May 1984

"¦431 4. \ ti ' : ¦ A t * ."S’ It ¦ May 1984 - Volume 6 Number 11 '‘s' r' 1 ’I 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 Fernandez 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 7^ 8 Events and Personalities 13 Zoroastrians* Abroad 16 'Queen of Colonies' 4. 23 Editorial Viewpoint : The Alienation of the Priesthood • i 26 'Hotel Should Be A Second Home' Z! Creating a Climate for Careers by Dara P Antia 30 Is Parsi Entrepreneurship Dying 7 by J 6 Madan ”0 32 Art 34 Sports Cover : The N H Karani Agiary at Cusrow Baug photo by Homyar Mistry 'J. 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 j*.' 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 tP be drawn in favour of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400'001. *9' 1^.' 41^. It tJ fp *1 *¦» the conventional security of bank ‘ ,yl employment and sought new and more understanding and pity. It was just This anger was slowly replaced by . - , t a . challenging pastures to make our mark measure of the depths we have sunk to. in. Instead of being fascinated by a profes- ' To address ourselves to the first pre- sion which at its mildest can be termed Instead of being fascinated by a profes- Iv uUUlVbb vlilovlVCo UM lllv xirbu prC" J.____ _____________ ____ ____________ jImIj mise, we cannot escape from certain challenging, this man here was as king ff' -i 1 I basic conclusions. Society has under- me to don the cloak of security and all gone a tremendous and rapid the frustration and ennui which are metamorphosis . It has become increas- part of its make-up . No doubt his inten- ingly competitive, a virtual rat race tions were good, but his perception was where the more industrious and daring poor, to say the least. will always triumph, regardless of any The writing on the wall, then, is crys- advantages accruing from the accident tai clear. No doubt we have the scho- of birth in one family or community, lars and the professionals who continue We can no longer extract any mileage to make their presence felt, but in each from the achievements of our ances- case it is their cosmopolitan trend of tors, for the world is now and we have thinking and behaving that deter mines to build it anew. their success. The others are doomed In this task we are sadly lacking, to drudgery and the consequent dessi- Gone is the daring entrepreneurship, cation of the spirit and mind. the reputation for honesty and hard To any such problem, the inevitable The writing on the wall, then, is crys- the reputation for honesty and hard work. Replacing it is unimaginative question is, what is the solution ? It and disinterested plodding in govern ­ ment-guaranteed, nine-to-five mono­ tony. Absent is the will to take risks, to map out new territory, the thirst realignment of priorities. We have to for knowledge not necessarily aca- accept that difficult times are ahead, demic. In its place is listlessness, a sad not only for us but for all mankind, and that we have to mould our aspirations - to the exigencies of these harsh times. ... It is no use spewing out a cadre of Q p o' annals of modem Indian history for the clerks. Maybe we will have to lay _______ _______ ' ‘ _ '¦ more stress on vocational education, subject to editing for reasons of space out asking for any recompense. A maybe we should provide more incen-. and claritv. _________________________ Member of Parliament, while arguing tives and avenues for higher,\ more specialized academics. This is surely a matter which needs serious study. However, it lies on us individually to effect the basic change in our men- i' ¦f; iWW ¦ *L* ^5 would be glib to say we should work hard, study more, adnauseum. What is needed is a change of attitude and a ¦ for knowledge not necessarily aca- accept that difficult times are ahead, detachment from the task at hand, redu ­ cing it to just a means of sustenance. We occupy a special niche in the Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana, I— — Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Letters are precise reason that we have given with- .Member of Parliament, while arguing with me against the policy of reserva ­ tion of seats for minorities including Muslims, pointed out the instance of the Parsis who had never asked for any favours or special representation, tai structure. Dissatisfaction is the key "to improvement. As long as we endeavour to better ourselves, as long as we continue in the pursuit of excel- Realign Priorities Some time back, a few friends appro ­ ached me with a request to append my signature on a petition addressed to the management of a nationalized bank seeking what, in effect, amounted to a job reservation policy for Parsis in that of all our values to ask for something institution. It would have been easy to ’ ’ ’ ................. .. acquies^, but on a point of principle ! refiised. As it happens in circumstances like these, my friends misunderstood my intentions and probably labelled employed. When I told him I me anti-community. The point I was journalist, he peered at me as if I were a first-rate fool and in a conspiratorial tone, as if revealing one of the original commandments, told me to drop what I was doing and apply for a post in a advantage of this benevolent institute ~ ’ for the following reasons : The location of the hospital at Whilst his analogy between us and the Muslims was undoubtedly faulty, it is a matter of pride that this is the general impression which Indians have of us. In lence, we shall be able to survive with view of this, would it not be a travesty our heads held high. This revolution can only come from within us. MANECK DA VER which we cannot attain with our own intellectual capacity ? Quite recently, a casual acquain- Medicare ill the Sublirbs ? tance, a Parsi, asked me where I was was a The community is proud of the valu ­ able services rendered by the Parsi General Hospital. I regret to state that suburban Parsis, however, are starved of medical aid. They cannot take trying to make then was, however, unmistakably clear. My reluctance to sign the memoran ­ dum was based on two issues. First, there is no logical rationale for us to bank. Even though i violently disagree claim any privileges even in concerns with the concept that journalists are floated and founded by our forefathers knights in shining armour, I was so Breach Candy is so out of the way that and, secondly, it is time we abandoned stupefied that I could not reply. it is impossible to reach it in case of an 3 Parsiana May T9841 I • ? F h emergency like a heart attach ' tie sun ’) m the VejKfefed.^is method birth of a baby, which require prompt has been explicitly recommended in medical attention. Poor and middle the Very chapters that Cama has men- dass folk cannot afford the heavy tioned above. The excellence of this transixirt charges. And the use of pub- system has been extolled by non- lic transport entails long delays espe- Zoroastrians as well over the centuries dally during the morning and evening (see Enlightened non-Zoroastrians on peak hours. In the circumstances one Mazdayasnism, the excellent religion, cannot reach the hospital in time for compiled and translated by J J the visiting hours. Also, a relative can- Motivala and B N Sahiar). not look after his/her home or go to “ work as well as attend the patient, when three to four hours are wasted in such, consigning a dead body or for the journey alone. that matter any ‘rubbish ’ to the flames More than one third of the bulk of is most grievously sinful. In the Atash Bombay Parsis reside in the suburbs Nyaish, the devotee prays that the fire and as such one hospital cannot serve be provided with ‘proper fuel, ’ ‘proper the 65,000 ParSs of Bombay. Besides, incense, ’ ‘proper nourishment ’ and Parsis living in the city have the advan- ‘proper up-keep. ’ tage of the clinic at Tardeo also. The fire in turn blesses him who I have repeatedly drawn attention to brings to it ‘fuel, dry, exposed to the this important issue but unfortunately light, purified in accordance with the there has been no response. At present ritual of righteousness ’ (see M N the suburban Parsis have to check into Dhalla The Nyaishes or Zoroastrian private hospitals which are not only Litanies ). The Pahlavi Yasna (36.3) costly, but where admission is very dif- implicitly states that both invisible and ficult . physical impurities should be kept back from fire. And, according to the Per ­ sian Rivayats, the pollution caused by a dead body is the worst sort of pollution there is. BAHADUR M BHARUCHA : 1 With Complimp^rtts of JEENA >¦ 'Ar ’a* ’“11 In Zoroastrian scriptures, fire is cal ­ led ‘the Son of Ahura Mazda ’ and, as COMPANY * ?¦ ‘Revere, not worship’ Dara Cama states in his letter ‘Revere not worship ’ {Parsiana, December 1983) that no particular method for the Disposal of the Dead disposal of the dead is to be found in our religious books, and that chapters We have been told by learned scholars three, five, six and seven of the Ven <* "J ' ' 1____ _ didadopeiAy decry dokhnierr'ishijii. By and geh-samu ceremonies have been these statements, Cama seckr to justify performed on the dead body, no one consigning the dead body to the fire may touch it, not even the nearest instead of the traditional method of relatives. exposing it to the rays of the son. In both the Avesta and Pahlavi Vea- didad, the word dakhma i^, used in ix. eral contexts. The ano ’sek to tombs and graves {Vc,idsdac to elevated open spaces where dead pur, for example. Parsis and non-Par- bodies were exposed to sunlight and sis pay homage simultaneously to the carnivorous creatures (Vendidad 8.1). departed soul after the geh-samu It is also used in a general sense signify- ceremony. ing any sort of structure (see A V Wil- The Vendidad is often quoted as liams Jackson, Persia, Past & Present). the authority for our ancient rules and Die word dakhma has been used customs. But as Dr Dhalla has ARNAVAZ CHUBB of our religion that after the suchkar This rule, however, does not take into account the fact that in up-coun ­ try places, it is the relatives and volun ­ teers who carry the dead body and and enter the dokhma. And in Jamshed- s:v carnivorous creatures (Vendidad 8.1). departed soul after the geh-sarnu 7‘ • • *• • •; ing any sort of structure (see A V Wil ­ liams Jackson, Persia, Past & Present). riM _ 1 ¦ » I .* . to mean the womb of a woman who has pointed out, Zarathushtra did not given birth to a stillborn child (Ven- write the Vendidad, which includes didad 5.45). Only where the term practices prevalent prior to his age, dakhma has been used in me sense of and traditions which are unsuited to grave or tomb has it been decried in the the changing times and circumstances. Vendidad (3.9). As it is said in the Gathas, we The method of disposal of the dead should “Let reason mould and control as followed by Zoroastrians is correctly our thinking ; ” termed hvare daresya (Pahlavi : xvar- set nigirishni—‘exposure to the rays of RUSl B PASTAKIA Jamshedpur 5 Parsiana May 1984 IATA Approved Air Cargo, Clearing, Forwarding & Warehousing Agents 10, Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Bombay 400 023. Cable: “JUSTITIA” Telex: 2313 Phone: 312032 BRANCHES: E. Mere House, 19/B, Shakespeare Sarani (Formerly Theatre Road) Calcutta 700 071. Fhone: 444711 “Jeena House”, 50, Hanuman Road, Connaught Circus, New Delhi i to 001. Phone: 3.10821 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 1 ¦ •< i J .'if-'* ’ i 83; '> V- *• ‘i- I ’'A *¦. TS Sdf-extbiction ? S’ i V We \ . clusic^ that tiiey, too, desire approp- aiad, in a few cases^ of adopted chOdren riate chm^es in our customs aad . is well ! Yet how manydtt8turs or pun- Too much fuss is being made by a mic- als, but they dare not utter a Word as chayat pundits open their"Wuths in roscopic number of so-called orthodox they are afraid of relentless attacks by protest ? ~ .... - . the ultra-orthodox. Unless they are bold enough to enforce improvements, of an adult alien may be considered too our virtual'extinction is certain. It is big a step at the present when theemo- Parsis in the name of religion. Instead of moving with the times, they insist on ' following old customs, rituals and trad ­ itions, some of which we adopted from high time that thinking Parsis came for- tional and negative reactions from the Hindus. ward boldly to initiate changes. If the Indian Parsis are on the rise, when they There was much shouting last year small number of orthodox Parsis refuse themselves are confused But surely >--!Over the nayjote ceremony of Joseph sPeterson. I do not say that we should encourage every Tom, Dick and Harry to embrace Zoroastrianism, but there The conversion into Zoroastrianism <- to fall in line, let them go their own the acceptance of children of mix^ yiay. marriages could be cautiously consi- :ejsr.5-.