Dec 1986

'^: t .*0 "S December 1986 Volume 9 Number 6 * EDITOR Jehangir Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Toddywalla ASSOCIATE EDITOR Niloofer Madon DESIGN CONSULTANT Mini Boatwala DESIGN ASSISTANTS Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez, Deborah Fernandes MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel 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 OFFICE Rajendra Nayak,Khurshid Balsara, Patrici a Lewis. 3 Readersf' Forum 11 Events and Personalities 15 Zoroastrians Abroad -¦i- 17 Poona elections by Niloofer Madon 20 Distinctive Portroyals by Parinaz Toddywalla 27 Coma's commitments 31 Business 33 The second Pars! cricket team by Vasa nt Raiji 36 Sports 39 Books 43 InMemoriam Er k. Cover: Photo of Parsi girl (circa 1865) by Dorabjee Pudumjee. Carved frame courtesy Phillips Antiques, Bombay. Transparency by Homyar Mistry. ¦'¦¦¦'I Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd at C/o H.L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Parsiana Publications, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400(K)1 and phototypeset at Ace, Bombay 400001. All rights reserved. Address all editorial and business correspondence to Parsiana, GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001. Phone: 2048730. Annual inland subscription: Rs 50 for one year (12 issues); Rs 90 for two years (24 issues). Foreign subscription rates: Seamail Rs 100 for one year, Rs 180 for two years; Air mail Rs210 for one year, Rs 400 for two years. For UScheques add $5 tocover bankcharges. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 4 for bank charges. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favor of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 or C/o H.L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort Bombay 400001. I1 READERS’ FORUM tHlH-' im*> ¦ ¦ < • ¦ p»111' * •«I MUM” I 4 » I Mt»»• 111 Ilf >•» III “ * » 8 H M I » • MH' iiii universities. They are offering fel- it >1 »» it. f* ¥ itM- ttt* Jo* recent years, the Department of Scien- lowships, teaching and research assis- ce and Technology, Government of tantships liberally, especially to stu- India, has sponsored a case study enti- dents of Indian Institutes of Technolo- tied, “Pilot study on the magnitude gy (IIT) because of their standing and and nature of the brain drain of gradu- reputation, so that many do not need ~ much financial assistance for their stu ­ dies abroad. The reasons why many of our stu- ates at IIT, Bombay. ” There is only one sure way the IITs can completely stop the brain drain. The faculty can refuse to give the necessary three letters of recom- varied. Some are lured by attractive mendation which are insisted upon by dents do not return back are many and jobs and some are lured by girls. There American and almost all foreign uni- are some who are encouraged by their versities. But we believe that ’s not the solution; we want those of our stu- are some who are encouraged by their parents to seek the green card and set ­ tle abroad, whereas others have a dents who are interested, to get the downright apathy for India, possibly benefits of higher education abroad, because of their disenchantment with Some of the proposals to be consi ­ dered would be an integrated five-and- a-half-year M.Tech. course after HSC Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Read ­ ers' Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O.Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. the policies of reservation for sche ­ duled castes and scheduled tribes in educational institutions. What the (Higher Secondary Course or twelfth BPP could possibly do to improve the standard) or four years M.Tech. chances of students returning home, is course after BSc (i.e. a total of seven to charge heavy interest (say 20 per- years after HSC), the idea being to cent) on grants and loans to students utilize the cream ol talents to do some who settle or marry abroad. research work in this country, b'efore The FPZAI’s proposal to put before they decide to go abroad, the state chief minister a memoran ­ dum for apportioning a few seats for Parsi students in engineering and medical colleges must be viewed with Mr Rustom Taraporvala ’s • assertion caution,^ as it may have a backlash in “In pursuit of excellence ” (Par- from other minorities, like Muslims siana, October 1986) that Lucknow has the only full-tiihe mobed in all Uttar Pradesh is slightly off the mark as there is another full-time mobed at Dr P.D.SUNAVALA Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT, Bombay from other minorities, like Muslims and Christians^demanding reservation, and the government might then be in a fix. Instead, the request would be jus ­ tifiable at least in institutions Hke the the Kanpur Agiary. Both the mobeds Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute or were in Allahabad to perform a Parsi z.- _ ,, ,, the J.J. Hospital ’s Grant Medical Col- wedding in the month of November In pursuit ot excellence” lege, which were founded and funded The discussion on brain drain in a by Parsi donations, meeting of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India also becoming more conscious of this that Zoroastrian anjumans all over In- (FPZAI) in Bombay on August 30 and brain drain problem. In the decade dia, and in particular up-country ones, 31, 1986, is of great concern (“In pur- 1970 to 1980, the outflow abroad be sympathetic to the needs of the suit of excellence, ” Parsiana, October varied from 20 to 30 percent in the va- 1986). On the one hand, Parsi students rious departments with an average of find it increasingly difficult to get about 25 percent. It was then esti- admission in engineering colleges and mated that about 50 percent returned, on the other hand, of those who do get the maximum losses being among elec ­ admission, many go abroad and prefer tronic engineers (30 percent returned) to leave the country for good. and chemical engineers (40 percent re- A proposal that those Parsi students turned). Recent estimates indicate who settle abroad or marry abroad that today the outflow of students may should be asked to refund the grant of have exceeded an average of 50 per- .9 9 1986. The era is over when mobeds were We, the faculty at IIT, Bombay, are easily available and I* would suggest of India also becoming more conscious of this “ mobed community as far as their fu ­ ture prospects are concerned. The mobed should be looked upon as a spiritual leader and not as a paid ser ­ vant of the Zoroastrian community. SHIAVUX NANAvATI Allahabad “The Godrej exit” What a shame that a man of Naoroji Rs 5,000 given by the Bombay Parsi cent, with losses being most marked in Godrej ’s eminence has resigned from Punchayet(BPP)is no solution .Today, computer science, electrical engineer- the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, clearly the brain drain to America is control- ing and chemical engineering. Since casting grave doubts about the work- led by the purse strings of American the problem has become aggravated in ing of this so-called august body. 3 Parsiana December 1986The chairman of the Punchayet doctrines. owes an explanation to the Parsi com- The non-consequential lapse on the munity as to the goings-on in the Pun- part of the appellants ’ advocate who chayet for a man like Godrej to have stated that-the Tower of Silence was quit. The community has a right to f’ ___ _ 7—--____ • The non-consequential lapse on the mud^as to the goings-on in the Pun- part of the appellants ’ advocate who •' ... . 1 «. 1 . . _ J. _ J _ X x1^ 'T’x^.w I filmed using a telescopic lens was recti- know which trustee/trustees arbitrarily fied in the court itself. increased a potential flat allottee ’s rat- sohrab navalshaw patwa ing by 16 points and for whom this un ­ fair favor was done. JAMSHED M. MARZBAN almost three years the controversy A compromise film” Why single out Antia? - --r on the sedreh-pooshi (navjote) of Mr Joseph Peterson, the American en- “________ r_______________ It is evident from an interview with Mr gineer who was converted to Zoroas- Cyrus Bharucha in “A compromise trianism, has raged m Bombay, film ” (Parsiana,August 1986) that the However, of all the persons who took writ petition filed in the Bombay High part in that ceremony, only one person Court had caused 15m mental anguish; has been singled out f(K criticism — As far as I know there were four Cyrus Bharucha in “A compromise trianism has raged in Bombay. writ petition filed in the Bombay High part in that ceremony, only one person Court had caused 15m mental anguish; has been singled out for criticism — but he must thank himself for this pre- Ervad Kersey Antia of Chicago, dicament because he cared two hoots As far as I know there were four for the opposition voiced by learned mobeds who performed the ceremony, dasturjis and knowledgeable persons two of them were Parsis and two were of the community. Iranis. The ceremony has been Since the appellants attached great accepted by a majority of Iranis and importance to degradation of the di- many Parsis here in America. Also, vine status of the prophet, and violent the Mobeds Council of Iran has en- distortions and mutilations of Zoroas- dorsed the acceptance of Peterson as a trian scriptures and history, their Zarthoshti. I have seen Mr Peterson advocate dealt with these at great being welcomed by many Iranis and length. But Mr Bharucha ’s advocate Parsis here in Los Angeles when he did not touch upon these objections at attended the North American Zoroas- all. Thus to this day these objections trian Congress. I have also seen the remain unreplied and if Mr Bharucha latest edition of the book on sedreh- and his advisers have the required pooshi ceremony by Mobed Ardeshir capability and guts, who is preventing Azargoshasb who is the president of them from putting the record straight the ’ Mobeds Council of Iran. In this even at this late stage? The fact of the edition he has given the photograph of case is that Mr Bharucha was misled Mr Peterson ’s ceremony and also writ- and misguided by some self-styled ten that the Zoroastrian religion favors scholars who think they know all about acceptance of good and qualified per- the Zoroastrian religion. sons. The book proposes that the The Shah Namah has been Anjuman Zartoshtian Tehran form a acclaimed the world over as one of the special committee to take measures to If Peterson ’s acceptance is heresy, then why single out Ervad Antia? Why ... . t acceptance? There are 40,000 Iranis two of them were Parsis and two were Tranis. The Namah has immortal epics. Firdaosi himself had accept such people, sounded a warning , not to regard some of the things mentioned therein as , _ falsehood or fables, because circumst- not condemn all those who support ances and conditions vary from age to acceptance? There are 40,000 Iranis age. One may find some exaggerated and most of them support the idea, accounts of heroic deeds, but that does Then there are n^ny Parsis who hold not make this magnum opus a mere figment of someone ’s imagination. aiivvo uuu VV/11V41HV/X1LJ - ------------A , . , age. One may find some exaggerated and most of them support the idea. the same view. To single out Ervad Antia will not exclude other persons ^A sterile version of the film shown who support the policy of acceptance. on tliv- i*»»-.*u»** •- . — ---- ----- , T“' JTZ highly disappointing to Mr Bharucha view. It will not isolate Ervad Kersey and the BPP trustees who refused to * listen to the voice of the opposition. Our scriptures, traditions and his ­ tory have come down from remote acceptance, ages by oral tradition and were re- ‘ duced to writing much later. Hence no specific mention to prohibit filming at the Indian TV must have been It will not help them to ^bandon their Antia. On the contrary, it is helping him to become a hero. It has made him very famous among those who favor To accept, or not to accept, or who to accept is a problem which has not been created by Mr Peterson or the Doongerwadi could'^ be found in "the four mobeds who performed the cere- 5 Parsiana December 1986 With Compliments of JEENA & COMPANY lATA Approved Air Cargo, Clearing, Forwarding & Warehousing Agents 10, Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Bombay 400 023. Cable: “JUSTITIA” Telex: ’5^2313 Phone: 312032 - BRANCHES: ' E. Merc House, 19/B, Shakespeare Sarani, Calcutta 700 071. Phone: 444711 “Jeena House ”, 50, Hanuman Road, Connaught Circus, New Delhi 110 001. Phone: 310821 Devtha Plaza, C. 14, Residency Road, Bangalore 560 025. Phone: 262^5 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: 26215wV I, T I I imperative that the shortage of kustis si and not as in the case of Gandhi, in many parts of our country and the where a non-Indian showed us how to steep rise in its price be discussed and successfully complete the task. I have solutions sought at the forthcoming seen the film and believe a better mony. It is a problem created by the change of environment in which Zoroastrians are living. Let each side present its views to the community without using strong Ian- meeting of the Federation of Parsi effort could have been made, but if guage. Arguments must be logical. Zoroastrian Anjumans of India. this film is instrumental in focussing They must not be directed against any ~ person. The Zoroastrian community and the poor class of our community rious past, its purpose would have of Iran and India, and the Zoroas ­ trians living in America and Europe procure kustis. Parsi industrial mag ­ can decide forthemselves. The Zarth- oshtis in India can declare that they lem. naval b . vakeel our fall in numbers. To my mind this wilt not accept any newly converted Secunderabad perhaps be accomplished in two Zoroastrian and they will not welcome ways: by accepting into our fold such persons among them. But I think HopC and acceptance offspring of mixed marriages where that the leaderstare afraid that the I would like to make a few points after one of the parents is a Parsi; and by problem of acceptance exists in India reading the March and April issues of motivating and providing incentives to and that if they do not condemn some Parsiana: person now, there will be people who will raise their voice in its favor. We are a small community. Accept- unity amongst us, we are always bick- ance or no acceptance, it must survive. But it cannot survive by internal fights. Such fights may prove suicidal. BORZU ROUDBARI California, USA Excepting the west coast, the middle attention on our religion and its glo- elsewhere are finding it difficult to been largely served. All controversies and disunity with- nates could help alleviate this prob- in our community will not help check NAVAL B. VAKEEL ‘ “ Secunderabad young Parsi couples to have more than two children. Dr Shera Dastoor is doing excellent work in the community as well as out- ering, we cannot decide on one single side it, as a psychiatrist, marriage issue. ” Take for example the con- counsellor and the moving force be- troversy over the film On Wings of hind The Samaritans. Her efforts Fire. None of the Parsi filmmakers of should be recognized. the past, great as they were, even tried to make a f Zarathushtra. At least let us take com- Referring to a letter, “Laws were made..., ” one fact is clear, “there is no It is extremely heartening that at last .. ____ _ full -length film on a Parsi (and that too a lady) has come Problem of knstis Zarathushtra. At least let us take com- forward to carry on the wonderful art The kusti plays an important part in fort in the fact that a film on our of making pugrees. A true Parsi'(as/i maintaining our religion, hence it is prophet was first made by a fellow Par- Parsi) without a pugree would have **«?