Jul 1984

July 1984, Volume TNo 1, Rs 2. j NEWS ANALYSIS The making of a trustee It was a stunning victory. Employing all 303 on the E register, Poncha was a cer- relative, phoned up people propound- the tactics that barely three years ago tainty (the E and F registers together ing the virtues of Ranina’s candidature, propelled his opponent’s party to comprise the Anjuman Committee that The administration and staff of the BD power, Homi Ranina conducted an elects trustees). Petit Parsee General Hospital on almost text book campaign in the fine But by February, word was circular- whose committee Ranina sits, threw art of electioneering. Startingout as an ing that Homi Ranina, the noted tax their weight behind him. The hospital’s underdog with negligible chances of consultant and lawyer was feeling support was crucial because many of success, in the course of a few months people out on his chances of contesting the F register donors are people who he up^t the Committee for Electoral the trusteeship. At various meetings have donated Rs 5,000 or more to the lights candidate Fali Poncha by a mar- and gatherings, Ranina began to put hospital and therefore would consider ‘ gin of 176 votes: Ironically, the figure forth his case for candidature. He had the hospital’s recommendation seri- that his opponents alleged he had an impressive bio-data, directorship in ously. Volunteers on behalf of Ranina packed the F register donor voters list 21 companies, a high profile personal- also went around meeting voters at ity, gorxl connections. At the same their residence. What brought about the upset? The time rumours against Poncha began to Poncha kept a low public profile CER had nominated Poncha late last circulate. It was alleged that Poncha restricting his campaign largely to the year as their candidate for the seat to be and his family members did not wear Anjuman Cnmmiftpp voters vacated by outgoing BPP Trustee Dr the sudreh and kusti, that they went to Around May, Ranina announced Nelie Noble whose term expired in church and so on. Poncha who had built formal candidature. He immediately July. N(^le, a one time confidrate of his candidacy around his expertise on set about holding public meetings, * J XX** **xxxz*** e*xX>xe**B^^ ^xti4*x**W S-*4xx\/ former BPP chairman B K Boman- housing (he is a director of Tata Hous- speaking to the community at large. He i Behram, represented the orthodox ing Development Co) found the oppos- proposed a debate between himself and f groups who swept the Anjuman Com- ition questioning his expertise. On sev- Poncha. Poncha still kept a low profile; mittee elections in 1974. In 1981 they eral occasions Ranina said one did not A public meeting scheduled by the were routed by the CER. Her chances require a housing expert to build, one GER was cancelled due to the Hindus . T *wx|w**w u BsvrtAaaaa^ KxyA|ZV'A V AVF VlAAAWy VFllV WOd vallVClIVU UUC lU UlC niMQy^ i of seeking re-election id a CER domi- required money. The CER shot back Muslim communal riots in Bombay at A /*>„_____ _ ____ _ ..______ . -nnn «. « . .. .. _ tax expert. ! Ranina hosted a series of diniiert to to the election. Thus it appeared that with the CER which he invited the E and F register nated Anjuman Committee were that a tax exempt BPP did not require a the time. The only other meeting was almost nil. Plus she had alienated fac- tax expert, scheduled on June 19, four days prior; fions within the orthodox group as well. Ranina hosted a series of dinners to to the election. ' -__ / The election that had received con/ controlling around 270 or so seats of the voters. Ms Nergis Nani Palkhivala, a siderable exposure ip the Parsi IPress,spilt oyer to the general media adding a others, raising speculation that the and vote for the independent candi- new dimension to Parsi politics. The Oxford-educated, controversial religi- date, Homi Ranina. While the support orthodox Gujarati daily, the Jam-e- ous preacher-cum-scholar and author of four of the signatories could have Jamshed for the first time carried their may be contemplating a bid for the been anticipated, what puzzled know- front page electoral editorials in trusteeship at some stage. ledgeable sources was why Noshir English. While publicly trying to por- Except for Kanga and Guzder, the Sidhwa, managing director of tray impartiality, the paper favoured other five BPP trustees reportedly Grindwell Norton, had turned against Ranina and almost a week prior to the favoured Ranina. Poncha had been a the CER. A founder member of the election called on BPP trustee and critic of the Punchayet on several occa- party, it was in the boardroom of his CER founder president Jamsheed sions and had demanded a public company that the CER was formed. It Kanga and BPP trustee Jamshed Guz- scrutiny cell to check applications for was Sidhwa who when the CER in its der, a CER sympathizer, to resign from housing, a move the Punchayet oppos- initial stages lacked confidence in their the Punchayet for supporting Poncha. ed and resented. ability to draw a crowd to the Sir Cow- Except for the Jame’s last outburst. The CER campaign suffered two asji Jehangir Hall, set about organizing the paper maintained a fairer approach major setbacks. The first came in the an extensive drive to ensure people than during the 1981 elections when wake of a reported party whip issued to came. And it was Sidhwa who also Except for Kanga and Guzder, the Sidhwa, I k As the June 23 election date drew nearer, the CER hopes of a victory they had almost Wanked out CER news CER voters residing in Rustom Baug helped enroll 500 rupee donors on the and misrepresented a high court deci- not to attend a meeting at which crucial A register that ensured a CER sion which went against orthodox Ranina was to speak. Public sentiment sweep of the 46 or so seats on that roll, thinking. In a magnanimous gesture was running high against the “party” As a matter of fact, several onetime the Jame even suggested another trus- system and this incident only served to CER supporters and sympathizers tee resign to make room for both heighten that distaste. The second set- worked for the Ranina campaign. Ranina and Poncha. back was at the debate between the The Bombay Samachar whose editor candidates at the Birla Matushri Hall Jehan Daruwala had clashed with when in an apparent fit of anger Poncha began to wane. The voter registration Ranina months earlier over some arti- tore and threw a report on building in the F register soared from around cles Ranina had written attacking J RD repairs prepared by a CER architect 450 to over 600 thereby cutting down Tata’s advice to Parsi men to marry commissioned by Ranina. The act was Poncha’s E register advantage. While non-Parsi women to improve the gene- incomprehensible affd uncharacteristic Poncha himself was a strong candidate, tic mix, gave both sides an opportunity of Poncha’s