Mar 1980

MARCH 1980 Price 3.50 earo meMarcfhi-April 1980 Vol. 2 No. 12 READERS’ FORUM EVENTS AND PERSONALITIES ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD NEWS FROM THE MEDIA THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY SHERNAZ KERMANI: BOUND TO WIN SMOULDERING EMBERS OF KADMI PRIESTHOOD Gustasp Irani DELHI SURVEY: PROFILE OF THE DELHI PARSIS IMAGE OF ZARATHUSHTRA: DREAMS AND REALITY? Z-QUIZ THE KHSNOOM WAY WORLD CONGRESS PAPERS: ADJUSTING TO CHANGE AUTOBIOGRAPHY: DASTUR DHALLA IV COMMENT: A WESTERN RESPONSE TO ZARATHUSHTRA Dale Bishop IN MEMORIAM 3 7 17 25 33 35 38 43 46 47 50 51 55 59 63 Cover: The Year of the Monkey: designed by Manjula Padmanabhan Marg, Fort, Bombay 400 001 and print ­ ed by him at Kaiser-e-Hind Publishers and Printers, 300, Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400 001. All rights reserved. Address all editorial and ousiness cor- EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Gustasp Irani EXECUTIVE EDITOR R. P. Thanavala ART ASSISTANT Najoo Amroliwalla, rcs^o^ence to^^ Ketayun Wankadia iVDVERTISING Feroza Chavda, Vecra Parbhu and Khushroo Amroliwalla MANAGEMENT Dr. Rustem Colah »*«»? ^amail Rs. 36 one year, R^. oo and Zarin Billimoria y^s; Airmail Rs. 80 one year, CIRCULATION M. R. Ambujakshan por U.S. personal cheques add $ 1.50 to cover ba^ charges. OFFICE Mathew M. George For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs. ? . for bank charges. Cheques and drafts Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. are to be drawn in favour of Parsiana. Patel at Clo H. L. Rochat, Navsari Single copy price Rs. 3.50 and 50p. All Chambers ground floor, 39 A. Nayak rates subject to change in postal rates. 892, Bombay 400 001. Phone: 268739. Annual inland subscription: Rs. 20 for one year, (12 issues); Rs. 3b for two years, (24 issues). Foreign subscription two years; Airmail Rs. 150 two years. Patel at Clo H. L. Roebat,READERS' FORUM 4 n .H'tMtldtiith' a (btitij)., , n.KiUc ¦•--•ton t B M. ft it Kvnc nt*** a. |b>»i**e»r***’ KK*’ To those who know Gujarati, I a “Gamadia ” family taken by a local suggest that they go through the ori- photographer. The family seems to HURMUZ KAUS Hyderabad gi^, which will make for enjoyable be a middle-class one. »=»’ * 'j ¦I& reading even for those who may not agree with various views of the learn ­ ed Dasturji. He was quite prepared to accept that all may not agree with || all his views and was ever ready to Refering to the picture of a family discuss and explain to them his view- that a family member wishes to trace, point. (September 1979) the gentleman a{> pears to be a China trader from liis ‘Chinese Khokha ’. RATAN R. MARSHALL Surat »» JAMSHED PAYRl Vancouver, Canada 4 “Where are They I was interested to , , . « photograph of a Parsi family of the Did A. Faizelipour feel better alter see the group ‘ Pride and Prejudice” his emotional and somewhat unba ­ lanced tirade against the Parsis (“Pride c-nd Prejudice, Readers ’ Forum, 19th centuiy, (“Where Are They? Parsiana, September 1979). ----------- , I have in my collection of old pho- t'nd Prejudice, Readers tographs scores of photographs of Parsiana September 1979). Parsis — single and group ¦— of 19th He accuses ‘ people of charging He century, similar to the one mentioned (Muslim) Iranians exorbitant ren s, above. Men with Jama/Da^a, loose never treating them_as huinan ^ipgs, silken pyjamas, wearing fenta or pag- “arsing ” th^ Gw ri or l±oku, and women with ornate bordered saris, jackets and mathuba- nu. The shoes of the m«i were . - • mostly chadavi and women generally against the Parsis as a whole is no wore velvet sapats. They appear only invidious but obviously untrue, generation, and this K anything, the Parsis have had senti- as mental and traditional ties with Iran to the generation of mid its people spanning centuries. The shoes of the m«i and so on. Who are the “people, ” he refers to? Parsis exclusively? To make such sweeping statements strange to this generation ’s costume will appear much strange 1 ' _ 2079 A.D. The photograph in ques ­ tion appears to be of the third quar ­ ter of the 19th century. I once picked up a photograph of would care to comment my late father, ‘ ~ Nizam ’s Revenue Service, died 1918), from a footpath kabadi and ask^ at this very moment, him as to who the man was in the photograph. He told me that he must The Original ‘Atmakatha ’ be a Nawab “of the time of Mahboob II It was interesting to learn about the Ali Pasha ” (i. e. Nawab Meer Mah • Having read the letter of A. Faizeli- English version of Dastur EXr Ma- boob Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI. 1869 pour in your issue of September 1979 neckji Dhalla ’s autobiography. It re- 1911). My father had “mutton-chop I ask if you are bound to publish minded me of the times when the whiskers ” which was a fashion in the letters even if they are far froni the Gujarati detailed second edition was “Days of the Beloved ” as the Belov- truth? Do you believe that Parsis are out some time in 1946. ed himself had mutton-chop whiskers, so anti-muslim or anti-Iranian as des- When the ‘atmakatha ’ was first and Jagirdars, Rajas and officers of cribed by Faizelipour? The fact that published there were very few good the then Nizam ’s Government follow- you publish such a letter makes me •autobiographies in Gujarati language, ed the fashion. Mutton-chop whiskers feel that you agree with its contents. Dastur Dr Dhalla ’s autobiography was a common fashion of Parsi men ” ’ ' ’ “ was adjudged an important addition of the Victorian Era. to the then limited list of outstanding "" __ autobiographies in Gujarati, though Parskma appears to be of an orthodox c>ur and he may have well deserved 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, Bom­ bay 400 001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. as (Talukdar in The And while one agrees entirely with Faizelipour ’s sentiment that people of all faiths should live in harmony, per- ¦ ¦ " t on the “love and respect ” shown to the followers of minority religions in Iran GINA NAY AR If the writer has experienced ill ___ treatment from anybody it may per- To me, the group photograph in l^ups be due to his own nasty^behavi- written in a style popular with Parsi Parsi _ family of Surat, Navsari or Ud- if- But he cannot generalise. The Pa- writers. Besides the style the langu- vada, and not of Bombay. The studios ^re definitely not so rude or un ­ age was fascinating and drew the at- of Bombay photographers were equi- cultured as to abuse others as alleged, tention of those literary people who ped and well decorated and the Th® advice of Faizelipour to “all some sense in people of all faiths ” is uncalled for. A. F. TARAPOREWALA Madras tention of those literary people who ped and well came across it. I still remember how photographers had some sense in happy I felt while going through the making the subject pose decently. The chapters. Parsiana photograph seems to be of 3mainly because the Parsis themselves have never encouraged them to initi ­ ate their children into the commu ­ nity. It is ridiculous to expect all the r __ _ ______ y in the community When they do marry outside, even if ___ - ' ‘ .... ............ ‘ Parsis, conservative relatives raise III The letter from A. Faizelipour was uncalled for. Did he express fils exas ­ peration against Indians or simply Parsis to marry against the Parsis. He should learn " how to live in India by taking lessons they w^t to bring up their children le Farsi refugees of 1,500 aS Parsis, conservative relatives raise years ago. He talks of Indian Parsis objections. This is especially so, when going to Iran for jobs. If the jobs are Parsi girls marry outside, easuy available i would not be here. from JEENA & COMPANY ESTD, 1900 IATA AIR CARGO Clearing. Forwarding Warehousing and Insurance Agents 10, Veer Nariman Road Fort, Bombay-1. Cable : ‘JUSTITIA’ Telex : 2313 Phone : 312032 Branches: E. Merc House 19/B, Shakespeare Sarani (Formerly Theatre Road) CALGUTTA-16 Phone : 444711 *Jeena House* 50, Hanuman Road Connaught Circus NEW DELHI PHONE : 310821 the Parsi refugees of 1,300 as in Iran, Faiajelipour That Zoroastrians Many girls on marrying outside, would like their children to be ParsiS F. F. MULLAA but feel that they would always b4 Udvada treated as outsiders. Should we not, as a community, try to encourage the growth and spread of our religion? 1 “Friends of tha Trees” am not suggesting that we take irt I read with interest D. J. Cama s converts. But surely we could accept views on why we should not keep a g child of one non-Parsi parent and fire in agairies any more (“Friends of one Parsi parent as a Parsi. And su- the Trees ”, Realers ’ Forum, Parsiana, rely we could encourage other Parsis September 1979). who have married outside, to bring At the cost of one ’s traditions one their children within the folds of our might be able to argue that wood be community. replaced by some other fuel. That should be proud to be Parsis. might perhaps serve to conserve wood Unless we realize that we must learn to a certain negligible extent. But to to accept children of non-Parsis mar go so far as to suggest that the Fire ried to Parsis, as Parsis we will itself is without utility and ought to eventually become extinct, be put away with is, in my opinion, most shortsighted. Historically, Zoroastrians have worshipped God throu^ His natural elements of which Fire is one. Among other things. Fire in agairies: symbo ­ lises the truth contained in the eternal cycle of Creation and Destruction; serves as a vibrant centre of focus, by concentrating upon which, we are helped in eliminating worldly distrac ­ tions for the given moment of prayer — thereby liberating the Self from the chains of the Ego; and reminds us that our mission in life is to ^ow from weak embers, to bum briglit, giving warmth and light to people and things around us, and to glow con ­ tentedly as the flame dies. While socio-cultural reform goes hand in hand with what we popularly call progress, one must be ever more cautious before seeking to break away from one ’s traditions. After all, it is our great traditions and the spirit they symbolise that have kept us one of the foremost communities in the world even today. KHURSHED PASIAKIA AZMY BHARUCHA Bihar On Record 1 have been collecting old gramapnone records on the Parsi community which I believe reflect a heritage that is worth preserving. In all I have 16 records which includes a number of marriage and wedding songs, social songs, comic songs, ashirwards, etc. I would now like to transfer my collec ­ tion back to the community. Should anyone be interested they may contact me directly, at 138, Temkar^ Street, P. O. Bombay Central, ~ 400 008. Bomb'iy A. RASHID EBRAHIM BOOKS WANTED Encourage Them Although I am only 14 years old, I feel very strongly about my religion . — Zoroastrianism. The Parsi commu ­ nity is getting smaller day by day. many Parsi boys and girls marry out ­ side the coniniunity and bring up (heir children as non-Parsis. This is Wanted urgently : The Religious Customs and Ceremonies of the Parsees by Jivanji Jamshedji Modi. Please write to C. Munshi, 7 Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Bombay 400 005 or telephone 212301 at about 4.30 p.m. on any day. 5Events and Personalities At the Helm country today are the government ’s I Jamshed Nusserwanji Guzder, a policy of industrial licensing, the I prominent figure in the business and present monetary policy oi the gov- ¦ industrial life of the citv for the past ernment, the Monopolies and Restric- ¦ 30 years and trustee of the Bombay tive Trade Practices Act (MRTP I Parsi Panchayat, has been elected as Act) and deteriorating industrial- | the president of the Indian Merchant labour relations, ” Guzdei is reported 1 Chambers (IMC) for the year 1980. to have said. , I He had served as the vice-president Guzder is on the Board of Dir^tors || of the 73-year-old chamber, which of a number of comp^es cwering individuals as members and more than ------ -------- ------------J c different trades and industries affiliat- ’v^^th the Wadi a group or companies, cd to it, during the previous year. - Jaiusucd Nusserwanji Guzder, a pohcy of industrial licensing, tne prominent figure in the business and present monetary policy oi the gov- industrial life of the citv for the past ernment, the Monopolies and Restric- 30 years and trustee of the Bombay tive Trade Practices Act (MRTP the president of the Indian Merchant labour relations, ” Guzdei is reported r • :—; " ' . — - ’-------- He had served as the vice-president of the 73-year-old chamber, which of a number of companies covering a has over 1,900 companies, firms and wide range of industrial and manu- xxxxd ____s facturing activities, states a bio-4ata 170 associations representing by the EMC. He is closely associated being the president of National Pero ­ xide Ltd. and a Director of Bombay Eyeing and Manufacturing Company Ltd. In addition, Guzder also serves on the Board of several other Public limited Companies, such as Calico Mills, Herdillia Chemicals, Boots, Bakelite Hylam, Citurgia Biochemicals, and Vulcan Laval among others. a f KT Guzder: head of Indian Merchant Chambers j as Calico Boots, . 11 v *¦ Contractor : almost there instructor to teach ¦ ’ once a week England, and then at the Thurrock Techmeal <^bege, et really not there. ” Grays, Essex and al^ ^t the many newspaper " • • - — The Home Coming “I am on the threshold of recoga'- tion, ” says Dorab Contractor a Parsi appointed as an sculptor who visited Bombay recently creative wood carving after 18 years in p—Tec adds modestly, “yet really not there. .Tudging from C— -----— - * < u clippings of leading British papers Centre, Homchurcb: that focus on him, however, he ap- same vear he was Centre, Upminister and Duty Falls ¦ 'in March the elected as a full mar locus on lum, iiuw^wx, x.v. -y acixnv xx- pears to have already attained fame, member to the Committee of National An Associated Press photo-caption Society of Painters, Sculptors of his hands working on a piece of Printmakers. In addition, the mema ordinary blackboard chalk writes that has praised his works m glowing Contractor “is possibly the on.y terms. _ , sculptor in the world who works in '------- ----- . chalk. ” Twenty five of these delicately cepts graciously. However, , it is when rnizder Ciavs that durinp his oresi- carved pieces, presented to the Queen he is talking of his art itself that e ’s deSy,^the Indian Mercham Chambers on the silver jubUee of her reign most animated and_ etnobon^. vdll tackle the burning problems ( one for each year ) stand in dis- p----- -- „ x v * i, f^ng the business commumty, and play at the Buckin^am Pala^, he projections of P^^^^T^P^the whole endeavour to bring about an economic says. According to his bio-data, he should see the original. . . the whole revival of the country, according to has held three one-man exhibitions in a Business India magazine report. 1972, 1975 and 1977 and partici- “The main problems which are retarding industrial growth in the and 1972; same year he was society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers. In addition, the me^a possibly the on.y terms. •’ ’ X - These recognitions Contractor ac- _____2 :: ¦¦ ¦ ’--“I &king of his art itself that he ’S protests against the one-dimension ' ’ --------------- “You structure. . . the curves. . . .the intri ­ cate work. ..” His hands caressingly and an imaginery scalpel works its intricate 7 pated in two group exhibitions in 1970 trace the forms in the air « *___ _ HAaImaI 1^0 in early 1978 he waswas when he was nine Since then he has been Ranina, a tax consultant, author and advocate. he recalls, years old. ------ tr ansf orming these brittle pieces inti works of art. And now? His face glows as he speculates at the possibility of giving up his present job and working full- time at his art. “Well. . . maybe, ” he says. Zoroastrian Bank “L________ . . . . ___ middle class families to maintain their those M Valued Contributions A Bengali-Hindu by birth, Jatindra Mohan Chatterjee has authored 10 books on the Zoroastrian religion in addition to several others that he has v/ritten on our religion in Bengali. In early November 1979, at the age of _ _________ _____ 91, Chatterjee suffered a heart attack ‘It has become impossible for the which caused great concern among _______ _ __ ____ ¦ ¦________ ’ ' ’ ____; in the community that knew mini mum standard of living, which fijm. Mahyar B. Patel, a c ---- , level, ” R. A. Gagrat, president of ________________ ___ _______ ____ close friend as it is, is barely above the subsistence gud associate of Chatterjee, submits level, ” R. A. Gagrat, president of g brief life-sketch of the “Zoroastrian- the Zoroastrian Co-operative Credit by-choice. ” Bank Ltd., in a hardhitting address patel writes that Chatterjee, who at the Annual General Meeting of was bom in 1888 in Sungar village m the Bank on 11, October 1979, traced the dilemma of the middle class fa ­ milies to on t ment ” on the economic front. in a harxfiiitting address Chalk sculptures by Contractor way around an imaginary piece ihen almost apologetically he at of chalk. re- a district of Dacca, graduated from Calcutta University in 1912 with a the “utter mismanagement Masters degree in Sanskrit. In 1917, the part of the (Indian) Govern- fig joined Government service and it ___ ___ 2__ \ was during the years between 1924 The sum total of the Five Year and 1929 when he was posted at Plans has been nothing but a catalogue Behrampur in the district of Murshi- _________________ , of increased poverty, food shortages, dabad that he was first drawn to the netrThat he is unable to devote his utter lack of cheap housing accomo- message of Prophet Zarathushtra. At said Gagrat. editor of Cherag Magazine, provided .iiiivxiv _ _____*,_____ _ J “It is the duty of the Government to him with a number of books and in- him he repairs damaged valuable manage the country ’s economy effec- formation on the religion. Meanwhile ’ ¦ .................... ’ ------- « our Chatterjee started to teach himself ! Avesta luii-ume attention to his art but must dations, insanitary conditions of living fiis request work as a professional musical m- and growth of slums, ” said Gagrat. editor of C strument restorer, that is, according to ixU-iAj - -------- ----- ~ instruments like the violin, cello ana lively but, to the misfortune of the like; “My bread and butter job/ ’ c- ’y He is not complaining. He likes his maintainance of living standards has language from primary books, woik. He is thankful that it allows been completely subordinated to poll- satisfied with the existing him enou gh time to pursue his art. tical expediency and self-interest. ” translations of the sacred book of the lhen pin king up a photograph: “You Gagrat also frayed the Government Zoroastrian religion he sought to inter- should see tne origi^. . his hands [or its inability to maintain proper pret the Gathas in light of a compara- start to lovingly trace the structure law and order in the country and the five study with the Vedas. He saw through the air. “woefully unimaginative ” budget of similarities between the Spenta and Eighteen years ago. Contractor February 1979 which he felt was Angra Mainyu of the Gathas and die country, orderly development and Gujarati, Persian and the the like; “My bread and butter job. ’ tnankfui that it allows been completely subordinated to poli- ------- .. --I ----- J.------- self-4nterest. ” was says he set sad for Errand to pursue “positively detrimental to the eco- Satwa and Tamas Gunas of the Vedas, his art and hopefully to be an assistant nomy ” and which led to all —around He believed that Zarathushtra was the to the famous artist Henry More. He “inflationery pressure on almost all first Universal Prophet who enjoined severe monotheism, anioonism, cast- The results of the bank for the year equality, universal brotherhood ‘very satis- Sufi doctrine owes its, existence to the _____ ____ > froni Gathas of Zarathushtra. _ __ ____ In the last year ’s level of Rs 82,81, 471 to In his book The Hymns of Athar- he got married to an Rs 89, 61, 552 while total loans and van Zarathushtra, Chatterjee writes: Zarathushtra is mother to me, He is father to me. Zarathushtra is my friend, He is my beloved. Zarathushtra is my all-in-all. None else I know —None Ji 844 to Rs 38, 37, 392. Net profits for sculpture and modelling against last year ’s figure of Rs 3, 12, ]04. 64. Total reserves at the year end were Rs 20, 88, 046, against Paid up Share Capital of Rs 5, 91, 975. The 3,645 share holders of the Bank I adds, that circumstances forced him commodities of necessities of life. ” to defer his dream as the right open - The results of the bank for the year equality, universal brotherhood and • log just did not present itself, but that ending 30, June 1979 were, however, militancy . He also believes that the did not deter him. He took up various according to Gagrat, ----- ---- other jobs and when time permitted factory ”. Total deposits rose involv^ himself in his art. 1“ ----- meanwhile, o-’--------- - ¦ ¦ . Enghsh girl and presently resides overdrafts were up from Rs 30, Id, with her at Essex. 