Jul 1985

July 1985 Volume 8 No I, Rs 2 I strife at the Sodawaterwalla Agiary Arnavaz S. Mama I 1 A tussle between three trustees and the priests bedevils the functioning of the Sodawaterwalla Agiary in Bombay jjg ¦ 5 1 « WRMwmrv IVeimiMiKi** SimIi fl IW Its wood and glass windows are inno­ cent of paint; its plaster-blistered walls are raw. The Ill-year-old Sodawater­ walla Agiary stands desolate among the hurly-burly of traffic at Marine Lines, a prime urban site in Bombay ci­ ty. Mutely testifying to a generation’s neglect, the agiary is also a vivid exam­ ple of strained relations between mo- beds and behdins in the community. “There is a tussle going on; one side or the other is trying to sell off the site and make money,’’ says Shiavax Vakil, legal luminary and ex-trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), who has been following the events at the agiary. In the upshot, the concerned mobeds feel used and deserted. The tussle has been obvious enough: a spate of public notices have appeared in the press under the signature of Jal Lovji Mody, “the founder’s family member and managing trustee, ’ ’ vilify­ ing Ervad Farok Mobedji, panthaky at the Sodawaterwalla Agiary, Dr Pesho- tan Peer, panthaky at the Tata Agiary at Bandra, Hormusji Kapadia, joint secretary of the BPP, Cmdr Nariman , _ . . Vacha, secretary of the N.N. Wadia and Choksey of conspiring to sell off cused by the Modys of theft .of agiary and R.N. Wadia Charities and Hor- the agiary; of liquidating the corpus of property and of receipts from devotees muzdiar Choksey of N.B. Choksey the trust; of using his and his wife’s ill- towards kathi funds; of not being pre­ Jewellers. ness to edge the family out of the sent throughout the day to tend to the I I *• Mody is accusing Kapadia, Vacha agiary’s affairs. Mobedji is being ac-I holy .fire; of hiring out the upper halt titles the punchayet to nominate two ween 7 am and 7 pm. Then we found without permission and pocketing the members on the Sodawaterwalla certain items missing. We decided to proceeds. Peer, the Modys- claim, is Agiary’s board of trustees. take over charge. When we tried to guilty of aiding and abetting Mobedji. Until Gustad Antia, ex-secretary of take over on April 15, 1984, Peshotan Mobedji and Peer contend that be- the BPP, retired in July, 1978, Antia Peer, who had been authorized by the ing priests they cannot possibly think handled everything, said Marfatia. BPP nominees not to hand over char- of selling an agiary. An agiary after all After that Mody began to handle the ge, went so fat as to change the locks provides a livelihood for priests. agiary affairs himself* Marfatia noted, even of our office. Peer had collected Mobedji undertook the Sodawater- until “he and Aloo aunty began their five to six Parsi weight lifters... walla panthak, say Peer and Mobedji, bimonthly visits to the hospital. During threatened us with physical violence.’’ on the clear understanding that the sacred fire would be maintained with proper rituals, but that the agiary itself would remain closed to the public as happens at the Langrana Agiary at Fort, Bombay. Despite the agreement, they note, the Sodawaterwalla Agiary has still remained consistently open to the community. The trustees however conveniently forgot this agreement, say Mobedji and Peer, and are using Mobedji’s absence from the agiary as justification for withholding his salary since March ’84 and have done nothing to protect him from Mody’s asper­ sions. Mobedji also notes the upstairs hall was 1 . which no payment was demanded or half years, trouble began to brew.’’ made. ing priests they cannot possibly think handled everything, said Marfatia. The chain-smoking Marfatia charg­ ed that the other trustees were using Mobedji’s “lack of intelligence to make a cat’s paw out of him.’’ Claim­ ing theft of several items from the agiary including silverware and. utiliza­ tion of the upper hall for navjote and wedding-ceremonies, Marfatia accused Mobedji of charging hall hire fees plus Rs 50 for electricity and pocketing the amount. Marfatia notes that four notices have been issued to Mobedji to quit. Since April ’84 the mobed has been liv- J . , . ing and working at the agiary without a Mobedji: prepared o eave salary, says Marfatia. At a meeting of ____ _______________ _ fPI">ios.-Homyar Mistry) (he board of trustees called by Mody used only once for a wedding for this time (of ill health),about one and a on July 4, 1984 which only the two ¦ . .. Modys and Pavri attended, it was argu- Alleging that the'^ other trustees ed that Mobedji’s appointment was in- “held meetings one after another with- valid and that the “three persons out intimating us... a total of six meet- who had acted on behalf of the Parsi ings between December 24, 1982 and Punchayet would be liable for the los- * Mody’s case The interview with Mody on June 19, ___ 1985 did not begin until the venue July 8, 1983,’’Marfatiaclaimed, “One ses caused to the trust...’’It was also shifted from his own flat to the one day we were informed that Farok decided to take legal action, including across the landing on the same floor at Mobedji was appointed on a salary of the filing of a criminal complaint, if so Chaman Chambers, Marine Lines Rs 1^50 per month. At the same time advised. where he introduced burly Burj or Mar- another clerk was appointed at Rs 2(X) On September 12, 1984 appeared fatia as his nephew and legal heir. and a sepoy at Rs 25 (sic).’’ “We are Mody’s first public notice against Marfatia noted that when the agiary paying more than our income,’’ said Mobedji-Peer in Mid-day, notifying was founded in 1874 by Jamshedji Mody, who. declared that the annual the public that Mobedji’s services were Amaria, there were three founding income of the agiary is Rs 17,200. terminated. Another on November 11, trustees—Framji Bilia, Aimai Sorabji Marfatia says, “My friends are trus- again in Mid-day, also charged Vacha Sodawaterwalla and Jehangirji D.Pa- tees of several agiaries, so getting a and Kapadia, “mere representatives of tel. Aimai used to manage the agiary, (mobed) is not difficult for us. Even the Parsi Punchayet,’’ arid Choksey. subject to the general supervision of now we have a mobed (who may be To the original list of misdemeanors the other trustees^ noted Marfatia, ready to take over the Sodawaterwalla was added “sacrilege and defilement of after referring to what he called the panthak) as retainer for Rs 1(XX) per our sacred fire’’ and further noted, trust deed. month.’’ Warming to the subject. Mar- “we believe that all those who indulge There are seven trustees on the board fatia continued, “Within 15 minutes I in, encourage and further’’ defile the today: Aloo Jal Mody and Jal Lovji can get a mobed for Rs 500.’’ “holy and sacred agiary fire, cease to Mody—both aged and ailing, Behram However, “in January or February be Zoroastrians.” .A. Soonawala, Hoshedar F. Pavri, 1984 or December ’83” Marfatia de- Vacha and Kapadia countered with a Hormusji Kapadia, Cmdr Nariman dared that Mody sent for Mobedji. notice in Jam-e-Jamshed, November Vacha and Hormuzdiar Choksey. Of “We had two jashans performed to 15, 1984 announcing that Mobedjicon- these, Aloo is the only descendant of give the mobed a fair chance, one on tinned to be panthaky of the agiary and the founders, being as Jal Mody notes, roj Meher, mah Meher and the other that they were not a party to the meet- a grand niece of Aimai Sodawaterwal- sometime in the course of the same ing of July 4, which authorized termi- la. Jal, as her husband, can claim to be month. We even presented him with a nation of Mobedji’s services. How- the “founder’s family member.” Ka- shawl at the instance of Aloo aunty, ever, Marfatia quoted from a letter padia and Vacha are the BPP’s nomi- costing Rs 185,” Marfatia noted. “By from Kapadia dated January 9, 1985 nees on the board as per an order of the the end of March ’84 we realized that stating Mobedji’s appointment was “a Bombay High Court of 1927 which en- (Mobedji) was never at the agiary bet- stop-gap arrangement,” and chuckled Mobedji was appointed on a salary of the filing of a criminal complaint, if so ________ : : • —I On September 12, 1984 appeared ....... ...........__________________ and a sepoy at Rs 25 (sic).” “We are Mody’s first public notice against Marfatia noted that when the agiary paying more than our income,” said Mobedji-Peer in Mid-day, notifying . terminated. Another on November 11, Marfatia says7 “My friends are trus- again in Mid-day, also charged Vacha However, “in January or February be Zoroastrians.” 1984 or December ’83’’ Marfatia de- 3 Parsiana July 1985providing the kathi. They agreed just contentedly that Kapadia ‘ ‘was shifting ph had ever been commissioned or pub- providing the kathi. They a^d jus | around.” On AprS 6 and 10, 1985 lished, they said, which testified to the to get us in.... However, the Irani | ® o 1__ -* J-**..-'*'-* u/ithin thp hfltpl keener Ifl thc viciultV USCd tO SUp- j ramp two motc notices in the Jam-e- _ Jamshed purporting to inform the family. public that “the Sodawaterwalla Agiary, the land on which it stands, the The Mobedji—Peer story property thereon and therein are nol for sale.” Cautioning the public preceded the^Mobedji appomtment. ag^nst Mobedji, Peer, Kapadia, Va- C - • • - priest at the Sodawaterwalia Agiary trace Why Of yearly but he was not deemed satisfactory Aprd ^dJMovem^^^^ salaries alone, already disbursed, ex­ ceeds the total yearly revenue of the agiary trust, resulting in the utilization of accumulated balance as also part of the trust corpus (capital investments) POSSiDiy iniriK u. « ruTMui ’a.teK^dtom.'^U- Selling 30 agiafy. Ao A agiary after all ever PMrnot«, that “beWnd Mody is i y . ?- It. , man caned Burior Marfatia, a very , property, said Marfatia. Marfatia says, “Their whole idea is to denude the funds of the agiary and then say, "Paisa khalas thai guyach. Agiary vechi kaariye. there are no funds, sell the agiary).’” ----------------- Mody was upset that for the first asked Panthaky to leave,Vacha said. time, the 1984 muktad ceremonies of "" ’ terwalla Agiary due to the uni^easant- Mehta to tap his Dadysett Agiary con- ness, and instead had to be held at the nection on behalf of the BPP tnwtew. Dadysett Agiary at Fountain. ’ notice to be heard in court to avmd ex ---------------------- parte judgement) in the Bombay City Mobedji out of an level of interest in the agiary within the hotel keeper in the vicinity used to sup­ ply the kathi directly. From May to Oc­ tober, Mobedji was paid.” When pay­ ment stopped for two months. Peer Vacha briefly etched the scenario that took Mobedji’s case to Dr Aspi Gol- preceded the Mobedji appointment, walla, chairman of the -BPP. “When One Bahadur Panthaky, now manager Golwalla intervened,’’ Peer continued, of Albless Baug, was the officiating “Kapadia interjected ‘Where do we ’ “¦ Bet- Being priests, they say they cannot possibly think of dia’s attitude had changed, said Peer. “However, up to January ’84, Mobed- ji was paid. After that Mody came into | the picture.’’ ” Peer calls Jal Mody “a nice man — j khandani manas,” whom he says he 4^ a man called Burjor Marfatia, a very shrewd person.’’ j Peer claims that Boman Minochehr- | Homji, vice-president of the Jashan i because he did not attend the atash Committee, informed them that the provides a livelihood for priests. properly, fought with the trustees and Sodawaterwalla Agiary was up for j insult a senior trustee. The trustees sale. It is Peer’s conjecture, based on , ,,,_ 1________hearsay as well as certain background ? jme the 1984 mUktad ceremonies oi The search for a r^ilacement led knowledge, that Marfatia k tising | insf^unilycouMnotbeh^m^wa. tol workerHertor M<^ » X'oto ncvuuu vn _________________ Peer notes that at a meeting at the | advsett Agiary at rounwm. Said to be a daily devotee at the Dady- agiary attended by Choksey, Kapadia, . Mulla Mulla filed a caveat (a sett Agiary, Mehta had at one time M^y, Moh^h ] ..jtice to be heard in court to avoid ex been instrumental in helping Peer and said, 1 am going to swd Far^ to j^. parte judgement, m me Domiwy viiy moociiji uui vf «i awkwwd proc^u- At FaaSnst Mobedji) Civil Court and the High Court on ral tangle at the Dadysett ^ary where tion for Rs^50,, April 20. “No innocent man files for both function as independent pantha- but if you don t listen and leave the caveat,” affirms Marfatia. Noting that