Nov 1983

r November 1963, Volume 6 No. 5, Re. 1. Chicago Center Inauguration “This then was the setting on pragmatism and the courage normally “The modern one-storey brick and cedar “This then wa.s the setting on pragmatism and me courage normally building blends well with the quiet wood- September 3, 1983 at 3:30 P.M., when associated with first generaUon im- ed residential neighbourhood, notes a report on the inauguration and dedica ­ tion of the Arbab Rustam Guiv Darbe of the Arbab Rustam Guiv Darbe M^r- Mehr-Zoroastrian Center in the Zoroas- ------------- .... . v rxi. v trian Association of Chicago newsletter ladies were dressed in rich colourful to the Universal teachings of Zarathush- of October 11, 1983. The abridged ex­ cerpt continues, “Were it not for the toran on the front door and the chalk on the doorsteps, it looked like any other suburban church. Inside, the building is furnished in contemporary style. The assembly hall is set up with round ban­ quet tables. At one end of the hall is the stage with the head tables. In front of the stage the area is set up for the Jashan ceremony with an afargan Hanked by vases overflowing with flowers and silver trays laden with fruits and nuts. In another area is the library and learning i • center with a wall of unfilled bookcases. Zoroastrians from across USA and migrants. However, the ease with which Canada gathered there for the dedication Zoroastrians have adjusted and blended ____ ____________ _ into the American lifestyle has been Zoroastrian Center of Chicago. The phenomenal and can only be attributed .f 4 tra. ’ He concluded his opening remarks with the statement, ‘This structure stands as a testimonial that the religion that we will pass on to Our children will not be one that is dying and on the verge of ex­ tinction. On the contrary, it will be alive and vibrant. ’ “He introduced the 17 mobeds who were seated on the floor in their im­ maculate starched white robes and caps. This was one of the largest groups of priests ever assembled in the Western Hemisphere. Of the 17 priests, seven were from Chicago (Ervad Dr Kersey ___ __________ Antia, Ervad Neriosang Karanjia, Ervad “A separate wing houses the_ prayer in traditional (lamias. The ceremonies Jamshed Antia, Ervad Pesi Vazifdar, hall, a quiet, dimfy lit room with a began at 4:00 p.m. with Bomi Ervad Bahram Shahzadi, Ervad Behram chandelier. At one end on a raised Damkevala, the secretary of ZAC Daboo and Ervad Bomi Zarolia). The • rest had come from all over the USA and the history of Canada for this very joyful occasion. Zoroastrianism oii this Continent.’ He The ceremony was led by Chicago’s own saris, floras and pretty dresses; the men lor the most part were in suits and some The structure stands as a testimonial that the religion we will pass on to our children will not be one that is dying. pedestal is the main afargan shipped all welcoming the guests ‘on this momen- the way from Bombay. On the opposite tous occasion in t*" **•"* wall IS a garlanded picture of Zarathush- — ----- ------- — tra. Across the room are two marble stated that ‘most of us here today are High Priest, Kersey Antia. On his ri^t tables one bearing sukhad and the other first generation immigrants to this coun- was Dastur Sohrab Kutar, the high pri^t unlit Diva glasses. try. We bring with us the energy, the of Europe and the official representative? of the WZO. After the jashan, Antia struction costs, and to his wife Mor- his spare time, performed magic tricks to gave his benediction i—-------------- shawls were presented to him by the Mobed presented Ms Guiv with a members of the community. ' • " - - “Then came the dramatic moment, when the ceremonial procession of thunderous applause. mobeds led by Antia and Kutar carried ‘...... — ------ —--------- the afargan containing the sacred fire donors including^Mehraban and Fari- down the aisle to the prayer room, wat- * '' ' • » — ched by the members of the congregation with hands held together and with heads ......—---- ------ , -----------------... - . * bowed in prayer, many of them moved associations around the world who had representing Zoroastrian Associations in to tears. In the prayer room the fire from contributed funds Jor the center. the jashan was transferred to the main NKayesh.'' As'^ they "did *7o Moi^arid president ofTKQ in getting us going and the opening remarks after which Fred ' Khanum Guiv, the Guest of Honor, placed the first piece of sandalwood. “At this point the Center was official­ ly dedicated. This was the culmination of course, no one could dispute the job Association ot Mueoec), ur jenan nagii the dreams of the Zoroastrian communi- done by Roshan Rivetna alongside her (Editor, Dhun Bhaya (Presy ty. For eight years the community had husband, Rohinton. She was there to dent,- Zoroastrian Society of Ontario), toiled and sweated to have a place that assist him every step of the way. Mehraban Khodavandi (Zoroastrian they could call their own. Several “Interspersed among the program was Association of Cahtornia), Kutar, members had given their time in the a pitch by Dara Rivetna to raise funds Kersey Antia (World Zoroastrian evenings and over the weekends, work- ing in 90 degrees -I- temperatures over the past months. As President Rohinton worth $10,000 that evening was set up address/This is our finest hour. We have gathered there we were able to reach that of Michigan), Professor H. Michael tread many miles and suffered many set- goal. Simmons (Center for Zoroastrian backs. With the completion of the Darbe Mehr, one chapter in our history comes to a close.’ . . . “After the guests had lit the divas, of- doori Chicken, Pullav-Dal, Sali-Gos, the gathering. fered the sandalwood and filed past the Naan, Sev and Kachuber followed by “After lunch there waS a cultural pro- afargan, Damkevala introduced the per- mithai—jalebi, penda and barfi. Dinner gram of Iranian dances performed by sons seated at the Head Table—Ms was followed by entertainment. Prof, children and directed by Ms Mahnaz Guiv, Dr. Rostam Sarfeh, Arbab James Whitehurst of Illinois Wesleyan Farhadieh along with a Parsi Gujarati Mehraban Zartoshty, Dr Shari Merabi University, an accomplished magician in natak. The natak Gherno Ghambar was (all members of the Guiv Trust), Ms Merabi, Rohinton and Roshan Rivetna, . ..xn-. ZAC vice-president Kayomarsh Mehta, From left: Sarfeh, Antia, Ms Gu,v. Rivetna and Ms Rivetna ____ the treasurer, Minoo Press, Keikhosrow Mobed, one of ZAC’s directors who had served as a liaison with the Guiv Trust and Minu Patel who had donated substantially towards the library learning center. “As the inaugural address by Rivetna was announced, the crowd burst into spontaneous applause and gave a stan- • ding ovation to the man who was in the main responsible for the Center. He had conceived and designed the building and nurtured it through the many crises dur ­ ing the construction. “Keikhosrow Mobed presented a tribute to the late Arbab Rustam Guiv, the great philanthropist to whom the community owes a debt of gratitude for having donated a large chunk of the con- and ceremonial varid. Zenobia Rivetna and Shahriar the delight of the young and old alike. ¦ _____ _ ; ; 2 J ¦ ¦ I Dancing to an Iranian band followed as garland and a bouquet of flowers in the the Zoroastrians wined and dined and re ­ midst of a standing ovation and joiced at the dedication of their new Darbe Mehr. “Sunday ’s program was compered by Dr Rouyentan Farhadieh, a ZAC board doon Zartoshty, Dr and Ms Abou Maz- member. The morning ’s program com- dai, Mehroo and Minu Patel and Mr and prised a speakers forum chaired by Ms Zubin Mehta, other individuals and Kayomarsh Mehta where speakers the Western World offered their vvz ____ __ .,_____ _ i as well as lectures from ^farSm ’Mttwiwi^'red^the ’xSi efforts'of Dr Bahram'Farhadieh, past scholars of Zoroastrianism. Riyetna gave those of Noshir Daruwalla the ex- Morris (board member, Zoroastrian treasurer who through his careful invest- Association of Greater New York), Ms ment of funds built up our finances. Of Dolly Dastoor (President, Zoroastrian could dispute the job Association of Quebec), Dr Jehan^agli there to dent,- Zoroastrian Society of Ontario), “Minoo-Press thanked all the other “Kayomarsh Mehta, mentioned the messages “Interspersed among the program was for building up the Building Perpetua- Organization, Chicago representative), tion Fund. A target of collecting pledges Dr Rostam Sarfeh, Shahpur Irani (In- --------- J dianapolis), Singpurwala (Philadelphia), Rivetna very aptly stated in his inaugural and by the generosity of the people Professor Gernot Windfuhr (University “Chicago’s own caterer. Soli Faniban- Studies, Bloomington, Indianna), Dr Ali da with the help of his wife Bakhtawar, 'Jaffarey (California), and Professor had prepared a feast comprising Tan- Kaikhosrov Irani (New York) addressed fered the sandalwood and filed past the Naan, Sev and Kachuber followed by p w A 1 I 3 Parsiana November 1963 4 I I*-!, aI a farcical comedy written by Homi also cleaned and polished including the free of any charge. Tavadia and adapted for Chicago au- large Afarganiya by volunteers on Satur- diences under the direction of Roshan day. August 20. Patel, starring members of the Chicago Zoroastrian community. Before the clos- ceremonies were perform^ by volunteer room was kept burning until the day ing benediction Chaiye Hame Zarthosti mobeds and the food for the Saturn before the New Year. was sung led by Roshan Engineer. “The entire two day ceremony has been videotaped. Copies will be available at cost in the near future. (Write Zoroastrian Association of Chicago, 624 West 56th Street, Hinsdale, Illinois 60521 USA). “In the words of Professor Whitehurst, ‘For a community that scholars were beginning to treat as almost extinct (less than 1,30,(XX) world ­ wide), Zoroastrians are proving themselves to be far from a historical fossil. The community can still