844 to Rs 38, 37, 392. Net profits for Born in 1929 tn Bombay, Contrac- the year were Rs 3, 41, 263, 31 ^as tor studied f at the Sir J. J. School of Art in Bom ­ bay for five years to obtain a diploma in modelling. After graduation, cording to his bio-data, he was — j, t, ployed by the Archaeological will receive dividends of 12% or Rs Department of the Government of 3 per share which have a face value India, to restore major sculptures of of Rs 25. the rock-temples of EUora, Ajanta — ---------- -------- j t. i ? i. .i and the Elephanta Caves. From a very joined the Managing Committee of tion of India and P^istan he left au early age, he had been carving black- the Bank. They were T. R. Andhya- bis property back in Pakistan and board chalk, his first chalk sculpture, rujina, a leading advocate and H. P. came to reside in India. At his new ac- em- the In 1947, Chatterjee resigned from the government service when he was During the year two new members the Deputy Collector. With the parti- j I s !! 9 1I and games for children organized by the Public Relations committee, now in the second year of its existence. Other activities of the PPP includtO financial assistance to deserving ap ­ plicants of the weaker sections of the \ the Education residence at Barasat, 15 miles north of Calcutta, the pictures of Zarathu- shtra, Sri Ramachandra and Sri Krishna are enshrined in what is known as the ‘Rudra Mandir ’ and therein Chatterjee recites passages from the Gathas, the Prisni and the Gita in his daily prayers. Patel adds that Chatterjee was felicitated twice by the community. ______ First in 1967 by the Parsis of Calcutta ed a socio-economic survey of the who presented him with a shawl of community in Delhi (see ^ticle in this honour and a silver salver inscribed issue); in Poona a committee to sup- with a message of esteem and affec- ervise and attend the religious cere- tion. Again in 1972 the community monies performed under ^the reportedly on behalf of the entire has been established according to th? c ommuni ty, with an address in which annual report of the PPP for the year he was thanked for his contributions ending December 1978; and inJHy- in the field of Gathic literature. - - - ¦— The list of books authored by Chat ­ terjee are; Ethical Conceptions of the Gathas- , „ 1931 Gathas —1932, Prisni Gatha — that in addition to an upward revision 1934, Ramachandra and Zarathushtra of the salaries of the mobeds, agiary —1935, The Hymns of Athravan and Anjuman “d Zarathushtra —1967, Athravan Zara- the Anjuman has also insured the life thushtra —The Foremost Prophet — 1971, Message of the Gatha as Reflected in the Masnavi of Moulana Jalal-ud-din Rumi —1971, The Gospel mobeds with of Zarathushtra in the Words of deposit Moulana Jalal-ud-din Rumi —1972, ----------------— „ . , , - ¦, Visnu and Mazda —1975, The Origin Ughts two public lectures of Zora- view of the unproved econonuc con- of Sufism —1978. ‘-------- ---------- - Annual Reports A number of anjumans and pancha- yats in India are showing greater social, religious and cultural aware ­ ness in extending their activities be- IlVOd 111 UlVll WN/VX T x: • xV 1% yond managing and administering cornm^ity tmough Ut properfe Reoenfly the DelU and Doles S^S-nu Pa™ Anhiman initiated and snonsor- awards to seven outstanding studens trust 1 . Parsi Anjuman initiated and sponsor ­ and two sportsmen, and the securing of wool from the Bombay P^i Pan- chayat for the Zoroastnan ladies who v/eave kustis for a living. The report adds that 24 new members signed up cEtta*^ honoured ^atterjee, of the Poona Parsi Panchayat (PPP) to Ae body S^^e U a ^al s^ength .fAdiv hpbnif of the entire has been estabUshed according to th? of S were held during the period. Assets of the Panchayat recorded in ccwmmunity, with an address in which annual report of the PPP for the year I of Trustees held during the period. derabad and Secunderabad, the Parsi -------- - - Zoroastrian Anjuman of the Twin city in the audited^ statement of reports in its tri-annual report for the are over 16.5 lac ru^es, up y years ending December 1975 to 1977, 1.3 lac rupees over the previous yea s ^ound 1.65 lac rupees, only figures; while the income for the year was <------ - -” staff and Nassasalais, marginally higher than 1977. ux.v _ ______ ______________ The report from Secunderabad and of one^mobed and one chasniwalla at Hyderabad, records that the Anjuman an annual cost of a little over Rs. has been able to obtain exemption for 1,000 and further covered two other all the Anjuman ’s trust prr^erty from a monthly cumulative the Andhra Pradesh Budding (Lease, ,1, ~Z,‘- Rent and Eviction) Control Act, The PPP annual report also high- I960. The exemption was stl Road, Secunderabad 500003. I Merchants under the auspices of the Bombay are Parsi Panchayat (BPP), is in the philanthropic market of the commu- i-------------- * . - nity to raise funds for the construction in an appeal note that presently Were of building on land owned by the is no movie film record of the suf- BBP’ the Poona Parsi Panchayat has ficient part ” the Parsi commumty h^ submitted plans for the approval of played “in the development of poh- the city municipality for the construe- tical, economic, cultural and sinted mobeds in addition to pro- is used to keep the fire of its agiary Members to the advisory board of viding them with free boarding and aglow. An appeal note in Gujarati the project are Piloo H. Mody, lodging, writes N. B. Captain honorary explains that the price of wood is former M. P. and president of the treasurer of the D.P.A presently three times what it was a Akhil Bhartiya Deenbandhu Congress Further, the Trustees are also con- year ago and that this has placed a —Cultural Division, Dr. Peshotan B. sidering the construction of separate tremendous stress on the limited Warden, founder of Akhand Parsa priests ’ quarters in the near future, funds of the Anjuman. and ex-editor of Parsiana, Mahiyar an undertaking, they note, “which Donors may send cheques in favour B. Patel, Secretary of the Iranian will involve heavy capital expend!- of the Agiary ’s President, Maneksha Zoroastrian Anjuman and Noshir ture. ” In addition the Anjuman has N. Botawalla to the Igatpur Zarthosty S. Pochkhanawala, an industrial also agreed to grant an ex-gratia pay- Anjuman, Igatpuri. consultant. ment of Rs 15,000 over three years Noted industrialist Naval Tata is to the widow of Head Priest Ervad SPOTLIGHT reported to have already contributed Daraius Bagli who died early in 1979 Dilnawaz Variava was one of the Rs 10,000 to the project from the after serving the capital city for more Indians among the 20 foremost Navajbai Tata Trust. Donors are re- than 25 years. wild life conservationists who were quested to send cross and order Names of all persons who donate awarded the Order of the Golden Ark cheques in favour of “V. C. Enter- Rs 1,000 and above will be inscribed jpyg award which was creat- rises ” or “Akhli Bhartiya Deen- on a marble tablet placed inside the founder president of the bandhu Congress —Cultural Division ” agiary. Drafts, and cheques should be YVorld Life Fund Prince Bernhard of to V. C. Enterprises, 7/1 J. K. Build- made in favour of “Delhi Parsi An- Netherlands, is in recognition * ing, H. G. Road, Gamdevi, Bombay, juman ” and sent to the Honorary gpggial services to conservation. Treasurer, Delhi Parsi Anjuman,_Ba- Agiary Maintenance Fund 1 - - - - - _ - • ... __ _ __ —, Appealing to the generosity of New Delhi 110002. Captain adds; Centr^^Bank of India, Hyderabad “Parsis adl ovw India and the Chari- nuaUfy t-nx erm- . ----- ,—--------: table Trusts of our community ” the cessions under section 806 of the In rf • A. • mWA tIVVi) VKZ T • • Treasurer, Delhi Parsi Anjuman, Ba ­ hadur aah ZafM^aj^, Delhi Gate, Mehta chief manager, “‘donations will qualify for tax con- j.eoio]i, won the best member recogni- tion for 1979 awarded by the Indian Society for Training and Development. . The award is for his overall contribu ­ tion in furthering the Society ’s activi ­ ties in the area of human resource development. .. The Zoroastrian Co-operative Credit Bank Limited Earn interest upto 10|% on Fixed Deposit Account and 5|% on Savings Bank Accounts Mr Namdar Feredoon Kermmi was recently appointed as the Assis ­ tant Police Commissioner for Bombay. The former Police Inspector, who started his career with the police force as a sub-inspector in 1947, has worked on many successful cases and has been in charge of a number of police stations all over the city. As Assistant Police Commissioner he is in charge of the Police Welfare Division. .. Feredoon Loans and Overdrafts granted on moderate terms. 16, HORNIMAN CIRCLE BOMBAY 400 023. Phone : 29 89 87 Mr Rusi K. Darawala has been ap ­ pointed as the new Chairman of the General Insurance Corporation of India. Daruwala, who started his career as an assistant in the Actuarial Department of the New India As ­ surance Company, was the General Manager of the Corporation before his recent appointment. .. 15ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD “FIRE PEOPLE” OF PAKISTAN Though the Pakistan Parsis number around five to six thou ­ sand they have made a substantial contribution to the country. In an article in the May, 1977 issue of the Karachi monthly, The Herald, Khorshed Laskari wrote about the Zoroastrian community in Pakistan. We carry here ex­ tracts from her article “ The Fire People.” Pakistan the community. The Parsis, both men and women are well-educated. They show a preference for business and industry' and professions such as law, medicine, and teaching. Some h.ive retired from the army as oflScers, and a few young men are now serving as officers, or studying as cadets in the armed forces. Very few Parsis are serving in high government posts Mr S. Poonegar is a PCS officer at Quetta. Two Parsis have been in the diplomatic service for many years with postings all over the world. They are ambassadors Mr Jamshed Marker and Mr J. G. Kharas. Mr Justice Dorab F. Patel was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Parsis of Karachi have taken School. a keen interest in civic life. There The most notable group achieve- have been several mayors, health ment of Parsi women in Karachi is officers. Chief officers an^ engineers the systematic administration of the ] ’ ’• --___ - . -__ - " The most outstanding was Mr Jamshed This organisation Nusservanji Mehta, known as ............................ “Maker of Modern Karachi. ” Several women are running their own business, like hairdressing, confec ­ tionery, sari embroidery and interior decoration with great success. Rashna Homji, a Parsi girl from Karachi gained plaudits as a solo dancer with the Royal Ballet in London. Dr Ms Vera C. Cowasjee is a Ph.D in Archaeology and holds the disctinc- tion of being the first Asian lady to get this degree from the Institute of Archaeology, University of London. Her subject is the art history of Iran, with special reference to the Achae- raenian Period. Principals of both the Parsi schools are women —Ms Dina Mis try at BVS and Ms Mani Contractor at Mama The Parsis first began trickling into the Pakistan region in 1825—nearly twenty years before the British annex ­ ed Sind. They made it in the fast prospering Karachi. They went about the task of ameliorating their own commimity. For over fifty years the Eduljee Dinshaw family have led in building low cost houses for _Ae poor and middle-class Parsis. ~ Lady Dufferin Hospital and innumer- . „ able public dispensaries as also the “Maker of Modern Karachi. He of social meetings and welfare work. NED Engineering College were set up served as the head of the municipality in recent years its sphere of activities by the Dinshaw family. Sir Kavasji lor thirteen years until 1934. He was has been greatly expanded with Katrak was another prominent known all over the sub-continent as generous donations earmarked for philanthropist of Karachi who gave " 4 _ x._ away large sums f ' - other welfare projects. father of the Scouts Movement m The Katrak Hall and the Katrak Karachi. He was also elected to the education^ in civic life. There The in the Karachi Municipal Corporation. Karachi Zarathosti Banu Mandal. ___ __1____ 1 for women was the founded in 1912 with the joint aims another prominent known all over the sub-continent as generous donations earmarked tor xxxvx^lxl „ixw a dedicated social worker and philan- various welfare projects. Energetic for housing and thropist. He was regarded as the sub-committees have been appointed other weffare projects. father of the Scouts Movement in each department —Poor Welfare The Katrak Hall and the Katrak Karachi. He was also elected to the education. Medical Relief Rehabili- Building for the Sind Red Crescent Sind Assembly, though he refused to tation and Child Welfare. The best Society are two of his munificences, join any party. physicians, surgeons and specialists The Cowasjee family has also found- Parsis were pioneers of the modern willingly render free service for poor ed various charitable institutions. The hotel business in Pakistan. The Beach patients. The Banu Mandal now has century-old Bai Virbaijee Sopariwalla Luxury Hotel of Karachi, started by its own spacious premises known as Boys School and the Mama Parsi Mr Dinshaw B. Avari, is thirty years the Manijah Mehta Hall donated by Girls School, both now open to all old. Hotel Metropole was established the son of a devoted past President communities, ’ were started by Parsi soon afterwards by the late Mr Cyrus jn her memory. Situated in the park philanthropists. The BN Minocher- F. Minwalla, and is now run by his the Katrak Parsi Colony, it is a homji Parsi General Hospital, started son Mr Darius Minwalla, who is convenient and pleasant place for in 1935 moved into its own premises also connected with Hyatt ’s Regency y^ork and play. There is a monthly later on with the help of donors who in Karachi. Mr D. B. Avari has now function for which members are continue to aid it regularly. The established Avari Hotels Ltd., which charged a nominal fee. beautiful Clifton Parade and Pier, includes the Karachi and Lahore p. uiay be a cooking session or a opened in 1921, was a gift of Sir Hiltons. flower demonstration, a lecture or Jehangir Kothari, a rich businessman Parsis have shown scant interest in seminar, a picnic, an educational ex- ¦' " ' ’• ”---------. cursion to factories or archaeology public. * tan People Party issued a ticket to a sites as far afield as Mohenjodaro. There are now a little over 5,000 Parsi, Mr Hoshang H. Broacha, to The Mandal is a registered social jtiiaugu ivvvnuii, « __________ PaTsls ha VC shown scant interest in and intrepid traveller, to the Karachi politics. However, in 1976 the Pakis- public. I------- X - , . There are now a little over 5,000 Parsi, Mr Hoshang H. Broacha, to — --------- Parsis in Pakistan concentrated mainly represent all the minority communi- v/elfare body and its work was lauded ¦ in Karachi. Several new settlers came ties of Karachi, and was elected un- by the visiting government inspector, with the opening of job opportunities opposed to the former Sind Assembly, as was reported at the annual general after partition. Some migration to US Parsi women in Pakistan are march- meeting. The Managing Committee is and Canada, especially among the ing with the times. Teaching, medicine composed of a dedicated band of young, is taking place these days for and nursing had long been favoured ladies rendering selfless service. The higher education and employment in professions. Now both married and un- Banu Mandal is often approached by foreign countries. married women are employed in offices APWA, Red Crescent and other Lahore and Quetta have small in large numbers as stenographers and organisations for help in collecting Parsi colonies of about 150 Parsis secretaries to supplement the family funds for regular relief work or in each. The Bhandaras in Lahore and income. Some Parsi girls are air- • * • ’ ’ — the Markers in Quetta are leaders of hostesses with PIA and other airlines. ties of Karachi, and was elected un- by the visiting government inspector, as was 1.,—., 1 Parsi women in Pakistan are march- meeting. The Managing Committee is times of national emergencies. Other Parsi organisations of Karachi 17Zoroastrian Iranian languages and literature. Here for a brilliant Parsi took his education literary activities. It has a library. The and was installed as the High Priest K JlTflCni Po-poi Mln,..__ 3 _ ______J. _P -rr . ]^^09 J J was Shams-ul-Ulema Dastur Dr M. J a wise and learned, who served the Parsis m has a 67- all parts of the world through his fetremely well-read, widely travel ­ led and broad minded, his well- some balanced wews and authoritative - of teachings were of immense value to X . - com- those willing to learn. He died in munity functions. Pages in English 1956 and even today his books on all are also included occasionally. aspects of Iranian civilisation are Parsi men and women have always frank as he himself was during his taken a keen interest in eastern and ministership. Dastur Dr Dhalla not western music. The pianist Mr. only studied the past, but was a keen Ferose Buchonie took up the study observer of the way of life of the of music seriously. He went to Parsis of his day whom he strove to Europe on a scholarship and studied divert at the right path when neces- music under the celebrated Alfred sary. “Righteousness rests on the in- are 1 _____ ____ Association founded mainl y Karachi Parsi Institute played a great of the'karachrParSs' in part in fostenng sports in the city, Giiama-ui-Uivuia Dasiur lyr holding cricket matches and tennis N. DhaUa, M.A., Ph.D., D.Litt., tournaments. It serves as a recreation - • - - club for members and their families. The Parsi commimity I__ _ _ year-old Gujarati bi-weekly paper, eloquence and writings. Parsi Sansar edited originally by Mr " ' - - Perzeshaw Dastur and now by his son, Mr Meherji Dastur. Besides : general news, there are articles interest to Parsis and reports of ? are also included occasionally. T- • taken a keen interest most distinguished personality, QUEBEC Small is Beautiful “Our strength is our smallness. ” says Ms Dolly Dastoor, president of the Zoroastrian Association of Quebec who was on a recent visit to Bombay. Dastoor estimates that there are about 150 Zoroastrian families, many of whom have taken up citizenship, living in the Canadian province though not all are members of the Association. Most of them Dastoor adds, are highly qualified profession ­ als and a number of them have also established their own business there. The Association, one of the oldest on the North American continent, was established in 1967. Apart from the regular meeting and functions arranged to celebrate festive days, the association has prepared cassette re ­ cordings of Zoroastrian prayers, the Cortot On'his rrtum'’he wmtedT ‘'Righteousness rests on the in- ?o “uVSWcompilSon ‘’ind°^S- Karachi. He has given many piano Again, Zoroastrian virtues have made visits bv Zoroastrian scholars to tail- Fo^di o?thi^?t"hl director. life of fjje teeming millions of India. ” ‘‘Beine out there we reallv want to . In the early years of this century, Reprinted with permission from May nreserve the reUoion h a chair existed at Columbia Univer- 1977 issue of The Herald: copyright The faced with Xfdc thTe'f?^ sity, New York, lor the study of A„ re.r,eA. Sen™?i^-Xlat “°To S auspices^ of the^ Music munity has secured a pioneer place in social, intellectual, and industrial With Compliments of ADI B. SACAR & CO Electrical Engineers & Contractors Bombay. 