Complete Issue
Jan 1985
JANUARY 1985 PRICE Rs 6
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January 1985
Volume 8 Number 7
EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel
MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Toddywalla
DESIGN CONSULTANT Mini Boatwala
DESIGN ASSISTANTS Kranti Shilotri,
Varghese W. Fernandaz
MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel
ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Billimoria
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE
Cheryl D'Penha
CHIEF EXECUTIVE R.P. TTianavala
FINANCE B.L Arora
CIRCULATION B.P. Umrigar
MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel,
Jasmine Driver, Khurshid Daruwalla
and Rohinton Mistry.
2 Events and Personalities
15 The election that never was
18 Guzder opts out
20 The Godrej campaign by Arnavaz S. Mama
22 Running the gauntlet by Arnavaz S. Mama
28 In search of the Good Life-Ill by Ruzbeh Antia
35 Speaking another language by Indra Gidwani
V
Cover: Photographs of Godrej & Guzder by Homyar Mistry
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Parsiana is published oy Jehangir H. PateJ tor Parsiana Publications at C/o H.L. Roehat,
Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400 001, and printed
by him at Kaiser-E-Hind, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400 001 and phototypeset at
TRIAGE, Bombay 400 005- All rights reserved. Address all editorial and business
correspondence to Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Phone: 268730.
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Events and
Personalities
Indira condolence meets the condolence meeting and added* was weii-known. Her love for the Parsi
* • . . “Prayers were also offered at the meeting community into which she had married
Anjumans and punchayets all over India for our beloved Ms Indiraji's soul to
held meetings to condole the assassina- rest .in peace."
tion of the late Prime Minister Ms Indira A letter addressed to Rajiv Gandhi
Gandhi. At a fujiction convened by the from the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian ocvunucraoau ano nyaerat
ombay Parsi Punchayet at the Framji Anjumans of India honoraiy secretary special general body meeting
Sssed ’wEh^nomd ”’ •ViT’h “^‘though your ember 6, 1984 at Bai Pirojbai
p Ssed which noted. She had great mother was completely secular in her
[S “d outlook, her inter^t in-tho welfare and ,„u a son corner ana great regard
in tK“ S ^^S.^'an^S ‘"’“Wes for our Parsi conttnunity and whenever
her death the community has lost a true |
admirer and sincere well-wisher.
Speakers at the function included I
BPP chairman Dr Aspi Golwalla, former I
sheriff of Bombay S.P. Godrej, Justice I
B.Lentin, former Mayor of Bombay B.K. J
Boman-Behram, cancer specialist Dr D.J.
Jussawalla, president of the Family ' i
Planning Association of India Ms A.B.
Wadia, Editor of The Bombay Samachar
Jehan Daruwalla, president of the Youth
Hostels' Association of India Ms P.F.
Dotiwalla, social worker J.F. Shroff,
advocate Eruch Desai, municipal admi
nistrator of Bombay Jamsheed Kr.nga
and industrialist Jamshed Guzder.
In a letter to Ms Gandhi ’s son, Rajiv,
the country ’s new Prime Minister, BPP
chairman Dr Aspi Golwalla referred to
held meetings to condole the assassina- rest .in peace."
,. * ' * . ‘A letter addressed to Rajiv Gandhi
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was well-known. Her love for the Pars!
was expressed throughout her life in
many touching ways. ”
The Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of
Secunderabad and Hyderabad at a
J on Nov
ember 6, 1984 at Bai Pirojbai Chenoy
Hall passed a resolution stating, “She
always had a soft corner and great regard
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I Ms Gandhi at
" Chikalwadi
J
' Zoroastrian
Colony fabovej
BPP
condolence
meeting (left)
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After working with the geological ed many valuable and important contri-
possible, gave us a helping hand." The
speakers included Sq/Ldr J.D. Jtalia,
president of the Anjuman, Ms Maneez
Kavoosji, Dr Mehtab Bamji, Dr F.D.
Vakil, B.K. Batliwalla, Phiroze Bapooji
and Dr (Ms) Polly Chenoy.
At another function organized in
Bombay at the Chikalwadi Zoroastrian
Colony, Tardeo, 151 priests from
Bombay participated in a mass prayer
meeting led by Dastur Kekobad Dastoor
from L'dwada. This meeting in honour
of Ms Gandhi was held under the
auspices of the trustees of the Zoroastrian
Building Fund, Zoroastrian Colony
Association and Medical Centre and
Andheri Zoroastrian Association, Din-
shaw Merchant, M.S Aloo Chhiber, S.P.
Godrej, Dr Aspi Golwalla, Jehangir
Shroff, Vispi Dastoor, Dr Sarosh Wadia, _ _ _
Ms Chandan Patel and Ms Rati Dastbor departments of the Government of butions to gepmagnetisni. Moos spent
spoke on the occasion.
The holding of meetings and prayers
for Ms Gandhi caused some people to
remark that while the Orthodox were
willing to pray for a non-Parsi married
to a Parsi if she happened (o be the
Prime Minister, prayers were refused
for other non-Parsi spouses.children of . r • .
mixed marriages and Parsis who wished Oceanography and the Institute of as a member of the then Bombay Engi-
to be cremated. Himalayan Geology. “The Institute of neering Service-was closely associated
Himalayan Geology, established in with the construction of the Malabar
1968, was renamed the WadiaTnstitute Hill-Reservoir. ”
of Himalayan Geology in his memory
in 1971,” states the information sheet
Among the numerous national Mnd v S.Venkatavaradan, Prof L.L.Cogger,
international awards Wadia received professor of physics. University,of Cal-
were the Back Award of the Royal gary, Alberta, Canada, and Prof Homai
Geographical Society and Lyell Medal Jal Moos, educationist, whilst paying,
of the Geological Society of London, tributes to Moos proposed that annual
T^e Govemmerit of India bestowed on lectures and scholarships in the name
him the Padma Bhushan in 1963. In qj- qj- moos be instituted and his
addition to being elected president of biography be published.
several scientific societies, Wadia was Qj- y S.Venkatavaradan wrote in a
also elected president of the Interna- Bombay daily. Free Press Journal o^f
tional Geological Congress in New November 7, 1984, “In 1900 the Govern-
Delhi in 1964. Watlia died in 1969 at the ment decided to electrify the tram ser-
age of 86.
for other non-Parsi spouses^children of
India and Ceylon, Wadia was ap-' his lifetime studying what are known as
pointed the geolo^cal advisor to the ‘magnetic storms ’ which upset our radio
Indian Governihent to initiate and reception.
formulate a minerals policy for the
country. He founded the Indian servatory is situated has been named
Bureau of Mines, Atomic Minerals Di- after Dr Nanabhai Moos.
vision, the National Geo-physical ke- "
sealch Institute, the National Institute Boman-Behram pointed out that Moo§,
“The road on which the Colaba Ob-
“Former muncipal councillor B. K;
The stamp of approval
A multicolour stamp in honour of the
late Dr Darashaw Nosherwan Wadia, a
pioneer in Indian geology was issued by
the Indian Posts and Telegraphs de
partment on his 101 birth anniversary
on October 23, 1984. The department
“is-privileged to issue a commemora
tive stamp in honour of this pioneer in
Indian geology and development of
geo-scientific research in the country, ”
notes the department ’s information
sheet.
“The rupee one denomination stamp cQf- ¦, ¦ -
designed by the India Security Press, ageot»o- vice in Bombay and this was painful for
Nasik, depicts a portrait of Wadia with MoOS’ ma&netic life Dr Moos as the electrical traction would
the building of the Wadia Institute of disturb his magnetic observations at
Himalayan Geology, Dehradun in the Leading scientists and educationalists Colaba. Earlier the trams used to be
background. The first day cover shows recalled Dr Nanabhai Ardeshir Moos ’ horse-drawn which, of course, did not
. Wadia working at a microscope, ” contributions to the field of geomagne- affect the magnetic observations. Dr
states the hand-out. tism in India on his 125th birth anm- Moos says, T was convinced that elec-
Bom in the family of shipbuilders, versary celebrated in Bombay by the trie traction would soon reduce all our
Wadia received his early education in Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG). observations to a farce and all that
“Dr Moos set up the Alibag Obser- could be done was to stall its coming as
Director of the IIG, Dr Rastogi,
director of the Nehru Planetarium, Dr
Wadia received his early education in
Surat and Baroda and graduated from . . _
the Baroda College. Soon after, he set vatofy considered to be one of the long as I could. Meanwhile, an alternate
up the department of geology at the leading magnetic observatories in the site had to be found. ’ Dr Moos could
Prince of Wales College in Jammu and world, ” notes a report inT/ze Times of indeed delay the commencement of
wrote a text book for Indian students of India of October 30, 1984, “His monu- electric traction and completed the Ali-
geology which earned him recognition mental work entitled Colaba Observa- bag Observatory in record time. Both
both at home arid abroad. tory Magnetic Data 1846-1905 contain- the Colaba Observato^z and the Alibag
3 Parsisna January 1985
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Observatory functioned simultaneously
for nearly two years to get correlated
records. The magnetic work waS dis
continued at Colaba on March 31,1906,
and the first electric tram came on the
streets of Bombay on May 7, 1907.
“Thanks to Dr Moos, today we have
a continuous record of magnetic obser
vations going back to more than 140
years... Moos died on March 13, 1936,
leaving behind a wealth of data on
geomagnetfem that has been a source
of inspiration for generations of scien
tists. ”
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Mirza (far left)
receiving award
from A wards
Committee
chairman. Dr
Fagan
(Left) Dadabhai
Naoroji (photo
courtesy: S.R.
Vakil collection)
(Below) At a
function to
release book on
Naoroji: (from
left) Minoo
Masani, Adi
Chinoy, Dr Aspi
Golwalla, S.P.
Godrej and Dr
Sarosh Wadia.
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Award for Mirza
Noted Bombay dental surgeon. Dr
Firoze Dara Mirza was presented a
bronze medallion, a gold ring and a
citation making him a diplomate on the
board of the International Congress on
Oral Implantations at the body ’s Vllth Book Oil Dadabhai Naoroji booklet was released on September 4,
international meet held at Munich,
West Germany in June 1984. A booklet entitled Dadabhai Naoroji, a
He qualified for this diplomatic Model for Indian Youth Today written
'¦:*
,x
international meet held at Munich, ” 1984 by former parliamentarian and ex
West Germany in June 1984. A booklet entitled Dadabhai Naoroji, a mayor of Bombay Minoo Masani who
He qualified for this diplomatic Model for Indian Youth Today written praised Naoroji as being a God-fearing
status after “500 hours of practice in by noted Bombay homeopath Dr Sarosh and efficient man. He remarked, “In
1 our public life today, we have good
men who are ineffective and efficient
men who are rarely good."
M.R. Pai, noted Bombay social cru
sader in a foreword to this book, states
“I hope this booklet would have served
its purpose if at least a few youngsters
On the occ^ion. Dr Wadia presented are inspired to study in depth the life of
implantOlogy, 200 hours of implant Wadia was released at a function on
courses and five publications on the the 159th birth anniversary of the Grand
subject of implantology attested by a Old Man under the auspices of the
notary public,” states a press release. P “ ' , J' ' '
“Dr Firoze Mirza is one of our senior Guide to the Mazdeyasnani faith, an
active members of The Zoroastrian organization co-founded by Naoroji when
Dentists Organization and has been a he was 26 years old.
practitioner, of long standing in C ’
Bombay, ” notes a write-up by Bombay some personal momentoes of Naoroji Dr Dadabhai Naoroji, and develop them-
Parsi Punchayet chairman. Dr Aspi to Dr Aspi Golwalla, chairman of the selves into worthy citizens and public
Golwalla. Mirza “is currently also a Bombay Parsi Punchayet, for preser- servants who can give leadership and
professor and head of department of vation at the community ’s Alpaiwalla vision to people... ”
prosthetic and crown and bridge at The Museum These included: a letter written
Nair Hospital Dental College which is a by Naoroji when he contested as a
premier institution in our country, ” > j <¦- - ¦ « --
noted Golwalla.
