Dec 1977

I-. J I SUPPLEMENT December 1977 Vol. 1 No. 20 Price sop I i i In order to keep readers up-to-date with the contemporary events and opinions of the community, Parsiana introduces this Supplement, which will alternate each month with the regular, more familiar magazine. Subscribers will receive the Supplement, in addition to the regular bi-monthly magazines, at no extra charge to the present subscrip­ tion rate of the magazine. Should resources permit it, it is hoped the S upplement will gradually assume more substantial proportions. y The Controversial Question and the World Congress Every now and then it crops up, ‘the hosting of the second world congress exercise this prerogative. An unruly controversial question’. Immediately, 13 years ago, there has been a sub- handful should not be permitted there isa move to gloss oyer it, change stantial dispersion of Parsis all over the hold the entire Congress to ransom, the subject or ban its discussion alto- world. Today, approximately one-third Past experience has shown that when gether. The feeling is that if it is ignor- of the total world Parsi population a crisis is full-blown, the conservative ed, it will go away. lives out of Bombay. If one includes the and liberal sections of the community Butunfortunately, controversial issues 25,000 Zoroastrians in Iran, the pro- are willing to come together to safe- cannot he resolved by neglect. They portion comes close to half. The guard each other’s interests. This was remain to plague, haunt and eventu- problems they confront may differ from evidenced at the last executive council ally consume us. The controversy is the those faced by thfi majority of Parsis in meeting of the Federation of ParSi symptom, the sign that all is not well. Bombay and Gujerat; but that cannot Zoroastrian Anjumans of India held in In our community there are many disqualify any party from a fair hearing. Poona, when the liberals, who are in a ‘controversial’questions. But the forums It is only by voicing all viewpoints, minority, and the conservatives, who to discuss them are limited. Bach party that a common ground can be found are in a majority, arrived at a mutual states its point of view in the press, at for arriving at decisions. The greatest understanding which made it possible home, wherever they gather. But that purpose the Congress can serve is as a for the Congress to be held. What was only suffices to harden their beliefs, forum for such a dialogue. At present achieved in September in Poona can What is required is not two mono- the procedure to be observed at the certainly be repeated in Bombay this logUes but a dialogue, not a re-stating Congress is that the chairmen of the January; but only if all parties accept of views but an exchange of ideas. The 3rd World Zoroastrian Congress discussion if disorder is anticipated or was conceived with the object of bring- occurs. It is hoped that the occasion W the community together. Since the will not arise for the chairmen to various subjects are empowered to stop the bonafides of one another and worit towards common goals. iCongress Se^jdn^ )¦ I ..The 3rd World Zoroastrian Congress homji (chairman); Dr R. R. Marshall Various scholars of the rehgiOB on will now be held from 4 to 8 January (rapporteur). topics not yet announced. 1978 in Bombay, according to a press release from the Joint Honorary Secre- Friday, 6th January Sunday, Sth January taries of the Congress. Morning session: Morning session : ... The Problems of Education for Zoroas- The Setting-up of an Organization to trians in the present set-up. provide a link between world Zoroas- Except for the Inauguration on Wed- Dr H. N. Sethna, Dr (Ms) Aloo Dastur, trians and continuity of action after nesday, 4th January at the Birla S. S. Pavri (speakers); Ms Goolestan each world Zoroastrian corgress.^ Matrushri Sabhagar at 5.30 p.m., all R. Billimoria (chaiiman); B. H. R. Rus- R. C. Swtook, K. Bhot^ Ms r. plenary sessions, together with the open tomji (rapporteur). Sharokh Engineer, ftofessor E. Munsm forums/workshops, will be held at the Afternoon session : (speakers); Dr J. F. Bulsara (chan man), Sir Cawasjee Jehangir Hall from 9 a.m. Social and Cultural Survey of Zoroas- Ms Rhoda Mistry (rapporteur), till 5.30 p.m. each day. trians in the recent past, and suggestions „ jv for the future. Each session will be followed by a Dr Lovji Cama, S. F. Desai, S. D. workshop preceded by a short break Nargolwalla, J. R. Vimadalal (spea- for tea or coffee provided free of charge kers); chaiiman not yet announced; for all attending. Professor K. C. Sheriar (rapoortfcur). - Thursday, Sth January Morning session: The Priestly Class—its present condition and future uplift. Ervad Peshotan Peer, P. D. Nargolwala (speakers); B. H. Antia (chairman); Saturday, 7th January Ervad Godrej Sidhwa (rapporteur). Morning session: Afternoon session: Economic Uplift ofthe ZoroastriaM. ILlUUVaUWU IWl UIV lUUUgCl iXl X. ITJvmu, w. * »• — — TV'-'' . _ , /y. Generation of Zoroastrians in India and Irani (speakers); Professor Rusi Tara- World Zoroastrian Congres^ c/o Cffice Abroad. porewalla (chairman); H. D. Mehta of the Parsi Punchayet Funds and Dr H. B. Dhalla, Dr Avan Billimoria (rapporteur). Properties, 2C9 Dr D. Naoroji Road, (speakers); Dastur N. D. Minocher- Afternoon session : Bombay 4COCO1. Seating has been provided for approximately 1,CCO persons, therefore, those wishing to attend should enroll Ervad Godrej Sidhwa (rapporteur). Morning session: at