Sep 1981

? r 1 1 ! ! 5‘ ! c September 1981 Volume 4 Number 3 Price Re. 1 Amending Adoption The meeting was coming to a dignified The amendment that Master-Moos, close, when a woman with a scarf on her Vimadalal and others are opposed to is head, escorted by four men, climbed on the < ____ 2_,, _ to the stage. Before a bewildered senior advocate of the Supreme Court providing “no protection to Parsis. audience at the Sir Cowasjee Jehangir and a former law secretary to the “i»—‘ Hall, Bombay, the group comman- Government of India, with an addi- deered one of the microphones and the tional line pertaining to succession and woman launched a tirade against the inheritance. organizers of the meeting, the Bombay meeting. Supported Master-Moos’ amendment and attacked Gae’s for one proposed by Rustom Gae, a being “too wide and ambiguous” and nr nf fli** nrAViHino fr* ” "Personally, I am not very happy with some of the words” incorporated in the amendment, said CER chairman, Jamsheed Kanga, speaking at the ____________,___ ______ Samast Anjuman meeting. But in order Parsi Panchayat (BPP) trustees. oval of doubts it is hereby declared that to obtain a “consensus”, Kanga The occasion was the Samast Anju- nothing in sub-section (2) shall be acquiesced. He urged the gathering to man meeting called for Augu^ to construed to change the religion or reli- recommend an amendment to the gious denomination or sect of an Adoption of Children Bill, 1980, now adopted child into any other religion, before the Indian Parliament. The religious denomination or sect to which woman, Ms Meher Master-Moos, a the conversion of a person not born in fiery lawyer and one of the leaders of the such religion, religious denomination or t,- __ ______ _______________ United Orthodox Graduates (UOG) sect is not permissible according to the the community especially regarding the party that swept the ‘C’ graduates regis- doctrines, usages or customs applica- ter in the recent BPP Anjuman Com- ble to the followers of such religion, mittee elections, charged that the religious denomination or sect save that . . _____, —_______ ___ amendment proposed by the BPP and so far as the rights to succession and ascertaining the views of the commun- supported by leaders of the Committee inheritance are concerned, such for Electoral Rights (CER), the Com- adopted child shall be governed by the mittee of United Zoroastrians (CUZ) relevant law applicable to the adopter and others, would be the cause of the disintegration of the Parsi community. The amendment states, “For the rem­ oval of doubts it is hereby declared that support the amendment. While noting the purpose of the adoption bill was to “protect the mate­ rial property of the child”, he felt the bill should not be used as an occasion to change the customs and traditions of acceptance of converts. “This (conversion) should be done after proper debate, discussion and ity”, he added. Dadi Engineer, a noted Bombay law­ yer and CER leader, stated it was essen­ tial the “controversy must end because _________ _____ ____ _ we are making a representation to Among her companions was Jal A. BPP’s original draft_in that a non-Parsi government”. He was in New Delhi Vakil, a former additional Chief Presid- child adopted by Parsis would be recently and found “the government is ency Magistrate now with the M. N. “equated with a natural born child for really confused” because of all the Sett Charities. all purposes except purposes of a reli- With that unorthodox gesture, the gious nature.” The original BPP BPP s last hope of presenting a “united amendment would have denied the ...... __ ;---------- ¦ child “any rights in regard to matters or adopters.” Gae’s amendment differs from the BPP’s original draft in that a non-Parsi amendments that were being proposed by various Parsi factions. Engineer said that the government officials recom­ mended the community make their _____„_____ _________ J X.. views known and leave the drafting of prior to the ill-fated meeting, BPP trus- Gae’s amendment with the additional amendment to the law department, tee Jal Vimadalal. a former high court lines was accepted by the BPP trustees “Instead,of reasoning against each other, "" ~ ’¦J r . - ----- at a meeting on 21 August attended by let us reason together”, said Engineer. At which stage, Ms Master-Moos and her entourage ascended on the podium and marched toward the micro­ phone . While the seven BPP trustees and other dignitaries on the stage looked on helplessly, Master-Moos’ companions formed a semi-circle around front” to the government on the contro- child “any rights in regard to matters versial