ___J,___ Religion is trans ­ mitted from parents to children. So if you accept people from other V W. Dll' IL lb a unuviuiv. “ J— ” .*¦- •- __ ___ Batliwala feels people would communities it s not the same 35 . jMahburzin, Mahdat, Mahmeher In this issue Parsiana publishes the list of male names from "M" to "Z". AU the names are of Iranian origin. In some cases we have furnished the Avestan {Av.), Pahlavi {Pahi.) and Cuneiform {Cun.) forms. Some of the spellings may seem unusual to readers, but they approximate as closely as possible to the pronunciation in the original languages. The list is not comprehensive and readers are requested to draw omissions and errors to our attention so that corrections may be incorporated in our next issue and in the proposed book of names. We extend our thanks to the several scholars of Avesta and Pahlavi whose assistance made this project possible. The responsibility for any shortcomings is entirely ours. Parsiana staffers Sanober Marker. Pervin Mahoney, Veera Parbhu and Veera Pate! worked on the project. Alphabet illustrations designed by Manjula Padmanabhan. AU rights reserved. ;i i i mahb/rzin Q Exalted moon MAHDAT Created by the moon MAHMEHER The moon and the sun ; the month of Meher MAHNAHID The moon and Saturn MAHRASPAND Holy word; name of an angel; name of the 29th day of the month MAHRUY Moon faced MAHVANDAD Name of a commentator on the Pahlavi Vendidad MAHVIR Moon hero MAHYAR One whose friend is the moon MANUSH Intelligence MANUSHKHUNARF, MANUSHKHURNER Hero of the heavenly sun; an ancestor of Zarathushtra; name of the father of the Pishdadian King Minocheher MARDAN, MARDANSHAH King of men; name of a nephew and son-in-law of Darius 1 MARDASP - Name of the pious father of Zohak MARDBUD Chief amongst men MARZBAN Governor of the frontier; margrave MEDIOMAH Middle of the month ; cousin and first disciple of Zarathushtra; Av. Maidyoi maongha MEHBAZU Arm of the angel Meher MEHBUD Chief of a country; name of a trusted relative of King Kobad MEHER Mithra, the sun ; love, friend­ ship; pact, contract bond; name of an angel; name of the 16th day and seventh month MEHERAB Lustre of friendship; name of a king of Kabul who was the father of Rudabeh, mother of Rustam MEHERABAD Made prosperous by Meher; city of Meher MEHERAFSHAN Devoted in love MEHERAK Like Meher; name of a hero, the father-in-law of King Shapur 1 X MU^AJAM MEHERAN Astfbioger Name of the head of one of the seven illustrious Sassanian families MEHERASP Friendly horse; name of a chamberlain of King Xerxes MEHERBAKHSH Gift of Meher MEHERBAN, MEHERWAN Kind, friendly; name of a noted scibe MEHERBj^PIL shortened form of Anosh ® Elep r' Terro a so? NUSHADAR, NUSHAZAR Fire of life ; name of a son of Azar Afruz, son of Mehernosh, son of the hero Aspandyar NjfWAZISH Gift given by God NUVED, NIVED Good news ORVADASP Possessing swift horses \A Short form of Peshotan Elephant ILS LM SOJI llefl atmi rambeh/sht Joyful heaven RAMB/RZIN 0 Exalted joy RAM DIN Joy of religion RAMGjfsHNASPer RUZBEH, RUZEVEH Good day of an elephant ; name of Joy in possessing a stallion 'of King Afrasiab, RAMIN Joyful RAMISHT Most joyful killefl by Rustam PIIJAN Having an elephant-like physique; epithet of Rustam RAMYAR - « • J X ’ Pl 0 P d RKK Bek in: grey nging to Pir PIR KN Rev ired; the wise minister of f ng Afrasiab PIRANG^FSHNASP, & PIRGJ^SHNASP O Having old, male horses PISHAN Predecessors PISHKAR Zealous in his duty PISHKASIR Head of a profession or guild PISNANGH Name of a son of King Kaikobad , i POR|GAV( X{Aj Having abundant cattle; name of King Faredun's ancestor POURUSHASPA Having grey horses PULAD, POLAD Steel PULADVAND Steel-like Friend of joyfulness RANGUSHTAR Name of the second elder brother of Zarathushtra RANJISHN Name of an ancestor of Zarathushtra 'RASHID T)ne who has attained salvation RASHNA Justice: name of ari angel: name of the 18th day of the month RATUSHTAR Brother of Zarathushtra RAYOMAND Full of glory SAEN Summit ; one of the foremost disciples of Zarathushtra SAHI Straight X sal/M^ Secure, PABAND Secured PAHLAWAN, PAHALVAN Hero: warrior PAITIRASPA, PETERASP Name of Zarathushtra's grandfather PAKTAN Having a pure body PALASH Name of a king PARASTAR Adorer, worshipper; name of a learned Mobed of Patna PARWEZ, PARVEZ, PARVIZ, PERWEZ, APARVIZ Victorious; an epithet of King Khusru 11^ PAS^C Nanw'of father PASHIN Forward, advanced ; name of King Kaikobad's son PEROZ, PEROCH, PIRUZ Name of a son of Gudarz or Victorious ; Godrej name of a Sassanian king RAM PEROZSHAH Joyfulness, peace; name of Victorious ruler the 21st day of the month lAT safe SAM, SAHAM, SAHEM, SHAHAM Name of Kersasp's grand­ father; name of Zal's father SARAFRAZ Conqueror; one whose head is high SAROSH, SARUSH SORUSH Obedience; Av. Sraosha: name of an angel; nameofthe 17th day of the month SAROSHYAR Friend to obedience SARVAZAD Noble like a cypress SARVIN Tall like a cypress SASAN Name of the grandfather of King Ardashir Babakan iH Jk King 9 Iraftia (no RAHAM plBIXfl-y _____ Warrior o ROINTAN, ROYINTAN, RUINTON Having a body of brass, Le. invulnerable ; an epithet of Aspandyar ROSHAN Bright, shining ; name of a ^SELAM scholar mentioned in the Pahlavi Vendidad ROZAFZUN Prosperous dav ROZBAHAR Spring day ROZMEHER Day of love and light Soi - Byz^tium RUSHAD One whose soul is joyous, i.e. deceased gf R/STAM Name of the celebrated hero of Iran; strong and well built; Pahl, fiotastahm: "I am freed", the words spoken by SHAHMARD Rustam's mother at his birth, for he was the size of a one- year-old me, Greece and "I A son of Faredun SHAH King SHAHAK A princeling SHAHAN Belonging to a king SHAHANSHAH King of Kings shahb|hram y) Victorious king SHAHDAN Royal gift SHAHEN Royal SHAHFIRUZ Victorious king SHAHJfHAN King of the world ; name of a Moghul emperor Royal person SHAHMARDAN Of the family of Shahmard SHAHPUR, SHAPUR^<’zy Son of a king 31T 1 i S J 1,^ I SHAHREN Belonging to the realm SHAHREVAR Divine power; best rule; the third Amahraspand (arch­ angel) ; name of an angel, name of the fourth day and sixth month SHAHRO^KH, SHAR|KHO Having a royal face shahrud Royal river SHAHRYAR Sovereign, ruler, lord SRAHRZAD Prii\e of the realm SHASIVIR Royal \ero SHAHID Of royalVirth; prince " !^N fii hc^ured person SHEflERAz)^ Independent, SHEHERBAR^ Exalted person olVhe realm; name of a genera^f King Khusru Parviz SPENTODAD Created by the holy spirit; Av. Spento data SPITAMAN White, pure: name of Zarathushtra's ancestor of the family of Spitama SPITYUR I One who possesses white lambs ; name of a brother of King Jamshed ; Av. Spityura SRIROXNA Having beautiful oxen STIVANT Steadiness, security SURIN War-like, brave: name of a warrior family of ancient Iran; Pahl. Suren SUROYAZAT Valiant angel SYAMAK Name of a son of Gayomard !e SH|I<1RUZ r Victorious lion^ SHfRGIR 7? One who holds the lion SH^RSHAH c King of lions SHIDASP Possessing shining horses ; name of the son of Tur, son of King Jamshed SHIDUSH Shining shoulder; name of the son of Gudarz ; a disciple of Azar Kaevan SHIRMARD Lion-like man SHIRTY Lion-faced; son of King Khusru Parviz SHIRVANSHAH Lion-like; name of the kings of the Shirvan dynasty SHIRZAD Born of a lion SIAVAKHSH, SIAVAKHSHAN. SIAVAX. SIAVUSH One who possesses black stallions ; name of the great- TAHM Brave, valiant TAHNIASP, TUMASP Having strong horses TAHMT^N Strong-bodied . TtZYARSHTI Z Holding a piercing spear; name of King Gushtasp s brother THRITAK Third; Avestan name of Kersasp's father, so called as he was the third son ; Av, Thrda, Pahl. Saret Pers, VAFA^AR ' t Faithful ; in whom one TIGRAN may/oelieve Shooting an arrow : name of VALAKHSH, VALASM, two Ashkenian kings of Armenia TIR Arrow ; the planet Mercury Tl RAND AZ Thrower of arrows, archer TIRDAD Created by Tir ; name of Ashkenian kings TOKHARE __________ Belonging to the country of Qf g brave family Tokhar ; name of one of the veer , sons of the hero Framarz TUS Contented, satisfied ; name of a heroic son of the Pishdadian King Naozar FA^, tiffil 4)eli BALASH, PALASH Names of Ashk4(riian aad Sa coawar: king,^ VAM1TAR Conqueror VAR AZ Boar VARAZDAO Giver of boars VARDANI8 - of one of the vEER Hero VEHMARD A good man ; Pers, Behrrit^rd Wise boatman ; pefrSs of one who was flown into'space in the form of a b4rd, lost his, way and prayei jo Ardvisura who safely returned him to earth VIS HN ASP Possessing a stallion ; Av. Gushnasp VISHTASPA Having ready horses : Avestan form of Gushtasp, Kayanian patron-king, of Zarathushtra j . VISPANFRYA__J / ' -Lr-'* ^hthr A ivereignty, power i)^d lAVAZ UKHSHAN Ox UPAMANA High minded ; name of a n angel URVAKHSHA Joyful cheerful /brother of tahmuras A strong body; ____ _ Urupaname of the second hero Kersasp Pishdadian king; son of King URVATATNARA Hoshang Man of perfection ; TAJ second Son of Zarathushtra Crown US HAH TAKHMASPADA pawn ; morhfea light One who has an army of ^ygdrAyAD I-I Having/liss ? ? usht Xwaiti Blissftn » Av, Takma heroes; name of a general of Darius I TANIUR Name of a son of the hero Barzu : shortened form of Tahmuras grandson of King Kaykavus TtSHTAR !nH father of Kavkhusru ; Sirius; Av. Tishtrya 311 angel ; name of the 1 otn day and fourth month t/z Sharp; quick x t |zasp Z Having swift horses t |zrav Quick moving TA/J .g /li^ TAW ftfi Beloved of^ll VO HU Good . VOURUNEMANQHA Of wide homage VOHU-USHTRA Having good camels VOHUPERES Good inquirer A. and father of Kaykhusru ; Av, S^avarshana SMARDIS, SMERDIS Exalted ; Bardiya in the Cun, inscriptions SOHRAB, SOHRKHAB Having glowing features: illustrious; name