general behaviour and he was hard put to defend thp.CER to have their say. posture throughout the campaign, record for the last three years. The Smaller special interest publications Poncha refrained from making any per- party that had raised public expecta- like The Zoroastrian published by CER sonal attacks against Ranina though at tions, spoke about accountability, de­ members, the Parsee Voice advocating times he was subjected to considerable mocracy and electoral reform, appear- the orthodox line and Russi Wadia’s personal smearing. cytlostyled newsletter (favouring Rani- / na) made their presence felt. Even Jame the day before the elections Khojeste Mistree’s Zoroastrian Studies signed by Neville Wadia, Nani Pal- newsletter, Ushta, which normally khivala, Noshir Sidhwa, Dr Jimmy comments on religious issues, inter- Sidhwa and Dr Tehemton Udwadia, , viewed the two candidates amongst asking the public to eschew party labels Ranina (speaking). ed to fail miserably on all three counts. Another setback was a letter in the The leadership was divided on demo- At the debate: Poncha, moderator S R Vakil and 3 Parsiana July >984 Icratizing the organization with one sec­ tion viewing the CER as a “ginger” group, a kind of catalyst body, and the bers . other wishing it to be a broad-based party with elections for office-bearers, by focussing on housing, publishing than one occasion and each time came Poncha, however, was nominated by a blood donors’ directory, arranging out successful. In 1981 the CER had a the high command, so to say, without a youth trips, aiding the ailing etc. But dishked BPP and its then chairman to vote from the rank and file even though the body unfortunately became a vic- attack. In 1984, they became the focus he would easily have won the members’ nomination. Not democratizing their organiza­ tion only reinforced the public suspi­ cion of elections being controlled or emphasis had shifted to other problems manipulated by a coterie of people, and Ranina cleverly projected repairs politics of the Bombay community, something Ranina capitalized on by to existing buildings as the need of the Guzder whose term is to expire early presenting himself as an independent hour. next year was not to be opposed by the candidate thougii his main support in The CER campaign appeared unin- CER. But now the orthodox sections the initial stages was from the remnants spired. They produced no new faces in are certain to put up a strong candidate of the erstwhile Committee of United the top echelons of the party and none against hink And the CER will find it Zoroastrians that disbanded after their of the past wizardry that once posi- hard to. publicly support Guzder when rout by the CER in the 1981 elections. Since the 1981 election, the CER did right time. They appeared to be dis­ not hold a public meeting in the true heartened and lacking in will to fight till sense, restricting most of their gather- the end. When they finally moved the Anjuman Committee elections will ings to the 600 to 700 Anjuman Com­ mittee members. As for election re­ forms, the party dragged its feet, naive- register had been packed, they cut an moved for electoral reforms. Whatever ly believing the BPP would act in the even sorrier figure. Firstly, the ques- the outcome, the 80’s will go down as a matter. The CER thus slowly found tion arose as to why they had not acted historic period in ]?arsi political annals. itself isolated from the community at earlier and secondly, by rushing to large and even some of its own mem- court they only served to further alien­ ate the crucial F register voters. In The CER did a lot for the conununity 1981, the CER went to court on more tim of its 1981 rhetoric which focussed of attack. As Ranina rightly told Pon- on the Punchayet’s poor performance cha at the June debate, “distinguish on housing and the CER plans to build between my supporters and the CER’s more. In the course of the years, the detractors. Ranina’s victory totally alters the The CER campaign appeared unin- tioned them as the right party at the it has often stated a trustee should not ¦ contest for a second ten year term. As to what will happen in the 1988 courts for an injunction a few days prior depend on what transpires in the Bom- to the election on the grounds that the F bay High Court which the CER has Phone; 456489, 454362 Gram: ROSFER 22 years of service to the Nation for Industrial Ventilation, Evaporative Cooling, Dust Control, Pneumatic Conveying—Fans of all types including Flue Gas Units (7^ °C) I 5 Parsiana July 1984 INDUSTRIAL VENTILATION COMPANY 24B, Diamond Harbour Road, Block 'C' New Alipore, Calcutta 700 088 Partners: B P Ferozshah., Amy H Billimoria (Mrs) I f i I1 I 1 names of donors) will disappear as at least 100 people on it must be over 60 years old already.” Ranina had beat his CER opponent, Fali Poncha, by exactly 176 votes; which was ironic, because the CER haduccused him of packing the F register by exactly that number. Noting that 99 percent had donated by crossed cheque and only 154 of them had voted, Ranina said, “I would have won by a margin of 200 votes. At least 10 of my supporters went away because of the commotion in the morning," he said, referring to the delayed and stormy election of Pesi Jagus as presiding officer of the election. ‘Another 20 of the older donors were out of town. Had the election been postponed (the CER had sought a judicial stay), I would have had more time to consolidate,” he declared. Analysing the figures, Ranina speculated that Poncha (who received 252 votes against Ranina’s 428) must have received at least 60-70 votes from the F register including a dozen of the After the hectic electioneering Homi marriage among Parsi youth, he favours controversial new members. Thus only Ranina was becoming acquainted with an indirect, person-to-person approach, about 190 members of the E register’s 303 the rigors of being a Bombay Parsi relying on the services of volunteer social elected members Rad voted for him, Punchayet trustee. “People ring up to say workers. At an earlier (pre-election) although the E register is a CER ‘my roof is leaking,’ ” said Ranina with a interview Ranina had spoken of creating stronghold. “My aim was to get 50-60 smile, seated in his Raheja Centre office a central fund for mobeds by motivating votes from the CER group and I on July 9, adding, “People expect a _________________________________ succeeded,” said Ranina. trustee to solve even personal problems.” While Ranina is agreeable to an Such involvement with detail would 'At least 10 of my Anjuman Committee term of five years leave “no time for effective work,” says instead of seven as at present and a the 37-year-old tax expert. supporters went trusteeship term of five years instead of Noting that the BPP’s board of o\A/a\/ hoPQi ico nf tho 10, he differs about restraining a trustee trustees