kis having their own clients. Hence agi^y) 111 make it one^la^h^ hearsay as well as certain background } n nciping * cci • 2___1 ,___ -nav- often, “some Jains who viewed it got awed” but afterwards they were “very jote) has managed to do that,” Anjir- interested and wanted to use this impressed with our prayers,” reported bag rationalized. modern medium to explain the teach- Anjirbag. Presently there is a group of Parsis ings of their own religion.” “This (audiovisual) is not intended promoting the sale of this audiovisual The photographs were shot “partly as a thesis,” clarifies Anjirbag. “It priced at Rs 500. Anjirbag filling in the ’ during a navjote at Albless Bang and helps provide an insight. It is absolute- details adds, “We are in the process of partly at the Athoman Madressa at ly non-controversial. It is meant to making duplicates. These have not Dadar. Basically we had to redo about evoke interest and excitement among come back from Italy. We have got d- half the shots for purposes of light and the young and to encourage them to couple of orders from abroad but have exposure,” briefed Anjirbag. “A little feel proud of being Zoroastrians.” not been able to meet them.” The pro­ western music is used as an interlude For the young Zoroastrians with an duction team wants people in the hangs while a mother is shown adorning her enquiring mind, the audiovisual ans- and those conducting religious classes little girl with jewellery after the nav- wers their queries: Who was the first to to use this audiovisual. As Anjirbag ' color slides, accompanied by a pre-re- “It is necessary to allow the people ! Prior to the recording of prayers by audiovisual has not been screened madressa, the AXIS team was a‘little I think this audiovisual (on the L Toinc «rKz\ iriAtirAzI if /»zxf m l_ _ _______ i__ i _ x «« j t k jote ceremony. The idea is to suggest wear the kusti? Why must a sudreh- succinctly puts it, “We have made the plafinn hanninpcc ” chA ez^nfiniiArl Vucfi Ka \1/Kwr _________ ix ______ _____________ ' I elation, happiness,” she continued. kusti be worn? Why is it tied in a parti- product, it is up to others to use it. 1) Parsiana July 1985 ! i I H Hi rk^9 READERS' FORUM Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. A ntia\ clarification ^nua S ciariiitauun without being immodest, I can say I am surprj^ed on what grounds that it was only my innate cool that , Tahamtan Aresh could sue Parsiana. averted a fight and nothing else. The He came out of the front entrance of gist of my reply to him (and to his wife the hall just as 1 was leaving the con- earlier) was that I’ve detailed my gress. Just prior to that, Mr T. Aresh’s defense for the navjote in a booklet wife approached me and reproached and they were welcome to refute it. I me for doing Mr Peterson’s navjote, said the same thing to the (Zoroas- questioning the example I have set for trian Studies) girls and it’s not at all her children, stating that I did it for true, as mentioned in Bombay, that I money from the Iranians or for name avoided them or ran away as I had a and fame. I replied to her very cooly drink of coconut water after that, pick- but she returned to the hall through the ed up my congress certificate and talk- back entrance and probably sent her ed with my sympathizers. husband after me. When I spoke on conversion in Lon- Mr Tahamtan Aresh came out from don at the W.Z.O. Conference on June the front foyer and asked me if I was 30,1984,1 was told by some attendants Kersey Antia and if I had performed that Mr Aresh got wild as I spoke and Mr Peterson’s navjote. Then he hurled wanted to beat me up and so’ I should abusive language and insults at me and avoid going near him. called me names such as “son of a bloody bastard,’’ “you f’d the whole religion,’’ etc. He asked me if I wore a sudreh-kusti myself. He assumed I did not wear a sudreh-kusti and so he ques­ tioned what right had I to put a sudreh- Ms Arnavaz S. Mama, in “A ‘mile- kusti on Mr Peterson. As a matter of stone’ round our necks... (Parsiana, fact, I have always worn a sudreh-kusti March 1985) has gone to great lengths all my life, since my navjote, but he in highlighting the benefits of the Kara- was too busy hurling insults at me to let ni Agiary extension scheme. She can- me explain it to him. not, however, explain the glaring fact He said so many offensive things, I that the heads of 244 families or flats in don’t ^remember them all. One of his Cusrow Bang rejected the entire plan themes was why did I not speak at the inspite of its much publicized necessity, congress because if I did so, I would have known how many people were indicate a certain reluctance to accept against me, that I chickened out, etc. factual information. Much of what He seemed to do his best to provoke was said to Ms Mama by me has been me into a fight and there were not distorted out of context, enough people to protect me but there KERSEY ANTIA Illinois. U.S.A. (< A ^milestone’... ,, i i Several inaccuracies and misquotes “For whom the bell tolls In the article “For whom the bell tolls’’ enough people to protect me but there Ms Mama came ostensibly, to report (February 1985) Parsiana alleges that I were two men who tried to intervene on a community situation. The nature ‘physically adcosted and verbally abu- and stood between him and me so that of her article belies the author’s preten­ sed’ Dr Kersey Antia at the Fourth World Zoroastrian Congress in Bom­ bay. I did no such thing, and regard in catching me off guard when there can her personal leanings and depend- your accusation as malicious and un­ founded. Unless a full retraction and apology for your slanderous remarks is printed in the next issue of Parsiana, I shall be obliged to undertake, such ac­ tion against you as my legal advisers counsel. I very much hope such a step will not be necessary, but I am left with the thought that by such irresponsible and inflammatory statements you are yourself fomenting the hatred and divi­ sion in our community that you so often decry. Mr Aresh could not beat me up as in all sions to an objective approach, likelihood that had been his intention Though not mentioned in her writing. I 13 Parana Jufy 1965 'H TAHAMTAN H. ARESH