Aug 1977

I I I October-November 197 Price Rs. 3 I \ \ \ A \ \ id S' 1 0 0 * V O 0 I <*’ 1 k*^ A L^ O\‘ id /SEf* (>; V ’« /¦ i i Lo, rtf Q i H 1 JJ w r: < 41 2x4 > A > (0 fl* *>» 3x w 2<4 l5^« ^Xq t f : O' LV» o s i *9. V C O 1I READERS' FORUM changed, though the buildings fall to rise to the occasion and honour pieces and the grounds resemble a these valiant people. jungle. Today, when even the consti­ tution of the country can be changed, surely our many Zoroastrian legal Dr and Ms Oonwalla luminaries can readjust these trusts. Parsiana readers will be grieved to The noble donors would never have know that Dr Nariman Oonwalla allowed these holy shrines to deterio- DR S. R. WADIA 1 I h ¦ ' L n ¦**!«/* J I -ymt ' I ~ri— allowed these holy shrines to deterio- (82) and his wife, Shehera (76) were rate thus; the whole purpose of lately stabbed in June, by a former ' ' ......................................... servant who had previously been convicted of theft and was recently dharamshalas and gahambar funds, released from prison. which could be properly utilized in Dr Oonwala was a committee these days of shortage of food and member of the Calcutta Amateur accommodation. Parsi Dramatic Club and served in the Medical Branch of the Indian Air Force in the rank of squadron leader. His charming wife, Shehera was a popular social worker. DHUN MEHTA their donation is being abused. The same applies to our various Dr Oonwala was a committee Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to The Editor, Readers' Forum. Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Letters close to a place of pra>er. The atash are subject to editing for reasons of . - . _ . space and clarity. A well planned system can be evolved to move our ancient agiaries from their dying homes to better equipped places where the Parsi population has migrated. The fire brought from Aden to Khandala is an excellent example. Baugs in Bombay, where many Parsis live In the sports item (‘In the News’, close to mandirs and mosques, but Parsiana, Jun.-Jul. ’77), you men- not an agiari, and new Parsi colonies tioned three young Parsis. I should could provide for a dadgah on the like to add two more names, both premises. An agiari would-be main- of whom are cyclists. tained and our children would be Khurshid Irani from Bangalore should move with the Parsi popula­ tion to be preserved and revered. A comprehensive code of standard maintenance and rates for religious ceremonies could be adopted by every agiari to remove the taint of mercenariness. Dedicated people could inquire into the details ol our scattered places ot worship, visit them and make a comprehensive survey. Later, residents around the the Nationals in the 200 kms road agiari, could take up voluntary regu- race for men. Firoze is also a keen lar duties of cleaning, polishing and boxer and has earned his university general care of these places. colours in this sport. NAVROZE D. DHONDY Allahabad. Easy Riders took part this year in the nationals (cycling) and won a gold in the track event for women, for her state, Karnataka. She was in the lead in the road race as well, but her cycle broke down and she had to abandon the race. Firoze Sagar from Allahabad stood first in the 25 km road race of the district. He was eighth in The Village 'Agiari' Time and again, on visits to small towns or villages, one notices the miserable condition of our agiaries. These sacred places of prayer and worship are in such poor condition within, that especially young people, when persuaded to go to the agiari, come back repulsed by the dark, foul smelling rooms with peeling paint, the furniture in shambles, the tattered prayer books yellowed with age, the once clean and polished implements and decorations, dusty and dirty— and this, in the house of worship of a religion that stresses so much on cleanliness within and without. The (hack-hitinffi nt the trustees , ... , u .l condition of the z/JoM and helper is pavri modation etc. Enqumes could then so poor, they can only look forward Nagpur 1^ made directly to them and such a to a visit from someone to dole out would also encourage the young asodad. The Parsis who lived in ParsI Patriots to travel. these outposts once and tended their During the last emergent^ grave sacred fire, have moved either to a injustice was done to patriots like - ' - - request was forwarded to the leaving behind the old and infirm, lai, Mr Soli Sorabjee, Mr Cushrow Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian For years, we have been told that Irani, Mr Minoo Masani, Mr Nani Associations and the executive secre- these agiaries are trust property and Palkhivala and Mr Pilloo Mody. The tary, informs us that the matter is COOL N. PARAKH 'The Pateti Papers' inns of Happiness Though the Panchayat trustees With the increase in the number of sheras (jottings) provided interesting Pajsi travelling salesmen, I believe reading, I think it was not proper to that a list of Parsi dharamshalas in waste so many pages of Parsiana should be made available with (Dec.-Jan. ’77) for the tari mari jetails of addresses, type of accom- (back-biting) of the trustees. H. M. PAVRI Nagpur Z. ZEND injustice was done to patriots like better land or to more lucrative jobs. Dr A. D. Gorwala, Justice Vimada- ¦ ¦ _....................................- lai, Mr Soli Sorabjee, Mr Cushrow Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian For years, we have been told that Irani, Mr Minoo Masani, Mr Nani Associations and the executive secre- these agiaries are trust property and Palkhivala and Mr Pilloo Mody. The tary, informs us that the matter is that their trust deeds may not be leaders of the community should being looked into.is one of the cardinal principles of our faith. The concept of muktad has been instituted to remind the living that if, through the year, they were occupied with mundane affairs, during the muktad, they may think of the souls of the dead. the Yatha Ahu Vairyo charge of high posts m government As for converting to Zoroastrian­ ism the non-Parsi spouse of a of Ashem Parsi, when a person changes his or her religion for the sake of mar- ; how true would he or she be to the religion? About ten years told that there were in Iran name B. S. SURTI Secunderabad , cissy and non-Patil boys, ceiiied only with the living, ai^ not KZ ue, there mention virile.. But ?,^"'^mortality of the soul, of the Avestan Yatha Ahu Vairyo marrymg Zoroastrians, oecaine m a ,--------- - nraver (‘Earn and Learn’, Parsiana, mothers of the topmost officers m Jun-Jul. ’77), which prompts .meto CSara'’pr^'ed by the Ashm and industrial organizations. Vohu and why the two are mva- riably joined together. The true significance i/nhn Self Lovc. But this is in­ complete If one wants to develop riage how true would he or she be Sdf one must go further to to the religion? About ten years Ti^e and again complamte have Ynthn ’ Ahu Vairyo—Universal ago, I was told that there were come up against outmoded Zoroas- L^e to serve humanity is to serve nearly 30,000 persons in Iran trian norms. Time and agam our God ’ But how can you love others who had embraced Islam, in name disgruntled commumty has ex­ it vAu do not love yourself? Self only, to escape persecution but were pressed its dissatisfaction at the Love and Universal Love cannot be following the Zoroastrian religion m existing state of affans. Yet noth- senarated Their combination makes their homes and wanted to be taken i^g has been done to halt the down- itiP whole nerfect the Zoroastnan fold. Young hill march. the wno p • frnm such ^he undersigned, are a group 2_ „ .r- . - ’a movement called ‘Zarthustrians for Vairyo—Universal ago, I was L nearly 30,000 persons love others who had embraced Islam, in their homes and wanted to be taken _ into the Zoroastrian fold. Young hiU march, ladies were converted from such _ __ _ families and knew our prayers and young people eager to sUrt^ customs well. Such cases cannot be ________ compared with people outside Iran Emancipation and Socio-religious nor can such instances be gen- Transformation’ (ZEST) to prevent eralized upon. As for taking child- Zarathustrianism from going into ren of alien marriages into the Zoro- oblivion. We, therefore, propose to astrian fold, it is not the parents of fonn a body with certain feed ob- the children but the grandparents jectives to revitalize our faith: To who are anxious to bring their confirm Zarathustrianism as a re­ grandchildren into the faith. ligion for the whole humanity, not Young people should be encour- confined to any group by virtue of aged to marry early and not resort birth alone or any other extraneous to birth control. We are a micro- consideration—^whosoever wishes to scopic population in the Indo- become a Zarathustrian can be _ _________ _ _ ’ _ ¦ solemnised into our faith; to re- ernment would grudge our non- organize Zarathustrian beliefs and observation of birth control. Most practices on the basis of sincere and youngsters restrict their families for ' economic reasons. Low rent build­ ings with nurseries should be con- SORAB A. K ALY AN 4^ Neo-Parsis Many would like the children ot Parsi mothers and alien fathers to be Parsi after the navjote ceremony. To know how many are involved, a census of such ‘Parsis’ with name, age, sex, father’s religion, etc., should be prepared. In order to verify that such ‘Parsis’ are sincere about conversion and not merely swelling the numbers for the sake of ... .... ----- splitting the Parsi community, eacn sub-continent and no gov- such ‘Parsi’ should have the per­ mission of his/her alien father and Parsi mother who has kept up her Zoroastrian religion and not under- reasons. Low rent build- sophy and'^to indoctrinate our youth gone marriage rites of another reli- nurseries should be con- gion. This could be guaranteed ^^gre working mothers may perform by three Parsi sponsors. - Parsi girls married to aliens be- eminent would grudge our non- i } organize Zarathustrian beliefs and ; * ¦ ' ¦---------- d rational application of Gatha PhUo- into the tenets of our religion; to II ii i i i J ’ long generally, to the upper middle class and are well off. If their T. R. SETHNA Karachi Is This Rite? from viewing the face of the de­ parted and paying their last respects must be done away with. The feed­ ing of birds of prey upon the corpse needs to be replaced by a more humane method. _ __________ ______ Zarathustrian marriage be able to leave their infants when ceremonies for any couple in which they go to work. __________________ either partner is a Zarathustrian; to guarantee equitable treatment to ___ - - children of Parsi mothers and non­ children want to follow the Zoroas- fathers in matters of religion; trian religion, they could afford to Ri+e? any human being be allowed to pay arrange to meet for prayers and dis- s asserted them- homage to the dear departed at our ciission. These New Parsis could community of funeral ceremony and other places show that they can stand on their repulsive rites and customs, of religious worship; to attemp to own two feet. non-Parsis at funerals set up a proper, tramed priesthood K. D. CHARGEMAN system bascd on aptitude, moral calibre and organized trammg and to endeavour to ameliorate the con­ dition of their families. We appeal to every person in­ terested in our objective to join us, contact us (c/o Y. M. Khambatta, Uranwalla Mansion, Near Parel T.T., Bombay 400012), and to aid _ . us. Aee. sex. Qualification, are In Remembrance , ' The criticism that it is a waste of • ____ ____ J to observe the Luuviug XXX muktad days, is based on the mis- Parsi boys conception that our religion is con- Increase and Multiply Persons talking of genetics tend to forget heredity. Our ancestors used to marry amongst near relations and led healthy lives. If urban Parsis today are not very healthy, it is due to their mainly sedentary occupations. Nearly sixty years ago when I was schooling in Bombay, my friends had told me that their time and tnoney and cousins studying in is h ‘posh’ schools thought T— T C. KATRAK Calcutta Age, sex, qualification. Y. M. KHAMBATTA H. J. ROGERS R. D. COMMISSARIAT M. B. IRANI B. M. DESAI 11PEOPLE Irani & Kotval: ‘Great courage under great stress. ’ Palkhivala & Boman-Behram: ‘We like...controversy. ’ argued the Banks Nationalization us Parsis,’ the citation continues, case, the Privy Purses case and send a first-class Parsi as Inc that Zoroastrianism would survive.’ I don’t believe it is destined to die.’ Bom in Bombay on 16th January. 