Aug 1983

53^ f - ¦ Ci’ ¦.i. ii t k /- «> I 'I ¦i' FS’g' * 4 IV "«X •4 • . ,r^ w w* L*-! ? <: S i u '& , f 1 a w .w •’V3 1¦I** 31 August 1983 Volume 6 Number 2 t EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel ; MANAGING EDITOR Hutokshi D. Doctor i EXECUTIVE EDITOR Gita Vasudevan ; DESIGN CONSULTANT Mini Boatwala ? DESIGN ASSISTANT Kranti Shilotri MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING Zarin Billimoria, Hanita Irani and Meher Parakh CHIEF EXECUTIVE R.P. Thanavala FINANCE B.L. Arora CIRCULATION Yezdi Gandevia and Dinaz Felfeli MANAGEMENT Chetyl D'Penha, Minoo Patel and Jasmine Driver 3 Readers' Forum 17 Events and Personalities 33 The Munificent Prince by M.D. David 39 Fire Sale by Hutokshi D. Doctor 43 Tasteful Living by Bhicoo J. Manekshaw 49 The Acceptance and non-Acceptance of Joseph Peterson 53 A Mandate for Disunity by Khojeste Mistree 59 Do they have a place? - ? 'I! 63 Conversion Condemned / 67 A Myth Exploded by H. Mirza, K. JamaspAsa, F. Kotwal 75 Chicago's Concern 77 Antia's Answer 79 Religious Boycott 90 Pulling his Strings by Sarosh Bana 84 Sports 89 In Memoriam Cover: Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, First Baronet Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel at C/o H.L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, groi^d ¦ AMA AAii_________________. L.!m* a* IndiiATriOe raiSIcincl Io puuiioilou vy lainjn • •• » —• — • - • . • • x • ooa floor 39 A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay, 400 001, printed by him at Jyoti Industnes, ^4 A to'z Industrial Estate, Bombay 400 013 and phototypeset at Decora Printers, Bombay 400 009 and Multi Media Aids, Bombay 400 051 All rights reserved. Address a I ^itonal Z Industrial Estate, Bombay 400 013and phototypeset at Decora j ’rinters,^ and business correspondence to Parsiana, G.P.O Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Phono; 268730 Annual inland subscription; Rs 30 for one year (12 issues); Rs 55 for two years (24 issum ); rMlllUal IIIIOiivi OU MOV! ip uwii ¦ ? Foreign subscription rates: Seamail Rs 60 for one year, Rs 110 for two years; Airmail Rs 120 for one year, Rs 215 for two years. For U.S. personal cheques add $2 to cover bank charges. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 3 for bank charges. Cheques and drafts are to Iw drawn in favour of Parsiana. Single copy price Rs 5 and Re 1. All rates subject to change in postal rates.’ READERS’FORUM 1 ¦ J8 nr. ’.oSJ ¥ H s ¦ 4 t —y." ^^1 b>- r w Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. place, as in all previous congresses, the America take unilateral action, by difference being that in the closfing ses- own initiative, that is their responsibil- sion, the Zoroastrian Association of ity. Such irresponsible actions of iso- Quebec (Z.A.Q.), the host association, lated individuals need not be was given the mandate to survey the misconstrued as tte sentiments of the opinion of Zoroastrians on the North entire North American community. The American continent on the following whole community should 1 not be cha^ questions: _ .....^ ?Should a child of a marriage where very much aware of our ^sponsibility for the sake of future generations. To summarize, the Zoroastrian Asso- own initiative, that is their responsibil- v lated individuals need not be * ‘ <) tised and maligned for their acts. We are ,5 ¦ * - . ¦) OllMUlvl tt vilitw vi c* uiuii ***^»«> » J ... 1* * either parent is a Zoroastrian, be and burden of maintaining our religion initiated into the religion as a Zoroas- ' “ than, if both parents so desire? - ------------- . . ?Should a non-Zoroastrian, married to ciation of Quebec is not mandated in or wishing to marry a Zoroastrian, exer- any way to take any decision on this -4 of Ahura Mazda, be collate the opinions of learned individu ­ als around the world and disseminate it to associations/ organizations of North cising freedom of moral choice to follow issue. Our function is only to collect and the doctrine c. ------- allowed to be initiated into the faith? *lf a non-Zoroastrian wishes to marry you or your child and does not want to America, become a Zoroastrian, but the couple still wants to have the marriage cerem ­ ony with Zarathustra ’s prayers, should Congress are it be allowed? ] ?If a non-Zoroastrian wants to enter ? _ ____ ____ into your faith by exercising freedom of at a cost of $8.00. choice and shows his willingness to be initiated, should the genuineness of that person ’s beliefs be tested out and, if sat­ isfied, should that person be allowed to become a part of the Zoroastrian fold? In connection with the articles appear- ?Should a child, irrespective of caste, ingin Parsiana(Marchand April 1983), colour or creed, adopted by Zoroastrian about the navjote of Joseph Peterson, parents, be allowed to be initiated into the Zoroastrian faith? However, to make the survey mean- munity should be presented with both Boyce, “traditional ” and “liberal ” points of The view 1 Copies of the proceedings of the Fourth North American Zoroastrian available from Z.A.C., P.O. Box 654, Station Tour de la Bourse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4Z 1J9, DOLLY P. DASTOOR President, Zoroastrian Association of Quebec, U.S.A. isfied, should that person be allowed to *rho*ulYa*'chil^ irrespective of caste, ing in Pawm/m (March and A and the various opinions they have eli ­ cited, we would like to quote the follow ­ ing passage from Zoroastrians — Their ingful, the Z.A.Q. realized that the com- Religious Beliefs and Practices by Mary munity should be presented with both Boyce. ... , . . “traditional ” and “liberal ” points of “The Parsis had come to be re^rded view to be able to form an educated more or less as a caste within Hindu opinion. These same questions have society, and this, together with their been circulated to our learned dasturjis pride in their Iranian lineage, led them The Navjote of Joseph Peterson In recent months we have read in Parsi­ ana several letters from readers express- and scholars in ing concern, sorrow and indignation at requesting luvu. — - ---------- . ,. . nf thSnVino what they believe is happening or about doctrinal arguments which would rise, Iranian blood. This way w haXn in North America i.e. con- we hope, above emotions and dogged as we have seen, a tendency in tht who e veXn of NorSAmericansinto the adhera'^ce to history. Replies and Zoroastnan community from early Zoroastrian religion. I am writing to present the sequence of events and to allay the premature fears of your read ­ ers. North American Zoroastrian Congress inent, we will be pleased to was held in ------------ -------- congress was ‘The Zoroastrian Chai- mto a presented by Adi Davar, President, [______ :___ ¦ ‘ tan Washington, entitled ‘Non- A lively and ’ animated discussion took individual or ms ill India and abroad, to regard religion as a hereditary matter, them for their scholarly and To be a Zoroastrian one must be born of <* ¦ '¦36 Zoroastrian community from early ¦; times, but it had never been made a rigid ments will then be presented in a report times, but it had never oeen maae a rigiu to the next congress. Essays and opin- principle; and when the Parsis consulted ions received of whatever viewpoint are the Iranis as to wlwther, for example, published in our quarterly newsletter they should allow their Hmdu servants On Anril 10 and 11 1982 the Fourth Gavashni. If any readers wish to com- who wished to enter the religion, they ---- irLTzor ’oS ment, we will be pleased to receive their received the answer that if secant boys - "in Montreal. The theme of the views. However, we do not wish to enter nn£gm!® have faiA^^^^^ lenge in North America ’. A paper was always degenerates into niud-slinging. icsviiivw M /.wi r ?—-i:". We are, at the present time, in a fact- Zoroastrian AssodatT^^^^ Metropoli- finding stage. We are researching, trying tan Washington, entitled ‘Non- t-------- . Zoroastrians in Zoroastrian Precepts ’, cratic opinion. If, m the meantime some 3 Parsiana August 1983 'd dialogue, which unfortunately then it is proper that they should tie the j • • jtus«; and when they become instructed, We are.'at the present time, in a fact- attentive to religion, and steadfast the ..3 bareshnom should be administered to to learn, whereby we can evolve a demo- them (Dhabhar, Tib). Therefore, we are surpnsed that there , North should be such an uproar over the nav- kusti. and when they become instructed, attentive to religion, and steadfast, the bareshnom should be administered to individuals in5>SS -> jote of Joseph Peterson, when so many cratically and intelligently. Following of the performing mobeds from priest ­ people of alien origin must have been upon the Fourth North American hood, one can only infer that they have converted quietly. Otherwise there was Zoroastriah Congress held in Montreal, not imbibed the true spirit of our reli- no reason for the Parsis of yore to have we are circulating learned views on the gion as regards conversion or have been made the above inquiry mentioned by subject from diverse points of view and victims of highly inspired ‘new ’ transla- ' holding discussion groups and symposia tions of our scriptures and similar Will Parsis never accept the facts of in all Zoroastrian Associations in order home-made traditions of a later age. It is life? They must be clear in their minds as to seek their views. These will be consol- a sign of their weakness to have to seek to whether they wish to preserve the idated and brought before the Fifth refuge from a conservative paper like ? good religion by accepting those who Congress for a decision by consensus. Jam-e-Jamshed which will support any- - ; are convinced and wish to join us, or Subject to a favourable decision, accep- thing the orthodoxy has to say. With cling to an antiquated caste system tance and/or conversion may be carried much trepidation and humility, I would ! which ultimately may end in disaster. • FREANY G. GODiWALLA gories, including adoption and a suita- GODi*a^la bie screening procedure. Dhabhar. 5 J i '.i out in future by stages in Selective cate- also challenge the views of the president of the M.F. Cama Athornan Institute. Could he support from our original Fortunately the tyranny of orthodoxy Avestan scriptures, his view that the j With reference to the article ‘The Nav- hs prevalent in Bombay has little bear- sudreh and kusti could only be invested i jote of Joseph Peterson ’, {Parsiana, ing on the way of life in North America to a Parsi/Zoroastrian so born and not April 1983), I was disgusted with the attitude of the Parsis. The Iranian Zoroastrians have more sense and more humanity. Some of the Parsis who objected are probably married to non- Parsis. Is this not going against the reli- [ gion? Even if they are married to Parsis, who will their children marry, if not \ non-Parsis? Thus our whole Parsi com- r munity in the New World is doomed to I' extinction. We should be happy and t pleased that someone wants to become a r Zarthosti. Don ’t the Parsis of the U.S. and Canada sometimes say to native- s borns that they are better citizens since - they chose to become U.S. and Cana- and will bear little influence on our deci- to a non-Parsi. I for one would like to see the com­ munity of North American Zoroastri ­ ans bestow a gold medal on mobeds Kersi Antia and Hormazdiyar and their associates for the show of exemplary courage of their.convictions and for establishing the first notably significant landmark towards freeing our pristine pure religion from the trammels of later tradition. They have shown by action that our noble religion was created by Holy Zarathustra for the benefit of all mankind inhabiting the seven regions. No sir! Over here there will be no social boycotts. My conviction is that the Zoroastrian Association of Chicago will soon endorse the action of their mobeds and so will the Fifth Congress of North 0 J' - »r^j dian citizens, and were not born by - chance here? „ „ „ , . . Peterson: focus of attention ; Further, how did anybody in ancient / Iran ever become a Zarthosti if they did sion. The practising mobeds of North American Zoroastrians, by consensus. J not convert? Without conversion there America also mean to have their own No doubt we too have our orthodoxes would have been no Zarthostis in the seminar to discuss several ceremonial and our reformists over here; but we listen to each other and do not rush into the medieval witch-hunting of ex ­ communication. HOM I B. MINOCHER HOMJl Canada countries like the U.S.A., Canada, or Note that in North America, the racial How did Zoroaster get the religion even other parts of India. or ethnic label of‘Parsis ’ has little rele- initially going if not by converting the Incidentally, I do not understand why yance. We are all Zoroastrians whether local Iranians to his philosophy? Surely you use the Greek name ‘Zoroaster ’ ¦' ’ - when the Iranian form is ‘Zarathustra ’. f Richard create a schism with our brothers from Secondly, the law pertaining to con- j Strauss and philosopher Nietzsche for jj-an and hopefully will soon be out of version in India is not a Zoroastrian law, [ example, call him Zarathustra. ’ Finally, 1 suggest that the Parsis write a congratulatory letter to Joe Peterson to welcome him into our fold. DINSHAW GHARDA California first place. After all, the original doc- questions and to arrive at a common trine of non-conversion stemmed from a pattern of prayers etc. By these actions promise to the Raja who allowed Parsis we hope to show leadership and a sense ! to land in his small kingdom. That of direction to our more learned but less J promise is not applicable to foreign active brethren in the sub-continent. .5 1 I originating from India, Iran, Pakistan they were not all born into the or Africa. The label ‘Parsi ’ only tends to faith? create a schism with our brothers from i. use. So if our dasturs and orthodoxy but one which was enacted by Parsis in disapprove of our liberal actions, if any, India for economic reasons, and which will they then consider excommunicat- also was one of the conditions under ing all the Zoroastrians and mobeds in which we were allowed to stay in this North America? country. Religion does not enter into Unfortunately, Peterson ’s navjote has this picture at all. The article ‘After the Navjote ’ {Parsi- jumped the gun, and the reasons are Thirdly, Joseph Peterson, who may ana. May 1983) raises ludicrous sugges- amply explained by ZAGNY in Faroke not be a Parsi but who is more well tions. We the Zoroastrians of North Gandhi ’s letter {Parsiana, May 1983). versed in the teachings of the Zoroas- America are approaching the accep- But when some people, knowledgeable trian religion than most of us, and who tance/conversion question more demo- or otherwise, scream excommunication follows the tenets of the faith more than 5 Parsiana August 1983 ¦J 1 .i --•1I most of US do would surely be an asset to trians has been shrinking and if radical tantly discard the Zoroastrian faith and 1 our fold, if he wishes to join? steps are not adopted, within a short marry under the ceremony of their spouses and as such the community loses such members. If our orthodox brethren have any . . regard for the future welfare and happi ­ ness of our community, they must stop steps are not adopted, within a short I On the subject of mixed marriages, period there shall be an insignificant ! how could a handful of Iranian Zoroas- number, of true Parsis. - f trians (mostly males), proliferate into t the present strength of Parsis in India, if sive prerogative of the few ultra- r not by mixed marriages at some Stage? orthodox but all those who preach and After 1300 years are we still of pure practise the faith. Parsis are of the opin- shouting of religion being in danger and ion that if the flood-gates of Zoroastri- take radical and concrete steps for the anism are opened to non-Parsis, many upliftment of the Parsi population. R.N. RUSTOMJl Bombay I agree with such a contention to a On August 2, 1903 our Parsi Punchayet limited extent. But there are means to an had arranged a meeting at Albless Bang end. First of all, we must arrange to have under the auspices of the Zarthosti Zoroaster ’s religion is not the exclu- 5 Aryan stock? Secondly, medical statistics in India ' show that the percentage of genetic dis- with corrupt and selfish motives will i eases is highest amongst the Parsi com- pretend to adopt Zoroaster ’s faith. munity, due to inbreeding. Again, the ban on inter-marriage is a local one 1 imposed on the Parsis for economic rea ­ sons — the Zoroastrian religion does not a central register of all those whose nav- Anjuman who formed a committee to bar this. jote ceremony has been performed. If invite opinions of some renowned das- In conclusion, I believe that most of any non-Zoroastrian desires to convert, turjis and religious scholars on conver- > our misgivings appear to be a mix-up of the real tenets of the Zoroastrian faith with the socio-economic laws of the Indian Parsis. The two are not syn- adopt the Zoroastrian faith, and onymous. a committee of experts must take such a sion, and whether it is obligatory or person ’s thorough test, examining what objectionable, and how to enforce con- has actuated the would-be applicant to version if it was mandatory. A sub-committee was formed to whether the person has grasped a tho- probe into the matter, which met on BRIG. N.B. GRANT (RETD) rough knowledge of Zoroastrian cul- Septembers, 1903 at the Sir Jejeebhoy ture, rituals and all the ancillary codes of Benevolent Institute Building. This Pune. - About a score of Bombay Parsis have conduct. If the committee is satisfied committee invited opinions from 11 been saying time and again that our reli- that the applicant is fully qualified, then scholars of whom 10 said that Zoroastri- gion is in danger. Let us assure our by all means his or her navjote ceremony anism was a missionary religion and orthodox Zoroastrians that because of may be performed. Many of our that Zoroaster himself sought converts, our misconception and narrow present-day youngsters who decide to The Iranian kings, even after the death thoughts, the number of Parsi Zoroas- marry non-Zoroastrian spouses reluc- of Zoroaster tried to spread Zoroastri- •f J With Best Compliments FROM THE MAKERS OF LONDON London LONDON PREMIUM THE STRONG ONE PILSNER Diet THE NO. 1 BRAND THE SLIM ONE "QUALITY IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT IT IS ALWAYS THE RESULT OF AN INTELLIGENT EFFORT" JOHN RUSKIN WE GO A LONG WA Y TO BRING YOU QUALITY. M/S. ASSOCIATED BREWERIES ft DISTILLERIES l '' ¦< 7 Parsiana August 1983¦ t ¦' f 'F-s ‘BPP Rejoins the The super-imposed rider, however. anism and sought converts from'even outside Iran. The Avesta, Pahlavi, Pazend and Farsi literature all says that Federation ’ the Zoroastrian religion was practised The decision of the Bombay Parsi Pun ­ as a missionary-universal religion even chayet to rejoin the Federation (Parsi- after the death of Zoroaster. ana, March 1983) is a step in the right Quoting Professor Max Mueller, the direction. committee stated, “The Parsi (like the Brahmin and Jew), does not wish for that the “Federation will not discuss any converts to his religion: he is proud of controversial matters... which may his faith and of his bloody and thougli create dissension or hurt the feelings of he believes in the final victory of truth and light and though he says to every man, ‘Be bright as the sun, pure as the moon ’, he himself does very little to drive away spiritual darkness from the face of the earth, by letting the light that is within him shine before the world. ” Further quoting Max Mueller the possible for the Federation to function if committee said “The religion of Zoroas- it is prevented from dealing with any ter is now professed by only 1,00,000 matter of controversial nature ” is (Parsi) souls —that is a ten thousandth entirely justified, part of the inhabitants of the world. During the last two centuries their the community, as also other bodies like number has steadily decreased from the Committee for Electoral Rights to four to one hundred thousand, and make their views known, so that the another century will probably exhaust BPP trustees may jettison a pre- what is still left of these worshippers of condition calculated to deprive the Fed- the Wise Spirit, Ahura Mazda. ” If to see it as shown by Prof. Mueller is to believe it, allow me to ask the tradi ­ tionalists why we Parsis must monopo ­ lise and hold back God ’s grace — the An InquCSt On the ‘QuCSt ’ prophet ’s revealed religion, for only The article by Dasturs Hormazdyar ourselves and thus reduce Zoroaster to the stature of a mere sectarian saint from his exalted status of being the world-teacher and prophet. The committee recommends the con ­ version of sincere and respectable jood- dins on whom Parsi mo beds may put on the sudreh-kustias on Joseph Peterson. As long as Peterson ’s sincerity and prophet, respectability is not questionable, the performing mobeds have done the right in his interview with Parsiana says — thing. “We say it in the script; (Zarathustra is) Even as Zoroastrians we Parsis are a the world ’s first prophet and thinker- separate group and we can hold our the world ’s first rational man. It’s a tre- separate identity. A convert can become mendous compliment to anyone. The a Zoroastrian but never a Parsi who man lived around the Bronze Age and must be sired only by a Parsi father. Just as a club has a selection commit­ tee, we may form a community forum to screen the intending converts as to their should clear the misgivings the dasturjis respectability before accepting one into have about Bharucha ’s motivation, the fold. We can also ascertain the sincerity behind his desire to become a Zoroastrian and adopt some such other been human thought had Zarathustra ways to so keep Zoroastrianism alive not existed? ” To preach the dualistic and growing even after the last Parsi is concept of good and evil, and his total no more. Let Parsis think, and not be led abhorrence of escapism from work and away emotionally. worldly pleasures indicated a high level DARA J. CAMA of mature thinking in a pagan society. A man becomes a thinker and philosopher the community ” emasculates the recon ­ stituted Federation at the inception. This appears to be a sop to the rather vocal opposition from the so-called orthodox minority. In this regard, BPP trustee Dr Nelie Noble ’s criticism that “it would not be It is now time for the vast majority of eration of all utility. E.P. BHARUCHA Bombay Mirza, Kaikhusrop JamaspAsa and Firoze Kotwal (Parsiana, March 1983) gives one the impression that the dastur- jis have some reservations about the motivation for the film ‘Quest for Zara ­ thustra ’ by Cyrus Bharucha in that it tends to relegate Zarathustra to being a mere thinker or a philosopher and not a However, in the same issue, Bharucha for him to come out with what he did was quite extraordinary. ” This forth ­ right statement from Bharucha A well-known scholar of Zoroastrian ­ ism once wondered: “What would have Bombay 9 Parsiana August 1983 iftMSTi A DELUXE AIR TOURS LALAS WITH SRI LANKA -8 Days-Rs. 4,150/- Rs. 3,000/- (under 12 years) July 18; August 22 September 19 October 10. 