of the son of Rustam Sharp; quick x Having swift horses WEHAFRIO Well created ; larter form is BehafridI WEHSHAPUR Good prince WEHZAN Well born ; older form ot Bezan ¦ >' h t* XERXES King YADGAR A memento, remembrarice YAKCAST One hand ; name of a celebrated one-handed Turanian warrior who fought with Rustam YAM A, YIMA Older form of Jam,’ Jamshed YAVISHT Young YAZAD, YAZD Angel ; worshipful ; Av. Yarata Created by angels YAZDANSETAE k Worshipper of angels \ YAZDEZAD I Born of an angel I YAZDGERD I Created by angels ; names of the Sassanian kings YAZDYAR, YAZDANYAR Friend of angels YAZDI Shortened form of Yazdyar 'ANGH ZA Sj«^ ZARAZDAITI Relying on. trusting ZADHORMAZO Born of Hormazd ZADMIHR Born of Meher ZADSPARAM Born as sweet as basil ; brother of Manushcheher. High-Priest of Pars and Kirman ZAHAN World ZAL Old man ; name of Rustam's father, who had white hair at birth ZAOSH j Willing ZAR Gold ZARAN Golden ZARATHUSHTRA Possessing yellow camels ; Greek Zoroaster meaning golden star ZARD Yellow ZARIAB Sea water ZARIR Having a golden breast-plate : name of a valiant brother of King Gushtasp ZARMAN Old man : old age ZARMEHER Exalted love, great friendship : shortened form of Buzargmeher ZARVAN, ZURVAN Time ZAVAREH Name of a brother of Rustam ZIRAK Clever, intelligent, wise ZIRAKZADEH Wise born ZINAWAR Having weapons ' DEH Alive £zI\idehd(l Having an active heart XZOH/k Buronng ; an evil king of Pereia ZREH Sea ZUBIN Helper ; Av. Uzava aving DH/kl jrcnnc ireia A list of additional names will be carried in the next issue. Space for the four pages of names in this issue is donated by : J, D. Sukhia of Poona Cosmos Engineering. Bombay Oriental Metal Works. Bombay Metal Bombay Monarch Stamping. it j i A happy occasion in the family? Share the good netr^ through Pursiuna A r i * • « ? < > ’ * * * >¦ ••4 Through the columns of Parsiana you can inform members of the community all over the world of a wedding, navjot, birth, annivereary or any happy and memorable event. For a nominal service charge to cover expenses, we'll carry a photograph and a write-up of the occasion and send you five copies of the magazine plus a one-year inland subscription for yourself or a friend. It's the best way of keeping in touch with the family, friends and old acquaintances whom you don't often meet or write to. Let Parsiana be your correspondent because wherever there are Parsis, there's Parsiana. Rate for printing a photograph, approximately sized 4" x 3", and a 70-word caption : Rs. 110. The fee includes five copies of the issue and a one-year inland subscription (add Rs. 16 for foreign seamail subscriptions). Send your remittance along with a glossy print and a caption of upto 70 words, stating the principal people in the photograph (left to right), what the occasion was and when and where it was held, to Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Cheques to bo drawn in favour of Parsiana. Cash payment and money orders accepted, care of Hopefuls Playgroup Centre, 40 Bastion Road, Bombay 400 001. For further details phone 262624. ^»»oooo»o»»»*»' Oo»otooooooo» 44-»»»ooooo oooo»o»»«Ht»»»ooooo»»»»»»»o»oooooooo»»» 4»ooo»ooooo»*»o 39COMMENT ¦ * A 11'" The Mystery of my Mother By Homi Engineer I * ' Rustom Aga, had been Persian tutor to the young Aga Khan. As a token of his special esteem, the Islamic prince had sent him a chest of gold coins, more money than Grandfather had earned in a long life of hardship. Despite the entrea ­ ties of his large family and the appeal of the Aga Khan himself. Grandfa ­ ther had steadfastly refused to touch the gift, as a matter of principle. In frustration, the Aga Khan had turned on the proud patriarch utter ­ ing the following prophecy : “Mas ­ ter saheb! Perhaps you will not accept what is mine today ; but some day if not you, then a descendant of yours will accept my money on your behalf. ” Grandfather was profoundly moved by the young man ’s intense sincerity and had replied : “If he is worthy of it, then my soul will be happy. Amen! ” “So you see, ” Mother ended, Aspy had to win to make Grand ­ pa ’s soul happy. ” The Aga Khan himself had been astonished to learn that the winner was a grandson of his revered Persian tutor. Mother also believed in the power of her prayers to ward off, if at all possible, the cruder blows 6f fate, would be unavailing, she steeled herself to face the inevitable. Stand- behalf. been awarded the Aga Khan Prize. Singh had been disqualified on a Mother"^ believed implicitly in kismet, or destiny. In her daily ’1 sense with uncanny certitude when- __________ ever important events were in store the world over. And yet her family for her loved ones. At ^the time of strong positive responses of joy. That is why she never wavered in ‘‘Anr?n\hds case,” she explained. When she sensed that her prayers “a forty-year-old prophecy is invol- would be unavailing, she steeled ved, which makes it next to impos- herself to face the inevitable. Stand- sible for Aspy not to win the Aga ing as a sort of guardian angel Khan ’s 500 pounds. ” over her flock. Mother ’s life was She then recalled how her father, Please turn to page 43 Mother would probably have been technicality. . the last person to claim that there Mother believed implicitly in was something special about her. kismet, or destiny. In her daily For Maneckbai Irani was a simple communion with God, she could soul, mild and self-effacing, no dif ­ ferent from millions of good mothers knew that this quiet lady possessed Aspy ’s solo flight, she had received a power that none of us have been strong positive responses of joy. able to fathom to this day. '----- . One episode particularly stands her belief that her ,son would out in my memory : that unhappy “* ’ ~ “ afternoon in May 1930, when father and I returned from the Drigh Road Aerodrome near Karachi after con ­ gratulating Manmohan Singh on his successful solo flight from Eng ­ land to India. There had been no news for days from my brother. Air Marshal Aspy Engineer, who flying over the same route, had clearly been beaten in the £500 prize Aga Khan race for the first Indian to 1 fly solo between England and India, To our surprise. Mother on hearing f of Singh ’s arrival, quietly remar- ked, “I am so glad he has arrived safely, but Aspy will win the prize. ” Shortly thereafter, we sighed with relief to learn that Aspy would be landing at Karachi the very next day. Mother was there to welcome him with a warm embrace and a “Fateh (Success), my son! ” She then performed the time-honoured cere ­ mony with the coconut, tila (red mark on the forehead) and rice, to celebrate the occasion. Mother had never been known to be wrong in her predictions in the past. But her assurance that Aspy would win, flew in the face of reality. We tried our best to be patient when she kept insisting on a palpable impossibility. . .until a telegram from the Royal Aero Club, London, informed Aspy that he had Minoo, Aspy and Rohinton at a chance get-together during World War 11. (6 over I- I ’ r A'* ; 40 k A ®^l 'r I J 11 ¦COMMENT Unfortunate Relics By Noshir H. Vajifdar ’Ashem vohu vahishtemasti uahia^jjfiBian Nature hailed Zarathushtra at his birth as an Athravan—the honoured fire-priest of the Avestan period. i'; ^Ahura Mazda himself took this term _ > define one of his names. But today, the distant descendent of the Athravan is a hapless, indigent member of society. In seeking a solution for his plight we miss the wood for the trees. We fail to realise that we are steeped in prayers, rituals and institutions which are out of step with our times. Ortho ­ doxy dies hard but what reason cannot change, time will alter willy nilly. Who would have said fifty ParL^ piuvcss, uiiiu LUC pi ay Cl cuus. me nr nuxed pauses for punctuation and meaning- or that about half the community ’ ¦ ¦ . . . would no longer offer prayers to their Maker? Our priests are mainly required to perform religious ceremonies, to pray for others (including the dead) and to attend to the duties connected with fire-temples. Since priests and prayers are so closely linked, three fundamental questions should be considered : how a priest prays, what he prays and why he prays. We are familiar with how a priest prays. He generally recites from _ ____ , m.u»vuu» vn memory what neither he nor his how to dispose of cut hair, nails patron (if present) understands, as the prayers are in a dead language; and he recites mechanically what he meinorized in his youth, without any feeling and without much attention to the rneaning, pronunciation and punctuation of the prayers. Let us take the example of a simple prayer of Arabic origin : “Oh my Lord! If I worship Thee from fear of hell, burn me in hell ; if I worship The from hope of paradise, exclude me thence ; if I worship Thee for Thine own sake, then withhold not from me Thine Eternal Beauty. ” it deserves, would take about 15 seconds, pay no attention to the This phrase appears over and over punctuation and run the words together in one fast sprint, then this is the result : “ Homailad evievarsi theyfarm ferroell bunminell anifeye- varsi lheyfarm opodise seclmee duns .... " One has only to listen to the usual, mutilated recital of the Yatha Ahu Vairyo and the Ashem Vohu, when they occur repeatedly in our longer prayers, to realize the truth of the « luiv juv aiv matter. A deep breath and then a philosophical treatises to be cogently As to why priests pray, the answer is obvious : to make a living. They are merely professionals like doctors, lawyers or accountants. They pray , , - - out of material necessity, and to scn oiars. satisfy the needs of those who are not As to what the priests pray, they prepared to pray themselves. Their have no choice. The schedule is prayers are usually devoid of laid down for them to follow. There fervour, feeling and enthusiasm, was a time when the Vandidad cere ­ mony, entailing the recital of the entire Vandidad used to be perfor ­ med. Even Dastur Maneck Dhalla, the profound Zoroa^trian scholar, once had it performed in his youth. When he realised that the Vandidad is only a book of laws and codes of conduct, including instructions on and corpses or what num^r of whip lashes to inflict for various types of crime, he realised his folly and never had the ceremony per ­ formed again. The crowning irony is .