2 "’ Palkhivala ’s contributions as TTie ambassador stated he believed author have also been notable. ' ‘in all religions’ but if given a Law and Practice of Income nations and the Advocate (Original has made a mark ‘in all spheres Side) examination. He was profess- only as a lawyer and industria or of law for several years at the but also in the field of scholars Government Law College in Bom- and culture as an outstanding citi IQn the Side of Truth' His new role may be that of a certain customs were incorporated appointed a member of the F diplomat but Nani Ardeshir Pal- ‘in order to protect ourselves,’ he and Second Law Commissions ' I khivala still believes in speaking his said, adding, that as we lived in a 1955 and 1958 and was elec (A mind. Addressing a large gather- ‘more stable world,’ these customs honorary member of the Acade ing of the community, convened by should change with the times. of Political Science, New York, / the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Speaking on the taboo on accept- recognition of his ‘outstand I Panchayat on 12th September at ing converts to the 2k>roastrian fold, public service and distinguish Patkar Hall to felicitate him on Palkhivala asked, ‘How could he contributions to the advancemen being appointed India’s new ambas- (Zoroaster) have spread his reli- political science.’ sador to the U.S.A., the noted jurist gion if he did not accept converts?’ Palkhivala ’s contributions as decried the bigotry that was debili- 7;_________ _______ J L_ '..ZL—1 ..1,. ' _ ‘ ' tating and dividing the Parsis. ‘We like to have a controversy,’ choice, ‘I would choose Zoroas- has become the standard refere Palkhivala said, ‘but I would like trianism.’ Though the number of book on the subject, and Taxai to see the day when the controversy Parsis was declining, Palkhivala felt in India, The Highest Taxed Neu is over something constructive.’ that Zoroastrianism would survive.’ in the World and Our Constitui Emphasizing that ‘truth is the most I don’t believe it is destined to die.’ Defaced and Defiled are wk difficult thing to come by’ and that Bom in Bombay on 16th January, read. A chairman, vice-chaira ‘none of us is divinely inspired,* he 1920, Palkhivala took an M.A. director and trustee of several C( asked, just because someone differs degree with honours in English and panics, trusts, charitable instituti from us ‘do we tell him he is stood first in both, the LL.B. exami- and social organizations, Palkhh wrong or not a true Zoroastrian?’ Palkhivala noted, ‘An open discus­ sion is necessary if you want to come to the truth. By discussion, the truth gets fortified.’ The only bay and the Tagore Professor of of India,’ reads the citation pres person ‘afraid of discussion’ is the Law at Calcutta University. His ed to him by the president and one who is not on the side of truth.’ legal career includes a series of his- trustees of the Parsi Pancha If that was not sufficiently em- toric cases in India and abroad. He Bombay. ‘Today is a proud day barrassing to the seven B.P.P. trustees seated on the stage, Palkhi- yala also touched on more sensitive, the Fundamental Rights case before ambassador from the largest de: religious issues. Remarking that the Supreme Court and represented cratic nation in the East to the n certain traditions and custonis ‘get India before the Special Tribunal powerful democratic nation in encrusted’ and that ‘the crust often in Geneva against Pakistan ’s claim West, who will seek nothing gets mistaken for the kernel, ’ he to certain territories in Kutch, and himself but give himself to the bemoaned the tendency to some- the World Court in the Hague vice of our nation to foster a • times overemphasize things that upholding India’s ban on Pakistani era of friendship and goodwill are not the essence.’ In the past, over-flights. The eminent jurist was tween our two great countries.’'6- t man when a lo6al board of directors 19th September. He joined The Pressing Honour ‘In the none too distant past, when was formed. He joined The Bharucha has practised for 17 the Emergency was declared in Steaesman, Calcutta as managing years on the Original side of ^e India and pre^ censorship was director in 1968 and has since been High Court, and appeared mainly imposed, the Indian press was put president of the Indian and Eastern in civil and commercial matters. He to the acid test One by one, the Newspaper Society, chairman of the also represented the state of Maha- lights went out in the firmament of Audit Bureau of Circulations, chair- rashtra in contitutional writ matters. Indian journalism. Only a few... man of the Press Trust of India, Bom in Bombay, Bha|ucha was stars continued to illuminate the director of the Press Foundation of educated at St Mary’s School and encircling gloom.’ So read the Asia, Manila and member of the St Xavier’s College. He graduated citation awarded to Cushrow Russy Executive Board of the Inter- in science in 1957 and two years Irani, managing director of the national Press Institute. He has later, in law from the Government prestigious Calcutta English daily, also written Bengal—The Comma- Law College, where he excelled in The Statesman, by the president ^d nist Challenge. inter-university debates. He was members of the Iranian Zoroastrian Irani’s stewardship of The States- enrolled as an advocate of the Anjuman on 25th August at Bom- man during the dark period of the Bombay High Court in 1960 and bay’s Bhulabhai Desai Auditorium. Emergency, won him, in January worked as J. Mistree’s junior in Irani was one of the few news- 1977, the Freedom Award of the Sir Jamshedji Kanga’s chambers. paper publishers to oppose Ms New York-based, civil liberties Indira Gandhi’s attempts at press organization Freedom House, for manipulation. By doing so, he ‘fearless journalism and for uphold- l a niche for himself in_the ing the highest principles of demo- ttuuais ui: juuiua'iLm,’ ixwi-vJ LZ.A. ctacy’ and the Commonwealth Press Union’s coveted Astor Award this June in recognition of his ‘resolute Irani’s stewardship of The States­ man ( jiuaiupu .^A^Mibved annalf? annals of journalism,’ noted I.Z.A. president. Noshir Irani. Jehan Daruwala, editor of The ___ _______ Bombay Samachar, the oldest daily stand over a considerable period of paper in the country, spoke of time for the practice as well as the Irani’s ‘great courage under great principle of Press Freedom.’ stress’ and noted ‘we admire in others what we lack ’; while Naval Tata the noted industrialist, ad- To be appointed judge of the Bom- dressed the gathering saying that bay High Court is always an honour though many may not have come but to be so named at the age of out in opposition to the Emergency, 40 is a rare distinction which has ‘the least we can do is to be asso- been achieved by only three or four dated with such a function.’ Minoo judges. Among them is Sam Piroj Masani, former president of the Bhanich ’K who was sworn in as Swatantra party of which Irani was judge of the Bombay High Court on once joint secretary, spoke of the support Irani received from his wife, Thrity, during a period of ‘constant strain and threats.’ He reminded k the gathering that though the Emer- gency was over, the fight to pre­ serve freedom ‘never finishes’. Irani when talking of his esca­ pades with the erstwhile Congress government said he had ‘a marvel­ lous time’. But quickly added, ‘I wouldn’t want to repeat it.’ In the final analysis, examining his role as an opponent of the dictatorship, he noted there was ‘no alternative but ) to stand up and be counted.’ Raised in Bombay, Irani gradu­ ated from St. Xavier’s College and Government Law College and wrote extensively for newspapers on con­ stitutional and political problems even as a student. After comple­ ting his degree in law however, he branched into insurance, joining the Alliance Assurance Co. Ltd at Cal­ cutta. He served the Sun Alliance Insurance Group successfully as superintendent, assistant manager and manager and was elected chair- Justice BhPrucha Guzder: Cargo agents" chief. «• A Weighty Load 1 I ¦ ¦ .. ¦ Bharacha: Youn^ judge. The Air Cargo Agents Association of ‘ •“ India, an all-India body representing ; IATA and Indian Airlines-approved air cargo agents, elected 32-year-old Cvnis J. Guzder, managing direc­ tor of Airfreight Pvt Ltd and Indtravels, as its president. ' The association aims to promote « the development of exports from India by air as well as more rapid movement of goods within India on Indian Airlines’ services. Guzder s au father Jimmy, is founder present H of Airfreight and one of the founders, I along with other well-known agents, » of the Air Cargo Agents Association ¦ in 1970. _ H After completing 'his schooling, at ¦ the Cathedral and John Connon ¦ School in Bombay, Guzder studied I for his ‘A Levels’ in England and I went on to read Economics and ¦ Oriental Studies at Trinity College, ¦ Cambridge. He entered the family ¦ firm as] a trainee [after returning to India andjis at present, its manag- ing director. s J. VjUAUCI, XXiAUM&xue, of Airfreight Pvt Ltd and < 13i 'i I Insured Success mology of the Howrah General Rusi Daruwalla, managing director Hospital and set up practice in of the General Insurance Corpor- Bombay 18 years ago. He took a ation of India, has been elected post-graduate course in opthalmics president of the Federation of In- at the London School of Optics, fol- surance Institutes for the year 1977- lowing up with specialized training 1978. The Federation, established courses in London in 1967 and 1974. I ¦) j i i < ) 1978. The Federation, established in 1955 in memory of J. C. Setal- vad, is an all-India, professional body devoted to insurance training and education. Fifty-six-year-old Secunderabad-bom E^ruwalla as­ sumes the presidentship of the or­ ganisation after a long career in in­ surance, which began in 1943, when he joined the New India Assurance Co. Ltd. He has also worked with the Life Insurance Corporation and was transferred to the General In- , , surance Corporation in 1973, where formerly chief panthaki at the Tata agiari at Bandra, was felicitated with speeches and presented with nearly 30 of the traditional shawls Kotwal: Wadiaji ’s new High Priest, of honour by H. B. Wadia, manag- ing trustee of the Atash Bahrain recently. A^^ Ph.D. of Bombay Jamshetji Jijeebhoy, and on behalf of theses here and in the West (see dasturs who could not attend as ‘Fmm Heartb Fire to Aeiari. n. 351. well as by those who came for the occasion, from Udvada, Pune and Kotwal’s hometown of Navsari. — .. The office of dastur is usually taxing religious ceremonies. It is •-____ ** •’ ¦ . '¦ ’ combined with his erudition that scholars James Boyd from Colorado, U.S.A, and Professor Mary Boyce of Loudon University consult and collaborate with him. Kotwal has Scholar Priest In a simple ceremony, which included a thanksgiving jashan, 42-year-old Dr Firoz Kotwal was ordained dastur (high priest) of the Wadiaji Atash Bahram, Bombay, on 1 May 1977. Ervad Framroz Antia, the senior boyewala, requested the as­ sembly to join in the Tandarosti prayer for the new dastur and then, officially proclaimed him so. Kotwal, he was appointed managing direc­ tor in 1975. Eyes Right ‘India is not only sufficiently ad­ vanced in the field of contact lenses but we are also one of the cheapest,’ says Dr Rusi N. Dastoor, 2 / of honour by H. B. Wadia, manag- „ „ ' and other trustees including Sir University, Kotwal has published •From Hearth Fire to Agiari’, p. 35). Reared in the priestly tradition, Kotwal has participated in most of our intricate and sometimes, because of this practical experience hereditary, but when no filial suc­ cessor is available, the vacancy is ‘advertised’, according to Kotwal, and applications sought. However, in his case, his name had been suggested to the trustees several years ago. Kotwal succeeds Dasturji also been invited to Harvard which Khurshed Dabu (88), who was ’ ’ his mentor at the M. F. Cama Athornan Madressa at Andheri and whose principal Kotwal was till title, the post of dastur entails being he hopes to visit when suitable arrangements are made. Apart from the honour of the Dastoor: Hard and soft contacts, the noted city optometrist and con­ tact lens specialist. Dastoor was the sole Indian delegate at the Inter­ national Contact Lens Conference at Barcelona, Spain, in April 1977, the American Academy of Opto­ metry Conference at London and the British Contact Lens Associa­ tion Conference at Torquay, U.K., both held in May 1977. At the Barcelona Conference, Dastoor read a paper on the ‘Effec- ; tive Use of Permanent Wear Soft Contact Lenses’. These lenses can be worn for a- continuous period of three months, besides having all the advantages of the normal daily wear soft lenses. But Dastoor does not for- see a soft contact lens revolution in India because of the high costs. Educated at Bombay’s St. Xavier’s School and College, Dastoor quali- ' fied from the College of Opthal- Menon, Bhabha, Nicholson, Husain, Modern Art. V Ji in r. I available to the community for Prelude guidance and counsel, especially In an age on religious matters, says Kotwal. r="— He now lives just behind the Atash ive Bahram in quarters, with his^ wife, Navaz and sons E, Dosu, 4 and daughter, Silloo, 2. Nicholson Museum ‘Our aim was Prince of Wales Museum but to ------ - —r-- -- - • perpetuate and protect the works of organ besides occasionally wielding oumanding contemporary artists,’ r^neated ovations notes Jamshed Bhabha, trustee-in- charge of the National Centre for ------------ .... "l, the Performing Arts which houses attack, but his delicate phrasing, the recently opened Jehangir Nichol­ son Museum of Modern