Adoption Bill, fell flat. Even relating to race, community or religion ” _ —. ¦ Gae s amendment with the additional judge, publicized his note of dissent in ¦,_______..' the conservative Gujarati daily. The leaders of the CER, t*h7^rt7that7w^^^^ Jam-e-Jamshed : . The amendment the recent Anjuman Committee elec- suffers from...defects...I...hope that in ----- the interests of the community, ‘the powers that be ’will propose the amend­ ment in the form suggested by me before it is too late.” tions, the CUZ, the major opposition party claiming to represent the orthodox point of view, and the fJOG. An advertisement in the Jame of 28 August, the day of the Samast Anjuman kher. As anxious Panchayat officials converged near the group, Master- Moos shrilled inaudibly into the micro- person to speak and consider the pros phone; Boman-Behram, in turn,entered and cons of the BPP Clause 14 draft into a verbal duel on his micropho- amendment. Master Moos microphone was shut wanted to railroad the Parsi public, the UOG (Ms Perviz F. Dotivala) had without giving an opportunity to any invited Mrs Meher-Moos (sic) to the meeting but she could not attend as she was away in Poona. “Before the vote was taken”(at the Samast Anjuman meeting), wrote Boman-Behram, “I had decided to invite those from the audience, who had the BPP trustees fail to publish their any suggestion to make, to speak from proposed amendment in the Parsi press at the same time as the meeting announ­ cement ?”’ Vakil lamented in the Jatne issue of 1 according to a pre-arranged plan, rushed to the stage in the manner of prepared by Master-Moos and himself gate-crasher”.Boman-Behram also was not even circulated for considera- f * *' ' " **•* ne. Master Moos microphone was shut “The amendment was sprung as a sur- off and Boman-Behram asked the con- prise on the public without the public gregation whether they wanted her to being given time to consider it. Why did speak or not. The general reaction ' appeared unfavourable. After some internal discussions, it was.decided to let Ms Aloo Chibber, a member of the state Minorities Com­ mission read out a resolution on behalf September, that the amendment draft of Master-Moos and company. But no sooner had Chibber begun to speak, a white cObted, becapped, elderly tion prior to the BPP deliberations and Parsi seated on the first floor gallery, i„„',_ L— — M------- - ' — entered into a shouting match with her. Boman-Behram then put the original August meeting, amendment sponsored by the BPP to a show ofhands vote which demonstrated Moos’ allegations surprisingly in The that the crowd wholeheartedly sup- Bombay Samachar (6 September 1981) the controversial Delhi Parsi Anjuman’s ported the offical amendment. a paper whose editorial policies have In letters to the Jame, both Master- earned the ire of the BPP and the Moos and Vakil defended their tactics; “Every person has a right to speak at a Samast Anjuman meeting when demo­ cratic processes prevail” wrote Master- Moos, But from the high-handed way in which Mr. B.K. Boman-Behram con­ ducted the meeting it was evident he the stage. But after the last speaker in support of the Resolution had com­ pleted his speech, Mrs. Meher-Moos, I Tb)^hHefc«ntlA«)Ml Howl — Bomboy ** i neither he nor Master-Moos received any “written invitation letter” to the 21 Boman-Behram replied to Master- took a swipe at the BPP’s strongest ally of the past, the Jame referring to it as a “so-called responsible paper” for pub­ lishing some of Master-Moos’ state­ ments, Boman-Behram also may have been peeved with the Jame for publish­ ing the views of Shiavax Nargolwala, i s5&?.S^ a Si***^’ r ?? 1* Sb_zH — ¦'¦C orthodox group. Boman-Behram noted that at the 21 August meeting the trus­ tees and leaders of the various groups including the UOG, with the exception of Vimadalal, “voted for the final amendment. “I am informed that the president of president on adoption in an earlier issue. But whatever the political upheavals, what shocked the community the most was the B P Ps’ inability to hold a pu­ blic meeting without disruption. It was yet another stark reminder of the det­ erioration in relations between the Panchayat and the public. LETS 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. Over the last 100 years we have not only pioneered the 5; construction industry in our country but spread our I wings to Muscat and the I Middle East—where against competition from the best construction companies, we won the contract for putting up the imposing Muscat Palace complex of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman—and completed it in time. The multiplicity of projects carried out by us over several decades has resulted in the building up of expertise in numerous aspects of the construction industry. We proudly offer this expertise for any construction project and proposals for joint ventures would be welcome. Pal>c» of HU MajOTty tM uttr ObtrobShertton Ho<«l — Bombay ;¦ t9t' . ' \ s »Born»»y k k -¦ . . ...W ¦W, - -....