the earliest possible oppGrtvnity. Afuvxuvvxxovooiv.!: Economic Uplift of the Zoroastrians. Further details frcm: The Jt Hon. Religious Education for the Younger Dr F. A. Mehta, Dr J. A. Modi, D. B. Secretary, Executiv^ Ccmmittee, 3id Pars! is Thy Name Charity: The Parsi Connection The Parsis are a diverse and widespread community linked together by a common heritage but separated by the chasm of urban living. Communication within the community is limited to a chance meeting at a navjote. wadding, concert or natak. A more systematic means of staying in touch is necessary. That's why magazines like Parsiana exist. We keep you informed of events and personalities in the community. By doing so we contribute to the wealth of information on the peoples and traditions of this great land and so bring them closer together. Parsiana is your magazine. It needs your support if it is to continue to serve. Subscribe today or gift a subscription. ¦J. For one year (six issues) India, Rs. 16 seamail Rs. 32 or $4 or £2 airmail Rs. 75 or $9 or £4 For two years (twelve issues) India Rs. 30 seamail Rs. 60or $7.50or £3.50 airmail Rs. 145 or $17 or £7.50 For U.S. personal cheques add $1.50 for bank charges. For Indian upcountry cheques add Re. 1.50. Cheques and drafts to be drawn in favour of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Cash payment and money orders accepted care of the Hopeful Playgroup Centre, 40 Bastion Road (Opposite Cathedral School), Fort Bombay 400 001. For further information phone 262624 All rates valid till 1977. If so would you draw a Cheque for in favour of Y.C.Z.A. Educational ywrw. w..... w. -----------,----- any amount by way of donation 1 in favour of Y.C.Z.A. Educational and Charitable Fund? Or better still, would you get us advertisements for the souvenir of our Silver Jubilee Premiere Show of the film R.OLLER.BALL at the Regal Theatre on Thursday 15th De­ cember 1977 at 9.30 p.m. Advertisement forms and tickets are obtainable from and dona­ tions can be sent to the Executive Secretary Mrs H. N. Modi, 13, Vatcha Gandhi Road, Gamdevi, Bombay 400 007. Tel. 355241. —Or at R II, Central Bank Bldg. 3rd floor, Opp. lift no. 3, Sir Homl Modi Street, Fort, Bombay : 400 001. Tickets and advertisement forms are also available at Pyrkes Res­ taurant, Flora Fountain. If TARSI, THY NAME IS CHARITY’, the time to show it is NOW. 2 ,4». -LW The Crust and the Kernel j 1 5 i Parsiana reproduces below an abridged and edited version of the speech delivered by India's ambassador to the U.S.A., Nani Palkhivala, at a meeting convened by the Bombay Parsi Panchayat tiny, even insignificant, part, I shall have the honour to belong, on 12th September at Patkar Hall regard my life well spent. Men like I believe in all religions, that everj to felicitate him on his appointment. Palkhivala, a noted authority on constitutional law and a staunch Should co-religionists beg to differ, is one entitled had 'addressed a meeting of my to tell them that they are not true Zoroastrians? co-religionists.' He, nevertheless, went on to state in no uncertain terms his opinion of the current state of the community. have survived, except in Iran where the number of our co-religionists is so small. If, in repaying that debt for a favour done to our ancestors more than 1,300 years ago, I can play a their bit for the country to which the) to preserve for so many centuries will survive. In centuries and genera­ tions to come we shall have to pro­ duce people who will be able to de on 12th September at Patkar Hall regard my life well spent. Men like me come and go, but this great religion religion has something to teach man. which the few of us have been able kind. But I must confess, if I had tc new a I 1 I Today, I speak before an audience of about 1,200, and if we are 61,000 Parsis in Bombay, jt would be about 1/60, a definable percentage, of the entire community here. I find this deeply touching. You will under­ stand, therefore, if I talk, not about myself, but about you, my friends and co-religionists, whose welfare and future are uppermost in my mind. I believe that Parsis, perhaps the most minute community in the world which is of any significance at all, have to do something to repay the debt which we owe to this country which gave us shelter 1,300 years ago. The law of Karma ordains the destinies of communities and of nations. Our community has to make the Karmic return^ because, but for the tolerance of the Indians then and but for the welcome which they gave us, perhaps the religion itself may not Palkhivala; ‘Essence of Zoroastrianism’. I I choose a religion purely as a matte: of my own rationality, I would choos« Zoroastrianism. As the world progresses, ever religion, every creed, every belief, get' encrusted over a period of time, am sometimes the crust is mistaken fo the kernel. One has to be very care ful to recognize the essence o Zoroastrianism. I do not knov Avestan myself, but I have reac translations by perceptive people wh( have had the vision to understam what the Prophet really meant. It ii incredible what Zoroaster knev intuitively centuries ago, whichevei the millennium he was born in. Wha he perceived and understood is prov ed by science today to be totally right His message was simple; his tolerance profound. He did not say: Accep what I tell you. His exact words translated into English by Dr Dinshah Irani, were: Let each man choose his creed with that freedom of choice which each must have at great events 3 i A