Mar 1987

Mm MARCH 1987 PRICE Rs7 Delhi Dar-e-Meher ’s silver jubilee¦4 > '1 March 1987 Volume 9 Number 9 /J - EDITOR Jehangir Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Toddywalla ASSOCIATE EDITOR Niloofer Madon , DESIGN CONSULTANT Mini Boatwala DESIGN ASSISTANTS Kranti Shilotri, li Varghese Fernandez, Deborah Fernandes MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel k ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ? ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE - 3 Cheryl D'Penha ¦k. CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B.L. Arora I CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver, Khurshid Daruwalla OFFICE Rajendra Nayak, Khurshid Panthaky, Patricia Lewis 3 Readers' Forum 10 Events and Personalities 15 Zoroastrians Abroad 19 Electoral scheme amended by Arnavaz Mama 23 The diamond of Rustom Baug 29 The flame of devotion 39 The difficult choice 44 An aging, dwindling community 53 A question of attitude .1 V 59 The Avaris are achievers by Mumtaz Currim ? 64 Kelvinator's cool edge by Parinaz Toddywalla 69 A rare treat by Bhicoo Manekshaw 77 Sapats: out of step with the times? by Jeroo Irani 81 Sports by Niloofer Madon * rf 101 The Pars! hell by Keki Daruwalla 107 In Memoriam Cover: Delhi Dar-e-Meher's silver jubilee Jashan ‘ S » * 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 400001 and phototypeset at Ace, Bombay 400001. All rights reserved. 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 Rs210foroneyear, Rs400fortwo years. For US cheques add $5 to cover bank charges. For Indian upcountry Cheques add Rs 4 for bank charges. Cheques and drafts 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. ¦6 L -tiL. - ¦ •iW*’ I"READERS’ FORI IM 6ii>: “A useful body” selflessly for many years, notably Dr ' ' It is necessary to set right a certain SWrinbanu Kutar and Mr small but significaut error of fact which Pansrjf?S:?„ (Ms) Shirinbanu ’ Kutar iitfn sl appears to have inadvertently crept P' f ¦* Parsis of London that the other six members of the committee created this ? ^nation, though they call themselves '1 Jmu- Zoroastrians. ap.irani > - Kent, UK not been The Federation’s awards ---- - ***««»vxwuuy vrcpi ft V® obituary on my late father Vachha {Parsiana}, ary 1987). Contrary to your article, J. - opinion, our Agiary ’s adjacent vacant plot has not I I sn;:-ss.~n£'.= remains the ly awards to Zoroastrians for outstand- d.vachha human endeavor *The “Fedektfon in-" and general was given on i^ase, and property of our Trust. The 11-days’controversy” Anjumans ofindia has instituted year- in^achievements in different fields of Vites nominations for the following nine awards for achievements during the year 1986. ® . J nominee should have achieved performance recognition at the national level in any particular sport, jndoor or outdoor, and/or the I have read Mr D.N.Sethna ’s com- the%T19e/^^°" achievements during ”nl' ^"2 2”? November ^porZsrThe the national level in any particular sport, jndoor or outdoor, and/or the nominee should have made special --J promotion of a ex- nominee should have issues, and find them to be distasteful and un-Zoroastrian. The Zoroastrians of UK would be brother Zal and their r ' siana) refrained from performing reli- at Zoroastrian Adventure-. Outstanding p„.„vxpauun y.® Some of our ervads refuse to sit and I"- activities such as moun- ’T with fthe for sig- H nificant contribution towards the promotion of such activities. Small scale entrepreneurship: The pro- motion of, or association in prom- otmg,small scale industries preferably in underdeveloped areas, harnessing r<»cniiy^oo J providing gainful em- poyment to supply quality products. ^rn^TdL^T^anTaZ'spiritof ha™ te^a^: X ^^5 ^terprise has deserted Parsis of this * ity, locally. The bulk of us in London preferably with reference feneration; it is alive and kicking, as hold Dr (Ms) Shirinbann Kntfr to handicapped children. f Gururani Nagkanya Shahpur Captain in high esteem and no^ ”t technology the J™my Yogiraj (“ Cons orieons would feel safcTnd'hapS stalwarts would be bacK the hllm^^^ contribution through research/ ^Where an opportunity exists to ex- affairs of our Ass^ciafenfme^'X' S’".the gullibility of some of our co- trian Trust Funds of ^ligionists and others, this duo must PT Professional competence:^xi^n&cx8 f?.*: a void. In chaTiSt si* i I delighted if Mr D.N.Sethna and his I brother Zal and their nvc I Sethnas as D.N.Sethna states in Par- I gious ceremonies House. [ Meaders' views 1 are welcome on any pray with (the Sethnas)'and therefZe sons (the five contribution towards j sport resulting in achievement of cellence in performance. , —i participation in adventure activities such as moun- ' .vicwa are weiCC **’® ®®’"'"unity do not come forward toserve "the co"m of the Parsis have re-' P®'’siana, G.P.0.B0X 892 ISting for reasons of space and claVity. Letters are subject to ^iting for reasons of space and clarity. or icons of faith?” L, » -------------7-----ximiig ters, journalists, sociologists and WTb 1 I ¦' —* o ’^ national . .*? 50?^*^ have been achieved . . ---------- i capacity or in association with others in their field »f «¦« comminee of a«s:Achieve- PH.ROZEa,AvER, o'jU^ ha“d »¦“ «“e arts. ters. aT o, London interspersed distinction on the state with comments from Mr Noshirwan 1 ' — x 1. ' ---- - cpfsode cithcr in their individual ‘unless you ofc hypoonsy, bad faith and bad ppt these entrepreneurs ’ dictum ’ " wnoie |w _____ _.np b, you cannot expect Him to help community Social and or national capacity or in March 1987 ------in the performing and community services\P>&di-' ¦4- if-'ttsssa-ii s. >¦ wt ^51 J1 k.- • identify leaders amongst the teena ­ gers of our community; • help all the participants in realizing cated, selfless service to our commun- having training abroad can also apply, ity and/or in the cause of humanity in general in such fields as relief work in , . _ areas affected by natural calamities. Secretary of the Federation of Parsi their potential to the fullest; rural development and community Zoroastrian Anjumans of India, Care work in bustees. The nominee may be “ involved in health improvement, in ­ come generation and population con- There are no nomination forms. A let ­ ter may be addressed to the Honorary • provide interaction among Parsi youth of various interests and abilities; • kindle interest and enthusiasm in our young about our culture, customs and trol programs. Uplift of the poor, lep- phone number if any and full details of religious tenets; rosy eradication, establishing and run- career and achievements during 1986 ning effectively vital public institutions in the particular field of award. Names like blood bank, eye bank, home for may be proposed by an anjuman/ the aged, vocational training for desti- association/any Zoroastrian/ by the community and others will interact tutes,handicapped children and lep- Zoroastrian himself. through question-answer sessions, rosy patients,and enlisting community A high level panel of judges will symposia, picture and slide shows and support and involvement for the same, scrutinize the applications. Selection informal talks on vocational guidance will also be recognized under this will be made strictly on merit. Canvas- and counselling, leadership training, head. sing in any form will disqualify the careers and religion. Study of Zoroastrian history, culture candidate. Candidates will actively participate and scriptures'. Interpretation and prop- Last date for receipt of application is in debates, sports and creative arts, agation of these subjects so as to April 30, 1987. kekij.gandhi learn communication skills and grow bring an awakening and awareness in ‘ young Zoroastrian minds. . Students'.FoT excellence or extraordin- Holiday program ary achievement in academics and/or Parsi Punchayet, Bombay, is organiz- co-curricular or extra-curricular activi- i ties. ' Zoroastrian residents of India are who will be appearing for these school and enthusiasm, eligible for the awards. A Zoroastrian leaving exams in March/April ’87.The resident.of India at present studying or program aims to: Machine Tools (India) Ltd, D-24, South Extension Part II, New Delhi 110049, indicating name, address, tele- sing in any form will disqualify the s 5 Parslana March 1987 • impart vocational choices open to va ­ rious interests and levels of aptitude. Dedicated men and women of our I I 4 Last date for receipt of application is Joint Honorary Secretary well-rounded, mature, intelligent human beings, capable of realizing their own true worth. Special sessions are also being planned for parents of ing a holiday program for youth for the participants, and it is hoped that all Parsi students of SSC and ICSE classes concerned will take part with interest KEKI J. GANDHI Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India Registration forms have been sent to many schools. Students may contact ¦ ’I tj , i;. ' if 1 WAITED Books Photographs Oil Paintings Water colours And other Related material OLD Crockery Cutlery Silver Procelain Pottery Glass Etc t. Please write with details to GPOBOX402 Bombay 400001 i j: jP:’ Ms Gool J.Tata, joint secretary or the undersigned at the Punchayet office for the same. The program begins on Monday, April 6,1987 at 9.00 am and concludes on Saturday, May 9, 1987 in the even ­ ing. A nominal fee of Rs 50 per stu ­ dent will be charged for the same. DR (MS) KETAYUN R A.J.MADON Co-ordinator, Holiday Program for Youth Swimming trusts The thirty-fifth annual free swimming coaching program of the Cutsetji Rus ­ tomji Mistry Memorial (CRMM) Fund will be held at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Swimming Pool, Shivaji Park, Bombay in May 1987 for one hour every day. The CRMM Fund was established in . April 1952 and has trained several hundred deserving Parsis in the art of swimming at the Back Bay Bath Ltd. Since the closure of the B ackbay swim ­ ming pool we have been training be ­ ginners - children and adults - at va ­ rious swimming pools in Bombay like , that of the Young Men ’s Christian Association, the National Sports Club of India, the Cricket Club of India and the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Swim ­ ming Pool during the summer vacation for two hours daily. With a similar objective, the Dadiba and Framroz Golwala Memorial (DFGM) Fund was established in Au- t F gust 1957 to improve the efficiency and standard of swimming among Parsis. We have been promoting aquatic membership amongst individuals who cannot afford to pay pool fees and though we intend to hold annual swim ­ ming competitions and camps, we can ­ not do so due to paucity of funds. The steep rise in overheads such as booking of the pool, appointment of well qualified instructors and other in ­ cidental expenses is making our goals difficult. We intend to increase the funds of both trusts and request a help ­ ing hand for the noble cause. Each trust is a registered public charity, the .CRMM Fund being also registered with the Income tax Commissioner, Bombay, and member of the Bombay Sports Association. The trustees are H.N.Wania, chairman, M.D.Master, '• managing trustee, N.J.Kharas and R.A.Choksey. f Donations may be addressed to the Cutsetji Rustomji Mistry Memorial Fund and/or the Dadiba and Framroz Golwala Memorial Fund, 8 Ram 7 Parsiana March 1987 **Lift out of order again** **We don*t want a new lift** **Call Concord** Concord **But ours services old lifts is ancient** ‘‘Concord converts them to electronic elevators** tr **Ourpush buttons are missing** **Concord installs vandal proof self­ illuminating touch buttons** “Our doors don*t open and close** “Concord **Wedon*t can make them have a automatic** liftman** ^Concord uses the latest technology, minimum maintenance** **This calls for a celebration** **Just call Concord** CONCORD ELEVATOR Telephone 2041830 2047460 CON CORD Maintained & Supplied by Zaina Electric & Mechanical Works Prospect Chambers Annexe, 2nd fl D.N. Road, Bombay 400001 LI" * 5Si J J S.. !