19sure up to the task she believes the asswiation “will have to create the environment, which is very diffi cult** and will involve taking steps that may appear unorthodoxy. In regard to inter-communal marriages, the Asso ­ ciation accepts the non-Parsi spouses and children of such unions into the community regardless of whether the husband or wife is Zoroastrian. Though no request for a Navjote ceremony of a person of non-Zoroas- trian parentage has been received as yet, such a request in the future will in all probability be okayed by the Association. “We are not trying to become radical, ” Dastoor states. “We are concerned about preserving the religion...we have to look at the future. ” Presently the association is consi ­ dering the feasibility of having a place, “a little centre, ” of its own, but Dastoor adds “there are so many pro ­ blems... who will look after it? Who will finance it?...we are so small. ” Yet she is hopeful and confident in the future of the community in Canada. To illustrate the degree to which the community has integrated into the “multi-cultured ” Canadian community she points out that greet- ings are beamed over TV and radio stations on 21 March each year to mark the Zoroastrian New Year. noted freedom fighter and theosoph- ist. which we reproduce here: AUSTRALIA The-first-small-giant-step With the establishment of the First Building Fund Committee the Zoroas ­ trian Association of New South Wales., Australia, has begun to realize the creation of a Zoroastrian Founda ­ tion in Australia. Purviz Kolsawalla, president of the Association, focuses on the embryonic vision in the March issue of the newsletter of the Association: “I would like to em ­ phasise again the self reliance and effort to be put in by our community to get this project off the ground and achieve our cherished dream. There are no ‘soft ’ options in this issue and constructive help and generous dona ­ tions from all of us, 5ong with the blessings of Ahura Mazda, will get the desired results. ” Members of the Building Fund Committee are; Farrokh Mistree, Minoo Batliwalla, Purviz Kolsawalla and Dr Peshotan Katrak. The newsletter also includes for the interest of its readers a speech made in 1906 by Ms Annie Beasant, the AWAKE O ZOROASTRIAN “O my Parsi brothers our Prophet is not dead. He hag not perished. He is watching over the religion that he founded: ever seeking to raise it from its present degradation, to give it back its lost knowledge, its lost powers. What nobler work for the Zoroastrian of today than to permeate his brethren with the ancient fire, to relight its blaze on the spiritual altar of their hearts: What nobler work than to study his own Scriptures, and to go forth and teach the ancient learning with the authority and power that can only be wielded, by men of the same faith with those he addresses. The fire is not dead; is only smouldering on its ancient altars; white-hot are the ashes, ready to reburst into flames. And 1 dream of a day when the breath of the great Prophet Zarathu- shtra. shall sweep again through His temples, fanning the ashes on the altars of those ancient flames, and evety altar shall flash into fire, and again from heaven the answering flames shall f^ll, making the Zoroas ­ trian religion once more what it ought WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS FROM MAZDA MANUFACTURING COMPANY No. 6 Datta Mandir Road, Bhandup, Bombay-400 078. Manufacturers of Hospital Equipment and Heavy Duty Industrial Kitchen Equipment. 21to be, a beacon light for the souls of book Hi No Michi, which translates to men, one of the greatest religions of Wnxr Pw” Kv the world ”. "The Way of Fire ”, by Seicho Matsumoto suggests that the answer is ‘yes ’. Pavri states that the book presents enough evidence to lend credibility to the theory that a section of the Zoroastrian religion did reach Japan via China. “The book of course : North has many things which are not easy the 16th to agree with, ”he adds “but related the observations do indicate the presence might of Zoroastrians in Japan. ” “ Pavri also points out the popular CANADA Did you know Did you know that a ‘Zarathushtra ’s Temple ’ has existed in the American continent since 1 Century? That one branch of •great migration ’ from Iran have reached Japan? That the Zoro- ____ ____ , estrian influence is apparent in the reception the Japanese market accord- Dead Sea Scrolls? These enlightening ed to the issue of the book. Since its it-might-interest-you articles are car- first publication by Bungei Shunju ried by the newsletters of Quebec and Sha Publishers of Tokyo in November Ontario. 1975 seven editions hit the market by July 1976. Further N.K.H.—T.V. ‘Zarathnshtra ’s Temple’ started to broadcast programmes The article, “Zarathushtra ’s Temple based upon the book in April 1976. in the New World, ’’ by Phiroz Dastoor of Brassard Quebec, appears Dead Sea Scrolls, in the ZAQ publication Gavashni. The influence of Zoroastrianism on Dastoor writes that ‘Zarathushtra ’s the Dead Sea Scrolls, believed to be Temple, ’ which took millions of the earliest known record of the Bible years to build, stands at a height and other Hebrew texts written bet- of 7,136 feet and is said to guard the ween the 1st century BC and th© Angel Creek of the Grand Canyon first half of the 1st century AD and Valley in the U.S.A. The ‘I'emple ’, discovered in the caves near the Dead • however, is not really a temple where Sea, is indicated in the book by J. people go to pray, but is only a name Lewis, Religion oj the World Made given to one of the many towering Simple. Pulti Byram] ee submits com- mountainlike structures that the Colo- rnents from the book, Appendix B: rado River and the forces of nature ‘The World ’s Great Sacred Books, ” have carved into the Grand Canyon in a newsletter of the ZSO. Valley over millions of years. When ____ __ , the first Spanish immigrants visited the to a small community which had Grand Canyon around 1540 they withdrawn from the Hasmonean King- “started naming some of these awe dom and established themselves in inspiring structures rightly after the monasteries in isolated situations. (American) Indian tribes, ” says Here they lived lives of renunciation Dastoor. “Sometimes, the grand struc- and discipline while waiting for the tures were called by mythological End of the Age. This would take the names of Gods and prophets of the form of a War of the Children of Old World. The size, shape and colour Light against the Children of Dark- have no relationship with the names. ’ ness. In this struggle God would The book. Grand Canyon, by B. H. intervene and destroy the wicked. ” Granger which mentions the ‘temple ’ The Manual of Discipline tells ,is comments on the prophet thus : that “the influence of Zoroastrianism “Zarathushtra was the founder of is clearly seen here for there is a what was for generations the national cosmic conflict between the Powers of religion of the Perso-Iranian people. Darkness and Light. AU men must He is believed to have lived around belong to one or other of these powers. 700 B.C. He was the founder of the The conflict goes on not only in the wisdom of The Magi, rejecting the world but in the heart of man. 'ITius myriad gods of his age in favour of the doctrine reflects a basic dualism, ' concentration on the spirit of good. ” closely connected with subsequent “For location of the Zarathushtra ’s doctrine of Original Sin. Note also Canyon, Zarathushtra ’s Temple in ‘The that every man is endowed at birth Heart of the Grand Canyon ” Dastoor either with the Spirit of Light or the writes “see a beautifully coloured map Spirit of Darkness... Zoroastrianism of Grand Canyon in National Geo- is also reflected in the doctrine of a graphics Vol. 154, No. l,p.32 (1978).” Day of Judgement and the punishment of the wicked. It should not be sup- Zoroastrians in Japan? posed that this is an essentially Hebrew “Were There Zoroastrians in doctrine, nor is it purely Christain. It Japan? ” Jamshed K. Pavri asks in the is an importation from Zpro- title of his article in Gavashni. The astrianism. ” “These important documents refer a ! “ ¦ •” ’ " There in Handicrafts and Gifts for festive occasions Gifts& the gift shop at Bombay Swadeshi Stores Ltd., Sir P. M. Road, Bombay 400 001. Tel : 253443 23NEWS FROM THE MEDIA The Case of the Short-sighted supervision. In despair, the unhappy about to prove it to the world. He lawyer wrote a letter to a man he dr;?'t?- ----- When the creator of fiction ’s most believed would save him —Sir Arthur case. His literary activities were shelv- enduring sleuth, (Sherlock Holmes > Conan Doyle, turned detective himself. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did more than save dam ­ sels from specked vipers or young Lords from spectral hounds. In real life. Sir Arthur rescued a coloured man from criminal charges framed by a biased police force. The persecuted innocent was Geo^e Shapurji Edalji, a solicitor living in Great Wyhrley near Birmingham. As the surname suggests, Edalji was of Parsi descent. In spite of being born in Britain, he was somehow regarded by the local residents as an immigrant with no moral and social sense. So when certain bizarre crimes took place in the neighbourhood, the police force reasoned that the culprit could be only the ‘sinister ’ Asian. The crimes were out of the ordinary. In Great Wyrley, a number of horses Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and ponies had been attacked at night and slashed with a sharp instrument. The mutilated animals were then left __ _____ to die. Coinciding with this savage out- stories had demonstrated a unique . break of cattle-ripping was a stream method of scientific deduction. After we ask the public of Gr^t Bntain of anonymous letters in which the all, it was Conan Doyle ’s own whether this is to go on. ^e nnpas- gory deeds were praised. “There ’ll be experience of life which led him to sioned columns animated Sir Arthur s merrier times in November, ” some of portray so vividly a character with compatnots to take up the persecut- the unsigned letters exulted, “when whom he had much in common. But ed lawyer s case wholelwartedly. Street we ’ll begin with little girls! ” more important than intellectual deiiionstrations and a flt^ of letters Village gossip had already branded acumen were qualities of heart. He to the editors testified to their support, the alien inhabitant as the offender. A had earned a reputation as a fighter Overm^t, George Edalji became hero _ __ _ • 1 X-4-P nil + wrote: “Many are the theories pro- prejudice as much as he detested George Edalji goes out in the night 1 ¦ ¦ ¦___ idea is that he makes nocturnal sacri- Sir Arthur found Edalji reading a fices to strange gods. ” newspaper ’------------------ On August 18, 1903, the police eyes and rather sideways. “Mr. Edalji, ’ arrested George Edalji on fabricated hie enquired, “Don ’t you suffer from crusading against the charges of ripping a pony the previous astigmatic myopia? ” The swiftly drawn might of British bureaucracy, night. He was later tried by a bigoted conclusion was as accurate as r"; r... magistrate who accepted laughable Holmes ’ own. “Surely, this point was testimonials as truth and finally sen- raised at your trial ” tenced him to a staggering seven ye.ais" “Sir, ” replied Edalji, “I wanted to • penal servitude. “Lord, have mercy on call an optician as witness but my legal . .. - . , - us, ” cried EdaJji ’s mother as her son advisers said the evidence against me alleged he may have written the inde- disappeared behind bars. was so palpably ridiculous that they cent letters. Result : a pardon but no — wouldn ’t bother. ” compensation for the illegal Conan Doyle reasoned that if Edalji imprisonment. ............................. If Sir Arthur was not pleased witii the imperfect resolution of the Great of fiction ’s most J The creator of Sherlock was gifted for the occasion. His short devoted around a year ’s work to the case. His literary activities were shelv ­ ed, his political ambitions side-lined and he generously met all the expenses a fact-finding study entailed. On January 11, 1907, the resolu ­ tion of the mystery unfolded. The Daily Telegraph published an article by Conan Doyle in which the lid over the Edalji case was ripped off. The author effortlessly demolished the evidence against the young Parsi gentleman, asserting that he had been persecuted purely out of animosity towards coloured people. He condemn ­ ed the strange manner in which the prisoner had been set free without a clearcut acquittal. The home office, he declared, was aware that Edalji was inoncent, but would not own up its * mistake. In powerfully-written prose, he sought to rouse the Britishers ’ fabled sense of fair play. “The door of of ­ ficialdom is shut in our faces, ” he Holmes affirmed. “Now we turn to the last tribunal of all, a tribunal which never errs when facts are laid before it, and important than more Village gossip had already branded acumen were qualities of heart. He reporter from the Express and Star for the underdog, detesting colour^ of pounded in the local ale-houses why racial or religious antipathy. George Edalji goes out in the night They met by appointment in the to slay cattle and a widely accepted foyer of Grand Hotel, Charing Cross. The public outcry compelled the home office to act. A committee of three men was set up to examine the question whether it was really Edalji who ripped cattle or wrote anoymous fices to strange gods. ” newspaper which he held close to his letters. On August 18, 1903, the police eyes and rather sideways. “Mr. Edalji, ’ Sir Arthur did not realize he was arrested George Edalji on fabricated he enquired, “Don ’t you suffer from crusading against the monolithic « ..a. ... a X^aa FTM * 1 .1________ laiiM/vAimwn ZtT r ' J any of three-man committee ignored his vital findings and came up with a report seeking of bias and diplomatic com ­ promise. While conceding that Edalji was innocent of cattle-ripping, they cried EdaJji ’s mother as her son for Then, in 1906, Edalji was inexpli ­ cably released. There was no word of pardon. The home office did not was so short-sighted in daylight,^ he say whether he was guilty or innocent. LL ----- For Edalji, living in this limbo of ‘free- at night. To expect such a man to Wyrley mystery, the chief protagonist, but-guilty ’ was agonising. He had beer stalk ponies and maim them at n?d- George Edalji, was more than content struck off the roll of solicitors and night was absurd. Convinced of the He had been welcomed back to the could not practice while under police lawyer ’s innocence. Sir Arthur set roll of solicitors and The Daily Tele 25 would have to grope his way outdoorsn esiring to enshrine his memory in municipal corporation will repair the ¦ - ro mmi ttee fountain, as it has renovated another For, it is not just a fountain and , :;3?. :___ -j the of deigning it to the then municipal Persia lives on here, celebrities like Jerome chief engineer, Remzi Walton. Walton styled his work on Persian __ __ _______ ____ architecture of 2,500 years ago. Then 25 Jan. 1980 ed'*GeOTge "shapurjfE^ji, the talent- on three sides of this square struemre, selected fr rJanets Aseranan DOmts out other animals have c —------ - , yearly stint through the planet. Though that the animals , -J feese animals have been an endearing tjie Zodiac si^ r * fratiire of Navroz the sigmficance and ----- , . „ origins of their dissociation with tlie or fish for Pisces, scales for Libra etc. FaS calendar remain relatively were, however, abk to dajw^^^ obscure and in the sphere of specula ­ tion in the Bombay community. - into txx*. . .— -— - by the Fasli calendar. The year of the goat ¦ ¦ ” are actually referring to the year of Best Wishes I vy uiivtx ***•»*' J——— £-------------- X 1 , • I wifi return after a span of with. ” Patel suspeefe completed their not the planets. Asganan pomts out —¦ • - . —1, jjjg symbols of more popular signs like a lion to Leo, on the correspondence between the animals and the Zodiac signs or ____'Ll 111 VIKV -- --------------- ------------ Ervad Sorabji, the Irani boyewala pipets, at t -- -------- , Fountain area speculates with reser ­ vations that the custom been borrowed from Chinese astro ­ logy. “I don ’t know when the custom suspect that it was existent even during of the m<^ey “But I, don ’t the time of the Sasanians, ” he says. how grod all this is, he adds. What might be expected from the Year of the Monkey? “All this ,1« Dadiseth Agi^p; a Bomws the Monkey? “AU Ws is must have really astrology and not religion. ” Sorabji pleads. He points out that the I uuii I xuww _ _____ _ ___ foitunes of the year depend on the fii^Inkod^ced "into T^'^but l characteristics of fee pl^et ^d not “Presently we are in the year of the ^(i goat which is supposed to be the best “It must have come from China, ’’ says Mahyar Patel, secretary <— - - trisuier of the Iranian Zoroastrian of *e ^twelve. But tos year wa^ /TUIXJ 1*11 -----------------------------— astrians interviewed agree with this , view. G. R. Asgarian, the Iraman < ___ in Bombay, however, protests against on 16 February 1980 wnt^; ____<«Tx ____________ nr, ” Incrers sav the Year of the treasurer of the Iranian zoroasirian uv»v±vv. - Anjuman, and most of the Irani Zoro- really bad. See what has happened in view. G. R. Asgarian, the Iranian A Tmes of Mia t^a on 4e financial manager of the Iran Air ofBce Chin^ new year (46781 which feU I- the suggestion. “It is purely Iranian,' ’' he states and then adds; “however, (he custom is so old and at that time there was a lot of cross-cultural influ- peaceJ ence between and the Chinese that it might be pos- • rr * • * ’ sible that it has a common cultural Centre and Iram Zoroastn^s wntact- base. ” He believes the practice exist- ®d professed litfle knowledge beyond ed even durmg the times of Danus the Great. The literature on Navroz provided by the Iranian Consulate in Bombay and available at the libraries of the Iranian Cultural Centre, Bombay, and , , the Cama Oriental Institute makes no completely ignorant of the custom, mention of associating animals with “I’m hearing of it for fee first time, the new year. . said one. “Isn ’t it Chinese? ” said All agree that fee custom is based another. “What ’s feis monkey busi ­ on astrology. Sorabji explains. “Just ness about? ” queued yet another. : -'Asti-o- logers say the Year of the Monkey will be inauspicious, bringing floods and disasters followed by a period of the Iranians, Indians Members of the Iranian Consulate in Bombay, the Iranian Cultural awareness of the custom. Are these animals represented by any symbolism on the Navroz table? “None, ” or “I don ’t know, ” was the general consen ­ sus of the answers. Most Parsis contacted were almost “I’m hearing of it for the first time, ” said one. “Isn ’t it Chinese? ” said ness about? ” queried yet another. m BEHRAM WADIA a ASSOCIATES Consultants in Elearonics Office : n Koregaon Park, Poona-4i I 001 India Telephone ; (0212 J 23134 I Telegrams : Unitec Tlx : Wadia care MCCI 145-333 Attention : Unitec Laboratory ; 144/2 Sassoon Rd., I Poona 411 001. IPhone : 26961 33Shernaz Kermani: Bound to Win Gustasp Irani “It ail started when I was 16 and spend our own money or collect^ur considering participating in the regu ­ lar swimming sports of out school, ” paralysed below the waist and own funds. . . there was no formal organization to train or help us .. . shot putt and the 100 metres wheel ­ chair sprint — and two bronze — discus and precision javelin. Keeping in shape is very strenuous, especially before an international competitic-n, says Kermani. In 1974, the AU India Federation for Sports and Rehabilitation for Paraple^cs (persons parahsed below the waist) was formed with the objective of pro ­ moting sports for the handicapped lai swuiuiuug dpviiD ------- - . -___ says Shemaz Kermani, who has been the Government provided no tangible paralysed below the waist and con- fined to a wheelchair since the age of two. tor, however, sports event Fourteen years later, _ Kermani has participate in -------- r ----- — - . - - for die Handicapped, two intematio- Heidelberg m Germany and tne 1974 nal meets, won four gold, fcui silver and three bronze medals in swimm ­ ing, track and field events in interna- tioal competitions, and has been ho- — . noured with the highest Indian sports Kermani and the entire contingent ol awards: the Arjun Award 1979 tZ ’ ’ v_j die Central Government and the Shiv Chatrapati Award 1979 of the Maha ­ rashtra State Government, misses these achievements casual “I am one of the few lucky ones, ” though upon being congratu ­ lated for her achievements, she is all aglow as she reaches from her wheel ­ chair and offers a firm hand shake. 1 The eldest child of Gover and Din- | yar Sharpoor Irani (Kermani), ths ¦ managing partners of Kermani Trans- i port Company, Kermani losr the use | of her legs after suffering severe I meningitis fever and paralysis. When I she started swimming at the age of I 11 as a form of theraj^, she says, | “my parents, my mother in particular, I had always hoped that I could walk I again. But deep down in me I could | feel nothing in my legs and I suspected I would never walk again. ” After her Kermani: Award winner .. .u tzA nrnrp? Kniith but uow they accept it quite natu- lo boycott g P reallv she says. “Of course no amount Afnea s participation, it was reauy , ¦ • . .u . Ssappointing, ” says Kermani. “But of trammg can guaramce that you sinc^was akeady in Toronto I thoa- wm an event nntd you have might take ^vantage of it, ” she won it she ad*^.^ything . .__ ___ _ —,1 can haooen. You micht eet the ner- for a competitive examination won a scholarship to study German at the Foreign Languages Department nf Philadelohia University. It was “My hydro-therapy instruc- •, introduced me U - for the handicapped. ” facilities. . . we were very much on our own. ” Did she win any medals? “None, ” she says and then with a to a shy sinile adds, “actually I came last ’ in all my events. ” Since then, Kermani has partici- two Olympic Games pated in the 1972 Olympic Games at International Stoke Mendeville Games in London where she won her first international medal, a bronze in the 100 metres wheelchair sprint. Ln 1977, of Indian athletes had gone to Toronto to participate in the Toronto Olym- ___ _ pics when “on the advice of the In- She dis- dian Ambassador to Canada, we had with a _____________ ¥ an “ Of course no amount of training can guarantee that you will win an event until you have act­ ually won it.” had always hoped that I could walk I again. But deep down in me I could feel nothing in my legs and I suspected 1 ....' ¦ " „............ ’ mother died when Kerman t was 16 she started to view her swimming as sport and not hydro-therapy. and preparing contestants for interna ­ tional events. Six months before any such event athletes assemble in Poona, where the main centre of the orgaiu- zation is located, for rigorous train ­ ing, says Kermani. “Every morning we go through one hour of weightli ­ fting, then three hours of swimming practice and in the evening are taken for a one-mUe hike around the army camp where the centre is based. ” Even if there is no competition Kermani keeps fit with a daily one- hour swim at the YMCA pool in Bombay. Though the pool has a se ­ parate time for the handicapped, Kermani prefers to swim during the regular public hours. others were concious of my presence ‘At first ±e Africa ’s participation. since I was already in Toronto I thoa- a* MJ rh:ri.'e''appe3;id can happen. You nngh. ge, uerL L a comnetitive examination and ves, or you nnght get cramp m your arms dunng the race, or you can get a flat tyre. ” Then suddenly remem- 5 ^PhiladelSlua University. ' It was strokes the wheels of her while she w^ studying here that she dharr ftat adverti^ its joum^ availed of the oppirt^ty to parttd- ’d™-' <**« '"'•k«rs .1... Kft rmani recalls the problems she pate in the Pan American Games of faced when she had partiti]?ated in 1977. During this m€»t she won four her first international event, the 1969 golds — three in swimmmg and one Sports aside, Kermam also talks Tel Aviv Olympics for the Handi- in the 400 metres wheelchair race, — about the problems of being a para- capped: “At that time we had 'o four silver — table tennis, javelin, plegic. “Social and psychological There was no organiza­ tion to help us .... the Government provided no facilities .... we were very much on our own.” it across the globe with stickers that cover its backrest, “This is my rac ­ ing chair, ” she says. Sports aside, 35barriers aside, it is the archkecto^ blem for us crips (a tenn she uses to refer to cripple and paraplegic like herself). ” By architectural problems she refers to climbing and descending steps, getting in and out of public trans port or 1 -u • ’ have to cover in their wheelchair. .Accordingly, she derives a sense of achievement in that she has toured a barriers that are the greatest pro ­ blem for us crips (a term she uses to refer to cripple and paraplegic hke herself). ” By architectural problems she refers to climbing and descending steps, getting in and out of public trans port or the kind of terrian that they have to cover in their wheelchair. .Accordingly, she derives a sense of I me or do what he liked but I was not I paying. ” She won her case. I Now at the age of 30, Kermani I envisages herself getting more involv- I ed with the rehabilitation of less for- « tunate paraplegics than herself and less involved with sport though not completely divorced from it. “At my age I realise that there are only a few years of competitive sport left. But then, I achieved more than I ever hoped for, ” she says. Kermani is grateful for the en- couragement her parents, brother, I sister and friends have always given * her. She sees her enrolment in Queen I Mary ’s High School, from where sh< I r-7'" ‘ I tant factor in enabling her overcome ® the social and psychological barriers. Were these barriers formidable? Kermani considers for a while. “When «¦ I came to accept the blunt truth that I would never walk again, my biggest problem at the time was that I would life. But gradually I came to ¦ ’ ’ ' only the degree varies, and ) terms with myself. ” But vv _______________ _______ she observes; “we crips just it but ’ because it was a matter of hate to be carried bodily, it reinforces principle. I told him he could arrest our dependency too strongly. s greater part of Europe and USA on ', her own. “Abroad, ’ -— - . so much more aware of our problems than in India, and they have so many more facihties. ” For instance, she points out, that in Switzerland there is a special booth for the handicapped at all railway stations to help them with their special needs. She notes that after helping a handicapped person onto a train they paste a sticker on ­ to the compartment so that the booth at their destination knows tlat there is a person who will need help to de ­ train. In contrast, she recalls, the first time she travelled to Poona alone. The ticket inspector wheelchair as ba^age charges. “Why to pay, not because I could not afford < chair is my legs, ” an animated Kermani she observes, “they are pasesd her SSC in 1968, as an impor ­ tant factor in enabling her overcome the social and psychological barriers. Were these barriers formidable? Kermani considers for a while. “When I came to accept the blunt truth that I would never walk again, my biggest problem at the time was that I would be dependant on others for the rest of my 112-. ’ realize that everyone is dependant on ticket inspector on that journey . someone, < demanded that she pay exira for her protested. “I told him I was not going I came to Whe?lch'" ‘r Hnaaaap. charges. “Why to pav, not because I could not afford even now j should I have paid extra ?My wheel- Kermani hurling the javelin ‘‘Why should I have paid extra ? My wheelchair is my legs”. 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Previous!)^, since Iran was * a In 1720, the Zoroastrian community in Surat received the revered Dastur Jamasp ‘Valayati ’ (of the motherland) of the Kerman agiary in Iran, to mediate the controversy over the correct positioning c- t — - .loori Rv time he had returned there was --------- I?Us native land he had thrown the to ..perform Kadmi^ SS.W “^'Jtro^^y, » Ma. However, as the ec^ one over the two diilerent nomic conditions J™” f;;S-" Sani or Persi for not wanting S'u^aifMa^- ”- ‘sXrrJ^t^ toYS-X kb?eom_e a priest.JheMd^Mi then it has almost become a tradition country mainly yound the 1950s. for the Kadmis, who <—.. Iranian calendar, which is a month Sorabji believes, left ahead of the Shenshai calendar, 10 look towards Irani mobeds for reli ­ gious guidance and service. “Previously it was believed that only Irani mobeds were qualified to of the feet of section of the community has to the increasingly turn to the Parsi priests for service. Ervad Dinshaw Ardeshir Iram, a ras a Door country anu 50-year-old Irani mobed attached to (Smand^r Irani mobeds the A. D. Dadiseth ap;:.ry was to commit himself. “I do my duty and don ’t get involved, ” he says. He adds that the life of a priest is very hard ” and he would not blame ^y Ervad Dinshaw Ardeshir Irani, poor country and _ ___ ____ ¦ i in India the Iranis found it beneficial to inis uiic vvvx — calendars foUowed by the Zoroastnans improve many of “Previously it was mobed, Ervad Rayomand Valayati clarifies that he is not really Irani; ______ J a Parsi, only my mother is Irani. ” Twenty-year-old Valayati, who has been practicing as a priest for the last five years, says he became a preist because he was interested in the religion. “But now I realise that it is a very difficult life and more difficult to make a living off. I am also interested in electrical engineering and if I should get a chance to study more lucrative employment. Those further, I will definitely stop being a adapted the Many of those who returned to Iran, .......... ’ -t the priesthood “My father is believed that i and cere- Ervad Sorabji, the 60- If I should get a chance to study further, I will definitely stop being a priest” perform Kadmi prayers monies. ” says year-( -o____J _ _______________ - i ___ of Bombay. The tradition, however, yybo remained as priests have either priest, ” he adds. . , . ivoc HAPn ... . ,----------- ij X4 . underscore this reluctancy among the youth in the community to • ¦*¦* _ 4t_ paying jobs in commercial activities Iranis, Sorabji points out that a .uvu.. ----- --------- priesthood. Hence while the charity box was placed in the A. D. After us I suspect there will be no number of priests both in India and Dadiseth agairy years ago with the oj presenting the money I collected to any Irani who should B become a mobed. “It has been so F many years that we don ’t even know where the keys to the ix)x are. Now b the box is filled over and there is no i one qualified to present it to ’', says B Sorabji. I None of the three Irani priest know I of any community o-ganisation or I Anjuman which looks after their I interest in particular. Dinshaw Irani ¦ says that he has received Rs 3(X) per I year over the last two years from the I Iranian Zoroastrian Aiquman but is I otherwise unaware of any scheme that I applies to the Irani me beds. Mahyar I Patel, secretary and treasurer of the I Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman, points out that over the last four years the Anjuman has been distributing a TACcics, ” says Ervad Sorabji, inc ou- year-old Irani boyewala at the A. D. Dadiseth agiary in the Fountain ^ea over the last 25 to 30 years has been qj- have now become old. Mean ­ fading rapidly with the decline in^he younger generation of Irani number of Irani mobeds and today Zoroastrians are opting for better become priests, especially among the suspends over extinction on a slender paying jobs in commercial activities - ................ ’ thread of three Irani mobeds in India, over priesthood. Hence while the u more, ” says Sorabji. The peak in number of Irani mobeds in India, Sorabji estimates, was during the early twentieth century when there were about 75 practicing in Bombay. “When I came to India in 1935, our number was about 45 (in Bombay) ’, says Sorabji. “Since then some have died, others have stopped Practicing as 1 Iran, and there are no , Zoroastrians to take their place likely to do so, ” he adds. While most of the Irani mobeds in India had come from Iran —“Over ___-/I V) J , , J The peak in number of Irani mobeds the^eMly twentieth century when there were about 75 practicing in Bombay. “When I came to India in_l 935, our ___ ____ > s^rSorabji. “Since then some have priests and many have returned to .. . « _ T**O*h5 young Irani or India had come from Iran — over 90% had become biavars and Maratabs in Iran ”—today even in that country there are not enough mobeds to serve the community there. Irani ­ ans are now coming to India to look for Parsi mobeds to come to Iran. 1 lui rmw iiiwu/vwo w - ----------- -- don ’t think they are able to produce Valayati . 38 ‘a difficult life’ thisI T' “ Why should we mobeds want our children to become mobeds and suffer as we did ?” mobeds want our children to be- mobeds and suffer as we did? we come There are no regular working hours for us, no paid leave, no day off in the week. Above aU we earn so little and there is no guarantee of out earnings. course, ” he adds, “we make them Navars and Maratabs but..Sorabji refers to the case of his own two sons; “One is an engineer and the other a MBA and both are earning well. I can ’t except them to become mobeds. ’ “For years we have been trying to draw the attention of the community to this problem (of a decline in the number of priests) but nothing seems to be happening, ” says Dastur Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa high priest of the Anjuman Atash Behram at Princess Street Bombay. It is not that the community is aware of problems. One session the three papers was devoted to Zoro ­ astrian priesthood at the Third World Zoroastrian Congress held at Bombay . . _ — ------ . in 1978. Also, smaller Anjumans and Six times he will ask the bride if she four Fasli full-time practicing mobeds, Panchayats in India like the Parsi Zoro- wishes to marry the man chosen to according to one estimate. Including astrian Anjuman of Hyderabad and be her future husband and six time, ---- - ---- ’— .................................. " ‘ ~ ’ she will find an excuse to differ an answer. Only on the seventh occasion does she consent and i 4^ ' says Behramkamdin. “Of he adds, “we ^.J -4. Sorabji : ‘searching for the bride ’ total sum of Rs 3,000 every quarterly how to do them, ” says Ervard equally between 10 deserving mobeds. Framroze Ardeshir Behramkamdin, a “No distinction is made between Irani boyewala at the Banaji Atash Behram or Parsi priests in this scheme, ” he at Chami Road in Bombay, but says. Though Parsi Kadmi mobeds have been able to fill in the ,oid created by them. ” the decline in the number of their Irani counterparts, there still remain have to surrender a tradition for want certain customs and ntuals chara- of any Irani mobeds to maintain it, cteristic of the Irani commumty that the priestly class is apprehensive that Irani mobeds are called upon U............................ ” perform. For instance, at an Irani wedding the mobed, with candle crisis in the not in hand, goes ‘searching for the bride. ’ Presently there are admits: “I suppose it won ’t be the same as an Irani priest performing If a section of the community will >5 says upon at to the Kadmi and Fasli sections of the community will be faced with a similar too distant future. 12 Kadmi and un- of Six times the mobed will ask the bride if she wishes to marry her future husband and six times she will differ an answer. Only on the seventh occasion does . she consent. part-time priests Behramkamdin esti- Secunderabad and the Delhi Parsi mates that there are around 30 to 40 Anjuman are taking positives steps to Kadmi priests. Unlike the proverbial improve the lot of their priests (see the marriage final burst the priestly class suspect ‘Events and Personalities ’). Further inglorious extinction. “Soon there practicing priests have access to local will only be Slienshai priests left. ” anjumans, panchayats and orginisations says Behramkamdin. Estimates the in almost all the co mmuni ty centres, number of Shenshai priest in India including Bombay which has the today vary around 300 to 400. largest number of priests, for financial “Why look at it as a problem only and monetary assistance. However the from the Irani, Kadmi or Fasli angle, it is a problem with the entire priestly community as a whole, ” says Dastur __ ______ __ ______ Minochehr-Homji, high priest of the will cotinue to decline, ” says Mino N. M. Petti p-’-= 1 , _1„1„ ~~__ ", Bombay s New Marine Lines. “Young the sheer forces of market economics Zoroastrians don ’t want to I mobeds, because there is no status or problem remains. “Unless the community applies it ­ self seriously the number of priests Falsi Atash Kadeh at chehr-Homji. Otherwise, he believes become will correct the problem. “There will ----- - - come a time when there will be so respect, and m the modern world status few priests and the deman d for their f ' services so great that the community problem will remain will have to start paying them better. Sorabii concur S form these ceremomes if we are taught with Minochehr-Homji. “Why should redemption. ceremony proceeds. Presently only and respect are equated to economic Sorabji performs th^e ceremonies in CL Lb.. ttL" India. Dishaw Iram and Valayati sav until the community starts that they do not know how these. - • • ¦ 'T: • 39The Trinity of Calanders the separate places of worship. In 1783 a results. Almost aU Associations of hilxxxxLlxxx. D™ 2-T- America celebrate Peteti, Kadmf Atash Behram constructed Navroz functions stiff in August, pnesi Krci,ciitiy m ^vixxuay, in that several of them have carted ^r- r addition to the Dadiseth Atash Behram forming Ghambar Jashans as per the “the which is located at Fanaswadi, the Mazdayasna (seasonal calendar) cal- Banaji Atash Behram, opposite Charni Fasli. I believe it will change very Road station, the Dadiseth Agiary at gradually? ’ of Fountain area, the Saher in Agiary at . Warden Road and the Vachhagandhi calendars create from ^The Fasli movement, according to ^md mahs (months) fall at differ^t Boyce took shape in early twentieth times. For instance, Ae days of the wxxvxxx ..1_ 12___T. Ci?-'-", ~n ‘muktad ’ prayers for the dead accord- the strength of his religious scholar- ing to ti„ —_ 1____ - ___1- 1- results. wealthy philanthropist, Dady Seth, had North the calendi' SJe vatrfDashS'^^Mulir kIus Vs its high However, the most important thing is vuw I___ •„ 4U<-t4- y-k-F thorn Koir/^ rori^H rw^r— Though held together by common bond of religion the World Zoroastrian community is split into three segments over Cv • t. u Shenshais, who constitute the largest priest. ” Presently m BomMy, m number, start then- year presently —------, towards the end of Ausustt the which is located at rauaswaui, mv ' Kadmis who comprise oflarge 2^ .Kad ”? „ Ije 2™?!“ section of the Irani community and also some Parsis, start their year a month earlier; and the Faslis, cl relatively recent origin, begin the year on 21 March. Because of the un- at Hughes Road, adjusted ‘leap day ’ in the calendar of the Shenshais and Kadmis their new J , j ¦ ing to J,, -thr^ diflerem calendms The difierences in the calendars, ship ^ popularity adyocaW that the “ ¥ flccordinp tn scholars traces to the most logical calendar for Zoroastnans question or a mooea penori^g ?^n rSjStoents ’ for the ‘leap was one which was to harmony with a'" “srlivrS day ’, or, in the case of the pre-Islamic the seasons and started on the day of of the is Zoroastrian calendar, the ‘leap month ’ the spring equmox, on 21 March In hiS nriest amiT^ol^ once in everv 120 vears Accor^ne to 1937 Nasserwanji Maneckji Petit wrong, says a hi^-pnest ana scnoiM nV^t; buBt the onlv Fasli place of worship in Bombay, who does not wish^t^te . ‘There cannot be two rojes to one day .. .it is a matter iiao ~1 r—_ c--' However, there are 1 the some mobeds who do indulge in this die North practice. crxJ The priestly community nevertheless there emphasises that the difference between The problem that the different . 1 I ths religious point of view is that their rojes (days) Mary Boyce, in her bwk Zoroastrians: built the only Fasli place of worehip in °^of°Ae Th^r Beliefs and Pnaaices, emstag eyeujoday,^ the N. Pebt ^denhM published by Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, the Z^oastrian com ­ munity that remained back in Iran , after the Arab invasion of the country found its greatest champions in [ no longer made the ‘leap month' community se^ed^ m ti — ' mSr “S; C?nmii5;y “^''“set5;hi. re;,m “\™'*7commumty there FaXTs' India made only one such intercalla- suggest that there is a concerted Je ShenshaisKadms^d Pasns is -—-- effort within the community to adopt differemx of c^ndar, and not religion. (Fasli) Atash Kedah at New Marine nature of the issue. L-zincs. Presently the Fasli calendar has of principle. ’ <• •. _____ J. -_i_______:____ 2___ rz^m/a mnl^AnQ intercallation adjust- American continent. Newsletters and ! tion adjustment in the year 1129-31 ^^n^?J^eenVSvo°XS^ Xr ’ of Gavashru, the quarterly In 1720, when Dastur Jamasp publication of the Zoroastrian Associa- E^ard Valayati, of the Kerman agiary in tion of Quebec, Canada, who is Ardpchir Iran,^visited India he pointed out this actively involved in promoting the j^amroz difference. Sections the Indian Fasli calendar, v.“tec tc P—at the Bai community felt that the local com- ‘"The response of those who make a munity should adjust their calendar realistic effort to understand it ^e to conform with the one followed in Fasli calendar,) is very g ** Iran and this led to bitter disputes, process (of change) has to be very In 1746 a section of the priests and gradual, because matters such as these lay community in Surat adopted the in today ’s age cannot be brou^t over ­ Irani calendar which was called Kadmi night. The shock of such a c ’nop from the Persian work Qadim for old. can do more harm than good. Boyce v/rites; “At its height the “Historicaffy it took 150 years dispute between the Shenshais and before the Gregorian Calendar was Kadmis pr^uced so deep a schism i>coepted by the Church of Engird, that it necessitated the founding of I therefore, do not expect overnight VrlUillll Liiv vuuuiiLun^j w - --------------------- , - Fasli calendar. Dr. Jehan Bagli, There is no difference m the prayers or ceremonies of the Shenshais and differ in their prayers, but as prvard ¦ ¦ ¦ • Behramkamdin, writes to Parsiana : boyewala at the Banaji Atash Behram points out “this is only marginal. Our ithomans teach their students both good. The versions. ” The question of which calendar is he most authentic remains unresolv ­ ed. The Dastur-scholar observes that ch ange ihe Fasli version is a new one, superimposed on the commumty, and the Shehshair and Kadnu versions liave failed to make the intercallation hdjustments. .