Feb 1983

February 1983, Volume 5 No.8 Re.1. ? Roll of Honour Hutokshi Doctor and Gouri Wagadarikar 1 r. a “I am proud to be a Parsi,” said J.R.D. Parsis,” scrolls of honour on silver mentator, J.R.D. Tata, industrialist and Tata, and although he was the only one salvers were presented to the nominees, aviator, Naval Tata, industrialist and to say so in those exact words, the senti- The citation listing their numerous vice-chairman of the Tata group of com­ ment was shared by all the eminent Par- achievements were read out by the trus- panics, and Ms Avabai B. Wadia, social sis honoured on December 21, 1982 in tees of the BPP and prefaced by a few worker and president of the Family Bombay. The atmosphere in the unused well-phrased remarks by compere Dr Planning Association of India. t Referring to his historic flight to Karachi to commemorate 50 years of The personalities honoured for their Indian civil aviation, J.R.D. Tata said. ^1 V" J Brabourne stadium was charged with Jimmy Sidhwa, the noted radiologist the pride of achievement and fellow- and amateur dramateur, feeling. . An estimated 4000 Parsis, resplend- national and international contribu- “I have beenembarrassed more than ever ent in full social regalia, watched 13 of tion to their respective fields included: in my life three times in the past few their distinguished kinsmen felicitated former Chief of Naval Staff AdmiralJal weeks. First by the Parsi community in by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet as part Cursetji, former Air Marshal Aspi Engi- Karachi where 1 was felicitated, of the Punchayet’s tercentenary pro- neer, Sohrab P. Godrej, industrialist Secondly on October 15, after a very gramme. The red-carpeted rostrum with and present Sheriff of Bombay, Dr D.J. simple flight in an “old lady” plane at a backdrop of the Asho Farovar symbol Jussawalla, cancerologist, Field Mar- Juhu airport, and then again tonight, in red, orange and white flowers, the shal S.H.F.J. Maneckshaw, Adi Marz- I’m told embarassment is sometimes invocation in Avesta by Dastur ban, playwright and journalist, Zubin good for the soul.” He said he accepted Minochehr-Homji and Kersi Mistry’s Mehta, renowned music conductor of the honour “with gratitude and humil- musicians playing Chaiye home Zar- the New York Philharmonic and the ity,” and thunderous applause followed thosti added to the distinctly Zoroas- Israeli Philharmonic, Nani Palkhivala his words “I am proud to be a Parsi, just - trian air. At the function, organised to “serve as a stimulus for the younger generation,” uvvu.u.ng ...... L. __ _ ___'____ L_.,_ 'F...,. The celebrated maestro of western Is^lwalla, and to encourage them to ister and currently Governor of Sikkim, music Zubin Mehta, who was in India and Homi M. Seervai, eminent jurists, as I’m proud to be an Indian,”as he raised Dr Homi N. Sethna, chairman of the his hands and folded them in a Atomic Energy Commission, H.J.H. ‘namaste.’ j according to BPP chairman Dr Aspi Taleyarkhan, ambassador, cabinet min- i ¦it ¦ ""¦'vlate the example of these eminent A.F.S. Talyarkhan, noted sports com- for the shooting of the 90-minute docu- \Left: Tata (left) and Golwalla. Mehta (left) and Vimadalal. Right: Hodiwalla (left) and Godrej. Palkhivala at the mike. t ____ _ ____ ;__ J " ¦ ¦’ lakhs out of a global population of 4.5 , After explaining the theme of the film billion. It is a universal teaching, a reli- drama ‘The Quest tor Zarathustra’ in (Dr Sidhwa) mentioned my father.’’ which he plays a pivotal role said, “I /J—- spent half my youth in this stadium which, he said, would not “give the gion that transcends all religions, he playing cricket and I never thought 1 world any answers - only some points of said. “Zoroastrianism is not for a tribe Secondly, Zarathustra taught the way to freedom of moral choice, he said, so that each man can choose his creed, thinking before believing. Thirdly, he said, “We’ve had a glor- but (we can) avoid a dim future,” if we view,” Mehta asked “If this film is a only.” success and the increasing numbers of the religiously conscious in the world 6 who is a keen conservationist, warned "I have been embarrassed more than ever in my life want to convert to our religion, what are thrPA timpq in the we going to do?” tnree Times in tne chairman of the well-known Godrej past few weeks”— J.R.D. group of industries Sohrab P. Godrej, ious past, we have a perilous