May 1986

I I ’A f Al 1 A i :l 86 PRICE Rb S «k NG 'k L '^Wf -Jk4 '• IT? ? I i '¦'^. I k A « A «MW •>***%« 1 I ‘ *> t A? '‘KtX* r. &l IK x 8 Sir -Z''/” A .!• w > •'^3 F .¦a ’ t'K-' K«*e*»'“ ¦ J', i w Gold Medalists Ramiyar Karanjia and Arnavaz Chubb 4Wr-1' 1 May 1986 Volume 8 Number 11 EDITOR Jehangir Patel MANAGING EDITOl?Arnavaz Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Toddywalla ASSOCIATE EDITOR Niloofer Madon DESIGN CONSULTANT Mini Boatwala DESIGN ASSISTANTS Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Potel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D'Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B.L. Arora CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver, Khurshid Daruwalla DATA PROCESSING Rohinton Mistry OFFICE Rajendra Nayak, Madhuri Dabral, Kfiurshid Balsora, Patricia Lewis 2a Readers' Forum 1 Events and Personalities 10 Gibbs Road Scheme to yield ... 16 The elusive medals by Arnavaz Mama 18 In trust for Poona Parsis ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I, 23 New site for an old bite by Parinaz Toddywalla 27 Books by Homi Rogers 1 3 33 Federation Guest Speakers by Niloofer Madon 38a In Memoriam Cover: Sanjana and Parekh Medals (Courtesy Rooyintan Peer) Transparency and photographs by Homyar Mistry I Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd at C/o H.L. Rochat, Ndvsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort ..Bombay 400 001 and printed by him at Parsiana Publications, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400 001, and phototypeset at TRIACE, Bombay 400 005. All rights reserved. Address all editorial and business correspondence to Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001, Phone: 2048730. Annual inland subscription: Rs 40 for one year (12 issues); Rs 75 for two years (24 issues). Foreign subscription rates: Seamail Rs 80 for one year, Rs 150 for two years; Airmail Rs 160 for one year, Rs 290 for two years. For U.S. cheques add $4 to cover bank charge^ For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 3 for bank charges. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favor of Parsiona and posted to G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001 or C/o H.L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K. Nayak Mqrg, Fort, Bombay 400 001. L fF. I I. L READERS' FORUM i r ! j ifications, particulars of occupation Interested persons may write to the profession/business, telephone num- Directorate of Personnel Services, bers and postal address to Russi N. Sena Bhavan, Naval Headquarters, Engineer, managing director. Indust- New Delhi - 110011. rial Boilers Pvt Ltd , 79-80 Satkar, captain jal postwalla Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019. visakhapatnam KEKI J. GANDHI Hon. Secretary p*. « _ Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India >163 lOF piHyS Our 78-year-old Calcutta Parsi Cadet entry scheme in 1906 with the mam objective of per- The. Indian Navy, now has a scheme forming a natak (comedy) every year for recruiting permanently commis- on Parsi New Year ’s day for our com- sioned technical officers. Known as munity in Calcutta. Despite all odds, the “10-1-2 Cadet Entry Scheme ” for which the age limit is 17 to 20 years, the candidate should have passed the 10-1-2 or equivalent examination aggregating 70 percent or more in phy ­ sics, chemistry and mathematics, and ity. It is not funds, not lack of interest 50 percent or more in English in the matriculation or 10 ¦+¦ 2 examination. This scheme is normally advertised in munity. We can ’t ftnd plays, various newspapers in the month of May. Under this scheme, no written ex ­ amination is held. However, the candi ­ dates will have to go through the Ser ­ vices Selection Board (SSB) interview, physical and medical examination. The selected candidates will then be trained as marine/electrical engineers Interested persons may write to the Calcutta % -,3 the club has maintained an unbroken tradition of performing to full houses, 78 consecutive times. Over the last few years, we have faced a threat to this traditional activ- among its members, nor the lack of enthusiasm and support from the eom- We desperately need a “bank ” of four to five good modern racy Parsi comedies to fall back upon and despite our efforts in the past, our rewards are limited. We therefore appeal to play ­ wrights, producers, anjumans and others to help us find material for our annual nataks. Royalty is no problem. B.J. MASTER Hon. Secretary. Calcutta Parsi Amateur Dramatic Club Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space at the Naval College of Engineering, and clarity. INS Shivaji at Lonavla at state ex- ————————————— pense, with approximate starting total emoluments of Rs 800 per month as a Zoroastrian directory midshipman and jumping to about Rs I have been following the debate in * 1,750 per month as an acting sub- your periodical on the predicament of The need for publishing a directory of lieutenant after three years at the col- mobeds. In the recent past, the Athra- Zoroastrians has been emphasized lege. van Educational TrusLhas generated time and again. Mr Russi N. Engineer, A career in the Indian Navy, or for funds for educating potential priests managing director of Industrial Boilers that matter in the defense services, is a with a long-term view to have a con- Private Limited and a trustee-cum- rewarding, satisfying and lucrative tinuous stream of mobeds in the com- joint honorary secretary of the Delhi proposition for many a young Parsi lad munity. Parsi Anjuman has very kindly offered these days who is not able to gain to undertake this mammoth and oner- i OUS task. However, without the active college because his percentage in the family. My father is a pr^ticing priest cooperation of all Zoroastrian anju- SSC and 10 -F 2 is not the 90 percent in Bombay. I am a sampuran navar mans, punchayets,associations and in- expected. Here is a golden opportun- and maratab from the Boyce Agiary dividuals in and outside India, it will ity for an average academic student, if after obtaining religious education be impracticable to bring out a com- his IQ, personality, characteristics and from the M.F. Cama Athornan Insti- prehensive directory which will act as a extra-curricular activities get him into tute, Andheri, in the early fifties. I vital and valuable international link. the services. Besides travelling within have two elder brothers who are Mso We therefore appeal to all Zoroas- and outside the country,the numerous S'ampuran ervads, but regrettably, trians to send the following particulars perks offered these days include subsi- none of us opted to take up mobedi as of their family members: name, rela- - - - tionship to head of household, sex, age, marital status, educational qual ­ Why do mobeds opt out? A career in the Indian Navy, or for funds for educating potential priests My interest in the subject stems admission into a suitable engineering from the fact that I belong to a priestly extra-curricular activities get him into 1............................... ........... the services. Besides travelling within have two elder brothers who are Mso and outside the country, the numerous S'ampuran ervads, but regrettably, dized furnished housing, free medical a profession. * ' facilities for the family also. Canteen and sports facilities and free rations. There are many like us, qualified ervads, who preferred to do likewise. 2a Parsiana May 1986 '4s 3^ •-1?^ T class forum whdre upliftment of priests is Urtiteigoiitg mj* studies, there w^e a genuinely at heart ? discussed, the salaries suggested are Out of these 60,1 This is all a cosmetic effort; a sud- meager and the increments still less, rewllect that only five took to mobedi den awakening to the problem which The anjumans in most places are well as a full-time profession. However, all stems from the realization of the bleak off financially, but the salary paid to of us have, during our teens, per- prospects that the community faces in the mobed is a mere pittance of less formed various ceremonies to give a the twenty-first century, of having to than Rs 1,000, the justification being helping hand, and continue to do so cope with no priests at all if the present that he is also given a free room/house occasionally even today, as and when trend continues. To that extent our in most cases, or a few minor fringe the need arises. My father, with his high priests must also share the blame, benefits such as free travel once a foresight and judgment did not force All along they have been fully aware year. The community plainly chooses us into this vocation for he knew then of the housing conditions, the meager to ignore the fact that such fringe be ­ that there was no future in it and he emoluments and the strenuous work- nefits are paid today to the Class IV gave us a free hand to pursue a career ing conditions of mobeds. Unfortu- staff of all government and private of our choice; this was in the fifties, nately, they opted to keep a low pro- establishments! Over a quarter of a century has since file and, for reasons well-known to Does the mobed have to be behol- passed. Athravans have become few them, preferred not to enlighten the den to the community for giving him and far between* The community has laity or suggest any course of action to what is in any case his due ? His paltry woken up belatedly to the problem. improve the state of affairs. salary is not enough to keep body and The mere creation of a corpus of ~ — funds to attract young athravans to do They are not a commodity that can be to forget that he too has family obliga- mobedi will serve no purpose now. bargained for. The young lot is fully tions, besides which he must cater for The question is two-fold, first of re- aware of the problems and shortcom- sickness in old age, housing and retire- spect and secondly of money. Today, a ings of the system and prefers to look ment, for which no provisions are man with a safed pugree is scorned at, for greener pastures. The present made by the anjuman to which he has so why should a young man knowingly situation is self-created and the com- given the best years of his life. This opt for a profession where he is not munity will have to face the dilemma kind of salary ensures that he will al- respected? How many of these so- in which it now finds itself. called messiahs who today have taken up cudgels on behalf of the mobeds, standard of living is high. Yet, at any bss Xj 4 -t< S" Today, you cannot buy the priests, soul together. The community chooses ways be the underdog in an otherwise Ours is an affluent community. Our affluent community. Every right-thiiAing parent desires ’ »< 7 ' .t MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER To do so we offer you ? Diploma Course in Business Management (Oral/Postal) IMC ? Banking: C.A.I.I.B. Course (Postal) ? Executive Secretarial Course ? Private Secretarial Course ? Steno Secretarial Course ? Telephone Operating ? Personal Assistants ’ Programme (working stenographers) ? Telephone Operating-Cum-Receptionist Techniques ? Shorthand & Typewriting ? Punch Operating ? Telex Operating ? E.D.P. Concepts & Cobol Programming ? Computer Exposure & Basic Programming Enquire at 'V as ,A. D Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Bombay 400 001. Tel: 251185 I 3 Parsiana May 19^ ISe to to refrain from attending the delegatesandeminentinvitees.includ- settled, both pro- sacred muktad and farvardigan cere- ing high priests and scholars from all fes^^twlly ’and domestically. Marriage monies. ” This resolution was over India and abroad, are expected to ' prospects are directly linked with job motioned by me at the request and de- be present on the above occasion. status. Let me put across a question: mand of the majority in the UK who The Dar-e-Meher was consecrated How many parents, today, are willing felt that they had the right to protect on December 31, 1961, with funds to give their daughters in marriage to a and preserve the privacy and sanctity generously donated by Ms Shirinbai practicing priest? None, I am sure, of their prayers at the time of these, Katrak and other charitable Zoroas- Being fully aware of these problems, our most sacred ceremonies. than and non-Zoroastrian individuals which father would knowingly spoil There was violent opposition from a and institutions. Over the last 25 years the prospects of his son by urging him few of the reformist section of our Parsi Zoroastrians coming to Delhi into this profession? None! community. Regrettably, the resolu- from all over India and abroad have Since criticism without suggestions tion was opposed on the committee by been visiting the Dar-e-Meher where is not constructive, r suggest that while the president Mr Shahpur Captain and facilities are available for the perform ­ talking of improving the living stan- the ex-president Ms Shirinbanoo ance of all Zoroastrian religious cere- dards and ameliorating the priests, let Kutar. monies. us keep the avenge standard of the However, the recent research find- The trustees of the DPA maintain community in mind. Let us give them a ings of Professor John Hinnells and this Dar-e-Meher. A large amount is living wage to ensure the basic ameni- the survey of our community all over spent periodically on repairs, renova ­ ties and comforts which all of us enjoy the world has categorically proven that tions, whitewashing, painting, etc. Re ­ today. Let there be a visible improve- rapid destruction is the inevitable re- cently, the expenses of the Dar-e- ment in their lifestyle. This may draw suit of reformist thinking. Meher have increased considerably, some of the younger generation to- dariussethna With great difficulty our Anjuman was wards the profession. The opinion of Middlesex, uk fortunate in securing the services of young men who,after becoming ervads two devoted mobeds on a permanent have opted for other professions,may Aniiiman ’s nnnpsil basis. These mobeds were appointed be sought. They would be able to iden- •* on fairly high salaries with free board- tify the steps that should be taken to The Kaikhushru Pallonji Katrak Dar- ing, lodging and other perquisites, make the profession attractive, keep- e-Meher will complete 25 years of its Under the policy decision of the ing in mind the shortcomings of the existence and useful service to our Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anju- profession which made them opt out. community on December 25, 1986. mans of India, the DPA is helping in COLONEL B.M. PANTHAKi The Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) the management of anjumans on the proposes to celebrate the silver jubilee outskirts of Delhi. As many adjacent Rpfnrm 7nrniiNtrinn ” ™ ® befitting manner by holding a anjumans, like Agra, Allahabad, ” ¦¦¦ series of religious and social functions Amritsar, Indore, Gwalior, etc have no Our attention has been drawn to Mr on December 25 and 26,1986. To coin- priests, the DPA sends its mobeds to D.N. Sethna ’s letter “Reform Zoroas- cide with these functions, the DPA these places on occasions like nav- trian Bodies ” {Parsiana, December will also host a two-day meeting of the jotes, weddings, deaths, etc. DPA is 1985). Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anju- also contemplating to engage a third . We have to state on behalf of the mans of India, which is proposed to be priest, who will be useful to the Anju- managing committee that the contents held in Delhi on December 27 and 28, man in future. The Dar-e-Meher is not of that letter are so totally inaccurate 1986. A large number of Federation a profit-making organization and the and unfounded that they merit no rep ­ ly- S. SHAHROKH R. CONTRACTOR Jt. Hon. Secretaries World Zoroastrian Organization. London New Delhi 99 Parsi achievers The cover of the March issue of Par­ siana was delightful. Thank goodness that it did not depict either windbags or moneybags but young Parsi achiev- ers PHIROZE JHABVALA Exclusive muktads The managing committee of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe In ­ corporated (of which I am an elected member for over 12 years) has passed a resolution by an overwhelming majority: “Non Zoroastrians are re- 5 Parsiana May 1986 This However, the recent research find- Tl ' J r 1 SARDAR DASTUR SCHOOLS POONA-411001 Recognised residential/day Schools from Pre-Nursery to S.S.C. both for Boys and Girls (Separately). Excellent SSG Results,all round grooming and training of students to achieve an integrated personality. Excellent modern facilities for boarding and lodging -Airy Dormitories, Moderate Fees. Concessions to deserving Zoroastrian • Students. Applyto PRESIHENT Sardar Dastur Schoob Trust 3, Moledina Road,Camp, POONA* 411001 •jr 3*5 .<'X - ‘ 1 f ' With Compliments of f; S I I- i" I fe. --f - I t fe' JEENA COMPANY IATA Approved Air Cargo, Clearing, Forwarding & Warehousing Agents 10, Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Bombay 400 023. Cable: “JUSTITIA” Telex: 2313 Phone: 312032 BRANCHES: E, Merc House, 19ZB, 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^ 6 Parsiana May 1986 mobeds perform various ceremonies burial ground has been encroached as required by the members of the upon, while the fire-temple and other Anjuman at nominal rates, fixed by structures need immediate repairs, the Anjuman, which are among the Funds however remain the major lowest in India. impediment which can only be over- The trustees also contemplate to come through munificent gestures construct a separate house for the from all over the country and abroad, priests comprising a hall, bedroom. Donations or drafts in the name of kitchen and bath. This will involve ‘Mirza Agiary and Parsi Anjuman heavy capital expenditure. Fund ’ may be sent to Burjorji Wadia, The trustees of the DPA have Wadia Road, Porbandar or to J.D. started collecting donations from the Thanawalla, c/o Tata Chemicals Ltd, local Parsis but the funds that can be Mithapur. | collected locally will be limited, as the number of Parsis in Delhi is small and most are employed in government or commercial offices; many Parsis are not stationed in Delhi permanently. Hence, the DPA looks to the members T.R. Bhathena has suggested in “De- j of our community and trusts in other priving ladies ” (Parsiana, February 1 regions for help. 1986) that the children of Parsi j A donation of Rs 5,000 and above mothers and non-Parsi fathers be | will entitle a donor to get his name in ­ scribed on the marble tablets placed in the Agiary premises. Donations to the Agiary Repairs and Renovation Fund dia, the term Zoroastrian is used | J.D. THANA WALLA Hon. Secretary, Mirza Agiary aitd Parsi Anjuman Jamnagar ^‘Depriving Ladies »> accepted as Zoroastrians, if they so wish. Fortunately, or unfortunately, in In- 1 'r» tat-fM ^z^rz^oef tion ic iicaH 1 will qualify for tax concession under synonymously with Parsi. If Bhathe- : Section 80G of the Income-Tax Act, na ’s ideology is given a free rein then ! 1961. Donations for the Agiary our community will be flooded with s Maintenance Fund will also be most Fernandes, Mathur, Makhijani, etc j welcome. Donations in cash, drafts, and the community will lose its identi- cheques, drawn in favor of “Delhi ty. A non-Parsi father may even give Parsi Anjuman ’’ may be sent to Noshir non-Iranian or non-Parsi first names to B. Captain, honorary treasurer, Delhi his children, and still consent to his Parsi Anjuman, Bahadur Shah Zafar children being brought up as Zoroas- Marg, Delhi Gate, 110002. trians. This will create complete chaos S in our miniscule community. It is also a matter of conjecture, how long these neo-Zoroastrians will re- ; .J , , main true to their adopted faith. Jamnagar S appeal Regarding reconversion, I think if Over a century ago the Parsis migrated the father has converted to another re- into the princely state of Jamnagar ex- ligion, his children must be given the ploring business openings and job option for three or four generations to opportunities available here. Gradual- opt for Zoroastrianism, because the | na ’s ideology is given a free rein then our SHI A VAX D. NARGOLWALA President, Delhi Pa'rsi Anjuman opportunities available here. Gradual ­ ly, more and more Parsis from diffe ­ rent settlements in India were drawn This may not only help us to accept towards Jamnagar. The need for a fire- Rajiv Gandhi, but also others from temple, dharamshala and burial such illustrious houses as the Wadias ground were felt, and over a period of etc. time, land was acquired and these ~ structures were raised, all through col ­ lective effort. Funds were raised to meet the work ­ ing capital requirements, and interest father ’s blood is flowing in their veins. There is one lacuna I find in the community, which is causing a drift of many boys and girls into other reli-j gions. There should be regular lectures by learned dasturs and mobeds td earnings on these funds were adequate awaken our youth and inculcate iii to meet the maintenance costs. Subse- them a pride for the community. I| - queiitly, to cope with the inflationary should be ingrained as a culture in ev trend, the then trustees were forced to ery agiary and atash bahram, and th draw heavily upon the corpus which public should be encouraged to partici has depleted at an alarming rate. pate. Being devoid of a compound wall, the ery agiary and atash bahram, and th DR. P.D. SUNAVAE J% S' Events and Personalities Dharamshala inaugurated Expressing his satisfaction at the con ­ struction, location, ventilation and war, Bombay 400002. agree. I will not agree just to get your management of the new three- vote. ” That response, said Engineer, storeyed Panday Dharamshala at CER ghambar squashed any lingering doubts in CER Bombay, Dr Aspi Golwalla, chairman Legal luminary Nani Palkivala has minds about Desai ’s qualification for of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet donated Rs 45 lakhs towards the con- trusteeship. addressed a select gathering of around struction of flats in Godrej Baug, CER managing committee chairman 100 guests at thj^ inauguration of the announced a beaming Bombay Parsi Pali Poncha complimented Guzder for new premises on April 5, 1986. A ______ _ encouraging community members who dharamshala is not only a“hava khava- ||||||||||H|||H||||||H offer voluntary service to the BPP, and ni jaga (a shelter for change of air), ” noted that Guzder ’s courage in signing said Golwalla, who recommended the an affidavit in support of the CER installation of a lift for the conveni- petition for electoral reform (when ence of aged passengers. - hve fellow trustees opposed it) The inauguration was preceded by a * ’ “earned him gratitude... and the re- jashan when two kadmi priests and verse. (It led) to a concerted attempt two priests from the Banaji Atash i to keep him out (of the BPP board). ” Bahram officiated. This was followed ¦HR I “In matters of public interest, if you by a humbandagi led by Dastur Now- HQ] have an attacking posture, your work rooz Minochehr-Homji of the Fasli -a l * may not get done* ’Desai advised the Atash Kadeh. Referring to the found- assembled community. Then, express ­ er of the Trust, Seth Merwanjee Pram- ing his gratitude to the CER for its jee Panday, present trustee Rustom Joshi recalled a time when the founder I would face the sea at Colaba and pray I for more money so that he could help I the poor members of the community. I When he was sufficiently blessed with | funds, keeping his promise, he en ­ dowed it in a trust, contrary to the ex ­ pectations that he would pass on his wealth to his son. Faith in God was the hallmark of the preceding generation, noted Dastur Dr Hormazdyar Mirza, high priest of Udwada, who described the last cen ­ tury as a “century of opportunity ” and Punchayet (BPP) chairman Dr Aspi electoral support, he,^noted that his advised the congregation to follow in Golwalla, chief guest at the fourth second term on the BPP board will be the “footsteps of our forefathers. ” annual ghambar organized by the Co- “four years from the, day of reelec- Facilities at the Dharamshala can be mmittee for Economic Reviv^ (CER) tion. ” availed of at rates varying from Rs 10 at Alb less Baug, on March 26,’86. The “ ' _ to Rs 15 per head, per day, depending occasion was the setting for the pre- said that the body had changed the on the size of the room, its location sentafion of scrolls of honor to solid- whole concept of election of the Anju- and the number of people sharing it. A tor Eruch Desai and businessman Jam- man Committee. Noting that India is maximum period of 15 days ’ stay is shed Guzder, both reelected recently on the threshold of the largest econo ­ permitted, though extension may be to a second teim of BPP trusteeship, allowed at the discretion of the trus- “ .............................. ‘ “ tees. Breakfast is served at extra cost. If the proposed plan of leasing the dent Dadi Engineer lauded the trus- share in the national pie. ground floor and basement to a com- tee ’s straightforwardness and “capac- ~ mercial establishment materializes, ity to take a balanced view of things. ” “we may give further reliefs to our Before the CER announced its sup- ehayet ’s problems and frustrations to passengers, ” announced Joshi. port for Desai in his electoral battle the audience. The plan to transfer the Those interested in staying at the against businessman Hector Mehta Langrana and Godavara Agiary fires ’ Dharamshala should reserve their last November, its core committee had to a new abode in Godrej Bang had room, preferably a month in advance, asked for support of all CER policies by writing to the Manager, Panday on the BPP board. Engineer related Dharamshala, Karelwadi, Thakurd- that Desai had replied, “Only if I war, Bombay 400002. w V iC 1 4 r 9 I ' 'I 51 1 Parsiana May 19B6 Above: Golwalla inaugurating the new Panday Dharanwhala while (from l^t) Joshi, Mirza and Dadiba Master look on. Right: Panday Dharamshala ‘i K Complimenting the CER, Guzder A mic expansion ever, Guzder advised Prefacing his introduction of Desai the community to be ready to partici- with lighthearted ribbing, CER presi- pate in the upthrust to maintain its Earlier Golwalla, in an address in Gujarati, had projected the Pun- '¦•I ’1 •il: 1 V!• 1 '1; been stalled by the intervention of retiring president Yasmin Dotiwala some votaries in the Fort area despite stated that the initial merttbership of there being several other agiaries 18 has now grown to 1,100 members ^here. Within Ae iiext fiy? years^ there Despite financial difficulties , the Man- Baug and the community^ hasn ’t got the current Rs f,11,000^from" which there being several other agiaries t ’ ........ • “ . ____________________ ________ _ will be 5,000 Parsis residing in Godrej dal ’s corpus was gradually built up to Bang and the community hasn ’t got the current Rs 1,11,000 from which the resources to create and maintain a funds are expended for educational, new adaran fire, Golwalla noted. Simi- social and cultural causes, notes the re- larly, community members are re- lease. With a view to encouraging the sponsible for having stalled schemes poor sections of the co mmunity to be for the better utilization of the Parsi members of the Mandal, over the Lying-in Hospital property in the- pre- years the membership dues have con- sti^ous Fort locality when there are tinned to remain a rupee a year. The celebrations commenced with a a third instance Golwalla cited the case jashan led by Dastur Noshirwan Da^ r.f cAn... .L, tur. High Priest of Surat and was fol- 18 has now grown to 1,100 members new adaran fire, Golwalla noted. Simi- are re- ______ ____ _________ sponsible for having stalled schemes poor sections of the co mmunity to be f---U-xx-_ r XX . . . . - . ---- Lying-in Hospital property in the pre- only two patients there, he added. As of some residents of Adarbad, the ownership building built by the BPP 7j * w/* i- ------ a ------- —--------------------------------‘“i, ixig** iiivoi ur ijuiaL auu was lUl- *^2 ‘ Ji ownership building built by the BPP lowed by a talk delivered by the High 1- P on Hughes Road, who objected to the Priest of Udwada, Dastur Kaikobad ¦ ‘ . J- signboard for the re-located Patuck In- Phirozji Dastur, who shared reminisc- stitute being put up on the building for ences of his trip to Iran and stressed the mutual benefit of the Institute and that the Zoroastrians in Iran look to its clients. “Kaum ma nagunao bi chhe the Zoroastrians in India for the pre- (There are several ingrates in the com- i - - ... munity), ” Golwalla concluded. ! The evening began with a jashan the performed by over 100 mobeds, fol- T " ___ _______ _________, lowed by a humbandagi led by Dastur present and past office-bearers of the P- " ’ nearly 1,600 people who Bhacca respectively, and Sorab Katpi- to relish the Godiwallas ’ excellent re ­ servation of their race and religion. Special felicitations were offered to ! Mandal ’s founding couple, Minocher and Dinamai Contractor, S Ifigh Mandal, the* outgoing and incoming Kersi Mistry ’s band regaled the chayet, Maneck Gheyara and Dr Sam gathering of nearly 1,600 people who Bhacca respectively, and Sorab Katpi- waited t^eir turn through four sittings tia, the Punchayet ’s chief executive, of “this long overdue get-together ” as to relish the Godiwallas excellent re- for his ready guidance to the Mandal. marking “the beginning of systematic P^t- The culmination of the two-day pro- thinking on welfare-related issues in * - ’ J ‘ • this fast changing society, ” Naoroji ma, Pandavo by the Yazdi Godrej, BPP trustee and eminent in- dustrialist, warned against the dole system and suggested that Parsi youth must be encouraged to develop en- nte time has come when the pooling trepreneurship, even if on a modest 1^'*; at the CER ghambar . . ** Veteran social worker and member ceedings was the staging of a new dra- of the CER managing committee, Sil- i loo Kavarana and president of the Karanjia Group. Youth Wing, Parveena Doctor solid- ' , ' tously supervised the serving of the Pooling reSOUrcCS meal. The evening had been ^onsorea by Airfreight and Vitta and planning of community resources scale, states the release sent by BPP Mazda. for the welfare of Parsis need to be put assistant secretary and public relations • . Pranati sound footing, said Dr Aspi Gol- officer, Eruch Sethna. '' ® walla, chairman of the Bombay Parsi cJviowi mv In the interest of the individual as well Punchayet (BPP) and chairman of the Committee Ms Freny Gandhi as the nation, youths should be — ?