should function like a company’s a Way OeCdUSe OT Ilie to a maximum of two terms. “Anybody board of directors, Ranina stress^ the PDITinntinn in thP who can contribute should be there. If 10 need to concentrate on the larger issues. k/UI I III lULIUI I III LI It- years later I feel that my continuing in A forum of dedicated social workers to mOminCJ ' office would be useful... I would like to register individual complaints would help ____________________ ____________ continue. On the other hand, if I find that the trustees to be in touch with trends in things are not happening, I may resign community thinking without getting the average Parsi to contribute a prior to that. I’m not at all after the office bogged down in trivia, he says. minimum one percent of net income. or the chair. Surveying the community’s strengths The revival of interest in community Come 1988 or earlier Ranina says, “I and weaknesses, Ranina feels that “some affairs has focussed on the need to change will definitely be playing my own small element of leadership” is necessary to the electoral system which dates back to role in the next Anjuman Committee piotivate the Parsis today. “If you can 1910. Ranina favours a change: “Let elections. The CER came into power only organize things well—plan at the right there be complete adult franchise.” He on an anti-Boman-Behram platform, time in the right way^—you can achieve a suggests that the donation amount tied to This time they will not get this kind of lot,” he says. the voting right (currently pegged at Rs majority. I’m averse to forming a party or Ranina believes that the Punchayet’s 5,000 and above) be increased to Rs group. (I will) help put up independent first duty is “to fulfil the obligations to the 50,000 “so that the question of money people with a record of social service or settlors who have created the trusts.” power (skewing the election process) inclination to work for the community.” Accordingly, Ranina proposes to form a does not arise... Some trustees feel that Noting that he did not have an The larger issues’ Homi Ranina outlines his trusteeship plans Arnavaz S Mama fc ____ fr ¦ 'At least 10 of my supporters went away because of the commotion in the morning.' minimum one percent of net income. The revival of interest in community Accordingly, Ranina proposes to form a does not arise... Some trustees feel that large cell of engineers with each engineer (thereby) donations may dry up but I organization when he started out, being entrusted with the maintenance of personally am not of the view that there’s Ranina maintains, “My main forte was a particular area, for example a baug or any link. Most donors are not even aware that I was able to convince people, part of it. of their voting right.” In either case, including CER members.” Ranina now To combat the rise in drug addiction Ranina feels that “in the next 30-40 years needs to carry that conviction into the a id the attractions of intercommunity the present F register (which contains the BPP board room. 1 ParsianaJuly 19S4 I i 1 ’J ! i I I bp The politics of electioneering Fali Poncha reviews the BPP election battle Arnavaz S Mama I CER, Poncha declared that most of at Nana Chowk). The deal for one part them’ actively or tacitly supported of the estate was originally clinched by Ranina because he was a non-CER the trustees with a lessee, Shapur Irani, candidate. Much of Ranina’s electio- for Rs 50 lakhs, said Poncha. “There neering was conducted by family was no way we could get them to stop members of the trustees, he alleged, the sale until (BPP trustee and CER Poncha questioned the timing and founder president Jamsheed) Kanga contents of the 18-page statement of Dr and I wrote to the Charity Commis- Aspi Golwalla, chairman of the Board sioner that the sale of Jyoti Studio would of Trustees, outlining the BPP’s record be a vejy serious mistake. We showed of performance which was i just 10 days before the election. A statement of the chairman of the Board of Trustees would always be taken by worked out to well over one crore of ... ... .r»______________________ ” Inctparl thp nrnnprtv was published the BPP the true value of the property. We pursuaded Irani to improve his offer. The total amount would have It had been a long, sometimes uncomfortable campaign. In the after­ math of defeat, an introspective Pali Poncha, the candidate of the Committee for ElectoAl Rights (CER), probed the electioneering weaknesses which upset the party’s expectations. The CER rank and file is “disappoin­ ted at losing the election as it did not expect to lose,” admitted Poncha in his Dhanraj Mahal office on' July 25. “Money power has a very wide reach. CER members would be called by very senior executives (and instructed to vote t face value, said Poncha and rupees.” Instead, the property was as toioj. fhp asked “How accurate are those eventually sold to developer N L Mehta A deeper malaise that amictrf the asked How aeeu CER was the alienation of the rapk and ^„„ehed guarantee despite my letter that inflow into particulars of the Jyoti Studio pro- of money would be very doubtful if not perty transactionfan L-shaped property protected by a bank guarantee.” When A deeper malaise that afflicted the file.“Zonai committees had been formed (in *81) to get everyone involved,” said Poncha. “But after the victory in the Anjuman Committee elections, very few conducted themselves actively. We had failed to motivate or involve them, t Close contact had been lost. We should I have called a CER convention before I my candidature was announced. It was a I tactical error. Their endorsement would 1 have made them more -involved and 1 therefore more committed. 1 “All of which goes to prove that the 3 CER is not a group dominated by a | handful of people. Anywhere around 50 J CER members voted for (opposition | candidate Homi) Ranina. We never | issued a party whip as we are not a 1 political party,” says Poncha, counter­ ing the charge made by notables such as Nani Palkhivala, Neville Wadia, Noshir Sidhwa, Dr Tehemton Udwadia and Dr Jimmy Sidhwa in their letter published I in the Jam-e-Jamshed on June 22. The I letter had requested all voters to avoid | groups and vote for the individual. j Claiming that the majority of the trustees are wary of their own chances j for re-election with the emergence of the I the public at face value, said Poncha and rupees, asked “How accurate are ,3*^ i ' 11 3' I ¦ Poncha : “set the record straight." ¦ 8 Parsiana July 1984? the Charity Commissioner gave his to the other trustees saying that ‘our allowed to slip away. Accordingly the permission for the sale, Mehta action or inaction will be judged by CER went before the High Court, contended that he should also get the history.’ He prevailed upon the trustees “sacrificing a battle to win a war.” other arm of the property in order to be to seek legal opinion. Electoral reforms as envisaged by the able to develop it. Instead of making a “They consulted (noted lawyer and CER include a maximum of two terms separate agreement for the other part of former BPP trustee) P P Khambatta of five years each for a trustee and the property, the trustees agreed to who considered it a serious matter. He indirect representation for donors of Rs revise the whole deal (to Rs 90 lakhs) suggested that the trustees should take 5000 and above on the same lines as which is now again pending before the Charity Commissioner. While Mehta is matter to the Charity Commissioner, supposed to have acquired the property the trustees should neither support it for Rs 90 lakhs, since August 1981 to date, the Punchayet has received Rs 7.20 lakhs only with eight percent interest on Charity Commissioner who fixed a joint today, what will be the position with the pending amount. Between then and hearing for June 19. We approached adult franchise?” he wonders, now, .the rupee has devalued and the him to bring the date forward, but there cost of repair (for which the amount has was not enough time because notices enforce a code of conduct for elections been earmarked ?y the Punchayet) has increased at a compound rate of 15 percent, added Poncha. Chafing at the inadequate Press coverage of the CER viewpoint, Poncha charged that The Bombay Samachar had stated at most times that a letter which made any reference in favour of a candidate should come in only as a paid advertisement. As for the Jam-e- Jamshed, Poncha noted that about 10 percent of CER letters were published, which was an improvement on the would have to be sent to the Punchayet. to seek legal opinion. f" “They consulted (noted lawyer and CER include a maximum of two terms no sides and if the CER did refer this already exist for A register members who are donors of amounts ranging between Rs 500 to Rs 5000. Poncha does not favour adult franchise, because if “you can purchase a vote with Rs 5000 nor oppose it but reply with facts only. “The CER filed a petition before the Stressing the need for the trustees to ________________________ that would preserve the dignity of candidates, Poncha suggested the u can purchase screening of candidates by a high- If "y_____________ . . . . , f-j _ XXpowered body before they’re allowed to a vote with hs b,UUU contest. At such a screening session all today, what will be the position with adult franchise?" I s i allegations and claims can be examined. As things are, said Poncha, ‘‘You can have a dozen people from the community prepar^ to shout rubbish from rooftops which gets press exposure and which, at the end of the day, leaves you unnecessarily^ smeared. Fighting this election for a person of my nature situation which had prevailed at the But he gave an ex parte order has not been a pleasant experience,” he time of the Anjuman Committee postponing the joint hearing to July 2 confessed. elections in 1981. and staying the elections. The order was On the question of cooperating with Referring to criticism of the timing of served on the morning of June 18 and by the winner, Poncha stated that Ranina the CER decision to move the court on the same afternoon despite Khambatta’s is only one of the seven trustees electoral reform (the CER appealed to advice to the contrary, the BPP trustees although he speaks and writes as though the Charity Commissioner on June 13, had moved a battery of top advocates he were the only one. New housing, ten days before the election) Poncha with a writ petition before the High repairs, medicare, priestly amelioration narrated the chain of events which led to Court to withdraw the stay. Justice must all go on said Poncha though “any the decision: “There is no automatic Sujata Manohar ruled in favour of ridiculous suggestion such as putting right for a donor to be enrolled on the F withdrawing the stay on elections and aside Rs 50 lakhs for priests would not register,” says Poncha. This is only done directed the Charity Commissioner to be acceptable to the CER, especially, as after a process of screening with the hold the joint hearing on the 19th. we have demonstrated in Malcolm Baug approval of the seven sitting trustees. At — • - the end of May, the trustees passed a including trustee Jal Vimadalal, a clear the interest of the community we do not resolution that in order to save time,all prima facie case was made out by the oppose it because it is proposed by X or applications will be screened by the plaintiff (CER) and the Deputy Charity Y. It’s not an Indira Gandhi-Maneka chairman only. Two trustees —Jamshed Commissioner ruled categorically in our Gandhi syndrome,” laughed Poncha. Guzder and Kanga —dissented, as they favour granting us leave to apply to the felt this departure from practice was appropriate court (the City Civil Court), daily press one must have a strong press undesirable. This judgment was delivered on 21st of one’s own, Poncha states that the “In all these years, even in the most morning. We could have claimed all the circulation of correct information is a bitterly fought elections, there had been reliefs in the court (including post- continuous process. The Zoroastrian no attempt at packing the F register, poning the elections).” published by CER members will begin The increase in the number of donors at Poncha stated that as there was no “by picking out each issue in the (BPP) election time had never been more than hope of the trustees ever moving the chairman’s statement and asking him to 25. This time, however, the number court to change the scheme and as a 51 substantiate the claims. We will support eventually reached 176. percent majority in the Anjuman any claim made by us with proper “When the CER requested the trustees Committee was unlikely in the present documentation. to rein in the runaway F register, it was setup (both alternatives are provided Despite the BPP battery of lawyers, what can be achieved. If a proposal is in Noting that if one cannot have the s j i il 'I fe I Poncha stated that as there was no (- to rein in the runaway F register, it was setup (both alternatives are provided “That’s all we want to do: set the told to move the Charity Commissioner within the scheme for amendment), the pecord straight. For the public should not be misled, not by the candidatesand not by the trustees.” or the High Court. At that stage, opportunity of proving the inherent Guzder issued a letter and circulated it malafides of the scheme could not be 9 Parsiana July 1984 !»