=¦ A humble call from ii.- ROC Pharmaceuticals ?• E r I I J.. it J' J Shyam Apartments, Shyam Narayan ¦¦ r • ' " '¦ - x \ (East)„ Bombay 400068. MANCHERSHA DM ASTER Managing trustee, CRMM and DFGM Funds Pube Road, Ravalpada, Pahisar BV ¦J a J75t‘ S'’"* V Manufacturers of Reliable, EffiGacious Medical I^oducts like ROCPLEX - ROCFOLIN ANJORIS-CUFTORIN BLOSTOP - ASTHORIN-P Proprietor Mr. Firoze K Sholapurwala (SEM) Parsis should stop Migrating to Western Countries and becoming second class citizens. Parsi community and religion is more safe in India than in any other country. Preserve community properties - It is a rare heritage bequeathed to the commimity by our foresighted forefathers. Office Khodadad Circle Dadar Bombay 400014 Tel 4125414 Factory Sewree Religion is universal A non-Parsi reader of Parsiana recent ­ ly remarked that he was surprised to note the amount of dissent and dis ­ agreement in a small and advanced community such as ours. Are we keep ­ ing up with the Joneses? There is con ­ flict in more than one sense of the word the world over: why should we be left out? We must have our own fun and games too! A good many of our disagreements stem from matters of religion, which is expected to be a binding force and not a disruptive one. But when we look around, Muslims are fighting Muslims, Christians are against Christians, and in Sri Lanka, even Hindus are killing Hindus. Gandhian non-violence is in reverse. We Parsis have our own pet subjects of quarrel - dokhma or burial, mixed marriages, their offspring, conversion, adoption, sezdo, defunct agiaries, priesthood, and a host of other mat ­ ters, big or small. Throughout all the bickering and argument, we forget the salient fact that the Parsis in India are an endangered species - ie threatened with extinction. One cannot foresee the situation of the Parsis abroad but they are bound to be greatly influ ­ enced, as the years'roll on, by the en ­ vironment in which they live and their Parsi-ism is bound to be watered down. When the day of judgment arrives (as is inevitable for all of us), you are not going to be asked what religion you belonged to or how many loads of sandalwood you offered at Udwada. You will be asked what you did with the life God gave you and what you did to enhance the goodness and happiness of His beautiful world. When we get engrossed in the petty . detaUs of religioiiy we forget that a S,' JEWELLERY Well Reputed & Trusted Firm Since 1850 Selling Pure Quality Gold Ornaments And also Buying Old Ornaments & Jewellery at highest price than yours offered in Bazar FRAMJI RUSTOMJI CHOKSEY 253 2^veri Bazar Bombay 400002 (A/c Show-Room) Govt approved valuers Tel 325422 34263& 342639 251118 ' Business Hours 11 am to 7 pm -^2 .^1 >e^ '^3 Bombay 400015 Tel 4130311 ¦W man ’s religion is not a religion of his choice. It has been thrust upon him through an accident of birth. If you are bom of Parsi parents you automatical ­ ly drift into the Zoroastrian religion, and your brainwashing into your reli ­ gion ’s traditions and ceremonies starts from the time you learn to take your first ^Iteriog steps; Therefore, to make so much fuss over your religion, continuedon page 90 £ A > V 9fA'' I' Events and 1 R.. Personalities 1 M:.; V. )\ The Delhi presidency well-wishers, at a function at the St former Chief Justice of the Supreme Xavier ’s College hall on December 6, Court had called Seervai a jurist par Lieutenant General Ardeshir Sethna 1986 the occasion triggered off an out- excellenceandpraised hisbookCon- was elected president of the Delhi Par- burst of praise and devotion from stitutional Law of India which is recog- si Anjuman (DPA) in March ’87. within and without the legal fraternity, nized throughout the Commonwealth Being a consensus candidate there was no rival to contest the seat. For ­ mer vice-chief of army staff, and the from the rest is the great moral emi- cious gift to the legal world. ” Atul M. man responsible for organizing the nence he has brought to the profession Setalvad,SeniorCounseloftheBom- Asian Games in 1982, Sethna is at pre- - -- sent chairman of the India Tourism Development Corporation. Shiavax Nargolwala, the former 21, 1987. The concept of Seervai, the sentation of facts. DPA president,died in a car accident man, thus permeating and even trans- “Apart from his unquestioned legal as the best book on the subject: “It is a renown, what distinguishes Seervai magnificent treatise...Seervai ’s pre- of law for over 50 years, ” wrote Senior bay High Court commended Seervai ’s Counsel T.R. Andhyarujina in a tri- refusal to stoop to dishonest methods bute to Seervai in Lex et Juris, January such as the suppression and misrepre- $** ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ '¦ - Seervai held the post of Advocate on August 6 last year, after heading cending the lawyer was echoed by General of Bombay and Maharashtra the Anjuman for 26 years, resulting in journalist Arun Shourie: “He has nev- for 17 years till he resigned in 1974 in a vacancy for the post. The acting er been, I am sure, to any minister for protest against the then law minister president of the DPA Zal Nowsher- ' ’ ’ ‘ j wanji had declined to stand for presi ­ dentship. Seervai felicitated “In our heart of hearts believing. Vic ­ tory crowns the just. ” Hormusji Maneckji Seervai ’s favo ­ rite lines of poetry enshrine the ideal tual integrity of a high order...He nev- takeover, he won plaudits for the way by which the ex-Advocate General of er argues a point in which he does not he had marshalled his arguments. the State of Bombay and later of believe...Justices can always depend ~ Maharashtra, lives and works. Felici ­ tated on his eightieth birthday by his them astray. Sethna (wearing topi) chatting with invitees to the Delhi Dar-e-Meher celebrations a favor; there is no favor that a minis- A. R. Antulay ’s move to undermine ter can do which will influence him in the office. R. J. Joshi, a senior col- the least. ” league, recalled that Seervai ’s first Arvind V. Savant, present Advo- landmark case was in 1941-42 on the cate General of Maharashtra,quoted question of the Bombay Telephones M.C. Chagla, former Chief Justice of takeover. It proved to be the turning the Bombay High Court as having point of his career as an advocate, for said: “Mr Seervai possesses intellec- though he lost the case challenging the S' 5? 'i; i’a'-J' 10 ParshnaMarat1987 ¦ ¦ 1 During Seervai ’s tenure as Advo- on him not to mislead them or lead cate General, Maharashtra acquired a P.B.Gajendragadkar, reputation for fairness in dealing with litigation in the High Court mainly on account of his policy of not contesting a citizen ’s claim if it was just. At the same time he vigorously defended the government ’s policies even when he did not agree with them because he believed that it was not for a law offic ­ er to question State policies except when legal impediments stood in the way. About Seervai ’s dhyarujina says, “ IBiattl li methods An- 'He never took more than one assignment at a time. He would bend all his energies to it until the very end and refuse all other work. Despite being in great demand he never charged high fees. ” At the felicitation function D.R.Dhanuka, < lawyer and former chairman of the Bar j iL Council of Maharashtra,said that when :I he once expressed surprise that Seer- projects worth 12 crore rupees in the her built a residential complex at Nav- f vai ’s fee was only Rs 45,the latter ex- pipeline. sari. They have also promoted two plained that he felt it unfair to charge _ ............... , his clients high fees. For the same commercial properties, according to reason he also attempted to keep ex- the release, the thrust being towards penses to a minimum. selling space to banks, government Twice offered judgeship of the Sup- corporations, insurance companies reme Court - which he twice refused - and public limited companies as pri- The Company will initially develop thriving companies, Mazda Leasing and Vitta Mazda. The Company is about to start con- Honorary Member of the Order of the struction work on a commercial com- - - - — British Empire. She has received this honor for “her services to Indo-British be ready within a year, notes the write- cooperation through music, ” states a Dinshaw has received this award for With an anticipated turnover of Rs Royal Ballet Company ’s performance 12 crore rupees, shareholders can ex- -- -- - - of Giselle in Bombay in 1985, states The Daily of November 26, 1986. “Giselle required a live orchestra, ” ex- ..................... ¦ ¦ , “and the Bom- the substantial lease rent yielded from bay Chamber Orchestra was chosen to its projects. accompany the ballet. ” Dinshaw Mazda Estates and Finance, the worked indefatigably to ensure that promoters of Mazda Properties, ear- continued on page 93 (Alongside) Seervai: “unquestioned legal renown’’ Photo courtesy: Lex et Juris Britain honors Dinshaw “Very embarrassedl ”' said Ms Jini Dinshaw, co-leader of the Bombay Seervai has been awarded the Padma vately built commercial complexes are Chamber Orchestra when asked how Vibhushan for juristic work, and made rarely willing to do so. she felt about her appointment as an a Fellow of the British Academy. To- — - day, in addition to revising his book, Seervai also accepts briefs in impor- plex in Surat, Gujarat and expects it to tant cases. Setalvad described Seervai making up. Negotiations are also reportedly news report in Gentleman, December’86 his way across the Oval Maidan with going on with trustees of various pub- — • - his thermos flask containing home- lie charitable trusts in Bombay for the her indispensable contribution to- made Lopchu tea, and poring over his development of trust properties. wards the success of the Sadler ’s Wells law books clad in sudreh and trousers. ” ‘ ‘ “A well-read man, Seervai loves to dip into the classics, wade through pect a dividend of at least 18 percent in Conan Doyle and P.G.Wodehouse the first year, which may thereafter be and regale his juniors with Bertie sustained at the same rate by means of plained Ms Dinshaw, Wooster stories, ” concludes an in- —*•"' ’---------- * 1----- u.,,, r-i ---- u,.,- depth report in The Times of India (December 6, 1986). Branching into forestry ’ Mazda Properties ’ future plans include diversification into forestry and agri ­ culture in order to avail of tax benefits and these advantages will be passed on to the shareholders, states their press release. Incorporated in October ’86, the Company promoted by Mazda Estates and Finance Private Limited will soon enter the capital market with a public issue. With an authorized capital of 10 crore rupees and a paidup capital of three crore rupees, Mazda Properties headed by Dara Deboo already has accompany the ballet. »¦ 1 13 Parsiana March 1087 (Below left) Captains of the winning teams of the Sardar Dastur Girls’ High School, Pune, exhibiting trophies for excellence in different sports events at the recent inter-school sports meet. The School was declared runner-up for the general championship for the second successive year. (Below) Eleven-year-old Ervad Darayus Purvez Bajan (right) stood