__ that the Vandidad ceremony is held probably never will, until it dies a to be the prerogative of the higher natural death. As the priests them- grade of priest, mar at ah, while the selves have prophesied, there may junior navar is prevented from no mol^ds left in twenty years, performing it. At that time we may eventually Even the modern translations, now learn to pray what the heart feels freely available, of the Khordeh yearns. A vesta show how repetitive and even irrelevant most of our prayers are. About the author: Noshir H. Vajifdar, rp ... for example, “ May the Chief Priest retired State Bank official who lives tn . To say this prayer with the feeling {zaota} recite the Yatha Ahu Vairyo -- ------------ “ ” -a 4. -e .- ^nd his associate (rathvi) recite seconds. But if we say it in five Atha Ratush Ashat-chit Hacha again in several prayers. Another example is the recitation of the Gathas, the Prophet ’s original writings in concentrated verse. They are full of philosophical import and to expound their deep wisdom, Jatindra Mohan Chatterji wrote 800 pages in his volume, The Hymns Of Atharvan Zarathushtra. The Gathas are not entirely prayers and should not be recited by rote. They are cascade of words as long as the understood."' vugcuny breath lasts, then another deep breath and a continuation of the process^ until the prayer ends. The ful intonation are only for fussy ^9 prayers are The modern generation demands that the priest act as a moral pre ­ ceptor and a spiritual ministrant to the soul. They do not want him to act as an intercessor between the layman and Ahura Mazda, purcha ­ sing paradise for the dead through elaborate ritual and penitential prayers. Devotion is the first requi ­ site of prayer. Where there is no devotion, there is no religion. Our priests are unfortunate relics, the victims of an obsolete system which we have failed to change, and About the author: Noshir H. Vajifdar, -- -- ------ —— »rZ Ootacamund, is the author of "Let Us Pray—to Ahura Mazda,” a collection of prayers in English with an exposition on Zoroastrianism. 41r Mother —Cnnt/Mwet/ from page 41 12^ ' _ JI _ Z: ._2 2___ 2___ 2 _ full of forebodings of disasters to normal precaution of buckling his joys to be thankfully accepted. lucky to be alive. 2Had he taken the and uncertain of his bearings, he _ 2 ____ 2. 2“ " 2 *2 „ 2 \i was driven to land in near zero be countered as best she could, and safety belt, he would have been visibility with no modem aids to Thus, a week after Aspy won the prize. Mother asked him to post ­ pone a mere hop of 600 miles from Karachi to Bombay. This was totally could not explain what force pre ­ unexpected from one who had se- vented him from fastening the seat li 41 crushed in the diminutive cockpit, guide him. His luck held as he Instead, he was flung dear and gingerly descended, till he found knocked unconscious, but sustained that he had landed in water! But the no serious injuries. Aspy himself plane refused to sink. Aspy had actually landed in a shallow marsh on the very edge of the Persian Gulf, not far from the oil city of Abadan. Ironically, Murad also crashed about the same time. ______ , As evidence of Mother ’s aston- She^ wanted the^ flighty postponed rational her advice mi^t appear to ishingprescience multiplied, I found _ ’ . ’ ’ " ' * ”’ 2*_ 2 2______ ? the supernatural aspect somewhat Farohar was redraw on both sides learn our lesson. Tlfls was when bewildering. She continued to fore- of the newly silvered fuselage. Aspy decided to compete for the tell with frightening accuracy many However, therg was no time to do second Aga Khan Prize, for the first events that came to pass. Among this for Aspy had to leave to attend Indian to fly between India and these were Aspy ’s parachute escape the Governor ’s 2 reception in his South Africa. from a burning plane in 1933, the date and tragic circumstances of her beloved husband ’s death in. 1935, a difficult period I was to encounter in my life, and the safety and success unexpected from one who had se- vented him from fastening the seat renely said goodbye to her 17-year- belt in his moment of danger, old son when he set forth in his Surely, by now, one would ima- frail, single-engined Gypsy Moth to gine we would think twice before cross seas, deserts and continents, disregarding Mother, however ir- f until the winged symbol of the be. Unfortunately we*^ had "yet to of the newly silvered fuselage. Aspy decided to compete for the However, therg was no time to do second Aga Khan Prize, for the first this for Aspy haj to leave to attend Indian to fly between India and • - - . honour at Bombay. We returned from the airport to find Mother immersed in fervent suddenly took ofiF from Karachi. prayer. It upset us to see her in such There was little time to lose if Aspy , , ,__________ an agonized state. Later, when was to overtake him. To our dismay of my five brothers in the armed Bombay telegraphed to enquire why Mother pressed for postponement forces during World War II. Indeed, Aspy had not turned up, we became for another day, explaining that really frightened and as usual turned Aspy would otherwise be in great to Mother for solace. Seeing the danger. Despite grave misgivings, tranquility on her face we took Fath^er backed Aspy against further Surely, by now, one would ima- While preparations were under way, one of the competitors, Murad, she ended 'up as one of the few mothers with three sons awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. ,, „ As time passed, I became more heart; it definitely ruled out a tra- delay. and more fatalistic about the inevi- _ . Aspy ran head-on into one of the tability of Mother ’s predictions as gedy. / _ - - • ~ - .... - -. •_____ Aspy had crashed midway, near severest storms ever to hit the Per- evidenced by the following episode, the little town of Bbuj, and was sian Gulf. With fuel running low I was a construction officer stationed sian Gulf. With fuel running low *WITY IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT—IT IS ALWAYS THE RESULT OF INTELLIGENT EFFORT. —John Ruskin lONSON R iMn cxpCAnv BREWCOraOM RNCSf MMT a IMPORTED MOFS D^DD BHNL ft WlLSNl^/J iMVTi ea« aw I MMMiru BOTTLED BY AUTHQRITyTfi hXkLbACH BWMRy gPTPrTTBI NONKH, wen enMAHY c BY} AAO, COBTAUM, INDIA With Compliments of: ASSOCIATED BREWERIES & DISTILLERIES—CORT ALIM, INDIA (Member of : Noshir Irani Group of Companies.) 434^ f?? unexpectedly in instrument the timeless creed of tried my best to avoid doing so. At to my new posting. I replied “No ” i f . ?? appealed to and before I could put in a nlea he Perhaps, in the centuries to come. Mother for help. At first she demur- summarily directed that I continue decipher red as no major issue of life or in the same post. This impromptu surrounding a highly char ­ death was involved, but finally scene in the office vestibule seemed F?J c®“P’ex» h^iman personality, a gave in to my pleas. to have been laid on by some When I heard Mother ’s voice turn J^^^een Director purely for my towards God, a feeling of peace •' Ik J i ^^^^^kbai and and security arose witUn me Tt the same time, I felt a bit guilty, not only for trying to get help from a higher Power whom I could not completely accept, but for driving niy mother into such a difficult position on so petty an issue. When she finished praying, I hesitantly approached her for an . indication as to whether the prayers her findings, had evoked a responding echo. Mother slowly turned toward me with that serene smile I knew so ¦' j ..... saav Mviug ai uuc umc v-uiei or Air well. “Do not pack your bags ? Staff, the highest position in the Homi. You will not be leaving tat7 ---------. ¦ Bombay. ” I was overjoyed, since I knew that it had to be so, though I hadn ’t the faintest notion how. rpt ,1 . VZVAIW* TT vxxwxj P„ Al K towns and villages scattered in show. ” So far she has collected a “ Till some time back, people Maharashtra with her guru, Keki gave any special attention Jijina, Aban tries to coordinate her ______ ______ _______ ;abla, ”,notes the soft-spoken field trips with concert tours. “ But ment agencies and Parsi charity given tabla, sitar and vocal perfor- have to draw up a list of tabla Most government agencies, insti- mances all over India. “ It was artistes from Sangeet Kala Vihar tuted specifically to help aspiring considered only as an instrument for magazines. These musicians often artistes, “are interested only in sangat (accompaniment), never in suggest that I meet others. In this big names, ” she says. “ Some re- its own right. There is no history way I’ve discovered several unknown fused to help because I am a Parsi of tabla artistes. ” /’ ’ ' ... ... remedy this