Aug 1985

1 t I te k - I ¦ ihtu . i Si: <...., 1 ^ ¦* i -. I; .**a'1 August 1985 Volume 8 Number 2 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz ToiJdywalla DESIGN CONSULTANT Mini Boatwala DESIGN ASSISTANTS Kranti Shilotri, Varghese W. Fernandaz MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Billimoria ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D'Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE R.P. Thanavala FINANCE B.L. Arora CIRCULATION B.P. Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver, Khurshid Daruwalla and Rohinton Mistry. 5 Readers' Forum 1 12 Events & Personalities 20 The Federation opts for reservation by Arnavaz S. Mama 22 Recipes for the New Year dinner by Bhicoo Manekshaw 26a A career in business ¦ J 28c Zoroastrians Abroad 30 The dying community by Malini Karkal 40 The ParsI Priesthood in India III by Arnavaz Chubb 44 "Midnight tryst with divinity" by Arnavaz S. Mama 54 "The energy level is lower" by Arnavaz S. Mama r 58 Thermax: from the familiar ... by Deep Kapur 66 Comes a horseman by Suma Varughese 71 looking bock by Porinaz Toddywalla 74a Books 80a The implications of the AET by H. Mirza and K. JamaspAsa 100 In memoriam ?¦ *. Cover: Goti vanguard and Modi Atash Bahram by Homyar Mistry £ Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications at C/o H.L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400 001, 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, (3.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001 Phone: 268730. Annual inland subscription: Rs 40Tor one year (12 issuesi; Rs 75 tor two years (24 issues); Foreign subscription rates: Seamail Rs 80 for one year Rs 150 for two years; Airmail Rs 160 for one year, Rs 290 for two years. For U.S. personal cheques add $4 to cover bank charges. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 3 for bank charges. Cheques and. drafts are to be drawn in favour of Parsiana and posted to G.P.O Box 892, Bombay 400 001. IEDITORIAL Twenty years and thereafter As Parsiana completes the twentieth throughout the world, it is unlikely time an agiary wishes to down its shut- year of its existence, we should be that more than half a dozen persons ters, much anguish is caused. Eventual- celebrating. After all, despite tremen- would convert in the course of the next ly the agiary falls into disuse, it does dous odds, losses, delays, we have few years. After the navjote of Joseph not serve the purpose for which it was managed to survive, thanks only to the Peterson in March 1984, there has been constructed and it is a place of worship warmhearted and generous support of no publicly known navjote of a non- only in name. As the number of mo- our advertisers, subscribers and dedi- Zoroastrian performed. Should the beds decrease it is essential that lay cated staff. community also accept the children of people be trained in mobedi. But this But Parsiana’s platinum year also Parsi women married to non-Parsis, unfortunately is not the thrust of any coincides with the publication of the the increase in numbers would be negli- of the major schemes for the priests Government of India ’s 1981 census fi- gible. Every session of the Federation of gures which show a dramatic drop in Everywhere one goes one hears the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India the Indian Parsi Zoroastrian popula- same thing: That we don ’t have mo- devotes itself to the assets of defunct tion. As versus a community strength beds, that Parsis are no longer seen in anjumans: a cemetery in Hathras, a of 91,266 in 1971, we were 71,630 in government service or medicine, law, dokhma in Diu, an agiary whose 1981, a loss of 20,000 in ten years. By journalism or engineering. Applica- grounds have been encroached upon, a 1985 we may have lost several thou- tions for bank loans and scholarships dharamshala in ruins. There is one sand more. come from all communities, but the Parsi in Kashmir. There are one or two In addition, the study conducted in number of Parsi applicants are mini- families in Coimbatore. Thefts are tak- 1982 by the International Institute for scule. Many of our fire-temples are in a ing place from the buildings that once Population Sciences, a report of which decrepit state. Many have shut their housed agiaries in the villages of Gu- was presented by Dr Malini Karkal at doors to the public, others have had jarat. And so on. the Fourth World Zoroastrian Con- their fires snuffed or amalgamated or gress and is reprinted in this issue of shifted. Parsiana, shows that every fifth Parsi is in the age-group of 65 and above as manifestations of a dying community a ding. There is fear of dying, where versus one in 50 in 1901. At the turn of lot of time, money and effort are spent there should be acceptance the century, around a third of the Par- to reverse the trend. People believe that ' ¦ There is decay where there should be planned withdrawal. There is animosi- Instead of realizing that these are all ty, where there should be understan- the century, around a third of the Par- to reverse the trend. People believe that So what is to be done? Gould has sis were under 14 years of age. In 1982, more housing means more Parsis. (Dr pointed out, as have Karkal and the figure was only about one in eight. Ketayun Gould, who has been resear- others, that the community ’s resources We are both an aging and a dying com- ching Parsi demography, has found de- must be directed to assisting the aging, munity. creasing fertility in both rural and ur- This means more homes for the elder- The negative growth rate goes back ban areas for Parsis. There is no hous- ly, more hospital beds, more health 40 years. In 1941 the all India figure ing shortage in rural areas. And Karkal care units and the like. This is the for Parsis was 1,14,890; in 1951 it was notes that in countries like Sweden essential requirement of the communi- 1,11,791; in 1961, 1,00,772; in 1971, where housing is more than adequate, ty today. And yet little is being done 91,226 and in 1981, 71,630; which the populations are dwindling. She also for the elderly. There is an emphasis on means an overall loss of 40,000. notes that while it is possible to con- housing, on self-employment, on mob- If we allow for around 10,000 Parsi vince people to have smaller families, it ed training, all of which are laudatory Zoroastrians overseas and around may not be possible to convince them goals. But the community cannot af- 20,000 Iranian Zoroastrians, the world to increase their numbers.) Instead of ford to neglect the facts staring them in population is 1,00,000. accepting the fact that tewer Parsis the face: the aged. The Zoroastrians overseas are not mean fewer mobeds and therefore the We cannot reverse the trend toward confident of their children growing up need for fewer agiaries, people ignore extinction. No miracle can save the in the Zoroastrian tradition or marry- the reality. As a result, no community community. But a change in attitude ing fellow Zoroastrians. Even if con- plan is drawn up as to which agiaries could help us better cope with the in ­ vention is accepted by Zoroastrians should be shut or shifted. Instead every evitable. 3 Parsiana August 198br. ¦ READERS' FORUM ¦ same individual would not permit the mobeds to do so. As there was danger of violence, and as the keys of the premises were with the said individual, the matter of shifting had to be drop ­ ped. It is entirely false to say that the fire was extinguished for want of sufficient funds to maintain it. If the fire was ex ­ tinguished, this must have been owing to the neglect of that local resident who had locked the agiary and kept the keys with him. It is also false to say that the care ­ taker was not given any increase in his salary. The fact is that he refused to work owing to his ill-health and with a lot of difficulty the trustees persuaded him to carry on for about a year. How ­ ever during this period no one else was prepared to work as a caretaker of the I agi^. I No request was made to the trustees I to repair the roof of the agiary. When I it had been decided to shift the fire to Surat there was no point in repairing I the agiary. After a lot of persuasion, the local resident who had opposed the shifting of the fire gave his consent only a few Readers' views are welcome on any days ago. The fire was shifted to Surat 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. subject of interest to the community i I Karanj fire extinguished On behalf of the trustees of the Kararij Agiary I would like to clarify the issues raised by Mr J.F. Pavri (Parsiana. July 1985). The agiary is a dadgah and not an . adarian. As far back as 1984, the trus ­ tees had informed the members of the community regarding shifting of the fire to Surat as no mobed was available to tend the fire at Karanj (Jam-e- Jamshed, January 14, 1984). A local resident had insisted on this as he felt that some Parsis might object to the shifting of the fire, but no objections were received. When arrangements were made to shift the fire, well Over a year ago, the on July 20, 1985 and has been tempo ­ rarily installed at an agiary in Surat. From here it will be shifted to the Bisni Adarian as soon as the work of repairs and renovation of these adarian premi ­ ses are completed and the sacred and holy fire of the adarian saheb is re ­ installed. Regarding the re-installation of the Goti Adarian fire, it was not the Surat Parsi Punchayet which had arranged the function; the function had been ar ­ ranged by the trustees of the Goti Ada ­ rian which is an independent body. I would like to inform Mr Pavri that with a lot of difficulties I have in the past succeeded in getting the fires of the Bhagva and Bhessan agiaries shift ­ ed to Bhatha and Surat respectively, as there were no mobeds available to look ^fter them. From the above it will be clear that the trustees were vigilant and were do ­ ing their best in the interest of the agiary despite being, obstructed in their work. DA VAR KAVASJl T. MODI President Karanj Parsi Anjuman Trust AET inaugurated The group which Khojeste Mistree alleges attempted to “sabotage ” the in ­ augural function of the Athravan Edu ­ cational Trust through an advertise ­ ment in Jam-e-Jamshed as reported in the concluding paragraph of “Phase I” by Arnavaz Mama (Parsiana, June, 1985) is the Council of Vigilant Parsis. We were responsible for this “at ­ tempt. ” If telling the truth can be cal ­ led sabotage, then we are proud to be saboteurs. Our advertisement was a free and frank statement of truth. Ours was a sincere, straightforward appeal to ’mobed sahebs ’ that if they valued their honour or self-respect, they should neither jeopardize nor sacrifice these and surrender to the temptations of a measly dinner and paltry pelf, by attending the inaugural function. What was the idea in literally pur ­ chasing their support with a free dinner for two and some cash? We are sure that if neither free dinners nor cash had been offered, hardly 10 percent of the mobeds wduld have attended. Thus, you will see, our only objec ­ tive in wanting to insert the said adver ­ tisement was. to save our mobed sahebs from humiliationrand loss of §elf-res- pect. We are happy to note that a majority of working, full-time mo ­ beds, who are genuinely committed to our religion, kept away, whereas those who came were employed in banks and offices, and therefore had nothing to lose but everything to gain. For them, it was just an evening of fun. Although, our advertisement was not published, we are satisfied. • that it produced an electrifying ef ­ fect. • that it revealed various people in their true colours, which will prove of immense help to COVP in planning its future strategy. * that it has helped to highlight the kind of respect in which our poor mo ­ beds are held by the trustees of the Athravan Educational Trust. B.K. MISTRY Jt. Hon. Secretary Council of Vigilant Parsis In the wriW-up “Athravan trust in ­ augurated ” by Niloofer Madon (Parsi­ ana, June 1985), mention is made of 5 Parsiana August 1985f' r the felicitations to two old mobeds, fling the prayers, ceremonies, yazshne fi two mobeds who had performed 69 etc, the observance of these fundamen- and 65 nirangdins and one who passed tai rituals was the most essential part of his Ph.D. the daily life of a Zoroastrian priest. In There are many more mobeds who the yazshne ceremony the priest is one are now old and have excellent records of the 33 alats used for the ceremony of spiritual activities. One such is Er- and if the priest has not activated his vad Sohrab Mulla who, along with spiritu^ self by observing these-rituals Dastur Minochehr-Homji, was a foun- arid learning the intricate details of der student of the Cama Athornan In- performing the ceremony, the desired stitute, studying the course of pucca results are not likely to come about, mobedi and Avesta-Pahlavi in addi- In other words, it is necessary to in- tion to the usual school curriculum. Mulla, who is 75 years old, has per- training, the necessity of practising the formed about 57 nirangdins and pre- religion properly before attempting to sently supervises and directs the per for- understand its signiflcance. The prac- mance of nirangdins at the Anjuman tising priests were required to follow a and Wadia Atash Bahrams. Mulla tough and rigorous routine. Our family has also served both these atash bah- friend, who was a priest and visited us rams as boiwalla and was a panthaki at almost daily, would refuse to dnnk the Thoothi Adarian at Walkeshwar water at our place as we are behdins. for 30 years. He is presently at the An- How then could priests partake of food juman Atash Bahram. prepared by behdins or non-Zoroas- Another mobed, Ervad Noshirwan trians? Distribution of free coupons Sohrab Bode has performed many for dinner for practising priests tanta- nirangdins and is about 76 years old. mounted to degradation of the lofty He was a boiwalla at an atash bah- spiritual profession of the priestly ' ram, two or three years ago. The above class. two mobeds know the intricacies of our It is rather di fflcult to understand rituals, and our existing mobeds may I’ow the subject of philosophy flnds learn more about rituals from these place in the training of priests. The two mobeds if they care to do so. divine laws are immutable and we have no right whatsoever to effect any change therein. If ever a doubt arises, one must look deep into the doctrines All efforts in the right direction to im- and he is sure to find a satisfactory prove the lot of the priestly class answer for dispelling his doubt, should be regarded as commendable. Dastur Kotwal rightly pointed out that nicious because today, by and large, we had been talking about it for more these non-Zoroastiian scholars have than two decades. Several schemes shown a tendency to present innovative have been considered and some merely concepts, not backed by scripture, pro ­ shelved. Since the community is al- bably in their enthusiasm to show ready aware of the problem, research something new about the religion; list- to investigate the reasons for most of ' eners who have not studied the religion the schemes being non-starters would in depth are bound to be misled, have helped us to identify the problem and to take remedial measures because well meaning persons who honestly feel inadequate remuneration is not the on- that the Athravan Educational Trust ly cause of this intricate problem facing — the way it proposes to function — the community. would not be able to achieve the desir- Before the advent of the present ed results and attempt to dissuade the • madressas, training for priesthood us- priests from attending the function by ed to be imparted in our atash bahrams inserting an advertisement in the com- and agiaries by practising priests who munity ’s most popular daily, it could themselves performed ceremonies of hardly be termed as “sabotage! ” It is higher liturgical order. The young boy interesting to note that care has been under training observed how these taken not to miss such details whilst priests functioned in day-to-day life, reporting on these activities, while a reciting ‘grace ’ or baj whilst partaking lecture on “Omnipotence of Ahura of food, bathing, cutting hair, paring Mazda and the concept of evil in the nails, etc. and it was impressed upon Zoroastrian religion ” lasting over an these youngsters that besides (ear- hour, was dismissed in a four-line ! ! i 1 7 Parsiana August 1985 TRAM F. MULLAN Udwada In other words, it is necessary to in ­ culcate in the minds of priests under APPOINTED VALUERS OF JEWELLERY TO THE GOVERNMENTOF INDIA It is rather di fflcult to understand Teaching by non-Zoroastrians is per- Under the circumstances if a few GAZDAR PVT. LTD. Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay. Tel: 202 3666 Telegrams: “MANUSGRIPr ’ 5 IV*. • • Sv . V' VACATION FUN WITH LALA TOURS 1 Class Rs. 3,800/- Air Rs. 6,000/- MrTwn Sept 25 Oct 23 Nov. 06 NEPAL-DARJEEUNG Including a visit to KATHMANDU, PATNA and CALCUTTA Cost Rs. 4,550/- (2nd Class) Airport taxes extra. Departure Dates: On or about 12th Nov. to 28th Nov. SINLA-NANAU Including a visit to KULU, CHANDIGARH and BHAKRA-NANGAL Cost: Rs. 2;3^5I- (2nd Class) Departure Dates: On or about Sth Nov. to 21st Nov. NADOTAL Including a visit to DELHI and BHIMTAL Cost Rs. 1,645/- (2nd Class) Departure Dates: On or about 10th Nov. to 22nd Nov. SOUTH INDIA Including a visit to BANGALORE, MYSORE, OOTY, KODAIKANAL, PERIYAR GAME SANCTUARY, TRIVANIMtUM, KANYAKUMARl, MAHABALH’URAM and MADRAS Cost Rs. 2,525/- <2nd Class) Departww Dates: On or idbout 4th Nov. to 22nd Nov. BAJASTHAN Including a visit to UDAIPUR, JAIPUR, AJMER, JODHPUR and MOUNT ABU Cost Rs. 1,675/- (2nd Class) Departure Dates: On or about 18th Dec. to 30th Dec. GOA Including a visit to PANAJl, MARGAON, MARNAGOA CALANGUTE, OLD GOA Rs. GSOI- (Upper Deck by Ship) FIRSTTOUR On or about 20th Dec. to 2Sth Dec. SECOND TOUR On or about 26th Dec. to 31st Dec. KASHMIK Including a visit to AGRA, DELHI, SRINAGAR, PAHALGAM, GULMARG and SONMARG Cock Rs. 2,375/- (2nd class) Departure Dates: FIRST TOUR On or about 14th Sept to 28th Sept SECOND TOUR On or about 14di Oct to 28th Oct THIRD TOUR On or about 9th Nov. to 23rd Nov. EASHNn BY SUPERFAST TRAINS AND SUPER DELUXE BUSES OR BY AIR AND SUPER DELUXE BUSES Oft: n Clast Rs. 3,150/- n Class A.C. Rs. 3,950/- Departure Dates: Rail Tours Sept 23 Oct 21 Nov. 04 NOTE: (a) AppUcattons witii deposit of Rs. SOO/- per bead for 11 Class and Rs. 1,000/- per head for I Gass or n A.C. Gass must be received AT LEAST 100 DAYS before the date al departure. (b) Applications with deposit of Rs. 2,000/- per head for die Air Tours must be received AT LEAST 25 DAYS before die date of departure. NEPAL Inchiding a visit to PATNA and KATHMANDU Cost Rs 2,550/-(2nd Class) Airport taxes extra. Departure Dates: On or about 12di Nov. to 24th Nov. DAHIEEUNG Including a visit to CALCUTTA Cost Rs. 2,095/- (2nd Class) Departure Dales: On or about 9th Nov. to 21st Nov. MESSRS H.K. LALA & CO. Banalal Villa, Sobhani Road, Colaba, Bombay 400 005. Td: 214744,211925,215094; Gram: EDTOURS, Bombay. Capitol Cinema Building, Opp. New Empire Cinema, Murzban Road, Bombay 400 001. Tel: 263006. report, probably because in your con- I sidered opinion the king could do no 1 wrong. 1 SOHRAB NAVALSHAW PATWA The ZAGNY split I The serious split prevailing between the fl Parsi and Iranian Zoroastrians in New fl York makes sad reading. (“The I ZAGNY split ’’ Parsiana, June 1985.) I Arbab Rustam Guiv was one of the fl two Zoroastrian philanthropic giants — fl next being Seth Shapurji F. Jokhi of fl Hong Kong. Perhaps, it was Arbab fl Rustam Guiv ’s aim that the Zoroas- fl trians in America remain as good bre- fl thren,enhancing the message of Lord fl Zoroaster amongst the Americans, for fl which he donated large amounts. fl It is a matter of deep regret that aftei fl the sad demise of Rustam Guiv, a split 1 amongst the ZAGNY members began fl to surface and the dissident Iranian fl Zoroastrians have separated from the 1 principal body, ZAGNY, to form their ;fl own association under the name and style of IZA. j Our Iranian brethren should know well that Zoroastrians are conspicuous in their obstinacy. Because of ada ­ mant, arrogant and obstinate beha ­ vior, Zoroastrians lost their empire centuries ago. The grounds raised by the dissident Iranians are that the ZAGNY members are arrogant and insolent, they do not maintain account books properly and up-to-date, they misuse funds in any manner they like, and last but not the least, on some auspicious occasions such as Navroze, the food served does not suit the palate of the Iranians. Such arguments, in my humble view, are minor. Both sides should meet together and solve the problem in a spirit of mutual give and take. ZAGNY members are a highly cultured and learnt people. Zoroastrians all over the world expect them to solve the minor problems in a spirit of give and take and avoid for ­ mation of a separate institution. R.N. RUSTOMJl Daressalaam hospitality If any Parsi is visiting Daressalaam for business or pleasure, he is most wel ­ come to contact us. If I can be of any assistance in this part of the worlds please contact me at P. O. Box 1054 Daressalaam, Tanzania, Phone: 25724. EDUL UDVADIA Daressalaam, Tanzania 'i Parsi&na August t966I' Pravers on cassette respects, what surprised US was and Khojeste Mistree is that Ahura that after the ceremony some non-Par- Mazda needs our combined prayers, I would like to bring to the notice of sis who knew Sanskrit told us that they good deeds arid goodwill, to fight your readers, a recent cassette on Aves- could clearly follow the gist of our Ahriman. This type of thinking strikes tan prayers. The 13 prayers, recited by prayers for the dead. (Something more at the very root of Mazdayasnian Zo- Dastur Navrooz D. Minochehr-Homji, than what the average Parsi can boast roastrianism. When Zoroaster came on start with kusti prayers, and end with about!) the scene he did away with the concept Tandurasti. For the younger genera ­ tion this is an ideal opportunity for that in prehistoric times. Parsis and the theory of one supreme omnipotent learning our Zoroastrian prayers, while Hindus were part of the same stock Ahura Mazda. the older generation could avail them- and ^‘seed. ” Some spread to the Mid- ~ selves of the harmonious vibrations. ----- The cassette is available at the Petit Later, when we were in dire need we Ahura Mazda is not effective in gran- Fasli Atash Kadeh, 44, New Marine accepted their hospitality. We have ting them their boons or helping them Lines, Churchgate, Bombay 400 020. V.J. KAPADIA Some scholars are of the opinion of a plethora of gods, and propagated There is a danger that fickle and fee- dle East and others came to India, ble minded Parsis may consider that been allowed to prosper and follow our in their troubles and will start resorting religion freely. There are similarities in to deva and druja worship. That means the Vedas and the Avesta but our again bringing in a plethora of gods superior wise men designate all others and taking us further away from Dr as purjats. Alan Williams ’ wish that Parsis should We are so bigoted that an innocent convert themselves back to Zoroastria ­ nism. Z.M. ZEND Of wise men and purity We are reducing at a rate of one per ­ cent per year and in less than a hundred two-year-old is denied his name being years our gallant little community will in the Tandurasti prayer if his father is be extinct. not a Parsi. Does one think that Zara- We do not allow the children of Par- thushtra will deny an innocent babe or I have read “Is God all-powerful? ” si girls married to non-Parsis, into the his father, as a matter of fact, good {Parsiana, May 1985) which however, ' fold. Who are these “we ” anyway? health because they are not Parsis? does not make quite clear what exactly These are our educated “wise ” leaders And yet our “wise ” men organized a is Zoroastrian dualism. ’ who claim that such “seeds ’’are not jashan for Indira Gandhi. Our priests T——L... L_.L ht < 2_____ ¦ 2 J ¦ * 2 ¦ ~ ¦¦¦ “ ¦ i True Zoroastrianism is ethical audit pure. But surely even a hybrid seed will have also prayed at the demise of prime lays emphasis on a man ’s mind. Ahri not flourish on barren ground, and nor ministers and presidents. Where are or Anghra denote evil and Spenta or will it have any offspring if it falls on now the “pure ” principles of our Vohu mean good. As one thinks, so unfertile land. But if the land is good “wise ” men? Or are there two sets of does he become, devilish or angelic, and fertile, any seed will flourish and conduct, one for the famous and the Demons and angels are priestly perso- the land is always more important than other for ordinary people? To say that nifications of the evil and the good in a the seed it nurtures. the prayers are chanted for the famous man ’s mind. Ahura Mazda is omnipo- Can our orthodox “wise ” be des- non-Parsi, without taking the name of tent, omnipresent and omniscient, cribed as any other than M.C.Ps (male the person concerned, is the height of Some state that God the Creator, is not chauvinist pigs)? Why are.the women hypocrisy! the controller of His creations and that of our community allowing this utter bhicoo j. manekshaw He has some sadistic pleasure that He injustice to carry on? Don ’t we know sam nariman mehta (retd) creates us to be left to the mercy of the that there is complete equality of sex in damnable demons over whom He has our religion? Shall we let this little Jg God fllkpowerful? control! How absurd, community die “pure ” for whatever good it may do to our corpses? There is a letter by J.R. Russell “Is Zarathushtra converted and spread God all-powerful? ” in Parsiana, July this unique and thought provoking reli- 1985. It is really galling to read, over gion. The Sasanian Empire (224-636 and over again, the same arguments ex- AC) which stretched from Syria to In- plaining the evils and miseries in this dia — saw the establishment of world as the thought of the devil, and Zoroastrianism as the state religion, further arguing that if God cannot con- How could this possibly have happen- trol the devil, he must be equal and op ­ ed unless the population of the con- posite to everything which the devil re- • quered land was converted to Zoroas- presents, trianism? We do not advocate iriass conversion — but accepting children of we imbibe knowledge, by which we un- Parsi girls married to non-Parsis if derstand the world, applies to creation both the parents so desire, accepting and not to the creator i.e. not to God. anyone who genuinely wants to come In the 101 names of Ahura Mazda we into our religion, and the adopted learn that He is all-powerful, all-wise, children of Parsi couples. and omnipotent. It is impossible for At a funeral of a Parsi officer who our human mind to understand and had died in Delhi, other officers and comprehend His mind, friends of the deceased also came to community die “pure ” for whatever ) J Parsiana August 1985 1 BHiCOO J. MANEKSHAW New Delhi DARA J. CAMA The faculty of reasoning by which The theory propagated by Russell Old Wrist Watches Wanted Advertiser wishes to buy OLD wrist watches of Pre-1950 period of well known makes such as Rolex, Patek-Philippe, Cartier etc. Please send detailed list with expected prices to The Advertiser, (OLD) C/o Parsiana, H.L. Rochat & Co., Navsari Chambers, 39 A.K. Nayak Marg, Fojt, Bombay 400 001.Events and Personalities BPP hearini! DOStnoned which propels present losers into future track. A committee comprising noted ® winners; humorist and playwright Adi Marzban On an appeal by the trustees of the * suggests an Anjuman Committee of and social workers Ms Homai Mody Bombay Parsi Punchayet for an ad- 100 persons, preferably with 80 elected and Ms Desi Mehta, has suggested to joumment on the hearing of the revis- from the general population and 20 the BPP trustees that the 165 women ed electoral reforms scheme, the Bom- from among the donors (or 50 — 50, if and 184 men on the bureau ’s register bay High Court has postponed the necessary); be given an opportunity to meet each hearing to August 19, 1985 on which • restricts a trustee to two terms of other more regularly in an informal day a final date will be specified for the seven years each; setting, noted the BPP’s chief execu- hearing to begin. * suggests an upper age limit of 70 five Russi Anklesaria at a mini press The BPP solicitors asked for an ex- years for trustees; conference in the punchayet ’s board tension on July 15 on the basis of stu- • requires the trustees to mandatorily room. In answer to the committee ’s dying the affidavit submitted by the call the Anjuman Committee once a plea for such “continuous recurring Committee for Economic Revival year to submit accounts and present a impact, ” the trustees have sanctioned (CER) the preceding Friday. Mr Jus- report of activities; Rs 36,()00 towards the cost of such get- fice S.P Bharucha, giving four clear weeks, postponed the hearing to Au- to summon meetings on the written re ­ gust 19 and directed the solicitors to re- quisition of 25 percent of its members quest the next presiding judge to stipu- to discuss any urgent question; late a date when hearings can proceed • enjoins trustees to seek amendments who also have the privilege of bringing regularly so that Parsi Zoroastrians from the High Court on a written re- from other parts of India can partake quisition from a majority of the Anju- of the trial without the discomfort of man Committee/a majority of its elect- frequent postponements. This state- ed members/a majority of its donor tee is hoping that the guest will belong meilt was prompted by the presence of members; to the younger age-group — perhaps Shiavax Nargolwala, president of the • empowers the Anjuman Committee an unregistered brother, sister or friend Delhi Parsi Anjuman, who is a mem- to requisition a meeting by a 25 percent — thus widening the choice of marria- ber of the donor register of the BPP vote to try a sitting trustee on grounds ge partners among the community, and wished to present his views to the of breach of community interests, a 70 The organizers are keen to ensure court. percent vote against a trustee requiring sufficient space for people to play. The CER affidavit, submitted by Ms him to resign office; dance, talk and generally get to know Mani Sohrab Dalal, suggests that do- • suggests that reservation for gradua each other. Unfortunately, says Mody, nor register membership should be tes is unnecessary. space at the Framji Cawasji Hall is available to those donating Rs 1,00,000 limited and other venues have restric- and over, as against the original Rs Monthly matrimonial meet dancing. 