17, 24 November 7, 21 December 12, 19, 26 KASHMIR —9 Days—Rs. A,Tl5t- Rs. 3,900/- (under 12 years) July 9; August 13 September 10, 24 October 15, 22,29 November 12 NEPAL -7 Days-Rs. 3,990/- Rs. 2,900/- (under 12 years) July 3; August 14 September 10, 25 October 16, 30 November 6, 20 December 11, 25 All the Above tours offer twin accommodation in 1st Class Hotels and Deluxe Houseboats in Srinagar with transfers and sightseeing in deluxe motorcoaches H.K. Lala & Co. Bansilal Villa, Sobhani Raod, Colaba, Bombay 400 005. Tel: 211925-215094 Gram: EDTOURS, Bombay. Office Hours:- Mon-Fri:- 10 a.m. to 5.30 o.m. Sat;- 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. .’"S ¦< 4 J >3 '¦i /I .I"‘^1 first; he becomes a prophet later, when he has followers worshipping his doc ­ trine. The episode about Zarathustra treating King Vishtasp ’s horse with her ­ bal remedies does not drag down Zara ­ thustra to the role of a horse-doctor. The idea probably is that the mere chanting of ‘mantras ’ or Sanskrit ‘slo- kas ’ is not enough to designate a person a prophet. These so-called miracle cures by mystics or faith healers of which there are quite a few these days, will not convince any educated person in this scientific age. It is evident that Bharucha is averse to casting Zarathustra in the role of a mystic healer effecting cures by chanting ‘mantras ’; the man was a pro ­ found scholar of many parts, the one under context being veterinary medi ­ cine. The picture aimed to be projected about Zarathustra, his life and message, is that we are the followers of the world ’s it is very desirable that it should be pres- first great thinker, scholar, philosopher ented in English as well. and prophet. Also, there are many more subjects, historical and social, which can be pur tf >1* Scenes from the audio-visual on Zarathustra. Left, King Gustasp ’s dream; right, Zarathustra praying before the fire. where the Parsis are interested to know Australia but please remember that like all other parts of the western world, Australia too is passing through a reces ­ sion. Fortunately almost all the Zoroas ­ trians in Australia are very well settled p.D. siiNAVALA historical and social, which can be pur but the recent newcomers are finding it Bombay before the Parsi public, to make them tough. conversant with the life and works of people who have contributed to the glorious history of this microscopic community. NOSHIR D. IRANI people WHO nave eoiiiiiouieu lu me President, Australian Zoroastrian Association. Surat ’s Quest for glorious history of this microscopic Due to the current economic depression Zarathustra community. facing western countries (including Aus- Just when the Parsis are going through a FRENY MARSHALL tralia), immigration in 1983/84 is to be heated discussion on the film ‘Quest for Surat restricted, with more importance given Zarathustra ’, Yezdi Karanjia of the . to family reunion and refugees. I would Group of Dramatics, Surat has already ‘Head for Australia suggest to all those in the medical pro ­ launched a project on the life of Zara- While I would be most happy to see the fession in our community to try and thustra and the message of Ahura Zoroastrian population in Australia grab this opportunity, if they possibly Mazda on a small scale lasting for about multiplying, the issue is not as easy as can, to enter Australia since by the end 80 minutes. Kurush Bilimoria makes it appear in his of this year “the Federal Government A very laudable effort on the part of letter {Parsiana, January 1983). The would be asked to relax immigration the Group, the idea is the brain wave of latest policy statement on immigration restrictions on overseas practitioners. ” ¦¦ -• ¦ ¦ " Such an opportunity may not come immigrants to Australia is to be again for a long time. Applications FRENY MARSHALL Sural Rohin Karanjia, whose wife Dinaz has clearly states that the total number of produced it. It is an audio-visual presen- i ’ _ tation of about 125 slides most of which trimmed. The emphasis will be on fam- should immediately be forwarded to the are beautifully painted with a Persian ily reunion and refugee cases and job- Immigration Department before the background by artist Arun Jardosh. oriented immigration will be reduced quota is filled. This is my suggestion. The audio part of it is presented by dif- from 25,(XX) last year to 2,500 in the next kurush n. bilimoria ferent artists most of whom are associated year. There are about 21 job categories Victoria, Australia closely with the Group. There is still which are still ‘open ’ but according to . , scope for improvement on this side. The the Minister of Immigration ’s recent VfllCIlttH ParSlS press statement there is only a minor Gautam Ghose, in ‘Calcutta Parsis; A shortage in these categories. Rich Heritage ’, {Parsiana, June 1983), The purpose of writing this letter is to has not got his facts quite right. There closely with the Group. There is still which are still ‘open ’ but according to /* • ___ik J _ 'T'V rt.'f 1 Wt 1 f accompanying music adds depth to the project. It is the effort of several months on . the part of Rohin and his colleagues to put matters in the correct perspective, seems to be a correction regarding Sir put before us the life of Zarathustra and Bilimoria (perhaps inadvertently) gives Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, first Parsi ’ through it the message of Ahura Mazda, the impression in his letter that jobs are baronet. He was never “a Calcuttan! asgenerallyaccepted by the community, easy in Australia. The situation cur- He was from Navsari, born on July 15, and leaving aside the controversial rently is quite the opposite. Bilimoria 1783. He had been to Calcutta but was aspects of Zoroaster ’s marriage, child- lists a number “of professions that are not from Calcutta. ren etc. Accompanying prayers, beauti- currently in demand ” and has included Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy was mostlv fully sung by the priests are an added feature. . The message is presented in Gujarati who have arrived recently who are still he put the name of Bombay on the mer- rather too pure for the Parsis. To spread without a job it outside Gujarat, where most of the last six months. He was the greatest Parsi and one of Parsis reside, and to places far away We welcome more Zoroastrians in the greatest Indians of all time, whose ¦ " ‘, the impression in his letter that jobs are asgenerallyaccepted by the community, easy in Australia. The situation cur- lists a number “of professions that are not from Calcutta. currently in demand ” and has included Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy was mostlv “accountants ” in this list. There are two concerned with Bombay and western fully qualified chartered accountants India and by his lofty business integrity. — one of them since the chant map of the world. We welcome more Zoroastrians in the greatest Indians of all time, whose 11 Parsiana August 1983 1e * I 1^4^ - ''i^ t long life provides an instance of human neither Pazend nor Persian and should plentiful coconut trees, but there is no ­ decency raised to dazzling heights. July be removed from all our books, calend- one except a mali. 15 this year will mark the 200th birth ars and speeches and the word ‘adaran ’ The owner was Dr Dhanjibhai Patel, anniversary of Nature ’s noblest son. used instead. an aristocratic doctor who had his own PERiN M.R.B. JEEJEEBHOY NARIMAN s. BAXTER quarters there. Today, a mere skeleton stands to his memory. I contacted one Parsi gentleman, a trustee staying at Valsad, also the presi- BB dent as well as a very prominent member SSm of the Surat Parsi Punchayet. 77ie Bom- bay Samachar supported me in the KS cause of a take-over of this dilapidated sanatorium or of buying it outright, but I it seems the trustees are unable to come to terms. If this remains for a long time as a I wasteland, the Government of Gujarat I may step in and take over this beautiful I piece of land. I Before it is too late, I appeal to the I trustees of the Bombay and Surat Parsi I Punchayets to initiate some action 5 immediately. This place cannot only ____J „ _____________________________________J , accommodate those in dire need of build an adaran. If the adaran from Tithal Sanatorium housing but will be an ideal place for a Aden was shifted to Lonavla, then why A few years back, I used to visit the change of climate for sick and old peo- not shift one from the suburbs and con- Valsad Municipal Homeopathic Dis- pie living in nearby Bombay or Surat, secrate it at Borivli? There are many Zoroastrians who can supply free trans ­ port for the Padsha. Also, ‘agiary ’ is a colloquial word. It is ars and speeches and the word ‘adaran ’ used instead. Pune »» r Borivli Agiary Plan ’ Bandra is near Borivli. Here there are two adarans, one at Pali Hill Road, and one on Turner Road. Both the roads are on the main Bombay/ Borivli Road and 10 to 15 minutes from the railway and bus stations in Bandra. Then why go to Bombay? (‘Borivli Agiary Plan ’, Parsi­ ana, March, 1983). Most of the Zoroastrians have left Navsari, Surat and Udvada where there are many adarans. Before, Rs 100 worth of sandalwood was offered daily. Today not even Re 1 is offered; where 12 athor- nans were praying, one is seen in a corner. There is no fund even for kathi. Today it is very difficult and costly to t ¦• li < " -J R ¥ pensary every month and often used to Disunity among our community leaders go to the Tithal seashore. The sanato- is a root cause of this trouble. rium is situated in ideal surroundings § r wadi a with a big compound, two wells and Bombay Match your AMBITION to a CAREER To do SO we offer you : • Diploma Course in Business Management (Oral/Postal) (IMC) • Banking; C.A.I.I.B. Course (Postal) • G.C.D. Course • Executive Secretarial Course • Private Secretarial Course Steno Secretarial Course • Telephone Operating • Personal Assistants' Programme (working stenographers) • Telephone Operating-cum-Receptionist Techniques • Shorthand & Typewriting • Punch Operating • Telex Operating C3» ,A. Enquire at : Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk, BOMBAY 400 001. Tel-.251185 I y A / ''aX * ’ei ‘'i*s*' & iV ¦M ’ -Jt* ’-X- * .,:...I ‘Wings for a Nation* No Re-incar R.M. Lala in the anicle, ‘Wings for a The controversy whether Zarathustra \ aHioman in bUr'odmtntiihity. R.M. Lala in the article, ‘Wings for a The controversy whether Zarathustra His record of 400 free kirtan pro Nation ’ {Parsiana, December 1982) preached the doctrine of re-incarnation grammes in 10 years at all major cities of writes, “Aspy Engineer was admitted or otherwise, has been a matter of dis- India and Pakistan, given to various' into the Indian Air Force... where he pute amongst many scholars. charitiesspeaks volumesforhissincer- rose to be its first Indian Air Chief of It is difficult to have the ‘last word ’on ity of purpose and selfless socio­ Staff.’’ In fact, the first Indian chief was Air of our scriptures leads us to answer the back to an old communal tradition Marshall B. K. Mukherjee. question of re-incarnation in the nega- which would be worth reviving. FLT. LT. DHUN MEHT? tive. Specially for the following reasons: • Community and congregational sing- Bombay or otherwise, has been a matter of dis ­ pute amongst many scholars. It is difficult to have the ‘last word ’on ity of purpose and selflesssocio- this subject. But still, an unbiased study rdigious services. Such kirtans hark ¦s question of re-incarnation in the nega ­ tive, specially for the following reasons: • Firstly, Zoroastrianism teaches the ing programmes of this type can do doctrine of resurrection with which the some good to our community and more Wasted belief in re-incarnation is wholly incom- I was disappointed to read ‘Savaksa ’ patible. and the other reprints in the Art & Music section in Parsiana, May 1983. They read more like advertisements or Gathas. Even the much quoted Yasna publicity. Much of the valuable space in the magazine is wasted on these items. A.F. TARAPOREWALA Madras and more such programmes could use ­ fully be organized elsewhere by inter- Secondly, there is really no reference ested persons. to the doctrine of re-incarnation in the N.A. MODI Bombay ¦n i 49.11 has been proved erroneous and misleading by Parsi savants of the cali- bfe of the late Ervad Bamanji Dhabhar, the late Behramgore Anklesaria and Dastlir Dr Hormazdyar K. Mirza. Burial Further, neither the Pahlavi dasturs of The Parsis of Jamshedpur have adopted Sassanian and post-Sassanian times, the method of burial. They also do not nor Neryosangh Dhaval have alluded object to showing the faces of dead Par- to this doctrine in their Pahlavi and sis to non-Parsis for paying homage to a Sanskrit translations of the >4 ves/a, or in departed soul after the geh-sarnacerem- their voluminous Pahlavi works. ony. In Zoroastrian literature written in On the question of adopting the bur- Ayesta, Pahlavi, Pazend and modern ial method, our late chairman of the Persian, there is no word for re ­ association, Phiroze Kutar did consult incarnation. This is definite proof of the the late Dastur K. Dabu, the high priest absence of such a doctrine in the and respected religious scholar of Bom- Zoroastrian religion. bay. The question therefore arises: In According to J.M. Unvala, re ­ order to march along with time, have we incarnation is a foreign and un ­ committed a sin by adopting the burial Zoroastrian doctrine propagated by method? Well, it is anybody ’s guess. - - - However, the fact cannot be denied scholars nor Parsi dasturs, nor serious thsft Zarathustra gives man freedom of Parsi students of our religious scriptures thought and freedom of choice in the ever taught this doctrine. matter of religion. The learned writer n.h. dadrawala Nani A. Palkhivala quotes from the Bombay Rig Veda, “Let noble thoughts come to ... us from every side. ” He further states, Community Singing “A blind obedience to authority is the At an anniversary function of the Cama surest prescription for spiritual paraly- Baug agiary, the principal speaker Kir- sis.” tankar Ervad Parvez Katrak presented a “In our community the word ‘reform ’ very interesting musical discourse on has become distasteful and unpalatable. Atashni setayesh, monajats and other According to our religious literature, religious songs rendered with an unus- the greatest reformist was Zarathustra ual combination of devotion, musical himself. His religion was a religion of skill and audience participation, reform, ” said the late Dr Dastur Maneck Dhalla. According to J.M. Unvala, incarnation is a foreign and Parsi theosophists and neither western It was a somewhat unusual expe ­ rience to find 300 to 400 Parsis of all Let us not forget his teaching —“Wis- ages sufficiently “taken up” by the dom is the discerning exercise of knowl- speaker to join him in mass singing of edge. Neither deep learning nor religious songs which reminded one that profound knowledge is Wisdom. Judi- as with a family so with a community — cious use of knowledge makes for Wis- the one that prays together, stays dom. ” {Thus Spake Zarathushtra, Dr together. B.S. Surti). We have seen singing Christian padres and singing Hindu pandits but Jamshedpur Katrak appears to be the only singing RUSI B. PASTAKIA 15 Parsiana August 1983 B. Jamshedji Jivanji Estd. 1901 Goldsmith 8i Manufacturing Jewellers Appointed Valuers of Jewellery to the Government of India Opp. Mumbadevi, Zaveri Bazar, Bombay 400 002. Telephone; 327464 Between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. J r ’’•a i-as 4--^^ > Events and a L \ “‘1 Personalities 1 rifc/vz*/* charged his function with dedication, recollect what has been stated by the . JUSllCC JKIICIIUICU, integrity and fierce independence, ” said counsel six months ago and remind the “My Lord, you are the second Parsi to Lentin. In 1970 he was appointed as a counsel, ” said Andhiyarujina, referring occupy the highest seat of justice (after one-man commission of inquiry into the to Madon ’s keen memory. He also Sir Dinshaw Mulla), and the first Parsi communal disturbances in Bhiwandi, recalled an incident in court when the to adorn the Bench of the Supreme Maharashtra,and his recommendations pitiful argument of one advocate was Court of India since independence, ” were accepted by the government, being laughed at by his adversary. When reads the scroll of honour presented to Author of Principles and Practise of the lawyer in question objected to this Justice Dinshah P. Madon at the felici- Tax. Madon has made a signifi- unfair laughter, Madon turned a grave tation organized in his honour by the cant contribution to the codification of face towards the offending laughter and Bombay Parsi Punchayet on July 4. the principles of the sales tax in Maha- agreed, “You should not laugh at such Madon who has recently been rashtra. arguments, you should weep at them. ” elevated to the Bench of the Supreme With “a number offirsts to his credit, ” Justice Jal Vimadalal, BPP trustee, ’ Court said in reply to the presentation of Madon was also the first chief justice of noted that Madon was a navar marteb the scroll and a silver salver, “Offices Goa, Daman and Diu, commented and had started his career in the and appointments a man may achieve Engineer. He also noted that Madon chambers of the late Homi D. Banaji, a kovo nA 1,0 111 A in thpmtpivps hut in the recentlv swore in K.T. Satarawala as former BPP trustee. “After he lays down his office, per ­ haps he could spare a little time for the problems of the Parsi community, ” said being unwell that evening, and his Parsi swore in another instead of swear- Engineer. BPP chairman Dr Aspi Gol- -¦ - — • ' walla in his welcome speech appealed to Several anecdotes about Madon as a Madon to find ways to consider the teacher, colleague and judge livened up cases of charitable trusts and thus pre- the meeting and revealed the many vent delays and impediments in their r k 1 z' the principles of the sales tax in Maha- agreed, “You should not laugh at such With “a number of firsts to his credit, ” ** have no value in themselves but in the recently swore in K.T. Satarawala as opportunity they offer to serve their fel- Lieutenant Governor of Goa, Daman lowmen and prove themselves worthy of and Diu, and jocularly added that it was the opportunity. ” Madon spoke briefly, one of those rare occasions when one speech was read out by his wife. Dr ing at another. Khorshed Madon, who is also an advo ­ cate of the Supreme Court and the Bom­ bay High Court. . . . _ , , Several noted members of the legal facets of his personality. “Madon will functioning. Golwalla said there were profession including Justice B. Lentin, advocate F.S. Nariman, D.B. Engineer and T. Andhiyarujina spoke at Patkar Hall that evening, referring to Madon ’s phenomenal knowledge and memory, his humanity and sense of humour. , “They say it is difficult to have regard for someone one has known for over 30 years, ” said Justice Lentin. “I have known Madon for over 30 years and I have no such difficulty. ” Madon ’s “fiercely independent ” stand during the Emergency in India was lauded and described by Nariman as his “outstanding moment. ” “He dealt one of the first blows to the Emergency when he ruled that the censorship order was unconstitutional and in fact forced this judgement to be published, ” continued Nariman. “Justice Madon was at his best when the going was rough. ” Appointed to the Bench of the Bom­ bay High Court in 1967, Madon “dis- 4 17 Parsiana August 1983 Madon (left) accepting salver from Gniwalla (Photograph Rashid D. Bamanbelwam) I I a !; -V,5*^ » i 1 about 200 cases, connected with the municipal commissioner, while published by the Surat Parsi Punchayet, BPP, pending in various courts. announcing that a separate funeral pyre with which Marshall is actively asso- Commenting on the significant con- for the cremation of non-Hindus is to be dated. Recently, at the age of 70, an tribution of the Parsi community, constructed at the Hindu cemetery on age when most men are thinking of Madon said, “I have been asked why the Haines Road, near Mahalaxmi. retirement, Marshall completed his stu- Parsi community is so distinctive...the answer lies in the ethical thinking of our was taken by the public health commit­ religion. ” But, he said, “It is no use rest- 1 ing on our laurels or on the glories of the general body meeting of the corporation past. If we continue acting on the pre- “ “ “ cepts of our religion, the religion will India. May 4, 1983. survive. ” “Cremation of the dead of all reli- _____ gions is allowed at the electric cremato- chairmTn of thTboard o?dircctore of Boots and Company (India) in Febru ­ ary. Chairman of Herdillia Chemicals and Bakelite Hylam, Guzder is also “the past-president of the Indian Merchants ’ Chamber, Bombay and the immediate past-president of the Indian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce. ” He is, accord ­ note press reports. to his bio-data, the only Parsi who In the Commission ’s view, according For his significant contribution to Guja- is currently on the Committee of FICCI, to law minister Jagannath Kaushal, rati literature and drama. Dr Ratan the Federation of Indian Chambers of those who feel that their religion or Rustomji Marshall, social worker and Commerce and Industry. ” scriptures forbid adoption, are free not only t© refrain from the practice, but to convey their ideas to others belonging to their community, notes the Indian Express, May 11, 1983. Kaushal report ­ edly viewed this as the extent of the freedom allowed to the antagonists of the Adoption Bill. The Bill, which “seeks to equate, as far as possible, the status, rights and obligations of an adopted child with that of a child born in lawful wedlock, ” according to N. Vasuki Rao in the Indian Express, April 20, has been opposed by one section of