produce its surprises, as shown by this new Center at Hinsdale. Christian and Jewish scholars who realize their historical in­ debtedness to the faith of Zoroaster can rejoice with this community in its latest achievement and be grateful that the flickering flame has been fanned ablaze once more. ” “All these five days, volunteer ladies and mobeds slept overnight at the , “Three Satums and Afringan-Faroxi M.G.D.M. and the fire in the Dadgah “Bomon Kofwal wishes to sincerely thank specially Ervad Nozer Kotwal who slept for five days at the M.G.D.M. and helped in setting up the flowers, Ms Putli Mirza for organizing the lady volunteers to cook the food, Ms Coomi Bhathena, Ms Khorshedbanoo Wadia, Ms Najamai Karkaria, Ms Villy Baria and Homi Damkewala for assisting in preparing food and offering so willingly any other service as needed during the five days. “On August 26, Roj Hormazd, Mah Farvardin, the Jashan ceremony was performed by seven mobeds at the M.G.D.M. in the presence of over 300 Zarthostis and after that Chaiye Hame Zarthosti was played on the piano by Ms I Kety Jamshedji from Bombay and sung by all those present. Dinner —dhan-dar, Il ehhamnano patio, and chashni— was I then served, again free of any charge. “All services were voluntarily given Jashan ceremonv were very well supported by the community with generous donations, prayers was cooked daily by volunteer Bomon Kotwal once again thanks all the ladies thus preserving cleanliness and volunteers and the whole Zoroastrian community for their help, participation “On the first day of the Gathas, and generous donations to make this V I’ '\ i: 5 I I it i 'Mu kt ad’ in Ontario Anjumans and punchayets who com ­ plain about a shortage of professional purity at the M.G.D.M. priests may do well to learn from the ex- ‘ ample set by members of the Zoroastrian Ahunavaiti, Society of Ontario. The September ZSO ceremonies were performed by eight newsletter carried the following report by mobeds: Yezdi Antia, Minoo Kanga, Ervad Bomon Kotwal on the Farvarde- Kobad Zarolia, Firdosh Bulsara, Bomon gan/Muktad days observed between Kotwal, Nozer Kotwal, Jal Panthaki and A Zoroastrian Association of France has August 21 and 25 at the Mehraban Guiv Khushnoom Panthaki who recently been formed, writes N. Bharucha of Darbe Mehr: .................. ....................................... ~ ' • - - “Once again the Farvarde- gan/Muktad days were traditionally community were remembered in these tion, have invited Zoroastrians residing observed at the M.G.D.M. with purity prayers. A large number of Zoroastrians — and cleanliness. The Dadgah room was were present, and lunch (curry rice, cleaned and washed and all utensils were kachuber and chasni) was served to all, the second on June 25, 1983, both at the Afhngan and Farox/ occasion memorable. ” 77ze French Connection received his priesthood in India. Nearly Bomb'ay who happened to be in Paris 200 names of deceased members of our recently. The “founders of the Associa- in Paris to join them. The first joint meeting was held on May 25, 1983 and i 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 residence Avenue Victor Hugo of Madame Meherzoon Sasanfar, President of the Association. There were about 40 Zoroastrians who attended these meetings-cum-social gatherings. A work ­ ing committee was appointed with Madame Sasanfar as President. Other members include Jehangir Bhownagiri, Freny Bhownagiri, Mani Bharucha, Eddie Marazbani, Kasra Vafadari, and Jehangir Irani. “The objectives laid down are mainly to look after and assist all Zoroastrians in France, to cooperate with other Zoroastrians of the world, to provide a link with our co-religionists by keeping alive our religious ideals through lectures by eminent Zoroastrians and scholars, ” writes Bharucha. 4 Parsiana November 1983Premises for ; Parsis I a L 1 i. I r- . r IB BBi itt Hutokshi Doctor V BO J* i il ¦ - I Dozens of Parsis have been streaming in­ to the office of M/s S.F.Engineer in response to an advertisement prominent ­ ly placed in the Bombay news media. Titled “Premises for Parsis ” the adver ­ tisement noted “we are negotiating with the Bombay Parsi Punchayet for a choice piece of land on Gibbs Road on Leasehold terms for construction of a Building for sale of premises on owner ­ ship basis to prospective members of a Co-operative Society for Parsi Zoroastrians only.” The advertisements have brought in about 1,000 enquiries, while 80 to 100 applicants for the 48 two-bedroom ownership flats have been registered, notes Soli Engineer who has undertaken the construction of the project on a no- profit no-loss basis. M/s S.F.Engineer, builders and realtors since 1942, will scrutimze the applications jointly with the BPP. But “the Parsi Punchayet will be making the final selection themselves, ” ------- ,-------- -------—-------- notes a letter to the applicants, on the pus,” said Engineer. “We’ll be collecting to scores of letters said, I m so soriy basis of the norms for allotment recently a sizeable amount—over two crores, and so sad about our Parsi community, adopted by the Punchayet. “The first which we will plough back," waiting *to be’marrS/'^sald " EnVin^^^^ AndherrMahim andDadar, or for fiats ladies and resigned men, all with the ® ... ....... 