-a- f'S s. 3 I I. :i .J per ampule, the montUf^expenditure amounted to Rs 3000; if on cocaine then the cost rose to Rs 9000 per month. The addicts from the lower The growing incidence of drug addic- and whom many Parsi addicts approach strata were usually hooked on to tion amongst young Parsis in Bombay for help, was the subject of the talk by Ms Veera Mehta, professor of social work, Nir- community, the addicts did not know mala Niketan College, Bombay. “It is a whom to approach for help. Describing which these addicts indulged in. torture to the entire family if forced to the “terrible vacuum” which exists Though Mehta made reference to Parsi live with one young drug addict,” 1 explained Mehta. Noting that there are not there,” Mehta was pleased that was a high incidence of drug addiction the BPP had planned to open a centre among the Parsis, she added, “the Par- where, on some days of the week, they sis, being status-conscious,” delay in would talk to the children and relate to seeking professional guidance as they them. Referring to Padamsee’s good ducive to a healthy development, dread the social stigma attached to them. “Though figures in absolute numbers assist Pearl in her work, may be small, in terms of damage and ¦¦¦¦¦** suffering caused, the magnitude de- serves attention,” stated Mehta. Re- searching the subject of drug addiction for her doctorate degree, she said the evidence showed drug addicts were usually in the 16 to 25 age group, with female addicts outnumbering the males, and the arts students indicating a higher frequency of addicts. Information regarding this problem afflicting the youth of the Parsi com­ munity was gleaned mainly from the The drug danger Mehta lamented that even within the charas, said Mehta. In addition to steal­ ing, excessive smoking and free sex were the other antisocial activities : “terrible vacuum' because “when individuals need us we neighbourhoods where drug addiction was high, she asked the Press not to mention the areas. The familial atmosphere prevalent in the homes of these addicts was not con- >9 H I 'I The Parsis, being status-conscious, delay in seeking professional guidance as they dread the social stigma attached to drug addiction. work in this context, Mehta suggested according to Mehta. “Lack of love, that a squad oiParsi volunteers should misunderstanding, unfavourable com­ parisons and absence of a strong father figure” were the noticeable pathologi­ cal factors. Mehta quoted Padamsee who felt one contributing factor to the weak father figure was the Parsi mother’s knack of running down her husband. Mehta added, “A majority (of the addicts) have parents living J together but with strained relations or extra-marital affairs,” and the attitude I towards parents and other atjults was seen as “resentful, vengeful and with I dislike of hypocrisy and double stan- I dards.” I On religious matters, the addicts * experienced a “rootlessness and a vac­ uum” saying they were uncertain or did not believe in the existence of God. J . « Mehta: “supportive help is needed. ” Discussing the need for a two­ pronged approach of prevention and Mehta stressed that the “release of cure, Mehta cautioned that though energy should be from within and in a “supportive help is needed, psycho- spiritual direction rather than through therapy alone will not help.” Accord- drugs.” In this context she praised the ing to Mehta, it is not therapeutic ses- work done by Russel Pinto (a reformed sions but associations like Addicts addict) at Sevadham, the residential Anonymous which are more successful Christian Medical Centre at Bandra in treating hardened addicts. Dr Perin managed by Father Joe Pereira, where Cabinetmaker, an invitee, quoted the they emphasize the spiritual transfor- cases of two Parsi drug addicts who mation of the addicts who have hitherto were successfully treated by yogic “lacked a true meaning and purpose in therapy. As confessed by the youths, life.” experimentation, inability to resist and ~ ~ peer approval were their three main . in Bandra, BPP trustee Jamshed Guz- " ¦ ¦ . der said, “We should have a similar Drug addiction seems to have scheme in South Bombay. Assuring her of CER’s support on Referring to Father Pereira’s project noted Bombay psychiatrist Dr Jehangir reasons for taking to drugs. Rohiyar who in the last two years had f treated two boys and one girl; Dr afflicted both the affluent and the Dinyar Gamadia, a general prac- economically weaker sections of the the proviso that the BPP give support titioner and president of the Cusrow Parsi community. With the average to the youth group, BPP trustee Jam- Baug United Sports and Welfare family income ranging from Rs 3000 to sheed Kanga requested Mehta to League who had-treated almost 25 5000 per month, these youths get their suggest a scheme to tackle this problem cases; and Ms Pearl Padamsee, noted share of pocket money, yet steal from on an emergency basis. stage actress and directress who has the hcnne to support their habit. If Mehta put forth Dr Kohiyar’s made an in-depth study of this problem hooked on to heroin, which costs Rs 40 suggestion that the BPP should move the hcnne to support their habit. If 99 10 Parsiana July 1984Urging the BPP to reorganize wel- organizations to invite young mobeds the police to stop activities by the drug Urging the BPP to reorganize wel- organizations to invite young mobeds pushers at drink stalls and beediwalas. fare activities in colonies. Prof Noshir to their functions; and implementing Federation president Dr Aspi Gol- Kaikobad, an invitee, suggested that modem methods of teaching in the walla, who had earlier been praised for funds for this cause may be raised by madressas to bring about a significant taking the initiative to solve this prob- requesting Zubin Mehta to give a pri- educational revolution among the ...................... ~ . mobeds whereby their self-respect may To raise awareness on this subject, be enhanced. She even suggested that a (north substantial amount be allotted for a re- lem, was of the view, “We should form vate show when he comes to Bombay, a sub-committee and make a represen- — • .... tation to the Prime Minister (so that) Federation vice-president ( the Government of India can pass a zone) Shiavax Nargolwala felt that as in pilot project to bring about a regulation on drug addition like in the case of dowry, there should be volutionary attitudinal change.” BPP West Germany.” adequate publicity against this evil. trustee Jamsheed Kanga felt, in light of the survey findings, that the mobeds’ plight was basically an “economic prob­ lem.” BPP trustee Eruch Desai while refer­ ring to the situation as “gloomy,” With 79 percen^ of the mobeds inter- After quoting the various statistics, added that he had read advertisements viewed confessing that were they Kharas submitted her scheme for the for mobeds from anjumans and agiaries younger and better educated they upliftment of the mobeds. Primarily in Mysore, Allahabad and other places would opt for another profession, Stu- stressing the need for the formation of a which offered reasonable remunera- dent researcher Ms Huzan Kharas said, central organization to be called the tion. “We, the community, are responsible Zoroastrian