California, U.S.A. a SB 1 f r H I (Clockwise from left} Rear view of Karani Agiary: site for proposed extension Aresh: ‘accusation unfounded’ Antia: Aresh offensivei ence on the “advice” dispensed at the agiary, have influenced this biased reportage? RUBY D. MODY BPP electoral reforms’* from the house. Health of members of a household, membership of organiza- In “BPP electoral reform hearing” tions, habits and hobbies of members, {Parsiana, May 1985) you mention that income of the household and posses- “a special census of Parsis in Greater, sions owned were also surveyed. Bombay commissioned by the BPP at a cost of Rs 45,000...” This gives an impression that the between the ages of 25 to 60 who had . . never married. Similarly even married I would therefore like to make a cor- women were interviewed for details ----- - about their marriages and pregnancies. (4 ,, The project also canvassed schedules that collected data from individuals Arnavaz Mama replies My article may be roughly divided into ........... four parts: The argument of the trus- total cost of the project was Rs 45,000. tees in favour of extension to the j___ ......................... Karani Agiary which covered 9.5 in- rection. ches of space, the counterarguments of project was jointly sponsored by the Save Karani Agiary Committee the International Institute of Popula- which took 14.5 inches of space, back- tion Sciences (UPS) and the BPP. Con- ground information on Ervad Aibara’s tribution made by the UPS was much activities which measured 6.5 inches of larger than that of the BPP even when I read in Parsiana, May 1985 a report space and the conclusion which came the salaries of the staff and the infra- of Adi Doctor’s criticism of my views to 5.5 inches. These statistics are in structure that an institute of the size of concerning the omnipotence of Lord answer to Ms Mody’s charge of the IIPS provides, are ignored. Those in Ahura Mazda. As regards this ques- “great lengths” to which I went in the field of research will find it difficult tion, one might suggest to Mr Doctor “highlighting the benerits of the to believe that the cost was only Rs that'if Ahura Mazda is at present all- Karani Agiary extension scheme.” 45,000. ---------- ’ ’ - • ----- * Regarding inaccuracies and misquo- c " : tes, without specific examples I am un- search and not a census as mentioned. able to make a rejoinder. p__ " 2 In conclusion, while I’m grateful for characteristics of members of a house- God. If this is so, why are Zoroastrians whatever help ^d guidance I have re- hold, such as their age, sex, marital bidden to strive against the Druj — the ceived at the agiary, it has not prevent- status (married to a Parsi or a non- lie — and to perform acts of purifica- ed me from reporting the contrary Parsi), occupation, place of birth, viewpoint as fully as possible. Is Ms duration of stay in Bombay and na- _____________ _____,____ Mody implying that one must be an in- tionality, but data was also collected and in its aspects, is called demon­ grate in order to report objectively? < “ * The project was jointly sponsored by MALINI KARKAL Is God all-powerful? 45,000. powerful, then objective evil exists by Secondly it was a full-fledged re- His permission. Death, the various ------- —------------------- ------- ------- - forms of physical impurity, lying and Data collected referred not only to the violence must be seen as the will of tion of the world {yaozhdathra}"! In the Zoroastrian scriptures, death, in origin of family members who stayed away created, and various demons are asso- Steamship agents — master stevedores dubashes — lighterage contractors Darabshaw B.Cursetjee's Sons (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd. Darabshaw House, Ballard Road, Bombay - 400 038. Grams: 'DEADWEIGHT' Phone: 260021 (4 Lines) (Dock Office: 262230) Telex: 5824 DBCB IN Also associates at Calcutta, Vishakhapatnam, Kakinada, Mangalore, Bhavnagar, Bedi-port, Navlakhi, Veraval, Porbunder & Kandla. Also sole Government Landing contractors at Jamnagar, (Bedi) Bhavnagar. 14 Parsiana July 1985r- I ciated with it. Nowhere in the A vesta is show while shifting the Goti Adarian years in the police department where I the word transformation used to des- Saheb to its original place. We felt held responsible positions. cribe it. Mr Doctor’s citation of Yasna quite a contrast between the visits — to 55.2 does not support his point, for Goti and karanj. One was like atten- Parsiana (October 1984) that Ms Zoroastrians do not view the separa- ding a wedding reception, the other a Shahnaz Anklesaria is now going to . tion of the soul from the body as a funeral procession (of an assassinated agitate on behalf of Parsi women be- good thing: it is inevitable in this world fire). Can we count on dedicated peo- cause according to her ‘Parsi law as it of contending forces, but we hope, pie to come forth to save our remaining stands is anti-woman, particularly the through loyal struggle on behalf of our sacred fires which will face a similar law relating to divorce and inherit- good and loving Creator, to reach plight in the years to come? ance.’ Whatever the Parsi law may be, frashegird, when the sundered parts of If we are not able to look after our many people amongst our community the human being will be reunified for- fires, we are not fit to call ourselves as well as amongst other communities ever. Zoroastrians. will vouch that they have not seen more You report that Mr Doctor quoted j.f. pavri emancipated women in the world than freely from the Khordeh Avesta. He Parsi women, and putting it converse­ will, presumably, be familiar then with Chilrtrpn’e hnnVs many will agree with the duty of man as defined by the UUUKS Parsi husbands are more libe- Do’a-ye Nam Stayishn, ‘militant striv­ ing against the demons.’ It is sadly iro- children’s books in the series, OurReli- bands in the world. nic that the so-called Council of Vigi- gion, with beautiful illustrations in co- One wonders as to what kind of free- lant Parsis have placed their militancy lor by Ms Mehroo J. Wadia, publish- dom from gender oppression would be in the service of a theory that would at- ed by the Delhi Parsi Anjuman, have welcome and useful to women. Would tribute the existence of the demons to been selling well during the past five she be happy if during the 30 to 40 God. years. Out of 5000 copies of Book I, years of her married life she had full freedom to do what she liked and meet people and participate in social activi- But, it rather amused me to read in J.F. PAVRI Children’s books As your readers may be aware, the ral with their wives than many hus- children’s books in the series. Our Reli­ gion, with beautiful illustrations in co­ years. Out of 5000 copies of Book I, Zarathushtra, less than 400 copies re­ main. /t^rani fire extinguished ® follow-up in the Our Religion ties at par with her husband or would a / ® series, Ms Pareen Lalkakq, an experi- Parsi woman rather focus on the free- I would like to bring before the com- enced nursery school teacher for over dom to be able to divorce her husband munity the sad plight of our sacred 25 years, is preparing free of charge, fires. In May, we visited various fire Activity Books to go with the books in temples at Surat and the mofussil areas the above series. Activity Book I, Zara- of Gujarat, in a tour arranged by the thushtra and Me, illustrated in brilliant Iran League. When we went to Karanj colors by a young student artist, Te- to pay our homage to the fire, we were naz Irani, is ready for printing. The re­ shocked. There was no fire in the fire- maining books have been promised by community. Let us keep in mind the temple. We were told that the fire was the end of 1985. freedom that a Parsi woman has: extinguished for want of sufficient Zoroastrian Catechism by the under- — Complete freedom of speech, (in­ funds to maintain it. We were also told signed, is also well in hand. eluding nagging!) that the repeated requests to the trus- The principal and staff of Boys’ — Complete freedom of movement to . tees to repair the roof covering the fire Town Public School, Nasik, are also lead the kind of life and vocation she I* and for an increase in the paltry sum doing excellent work.using modern chooses. given to the caretaker were turned techniques in teaching children the — Freedom of practising the religion , * down by the trustees. As a result the basic principles of our religion in both the way she likes e.g. remaining a 4 _______ ____1_______ _11______ 1 a._ _ 1___* ..1_ • • « • .• ». • l-K _ . • 1 . burning. We used to blame Muslim in­ vaders for extinguishing our fires. Whom should we blame now for such an atrocity? Our forefathers left their stop wasting their energies in futile there aire no intellectuals in her own motherland, took exile in a foreign land to save the sacred fires and our spirit of tolerance and understanding, religion, whereas we do not bother to to work for the good of the communi- women in the West but look what has look after our existing fires. ty. happened. Many homes are broken Where are the Karanjias who have piloo n . jungalwala and there has been an army of women left their native place and settled in New Delhi changing hands with different hus- Bombay? Have they forgotten their wnman imirnalict” bands, and women amassing fortunes moral duties towards their own fire? In by way of alimony, inheritance, etc. the process of urbanization, have we No Parsi man will ever dream of using At this juncture I cannot resist the become so blind as to neglect the fire and to leave it orphaned? Did anybody wife and conversely no Parsi woman is Unto Ahura Mazda by M.M. Dhalla: take a timely step to shift the fire be­ fore leaving it for extinction? The Su- sati on her husband’s death. I say all woman shares it. She is not his drudge rat Parsi Punchayet put up a grand this from personal experience of 35 or chattel. Woman again is not man in J.R. RUSSELL easily and get a bigger share in her in­ heritance than other members of the family? With the utmost respect to my Parsi women-folk I would say that this kind of freedom^ if stretched too far, would not be in the interest of any k - (li li " fl > fire was no longer allowed to be kept the junior and senior sections. It is to Zoroastrian on paper, and yet marry- be hoped that other schools are doing ing out of the community on the plea the same. that she has spotted an intellectual I appeal to all fellow Zoroastrians to giant of another community because controversies and to come together in a community, according to her. Divorces have been very easy for ty. PILOO N. JUNGALWALA New Delhi Best woman journalist” No Parsi man will ever dream of using kerosene and a matchstick on his Parsi temptation of quoting from Homage (( going to rush towards making herself a “Life becomes livable for man, for sati on her husband’s death. I say all Mt Parsiana July 1995 ithe making; she is not to ape man and grow mannish. Woman is woman and always and ever woman. Wifehood and motherhood are her most sacred functions.” 1 would draw your attention to a few lines printed in bold capital in the FED Newsletter of April ’85 in response to your intended crusade for the poor re­ pressed Parsi women. “Nay! Dear ShahnazT Nay! Parsi wives always take the law in their own hands. So, what we Parsis really need is ‘SPOPH’ — A Society for Preven­ tion of Oppression of Parsi Hus­ bands!” I agree with the above remarks and would add that it would be a shame if you as a crusader for repressed human beings did not do something for the 1931 Ford: ‘only one of its kind’ upliftment of Parsi husbands. My father bought a new 1931 Ford, four-cylinder, 24 horse power, tourer . . type i.e. with collapsible canvas hood other foreign country. I am sure that and double stepney, in Secunderabad after the Arab invasion tn the eighth K.S. PAVRI Ahniedabad 99 in India and except for some pockets in Iran, why it has not thrived in any “After the death... I was very saddened to read “After the in April 1931 for Rs 2,800. Since then it ... __ . A 11___________ Ixt. A nv*11 I was very saddened to read “After the in April 1931 for Rs 2,800. Since then it century A.D., thousands of IraniMs iSTloved Snes” .