• With Best Compliments From: MAZDA ESTATES & EIPIAMCE PRIVATE LIMITED For Land, Residential Flats, Shops Commercial Premises, Estate Advisory Services Regd. Office: 2, Qirdhar Flivas, 15/17, Shahid Bhagatsingh Road, Colaba, Bombay —400 005 Tel: 234948/235269 Branch Office: Sir J. J. Shopping Centre, Ranch Hatdi, Mavsari 396445 Tel: 3249 7 Parsiana December 1986Rl j. 3 ,i « 1 J been unimaginable. Regarding the letter “Din at Parsi functions, ” I quite agree that the loud ­ ness of music at certain functions of a funeral, the Ahunavad Gatha spoils the show. As for the impatience (first divine song) is recited today, of some guests at the dinner table, it is This sacred prayer has no relationship hoped that it is not the gastronomic with death, according to the learned craving which drives these people to Zoroastrian scholar Dastur Dr M.N. behave as they do but the fact that Dhalla. Zarathushtra has included these days, due to unaffordable prices therein the philosophy of his religion of flats in the city, many Parsis live in and the pure precepts of ethics. As the the suburbs. Many do not possess their prayer for the funeral rites has not own transport and have to rely on the been preserved, it has become a tradi- trains and buses to see them home. If tion to recite this first sacred Gatha. these peopl| are unable to get a place The question therefore arises - Can we in the first sitting, it can get pretty late not prepare a suitable prayer for our by the time they reach their destina- dear departed souls? lion. In the Gathas it is written: “Toler- About dokhmenashini, I personally ance helps one to understand and en- believe that a day will come when we dure the views of others and roots out may be forced by public opinion within bigotry, fanatic zeal and dogmatism , r ¦¦ 'y ¦ ’ ¦ ¦ long) to resort to electric cremator ­ iums. ardeshir b . damania Misuse of prayers It is a pity that on the solemn occasion and the pure precepts of ethics. As the our community (if we survive that whereas intolerance is blind and sav ­ age - it stifles reason. ” This reminds me of the true teachings of prophet Syria Zarathushtra “Unite and make com- mon cause with all agencies that fight for truth. ” Rusi b . pastakia Ahmedabad Corrections and Clarifications In the comment piece “The retreat from Nargol ” {Parsiana September 1986) Marzban Khandhadia ’s name has been misspelt as Marazban Khandhiar. Also, the description attributed to Dadiba Fatakia (“a thin, tall man with a topi firmly positioned atop his head ”) is actual ­ ly a description of Khandhadia. The errors are regretted. All the photographs accompanying the article “A compromise film ” {Parsiana, August 1986) were mis ­ takenly credited to Jamshed Marz ­ ban of Photogenic. The color photographs only are by Marzban; the black and white photographs are courtesy Noshirwan Desai. 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College of Commerce 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Bombay 400 023 Tel. 2871185 90 8 Parsiana December 1986Events and Personalities Prayers for peace Of the 50 religious representatives in ­ vited to an interreligious meet con ­ vened by Pope John Paul II on Octo ­ ber 27, 1986 at Assisi, 200 kilometers from Rome, Dr Homi Dhalla was the only Zoroastrian. “Representatives from all the major world religions, well as those from traditional American and African reli ­ gions attended this august event ” which was held “to focus on the urgen ­ cy for peace in the warring world, ” notes a press release. October 27, was declared the Day of Prayer for Peace. Earlier, the Pope had appealed to countries involved in conflict to observe a complete truce on this day. The delegates were first introduced to the Pope at the Basilica S. Maria degli Angeli, where he addressed a gathering. They then proceeded on a March for Peace, through the thronged streets of Assisi, resounding with cries of peace. The March, which ended at the Basilica of San Frances ­ co, was followed by prayer recitations emphasizing the importance of peace by all the religious leaders. Dr Dhalla recited relevant verses from the Avesta and later translated them into English. The session concluded with an address by the Pope and was followed by a din ­ ner hosted by him, where all the dele ­ gates broke the symbolic fast they had observed all day, notes the write-up. On the tollowing morning, at a sym ­ posium held by the Vatican Secretariat for Interreligious Dialogue, Dr Dhalla presented the Zoroastrian view on in ­ terfaith harmony. The next day, the delegates re ­ turned to Rome for an informal meet ­ ing with the Pope. Every delegate was given the symbolic olive plant by the City of Assisi and the Vatican pre ­ sented a volume on The Vatican and the Christian Church along with a painting of Assisi signed by the Pope, notes the press release. Cama is 156 “Are we really heading for the twenty- first century? ” querried Bombay Parsi Panchayet trustee and Bombay Uni ­ versity vice-chancellor Dr (Ms) Mehroo Bengalee. Presiding over the one hundred and fifty-sixth birth anniversary celebrations of renowned orientalist Khurshedji R. Cama at the library hall of the K.R. Cama Oriental Institute (KRCOI), Bengalee ’s ques ­ tion climaxed a list of national woes — illiteracy, terrorisiw> regionalism, de- terioratihg social and moral values — » Dhalla addressing the gathering (above) and greeting the Pope (inset). fQ*J f!¦I) g'. i. 1'3 ii I f fl 4 } ,1 BOYS’ TOWN Public School ’Nasik 2 Recognised as a PubUc School by the Department of Education for Indian Merit Scholars. Excel­ lent Climate — All-round Education: AU Acadonic Subjects—Tech­ nical Subjects: Workshop. Tech ­ nology, Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance, Carpentry & Farm ­ ing. Training in SeU-Goverumeot through Elected Boys ’ Office bearers. Gomes—Physical Train ­ ing — Daily Assembly with Congregational Prayers — Week ­ ly intensive Zoroastrian —Geeta- koran classes — Excellent Modem Kitchen and Dining Room facilities — Airy Dormi­ tories. Moderate Fees. Freeships and Concessions to Deserving Students. Apply to — THE MANAGING TRUSTEE P. N. MEHTA EDUCATION TRUST Cooks Building. 324 Dr. D. N. Road, Bombay 400 001. 12 Parsiana December 1986 Above (left): Hidayatullah unveiling the portrait while Modi and Shroff look on. (Right): Karanjia receiving his sheild from Bengalee. which she recounted as an introduc- ly open to college and school students tion to the day ’s main speaker. Justice of all communities — were bagged by M. Hidayatullah, the theme of whose Ms Kashmira Patel of St Xavier ’s Col ­ oration was “Time to think and plan lege and Ms Quarratul-Ain Haider of afresh. ” the Alexandra Girls ’ English Institu- Commencing lightheartedly, the tion. Once again Ramiyar Karanjia re ­ former vice-president of India quip- ceived the rotating shield for the high- ped, “I’m sorry Dr Bengalee did not est number of outstanding essays on go on with the opening address. Then I behalf of the Dadar Athornan Board- would have proposed a vote of ing Madressa. The A.S. Dalal research thanks! ” In more serious vein he scholarship for the Parsi student scor- noted, “We think we ’ve achieved a ing the highest marks at the MA ex ­ great deal when we haven ’t even aminations of the University of Bom- turned the corner. We have not yet bay went Ms Firooza K. Sheriar. reached the fringe of the problem of feeding our own people. If only poor trait of the KRCOI’s late president people could eat statistics, we could Adi Chinoy was unveiled by feel we ’ve succeeded! ” Hidayatullah Hidayatullah while Ms Nergish Adi bemoaned the devaluation of educa- Chinoy received flowers and a stahtW tion with university products display- ing ovation. KRCOI president, JehaK ing “big degrees but very little in their gir Shroff welcomed Bengalee and own heads ” and the fact that with Hidayatullah. Joint honorary secretary seven million workers, the country Capt Hormazdiar Desai proposed a cannot produce its own coinage so that vote of thanks. Although the function we have to import it from Britain or had been organized to celebrate Korea or make do with “toffees as Cama ’s birth anniversary, very little change! ” He advocated need based indeed was said about him. planning as against “fancy planning. ” . . Agreeing with the general tenor of Shahnailiah Competition Hidayatullah ’s comments, Bengalee At the second open Shahnamah com ­ said, “We know how to build, petition organized by the Iran League propose...but in implementing, we slip. We never thought of preparing a second line of workers. Every com- Girls ’ High School was adjudged the merce student wants to go for manage ­ rial degrees ” resulting in frustration. Zarir Bharucha of Jai Hind College Trophy, notes a press release issued by declaimed his prize winning piece, the League. The best candidate among “The politics of apartheid, ” which boys was 11-year-old Ervad Darayus 1 won him the trophy and first prize of Purvez Bajan of the Athornan Board- Rs 350 in the open intercollegiate Sir ing Madressa, Dadar, who along with Rustom P. Masani Elocution Com- — petition. Bengalee gave away the prizes, as the Institute ’s joint honorary secretary pated in the competition. Ms Homai Modi called out the win ­ ners: The Sarosh K. R. Cama and the eldest 17, there being no participant in K.R. Cama prize essays — respective- the 21 to 25 age-group. In the course of the evening a por- was on July 27, 1986, 12-year-old Havovi Sam Sidhwa of the Bai M.N. Gamadia best competitor. She was also awarded the Late Homai Pali Master Rolling Sidhwa received a cash prize of Rs 101 each. Seventeen boys and 26 girls paftici- The youngest were 9-year-olds and the*T ZQRQ ^tftlANS ABROAD ^U,|| nfcmJiiwM . ....................................................... 1 ¦i' »- t ¦!—r »*A -r^ ‘*'1 I iNavjotes in Iran 7 Twenty-two navjotes were performed in Yazd this year on the birth it, ” says Shroff who adds, “The Con- strength. Apart from the fact that anniversary of Zarathustra (March servative Party ’s ideology doesn ’t take community has scattered to settle in all 26, according to the Iranian calendar) the needy, the poor or the elderly into parts of the world, a large proportion . by the Zoroastrian International account. ” of those in India are poor and have to ^3 Cultural Association (ZICA) of Iran, Caring, concern and sharing are the struggle to make a decent living. As a ' notes a press release in Persian sent by concepts that preoccupy Shroff. “By result they do not get involved in the Faredoon G. Yezdani and translated offering everyone equal opportunities usual political group structures. And by the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman. Every year mas^navjote ceremonies by the Association in Cities of Iran with of India ’s municipal colorations. no longer claim to be self-sufficient in ; Maggie Thatcher hhs driven me to terms of economic power or political?^ <1, to advance in fifei Liberal principles those industrialists and businessmen Every year mass navjote ceremonies are closer to the principles and phi- who are in a position to Wield political of Zoroastrian y^th are undertaken lospphy of life I’ve been brought up authority are usually more engrossed ,‘.