Association of Priests Peshotan Nargolwala, honorary trea- for this pathetic and shameful condi- (ZAP), Kharas felt that after collecting surer of the Federation, said that one tion” of the priests. Kharas researched funds through donations, publicity anjuman or agiary had offered Rs 1,500 her paper, “A stKio-economic survey campaigns and charity shows, ZAP per month income but found no takers. t Kharas said she had “dealt with (the for her Master of responsible for the day-to-day func- subject) in my survey. u. adequate publicity against this evil. The priestly plight 9^ of the mobeds in Bombay extending to should have a full-time secretariat Thana district," Social Work degree from Bombay Uni- tioning. Desai: “Why are they not going (to versity. Among the functions which she these places) now?” Describing the financial condition of listed for ZAP were: helping the Kharas: “They don’t want to go to rural the full-time mobeds, Kharas’ findings mobeds secure a minimum wage for areas.” revealed that the average per capita, themselves; keeping track of job open- Desai and the others noted that the income in these families was Rs 332 per ings; obtaining interest-free loans for openings were not only in rural areas. month with the lowest being Rs 92 per them; reserving a fixed quota of flats P Nargolwala said that in a survey of month. This data was based on her for the mobeds; counselling the 83 mobeds conducted in 1978 only 60 sample of 52 priests out of a total of 173 mobeds to ameliorate their psychologi- mobeds earned less than Rs 800 per full-time mobeds working in 40 agiaries cal problems; encouraging youth month. “How,” he questioned, “could and four atash bahrams. Inability to provide for their old age and retirement and absence of medical facilities was the complaint made by 88 T ! i 'A high percent of the mobeds are struggling for survival and in debt.' f percent of the mobeds. With 70 percent of the mobeds surveyed being over 45 years of age and 41 percent over 60 years of age, this factor is causing them a lot of worry. 62 percent of the mobeds stated that housing was not provided. 44 percent were known to be residing in old, dilapidated buildings in congested areas. “A disgracefully high percent of the mobeds are struggling for survival and in debt. Over 60 percent are in need of help to meet their basic needs,” said Kharas. * 'y Above: Huzan Kharas Left: priests per­ forming muktad prayers: Economic or attitudinal problem? 11 ParsianaJuly 1984 IF Mobeds: the forgotten few • 70 percent of the mobeds surveyed are over 45 years of age and more than 41 percent are over 60 years of age. •46 percent of the mobeds are unmarried and blame it on: (a) insuf­ ficient income; (b) no respect for the priestly profession; and (c) lack of housing. •58 percent of the respondents said that they were totally dissatisfied with their profession and would not encourage their children to join it. •79 perce!Wt said that if they were younger and had better oppor­ tunities they would have opted for another profession. • 89 percent have completed their primary and secondary education only. • 83 percent felt that they, as mobeds, are given little or no respect at all by the laity. • 70 percent of the young unmarried mobeds interviewed stated that it is difficult to find brides due to: (a) their low status in the community; (b) lack of education; (c) low in­ come; and (d) a wrong belief that mobdds should not socialize. •The average per capita income of mobeds is Rs 332 per month and the per capita income of one family was disgracefully low - Rs 92 per month • 38 percent stated that they were in debt and over 60 percent claimed that they are in need of help even for their basic necessities. • 62 percent are not provided any housing facility as a perquisite to their work. • 88 percent are unable to provide for their old age and retirement, nor do they get any medical benefits. • 88 percent do not own vehicles. fore it cOuld not be considered random community” who had to toil 21 hours a sampling. day. Khojeste Mistree, founder of Referring to the mobeds’ reluctance Zoroastrian Studies who was also to accept employment outside of Bom- associated with Kharas’ work, ques- bay, Khojeste felt it would not be feasi- tioned the research techniques used by ble as many mobeds have inadequate the 1978 survey which Nargolwala education and may not be able to make referred to. Describing Kharas’ study the social and cultural adjustments, techniques as “scientific” he stated that “The mobeds feel socially secure living the “final figure would not be way off in Bombay,” said Mistree adding that if the mark.” He said the help the mobeds the mobeds were to leave for other received “is abysmal.” He termed the areas “Who will look after Bombay’s mobeds “the registered slaves of the agiaries?” founder of Preserving the Parsi past Many Parsis who were master craftsmen of ornate and utilitarian furniture had made remarkable contribution to the culture of India. they be earning less now?” It was sub­ sequently clarified that Kharas’ aver- ' age of Rs 332 was the per capita income of a family and therefore the mobeds’ total earnings were higher, probably in the vicinity of Rs 900 to 1,000. P Nargolwala- also alleged that Kharas’ sampling was “defective” and “weighted in favor of poor mobeds.” He said of the 52 mobeds interviewed, one was selected from each agiary and two from each atash bahram. There­ The Parsis are losing their reputation songs .... are being retrieved from new for being “great at preserving things,” said Ms Nivedita Mehta, curator of the Alpaiwalla Museum of the Bombay bound manu^ripts of the Avesta were Parsi Punchayet at Khareghat Colony, being sold for a meagre sum-of Rs 300. the first community museum in India. Commending the increasing awareness The population shift to urban areas and in the West, Mehta informed that old the pursuit of modernization were the Parsi song records were being bought in - main factors responsible for the India on behalf of the London Council, change, according to her. She cited examples of how “ 19th cen­ tury books on Parsi plays and garba rebound and fumigated,” she stressed. „, Parsis, she said, had a tendency to 17th centuty Navsan gate; favour certain objects like Chinese Arafaas should bo catalogued. porcelain to the exclusion of brass and Other utensils, industrial goods and glass paintings. Many Parsis who were “master craftsmen of ornate and utilita­ rian furniture” had made a remarkable contribution to the culture of India. Letters, legal documents, papers and maps also need to be preserved, Mehta advised. She considered preservation of clothing to be important especially since the styles had changed. Appreciating the efforts made by K T Satarawala, the former governor of Goa and presently the governor of Pun­ jab, in helping preserve the nunnery at Diu which has a