5,000 which was set in 1910 and which Much will depend on how well the the official scheme of the trustees has The Bombay Parsi Punchayet ’s matri- initial program swings, says Mody, raised to Rs 7,500. monial bureau will hold the first of its Pound parties, picnics, hiking, harbor The CER affidavit monthly social evenings on Saturday, cruise, whist drive, fancy dress and • requests that the constituency-wise September 28, 1985 at the Framji Ca- talent competitions, debates, hat spee- representation be proportionate to the wasji Hall near Metro Cinema with an ches and disco sessions are some of the Size of the constituency; ‘agenda ’ that includes games, dancing other ideas the organizers intend to ex- • questions the size of the envisaged and snacks on the house. ploit — “anything where participation Anjuman Committee anid the propriety After two years of staid one-to-one is required, ” notes Mody. The partici- of the method of parity between its matchmaking and a record of seven pants will, it is hoped, make further elected and donor members as sug- marriages and five engagements behind suggestions themselves. gested by the official BPP scheme it, the bureau is switching to a speedier Lack of independent accommoda- • requires the trustees to mandatorily • empowers the Anjuman Committee togethers in the current year, notes the punchayet ’s press release. The invitation to the Hrst social has been extended to about 150 registrants one guest each on a token payment of seven rupees, said Anklesaria. Whereas a parent could be a guest, the commit- gested by the official BPP scheme it, the bureau is switching to a speedier 12 Parsiana August 1985 I i i 1 ¦ i 'i ¦ a t.j; 1 ¦. ^1' ' KS: a ’ tion with the boys is the first of the ma ­ jor difficulties that hinder match ­ making activities. “Other communities do not have the same problem ” la ­ ments Anklesaria, adding, “It ’s the weakness of our community that we have accepted some of the worst cha ­ racteristics of western society. ” It is to the advantage of newly-weds to live with in-laws as the children from the marriage can be easily looked after and the young mother can continue to con ­ tribute to the family income, he noted. As per the press release, the girls registered with the BPP have higher in ­ come and educational qualifications ’ than the boys and are, moreover, reluc ­ tant to settle in other parts of India. j Bombay based boys are also reluctant to accept mofussil brides who may not get jobs in Bombay easily, noted An ­ klesaria. According to the press release, of the been requested to donate Rs 170 to- Hamazor, brought out by the World 349 individuals registered with the wards the cost of a chair for the hall as Zoroastrian Organization, notes an bureau, 19 persons are resident abroad 700 chairs are needed and the anjuman editorial in the first issue of March 85. and 102 belong to cities and towns out- hopes the members will respond as they __ LZ—______ 1- 2 Z___ side Bombay. Each member of the anjuman has prime objective of the news bulletin. The word Hamazor is derived from always do because “after all, this is the Pahlavi word, Hamag-Zor, which your hall. ” is etymologically broken up into Hama Anklpearin rp.p|pptpd Though the idea of a hall was moot- which means all and Zor which means " ed way back in the forties, it was only strength. “In its wider context, the Dr Russi Anklesaria was unanimously on December 19, 1955, when EduljiOl- word... means unity, cooperation, re-elected trustee of the Calcutta Anju- padvala, then chairman of the board of harmony and brotherhood, ” adds the man Trust Funds, at a meeting held on trustees, bequeathed his property at 52 bulletin. February 24, 1985 notes Calcutta Chowringhee Road (“the most fa- - Gavashm, the Calcutta Zoroastrian shionable area of the city ”) to the com- tractor, and editors. Noshir Dadrawala Anjuman newsletter. There was no munity, that the idea took shape. How- and Ms Dinaz Diventri promise their other contestant for the post, ever till 1981, nothing could be done readers that all noteworthy events, in- > due to lack of initial finances. respective of geographical boundaries. In 1981, a representative of the will be factually reported. The first six-page issue contains Publishers Dadi Mistry and Zal Con- Though part of the building will be ing activities of the producers of the Jehanbux Kapadia “has done us proud ” by winning the bronze medal Assam Company asked if the building in the 100 metres event at the All-India could be leased out to them, offering to reports on the Fourth World Zoroas- Veteran Athletics Meet held in Nagpur, renovate it at their own expense as well trian Congress held in Bombay in Jan- notes Gavashni, “His love, dedication as pay advance rent on it. uary this year, the proposed fund rais- and interest in sports is rehiarkable ^d — - -..........................-- we wish him many years of active life, ” kept for the anjuman offices, the rest movie, A Quest for Zarathushtra, the adds the write-up. has been rented out to M.N. Dastur Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anju- and Company, the Tata Iron and Steel mans of India and other news. , The World Zoroastrian Orgahiza- A jashan ceremony was conducted at Company, and the Nissho Iwai Corpo- the Olpadvala Memorial Hall on Jan- ration. This rent will augment the re- tion was set up in 1980, to promote • uary 20, 1985 at 10.30 am, before “a sources of the anjuman and will be us- “unity, cooperation and solidarity gathering of Calcutta Parsis to dedi- ed to maintain the hall and building, as amongst Parsi Zoroastrians scattered cate this hall and building to the com- well as provide housing, educational throughout the world, ” adds the news- j ’ munity, ” notes Dr Russi Anklesaria, and sports grants, and medical aid. A letter. Satarawala for Mexico trustee of the Calcutta Anjuman Trust charitable dispensary, a home for the Funds, in a press release. The aged, and a large bus for holiday 700-capacity hall with two fully equip- camps to “help integration between The new Indian ambassador to Mexico ped kitchens will be used for navjotes, our boys and girls ” are the future pro- is K.T. Satarawala, the former gover- weddings and other get-togethers adds jects. nor of Pimjab, who will simultaneous^ the press release. tioc accredited to Guatemala and El The hall, to be let out to other com- Oircngmc i g Salvador. munities on hire, will be free for Parsi “To investigate and report on the cur- Sixty-nine-year-old Satarawala, a re- Zoroastrians, notes the release. A roof rent events and happenings in the com- tired Indian Administrative Service of- garden is in the planning. munity on a world-wide basis, ” is the ficer. has served in several ministries in Strengthening ties “To investigate and report on the cur- 13 Parsiana August 19H5f After retirement J us sa walla wishes Bamji,who is presently deputy direct Kight Chief Justice, M Reddy presented the Special Executive Magistrate's shield to Ms Zeenia Lawyer, partner. Associated Breweries and Distilleries at the Special Executive Bombay University. Immediately after her M.A., Jussa- !? various capacities. Satarawala was co- ordinator and vice-chairman of the nineth Asian Games and was closely associated with the seventh non-align ­ ed stanmit. “Satarawala ’s posting assumes sig ­ nificance in view of India ’s expanding ties with Mexico, an important non- aligned country, ” adds the Bombay local newspaper. The Daily of June 14, 1985. Rustomji advising Andhra “To introduce professional and mo- Magistrates' Society presentation held on April 1, 1985.(l^eft}Satarawala: in Mexico dern management techniques ” into its administration, the government of An ­ dhra Pradesh has appointed Minoo Rustomji, the noted management au ­ thor to “streamline the state adminis ­ tration and make it more efficient, ” note press reports. “This is probably the first time that a state government has commissioned the services of a pri ­ vate management consultancy firm to Undertake such work, ” states The Oxford faVOFS JllSSftW&ll& Times of India of June 18, 1985. Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao. who took the decision of appointing the Bombay-based firm, wishes that the complaints and grievances of the com ­ mon man are attended to quickly and without bureaucratic delays, notes the report. Rustomji will review the existing government administrative machinery and its procedures and methods of work, and recommend changes if need ­ ed. He will also review the adequacy of delegating power at all levels with a view to encouraging responsibility and initiative. A comprehensive report to the state government in this regard will be ready in six months, adds the write up. r I Olympia for Framji Kavasji Kaikhushrou Framji, secretary gener^ of the International Commis ­ sion on Irrigation and Drainage, New Delhi, has been awarded the Olympia prize for 1985 for bringing about ma ­ jor changes in planned water resources. Framji, who is the first Indian to get this award, shares the prize with the Royal Academy of the Netherlands for their complete and authentic edition of the works of Erasmus, notes The Dai­ ly, dated April 9, 1985. The 10,000 dollar award is conferred annually by the Alexander Onassis Public Benefit Foundation of Greece to persons or institutions who have made notable contributions in scienti- Jussawalla ’s book is not prescribed by fic progress, notes the write-up. Framji was previously chief engineer and joint-secretary in the irrigation walla did her B.A. at St. Armes, Ox­ ministry and was associated with the ford. During her subsequent 28 years Ganga water problem and the Farakka of teaching graduate and postgraduate Barrage, the report adds. students at the Elphinstone College, she revisited Oxford for four years to do a research course where she studied 26 folk poems of the medieval period, “When I wrote the book I had Indian states the report. students in mind. I did not have Ox­ ford in mind at all, ” says Ms M.C. to study Indian folklore, especially that Jussawalla, head of the English depart- of Maharashtra, notes the write-up. ment, Elphinstone College, Bombay in an interview published in Indian Ex- Research award fOF Bamji press, June 11, 1985, Jussawalla ’s book on Elizabethan literature has For her pioneering work in the field of been prescribed by Oxford University biochemistry and nutrition. Dr Mahtab for its A-level papers in literature. S. Bam Ji was awarded the Shri Amrut One of seven books annotating the Mody Foundation Research Award in works of Edward Spencor, “one of the June 1985. The award which carried a greatest writers of allegory of the six- citation and an amount of Rs 10,000 teenth century, ” Jussawalla who ana- was gifted by her to a rural charity hos- lysed the entire works of Spencer for pi tai in Medak district, noted a report her Ph.D. thesis says of her book, “I in the Hyderabad daily. News Time of have steered clear of the two extremes June 25, 1985. that writfers of such texts fall prey to. I have tried to make it neither too scho- tor of the National Institute of Nutri- larly nor like a guide, ” she says. Yet tion (NIN) in Hyderabad, incharge of the division of biochemistry and of- Bamji: vitamin pills ineffective incharge of the Laboratory Animals Information Service Centre (LAISC), opined, “As supplements to Indian diet, vitamins would be ineffec ­ tive by themselves. Hence the strategy should be to improve the infection in ­ fested environment. Pressure cook ­ ing is always better than frying or open cooking. Overcooking destroys vital vi ­ tamins in vegetables. The present day pharmaceutical companies that sell vitamins make their millions not from what people need but from what they do not need and excrete in the urine. ” Nutritional risks of oral and injec ­ table contraceptives (a WHO project) 15 Parsiana-August 1985Bamji is also a student of Hindustani of the dances in the production. This I The principal ballerina “I am very family conscious. I like go- '^4 I k is another area where her contribution Bamji is also a student of Hindustani of the dances in the production. This has gained significant attention, notes classical music.' was the first time that a full length News Time. A crusader against en- ballet, with sets and a live orchestra vironmental pollution, Bamji is active rp. kollarina was performed in India, adds the re ­ in the Joint Forum for Protection of ine pnncipai uaiienna Environment which is working to bring “I am very family conscious. I like go- Katrak ’s most challenging foie has the industries and the government ing back to my roots, to see where my been that of Princess Aurora in the together in pollution control efforts. father lived, where he grew, ” says Sleeping Beauty. Yet her favourite is After graduation from Bombay Uni- Nicola Katrak, principal ballerina in The Two Pigeons, “because I enjoy versity in 1955, she completed her the Sadler ’s Wells Royal Ballet of any part that calls for drama and emo-' Ph.D. in biochemistry while working England which toured India in April tion, ” notes Katrak, adding, “The at the Indian Institute of Science in this year in an interview published in day-long exercises and rehearsals and Bangalore. Between 1963 and 1965 she Mid-day, April 16, 1985. the lack of social life, can become ex ­ received post doctoral training in bio- Though her father was born in Cal- tremely frustrating. ” chemistry at the Tuft ’s University in cutta and brought up in Karachi where Married to Charles, a journalist Boston and at the Johns Hopkin ’s Uni- she claims to have a large family, her whom she met in Manila where he was versity, Baltimore, USA. Since 1965 mother is English. Nicola was brought doing a feature on the company ’s tour, she has been at the NIN, notes a press up entirely in England and follows the Katrak noted in an interview to the In- release. Church of England, notes the report, dian Express, April 2, 1985 that her In the past she has published around “My mother always wanted to dance work does not conflict with her per- 75 research papers, attended many na- but was not allowed to, so she enrolled sonal life because “my husband and I tional and international scientific me in the local ballet classes in Or- both adore our work. . .(however) meetings and has also served on edito- phington, when I was four ” notes when we do plan to have a famfly, I rial boards of journals, national and Katrak. However she joined the Royal would have to reconsider my options. I international. She is also the recipient Ballet School at 10 and was later ab- It would be difficult to play two roles ,. j of the USA National Science Founda- sorbed by the company. Today she is then, one at home and the other at tion travel award, a WHO Visiting the “junior-most principal dancer but work. ” Scientist Fellowship, and the Patwar- if required I also dance with the corps dhan Prize and the Shakuntala Devi de bilet, ” adds the report. Amirchahd Prize awarded by the In ­ dian Council of Medical Research. Karanjia sewerage chief In India however, Katrak did not The new chief engineer of sewerage dance Giselle, but was the lead in two operations in the Municipal Corpora- ft ‘K. ! ! MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER r I I I To do so we offer you ? Diploma Course in Business Management (Orat/Postal) IMC ? Banking: C.A,1.1.B. Course (Postal) ? Executive Secretarial Course ? Private Secretarial Course ? Steno Secretarial Course ? Telephone Operating ir Personal Assistants* Programme (working stenographers) ik Telephone Operating-Cum-Receptionist Techniques ? Shorthand & Typewriting ? Punch Operating ? Telex Operating ? E.D.P. Concepts & Cobol Programming ik Computer Exposure & Basic Programming Enquire at ! »» '^2 .A, I Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Bombay 400 001. Tel: 251185 17 Parsiana August J9S5r try, from his Pune residence. His father set up the stud farm and Poonawala steadily built up his collec ­ tion of horses. He loves Bombay and is invariably here during the races. He says that the price of horses has.gone down considerably now because of a substantial increase in the breeding of racehorses. The number of races have doubled in the last four years, he adds. His other interest is the Serum In ­ stitute of India, Pune which he heads. He is at present involved in an expand ­ ed program of immunization, which aims at providing 100 percent protec ­ tion to children against tetanus, diph ­ theria, whooping cough, etc. Multi-millionaire Poonawala owns about a dozen cars, besides half-a- dozen vintage including a 1926 Merce ­ des and a 1927 Rolls Royce. After he left college, Poonawala was in a dilemma: whether to pursue his partment in 1954 and was also actively man. „ , • , breeding business or to launch into associated with the World Bank aided Besides being a surgeon, Patel is also some other activity Looking back he stage I of the Bhatsai Water Supply a dramatist and singer and was the is content that he did the right thing by Project and also stage II of the project founder president of the medico-cultu- currently under implementation states ral group of Baroda, adds the write-up. the release. Prior to his new assignment I Karanjia was deputy engineer in the Cultural Festival, Patel won a prize for I Water Supply and Sewerage Depart- his drama, Mushaira. He also won a ¦ ment, adds the release. shield for the western and Hindi solo r “Karanjia has the distinction of de- song numbers and bagged the first f signing and developing a new techni- prize for group songs for three conse- que for repairing the expansion joints cutive years, from 1978 to 1980, notes I on water mains which can save about the write-up. 10 percent of the total quantity of ' water lost during conveyance, ” notes Qf stallions and serums the rdcHsc Racing is his hobby and breeding his profession. Naturally, he loves horses tremendously; he owns about 250 of L f- r E'- >• 5- L I Karanjia: new technique to save water Aibara: Antarctica expedition tion of Greater Bombay (BMC) is Dr Minoo Rustom Patel, who has since 56-year-old'Rustam Ardeshir Karanjia been appointed assistant professor at who took up his new assignment from the Medical College, Baroda and sur- April 1, 1985, notes a BMC press re- geon at the Shri Sayajirao Gaekwad - lease. General Hospital, Baroda, states a Karanjia joined the civic services as write-up sent by Edulji Dabhoiwala, an inspector in the Water Works De- president of the Baroda Parsi Anju- man. Besides being a surgeon, Patel is also In 1978, at the All-India University Parsi man on South Pole The first Parsi male to set foot on them in the stud farm in Pune, which is South Pole, Antarctica, was 30-year- the biggest in the country. f old Percy Dossabhoy Aibara, Petty Appropriately named Poonawala, - r F- / Appropriately named Poonawala, Officer. Electrical Air Radio, in the In- Cyrus sells his horses all over the coun- dian Navy, states a press release receiv ­ ed on June 1, 1985. Aibara who was part of the fourth Antarctica Expedition of 1984-85, left Goa by the ship Finn Polaris, on December 4, >984 and landed on the South Pole on December 25, 1984, ’ adds the release. Though temperatures were below 18 degrees centigrade and the wind 90 miles per hour, not a single I member of the expeditiort suffered \ even a minor cold, the release adds. Davar: contemporary and sou! jazz r ¦¦ —— " * V Gujarat’s youngest surgeon The youngest surgeon ever to be selected in a state-wide interview by the | ¦ Gujarat Government was 27-year-old ' 19 Parsiana August 1985 is starting the Serum Institute which pro- duces life-saving drugs. Excerpted from Mid-day, April 2, 1985 Dance into shape! Noted jazz dancer, Shiamak Davar, has | started jazz ballet classes, “to help " tone the physique and enable the parti ­ cipant fo get into shape faster, ” notes a [ report in the Mid-Day dated May 24, 1985. The five-week course, conducted at “ j the Girton School from May 29, 1985, emphasizes warm-up and introductory exercises set to lively dance music, thus breaking tedious exercise routine, adds the report. Davar has studied contemporary and soul jazz and the Martha Graham mo ­ dern dance forms at the Pineapple Dance Center in London and at the London Contemporary Dance Thea ­ tre. He has also attended voice work ­ shops in London and has been broad- i cast on the All-lndia Radio, states the write-up. Davar was part of the dance troupe ; in the stage performances of Tommy and Evita, and is currently starring in 1 the lead role of Danny, in the musical, , j (Ireose L/gZi/nZzig, the report concludes. . Pat for Parsis Parsis in Bombay can heave a sigh of relief. They certainly do not figure on ' I the list of people the Shiv Sena wishes I' continued on page'81 ’ ** iSThe Federation opts for reservation The executive council seeks reservation in rriedical and engineering institutions endowed by Parsis. Arnavaz S. Mama f schemes (resultin) less do- community ’s funds, the Federation has suggested that applications for educa ­ te school counselling project, tional grants should incorporate a s?*' ? - I !S.<- F*-' ? * r & t, * 1 F IJmited resovation for Parsi students ted ... more In medical and engineering institutions nahons. ” end owed by the community ’s funds Tl — -------- -------- ----- . , . wll be so»ght by the Federation of undertaken by the BPP at the behest of clause by which the recipient agrees to Parsi Zoroastrian Associations of In- the Federation, has cited family and augment the existing scholarship dia The historic decision, marking a marital discord as the root of poor funds. Such communal contributions volte-face in the community ’s self- academic performance in Parsi youth, would enable the trusts to meet the in- pnc^tion, was taken during the Fede- Under consideration is a new, more /•/«!?« of io nnatinn the b^^b^ 'a too^. Efe dted ca^h;#i^ as the most^ j; tive business. 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Pali Poncha, a director of Tata Sons (insurance Division) sug ­ gested young people take to agencies or | brokerage. “There is no cost of seftinf up business as-no office Or staff is d necessary. ” He noted that around Rs j 800 crores of real estate changed hands J annually in Bombay and at two percent J commission from each party, a total , | brokerage of Rs 30 crores was earned a ...................................... Parsis/ are suitable to computers — dream, have _ imagination and are , illogical, but logical in our illogicality./' year. As regard life insurance, “every individual is your customer. ” But des ­ pite the vast market, he noted “the number of Parsi agents have dwindled ' to almost nothing. ” ’ Ms Silla Motivala, a partner of Asia ­ tic Travel Agency in Bombay, spoke about the growing travel trade in India •' as people became more affluent. The business required one to basically “handle human beings. ” Dara Debqo spoke of the facilities offered by die Gujarat Government to entrepreneurs and the plentiful opportunities the J state offered. Behram Unwalla, a member of die audience, kiggested Parsis take to building contracting because as the ownership of more and more buildings were turned over to the tenants, they would want to repair and maintain the structures. Noted management consultant Minoo Shroff, who Chaired the after ­ noon session of the one-day semina^ stated that “if you plan, you get pro ­ fits; otherwise you get the consequen ­ ces. . .success comes before work only in the dictionary, ” he noted. In response to suggestions frmn the floor for creating a cell to assist Parsis in starting business, course director Kersi Limathwala said the CER would pursue the recommendation. The office-bearers of the CER youth wing who organized the seminar are Kersi Gazdar, chairman, Pervina Doc ­ tor, vice-chairman, Shyam Wadia and Dinaz Devitre joint honorary geperal secretaries. managementr I ? ¦ i- ' ,< - ?? »- F. X •¥ 'i? % . "it a.. , APEX-E-84.Understanding your flash n j|B Your flashgun is your greatest asset when ‘existing light ’ is too low — it provides your camera with almost the same light as daylight. Another advantage is that you can also use the flash in daylight to restore detail and pleasing colour rendition in backlit portraits or to achieve a better exposure when your subject is in the shade. A flash can also ‘freeze ’ motion — good when you ’re shooting frisky kids. Knowing your flashgun and its abilities * (whether it ’s a built-in flash or a separate equipment) could be one of the best things that happened to your photography. t f Flash points If you have a built-in flash, take care that the flash window is above the lens, not below. Ignore this rule and you end up with ‘monstrous ’ pictures — shadows thrown upwards. Give your flash enough time to recharge (a little indicator will tell you when it ’s ready) and it will give the same intensity of light as before. Always remember to cany fresh batteries. Since the actual light thrown on the subject is impossible to gauge, the exposure has to be calculated on the basis of guide numbers. Take care your fingers or the flap of your camera case remains clear of the flash window; if they block it, underexposure will result. Some points to remember If you ’re using a flash against a white wall or a reflective surface, look out for glare. If you can ’t change camera angle, put a handkerchief or facial tissue over the flash to cut down on glare. Remember to adjust your speed to the recommended number. (1/60 of a second is a safe bet — to avoid partly blackened exposures — generally experienced at higher speeds when flash ­ synchronization goes haywire). If by chance you use a long exposure or leave the camera on auto and the auto has decided the situation needs a long exposure, you will get one of two effects. The first is an overexposed image, the second an interesting blurred picture plus a sharp image from the flash — a fascinating effect A built-in flash seldom can light subjects beyond 20 feet (6m). See the flash or camera instruction manual to find the distance range of your unit. Kodak — an internationally renowned name in photographic excellence. Kodak and professionals agree that a camera is as good as the film in it. Which is why we put so much effort into providing photographers with the finest range of films, processing chemicals and papers. Products responsive to any situation, able to capture the textures, richness or subtlety of mood. Even more important, Kodak products are reliable and consistent in their quality. Year after year. Batch after batch. If you ’re serious about your photography, keep company with the people who are as serious about it as you are. Kodak. i' I------------------------------ ---------------- Fora free copy of this series of aduertisements on A Guide to Good Photography' fill in the coupon and mail to: Marketing Services Department India Photographic Company Limited 222, Dr. D.hl. Road, Bonibay 400 001 Or collect from our offices in Delhi, Calcutta or Madras Marne _______________________ f I Address. I ! L .Pin. PRODUCTS BY KodakZOROASTRIANS ABROAD The ZAGNY split the transfer, provided the assurances two ancient Iranian festivals. Meher- An “open forum ’’ called by the Zoro- now given by the Guiv family and Dr gan — the festival attributed to the spi- astrian Association of Greater New Rostam Sarfeh were legally document- rit of Mehr and Mithra — was celebrat- York (ZAGNY), to heal the rift in its ed/ ’ the report adds. ed with a jashan and a talk by Dastur ranks, turned out to be a non-starter Also announced at the meeting was Nowrooz Minochehr-Homji, here on Sunday, June 23, 1985 The breakaway Iranian Zoroastrian of para-mobeds which was unanimous- followed by a traditional gahambar. Jashne-Sadeh, a festival attributed Furthermore ZAGNY has decided to to the discovery of fire, was also cele- Also announced at the meeting was Nowrooz Minochehr-Homji, high ZAGNY’s experiment with the practice priest of Bombay ’s fasli atash kadeh. Association (IZA) didn ’t show up. accepted. ZAGNY president Ms Ivy Gandhi said the meeting had in fact been postponed publish a quarterly bulletin giving brated with a jashan and a talk on the from May to June at the IZA’s request, detailed information on policies form- significance of fire. About 50 ZAGNY members showed und important events such as con- The death anniversary of Zarathush- About 50 ZAGNY members showed ed and important events such as con- up for the meeting at the Darbe Mehr ferences and meetings, especially for tra, according to the Iranian calendar, here, unaware that the IZA wouldn ’t associations abroad, notes the same was also observed with a jashan. attend. newsletter. Speaking for the IZA, Khodarahm Hematti said his group had changed its The 1984-85 annual report “earmarks mind because the format of the meet- the completion of the twelfth year of Discussions on a burial ground for ing had been set up unilaterally by the establishment of ZAGNY,” notes ZAGNY. That decision he said could the newsletter. not be communicated to ZAGNY be ­ cause IZA was unable to reach ZAGNY has collected dues of $5,585 Rustam Guiv, notes the Zoroastrian ZAGNY officials over the phone. for the year 1984-85. Association of Greater New York Besides, Hematti said, the IZA was not interested in reconciling with once a month for a two-year duration. Burial ground proposed Zoroastrians on the east coast of USA are under way thanks to a donation of From a total membership of 402, $150,000 set aside by the late Arbab for the year 1984-85. ZAGNY runs religious classes, held (ZAGNY) newsletter of April 1985. Dr Rostam Sarfeh, head of the Rus- ZAGNY. “We are not going to go Every year 55 to 60 youngsters partici- tarn Guiv Trust, and other members of back, ’’ he stated. The IZA had agreed pate in this educational program. Four the committee decided that a body to the “open forum ’’ only to discuss separate classes are held for children should be formed to make a workable ways of sharing the Darbe Mehr with between the age-groups of five to 14 plan for the burial ground. The com- ZAGNY. years. “Our teaching staff comprises mittee would consist of one or two But Gandhi affirmed that ZAGNY of priests and teachers who dedicate representatives from each Zoroastrian remains the sole tenant of the Darbe their time and services to this noble association located on the east coast of Mehr trust. The IZA would have to cause, ’’ notes the report. USA, including Chicago, notes the pay for the use of the Darbe Mehr like _ , any other private party, she said. Gatha classes known as the Zoroas- for a crematorium as that would be Porus Cooper trian Adult Discussion Group has also “against the wishes ” of the late Arbab, been started which is “an intellectual said Sarfeh. The Guiv family wishes to change the series of lectures and discussions, ” name of the Darbe Mehr in New York adds the report, from ‘Arbab Rustam Guiv Darbe Mehr Zoroastrian Temple ’ to ‘Arbab Emblem Program “is gaining momen- Rustam Guiv Foundation of New turn amongst Zoroastrian youth in troversial religious subjects ” at the York, ’notes the ZAGNY newsletter of ZAGNY and other Zoroastrian asso- Fifth North American Zoroastrian April 22, 1985. The announcement was ciations in North America. ” Five Congress (NAZC), to be held from made at the annual general meeting of youngsters have successfully accompli- August 30 to September 2, 1985, has ZAGNY held on March 23, 1985. shed the project and have received the been made by the joint secretaries of Dr Rostam Sarfeh, head of the Rus- emblem which signifies universality the Zoroastrian Association of Califor- tam Guiv Trust, and the Guiv family and a bond of unity amongst different nia (ZAC),Ms K. Khadem and D.R. ‘ • have assured ZAGNY of exclusive groups in a community. The Zoroas- Irani in a letter dated April 12, 1985, to tenancy rights of the Dafbe Mehr, trian Emblem is highly recognized and Ms Dhunmai Dalal, chairperson of the ZAGNY will be given a new lease for included amongst five years with a renewable option. “Five thousand dollars will continue to be paid to ZAGNY annually by the Zoroastrian Camp, “an occasion very thorized orgnization such as the con- foundation towards repair and main- much looked forward to by the young- tenance and ZAGNY will continue to sters ” where they live and work to- have representatives relating to the gether with their friends and are given include topics such as standardization management of the property, ” notes an insight into the Zoroastrian way of of rituals, conversion etc. which... the report. life, notes the report. everyone knows will cause dissension. ” “Members generally agreed to effect During the year ZAGNY celebrated Subjects like increasing religious In addition to religious classes, newsletter. The money cannot Ije used Gatha classes known as the Zoroas- ZAGNY’s two-year-old Good Life Controversial issues An objection to the inclusion of “con- other religious fifth NAZC. The letter states, “A dis- emblems. cussion of controversial religious sub- ZAGNY also held an annual Young jects by an unrepresentative and unau- 1 gress, can only hurt our small commu ­ nity ... we therefore request you not to I 28c ' Parsiana August 19B5 life, notes the report. During the year ZAGNY celebrated 1’¦ M’ *' TTZ 1 't education among youths and adults, Zoroastrians outside America to get male children 58. In case of professions, clerical and secretarial work seems to be the most j.u -ifc-' iff' !