‘s*c^uwuxagc^ woy xviii, jl/iva. miu naiiy RN RusTOMJi dered ? When the navjotes of a Parsi to embrace Zoroastrianism, but there father and non-Parsi mother ’s children is nothing wrong if some learned non- CoHVCFSion may be performed, why not the nayjote Parsis desire to adopt the faith. Of of a child born to a Zoroastrian mother course, we nRist have some check to A lot has been written and discussed and an alien father ? see that only persons of good status and ' about the Peterson nayjote in the Today some mobeds hesitate to per- good blood are accepted into the USA. The two Parsi ervards who per- form jashans if non-Zoroastrians are ~~ . . _ present. We are told that our prayers desire to marry spouses of other faiths, demned for their hasty action. But if and rituals are adversely affected and we must invite the candidate for a the Parsis on the new continent are the invoked blessings are nullified due to the presence of durvands. If this is true, most of the nayjotes and wed- R N RUSTOMJI L - A ' ^roastrian fold. If any youngsters formed the initiation have been con- '•J Today some mobeds hesitate to per- ' meeting to find out the cause as to why brainwashed and supported by the rich ' he/she wishes to adopt the Zoroastrian Zoroastrians there, do not the rich religion. Only after our learned priests Parsi sethias of Bombay and Gujarat dings in Bombay are null and void due are satisfied that the converts will not do what they want and manoeuvre the to the aura of the ever-present ganga, betray the Zoroastrian faith should poor mobeds and the yes-men of the ayah, rama, cook, driver, etc. And their nayjote and marriage ceremony anjumans and punchayatsby the power what of the presence of non-Zoroast- S be performed. of their wealth ? They can get foreign, rian relatives, friends ? On the other J From my occasional contacts with non-Zoroastrian brides, perform nav- hand jashans that have been performed learned priests, I have come to the con- jotes of offspring ^f mixed marriages in India and abroad have been 1 be performed. From my occasional contacts with £ & HI W'-*- ' 'i - ! %'¦' I’X I I’*, I I J ’ i f-* f 'tf r 1^' GRAND BOTEL Fwever i^easfuit I •i ¦f lorever yours. There's everything. Simply everything from a 'Kt ’ Dial; 268211 BBf FTIOM Lm. tffi. I 4 friendty^elcoine to a personalised service. You ¦ will fiitd all the comforts and luxuries of a 5 star fl hotel at 3 star cost amidst the right atm os- fl phere of grandeur. ^^fl The rooms are air conditioned and equipped with telephones, channel T.V. and piped music. We also provide rooms to acconimodate 25 to 125 persons for seminars, company meetings and receptions. Come any time. You’ll love being here. We'll make you smile in everything we do. 6 P^iana May 19S4 K X 1- '-I ' ‘*-^3 'ia 1 -’5;’’ ‘ 7^' » S'* '• F • ¦fi. 11-- 14-' U’’- P’' ¦ ventsand Personalities 'I T ! 1 J Ph ¦K ¦ » f b • !* 31 1 <¦ ih- Drug Menace The menace of drug addiction becoming more and more prevalent in all societies but for a small community ginger and raspberry and pineapple Dr (Ms) Nargesh D Motashaw, noted like ours, it poses a grave threat, ” and lemonade, what are generally Bombay gynaecologist, was elected stated Bombay Parsi Punchayet chair- referred to as Parsi wedding drinks, the first president of the newly formed man Dr Aspi Golwalla while addres- and, of course, there is soda, Duke ’s International Federation of Gynaeco- sing a large gathering at CuSrow Bang soda (“don ’t say soda, say Duke ’s logical Endoscopists on February 12, on the occasion of the colony ’s golden soda ”). Some people claim that even a in Bombay. The decision to form the jubilee celebrations. bad whisky does not taste so bad in federation was taken at a meeting nt “I would urge you all to be aware of Duke ’s soda, which may or may not be this and whenever you can, help in quite correct. rehabilitating the unfortunate victims Among the other products, raspberry . and in turn also relieve the parents of is a happy drink. Oldtimers would their misery and suffering. remember it, drunk on birthdays, we"d- “Because tolerance to heroin and dings, a fizzing red drink, the colour of other dangerous drugs develops along raspberry, leaving behind a pink mous- with physical and psychological tache on children ’s lips. dependence, the user requires increas- Ginger, a digestive, io a muvii ingly larger amounts to achieve the stronger drink, good to keep warm on a desired effect. Once in the grip of cold night. compelling need, the addict ’s life is There was also pick-me-up, an dominated by the habit, which in orange-flavoured aerated water, addition to all its physical risks inevi- though one does not remember the tably leads him to some aspects of manufacturers. If they were not Duke ’s crime. ” then they must have been Rogers, that ; other old and respected establishment. It took Duke ’s a long time to step into the modem, competitive world. —.....-..... And it finally did so with Mangola, feels Tango which one would certify as a good and “is reputation, standards, and resists inno- International vations, new products. A perfectly understandable sentiment. Hence, over the years it has stuck to Among the other products, raspberry is a much There was also pick-me-up, orange-flavoured 99 1 13 11 8 'jj- 'i -I i Gynaecologists’ Chief 'I?-; W' ¦ .'i. • 9^ "" The First Tango Among all the new soft drinks intro ­ duced recently, one 1 __________ _ ___ _____ „„ „ deserves a special mention. Not that rich drink, but not a drink with an officials of one has tried it and admired it and would like to recommend it to the gen- ________ eral public. In fact, in three shops that of Amravati and Nagpur, ctne inquired, it was not available. ’ .............. One would like to mention it because _______________ ____ ____ wx wv. au it is a Duke ’s product , which means it is called Duke ’s . It seems one of the early of Gynaecological Jiicfrifir T ilznDnl.'i,Tr,lLJ^ __ 1_______ t* . . j __ . “ history or the Parsi Dairy ’s sutarfem is t __ :___ 2 __ ; _ Lxvl.,.x. Motilal s masalas are history team. There he had played with cricket is or Laflan ’s and Dias ’ suits were his- " ” tory or good scotch is history. Duke ’s was started in 1893, one understands by the great-grandfather of the present Pun dole. Which means ___ that, like anything else started almost a know, century ago, it jealously guards its J’- Motashaw: also teachinglhe Chinese. various gynaecological image. And now there is Tango, cap- endoscopy organizations from all over taring the tang of the orange orchards the world who were attending the Sec- It is like history moving on. There is also a story of why Duke ’s is ond Asian Congress on gynaecological endoscopy. President of the Indian Assodatioh T •! !• 11 5 ------------------------—X.X V^JIXUX^XzX/IVFgXVal EudOSCOplStS , xJ ? spectacles are Pundoles was a good cricketer and had Motashaw has made notable contribu- once toured England with an Indian tion to gynaecological endoscopy. She , X -r,. . . . , , .. . . consultant obstetrician and balls manufactured by a company cal- gynaecologist at the B D Petit Parsee led Duke ’s. So, when he returned to General Hospital, Masina Hospital, India, he named his company Duke ’s. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, If there is another version of the ori- Tata Institute of Fundamental gin of the name, one would like to Research, Breach Candy Hospital and Jaslok Hospital. In the field of teaching, Motashaw one Reprinted from Mid-t?ay, April 20,1984. 8 Parsiana May 1984k' f S 1 I i 9t is currently .-— Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College at Bombay. She has to her credit Over 75 publications in national and international journals and has also contributed chapters in undergraduate and postgraduate text books. Among the awards that Motashaw has received is a ‘Medal of Honour ’ from the University of Kiel, West Germany, for outstanding work done in endoscopy. For her contribution in the field of sterility and fertility she received the ‘Pfannenstiel Medal of Honour ’ from the Christian Albrecht University, West Germany, and in 1984 an awai;^ of the Silver Jubilee Congress from the German Society of Fertility and Sterility. Presenting papers and delivering lectures in India and abroad, Motashaw was sponsored by interna- Gagrat: “cases that set the precedent. tional agencies to attend meetings in Tunis, ! Chicago. She was invited by the Uni- the real, more tangible achievement, versity of Leiden to lecture at the . the firm in 1941 as an article clerk , com­ pleted her solicitorship four years later, and is today one of die pillars of this establishment. J R Gagrat, the foun ­ der ’s son, has been responsible for the _ firm ’s expansion both in the capital and in London. The third generation also entered the firm when Rustom J Gag ­ rat was made a partner in late 1981. Rustomji Gagrat is a very reticent per- son , shying away from the glare of pub- licity, preferring anonymity like all good solicitors. For the Blitz, this doyen, now 84 years old, occupies a special place. In-all the trials, including 1 J 1 the famous Chester Bowles forgery case, that Gagrat has defended the . weekly pubheation, they have been q case, that Gagrat has defended the exonerated. In only the Thackersey case where they did not have the benefit of his counsel, did they pay- record damages, « 'J ¦4.3 At an age when all retire with great- gviivivo iw aiiviiu iii ----------.,1 Seoul, Berlin, Mexico and revolutionized the state of law, that is Gagrat is still the most active partner of - - ¦ ............. grandchildren on their laps, Rustomji the firm he founded. Reprinteiltrom The Daily, May 7,1984. " * ¦ ¦ ; Gagrat ’s 50 years have been studded Boerhaave Course on female steriliza- with legal gems. Whether it was the tion in 1981. On her second visit to protest against the transfer of judges or Who’s Who? China in 1983, Motashaw was invited against Government censorship, the by the Chinese Government to teach powers of the police during the Mr Fali Nariman, Mr N A Palkhivala, • and operate in five cities. emergency or challenging preventive Mr JBDadachanji,MrKSCoopcr,Mr Associated with several professional detention, the firm of Gagrat was B H Antia, Mr Aspi Chinoy, Mr R F a «• a • .a • a ¦ < IT <•. _ A a1_ _ .J. 1^11 A ««a A«« IL U t No, not a gathering of the Parsi clan. much before the term became popular. The battery of lawyers appearing in the _____ ___________________ __ The personality and dynamism of a Bombay high court for Escorts and Mr 5^ Gynaecological Laparoscopists and person is always imprinted on the Harparshad Nanda. ¦¦ . .... '*'j Keprinted from Sunday Mid-Day, March 5,1994. and operate in five cities. bodies, Motashaw is the president of involved. In fact, the first public inte- Nariman, Mr H N Vakil, the International Endoscopy Society, rest litigation was initiated by Gagrat . _ ’ ' _ ' As an International Adviser she is serving the American Association of the Johns Hopkins Program for Inter- people he comes in touch with, and his national Education in Gynaecology work. To that effect nationalism found and Obstetrics. expression when he refused to continue Zubin’S India ConduCt working at Crawford Bayley and Co. in protest against the inferior treatment The New York Philharmonic under its "'S meted to Indian solicitors. His broad- famous music director, Zubin Mehta, mindedness was < accepted the brief of Parsis who wanted country Asian tour beginning in ! Gagrat’s Golden The completion of half a century in one’s chosen endeavour is always a --------------- --------- - . moment of deep satisfaction and pride to defend their right to choose either August this year. in self-achievement. For Rustomji the burial ground or the dokhma as the The orchestra is to give three con- Gagrat, the occasion must have meant resting place for the dead. Gagrat him- certs in Bombay and one each in Delhi 2 a lot more, for in this period he has self appeared, and the view of the and Calcutta between September 