Mar 1984

J PaW I '¦V- ;«¦ K b MARCH 1981 PRICF RS 6 s' - ¦ »?• t '<• 'W' nW^ ,1' >* -s' 4. '*,¦ Ss: WsW^-ft March 1984 Volume 6 Number 9 ¦s EDITOR Jehangir R Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Toddywalla ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dina Mehta DESIGN CONSULTANT Mini Boatwala DESIGN ASSISTANTS Kranti Shilotri, Varghese W. Fernandaz MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Billimoria ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D'Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE R.P. Thanavala FINANCE B.L. Arora CIRCULATION B.P Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver, Dinaz Felfeli and Khurshid Daruwalla. 3 Readers' Forum 12 Events and Personalities 19 The Federation: Tackling the Issues 27 Turning the Searchlight Inwards by Cushrow Irani 31 Business 40 The Shipbuilders of Bombay by Charles Allen 45 The BPP's Five Year Housing Plan by Arnavaz Mama A;,, 56 Encore, Neilyl by Sheila Vasunia 71 Russell's Religion by Arnavaz Mama 75 In Memoriam Cover: Stained Glass window from Lowji Castle showing the Wadia fami­ ly crest and motto (Courtesy: J.B.H. Wadia and TAJ Magazine) •f Parsiana is published by Jehangir R Patel for Parsiana Publications at C/o H. L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400 001, printed by him at Kaiser-E-Hind, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400 001 and phototypeset at Multi Media Aids, Bombay 400 051. All rights reserved. Address all editorial and business correspondence to Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Phone: 268730. Annual inland subscription: Rs 40 for one year (12 issues); Rs 75 for two years (24 issues); Foreign subscription rates: Seamail Rs 80 for one year, Rs 150 for two years; Airmail Rs 160 for one year, Rs 290 for two years. For U.S. personal cheques add $ 4 to cover bank charges. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 3 for bank charges. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in .favour of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400 001. ¦1 II L READERS' FORUM ........ n111 ........... I »»?»)* ti <( . » Jiiif • » « » » * >1 I & <1111/ I ¦» f ignoring the reality of the situation and without losing a single day. I am sure .JJIJ indulging in wishful thinking. many Parsis will come forward to buy indulging in wishful thinking. i Here mention must be made of Parsi this land or take it on lease, young men and women. They are not so unintelligent as to accept advice without I thought or deliberation. They cannot be J.F. DRIVER ’*** H.fi l-P'S [ji taken easily for a ride. Thus, there is no •** ’! npprl tn nnnir and hp afraid that niir Par- it’’ Forgo Such Features I refer to two articles in your December issue. One was the article on Ms Zer- banoo Gifford and the other was about Ms Yasmin Nanavati. Both these women have married outside the . Parsi or need to panic and be afraid that our Par ­ si youths will opt for mixed marriages. 'Those who do marry outside the com ­ munity will do so without anybody ’s advice. Ranina has proved himself a staunch Zoroastrian community, orthodox. He must now devote himself to serving the community and what bet ­ ter way could be found than to serve as a features? Why glorify them? trustee on the Board of the Bombay Par ­ si Punchayet? One thing is certain —Ranina is a “marked ” man: Marked for greater and higher achievements. JAMSETJEE JEJEEBHOY Chairman, Sir J.J. Charities, Iran League, etc., COWASJEE NUSSERWANJl DINSHAW President, The Bombay Zoroastrian Jashan Committee. JEHANGIR FRAMROZ SHROFF President, Athoman Mandal Board of Trustees. Sir, wouldn ’t it be better for the com ­ munity if in future you forgo such What is so appealing about these women to you? What kind of example are you trying to set for the community? Ms Gifford was appalled by the sight of Parsi beggars. 'These people live in Western affluence criticising the Parsis of Bombay. Wouldn ’t it be better if you print translations from the Gathas and the Avesta as regular, articles in your esteem ­ ed magazine, instead of the above men ­ tioned stuff? Tithal Sanatorium I have come to understand from reliable sources that “Dhan Wadi, ” the Dhan- Jubilee Fund jibhai Patel Sanatorium situated in Calcutta Parsee Club is currently Tithal village (on 20 acres of land near celebrating its Platinum Jubilee year. For the seashore in Bulsar district) has a small club, representing a small com- become so dilapidated over the last few munity, to have not only survived 75 years, that the Government of Gujarat years, but to have flourished during this has an acquisitive eye on it. Tne trustees period, is no mean achievement. Found- of Bulsar and Bombay have already been Novernber 4, 1908 by Jive Parsi approached for the acquisition of two acres of land, to start with, for the pur ­ pose of building small houses for the needy and poor of other castes and com ­ munities. I hope the present trustees will think of munity in Calcutta of around 1300, the arguments and shattered to smithereens entrusting the management of the club boasts of as many as 700 on its the case in favour of mixed marriages. t ----------- - , . , - - - tunities for members of the com ­ munity —particularly the youth —to in- breeding and cross-breeding is highly that at least one acre of land should be dulge in healthy sporting activities on its commendable and shows that he has handed over to the needy P^rsis of spacious lawns and playing fields Bulsar, Surat, Bombay or elsewhere, who are actually interested in promoting the building of small cottages on the land and in reserving some areas for cultiva ­ tion to enable them to earn their living. If the latter scheme is agreed upon, the table tennis and'tennis bodies*. It has pro- 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. R.H. KOTWAL Ranina for Trusteeship We, the undersigned, have read with in ­ terest the writings of Homi P. Ranina, advocate. Supreme Court of India. Like a truly intelligent commander of the or ­ thodox army, Ranina has, with consum ­ mate skill, deployed his artillery of sporting enthusiasts, the Club has transformed itself from its humble beginnings into a great sporting institu ­ tion of which any Parsi can be justly proud. Out of a total strength of the com- sanatorium to the Parsi Punchayet of rolls. The club provides ample oppor- Ranina ’s lucid exposition of facts and Bombay or Surat without delay. Alter- figures based on genetics regarding in- nately, I would not hesitate to suggest situated in the heart of the Calcutta Maidan. The club participates in the official Calcutta Leagues in football, hockey, cricket and basketball and also enters tournaments organized by representative done his homework well. He has hit the nail right on the head when he asserts that one of the major reasons why Parsis marry outside their fold is because they are utterly indifferent to their religion. Those who plead for some “formula ” to be evolved to accept and assimilate the progeny of those Parsis who marry out- trustees of Tithal Sanatorium would do duced outstanding sportsmen and side the community are. as Ranina says, well to advertize in the local papers women, quite a few of whom have 3 Parsiana March 1984 ¦'3h^2fcw.>f represented West Bengal and some even Corrections represented West Bengal and some even It is with this background that we now India in their respective sports. A brief address an appeal for contributions com- write-up on the club, which appeared in mensurate with our objectives, and it is Parsiana a few years ago, describes in our hope that we will receive generous some detail its achievements over the support in this excellent cause that we are past 75 years. trying to promote. It is with modesty Perhaps the most unique feature of that we add that ours is a unique Parsi this club is that its monthly fees range sporting institution in India, and our on- from one rupee to five rupees per ly endeavour is to perpetuate the good member, depending on the games work started by five sportsmen of some played. For just five rupees any member enthusiasm and initiative 75 years ago. of the club can play cricket, hockey, behram merchant football, basketball, tennis, badminton, chairman, Fund Raising Committee, table tennis and other indoor games, The Calcutta Parsee ciub. with most of the gear provided free of cost. The fees are kept to this limit in order to enable every member of the In your issue of October ’83, R.N community, nolnatter what his financial Rustomji ’s letter refers to the Parsi standing, to take part in healthy sporting population of Calcutta as numbering activities. This excellent facility can be about 35,000. I would like to point out maintained only through the additional that at no stage have the Parsis of support which the club receives, from Calcutta exceeded 5,000 (and today they time to time, from its members and well- have dwindled to around 1,400). So a wishers in Calcutta and on occasions reference to 35,000 could only be a such as these, from charitable trusts all printing error. over India. I am not in a position to dispute his The total funds of the club today reference to Jamshedji Madan having amount to Rs 1.45 lakhs, and the interest worked as a mobed, but the general from the investment of these funds belief in the family is that the late Jam- together with the subscription from shedji Framji Madan started life as an members just about permit a break-even position as far as the running and maintenan,ce of the club is concerned. However, whenever there is expenditure already completed construction of a of a capital nature to be incurred, such as community hall at Chowringhee. .. ”. But refurbishing of the club tent, the installa- I have to point out that the Olpadwala tion of a tubewell, re-wiring of the Hall was roofless and incomplete at the premises, etc., we appeal to our well- date of publication of your October wishers to come forward with contribu ­ tions. But even this is now proving to be beyond the capacity of the club and its members to manage, in view of the rapid inflation in costs. The club therefore feels that its Platinum Jubilee would be a That the religion of Zarathushtra is good occasion for initiating an all-out universal, is an established fact, as was drive to raise at least five lakh rupees, unanim ously declared by eminent das- which would be added to the corpus of turs and scholars in India and abroad in the club ’s funds, so that interest thereon the discussions of 1903. The same opi- could be utilized not only to meet grow- mon was expressed by the Council of ing day to day expenses, but also to fur- Zoroastrian mobeds in Tehran this year. So much for the theology aspect. It is true that the Parsi community later re- . See X^the pomp and pageantry ^of Europe.. - The towering sights of America ! EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE London to London 22 Days Rs. 18,250/- Departure dates 28 Apr., 19 May, 9, 30 Jun. EUROPEAN PANORAMA Rome to Rome 24 Days Departure dates 9,30 May, 20 Jun. Rs. 16,750/- 1 actol at the early age of ten. On page 27 of the same issue you men tion that “the Calcutta Parsis have MINI EUROPE Rome to London 12 Days Rs..1 3,950/- Departure dates 9, 30 May, 20 Jun. AMERICAN ADVENTURE 22 Days Rs. 21,950/- Departure dates 5,19 May, 9,30 Jun. issue. JAMSHED B. MADAN MINI AMERICA 10 Days Rs. 18,650/- Departure dates 5,19 May, 9, 30 Jun. Not Bigots EUROPE & AMERICA 32 Days Rs. 25,650/- Departure dates 9,30 May, 20 Jun. MINI EUROPE AMERICA 21 Days Rs. 23,500/- Departure dates 9,30 May, 20 Jun. .^3 ther the cause of sport in the community in the following manner: a) to engage professional coaches for our jected the idea of a person being recog ­ various teams to improve the standard of nized as a Parsi if he or she was not bom players. in the community or whose father was b) to provide regular medical and health not a Parsi. This view was legally check-up facilities for the young established in the well-known judgement members of our community. c) to permit participation in competitive sport of our teams outside Calcutta. d) to sponsor some of our outstanding lives, do not educate ourselves on this players at international sports centres for issue. Respecting the pros and cons of further training. this topic, we have to adjust and ra- ^*«**********^ >8 of justices Daver and Beaman. It is a pity that we, who are advanced and progressive in other aspects of our LALATOURS Bansilal Villa, Sobhani Road, Colaba, Bombay 400 005. Tel: 211925,215094,214744 Gram: EDTOURS, Bombay. A Parsiana March 1984 Lahatour^ AWORLDOF DIFFERENCE Dattaram-LT 17A/84cience. Our religious associations are causes degeneration, as is claimed by cer- open to those who profess the appro- tain leading members of our community, priate conviction and live the life but because the young couples face vari- ! tionalize our traditions, rituals and prac ­ tices. Living as dedicated Zoroastrians in a _ _ different social environment and trying demanded by the faith. I, and many ous problems if they opt for early mar- to raise the new generation to be good others in USA,see no harm in accepting riage. A couple marrying at the advance Zoroastrians, we have to focus our ef- anyone who admires, appreciates and age of 30 to 35 finds it more difficult to forts on adhering to the faith, rather demonstrates to us that he or she not on- produce an issue or two, hence many of than concentrating on the social tradi- ' ' .......................... .... ....... — tions and customs of the by-gone past. We North American Zoroastrians do way. It would be unreasonable to refuse ployment, inflation and little attention not consider ourselves reformists, radicals or law-breakers, for the true teachings of our prophet is what we are striving to follow. We consider the heart of the teaching of Zarathushtra — Humata, Hukhata and Havarashtra—as something we would pass on to our _ ______ ___ _ _________ ______ youngsters, lhe main idea of thushtra. So I urge all Parsis and follow the principles and laws of Ahura “Righteousness ” and of “Ashoii ” Zoroastrians of the world to respect each Mazda as revealed to us by Zarathu- realized through “Vahu ”, the good others ’ views, no matter what effort if shtra. The priests should conduct classes mind. We may not be following all the rituals and customs of the Parsis of In ­ dia, because some of these cannot be observed here. But that does not mean ivy f . ganphi Zoroastrians should refrain from we are not Zoroastrians. Thus, the at- _ New Jersey, usa. ‘idol-worshipping ’ in mandirs, churchy, tempt by some to create a split amongst darghas, and keeping fasts etc., which the members of the Zoroastrian com- ultimately unsettle the mind. (Idol- munity is unwarranted and misguided. JYloaenilzauon worship in Avesta is equal to demon- The United States, the land in which The decrease . in number of the worship.) we practise the faith of Zarathushtra Zoroastrian community is not because The present Zoroastrians should freely, was founded on freedom of cons- in-breeding within the same ethnic group realize that our prayers are the most ly understands the teaching of Zara- our Parsi families are childless. The pro- thushtra but is dedicated to living in that blems they face are housing and unem- to accept such a person as one of us —a paid to religion. co-religionist. Of course, we do not ex ­ pect many to join us. We do not seek Godrej, Balsara, Paliaand others should converts but we refuse to be bigots. encourage employment among Parsi There may be different views and feel- youth, help build more houses and pro- ings about this matter. But we are united vide accommodation at lower costs, and in following the teachings of Zara- parents should guide their children to Business houses like the Tatas, and of “Ashoii ” may take to do so. Let us strive towards and give frequent lectures, awakening unification and stop placing obstacles in the community to faith in our prayers our progress and realization of the truth, and religion. IVY F. GANDHI New Jersey, USA. No Modernization MAZDA—with the British accent on leasing § CM < DC Ovcr a decade of experience in the first year itself! Mazda ’s own professional expertise coupled with over 13 years of experience of British Equipment (Leasing) Limited, UK, gives J Mazda a definite advant^e over all other leasing companies in India today. w mBZPfllCflSMIGnMITED IN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION WITH BRITISH EQUIPMENT (LEASING) LIMITED, (UK) Registered Office; 317 Maker Chambers V 221 Nariman Point, Bombay 400 021. Tel: 243855 Telex: 011 6205 Grams: MAZDALEASE 7 Parsiana March 1984 L1 few estamples: Dastur Adarbad Marespand was aide to survive the molten lead poured on his chest. Dastur Dinyar of Banaras walked on Ganga River to save tixe lives of students caught in a storm. Dastur Jamshed Kukadaru was able to create gold from bricks for funds to complete the Anjuman Atash Behram of Bombay. What need is there for us to visit chur ­ ches, mandirs, babas and darghas? Our ancestors under Neryos^ Dhawal came to India to preserve our race and religion and we are destroying them with bur false modem notions, on mixed mar ­ riages and juddin navjotes. Navjote is the ceremony of putting on the sudreh and kusti on a child bom of Mazdayasni Zarathushtri parents. The child before navjote is called a Maz ­ dayasni child and after navjote he becomes a Mazdayasni Zarathushtri. After navjote it is necessary that no one should discard the sacred girdle or kusti on any occasion. Because of this the Parsis or the Iranian Zarathushtrians are called baste kustiyan, the wearer of the kusti. The navjote can only be per ­ formed of a child bom of Mazdayasni Zarathushtri parentsi.e. both the mother and the father should be of kayani tokham (blood). The leading members of the commu riity have no right to mislead the Commu ­ nity into juddin navjotes or inter-com ­ munity marriages without the authority of and proper consultation with high priests and Avesta scholars. Nobody has any right to change the traditions and rituals of our religion except the high priests. 1 ERVAD BOMI DINSHAW VAJIFDAR With The Compliments of P.S. Kuka Chairman : Goodwill Theatres Pvt. Ltd. Owners : Novelty Cinema Luxuriously air-conditioned with 70 M.M. Projection & Sterophonic Sound equipment. Cine Properties & Finance Pvt. Ltd. ¦’d ..¦Ml .. .'4 ¦< I. r i L True Descendents Many Parsis today are of the opinion that a Zoroastrian is a person who pro ­ fesses die Zoroastrian religion. A Zoro ­ astrian need not necessarily be a Parsi. AnycMie who professes the religion pro ­ mulgated by Zarathushtra —be he an Englishman, Frenchman or American, becomes a Zoroastrian the moment he is converted to that faith. On the other hand the word Parsi has only racial significance and has nothing to do with his religion. The word Parsi can only mean “the people from Pars. ” In order to throw some light on this subject it is necessary to emphasise that: 9 Parsiana March 1964 Owners : "Dreamland" Renovated & fully air-conditioned with stereophonic sound —special amenities for the cine public. 2**I I fi! SELVEL FOR EFFECTIVE OUTDOOR ADVERTISING THROUGHOUT INDIA With ^st Complimentsfrom: SELVEL PUBLICITY & CONSULTANTS PVT. LTD. Ravindra Mansion Annexe, 194, Dinshaw Vatcha Road, 4th Floor, Bombay-400 020. Tel Nos: 2026512, 2027560. <1) The people of ancient Iran before the mainmg in him and embracing Islam, advent of prophet Zarathushtra were the Mazdayasni group of worshippers. (2) The prophet brought about certain Parsis who really preserved and practis- reforms in the then existing system and ed, in toto, what has been called in the same Mazdayasnis came to be known Avesta Dareghanaam Upayanaam (long as Mazdayasni Zoroastrians. These wor- standing religious traditions and shippers of Mazda carried m their seed toms). These Parsis who came to India the hallmark of Airi (righteousness). (3) King Darius himself had proclaimed: group of souls who alone practised the "Parso Parsahya Puthra Airyo Chitra” Zoroastrian religion in ah its purity. meaning, “I am a Parsi, the son of a Parsi having the seed of an Airyan. ”' (4) Pars was the only province in Iran which remained unhellenized after Alex- NcW Centres Abroad ander ’s invasion. Up to 226 AD Pars was an independent state and only the people , of Pars preserved and practised the re ­ gion of Zarathushtra without any out ­ side influence. (5) Before the fall of the Achaemenian empire and even after the beginning of the Sassanian dynasty, every ancient Ira ­ nian Zoroastrian was a Parsi first and last. (6) Parsis of modem India today are the descendents of those Mazdayasni Zoro ­ astrians who carried in their seed the hallmark of Airi, and have practised and preserved the highest form of purity, as exhorted by Zarathushtra. Hence, only one who is bom of both Parsi parents can be a Parsi Zoroastrian. A Parsi has to be a Zoroastrian and only a Zoroas ­ trian can be a Parsi. It is also necessary to emphasis that The Readeys ’ Forum is filled with views Parsis did not flee from Iran nor did they of different diaracters who co nsider arrive in India as ordinary refugees. It themselvesgreatauthoritiesontheZoro- had been calculated and determined long astrian religion. But the Zoroastrian It is now necessary to emphasise once again that it was only this small fgroup of cus- were the descendents of the Mazdayasni. NOSHIR H. DADRAWALA I have been reading of the various Zoroastrian associations coming up in the USA and Canada and am happy that Zoroastrians living abroad are taking such a keen interest in our religion. This is very creditable, especially the active role played by our priests and Zoroastrian families living in Hinsdale, Illinois. It is also gratifying that the Arbab Rustam Guiv Dar^-Mehr Trust is extending large funds to establish Zoroastrian centres in these countries. I do hope thesyounger generation of Zoroastrians Bving abroad will continue the good work. Basics First 10 Ai/sisns March 1984 h. FKENl DESAI I ago during the Sassanian times that after community is more or less non-existent,® ¦ «»M***A M a -211* Iran ’s downfall, India alone would be an though some literary experts will ideal country for the Parsis to preserve disagree. their Parsipanu and Parsi Tokham. The modem Zoroastrian is more of a It has been stated in the Kisse-E- farce than anything else, and long quota* - Sanjan that there was among them a dems from various ancient scriptures are learned dastur who had found from old often included in the Readers ’ Forum almanacs that our stay there (Iran) was just to impress the reader. Does today ’s to come to an end. He advised: “If we Zoroastrian practise the basics of our > wish to leave this country we must at religion, viz. good thou ghts , good words ” once move out of it, otherwise we shall and good deeds? all come to grief. It would therefore be _____ ____ _ _____ __ _ __ better if leaving the demons and the in- negative; then why the big fuss of trying fldels we should proceed (not flee or be to understand anything more of our expelled) to India. ” scriptures? Only those Zoroastrians who; It can be seen from this ancient follow the basics of our rel igion should historical record that the Parsis were proceed further. After all, a tall b uilding aware of the events to come long before is built cm a firm fo undation, they actually occurred and that they Forget the comparisons with other came to India not to save their skins but religions and the differait norms and to save their lofty religion, which they customs they fdlow. Look within and < knew would remain secure only in India, first think and feel like a Zoroastrian, ' If at all they wanted to save their skins then talk like one. they would have easily done so, by re- The answo* could well be in the !