1 . 1______ I___ _ hmicino, There are many Parsis who need ac­ commodation but cannot even con- ;.«iaa*tkw %? From left: Mody, Engineer and P.O. Colabawala (Photo: Ayesha Soni) and a separate entrance, should be com­ pleted within the next two-and-a-half Finance Corporation Ltd, years, said Mody. There are four lifts to C------- _ 1- .— each floor and the number of storeys has housing loans than that charged by been limited to six. “These same flats, offered to non­ Parsis, would fetch an astronomical scheme ’ of the Housing Development ', which demands a lower rate of interest on banks. “It may be worth your while to have a deposit account with them so that you may enjoy a certain priority in sanc- figure, ” said Engineer. The conditions tion of housing loans by them, if so for re-sale of these flats, which are for Parsi Zoroastrians only, have not yet been finalized. “This project is one stepping stone to office, showing them the plans, giving develop other vacant plots from the cor- them the application fwms and replying viGn-s, and so sad about our Parsi community. ” for lower- This project, he said, has caused him to like meet nervous youngsters, agitated old required, ” notes his letter. Mody, who has personally been meeting Zoroastrians who come to the preference will be given to young couples cost ownership houses in areas “and ^to those living in dilapidated on rental basis. “The BPP has very large same problen^hoi^ing. houses.” pieces of land and the trustees thought All the 48 flats in the six-storey wisely that something has to be done, ” building will be of Ihe same size, approx- said Engineer. Projects like this one, he template applying for a flat that costs imately 1,000 sq. feet, and the price has feels, can be used to generate funds Rs 8 lakhs. The price of the apartnaents been fixed at Rs 800 per square foot, which can then be employed for housing, was not mentioned in the initial adver- Payments, to be made by cheque only, education or medical facilities. I*. will be on the basis of 20 percent on pointed out that there are several trusts the foundation, and then on the raising or to maintain their properties. Engineer afford these premises, the letter added, of each slab. Engineer explained. < . The vacant plot, situated above out of this project. Khareghat Colony, on which construe- ' * tion should begin by the end of this year, '---- --------- - --------------—. r i has been offered by the BPP on lease- negotiated with a Parsi trust for the con- rnay be planning future^projects tor l^s hold terms with the land value subsidiz- struction of flats on a deposit cum rent " '* ed, according to Jamshed Mody, basis in Andheri, but the project did not Engineer ’s colleague,who is supervising materialize. All those who had been in- the project. 1 and with a view to maximum utilization new scheme and of the possibility of munity’s housing needs. *** He tisement for the Gibbs Road project, but ; was stated in a letter sent out in response allotment, 20 percent on completion of which fail to develop their valuable assets to all enquiries. If you are unable to emphasized, “I’m not making anything “kindly send us a letter stating the same He also offered to and also state in that letter your specific work, for no profit, for any Parsi trust, housing problem. Let us have an idea as Two years ago M/s S.F.Engineer had to what you can afford and where^, as we affluent people, in which case we may be sending you a circular first to notify you about the same.” All replies will be kept t piwjvvi. terested in this project have now been on file, said Mody, and will represent a The flats have been designed simply sent a circular, informing them of the kind of market survey of the com- ..... . J -<• .1- “jfs all very of space. The plans have just been ap- future projects. To all these people well to speculate what rentals/purchase proved by the BMC, notes the letter. The Mody recommends planning now price...for more subsidized, more affor- flats, with two bedrooms, two baths, a “towards procuring finance and savings dable housing schemes for Parsis should living cum dining room, kitchen, and for your future housing needs. ” He be...but you don ’t really know till you servants room with an attached toilet commented on the ‘loan linked deposit ask them,” said Mody.I Events and Personalities told them to keep the photographs in the shop and phone me immediately so that I could send my driver and forward the photographs through a passenger leaving for Bombay on the 5.00 p.m. flight,. At 4.00 p.m. I phoned again and was told that the photographer had carried the photographs to deliver them to Farida ’s house. Hopefully we will get them in