first in the boys’ group at the Second Iran League organized Shahnamah competition, and received his prize from Ms Khudaparast Cowasjee Dinshaw at the annual prize distribution atAlbless Baug on October 19, 1986. s] s. L' ZOROA8TRIANS ABROAD Tehran elections Hoshang Merwanjee Kandawalla was with limited liability at an extraordin- conferred the highest Spanish civil ary general meeting hefd on December award, the Encommienda de Numero 7,1986, notes the January issue of Man- - the grand knight of the commander ashni, the Association ’s newsletter. At the meeting, it was resolved that 5 Out of 55 candidates who stood for election of the Anjuman Zartoshtian Tehran, 21 candidates and seven reserve of the first order- by King Juan Carlos candidates were elected, notes a press of Spain, notes the February newslet- after obtaining the approval of 75 per ­ release dated December 28, 1986. ter of . the Zoroastrian Society of cent of AZA’s financial members The elected representatives and Ontario (ZSO). Said to be equivalent above the age of 18, the property their portfolios are: Rostam Abodian ------ - - - - ... . _ . (first secretary). Colonel (retd) Dinyar ables the awardee Khosraviani (second secretary), Hor- distinction and privilege, mozdiyar Khorshidian (religion), Mehrabon Kushesh (national and in ­ ternational council), Goshtasb Kerma- ni (publication, research and investiga ­ tion), Aflatoon Ziyafat (research re- South Asian Review, notes the Febru- representatives of the donor members, view), Rostam Khodabaxshi Sharifa- ary newsletter of the ZSO. The story two of the general body and one each bod (finance), Aflatoon Khodayari describes the writer ’s life and family in of the life members and the board of , (culture), Khodayer Moavenat (public Bombay and her decision to migrate to directors - be elected. The foundation ' relations), Daryush Diyanat (adminis- Canada. committee, it was further resolved, tration). Dr Khosrow Dabestani (stu- would have a term of one year with dent council —college),Ms Azermi- The first issue of a two-page youth sec- elections to be held at every annual dokht Hormozan (student council — tion Ush Tana (meaning a breath of general meeting, school), Mehrabon Oshidari (orga- life), attached to the January and Febru- nization), and members at large, Ros- : " " tarn Bostani, Kiumars Vafadari, Man- been released. Firdosh Balsara and “a and 10 percent of the excess of its net oucher Mobarakai, Rostam Keya- group of youths on the move ” have annual income (excluding donations) manesh, Farshied Ezzati, Esfan- put together a sports corner, an advice over expenditure, diyar Khosravi, Ms Taj Goher column, a quiz on the jashan cere- Koochaki and Ardeshir Khodadadi mony, an introduction to the Shah Whether to accept JUS $60^000 from \ Sharifabod. The seven reserve members are: ? Dinyar Khosraviani, Rashied Namira- to the British knighthood, the title en- based at 196 Annangrove Road, enjoy high honor, Annangrove, be sold, and the money so obtained used to purchase another more suitable property for similar use. To look into this matter, it was de- Decisions, a short story written by Ms Bapai Batliwalla of the ZSO, has cided that a foundation committee recently been published in the Toronto comprising seven members - three The first issue of a two-page youth sec- - The AZA further decided to trans- ary issues of the ZSO newsletter, has fer to the charity fund between five been released. Firdosh Balsara and “a Namah, (episodes from which will the Arbab Rustam Guiv (ARG) Trust henceforth be regularly featured), for development of the AZA com- jokes and a review of the past year. In munity property was also discussed at nian, Bahram Behikish, Rostam Fara- a cartoon feature entitled Captain Zoro, the extraordinary general meeting, marzian, Esfandiyar Tirandazian, the Zoroastrian superman proc- The donation has three conditions Khodadad Shahriarzedeh Naser and laims: “With my sudreh and kusti 1 attached: sharing the ownership of the Ms Farzana Mehr Khodavandi. ~ . • 1 11- J « J 11 need me,just give me a shout! ” pervisory committee of trustees to Knigntnood tor Ixdnddwnlid , , oversee the affairs of the Darbe Meh- “In appreciation and commendation IMaking CrUCial dcClSlOnS er; and naming rights on a part of the for his unequaled, lengthy and merito- The Australian Zoroastrian Associa- new building, rious services as honorary consul for tion (AZA) of New South Wales was / ’ Spain in Karachi for over 18 years, ” protect the good and stop evil! If you current AZA property; having a su- need me,just give me a shout! ” appreciation and commendation Making CFUCial dccisionS s At the end of the discussion four op- formally incorporated as a company tions were put to a secret ballot: 15 Parsiana March 1987 L57-.3 • accept all conditions of the ARG Guiv will be placed in the main hall; Trust and receive US $60,000 and and a legal document drawn to guarran- V 1,. J' I membership but with no right to vote and make decisions, ” notes AZA accrued interest; or tee the safety of the ARG Trust dona- president Purviz Kolsawalla in Man- • reject conditions of the ARG Trust tion. The letter clarifies that sharing ashni. and forgo the money; or the ownership of the current property Some members have objected to •accept the supervisory committee and and having a supervisory committee this policy saying that it would reduce naming rights, but reject the own- were not acceptable to the Associa- such members to second class citizens, ership condition and make a counter tion. “It was felt that our community ’s proposal to offer a legal document gua- ’ ... . ... . ................... ranteeing the ARG Trust ’s money; or • offer ARG Trust naming rights to at AZA House on January 1, 1987 are not modified, ” continued Kolsa- | the new hall in proportion to their with typical navjote food provided by walla. 1 donation and prepare a legal docu- Villoo Daver, notes Manashni. Counter to this viewpoint is the con- J ment guaranteeing ARG Trust ’s cept of Zoroastrian identity: “If our ! money but reject all other conditions. The last option was accepted, notes membership of children whose fathers very concept of Zoroastrianism would i AZA president Purviz Kolsawalla in a were non-Zoroastrian (mothers being be lost and we might dwindle into a j letter dated December 23, 1986 to Dr Zoroastrian). Such children automati- social entity where the grandparents .1 Rostam Sarfeh, chairman of the ARG cally become members of AZA by vir- belonged to a religion called Zoroas- j Trust, spelling out the Association ’s tue of one of their parents being trianism. ” Either way, the preserva- 1 counter offer: The present AZA prop- ”” - erty may be named the Arbab Rustam bership rules, a member is defined as and Morvarid Guiv Darbe Meher - one who is a Zoroastrian, his or her AZA of NSW Community Center; a spouse and their progeny). However, part of the new building may also be if such children, who could not have ject to be discussed at the forthcoming named after the donor couple but in their navjotes done under the existing August annual general meeting, out- proportion to the donation made (if circumstances, eventually marry a lined the options available: the trust donates the full amount for non-Zoroastrian, their children do not •“Open the membership to all who the new building, it will be named qualify for full membership of AZA. have Zoroastrian ancestry. If ac- solely after them); portraits of Lord They could become associate mem- cepted, all Muslim, Christian, Bahai Zarathushtra, Rustam and Morvarid bers, enjoying all the privileges of continued on page 97 the ownership of the current property and having a supervisory committee were not acceptable to the Associa ­ tion. In the meanwhile, the navjote of identity could be lost in two genera- Jimmy and Nilaufer Seervai was held tions if our existing membership rules at AZA House on January 1, 1987 Villoo Daver, notes Manashni. “Concern was raised for the future membership rules are modified, the 1 tue of one of their parents being Zoroastrian (as per the AZA mem- tion of Zoroastrian identity becomes | difficult to ensure. Nonetheless, the president, advising 1 members to think deeply on this sub- - MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER To do so we offer you: Diploma Course in Business Management (Postal) (IMC) Banking: C.A.I.I.B. Course (Postal) ? Executive Secretarial Course ? Private Secretarial Course ? Steno Secretarial Course Personal Assistants’ Programme (for working stenographers) Telex Operating Telephone Operating-cum-Receptionist Techniques ? Shorthand and Typewriting ? Punch Operating and Data Entry ? ? ? ? ? ? Telephone Operating PLUS Electronic Typewriting and Word Processing Enquire at: Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Bombay 400 023 Tel. 2871185 a® A 16 Parsiana March 1987r'- POLITICS AND POLICY • •Yi’ t Electoral scheme amended -a *-3 The Bombay High Court has reduced the importance of money in the election scheme Arnavaz S. Mama ( The Anjuman Committee which votes people voting for trustees made the number increased to 985 by the time for trustees of the Bombay Parsi Pun- organization of trusteeship elections Minoo Shroff ’s election was held in chayet (BPP), currently packed with also complicated, time-consuming and July 1986. more than 1,000 members, will be expensive. Moreover, expansion was Having heard the advocates of all whittled down to a compact 200 in inbuilt in the system. those who had filed affidavits |K.S. 1988. Comprising 100 members The original 1910 scheme stipulated Cooper and S.K. Cooper, instructed I elected directly by the community, four registers-A, B, C and D. A Reg- by solicitors Mulla and Mulla Craigie plus donors and their representatives ister comprised those who had don- Blunt and Caroe ’s M.P.Bharucha on together totalling 100, the new Com- ated between Rs 500 and Rs 4,999 to behalf of the seven BPP trustees, the mittee will elect trustees to seven-year the BPP; the B Register consisted of main petitioners; Edul Bharucha in ­ terms. Whether the Anjuman Com- the Parsi peers (members of the Brit- structed by Bhogilal Desai and Burgis . mittee will be elected constituency- ish nobility) and stood annulled after for Ms Mani Dalal of the Committee wise or not has been left to the discre- India chose the republican form of for Economic Revival (CER); Rusi tion of the trustees at the time of each government; the C Register was the Sethna instructed by Roamer seven-year general election. graduates ’ register and the D Register Dadachanji Sethna and Co for muni- The ruling of the Bombay High comprised the rank and file of the cipal corporator Russi Mehta; Court establishing the new procedure community who registered with the Kaikhushroo Dastoor for B.K.Mistry, was given by Justice H.Suresh on Punchayet on payment of five rupees, the COVP (Council of Vigilant Parsis) February 6, 1987 ending decades of Representatives from each of the four stalwart; Mr Patil for the Advocate dissatisfaction and controversy regard- registers, in a set proportion, compris- General and the Charity Commission- [ ing the composition of those voting for ed the E Register of elected members, er; and Ms Reena Patel for BPP trus- BPP trustees. tees Jamshed Guzder and Minoo The new system eliminates two dis ­ tinct disadvantages of the old. By the existing system, every seven years the number of elected representatives (E Register) was equated to the number of donors on the F Register who had contributed Rs 5,000 or more to the BPP. The system was an