^j by the Association in cities of Iran with ... Liberal (Party dominated) in their businesses or in running trust whereZoroastrians reside. “With a lot councils practise these policies of help- funds for the community, ” notes Born in London, partly schooled in Thrity, who holds a responsible job Bombay and partly, in Iran, Shroff of effort ” the navjotes ofTO youths of ingthe needy, ’’notes Shroff explaining Shroff. the Sistan and Baluchistan ’province her connection to the Liberal Party. Born in London, partly schooled in . vteie performed in Zahedan in 1985, while the navjotes of 33 Zoroastrian in a pharmaceutical concern, attends graduated from Bombay University boys and girls werp performed in Yazd council meetings that stretch to way - ---¦ ”• ’ - -¦ in 1984, adds the press release. past midnight after a full day ’s work. . A J. - u “These meetings are important, ” she Arbab remembered says, “because the decisions taken by Liberal politician Zerbanoo Gifford,) a “Darbe Mehrs in Chicago, New, York, us affect hundreds of residents. As Parsi married to a< English solicitor, Toronto and Los Angeles stand to the their elected representatives, we have who, as Liberal candidate for the Uar- testimony of his magnanimity in the responsibility of taking a decision row East constituency, hopes to be-; ' ’ ' ’ in their best interests. ” come the first Asian woman (and the dicated Zorpastrian with a comniit- and says “Circumstances ” have led her \ to settle in London. ' . J A political and ideological ally i in their best interests. Besides being actively involved on fourth Parsi) in the British Parliament. »' Spotting a fellow Parsi at a meeting < ___________ _____ ,1__ _________ 2 ,1_- __ - of the Harrow community relations ex- , Kayomarsh Mehta, president of the tion .and leisure committees, Shroff ecutive committee, of which they were I It I I i1 thought, word and deeds He was a de dicated Zorpastrian with a comniit- Besides bein actively involved on ment to perform acts that would per- the Liberal Party ’s community rela- petuate the Zoroastrian way of life. ” tions panel, and the Council ’s educa- Zoroastrian Association of Metropoli- started the Harrow Zoroastrian Group both , members, Gifford managed to tan Chicago (ZAC), was eulogizing “to bring together local Zoroastrians persnade Shroff to step into the lime- the late philanthropist Arbab Rustarn for community unity and to teach the light. Shroff, whose community Guiv at a function on October 12,1986 culture, tradition and religidh. ” Those continues an old family tradition - a- commemorating Guiv ’s sixth death closest to Thrity Consider this her maternal uncle was a welLknown Gan- anniversary. greatest achievement. TTie group dhianandsocialworkerfromSurat- Ervad Kersey Antia had composed already boasts 100 members, who says, “The Liberal tradition has a Gujarati poem in Arbab ’s memory meet regularly fOr social, religious and proved very consistent in recognising ;*j‘ which was read and translated into En- cultural events. -u—.u u* glish by Ms Jaloo Captain. Mehta further urged ZAC “to undertake the collection of information on this great Zoroastrian and publish a biography of the Arbab so that the community could treasure the details of his life, ” notes the November issue of the ZAC newsletter. Whoever has information on the Arbab should forward it to Mehta at 8615 Meadowbrook Drive, Hinsdale, Illinois 60521. Liberal leanings. Last May, Ms Thrity Shroff was elected a councillor for Harrow - a London suburb known for years as a Thrity Shroff and t Labour Party stronghold - on a Liber- (right) new initiates in - al Party, ticket. In the British political Iran. i . heirarchy, councils are the equivalent s- >E a that individuals should be treated " jl It is unfortunate that the Parsis can equally ...” 198& i1‘ v.' 'i "¦* ’< i-’¦ 1* J .5. J' { » ‘'-^' **¦ ¦- ¦ills rfSO: ’ ‘ :^sS5b8POLITldS AND POLICY '*L ... t Poona's select seven The newly elected seven-member board of trustees will head the Poona Panchayat for the next five years. fs** ^>3 r I Niloofer J. Madon i i VY"’-’ Y V 4 ¦ - ;-. 4 f I ¦C •ie Si -.4 '¦’m “Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to say that we hav^ a very enlightened electorate. ” Dr Khodu Irani, the poll ­ ing officer at the election of the new seven-member board of trustees of the Poona Parsee Panchayat (PPP) was announcing that out of a total of 116 members on the Anjuman Committee, 93 had voted and all 93 ballot papers were valid. On November 27, the long, narrow Pudumjee Hall attached to the Anju ­ man ni Agiary was the scene of fervid activity as presiding officer Rustom Dubash along with his co-helpers was sorting out the ballot papers quickly and efficiently. Opposite them, pa­ tiently seated in neat rows, were most p of the 17 trusteeship candidates await ­ ing the results which would decide the fate of the Poona Panchayat for the next five years. Tension mounted as the counting stopped and Dr Irani held up a small The first 45 minutes, of the three- tion proceedings. In an unprecedented sheet of paper to announce the names hour election, saw around 70 members move, the UZYA undertook a meet- of the winners: Meher Anklesaria 76 voting. However, in the next two ing of the Anjuman Committee on votes, Dinshaw Anklesaria 71, Kersh- hours people trickled in, leisurely get- November 25, wherein all 17 trus- asp Irani 62, Minoo Irani 58, Marzban ting their names registered and taking teeship candidates were invited to air Kaikobad 55, Ms Khurshid Jee- time off to first talk with fellow voters, their views before the electorate, jeebhoy 49, and Pervez Avari 48. The friends and all. other contestants were Zal Kayani 39, Noshir Jagos 32, Cyrus Pundol 32, pockets of people on its edges, chairs of the Anjuman Committee. Our , Ratti Ginwalla 28, Minoo Dinshaw 16, nicely arranged under the shade of group felt we should provide a com- Soli Irani 13, Maneck Daruwalla 11, trees in full bloom, some even sitting mon platform ...not all have the time Faraidoon Irani 9, Dinshaw Irani 4, on the Agiary steps talking animated- or resources to go from door to door ” and Furrokh Khambata 3 votes. Four ly, mostly joking. A peaceful morning canvassing a vote, noted Eruch Irani, | trustees - Dinshaw Anklesaria, Kersh- with no outward signs of factionalism, asp Irani, Minoo Irani and Marzban though most candidates voiced group- Kaikobad - were reelected for a ism as an important problem facing the Though they had expected a larger second term. Parsi community and board of trustees turn-out, approximately a 100 peojrfe . “ ' ' attended the function to hear 14 of the ’ 17 candidates. Three candidates did not attend. “I feel housing is attracting the - attention of all of us, ” noted Meher tees themselves congratulating each ciation of Poona (UZYA), formed Anklesaria who netted the highest other. their own group, happy with the elec- number of votes - 76. A respected fi- ! -I t / The seven new trustees are (from left): Minoo Irani, Meher Anklesaria, Jeejeebhoy, Dinshaw Anklesaria, Avari, Kaikobad and Kershasp Irani (inset). The first 45 minutes, of the three- their views before the electorate. “Most of the people standing for elec- The huge Agiary courtyard had tions were not known To the members Parsi community and board of trustees The announcement of every win- Poona. Tellingly, Marzban Kaiko- ner ’s name was followed by all round bad ’s slogan read: “Build unity and • • • . .................................. • J build houses. ” The younger crowd, all members of jubilation, kisses, handshakes, et al, as people moved around congratulating the incoming board and the new trus- the United Zoroastrian Youth Asso- 17 Parsiana December 1986 ’ ’is '^3 president of the Youth Association, k and brother of trustee Kershasp Irani. ] ¦^71 ‘41 " Ml* 19 Parsiana December 1986 Most candidates voiced groupism as an important problem facing the Parsi community and ” board of trustees in Poon A --------- '----------------- Now that the extreme ac ity Trust and the J.N. Petit School and past three months (during last board was infighting and groupism - “always ‘you ’ and ‘me ’ never ‘us ’” - Pervez Avari, assistant manager (corporate planning) at TELCO talks of conducting a detailed survey of Poona Parsis so that the board can set itself priorities. He notes, that to sup ­ plement the work done by the trus ­ tees, subcommittees should be set up with people from the Anjuman Com ­ mittee itself. “The Anjuman Commit ­ tee is the watch dog of the commun ­ ity; ” it is not enough that it meets just once in five years to elect trustees, he adds. Minoo Irani cites the redoing of the road leading up to the Lullanagar Bungli, education, vocational gui ­ dance and a home for the aged as his priorities. He is confident that his pre ­ vious experience on the board will help in decision making, probably echoing the views of the other three reelected trustees. Now that the extreme activity of the J which time whose family has had a “long associa- the Panchayat annual general meeting tion with the PPP.” Though she notes and the Anjuman Committee election that housing seems to be the need of took place) is over, the new board can the hour, she admits her main interest settle down to tackling the many prob ­ lies with heljMng children. “They are lems facing the Parsi community in quit^ neglected ... I feel there is no Poona. What will finally be achieved one who goes out to them ” and talks will depend upon how the seven board of the high prevalence of drug addic- members work together towards build- tion. ing a brighter future for the ever in ­ Noting that the problem with the creasing influx of Parsis into Poona. % T Guiding the voters Sorting ballot papers (top) gure among Poona Parsis, he is a graduate in law and has a road trans ­ port business, an ice factory, deals in petroleum products and is active in the Lions movement. Anklesaria, who professes “an academic interest ” in the Panchayat constitution wants to see if, with the passage of time, its aims and methods are still feasible. Moreover, he wishes to establish the identity of the second largest Zoroastrian locale “in the world community ... to take a more prominent role in India ” and express the views of the Poona Parsis on the Succession Act, divorce and employ ­ ment problems facing the community. He notes, it is important not to take a narrow perspective, “We can ’t live in isolation, we have to think about the betterment of others also. ” Standing for the first time as a trus ­ tee, was Ms Khurshid Jeejeebhoy who is associated with the N.M. Petit Char- '•5 I itr “5* LSi An*'®'- 1*^. I' ¦i @ z» o ! i,« 1 .¦Ti 1 *1 it r r >• ).- j-iii l.*i^ I" It 11'- :< Distinctive Portrayals Parinaz Toddywalla .• •. Dorabjee Pudiimjee excelled in photography when the art was in its infancy in the nineteenth century. V Amused? Bored? Questioning? Per ­ plexed? All these diverse facial ex ­ pressions have been captured in por- Bombay of those days. Dorabjee was the Harvey Library of World Cultur so proficient in the line that he in London to send for some of Pudum _______ _ obtained recognition from the jee ’s prints. The one-foot enlarge traits and group photographs taken by Amateur Photographic Society of ments show no distortion and in fac Sirdar Khan Bahadur E_—'-j,, - ' ’ ’ / ' * 7 . j Pudumjee who, assisted by his brother and a fine album, ” as notes a write-up graphs were commended even by late Nowrojee, had pursued photography in the Parsi Lustre on Indian Soil. p.-..i.v.. fu as a hobby when the art was in its in- T fancy in the third quarter of the photographs were developed and pro- at the quality, of the prints, nineteenth century. The blood vessels cessed, on seeing the enlargements of A total number of 6,353 photo of the hand, the crease in the dagli, the the original prints, R.C. Leighton graphs comprised the work of Dorab elaborate hairdos of British ladies, the Herdson, honorary curator at the jee as per the records labonousl mathubanu tied securely on the heads Royal Photographic Society, Museum maintained by his son, the late Fai of Parsi women, the children in their of Photography, London, commented, doonjee Pudumjee, and offered t decorative ijaars, iha bias and intricate- “These examples are amongst the best Parsiana by his great grand nephew ly embroidered topis can all be dis- I have seen of this period. The subject Rusi Pudumjee. Parsis, British nobil tinctly recognized. In addition, ornate matter itself is also extremely well ity and different ethnic groups of Indi and beautifully carved furniture pro- handled ...These are really nice quali- form the subject matter of his photc vide the backdrop to the subjects when ty and show the subjects very well in- graphs. His few landscapes were res photographed indoors, and the tricycle deed, in particular the portraits and tricted to the scenery of Poons or lanterns create the atmosphere of groups. I should think they would be Dorabjee ’s last photograph was of the period when the models were made to pose outdoors. Despite his amateur base, “Pudum- ---- ------ _ - jee Hall at Poona was the center of societies who hold collections of their broke out in the D. Pudumjee Pape photographying the elite of Poona and own. ” Herdson even recommended Mills in Bombay in 1976. Dorabjee London in the shape of a silver cup the clarity and sharpness of the photo day photographers of standing like th In 1965, almost a century after the late Jehangir Unwalla who marvellei most welcomed — I know they would group of cyclists but it met the sam be so - by all photographic museums fate as the majority of his collectio and by those leading club(s) and which was destroyed in a fire whic Herdson even recommended Mills in Bombay in 1976. 20 Parsiana December 1986T •r ¦ specializing in the carte de visile Gernsheim. Albumen paper, which . style of photography (the prevailing was coated with the white of egg, re- > social custom demanded affixing of the mained the most popular until the end IljL owner ’s photograph on a visting card of the nineteenth century. The largest H in lieu of the present day protocol producer of albumen paper in Europe III where only names are indicated) in the 1890s is belig\'ed to have con- Dorabjee ’s small portraits either in- sumed 60,000 eggs daily for eluded head-and-shoulders or a full- albumenising, it is further detailed in length pose, two and a quarter by the book. three and three-quarter inch in size. ------- HBmi All card photographs “are the social lished photography ” and who was re- currency, the sentimental ‘greenback ’ sponsible for introducing cartes de vi- HHHW® of civilization; ” in the words of the late site described photography as an art. U.S. Supreme Court judge Oliver “It used its own means; it had its own Wendell Holmes. original standard of the aesthetic. The The photographs were taken on outward appearance of things are, as it glass plates using the albumen and were, the elements, the words of the subsequently the wet collodion pro- language which the photographer ex ­ cess. In the latter method a glass plate presses in his work. ” evenly coated with potassium iodide .. was immediately sensitized by dipping music, enjoyed rifle shooting and in- it in a bath of silver nitrate solution. It volved in the civic affairs of Poona., had to ’ be exposed while still moist to His life sketch in Parsi Lustre records prevent deterioration of sensitivity, his achievements: Hd~ constructed Exposure time usually varied from five organ rollers, established his position seconds to two minutes depending on as the champion rifle shot of India and the conditions of light. Directly after was, for over a decade, the Govern- exposure the plate had to be de- ment nominee to the Poona City veloped with other chemicals. The col- Municipality and its president from lodion process replaced the albumen 1886 to 1902. In 1895 ,the Government one, and in turn evolved into the gela- appointed him to the Bombay Legisla- tine and film negative methods. But tive Council. today, “it is impossible to judge ~ ‘ ' -- -..................... whether a photograph has been taken (author of Light of Asia, a well-known on albumen, collodion, gelatine dry work on Buddhism), Dorabjee and his plate or film negative by looking at the brother Nowrojee attained a high stan- print, which is in most cases a contact dard in English and passed the junior copy on sepia-toned albumen paper and senior examinations (equivalent to lacking the visible distinctions, ” notes BA and MA). The brothers also learnt a write-up in A Concise History of Gujarati, Marathi, Hindustani and Photography by Helmut and Alison Persian. In conjunction with Now-F * ’V t r <3^ r' -” ¦ ST • 'r-tf t- K. .