Art. The museum is the first of its kind in the city and has been named after the pianist collector businessman Nicholson who donated Rs 6 lakhs and a part of his modern art collec­ tion to the centre, in a Tpacious, well lit room" and will regular performer ________ of untuned ancestral pfanos, Nauzer Daruwalla ’s impress- :,c concert debut at the Patkar o, vvxvxx XXX. Hall on 30 June 1977, is a testimony Behram, 6 and to the community’s continuing in­ terest in Western classical music. Playing as soloist (piano) with the Bombay School of Music Orchestra uaeu... conducted by Parvez Doctor, 20- not to duplicate the year-old Daruwalla, who also plays ' the violin, harpsichord, viola and ” • 1J —, the baton, received repeated ovations and much critical acclaim. ‘There was a certain lack of energy in hh the lightness of his touch and the beautiful moulding of tone that he displayed marked him out as a ;x.x wx vxiv piuixi... -------- - J 1_ Jehangir would take him far,’ predicted the '"rEi^'lteptao and particularly with the piece and there is an to me cenvrc. accompaniment is ‘his first love \ ^improvement. The gallery is temporarily located he plays the violin rnore often. A in a spacious, well lit room and will regular performer in the Bom- pi be moved to a larger area in the bay Philharmoma and Chamber Teaching and Research Block yet Orchestra and the to be constructed. Strung on the established Professional Chainber walls are the works of more than 20 eminent painters of our time. The 31 — . , canvasses, acquired by Nicholson organisations, and over two decades, have been arrayed by Bal Chhabda, the painter; in some cases, to demonstrate the interaction between older and younger masters. The reported lapses of the collection which includes artists like Souza, a. ixiajv.i, xuxx-ivxxe-** M. F. Husain, Sailoz Mukherjee, He practices for at least an hour Gaitonde, K. K. Hebbar a^ J. every day but, ‘ I always like to Patel and Vivan Sundaram amongst others, will be ‘partly remedied by the Tata collection,’ said Bhabha, pointing to a Gieve Patel canvas decorating his office. ‘We are expect­ ing donations from institutions and private collectors; and we will name rooms after donors,’ he says. Nicholson who is head of one of the oldest firms of cotton brokers, Breul & Co. and a racing car enthu­ siast, ‘has become a central person­ ality in the art world today, like Homi Bhabha in the 50’s,’ notes Kekoo Gandhy of the Chemould Art Gallery who has known the collector for many years. Nicholson who was not available for an interview, ‘has befriended many of the country s great painters. He always had this vision, a sense of responsibility to posterity which is why he gifted his collection to the city,’ says Gandhy. During its brief existence, the museum has already displayed the works ofBritish,Japanese,Italian and puisiic daily from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. XTSshness and charm Daruwalla: ‘Freshness and charm ’. says. ‘That way, I can play around - - - • ‘ 3 room Daruwalla started playing the piano at the age of two and by the time he was six, he was com- recently posing. ‘I still do it but I am very self-conscious about my own coni- positions,’ he reveals. He had his formal training at the piano with __ ___ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ i studying the violin with Silloo Pan- r “find them terribly restricting,’ he elaborates. When he was six and ‘at my forte’ he played before the renowned pianist and authoi Paul Badura-Skoda, who still cor­ responds with him and takes ar interest in his musical career. His Orchestra, he also gives solo per­ formances for schools and private : started J. teaches general Tehmie Gazdar and la-ter staxtea music at the "Children’s Welfare studying the violin with Silloo Pan- Centre in Juhu. ‘I find little kids thakL^ hardly able to read, wanting to start reading music,’ he enthused. Daruwalla is currently prepanng major, full-length piano recital. Gaitonde, K. k. nenoar auu j. every day but, ‘I always like to Sabavala but does not include Gieve be a little less than perfect, he others, “will be ‘partly remedied by the Tata collection,’ said Bhabha, pointing to a Gieve Patel canvas decorating his office. ‘We are expect­ ing donations from institutions and private collectors; and we will name rooms after donors,’ he says. Nicholson who is head of one of the oldest firms of cotton brokers, Breul & Co. and a racing car enthu­ siast, ‘has become a central person­ ality in the art world today, like Homi Bhabha in the 50’s,’ notes Kekoo Gandhy of the Chemould Art Gallery who has known the collector for many years. Nicholson who was not available for an interview, ‘has befriended many of the country s great painters. He always had this vision, a sense of responsibility to posterity which is why he gifted his collection to the city,’ says Gandhy. During its brief existence, the museum has already displayed the American artists. It is open to the a Bamanbehram: ‘Dangerous hobby. ’I 'it'’ • I musical education continued at the photographer feels that they will Hutatma Chowk. Woodstock School in Mussorie where remain of human interest and histori- ‘Whenever anything goes wrong, I he was leader of the orchestra for c ’ ’ - ’ . . ~ . .............. four years. In 1975, he went to their topicality. ‘It’s a dangerous five to seven minutes and I am there Lo nd on to study the piano and hobby,’ says Bamanbehram who within 20 minutes,’ he says. As for violin as a double specialization prefers to plunge amidst the smoke his source of information, it is a at the Royal College of Music, the violin with several orchestras remain of human interest and histori- ___ Z cal worth even after they have lost get to know of it, usually within their topicality. ‘It’s a dangerous *----- -------" ------— • If? e — vxxw ^xM.ij.vz U.1XVI. iiviuMj, oo-jo r>ci.iiiaiiuc?iii seen Trouble Shooter C ’ Splashed on the front pages of the national and local dailies the photo­ graphs of Rashid Bamanbehram have often woken the reader to the realities of urban disaster, from house collapses and fires to riots and airline crashes. Clicked over almost a decade, the pictorial record recently won the photographer a certificate of merit from the Govern­ ment of Maharashtra. The pictures were exhibited'at the ,¦ Manekji Technical Centre in April . this year, and the shutter-happy & 5, I ) I *¦ f- » J >-v « > > *> * '’*51 * 4*1 :» . t JI t , f X If J 4 Muscles Bound He was a 12-year-old weakling who took up body building under doc­ tor’s orders and went on to become Mr India. Jehangir Patwa, who won the coveted title in 1973 and stood second when he had his fourth shot at it in September 1977 at Dar­ jeeling. says. ‘With determination and Wd work anyone, even a T.B. patient can become a body builder.’ Success in a body building contest depends upon muscular develop­ ment. symmetry and proportion of physique, posing ability and spon­ taneity of movement, says Patwa. He trains three hours a day, in­ creased to six before a major con­ test, has a weekly oil massage and follows a carefully-controlled high protein diet. ‘I spent Rs 4,500 on my diet alone in the last three months,’ he said. Thirty-year-old Patwa who works at the Central Bank of India, has played small roles in the films ‘Sanjog’ starring Rekha, and Shakti Samanta’s ‘Great Gambler’ starring Amitabh Bachhan and Zeenat Patwa: ‘I was a weak child. ’ ) Amah, while bigger ro^ axeion^e cards. He has also featured m four interview-demonstrations on tele­ vision and modelled for underwear. A former student of Bombay’s Petit Orphanage, Masters’ Tutorial School and National College, Patwa has won the Mr Bombay (Junior), Mr Bombay (Senior), Mr Maha­ rashtra and Mr Y.M.C.A. titles. After his success in the Mr India 1973 contest, he was chosen to re­ present India at the Mr Asia 1973 body building contest in Kuala Lumpur where he stood eighth. Patwa’s most recent titles are the Maharastra Shree 1977, which he won at Satara in August and the Mr Bombay 1977 won in July. Patwa says that he will probably continue competition-level body budding for two or three more years only. ‘It is strenuous and also very expensive,’ he explains. The government does not help finan­ cially and ‘though the bank helps me during contests, I have to train and keep fit all the year round.’ Match your AMBITION to a CAREER To do SO we offer you : • Diploma Course in Business Management • Banking: C.A.I.i.B. Course (Postal & Oral) • Commerce :G.C.D. Course • Executive Secretarial Cowse • Private Secretarial Course • Telephone Operating • Telephone Operating-cum Receptionist Techniques • Shorthand 0* Typewriting • Punch Operating Enquire at: Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14/Ndnabhoy Lane, Flora Fountain. BOMBAY 400 001. Tel * 251185 ____________ ______________ __________X II ...... — I ZOROASTRIAN FEDERATION THE THIN END The World Congress Detente 1* ' “ * .On fourth September, certain people ... repre­ senting different associations came gress to be postponed or the venue - — t hotel when the money could be put the Congress to be a success be very _ ___ careful (otherwise) ... the damage The convenors tried to book the will not be only to the Con- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Hall and the gress but also the Federation.” ’ Birla Matushree Sabhagar Hall but The delegation which consisted neither of them is, reportedly, avail- of representatives from the Jashan luuia uvwuvu xxxzxw x^x xxll - TL- ____ • Committee and the Athoman resolutions at the tainty as to the venue, reportedly, Mandal also threatened to ‘hold - * ’ ---------------a meeting at Allbless Bang at the time of the Congress. ‘What After weeks of intensive lobbying prestigious Taj Mahal Hotel, the and the Federation.... by both, the orthodoxy and the convenors have stated their inten- r— liberals, to determine the agenda tion to hold it elsewhere since i of the Third World Zxjroastrian several members of the public have to see me ... they w^ted me Con- Congress, compromise prevailed. At raised a hue and cry over spend- ^ess to be^stponed ot the venue a gSerally low-keyed meeting of ing a large amount over a five-star changed. They said. If you want the executive council of the 1 Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian to use for other pxuT^ses.^ Associations of India (F.P.Z.A.I.) held in Poona on 10th and 99 9 1 4 ! it 11th September, the representa- thres of the leading anjumans from all over India decided India decided able for all the days. The uncer- not to pass any Congress and to authorize the chair- 1 man of the various sessions to halt committee at a mating on 3rd Octo- any discussion if disorder occurs or is anticipated. In return, the speak ­ ers would have the right to express their views in their papers without submitting to pre-censorship. A morning and the^worksho^ later, general circular would note that the * opinions stated were those of the individual and not of the Congress or of the Federation. ‘We’ve won the thin end of the wedge,’ confided Delhi Parsi Anju- . , man president, Shiavax Nargolwala solutions to the community s grow- who headed the move for a free mg problems. As B.P.P. trustee, and open Congress; and Bombay Parsi Panchayat president and new Congress’s executive committee, chairman of the Federation, B. K. Boman-Behram, who opposed cer­ tain subjects being discussed at the Congress, expressed his appreciation for the ‘conciliatory attitude’ adopt­ ed by the liberal anjumans. »------- -------- ----- - ------ , , . c j x- x t -n The spirit of accommodation appeared in the Jam-e-Jamshed (the Federation) I will resign, boded well for the troubled Con- claiming that Rs 60,000 had been Referrmg to the ultunatum ser- gress, which is still beseiged with budgeted to feed 100 delegates ved on Boinan-Behram, Nargolwala a host of difficulties. With mount- t----------- ------------------ . . x v , j x- x ing criticism as to the cost, venue were apprehensive Guzder said, (the cntics) hold a and subjects to be discussed at the three and a half day Congress slated for J 5, 6, 7 and 8 January 1978, the functioning of the various com­ mittees appointed to conduct pre­ parations has been severely ham­ pered. The list of speakers, chair­ men and rapporteurs for the six scheduled subjects has been chang­ ing from week to week, as indivi- ----- duals decline the appointment for and so on, were discuss^, the one reason or the o&er. J ' ' the Congress was officially announ­ ced as being held at Bombay’s prompted the Congress’s executive her to consider holding the work- will be the position of the Bombay shops immediately following the and Surat panchayats if a parallel speakers on a particular subject, meeting is held?’ asked Boman- rather than hold the talks in the Behram. ‘If the Federation pushes us to the extreme ... we (the B.P.P.) _____________________ will have to (re)consjder our posi- before the Congress, the state of tion.’ Boman-Behrani charged that witlf resolutions and have instead ‘a ______________ ____ wide ranging discussion’ was ‘mali- tive forum to discuss and suggest ciously made.... We don’t know what he wants to discuss.’ xxxo _____ _____ ____ - Behram Sidhwa, president of the Jamshed Guzder who chairs the Bangalore Parsi Zoroastrian Anju- Congress’s executive committee, man noted that similar misgivings told the F.P.Z,A.I. executive coun- had been voiced in Bangalore, with cil in Poona, people had been asking demands that the anjuman withdraw ‘why hold a congress and collect from the Federation. Sidhwa told three lakhs (of rupees)?’ Stating it the critics ‘the Federation is jffie was ‘the press’s prerogative to exag­ gerate,’ Guzder cited a letter that With less than three months to go flux has already undermined public N^golwala’s proposal to do away confidence in the meet and weaken ­ ed its chances of serving as an effec- executive told the F.P.Z.A.I. executive coun- ‘why hold a congress and collect from the Federation. claiming that Rs 60,000 had been great hope of this community. The day you decide we have to leave breakfast: Even Zoroastrians abroad counsell^ ‘let’s have courage. Let were apprehensive Guzder said, (the critics) hold a meeting at asking if the Congress was going Allbless Bang. We are only asking to be merely ‘a Parsi Zoroastrian for a discussion.’ He noted that all or a Zoroastrian Congress.’ points of view were already being Boman-Behram warned the Fed- propagated in the press but ‘when eration’s executive council that if we want to discuss it (in a meeting), ‘touchy’ subjects such as the status they object’ of the children of Parsi women ” ” ' marrying non-Parsis, de^* after the gah-sama ceremony munity, but Nargolwala argued ¦ ‘ it was begun by the orthodox and X.XVXXX.XXX..X _ ________ _________ I’y former justice and new B.P.P. ffiat the Bombay Parsi Panchayat trustee, Jal Vimadalal, in parti- . — J!— xL. ----------- ‘The controversy started in ___/ ‘ , conversion, non-Parsis viewing the face of the Boman-Behram contended the controversy was started by the ‘anti-orthodox* section of the com- Though orthodox Parsis were ‘unanimous... should withdraw from the Congress cular.2* » » CM __ __________ at 4;-^ fej^“to"^rint"ffie other (libewfl) the Ctrngress? If the price we have t I 5 I i the Jam-e-Jamshed.. pc^ of view. They have the right to pay (to hold a Congress) is only to do so. Let the other papers write one point of view, let it be a failure. Boman-Behram stated there were It t > * M M ? «» «>? to do so. Let the other pap^s write (what they wish).’ --------- Dinshaw Irani, vice-president of more important issues to be ais- j the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman, cussed such as the declining popula- f claimed the controversy began at tion and the economic health of the f the F.P.Z.A.L executive council community. ‘A few Parsi gnls t meeting in Bombay on 2nd April, marrying out of the community, i t ‘by you (Nargolwala) Sir, person- don’t consider that a burning prob- i ally.... The Bombay Samachar and lem.’ Mistry contended that the X the Kaiser-E-Hind are the mischief problem of inter-community mar- I mongers. (After them) the Jam-e- riages should be looked at from the f Jamshed took it up.’ wider perspective of declining num- | B.P.P. trustee, Eruch Desai, noted bers and the state of the economy, t the purpose of the Congress was Boman-Behram felt the matter 4 to ‘bring about solidarity.... Why should be left to the discretion of X do you want the Congress to serve the executive committee of the j as a forum when there are other Congress. But Nargolwala asserted avenues to ventilate points of that the committee had to function view... Boman Behram is the right within the guidelines set by the man to know the pulse of the com­ munity. .. why break (up) the Con- Mistry noted that the theme of the gested a compromise whereby the Congress, ‘The Zoroastrian Com- chairman of a particular subject munity in a Changing World’ sug- would take a concensus of the gested ‘changes taking place today audience to see if a particular sub- the executive committee of the -» - • Federation’s executive council. ____ ................. Ratan Marshall, special officer of ;; gress?’ Delhi Anjuman trustee, Dadi the Surat Parsi PanchayaL sug- ;; * ‘ JEENA&COMPANY (ESTD. 1900) IATA AIR CARGO CLEARING, FORWARDING WAREHOUSING AND INSURANCE AGENTS 10, VEER NARIMAN ROAD FORT, BOMBAY-400 001 Cable ; Justitia’ Telex : 2313 PHONE ; 312032 < k « * * ' « • gCblCU piavv VWV8U.J auuivuvv tv uwv ** -------- ' should be discussed. The Congress ject should be discussed. Nargolwala ¦; is aimed at ... future generations welcomed Marshall’s suggestion but ;; _ — zx«*t o-r*_12akrotn tpnnp/1 li* ItTlT^ra-C" ’ * Boman-Behram termed it ‘imprac­ tical ... (the chairman) should have Nargolwala argued that no chair- j ¦1 ... let us have a healthy discussion, let us listen to all.’ __ . . , Dr Sarosh Anklesaria, president the inherent right to stop discussion, of the Abmedabad Parsi Panchayat Nargolwala argued that no chair- noted the Federation had a ‘Parsi man of any committee was given Zoroastrian constitution and not a Zoroastrian constitution’ and felt that controversial issues could be - * « » i ‘Zoroaster told his daugh- discussion arbitrarily. There would be an uproar if it were so.’ ‘Because,’ retorted Nargolwala, ‘you are under pressure from the 4 the authority to stop a discussion arbitrarily. He could only do so if _ ___ _ ___ _ _ ____ there was disorder. Boman-Behram discussed in small workshops so that noted he had more experience in everyone could have their say but conducting meetings and asked the time of the general assembly Nargolwala pointedly why he as- should not be spent discussing such sumed the chairman ‘would stop matters. ‘______ _ ' ’ ter to marry someone who follows my religion,’ he said, ‘if for 1,000 years we have kept certain tradi­ tions, let them change by evolution, Jashan Committee.’ not by revolution.’ And Ervad Hormazd Pavri, Honorary Secre­ tary of the Nagpur Kampte Parsi broke up, other important matters Anjuman warned that if children of Parsi women who married non­ Parsis were taken into the com­ munity, it would spell disaster and the jissue should not be discussed. ‘TTie dasturji is entitled to his Branches : E. Merc House 19/B, Shakespeare Sarani (Formerly Theatre Road) CALCUTTA-16 PHONE : 444711 • ? •• • - » < * Marshall again advocated a com­ promise, noting that if the Congress that need to be tackled would also suffer. It was then agreed that the chairmen would have the authority to stop any discussion ‘which creates or which he anticipates will create disorder’ and the ‘paper writer ;: « * views,’ Nargolwala said. ‘But why would be allowed to write his :: Jeena House 50, Han u man Road Connaught Circus new DELHI PHONE : 310821 • » - ? should this stop discussion?... I views.’ There would be no censor- disagree with Erach Desai. If this ship but the speaker should keep in (the Congress) is not a forum, what mind the sensibilities of the com- is?... If a free and frank discM§^ munity when formulating his paper, sion is not permitted, we will not oJorht nf (ay attend the Congress.... The presi­ dent (Boman-Behram) has allowed a free and frank discussion (here at in January. «1. « * ‘I think we are in sight of (a) solution,’ noted Desai. HOw success­ ful a solution it is will be determined « * Spencers Building 153, Mount Road ' MADRAS 600 002 CABLE : “SEAIRJENA” TELEPHONE : 811454 « * * * AKil i iTtiin****-*"'' ¦“*****^’ 25.%¦ ¦ ¦ J.- J PARDESI PARSIS An Interview with Jamshed Pavri I Cy C Jamshed Pavri loft India as a treal, I, in Vauc( uver. We send out and"has spent most circulars and newsletters. An of the years since then, resid- seas Parsi, sonehow, has greater **19 abroad. First, as a resident knowledge of lis ances,tors and u? Kong ajid '^hen, Jia- history, and prol >ably knows a little “ "”""*** more about his religion than the the ways of the expatriate average Parsi in Bombay. of the years since then, resid- over- (C( L' C 1 V 1M.I If nada, he observed and studied the wavs of ths ayna+ria+A Zoroastrian and became one of I few chroniclers of the con- I munity overseas. Through his over^as ^d t^ periodic newsletters and nu ­ merous letters, he serves as a link between Zoroastrians in - ¦* . India and their brethren over- An OVCVSCSS PSITSi seas. He published the first fcas vreater knnw. directory of Zoroastrians over- *** grcaicr KuOW^ J iNinorary secretary of the Zoroastrian Association of British Columbia, he has done much to present the best image of the Zoroastrians to Canada Pavri: Naturally. What separates and the West. Zoroastrians overseas from Indian In 1975 at the age of 58,'Pavri Parsis, is that those overseas are suffered five heart-attacks fmore outward looking and more which, as he notes, loft him {japen minded. *^’®®bled person'. However, For instance, I was invited to his disability did not prevent attend the executive committee him from visiting India this meeting of the third Zoroastrian J"*®*’- World Congress which is to take people, must have gone and settled viewed the forthright and can- place in January,’78. The members ’ «« did community member. of the executive committee said that came to Sanjan, they must have u J rr would not discuss certain con- made rules and regulations to enable rarsiana: How do Zoroastrians troversial subjects; if they will not us to maintain our identity, other- overseas VWW themselves? discuss these now, they are only wise, we would have disintegrated Favri: When a Parsi goes overseas putting off the fateful day. In 1964. ' - ¦ - _ __..... . 1. . . • . . ... . contact with, T am a Parsi, I am Congress, ! J. rr------ X . . .. ____ ____ ^ows > about himself. Something implemented. Now, thirteen years more about hii religion than the Parsiana: Do you feel there is a ose in India? temporary history of the corn- widening gap b jtween Zoroastrians seas in the mid-60's and as ledse Of hiS aflCgfr* tors and history Zoroastrian k: s si o o •o o in various places abroad. When they came to Sanjan, they must have . XU , „ - ..---------.—- —J —— us to maintain our identity, other- overseas vww themselves? discuss these now, they are only wise, we would have disintegrated u Parsi goes overse^ putting off the fateful day. In 1964, like the rest who went elsewhere, he will say to anyone he comes in at the second World Zoroastrian But now, some changes have got to contact with, I am a Parsi, I am Congress, sumv icsuiuu a Zoroastrian,’ but that is all he also passed but nothing toows ) about himself. Something implemented. Now, thirteen years him, that he later, they will meet again, a few people of his own community and but I don’t know how much progress sends home for books, to read what will be made. he can about the subject. 7.^, At the s^e time, there a.re many reform and redefine the religion, piooaoiy au ena up ngnung. y^e r!*i K trying to create a Religion is not a commodity which might disintegrate tlus way but little homogeneity and understanding can be amended according to the there is a possibility also that we amongst our community. Mr Minoo whims and fancies of any individual; might preserve ourselves. Per- rreasur ywal a conducts lustory and the customs and rituals which were haps, the religion as practised today rchgioiH classes in Toronto, Dr added later, can be. Our ancestors, in India, and in Bombay in pfffti- Jeban Bagli does the same in Mon- at the time of the dispersal of our cular. has also become so diluted >ud World Zoroastrian But now, some changes have got to some resolutions were be made Ito hold the community I but nothing was ever members together. There must be " ' ¦' 5 i - . . prompts Him, that he later, they will meet again, a few seems to be lacking in India, shouldknowmore. He starts meeting more resolutions might be passed, //The bond that holds the commn. oeoDle of his own nnmmnnifv an,i T 1—----- 1.-------- members ovcrscas together is our freedom of thought. If we were We, in Canada, are not trying to as dogmatic as people here we would c. J -.j-c Xi-- —i.