endless source of disaffection in the commun ­ ity as the E Register remained con ­ stant for seven years or was depleted if members died, while the F Register in ­ creased with each new donation. With each spurt in the donor register, often •witnessed at the time of trusteeship initially pegged at 100 but gradually in- immediately preceding a general elec- <“ .............. ' ' ¦ — Anjuman Committee by the use of with the F Register of donors who had representatives of those who have “money-power ” fouled the atmos- contributed Rs 5,000 or more to the donated Rs 5,000 before February 6, phere. Punchayet at any one time. At the last 1987 and Rs 7,500 thereafter, shall tot- expensive. Moreover, expansion was Comprising 100 members instructed Shroff,the court ruled that the Anju ­ man Committee shall consist of •100 members elected from among those whose names are borne on the General Register (which replaces A, C and D Registers) on the November 30 , immediately preceding a general elec ­ tion and they shall constitute the Reg ­ ister of Elected Members (which re ­ places the E Register); •those donating Rs 50,000 or more to the BPP and whose names are borne on the Donor Register (which replaces the F Register) on the November 30 elections, charges of “packing ” the creased by court orders to keep paice tion. These, together with the elected If the trustees are doing good work, there is no reason why we should prescribe any restrictions on the number of terms /1 f t “money-power ” fouled the atmos- The second disadvantage was a general election in 1981,303 members al the 100-member donor representa- purely administrative one - with 749 had been elected onto the E Register tion on the Anjuman Committee. The i donors on the rolls, to elect 749 repre- to balance the 303 donors of'the F, the donors moreover must now exercise sentatives was a mammoth task facing Anjuman Committee thus comprising their right to registration on the Donor the- community and the Punchayet. a total of 606 members. However, with Register within 180 days of making a And a resulting body of neatly 1,500 inductions of subsequent donors, the donation, and on choosing to do so, i L 19 Parsiaa March 1987 -, ,1* * ’-A ,5 J??-? quo at Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,00,000 sug- tween the years 1968 and 1985,’’noted gested by Rusi Sethna on behalf of the Judge. “I find that there are 899 “ Mani Dalal, persons who have given donations be- Thoiigh the BPP’s recommendation tween Rs 5,001 and Rs 10,000; there was Rs 7,500, BPP trustee Jamsheed are 73 persons who have given dona- Kanga dissented, opting for a floor of • tions between Rs 10,001 and Rs Rs 25,000. “I have before me a rough 25,000; there are 10 persons who have . the donor ’s name is simultaneously de ­ leted from the General Register. Elections for both registers will be Russi Mehta and held once in seven years, preferably in March. The issue of the amount of donation qualifying for registration on the Donor Register was a hotly contested data of statistical figures of persons given donations between Rs 25,001 to one, ranging in opinion from status who have given various donations be- “ " Asiatic Travel Service OFFER U.S.S.R. HORIZONS Tour NO. 1- * MOSCOW:TALLINN: LENINGRAD: BAKU: TBILISI: YALTA Lvg. 09 May: Rs. 14,175 per adult, Rs. 11,155 per child Tour NO. 2: * MOSCOW: LENINGRAD: RICA: VILNIUS: KISHINEV: SOCHI Lvg. 09 June: Rs. 13,575 per adult, Rs. 10,555 per child Tour No. 3: * MOSCOW: VOLGOGRAD: TBILISI: SOCHI: YEREVAN: LENINGRAD Lvg 04 July; RS. 13,975 per adult, Rs. 10,975 per child Tour No. 4: , MOSCOW: LENINGRAD: TASHKENT: BUKHARA: SAMARKHAND: Lvg 01 Aug. Rs. 15,175 per adult, Rs. 12 ,i 25 per child ASHKHABAD Lvg 01 Aug. Rs. 15,175 per adult, Rs. 12,125 per child * Pius US$ 100 per adult and USS 50 per child for all tours Rates are all inclusive with first class arrangements throughout the USSR including return air ticket via Paris or Frankfurt to Bombay. Subject to RBI Approval,FTS passengers only. Please contact our offices/Associates for Programmes & Registration- ASIATIC TRAVEL SERVICE THE HOUSE OF TRAVEL 12, Murzban Road, Fort, BOMBAY-400 001 Tel: 2048151, TlX: 011-3151 AIRA IN C-3, Konark Apartments, 175, bhole Patil Road, PUNE-411 001 Tel: 66455-68401-67954 i INTOUfilSr AGENT I 1 ft i AW h J f "1 PSm f 3 i b M.H.T. TOURS & TRAVELS. Banqalore-Tel. Nos; 563942 JAI HIND TRAVELS PVT LTD Cochin Teh No. 560435 -353249 Tlxs 885-283 JAIT IN M.H.T. TOURS & TRAVELS. HvOerabad-Tel: Nos. 523951/520577 M H.T. TOURS & TRAVELS. Madras-Tel No. 82486 ASTRAL TRAVELS PVT. LTD. New Delhi Tel. NOS. 698869-693410 TlX: 031-63227 ASTR IN JAI HIND TRAVELS PVT. LTD. Trivandrum-Tel. Nos 64454-62854 Rs 50,000; there are three persons who have given donations between Rs 50,001 to Rs 75,000; there are 5 per ­ sons who have given donations be ­ tween Rs 75,001 to Rs 1,00,000; and there are 9 persons who have given donations between Rs 1,00,001 and above. ” At the other end of the spectrum K.N.Dastur, appearing on behalf of B.K.Mistry, suggested direct adult franchise for electing trustees. Opined Justice Suresh in his oral judgment of February 6: “In all matters of Trust ... the management ... ultimately de ­ pends upon the persons who take an active interest in the day-to-day man ­ agement of the Trust. It is not a ques ­ tion of one ’s popularity amongst the community as a whole; it is essentially a question of having proper personnel, efficient and active, who ultimately de ­ sire to take the responsibility for man ­ aging the Trust. ” The vexed problem of maintaining parity between the donors and the elected members of the Anjuman Committee had led the BPP draft scheme to suggest that, to match in ­ creases in the Donor Register during the term of the Anjuman Committee, those who contested the general elec ­ tion and lost would be progressively upgraded onto the Committee. Kanga, who felt that donor representation should be pegged at 20 percent of the Anjuman Committee, h^ dissented. But the Judge observed, “The princi ­ ple of parity has been recognized in this institution for a long time and I think the principle of parity will have to be maintained. But the number has outgrown to such an extent...it is necessary that this (number) be re ­ duced so as to ipake it a feasible prop ­ osition. ” Regarding election by constituen ­ cies, originally postulated by the CER, the Judge has “left it to the discretion of the trustees to demarcate the consti ­ tuencies or not in as much as they have to elect only 100 members...which can be done without demarcation. ” Clause 11 of the new scheme however stipu- continued on page 100 20 Parsiana March 1987 'iitSr~Mir wgaas^INSTITUTIONS The 'diamond'of Rustom Baug The sixtieth anniversary prompted the 1,500 residents to contribute towards the reconstruction of a hall for community activities Parinaz Toddywalla The celebrations were organized by of a diamond, with the Wadia crest en- r ¦¦¦ ties to you. ” In the reconstructed hall hung por ­ traits of Zarathushtra, Jerbai, her hus ­ band Nowrosjee, Rustom and Neville with candles burning below the frames. After the benediction by Ervad Rustom Panthaky, principal of the Dadar Madressa who, over the Where now stands Rustom Baug at Byculla, was years ago forest land the Rustom Baug Association which graved on it, was presented to Neville, which was converted into an ammuni- looks after the social interests and wel- The accompanying scroll, eulogizing tion godown and a stable. Intended to fare activities of the Baug. On behalf the contribution of the Wadia family, perpetuate community awareness and of the tenants, a memento in the shape further thanked Neville “for your per- loyalty among the upper middle-class __sonal interest in our comfort and well- Parsis residing in this housing com- IbbtoI being, your wise counsel, and for the plex, Lady Jerbai Wadia, on the de- immense benefits we have enjoyed mise of her son Rustom in 1919, don- throughout these 60 years...For your ated his entire estate towards the con- abiding interest in Rustom Baug, we struction of a baug in his memory. To- wish to say thank you in concrete day, the Baug is considered a “haven form. We gratefully dedicate the from this modern hectic world, ” in the Neville Wadia Hall for social, reli- words of Neville Wadia, grandson of gious, cultural and educational activi- Jerbai by her other son. Sir Ness. | In a message written to the tenants I ; of the Baug on the occasion of Rustom 1 Bang ’s diamond jubilee which was I celebrated on January 31, 1987, Nevil- I le Wadia stated, “If there is anything I more valuable than a diamond in | Bombay today, it is a home of your I own. Its great importance to the family is that it is the base from which you come and go, radiate and return...On ­ ly you know how muclr it means to each one of you. ” Top: Neville Wadia Below: children at the new nursery Right: a view of Rustom Baug i. 23 Parsiana March 1367 Illi -. ' Jir I f: •HS" j r ¦ 'I >- ¦ -• ft TO 'i At the diamond jubilee function (from left): Nusli Wadia, Daraius Bkappu, Neville Wadia, Aspi Golwalla, and Maureen Wadia. Inset: Kumi Daroowala Below (left) Sir Ness Wadia Pavilion and (right) Neville Wadia Hall at Rustom Baug (Photographs of the Baug by Joy Fernandes) I not be further considered by the I Wadia Trust as “we have our priorities I and difficulties. While (.the Wadia I donated bangs) Navroz Baug and Jer I Baug are without even a hall, the Cus- I row Baug wants-to build a swimming I pool. We have told them to raise their I own funds...We must learn to help I ourselves. ” I Neville pointed out that a celebra- I tion Connected with Rustom Baug, I means commemorating Jerbai ’s last I gift to the community because soon af- I ter the completion of the Baug, she died in 1926. During her last illness, the buildings at Rustom Baug were completed but the roads had yet to be I levelled out so she instructed her son Ness to press into service the steam rollers from their factory to expedite work on the roads. Soon thereafter she fell into a coma for nine days. On the tenth day after regaining conscious ­ ness she wanted to know the date and immediately enquired if the rollers had been transported to the Baug... “As a permanent gesture to her, we should emulate her de termination... In a community everyone has their own opinions and strong ideas. If we were to get together with the same spirit and determination it would help. ” The Neville Wadia Hall was origi ­ nally a ruvanni bungli built for the con- - venience of the Rustom Baug resi ­ dents. Within a few years, however, the Hall stopped being utilized for the intended purpose apd weekly religious i ' years gave religious instruction to the the Association ’s activities; committee children at the Baug, and Dastur Nav- member Nariman Daruwala reflected rooz Minochehr-Homji who con- on the Bang ’s history and services ren- ducted religion classes for adults, the dered by its stalwarts; Kainaz Medora Hall was inaugurated by Dr Aspi Gol- paid a youthful tribute to the Wadia walla, chairman of the Bombay Parsi family saying that they considered Punchayet and Committee of Manage- themselves “blessed with an atmos- ment, R.N. and N.N. Wadia Trusts, in phere of togetherness and Parsipanu classes were started there. When a the presence of the Wadia family, in aapro Bang; ” and committee mem- On behalf of the Rustom Baug ber Khurshed Katki proposed a vote Association, president Daraius Bhap- of thanks, pu welcomed the gathering; vice- president Cyrus Bagwadia projected plained that the appeal for funds