Oral dental implantology for which him at the Lahore meeting of the Indian
Rahanumae Mazdayasnane Sabha or
Wadia narrates several experiences
from Naoroji ’s life and credits him for
being the tirst Indian to ask for self-
government for his country, the first
Indian to be appointed on the Royal
Mirza was awarded the honour is a rela- National Congress in 1893, and a portrait Commission, the first Indian to be a
lively new • science, notes a press of his which was in the possession of member of the British Parliament and
release. the Maharaja of Kutch. The 23-page the first Indian professor at the Elphins-
candidate for the British Parliament in
1886, a purse which was presented to
4 Parsiana January 1985?
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active, receiving dignitaries from abroad,
writing letters and reading newspapers.
I A baton in his hands
I - Making his debut as conductor with the
I Cantata Choir, 29-year-old Nauzer Daru-
I Walla dedicated the concert to the
" memory of the late Prime Minister,
b Ms Indira Gandhi.
I Referring to the November 10 con-
I cert. The Times of India critic noted,
I "Young as he is, he conducts firmly,
“ cueing in the voices and soloists with
confidence. The balanced and well-
disciplined choir (except for one chaotic
moment) rendered the two religious
works featured...with good dynamics and
expression..." The pianist Zenobia Vakil-
Patel “carried the burden of the orche-
_ . . . stral accompaniment with efficiency and
voicing the grievances of Indians... ‘India viewpoint. When he stood from the musicality." There were also two
for Indians was his slogan... ” Holbom Constituency, he lost Next time chamber works where the conductor as
violinist was joined by Freddy Dinshaw,
violin and Shiv Mathur, guitar.
Daruwalla, a student of London's
One of the founders of the Student Minister of England, he was elected by Royal College of Music, where he did a
double specialization in piano and violin,
studied piano under Alasdair Graham
and violin under Bertha Stevens and
later Max Rostal. He has also conducted
the Brandenburg Consort, a chamber
orchestra.
The Cantata Choir founded by a
German, Joachim Buehler in 1973 has
members from all walks of life. Most of
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Daruwalla: conducting rehearsal of Cantata Choir
tone College. “In the midst of all his Naoroji decided to contest the elec-
literary and commercial pursuits, Dada- tion to the British Parliament so that he
bhai seldom missed an opportunity for could get an opportunity to voice India’s
Naoroji decided to contest the elee
for Indians ’ was his slogan... ” Holbom Constituency, he lost Next time
At the age of 20, he was appointed when he stood from the Central Finsbury
professor of mathematics and natural Constituency, though described as a
philosophy at the Elphinstone Institute, “black man ” by Lord Salisbury, Prime
Literary and Scientific Society which the White voters,
laid the foundation for female education
in Bombay in 1849, Naoroji was its first on the Bible, he politely refused to do
treasurer. The members of the Society the same as he was not a Christian. The
went from “door to door to request Parliament allowed him to take the oath
parents and guardians to allow their in the name of God. Dadabhai had taken
daughters to learn the three ‘Rs. ’ Some a small book on Avesta with him ” for
agreed but some were so annoyed that the ceremony.
they threatened to throw them down The Indian National Congress, found-
the steps for making such a proposal ” ed by Naoroji, was considered to be the them play an instrument or two, others
In a short time, 44 Parsi and 24 Hindu “real institution which started the great
females were available for teaching.
Naoroji himself completed his school- old man of India, Naoroji, is known for Max Mueller Bhavan for rehearsals,
ing from the Native Education Society his famous words, “I am a Hindu, a According to Bombay's afternoon daily.
School The responsibility of educating Muslim, a Parsi but above all an Indian Mid-Day of November 10, 1984, “Their
Naoroji fell oh his mother since his father first. ” He refused to be conferred with a concerts have been held in Bombay,
had died wheh he was only four years knighthood and politely rejected the Delhi and Pune. And while they have
old. As a student at the Elphinstone Shah of Iran's wish to honour him. never been abroad, they have been
Institute, he “read a great deal of litera- When acting as a Divan to the broadcast to foreign audiences. ” Daru-
ture of the world, mostly English but Maharaja of Baroda, at one time, Naoroji walla, a sales executive at Poysha,
Firdousi ’s Shahnama, the great Iranian was pressed by the Maharaja to do Industrial Co. Ltd. is the choir ’s present
epic was his favorite, ” notes the author, something which would do more harm director.
Dharma Marg Darshak and Rasta to the subjects. With his characteristic
Goftar'MQTQ the two magazines started frankness he replied, “Your Highness,
by Naoroji to remove misunderstanding my surname is Dordi, you may burn a
about Zoroastrianism.
In 1855, Naoroji left for England as
manager of the first Indian mercantile have decided, nothing can dislodge managed to run a highly' successful
firm in England, started by the Cama me." newspaper without even once crossing
brothers. While there, Naoroji pleaded ’ "
for the right of Indians to serve the Masani, Mahatma Gandhi stated that by upholding the highest standards, it is
administration of their own country Dadabhai had become a real Dada to the Camas of The Bombay Samachar,
through the Indian Civil Service. In 1861 him as he was his constant adviser and the city’s largest selling Gujarati news
he founded the London Zoroastrian inspiration. It was in hiis 91st year that paper — who preside over their
Association (to guide Indian students Bombay University conferred on him establishment with great benevolence,
to pursue various activities) and remained the honorary degree of LLD. Till his And one of them, Rustom Cama,
its president till 1907. death at the age of 91, Naoroji was: (I^nown affectionately to his lejiop of
"When he was asked to take an oath
The Indian National Congress, found-
are trained soloists, singers or music
task of the freedom of India.” The grand teachers. Regularly they meet at the
When acting as a Divan to the broadcast to foreign audiences. ” Daru-
Cama lENS vice.-president
dordi (thread) but cannot take a twist If there is one family in the media which
out of it; so it is with me. When once I has steered clear of controversy and yet
me.
In a foreword to a book by R.P the bounds of ethics of the media, and
to pursue various activities) and remained the honorary degree of LLD. Till his
5 Parsiana January 1985
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organized to celebrate London Diet, the
friends as Rusi) has recently been
elected vice-president of the Indian and ...
Eastern Newspaper Society (lENS). F B Mf goW medal at the World Selection of
The 62-year-old Cama has been in- ’’ "• BW beer. The medal was presented at a
volved with printing in many other pro- B special ceremony held in Madrid Spain
fessional capacities. He was also past , B on October 3 and 4 by Monde Selection
president of the All India Federation of B '' Institut International pour la selection
Master Printers and the past chairman B qualite.
of the development panel of the print- , B “We have had many export enquiries,
ing industry. B : Bland have been successfully exporting
Apart from being a director in B iB our beer under the brand name of
The Bombay Samachar, the Bombay < Maharaja beer to the USA. Exporting
Chronicle and the Bombay Associated ‘ y — for the first time is no achievement by
Newspapers Pvt. Ltd. he is also on the itself, but it is the repeat orders that
board of directors of the Press Trust of count, giving us encouragement that
India. the beer has been well received," en-
The jovial Cama who is a keen swim- thused Irani. “The salient features of
mer and yachtsman, having been a our London Diet are, that this beer has
commodore of the Royal Bombay fata: ‘strengthening the hand’ a lower calorific equivalent as compared
Yacht Club, carries on the tradition of with the leading soft drinks in the market >
forthrightness and charity set by his late with accommodation for the outstation today... ”
father, the titan Muncherji Cama. cadets, the station will have a boat shed Irani added, “Several investigations
Reprinted from The Daily October 10,1984.
KB
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low calorie diet beer’s winning of the >
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cadets, the Station will have a boat shed
for building and repairing small vessels, over the last four years have yielded
Dawson thanked the Godrej Founda- impressive evidence’that moderate drink-
tion for encouraging the activities of ers have a lower risk of heart attacks
the corps and said the organization was 1
From economics to politics
Naval H. Tata chairman of the Tata findmg patroriage ah over the country.
Electric Company and Tata Textiles,
toda^' announced his decision to join in 1938 to inculcate‘the spirit of adven- this level of consumption could exert ¦
the Congressfl) for strengthening the ture and love for the sea’in the younger some protective effect on the cardio
hand of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. generation. The voluntary organization, vascular system was reinforced by bio
In a statement Naval Tata said that with its 13 centres in the country, is chemical tests on animals and human
since Independence Pandit Nehru fol
lowed by his daughter Indira Gandhi age group of 11 to 17 years. The Bombay
steered the country to earn international < \
esteem and respect. Now Rajiv Gandhi and at present 400 cadets are being contained increased levels of high density
has shouldered the responsibility of trained in various sea disciplines. lipoprotein (HDL), a substance which is
running the country, he added. Reprinted from Free Press Journal, November 1.3, also referred to as good cholesterol
Naval Tata said that all those who 1984. The establishment of a clear correlation
believed that the Congress had made a plieer the heer between the concentration of HDL and
great contribution after taking over the the intake of alcohol led to research
responsibility frorn the British, should “The response was so overwhelming that intotheeffect of drinkonHDLcholes-
come forward to lend a helping hand to we were unable to cope with the demand terol in runners and inactive men.
the party. for this brand, and we were reluctantly “One report in the Journal of the
He also appealed to all right-minded constrained to refuse enquiries from American Medical Association last year
people to help the party at this crucial Delhi, Calcutta and Madras, restricting even concluded that non-exercisers who
hour by joining the party, strengthening our sales only to Bombay, ” said N.M. drink three beers a day can maintain
the hand of the Prime Minister and Irani, managing partner. Associated levels of HDL similar to those individuals
ensuring the success of the Congress (I) Breweries and Distilleries at a function who jog regularly.”
in the coming elections.
Reprinted from The Daily, November 20, 1984. I
than teetotallers. Moderate drinking is
confined to not more than three glasses
The Sea Cadet Corps was founded of beer or wine a day; and the idea that
in 1938 to inculcate‘the spirit, of adven-
generation. The voluntary organization,
with its 13 centres in the country, is
open to all school-going children in the beings.
" y “Laboratory experiments showed that i
centre has trained nearly 12,000 cadets the blood stream of moderate drinkers ,
Reprinted from Free Press Journal, November 1.3.
1984.
we were unable to cope with the demand terol In runners and inactive men.
for this brand, and we were reluctantly
constrained to refuse enquiries from /
Delhi, Calcutta and Madras, restricting even concluded that non-exercisers who
Godrej Boating Station
The foundation stone of the Pirojsha
Godrej Memorial Boating Station was
laid by the Naval Chief of Staff Admiral
Oscar Stanley Dawson, here today.
The Rs 25 lakh project, situated near
the training ship Jawahar, Colaba, will
have ail infrastructural facilities for
training the sea cadets.
Besides a multi-storeyed building.
#!«
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1 Parsiana January 1985
At London Diet
4xlebration: (from
. ¦ leftf Ms and Mr
D. Murugesan,
F',.-* Ms and Mr N.M.
u:., , -¦ Irani, Ms and Mr
S.J. Lawyer'V
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Pastor as Gandhi WorW ’s leading law reporter for ship- has a comer of his heart too, and his
ping banking, insurance and cominer- Indian passport is as dear to him as the
Like Ben Kingsley, Sam Dastor is de- dal cases. Before deciding to settle in maestro ’s is to him. When he came
stined to become a known face and fi- England, Zaiwalla completed his to Bombay on a short visit from his
gure to millions of his countrymen, graduation in law from Bombay ’s Gov- adoptive home in Washington, Sorab
.......... " '' " “ ¦ Modi reviewed for Mid-Day his com
patriot ’s triumphal return to the local
podium at that unlikely concert hall,
the Shanmukhananda.
A local boy. Modi ’s youth is firmly
than responsible for the arrest of an escaped rooted in Bombay. St.Xavier’s School
and notorious dacoit, Riyazkhan Dawo- led to St. Xavier’s College where he
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once BBC’s “Mountbatten; the last emment Law College.
Viceroy. ” hits the screens here. The
mini-series which was shot in Delhi last fyanFs p«ll«ntrv
month has already generated the max- & J
imum interest and Sam, is being hailed Sub-inspector Homi S. Irani who was
as even more “Gandhian ”
Kingsley.