a etc.” All editorial correspondence day or two.” should be addressed to No.4, 803 C. ” will attempt to “view things in the right Bombay 400()i4'and other letters 10*33^ perspective ” has been launched by m. Karve Road, Bombay 400004. former Bombay Parsi Punchayet chair- 2 „ _ ’ 2 man B.K.Boman-Behram, some mem- abreast of the day to day, factually cor- bers of the Council of Orthodox Parsis rect, unbiased viewpoints and problems ornamzeu dv me iviaaras Karsi zarrnncn COVP) and “dedicated workers with facing the Communitv ” notcs^ a niece oy me iviaaras rarsi zarinosti the interest of the Community Members S by Pe™‘"e In- at heart. ” ,h7mn, rpp Madras, was to be held in Madras Con­ nemara Hotel on November 12 and 13. “Two high priests from Bombay and several eminent Parsis from various other places have accepted the invitation to participate in the seminar and read papers, ” notes a letter from R.P. Gin- walla, honorary secretary of the Anjuman. Speakers include Dr Ram Singh, director of the institute (Subject: “Human Need for God ”), MPZA Presi- , dent M.K. Belgamvala (welcome ad- , dress), Dastur H.K. Mirza (“The Fun- j damentals and Customs and Traditions ] of Zoroastrian Faith”), Dastur N.D. j Minochehr-Homji (“Ethnic Origin, j Ceremonies and Rituals of the Parsis ”), | Dr Fredie Mehta (“The Role of Parsis in ] the Socio-economic Development of ‘ India ”), former BPP Chairman B.K. Boman-Behram (“Relationship of Parsi The Orthodox Voice A new fortnightly The Parsee Voice that Dr. B.~ Ambedkar Road __ 111 _xx______ X x^ ____xL?______ xl________ __ • _ 1_ A _ ’ The photographs finally arrived in Dadar, tirne to be used in the October issue. ha^ been launched^ by m. Karve Road, Bombay 4(XXX)4. y 2 ? ' " ’ ‘‘We need a united voice to keep rect, unbiased viewpoints and problems Madras seminar A ‘study seminar on Zoroastrianism ’ organized by the Madras Parsi Zarthosti h * blK' 111 AaUXXI K-j y 11^ the interest of the Community Members signed by Perviz R Dotivala. at heyt.” After the 1981 BPP Anjuman Com- Edited and published by Ardeshir mittee election rout, the orthodox section Furrokh Doctor, a public relations of- of the community was both dispirited ficer in a bank, the four page, printed and disorganized. The formation of the Voice’s first issue is dated October 16 to cOVP and the launching of the FoZee 30, 1983. are the first signs of a new orthodox The first three pages are in English grouping. Despite the internal dif- and include an editorial, as well as a col- ferences in the COVP which saw the umn titled Of Cabbages and Kings on departure of founding members Russi Parsi politics. The last page is in Gujarati Wadia and Faribourz Nariman, the and contains translations of some of the English items as well as a short piece on the state of the Bombay fire-temples. “In the absence of any leadership, the the middle-of-the-road 'cominittee"of and include an editorial, as well as a col- new alliance between Bomap-Behram and his workers and Adi Doctor, B.K.Mistry and others, holds the promise of giving only thing an average Parsee can lean on Electoral Rights a contest in the 1988 for guidance and information, is a Parsee newspaper, ” notes the front page editorial. “But when even Parsee newspapers and journals lose their bear- 77 i ings and either talk at variance or pull in I'CCleratlOn different directions or give one-sided, biased views, what is the poor Parsee reader to do? It is not always easy to obtain .. ., , . “It is because of these reasons that we photographs for Parsiana on time as the with other Communities ”), felt that there is a woeful vacuum, an un- honorary secretary of the Federation of Piloo Junglewalla (“Role fortunate void in our community. There Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India, Women in the Emancipation of is no publication devoted solely to Parsee Keki J Gandhi, discovered. His story is Women’’), Alpaiwalla Museum rn • 11 • «•« . * PiirotAr K/fc Contribution.to Art and Cultural Life of India ”) and Ervad Furrokh*S^. Bamji (vote of thanks). Anjuman Committee elections. fortunate void in our community. There Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India, affairs and happenings which purveys best said in a letter he wrote to Parsiana: news and views in an objective, dispas- “ -* sionate manner. “We humbly believe and hope that Parsi Anjumanj and I went to (the this little fortnightly. The Parsee Voice photographer ’s) shop and refused to will help fill the void in a small way. i ’ ' ‘ _ “Our credo will be to uphold and de- to us. Three hours later we got the black “On receipt of (Parsiana’s) telex, Farida (Variava, a trustee of the Delhi move until the photographs were given to us. Three hours later wp ant the black .i / fend with all our might our glorious and white photographs at 3.