Parsis who “were worried over its implications about induction into the religion and inheritance rights of the adopted child. ” Introduced in 1972, the Adoption Municipal Corporation and presented Bill, successfully blocked since then by shawl, a s------------------------- the minorities, is the first proposed gen ­ eral law of adoption in the country, although the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, provides for adoption by persons other than the Muslims, Christians, Parsis and Jews. ----, ---------- - - • .. .... • The recommendation of the Minority chronological htstory of Gujarati jour- the Centre, Ms Meher Vakeel. Commission, Vasuki Rao notes, “far nalism, was the first of its kmd the At the presentation held in Match from settling the controversy, is likely to report sutes. When published the thesis Ms Vakeel was quoted as saying that rake it up afresh ” became a standard textbook for stu- only 5 percent of the 25 million deaf in dents of journalism in Gujarat and won India are totally deaf. The majority have a state prize as an outstanding historical useful residual hearing which can be work. developed through amplification and A student and lecturer on Parsi his- training. “ The EAR society which has its school 1 IIV IV tlOf Uli AlAV'X — --------------------- among non-Hindus, particularly the tion is described as “perhaps the only on Nepean Sea Road has been beset by Parsi community, to cremate bodies, ” stated D.M. Sukhthankar, Bombay ’s announcing that a separate funeral pyre with which Marshall is actively asso- for the cremation of non-Hindus is to be dated. The decision for the new construction dies in law. tee, and was “to be placed before the BootS for JimmV opnpral hnHv mppti no nf the rnmoratinn *' soon, notes a report in The Times of proniinent Bombay businessman and trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, Jamshed N. Guzder was appointed ria at Chandanwadi and Sion. However, when these crematoria are not working, there is no facility for non-Hindus for cremation at any other municipal ceme­ tery, ” stated the report. Adoption Deadlock The exclusion of any community from the purview of the Adoption of Children Bill has been declared unconstitutional by the Minorities Commission. The Commission recently considered recom- J^dfsholVs mendations from Parsis both for and against their inclusion under this bill, Contribution note press reports. In the Commission ’s view, according For his significant contribution to Guja- ¦:S‘ - US '^, I ! ' I ¦ >>? Marshall recdvii^ shawl from Surat mayor Guzder: Boots chairman scholar, was felicitated by the Surat Donation for Deaf __ ____ 1‘___ J /------‘"i a _ _____ a sandaFwood casket and a san- For the improvement of teaching tech- 'manpatra, by mayor Swarupchand niques at the Education, Audiology and Jariwala, notes a report. Research (EAR) Centre ’s school for the “The first Parsi and the first student deaf in Bombay, a donation of one lakh of Gujarat to obtain the degree of Doc- rupees was presented by general man- ............................... ; ¦ ¦¦ -r Marshall ’s doctoral thesis, a Mahal Hotel to the founder chairman of tor of Philosophy in Gujarati litera- ager J.D.F. Lam on behalf of the Taj Pyre for Parsis “There (is) an increasing tendency tory, Marshall ’s study on Parsi popula- 19 Parsiana August \ ¦# 3 VS At the presentation held in March, reliable work on Parsi demography in problems of space. It plans however to the Gujarati language. ” The report was buy a plot with the help of the Save¦&•’***“ J the annual budget is a yearly event eag- Every point in the budget is honed to erlylookedforwardto,cannotbedenied. razor sharpness, clarified for the com- After all,- look at the way the crowds keep increasing each year. To think that he began way back in 1957, addressing a small gathering at and parties, but his speech is always 1 i' I- mon man to whom it is like a giant crossword puzzle. Palkhivala never attacks individuals ¦. ' - . i a Green ’s Hotel, now the Taj Mahal Inter- scathing indictment of a short-sighted continental. Last year the budget speech government. This year he made it a was held at CCI in the east lawn, nor- point to emphasize that the government mally reserved for wedding receptions was introducing new laws when other and this year, triumphantly, in the sta- countries were reducing them. dium proper where more than 6,000 ~ people attended. All this in spite of the fact that of la tea heights of eloquence, for many in the new generation of budget analysts has audience thoroughly enjoyed Vijay arisen. But there is absolutely no one to Merchant ’s introduction of the speaker, beat the irrepressible and irreplaceable “My speech will be as short as Gavas- Palkhivala. He truly combines all the kar ’s innings. ” (at Guaracara Park), he There must be something about the event that raises all participants to Ms Vakeel (left) with Lam (Photo ­ graph courtesy The Taj Magazine) Breach Candy Committee, Ms Vakeel is qualities of a good speaker — promises amid laughter. reported to have said. EAR was recently Personality, clarity of language, deep And then a bit later, “There are thou- lauded for its activities by Ms Shalinitai learning, humour, a critical mind and a sands of people here and I am sure they Patil, wife of Maharashtra chief minis- ™forthright approach. have not been brought in trucks. ” And ter Vasantrao Patil, while inaugurating a speech programme held in July. reported to have said. EAR was recently Personality, clarity of language, deep most forthright approach. Throughout his speech, which runs to everyone agreed wholeheartedly when 80 minutes or more, his audience listens he said, “What you will see in the Bra ­ in pin-drop silence. Palkhivala stands bourne Stadium today is much more _ A J J erect, chest out like an army colonel, his interesting than Test matches that were Jyam s Annual A daress hands occasionally in trouser pocket, long-drawn-out boring five-day fix- That Nani Palkhivala ’s lively analysis of need to refer to any piece of paper. figuresand anecdotes clearly in mind, no tures. ” . . . . Courtesy Sunday Mid-Day, March 6, 1983. Compliments from PYRKES V'j Provisional Stores (Phone 253324) 21 Parsiana August 1983 1 ? a 'J 1 J .’Jdeath an 18-year-old pedestrian Persis tional recognition, notes the press Dara Bhagwagar. release. He is already a Fellow of the The June 21 accident at the Princess Hotel Catering and Institutional Man- For her contribution to the. rehabilita- Street junction smashed part of the wall agement Association and the Cookery tion and employment of the blind over and gate of the Atash-Behram. and FoodsAssociation,andanaffiliateof Persis, a resident of Balram Street the Royal Society of Health, London. and a former student of the Avabai Petit School in Bandra, had just joined the Siddharth College, noted press reports. The driver of the bus sustained minor Laudcd injuries and was reportedly “arrested by the L.T. Marg police on a charge of rash and negligent driving. ” Blind Rehabilitation Welfare Workers Two ladies who have promoted the wel ­ fare of Ahmedabad ’s women for several decades, Ms Minnie Rustom Cama, managing director of Cama Hotels Ltd., and Ms Meherbai N. Ginwala, were A fellowship of the British Institute of felicitated by the Zoroastrian Ladies Management, London, has been con ­ ferred on Minoo D. Katpitia, general manager of Bombay ’s star-studded 5- star Sun-n-Sand hotel, and freelance hotel consultant and advisor. Hotelier Honoured Left to Right: Khambatta receiving scroll from ex-chairman of IDBI, N.N. Pai, and Vijay Merchant the last three decades, Ms Piloo Dorab Khambatta was awarded the N.D. Diwan Memorial Award for 1982, insti ­ tuted by the National Society for Equal Opportunities for the Handicapped. As honorary secretary of the finance raising, public relations and employ ­ ment and placement committees of the National Association of the Blind in the past, Khambatta has helped in “raising much needed funds for promoting .the Cause of the Blind ” and for arousing “interest and much needed awareness in the community on problems of the Blind, ”notes the NSEOH citation presented in March. In 1981, Khambatta won the NAB’s Rustom Merwanji Alpaiwalla Memor ­ ial Award for her services to the blind. “She started her Blind Welfare career, with assisting the N.S.D. Industrial management and administration, Kat- Home for the Blind, by organizing con ­ certs, etc. to augment its funds, ” notes an NAB write-up. “In 1964, Ms Khambatta became actively interested in the placement of the blind...She works round the clock, attending to the new Employment and Placement (Administration) Office daily and has been over-all in charge of the Placement Department. She has S guided the Placement Officers working ! in Bombay and in other states. ” I Co-operative Society Ltd., and the Dhunbai Dalal Zarthushti Stree Man- dal at the Ahmedabad Parsi Gymkhana last March. Ms Cama, founder member and pres ­ ident of the ZLI Society since the last 25 __ years and a trustee of the Stree Mandal, “has been the guiding light ” of the society since its inception with the issue of shares worth Rs 10 in 1944, notes a report. The society has grown since, and conducts stitching and embroidery classes, today attended by 100 women belonging to different communities, a kitchen department employing poor Parsi women, established with an initial donation of Rs 25,000 from Naval Tata, and most recently, a nursery school. During the presidentship of Ms Gin ­ wala, the ZLI Society ’s members were '‘requested to keep one share and donate the extra ones they possessed to the V . u I- II I.. society towards building funds, ” notes Kalpitia: British Fellowship felicitation address, “and today...we Holder of the Highbury Technical have a big building of our own standing College (Portsmouth) diploma in hotel on a prominent site. ” ” - Both Ginwala and Cama, managing pitia’s “meritorious services to the hotel trustee and trustee of the Stree Mandal institutions ” have earned him interna- respectively, have helped augment the WWW F < ..Ir*" Bus and damaged wall of Wadiaji Ms Ginwala (extreme left), Gujarat Atash-Behram (Photograph Rashid D. state minister Vyas, Zerrin Cambatta, Bamanbehram) Ms Cama (standing) Tragic Death A BEST single-decker bus veered off the road and dashed into the wall of the Wadiaji Atash-Behram, crushing to liir -FK ¦’ 33 Parsiana August 1983r : * Phone: 866497 7, New Queens Road Opera House Bombay 400 004 funds of the Stree Mandal which pro ­ vides “monetary assisttoce to the poor and needy of our community...and dis ­ tributes grains to them on such days as Navroz and Muktad, ” note the felicita ­ tion scrolls. Chief guest Kokilaben Vyas, minister of tourism, health and family welfare, reportedly lauded the social service of both Cama and Ginwala. With Best Compliments from Crusade for Conservation. Pax Enterprise Manufacturers 8* Dealers in speciality chemicals. The sheriff Soli P. Godrej, a fanatic cru ­ sader in the campaign to conserve the environment and preserve trees, once had a not-so-savoury experience with a Maharashtra minister who lived next door. The minister wanted to hack down a tree in his courtyard in order to level the ground to grow a vegetable patch for a fresh supply of greens for the kitchen. Godrej had waited for an opportunity to meet the minister and even instructed his children to seize the first chance to convince the minister of the need for saving trees which were then fast dwin ­ dling in the Malabar Hill area and giv­ ing rise to a concrete jungle. The opportunity never came. The sheriff was constrained finally to meet the minister in his chamber in Mantralaya to persuade him ta^ive up his pet plan to cut down the tree. As a good neighbour, Godrej even offered to supply the minister with fresh Vegetables for his table every morning. The plea fell on deaf ears and the tree was hacked down to give place to a vegetable patch. Courtesy The limes of India, April 4, 1983. 1 i 5 Yugprabhat - Off Sidadevi Temple Road Mahim Bombay —400 016. Tel Nos. 464420/452186. Armed Forces Consultant Happy New Year To All Our Parsi Patrons Pransiikhlal Bros, jewellers The noted Bombay , orthodontist Dr Keki M. Mistry was appointed honor ­ ary consultant in orthodontia to the Armed Forces Medical Services in April. Mistry is honorary consultant to the Governor of Maharashtra and to sev ­ eral reputed hospitals in Bombay including the Parsee General Hospital, where “he helped set up the first depart ­ ment of orthodontia, ” notes his bio ­ data. The founder member and first elected president of the Indian Orthodontic Appointed Valuers To The Government of IndiaIf • 1 i f r k f- r Society, Mistry is also “the president ­ elect of the Indian Dental Association, and president of the Mahafashtra State Dental Council, ” according to a press report. Author of Dental Health in India and Guidelines to Healthy Living, he gradu ­ ated in dental surgery from Bombay University and secured his MS in ortho ­ dontia from Illinois University, U.S.A. ( RustomjVs plum contracts It is true that some people find the books Mistry: Armed to the teeth Dordi: State Leagae chief of M.K. Rustomji on management and other subjects either overly simplistic or the present policy of But the plummiest contract, in terms too superficial. No matter that he writes Promoting rapid industrialization the of prestige, must be that signed by Oram in tandem with C. Northcote Parkinson authorities in Beij ing are bound to find of Tel Aviv, to bring out six of the manag- of Parkinson ’s Law fame. books with their attractive ement books in Hebrew. AfteraU, Israel can It is also equally true, however, that amusing illustrations very useful, choose from the best management books other subjects either overly simplistic or for with tte present policy of thousands of others find them fascinat- And with the Cliinese population having published in the US and Europe, ing enough to have them translated into grossed the billion mark, there should be Courtesy May 31.1983. languages ranging from Chinese to Hebrew! Recently the authors have signed a ___ package contract with Federal Publica- Prosveta, has shown interest in the o - tions of Singapore for publishing no less books and Emmary Associates of Pakis- Former Air Commodore Jamshed B. than nine of their management books in tan have signed a contract for four Dordi was elected president of the Chinese. Not a moment too soon books in their country. Maharashtra Ex-Services League in April. crossed the billion mark, there should be huge returns for India in the form of foreign exchange. Besides, a Bulgarian firm, Narodna Heading the League Tiqc cTintxzn in fka With Best Wishes from Bharat Tiles & Marble Pvt. Ltd. Manufacturers of mosaic tiles, and special PRIMA tiles using large marble pieces. Also Heavy Duty STI LAN tiles for factory flooring and our VITROBRITE decorative wall finish. Quality, Reliability and Service is our Hallmark since over 60 years. BHARAT TILES & MARBLE PVT. LTD., 32, B. Samachar Marg, Bombay-4(X} 023 Telephone Nos. 274837/274965 Parsiana August 1983 *< iS '^a ¦» s Jt-In the course of his career Dordi was head of both the Navigation Section and Air Intelligence at the Air Headquarters in New Delhi and was also appointed to the Cabinet Secretariat with the Joint Planning and Joint Intelligence Com­ mittees and to the Indian High Commis- sion in the UK. He was “awarded a ts A graduate of Sf. Xavier ’s College, ‘Mentioned in Dispatches ’ during the Bombay, and the Defence Services Staff navigation from the Royal Air Force College in England, Dordi is currently with the Godrej and Boyce Manufactur- ing Company. first Pakistan war in Kashmir, ” and was College, Wellington, and a specialist in also “responsible for charting out the flight plan and navigating the first LA.F. flight service to UK ,” his bio ­ data notes. SPOTLIGHT a k 5 f Designer DoHy Sahiar receiving an award In the art book design category from President ZaU Singh in May this year. This constitutes her 14th consecutive National Award. At present Sahiar is advidng Time-Life of the USA on their forthcoming book entitled ‘Treasures of India ’. She is also a consultant designer to the National Museum, Publication Division and the Madhya Pradesh Government. (Photograph courtesy Biitz} Children of the Ranina ¦ Day Nursery, a unit of I the Pars! Welfare I Centre at Dadar, I receiving their I diplomas at a mini- I graduation ceremony I on the occasion of the H 40th anniversary of the I institution ’s founder, H the late Kaikhusroo I Ranina. Handing over ¦ the diplomas is Ms I Mohini Mathur, vice- ¦ president of the I Maharashtra State ¦ * Women ’s Council, and V behind her is Ms K, Marina Rocha, K principal of the I school. ¦ 29 Parsiana August 1983 J !6 1 I' Hormusji M. Seervai, eminent advocate and expert in constitutional law, was elected president of the Bombay unit of the People ’s Union for Civil Liberties at the annual general meeting held in Bom­ bay in March. For the second consecutive year, Rumy Shroff, a Bombay architect, won the trophy in the commercial or office inte ­ rior category at the interior designing competition organized in March by the Indian Institute of Interior Designers. Nawshir D. Khurody was appointed president of Merck S)iarp and Dohme, one of India ’s leading multi-national pharmaceutical companies, in June this year. A graduate of Trinity College, Cam­ bridge, Khurody “has a long and distin ­ guished career in the Tata organization, ” said Ken Coleman on behalf of the board of directors of Merck Sharp and 7* Khurody heads Merck Dohme, welcoming Khurody into the S firm, a subsidiary of the prestigious Merck Sharp and Dohme of New Jersey, America. t For the last six years Khurody has been working in Qatar for a large busi- ¦ ness house. Civic engineer Minoo Homi BatlivalaC Tin f I r LEACH & WEBORNY Diycleaners PycFS & Carpet Cleaners /a iSf was appmnlBd chScT engirit^r l^mmon services) in the water supply and sewer ­ age department of tEe Bomliay Munici ­ pal Corporation. A graduate of Poona University, Batlivala was deputy chief engineer having joined the civic services in 1952 as a sub-engineer. (The Daily, May 6, 1983) Vice-president of Blue Star Ltd., R.J. Khambatta, has been appointed presi ­ dent of the Bombay Management Asso- ciation. Earlier, he was the vice-president and chairman of the BMA’s educational committee. Khambatta is actively associated with the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Institute of Interna ­ tional Auditors, and the Institute of Company Secretaries. (The Times of India. March 18, 1983) H.P. Kanga, general manager (central IGOVERNMENTOFI I purchase department) of Peico Elec ­ tronics and Electricals Ltd., has been elected national president of the Indian Association of Materials Management for the current year. Kanga is an active founder member of the Committee for Electoral Rights. was apptMiAed c^ I ! 31 Parsiana August 1983 Dr Bomsi Wadia was elected president of the Amateur Bodybuilders ’ Associa­ tion of Maharashtra at their annual gen ­ eral meeting held on February 16, notes a press " •" APPOINTED VALUERS OF JEWELLERY TO THE INDIA GAZDAR PVT. LTD. Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay. Tel: 243666 Telegrams: MANUSCRIPT” 'AS J J /I1* t ?«^' The Munificent Prince M.D. David Nobody ever dreamt that a 16-year-old orphan who came to live with his uncle who sold empty bottles in Bombay Fort would one day rise to be the mer ­ chant prince of this metropolis. Few men born in destitution have acquired such wealth due to their own Midas touch, business acumen and spirit of adventure. One such person was Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy. Born in Bombay 200 years ago on July 15, 1783, Jamsetjee, the youngest child of a poor Parsi weaver, spent his boyhood at Navsari, but later returned to Bombay. While helping his uncle Framji Batliwala in selling empty bot ­ tles, the boy developed an inexorable urge to prosper. So he embarked on a China trip as an employee of a Parsi firm and made a small profit of Rs 60 on his maiden voyage. Gifted with a sharp business sense he borrowed Rs 45,000 and launched his enterprise on the second of his 10 voyages to China in the eight years bet ­ ween 1800 and 1808. The great fire of Bombay on February 17, 1803, soon after Jamsetjee ’s second voyage to China, destroyed his merchandise. Twelve days after the fire, Jamsetjee, then 20, was married to 10-year-old ’ Avabai. Of their seven sons and three daughters only three sons and one daughter survived infancy. Though most of his voyages were « filled with adventurous events like | naval battles and storms, the most I thrilling of all was his fourth voyage to China. Jamsetjee himself has left a ? vivid description of ft. After the onset P of the monsoons, on June 30, 1805, he ? sailed from Bombay to China in an I ,4^ 33 Parsiana August 1983 • V‘ MB ^a- [/ 't H RM % . 1 •r- s 4 = t n f Fort House: the luxurious home where Jamset ­ jee lived and died, recently destroyed in a fire ..................^l¦l|llli........................... ....ft.. 3: 4 t' r4' :.V’ s'U' . '¦’5*1 w ft' K If! ^-, -.y«.=.,a----- - ib «;.r • H rW ft 4 S..1 1 WR : ''•2^^ -7- 3 1'"E5 ^«»?5***i**!i» h. IRMB. ?? ..J ¦ if'! I*-:' 1 i S b I ».... .. . V *.