12 orthodox section of the community was and 18. rejected by the court. Mehta told a press conference at While Gagrat ’s contribution to the which the plans for the tour of New ¦ York Philharmonic were announced: evident when he will visit India in the course of its eight- f Parsis who wanted countrv Asian tour beginning in a lot more, for in this period he has made the name Gagrat synonymous with law in this country. Today, the solicitor ’s firm ’s growth cannot be just measured by the number growth of the company has been singu- ------ of associates, partners and employees it lar,itwould be amiss ifthe efforts of his “I cannot tell you how excited I am has on its roster, or its widening of partners and associates is not enumer- about conducting^he OTchestra in India operations being the first one to open a :___________________ " ~ ’* ' ’ , Z “ branch in New Delhi and an associate of the dedicated services of Chandra- bom and raised. company, Gagrat and Gardi, in Lon- kant Maganlal Mehta, a young solicitor ated. For 40 long years, the firm availed and especially in Bombay, where I was . yhe concerts in India are being ar- don. Rather, it is the impressive list of who walked into the company ’s offices ranged in cooperation with the Indian , issues fought and won, cases which had in 1938 and was a senior, respected Council for Cultural Relations. a direct bearing on the constitution, partner till his demise in 1978. Then, Mehta said the prime minister, Ms which set favourable precedents and there is I >5 in 1938 and was a senior, respected Council for Cultural Relations. partner till his demise in 1978. Then, Ivlchia said die pume iimiiatvi, « Ms MehraP Shroff who joined Gandhi ’s close associate, Ms Pupul 4 ¦j. S Parsiana May 1984 ¦ i.;r eiSi- / i. Mehta: “Eighty percent of the Parsis are relatives!” (photo courtesy Mid-Day.) most BombayiteS' know, the food and the atmosphere have been excellent. The early years, right down to 1977, were the best. Especially on Thurs ­ days, the dhansak days when you went early by 1 p.m. to get yourself a table among all the familiar faces. You ordered a chilled beer or an equally cool coconut-water from the vendor at the gate. Then you ordered the dhansak, which came in tiffin-car ­ riers, straight from the kitchens of Parsi ladies. Lady Jerbai Mody, Ms Gool Shavaksha, all Time and Talents ladies, would take turns each day to supervize and serve you. Other days had other specialities: chicken-in-basket, which actually came in a basket, khichri-patia, rice-and- curry, sali-kheema. First from the homes, but later cooked on the pre ­ mises. The pier, however, atleast that part of it, belonged to the Atomic Energy Establishment, given free to the ladies cil, discussed the Nehru Trophy Foot- ^¦Mi^ Manekshaw: “If you had a nose like nune.... f9 Jayakar, had asked him why he was giv- Establishment, given free to the ladies cil, discussed the Nehru Trophy Foot ­ ing three concerts in Bombay and only by the late Dr Homi Bhabha. In 1977 ball in Calcutta, other recent spor tin g ope in Delhi. the establishment reclaimed the pre- events, and the flaws of Indian sports. raises. The Field Marshal was one of the The Victory Stall then shifted to persons who had promoted women’s (J ope in Delhi. “She immediately understood me when I told her the first two concerts will be for my relatives, ” Mehta added smaller, less pleasant premises, in the hockey and at one stage succeeded in amidst laughter. rear portion of the NCPA. This time sending a women’s team to anlnterna- “I belong to a small minority called thanks to the late Bhabha ’s brother, tional competition in Europe. Parsis in India and each time 1 go there Jamshed Bhabha. But the food was still about 80 per cent happen to be rela ­ tives. That is exactly what will hap ­ pen.” The tour is being assisted by a grant from Citibank whose executive vice president, Charles E Long said: “Asia is a very important place for us. We . have strong an^ long standing ties with Manckshaw’s Mirth this part of the world, and helping a famous orchestra play beautiful music j- ------ - in places that we care about is one of his practice, told a few jokes when he those rare occasions where everybody delivered the valedictory address of the It can be termed kick therapy. The wins - the orchestra, the bank and most Rotary conference. patient is made to lie on the floor with of all the audience. ” He said he did not know what vale- one or two volunteers holding him or dictory meant, so he looked up his Ran- her down. The ‘doctor ’ stands above, dom House Dictionary and learnt it removes his shoe and gives a none-too- Victorv Stall Defeated? meant the final address, the last word, gentle kick in the back when the pros- ¦ * So he told the Rotarians: “I think you trate patient least expects it. After the Victory Stall, one of Bombay ’s most would have been better advised to initial stab of pain, the slipped disc is famous eating houses for homemade invite my wife, she always has the last right where it belongs. food, closed down on Thursday, April word. ” The patients have come and gone by 26 which was the dhansak day . Then, as a photographer approached the thousands but the foot is unerring in Started in 1962, a pleasantly-modest him with a camera, the Field Marshal its accuracy. It belongs to none other bamboo structure right on’ the Apollo turned his face and showed his profile, than Manchersha Madhiwalla, the pier, and facing the sea and the round- “If you had a nose like mine, you would good Samaritan, who is a native of a the-harbour sailboats, the proceeds of have done the same, ” he told the audi- small town in Gujarat but who visits the the Victory Stall for the last 22 years ence. city periodically to aid the ailing. Most have gone to assist war widows and their children. Apart from this laudable purpose, as member of the National Sports Coun- the neighbouring villages pour into When the girls lost, Moraiji Desai, the same...and the prices were more or who was then the prime minister, less the same. ’ ‘ But the NCPA has now reclaimed the place and unless new premises are Desai. “Our girls are so under-fed. The found ... Dutch girls come on the field after eat- Rcprintcd from Mid-Day, April 24.1984. ing half a COW, and they look like the other half of the cow.” Reprinted from Mid-Day, January 24,1984. pointed out to him: “TTiey lost. ” ‘What do you expect! ” he told iC Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, as is Healing Foot nro/ ’fi/'o -fam iz\1z-ac nrliAv** Ka " Repinted from Mid-Day, February 8. 1984. ence. Later , having coffee with some mem- of his work , if not all , is done for charity bers, the Field Marshal, who has been a and hundreds of people from all over 11 Parsiana May T984 I I ¦€ X,Karanjia: “The mystique survives. Playback singer Behroze Chatterjee. r M ¦I pared to that of Geeta Dtitt ’s, is mar ­ ried to Swapna Kumar Chatterjee, a ciassical singer and nwisician. The Chatterjees now five in Gwalior, where they teach music at the Scindia Public School. Reprinted from Indian Express, April 28,1984. It' V! ¦ ¥ I Rustomji’s Retirement? If the thought of retirement gets you down, all you have to do i&think of that extraordinary character - and success story - Minoo K Rustomji. After retir- “ ing from Tatas, instead of driftiitijg into obscurity, as happens to most people, he has become a household word with a succession of books on such diverse fields as management, health, bringing up children and journalism. Among the writers he had collaborated with are such internationally well-known per ­ sons as Northcote Parkinson, Christ ­ iaan Barnard and Peter Drucker. Now comes the news that a publish ­ ing house in Bangkok will be translat ­ ing as many as 12 of his books. As a speaker he is so much in demand that on the front he returned recently from a spe akin g tour abroad Without his voice - which some of those who know Minoo Rus- When he got back, Dossu Karaka tomji say, is a blessing in disguise. Be J- * L VT ——as it may, he was heard telling » attendipg a free camp at the Navroz given him a Vietnamese girl as a gift; it somebody recently that to save his vocal chords too much strain in future, he plans to take around video record- cai aiO ’ notaoiy that ot homeopath Dr Casanova-image. Even today, he is ings of himself speaking and have a Sarosh Wadia, is actively involved in always willing to provide pictures of shapely young thing to elaborate on his 4> J solve their cervical problems. ond World War photo of himself in bat- Madhiwalla himself is a very pious tie-green and had it put on mandressed simply in a black Parsi felt page: ‘Your Editor On The Front-line cap, a white bushshirt and baggy khaki In Vietnam, ’ screamed the caption, trousers. _ In the last week of April, he was wrote in Cu^enf that Ho Chi Minh had that Baug Play Centre, an active society was a silly lie, but Karanjia made no which apart from organizing free medi- attempt to deny it, revelling in the cal aid, notably that of homeopath Dr Casanova-image. Even today, he ii promoting youth welfare by staging himself in swimming trunks or con- inter-school oratory competitions and torted into a yogic asana to an y pnhlica- other related activities. ' ' Reprinted from The Daily, April 30,1984. 1 Vt points when necessary. . _ ,, Reprinted from Indian Express, May21,1984. tion that asks. Reprinted 6om Sunday Mid-Day, February 19,1984. Indian Homeopath in a a. « , Pakistan Ghazals by Behroze Invited by Pakistan ’s Central Homeo­ pathic Medical College and Hospital at „ . . - - t music recital by Karachi, Dr SR Wadia of Bombay was .yy Behroze Chatterjee on May 4 at Patkar the first Indian to address Pakistan ’s . homeopathic physicians, notes a press Butz to Indian journalism. There have been very few Parsis con- release. About 800 students and s taff nected with the Hindi screen, but attended these lectures. Wadia illus- Karanjia’s Capers “His brand of journalism may be out of The Time and Talents Club presented a fashion these days, but the mystique ghazal and light survives, ” ®---- *--- Russy Karanjia, the man who gave Blitz to Indian journalism. In a profile in the latest issue of The _____ ___ __ ____ mvoc icvimcs wauia mus ^ustrated Weekly of India, he Behroze, whose screen name is Sapna, trated his talks with slides on interest- de^bes Karanjia as the world ’s best has achieved some success and acclaim ing case studies and on the founder of and most engaging self-publicist and as a playback singer. She made her homeopathy, which evoked many continues: debut in a film by Rajshree Produc- questions from the audience. Asked, as a cub-reporter of the tions, known for its encouragement to At the request of the Parsi commu ­ tes, to report on the Chamber of newcomers. nity in Karachi, Wadia delivered three J Maharajah Bom in Nagpur, 38-year-old talks on Firdausi and the Sbahnama at himself, hired a Rolls and strolled into I? ' -• m the closed door meeting, as though he the age of five. She plays the piano belonged there. 