^ p.m. with During the months of April, May and 1 religious tenets and traditions to take iin every genuine, legitimate cause of the Farida ’s residence at 8.30 p.m. The pro ­ community, to question any wrong- mise was not kept and once again we doing by those who hold the reins of went straight from a funeral around 1.30 Parsee trusts, funds and properties. In p.m. to his shop. He turned up at 2.15 short, we shall stand up for a comely p.m., looked at us and said please wait lady with a pair of scales in one hand and for five minutes and disappeared. After a sword in the other. ” waiting for 55 minutes we were told that The Voice welcomes “letters, articles, he had gone to his residence 30 kilo­ subscriptions, donations, advertisements meters away to bring the photographs. I religious tenets and traditions, to take up a promise to deliver the coloured ones at June, the Bombay Parsi Punchayet ..... . board of trustees held eight meetings of which four were attended by all seven trustees, notes the BPP Quarterly Review April-June 1983. Six of the trustees attended three meetings and five attended one. The total number of items on the agenda were 198 which works out to an average of around 25 items per meeting. 6 Parsiana November 1983 1I i BUSINESS The second plant, located at Tirupati, About the working results, Sidhva ex- The second plant, located at Tirupati, plained that the turnover for the Aildhra, was commissioned in 1979. It 18-month period ended June 1983 was has also set up an R and D centre at Rs 34 crores, realising a gross profit of Bangalore. It spent over Rs 250 lakhs on Rs 5.53 crores. The profitability was ex- R and D during the last five years. This, pected to be much better in the current together, with its links to Norton, US, year according to his reckonings. will ensure that the company remains at With the setting up of its grinding the forefront of abrasive technology, wheel factory at Mora in the early ’40s, according to the management. the company became the first to Abridged from the Financial Express, October 25, 1983. manufacture industrial abrasives in India. Today, the Mora complex houses two plants for the manufacture of bond ­ I Grindw^ell Norton diluting Grindwell Norton is offering for the first time to the Indian public equity shares. This will bring the alien holdings in the equity capital to 40 percent from the ex­ isting level of 50 percent. Addressing a press conference at Mora, Uran, near Bombay, where its --------------- first and major plant is situated. Noshir India. Today, the Mora complex houses pYjinndiny thC bunk D. Sidhva, managing director, stated two plants for the manufacture of bond- o that the company held an industrial ed abrasives as also the production lines In an effort to expand and ^improve ser- licence to manufacture 1,000 tonnes per ~ ------- ---------- u annum of super refractories. The present super refractories. Over 25,000 different Credit Bank Limited i^ revising Us bye­ installed capacity was 150 tonnes yearly. The company proposed to set up a separate plant for this, costing around Rs 1 crore. This apart, he added, the company was in an advanced stage of implemen ­ ting a project for extending its range of coated abrasive products, viz. coated abrasive belts. It had already obtained an industrial licence. This would cost another Rs 1.50 crores. He said this would involve setting up a new plant and equipment for a completely integrated annual turnover of over Rs 1,260 crores, process to make coated abrasive belts. The other proposal was for moderniza ­ tion of the existing plant and facilities and extension of certain product lines at an estimated cost of Rs 50-60 lakhs. Sidhva also stated that the capital expen­ diture programme for the next two years would be in the region of Rs 5 crores. relating to coated abrasive discs and vices, the Zoroastrian Co-operative super refractories. Over 25,000 different Credit Bank Limited is revising its bye­ types of abrasive products are produced laws, notes the Bank President Rustam at Mora, supplied to a host of diverse in- A. Gagrat in his speech delivered before dustries and used in a large variety of the annual general meeting of the bank applications. held on October 27 at the K. R. Cama In 1967, the company entered into Oriental Institute Library Hall in technical collaboration with Norton Bombay. Company, US, a world leader in in the company ’s equity and became an expand its area of activities and not equal partner. The US company operates restrict the membership...to only in- 126 manufacturing facilities in the US dividual Parsi Zoroastrians. At present alone and 26 other countries and has an the Bank can open accounts of non- - - y- . Parsis with the Bank, receive deposits Not satisfied with being a producer of and pay interest to them thereon but the only grinding wheels and other bonded Bank cannot advance any loan, secured abrasives, the company set up a plant for or unsecured, as only individual Parsi silicon carbide —a basic abrasive raw Zoroastrians can be members. If a firm material. The silicon carbide plant, has Parsi as well as non-Parsis as partners which