can- In his brief address, Golwalla ex- portion of the roof caved in some years ago, they were advised to discontinue the use of the Hall. On the recom ­ mendation of lheir architects Behram continued on page 102 > ¦ ¦ B SIR NESS WADIA' PAVILION mJ- , . , Jm ncaa hauia KAVltlUN BiHia J 24 ffaisiana March 1X7 LINSTITUTIONS I 4 . The flame of devotion A fund raising drive, construction of the priests’ quarters, and afour-day program which included hosting of the Federation meeting, marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Kaikhushru Pallonji Katrak Dar-e-Meher Parin az Toddy walla At the time of the Dar-e-Meher ’s construe- 1961, “is indeed unique and I have no the silver jubilee jashan on December 25, tion, Delhi had received an unusually doubt that in the years to come, our new 1986. For the first time in Delhi ’s his- heavy monsoon. Yet, braving all hard- prayer house will be looked upon as an tory, four High Priests from Bombay, ships the structure was completed within architectural landmark in the capital city six months. “The design, with beautiful of our country. ” white stone facing all around the build ­ ing, ” notes an article by Shiavax Nargol- lonji Katrak Dar-e-Meher 25 years later capacity with many visitors spilling onto wala, the Delhi Parsi Anjuman ’s (DPA’s) then president, in a brochure released in Congregating at the Kaikhushru Pal- Udwada, Navsari and Poona participated in the ceremony in the rectangular hall of the Dar-e-Meher which was packed to were Zoroastrians from all over India and the portico and courtyard, the world who had come to participate in Trooping out of the Dar-e-Meher after 29 Parsiana March 1987Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), made re ­ ference to the community ’s problems and described an average Parsi as “intelligent but erratic. ” Conversely, Kapur told the gathering, “To see sane people is like a breath of fresh air. We need people like you who can bring a method in our madness, who identify first with their nationality and next with their religion. ’’ Kapur later announced a donation of Rs 25,000 to the DPA. Gratefully acknow ­ ledging the gesture, DPA’s Dadi Mistry, the evening ’s master of ceremonies, led the audience into giving Kapur a standing ovation. “The image of the Anjuman should be viewed favorably ” by the visi ­ tors, was Mistry ’s motto whilst working for the success of the celebrations. What the Delhi Parsis most enjoyed was the play Behram ni saasoo enacted by the Yazdi Karanjia troupe from Surat on the third evening. The humor, both subtle and obvious, and the ease with which the actors sailed through their well-rehearsed roles, brought back many nostalgic mem ­ ories to the Delhi residents who recalled . the days when they used to have regular ' plays performed by the Delhi Parsi Ama- ¦ teurs Society. 1 Describing the team spirit among the DPA’s committee members as “wonder ­ ful, ” Rustom Daroga, secretary of the ‘ Association is disheartened at the tepid ' response from the DPA’s rank and file which is understandably not interested in the jashan, the gathering proceeded to wit- celebrations, “the present board of trus- attending the annual general meetings ness the foundation stone laying cere- tees decided to proceed with the celebra- (average attendance being only 40 to 45 mony at the site of the proposed priests ’ tions in a befitting manner, ” said Nowshe- members), but could be more supportive quarters and stood in an orderly manner on rwanji. The acting president took obvious of the social functions like the play and either side of the red carpet laid out in pride in the fact that the Government of Penaaz Masani ’s program of ghazalsorga- front of the marble slab. The assembly India had recognized the agiary as a place nized last year. “ITiere was no response to witnessed the cracking of a coconut after a of “Zoroastrian public worship of renown our questionnaires asking them their rea- short prayer and the unveiling of the throughout Delhi and northern India. ” sons for non-participation. It means that inscription on the plaque, “By the grace Keeping in mind the differences in either they are just not interested, or that of almighty Ahura Mazda, this foundation stone was laid by Zal Nowsherwanji, act ­ ing president of Delhi Parsi Anjuman on 25th December 1986.’’ The priests ’ quarters, planned as a per- , pendicular extension of the Mengusi evolution of religion and the impact of every family to be community conscious. Dharamshala with.a connecting corridor, Zarathushtra ’s message on human con- As per the DPA’s rules, not more than should be ready by end ’87 on the Anju- sciousness. Two ways by which a reli- one person from a family can be elected ...................... ' on the trust board. In the Variawafamily, Farida ’s mother- in-law, Banoobai Variawa, the first lady trustee of Delhi, had actively served the Anjuman when funds had to be collected for the construction of the Dar-e-Meher and at the time of making applications to 1 I I, .. + Jfc-- I At the foundation stone laying ceremony of priests’ quarters: (from left) Dasturs Hormazdiar Dastur, Hormazdyar Mirza, Meherji Meherjirana, and Nowsherwanji (Inset) Dhun Bagli and Rusi Engineer reading the inscription on the plaque I BMM8DJ3I •- ¦¦ .•v L of “Zoroastrian public worship of renown Keeping in mind the differences in age, religiosity and definitions of enter- they feel everything is moving smooth- tainment, the evening programs provided ly, ” he stated. a mixed fare. On the first evening, Kaik- ------ hosrov Irani, professor of philosophy at on the DPA’s board was convinced that it City College, New York, spoke on the is important for at least one person in Farida Variawa, coopted lady trustee Zarathushtra ’s message on human con ­ sciousness. Two ways by which a reli ­ man property on Bahadur Shah Zafar gion is kept alive are internal conviction Marg where to the left of the main gate and external practice, mentioned Irani, stands the Dharamshala, and to the right, emphasizing that the present choice be- the Bhiwandiwalla Hall and the Dar-e- Meher facing each other across a common courtyard. Hence the central open ground ness and respect, or to do nothing, will now be surrounded by structures on ” three sides. . Since Shiavax Nargolwala, the DPA’s chief guest at the children ’s entertainment land on which to build the community ’s president for 26 years until his untimely program and distributed prizes to the permanent assets. death in a car accident in August last, was DPA scholars. Presiding over the func- Dhun Bagli, manageress at the very enthusiastic about the silver jubilee tion. Dr Aspi Golwalla, chairman of the Dharamshala, and her band of workers fore all Zoroastrians is either to do one ’s best and adapt with the true spirit of holi- The next evening, the Lieutenant Gov ­ ernor of Delhi, H. L. Kapur, was the the Government in 1949, for the lease of chief guest at the children ’s entertainment DPA scholars. Presiding over the func- 30 Parsiana March 1967r f were in charge of almost all the meals for the four days. They catered to the tastes of nearly 600 diners who, regardless of Delhi ’s passing cold wave, would dress in their most elegant outfits to enjoy the community feeling and partake of die typi­ cal Parsi favorites. With the exception of the first dinner hosted by Dadi and Nergish Mistry and the third dinner hosted by Rustom and Freny Daroga, the DPA members who wished to participate in the Anjuman subsidized feasts on the re ­ maining days, had to pay a nominal con ­ tribution. Among the fund raising drives launch ­ ed by the DPA, the Penaaz Masani show netted Rs 20,000 and an additional Rs 40,000 were collected from the Anjuman members, each of whom was asked to donate Rs 100 towards the construction of the priests ’ quarters and the Dar-e-Meher after Kaikhushru Pallonji Katrak whose widow offered to transfer property worth Rs 1,20,000 along with a cash donation of Rs 10,000 towards the construction of the Dar-e-Meher on the condition that the Dar-e-Meher be named after her late husband. Earlier, proposals had been re ­ ceived from the trustees of the Broach Agiary, the Tavdi Agiary, and the Soona- walla Agiary at Bombay who volunteered to shift their consecrated fires to Delhi. When none of these offers materialized, it was finally decided to instal a dadgah in the Dar-e-Meher instead of an adaran, out of fear of later being forced to downgrade the fire if there was no one to tend it. Fortunately for the DPA, they have never been faced with the contingency of functioning without a mobed. Presently there are three priests: head priest Cawas Bagli (son of Dhun and Daraius), Ervad . ¦ ft V % ill A 4 - '‘5, -a Il 3.* r ‘5^4.. ?'ll ¦ amount was also collected by bringing the DPA to coincide with the Dar-e- S' " out a souvenir wherein was amassed a Meher ’s twenty-fifth jubilee. good collection of advertisements. Altoge ­ ther the receipts during the silver jubilee The fire installed year were in the vicinity of eight lakhs of The Dar-e-Meher was “like a Mecca to 1 rupees, mentioned Daroga. 1 , ' ’' ’ ' ” " ’'“7' i The 150-page souvenir featured the who served as its first priest for 18 years The first few pages carried messages and Nargolwala. Both of them would know attending to outstation jobs. Ervad Caw^ ! greetings from important dignitaries like exactly how many bricks went up each Bagli was always keen on following in [ the President and the Prime Minister of day, ” reminisces Dhun Bagli. his father ’s footsteps and becommg a Top: Kapur (at the mike) arid Golwalla Above (from left) Dhun Bagli, Farida Variawa and Daroga Alongside (from left) Banoobai Variawa and Mistry Far right: Ervads Gowadia, Bagli and Dhabhar maintenance fund as per a decision taken graphic articles comprised the remaining Sohrab Gowadia and Ervad Jamshed by the trust board. In addition to the three reading matter of the souvenir. Released Dhabhar. The DPA has always prided it- major donors — the BPP, the Godrej on the morning of the fourth day, the self on providing the maximum possible Foundation and the World Zoroastrian brochure was distributed to all the dele- benefits to their mobeds like good pay Organisation — who had each contributed gates at the executive council meeting of with free board and lodging, annual in- Rs 1,32,000, being the cost of construe- the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian crement, medical and travel allowances, tion of one flat for the priests — a sizable Anjumans of India which was hosted by one month ’s leave with pay, gratuity and amount was also collected by bringing the DPA to coincide with the Dar-e- provident fund and warm clothes for the winter. Their mobeds cater to the reli ­ gious needs of the Delhi population as ther the receipts during the silver jubilee The fire installed well as the neighboring mofussil anju- year were in the vicinity of eight lakhs of The Dar-e-Meher was “like a Mecca to mans of Agra, Amritsar, Allahabad, 1 rupees, mentioned Daroga. my husband (the late Ervad Daraius Bagli Indore and Gwalior. i The 150-page souvenir featured the who served as its first priest for 18 years The three priests take turns in tending Dar-e-Meher in an attractive frontispiece, until his demise in 1979) and Shiavax the sacred fire at the Dar-e-Meher and t greetings from important dignitaries like exactly how many bricks went up each Bagli was always keen on following in ¦ ' ;•___his father ’s footsteps and becoming a in 1961 the Dar-e-Meher was named priest. After qualifying from the Dadar