>Sr^’ W'' W w w w w L !i SHAPOORJI PALLONJI & CO. (PVT.) LTD. !' .' .'!¦'¦ t”' ¦ i .• .u ' ¦.<> li^it.i »»»’ *»; ^•>- I i II POLITICS The Best Man The announcement came as no surprise. Ever since the declaration of the Bom­ bay Parsi Panchayat Anjuman Com­ mittee election results in April, the most on the BPP Board of trustees was Jam- sheed G. Kianga, the moderate, intros­ pective leader of the Committee for Electoral rights (CER). An Indian Ad­ ministrative Service officer, with a dis­ tinguished record, Kanga had brought into existence and nurtured the well- intentioned group of professionals. who successfully contested and won the Housing February and March this year. Announcing the candidature at a meeting of the newly convened Anju­ man Committee on August 15 at Bom­ bay’s Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Hall, Dadi B. Engineer, one of the CER vice- chairmen and founder member, listed the requirements for a trustee : t_-_: dedication, balanced views, education, a record of personal and professional success,." . . is an office of great responsibility more than great Honour, and willingness to devote time to community affairs. “No one fills the role as admirably as Jamsheed Kanga,” said Engineer. The sutemen. was an exagge,„,„„,. with his dedication, drive and persist- ____ _ ______ _ ence who was responsible for the CER Electoral Reforms sconng an upset victory at the polls. While the success of And Kanga is acutely aware of the schemes will depend lafgelv responsibility that comes with the iob. " ¦ had raised the community’s expecta­ tions, Kanga sought prior assurance from the other members of the CER that they would continue to lend their support should he contest the trustee­ ship once BPP Chairman B.K. Boman Behram’s ternj < November. “We must come together 4 J ¦ ’ - • - SO people gathered at the Cowasjee those who have donated Rs.5 0(W Jehangir Hall, “only if we are united, we <’ ' ’ are strong, only if we are strong, are we respected." Kanga noted that around a dozen tected. subcommittees had been formed to Engineer noted that in “bring the talent of the < together” and tackle the problems. Area committees in 15 parts of the city also have been initiated “to meet and discuss eyes -r-— ? •—^wvii iiiikiaicu lu nicci ana Gi! tavoured candidate for tlje next vacancy the local problems and to be the and ears of the community.” Zal Contractor, an active CER member who heads the area committees stated that each of the area committees would cater to around 6,000 Parsis. community had constituted an electoral committee to recommend reforms, and that the committee’s report should be submitted shortly. Both Kanga and Engineer are on the committee and had submitted dissent­ ing notes. Ironically, it was their disillu­ sionment with the committee’s attitude to electoral reforms that had prompted both of them to contest the Anjuman 'TTmIa^a J • '**** V* vAAviAi fcvr VM111V31 me ZMlJUindn Unless we proceed area wise, we will Committee elections. The CER strategy lot know what ?eeotc ’ xU-. ___ ____ . « . U' not know what assets we have” in the various parts of the city and the sub- ----------------------------------vauuua pans c CMcutives, businessmen and lay people urbs, he noted. Anjuman Comrnittee elections held in High on the list of the CER’s priorities is rPhriiflrv an/i < • * housing, a sensitive portfolio handled by CER deputy chairman, Pali A. Pon­ cha. A former insurance executive, cur­ rently serving in Tata Sons, Poncha reeled off a list of statistics at the C.J. Hall meeting to demonstrate that the community has the space to construct total around 1,300 flats of around 500 square feet each. To raise part of the funds, some of the flats would be sold on an awareness that the trusteeship ownership basis, others rented, depend- nf crrAat rocnAwoik. ’lU., __ ____ ..................... ’ ing on the individual’s capacity to pay, said Poncha. He also felt that the government could be convinced to allo­ cate cement as the community’s annual requirement would be only 1,200 tonnes - --------- a yearfor the next 10 years; this amount individual, it was Kanga was only a fraction of the cement allo- cated for Bombay, said Poncha. While the appears to be to wait for the report to be made public, examine