__ ; j__ vinced of the importance of starting organizations, at a seminar held on ' small scale industries instead of pur- ; Desai, trustee of the Bombay Parsi r _________________ ...................... ......... X.XVVOU auuu jubilee celebrations of the Surat Parsi tween the various trusts. and reporting on applications received The 36-year-old Liaison Committee by the charity trusts. Ms Katie Mullan reviews applications for help from the and Ms Aloo Artist, also trust repre- various Parsi charity trusts, recom- sentatives, suggested that the work „ ------------ ¦ center of the committee should be put vestigations. Its work center employs on a sound footing, adds the release Nonavailability of professionally senior social worker ment to the working of the Liaison Committee, and Rusi Anklesaria, chief executive of the BPP and co- ¦ - - ¦—¦— ’ —¦—3 SUg* J; * liSrt,' co- on a sound footing, said Dr Aspi Gol- officer, Eruch Sethna. walla, chairman of the Bombay Parsi Honorary advisor to the Liaison i pre- k conimittee, and Jehangir Talyarkhan, ^ing white collar jobs, advised Eruch for strengthening the Liaison Commit- Manecksh^, ’Si repTesemativerof va- Desai, trustee of the Bombay Parsi t**, 2??^_____ C..: J________ „ .J.x Punchayet while presiding at the ruby walla suggested a regular dialogue be- tee should strengthen its investigation Pragati Mandal on March 30 and 31, 1986, notes a press release sent by the Mandal ’s vice-president Rusi Besania. vanous rarsi charity trusts, recom- On the occasion, Chaturth Dashabdi mending assistance on the basis, of in- Granth, 3. souvenir-compiled by Be ­ sania in Gujarati, carrying messages and a detailed pictorial history of the plc^ment elsewhere, notes Ms Banoo qualified staff was cited as an impedi- I Mandal, Was released. Roovala, a "ck. ’ ’ . .. . . . r Recapitulating the formation of the attached to the Committee. Mandal on October 2, 1944 in the dis- pensarjf of Dr Minocher Contractor, con- Liaison Committee of Parsi charity sented a paper on the working of the ™ -X _ _— committee, and Jehangir Talyarkhan, March 9, to consider ways and means Jal Vakil, Savak Sethna and Nariman ; tee, notes a BPP press release. Gol- rious Parsi trusts, felt that the commit- j persons, unable to get adequate em- Roovala, While Professor Noshir Kaikobad, _______ _ __ ____ ____ who monitored the discussion; talked opted member of the committee 8 Parsiana May 1986 rr ¦l sj 11 i I After three years as an Indian Army Liaison Officer in the United King ­ dom, Billimoria saw active service in the Bangladesh operations in 1971, and was later appointed Infantry Bri ­ gade Commander in the Rajasthan de ­ sert. Prior to his appointment as Major General in the eastern sector for two years, he was Brigadier General in Kashmir, adds the write-up. Contractor is CBI director “Seasoned banker ” Dady Kaikhushru Contractor has been appointed execu ­ tive director of the Central Bank of India (CBI), with effect from February 22,. 1986, notes a press release. Having joined the CBI as an officer trainee. Contractor has over the past 40 years, worked in different capaci ­ ties and held various senior banking assignments, notes the release. Elevated to the post of general man ­ ager in 1981,. Contractor was in charge of banking operations, personnel and credit operations, adds the write-up. He was acting chairman and managing director of the CM from February to April 1985, notes tne press release. Modern dance tour “Uttara ’s work in innovative dance (Above) Contractor: senior has grown since I last saw her...She banking assignment. has been able to establish links with (Top left) At Surat Pragati movements of modern dance and the Mandal’s celebrations: (from Indian classical heritage, ” notes dance left) Bhacca, Contractor, De- critic Sunil Kothari writing on the re- sai, Dotiwala, Coomi Desai, Gheyara, Dinamai Contractor, Kaikobad and Besania (Top right) Guzder (center) ® Vazir Sultan Tobacco) with two other Engineer (right) presenangDe^wiO, a scr,At of lookeon Nada cVyn^'^ ’ruZTa ^Xrmed'in gested a policy for long-term person- a report in The Daily of February 2, Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, and Madras " ¦ where she presented tWo aspects of The 52-year-old, sports-minded Bil- dance - the American Black tradition limoria is a- product of the Doon and other experimental dance forms, pated in the seminar, including those Services Staff College, Wellington. He “I have enriched myself so much from Sir Ratan Tata Trust, N.M. was selected as a trainee at the Junior with the knowledge of Indian classical Wadia Charities, M.N. Sett Charities, Service Wing of the Indian Military dance, that now it is time for me to Lalkaka Family Fund, Parekh Trust, Academy (IMA) Dehra Dun, receiv- explore whatever will reinforce my P.E. Polson Charities, Innominate ing the Rajputana Rifles Gold Medal newly discovered identity, ” notes Parsi Charities, Zoroastrian Building for tactics leadership on graduation Coorlawala. Funds and the Zoroastrian Associa- Commissioned in the second batta- Trained in modern dance with tion. lion of the Fifth Gorkha Rifles, Billi- Martha Graham, Meice Cunningham ' ww, ... morin saw active service in Kashmir, and Perl Lang, Coorlawala plans to di- nilltmoria at Wellington after which he was appointed ADC to vide her time between India, New Lieutenant General Faridoon Billi- the then President of India, Dr Rajen- York and Europe which, according to moria has been appointed Comman- dra Prasad. In 1962-63 Billimoria Kothari, “augurs well for the Indian dant of the Defence Services Staff Col- joined the United Nations Forces in dance situation and the east west en- lege at Wellington, Tamil Nadu, notes the Congo, notes the write-up. counters. ” cent tour of India of modern dancer Uttara Asha Cooflawala, in The Eco­ nomic Times of January 19, 1986. On a tour of India (sponsored by K oeing preseniea a piaque oy Vazir Sultan Tobacco) with two other \ Kersi Gazdar, while Poncha New York artists, Daniel Maloney and nel recruitment and training whereby 1986. young Parsis could be absorbed on the ~ staff of Parsi welfare organizations. Representatives of 14 trusts partici- School, and a graduate of the Defence notes the report. - ’ _ - • - - enriched myself so much from Sir Ratan Tata Trust, N.M. i ... ... ______ Wadia Charities, M.N. Sett Charities, Service Wing of the Indian Military dance, that now It is time for me to P.E. Polson Charities, Innominate ing the Rajputana Rifles Gold Medal newly discovered identity. Funds and the Zoroastrian Associa- 9 Parsiana May 19d6T ...... '<' 1^ POLITICS AND POLICY _____________________ _________________________ Gibbs Road Scheme additional 50 lakhru Housing and repairs predominate the first Anjuman Committee meetin n 1 1 r r t, >- •t! b*- V The floor splce index (FSI) of the of the Anjuman Committee failed to that more than one ^architect and/or Lven baserSint feu ta tii Gibbs show up. Indeed, hardly one-sixth of engineer be appomted to expedite the Road oropertv which were not accept- its total strength of 980 was present. i j r • onmnum able to buyers has been converted A subcommittee is being set up The general decline in the commun ­ able to buyers, nas oeen coi vcivc chairmanship to resolve ity ’s moral structure was decried by ouTs?lakh raMes®mor?for the Pun- the moral and legal compUcations aris- trustees and audienre. Specific inst- chavet ’sI his was ing from the cosmopolitan Athravan ances, noted with dismay, concerned aS at thTAniuman Committee Educational Trust ’s (AET) funds transit camp^residents -sheltered m rieXa addrtsid bridl seven tms- gathered on the basis of the education flats earmarked by the BPP for the tees c/ ”’- Bombay Varsi Piiuchavet and uplift of Zoroastrian mobeds. temporary residence of tenants w (BPP) at the Framji Cawasji Hall on March 30, 1986. ’ the committee and the trustees, the morning ’s dialogue being largely de ­ voted tp new construction as well as repair to existing buildings. Refer ­ ences were also made to the Mahar ­ ashtra State ordinance, aimed at com ­ pelling landlords of buildings over 40 years old to sell flats to their tenants on the condition that the tenants would undertake to repair the build ­ ing. Of particular concern to the com- -7;;^ mittee was the delay in construction of housing for the poor. In the present democratic climate, it is believed that elected officials should overemphasis on the give an account to the electorate of - - what they do. In the case of the BPP, the electorate is the Anjuman Com ­ mittee representing the general population of Parsis in Bombay com ­ prising the members of the elected E register, and the donors of Rs 5,000 and over who are members of the F register. Although the new scheme for electoral reform pending with the ------------- „ . . . High Court recommends the annual and not of representatives of the feud^ convening of the Anjuman Commit- ,ing organizations],the move tee accountability has been a vexed from a Committee for Economic Re ­ subject on the BPP’s board of trustees, vival (CER) initiated meeting held on press being one of the reasons for the recent resignation of trustee Jal Vimadalql. In a sense, this was a historic m/eet- of the Anjuman Committee failed to its total strength of 980 was present. A subcommittee is being set up —„ . under BPP chairmanship to resolve ity ’s the moral and legal complications aris- msirucuon luiiu. ima was ing from the cosmopolitan Athravan the Anjuman Committee Educational Trust ’s (AET) funds transit camp ryidents 111 ttuuivsovd bj dii I*-.,- gathered on the basis of the education earmarked bv the thp ’Rnmhav Parsi Punchavet and uplift of Zoroastrian mobeds. 1---- ,------j of the Bombay Bars, Funcnayei p membership out permanent abodes - who refused arch 30 1986 has not been finalized [The subcom- to move out nt the end of the si^ The su^hied of ho usin g preoccupied mittee is said to consist of four lawyers month allotted penod,despite W oth* me SUP eci oi nousing picuvvup c^thna of the CER Baji D. equally needy cases awaiting -their turn e committee and the trustees, the ' for altotmenf able-bodied Parsi beg- and Keki Dastur of the Council of gars who were abusive if not given Vigilant Parsis (COVP) under the almsjand the physical and moral decay . chairmanship of BPP trustee Eruch posed by drug addiction. Desai. But, community sources note Welcoming the Anjuman (^mmit- that Desai has refused to accept the tee members, BPP chairman Dr^Aspi assignment. His contention is said to be that the committee should be com- to move out at the end of the six- also made to the Mahar- Welcoming the Anjuman Commit- Golwalla hearkened to the meeting held nearly four years ago, for the first time in the history of the Parsi Pun- chayet,when four out of seven trustees decided to give an account of them ­ selves to the electorate. Reminding that “there- will be many firsts in the years to come, ” Golwalla referred to the BPP’s trust advisory project, the marriage bureau and family counsell- administrative services, etc. Emph ­ asizing the “closer rapport with the community ” generated by the BPP’s - official publication the Quarterly Re­ view, the appointment of public rela- - — ¦ ’ t ______ . with Parsis outside Bombay through resulted the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India and the biannual 3 conferences, Golwalla told Anjuman Committee members that The electorate, was _ _ ___ _____ worried that with the the collegians that he had said then ownership flats at , , _ J, I ¦ marriage uuicitu ttiiu iaiiiiij Gibbs Road, housing ing schemes, the special coaching for for the poor was being neglected. posed entirely of impartial members tions officer Eruch Sethna, the contact -TiL- Drk«"ci«c< zAiifcirl^ firmilOn ling organizations],the move the morning of March 26, 1986 be- diverse viewpoints, including the accountability meetings. * - ------- — - . . welcome to meet us at the BPP or else- Unhappy at the rate of repairs where. ” undertaken in the Wadia bangs, Anju- / -™ „ Committee members demanded aspirant becomes lllC lllUllllllft Ui LTlUlVll . J tween representatives of bodies with they did not have to await the official j:. inrhiHinff the accountabilitv meetings; ‘ You re all ing*when all seven trustees volutarily CER, the COVP,^ZS and the AET. faced the electorate to give an account ot t rate n renai of their joint and several responsibili ­ ties. But the majority of the members man Assuring his audience that once an a trustee (he) 10 Parsiana May 19S6^^5’ *11 to yield pees g addressed by all seven trustees. were sold initially and 13 persons were on the waiting list when five parties backed out; there were five parties in ­ terested in the four luxury flats. The amount realized to date was Rs 82,56,540, with time limits stipulated to those from whom amounts were outstanding. Except for steel and ce ­ ment prices, the tender is not subject to escalation. Explaining the situation, trustee Naoroji Godrej noted that the Gibbs Road construction was “going as fast as it possibly can. ” Half the building a subcommittee had been set up, said has already come up, though it is not " ’ • finished. The other half has been de- The inactivity of the Task Force on layed as the originally planned seven flats below ground level have been re- Arnavaz S. Mama ceases to be a party man, his interest i ceases to be a particular school of Guzder. thought interest ^and becomes) the ' community ’s interest, ” Eruch Desai Housing was a source of frustration. spoke of the trustees ’ need for intro- Since the committee (which includes placed by four terrace flats, resulting spection