^1 i /v rojee, Dorabjee started in 1884 the ernor of Bombay, personally presided Deccan Paper Mills Co Ltd near over a public meeting convened in Poona, “one of the first ventures of its 1902 to condole the death of Dorabjee kind in Western India ... Supported by at the age of 64, a rare tribute to a his brother, he also started a bank, ice departed Indian. and cotton factories, ” states the Parsi Lustre article. During his lifetime Dorabjee was conferred several titles. He was 1902) appointed a First Class Sirdar of the Deccan in 1894 and Khan Bahadur the frame on the front cover following year. Lord Northcote, Gov- Courtesy: Phillips Antiques Ail photographs reproduced in this article were taken by Dorabjee Pudumjee (1838- The nineteenth century carved wooden _^s >¦ 4 • 2/ 'ik [^ Jf/n • * ^^7 ¦W 7* t * 1 x-’s-'. s.. i^- V S’ Cama’s commitments Rustom Cama, the newly elected president of the Indian and Eastern Newspaper Society, talks of the problems facing the fourth estate. I I I uusiiy will cApaiiu in inc near luiure, cent oi me national market, I “but the growth will not be because of imposition of customs duty g aVflllflhlll't'V fTi'f TI^^WC'Tl'rini' ^in_ iio. Parinaz Toddywalla ^,->-.q.»., •Mr'' 43 • * jfj < W -4 There is a hope th|it the newspaper in- local producers only cater to 60 per- Cama was hopeful of convincing the' dustry will expand in the near future, cent of the national market, and the authorities. /on im- “The lENS does not interfere with easier availability of newsprint (in- ported consumable articles used in the individual fights. But in case of prob- ferior quality paper used in the print- i ing of newspapers) but due to the fact which retard the industry ’s progress, dustry and society, it feels obliged to ) that our literacy is rising at a very rapid “The Government wants to move into settle (the dispute), ” he clarified. Re*; ’ rate, ” said Rustom Muncherji Gama, the twenty-first century in technology garding pending dues payable to the newly elected president of The Indian but has at the same time placed restric- publications by the advertising agen- and Eastern Newspaper Society tions which affect the newspaper in- cies, Cama was emphatic, “A news- | (lENS) for the year 1986-87. dustry, ” a Press Trust of India news paper should be powerful enough to /J Heading this apex body which looks report had iquOted Gama on Septem- demand payment outstanding dues after the interests of newspaper and without the interfereiice of the lENS. ’ts'^g magazine publishers, Cama dismisses the subject of his appointment in one sentence, “By talking sense in the meetings and doing work for the in ­ dustry, you are selected on the various committees and elected to the various offices. ” Cama also enjoys the rare distinction of having his late father Muncherji (of The Bombay Samachar fame) serve as president of the lENS in 1950-51. “As lENS president, I have only two priorities: one is the newsprint issue, and secondly^to get the advertis ­ ing agencies to pay in time their out ­ standings which they owe to the news ­ papers (running into several crores of rupees), ” he informed. The bespecta ­ cled, corpulent, 64-year-old Cama was at his Bombay Samachar office (where he is director) overlooking Horniman Circle, when Parsiana interviewed him on November 5, 1986. Elaborating on the subject of scarce newsprint which is of prime import ­ ance to him, Cama empathized with the predicament of newspaper pub ­ lishers who are unable to plan their ex- ber 29, soon after his election. “We are here being controlled through adver- pansion programs due to the Govern- trying to persuade the Government tisements (though the Central Govern* ment ’s uncertain policy on allocation but we can ’t force them to our line of ment expended Rs 4,54,41,059 by way of newsprint. Levying of customs duty thinking. The Government has of advertising in newspapers aiid on imfmrted newsprint, which the pub- accepted our recommendations many periodicals in 1985-86, according to an lisher is obliged to purchase since the a times before, but it ‘takes time. ” , lENS publication). It would become a ¦t 2 I I I I I 27 P^iaha DeciMfer 198B >1 ¦; - ^17 -» 7—'^^’9 . .r**" €‘¦3 printing process, are other factors lems which affect the newspaper in- “ '^1 Photograph HomyarMistry Out of a total of 22,648 newspaper^ (including periodicals) published in 1985, only 536 are members of the lENS. “Membership is refused to ‘house ’ magazines (which promote the, ’ interests of the parent organization) because they are not sold on the stands and because they enjoy the protection' of the Company they are servicing...'. “Every newspaper management dt'^ Editor should follow a code of con ­ duct which must be arrived at internal- > ly, depending on the functioning of the .. organization. Though the Press Coun- cil is there as a monitoring body^ ;; everyone should follow a code, even # ' it ’s an unwritten one, but this doesn ’t mean there should be no investigative^* journalism... It would be very danger ­ ous to ask the Government for st/ code, ” Cama was convinced. a S; Where freedom of the Press is coh- ^'w cerned, Cama was most uninhibited in 4^ his praise for the Indian situation where “we have got complete freer dom. My newspaper is not controlled and I have not heard of any newspaper > i '’*'n -ftl •& !>¦ SJ Aft r-l X-¦A' -IP ' v‘ X5.’ >' Pif controlled by among all Indian papers in the whole ing news from China where prices of of India,,,The 5aznflc/iar has always opium are detailed. Tt long ‘Coverage of world news is found been conducted by Parsis, But its Ian- article on the liberty of the Press and' . much more among Indian newspapers guage has never been the slipshod ends with the sentence, “The Press is \ than any other foreign papers, with the highly Persianized Gujarati of the Par- also called the law of the world, ” The exception of Tirne and Newsweek, ” sis, or the jaw-breaking and affected Samachar was taken over by the asserted Cama, “Though an average Sanskrit Gujarati of some pompous Camas in 1933 when the former owner Indian paper covers more local news Hindu writers,,,(It) has developed an defaulted on his creditors, than world news, conversely foreign entirely new style free as well from Though for the present The ¦'* papers ma aapre vaste ek bol nahi ave, --------— —. -i. (make no mention of us), ” Cama repe ­ ated his point, Cama himself has grown with The some Parsi writers i_ Bombay Samachar. After completing papers,,,Hindus and Mohammedans spreading to the rural his graduation frorf Sydenham Col- f * ' ' ~ , lege at the age ^f 20, he joined his as Parsis, father Muncherji, who was then the owner <.£ 2__ tw ivvviiniiciiu first joined my father in the printing our readers to refrain from consigning I* - -----------o -------1---------—— VXAWX LXCXaAV'X, VfX 11 Mill working of all the departments, I was otherwise destroying the copies of this f-— brother Noshir is the managing direc- i tor, and my son Mehli and nephews and file the issues of this paper and to “don ’t believe in interfering with the . ' Munchi and Hormuz are also in the have them bound in a volume at the editorial work, ” Despite few Parsis to- administrative field here, ” Gama is end of every year because such day having a sufficiently good com- also director of the Press Trust of In- volumes will be useful to themselves mand over Gujarati, Cama is confi- dia, and former president of the All and more so to posterity, ” dent that when thl time comes they India Federation of Master Printers , The contents of the first volume in- will succeed in finding a Parsi Editor and chairman of the Development elude advertisements of things lost, a for The Samachar. “Jehan Daruwalla , -,1 Panel of the Printing Industry. prospectus on the new paper, news on (the present Editor) kern malyo, tern « Pursuing “all manly sports, ” Cama the arrival and departure of ships and koi malse (just as we found Daruwal-, still goes for the occasional cruise (he Europeans from Bombay, information la, we ’ll find someone else), I am not 'Q was past commodore of the Royal on government and supreme court worried about Parsis not learning Gu- a Bombay Yacht Club) and is fond of appointments, and reprints from Cal- jarati; so long as Gujaratis learn Gu- outdoor sports like shooting, hiking cutta and Madras newspapers, includ- jarati, we ’ll go on,,, ” and fishing, “I don ’t gamble, nor do I ji go to discos, but I enjoy gardening and swimming, ” Cama added with a straight face. “Reading is no longer a hobby, but a compulsion. ” Taking pride in the history ot The Bombay Samachar, Cama narrated how printing used to be done in 1822, without electricity, utilizing steam. The types had to be carved out of wood. Today of course, it is printed on a rotary offset, the composing having been done by photo typesetters, he added. The paper started by Furdoon- jee Murzbanjee, continued as a week ­ ly for the first 10 years until 1832. Thereafter it was circulated as a bi­ weekly for the next 23 years, and since 1855 it has been made into a daily. K In the commemorative volume re ­ leased on the hundred and fiftieth ' anniversary of The Samachar in 1972, an article reproduced from The Calcut­ ta Review of 1898, gives interesting in- 4 sights into the early days of “the oldest „ paper not only among native, but t ,; I ¦i -I affectation and involvement on the Samachar has no plans to bring out a one hand, as on the other from the sister publication, Cama noted, “No- S childishness and extreme levity of thing stops us from expanding if we 1 some Parsi writers and want to. Now with the newsnane.rs ¦-A< and want to. Now with the newspapers ¦ 1—___ 1 areas, we afe ' find their views reflected in it as much happy that many villages in Maharash- - oc Gujarat receive The Samachar. An editorial in the first volume of That ’s where the language papers of The Bombay Samachar. “I July 1, 1822 states, “We recommend come in, ” - - --------------- —o —cS Over the years. The Samachar h3i& J r the waste paper basket, or from tried to maintain a tradition of - -------r -------------> appointing Parsi Editors to work inde- eventually made director. My elder newspaper after reading them. Our pendently at the helm of the paper ’s « hrothftr Nnchir k thA subscribcrs will do well to preserve editorial team, because the Camas S h " ¦-S volumes will be useful to themselves mand over Gujar^i, Cama is eonfi- , The contents of the first volume in- ¦i*/ The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive ^fts, reli^ous artefacts, executive desk Kts, exdusive shell items, ded^er jewelry & specializing in wood & copper-enamel ^fts. BOMBAY SWADESHI STORES LTD. (Mezzanine Floor) Sir PM Road, Bombay-400 001 STUDIO AKAR 6T/2660 y s« I r{ s= i 29 Parsiana December 19S6 S' <:' t ''Ju ¦f: BlBUSINESS is! . !/ i Fr^ l^directorsPradeep Shukla, Yezdi Master (managing dtrectorf^utm^Debw (chairman), Dhansukhlal Shukla and Farrokh Sidhwa. f 1 y left. airectors Pri Mazda’s new property Soon to enter the capital market with a public issue is the newest company promoted by Mazda Estates and Fi­ nance Private Limited - Mazda Prop ­ erties Limited. Incorporated in Octo ­ ber 1986, and ascribed with an autho ­ rised capital of Rs 10 crores and paid- up capital of three crores, the Com ­ pany will initially develop commercial properties “and a couple of commer ­ cial projects in ,,Bombay and Surat have almost reached the final stage, ” notes the Company ’s press release. The chairman of this new Company will be Dara Deboo, who is presently development of trust properties, adds sure an annual income of at least Rs 30 the head of the Mazda Group of Com- the write-up. lakhs, according to Deboo. panics. The other directors have not In the meanwhile, the first annual Vitta Mazda plans to diversify into been named in the press release but general meeting of Vitta Mazda Li- the field of leather products and also will include “experts in their respec- mited was held on October 25, 1986. wishes to set up sophisticated water jet tive professions. ” Chairman Dara Deboo noted in his looms, twisting and texturising “Private builders often refrain from statement, that within three months of machinery for supplying raw materials selling out space in their commercial commencing operations the Company for polyester fabrics used in suitings, complexes to banks, government cor- had completed leasing business worth shirtings and dress Materials. Another porations, insurance companies and over Rs 100 lakhs and earned a net field of diversification is the manufac- even limited companies. Mazda Prop- profit of Rs 11.97 lakhs, thereby en- ture of advanced commercial office erties Limited therefore expects to suring its shareholders a dividend of 20 materials. play a lead rple in catering to the needs percent. In the first five months of of these organizations, ” adds the press their second year, business of over Rs being carefully screened for feasibility release. The Company expects to yield 200 lakhs was undertaken and the and market potential by reputed con- a substantial lease rent from these pro- Company has generated a gross in- sultancies. In the meanwhile, “all jects and thus sustain high dividend come of Rs 75 lakhs. companies now under formation and rates of “at least 18 percent...for a In addition to equipment leasing, to be promoted by Mazda Estates and period of many years, ” states the re- Vitta Mazda has already undertaken Finance Private Limited, will belong lease. leasing of immovable properties and is to the Mazda Group of Companies, ” The Company plans to diversify into developing a warehousing project at notes the chairman. the fields of forestry and agriculture in Navsari covering an area of about _ order to enjoy tax benefits, and is also 45,000 square meters