lacuna with her "thesis, (rhythm). pro- coveted Sangeet Pravin (PhD) degree she has not even managed to raise - . "¦ half. “Even professionals are so comparative rarity. Among the vidyalaya Mandal. Planning to meet badly paid, ' ' ' is a Parsi, Aban Eruch Mistry. towns and villages scattered in show. “Till some time back, people Maharashtra with her guru, Keki mere Rs. 3,000 from her perfor- har^y gave any special attention Jijina, Aban tries to coordinate her mances. Her experience with govern- to l|wabla, ” notes the soft-spoken field trips with concert tours. “ But ment agencies and Parsi charity and Bespectacled musician who has it ’s slow work, ” she notes. “ I first trusts has been equally unhappy, given tabla, sitar and vocal perfor- have to draw up a list of tabla Most government agencies, insti- mances all over India. “ - PARSI TANSENS By Ruzbeh Antia I I ! % r r!i Aban hopes to artistes and new intricacies of Z)oZ and told me to apply to Parsi uzitH tiAr tiipcio ” chaHty trusts instead. ” When she applied to thirty-one such trusts, they turned down her appeal. “ One ' .. of them replied that they only helped rcscarch in Western classical music! ” Both Aban and Jijina regret the Parsi community ’s lack of interest in Indian classical music. “ My aim is to make my community interested in music, ” says Aban. “ And I want to produce some Parsi Tansens, ” adds Jijina with a smile. The Swar Sadhana Samiti, founded in 1961 under the tutelage of Jijina, holds free monthly concerts and annual sammelans with the dual purpose of providing budding artistes with a platform, and of “ tuning people ’s ears ” to Indian classical music. Aban also teaches music at the Wadia Sangeet Class, where she has several promising Parsi pupils. “They are all very devoted, ” she remarks, “but could be better if they practised more. But then they have to work all day in offices for a living. ” For Aban the romance with music began in the nursery when she was four and continued through her student days at the Bai M. N. Gamadia Girls High School. But her penchant for the tabla developed after a bout of appendicitis forced her to give up learning the kathak dance form. Deciding to make it a career, the young musician under ­ went a period of rigorous training with the famous tabla navaz, Ustad Hussein Khan. The study of Indian classical music entails hard work and expense, says Aban. “ A good sitar alone costs about 2,000 rupees. Then there is dakshina (fees) to be given to the gurus and payments to the accom ­ panying musicians. It is difficult even to make up the initial cost. ” Please turn to page 65 col. 3 fi a (5^ I a )¦ s "7^ i ll' rl'' liii X 49I in the earning bracket —a. group which is diminishing —foi Bombay lures many young people with its greater job opportunities and the attractions of metropolitan life. But there is no reason why the migration from Gujerat cannot be stemmed. Navsari and Surat, which are separated by a distance of only 20 miles, are growing industrially, and the neighbouring industrial complex of Udhna is flourishing. * * k The Parsis Of Navsari compiled Parsis, who have roots in these by Th© Navsari Jarthosti Hunnar Udyog Kelavani Fund, 170 pages; Rs. 4. Many years ago Navsari was a sleepy township with a population traditionally at harvest tune, of barely 20,000. Today its num- ------------- " J^ers have increased five-fold, in- ‘"^^dustries have sprung up and its suburbs are spreading. But this spiritual homeland of the Parsis which produced great scholars, priests and pioneers such as Dadabhoy Naoroji, Jamshedji Tata 8^- and Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, is being deserted by the community. No longer do the streets hum with religious activity; the Vadi Dar-e- Mehr, whose doors were never locked from without, now stand closed at night. And the Navsari Parsi population, which was 6,000 strong at the turn of the century, is today half that figure. ---- —------ >---------------- ------- To throw light on the problems has vibrated to the prayers of its of this Gujerat city, the Navsari devotees, to the chanting of priests, Jarthosi Hunnar Udyog Kelavani to the sounds of religious jfiscourse Fund under the direction of its ' ’ ’ ^president, Shapur Vajifdar, com- piled a Directory and Survey Report of the Parsis of Navsari, 1974. Published in Gujerati and „ _ priced at Rs 4, the report provides Parsi settlers felt the urge to have substantial information on the a Dar-e-Meher for their fledgling socio-economic condition of the Parsis plus a summary and inter ­ pretation of statistics by Dr. Ratan Marshall of the Surat Parsi Pan ­ chayat. Several of the articles but the story diat the sheaf of Kaikhushroo Belgaumwalla and the additional funds. The then Executive Engineer of the Mysore Government, Hormusji Marker, gave shape to the dream, designed the building and looked after its construction. Beyond the fact that the 500-strong community in Ban ­ galore is ‘sm^l and well knit ’, not much more can be gleaned about it from the fragmentary articles in the Souvenir. bookSBoo] BQolg 6 >oks Look Homeward Directory & Survey Report Of Attempts could be made to house areas, between the two towns. There are 39 public charity trusts in Navsari of which 24 alone are for ghambars, the free feasts held the courts ’'were moved to allow change of use (Cy Pres), the money could be better utilized. By con ­ gregating in Bombay the Parsis are placing ‘all their eggs in one basket ’. If this dangerous trend is reversed, the community stands to from a review by Sapur Desai, former Joint Secretary of the Bom­ bay Parsi Panchayat. The^lGolden Jubilee Souvenir Of “The Bai Dhunmai and Cawasji Dadabhai Dar-e-Meher 460 pages, published by the Ban ­ galore Parsee Zoroastrian Anjuman. For 50 years now the Bai Dhunmai and Cawasji Dadabhai Dar-e-Meher is today half that figure. ______ .. . of this Gujerat city, the Navsari devotees, to the chuting of priests, and to revelry on Jamshedi Navroz and Parsi New Year. Located in the heart of Banga ­ lore, the story of the fire-temple goes back to 1880, when the first ______ - _ co mmuni ty. But, as the Souvenir notes, it was not until 1926 that the need crystalized with a dona ­ tion from Dinshaw Cawasji of __ ___________ __ __ ______ Khandala (given in memory of his dwell nostalgically on past glories parents) and the efforts of the late statistics conveys is discouraging Meherwanji Merchant who raised and reflects demographic trends in ‘ ...... ’ “ the Parsi community as a whole. The Navsari population, accord ­ ing to the Survey, is not a viable one and is bound to dwindle. There are 729 families comprising 2,326 individuals. Seventeen per cent of the population is under the age of 15 and 39 per cent is over 51 years old. That means only 44 per cent of the Parsis are With Best Compliments from J. M. BAXI and Company Steamship Agents and Stevedores 16, Bank Street, Bombay 400 023 Telephones : 253871 (5 lines) 258381 Cables: ‘Baxico’ at ail places Telex: Bombay 011-2549 (NJTOURS) 011-3439 (BAXI) SERVING THE EAST COAST AND THE WEST COAST OF INDIA 51* * "Uf The volume, jacketed in glossy blue with the traditional fire motif at its centre, confines it ­ self to recording the jubilee cele ­ brations which included sympo ­ siums, speeches, skits, songs and an international essay competition. A selection of essays by scholars on the Zoroastrian religion and history has been tacked on for ‘mental refreshment ’. Of particular interest to most Parsi readers, nostalgic for their Persian past, would be Dr. H. K. Mirza ’s article ‘Rock Inscriptions of Darius the Great ’, which conveys the titan grandeur of Behistun and the im ­ portance of its cliff-face inscrip ­ tions. Of a more contemporary nature are the contributions from Parsis abroad which give an insight into the struggle to maintain a distinct, ethnic identity. In a bid to fill yawning gaps in religious knowl ­ edge, prayer classes and sympo ­ siums are initiated, only to fol'd up for lack of support. Dr. Sohrab Kutar of London calls for a Zoroas ­ trian Youth Movement to counter the secularism of the younger generations abroad. Swinging from the conservative to the mildly reformist, the articles present a fairly wide spectrum of views. Some question the vali ­ dity of religious institutions, others emphasize their importaYice. The 19-year-old prize-winner of the essay competition, Berjis Desai, maintains “We are like the Jews trapped in the ghettoes of tradi ­ tion ”; while Dr. Minocher Kar- khanawalla believes that, as history has shown, only by preserving these traditions can we survive. Most of the writers have plucked threadbare the twin issues of ethnic purity and dwindling numbers, and some have advocated solutions. One scholar suggests the Parsi press should be made to conform in all religious matters to a stand ­ ard book on Zoroastrianism, in order to root out controversy. Running parallel to the themes of past Parsi glory, is the consci ­ ousness of what the community owes the country. As Dr. Kar- khanawalla notes, the well-being and preservation of the Parsis lies “in the prosperity and stability of India ”. Thus Spake Zarathushtra by Irach S. Kuka (second edition) 176 pages, Avan Series, Rs. 2. "¦WS With Compliments from EMPIRE ESTATE Liberty Building 41/42 Marine Lines Bombay 400 020 53^4' Even upon occupying the presi dency of the Panchayat on July 22, 1974 at the age of 80, Lady Jehangir broke with precedent and invited the Parsi press to meet with the Board of