«**'_ _____‘ *¦ b ** *«•«< -" Ai. - ‘ A* English man-of-war named Brunswick with rich merchandise, hoping to return with his pockets lined with told. Not long after he left Bombay his B ship was captured by the French and taken to Colombo, Madagascar and 9 then to the Cape of Good Hope. The S English and the French were the bit- « terest enemies at this time as England was the only country that defied , - Napoleon ’s bid for supremacy over / Europe. On the way, the French who j had taken control of the Brunswick w ill-treated Jamsetjee and the other H passengers. At the Cape of Good Hope I he was robbed of all his belongings in- ¦ eluding his valuable merchandise, ex- I cept his clothes, and then set free. I Fortunately for him a Danish ship I was at the Cape on its way to Bengal. I The English captain of the Brunswick I arranged with the captain of the jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Hospital Danish ship to carry Jamsetjee and the (Prom an old water-colour painting by Higgins) other Indian merchants to Calcutta. Jamsetjeeliad to give a bill of exchange millionaires like Sir Roger de Faria, a bay benefitted the most from his chari- for 8(^ sikka rupees on himself, Bombay-based Goan businessman and ty. The first Civil Hospital and Mater ­ payable at Calcutta, for the despicable a contemporary of Jamsetjee. Jamsetjee nity Home known as the J. J. Hospital . berth he was offered on the Danish who himself had suffered such losses and the Grant Medical College built in vessel. For three months, i.e., until and had withstood the worst, gave a 1845 at a cost of two lakh rupees was they reached Calcutta, they were serv- helping hand to his friend Faria and of- the first of his memorable deeds. For ed with only one biscuit in the morning fered a loan of £ 10,000 that was 140 years it has been a haven for the and some boiled rice in the afternoon, responsible for restoring Faria to his sick. Its new 460-bed building was con- Undaunted by this traumatic ex- trade. structed by his successors in 1958. perience this man of destiny left on his Jamsetjee along with his wife The Mahim Causeway across the China voyage again —for the fifth time. Avabai, paid a visit to Navsari where Bandra Creek was built at a cost of Rs So strong was the lure of Cathay. he had spent his childhood in want. 1,55,000 and the avenue connecting the The Maharaja of Baroda whose ter- causeway was named after his il- Business empire ritory included Navsari was his close lustrious wife Lady Avabai Jamsetjee. He had established good ties with his friend. When he heard of Jamsetjee ’s The J.J School of Art, the first of its agents, Jardine Matheison & Co, visit the Maharaja ordered the com- kind in India, was set up in 1857 under who had their offices in Hong Kong mandant of the suba to accord a rous- his patronage. The Parsi Punchayet and Canton, and earned crores of ing welcome with military honours to and the Parsi community received his rupees in a couple of decades by expor- the merchant prince of Bombay. On encouraging support in myriad ways, ting thousands of chests of opium from his arrival at Navsari with royal fan- The Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Parsi Bombay, which were sold in China at fare, his first act was to visit his Benevolent Institute which runs 11 enormous profits by these agents. Cot- childhood house and the kind-hearted schools in and outside Bombay was ton was added as another item to his woman who had so thoughtfully given created with a donation of Rs 3 lakhs, lucrative trade with China and him a little food tied up in a red ban- Even Surat, Poona and Na'vsari England. dana handkerchief, for his journey benefitted from this generosity. He Jamsetjee ’s entire commercial em- from Navsari to Bombay nearly 60 built the Jamsetjee Bund and Water- pire was centred around the China years ago. A grateful Jamsetjee works in 1850 in Poona at a cost of Rs trade and by 1821 Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy showered upon the old benefactress 1,75,000 to solve the problem of water ? & Co had acquired a monopoly over unbelievably rich gifts. Every citizen of scarcity in that city. China ’s import trade. Twenty-three Navsari was a beneficiary of Jamset- years later when his sons joined him jee ’s munificence. Charity flowed like respects. Rejecting the purdah system, as partners, the firm was renamed water until every home was touched in March 1840 he brought his wife and Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy & Sons. To save with Jamsetjee ’s prosperity. He spent three daughters-in-law in public on the increasing freight charges he more than five lakhs of rupees in Nav- amongst men of different communities bought a fleet of seven ships, but his sari in a few weeks, even showering at a banquet he gave to celebrate the trade had grown so enormous that he handfuls of silver coins from his palan- marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince had to hire additional vessels. quin on his way to and from the fire Albert. He introduced Lady Jamsetjee temple. and his daughters-in-law to the guests Princely heart The philanthropy of this fabulous of honour, the Governor and Lady Business misfortunes ruined even merchant knew no barriers and Bom- Carnac, Lord Keane —the hero of ii: f ¦ >&-¦ i 35 Parsiana August 1983 -.tsrr. s *?. ,• i r*? ^*.1. '?•?P ^ri§2 nSS? Jamsetjee along with his wife Jamsetjee was a pioneer in many 1 1I fire of Bombay in 1803. When S,h ‘ht\ ' had a great fire in 1837, Jamsetjee sent 1 a chartered ship to Surat with a cargo of food, clothes and coins. To ensure an adequate supply of water to the citizens of Pune, he financed the J. J. ' « Bund and Waterworks which were completed in 1850. Not only did disasters in India evoke his instant response but also similar misfortunes in foreign countries. When there were floods in France, he sent a handsome donation, although he had suffered at the hands of his French captors on board the Brunswick. He helped the Irish people during the great famine of 1822. His vision was as large as his generosity. Today the World Bank and renowned economists are talking of “human investment. ” But Jamsetjee realized the vital importance of “human investment ” before that down by the first baronet have been phrase was born. He was the greatest benefactor of the cause of education and public health. Though he never J received any formal education himself, vqIq he founded schools so that others may -s 1'aiKniVaia s iriDUie Wesslng wWch had been Jamsetjee is remembered not because denied to him. He was a great patron His benevolence benefitted the na ­ tion in countless ways. He endowed Kabul and others. This made himjun-. popular among the orthodox section of his community. He was also the first to introduce ice and ice confectionary in 1834 at one of his banquets and two of his friends who consumed too much ice became seriously ill soon after the par ­ ty- in recognition of his versatility, the Governor nominated him one of the five founder Fellows of the University of Bombay in 1857. He was also the first Indian member of the Bank of Bombay and the Bombay Port Trust. The British government too showered honours on him by making him the first Indian knight, the first baronet and the first Indian to be con ­ ferred with the Freedom of the City of London. The citizens of Bombay also paid their tribute to his generosity by installing a bronze statue at the Asiatic Society Library in 1859, just before he passed away. His opulence can be gauged by the continued by his successors. Arabian Night style banquets he hosted to entertain the governors and mahara ­ jas at his three residences viz. Fort House, Mazagaon Castle and Mahalakshmi Mahal. No honour was considered greater of the fortune he amassed —many of literature and of the arts, by a socialite in Bombay, than to be in- lesser men than he have done the same, vited as a guest at one of Jamsetjee ’s both before and after him. He is prestigious banquets held in his lux- remembered because he knew how to dharamshalas and public bangs, he urious home —Fort House, (the recent- distribute his wealth and spend it for sank wells and built bridges. His hand ly burnt Handloom House). the benefit of the less fortunate. Long was always ready to alleviate the suf- When he gave a farewell banquet in before Mahatma Gandhi, Jamsetjee ferings of the widow and the orphan, honour of the Governor, the Earl of acted upon the philosophy of the unfortunate and the destitute. He Clare in 1835, multihued shamianas trusteeship: a rich man owns his wealth gave generously to the Panjrapole were erected in front of Fort House to as a trustee for his fellowmen and must which was founded by his friend and accommodate 300 guests, the most use it for their benefit. In England partner Motichand Amichand. honoured citizens of Bombay. They there is a tombstone on which arein- were treated to a gala gold dinner ser- scribed the words —“What I gave, I against women was even more rampant vice to the accompaniment of pleasing have; What I spent, I had; What I left, music. The diffused light shed on the I lost. ” These lines admirably sum up guests by a row of glittering Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy ’s attitude to his schools for girls. His own daughter was chandeliers and candelabras gave an wealth. enchanting look. The entire area around Fort House along the present in his own lifetime. His munificence Mahatma Gandhi Road decorated with knew no bounds. Most significantly, flags, festoons and colourful Chinese his charities were for all communities. At a time when discrimination than it is now and when society did not believe in female education, he built among the first Indian women to be His philanthropy passed into history educated in English. - In the resolution conferring the Freedom of the City, the London Council said that it was a testimonial lanterns appeared like a wonderland, regardless of region or religion, caste of the high esteem in which he was held On another occasion when he threw a or creed. by the City of London and of the ’ banquet in 1849 in honour of the Justice Frankfurter of the U.S. “respect for his justly renowned Governor and Lady Falkland at Supreme Court observed that the character as a princely benefactor of Mazagaon Castle, the road leading to highest office in a democracy is not his country and mankind —a noble ex- his bungalow was colourfully lit with that of the president or the prime ample of blameless private life and Chinese lanterns for half a mile. minister but that of a citizen. Jamset- ............ ’ Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, the Parsi jee Jejeebhoy was a citizen par ex ­ knight and the Erst baronet, is indeed cellence. one of the striking examples of com­ mercial success to be found in the fire, flood and famine, anywhere and history of any country. The great tradi- everywhere —he remembered how ____ ________ tions of benevolence and charity laid much he himself had suffered from the Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy. Justice Frankfurter of the U.S. He came to the succour of victims of public worth as a citizen of Bombay, and of spotless commercial in ­ tegrity... ” Excerpts from a broadcast by Nani A. Palkhivala over All India Radio on July IS, 1983, the bicentennial of Sir -t 37 Parsiana. August 1983 JSr, ' The Langrana Agiary is practically deserted and hardly anyone attends for worship/' c 1'’ t r» , 1.1' neglect of the agiary, ” said Dalal. “In The controversy over the Langrana other places the panthakis are offered a per year, which is not even the entire and the donations of devotees. “(Will the trustees) sell the property i ( f. i FIRE SALE Hutokshi D. Doctor ( r 1 Small, dark and devoid of all but the bare necessities, the Langrana Agiary, which has stood for 135 years on Gola Lane in Bombay ’s Fort area, faces an uncertain future. As the devotees who lived in this vicinity moved to the residential suburbs, the attendance and useage of the agiary declined, and to­ day only the occasional Zoroastrian enters to worship at the aadaryan or .W . light a batti at the miniature well in the jH courtyard beyond, where the kathi lies ¦ stacked against one wall. H In this once flourishing agiary, one ¦ of nine fire temples in the same locali- B ty, only the panthaki and one assistant fl mobed tend the adaran fire and the I dadgah fire that smoulders in an ad- fl joining room. While the corpus of the B trust fund remains the same, the in ­ come is inadequate to keep the agiary residents of Fort and Bombay signed this amount, Rs 3,600 go towards the well maintained, and the trustees are and despatched a petition to the Indian maintenance of the additional mobed, reportedly contemplating the sale of Prime Minister, strongly, objecting to which accounts for only half the the property. the removal of the panthaki and the mobed ’s monthly salary of Rs 6OO.'The The panthaki, Ervad Bhikhaji proposed sale. “Our religious feelings other half is paid by Katrak, as are the Manchershah Katrak has voiced his op- will be hurt if this panthaki is removed other maintenance costs of the agiary. position to the proposed sale and possi- and we will not under any cir- “To my mind it is a sort of deliberate j)le extinction of the Atash which has cumstances tolerate it,” they wrote, been tended by the Katrak family since its consecration. Sitting in a huge black Agiary was brought into the public eye salary, accommodation, medical and armchair, Katrak points to portraits of when the J a m-e-Jamshed, February 1, educational benefits. In this area of the agiary ’s benefactors which hang on 1983, carried an article entitled Bombay the panthaks are given on the damp walls alongside photographs ‘Langrana Agiary —Is its existence in bargain, ” with the panthaki paying the of his own forefathers, and to a time- danger? ’ by Hormazdyar S. Dalal, trustees of the agiaries a fix- worn article from the Jam-e-Jamshed project manager of the Zoroastrian ed sum of money, and maintaining the published on the 101st anniversary of Community Development Institute. He agiary only from the income generated the agiary and framed on the wall, stated that the total expenses towards through the sale of sandalwood, proud testimony to the continuing the agiary were not more than Rs 4000 chamach offerings, rojgar ceremonies panthak of the Katraks. In support of Katrak ’s stand, 47 annual return on the trust funds. Of 39 Parsiana August 1983F r . "ai’" • aC? *•** ccmt atmospliwe. W&ke the agiary 'ccmt atmosphCTe. K^ke the agiary a place of religious activities like lectures that would attract people. And one mobed is not enough to perform all the ceremonies —a minimum of two mobeds is necessary. ” . j Vakil ’s solution to the problem was that the Atash could be temporarily removed to the Cama Bang Agiary or permanently housed at the Tata Hous- 5 ing Colony in Pare! “where there is a I - site for a fire temple and the in- . I habitants of the colony will have easy I access to this fire temple. ” He also ad- I ded, “If the agiary premises are sold I with vacant possession, a substantial I amount could be realized from the in- I come whereof the fire temple could be I maintained... No useful purpose will I be served by asking philanthropists to ¦ contribute their hard-earned wealth for I maintenance of this Fire Temple when I income can be generated if the Trustees I are a bit imaginative and dynamic. ” I Similarly, the Widows Chawl at I Mazagaon, owned and managed by the ’ Godiwalla Trust, which houses only five widows at a nominal rent could. Vakil noted, “be pulled down and a multi-storeyed structure put up for middle-class Parsis with the provision that the widows will be accom­ modated. This will bring in a substan- Noted lawyer and former BPP tial income to the Trust. ” . :__i On the other hand, lawyer Ardesher ‘The Katrak wrote in the Jame, February 17 without determining the place for shif ­ ting the Atash? Would they build new structures for the agiary and the pan- thaki?...Have the present -trustees a moral right to sell this property and to . shift the AtashV* asked Dalal. While here... There mUSt be HO I the trustees, Rustomji Papa and Ms older panthaki in the whole j Perinbanu Papa who reside in Bandra, ,, refused to discuss the issue for publica- Of India, tion in Parsiana, Dalal said that three agiaries were approached for the tem ­ porary transfer of the Atash. But negotiations with the Tata Agiary in i Bandra, the Wadia Agiary in Jogeshwari Bang and the agiary at Godrqnagar in Vikhroli have proved unsuccessful, mainly because the trustees have not stipulated the dura ­ tion of this temporary transfer, when they will remove the Atash, or what alternative arrangements they propose to make for the permanent housing of the Atash. “1 am 1 Katrak here, ” said Katrak, who took over as panthaki only after his father ’s death a year ago,although he has been working at the agiary since he became a Navar in 1935. “There must be no older panthaki in the whole of India, ” he declares with...pride. Recalling the days when the agiary was flourishing, he said, “Even in my father ’s time we herer...If I have kept this trustee Shiavax R. Vakil wrote in to the aeiarv it is only because of my father ’s Jame on February 5 saying, The — , i , wlh-never seU off this agiary, he said Langrana Agiary is practically desert^ 1983^_ J also know^as to tow the^^tet to me. ” * - - Built in 1848 by Sheth Mancherji ship...I have at least on three occasions Kharshedji Langrana in memory of his found the same locked. ” son Kaikhushru, the agiary is owned *------- - ---------- and managed by a trust registered in Agiary jtill plays a the Directory of Public Trusts (1979) as ......... -—--- the Pestonji Nusserwanji Godiwalla Zoroastrians in this vicinity, the ZCDI Profit out of the same. Aeiary Trust with a corpus of Rs has undertaken a comparative survey - ------- w 63 83^ and an annual income of Rs of three agiaries: Godavara Agmry, controversy describes its interestm | 5 ho The dilapidation of the agiary Vatcha Agiary and Langrana Agiary, this case as purely professional and 40 years later caused the municipality which are all smaller than the an offshoot of their recent study and ? to issue orders for the demolition of flourishing Banaji or Dadysett agiaries tabulation of Zoroastrian trusts. ‘^I took the building. It was Pestonji Nusser- nearby. The number of persons visiting up the Langrana Agiary case because we ? wanji Godiwalla, maternal grandfather these agiaries as well as the number of want to revitalize our trust funds, ” said of the present trustees, who financed religious ceremonies performed every- Dalal. “Our effort is in that direction. ” | the reconstruction of the agiary, and day was recorded by independent “We are neither adamant that (the the Atash was reconsecrated after eight surveyors during a period extending agiary) should be preserved nor ada- -A years The agiary has also been known over a month. While the number of mant that it should be sold off, notes i since as the Godiwalla Agiary. religious ceremonies have yet to be Astavani, the ZCDI’s newsletter. “If it “I will never leave the agiary unless tabulated, the study revealed that an is ultimately decided by due process | they sell to the Parsi Punchayet, ” average of 16.2 devotees visited the that the property should be disposed Katrak continues, “I have no desire to Langrana Agiary daily while the off. the consecrated fire should be | earn anything. This profession is such Godavara and Vatcha agiaries record- treated with customary honour and , that as long as your hands and legs ed an average of 14 and 89 devotees per procedure and proceeds of the ? work it is alright, after that you have day- h nothing. It’s a business without profit, ... . ,, as they say. ” I am the fourth generation of Katrak t I 9 9 the fourth generation of I used to keep 20-25 tables of the V>^' f -r .1 aeiarv it is only because of my father ’s Jame on February 5 saying. and hardly anyone attends for wor- panthaki had tried his utmost to keep ’ ------'—3 the Holy Fire burning spending from uiiu U.V _ _____ " his own pocket, and it is indeed a To determine whether the Langrana shame to suggest to change the place of ngiaij ariii meaningful and worship from one place to another worthwhile role in the religious life of simply with a view to make mundane -- - 9 9 * The ZCDI which sparked off the Vatcha Agiary and Langrana Agiary, this case as “purely professional ” and J the was reconsecrated after eight surveyors during a period extending agiary) should be preserved nor ada- Dalal commented, that this poor at- good of the community, tendance was “because there is no de- photographs by Ayesha soni 41 Parsiana August 1983 1Tasteful LNing Bhicoo J. Manekshaw Reminiscing on the life and mores of a and west. Nothing was Iboked down law and the verdict was: “Sorry, bygone generation, Bhicoo J. upon except untruth, sloth and Bhicoo, but it is not as good as Manekshaw, catering consultant to the dishonesty which were always but Mamai’s.” Her strawberry jam, mar- Hotel Corporation of India and a always strongly censured. malade and raspberry jelly were holder of a certificate in catering from - • • •• . . the prestigious Cordon Bleu Institute, writes about her mother who lived in make tomato and mango chutney like Parsis some time ago. I was indignant- an era of graciousness. She also sends she did. Friends would come from far ly asked, “With dhansak and kababs, in recipes of some of her family’s and wide just to taste her Willingdon where was the r/oJ/i//no gos/j/(white favourite dishes. Chicken. I once made it for my son-in- ’ Cooking, that is everyday cooking, superlative. She censured me strongly was not her forte, yet no one could once for an article 1 had written on the era of graciousness. She also sends she did. Friends would come from far ly asked, “With dhansak and kababs. From the quiet gaslit streets, the clopp ­ ing of horse carriages, and gentle liv ­ ing, to. harsh electricity, speeding motor cars, polluted air and noise — she accepted it all. She was an extreme ­ ly staunch Parsi with a very strict upbr ­ inging, yet she took in her stride all the aspects of modern life. All our traditions were strictly prac ­ tised but never made a burden for the younger generation. I will never forget her first visit to my home after my mar ­ riage. I had a dinner party in Poona. My cook bought roosters (forbidden eating for Parsis as it hails the dawn). I did not know what to do as Koregaon Park was far away from the bazaar and in those days the cook had to cycle there early in the morning to buy everything. There were no broilers in those days. She came into the kitchen and advised the cook to cut the roos^rs before they croaked! On another occasion, when my neice decided to marry out of the communi ­ ty, I promised my sister-in-law to break the news to her. At dinner that night when there was a lull in the conversa ­ tion I said, “Honey is going to marry Ravi.” There was dead silence on the table. Then she said, “Parsi na chokra ne kevo ke nak kapi ne tokree ma . nakhe.” (Tell Parsi boys ’ to cut off their noses and throw them in the waste-paper basket). Even when my daughter decided to marry out of the community she had no objection and telegraphed her blessings to them. She gave her consent freely* as she realized that the happiness of her loved ones was more important than old- fashioned conventions. It was strange living in an era which had this wonderful combination of east This was an era with a wonderful com ­ bination of east and west. pumpkin cooked with meat), and methianoo achar (a special mango pickle with a strong flavour of- fenugreek)? ” I could not make her understand that to have two meal dishes at one meal was more than enough in this day and age. We had a delightful Goan cook call ­ ed John. His speciality was pickled cold hump. Saturdays were always rac ­ ing days in the winter and usually there would be juicy crumbed oysters with fried bacon, tabasco sauce and thin rolls of brown bread and butter as ac­ companiments followed by the family ’s favourite chicken curry and rice. Sunday lunches were always at my paternal grandparents ’ home where my aunts would cook the most superlative papeta ma marghee. No other Parsi house has cooked that dish as it was rnade then. I consider it one of the best ways of serving chicken and my first demonstration at the Cordon Bleu was of this chicken dish. John used to make a soup for us children. It was always the same. We - never tired of it. It was called ‘Goucho ’ soup by my elder brother. It was cook ­ ed with pieces of muttoh, a bit of ginger, potatoes, carrots, a few black peppercorns, a few French beans and a bit of celery. My brother had seen a picture called ‘Goucho ’. The meat pieces were ‘Goucho ’ and the rest was the ‘enemy ’. The vegetables were eaten first and only when the enemy was destroyed, was the meat consumed. The family ’s badam pastani curry is beyond an honest man ’s pocket today, especially with the prices as they are. The best French fried potatoes were made by John under my father ’s in ­ structions. Those were the days of Goan and Magh cooks when every meal was like poetry ... /’ ¦I 43 Parsiana August 1983 I'afe-* ¦ ? BAD AM PASTANI CURRY ghee and fry onions till a golden the water evaporates in the pan, then This curry was made on very special brown, remove from ghee and keep add the water from the lid. Continue to occasions. aside. Fry the masala ball well in the do this until the chicken is half done. Ingredients same ghee and drain the ghee which then add the potatoes and the remain- 2 large ‘churbidar ’ chickens, jointed should be red in colour, into another ing green chillies, slit, with about *4 and parboiled with a sliced onion, 1" bowl. Now break the ball of masala, cup water and salt to taste. Cover, with piece of ginger, a few black pepper- add fried onions, coconut milk, salt water on the lid and finish cooking, un ­ coms, 1 bay leaf and a little salt. Milk of and fish. Simmer till the fish is just til the chicken and potatoes are done, one large coconut (about 3 cups), 30 done. Remove from fire. Beat the egg The gravy in the dish should be thick gm tamarind soaked in 1 cup of hot yolks and whites separately. The whites and not watery. Serve with soft ghaune water, 2 large finely sliced onions, 5-6 must be stiff. Mix them together and rotli or chokha ne rotli. large potatoes, 40 gm ghee. add to vinegar. Fold into sas without Masalo (finely ground) breaking the fish. Pour into an oven- GOUCHO SOUP 14 kg blanched almonds, 100 gm proof dish, pour the red ghee over the This is a nourishing soup and one can pistachio, 2 tablespoons peeled roasted sas and bake in a medium oven for make a meal of it. gram, 2 tablespoons each of coriander about 10-15 minutes. When ready gar- Ingredients seeds and poppy seeds, ’4 tablespoon nish with coriander leaves. Serves four. cumin seeds, 6-10 Goa chillies, 1 whole Note large garlic. 