adjacent to the tlHVar S deploy data bank currently negotiating with various pub- national highway number eight. The “As far as I am concerned there is no lie charitable trusts in Bombay for the 100 warehouses and godowns will en- such thing as unemployment, ” said From left. Nanabhoy Davar, S.S. Pannu, public relations consultant, Darab Davar, Puran Nanabhoy Davar, principal of the Dav ar, Manjari Shivapuri, marketing executive, Tina Mullan, manager-placement and Davar s College of Commerce (Sec- Neera Kapur, consultant. ___________ retarial Studies and Services) at a press __ organized by them on De- cember 12, 1986, to introduce their new division, Davar ’s Placement and Development Services. Supplementing her husband ’s thought, Ms Puran Davar, director Secretarial Studies, elaborated, “I have rarely come across unemployable people. It may take some more time for an individual to realize his or her full potential. But once that is realized the progress is very quick. In fact, many such cases have proved to be far more stable and competent in their careers. And the most important aspect of development In the meanwhile, the first annual However, all these projects are still I i ! I ¦i l-l! w [Hi 5i' i" A W’sf'W f f piviyoM af DAw^ Aft , PRESSp tel Flaw f| S '- H ¦BwJtrfSIM9' I -i? S'l 31 Parsiana December 1986 i tii i I 1 I Hi' ; ¦'¦•i '-ii ¦fl! '"'A I ki ¦y k iJjiuiiA k 1* ** J*. - * >* r*-’ ^-' a h ^1 If is that it must continue throughout professional fee, informs the press re- by its order dated November 7, 1985, life. It should not stop with the first lease. the Labour Court dismissed the ap- job. ” Those seeking better prospects can plication by the Lfnion. The Union, “The most important part of our avail of their free service - “the unem- not satisfied, moved the Industrial Placement is the meticulous selection ployed, employed, experienced or the Court in this regard but once again the system. It is called ‘matchmaking ’ be- inexperienced. If they are new, they petition was dismissed. Finally the tween the employer and employee. .. can hope to build careers with the right Tardec Branch of the Bank, which was We are professional to the core, and placement and development. If they awaiting the court judgments, was in- are interested in building careers ' ’ ' ‘ * ' ' ' “ ‘ not just making a placement, ” noted the Davars ’ son Darab who is _ executive director. The system will categories of job aspirants... ” Gagrat. essentially operate through the com- « , , In the meanwhile, the domestic en- puterized data bank. The talent, apti- Bank S Climate quiry instituted by the Bank for acts of tude and ability of the candidate will While legal expenses to defend civil indiscipline committed by the staff be critically matched against the right and criminal cases filed by the labor members has come under a lot of flak job requirements and will ensure the union and certain staff members from the Union which approached the right person ror the right job, notes the against The Zoroastrian Co-operative Labour Court for an injunction, which Davar ’s College press release. Train- Credit Bank Limited, have reduced its it was granted. However, the Bank la- ing human resources over the last 86 net profits by Rs 15,659.72, (net pro- ter moved the High Court against the years, placement service is not new at fits for the year ended June 30, 1986 order and “these cases are still pend- Davar ’s but the separate division is were Rs 5,90,300.27), the long drawn ing for final disposal, ” notes Gagrat. “the direct outcome of a big demand out dispute between the management for trained and experienced manpow- and employees of the Bank has yet to of the Bank, is continuing its efforts er. ” be resolved. towards obtaining licences to open For the employers, the benefits will The dispute started in October 1985 more branches. Since the Reserve include saving of time and money in when the bank amended the bye-laws Bank of India (RBI) has started its expensive advertisements, screening, to enable it to throw open its mem ­ call letters, interviews and other has- bership to non-Zoroastrians as well. sles connected with employment for a Furthermore, administrative changes potential centers for branches. As per the rules framed by the RBI for the cooperative banks, the Zoroas- are employed, they may also send in augurated on Janaury 31, 1986, “bare- their resumes clearly defining their ly a few days before the expiry of the career goals... We invite all secretarial licence period on February 4,” noted be resolved. The dispute started in October 1985 I Be that as it may, the management branch expansion plan 1985-90, the Zoroastrian Bank has given a list of 2 ura Enterprise Manufacturers of Printed Packaging Materials Corrugated Boxes, Plastic Carrier Bags, Plastic Containers 10/4, Rustom Ba4dig,Byculla, Bombay - 400027 Tel,8722885 32 Parsiana December 1986 wrought by L.C. Mistry, the secretary and chief executive-of the'Bank, irked old employees who then moved trian Bank has also provided nomina- ... the Labor Court, “alleging that the tion facilities to those hiring its safe- Bank was making an illegal change, ” deposit lockers. Though net profit has noted president R. A. Gagrat in his decreased, the deposits have increased speech delivered at the fifty-ninth by 36 percent and loans and overdrafts annual general meeting of the Bank have marginally increased by Rs held on October 17, 1986. However,195,000, informs Gagrat. MRS. ARMAITY R. BAMANBEHRAM The first Parsee outstanding lady ' r i Professional in VIDEO SHOOTING - U Free Titling, Editing & Audio-dubbing. S7’- ; j #4 Superior clarity in Colour & Sound recording, with special effect, music of your choice. A family memory to treasure Transferring of Super- 8 and 8 mm movies to Video Tape also done. Free Demonstration cassette to Judge our Professional work For Weddings, Navjotes, Parties and Functions Contact: Resiu Tel. No. 8^2^074 No. 6, Khareghat Colony, Hughes Road, Bombay-400 007.I 1 L SPORTS The second Parsi team in England 1888 Vasant Raiji An improvennent in style and judgment helped the Parsis put up a determined fight against < the amateur cricket clubs of England. "The first Parsi team in England" thereby averting an innings defeat by a they fared better with 256, their high- (Parsiana, October 1986) described narrow margin. Nonetheless it was a est score of the tour. The local gentle- the experiences of a group of 15 creditable draw. The next two matches men needed only 123 runs to win. But Parsi cricketers who sailed for Eng- were also drawn but thereafter the Dr Pavri struck a deadly spell dismis- land in 1886 to test their strength Parsis suffered defeat in four consecu- sing six batsmen with his medium fast against the English teams and to tive games. Their first taste of victory deliveries and with the help of P.D. learn the techniques of the game, came in the eighth match of the tour Kanga who took the remaining wick- Of the 28 matches they played, the against the Gentlemen of Hastings on ets, the opponents were skittled out Parsis lost 19, drew eight and won July 4. During the tour they played for a paltry score of 56. Defeat was one. Yet their "pluck" and "modes- two matches against the M.C.C. at turned into a victory by 66 runs. One ty" endeared them to the British Lord ’s; the first was drawn but in the of Dr Pavri ’s deliveries sent the. bail cricketers. Pars/ana now carries the second, the Parsis were outplayed, flying a distance of almost 50 yards. In next instalment on the second trip There were three most exciting another game, at Norfolk, Dr Pavri made by the Parsi cricketers to Eng- matches, each different in its outcome, uprooted the leg stump, which after land in 1888. The first was against the Gentlemen of turning a somersault, pitched itself Eastborne. The home team batted first Without being unnerved by the failure and" scored 302, a good total for a of the first expedition, the following 15 game of two days duration. In reply interesting match. The home team re- Parsi cricketers were once again in En- the Parsis could score only 168 of quiring 71 runs to win scored 70 with gland in the summer of 1888 playing which Cooper made 80. Following on three wickets in hand but were pre ­ cricket, this time mostly against amateur club teams: P.D. Kanga (cap­ tain), S.H. Harvar, J.M. Morenas, M.E. Pavri, R.D. Cooper, D.F. Dubash, N.C. Bapasola, M.D. Kanga, A.D. Vatcha, K.R. Eranee, D.S. Mehta, D.C. Pandole, B.D. Mody, D.N. Writer and J.M. Divecha. The tour was organized by P.D. Kanga, D.C. Pandole and J.M. Di­ vecha. Though not quite representa ­ tive, it was a much stronger team than the previous one. Harvar and Morenas were the only two players who had been members of the 1886 team. Di-^ vecha was more of a manager than player and played only three innings on the tour. The tour began on June 7 with a match against the Gentlemen of Essex at Leyton. Against the home team ’s score of 447, the highest of the tour by the opposing team, the Parsis could score only 134 and 205 for nine wickets thereby averting an innings defeat by a they fared better with 256, their high- There were three most exciting another game, at Norfolk, Dr Pavri again at a distance of nine yards. At Scarborough the Parsis drew an 33 Parsiana December 1986 ¦ r t kt •¦5 t r 1 ¦¦. ( '•ii 'i ‘1 •1 t' sr example of English cricketers and their own assiduous practice since, have brought about a remarkable change. Now their batting, if wanting in dash, is marked by care and judg ­ ment, the bowling is of fairly good length, and the fielding, would not suf ­ fer in comparison with that of the best English elevens. ” W.G. Grace was less critical of the 1888 team ’s performance. The cham ­ pion ’s comments: “Another team of vented from getting that solitary run which would have brought them vic ­ tory. In the last match of the tour, at the . Oval, the Gentlemen of Surrey batted ; first and were all out for 49, the smal ­ lest total against the Parsis during the tour. In reply the Parsis scored 82 T (Cooper 35) gaining a first innings lead of 33 runs. In the second innings the Surrey Gentlemen scored 160 leaving the vistors to get 128 runs to win. Cooper once again batted well for his the standard of Parsi cricket since their Parsi cricketers paid us a visit this 45 but failed to save his side from de- last visit two years ago. Of the 31 year, and had a successful tour from a feat. The Parsis lost the match by nine matches they played, they won 8, drew cricket point of view, but came to grief runs. Earlier during the season Surrey 12 and lost 11. had defeated the Parsis by 300 runs. “ The Parsi crickfters were strong be ­ lievers in the efficacy of prayer. In one match when they were in a tight corner they prayed and invoked the help of ly profited by their cricket experience equal to our second and third-rate the elements. Thereafter, a thunder- - - - • . . .. ................................ " storm broke out stopping the play for a sufficiently long period of time to en ­ able them to draw the game. Their un ­ sophisticated and simple minds made different body of players altogether. In some cricket played by the best expo ­ them believe that the God Almighty 1886 their batting lacked the most nents of the game, they returned to had answered their prayer and had essential quality —defence; their bowl- India well satisfied with the results of come to their rescue. ing, while none too straight was of their tour. The me^ure of ability they There was unanimity of opinion that erratic length, and their fielding was displayed was satisfactory proof that there was a marked improvement in frequently loose and unreliable. The continued on page44 The home team requiring 71 runs to win scored 70 but were prevented from getting that solitary run. 4 ¦I financially. They showed a conspi- The Northampton Chronicle com- cuous improvement upon the team paring the performance of the 1888 which came over two years previously, team with that of the earlier one, but their record of 11 defeats and eight observed: “That the Parsis have large- victories proved that they were not in England two years ago no one who clubs. Their object in visiting England saw their display on the County Crick- was educational rather than mercen- et ground yesterday will for a moment ary, and as they succeeded, in spite of attempt to deny. In fact they seem a a program of 31 matches, in seeing 35 Parsiana December 1986 m b Forever pleasant forever yours There's everything. Simply everything from a friendly vyelcome to a personalised service. You'll find all the comforts and luxuries of a 5 star hotel at 3 star cost, amidst the right atmosphere of grandeur. The rooms are air conditioned and equipped with telephones 4 channel T.V. and piped music. We also provide rooms to accommodate 25 to 125 persons for seminars meetings and receptions. Our restaurant offers you a wide choice of muglai, Chinese and continental dishes. Come any time. Yoq'll love being here. We'll make you smile in everything we do. Grand Hotel Ballard Estate Bombay-400 038. RHONE: 268211 CABLE: GRANDOTEL S X (9 < < ¦Si .4 I-’ -I J <1 1 a • ¦;) il .5)5 1 Billimotia’s bronze Having won a bronze for judo in the Seoul Asiads, Cawas Billimoria is setting his sights on the forthcoming Olympics. la ( / G Niloofer J. Madon A strong hol^ on the collar of an im- manship of Presley thrown in for good 1 ¦uiiii numqp aginary opponent, a strong quick kick measure, ably accompanied on the wue ? on his ankle taking his feet from be- synthesizer by Hirjee Nagarwala of neath him and the opponent is on the track and field. Says Billimoria, “I was ground - a sequence in studied slow confident that the Japanese, Koreans F motion courtesy Cawas Keki Billimor- and Chinese are not so good at sing- ia, demonstrating the finer techniques ing, so Hirjee and myself decided to of judo. participate just for the fun of it. We The six foot four and a half inch practised half an hour before the frame of Billimoria, who won a bronze show. I had never sung on stage be- in judo at the recently concluded fore! ” Tenth Asian Games held at Seoul, South Korea, dwarfed the makeshift shorts and T-shirt, the national judo stage between sofa and chair at his re- champion could only be described as sidence at Cumballa Hill. ‘solid. ’ A handsome bespectacled face Talkipg of his success at Seoul, matched