(Parsiana, Au- has been with my family. From April must have fled Jo Europe but th^e aust 1984) which was a very moving 1931 till today the vehicle has not been mi^ants couldn t keep the torchhg ftorv bm uDTeSTme because that involved in any accident. of Zoroastrianism burning in the wake couple is being misled into thinking From April 1949 to April 1952, I of strong Christian thev are soeakhig to their dead child- drove the car on more than one occa- Europe. The P^sis have thnved in In- ren When a per^son dies, he goes di- sion between Secunderabad and Rai- dia because of the secular nature op recfiy to the throne of the Lord. These chur, a distance of 201.6 km without country where there » people are talking to familiar spirits - any professional driver or mechanic, and every religion or fwm of worship Spirits famlBar wiU. their sons- lives Five generations of our family have sat himself “m^To^'ne^er kills anyone, so I have most reluctantly decided to pointy out, the conditions in North when those spirits told the Bhavnagris sell it to any individual who gives me a that the Lord took them to spare them brand new diesel Ambassador in ex- the pain of a “terrible life awaiting change for this priceless car. them,” this should have caused, ques- b.s. surti tions. Getting involved in seances is "" very dangerous for everyone. I under- Argument f OF acceptance stand the human desire to reestablish hnndQ broken throuah death but even I have read with interest the booklet oy remain iruc lu uiv .«i». y* wi±o'::“cS1ha^he medium is Dr K. Antia entitled TH. Ar,un,en, for S\ha? Towato^the end of his article (page Though I am not in favour of inter dea^ lov^^ ones? Sat^ CM ^se this 43) Antia states that “conversion is al- caste marriages, yet it s«ms odd to me medium to deceive and cause destruc- ready accepted by Iranian Zoroastrians that a Parsi husband toTis“ar S to wait until we are and k on the verge of acceptance by chtldren, wtale hts wtfc remmns hke « reunited at the end of time. KRISTIN KUMANA between Secunderabad and Rai- dia because of the secular nature of this distance of 201.6 km without country where there is no state religion pointed out, the conditions in North America are very different. The tiny community finds it difficult to find partners for the survival of the commu­ nity, Antia has taken upon himself the cudgels of propagating the faith in that country by conversion. Only time will tell whether these neo-Zoroastrians will I have read with interest the booklet by remain true to the faith or get slowly Vintage cars After reading the article cars: the Parsi connection” by Ali Ra- jabally (Parsiana, August 1984) I felt I must inform your readers about my vintage car which is the only car of its kind in India because of the following features: North American Zoroastrians.” Is it outcaste a non-Parsi. It creates pro- the implication that we in India should blems in the family and in the commu­ nity. I think a non-Parsi wife of a Parsi IV WR. .vz. ______ __ hfisband should be absorbed within the frorn*^"being "foolish, I community, but Antia thinks that res- Florida, U.S.A, open the floodgates to non-Zoroas- trians wishing to opt for Zoroastria­ nism? Apart liuiu vbiiie “Vintage think the move would prove catastro- tncting acceptance into theTaith only phic for the tiny community. Not only through marriage or adoption or any five. He thinks that opening the doors to any Tom, Dick and Harry to em- wondered why the brace Zoroastrianism will solve the will the identity of the Parsis be lost, other type of legal bond is too restric- but there could be a spate of inter caste marriages causing further problems. Parsis as a group have survived so long problem of diminishing numbers on 16 Parsiana July 1985* which question depends the existence brings calamities. He recommended Wild dogs and other scavenging of the community. Such free-for-all that if it is not possible to erect a animals like the hyena would finish off measures as Antia suggests would have dokhma then a chotra should be dead bodies on mountain tops, in been alright for a large sized communi- erected. Chotra is the same as dokhma olden times. Nature provided such ani- ty; for a microscopic community like minus all the ceremonies that go along mals in all countries. Thus if a chotra is ours such half-baked measures could with laying of the foundation with built where a zoo with hyenas exist.then spell our doomsday. nails of certain weights and sizes, etc. they can be brought in barred cages to A chotra should have a minimum 50 the chotra door and released inside it. feet diameter, with a bhandaar (pit) of It is believed that 10 hyenas can finish seven feet diameter by seven feet dep- off one body in a matter of hours, th, walls 10 feet above the floor,and the uuKiiina men a cnoira snouiG De dead Dodies on mountain tops, in erected. Chotra is the same as dokhma olden times. Nature provided such ani- minus all the ceremonies that go along mals in all countries. Thus if a chotra is DR P.D. SUNAVAI A ‘'Non-availability of... th, walls 10 feet above the floor,and the The whole world should adopt this With reference to “In the event of non- floor to be at least seven feet above the cheapest form of disposal of the dead, availability of full-fledged priests, ground level. The open top should be prabhakar iadav path (Pflrszazia,April, 1985) if by full-fledg- closed with spring steel wire netting ed priests is meant boiwala mobeds with a mesh (three by three inch) and whose sole qualiHcation is feeding fire supported at the centre with precast and chanting prayers, allow me to say reinforced cement concrete column that in the Gathas which are the foun- with cap of four feet diameter, tain-head of Zoroastrianism, there is no mention of atash or physical fire as reign countries are consigned in a such. Yet, all the priestly rituals are chotra and not dokhma. built around fire — fire which is just burning away the community’s wealth. Mention of ritual is singularly absent live not by rites but by doing right. ~ ~ Our dasturs, as our dastagirs, should be able to lead the community into duniyadari which is Zoroastrianism, the religion of a householder. To be spiritual is to live here in this our fami­ liar world in the spirit of humata, hukata, huvarashta. Zoroaster speaks of righteousness to be the only holy law of life. According to the Gathas there is no need for a professional mediator