Incidentally, Dastor ’s father was odkhaii, has been awarded the Presi- read economics for his B. A .degree. A
Homi Dastor, a noted optician whose dent’s police medal for gallantry. Subse- lover of music, he was secretary of the
shop, “Dinshaw M Dastor and Sons ” quently he has also been promoted to college ’s music society. “I don ’t know
“ ” ” * ’ . why Tchose economics, ” said Mody,
As reported in the Bombay-based “my love has always been music and my
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Still stands at Flora Fountain. He was the rank of police inspector,
educated briefly at Cathedral School / ‘ * '* ~
andWalsinghamandthenhewasoffto M/rf-Zlay of August 21, 1984, “On June earliest memories bring back the
Cambridge where he did his tripos in
literature and later he joined the Royal
Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Recently in New Delhi, he told
another well-known Bombayite. Mehei
Moos, that he had just missed being in
terviewed by Richard Attenborough foi
the role in Gandhi. He has bagged it
now, laying to rest what he claims has
been a great obsession in life.
So far he has acted in more than 100
television films, including I Claudius,
Yes Man and as Inspector Ghote in
Harry Keating’s popular series on
crime in Bombay.
In Delhi, as happened to Kingsley,
Dastor was practically gheraoed wher
ever he went. People touched his feet
and generally behaved as if he were
Gandhi reincarnated.
*
«
M sounds of regiment bands marching to
I Afghan Church, not far from where I
¦ lived. The bells of the church
I stimulated me as much as bandstand
I concerts of those bygone days. ”
I It wasn ’t just an outside stimulus that
I attracted, him to music however; his
H mother also played the violin and the
H piano. “That was in the twenties, ” re-
i called Modi, “and her teacher was the
Italian musician Savini. He eventually
moved to Poona where, many.years la-
H ¦
I
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ter, Zubin Mehta would travel once a
week for his music lesson. ”
Modi himself studied the violin from
Dominic Pereira and from Homi
Kanga who was himself known as
Mehli Mehta ’s (Zubin’s musician
, . . . father ’s) best pupil. “I learned counter-
Iran,: danng arre,, point and harmony from Hal Green
29 last year, after a tip-off, a trap was who played with Ken Mac’s dance
Reprinted from Sunday Mid-Day, October 14,1984. laid (for Dawoodkhau). On Seeing the band, but was also a very good
police, Dawoodkhan raced away in a teacher, ”
Zsiiwsillfl Zflil taxi, promptly chased by sub-inspector __
intercepted Modi then joined Air India which gave
The President of India, Zail Singh, was the taxi and Dawoodkhan pointed a him the opportunity to travel and listen
successfully represented in a case pistol at Irani. Luckily when he was to the best music everywhere. With his
before the House of Lords by Sarosh about to fire, Irani swiftly fired his pistol, kind of knowledge and experience, he
Zaiwalla of M/s Zaiwalla and Co., injuring Dawoodkhan who was then over- soon became the music critic of The
noted a report in a Bombay evening powered and disarmed. ” Tinies of India and although he didn’t
daily, Mid-Day of August 21,1984. On completion of a police sub-inspec- get a by-line, he soon became well-
“The case itself was of considerable tor ’s course in 1969, Irani was awarded known "as “Our Music Critic!”
commercial importanc'c, the Law the prize of ‘Best Turnout. ’ After that Though his. major preoccupation,
ords deciding that the common law he was posted at various police stations music was never his sole interest;
did not award general damages for in Bombay. Since 1981, Irani has been theatre also took up much of his time
delay in payment of a debt beyond the with the Detection of Crime Branch, and Adi Marzban’s comedies, both Gu-
date when it was contractually due,’’ CID, Bombay. Irani has also been the jarati and English, generally featured
states the report. recipient of 18 commendatory notes, him. “In between all those farces, ”
Sarosh Zaiwalla, the 36-year-old 16 good entries and a cash award of Rs Modi reminisced, “I also played God
proprietor of the law firm “is probably 27M for the good services that he has bole in A Passage to India, and I also
the first of a new class of professionals rendered, states his bio-data. did some broadcasting.
— attorneys-at-law — to make a mark In 1963 he was invited to report on
on the English judicial scene, ” notes rritir Mndv Edinburgh Festival and one thing
the newspaper. Zaiwalla’s name also vriMV. iviuuy another and soon he was at the
appears in two other cases reported in Sorab Modi may not be as well-known Holland and Berlin Festivals too. And,
the 1984 Lloyd’s Law Reports, the a name as Zubin Mehta but Bombay of course, being with Air India helped
Having graduated from university.
Though his. major preoccupation.
r
8 Parsiana January 1985
Music critic Mody¦K Kt •< .
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make travel easy. Then, having mar
ried an American in 1972, he left India
on a posting the next year and ended
up, sans Air India, in Washington
where he has been since 1980.
Modi keeps himself busy there writ
ing for Ovation which is a classical
music magazine and also for Musical
America for which, incidentally, he is
reporting, though not reviewing, the
Zubin Mehta visit. “I shall be writing
about the Bombay scene, ” he ex
plained, “the return of the favourite
son; the rush for tickets, the
adulation... human interest, you
know...I used to know Zubin when he
lived in Bombay; we’re both Colaba
youngsters, after all!”
Diminutive and chirpy, ever ready
With a joke or a slightly off-colour story
to tease the ladies, Sorab Modi misses raman, Vice-President of India.
Bombay and takes every opportunity
to return to home ground He hasn ’t
missed a jazz yatra yet, and while tak
ing time off to greet old friends, he _
writes up the festival for the Jazz Times world, ” notes the Company ’s press re- she consolidated her gifts with energy,
in Washington. lease. “The Company has successfully giving them direction, drive and
He’s a busy person, our man in completed a record breaking order purpose.
Washington, and he has interviewed worth rupees eight crores for Promise ~ ,
4
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She was very sensitive but she would with the ‘jari.’Although he is a man ot accessible to the Common man, they
not let her sensitivity stand between her few words and calls a spade a spade, his have also brought to an end some eol-
aim and its fulfilment. If she sought advice is much sought after by the le- ourful chapters in the fascinating
help from some “who had enough gion of watch-repairing hobbyists in history of horology. According to B.B
- ¦ Gandhi, chief administrator of Mareks
and Co, quartz time-pieces will never
... , 1---------:__i ---------jV
time-devices because “a watch is not
old shop was, in the hey-days of the just a time piece but an ornament as
Raj, a very elegant store on the fringe well.” Amen!
Reprinted from Free Press Journal .October 16. 1984.
I
fering. A fund in her memory called those days, it occupied the whole block qj| vision
“The Gool Shavaksha Memorial around today ’s smart little shop oppo- »
Fund” is a fitting tribute to her memory site the Rajabai Clock Tower. It sold A third generation eye specialist, Dr
and deserves wide support. items of gold, silver and precious Cyrus Minoo Shroff plans to expand
____ ¦ and modernize the retina services ” at
meters; spectacles, eyeglasses, marine the Dr Shroffs Charity Eye Hospital at
musical instruments. Its reputation for by his paternal grandfather in 1914, “has
quality goods was sufficiently high to a bed strength of 177, and clinical work
warrant an interesting entry in The there is recognized by the University of
money to choke a yawning hippo ” and Bombay.
was denied it, she would not despair, or E_S _____ . .
take amiss, or halt her march. She Randeria had worked with Mareks and totally replace mechanical and antique
would try elsewhere and would not Co. for nearly 10 years. The 160-year-
scoff at minor contributions even. <
All was grist that came to her mill, ]
for her “mill” was suffering humanity of the fashionable Esplanade, the so-
and her assignment to alleviate its suf- cial rendezvous of the British gentry. In
Before becoming its proprietor.
. .f
i!
Buji Chinoy stones; watchcs. clocks and chrono-
Excerplsfrom The Daily September 30, J9S4.
and field glasses: pianofortes and other Delhi. The hospital which was founded
quality goods was sufficiently high to a bed strength of 177, and clinical work
Keeping time
Most of us find, I am sure, that repair
ing and restoring watches and clocks in
Bombay is not at all systematized. It is column ‘A Hundred” Years Ago ’ (Fri- thalmology) Examination, ” notes a press
largely a hit-or-miss affair—and very day. May 2. 1K84).
costly. Valuable time-pieces have to be The introduction of quartz crystals in After completing his junior residen-
put away in mothballs and anxious vis- I _
its made to Chor Bazar to find the odd has revolutionized the time-keeping in- Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences,
fuse chain or a rusty hair-spring to re- ( "
place worn-out parts. If lucky, one
could sometimes persuade friends with « humbandgi organized by the C EP-Youth Wing on Parsi New Year day at
a watch-repainng hobby to tackle de
funct pieces.
It will be a relief, therefore, when
Rado ’s training centre puts the whole
thing on a professional basis. There is a
dearth of well-trained watch-repairers.
Rado Watch Co Ltd, the third largest
watch manufacturer of Switzerland,
has recently introduced a scheme for
conducting training courses for watch
repair technicians who will eventually
man service centres of the numerous
Rado agents all over the world. Such a
scheme is the first of its kind in India
and meets a long-standing need. As
Rado makes nearly one million
watches annually, of which half are
quartz-made, trainees will be instruc- W|3
ted in both mechanical and electronic
time technology. Initially, a batch of 10 . '
will be trained, and the centre will be
run under the expert guidance and
over-all control of Dhun Randeria,
proprietor of Mareks and Co, agents
for Rado.
Dhun Randeria is a horology en
gineer (the science of accurately
measuring the hours), one of the very,
very few Indians to hold such a
specialized degree. He has rescued |
many priceless heirloom time-pieces
which would otherwise have ended up
Times offndia of May 2,1884. under its London for their D,O.(Diploma in Oph-
release.
The introduction of quartz crystals in .
1942. and later, of Integrated Circuits, cy in ophthalmology at Dr Rajendra
dustry. While they have made watches New Delhi, in 1982, Cyrus did a fellow-
IVadia Atash Bahram: Dastur Firoze Kotwal, Kersi Limathwalla (centre) and BPP
chairman Dr Aspi GolwaHa (extreme right)
iMII Obi
11 Parsiana January 1985
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ship in vitreoretinal surgery at Sankara
Netralaya, Madras under the renowned
specialist. Dr S. S.Badrinath. On com
pletion of his tenure there, he was award
ed the Dr V. T. Doshi Gold Medal for
the best fellow in vitreo-retinal surgery
for the year 1983.
Cyrus completed his schooling from
the Modern School, New Delhi and his
MBBS from the All India Institute of
Medical Sciences. Throughout his school
and college career, he has been interested
in debating, dramatics and creative
writing and has won many awards, notes Shroff (left): retina services, Patel (centre):
his biodata. research in tuberculosis and leprosy, Irani
(right): ‘proud to be an Indian’
was lapped up by an audience with a MoOS ill Maoriland
Behind this gimmickry is rigid phy- Ms Meher Moos, the perennial travel
ler is in New Zealand right now, in the
heart of Maoriland.
In a letter, written during a flight
'1,
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Dr Minoo Shroff, Cyrus ’ father, is
presently the chief medical officer and
managing trustee of Dr Shroff s Charity sprinkling of film stars.
Eye Hospital. Cyrus’grandfather Dr S.P.
Shroff, was one of the founders of the sical training and mental conditioning.
Delhi Parsi Anjuman and its president Majra now has under his tutelage over
for almost 30 years, states the press
release.
a thousand students and conducts regular
classes at the suburb ’s prestigious Vile from Wellington to Christchurch, she
Parle Kelavani Mandal.
Reprinted from The Daily, November 20. 1984.
mentions the local Maori food that she
flrpnk'ino' ipp Reprinted from The Daily, November 20.1984. been trying out. Most of the cook-
uicaiKuig ivv done underground, in the natural
Recently in a public audiovisual demon- pu £ P f I steam ofgeysers and hot springs. Anda
stration by the Go Ju Kensha Karate — * IO* x aid menu includes steamed or smoked eel,
do at the Bhaidas Hall, a spectacular Ms Rubina Jamshed Patel is Pakistan ’s wild boar with local berry sauce, raw
feat of strength was staged by sensei first Zoroastrian to be awarded a Ph.D. fish marinated in lemon juice, and
Viraf Majra, who is the chief instructor in microbiology and genetic engineering the meat of the Shearwater bird. Plus
and Director. Reportedly for the first from the department of immunology Maori bread and dried fruits in port
time in the country, five blocks of ice, and infectious diseases. School of Hy-
each weighing around 250 kilos, were giene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins
shattered one after another by Majra University, USA according to a write
with deftly placed blows.