and discretion, adding, “For BPP trustees Jamsheed Kanga and in a delay of three to four months, Godrej said. He then noted forthright ­ ly, “In today ’s context, building for the last many months, trustees have Jamshed Guzder, Ratan Dubash, a realized that public controversy is not national authority on structural en- in the interests of the community. In gineering, the Punchayet architect the poor was very difficult and would delicate matters we must sink our dif- Sam Rao, Ratan Batlivala, the chief go against the interests of the com- ferences. ” < Although speakers from the floor Research Centre, Poncha, who is were allowed only three minutes each, director of Tata Housing, civil con- some points were tellingly made, structor S.F. Engineer, Cawas Pardi- though not always within the allotted walla, managing partner of Crawford time. The opinion of the house was Bayley, solicitors, who is an expert on that leadership is what the trustees Land Ceiling Law and others of owed to the community and that it equivalent professional caliber) has “should be spontaneous, without not met since June ‘84 and the Pun- prodding from the community, ” as chayet was not availing of its abilities, said Fall Poncha, chairman of the Poncha suggested that the Task Force CER managing committee. Poncha re- be either reconvened or dissolved, ferred to two recent instances when the BPP failed to respond as akabars: Housing one was the election time inflation of The BPP’s construction plans envis- ample at Godrej Baug, off Napean Sea the F register (The CER claims that aged the creation of 1,000 new flats. Road, where living is expensive) and the sudden spurt of donor members at the prestigious Gibbs Road property the old housing should go back to the election time is tantamount to the yielding 57 ownership flats and a sur- very poor. ” buying of votes and should be discour- plus of six crore rupees for the con- Godrej ’s viewpoint was contested aged by a time-bound embargo) which struction of tenements at Godrej by Nariman Mehta of Navroze Baug could have been frozen by the trustees Baug, Bharucha Baug and Panthaki and others who felt that the provision but which was not done until the CER Baug. Changes and modifications in of housing for the lowe*^ and the lower moved the court; the second was the the Gibbs Road scheme have led to middle class should be a challenge to unseemly AET controversy where a delays in implementation elsewhere, the BPP. Trustee Homi Ranina meeting between representatives of although that is not the only reason for answered, “We are extremely anxious the main contenders was finally held the leisurely progress. The electorate, to build for the poor. To say we are under BPP chairmanship on March 26 however, was worried that with the trying to neglect the poor is absurd, because “the vigilance of community over-emphasis on the ownership flats (But there are) no surplus funds ear ­ members enforced it. ” While Poncha ’s first charge was was being neglected and with the pre- Sam Rao, Ratan Batlivala, the chief engineer (civil) of the Bhabha Atomic munity. People who can afford to > should go into the new houses (for ex- It was suggested that the names of the allottees of BPP flats be published in community newspapers. C 1 i at Gibbs Road, housing for the poor marked for construction. ” - Kersy Limathwalla of the CER, bypassed in silence, trustee Jamshed sent inflationary trends, could become noted a contradiction between Godrej Guzder congratulated Poncha and the a dream. and Raninas ’ statements. “Is the BPP CER for the idea of the joint meeting, “P and noted that there had been no re- ports, progress on housing is way be- the affluent and those of the middle criminations at the March 26 meeting, hind what hopes had been held class who can afford it? Mr Chairman, Some trustees were present and the out... housing for the poor is way be- please answer, ” he requested. decision to call the CER and other hind, ” noted Poncha. Golwalla spoke instead of the quali- groups to participate had been unani- Detailing the Gibbs Road transac- ty of construction work provided by mous. Intent on arriving at a solution, tions, the trustees noted that 56 flats Godrej and the high municipal taxes at Despite the Quarterly Review’s re- only going to build ownership flats for Detailing the Gibbs Road transac- ty of construction work provided by 11 Parsiana May 1996 I' , 4 Is .'-4 ¦ t , 1 .tj ^’1 /¦‘‘I 1 ;; /ty 1 1 l- § Ji’S ^>4 I - -¦< >9'sp ......... ma land for housing construction, i Golwalla, “You suggest what else we Godrej Bang which contributed to the — the well-known S;?2s^x"^shiftto th:;s;^;^ersper^ais^^^ Godrei Bang from older Punchayet for the lana on , tenements were t._ Taking oyer froin trustee <— missioner - the reason The salvaging of some Golwalla, BPP the 1 encouraged to J „, ~___ I C and Bombay ’s municipal cpm- well-known can do. ” . Ranina Parsi Vegetarian Society near - • ’J-1 venue informed the gathering that Gibbs Road project will be schedule shortly, but that prospec- of the flats were untortu- fast. “Once 1 i ) of the land of sion, the on ' tive buyers nately unable to pay up as we raise funds, we shall be able to start at Bharucha and Panthaki Bangs, he added. . Golwalla «rr — j provide a d Bombay ’s municipal com- g j^^ted Kanga who was Jamsheed Kanga explaine hooeful of ^receiving cabinet approval the reason for the BPP s .^cup project within the next month, tion with construction in Je elite N Anjuman Committee member G.L. nean Sea Road-Malabar Hill locality. J suggested the trustees go The land had been exempted from t e t^^use to house. “If Repairs ossibility of a stron- Urban Land Ceiling Act on the basis p contribute Holding J" repairs, ” Ranma of its use fo, housing «hf see- /o,ve the ptoblem of get departr^e^ . of repa. tionsoftheJommumty. “lfwe d.d no, "“‘‘^^, ‘0’s " construct at Godrej Bang, we vested that the names of the allottees org ’u ‘ rS7cHvitTtherrJe^^^^^ «f flats be published in eommun.ty . S which the poor were not ma "ewspapere.^^^^.^^^ obstacles mat man^ Mehm -'ej^^Xdding had position to absorb. Kanga - rpP faced' squatters were sitting -,.,1^1 in the last five years S\ttemp. to prevent acqujsmon , o the BPP faced.^q^^^j XuTi: cXuV -“^0 firs? one the land, the BPP had bu It several o of the dnveway^ a'*' ’“8^%Xard with 50 percent con- foundations there, thog , . ,¦ while the Punchayet has successfully .. . j ^i the tenants towards the ::?^a°nge^ “wSre Xv; ^hec. Aa-orlr. is_exped,tedr XcTa^'sSXX^^^ “uflXX'to f:lXth ”hc~aSns. living on Malabar Hill. refusing to move, despite al^ernati Poncha sarcastically, “It luMSXf^ Kanga assted the accommodation being provided. j\t „ear that one lato oj* ^Desai^added that the BPP was ttjing nefit of the poor. In answer to an tee member ’s query for the BPP’s preoccupa- department of repairs, Ramna ---- --- - qI a few Bombay (which stitch in time saves from the floor, Nari- ? in a building had ition to absorb. Kanga s.a u uxi»- squatters were sitting ° j e years attempt to Prevent acqu«.t.on o *\he a, Godrej Bang, holding bee" fits? one land, the BPP had bu. t severa on the ™ driveway. “'”’°“8\Xard with 50 percent con- indations there, thongi . while the Punchayet has successfully the tenants towards the K the funds to construct the entire wni very stub- tribution from t l/V/Ol t*'-'** , Malabar Hill. “There is no Committee. . „„„ 'subsidize the high rents for the be- Anjuman Commit ­ tee meiiiuci a vitax../ had tried to avail of the Andhen dokh- i a dilapi- and a second , but Golwalla said j ’ - contractor would dated building due for demolition are refusing to move, despite alternative accommodation being providea. a heartening to hear that one lawi Panthaki Bang work is pending i in five years. The the court resolves the problem wit P escalating at 20 per- P.D. Jilla (who is claiming ownershp ^nnum. ” Observing that a rights at the Bang). Some families^a^^ j^ad pleaded .... claiming the transit camp a P inability to match the 50 percent con- the BPP vided tothem. as their pe;mane ^^.bution of Ness Bang tenants towards costs, Poncha reminded tne 1 1 1. ownership co'st of repaid is escalating.^ 20 per^ month ago Neville Wadia _h_a£pleaded of Ness Bang tenants towards that ifhadJjeen “agreed to with the Charity Commis- all 72 lakh rupees (pro- the Bang). Some families are their permanent we do? ” asked tribution claiming the transit camp facility pro- abode. “What else can MRS. ARMAITY R. BAMANBEHRAM The 1 < i ’i first Parsee outstanding lady 1 Professional in ‘ VIDEO SHOOTING 1 Free Titling, Editing & h Audio-dubbing. • ciiinf>rior clarity in Colour I * < OMH*'*"''" - ------- . , f & Sound recording, with special effect, music of your choice. Superior clarity in Colour A family memory to treasure Transferring of Super- 3 and 8 mm movies to Video Tape also d^-^^ Free Demonstration cassette to Judge our For Weddings, Navjotes, I Functions Contact: Resi. Tel. No. 8226074 , Hughes Road, Bombay-400 007. No. 6, Khareghat Colony repair gathering make a case Sds'from the saie S the Jyoti Stutho property adjacent to Ness Bang) be used for repalTS Hl *6 ^81 Poncha asked if the application^ha^d able to respond positively though the matter is ----- Guzder agreed, there reason why we cannot go^ itv Commissioner <— - - we wait for five years, half of Navroz Bang Will collapse. ” Then, alluding t the government ordinance which pei mits tenants of old, badly mamtaine buildings to buy over their flats, Cu der added, “If the tenants take tl matter to court, we ’ll have lost it Golwalla however noted that ti going'rTpair'simultaneously at the t been made. But the trustees^were un- auiv itJ — r - - matter is more than a year old, an IS no earthb ___-0 to the Char and 'tell him that i VJOlwaiia uvnw. — buildings in Cusrow Bang were und< m Darcianft MdV 1966S’ fe. I c r; K Sc ?- «' i> E ¦V S' ! r' BOYS’ TOWN Public School Nasik 2 Recognised as a Public School by the Department of Education for Indian Merit Scholars, Excel ­ lent Climate — All-round Education : All Academic Subjects —^Tech ­ nical Subjects; Workshop Tech- nology. Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance, Carpentry & Farm ­ ing. Training in Self-Govemmoat through Elected Boys ’ Office bearers. Games —Physical Train ­ ing — Daily Assembly with Congregational Prayers — 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. Climate Apply to — THE MANAGING TRUSTEE p. N. MEHTA EDUCATION TRUST Cooks Building. 324 Dr. D. N. Road Bointey 400 001. 14 Parsiana May 1996 pense of the tenants. “We ’ve tolo where the rent continued to be Rs 20. them we will reimburse thean when we Parsis had once believed that if th^ can/ ’ earn from the community, they must 1 Referring to the 1986 ordinance of contribute to it, ” said Davar, but the the Maharashtra Government on old permissive attitude in schools and buildings which permits the tenants of homes was undermining the commuii- , dilapidated structures to buy over their ity ’s character, he added. “If you don ’t tenements at a price of 100 times the punish the guilty, you wrong the inno- rent, noted lawyer K.C. Vajifdar en- cent. A good deal of introspection is quired to what extent BPP properties necessary... Three full-time self- were affected by it. Noting that the supporting Parsis could change the BPP properties are buildings between face of the community. ” 60 and 80 years old, Vajifdar warned Kathawala noted that since 1981 a that it was absolutely essential that a non-Parsi family has been occupying a strong repair fund be collected, so that flat in Navroze Baug. The matter had the housing stock is well preserved. been reported to the secretary of the . It was stated that the BPP had Wadia Trust. Kathawala enquired if sought exemption from the purview of anything had been done in the matter, the ordinance but Kanga noted that if Golwalla replied that a suit had been the government were to exempt public filed against them and .the Punchayet : trusts from the application of the ordi- had tried to offer therri accommoda- nance, it would place such tenants in a tion outside the colony, but could re ­ better situation as opposed to other port nothing positive. tenants. Kanga noted that a discussion Noting that trustees, like company with the housing secretary was in prog- directors, never have an in-depth ress and the next session of the legisla- knowledge of what is happening (com- ture may bring amendments. Or peo- panics employ consultants the BPP pie may go to court and the ordinance does not) and^hat the people who do may be struck down. the day-to-day work have not earned i respect, Guzder stated that'the trus- l£thics tees have decided to wipe the slate The declining moral standards of some clean. “The whole concept of manage- of the beneficiaries of the Parsi trusts ment (of the bangs) will change. (We ’ was a matter of frustration for the Pun- must) ask the Task Force to ruminate chayet. Individuals tended to stall over the managerial problems at the schemes meant for the community for Wadia bangs. ” seemingly selfish and unjust reasons. Although the Anjuman Committee There were trespassers in the various had been invited after a lapse of four colonies against whom suits were years, the poor attendance was a pending for 10 to 15 years. Once poor source of disappointment to the families who had reached levels of trustees- Dr Aspi Golwalla, Eruch affluence, continued to enjoy the be- Desai, Maneck Hodiwalla, Jamsheed nefits of subsidized housing- “the Kanga, Homi Ranina, Naoroji Godrej most absurd thing, ” noted Pesi Davar and Jamshed Guzder — who noted that speaking from the floor of the house, long weekends and Sunday mornings “People in Balaram Street, earning Rs were best avoided when setting the 3,000 and more, were staying in flats date for such a meeting in future. been reported to the secretary of the ; ,.4’ Required for the Sardar Dastur Hoshang Boys’ High School Hostel at Poona, a permanent House Master and a Matron with free Boarding and Lodging. Pay in accordance with the experience, qualification. Indicate remuneration expected. Preference will be given to a couple. Apply to the President, Sardar Dastur Schools 3 Moledina Road, Poona-41 1001'¦i , 0WK r A 4^ ¦ -.;r’’v'* if' 4 -! The elusive medals Scholars question the delay in the award of the BPPs two gold medals Arnavaz S.Mama Avesta-Pahlavi scholars, few as they are, to collect and you are made to give half a Dadar Madressa, Karanjia has decided i have always enjoyed a special niche dozen specimen signatures. The silly to dedicate his life to the institution, even | among the intellectual elite of the thing called a prize (amounts to) Rs 13. as Panthaki has done. Mirza, on his part, | community. An even smaller group You are supposed to buy a book and give expects to groom Karanjia to take on the i comprises the gold medalists —those them the voucher. What book can you principalship of the J.J. Madressa as who ’ve stood first at the Bombay get for Rs 13? University ’s BA and MA examinations in A vesta-Pahlavi^ thereby claiming —and Punchayet ’s list of books and I was told receiving —^the Sanjana and Parekh gold ‘We ’ll have to find it in the godown — medals respectively. .Joining that select come next week. ’They then said that the band this year are Ms Amavaz Chubb money goes to the author, so there ’s no well. If, in the years to come, Karanjia indeed becomes principal of the Dadar Madressa and the J.J. Madressa simultaneously, it might be one of the , Below: and Ervad Ramiyar Karanjia. But bill, so you can ’t have this book. The (Left) Rooyintan Peer:claimed gold medals Chubb and Karanjia soon discovered that qualifying for a prize does not mean receiving it. Dastur Dr Hormazdyar Mirza, principal of the Sir J.J. Madressa, the students ’ alma mater, is said to have written three letters to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), inlbrming the august body of Chubb ’s and Karanjia ’s claim to the Parekh and Sanjana gold medals awarded by the BPP, without evoking a response.