4 *’ j ____ 2 2_______2___ . to coyer the part in Indian folk dances and dramas. Behroze, whose voice has been com- has achieved some success and acclaim i as a playback singer. She made her homeopathy, widvii cvuki debut in a film by Rajshree Produc- questions from the audience, tions, known for its encouragement to newcomers. Bom in T’_ ** _________________ ________ Behroze started her musical training at three different Parsi colonies, O«^e ------ o- V.ZW pioiiO, last day, Dinshaw Avari of the Beach tabla^ sitar and harmonium, and takes Luxury Hotel presided when yi^a Vietnam War, he dug out an old Sec- was presented widi a shawl as a titatH of appreciation, states the hand-out 12 Parsiana May 1984fi I t ii i I f i i 4 f ¦w< ¦ ZORO ^NS ABROAD K IK «r Views of ^Knowledgeable Peonle’ on apcpntiincp report that survey back to the ZAQ. make its choice. Avesta and Pahlavi ** “This is not a solution of a problem, put it as 15 years. That was in ancient Apart from gauging the sentiments of but only the execution of the mandate Iran. It may be adjusted to modern the North American Zoroastrian com- entrusted to us. It is interesting to note times and the boy/girl ’s I.Q. munities on the subject of acceptance of that very similar questions were raised in Faroukh Bamji: No. converts to Zoroastrianism, the 1903. Vhiat we do not know, is the con- According to the teachings of the Zoroastrian Association of Quebec was sensus of the community then in India. requested “to prepare a compilation of We expect a close cooperation of oiu views of knowledgeable people. ” This sister organizations in North America, responsibility was delegated to ZAQ at We have plowed the field for all of them. Prof Kaikhosrov Irani: Yes. the closing session of the 4di North they must in turn assist us to inseminate From a theological point of view this is American Zospastrian Congress held in it, so that the entire community, here obvious. The practice of the Parsi com- Montreal on April 10 and 11, 1983 so and abroad, can reap the benefit of the munity is a socio-religious fact deriving t**' " -------------------------------- . - . — - views at the next Congress scheduled for reach a conclusion, so that this genera- September 1 to 3, 1984 at Toronto. “In June 1982, a letter was sent to the ed and matured to face the future. ” following scholars inviting their com­ ments on the questions raised, ” stated Question 1: Should a child of a mar- ZAQ president Dolly Dastoor in a cover ­ ing letter to the poll results. “They were; Dastur Dr Firoze Kotwal (Bombay), Dastur Dr Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa Parents so desire? as a religious identity ova: the ndUoi- (Bombay), Dastur Dr Hormazdyar Mir- Dastur Dr Firoze Kotwal: No. nia just for the sake of a vociforous, za(Bombay), DasturSohrabKutarand Parents should be Parsi Zoroastrians self-interested minority toda^ By hi- Dr Shirinbanu Kutar (London), Dastur by birth, religion and upbringing. A itiating the child into the faith, Meherji Rana (Navsari), Ervad Dr continuity of race and religion is in- family is still not going to be religiously Peshotaii Peer Bombay), Dastur Dr dispensable for the preservation of our united as one partner will continue to N D Minochehr-Homji (Bombay), identity for many more millennia to remain a non-Zoroastrian. Perhaps Faroukh S Bamji (Bwgalore), Prof come. R,emember: we are the sum and three additional questions should ak n Kaikhosrov Irani (New York), Dr Lovji substance of ancient Iran. have been asked in this survey: Cama (New York), Khojeste Mistree Dastur Dr H Mirza: No. a) Should we change our age-old tr^i- (Bombay), Prof H Humbach (Ger- Zoroastrian religion does not accept tions for the sake of a minority within many). Dr Ah Jafarey (CaUfomia), Dr inter-communal marriages. Mary Boyce (London), Prof Stanley In- Dastur Dr N Minochehr-Homji: Yes. sler (Yale), Nani Palkhivala (Bombay), A child of a marriage where father is a termarriage, thereby resulting in a loss Ervad R Panthaky (Bombay), and J Zoroastrian should be initiated into the of racial identity, by accepting into the Duchesne-Guillemin (Germany). religion of his/her father, as per the fold children of such marriages? “As replies were not received till verdict of Justices Beaman and Davar. c) Should we encourage the delinking December 1982, a reminder was sent. A child of a marriage where father of race from religion? And if so, why? . This was followed by a personal visit to happens to be a non-Zoroastrian may Indeed, the pro-ctmversion lobbyists each of the Dasturs by Ms Thrity Bamji, 1 ........................... . the secretary of our Association, during Zoroastrian, if both parents so resolve, well-established traditions to change, her visit to Brnnbay. ” and not merely desire. The father, in just so as to suit the new beliefs and Of the 18 people who were sent the particular, should communicate his practices of a misguided minority. questitmnaires, 11 replied of which two, resolve to the association, in a formal Dastur Dr K JamaspAsa: No. Boyce and Insler sent letters, copies of letter (for future reference.) which were stated to be attached as ap- Nani Palkhivala: Yes. poidixes to the poll but were not received Dr Lovji Cama: by Parsiana. “We have tried to present as much in­ formation as possible to the best of our traditions. ability, and permitted by the time, Dastur Dr S Kutar: Yes. resources and finances at qur disposal, ” notes Dastoor. “It now remains for each understands the main doctrines of the There is no ceremony for initiating a association to make this information faith and has learnt the essential Kusti non-Zoroastrian into the Zoroastrian known to the 2k>roastrians in their prayers. fold. A non-Zoroastrian cem follow the respective areas and to survey their qn- Dr A Jctfarey: Yes. doctrine of Ahura Mazda in his/her nions on the suggested questions, and Provided the “child ” is old etiough to report that survey back to the ZAQ. “This is not a solution of a problem. Zoroastrian religion, both man and woman getting married must be Zoroastrians. that the community could consider the harvest. The results of these efforts must from the ethnic, social, economic con* ditions of the community, it is not tion and the next will be more enlighten- derived from Zarathustra. Khojeste Mistree: No. It is important to maintain a strong ethnic link which has always been part and parcel of also being a Zoroastritui. Why break a tradition which has - - - riage where either parent is a Zoroastrian, be initiated into the _ ____ __ __ _ religion as a Zoroastrian, if both helped to preserve both a racial as weH parents so desire? f I *¦ * 13 Parsiana May 1984 our community? b) Should we indirectly encourage in- religion of his/her father, as per the fold children of such marriages? verdict of Justices Beaman and Davar. c “ ' ' ~ " A child of a marriage where father of race from religion? And if so, why? * r J LllV VK/11V d SlVzll lUUvjlolo be initiated into the religion as a should not demand and expect the Question 2: Should a non-Zoroastrian, married to or wishing to marry a If both parents so desire and if the Zoroastrian, exercising freedom family observes mostly Zoroastrian moral choice to follow the doctrine of Ahura Mazda, be allowed to be in­ itiated into the faith? Provided the child has been taught and Kotwal: No. « •ft >51 J ¦ ' ''/ihouse without being a fun He or she may be encouraged to follow would the new initiate receive which » own member of the Parsi community. Mirza: No. There is no question of “freedom of moral choice” as understood by some Jafarey:X^. persons. Minochehr-Homji: No. “Wishing to marry ” must be “betroth ­ ed to a Zoroastrian. ” Alter “moral the Zoroastrian doctrine, convinced of choice,” add “deciding. ” Bearing in the sublimity of the Good Religion. mind the country, its ethos, social con- Bamji: Yes. ditions and circumstances, I may say Provided the non-Zoroastrian has con- “yes ” but enthusiasm must be accom- vinced you of his sincerity and not panied by enlightenment, to guard adopting Zoroastrianism for the pur- against future renunciation of his/her th^ doctrines of Zoroastrian faith. For- he would not have received before? mal initiating by Navjote is not JamaspAsa: No. necessary. Question 3: If a non-Zoroastrian wishes to marry you or your child and does not want to become a Provided ‘love ’ or something else is not the motive and he/she is, after suffi- ------ •• — - -- —----- - cient studies of his/her religion and of Zoroastrian, but the couple still wants to have the marriage ceremony with Zarathustra ’s prayers, should it be allowed? Kotwal: No. j, _ j-va uui ciiiiiuaiaaiii iiiuai uv avvuiii- vinccQ you oi nis sinccriiy aiiu noi perform the nuptial ceremony in panied by enlightenment, to guard adopting Zoroastrianism for the pur- this particular case is to render the against future renunciation of his/her pose of marrying a Zoroastrian. Zoroastrian faith ridiculous in the eyes new Faith. But what about his/her Irani: Yes. of the informed. The reason is not far decision to retain the faith or other- The freedom of choice in the accep- to seek: one of the partners being a wise, if divoi?e takes place? In that tance or otherwise of the Zoroastrian non-Zoroastrian does not inherit the case, let the Association deal with that doctrine of Ahura Mazda is a basic uninterrupted racial, religious or person concerned. principle in the Gathas. cultural traits which are predominant Palkhivala: Yes. Mistree: No. in the entire structure of the Cama: Yes. A person can “follow the doctrine of Zoroastrian marriage ceremony. It would be better for the children if Ahura Mazda ” in a very personal, Mirza: No. . both parents believed in the same faith, special way without being initiated into Zoroastrian religion does not accept However, it might be necessary to pro- the faith, fiefore initiating a non- inter-communal marriages and the vide the non-Zoroastrian spouse with Iranian into the fold, other ancillary question does not arise. some material explaining the religion, its history, and some of our traditions. , Kutar: Yes. I ! 5 I I*- I I J * ' - ’^1 r 14 Parsiana May 1984 The freedom of choice in the accep ­ tance or otherwise of the Zoroastrian facilities first need to be provided or JamaspAsa: No. else the initiation would seem quite Palkhivala: Yes. meaningless. What additional benefits Cama: No. '1, 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 ^£3(3 ,.L D Enquire at : Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk, BOMBAY 400 001. Tel : 251185IH examiner^ JamaspAsa: No. wedding meant for two Zoroastrians. However, a Zoroastrian priest could recite some of the blessings. Incidentally, the wed ­ ding ceremony is not Zarathustra ’s prayers. Kutar: No. Because the Ashirwad prayer states: “...Ahuramazda Khuda Shanasad, Zarathustra Rad Satayad... ” and yet the man or woman does not want to become a Zoroastrian. Jafarey: Yes. As a blessing...that could serve as a spark for future illumination. Bamji: No. Zoroastrian marriage ceremony is a solemn ceremjjny and not a mockery. In the marriage ceremony the marrying couple are required to acknowledge choice” as explained above. Zarathustra as their Spiritual Master and also a few other conditions which a non-Zoroastrian cannot agree to. Irani: Yes. Here I express what seems a reasonable view. L — — _. objection. the exception of perhaps an Iranian of Mistree: No. different faith). “Zarathustra ’s prayers ” do not form Kutar: part of the traditional Parsi/lrani wed- ' ding ceremony. However, the benedic ­ tory prayers recited during a Zoroastrian wedding ceremony have Jafarey: Yes. been compiled on the assumption that Yes, and with a befitting welcome, both partners are Zoroastrian and Bamji: Yes. choose to follow the Zoroastrian path. Same as ‘2’ above. Hence, the benediction is full of Irani: Yes. Zoroastrian doctrinal exhortations as well as metaphors from ancient Iranian literature, which in no way would app ­ ly in a spiritual sense to a non- would have the authority to refuse Irani: Yes. Zoroastrian spouse. (A translation of another to enter the faith. A refusal would introduce an unaccep- the wedding prayers {ashirwad) will Mistree: No. table breach into the unity of the clarify this point). Therefore, it would This is a wrongly framed and in fact family. be farcical to recite such prayers if one very loaded question, similar in princi- Mistree: No. person, through moral choice, wished nle to the first two questions asked. No form of backdoor conversion, to follow the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or any other religious path. Minochehr-Homji: No. freedom of choice and shows his will­ ingness to be initiated, should the ge­ nuineness of that person ’s beliefs be Question 5: Should a child, irrespective tested out and, if satisfied, should that of caste, colour or creed, adopted by person be allowed to become a part of Zoroastrian parents, be allowed to be the Zoroastrian fold? ' “ Kotwal: No. There is no initiation formula given in the Zoroastrian scripture for admittin; a non-Zoroastrian into the Zoroastrian fold. There are many Zoroastrians/ adopt outsiders into its fold. A Parsis who are themselves in dire need member of the lay family can adopt of being converted to Zoroastrian way of life. Please try to recruit Parsi initiated into the Zoroastrian faith? Kotwal: No. A community that exists solely on in­ digenous culture, long-cherished tradi ­ tions and racial characteristics cannot one from his own group; so also it is with the priestly class. Such an adopted volunteers to convert members of our child (as mentioned in your query) has f own fold. no locus standi in the Parsi ¦J Mirza: No. community. j There is no question of “freedom of Mirza: No. I There is no conversion in Zoroastriah j