the strong hefty build of a Cawas says, “In the beginning I did winner. not expect it at all, but once I saw the The morning of November 5, saw that when one has to throw another draw (opposition) I had to get the the Billimoria household in action, person, you are off balance bronze. I had to beat the Sri Lankan People kept walking in and out of the yourself...the opponent knows what is and I was quite certain I would. ” The always open front door — uncles, result of this confidence not only in- aunts, family and friends — a con- creased the paltry medal tally that In- tinuous stream of visitors interspersed bringing out two well illustrated books dia notched up at the Games but was a with as many telephone calls. A lived- considerable achievement, seeing that in home with welT-worn sofas and easy this was the first time that India sent chairs, a positive heap of chopped total of 60 throws recognized in judo, a an eight-member judo contingent to green vegetables, on the dining table professional would concentrate on the Asian Games. — everyone going about their usual merely three to four. ” Once the oppo- “I felt like singing because of the morning household chores. nent is thrown onto the ground jOne atmosphere, ” notes Billimoria, enthu- A national champion in the above has to keep him down on his back for siastically describing the camaraderie 85 kg category and silver medalist in the stipulated 30 seconds to win a bout that existed at the Asian Games Vil- the open weight category at the 1985 and here the ground work or grappling lage where the participants were championships held at New Delhi, 24- techniques are brought into play, housed. “One was really treated like a year-old Billimoria secured his first Grappling includes chokes, strangula- VIP. Perhaps the only hassle was get- dan (grade) in 1985 at the Kodokan tions and bone locks to help pin the ting into the Village (there were four Institute of Judo, Japan, the birthplace opponent down. security checks at short intervals). I of the sport. “In judo you have junior guess that had to be done. ” Adds Billi- grades - yellow, orange, green, blue, moria with a grin, “It only made one brown and black, ” explained Cawas. feel more important! ” “After the black belt there are 10 de ­ Success came to Billimoria at the grees. There are very few in the world technique, the bigger one wins — Asiad not just in judo. He also won a who get a 10 dan and by then they are hence the seven weight categories ” but talent contest organized at the Asiad 75 to 80 years old^ Above the fifth and adds that strategy is far more impor- Village theater on September 22, sixth degree you get your dans for your tant. “If you don ’t know when to use 1986. His talent — a medley of Elvis contribution to the sport... what, if you just go around practising Presley songs with the gyrating show- “Judo is a difficult sport in the sense like a fool (then it is no use). ” Seated on the sofa in red jogging The morning of November 5, saw A national champion in the above “Judo is a difficult sport in the sense 36 Parsiana December 7 986 -w A'"’ going to happen ” which makes it all the more difficult, says Cawas. Then on judo he goes on to explain the va ­ rious techniques involved. “Out of a Disclaiming the Japanese notion that in judo a small man and a big one have an equal chance to win, Billimor- ia notes, “If two people have the same !. ¦T i”''?'^ <3^5Wt.TM '^y L r k r I I ¦’ suffering because I have to concen- Talking about his daily training, trate on my students ” despite which it Cawas says, “In Bombay there is no In India the popularity of judo has out the day. ” increased in recent years due to the ' „ various judo competitions, both inter- Cawas says, “In Bombay there is no is difficult to ask them to sacrifice cer- school and inter-collegiate, organized one who can give me a fight so I have tain things for judo. For the students it by various sports bodies, notes Cawas to...concentrate on building my speed, is a question of priorities — judo or but admits: “Today, most of the mar ­ tial arts have lost their importance in imperative for him to make a trip to Comparing judo and karate, Cawas self defence because people carry arms Japan for three months of the year so explains, “Judo has an international and there is little one can do (in the that he can train “with the cham- set of rules — a grade syllabus unlike circumstance). ” Yet people are in- pions. ” And this is where Cawas karate, which has several styles...just terested in it to keep fit or as a com ­ petitive sport as he is. It all started for Cawas in 1975 and Air-India and individuals like There is no control. ” The Internation- when, according to him, “I was awful- Pheroze Jhabvala of the Pee Cee Trust al Judo Federation was formed in 1964 ly fat and I had* to get fit. (At that and Dossu Gandhi, vice-president of and judo was incorporated in the time) I could not dream of competition the Judo Federation of India. “There Olympics in the same year, informs I was lucky to (tr^n) under Sensei Per- helped me make it, vez Mistry and under him I started fall- gratefully acknowledging their help, ing in love with judo...It just hap- — - ¦ pened! ” Today judo has become a full-time later between 4 pm and 6 pm and in- medals in judo at the Asian Games, proposition for Billimoria, “Onecannot eludes running. From 6 pm to 8 pm Cawas feels that “the technique of the concentrate on other things. You have Billimoria is involved with his judo Japanese is the best. ” He talks of the to prepare not just physically but also classes which he runs at four different Japanese Yamashita, who retired from mentally. A month before the com- centers in Bombay. Notes Billimoria, competitive judo in 1984 at the age of petition one has to think judo through- “To a certain extent my own practise is 27 after the Los Angeles Olympics. strength and stamina. ” It is therefore studies? imperative for him to make a trip to pions. appreciates all the help given to him by knowing the basics of karate, I can go such organizations as Hindustan Lever to Hong Kong and get a black belt. because I could not do a simple squat! are so many individuals who have Cawas. ' * ~ - - - .... „ According to the champ the Japanese and Koreans are the Training involves weight training strongest in the international field and from 6 am to 8.30 am which continues though Korea won six of the eight says Cawas To a certain extent my own practise is 21 after the Los Angeles Olympics. ¦¦ ¦ 1 ¦f %*-’ •. i; Judo isb difficult sport in the sense that when one has to throw another person, you are off balance yourself. i ! ! I f ... .. .. (¦III Notes Cawas in awe: “What Edwin Moses is to hurdles, Yamashita was to judo. After 1977 he never lost a com ­ petition! ” Confident of India ’s position in in ­ ternational judo, Cawas opines that “Barring the Japanese, and Koreans, India is on par with any other Asian country, in the sense that we could beat them. ” According to Billimoria, international exposure for competitors and foreign coaches, are the keys to * India ’s success in judo at the coming I Seoul Olympics, in which he has every • intention of participating. However, I before the Olympics he will take part I in the South-Asian Games to be held ’ at Kathmandu in March 1987. “The Japanese and Koreans will not be around and so this is a good chance to do well! ” he adds. When Billimoria is not training or taking his classes or attending one or ¦ ¦ ilw- i -J 1 ¦ .'J ¦1I t- the other competition,he keeps snakes and calls himself an amateur herpeto ­ logist. “Since Second Year BCom, I started going on hikes specially to col ­ lect snakes, ” his interest in this hobby being whetted while being taken to an exhibition on snakes from school. Notes Cawas proudly, “At one time I family ’s reaction to his bronze, Cawas neutral umpires to officiate in a test had 13 snakes of five to six species, notes with a smile, “They were hap- match outside their own country, ” the (though) I knew at some stage I would pier than myself, though I’d told them report continued. have to leave them. ” And so, some not to expect it, ” and continues mod- At the request of the Pakistan were deposited at the zoo and others estly, “Let us just say that though I Cricket Board, the two umpires were at the Haffkine Institute, Bombay, for was happy, I was not very very happy sent from India to officiate in the test immunology research. Today howev- or excited because I know I have a matches between Pakistan and the er, Cawas does not keep snakes be- long way to go before I can challenge West Indies. “It was not an easy series cause it involves a lot of care and he is the Japanese or the Koreans. ” — . — busy with hist judo. ______________________________ ___ The eldest of three brothers, Cawas, interview with Farokh Tarapore, after completing his ICSE exams from who won a silver medal in yachting at and is very interested in dramatics. In cently found themselves implementing fact he has a tiny role in the new a dramatic change in history and tradi- musical Are you Lonesome Tonight tion. Piloo Reporter, 48-year-old which is currently doing the rounds of sports officer in the Maharashtra State the Bombay theaters. Cawas ’s father Electricity Board and V.K. Ramas- Kersi is a stock broker while his mother Persis gives tuitions. Of his Railways, became the first pair of wamy, personal assistant in the Indian J i- notes with a smile, “They were hap- not to expect it, ” and continues mod- I ? i I to officiate. The test matches were in ­ credibly close and the umpires natural ­ ly were subjected to a great deal of X , X . J “ pressure. Both coped well, ” notes St Mary s School, did his BCom from the Seoul Asiads, will be carried in the Mid-D^y. But according to Reporter, Sydenham College and is currently January issue. “There was no extra pressure what- studying for his Chartered Accountan- soever. ” cy. The second in line, Dinshaw, who Neutral Reporter Though Reporter has umpired in is going through his first year law, is The concept of neutral umpires has only three test matches, his “first class the current inter-collegiate judo cham- not yet been formally accepted by the experience is pretty formidable. Re ­ pion and helps Cawas with his various London based International Cricket porter has put in 20 years and is classes. The youngest. Kayomarz,has Council, notes a news item in Mid-Day deemed to be among the best College (FYJC) at the Elphinstone able and softspoken gentlemen. opted for Arts at the First Year Junior of November 29,1986. Yet, “two ami- (umpires) in i^e country, ” the write- College (FYJC) at the Elphinstone able and softspoken gentlemen, re- up continued. IR ¦ 1 g-lTlr Many old tondmcsta In India draw appradoHva remark* from visttoR. Lika Pre groctou* Bombay Caofrcd StaBoK the Ndtflc Security Pre**; the tfolaly otd 8a*eive Bahk iMdtdBig oixl rnony inoiw-^dB StKyrooi^ PMfw^t» OOl tM. Ltd. euarttp lottlMlyaen*. Today. , X .... IHm BIO new Tol Inlofconflneniat and Cberol Towrji^^^ Irwitivto of PiifidtamoMM^^M^eoicti A >kjk tt«iM i* * jfc.n jW ikubll.-Jktf Yi KOOpKt^ pOCO Willi iPO nfPPfli wlQpOOfil HQHlOP|i changed the face of ttw cky-Hne wttti cfcy-tcweK IMk MdMH iMlHUif'WMdAWMUS^ ifWWraI T/«UMMfe * 38 Parsiana December]986 X.5' 1 3 j ¦j 1 j SHAPOORJ FALLOW J & CO. (PVT.) LTD. Engineers & Construction Contractors New India Centre, 17 Cooperage Road Bornbay-400 039 India. Telex; 011 -2124; Tel.: 2026614, 2020228,2020762\’ TV * 'Kite I BOOKS Anottier dimension I i the other world in a trance, and given an account of it to his master. King Shabuhr II (307-379 AD). According to Mehta, there is a complete absence of material things in the after-death state (“if there is one ”), and Zarathushtra, as he postulates, had himself given no descriptions of per ­ fumed breezes, ambrosia, and thrones for a person leading a good life. The prophet, writes Mehta, had only affirmed the Laws of Life, and heaven and hell, contrary to modem Zoras- trian beliefs, are only our physical and psychological states here and now, Zarathushtra . The Transcendental Vision by Zoroastrians) is to attain their full while the body lives. Phiroz D. Mehta. Published in Great Britain by adult stature and Strive tO achieve that Element Books Limited in 1985. Pp 110 + xviii. Price £ 3.95 (Rs 72.30). ‘Transcendental ’ is a word that lends itself to many different interpreta- in Sri Lanka, Phiroz Mehta, the au- liberate the embodied transcendence tions. The Chambers’ Twentieth Cen- thor, daily observed the forms of by his flowering into the full-fledged tury Dictionary for example gives Buddhism, and imbibed within himself perfect human. “Every flower - the three :supereminent, surpassing others; a considerable knowledge of the Vedas existential shape and form - soon with- as applicable to knowledge, beyond and Upanishads. His books on compa- ers and dies. Its perfume gladdens man human knowledge; as applicable to rative religions. Early Indian Religious and the world and lives deathlessly as being, relating to the absolute; vague- Thought and The Heart of Religion, ness and illusiveness in philosophy; are recommended reading in US uni- and the investigation of what is inde- versifies, notes Noel King, professor vocabulary, and strength of style. It is pendent of experience. of history and comparative religion at a modern approach to our religious Zarathushtra : The Transcendental the University of California (Santa heritage, and “if the reader, ” as de- Vision encompasses all the three diffe- Cruz), in his Foreword. The books rent definitions, as it proceeds within have influenced and inspired students its 110 pages to convey the nature of to do their own thinking, he adds, the transcendental vision of the per- Mehta follows the same principle in fected holy ones, and in particular, as this title. He urges the reader to think proclaimed by Zarathushtra. The for himself, to reject anything that book describes the prophet, by virtue does not stand to reason: “Do not wor- of his preachings and writings, man- ry over man-made problems regarding ifested mainly through the Gathas, as a the monotheism of Zarathushtrianism, supreme individual, the son of God and whether Zarathushtra ’s teaching is (Ahura Mazda), who communicated dualistic or not. ” with the Supreme Deity, and laid - - - — down a simple religious code, yet one Vision