* Initially unmindful of the delay, the duo ’s youthlul enthusiasm propelled them into a few personal trips to the Punchayet ’s office. The information filtered through that the BPP was considering three options —a token reward of Rs 100, a gold plated medal or a silver medal. None of the options appealed to the winners. With each visit to the Punchayet, their frustration mounted and revived earlier memories. “Going to the Punchayet to collect scholarships is one of the most degrading and disagreeable experiences of my life , noted Chubb (nee Patel), an ’ Parsiana the results had been declared in June- hand who forsook journalism in 1981 to July. ” learn Persian, Pazend, Pahlavi and Avesta, graduating as Bachelor of Arts from Bombay University with a first class Boarding Madressa, Dadar, who has ‘Fonunately I found one from the «i tamasha took two hours and the whole (Right) Dadar Athornan Boarding morning was wasted... I got my Madressa scholarship almost in Etecember, while (Photo: Homy ar Mistry) i ' Si'-'* "iiiiKulaa fv fs, aL. rw ii. ir *« WB. I ••¦1 very rare instances of a single principal for school and college level institutions. There can be no doubt that the arrival Karanjia is one of the finest representatives of the Athornan of such committed young people put new j 2__ Z Z J ~ ' ¦ i heart into the two high priests, Mirza and I in 1983 and as Master of Arts in 1985. A been waking away with virtually every Dastur Dr Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa —a ¦ soft-spoken, hardworking idealist, trophy since 1978, and topped the merit closely knit team of professors at the J.J. Chubb related an earlier encounter when list at St Xavier ’s College at the BA level. Madressa, grooming their young charges she had won a prize at the BA level (the The son of Parvez Karanjia, the only with transparent dedication. Though the gold medal for the. BA is restricted to mobed tending the Narielwalla Agiary two priests maintained their traditional ordained priests only). A letter from the fire in Broach, Gujarat, “Ramiyar reserve, they shared the frustration of BPP had invited her to call at the office to (Karanjia) is a particularly bright student their wards. Questioned on their collect it. A visit to the Punchayet was i enough to undermine the joy of job in the secular world, attests Mirza, achievement. But, inspired as he is by his mentor, ‘Tt tak es ynii a minimum of two hours Ervad Rustom Panthaki, principal of the Madressa’s Centenary Volume, publi- mobed tending the Narielwalla Agiary two priests maintained their traditional ordained priests only). A letter from the fire in Broach, Gujarat, in recent years, ” who could aspire to any response to the Punchayet ’s long silence, ... their only answer was an ironic chuckle! Shapur Desai ’s preface to the Sir J J. “1 16 Parsiana May 1986 j Lss. 1- ? h f . I ( V' I ^4'" if SISa ‘**3 The medals are not presented every yeanbut only whenZoroastrian scholars of merit can claim them. from the Punchayet announced that he was awarded a medal —“There was no was prohibitive. Then it was found that mention of 'the word ‘gold, ’'” says Peer. 3^ shed in 1961, notes that the last awardee from the Punchayet announced that he “At first (the Punchayet) said the cost of the Parekh medal was the late revered was awarded a medal —“There was no was prohibitive. Then it was found that, Dastur Khurshed Dabu, High Priest ol mention of the word ‘gold, ’’” says Peer, interest had accumulated heavily, so the Wadia Atash Bahram- Enquiries Being away from Bombay at the time, there were enough funds. Once the' S revealed that the community ’s three the letter was read by Rooyintan ’s people at the top were consulted, there scholar priests, Mirza, Jamasp Asa and father DrPeshotan Peer who was aware was no problem. Within a couple of' 4 Dastur Dr Firoze Kotwal did not of the existence of the Sanjana gold months Dr Golwalla called me to the, receive the medals. Mirza and Jamasp- Asa confirmed, “Unfortunately, we were not aware of the medals, though we used to get scholarships. ” The forgotten medals shot back into scholastic conscipusness when Dr Rooyintan Peer completed his gradua ­ tion, standing first at the University ’in Avesta-Pahlavi in 1973 and a letter Rooyintan Peer. medal. Peer Sr “went to the Punchayet, office and presented the medal, asked the clerk in charge, met the Commander Nariman Vatcha was joint trustees... The last winner was Dr secretary at thattime, ” Peer added. Peshotan Anklesaria in 1953, subsequent- Peer noted that he was “quite elated ”at ly principal of the Cama Athornan receiving the medal —and subsequently Madressa in Andheri. After him Jamasp- the Parekh gold medal for the MA aba Asa, Kotwal etc. had (qualified) but Peer, who was St Xanwr ’s top student at were not given (the medal), ” noted the MA exam in 1975 lidmitted that he — cimtinued on page 37 ’I 17 Parsiana May 1986 I rifiip-¦ ii- ^gX^; w Gome October, the Anjuman Cd^n^t- representing approximately 3,500 'J Dnmtn "DzkzkMn ...111 1. _ .1__ x!_ _ ? ¦ S S It sW' 4 Parsis of Poona will be electing a new board of trustees to the Poona Parsee Panchayat. Unlike as in Bombay, where elections take place when an in ­ dividual trustee ’s term expires, Poona Parsis will have to elect an entirely new board of seven trustees. The present trustees of the Poona Parsee Panchayat (PPP) are: Marzban Kaikobad (president), Dinshaw Ankle ­ saria, Ms Tehmi Grant, Minoo Irani, Kersasp Irani, Minoo Dinshaw and Dr Rusi Marolia. Though not trustees, Homi Udachia and Rustom Dubash render honorwy service to the PPP as secretary and* treasurer respectively. The electioneering and selection of candidates etc is still to begin. . The PPP was conceived in 1951 in the clinic of Dr Edulji Coyajee, ares- IS ¦i ¦ in o 5 eB' & •s a- *•* rf! In trust for Poona Parsis Poona s Parsi population has incraasod and so have the problems ' of the Poona Parsee Panchayat. pected r^ident of Poona. When Coya- religious, economic, educational and other purposes. However, due to lack of coordination amongst them, the desired results were not obtained. In order to overcome these difficulties. * « .J ‘x jee was having discussions on commu ­ nity matters with some other Parsis — Aspandyad Jassawala, Rustom Patell, Maneck Mody, Ardeshir Sethna, Rus- ________ _________^„.xxvo tom Irani and Maneck Anklesaria ~ some members of the community they deliberated on the possibility of decided to establish (the PPP) and a forming a central administrative body meeting of the anjuman was according- for the Parsis, explained former PPP ly held on February 25, 1951 in the trustee Ms I^mai Pudumjee. Petit Hall and in that meeting it was (When Union Minister for Informa- unanimously decided to frame a consti- presided over a social function organiz- ... ---------------- ---- ----VVUllUUlU they deliberated on the possibility of decided to establish (the PPP) and for the Parsis, explained former PPP ly held"' on Februar725 ””19517n *t*he Petit Hall and in that meeting it i I tion and Broadcasting, V.N. Gadgil tution for the Parsis of Poona. ” presided over a social function organiz- The constitution of the PPP is pal ­ ed by the PPP on February 22, 1986 to terned on that of the Bombay Parsi greet delegates of the Federation of Punchayet, with some slight modifica- I Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India tions, explained Pervez Avari, indus- (who had assembled in Poona for their trial engineer at TELCO, who takes an two-day deliberations), he remembered active interest in the affairs of the Dr Coyajee ’s selfless service. As a very PPP. The seven trustees of the PPP are sickchild hewas treated byCoyajee who, <’ realizing the family ’s financial difficul- comprising a fixed representation of ties (Gadgil ’s father was then a politi- four registers, plus the Donors ’ Regis- cal prisoner), immediately condoned ter whose members having paid Rs his usual fees.] 5,000 and over are all represented on Until 1951, “no common institution the Anjuman Committee. The four existed to voice the combined needs for registers include Register A comprising the community ’s welfare, ” notes an those who have donated Rs 1,000 and official press release from the PPP. over, with a representation of 15 seats; “There were 25 or more institutions Register B with a representation of 15 under independent management for seats includes those who have paid life 18 Parsiana May 1996 Parinaz Toddywatla » „E . r t5 membership dues of Rs 300 or have Committee donated Rs 100 and pay annual dues of -- " Rs 8; Register C with a representation of 20 seats, comprises members who pay annual dues of Rs 15; and Register D with 25 seats on the Anjuman Com ­ mittee includes members who pay an annual subscription of Rs 5. The PPP has also devised a system of annual rotation of its presidents such that each of the seven trustees on the board can avail of a chance of ¦<>^ i LI headiing the body of 'dokhmas and two bunglis. The dokh ding to some crlt^ IW $ysWrS^^n^OT*^Mieration from his teammates. created “ego problems* ’ prevwiting the When certain present and past trus- mas, facing each other on opposite hillocks, i trust board <^h!Oin functioning as a tees of the PPP were asked to highlight depending on the renovations and team. The allegation is that every new the main achievements during their cleaning operations necessitated. His- tenure, each of them referred to the tory has it that the second dokhma was donations made and received from the built by the Pudumjees who were de ­ ll PPP funds, earmarked for particu- barred after a family rivalry with the lar objectives; to the four ghambars Patels (the other most important fami- held every year; and to a survey of the ly in those days) from entering the lat- Poona Par sis conducted in mid 1984. ter ’s dokhma. Of the two ravan-ni In addition to the General Fund bunglis, the one on Dastur Meher —-—------ —I Road, being in the heart of the city, is found more convenient for use. The I Kayani Bungli, donated by the family to the Parsi community, has a pictures ­ que setting, built atop the hillock I within a permitted distance from the I dokhma. Though the Bungli is well- I furnished with two bedrooms, a hall ' I and a kitchen, and a permanent care- I taker residing there, the Bungli was I apparently in disuse, if the calendar on I the wall was any indication to go by. I Except for certain ceremonies like the I Farvardin roj, Farvardin mah jashan I which are performed at the Kayani * Bungli, at most other times, peopfc are ;; reluctant to go otft of the way despite . ' ' I PPP trustee Dinshaw Anklesaria, aV I ways providing them bus service free of " I cost. ’ There are no full-time Hhandhias in which has a corpus of over five lakh Poona. Whilst continuing with their rupees, some of the other funds within regular jobs, when summoned, the H the ambit of the PPP are: Anaj Fund, khandhias also look after the post- ' H Education Fund, Medical Relief Fund, death rites, though the PPP only pays H and the Zoroastrian Residential Build- them a nominal monthly stipend. The m ing Fund. The book value of the assets PPP however holds the strings to seve- |U of the PPP are in the region of Rs 22 ral funds — Nassessalar Fund, ¦ lakhs, informs Dubash, arid are mainly Dokhma Fund, Doongerwadi Kat hi ¦ invested in fixed deposits. Fund, Rawanni Bungli Maintenance ' ¦ Among the main assets of the PPP Fund (D.M. Road), Matador Hearse H are the 44 acres of open land adjacent Repairs/Replacement Fund, Late Rus- ¦ to the Doongerwa^ at Lullanagar, tom N. Kayani Building and Hall ¦ gifted by the late Aspandiar Irani in Maintenance (Nibhav^ Fund — which ¦ 1953. The original trust deed provided are expended on deserving causes, ¦ for a sale of eight acres from the total notes the annual report of the PPP. H 44, with a condition that the proceeds All the three agiarjes in Poona are " B be utilized for the construction of a within walking distance of each other, bungli and/or tenements for the poor though the narrow lanes and the con- on the remaining 36-acre area. But gestion of the neighborhood make the with the controversy surrounding the journey appear longer. The Patel, sale of eight acres remaining unsolved Agiary under the supervision of Dastur till today, there is no progress on the Hormazdiar Noshirwan Dastur, high construction front, except for a half priest of Poona and the Deccan, has a completed gate allegedly built by a select clientele. In the cantonment area non-Parsi encroacher who was attemp- is the Sir J. J. Agiary whose adjacent ting to obstruct the only motorable open lands make it an ideal venue for road leading to the dokhma. Parsi weddings, navjotes smd gham- Though on an average there are only bars. (Ghambtu's, be they exclusively 60 funerals a year in Poona. ' w r :U B ; /I i'-T , k T-', '-'¦I t > •^1 iiJ fO ¦ J'‘1 ¦ i kp P> when free meals are served to aWW ^ Wrs-of ’age wfole 25'percent were over youngsters help as volunteers during pT a^aa&)On such occasions, the cater- €0, The occupational break-up indicat- important community meets, besides r ing is always the prerogative of Maraz- ed that 43.09 percent were in «rvice, planning their own ^r^s like E ban Dorabjee In the heart of the city is 19.69 in business, 10.41 professionals camps, get-togethers and Other social the Nanapet^^iary, also known as the and 26.81 retired. According to the welfare activities. , „ . ' Gaam-ni *Weiarv or the Anjuman-ni 1984 survey findings, compared to In the field of education, Parsis have females, males are better educated in made a substantial contribution in Poona. Though not many Parsis avail inan, ¦„ ru„n« .. ..u -------- ------- -------------- - ------------- of ^ucational instruction offer^ f50 percent of whom are said to be dering useful services to the Zoroas- at the Sardar Dastur Schools and the perc«t • 1 On such occasions, the cater- 60, The occupational break-up indicat- ..................... - ed that 43.09 percent were in service. s the Nanapet^iary, also known as the and 26.81 retired. According to the welfare activities. Gaam-ni Agiary or the Anjuman-ni Agiary. Pr^^ntly the strength of the Zoroas- all categories of higher educadon. trians in Poona is estimated to be 3,500 / 1984 survey findings, compared to Among the various associations ren- < ? !