its recommenda­ tions and if they are suitable, let the BPP move for a change. This procedure would be simplerand quicker than if the Anjuman Committee were to move for reform. The only drawback is that the com­ mittee chairman. Nadirshah R. Mulla, a former president of the BPP, and other members are known to favour the status quo, as are several of the BPP trustees. As a result, nothing tangible may eman­ ate from the recommendations. If that be the case, the Anjuman Committee will have lost precious time. On the controversial subject of adop­ tion, Engineer made it clear that the ’CER is opposed to adoption if it leads to conversion.” Otherwise, the Adop­ tion of Children Bill, 1980, now before Parliament deserved the CER’s support because it is a piece of social welfare legislation. Engineer said. Even though the CER manifesto stated that all religious matters should be left to the clergy and scholars to decide, both Engineer and Kanga felt the CER should take a stand on the issue as the manifesto also states the of the housing „ / on the n , --------- J--- cooperation of the various trusts, espe- “ally the BPP, the one area in which the Anjuman Committee has the jurisdic- ______________ tuv tion to act immediately, is electoral party would “revive, uphold and streng- reiorm. Engineer who heads the legal - • - - committee noted that though the “elec­ toral scheme has outlived its useful­ ness, there are certain “legal the Zoroastrian faith married to then” the Zoroastrian faith. This was a departure from the CER’s earlier stand on the issue of Parsi women professing J • J- „ certain “legal the Zoroastrian faith married to non-, expires around impediments to modifying the scheme. Parsis being denied the right to register . . u come together Direct adult franchise is not possible,” as voters At that time the CER and work together”, he told the 500 or he noted, as the rights of the donors • J and above to the BPP trusts or the B.D. Petit Parsi General Hospital, and are thereby entitled to vote, have to be pro­ to remained silent stating it was a matter for the clergy and the scholars to decide. Welfare In the field of medicine. Dr Sam M. Mahaluxmiwalla, a member of the medical committee headed by Tehmtan 1977 the BPP Andhyarujina of the CER, spoke of the 4heads the social welfare committee noted that the community had “no fara- tee and the circumstances. As a result, the community remains in the dark as to ily counselling bureaus, and its major the role of the BPP. As the existing BPP social welfare institution had only three trustees were elected by the former ? workers to handle 2,000 to Anjuman Committee which in turn was ’ elected by barely three percent of the eligible voters, the trustees leadership mandate was greatly limited. “A few ambitious persons were able to control the assets,” said Kanga, “but the giant (the community) at last has been stirred. For the first time we have a democrati­ cally elected legislature”. ., Andhyarujina echoed that sentiment traditionally” been geared for “taking when he noted in his summary of the flnic wzxlo ” nnJ/1 64T* 1_____ _______ T?____xl______Y” _ _ - • organization. Given proper staff and support from the community,” much could be achieved, he said/“But are the difference in the approach of the Anju- trustees prepared to take this leadership " - - role ?” Or would they take the “leader- minor ailments. This would greatly ship role when it suits them,” he asked, benefit Parsis who have presently to TL, ___ travel from all over the city and suburbs that has been plaguingThe^BPP to the Parsi Generaf Hospital. Byestab- - - - lishing these outpatient clinics, there would also be less pressure on the hospi­ tal, Mahaluxmiwalla noted. Professor Noshir Kaikobad who Kanga : balanced views need for local medical centers in the various parts of the city for treating benefit Parsis who have presently to i social welfare institution had only three < *' 3,000 applications. Men and Machines In his introductory remarks at the mee­ ting, Kanga noted that while the CER was painfully aware of the needs of the community, the new Anjuman Com­ mittee did not have the “machinery to implement” programs. “The Bombay Parsi Panchayat has I J * J * 11 «« 1 up this role,”, said Kanga. “It has an meeting, “For the first time we have tried to find out what are the problems of the community. There is a qualitative man Committee.” He termed the meet­ ing, “the beginning of accountability”, and added he was, “confident there will be real accountability when we have Jamsheed Kanga on the board of the Bombay Parsi Panchayat. If it is possible to revitalize that