“AU three are wrong, ” le says. 41Delhi Survey: Profile of the Delhi Parsis The Parsi community in ra'e° Conuncnling on the proporto o£ de- S*", ":Sono^ S?le; “"ta househo>ds,etc. penden^^ of the ^_^d m 4e P.. maintaining living than the general populauon ----- chnw a definite trend towards lesser community, the interpretaUon notes me city, is showmg a growing Parsis ” that this “also poses the problem of sity to marry outside the wmmum.y birth P ’ intgj-.j^nununity mar- higher economic means for mainte- and is faced with ^iages tL turvey notes that hl 1978 nance (and) more Jiving space for dechne m its numbers. T^e S t’txvn thirds of all Parsi marria- young married couples. One may tion is made by a recently pubhshed about two ttods of a^ Parsi expert the Delhi Parlis to show an interpretation based tods in 1969 and only one sixth increasing percentage of old a^.de- ing socio-economic survey of the Dto one^ intoretation points out pendents in the coming years. This is Parsi commumty conducted m 1978 ^49^ J^e m^^em p^^^ ^d sponsored by the Delhi Parsi ^at jhen^^a^^^^ educa- nutoy ’s future ” . . Anjuman (DPA). husbands On the problem of housing the in- liiis survey i-— — three main social concerns out of academic interest, ” note authors of the inte^retaion, Moddie, Ava ----- - Jungalwalla. These social concerns of ^cononuc modvation be the dominaa. (^d) the extent and motivation here? If the community impheations of mixed marriages, and needs to place greater emphasis on a ^ssible loss to a number of Zoroa- pdnratinn. nrofessionahsation. strians. ” The survey shows i— — while having a smaller number of of mter-marriage.' youth, also have a larger proportion The reasons of aged members in comparison to the hne is more difficult to -----------_ genrtal population of Delhi. Accord- “Without a base-hne study, trends ^nd NPRs live m rented houses, ffig to the Delhi Census of 1971, over are not possible to assess ”, notes the and as paying guests. The a third of the Delhi population com- interpretation. The figures, however, community needs to do more for prise those under 14 years of age show that 63% have montffiy incomes jtseif jn this important, aspect in terms versus one sixth for the Parsis, while of less than Rs. 1,(X)O. Yet if the earn- of social action; learning from the Parsis over 60 are thrice in number ings are taken from the viewpoint of niore acute situation in Bombay as compared to the general urban household earnings then about 64% which, it is reported, is a main cause population __ 13.8% to 4.2%. of families earn over Rs. 2,C^ per of delayed marriages and population Figures for the non-Parsis related to month. The explanation, the interpre- decline. ” thrmioti -marriaffp,. classified as tation surmises, is because there are The interpretatior is based on a ____ ____ '• 131-page research study conducted Delhi Parsi survey, corresponds more family. by the Centre for Study of Develop- closely with that of the general popu- Other statistics indicate that the jng Societies, Delhi, and sponsored lation __ 35.3% of their numbers Parsis and the non-Parsis related to hy the DPA at a cost of Rs. 3,000. under 14 and 5.3% of those over 60. Parsis through marriage compare <‘To the extent that the Delhi com- “In context to the concern over very favourably with the general po- munity could organize such a research the decline in numbers, ” the interpre- pulation in their level of education, study undertaking, it may serve as an tation notes, “the ^neral reader Parsis who have studied to the bache- example for other representative wishes to kno w (if) there is a real lor degree level amount to 37.6% sections of the Parsi community to threat of the kind of extinction pre>- while for the non-Parsis related group do the same, ” the interpretation dieted? The data pertaining to the the figure is 34.2% as against only observes. show a outside^the coinmunity birth per ------ ....... " As regards mter-commumty mar- Ok a has arisen ween out of tion and income the levels of occupation, educa- between husbands out 01 uou cuiu p • terpretation observes, “what the sur- and not and wives, Parsi wives ana non-rarbi r the husbands show the closest similarities, micrpictoxvtx, Aspi “The Parsi female ’s choice of non-Parsi KhuUar and Piloo husbands is nearly always from a similar high socio-economic group, the interpreters comment. “Could the 1 are , on the education, professionalisation, and economic growth of its young that the Parsis if it wishes to turn the rising The reasons "for the economic dec ­ ascertain. to the line is more males tides “ The Parsi female choice of non-Parsi husbands is nearly always from a similar high socio­ economic group. Could the economics motivation be the dominant motivation here ? ¦B vey does not highlight is that 50% of lu uio _ ______ - ¦ are not possible to assess ”, notes the j^otels and : tlffid'^^e Delhi population com- interpretation. The figures, however, community needs to do pnse versus one t —------ Parsis over 60 are popffia^on — 13.8% to 4.2%. of families earn over Rs. 2,tW per of jefayi Figures for the non-Parsis related to month. The explanation, the mterpre- decline. ” Parsis through marriage, classified as tation surmises, is because there are The u NPRs, who were also included in the two^or more earning members m a i-’-' the 43The survey, according to the inter- encouragemen^ pretation, was a product of a sugges- t' study at the “North Zone meeting ;n early 1977,” ’ „ *¦ ’' the study was necessary because discussing matters of concern, community did not have research based data; and this some ­ times led to speculation wihout facts. ” The interpretation concludes by Parsi Advisory Committee members posing questions that beg answers, and other involved Parsis. In addition “Can the community think of some to supplying data on the 557 Parsis practical social security for the old ¦ - ' also in the families with relatively low non- incomes? Can the rich Parsis and with at and efforts of the tion calling for such a socio-economic ¦ xxxcctirg in -- xx - - The meeting felt that of Delhi surveyed, the study included information on 113 Parsis related to Parsis by marriage. NPRs help Parsis and NPRs In all, the original study includes 36 family incomes below Rs 1,000; tables of which 9 are reproduced by least to provide a health insurance the interpretation paper. These tables scheme for the old, and an education include information on the distrib.i- insurance scheme for the young be ­ tion of the community by age; educa- low 16? Where do we go next? tion by sex; occupation; income (in- ‘ \ dividual and household) ; marital academic interest. It is meant to high- status; migration by age, sex and light the community ’s social problems marit^ status; dependency ratio and on a factual basis, eliminate unfac- decade-wise Parsi marriages within tual speculation, and present specific and outside the community. Also in- problems for solution through social eluded in selected tables are statistics action. The days when ‘gambhars ’ and __________________ of the Bombay Parsis obtained from ‘nataks ’ were considered social action Response to the survey is reported the Bombay census of 1971 to esta- are over. There are harder problems to have been 91%, not without the blish some basis of comparison. ahead. ” “in tire sound “ In discussing matters of concern, the com­ munity did not have sound research based data; and this some­ times led to speculation without facts dividual and household) ; “The study is not meant to be of Taj-Intercontinental Hotel — Bombay < < III LH’S BUILD THEM TOGETHER! Whether it's a five-star hotel, a Sultan ’s Palace, a hospital, a chemical factory, a fertiliser plant or a housing project — we have the expertise and experience —to handle any turn-key construction project anywhere in the world. 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'¦4^^ "I “The image of Zarathushtra we know j..___ k_ :k_ presently is a dream image of a Parsi the Seventh (1933-34)1934-35 ) s )» P-* pears in the Preliminary Report of I painter, ” writes Feroze Cama, a long- Season Work' on the Excavation ""at I time resident of New York who takes Dura-Europos, edited from lectures I interest in Zoroastrian scholarship. A delivered by Rostovtzeff at Yale Uni- I more likely and closer resemblance versity. The report was sent to Cama I of what the holy prophet might have by the Washington D.C. Library of I looked hke, Cama believes, is that of Congress in response to his request I the person in the fresco reproduced for information on the portrait of time resident of New York who takes Dura-Europos, edited more likely and closer resemblance 1- ¦%<4; 9^ w X / .w ^B-s looked like, Cama believes, is that of Congress in ri' _ ¦ " ¦ - ; above, which some Western scholars Zarathushtra. have identified as most probably a Cama ’s interest in the subject was portrait of Zarathushtra. The fresco first aroused while reading Jim Hick ’s was found during an early twentieth The Persians, published by the Time ­ century excavation of Dura Europos, ’’ ’ an ancient city located in present-day Syria and believed to date back to 240 AD. “The fresco was first identified Zarathushtra by the late Professor check Micheal I. Rostovtzeff, an internatio ­ nally respected scholar of Ir ani an, r- ’ ............... tory and one of the excavators of Dura-Europos/ curator. Ancient Art and the Dura- aLtneuics lu Europos coU^tion, Yale University, that. ” He, however, clarifies that “I in a letter to Cama. Professor Rostovt- zeff ’s own comment on the fresco and dress "of a second one found at the s __ are: “the figures of the two prophets of Mithraism - ’ ’ ’ “ tra and Os thanes — are of great in- as most probably a as Life Books, wherein appears a port ­ rait claimed to be that of Zarathush ­ tra. Since the picture was printed through the courtesy of Yale Univer ­ sity, Cama wrote to the University to check its authenticity. He believes that the image of Zarathushtra as we presently portray him has evolved 1-^ -------------- —“ iiiin lido WOJ.VCU (Greek) his- from the fact that “as the Zoroastri ­ ans who settled in India also adopted —— ****•*! customs and dress, the prophet ’s costume also attributes to J3 writes the associate the Indian do not imply that the present-day -ZZ2Z ;,f our mobeds and dasturs same^site should be changed to conform to that photograph. I also do not im- 6f the person of Zarathus"htrc. be ”i"- probably Zarathush- ply that the pictorial representation terest for they may be regarded as tered to confrom to that depicted in nrotntvnp*; rvf iHa •AmirAc fKz:* ^i *¦* U' prototypes of the figures of the Magi the photograph m Chnstain art (reference to the three “Mv intention wise men ~ - birth) .. . 4-' . 7 ’7------ “o lucit uiai me in 1 ™ their kind, in the and researches into the life. in Christain art (reference to the three Christ ’s and future interesting at the time of These most is that our present generations should get some idea that the investigations div life, times and teaching of Zarathushtra are far from complete and we must continue to dig up more information and also analyse scientifically the diverse na- Image of Zarathushtra : Dreams and Reality ? XXX ixivxi xVXXx^A* 1x1 Ulw usual Perso-Palmyrene (people of the ancient city of Palymrea North East of Damascus) dress, wear the Mith- raic tiara (headgear worn by the fol- '“" Of taformation'and opinio'n ’s pi;. bearded and wear a drooping, short, sented by various scholars ” c£na “Ae wf hand they hold a white ¦’"‘"T’' roll and in the right a black cane with a flat top. It is evident from the rolls that they represent teachers learned men, ; canes that they are Magi or magici ­ ans. . . There is no doubt that the persons represented in the paintings d^^i^MtaJJ' mvdations must be regarded as Magi, or prophets, - - those who were the authors or intrs- preters of the several books of Mith ­ raism. Since Zoroaster was regarded as the originator of the Mithraic my­ steries and Osthanes was his most famous pupil, we may speculate that the two Magi of Dura are to be iden ­ tified with those two great Iranian prophets, ” Rostovtzeff ’s College, Philadelphia “It would be the greatest achievement of my life to initiate an expeditionary search for Qnri k remains of Zarathushtra or at least “If™”,*® the oldest evidence of.Hs lega- cy. . . We have to penetrate into the past and bring up the jewels. New .» arp tippHpH ” Cama feels that “the foUowers of Zarathushtra may have hidden his re ­ mains to prevent desecration by con ­ quering nations and it may still be lying hidden. . . just as the coffin of John the Baptist was found in a cave in Cairo. . . and what a glorious achievement it will be if ths discove- rers themselves are Zoroastrians. ” he coment ap- writes. and what 46 re-LEARN and EARN I. Which are the twelve animals associated with Navroz ? 2. What do the terms Fasli, Kadmi and Shenshai stand for or signify ? 3. Is a Zoroastrian Parsi ? Irani a 4. In what dialect do the Zoroa ­ strian Iranis speak ? Does it have its own script ? first 5. Who was the first man according to Zoroastrian mytho ­ logy ? which year the of Z-QUIZ-7 6. In which year was Zoroastrian Association Europe (Incorporated) founded ? 7. Which two cities were the abode of the Udvada fire before it was moved to its present location ? 8. Who was the first Indian (Parsi) Chairman of the Munici­ pal Corporation of Bombay, equivalent to the present-day position of Mayor, and when was he elected to the post ? 9. In 1934, for the first time, 14 Indians were appointed as Justice of Peace in Bombay. How many of them were Parsis ? 10. When was the first agiary in Delhi built and who was the first high priest of the capital city? How much do you know about your social, cultural, religious and economic heritage? Most Parsis are brought up on myths which they continue to believe till the dokhma. To help readers gauge the extent of their knowledge and also to keep them informed and enriched, Parsi0n ct restarts the Z-Quiz on behalf of the sponsor of The Lost Generation Esay Competition. The entry with the highest number of correct answers will receive Rs. 75, the next, Rs. 50 and the third, Rs. 25. In case of a tie, the amount will be split among the winners. Send your replies to The Editor, Z-Quiz, C/o Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay — 400 001 by 15 May Answers will be published in our next issue. There were two winners with all 10 correct answers for Z-Quiz No. 6 (Pa rsia na July 1978 supplement). The winners are K. D. Chargeman and B. S. Surti. Ms K. F. Seervai, with 71/2 correct answers, finished as the runner-up. Below is the solution to Quiz : I. Can a Parsi couple adopt a child under Parsi law ? No. Parsi law does not recognize adoption. 2. What is the Geh Sarna a recital of ? The Gathas. ia ? 3. When is a Parsi male referred to as a var-raja ? At the time of marriage. The term means husband-king. 4. What Is the name for the central well in the towers of silence ? Bhandar. 5. Why is the kumkum red pigment pigment on the forehead long and vertical for a man and round for a woman ? According to Sir J. J. Modi, the long vertical mark of the male sym­ bolises a ray ofthesun, as a handsome man is compared by Oriental writers with the sun, while the beauty of a woman is always compared with that of the moon. 6. In which town or cities in India are non-Parsis permitted to pay their last respects to the dead after the Gen Sarn cere­ mony ? 47! LI;"; You neediYt look jar. Read all about it in Rarsiana. a tj' * fc- t.: ;; a ¦ 'ii Hot and bothered about what's going On in the community? The magazine worth waiting for. Now on sale The Parsiana Book of Iranian Names The Iranian names of boys' and girls along with their meanings which originally appeared in Parsi ­ ana have now been reprinted in an attractive 24 page booklet. The book, which is priced at Rs. 9 is available on sale at: Farcdoon and Burjor Sandalwood Shop, Princes's Street. * * K. Bomanji and Sons Sandal ­ wood Shop, Next to Dadyseth Agiary, Flora Fountain. * Nalanda Book Shop, Taj Inter ­ Continental Hotel, Apollo Bunder Colaba. * Minoo Sukhadwala Sandalwood Shop, Next to Aslaji ’s Fire Temple, . Draupadi Bldg., 386 V. Patel Road, Bombay-400 004. * H. L. Rochat & Co. (Next to Roneo Vickers) Navsari Chambers, Ground Floor, 39 A. K. Nayak Marg (Bastion Road), Bombay- 400 001. * Or write to Parsiana G. P. O. Box 892, Bombay-400 001. Phone; 268723. 48 Subscribe today Subscription rates for India and abroad For a one year subscription of six issues Rs 20 (save Rs 4 over single copy price) For a two year subscription of twelve copies Rs 36 (save Rs 12 over single copy price) Single copy rates Rs 3.50 and 50p Foreign subscription rates inclusive of postage: by seamail: Rs 36 or $4.50 or £2.25 by airmail: Rs 80 or $9.50 or £4.25 by seamail: Rs 66 or $8.05 or £4 by airmail: Rs 150 or $18 or £8 For U.S. personal cheques add $1.50 to cover bank charges. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 3 for bank charges. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favour of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Cash payment and money orders are accepted care of the Hopeful Playgroup Centre 40, A. K. Nayak Marg (Bastion Road) Fort, Bombay 400 001. For further information Phone: 262624. If you are already a subscriber please pass this form along to a friend who ought to be one too. NAME ADDRESS CITY PIN CODE STATE AND COUNTRYReportedly Delhi and Secunderabad and Hyderabad. (B. S. Surti writes : “In every town and city in India, including Bombay, there are some Parsi individuals who permit non-Parsi to pay last respect of their deceased relatives, against the ruling of the local Anjumans.” He rightly points out that the question relates to Anjumans and Panchayats that “do not object to such practices. ”) 7. Aside from India, which other countries have agiaries or Atash Behrams ? Pakistan and Iran. India, With Compliments from 8. What is the difference bet ­ ween a Khandhia and a Nassa- salar ? The Nassasalars carry the body out of the house and the Khandhias carry it till the tower. The Nassasalars then take charge and carry the body into the tower. EMPIRE 9 Which city of the world has the second largest Zoroastrian population ? Teheran. ESTATE 10. Which panchayat or anju ­ man has the second largest asset in India ? The Surat Panchayat. Liberty Building 41/42 Marine Lines Rashid D. Bamanbehram Professional Photographer for Photos of Weddings, Navjotes and Birthday parties. Contact : Flat No. 3, Thirst Root, No. 6 Wadi a Block, Khareghat Colony, 30A Hughes Road, Bombay 400007. Bombay 400 020 PUBUSHER, STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP & OTHER PARTICULARS ABOUT PARSIANA Form IV (See Rule 3) PLACE OF PUBLICATION : Bombay PERIODICITY OF PUBLICATION : Bi-monthly PRINTER, PUBUSHER, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR: Jehangir R, Patel NATIONALITY : Indian ADDRESS : 285 J. Dadaji Marg, Bombay-400 007 I, Jehangir R, Patel, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief, Sd (Jehangir R, Patel) 1 March 1980 49J?: 1 I « I i I 8 BOOK REVIEW The Eshnuman Way ‘ The present kusti which we do is not adequate, ” according to a 20 page printed booklet Sarosh Khshnuman Sarosh. Kusti; A Complete Prayer, by F. K. Rustomfram of Hyderabad. “Hence, ” the author writes “it is important that “ cur children are taught the correct form of kusti with Sarosh Khshnu ­ man, ” which appears to be the mam objective of the booklet. The book is based on a lU-mc- which may be broadly defined the religion. An introduction on the •• It Cl |.t«^ .. _ _ pollution. When this Naf-e-Bavra blooms as 1 sincerely we are brought nearer we recite the prayers • to With Compliments From Kshnoom versipn of Zoroast rianis m which may be broadly defined as mystical, orthodoxical approach “Khushnoomic interpretation ” of the Kusti sudreh and kusti, “do ’s instructions on the kusti __ _ notes on the Zoroastrain "^religion in L light of Khshnoom form the body of / the publication. In addition a ' I'age wallhanging chart giving the specific actions to be performed while saying the kusti prayers, the ‘Mathra ’ to be recited, in the devnagari script and the thoughts, ‘Mithra ’, in English ’ t tcompames the booklet. “The audience intended is the child who IS approaching the Navjote writes Rustomfram “but tv caui the kusti prayers to it (the child) is the job of the parent. In order to do so the parents themselves have switch over to this 1'' ¦ __ ingly- the writer a^wI^ ’huSdf a to and don ’t 3 prayers and .... *he kusti absorbs the blissful vibrationery colours, spreads them in the close environment of the body and thence to the Keherp and to the soul.” GLOBE theatres PVT.LTD. “The kusti is a sacred thread girdle made of lamb ’s wool. The term derived from “Karsha ” meaning (magnetic) circuit. Khshnoom teaches us that lambs are under the joint planetary influence of the sun and Jupiter. Jupiter is. . .the ruling planet of our faith. The lamb symbolizes lire live-and-help-live principle of nature. Also wool collects the vibrationary colours (stoata) produced by the prayer. In the case of the Avesta Manthra (prayer formula) the kusti 3 the blissful vibrationarv colours, spreads them in the close eu- ^itcrovT"to '» Seu“ kehX* aMurfsMe Kh^^uS, S S? iSS .0 lhe ingly, the writer addresses himself to ’“dience. The Zoroastrianism piayers, it also offers the insight into Khshnoom (see Rustomfram writes, in a letter 15 a a three >5 age, to explain absorbs *•¦•1 is 'ironment (aipi) 82.“the kusii •¦Khshnoom teDs us that every reaoer an major religion in the world is under extracts), the^ii^uence of a planet. Zoroastria- Parsuma, that the book is free of cost planet benefic. Also Jupiter^haj Lane,"''Hy'^rabad,' 1 fl M !