Zoroastrian origin, Mehta opined that other defunct prop­ erties also need to be given attention. In conclusion, Mehta stated, “Old traditions serve a purpose in giving a background” and suggested that young college students should be encouraged to work on a collage of Parsi life-style in continued on page 15 “12 Parsiana July 1984 and second-hand bookstalls which have a fantastic collection” and how leather ‘These are the kind of things to be pre­ served even if we have to get them I'•¦5^ / ? r I ! '> 1 Sooni Tanfiorevala a camera’ I i With 33 exhibitions to his credit, an latest book, A Certain Identity: 50 Por- prize. So I thought I’m on my way: great honorary doctorate conferred on him by traits, Cartier-Bresson writes, “Sam portrait-photographer Sam Tata. Ctmcordia University in Montreal for his Tata and I have been close friends since contribution to photography, and his 1949. He had a darkroom in his family’s Buchman, an aeronautical engineer who photographs in the permanent coilec- house in Shanghai and together we was doing newspaper photography. He tions of several museums and private col- helped each other develop our films told me: ‘Want to start right? Bay a lectors, Sam Tata can justifiably look covering the last days of the Kuomin- Leica.’ So I bought a Leica. back on his career with satisfaction and tang. His kindness was so profound and retire. But Tata is not one for looking back, propeller fan, the 100 degree heat was in the business. I was like a clerk; I enter- At 73, he continues his love affair with irrelevant.” ed the accounts and all that. the medium he discovered way back in Bom in 1911 in Shanghai to Parsi “So I started to photograph in the 1936. “I’m enamoured of the fact of parents, Tata’s interest in photography streets. I didn’t do too many good ones, photography,” he says. “I eat it, and began after he passed out of university. And then I got dragged into the Camoa sleep it, and talk it.” His father, an avid and good amateur Club and, of course, I got wooed into If photography is sometimes consider- photographer, supported his early ef- pictorial photography, ed to be a lonely profession, Tata has forts indulgently. His mother was not so never found it to be so. Despite the fact amused, however, when a darkroom do well, except that it’s been re- that he lives alone in Montreal (he is materialized in her ironing room. She peated year in, year out—a whole cen- divorced from his Czech wife, and their yelled at her errant son: “That’s right, tury or more—from romantic landscapes only daughter lives in Vancouver), he is begin something new all over again—a to kittens in baskets. And if somebody neither lonely nor a loner. “You have to newJjobby. I’ll give you six months.” be stupid if you can’t keep yourself amused.” He has always enjoyed people—meet­ ing them, photographing them, making ed newspaper competitions and in the one time I used to disparage it, but today friends. His friends in Montreal admire first week, I won a second p^. Next i feel—so what?” his spirit, but they thought he was crazy week, with the same Grafflex, I used a when he decided, in 1983, to embark on table-lamp and did a portrait of my a photographic voyage to India, Hong brother Jehangir. It turned out very What was it that turned you off pictorial Kong and Japan to rediscover his roots, nicely—I bundled it in and it got the first photography? And how did you discover A grant awarded to him by The Canada Council made this undertaking possible. Tata:'Somebody has to record the fact that these people existed' In India, brides photographing on the streets, Sain Tata has also been in­ dulging in his passion for making por­ traits of people associated with the arts. While Tata has made friends in Bom­ bay on the many occasions that he has stayed in this city, none perhaps changed his life as dramatically as the friendship “Then I got v«y friendly with Alex “My father was very indigent. I was refreshing that in spite of the ceiling working in his office but had no interest not one for looking back, propeller fan, the 100 degree heat was tinues his love affair with irrelevant.” Bom in 1911 in Shanghai to Parsi “What pictorial photographers do, wins a prize in a lalon, then the next “Famous last words,” laughs Tata as year, everybody’s doing the same tlmig. he recalls his beginnings. “In Shanghai So it becomes a sterile and contrived with my dad’s borrowed camera, I enter- form. If it pleases one, one does it. At Excerpts from an interview: "i I i I I've also been called a humanist and that's a term I really love. 11 z t which grew after a chance handshake cm Rampart Row in 1948 with Henri Cartier-Bresson, the legendary Frendi photographer. On the jacket of Tata’s 13 Parsiana July 1984 J F J t i I i 5 Jli photo-essays and another kind of photo­ graphy? had my first one-man show of portraits opened by Jehangirji Unwalla (the pic- torialist) and it was very well-received. In the same place at Rampart Row, Cartier- Bressoq showed his pictures in February of 1948 and Kekoo Gandhi, an art- gall^ery owner, said “You know who shoot with him-especiaUy if Cartier-Bresson IS?” And I said, “No, I and shot in the ' have never heard of him.” He said that a current American con^^d ference. You’ve got some tremendous copy and read it; I wish I’d kept it. I " went to the show, I saw his wife standing on a dais the^e and we got talking. But before I approached her, I started to look at the photographs. It was a completely new world to me, He influenced your work then at an early thought I must meet this fellow and so I stage. asked his wife and she pointed him out. We were introduced, and I had no idea that that handshake and the greetings that we exchanged would result in a friendship that is still strong today. When did you meet Cartier-Bresson again after the first time? After 1948, I met him in 1949 in Hong Kong. His wife had come from Rangoon and I’d got a cable asking me to receive her. He came on a British gunboat and m black md 1949 to mainlwd China. After the com- When you take portraits, do you have a white? munists came m, th^ had to find a place particular way of dealing with the sub- Yes. Though I have done colour. I’m not to stay m Snangh^ Md he asked me to ject? What is your way of drawing out comfortable in colour. Colour requires a suggest^a hotel and I said, “The best in people? very speaaL tipproech. town. Come and stoy with my brother It’s a simple recipe—though I don’t Very often, people say, “Oh shoot it Jejgngir and myself know how simple it is to foUow. First, I in both colour and black and white ” When he came therq, he said, “The am not a candid photographer—just to What do you mean shoot it in colour photograph is not what I want, and black and white? I’ve only got SS and I haven t in a darkroom for The person has to say, “Yes, of course, hands and a pair of eyes years,’ So I said. Well, my