is a book that deserves to be spond to the expression - and not comparatively so advanced for its time read, primarily because of its fresh merely agree or disagree with it - he (between 1,400 and 600 BC, according approach to the religion. It gives rnay realize freedom from fear and to the author) as to have influenced meaning to words such as transcend- the basic thinking of Judaism, ence, God, primordial creative ener- Mahayana Buddhism, Christianity and gy, consciousness, infinity, eternity, Islam. immortality. In the course of elucidat- The book under review is also ing their meaning, Mehta describes the equally vague at times, and illusive in mode whereby the finite and temporal Vision is heavy reading. It combines philosophy, thus, probably, in its own may commingle with the immortal, the western thinking with Vedic philoso- manner, qualifying for the second and divine. phy and Avestan contents. The troika not-so-flattering description of the In the process, some untenable doc- offers balance to a work that lends a new dimension to Zoroastrian reli ­ gious thought. The inclusion of a de ­ Heaven and hell are only physical and psychological states while the body Lives, emphasizes Phiroz Mehta. * Homi J. Rogers Immortality, too, is to be experi- fully humane and divine status, which enced whilst embodied in the human rightfully belongs to them. form. No finite mortal, according to Brought up in Zoroastrian traditions Mehta, liberates himself - he can only a happy memory. ” Mehta ’s work exhibits a lucidity of Mehta urges the reader to think for himself, to reject anything that does not stand to reason. Zarathushtra: The Transcendental sired by Mehta in his preface, “can re- anxiety, dejection and sorrow. Self- reliant by virtue of such freedom, he can be a light and blessing to a world in pressing need of renovation. ” Zarathushtra: The Transcendental In the process, some untenable doc ­ word ‘transcendental. ’ It is not easy to trines too are refuted by Mehta, like state succinctly the outline of the the existence of hell and heaven, as _ _ book, but the message of the author to described by Arda Viraf, a saintly tailed index makes it a valuable refer- the human race (and not only to priest, who is believed to have entered ence book as well. 39 Parsiana December 1986 •»! ¦4i i ' 5 Bl J¦i The saga continues i the daughter of the Turanian king, Afraasiaab, before he was sentenced to death by his royal father-in-law due to the machinations of Afraasiaab ’s courtier and confidante Garseevaz, and the jealousies of an alien court. The rest of the volume deals with the continuous battles between the two enternal foes to avenge the death of Siaavoush, Firdaosi ’s greatest tragic fi­ gure. The volume concludes with the Iranians in battle against Turan ’s ally, the Khaaqaan of China, and a narra- . tive of Rustam fighting, Akvaan Deev, Volume n. Transited and published by Dr munity, making it easier to appreciate which according to Firdaosi “may not «tetabS5(iSoro,*;p?j"if^^ the work. Dr Surti ’s effort has met carry conviction. ” " ----- -nnchT.w. Within the framework of 284 pages The French, connoisseurs of femmes Namah published some six months ago sketches the characters with consum- and films, view with suspicion a film (and reviewed in Parsiana, June 1986) mate ease, sparing, surprisingly, some based on a literary work. “Like sold out within two months (a reprint kind lines for the arch villain, - . / ’ " ¦ . ¦ “ow available for Rs 55 with plastic Afraasiaab too. The volume is height ­ ful, it is not beautiful; and if it is jacket), and a second and bulkier ened by the sympathetic touches im- beautiful, it cannot be faithful. ” volume has been published to carry parted to the Turanians, especially The same analogy ¦ redolent as it is the saga onwards. Peeraan, who appears to be torn in the with chauvinism r- could be applied to ” * ” . - . translation works. Fitzgerald, remem- «' bered in the same breath as Omar Kaaoos, and father of Kaikhusrav, Fir- Khayyam for his rendition of the daosi ’s paragon of regal virtues. The second volume of Dr Batman Surti's translation of the Shah Namah depicts the tragedy wrought by Soodaabah's passion for her stepson. Shah Namah of Firdaosi in English Prose - have been ingrained within the Bahman Surti, 37 Safb'jirii- Devi Road, Secun ­ derabad 500003, *.P in July 1986. Pp 284-t-xxx, Price Rs 75. ! r f 3 com- the work. Dr Surti ’s effort has met with considerable success:the first volume of his translation of the Shah (the earlier volume had 158), Firdaosi and films, view with suspicion a film (and reviewed in Parsiana, June 1986) mate ease, sparing, surprisingly, some based on a literary work. “Like sold out within two months (a reprint kind lines for the arch villain, women, ” they propound, “if it is faith- is now available for Rs 55 with plastic Afraasiaab too. The volume is height- volume has been published to carry parted to the Turanians, especially Peeraan, who appears to be torn in the Volume II starts with the tragic strife of nobility and duty, and story of Siaavoush, the son of Kai Afraasiaab who, like Milton ’s Satan in ¦ Paradise Lost, ^Merges with a portrait . -------- that compels admiration in spite of Rubaiyat, did not hesitate to state that Siaavoush (note the exactness of spell- the fact that he battled ‘our ’ heroes, a translator must be a perfect poet, ing in phonetics) was a veritable Ado- But the inherent weakness in this able to Recreate in his own language nis endowed with extraordinary volume emanates from the source the true spirit of the original. And Ta- physical beauty and charm, which material itself. The Shah Namah is a gore ’s Gitanjali was perceived of as an caused his stepmother Soodaabah to book of kings, yet judging by the chap- excellent piece of literature deserving fall in love with him, and wreak ters covered here, it becomes more a the highest award (a Nobel prize) be- vengeance on him for spurning her. book of warriors. Chronologically, cause of its masterful translation for Exiled from his father ’s < ’ * ' ’ the West by another poet, W.B. Siaavoush sought refuge in Turan, Yeats. It is hence acknowledged that a where he wed Jareerah, the daughter work, to retain its original effervesc- < ence, needs to be recast into the idiom the Turanian army, and Farangees, poem by itself, separated froni the and philosophy of the times. Every language has its own special construc ­ tion, cadences, style of imagery, and meaning reflecting the attitudes and history of people. The reincarnation of a work written about a millenium ago, and almost half a world away, is al- ‘ ways difficult. Dr Bahman Surti, a qualified gyne ­ cologist from Hyderabad, has embarked upon this steep task of translating an epic into English, with what the reviewer considers, predict ­ able results. The ambience of the ori ­ ginal is elusive in the translation, though to Surti ’s advantage, and that of his many Parsi readers, is the fact that the work being translated is an epic of their faith and culture, and hence the attitudes reflected in the work, and the history covered in it, ing in phonetics) was a veritable Ado ­ nis endowed with extraordinary volume emanates from the court, there are only two kings - the father and son of Siaavoush - whose reigns are narrated here. The work is hence of Peeraan, the commander-in-chief of too episodic, each episode a complete Hyderabad, 40 Parsiana December 1986 The court of King Kaikhusravri^rs;^/ work by an introduction and an epi- Levy: “From amongst his famous that illustrate the events depicted in logue, and more often than not. Fir- troops Piran chose 30 thousand sword- daosi ’s own rather repetitious philo- wielding knights, and these, when the . darkness was half gone, set forth with- There is also a strange element of re- out beat of drum or sound of trumpet. this volume and the earlier one. The source of these pictures has not been _ sophical comments on the way of life, darkness was half gone, set iforth with- mentioned and it wouldbe appreciated There is also a strange element of re- out beat of drum or sound of trumpet, if the publisher had indicated whether petition, especially in the Siaavoush Their commander Piran led his force the illustrations were specially same tradition. Witness the double remained a space of seven leagues, play at the Maidan, double marriage, First he came upon herds of horses, double building of towns at Gangdezh and of these he seized a goodly num- and Siaavoushgard, double combat of ber ...” Geev against Peeraan and Kalbaad. This leads to a duplication of express- attributed to “transcreation ” and not ion: “He built castles, palaces, with “translation. ” At the same time, note open maidans, and planted numerous the atmosphere creating phrases used, trees (at Gangdezh). It was a veritable with only a slight liberty being taken, paradise with ropes, ivy, pansies, and probably, with the original text, lilies ” and then again, “Siaavoush con ­ structed palaces and castles with this remark in my earlier review, I maidans ... with numerous gardens would like to reiterate that meanings and parks so that a city like paradise of words change down the centuries, sprang up. Roses, ivies, and lilies were and the word used in a translation grown... ” while describing the con- must be one that conveys the proper struction of Siaavoushgard. meaning to the reader today, even if it What_ has largely disting- does not translate back to the original. uished the Shah Namah and made it Not being conversant with Persian, I immortal, is that unlike Chaucer, who cannot grudge Dr Surti his assertion would not be understood by an En- that the word used by Firdaosi for old glish speaking person today, Firdaosi was senile in the Zaal episode. “Old ” has used a language that is yet alive and “senile ” may have been synonyms and direct, tinged with the right then, but the two are not so any Ion- amount of archaism to lend it the ger. To cite an example, in the present necessary diarm. Yet, as it happens in volume, Surti ’s translation of _________ _______ _ ____________ the volume under review, the call to Kaamoos ’ remark to Rustam, “do not Charitable Trust, Crown Building, first floor. > .J com- episode: a double recital of one and the on until between the two armies there missioned for the volume, or have been reproduced from other manu ­ scripts or paintings in museum collec ­ tions. An index of names covered in the volume would also be welcome,' ' with a short note on their relationship to the main protagonists. For its price, the book is a good buy. As for beauty, who was it who said, “beauty is skin-deep? ” There is little in Levy that could be Although I have been criticized for Homi J. Rogers Pilgrims' progress The booklet attempts to restore to Bahr pt its true position in Parsi history. ci, • Bahrot Caves published by Free Food Service Uranwalla Street, Grant Road, Bombay 400007, Ushers. Pp: 32. Two places, lesser-known and even A moonlight reviewer is not the lesser-visited, where our holy fire the disting- does not translate back to the original. don arms, and the actual battle scenes, be frisky, ” suggests that Kaamoos is occurring at the turn of every second teasing Rustam for his frolicsome page, tend to appall. movement, rather than chiding him for As a translation, the work like its his confidence. precursor, suffers from the inherent / _ pitfalls of being faithful to the text, right person to sit in harsh judgment Iranshah was nursed by our ancestors. Having read Levy ’s work first in my on a work of epic proportions; more- are Bahrot and Vansda. Vansda, nascent adolescent days, and being so, when the pitfalls are due to draw- however, gained its share of fame (or greatly affected by its racy manner and backs in the original, and an inter- is it notoriety) some decades ago when style, Surti ’s narrations seem a mighty pretation of what really makes a good Dastur Framroze Bode performed plod-on. And, it is not that Levy has translation. Surti ’s work - like Fir- navjotes there of ‘juddin ’ children, extended his poetic license, in order to daosi ’s - is a task of labor and love, Bahrot remains as yet; a considerably retain the feel of the original. Witness, and is worth possessing by any and unknown place in the annals of Parsi for example, the narration of Pee- everyone who is interested in this Per- history. raan ’s surprise midnight attack on the sian epic Levy who provides a most To rectify this lacuna and to re ­ Iranian forces: readable translation does not, for ex- establish Bahrot - where in extremely Surti: “Peeraan, hurriedly, summoned ample, detail numerous chapters co- difficult circumstances Parsis pro- his knights and, in the course of giving vered in this volume, including sqme tected the Iranshah for 12 years - Free detailed instructions, pointed out that moving ones like the execution of Food Service Charitable Trust, a social they never had before such a position Siaavoush, and the events leading to organization from Bombay, has of vantage over the Iranians. He it, or Geev ’s long search for Kaikhus- brought out a slim 32-page booklet, selected 30 thousand swordsmen and rav. Surti ’s work is complete - every printed, and presumably authored by set out at midnight in perfect silence single couplet has been translated - Phiroze A. Siganporia, who edits without sounding the wardrums or and will hence remain the source book Dharma Prakash, a quarterly Parsi horns. While the Turanians were still for those who have tasted the Pierian magazine from Nagpur. The Trust aims to “create an interest for our everlasting Mazdayasni Din," and in The book is further highlighted by the long run, funded by the generosity pictures in color and black-and-white of donors “provide a pilgrim abode/ Having read Levy ’s work first in my on a work of epic proportions; more- raan ’s surprise midnight attack on the sian epic Levy who provides a most seven furlongs away from the Iranian spring, or wish to drink at it, if neces- camp, they came across a drove of sary in occasional sips. horses. They captured as many as they ~ could... ” I 41 Parsiana December 1986 ? in 1986. Available on donation from the pub-«s. I -j dharamsbala in the open land adjacent stalled at Navsari on June 26, 1419. f I ! adventurous bridal couple (and their J to the valley of Bahrot Mountain. ” If however, the