1’4" piece ginger, 1 finely If desired one need not bake this sas black peppercorns, 2 large potatoes, grated coconut, 1 large onion, dry but thicken it over the fire carefully, cubed, 2 medium sized carrots, cubed, roasted, then peeled and chopped, making sure it does not curdle. You 1 large onion, chopped, 50 gm french freshly pounded ’/z" cinnamon piece, can make it more decorative by keep- beans, sliced finely, 50 gm shelled 4-6 cloves, and 5-6 peeled cardamoms; ing some of the beaten eggs aside green peas, 1 stick celery, chopped. 1 teaspoon turmeric powder. before mixing it with vinegar. Method Method spreading it over the top of the dish. Always wash meat before it is cut, so as Keep the broth from the boiled sprinkling the ghee and then baking it. not to lose the protein-filled fluid when chicken. Heat ghee, add sliced onions cut. This fluid must be added to the and brown well on a medium fire. (A PAPETA MA MURGEE dish. Cut meat, place in a pan, add slic- fast fire will cause the onions to remain Ingredients ed ginger and black peppercorns, leathery). Add 2 tablespoons of hot 1 kg chicken (preferably a country Cover with 5 cups of water, put on the water and cook till the water has dried chicken), 7 cloves garlic, I’/z" piece fire and bring to the boil. Skim and and the onions are a mash. Add the ginger, 4 large peeled potatoes cut into then simmer, skimming all the time, ground masalo and fry well, but not half lengthwise, 6 green chillies, 1 teas- When the meat is ’4 done add all the for too long; (the ghee should bubble poon turmeric powder, salt, 2 tables- vegetables. Cook till the vegetables are up from the masalo). Now add the poons ghee. just done and the meat is tender, peeled and quartered potatoes and Method Remove the bones and serve the soup after about 5 minutes add the chicken. Joint the chicken. Grind ginger, garlic with all the vegetables and meat. broth, coconut milk and salt to taste, and 2 green chillies together. Mix the Simmer on a low fire till the chicken ground masalo and turmeric then rub it WILLINGDON CHICKEN and the potatoes are done. Add the on the chicken. Heat ghee in a large Ingredients tamarind water, strained. Simmer for shallow pan and add the chicken. Saute 1 chicken, boiled with 1 onion, 1 stalk about 5 minutes and remove from fire, for 3-5 minutes. Add about ’/z cup of celery, 1" piece of ginger, 1 small Serve with rice (jeera sal rice is the best water and simmer, covered with lid. stick of cinnamon, 2 cloves, 2 car- with this curry), and plain papads Pour a little water on the lid, cook till damoms, and a pinch of salt. 6 slices fried. Serves eight to ten. Note If you sodk the chillies for about half an hour in hot water they will be easier to grind. */2 kg mutton (neck) cut into pieces with the bones, 1" piece ginger, 4-6 "J BHOOJELO MACHI NO SAS Ingredients 2 pomfrets, filleted or sliced with bone, 2 tablespoons ghee, 2 large finely minc ­ ed onions, Vi cup thick coconut milk, 4 eggs, separated, ‘/z cup vinegar, salt. Masalo 4 Goa chillies, I'/i teaspoons cumin seeds, 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, 6 cloves garlic. Method The masalo must be finely ground, not too wet and firm enough to roll into a ball and fry without breaking. Heat Gifts& The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive gifts and Zoroastrian artefacts Bombay Swadeshi Stores Ltd Sir P.M. Road, Bombay 400 001 Tel: 253443 & 252730 * 45 Parsiana August 1983VISIT INDIA WITH LALAS KASHMIR with a visit to AGRA, DELHI, SRINAGAR, PAHALGAM, GULMARG, and SONMARG 10 September; 9 October 3 November Rs. 2,175/- KASHMIR FOR WINTER SPORTS including use of skis, ski lifts and instruction for ten days in winter sports at Gulmarg.2 January 1984 Rs. 3,650/- SRI LANKA with a visit to MADRAS, RAMESHWARAM, COLOMBO, KANDY, NUWARA ELIYA, HIKKADUWA and BENTOTA 6 October Rs. 2,250/- SOUTH INDIA with a visit to 10 interesting places 28 October Rs. 2,195/- NEPAL with a visit to PATNA and KATHMANDU 1 November Rs. 2,180/- DARJEELING with a visit to CALCUTTA 4 November Rs. 1, 825/- bacon, fried, 3 tablespoons butter, 14 cup flour, 2 cups flavoured milk, 1 cup chicken stock from boiled chicken, 2 eggs, 3 tablespoons grated cheese, 1 cup sliced mushrooms. Method Remove boiled chicken from stock. Strain stock and keep 1 cup aside. Slice the breast of chicken lengthways, and rearrange with slices of bacon between the chicken slices. Secure with toothpicks. In a pan large enough to make the sauce, melt butter, add flour, mix well and remove from fire. Then gradually add strained flavoured hot milk, mixing well all the time. When no lumps remain, add the stock. Don ’t panic if there are lumps — strain the lot and press down with a wooden spoon. Bring the mixture to the boil, stirring all the time. Remove from fire and add grated cheese, leaving one tablespoon aside. Beat the eggs and gradually add to the sauce. The sauce must be thick. Add mushrooms and mix well, then add salt, pepper and a pinch of mustard. Place chicken on an ovenproof platter, spoon the sauce over it, completely covering the chicken, sprinkle with rest of cheese and bake in a medium oven till nicely browned. Remove the toothpicks, serve and carve on the table. Serve with roast potatoes and buttered garden vegetables. Serves four. r SIMLA-MANALI with a visit to KULU, CHANDIGARH and BHAKRA- NANGAL 29 October Rs. 2,185/- NAINITAL with a visit to DELHI and BHIMTAL 3 November Rs. 1,425/- RAJASTHAN with a visit to JAIPUR, UDAIPUR, AJMER, JODHPUR and MOUNT ABU 18 December Rs. 1,225/- GOA with a visit to PANAJI, MARGAON, MARMAGOA, CALANGUTE and OLD GOA 19. 25 December Rs. 575/. H.K. Lala & Co. Bansilal Villa, Sobhani Raod. Colaba. Bombay 400 005. Tel: 211925-215094 Gram: EDTOURS, Bombay. Office Hours:- Mon-Fri:-10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Sac-10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. rD i Ktl II f a aww "8 MANGO CHUTNEY Ingredients 50 large half-ripe mangoes, 500 gm ginger — peeled and finely sliced, 6‘/i kg sugar, 6 tablespoons chilli powder, 400 gm sultanas, 1 Vz tablespoons salt, 3-3 Vz pints vinegar (preferably gam no surko or malt vinegar), 300 gm garlic ground in a little vinegar. Method Peel and grate mangoes. Mix with salt and cook with 2Vz pints of vinegar in a large pan on a slow fire. When mangoes are completely soft add sugar, chilli powder, ginger and garlic. Cook slowly, stirring constantly, till the mixture thickens a little. Remove from fire and add the sultanas washed in a little vinegar. Cook for about 15 minutes more. Cool and store. Note If desired add thin needle shreds of orange peel (fresh). Add more vinegar if needed at the end by tasting it and cook to the consistency of jam. This chutney will thicken when cold. It is suggested that it should be allowed to mature for a month before use. Forever pleasant forever yours There's everything. Simply everything from a friendly welcome to a personalised service. You'll find all the comforts and luxuries of a 5 star hotel at 3 star cost, amidst the right atmosphere of grandeur. The rooms are air conditioned and equipped with telephones, 4 channel T.V. and piped music. We also provide rooms to accommodate 25 to 250 persons for seminars, meetings and receptions. Our restaurant offers you a wide choice of muglai, Chinese and continental dishes and our bar the finest choice to stimulate your appetite and mood. Come any time. You'll love being nere. We'll make you smile in everything we do. Grand Hotel Ballard Estate, Bombay-400 038. Phone: 268211 in I a •i era. Such or convenience, traumatize a future devoted people would scarcely wish to generation of youngsters by introduc- insist upon any ritual and communal ing a kind of second-class Zoroastrian; initiation which may result in the divi- .W I /I a y Ji 1 'fl ¦< 1= $ nt I P y Beware, lest the future generation of Zoroastrians j castigates the present one " for bungling such a major issue. part in all the major religious rites or to Or are we going to witness a prolifera enjoy the privileges of being tion of eclectic quasi-Zoroastrian cults Zoroastrian in another area of the and associations of a dubious nature in world. For instance, such a convert North America? would be unable to enter our sacred places, or to witness the high inner Zoroastrians born again rituals of the Zoroastrian faith in the Furthermore, I believe, for conversion very countries which have, for cen ­ turies, been the bastion of the religion. They would also be barred from * •JR I 1 ¦5 1 to be effective, there must exist the necessary infrastructure by way of . . . ... teachers, books, priests, places of wor- the quality of its adherents in any way. ccoming priests as would their descen- ship, community centres and other an- Common sense and prudent business Will not this inevitable ciliary facilities to cope with such a I pro- change. If currently these facilities do _ J J not exist, then what additional benefits -—.a zoroastrian in one place, but are we giving the adult-or child to in sound order. I do not believe that stigmatized as a second-class neo- become a non-ethnic Zoroastrian [ our house —as a religious com- Zoroastrian in another? within the North American context? It r munity- —here or elsewhere in the would seem that the act of conversion world, is in order, and hence I would Renegade Priests is a hollow, meaningless exercise, urge you to exercise caution in opting Sadly, renegade priests have exacer- perpetuated by non-conformist priests so for the radical change as advocated bated this situation by performing the upon confused members of a gullible by the partisans of conversion. sacred navjote ceremony for non- laity. Surely the need of the hour is for Iranian children and adults. By taking those already born into the fold to the law into their own hands and by become, as it were, “born again ” breaking millennia of tradition, they do Zoroastrians through the study and not seem to realize, or in some cases practise of our traditions, than for the [‘ practice would indicate that a pro- ’ [ gramme of expansion should be under- anomaly of one being considered a , ___________________ _ [ taken only when one ’s own business is in one place, but are we giving the adult-or child to L Second-class neo-Zoroastrians Inter-marriage appears to be another c Parsiana August 1983 > I ^2 Zoroastrian in another?I ¦»v -r- doors to be opened to “selective accep- education, community benevolent funds, endowed chairs at recognized Historically, our religion appears to institutions of higher learning, scholar- ? have been strongly and exclusively ships for needy students, and organiz- linked to the cultural milieu of those ed support for those active in com- closely connected to pre-Islamic Iran, munity life. Above all, I believe that it Perhaps because the living practices of is vital to encourage and fund a new the religion as experienced through the cadre of scholars, both Zoroastrian inner and outer rituals may not be and those outside the faith but sym- assimilable or congenial to those whose pathetic to it, so that those trained ex ­ heritage lies outside the complex perts may help to seek within the framework of a pre-Islamic Iranian sources of tradition, solutions pertain- \ cultural and spiritual tradition. I think ing to the specific needs of this deserves careful pondering as it Zoroastrianism in North America. By seems to be more than a mere coin- the grace of Ahura Mazda, the finan- cidence of history. Historical evidence cial resources are there for this dream in support of conversion seems slender to be realized; however, the will to give : at the best of times and therefore a very and make the due sacrifice is lacking i shaky historical ----- ----------- * ~ - r Documentation on conversion is . sparse, and yet exception is used by some to prove the rule. I strongly believe that for conversion _______ __ ___ _ wvuvw vnangc to be substantial, psychological and are not implemented first. In other M 1 »«« « A A _______•*'«. .. I the faith. The oral be done before the North American community can make an informed , — ----- J an “aye ” on conversion as things stand, may not be the best answer to the hur- to be realized; however, the will to give on the part of Zoroastrians today. Change for the sake of change strikes me as being meaningless and indeed harmful, if the more important pro ­ grammes to sustain the desired change [ must be provided to words, a lot"more homework needs to J tradition helps those who have an Ira- c______ ................... : man ethnic background to follow some decision on this issue; and hence of the basic principles of the faith. What essential facilities can we offer _ ________ ____,,^1- r potential neo-Zoroastrians in North riedly formulated Montreal mandate . America with no cultural or historical connection in the traditions of the faith? Beware, lest the future genera ­ tion of Zoroastriahs castigates the pre ­ sent one for bungling such a major issue yby succumbing to the blan ­ dishments of a minority who demand ill-founded and untimely change. case emerges, conversion SELVEL FOR EFFECTIVE OUTDOOR ADVERTISING T hroughout INDIA R I !.l i The '"number game" of a dying race... should not be the major criterion upon which the issue of conversion should be decided. With Best Compliments from: 11 Salvation by scholars If some Zoroastrians in North America wish to go their own isolated way by h being religiously independent from the Nevertheless, in Montreal one very im- majority who live in India and Iran r —-- - • . < . . - **4*XX, WdO IliaUCj WlllVli then I think very important changes was for a team of experts to examine • to be implemented into the and then prepare a well-researched religious fabric of this community. A report on the pros and cons of conver- strongly supported and democratically sion. Some money was also collected federated leadership of for this purpose with a view that the in ' time for the next Congress. I strongly S T h f'r'-' “ believe that a professional Study shoSd Orn^*r tn oitiriA and __ « , -c encouraged and undertaken. Till then, I think that we should remain united as one world body and address necessary in- spearheading a "zoroartriar7***re- ----- - awakening within ourselves, so that set- know, through personal experience wor- founded on knowledge, the portant suggestion was made, which SELVEL PUBLICITY & CONSULTANTS PVT LTD. Ravindra Mansion Annexe, 194, Dinshaw Vatcha Road, 4th Floor, Bombay-400 020. Tel Nos: 240512, 240560 I '1 ’fl ..IJ r , . VVIUI a view lllUl IH d elders professionals, priests findings would be made available i and experts in the fields of religion and t' - - order to guide and direct the religious be and socio-economic activities and in- stitutions of the Zoroastrian com- munity here. This leadership should our thoughts and efforts towards work to develop the necessary in- spearheading a Zoroastrian frast^cture of a Zoroastrian com- wkl.;.. vuiscivcs, su mat munity, with all the various institutions those already born into the fold mav ¦I f ¦* 5 t that other older Zoroastrian dements have enjoyed: houses of__ ship, priestly and lay academics, for- inulated programmes of religious founded on knowledge, the subtleties of the “good religion ” as practised by our illustrious forefathers. 1 S*- 558 Parsiana August 1983 fr r. f ’W' kfA ’ J* T -> t DO THEY HAVE A PLACE? | 'h'-oueh history, ever sinee the holy prophet refined and purified Maz­ dayasni worship as monotheistic precept, we have ac- Zoroastnan Society of Ontario arrang- by restricting if the mother i, ed for members of the community to Zoroastrian and the father ic r participate in a symposium at the Zoroastrian Darbe Meher on May 1, 1983, to * The discuss the question raised at the Fourth North American Zoroastrian Congress, namely, ‘Non-Zoroastrians in Zoroastrian Precepts: Do they have a place? The following members of the com­ munity, representing a wide cross ­ section and divergent viewpoints. - IS a is non ­ a distinct ceremony is not a cepted in our religion non-Zoroastrians „ I conquest, missionary preachers, social and economic incen ­ tives, proclamations, marriages and sometimes by force or favour or . -- rewards and punishments. * Zoroastrians in Iran have been accep- We should consider the question of ting converts for several centuries. * Some of us who have not yet emo ­ tionally adjusted to the changed en ­ vironment of life in North America, are experiencing grief at having had to terms of our identities as Parsees rather leave our lands of birth. Under these . circumstances, we want to cling on to to conversion but an acceptance of one through into the Zoroastrian faith. * Rituals are important in understan ­ ding and practising the Zoroastrian religion, but is ritual not subsidiary to j , ? T” L----- J X,-— -..-.O'-*- ,.vytxK.,..xvo, acceptance in the context of North iOrmed the panel: Homi Homji, Yezdi America only. Antia, Neville Austin, Bapai Batliwala, v******^ woxxv*^***. VI VXAV Jaloo Cooper, Jamshed Mawalwalla, world, should we still be thinking in Putli Mirza, Gustad Panthaki and 1 ..................... y . J • . than as Zoroastrians? Unfortunately, vncumsiaiivcs, we warn lo ciing on The symposium commenced with an if we continue in North America to the traditional, and do not want ¦ mvocation by Yezdi Antia. Minoo preserve our identities as Parsees, wc I Treasurywala, acting as the moderator, will hinder the progress of assimilating j invited each member of the panel to with Zoroastrians from Iran. I., give an expose on the subject. The context of living in Canada, we should * Coming from different parts of the we It * I’ recognize and accept change. Issues regarding acceptance of non ­ In the Zoroastrians into the faith do not exist I to the magnitude as made out by some. * following briefly summarizes the salient think in terms of our identities as There xMiivwuie uiiciiy suiiuiidiizcs Uic saiieni minx m terms ot our identities as There are no line-imc of nnn features put forth by the members. Zoroastrians. To us, and to our Zoroastrians waiting to be converted. The currently prevailing practice of children born and growing in North * Life is based on which is Order not accepting non-Zoroastrians into America, being Parsees will be less the faith is a social, and not a religious, i barrier. _ One ¦ should differentiate between therefore, be viewed in II is -------- —---- — on the physical level, and Truth on the meaningful than being Zoroastrians. psychological level and the manifesta- * r. U IJ j-rr question of acceptance should, tion of these two is Righteousness on One should differentiate between therefore, be viewed in terms of the spiritual level. To maintain As/io - conversion and acceptance: conversion Zoroastrians and not as Parsees. th^re are rules and regulations. If we i some * When we call ourselves ‘Parsees ’ we. deviate from Asha, there are conse ­ quences. Face your conscience honestly —honesty being the keyword. hJ L. lil has a connotation that implies force to change one ’s religious beliefs; acceptance of a faith suggests a volun ­ tary action on the part of an informed individual. Zoroastrians should con- Zarttioshti religion. The confusion Children of non-Zoroastrian mothers Sider acceptance of the faith by others r-^ — - ; fl fl ,. _ fl....„ _z—„.vx:„xx .„u.vx. uav. p.