< helping the destitute priestly class and better education and helping the desti- improving communication among the tute priests are of concern to all of us. ________ _____ _____ _ ___ ______ _ Zoroastrian community, “will be a Although they are more suited for dis- prevalent, students coming second and positive contribution. .. Sonie adults cussion at a world congress, if anyone housewives third*. may thrive on controversy but. . .you would like to write a short paper on Fifty-eight percent of the Zoroas- will turn off the younger generation one of the above subjects, please be trians gave India as their country of by it, notes the letter. f " _ ', ’ 1' J Iri reply, Dalal in her letter dated gladly distribute and publish it. April 25, 1985 to the joint secretaries of ZAC notes, “A congress is a forum, a gathering to discuss matters concern- for adults and $20 for students for the ing the community. It is aimed at mak- < _ _* : , ing recommendations after sufficient Zoroastrian congress on the west coast deliberation and not necessarily to im- and it is hoped that many people in ­ pose its decisions, , “We hope there will not be acrimo- bute their ideas and meet each other so- nious controversy. We are as concern- daily. ” ed as you to preserve the teachings of Zarathushtra and have the welfare of the community foremost in our minds. __________ _______________ _ We have some scholarly speakers at- Australia has 124 Zoroastrian families the world to contribute generously ” to- tending the congress and all Zoroas- making up a total of 384 individuals, wards the first Zoroastrian co mmuni ty trians, especially the younger genera- states a survey compiled by Purviz D, center and place of worship in Aus- tion, can have an opportunity to decide Kolsawalla, vice-president of the Aus- tralia, notes a letter writen by Purviz for themselves to carry out Zarathush- tralian Zoroastrian Association (AZA). D. Kolsawalla. dated May 22, 1985. tra ’s truest teachings into their daily “Our community has grown substan- The AZA has collected enou gh lives and be proud of their religion and daily in the last 10 years, ” notes funds to purchase a five-acre plot of heritage ... Kolsawalla. land in Sydney and has been prmnised “The topics that you suggest are The number of adult males and the US $50,000 from the Arbab Guiv Trust quite valid and many of the subjects number of adult females is the same — in New York, adds the letter. As a fur- mentioned will be discussed. Helping 129. Male children number 68 and fe- Continued on page 72c June 15 and we will origin, 14 percent are Australian tom and an equal percentage originate from “We do want a large attendance of Pakistan. Nine percent are from Iran course, and have set a low rate of $25 and five percent from other countries. ““ "------ -------The median age-group, 21 to 40 congress registration. This is the first years, includes the majority of Zoroas ­ trians. Lastly, regarding residence in Aus- cluding our youth will attend, contri- tralia, most families live on the north shore followed by the north-west. None of the families however, live in the city central area, states the survey. “We are inviting Zoroastrians all over Australian Zoroastrians —«?¦ r The Champ's Choice « J' 4 a CL 11-250 The All New Bike from Ideal Jawa !¦ ¦ .1 ¦ ¦ ( p) Whether it is a Race, Raily or ReiiabiiitvTriai. the crowded city road or a rough village path, , YEZDI continues to prove its capabilities. Rugged, Reliable and Powerful... YEZDI CL 11-250 is brought to you in the CLASSIC ‘tradition of JAWA. A name relied upon by discerning motorcycle riders in India and abroad. Manufacturers; IDEAL JAWA (INDIA) PVT. LTD., MYSORE - 570 020. Sales & Service Centres all over INDIA. The champion of champions Ravi Shastri with his favouriteYEZDI motorcycle 28d'Pszs«na^X,ugt/sf in in LA s 1985-SILVER JUBILEE YEARH FOURTH WORLD CONGRESS PAPERS I I The dying community Malini Karkal ja I I 4 Edited and abridged from Dr Malini Karkal's paper entitled "Demographic situation and factors responsible for decline of population of Parsis" pre­ sented at the Fourth World Zoroas- trian Congress under the topic "Find­ ings of modern research regarding the Zoroastrian community and iden­ tifying areas for further research." 5 J -'.¦i si According to the census of 1891 there were 1(X),(XX) Parsis living in different parts of the world. By 1961 the number was estimated to be 1,28,077 of which 4)0,772 (78.7 percent) were in India. The twentieth century witnessed a continuous process of Parsis migrating to Bombay from Iran and other parts of India. But since the 1961 peak, the number has fallen. The Government of India census of 1971 counted 64,667 heads in the city. A survey conducted in 1982 under the joint sponsorship of the Interna ­ tional Institute for Population Sciences and the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, indicates that the number of Parsis in Greater Bbmbay is not more than 62,478 and during the pe ­ riod of 1971-1982 there has been a de ­ cline of 2,189 (3.39 percent) persons. Enquiries made with Bombay fami ­ lies about how many relations they had staying out of Bombay indicated a figure of 11,236. The count of the Par ­ si population worldwide then works out to be 73,714. To these figures should be added the number of fami ­ lies who migrated and have no family members in Greater Bombay. ¦J Being old residents of Greater Bom ­ bay, almost half (47.1 percent) of the Components of population growth been lOW tOT OVST 9 households lived in rented houses. Though the Parsis have lived amongst another 9.7 percent lived in houses pro- the rapidly growing Indian population, CG Fl t U Ty. vided by the employer and 21.9 percent the rate of growth of their population -------------------------------------------------- in houses constructed by community has been low for over a century. Bet- Parsis in India between 1901-1911. charities. Only one in five Parsi house- ween 1881 and 1951 the Parsi popula- During the following decade, when an holds owned a house, most of which tion living in the Indian subcontinent influenza epidemic was rampant, the were purchased in recent years. A com- increased from 85,314 to 117,147. population grew by 1,663 whereas the paratively larger proportion of houses These figures show that when the gene- next influx was 419 (25.20 percent), in the suburbs were on an ownership ral population grew by 74.6 percent. Again between 1921-1931 the popula- basis. The old rented houses were growth in the Parsi community was less than half (34.3 percent). More signifi ­ cantly, the general population had grown due to natural increase —the dif ­ ference between the births and deaths in the population —whereas among the Parsis there was significant addition due to immigrants to India. Indeed, immigrants accounted for 4,779 (82.75 percent) of the total increase of 5,775 Though the Parsis have lived amongst the rapidly growing Indian population, thp rptp nf nrn\A/th nf during 1960-1969, 13.8 percent during u ic lOLC Ul yiUVVLll ui 1970-1979 and 0.8 percent after 1980. their population has been low for over a century. Parsis in India between 1901-1911. tion had gone up by 7,913 and the net influx was 3,913 (49.45 percent). The age-distribution of the popula ­ tion of undivided India shows that dur ­ ing 1881-1891 the birth and death rates for the community were 31 and 29 per thousand. The rates for the general po ­ pulation for the decade were 49.2 and 42.6 respectively. The post-independence period saw net out-migration of the Parsis, fewer births (the birth rate in the 1961-1971 decade was as low as 10.6) and an in ­ crease in deaths (the death rate in 1971 was 15.9) due to the aging of the popu ­ lation. Pars! households in Greater Bombay The 1980 electoral rolls, which formed the basis for obtaining information on the location of households in Greater Bombay, showed that there were 17,024 Parsi households in this city. Of these, 86.7 percent were on the island, 12.3 percent were in the western su ­ burbs and 1.0 percent in the eastern suburbs. These figures show.that most of the Parsi households are on the is ­ land part of the city. Since Parsis mig­ rated early to the city, they resided on the island where housing became much more expensive in later years. Over 58.5 percent of the Parsis surveyed had occupied their houses before 1950. Over 12.3 percent took possession of their houses sometime during 1950 and 1959, 14.6 percent 1 30 Parsiana Auffusf 1985room, 29.4 percent lived in two rooms, 26.4 percent lived in three rooms and the remaining 21.7 households had four or more rooms. It was also seen that one room houses had, on an ave ­ rage 3.1 persons, houses with two and three rooms had 3.7 persons and those with four and more rooms had four or five persons. The average size of a Par ­ si household was 3.7 persons. Over 91.5 jjercent of the houses had a kitchen and a bathroom (some hou ­ ses had more than one bathroom), 4.3 percent had a kitchen but they had to share a bathroom with another house ­ hold, 1.3 percent of the houses had no independent kitchen but they had a ¦ ' , and 2.9 percent had neither bathroom nor kitchen. larger, and the rents lower than what the later migrants to the city paid. No Parsi household was found living in a kutchha house. About 3.6 percent of the households lived in one room, 19.4 percent in two rooms. Correspon ­ ding percentages of households for the general population living in one and two rooms in Greater Bombay (1971) were 77.4 and 14.2 respectively. The housing situation of the Parsis, therefore, was better than that of the general population. Condition of housing in Greater Bombay has rapidly deteriorated. Thus it may be better that the housing situa- „ _ . _ . . tion of the Parsis be examined separa- Pattern of Parsi homes tely from that of the general popula- living, then the housing condition of bathroom, tion. The census of India includes the the Parsis gives a different picture. i—1/— kitchen as a room. However if the kit- It was observed that when the kit ­ chen is looked at as an essential ac- chen was excluded, 22.5. percent of the Amenities in the house cessory and not available for general households surveyed lived in one/Kitchen gadgets were owned by 91.1 ’X- ¦ PROBLEM OF AGING AMONG P ARSIS percent of the households. These gad ­ gets included cooking gas (82.2 per ­ cent), refrigerator (78.3 percent), water heater (48.9 percent), mixer / grinder (48.5 percent) and electric oven/stove (23 percent). Electronic equipment such as radio,, transistor, two-in-one, stereo-system 40- 30? M- 10- 1971 Parsb 14.1 t: u.» Canada India Maharashtra Bombay lOSlParsb U.S.A. television etc. were possessed by 97.7 fel percent of the households. Nearly 36 ; percent of the households had a tele ­ s' phone and 10.6 percent owned an air- B conditioner. 31 Parsiana August t985 One in three households owned a vehicle of its own, two out of three vehicles being motor cars. Size and composition of households The average size of a Parsi household as reported by the 1971 census was 3.73 whereas the 1982 survey showed that the size was 3.67 indicating a decline of 0.06 persons per household. House ­ holds with a single member were 8.5 percent of the total. Those with a nuclear family or a family of husband, wife and their children were 41 percent; nuclear families with other family members constituted 19.8 percent of the households. In 17.5 percent of the households there >^ere single members who were related to each other but these households had no couples. Large households of nine or more members comprised two or more cou ­ ples (13.3 percent) and indicated that the family size could be ascribed to jointness rather than fertility. Age composition of population Age composition of the population, asa consequence of the demographic future of the population whereas the percent of the population was aged 55 changes in the community, indicated burden of the ‘aged ’ is mainly the ex- by the births, deaths and migration, penditure on the provision of food, underwent drastic changes. At the turn housing, medical care, etc. of the old. of the century, children in the ages under 14 constituted 29.7 percent of sis which was 37.2 in 1911 and 22.9 in both the sexes was not distributed 1971 showed a further decline to 17.7 ¦ !t by 1982. And the ‘aged ’ dependency — which was 4.21 in 1911 increased to 20.3 by 1971 and to 27.9 by 1982. Thus the dependency ratio of the ‘young ’ and the ‘aged ’ together, to those in the middle ages of 15 to 64, and over. Thus more than one out of three persons in the population were aged 55 and over. It is important to ‘Young ’ dependency among the Par- mention here that the population of According to the 1981 GOI census, there are 71,630 Zoroastrians in India: showed an increase from 41.42 in 1911 to 43.25 in 1971 and to 45.56 in 1981. More important was the shift in the burden from ‘young ’ to the ‘aged. ’ This shift is indicative of the nature of the problems of the community. Pi* ,6 Sw 56,866 in Maharashtra ancd 11,732 in Gujarat. The ‘young ’ the population. The survey of 1982 As will be noticed from the figures, showed that only 12.1 percent were over nine percent of boys in the age ­ children. The percentage of Parsis aged group 25-29 continue being ‘students ’ 65 and above for the corresponding and thus the age-groups up to 29 years years rose 1___ __________ ___ , . equally over age-groups and the ratio was 874 men to 1 .OCK) women. In the population there were fewer men than women. In ages up to 24 the years rose from about two to 19.2 may be considered for the purposes of sex ratio (men to l/DOO women) was respectively. In other words, at the l^he discussion. 1,012, in the age-group 25 to 39 the turn of the century, almost one in three ages up to 29 there were as ratio was 944, in the age-group of 40 to Parsis were children under the age of 14 years; by 1982 the ratio of children in the population was one in eight. During 1901, one in 50 persons was 65 and above, whereas by 1982 every fifth Parsi was in this age-group. For a better understanding of the problem of aging among the Parsis, some comparative figures may be of in ­ terest. Given here are the percentages of children under 14 and those aged 65 and over in different populations. In the ages up to 29 there were as many boys as there were girls and the 54 the ratio was 789, and' for those ag- sex ratio was balanced. gj 55 and above it was 874. In other words almost one in six persons in the population was an ‘aged ’ man and one in five was an ‘aged ’ woman. These ratios show that men migrate after the age of 25; hence the ratio for ages 40 to 54 is lower than the one for ages 55 and over. In future there will be still fewer men in the population. Age- Economically Students group active Total Boys Girts Boys Giris Boys Girts 5-19 19.4 17.4 79.9 81.5 99.3 98.4 20-24 42.3 41.9 50.0 36.3 92.3 78.2 25-29 80.0 71.8 9.4 1.7 89.4 73.4 9.4 India, 1981 Maharashtra, 1981 Greater Bombay, 1971 Canada, 1980 U.S.A., 1981 U.K., 1980 Parsis, Census 197! Parsis, Survey 1982 The figures indicate that the percen- Distribution of ‘aged ’ by marital status tage of girls in young ages who are The survey had collectea information economically active are nearly the same about the distribution of population by as those for boys. However women drop off from education earlier than the boys do. It is also seen that because of women who were not married was of these differences, a comparatively slightly higher than that of not mar ­ ried men. However, in each age-group, much larger proportions of men were married whereas larger proportions of The ‘aged ’ women were widowed, separated or di- It was observed in the survey that 36 vorced. AGE-GROUP 0-14 39.5 38.3 32.6 23.0 22.3 11.5 larger percentage of girls are idle in 21.0 15.1 16.0 14.2 12.1 19.2 65 + 4.0 3.1 2.0 9.5 ages 20-24 and 25-29. its marital status. The data shows that the proportion Dependency burden . Aging of population affects the de ­ pendency burden of the population. Persons in the age group under 14 are the ‘young ’ dependents, whereas those aged 65 and above are the ‘old ’ depen ­ dents. The ratio of these two groups to those aged 15 to 64 (the productive sec ­ tor of the population) is known as ‘young ’ and ‘aged ’ dependency ratios respectively. It should be mentioned here that the dependency burden of the ‘young ’ is considered investment in the Note: NM-not married, M-married, W / S / D — widowed, separated or divorced. Distribution of Parsi 'aged’ by their marital status /Ige- J?Z-OMP Men Women Both NM M W/S Total D NM M W/S Total D NM M W/S Total D 55-64 65-69 70+ All 4.1 100.0 8.5 100.0 14.4 81.5 13.4 78.1 14.6 65.7 19.7 100.0 14.2 75.4 10.4 100.0 15.9 62.3 21.8 100.0 13.2 56.1 30.7 100.0 15.3 22.9 61.8 100.0 15.2 47.5 37.3 100.0 15.2 70.9 13.9 100.0 13.3 67.6 19.1 100.0 15.0 42.7 42.3 100.0 14.8 60.5 100.0 33 Parsiana August tS8t}pz! When the entire population of those errors. It is observed that not all the in- sisted of aged ‘Jj^ividu^s, - ' aged 55 and over was considered, it dividuals rate their health problems m of nine among them ^mg women, was noticed that 14.8 percent (men 6.6 the same manner and to the same de- Among householdscompnsmg ^o percent; women 8.2 percent) of the gree. When asked to report about the members,68.4 pencent ofthemOTlws ‘aged ’ population were not married, while 60.5 percent (men 35.2 percent; women 25.3 percent) were married. accounted for 24.7 percent, (men 4.8 On the other hand there may be others percent; women 19.9 percent). who may not report health problems From the above it is seen that the that would otherwise be listed as il- population has not only larger propor- Inesses and needed attention. Respon- tions of the ‘aged ’ but the proportion dent errors are also likely toj;reepin Inesses of other household members by the person answering the questions. To The data obtained in the survey show- situation of a population, generally, ed that the percentage of population medical or paramedical persons are en- gainfully employed (work participation gaged. However the investigators en- Fified. To that extent the data is likely to under-report the extent of illnesses. As reported in the survey, 15.8 per ­ cent of those aged 55 and over were ill. percent respectively). In the house- and holds with tnree or more members, the J_____ ____ ‘aged ’constituted a smaller proportion It was observed that 38.3 percent of and men and women were equally re- The above observations indicate that many airiongst the ‘aged ’ were left to fend for themselves and of these, larger proportions were women. VUViO. AV *•» ——---------- — t_ L • dividuals rate their health problems in of nine among them being women. illness in the household which lasted wer? ‘aged. ’ In these households too, for a week or more, as was done in the women were more than men (55 and 45 _ __ survey, some individuals list all physi- The widowed, separated or divorced cal discomforts that were experienced. who may not report health problems percent; women 19.9 percent). population has not only larger propor- Inesses and needed attention. Respon- of women and that too widowed, sepa- because of the lack of knowledge of il- rated or divorced was more. 1-----------—- 1____ _ ' _ ' The ‘aged ’ and their economic activity collect better quality data on the health '________ ______________ , ' ‘ ed that the percentage of population medical or paramedical persons are rede) was hFgher for the" total" Parsi gaged for the survey were iiot thus qua- population than for the population liv ­ ing in urban India for 1981. The rates were 48.5 and 7.3 for men and women respectively in 1981 for the urban po ­ pulation, and 57.9 and 28.8 for Parsi Of these 43.2 percent were men men and women respectively. Thus the 56.8 percent were women. rates were not only higher for the Par- L------ 1------ • • sis but the differences between the two the ill were in the age-group 55 to 64, printed, groups of women were wider. 21.7 percent in the group 65 to 69 and However, the comparison of partici- 40 percent were aged 70 and over. The largest proportion (21.7 percent) of the ill was suffering from heart trouble. The next largest group consisted of those who suffered from diabetes. However, the comparison of partici ­ pation rates, on the basis of age, re ­ vealed that the rates were lower for Nature of illness of the ‘aged ’ Parsis. Higher participation rates for The largest proportion (21.7 percent) Parsis as a group were seen because the of the ill was suffering from heart trou- Those in ages 20 to 54 community had more older persons LL—__ _ " . ' whereas the general urban population m^, 45 percent women, had larger proportions of children. ble. About 55 percent of these were This group contributes mainly to the ---- ------ . economic activity in the population as The next largest group consisted of well as to the fertility. In the case of the those who suffered from diabetes (11.6 general population, the 1981 census re- . , percent). In this group, 48.9 percent ported 41.8 percent population in this The shift in the were men, 51.1 percent, women. age-group. However among the Parsis , , r , f Men and women who complained of Greater Bombay, the percentage in Duraen trom young about arthritis constituted 9.6 percent this group which was 50.5 in 1971 had to the 'aged' is indicative of the nature of the problems of the community. of the group and almost three out of declined to 46.9 percent by 1982. four in this group were women. Work participation rates or the per- Those suffering from blood pressure centage of the population engaged in were 7.7 percent of those aged 55 and economic activity for men and women over and 71 percent in this group were in the general population in urban In ­ women and 29 percent men. dia (1981) and for Parsis of Greater Complaints about the digestive sys- Bombay (1982) are given below; tern were reported by 7.4 percent in the group and the distribution was equal for men and women. Work Participation Rate The rates for Parsi women were higher for each age-group as well as for Living arrangements of the ‘aged ’ the total population of women. Parsi households were smaller than those found in the general population. Health of the ‘aged ’ Among these too, the smaller sized Data on morbidity or illness are not households had larger number of those easily available even for populations of in ages 55 and over, indicating that the the developed countries. Problems of ‘aged ’ were the remainders of families collecting such data are many. Among that were dissolved. Eighty-four per- these can be mentioned the respondent cent of one-member households con- Age Croup 35 Parsiana ^ ugust 19B5 Men Women Urban India Parsis Urban India Parsis (1980. 0982) (1981) (1982) 41.9 71.8 54.4 46.0 22.5 20-24 63.4 25-29 30-39 50-54 94.9 95.5 86.9 r79«2> 42.3 80.0 93.0 95.1 85.1 (1981) 93 12.2 15.1 15.3 12.4)¦ I i ( ! , .« ' ter interest in education and careers. This led to marriage and childbearing being replaced by career orientation and self development which resulted in rapid declines in the birth rate. i Even at the turn of the century the I birth and death rates for the Parsi I population were low. The growth of ¦ the population of the community was mainly through the in-migration, espe- I daily of men. With India gaining Inde- I pendence the in-migration, stopped £ and the community has been experienc- • ing out-migration of its young. It may r be mentioned here that generally it is the more competent and the brighter ones among the young who look for pastures outside. Thus low birth as well as death rates and out-migration of the young has The survey had showed that about 18 percent of the economically active Parsi men and one in five women, were engaged in professional or technical work. Men holding executive, adminis ­ trative or managerial positions were 22.4 percent of the total economically active men, and for women this percen ­ tage was 20.6. Marriage among Parsis is at a late age and not all of them marry. Those never married in ages 20-to 29 is taken as an index of late marriage and those in ages 40 to 49 as index of non-mar ­ riage. For Parsis the value of the index for late marriage was 68.2 (1982) and for non-marriage it was 21 (1982).Be ­ cause of this marriage pattern, it is estimated that births among the Parsis Karkal: need for health surveys were 63 percent fewer than what they . - . , __ would have been, if all women were number of children in the population resulted in aging of the population. wa» Vtl J tww. MV --------- , - fertility of the married woman was 17 pie in the community, prospects for percent of the standard. Taking the ef- ** " r Bi fsa was very low. It was observed that the With fewer children and younger peo- growth in numbers in the future are dim. Experience in the field of fertility has Zrf Zw" wuladonTf OrVaur' Bombay ’ wasTl shown that it may be possible to reduce fertility of rapidly growing popula ­ tions, but once the members of the community have enjoyed the advanta- married and had remained in the mari ­ tal union till the end of the reproduc ­ tive period, that is age 49. . feet of non-marriage as well as low fer- Distribution of Parsi popultition by tility, actual fertility^of ^the Parsi age-groups, sex <— -------- ------- . . __________ _ __________________-— percent of the standard. H omen Ik/ Total S/ D Men Age- NM M H// Total NM group S/ tyears) D 20-34 74.7 24.7 0.6 100.0 54.5 44.5 1.0 100.0 35-44 25.0 73.5 1.5 100.0 20.6 75.2 4.2 100.0 45-54 19.9 77.8 2.3 100.0 17.8 74.0 8.2 100.0 Note: NM-noi married, M-married, W / S / D — widowed, separated or divorced. Fertility of the Parsi population children. For those who had completed provement in the health of the mem- bay where members of the community fertility the number was 1.9. This bers and rapid decline in death rates, are living in dilapidated buildings. In figure is far below the replacement With an emphasis on personal develop- many homes the major problem is with level. Since non-marriage was high, the ment, there was simultaneously a grea- the aged who are living alone or with other members who are also old.Such households find it difficult to meet even the daily needs. Health problems of the aged and of the community in general need a careful investigation through properly planned health sur ­ veys that will make epidemiological in ­ vestigations. Since there are a select few medical persons and institutions that cater to the health needs of a sub ­ stantial number of the community, 5 their assistance can help considerably in better investigation. The survey indicates that childless ­ ness and foetal wastage is higher among Parsis compared to the general population. The International Institute for Population Sciences is presently in ­ vestigating this area. NM M M Conclusion The Par sis as a group showed an in- ges of non-marriage and low fertility, terest in the welfare and progress of its the process is almost irreversible. It is members. The community mai-ntained therefore to be accepted that the birth its identity, but in the bargain develop- rate cannot increase and with declining ed certain demographic characteristics, numbers of the young it is bound to Though the socioeconomic condi ­ tions of the Parsis as a group are better than those of the rest of the popula ­ tion, there are areas in Greater Bom- terest in the welfare and progress of its the process is almost irreversible. is iuidentitX'but^in the bargain develop- rate cannot increase and with declining ---------------------- With enterprise and entrepreneur ship show further rapid decline^ of its members, there was economic progress and with a progressive out- .......__ _________________ look the community accepted moderni Married women had an average of 1.6 zation. As a consequence there was im- r u li I D A. occ2!5^ II I ii 9 -A-'<5 )/ I I H lljy lin 1! i The Parsi Priesthood in India Arnavaz Chubb ___ _ ____ - ___ , -- '----~ In the early history of the Parsis in In- stotus in Zoroastrian society. But the ties in India can be traced through dia, the name of Meherjirana plight of the Parsi priests today is not i IL----- - a recent c __ r ” - . ' began its descent more than 100 the Guiarati literature of the Parsis years ago, and much has been writ- during the last few centuries, ten and said about it since then. At- 71._ —!J-- j u n u tempts have been made to identify awareness amongst the Zoroastrian Several legends and ballads have the causes and solutions have been laity in recent years has once again woven themselves around the figure of Meherjirana, for he obviously had im- The early history of the Parsis in In- the condition of the priesthood. pressed the emperor and his courtiers dia presents a vague and unclear pic- ---- - ----------------- -------------- - -• r> • ture. The only sources of information articles attempting to reconstruct rana, along with a group of Parsis for this early period are manuscript briefly from these sources the history from Navsari, took part in the reli^ous book or manuscript, usually with facts heyday down to the present. Thejirst relative to its production). Manu- i scripts were mainly copied by priests, t „ , _ j e and stray notes and references to high social and spiritual codes of because according to the legends of events and people have been pre- conduct to which they were required those days preserved in old songs, served in them. The QIssa-l Sanjan, to adhere and the eminence they Akbar is said to have ordered an ever- the poetical record of the arrival of commanded in the community's life. burning fire to be installed in his the Parsis in India, was composed The second installment referred to palace, in whose presence he used to about 650 years after their landing, the creation of the five main panthaks worship. Some accounts even go so far But, even after making allowances of Sanjan, Navsari, Surat, Broach and as to say that Akbar got himself invest- for the long passage of time which Cambay, the travels of Iranshah and ed with the sudreh and kusti. But, elapsed and a certain amount of poe- the eclipse of the Zoroastrian clergy when one realizes that Akbar also tic licence, the ba ’sic sequence of the due to the increasing influence of adopted several customs from the Hin- narrative seems factual. The subse- western materialistic Vacation. dus and Christians, the legend, if true, can hardly be understood to mean that Akbar renounced his religion and be ­ came a Zoroastrian. Wherever fact may end and fiction begin, one thing is certain, that Dastur Meherjirana was a prominent citizen of Navsari, a devout priest and an erudite scholar. In recognition of his services, Akbar allotted to Meherjirana and his family 200 bigahs of land, tax free. On Meherjirana ’s return to Navsari in 1579, after being thus honoured at the court of the Emperor Akbar, the Parsis of Navsari acknowledged his yeoman services to the community, his wisdom and learning, by granting him and his successors the title of Dastur — High Priest of Navsari. The office has con ­ tinued in his family till this day. The athornan has lost his exalted quent history of the Pars! communi- ¦w ¦ V*.