-i—probably all end up fighting. We some cementing force, but that added later, can be. Our ancestors, in India, and in Bombay in parti- at the time of the dispersal of our cular, has also become so dUutedthat the original message of .the Prophet is probably all lost, Parsiana: Why do you use the term ‘community members’? Pavri: It is my own term, others may call themselves Parsis or Zar- thostis. But according to me, the tions or societies which claim t( be an anjuman type body such at the London anjuman, require s membership fee. The prayers were taught by the Jap­ anese mother and not by the Parsi father J aswem voHU... Now, last year, Dr Shirin Ku tar, th« president of the Zoroastrian Associa' tion of Europe, made a person^ appeal, directed particularly towards the life members from whom fees are no longer due, to contribute at least towards the maintenance of the Zoroastrian House. All she received was £202 towards the annual deficit of £500-600! Two years ago, a washroom was required at the Parsi cemetery of London at Brookwoodj and the local Parsis could not even raise money to provide that; £1,500 were given by Arbab Rustam Guiv from Iran. There are 4000-5000 Zarthostis or Parsis in London lo­ right definition should only be ‘community members’, because overseas, every third marriage is a mixed marriage, so the spouse is neither a Parsi nor a Zarthosti. The < term ‘community member ’ is a very appropriate term/1 have found that ¦ TAiy n-Zarthosti a Japanese lady. Last day, yet people from outside provide money for them. J In British Columbia, we are abou| 120 or so including children. Thera is no membership fee for the ZoroasJ trian Society of British ColumbiJ and even with this small number wl anjuman in Taiwan is called the have an asset of $15,000, raised Zarthosti Anjuman of Tehran. only from voluntary contribution^ That means that the and everyone — _______________ _ ~ ¦ tion or dinner has ended in a loss, 'If a family with two or three children :omcs, they do not pay $5 and walfc neither a Parsi nor a Zarthosti. The term ‘community m< appropriate term^I j the non-Parsis 'or spouses take greater interest in our t activities than community members J who are supposed to be Zarthostis and Parsisy In Vancouver, a Parsi is married ifo a Japanese lady Last Parsiana: .xua. year we performed the Navjote facilities are for all Zoroastrians ? ceremony of Aeir dau^ter and /Pavri: Of course. We perform tht the prayers v ere taught to navjote of a child irrespective oi daughter by her Japanese mother - - - and not by her Parsi father. When I went to Toronto, I saw Mrs Jam­ shed Mavalwala, a Canadian, take All our functions are entirely frea and everyone is welcome. No func^ whether the parents are non-Parsis^away. They give $15 or $20, whic^ or Zoroastrians; to us it is imma- '¦ ----- —j - terial. We also have a burial them. That is why we have mor^ IS more than what we spend my house I say the prayers for / everyone. I think it is my duty t<^f Parsiana: Do you feel there are sufficient funds for the activities of the overseas associations? snea jviavajwaia, a Canadian, take ground though only used twice so harmony and understanding amongst intCTest in issiung name yyg perform the muktad our community. j cards and invitations and running ceremony, but we lacked all the Even other anjumans in India don’t around everywhere. In Toronto, r _ j .. _ ,________ ,______ _______,______c.... rr^— 'TV * > T xz 1 • laviJiuvo ov uic itavv uxvuiuvioxixp xwa. xxxkzj cuu Dara Dastur s wife, a y^goslavian, came to our rescue and we had it pure anjuman type bodies. You may took more interest in the Zoroastrian parfrirtnAH Rut -fnr in dnvs inY,.hsivf» O cnniQl Cpt.nn nn wbinti vmt Fraternity than Dara did. In Van- ' couver, Viloo Irani’s Muslim hus- , band, Abdul Sheik, always takes greater interest than most of us at ¦ our functions. The honorary secre- , tary of the Zoroastrian Association ' of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, is of Italian origin. He says, ‘I am proud to be the hono- _ - - , - rary secretary and proud that my IS VCfy ffOUgU wife is a Parsi.’ ovcr there. There Has the term, Parsi, Sre HO ^Oyuhs ’y llOyS> butlers or cooks ceremony, but we lacked all the ] _ facilities so the London anjuman have membership fees. They ar^ performed there. But for 10 days in J^have a social set-up on which you ej Parsiana : ] been dropped overseas? Pavri : Except in Malaya and Hong Kong. The name of the Hong Kong anjuman is the Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman of Hong Kong, Canton Pavri: Well, I belong to a different and Macao and in 1952 in Malaya, school of thought. All anjumans as fj they formed the Parsi Zoroastrian bodies, I feel, could never have a Association of Malaya. In Ceylon membership fee. Anjumans are living too, perhaps, they use that word, bodies. The assets belonging to the » In England, Montreal, Toronto, anjuman type body, belong to the Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles entire community. As long as there and Chicago, they are all Zoroastrian is one Zarthosti or Parsi alive, this « associations or societies. Even our anjuman continues. Some associa- 0 too, perhaps, they use that word, bodies. The assets belonging to the Vancouver, New York, JLos Angeles entire community. As long as there•• 'i Aii 5 . .... 'e around $4000-50()0 a year, only way to do sods to communicate I * rules, S Z»o.”s=d“lS«; feefc Irat m an mvumm, where the We is rou^ OTm ruere sent te various overseas entire conunumty s matters a _ T,rZ.ticallv imnossible even for bodies, anjumans, associations or ' X ***• • •- indifference of the London Parsis. . Whv do you feel that the community or 12 times a year in London has become lethargic ? c-— Pavri: It is not a question of year is^a^lot ot money^ lethargy. When numbers increase, I. naturally, there are many more me factions. J a meet every fortnight which is unlike- regularly You have to create and : v„u have — .Ke -X. ___ ij 'rto'pfmi-nQtinn I t J I ¦ it would be you expect participation.’ crowded, but just for that, $5000 a ., .... ¦ar IS a ioi uf muuv,. PaTSiana: Is there any possibility in 1968, a Zarthosti of Iran told of a federated body of all the that he was prepared to give anjwnans of North America _^ing erect the first fire temple formed Jike the Federatmn of Parsi „„ ____ ; Sooner or later in the Lmuvo^vxv US to foreseeable future, perhaps even in fire temple. Take the my own lifetime, it is my hope to Tn London the annual $50,000 to erect the first fire temple tormed. iiKe tne r eaerauuu u r. cnmniunitv but they cannot vote if practically impossible tor 3' I 128 in number, and very prosperous; America. But I don t know whether there are even four crorepatis among our laws would permit it because them They have a resident mobed after all, Canada and America are , sOkab and they have a Zoroastrian two separate countries. There is a House but even they refused to have good possibility though, of a F^era- an agiari there. The primary reason would be that it would create more ' problems than it would solve. ¦WJB.w/i tion being formed if not of North America, at least of Canada, be­ cause we remain in personal contact with each other. In 1975, the Toronto Zoroastrian Association organized a symposium. It was an effort to bring the Parsis of North America to­ gether. Six or seven came from New ,---- - York, one or two from Chicago, I windows, he would too was requested to come and three Av V _ or four came from Montreal. We Still make muctl more discussed quite a bit, it was all tape recorded and they were going to send out reports. Recently, I received a The first problem would be, who letter saying we were going to meet will be allowed to come, who will in Chicago in May. We meet like not be? Who is a Zoroastrian, who this every alternate year but then, a Parsi? In Iran, today, fire temples we should follow it up. are open to everyone. In Kerman, „ , . the Shahbanu was there when the Pareiana: Do you feel toada is new fire temple was opened. In still a land of opportunity today Yazd, Amir Taheri, a well-known for emigrating Parsis? . journalist, visited each and every Pavri: It depends If a Parsi in fire temple of ours in the company India earns Rs ^-500 a month of his Zarthosti friends. In that way, ^en he loses no?’”® they are more enlightened than we Even serving as a janitor or cleaning who are in good standing may 1 , . vote. And another thing, they can are here, in India, accommodate only 200 people at the most at a ------- -- ----- Navroz function, so it is on a first- come-first-served basis. Par^ana: What are the prospects every 1- __ ... . ¦ House which is to be established ? iVe teZle of ours foThe company India earns Rs 4^-500 a month _ . __r ¦. .ZB « 4 •r j 1 _x_ -__ - xIa X.BM I. xa. Ix.xzi^c' *3rt+r*lTlO hV TO Canada, ^atever he does there, even serving as a janitor or cleaning windows, he would still make much more than he does here. For the B, -- ____ " •• hivolved ha7dship7 but"' eventually he will ic, not settle down and be more or less for the happy. But if he is an executive rnuvuayav hxuovwo. . here, he may have to start at a Pavri : I respect the Bombay Parsi lower level in Canada and that may * A • XB . xi ________ X I-Iaxa T+ io oiTf K A«A tn CAA Alir P.,e,Z or i^not'X." toicorTpfe of year, he will undergo because people are not i- sufficiently? For example, ---- Parsi can vote f- fo7”the New*’York 'zoroastrian Panchayat trustees. pS " GuF; hS’’“? fte ?:SayaFi?rhl 'de' 7ae7u"“mG.te; up,e. him I. i, our hope to see om mnnev for the Zoroastrian House body of Parsis everywhere. Unfor- community members come there and bS Sokfng affeHHs nTgoing to tunately, it has become very archaic prosper, though not everyone who be easv In and th? system of election is not comes tti^ere is very . successf^ getting the choicest abandoned chur- very democratic. WhoevCT is elect^ AdX^Illa^went i * I house, which presumably, had the andjhis family. There was no 1 necessary well and garden plot, in this dar-i mihr, and Shapur mi Later, as in Navsari, portions of have continued the custom of taki ¦ — embers there from his hearth i next door. In about 1680 anotl from the Vadi Dar-i Mihr by calling the Atash Bahram, atash-ni agiari, ‘the agiari with fire’. , _ There is a tradition of a similar lost, and the practice continued dar-i mihr at Broach, another place down into better-known times. Thus, in about 1660, the Parsis of Bulsar, a small port, persuaded the Navsari centres, although the records are of early Parsi settlement. There, ----------- --------------- .. ----- — , , - the Bharucha mobeds ssy that a in about 1660, the Parsis of Bulsar, behdin who rebuilt it, however, m£ dar-i mihr was established when the a small port, persuaded the Navsari an endowment for keeping a lai first priests came there—probably anjuman to send a priest, Shapur burning there through the hoi late in the twelfth century. This Rana, to live among them and of darkness. old dar-i mihr, it is said, was under- ‘do for them the works of religion’. Well before this, the establishm' ground, with a small dwelling above it for a priest and his family. The pavis were in the underground area. Rana, to live among them and of darkness. ‘do for them the works of religion’. , There were then, 26 Parsi house- of lesser sacred fires had bej holds in Bulsar; they made an ' ’ agiari near the town gate and the late Mota Shapur Agiari, Bolsar: Embers from hearth fire next door. elsewhere. It seems likely that w] was a new development for i Parsis was stimulated by grea contact with the Zoroastrians Iran from the late fifteei century onwards. The Iranis had two kinds lesser fires; one was the dadg a fire in an appointed place. 7 temple dadgah fire is not different character from the pure hearth £ In origin, it is a single fire; ritu may be performed at it, and it n be tended at need by a laym but because it is installed in consecrated building, its purity strictly safeguarded. The other lesser fire, the adat although much below the At Bahram in dignity, is neverthe' alike in character, since it is c secrated through bringing toget and purifying a number of ordin fires. It too, must be enthroi in a special chamber, and may approached only by priests; s no rituals may be performed its presence except those devc to itself. The founding and mj tenance of an adaran is there! costly, though much less so ti that of an Atash Bahram since service is in every way on a m modest scale. The Iranis, in their letters the Parsis, strongly urged tl to follow their own practice i establish Atash adarans where there were ten or more Zoroasti households. This urging came w the Parsis were in a position respond to it, for by the seventee century, the community had be, to prosper generally. There : been wealthy Parsi individuals fore this time, but evidently, needed stimulus from outside make the Parsis think of breal with their own long establis tradition by founding lesser ten fires. Another factor suggested, k ing them to do so in the end. Ii r ’'K'* ' J V' -1» 1 s f « I that as tSey, in about There Sdt|hftSS£^to 1^: bSSo^^Sdtw^W^ then honaes w ’ ,ShX Sni daZ-i precinct even laU « to nm^ Wth. It therefore, becme more tot is, literally a ‘dar-t mihr desirable to haw temple fires bum- 0,4, of 4,5 more populous places. But graduaUy, mg in strict seclusion, before which - ^on of *r-i Sr usually as to niSnber of temple fires increas- ’’^ereS’toortuSteiy, no evidence totinguish between three types of ed, village to^Ssr^^^an^- Where to f—-s: to simpU^^r^^^ SSVw^^se’&r^ able to employ Hindu s^^rots, by Mody I in about There we such secure d^skable to^have temple fires bum- of adaran'. ing in strict seclusion, before which After this time, prayers could be said, to estabUsh ------ — first Parsi Atash adaran was in­ stalled. The strong probability is ni dar-i mihr; that, it was in Surat, early in the dar-i mihr. SS^thrc«ote "^Xe'SJXavillage iiWISSsiSSg •¦tSigSSSBIB Beve CSe 3sir£-«&~' s'-viajss sfezas" aes-ss sesas's set ill.their walb, and so aU records 4oe of S^gSnd or dmed chamber to Slj,;aa= era-iss S.SX>-,S-£S,= easS-S S’lSSSXESS ??a?==f=iffi a=£S-n.“.s;^.