once The question that Kanga raised is one . _ „ ’trustees for decades; whether they are the lead­ ers of the community or merely the cus- _______ ______ _ todians of funds and properties. The august institution on Dadabhai Naoroji trustees appear to opt for one or the " ..................... ‘ ' other depending on the individual trus- Road, there is little doubt that the CER has selected their best man to do tlje job. CER Office Bearers Chairman: Jamsheed G. Kanga. I*. ' Dy. Chairman : Dadi B. Engineer, ria, Dara Zaiwalla. Minoo. R. Shroff, Pali A. Poncha. Hon. Secretaries : Homi P. Kanga, Ms ®®Hgion Education & Welfare of Priests Mani S. Dalal. ’ Ms Vera Mehta, convener, Edul Bharu- Hon.Treasurer: MsSilloo K. Kavarana Patel, Jehangir Bulsara, Ms Silloo Kavarana. Housing : Pali Poncha, convener, Jamsheed Reforms Kanga, Darayus Batliwalla, Rattan Engineer, convener Jamsheed Dubash, Rutton Surveyor, Maneck Bergis Desai, Rohintan Magra, Engineer. ’ Dinshaw Mehta. Employment : Modernisation of BPP Management Noshir Sidhwa, convener, Minoo Minoo Shroff, convener, Kersi Limath- Shroff. wala, Jahabux Gandevia, Kersi Garda, Dr. Soli Parukh. convener, Minoo Medical Tehmtan R. Andhyarujina, Convener, Dr. Sam Mahaluxmiwala, Dr. Pilloo Hakim, Dr. P.K. Antia, Dr. Tehmtan Udwadia, Dr. Roda Minina, Dr. Dina Patel, Dr. Jimmy Sidhwa, Dr. Kersi Hozdar. Ms Roshan Driver, Ms Vispy Balapo- Communication & Public Relations Bergis Desai, convener, Ms. Arni Sethna, Perin Cabinetmaker, Kersi Limathwala, Jehangir Merwanji. Legal Affairs Dadi Engineer, convener, Tehmtan R. Andhyarujina, Dara Zaiwalla, Sorab Morris, Jahabux Gandavia, Edul Bha- rucha, Burjor Mehta, Bergis Desai, Rohintan Majra. Funds/Resources & Budget Manage­ ment Minoo Shroff, convener Noshir Sidhwa, Kersi Limathwala, Homi Kanga, Ms Silloo Kavarana. Zonal Groups Zal Contractor, convener, KCrsi Limathwala. Education Dr. Perin H. Cabinetmaker, Convener. Liaison with BPP & other Trusts & Punchayats Jamsheed Kanga, convener, Pali Pon- cha. Social Welfare Prof. Noshir Kaikobad, convener, Ms Vera Mehta, Dr. Perin Cabinetmaker Ms Silloo Kavarana, Homi Talati, Ms Youth Wing Hera Pithawala. Kersi Limathwala, Statistics & Data Ms Arni SethnaAEK ATMAKATHA ‘The Best Orthodox The Life of Dastur Dhalla XVII When the Conference was inaugurated, it was intended that it would be held ata different city every year, but as this could not be done, four consecutive ses- asm of Jts supporters'and the absence of sions were held in Bombay only. the cooperation of the masses, the Con- In spite of the exhaustive efforts such ference closed down after holding its as had never been experienced by the seventh session in 1919. community to prevent the birth of ____________________ __________ an org^ization, thanks to Dadabhoy Conference had taught was that our Navroji’s benedictory message, Phe- community was incapable of getting rozeshah Mehta s complete cooperation around a conference table and working and the collaboration of the representa­ tives of many leading families like the Camas, Petits, Wadias,Tatas, Banajis, Dadachanjis, Kangas, Narimans, Seth- ___ ,___________________________ nas and others, the meetings of the Con- The two sections already viewwl each as difficult to put into practice as they were simple to put on paper. Due to the lack of sufficient enthusi- The lesson that the activities of the j 1 g i in a spirit of give and take. Since a long time the community had been divided between the orthodoxy and the refor­ mists, the conservatives and the liberals. after year. 1 I B AekAtmakatha is the autobiography of ference had taken place regularly year other with suspicion; but since the the late Dr. Maneck Nusserwanji after year. . Dhaila, high priest of the Pakistan The Conference had succeeded in sec­ Parsis and a religious scholar of world uring the cooperation of the commu- repute. This is the 17th edited and condensed extract from the book “Dastur Dhalla - The Saga of a Soul ” - an English translation by Gool and Behram Rustomji of the original Gujarati, published by the Dastur Dhaila Memorial Institute, Karachi. 