Minochehr-Homji: No. religion. See Conversion Caucus by -'I Palkhivala: Yes. H.K. Mirza, Bombay 1971. Cama: Yes. JamaspAsa: No. He could become a Zoroastrian, I Palkhivala: No comments. \ doubt that he could ever become a Cama: Yes. 1 I do not see a theological Parsi, or an Iranian Zoroastrian (with This is the least controversial question > J to me. A child brought up by Zoroastrian parents presumably will have no other background and cannot This is a debatable question —the be in any wajr different from a non­ genuineness of the person ’s belief adopted child. If the child Jias been should be tested over a period of years. ; , a debatable question —the adopted late in life then may be he or she should have the choice. Kutar: No. Jafarey: Yes. Same as comment No. 1—and the fact . .......... that he/she is told of his/her parents ’ This is clearly implied in the Gathas of religious oosition. It is better and Zarathustra. His message is clearly would avoid second thoughts, universal. I cannot see how anyone Bamji: Yes. would have the authority to refuse 'I very loaded question, similar in princi ­ ple to the first two questions asked. For those who seek conversion, they through adoption,, should be allowed should go their own way by first until the majority of the community developing a religious infrastructure by vote in favour of the said change, providing a new type of priesthood. If a non-Zoroastrian lady decides to house of worship, places of learning, marry a Zoroastrian gentleman, the marriage ceremony may be performed, with the willing consent and decision of ingful for both. If it be otherwise, we feel that it would be a ‘half measure ’ which would not serve the purpose. In that case, the SI Adopting a child of another caste, col- our or creed and wanting his/her initia- Y tion into the Zoroastrian faith is going to increase our community problems, resulting in the child being made to feel ____ ___ an unaccepted, second class stigmatiz- ¦ not exist, then what sort of religious ed Zoroastrian. Never will that in- - __________ _ __________ foundation are we going to give to the mere recital of the blessings in their potential initiate? Suggesting a test for En^ish rendering would serve the pur- such initiates, seems quite meaningless, pose. The Covenant part, recited given the present resources and thrice, should be avoided. facilities available within the communi ­ ty. Who, indeed, within the communi ­ ty should be given the task of being the books, scholars, etc. in order to make the conversion relevant and mean- ¦ J ¦ ’ the non-ethnic neo- Zoroastrian. If all these facilities do Question 4: If a non-Zoroastrian wants dividual be able to enter legally the consecrated places of vvorship or be '• able to witness the great inner rituals of the Zoroastrian faith. And if that be the case, then why religiously traumatize the young soul? Minochehr-Homji: No. 15 Parsiana May 1984- > ¦w ¦ ff , 50^5, r; Si r *" fe. R., t r S' Ik 'J' iii P! - J u. I .. I X 4 ¦f®' 50 years of community living in Cusrow Baug I I Addressing the gathering Neville Wadia noted, “I shall begin by paying a * flocked around with garlands. They sion and blessings of the Wadia family tribute to my uncle Cusrow Wadia and were in a jubilant mood as they on us. ” to my father Ness Wadia for their celebrated, along with a scion of the bang ’s founding family, Neville casket, the walls of which were carved this part of Bombay. I remember the Wadia, the Golden Jubilee of the with the important landmarks of Bom- discussion which took place in the Trust ‘Queen of Colonies ’. bay, was presented to Neville Wadia, the Board about the cost of the land. The ‘ We feel that indeed Cusrow Bang sole surviving trustee of the N N Wadia price then at Rs 16/8 was high for those is one of the most privileged and blessea ~~ “' of all the bangs. It is not just a shelter or haven but an experience in community Golwalla, chairman of Bombay Parsi charge low enough rents for Parsis with togetherness and living to enhance Parsi As the open jeep made its rounds of the acknowledge with deep appreciation and ; pX' Cusrow Baug blocks, the residents gratitude the foresight, enlightened vi- If A beautiful sandalwood and silver foresight in establishing Cusrow Baug in Trust who was also present at the in- days. The question was whether we augural function 50 years ago. Dr Aspi could build on such ‘expensive ’ land and V togetherness and living to enhance Parsi Punchayet and Neville Wadia ’s son limited incomes. Compare this to the lustre on Indian soil, ’’saidDrDinyar Nusli were also presented caskets which situation today when the value of this ji . , , Gamadia, chairman of the Cusrow Baug were a replica of the main entrance of land alone must be many thousands of I Golden Jubilee Celebrations Committee Cusrow Baug. The impressive iron gates rupees per square yard; and the cost of i and president of the Cusrow Baug of Cusrow Baug, known to have fasci- building probably ten times at least what United Sports and Welfare League, ad- nated many tourists, were also symboliz- it was then. A modest estimate of the : dressing the large gathering. ‘‘We today ed in these caskets. value of Cusrow Baug today would be Il ­ ls Pars/azpa May 1984L __ ____ - Rs 12 crorea 12 the function to celebrate the birth them out of the b azaar s and crowded crores for the buildings a total of Rs 24 centenary of my father, and in my areas where they lived. Now look at the crores. remarks at that time I stressed how “In 1934, on the auspicious opening wrong were those who were predicting of Cusrow Baug, 240 flats were ready for the decline of the Parsi community. I ________ _____________________ occupation. The flats in the front and gave innumerable examples of great men pleased to observe so many have motor ­ facing the lawn were taken up en- the community had prefaced, and I see thusiastically. However, there was con­ siderable reluctance by the applicants for the blocks at the rear and more than 60 to 70 were declined and reoffered to the next people on the list. One cannot im­ agine this happening today! Two novel features of this colony were the installa ­ tion of wash-basins and instantaneous water heaters. “All the shops in the front were allot ­ ted one for boys and girls. Providing op; ortunities for them to meet and get t.j know one visit to all the five baugs in turn, meet and listen patiently to the Committee members and residents and try to solve their problems as far as possible... because the main drawback at present is the shortage of funds. With the increas ­ ing cost of repairs and maintenance, and the restrictions under the Rent Act, most of our colonies today are in deficit. Also, unlike the Parsi Punchayet, the Trust Deeds of the Wadia Baugs do not permit receipt of any donations by the R. N. and N. N. Wadia Trusts. With the con­ currence of Neville Wadia, we shall shortly be seeking the permission of the Charity Commissioner and the High Court to suitably alter the Trust Set ­ tlements... “Between the Wadia Baugs we have 1545 residential flats excluding the 40 ownership flats in Cusrow Baug. The B.P.P. has nearly 1800 flats, not in- ¦ eluding 151 ownership flats. In spite of this, as you are well aware, housing is the prime need of our community. And I can assure you the Trustees of the Parsi Punchayet will spare no efforts to meet this need to the best of their ability. Piro- jsha Godrej Baug is coming up fairly fast. 110 flats will be ready for occupa ­ tion by the end of this year and we hope to build another 400 flats on this site in the next five years or more... “I would like to'lake this opportunity to remind those living in this and other Wadia Baugs and other Punchayet co­ lonies and who with the blessings of Ahura Mazda, have prospered, of their obligation to their less fortunate co­ religionists wno have no permanent shelter over their heads. ” ' ^loiiu viu iiicui <71 uiiio cuiu » wcufv" I i ing encyclopedia of all the Wadia Baugs. Memorable Past Known for its surrounding lawns and greenery, Cusrow Baug was one of the some of five housing colonies built by the Wadias owing to the foresight of the late Jerbai for the Wadia, mother of Sir Cusrow and Sir Ness. Jehangir Shroff, one of the co­ parent to all. Whenever he returns to lony ’s first tenants recalls in his article in Bombay, it is a ritual with him to pay a the souvenir, “An area of 68,400 sq. suitable life partners for at k them. “Neville Wadia ’s conce: 1 1 f L •3L 5 8 18 Parsiana May 1984 SL yards was purchased in 1933 trt a cost of among Oresidents. Many laemorable be the responsibility of the Cusrow Baug - ” " - ’ ----- Wmch have occurred during the United Sports and Welfare League. ____ „ J. - X.---------------------------- _i_ Some of the country ’s best sportsmen, Cyrus thelpreat ’s 2500 years anniversary sportswomeri and sports administrators ____ _________ was celebrated in 1970 when over 3000 have been the residents of the colony. Ground floor tenements facing the members Qf the community were present Rs 12 lacs from B.B. & C.I. Railway events . (now Western Railway) when they last 50 y^s are recalled in the souvenir. shifted their Colaba Railway Terminus : to Bombay Central. ” _____ _ __ Ground floor tenements facing the members Qf the community were present states an article in the souvenir by Baji main Causeway accommodated 30 shops to witne^the handing over of a silver Bharucha, sports correspondent who for the convenience of the residents. Many shops were occupied by Parsis Lady Hirabai Cawasjee Jehangir to the in table-tennis. The people mentioned in- plaque ohKing Cyrus (30,000 tolas) by won acclaim as an international umpire 1 t I who started different businesses in it. Consul ^rieral of Iran, his excellency elude former Indian cricket captain Nari There was a Parsi chemist shop, a laun- Mohamad; Nadjam. Contractor, Ms Roshan Thanawala, dry shop, a green grocer, a kerosene oil shop, a cafetaria, a hair-cutting saloon, Swabal Stores, a Star Bakery branch, a dairy, a charcoal shop and a dispensary first aid that they were invited to give at either end. d ------- ’-----------------'--------- When Sir Ness Wadia inaugurated the ty. colony on Marsh 21,1934 and named it ed the residents that besides a library the deserving students with exercise books Western India from 1926-1932 and facilities of an agiary and a school would and text books being distribued at con- Featherweight champion thereafter, Ms be made available to them —a promise cessional rates. Classes in religion and Shirin Dubash, junior table-tennis player which materialised very soon with the Gujarati are held. The medical centre who in 1963 became the Junior National establishment of the Karani Agiary and which has a panel of eminent consultants Sir Cusrow Wadia School. The Cusrow Baug United Sports and Welfare League was established in 1946 to co-ordinate the various activities During^ithe Second World War, the silver medalist 1951 Asian Games in then youhfger residents of the colony athletics, Hom! Pavri, Olympic cyclist were so proficient in their knowledge of who represented India at the 1948 Lon- ____ _ - ... J , Olympics, Viraf Panthaki, Maha- demonst^ions in various parts of the ci- rashtra State Weightlifting champion for 5*'^______________ six years in featherweight, lightweight ___ _ __ _ _ ' As part of the educational activities of and middleweight classes, the late Pali after hirbrodie'r sir ’cusrow, he promis- the League, scholarships are given to Billimoria, Bantamweight champion of ¦•g ¦tz- * also runsKa homeopathic unit and has oxygen arid sick bed facilities. The Some of the blocks overlooking the Baug’s residents intend to introduce a hospital!- central lawn. (Photographs on pages 16, 18 zation scheme during the year which will and 19 by Homyar j Mistry). ¦A SjM*-'*' '* *r.4 '?* *^8! 