= A second adaran oi Parsi bay in about 1735. The need for such and the adaran-ni establish dar-i mihrs of their own such initial efforts often attracting, in consecrated the end, the help of warm hearted A good example is Tavdi, a village ano several raisi mcBocugviQ vw ------------7, =¦ Irani Zoroastrians sailed from there, wards, as they had still The Parsis of Surat had therefore, Surat, but now lived much more v oldest adaran of Surat, of establishing lesser fires spread - two directions. One, was to new A taa “privaU c«.«,es in Gjjjera., “ jJJrTXie” • BSssssLsjk W ”mVX'^viU^ge ***“ were puUed down and a new to be that of Siganpur, not far from oth bv the worl buiWwas put up to SS'?f““wairwJo oflfedKnSoS^and by th^ Parsis had no tradition of outward wealthy and being deeply pious he fifteenth cen^t ^^y display in their sacred buildings, founded this adaran for they had lived for many genera- ,« i,.« tions under Mushm rule, which made any ostentation in such mat- i^keep ters imprudent. *’ “ Better records are preserved about - --------------, i St^vXp’TM of Surat in the late seventeenth adaran-m dar-i mihr in - «pS'‘of^be’'SS'"by fte flreh /^^dM iiividuaUy by ft iSSnSgrfto SneteeothceZttry. chant instaU^ an in to oM md ^.ves .ts sepamte »ha The first ’ I dri’yers, for instance, make Rs 90 « a day*. What is basically wrong with Parsi youth today, particularly boys,’ says Vimadalal who has two daughters, ‘is that they do not put in the hard work that is necessary ¦ in the present highly competitive ¦ times.’ Vimadalal concedes that the ¦ shortage in housing does not help ¦ towards a Parsi population explo- K sion. ‘Some fresh thinking needs to S be done by our charitable institu- W tions,’ says the new trustee of the 1 panchayat which has 4,724 appli- £ cants on its waiting list ‘clamouring fl for accommodation,’ according to fl the pane hay al’s officials. fl Vimadalal also blames the parents who send their children overseas for education at too young an age. ‘The parents must realize that at the latest, their descendants in the ¦ Vimadalal: ‘Meaningless Controversies ’ third generation will cease to be in the country in which their child has settled.... Economic advantage is z ifo#alf az*fiiallTr o the country in which their child has itself actually a doubtful proposi­ tion having regard to the enormous cost of living in those countries. But... in any event, there are finer things in life than money.’ In this sphere, Vimadalal fully endorses using more modem methods. ‘In order to fortify their faith in our religion, it is imperative to impress on the younger gener­ ation, its pristine purity.’ Vimadalal, who was born and lived in Navsari till the age of nine, blesses to this day his religious mentor who taught him how to pronounce his prayers to derive utmost satisfaction from them. That is why he advocates that tape recordings of correctly intoned daily prayers be available on hire for the use of especially, pTQ-navjote children. He also elabo­ rates on ‘the preparation of corres­ pondence courses for religious in­ struction which would be invaluable in the case of the children of Zoroastrians resident abroad.’ Vimadalal envisages the course in three parts, pre-navfote, post-navfoZg and navar-maratab. VimadalaTs own secular educa­ tion was at the Cathedral and the Bharda New High schools in Bom­ bay. He graduated from Elphinstone not be more than 10 or 15 cases in which alien fathers married to Parsi women would be prepared to have their children brought up as Zoro­ astrian,’ he had said in his speech to the Bangalore Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman in July. Neither does he think that a referendum could be held before the Congress to gauge the true view-points of the commu­ nity as there is no official up-to-date census on the Parsis. ‘There are more important prob­ lems to be dealt with,’ he empha­ sizes. ‘The main problems,’ as he had delineated in his speech to the Second Zonal Conference of the Federation in Secunderabad earlier this year, ‘are economic, educational, religious, the diminution of popula­ tion and inter-marriage.’ The diminution in the population, Vimadalal attributes mainly to the poor economic condition of many Parsis today. ‘Do you know, there - - -------------- -—- ---------------J, ---------- ..I that the trusts cannot be changed so hutments?’ he declares. ‘We should easily without a test case. Besides, resort to small businesses and small- _ .j . ¦ .j,............r. ‘I venture to state that there would scale industries,’ he suggests. ‘Taxi College and the Government Law e ±uuugu lie uipiuuiauuctiiy ana re- peatedly fended off queries, when interviewed at his residence, on his role in the panchayat with ‘It is too early to tell,’ Vimadalal spoke can­ didly on the forthcoming 3rd World Zoroastrian Congress to whose executive committee and sub­ jects committee he belongs. On the so-called controversial topics regarding the admission into the Zoroastrian fold of the children of Parsi mothers by alien fathers, and their being entitled to the benefits of our religious and charitable trusts: ‘These are mean­ ingless controversies which will do more harm than good,’ suggesting that these topics might well pro­ voke violence at the meeting. Asa legal man, he feels, ‘The matter is _______________________ concluded by legal decisions,’ and are some Parsis today, who live in easily without a test case. Besides, residentft ! 1 * f I For food for thought, Vimadalal includes many llm-e-Kshnoom and Theosophy. Vimadalal, who is the son of the College with the B.A. and LL.B, out, “I have had the privilege of degrees. His early training was in hav^ been a judge at a VQpf the chambers of Sir Noshirwan critical period in our nation’s his- Pngineer and Sir Jamshedji Kanga, tory... it is an “open secret’’ that both former Advocate Generals of my being sent here was in the nature Bombay. He practised at the bar of a punishment, but it has been a for over 18 years, mostly on the very pleasant punishment, indeed.’ Original side of the Bombay High Back in Bombay, Vimadalal finds Court. A part-time professor at the time and energy at 62 to keep up Sydenham and Government Law with tennis which he plays every colleges, Vimadalal has authored a morning, except Sundays. Apart book for students on the Law of from the honour of having partnered Negotiable Instruments, and was the late Jimmy Mehta in that game, chairman of the Board of he has excelled even further in bad- Examiners for the LL.B. exami- minton and was once Western India nation of Bombay University. In Champion and the AU-India Cham- 1958, he was appointed judge of pion (Doubles). Vimadalal alsoprac- the Bombay City Civil and Sessions tises vegetarianism. ‘You have to Court and in 1963, principal judge draw, what I call “the line of crude- of that court. He was appointed a ness” somewhere,’ he explains. How- judge of the High Court of Bombay ever, he now includes fish and- eggs in 1967. Vimadalal has served as in his diet which were prescribed president of the boards of appeal him when he developed protein constituted under the Bombay deficiency. Town Planning Act, as a one-man ~ commission which inquired into the resorts to essays and poetry. ‘As a stowaway incident at Santa Cruz judge, I have come across plenty airport, Bombay, in 1973 and was of drama in real life,’ he says to again appointed one-man commis- explain his preference for non- sion to inquire into certain charges fiction. His varied collection of against the Chief Minister and some books, which he has methodically ministers of Andhra Pradesh, earlier catalogued, includes many on in May this year. ‘ On 24th June last year, Vimada­ lal was transferred to Hyderabad late Rustomji and nephew of the as judge of the Andhra Pradesh late Jehangirji Vimadalal, both keen High Court, just eight months be- exponents of their religion, has him- fore his retirement from the Bom- self authored What Every Parsi bay High Court was due, where Should Know, published by the he was fourth in line of sue- Jashan Committee which was found- cession as Chief Justice. This, for ed by his illustrious uncle. The new rankling the powers that were, trustee has also compiled A Book during the Emergency. ‘Even though oj Daily Prayers {Zoroastrian) with the coming in of new judges to this the substance in English and ex- High Court by transfer was not new, planalory notes, written during the transfer of nearly 16 judges of vacations and culled from various the various High Courts in May translations, mainly, Kanga’s. It is ’76 has been received with mixed his contribution for those who ‘make reactions throughout the country,’ an honest attempt to know their the President of the Andhra Pradesh own religion’. He likes to recount Advocates’ Association said in the how an old childhood friend, an farewell address given to the ‘fear- ardent supporter of Moral Re-Arma- less champion of the cause of lib- ment, sent him literature on the erty and justice.’ Vimadalal protest- movement asking for his views ed against the maltreatment of politi- on it. Vimadalal says he appraised cal prisoners under the infamous it carefully and acknowledged that MISA (Maintenance of Internal it was all very good, but continued Security Act), the detentions leav- equanimously, that had she cared to ing, he had said, ‘no room for doubt know anything of her own religion, that they do not observe the object she would have discovered nothing of the act,’ as political prisoners in the movement which could not were being ‘punished for improved be found in Zoroastrianism. ‘She acts* and treated like ordinary con- had no answer to give me,’ Vima- victs. Replying to the farewell dalal concludes, ‘she only gave me address by the Advocate General of a disapproving look, and gave me Andhra lYadesh, Vimadalal pointed up as a bad job.’ BOYS* TOWN Public School Nasik 2 CHOICE SCHOOLING FOR YOUR SON Recognised as a Public School by Department of Education —for Merit Scholars. Excellent Climate cation : Indian -All-round Edu- All Academic Subjects — Technical Subjects : Radio and Wood-Work Tech ­ nology, Farming —Training in Self-Government through Elected Boys* Office-bearers, Games — Physical Training —Daily Assembly with Congre ­ gational Prayers —Weekly intensive Geeta —Koran Excellent Modem Kitchen and Dining Room facilities —Airy Dormitories. Mode­ rate Fees. Concessions to Deserving Students. Zoroastrian — classes — APPLY TO THE MANA­ GING TRUSTEE P. N. Mehta Education Trust Cooks Building, 324 D. N. Road Bombay 400 001 or to the Principal.MEHER NI MUSAFRI or Travels with Ms Moos •» ' with his outstretched wing. Fending for herself in remote i lands, despite occasional raging wars, and grisly coups, has given the I young explorer ‘a surging sense of I power’. Meher’s desire to translate I abstract geography into actual rivers, I seas and mountains, to recreate the I rise and fall of empires, and to visit I the birthplaces and graves of favo- I urite poets and writers, drove her I to explore most of the globe from I the Arctic to the Antarctic, using I transport as varied as camels, bullock I carts and canoes. ‘It’s a challenge, I doing what nobody has done before,’ I she says. ‘I must be a masochist. I I always devise tortuous and challeng- I ing itineraries. It’s an excellent I discipline.’ I Prior toja trip, Meher says she I reads about 50 to 60 books on the I countries she is going to visit, and I scans maps ‘as a religious man I would read his prayers.’ She reads I about the history, folklore, music, . theatre and art of the country. But as vital as the reading, she feels, is her stratagem of befriending the ‘native’ sitting next to her on a dusty town since the ban on killing bus ride, local families and travel whales, ‘we saw a lot of killer and agents. The policy has won her I From the icy heart of the Arctic to i the burning wastes of the Gobi Desert and the virgin jungles of the Amazon, Meher Heroyce Moos has traversed lands hospitable only to the brave. In December last, she became the first Indian woman to I sail to the bottom of the world, and set foot on the Antarctic continent. ‘It was as desolate as the moon, but breathtakingly beautiful,’ says the former Air-India stewardess. Meher sailed for the seventh conti­ nent as the guest of the veteran traveller, Lars Eric Lindblad, on his ship the M.S. Lindblad Explorer, which cruises regularly across the Amazon, down the Nile, to the Antarctic and to remote islands of the Pacific. Trailed by frisky whales and blasted with blizzards, the small and sturdy 2,500 tonner ferried a motley crowd of about 80 passengers, ranging in age from 18 to 82, to the land which has more than nine-tenths of the world’s ice. ‘Within the Circle, we were surrounded by narrow channels set between huge mountain walls that soar upto 1,000 metres,’ says Meher. ‘These were bustling whaling station, now a ghost capped by tons of ice and snow. The landscape was one vast sheet of ice.’ The polar Sahara has now been humpbacked whales,’ says the Parsi first-hand knowledge of different extensively explored and is dotted Marco Polo. ‘Air bubbles would countries and people and some with British, American and Russian come shooting up from the water unusual experiences. ‘In Corsica, a research stations. The personnel of just under our ship and suddenly, a woman who claimed to be the one British base in this sterile whale would jump clear out of the reincarnation of Napoleon’s mother, wasteland, gamely tried to cultivate ocean and somersault in the air took me under her wing. In the fresh lettuce and tomatoes for their before coming down with a huge Amazon, I convinced a local travel salad, according to Meher. An splash. We saw many elephant seals agent to let me stay at his fabulous American base was so well-stocked, and fur seals, crab eaters and at least guest house frequented by English that ‘it resembled Manhattan, except six of the nine variety of penguins.’ lords and ladies. He’s my friend to that they had to cart away the Waddling and hopping around, the this day. I would often leave my garbage to America.’ Russian and penguins with their distinctive black baggage with people I didn’t know ; Chilean bases, 150 metres away from and white colouring, reminded Meher I would just knock on their door and each other, followed different of ‘waiters at a convention’. They request them to look after it. But I timings, ‘so that when the Russians were spotted courting, sitting on love being on my own. If I were to sat down for dinner, the Chileans their eggs, bickering and pecking at take someone along, I’d hate to sat down to breakfast. ’ their neighbours, feeding their young discover the person was allergic to Apart from being the breeding and leaping in and out of the water, some foods or getting up early. I’ve ground for national rivalries and On Albatross Island, Meher saw eaten food that would make your idiosyncracies, the Antarctic nurtures several albatrosses with wing spans stomach churn—like wood lice, a rich concentration of wild life, measuring 31 metres—larger than Near the sub-Antarctic island of any bird’s; and if courting, the male Cheek by jowl on Easter Island. It was Meher’s first forays into the , - - so-called civilized world, as an air South Georgia, at one time a usually tries to impress the female hostess, that set her ‘gypsy blood*thirsting for places unfrequented by the U.S.S.R. and rounding off her man. She recalled how in 1970, after trip by sailing from Vladivostok to whizzing through most of North Yokohama. In between her longer America including Hawaii, she ex- trips, she went to war-torn Vietnam, plored remote parts of Central and also to South Korea, Taiwan and South America, the home of the Laos. In December 1976, Meher Jivarro Indians, famed for their sailed to the Antarctic and returned practice of shrinking heads. In the via the Easter Islands. Bolivian capital, LaPaz, the National An only child, Meher is a former Museum ofArchaeology houses three student of St Joseph’s Convent, original shrunken heads. ‘One was Panchagani and Bombay’s Queen of an Englishman complete with a Mary School. She_ graduated with a walrus moustache and sideburns; another was a long German face with piercing eyes and hollowed cheeks; and one was of a tribal Indian chieftain’s wife,’ she says. From the river Amazon to the navel of the world—Cuzco and Macchu Picchu— B.A. degree from Sophia College and a law degree from the Government Law College. Now, tourism pro­ motion ofl5cer for Air-India, Meher says she visits each place she promo­ tes, assessing it for its tourist ------ —----------* - ------ attractions and facilities, such as the fabled cities of the ancient Inca accommodation and transport, and empire:‘I sailed in a coal boat, in the has worked on many special tours: detid of night, across Lake Titicaca for instance, mountaineering trips, in Bolivia (the highest navigable lake hiking holidays and game reserve in the world),’ reminisced Meher. tours, and was deputed by In Ecuador, with one foot in the ’ northern hemisphere and the other ________ in the southern, Meher felt ‘like the Indian Ocean cruises. Her services Colossus of Rhodes’. The South American trip she recalled, was followed by a trip to the three Laplands of Scandinavia in the Arctic Circle, in 1972. The Laplander’s Mongoloid ancestry _ __ _____ drove her to Mongolia—the land of like to settle down after two the nomad warrior, Genghiz Khan. In the vast stillness of the Gobi desert, she ‘experienced the wonder long trip, I’ve felt so tired at times, of silence’. Her imagination fired by that I have to force myself to go on. tours, the airline as an assistant cruise director on the M.T.S. Jupiter for the were loaned to the Government when she was director of tourism in the Government of India Tourist Office in Milan for six months. Wedded though she is to Air­ India’s Maharajah, Meher would - __ 2, -_ .. J more trips—to communist China and the fabled land of Timbucktu. ‘On a of silence’. Her imagination fired by that I have to force myself to go on. the travelogues of Marco Polo, she Now that I’m growing older, it’s retraced his steps through Samar- khand and Bokhara in Central Asia, also visiting nine other republics of tougher to live by your wits.’ JEROO GO RIM AR With a husky pup aboard the M.S. ‘Lindblad Explorer ’ in the Antarctic. WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS FROM CAWASJI BEHRAMJI & CO. 47VIEWPOINT Is the 3rd World Congress Necessary: t 1 i i At the first World Zoroastrian Con­ gress in Tehran 17 years ago, its president Erach Nadirshah stated that the most important feature was ‘an audience with His Imperial Majesty Mahomed Reza Pahlavi.’ Today, Parsis require more than royal patronage to be the chief achievement of a conference which aims at bringing together Zoroas­ trians from all over the world. The question asked by many is what the three-and-a-half days of bonhomie will achieve. Mud is still slung in the vernacular press at the mention of ‘controversial’ or even ‘congress’. The less vociferous but more enlightened, on the other hand, have indicated that they would not be interested in a Congress which shied away from what they consider urgent and relevant issues. The Congress could have no legis­ lative power, but the executive com­ mittee has decided that no resol­ utions will be passed. In view of the fanfare and fulmi- nation the Congress is eliciting. Parsiana asked a cross-section of the community, ‘Is the 3rd World Zoroastrian Congress Necessary?’ k Dr Keikobad Batliwalla, 72, Retired. ‘Parsis are scattered all over the ments, keep the fees high. world and we must have their ‘Bombay is the appropriate pli opinions. But in my experience, since it has a lot of Parsis. If ) nowhere in the world have Parsis want a purely religious vsnue, I agreed to disagree! If the discussions wada would be ideal. But h take place peacefully, and if the would you accommodate peof Congress achieves unity it’s worth especially from abroad, in the si spending three lakhs. tan hotels (very few hotels)? ‘What’s the point of discussing only ‘Anyone who is interested sho i issues about which everybody is in be allowed to participate. N< agreement? Controversial subjects Zoroastrian spouses should be allc like inter-marriage and conversion ed to attend. There are me should be discussed. These issues non-Zoroastrians, Germans for i have antagonized many leading Par- tance, who could enlighten us abi sis. But if you anticipate goondaism our religion. As for hims 4 (hooliganism) don’t hold the Con- Batliwalla joked, ‘Mara mari ma i j gress. To eliminate the rowdy ele- pare (Leave me out of the fightin F i 48» I ~ ' J^°B 'nstructress, J- D. Petit School Tt is a very good idea as it will get Zoroastrians together from all centred here,- says Motr^^roas" its eoina +n hTi5“ t justified if trians from all walks of life should participate but over I think Bombay is the best venue since the Zoroastrian population is T ¦ or Congress meetmg where nothing should IS done. In that case, the should go to the poor. ‘T^e topics discussed should be of interest to the even if thev a* Poverty, lack of religious knowledge and shortage of priests (especially abroad) are important problems; we are m a position to do some­ thing, since we have the funds. non-Zoroastrians not take part unless they are money knowledgeble about our affairs. The fees are too high, I feel, and will only allow for a selective audience. common Parsi, All those who wish to participate as to. t*®l®8ates may not be able “ " ' “¦* ’ ‘The Congress should not be just a seminar or conference; an execu­ tive committee should be formed and regular meetings held after the Congress.’ Viraf Kapadia, 21, Student, Metropolitan Homeopathic Medical College, Calcutta necessary People of be represented at the meet—from H chance to exchan ue vipwc ri- {^y^tors and lawyers to workers-and I their nrnhUmc f labourers. However, the majoritv of I chanffp^Thp.+11 bring about the community will not be able to I diturl will be’'worfh JSiiroT^’^f delegate and observer I something concrete is ach“ po‘i pSi*an1ake ’'±;^'‘‘“ ¦ could serve the community, much the Congress achieves and the interest they take. , secttons of the community should to soive ontVrobtos/ in the Congress if been sanctioned by his young people because 65^000 ouf of t^^ world’s community. ],20,000 Parsis are in Bombly To 1 allow non-Zoroastrians to attend. All all, it’s our community and we have ye housing, utilization of leave had will also denenH nXVnr non-Zoroastnans to attend, , and the iLres? “Sht, create more problems. After sections of the Il Roshan Mancherji, 52, I Housewife I people arc gxumuiiug ¦ about the expense, but I think it is ¦ very essential for c_- J. ¦ community. Affluent Parsis frorn have j ¦ abroad who will attend the Congress r------- I about the commu- .„.„,„„„non I us^ Sy*Ms‘Mnn*'oherii”'’h‘‘PP?‘'‘ P’"' what »e I fftple • + Mancherji who also have achieved. I have already bought I ®®j5^\’®ter-marnage, conversion my ticket and do not think the fees dreT oK opportunity of meeting so many ' non-ZmoS™^faS,e““Sc‘\S '»' performed on the quiet—why provide the impetus for’religious it. vigaiuzc a education which is lacking, she feels, about reforms. are^ grumbling in Parsi schools. . j ‘Educationists, prominent lawyers our dwin^ing educated priests, young people who a genuine feeling for the community, should participate. There is no harm in non-Zoroastrians should are being majority of Zoroastrians are here not - ‘After the Congress, a committee 1 be selected to organize a movement to bring ^rnviHP Congress could of capable people shouldi k Firoza Maneksha, 18, Student, Sydenham College ‘Yes. It could help bring about some ' . unity The Congress could enlighten this time, maybe next tirne, many young ------------ nothing about the religion. But it shouldn’t become just a social get- i together, after all, three lakhs is a I heck of a lot of cash. I ‘Learned priests and “big shots I involved in Parsi politics should give speeches with a purpose, to tell us about our past and discuss contro- versial issues like conversion, and feedi our primitive method of disposing of dead bodies. I would like non- Zoroastrians to participate since Zoroastrians have a very narrow point of view. They can participate as observers -_______________________ as Zoroastrians who know delegates. Firoza herself would like to participate as an observer. ‘To hold the Congress in Bombay would be ideal. But why at the Taj ? They could use Parsi halls around town which they might get free, in which case, the fees could be cut down and the money used for some better purpose, like housing and ‘After the Congress, there should be a committee only if there is something constructive to be done, otherwise, there would be nothing but bickering. ’ < mean wearing a sudra and kustC Jambusarwala feels that a cosmo- an ideal venue as it would draw and from all walks of life. ‘There are of the Congress non-Zoroastrians who take more Jami Jambusarwala, 36, Architect ‘High time we did something. If we sit back and do nothing, our numbers will continue to dwindle. Even if we pohtan metropolis like Bombay is achieve nothing concrete after spend- .— _ r x.- r+- ine three lakh rupees, it is still a participants of different nationalities step forward. and from all walks of life ‘There are ‘The purpose of the Congress non-Zoroastrians who take more should be not only to advertise the interest in our religion than we do relieion but to increase awareness of and they should be allowed to attend, it and’the community. The dis- I would attend as an observer but cussions must focus on controversial not as a delegate. Rs 50 and Rs 20 noints — inter-marriage, inter-caste is a pretty cheap price to pay . If a marriage, < lack of religious knowledge. The AAA------- --------------- -<* *11*Z T1J A luetiiiaBC disposal of the dead, our delegate could not pay, I would not diminishing numbers, and especially, mind paying for him. lack of religious knowledge. The ‘It is necessary to analyse the younger generation should realize results after the Congress by a that Zoroastrianism does not merely committee formed for follow-up. small community, we teach her religion to her children. ' ¦¦ ‘The ideal place is Bombay, since almost 80 per cent of Parsis live here.’ Ms Barjorji herself would like sides, our beliefs are so old-the apna- it-before-us) attitude. The younger to participate as an observer and ' 111 1 — faac ofo -nrvF tii rrli ii*| "and to bring about these modern times. ‘If one is really if something is absurd to allow non-Zoroastrians to participate since we do not allow Zoroastrian spouse or anyone who ‘After the Congress, dedicated Beroze Barjorji, 41, Dressmarker and Teacher ‘Yes of course it is necesary. We trians? It is a mother’s duty to are such a small community, we should all meet once in a while. Be­ sides, our beliefs are so old-the apna- bap-dada-karta-aya (our-fathers-did- Sneradon'toorshoVld have a chance feels the fees are not too high in to air their views and to bring about these modern times. ‘If one is really chanee It would be worth spending interested one will pay. It seems lakh rupees 'O iihcnrH tn allnw nnn-Znrnastrinns tn achieved even one small point. ‘Controversial topics like inter- them in the community. But a non- marriage cremation, conversion, Zoroastrian spouse or anyone who should be discussed. The question of cares should be allowed to. eirls marrying out of the commumty ‘After the Congress, dedicated ’s imnortant Why should their workers should do something about childrSi not be accepted as Zoroas- the issues raised.’ cremation, conversion, Interviews by Jeroo Gorimar & Shirin Bahadurji.ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD I Zoroastrians of the World Unite... ‘With the creation of a World _____ ___ ______ ____ _______ ___________________ Zoroastrian Orgai^ation, we can Zoroastrians is one of the topics to to the U.N. meeting in 1978. prove ourselves still better citizens be discussed at the forthcoming 3rd of our world,^and traer members of World Zoroastrian Congress to be Symposiu m Synopsis president. Dr Ms Both the world congresses in the Zoroastrian pockets on the North Ms Ruby Contractor of the Zoro- forming of a world body, astrian ^sociation of Europe since then, the notion __ (Z.A.E.) in London, to the trustees been fermenting in the London- of the Bombay Parsi Panchayat. ' The foundation of such a world organization for Zoroastrians was the main subject of the one-day preliminary expenses of materi- us your : X,-. X T ___________________ p - _______ _ __ don on 30tl^April,^to discuss ‘The tbe organization be affiliated to the tailed summary compiled pains- _ X J X J ___ _ ___ _ takingly by Dr Lovji Cama of the future of the world Zoroastrian __ ____ ;__2__________________ ______________ Lx_______ community (Zoroastrians Abroad, association’s lawyers, with the U.N., New York (ZAGNY), is the only For Womb the Bell Tolls’, Parsiana, . - - Jun.-Jul. ’77). a world organization with U.N. affi- a more exhaustive compendium The seminar pondered the in- _ , ;;__________;___ '_ .L. L______ 2 J.__ ,^2 xlx„x CTeasing trend of mobility among required deeper consideration,’ the such symposium Md in Toronto in Zoroastnans which has scattered letter stated. L..__ .J.j Lx J..! ’ • ’ ’ = r- the community over various parts Bulsara, fomer "secretary of the of the world. ------- -_ concentrations abroad, the letter former representative for Asia and yet larger, longer-established com- Affairs Bureau, was in London at munities, and thus have more op- l .2 J portunity to cohere and retain their suited in the matter? identity, it is the smaller further- flung groups of twenty or less fami­ lies, who are at a risk of being ab­ sorbed into the larger alien mass aroimd them and of completely dis- appeming. In such cases, their Non-Govemmental Organizations that throws man off the path of membership of the “World Zoro- f’C?-' J ' ‘ ' ‘ ‘ ., . .instil quarter of the next year, and Bul- pride of identity in them, and the genuine observance in practice of... Zoroastrianism can sustain them against extinction.’ Such a world organization, the letter argues could also achieve much moral and material benefit for its con- that ‘the president and the manag- Zoroastrian culture is in a state of smients scattered over the globe, fog committee of the Zoroastrian transition. The same problems that 1ms small community can get Association of Europe (Inc.) take all beset Zoroastrians everywhere also enough msjMration to exist, work, necessary steps to promote the for- exist in Iran: marrying out of the survive, and prosper as a unit • the benefit of our community alone.’ has been drafted so that it could be The setting-up of an organization put before the World Congress in to provide a link between world January and forwarded from there, prove ourselves still better citizens be discussed at the forthcoming 3rd of our world, and truer members of World Zoroastrian Congress to be Symposiu m Synopsis a truly United Nations,’ suggests a held in Bombay in January ’78. Nearly 250 people from various letter from the president. Dr Ms Both the world congresses in the Zoroastrian pockets on the North Shirin Kutar and honorary secretary, past, had also recommended the American continent attended the Ms Ruby Contractor of the Zoro- forming of a world body. symposium, ‘Survival and Perpetu- a£trian Association of Europe Since then, the notion has atfon of Zoroastoians in North America’^ hosted by the Zorbas^ trtan Association of Metropoli- t I volumes. Homi Sethna, the present director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, is also mentioned and there are three pages about Darashaw Wadia, the distinguished geologist. Jal Paymaster’s connec­ tions with the Tata Memorial Hospi­ tal and his contribution to the cause of cancer research are rightly point­ ed out but there seems to be no refer­ ence to D. J. Jussawalla whose work in the same field is also considered unique. Also mentioned are achieve­ ments of eminent men of medicine like Rustom Vakil, Jamshedji Dug­ gan, Phiroze Banaji and others. Some illustrious Parsi hakims are also remembered but there is no reference to that outstanding bone- setter, Bhimji Jivanji, from whose name the hadvaids are also known as bhims. Neither is there mention of outstanding Parsi surgeons. Par­ sis, though numerically limited, have been outstanding in so many fields that it is difficult for an author to list them all. On the Parsis’ contribution to such as the late Begum Akhtar the arts and literature, Nanavutty quotes liberally from English poems of Parsi poets but regarding Guje­ rati literature, she makes a sweeping statement, ‘Today, there is not a single Parsi who has made a name in Gujerati either in the essay, the novel, poetry or serious prose’, facing Parsis today; but all woulc There is a one line reference to < _ ‘an outstanding poet like Ardeshir kept the Parsis as a distinct com. Khabardar’. He was the only Parsi munity and saved them fron so far, to be president of the Guje- disintegrating was their passionate rati Sahitya Parishad, the highest adherence to their religion.’ ~ Some incorrect statements hoW' ever, require correction for anothei agree with her opinion that ‘Wha Khabardar’. He was the only Parsi munity and saved them so far, to be president of the Guje- r ’ ¦' ¦ * ' ’ ’ honour in the field of Gujerati literature, though that fact is not noted. Though Behramji Malabari is edition and/or translations of th< remembered for his activities for book into other languages of th( social reform, there is no mention country. Writing about ‘the sacrec about his contribution to Gujerati fire’ one may be led to believe tha poetry. As the author remarks, ‘the the Iranshah fire was brought fron westernization of the community I ’ , L, '___ seems to have reached saturation consecrated in India; Lady Hiraba point.’ She expresses dissatisfaction Jehangir was the first lady presiden for what Parsis have done for art " - - and literature and though the com- Iran: however, the Iranshah wa! consecrated in India; Lady Hiraba of the Bombay Parsi Panchayai but the honour of being electee munity produced a Zubin Mehta, the first lady trustee of that pancha- it has not yet ‘achieved any creative yat goes to the late Lady Navaz- excellence in Indian art and litera- banoo Tata; sarod player Zarine ture. The extreme westernization of Daruwalla is from Surat and Bombaj the community has stood in the ' ” way of such an achievement. There is no Parsi musician of the standing of Ravi Shankar, or a dancer like Yamini Krishnamurti, or a singer and not from Hyderabad; Fardoonj Marzban, the Father of Gujerat Journalism did not start Sanj Vartman but Shri Mumbaina Sama­ char {Bombay Sam char) and Beh ram Karanjia was not its editoi at any time. Pilloo Nanavutty has drawn a vasi or Subbalakshmi. ’ Since there are differing schools of thought in the community, it picture of the Parsis on a compara- is natural there will not be entire tively limited canvas; those whe agreement amongst them on some desire to know the past and preseni of the views expressed by the author of the Parsis should find reading about the ‘many grave problems’ this book to their advantage. < APOLLO THEATRES Poona proudly present Yehi Hai Zinde^ -IN MEMORIAM i It was a few days after Fall Doctor ’s untimely demise on 28th May follow­ ing an attack of jaundice, that his UNESCO, the prize-winning pboto- of pfe is Onwards’ won the Tokyo Mela this year, on a day when the night. Doctor’s photo-features were Koishikawa Rotary Club prize, crowds exceeded 10 million. reportedly, published in the Indian Selected from over 2,500 entries for ’ ¦ - - It was as O' student at St Xavier’s High School that Doctor hrst started the Second Asian Photo contest held after a full day’s work at L&T, by ^e Asian Cultural Centre for Doctor would set out with his Asahi . - -LTZZZZ, —- - Pentax camera, to return home and photograph captioned, ‘The Stream graph had been taken at the Kumbh work on his articles late into the J ’ __ ___ - Koishikawa Rotary Club prize, crowds exceeded 10 million. In search of such photofeatures. Express, the Sunday Standard, The Doctor, a free-lance photographer Taj magazine and American maga- and associate editor of Larsen and zines like Maryknoll, World Petro- Toubro (L&T) publications, had leum and Black-Belt. travelled extensively. Last October, at the Indo-Arab Society’s compe­ tition on ‘Glimpses of Palestine War tinkering with a camera. He gradu- and Peace,’he won the first prize for ated with an arts degree from St his entry, ‘Victory for the Olive Xavier’s College and also had degrees Branch in Fight for Freedom’. The in law, commerce and business kind of subjects Doctor focussed management. He worked for a time on, ranged from air pollution to in the Public Relations Department birds at the Bharatpur bird sanctuary of Caltex India PvtLtd and according and Mother Theresa. When he wasn’t globe-trotting, he would capture on film everyday life in Bombay. ‘He was a quiet man and spent journalism, and joined L&T as most of his time either taking associate editor of its publications pictures or writing articles’, says L&T Newsletter and Powai Pageant. Rusi, his brother. Rusi recalled how In 1976, he went to Manila, Hong ; h to J. Joseph of Caltex, he was ‘a P. R. man who shunned publicity.’ In his early thirties, he switched to Doctor: ‘New heights of excellence. ’ Photo by Pali Doctor Glimpses of Bombay. 63I » . ! i , -• 'Wf .................................. sM Btmgkok to promote L3tY'' ~ prefatkiomil bodies for production the standard of the commuEU^iotts media to new heights of excellence. ’ ¦ He is survived by his brbthers,^. , i L&T management noted, ‘The late Homi and Rusi and his aunt, Ms Pali Doctor, reinforced and raised Commissariat. 1 s in these cities. During his seven and and editorial excellence. As the a half years association with the com- condolence resolution passed by the pany, the L&T house-journals report­ edly won a number of, awards from *;¦ Everyday life captured on film. A tragic scooter-accident claimed the lives of three Zoroastrian youths returning to Bombay after spend- J ing the long Id-Ganesh Chaturthl|H weekend in Khandala. Jehangi^H Rustom Katrak 26, and Maha^H rukh Rustom Irani, 21, travellin^H on one scooter, and Rohinto^H Khodadad Irani, travelling on anoBH ther, were killed in an accident somH| distance away from the Khandal^^ Sanatorium at around 1.3G a.m. o Sunday 18th September. X^tail about the accident are not availabl but it is reported that all three did on the spot. Ms Irani, a teacher at Juhu Maneckji Cooper School and Ka rak, an engineer in the Scind Steam Navigation Company, live at Kharegat Colony, while Irani, Photo by Pali Doctor student, resided at Sleater Road. ¦ Sri •8 Ji 9 *1 • I L i ¦ isiW J i » o ' j j NATIONAL PEROXIDE LIMITED BOMBAY Manufacturers of: ..I M a Ca AH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE i ! ! Ideal blehchipg agent for cotton textiles, WOoIj synthetic fibres. Useful oxidising*-agent for chemical reactions. Economical and pe^ianent bleaching agent for writing and printing paper, newsprint pulp and jute. 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