1 ! I 1 struggle on the non-Parsi problem had commenced, the gulf between them had widened. Since the middle of the last century, the reformist group seemed to be gain­ ing ground. This century started with a reaction against it. In this new age, the conservatives qualified the liberals as ‘anti-Parsi’, ‘corpse-burners’, etc. The powerful voice of the Parsi press resounded main^ in favour of the con­ servatives. The life of the reformist press was being increasingly endangered. niy’s wealth, rank, learning and nobility, but the majority was in opposi­ tion from its very inception. The Con- . ference had been able to attract the influential minority but it could not secure the affiliation of the masses, hence it failed to be the instrument of the entire Anjuman. The opposition press waged a war against it in full force for three whole years and eventually ceased its persecu­ tion, eradicated it from its annals and obliterated it from its records. That opened anew chapter for the incapable of getting arOlUld Conference. It found scope to exist in a g conference table and serene atmosphere. The season to engage in efforts for the uplift of the community had set in. The Conference and take, had the chance of proving the necessity of its existence. But it failed to seize this golden opportunity. It proved itself founded by Dadabhoy Naoroji, having incapable of meeting the challenge of rendered memorable service, to the pro­ changed circumstances. It could not gress of the community, died a natural Our community was working in a spirit of give sary to exist in the sunshine of new era. jubilee. Those who had stood by it and defended it while the opposition was bent upon destroying it with criticism ethics, philosophy and history, pub- and reproach, seemed to feej that their ‘ **'“ ------ ---- work was over, their obligations ful- Sound and solid monthlies and quar­ terlies, rich with Zoroastrian religion, THE STORY so FAR Born to a poor dastur family in Surat 27 August 1875, Dhalla moved with his family to Karachi three years later. He was married to five-year-old Cooverbai when he was eight years old. After failing his matriculation, Dhalla sought employment while educating himself in religious matters. With the assistance of the Karachi Par sis, Dhalla studied Iranian languages in Bombay and then proceeded to New York’s Columbia University. He was awarded his Ph.D. in 1908 and on returning to India create the intelligence and vitality neces- death shortly after celebrating its was nominated the high priest of Karachi at the age of 35. His outlook broadened by his stay in the West. Dhalla critically evaluated old religious customs and beliefs. He was active in forming a Zoroastriart Conference to study the problems of the filled, and each returned to this own community, but met with criticism from the orthodox groups. Dhalla made a trip to the U.S. in 1914 their sentiments incited to come to the to publish one of his books and give lecture^ on Zoroastrianism. He returned fO Bombay in 1915 to chair the ensued, they had neither the selfless fifth Zoroastrian Conference. spirit of service nor the enthusiasm to become the servers of the community. Besides, as the years passed, those associated with the Conference realised though born in the priestly fold were not through experience that the resolutions in the profession, the very gentlemen passed from the platform of the Confer- who were waging war against the refer­ ence and the projects formulated, were mists, this one and only organization of This first-rate and famous Rast Goftar lished by the reformists found their heavenly abode no sooner than they were born; whereas immature pam­ phlets fostering superstition, blossomed from their inception. New societies born with the purpose aid of the Conference during the critical of immortalizing orthodoxy florished. times of its inception. But when calm Amongst the organizations that had been founded during this period, the Athornan Mandal was one that echoed my longed for ideals. But as its found­ ers, advisors and supporters who. abode. Their emotions had been aroused and£.^51 2^^' / » I i J I ! the Athomanfold came into existence as a one-sided and biased society and there was a flaw in its usefulness right from its inception. For this reason I could not cooperate with it. Due to its quantitative strength and the support of the press, the orthodox group was able to forge ahead of the reformist party. As a result, not only did ancient customs, conventions and ritu­ Belief in astrology, palmistry, horoscopes and other superstitions revived and regaii^d strength. Now on mIo The Parsiana Book of Iranian Names ? H. L. Rochat & Co. (NaKt to Roneo Vickers) Navsari Chambers, _ ___ Ground Floor, 39 A. K. Nayak been reprinted Marg (Bastion Road), Bomhay- 400 001. • Minoo Sukhadwala Sandalwood Shop, Next to Aslaji’s Fire Temple, Draupadi Bldg., 386 V. Patel Road, The Iranian names, of boys and gills along with their meaning which originally appeared in ana have now t- . * in an attractive 24 page booklet. The book, which is priced at Rs. 9 is availaWe on sale at: * Faredoon and Burjor Sandalwood Bombay-400 *004. Shop, Princess