present, - who is a keen conservationist, warned *—* ‘ '' would one day be standing on the pitch that the Parsis are an “endangered spe- talking to all of you...There are few cies.” The Parsis should be more adap- places where my soul gets a little pinch five, he said, both within the community c /miI note a littlp ofthem is Bombay and in society in general, and if the cur- where my SOUl getS 3 IltTie ' ' J pinch when I land, and one of them Is . Bombay airport” — Zubin | I "There are few places } when I land, and one airport. The plane touches down and 1 know that I am home.” Zubin .Mehta regretted that none of icies” in housing, education and other the Parsi cricketers had been felicitated, community spheres. and also felt that his father, the noted Nani Palkhivala, noted jurist and musician Mehli Mehta, founder of the former Indian ambassador to the ............... Bombay Symphony Orchestra “should U.S.A., stressed three basic thoughts fully utilise our material and human be standing here tonight... My soul and which the Parsis should bear in mind, resources and concentrate on thel my spirit has been slightly appeased,” Firstly, the teachings of Zoroastrianism “will to do the .right thing by thf/ Mehta said, “by the fact that somebody 2. rent dangerous trend is to be reversed, we must follow certain “enlightened pol- 1 1 Nani Palkhivala, noted jurist and Firstly, the teachings of Zoroastrianism were not intended for a total of 1.25 community. I .1 PARSIANA: FEBRUARY IF>* It is the community’s tenacity of char­ acter, originality, and talent which has enabled it to survive, said industrialist Naval Tata, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1969. He compared the Parsi community to “pebbles in the deep ocean”and affirmed that the Parsis would successfully meet the “great chal­ lenge for the survival of the commun­ ity-” "My direct contribution in the service of my community has been minimal,” said scientist Homi N. Sethna. He feels, however, that “the greatness of our com­ munity lies in the fact that we expect our members to serve the country effectively and well,” a conviction that is certainly exemplified in his work. He hoped the trustees of the Punchayet would “spare no effort in guiding our youth to achieve this objective. ” Thanking the trustees for honouring him. Dr D.J. Jussawalla, Dean of the Tata Memorial Centre, Asia’s largest "Zoroastrianism is not for a tribe only." It is a universal teaching. cancer centre, who, according to Gol- walla, “has indicated that ethically, phi­ losophically, and literally there is more to surgery and medicine than practice,” said that he was grateful to his wife, “without whose support I wouldn’t have achieved so much in life.” Admiral Jal Cursetji who was Chief of the Naval Staff from 1976 to 1979 said, “There has been an appreciable number of our community in the servi­ ces and an equally high number in the higher ranks.” But Cursetji was of the opinion that this number was likely to decrease in the future. He urged young Parsis who, he said, preferred the pro­ fessions and displayed a dislike of leav­ ing the city and striking out on their own, to join the services as “there is a lot the services can offer.” “What of the future?” reiterated Homi M. Seervai, Advocate General of Bombay from 1957 to 1974. Man who now lives in a corrupt society is apt to ask, “What can one man do ?” Seervai, who was awarded the Padma Vibhu- shan for his two volumes on the Indian constitution and judiciary, would have such a man look at the past, at the exam­ ple of men like Dadabhai Naoroji and Jamsetji Tata as well as at the present. He cited the Indian example in 1977 (the end of the Emergency), when “public Sethna (left) and Kanga. Jussawalla (left) and Guzder. Ms Noble (left) and Cursetji. Naval Tata (left) and Guzder. 3 PARSIANA: FEBRUARY 1983.li r spirited citizens showed that corruption banuon ne grahaston. and continued to several papers inquiring why certain in high offices is brought to book and speak in Gujarati, the only speaker to do individuals had been omitted from the does not go unpunished ” v»o«;r.