„uxciu . it It IS voluntary and sincere on the part compatible and co-terminus. They are but no statistics are available as to how of an individual and not coercion into not so. /" conversion. Should we be concerned about our dwindling numbers? Should we not be more concerned with quality, or should the knowledge, extent and fame of the . . .. C___________„ * In the present context of sociological worshipping religion —---- —.1— -Jac- When we call ourselves ‘Parsees ’ we, in fact, imply a social structure. When we call ourselves ‘Zoroastrians ’ we in ­ dicate a following of the Mazdayasni and decide the issue. Zarthoshti religion. The confusion Children of non-Zoroastrian mothers arises when we view these two terms as and Zoroastrian fathers have no problem iH * not Zoroastrians but all Zoroastrians are not Parsees, e.g. Iranian Zoroastrians. In our daily prayers we recite ‘‘May I' !&• . Partees in ay be many non-Zoroastrian fathers are going u... „ii r7 to permit their children to grow up in the mother ’s Zoroastrian faith. * Getting someone initiated into the faith means taking moral and spiritual respon- Commandments of the excellent Mazda sibility for that person. We need to - - - - ever increase over develop a religious infrastructure by pro- the world, over all its seven regions, ” , =->• ... . * we be concerned about both, equally. ! *r ¦ . _________ me world over all its seven regions, ” viding a new type of priesthood, house t and also this knowledge vouchsafe of worship, places of learning, etc to a Zoroastnan father and a non- unto me that I may spread thy faith." make conversion meaningful ’ i The currently prevailing practice of not accepting i non-Zoroastrians into the faith Is a social and not a religious barrier. Change is inevitable — historically we have changed our traditions to suit the environment and . sociological changes. 69 Parsiana August 1983 fl '¦ J J- 1 i I bis* ‘>'-07’^/ ( * Let us set our priorities strait flhf Ahura awaken and enlighten Zoroastrians who have are asleep; expose the younger genera ­ te* ........................ 2 and all facets of our religion through educational plans, provide facilities for 1^^ I no^nthnritl^’^/^* * Changing a tradition estabUshed over ie ? Withhold It from 1,300 years and more should be so done tion ,0 the daily Zoroastrton 1,^^; by'the Ann sill T€if***fc __ xi_ • j. viz * ly endeavour to do this, we will all be in the midst of a marvellous miracle —our youngsters will marry within the com­ munity and the march to Frasha Kereti will be a very pleasant one. * Historically, changes in our traditional rituals and practices have been made from dynasty to dynasty in Iran. * Our children inherit the background of die parental beliefs. Let us face up to the should not be relying on translations by issue —our children in this day and age, odiers but should know Avesta and sociological environment in Pahlavi languages of our scriptures and wnicn they grow, will exercise their translate them personally. rr«kAz1zx«*M ________ ____X _ /» .1 r < ¦ **^**** 4 f «/\/V YwCa and Uve that the We are human beings first and ¦I members, wherever they may be, do not feel that their wishes have b^n ignored, v * Change should be brought about by persons of different viewpoints, ap­ preciating the others ’ concerns. ? Change should perhaps be brought about in leases: acceptance of non-Zoroastrians, subject to a general consensus, need not be a one-time, irrevocable, decision; the first stage may be the acceptance of a child of a Zoroastrian mother and a non-Zoroastrian, father if both parents so desire; the second stage may be that children adopted by Zoroastrians be ac­ cepted into the faith; the third stage may be acceptance of adult non-Zoroast rians who qualify by tjieir study, understan ­ ding and practice of the religious __ , ___men ____________mvm i.wi teachings. freedom and marry out of threo^uZ T^^^a^d re^ondS^to the questions 1®^. numbers should not be tv If hrttti ftia _/•the criteria to decide this issue but upppn. ------ — ,—uiic w* uic uuuuiiunny memoers and the con- , ^“w;*** w ucuiuc uus issue out accep- non-Zoroastrian) that the child be sensus of the members could he worthy individual who •“ **---------...... . _ really understands and follows our religion should be considered. ? * Persons who quote from our scriptures Should we still be thinking In terms of our identities as Parsees rather than as Zoroastrians? ;S' hi ty. If both the parents agree (where one of the community members and the — IS a r'' “ ------ - ¦ ' ¦*_ . . - - brought up in the Zoroastrian faith, the presented as follows: immunity should accept and welcome • Change is inevitable —historically we changed our traditions to suit the me Zoroastnan religion was given by environment and sociological changes. Reprinted from the Z.S.O. (Zoroastrian Society of Ontario) newsletter, June 1983. ¦J ‘I 1 4 % .* RETIRE.nND IJi^T WORKS harder for you. j Grindlays services just for you: Prompt, comprehensive I replies to co««spondeoce/ queries 1 61 Parsiana August 1983 Efficient, ' personsJis^ service I TUB** 1 Regular payments *' J- ' " * _____I______ n of fixed amounts, 9-g., insurance premia, membership subscriptions, recurring deposits, etc.,against your standing instructions Investtnenc counselling 'h •>: 6 H on savif^ plans, saf custocfy facilities for docunMMits, shares and ocher valuables GrinJhyt—P>ofc«Moaab in hnaking Grindays -SjBankpiI i 9 i X I J lk.MternMita.bMSk I’iJ IS. .c k. V a I h ¦B 1 >d Conversion Condemned J At a meeting called in Bombay on June which we stand, ” said Kaikhushroo N. issue. witnessed the meeting of • 10 to “express and record the protest Dastoor a member of the COVP and the Federation, ” said Mistry. pt of religious Parsis against... suicidal president of the meet. This stand was “Speeches were made, dhansak was activities ” (airrently (x:curring in the repeatedly emphasized by the other eaten, various problems were discuss- commumty, the navjote of Joseph COVP speakers, Faribourz Nariman, ed, but mind you, not one word was Peterson was strongly condemned. Adi F. Doctor,-B.K. Mistry, and said about the navjote of Joseph Peter- Protests were also lodged against --------------------------------------------------- son —not one word. ” Referring to the resolutions against conversion, passM at intervals since 1905, and to the pro ­ test messages issued since the Peterson navjote ignited the conversion con ­ troversy, Dastoor said, “This meeting reiterates and confirms all the aforesaid resolutions... and whole ­ heartedly supports the views recently Cyrus Bharucha ’s film ‘The Quest for L rfxl_____ _ ___ ____________•____ a. At___ ___________a.1___ I if you put a sudreh and kusti on the lampposts outside will they become Zarthostis? Zarathustra ’, against the practice of inter-marriage and against those organizations and individuals who sup- ; port the conversion issue either directly pr tacitly. . These suicidal activities will lead to a genetic mix-up and ultimately to the ______ _____________ ___________ extinction of the community, warned Curset Patel who introduced the reiterated by*^ the three dasturjis, ’’ the leaflet issued at the meet, which speakers. , was organized by the orthodox Council Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa, Hormazdyar The BPP trustees were censured for Mirza and Firoze Kotwal (reprinted in their failure to comment on the nav- this issue of Parsiana). * _ ’ _ ’ ' ’ . • “Only he who is a Zoroastrian by f tee. This report on the meeting, held at the BPP’s resolution that they viewed religion and a Parsi by birth may have the Cama Athoman Institute, is based the navjote “with disfavour. ” The re- -—----------------------—-------------- - ; (Ml a recording of the proceedings. cent meeting of the Federation of Parsi Above: From left to right Mistry, • “The Zoroastrian religion does not Zoroastrian Anjumans of India was Patel (standing), Dastoor, Nariman •"> preach conversion, this is the claim on criticized for bypassing the conversion and Doctor. of Vigilant Parsis, the Dini Avaz Com- i. mittee and the Dadar Jashan Commit- jote, the meeting being held prior to cent meeting of the Federation of Parsi Above: From left to right Mistry, Ibta Parsiana Auaust JfifP} ¦ i- 1* r his navjote perfoiroed, ’’ read the munity only to suit their message of Firoze Kotwal, high priest -------- • of the Wadiaji Atash-Behram. “An athoman who performs any navjote of a non-Parsi is taking upon himself a serious responsibility... Peterson ’s so- called navjote is a grave threat to the Zoroastrian religion and community U and we declare it null and void. ” If you put a sudreh and kusti on the lampposts outside will they become ¦ Zarthostis, asked Adi Doctor sar- casti^ly. He pointed out that Peter- r son is an adult of 27 years while the Vandidad, he says, disallows the nav- jote of a youth above 15 years. When . the priests prayed the Tan Dorosti, he questioned, did they pronounce the words "Behdin Peterson rag, or I behdin Joseph rag, ’ ’ and should Peter ­ son want the burial rites performed A f it' h 4 I ? i f I i £ t The film 'Quest for Zarathustra' leaves the p door open for back-door J conversions because they “will not give up the idea of I freedom of choice." ' own conve ­ niences, he stated, criticizing several people of standing in the co mmunit y who he claimed had made public statements supporting the navjote as well as those who have published these statements. _ -“The idea of conversion, ” said Mistry, the only person who addressed the gathering in English, “was ex­ ported from India to America by our intellectuals. These people raised the bogey of diminishing numbers, ” and encouraged the practice of inter ­ marriage, a practice that came under heavy fire at the meet. “Whoever heard of the minority becoming bigger by merging with the majority? ” he ask­ ed. “There will be American Zoroastrians, Muslim Zoroastrians, Hindu Zoroastrians, Christian Zoroastrians, but the Parsi Zoroastrians will fade away, and we’ll have to find a new name for the com ­ munity. ” Recounting an incident when he wat ­ ched a young Christian making the sign of the cross outside the Dadysett Agiary at Fountain, Bombay, Mistry reported the young man as saying, “I’ve got more from your fire temple than I’ve got from my church... t f , would they recite the words, "Nam because you people do not convert, ^thi jinde ravan, behdin Joseph, your reli^on is pure and powerful. Our behdin Peterson." Much laughter religion is being sold and commer- followed a rejoinder, "jooddin cialized. ” “If the moneybags in . ' ’ America had half the sense this young ' “You cannot change the divine com- man had, this meeting would not have position of a person by performing his been necessary at all, ' navjote. .. You cannot change his entire Mistry. / spiritual composition, neither have you -1’ ¦•s • ' k Joseph, jooddinPeterson.'^ commented Cyrus Bharucha ’s film ‘The Quest truth be the same in each religion, defence of the navjote, he says it has r h k; Ae right to do so, ’’ said Dastoor, for for Zarathustra ’ was repeatedly termed VZoroastrianism preaches that each in- “the villain of the piece,” and Mistry 1 dividual needs his own religion for his clarified the COVP’s stand against the spiritual progress, though the ultimate film saying, “If you read Antia ’s truth be the same in each religion, defence of the navjote, he says it has \ Peterson, he said, should have been been done through free will and persuaded that Christianity was the freedom of choice and that is why faith best for him. Instead, “the Chris- CO VP and all of us are against the . tian harms his soul, Zoroastrianism is ‘Quest for Zarathustra ’. The film, harmed, Kersi Antia ’s soul is harmed which “leaves the door open for back- ¦ and our existence is harmed, ” said door conversions because they will not ' Dastoor speaking in Gujarati. give up the idea of freedom of choice, ” “The fascination of western culture will wreck havoc and lead to countless and the anti-orthodox teachings of mixed marriages if shown to the cftriests who claimed themselves to be younger generation. Warning that the events taking place ^'reasons for the anti-traditional stance in the community currently will lead to some Zoroastrians, notes a press its ultimate extinction, Dastoor said, '{^report. “Scholars in the past who ad- “Ask yourselves, when you talk about located conversion, I can state with freedom of choice, conversion and CHEMO^ILD Art Shop, Art Gallery Picture Framps — in the heart of Bombay's Art World 1st floor Jahangir Art Gallery Bombay 23. Tel. 244356 ’1'^ 's ¦I 1 "3 ’ W traditional ” were cited by Nariman as ¦ >¦.1* ecourage today, were bought over ” by mixed marriages, are you not heading r.^ople who used their fortunes to towards social suicide? ” i^ange certain customs in the. com- August 1983 ¦^4 Z : 4-/ ”'4 I ¦ - y, 1 HutoksM D. Do^mrS' 5 Conversion: A Myth Exploded It A? ’ I , iii Hormazdyar K. Mirza Kaikhusroo M. JamaspAsa Firoze M. Kotwal We have read with grave concern religion for the last six years! If it is so, represents ‘two parties ’—of good and reports appearing in a certain section where was-the necessity of the navjote bad. There is no word for ‘faith ’ or of the press regarding some irresponsi- ceremony? This clearly indicates that ‘religion ’ and no idea to convey ble members of our priestly class the farcical rite was only a flippant ‘conversion ’ or ‘proselytism ’, residing in North America having per- dramatic action on the part of Peter- formed the so-called navjote of a s . ’ . - 27-year-old American of Christian initiation and their advocates, faith, Joseph Peterson, on Saturday, March 5, 1983, at New York. Alleged ‘freedom of choice ’ The press reports do not say what The proponents of conversion claim Justice —that bliss shall be for the good happened to Peterson ’s baptism and that the Zoroastrian religion grants punishment for the wicked, as ex- subsequent confirmation to his ‘freedom of choice ’. In other words, plicitly stated in connection with ancestral religion, and it is not known they argue that anyone can be con- ranoibya ‘two fighters ’^ also in Yasna whether he renounced it before the verted to the Zoroastrian religion, and 51.9. This Divine Justice will ultimate- navjote. in support thereof they quote Yasna ly be administered to all mankind at The so-called navjote of Peterson is 30.2. It has been pointed out often that the time of Renovation. Zarathustra against the Zoroastrian religion, tradi- this is misunderstanding and mis- emphasizes this fact and wants to con- tion, and long-standing customs, man- construing the original Avestan text, vince ‘all living ones ’, not only the ners and practices. In their long and In connection therewith we recorded Zoroastrians, about the universal prin- chequered history, even during the our opinion in our write-up published ciple of Divine Justice. days of their empires, the Zoroastrians in the Jam-e-Jamshed of March 6, From the view-point of basic had never adopted a policy of conver- 1983, The Bombay Samachar of March religious belief and preaching, people ¦ sion or proselytism. A lot has been said 13, 1983, and the March issue of professing religions may.be divided in- and written from the Zoroastrian view- Parsiana. to two groups: those who preach that point against this ‘conversion ’. Further, the advocates of conversion man will be judged by God according ‘proselytism ’or as it is euphemistically quote another Gathic stanza, Yasna to the actions performed in this life; called ‘acceptance ’. 31.3, and argue that the Zoroastrian and those who preach that man will be In defence of this so-called navjote, religion favours conversion of ‘all liv- judged by God according to the it is claimed that Peterson is a scholar ing beings ’. This again is a wrong inter- of the Zoroastrian religion, but no pretation. The said stanza has been ex- In this stanza Zarathustra wants to son, the irresponsible performers at the convince his listeners about the ‘reward ’ ordained for the ‘two parties ’. In other words, to convince them about the principle of Divine in support thereof they quote Yasna ly be administered to all mankind at - Ji' J /s ^’1 J if • ¦¦ 1 J » ‘cronversion ’, religion professed in this world. The first group, to which the details have been given. This claim to plained already in detail (see H.K. Mir- Zoroastrian religion belongs, lays scholarship is a mockery of both za. Conversion Caucus, Bombay 1971, down the principle of Divine Justice: religion and scholarship and at the 6-10) and should be translated: good for good, bad for bad. On the most it is only a subterfuge. “Through the Spirit and through the contrary, the second group believes During the last two centuries many Fire, Thou hast ordained, and through that whatever a man does here in this great non-Zoroastrian scholars of In- Asha Thou hast promised, that reward life, he will go to heaven if he professed dia, Europe and America have studied for the two fighters (ranoibya)—that a certain religion. the Zoroastrian religion, its languages, (is) the ordinance for the wise ones Naturally and logically, the religions literature, history, customs and man- —that, O Mazda, teach us to learn of the first group cannot and do not ners, some have devoted their lives to through the tongue of Thy mouth, so preach and practise conversion. The the study of our sacred scriptures and that I may convince all living ones. ” very idea of conversion is contrary and have published and are publishing in- Avesta ranoibya in the dual number repugnant to the principle of Divine numerable books and articles on these ‘two fighters, rivals, competitors, ’ us- Justice. Hence, Zoroastrianism which subjects, but none of these erudite ed in this and other Gathic stanzas emphatically inculcates the principle of j , scholars of international fame have i ever thought of discarding his or her Mirza, JamaspAsa and Kotwal: “The navjote is an insult. ” ancestral religion and adopting the Zoroastrian faith. J 1 t ! ( A flippant dramatic action The so-called navjote is an insult, mockery and a cruel joke perpetrated against both the Zoroastrian and Christian rehgions. In defence of this < so-called navjote, it is argued that ‘a sudreh does not make a Zoroastrian ’, and it is also claimed that Peterson has been practising the Zoroastrian Parsiana August 1983 1 J '5 1 i • - V .Divine Justice, cannot logically preach Ancient Aryan fhza i/art. _ !_ r** conversion and the very idea is foreign to It. ® The propagandists of the religions of the second group preach that one go to heaven simply by adopting heritage 5 ¦ Varanasi 1958. 386). The ‘twice born ’ reli2H„' ”^“" Zoroastrian religion, the ancient Aryan religion i ' _ __t there nm d, u ’ '-‘•jau, ^especially) a can spiritual values of human life, and that whh Th "’tough investiture , acer- man is resnon.ihi. ,,,’“""‘nai with the r ------ indicates * __ and three classes. ‘a man of any one of the first (especially) a tain religion. ThJy'behe'vVJ^d preach Thus h fot Ws'acdoZ wSiamV&rtS' that only the followers of tha? par- D^vm’e l """‘"Pfi “f Moreover ticular religion would and rniiid f J^^f’ce explained above This is »ynzv« • Sanskrit word heaven, and those professing any othe? ft^titage of the ancient near,Sging. ta whkh'thT'S is'’’" rehgton shall have no place in heaven. ~-------------------------------------------- vested with the Tac^XmaS tdT ’ "'¦“‘’f’ un" -Conversion is preached three castes) and thus en' P^XS'Se^hX^conTe^ evidently for XXlWi ting a man of another religion they do ulterior motIveS. heart ’(ibid., 201). '' an act of great merit, and thereby they ---------------- - --------------- None of the Aryan words exnhinpd in heaven! ------------------- -------- ohv..,. 'tort ’s explained ----- - they become - ------ 1 go to any version. "I a man culture lays down that there t can preach and act of great merit, and thereby they 1 seciirp n Isoftzv.- „i___ _ I- < Conversion is preachecJ conX*! practised evidently for , ulterior motives. with the sacred thread dowed with second c. and qualified to learn the heart ’ (ibid., 201). None of the Aryan words Through this belief i;,.^ fanatic converters and would gc e.xtreme of believing that to kill r' ............... act of merit and r - f ter place in heaven! in such fanatic - ---------- • J- 'J? VApiuiIieU "-e mam princl- .V . -----Okie ’s religion, and tn^ an alien religion is perilous, (see a™ • ^ip'-res, Lon- The lit ISV “R Bhagvad-Gita, me 111.35). Better one ’s own duty (t/Aar- . . > perform)/though void of - ------ s/1 iiiiimiivn or a cnild (par to die^ well;/Better ticularly of a Brahman) to the religious dutv /'^P ? " ^0 one ’s own studies. The Sanskrit word t/v/ytz‘twice men ” of other born ’ i.s an epithet of the Aryans in wk f i, u general or of Brahmans in particular rh-a . shows tsc, y ,^2? , “"''"Sion ’ was unknown in In- '¦ "m- Pl- 11 was viewed with utmost pie, there can never be any idea of con- one should stick to The ancient Aryan words for ‘initia ­ tion had no idea of c; ancient times L mar,TX;?'TS Studentship ’, and it - — C? vv 1^,111 a IIIUII of an alien religion, or get killed, is an a way to secure a bet- tion ’ had no idea of - one ’s religion, and accepted so-called martyrdom by such nPA/lC __ _ _ deeds under - * aggressive religious beliefs "had become, in ancient times, a very fruit- . ful source and a very fertile ground for trouble, strife and human misery. any prete.xt. Hence such ctmversion for it don a life of ma) (to ? is the ceremony of initiation of a child (pa- Oorn IS an epithet of the Aryans in O T*% «««-, f « (see Macdonell, Vedic Index I, dia. ideas I can never be wrong , 265; The Bhagvad-Gita, ---’ perform)/though void or it was viewed with The Bank of India (,if| 9r ’a/* ( hequv. The present that's .ilwavs right. Be( duse if leaves the ( hoi( e to the ret ipient. Beautifullv designed, in duspi{ ions denominations of K" ll.Ks. 2-,.Ks. SI, Rs. 101. Bank ol India (lift ( hefjues are available at Its hranihes in all < files and towns and are ent ashable at anv nt its branches m India. / \ Bank of India Concept-BOl-7801 ‘ <‘rv tinw. VParsiana August 1983r disfavour. This is further supported by preached the riew^ revelation, but the in modern Indian discarded. Hence the religion preached by Zarathustra is termed ‘Mazdayasni Zarthoshti ’ and also ‘Ahuirian Zar ­ thoshti ’, and for the sake of brevity it .................... ......... .... is simply known as ‘Zoroastrian ’ Dhabhar,* Bombay 1932, 275) ‘a grave- religion. Every Zoroastrian —male or mentioned (but nothing has been declares during the kusti prayers, maz- ___ _ __ ’ ¦ - -> ahmi mazdayasno tion Fs posed whether"they can become zarathushtrish: “Mazdayasnian am I, Zoroastrians. From this it is argued Mazdayasnian Zoroastrian (am I).” that they were non-Zoroastrians. There This clearly indicates that the pre- is no reason to believe that they belong- Zoroastrian Mazdayasni religion was ed to an alien religion. About 300 to not completely abandoned. The above ly those settled in places away from the a child is born of Zoroastrian parents, and with the navjote ceremony it the words used for ‘to convert ’ and old Mazdayasni religion was not totally ‘conversion ’ languages. Persian Rivayats Misinterpreted In The Persian Rivayats (see B.N. digged,"^corpse-burner and a female, priest or layman —solemnly are i________ . stated about their religion), and a ques- day as no Zoroastrians. From this it is argued Mazdayasnian Zoroastrian (am I).” 