• trians of Poona is the Poona Zarthosti J.N. Petit Technical High School at 1 Poona, these two institutions will soon be celebrating their centenary. Under the banner of Sardar Dastur Schools, 1*1 having a strength of 2,500 students, are the Sardar Dastur Nosherwan Girls ’ 1 High School, Sardar Dastur Hoshang Boys ’ High School and Sardar Dastur Nursery and Primary Schools, with, separate hostel facilities for boys and girls. Beginning as a Parsi orphanage, I the J.N. Petit Technical High School I now has 1,140 students on its roll in- I eluding 144 boarders who are attracted I to the school for its technical instruc ­ tion imparted in the form of engineer- 1940 and continues to organize jumble ing science, workshop technology and sales and disburse amounts from the machine drawing. Located in a select uutvu IV L..V ...... _ _________ Grain Fund and the Education and area of Poona,Mhe school has two well- other areas. According to Ms Freny Medical Aid Fund. The Poona Medical endowed playgrounds occupying an the 1984 survey of Parsis in Poona, 40 Clinic founded in 1959, has a majority C Iranis) while at the time of the forma ­ tion of the PPP in 1951 it was estimat- ff'- V Seva Mandal which was established in ¦'I J ¦i t r?* t' « 1 t’ • .¦'i^ 1#- ¦¦->! ‘ •J S* Dokhma at Lullanagar ed at 1,500. To a certain extent, the in ­ crease in the number of Parsis is attri ­ buted to the influx from Africa and Wadia who worked on^the findings of Foundation which runs the Ruby Hall area of 16 acres. . the 1984 survey of Parsis in Poona, 40 Clinic founded in 1959, has a majority The founding members of the N^tio- percent had an income of over Rs 2,000 of Parsis on its trust board, chaired by nal Model High School, B. J. Medical per month and at the other end 6.13 Dr K.B. Grant. The Athornan Aid College, Ness Wadia College of Com- percent had an average income of less Trust, Poona, is the renamed version merce, Nowrojee Wadia College _ot per month and at the other end 6.13 of the Poona Mobeds ’Fund established Arts, and Cusrow Wadia Technical In ­ in 1966 to give monetary, physical and stitute belonged to such eminent Parsi moral assistance to mobeds and their families as Jeejeebhoy, Wadia, Petit, ..V e —K. families. There is also the F.B. Boy- Nagarvala and Dastoor. There are six being 3.21. A total of 197 wala Kamdar Welfare Fund started in Parsi professors today commanding a than Rs 500 per month. The size of the households varied from 1.98 persons in the lowest income group to 3.36 per ­ sons in the highest income group, the hou^olds* replied* in the affirmative Poona in 1982 to improve the condi- lot of respect at the Symbiosis Law when asked “Are you in need of resi ­ dential accommodation? ” ’____ wrote in her report, “A number of households were in dire need of accom ­ modation as they were living in ser ­ vants ’ quarters of old houses, stables - ------------ . ,, and garages. There were families living Zoroastrian Youth Association. The lies before us. tions of workers at the agiaries^Towers College, Ranade Institute, Wadia Col ­ lege and B. J. Medical College. But not content to rest on past lau ­ rels, president Kaikobad feels/ ’ What is most parallel objectives: Zoroastrian important is not what lies behind us. Wadia of Silence and rawan-ni bunglies. There are two Zoroastrian youth associations in Poona working on al- Association of Poona and the United which is minor as compared to what in a dharamshala and lodges in the city who had been unable to obtain accom ­ modation within their income limits. ” While 40 percent of the respondents owned bungalows or flats, 56.86 per ­ cent lived in rented accommodation. The population of females outnum ­ bered males in Poona by nearly two percent in 1984. The survey results in ­ dicate that less than 38 percent of the 1 ' female population belonged to the pro- creative age-group 16 to 45 and nearly 80 percent of the females in the age- group 16 to 25 were single. Less than 16 percent of the Parsis were below 15 21 Parsiana May i986 "41 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 ¦TT IBa ¦r— l- ^¦w' - 1 INSTITUTIONS 7 I New site for an old bite Operating from its new premises off Hughes Road, the Patuck Institute awaits better patronage. Parinaz Toddywalkj “Enter Khareghat Colony via the green middle class Parsis in the Grant Road based on the principle ‘From each ac- gate. Then turn left and after walking locality. cording to his capacity to each accord ­ past a few garages you ’ll find our The newly constructed structure, ing to his needs. ’On the confectionery stall. ’’ Though thf directions given by which houses the main outlet and cen- side, the ladies work in subgroups Ms Aloo Colah, managing trustee of tral kitchen, has a utilitarian appear- depending on their aptitude, the day ’s the R.H. Patuck Institute were explicit, ance. The whitewashed walls, the menu and the ingredients that have to one could rely on one ’s nose to lead ladies at work in their green checked be planned a day or week in advance, one to the place. The signboard, a little uniforms, the goodies on display at the A cyclostyled version of the menu for off the entrance to Khareghat Colony counter, and the godown where the the month, hung on the wall within on Hughes Road,was an indication that large weighing scales precisely monitor easy access of all, regulates the routine Patuck ’s had acquired a new abode the raw materials at the time of pur- of the workers. While some were busy after years of catering to the palates of chase and consumption were a remin- kneading the bhakhra dough, others der of Colah ’s words, “The Institute is were absorbed in the mango khajas, running for our workers who can ’t find yet another group was preoccupied employment elsewhere. They put in with the jam puffs,^ome older workers their best efforts knowing that what- were seeding the dates for future use ever profits accrue to the Institute is in and on the central table, people were their own interest, as they are the ulti- rolling patrels. mate beneficiaries. ’’ All the eats are prepared at the cen- The division of labor and benefits is tral kitchen at Khareghat Colony, By Left and far below: Patuck’s new premises reached via the Khareghat Colony entrance Below: Patuck’s central kitchen (Photos: Homy ar Mistry) u. .. r ¦i. HH * *’*¦?*& I, ¦ £ '¦i .c *4»'^ >- < * ¦ * ~i- ' Z- ,1 1 .Z^’l ' .A '^;/i 'd > 9.30 in the morning, the first taxi is loaded with the food stuff to be carried to the two other outlets — a rented shop in the Grant Road Station build ­ ing, opposite the New Alice Bakery, - ‘iff - ! ¦fa ' '‘rt!* ';f L ms ¦ ***^ r! ¦ ¦ I ISEe*''™’ T ¦ ¦ h' < :'innr V. i . Hl 11 ¦tj w fl o ^N > Hl W Ijp Ky bf 5 wm 1 «¦ / flx E sj 5 2®**^ Wf ..W.‘’w: w<« II •**' Since our shop is off Hughes Road, we find that people don't just drop by... 9 t i*^,**.’ i. I^l^l< 1 and their premises on the junction of though our rates are very reasonable, workers to prepare the confectionery Hamam Street and Meadows Street, people don ’t just drop by unless they items and to service our stalls. “All our workers are well looked after and their basic needs and pro- people don ’t just drop by unless they items and to service our stalls. By 12 noon, meals reach different want something specific. Our speciali ­ st alls, where they are kept warm in ties are patrel, dar ni pori, bhakhras, bain-maries (stainless steel double boi- chicken crust patties, and mutton cut- blems are given sympathetic considera- lers). Sending luncheon boxes has lets, judging from the demand. ’’Colah tion by the management. We never proved quite convenient for customers admitted that after the initial trans- have any problem of leftover food be- and quite rewarding for the Institute plantation shock, their sales are now cause workers may take the excess food because by 1 pm the stock at Hughes picking up. home, along with their meals for the Road is exhausted and by 3 pm, the of- The shift from the Sleater Road pre- night, ’’ informed Colah. ficegoers in the Fort area have refuell- mises was necessitated on March 5, At her residence, Colah was studying ed their bellies. “To avoid disappoint- 1986 because “way back in 1968 we the Institute ’s menu for the month ment, clients should place their meal had been requested to surrender our when Parsiana called on her on April orders in advance, ’’ advises Colah. rented premises. . .the Municipality 18, 1986. She recalled how in 1963-64, “We also send very good household needed the space for a municipal when they were planning to close down meals, ’’ informed Colah. “In our market. In 1968 when we approached the Institute because of its heavy Below and right: Employees working on different specialities rented premises. . .the Municipality 18, 1986. She recalled how in 1963-64, ¦ 1 ’'T 4. < P ggWi 1 i fe. i’s’% Lady Hirabai Cowasjee Jehangir, then losses, she decided to try her hand at it. chairperson of the Bombay Parsi Pun- Her previous experience as honorary chayet (BPP) for an alternative site, supervisor of the confectionery depart- she showed me this (Khareghat Colo- ment at the Ratan Tata Institute enabl- ny) place. We ’ve had to spend a consi- ed Colah to raise the turnover of the derable amount on these new premises. Institute from Rs 20,000 a month to Rs By forming a fund raising committee 1,20,000 a month. “We try to make it under the chairmanship of Lady Jerbai self-supporting, ’’ she added humbly, Mody, we collected Rs 1,10,000. We giving credit to the advice of her also appealed to other trusts like the friends, especially Zal Contractor of Sorabjee Behramjee Bhabha Charities, the Committee for Economic Revival the A.H. Wadia Charities and M.N. (CER). Wadia Charities who gave us substan- The Institute was started by her tial donations ... For the new place mother-in-law ’s kaka, Rustomba H. we ’ll be paying a very nominal lease on Patuck in 1939, after whom her a yearly basis, the agreement of which mother-in-law ’s sister Dinbai Patuck has yet to be finalized with the (BPP),’’ continued to run the show till 1963-64. The institute is running for our workers who can't find employment elsewhere. Presently on the trust board are Jehan- goo S. Khambatta, Ms Vahbiz H. Shroff and Colah who is managing trustee. Though the procuring of several li­ cences and the various other teething problems arising from the shift seem to have tired Cplah (who had to give up her Time and Talents activities and her passion for bridge), after a few months she plans to start renovation work on the mezzanine floor of their shop at Meadows Street, to maximize returns there. Presently Colah is caught in a cross- The Institute was started by her 11 t / 4 ij 'iJK I' J? h- regular meals, which cost just Rs 450 said Colah who was very appreciative per month, we send two dishes in the of the “unstinted support ’’of the BPP current, unsure whether to increase afternoon and two dishes at night. We trustees, especially chairman Dr Aspi production at Patuck ’s in view of in- also give a la carte service where the Golwalla. consistent demand, yet unhappy to rates would vary each day, depending on what you order. - “Out of a total workforce of 48, 30 turn away customers when the eats are are Parsis. While the confectionery sold out. If more Parsis on their way “Sixteen items are cooked on a regu- section is looked after exclusively by home from work, would drop by the lar basis every day. In addition we of- the ladies, the general cooking section Hughes Road stall (which is open until fer a choice of four to five items on the is manned by males and supervised by 7 pm) instead of waiting on that very confectionery side, and a variety of six women. At the managerial level are road for the signals to turn green, to seven cooked dishes daily. Since our those who have retired from more re- Colah feels her dilemma would be shop is off Hughes Road we find that munerative services. We do need Parsi resolved. 25 Parsiana May 1986 1i ¦* . .--R Tl ¦¦Li« !<' pf BOOKS •i>~ rJ s Resuscitating ady(e)ing art Nelly Sethna writes about Kalamkari,an art form she revived. Homi J. Rogers vide the layman with the nitty-gritty of the labor undertaken by her to bring about this revival. Today, the work units at Masulipatnam are flooded with much more demand than they can cope with, and the exquisite designs meet with the approval of a variety of tastes and aesthetic sensibilities, as a result of Sethna ’s contribution. Yet — contrary to the promise in Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay ’s foreword — “the fascinating tale of how she (Sethna) quickened every line, made every curve pulsate with a new life, regularly observed the Indian collec- without mutilating the exquisite beauty tion while working on her thesis at the of the basic design ” remains untold. Victoria and Albert Museum in Lon- Kalamkari by Nelly H. Sethna. Illustrations by enraptured by kalamkari when she Roshan Mullan. Published by Mapin Interna­ tional Inc, New York, USA, 1985. Pp: 94. Fully illustrated. Price; Rs 195 . . _ 5 Victoria and Albert Museum in Lon- Primarily, however, the book is a Kalamkari, to indulge in a pun, is a don, got actively involved with the visual monograph, and the textiles ' *i dy(e)ing art. A conglomeration of two craff after her visit to Masulipatnam have been reproduced in their true col- Persian words, kalam meaning “pen, ” around 1970. She was saddened by ors, reflecting the mellowness of the and kari meaning “work, ” kalamkari, what she saw: the workers had lost the vegetable dyes. The credit for this ex- literally pen-work, is the craft of pain- imagination or will to create something cellent reproduction goes to Roshan ting (and in later years, printing) on new from their ancient tradition. The Mullan, who has been with Sethna fabrics, with a brush-like pen, shaped art was static. Armed with the Homi since 1969, and worked for over the and pointed at the end to form a nib, Bhabha Fellowship (awarded to her in last 15 years on the loom, weaving wall with a compact ball of hair above to 1972), Sethna set out to rejuvenate the hangings, floor coverings, tapestries . store the liquid dye. industry , or should we say, the art. She and upholsteries. 