fire was installed in family and friends) deserve praise for j The booklet provides a short history 1419 at Navsari, and if the total num- undertaking this steep ascent, and ) of how the Zoroastrians fled from San- ber of years spent after fleeing Sanjan equally treacherous descent. One jan to Bahrot, a mountain 29 kilo ­ meters to the east, on the defeat of the Hindu king of Gujarat, Karan Vagela put forth by the late Shapurji Hodiwa- by Allaf Khan, the general of Allaud- la in his now considerably maligned in the book, are the words of the din Khilji in 1297. The choice of work, Qissa-i-Sanjan, and not 1297 as famous Sanjan March, illustrations Bahrot (unfortunately misspelt in two commonly believed. Yet, by 1393, the with a map (though, unfortunately, prominent places in the book as Bhar- ot and Bahort) as a refuge was indi ­ cated to Ardeshir, the Parsi general the Iranshah with the Hindu king Research Institute (NEERI) on the who took up arms for his Hindu Karan Vagela ’s defeat by the armies of chemical analysis of the water at the sovereign, by “a spark from the afar- Allauddin Khilji. Bahrot Cave. The latter, however, gan that got transformed into an angel in white. ” There reTiiains, however, a confu ­ sion as to the years which our ances ­ tors spent atop Bahrot, and the book- was explored, while an attempt is any. let skims over the dichotomous dates ’ being made to restore to Bahrot its issue, by just not mentioning it. It is position in Parsi history in India, commonly agreed that the Iranshah was lodged in a cave atop Bahrot (Dr was known to have visited Bahrot as up the mountain (the present one is Jivanji Modi felt that the holy fire was late as 1884, and the memorial column very narrow and steep, and winds enthroned in the sixth cave, while the at Sanjan was erected at the suggestion around the edge of the hill), set up a publishers opine that it was in one of of an American professor, Abraham dharamshala at the base village of the central caves) for 12 years, before Jackson and a French lady, Meana, Karanjgaum, and cultivate growth of being taken to Vansda where it was who undertook the first archaeological bawal trees ^athi) in the neighboring housed for 14 years. Later, at the inst- expedition up Bahrot in 1901. A mar- lands. Bahrot could in the near future ance of Changa Asha, the leader of the riage ceremony was performed atop be an important stopover in the pil- FarSis at Navsari, the Iranshah was in- Bahrot on February 4, 1920, and the grims ’ progress. Homi J. Rogers was- 26, then the actual year in which wishes the booklet had provided us Parsis fled Sanjan should be 1393, as with their names. Other interesting aspects, included Sultanates had disintegrated, so it is not to scale) and a report from the difficult to reconcile the movement of National Environmental Engineering Probably to avoid a controversy, the should have been supplemented by publishers have not dealt with this comments which would enable a lay- aspect in detail, though it would have man to understand and know the na- been appropriate if this missing link ture of water, and its propensities, if As a result of this initiative taken by the publishers, it is proposed, the Thereafter, the first group of Parsis booklet informs us, to make a pathway was known to have visited Bahrot as F. ‘I With the Best Compliments of INGERSOLL-RAND [INDIA] LIMITED Manufacturers of Air & Gas Compressors * Rock Drill Equipment * Vacuum Pumps 42 Parsiana December 1986I I I 1 INMEMORIAM Fund raising energy Died: Gulistan Rustom Billimoria, 88, in The Bombay Samachar of October former sheriff of Bombay and actively 19, 1986. The RTI and all its branches associated with several social welfare were closed on October 15 as a mark causes, on October 14, 1986 in Bom- of respect for the lady. bay, following a heart attack. “For years she stood by her disting- “Her services to the city of Bombay uished husband, the late Dr Rustom will long be remembered... she was Billimoria who founded the Belair the sheriff of Bombay in 1957. She was Sanatorium (for TB patients) at Pan- very compassio.lfete and loved life and chgani. Ms Billimoria not only helped humanity and served them, ” noted a him in the administration of this in ­ resolution passed by The Association stitution but looked after it for several of Sheriffs of Bombay at their condo- years even after his death, ” notes The lence meeting held on October 27, 1986. When India was at war with Pakistan, her services for the war vic ­ tims gained her recognition from the seven years she worked as principal of Indian Government who conferred on the Alexandra Girls ’ English Institu- her the title of Padma Bhushan. tion, pursuing her interest in the For over 15 years, Billimoria was education of women, the honorary assistant treasurer of the International Council of Social Wei- mobile as she used to be but as stated fare. She was also chairman of its in The Samachar article, “the deter- study group and leader of several Indi- mination to help others and continue Samachar write-up. In the field of education too, Billi ­ moria made her contribution. For In later years, Billimoria was not as ¦ I From left: Billimoria, Aloo Chibber and Indira Gandhi _ . “He had the interest of the entire an delegations to international confer- the social work persisted. ” community at heart... (He) was an ences in Europe, Canada and Tokyo. outstanding advocate of entrep- She represented Maharashtra on the x /•i-ifin reneurship who believed that success Central Social Welfare Board, and was weivome crillC j^y seeking jobs but in estab ­ member of the National Savings Cen- Died: Jamshed Burjor Madan, 71, an lishing and running a.business, ” stated tral Advisory Board, mentioned a active member of the Calcutta Zoroas- the Calcutta publication Navroz, of write-up on the lady in lV/10 ’5 Who in trian Community ’s Religious and October 4, 1986, reporting on the con^ India. Charity Funds (CZCRCF), and a dolence meetings convened by the From 1978 until her demise, she was marketing consultant, on September Calcutta Anjuman on October 3, 1986 the chairperson of the Rayomand Committee which in its eight years of existence collected lakhs of rupees for the Bombay Parsi Punchayet to build flats for the Parsis at Godrej Baug. Her administrative abilities were com ­ mended in a resolution passed by the Rayomand Committee at their meet ­ ing on December 1: “Ms Billimoria led and steered the Committee through all its travails...(She) could make forceful decisions and remain firm in a cause that she knew was right. Her indefatig ­ able energy in raising funds was admirable...and she gave generously and liberally of her time, her talents and her own personal donations. ” When Sir Ratan Tata Institute (RTI) was in bad health, Billimoria took it up, “nursed and nurtured it and 15, 1986, following a heart attack at made it a flourishing and enviable in- the Woodlands Nursing Home, Cal- stitution of catering, ” stated a tribute cutta. A welcome critic Died: Jamshed Burjor Madan, 71, an lishing and running a.business," stated trian Community ’s Religious and October 4, 1986, reporting on the con^ Charity Funds (CZCRCF), and a dolence meetings convened by the Madan: opposed on points of principle and the Calcutta Parsee Club on September 28. “Our very small community has lost a good friend and worker who hailed from a famous family here, ” wrote Ardeshir Batlivala, former trustee of the CZCRCF. In the resolution passed by the Cal ­ cutta Parsee Club for its vice-president Madan, mention was made of “his contribution to the cause of hockey and cricket ” especially in the 4O’s and 5O’s. Madan,who had started as factory accountant with Kilburn and Company Limited, resigned after 27 years of ser ­ vice as company director in charge of sales, controlling a sales empire con ­ sisting of 19 branches throughout In ­ dia. After his resignation in 1968, he worked as an independent company director and chief executive in charge 43 Parsiana December 1986a H ‘ [I HF of all assignments received by Modern Tnducf rifliicf nf to be used as an aramgah by the Parsis Marketing Consultants. inousinailSl OI KOia Madan qualified as an incorporated Died: Rustomji Cawasji An kiesaria, lesaria. Though today there are only a^ountant from London and also did 80, founder of the first industry in two Zoroastrian families residing per- l>is articles of clerkship from S.B. Billi- Kota, and the first Parsi distillery con- manently in Kota, in the earlier days moria and Company, Bombay, which “ entitled him to a chartered accountant degree from India. His family business included ownership of Darjeeling ’s Central Hotel (which was sold last year), a provision cum wine store there and a wholesale liquor business in North Bengal. In a tribute scheduled for the Cal ­ cutta Anjuman ’s ’newsletter, Gavash- ni, Bahadur Postwalla writes, “Con ­ tradictory this sounds, he had as many admirers as he had detractors, but the greatness of his selflessness and integrity showed, when almost ev ­ ery person whom he had opposed on points of principle, came to pay horn- tractor there, on July 8, 1986 in Kota, age to this brave warrior at his largely attended funeral. ’’ Madan is survived by his wife Silloo, sari a used his good offices with the - daughter Avi Swain and son Cyrus. t i I I I; !' i-t * i t I S many Zoroastrians were posted there on railway and army assignments in whose welfare Anklesaria took a keen interest as he himself was once a mig ­ rant from Ahmedabad, where he was born and educated. Anklesaria, a distillery contractor, ‘ expanded his business to the manufac ­ ture of ice which was then supplied to the railway authorities for the cooling of their air-conditioned coaches, re ­ calls his son. In the post-independence years he established a small scale in ­ dustry, the first of its kind in Rajas ­ than, for the manufacture of bottle caps. “He donated generously for the education of poor students and to reli- On the honors list of Kota, formerly . gious institutions in Kota, ” notes the a princely state of Rajputana, Ankle- press handout. Anklesaria is survived by two reigning prince to obtain a plot of land daughters and two sons. r. HIHiHHHHEE' -ihc Anklesaria: on the honors list THE SECOND PARSI TEAM IN ENGLAND 1888- continued from page35 the native races of India, though hitherto unaccustomed to sports which demanded much physical exertion or nished by the Parsis, that the native the benefit of the lessons they had themselves received in England. “During the latter part of the tour “But there was even more reason for satisfaction at the proof fur- sors had not been idle in their efforts to convey to their brethren at home endurance, were capable of assimilat- races of India were identifying them ­ ing the national game of the English selves with the sports and amusements people. In one thing they showed ex- of fhe British. The first visit of the Par- they (the" 1888 team) were unlucky cellent promise, their consistent effort sis struck a new chord in the sym- enough to lose the services of Mr Pan ­ in playing an uphill match. More than pathies of cricketers, showing them dole, their best slow bowler, who was once, when disaster stared at them and how the game could be upheld and fos- obliged to return, and his loss ....... ” • them, they played most pluckily and practice to great physical efforts as well as under the disadvantages of a Wisden once again showed lack of climate calculated to enervate rather everything seemed to be going against tered by a people not used by constant weakened the side materially. Still, xv ^1-- - _ .... - they made, although their opponents made a close match of it. ” well as under the disadvantages of a in some matches were only of moder- ----- ------------ ----------- ------- ate strength, a favorable impression, interest in the tour and made a brief than incite to any exercise requiring certainly a very great improvement on reference to the effect that “the team real powers of endurance. ------------------- that created by their predecessors, proved stronger at all points (and) “Crude as their cricket was,too,the “Commencing at Leyton on June 7 achieved a greater amount of success Parsis who visited England in 1886 they finished at tBe Oval on Septem- than their predecessors in 1886. 1 ' ‘J__ _ _ 1 iPerhaps, the most notable feature of evident devotion to the game, but as the tour was the wonderfully success- ' " ' '1 _______J___________ ful bowling of Mr Pavri, who took 170 on the"cricket field. Undertaken strict- wickets at under 12 runs each. ” It is to Lilly white's Annual that we __ ________ ___________________ _ are indebted for a detailed coverage of At least, it was deemed so far to have them to gain greater proficiency in the the tour. Lilly white wrote: “The visit fulfilled the ideas of its promoters as to game. The establishment of a Gym- of a team of Parsi cricketers to Eng- justify a reappearance of Parsi cricke- khana in Bombay for the regulation of land in 1886 marked quite a new his- ters in England within the short space Parsi sports should bring their cricket tory in the annals of the game. Austra- of two years. The interval had evident- under a proper organization, and tend lia and America had each shown us of ly not been without its effect in impro- to consolidate it to the advantage of what quality their own talent was, and ving the general form of the Parsi play- any future tours. ” how thoroughly the lessons of the En- ers, and there was abundant evidence glish teams who had visited Australia last summer in the all-round cricket of and the States had been utilized. real powers of endurance. “Crude as their cricket was,too,the won golden opinions, not only by their ber 13, so that the really active part of i the tour extended over a little more well by their sportsmanlike demeanor than three months. On the whole they -- 1 ----- had no reason to be dissatisfied with ly with an educational object, the first the cricket they showed, and the suc- visit was not without its advantages, cesses they had will no doubt stimulate the tour. Lilly white wrote: “The visit fulfilled the ideas of its promoters as to game. The establishment of a Gym­ land in 1886 marked quite a new his- Reprinted with permission from India ’s the Indian team that their predeces- Hambledon Men. 44 Parsiana December 1986 ii