1 ahmi source i ¦ • I is no reason to believe that they belong- Zoroastrian Mazdayasni religion was ed to an alien religion. About 300 to not completely abandoned. The above 400 years ago, some Parsis, particular- quoted article of faith shows that when ly those settled in places away from the a child is born of Zoroastrian parents, centres of Zoroastrianism, had it is a Mazdayasni (-designate) by birth, adopted non-Zoroastrian customs, and with the navjote ceremony it habits and practices. This is indicated becomes a Mazdayasni Zarthoshti. The from the same source (Persian said prayer therefore cannot be recited Rivayats. 108,160, 162), and also from by one bom of non-Zoroastrian parents, some suggestive Parsi surnames used even at present. In this context, the King Vishtasp was not converted term darvand does not mean a non- It is at times argued that King Vishtasp Zoroastrian; it implies a Zoroastrian was converted, but this shows gross ig- ¦ who has discarded Zoroastrian prac- norance of the situation as depicted in tices (see H.K. Mirza, Conversion the A ves/o. In the Avesto, Zarathustra Caucus, 13). In some cases the prays for a divine boon so that he may Zoroastrians in far-off places were cause King Vishtasp to follow “in ac- forced to adopt certain professions and cordance with the thought, in accor- to do certain work. Even at present dance with the word, in accordance there are Zoroastrians bearing the sur- with the deed of the religion. ” King name ghorkhodu, ‘grave-digger ’. The Vishtasp became the royal ‘friend ’ of ancestors of this family were forced by Zarathustra and “supporter and the Mohammedans to dig graves. In helper ” of the Zoroastrian religion. 1670, Ogilby writes about the The Turanian people, a branch of the Zoroastrians (apud R. B. Paymaster, Iranians, generally did not accept the Early history of the Parsees in India, Zoroastrian religion, but some of the Bombay 1954, 45): “In course of time, Turanian families, notably the Friyana I these settlers forgot their origin, their family, had accepted the Zoroastrian Moreover, the activities of Vishtasp Mazdayasni and Mazdayasni Zarthoshti In the Avesta, the first man is called gay a mare tan (later gayomard) ‘one having mortal life ’, the originator of With Compliments From H.M MEHTA &CO religion, and even their name. ” This religion. shows the general condition of at least Moreover, the activities of Vishtasp some Parsis, particularly those living in as noted in the A vesta are also an im- distant places in those ages. portant pointer in this matter. It is stated in the Avesta (Yt. 13.99-l(X)): ‘‘We revere the Fravashi of holy Vishtasp.... who sought freedom for Asha sideways and forward, who declared freedom for Asha sideways ... forward, who became arm and * the Iranian peoples. According to the support of this religion, which (is) Fravardin Yasht (13.87), Gaya Ahuirian, Zoroastrian, who brought Maretan was the first to hear the her (kef, the religion, which was) stag- Cotton Merchants { Fravardin Yasht (13.87), Gaya A/n/zrwzi, Zoroastrian, who brought thought and commandments of Ahura nant, bound, out from the Hunus; he Mazda. Hence the religion of pre- established her sitting in the centre, Zoroastrian Iranians is termed ‘Maz- highly organized, steady (not shaky), dayasni ’. Our revered prophet was a * - - ' " 7" . , . *. reformer as well as a revealer of God ’s (i-e., prosperity), beloved with Will: he reformed the Iranian society animal and fodder. ” and also brought the revelation: Ahunavar, Ashem, Yenghe Hatam and Zoroastrians never converted the Gathas. Zarathustra received and During the long and variegated history. Mazda. Hence the religion of pre- established her sitting in the (xntre. holy, contented with animal and fod- I animal and fodder. ” 7, )3B3V. • ¦ 'K ¦' r the Zoroastrians never adopted the then one cannot honestly preach and about 12 long centuries. It is tragic that policy of con vy SI on of non- practise conversion. On the other the present generation has forgotten Zoroastrians. The Achaeiuenian kings hand, if one believes that religion is these ghastly events that bur ancestors were well-known for their liberal man-made, that the birth of man is ac- passed through to keep the flame of religious policy. They ruled over cidental having no divine purpose, and Zoroastrianism burning. diverse peoples professing many that there are no spiritual values of religions, and to whom they granted human life and no principle of Divine A dangerous game full freedom to practise their respective Justice, then there is no spiritual need We are living in a free country, enjoy- religionS|^ Tlwy^ven afforded financial for a religion, and no question of con- ing freedom in all spheres of life. But —--------------------------------- ----------- forget that there are "Better to die within (the zoroastrians living in non-secular countries, ruled by religious heads under religious principles. If it is established that the Zoroastrians are a proselytizing community, then what would be the position of the Zoroastrians living there? Where there is conversion by any method —force, inducement, persuasion —trouble is certain to arise. From all practical viewpoints, conversion would prove to be a dangerous game and a disastrous play with fire for our small community. We therefore earnestly misery on mankind, hope that this puerile attempt and anti- . th. 3 practice the Zoroastrian action on the part of of Iran suffered very small band of dissidents will not practise^ conversion. On the other the present generation has forgotten „ __ ______ _______ 3 man-made, that the birth of man is ac- passed through to keep the flame of diverse peoples professing many that there are no spiritual values of full freedom to practise their respective Justice, then there is no spiritual need We are living in a free country, enjoy- help to build their places of worship. For this magnanimity they have secured an honourable place in the history of mankind. Similarly, during Sphere Of) One's OWfl duty the Parthian and Sasanian periods the followers of various religions were liv ­ ing peacefully in Iran, and practising their respective religions within their religious institutions. . 1 • J 1 .1 . u. ± w, IV/1 Vine leasuii ui As explained above the practice of the other, conversion is preached and conversion started with those peoples * who had the mistaken idea of securing a place in heaven through the interven- Tragic consequences tion of a prophet. The Zoroastrians As noted above, the practice of conver- have never had such an idea, neither in sion has brought strife, destruction, Iran nor in India. If one believes in a devastation and i revealed religion, that man is created On account of this i by God with a divine purpose, and that Zoroastrians * “ ________ ____ ______ _ there are spiritual values of human life unimaginable hardships, indignities, be tolerated, recognized and accepted {dharma}'. Perilous is the duty of other men." version arises. Yet, for one reason or practised evidently for ulterior motives. a f I I f I and the principle of Divine Justice, misery, persecutions and massacres for by our co-religionists. / Get good value for your money Visit Railway Hotel Charni Road, Grant Road, Junction Bombay 400 004. Beer Parlour * Permit Room p 73 Parsfana August J383 n 1 j ?c/A CHICAGO'S CONCERN k Lv k k- r (This letter was presented by Rohinton turned over all remunerations to chari- preservation of our lineage. M. Rivetna, President of the ty. They (as also all our other priests) Did not our forefathers, when they Zoroasirian Association of have spotless reputations and despite came to India, make some concessions Metropolitan Chicago (ZAC) at the differences of opinion, have always to their new homeland? Does not monthly general meeting of the ZAC stood firmly for what they believe to be everything in nature adapt and mould on April 10, 1983, and was spon- the teachings of Zarathustra. to its environs in order to survive, im- ¦ taneously signed by over 90 percent of the One of the questions at hand in- prove and grow in stature? The basic people present. Some additional volves the navjote ceremony of Joseph teachings of Zarathustra are universal signatures were obtained subseqently.) Peterson in New York on March 5, and. will remain relevant to all peoples , 1983. Dr Kersi Antia participated in for all time; they are immutable and ' To whom it may concern: this navjote. His decision was not a unchanging and transcend all bounds. Many of us from the Chicago area flippant publicity stunt, but a decision But, in matters of social import let us « were very disturbed to read a letter arrived at after deep thought, intense bend a little with the times. To take an written by one of our members, Sarosh deliberations and a careful review of absolute and unchanging position may Khambatta and published in the Jam-e- the circumstances surrounding Peter- be dangerous. Jamshed of March 14, 1983, condemn- son ’s request. It was based on a study The ZAC addressed this issue in ing Chicago priests for “violating our of religious literature on the subject 1977 with an Amendment to the Con- Zoroastrian laws ’’ and asking for their and his own inner convictions that this stitution of the ZAC by a Vi majority i excommunication. This letter is one of was the right path to follow. In an ef- vote. We quote two relevant ’ a number of personal attacks on the fort to keep the ZAC out of this con- paragraphs from Article XIV, Section ’ priests and their families by a handful troversy. Dr Antia first handed in his 5: “The Duties of an Association of Chicago \Zoroastrians. Needless to resignation which was however not ac- Priest shall be: vi) Perform Navjote say, this has caused intense suffering cepted by the Board of Directors. ceremony of children whose parents and anguish to the entire Chicago com- Ervad Neriosang Karanjia, on the are either both Zoroastrians by birth 1 munity. Much as we dislike to prolong other hand did not participate in any or one of whom is a Zoroastrian by bir- this debate, we think it is our duty as way; neither did he perform the nav- th. vii) Perform wedding ceremonies of • j concerned members of the community jote, nor was he present at the partners both of whom are Zoroastrian to write this letter to attempt to redress ceremony. The reference to Ervad by birth, or one of whom is a the ignominies suffered by our priests. Karanjia in Khambatta ’s letter has Zoroastrian by birth. ’’ Our Ass^iatmn looks to our priests been interpreted by many in Bombay Nobody can deny that the driving force behind our actions is the desire to ..-------------- ¦ preserve and perpetuate our faith and z_ To elevate necessarily made him and his family a to inculcate Zoroastrian values in our children. Whether we are orthodox or Another matter under criticism is the liberal, we are all striving towards that President of the ty. They (as also all our other priests) Association ¦w for leadership. One of the main objec- to imply that Ervad Karanjia also par- tives of the Constitution of the ZAC ticipated in the ceremony, and has un- (Article 1, Section 2) is: “To elevate necessarily made him and his family a the status of our Priests and to target of much abuse. establish them as leaders and ad- unuvx vnuviom !? mv nu^iai, wc aic an Miivmg luwaius uiai ministrators o|^ the community. ’’They performance of mixed marriages by common goal. Surrounded everywhere are the most valuable asset we possess; i . ‘ “ f____ ,____ 1______ _ ____ <• rather than criticizing them and stifling most to encourage our children to small pockets of Zoroastrians are sud- me UIC luusu viftiuauic asset wc pusbcbs; our priests. Of course, we Strive our ut- by strong Christian influences, the rather than criticizing them and stifling most to encourage our children to small pockets of Zoroastrians are sud- their enterprise at every step, it will marry within the faith; however the denly forced into the realization that , * ------- ------ c? —are their religious .'Studies and to continue of men and women are finding non- taken within our generation^ our se- Zoroastrian partners. Of over 15 mar- cond generation could easily be swept p me priests tn quesuon, nrvaa tur; riages in Chicago in recent years, in on- into the mainstream of Christian | ; Kersi Antia, hi^h priest of Chicago and ly two cases were both partners America. The outcry for “something K, -J „ ,, „ . * —x —i———j selflessly served for many years and are cannot conceive of the calamity that Fourth North American Zoroastrian revered and respected members of our would face us here in North America if Symposium in Montreal in 1982 is a given freely of their time and energies proach and accept these marriages. We porary North American ’Zoroastrians. We stand by the resolution made by the ZAC Board of Directors on s behove us to encourage them to pursue fact remains that an alarming number unless strong and positive steps their religious ^studies and to continue of men and women are finding non- taken within our generation, our se- to grow in stature and wisdom. 7 ‘ -- ____ _________ ______ _ v The priests question, JErvad (Dr) riages in Chicago in recent years, in on- into ” the ” maTnstr"eam ”of' Christian [; Ervad Neriosahg K. Karanjia have Zoroastrian. Our brethren in India to be done before It is too late ”at the k selflessly served for many years and are cannot conceive of the calamity that Fourth North American Zoroastrian j ~ revered and respected members of our would face us here in North America if Symposium in Montreal in 1982 is a [ community. They have, over the years we did not adopt a more tolerant ap- measure of the sentiments of contem- s whenever called upon to perform have no choice but to strive for the sur- 4 --— -------- —-r — *-------------- ‘ Y* w.i vino vuiiviiiviit, UIC Duaru oi uireciors on education. Moreover, they have always even if sadly at the expense of the February 13, 1983, recognizing and I ceremonies and to provide religious vival of our religion on this continent. Ji <4 J Unless strong and positive steps are taken within our generation, our second generation could easily be swept into the mainstream of Christian America . cL’ 1 1 J¦* ’'.4 • i t V 17’. '•R4-* 5 f - respecting both liberal and orthodox views on the Peterson navjote and maintaining that on a matter of such grave import that touched the inner ­ most convictions of the people, the ZAC could not take any official stand. The ZAC plans to further discuss the issue of cOnversion/acceptance at an Open Forum and forward all input to the Zoroastrian Association of Quebec (ZAQ). (At the 1982 Montreal Sym­ posium, the ZAQ was given the man ­ date to solicit views on this subject and to collate this Information). Each one of us has every right to ex ­ press his or her views. None of us is so wise and all-knowing that we can af­ ford to close the doors to other view- b- points. Discussions are healthy, they without making any changes, but refine solutions and open up new horizons, but when discussions ___ _ ¦ . ------------- O'—— vui iviigiuu IS vctscu uu cicniai principles, 1 degenerate into arguments and grandchildrens ’. Our children may fall it should be practised in any language k slanderous personal attacks ' t to draw the line. We deplore these ac- ’ tions and mpst vehemently implore i those responsible to desist immediate ­ ly. Such be^viour jeopardises the basic fabric of our society; the spiritual needs and more to our own. For exam- sion and the time for it is now. To leave and religious needs of the laity are pie, how would they continue our trad- it to our future generation is tanta- compromised and the dedicated hard tional dress then? They may have little mount to closing the stable door after the horse is out.” “We should not get hung up on the here or bring it more in line with the the'" Gathas sltc in our prophet ’s would be if the-time and energy spent the sudreh may have to be revised so prayers are quite different from it... I 1 * ¦% k t f - ¦ ANTIA’S f __ /'J ANSWER “We have to face modernity or perish, them, our children will be less able to It will be nice if we could continue do so. By changing our rituals and - . . t we prayers meaningfully we will make simply cannot... I see a big generation them more appealing to them. If our gap between our generation and our religion is based on eternal principles, in-between the crack, but the grand- or country. It is neither ‘unethicaP nor we have children will be the deciding test for the ‘highly detrimental to the goal of f „„ continuation of our heritage. All that perpetuation of the rich heritage ’ to we do now should address to their change our rituals meaningfully, after needs. Unfortunately however, your proper and careful study. As a matter comments seem less to address to their of fact, this is our most important mis­ needs and more to our own. For exam- sion and the time for it is now. To leave pie, how would they continue our trad- it to our future generation is tanta- work of the majority is undermined. A I community that was painstakingly nur ­ tured into a cohesive, hardworking ’ group is suddenly tom apart. _ __________ ______ _____ How much more worthwhile it needs of the future generation. Even original language. The other Avesta contact with India then... “Even the Dastur ’s attire will have ______ _______ ................... to be changed, so that we can make it language of our prayers. After all, only in criticizing the actions of others be spent instead in more fruitful and con ­ structive endeavours. There are tremendous tasks ahead. Let us work J^ether to support the ZAQ to fulfil moae^ize aS-short^^i^i^^y;;;^ Seh7w'n ’ 2 Montreal Mandate. Above all, rituals... What is so sacrosanct about and ritualism that our great prophet dedication them that we cannot change them to had come to oppose... ” and devotion for the constructmn of suit our great-grandchildrens ’ needs, “However, such a task should be en- the Arbab Rustam Guiv Darbe of Mehr —Zoroastrian Center ' Chicago. This will be a landmark in the history of Zoroastrianism in North ^ America and we heed to work harder than ever towards its early inaugura- j In closing, we pray to Ahura Mazda ' to give us good judgement and ^ wisdom. We appeal to our small I Zoroastrian community to respect each ' *) y J" -i ' t ’.4 ¦ s J *1 • ¦ •’.O' kSi that our children will find it easier to Our prophet ’s message of the Gathas have and wear them... ” and his insistence on following the Law “As a full-fledged priest, it pains me of Asha to attain divinity was greatly .^obsefye that we will have to change, sabotaged by the magis who found it in rituals... What is so sacrosanct about and ritualism that our gre^*prophet them that we cannot change them to had come to oppose... ” suit our great-grandchildrens ’ needs, “However, such a task should be en- so they won ’t convert to Christianity, trusted to a body of scholars well- etc.? Most of them did not exist in the versed in our religion and culture and times of our Lord Zarathustra and should be introduced gently and wise- -------------- ly. Such a task, also needs substantial It pains me to observe that monetary outlay to conduct research we will have to change. \A/o lA/ill writing, lecturing, etc. At the head of we will have to change, such a mission should be a well-versed, modernize and shorten our knowledgeable, learned priest for all of nrai/are North America and we don ’t have one prayers and rituals. yet... what wc do in this area is im- i . ---------- ------- — ------------—------------------- —-------------- mensely relevant to the needs of f u views and values, to stand most of them were made up in later Zoroastrians in the old country. But In closing, we 0ray to Ahura Mazda 1 i - - "t j behind our priests and to work times... So I cannot agree with you, P together towards our common goal —to follow the teachings of __ ____ _ ^rathustra and to strive to^prese^e perpetuate this ^cuftural heritage of tion unchanged. ’ If we don ’t change and perpetuate our great faith for future generations. , , are we ready to sacrifice time, money even though I wish I could, when you and effort and to act in unison to say—‘it is imperative for us to secure this goal? ” Excerpts from Ervad (Dr) Kersi Antia ’s letter to Gavashni, the newsletter of the Zoroastrian Association of Quebec. Reprinted from Gavashni, June 1983. v-' ’, 3 j 77 Parsiana August 1983 u D ir ¦ i '¦ f ! 