was set up at Bangalore in 1971, the Bank cannot make the firm a was the first of its kind in Asia (outside member of the Bank,” stated Gagrat. Japan). “I and my colleagues on the Commit- ___ .......................................................... I “The Bank has been receiving direc- abrasives. In 1971 Norton, US, invested tives from the Reserve Bank of India to 7 Parsiana November 1983 Sidhva: at thejorefront Shop floor of Grindwell Norton’s Bonded Abrasives Plantr tee have every hope that without in any BOOKS way affecting the existing working of the — Bank the activities of the Bank will be ex­ panded and will be to the benefit of all the members. (We) look forward to the approval of the existing members of die Bank to the revised Bye-laws when plac­ ed before the General Body of the members at a Special Meeting of the members of the Bank which we will convene. ” The bank has also requested Limji Mistry, a member of the bank’s manag ­ ing committee and former general joFn the Bank as’its Chief Executive. .. By Century Catechism with •* - - - ' ‘ ' r Translated and edited by Firoze M. Kotwal High Priest, H.B. Wadia Atashbahram and James W- Meherjirana Revisited Homi J. Rogers manager of the Union Bank of India “to A Guide to the Zoroastrian Religion: A Nineteenth . . .. —« . r. _ _ __ ...i/A r'mntnpntftrw his joining...he will...considerably _____________ _______ enhance and expand the activities of the Boyd, professor of philosophy, Colorado state Bank, ” said Gagrat. The financial year ending in June 1983 saw the bank’s deposits grow from Rs 1,16,79,000 to Rs 1,57,63,000 and profits increase from Rs 5,33,000 to Rs 5,53,000. “The improvement in the Bank’s in­ come,” said Gagrat, “has been due to all round increase in activities and opera ­ tions. It is a matter of satisfaction that an ever-increasing advantage is being taken of the services provided by the Bank.” I i t I University, Colorado, USA. A one-volume comprehensive compen ­ dium on all aspects of Zoroastrianism, A Guide to the Zoroastrian Religion is basically an English translation of a catechism written by one of the most noted priests in the latter half of the 19th century, Dastur Erachji Sohrabji Meher ­ jirana (1826—1900). The translation has been done by James W. Boyd, professor of philosophy at Colorado State Univer ­ sity, and Dastur Firoze Kotwal, the cur ­ rent high priest of the Hormasji Bah- manji Wadia Atashbahram in Bombay, one of the eight major fire temples in India. Kotwal also offers comments (printed in striking italics type) on the questions and answers raised in the text. This provides a contemporary statement on orthodcx/conservative Zoroastrian beliefs, and is, to quote from the book’s introduction, “an especially valuable ad ­ dition in light of the great impact modern linguistic and historical studies have brought to this ancient, long lived faith.’’ Let us take some different examples from the book to elucidate how Kotwal “DM: The prayer Hoshbam should be said at dawn because there are good blessings in it. For this reason when we invest a child with sudre mAkusti we say this prayer also. “DK: Erachji is saying here that a young person ’s investiture with sudre and kusti should properly be performed at dawn. Practice has now shifted to after dawn, i.e. the Hawan gah, and even as late as the third gah of the day. ’’ In a similar exchange of thoughts, Kotwal, in conforming to modern times, does not think it necessary that only a priest or his wife should weave the kusti, as indicated by the Persian Rivayat of Kaus Kamdin. “Nowadays women of the lay class also weave kusti."He equal­ ly interestingly refutes Mfeherjirana ’s argument that eating flesh seems to be improper according to our religion, and hence Zoroastrians do not eat'flesh for three days after death. The reasons put forth by Kotwal for this three-day in­ junction are based totally on principles of science, and not on quotes from From left: Dr Peshotan Peer. Boyd and Kotwal I Top produtivity Industrial Boilers of Gujarat won the first prize for the Best Productivity Per ­ formance during the productivity year 1982 awarded by the National Produc ­ tivity Council, notes a press release. The award was received by Ms H.R. Engineer on behalf of the company from the Union Minister of Industry, Narayan Dutt Tiwari in New Delhi recently. The company which manufacturers steam boilers “has maintained a steady growth of 40 percent, ” since it installed its first boiler unit in 1977, noted Ms Dhun B. Baldawala, a director of the company who earlier this year won the (DK) provides interpretations and com ­ ments to Meherjirana (DM): “Q: What is the advantage of saying prayers in all five gahs? “DM: Five fireshtes recommend our 1 .23f rll 1983 Best Woman Entrepreneur award instituted by the Institute of Marketing I Management and Cinni Fans. I Ms Engineer receiving award from the Union merited acts and by saying the prayers of " Minister of Industry, Narayan Dutt Tiwari these