This finale was preceded by the usual
exercises, or Katas in Karate parlance, assignment at the Harvard University, all the exciting places, others go to New
smashing of roof tiles over a blazing department of tropical public health, York.
fire, repelling attacks by armed men by Harvard School Of Public Health to do
unarmed women and breaking of sticks research in tuberculosis and leprosy
on naked backs and forearms. All this under Dr John David.
Ph.D. for Patel
up.
Presently Patel is on a post-doctorate
wine as a salad.
Next stop: Mt. Cook, then crossing
the mountain ranges for seven days,
then on to Tahiti and the South Pacific.
As the man said; Some people go to
Reprinted from Mid-Day November 10, J984.
B
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12 Parsiana January 1985
h'
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Queen of Nations
Hilla Irani looked stunned when crowned
the Queen of Nations in a glittering
ceremony in Sydney this week.
A 21-year-old hotel management
student from Bombay, Hilla had to
compete with beauties from Australia,
Italy, Germany, Wales, South Africa,
Netherlands, Hungary, Malta and Lit
huania.
“I was so happy and thrilled and
proud to be an Indian and so surprised
that I won. The honour I share with
Indians here and at home, ” she said. It
was the first time India was represented
in the 10-year history of the Quest of
Nations in New South Wales.
The Quest aims at raising money
Majra: 'feat of strength'I
¦i
I
for the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic
Association, making the public more ¦
aware of these unfortunate sufferers and H
of how they can be helped by better H
equipment, rehabilitation programmes H
and surgery. The Quest also allows the H
many ethnic groups in New South Wales H
to share ’ their culture and heritage. ¦
Hilla, a petite attractive brunette, H
was asked searching questions on the fl
culture of India (from saris to the British H
in India) as well as on Indo-Aussie H
relationships. As part of her money- H
raising activities, she, with the help of H
the Indo-Australian Cultural Society, H
organized a spectacular tableau to bring H
alive the rich heritage of India and her B
people. The crowning ceremony took H
place in the presence of Air-Marshal fl
Sir James Rowland, the governor of H
New South Wales and Lady Rowland, fl
The consul general of India. A.K. Ban-
nerjee, was also present.
Hilla is grateful to her parents for
their support during the entire year of
her Quest. Her father. Noshir Irani, is
the live-wire president of the Indo-Austra
lian Zoroastrian Association in Sydney.
Among the many prizes Hilla re
ceived was a return trip for two to San
Francisco by Qantas, $1,200 spending
money, a course in modelling and an
expensive fur coat.
Hilla’s ambition is to complete her
course in hotel management, start her
own restaurant and continue helping
the paraplegics and the quadriplegics.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Reprinted from Sunday Mid-Day, November 19,
1984.
>
1
A shawl and a scroll being
presented to Dr Aspi
Golwalla, BPP and
Federation chairman at
function hosted by Karachi
Parsi Anjuman Trust Fund in
December 1983 at the
Hormusjee Katrak Hall,
Karachi: (from left) Ms
Goshpi B. Avari, Godrej
Sidhwa, Dr Aspi Golwalla
and Dinshaw A vari
characteristic of acquiring things and
maintaining them as well as the crown
jewels. That is why a Parsi owner-
driven car fetches more premium.
A typical example was provided by
an ageing, soft-spoken, Parsi gentle
man attired in black coat and topi and a
shy smile underneath his silver grey
moustache, who came to our office car-
. rying an ivory paper cutter with a
\ calendar of the year 1901 inscribed on it
and a rail ticket from Churchgate to
Dadar bought on July 30.1954, costing
three annas then.
The paper-cutter issued by the
Bombay Fire and Marine Insurance
Co. Ltd. (advertising wasn ’t as much in
its infancy then), has an interesting
. __ story behind it. According to our
friend, newspapers were not automati
cally slit 40-50 years ago and they had to
and his graduation in commerce from be cut open with fingers or paper-
the H. R. College of Commerce and cutters like the one ’s issued by the in-
. J
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Modi: 'best oratory*
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Thus spake Modi
Since 1983 when Pesi Modi started
competing in speech competitions, he
has won several prizes. For the best
oratory at the UNI-FESTA, organized Economics, Bombay. In aquatic events surancefirm.
by the students of YMCA in Bombay in Modi used to regularly win prizes in Even more trivial is the train ticket.
September 1984, Modi was awarded the
V. K.Krishna Menon Memorial Trophy by associations like the YMCA, the ence. The Parsi gent remembers that
which was donated by the Blitz Group Cricket Club of India and the Road the ticke t examiner was not present and
of Publications. Modi spoke on “Life Safety Patrol. “Though my past devo- the stub remained with him.
is a dream, death an awakening.” tion was to swimming, ” says Modi, “I Obviously both these items are ot no
Studying for his Ilnd LL.B. at the am presently fond of squash and bad- importance or value but it provides a
Government Law College, Bombay, minton. ” Modi is also fond of playing glimpse of the character of the person
Modi has participated in intercollegiate the guitar and singing. especially as both are so well-preserved
debate, impromptu speech and elocu- with not a chip on the paper-cutter and
tion competitions organized by the col-
leges of Bombay and the Rotoract Club. * rv!»crvc lui friend’s name — well, he very defi-
He is presently working with the noted Apart from the fact that Parsis the nitely does not want it mentioned as he
law firm of Mulla and Mulla and Craigie world over are known for their altruism does not consider this preservation any
Blunt and Caroe. and charity, there is another trait, apart special feat. And who are we to break
Modi completed his schooling from from querulousness, which disting- an old man ’s confidence?
the Cathedral and John Cannon School uishes them from the rest. This is their Reprinted from The Daily August 20,1984.
IK
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Modi used to regularly win prizes in
inter-collegiate competitions organized probably the oldest local ticket in exisi-
tion competitions organizeo oy tne coi- fnr nncfpritv
leges of Bombay and the Rotoract Club. l^rCMJrve lor puswniy
13 Parsiana January 1985
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NEWS ANALYSIS
s *¦ ** “
/J
The election that never was
Intense behind the scenes maneuvering
marked the unfought contest for BPP trusteeship.
•I ¦
-
. •*!
Till the last day of registering nomina- remarked that he was certain Guzder Dadi Engineer (noted lawyer and cur-
tions for the Bombay Parsi Punchayet would return to the Punchayet unop- rent CER president) or anyone else
trusteeship election scheduled for Feb- posed. On November 20, a small news with comparable credentials; but the
ruary 2, no one knew if retiring trustee item in the Bombay based newspaper, CER is said to have declined to make
Jamshed N. Guzder would seek reelec- The Daily, noted that Godrej was to any such “political adjustments. ”
tion for his seat against noted Indus- stand for election against Guzder. A Selecting and then getting Godrej to
trialist Naoroji P. Godrej. few days later Godrej wrote a letter to stand was a tactical stroke of genius for
When contacted over .the phone on the Press that appeared in the Jam-e- Ranina. There are few people in the
Sunday, January 20, at his weekend Jamshed stating he was a candidate for community who could stand against
Marve resort, Guzder said he was still the election. Guzder and hope to win. Guzder is
not certain. On Monday, the penulti- Why did the introverted business- well-versed in community politics hav-
mate day for filing registration, inqui- man change his mind and decide to ing fought a bitterly contested election
ries at the BPP showed his nomination run? The answer was an intense lobby
had not been received. On Tuesday,
Guzder issued a press release stating he
would not contest against Godrej but
« should another vacancy arise, he might
opt for it. The next vacancy is expected
. to be that of Jamsheed Kanga, the
founder president of the Committee for
Electoral Rights (now renamed Coun
cil for Economic Revival).
Kanga, who has still another seven
years of his trusteeship term to com
plete, has been contemplating resigning led by BPP trustee Homi Ranina, Ne- Even the CER, which Guzder had hel-
because of his duties as Municipal Ad- ville and Nusli Wadia of the Bombay ped to found, could not publicly sup-
ministrator of Bombay. He is both Dyeing group of companies and others port him as they were on record as be-
pressured for time and conscious that such as industrialist Naval Tata. The ing in favour of shorter terms of office
holding trusteeship may conflict with Wadias and Guzder were business as- for trusteeship. Guzder had promised
professional duties. Kanga’s exit would sociates of many years standing but the CER that should the courts even-
also permit both Guzder and Godrej to had fallen out in recent times. Diffe- tually decide on a shorter term of office
serve on the board. rences over the sale of the Jyoti Studio he would agree to serve only those
Thus ends some of the most hectic premises next to Ness Baug, built by number of years even though the re-
behind the scenes maneuvering for the Wadias, added to the feud. form would not legally be applicable to
trusteeship in recent times. The com- - • • - -
promise also avoided a showdown bet
ween two powerful and influential peo- had lent his support to the CER candi- man committee meeting held by the
pie in the community. Had they taken date Fall Poncha who stood unsuccess- CER at the Indian Merchants ’ Cham-
to campaigning, the fallout from the fully against Ranina in the BPP trus- ber on December 8, 1984.
charges and counter charges would teeship election of June, 1984. Kanga, When Guzder’s chances of reelection
have been damaging. Poncha and the CER leadership ’s sym- appeared dim, efforts were made to get
Godrej ’s entry into the race came as pathy also lay with Guzder as Godrej another sitting trustee to resign to
a surprise to the community. A publi- had assisted Ranina in that election by make way for both Godrej and Guz-
’city-shy individual who has basically enrolling voters on the F (donors ’) der. But aside from Kanga it hardly
involved himself with the working of register.(an amount of Rs 5,(X)0 or over seemed likely anybody else would
his large industrial concern and related has to be donated to qualify for mem- oblige. The CER leadership privately
; social welfare schemes, Godrej had bership on the register). voiced concern at the power a person
repeatedly, over the years, spurned of
fers to stand for trusteeship. In Octo- CER, Ranina is said to have offered his chayet and someone even jokingly
ber 1984, at the executive council meet- total backing to the CER if they agreed claimed the BPP would be renamed the
ing of the Federation of Parsi Zoroas- to field a candidate against Guzder Godrej and Boyce Private Punchayet.
trian Anjumans of India, Federation such as Minoo Shroff (management ex- Guzder’s camp also prepared to
and BPP chairman Dr Aspi Golwalla pert and vice-president of the CER), mount an offensive to show that God-
f
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15 Parsiana January 1985
Why did the introverted business-
J
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Efforts were made to
get another sitting
trustee to resign to
make way for both
Godrej and Guzder.
in 1975 against lawyer Jimmy Shroff
who was supported by one of the king
makers of those days, former BPP
trustee Dr Nelie Noble. Guzder also
helped the CER rout the orthodox alli
ance backed by former BPP chairman
B.K. Boman-Behram in the 1981 Anju
man Committee elections. But Godrej
was one candidate who could defeat
Guzder.
Guzder’s greatest drawback was
that he was seeking a second term.
'*1
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Ranina had reason to oppose Guzder him. The new CER leader Dadi Engi-
as Guzder is a CER sympathizer and neer made this statement at the anju-
Despite his differences with the like Godrej would assert in the Pun-
Aft'
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down after five years and thereafter, if
The Guzder camp also noted that the 1 feel so inclined. I’ll stand again.” An-
c
rej ’s largesses in building houses at candidates.