Street. * K. Bomanji and Sons Sandal­ wood Shop, Next to Dadyseth Agiary, Flora Fountain. » Nalanda Book Shop, Taj Inter- rvmtmftntai Hotel. Anollo Bunder. Phtme: 2oo730 als gain a firmer foothold, but side by side belief in astrology, palmistry, horo­ scopes and other superstitions revived and regained strength. Despite every care and caution, the Conference floundered on the rock of religious controversy and was shipw­ recked. The reformists and the conser­ vatives could not work hand in hand. Man’s infant religion is the religion of rituals and ceremonies. It is an objective religion. It is bent upon attaining spirit­ ual guidance through external aids and through the strict adherence to cus­ toms and conventions. With enlighten­ ment man learns to search his inner self. The prophets teach him the religion of morality and devotion. This higher Rashid D. Bamanbenram form of religion is subjective—it is the religion of the mind, the heart and the soul. It contemplates upon the merits of --- good thoughts, good words and good and Birthday parties. Contact deeds, and knows that man is the pjat No. 3, First Floor, No. 6 designer of his own destiny. Wadia Block, Kharcghat Asho Zarathushtra propounds this Colony, 30A Hughes Road, noble ideal of religion in his Gathas. But gonibay 400 007. this pure and unadulterated form of religion could not endure long after Phone *. 826074 him. Setting aside the Indo-Iranian reli­ gion which was based on ceremonies and rituals, he gave his devotional reli­ gion to the world; but in the days of his disciples, the ancient Indo-Iranian reli­ gion recaptured it and made it a part and parcel of itself. From that time Zoroastrianism became a ritualistic and conventional religion and has continued to be so to this day. Even today the conservatives measure the excellence of the religion not on the scales of its high idealism and its deep philosophic teachings, but on those of the finess of its conventions. They are untiring in their affirmation that the Zoroastrian religion is finer than a strand of hair. They seem to Continental Hotd, A^flo Bunder. Professional Photographer for Photos of Weddings, Navjotes Write to Parsiana G. P. O. Box 892, Old post cards etc./wanted Advertiser wishes to buy OLD picture postcards, photographs, cigarette cards, playing cards, posters, prints, illustrated books, albums and other related material. Willing to pay top prices for single items or entire collections. Please send, detailed list with expected prices to The Advertiser, (OLD) C/0. Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Gift shopping at its best at Gifts& the friendly Gift Shop at iSClltttflfil Bombay Swadeshi Stores Ltd. l*2iiil3Xl SirPM.Roa4Bombay400a)l. Tel: 253443/252730 ZOROASTRIAN ARTEFACTS & SILVER PENDANTS AVAILABLE 1the stature - Our religion is said to have derived this qualification of being finer than all the nations of the world. There is no hair from the association that Sultan exaggeration in such a statement. A sin- Mahumed Ghaznavi had with our fore- t’ fathers. It said that from time to time point. us in the ranks of the most Orthodox of . - ... .jAaoMt- mgs Mnd^'^oings rent the air ? (A 6 and lkb»nM and booinas rent and remarks to the effect that ‘WB do < not want such an Americanized dastur’, ----------- were flung at me. Later, he humour- gle example will suffice to clarify the ously reminded me of his remark z regarding our Jewish zealousness. g According to our religion, a noble ' person is said to be pious, whereas an evil or sinful one is called in Avesta, dragvant and in Pahlavi and Persian darvand. Convention classifies all non- Zoroastrians as darvands and they are kept aloof from all our ceremonials. Everyone is at liberty to enter the pla- regarding our Jewish zealousness. The very next year, under unforeseen circumstances, he had an opportunity S to evaluate the feelings of the commun­ ity towards him. He had gone to Eng­ land at that time. According to the ruling of the High Court there was to be an election of the Trustees of the Parsi Panchayat as per its constitution. Bombay was alive with controversy and contention. There was a regular ‘tug of war’ going on between the conserva­ tives and the reformists. The latter tried Today we frequently hear the term The OrthodoX majority WaS ‘best orthodox’being used during a con- Zoroastrianism became a ritualistic and conventional religion and has continued to be so to this day. the poet, Firdausi, composed the Shah- Nameh at the King’s command, the worship of the Jews, Christians verses were recited continuously at the Muslims. Unshod, anyone is per­ King’s court. mitted