¦ ?. T.S. IRANI, . ‘3 ? JF- ¦¦ -*\v^ *'. With Best Compliments From EROS The Elevator You Call By Name Head office 27, Mama Parmanand Marg, Opera House, Bombay 400 W)4 Phone: 369181>82. Cable ‘Erovators ’ Sales Representatives: Ahmedabad —Bangalore —Madras —Poona Plant: Bharat Industrial Estate, T. Jivraj Road, Sewree Bombay 400 015.>. J? - lb ft ritai I Events and Personalities ( 1 The chestnut, wh.o was bred by Ve^ specialized in hotel the confidence his connections reposed and Motel Assentation ’s Educatioi in him, and Shroff rode an extremely Institute in MichigM, confident and weU-judged race with started the Fanyas Hotel Consultai Derby for the flnt time, ofjhe"^ ’ adds the report, except for Major Mehta Hmels in Bo^y md • who won with Nelson last year. He is ptesi^nt of the Hotel . Restaurant Association (West India) and a member of the Boarc Governors of the Institute of H< Management, Catering^ Technol Shaw is also an associate mem of the Hotel and Catering Instil Indian Derby Winner Accon^ianied by victory roars from the mammoth crowd gathered at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Enterprising, ----------- —— the Zoroastrian trained, Zoroastrian great panache, owned and Zoroastrian ridden colt won the Indian Derby on February 5. In the absence of the 1,000 guineas winner Snow, the Gaston-Salvation colt, Enterprising, jointly owned by N M Hgtel Federation Chief Irani, Ms Zeenia S Lawyer, Ms Baiditawar B Chenoy and Major P K Pesi M. Shaw has been elerted^presp Mehra carried the hopes of the stable ' '” and also of trainer Bezan Chenoy and jockey Pesi Shroff, notes a report in The the ensuing year. 1111105 of India. - ------------ the Usha Stud, fully justified management at the American Ho Division and in 1970 was appoin dent of the Federation of Hotel and and Applied Nutrition, Bombay.^ Restaurant Associations of India for C.— . C CllOUlIlg '— T T V A chartered accountant, Shaw Management Association, U.K., accompanied by daughter, Zeenia S Lavryer and wtfe, Mehroo walks proudly with Enterprising, winne j S' 4 1 4" a (a member of the Hotel and Commission, for the seven! plan, notes The Daily. Boga Memorial Award A Russi Boga Memorial Award for Conservation has been constituted in memory of a man who devoted the last years of his life to conservation. This was announced by his wife, Mehroo Boga, president of the Save Mahableshwar - Panchgani Association . The award will be in the form of a rotating shield as well as a cash prize to be presented annually, on February 10; to any individual for the best con ­ servation efforts in Maharashtra. Boga ’s d^icated efforts towards the preservation of Mahableshwar and Panchgani led to his appointment as one of the environmental represen ­ tatives on the Mahableshwar-Pan- chgani Regional Planning Board. Reprinted from Mid-Day, February 11, 1984 ¦ ¦ Shaw: new head of hotels. > 0^^ fl hl 1 "l Wl 1 The late Russi Boga. envlronmentaltst. r Planned Parenthood Chief Ms Avabai B Wadia, president. Family Planning Association of India, was elected president of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) at Nairobi in November 1983. The IPPF, founded in Bombay over three decades ago, is the world ’s sec ­ ond largest non-governmental organi ­ zation, according to a press release from the Family Planning Association of India. Ms Wadia was a founding member of this association which sup ­ ports welfare activities for women and children in 118 countries of the world. ________________ e ——- ..... .......j An active voluntary worker from planning maternal ’and child care^ tributionr her student days, Ms Wadia has been associated with the All T ” Women s Conference, in which she ment committees connected with fam- has held several offices. She has intro- ily planning and population policies, duced a number of innovative fea- L_ I., 1______ tures for spreading the knowledge of held various offices in Vhe IPPF family planning in the country. At her initiative, the Association has n 4. -wz a * F‘ Avabai Wadia: IPPFpresident. 1 Pudumjee: award winning puppeteer. These skills are integrated with family appreciation for their creative con- At the national level, Ms Wadia ... ------- This award is given to artists bet- India serves on a number of key govern- ween the age of 20 and 35 living , --------------- ----------------- territory of Delhi. Dadi . - - > . will get a plaque and Rs. 5,000 for his In the international sphere she has work done in the field of puppetry, hfxiri .L. From 1980 when the Sutra dhar A • . - Puppet Repertory started, the first lannrhZd Bcst YoUHS Allist ’83 production was Moti Ki Moonch-, in Tth. 1 loung Artist Chhiyoram, Pakhendi Sher and mg the ways m which family planning Dadi Pudumjee, the talented young The Ballad of Dhola Marui In 1982 puppctecr, has been given the Ek Tha Joota and Rangila Rakshas all M e Sansknti Award, by the Sanskrit! done, executed and directed by Dadi pionL^f “oA J" ’'““”8 *” 1’83 Utsav was done also tion in India. She is responsible for the formation of Parivar Pragati Man- dais for raising the status of under- women make them aware of their own capac- With Utsav the Sutrudhar Puppet through income-generating activities, ity and strength, and to express Theatre experimented with Bfcwk ^3 Parsiana March 1964 has held several offices. She has intro- ily planning and population policies. has been given the Ek Tha Joota and Ranglla Rakshs^aXl Sanskrit! Award, by the Sanskrit! done, executed and directed bv Dadi artist in 1983. by Dadi followed by The Little Mer- The purpose of the Sanskrit! maid directed by Gunter Wetzel. Awards is to discover, inspire and (Puppets were made by Dadi and honour new young emerging talent, to party). r> » L Theatre, entirely a novel presenta- refused to drink in Bombay, because it tion. was the law of the land and as an Dadi has been selected by UNIMA honourable civil servant he could not — Union International de la Mar- break it. However, when he went rionette {Il World Committee) for a abroad, he drank, conference in Moscow. Dadi was the first Indian to get a UNIMA Scholar- much. But his friends and admirers call ship to Stockholm. He got his dip- on him regularly and they go with a bot- loma from Darpana Akademy in tie. Gorwala sh^es the drink with them; Ahmedabad, where he also worked then, the level of the remaining liquid is for the ISRO space centre. He was marked with a tag of paper stuck on the invited to teach puppetry in East Ber- outside of the bottle along with the name lin, Germany, and many other coun- of the person who brought it. The next tries in Europe where his art and per- time the donor of the bottle visits Gor- formances were much appreciated. These days, Gorwala does not go out ’S LEACH & WEBORNY Diycleaners Dyers & Carpet Cleaners 15 Parsiana March 1^ wala, they continue to drink from the bottle and mark the next level on it. Godrei and Gorwala OOUrej ana UOrwaia bottles marked at The simplicity and humility of Soli different levels with the names of the Godrej, last year ’s sheriff, head of the bearers of the gifts inscribed on them. Godrej industrial empire, environmen- Reprinted from Sunday Mid-day, March 4, 1984. talist, is well-known. He dresses sirnply in cottons, drives a modest old Fiat, drinks only Indian liquor in India. So, at a USIS reception recently, as is his practice, he told the hosts: “I don ’t High School (established in 1888 by Ms like Indian whisky. So give me some ­ thing else Indian, gin or rum. ” Unfortunately, there was nothing In ­ dian at the bar table, except beer. So, he demurred for a while, then allowed himself to be convinced that since the USIS was not exactly Indian territory, he the Old Girtonians^ Association, could break his rule and have a foreign spirit. Then, as the host was about to Girton School Building When the old pupils of Bombay ’s Girton B A Moos) realised that the rented premises on Grant Road were inade ­ quate for the growing needs of the schools, they decid^ to raise the funds for a new school building. With this end in view they formed themselves into A new building on Sieater Road, the Association ’s gift to their alma mater, pour him a ^feater gin, he said: “Since was formally opened in February 1984. I am breaking the rule, I may as well A prize distribution function, at which have Scotch. ” the eminent jurist Nani Palkhivala was Another gentleman with similar wor- the chief guest, was'part of the inaugural thy principles is A D Gorwala, a celebrations. His wife Nergish, herself an distinguished former civil servant and old pupil of the school, distributed the editor of Opinion. Though brought up prizes, on the best of British traditions and used to a couple of “chottas ” before dinner, during the dark days of prohibition, he with the new building, says a press The Hon. Principal, Ms Silla Ardeshir and the Board of Trustees are happy New Oirton School building on Sleater Road. ¦"tj A *< II I ¦K release from the Association. The building accommodates well-equipped _ ' >; laboratories for each of the science sub- i' jects taught in the school —chemistry, i physics and biology. There are special rooms for geography and art, and also »- for audiovisual education, which enables fc- enables the teacher to use films and slides K as teaching aids. k r; > 'S. Fellow —one of the two from our coun- Dr Master has been activdy interested in the training and rehabilitation of men ­ tally subnormal children, and is one of the moving spirits behind the Kamayani School for the Mentally Retarded, Pime. H Kirtankar Honoured At a public function held under the auspices of Shri Kabirwadr Mandir Trust, Parvez Katrak, the well-known Parsi kirtankar, was honoured by the Kabirpanthi Trustees for his contribu- i tion to the propagation of Hindi devo ­ tional literature (particularly the . teachings and philosophy of the saint poet Kabir). In the last eleven years, Katrak has given more than 400 free kirtan recites, notes a press release Katrak is also the only Parsi kiitan- kar publicly honoured with a shawl , ' and citation by the All India Hindi it Wk Kirtankars Conference, notes die the first individual to be so appointed in report, any government medical college in Maharashtra State, notes a press release. An eminent senior psychiatrist of over 30 years ’standing. Dr Master has been J Olympic Honour in psychology and psy- 1 Jal Pardivala has been awarded the chiatry at many Indian universities. She | “Olympic Order, ” a bronze medal, by has written the first textbook by an In- the International Olympic Commit- dian on her subject and published 95 tee. The award was decided at the papers in scientific journals in India, the IOC meeting at Sarajevo, where the UK and the USA, quotes the press Winter Olympic games were held, release. The President of IOC, Juan Antonio Samaranch, sent the 73-year-old phys- and international honours. She is a cor- ical educationist and athletics official responding fellow of the American a cable of congratulations. Psychiatric Association, member of the The award is in recognition of Par- World Psychiatric Association and asso- divala ’s contribution to the cause of dated with various Indian and British the Olympic movement through his scientific and medical educational articles and books, notes The Daily, bodies. When the Royal College of Psy- The Finnish Government had hon- chiatrists was chartered in 1972, Dr oured him with the ‘Cruix de la Sport ’ Master was invited to be a Foundation in 1960 for the part he played during the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. And then came the John Kennedy and Helms Foundation awards in 1967. Pardivala was the first Asian and the only Indian to sit on the technical committee of the International Amateur Athletic Federation. He was . on the committee for nearly 24 years. Keki Takes Over Former test cricketer Keki Tarapore has been appointed executive secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in the place of Prof M V Chandgadkar. Tarapore w^l have to implement BCCI policy decisions and maintain con ­ tacts with the customs, railways, passport department and travel agencies, which is necessary when sending out and receiving Indian and foreign teams. Tarapore retired as the secretary of the Cricket Club of India (CCI) a year ago after serving it for over a decade. He was also the manager of India ’s most suc ­ cessful tour to England in 1971. Reprinted from Mid-day, March 4, 1984. Pune Psychiatrist Honoured Dr Roshen S Master has been appointed Professor Emeritus in Psychiatry at the B J Medical College and the Sassoon General Hospitals, Pune, for life. She is 17 Parsiana March 19B4 ¦ ¦ ¦¦ Dr Master is the recipient of national : * {' ¦ f fc ’ 1' i AdL*' - 5 S -1 *; ¦5 i I i \ ‘ jirt ¦ Top: Dr Master, Professor Emeritus in Psychiatry. Above: Pardivala, a bronze medal for Mm. Left: Katrak receivinga volume of Sant Kabir from Swami Shri Satramdas Shastriji. ¦*1 i. Zvt r fe J. r * ing the Issues The exeattive conunittee focuses on the WZO, defunct anjunums, jobs and the World Congress, \ A decision to explore tne possibility of Charity Funds>Dali R Bhesania, Ardeshir ' amelioraticm of the priestly class. Both -¦ J finding a c^promise stdution between Batiiwala wd Dr Russi D Anklesaria Golwalla and BPP Trustee Jamshed N J Ae Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian An- had made meticulous arrangements from Guzder denied the charge noting that as jumans of India aad the Lxindon based (vganiziiig a hectic two day program to the scheme involved sp ending around Rs J World Zoroastrian Organization was preparing name tags and presenting the 50,000 in the first year, they had to await one of the major features of the Federa- _ * ..... . tion ’s executive council meeting in holders with mounted aisho farohars. Calcutta on FeBruary 11 and 12. Rela ­ tions between the two apex bodies were could host the Federation meetings so the meantime the BPP had given Rs strained and only deft handling through successfully, ’’ said Federation vice- 8,000 to a research student, Ms Huzan. several hours of negotiations brought president and Delhi Parsi Anjuman and Kharas, to help defray expenses for a jS about a compromise for the moment. Trust president Shiavax D Nargolwala. socio-economic survey of the Bombay * W The decision was all the more momen- “I have come to realize that there are priesthood to be conducted over a two- tons with the approaching Fourth World more hospitable and generous people year period. Nargolwala was also peeved Zoroastrian Congress tentatively slated also, ’’ he said referring to the Cdcutta because he had not been given an oppor ­ tunity to present his scheme for the priesthood to the Federation delegates. But when he began to outline the scheme Homi Bodhanws^a of the Jamshedpur Parsee Association noted the, matter had been defunct for ‘‘pertains to Bombay, not the Federa- 50 to 100 years, the Federation should base its decision purely on economic grounds. 30 or so delegates with wooden pencil the minutes of the concerned meeting. hni/i»rc with “There is no use going ahead when “I was wrong in thinking only Delhi funds are not there, ’’ said Golwalla. In ¦ Trust president Shiavax D Nargolwala. socio-economic survey of the Bombay ' “I have come to realize that there are priesthood to be conducted over a two- ' for early January 1985 at which the community, workings of a world body are to be discussed. Plans for the Congress to be hdd in Bombay are under way and sug ­ gestions for topics to be discussed are being invited. Among the other highlights, the Federation is to appoint a co-ordinator to assist id handling the assets of defunct anjumans, some of whose properties would fetch lakhs, if not crores, of rupees on the real estate market. A push for job opportunities and career guidance is also under way with the publication of a four page printed newsletter which is to be a regular feature of the Federation ’s Business and Mani Clubwala of the Madras Parsi , Career Opportunities Panel. Anjumans Zarthosti Anjuman noted Madras had are being urged to form job and career In- his welcome address Batliwala “the highest paid mobed in the country: | committees to assist local job seekers and noted that Calcutta had been keen to Rs 3,000 plus free housing for the mobed . j Where the anjuman don. We are wasting our time. ’’ Shiavax Nargolwala suggested the for- | mation of an all-India cent^ fund to . help the priesthood. “The Delhi An- J juman will make a contribution of 10,000 if the others match it. ” Batliwala noted the subject had been .. t “discussed time and again... I and my co-trustees will try and give whatever we can. ’’ In- his welcome address Batliwala “the highest paid mobed in the country: business persons. And the Bombay Parsi host the Federation meeting for several and an assistant. We have bucketed an Punchayet is' contemplating the years but, due to the split in the body annual loss of Rs 8,(XX) so we will not be establishment of a dharamshala in caused by the abrupt departure of the able to contribute to this sdirane. ’’ Bombay. BPP in January 1978, “we were sitting “Nargolwala is lucky he can make “Prt^ess is measured in yards not idle. ’’ such an offer without consulting his miles, ’’ said Federation and Bombay The meeting started with a procedural co-trustees/ ’said Guzder. “We cannot Parsi Punchayet chairman Dr Aspi haggle over whether the Federation ’s state an amount without consulting our ; Golwalla while making his introductory honorary treasurer Pesi D Nargolwala otho* trustees. If they say ‘no ’, we ’d remarks'to the delegates at the Rut-Deen was to be the Bombay Parsi Punchayet ’s have to fork it out of our own pockets. ’’ Hotel. “Progress is bound to be slow but ‘focal member ’ liaising with the Federa- Federation Honormy Secretary, Keki sure. The roadblocks to our social and tion or whether his services wa-e to be J Gandhi, suggested a rotation st^nme economic development will be iced by the Federation ’s secretariat as whereby mobeds would have to go out removed.” ~ ' . ' ' \ ' _ The trustees of the Calcutta charged the BPP with “bureaucratic serve the mofiissil and other anjumans. ' ’ ...... feasible, ’’ cautimied Pesi I BPP in January 1978, “we were sitting Hotel. “Progress is bound to be slow but ‘focal member ’ liaising with the Federa- whereby mobeds would have to go out and when required. Nar^lwala also of Bombay three months in a year to j Zoroastrian Cwnmunity ’s Religious and delay ’’ in regard to a scheme for y^Pa^rsianaMaich 1384Nargolwala. “The Bombay atash beh- stressed the need for Parsis to take up Counselling rams and agiaries are hogging the farming and offered to send a note on Gandhi informed the council that the mobeds. The priests are well paid. The the proposal. BPP accepted the Federation ’s recom- favourable circumstances today are with mendation and sanctioned Rs 50,000 for them (the priests) not us. They will not Defunct Anjumans a school counselling program in Bom- leave their clientele and go. ” “What we are lacking is information, ” bay. “A committee is being formed, ” “If they are so well off, the question said Gandhi referring to the assets of noted Gandhi. ’ ... . - . .. . Golwalla complimented the communi- jumans had been requested to inform the intelligentsia noting that when you _ 2; ' J “write to Parsi experts, they all show that the scheme presented to the BPP so. Even after the information was col- willingness to help. ” He said a meeting would be considered by the trustees. “What we are lacking is information, ” of amelioration does not arise, ” defunct anjumans. Though all the an- countered Gandhi. Golwalla ended the discussion noting Federation secretariat, none had done lected, the Federation would have to ®f the counselling committee would be 1 “employ someone to follow up ” on the held in February. Jobs and Careers matter, said Gandhi. Once the par- A four-page printed circular on Job, ticulars had been obtained, the executive Fourth Congress Business and Career Opportunities council of the Federation could then take Guzder informed the delegates that the listing job vacancies and vocational Fourth World Zoroastrian Congress training opportSnities was distributed to ----------------------------------------------- would be held in January in the first or the delegates by Gandhi. The circular "Thp RomhAV AtASh second week. “It will held on the was an outcome of the Federation ’s luay aiaoi basis, same pattern, ” as the last Business and Career Opportunities Panel bohrSmS ACKZl AQiSriGS Congress said Guzder. “Soon you will which met at Golwalla ’s residence on , receive application forms. The venues December 14. Gandhi stated there was a QTG HOgging tuG being considered are the Biria or Shan- “communication gap ” between the rnnKorle Tho r^rioc+c niukhananda halls depending on the opportunities available and those seeking mODGuS. I llG priGSIS number of people attending. (Cusrow opportunities so the newsletter would orp \A/Pll DAiH " Bang is reportedly also being considered narrow the gap. aio vvci paiu. successful holding of its golden Merwan Mehta of the Ahmednagar --------------- -------------------------------- - jubilee function on March 21 at the Parsi Anjuman noted he had all the baug). Guzder invited the delegates to necessary information on industrial a decision on the disposal of the proper- send their suggestions for subjects and opportunities in Ahmednagar and “any- ty. Gandhi felt where the anjuman had speakers. body who wants to come to Ahmed- been defunct for 50 to 1(X) years, the nagar should get in touch with me. ” Federation should base its decision pure- Bejan Dittia of the Parsi Zoroastrian ly on economic grounds, not “sen- Bombay before the end of his trus- Anjuman of Secunderabad and timent. ” 1 ........ ... Hyderabad noted that according to a _ _ report prepared by the joint secretary in to undertake such ventures? ” asked and other anjumans, he felt there was the Home Ministry, Government of Shiavax Nargolwala. a great need for a dharamshala in India, 250 Parsis had appeared for the Indian Public Services Examinations for come to it, ” said Guzder. Nargolwala sidered at the Congress, the Indian Administrative Service and noted, “The problem of defunct an ­ other organizations but none were jumans was largely in Gujarat and Reservation for Parsis selected. Maharashtra. Neighbouring anjumans Cushrow Irani, managing director of Noting the advantage to the communi- should be encouraged to take over The Statesman, one of the leading ty of having Parsis in the services, responsibility, ” he suggested. English newspapers in the country, who Golwalla said, “If you have clever boys Gandhi noted that when mention was was a guest speaker at the meeting said and girls, the Bombay Parsi Punchayet made of an aramgah at Surendranagar he was addressing the gathering as “a will be willing to spend on them. ” near Bhavnagar, the Surat Parsi Pun- concerned Zoroastrian proqd of his in ­ Jal Postwala, a naval officer who chayet President Maneck Gheyara said heritance and tradition. ” He noted that represented the Vishakapatnam Parsis as he did not have the time to attend to the the community had not asked for any an invitee, noted, “there used to be a lot matter. This reinforced the need for a concession from the government and of Parsis joining the services in the coordinator, said Gandhi. should continue to refrain from doing 1950’s and 6O’s. Many facilities are given Guzder stated that the Federation was so. He felt asking for concessions would but Parsi boys are not interested. Of best suited to deal with defunct an- cause “damage to our heritage and tradi- course the salar ies are not commen- jumans and cited the example of how the tion. ” surate ” with the private sector “but it is Gujarat government was willing to heuid a way of life. You have to choose bet- over monetary compensation to the their lowly position in the community, ween a salary and that. I would like to Federation because it was an all-India “Can we not do something to improve BK Batliwala of Hyderabad- r " ‘ _ '¦ ‘ Secunderabad made mention of some the co mmuni ty, espe cially in re gar d to / / The Bombay atash are hogging the mobeds. The priests are well paid. / / Federation should base its decision pure- Golwalla noted at this juncture that he was keen to construct a dharamshala in teeship. Noting the hospitality extended “Has the Federation got the funding to the delegates by the Delhi, Calcutta “We ’ll cross that bridge when we Bombay. A pitch for funds may be con- Gandhi noted that when mention was was a guest speaker at the meeting said Irani spoke of the nassessalars and help any Parsi wanting to join. ” body, rather than to the Surat Punchayet. their life? ” Postwala promised to send literature on Batliwala of Hyderabad- Referring to the bias against women in the defence services to the Federation. Secunderabad made mention of some the community, especially in regard to Nariman Balsara.an invitee from the property in Raichur on which he was re* the children of Parsi women married to Saronda Parsi Jarthoshti Anjuman, quested to gather information. non-Parsis not being accepted -ga Parsis, 21 Parsiana March 1984 .«¦ ¦** -A., i-**“ 4r' I Irani said, “Zoroaster was the first pro- Parsis, in those educational institutions meeting in English —why not our phet to equate the sexes. ” Irani pleaded founded by Parsis? ” asked Clubwala. for a beginning to be made for removing the inequalities by accepting the children plication along the lines suggested by to (understand) the thoughts behind the of those women who have married out Clubwala had been made by former words and the vibrations. The Christians of the community and are subsequently Maharashtra Legislative Assembly have changed. The Tamils (Christians) widowed, divorced or separated. He ask- member Ms Aloo Chhiber. recite their prayers in Tamil, the Goans ed them to sympathetically consider the Shiavax Nargolwala noted that the in Konkani. ” Mehta said the inability to plight of the “one parent family ” and community ’? greatest characteristic and pray in a language they understood “is the “effect on those young minds. ” strength has been adaptability. Parsis keeping Parsis from their religion. ” BK Batliwala interjected that the “very incantation rules supreme. The in ­ cantation encompasses humata, hukta, terated that the Delhi Anjuman permits huvarshta. Parents must continue to prayers? Orthodox Pafsis stress the Pesi Nargolwala noted that an ap- vibratory effects of the prayers. It is time Shiavax Nargolwala noted that the the “effect on those young minds. ” Bodhanwala concurred that “a great had risen by merit but “we have to think injustice is being done to Parsi ladies... of the average person. ” Reservations we are doing something wrong to our would assist them. Nargolwala also rei- womenfolk. ” As for the nassessalars, Bodhanwala noted, in Jamshedpur “We membership of non-Parsi spouses but teach Parsi prayers. ” do everything ourselves no matter who is without the right to enter the agiary. dead. Why have separate classes? We “No harm has been caused by member- Gandhi noted the fault lay not with the Avesta language “but with us for not should all corne forward and do the ship of these spouses. ” Nargolwala also learning Avesta. We should encourage work. ” noted that the law pertaining to Parsi our children to learn Avesta. We don ’t want to lose it... There is no reason why When a person dies without leaving a one cannot read the English or Gujarati version and also read the Avesta. ” 'f noted that the law pertaining to Parsi On job reservations, Dittia agreed that succession discriminates against women, reservations would be counter ­ productive and create resentment from will, he said “a daughter gets only half the other communities. I _ _ “We should not lower ourselves to of what a son gets. Our marriage and by people like Piloo J ungal walla were Harijan status, ” said Clubwala. She divorce act is the most outdated in bought by anjumans and stored in noted however, that in regard to educa- ................... . tion the community was at a distinct disadvantage as 33 per cent of the seats were in the reserved status. “Would it in a language understood by the com- not be possible to reserve a few seats for munity. “We are conducting this old deliberately refused to translate the the share a son gets. A mother gets half Gandhi lamented that books authored , India. ” said Norgolwala. Merwan Mehta asked why the Zoroastrian prayers could not be recited godowns instead of being circulated. “These books have been written for children to read. ” Nargolwala noted that the Iranians of 1 k t GRAND HOTBL Forever peasant forever I V; QC X (D IO X o s •iW-! M- yours. V ¦ ¦ There's everything. Simply everything from a friendly welcome to.a personalised service. You will.find all the comforts and luxuries of a 5 star hotel at 3 star cost, amidst the right atmos- phere of grandeur. The rooms are air conditioned and equipped ^^E with telephones, channel T.V. and piped music. We also provide rooms to accoihmodate 25 to 125 persons J|R " for seminars, company meetings and receptions. W Come any time. You’ll love being here. We'll make you smile in everything we do. nPvaitnaMarGh laM Dial: 268211 1 I -< • 'Z. GRAND HOTEL Ballard Estate. Bombay-400038. ' s 4*’’Jr The Fariyas Group offers... 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As Gandhiji used to say, let us turn the searchlight inwards. Our own young men and women are unwilling to break out of their narrow environment and the thought of a job away from Bombay or Calcutta or Delhi where they have been bom and bred appears to strike some kind of near terror in their hearts. They integrity and sincerity for which the Parsi not be allowed to be compromised under show neither a spirit of adventure nor the will to succeed. They almost give the im ­ pression that the world owes them a liv ­ ing —not the best way to embark upon a career, reservations or no reservations. Many parents, unconsciously perhaps, drive their children into one or the other After many years of apathy, there are _ , unmistakable signs today of a revival of has been traditionally well-lmown must interest in community affmrs, a search i—'—. "2. for our roots, a i------------- - bdiefs, and a certain pride in our sellj^ourself. achievements. This has led to healthy questioning of where we are going as a community andiwhether we are preparing , . . our youngsters adequately for the tasks think anyone wiU quarrel with the view ahead and the role that we must play in th*: .hit “r « diohtpst rwam the country ’s affairs. The past is impor- an emphasis on merit rather than on cied without the slightest r^m tant to an understanding of the future, privilege. Deteriorating standards of per- aptitude^of theu ’ offThis « a ma- but it does no good to bemoan our lot or ..........— to be unduly carping and critical of ourselves and keep thinking of the glories of the past. There is no point in decrying the fact that we do not produce Jamshedji Tatas today. The environment in which such entrepreneurs flourished no longer exists. The community has a great record of adaptability and we should bear this in mind and build upon it. Over the last two days we have discussed in particular job opportunities for the community ’s youth and how the r Federation can help to draw attention to the careers available to our young peo- , j pie, to prepare them for those careers : confidence in community’s future. and help with the necessary education and training. I would like to submit formance all round have a great deal to two points in this context for your consideration. First, it is entirely right that we pay at ­ tention to these problems but I plead for a more t . . M stammer and had as much chance of ® only be the pursuit of excel- becoming an advocate or public speaker lence —an important national priority as a victim of multiple sclerosis h^ of — » ______xi __ 1________________________ ofVilAfAt TRat Rp re-discoverv of basic a veneer of modem methods of how to The other point is more fundamental. I have heard pleas for reservations of jobs for the Parsi community. I do not that what our country needs above all is profession that they have themselves fan ­ cied without the slightest regard for the jor reason why youngsters are unable to compete in the occupations into which they have been pre-directed under paren ­ tal pressure. Vocational guidance at an earlier rather than at a later stage, is needed. The Federation ’s energetic secretary, Keki Gandhi, has ambitious plans to fit the youngsters into proper jobs. I sup ­ port his efforts, but I fear they will come to nothing unless our youngsters develop the right attitude to the challenges of life. I suspect that they have not been nur ­ tured on the right spiritual and mental diet to equip them suitably. The will to succeed, the pleasure of overcoming obstacles, the sheer joy of achievement in the face of sometimes overwhelming odds have not been inculcated in the only way in which they can be effective —by r consideration other than merit. I setting an example. am not denying the need to raise the level of the lower rungs of our society. It is a ^ns*e oF propoition. Iliere "i^ much differerit matter altogether to create a to life than preparing and studying vested interest, which is growing at an do with the evil of reservations based on every I do not know if all of you have seen Nani Palkhivala ’s book recently publish ­ ed, IVe, the People. In a very moving In- _ ___________ _ ______ ______ trt^uction and Pergonal Note, he recalls alarming rate,in belonging to particular that as a child he suffered from a dread- can only be the pursuit of excel- becoming an advocate or public speaker lence —an important national priority as a victim of multiple sclerosis h^ of in every country. To demand reservation becoming an Olympic athlete! That he is ja wZ seats in educational institu- today one of the finest speakers that for the community suffers from India has ever produced is not seriously in question. With characteristic modesty he ascribes his achievement to Pro ­ vidential Grace. I speak from personal been told that we should concentrate on training people on how to conduct themselves during interviews, how to shake a hand, how to walk erect rather of jobs or than with a stoop as you enter an office, how to dress in Une with the person tak ­ ing the interview and, generally, how to sell yourself. I must cortfess that I am a little impatient with some of these techni- Sg^the ^inteMew^'^U^be impressed by which is that unlike some other minority ercise of the power of the will is an ‘ somebody who is straightforward, communities the Parsis do not want any pie that young people can emulate to sincere and frank in his answers. In these special treatment and are prepared to great adv^tage. S^of felling standards everywhere, the take their chances on the same basis as WhUe the plans we are making are im- tions ... . - two consequences in my view. One, it tends to suggest that two wrongs make a right. The other is to turn our back on - . the stand that the community has con- knowledge when I say that the dKCiplme sistently taken ever since Independence, he imposed on himself and the sheer ex- . • • . • f* __ _ ____ ..mil Sri n«*k AVQTVl. take ±eir chances on ±e same basis as 27 Parsiana March 1984 Jll 1» ^2? t- s • S' *' r rjya—-» «.»- ^.la?> ' t *, k*'^ ^T" feijav! b^ t» L •V * P ir*' ' 5c;’i * .*sJ 'll iJ ^•< •:'• *»-W. t '* ‘ V ’1 "tOJ^ W: f 1 * \i Ife., ^t: .-r. ;. J , I 1 C '' ., ¦ : ‘' t- \ ;' . it ' - * -*¦.«< "fsSri fooked aroundsuitable some x^th^e eaa^lnsBeat and found it in reDafajfifl! materials <» lhe _ .., A , — manufacturing sm^teal "instRh tiotss led to 1 be h^^ed to ,meirts. safes. ' An Amerieat-Id k!nv i**. 1017^ h^e gahied a i^wll Chas of mamriri^re GocHrej and Boyce bay are weU k^own t '* 81^ die Ffu* Eari was justified many i k varieaB tests were eot^ L theprc^etrnsandiml^^ K cies, to dieck dm ltd! proof properties Mi HMrife. ¦ Juaot^^ mostlrili^ ¦ vttiottB tests is Qoip lri^ I' in Noveadier llih^' ' f’ effitor the^ndW who 1 described it thuS : ’ «f ' empioymeftt and found it m repaid materials rdassic example of how and manufacturing surgical instru- tioos led *• -i I / *• i ?< T hiSrihil l»^^U»y><.The first s^^ahnany yeaK the syrip en^ae. Today, it is rap the sy^W of a safes. Z sft K. con- moyed beyrnid ^t every con- I to ri»»R from soaps Atdesfeh- Bu i,- '¦¦• ¦* I pa^m was hardly a r ahioM moved on to paay in 1917, ¦* t ** TK ' ’Zs "• *43 ^''KlS -‘-M ? <3odr5».^W-l^). was the eldSa^ . dri^>a^^^ tttaerod^e^» ' Hew»5 ^HhI .7-.4 ..Kobe, Am -Mr'th^di "¦ ^«|^W"^eriuia Jidi^ee"'^ '»4~ k' M* ft} ***i smtdiM'": nerf tdford '^ft^test ot his srib^acriR c^aari^ «'|eai"lw measnri^ 12 youngest brodief, ^ed tO 3)^n a bra^ for them in “ ¦ “ u-lie did this so sucews- — dfit^ 'asked Bn to oped i jarimher btrihe^ in Paris. The Tatas \ 3ate# frcBn Sis but Mun- Ardsshfr Ch,dn|/.jte« fee m tocrim^ . .^ ^aridha fBnd the, atmo^gta*e dibre - z::*- ¦"¦^L^^^^?y'¦-. ¦5i...^-.- -t.>- < -•¦ • .• .< . ¦ . .' »y- 'i ^-- r 5’ - 9-’ ^’oea^^M^ ’ijatf he decided to remain ^ptore the posstUfiriea lock mak- to which were t rfcj cooipaay ’s ^rks ia buaness ing. ttefe he wm nm^ succescAd.' linen, cotton, a l;.r^'’ r-——: ,- ,,l^¦•^•k.:wF. a*v *« «M«.' .fkaijw'*'*^ ¦•• iiriaiMTx~xi~unja.anJi< -' '' '•QHnw> , 1^ saw the promotikin of the Goew IlbMaK^urm^ Company the widl erf the-sal^l^ , i^t of eUctrik fitw . the manu&K:t^^ rides Al^; b^same the first indiaft manufacturer r |l^.\jPEtmd' that h^ di«^ of any siae and repute for lodts and cal -hm to peijuta hirase^f Jbft Sre-proof safes. . "Ooe-ef AatesBr Ctor’s invep**' “ Hwaswhffw wah a th^e*pao9f li^]^ririsuxM|^ J* L F M WOi iXs: *1*? i¥ -« \’-- ?•'<’ W'S', b,we m k-V ? KrtSSs' • -;¦?•’'4' ¦^s to peijo^ Sre-pnxkf safes. i. ? j i‘ * \»* -i W- iL^ier which {^ueed >ater . ^^^t^t^®>&^s* 't ’ . ¦i*.<.i[i »ii.>iu HII. I.III nriHli..i itiii W,i4iU!|l)jiKft-’^ 1. in;^ couise of his work, he lowed ftat of locks and^on Ardeshir iSK \ ti"' ^4- 4'^ i - « ¦ ’^. 9’1 '*1 u -J-jl 3‘| ;S J k’ Jj ^!j ^1 J J h^ ?’ 1 i I Jji 5 T J F *'m i I 1 t i .?' 1 H; I J' * s / hi fc i n ' *'1 1 u 3 di .11 LT- lits, u.'. 32» e W edible essencw» horaes . |WHe< tw^ on *> These Uleds ^w~J^canned foods, prints stre^ W gotl^ - t__ SadboSpoUsh. Soaps and veget-^^-^ become aMi^Hf ^SwetecortHnerdaHy viable Wd mmd0matothesea.^a^mtos co^ pother of A was managing Oodr^ nier<^, ^;^5BK«^te -C."! ¦? manam O - ----- the new sow .«wteh >om ta w^gwg- of 1918 saw the pre- icafflitCQBMBK wad pcraacat ^jaa^'Sfreet,BycuJla, ’bej^ reUsmw lor tiufia. n m fe- ??. H i0t Ae maimfaetufB.^ :.. A ^H^aktr iWaS a f gtfed'tor me Hiaiwiaew«« mesc lyew *i;**JL S§;&t sow. Afdisshir was a vnth other ?*5^. *h- with a flair *r ^^Tasote, Gawfti. With th^m^ Jte capitalised th® ^vely sq^ to rigorous tests. ‘u, issnan with a flair ior Tagorc. « «• ^a « .. ^ flhties Of the masses by Movement. ~. ' • ---a.- , . . ......... ^^ial references pr<^ _______ e a soap nf9^ df pu^ ggai® industry.,*^ ’so|>p^: ^0W the law iwMKj—' ’ ,. One. *« ^''^*’’'^’ ^7'" , sinaller But tioBSwasafiie-!«6«ffm««co®*^ fast ' .^z,k wMer vap- - dif^ "in A93fi* IChidh^^'^dust of fW cosn^feti^ i&of I* ':Z soai^ tocosn^F ’ ;^=s :t^ te ^ material. „i AtOeMi -Soiutyi iaven- ',• i '•¦ ' k ¦ '•“ • ‘ •/, . '’i ' VVs« 7^^ 4 for safes wWeh produced watM va^ ! h»d X wbcn the safe was subjected to the of a fire. Wi inVentitm wefit igb its severe «stfeg OUS re ial^!^ . a a^ fast. (tfhadnoheirs. It ’ & * ‘1 !{H * . 1?^ ,7* '¦ % f--.. I ! 4, ¦ '-.4, ’ ¦¥. 7282930 • s S: ». J I : I I I ¦ S ¦ > S y S : ¦' h =11. -^- he says. Sons, Noshir, Minoo and Jal, pays. Then only can we have ‘barkat ’ Toiirs Ilndpr Fl«»r Wino grandsons, Nauzar and Firdaus, and through their ‘dua ’. Which is why we do ??¦“S nephews, Parvez, Sohrab and Farokh, not encourage people buying from us Naazneen Karmali form an integral part of Kayani ’s today, and then selling in Bombay. Supposing Ms Homayun Khodayar Kayani (“we there is adulteration, ‘dagal baazi ’, what As appearances go, people would label call her Homai ’’) still provides the moral will people think of Kayani ’s? ’’ Gita Choksi, general manager, tours, support from home. Asked about his special recipe for Thomas Cook as “well turned out. ’’ Kayani talks about what upsets him Shrewsbury biscuits, Kayani says. There is more to her though, than just most —the rise in prices. “In 1933, “What recipe? ‘Hum recipe nahin matching accessories and lipstick. Take sponge cakes cost 50 paise per pound, dekha,naEnglandgayasikhneko ’.Peo- this figure for instance: when Choksi Today they cost Rs. 9. Shrewsbury ’s per pie like the Shrewsbury because it is joined Thomas Cook in 1980, the annual kilo. Raw materials like sugar cost Rs produces best results. ’’ The results, 5(X) a bag when they used to cost Rs 9. Shrewsbury biscuits' each stamped pro- informs matter-of-factly, choo sing to Maida was Rs 9 a bagj that ’s 90 kgsj to- udly with an entwined KB, travel the play down her contribution. day it ’s Rs 270. Butter was nine annas a length and breadth of India when visitors pound, today Jt ’s Rs 34 per kilo. Bread pick them up in Poona, cost one anna a loaf of eight ounces; to ­ day Rs 1.50 per kilo. Outsiders may know of Kayani ’s sole- souvenirs, we say, ‘Take the money as too soon. In fact it was long over ­ ly for its cakes and biscuits but bread is donation. ’ Our advertising is when a due. As Choksi laughing ly admi ts, “The what the bakery has built its solid reputa- customer takes home our cake and responsibility came on long before the tion on. More than 2,000 loaves of biscuits and thinks them good enough to designation. ’’ The statement reveals an bread, absolutely free of chemicals, leave feed his children with. Their ‘dua ’ (good important facet of her working style Kayani ’s for local consumption every wishes) is our best advertisement. ” she has never feared taking on respon- day. Every pale gold loaf is made by Kayani ’s is open seven days a week sibility and being held accountable for hand, the only time it reaches from 7.30 a.m. to 7 30 p.m. except in the her decisions. This attitude has been in- mechanization being when it ’s cut by a afternoons when “our salesman should grained in her,v she confesses, by her machine whose blades are meticulously also get rest. ” Situated on 6, Dr Coyani mentor, K. B. Sarwal, who recently cleaned twice a day. Covaji Road, (East Street), Poona — retired from Thomas Cook and was for- “We clean the whole bakery everyday 411 001. merly with Cox & Kings. In fact, it was in the afternoon, ” says grandson Fir- Sarwal who was responsible for her entry daus. “Grandfather insists on everjlhing into the travel industry. being spotless when we open again in the courtesy Mid-day. At that time, the university-fresh evening. He also insisted on fly-proofing the whole place. We aim at carrying on with whatever he has trained us. When he was sick, and away for two months, we ran the bakery. When he came back and inspected the place, he was very pleased with us. ” There are traces of Kayani ’s personal touch all over the bakery, in the cake ­ mixing machine and in the ovens. Even in the godown which Kayani himself built. The motto that Kayani has en ­ shrined, “honesty, cleanliness and quality, ”is evident throughout the premises. “I have cancelled 16 items that we us ­ ed to make, ” says Kayani, “because the ingredients like kaju, kismis, badaam, became too costly and I didn ’t want to use groundnuts. When there is no good quality ingredient available for an item, I stop the item for 8 to 10 days. But I will not cheat my customers. ” Which is also why Kayani does not make more of any item than the specified amount. “We make by hand, ” he says. “Make more and the quality will spoil. The customer has to be given the right kind of quality for the amount he .?’