<» kic anHipnrp list, neonle like K.F. Rustomii. former The Parsi community’s cosmopolitan laughing as usual outlook was stressed by Homi J.H. f—------------- Taleyarkhan, the Governor of Sikkim, Air Marshal Aspi Engineer were unable tor of Tlie Statesman who has won former Indian ambassador to Libya and to attend and were awarded the citations international recognition for his fight an active member of the Maharashtra in absentia. for freedom of the press, A.D. Gorwala, proprietor and founder editor of Opin­ ion, who courageously defied govern­ ment censorship during the Emergency, Sohrab Mody, the noted pioneer film maker, Piloo Mody (who expired in January) and Minoo Masani, noted sta­ tesmen and opposition parliamentar­ ians, legal luminaries such as Soli Sorabjee and F.S. Nariman, former The function, the first of its kind in Bombay High Court Chief Justice, Soh- so that evening, keeping his audience list, people like K.F. Rustomji, former - _ ;; ______ 1. chief of the Border Security Force, Field'klarshal Sam Maneckshaw and Cushrow R. Irani, the managing direc- active member of the Maharashtra in absentia, legislature who has held several important state portfolios. We have never sought separate representation, he said, “Our charities have always been cosmopolitan, our outlook always inter­ national.” Pointing out as a misconcep­ tion the general belief that the Parsi community is a wealthy one, Taleyark­ han said that many Parsis who live below the poverty line need assistance. --------------- - ---------- . _ Ms Avabai B. Wadia, who was Bombay in recent times, won the BPP rab Kotwal and present Bombay High honoured as “the foremost among Parsi many accolades but some criticism as Court Chief Justice D.P. Madon, women in the field of social work” said, well. Letters and articles appeared in among others. “It is right that the Parsi community should be proud of the work of its women in national life,” and referred to the role of Madame Bhikaijee Cama, who gave the nation its national flag, and to Ms Shirinbai Cursetjee, the first lady barrister in India. While the Parsi community does not need population control, family planning is still applica­ ble, said Ms Wadia,a recipient of the Padma Shree in 1971 and the Padma Bhushan in 1980 in recognition of her pioneering work in population control and family welfare. Apprehensive about the declining numbers of the Parsi community, Gol­ walla remarked that what the commun­ ity needed was ironically, not the message of family planning spread b> Ms Wadia but a ‘Fertility Association for the Parsi community. “I am deeply moved by this recogni­ tion accorded to half a life-time of the written and the spoken word,” said A.F.S. Talyarkhan, popularly known as ‘Bobby Talyarkhan’ who, according to the citation, was the first person to introduce a Sports Page in the Indian press. He hoped that his writing and H speeches on sport had helped its devel- opment in India. “I have always been H proud to be a member of a microscopic community which has asked nothing of the country but has given so much to the country.” H Adi Marzban, who was awarded the Padma Shree by the Indian Govern- H ment in recognition of his contribution ¦1 as a writer, actor and producer of Guja- 11 rati and English plays both on stage as 11 well as over the air, stepped up to the p | microphone and began in his familiar voice and characteristic style, Meherban What the community needed was not family planning but a 'Fertility Association'. ’'% Left: Seervai addressing the gathering. Golwalla (left) and Taleyarfchan. Talyarkhan addressing the audience. Right: Desai (left) and Ms Wadia. Ms Nohle (centre) and Marzhan. MotogfRpA* eoMrtrtp Ubtrty Phoiot. PARStANA FEBRUARY 1983. U.’.jrt'' 5 i i I«l The orthodox group was annoyed that no religious scholar had been honoured nor those who had served the community over the years. Many others complained that they were not aware of the function as it had been advertised only in the Parsi press. But the three-hour function which at times proved to be tedious due to the reading of the long citations and at other times disappointing because of the brev ­ ity of many of the awardees’ speeches, was a step that augurs well for the com­ munity. Many felt the function, with some refinements, should become an annual occasion when those who have worked for the welfare of others and achieved excellence in their fields of endeavour are honoured and held as exemplars for others to follow. Erratum Some of the diacritical marks in the arti­ cle ‘Of Clippings and Cuttings’ by Dr Kaikhusroo M.JamaspAsa {Parsiana, December 1982) were inadvertently placed incorrectly. The error is regretted. Gift 8hoH»tag at