between man and God. A good Zoroastrian needs no washing or purifying of his soul, as on­ ly his karni will make him look worthy in the eyes of God. Can our priests justify as religion the burhing away of innocent trees in their afargans from morning to evening? Is this not priestly arson cloaked in so- called spirituality? Atash, in Avesta is called I^thro-Hormazd (son of God). How can we then accept that the 3on of God should devour his own Father’s creation, his own kith and kin, the I trees, so voraciously? I 1 hope my motives will not be mis-, i understood by the priests. My letter is . not a challenge meant to affront them, but a quest for knowledge, for 1 may be in the wrong. Religion, the way of life, should be discussed freely and fully. DARA J.CAMA| ChotrU y if no dokhma Dr Framroze Chinivala had stated that burial of the dead pollutes the soil and ,, I Many times bodies brought from fo- Goti Adarian A feature on the reinstallation of the Goti Adarian fire at Surat will be carried in the August issue of Par­ siana. 1 t in the Gathas, thus we are required to ______ __ A&MOAVVSO “ INTERNATIONAL —— GROUP The leading computer company in the Middle East with subsidiaries in UK Sri Lanka & India requires Asst. Manager Administration & Personnel The candidate should be > • Between 30 and 40 years of age • A graduate with economics, preferably an MBA • Not less than five years of career in Personnel Management • Capable of handling multiracial, rhultinational environment • Must have good command of English language • Married without children, bachelor preferred • Must be well disciplined, dedicated and enthu- . siastic in work. Excellent career opportunity for the right candidate Apply in confidence giving not less than 3 reference letters proving high level of integri^ with detailed c.v., copy of testimonials, passport copy & recent photograph to Pervin Nirumvala Manager Admit. & Personnel P.O. Bom 26259, Manama, Bahrain * 17 Pai:siana July 1985j ! How much do mobeds earn? Peshotan Nargolwala disputes the income figures stated in a recent survey of Bombay mobeds. Peshotan Nargolwala out the error in methodology as per the Kharas report, wherein the sample is heavily loaded in favour of small agiaries frequented by low income mobeds; hence the very pessimistic nature of the report. Change the sam­ ple and the report will present a true to reality picture. A good report is an asset to the community, a bad report creates confusion. In my opinion it is meaningless to question a mobed “How much do you earn?” and put the figure quoted by him as the correct answer. It is an exer­ cise in futility. From personal expe­ rience, 1 can quote an example. Once the Kharas report is the wrong metho- I asked a mobed working at Doonger- dology adopted while preparing the wadi, “How much do you earn? The mobed sample for interrogation. The answer “Rs 1,500-1,600 per month.” I indicated remarked “Considering the obviously high standard of life you enjoy, it ap- The table is in order, except that one pears to be an understatement.” His ,, does find a few high income mobeds evasive answer “Saheb Khudani meher working in low profile fire4emples and thi badhoo theek che. ” (By God’s Friends within and outside the Federa­ tion of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India have urged me to express my views On the problems of the priestly class, specially in light of the Kharas report. While I consider it unethical to discuss a thesis submitted for the mas­ ters degree in public, what is stated in the Readers’ Forum (Parsiana, April 1985) compels me to plunge into a con­ troversy very much to my dislike. In the course of my career as tech­ nical adviser, one of my special tasks was to receive, study, analyse and com­ ment on reports. Thus, I can* claim to be well versed in the scrutiny of re­ ports. Where has the Kharas report gone wrong? According to me, the major er­ ror is in the preparation of the sample, correct methodology is The researcher has selected one mob- bel^w: ed from each of the 44 agiaries and two each from the four atash bahrams, thus making a total of 52 mobeds. --------„----- . The correct technique would be to vice versa, owing to locational and grace, all is well.) His co-workers put divide the 180 full-time mobeds into contact factors. down his earnings at double the figure the following three categories: Column 4 in the table below in- indicated by him. Category A: consisting of mobeds dicates the sample after following the As far as I am concerned, earnings working at Doongerwadi, senior mo­ beds working at the atash bahrams and the 28 yozdathregars (rnobeds capable of performing the higher liturgical ce­ remonies). Category B: consisting of mobeds working in high profile agiaries which number about 14. Category C: consisting of mobeds working in low profile agiaries which number around 30. It is agreed that numbers in categories B and C will B) High profile vary to a small extent with each resear- agiaries (14) cher’s classification. Mobeds in category A earn Rs C) Low profile 1,000-4,000 a month. Those in cate­ gory B earn as^much as Rs 800-1,200 per month, while those in category C Figures in columns 2, 3, and 4 based on a rapid survey of four atash bahrams earn Rs 400-800 per month. ---------- There are approximately 60 mobeds in each of the three categories. I have stated that the major error in down his earnings at double the figure 2 " “ ’ _ " J As far as I am concerned, earnings correct methodology. Column 5 brings include fixed and variable income plus 1) Mobed work place 2) Income per month (approx) 3) Number of mobeds (approx) 4) Correct sample 5) Kharas’ sample 18 Parsiana July 1985 A)Doongerwadi atash bahrams yozdathregars agiaries (14) agiaries (30) 1000, 2000 30(X) and above. 