1 I RELIGIOUS BOYCOTT (This letter dated July 1, 1983, and vast majority of the members of our to our community as we have always signed by 12 US priests was sent to the '• . , ... . r ----------- * president and board of directors of the well as m India and the rest of the perform either ZAGNY or private Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York, ZAGNY). This is to inform you that we, the following priests from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania area, have decided not to participate and/or associate ourselves in the per ­ formance of any Zoroastrian ceremony such as jashani navjote, wedding, ghehsarna (last-rites) etc. either in ­ dividually or jointly with Noshir C. Hormazdiyar of ZAGNY and Kersi H. Antia of the Zoroastrian Association of Chicago. This decision has been taken by us irreversible damage to the community pursuant to the performance of the and to our religion. Only time will tell navjote ceremony of Joseph Peterson, the effects on our posterity of such a a non-Zoroastrian, by the above two hasty and unthoughtful action on the priests who acted against the precepts part of these irresponsible individuals and long-standing traditions of our who acted on their own. religion and also against the wishes of a community, both in North America as been in the past. However, we will /lot ¦s world. The presence of only half a ceremonies accompanied by these two dozen Parsi Zoroastrian families at the individuals who have taken the law in- above navjote goes to prove how the jq their own hands and hurt our feel ­ community felt about this extremely jpgs those of a very large number ' sensitive issue. We cannot in our good ­ conscience associate ourselves with these individuals who dared to thrust their so-called “convictions ” on their _ ____________________ fellow colleagues and community ^AGNY newsletter for the knowledge of its readers. of people practising our ancient religion. It would be highly appreciated if this letter is published in the next issue of ! i 31 J members in clear defiance of their feel ­ ings and specific requests to discuss this matter to the mutual satisfaction of all concerned. The navjote (by whatever name you may call it) has done untold and totally We would continue to be of service With Best Compliments From: ¦3 Signed: Ervad Cawas J Desai Ervad Shahpur K Doctor Ervad Noshir C Karanjia Ervad Sam C Karanjia Ervad Firoz Madan Ervad Keki H Mody Ervad Pervez P Pate! Ervad Rusi H Sidhwa Ervad Dara Sinor Ervad Burjor S Tata Ervad Dr. Hoshang A Unvala Ervad Adi J Unwala .’t Gold Seal Engg. Products Pvt. Ltd. Manufacturers of “Gold Seal’’: Door Beadings, Flexible Channels, Rigid Channels, Velvet Channels, Contour Tapes. Original Equipments Suppliers To: Hindustan Motors, Premier, Standard, TELCO, Mahindra Largest Exporters To: U.K., Europe, Middle East, Africa, Singapore. 79 Parsiana uguaf'h p 3^' • - -K® < > > ’?¦ »t' ’’ ART V J “JW?s? •: Dadi Pudumjee: Pulling his Strings Sarosh Bana < » ordinated pumping of the arms are his . .... 84 Parsiana August 1983 A Doomasia (left): versatile athlete. Photo courtesy The Daily Sumariwalla (above); victorious in the 200 m dash.Photo courtesy Ananda Bazar Patrika Facing page: Above (left) Khambatta; pedalling to win (right) Bilimoria: successful sail ” ing season Below (left) Nariman; playing “like one possessed ’’ and (right) Havewalla: fastest state cyclist99 Maharashtra State Champion for 1977 arriving first in Khandala. and 1981. She is , a recipient of the Young Hopeful 1981, she is , a recipient of the Beginning the year by claiming the Promising badminton star Hufrish Frene Talyarkhan trophy for the most Maharashtra . Cycling Championship, Nariman, 24, ranked second in the sporting woman player of Maharashtra ladies singles at the National Badmin- state for ’76-’77, and the Maharashtra r- Klumbatta has followed if up with several _____________ victories including the AU Parsis Annual ton Championships held at Gan- Shiv Chhatrapati Award in 1979 for Cycling Championship, notes his bio-> dhinagar earlier this year. Describing “excellence in sports and games for the her as a “young hopeful, ” Rajendra year 1977-78.” Bowrie of The Times of India, goes on to say, “One day she plays like one occasions including the All England possessed and the very next day her game Badminton Championships held at according to the report Khambatta goes to pieces —luckily for her it does not Wembley (London) in March 1980 and happen so frequently now-a-days. ” the Uber Cup Australian Zone in A bronze medalist at the 1982 IX Jakarta in November the same year, Asiad, Nariman was the All Bombay notes her bio-data. Schools Champion for three con ­ secutive years (1973-1976), bagged the merce graduate, is at present working national races in Rome (Italy) where he ‘India No 2’ title in 1975 and 1976 and at the Bank of India as a probationary captained the Indian team in the Grand again in 1979-80 and was the officer. Primo Delle Liberization race and was She has represented India on several Nariman, a Sydenham College com- data. “His dream of representing India seemed to take shape... when he was invited... for the Asiad trials in New Delhi, ” states a press report. However, skidded while sprinting in the 30 km points race. This resulted in injury and ruled him out for the Asiads. A student of Khalsa College, Kham- batta has just returned from the inter- f.! 1 is 1. IS r Is gifted with a Colnago bicycle in ap­ preciation of his good performance. i ¦ ¦¦ ’3 ' I 85 Parsiana August 1983 ¦ Khambatta — King of I the Ghats ¦ Maharashtra state champion cyclist ¦ Yazdi Khambatta,22, emerged the winner For the tenth ¦ in the 135 km Pune-Lonavla-Pune Rustom Havewalla, 29, has won the ti- r open cycle race held early this year, tie of Fastest Cyclist in Maharashtra, The race was a prelude to the Bombay- according to a press report. He finish- Pune open road event held a week later ed first in the 1000 metre sprint on the J in which Khambatta finished third and concluding day of the state track meet, H earned the title ‘King of the Ghats ’ by organized early this year by the Tenth Time Champ consecutive year ¦ 1 ' 1- 1; s 4 . 25 ¦ 1 Maharashtra Cycling Association; Yazdi Khambatta came second. Havewalla, an accounts assistant at the Tata Iron & Steel Co., earned the national title of the Fastest Cyclist in India, three times in the last decade. “My only regret in the sport is that I have never had the good fortune of donning our country ’s colours at an in ­ ternational meet, ” notes Havewalla. Smooth Sailing Helming his Seabird yacht the ‘Dab ­ chick' Kurush Bilimoria claimed the Raja Maharaja Singh Rolling Trophy in the Harbour Yachting Races held in April. The event was organized by the Bombay Sailing Association. This season Bilimoria won the Yachting Association of India (Y.A.I.) Pennants race in the Seabird class and the prestigious Coastal Trophy, a race involving 40 hours of sailing in the open sea. He was accompanied by veteran yachtsman Lt. Col Divecha who, according to Bilimoria, “initiated, taught, and always encouraged (him) in the sport, ” and along with whom he has won several trophies. Bilimoria, a 24-year-old commerce graduate, has appeared for the final chartered accountants examination. Yachting in Europe Three ace Bombay yachtsmen, Pesi Un- walla, Fali Unwalla, winner of the Asiad ’82 silver medal and Farokh Tarapore, Asiad ’82 gold medalist, represented India in various interna ­ tional regattas in Europe this summer, as part of a four-member Indian team, note press reports. They sailed the 470 class yacht, a high powered Olympic racing dinghy. The team, having participated in the Weymouth Championships in England and the Kiel Regatta in West Germany and scheduled for the Swedish Interna ­ tional, “will be gaining valuable ex ­ perience prior to the qualification rounds for the Los Angeles Olym- • pics,” notes a report in the Indian Ex­ press May 31, 1983. The Indian team is reportedly awaiting further assistance from the Indian government to sail in the most significant yachting event —the Pre ­ Olympic Championships at Los Angeles from July 26 to August 6. In the trials for the team selections held in May, the Unwalla brothers, Pesi and Fali, won four races against three won by Tarapore. Parsiana August 1^3 With Best Compliments From: All India Theatres Syndicate Private Limited Regal Talkies Ahmedabad New Super Talkies Surat Reuben House, 357/59, V. P. Road Bombay 400 004. BOYS’ TOWN Public School Nasik 2 Recognised as a Public School by the Department of Education for Indian Merit Scholars. Excel­ lent Climate — All-round Education : AU Academic Subjects —Tech ­ nical Subjects: Workshop. Tech ­ nology, Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance, Carpentry & Farm ­ ing. Training in SeU-Govemment through Elected Boys ’ Office bearers. Gomes —Physical Train ­ ing — Daily AssemUy with Ccmgregational Prayers — Week­ ly intensive Zoroastrian —Geeta- Koran classes — Excellent Modem Kitchen and Dining Room facilities — Airy Dormi ­ tories. Moderate Fees. Freeships and Concessions to Deserving Students. Apply to — THE MANAGING TRUSTEE P. N. MEHTA EDUCATION TRUST Cooks Building, 324 Dr. D. N. Road, Bombay 400 001. 1'^ '3 ¦ '¦1 ¦iF’. IN MEMORIAM The Unfinished Symphony From the day she first sat, perky and bright-eyed, legs dangling, at the piano, things for it.” to the successful solo recitals, broadcasts and chamber music concerts in India, Sri Lanka, Europe and the US, music was the keynote of Hilla Khursedji ’s life. Her death, following a f_“ ---- -- Barkers Store in Kensington, London, me, my ( J ¦ I tor Zubin Mehta, when he first heard medium through which I communicate Hilla play, my emotions, my ideas, my feelings, ” " she once,said. “I love music so much it . would be silly not to sacrifice other five, Hilla was playing her own composi­ tions with poise and aplomb. AL.12, she made her debut with the Bombay “Sure hit ” Chamber Orchestra, playing Bach ’s D Pianist Benno Moisivitsch took her minor concerto. Hilla ’s talent quickly . o delicate five-year-old hands in his and unfolded under the guidance of first her fall from asked, “What are you going to play for mother, Ms Jeroo Khursedji, herself a little Mozart? ” while Claudio qualified piano teacher, and then matched by her dedication. “Music is a The judgement of these world renowned musicians proved unerring. At on May 5 was a grave loss to the musical Arrau, another famed musician, foresaw Madame Olga Craen, one ot inaia s fraternity ’world-wide, and laid waste a “a musical future that will be un- foremost piano teachers. promising future. The Zoroastrian com- doubtedly brilliant. ” “A sure hit, ” Before she left for the Curtis Institute munity has lost a distinguished musician, predicted Mehli Mehta, founder of the in 1968, Hilla had already gam^ a nine years after the (--------- talented pianist Neville Chinoy. Hilla, 32, the first Indian to study at the famed Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, USA, was acclaimed by her audiences and critics for her expressive and original renditions of several concer- ti and other major works for the piano which comprised her large repertoire. Hers was the unique privilege of playing Ravel ’s concerto in G major at the Ravel Festival in France in 1973, at the end of which she walked onstage, clad as always in a sari, to receive five thunderous cur ­ tain calls. At the Royal Overseas LeagUe competition held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London in 1975, Hilla stood first in the semi-finals among 300 entrants from 13 countries, winning a prize in the final round and attending an “at-home ” hosted by Princess Alexandra for the winners. Critics acclaimed her “natural musi­ cianship and sensitivity of touch, ” her “suppleness and (extraordinary) fluidity, ” when she made her debut at London ’s Wigmore Hall in 1976 as part of the ‘Young Musicians Series ’. She was chosen Young Musician of the Year (1977-78) by the Greater London Arts Association. At her first Bombay concert in 1970, Hilla was described as a “finished artist, (with) poise, assurance and a keen musical sense. ” She last played for Bom­ bay ’s music lovers in 1982. “At this recital she gave a marvellous rendition of Chopin ’s Third Piano Sonata, an inter ­ pretation that clearly revealed her musical maturity...Hilla seemed well on the way to becoming an artiste of even greater promise, ” wrote Roy Wadia in The Daily. Hilla ’s innate talent for jnusic was “a musical future that will be un ­ doubtedly brilliant. ” “A sure hit, ” death of the equally Bombay Symphony Orchestra and distinction in the London Royal School father of the celebrated music conduc- of Music’s diploma examination. Con- 89 Parsiana August 1983 f- ,5 - p •J A 1 Above (left): Hilla and Burjis playing a duet on the eve of her departure for the US Above: “poise, assurance and a keen musical sense” Left: Hilla aged four —“Little Mozart ”I* i -J I 'S f I trary to custom, she was coached by ourful, so exciting, ” said Ms Khursedji, shy, ” said Khursedji. “I used to play the Rudolf Serkin, director of the Institute, slowly turning the pages of a photograph viola with the Bombay Symphony Or- right from her first day. Besides a album which records every step in Hilla ’s chestra, and I used to take her to my Bachelor of Music degree, Hilla also career, a career that her parents en- rehearsals and she ’d sit alone and keep qualified for a post-graduate certificate couraged and watched with pride. “She listening... At the age of three or four I from the Institute, and as she continued made me so proud, ” she continued, realized she hact an absolute pitch, her studies with Peter Feuchtwanger in reading aloud in low, trembling tones the already she could discern each note in a London, the laurels amassed. tributes that have been paid to the chord or dischord I played. ” Hilla ’s Though she will be remembered as a memory of their daughter. maternal grandfather, Mancherji EdaIji brilliant pianist, the tributes from her in- They have accepted the, loss of both Joshi, founder of the Dadar Parsi Col- , numerable friends and admirers suggest their children, within the space of a year, ony had once said of Hilla, “This girl that she was loved equally for her with stoical submission. They have ra- will bring out our family ’s name. ” warmth, vitality and gentleness. Those who tionalized the loss with a belief in fate, a knew her, and those who wrote about belief that, as Nariman Khursedji puts it, her successes described her as a “complete person. ” She stood first in destiny. You have to accept it.” Cathedral School in the Senior Cam­ bridge examination, and her varied ac- the past, recreating the lives of their played by her time and again for a complishments included a study of children through their photographs, the clamouring neice Zerna (5), and philosophy, Russian literature and invitations, souvenirs and reviews of nephew Karl (8). American history during her years at Hilla ’s recitals, through the pages of Khursedji, who was to retire before Curtis, according to her parents, and a their autograph books, the couple say, the death of Burjis, now has the respon- love of yoga which she practised for a “This is all we have left. ” They wistfully sibility of managing the family business complete co-ordination of body and recall the day a tiny Hilla darted up to of hospital equipment together with Lin- niind. the piano soon after her brother ’s recital da. And Ms Khursedji says, “Someday With an abiding faith in religion, Hilla at a school social, drawing appreciative maybe I’ll teach my grandchildren to never abandoned her sudreh and kusti, applause from the boys. They smile at play the piano. But not now. Now I just her mother said. Before each recital she the image of the entire school marching don ’t have the heart. ” would pray; “I always said (a prayer), to Hilla ’s tune as she played the march at „ even as a girl, before anything impor- morning assembly. They recall Burjis, «o s / . oc or tant, ” she said. The gold Asho Farohar equally gifted, but never as hard- which she always wore on a chain working as Hilla, preceding her onstage around her neck was found lying on the to fix the special stool and pedals which He was “Mr Boxing ” in India and was piano at home soon after her death. - ... - .............. .. ........ Grief at the death of her brother Bur- feet, and later, recording all her concerts to its present fairly high level, in the ring jis, in the Bombay police riots on August backstage. There was a deep rapport bet- and organizationally. He was Khurshed 18 last year, together with other ween the two. P. Kuka, India ’s world-renowned referee/ pressures made her life in London ap­ pear grey and lonely. “Like all artistes she was intense, emotional and temperamental, whether it be about her music, or her husband or family, ” said her mother, and an inability to cope with a combination of personal problems drove her to a tragic end, Hilla ’s body was brought back to Bombay by her father, and the large turn-out at the Tower of Silence was, as one press report described it, “the last, truest curtain call for a fine artist, from a silent, grieving audience. ” And there are memories of Burjis ’ marriage to Linda, of Hilla ’s marriage to “There ’s nothing we can do. It is all Rohinten Mazda, and of the sound of Hilla ’s childhood compositions, ‘The Finding solace in their memories of Train ’, ‘Raindrops ’ and ‘Indian Boy’, Khursedji, who was to retire before Fighting Spirit his father devised for Hilla ’s dangling responsible for bringing the manly sport “She was always so modest and so judge and official, who died in Bombay Kuka with Muhammed Ali (Photo courtesy Mid-Day) 1 J j .^1 -J •13 ! I J ! ’ “In Sympathy ” Photographs of Hilla and Burjis dominate the Khursedjis ’ home in the Dadar Parsi Colony, and one of a trium ­ phant Hilla on graduation day, in cap and gown, clutching her degree, today stands on the piano stool. A tall, brass vase of tube-roses stands beside the stool on which are strewn several cards. Most of them carry the words, “In Sym­ pathy. ” “Her life was like a fairy tale, so col- Ik '.-3 Zi 'i -i 91 Parsiana August 1983¦ • I ¦ ¦¦¦1 r' harness on May 5, 1983,at the age of 63. boxers in Bombay last year, Kuka was a boxer himself in his school When he died, he was working on die and college days. He gave it up in the fif- second Joe Louis night to celebrate ties and took up coaching, setting up the World Boxing Day. Two days earlier, he famous Iron Club which in the next 25 had sent out invitations for a press con- \ years staged hundreds of boxing com- ference to be held a day after his death, petitions in Bombay. As an official, he belonged to that rare Kuka ’s love for boxing was amply breed who coupled ability with integrity, rewarded when in 1956 he became In- He was totally dedicated to boxing and dia ’s first international referee/judge thewelfareof his boxers. Many a time he Melbourne Olympics to become to date boxer an extra allowance, the only one from India to officiate in the I' Olympics. That was just the start of a ' career which made him famous in the rules and was outspoken when he saw in ­ boxing ring in India as well as abroad, justice being perpetrated, especially He earned the reputation of being one of when it concerned boxers. He detested the toughest men in the ring, a man who officials who lived off the fat of the box- Talati: official scorer (Photo courtesy stood no nonsense and followed the rules ers and because he was one to speak his Mid-Day} strictly. It was commendable for a man mind always, no matter whom it hurt in A familiar figure at the Braboume and who stood hardly 5 feet 3 inches with a the process, he was not very popular with Wankhede Stadiums, Talati operated the frail frame to command respect in the that class of officials. But the tributes electric score-board and was in charge of ring from one and all. and condolence messages that poured in the Press box since the inception of the The International Amateur Boxing from all over the world bear enough Cricket Club of India in 1938, note press Association (lABA) appointed him to testimony to the great respect in which he reports. He was “held in high esteem^ officiate in five successive Olympics till was held in world boxing circles. by the cricketers at the CCI, and after his the Montreal Olympics in 1976—an It would be in the fitness of dungs if retirement in 1974, having “served the honour bestowed on only one person the MABA and the lABA perpetuated institution without a complaint or throughout the world. And when he his memory by holding an annual eham- murmer, ” as the Mid-Day wrote, Talati retired from international officiating pionship named after him. It would be a was placed in charge of the Press box at after 1976, the LABA made him fitting tribute to a man who lived, the Wankhede Stadium by the Bombay “Honorary Life International Referee breathed and loved boxing. Cricket Association. He was present at and Judge, ’’ a rare honour. He leaves behind his wife Roshen, to the recent Ranji Trophy quarter-finals at His exploits in the ring as an official whom we offer our heartfelt sympathies, the stadium but his illness kept him from were innumerable, but they included: Fredun de Fitre die finals. India vs Pakistan (1953); vs Burma Secretary of one of Bombay ’s oldest (1953-54); vs Japan (1953); vs Thailand counesy Mid-Day, May 20, 1983 clubs, the Wellington Cricket Club for (1973); vs West Berlin (1973) and so on... „ , over 30 years, Talati reportedly managed Kuka used to tell with nostalgic Well Scored its affairs almost sin^e-handed and even memories of his officiating in the Olym- Died: Darabshah Hormusjee Talati, 78, played for the club in his younger days, pic events. At the 1960 Rome Olympics official scorer for the Cricket Club of In- Talati is survived by his wife Mitha, When he died, he was working on tiie i, k ’ I /I' and the same year officiated at the would dip into his own pockets to pay a , \ Never one to suffer fools gladly, Kuka ~ was quick to point out breaches in the fniloe i»/ac /MlfHp COW IFI- Fredun de yUre 1 pic events. At the 1960 Rome Olympics official scorer for the Cricket Club of In- Talati is survived by his wife Mitha, he was in the ring and raised the hand of dia, in Bombay on April 10, 1983, daughter Freni and sons Jangoo, Noshir Cassius Clay (now Muhammed Aii) as following a heart attack. and Boman, the gold medal winner in the heavyweight class. He also officiated in the Asian Games and Asian Boxing Con ­ federation Championships and managed the Indian team to the 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. After having founded and nursed the State Amateur Association, and con ­ tributed immensely to the national body, Kuka broke off with them in 1960 to form a professional boxing association with a view to give Indian boxers monetary rewards for their skills. He became the executive secretary of the Indian Boxing Council and vice-president of the World Boxing Council. After joining professional ranks he was able to renew his association with Muhammed Ali. He refereed All ’s pro fights in Bombay and Dubai and staged the first Joe Louis night for professional following a heart attack. Old post cards etc./wanted Advertiser wishes to buy OLD picture postcards, photographs, ci^rette 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/o. Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Parsiana August 1983 Rashid D. Bamanbehram Professional photographer for photos of Weddings, Navjotes, and Birthday parties. Expert in video- Super 8 movies Best in colour- biack and white photos Contact: No. 6, Khareghat Colony 30A Hughes Road Bombay 400 007. I 4