-. I numerous scattered references in the of Navsari (1510-1591) is specially pro ­ development. The graph narratives of European travellers and minent. His claim to fame was due to - ............. ' “ i the fact that he was invited to the court ..... ________ _________ , of the Moghul Emperor Akbar to ex- The sudden spurt of religious pound the tenets of Zoroastrianism. ’ > >1 __________A_! n__________1 Hot/A the couses and solutions have been laity in recent years has once again offered, but the problem persists. I ... led to the spotlight being focused on This is the third in a series of three with his learning and wisdom. M^erji- ture. The only sources of information articles attempting to reconstruct colophons (inscriptions at the end of a anr| nature of Parsi priests from their debates organized by Akbar in 1578. ¦ ' _-------- - Evidently, Meherjirana and his installment dealt with the three group of Parsis were fairly successful categories of Zoroastrian priests, the in explaining Zoroastrianism to Akbar, The second installment referred to palace, in whose presence he used to 38 Parsiana August 1985 A fl a 'e o WSSr White bearded Dastur Kaikobad, son of Di Meherjiranojat the court of Akbar. Dastur Firoze bin Mulla Kaus Jalal (1758-1830), was the first Kadmi High Priest of Bombay. Born in Broach and named Peshotan, he later assumed the pen name Firoze. He learnt PersianDasturs of distinction 1763 by Dadabhoy Nasserwariji, the | sacred fire was enthroned under the I supervision of Dastur Mulla Kaus Rus- g tom Jalal, Mulla Firoze ’s father. Mulla i Firoze became the High Priest of that 9 Atash Bahram in 1794. | Mulla Firoze, along with Dastur | High Priest of the Samast Shahenshahi | Athornan Anjuman, became the Aka- | bar of the reconstituted Parsi Puncha- ! yet in Bombay in 1818. At that time, I the Punchayet consisted of 12 behdins I and six priests. Today not a single ! priest sits on its board to guide the community in religious matters. . Mulla Firoze was a scholar of high repute. He has some 29 books to his | . I credit, including the translation of the | I Desatir into English and the George I Narna, written under the patronage of ,| the Bombay government. The Mulla ji Firoze Madressa and the Mulla Firoze I Library in Bombay still bear his name. Dastur Darab of Surat (circa 1698-17731. achieved fame as t — --------------- - - • . teacher of the Frenchman Anquetil Du Surat armed_^w ’th^seveml m^^^ Perron, who came t -------------- stayed here for three years in order to learn the languages of the Zoroastrian scriptures. Being a member of a family in the west. of learned priests, Darab had a good .. .. “ opportunityacquire religious educfc Dnstur Framji Aspandyarji Rabath SXandS 24, he was pretty well vers- —v tvaay B.wtnmpura m Surat ed in Avesta, Pahlavi and Persian. In 1721, there came from the mother country of Iran, a learned Zoroastrian guages -------- named Jamasp Velayati, who was also by instrumental in educating the young Darab. In 1736 another emissary arriv- tw. ------ ----- r . . brought to the notice of the Parsis m endars of the two countries. A large tied in India, number of Parsis opted in favour of and Arabic and at a very early age gained proficiency in them. At the age of eight, he accompanied his father to Iran, travelling to Yazd, Kirman, Isfa ­ han and Shiraz. He was ordained a maratab there in 1771. Firoze, young as he was, distinguished himself at the - court of the Caliph of Baghdad who Khurshedji Jamshedji JamaspAsa, honoured him with the title of Mulla. - •ii (11^ t B Wi “‘A* '4 K- V 'i : I <¦* ¦¦ i bl I I; S' *¦! i j 1 a 'i i ¦ i Hl • } Firoze Jalal Firoze Jalal, distinguished himself at the court of the Caliph of Baghdad who honoured him with the title of Mu!la. Darab Boman A Pramji A Rabadina When Anquetil Du Perron arrived in Surat in 1758, he got possession of an Avesta manuscript and proceeded with the help of Dasturs Darab and Kaus to master the characters and language. At the the end of three years, Du Perron left ttiiiiiaii z-kiivjuvi.** - ---------------- . ' to India in 1755 and and a fair knowledge of the scriptur^ languages. On his return to Europe, he laid the foundation of Iranian studies (1778-1834) of Rustompura in Surat was a famous scholar of Avesta and Pahlavi. His mastery over those lan- led him to be invited to Bombay the Vendidad, Yasna and Visperad into Gujarati on behalf of the Parsi Pun- uarao. in 1 / JO aiiuuici ciiiiaooij «***’ —j / u fho ed from Iran, named Jamshed, who chayet. In 1831, he published the brought to the notice of the Parsis in Hadesa Namu, narrating the difficul- India^the discrepancy between the cal- ties faced by the first Parsi pilgrims set- Hadesa Namu, narrating the difficul- -------------- - ---------------------------------- the Iranian calendar; Darab and his Although not a He was also granted an audience by the e—s Ser^^JiSSs^; ^^MuUa Fkoze returned 10 Surat al the ~ J- ™ age of 12, and some years later PV^J'^h- sec s Dastur Darab priesthood, he mastered the perform- ed the memoirs ot his travels with his uiuh Priest of ance of various religious ceremonies father in Iran. When the first Kadmt was nominated the first High Priest of ,,„^ed Guja- Afueh Rahram WAS built in Bombay m the new Kadmi sect. VI IX., aiivi J I--- ed the memoirs of his travels with his Atash Bahram was built in Bombay in .¦ff. . 39 Parsiana August 1985Jjp' .’.yj " rati, Persian and Sanskrit. himself to the advancement of the Fired with the ambition to go to Zdroastrian religion, and like his Bombay for further studies, he set out father before him. was awarded the ti ­ on his way in 1805 at the age of 18. tie by the Government Despite several trials and tribulations, of India in 1899. A vast number of arti- he educated himself, set up a printing cles, monographs and books have been press and in 1814 published the first authored by him and his learning and Gujarati Panchang, following it up mastery over the ancient scriptural lan- with an edition of the Khordeh A vesta guages led to his being honoured with a in 1815. In 1822 he started the Bombay Fellowship at the Bombay University Samachar Weekly, the first Gujarati and also at the Sir Jamshedji Jeejee- paper in the Bombay Presidency. In bhoy Zartoshti Madressa whose prin- Besides fulfilling his duties as a priest and pursuing his studies, Dastur Fired with the ambition to go to on his way in 1805 at the age of 18. tie by the Government Despite several trials and tribulations, of India in 1899. A vast number of arti- • 1 _ ___—_____ 1... press "^rrn rsU publislw^ the first authored by him and his learning and Gujarati Panchang, following it up mastery over the ancient scriptural lan- with an edition of the Khordeh A vesta guages led to his being honoured with a in 1815. In 1822 he started the Bombay Fellowship at the Bombay University Samachar Weekly, the first Gujarati and also at the Sir Jamshedji Jeejee- paper in the Bombay Presidency. In bhoy Zartoshti Madressa whose prin- around 1834 he also started a postal cipal he later became. service between Bombay and Gujarat. Besides fulfilling his duties as a priest and pursuing his studies, Dastur Probably one of the most illustrious Darab also found time to serve his priestly families is that of the Sanjanas, community in matters of secular in- their lineage going back to those an- terest and as a result of which he was cient pioneering settlements at Sanjan. made a Justice of Peace in 1888. Dastur Edaiji Darabji Sanjana was the mras first High Priest of the Wadia Atash Rustamji Edalji Sanjana (1868- Bahram in Bombay and was also one 1951), was the first amongst the Bhaga- of the Akabars of the Bombay Parsi ria priests to be imtiated maratab in Punchayet along with Dastur Mulla Bombay. All Bhagaria priests before Firoze and Dastur Khurshedji Jam- this were sent Naysm^ to be mitiat- shedji JamaspAsa. when it was recon ­ stituted in 1818. 1951), was the first amongst the Bhaga- ed. Under the guidance Of his eminent grandfather Dastur Peshotanji, Rus- tarnji became very proficient in the per ­ formance of various ceremonies and rituals and upon the death of his Dastur Peshotanji Bahramji San ­ jana, his grandson, was respected as . one of the most learned Dasturs of his grandfather was appointed deputy time. In official acknowledgement of Dastur at Bombay s Wadia Atash Bah- Dastur Peshotanji ’s learning, the gov- ram. But soon after he left off practi- thrfirstrwipkmonheti^ ing his knowledge of the Zoroastrian Ulema in the Parsi community. His religion. succession to the High Priesthood oc- His vast knowledge of Je religion curred at a time when bitter religious ^irnjo be invited to mejyorld^^u- the defender of his faith against the While he was away from learning in the U.S. and Europe. At the invitation of Professor A.V.W. Jack- son, he. lectured at Columbia Univer- National Museum with a specimen of a sudreh and kusti. Rustamji also lectur ­ ed in Upsala, Copenhagen, London ¦ - ¦ _ • f the famous German scholar Wilhelm Geiger. A prolific writer, he authored several books on Zoroastrianism which ernment of Lord Reay selected him as cing his profession and took to further- the first recipient of the title Shams-ul- ing his knowledge of the Zoroastrian Ulema in the Parsi community. His religion. succession to the High Priesthood oc- His vast knowledge of Je religion curred at a time when bitter religious led him to be invited to the World^li- controversies prevailed and he emerged gious Conference in Brazil in 19W. as the defender of his faith against the While he was away from India, he also inroads that Christianity and western visited several centres^ ^f ^^’'^a^trian education were making in the commu ­ nity. Dastur Peshotanji is well remember- . ed in co nne ction with several Pahlavi sity. He also presented the Wa^ington works. Amongst others, his most im­ portant contribution to Pahlavi studies has been his translation of the volumi- nous -- — — — - — - -, which were edited by his son, Dastur Darabji. He was the principal of the Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy Zartoshti Mad- ------- - ressa in Bombay^ from its foundation received international acclaim, in 1863 till his death. A Fellow of the Bombay University, he was appointed Dastur. Jamaspji Minochehrji Jamasp^ to establish a course of studies in ‘ i-.-ui.. Avesta and Pahlavi at the University. He was also a member of the German Samast Shahenshahi Athornan Anju- Oriental Society. man in Bombay. He has authored Dastur Darabji Peshotapji Sanjana, learned works, the most ambitious be- Rustamji Edaiji Sanjana (1868- ing the Pahlavi dictionary, which al- the Wadia Atash Bahram in 1898. As a though started in his youth, was unfor- priest, teacher and writer he devoted tunately never completed. He is also Dinkard in 19 volumes, four of and in parts of Germany as a guest of Geiger. A prolific writer, he authored Asa (1830-1898) was a highly reputed scholar and the High Priest of the man in Bombay. He has authored learned works, the most ambitious he ­ though started in his youth, was unfor- Edaiji Sanjana Darabji Sanjana Peshotanji Sanjana 40 Parsiana August 19858- Rustavi Satyane y'".'^'' ^^-r^n^bered ’- for W 'i V Lv^WE F A ?’¦ t- }. . IK" jami^/i JamaspAsa 4’ v i” ’' *^ "f a '®’ >J ..!¦ J .: ¦ ’< I » I ¦ r ?fja arXL t^‘- ... __________ 'M'tilie bitter, "hi^ous controversies of his iuul iec^i^. He was embr times, to which he gave scholarly rep ­ lies. His learning led him to be elected a member of several oriental societies. In 1884, the honorary degree of Doc ­ tor of Philosophy and Master of the Fine Arts of the University of Tuebin ­ gen were conferred on him, ‘in consi ­ deration of his great merits in Pahlavi I literature, as well as of the liberal spirit which he displayed in forwarding a great number of valuable Avesta manuscripts not accessible till then to scholars. ’ In 1889, he was Conferred the degree of Doctor of Civil Laws honoris causa of the Oxford Univer ­ sity, in recognition of his valuable ser ­ vices in prodding the Bodleian Library with an Avesta manuscript that was ‘ hitherto inaccessible to scholars there. - 2 Dastur JamaspAsa was responsible Erachii Meherjtrana for consecrating several Dar-Z-Af/Ztrs in Dastur Maneckji Nusserwanji ^d out of Bombay, and the cuhnina- (1875-1956) was born into a po^fj tion of all his labours may be seen in priestly family of Surat and at a youi^^ the Anjuman Atash Bahram in Bom- age moved with his family bay, which was established in 1897, Even though he failed Ids maMcdbir. " and whose first High Priest he was ap- tion examination, Dhalla had a pointed. He was also deeply interested love for scholarly pursuits and in the welfare of his colleagues in the performing his priestly dudes; continu- '3 priestly profession. ed reading on his own/r ealizing ‘nmhing could be achieved iri thii ’’?"^ The irinetoriith century was a turbulent world without Idgher educafion. ’ Re- period in Parsi history. Religious con- solving to educate himself, Dhalla, by troversies, debates and innovations his sincere efforts impressed theKar^^ were the order of the day. At such a chi Anjuman, who arranged "te* .jtend- time, when a guiding spirit was requir- him to Bombay to study at the madw^ ed, Dastur Erachji Meherjirana (1826- sas there. 1900) provided the orthodox response. Even during the course of his stu- In 1869 he published his book Rehbar- dies, Dhalla was delivering lecturess^ : e .Din-e Jarthushti — a guide to the receiving acclaim as an erudite speakeri'^ Zoroastrimi religion, wherein he not On successfully completing his couf»-'^ only discussed controversial issues but of studies at the Bombay v ' affirmed the continuity of traditions. Dhalla received the support |md " While trained in the scriptural Ian- couragement of people like K.R. - guages in the traditional manuCT, Das- Cama, Dr Sir Jeevanji Jamsh«lji tur Erachji was receptive to inodern Modi, Shapurji Saklatwala and Jam* . philological biethods of studying them shedji Tata, and was able to realise his arid in a sense, bridged the gap between ambition of going to Columbia Univer- ; the traditional and modern systems of sity to study under the famous Iramst, learnmg. As a practicing priest, his I^ofessor A.V. WilUams JacksOfi. / knowledge of the intricate details of On his return to India, n hnUa rituals and ceremonies was unquestion- honoured with the Dasturship of , chi, even though he was not ordained a ? From 18^ to 1887, when he was the maratab, but he in every way proved - librarian of the MuUa Firoze Library in worthy of the honour bestowed rimm Bombay, he laboriously copied several him. An eloquent speaker, prolifw wri* ’ Avesta, Pahlavi and Persia manu- ter and respected Dastur, ddh-. scripts in duplicate; one for himself vered numerous lectures in and and one for the library, His personal abroad, and has carved fKx himself a coUectien now lies in the Rrst Dastm* permanent niche in the field of Zoeo- Meherjirana Libraay in Navsari. , astrian scholarship. »¥• &¦' As-4 fefc &.W*? Jfd /¦ J. ¦-W^ •'*^j < astrian scholarship. w 2t 1 -.^ •9-i ’Jj '<(3A CLARIFICATION In the second inst&lment of*‘The Parsi Priesthood in India: from athravan to bringers of andharu'^fPersieinaL, May 1985) a reference is made to *‘700 years of peac^ul existence in Sanjan. ” It should be noted that if we take the tra­ ditional date of the enthronement of the Iranshah fire, 85 A.Y. (Yazdgardi era, date of the Shahenshahi calendar) corresponding to 716 A.C. (after |j Christ) then we arrive at the tradi­ tional reckoning of 700 years of peaceful existence in Sanjan. But, if we follow, as most present day western scholars do. Shahpurshah Hormasji Hodiwala ^Studies in Parsi History), and take the date of the arrival of the first Parsi pilgrims in India as 936 A. C. then the Parsis in Sanjan would have led a peaceful existence for about 450 years. The photograph of the Anjuman Atash Bahram /Parsiana, March 1985, page 40e) was taken when the atash bahram was con­ secrated on October 17, 1897. VAB.Vm. tgtt«f.rx4 r luti^ Mr.{‘'»f' -1, 1. Jat ) ^fj*ra4 «, «» 43 fl9/5Wf» August iges Slf» “ > ¦- : 'II i?< i' i’.-.'s'^ f-'v^ ?) .5 • k J i' / /i-i pl 4^/ • 'J; ' '4»i|ii>i •' T-Ss. RRB ftif" IB Hl t >4 OJI pl I' Ok Mr 0' 11^ • ¦'wa 4 j ? ,1 2 ¦’¦it. OU i/t fr t I Wg t iffer' " *Ca iiil t -J Vtiiii I - s ^gtsia n4uAu»2/aS y life «4tr ininifrtutf.ait.(l^gi !»iA9» WtewR eJi '.Ac jtmAmun ^litudir lit^ui eoni^efiiti^l^- s\ VW' 8'1.^! ii' i 18 c^m' Ire4c*9 Av IZjg'i^W ten Lfr ,J tkjeetAtrefur | h •yFa on Hyde’s pioneering work ENGRAVINGS FROM TH HYDE’S BOOK H| The author visualizing a |B Magi priest reciting from the Avesta., (Left) Hyde’s conception of a Jftre-temple. m Published in 1700, Vete- H| rum Persarum et Partho- rum et Medorum Reli- |H gionis Historia by Thomas Hyde, professor at Oxford V University, was the first western publication Iran, Zoroastrianism and ^B Zoroaster. A pioneering ^B work in the field of Iranian ^B studies, Hyde’s interpreta- ^B lion was an idealized Ira- BB nian form of Judaism. TMs ^B work, despite its tremen- ^B dous impact and impor- H| tance at the time to Euro- BB pean scholars, set the seeds for controversy. Hyde interpreted Zoroas- ^B trianism from a Christian ^B point of view for a Chris- tian readership and his |H work held sway for alrnost f-W quarters of a century. ’r 4-e Is ' \ ¦ ‘A midnight tryst with divinity Hundreds of behdins and athornans assembled at Surat to pay respect to the reinstalled Goti Adarian fire. Arnavaz S. Mama for the ed, painted and spruced for the occa- the officiating sion, were ablaze with lights and cram- n*^V?ro; “^h"ram devoteesas the fire was rein- benedictions^fiom PM^irarTe^ond stalled in its rightful place and the boi floor windows or at street level The fo ’- theUshin gah chanted police band escorting the fS lent a out With a special machi htxat the trus- festive air — even though their choice S’tourtyard, toa' “toe of maodies «c^ionaily hilarious- ly inappropriate (including Never on a Sunday) — until the flag was run up Parsi mohallas, raised and dipped to receive and acknowledge garlands and . iamrtyard. Surat, as toe vanguard cot E trustees bearing sym- sandalwood offerings from the behdins •'> <'''P“*hah,resulting in meter high toe'ga'ry n.g'pni;' '1 y.?h.n“,'o',. ‘ three mobSTbeXlo t^veX ‘^'P^atu- at toe a»ary, with a score of mobed; XXoS^aTro^^^a "The lesson taught ; i*dia»na«ic field vrilich the Goti Ada- here bv thp &>o “^emonies involved. s?;rian fire could traverse unharmed. The IxaQmi The exact age of the Goti fire is un- tegendary fire itself, duly encased in a and S hahenshahi anytinw round metallic sieve fsarpos/t/ that • -n after 1373 when the first mobed fami- looked like a toy satelUte, was carried priGStS Will teach US "oted Oavar Ka- four mobeds — Jehangir Turel of • r- . \asjiModi,presidentof the GotiAda- .•fheModi AtashBahram, Goti Adarian TO ©Hd intigntinQ ndn Trust Fund. There is no doubt ’ panthaki Parvez Turel who is the fifth \A/horo\/Qr it ic '• ^bom it^being the first fife-temple in s l^neration scion of the Turel family , *“* UVUl IL IS . . . Surat and Modi estimates its age at 6(X) that has dedicated itsdf to this adarian, res did not deter the faithful hnntiesd • ,u- .u r- . Aspi Surti and Noshir Dastur. in swMt from ® first dweUing. It After a prescribed five-minute inter- Nyaish in the regal presence Thefin^ the present abode in val, an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 strong reputation for wish^fnifiimAJ^^^T 1796 whenNusserwanji Coyajee b^ilta multitude followed in a reverential a corresoondine reG^?onJT structure here and transported the fire though straggly procession through the providential blowin/of ihe ® fi^rn hs earlier quarters from within a »«ht. There had been talk of a “P the ••'IhcOBposiUonparty-agrou'Dof an?^K ‘”““ contributed fo this change Ptusis^ a poimTf Sew short “mTntXft"^^ of location. Movements of the commS- who had raised a hue and cry when toe tone environ, on .u. earned them some distance fire had been initially moved to the tC3 Aa ___ In _________ • . . K S' The lesson taught here by the Kadmi and Shahenshahi priests will teach us to end infighting wherever it is.. , res did not deter the faithful, baptised in sweat, from reciting their Atash Nyaishmthe regal presence. The fire ’s reputation for wish-fulfilment evoked a conesponding response. With the from*it?e^liir qu« « *“ Y " provident!^ blowing of the electric fbrt called Rafeburz, f ‘ ~ ved even Tapi ’s banks. A number of factors are physical said to have contributed to this change of location. Movements of the commu ­ nity had carried them some dis tan ce away from the shrine, which was said 7 / t / a fuse,the radiance within achieved greater prominence — both 1 ¦ providing an all-too- toric environs on the Tapi ’s banks in ^5£ • * ’ ® • ***»'*»' **«« uwii laiN ui a ^rixdfee escort as the trustees expected SB*?. ---------- .. ... . _ . tone environs on the Tapi ’s banks in . ................... ^^10 B Modi Atash Bahr«n ii April ’84- ‘.o' NavX'kffi«h7h “Kfi ’sVX' “ Gc Thoro 1.0,1 oUo. __au;. ____. . .... j »<*pipnra- R?' •¦^1 £ create unpleasantness. There had also I been talk of street lights being switched ...____ _ z^giary uag procession. In duly consecrated with an ijashni sA the E fact howesver, the lights were evident, *' •••¦-- |5the police were not. The Goti Adarian .predttcts, repair- se, this “midnight tryst with divinity. ’’ Pacing page: After daybreak the Goti Agiary flag, ~ Modi Atash Bahram, was carried aloft *’7 ® of young mobeds with a re ­ tinue of Parsis through the various Goti Adarian: iong and legendary history In the Padshah‘s defence: Minochehr- Homji, Mody, Bhacca, Mie/vhani^ Mirza and Dtfstur 44 Pars/ana August 1965 3i# .4,v ? Biw?B w . j^sJ ',5. ’'1 t w W i 5 l'*r' 1 15 I • • •^* > ;Jj2Sfc? )!¦ .9 4d P a (in-- »Above: CiOii/lag hroiighi oiil of its temporary abode al Modi Atash Bahram Flag raised to receive gar/onds from Surat residents Right:_______________________________ Speakers at the morning function: (from left) Merchant, Modi, Coi- walta, Godrej, Mirza, JamaspAsu and Minochehr-Homji Siruggly procession following the fire Throng awaiting to pay respects to the reinstalled fire ¦ The Rafeburz area was also prey to I bandits and marauders raising ques- ¦ lions of security for the atash and the I attending mobeds- The Neksatkhan I family which had donated the earlier a area, contributed land anew and the a agiary was built upon its current site. 3 The Goti Adarian is the only place 9 where Kadmi and Shahenshahi priests 3 officiate in paw maha! (high liturgical) ¦ ceremonies side by side. This rare case I of amity among Zoroastrian mobeds I dates back to 1831 when the first Sir ¦ Jamsetji Jejeebhoy undertook repairs I of I he agiary building for the first time. I The ijashni ceremonies of ihc entire S place, mandatory after such intrusion ' g of the material world, led to feuds bel- g ween the Shahenshahi and Kadmi r , priests. The case went to the court of L’ Justice Grant and a compromise was effected whereby the Kadmi priests ¦' undertook the ijashnt of the hindolun’*p ? ! I ‘‘¦iff c monies. In the course of his speech detailing * (idhofanor stone stools) and the entire time.) A humbandagi led by Surat ’s | outer area, whilie the Shahenshahi high pripst Dastur Noshirwan Dastur i priests carried out the ijashni of, the was followed by a welcome address I gurnbaz (sanctum sanctorum). In by Dr Sam Bhacca, a trustee of the 1 1920-21 when the old structure was Goti Adarian and the Surat Parsi Pun- . replaced by the present one, the Kadmi chayet, and the day ’s master of cere- I and Shahenshahi hindolans were care ­ fully preserved. Indeed, this year, for the first time, the ijashni for the outer the highlights of the Goti Adarian ’s areas was not performed, there being long and legendary history — it ’s the not enough Kadmi mobeds available, only agiary, according to Modi, which noted Modi, who thanked Eruchshah celebrates two anniversaries every year, Pundole for having borne the entixe one of the building, another of the fire f cost of the reconsecration. The preseiit site of the Goti Adarian had its own shortcomings, specifically the fury of the river Tapi. Each flood of the Tapi notched a high water mark in the courage and fidelity of the Turel family which has tended the Goti Ada ­ rian for the past five generations, not ­ ed Modi. The last and most momen ­ tous occasion occurred in 1959 when the family chose to remain cut off from the rest of Surat, tending the fire in the attic while the swirling waters entered the agiary precincts and the sanctum sanctorum was itself awash with waters six feet high. A special mandap built just outside the agiary gate where the congregation repaired for a morning of speeches, was ^n innovation of 1985. (Indeed, . Ms Daulatbanoo Jamshedji Turel, mo ­ ther of the present panthaki and vete ­ ran of earlier shiftings and reinstalla ­ tions of the Goti Padshah, had won ­ dered the day before, why there was such fanfare over the reinstallation this (Above) Meherjirana: ‘maintain guidelines’ (Top left) Modi: ‘enormous effort ‘ (Left) Gheyara: ‘this gigantic job ’ (Below) Daulatbanoo Turel ‘veteran of earlier shiftings’ felicitated by Dastur Noshirwan Dastur (Photographs: Homyar Mistry) '-A > \ ' 1 — Modi noted that the Land Ceiling authorities had issued orders for acqui ­ sition of part of the agiary land. - “Under such circumstances there was no question of undertaking extra con- , struction, ” Modi said in Gujarati, re ­ ferring to the suggestion of a section of the community that another makeshift structure be set up to shdter the fire while the agiary was under repair am happy to announce that with enor ­ mous effort and the benediction of the sacred fire, we won the case against the' - ‘ government two months ago, ” he add ­ ed. J The adarian trust had received 3.25 lakhs of rupees from the community in I ;v 3(r response to its plea for funds to under- ' ,1> ‘^- .^-‘ K d ’ * amelioration of moh^s. ‘‘two and a of today'are not going into industry grim. “Parsis need to get together. Unfor-^^ tunately (they) find fault in smaMA Udtds faced by the BPP m the task of living elsewhere. Unfortunately Parsis don ’t see that nbw, the future will be J half to three lakhs of rupees (annual in- while the opportunity is there. Small terest on 30 lakhs of rupees) would be industries are at times.very lucrative. . . required to help just the very poor (but they) require a lot of hard work things and blow them up while the ' noted in Gujarati. “Projects look good (m paper, but where are the resources? Except for a very few, most affluent Parsis prefer their own comforts (to contributing towards community wel- fare). Moreover the gift tax deters con ­ tributions of over Rs 5,000,’’ he added Roomily, BPP trustee Naoroji Godrej, chief gdest for the day, was the only one to speak in English. “I’m not used to Gu ­ jarati so please excuse me for speaking in Bhglish, ’’ he began. Then, referring , . — -------- . --- _ Godrej noted, ^‘Those were the days funds from banks or relatives, start religious knowledge as the qualities when it was comparatively easy to pro- • • " — .. . . j _ •_ .. r .j [ sper. In these days when we are up against the whole country and the Bri ­ tish are no more, we are likely to suffer much more. ’’ Godrej ’s mission that _ day was to inject some entrepreneurial positions is difficult. Once the high structions but did not check whether derririg-do among Parsi youth: “The advantages of trying to run an t r" r !¦ r. ? amo ng the moped community.* ’ he ...the zeal to succeed ... the grit of basic things get forgotten. Even in X ~ ’ small places where Parsis are few, weut'g tend to fight among ourselves. 1 hope' the lesson taught here by the Kadmi--, ’.: and Shahenshahi priests will teach us -^ to end infighting wherever it is. .. Introducing the guest of honour o^, the occasion, Bhacca noted that Din-,' ’^ shaw Merchant had raised his outfi^ Ss from insignificant beginnings to oiw..^ employing 250 men over a 9000 sq ff area. Merchant described himself in General Cariappa ’s phrase as a VOC — very ordinary chap. Singling out to Bhacca ’s eulogistic introduction man which ultimately counts. .. Get hard work, excellence, honesty and I / Our fire-temples are very powerful, having the strength to Influence the neighbourhoo(d for miles. / 9 . something small. If we miss this oppor- that had raised Parsis to front rank, - tunity, I don ’t think Parsis will have a Merchant noted there was an ebb in 4 name at all. We have to make the mo- these qualities among the community ney. .. Parsis must be masters of them- today. “My generation is respon- S sc ’ves. Even to get men to fill high sible, ” he confessed. “We gave in- positions are filled by other communi- they were carried through, somewhat ties, the tendency will be to fill the rest like Akbar who had a tank placed in -5 '‘'K MAZDA—with the British accent on leasing i Over a decade of experience in the first year itself! Mazda ’s own professional expertise coupled with over 13 years of experience of British Equipment (Leasing) Limited, UK, gives Mazda a definite advantage over all other leasing companies in India today. •As B' s mazpflieasMiGLiMtTED IN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION WITH BRITISH EQUIPMENT (LEASING) LIMITED. (UK) Registered Office: 317 Maker Chambers V 221 Nariman Point, Bombay 400 021. Tel; 243855 Telex: 011 6205 Grams: MAZDALEASE. J’,•5? £ participate in the jashan, noted that !¦ the town square one night, decreeing Honnazdyar Mirza, high priest of Ud- Bombay ’s Anjuman AM Banrro, , that every citizen contribute into it a wada smd. ^’Although , man^s ’h° • • S mM^'rtnt'b uX'Jm ;rr?o7«ET;da;Te;em7eM^^ today acknowied^ Ae truthi among me law aoiumg vuui.uu*i.ky, of our ancestors. Parsis advanced in of the explanations enshrined in our . oOured into it a cup of water, Mer- India progressively from the eighteenth doctrine and practice. n, pvut^u K _____1____Aft^r fhp “miHniffht trvst With dlVl** ii< inai every ciuzxui vumwwuvc h « —» . 7 » ¦ , ^^ -V cup of milk. ” Each citizen, expecting material, Ahiira Mazdas shaktis are a f*"- his own small misdeed to go unnoticed * ¦* o„onf rommHc nc F among the law abiding community, • _j lx J. ^4^-. «.r kAa«*. ' chant'*said. In the morning the tank century and peaked in the nineteenth, contained only water — Akbar had Great riches were accumulated and dis- [ failed- to establish a supervisor to en- sure that his edict was obeyed! k' Harkening to the principles of our , L ' forbears, Merchant noted that as each qualities that raised Parsis were faith in B' family prospered, the first priority had God, character and hard work. If these which we — I V been the digging of a well for the bene- <. " ' ‘ fit of all, followed by the erection of a will rise agtun. ” C dharamshaJa, an agiary and a dokhma E,,/ , of the explanations enshrined in our After the “midnight tryst with divi-, nity ” Navrooz Minochehr-Homji of persed toward communal benevolence. Bombay ’s Fasli Atash Kadeh advised- pviovvt WW******V»**«** ----- "J ' To be good and do good unto others is the assembled gathering to consider _ , .1- J—. ««•_ j_.. ” to - jS live the way our ancestors did thanks to “.003 percent of the ___ 1 ¦’ — can stilThold our heads high; to seek the source of that spiritual strength and bequeath it to our successors. “The Moghul waH;.^ outside the agiary has been submerged. « Similarly let all athravans drown thek< differences, ” he said. “The sky is the;| limit for a Zoroastrian. We praise;^ CVCiyVllV WllV **«*O V**VV*^, --------------------------- may be between the emth and the hea- -^ our duty as Zoroastrians. The three this day ‘‘a day of introspection. qualities are cultivated again. Parsis world ’s population _______________ c. __J_________ Dastur Meherji Kaikobad Meherji- P, —^7hat order. “We should turn back rana of Navsari, whom Bhacca de- to where we went astray, ” noted Mer- scribed as a Kshnumist, noted. Our " to wnere we wcni asiray, nuicu ivici- avnuvu — -- fe chant. “Why bother with babas and ancestors came at a calculated time, in p* ____wiiniefAve rtf fViA palnilatpH niimhprK- Thev did not ar- fe peers who are only ministers of the calculated numbers. They did not ar- . King, when we have direct access to the ” -..i-- .r I King — Ahura Mazda? ” he added. bSrio; —“7rTi-I^s7 . -57r ve-„s5 ’- Nottog that Zo—s ba ?**** ; within himself, ” 1----------- 7-of history, referred to the case of schemes. ’’ Dadabhai Pandya who on a single oc- - •* ¦ casion was l..._ ------ -------- - ------ , humans from the raging Tapi to receive .. . ........ sentee host Shiavax Vakil, Bombay ’s, ; Fait Master had legal luminary and controversi^ ex-, / trustee of the BPP. Not until it was < over could Bhacca, Modi or Mode ’s wife Roshan and daughter Pervin reliot ........ J priests. Then, disaster almost overtook Cdl us, the youn- the carefully organized plans. Lured by.