¦ 1 I M _ _ “Khshnoom tells nism is under the influence of Jupiter s a.. : J -------- vsw SZi wot z ------- -------------- *---- JU.p±LVl and that readers may write to him at certain higher creations i - 201 Ai: ................................the animal, vegetable and Kingdom. .. (which) are pre-eminent in their own • .. . groups. In the course jirayers v/e come across references to 5(XX)01 for the la mineral way in their respective of the kusii a copy. EXTRACTS Sudreh - — -----------------tv “I forefinger thrice. The forefinger k (^iSrehl^a^l? Jupiter. Zoroastiam closely. Cotten ssuls are referred to as Burjisi ihuum gives out precedence gives out waste matter mcescaniiv in comnansnn +r. .t, and the sudreh helps the friction between t matter. Hence, our result of the never-endine OTocenr anrwnar.h to educational a name foi' themselves as master For adjustment political situations, we need to the problems of educating our children, India, ^the °oSy ”teiitod Siis most educated conmnmity. Today the earn more titan a gradnate can anaracTftat^ sitnation has changed com^^etely. further when there are fat more J Dr Homi N. Sethna to make ... . "the^chang^ know any Indian language. In fact we ---------- v j. c t^ ’id to look down on Indian languages college education is not for everyb^y. for other with contempt. We should take urgent Hence, we should not waste time, steps to avoid this gargantuan blunder, effort and money of charitable trust already isolating us from the pushing a child through collie. Let culture. Our approach to educational a name for themselves as master ____ J.__ l-I __ h as would craftsnien. But today it is next to face keep us in the main stream of hfe in impossible to find a Parsi ca^nt^ -_____________________________ or an electrician or a machimst and In the bygone days, we were the at a time when sucl^ craftsmen can has changed^ completdy. further when there are far more 51 the changing problems, should be such‘We tend to look down cr. Indian languages with contempt. We should take urgent steps to avoid this gargantuan blunder”. on prospering Parsi in the industrial sector —both large t tn tu^ __ ____ j ___ i. _ , '"‘usi m me maustnai sector —^both large Most los?nm"S" ”®^ \ andlere ness. i believe h scope for new industries. I traininc in necessary that the would urge those science and engineer- the^SmmnntX^ ™^^ homes that ing graduates who have gone abrmd, Gholvad Naviri seriously consider the very bright biaS prospects in eonntn, and .,X culture rather than towards culture. We need fanners --- * '1 . M --- VX VZUIL Vk/ULIUY* X I toancfal benete Ind iSSS” prospects in the country and to utilize rural their expertise as well as managerial an urbjo and entrepreneural skills for the m the development of our country. I can vacancies for such craftsmen than country. AU ^e are for graduates. lLx...iv.x«n urvucuis ana mcenuves have future We have taken an aversion for been offered, but we have icnored such vocations even though these them. We have generauJ not ceSed me to another also provide opportunities for self- that rapport wUh the /amem of the I»t^y.&maU number of employment. It is a sad commentary other communities. In short, we have enrineerin^^?? ’”® science and on our very narrow outlook to failed to establish that rann^trt at 7i!^ engin^nng. We need a number of education, because of which Parsi political and the social levS^ And I research laboratories .^titufons giving such vocational Wame our eXaS Sci^ loj St trainings had to close down I am that. Parsi boy or wilhng to make referring to the Gamadia Polytechnic Added to that w,. i 1 P^® sciences. Similar is m Bombay and the Parekh Pol^echnic a lure for^th^^itv and engineering. Today in Surat. AU these institutions used to which is ereatlv damnmnrf . .more and newer give exceUent tr ainin g in so manv socio-ecrmnmie' engineermg disciplines Uke nuclear, trades, and had produced very gSd nSt^^ran^^Srh^^ t®l®®otnmunications, electronics, etc., people but later%n SSon^s Ed ='^“‘>le our boys and giils are getting enough student. Th. glamour for eitv lite TOt tabng advantage. These require ^amo^ tor city hte. Putting it bnefly hard work but then our bovs must be d simrt- adds ui«o this that “the ptepared for it 1 ETbuT hete ^ucated live in the cities and the mentioning that our girls as a rule At this stage I should mention that ......... our country has grown tremendously medical^Md uau lu Close oown. 1 am retemng to the Garaadia Polytechnic Added to that we have developed the a career in pure sciences. Similar is case with < many more and newer the engineering disciplines like nuclear, • telecommunications, electronics. getting enough students. The com ­ munity has to think —why and how did it happen? In the same vein, let me ask what has happened to our agriculturalists. We have in the past contributed greatly to agriculture and horticulture. ------- ------- in scholastic endeavour than the boys. A similar situation prevails in _.J life sciences. We have 52 Sorabji Nowroji & Co. 16 Horniman Circle, Bombay 400 023 Oldest & Largest Stockists and Exporters of Sandal Wood Sandal Wood Oil and Palmarosa Oil Manufacturers of Grown’ Brand Sandal Wood Oil Agmarked telephones Office : 268911/2 268777 378316 331275 323262 351637 261573 Cable : WELFARE Bombay Factory : Wholesale Depots : Retail Shops :TOWARDS SECULARISM Dr (Ms) A. J. Dastur The Constitution of India underlines and emphasises the rights of minorities as no other constitution in the world does. The Constitution of India recognises the right to freedom religion and the cultural and edu ­ cational rights for the protection of the interest of the minorities. The of do several of the Constitution were conducted by groups and associations of minority communities including the Parsis. often been identifying medical and life sciences as non —^mathematical, if not anti —^mathematical. This is wrong. Today we have active research work going on in the various units of the DAE and of other research institutions in the country on bio-engineering, molecular biology, bio-physics, etc., where physics, mathematics, engineer ­ ing and biology blend together. I believe the Panchayats can something more FKKitm Aan simp y conductmg aptitude tests. They should schools and educational organise and provide guidance bureau institutions even before the adoption which could give up-to-date and detail- ... ed information on the careers in the various areas. It should also encourage vocationalization of education in our Parsi schools, at the same time educating the parents also in the value and usefulness of vocational training. ’ ‘ Following modern trends in education... our schools, too bend towards non-religious education”. no talk of education for ¦ BH I therefore Dr (Ms) Aloo J. Dastur Conclusion In conclusion, therefore I will stress that our educational programmes and strategies should be such as to : Bring us and keep us in the mainstream of the soci^ and political life in the country. Enable us to utilize the wide rang- . ing of talent that is bound to exist in any community by channelising and encouraging those gifted with manual dexterity to become master craftsmen. Selectively channelise the gifted students to special institutions which our Panchayats and educational trust can establish. A good pattern could be the Dnyan Prabodhinee in Poona, which runs a special school for gifted children of very high IQ. Uptodate our charity schools so that they can provide the best of modern academic and especially vocational education to children from the eco ­ nomically poorer sections. X . - ------ , „ Provide ample opportunities for admitted children without reference to duty falls children from the S regions to «« make proper adjustments and to 1------ acquire such skills in agriculture, gave its verdict m favour of ths horticulture, etc., which would har- ’ old established Parsi schools are exceptions. When we Zoroastrian children, do we imply, do we mean to imply, that there is or should be some new design or philo ­ sophy of education? Do we, again, consider or intend to make them a unique or distinctive band of pupils and students to be given a different type of education? A modem state seeks to equalise the opportunity for education to all its people irrespective of status in life or wealth. Formerly, education, certainly higher education, was a preserve of those who could afford it; here, an important question is whether it is right that good, sound, desirable education should be available to those who can afford it; and those who cannot may be left out. Such an attitude in our own days is just not possible. And since the least common multiple of education is training for life and living, there must be a fair opportunity provided to one and all to acquire this training. These schools used to receive Today, when substantial numbers Government grants. In 1954, the gf Zbroastrians have settled in distant Government of Bombay issued an lands, their children must and will order that schools which were manag- accept the style of life and living of ed exclusively for children of a special d^gi]- different environments with their religious denomination would no different value systems. If Zoroastrian more qualify for grants unless they ethics are to be cultivated then the ' " i on the parents and the their religion. The matter went to the family. The study of religious tenets Bombay High Court and a full bench and their significance is a domestic or _ 1., ” ' " group obligation; modern education Government, i'lic gravamen of their systems keep religion and religious ’ ” practices out of school curricula. In hundred year old trusts, can and that sense, education has become should be changed to move with secular and non-denominational. While we emphatically plead _____ ___ _____ _________________ 1 ______J education, at the Parsi children threw open their doors higher secondary stage the aptitude of lO all communities. This has benefitted the child has to be taken into accoimt. larger number of His ability, his capability to work .... rolls and Parsi with the head or hand or heart is or children have to be more alert and should be of primary importance. very lop-sided. A few decades .« t _ ___ _ and a cultured citizen was one acquire even and ihat monize them for life in the agricultural environments. Provide guidance in respect of the newer emerging areas of science and changing hmes. , technology, or medicine or agriculture schools which catered exclusively to universal primary so that our children especially the gifted ones, wherever they may be, can be identified and guided to become «« experts in these fields for which Pypjs are r\ - \ C r»Kllrir/*Tl h be identified and guided to become them as Since then, these tor now a on the scholarly due to keen competition from others. Thus, following modem trends in the emphasis was emerged from the portals of competition “to; ii^iversily'system ‘can also be ’ FinaUy make them into toe human from others. loj^sided. A few hpinps sensitive to the happenings in Thus, following modem trends m the emphasis was in the liberal arts Sd^d SteTr^ST^ who education put in Eurtye and a cultured one who would be ever willing to do their duty America, our schools too bend to emerged famflic : Tp^?? Hem-ee in and fulfill their obligations to their wards non-rehgious education, with “diversity arm^ the communitv as a true Parsi and to their emphasis on ethics and umversal arts. ..i™ in —ir- —- ' , country truths, rather than religious tenets. The was on science and all young men who 53 With independence, the focus! Even now there on » - are prospering Parsi in the industrial sector —both large what happened to the scale and small scale and there is otners. Most lost out because of lari- fantastic scope for new industries. I ness. I beheve it is necessary that the would urge those science and en ginp ar- ainmg in several rural homes that ing graduates who have gone abroad, tne comm^ty is conducting at to seriously consider the very bright Jjrnolyad, Naysari, etc., shoifld be prospects in the country and to utilize uawu as 09 lucuiagb-xial If I towards an urb-m and entrepreneural s kills for the vqeanr.:fxc f J. r. cultuTe. Wc need farmers in the developnnent of our country. I can vacancies for such craftsmen than countiy. All sorts of protection and only forcast a very bright and lucrative uier© are for graduates. pna-nmaj i___ j have taken an aversion for t>een offered, but we have ignored such vocations even though these them. We have generally not generated also provide opportunities for self r?ppcrt "dth the farmers ef drv employment. It is a sad commentary other communities. In short, we have on our very narrow outlook to failed to establish that rapport at the education, because of which Parsi political and the social level. And I instimtions giving such vocational blame our educational policies for trainings had to close down. I am that, referring to the Gamadia Polytechnic /.dd™ .. . m Bombay and the Parekh Polytechnic a lure for the city and the city life v/hen — „ „ Xa used to which is greatly damaging to the engineering disciplines lite nucl^ ‘ give excellent traming m so many socio-economic standards of the co* ” — -i--x—!._ trades, and had produced very good munity. Our approach and attitude people but later on they .... ----- - - thmk —why and how it simply adds upto this that “the prepared for it. I cannot but help T « nappen/ educated live m the cities and the mentioning that our girls as a rule hoc 1,?® Ignorant live in the villages ”. Nothing have done much better in scholastic 5SJSa ‘‘We tend to look down c; Indian languages with contempt. We should take urgent steps to avoid this gargan*uan blunder”. , . - ' -------yxvzapvvta ixx WiUiLXjr OilU LV UUIJIZ.V oiasea towards agncultune and rural their expertise as well as managerial nilflir/* rafbA«- fkr,., _______ « * ........................... . culture. We need farmers financia^ benefits and incentives have future. t However, tWs brings me to another for self- rapport wiA the farmers of the boys who are going in for science and r.«nAr.tax,r Other enmmiiTiitiAc Tn cngui^ng. We need 3. number of scientists in the research laboratories I all over the country, but we hardly .. ------ JT------- get a Parsi boy or ^rl willing to make ¦ J , career in pure sciences. Similar is Added to that we have developed the case with engineering. Today im Tcm- tkn ’¦'* I many more and newer is greatly damaging to the engineering disciplines like nuclear, many socK^conomic standards of the com- telecommunications, electronics, etc.. diiy sianaaros or tne com- telecommunications, electronics, etc., ?od munity. Our approach and attitude to are available, our boys and girls are , not education has caused this utterly false not taking advantage. These reouire lite. Putting it briefly hard work but then^ur boys mSt be v/ere Sorabji Nowroji & Co. 16 Horniman Circle, Bombay 400 023 Oldest & Largest Stockists and Exporters of Sandal Wood Sandal Wood Oil and Palniarosa Oil TELEPHONES Office : 52 Manufacturers of Crown’ Brand Sandal Wood Oil Agmarked 268911/2 268777 378316 331275 323262 351637 261573 Cable : WELFARE Bombay Factory : Wholesale Depots : Retail Shops ;“ Parsi children are some­ how loath to use their hands, they rather prefer soft, white collar jobs to more lucrative manual labour”. ......... ’ J find his be* self. Routine and iiS’p“™SV;e “l^ti.ti> ‘-tt^ ir “typed curricula do not, c^ P , i-urtrn A i-w-irt(T r»nf tHft best in the DVIDlls or rneaning and purpose c. —----- all, education is really a search by the individual and society to under ­ stand what life is. Taken a step further, education is to make individuals more useful means may time and necessity will modify it. In to of life. After bring out the best m the pupils or students. Mass education cannot in reality cater to individual needs; but experimentation with new methods of teaching and adoption of a variety of and do appeal to the intelligent individuals. members of society. One of the best better more intelligent inciiviciuais. wavs is to get familiarised with the For all children, including Zor^ pn'dronment^ hence my plea that astrian, a sound system of educatton Zoroastrian children ’cannot have a is one which appeals at every stage believed they were intelhgent switched ^eT^^Vha^e^Tf^'^ln SeS^SdStSns of those taught over to science and technology, ^roasman. iney ., , j^ave a moral content and speciaUy engineering. More recently line with which^they enable the teachers to make commerce has become popidar; next varied consider judgements. Secular education is nd comes law. It is the general tendency reside. The child must nM ^ns g^,^ considerations, to move ^vith the crowd that sways it muft Ivolve his Other concepts central to the spheK even our young people. ® hk feelinss To this of education are knowledge, compre- There is one aspect of our attitude interests ^d jeelw. ^o m s tendon and intelligence, where one to education and ’work wUch “aSJ? a W?S^ds on o“X“f these fs lacking then t obvious to go unnoticed. Parsi Ichildren take in fair substitute is education by the use children are somehow loath to use the indmdual, , Idiw then a manne] their hands, they rather prefer ^ft, ^^^Xig to their iribom replaces the mind or inteUect Tht white coUar jobs to more lucrative Pf^^ions ia^rto^w continues to be on producing S^Xy^-Sis aXdes- ’periiS:; «on “t^st en^'^t, in ’dividu. sociaUy useful individuals. COB* value kmbbmmmi With Best Compliments From Kermani Transport Company 54AEK ATMAKATHA Both professionally and personally Dastur Dr Maneckji Husserwanji Dhalla lived the religion of the good life. Born and bred in poverty, he grew up as, in his own words, a “ narrow ­ minded, orthodox to the core”. Later his determined quest for knowledge led him to the shores of America where he obtained his doctorate degree in Iranian languages from Columbia University in New York. An outstanding scholar whose con­ tributions to the religion rank him among the top scholars on the subject both in India and abroad, he was the compassionate and revered high priest of the Karachi Parsis. Aek Atmakatha is his auto ­ biography, published by the Dastur Dr Dhalla Memorial Institute, Karachi and translated from Gujarati into English by Gool and Behram Rustomji. This is the fourth extract from the book which is being serialized by Parsiana. Here Comes ihe Bride The life of Dastur Dhalla-IV THE STORY SO FAR Born into a poor dastur family in Surat on 27 August 1875, Dhalla lost his mother at three. In 1878 his family, which included three elder sisters, moved to Karachi when an uncle arranged a job for his father. At six Dhalla started his school­ ing and by eight he was wedded to five-year-old Cooverbai, the daughter of a wealthy family that traded with Bengal and China. His failure to pass his matri ­ culation proved to be a severe disappointment to his family and his refusual to answer an invitation to come to China, notwithstanding his failure, only served to highten their dejection. The son of a relative was to be initiated into Navarhood in Navsari. I was invited there. I was most eager to go to Navsari because that would afford an opportuntiy to see and meet my be ­ loved. That of course, in the presence of elders-never alone! Our meeting was always supervis ­ ed and chaperoned. The semor members of the family would enquire about the welfare of my folks lengthen the conversation meaningless gossip. Of was that to me? My mind and heart would cling only to the fascinating form in front of me. In such a state of absorption if a question was shot at me unawares, I stuttered and stammered. Near the compound was a sweet ­ water well where our women-folk went in the evenings to fiU their pitchers. Before pipes carried water into homes this was the only mode oi conduction. Thus our women reaped the benefit of an hour or two of fresh air. Even the well-to-do availed this opportunity. The village-well of those days served the purpose of modern ladies ’ gymkhanas or clubs. Miserable daughters-in-law, tortured by the tyranny of a harsh mother-in ­ law or troubled by tlie taunts and tantrums of a sister-in-law, found relief in pouring out their tale of woe into the responsive ear of an equally wretched friend. Both found solace in each other ’s narratives. Others laughed and joked and sang and were merry as they filled their pots and went their way. The stop press items of newspapers carrying the latest news reached but a few homes, hence the main-spring of gossip and rumour was that village-well. At least forty to fifty companions gathered thus every evening. I stood d^ly under the shade of a tarmarind tree and watched the cavalcade of companions pass by with pots and pitchers balanced on their heads or hung at their waists One amongst the hundred was distinctly outstanding. My gaze was fixed upon this captivating beauty in the full bloom of her youth, with pitcher balanced on her head, gliding to spend a fortnight most eager The the and with what value unawares, I stuttered of gracefully along, her cheeks flushed with a crimson glow of consciousness, her features radiant with a sweet smile, stealing sly glances at me. This bewitching water-bearer was my wedded wife. The time for depature was drawing near. There was still a little time for the train to arrive so we settled on a bench awaiting its arrival By chance-or rather by contrivance we sat side by side and that too at the furthest end of the bench. Respecting the presence of the elders, with whispers and glances, through slight touches and imperceptible flirtations, we, rapidly exchanged sentiments of love and affection. The beU tolled, the train arrived. There was a hustle and bustle; the guard blew his whistle and even while I looked, my heart ’s delight, wrapped in white Chinese satin, receded from sight. To me she seemed like an angle in the sky, this lovely creature of unparalleled beauty of form and features. But her image was absorbed in my being. My heart held its beloved within its deepest recesses. Upon my mind was sculptured the beauty of her form. Spiritually I was a bom iconoclast, mentally I became an idolater. With such beautiful and unforgettable memories I left Navsari. was Self Confidence Between December 1893 and January 1894 Bombay was in a state of agitation and excitement. The great patriot, Dadabhoy Navroji, had come to Bombay to preside over the ninth session of the Lahore National Congress. In the Bible it is stated : ‘Knock and it shall be opened to you ’ Lal Mohan Ghosh had Imocked twice on the doors of the British Parliament but they were not opened to him; so, disheartened, he retreated. With the persistence of a Navsari-ite, Dadabhoy also knocked. He knocked again and again, repeatedly and ever louder, and only when they were opened, did this ‘black man ’ of Lord Salisbuiy rest. In clubs and friendly circles this was the main topic of conversation. Bom and bred in poverty, Dada ­ bhoy Navroji by the strength of his character and the wealth of his December 55my detested subject —^maAematics. If only I could find a school where I ....... could study the subjects of my choice! seU. ’ I, of English, history, Persian, science and oAer alhed subjects, but such a school did not exist. So I resolved to educate myself. I surmised Aat if I continued my ... luc uwu yvi>; ai v t. Knowleoge what was more important, within Or fHnrtlich Ml o^z^«*TT 'D«^«kz>i« m ^2 ... r . —J —Uiiv puuuvauvu UtL UId.1 _____... TT_ reading magazine. After aU Ae accounts of succeeddi, then why shouldn ’t I? He centration. With utmost car^I cho&e !? AU day long such thoughts filled books. No one ’s advice j_.. _.