to enter even a Hindu temple. The Mullas, nobles and courtiers did allow no one to step into our fire not approve these narratives in praise tcuiples.,, of Zoroastrian kings and heroes of old, . so they complained about them and ‘oesi orinooox oeinguseddunngacon- utirr<*d iin fhrniioh excited the Sultan’s feelings against t^oversy between the liberals and the “P mrougii them. The Sultan summoned their conservatives. The phrase was born SpCCChCS and articles tO VOtC leader to the court and ordered that all ^luring the decade of the Conference in against Sir Phcrozeshah of them should embrace Islam, and ’’^ution to Sir Pherozeshah Mehta. The should they fail to do so they were threa- constant complaint of the Parsi press tened with immediate execution. against him was that while he was rend- The leader of the Zoroastrians e^ceptrnnal service to the vast fine qualities of the religion *to theJcing completely neglecting his continue to practise their faith. The king demanded that he should perform some miracle to prove the validity of their religion. The Zoroastrians accepted this chai- benefit of his fine mind lenge. The mobed began to perform the "*' Yajeshni ceremony and the king and his Remarks tO the effect that soldiers beheld its performance from a distance. After a while angels clad in green, riding green horses were seen iij the sky. The following day the angels were fluug at me. were sighted clad in white and the king, ¦ and all his men were bewildered. On the' and his rich experiences, and invited third day a black demon riding an ele- him to honour the Conference with his phant was visible in the northern presence. He laughed and replied that as horizon. we were as zealous as the Jews he When the king asked for an explana- thought it wisest to keep to himself, tion, the mobeds, after some investiga- I’ _ _______ tion, revealed that a hair of the beard of the final sessions of the Conference and the priest performing the ceremony had fallen into the ceremonial implements. _ ________ ________ _ __ In an endeavour to remove it, another ference became highly inflammable. He procession of angels in red passed across the sky. •' -------- -------------------- ------------------------------V* fcAAxzwvzzvj VTIIVIVOO 11X0 VlUdC XXi^UUCtllU ifte purport of the narrative was that that by my stay and study in the free equally keen reformist Sir Hormusji refined that a single atmosphere of America, my thoughts Wadia, won thrice the number of votes secured by Sir Pherozeshah, and he was elected as the ‘best orthodox’. tened with immediate execution. pleaded their cause and explained the population of the country, he seemed to . ’ ..*.1___ ________ _ _ J _ and begged of him to allow them to community and was disasso­ ciating himself from all its activities. Four days prior to the inauguration of the First Conference, I requested him to accede to the call of the community Mehta. to put up as its canditate the most suita­ ble and the most brilliant person. Sir Pherozeshah Mehta’s name was on all lips, yet everyofte felt that it was almost impossible to get him to contest the elec­ tion. Telegrams and messages of appeal were sent to him and midst everyone’s surprise and joy, his reply accepting the request of the reformists reached Bom- - bay. The opposing camp was terror stricken and the orthodox majority was stirred up through speeches and articles to vote against Sir Pherozeshah. A leader of their group openly declared that as the very important question of the preservation of the reli­ gious rights of the community depended upon the Trust Board of the Panchayat, the community should exercise great caution, and bewarejaf being bewitched by the grandeur of a name, and to select » He agreed, however, to be present at only the ‘best orthodox’ from amongst _ ._______ J to address it on that occasion. On the third day, the atmosphere of the Con- ‘We do not want such an Americanized dastur’, rose to speak and in praising me as the founder of the Conference, he remarked themselves. This shining star of the community did not seem a suitable candidate in the eyes of this group. Pherozeshah Mehta proved immature on the touchstone of orthodoxy whereas his close friend and hair could compass such changes in the had been moulded. atmosphere. - No sooner had those words escaped Published and edited by Jehangir R. Patel at C/o. H.L. Ro chat ,Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A. Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400 001 and printed by him at Jyoti Industries, 324, A to Z Industrial Estate, Bombay 400 013 and Phototype Set at Decora Printers, Bombay 400 009. 8 w