-;| a bottle of booze and a bribe of Rs 3®"?;. apiece from “the opposition party ” as Modi alleged, the cooks disappeared t known to*have rescued 125 ing. An old man in the audience had and the trustees had to round up an- 75 numans irom u.c lasiug Tapi uv, ..wivC fainted and was carried to the Turels ’ other batch from as far “s Nav- a 20-ruDee watch as his reward. “In quarters to recoup. The gravity of the san, to cook for the night. Greece he would have been honoured soeeches added to the fatigue. But the Despite it all, hosts and guests could ;r. ff' contrasting our own cavalier nonchal- yara, president of the Surat Parsi Pun- that day as Golwalla noted, _ H ance towards heroism chayet ended the proceedings with make religion your business, God wjB The euphoria of the day resulted in a “Our first thanks to Ahura Mazda to make it your blessedness. ,..vw..o o —e-P so much in the air, Marshall, a devotee ger mobeds, when you warn to create It had been an intensely hot morn- fainted and was carried to the Turels ’ ' d 4fi»W 1 WprW TVWVVll **0 *t*k» ->--------- • —- Greece he would have been honoured speeches added to the fatigue. Bu^toe with a monument, ” said Marshall, i audience held out until Maneck Ghe- consider themselves lucky to there J fe I B R' rti ri f- S) I I-. tK chayet ended the proceedings with With the Best Compliments of INGERSOLL-RAND [INDIA] LIMITED Manufacturers of Air & Gas Compressors /r « Rock Brill Equipment Vacuum Pumps « * *!*«¦ i 4” >¦ -r^, i. ¦ .¦ I S '. 1 R; >,'S’ I I > I 'M ! Id I3 pi/ The energy level is lower Parsis have lost their ancient bearings I k Alan Williams says in the course of their secular pursuits. Arnavaz S. Mama “Things do go up and down, ’’ con ­ tinued Williams. “I don ’t think the on ­ ly answer is to proselytize —not yet. Zoroastrianism for so long has been the religion of the Zoroastrian com^ the preservation of religion and com- The ethnic ¦ • -. sionary religion ... The racial identity iiic lai* —**'*' “—----- . r-._ .vac Iranian There was no communica- found impact on Parsis and interaction in the world then. ;s or ms The religious and ethnic identity were Pahlavi one wdtt»same® ° tS munity?*aU*its structures a^ “The faU of the Shah has had a ^o- Shah identified with Iran, not Islam. g For u. himqelf a Pahlavi one ana me sauic v.m.6. Islamic republic, it affected Zoroas- Alan Williams, who teaches the the University of Sussex and lectures & K' all the faults and injustices of his ^ Zor^trianism in the mind or in in- " _ ~ phoria it occasioned: “I was worried if ’. .tdlectual ideas. .. The full practice of i/. +hinlz 'thck might not be allowed to enter Shawnu* , d its principles is required. Many prac- I uOn L 1111 riK in© khananda HaU. I expected a kusti \ tices are (hfflcult for a modern com- nnlv anQVA/or ic tn check at the door! ” iftunity to ke^ up. ” The need of the UI lly al loVV©I Io LU Educated in a Christian school and \hour is enlivened discussion for DrOSGlvtiZ© FlOt brought up as a Christian, Wffliaip® \ 'iW'eserving Zoroastrian doctrine^ smd * however was an alienated teenager with Zoroastrian practice, says Williams y©1;. . GSH VOL! ' ¦ interest in religious studies. Hg- . who briieves, “the reforinists are ‘ . entered Oxford wanting to be a classi- d damaging the religion (by the) vague prSSGrV© SOmSthinQ cist. Chancing on Sufi literature and' eclecticism of western, Indian and ¦ 4: K >1 ’+ iX)etry led him to change from the das- other religious ideas? ’ IT yOtl SpTeaCi It sics to Persian and Arabic literature, « “A real crisis of faith or identityhas orm inH cA mi mh ?" because the literature has such a ’’ been triggered by the political realities oTUUnu Su TTHJCn.^ strong feligious base, to the study of of Islamic Iran with Zoroastrian Ira- Islam. During a visit to Yezd in 1975, nis, especially well-to-do ones, forced books. .../The priesthood must main- Williams met the Zoroastrians there, to move abroad, ” says Williams. “Dis- tain their uncompromising stance Mary Boyce ’s lectures on Zoroastria- tinguished Irani exiles feel strongly through which they can be exemplary nism shortly thereafter led him to the about establishing a new Zoroastrian symbols of virtue and the right choice study of Pahlavi, Avestan and Middle identity —a factor which is not openly in life. The reformist lobby of lajroen, Persian, glimaiting in seven years of ’ " discussed in the Parsi community, ” constrained by the needs of the com- doctoral work editing, translating ami opines Williams. munity, is bypassing religion and by- explaining the Rivayaat, says Williamsj AjMrt from the unsettling effect of passing the priests. Traditions and the who is currently tr anslating , texts the decade of Islamic revolution in Iran priesthood have to be maintained for originally written in Syriac by Ghris- is the effect of mass communications the maintenance of the religion. Social tians wh0 Were persecuted in Sasanian on a hitherto “hermetically sealed forces are at loggerheads; it ’s not just a Iran by Shapur 11 in the fourth cen- ' community, ” notes Williams. The Par- religious problem but a social one. tury, ‘*It is a fascinating account of flie ’ sis identified with the British who were Wherever the liberal lobby is at-work, contact between the Zen-oastriaps and western, like their own Persian ances- the laity is pushing the priests around. Christians of that period, a source of ' tors, says Williams, who strongly feels But priests exist in a continuum of reli- historical information of Shapur ’s that the time has come when Parsis gion. court and the nf rhi* .Mu>u>vu U.SU w ...... ...w u....... -----------’’ ” I Thermax had been toying with the idea the early years and now also own part it decided to set up its own mwketmg of entering high-tech, high-growth of the stock. When Aga was incapaci- organization rather than sell its pro- e». A •! _ AM rl__ J- _ ___________ /»___ _____ 1__ A____ _______ ?— _____ 1_- 4-Vk«.A««MVk <>*«> nfVAM/MAr ¦^a I areas for a while. When a company tated for nearly two years in the early ducts through an agency house, t based in Singapore offered to sell its eighties owing to a serious health pro- sales agent would have guaranteed a plant to make carbon and metal film blem, the senior executives formed a minimum turnover, paid us an advance A -J 1 plain Vv lIlctKC VOlUUll allU lilvLOl liliil ulvlll, Ulv dVlUVl CACVUUVVd IVllllCU a 1111**1*1x1*21* uumivtv*, ww «*•* resistors, Thermax was only too happy committee to run the company. At at the time of placing an order, giving to grab the Offer and has now begun least from the financial results there is the balance on delivery. But if we had exporting resistors to Dale and Bell no sign that the company was con- succumbed to that temptation we Labs. - strained in any manner. Says* Aga, would have been where we were in What led Thermax to grow and di- “After all, the people who run the 1967—maybe marginally better, ” says I* versify so rapidly, especially in a company now, ran it then. ” Aga. business (originally boilers) that has What the company concentrated on “When you sell through an agent, virtually stagnated over the years and was marketing. Here the company ’s you hold him responsible for not & has also seen tremendous competition? strength comes from two sources. One, achieving a target. When you market K Before making an analysis of the few is what the competitors point out about yourself you learn to be j^rsonally K key factors which were responsible for Thermax —aggressive Selling. Another, responsible. You realize that if you are I Thermax distinguishing itself, it is in- and possibly more important is the abi- not doing as well as you should it is teresting to note what the senior mana- lity of its technologists tq procure and because you are not giving the custo- , f gement has to say. Aga himself believes adapt designs to quickly introduce new mer his money ’s worth. So you start in- ' ’ I that the basic reason was a team of products to capitalize on market op- trospecting —you study the customer ’s professionals who were ambitious portunities identified. needs, you check on what the competi- _¦ jg offering, you update your ... orderly, professional life and who had Product Innovation designs,yOu providetheserviceback- Since its inception, Thermax has con- up and you become the stronger for it, - sistently been the first to introduce new says Aga, about the advantages of a products to the Indian market. And the direct interface with the market, list of such products is quite impres- In addition, for Thermax, a direct sive. It includes forced circulation interface with the market has thrown steam generators, thermic fluid hea- up new opportunity areas that weren ’t . <¦ ters, gas to air heat exchangers, macro- even thought of when the company was porous based exchange resins, heat born. “And we ’ve an organization cul- j recovery units fitted to diesel genera- ture that seeks to exploit new Opportu- . tors using the diesel engine exhaust to nities as they come along, ” explains . 5^ generate steam and so on. Recently Aga. “f an irrepressible urge to grow. Says Thermax developed ceramic recupera- b.K.j. KUO, oirecior, marxeung, "we tors ror wnicn ineir researen ana . were driven by our youth, ambition development chief, N.D. Joshi won a and a desire to go places in the energy national prize. The chemicals division Hi-tech, hi-growth areas: has developed a flow improver for the Left:‘Reverse flame’boiler And within the company they did go oil industry which is being marketed Right: Plate bending machine places. Even though Thermax is owned now. f- si enough to be dissatisHed with a QUi^t, I \Ne have had more than our share of failings. There have f been products that 1 have not taken off." 5 i* J'S /« What the company concentrated on ¦1 ¦ ________________1_____________ 1- 1 ¦ Another important fact of the com- B.K.J. Rao, director, marketing, “We tors for which their research" and pany ’s approach to marketing merits merits business. 8 '0 S' I I" 41 sSi 1! ‘I I !’ |. 1, ti' j i 59 Parsiana Auffust1 t 1 1 attention. Not only has Thermax ma- products are substandard. His deputy taken was to set up our own marketing naged to offer the right kind of pro- Abhay Nalawade, divisional manager organization. This implied a commit ­ ducts, it has aggressively sold them, marketing, agrees that the Thermax ment to overheads which required a The company is reported to have one sales force is highly pushy and aggres- level of break-even turnover substan- of the most well trained, highly mo- sive. “Yes, we sell like hell and there is tially higher than what we were achiev- tivated and pushy sales forces of en- nothing wrong in that. In practically ing at that time, ” he says. gineering companies in this country, every product that we sell we face com- Why is the risk factor so important “Apart from a thorough grounding on petition and we have to push and push in explaining the company ’s success? company products, the'sales engineers to gain and keep our share of the Aga points out that this is mainly be- are trained to work with a system ’s ap- market, or else we won ’t survive, ” says cause of the nature of the business proach so as to understand the custo- Nalawade. Thermax also claims that Thermax is involved in —primarily ma- mer ’s specific requirements. Conti- over 95 percent of its customers place hhfacture of capital goods with little or nuous contact with a customer, long repeat orders with them. no replacement demand. Here large after a sale is made, is an established orders (of several crores at times) have tradition with the marketing group, ” Excellent advertising to be executed in a scenario where the says a company spokesman. As part of its marketing effort and also supply of raw materials and power and “Their products are hardly up to the to create the image of a company at the even getting import licences is un ­ mark. It is their aggressive selling and forefront of the energy and environ- predictable, gestation periods are long advertising that pulls them through, ” ment business^Thermax has run a series with inadequate safeguards against laments a competitor. A factory engi- of excellent advertisements in the last cost escalation and,in the case of new neer in the chemical industry has this four years, reportedly speming over products, substantial performance gua- comment on the Thermax sales force; Rs 1 crore in the process. This, inciden- rantees have to be provided. “Given “They can sell you the hind legs of a tally, has also led to the widespread this background, any activity that donkey as a boiler. You will believe speculation that Thermax might go results in under absorption of them and buy it also. They can sell you public this year. The finance director, overheads or under recovery of direct anything unless you are very very care- M.Y. Paranjpe, however is non com- costs is likely to make us extremely ful. ” mittal. vulnerable, ” says Aga. “But to grow,. B.K. J. Rao, marketing director,poli- Aga likes to point out that Thermax these risks have to be taken and yet tely smiles when told of these com- has, over the years, not only been will- have to be contained at the same ments and says that no company can ing to take risks but has developed ap time. ” _ survive and do well in the long run if its ability to contain them. “The first risk ” - - — mittal. Aga likes to point out that Thermax these risks have to be taken and yet How exactly has Thermax managed .11 '1 I ¦i; r '8 {¦ L 11 i' rnnzmoco HEAVY DUTY INDISTRIAI, KITCHEN AND CANTEEN EQUIPMENT ¦i ¦ I' t PORTABLE BAIN MARIE Tail ! 61 Parsiana August J96S r DELUXE SERVICE COUNTER STERILIZING SINK UNIT J WORK TABLE HEAVY DUTY COOKING RANGE Manufactured by BULK COOKER h MAZDA MANUFACTURING CO. Plot No. 6, Diitta Mandir Road, Bhandiip Bombay 400 078 • Gram : Shadowless' fiam aware of many a small organization that has come to grief for want of li- “In the last 10 years, since we started quidity, ” says Aga. As a mater of to contain these risks? For one it has exporting significantly —nearly a four- restricted its growth to areas requiring th of its revenue comes from exports, less investment in fixed assets and more . in working capital and has subcon- exporting, we have earned over Rs 70 policy Thermax closely monitors cash " ' " ‘" flows. “I have to keep the daily cash flow statement on Aga ’s desk which he must see first before he begins his day, ” says M.K. Kanade, divisional manager, finance. In the early years, it was liquidity rather than profitability that was the focus of activities in Thermax. For ex ­ ample it preferred a larger advance and a lower price to a lower advance and higher price. “We were willing to con ­ sider a price reduction that would outweigh savings by way of interest, ” traded many manufaduring processes, crores in foreign exchange, ” says M.P. Second, the company has stayed aloof from product lines that would serve a specific market —for example the auto ­ mobile industry. The idea here is that fluctuating fortunes of any particular industry should not have a major im- pad on Thermax. Third, the company tries to achieve a balance between sell­ ing to the private sedor and to the government. The climate for new in ­ vestment influences the private sector more than the public sedor. Govern ­ ment spending is more or less autono ­ mous and more predictable since it follows a pre-determined resource allo ­ cation plan. On the other hand Ther ­ max runs up against price purchase preferences that makes selling to the private sector easier. 11 When you sell through an agent, you hold him responsible for not achieving a target. When you market yourself you learn to “^:„Xin,porUn. element Of the fl. be OerSOna 11V nanclal strategy that has assisted Ther- ' max ’s growth is the use of development responsible.'' expenditure as a means of tax plann- ------------------------------------------------- ing. “Many organizations better en- Rao, director, international marketing, dowed than us prefer a form of tax Thermax has exported paint spraying planning through massive investment Financial pl anning and drying units to the USSR, mobile in assets eligible for investment In addition, Thermax tries to maintain containerised hot air generators, water allowance and high rates of deprecia- ¦ ¦ ..................................................... ’ ’ , tion. We couldn ’t afford that because waste heat boilers and now computer of the cash outflows involved, ” says Aga. Instead Thermax has gained tax The company has always been rather benefits from research and develop- 11 parity between standard products with treatment resins, site erected boilers, steady demand where margins are low, v and large custom built products where software. margins are higher but the demand er- ratic. Also, Thermax hedges risks by careful about managing its money. ‘‘I ment expenditure, gearing some of its 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, Vishokhapatnam, Kakinada, Mangalore, Bhavnagar, Bedi-port, Navlakhi, Veraval, Porbunder & Kandla. Also sole Government Landing contractors at Jamnagar, (Bedi) Bhavnagar. W Parsiana .^uqusr 1985 1 1il [5 1 .x I I il' 5. a I 4 ip 5-fl 1 i capacity towards exports, and through of the cell and his colleagues in sales, selling technology abroad. engineering, planning and manufac- “We started with limited resources ture. “Things came to such a pass that and one of the major constraints that we were faced with the uncomfortable we faced was that high taxes kept us choice of stopping, this activity altoge- from having much surplus to plough ther or reorienting the structure of the back. The punitive tax structure limits cell, ” says Aga. Thermax decided on both internal funds available for the latter course of action. Young engi- growth and the company ’s borrowing neers of the technical cell were asked to capacity, ” says Aga. However Ther- set up a team with their counterparts in max did plough back a fair amount of other divisions. The manager of the its own resources. In the last four cell continues, but more as a facilitator years, dividends have not taken away who makes himself available when more than 15 percent of the surplus needed. “As a result, the youngsters available for appropriation. who form the teams have become When talking about Thermax, ma- highly motivated, and have full respon- nagement professors and consultants sibility for each project they under- often acclaim the company ’s ability to take. Earlier,passing the buck was fre- make best use of its human resources, quent, ” says Aga. People who know the company, both insiders and outsiders, agree that the Surprisingly modest organization ’s structure and manage- In corporate circles, among manage ­ ment style have been instrumental in building an effective team. “In our organization, fixed invest ­ ment is small, the machinery is general recent trip to the Indian institute of purpose workshop machinery, and the Management, Ahmedabad a group of entire value addechcomes from the de- Thermax executives were glad to hear dication and ingenuity of people in de- their company being referred to as a signing products, identifying markets, ‘miracle ’ company. Aga however is generating resources, in manufacturing very reluctant to make any claims and in after sales service, ” explains about excellence. “I do not want to Aga. create the impression that we are some Thermax executives find that the sort of a unique organization with decentralised decision making process remarkable clarity of objectives run by in the organization, and delegation of a bunch of self actualised managers, authority have allowed for high moti- Nothing can be further from the vation and a strong commitment to do- truth, ” he says, ing a good job. Aga considers this a necessity rather than a matter of than usual corporate practice of beat ­ following text book rules and says: “In ing one ’s own drum and claiming ex- our type of business, where expertise is cellence from rooftops, is refreshingly very diverse, where the quality of deci- modest about the success of his com ­ sion making is largely dependent on the pany. “We have had more than our accuracy of information available and share of failings. There have been pro- where full responsibility has to be ducts that have not taken off. We have taken by the man on the job, centralis- disappointed some clients through ed decision making would be both li- shortcomings in quality and service, miting and ineffective. ” There are some creditors whose in ­ Aga also points to the loose and flex- dulgence we have stretched and have , ible organization structure and he also occasionally disturbed the con- views himself as well as his managers as fidence of bankers. We have also had facilitators of the groups they lead, people in the organization whose per- And this is not as easy as it sounds, as sonal egos have taken precedence over this mode of interaction has to perco- the organization ’s needs to the point of late down the line to be really succes- tearing the company apart, ” says Aga. sful. Thermax executives would have However, the point is that in spite of one believe that to a large extent all this all these factors, this Pune based com- has succeeded. pany has survived and grown. And at A case in point is a technical cell that this stage, there is no denying the fact designed custom built products that Thermax has indeed arrived, which ran into trouble because of per ­ sonal problems between the manager ment consultants and in business schools,Thermax has a solid reputation of being an ‘excellent ’ company. On a Aga, in sharp contrast to the more rvx! and plunogruphi iv/irinled nidi pennission Iroiii Business India. March 11-24-1995 I' ¦ c i i 65 Parsiana August 1955 With compliments of Starlite Electrical Works Electrical Engineers & Contractors 13, BEST Marg Bombay 400 039 Tel: 241496 ’I f I: * I' i Il s u !*t 8 t' ¦ h 5 t* . fI I Comes a horseman Trainer Bezan Cheney's life is moulded to accommodate his horses'schedules. I: i" ;!l ¦¦¦ 11 ¦ Graciousness. That ’s the key word of Bezan Chenoy ’s existence. His house in Pune, nestling in a charming garden with a lawn that slo ­ pes down to the river, exudes an air of gentlemanly leisure. Inside, the rooms are spread out comfortably, studded with furniture just sparse enough to reveal their noble proportions. The drawing room leads to the patio, an elegant area that runs across the length of the house. Its wicker chairs invite the pleasures of quiet reflection, a sundowner in hand, while outside, dusk draws the curtain on one more day. Chenoy ’s own appearance does nothing to belie the illusion. Tall and burly, with a ruddy complexion, he has the image of a huntin ’, shootin ’, fishin ’ country squire as he comes bounding up the stairs, sports jacket in hand, fresh from an early morning training session. Add a wife dressed in a cool, crisp cotton dress and a two-year-old char ­ mer in a frilly white romper and the picture seems complete. Complete, that is, but for the most important ingredient in his life —hor ­ ses. « Equestrian career Horses form Bezan Chenoy ’s raison d’etre. Both heredity and environ ­ ment willed it. His father was the manager of a stud farm called Manjri, belonging to the Maharajah of Gwa ­ lior, in which environs Chenoy spent his early years. He grew up with, on and around horses —their influence as pervasive as the air around him. Inevit ­ ably, he opted for an equestrian career. “1 simply couldn ’t imagine leading a life uninvolved with horses, ” confesses Chenoy. A jockey ’s life held allure but he had to reluctantly set aside the idea when, at the age of 15, he was already an impossible 5'9", and with no end in 66 Parsiana August 1986 Suma Varughese sight. Now 6 feet plus and with ten years of experience as trainer behind him, Chenoy has no regrets. Indeed, he has no call to. Widely acknowledged as one of the successful trainers in the field today, Chenoy ’s stable of horses encompasses some of the biggest owners. The late Noshir Irani, ex-chairman of Associated Breweries, and his two daughters, Zeenia and Bakhtawar, head the list with around 13 horses. In ­ terestingly, Chenoy ’s links with the 11 I simply couldn't imagine leading a life uninvolved with horses." Iranis aren ’t merely equine in nature. In the midst of his training activities, he found the time to woo and wed Irani ’s younger daughter, Bakhtawar. Chenoy also trains horses belonging to industrialist Sajan Kumar (10 horses), the Khatau family (four horses), Rashid Oomerbhoy of Ahmed Oil Mills (thre? horses), Talwar of Nitco Tiles (two horses), Suresh Mahindra of Mahindra and Mahindra (three hor ­ ses), and Major Mehra (in partnership with Irani, 10 horses). The winning streak A trainer ’s main function is to ensure that the horses under his charge win. This, of course, is sooner said than done because horse-racing, though the sport of kings, is no longer (or perhaps never was), the cleanest of sports. Big money is involved here and the tempta ­ tion to make things go one ’s way, either through fair means or foul, is certainly hard to resist. Thus, an honest trainer may find himself at a disadvantage when competing against those who don ’t scruple to inject hor ­ ses with anabolic steroids to increase speed or against jockeys who pull their horses. Nevertheless, competent train ­ ing can make the difference between winning and losing. Training begins from the moment a foal enters the stable but the forces that determine a winner are set into motion much in advance — at the moment of breeding, to be exact. A foal ’s antecedents determine much of its market value, hence breeders ex ­ ercise utmost care in the mating of thoroughbreds. Pedigrees are scrutiniz ­ ed, records of winnings examined and personality traits probed in their pur ­ suit of the perfect winner. Not always do these strategies score, but experi ­ ence and a knowing eye help. So also technology. The latest technique in stud farms is no less than computerized breeding, a process that, theoretically at least, can pinpoint the most favourable pairings. The first two years of a foal ’s life are spent on these stud farms, after which it is brought to Bombay for the annual auction held in February. The only one of its kind, this auction is eagerly pat ­ ronized by buyers and trainers, though some of them preempt competition by visiting the stud farms shortly before the date of the auction and snapping up the cream of the crop. The purchase of a horse is a matter of grave import, demanding judge ­ ment, attention to details and experi ­ ence with horses. As in other aspects of the sport, malpractices prevail, and an unwary trainer may find himself fooled by a horse whose air of well-being is largely the result of drugs. ‘‘The qua ­ lity to watch for in a horse, ” says Che ­ noy, ‘‘is general good health which can be judged by the sheen of its skin and the clarity of its eyes. One also largely goes by its breeding and conformationChetioy (right) leading Revelation, Pesi Shroff astride, winner of The Oaks 1985. Others in the picture are (from I to r) Major P.K. Mehra, Zeenia Lawyer and Bakhta- war Chenoy. "ip- ’7*3; ¦ J I •"fl (body structure). A winner must have a the racecourse. There, Trom 6.30 am perfectly proportioned body. Sound in till 8 am, the thoroughbreds are exer- wind and limb, as we say. ” 3 The classics A classic is a race run by horses of a specific age-group and usually of a par ­ ticular gender, though some races, like the Derby, are open to both colts and fillies. Performance in these races determines a horse ’s standing and vic ­ tory in any classic automatically upgra- cised for short periods of 15 minutes to des the trainer. Classics are the most half-an-hour, just enough to tone up prestigious of races and, among them, the body. Never more, because India ’s the Derby has pride of place. Like its famous British counterpart, winning the Derby is the best vindication of a trainer ’s ability. Says Chenoy, “Before entering a horse for an important race, it ’s usually advisable to let it rest for a couple of months — wrap it in cotton Chenoy returns home around noon wool, as it were, and do not tax its and spends the rest of the day catching strength with minor races. ” Such strategies have paid off in the 'fl J: ¦I The acid test The transaction complete, the horse is sultry weather is highly unsuitable, now the trainer ’s responsibility. Will it causing horses to get easily winded, go on to win glory and fame or will it Thus, horses are normally exercised be relegated to the obscurity of a riding only early in the morning or l&te in the school? These are questions uppermost evening. A trainer ’s lifestyle is tailored in a trainer ’s mind as he gradually around these timings, breaks the foal in, saddling, bridling and teaching it to carry weight. The definitive moment arrives when up on sleep or indulging in his favour^ _________„............. . ...... ........... . the horse is put on its trial run. By ite preoccupations (next to horses, of past. Chenoy°s record of classic win ­ gauging the ground it covers and the course) of reading or watching video, way it gathers speed, a trainer can tell When in the mood, he may also have a gauging the ground it covers and the course) of reading or watching video. ners is creditable. His first winner was a horse called Deepali which won the One Thousand Guineas race in Bom- But at 4 pm he ’s back at the stables bay in 1981. Another horse. Snow, ’ ' " won the same race in 1983. In February 1984, Enterprising won the Derby. J whether it is destined to be one of the round of golf or play snooker, noble breed of racehorses. Says T Chenoy, “Sometimes one comes across from where he emerges well after 9 pm. a horse with a pedigree as long as one ’s If this plays havoc with his dinner , _ _____.................. . ........... arm, but whose performance would engagements, Chenoy ’s not complain- Emirience is" Chenoy ’s fourth cfassic put a hack horse to shame. On the ing and wife Bakhtawar, herself an en- winner, having won the Fillies Trial in other hand, there are horses with no thusiastic horsewoman, is certainly too Bangalore. Another prestigious race, antecedents who make great racehor- sympathetic to try. reverently labelled the Derby of Der- ' ses. It ’s just a matter of natural ability. After five months of training, a bies, is the Invitation Cup, so called Speed, endurance and musculature, horse is ready for its first race. The aim because entry depends upon a personal These are the three factors that make a is to win, and this is where the trainer ’s invitation by the Invitation Commit- mettle proves itself. Depending upon tee. Conventionally, the honour is “Temperament counts as well, ” the horse ’s speed, endurance and likely reserved for the best three horses of ' adds Chenoy. “A highly-strung horse, competition, it is up to the trainer to every region and victory, therefore, is in training and the tensions of the race mum chance of winning. As the late movr t^»ll Am or*., rrtmii 1.....^...^____ X tx • 1 . 1 the horse ’s speed, endurance and likely reserved for the best three horses of for instance, is that much more trouble pick out a race where it has the maxi- highly valued. j , ,, , . --------- Chenoy ’s horse. Revelation, won 5 may tell on him. An aggressive, confi- Noshir Irani put it, “The right horse three prestigious races — The Oaks dent horse, however, can be relied has to be at the right place at the right the Derby and the Invitation Cup — I upon for that extra spurt of power that time. ” during the 1985 Bombay season). k often determines a winner. ” Once the race is pinpointed, training i Having spotted a winner, a formid- will be geared towards grooming the Racing centres j able task still remains: that of training horse into optimum condition on the Bombay, in fact, is the premier racing ; and tempering the horse to a finely- day of the race, by controlling its exer- centre in India, ’ offering the highest i tuned peak of capabjlity. cise regimen, its food intake, etc. The stake money —a factor which largely Every morning, Chenoy is up at 5 best horses are reserved for the big determines its attraction to trainers and am. A quick shower, and he ’s off to races — the classics. owners. Money, after all is what L bl Parsiana August 1985 , I ' I ; S' ' (¦ ¦,ers of last year are also available. Michael Simmons, chairman, AAR tion of New South Wales is to be incor ­ porated as a company notes the asso- most from taking advantage of the lib- for Zoroastrian Research, 801 East ciation ’s March 1985 newsletter, rary, Batliwalla offers to “bring the Tenth Street, Bloomington, Indiana, Manashni. books over to Sunday School or other 47401 Tel. 812-332-3228. “At the extraordinary general meet- social functions if given advance ing held on March 2, 1985, at the Un- vala residence, it was decided unani ­ mously to accept the draft of the zoFoastrian consultation As distances in Sydney may prohibit Zoroastrianism Consultation, Centre notice. ” Cemetery committee Preservation and proper management memorandum and articles of the Aus- burial lots owned by the tralian Zoroastrian Association to be For the first time in the history of the Zoroastrian Society of British Colum- incorporated as a company. The same after a few amendments will be submit ­ ted to the commissioner of corporate held at its seventy-sixth annual meeting on May 18, 1985. “It is everyone ’s du- affairs for approval and acceptance, from November 23 to 26,1985 at Ana- ty to see it properly managed, preserv- American Academy of Religion, a con- bia (ZSBC) was the subject of discus- sultation on Zoroastrianism is to be sion at a special general meeting held /TV,. W- M 3^ ddf®®® The hallmark of excellence and reliability in the TRAVEL TRADE 11 ASIATIC TRAVEL SERVICE 12 MURZBAN ROAD, FORT, BOMBAY-400 001. Tel: 268151 Cable: AIRASIA Telex: 011:3151 1/10 CONNAUGHT CIRCUS. NFW DELHI-110001 Tel: 343146 Cable: AIRASIA Telex: 031:3568 ih' el -fh® HO A 1 i Kc Parsiana August 19853r Ft/* Wtte "Wr‘-t K. canW^i£<»any1dM,ofpray«BM^^^ SiWaBh a ‘ * **, make. However^ ------- en»n^ornnn or at the Zoroastrian see- be part of the modern The si^»e^. owns a total of 179 tion of the cemetery, read the minutes, priesthood. ‘ '''7 ftb^rary secretary of tl» ; Juncal dSfector ’s mortuary, chapel, make. However he r ' crematorium or at the Zoroastrian ‘ ' - - .Wialljbts.uilhe Zwpastrian section of He is looking forward'^ 1 _ . “ _ form weddings and navjotes, adds Gt the Gsh^en of Four Prophets of the VaHey View Memorial Gardens, Sur- rey, British Columbia, add the minu ­ tes.