Godrej Baug on lands adjacent to '__ ______ . . _
Doongerwadi and elsewhere was only people conducting Godrej ’s campaign juman Committee members Burjor
to house his own employees at the com- were not of his stature and basically Paymaster and Dickie Spencer, extol-
munity ’s expense. consisted of the old CUZ (Committee Irng the virtues of the Godrej family'
Godrej demonstrated his standing of United Zoroastrians) alliance that and of Naoroji, the man of action,
was in earnest by issuing his manifesto lost the 1-981 elections,
a few days after announcing his candi
dature. When the two seat option was
put to him he insisted that he would
only contest Guzder’s seat; if Guzder ches to Godrej ’s downtown office and done a lot for the community. The
wished he could occupy Kanga or any
one else ’s seat. Godrej was adamant on
contesting Guzder’s seat so aS to
reportedly detiy him the opportunity to
be chairman of the BPP, a position
which traditionally has been filled by partaken, Ranina introduced Godrej as said that Godrej, whom he has known
seniority. BPP chairman Dr Aspi Gol-
walla’s term expires in October 1988 eighth of the community residing in
and Guzder, at present, is next in se
niority. If Guzder contests on Kanga’s
seat he may be considered the junior-
most trustee as that may involve a
break in his trusteeship term.
Even if Kanga does step down,
there is no guarantee that Ranina
or some other group does not put
up a candidate for that seat. But
Guzder is confident on beating other
were not of his stature and basically Paymaster and Dickie Spencer, extol-
consisted of the old CUZ (Committee Irng the virtues of the Godrej family
noted how Indian political and com-
While Guzder did not issue any munity affairs suffered from a surfeit
manifesto, Godrej ’s campaigning was of words. Ranina concluded' the eve-
also low key. Voters were called in bat- ning with the words, “His family has
addressed briefly by Godrej and then least you can do is cast a vote in his
by his supporters. At one meeting God- favour. ”
rej dutifully met all the approximately
70-80 people assembled on his terrace burly of Punchayet politics is still to be
where, after the refreshments had been seen, Guzder had once light-heartedly
How Godrej will adjust to the hurly-
the largest employer of Parsis — “one- personally for many years, will pro
bably tire of the manner in which the
Bombay. ” Brief tnough the introduc- Punchayet functions and resign in dis-
tion had been, Godrej ’s speech was gust within five years. Aside from the
briefer. Hoping this would be his last Punchayet, there is also the Federation
meeting with voters, Godrej noted that and the issues confronting the commu-
there was little to talk about since all he nity scattered all over the country and
had to say had already been spelt out in abroad. But, having survived the in-
the manifesto. Then, introducing what
he described as “a healthy practice,”
he added, “Although I’m told I can
hold the office for 10 years. I’ll step pursues it to the end.
tense maneuvering that surrounded his
candidature, Godrej has demonstrated
that once he sets his mind to a goal, he
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17 Parsiana January 1985?
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Guzder opts out
— BPP trustee Jamshed Guzder —
gives his reasons for not contesting
the election.
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but also to our fellOw-Zoroastrians
around the world I had given the high
est priority to the organization of this
event. I was so engrossed in this that I
had given hardly any thought to the
matter of my election. 1 had not issued
any manifesto, I had not publicly de
clared my intention to stand and, in
fact, I had taken no effective steps at
all in connection with the election.
In the meantime, a short while ago.
i
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I had agreed to
stand —not for the
full term of 10 years
but only for the
shorter period as
may be fixed by the
court.
I
Mr Naoroji Godrej announced his can
didature to offer himself as a trustee to
fill the vacancy created on my retire
ment.
It so happened that a few weeks ago
one of the trustees expressed a desire to
1
1
- ' resign as a trustee of the Punchayet
My term as a. trustee of the Bombay have any personal ambition to con- My term as a. trustee of the Bombay have any personal ambition to con- owing to new preoccupations. He felt
Parsi Punchayet Funds and Properties tinue as a trustee indefinitely but that it was not possible for him to spare
will soon be over — to be exact on Fe- because I was persuaded to stand by a the time or do justice to the work of the
bruary25, 1985 — and it seems to have large number of people and friends. Punchayet.
become a cause for a great deal of con- Their contention is that since I was the Therefore, when Mr Godrej declared
cern within our community.
Doubts have been expressed whether mittee, which initiated the scheme for Mr Godrej had consented to ’serve the
I will be standing for reelection. Mr the housing project for the construe- community and offered himself as a
Naoroji Godrej has even gone on re
cord to declare — unwittingly, I am
sure — that he has decided to fill the Parsi Punchayet, if I devoted further With this I was fully in agreement,
vacancy that I shall be creating. of my time to see this project through. Therefore, he approached Mr God-
Even during the Fourth World Zo- _ ,
roastrian Congress, innumerable peo- not for the full term of 10 years but on- time ago he had decided to resign, in
pie, who met me, expressed the hope ly for the shorter period as may be fix- any case, this was the most opportune
that I would stand for reelection and < ,
continue to serve the community, and to be introduced after March 1985.
they very kindly assured me of their
support.
Although I have completed 10 years been appointed the chairman and the munity that I, also, should continue as
as a trustee, it was my intention to of
fer myself for reelection, not because I
Their contention is that since I was the
chairman of the Economic Sub-Com- his candidature, this trustee felt that as
tion of 1,000 flats, it would be in the trustee, this opportunity should not be
interests of the community, and the lost and Mr Godrej should be elected.
of my time to see this project through.
Therefore, I had agreed to stand — rej and informed him that since some
not for the full term of 10 years but on-
ed by the court under the new scheme moment for him to do so, in which case
Mr Godrej could fill his vacancy.
At the same time, this trustee felt Because of the Fourth World Zo
roastrian Congress, of which I had that it was in the interests of the com-
success of which was so important, not a trustee, because, having worked very
only to the Parsi Zoroastrians in India closely with me on the Economic Sub-
i
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18 Parsiana January 1985• •¦,f
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Mr Godrej suggested that I should
offer myself for reelection
in the vacancy that may be caused by the
trustee who wished to resign.
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Committee and the housing project, he Band Paivaste, meaning Bound Toge-
yuas very keen that as he was not in a ther Unitedly — Forever. At this Con-
position to continue as a trustee, I, at
least, should be on the Board of Trus
tees for the successful and quick imple- munity should set an example in terms
mentation of the housing project. - . .
Mr Godrej, however, was of the opi
nion that as he had already made a _____ _ ______ _
public announcement that he desired to sounding immodest, 1 believe 1 have
stand for the vacancy to be created on served the interests of the Parsi Pun-
my retirement, he would like to do so, chayet with honesty and competence,
and he suggested instead that I should and have also been of service to very
offer myself for reelection in the va- large numbers of my community who
cancy that may be caused by the trustee have approached me with a variety of
who wished to resign. problems. Considering also that Mr
As far as I am concerned, 1 am not Godrej has expressed such keenness to
fully in favour of my trustee colleague stand in my place, I believe it is for me
resigning. My feeling is that he has to set an example, which I hope will
gress, there were pleas from young and
old alike that the elders of the com-
of unity, harmony and leadership.
1 have already served one term of 10
years as a trustee and, at the risk of
made a good contribution and he guide the way in which future elections
1 . should continue in the service of the will be carried out, by allowing Mr
community, especially since he has not Godrej to stand as a candidate for my
yet completed one full term. vacancy, unopposed. Therefore, I have
I am firmly of the belief that the taken a decision not to stand for my
election of a trustee, which need not be
uncontested, should be an event mark
ed by dignity and good behaviour. Un
fortunately, at times, the election has
degenerated into political squabbles tached or without insisting on any quid
J seems unfortunate that the pro quo, because I believe that a per-
methods employed by politicians are son of his standing, representing the
S now slowly being introduced into the family that he does, should also be
elections of the Parsi Punchayet. given an opportunity to serve the com-
r n}ours and accusations of padding munity as 1 have done by giving of
of the electoral roll, attempts to win himself in terms of personal involve-
voters by giving receptions and parties,
j canvassing being done by proxy by a ------------ - ----- -
large number of agents going round volving the Parsi Punchayet in needless
praises of one candidate expenditure, would undoubtedly give
and denigrating the other, is something an opportunity to all sorts of persons
that IS totally distasteful to me. to create all types of disunity and
I reel that no one should have any disharmony in the community as we
vested interest m the Parsi Punchayet have regrettably seen in the past
u J -------- ¦ However, as I have stated above, my
e of anybody. Therefore, an offer to desire to serve the community remains
serve as a trustee should be motivated unchanged. If an opportunity should
by the thought of serving the com- arise and a vacancy occurs in the
munity and not himself. future, and if it is the wish of my
• 22”® friends and supporters that I should
~ ~ : J : contest such a vacancy for a trustee, I
¦ certainly give due consideration
.X proposal. However, I have
- —.......... 1 not stand for elec
tion to fill the vacancy caused by my
own retirement.
I
vacancy.
I must make it clear that in doing so,
I shall give Mr Godrej my sincere
cooperation, without any strings at-
pro quo, because I believe that a per-
so ’i .of his standing, representing the
, - ----------- ---------------
given an opportunity to serve the com-
ment, time and energy. To insist upon
a a contest at this time, apart from im
and it should not be the private preser-
com-
these recent developments and I have
an opportunity to all sorts of persons
to create all types of disunity and
and the sentiments that were so strong- .u.., „ p.v,pv,-,ai
ly expressed by so many members of resolved that I will
the community during the Fourth Wor
ld Zoroastrian Congress, just comple
ted, and highlighted by its theme Ham-
January 22, 1985
19 Parsiana January 1985
'
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The Godrej campaign
Industrialist Naoroji Godrej believes the Punchayet's resources
should produce better results.
Arnavaz S. Mama
‘‘They disburse Rs 80 lakhs or so, 1
understand. With 80 lakhs, one can do reported by the Press, ‘‘the trustees
quite a lot. ” Naoroji P. Godrej, mana- must give weightage to those views. ..
ging director of Godrej and Boyce It is always possible that all trustees
- Mfg Co Pvt Ltd was referring to the cannot share the same views. If a trus-
activities of the Bombay Parsi Puncha- tee, however, feels strongly on any im-
yet, seated in his downtown office portant issue and is making no head
overlooking Bombay ’s Azad Maidan way in its implementation, he is always substantial housing to cater to the com-
on December 11, 1984.
The muted tones and modest size of
the cabin have their own tale to tell of
the pleasant greying man of medium
build dressed in workaday whites who
. governs an industrial organization
which is amongst the largest of India’s
closely held companies. The quietly ef
ficient Godrej, whose manifesto was
published on his sixty-eighth birthday,
is contesting a seat on the BPP’s board
of trustees against Jamshed. Guzder
‘ who is seeking reelection. Guzder’s
10-year term of trusteeship expires end
February.
The keenly contested poll scheduled cannot achieve what you have set out other such lands available. There is
to bfe held on February 2, 1985, has to do for the community. ” land in Thane, which is not very far
evinced some fresh peculiarities as Godrej ’S priorities are housing, edu- now. After exhausting all available
Godrej, who confesses himself a libe
ral, emerges as the doyen of the conser
vative lobby.
‘‘There is no reason why we cannot
. work with all people, orthodox or libe
ral. There would be no problem if employees and have also three schools
everybody had the same aim of uplift- plus a technical institution, where more
ing the community,
adding matter of factly, ‘‘1 don ’t ex- educated. ‘‘As far as the first two through academic education should get
pect everybody to agree with me every priorities are concerned, ” Godrej technical education. That should be
time.” quipped, ‘‘practically everything 1 have strengthened... Over the years our
Despite his jjaternalistic reputation been doing in my own company. It is young people have been going ab-
• within the fathMy, the company and the same thing — nothing new, nothing road... Opportunities can be created
among associate^ Godrej professes different.” so that poor people are not a burden on
strong democratic leanings: ‘‘The trus- Godrej, who hitherto had turned the community. . .with Rs 80 lakhs
tee should be accountable to the com
munity,” he feels, ‘‘otherwise the for trusteeship of the Punchayet, has could have been done. ” While Godrej
needs and aspirations of the commu- an explanation to offer for his decision
nity are not satisfied. ” He also believes
that the Press should be correctly trea
ted as a conduit between the trustees comparatively free; formerly, it would representations to the courts, he says,
and the community: ‘‘Parsis must have been impossible ” he notes, refer- He is optimistic, ‘‘If the right approach
know what ’s happening ” and if certain ring to the time factor. He also feels is made, the courts may accept it and
views prevail in the community and are that ‘‘the Punchayet whose funds are
so vast, can do much more than it has
hitherto been doing. ..