five gahs, five things remain in our - heart, namely: good nature, intelligence, friendship, moderation and justice. Cf. religious texts, the Denkard (Book 6). This fusion of knowledge of both “DK: None of these references are scholar/priests is responsible for the connected with the meanings of the book being a tour de force on Zoroas- words designating the five gahs. Erach- trianism. The credentials of the authors ji’s (DM’s) answer enumerates the five are impeccable: Kotwal, an accomplish- virtues which the faithful receive by be- ed scholar in Zoroastrian scriptural and ing pious. commentarial languages, is a Ph. D. in “Q: At what time should the prayer of Avestan and Pahlavi studies and has lec- Hoshbam be said? tured on Zoroastrian ritual at the school r- r 9 Parsiana November 1983f I even Pazend. Both the priests share phet flinging the rosary at his assassin. Probably, one of the most inspiring the ashem vohu (“As soon as we get up fl of Oriental and African Studies in Lon- and none is contradicted —by way of the book is the rekindling of faith it pro- don. Meherjirana, whose treatise he source or content—by Kotw^, though vides through its direct and distinctive translates, was trained in the traditional some reservations are expressed only in style. How many have shed or simply languages of Avestan, Pahlavi, Persian the case of the colourful story of the Pro- forgotten with the passage of time and and even Pazend. Both, the priests share phet flinging the rosary at his assassin, the vicissitudes of life, rituals and values , in common a nativity to Navsari and ex- Turbatur. which had been taught like the reciting of ’ posure to Western medium of thought. Probably, one of the most inspiring the ashem vohu (“As soon as we get up without the discarding of their own chapters (and it occupies one-eight of the we must say ashem vohu. Said at this traditional roots. book) is on “Zoroastrian morals: the time, it is equivalent to 10,0(X) ashem There is no vista of Zoroastrian life good life man should live. ’’Basically, an vohus”) or saying grace (baj) before that has been left out in the frame-work expansion of the Zoroastrian credo of meals (“God is the provider of our daily of 30 chapters —including the history of Humata, Hukhata, Huvarashta, the bread and meals, so when we eat we Parsis in Iran and their advent in India, chapter instils in one the pride of being a must first be thankful to him for all his which accounts for the last two chapters. Zoroastrian as it proems to answer gifts...”). It is further supplemented by a com- questions on the religion ’s teachings in It is the blend of ritualism with ra- prehensive glossary, two appendices and matters of charity (“if anyone ap- tionality that accounts for A Guzefe to an easy-to-scan index. Written in a proaches with the hope of receiving r/ie Zoroastrian Religion being a most question-and-answer format in the style charity it is the duty of the rich to fulfill balanced and welcome book on the reli- of 9th century Pahlavi books, the his wish”), industriousness (“an in- gion. In 1869 when Dasturji Meherjirana chapters bristle with information and dustrious and hard working man ... is published his Gujarati work, Rehbar-e modern-day interpretation on diverse considered one of good faith and every- Din-e Jarthusti (A Guide to the . ’ . ......... .......... _ , . la sign of ruin. Therefore, prudent men do commendable service for his fellow not become arrogant ”), vengeance brethren by informing them of the full themes like theology, rituals, mythology, one loves him”), arrogance (“this is a Zoroastrian religion) he performed fire and related aspects, ceremonies, r--- ¦ ¦ _______ „„ ;„L, code of life, calendar, and even festivals. i ' The chapter on the life of the Prophet (“may those who remain vengeful be breadth of their religion and kindling should be of special interest to many smitten”), honesty (“whoever acts with within them the pride of being Zoro- readers, embroiled as the community honesty is a man of good intelligence”), astrians. A century later, the service has continually is on the miracles of obedience to parents (“this is the equi- once again been performed — through a Zoroaster —right from his childhood to valent of bandagi to God ”), to quote medium (English) the community, and especially its younger set, understands Yet another commendable aspect of best. his death. The source of all episodes and just a few subjects, miracles is mentioned by Meherjirana. I f I Tabinurcontinmui HoteT — Bombay Jl UT’S BUILD THEM TOGETHER! Whether it's a five-star hotel, a Sultan's Palace, a hospital, a chemical factory, a fertiliser plant or a housing project— we have the expertise and for putting up the imposing Muscat Palace complex of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman—and completed it in time. Oborot-Shoraton HoW » Bombay '«S?f th.-" fe § 5F I ¦¦¦ li ' 4 5 w w w - s j SHAPOORJI PALLOIMJI & CO. (PVT.) LTD 11 Parsiana November 1983 I