^' T;?' '^ we tave ‘barkaf Xo„rs u„Je, Hg, yyj„„ tnrniiGn thmr ‘nun’ Wnirn ic uzhv wp Hn “ “What recipe? ‘Hum recipe nahin matching accessories and lipstick. Take dekha, na Engird gaya sikhneko ’. Peo- this figure for instance: when Choksi ~ — — -------— — — — — — WSAW ««¦¦¦» w»- - 1 pound cost 14 amas, today Rs 24 per made with best material. Best material turnover of the tours department was Rs. kilo. Raw materials like sugar cost Rs produces best results. ’’ The results, 44 lakhs. Today it is almost a crore, she 500 a bag when they used to cost Rs 9. f ' , ‘ ' *____________ Maida was Rs 9 a bagj that ’s 90 kgsj to- udly with an entwined KB, travel the play down her contribution. Long overdue Kayani does not advertise. “When Her recent promotion to the gene ­ people come to us for advertisements for ral manager ’s post has come not a day souvenirs, we say, ‘Take the money as too soon. In fact it was long over- Reprinted from Mid-day November IS, 1983. Photos courtesy Mid-day. Gita Choksi: ‘responsibility long before designation.' aMNtt. 1. *51 I I' 'S L "SI Parsiana March 1964 Bsl ¦ *¦’10 i^'. Al « h hJ h H! I I ‘I i I, ¦I IB !-<'lit f r Choksi was working as “head cook and she was leaving one managerial position bottle washer ” i.e. an account executive to take up another. The move meant at International Advertising and Market- more than just a higher post and salary . ing, a subsidiary of L. P. Ayers (the The family like atmosphere of Cox & advertising agency has since folded up.) Kings, “where we had a fant^tic team As she recalls, “I just didn ’t enjoy being of people who had grown with the orga- kicked around by clients. Maybe I was nisation, ” was replaced by a much larger just a third-rate sales person. ” Before rules-conscious set up. the year was over, she had made up her Budding rapport was a problem that mind to move out of advertising but was made more difficult by the fact that wasn ’t quite sure where to go. “I was a ra^ outsider and a lady at t^t. A chance conversation with Sarwal of I could distinctly feel the cold vibes, she Cox & Kings, one of lAM ’s clients, recalls in amusement. Of course, matters resulted in a job offer for Choksi. “That have been smoothened out by now and was the beginning of nine wonderful the lines of authority clearly established, years at Cox and Kings, ” she enthuses. Today Choksi finds that promotion of “And while initially I was looking after tours and planning new tours takes up a publicity brochures and advertising, I good chunk of her working hours. And found myself gradually getting more and though the nitty gritty of the operational more involved with the operational function is looked after by the staff , she aspect of tours. ” Organising Indian feels that it is important td keep in touch tours of foreign groups is an important with it. The most crucially important foreign exchange earner for a travel task, according to her, is negotiating agency and for Choksi this involve- " **'*“’' ***" ment opened up a whole new world. Thus, her joining the tours depart- . ment in 1972 was natural and to a certain fer depends on the number of people in extent, expected. A year later, the func- the group, the time of year and where the tions had widened to include even plann- tour is originating from. “The^compell ­ ing and promotion of tours. “There was tion is so intense that even a difference ot really no dividing line, ” Choksi recalls, $2 counts, ” she says. Her job also covers “I had a direct link with Sarwal and was maintaining good public relations with always reporting to him. And it was he the airlines and hotels, dealing frequently rates with hoteliers. Hotel charges form an important component of the costing and the kind of deal hoteliers would of- i extent, expected. A year later, the func- the group, the time of year and where the tions had widened to include even plann- tour is originating from. “The competi- ing and promotion of tours. “There was tion is so intense that even a difference ot ;ally no dividing line, ” Choksi recalls, $2 counts, ” she says. Her job also covers ¦I had a direct link with Sarwal and was maintaining good public relaUoris with who tasdSed *a great deal of confidence with bureaucracy and travelling three to in me. ” four times a year “mostly abroad ”. Then came an experience that, was more or less to seal her fate. Choksi was Conscious choice hurriedly despatched to Europe on a The orbit Choksi covers today includes four-week promotional marathon, the not only organisuig tours within Imt object of which was to spread the word also neighbouring countries like ot around about the company ’s tours, meet Lanka and Bhutan. At Thomas Cook, the agents and of course, get some business, travel and tours wing accounts for not It was literally like groping in the dark more than a fourth of the to^ turnover, for Choksi who had until then never .................... ‘ stepped out of the Bombay-Pune-Panch- gani circuit. “It was a frightening ex ­ perience. I visited 17 cities in 28 days and are concerned we are quite low down on four times a year “mostly abroad ”. And this is by conscious choice rather than any operational constraint. As Choksi candidly admits, “As far as tours met 72 travel agents. (These figures are the top 10 list; probably number eight or stuck in my mind!) At the end of it, I had nine. ” lost my voice. ” '3 J. } With Compliments of JEENA & COMPANY IATA Approved Air Cargo, Clearing, Forwarding & Warehousing Agents 10, Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Bombay 400 023. Cable: “JUSTITIA” Telex: 2313 Phone: 312032 1 - " *1 The agency occupies a somewhat similar position in the outbound tours Positive response market, preferring to adopt a low key The jaunt however proved fruitful in one approach rather than go m for aggressive si gnificant aspect: it succeeded in creating marketing and advertising as even an awareness about the travel agency. The smaller agencies do. Where competition follow-up was a mailing campaign con- is so fierce, a certain amount of wheeling sisting of a series of personalised letters, and dealing is indulged in especially by This too worked out well and evoked a the smaller one-man outfits and bucket ­ positive response. shops. “But that s all part of business. It was successes such as these that isn ’t it? ” says Choksi, her dark eyes found Choksi moving quite rapidly up flashing, as she reveals yet another unex- the corporate ladder. When she left Cox pected facet to her personality. and Kings in 1980 to join Thomas Cook Reprinted from Business India AprU 9—22. 1984. BRANCHES: E. Merc House, 19/B, Shakespeare Sarani, (Formerly Theatre Road) Calcutta 700 071. Phone: 444711 “Jeena House ”, 50, Hanuman Road, Connaught Circus, New Delhi 110 001. Phone: 310821 Devtha Plaza, C. 14, Residency Road, Bangalore 560 025. Phone: 26215 No. 26, 26, 24, 2nd floor. Harbour Approach Road, Vishakapatnam 530 001. Phone: 65942 205, Gera Chambers, Off Boat Club Road Pune 411 001. Phone: 65942 A, ' < 39 Parsiana March 1964 iMittdfiiiiSSH? Ji I IB SiiiS -¦n.ii'SiSiCSSBsiliSlF; JBilliil! ®i: Ji Wif ifcs ¦i;: ¦ 1 I t ! ' J ¦SplRSI / . ¦ • ’ j The ill Hii Jti '|ij • > I JI ’uH ¦ ¦ . : Shipbuilders of Bombay H f I Ik... - ______________ __ fl IB .. ... ___ Charles Allen i ¦L ^t* 0^1 A ¦i It “SSiiii ‘d J w Anchored in the roadsteads off the ’ " British Navy ’s dockyjad at Ports- built of Malabar teak, cut from the mouth, a battered, ancient bulk sw- forests of Western India. Foudroyant, ings with the tide. Compared with in fact, is not a British ship at all but an ______ . Nelson ’s flagship, HMS Victory, Indian one, built for the Royal Navy in his team of carpenters and modernii the shipyard. He arrived accompanie The shipwrights who designed and by a work force of 10 Parsi were so proud of —the Foudroyant is young foreman carpenter from Sura a Parsi named Lowji Nusserwanji, wi invited by the British East India Con pany to come south to Bombay wii A* gleaming with spit and polish and fresh a Bombay shipyard in 1817. paint in her dry-dock close by, she The shipwri^ins wlio desigucu ana oy a worn rorce oi lu Farsi cafl seems a pathetic sight, with her masts constructed the Foudroyant—along penters, five of them members of iS cut short and her gun-ports battened with 15 other fine sailing ships for own family. He put in 50 years of s^ down. Yet the history of Her Majesty ’s the Royal Navy and a great many more vice, for small financial reward 1» Training Ship Foudroyant, formerly for the Indian Navy —were all earning an outstanding reputation as® master-craftsman, as Well as the title A Wadia (shipbuilder), which his fam® adopted as its surname. On his retir® ment he was succeeded by his two soi® Manekji and Bomanji, who took ov< the running of the shipyard and drw named the Trincomalee, is just as remarkable in its own way as that of its more famous sister-ship of the line — not because of the men who sailed in her but for those who built her. Victory and Foudroyant are the last survivors of the days when Britain ’s Navy really did rule the seas, but Foudroyant has the distinction of be ­ ing the oldest vessel in the world that is Still afloat and in active service, which these days means serving as a training ship for youngsters who come aboard members of one extraordinary family for a few days to learn what it was like who for nearly two hundred years to live and work in an old man-o ’-war. dominated the dockyards of Bombay, One reason why she has stayed afloat and helped to turn what was a quiet for well over a century and a half is backwater into the busiest seaport in that unlike the Victory—made from Asia. the ‘hearts of oak ’ that English seamen What was even more galling for British shipbuilders was that the Wadia ships were also far dieir father had constma superior in handling to their own. (now the site of the Governmi Dockyard). This was at a time when the sh building industry in Britain was faci a crisis brought on by a shortage mature oak timber. So many sh were being built for trade and to sup the ‘wooden walls ’ of England in wars against other maritime pow s that the great oak forests of South --------- bK* w wwiiaiiib kjviivtw^ Their story begins in 1736 when a depleted. However, there was stre England were becoming seriou 40 Parsiana March 1984 L t'M •r'i s p n 11 te if IS ;h j- ts ;o 1- I. Maneckji Lowji: second Master Builder. .-a- 'h rt a, a- jn *e 4e •y « - in ;iS St t- . >f . . . —'*^******v^*ivFuo luiiii; guoa pain- i *'a thic • Bombay at tings, including full-length portraits of 7® seemed as if Lord Nelson and Sir Charles Forbes (a Jamsettji Bomanji: third Master Builder. opposition in England to the idea of builders ' ’ using Indian ships to make up the which nmvpd that "»irw7* “ **'^ouy, u laia not see their numbers. It was argued that Bombay- were also far superior in hlndlin^To the^ foreign dress,or read built ships would not be as well-made their own. The Consequence was thl? t?unusual names at the end of a let- or as sea-worthy as British vessels, thai by the time a third^ generation Cf l^uallvtCn Indian teak was too heavy and would Wadias had taken up their rules and visited the rot in salt water. And when the first plumb-lines, the Admir^itv in t f Hormarji Bomanji Wadia in cargo-carrying Indian ships did arrive ?W -------------- a „uzuu.. oi Diacked by dockers and ship-owners which joined the battle fleets then alike on the grounds that they were fighting the French. By 1810 the Ad- toking away trade and jobs from miralty was starting to commission British ships and British workmen —a " 7,, wnwi. uvui cry that was to become all too familiar the Bombay dockyards and continued over the next two centuries! *' * " These obstacles were overcome not by persuasion but by irrefutable evidence that Bombay ships built of Malabar teak by the Wadias for thp East India Company ’s navy, not only "n* ‘’““¦’'ss figure in T cost far less, but could expect to last iLl? L u^ ® over Bombay Bombay), ornamented the walls; and t £" for 30 years as against an English b its finest superb windows of painted glass, cast ** vessel ’s average of 12 years ThS they mixed easily with the brilliantly tinged rays of the depar- were also stronger as was demnn^ Europeans, already providing that ting sun on chandeliers of dazzling Strated when only one ship the Wadia thT'^ParsFs was to make lustre. Princely in general effect, the frigate Salsette, came through un- amoCpIhpRwhole combined well with the dignified dainaged after a British *^“1 cZTuSSer ‘‘;f'’B“.^S;.“‘'!rsSd" «« weeks7u\hrN0rth BakicXl"^^^^^ men ” ^wrote''^' Sish^ad®"**?' r' ”, “’T'' was even more gaUing for British ship- meeting Jamshetji Wadia and ’ws S 3 gr^''su ”StarSe"5SSe brothers in 1809, “If I did not see their i rot in salt water. And when the first plumb-lines, the Admiralty in London ' Vu ------ *“ I—a Company ’s navy, a number of fighting the French. By 1810 the Ad- iSpTtoVh; R^yrNavy “om 'T’ „ . . / uiiccu irom richness T nvnrlrtnc __ _____i “We found ourselves ushered up a handsome stairs, which led to a 41 Parsiana March 1984 I i J to do so until the advent of iron-clads more than half a century later. To visitors the Wadias were the town ’s first fami- richness. Luxurious couches and tomans covered with damask silk ___ arranged with gilded fauteils of the most commodious form; good pain- ot- were at .¦i the Parsis so useful among the British and the other Indian and graceful deportment communities in Bombay. “J - ----------- »> never guess they were not English ­ men, ’’ ’-J meeting Jamshetji Wadia and his and with '1 as h- J a- 'ie .?¦! Ze ••J jlia 1 4 ' J jTemple (l$01). Wadi a family JBH Wadia. » - crest on stained . glass, courtesy drawn by Band­ master Robert Photos courtesy. The Bombay Dockyard I and the Wadia Master Builders by R.A. Wadia and TAJ Magazine. I a tQ.F^rsianaMardi1964 J HMS Foudroy- ant: ‘oldest ship in the world and still in active '^vse, ‘ its deck looking eift and , stem galley. t Right: rtfth generation of shipwrights 1 Parsi shipwrights¦ I I I f Sb ’i' ¦ib; '¦8J JS*1 >f &. Jk*^ h^ ‘; r* W5J s» “t. 7 .1 J 1^ iMb'' ¦ 111 ......... ¦ *«*«>• »1 » HMS Asia: flagship of the British Navy. .1, w iwifc Ml*’ . r*" - 'T "This ship was built by a damned black fellow AD 1800." !!, ¦a-' -^1- . '•«1 Famous Wadia Ships Launched in 1800. the 74-gun HMS ' , Cornwallis was the first Bombay ship of the line to be bought off the Indian ¦ ||M r’ \ r, OL . Si in fighting trim 26 years later when she fired the opening broadside of the brief Anglo-American war. Perhaps it was •j!’ J" 'iS ¦'© 'i ¦^5 Navy by the British Navy. She was still ! 3 i irritation at the slowness with which J the British gave his ships the recogni-' tion they deserved that caused its builder, Jamsetji Bomanji Wadia, to carve a hidden inscription on the Corn- ft wallis that read: “This ship was built by a damned black fellow AD 1800. More than 50 years after being launch- JI ed, the Cornwallis refitted with a i steam-driven propellor and took part \ in the Baltic Campaign against Russia. I Ten years later she took up a perma- nent mooring as an extension of the % jetty at Sheerness in England. When S she was finally broken up in 1957 she 1 was found to be as seaworthy as she _________________________________ aFM i had been on the day of her launching. | The first ship to be commissioned ,4 directly and built for the Royal Navy J was the Minden, which has a curious ' footnote in US history as the vessel on ___ _______ _______ _______ ___ board which the American national an- J much the family profession throughout years it was only the success of its them, 77ie Star Spangled Banner, was | the nineteenth century. Their control shipyards that persuaded the East apparently composed while she was 3 of the shipyards was absolute —and re- India Company to keep open what was shelling the town of Charleston, West | HCS Tweed: unbeaten London/Melbourne passage in 83 days. industry —shipbuilding remained very fited very greatly, because for many 1 the nineteenth century. Their control shipyards that persuaded the East apparently composed while she was 3 of the shipyards was absolute —and re- India Company to keep open what was shelling the town of Charleston, West 3 main eri so until 1885. “The master- otherwise an unprofitable trading post Virginia! A more famous Wadia fight- builder has only people of his own per- on India ’s western seaboard. The ing vessel was HMS Asia, flagship of | suasion working for him, ’’ wrote one British may have provided the stability the British naval fleet at the sea-battle observer in 1803. “The establishment that allowed Bombay to grow, but it of Navarino in 1827. of the dockyard is almost entirely com- was really the Parsi shipbuilders who Two Wadia ships hold records that . posed of Parsis. It has been attempted opened up Bombay, transforming it in- remain unbeaten to this day: the grain- to appoint a European master-builder, to the most modern sea port in Asia, clipper Tweed, launched originally as but the newcomer has seldom long sur- This meant that Bombay was primed the Punjab, once made the London to vived his arrival. ’’ and ready for the huge explosion in Melbourne passage in 83 days; and Her i It was upon this power base that business that followed the lifting of the Majesty ’s Training Ship Foudroyant, Bombay ’s small eommunity of Parsis East India Company ’s trading mono- formerly the Trincomalee, was launch- | built its future success, extending first poly in 1813, and which soon turned ed in 1817 but is still serving as a train- into shipping, then into the opium and Bombay into the first city of India. So ing vessel in Portsmouth harbour —the cotton trade with China and finally in- it would be no exaggeration to say that oldest vessel, still afloat and in active 1 to textile manufacturing and banking, the Wadia master-builders were the service, in the world. 3 And in the process Bombay itself pro- real creators of modern Bombay. courtesy taj Magazine, Tty orot^ of Hotels, tidia ' 1 •^3 43 Parsiana March 1964 ?< I 4 I 1 ‘i j i! i Mi The BPP’s Five Year Housing Plan Also schemes for counselling, education, health and repairs on the anvil Arnavaz S Mama A five year scheme of housing develop- bay, a project inspired by the BPP ment during which the Bombay Parsi trustees ’ visits to Punchayet (BPP) expects to construct centres to attend the Federation of Parsi over 1,000 n^ flats was announced at a Zoroastrian Anjumans of India meet ­ press conference called by the BPP on ings. The trustees, especially Dr ---------J - —----------------------------------------------vAxiww. vjuineuia, ivil UIC IICCU LU rep The good news is that we have total hospitality extended by these com- Land Ceiling exemption for over 27,000 munities to those from elsewhere. square metres at Godrej Bang (M & P there is additional FSI in Godrej Baug or plots) where the BPP expects to con ­ struct 4OO-450 flats at an estimated cost of Rs.3.5 crores, ” stated BPP Chair ­ man, Dr Aspi Golwalla. The BPP civil engineering department also has been revamped to attend to the increasing repairs needed in the colonies. Other news announcements included the proposal of a Trust Advisory Ser ­ vice that will guide and inform Zoroastrian trusts on legal and financial matters; the release of a three volume graded course on Zoroastrianism in En^ish; and the institution of a public Kharegat colony, we may be able to in ­ rapport with the community. ” A pilot survey of neurological disorders, co-sponsored by the Bombay Housing Hospital, has been undertaken by Dr “In the last 10 years the BPP has con- Nadir Bharucha. Meanwhile the coun- structed ' just about 200 flats, ” selling service for school-going children, BPP trustee Jamshed Guzder ............ a project sponsored by the Federation of previous policy was to await donation Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India is and then construct. We ’ve decided we under way with good response from the cannot wait any longer. ” Declaring the schools, the counselling committee hav- ----- ing had its first meeting in early March. Another sign of change at the BPP: __________ _______ ________ ________ Ae annual administration reports of the cannot wait cap in hand. We have for the 70 percent rental flats. Punchayet which had been in arrears for surplus land equivalent to five lakh __ ¦¦¦¦c...... i.gu, the liast few years have been brought up square feet of FSI (Floor Space Index) of which 700 will be on nominal rent and i ^P®rts for the years 1975 to available. It is important for us to get go- the balance on ownership sold at approx- f 1981 have been published, notes the BPP ing. We must cater for the lower, the imately 60 percent of the ruling price, ” I press release handed out on the occasion, lower-middle and upper-middle classes. ” concluded Guzder. j report is said to be under print Referring to the funding of Godrej To substantiate his claim that “we 5md the 1983 report is expected within Baug, Golwalla explained that 90 of the want to use up every inch of FSI } 110 flats were constructed from the available, ” Golwalla explained that it t The best news for out of town Zoro- donation by the Pirojsha Godrej founda- ................ “ ‘ astrians is the BPP’s plan to consider tion and the remainder from donations construction of a dharamshala in Bom- collected by the Rayomond Committee. “Forty tenements of one room each are varmus community ready for occupation while the r emaining . xi room flats will be ready by the end of the year, ” he said. “Th?^L?n^^ the Pimchayet office Golwalla, felt the need to repay the earlier, the major part (a ’littk" rrndw The go^ news IS that we have total hospitality extended by these com- three crores of rupees) of the required ... . „ , . _ _. . ---- ------ ------------ “If funds are expected to emerge from the Gibbs Road scheme “where we will build for the middle class or professionals. These flats will be sold at less than 60—70 percent of the ruling price in that area, yet they will generate the major g part of the funds that are required to be ploughed into Godrej Baug where there can be no ownership. (The exemption under the ULC is for the weaker section of the community.) A flat at Rs.200 or Rs. 300 rent is impossible to get in a good or central locality. We are definitely pro- * meet- The BPP is considering construction of a dharamshala in Bombay. or central locality. We are definitely pro- viding a help to the community, ” noted W Guzder. For the balance amount the "7 —----- --- ----------- yy,, may uc «xuic lu in- Punchayct is pinning its hopes on two ‘he Godrej famny in a Godrej donors, one of whom, says Oolwalla, “is dharamshala ’’ he said. willing to donate for a whole building ’’ the other being Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry who is interested in constructing there. “We hope with all his resources he noted will be able to help us. We are hoping to “The finish these flats in the next five years, ” adds Golwalla. In Bharucha Bang, Andheri, 30 per ­ cent of the flats will "Be offered on owner- BPP trustees to be go-getters, Guzder ship at about 40 percent of the price continued, “We must take the initiative quoted at Gibbs Road. The surplus thus , to evolve a self-generating scheme. We created is expected to be ploughed back I ‘ ‘All told we ’re planning on 1,000 flats i-. } J I Parsiana March 1S9i ing. We must cater for the lower, the imately 60 percent of the ruling price, lower-middle and upper-middle classes. ” - - - - Referring to the funding of Godrej 110 flats were constructed from the available, ” Golwalla explained that it was possible to put up one or two floors over the BPP buildings in Dadar. In i order to do this it is proposed to use the | -J JJ! ! i I 4 two floors set up over one building as a Commissioner ’s approval. The matter transit camp for the temporary occupa- dragged for a year. He finally came with tion of the upper floor families who a proposal of 90 lakhs (the additional might be required to vacate during die Rs. 18 lakhs being for encroached open period of construction. Each of these space). The Charity Commissioner has two-room-kitchen tenements is expected agreed to give his consent, ” concluded to cost Rs. 1.25 lakhs (the going cost of Golwalla. “Seven lakh rupees have been similar flats in Dadar being six to seven paid already and within the next three to lakhs of rupees) and would be on the four months the major portion of the footing of advance compensation for 20 amount should be forthcoming. An an- years and after that a nominal rent of nual interest of eight percent has been Re.l plus outgoings since advance rent stipulated on the unpaid amo un t,** cannot be taken under the rent act. Seventy-two flats at Contractor Baug, Graft Allegations Mahim, are in various stages of readiness Referring to the allegations that trustees while the BMC’s (Bombay Municipal or staff take consideration for the allot- Corporation) approval is expected for ment of flats, Golwalla related the inci- 16 tenemenS for staff mobeds at Gibbs dent about a lady who made the state- Road. ment that there was no chance of getting a BPP flat without payment of a lakh of Repairs rupees. Enquiries revealed that her son- On the question of repairs on BPP in-law needed accommodation. Golwalla buildings, the trustees admitted that wrote inviting her to come and see him. these should be financed from the sink- When there was no response reminders ing funds of the buildings, but they say were sent. He has now written to inform that because of paucity of funds, 50 per- her that her son-in-law ’s name has been cent must come from tenants. Just stricken off the register of applicants, plastering and whitewashing at Wadia Baug cost six lakh rupees without any to hear about trustees before he became cost being borne by the tenants. “There one, Guzder explained the practical con- are 225 cars parked at Rustom Baug straints created by 3,000 applicants for 2 alone. The community must be made flats! Now every single application has conscious of its responsibility to share been serialized and tabulated says Guz- these costs with the Punchayet, ” note der, given numbers and placed in the trustees. To expedite repairs, the BPP’s civil engineering department has been revamped with delegation and decen ­ tralization of functions. The Gamadia and Captain Colony Welfare Commit ­ tee, which has been working actively for many years, has been delegated financial authority on an experimental basis to carry out some minor work, notes the press release. Similarly, the two assistant engineers under the resident engineer have been given independent charge of certain colonies with financial power to attend to minor works. A job work charge schedule has been introduced to system with the help of a non-Punchayet help tenants/occupants carry out inter- official. Old applicants were written to, nal plumbing work in their flats, adds to ascertain their present needs and the release. senior members of the staff sent out to On the matter of disposing off verify the details before allotment. “No troublesome property Golwalla related trustee can exert any influence in allot- that in 1981 or so there was an offer frem ting. ” he notes, a gentleman who was an occupant, of Rs.50 lakhs for the property adjoining Matrimonial Bureau Ness Baug. The matter dragged on for The BPP’s matrimonial bureau which eight to nine months so eventually “we began functioning last September has told him that 50 lakhs was not enough successfully matched one couple, noted and the deal was off. Another person of- R.K. Anklesaria, the Punchayet ’s chief fered Rs. 72 lakhs subject to the Charity executive. Interested ladies and Laughing at the wild rumours he used categories according to the merit rating The Parsis are prone to diabetes and high blood pressure and thus a high incidence of paralysis. Parsiana March 1^84 Burjor Framji & Co. Uceraed Plumbers Sanitary & Drainage Contractors MARINE MANSION 1ST MAMME STREET BOMBAY «0 002. TBffHQNE: 313207 1b Better to spend five lakhs now than 50 lakhs on housing later." »1 Si gentlemen can apply for the prescribed of Rs.78,000 spread over three to four Dooti^rv^^^^^^ registration form through GPO Box No. years, emphasizes the upgrading of the of Rs 27 Jakhs (of 1850, Bombay 400 001, which has been * ” " i— Opvil&u VJ mv UUJUVVO w v***- ------- -- — -------- ------------------------------- , -------- - - mation confidential. The 59 men and 41 their profession more respectable than it Anklesaria s good offices, noted together with others by Ed^l Bharucha and P D Nargolwalla are under the BPP’s consideration. On the subject of priests it was pointed out to the trustees by a Press represen ­ tative that certain Head-Priests were ag ­ grieved that the BPP did not implement schemes submitted by them for the upliftment of the priesthood and that it was easier to publish their scholarly work abroad than in Bombay. However, the trustees present said they were not aware rApix. x.xv... Mpz pivaa ivivaov ___ _____ _ schemes or the proposals for plicants were from Bombay and some posal to train a handful of mobeds who publishing scholarly works, (tolw^a 1 fkxi 15iir»nha\z#>f cnhcidlTPC Guzder felt this activity deserved better background and personal attributes for the foreign trips of the dasturs and has publicity abroad. their further development and to contributed to religious institutions and transform them into priests who are not religious scholarship (see box), only fully knowledgeable in ecclesiasticail In the meanwhile Huzan Kharas, M The Priests functions, but who will also be capable MA student of the Bombay University “Regarding the amelioration of the of rendering some form of service need ­ priests, there are several schemes but we ed by the community. ” have to have enough funds, ” says \-------------------- Golwalla. The project envisaged by Dr ed on a five percent reservation of new Jamshed Modi, director of the Com- flats for practising priests and the con- ^oximate cost a first dona- 1850, Bombay 400 001, which has been “quality of service offered by the tion of Rs 23,750 has ^en received onened bv the trustees to keep the infor- priesthood to the community, making from a UK philanthropist, thanks to women who have applied to date range is today and working on a project to en- Golwalla), the above scheme by Modi in age between 28 and 45 years, the women being better educated and look ­ ing for men earning Rs. 2,500 to 3,000. A record of what they are looking for together with background information regarding their housing, family cir ­ cumstances, parents etc is now being maintained. Get-togethers were arranged at Golwalla ’s and Hector Mehta ’s (a socially-conscious businessman) place, said Anklesaria, with 15 to 20 more boys ari& girls scheduled to meet and sure better emoluments, ” notes the BPP mix in March and April. Most ap- press relecise. The “project covers a pro- from Ahmedabad and Calcutta and already have suitable educational also said that the Punchayet subsidies working on the socio-economic survey ol Zoroastrian priests has been extended \\^ile the trustees have already decid- Rs 4,000 Upwards the first year expenses of her project, with an agreement foi Rs 4,000 more towards the second year's munity Development Institute, at a cost struction of 16 mobed staff quarters at costs. '¦tf- I 1 i I ' t You put in some, we put in some... one day it ’ll be quite a sum. Capital isn't quite complete without interest. Because your money has a natural urge to grow... to evolve into more money. Encourage that urge with a BOI Deposit Scheme. We squeeze the highest possible yield from invest ­ ments. While allowing for the widely varying needs of our investors. The new Star Deposit Scheme, for example. Specially conceived to fetch a higher yield for small depositors and fixed income earners. And the Monthly Income Certificate. Double Benefit Deposit. Fixed Deposit. Recurring Deposit. Savings Account. Just take your pick. And allow us to exactly match the scheme with your needs. Put your capital to work in Bank of India. And just watch it grow. Bank of India (A QovamnMfit of Indio Undertaking) ¦ daCunha/BOI/222/8! -’* 1 i ( I i 1 ¦ J I J . i J > 1 Aid Parsiana March 19B4 ¦ '*5* •?-'^, 'SU,‘i 4: 51. ¦» • r '. ixojects pt^ , BK r W- <^-^^''^.60<>W'aa- ' ’swytee wiU <’'1 ¦ ‘ ' ** " "t" *'^ ' ‘*^5 ’ ’*'''- r<^ tx, *Sr? ' i *-' -a ‘"^'1 N8Ba» Igan>tin Parsi Anjaman Towartft K»tM Fund,. I98& 198J , ' T^le). ' '' ' . I Iftn^ tte trast, ’’ addsGuzder. Ptoi Afljtmaa of KaJyanij,R^ and Mbant Atm Jarthesd Anjuma^i for^ ttw Kamond Jubilee of thfe’A.bu J^td A^ry, ' i> ¦< ¦¦ . ;-.• . XM4 FatsifTi) . J &. XM4 FatsifT^ Teinple, Secunderabad for repairs of Fire^TemjJle. Sorebjl^eetmisji IteiytAgiary. , 1983 > , tibB K^btand Maintenance of die Atash Adr^). 7 ?s- - -, ’'^- ¦s’Ta'- ^‘¦A^’-*"- gfc ^l F Davar iccfsm^politaii trust r ____ _ _. fxlStlw^ihe swne hustees as trust ted hl has hilhiirto disbursed Rs. 3.89 *5^ I Rl " '“’I -’-.i ; Jj r ^'4 *4fc< '<90^'" "¦'¦’• ' ¦" ' ¦ ¦' ^'''¦''- ¦'•-- • '¦ Late Ervad^ifi. Mehta ZortrnstritBi Anjutnaft Adran, C^^^WbliKs ttbn fev Kwifand Maintenance «f die Atash Ad^). ^^irojsh^ An^k ^td (for renovatitm of die DarenseW ‘ c-^%t ?S ** a X* • - i • 2*-"' ^1-fj c VafcU Anjornaa Adman <3eMbil«e Coiat^Me ffor , cetnicsAo t&s Adaran >( AlaKetUblld on the oedukXsofWi! yadi Meher TraA, (for ineorporating - - S' “’/jsSP diwai. ilaBaawiyil^^BBy’iPilljUPM^ ¦ ¦•* a1^ >¦^‘1^, 13itte JW* W7to November 1J79, June IX 1979 - AiigiMt)}, 19/19 ^Rwd V >-»«$SQ^sCnO ulSvUrSCQ KS« 3,89 .^*4. k^^chuds OKI institutixws for Sj,. medical relief, self*anfA(^ is^ trustee ial ¥W»daiaI riSSa tiie lemBest «i«*d«» etgnmdknw * ''' Af*/ Kr > DebMb^ 1981.. SibceJdUB^tOflO fiwIdWF 74blbftfeMe'( Manedit F Kanga (fOr^|RinBlaH(m ot4i;>|9aiM Erya^^hr Faabotan fertlm^gt^yrfTl Oastor^KMli^ Conf - - Pr^ *^r1 M«FK* :aad.trai ^ikc^ Ttimiiirv aFWIW/ August 1990 Oaot^ t». Sit i( * ^ *’ «¦ sSi-^iVc "'J? ¦¦ , 4 tg £* WM f X J-* "i’ «« '? '’Th >^V •••’-•¦ft v'n neeamiz couiiseilh«.” lected'the data specially design^ dentiiicauon or Regarding the working of the Job, schedules, by pembteil mtyvi^. The | of neurological Business and Career Opportunities Panel project report of tile Federation, Anklesaria an ex-IAS terestmg and useful light on some of the man himself, lamented that there were hardly any Parsis in the military or admi- • . ._____?____ ___ dis fwdnfs in the community. project aims at identification of tile existence and extent < ’ disorders, making the community con ­ scious of the same and thereby encourag ­ ing the afflicted to seek treatment. It will also help to prevent such disorders ren needing counselling. / ! We want to use up every inch of FSI available. II nistrative-services now. These were “sec ­ tors which we 1--------------- once... they comprised the strength of the community. If the Press comes across such potentials (in the Parsi community) we ’d like to be introduced to them, so that we can help them, ” he said. The BPP by a majority vote has agreed to sponsor the Fourth World Zoroastrian Congress under the Federa ­ tion ’s auspices in January 1985. Guzder the congress to all the Anjumans of socio-economic aspects of the communi ­ ty notes the press release. In response to the deteriorating condi- Co livw. invov UFW ... --------------- , X xU h^d almost monopolized tions of Parsi farmers m Gujarat, the Why W9S -the Boinb9y Punch9yet spending funds in Gujeret when the proposed to send information regarding ,-w-.«jn a ni1 1 mAHS there ;h/cnnare«stoalltheAniumansofthe mein dlljUlIldllb U ICI c amongst thbse who might have the risk factors but are, not yet diseased, notes the The Bombay Hospital (Research world inviting suggestions regarding sub- WGII enOO WGCl Committee) has contributed a further jects and speakers. “We ’ll need the help , , , , . « Rs 32,0(X) towards the survey which will of the Press ” he added. 900 090 tO 09X9 T XO 9 initially cover l.OOO persons. sodo-Eeonomie Survey diminishing Implementing Federal Scheme, A study of the Parsi popuUtiOT in -nmmiinitV? The counselling service for school-going Greater Bombay co-sponsored by the COITlOlUOliy . chUdren recommended by the Federation BPP and the International Institute for -------------------- -------------------------- - and prepared in broad outline by Pro ­ fessor Noshir Kaikobad comes with an annual price tag of Rs 48,000 and has been accepted by the BPP in principle. A -------------- counsellinB committee known as the and amenities structure and population v. - them tr, Committee of Direction coiBistiiig of Dr ^ctcristics as diving by age toto M«4ieroo Bensali Soli Pavri, Ms Veera education, occupation, health condition, emerge trom debt. ¦ j lA Mehta Prof Noshir Kaik ohad, Ms hobbies and other social activities. Mar- A press representative riage and fertili^ “r of theJombg , We. « rtimt^''?STnthSc ^iS Sd, SS^rFag^Sd Stum mSge plans jumans there • were^ll Sfi:™"enofromanyon; ftu the never-nunried were other topics “Xni “."~XisS SeSl^oS ’wSS IWors. armed widr letmrs of in- to have t^e h^est per. from schools has been very good... they troduction from the Punchayet, visited That s a good question, remark^ have even written in the names of child- the sample of 2,000 households and col- Guzder. Bombay Samachar Editor further jects and speakers. “We ’ll need the help Socio-Economic Survey A study of the Parsi population in Greater Bombay co-sponsored by the Population Studies at a total cost of Rs 88,000 aims to obtain detail infoma ­ tion regarding the size c." ------ households, their income, indebtedness Surat Parsi-Punchayet and the BPP car- of Parsi ried out the necessary investigations and jointly decided to extend Rs. 1.46 lakhs as a gift to 35 persons and Rs.40,000 as a Prof Noshir Kaik ohad, Ms hobbies and other social activities. Mar- A press representative enquire wr^y rroi iNosrar behaviour of the the Bombay Punchayet was ^pending population together with reasons for f Gifts& The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive gifts and Zoroastrian artefacts statement of Ownership and other particulars about Parsiana. Form IV (Rule 8) Bombay Swadeshi Stores Ltd Sir P.M. Road, Bombay 400 001 Tel: 253443 & 252730 Place of Publication: Bombay Periodicity of Publication: Monthly Printer, Publisher, Editor and Proprietor: Jehangir R. Patel Nationality: Indian Address: 285 J. Dadaji Marg, Bombay 400 007 I, Jehangir R. Patel, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Sd. (Jehangir R. Patel) 1 March 1984. 53 Parsiana March 19841 Psrslaua Publications requires Advertising Sales & Marketing Manager (Western Region) & Person will hg ¦----- ¦¦ ¦ tor achieving sales targets •n Bombay^ mainly and will report to the Marketing Director. Salary Rs 30,000 per annum. responsible + Write giving full particulars of previous employment, salary drawn, personal and other particulars to: Parsiana Publications (Sales) G.P 0 892 previous employment, salary drawn, personal and other . .particulars to: Parsiana Bombay 400 001. Warden is good For sandalwood Head Office 378 Grant Road Bombay 400 007 and Branches Tel. 371464 Quality sandalwood Aggarbatties, gum benzoin (i-oban) and other Perfumes Vi V 'fl rj Parsiana March 1984 flr s iiaL. Jehan DaruwaUa stated that the Anjuman had r ^fj^s with about Golwalla explained that “Surat has always stood by the BPP prove their conditions in a corpus of one Broach : crore ——J in and if we im- the villages, it interposed Anklesaria. Publications A. three-volume Zoroastrianism ii r tobee„pu “bii3r«l ‘b “ytteSp; cost of Rs.28,000 available literature an initial people here. Better to spend five lakhs now than 50 lakhs (on hSSsing)^latS^> internospH graded course on in English written by at a total to systematize on the religion. With 1,000, the Light y ^''roasinanism, ught on Zoroastrianism and Ervad Ratanshah Ru.t?m ------ * oruer ot 1 000 th<. i^tght on Zoroastrianism and Salient part of the P«hn^ an expert on taping, and Peshotan Peer to arrange for tape recor °ar daily prayers. in conclude, the role of the Parsis n the struggle for Indian independence is being compiled by B.K. Bum former chairman of the BPP. 100 pages each - -numbering are in the process of in ­ same scheme the BPP has TH___ 11 contacted our daily prayers. being compiled by B.K Boman-Behram — . This being ! ! The previous policy was to await I donation and then I construct. We've I decided we cannot I wait any longer. I I I the centennial of the L.diuu i I Congress, theParsicontribution I as also published Golwalla. The Punchayet team I c* ¦ Jamshed Guzder, 1 Vimadalal and Maneckji Hodiwair chief executive R.K. Anklesaria S Sh Tata and Eruch Sethna, the BPP’s first PRO. The Press was represented by The Samachar, Jam-e-Jamshed Zoroastrian and Parsiana. ’ chairman Dr Aspi Golwalla Vimadalal and Indian National I must be separately, noted comprised of the —I and trustees Mr Justice Jal secretary Ms Gool Tata and Eruch was represented by The Samachar, Bombay The 1 Rashid D. Bamanbehram Professional photographer for photos of Weddings Navjotes, and Birthday parties. Expert in video- Super 8 movies Best in colour- black and white photos Contact: 3OA Hughes Road 30AColony 3OA Hughes Road Bombay 400 007. APPOINTED VALUERS - I OF JEWELLERY TO THE G O VERNMENT OF INDIA gazdar PVT. LTD. Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay. Tel: 243666 Telegrams: “MANUSCRIPT’ •» I I 1 I I 'I 1 f. '“¦iV -If T iWIHMi! MUSIC '1 Encore, Nelly! Sheik Vasiinia Her parents were interested in music, n her father bought her a piano when she ¦ was eight. After getting her LTCL, I Nelly gave piano tuitions. And all I along she admired Goody Seervai who I was the leading bandleader of those I uajSj ± uium — —— I loved to watch him play the accordian. I It so happened that one of my cousins I was going to Italy and said she ’d bring I JT.1XV* 1. .............-___ __ - __ __ me an accordian if there was any Parsi weddings for the past three money left with her. Bless her, she did common family friends, I was in ­ troduced to Goody. He was good || enough to give me hints and take me in | his band for four months. When I think back now, I get cold feet. I still wonder how I had the guts to get on stage and play so boldly. I then formed the encouragement. ” .................... Though Ndly was trained in the classical, she nurtured a fondness for jazz. Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Ben ­ ny Goodman, were her favourites. She never got to play jazz however. It was - _____ ______ _ ___ always popular music she chose for Iwr thek initial resentment. They shows. Of course, the accent was dif ­ ferent then. The public was insistent , upon waltzes and tangos —today it is disco. Nelly gives them whatever they like. More important, she likes doing “I enjoy playing everything, even TTie mood was restive as the crowd relaxed after satiating appetites with sail murghi, sas machhi and pulav dal. The vibrant lady on the stage played a medley of magical waltzes on the organ, filling the air with strains of the was the leading bandleader of those Blue Danube, Surrender and other days; “I think he was the best then.I oldies. The crowd encored and cheered “Long Live"* Nelly, ” “Long Live Nelly. ” And it has been like that at several decades. Nelly^Battiwalia and her boys bring me one. Then Jhrough some have entertained people at weddings, socials, stage shows and dances especially at X’mas and New Year since 1953. To Nelly goes the credit of probably being the only woman band ­ leader in India. Not that being a lady bandleader in —* - - , „ . showbiz was always easy. When Nelly another group and we P^ye^or ke started out, she had to incur the wrath of a few old disapproving Parsi ladies who ’d say, “Bandwalii aavi...nai . /ojje. ” They were averse to a lady People were unused to the idea of a ~ ' female leading the band. But they ^oon overcame t _____ began to like the idea of watching this woman with a red accordian and, who ’d say. first time on January 3, 1953. That was the start. It was at a Parsi wedding. ” There were early stumbling blocks. )¦ f; J Music in her blood: Pearly at the mike. moreover, “my husband provided all I J ¦) playing to the public. But she remained undaunted and succeeded. Nelly actually trained in classical music and received her LTCL Diploma. A part of the band: Nelly on the organ and synthesizer. Katolin on the saxophone and Jude on the rhythm guitar (Photo by Rashid Bamanbehram)._____________ i, f ¦ < »/ / ^PaisianaM0rch 19B4 i K; TK ¦ .<«! so. 1 enjoy playing everyrnmg, even the modern stuff. Music is food and water to me. So at a wedding, I nor ­ mally start out with something lively, move on to the latest and then go over to the oldies.... The Blue Danube Waltz, Fascination, Lara’s Theme. ; People still appreciate these numbers, I but it all depends on the mood and taste of the audience. I am sometimes specifically asked not to play any I ‘dumdum dumdum, ’ but to play I waltzes. At other times, people insist I on lively stuff. ” I The lady has few complaints, no I regrets. “I did not face many pro- I blems. The usual ones that most group I leaders normally have —availability of I good musicians, boys leaving you fpr I better prospects. Today, sO many boys I move to the Gulf or other places. One I has to train new boys, rehearsal takes a I lot of time. In those days, my Sax I Player stayed on with me for 17 years., • !S^ i f The quality of musicians was better " too. Then, they read music, I had a mained that there i___________ complete band, we had the books in days, plenty more dances being orga- front of us. Today, it is only a group nized all over town. The ‘disco ’ pheno- and one qnly rehearses by ear from menon also had not started. Nelly _ new tapes received from abroad. agrees, “Those were great days in the Adil earlier played with thr^ ’Water- “Besides, we always face the drink- 50s and early 60s. The Times of India front. ” He ’s now making music in the ing curse in this profession. I lost two office had dances regularly. There were States. Daughter Pearly sings with or three good singers because of their dances being held at the Byculla Nelly ’s group. Not much now because drinking. One of my old singers Mechanics, the Laughton Institute of she ’s had a baby. “My little grandsons Allwyn was excellent, but he was ad- Matunga and at the Railway Maidan at dieted and died oh the streets. Thank Parel. The Railways were then diffe- T1--------------_11_„. ... - -- - • group. You can at least rely on them. ’' i _________ The standard of payments in Bom- live it up. ?ui that has changed now. bay, she feels, is very low as compared They don ’t waltz and tango. They hold to what five-^tar hotels in Delhi are of ­ fering. And one has to invest in new _____ _____ _ __________ ______ _ ___uuu.v. vuvt equipment, continuously, to keep is meeting Duke Ellington in Bombay ing. “All the small little daily hassles. I good. Was there professional jealousy? the Beatles. She says, “I think the “I haven ’t experienced any. There Beatles are among the greatest. Some wxv amv wu- were good people —Hal Green, Ken of their compositions are just too tinues. ” * * * *** ** Mac, Mickey Correa and of course, much. Like Something, Yesterday, With all her verve and confidence Goody Goody was at the top. He was Michelle. ” She also admires Frank Nelly puts many a youngster to shame ’ too good. I was lust okay then. So the Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, That ’s why, I didn ’t even ask her age question of competition did not ^ise. Ella Fitzgerald. But topping her list is Watch her brim with life and enthuse scene. That ’s why, I owe a great deal to fabulous. I went recently *to America the Parsi community, also to the Chris- and I heard him perform on the key- tians who asked me to play at their board and sing. He sang Mama and Ap^ ^ron^ weddings, the fact re- words ‘Unchain my eyes, ’ my God, I were in the bygone broke down. And then he did Georgiai J . Charles and Georgia are simply the best. ” Nelly ’s family is also into music. Son tob come on the stage. I guess music . ----------- ----------------- —-- runs in our blood. ” She recalls the God, I have teetotallers in my present rent, probably because of thepredomi- days when Adil , was at Don Bosco ’s eroim Vnii ran at ipact rpiy nn thAr« ” nance of Anglo-Indians. They loved to School. “I made him learn to sing only Italian songs like Santa Lucia.” She winks. ‘‘The priests were all Italian. He won all the first prizes. ” She admits she often thinks of retir- pace. Otherwise the going has been in 1963. Duke is her favourite. So are always think, this ’ll be mv last year I prtrtzl Woe i'Uav'A _______O *1.— Tfc xl__ Ot_ _______ t t ¦» , i • i .» . . ’ J J * “I haven ’t experienced any. There Beatles are among the'greatest. Some Mac, Mickey Correa and of course, much. Like Something, Yesterday, r ' " ' • -- ' -................. — too good. I was lust okay then. So the Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, ( ¦ " .............. ‘ — — But I was not much into the hotel Ray Charles (the blind singer). “He is about her music and you ’ll re alis e the Pars^ community, also fo the Chris- and I heard him perform on the key ­ weddings and X’mas shows. Unchain My Heart. When he sang the cultural programmes instead. ” Among Nelly ’s favourite memories won ’t continue any more. Then more contracts come in and the game con- J aooui ner music ano you 11 realise h music has no Carriers —certainly not | age. j Reprinted from Sunday Mid-day Jb/tuao' 1984. Phone: 456489, 454362 Gram: ROSFER 22 years of service to the Nation for Industrial Ventilation, Evaporative Coolipg, Dust Control, Pneumatic Conveying—Fans of all types Including Flue Gas Units (75OC) INDUSTRIAL VENTILATION COMPANY 24B, Diamond Harbour Road, Block 'C' New Alipore, Calcutta 700 088 Partners: B P Ferozshah., Amy H Biilimoria (Mrs) R W Parsiana March 1984 J ic) r - s-' this meeting we will take no decisions. It is explorative. ” have power to do anything other than ex- Open the door to let us come in. continued from page 24 “Two people wish to come tog^flier, ” Nargolwala had seen the constitution said Gandhi. “The motives are clear, and then agreed to serve on the' WZO Can we not sit down and thrash it out? Captain: “Neither I nor my colleagues managing committee. Open the door to let us come in. ” have power to do anything other than ex- The clauses pertaining to membership Captain: “We haven ’t shut the door. It plore. ” ....... . u- is one of the stumbling blocks to the is not a matter that can be discussed in Repeating that individual membership Federation joining the WZO. According three or four hours. ” to the WZO constitution an individual member has an individual vote; similar ­ ly, a member anjuman has one vote also. Therefore, the BPP would have only one vote on any issue, the same as any individual. “Legally we cannot do away with in ­ dividual membership. Morally also it is impossible The consensus of Zoro- astrians worldwide is that they should Membership for anjumans, we would be have a right to vote... but as far as association membership is concerned we can arrive at a solution. We recognize is not a matter that can be discussed in _ '\v rvzc. Zc... ” “cannot be taken away ” but the clauses He added that the WZO delegation referring to anjuman membership could was not authorized to make any binding be changed. Captain said, “First let the commitments without consulting their Bombay Parsi Punchayet join and then managing committee. “We cannot sign, the other ideas ” or suggestions can be in- seal and deliver, ” said Captian. vestigated. He emphasized, “We would Guzder enquired as to the WZO’s be delighted if the Bombay Parsi Pun- come on the committee. ” Captain sug ­ gested the BPP could have 12 votes and any organization or area with a popula ­ tion over 5,000 could have an additional vote. Lj VAA\< \zVAXwX iWvMu xz* vestigated. He emphasized, “We would seal and deliver, ” said Captian. total membership. Captain said that chayet joiris. Some of the tmsteesj:ould membership was not the relevant issue. “Let us talk on matters that concern us. delighted to discuss. ” Nargolwala repeated Guzder ’s query: “What is the membership after four Gandhi: “Are you prepared to extend ye^s of working? Which countries are members and how many members are there from each country? Which trusts from which countries are associate * possible to reserve a members? ' — ¦ “How is the managing committee working in London? ” 1—„------- that he received almost no conununica- safeguards^could be provided, tions from the WZO or received them this to zones? ” Captain: “No. Only a particular area. ” Captain said there would be 20 members on the main committee of whom one third would retire by rotation. As to who would select the represen- Nargolwala said tatives from India, Captain said “If the office bearers are elected by the committee, ” said Guzder “in an ex ­ treme case no BPP trustee or Federation representative could be office bearers... / ! Would it not be I I few seats for Parsis, in those educational _ ___ __________ institutions founded very late and without background papers , _ . , even though he served on its managing by ParSIS? committee. At this stage both Bodhanwala and ————” ¦ Clubwala intervened to note that that the BPP has to have a say. (How- Nargolwala was not seeking clarification ever) any constitutional changes require but offering commentary . .............................................Golwalla suggested the discussion could continue the next day at the ! ! deep thought. We have shown in the past we can change the constitution. ” Regarding the possibility of another meeting between the WZO delegates and world body being created at the for- the Federation subcommittee which thcoming congress if an understanding would then submit a report to the ex- could' not be reached with the WZO, ecutive council. In reply to Nargolwala ’s charges. Cap ­ tain stated, “We have not come to create could' not be reached with the WZO, Captain stated, “it is imperative to have one world body. .. I don ’t see how such a small community can have two world a conflict and I will not enter into a con- bodies. We have never worked against troversy. It is not the way we operate in the interests of the community. Please England. ” think carefully. Let us debate (the ques ­ tion of) mem^rship of associations. Let constitution and then present a united had. Referring to the Delhi Parsi An- working to the community. ” juman, he said that Nargolwala claims a Golwalla: “In your talk you used the population of 1,5(X) “while actually it is word Zoroastrian. Do you mean Zoro- around 500, of which 50 or so are astrian or Parsi? ” Captain: “There is no members of the Anjuman. ’ question of conversion. ” After a few questions, the executive council suggested the WZO delegates not permit this to continue, and the Federation ’s subcommittee dist- cuss possible solutions. “Decisions get postponed for months. Can we not discuss it now? ” asked Golwalla. -If* It is imperative to have one world body. I don't see how such a small community can have two bodies. f ! igiaiiu. think in terms of the future. Shahpur ’: In regard to membership. Captain (Captain ’s) assurances cannot be noted it was hard to verify how many guaranteed... I must (also) correct yoi :W hiten Z. Ut US then change the members each anjuman in each country when you say representation must be of the Federation not the BPP.” Captain concurred. The discussion then turned to th< WZO constitution which Captain charg ______ _____ ed the Federation representatives had no Nargolwala was about to reply when studied. Some of the delegates adnuttet Golwalla immediately intervened: “I will they had not. Nargolwala, however pointed out that “it took about sevei years to frame the constitution of th* The next day Federation... the constitution of th* At the subcommittee meeting, over WZO was framedin 18months. Nobod; which Guzder presided, he stated at the in India was consulted... in May 198* outset “neither side is committed... at when I went to England, the constitufio: SB Parsiana March 1964i'3' 8-w ip ^zJ! J* tion. What I don*t Mkb Nargolwala ’s » Itt India (when the Federation con- threat that if we don ’t do this or that I stituttdn was being drawn up) there was (Ii^a) wUl have another world body. It 1 ^0 ajieated debate whether the Federa- would be a shame for a small communitv I tion should consist of individuals or an ­ jumans. ” 1’ ¦ ¦ - - - WZO setup, the BPP and others would be like “a leaf of a tree tossed in the wind, ” He noted that in the executive council of the Federation, the BPP had five votes while on the general body it had one. Still the BPP could safeguard its in ­ terest. “Change is the order of the day. Ym ^no progress without change, ” the constitution when Qubwala remark- said NargoMa refemng to the WZO ed, “Why ate we frightened (of joining constitution. He noted the objectives of the WZO)? Is it because they the WZO, thfe Federation and the BPP < — ' constitutions were the same. But he add- L, ___ _ ______ , ed that the activities undertaken by the with the constitmion. ” WZO could just as well have been done „ by the London association. He listed a after everybody. ” few of the items such as the Iran refugee “ ' problem in which many individuals and organizations have helped, student ex ­ change programs which even the CER (Committee for Electoral Rights, Bom- 1 - - ¦ the world on a cycle and “Nothing you have done has raised your ___ _ status as a world body. Any large b^y. ’’ ' ~ " 27 - - -- Nargolwala: “I did not say should threat that if we don ’t do this or that would be a shame for a small community to have two bodies. The essential thing is Nargolwala felt that in the to have one forum. ” Anklesaria: “Let us have something practical. A three-tier body...vote to elect zonal member...there should be four zones...India to be represented on the main committee by three members from the BPP and three members nominated by the Federation, ” The conversation again veered back to J a / are more efficient and are doing something?. We are (more) concerned with finding fault 5“ Nargolwala: “It is they who are r unning Dadi Mistry: “No one is running after anyone. ” Guzder: “We are not frightened... we are here to bridge the gap. ” . , , . . . ’----- Bodhanwala: “We are not try ing to bay) was doing, assisting a boy touring bridge the gap. (Some are trying to) find stMne reason to form another body. We must bridge the gap, not form another ¦1 With compliments of Starlite Electrical Works so on. V Guzder noted that many people criticized the Federation saying it had “done zero. I feel they are 50 percent ! was a In the same vein, he in- associations and individuals have become members? Out of 85 associa ­ tions in India, nine have become 13, BEST Marg Bombay 400 039 Tel: 241496 - world body? If not, what are the reasons, ganization could have done all this. Nargolwala: “I did not say should or What you should be doing is research in would be formed. I said it may be form- ranian history... religion... genetic ed. It is my personal view. ” research...the world body must be a " ¦ pyramidical structure. ” Nargolwala suggested the WZO main ___ _ me jv ivcm o a trustee (of I Contractors in England alone but alternate between the BPP) but I did not know there " lurs various countries, “Sitting in London Federation. ” In the same vein, Lv ui- you cannot Iwk after Bombay pro- quired “what is the effectiveness of the blems... even Federation people find it world body today? How many U S expensive to come to Calcutta. ” ------ ............................................ - * ‘ Captain: “We are listening to a lecture. Guzder: “You must be tolerant. ” G^dhi, addressing Nargolwala, re- members of the WZO. Are you reaUy a ^«ted him to put his remarks “in a world body? If not, what are the reastis, "'hat the constraints? If you are a world body should be done rather than what is how many people (are members)? A ^T°ng. majority? ” Nargolwala: "There is an inherent Cqptom; “Yes we are a representative wetness m the constitution that needs body...we have members and anjumans to be corrected the governing body throughout the world. I do not have should meet in different countries. The facts and figures here. The New secretanat can be in England. Out of five i....................... m^tmgs in a year, two can be held in and took a unanimous decision to join, ‘.'ru IT Tz J , join...it is a matter of uittia. The U.K, delegates must try and education, persistence. The WZO has get the sense of what we are saying... try functioned effectively in the eyes of to understand what is really worrisome. ' how best to safeguard the viewpoints. ” Cap^ stated It was necessary “to to give weightage... the suggestion that in- keep discussmg till we arrive at a solu- dividuals vote on zonal bam can be done. * 81 Parsiana March 19B4 3fi^ Electrical Engineers & O Nargolwala: “There is •11 , i - > i York association called a general body meeting Others may not join...it is a matter of n^y. I think our strength will go higher...our association is quite prepared . A: ¦ 3? ¦ 'JF J* f Nargo^ala stated that the WZO had vice-presidency. I said ‘no. _____ ____ _ ___ _ ___ _____ 700 individual members. Captain termed quoted Captain as sayii^ the Wi^ was nothing said is binding...We asked for the discussion on numbers “a red herr- ............ .................... . hig. ” Gandhi: **700 members should not drown the voting rights of the anjumans. If you are saying there are 700 members we are not going to say you are non ­ representative. ” Gandhi suggested the WZO send their proposals to the Federa ­ tion by March 15. But Guzder said it would be better “to send them our pro ­ posals. ” Nargolwala: “They must supply infor ­ mation and proposals before we write. ” Captain: “We will exchange informa ­ tion. ” < Guz^ was an explorative meeting in which “not interested in the Federatitm but the the particulars of the WZO member- BPP” joining the wwld body. “I said ship —individuals and anjumans. They *n o, it must be the Federation.* They were unable to give an answer. Perhaps wrote one d^ saying tISyhad formed an they feel the number is too small. ’’ The Indian chapter. They asked me to head WZO delegates said they would send the information after returning. “We respected their statement and asked them to send the particulars. ’’ Guzder said they were trying to find common ground in the constitution. “We must first lay ¦ the foundation on rock, not mud that can slip away in the future. There is a breakthrough to some extent. ” Guzder said the Federation should “try to come to some agreement and A avoid setting up another organization. If J they listen to reason, we can come to h. I said ‘no ’...They kept harping on the some agreement. ” The Executive Council gave the Federation subcommittee “the mandate *n o, it must be the Federation? They // In the WZO setup the BPP and others would be like 'a leaf of a tree tossed in the wind. 11 i r Briefing the Executive Committee In the Afternoon session Guzder gave the i " ' * “ / gist of the subcommittee meeting with Parsi Punchayet ” joining the WZO said the WZO delegates. He said “the Guzder. “They offered me the chair- _________ _____ _____ basic principle of a world body,(is that it manship. I told them, ‘Do not tempt to continue negotiations. ” should) consist of the apex body of each people with office. ’ The day we join, the country of the world. ” Guzder recalled membership will escalate. We cannot The Upbringing of Children J that aftw the Iranian revolution it was ;-i- : *-¦ - - ------— — ~ " felt that it was “not the right time to mark. ” second day was the noted metallurgist Dr form a world body...one day I received a Referring to the morning meeting, Dara Antia,-a well-known industrial and call from Shahpur Captain who told me Guzder said, “though there was management consultant, the main thrust it had already been formed. I asked him disagreement at the begiiming, we were of whose talk was about children. Con- what was the hurry. He offered me the able to find some common ground. It cemed about the deteriorating level and join a body that today is a question The first of the two guest speakers on the J morV ** J _ __ xi__J_____ ______ Referring to the morning meeting, Conference, Wedding or Party — Leave it in West End's experienced hands 4,: Your Favou rite! ‘The Gourmet ’ RMtauraiT||^ffae Shop EXECUTIVE BUFFET LUNCH • 16 doUcious courses. e From 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. every dsy. Including Sundays. Restabrant open from 8 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. ANAy|OTE,ALAGAN, ASaVffiORfitHJffiN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, A FRST^THDAV MRTT* OR ANY SDCH HIGHLIGHTS OFYOORUFE celebrate it at West End Hotel, in beautiful setting of its Tdrrace Garden. Choose the day and leave all the other problems to us. 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Vow aOaah OertUleaka Afa*. 