-_j ,___, ..._________ . . .. ni^t. > -J -------------------—-------- --- jiitvicai Ui rvs /j yct Ul 1 returned a new man. An undreamed Eagerly did I devour history, bio ¦ borrowed remaineu intact ----- 1... , ------ a hundred rupees was due. Through 7 \ ------ J a Hindu was sougi;t friend, I was loaned that amount a* . an interest of an anna per rupee per the preface month. Within a year I paid .an interest of Rs 75, yet the amount At last I decided to set aside m> ,----------- sense of shame and reveal the tale of education philosophy. Though my troubles to my uncle. Everyone in On retummg to Karachi I started the hbrary was replete with novels. I the famUy had been against this enter- -eekrng some employment. A job was never read them. It was particularly prise from the start With er'^at not easily available and when one did suprising as I had become the editor c ' ’ ' ’ - " come my way, it was to be an and proprietor of a magazine that first issue to my father-in-law honorary apprenticeship. I was a C’ contained mostly fiction. - . - Class member of the Municipal C 1______ ________ Library at the Frere Hall. I realized of 1894 the Gulshcm-e-Danesh (the that nothing could be achieved m Garden of Wisdom) ___ i this world without higher education, under Parsi patronage and nty editor- I had attained no such education nor ship. I was twenty then. My salary as was I willing to do so because^ that ^ editor was Rs 5. As it faced a unde was" not mS?. With a .liKh'v would entail the compulsory study of deficit m the very first year, the pro- reproath he immediately gave me ±e .Cuatipued on page 51 graphy and stories of travel. Within a span of five years I was attracted to '¦eeking some employment. A job was never read them. It was particularly prise from the start ' , -J “ • ------- — -------' enthusiasm I had sent a copy of its come my way, it was to be an and proprietor of a magazine that first issue to my father-in-law at contained jnostly fiction. Bombay. I received strict instructions from there never to send such trash to him again. From China came tire was published admonition that I should abandon such vain endeavours a ndeven ae that stage consider going to China. My "¦“i a slight On the Zoroastrian New Year ’s Day Garden of Wisdom) isBxasasuB Invest in a gift from our incomparable series of religious medallions in 9990 fine silver. Shiri Ganeshji*Shri Lakshmiji*Shri Saraswatiji*Guru Nanak Zarathushtra*Shri Tirupatiji*Shrinathji zXvailable in 5, 10, 15, 25, 40, 50, and 100 gram Denominations Manufactured by : NATIONAL REFINERY PRIVATE LIMITED NATIONAL JEWELLERS Manufacturers & Dealers in Ornaments & Jewellery 7/9, 3rd Agiary Lane, Dhanji Street, Bombay 400 003. Phones : 329991 321078 56At that time the Lord of Justice would surely hold me accountable for her failings being her husband and the custodian of her behaviour! Religion teaches man lessons cf truth and devotion. It holds before mankind the ideal of universal resurrection of the Day of Redemp ­ tion. Yet that same religion raises lessons of With Best Compliments From F. B. Ilavia Na.iaging Director Messrs Udaipur Distillery Company Pvt. Ltd. Udaisagar Road, Udaipur 313 001; Post Box No. I Rajasthan. Phone No. 4521 & 4522 Grams ’ “DISTILLERY” “ To ward off sin I used to put on a deep, white night-cap .... my (wife) told me I look like a corpse-bearer.” With Compliments of jihads throughout the world, pitches man against man, divides communities into sects and castes and creates bitterness between loved Religion alone was sowing the seeds of separation in the soil of our love- tilled lives. True, it was according !o my concept of religion at that time. Conventions and consecrations like the utilization of taro were religion to me. My co-mate was no worshipper of conventions. I was in the ranks of the faithful —my partner was an infidel. Why were we so different? Both of us had been born and bred in conserorthodex. My father-in-law was even more orthodox than my uncle and my father. My life ’s com ­ panion had to live a dual existence in her childhood. She had to wrap her ‘mathabanoo ’ (scarf) in two styles. As long as father was home it had to be tied just two fingers above the eye ­ brows. The moment father left for the shop the mathabanoo travelled upwards and loose, high-set, un-part- ed hair adding beauty to the features, came into view. Women wore long- sleeved vests like men. These loose vests were decorated with laces, ribbons and frills. Should my lady dare to follow such fashion and her father chance to spy it, that apparel immediately found a burial. Between the ‘sapat ’ of olden days and the shoes of modem times, the slipper had established a place of prestige. Had my lady to go out in the presence of her father, she would leave the house in ‘sapat ’ and then adorn her feet later with slippers hidden in some secret nook or corner. Such were the strict and stern codes of behaviour in and castes and and misunderstanding and loving ones. Starlite Electrical Works Electrical Engineers & Contractors Fern House, 13, Or miston Road, Bombay 400 039 spy it, oiiivi. auu oLviii L/Vjuo ui uviiavluul ru which she had been reared. On reach- I ing adulthood, when her thoughts and emotions functioned freely and idependently, all obligatory rules and restrictions of childhood were immediately disregarded and discarded. of .57(( The village-well of those days served the purpose of modern ladies’ gymkhanas or clubs.” money. However, the following day I received a lengthy letter from him on the malady of incurring debts and the disgrace and dishonour that accompany a debtor. not were wedded; Here Comes the Bride Child-marriage was not a Parsi custom. In ancient Iran child-marriages were unknown. After coming to this country, among the many Hindu practices adopted by the Parsis, tnis custom of getting children married at an early age was adopted. Thus veiy young children were wedded; but, until they reached puberty, the boy and girl lived with their parents. Only after the girl came of age did she leave her parental home to go into the home of her in-laws. Forty-five years after my uncle had settled in Karachi the auspicious occasion had arrived to welcome daughter-in-law into a daughter-in-law into our home. On the dawn of my twentieth binhday. * my bride stepped into our home. “ counsels deep and Asho Zarathushtra counsels a couple on the threshold of marriage to let their love be pure and abiding and vie with each other in devotion. With my whole mind and heart and soul, I loved my beloved. She return ­ ed my affection with a sacred devotion. It seemed impossible to find another couple in the whoie, wide world so deeply devoted and so passionately in love. But. . . The more we lived together, the more did we know each other, under ­ stand each other. It was not long before we realized that our thinking was not in harmony. Our principles of life were completely different. In order to vanquish the devil and to crush his evil intentions I would apply the ‘waters of the Golden River ’—‘taro ’—three times religiously to my face, hands and feet early in the morning. To derive the maximum benefit of its miraculous effect, I would apply a cupful of it three times over my whole body from the scalp of my head to the soles of my feet before bathing. Not only did my good lady refuse to use ‘taro ’ but she even dared to dissuade me doing so, with entreaties, that I was harming my skin unneces ­ sarily by the application of so unclean a substance. One day while she was running, bathing. I stealthily and suddenly poured a tumblerful of taro from above all over her. She raised a mighty hullabaloo and every one came running, anticipating some calamity. When I placed my case before them, they declared my deea as correct from the religious stand ­ point, yet my uncle did not ipprov; of my behaviour. According to the Vendidad shorn hair is considered as desecrated as pared nails. I also believed that it was sinful to move about bare-headed or to sleep with the head uncovered. In order to ward off sin I used to put on a deep, white night-cap like the one mobeds wear. My good lady told me I looked like a corpse-bearer in that cap. To suppress the source of evil, instead of the white cap I donned a cap made of checked cloth. Not pacified, my dear wife said I looked like a cook in that headgear. My wife persuaded me to go my way and to let her lead her own life. But how could that be? I was ner rightful husband and as such was responsible for her joys and sorrows. If she did not use ‘taro ’, disregarded the rules of piety and purity, flouted customs and conventions, it would result in heinous sin and after death her soul would lose its way and be unable to cross the Bridge of Doom. OMtfnue.l on page ST Dinshaw Shapoorji & Co. Transport Contractors, Crane Owners Luxury Coach Operators 414/3, Kasarwadi, Pimpri Poona 411 018 Gram : TRUCK Phone : 82658-83055-83056 Branch Office : 92/C, Mohammed Ali Road Bombay 400 003 Gram : MOTORTRUCK Phone : 323977-339718 58I COMMENT AU ¦>» A Western Response to Zarathushtra Dr Dale Bishop lence, Aesma which is akin to Persian '^Kheshm'’ which means anger or pu uappvxx .-------- fury. In the Avesta, Aesm is often religion (Zoroastrianism), especially as charactensed by the epithet, xv; Ju ouf 05^11 day, in Zarathushtra ’s home-land we might aptly substitute the epithet ‘Aesma of One of the most frequently asked questions of me has been, ‘how did you happen to get interested in our we^e such a small community ’? In of Ae bloody ejub ’. fact, it might be asked, how is it tfcar some of the finest scholars of the stature of A. V. Williams Jackson, Karl Geldner, W. B. Heiining, Mary Boyce, to name only a few, how is it that they have devoted lifetimes of work to the study of a religion, which today claims only a small number of followers'. The answer, I think, lies in a well-known aphorism, an apho ­ rism that certainly fits well also the Parsi experience in Iiidia; It is not the quantity but the quality that mat ­ ters and in encountering the thought of Zarathushtra, western scholars have agreed that they have encountered the thought of a first rate mind, the world ’s first great prophet and the world ’s first great philosopher, to borrow a description given by Jac ­ ques Duchesne-GleiUemin. But what is it about Zarathushtra ’s teachings that distinguish them as uniquely profound? I will try to pin ­ point some of the aspects of Zoroas ­ trianism which have so inspired wes ­ tern admiration and which I believe still speak in a meaningful way to the human situation, East and West. The first of these insights which springs to mind is Zarathushtra ’s recognition of the reality of evil in this world, hate to start on such a negative note. It is generally agreed that Zara ­ thushtra lived and taught his message in the region of Eastern Iran at a date for which, at least among scholars, there ’s no agreement. can tell from the Gathas, however, that he lived in a settled pastoral society, one which was prey to the ruthless depredations of nomads. The effects of the mindless and destructive fury of these nomadic plunderers are poignantly described in the Avesta, where in the Meher Yasht, for exam ­ ple, we read of a man, his family, and his cattle being led down the dry and dusty path of captivity. Evil presented itself to Zarathushtra in the most stark and blatant form. 2Larathushtra called this wanton vio- one I western We I’m touching the fringes of a contro ­ versy which was introduced by west ­ ern scholars. This is the problem of dualism and monotheism. My own feeling is that the term dualism is capable of so many interpretations as to be practically meanin^ess and Us application to Zoroastrianism is mis- I leading at best, and mischievous at I worst. If Zoroastrianism is dualistic, I then so must be Christianity, Judaism I and Islam, for all three, to a greater I or lesser extent regard evil as a reality I of this world, propogated by an evil I spirit. I But as Zarathushtra recognised ths I reality and nature of evil in this world, I he also taught that evil is, by its very I nature, finite and self-destructive. In I the long run, it cannot triumph over I Asa the good, the best Truth. Tliis I world, at its worst, is a place where I both good and evil exist and at its I best, that is, when it reaches the state I of renewal, called the ‘making won- i derful ’, as ultimate potential, it will I be a place where only good exists. I Evil ’s victories are always short term I ones. The good, because of its inhe- " rent Truth and wisdom, will have the ultimate victory. This victory, how ­ ever, cannot take place without the . co-operation, the right choices of This is not a gratuitous msertion, human beings. ’1 Thus, on the one hand, Zarathush- t tra rejected the idea that evil is illu- unique sory. On the other hand, Zarathush- ", tra rejected the idea that the world is an essentially evil place, a place from which one should seek escape, a re ­ lease. At various points in it ’s long history, Zoroastrianism has been con ­ fronted with both extremes in belief, and yet the central message, the mid ­ dle way as it were, remained essen ­ tially intact. It is this middle way which William James, the great Ame ­ rican psychologist of religion, charac ­ terised as healthy-minded, as opposed that is, its irrationality, that has dra^ to what he called the religion of the the attention of western scholars. Zarathushtra didn ’t try to explain evil away. He didn ’t deny its reality. -------- He frankly admitted its existence and identify the good. I, along with mariy activist as he was, he exhorted his earlier students of Zarathushtra ’s reli- followers to get on with the business ^on, consider him to have been the of eradicating it from this world. world ’s first philosopher, but if we i ? the summary trial and firing squad ’, but is in fact very pertinent to the topic of my talk, for it is in part at least, that Zarathuehtra ’s ur.:-,:* understanding of the nature of evil. We miss an aspect of Zarathustra’s greatness, if, ... we overlook the beauty of Zarathustra’s poetry, a beauty, which itself, conveys a message. sick soul. But the question may asked, indeed has b^n asked, how is one to earlier students of Zarathushtra ’s reli- world ’s first philosopher, but if we 59BOYS’ TOWN Public School Nasik 2 look to the Gathas for an elaborate mind. Of the two spirits, the It philosophical system explaining in follower chose to do the worst thing deuil what exactly is good or giving the most holy spirit chose Truth. L -i_, X clothed himself in the stoney vault < the Heavens, CHOICE SCHOOLING FOR YOUR SON Recognised as a Public School by Department of Education — for Indian Merit Scholars. Excellent Climate — All-round Education: All Academic Subjects — Tech- nical Subjects: Radio and Wood- Work Technology, Farming — Training in Self-Government through Elected Boys ’ Office ­ bearers, Games — Physical Training — Daily Assembly with Congregational Prayers — Week ­ ly intensive Zoroastrian — Geeta — Koran classes — Excellent Modern Kitchen and Dining Room facilities — Airy Dormi ­ tories. philosophical system explaining in r ’ ' ' ¦ ' ¦ _ a proof or elaborate exposition, such as we might find, say, in Aquinas ’s the Heavens, so also do those wh “Summa llieologica ”, we shall be choose to satisfy the Lord Wisdoi disappointed. with true deeds. Of these two, th The Gathas are hymns of devotion. False Gods did not choose correctlj emotional outpourings of a man who tor while they were deliberating, con had a vision, a vision of the cosmic fusion came upon them so that the forces which govern the world, which chose the worst mind. They rushei move history forward. They are also off into mindless fury with which the; compositions of great poetic merit, ' ' which follow ancient standads of pro- ___ ___ ....................... ....... ....... sody, and yet are vivid, lucid and theme is choice, both the choice of thi original in their imagery. We miss two spirits and the choice which eaci an aspect of Zarathushtra ’s great- man must make for himself is cha ness, if, in straining to get the mean- racterized by the use of interesting ings of the Gathas, we overlook the parallels. Unfortunately it ’s very diffi- beauty of Zarathushtra ’s poetry, a ’ -• beauty, which itself, I believe, conveys a message. To call Zarathushtra a poet is in no way a derogation of the <- . __________ _ ___________ _ vey levels of reality, can touch springs structure within each line of the of human understanding, whivii dij philosophical discourse cannot pene ­ trate. in Aquinas ’s we We miss of Zarathushtra ’s great- now plague our mortal existence. ” This passage in which the majo: a cult to convey this in a translation, In stanza two, the choice is laid out, In stanza three, the antipathy of the - , „ — two spirits is heightened or highlight ­ quality of his mind. Poetry can con- ed, I should say, by the use of paraileJ vey levels of reality, can touch springs structure within each line of the verse, of human understanding, which dry In stanza four, the additional contract of beginning and end is added to that of lie-follower and truth-holder. Five is largely concerned with the correct choice of the Holy Spirit. Six, with the incorrect choice of the daevas. Throughout, the sense of opposition is emphasised by the use of these poetic parallels. The poetic structure strengthens the message by re-inforc ­ ing the stated theme of choice and the two alternatives of that choice. Neverheless, despite this wonderful poetry, we have to face the fact that the Gathas leave many questions un ­ answered. The composer of the Denkar, the Pahlavi religious encyclo ­ pedia, recognised the problem and The reason so many disagree about the teaching of Zarathushtra, is that there is no con­ sensus on an acceptable translation of the Gathas. “Moderate Fees as per wish of the Founder so that the the children of non-affluent parents are able to take advantage of the school. Sub- stanteal concessions and free- ships offered to deserving students. Zoroastrian social workers welcomed r^arding recomm'endation and admission of boys at concessional fees. ” to Zoroastrian welcomed APPLY TO THE MANAGING TRUSTEE P. N. Mehta Education Trust Cooks Building, 324 D. N. Road Bombay 400 001 or to the Principal Let me cite a brief example from Yasna Hah 30 verses 2 to 6. I should digress here briefly to say that one o. rtas“di^li;r;it7 “cor^l oV^rZstrZ the reasons so many people disagree scriptures, which was much larver in about the teachings of Zarathushtra, is that there is no consensus on an acceptable translation of the Gathas. Each scholar has his favourite, usually his own. - is, appropriately, my