4 For centuries together, kalamkari worked closely with the crafts people in With visuals that speak with the flourished as a form of Visual art in In- both centers of Andhra Pradesh (Kala- barest of commer^ary, Kalamkari is an ’.W dia, both decorative and functional, hasti and Masulipatnam), and slowly excellent book for craftspeople an d Fragments of dyed cloth have been but surely transformed some of the designers. It is however, partly because "W found at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, jaded and weary fabrics. She searched of its limited contents, by way of text and trade is indicated with Egypt and for more contemporary layouts. She and more, because of its steep price (Rs Greece, from fragments unearthed unearthed many old blocks which had 195) that Kalamkari serves more as a there. The art, however, reached its fallen into disuse. She removed the jar- coffee-table book than a volume giving zenith under the Mughals in India who ring contrast between the shocking information of an ancient Indian tradi- commissioned these paintings as tent white background and colored motifs, tion and its resurrection to suit hangings, or more specifically, for the She brought borders, earlier in the modern times, decoration of screens which were used sidelight, into focus by forming the to surround the tents and give privacy main motif. And thus she fused the an- to the occupants. It was the Mughals cient with the contemporary to pro- too, who gave the art its present name, duce eye arresting designs. With the advent of the Industrial In Kalamkari, published by Mapin Revolution, however, the trade link International (a new publication house with Europe was broken. Demand founded by A/alavika Sarabhai and her ceased drastically, and by the early husband Bip/zi Shah) under their series years of the present century, kalamkari of books on Living Traditions of In- had slumped. The craftsmen moved on dia, Nelly Sethna traces the develop- to other occupations to keep their hear- ment of kalamkari and the art as prac- ths burning. At Kalahasti, one of the ticed in the towns of Andhra Pradesh, main centers of kalamkari from early Unfortunately, however, the text is times, only five families continued to very sketchy, and Sethna, with ha- have at least one member practicing the characteristic modesty does not pro ­ craft. And in Masulipatnam, whose hand painted cloth was popular in A craftsman absorbed in an intricate design. , ¦ Greece even before the time of Christ, “craftsmen ’s houses lay silent with piles of unused block's covered in dust and cobwebs. ” To Nelly Sethna goes the credit of j sweeping off the cobwebs, revitalizing 5 the ancient art, and creating a consis- ? tent demand for it. Sethna, who was Persian words, kalam meaning “pen. 2T Parsiana May 1906 h , f; 7' ^44 i'L gi'*" Si 1 rt '6 ff L. I- Vft ’: /Jh • 'W 'i’' '.•i. ' 'S’*''*'*A > BOOKS s. [- A rich fare A comprehensive booklet incorporating varied views on Zoroastrianism. sees the burning wood with its dark core. It is the great law of polarity: the dark mixed with the bright, the evil mixed with the good... JamaspAsa assuredly puts to rest the much misquoted and misunderstood fact that Parsis are fire-worshippers. Yet another important contribution by different,yet vital aspects of our religion a priest included in this work is by Ervad have been comprehensively dealt with in P this little book. Ervad M.F. Kanga has written on the who writes on the white hair of the M T^' J Zoroastrianism: Religion of Good Thought, Good fVord, Good Deed edited by Dr Vishwanath Pandey, S-A 16, Bangur Nagar, Goregaon West, . Bombay 400090. Pp: 68. Price: Rs 20. Frequently, misgivings are expressed by sacred scriptures of the Zoroastrians. A varasiaji (albino bull) and its significance . the laity in apr community about the ' ' ' ' * ’ ' ’ erudition of our priestly class. Doubts are raised regarding the education of the coming generation in religious matters. While the method of oral training has Rustom N. Panthaki, principal of the Athoman Boarding Madressa, Dadar, 4 j > "t gist of the prayers said when performing in Zoroastrianism. The article imbibes the Ijashni, and the Vendidad (“it is the within its framework Panthaki ’s deep Leveticus of the Parsis ”) are provided, knowledge of our rites and rituals — not Further, these and other prayers, just their practice, but also their including the Gathas, are dated on the z become practically extinct, and the basis of their linguistic evidence and coming generation may not receive their contents, education — particularly on the T_ .. Zoroastrian faith — from the mouths of Head Priest of the Faslis, and Dastur interpretation that jashan comes from their priests and elders, a very welcome trend has been ushered in, of preserving for posterity the wisdom of the scholars, , „ and particularly the athravans, by freshness of approach to this much derived from meaning ‘new ’ and. jote persuading or commissioning them to discussed theme, especially in the ‘officiating priest, ’could be-disputed. write essays and books on different Minochehr-Homji ’s article. Two other very interesting — and aspects of the religion. The twenty-first century -'Zoroastrian, in the absence of a guru, can refer to books published, especially during the past five years, like A catechism of Zoroastrianism by Dastur Kotwal and James Boyd, or the Parsi Punchayet commissioned three-part treatise by Ervad Ratanshah Motafram, to quote just two. To the category of the above two works, add Zoroastrianism, a slim (68pp) volume edited and published by Dr Vishwanath Pandey. The fountainhead for this work may seem bewildering, but Dr Pandey, who has been publishing The Orient, a respected quarterly journal on the arts, philosophy and religion, had dedicated a special issue on Zoroastria ­ nism, which, “although a comparatively . less(er) known religion is very important Nariman is more scholarly in his paladin was. Similarly, the wing^ bulls, trom many points of view. ” He approach, and draws parallels to the guarding the entrance at many agiaries, is commissioned leading dasturs and priests Vedic traditions of fire (Agni worship), not a visual aid borrowed from the to write for this special number. The hard JamaspAsa breaks equally new grdund Assyrians to add impact to temple cover edition of the magazine is now, with his interpretation of fire as a architecture, or a figure of worship " f representing the animal kingdom, but the “What symbol is there of truth and virtue Kehrpa of Bahman Ameshaspand philosophy, and the science behind them. Ervad Parvez Bajan describes some important Parsi ceremonies like the DasturNowroozD. Minochehr-Homji, jashan and navjote. However, his Hormazdyar Mirza have contributed the Persian word chash — to taste, to eat pieces on the Zoroastrian way of life, — from the fact that all jashans end in a quoting from the scriptures. There is a kind of comtnunion, and nayjote is discussed theme, especially in the ‘officiating priest, ’could be-disputed. Minochehr-Homji ’s article. Faribourz Nariman and Dastur K.M. controversial — articles complete this JamaspAsa have written on fire. While handbook. Dr Homi E. Eduljee wntes on J _ ___________________ __________ the date of Zoroaster, a subject to which 'fl ¦ ¦ ...........1__________________________ 1____Jnru-. An important strain that runs through the book is the similarity between the Vedic philosophies and practices, and Zoroastrianism. he has devoted much study. The article convincingly demolishes the commonly held belief that Zoroaster preached over 8,000 years ago, and places the date of the Prophet as around 1,700 to 1,400 B.C. The other article is by Adi Doctor, who with the knowledge of Ilm-e-Kshnoom, as propounded mainly by Dr Framroze S. Chiniwala, puts forth the contention that the winged human figure to be found even today on the facades of Parsi fire ­ temples is neither representation of Ahura Mazda, nor a Farohar, as commonly referred to, but the Kehrpa (pious thoughts) of a spiritually elevated person, which the ancient Iranian king or h available in a no-frills, typewritten-offset religious symbol: book incorporating many Sanskrit and , _ Pahlavi words, characters and diacritical higher than light, the aspect and (Gopat Shah), as symbolically described marks, companion of fire?The beams (of fire) are in the Mino Kherad. Gopat Shah, in What distinguishes Zoroastrianism never in straight lines, but always curved. Zoroastrian cosmology, sits near the sea from the many other books on the Curved flowing lines according to all (Zareh), performs the Ijashni ceremony, religion, is the choice of subjects, and the great artists are always used to express and pours the consecrated watersjnto the manner in which they have been handled by the contributors. Nine essays on seven companion of fire?The beams (of fire) are never in straight lines, but always curved. Curved flowing lines according to all (Zareh), performs the Ijashni ceremony. infinity, grace and mystery, while straight sea to destroy noxious creatures. In other Unes represent the finite... The devotee words, the winged bull constantly stands 28 Parsiana May 1986¦;3«"s’'*^ V '¦>*^ w- .rf J .¦fl BiW iff' the close links between the two schools of the core of the book, as they proceed to ancient thought, as manifested in i guard against the wicked energy or force in nature ancient thought, as manifested in detail the workings in a newspaper of- An important strain that runs through literature, customs and rituals. Itis indeed fice, and outside it. Unfortunately, the the book is the similarity drawn by the gratifying to note that our priests are not jobs are not as cut-and-dry, as Rus- authors between the Vedic philosophies only well-versed in Zoroastrianism, but tomji and his illustrator Halbe would and practices and Zoroastrianism. .......................... ' Practically all the contributors in the course of their articles have brought out thoughts. Not so pen-etrating A layman'^ guide to the newspaper world. also in drawing parallels and establishing have us believe. The editor is not a links with ‘sister ’ civilizations and pipe-smoking individual whose duties Homi J. Rogers begin and end with the commissioning of stories and the writing of a leader ar- --------------------tide. A newspaper editor especially, who is responsible for pouring over proofs, leaves his desk for the night on ­ ly after putting the paper ‘to sleep. ’ Similarly, the subeditor, a person not much known to the layman, has much more importance and responsibi ­ lity than credited by the authors. The book describes the work of subeditors. However, in What Journalism is all chief subeditors, and news editors. I H J. ;1 *4 ''' 4 Al tomji, of course, knows best. With an effective style of presentation, that has an adequate account of the intricacies, marked all his earlier works, he at- and the pleasures, of being in the news- tempts to fuse the combined wisdom of paper business. his collaborators, C. Northcote Par ­ kinson, the management doyen and ters. The first is an introduction, at- been perfected by most Indian publica- consultant, and M.V. Kamath, the tempting to answer questions like what tions, which provide their readers with celebrated Indian editor and column- is journalism, how does one qualify to stories in practically all the 20 catego ­ ist, and author of two best-selling be a journalist, and what skills or addi- ries suggested by the authors. Probably books on journalism. Professional tional knowledge help in practicing this the Indian psyche, accustomed to hav- Journalism and the more recent, profession. ing a thali, needs equally varied food Behind the By-line. The next three chapters constitute for thought. Kamath, a reporter for man. Some of the most crisp guidelines in the book come from the make-up of The book is divided into five chap- what constitutes news. The mix has ’Sa' 1 i-ir*. 1 ‘ 1 * '-y 3^ '-T' •Ti ¦« 'if [! S.* “A. ’<1 > J 7^ i'If"ts* ’ r -f " .... 'si '4 1 r 4 Business opportunities There is no limit to what a good craftsman or technician can earn, say three outstanding industrialists. tl i suiting in garage and TV technicians being in great demand. Stressing the accommodation difficulties of students undeitaking vocational training, Da ­ mania underlined the need for hostel facilities in the neighbourhood of tech ­ nical training institutions. In the general discussion that follow ­ ed, Farida Variava of Delhi raised the question of finance for a small business. Noting that “the problem of not having capital. .. is only an excuse, ” Forbes ex- services sucn as piumomg, voipiw;, rxga viiv« mx. .x—wj w..., —z--—-• plained that banks are willing to give 70 electrical wark, motorcar and TV re- opportunities available, and talked of percent of the capital needed and the pairs and is willing to pay hand- the fast food business whose original remaining 30 percent can be raised some ’ly for good work, noted the three prototype is the Irani restaurant of yes- from friends and family members. He — — • id y ear. IIc also mentioned subcen- also noted that there are certain trusts tracting work, and gave the example of who make it their business to give small Society as a whole is badly in need of or girl anxious to learn a trade. ” ’-—•-2—------------— Aga cited'the many self-employment services such as plumbing, carpentry. pairs, and is willing to pay hand ­ the fast food business whose original remaining 30 percent can be raised also noted that “there are certain trusts H' J1 P’ J H A< A s’ 1 I J industrialists — Darayus Forbes, re- teryear. He also mentioned subcon- tired managing director of the J.N. max and Dara Damania, managing di- were previously Thermax employees, throdgh a public issue, were the^other rector of Buckau Wolf — addressing Aga suggested setting up an engineer- methods suggested. However, Forbes the executive council meeting of the ing college wherein it would be easier cautioned, the ‘ first requirement in Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anju- for the youth of the community to get any type of enterpnse will be the inputs mans of India on February 22, 1986. admission, referring to it as an “ambiti- and training — a basic knowledge on The message to the community was to ous project (with) considerable pros- what (the entrepreneur) wants to do. nruh thk nnnortunitv bv settine UD oects. ” For admission; into the existing Boman Khodaiji of Lucknow ex- Marshall group of companies, Rohin- ton Aga, managing director of Ther ­ max and Dara Damania, managing di- the"ex^tive"^uncii meeting of the ing college wherein it would be easier his own firm which subcontracts 50 per- loans for seed capital. Taking up ti- cent of its work to entrepreneurs who nancial partners or raising^ capital were i grab this opportunity by setting up pects. ” For admission^ into the existing small businesses providing one or more of these services. Moreover, training facilities for these simpler technologies are more than adequately available within the community framework —in ­ deed opportunities were going a-beg- ¦'4' * --4- i ! Counselling centers are needed to advise the youth about existing facilities and opportunities in their field of interest. ft •« ':*v >14 ; ZV.it K 1 .