4*-/ fe9 i .19 Parsiana Mav 1984 'WMb' i; ,« «•’* B4 I- 5; 1 I t t r ^¦<3 s •* K/ * w 1 V iOS tracted by the wonderful teachings of Zoroaster. His philosophy, his insight, his wisdom all appeal to my sense of logic. “As you know, my father by convic­ tion became a Christian. While I am hap ­ py to belong to the Church of England, while I admire the dedication, the human qualities of its intelligent clergy, the serenity of its village churches, the grandeur of its magnificent cathedrals ifc and its inspiring services and the beauty I of its music, I know that if it had been ¦ left to me I would have chosen to follow I the shining truth of Zoroaster. ¦ “I cannot emphasize too much the im- ¦ portance of the religion to the communi- ¦ ty, but the Zoroastrian religion like prac- ¦ tically all the religions of the world is 4 I badly in need of reforms. In all religions . ¦ most of the laws and customs are man- I made, and were designed for small 3' ¦ communities at a time when practically , I no other form of law was effective. I These laws and customs have been hand- " ed down from generation to generation ' ignoring the changes which have taken “For some time there has been a place. In those days few were educated ,'•? -J '‘¦*4 Ji 4 Ml Traditionally clad Gamadia presenting the sandalwood casket to Neville Wadia. Girls Singles champion in the New Delhi Nationals, and Ms Pearly Mugaseth, In- discussion going on in the community — but today wherF aU Parsis are taught to M dian representative at the World Roller- who is a Parsi and who is a Zoroastrian. think for themselves, they are iiaturally skating championships at New Zealand The name ‘Parsi ’ was given by the peo- inclined to question their suitability. Ihe -W in 1980. pie in India to those who originated from best laws and customs are those which S To incite the residents Neville Wadia Persia centuries ago. It is, therefore, are willingly observed and respected. I suggested, “May I recommend you to strictly speaking the name of our race believe that reforms would remove many W help the League? You should put back and has_iiothing to do with the Zoro- of the controversies which have now into this baug a little bit of the good for- astrian religion as such. No doubt the come to the surface. I make the sugges- tune that you have enjoyed since you religion which they brought from Persia tion with the idea of strengthening the came here. Today, our Golden Jubilee is was the Zoroastrian religion. But what religion so that its binding factor wSl such an occasion —to make a new pro- do you call the 20,000 Zoroastrians liv- keep the community together and will gramme... ” ing in Iran? help it survive for centuries to come. “Now you might ask why am 1 harping - ing in Iran? “Now let me give you the case of my father, and for that matter of myself and on religion. Not only do I believe thM it Excerpts from NeviUe Wadia ’s speech on my son. Sir Ness was racially a pine has been a great source of strength in the the occasion of the Cusrow Baug Parsi, and I think very few Parsis would past but that it will be even more hnpor- Golden Jubilee: deny this fact —or disown him on ac- tant in the future. With the rapid erosion “You must be thanking God for the count of his joining another religion. We of all moral valuesun this country and 3 blessings which he has bestowed upon not only claim to be Parsis but have for that matter abroad, the Parsi com- you —but have you really stopped to dedicat^ ourselves to the community, munity will be hard put to maintain its think of the fundamental reasons what Above all, we are proud of being Parsis. stand^ds of integrity and honesty in J God did for you that was so impor- Every time I come here I get a warm and such a world —the greater the deteriora- tant? 1 firmly believe that it is the affectionate welcome. You make me feel tion the harder it will be to cling to them. Zoroastrian religion with its very that I am one of you, and this I appre- Only with moral strength based on the positive approach to life instilled in date very much indeed. indestructible foundation of your you since childhood which is the basis of your good fortune. It is this which has given you the faith that you can God and has chosen to communicate that the world will see the futility of its achieve what you set out to do. The with Him through the Zoroastrian present ways and return to a more dviliz- < Parsi community is a collection of in- religion. It is his faith and belief in the ed way of behaviour in the not too dis- dividuals with their own ideas and in- teachings of that great Prophet that tant future. When that day dawns, our .-y itiative. It is this which gives Parsis make him a Zoroastrian, that faith be- community ’s integrity will recdve its s- their character and I am sure you will ing confirmed and publicly declared by reward and the appredation it merits. agree there are some extraordinary him at his Navjote ceremony. Let me Without that inner strength a little com- characters amongst us! confess openly that I am greatly at- munity like ours could well disintegrate. ” “Now, who is a Zoroastrian? To me, it religious beliefs can this community sur- is a person who believes in Almighty vive this very difficult era. But I believe ’-i > 2^ Parsiana May T984 >EDITO troversies. The individual approach they felt best served their purpose. 1 . . ’ - ‘ ‘ parish priest who tends to the needs of with on an individual basis? asked a ¦ member of the Press. What about the le Alienation of the Priesthood But could community issues be dealt AX the behest of a well wisher, R N . Rustomji, representatives of the the community and the priest who pei- Zoroastrian Press met three of the forms rituals and looks after the physi- Bombay high priests, Dastur Hormaz- cal aspects of the fire-temples, dyar Mirza, Dastur Kaikhusroo T‘.._ .1---- - o-- ,----- -- - JamaspAsa and Dastur Firoze Kotwal were primarily scholar priests whose on January 21 at the K R Cama Orien- main thrust was research and publica- tal Institute library. The purpose of the tion of papers in scholarly journals. But meeting was to informally discuss even here, they claimed, the commu- religious issues pertaining to the com­ munity. It was perhajife the first such meeting "J' social, economic and religious issues __________ __ facing the community such as the short- C ¦ The three high priests noted they age of priests especially in the mofussil ¦ i areas, the drift towards other religions and godmen, the high rate of divorce, . the non-acceptance of children of inter ­ community marriages, the growing , nitv was indifferent to their scholar- drug problem in the urban areas, etc. munity. ship. No one came forward to publish It was perhajife the first such meeting their works. A doctoral thesis of one of between the priests and the Press and the priests was published abroad as from the dialogue that ensued it was Parsi institutions turned it down, apparent both had much to learn from Indeed, they bemoaned that most of each other. their papers were published abroad in The picture of the priesthood as it journals of international repute while emerged was mainly one of dismay and outlets in India were indifferent to disillusionment. The priests felt they them, had made substantial contributions, given of themselves freely, sacrificed the shortage of priests and the disincli- for the community. In return, the com- nation of many to join the priesthood |i4 Anyone who came to them for assistance was given a patient hearing as ? They also pointed out that because of well as counsel and I advice. Not many munity had ignored their teachings, the community did not really have hoorlod tho criticized their actions and sometimes priests in: the other two categories: | lUVVUVt?r, I ItJCUoU LI IC questioned their motives . those who tend to, their flock and those PA11H RP t Several schemes they noted had been who perform rituals. As a result the bUUllOCI.. formulated for the improvement of the high priest often had to perform these priestly class at the behest of the duties as well. In addition, anyone who behdins. These schemes now gathered came to them for assistance was given a dust on anjuman and punchayet patient hearing as well as counsel and shelves. advice. Not many however, they felt. The priests stated there are or should heeded the counsel. They were hesitant others ’ advice and, therefore, L. be three kinds of priests : the scholar to give advice on a community-wide deserved his fate. Why should the com- priest who researches and studies, the basis as this embroiled them in con- 1 I 1 23 Parsiana May 1984 1 it "J fl '¦li' *4 r? th * One answer was provided by a rep- * resentative of the orthodox Press. felt if a person had a problem it was Eniilt hooHtna hie narpntc' nnd "“7 ~i fault for not heeding his parents ’ and munity and the priests, he argued, waste their time with such individuals. When the priests were asked about the Zoroastrians overseas debating the __ ____ X___ _______ answer was they could go their own way- A,-, j-._x _ ___ _ ____ ___ T« O« < 7^ article several months earlier, the three issue of acceptance of converts, th demands which will be placed before , was at cibly if need be, before the government Andheri at that time), Shaw realized professional always has a sense of values: he is always aspiring for the hallmark of. excellence." ¦ I ! ^Taxation on different heads should be reduced so that the consumers do not feel the pinch. . Adequate incentives should be provided so that capital from other in­ dustries comes into the hotel iridifetry. . Put the industry on par with other service industries. . Provide an infrastructure for hotels today, says Shaw, the hotel industry effectively in the hotel line than in char- being constructed in remote areas, has grown into a sophisticated field tered accountancy. He then went • The government should see that with the entry of big chain hotels. “We abroad and did his hotel accounting hotels are provided finance on priority have now entered a new era of elec- and management in Michigan, USA. basis in long term schemes. tronics and technology, and we must When the Catering College was keep pace with international develop- shifted to its present site at Cadell Text and photo courtesy Mid-Day, April 6, IJJW. 25 Parsiana May 1984 is»4& -• . '*i. y/' uwr ’ zH^ i I i Creating A Climate For Careers , ? ...1. - 4' r *« Dara P Antia Our future leaders are in schools and colleges. .-i ’.?O ;Af: All career opportunities start with the schools. The thrust of the education implies that the community elders will upbringing received by children in the programme and financial assistance for provide facilities for such classes., home. Children look upon their Parsi children should, therefore, be The purpose of financially assisting parents for guidance and imitate their good or bad habits, behaviour patterns, likes and dislikes, characteristics and philosophies. Irrespective of the fact sive and it is in this sphere that my that his parents may be rich or poor, a child ’s character is moulded at home and has a great bearing on his ultimate success or failure in life. In today ’s context, 1 consider the primary and secondary school educa ­ tion for children as of great impor- that this city be divided into several sion starts at the minimum marks of 90 tance. In the cities it is becoming zones and all Parsis be made to register percent, increasingly difficult to have a child admitted to a good school. By good school I mean a school where the child can not only come in contact with effi ­ cient and dedicated teachers, but other children who have been well brought up, intelligent, and who ultimately become their lifetime friends and col ­ leagues. The admission process even in kin­ dergarten and primary schools is full of problems. Children of four or five years of age have to undergo written and oral tests, while parents are interviewed and cross-questioned as to their background, income and status in soci ­ ety. Home training therefore is abso ­ lutely essential for admission to schools. Once admitted, the parents have to supervise the children ’s work .mans or zonal committees in large cities should not be neglected. Careers in without nagging them to be able to- should then persuade the parents to public services, for example, demand obtain the teachers ’ attention (who confidentially disclose their incomes physical fitness. Both parents and the have classes of 60 to teach) through and state what assistance they need for community have to provide facilities good behaviour, application and hard the school education of their children, for children ’s health and physical fit- work. . This assistance must be provided for ness, starting from an early age so that School education is more expensive " - - -than college or university'education, even when the children attend day: religious classes in the zone where they schools and not public or boarding are registered. This automatically ment does