^ _______ _____ __________„„„ “To safip^ard the interests of the exchange visits between individuals port, t' community and especially future gene- and groups, notes GavaiAm. C rations,* ’the directors wish to form a 1 ____ __ ____„„ _____________ ___________ _ . Cemetery M^^gement Committee of visitor except that Of a return ticket to the editor of Gavashni *^3 miidinum WBb and maximum rive and from the place of residence, and a po^ible solutitm would be to ccAn^e<^ members of tfic society to form rules commitment to reciprocate and host short glossary of some coHoqMfi Rl f . andr^ttlations for die proper man^e- similar youth exciwges, adds the used frmn day-to-day ... which cati.^:^ ' .. mentand preservation of the^^ cemetery, newsletter. distributed to the families whoy>4 ^^jlfe ^ Those who wish to join the Zara- dren are undergoing the ccreniaB|E|u ’^ The sc^ety has also issued a Ceme- dosti youth exchange program should N~t h—r.g , tery Biir^ or Inti^rment of Cremated send a brief resume of themseiv^ in- A vesta while reciting die prayen la ¦“ .A, ..TO-.——.. —1- — X 1—'—• Ata . V «...•• . • • - f *• " ”-----~-------------------------A.-- . by a respm^ible family meniber or Zorotetrian Association of Qudiec, the students. Thou gh prayers *;¦> pating in jashans and if nee^, \outh exchange program Phiroz Dastur of Quebec is organizing vashni. A major difficulty, Bat^fd^^ ----------------------J ---- 1------------------------------------------------- penfriendshjp and Zoroastrian you^ was the language barrier, notes the n oomtiumity'^and especially future gene- and groups, notes GavaAAh/V Commenting on the lang uag e _____ rations, ” the directors wish to form a No expense is to be borne by the that most of die children experiwic^ sitor excent that Of a return ticlret tn the erlitnr nf /.wuavAm/ twMste. tkAt "the sc^ety has also issued a Ceme- dosti youth exchange program should distributed to the families y^M>se i Not being permitted to refer Remains Form, udiich has to be filled eluding hobbies and interests c^e of considered to be a major r ' ¦------ ---------’J ----------------------- -—J,.. w*'.. relative of the deceased. “Where such P.O. Box 654, Station Tour De La learnt by rote, the children a person is not available, a close Bourse, Montreal, Quebec H4Z1J9. language difficult. Yet ‘iW’l&fliBlES Zoroastrian friend or a respectable which is permitted in Navsari, is'o^ Zoroastrian member of the ZSBC can — ... - -«-----n —.u... — lie permided to act in this respect, ” the Both Zoroastrians and non-Zoroas- Quebec has “joined the ranks of er- and oblige by tdlowing (use of) the^ tnsn.Q Allnw^H tn nav tHmr Inct r^e. vaHc in PonoHo nnfAe >» 1a... pt^^h is not available, a close Bourse, Montreal, Quebec H4Z1J9. < a ] •*' :__ _ ____ report adds. - - - Bamji is ervad Eleven-year-old, ,,trians are allowed to pay their last res- vads in Canada, •<; * ». language difficult. Yet ‘Ihe ’lBfl^^ which is permitted in Navsari, is ] allowed in Bombay, notes e$ea^ “It is suggest^ that the ihobed$?f|gF: Zubin Bamji of Bombay kindly consider this ma^, .. notes Gavashni. during the ceremony, ” he adds. •x« 3.* Keirnani Transport Service Truck Owners & Contractors r ' •5. r*’’ H.O. & Admn. Office: Guru Himmat ‘A’ Wiflg^j^. Bombay 400 010. Booking Office: Opp. Jakeria Masjid, 7-C, Dhobi Street, Bombay 400 003. Phone: H.O. 872-3333,851-2715 Bkg. 320271-72 BnuKhM: JJ******?.?^?*?” ®\Anjirw^i, Mount Road, Mazapon, Bombay 400 010 Phone: 872-5002 (2) Purna Village, Thana Bhiwandi Roadi f^wtf Uttam Roadways ' V^ahXaKI^A. D *T' Z\ Z>l____ t_ ___ A « *1 *1^-- . TliaBe: (1) Chitalsar, Manpada, S.V. Road, Rat to Tatwad^ Vidhyapeeth, Phone: 594823 (2) Purna Village, Thana Bhiwandi Road^ Near Uttam Roadways Vapl:Near R.T.O. Check Post, O.I.D.C. Phone: 887 Valsadz Raiata Nehru R^,^Phone: ^84 BiHliBorat<}ohar Bang Road, Phone: 2493 Navsarh Opp, Central Bank, Phone: 4008/4009 Delivery Godo^: Zaveri Sadak. Pfaode: 1601 Udhna: Mend Not, 2 phone* 88611-12. Swab Ddhi h(MK 29995 —19428 DtMveqr Codown: Ring Road, Nedr Surat Tew^e l^kat. Phone: 24026 t >> I i i V * ^=^4T BOOKS X - Malthus to Mirza An analysis of the problems confronting the community. Homi J. Rogers .aj Some Religious Problems Facing the Parsi Com- losing its identity and individual exist- scriptural studies has increased. .The, J muniiy by H.K. Mirza. Publish^ by H.K. Mir- ence after a few generations, unless it is community is faced with a bleak future za. Bombay, 1983. Second Edition 32 pp. miraculously saved, he offers no prac- because of the gradual withdrawal of 7^ It is disturbing to read Dr H.K. Mirza, tical suggestions to avert this fate, the priestly class from their hereditarily the head priest of Udwada, bemoan Rather than wait for a miracle, surely assigned duties. But unless concerted. - that general conditions prevailing at Mirza realizes that facilities like ac- and united action is taken by the Par- present in the Parsi community are not commodation provided to young coup- sis, the current trend cannot be revers- encouraging or heartening for the long- les would stem the tide of inter-com- ed — not at the expense of a starving term existence of the co mmuni ty. The munal and late marriages. Disburse- stomach! '';t- problcms facing the coinmunity today ment of loans to assist young entrepre- From Malthus to Mirza, clergymen ? are serious; but is the proverbial candle neurs in the community to set up their have contemplated on current day pro- ‘ of the c fwnm iinity ’s existence burning own businesses, could be yet another blems and lamented on population, i| at both ends or is it “blazing on all remedy. Unfortunately, Mirza is not trends. While the difference between sides, ” as concluded by Mirza in his concerned with suggesting ‘cures. ’ Malthus and Mirza is apparent, in 'that booldet. Some Religious Problems Even while discussing the third bogey the former was alarmed at the ih<7ease»>^J Facing the Parsi Community. of conversion of nor-Zoroastrians, in population, the similarity between An pnfllj fsis of the problems con- Mirza sticks to the old path of declaim- the two rests on their prophecies of fronting the community would leave ing proselytization because he claims doom. Both have next to no statistics the reader to draw his own conclu- our ancestors never converted. to go by, but form their conclusions on sions. The difficulties to be surmount- Similarly, while focussing on pro- the basis of wide reading and personal ed — labelled “religious ” by the au- blems of the priestly class, Mirza traces experiences. In retrospect, we Imott ;^ thm are more socio-econtnnic and are the history of the priwthood from that Malthus ’theories wo-e fallacious. mainly t converts, even wib trian conununity that followed the the wrong, to separate the wheat from ‘ F ling converts. While Mirza contends ceremohy, could well put even that the chaff , turned to guidance from the that the community is in real danger of mighty river to shame, juiests. And the faith ’s three eruthte 5^ i 740 1905 4 -i -a '' '*'‘^H’- Dasturs (Mirza, JamaspAsa and Kot- of Zarathushtra. ” wal) lambasted the navjote ceremony, ' . 1.- _ 1-, L its perpetrators, and proceeded to ‘ex- — is that the triad should be contra- records, and it is only a high level of plode ’ the myth of conversion, through dieting their own earlier statements, as knowledge and awareness of existence a jointly signed article. has been pointed out by Antia in this of such works that would enable a wri- . „ However, Dr Kersey Antia, one of objective study. If Mirza has been ter to quote from tomes as diverse as the priests who performed the navjote, found erring in the historical interpre- the Dastur Hoshang Jamasp Memorial was not to let pass the gauntlet of chai- tation, Kotwal has been shown by An- Volume published by the Bombay lenge thrown at him. In a well argued, tia as contradicting his own views from Gatha Society in 1918 to the American fact-packed rejoinder of well over those expressed by him in the Zoroas- Journal of Human Genetics (1973). 40,000 words, Antia places before the trian catechism book, edited (with In the course of his study, Antia community The argument for accept- James Boyd) and translated by him establishes the spread of the religion to ance, shattering systematically, and from the Gujarati original written by civilizations as far apart as Hungary significantly, the case built up by the Dastur Erachji Meherjirana, “a con- and China. How many Parsis would three Dasturs against conversion in servative priest of the nineteenth cen- have known that at the court of Kublai their article. tury, ” on the universality of the reli- Khan, Zoroastrianism was practiced. Conversion, as Antia points out, is a gion. as can be borne out by the facts men- part of Zoroastrianism. There is little However, what makes Antia ’s work tioned by Marco Polo in his diaiy, that doubt that the prophet converted King an unputdownable treatise is that he the Mongols then believed in the Sup- Vishtasp, and as per Yasna 46.4 quoted rises far above the pamphleteer or reme God of Heaven whom they knew by Antia, ordained that his son As- debator, controverting with jibes or by the name of IChormazda, and to pandyar ‘explain it to the people of taunts, the arguments put forth by his whom they daily offered prayers with a the world, and his wife to other wo- detractors. At no point does Antia turn fire before them on which they burnt men. ” These facts have also been re- personal, or continue to slash away at incense? Or that, ancestors of Hunga- corded by numerous European histo- the views expressed by the Dasturs. On rians and Bulgarians professed Zoro- rians, and Parsi Dasturs like DhaHa the contrary, he imparts to the study astrianism? To establish his point — as (“His victory was complete when ulti- his own original contribution. He in- is his practice, throughout the study — mately he triumphed in winning as a forms the reader as to why conversion, Antia quotes here Aurel Stein, the cele- convert Vishtasp. .. ”) and Mirza him- which was a way of life in ancient Iran, brated scholar, traveller and archaeo- self who writes in his book. Outlines of was later rejected by the community, logist, who mentions that most noma- Parsi History that “King Vishtasp and He places before our fossilized minds, die tribes were impressed by the Ira- the Iranian people accepted the religion evidence for conversion in India, and nian culture. * its indications by genetical research. What is disturbing — and distressing The evidence is culled from reports and •< '"1 •¦-1 'a :1 4 "41 3' ' "it -4 - { ,,i ¦• '*1 With Best Compliments from I Sepulchre Brothers (India) Limited j 3 >< Indentors, Marketeers and Channelisers of Technology Taj Building, 210 Dr. D.N. Road, Fort, BOMBAY 400001. Gram: Beleast Tlx: 3143 SBIL BY also at * CALCUTTA - MADRAS • DELHI & BANGALORE Parsiana August 1986 ¦4 'J ^7^ 4 ¦; ' t 1 ¦i {one is left with a snigger, at worst a sneer. The second playlet is much more richly textured and symbolic because it , is told through the mind of a “young White man ” Tony, who is reliving his infatuation for a Sikh girl whom he knew in his interracial school. There is an Elves ana the Shoemaker element of fairytale about Tony ’s story that provi ­ des a touch of magic to an essentially It is equally interesting to learn that ostrich taken by our elders, who diplo- Kanishka I, the great Kushaft ruler of matically barred Antia from reading a India, remembered more for his coins paper at the Fourth World Zoroastrian and inscriptions, could be a Mazdayas- Congress. But what the slim mono- nan, and the foundation by him of a graph achieves even more powerfully is dynastic fire-temple at Surkh Kotal in that it points out, probably unwitting- Afghanistan suggests that the state reli- ly, the community ’s strength — its hal- gion of the Kushans (whose empire cyon days, its magnetic appeal over under him stretched from Pataliputra world civilizations, and later, over to Peshawar) was a form of Mazdaism. scholars and theosophists, and its sim- Antia ’s study is a veritable treat for a pie philosophy that makes men into history buff, and anyone who is inte- better human beings. Read the book sad and sordid tale that almost casually rested to learn about the community ’s even if you have a closed mind on pro- glorious past. The noted lawyer and selytization: it may not change your former Bombay Parsi Punchayet ttus- beliefs, but it will definitely leave you tee Shiavax. R. Vakil, in his foreword more enlightened, to the book, writes that any commu ­ nity to be strong and healthy must rea- community heard of it, was a fait ac- lize its own weaknesses and seek to compli. Yet, judging by the morass of “right Indian film stuff, ” one gets the remove them. The book imder review literature it has produced, the commu- uneasy feeling that a little of the right points out the community ’s weaknes- nity has a lot to thank Peterson for. ses, especially the mentality of an Peterson ’s navjote, by the time the depicts the fate of the ‘bride, ’ Jaswin- der, forced to marry a rich old man. There is a sub-plot which involves a Muslim boy whom Jaswinder loves, called Junaid, and here again, though Tony makes a sneering remark about .1. Immigrants’ angst Two portrayals of immigrant life in Englancd. stuff comes in handy to get the plot Hom I. J. Rogers moving. But an episode where Jaswin ­ der ties a rakhi on Tony ’s hand is por ­ trayed with finesse and sensitivity, pro ­ viding what must be a strong visual metaphor of the bonds that may be developed between the two races, if left alone. But this strange and somehow disturbing love story is set against a background of violence and urban squalor. There are images of the mance that won the Samuel Beckett school, its walls scribbled with graffiti: 1 Romance, Romance and The Bride by Farrukh mance that won the Samuel Beckett scnool, iis waiis scriDDieo wnn graiiiu. Dhondy. Published by Faber & Faber Agents, Award for the Best First Television “Sikhs rule: top knot boot boys Oxford University Press. 48 pp. Price £3.95. pj^y Screened in 1983. The characters, “Alien culture: Punjab jabbers, ” disco Everyone is familiar with the image of the Chaddhas and the Patels, with their nights, and the boys washrooms where I ____-.......... J '.!¦ the rivalry between Tony and Junaid IS against the glasspane, preferably icy dle-aged wives in their horrid Harrods played out, and the mean streets where — •________ ________ ____________ Tony spends his life hustling to make __ __________________________ . money. Yet for all Tony ’s skinhead im- di movie that the younger generation in age and punk talk, one somehow feels that Dhondy is more sympathetic in his treatment of him than of his ‘Indian ’ characters, so that one is made aware once again of the playwright ’s ambiva ­ lence. Does he really despise what he sees of Indian life in England, or is it that he is harsh only because he cares? _______________ _________________ ____ , ______ One is forced to add that to “Indian sticky warmth of immigrant life in the heroine with the perhaps one funny Indians ” the two plays under review Englan d with its familiar odours of line, when she says,. “‘Bunny Singh ’— are so removed in time and space as to I asafoetida fhing) and garlic mixed with ridiculous. Why doesn ’t he call himself have a limited significance. One has the • the sweat of the desire to attain instant Donald Duck Singh? No wonder peo- curious feeling of looking at them material success, and one would not pie laugh at Indians, ” which could br- the wrong end of a telescope, blame the playwright for longing to i escape. ' . . _ to someone who has consistently taken worth taking seriously, up the cause of the rights of the racial I_____ „____________________ minorities living in England. Yet seems to fuel Dhondy ’s energy as he that may be documented, satirized and Dhondy delineates his characters with presents us "with Indians one can really portrayed on BBC2. It may be ¦ - — - - - - ¦ •__• _ _ 2__’ narrow but at least it ’s their own and one needs a little affection and sym- for giving them this legitimacy, Far- Play screened in 1983. The characters, “ Alien culture: Punjab jabbers, disco the typical “outsider: ” nose pressed middle-aged paunches and their mid ­ the rivalry between Tony and Junaid is cold, looking into a warm and well lit homes, talking in their ‘koi hai ’ ac- interior. Whether it is a bakery, a departmental store, a restaurant, or a home at Christmastime is a matter of the play tries to parody. detail; The essence of the image is that The plot seems to be unnecessarily the person outside wants to get in. Far- elaborate {o prove a very small point — rukh Dhondy, in these two short play- the rebellion of a daughter against lets that were shown on BBC2 in the parental machinations to get her mar- autumn of 1983, provides an outsider ’s ried to a suitably rich and unctuous viewpoint with a slight twist. He is on candidate. The eligible candidate, the inside looking out. The inside is the whose name is Bunny Singh, provides Englan d with its familiar odours of line, when she says,. “‘Bunny Singh ’— are so removed in time and space as to • the sweat of the desire to attain instant Donald Duck Singh? No wonder peo- curious feeling of looking at them pic lau^u at xiiuiaiid, wiiivii vvuiu -----vw— ------ c?------ — ing the house down. But this is really Perhaps this can be seen as a good sign. cents, seem to be as cliched as the Hin- -it This would perhaps be unfair undergraduate stuff, lively, but hardly Finally cut off from the gravitational • J ' ;__ 2. pull of the old country, the immigrants It is the girl Satwinder ’s remark that have managed to develop a lifestyle familiarity and wit, only to underscore laugh at. But to provoke true laughter his contempt. <--------- - _ ----- I-------- 2 - At least this is the feeling one gets pathy, and this the playwright does not rukh Dhondy must be complimented. from reading through Romance, Ro- seem to be able to summon, so at best Geeta Doctor 77 Parsiana August 1985'¦r ¦&. M ¦ ¦•.' ing ‘retired ’ life, seems closely pattern ­ ed on the eminent Parsi jurist and art connoisseur, Karl Khandalavala. And * the cover resembles a bench on Grant Road Station frequented by elderly members of our community, who un ­ abashedly ogle at a pretty young female while clutching on to a walking stick Retirement..., incidentally, is Retirement: plan now for your best years by c works of eminent sociologists and worth a read for all Parsis. The com- Northcote Parkinson, M.K. Rustomji and Wal ­ ter E. Vieira. Published by India Book House Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, 1985. 122 pp. Price Rs 25. The sunset years Suggested modes of remaining active and independent in the post retirement years. i J I behavioral experts, to fill this lacuna is munity has an increasing proportion of highly recommended. members over 60 (36 percent aged 55 How does one bide the years after and above according to the 1982 sur- receiving the golden handshake? As a vey, 18 percent according to the 1961 crabitty old man? Or, one lolling in census, as against 5 percent in 1881). self-pity? Or, is it possible to continue Ironically, it is this high figure which is to remain active and independent? It is responsible for the dwindling birth possible to lead a happy retired life, rate, as one of the chief reasons for 1 • 1 ’-s - Age is a quality of the mind If you have left your dreams behind If hope is cold If you no longer look ahead If your ambitions’fires are dead Then you are old. pursuing goals that are, as Rustomji Parsi Zoroastrians of both sexes not A recent study conducted in West Ger- terms them, CIA (Creativity-Integrity- marrying or postponing marriage, many showed that of those questioned Autonomy) oriented, in place of the stems from the responsibility of look- 80 percent do not want to be ‘old' earlier MSR (Money, Status, Reputa- ing after aged parents. Rustomji ’s people ’ and 56 percent do not want to tion) principle. It is not necessary to retirement plan could help in solving be ‘pensioners. ’ Yet, all over the work after retirement, or job hop to the community ’s problem by making world, with the slowing down of the companies that offer a higher retire- the elders more independent, birthrate, there are more ‘elderlies ’ to- ment age. If the flesh is as willing as the day than at any other time in history, spirit, the book suggests ways of being dience, and could well become one of And the number is expected to rise dra- fruitfully employed: full-time, part- Rustomji ’s more frequently translated matically by 2025! time, or even self-employed in a small works, for, the problems of a life after And now, with the world growing business or as a consultant. It also sug- office know no borders. And Rustom- old, comes a compact little book of 122 gests leisure pursuits that can be consi- ji captures all aspects of planning for pages Retirement: plan now for your dered, like voluntary services which this second life —mental attitudes, best years co-authored by M.K. Rus- lend meaning to life, so vital during the finance, health, living arrangement, tomji, with his usual collaborator, C. sunset years. etc. in his usual simple and lucid style. Northcote Parkinson, and Walter E Innumerable case studies elucidate The book gives tips on how to make a Vieira, that offers the managers of to- the points made, and add weight to will, how to take a frank look at one- day a neat blueprint for the oncoming Rustomji ’s observations. And the ex- self, and how to plan one ’s flnances, change in their lives. Retirement is no amples are so ‘authentic, ’ that one can through its 36 crisply-written chapters, longer the end of the road; if planned always bring to mind someone in the enlivened by some superbly witty and the way suggested by the authors, it family or friend circle who fits the des- clever sketches by Halbe. As one falls could be the beginning of the best years cription. Carlos D. Rustomji ’s exam- in line with Rustomji s CIA principle, of one ’s life. pie of a criminal lawyer and art autho- there is only one nagging thought; Gerontologists maintain that the age rity, whose passion for miniature pain- How does Rtistomji manage to KGB level of retirement is quite arbitrary, tings has helped him in following the (keep getting better)? The very concept of retirement is a re- CIA principle and hence lead a satisfy- Homi J. Rogers cent discovery — previously, people * worked until the end of their lives. In 1889, the pensionable age was 70; it was reduced to 65 in 1916, and lifted ’ again to 70 in the U.S.A, in 1970. And now, as if to mark the forthcoming centenary celebrations of retirement, Rustomji elevates the concept to one which needs as careful a planning as one ’s career. It is a kind of poetic jus ­ tice that just as one needs training to slip into a job, one needs to be prepar ­ ed to slip out of it. Sadly, all over the world, except in Japan and Sweden, lit ­ tle thought is paid by corporations to ‘phase out ’ their employees. And hence a book, that presents ideas culled from CIA principle and hence lead a satisfy- . ..... *..... H «N!L t Ji ¦VI The book should And a universal au- Ji 4^ 4 •J i ¦¦•I! ¦f I '“I *} 3 • i ‘ r.?t i The implications of the Athravan Educational Trust Hormazdyar K. Mirza Kaikhusroo M. JamaspAsa Two high priests attack the newly formed trust for mobeds Our opinion has been solicited, both was publicly inaugurated at a mam- ly inconsistent with the title it bears pnvately and 1 publicly, about the above moth gathering of our community at and wholly repugnant to the publicly movement which has been launched os- C------- sr, 22 2?C;__________ . . . . . tensibly for collecting funds from the mencing with a jashan on a grand scale was publicly inaugurated at a mam- ly inconsistent with the title it bears Cusrow Baug on May 11, 1985, com- declared objectives. . A-_:__ .2, _____ m which 200 priests ^e stated to have for cosmopolitan multi-purpose objec- lensioiy lor coupling lunos irom me mencmg with a jashan on a grand scale As already noted, the trust is meant commumty for the uphftment of Parsi m which 200 priests are stated to have for cosmopolitan multi-purpose objec- priests (athravans). In the absence of participated. According to the same tives. It mentions as its objectives on any authentic written material up to report of this meeting, the said trust now, we preferred to remain silent. i ; But, as facts emerged, it has turned out from the community for the ameliora- that in reality the Athravan Educatio- I' " ______ _______ ___ _ nal Trust (AET), has quite a different trated brochure in support of the end — J ................. _ " for cosmopolitan and multi-purpose meeting for the same purpose. We have on* the *"other* objectives. i ’ ’ • ’ - - ’ Some weeks ago, a co-religionist sent function us a cyclostyled write-up for our opi ­ nion. The title of the write-up was “Zoroastrian Studies ’ proposal for the AET trust deed appearedln ThrBom- dhig “ anTpr'omote* univerk? brithe?- upliftment of the forgotten few — the bay Samachar. Early in July, Jam-e- hood and integration of mankind as a mobeds. As claimed, this write-up Jamshed published the said trust deed whole, ” and again, “without reference was a proposal by Zoroastrian Studies verbatim, a copy of which the Editor to caste or creed* ” Strangely enough, it for the education and economic uplift- “managed to obtain, ” as stated in his is meant also for carrying on business, ment of our priests. This we have introductory note, without specifying purchase and sale of learnt was the document which elicited how he obtained the the following statement from Peshotan ----- Nargolwala in Parsiana, December withthecharitycommissionerofMa- 1984. “Zoroastrian Studies has esti- harashtra State on February 21, 1985. beds continuously would cost three mentioned or announced even once . lakh rupees a year, 50 percent of which anywhere — not even at the May 11, will be payment to Zoroastrian Stu- function, nor were any part of its con- dies. ” The said write-up was subse- I ” ¦ quently withheld and a public refuta- or in writing. It was kept a secret, and in Parsiana, April 1985. This write-up secret. The said trust deed, as it was pub- no connection whatsoever with the the one hand, the “preservation, in- yas ^^augurated for collecting funds culcation, advancement, propagation, '----------—¦ study and better understanding of the Uon of our priests. Copies of an illus- doctrines, precepts and practices ” of ~ -- 2-j : an unspecifiedandundefined “Aves- a movement for collecting funds movement were distributed at the tan people ofindo-lranian stock, ” and . - - -- ,— ------, “to encourage study, read this along with a report of the research and training in all such bran- appearing in the Parsiana ches of knowledge as in the opinion of issue mentioned above. the trustees would inter alia promote Late in June 1985, extracts from the the development of human understan- i; property, agricul- copy. tural and non-agficultural lands.and deed was registered shockingly enough, also for “the stage, ino>i <«r7 X • J- v X- , **' ‘*—‘7 z." Screen, radio and television in all its State on February 21, 1985. varieties such as drama, opera, cinema, mated that the cost of trmnmg 15 mo- Strangely enough, this fact was never films and all other possible methods of communication. .. ” It is indeed a mat ­ ter of surprise that while the trust deed - - mentions “education ” vaguely, “busi- tents disclosed by anyone either orally ness, ” “sale and purchase ” and . -, , , , . \ " “C — 1-^2--------.,—J “methods of communication ” are des- tion of Nargolwala s statement made it seems that it was meant to be kept a cribed in detail j_ n --- :---- t.,.,--------------------------------------- seems to be a subterfuge to divert at ­ tention from the actual trust deed re ­ ferred to below. As the Parsiana (June 1985) report “mobed ” or “Parsi priest ” even once. not mention the word “athravan, ” states, the Athravan Educational Trust The contents of the trust deed are total- 80a Parsiana August 1985 ¦ It is apparent that the said AET has lished, makes painful reading. It does upliftment of the athravan and will not solve any of the problems facing our community. It is a well-known fact that institu- b Jto state that the implementation of the original trust deed have been deleted in tions for imparting priestly education therefore suggested that only one body our possession a xerox copy of the and training, and also for higher scrip- should collect and work exclusively in original trust deed on Government of tural studies up to the university level this direction. The time and money India stamp paper totalling Rs 150, are existing already and working in the thus saved can be devoted to some “signed, sealed and delivered ” by all community. Hence it is not necessary other area of useful work in the com- the trustees, the so-called amended to collect funds and to establish a new munity. We reiterate that while the in- trust deed sent by Mr. Ranina is just institution. . tentions and sincerity of such ameliora- cyclostyled. Surprisingly, both bear the Certainly, what is urgently required tion programs may be above reproach, same date of registration — February in the present circumstances is funds the style of functioning is questionable. 