India. Religious, historical and demo- 33 Parsiana March 1987'Mi.!' B'iw' I I’ f' I r I With Compliments From HOSHNER ENGINEERING WORKS Electrical Engineers & Contractors 30, Sleater Road Bombay 400007 Phone 4134640 360314 Athoman Madressa under Ervad Rustom Panthaky, Bagli was absorbed by the Anjuman in 1984. According to his esti ­ mates, on an average, 15 to 20 afringans are prayed each month at the Agiary. With 60 years of experience in the mobedi profession, Ervad Gowadia at the age of 73 is outspoken as he says in Gujarati, “The fire-temple functions chief ­ ly because of the Dharamshala passen ­ gers. Parsis in Delhi are too greatly dis ­ persed and the present generation can be described as ‘indifferent ’ where religious customs are concerned. They have no idea of Hormuzd roj or Behram roj, but if they come to the Dar-e-Meher on auspicious occasions, they will offer everything — sandalwood, batti and money. ” Though earlier, in 1985, he had resigned from the DPA’s services due to differences of opi ­ nion on the pay scale, after his return he feels that he can no longer face the extre ­ mities of the Delhi climate. Unlike many other provinces, the mobeds in Delhi are neither entitled to the boi offerings nor do they have to incur any expenses on the management of the Dar-e-Meher. Adjusting to this variation and other differences in the mode of prayers at Delhi is Ervad Dhabhar. After serving in Bombay ’s H.B. Wadia Atas Bahram for five years, Dhabhar is happy to be exposed to the different experiences in Delhi where “the tandurasti prayers are longer and the jashan is performed dif­ ferently. ” An assistant at the Dar-e-Meher for nearly 15 years, Firoz Balsara is happier in Delhi than he was in Bombay where he was working as a compositor at the Tata Press till his eyesight failed him. His assorted duties even include performing of the sachkar for a Zoroastrian male body. But what impresses him about the Delhi Parsis is their generosity, their humility and their insistence on his joining them at their wedding and navjote functions. “While expressing complete and whole-hearted devotion to our ancient religion, the Anjuman has always adapted itself to changing times in matters such as allowing sezdo by non-Parsi friends and relations at the time of burial, (and) recognizing navjotes of children, one of whose parents is a Parsi Zoroastrian (with the written consent of both parents), ” Nargolwala had written in his foreword to the booklet The Delhi Parsi Anjuman — a profile. The DPA permits all the after-death ceremonies even if a body is to be cremated. ‘The greatest achievement of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman has been to maintain complete unity and L M. NUSSERWANJI &C0 Transport Contractors & Fleet Owners Head Office 94, Mahatma Gandhi Road Poona 411001 Grams Timber Tel (0212) 6489166422 Daily services to BOMBAY PUNE BANGALORE MADRAS 34 Parsiana March 1987P'^ "J 1 O' si- 4 Another finding of the survey showed notes a write-up m the ^ver jubil^ that 33 percent of the households were of souvenir. The Mengusi Dhai^shala, mixed mSriage families. Thus among the buUt in three wings, was construct^ in . • •.» . J 1 rtCI Olitivron/iiu/Qllsi 111 I in ueitu wnicn is uie capiuu ciiy wi luuu., “progressive measures Sng J »d cMtoi ^^ide^ "die'SSS ra^fbe me^.bene: „r dev«io„...as symbolized by our new b^coSo^ieS The active group of youngsters in Delhi meet regularly for reUgious ses- galwalla and social functions planned at 2_____¦ " ------ Fi^kh Rustomji, the coopted youth trus- The^D^tS ’Sned in 1925 on the ^ard at^the^Dh^amshah initiative of Dr Nowroji Kapadia who served as its first president When he was unable to continue, eye surgeon Dr S. P. Shroff succeeded him and expanded the work of the Anjuman. During Shroffs says Dhun Bagh. har mony between its members and between the Anjuman arid the Govern ­ ment authorities. This is most important iri Delhi which is the capital city of India, ‘‘progressive measures initiated and sup- 1951, the Bhiwandiwalla Hall in 1954 and the Dar-e-Meher in 1961 when Nargolwala had then said, “The flame fire-temple bums bright and steady in the this flame of devotion and may the sacred fire which will be established in our new Agiary continue to remain alight for all time to come. ” “Even I have tremendous faith in the agiary and, considering it to be an exten ­ sion of my own house, I like it to look beautiful. When upstation Zoroastrians dancy of their court case or for any other reason, I tell them ‘Padshahji ne naman kari jaao (make your obeisance to the fire) and everything will work out well. I munity in Delhi is the image of the Parsi community all over India, ” Nargolwala had further ex ­ pounded. . The relationships are cordial, says Nar- the Anjuman. Bolwala ’s wife Nergish, coopted lady The active group of youngsters in trustee on the DPA board, whose memo- Delhi meet regularly for religious ses- ries of the recent car acctot where she stas ,<^nM anfto^ Ww htn- lost her hushsrid sic fresh, because you ------- - - can ’t afford to anta^nize anyoK. Finally die . it is only the Parsis who will come to your help in times of difficulty. ” The Parsis of Delhi “represent the more enterprising and adventurous, who have chosen occupational opjwrmnities outside their hometowns. This is in con ­ trast to the known partiality of the SageParsiofBombay (against) leaving work of ^%^"J“Xati^s"wem ”mad: " ftoSrSioing the feeling of her that city in spite of better occupational tenme^ul 1956, pp fmallv compeers Farida Variawa is “proud of the and housing faciUties avaUable else- to the*to a^lS^^ welbmain ’tained Dar-e-Meher ” and happy where, ” observed sociologist Ava Khull^ m 1949 grant^ a ^tu^i^e to a pioi consttnetion ther^n of^a Jire-tempk y^u want, you can be at peace with your- Sd b^n residi^ in Delhi since 1951. priests ’ quarters, a hall and a dharamshala, self. ______________ ____________ priests ’ quarters, a hall and a dharamshala. 9 »9 I" I 1 ¦¦ I: i' I- l} ¦'{ With Best Compliments From SELVEL ADVERTISING PRIVATE LIMITED ‘Selvel House ’ 10/lB, Diamond Harbour Road Calcutta 700027 Ph 457075 456795 450534 710 Meghdoot 94 Nehru Place New Delhi 110019 Ph 6431853 6431369 Branches at Jalandhar, Jaipur, Lucknow Kanpur, Gauhati, Patna & Cuttack Associated offices at Bombay & Madras March 19B7’f'i RELIGION •1 s The difficult choice , Ay A worldwide poll to decide crucial community issues is recommended by French scholar Paul du Breuil s I Arnavaz S. Mama “The whole Zoroastrian community is on behdins with two different statutes — upon your faith in your own d^nam the Chinvat Bridge. On one side you will Zoroastrians by birth and Zoroastrians by (religious consciousness in relation to remain, but scattered. On the other side, you will lair lino past Goscurantism.'! ou have been taught that you have a choice. , . _ _ Your choice is to remain or to disappear, charitable institutions. (According to du words and deeds. It is a difficult choice in the history of Breuil, there are one million Iranians in Zoroastrianism. ” the US wanting to become Zoroastrian conversion, it being clearly understood Ahura Mazda). According to the Avesta, tnai tnc'iatici wo6i\j ‘^avc ’ito ’'£MflTifJ3'X>h the present community ’s religious and according to the person ’s thoughts, .... ¦ ¦ ’ ’ ' . The future of Zoroastrianism depends upon the deeds of ___ ______ _ the community now. Our mind is crea- Paul du Breuil ’s blue eyes are earnest, whom Dastur Navrooz Minochehr-Homji tive It can change our destiny. (Unnl) the his expression grave, as he advocates a ’' ..... . .. . -i — . - .... worldwide referendum within the com ­ munity to determine a set of acceptable path.) ideas and practices that would promote “I like Zoroastrianism. This religion unity among Zoroastrianism ’s one lakh still has something to say to me and to surviving adherents. The gaunt, lanky the world. But to live, it must organize... Frenchman whose two doctorates — in I ' \ ..... comparative philosophy and in the community. It ’s a problem towards the December 27,1986 had been, IsZoroas- ¦ „ —O-” -_____ - ¦ J : ¦ trianism an embarrassing religion? ’’Trac- tians and, Jews especially, don ’t like to ing the history of religious thought from ideas and practices that would promote considers unobjectionable, being the majority...believe in the necessity to return of the ancient race to the original become one solid body, it will not become a reality. ” The subject of du Breuil ’s speech to the executive council of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India at It is not only an inside problem of the the Bhiwandiwalla Hall, New Delhi, on • - T- 5 . _ 1 aI- 1AO/C J ”1 history of religion — focussed on the world at large. ” Narrow-mind^ Zoroastrian contribution, arrived in New t^ -------- 2. '-------- i Delhi half way through the Delhi Parsi refer to Zoroastrianism ’s Aryan traditions a western, Christian background (he > 5I Anjuman ’s celebrations to commemorate their Dar-e-Meher ’s silver jubilee. He had to remain in Paris to receive a French government award on Xmas day. This was the Paris-based professor ’s fifth trip to India when Parsiana interviewed him at New Delhi ’s Mengusi Dharamshala. “If the whole Zoroastrian community does not concentrate on a referendum to decide what to do, then, in this mingled world, you will not exist beyond one cen ­ tury. ” Du Breuil believes that the commu ­ nity ’s tendency to controversy will split it into “too many sects, ” like the Chris- ------------ -------------------- . _ • tian Protestants in the US. “Then who (Hitler mistakenly equated the Germanic Church), the professor demonstrated how , will incarnate the true religion? ” he asks. and Aryan races and considered all other the direct simplicity of Zarathushtra ’s The representatives of the anjumans people ‘inferior, ’ especially the Jews), teachings had been a source of discomfort should formulate the rules for a referen- says du Breuil. But apart from that, the to the Catholic Church which demanded ; dum, which could be in two parts — one most acute external danger that Zoroas- total obedience from its adherents in all ' * for the mobed class and one for the trianism faces is “to be cannibalized by matters of dogma while Zoroastrianism behdin, he suggests. western materialism. preached the virtues of the individual mak- As “mathematically there will be. no “Your individual or community des- ing his own decisions. He quoted from ; Zoroastrians left in (the space of) a cen- tiny depends upon your own faith. It ’s up the early Greek scholars like Socrates and tury, ” du Breuil believes that the referen- to you to commit suicide or to live. It ’s a Xenophon who considered Zoroastrians in dum could also establish two kinds of tremendous responsibility which depends their heyday as “the most excellent, the 1 i I “Zoroastrianism calls men to renovate the world instead of awaiting everything from the Gods, from karma or from fate ” ¦*1 because of memories of Nazi propaganda telongs to the Protestant Episcopal and Aryan races and considered all other the direct simplicity of Zarathushtra ’s says du Breuil. But apart from that, the to the Catholic Church which demanded dum, which could be in two parts — one most acute external danger that Zoroas- total obedience from ite adherents in all western materialism. “Your individual or community des- „ _ tiny depends upon your own faith. It ’s up the early Greek scholars like Socrates and #- to you to commit suicide or to live. It ’s a Xenophon who considered Zoroastrians in 39 Paniana