‘‘The community has gradually be
come poorer than before. With the
funds and lands at- th6 disposal of the
Punchayet, they can probably provide
free to step down as there is no useful munity ’s needs. . .housing can also be
self-generating if tenements are built
on ownership basis. ”
On the subject of a dharamshala in
Bombay, Godrej concedes, ‘‘There ’s a
need for it also but if we have a large
housing program, this could be accom
modated within that scheme. More
than anything else, Parsis need hous
ing...” Godrej spoke about Gilder
Baug in Andheri administered by a pri
vate trust where they had land which is
being developed jointly by the Kuka
Trust, the Gilder Trust and the Godrej
purpose served in being a trustee, if you Foundation. “I am sure there may be
11
Why shouldn't the
whole community
vote? Every
adult* Parsi.
should have
the right to vote."
/i
' 20 Parsiana January 1985
to do for the community. ”
Godrej ’S priorities are housing, edu
cation and the upliftment of the land, we must buy some rpore land, if
mobeds. He feels that he has enough needed. Parsis ’ housing problem can
experience in the field of housing and be solved, that ’s my feeling — if we go
education as the Godrejs have con
structed vast housing colonies for their
about it the right way...”
‘‘Secondly, there is more unemploy
ment than before — beggary as you
can see, which was never the case in the
smiles Godrej, than 3,000 students are today being early days ... people who cannot go
the same thing — nothing new, nothing
Godrej, who hitherto had turned
down the plea of well-wishers to stand available for so many years past, much
concedes that the funds may be ear
marked for specific causes, it may be to enter the fray at this juncture. ‘‘Now
that my son Jarnshyd is with us, I am possible to alter the same by making
have been impossible ” he notes, refer
ring to the time factor. He also feels^,-
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The interview was conducted
before J am shed Guzder’s decision
to withdraw from the election
the community will not reject it.” I
Nor does Godrej see any problem in P
working with six colleagues on the BPP
Board. ‘‘1 don ’t see why they would
not accept a good suggestiqn. In my
own company also, 1 don ’t take all the p
decisions ... it is a bad organization if
it runs on only one person. Thirty years
ago when we were oh. a shoe-string
budget, yes; hot any more! ” he laughs.
B:
/
Bjw.i 11
M hew of Ardeshir Godrej who founded
j Gbdrej and Boyce Mfg Co Pvt Ltd
'‘ft’
I in 1897 and the son of Pirojsha Godrej '
j who consolidated the pioneering vi-
sions of his brother, Naoroji joined the i
I J family concern in 1933 at the age of 17
. , ... . ¦¦¦->¦ and has worked his way up from the J
converted to Zoroastrianism two years shop floor. The Godrej township in the i
ago. Godrej is, however, categorical; - • f
„ “We do not and should not convert
“Five years is long enough for any people; so doing this sort of thing does
trustee to prove his mettle,” says God
rej. “Then, if you are not able to con
tribute anything, you will be account
able to the electorate and thrown out
automatically ... only then will trustees
be truly effective.” The current indi
rect system of voting does not appeal shrines — Godrej reckons that “the
to Godrej either. “Why shouldn ’t the
whole community vote? Every adult
Parsi should have the right to vote, ” he
says.
“If you are going to help, help. ”
Godrej ’s wofds typify his approach to religion, there would be no need for
the community ’s problems whether on
the individual or the institutional level.
Speaking of Zoroastrians outside In-
Bombay suburb of Vikhroli where |
14,000 people (1,100 Parsis among
them) who work in Godrej factories ' I
and their families enjoy such infra- j
structural'facilities as schools, medical ?
welfare and sports, was carved out of a J
dense and marshy jungle by Pirojsha J
" ¦ J ¦ ¦ ' ‘__ _______ — ..J -I
percent of the profits of the company 'I
go towards the various charities found- F
ed by the Godrej family, notes God-
rej ’s manifesto. The Pirojsha Godrej , S
not help. It only creates problems,
creates controversies. . .we can ill af
ford controversies. ”
Referring to the obverse of the con-
version com- Parsis marrying outside Godrej in the forties. More than 30
the fold, worshipping at other religious
fault lies with all of us as we have failed
to impart sufficient knowledge about
our own religion, which is our duty. If
we had inculcated our children with
sufficient knowledge to feel for their
Foundation disburses scholarships to
deserving students, gives grants for set
ting up educational institutions, pro
vides medical assistance, cbnstructs *•
housing for the needy. The Soonabai
. Pirojsha Godrej Foundation, a cosmo-
manifesto regarding a body of experts politan trust, is constructing thousands
tn /n^ol vizifH z-* 4-«¦ z«*>z. —J ™ ~
says that “a body of dasturs and know-
them to look elsewhere. ”
Amplifying his statement in the
dia, the problem of forming a world to deal with religious matters, Godrej
body and the raison d’etre of the Con- says that “a body of dasturs and know-
gress, Godrej stressed the economic ledgeable people should work out what
angle: Zoroastrians outside India are is good for us. If we select the right
better off than those here. They have people, it would be accepted. Some will
got the money. They can help the not agree, but in a democracy every-
Zoroastrians in India. Financial help is body won ’t agree. But if the majority
what we should do is send people on Godrej, who has hitherto steered
lecture tours so they can impart reli- t‘__ . ........ uui
gious knowledge to those far away familiar with the work of the Federa-
, from home. Out there people are over
worked. They would welcome compe
tent and knowledgeable people to lec
ture on religious issues. ”
i Despite his generally liberal views,
j Godrej says he .adheres strictly to the itially awakening the community to its nonchalance'about'^e^OuLome'^onhe
canons of the Zoroastrian religion, problemsand privileges “it'r tu
“You cannot physically stop someone Godrej is credited with the expan- decide who should wVTwon ’tWel
re- Sion of his companv as well a., it. in. bad. In any case, in a democracy some
body has to lose and somebody has to
win.”
is good for us. If we select the right
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required here, not there. In return,
on
lecture tours so they can impart reli-
agrees, it would be workable.
of tenements for the lower and middle
income groups. The Godrejs have ¦
donated land to the Sir Ratan Tata
Trust for the construction of a home
for infirm and aged Parsis and to the
B.N. Gamadia Parsi Hunnarshala for
constructing dwelling units for the
weaker sections of the Parsi commu
nity. The Godrej Memorial Trust in I r. |. . . X VIVUIVJ IVIViilVtiai iiuai 111
P comrnunity politics, is not Delhi gives free medical aid to the poor
tion of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of
India or with the policies of the Com
mittee for Electoral Rights (now
named: the Committee for Economic
Revival) but credits the CER with in-
re-
and a technical institution is being set
up in Golvad to give technical educa
tion to school dropouts.
A man of few words with little time
or inclination for the limelight, God
rej ’s perspective includes a relaxed
*
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. canons of the Zoroastrian religion-, problems and privileges.
“You cannot physically stop someone Godrej is credited with the expan-
from embracing Zoroastrianism, re- sion of his company as well as its in-
marks Godrej in reference to Joseph creasing participation in the ameliora-
Peterson, the American engineer who tion of community problems. The nep- Peterson, the American engineer who
21 Parsiana January 1985L'j'
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Running the gauntlet
Sitting trustee Jamshed Guzder is undaunted by efforts made to
ease him out of the trusteeship.
Arnavaz S. Mama
The energetic figure, the fair face chat together about various matters the common good of the communi
crinkling into a smile, has been a fami- but I did not question him why he ’d
liar feature on the community ’s eco- changed his mind, because it was none
political landscape. With sunny opti- of my business ...
mism undimmed by a decade of Pun- “There is a general feeling that the
chayet trusteeship, Jamshed Guzder two of us together ip the Punchayet
has chosen to brave another poll. This would make a solid contribution rather
time, however, he faces a contest, not than one displacing the other. I would ___________________ ____________
against a woolly Pundolite, but an in- also feel from what I’ve heard that he who feel that my reelection as trustee
dustrial magnate known and respected really did not stand against me because will not serve their purpose and that by
within the community and beyond: one or two trustees have expressed hook or by crook an atmosphere be
Naoroji P. Godrej. ..................................... "
In his Neville House office — en
dowed with the gracious proportions
of an earlier era — on December 3 and
5, 1984, Guzder disparaged the need
for a manifesto: “If I issue a manifes
to, what would I say? What little I have
done? Even then people might say I’m
“There is a general feeling that the
ty...
“The unfortunate part of this or any
election is that while both of us may ex
ercise restraint, others will take advan
tage and start attacking one or the
other. From what I have heard, there
are certain people with vested interests
their feeling that if Naval Godrej created so that Jamshed Guzder is not
elected. How far they will succeed re
mains to be seen. ’’
Guzder assesses his winning chances
as being “very good indeed’’ — great
with the F register and good with the E,
adding “I certainly expect to win;
otherwise 1 would not stand. ’’ Guzder
notes that he sacrificed a great many
business interests and passed them on
to his sons who were not very happy
about it for quite some time. “In the
event of not coming iri, I shall immerse
myself back in my business activities, ’’
says Guzder.
Referring to the opposition to the
current Fourth World Zoroastrian
..... ... Congress in a section of the communi-
.1 Guzder and he is perfectly willing to “Having been associated with the ty, Guzder noted: “I also played a part
participate in a public debate with his Godrej family and Naval Godrej for in the Third World Zoroastrian Con-
• opponent, Naoroji (Naval) P. Godrej, •
of whom he says, “I’m given to under-
"It goes against my
belief in good
behaviour to tell the
, ‘ blowing my own trumpet. Rather than plnrtnrpto tho\/
my proclaiming what I may have done, LUI d LU LI Id L LI ItJy
should elect me
because I'm a better
by and large... the community has a
fairly good idea of what I did as a
trustee and I’m sure this includes in
very large measure the members of the
¦ Anjuman Committee, both the E and F
registers, in whose hands it is finally to
elect one or the other. .
1 Words come easily to 68-year-old would be very happy to step down.
“Having been associated with the ty, Guzder noted: “I also played a part
man.
wishes to come in, one or the other
the past many years, I cannot bring gress (then, as now, Guzder was chair-
myself to campaign like a politician man of the organizing committee) and
stand he is a very shy person. He-says and run down my opponent. Therefore people ask what good did this Congress
he ’s agreed to stand only because (BPP it makes it rather difficult for me and it do? But they don ’t realize that this
trustee) Homi Ranina and others have goes against my grain and my belief in Congress was directly responsible for
assured him that they 11 do all the can- good behaviour to tell the electorate the awakening in the community. At
* • vassing and appearing in public and en- that they should elect me because I’m a the concluding session, when I was in
p’ sure him victory on a platter. I repeat better man. That is not right. There-
, that this is hearsay ... He’d all along fore I can only see two alternatives:
' mentioned that he ’d not like to be a ( • • ;
trustee of the Punchayet. .. I think he ’s feel the same way as I do, in which case
been influenced by outsiders. I’d have if an offer should be made or if an im-
expected that if he had certain reserva- mediate occasion should arise for ano-
tions he might have checked them out ther vacancy on the board of trustees,
with me, but he didn’t. After he an- '
¦ nOunced his decision we had a long
the chair, L gave an assurance that we
will involve outsiders in committees to
one is that Naval Godrej would also be set up, consisting of the best brains
in the community from different disci
plines, so that the trustees may get the
benefit of their advice and wisdom.
That is how the first Committee for the
then he may decide to fill that vacancy. Economic Uplift of the community
so that both of us can be trustees for was formed — 1 insisted that only one
5
22 Parsiana January 1985•!|
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The interview was conducted
before Jamshed Guzder's decision
to withdraw from the election
girls are dissatisfied with our boys. The
average girl is more intelligent and go-
getting than the average boy. She ex
pects something from life which she
feels she would not be able to have by
marrying the average Parsi boy. So she
opts for boys of other communities. ..
(So we should) help our young men
and women to make a good start in life
and most important, provide much
needed housing to engaged couples to
reverse the trend of diminishing
numbers and increase our popula
tion. ..