not play an important part. I Parsi children should, therefore, be concentrated on school education. If the parents and children is to achieve there are more than two children to be excellence in school education. Careers educated, the burden becomes exces- in any discipline can only be thought of , after school education is completed. Parents and children must both realize that obtaining a first class is not suggestions to the Parsi trusts and edu ­ cation funds are as follows: A register should be kept in each enough because the first class in India, town, of all the children born to Parsi unless it is with distinction, i.e. bet- Zoroastrians. The only town where this ween 85 and 100 percent marks, is not . will be difficult is Bombay. I suggest worthwhile. In ^ome colleges admis- that this city be divided into several their names in these zones along with 27 Parsiana May 1984 as There are many public entrance examinations which qualify students for careers in subjects such as engineer ­ ing, medicine, etc. in which 60,000 to 80,000 students compete for the 1,050 seats available. Even for degrees such as B.A., B.Com., B.Sc. etc., admission is very difficult and depends entirely on the percentage marks obtained in the school final examination. I trust, there ­ fore, that you understand that school education is the fcnindation stone for all career opportunities and how impor- ; tant it is for the Parsi community to pay ‘¦ increasing attention to school educa ­ tion of their children. In the preoccupation with obtaining the names of their children. The anju- higher grades however, physical fitness .mans or zonal committees in large cities Those Parsi youths who looked for soft jobs and did not venture out of large cities missed the business opportuni­ ties available in small towns. the school education of their children. This assistance must be provided for from the Parsi trusts. Each child must candidates are not rejected because of also be made to compulsorily attend physical handicaps. There is no career in which manage-thereft^, , ditioni^g. 'TTiSe'^go^yp^-time dr end of a period. I' time management courses after their full-time trades. Many more examples that the chanps were^ overdue and obtaining jobs than those who do not sing and styling, physiotherapy, pathol- had refused to face reality earlier, take management training. ogy, and trades related to the medical Other people cite the beginning of a Entrepreneurship is a laudable sciences etc. significant new^directiqn in the Parsis career provided one has adequate capi ­ tal, immense patience, dedication and ability to absorb financial misfortunes and shocks. But it does not only consist, in starting industries. There are many avenues of self-employment or doing small businesses without much capital or employing many people. In this category 1 would like to suggest transla ­ tion services. We need in India trans ­ lators from European, Chinese and Japanese languages into English. There are very sizable self-employment opportunities in scientific and commer ­ cial translations from Russian, Ger- those who can take full-time or )!.«¦ 1 ditionihg. •J'* J i 2^ -1^ I is 5 Jx’-’ 1 initial degrees, have better chances of could be given, among them hair dres- appeared suddenly only because we ogy, and trades related to the medical Other people cite the beginning of a sciences etc. significant new direction in the Parsis ’ Some of these self-employment role in India. They point to structural trades need capital but not a great deal, unemployment, fierce competition from other communities and a shift in the values of life. I personally feel that Parsis are them ­ selves to blame for not taking full advantage of the opportunities they had for excellence and advancernent in the professions and business during the years after Independence. Those who did venture have done extremely well. Those Parsi youths who looked for soft jobs and did not venture out of large cities missed the business opportunities available in small towns. Those who The Parsi community funds should be always thought that the Central Bank able to give loans of a few thousand or Tatas or Godrej would give them rupees to such young people who want employment with minimum qualifica- to be self-employed. tions, are now not in a position to take In the nineteenth and early part of care of their children or their educa- I . - man, Japanese, etc. In fact, good trans- W lators get premium rates. Obtaining a first class is not enough as in some coHeges admission starts at the minimum marks of 90 percent. Interior decorating, architectural and artistic pursuits such as dancing, singing, painting, dramatics, etc. which . . depend upon one’s inherent ability, the twentieth century Parsis were more tion. provide good self-employment oppor- affluent compared to other Indian com- The generation that is to lead the 1^^ tunities. A thorough knowledge of tax munities. They adopted and adapted to community in the future is already bom I’V i„„.„ r... Rriticti f’lictniTic nraptirpR and prliicfl- and is in schools and collcgcs. We should give them maximum* oppor- Today I am not willing to hazard a tunities through infusion of new and prediction as to what will be the fate of modern ideas and, by changing old the Parsis in the next few decades. Jobs norms, help them acquire a different and the prestige which they had taken and more realistic culture. ’17 ’I hS provide good self-employment oppor- affluent compared to other Indian com- tunities. A thorough knowledge of tax i ' ’ j j jto. laws such as income tax, corporate British customs, practices and educa- . taxes, excise taxes, company law exper- tion more readily than others. tise etc. offers avenues for remunera- Today I am not willing to hazard a tive self-employment. Catering is another 'possible avenue, both as domestic employment in a small way or on a larger scale in big cities. Today it is for granted for years have suddenly dis- becoming increasingly difficult to appeared. Social and political changes ; obtain a good electrician, plumber or a radio or TV repairman who can come have overwhelmed the present genera ­ tion. Edited text of a speech delivered at the Executive Coun­ cil meeting of the Federation ofP.Z.A. at Calcutta, Feb­ ruary 12. 1984. 1 ; ¦i * i, .t ! 'i ¦ Matrimonial Executive Director Parents of a bright, promising deaf boy - age 24, orally edu ­ cated in English, working in a reputed firm in Poona, earning Rs 1,500, with good future pros ­ pects, having his own flat - desire matrimonial alliance with an educated deaf Parsi girl from a respectable family, taught in English medium or any girl hav ­ ing a speech defect. Write The Advertiser (Matrimonial) GPO Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Having good office accommodation, telephone and car wishes to retire shortly after 30 years with light engineering industry. Experience over the years covers manufacture, purchase, marketing with large multinational and mediurhscale cX)m- panies in the private sector. Companies, partnerships etc. who are looking for effective representatlon/liaison (based in Bom ­ bay) and more particularly with the automobile, electrical, metal pressing and allied industries may write giving brief details of their needs and expectations to The Advertiser GPO Box 892, Bombay 400 001. 28 Parsiana May T984ns W Ill V, I €. J B Madan ^Snee many members of the community believes in growth, is willing to take risks idea, they derived maximum job satisfac- . take the view that Parsi entrepreneurship and has faith in himself as he founds, tion from their ventures. u 4.u;« i___jj . ____________j_________ j . i.?_ i_____ ?______ ^.^(^estion in depth, as well as to decide on is dead, it is necessary to examine this builds, directs and expands his business. ^(piestion in depth, as well as to decide on The cases of three successful en- Tbnely Asdstance W' orttnp mddpiinoc fnr nrrttrirtfino An. trcpreneuTs belonging to this generation One reason for pessimism about Parsi are analysed below with a view to entrepreneurship is that we do not see a spotlight the dominating factors which Jamshetji Tata emerge with every, led to their success: generation. But it must be borne in mind jemi Contractor: Throughout his youth that we have yet to learn about the suc- he had experimented with distilleries rad cesses of those who have emigrated to when the opportunity came his way in other countries; that women are making an entry into businesses like entering, hair-dressing and interior decoration;, and that there are several cases of small scale effort which need prompt assistance to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive. It is also important that young aspirants are able to secure a sympathetic hearing from at least one sincere mentor. Articles in the Harvard Business Review stress the mentor-protege relationship for success. Parental encouragement also plays an important part in the emergence of Parsi entrepreneurs and examples of Sikkim, he not only grabbed it but also successful businessmen act as an inspira- . “¦ 1 ticHj to young men of vision. Greater em- that this factor possibly applies to cricket Nepal. One reason for Jemi’s confidence phasis must be placed on practical ex- t was his faith in the Almighty. perience rad working with the hands. Olympic items. Parsis are gaining Minoo Dustoor: During the late fifties. Salesmanship and marketing skills must . he was convinced that every three years be developed. ' „ - • • • ______\ _ L_______ 12 .___12 _ 2 The Pu^bayet must plan a few areas! ^,ty is largely directed towards white-collar to increase to meet the internal demands of assistance for young men who wish to and our boys are afraid to soil their of our country. He therefore founded his start up their business. These include ;hrads. Yet it is technology which pro- company (M N Dustoor & Co. Ltd.) to facilities like office space with combined some guidelines for promoting en­ trepreneurship in the community. y w-^Pa^nretive Factors SiBCttrity: 'Years of affluence have induc- ^led many families to become “interest ac- eumulators an<^ dividend collectors. ’’ M: .The risks of business are frowned upon to such an extent that parents impress on —, \,their children the necessity for taking up 1 he Punchayet must white-collar jobs in reputable companies. ¦ r x Of Mobility: In India today, op- piah a TCW arOaS OT » "pcWunity presents itself with the opening a new public venture or industry in backward areas. One can immediately \ spot Punjabis opening up tyre and truck i repair shops, but it is difficult to find a ¦ single Parsi in these satellite townships. 1 ; J^" l)ecause he is not prepared to give up the assistance for young men who wish to start up their business. comforts of his home. to Win: Although distractions are R** affecting performance in other areas, in the field c^sport Bobby Tallyarkan feels opened new distilleries in Bhutan and ijK ----------- ----- - ¦*------• -fl------------------------------------------- I I* only^ In squash, swimming and other ¦ * (Mympic Pnrsis nrp oninino I’ll ground. _ ri Tecimology: Education in the communi- the steel production of India would have videos the path to innovation and the^ advice on the establishment of steel telephone and secretarial services; maybe J^creaticsi of entrepreneurs. plants in India. He also offers consultan- even factory space in an industrial urea h' I^ain Drain: There is persistent effort by cy services to other industries rad other which the punchayet may create. Ycning number of boys to leave India for the countries. men with initiati ve .sho tiM be aWe to West. They have their eyes on America, Farouk Irani: Farouk was a highly plac- secure capital from Banks. It is gratify- Australia or the Gulf Coun- ed executive in the First Natimial Bank ing to learn that one particular Parsi 2 ’f f I i i 1 I I I k r For a liberal point of view subscribe to Kaiser-E-Hind Fill out the application form and mail along with your payment to Kaiser-E-Hind, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Fort, Bombay 400 001. Annual subscription Rs. 10. Cheques to be made in favour of Kalser-E-HInd. Add Rs. 4 for outstation cheques. Send me ? 3 year subscription for Rs 25 ? Cheque enclosed (sub + Rs 4) ? Send first issue by V.P.P. ? 