March 1SB7________________________________ create new noblemen from among their ,1 “Tho Tnrrkoe+rian deserving subjects — including Parsis! | I He ^UiUaolllall And, emphasizes du Breuil, the French rolioion still has aristocracy is dying not only because of -1 y its decreasing number nor because of d something to say to the mixed marriage, but for the simple reason j world. But to live, it must organize... ” that the spirit of the old nobility is dead. 1 Unchanging social and political rules ->J could not resist the tidal wave of new ideo- 1 logics, says du Breuil, hoping Parsis J leam their lesson from the example. In his interview with Parsiana the fol- wisest, the most just, the most temperate utilized...The first victim of this divorce virtues of chivalry, is dwindling just like and the bravest men, ” and described the from nature is Man himself. No artificial the Parsi community because the inheri- J disdainful attitude of later generations of world produced by men will ever be (as tance is only through the male line. Un- Greeks after Alexander had defeated the Zarathushtra envisaged it at the end of like them, the English nobility has sur- ; Persian empire. Du Breuil emphasized, time) ‘A world which never grows old, vived, because for centuries it has accep^ “A very important fact is that history is never dies, never decays, which will be ed the transmission of the line through ' * always written by the victorious, whether ever living, ever growing... ’ For today ’s females when the male branch is extin- <¦ in religion or in politics. Since the fever of scientific progress which justifres guished. Besides, the English kings still Greeks had won, over the Persian empire, history has forever been written to glorify the western winners. ” Convinced that “no other religion could appear more permanently subver ­ sive than Zoroastrianism which calls men to renovate the world instead of awaiting everything from the Gods, from karma or from fate, ” du Breuil says, “No other phi ­ losopher in history proposed such a dar- ing program as Zarathushtra who wanted leam their lesson from the example, both, the inner transformation of man as JI------- , __ 1------J J ?---------2------- well as (he social and political trans- biogenetic handling — (mean the end of) lowing day, du Breuil referred to other I figuration of the world. ” mankind or there may be mere surviving points of similarity between the Zoroas- a Speaking of twentieth century pro- anthropoids, learned on physical matters trians and the European communities: the j gress, du Breuil sounded a philosopher ’s but no more human beings, for they will dwindling populations, the increasing i ' — * have forgotten what Zarathushtra wanted numbers of the aged as compared to the jj them to be — co-workers of the divine young, the increase in beggars. Recalling I plan — SOO shy ants." sadly that “traditionally Parsis didn ’t a Du Breuil drew an interesting parallel beg, ” du Breuil attributed it to the world- J all means — the weapons race as well as <1 warning: “The more man ’s power increa ­ ses over technology, the more his con ­ science should proportionately increase. .. for a perfect world cannot be created by imperfect men. ” Unfortunately, “modem between the French nobility and the wide collapse of traditional religious fed- 1 man sees all natural elements and crea- Parsis. The French aristocracy, once the ing. Quoting the late French philosopher tures as things, as products that can be pacesetter for Europe with all its , moral and onetime minister of culture, Andre Wishing You A Very Happy Jamshedi Havroze MAZDA ESTATES & EIMAMCE PRIVATE LIMITED For Land, Residential Flats, Shops fle Commercial Premises, Estate Advisory Services r 3 Regd. Office: 2, Qirdhar Mivas, 15/17, Shahid Bhagatsingh Road, Colaba, Bombay~400 005 Tel: 234948/235269 Branch Office: Sir J J. Shopping Centre, ranch Hat di, Havsari 396445 Tel: 3249 41 10B7 J*z.'V r k Malreaux, who has predicted, “The twenty- law, published in abridgement in the with an unexpected pregnancy and con- •" —L2S’ _'_ templated an abortion. When they refared Two revealing though uncorroborated the matter to him, du Breuil quoted a anecdotes about du Breuil made the relevant passage from the Gathas. Today _____________ ._______________ _ the little grandchild is a source of happi ­ ness for the entire family! On another occasion, it is said, du Breuil, riled by a heckler, unbuttoned his shirt and pulled out a gold farohar that hung upon his chest, saying, “See I wear a farohar — I’m a better Zoroastrian than you!!" “I personally stick to the idea that Zoroastrianism should be an example for today ’s world. I do not think that God has permitted the Zoroastrian community to last till today for nothing, ” says the opti ­ mistic Frenchman, adding, “More than 10 centuries after the collapse of the Persian empire, Zoroastrian society found enough intelligence, courage and honesty for a rounds among the community gathered in new economic and political life in India. “The more man’s power increases over technology, the more his conscience should proportionately Increase. . .for a perfect I” first century will be religious or it will KRCOI Journal. not be, ” du Breuil anticipated an increased " thought content in religion and a corres ­ ponding decline in ritualism — a rationa ­ lism tempered by spirituality, not obs ­ curantism but an opening of the mind. Accepting the need of certain indivi ­ duals to materialize their faith through the symbolism of religious rites, du Breuil considas ritualism important but not essential. He does not consider the death rites of the dokhma, for instance, as inte ­ gral to the religion, “(The dokhmas) don ’t shock me. They are a part of your cultural heritage. But the day the administrative rannnt hp rrpptpH authorities object, they may have to go! ” WOnO CannOT 06 CreaieO Chef des missions (cultural advisor) by imperfect men.’’ for the French Government, du Breuil has ~ studied Zoroastrianism for 25 years and is currently a lecturer at the Sorbonne Uni- . _ versity in Paris as well as the Columbia Delhi: In the course of a question-answer No doubt, the community will not be Pacific University, USA. His published session after a lecture held at Zoroastrian kept back from progress by anachronistic works include Zarathushtra and the Trans- House, London, some time ago, someone and irrational matters covered by the easy formation of the World, Zoroastrianism had asked the prepossessing Frenchman if label of cultural identity... There must and Religious History and Zoroastrian he “practiced ” Zoroastrianism. Du Breuil not be confusion between the spiritual tra- Philosophy. In 1980 the professor had responded with a bit of family history: dition and legal observances ruling delivered the K.R. Cama Oriental Insti- Some years ago his young son and society at any one time, and now con- tute ’s (KRCOI) Government Fellowship daughter-in-law had believed they were sidered obsolete. Don ’t forget that ‘the lectures on Zarathushtra ’s conception of not financially secure enough to go ahead letter kills but the spirit gives life. » »9 N raiiBLi R. II'.. II Forever pleasant forever yours There's everything. Simply everything from a friendly . welcome 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. You'll love being here. We'll make you smile in everything we do. Grand Hotel Ballard Estate Bombay-400038. RHONE: 288211 CABLE: GRANDOTEL s X (9 < s < b L 42 Pvalana March 1987I I 4' 1/ (- POPULATION a Demographer Dr Ketayun Gould’s research shows that Parsi birth rates have been declining over a hundred years and the chances of reversing that trend are remote An aging, dwindling community eople say that Parsis do not most significant of all, control the num- 387 from the surrounding villages, get married because they do ber of their offspring to an average of 2.2 ~ not have houses, sd let ’s per couple. provide them houses so that they will get married. I consider that a thus phasing itself into extinction in a city dwellers and sometimes later, as suit ­ simple solution. Housing might get the land where the overriding problem is an able mates are more difficult to find, people to marry a little earlier — only the exploding population, prompted Gould to Another surprising revelation was that the ones that are postponing marriage for that examine the differences closely. “Other number of pregnancies among rural cou- reason. But I am not convinced that if communities here have lived in joint pies was lower than among urban couples The findings of the survey contradicted many popular beliefs. For example it was The phenomenon of a community found that rural folk married as late as you do something l±e providing houses family systems; many people live in one and there was a longer interval between . tomorrow for everyone, somehow our room and are able to have many children, marriage and the first child. On the other number of single people will go So it is not just housing by itself but the hand there were more cousin marriages in down. ” Demographer Dr Ketayun Gould attitude that goes with that kind of urban rural society. Such collateral marriages was commenting on the solution, offered situation that has played a part in affect- (especially in the case of a man ’s son ‘ ~ ..................... marrying his sister ’s daughter) also seern- ed to produce more dead infants. Gould however is still analyzing the data for economic correlations and levels of medi- by the elders of the community to the pro- ing (Parsi) fertility, ” she says. blem of the Parsis ’ declining population. To establish whether it was urbaniza- A professor of social work and faculty tion that was responsible for the commu- member, program in South and West nity ’s low rate of reproduction or the Asian Studies af the University of Illinois high incidence of cousin marriages (36 cal service in the villages and hence hesi- at Urbana-Champaign, Gould ’s research percent of rural women marry consang- on the demographic decline of the Parsi uinously versus 22 percent of urban community embraces the period prior to women), Gould began her intensive study the 1881 census as well as current times. In a series of trips to Gujarat between Gujarat. In 1954 demographer Buddhis the early 1800s. Her studies show that 1974-76 and a trip to Bombay during Chandra Shah had done a study in a few Parsi birthrates have been declining since 1981-82 Gould acquired detailed firsthand villages around Surat which are known as “ information to enable her to establish the Godavara villages. Gould chose those whether urbanization has indeed led to particular villages again to get some com- significant changes in the community ’s parative view over a period of 20 years which never practised Contraception) says population growth. but studied a wider area than Shah, Gould, quoting from an article by demo ­ Gould notes three major aspects contri ­ buting to the community ’s fertility dec ­ line — 20 percent of the population never talukas and villages around the town of started doing something at least as early marries; those who do, marry at a very Rajpipla. Her systematic random sample as the 1850s. That would make us com- late age (about 27 years — One of the included data from 551 households — parable to the developed populations of highest marriage ages in the world) and, 164 from the city of Surat (urban) and the world because that ’s when fertility tates ’to accept this, last conclusion with ­ out qualifications. Gould believes that the seeds of the of the urban and