“We should get the maximum or two trustees should be on the Com- rupees for the (Gibbs Road) land.
mittee and the majority outsiders in (There are two options) We can take amount of money from the Gibbs
order to involve the public — out of the maximum amount and build all we Road scheme to buy more land on the
which has evolved the program for can or accept less money and keep the mainland for in the next 20 years com-
housing and utilization of the vacant land (within the community). But then munications will be such that the city
land lying unused with 'the Puncha- another 100 families, without resour-
yet.” . .............. “
The Gibbs Road project, the pro
ceeds of which are expected to fund the yet, Girzder laments, “It’s a common ed at Colaba or around them they did
housing construction scherne of the fallacy at the present moment that the not visualize the forest of skyscrapers
Punchayet, has been the source of con- Punchayet is only the custodian of the at Nariman Point or that the whole of
siderable controversy as the original funds and properties which they hold Malabar Hill would be a concrete fo-
offer of Rs 800 per sq ft — in an area
where the free market price ranges bet
ween Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 — seemed to of the role of the Punchayet is that we where it is still cheap. What is Godrej
a section of the community to be an should be pacesetters for improving the Baug today but the fulfilment of the
outright subsidization of the rich, condition of members of our commu- dream of our grandfathers in 1877?”
There was also fear that earnings from nity. We should intervene very actively It is Guzder’s opinion that ‘The Pun-
the project would be considered busi- and, if necessary, very aggressively chayet feels that the Press is against
ness income liable jo be taxed, said when any of the interests of the com- them. (There is a) lacuna because the
Guzder. Accordingly, on the advice of munity is in any manner threatened or trustees are not bothered to take the
experts, the Punchayet switched the jeopardized. The part we should play is Press into confidence. (There should
original plan of building and offering also one of maintaining harmony and be) an exchange of views. ” However,
flats there, into offering the land on unity in the community, maintaining a while there should be “more ongoing
long lease to a builder or society. On proper balance between the extreme or- rapport with the Press, ” Guzder says,
further consultation, however, Guzder thodox and the extreme radicals. In the “I also feel that the Press, in order to
said, “It was switched to building our- context of present circumstances and sell, should not create controversy and
selves on condition that it would be a way of life, the Punchayet must give run the Punchayet down. ” Personally,
part of the whole scheme, including leadership to the younger generation, Guzder claims, he ’s “very happy with
Godrej Baug, Andheri, etc, and not in revive the spirit of entrepreneurship, the Press. They ’ve treated me. fairly
isolation. .. bring about conditions which would gently and I’ve always gone out of my
“The Punchayet has received an of- prevent mixed marriages ... if you ana- way, whenever possible, to be frank
fer of four and a half to five crores of lyze mixed marriages you find that our with them and inform them of the va-
23 Parsiana January 1985
J fi
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41
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*
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which grows on the mainland will be a
ces, would be left out. ” second Bombay. When our grand
Speaking on the role of the Puncha- fathers stood on Napean Hill and look- .
on behalf of the community. While rest. Therefore we must think ahead
that may be so in some sense, my idea and invest in land across the harbour
- i
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rious activities. ”
Guzder recounted the history of the
Federation from the time when,even
BPP trustees were foggy about its ex
istence and workings, to the clash of
personalities between Shiavax Nargol-
wala and B.K. Boman-Behram so that
eventually the BPP resigned in a huff
and pied piperishly induced other an
jumans to follow suit, to the eventual
' rapproachment under the chairman
ship of Dr Aspi Golwalla and said,
“The Federation today, in my opinion,
has really become the focal point, a
centre of the community for the large
and small anjumans scattered around
India. It has started some very useful
schemes like employment, assistance in
self-employment, giving advice to the
small anjumans of India, establishing a
counselling service for Parsi boys and
girls and for the first time the small an
jumans of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh etc are beginning to look
to the Federation for help and guid-
¦ ance. Unfortunately, even though it is
held by some of the trustees of the BPP
that the BPP trustees are akabars and
there should not be another body
superceding the Punchayet it must be
admitted, that the BPP because of its
<
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Phone 240031
. 24 Pars/ana January 1985
appear before them and hold myself
accountable for the period I had been
trustee (about mid-term). I believed,
and I still believe, that the trustees are
accountable to the community and the .
precedent that had been set for the past
300 years, of the trustees not being an
swerable to anybody because they can’t
do any wrong, was not desirable in the
present context. This was not very ac
ceptable to some of my co-trustees.
However, by persuasion I was able to
convince my co-trustees that instead of
an individual trustee appearing before
the Anjuman Committee, all the trus
tees should appear collectively and this
was done in ’82 when a meeting was
called of the Anjuman Committee
when four trustees were present. This
practice has now been accepted by the
trustees. A similar meeting was to be
called in November but was postponed
JI ¦¦IV u. . -_ J___ J- demise of the Prime Minis-
of India the Federation will ter. Therefore I have set a trend.
3 “Secondly, we believe charity begins
Parsi community, (that is) scattered at home. Yet our own people, our own
1 ? so grossly underpaid.
When I took this up and suggested we
do something about it, 1 was rebuked:
‘Where can we get the money from? ’
So I persuaded my trustees to amend
the pattern of investment of our funds
of Neville and in the last five years our average
particular role and preoccupations,
was never able to reach out to the four
corners of India. Even the adjoining
anjumans of Gujarat would approach
the Surat Parsi Punchayet. That is why
today and in the years to come, I firmly
believe that with the help and assis-
'My idea of the role
of the Punchayet is
that we should be
pacesetters for
improving the
condition of our
community."
tance of the BPP and the major anju
mans t. . ,
serve a most useful role in keeping the
around India, together and make the employees, are
big and small anjumans feel that at last
their voice will be heard. ”
On the subject of the Jyoti Studio
property deal, Guzder says his role was
merely one of conveying to the Pun
chayet, at the request cf
Wadia’ the initial offer of Rs 55 lakhs yield has gone up by 25 to 30 pycent,
from Shapoor Irani. According to bringing in comparatively higher m-
Guzder the deal had been struck by come. As a result, the effective salaries
Neville Wadia who wished Guzder, as and wages paid today are much higher
a friend and a trustee, to convey the of- t—.......—- ¦
fer to the Punchayet and get their process of paying higher wages and
okay which Guzder did. When the salaries is continuing and, before my
matter was first criticized publicly at a term ends, it is my intention to per-
CER iashan everyone sat up and took suade my trustees to give another sub-
a iwrv, ottiM diuiiuui — X-------
Neville Wadia given only last month. However, it
must be kept in mind that the BPP is
fore, this ongoing process of increasing
Wadia Regarding the costs must not reach that stage where,
because of the limited pattern of in-
and wages paid today are much higher
than those paid five years ago. This
notice that the price was too low, said stantial increase, a part of which was
Guzder. By this time Neville Wadia given only last month. However^ it
was out of India and Guzder says that i--------------
relations between him and the Wadias not an industrial institution^ and mer^^^
began to sour when he tried to con
vince Neville -----
price. Subsequently, says Guzder, the
114111 u^ai wao ivoviMMw** *•••»• — — ¦ -------- --------- - , ,
was struck with N.L. Mehta — also by not able to meet the
Neville Wadia — for Rs 72 lakhs. In
fact, Guzder says he had never met or
seen N.L. Mehta before.
Reflecting on community happen
ings of the past 10 years Guzder says, naw a ---j -------
“When I became a trustee, the Board mited number of flats were built. This
of Trustees was a closed shop. The committee did not have full representa-
theory or principle of accountability of tion of trustees — just four out of the
trustees was non-existent. I believe that seven. I insisted arid the other trustees
I am the first trustee in the history of agreed, that this being a very iinportent
the Punchayet to call a meeting of the function and any wrong allotment
Anjuman Committee so that 1 could could be misunderstood, all the
Irani deal was rescinded and a new deal vestment that we have, our income is
Referring to the issue that is closest
to peoples ’ hearts, the allotment of
flats, Guzder noted, “In the past there
used to be a committee for allotment of
flats when a vacancy occurred or a li-
if >
in the manner of allotment (of flats) and saw abject poverty: People who ’d
i
I
trustees must participate in the deci- in the manner of allotment (of flats) and saw abject poverty: People who ’d
Sion. As a result all the trustees are now which previously was done on the basis retired on a small stipend half starvine
because of inflation. Then I realized
that one ’s purpose in life, especially
“I grew up in an environment where towards the tail end, is a certain obliga-^
J r one ’s fellow man. Giving
money to charity does not serve the
purpose. . .giving of oneself is, in my
aJhousand,crores of rupees, trustee of opinion, far more important, far more
¦ • soul satisfying and makes one feel that
one ’s existence in this life has not been
I never knew how the poor in vain.”
collectively responsible for this func- of which applicant had the greatest in-
tion. Again, because of outsiders on fluence with a trustee or trustees ”
our committee (Committee for
Economic Uplift), we were able to ob- I’d never come face to face with pover-
tain from them several good ideas of ty,” reminisced Guzder, who is direc-
how the assessment of each applicant tor of 16 companies with a turnover of
should be made, and out of this was in- i ’
troduced the system of categorization 18 charitable institutions and commit-
of applicants, giving of points and tee member of several business organi-
marks and arriving at a merit rating of zations. “I ____ k...... vi.v h—
’?£*'^d“^^aPPl*cant. This was the and needy existed. My eyes were *first
opened to their plight during my elec
tion 10 years ago when I went round
•44
4 .
first time in the history of the Pun
chayet that there is a certain rationale
AH phorographs Cf) Messers Godrej and Guzder iri this
issue by Horiiyar Mistry.
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T1 Parsiana January 1985
1 '¦¦ :S-
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In search of the Go
lit'
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A report on the Zoroastrian
immigrants settled in Chicago.
Ruzbeh Antia
*
r
at the First North American Zoroas- and associated values, beliefs and
trian Congress held in Toronto in 1976. observances and the myth of common
“I don ’t think (this has happened) by ancestral origin. Most important, they
design; I think external forces have identify themselves as Jewish.
made the Zoroastrians an ethnic
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51
H’
The 1960s and early 70s were the
peak period of Zoroastrians' immig
ration to the United States. A project
examining in some detail the Zoroas
trian community in Chicago was pre
sented by Ms Ruzbeh Antia in partial community. ”
requirement for her degree in journal- ~
ism from the Marquette University.
The first instalment of Antia's
thesis "Keeping the fire of faith alive:
Zoroastrians in Chicago" described preserved by many exclusionary rules,
the social and economic condition of These dictate, for example, that only
the Zoroastrians, the reasons why those born of Zoroastrian fathers can Parsis an<^ Iranian Zoroastrians, ”
they emigrated, their assimilation
into the American mainstream, and
their views on Zoroastrian traditions,
rituals and acceptance of converts.
The second instalment focussed on
outmarriage among the Zoroastrians, the Jews, “There comes a time when
the possibility of second generation religion is given by social inheritance,
Zoroastrians identifying themselves is associated with a cluster of culture.
These are three of the most impor
tant characteristics of the working
Through the years, the essentially definition of an ethnic group esta-
ethnic identity of the Zoroastrians, blished by a 1973 symposium of the
both in India and Iran and, later, in Social Science Research Council,
other parts of the world, has been Zoroastrians, too, possess all of these
characteristics.
“There is no real difference between
t
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be initiated into the religion, that no claims Royenton Farhadieh, who
one can be converted into the religion comes from Iran. “They have the same
and that Zoroastrians should not ethnic background and should be
marry outside the community. proud of it. Like the Jews, they should
As Nathan Glazer has written about stand behind one another, ” he said.
In North America, moreover, many
of the cultural differences between
Iranian and Parsi Zoroastrians are
with Zoroastrian culture and religion and then it fulfils the definition. . .of becoming blurred. English has replac-
and the chances of the community an ethnic group, a group which is seen
surviving in North America. as different, thinks of itself as dif
ferent and whose difference descends dress and social habits is widespread
from inheritance rather than by adult and many customs are being modified
choice or other forms of choice. ”
Glazer’s words and the analogy with
ed Farsi or Gujarati as the predomi
nant language, adoption of western
1
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1 j
ak
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J
The Americanization of Zoroastrians:
Problems of identity choice or other forms of choice. ” in the direction of uniformity.