Trustees in an attempt to bring the much maligned trust and a greatly alienated community toge ­ ther. It was a measure few expected from an elderly Dowager who on The condolence messages poured most trustee and new chairman of the several past occasions had refused in from all over the world. They Pauchayat. “ There was not a single to give her views on the community referred to her as the ‘Mother of activity of the Parsi Panchayat in for publication, but as one of her the Community ’, a ‘regal figure ’, which she did not take a leading close acquaintances remarked, “ She ‘warm, loving and understanding ’, part. ” Her efforts were instrumental always adapted herself to the cban^ a ‘true example of noblesse oblige ’, in creating five housing colonies, fog values. ” And it was perhaps this When she died at the age of 82 Shapurji Bharacha Bang, Panthaki characteristic that enabled Lady following a massive coronary attack T ‘ ~ i __ on June 9, Lady Hirabai Cowasjee Wadi and Contractor Bang and five triumphs and tribulations of s. Jehangir left behind a 50-year legacy schools: the J. B. Vacha High era which witnessed the fortunes H^df social service, of which 30 had ’ T_r__* j been to the community as a Trustee of the Bombay Parsi Panchayat. She had the distinction of being the august body ’s first woman president, a chair once occupied by her husband and to which she lent a new dimension. An imposing, dignified woman, equally at ease with urchins in a Worli chawl or Viceroys in a chandelier-studded hall. Lady Jeban- gir gathered around her a devoted band of social workers who effected Work Guild. " . improvement in every sphere of that was undertaken by her was lation. THE FIRST LADY which she did not take a leading close acquaintances remarked, “ She in creating five housing colonies, ing values. ” ^d it was perhaps this Bang, A.. H. Wadia Bang, Dhunbai Jehangir to keep pace with the ------- -- . ..... - ’ era which witnessea vne loruunes School, the Sir C. J. Infant and gf the community and her family Primary School, Sir C. J. Rural peak, and then decline. Boys ’Home at Golvad, Fort Nursery gom in the illustrious Wadia School and the Jehangir Rural family of ship-builders in 1893, Girls’ Home at Golvad. She was the one of two sisters and a brother, “ guiding spirit ” of the Liaison Lady Jehangir attended Queen Mary _ ___ xt ______ -_____ _____________r - T* n • _ __ _ Parsi Charities and its chairman for jee'^ 'lehangir at the agT of 17. charities she headed were the King George ’s Infirmary, the Beggars ’ Home, The Mothers ’ and Childrens ’ _______ ______ Society and the Bombay Women ’s d^th in 1W4. Bom in the illustrious Wadia one of two sisters and a brother. Committee for the Organization of nigh Schod before marrying Cowas- 27 years. Among the cosmopolitan Cowasjee 'was 32 at the*" time, an .t- V. active figure in public life and next in line for the family ’s baronetcy which he acquired on his father ’s “ 19?^. “They made a Whatever, project wonderful couple, ” recalled a re- ___________ ___, _ ____ Each complemented the community life from health to infused with her personality, her other. ” Sir Cowasjee, an outgoing housing. “ Her goal was the uplift grace and her humane approach, ” rnan with a zest for life, took an and betterment of the community, ” notes Erach Nadirshah, the senior- Her goal was the uplift grace and her humane approach, o -rAez%1iifiz\n rvoccAzI Kxz fV noted a, resolution passed by the active interest in public affairs. Bombay Sheriff ’s meeting. He was a member of the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the Bombay Legislative Assembly. He attended the Round Table Conference in London in 1930 and despite his favoured position with the British, declared that the future of the Parsi community lay with the Indian people. For her part. Lady Jehangir became involved with several welfare associations. According to Jamshed Pavri of Canada, her first public service was probably connected with an effort to reduce infant mortality ; she headed the Bombay Baby Week committee in 1924. In the same year, her mother-in-law Dowager Lady Dhunmai and members of the Prin ­ cess Victoria Mary Gymkhana held a “ Fancy Fete and Exhibition ” and launched a fund-raising drive to net over three and a half lakhs to cons ­ truct five buildings at the Dadar Parsi Colony. Lady Jehangir and Sir Gowasjee and Lady Jehangir: “Each complemented the other” isi With Compliments of STARLITE ELECTRICAL WORKS Electrical Engineers and Contractors Fern House 13, Ormiston Road Bombay 400 OOl Tel: 213972 »» JU v.AJvyao vv ________ ____ _ ____ ____________ under her to the'^^use; over the course of tutelage, that the Panchayat ventured il Xi wo iiivj 6— - —r—J on a special fund for housing. Yet, charities ranging from hospitals for all her legion service. Lady ~ " Jehangir ’s name aroused strong emo ­ tions in many quarters. Her critics attacked her for everything ranging from her style of wearing an udhi saree to serving on the Panchayat for 30 years. The Godrej Memorial Press scandal in which a loss of around four lakhs of rupees reportedly took place, caused much calumny to the furor, she intensified her efforts to make the press a profitable concern. “ She did what she thought was right, and never worried about what others said, ” recalled a friend. Once she gave her word, she never went back on it. She never had an angry, ugly or undignified word to Sir Cowasjee contributed Rs. 50,000 der the next step. their lives they gave lakhs of rupees to C- _ _ to the building fund of the Zoroas ­ trian House in London. They were both active in the world of business with Sir Cowasjee serving as Chairman of the Bank of India and various other concerns, and Lady Jehangir as Chairman and Director of several companies ______ _ _ including the Ruttonsha group of heaped ’on the Trustees. Despite companies, Dai-ichi Karkaria and - - • Communication and Power Equip­ ment Company. “ Her object was to help people and not to take control, ” recalls Russi Ghadiali, Executive Director of Ruttonsha ’s. During the war years. Lady Jehan ­ gir helped set up a recreation centre for Indian soldiers after a non ­ commissioned ofBcer complained that no such facilities were available for Indians. From his mills. Sir Cowasjee sold cloth at cost price to Ths jawans. And when rationing was introduced. Lady Jehangir and her band of workers kept a watch at the grain shops to see that people did not take more than their quota. Lady Jehangir herself took a bus ride for the first time in her life Poly-Technic when petrol was rationed, and later remarked to her secretary of many years, R. D. Aria, “ It was not so bad. ” In 1944 tragedy struck the couple when their eldest son Jehangir died after being struck down by a truck in England. “ They never recovered from the blow, ” recalled a family friend. In his memory they donated , six lakhs of rupees toward the Wireman S and construction of the Jehangir Art Gallery. Two years later. Lady Jehangir stood uncontested for the trustee- through English and ship of the Panchayat, Sir Cowasjee having been a trustee from 1934 and Chairman for six years till his death in 1962. After Sir Cowasjee ’s death. Lady Jehangir devoted herself almost wholly to the community, restricting her social circle to a small group of friends. Her evenings were spent studying the contents of the grim looking black Technical Executive, tin box in which the Panchayat circulates its papers to the Trustees. She was despondent that the commu ­ nity ’s numbers were dwindling and according to Sapur Desai, a former joint secretary of the Panchayat, was “ trying to call the trusts together (after the Press conference) to consi- Behramji Nowrosji Gamadia 8. Gamadia Colony Tardeo Bombay 7 admits students in Fitter's Trade Courses Gujarati medium. Contact Mr. M. F. Engineer, between 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. 57i say of others. ” But in an age of I rising expectations and democratic | values, she and the other Trustees I suffered in status for remaining in I office too long. I Aside from witnessing the I Panchayat and the community ’s I decline, the aging Lady also had to watch the ancestral home, Ready ­ money Mansion, succumb to the j wrecker ’s ball. But instead of letting it depress her, she busied herself with plans for the modern glass and concrete structure that was being constructed in the same compound. A few nights before her death, she was on the phone till 11 p.m. to ensure that some families left homeless by a house collapse had found shelter. She spent sleepless nights agonizing over which deserv- ing family should get accommoda ­ tion. On July 9 at 4 p.m. she was ' on the phone discussing some community matter. Two hours later death came, sudden and unexpected. the news spread throughout the city, the long line of mourners began streaming in till the wee hours of the morning to pay their final homage. They bore testimony to her life ’s endeavours. Lady Jehangir leaves behind her daughter Silla, her son Sir Hirji, her daughters-in-law, Lady Jinoo and Mehroo and two grandchildren, Jehangir and Ardeshir. Died: Dr. Sohrab Ardeshir Eruch- shaw Hakim 57, the medical researcher whose investigations into the common yellow poppy resulted in all-India tests devised to detect argepione adulteration in cooking oils to safeguard public health against cancer of the oesophagus and blindness through glaucoma; five days after an ab- ] dominal cancer operation on May j 24 in a