1 year subscription for Rs 10 ? Money order sent NAME ADDRESS CITY PIN CODE ’¦1 A* STATE AND COUNTRY I 31 Parsiana May 1984 ‘1. I¦¦ 'i I t bl Austere Style From figurative art, in which he brought to the fore the sweep of line and the grace of movement, Shiavax Chavda has : how moved on to an abbreviated presen ­ - . ar s 'tahon of the subject or idea to capture just the essence of an impact or impres- sion without any details. At his show of 20-odd paintings, at the Taj, Ghavda laid firm accent on the style he has progressively derived, reducing H forms and shapes to the minimal struc- ture and, often, seeking rhythm through a main colour^as in the various sym­ phonies. In a different category fall the seascapes, with the waves in one canvas and the stretch of sand in the other, for- ' • ming undulating or well-balanced hori- zontal lines to present the sea in a “short ­ hand ” visualisation. Chavda, here, even sliced the moon and showed more con­ cern in placement to realise the non- physician, representational stance. In the three major compositions on Eventually, in a few compositions, we view at this show —Off Lamington had jigsaw pieces, so to say, that did not Road, The Gateway of India and Early have to be put in proper alignment for Morning Local—one feels keenly the they suggestively outlined the contour to pervasive presentation of silence. Even ‘K, connect the whole in colour resonance, when Gieve Patel brings to us a noisy Tile deft utilisation of the texture of the and busy road, the composition is wrapt ¦ ’I,*; 1? «- ¦ .»' A I' poet of distinction, though both his Chavda: reducing forms to theirbare Below: Gieve Patel with "Parsi Woman" (Photo: Ayesha Soni) Right: Irani—at home with crayons (Photo: Homyar Mistry) ’ painting and p6etry have to be restricted because of his professional duties as a essence. ¦•il f Mt' ® shroud of silence, for all thcwe may come and they may go7but Lam- z. z..zZz~z. ington Road will go on forever —one One must commend Chavda for the may say. enterprise with which he has left behind representational painting to seek a com­ position on the two-dimensional plane in an austere fashion. smooth areas and we had, as in Summer presented therein live in isolation. They 'S “d Forest, a quiet dialogue without any may come and they may go, but Lam- fltmnsh of rhetoric. ington Road will go on forever —one Similarly in the Early Morning Local, the moment of perception is frozen and in such observations men and things matter little, because no matter what one S. V. Vasudev substitutes nothing can be altered. In The Gateway of India, Gieve Patel The Times of India, .4pn/2,7i»w reveals his fine sehse of colour, the scheme so well.orchestrated that it readi ­ ly absorbs even the bright red lining of the monument, even as the sea rolls on tike the quality of mercy, silence also and the world revolves, as the poet said, , carries with it a deeply humanistic tone like “ancient women gathering fuel in and spiritual feel, for when sound is vacant lots. ” totally eliminated there is little distrac- Gieve Patel ’s portraits contrast bet- tion in connecting people and places as ween staid presentations and ghastly pro- also “lived ” space. Then, in that aura of jections of the drowned and the hanged silence, one feels the eternal cycle of life, to arouse the agony of existence, once even though the persons in a painting the tragic moment arrives. . may have gone to the .beyond. A small and select show, but an exhi- Gieve Patel, who exhibited his recent bition that carries intense depth of meah- work at the Jehangir auditorium, has ing and thought, tdways sought to capture the world in silence through elegiac compositions —, and this is understandable for he is also a <1 : • 1 '' • Quality of Silence 1 '1+ Lz- ‘Natural medium’ Satisfied that she has reached “the beginning of the right key,” Ms Aban S.y, Vasudev Irani, who exhibited her pastels at the Jehangir Art Gallery from March 28 to Reprinted from The Daily, January 14. 1984 April 3, Selected file theme *Flnw ing$» tO rt . 32 Parsiana May 1984¦ A 1: i [ r p i-l ' A . .. fation. Her formal training of four years in realism and one year in abstract gave her a very strong foundation, Aban opines. Having progressed from the State Student ’s category to the Professional Artist ’s category, from group shows to one-woman shows, Aban invariably feels ’ a certain sense of accomplishment. She however does not seem to be unduly con­ cerned to mould her exhibits to public taste because she feels that an artist should be concerned about using the canvass as an expression of the rhythms which she hears within herself. With 47 exhibits being displayed at the Jehangir Art Gallery, Aban states that it took her almost a year to finish them. Discussing her periods of non-produc- tivity when despite her faith in her own potential she felt dissatisfied with her efforts, Aban acknowledges that at such moments the confidence and trust shown by others had a stimulating effect. But * < once the work progressed she no longer needed psychological support from others. „ . „ J Parinaz Toddy walla '1 I 1 * > revert to black and white because she feels the need for interaction rather than compartmentalization of these two media. Reminiscing about her exhibition in 1977 when she had restricted herself to the black and white medium, Aban clarified that at that stage in life when she was “posing questions, penetrating into her consciousness and removing the darkness within, ” she found the use of this medium very useful to depict her in­ ner turmoil. While at Paris to study painting, Aban exhibited her work in a group show of drawings along with other French artists * at Galerie Blaise. She claims that her trip - abroad helped her to know herself bet- I ter. Living on her own changed her life, •i increased her independence and made J her realise that she was ‘ ‘pretty steady. ’ ’ “I was never bored as a child because I was either playing or painting in my free time. ” says the artist. After high school Aban wanted to specialize in painting indicate the movement she had depicted parents ’ inhibitions about her be- in all her paintings'. ing too young to pursue art, necessitated According to Aban, colours are more her completing a B.A. from Bombay difficult to handle than black and white University in 1964. She then most enthu- but since she thinks that crayons are her siastically completed her five-year “natural medium ” she prefers the use of diploma course in art from Sir J. J. Col- colour. She acknowledges that she might lege of Arts, specializing in mural deco- 8- St 33 Parsiana May 1984 ! !-'* • ! * fS?:' / i . 4i ? .>.4 11 'J •i? ‘S<| '^1 X.* 1 ’ 4•.V*. SPORTS 'SW •Sa?’ i- f, - 1 - Il ¦JI' ft* ' ft ' ? - J^gaieer.* of reaction. (Koto axtrtei^ Mid-Day.) Edulji puf^img an evashre award. (Photo courtesy The Dufy.) important to him when he Is doing it : q so, for that matter, is his leg-break j bowlipg, when he can persuade a cap ­ tain to allow him to indulge it - or, of course, when he is captain himself. ' Certainly/though, he was given his first Test cap as a wicket-keeper - and went in last - against England in 1961-62 ¦ when he was 23, only six years after he took up cricket. His major asset here, as in his bat ­ ting, is the immense speed of reaction. He can seem untidy or ungainly but he is, above all, fast: some of his diving catches startle his own slip fieldsmen who find it anting that he can register and make ground so quickly. It is, too, all done with immense gusto and, once he is back on his feet, the ritual is completed by a joyous SepsweU to?ff ”spin-the sternest test will ‘give him the charge. ’Indeed he first against Australia m the 1975 In 1976, against West Indies, she » 1 IT i V ii . r I , 1 of a wicket-keeper - and his stumpings once lost his wicket and the prize foi series, are deadly fast. By sheer enthusiasm he the fastest televised fifty in the John I makes some poor returns from the tiela look better than they are ; and he will go to any physical lengths not only to make the remaining runs, achieve a run out, but even to save a leg ” " *’ ** ^^He lost his Test place to Kunderan of risks, so unpredictable, it would not land in 1981. And she has' ^sisted and Indrajitsingh between 1963 and be so diverting,at times utterly exciting Bombay in the National Championship 1964’and again to Kunderan in the first as it is. to qmte a few tnumpte. two Tests with the West Indies in 1966- Farokh Engineer finds both cricket While the State Government has Srd^t^Madras, he scored 94 before jokes are often very funny; but he can gave her the Sluv Chh^rapati Award lunch against Hall, Griffith, Sobers, be grave. His appeals are as loud as (1978-79), the Union Depmtment of Gibbs and, incidentally, Clive Lloyd, anyone ’s - yet off the field he is quietly Sports seems to be whoUy indifferent He did in fact score a century before spoken As a batsman or wicket-keeper For the last four V®"® lunch for West Zone in the 1964-65 he is aggressive; yet he is a man of con- bay Women s Cricket Association has Duleep Trophy. That innings against sideration and courtesy . been recommenihng her case for recog- the West Inaies established him as once Player League by doing that when he turned out to be the best all-rounder, had scored 44 and had ample time to And India registered their first-ever win in Tests. She led Indi^in the World Cup series That, though, is the quality of his She led Indi^in the World Cup senes batting; if it were not so compounded in 1978 and in the series against Eng- as it is. Farokh Engineer finds both cricket wniie me oiaie uuvcnuucui uas and life fun; he laughs easily and his taken notice of her excellent rewrd-and anyone ’syet off the field he is quietly Sports seems to be wholly indifferent. For the last four years now the Bom- been recommending her case for recog- There has always been a quality of nition by the Union Government, generosity about his cricket and his way The necessary forms, duly coip- of life; he has earned a similar response pleted, have been sent Jo the Womeji^s from the cricket public to his benefit. " Reprinted from Mid-Day, February 17, 1984. I 'i The necessary forms, duly com- Cricket Association of India (WCAl) for their endorsement and for forward ­ ing them to the authorities concerned. . , . . “I personally handed the recommen- Lady in Waiting dation to the WCAI office in Delhi and Diana deserves the Arjuna I fail to understand why the award is being kept out of my reach, ” she said in frustration. The Union Government cannot be { ¦ ^ndia ’s regular wicket-keeper; and, in the heavily beaten side in England in 1974, he batted with fine spirit, espe ­ cially in face of England ’s huge total at Lord ’s, and finished top of their Test batting averages. Once he is ‘in’ he probably scores more quickly than any other estab ­ lished Test batsman of the moment - Award, except Clive Lloyd - and certainly tak es more risks. His defence, which is -.**.***-.—-j*,—,----------------— not the part ofhis batting he enjoys, can dered singularly unlucky not to make charged with discrimination a^inst be orthodox and sound. Yet he can the Arjuna awards list this year too. sportswomen , ®?7*^®""« rarely long contain himself; he must She has the distinction Of being the >a*®s have been hs^Jor^aw^ attack highest wicket-taker in women’s cnc- It does seem that the WCAI is not His hooking and cutting are fierce; ket. As a left-arm spinner, with one of keen about these matters. How could his cross-batted slash through the cov- the finest actions in run-up and deliv- this body sit back and watch its recom ­ ers is vivid and his driving, especially ery, she has been a source of inspiration mendation being thrown out consis- from the off stump or Outside it through and strength for the national team in tently for the last four years . Which mid on, is a stroke of constantly effec- i tive violence. On the slightest provoca- t_-. . . . tion - or none at all - from a bowler he nearly a decade now# having played 1 Diana Fram Edulji, 28, must be consi- the Arjuna awards list this year too. s, _ She has the distinction Of being the ladies have been listed for tlw awMd. highest wicket-taker in women’s cric- I. ----------- - * "’2*^ ' the fin est actions in run-up and deliv- this body sit back and watch its recom- most international engagements. And gives rise to the suspicion that there is she has represented the country for something wrong at the WCAI end. V Reprinted from The Daily, June 9,1984 36 Parsiana May 1984