“Zoroastrianism is a religion, not a Glazer’s words and the analogy with Since there is no practicing Iranian
social group, ” said Noshir Hormaz- the Jews can be useful in countering priest in the Chicago Zoroastrian
diyar, a practicing Zoroastrian priest, another often made objection. This community, for instance, Parsi priests
“The ’Parsis, on the other hand, are an asserts that Iranian and Parsi Zoroas- perform all ceremonies in the Parsi
ethnic group. ” trians are really two different ethnic fashion, according to Farhadieh.
It is legitimate for Zoroastrians to groups. Interestingly, the very process that
feel that this is what their group iden- “Iranis (Zoroastrians) and Parsis blurs distinctions between Iranian and
tity should be. Though the historical have a different language, many Parsi Zoroastrians in North America,
evidence is unclear, it is likely that this different customs and many other will perhaps increase cultural dif-
is what their group identity was in the social and cultural differences, ” said ferences between North American Zo-
early days of their religion. However, Rohinton Rivetna. “This is often roastrians and those in India or Iran,
the fact remains that for much of their painfully clear in Association func- Some Zoroastrians believe that this
recorded history the Zoroastrians have tions. They sit separately and don ’t may lead to the forging of a distinctive
projected themselves as an ethnic
•b
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petty jealousy that many of us who lity that ZAC children may betaugnt
have worked very hard for the commu- about their heritage by other means, w*/
nity and the Association ,in the past their opportunities for interaction with having
have completely distanced ourselves
from the Association now, ’’ said Keki
Bhote.
The two chief reasons why Zoroas
trians in Chicago participate in activi
ties organized by the ZAC are to meet
and communicate with other commu
nity members and to discuss religious sudreh ancJ kusti in
and community matters.
It is significant that only 18 percent
said that their main reason for partici
pation was to teach their children a Zoroastrian peer group appear rather
1
I
cago, interpersonal communication is
very strong. “We’re always meeting,
J parties and doing things
together, ’’ said Bachi Damkevala.
“Even a lot of people who don ’t get
involved with the Association, do
socialize with Zoroastrians. ’’
In the survey, two thirds said that
most of their close friends were
Zoroastrians. About a quarter said
that their close friends were mostly
Americans, while the remaining 10
percent had close friends belonging to
other ethnic communities.
. .. In sharp contrast, however, only
something about the religion and limited. This could prove a major hur- about 10 percent of those married to
culture. Forty percent found this die in the efforts of the community to non-Zoroastrians said most of their
reason was not at all important to socialize its children into a Zoroastrian close friends were Zoroastrians In this
them. This, coupled with the fact that way of life. group, more than three quarters said
two thirds also said that they rarely “My sons know a lot about the reli- that their close friends were mainly
attended any of the ZAC’s children ’s r-------- ' — . . - -
activities, suggests that the ZKC has a Zoroastrian. But they do not want to earlier findings of the survey
- ------------ , appears that Zoroastnans who marry
complains Rohinton Rivetna. outside the community tend not to
Among adult Zoroastrians in Chi- associate with the group.
'"Most teenagers
wouldn't be caught
dead wearing a
gym class.
culture. Forty percent found this die in the efforts of the community to
problem reaching the crucial second associate with other Zoroastrians, ’’
While we cannot rule out the possibi-
“My sons know a lot about the reli
gion and say £hat they are proud to be American. In keeping with some of the •
, it
1
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(
33 Parsiana January 1985
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When it comes to communication The present survey also shows that the tions will grow up amongZoroastrians-
with friends and relatives in the former community in Chicago has succeeded in any North American city,
home country, the survey reveals that in maintaining moderate to high levels
all communicated with some degree of of identification. But great caution survey were in a unique position that is
frequency. Eighty-four percent said must be exercised in applying these unlikely to be repeated. They are first
they communicated regularly, while facts to the future. generation immigrants brought up in a
the rest said they communicated
sometimes.
Such high levels of communication
are not unusual for first generation
immigrants. Many have immediate
Next, all those who responded to the
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There are people
family members slill living in (he yyQ|.|^ vg|-y hard
former home countries. The communi- '
cation probably reflects the strength of .and t h 6 H t h © T© 3 T©
p©opl© who ask us
not to s©nd th©m
any mor© junk mail.'
First, many of the techniques of Zoroastrian environment in their home
survival that Zoroastrians used in the countries.
“I grew up in a Zoroastrian atmos
phere and took much of it for
/granted,” said Royenton Faihadieh of
his upbringing in Iran. “It was just
ingrained in me that I was to marry a
Zoroastrian and bring up my children
as Zoroastrians. ”
Future generations of Zoroastrians
growing up in North America will pro
bably take none of this for granted.
They will not imbibe their Zoroastrian
identities by osmosis from the atmos-
11
personal ties rather than ethnic ties, for
when asked whether they subscribed to
ethnic publications from the home
country, only 25 percent said yes.
To predict future trends from
present levels of knowledge and .___________ _________________ ,
research about the North American phere. They will,* instead, have to
Zoroastrian community would be past may be impossible to transplant to acquire them by a conscious process of
largely an exercise in crystal ball the North American environment. For learning and reconcile them with other,
gazing. In the past, Zoroastrians in instance, given the lack of significant perhaps more attractive, identities also
other countries have been remarkably numbers and resources, it is unlikely open to them,
tenacious in preserving their identity, that a tradition of non-state institu- The final instalment win appear m me March issue.
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Sifi-®)
A linguistics career
offers immense
opportunities, opines
Wadia.
7*
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V
insemination of dairy cattle and had
technology to the National Dairy Deve-
lopment Board in Gujarat in 1977; and
interpreting for two famous French
writers, Robert Sabatier and Michel
Tournier, who were hosted by the
Indian Council of Cultural Relations
Speaking another language a,, ouuunding French lan
“ guage students, after obtaining her
i«z4r«uiaster ’s degree in French in 1976,
Wadia applied for a French Govern
ment scholarship to do her doctorate in
France. “You need a master ’s degree
A merit scholar throughout her with a first class to be eligible and it is
<
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“With Indo-French relations improv- whole life,” recalls Wadia.
ing continuously, there are more i _
French delegations coming into the scholastic career, Wadia secured a first the French Embassy in New Delhi and
country; more collaborations; the class first in the ’ bachelor of ate the University Grants Commission
trade commission and Indo-French (French) degree examination whe which jointly decide on the grant of
chambers of commerce are more ac- graduating from Bombay ’s Elphir. scholarships. The term starts in Sep-
tive in organizing seminars, conferen- stone College in 1974. Thereafter she tember-October and you apply one
ces, exhibitions and trade fairs; and acquired a first class first in her year in advance,” explains Wadia, for
with the French company Compagnie- master ’s degree course (majoring in the benefit of other hopefuls who may
Francaise de Petrole collaborating with French) in 1976 and also obtained a wish to follow in her footsteps.
the Oil & Natural Gas Commission in diploma de langue (1974), a diploma Wadia duly received the scholarship
offshore drilling operations, job op- superieur (1975), and a diploma in October 1977 for doing a doctorate
portunities for translators and inter- francaise commercial cerlxhcst.- in French literature from the Paul
prefers in the French language have in- tes from the Alliance Francaise de Valery University in Montpellier,
creased, ” says Dr Perveen Wadia Bombay. “Most students opt for Paris but I
(29), one of the privileged few in the chose Montpellier in southern France
country to have acquired a doctorate in Two-year stint on the Mediterranean coast, which is a
French literature from Paul Valery With this kind of scholastic record, student university town specially
University in southern France. plenty of interpreting and translating known for its medical faculty, with a
Wadia, who has her hands full doing assignments came her .way during a young population of 30,000 students,
translations, interpreting and giving two-year stint at the consulate. “I out of which 10,000 are foreigners lear-
private tuitions in French, did not " ' ’’ - -
exactly drift into a career in languages.
But, it was the French consul general in
Bombay who however shaped her ca- French language and wanted to build
1________________________________________ ____
of opportunities awaiting her in a the challenge and did all kinds of after 1947.” Wadia selected contem-
linguistics career. i . _
“While I was studying for my came my way,” recalls Wadia.
masters degree in French at Bombay
University, the French vice consul for that came her way during the mid- French scholars such as Alain Danilou,
cultural affairs, M.M. Couturier, who seventies were as official interpreter for who had a modern approach to Indian
used to conduct our lectures once a press conferences during the Interna- culture.
week, approached me with the offer of tional Film Festival in January 1976; Wadiacompletedhermaster ofphi-
a part-time job at the consulate from 9 interpreting for French scientists who losophy examination in November
am to 1 pm. This offer changed mv had invented a svstem for artificial 1979, which was an introduction to the
. “I out of which 10,000 are foreigners lear-
always wanted to be different from my ning science and languages. The course
friends, who were either married or is very well-organized, ” observes
had traditional careers. 1 loved the Wadia.
______ - ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦ 1 The subject of her thesis was: “The
reer and gave her a peep into the world my career around it and so 1 took up image of India in French literature
interpreting and translating jobs that porary India and was guided in her
.«.v i*v / * vvolio V/tiMio. choice by the French consulate in Bom-
Some of the important assignments bay. She extensively read several
35 Parsiana January T9P^
l5j
;'3
'i-
k'l
’I
I
;1
!
’3
i
'¦•‘2’ff'K
1
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doctorate, and submitted her thesis in naging director of the National Film IF
f
h*
1982. And hardly surprising, ever since Development Corporation, business-
her return to India in September 1982, men, engineers, etc., and she charges
Wadia has been one of the most sought Rs 35-45 per hour. “Work keeps in-
after French language interpreters and creasing and the translations are main-
translators in the country. She has ly technical or commercial and they are
worked for industries ranging from always urgent. I would like to go more
leather to optics and has interpreted
for seminars and exhibitions organized
by the French Trade Commission and
leading firms. She has also sub-titled
several films for Indian film festivals
held in France, including Simhasan,
Nagarik, Manthan and Bhavni Bhavai
for the Smita Patil retrospective.
I loved the French
language and
wanted to build my
career around it.
B
1'
I
into interpreting which is very in
Film synopses teresting. But then all the work is
Wadia particularly enjoys film sub- varied and interesting. I love my work
titling work. “I translated quite a few and am always learning something
synopses of Indian films for the last new,’’ says Wadia.
Cannes Film Festival. Since it is lite
rary work, it gives me great pleasure, eign languages, linguistics is a reward-
These synopses are printed and circula- ing career and even more so if learning
ted among foreign distributors and a language is combined with some
other visitors to the festival. This as- other professional course, points out
signment also taught me a lot about Wadia who has established herself as a
non-Hindi films, ’’ explains Wadia.
There is considerable demand for feels that newcomers entering this field
private tuitions in French and Wadia have a bright future.
has a long list of students, including photograph rtprlnltd with permission from
people like Malati Tambe-Vaidya, ma- Business world, October s-21, i984.
For those with an aptitude for for-
professional in less than two years and
f
IJI
it' -
|-
?!
Do you have a
G6PD enzyme deficiency?
The G6PD enzyme deficiency,
common among the Parsis, makes
them highly susceptible to certain
drugs.* The deficiency may cause
jaundice in the newborn and severe
hemolytic crisis ( destruction of red
blood cells) in adults.
Ask your family doctor to arrange for a
blood test to detect whether you have
G6PD enzyme deficiency. If you
happen to be a G6PD-D patient, it is
essential that you carry your card at all
times so that in any emergency you
would receive appropriate treatment.
* Aspirin, phenacetin acetanilid, all sulpha
derivatives, furadantin and all nitrofuran
derivatives, quindine, quinine,
primaquine, pamaquine, mepacrine, arse
nic derivatives, PAS (para-amino salicylic
acid). BAL (dimercaprol). benadryl,
antistine. benemid, chloramphenicol,
nitrites, heavy dose of Vitamin C. chlor
oquine, Vitamin K and sulphones
(dapsone).
Issued in the public interest by Parsiana.
With the Best Compliments of
Itt
36 Parsiana January 1985
INGERSOLL*RAND [INDIA] LIMITED
Manufacturers of
Air & Gas Compressors
Rock Drill Equipment
* Vacuum Pumps
*
◆ ◆ ◆
From the archive