London hospital. i The fifth in a line of physicians j hailing back to the renowned Sola Doctor of Surat, Dr. Hakim was L___________________ __________ in England during a break in a Dadabhoy Naoroji Road took its WHO assisted cancer research ' ' project in Iran. The Royal Iranian Cancer Society had commissioned him to conduct a study in the r- ................. : 1 _ _ inhabitants suffer from a high in ­ cidence of oesophagal cancer. “The work is of such importance that it is greatly to be hoped that ______ _ ___________________ ___ Hakim ’s influence and the applica- developed an early interest in the tion of his principles will continue, ” ¦«------------------ •----- noted the British Medical Journal witnessing I rate degree at Oxford ’s Balliol I College that he adapted a paper I chromatography test for recognis- I ing the alkaloid ‘sanguinarine ’, the I adulterant used in edible oils that I is believed to have caused 82 I epidemics in the last 100 years I with symptoms ranging from swel- I ling of the feet, diarrhoea and I vomiting, to glaucoma, breath- I lessness and heart failure. Upon I returning to India he tried to con- I vince the Ministry of Health to I apply the test to all cooking oils. I As he noted in a letter to Karan I Singh, then Minister of Health and I Family Planning, “The petty bhaya I who adds a lota of water to milk I is an insignificant offender com- I pared to those directors of public I health who by withdrawal of I scientific knowledge can cause death, blindness and cancer in millions of unsuspecting victims. ” In 1971, the Government of Maha- ,, rashtra approved the test and in 1974, the ' Director General of Health Services passed a similar all-India ruling. Below Ratan Karaka, a family friend of the Hakims, gives a few personal glimpses of the man: “The degrees and scholarship were not what made Soli Hakim. It was his understanding —^he shared what he knew and leartied with others. He was never too busy to walk a visitor down his lab and show the heart of a tiny chicken beating or stop by an old half-broken ura and take out a handful of poppy seeds, saying, ‘So like the mustard seed that the poor unsuspecting customer would be quite baffled. ’ Over lunch with Royal Society of Tropical Medicine his family he ’d talk enchantingly and Hygiene. “India has lost one of the Parsi wells of the bearded of its most original medical invest!- Hakims oi old —how they ’d saved gators, ” said Woodruff. several fires —and the stories of Hakim ’s research at the Sola old recipes. Hakim Research Center high above ¦ 1^ Hakim : A family tradition Patel: A firm full of partners several fires —and the stories of “Soli had studied theosophy under Madame Sophia Wadia, from clues not only from test tubes and whom he learnt about many re ­ learned in the Zoroastrian scrip- guinea pigs but from sources as ligions and philosophies. He was diverse as Shakespeare ’s Henry Fl - - - - ------- — -— and the traditional remedies of tures and spoke on them. Naze^nran district of Iran whose Ayurvedic and Unani medicine cidence of oesophagal cancer. A T»TZ\»»1r i_ that it is greatly to be hoped that tion of his principles will continue," obituary written by Prof. Alan W. Woodruff, former president of the “He read a lot, everything from modem journalism to Persian his ­ tory. In his lab he was like a child Edward Memorial Hospital, Hakim his bottles and stoves and pincers. J i__-j .J Never without a sense of fun, he toxicity of Argemone mexicana— liked worldly things too. Occasion- the deceptively pretty poppy that ally he went to parties but he dots the Indian countryside. But longed to go back home to his it was while pursuing his docto- Hakimi problems. Once he re- whose prescriptions were handed down from father to son. __ _________________________ A graduate of Bombay ’s King playing with his pots and pans ^ 59I i marked, “It would be so much nicer classic case of the wages of talent graduated to box clerk in the if the allopaths worked with me. being success. When he died of a advertising department, the com- We could do so much. ” He seemed heart attack on June 15th, the 69- pany introduced an incentive to mean that there were many year-old Chairman of Everest scheme for the staff to canvas for things that were undreamt of in Advertising left behind not only an classified advertisements in their their philosophy. agency with an annual turnover spare time. In the first month, “When he went to Iran to re- - approaching two crores but also a Patel found that he earned double search the causes of cancer in co-operative enterprise where every his salary by canvassing two hours had delayed the poppy fields from could hold shares: in his own flowering. Meantime he visited words, “a firm full of partners ”. England and before the operation confided to a few friends, ‘If I always close to people in those !.............../ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ “ ¦¦ ______ ______ _ Avesta prayers for me. then have director of Everest A debonair ings ^ared higher than the salary me cremated.* He requested his salesman with boundless enthusi- of the advertising manager, a Euro ­ ashes be scattered in Kew Gar- asm, Patel served as chairman of pean, Patel was reappointed an dens. ” f ‘ ~ ~ _____ _ His wife Dina, also a doctor. Circulation and the Advertising the post. At the same time he be- Dr. Rumi Jehangir and Mr. Bal- Agencies Association of India; he came leader of Bennett Coleman ’s Mazendran district, a late snowfall member from sweeper to director every evening. When he exchang ­ ed a secure job —albeit at Rs 40 a month —for the dizzy ups and He rose from the ranks and was downs of a full-time representative -- --------... _ — -----------, on a, commission basis, he faced should die please recite these few ranks, ” recalls Kali Sopariwalla, a family opposition. But as his earn- me cremated. ’ He requited his salesman with boundless enthusi ­ asm, Patel served as chairman of _____ _ the prestigious Audit Bureau of officer —the first Indian to attain Circulation and the Advertising the post. At the same time he be- krishna are left to carry on the headed the latter ’s delegation to first union, fitting for proper staff Dr. Hakim leaves behind his in London in 1951. Bom of a poor family with a tradition of service in the railways, Patel was a high school drop-out ly formed Everest as Managing 'He had the gift of research work. Among others, the International Conference held grading and benefits such as provi- Dr. Hakim leaves behind his in London in 1951. dent fund. He was The Times of mother, Manijeh, and daughter, Bom of a pc»r family with a India's Chief Advertisement Repre- Avimay. tradition of service in the railways, sentative when he joined the new- * * From a night telephone operator to founding director of one of India ’s leading advertising agencies, the career of Adi Patel was a I * I «>' 11 With Compliments From : who drifted through an assortment Director. of jobs —^including motor mecha- building up small clients into big nics and electroplating —before advertisers —even people . who joining Bennett Coleman as a tele ­ phone operator. u* and electroplating —before advertisers —even started off with no faith in adver- Soon after he tising, ” recalls Homi Kharas, a co- I I I I I I V. I Mr. Jehangir P. Kaka Mrs. Perin J. Kaka (Directors) Registered Office: 1/G, Ulsoor Road Bangalore 860 042. Phone: 81393 I I I 9 I 7. Prinson Agencies (India) Private Limited Marketing Agents Approved Steam Pipe Fabrication & Erection Contractors Admn. Office: 11, Cambridge Road Ulsoor Bangalore 860 008. I I I WE UNDERTAKE : • Design, Supply, Fabrication & Erection of Steam, Condensate, Air, Gas, Water and other Service Piping Contracts. • Fabrication & Erection of Mild Steel Tanks and Vessels Etc. • Insulation of Boiler & Pipe Lines Phone: 80962 Branch Office: 3/709, Nayjivan Society Laznington Road Bombay 400 008. I 61i !¦ <1 founder MMyerest and a 40-year associatc of IPAtel. In raitel ’s deteriorating health Jbsi to the appointment of a new managing director, but a spate of financial problems caused him to rejoin within two years. The staff responded to the crisis by subscribing more capital; even the janitors chipped in. “It ’s eaiy to contribute towards a rising firm, but to pay a part of ohe's own hard-earned income to sate a sinking ship is nothing shott ol a miracle, ’’ notes the agency ’s write-up. “Patel was a man of extremes — it was said that he had a split personality/ ’ said Kharas. “For a few years he would lead the gay life, then he would suddenly be ­ come almost like a sadhu. ” Added Sopariwalla: “He was religiously inclined, but he believed that reli ­ gion was meaningless unless it brought about results for man ­ kind. There were pictures of all the prophets in his house. He didn ’t believe in rituals so he was cremated. ” He leaves behind a daughter, Niloufer Kapadia. The Zoroastrian Co-operative Credit Bank Limited Interest upto 10% on Fixed Deposit Accounts and 5i% on Savings Bank Accounts. Loans granted on moderate terms 16, HORNIMAN CIRCLE, BOMBAY 400 023 PHONE ; 269069 Sorabji Nowroji & Co. 16, Homiman Circle, Bombay 400 023. Oldest & Largest Stockists Telephones and Exporters of Sandal Wood, Office: 268911/2 268777 Sandal Wood Oil and Factory : 378316 Palmrosa Oil Wholesale Depots : 331275 323262 Manufacturers of Retail Shops : 351637 261573 ‘Crown’ Brand Sandal Wood Oil Agmarked Cables: “WELFARE” Bombay 63gKrture of solidarity, all the