fingers are come and see me,” Then I’ll say, “I need “ “ Pan or eyes. together on your about an hour at the most.” When you take photographs like you did SiSjolS^fSriiJ'Zoi:^ ine second is am. d^phomgrepner In Sban,bai. ad you do of contacts and I saw everything he did. present any problems? Once it did, because I was stupid enough 7 “ ’ “ _ ¦. ___j just photographed. And he turned around and said, “You know, you shouldn’t do that,” and he was right, quite right. It was a slightly different version, that’s why I never used it. It never hap­ pened before that. When I’d go out and must have—the French have a beautiful word for it—sensibilite, in other words, to be sensitive. ' And the third, he has to establish a rapport. You have to get them to trust you. Anybody can learn how to compose a photograph, make a negative and a print. But how do you teach anybody to see in the way Cartier-Bresson saw: one eye looking in and the other looking out 't^j world? The marriage of your feel- T’j. jjjg observation gives it to you. In every portrait I do, there’s a bit of me. I’m feeling, reflecting. I’m the mir- „ - ror, so I have to put people at their ease, stuff. And then, very polite, he’d look A self-conscious photographer gets a at my roll and say, “Oh you have some self-conscious portrait. pice things too.” The great French I’m lucky that my nature is such that politeness, you know. I’d say, “Yeah, people respond well to me. They don’t sure,” rather disgruntled. feel I’m some kind of threat, that I’m there to strip them of what they are. ff you were to look back at the work you’ve done so far, have you always done a lot of portraits? Does it occupy a large part of the work you’ve done in ’ ¦ 1 but slowly I was weaned away from my If it doesn’t occupy a large part of same area—then I’d look at his stuff and I’d look at mine and I’d say, “You know, now I can see the dif- Influenced? Oh, without a doubt, he’s the biggest single influence in my life. We had a lot of arguments and discus­ sions when we used to sit in Shanghai, photography? but slowly I was weaned away from my If it doesn’t occupy a large part of my concept of pictorial photography. He time, it occupies a large part of my mind, changed my life. It has become an obsession. I’m obsessed One day I sat down and wrote him a with the idea of so many well-known letter (telling him) of the debt I owed people who have created so much—or him. He gave me a career—a successful even created a little. Somebody has to career, if not in money terms then in record the fact that these people existed, terms of satisfaction and self-respect. changed my life. It has become an obsession. I’m obsessed with the idea of so many well-known It’s a simple recipe—though I don’t know how simple it is to follow. First, I sneak a photograph is not what I want. come and see me.” Then I’ll say, “I need The second is that the photographer I even created a little. Somebody has to How long did Cartier-Bresson stay in Shanghai with you? He was there for many months. He and his wife stayed with us and he used to work, sometimes shooting 10 rolls a day and come back exhausted. When you wandered the streets of Shanghai with him was there ever any tension? Not tension perhaps, but since you were both photographers, both on the look out for photographs, did it ever 14 Parsiana July 1984 Gif ts&i The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive gifts and Zoroastrian artefacts Bombay Swadeshi Stores Ltd Sir P.M. Road, Bombay 400 001 Tel: 253443 & 252730 * ¦»! i 6 ’ii- > - that fou were documenting sorhethStg And some families, of course, stayed continued frontpage 12 that was going to fade and pass away, there. We thought we were there forever, the villages during the 18th and 19th that your photographs would one day " . - ..... .................... become history? j " ’ ‘ _ No, not really. I don’t think in terms of country—the country of my parents. I documentation for use in the future. I never really felt rootless. I’ll tell you agiary and community centres should react to situations because I am what I what I felt. I felt that I was very lucky to preserve material representing the Par­ am and I’m somebody with a camera, be cosmopolitan, to be international and sis of a bygone era so as to inform and Thin^ were happemng and they went felt that the individual is important, not educate the visitors. ----- - ... Bejan Dittia, co-opted member I’m an individual. By an accident of south zone, suggested that the many So every time I came to India, it was centuries of which there is no readily as if I was coming to somebody else’s available evidence. Emphasizing that Parsis are losing roots,” she urged that U' Straight onto my film. In Shanghai, it what he is. was the immediate effect. I didn’t think p __;______________ _______ about it historically, but looking back birth, ! was bom in China. By an acci- treasures of the K R Cama Oriental I realize I was eye-witness to history. * dent of birth, both my parents were Par- Institute in Bombay should be mic- sis. You can wear any kind of clothes rofilmed and informed that Ms Polly Sam, at 73, you've seen a lot of life in you like—wear a turban, or wear a dugli Chinoy of Secunderabad is making a many different cultures. In retrospect, and pheta, or wear a peaked cap and mimeograph on the subject of the Par- do you think that a certain rootlessness is tweeds—you’re still that individual, no sis who served the Nizams in Hydera- conducive to arrin some way or do you matter how you dress. bad. He recommended the cataloguing think that being settled in the place of the artifacts to be found in Bombay where one was bom, where one has ties, one's own environment, has its advan- photo-journalist or don't you believe in serve each of them. tages? categorizing? “We should educate the public first I have never really felt rootless. Though I don’t like to categorize. I’ve been called and then send out youths to have a both my parents were Parsis and I was a documentary photographer, a social look,” advised BPP trustee Kanga brought up in the Zoroastrian faith, photographer, a photo-journalist, a who felt that publications should pro- there was a community of 125 people—a photo-essayist. But then. I’ve also been pagate this idea. He suggested that an very solid community—in Shanghai. i Of course, I felt more Chinese than really love. Indian. Most foreigners were there just to exploit, to make money and then go. Would you consider yourself to be a with suggestions on how best to pre- called a humanist and that’s a term I appeal should be made for declaring . the Bahrot Caves in Gujarat (where the Iranshah fire was’^cept for 17 years) as R^riiUedfiom Express Magazine, Flebiwy J. I9S4. an archaCOlOgical mOnumeUt. TaVlnMr^tlnontot Hotot <-Bombay Li Ibi 5 ( i LET’S BUILD THEM TOGETHER! 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