21, 1985! On detailed examination of for helping trained and deserving new While we are certainly in favour of eco- the two trust deeds, we found that ex ­ aspirants and also those who are ren- nomic amelioration of our priestly bre- cept for the fact that a few words oc- dering service- as yozdathregars and thren wherever necessary, we are sorry curring in clauses 4 (ii) and 5 (Hi) of the who are genuinely in need of help. Moreover, the AET trust deed is re- present AET will not solve the grave the so-called revised trust deed, for all plete with irregularities and raises some problem facing the community. practical purposes, the two trust deeds serious doubts. The trustees have The real problem is acute shortage of are the same in their contents. The so- assumed “absolute, ” “full ” and “un- qualified and deserving yozdathregar called amendment in effect does not fettered ” powers; and some of the mobeds. The need of the hour is to amend anything aud all the objections clauses of the trust deed, if put into make some arrangement so that the raised against the trust deed regarding practice, are violative of the Public young priests, who are educated and irregularities, illegalities and possible Trusts Act. An eminent jurist, Mr trained in the madressas, may be able misuse of trust funds, as explained S.R. Vakil, has examined the serious to acquire further training and ex- above, stand intact even after the so- legal complications of this trtist deed perience in the atash bahrams under called amendment. (The Bombay Samachar/Jam-e-Jam- the present cadre of yozdathregars. It is very unfortunate that well- shed, July 21,1985). Instead of solving and to retain them in the profession for meaning and capable men like Mr the vexing problem, the new trust rai- which they are being educated and Homi Ranina and our colleague, Das ­ ses some serious questions. trained. tur Dr Firoze Kotwal, have associated It has become increasingly clear that With a letter dated July 23, 1985, themselves with a trust which, to put it there is considerable duplication of Mr Homi P. Ranina sent one of the mildly, has taken the community at funds and efforts between the different undersigned a copy of a so-called large and the athravans in particular trusts in helping the priests, and it is amended trust deed. While we have in for a ride. '<1 i ! I S.F.ENGINEER Developers, Realtors, Contractors (Estd. 1942) i Noshirwan Mansion, 3rd Floor, Henry Road, Colaba, Bombay-400 039. Telephones: 241475/241491 Telex: 011-5449-SFE Telegrams: Landestate I 80c Parsiana August igp!:>with some of the comforts of life. He did not have to contest the elections to further his interests and status. If he ....... of life in the city. 1" - ___________ , lost interest in the corporation within year of his being elected. Elected cr. „ Congress ticket, after his initial forays j_ .U- 1_ _ . .. .. . even his own party members were more who has presented morrthan*5^fS scoring points over the opposition, India and Pakistan, will soon bTthe rather fKon ____ «« ... _ ’ ****^w** tzv uav continued from page 19 to evict in its concerted efforts to de ­ congest the city. Chatting with newsmen last Friday, Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray point ­ ed out that his party had high regard for the community which had contri ­ buted so extensively towards the deve ­ lopment and progress of not only Bom- , hay, but of the nation as a whole. He was answering a query as to whom he considered a Marathi maanobs (Mara ­ thi person); the Sena ’s call for - or rather, Sundar Mumbai, Swachha marks wishes to either take L She is an alumni of the Wadia a on a r Machhina who secured 83.83 ¦ YinTXt ''“hhaHigh Katrak kirtans in U.S.A. m the house, he probably found that Parvez J. Katrak, the noted kirtankar even htS nu/n nartv mAmKzka^ro _________ u.-.-___________ _ « - * ¦ 1 ---- -- liivic umn ?JU irce spnHno^ P*ay>ng CIVIC games and musical kirtans in all the major cities of rvcvaiiiiig me sena's call for a j • ----------- -------------------*-".wibu, wm suuir oe me ‘Beautiful Bombay, Clean Bombay ’- wo^k qn fnr constructive, first Parsi kirtankar to perform in _ __ , . . . work. So for the remamma nart nF hte Pnolonrl TT C A .J ______J - ------------, tf, lyoj. Invited by the Zoroastrian Trust percent up econo- El f work. So for the remaining part of his England, U.S.A. and Canada, not dated May 17 1’985 the last row, keeping up a brave face I-.X-J i and vaguely smiling at what was going Funds of Europe, Katrak will first uer- on_around him. form in London before embarking on a f h experience of Naval Tata, ano- kirtan tour of U.SiA. and Canada, un- ther good man not meant for politics, der the ausfMces of the Shree Ramkabir was even briefer. He stood for the Bhakta Samaj of America, adds the parliamentary elections and was disil- release. lusioned before the elections were over. In an eve of election horse-deal, he R | | Q | M C C C suddenly found himselt losing an elec- I IN COO Mumbai — he believed that if there was one community which could be counted upon to beautify the metropo ­ lis, Jt was the Parsis. Reprinted from Indian Express, June 10, Tatary’s typed sketches Seventeen-yearrold Dinyar Rumi Tat- ary ’ makes sketches and portraits with of his father ’s aging Hermes, typewri- t^r ” ________ ?_ ..1 . _ form in London before embar king 1 tion he would otherwise have won by a mile-and-a-half. and Courier^ April 24, 1985 Machhina stands second fe: / letter is typed in the wrong spot, distor- [ ting the sketch, adds the write-up. the earnest, ever-willing cooperation ’ Operation Enterprise June 2, 1985. Sketches of the Asho Fa- “Academic qualifications or degrees rohar, Sai Baba and various scenes — are not necessary, but clear goals, di ­ find expression in the work of Tatary, .w ... ’¦action, self-confidence and hard work 1 - adds the report. ’ Macnhina Stands second important, ” advised the “Apart from intricate curves that Diana Rustnm Mnr'hhino « ? j . r 5P®®^®rs at a seminar on Opportunities- - there may be, especially in portraits. ” S^f-^-PloV^ent, held mider tS the sketches themselves are not dif- in the Sct auspices of the FKS (Friendship, Kno- ficult, says Tatary. A sketch is never minatlon IiJ Foundation, notes a done at one sitting. During intervals a tions. the* president KLLKtiXiSh- uo,ssrp;X2:." “-- ; jedone. This can also happen When a Rr kJoIK re^^-'S aS's K rSX S’tS ' Bona^y San,acBar of June ,6, ,985. on ' managing hystee of the founda- Inaugurated by BPP trusTee Homi 'P E Having completed his Elementary t and Intprm#aHiofo r-_____ • ' ^^^®^*^^d*ate Drawing Examina ­ tions, Tatary took to typing sketches when he did a course in typing at the Central Shorthand and Typing Insti ­ tute, Bombay. Tatary has just complet ­ ed his Higher Secondary Course exami- . naticms this year and wishes to take up catering as a profession, adds the E report. Disillusioned with*politics on April 5, 1985, “with the active co- lions, Tatyy took to typing sketches when he did a course in typing at the ¦Central Shorthand and Typing Insti- I «»*«»<• i-«* • : ¦s I ."•’•‘Spf ’i SI* • ‘J. -J >r**« •’L *•* «< jr JSli* **???,*> Most honest councillors do get disillu ­ sioned eventually with the Bombay Municipal Corporation and return to jirivate life. But, perhaps, the member Whd got disillusioned in the shortest time of all was Adi Dubash. Dubash is a successful businessman, 3 ship chandler, affluent, provided L -w* • *;•?#***• *Sf» *•••*«••?» »* *•««# .* » j.-F ’ ••*«*•*•* #**»•*•»**• •, ’fe? Asho Farohar typed by Tatary Parftiana AiicjusI ’I I 3 f-I bran oil which cannot be rendered edi ­ ble economically. Godrej, who is interested in innova ­ ting chemical processes, has estab ­ lished modern and efficient plants for the manufacture of all kinds of fatty acids, soaps, detergents, glycerine, animal feeds, cosmetics, and the like. In recognition of his distinguishing achievements, Godrej has been includ ­ ed in The International Who’s Who of Intellectuals. The eighth edition of the operation of Rustom Tirandaz, ward corporator for the Dadar Pars! Colony area and Marzban J. Giara, director. Creative Comminications Centre, ” adds the release. F.S. Chothia, retired director of the vocational guidance bureau, who start ­ ed Operation Enterprise, a movement to motivate people to take up business, suggested that the Bombay Parsi Pun ­ chayet should start a bureau of self ­ employment, the blueprint of which he handed over to Ranina, states the re- ] lease. Several successful businessmen and soical workers “narrated their expe ­ riences before a packed audience. ” The speakers included Ratan B. Kaka- held on April 17, 1985, note newspaper nal Biographical Center of Cambridge, lia, pioneer of Griha Udyog and presi- reports. England, in 1985, to be included in The dent of the Dadar Parsee Youths As ­ sembly, industrialist Jimmy F. Jesia, and chief executive of Tata Sons Ltd, his distinguished service and outstan- electronics engineer Dr Mehernosh entered the industrial scene in 1972. He ding achievements, adds the bio-data, Cooper, chartered accountant Phirdze was instrumental in setting up a joint P. Gandhi, businessman Hoshi Chhap- venture between the Tatas and the Bur- Godrej received his doctorate in engi- ' khanawala, Tirandaz, Chothia and roughs Corporation, the result of neering in 1949 from the Technical Sholapurwala, notes the release. which was Tata Burroughs, a company University of Berlin-Charlottenburg Those interested in starting their which has carved a niche for itself in and a diploma in engineering in Gene- own business or in contributing their the Indian computer industry, notes ral Machine Building. skills and resourefes towards this cause, The Daily 'AeAed April 25, 1985. Associated with a wide variety of may write to the FKS Foundation, 808, — — Boman Lodge, Khodadad Circle, Company and the Tatas involvement man of the Soaps and Other Surface Dadar, Bombay 400 014'or telephone with the refinance brokerage business Active Agents S^tional Committee of 8825414, adds the release. via their business association with Greg The Indian Standards Institution. He Foster, London, were also a result of was also former chairman of the panel the key role played by Mody in these for soaps, synthetic detergents, glyce- ventures, adds the report. rin, fatty acids, toileteries and cosme- , Mody is also vice-chairman of Tata tics of the Basic Chemicals, Pharma- ¦'ii'--". International Register of Profiles vi9& % I fg r dedicated to Godrej “in honour of an , ,__ outstanding contribution to the chemi- tan*™™.- to mariceung industry. ” He was also selected by at a board meeting of the company the director general of the Intematio- Mody, a professional accountant Firsf Five Hundred (in the world) for Born on June 23, 1915 in Bombay, 3 t The Tata Housing Development professional bodies, Godrej is chair- i i' Pharmaceutical president The newly elected president of the _______ _________ ________ Organization of Pharmaceutical Pro- Press, Tata Services, Goodlass Nerolac ceuticals and Soaps Export Promotion ducers of India (OPPl), for the year Paints and Ewart Investments, con- Council and of the Vegetable Oils Re- 1985-86, is Rusy Langrana, chairman eludes the write-up. search Committee of the Council of and managing director of Abbott La- Scientific and Industrial Research, boratories (India) Ltd, notes a press re- Patent for Godrci Government of India.adds his biodata, lease. ** Langrana, who has had many years Dr Burjor Pirojsha Godrej, managing Cnron duh nrpcirlpnt of experience in the marketing and director of Godrej Soaps Ltd, has been ® " general administration of the pharma- granted the Indian patent for making The new president of The Air Cargo ceutical industry, has been vice-presi- alpha olefins from that portion of rice Club of Bombay is Sarosh J. Nagar- dent of the OPPI for the past three years and has held many senior posts in the pharmaceutical industry ’s profes ­ sional organizations. He also lectures in marketing, finance and management at various institutions and associations in an honorary capacity, adds the press release. 1 “ Mody Merind chairman Minoo H. Mody of Tatas was, elected chairman of Merind Ltd (formerly Merck Sharp and Dhome of India Ltd) At self-employment seminar: Sholapurwala, Ranina, Giara and Tirandaz 83 Parsiana August 1SS5 Patent for Godrejvala, director of Skylark Travels Pri ­ vate Limited, notes The Economic Times of March 31, 1985. Nagarvala is also vice-president of The Air Cargo Agents ’ Association of India and on the managing committee of The Travel Agents ’ Association of India. He is a member of a wide variety of sports clubs connected with boxing, billiards, cricket, hockey, golf and sail ­ ing, notes his bio-data. X’ Godrei:chemical innovations Nagarvala: air cargo agent Mody: in joint ventures allied services and facilities to further scouting around for exporters of “vir- international trade. The parent com- __________________________ pany is among the largest of its kind in panies, has been elected president of the UK — with 34 offices in that coun- Gherda management head Kersi Minocher Gherda, deputy ma- international trade. The parent com- tually any and everything that ’s in de- naging director of Tata Electric Com- pany is among the largest of its kind m mand in the UK, Europe and the US. panics, has been elected president of the UK — with 34 offices in that coun- Developments on the Lep front have the Bombay Management Association try alone — and worldwide too, is^a been very encouraging too. The res- (BMA), for 1985-86, notes a report in ’ . . c The Times of India of April 30, 1985. over 30 years Gherda, who is on the some reason thus far remained unex- This, according to him, is because Lep board of several companies, is an asso ­ ciate of the Institute of Chartered Ac ­ countants of India and of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and a India during the days of the Raj . fellow of the Institute of Chartered . 7 ' ' Accountants in England and Wales, i , . _ notes the report. fray in India with the Lep Group ’s “What we are in a position to otter Gherda is also associated with social wholly owned subsidiary, Lep Trans- today is a total package deal which no service organizations like the Cheshire port, having appointed Sai Shipping as one else in this country offers. Under its local agent. This, according to Engi- the arrangements, Sai Shipping will neer, is the culmination of a serious ef- handle all the formalities at this end fort that has for some time been under such as documentation, etc, and Lep way in the company ’s Manchester- will handle the worldwide arrange- based offices. “For many months now, ments, thereby helping both the Indian „ . . . . Lep ’s senior executives have been look- exporter as w^l as their importer iLnglllCCr in DUSincSS ing long and hard at India and have associates all over the world at one Farokh Engineer (46), the famous wi- been considering ways and means of go, ’’ says Engineer. Which is no doubt cket-keeper and batsman who repre- gaining a foothold in this large and why he is confident that the Sai-Lep sented India in 55 test matches hardly growing market, ’’ says Engineer whose combine will carve out a large market needs Any introduction. His prowess as informal links with Lep date back to share in India in a minimal period of opening batsman and wicket-keeper the time when he was with Jules Simon time, though he declined to give the made him a household name even Ltd, a Manchester, UK-based group rupee volume of business that has been among the small minority of those in- dealing primarily in textile exports targeted by them. different to cricket in this country. (though he took on the role of consul- And given the fact that Lep ’s unique Less well-known is the fact that ever tant to the Lep Group only a few years package also includes Farokh Engineer since he bid goodbye to first class cri- ago). who is not only an eminently market- cket nine years ago. Engineer has had ‘ " ’ ' ’ ¦ ¦ an equally successful innings in the bu ­ siness arena, and in April this year, this cketing career and was mostly spent as ledge of the ins and outs of interna- UK-based cricketer-turned-company- ' executive-turned-entrepreneur was in _ , „ , . . India in the capacity of consultant to start something of my own. ’’ And thus pers and exporters will be insubstan- Lep Transport Ltd, part of the UK- Farokh Engineer Import Export Ltd tial. sheila Kumar based Lep Group (net worth: £32.5 . - . million or Rs 51 crores in the year end ­ ed December 31, 1984). uaimvi The group ’s activities are primarily leather goods “is doing very very well centered around international freight indeed. ’’Engineer has plans to gO into Reputed to be “one of the clean forwarding, utilizing all modes of air other lines of business such as sports bankers in the industry ’’ Maneck and surface transport. In addition, the goods and health foods as well, and in Nadirshaw Goiporia, has been ap- Lep Group also offers a wide range of the course of his trip to India was also pointed chairman and managing direc- heavyweight in the business. While the ponse from Indian shippers and big ____ _ __ __ _ Lep Group has a presence in almost and small business houses has been ex- A senior professional manager for every country in the world, India for tremely favourable, says Engineer. plored territory for the company, or Transport, hand-in-hand with its local somewhat unexplored in any case, be- agent Sai Shipping, is today in a posi- cause the company did have agents in tion to offer customers services that are ___ ¦ ¦ , “ ¦ ~ \ hard to come by in India such as 100 After a span of half a century or percent door-to-door delivery, for in- more, Lep is once again back in the stance. fray in India with the Lep Group ’s ‘ ____ notes the report. ccr-dce organizations like the Cheshire port, having appointed Sai Shipping as one else in this country offers. Under Home, the Indian Red Cross Society ’ ' ' ’ "" and the Rotary Club as also with va ­ rious sports associations of Bombay, adds the report. Ltd, a Manchester, UK-based group rupee volume of business that has been (though he took on the role of consul- After a decade-long stint in Blighty able name in this country but is also a which began towards the end of his cri- .businessman with considerable know- sales and marketing director of Jules tional trade, there is no reason to be- Simon, Engineer put in his papers “to lieve that the benefits accruing to ship- was born in 1984. Today, according to Reprinted with permission from Business World, its major shareholder, the company which deals mainly with textiles and “clean banker” May 13-26. 1985. I ! ! I 1 I ’i , f 'I? • f k' i ! 'r ‘ ! I .4 if 85 Parsiana August 1985f "X 'T',, ' '' coaches in the US,” notes Mid-day. Having studied at the Cathedral report in the Indian Express of April duce a bill compelling all state govern- School and Sydenham College, Bom- 30, 1985. ments to accept the Industrial Rela- bay, Pundole is currently an under- According to the report, “the deci- tions Commission on Labour. graduate at Harvard adds the report, sion of the Union Finance Ministry to •A law should be passed whereby wor- shift Goiporia within weeks of his ap- ker or employer is denied protection B||3|||£II2 cycling chaiDD pointment to the Bank of Baroda, fol- under the labour laws if either is guilty lows the failure of the Department of of violence. ‘The king of the ghats, ’ Homi Minoo Banking to find a clean banker to head Bhathena, “brought an end to the two- the Central Bank. ” SPORTS year-old reign of Pune ’s Ashok Cap- > Having more than three decades of V ' *— ----- ------------- ----------- tain ” to win the second Inditm Profes- experience in the banking industry, nnnncitinn sional Cycling Championship at the Goiporia is the chairman of the Indian Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, Bombay Banks ’ Association. Prior to this ap- Three times junior national squash on March 10, 1985, winning two gold pointment, he has been the chairman champion, Darius Pundole, “Bom- and three silver medals, notes a report and managing director of Dena Bank bay ’s squash wonderboy, ” won the* m The Times of India doAedMaxehWt as also of the Bank of Baroda, adds the John Jacob Invitational Tournament 1985. Following his success, Bhathena report. for amateurs in the United States of has been chosen to represent India in America, notes the Bombay based the world championships to be held in evening paper Mid-day of June 2U Rome, Italy, this August, notes his bio- 1985. Pundole was also part of the data, five-man Harvard University squash tor of the Central Bank of India with resort to voluntary arbitration. effect from April 29, 1985, notes a •The central government must intro- SPORTS Change labour laws “My long association with the Inter- five-man Harvard University squash Trained in San Diego, USA, Bhathe- national Labour Organization (ILO) team which won the U.S. National na has participated in both the junior for* nearly 40 years, has convinced team championship, adds the report, and senior national championships and me that our labour laws have created Born on April 27, 1966, Pundole has represented India at the European more problems than helped us to solve started playing squash 10 years ago. Cup, 1982 in Zurich and at the IXth them, ” said Naval H. Tata, veteran in- coached "initially by his grandfather Asian Games in New Delhi in 1984. In dustrialist and outgoing president of and father, “both, ardent sqi^ash 1981-82, he received the Shiv Chatra: the Employers ’ Federation of India, at players themselves, ” notes the write- pati Award for cycling, adds his bio- the fifty-second annual general meet- up. At 14, he became the youngest data. ing of the federation, in Bombay on Bhathena who had turned professio- May 2, 1985, notes a report of the ad- nal in 1984, was handicapped by a dress published in the Financial Ex- BHIKHPF “serious head injury ” and has just prm the following day. i resumed professional cycling this year, Tata added, that out of a total work- ? J ? states his bio-data, ing population of 222 million, a 10 per- S cent militant minority appropriates 41 MiW < 1 nearly 30 percent of the national in- I come. This glaring disparity can only ’ be abolished if the union government 1 introduces a bill compelling all states to | accept the Industrial Relations Com- i mission on Labour, notes the report. I Tata has also set up a research foun- I dation called SOLAR, to deal with I social and labour problems. This com- I puterized research project has been I given gift tax exemption, the report I adds. I To bring about industrial peace, I Tata outlined his five-point action ¦ ’ plan. ' ‘ and senior national championships and Born on April 27, 1966, Pundole has represented India at the European f . ..'t i. j la t' ¦..•J-’ t "‘-I X Tf ‘ S' r 11 *2* * i hi - ¦; 1 IJ ' -1 4 tS J* 'y; 1 After completing his Higher Secon ­ dary Course, Bhathena did a one year course in bakery and confectionery and later a three year diploma course in hotel management. At present he works as a kitchen trainee at the Hotel Presidenti Bombay, his bio-data adds. ’I I Bronze for Baria Wrestler, Dali Firoz Baria, a student of the D.K. Tata High School, Navsari, won a bronze medal in the 40 kg class in the Ali-lndia Rural Sports meet 1984-85, held at Bhiwani, Haryana, , notes the Jam-e-Jamshed. Bhathena: to represent India Baria, who has won many prizes at •The right to work should be recogniz- player to win the Junior Nationals the district and state levels as well as in ed as a fundamental right by law so (under 19) at Jaipur. He also won the the open and rural wrestling meets, that the worker is free from intimida- Western India Maharashtra State trains under eminent wrestling coach tion, coercion etc. Tournament twice and was ranked Phiroz D. Jokhi, at the Ustad Kanga •Workers should have every right to sixth at the Asian Junior Champion- Gymnasium in Navsari, adds the re ­ strike but only if the employer refuses ships, adds the report. port. to bargain in good faith and does not Pundole has been to the U.K. three In November 1984, Baria won a gold agree to voluntary arbitration. _ . . •Employers should have the right to rently he is under the guidance of jarat State Rural Sports meet held at lockout but only if the union refuses to David Fish, “one of the topmost Balsar, notes the report. If .T -li, J 87 Parsiana August IPHb Pundole has been to the U.K. three times for coaching by Iqbal Din. Cur- medal in the 40 kg class during the Gu- 4 J- • b ” ftcontinued from page 20d the police are currently turning a blind eye, Golwalla alleged. Drug peddling is at its worst outside schools and colleges and Golwalla noted the example of the K.C. College students who have taken up the issue. Noting that the BPP’s scheme may in ­ volve over one lakh of rupees, Gol ­ walla asked, “Will the community come forward to avail of it? ” Homi Bodhanwalla of Jamshedpur informed the council that ex finance minister T.T. Krishnamachari ’s son ed Unwalla. Ceremony is not the only work of the mobed. The mobed must help in the social difficulties of the families. ” The BPP's scheme to fight drug addiction may involve over one lakh of rupees. "Will the community come forward to avail of it? ! t With Compliments of JEENA COMPANY IATA Approved Air Cargo, Clearing, Forwarding & Warehousing Agents Id ¦3 ^3 Scholarships and awards About 25 to 30 Parsi candidates who go abroad each year for further studies receive about Rs 60,000 each from the community ’s funds, said Golwalla. Thus the community spends over 15 lakhs of rupees each year. “Over the last 10 years, what is the amount that has come into this fund? ” queried Gandhi. Emphasizing that some measure of the prosperity gained by individuals at community expense should be shared with the community to ensure its future, Gandhi suggested that application forms should include a para in bold type specifying that the candidate accepts his responsibility to augment the funds of the community for the benefit of future students. Tehmi Grant suggested, and Gol ­ walla immediately concurred, that the BPP should write to those who ’ve be- nefitted in the last 10 years. A specific problem highlighted by Anklesaria refers to professional cour ­ ses requiring long internship like the had reportedly died of drug addiction F.R.C.S. (Fellow of the Royal College and that his wife is a crusader against of Surgeons). “The Reserve Bank of drugs. He suggested that the Federa- India does not give permission for tion contact the lady for further infor- transfer of funds for long intern ­ mation. Gandhi on the other hand noted “Prevention is better than cure. Drug as a result of educational grants from addiction is virtually impossible to cure the community contribute to the local after a certain stage. Rather than spen- Zoroastrian association there which ding the limited funds on curing the then looks after the concerned candi- incurable, spend it on family counsell- date. ” ing which might build resistance, create an atmosphere in the house where ries, to contribute to the community ’s frustration does not lead to this. There coffers, Gandhi questioned, “What is no room for complacency. Cases do about those enjoying community resi- not come to light until it is too late. ” dences? Is it not their duty to help aug- Tehmi Grant of Poona admitted that ment the housing funds? ” But Gol- drug availability is “so easy that Parsi walla was pessimistic about community parents are afraid to send their children co-operation on that score, noting that to established colleges ... The Zoroas- often old, single people continued to trian Association of Poona is showing occupy large three to four room flats films on drug addiction. ” and refused to be shifted to smaller ac- Dr Russi Anklesaria of Calcutta sug- commodation. gested the drug problem be treated as a part of the school counselling scheme tution of annual Federation awards to with frank discussion with students, outstanding Parsi Zoroastrians in the protecting them from drugs by making field of sports, performing arts, litera- them aware of what it leads to. ture and journalism, education and so- Attributing the strength of the drug cial work, scholarship, religious leader- menace to a weak Zoroastrian founda- ship, small scale entrepreneurship etc. tion in Parsi households, Seervai “While nominations should be consi- noted, “Bangalore is lucky in its mob- dered in different fields based on con- ships, ” he noted. Gandhi suggested, “Let the people who have settled there On the subject of getting beneficia- Bodhanwalla has suggested the insti ­ W Parsiana August 1985 10, Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Bombay 400 023. Cable: “JUSTITIA” Telex: 2313 Phone: 312032 BRANCHES: E. Merc House, 19/B, Shakespeare Sarani, Calcutta 700 071. Phone: 444711 “Jeena House ”, 50, Hanuman Road, Connaught Circus, New Delhi 110 001. Phone: 310821 Devtha Plaza, C. 14, Residency Road, Bangalore 560 025. Phone: 26215 No. 26, 26, 24, 2nd floor. Harbour Approach Road, Vishakapatnam 530 001. Phone: 65942 205, Gera Chambers, Off Boat Club Road, Pune 411 001. Phone: 65942 No. 6, Jaffar Syrang Street, Madras 600 001. Phone: 26215 I •Its 1 I If Ifl ft I -ii ll •1 li I) ) 1 I i¥ tribution that merits recognition at a national level, the main criterion for 1 ___________ _ ______ ______________ selecting the awardee should be the im- ’ pact made on the total community through the respective fields, ” notes Bodhanwalla ’s letter to the Federation. Mobeds “The large majority of the priesthood have not united to give the matter any thought. We have heard only the voice of the laity championing the cause of ameliorating the priesthood ... No or ­ ganized lay body can do this without being aware of the functioning of the priestly hierarchies ... Once the priest ­ hood is united, and a uniform and ac ­ ceptable canon has been established amongst themselves, the scope of reli ­ gious controversy will also diminish, and Zoroastrians in general will be more united. ” The views of Dastur Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa, High Priest of Bombay ’s Anjuman Atash Bahram, addressed in a letter to the Federation secretary were read out by Gandhi who then noted, “The Athornan Mandal is neither coming forward not cooperating ... some very valuable information would have come out ... (we have) no reliable data. ..” However, Peshotan Nargolwala, Fe ­ deration treasurer, noted with refer ­ ence to the two schemes for mobed amelioration currently in the limelight, “In Bombay the mobed situation is improving pretty fast ... keep your mo ­ beds well ... (Otherwise you are going to) face greater problems of availabi ­ lity. (The mobeds) will not go to the mofussil. ” Reporting on the BPP-Federation scheme for amelioration of priests (popularly referred to as the Vimadalal report as retired Justice Jal Vimadalal has been working on it) Peshotan Nar ­ golwala anticipated that eight trusts between them will approximately con ­ tribute Rs 80,000 to one lakh a year. The target amount, according to Nar ­ golwala is five lakhs of rupees a year. The Athravan Educational Trust, an independent public trust created by BPP trustee Homi Ranina, Dastur Firoze Kotwal, High Priest of the Wadia Atash Bahram, founder of Zoroastrian Studies Khojeste Mistree and others came under heavy flak from Guzder, Peshotan Nargolwala and others on the basis of its 26-year-old lady managing trustee being endowed ’ with powers to sack any trustee; 90 Parsiana August 1985 With Best Compliments From: Sohrab Tours & Travels 55/6, Gultckdi, Salisbury Park Pune 411 001 Telex: 145-418 Tel.: 64670 & 64671anyone wanting to go abroad being able to do so at trust expense; and the 80G exemption received by the trust from the Income tax authorities being interpreted as the cosmopolitan nature of the trust. Referring to these two schemes for mobed amelioration in Bombay Bo ­ dhan walla charged, “You are going to make the other anjumans ’ work impos ­ sible ... this must not be done on a Bombay basis, ” Dittia noted “If they keep on training, there ’s bound to be a spillover effect. ” Batlivala sought guidelines from the Federation on how agiaries should be maintained, what should be the payment to mobeds, etc. Gandhi sought to placate the fears: “Mobeds benefitting from this scheme should be expected to work ouside Bombay by rotation ... the BPP has always taken the stand that it does not represent Bombay alone. ..” Golwalla added soothingly, “We ’ll see how we can prevent the attraction of mofussil mobeds to Bombay. ” To mobed Unwalla ’s charge, “The point is amelioration of mobeds. From Dadar no priests are forthcoming (The Dadar madressa receives an annual do ­ nation from the Federation). ..” Gan ­ dhi responded, “At least a mobed ’s child is getting free education and get ­ ting a start in life. When he goes to a small community in India or abroad, he is able to look after the religious needs of his community. ” 1111111111111111111111111 LEACH & WEBORNY I •§1' I .t ¦J: 'i ¦1 jS J I Defunct anjumans A representation to the Gujarat chief minister against that government ’s order to requisition the decrepit Tithal sanatorium property close to Bulsar, has been held up for lack of details from the concerned trustees. “Until we receive details from (Tithal trustee B.K.) Boman-Behram we are help ­ less, ” said Golwalla. Maneck Gheyara, president of the Surat anjuman and vice-president of the Federation, had brought an injuction against the Gu- • jarat government ’s acquisition order. Golwalla had also secured an appoint ­ ment with the. ex chief minister Ma- dhav Solanki but the riots intervened and the matter had to be dropped. Gol ­ walla however informed that Boman- Behram had written to say that he had agreed to sell the property to a Jain trust. “If you get the chief minister of Gu ­ jarat to rescind the order, Boman-Beh- Diycleaners Dyers & Carpet Cleaners wwiotwnn "i ¦1 91 Parsiana August 1985ram will sell the property to the Jain tee a clear mandate, Golwalla inform ­ trust. How will the community bene- ed the council of Gheyara ’s decision to fit? ” queried Dittia. But Gandhi opin- “relinquish office because of ill-health ed that the sale idea will have to be dis- and some other reasons, ” in favour of carded totally before the government Dr Sam Bhacca. No other members of agrees to rescind its requisition order. Guzder spoke of the sanatorium at Bordi, which is only two and half hours drive from Bombay by car or fast train, where there are 32 rooms but only two bathrooms. There was a pro- the defunct anjumans subcommittee 1 p 1 II ’•ai' However, no decisions were taken nor any positive line of action de ­ lineated. The discussion on defunct an ­ jumans degenerated into a free-for-all during which Desai noted that the rail- , way platform at Udwada will be ex ­ tended this year, thanks to contact with r-i i_ 1 I the railway minister; Grant briefly Boman-Behram had aired the question of the Parsi gymkha- written to say that po^to rent out plots of ^/soosq [-|g [-|ggj agreed to Sell yards but, Guzder noted, the Govern- ment of India declared that there could ' be no construction on the coast within 500 meters of the high tide level. Now that restriction has been removed, he added. On the Khambhat front, Gandhi re- --------------- „ , . ported “substantial progress. ” While has accepted in principle to protect the struct around 6,000 sq feet. Gheyara had posed questions of me- l ---- , s . , « • thodology of the Federation taking Gandhi, but the Collector of Diu was wala suggested that large Parsi con- over defunct anjumans ’ properties, not giving the relevant information. At cerns might contribute if their P^i Gandhi suggested that attempts to dis- the behest of the Federation. Minocha- employees can use it as a holiday pose off the properties with an indem- her Bharucha of Bhavnagar went to home. nity to the buyer could proceed simul- Diu to ascertain matters. Joint hono- The topic then veered round to the taneously with transfer of legal pro- rary secretary and BPP trustee Eruch sale of cantonment land on a freehold perty rights to the Federation. While Desai noted that the chief minister of basis by the army at market price and Gandhi pressed the executive council to Goa, being personally known, might Nargolwala noted that he was on the. give the defunct anjumans subcommit- push the matter to a conclusion. point of persuading the army canton- na in Mahableshwar which has now ac ­ quired four or five non-Parsi trustees who plan to sell it. Desai advised Poona, as the neighbouring anjuman, to handle the matter by engaging a law ­ yer. The question of the plot adjoining the cemetery in Srinagar came up for its routine biannual hearing with being present, the matter rested. Guzder noting that it would cost ap- The Archeological Survey of India proximately 20 lakhs of rupees to con- . .. . . . . ----. ..L, -------- 1 e. nnn “Would two dokhmas ahd agiary in Diu, noted the community contribute? ” Nargol- the Tithal property to a Jain trust. * '”'1 i. a a With Best Compliments From HOSHANG J. BUCHIA & CO. ENGINEERS & BUILDERS for Residential, Industrial, Commercial Houses, Hospitals, Schools, Civil Engg, Works. 