their money to an institution that Trustees signed an appeal to the denies them a vote. mrate (Continued front page 25) carry on with the managing direc- ------- tor as well as the other direc- community seeking contrtoutions tors. . . hence I tendered my f — --- n resignation at the end of Febru- construction fund. The Parsi ary 1976 and during (the) period Panchayat of Bombay hM lands at (I served) no fresh deposit was f . taken from anybody. . . during ings can be constracted, my short tenure. ... I have help- noted. “In ’ ed many Parsi depositors to re- cover their deposit or their inte ­ rest dues. ” Despite Kuka ’s clarification, his association with the company — --------- weakened his candidacy and cans- badly are funds to implement the ed The Jam-e-Jamshed to specu- housing schemes of the Pancha- late that some of the Trustees yat. who initially supported him “May shift their allegiance to someone else... the present tx^u«- —— --------- — .avi.vaaiw^ x*xx*zv*.w**ww — - kingmak ers ’ picking and choosing the community to Contiibute their brahmacharya (celibacy) and strict . , c-----------, I- - ------- jnitg towards the solution of the jietarv control for the artiste, Aban take great C£|j:e for the creation of a new building construction fund. Tansens (Continued from page 49) She was fortunate, however, in getting the active encouragement of they her parents. Chief among the sammelans in which Aban has participated are the All-India Sadarang Music Con ­ ference in Calcutta, Sur Singar ’s Kal-Ke-Kalakar Sammelan where she was awarded the Tai-Mani, the Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan and the Agra Musical Conference. While at Calcutta, Aban became the only female tabla-player to cut a disc with Hindustan Musical Products. Stressing the importance of dietary control for the artiste, Aban ‘ says she has to “take great caje about what I eat and drink to ‘ preserve my voice. ” As for fusing com- dil^erent styles, the musician recalls, ' “ 1 once tried a sitar and piano duet with Yezdi Soonawala. It sounded * > very nice but. ...” She trailed off i-Twuv _ ____ ______ J_________________ __ ____ with a shrug and a far-away look. Three corporates much needed reforms till she found the right words, J. ..1— -1——-1 ;* ,,n. “Experiment is all right, but the' purity of the art will be lost. ” different places on which build- *___ AMa* 1*^ 'I'l^aXF •'In Panthaki Bang at Gundavli (Andheri East) there is room for ten buildings which can provide low retot tenements to the weaker sections of the commu ­ nity. What is wanted and wanted “We have therefore to make , _______ this appeal to every individual trend of and association and institution of potential ‘yes men ’ is a very un ­ healthy one. ” T' was still a candidate and was con ­ testing “on my own merits. ” On a tense and rainy election Saturday, July 31 in the Parsi r . . ............_ - • Naoroji Road, the keenly con- healthy one. ” Kuka replied he housing problem., Tlie^ sol^ion it is a challenge to the ¦ ¦ ! com ­ munity must Come forward to - M But until the Panchayat extends the community ’s franchise and in- no longer lies with the Panchayat alone. 1. L ' ” _ ' community at large and the Panchayat building on Dadabhoy m^jt it. ” Naoroji Road, the keenly con- " " tested election ended in a 31-vote victory for Hodiwala. T--- . . , weeks later, in remembrance of in the electoral system,, it w un ­ Lady Jehangir ’s wish and in a J" id^ely that people would donate 1 S'' 'i^ A-S33 1 T; $ < ’*4^' ISCINDIA I for safe efficient shipping I COASTAL SERVICES: S India-Bangladesh-Pakistan-Byrma-Sfi Lanka H OVERSEAS SERVICES; H lndia-Bangladesh-Pakistan-U.K.-Continent B India-Bangladesh-Poland B lndia-Bangladesh-Strait>*Meditarranean-Adriatie B Mediterranean-Adriatic-West Asia (Gulf) B lndia-Bangladesh-A.R.E.-RedSM B India-Sangladissh-WMt Asia (Gulf) India-Bangladesh-Blaek Sea Ports ; 3 lndia-Bsngladesh-U.S><.-Mexico (via Colombo-Coehht< i Caribbean Ports) C x*’ ' ’ vwiooc«« rwiwr WBa-Sangladeali-lodonaaia-Stralta-CoIombo-Cochln-E. Canada VU.S. Great Lakes . 3 >; J U.S. Pacific--W. Canada- Indik-Bangladaah-East a Wun AMca-Meditaeenaan-Adifadd I THE SaNDIA STEAM I NAVIGATION CO., LTD. I Scindia Houw^ N«mnam.MonqM Mare, BaSard Eatata, BomlMy-400 038. ¦ Talaphon. 268181 (12 lines) • Telex: 011-2205 & 011-3519 I IS Aak Sa^ CalCutta-70001B ^Teleeiiane: 2A!a4MlStl» Teleau 021 -7305 6SForum —{Continued from page 13) one ’s self to inner harmony and ______________ _________ ______ peace, it is important once in a. has always been admitted by many 7' ¦ ~ y- — J --1 __ ________Z__________Lj inner silence. highly scientl&, dean and devoid of impurity. R may well be asked why Parsis do not also offer their eyes at death to an eye bank, for thousands of corpses are admitted to our Towers of Silence with eyes that are i healthy. The body could be donat ­ ed within a few hours after death to the anatomical sections of hos ­ pitals, for study and research by students and medical men. Every corpse has in it parts and tissues which can be grafted on to the living, so the demand for dead Hind Sight Our form of disposal of thte dead 1^ become important. families, in the heart of Bombay while to remain quiet and achieve enlightened ndn-Zoroastriaps to be ABAN H. BANA Switzerland Heartbreaking Many Parsis feel that our mobeds do not tell us the deeper meaning of our religion and religious rites. Religious discourses are held by dasturs on varied topics twice or thrice a week. I have attended these discourses many times but found barely 20 to 25 persons pre ­ sent. The response is heartbreak- ^ing. The reason for the lack of , _ ...... ^^^response is that the majority of bodies is great. The chantable ^^^^Parsis in Bombay are busy and Parsis have not thought of this do not find time to attend the measure. The rest of the body talks. Many do not wish to spend would be disposed of by the hos- money on transport to go to the pitals under scientific conditions, meetings. They should then in- Many would like our large acre- measure. If the trustees are compelled to continue the present, ceremo'nial form of disposal of the dead, then the time has come to discover another plot of ground which may be constructed to serve the needs of Parsis for at least a further period of one hundred' years, re- J^rfectir^norma'T and JP^e from Uie city of Bombay. - - • ' • The land presently used for the dokhmasmsy be used for other purposes such as housing. If a similar situation had faced the Parsis in the city of New York, would they have continued to maintain that ground in modem times for disposal of their dead, as in Bombay? FBAMBOZ BUBTOlCrBSS Colombo, Sri Lanka Parsi Saint The Sir Jamset jee Jeejeebhoy meetings. They should then in- Many would like our large acre- ]_________ ______ ___________ stead read books on the religion age of the present, valuable the sick people of all communi- available on loan ip some agiaries L ’ . , and free libraries. If people do the dead, to be sold for industrial not help themselves they alone purposes or for building enter- are to blame for the lack of know- ’ • ledge about the religion. K. D. CHARGEMAN Hospital has become a mecca for grounds, used for the disposal of ties. I have seen on some occa- the dead, to be sold for industrial sions, people taking darshan be- ............ _ fore the statue ’during the evening prises. Thus the question of doing visiting hours. A garland is always away with the grounds, which also put round the neck of the philan- house the corpse-bearers and their thropist and a bouquet of roses at United Motors (India) Ltd. Workshop at: Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba, Near Radio Club, Bombay 400 005. And 39, Nyayamurti Sitaram Patkar Marg, (Hughes Road), Bombay 400 007. Telephone Nos.: 357616/17/18. Spare Parts Sales Depot: Swadeshi Mills Estate, No. 2, Tata Road, Opera House, Bombay 400 004. Spare Parts, Repair and Service Depots at: Amar Automobiles, 46, Wadi Bunder, Opp: Central Railway, Shed No. 11, P. D’Mello Road, Bombay 400010. The Jogeshwari Petrol Supply Co., Opp: Post Office, Swami Vivelomand Road, Jogeshwari, Bombay 400 060. Auro Petroleum Centre, 305, Sion Trombay Road, Near Diamond Garden, Bombay 400 071. Bombay-Thane- Authorised Oaalan lar Wiim DIESEL VEHICLES Kulaba and RatnagCri Districts in Maharashtra Efficiency and good workmanship is the motto of the workshop. Jobs of servicing, repairs, complete overhauling on engine undertaken. ft. 67I » •a ----------- X moi OOlUl wade ’ is on. Several shtra. ' _______ _______ ---- against question that he was the first ________ a definitely moral Character and direction religion and at the same time Warden is good For sandalwood Head Office 378 Grant Road Bombay 400 007 and Branches Tel. 371464 re- Quality sandalwood Aggarbatties, gum benzoin (loban) and other Perfumes " visiting the fire temple, if she chooses man; the freedom of moral choice WlB^to maintain her religion? Why freedom from blind obedience to snmi1tf4 «ii___J y _ ________•___• • 9 I K % e? should she not be allowed to parti- unmeaning injunctions, ” cipate in religious ceremonies if she chooses to do so? Why should the K:ssVf*M™« ow'® ‘™d husband agree to bring up thefr Judge of what best nourishes children as Zoroastrians? .This freedom of thought All these are strictly male prero- purification of galives in our community Double ® explained by Zarathu- standards lead to disillusionment, Yasnas. Our youth and this coupled with frustration should revive their interest afid 1______ preserve this fascinating heritage. GOOLBANU SUKHIA log Angeles, USA There is no better food for the hungry human spirit than a good own judge of what best nourishes them. c All these are strictly male prero- purification of ____ *' .. _ _ - ATIa’c •Jo AvnlniM/LJ I-_ ________ ----- - **vzxxxxx*WJ.AXUy, J-/VUL71C ¦! • ----- ~ J standards lead to disillusionment Yasnas. Our youth ««J ____ _ T *¦ •.