own. “Listen with your ears to the best things, see with a lucid mind, the two choices, for the decision which each _ __ ____wa. man must make for himself, aware whiclT explSd* to' the beUever how beforehand of the great trial which is the lofty principles of the Gathas to follow for us. P'— *----- ’ -¦ - primeval spirits, who as twins declare what should their nature as good or evil in thought, word and deed. Of these the benefi ­ cial one, chose correctly; not so evil one. / ' ' confronted each other in the b^iu- adherent of a reUgion neel ’ to h^e nin^ they created life and non-hfe, principle translated into practice. And existence thus over the yeare, the priests per- would be for the foUowers of the he formed their yeomen ’s task and for the truth-holder, the best This division of the scriptures no scriptures, which was much larger in ancient times than what has survived, into three categories. Gasanig, Dodig and Hadumanstig that is, Gathic, that part which is derived from the Gathas I sections such as the vendidad and the Hadamn- stig or the ritual sections of the Aves ­ ta. The latter two were considered to be the supplementary texts, texts - - . - 7-— ¦ pan wluul IS uciivcu irom tn The translation I will use themselves; the DadiP legal fhere were two could be applied to everyday life, ------- 1 be the laws governing society, how should one punish sin ­ ners, what is the proper way to con- . , , - duct worship of the deity. These are And when these two spirits by no means trival questions, for the 60total The late and lamented Prof. Zach- approach being Professor Mary Boyce first orientalists were intent to getting encapsulated in the title of his famous Boyce has emphasized the continuity attention to the rites and tht legal and triardsm. Professor 2Lachner it is clear, scriptures. They discarded as late Professor Gershevitch ’s distinction bet- the Denkard passage. The Denkard priestly acbretions those texts that ween Zoroastrianism and Catholic encompasses hll three aspects of the didn ’t accord with their own vision of Zoroastrianism, we see a more subtle religion: The Dadi^ the Hadumans- Tf we cut off the Gathas from the rest of the Avesta, the general spirit of the religion as it is developed over the years. We also risk falling prey to the fallacy of pro ­ jecting what we hope to find in the Avesta from what actually is there. This gap between expectation and rea ­ lity has influenced western views to ­ wards the prophet and his religion. To ________ _ _ some, he was the first protestant, the ¦ ¦ ¦____ ' ¦_________ ‘ • Although these scholars differ rebel against priestly authority, to more typical approach was that of greatly from one another on many others, he was the first rationalist. the on the scenario. After Zarathushtra, inspired shaman, another as a crafty matter how well it served the need of theme in the western response to the total 2Loroastrian experience the Zoroastrians through the years, Zoroastrianism. appears, the leading exponent of this nevertheless bewildered and misled The late and lamented Prof. Zach- approach being Professor Mary Boyce western scholars. Since most of the ner ’s views on this matter are perfectly of the University of London. Prof, first orientalists were intent to getting encapsulated in the title of his famous Boyce has emphasized the continuity to the heart of thin gs, they paid little book Dawn and Twilight of Tjoroas- of tradition as against ^continuity attention to the rites and tht legal and trianism. Professor Zachner it is clear, and decline and in so doing, she ac- ritual prescriptions of the Zoroastrian greatly preferred the ‘dawn ’. Again in cepts the evaluation of the writer of scriptures. They discarded as late Professor Gershevitch ’s distinction bet- the Denkard passage. The Denkard priestly accretions those texts that ween Zoroastrianism and Catholic encompasses hll three aspects of the didn ’t accord with their own vision of Zoroastrianism, we see a more subtle religion: The Dodig, the Hadumans- what the Prophet should have taught, perhaps, but nonetheless faithful ren- tig along with the Gasanig. One scholar, James Daomesteter, dering of the same basic scheme cf If we cut off the Gathas from the famous as a translator of the Avesta, Zoroastrian history. rest of the Avesta, we risk missing laboured under the delusion for several years that even the Gathas were not genuine. At one point, he asserted that the Gathas must have been a forgery by a member of the school of the Platonist Philo of Alexandria of the 1st. century B. C. Fortunately, this was a temporary and uncharacte ­ ristic aberration in an otherwise ditsinguished academic career A far „ * . . - . more typical approach was that of greatly from one another on many others, he was the first rationalist. Martin Hang who counselled the points, they are in general agreement One scholar depicted him as a drug- Parsis to pay attention only to the on the scenario. After Zarathushtra, inspired shaman, another as a crafty Gathas, for these were after all in his it ’s all down-hill: accretion of foreign politician. In fact the history of wes- view, the pristine and uncorrupted beliefs, priestly legalism, etc. tern scholarship of Zoroastrianism form of real Zoroastrianism and to a It is only in recent years that among tells us as much, sometimes more, certain extent this has been a general Western scholars, an appreciation for about western intellectual history than If we cut off the Gathas from the rest of the Avesta, we risk missing the general spirit of the religion Ruttonjee Jehangir Established in I860 66, Bazargate, Fort, Bombay 400 001 Tel. 262679 Tel. Address : “QUICKWAY" (Manufacturers of Tableware & Presentation Items) The oldest manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers and retailers, of Silver and Nickel-Silver items of Oriental and European design 61This affliction of projecting ones own expectations upon the scriptures .... is the well-known supermarket approach to religion what 18 right and just. He laid down conversion and inter-marriage, that is the great moral imperatives and left a question the Parsis themselves must it to those who followed him to apply decide. What I’m saying is simply these principles to the living of our that since Zoroastrianism has pro- everyday life. The process has con- foundly influenced the world ’s great tinued through the ages and it goes reli^ons, including my own, Chris- on today. It is what makes a religion tianity, the import and validity of dynamic, not just a set of empty and Zarathushtra ’s message is a legacy outdated legalisms, but a way of life, from which the whole world will con- Sometimes the choices are easy but tinue to benefit. As a scholar of Zoro- often they are complex and difficult, astriansm and an admirer of its tenets, But it is perhaps consoling to remem- I proudly claim 'that legacy. ber, I think, that the most significant questions are those that defy pat and easy answers .... ———— Finally, Zarathushtra has captivated Dr Dale Bishop the attention of the West, because he ’ was perhaps the first universalist in New York, in 1979 Bishop his, approach to religion. Zarathush- visited Bombay, to, in his words, ‘'study tra s vision of history is a cosmic Zoroastrianism as it is practiced today vision j his depiction of redemption, is among the Par sis”. During his stay he a redemption for all mankind, his delivered two talks on the religion God is not a national God or a tribal Western Response to Zarathushtra’’ at the God, but a God of the Universe. Thus his legacy is one to which the auspices of Zoroastrian Studies extracts whole world can lay claim. By insist- which have been reproduced above, mg upon the universal character of "Eloquence in the A vestas” at the ! teachings, I have no Cama institute of Oriental Studies on 31 it docs about Zoroastrianism itself. This affliction of projecting one ’s own expectations upon the scriptures has not been restricted to western scholarship. It is the well-known su ­ permarket approach to religion. Alas, Zarathushtra does not fit neatly into any of the categories, we so carefully prepare for him. To the latter two categories which I mentioned, he does not fit at all. But it is perhaps a testi ­ mony to the stature of the man that so many have tried to enlist his teach ­ ings in their own particular crusades. Zarathushtra, it is clear regarded igno ­ rance as a manifestation of evil and ffius impUed in his understanding of ^al&h^s uu --- iruth, the uldmate good IS the use of intention of entering the continuing A/ay, 1979. mans rational faculties in determining controversy among the Parsis over is an Associate Professor of Iranian studies at Columbia University, ------ > York. In 1979 Bishop had _ visited Bombay, to, vision of history is a cosmic Zoroastrianism as it i among the Parsis". During ‘*A Birla Auditorium on 8 May, 1979 under 342 Years of combined experience have made the four units of Tata Textiles one of the largest leading groups of cotton textile mills in the country 3,55,000 spindles and 7555 looms spin and weave over 1264 lakhs metres a year of quality fabrics, a part of which find their way to distant overseas markets 62 r/iTTi f epro'. The Central India Spinning. Weaving & Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Nagpur. The Svadeshi Mills Co. Ltd. Bombay. The Ahmedabad Advance Mills Ltd. Ahinedabad The Tata Mills Ltd. BombayIN MEMORIAM (^¦3 and was a strict vegetarian. ” In 1919, Dabu was appointed the principal of the Surat Parsi Orphanage where he served for nearly 27 yeais till 1946 when he took over as principal of the M. F. Cama Athornan Madressa at Andheri, Bombay. I wo years later, in 1948, Dabu was instal led as the high priest of the Wadiaji Atash Betiram. Prior to his appoiiit- __ _ moocus aa a mvut, the position was hereditary ¦_____________J. _____i (Dabu) who from father to son. Dabu retired as dedicated his life to simple living and the high priest in 1977 due to his age. service to tho community through Ervad Framroz M. the simplified religious teachings. ” Among boyewala at the Wadiaji Atash Bemjm, the many prominent personalities wuo spoke of the “simple life of Dabu. ....... -----“From eight to ten every mormng he would sit here, ” says Antia, pointing to the row of chairs in the foyer of the Atash Behram. Here he would meet those who came to visit him or :1 ¦ ’ , he were also held in community centers would retire to his room to his writ Jam-e-Jatnshed, the Gujarati daily, would go to perform clerical c&p- “great part in monies. “He never accepted a parse. —J jjg always advised those whom he _ 2 .......................... .IX J*-- The Kcdser-e-Hind charity, ” says Antia. Vakil estimates that in this manner alone Dabu donat- 5 lacs to charity. He the income-tax depart- _ _____ _____________ J against Dabu for prep^ed^by the BPP, Dabu was born non-payment of tax on earning he on 20 April 1889 in a poor family had not accepted. However, with the in Navsari and became a Navar and assistance of leading lawyers hke of 12. He started Palkhiwalla and others, Dabu won his I dastur almost case. Antia adds that Dabu h^ also side-by-side he reduced his own salary which he Zxiu-uiosuu uvu. _____ As an author, a religious author in or passed his matric in 1906 with a first particular, Dabu contributed ai^cles m class. After graduating with a Masters regularly to Chirag Mag^e, a /toro- the degree in En^ish in 1912 from Wilson astrian Theosophist pubhcation, f^ a highly knowledgeable person, a philanthropist. .. he left a great treasure of religious literature. ” H. B. Kapadia, joint secretary of BPP, compared Dabu to a “king at the head of the dastur clan. . .an intellectual light for all. ” Jal Heerjibehedin, editor of Kcuser-e- Hind, appealed to the large gathering at the C^a Hall to start a Provident Fund for the dasturs and mobeds as a ment, “fitting tribute to a man ( to thi community through spoke at the meeting was Ercsch Nadershah, president of the Rahana- ma-Mazdayasni Sabha, a body crea! ed for religious reform, and former chairman of BPP. ------ - ¦ u u- t ? A number of condolence meetings discuss matters with him. ^ter, were dso held in community centers '—” ’ \ " • outside Bombay. An editorial in the ing and study, and m the evemngs Died: Dastur Khurshed S. Dabu, crests Dabu with u 91, high priest of the Seth Hormasji rekindUng the faith and sincerity /„i ‘..n B. Wa^aji Ata^h Behram in Bombay Zoroastrians dunng the tune of reh^ served to give J*® ^g*)J for almost 30 years, former princip.d gious dechne. ” The nhAntv. ” savs AnUa. Vakil estimates of the M. F. Cama Athoman Madressa echtorial writes that H^bus prince and the Surat Boy ’s Orphanage, ' ' „ ' " * professor in English and noted author exists. ” __ _ and orator, on 30 October 1979 at Ahmedabad after a proIongel illness. ¦ ¦ ' a very brilliant man. .. there is no one to ;w-A<>A.J3 £ Dastur Khursfaed S. Dabu, He never accepted a paise. will be felt as long as the commumty ed about Rs. 5 recalls that th. According to a life-sketch of Dabu ment filed a case on 20 April 1889 in ________ ____ ______ __ i„ X?--- 1 —- -- replace him, ” says Dastur Kaikhusroo Maratab by the age ? M. JamaspAsa, high priest of the to practice as a Anjuman Atash Behram in Bombay, immediately and ---- , , > • «riPQt “He dedicated his entire life to the studied at the Sir Cowasji Jehangir received as high pnest. service of the community .. .He never accepted any gift or present ashodad, ” ... writes Shiavax Vakil m the prestigious Gujarati daily, Bombay Samachar. Vakil, lawyer and director of the Tata group --------- - :¦ — t—write of companies, was closely associated ed as an assist^t professor of En^ish ,on. In 1946, he ^e with D&.U ever since his first job as at fergusson CoUege, Poona, where ® dS.un a teacher under Dabu ’s principalship he worked for a year. Fhe Gujarati dady notes mai umi^ L 1936 He then worked for Dr Anine the 30 years of his asswiaUon^ Two condolence meetings were ST ole'iomdv *67 theand was the head master of the published in poor lorm. inruugii i I .It o ’of ciienS Studies and the Kanpur Theosophist High School writing on religious subjects, notw Rahnuma-Mazdavasni Sabha at the run by the Annie Besant Educational Bombay SazMOc/wr eitonal m 19 the Trust'and later the Alighar Dhartn. when Dahn other by the Bombay Parsi Panchayat samaj High School. ship, lungs of (BPP) at the Framji Cawasji Institute “He was a theosophist from his Parsis the n-efd Hall on 3 December At the second youngest days and he never made a our rehgion. Inevitably he h^ to tread mStaB Ktan-Betanm of his views, ” says Vakil. ‘He upon the coms of ^udo schoats and chairman referred to Dabu as “a great believed in reiiwamation as the only occidtists. . .Dabu fought e^ m scholar of religirm, an educationalist, logical explanation to life after deash straight forward manner. 63 “The communtiy has lost M. JamaspAsa, high priest of the to practice He dedicated his entire life to the studied at — , _ Zarthoshti Madressa from where he class. After graduating with a Masters re^arl^^to iiwiiLuaj, viiC Sso studied early twentieth century upto 1945 Avesta and Pahlavi) he was appoint- when the magazine stopped publica- ________ t Ae Jam-e-Jamshed. 'Fhe Gujarati daily notes that during - - ... ------i_x:— — leader of the Theosophist the paper he wote 1,403 reli^ous in moia anu uio wx/iid, articles of which 303 have been the head master of the published in book form. Through his . - ________ - 1 ^ ... .1*.!_____ a leading College, Bombay, (he Beasant, a ------- . of movement in India and the world,p^ed his punches. He not only call- w a spade a spade but even went to the extent of calling a hypocrite and a charlatan without any trimmings of language." ® Dabu ’s son. Noshir, writes to Parsiana that his father was in the 6^ ' demonstrator. He obtained his Docto ­ rate degree m Chemistry from f state uSy. {JsA 1953, he returned m ^4 of die Physical Cheimstry Section, Chemistry Diviskm ;^^^/^emical Laboratory he was appointed {5;® .Head of the Solid State S^cal BARC. During his ‘ as uie l*ad of the Chemistry Dhision and ® Committee on Steam , and Water Chemistry. A^rding to Dastur, Karkhana- , {ehgious inclinations were strongly influenced by Karkhanavala ’s ' famer whom Dastur described as “a w^te bearded, staunch orthodox Zoro- f • K"khanavala ’s father repor ­ tedly withdrew his son from sctool for one year so that he could . trainmg to become bide influence. 'Hiough he it' 1 i w w A car accident on year so that he could Minocher Dadabhoy Karkhanavala mgs were held in memory of Karkha ­ navala. These ------ - - under the ----- ' Parsi j of Oriental Studies, rnp rVorio*- _ •. . _ * tho son, N^lm, writes to truest sense a friend, philosopher and guide to all of us. ” Dabu is survived by his son. Noshir. Died. Minocher Dadabhoy Karkhan ­ avala, 53 director of the Chemical Group of Bhabha Automic Research Centre (BARC) and noted exponent of Zoroastrian orthodoxy, of injuries sustained in a car accident on 17 November 1979, at the Military Hospital in Delhi. Distinguishable by the priestly pagri that had become a part of his everyday attire, Karkhanavala held a number of senior positions at BARC was connected with a number of scientific and educational associations and organisations which included president of the Indian Thermal Analysis Society and Chancellor ’s Nominee of the Senate of the Univer- Parsi PanchTyltTfiPPi personaUy perform all the ^digious sity of Poona, At the time of his death the Cama InsfltiitA rJ; ceremonies of his famil y he was also a director of Indian Rare SJ Sa^^ SmincapaS understand- Earths and a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Rana»^Af^^^io®’u nature, religion goes bevond Management of the Nuclear Fuel the Athoman ManH Behrani, science in explaining nature ” was in Complex, both public sector under- the Rustom Baue Aq Bombay and often repeated observation of Kark- takin^. According to the bio-data of additSr meetkt^wel^^'*° “- to Daftun Pi^oyided by BARC ne ed in Udvada Buka^ Sa^- .Karkhanavala is survived by his had done much pioneering work in Bangalore and Cumt ’ Poona, wife, Siloo, son, Khurshed and introducing new scientific methods In ___ where two such daughter. Arnmitv the country and developing new pro ­ cesses and materials. He is also re ­ ported to have published over 100 research articles in scientific journals in India and abroad. While on an official tour of Jodh ­ pur in North India, Karkhanavala in 1958 he was appointed tenure as the I and Karkhana- ! were as '‘a go a Navar and Maratab without any out- bide influence. Though he was not a ^actrang dastur, JamaspAsa notes the auspi«s “Sru,rB h “ If????"!. joi^ar™ , —VXAWXALCU QU the Dadar Jashan Committee, meetings were held. daughter, Armaity. “He was a very reUgiouis minded man who had some very definite and somewhat rigid views of the religion," says Dastur Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa, hi^ priest of the Anjuman Atash Behram in Bombay. “He was highly —what is known as —orthodox. Even meetings were held, ---- _ ___ man who had some vety definite and somewhat rigid views of the religion," Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa, hi^ priest of the Anjuman Atash ____ Behram in Bombay. “He was highly sustained serious head injuries" when hk the wheel of the jeep he was traveUing J’®, always in came off and the vehical overturn- u S Ka.ikhushroo , r' ‘*o*-j aft/o iSbcuKnusnroG Dastur, head of the Legal Depart • c^- who shared was niMy platforais with Karkhanavala He was the greatest champion •TfcHirMrtiovwk _ _________a.’ . _ « * Even when addressing a gathering of Zoroastrians in Los Angeles, USA, Karkhanavala dwelled on the evils of Parsis marrying outside the community nroc though several community was members had brought their non-Parsi spouses along. Bom on 29 Novembw 1926, —- LI.. in Chemistry m 1947 from Elphinstone CoUege in Bombay and his M.Sc. in 1949 in the same subject from Wilson College where he was working as a ed. He was admitted to the Jodhpur hospital and later shifted to Delhi where he died without regaining ciousness. Karkhanavala ’s body __ rushed down from Delhi to Bombay . u • so that the last rites could be perform- greatest champion of ed in strict adherence to Zoroasfrian Ji® practice. The funeral was thronged rSir^ dokhma^ adds with prominent personalities, notable among them was Dr Homi Sethna, •director of BARC, colleagues, and associates who came to pay their last respects. News of Karkhanavala ’s death v. " featured in the leading daily papers in Bombay. “In Karkhanavala ’s death „„ punvpmhA,. i the Parsis loose a religious scholar Karkhanavala c and the country a brilliant scientist, ” his B.Sc. noted a column in the orthodox Guja ­ rati daily, the Jam-e-Jamshed. In Bombay, five condolence meet- 64 Warden is good For sandalwood Head Office 378 Grant Road Bombay 400007 and Branches Tel. 371464 ment of the Bank of Baroda, and well wiin Jv-aTKnanavala on regions discussions and lectures, was the greatest champion of Dokhmaism. . .sometimes he used to Quality undalwood Aggarbatibs, gum benzdn (loban) and other Perfumes / I