4/24, Tata Mills Co-op. Housing Society Ltd, Elphinstone Road, Bombay-400 012. Tel. : 440339 93 Parsiana August 1985 ¦afii i' 'M! ¦J IWhen in Bombay Stay at Railway Hotel HOME COMFORT BEER PARLOUR PERMIT ROOM MODERATE RATES Charni Road Junction, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Marg, Bombay 400 004. Tel.351028 ment authorities that such a price should not be applicable to a place where trustees were trying to build low cost housing for the poor as in the case of the J.J. Agiary in the heart of Poona, Reacting from a report on rural Par ­ sis in Vesu, a shaken Gandhi noted that of a total population of 62, there were 19 children under the age of 10 living below the poverty line. “Villages are being adopted around the country. Can we do something constructive to justify our existence? ” Gandhi asked. But the discussion ambled on to a general recitation of the depleting numbers of Parsi students in Parsi in ­ stitutions in Bombay, Poona, Golwad, Surat and Gandevi until Gandhi de ­ manded, “Can we have a welfare scheme for Vesu as a village? Make an example of it? Make a case study? ” Although R.N. Engineer of Indus ­ trial Boilers volunteered to take on the task, Golwalla declared, “the initial exercise is a waste of time. Gheyara knows each and every family, ” and Guzder seconded him noting “Gheyara will feel offended that the Federation is bypassing him.” Naval Vakeel of Hyderabad raised |:he question of anjumans or trusts out ­ ride the Federation ambit which do not function properly and Gandhi opined that 20-30 such trusts exist in India, each controlling property worth a lakh of rupees. “We can only intervene if we are confident that the board of trus- ^tees that the Federation appoints is jcapable of doing the job; otherwise the Federation ’s name will be spoilt. Zonal vice-presidents or neighbouring an ­ jumans should take it over, ” Gandhi said. To Dittia ’s poser: “What happens when there is a possibility of active mismanagement? ” Desai answered, “Our task should be confined only to those anjumans where there ’s a possi ­ bility of loss of property of the com ­ munity. ” Iranian visas The Government of India has now “appointed an additional secretary in the ministry of home affairs who is in charge of helping minorities all over India, ” reported Shiavax Nargolwala who recommended that this official be the “focal point ” df the Federation ’s efforts to help Zoroastrian Iranis with visa problems. W Parsiana August 13G5 Burjor Framji & Co. Licensed Plumbers Sanitary & Drainage Contractors MARINE MANSION 1ST MARINE STREH BOMBAY 4001102. TELEPHONE 313207\ With Best Compliments From Alan & Decor Leading Interior Decorators Civil Painting Contractors of Repute OFFICE I Iranians with visa problems in India include those who wish to settle in In ­ dia, those who come illegally and those who are sponsored by their govern ­ ment. Students who seek professional I education without Iranian government sponsorship — which is generally given to Moslem Iranis — experience two ­ fold difficulty: in gaining admission to degree courses in educational institu ­ tions on the one hand and in procuring long-term visas on the other as the government does not recognize diplo ­ ma courses for such a purpose. At the Bombay meeting of the Fede ­ ration in January ’85, the BPP’s repre ­ sentatives on the Federation had un ­ dertaken to meet the Iranian delegates to the recently concluded World Cong ­ ress, to iron out the visa problems fac ­ ed by Iranis in India. However, no ef ­ fective meeting could be held with the delegates who were in a hurry to tour, said Golwalla. “Requests for visas will be consi ­ dered on merit, ” notes the home minis ­ try ’s reply to an appeal from the Ira ­ nian Anjuman, Bombay, quoted Gan ­ dhi. Gandhi therefore requested the anjuman to cite specific cases, the government being unwilling to do any ­ thing on a policy basis. “We try our best to help any Irani student in Delhi (but) they are themselves very reti ­ cent, ” said Gandhi who is unwilling to turn down anyone who comes all the way to Delhi in hope. Nargolwala advised the Federation to register a procedure by which indivi ­ dual cases are brought to the notice of a member of the local anjuman who could then refer the case to Nargolwala and Gandhi in Delhi. Countered Gan ­ dhi, “It ’s all very well for the Federa ­ tion to lay down a procedure; but how does the individual (Irani) learn of the procedure? ” With best wishes from H. Parson Private Ltd. 83-A, L.B.M. Compound, Opp. Air Conditioned Market, Tardeo, Bombay 400 034. Phone: 4949536. Managing committee A suggestion to establish a managing committee of office-bearers to help the executive council was mooted by Shia ­ vax Nargolwala and seconded by Guz ­ der who designated it a “committee composed of seniors ” and drew the analogy of the standing committees of major multinational corporations. Golwalla also supported the sugges ­ tion: “In an emergency such a commit ­ tee would serve a useful purpose. ” The tide of counter opinion was stronger, spanning a spectrum of ob- t 95 Parsiana August 1985 Importers Wholesalers Distributors Retailers Ships Stores Suppliers Warehousemen Asian Building, Nicol Road, Ballard Estate, Bombay 400 038. h 4A With Best Compliments from: SELVEL FOR EFFECTIVE OUTDOOR ADVERTISING THROUGHOUT INDIA SELVEL PUBLICITY & CONSULTANTS PVT LTD Ravindra Mansion Annexe 194, Dinshaw Vatcha Road 4th Floor BOMBAY 400 020 Phones 2026512-2027560 jections: Desai questioned the utility of an additional committee which he felt would “dampen the enthusiasm of spe ­ cific persons appointed by the execu ­ tive council to go through with specific work. ” The executive council could itself be made more functional, he sug ­ gested*, by synchronizing guest spea ­ kers with the evening functions. While Jal Postwalla of Vishakhapatnam questioned the number of emergencies that had arisen over the past so many years, Dittia opined that the managing committee could forestall the executive council by calling an extraordinary general meeting and Batlivala declared it an “inner cabinet. ” When Gandhi raised the issue of whether the executive council or the general body was competent to decide on the subject of the executive coun ­ cil ’s powers being given to the manag ­ ing committee, Dittia noted that the matter required due notice to elicit the consensus of the anjumans. Desai how ­ ever opined, “The executive council is perfectly competent under the rules to constitute subcommittes. (But) is it wise, politic, expedient to have another subcommittee? To just defer it is to set a bad precedent, show that the execu ­ tive council is impotent. ” Dittia dis ­ agreed with Desai ’s presentation of the problem: “There ’s great difference between a subcommittee and a super ­ committee as envisaged. ” Sensing the mood of the house, Gan ­ dhi noted, “The anjumans may want to spell out the parameters. ..” Desai and Golwalla were in favour of clarifying the issue for the members by way of a note, but Nargolwala stated that a summation of the argu ­ ments in the minutes was enough. Congress Reporting on the aftermath of the Fourth World Zoroastrian Congress, erstwhile congress chairman Jamshed Guzder noted that video tapes have been reduced to two hours, 20 minutes from the original 18 hours and a pre ­ view was scheduled for the following Thursday. Guzder also noted that he has written to anjumans in India and abroad inviting them to order the tapes for viewing by their anjumans at a cost of Rs 100 and $50 respectively. Much of this work has been done by Ms Homai Mody, the erstwhile secretary of the Congress, noted Guzder, while Aspie Moddie, the management con ­ sultant, has undertaken to make a ,1 1 White Cloud Filter Pads Pvt. Ltd. 412 Gultekdi Road Pune-411 037 Pioneer Makers of quality Filter Pads untouched by hand and manufactured for the first time in the country on an imported completely automatic pad Forming Line. A Complete range of Filter Media from coarse through medium to sterilising grades made available equivalent to the finest imported quality. Serving the vital Pharmaceutical, Beverage, Chemical Cgsmetic and other sensitive industries in the country for their entire filtration requirements. V J I I IMITATED BY MANY DUPLICATED BY NONE. Phone: 44 10 78 GRAM: FILTER PAD 96 Parsiana August 1985 j 31 precis of the tapes — all except the the end of his trusteeship term, Gol- World Zoroastrian Organization ses- walla did not think anyone else would sion which Guzder purports to handle he in a position to organize the youth himself. A 40-50 page report has also congress and dropped the idea. Now been compiled and there ’s a proposal Shiavax Nargolwala, realizing that the to send a copy to each anjuman of the department of youth affairs is directly world. under the Prime Minister with a 99.9 ‘‘What is the object of the report percent chance of Rajiv Gandhi atten- and the video? Can we say to the Fifth ding to inaugurate such a congress World Zoroastrian Congress that the (‘‘The PM’s own officials have told me inputs of the Fourth Congress were that there ’s a very good chance of his utilized? ” queried Gandhi. But no coming, ” said Nargolwala), was clear ­ answer was forthcoming and the dis- ly in favor of making a last ditch at- cussion carried on to the ownership of tempt to hold an all-India youth con ­ gress under Federal auspices if possible or, failing that, Guzder, Desai and Golwalla to arrange it on a personal basis. Desai was chary to take on the res ­ ponsibilities involved: ‘‘I know how much I had to exert (to raise the funds by collecting advertisements for the souvenir) ... too soon after the last oc ­ casion. ” ‘‘The CER youth wing is quite capable if we give them moral and financial assistance, ” noted Golwalla. In the meanwhile, Homi Ranina and the Zoroastrian Studies group are said to be working on the task of organizing such a congress, leading Guzder to re ­ mark, ‘‘The BPP is the apex body in India. . .the BPP now belongs to the the surplus funds generated by the con- Federation ... (you are) abrogating gress and the feasibility of holding a your responsibility. . .(the BPP is be- youth congress. coming) subservient to an individual The congress surplus, a source of who is doing it for personal glory ... ” veiled contention between the Federa ­ tion and the BPP since the end of the congress organizers on the one hand. Third World Zoroastrian Congress, is and Bejoo Jilla of Nanded and the still in BPP custody. Guzder suggested partner of Pyrkes (a restaurant at Flora that the amount, one lakh 40 thousand Fountain, Bombay) on the other, over rupees — ‘‘the same (at the end of the the sale proceeds of liquor at the con- Fourth Congress) as we started with ” gress. Beer, whiskey, and wine had — be kept to seed the Fifth World been gifted to the community by Lon- Zoroastrian Congress: ‘‘The BPP is don Pilsner, Haywards and McDo- historically the custodian of funds of wells. Guzder noted that the matter other anjumans. Why not let this was being sorted out. amount remain with the BPP?” Shia ­ vax Nargolwala suggested that it be WZO shown in the Federation ’s books of ac- Guzder, chairman of the Federation ’s count, but kept in a separate account WZO subcommittee, acquainted mem- with the BPP in the name of the Fede- bers with the discussions held at his ration and the Federation be paid inte- residence on March 7, 1985 when Gol- rest on it. walla, Bombay ’s municipal commissio- The intention of holding a world ner and BPP trustee Jamsheed Kanga, youth congress in December 1985 — Gandhi and Shiavax Nargolwala also the Year of the Youth — was announc- met the WZO’s India representatives ed at the conclusion of the Fourth Dadi Engineer and Dadi Mistry. Guz- World Zoroastrian Congress. But Gol- der noted, ‘‘We in India would agree walla considered the deadline too soon without prejudice to individual mem- after the Fourth Congress; moreover, bership (provided) associations and an- with Guzder retiring from the BPP at jumans have weightage — two-thirds World Zoroastrian Organization ses- walla did not think anyone else would ¦1 The root cause of these children's problems lay in their family situations arising out of marital disharmony, poor relationship with the in-laws, infidelity of the life partners. BOYS’ TOWN Public School Nasik 2 assistance, ” Recognised as a Public School by the Department of Education for Indian Merit Scholars. Excel­ lent Climate — All-round Education: 37 fyygygf A dispute has arisen between the All Acadonic Subjects—Tech­ nical Subjects: Workshop. Tech ­ nology, Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance, Carpentry & Farm ­ ing. Training in SeU-Govenuneot through Elected Boys ’ Office bearers. Games—^Physical Train ­ ing — Daily Assembly with Congregational PrayCTS — Week ­ ly intensive Zoroastrian —Geeta- koran classes — Excellent Modern Kitchen and Dining Room facilities — Airy Dormi­ tories. Moderate Fees. Freeships and Concessions to Deserving Students. Apply to — THE MANAGING TRUSTEE P. N. MEHTA EDUCATION TRUST Cooks Building, 324 Dr. D. N. Road, Bombay 400 001. t )to anjumans and one-third to indivi- least six more ads for the continuity of create a guidance cell in Bombay for duals. ” Since then, Guzder said he had the newsletter. ” Desai and Guzder community entrepreneurs. written to Shahpur Captain, vice-presi- undertook to get one more advertise- Murzban Giara of Bombay suggest- dent of the WZO, London, noting that ment apiece (they had already delivered ed that employment opportunities “you did not send statistics regarding two advertisements each, earlier); should be displayed on the notice Poona, Jamshedpur, Delhi and Calcttt- boards of agiaries and gymkhanas to ta'also pitched in and agreed to arrange acquaint the community at a local for one advertisement each. level. 2,200 small scale units are sick.. .even a small scale industry with a capital of one lakh rupees requires 28 clearances. / / z z Job opportunities Annual General Meeting Offering to revive the Federation ’s job Copies of accounts reached the dele- opportunities pamphlet if the anju- gates moments before the annual gene ­ mans would undertake to send infor- ral meeting began for which Gandhi mation on vacancies in their area, Gan- tendered an apology but explained that dhi noted that the experiment has not end June and end July being deadlines been particularly successful because of for filing tax returns, the Federation ’s lack of sincerity on both sides: the ef- auditors were under tremendous pres- forts of the industrialists have been sure from commercial organizations to ‘‘disjointed ... the candidates apply finalize their annual accounts and com- your members. Also, we negotiated ing, not very earnest. . .if the Federa plete the tax audits and. yet they had with your representatives but we have tion can claim any success on this pro- been good enough to take up and com- received no feedback. ” ject, it is due only to the vocational ________________________________ Golwalla intervened to note th^at training from Darius Forbes (of J.N. |+ "imr»nQcihlo fnr Dadi Mistry who was also in Madras to Marshall). Assistance in individual iillpUbolDIG TOl a person of average tioned that Captain had written to him panel and work cohesively as a team? ” IQ to qet 95 percent (Golwalla). he asked. Guzder also noted that a couple of On the vital issue of reviving en- marks. ' other associations had complained of trepreneurship, Guzder reported on the .................— ¦" ................... late receipt of notices, no details and recent CER (Council for Economic Re- plete the audit of the Federation ’s ac- no feedback from the WZO. Guzder vival) seminar on self-employment counts. castigated the WZO as “farcical. . .a where, despite a fee of Rs 30, 290 peo- hoax. ” is very welcome, join in the Clubwala Dar e-Meher s pla- capacities is very welcome, but tinum jubilee celebrations, had men- couldn ’t the Poona anjuman put up a On the vital issue of reviving en- z f Rs 12,979 and Rs 35,457 were the ex- ple attended and 129 returned the com- penses for the years ’83 and ’84 respec- pleted questionnaire. The Industrial tively, Rs 16,248 being the expenditure Newsletters Development Bank of India has started incurred in 1984 on the newsletter be- As an example of people in high places special schemes for small scale in- fore the idea of advertisement sponsor ­ reading the Federation ’s newsletter, dustries, Guzder noted but continued, ship was mooted. Gandhi narrated how he had received a “2,2(X) small scale units are sick. .. The AGM’s other task was the elec ­ letter of invitation from Noshir San- even a small scale industry with a tion of vice-presidents and zonal repre- took of the Minorities Commission. At capital of one lakh rupees requires 28 sentatives. Delhi, Agra, Allahabad, the meeting^ Santook requested the clearances ” but a technocrat need pro- Lucknow and Mhow were elected to re ­ names of Parsi specialists for appoint- vide only 10 to 15 percent of the capital present north zone; Calcutta, east ment on the various sub-committees of as seed money. Efforts are afoot to zone; Madras, south zone, Baroda and the Minorities Commission, said Gan ­ dhi, which include insurance, banking, arts, literature, architecture, medicine, engineering, law, accountancy and education. It as decided that Parsi professionals in these disciplines be contacted by the local anjumans and only the names of those willing to take on government assignments be forwarded to the Mino ­ rities Commission with a detailed bio ­ data. Gandhi ’s immediate problem vis-a- vis the newsletters was that three of the year ’s 12 issues still awaited advertising sponsors. “I’ve no advertiser for the August newsletter, ” said Gandhi who noted that Bombay ’s quota was short by two. “I want to be assured of at Gifts& The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive gifts and Zoroastrian artefacts Bombay Swadeshi Stores Ltd Sir P.M. Road, Bombay 400 001 Tel: 253443 & 252730 98 Parsiana August !9S51 ¦j- Bhavnagar west zone B (Gujarat in ­ cluding Saurashtra). The representa ­ tion for west zone A (Maharashtra and the Union territories of Diu, Daman and Goa> is to be advised later on by Poona in consultation with other mem- council is scheduled to be held in Bom ­ ber anjumans from Maharashtra. J bay on November 9 and 10, 1985. Shiavax Nargolwala from Delhi and Jamshid Italia from Secunderabad Those attending the meeting were: Dr were re-elected vice-presidents from R.H. Sagar of Allahabad; Ervad N.P. the north and south zones respectively. Unvalla, Behram Sidhwa and Furrokh Italia has not attended any of the ex- Bamji of Bangalore; the BPP’s Dr ecutive council meetings since the BPP Aspi Golwalla and Eruch Desai; R.N. rejoined the Federation in May 1983 rary treasurers. The chairmanship of Engineer, Ms H.R. Engineer and M. J. except for the one in Secunderabad in “ ------........................ — October 1984. From west zone B (Gujarat including Aspi Golwalla. Saurashtra) Dr Sam Bhacca replaced Maneck Gheyara as the vice-president the “tremendous work ” he puts in and Batlivala of Calcutta; Shiavax Nargol- at the latter ’s request while the Poona observed that the BPP was sorry to wala, Keki Gandhi, Zal Nowsherwanji, president, currently Marazban Keko- have lost Guzder (who declined to seek Rustom Daroga, Farida Variava, bad, became vice-president of west reelection when his trusteeship term Noshir Captain and Ms Nergish zone A (Maharashtra and the Union ended last March) while Shiavax Nar- Nargolwala of Delhi; Jamshed Guzder territories of Diu, Daman and Goa), golwala wanted to bestow a “man of of Gandevi; Ms Daulat Irani of Ardeshir Batlivala of Calcutta relin- the match ” award on Guzder for his Hyderabad and Karnataka; Peshotan quished the vice-presidentship of the organization of the congress. Anklesa- Nargolwala of the Iranian Zoroastrian east zone in favour of Homi Bodhan- ria noted that Guzder was still consi- Anjuman; Homi Bodhanwalla of Jam- walla of Jamshedpur. dered a leader of the community. He shedpur; Minoo Belgamvala, Ms Mani Kapadia, Damania and company then went on to state, “The Federation Clubwala, Rusi Ginwalla, Ms Mehru have been re-appointed auditors at an has observed Desai ’s views, comments, Belgamvala, Ms Dhun Dalal, Kerman honorarium of Rs 500. etc. We can say openly that we should Mehta, S.K. Tarapore and Ms Katie After the conclusion of the AGM, support him to the hilt (when.he stands Seervai of Madras; Dinshaw Anklesa- the executive council took up the re- for reelection to the trusteeship of the ria, Ms Tehmi Grant, Ms Homai Pu- maining items on the agenda, which in- BPP on November 2, 1985). Nargol- dumji, and Minoo Irani of Poona; eluded the co-option of members and wala suggested that each member of B.F. Dittia, Naval B. Vakeel and Ms the appointment of office bearers. Be- the executive council become a voting Perin Dittia of Secunderabad and Hy- jan Dittia of Secunderabad, Rustom member of the BPP’s Anjuman Com- derabad; Ms Nergis Panthaki and Ms Daroga of Delhi and Peshotan Nargol- mittee by donating Rs 5,000, but Desai Dhunmai Irani of Shahabad; and Capt wala of Bombay, whose two-year term was quick to disclaim: “I’d rather lose Jal Postwalla of Vizag. The Press was as co-opted members ended at the than win by money power. ” represented by Parsiana. f Clubwala: organizing celebrations Ginwala: good arrangements (left) Jal Phiroj Clubwaia Dar-e-Meher (below) The next meeting of the executive the Federation vests, ex officio, with Giara from Bombay; Minochaher Bha- the chairman of the BPP, currently Dr rucha and Ms Banoo Bharucha of Bhavnagar; Ardeshir Batlivala, Dr Golwalla complimented Gandhi on Russi D. Anklesaria and Ms Najoo Other associations had also complained of late receipt of notices, no details and no feedback from the WZO. 1 -t I' ! t . • ¦ AGM, were co-opted again for a fur ­ ther term which will end at the 1987 AGM. In the remaining two seats were co-opted Jamshed Guzder and Arde- shir Batlivala. Gandhi and Desai continue as joint honorary secretaries with Ms Gool Tata, joint secretary of the BPP, as executive secretary. Guzder and Pesho ­ tan Nargolwala remain the joint hono- Vi Parsiana August 1985¦p. IN MEMORIAM ably as a magistrate for six years and was always known for her sympathy and love for the poor and downtrod- Distinguished centenarian Died: Plroja Sorab Boyce, 106, one of release, the, foremost women educationists of . —----- — — ------- - — ----- • . u k k* India and chairperson of the Cawasji Native Institution and principal of the She is survived by her daughters, Behramji (Banaji) Atash Bahram Trust Panday Girls High School, she later Shireen ano Dhun DadaMi^, and on April 28, 1985 in Bombay following established the Dhunmai Cawasji sons, Homi, Jimmy and Dadabhoy. obstruction jaundice. Boarding School for Parsi Girls at “Boyce, one of Bombay ’s most dis- Khandala and founded her own school J^gligiouS instructor tinguished centenarians, will be re- at Versova, known as the Suburban membered more for her 106 long years. Boarding School for Parsi Girls. Died: Puth Marzi Byramjee, 46, active most of which were spent in service to ’------------------------ j j- * • * * her community and society, ” noted a was stationed at Hyderabad, Sind, Ontano (ZSO) and district guider^ write-up in The Daily of May 20, 1985. Boyce involved herself with founding March 16, 1985 in Ontano, following At a condolence meeting convened the Nari Shala, a school for the widows cancer. . by the Banaji Atash Bahram boiwala of Indian soldiers who had lost their “To the ZSO she wm an integral Ervad Aspi Faramroz Nalladaru and lives in the First World War. Boyce part of its existence for the religious in- Shree Karelwadi and Thakurdwar Zar- u — ---------------------- - - • r thoshti Mandal at the Banaji Atash war was recognized by Lord and Lady and was her mam Bahram premises on May 28, 1985, a Willingdon who organized a dmner m Balsara, editor ot ZbU newsiewer, message received from B.K. Boman- Behram, former chairman of the Bom- — bay Parsi Punchayet read, “She had a plague had spread in Bombay, the cou ­ pleasing personality and winning man- ners. She conducted the meetings of the trust as the chairman of any com ­ pany would. She did her duty as chair ­ man till about a year and half ago when her physical condition prevented _ her from attending. ” Earlier, the Bom- .. ZTOb bay High Court by a writ petition had appointed Boyce trustee by virtue of u her being a lineal descendent of the Banaji family of Calcutta. She was later made chairperson of the trust, “a post she cherished and kept till her death. ” Others who paid tributes to Boyce at the meet were chief guest Cowasjee Nusserwanji Dinshaw Adenwalla, Das ­ tur Dr Hormazdyar Kayoji Mirza, high priest of Udwada, and advocate, Rus- tom Andhyarujina. “During the last 10 years of her life, she lost vision in both the eyes, but her spirit was indomitable. The great han ­ dicap did not deter her from discharg ­ ing her duties as also in taking keen in- _ _ ________ terest in everything that was happening Boyce; sj/zipoz/i;' for~downtrodden around her, ” noted The Bombay Samachar of Mav 12, 1985 in its “Par ­ si tari arsi ” columns. —J-------r —r After her matriculation from Miss wada, serving the commumty ther.e. Moos (now Girton) High School, she was among the first batch of women to enrol in Bombay ’s Elphinstone Col- Magistrate ofthe juvemle^ c^urt for lege. Completing her BA, she then pur- “* sued her M.A. in English and French, Umerkhadi. “She worked very credit- naft. being the first Indian woman to com ­ plete her postgraduation, states a press A teacher of the Alexandra Girls den. ” India and chairperson of the Cawasji Native Institution and principd of the L— .. „ ___ _ vi^anciJV ^•¦“^•* "********** * »**».*»j ---------------------------a—----------------------------------- • j TA .1 kk on April 28, 1985 in Bombay following established the Dhunmai Cawasji sons, Homi, Jimmy and Dadabnoy. obstruction jaundice. Boarding School for Parsi Girls at tinguished centenarians, will be re- at Versova, known as the Suburban When her husband Dr Sorab Boyce worker of the Zoroastrian Soaety ot write-up in The Daily of May 20, 1985. by the Banaji Atash Bahram boiwala of Indian soldiers who had lost their was stationed at Hyderabad, Sind, Ontario (ZSO) and district guider on Boyce involved herself with founding March 16, 1985 in Ontario, following and her husband ’s service during the struction progr^ depended on her BvrAv r0pnoni7#>H Kv I afH AFid L3.dv 3iid WHS hcF itiHiii fortc, noted Shdht wv,.. _ _____ ________________ ' Balsara, editor of ZSO newsletter, thek hono^^ while dedicating the March issue to lie citation, notes a press release. When Byramjee. “Whenever I asked her for an assi gnm ent for the newsletter and gave her a deadline, it would always ar ­ rive ahead of time. Soft spoken and gentle, and in spite of her illness, she was always ready to accept any new as ­ signment as a challenge and see it through. She recently accepted to head the religious instruction group, formu ­ late the program and circulate it to the volunteer teachers involved with the teaching of the children, ” wrote Bal­ sara on the loss of “a devoted worker (and) a friend. ” At Byramjee ’s funeral, Minoo Trea- surywala stated in his eulogy, “Even in her last few weeks of suffering and ill- Hl nCss, she did not think of her comfort H but continued serving the society H around. She even told her colleagues H where all the work she has completed H could be found, so that others after her ¦ could carry on the work. ” ¦ As Maplebrook District Guider of 3 the Girl Guides of Canada, Byramjee IB “found time to serve the movement which was very close to her heart. ” She served in various capacities on several prograihs and committees and volunta- ple nursed those afflicted. Later the rily did radio reading for the blind. ------- X _ r_. ----------* H-i “To leave society in a little better place than I found it, ” was Byramjee ’s mW iyj Boyce couple spent a few years at Ud- Boyce was also nominated as a Jus- life ’s philosophy as she had explained tice of Peace and Honorary Presidency to Treasurywala. ... — _____ ______ - - - ¦ Byramjee is survived by her husband the'^nmates of the Remand Home at Marzi, and daughters Roshni and Dee- 100 Parsiana August 1985