« I _ • • < . « sounds the death knell of faith. P. H. PATELL Secunderabad NATIONAL PEROXIDE LIMITED BOMBAY Manufacturen of: HYDROGEN PEROXIDE Ideal bleaching agent for cotton textiles, wool, synthetic fibres. Useful oxidising agent for chemical reactions. Economical and permanent bleac hin g agent for writing and printing paper, newsprint pulp and jute. Bleaching and sterilising agent in cos ­ metics, pharmaceuticals, food and fer ­ mentation industries. It also eliminates many municipal and industrial water treatment problems and acts as a pollution control product. SODIUM PERBORATE Safe permanent and rayon'^fabrlcs trial detergent powders 715 20 to 9()°c. * Used as J ¦ creams, lotions, deodorizers, bleachers, dentifrices and washes. Used in electroplating. It i" —-¦-'2? “ yellowing of nylon odie permanent and most efiective bleaching and whitening agent for cotton, wool, linen and rayon fabrics when mixed with domestic and indus ­ trial detergent powders (15 to 20 per temperature of 60°C an ingredient of bleaching lotions, deodorizers, hair mouth is specially useful for removing riMzirif* —_1_ _ J - ® - . -- ana other synthetics. National Peroxide Limited Neville House, Ballard Estate, Bombay-4(X) 038.I J S s' Three, according to the science of &i Lanka. The 600-page numerology, is an auspicious and tains “"«* — ‘S\s""Ku^a ~ in thushtra, for an explanation and institutions and individuals who page booklet weighs under 50 ’^zSSXr”^' r“d'° copies.can place SjSS. iSt Io’ propnei, z,oroaster. This an advance order; remittance at eien seamail Rc i ')n'» TVia S'p;SorSft^test ‘’o? ‘ft; “ nuaor-s previous%icadon, » .a ® futest of the India and US $ 4.00 per copy for Inner Man is nrired at- Kc 8 The ha^ Vr «>«“triesp inclusive of^t- i^^greSd ’ Iwvmg dealt vath the Zoroastrian age, are to be sem to the Assoc,a- regretted, viwvpomt and the virtues of ’ ~ Etokhme Nashini, while ^s one is --------- xvxauMun, vnow before the ringhee Road, Calcutta 700 016 minds of the Parsee youth, the gist the profound and noble ideas. .. Tantra, the erotic cult, by Capt. from the wntings of the Holy F. D. Colaabavala, 142 ?------- Gathas. ” Orient Paperback; Rs. 5. V eVf ---- — ^Co mpiled from the translation of It was only to be expected that , J® , Shapoorji Sak- ¦Ihrerses into Gujerati by the late after telling us about crime, hip- India s Communist M.P. Ervad Kavasji Edulji Kanga and pies and himself, that Capt Colaa- “ ^ntains House of Commons, the English translations of these bavala ’s next literary venture T “® statement in an by the late Dr. Irach J. S. Tara- should focus on sex. Tantra, the u?»®. Col- porewala, the songs and prayers erotic cult is in the Captain ’s own a Economic Times ot are set out in clear, easily read- words, “hypnotic in holding the Noting that for demo ­ able blank verse with short dis- readers spellbound. .. details never function it was essential criptive titles to introduce each before told. .. mysterious sex- • J®F®« ^0® ,aU strata of must be critical, must be a able to winnow the grain of truth from the chaff of eloquence,? liberal education to cultivah. "this faculty. ------- ---- - ------- - uuujv ouvuiu aisu Although illiteracy has largely good thoughts, good words and help the Captain finance a future trom Britian, the need good deeds. writing proiect dear to his lipart- a liberal education pro-- <^s and the need for those with , ____________________J______ _ xxxxwxxxxd- . Privilege of education to share Daily Prayers of the Zoroas- gathering skills have been less-privil^ed' ^Mans, ¦ compiled by Framroz ^®aned from life itself, is looking I^friots persists. In India today, m^stornjee ; 600 pages, Rs. 25. for a sponsor who will give him . intense as it was in ^e Parsi Zoroastrian Association 20,000 a year for five years to and women, of Calcutta plans to bring out a ’'®search the book. Any offers? y®™ educated and uneducated, are second edition of the Daily Prayers themselves fully to the of the Zoroastrians compiled by * * * community, I can conceive of no Franroz Rustomjee of Colombo, In our last issue w. had ..mn.. “Perimenting in ^ . .. , - - - tome con- ously stated that Dr. Jal K. tmns not only the transliteration Wadia ’s ^^ Few Zoroastrian Fundor- tion Treasurer R. B. Dastoor, 14A, Chowringhee Mansion, 30, Chow- News Continued from page 17 Behram Saklatvala, vice- chair - oaaes ’ managing director ot pages, Ltd. (London) and son of the latvala India ’s Communist made the above statement in an lege ” in The Economic Times of En^ish translations of these bavala ’s porewala, the songs and prayers erotic cidt is in the Captain ’s own ®®sily read- words, “hypnotic in holding the ------ --------- able blank verse with short dis- readers spellbound. .. details never function it was essential criptive titles to introduce each before told... mysterious sex- J?!®” strata of group of verses. Preceding them oriented rituals. .. gory practices. are the author ’s foreword and short murder by remote control ”. Aside explanatory notes to clarify basic from promising readers the secret Zoroastrian terms and concepts, to •“ ui pciou such as who Zarathushtra was and power, success, worldly desire as the meaning and significance of well as the attainment of spiritual manashni-gftvashni.kunashini as experience, ” the book should also PAvuu&iug rcddcrs tn© secret t •“unfold treasure of personal ' stressed the need of a writing project dear to his heart: a history of the Parsis. Colaaba ­ vala, whose analytical and informa- by Framroz gleaned from life itself, is looking Patriots persists. - ----- -------------- - the need j- — ’ Britian. . . L____ __ both educated and uneducated community, I can conceive of *-****^ iixe- -luaviij AO XWJEvlXig for a sponsor who will give him 1 - _ _____ > research the book. Any offers? Rs 20,000 a year for five years to If men and * In our last issue we had errone- this direction. 9> oom- For Quality Cotton 1 BREUL & CO. I The Oldest Cotton Commission House. I Cotton Merchants, Cotton Exporters-Importers, 2 Muccadams, Brokers and Commission Agents, ¦ I Taj BuHcfi^g. ^o. Dr. D. Naoroji Road,. Bombay 400001. (Established 1863) Tel. No. 265411 Grams; "Breul" Bombay. Telex No. 011; 2567 Bombay. 71r groundless argument of ‘blood Zoroastrianism; whether of wishes. The basic concept of the trian and a^non-Zoroastri^ o Since* it started religion must prevail, and t/iese riage, or progeny must be accepted tato trian couple, being of no co ¦ariv Z.orua5triaua the Zoroastrians ’ fold, irrespec- deration. It is of paramount of propagation of tive of the sex of the non-Zoro- portance that effort s^nt P PS ..... Hstrian parent TorpnfR nnests and all kw “Going a step further, it is not Abroad Continued from page 27 the context of survival of Zok^ astrianism on the North Amen- can continent? !------ with the Prophet ... and was practised by early Zoroastrians in the interest < * the religion, without any inhibi ­ tion, our first objective on this ----- continent should be to revive and inconceivable that in the North spread the Glorious Faith of American society. Zoroastrian Mazda to all who are willing to parents will adopt children —not follow the Path of Asha. necessarily children of Zoroastrian “Let us assume the Navjote descent. The decision of these ceremony as the sole means by parents to bring up their adopted which an individual can be ac- child —irrespective of h* ‘ cepted into the faith. Under the race, colour or creed —as a circumstances, 1’ "" will soon 1— ----------- Zoroastrians married to Zoroastrians, will desire their pro ­ geny to be brought up as Zoro- that s astrians. ' Surely, we are not go- i---------------------------—- 3- ing to bring forth that absurd and basic concepts and ethics of after the recording. Zoroastrian adopted by a Zok parents, priests and all kn - ledgeable individuals of the c| munity should be to make child worthy and deserving! being a true Zoroastrian, ral ‘ than a class conscious, pse Zarthusti ! ” __ To this end the ZAQ ail'd s his/her ral other Zoroastrian associat xcuLu. race, colour or creed —as a provide their members w, the Community Zoroastrian must also be respect- cassette reco^ngs of the face instances where ed, in the interest of propagation jote and other prayers non- of the religion of Mazda. What authentic pronunciation by is of the utmost importance is petent 'dasturs. .. _ * that sincere atteihpts. .. be are so recorded that it will a made to educate the child in the children to repeat (the praj attempts. .. “i f ¦ ¦ the pK® 00 iminHhHHhi Q I N ID nrn rnn Illi i BB N al II >0 II aooorii II iv-/r I iiH iMfflM And Company Private Limited Building Contractor# Cr Civil Engineers Registered Office; 70. Medows Street, Fort, Bombay-400 001 Administrative Office: , , jiaa nni New India Centre, 17, Cooperage Road, Fort, BombaY-400 001 Phone : 254262/212844 afi Gram; Ginframe Bombay Published and edited by Jehangir R. Patel at 285 J. Dadaji Marg, Bombay-400 and printed for T s Khamesra at G. CWidee Co. Ltd., Shahid Bhagat Sin^ Road, Bombay-400 001. Parsiana Ph. 26 Id y'ii