1000/- ftr lAOmontlia would east y«m a*. 84.00 1«m1 Ideal out " for the k Vaative I Saaaon and ' other HApnr Oooaalons. . < CuM^ank rat.5000 In denominations of Rs. 100/- Rs. 500/-, Rs. 1,000/-and Jis.5.0001-, MtoawntMalotSytanoMmon. 66 Parsiana March 1984 Central Bank presents a new, simple way of putting your savings to good use. So beautiful. Colourful Cosh Certificates with the Vishnu and Lakshmi design. So beautifully simple. To buy 0 Rs. 1,000/-Cosh Certtflcote maturing in 120 months, just Spend Rs. 337 90 p. today. So beautifully ttirifiy. Interest gets compounded every quarter. So beautifully practiool. Choice of 37 moturity spans (12-120 months). Encashable as and when you need before moturiiy. Csnfra/Banfr ofIntSa (^OormuMottu^Vniitatibi^ ¦¦IM a totter Uf* anwMl H. everest/82/CBI/62S I- such as religion and historylaws “many people have asked me why resign. He is an office bearer (vice ­ governing Zoroastrians all over the there were 50 people present at the president South zone). Anjumans can world, education and vocational train- Delhi meeting of the executive council be represented by others but an ex- ing, shifts in Parsi demography, and so on. Guzder felt there should be “no con ­ troversial subjects. ” Nargolwala: “In the guise of con ­ troversy, free discussion should not be Hyderabad-Secunderabad could not judgement. ” prohibited. ” attend due to “unavoidable cir- Dr Ratan Sagar of the Allahabad Guzder recalled how in October cumstances ” and that Maneck Parsi Jarthosti Anjuman noted the 1977, about three months prior to the hosting of the third World Zoroastrian Congress in Bombay, former BPP Katpitia ’s mother was “seriously ill. ” also “was not good. ” There were Chairman B K Boman-Behram rang Nargolwala: “Gheyara could have about 13 families in the town. him up and said to cancel the Con- come. ” Merwan Mehta of the Ahmednagar gress. Bomq^p-Behram was concerned Gond/iZ; “He has high regards for Kat- Parsi Anjuman noted the area had by the opposition to the Congress, pitia. He stayed out of respect. ” “tremendous potential for business. ” more so because the vice-president of India would be present. Nargolwala: “Let there be voluntary Kanga, “other pressing engagements/ ’ restramt (by the speakers) ”. '*¦ Guzder: “No religious ” matters. Gandhi: “We must remember this is a world Congress, not a meeting of Indian anjumans. The Federation is iherely hosting the Congress. ” Delhi meeting of the executive council be represented by others but and only 30 in Calcutta. Is interest in officio vice-president cannot...Out of the Federation declining? ” He stated seven BPP trustees, three don ’t attend that there were “compelling reasons ” because they don ’t like it. Out of four for those who could not attend. if two don ’t come it is very bad. ” He noted that Jamshed Italia of B.K. Batliwala: “You are passing unavoidable cir- Gheyara of Surat did not come because dadgah there was without a mobed. the Surat Punchayet ’s secretary, Soli The general job situation in Allahabad Katpitia ’s mother was “seriously ill. ” - - — pitia. He stayed out of respect. Pavri of Ahmedabad cited “un- Housing was also available. As regards avoidable circumstances, ” 'Jamsheed the shortage of priests, he favoured para-mobeds and said local Parsis “may be interested ” in training. “We must have a substitute for the time when there is no priest. ” The Calcutta trustees spoke of their Erach Desai “had to go to Europe over the weekend for arbitration. ” Nargolwala: “All this is unconvincing. Persons cannot say they can ’t come. ” Guzder noted that for some, the cost problem in regard to construction of deterred them from coming. the Olpadwala Hall and building. The Nargolwala: “They are well off. If trustees were attempting to raise Problems of Individual Anjumans they can ’t come they should send so- money both through commercial rental Gandhi noted soon after the problems meone else...Italia has been absent or leasing of the premises as. well as by of individuals anjumans began that from several meetings. He should loans. r ( S’ *^'zi s i h J. s "5 ! ''\ i Parsiona March J904 V !F LINTAS.MU,.** il*l»«»“The building is in a prestigious part not Parsi entrepreneurs? ” asked the their case effectively, the Federation will have to devise an effective forum of Calcutta. The rents in the area are delegate. She said housing^ w^ no pro- expwt to get around two lakh rupees a and no pugree was required; admission month, ” 'The basement and part of the could be obtained in colleges. “We hall is ready but the anjuman requires have no problem of education for our six and a half lakhs to complete the children. ” Wei- roof. “The building will be the goose com^oup that lays the golden egg for the Calcut ­ ta Parsis, ” said Anklesaria. Homai Pudumjee of the Poona Par ­ si Punchayet spoke of the shortage of nassessalars in Poona and told the O? tetag Jester ’ by bad, Dr and Ms Soli T Kamdin of wants to oe a nessessaiar lei me R.UUW. o . .___ ___ d Rr«Hhartwnin nf Bodhanwala said Jamshedpur had i---------: ’ . “practicallyno problems...not a single the Parsi population in the area was quarrel in the community. ” But the an- c ------- „ _ . juman is in need of a priest. “We have ing were available. advertised but there ’s no response. ” Sever — of the e . . v, • r» n i Aban Satarawala who represented spoke of their anjumans ’ activities Palsetia and Nariman P Bal^ra oi the Jodhpur . Parsi Anjuman said without specifying any particular pro- Saronda, Jal S Postwala of Vishaka- Jodhpur was “a developing city (but) blems. Some of the delegates merely patnam and Peshotan Nargolwala, the number of Parsis is diminishing, repeated statistics and facts which had honorary treasurer of the Federation. The number of Parsi graves is more been submitted in the earlier meetings The guest speakers were Cushrow R than the number of Parsis. ” Eighty causing Golwalla to state that the ses- Irani, Jamshed B Madan and Dr Dara miles awav from the town, the J.K. sion devoted to the various anjumans P Antia. The Press was represented by •' ... ... — xr --------- Several “If many of the anjumans, especially the Zoroastrians * resident in Calcutta' at- ot CaiCUiia. me rents m me mca «ie ueiejs«ve. jjuv ”— — r-- -— . • • . •_ # ii ten to eleven rupees a square fodt. . .we blem. Rents were three to four hundred for them to participate meaningfully. - - - . J.-j —i—;—J Those attending the meeting: Mer- We wan B Mehta and Nozer Ichhaporia of ____ ___ Ahmednagar, Dr Ratan Sagar of The Oberoi and Wei- Allahabad, Dr A F Golwalla and J N hotel chains were opening Guzder of Bombay, Dali Bhesania, hotels in the area. ___________________ Ardeshir Batliwala, Dr R D Anklesaria Nariman P Balsara of the Saronda and Ms Veera H Medhora of Calcutta, Parsee Jarthoshti Anjuman, whose un- S D Nargolwala, Keki J Gandhi, R E witting remarks and banter throughout Daroga and N B Captain of Delhi, B F the meeting enlivened the proceedings Dittia, Naval B Vakeel and B K and earned him the dubious distinction Batliwala of Hyderabad-Secundera- the acerbic Shiavax Nargolwala, said Jabalpur, Homi P Bodhanwala of _. ;..... 1- " > Jamshedpur, Ms Aban Satarawala of decreasing even though jobs and hous- Jodhpur, Ms Mani J Clubwala of ____ .......................................................Madras, Keki R Bala of Nagpur, Ms Several of the other representatives Homai Pudumjee of Poona, Homi F quarrel in the community. ” But the an- advertised but there ’s no response. ” thr^'jodhpm .**Parsi Anjuman said without specifying any particular pro- Saronda, Jal S Postwala of Vishaka- Jodhpur was “a developing city (but) blems. Some of the delegates merely patnam and Peshotan Nargolwala, the number of Parsis is diminishing, repeated statistics and facts which had honorary treasurer of the Federation. The number of Parsi graves is more been submitted in the earlier meetings The guest speakers were Cushrow R than the number of Parsis. ” Eighty causing Golwalla to state that the ses- kani. Jamshed B Madan and Dr Dara and Birla companies have started white was not serving its purpose. But while Navroze and Parsiana. cement manufacturing concerns ...............—,, ------------. . . - , . . .. u others see prospects (in Jodhpur) why smaller ones, may not be presenting tended the meeting as observers. 60 Parsiana Marr^ 1S84 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 D .A. Enquire at; Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14z Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk, BOMBAY 400 001. Tel ; 251185 LI f r‘ , ) .1 I Zoroastrians who ’ve been responsible for material leaps in (modern) Indian civilization... but the Zoroastrian com ­ munity does not encourage its priests as they encourage science. There are Tata fellowships for English literature, not for Zoroastrian studies! Prof. John Hin- nell ’s offer (of reserved seats at Man ­ chester University for Zoroastrian studies) lies unexploited...the very wealthy in Bombay are deplorably stingy. They ’re well-intentioned, but have never heard of sending anyone to learn religion... only stupid sons are sent into the priesthood! “Zoroastrianism is more than an elite dub. The religion is not the property of anyone. The Parsis are its guardians. Its light should not be hid under a bushel. There is no cause for social exclu ­ siveness: a person should be special for what he does. As it is, the Parsi com ­ munity will survive but not in a form anyone will admire. The Parsis are doing poojas and novenas; they put up pictures of Ganesh... the religion is nothing more than a facade. The doctrine is vani­ shing —it ’s the doctrine that's unique! ” Noting^that “I disagree with Kho ­ jeste, ” Russell adds, “the conversion issue must be faced. .. in the course of the next century or so when the educationa structure and the community structure h strong enough to- teach potential Cdgf verts orthodox doctrine and practice, If examine them... The people at ZAGNy (Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York) don ’t know what the doctrine are, they ’re barely aware of th< sloping forehead crowned by a red Zoroastrian doctrine. There is no bask mukhmal topi, Russell, thanks to his consensus on basic doctrine, no com Jewish background and ancestry looks munity structure: some accept, somt don ’t. This problem will take at least J “As a non-Parsi ” Russell says, “I ap- generation to solve. All other problem: I must be solved first before the communi treasure than an ancestral inheritance to ty is healthy enough to accept new protect ” and espouses a two-pronged members. Until then conversion wouk Russell's Religion if ¦ 11 James Russell of Colombia University believes, "Zoroastrians need a bit of consciousness-raising." Arnavaz S Mama “I don ’t think migration to the New World is a good thing —India is not a place from which one needs a refuge... this is going to be the place where and sounds like an orthodox Parsi. Zoroastrianism survives or disappears. Iran and North America are not centres proach Zoroastrianism as a discovered of 2k}roastrianism.* ’ Dr James Russell, ?-------- *'------------—J-’— 30, professor of Ancient Iranian at Col ­ ombia University, New York, sat in strategy: that “Zoroastrianism become be merely disruptive. Khojeste Mistree ’s study. He had already better known and that it be preserved spent six to seven weeks in India and with integrity. ’’ delivered nine lectures on various aspects of 2Loroastrianism —the four Govern ­ ment Research Fellowsh'} lectures under the auspices of the K.R. Cama Oriental Institute and five others under ZS undergraduate and that was his introduc- (Zoroastrian Studies, the organization i_______________ _________ ____ created and run by Khojeste Mistree) fairly committed to the religion then, navjote was the product of a crisis. Th auspices. That very day he had spent i ____ some hours at the H.B. Wadia Atash doing so ever since. ’’ Behram, meeting Dr Firoze Kotwal, the , high priest there, and had gone through have achieved in their adopted land and the Parsi Punchayet ’s F.D. Alpaiwalla the harm they ’ve inflicted upon Studies is expanding —^there ’s teaches Museum. Fair, hook nosed, his wide themselves, Russell says. “It ’s been training, involvement with th< “The pro-conversion lobby is usinj conversion as a tool to shake establishec Zoroastrianism as portrayed in the institutions and change basic ideas, ’’ b west is “primitive, very exotic and a bit deplored. Russell says he is “very mud scary, ’’ says Russell. Khojeste Mistree opposed to what th^ ’re do^. JtKepl was the first Parsi he met as an F Peterson ’s (the American engineer whoa _______ _____________ navjote was performed in New York las tion to the Parsis as people. He “became March) commitment is honest but th recited Zoroastrian prayers and has been best way I can serve the religion is not U ’ force myself into the community struc Assessing the good that Zoroastrians ture, ’’ he affirms stolidly. According to Russell “Zoroastriai "nPaiaiana March 1904.1 t' A -^1 f priesthood, books for Afferent age f** 1 J4 Ji Ji With CompUments From hr EMPIRE ¦w ESTATE Liberty Building 41/42 Marine Lines Bombay 400020 fH' Bi levek —all of which need time, man ­ power and financial support. It hasn ’t had the financial support it ne^s; very few people make any contribution; peo ­ ple take tickets for free and then there are empty seats. There ’s a point at which if you don ’t do good, you do harm. Khojeste shouldn ’t have to live on family support. ” Having known Khojeste for 10 years Russell says he ’s “concerned for him professionally and personally... “Why is there no vitality in Zoroa ­ strianism now? It ’s based on charity, learning and diligence. The community can (even) now become an intellectual leader. The younger ones are showing genuine interest; the middle aged genera ­ tion is the lost one — the ‘barren tree of the Bible. ’ ” Russell indignantly contrasts the aesthetic beauty of the Hindu religion, “their temples always located in ideal surroundings ” with the selling of prime land of the agiary at Walkeshwar and questions, “Why has the Wadiaji Atash Bahram wall not been mended? (The I Wadiaji Atash Behram w^ was broken after a bus rammed into it.) What kind of kingdom keeps its king in a broken palace? Lots of money is spent on lagans I but the priests have no form of transport I except perhaps a cycle. These are I solvable problems, ” he adds, ‘‘not pr<> I blems which are the cause of despair I because the resources are there... I Russell visualizes a new set of goals tor 1 the community; “Zoroastrian resources I could be used for founding Zoroastnan I theological schools with emphasis on I professional commitment. There should I be more attention to religion and Iranian I studies at the school level. Institutions I like the Cama and the Madressas should I be revitalized, with new curricula and I modem techniques. Primary and secon- I dary educatiorris very backward: there ’s I not enough encouragement for children I to think. People have serious questions. I They should be taught to look for I answers. It needs massive investinent in I sending Zoroastrians abroad to stud} I religious education and educationa I practices. Funds can be found if peopli I are serious... I “A Zoroastrian cultural centre ii I Bombay should sponsor programmes ii I different aspects of Zoroastrian cultur I eg. music. Books of Zoroastrian songs I for example Atashnu geet should b I published and translated and peopl I taught to sing. Zoroastrian figurative ai I should be encouraged. The great winge p-1- 72 Parsiana March 1934! i i L ¦mB ?^?i BOYS’ TOWN Public School balls could inspire more art; build new firetemples; study the layout of firetemples; there ’s no book or work on Zoroastrian architecture, no manual on how to build an atash bahram or what should be in it. No two firetemples are alike —it ’s an example of evolving Zoroastrian culture. There ’s a lot of legend but very little hard evidence. “The Zoroastrian museum should be supported much more. Ms Nivedita Mehta (curator of the Alpaiwalla 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 Sdf-Govemineot through Elected Boys ’ Office bearers. Gaines —^Physical Train ­ ing — Dafly Assembly with Congregational 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. The Zoroastrian community does not encourage its priests as they encourage science. There are Tata fellowships for English literature, not for Zoroastrian studies^ / ! 11 With Compliments From H.M Apply to THE MANAGING TRUSTEE P. N. MEHTA EDUCATION TRUST Cooks Building. 324 Dr. D. N. Road, Bombay 400 001. Museum) is a very highly trained, compe ­ tent archeologist but she needs financial support and volunteers to help with all the uncatalogued objects. At the Vedic Museum in Poona they have a whole case devoted to Zoroastrian implements. There ’s text and picture with each imple ­ ment to show how it ’s used and read. The Alpaiwalla Museum should have floods of contributions. 1 heard the sad story of a priest who sold the agiary implements for scrap. Part of my job is to make noise about things like this. Zoroastrians need a bit of consciousness-raising! ” says Russell. With much of his family decimated in World War II, Russell says he visited all concentration camps in East Europe as a kid. Moral questions such as “Is God dead? Has his relationship with people changed? ” had remained unanswered. The question of Evil plagued young Jewish minds. He needed to “justify an idea of god still being worthy of wor ­ ship. ” Russell says he found the answers he needed in Zoroastrian dualism —the concept of “death as work of the adver ­ sary. ” The fatalistic eastern religions had left him with a feeling of emptiness, he says, but “the core of religious feeling is great joy. Zoroastrianism makes this clearer and states it better. ” MEHTA ft CO Cotton Merchants 73 Parsiana March 1984 mi Russell, who is fluent in ‘75=?:-5'5f a dozen Uumisa ’ ihctading Aws*®. 0“ Sian Pahlavi, New Persian, Gr«k, Hebrew Syriac, Russian, Armenm, Turkish ’, French and Gen^ the ZS circular of December 14, » ^TotTr Litt in Armenian Stud.es M SVtoersity of Oxlord and la« gto- rihis PhD in Religious Sttoes trianism) from the School of aSAScan Studies, University of Lon- j ua has a long list of academic publications to his credit in a variety of language s, notes the circular, pricing India Russen says, privileged class, rarsis " —", of the In- Nothing nefarious about rtiirtive wav**The economic position^f Xmn«ii.ywinsUbfe^.The ? languages Greek, & 8' the School of Onental s a long list of academic to his credit in a vanety ot citanws .,^43 I ¦ h Parsis were at . help^ to develop large ar^ used Necessity in a pt. ductive 'fidV' ____ __ .1 good mix- harm the Parsis. India not threatened by Indian mixed economy a ture. It will not 1 has an i—— commitment. It is ideal environment for reli^ous "¦ ’4 not threatened by ?S3"ti5om zoroastrian tit^^ j^j.g nrpcprved intact in India and in Iranian villages. s till preserved intact in “If Zoroastrianism survives America, its leadership wiU have to come ftoro here. For much larger LtS-iharriage has been a great probto Tn nine ca ses out of 10 you lose. Inter marriage would Work if the non-Zoro- astrian^became Zoroastrian. That s very different but that will take a lot of evolv- zoroastrians (in North Amenca ,____s-kaiw t«»c with India fron^ here, inter-i- — In nine cases marriage ’ in North For much larger conunuratws oix of 10 you lose. Inter- their ties with India Y?ARS OF CLEAN SERVICE DIANA-ECLII^ all vow carprt and uphobteiy c^infl-1 o ««»» will have to keep °^^ttle here instead of vise^ossell. Commenting ot the otot- mous affection ” he finds ajot rf Into to admire, a 1 many things in — even i learn from. ’’ As an ad- Ij 11 --------------------- lot of problems to solve, in Indian culture, art and : can example he speaks of agents despite the personal relations which one Sc'in BomVand Poona .whje -ly fvw accidents despite the vehicles and directions and there are very few variety of ’------- outward appearance dignity that one <— sion. “People lead previous dignifiedc have to <— ---- p u • effect relationship of physics, speaks of acts, < astonishing; as dustrial power tions !— blems but they are the only < can 1~__ “cc of chaos; it has a does not see on televi- ; lives, but 1. Somehow things work. We abandon the norm^ cauw-and- nf nhvsics. Russell lUJ/ V* ------- < of kinitaess, sudden ano the world ’s nineth in- „ ,____ with its Samtait and outward chaos. Into has po- .« -------J - *¦ Uivj «**** ------------ ¦ - I other place than the US where I worth solving. “It ’s think of living, ” he says. 74 Parsiana March 1994 )» USA (22/19 Daye) Rs 22.225 (22 Daye) N« York. Odando (^ ^ “a™!' Washington. Niagara Falls, Ch^, has Vegas, Son Francisco. Los Angeles. EUROPE/UK/USA (29Dayol Rs. 24,595/- Lgndon. Parts. Luceme/Zunch. Rome, Florence. Milan. New York Wishmglon. Orlando 'EP«>' uorH /uU day excursions Los Angeles. San Francisco. Niagara Fans. New York. europe /uk (AU9Baye Rs. 15,9501- London, Parts, LucemeBurtch, Rome. Florence, Mian, Geneva, Frankfuit, Amsterdam, Londcn. (Bl 24 Daye Rs-18.450/- vian to plaoes as pet (A) Q^peJaga, including Copenhagen/Urndon holy land/europe /uk LOURDES (23 Daye) Rs.l7.5(X)/ rd to Last Siwas). Rome, BoMW/” Geneva, FrOTklurt, Amsterdam, London, Pate, Lourdes, Parts. Rs.21,325 (19Doy») included), USSR wi>h (14D*ve) MotcoM) Leninyad.Minsk, {J^’iS^AWSflrRANKFUKT AFRICAN SAFAW (9 Paik. Tasavo West far east horizon (MD-yrt R5. 