‘J 1 ' J I I Damania, Aga and Forbes: training facilities available ¦' i ging, they noted. • • u n 1 Differentiating between those who technical colleges, Aga suggested com- plained the working of the Uttar j have “the opportunity, brains and abil- munity sponsored tutorial classes to Pradesh Minorities Finance Develop- i ity to make a success of themselves ” prepare students for difficult entrance ment Corporation, set up with a corpus ? and those who do not, Forbes noted, exams — a prerequisite for admission of Rs 55 lakhs, which helps finance sejf | "The discussion here is confined to the into engineering colleges and the like. -aii^>iw>Kiiffl;rc ¦Wia; Boman-Behram:' ‘instantaneous sympathy^' 1961, Boman-Behram served the Pun- preservation ^een^ spaces ' chayet for two decades, assuming C?" chairmanship in 1977 after Lady mobilizing public opinion picse.v.uM.. M. 6.v^.. op..„j on the anounamg. ine pnvaic uus.s w Jehangir passed away. At the Samast spearheading numerous agitations../ ’ Aninman meeting called bv the BPP at The Indian Express, announcing his property to be virtually mgerea a y. on February demise on the front page noted, “His BPP chaiman Dr Aspi Gc.lwaUa recal- 16 1Q86 a resolution in Gujarati prop- speeches on the improvement and fi- led that dunng his tenure the Wadia J^d ^y ll^m^TlVSa/ aiSi nances of the muXipal corporarion trust meetings, nom^ly held eve^ seconded by Jal Vimadalal noted that were scholarly and highly regarded. Boman-Behram, who was associated r with about 30 community trusts, had was among in 1960. Intended to help poor tenants wadi, the Indian Express ^^ed ^a^a of dilapidated houses acquire ’ " r n., ............. the Center ’s work resulted in two months, were so infrequent as to censorious remark from the Noting that mayor Chhagan Bhujbal merit a > those who attended auditors. Nor did he seem concerned to stem the rot. When The Bombay Samachar also founded Bombay ’s Civic Center Boman-Behram ’s funeral at Doonger- highlighted stories that dep^d the M2tr::sj,dS^|i XotedfterSfen oldest member of the house.-Thea- ehayet, Editor Jehan Daruwalla Repair 38a Parsiana May 1966 w ¦ h I \'.fi5 J .'^ «¦•n S’ <’ noted, Boman-Behram “wouldn ’t in favor of leaving it to the discretion man Committee elections. Several of approve anybody criticizing policies of the session chairmen. The same the women moved the court to help that he followed, and expected the evening Nargolwala and Boman- them assert their right to vote. Yet, • • • - • - - . - . Boman-Behram had opined in an in ­ terview to Parsiana in January 1978: "If Parsis choose to keep themselves should forget about it...(But people) BPP at the Congress, Boman-Behram as a closed community, we shall not survive. ” The election results ended Boman- Behram ’s political career in the com- Parsi Press to refer any complaints ab- Behram drank a toast to the forthcom- out the BPP to him. If he said there ing Congress. Yet, because Nargolwa- was nothing in the complaint, we la criticized the electoral scheme of the '-? ''L' V V if i" approach newspapers only when they reacted mercurially, claimed the Con ­ feel that their complaint or grievance is not availing. Sometimes when we re ­ fer complaints to the BPP it takes a long time. (There are) instances of Boman-Behram, Nargolwala said that several months later stepped down (the Punchayet taking) two to three their differences lay in the Delhi Anju- months to reply to the charge. By that man admitting non-Parsi spouses as time the complaint dies a natural members, albeit with limited rights. death. (The community ’s) confidence Nargolwala contended that Boman- Committee elections, in the BPP is cfoded already and by Behram was “impossible to deal with gress had failed and led the BPP out of the Federation a fortnight later. Professing himself an admirer of munity. He lost the elections and from the chairmanship when his term expired. Yet seven years earlier he and his party had swept the Anjuman in the BPP is cfoded already and by Behram was “impossible to deal with In its tribute to the founder, the (our) subscribing to this scheme, their (because) he would not listen to monthly tabloid The Parsee. Voice, confidence in the Press would also reason, ” and asked, “How can 33 or which Boman-Behram owned, noted, vanish. ” 34 non-Parsi spouses destroy an anju- “He had had quite a few heart attacks. As chairman of the BPP he ruled the i ‘ - - - - Punchayet staff and fellow trustees against Boman-Behram. He with an iron hand, brooking no dis ­ sent. Jam-e-Jamshed Editor Adi Marz ­ ban who takes credit for having talked ity, ” he added. Boman-Behram into becoming a trus ­ tee in 1961 says, “Like all strong peo ­ ple, he had the tendency to ride rough ­ shod over other people ’s opinions questioning (to his way of thinking, ... He had the ability to go after undermining) the status quo of the his things and carry it through. ” " Anklesaria notes that Boman- Behram was “very quick and firm in his decisions - and knowledgeable. Whatever he decided on, he saw to it that he implemented it, right or wrong! ” Boman-Behram ’s “war or honey- Parsi girls marrying outside the com- moon ” approach embarrassed his co ­ trustees. “The harmony which we have now was not there then. (There persisted) a little friction which was sometimes disturbing.. ’ His conflict with (BPP trustee) the late Maneck Mistry produced tension at board meetings. (It was basically) a personal ­ ity conflict perhaps (as happened at the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrijln Anjumans of India) .. .The main reason why we (the BPP) got out of the Fed ­ eration (in 1978.) was his clash with Delhi Parsi Anjuman president Shiavax Nargolwala, ” reminisced Gol ­ walla. The Federation became the bane of Boman-Behram ’s community exist ­ ence. The issue of topics for discussion at the Third World Zoroastrian Con ­ gress - a source of conflict - had been amicably settled at the executive coun ­ cil meeting of the Federation in Poona in late 1977, only after Surat ’s Ratan Marshall had made an emotional plea reason, 34 non-Parsi spouses destroy an anju ­ man of 500 members?. . .1 had nothing big and small, which made him flit be- : was a tween (his residence) and the B.D. friend and respected trustee of the Petit Parsee General Hospital fre- BPP. There was no personal animos- quently. Yet, even from his hospital bed, he would come out with interest- To Boman-Behram ’s autocratic na- ing stories of who ’s been doing what, ture, the formation of the Committee and inquire in detail about the hun- for Electoral Rights (CER) and its dreds of activiti^ he was connected ----- with... “Bomanji had an old world charm, Punchayet, was another bugbear. Dur- which was particularly evident when ing the Anjuman Committee elections he talked. He was particular about the in 1981, he fought the CER on the pro- selection of words and had a pleasant, cedures to be followed for holding the unique style of talking... ” elections but lost in the court. (Boman-Behram ’s legal heirs being A staunchly conservative Zoroas- unwilling to continue publication of trian bachelor who disapproved of The Parsee Voice, the responsibility of " ’ . _ owning the tabloid has now been munity, Boman-Behram tried to pre- accepted by Progressive Group presi- vent these women from exercising dent Ms Perviz Dotiwalla.) their right to vote at the 1981 Anju- Boman-Behram ’s pet scheme for P.M. MODI SCHOOL (Controlled by P.M. Modi & - Amzel Educational Foundation) Established 1979 (International Year of the Child) The ONE and ONLY ENGLISH Medium, Co-Ed School in Mahableshwar. Government recognized — starts a boarding section from June 1986 from Nursery to Std. VIIL Stress is laid for truth, ethics, discipline, culture and tradition of graceful living in these quiet hills. Dedicated, experienced and trained Staff, Teacher/Student ratio 1:15. Friendly, homely atmosphere — Good nourishing food — Students provided with all needs and comforts — No extra charges — All inclusive- Admissions limited* Apply: Miss Nargis Khambatta,Principal, P.M. Modi School, Stone House, Mahableshwar 412 806. Tel: 295 i 39 Parsiana May 1986'^^4 •c 1! |! ! - ,, J the community was the .Alpaiwalla thanking MLA Aloo Chibber and the final analysis, he was far better as : Museum. He was also keenly in- chief minister S B. Ch'avan for declar- a corporator — broadminded, secular, terested in the 300 year history of the ing August 27, 1976 a public holiday, and tolerant — that he was as a trustee Parsi Punchayet. Like Colonel Man- The papers pertained to the notings oi of a minority community. ” cherji Khareghat and Sir Jivanji Modi, s/icrasof the trustees on whether Chib- Noting that when Boman-Behram 1 he was known to encourage writers ber should be thanked or not. The per- said he ’d do something, it was done, i and scholars by generous help, and sonal and petty written attacks by Adi Marzban pointed to the fact that i spearheaded the policy of buying the Boman-Behram and two of the other those BPP trustees who had opted to 1 works of foreign scholars in quantity to trustees concerned, shocked the com- pass on to Parsi schools which could munity. A decade later Golwalla shud- not always afford, to purchase them. With so much that he did right, it us a bad name. was a matter of amazement and regret As one commentator noted, “some it. ’ I think that ’s a tribute; ”. | that he could stoop to the banality of of Boman-Behram ’s faults arose from Boman-Behram leaves behind his ] ‘The Pateti Papers ’ {Parsiana, Novem- his virtues. He had a burning zeal for sisters Maneck, Kanial, Homai, Ava 3 ber 1976-Jahuary 1977) on the issue of the community and for the city. But in and brother Adi. j Noting that when Boman-Behram rejoin the Federation' had originally voted with Boman-Behram to with- li ders, The Pateti Papers ’ really got draw from it. Marzban said, “Their ex- 1 [name. ” cuse is, ‘Boman-Behram made us do I Boman-Behram leaves behind his 1 Chemical pioneer I-' i; !'¦ i- .5 ft iR Jil if l-il* 1-5. I I Centre with a dispensary, and a pre ­ primary school with 12 students in the compound of Ahura ’s factory. The 1 school, with about 360 students in the pre-primary and primary classes was Died: Sohrab Muncherji Mistry, 77, a Association of Merchants and Manu- closed down in 1984 when Ahura was “The trustees of the Foundation Born in Bombay, Mistry studied in made several personal visits to villages pioneer in the development and manu- facturers of Textile Stores and sold, facture .of textile auxiliaries and spe- Machinery (India), notes the report. ‘ T ciality chemicals in India, who found- ~ ed Ahura Chemical Products and two the Marathi medium at a school in around Bombay along with their qual- other companies; in Bombay on Ratnagiri and was later in Poona for a ified doctor and the villagers were tre- February 24, 1986. year before matriculating from St. ated and given free medicine for sca- When Mistry started his career, Xavier ’s High School in Bombay in bies, malaria and intestinal worms. “textile mills were not well-inclined to- 1924. He graduated from St. Xavier ’s The Foundation has been operating a ward^ the use of Indian products but College, Bombay; joined the Indian Welfare Centre in Sion, Bombayr^ Mistry succeeded in convincing a few Institute bf Science, Bangalore of .since 1981 which is fully equipped to^ units about the quality of Indian-made which he became an associate mem- treat patients suffering from polio, finishes, softeners, etc.... The Com- ber; and thereafter went on to do his cerebral palsy and those requiringphy- pany did not take help from any finan- master ’s degree in organic chemistry siotherapy, occuphtion^ therapy and cial institution or of any foreign know- from Bombay University in 1931, iiii how to develop and introduce a variety notes his bio-data. of industrial speciality chemicals... (They) developed many new products Indian 'Vegetable Products, Mistry based on in-house research and de- launched Ahura Chemicals in 1932 velOpment, ” notes a press release. In addition to starting Ahura Che- Godrej, founder of the Godrej group H micals (a company with an annual tur- of companies. Soon after World War nover of over five-and-a-half-crore of II, Mistry was selected by the British H rupees at the time of its sale in 1984 to Government along with about five Behram and Darab Dubash of the other technical experts to visit Ger- H Darabshaw B. Cursetjee group of many and study the chemical industry companies). United Pestichem and there. The team was known as the Nonionics Pvt Ltd, and Industrial British Industrial Objectives Subcom- General Products Pvt Ltd, Mistry was mittee and their reports were later Starting his career as a chemist with with~the encouragement of Ardeshir president of the Indian Chemical Au- found to be very useful to the Indian Mistry: helping others to succeea xiliaries Manufacturers ’ Association, chemicals manufacturing industry, speech therapy dt a nominal charge, ” the Association of Merchants and states the press release. states the press release. Manufacturers of Textile Stores and Along with his wife Coomi, he An active Rotarian, Mistry advised Machinery and .the Bombay Industries established in 1967 a trust called and guided many young and technical- Association, states his bio-data. He “Sohrab and Coomi Mistry Founda- ly qualified persons to become success- served on the Textile Division Council tion ” for giving medical relief, educa- ful entrepreneurs. of the Indian Standards Institution and tional assistance and relief of poverty Mistry is survived by his wife was given a merit award for outstand- to the deserving and the needy. The Coomi, son Sheriar and daughters Dil- ing contribution to the industry by the Foundation started in 1968, a Welfare navaz and Freny. 40 Parsiana May 1986 »