800-1200 400.800 60 60 60 20 20 20 8* 14 30 and 14 agiaries — correct to the extent of ± 10 percent.. ?Surprisingly, according to the Kharas report none of these earn Rs 1000 per month or more.1/ 1 s I I I n I I the ashodad. The income figures indi- cated that they were earning only Rs expert mobed guides, which is easily cated in the table are based on numer- 300-400 in Bombay and they would obtainable, was not resorted to. OUS discussions with dasturs, pan- earn two to three times this figure out I could not attend the meeting on thakis, senior mobeds and office-bear- of Bombay. This was refused on January 16 at Patkar Hall as I was ers of religious and social groups,some grounds of secrecy of the report. Why scheduled to listen to a talk by a* of which I substantiate as follows: this hush-hush attitude towards a distinguished speaker at Cama Hall on •The Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman straight request? the same evening. However, on my employs an office assistant who is a *00 page 85 of the Kharas report it is own initiative, I contacted Khojeste part-time mobed. According to him he stated, “It is significant to note that Mistree at his residence a few days ear- earns Rs 400 in a slack month and Rs none of the respondents interviewed lier and explained to him the defect in 500 during a busy month. How could earned over Rs 1,000.” It has to be so the methodology of the Kharas report, full-time mobeds earn less working because the list of mobeds interviewed He questioned, “What difference would eight hours a day? by the researcher did not include yoz- your methodology make to the income dathregars and senior mobeds of the of mobeds?” I replied,“The mobed in- Doongerwadi and atash bahrams who come would be double that indicated in constitute 30 percent of the athravan the Kharas report, say around Rs 1,000 work force and whose monthly income per month.” Khojeste commented, “Is is over Rs 1,000. There are many such riot this a low Ogure too?” I said apparent mistakes in the report which “While the income of mobeds should make me feel that the researcher had be higher than Rs 1,000 per month it is made up her mind to present an overly twice the amount indicated in the pessimistic report and proceeded ac- Kharas report. Can you not notice the cordingly. difference?” That was the end of the •The mobeds earn Rs 1,500 or so dur- dialogue. ------------ 3 I cannot but agree with Dastur Dr profile agiary in Central Bombay, all out to an average of Rs 125 per month JamaspAsa, that “this is not the time mobeds (more than half a dozen) emp- for every mobed.-------------------------------for half-baked and botched reports.” loyed by him earn more than Rs 1,000 •A thousand deaths occur every year. According to me these do more harm per month plus numerous other bene- The total cost of ceremonies covering than good to the cause of mobeds and fits. According to him panthakis are four days is Rs 3,500-4,000, of which must be discarded. To conclude, the now paying a higher wage to stabilize the charge for prayers (the amount that mobeds in category A do not need fi- their work force. goes directly into the pockets of mo- •According to the secretary of the beds) is Rs 1,200. Assume a lower Athornan Mandal “A healthy, hard figure at Rs 1,000. Multiply this by working mobed should be earning 1,000 (number of deaths) and divide it more than Rs 1000 per month.” The by 180 (number of mobeds) and 12 above statement is confirmed by a (months) and you arrive at a figure of highly orthodox (lady) office-bearer of approximately Rs 460 per month for a socio-religious organization who rep­ rimanded me saying that I was pam­ pering mobeds by seeking financial per page 91 of the report we are con- assistance for them. I would like to in- cerned with the arithmetic average. If troduce this lady to the researcher. __ .‘2 Z., __________ •I have interviewed over 40 mobeds for to Rs 460 on account of funerals, you vacancies at Hyderabad, Delhi, etc. have an income on these two counts nancial assistance. But they should be where the trustees have offered Rs ipOO alone, totalling Rs 585 per month. Add provided with indirect benefits in hous- plus full board and lodge,and Allah- to this the income from prayers for the ing, medical and ednratinn^letc, abad where the offer was for Rs 1500 first year, jashans, weddings, navjotes Those in category B could receive some per month plus free accommodation, and numerous other rituals performed financial assistance and indirect bene- Half a dozen mobeds refused on daily in the agiaries and the total in- fits. However, those in category C are grounds of health. The others said that come per mobed (arithmetic mean) in urgent need of direct and indirect be- they had a similar income in Bombay, would go up to Rs 1,000 per month. nefits. The scheme put up by BPP trus- so why should they face the rigours of •!! has been said that the report was tee Jal Vimadald under the auspices of a job in the mofussil areas for Rs prepared under the supervision of ex- the BPP is a comprehensive scheme. It 100-200 more per month? pert guides. But thesis work implies will gradually cater to all categories of •The BPP had given a substantial do- that the guides are dependent on the mobeds and merits our serious consi- nation towards the preparation of the researchers for reliable information deration. Kharas report. The secretary of the regarding the basics of the problem. Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Asso- Therefore the guides are as good as the ciations of India approached the re- data fed into their brain cells. Like the “‘i: engineer oypro- beds whom he could contact for work the guides, the result is disastrous. It fession. he is associated with the Athornan in moiussil agiaries as the report indi- may be pointed out that the advice of Mandal in Bombay, earn two to three times this figure out of Bombay. This was refused on January 16 at Patkar Hall as I was A healthy, hard working mobed should be earning more that Rs 1000 per month. / / f f •According to the panthakv of a high ing the muktad days. This itself works mobeds (more than half a dozen) emp- for every mobed. A social worker reprimanded me, saying that I was pampering mobeds by seeking financial vvuivu wim Liic (Uluuliciiv avcitigc. 11 ¦ . r .1 you add Rs 125 earned during muktad aSSIStanCC tOr them. QNtry mobed. Some mobeds will earn less and some more than 460. But as Peshotan Nargolwala, a management con­ sultant, is the joint honorary treasurer of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anju- mans of India. A chemical engineer by pro- 19 Parsiana July 1985