9,195/- Ban^. HooglwnB, «»“•. destination SINGAPORE (lODaya) Rs. 0.275/' Bsn^wk. SWgsixw _ industrial Allobo«nd» SubltotoIlBlaPI""”* Fo.Fdlpsstwbnptasseeta®'*""- ? I ASlSlC TRAVEL SERVICE 7*268151(8 UMS' *I ¦¦ ‘ MlLil k Sohrab Modi: the final exit set on the grand scale: The passing of movie moghul Sohrab Modi evoked much nostalgia in the press. We reprint two articles, one from Mid-day (January 29, 1984) which gives a brief synopsis of his life and the other from The Daily (February 5, 1984) entitled “Man of many faces” by Siraj Sayed which focuses on his screen career I k Sohrab Modi, one of the two Grand Moghuls of the Indian cinema (the other being Prithviraj Kapoor), passed away at his Cuffe Parade, Bombay, residence on Saturday, January 28, 1984. He was 87. Modi had been ailing for some time, aware that cancer was cutting short his life, and as a final grand gesture to the cinema, launched his final film Guru Bakshina on his last birthday on Novem ­ ber 2. He was in a hurry to complete it, when death interrupted. Sohrab Modi will be remembered for his great historical films produced, directed and acted by himself. Between 1936 and 1950, he set his stamp on the Indian motion picture industry and created the era of the historical films. Year after year they rolled out of Minerva Movietone: Pukar, ±e justice of Jehangir, Sikandar, when he played Porus to Prithviraj ’s Sikander, Prithvi Vallabh, Sheesh Mahal. There were Jailor, script by Kamal Amrohi, Kun- I dan, based on Victor Hugo ’s Les I Miserables, Mirza Ghalib, with Bharat Bhoosan, the film which' won the I President ’s Gold Medal, Yahudi, with Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumari. His most ambitious film was Jhansi Ki Rani, his wife Mehtab playing the title role. It was India ’s first technicolour film. His last film, completed, was on Meena Kumari (Meena Kumari Ki Amar Kahani) which he directed in 1976. I Bom on November 2, 1897, in Gu- j jarat, where his father was employed in the services of the Royal Rampur state, | gave him & early command of chaste Hindi winch was to become Sohrab Modi ’s hallmark in his later stage and screen career. He finished school in Bharda High School in Bombay and, shortly after leaving school, began a promising stage c^eer, rendering Shakespeare plays in Urdu. (Recently, in an interview over Doordarshan, he recited lines from the Urdu Hamlet, his voice as firm and full of timbre as ever). Then, after a short stint as an exhibitor, he got himself fully involved into films, producing, directing, acting. Left: ...in ’Jhansi Ki Rani. ’ Below: ...in 'Aatish, ‘ a family drama MfxU: literature and history formed a torrent... Sohrab Modi was also one of the oldest members of the century-old Ripon Club of Bombay, founded by Sir Phero- zeshah Mehta. The club celebrated the completion of its 100 years on Saturday. He was to be ofie of the chief guests at the function. A Sohrab Modi Memorial Institute is to be established. An announcement on this was made at a condolence meeting to mourn the pioneer film-maker ’s death. Reprinted from Mid-day, January 29, I9S4. Khoon Ka Khoon based on Shakes ­ peare ’s Hamlet was the first film Sohrab Modi directed. Made in 1935 for the Modis ’ Stage Film Company, it was ac ­ tually a ‘filmed play ’. Naseem (mother of Saira Banu) was the leading lady. Sohrab Modi had been arranging and managing stage shows from 1925. Theirs was a large family. From the theatre, the brothers graduated „ to films. Sohrab founded Minerva Movietone and the brothers, together, formed Central Studios. Both companies had their own studios. The first film that was produced under the Minerva banner was Saed-e-Havas, in 1936. After two historic plays, Sohrab Modi directed his first social film, Atma Tarang, specially written for the screen. In one of the first shows, there were barely a dozen persons watching the film! Undaunted, Sohrab Modi went on. 1938 marked the first milestone in his il ­ lustrious career. That was the year Jailor was made. This was the first version of Jailor, in 1b Parsiana March 1984 L ¦'‘v : 1 w which he aU' Bffi directional acuthett; could not ‘Friend, Philosopher, Guide ’ and Sheela. Twenty years later, he save the film from disaster. Viewers remade Jailor. His co-stars this time found all kinds of faults with it. What Died: Nadirshah Rustamji Mulla, 81, > wore Kamini Kaushal and Geeta Bali. Modi Sahab believed in perfect casting, an ideal he achieved time and again. Bawra, Do Raha, Jaal, Parchhain, jumans of India and the Bombay Parsi Himself as the jailor and Geeta Bali as Sangdil, Aah, Anarkali, Laila Majnu Punchayet Board of Trustees on March one of the leading ladies were casting and Patita? Who did she think whe was 26 in Bombay following a brief illness, coups. kidding when 33-year-oId Mehtab was ‘‘On his death the Parsi community trying to pass off as a girl half her age? loses a true son, the Parsi Punchayet a Nearly a crore of rupees went down the true, friend, philosopher and guide and ! the city of Bombay a respected citizen, ” Sohrab Modi was down, but not out. noted the resolution passed by the BPP was the songless Jansi Ki Rani doing in noted lawyer and former chairman of the era of musicals like Aan, Baiju the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Ari- « Impeccable cast 1 Likewise, Pukar (1939) boasted of an drain! impeccable cast —Chandramohan as Emperor Jehangir, Naseem as Noor Waris, Ghar Ghar Men Diwali, Kundan, on April 3. Jahan and Sohrab Modi himself as the Rajhath, Nausherwan-e-Adil, Jailor (re­ wronged Rajput warrior. Historicals always fascinated Modi. Bachche followed. But nothing could the BPP. Pukar became ^rend-setter and a proto- save Minerva. In paying off his debts, type of magnum opus historicals, finding Modi lost most of his belongings, in- Mulla and Mulla and Craigie Blunt and echoes in Mughal-e-Azam and Razia eluding the Minerva Studio. Brother Caroe which was founded by his father, Sultan. Modi himself followed it up with Keki ran a chain of theatres in Bombay Rustamji and uncle. Dinshah, Mulla Sikandar (1941) and Prithvi Vallabh and elsewhere. Like all the other (1943). Sikandar was the story of Alex- brothers and sisters, Keki too died before ander ’s invasion of India. With Prithvi- Sohrab. raj as Sikandar and Sohrab Modi as Poms, it became a veritable clash of role of Yahudi (directed by Bimal Roy), giants. Both are remembered today for with no less a thespian than Dilip Kumar their superb rendition of dialogufe. to share stellar honours, was, probably. Literature and history formed a torrent, the last feather in Sohrab ’s cap. Gravely flowing in confluence from the mouths afflicted and now in his eighties, Sohrab of these masters of the epic. Modi was last seen in Kamal Amrohi ’s Director Sohrab Modi and star Meh- Razia Sultan. tab came together in Parakh (1944), which he directed for the Central Studios Failed attempts banner. The 46-year-old bachelor Having successfully re-made Jailor Modi Sohrab fell in love with the 26-year-old- was toying with the idea of remaking divorcee, Mehtab Jhaveri. Two years Pukar. The proposal, like his other pet later, they were married. The marriage dream of making a film on Ashoka. The became the talk of the town. He was an Great, never saw the light of day. He orthodox Parsi, a top film-maker. She made an attempt to revive the Minerva was a Muslim, a divorcee-mother (with banner with Samay Bada Balwan (1969), an eight-year-old son), also a top but ‘Samay ’ (time) was not on his side, heroine. Mehtab divorced her husband The 85-year-old Sohrab Modi did to pursue a film career. Subsequently, a however, launch Guru Dakshina in A Samast Anjuman meeting was con- make), Do Gunde and Mera Ghar Mere vened in MuUa ’s honour on April 30 by A brilliant performance in the title- A partner in the reputed law firm of Mulla: ‘warmth of companionship. ‘ son was born to the couple. Ismail (now November 1983, with Raaj Kumar and “was a wizard in income tax laws and 46) and Mehelli (now 3Q have never felt Padmini Kolhapure. He departed soon procedure, ” states the BPP release. ‘‘As that they are step-brothers. Sohrab Modi afterwards, leaving behind a truly such when the Income Tax Act was saw to that. generous Dakshina —a legacy of love amended in 1961 with a step-motherly Even as Mehboob Khan launched Aan and affection for his wife Mehtab and bias against communal trusts, it was he (released in 1952), Sohrab Modi was pro- grown up sons Ismail and Mehelli. What who devised ways and means to save ducing Jhansi Ki Rani. The former was he carried with him on his last journey substantial chunks of income being ar- shot in 16 mm, technicolour and was was the boundless respect and admira- rogated by the tax authorities from the blown up to 35 mm. The latter was the tion of his family and millions of ad- existing trust funds as well as from fresh first Indian film to be shot in 35 mm, mirers. donations to charity... ” stated the technicolour. Sohrab Modi used the same technicians who worked on Gone best film in any language, plus the Silver with the Wind. The film was processed Medal for the best film in Hindustani New High School and Elphinstone Col ­ in London, which meant a number of {Mirza Ghalib, 1955) and the Dadasaheb lege, Mulla studied law at the Govem- chartered flights to and fro for the Modi Phalke award for outstanding service to ment Law College and enrolled as a soli- family! A formidable cast —Mehtab, Muba ­ rak, Ulhas, Sapru, Nayampally and there an award for an outstanding A.D. Shroff. Nandu Khote, besides Modi himself — human being? ‘‘During the period of 30 years that he mirers. The President ’s Gold Medal for the resolution. After completing his studies at Bharda the cause of Indian cinema (1980) are but citor in 1927. He joined the Punchayet in meagre rewards for Sohrab Modi. Isn ’t 1944 defeating the noted financier n Parsiana March 1994 i ¦:’«a J ¦a f 'i 1 3 JI' 11 was a trustee of the Punchayet and dur- which the Association (will) assist The Mark of Marker ing the 13 years that he was at the helm Athoman children from the West and the of its affairs he worked hard with dedica- East in becoming navars and maratabs, ” tion and devotion keeping the welfare of informed Captain, the Parsi community uppermost in his T.--------- ' and* the "community had to face m^y his schooling from the J. J. School at dustrial Development Bank of Pakistan, 4 I ¦ i; 1 S’ A H' si he I T 1' I I Died: Kekobad Ardeshir Marker, 88, ________________________________________________________________one of the founders of Quetta city, ________ -Jr ____ -- The seventh child in a family of seven pioneer of the pharmaceutical industry heart.hourlng this period/the Punchayet sons and one daughter, Kutar completed in Pakistan and ex-chairman of the In- and the community had to face many his schooling from the J.J. School at dustrial Development Bank of Pakistan, complex problems and MuUa ’s sugges- Bombay. Unable to fulfil his ambition of on February 15 at London following a tions were extremely valuable to his col- joining the Navy due to his weak eye- heart attack. leagues in arriving at appropriate deci- sight, Kutar launched his career as a In his condolence telegram to Ms sions. He also represented the Parsi Pun- medic. Both the Kutars were students of Marker, the President of Pakistan M. tions were extremely valuable to his col- joining the Navy due to his weak eye ­ leagues in arriving at appropriate deci- sight, Kutar launched his career as a chayet on the managing committees of the Grant Medical College and after Zia-ul Haq stated,^ “His services to^ the the N.N. and R.N. Wadia Trust Build- ' ' ' ’...... ” ings for Parsis, ” noted the resolution. A keen sportsman since his school days, he captained the cricket and tennis teams while ^t college and in his later days developed a taste for golf, states a family life sketch. Mulla will be remembered says his son Navel for the “warmth of his compa ­ nionship....the swift insight of his con ­ versation, the perpetual twinkle in his eyes and the delight of his wit, which never deserted him to the last. ” He is survived by his wife, Meherbai, and sons, Fardun and Navel. qualifying as doctors they worked at the cause of welfare of the people will long J.J., Hospital in Bombay. In 1938, he be remembered, ” while in another message to Marker ’s son Jamshed, Pakistan ’s Ambassador to France, Zia expressed His “heartfelt condolences. ” Condolence messages praising Marker ’s contributions were also received from Lieut. General Rahim Uddin Khan, Governor of Baluchistan and General Jilani, Governor of Punjab. A resolution adopted at a Samast Anjuman meeting convened in his memory by the Karachi Parsi Anjuman Trust Fund (KPATF) noted, “In the death of Seth Kekobad Marker the Parsi community of Pakistan in particular, and the people of Pakistan as a whole, have lost a great Parsi, a noble citizen, a pioneering industrialist, a civic leader, a sportsman and a philanthropist. ” , • * ¦ The resolution signed by KPATF trus- Kutar: tremendous spiritual uplift. p g Avari, Burjof Anklesaria went to the U.K. for further studies as a Ardeshir Cowasjee, Jal H. P. Byramji surgeon but with the outbreak of the Se- and Byram D. Avari went on to note cond World War he voluntarily joined that the Pakistan Government had the Royal Army Medical Corp. Kutar awarded the Sitara-e-Khidmat to Marker was awarded the Star of Africa by Field for his numerous services. I Born in Secunderabad in 1896, U.K. High Priest Died: Dastur Dr Sohrab Hormasji Kutar, 71, High Priest of the Zoroastrians in the U.K. on April 20 in London following a brief illness. In fulfilment of his wishes, Kutar ’s body was flown to Bombay and laid fo ­ rest. in the Towers of Silence. His “meritorious service...rendered to the community for the past 38 years, ” ---------- -------- was extolled in a scroll presented to him Marshal Montgomery for his “dedicated . . and his wife Shirinbanoo by the and sterling services rendered ” to the Marker joined the family businessi alter - ----- • " studying at the Khan Bahadur Ardeshir D. Marker Anglo-Vernacular School Mi'z.uiuastxi<ux;iMU3v. C.X d.e After getting married in 1943, the founded by his father, the Sandenm president of ZTFE, Shahpur Kutars left India in 1946 and have settled High School in Quetta and at St. Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe on armed forces of the U.K. and Common- December 3, 1983 at a public function in wealth. the London Zoroastrian House. On the Captain stated, “Dasturji Saheb is a firm down in the U.K. since then. In 1958 Xavier ’s CoUege, Bombay. He a believer in the power and efficacy of they established their own practice in n„Pftn Mnnicmalitv and prayers and he has taken every oppor- U.K. Kutar was intprPQtpH ” in tunity of bringing this to the fore in the all kinds of sport and participated in _i member of the Quetta Municipality and prayers and he has taken every oppor- U.K. Kutar was ‘•'k^y' inttrested" in during the ear^uake of IMS I lui ui ului 111 diia t-w div rJiv ..rdiv idl I in ed around 56,000 people, he turned his affairs of the Asswiation. ... We had juSt swimming, hockey, riding, cricket and {^me into^ to see i---------- - . . . _ Jashan, Afringan and other ceremonies other passion is music and drama. ’’ to feel the tremendous spiritual uplift... ‘ J .................... . “ “Kutar was appointed the High Priest tion held on December 3 was the unyeil- of the Zoroastrians in the U.K. by the ing of the jxjrtrait of Ruto and Shirin- of Europe....in 1964” said Captain, the community ’s appreciation. As stated inauguration of his factory Marker I “Today the products of Marker Alka- jiiuuii ap.iiku««i,. Iqids are known in the nation^ as Kutar is survived by his wife. Dr well as international markets as being of ?1 tile /SbbUvlctuvii. ..« vvcuaujuoi awuiuiuii^, w* • tw u 4. ^.^1 and hear Sohrabji perform the cycling. To recaU Captain, “Sorabji ’s The Bombay Pmsi Punchayet xj^hich col- J .......................................... lected five lakh rupees for the earth- The highUght of the feUcitation func- quake relief, entrusted the sum to Marker for disposal. Tn 1941 Marker introduced the phar- members of the Zoroastrian Association banoo in the Assembly HaU as a token of maceutical industry in Patastan with the of Europe....in 1964” said Captain, the community ’s appreciation. As stated inauguration of his factory Marker Since he was only a navar at that time, he of Kutar, “It is true to say that he has Alkaloids. As the resolution n<^ resolved to become a maratab, a i cation which he obtained at Navsari the age of 57. Recently the Kutars had ------ ---------------- j u n. u “donated a munificent sum of £5,000 to Shirinbanoo and daughters. Perin and the highest quality and the firm has esta- the Association, from the income of Shemaz Patel. Wished an outstanding reputatUMi. In quaiifi- uplifted the Zoroastrian community in vsari at London spiritually. ” 79 Parsiana March 1964-- ll Is I !« I I $ I a! ' . jf t/ 1983, the comply was awarded the Company. according to Naval Vakeel who worked President of Pakistan ’s Merit Certificate Prior to joining the Tata Sons Ltd. in with Tarapore on the managing co mmi t, for being pioneers in the basic manufac- 1938 as legal adviser to the Tata Group tee of PZASH. ture of dmgs based on indigenous raw of Companies, Choksi was working with Tarapore ’s efforts enabled the mobeds materials. ” Messrs Wadia Ghandy & Co., Solicitors, to enjoy additional perquisites like revi- In 1957 Marker was nominated as a On completion of his education in sion of grades and food allowance, stated director of the Pakistan Industrial Bangalore and Bombay, Choksi joined the anjuman bio-data. A utility van Finance Corporation and was made Messrs Wadia Ghandy & Co. and which was purchased to permit the carry ­ chairman of the Board two years later, “started practice at the Bombay High ing of dead bodies in a dignified way was As mentioned in the resolution, “He Court in 1926 and later became a partner also due to Tarapore ’s initiative, continued as chairman when the Cor ­ poration was transferred into the In ­ dustrial Development Bank of Pakistan, and remained in office for 14 years, despite the fact that the normal term is j set for two years only. ” Leading a delegation of ±e IDBP to Japan in 1962, he negotiated* for loans for the textile industry, said the resolution. “He made extensive contributions to charity, mostly in an anonymous fashion, ” the resolution stated. He also donated rooms, wards and equipment to hospitals ip Quetta and Karachi and built dharamsalas and flats for Parsis in Quetta, Sukur, Karachi and Secunde ­ rabad. Marker was known to have taken a keen interest in sports and “did much to encourage cricket, football, gliding, aviation and squash in Baluchistan. ” He is survived by his wife, Meher- banoo, and sons. Jamshed, Khursheed and Minocher. Prior to joining the Tata Sons Ltd. in with Tarapore on the managing commit- ture of drugs based on indigenous raw of Companies, Choksi was working with motoriolc ______ ________i« _ . « a « «• •. 'started practice at the Bombay High ing of dead bodies in a dignified way was S'- If II- r i' i 4 '3 J Choksi: leading rote in companies* growth. Tarapore: concern for community welfare. of that firm, ” says the press release. A Rotarian since 1956, Tarapore had * He was on the local and central boards served in the capacity of secretary, presi- of the State Bank of India until 1968 and dent and chairman of various co mmi t- served as the Chairman of the New India tees. The Children ’s Park at Tank Bund J I Choksi : ‘Financial Wizard ’ Died: Jehangir Dossabhoy Choksi, 83, Assurance Co. Ltd., from 1965 to 1972, is said to symbolize Tarapore ’s contribu- former Director of Tata Sons Limited states the handout. tion as a Rotarian. He had ak n worked and legal adviser to the Tata Group of C " “.... __ _ _______________ Companies, on January 29 in Bombay Trusts including the Sir Dorab Tata Zoroastrian Club for many years, states after a prolonged illness. Trust until August 1983. the bio-data, “during which period the “The late Choksi played a leading role 1’" in the growth and development of a electric crematorium, number of Tata companies with which he was actively associated... He took an T arap OFC : ‘Energetic and active part in the doubling of the capaci- ---------- - - ® ty of TISCO to two million tonnes in the ____ ______________ _ _____ ______ late^ fifties^ His^advice was also sought Died: Erach J Tarapore, 73, honorary return to India, he joinZd theAzamjahi paniw in the Tata group, ” noted ^the juman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad with them for 30 years, retiring Economic Times of January 29. < ‘ In his distinguished career extending orrhage. from 1938 to 1979, Choksi held top ex- _ ___ _ __________________________ ecutive {wsitions in the Tata Group of tion, sincerity (and) honesty for the storey showroom, the ground floor of Compames, the largest private sector welfare of the community, ” noted a life which was allotted to the Zoroastrian group in the country. He was the sketch of Tarapore sent by the twin city Stree Mandal for then- project “Self dire^or-in-charge of Air India and Air Anjuman. Tarapore joined the manag- Help ”. Tarapore will be remembered for India International, of Tata Chemicals ing committee of PZASH in 1972 and being “very aiergetic and helpful ”, s ums and of the Tata Electric Companies was entrusted with the secretaryship. He up Ms Z R Ranji, acting honorary which he later chaired. He was the was “instrumental in securing funds secretary of PZASH. founder chairman of Voltas Ltd. and from outside and.... for constructing He is survived by his son. Dr Farokh vice-chairman of the Tata Iron and Steel several flats for the poor and the needy, ” and daughter, Ms Armaity Nagarwala. Choksi was also a trustee of five Tata as the honorary secretary of the Trust until August 1983. f ' ‘__ L ? ___1 His body was cremated at the Sion club enriched itself by his services. ” Born in Hanumkonda, Warangal, Tarapore completed his academic educa ­ tion at Bombay. From there he proceed ­ ed to Manchester in England to study for his B. Tech in textile engineering. On his with regard to financial matters of com- secretary of the Parsi Zoroastrian An- Mills, Warangal in 1939 and worked - - - , ----- , -------J as Bombay-based financial daily, The (PZASH) and former company ex- service-cum-sales manager , in 1940 he ” • ecutive, on March 8 after a brain hem- married Ms Mani Davierwala. Prior to his death, Tarapore was “He did his job with dedication, devo- working on the construction of a double Helpfur founder chairman of Voltas Ltd. and from outside and.... for constructing i 80 Parsiana March 1964 'J