Gifts& Ihe Moidbr Gilt Shop at Bombay SwadesM Stores Ltd. Sir PJbL Road, Bombay 400001. Td: 253443/252730 ZOROASTRIAN ARTEFACTS & SOLVER PENDANTS AVAILABLE ToVInmcomlnmnl HoM — Beinbov S^r »* i LETS BUILD THEM TOGETHER ! Whether it's a five-star hotel, Sultan's Palace, a hospital, _ 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 t construction industry in s 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 _ __ a a 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. Obwol.StMnlon Hstal —Bombay E!uStpS« ,---- . . .. . come to look upon the Jooddin chapter expected prices to The Advertiser. (OLD) CZo. Parsiana, GJ.O. In the last century, a western scholar Box 882, Bombay 400001. who was a well-wisher of the community predicted with a heavy heart that a data, we look at (the way with frenzy and fanaticism. of me and respected me. She came. But ful consideration in Karachi 1 have Please send, detailed list with neither my wife’s persuasion nor mine < . had any effect over the passion she felt for with trepidation. her Jooddin husband. A noble lady came to my house one evening with her Muslim husband and as they were to leave Karachi by train within an hour they received my hurried farewell blessing. During that same InStOSd Of collecting dll the period I received a long letter by post signed‘Nine Parsi Girls’. It informed me that each one of them was deeply in love JOOddin ISSUS) in 3 ShsllOW with their respective non-Parsi friend and wished to marry him. Stating this fact they wanted to know whether the Zoroastrian faith prohibited such a union. They further requested that my reply be given in the ‘Parsi Sansar’ and hundred years hence the Parsi commun- in English so that their non-Parsi friends ity would cease to exist. Only the his- could also read it. The ‘Parsi Sansar’ toric memory will remain that a published in its issue that X. Y. Z. be world-renowned nation bearing that informed that the question they had name had reigned for centuries over asked being of a delicate nature could Persia and its microscopic progeny not be discussed in public, hence they lived a glorious life in India, should personally meet the gentleman to whom they had addressed the letter. In order to place the facts before oth- side, the abandoning of the fold by an ers, I collected twenty-five ladies awl increasing number of both men and gentlemen who were social workers, women, and the ever-falling birth-rate through the Secretary of the Anjuman of the community and pondering upon and discussed the letter with them, them carefully, this fearful foreboding When this matter came to light, within a does not sound altogether unsound, few days I received another anonymous letter stating that I should not have can be said that this Jooddin question given such publicity to their letter, has become the threat on which hangs the very existence of this microscopic community of all-told a hundred and twenty-five thousand. If the community endures then all is well. If it succumbs ?s ' 4 Rashid D. Bamanbefaram Professional Photf^rapher for Photos of Weddings, Navjotes and Birthday parties. Contact: Flat No. 3, First Floor, No. 6, Wadia Block, Khareghat Colony, 30A Hughes Road, Bombay 400007. Phone: 8226074 Taking into consideration the per­ manent blockade to an influx from out- Without the slightest sentimentality it With compliments of We are now living on the ___ ____ _________ laurels of the proud belief then all is lost. My hand trembles as 1 that all this applause and affluence is due to the 'blue' Kyanian blood that po**t*cs. sane and * iPQrnM and pdiicatPi runs In our veins. write this and my heart aches. The time has passed for trying to solve this question through party- 1 serious thinkers, learned and educated leaders and intel­ lectual social workers of all sections of the community have remained aloof from this intricate problem. I humbly Shortly after this, six Parsi girls of Kar- appeal to all these to unite on a common chi got married to non-Zoroastrians. platform and to call a conference to An educated and reputable young examine with an open mind this difficult lady of Bombay, in her keen desire to and gigantic question on which defends marry a non-Parsi youth, has at present the very existence of the community, asked my advice to solve her problem. Frequent events are now occuring in PARSIANA: FEBRUARY 1983. LORD’S CENTRAL HOTEL MATHERAN 410102. 11 Concluded