rural Parsi population in Parsis ’ present predicament were sown in over a century. Even in 1881 our fertility was 46 percent lower than that of the Hutterites in the USA (a community but studied a wider area than Shah, embracing villages on both sides of the grapher Leela Vasceria. “If our fertility river Tapti plus the Mandvi and Mangol was that low in 1881, then we must have 44 Pam'ana March 1967>,5'V started to go down in those populations, ” „ * u ’ u have, etc. ” Indeed, that was well bdtare she says. UlVOrCG rGTiGClS nign female emancipation, especially among The prospect of a “good cross-cultural pynprtAtion A from Parsis. “My historical study of Parsis in study, to see what a population did in this VApcuiailwi lo 11 Ui 11 nineteenth century reveals that in the part of the world that was similar to what marriagG whereas dislike 1870s women were not even able to come ' % was happening in the develqjed areas of , . *i-i drawing room with the world, ” set Gould off on research OT marriage involves tne men, their proper place was very narrowly upon her own community. The difference fpplinn that DPOnlP don’t perceived as being restricted to private between the Parsi experience and that of Jy Jell ptzUpit? UUl l household matters, so that women seen out in public with men, or driving in open carriages were cause for comment, ” she adds. “If in fact fertility was low in 1881, number of children bom, age at death, etc then it wasn ’t education that was respon- and indirect evidence as to what were the sible. Ideas about females ’ roles were *9 Divorce reflects high expectations from ,*6 of marriage Involves the feeling that people don’t the western communities lies in the fact want to be subservient that the western populations began to dec- . . . . line because more people remained un- lO SOmeDOCiy GISG. married and those who married, did so at a --------------- '•------------------------------------- relatively advanced age. There was no attempt, in the west, to curtail the num ­ ber of children produced in marriage, ideas, the influences, the thoughts and changing before that date and there was Among the Parsis, the reverse was true; how these changed — did people really conscious control of fertility. Thus it is while the number of single people was think that it was right to have so many the attitude towards fertility that gradually less than one percent of the Parsi popu- children, did they think that it was right changes amongst the population, and then lation and the age of marriage was low (it for women to get married or what was the they will control (fertility) despite the was 19 years), the number of offspring woman ’s proper role in terms of educa- was small. “It was something they were tion; public life, etc. “What was the total doing once they were married and it had to picture of what we thought about our the general demographic growth situation be something like withdrawal. There community in relation to the British? were no other methods that were known What were our ideas about our own to that population unless it was illegal origin and status? So my study — I call women in Gould ’s sample population, abortion which you cannot prove in any way. ” The similarities and differences set fertility behavior, ” explains Gould. Gould enquiring into the cultural factors underlining our attitudes. “Were we really current trend towards very small families marry. Another popular notion undermin- interested in controlling our fertility be ­ cause we were so identified with the Bri ­ tish as people claim? Or vsiere our ideas about females, independent of British in ­ fluence? Was education at all playing a that even before the modem methods were part? ” Seeking these answers, Gould delved tion, the control of fertility into biographies and historical accounts, was going on and that really into old controversies and volumes of the depends on the attitude of Pco’si Prakash to provide demographic in- people towards the number formation in terms of the age of marriage, of children they should low level of education. That ’s what we are hoping for in India today, in terms of in the country. ” Significantly, among the unmarried it Roots — deals with these interrelated those who consider themselves likely to factors that might account for a change in marry are the highly educated ones, while it is the poorly educated women who Popular opinion has often blamed the seem to see themselves as unlikely to as well as the growing number of single ed by Gould ’s research is the belief that people to higher education, especially Parsi women are more highly educated among women. But, says Gould, “if our than the men. While the Parsi women ’s fertility was low even in 1881, it meant level of education has risen tremendously in a relatively short time, Gould ’s statis- known, even before the spread of educa- tics reveal that the boys are more highly educated than the ^1& “As fertility declines, there will be more aged pepple who might not h^ve any resources, any family to take care of them. ” )p>i Q o \ ^3^ I • 47PartlanaMarch1907 iMwijas&ii. ¦ ?sb / i*/ ¦ ,5^ •49^ ¦»e I ! 'jhI '' V: The Parsi population has one of the highest numbers of single people in the world today— 20 percent as compared to the US’ 10 percent . . * \ The Parsi population has one of the highest numbers of single people in the world today — 20 percent as compared to the US’ 10 percent. What Gould finds particularly interesting is that there are families where a number of siblings have remained unwed. Bachelors and spinsters over the age of 45 from the rural areas stated “need of parents ” as the most frequent reason for not getting married. “Now what is it that the parents inculcate in their children to make them feel that if they got married they would not be able to support their parents, that they need to stay unmarried in order to do so? ” asks Gould. The group ’s urban counterpart most frequently quoted “dislike of marriage ” as the reason for their single status, though men also cited low income as a reason. This may well be a trend in which we are now leading the developed societies of the west. Women with education, an occu ­ pation and an income “don ’t feel the ‘necessity ’ of getting married, ” as expres ­ sed by urban Parsi females and often heard abroad, says Gould. Contrasting the Parsis ’ dislike of mar ­ riage with the high rate of divorce in the west, Gould says, “Some people feel that the high rate of divorce reflects a high notes. Besides, expectation of satisfaction in marriage, **¦' while others see it as being reflective of a lack of commitment.. Dislike of mar­ riage is a different kind of phenomenon in Se Sng"that people don ’t want to be those who have emigrated, Gould feels “it These things will happen in our subservient to somebody else... They per- would be a very interesting study to find munity. . ceive marriage as perhaps being restrictive out what ’s happening to Zoroastrians “We inight want to Offer mcratives to F F & ,------- ,—-------- incrcasc fertility, induce more people to J significant enough to bring about change, families she visited, was cordial through- for emigration and the numbers involved. Demographically, I don ’t see any changes out, she says. InitiaUy, a representative of “In order to do such a study you really happening. We are going through com- the Surat Parsi Punchayet escorted her and have to see the families, follow them for pleting the cycle that started long a^. inwoduced her u, fl.e local people,Bona- a period of tune .o see whafs happened sec '%1 ,£ xM >3 t “statistically speaking funds to set up more chronic wards in hospitals. That ’s happened in the United States where many elementary schools ... . closed down or were consolidate because Although there is no information fertility has fallen to such a level that there is no need to have so many schools. com- this number is small at this point of time although it is a very emotional issue within the community. ” the sense that it involves much more of about the population growth rate among would be a very interesting study to find munity. out what ’s happening to Zoroastrians of their indeoendence. ” who go abroad because that ’s almost like The respOTse to Gould ’s questionnaire a next step from urbanization. ” It would marry, hoping that these incenUyes^^e and her reception from the 551 sample also provide information on the reasons " » families she visited, was cordial through- for emigration and the numbers involved. 99 The response to Gould ’s questionnaire a period of time to see what ’s happened J fides thus established, with colloquial after they have lived abroad a^ few years Guiarati at her command and a common ai.w ------ . ¦ *r _ i r J Par^i heritage, Gould found that her easy, have to divide the sample by generati^s, changing their fertihty Jetovior i unhurried imerviews netted her enormous leng^ of stay.^«oecOTomicjt^...^ r^mmnn.tv miaht take a look at information. Sometimes the roles chang ­ ed and the interviewees became the ques- • tioners, which increased the rapport bet ­ ween them. Gould notes however that in- a°nd sumers than producers^ sexual behavior — a fact known world- ' - - —......... - wide to professional researchers, she says, but one which surprises lay people. . Parsis married outside the community people who might not have ^y f^sour- do not fall within Gould ’s sample because elude her children without the results the aged than things like education for the graphically healthy stat^. showing an unduly low fertiUty rate, she children. I know we are raismg some I ? ¦•J 49 Parsiana March 19B7 'i"' and the children are grown. You might low level, people might be shocked^into community leaders might take a look at instituting a systems chaise (such as trian)" People say that sometimes when a Sketching the scenario in the years instituting a systems change (such as ahead, Gould says, “As the number of changing the definition of Parsi Zoroas- aging people in the community (20 per- trian). People say that sometimes when a cent in 1982) goes up, our total number community is in danger, as in Israel, they will eo down. We will have more con- have been able to get people to increase the same situation as in many developed are ‘under siege; but we are^not under countries in Europe and in the States. As i _ . fertility declines, there will be more aged have to wait till that point seems immi- 1 :_____ 1______ , nent to make personal and systems ^y famUy to t^e care of them. The change. Both are certainly necessary to have been able to get people to increase siege ’ in the same way. Maybe, we will nent to make personal and systems ces, any family to take care or mem. me cuaugc. duui me to community will need more resources for help the^ community achieve a demo- Ketayun GoultTs quotes overlecf »9 '¦f-' rV k ’I In Gould ’s own words... “There is no simple-minded solution to our problem that will work because we are going through a natural cycle like any population that has achieved a certain level of education, income, etc. For example, the countries of the developed world — England, the USA, the Scand­ inavian countries, the West European countries and Japan — started to control their fertility early in this century and some right after World War II, mostly through legalizing abortion. Therefore some of them are getting into the stage where pretty soon they will be approach ­ ing the zero growth situation. The Parsis reached that level in the 1960s. Countries like Germany and the Scandinavian coun ­ tries are already experiencing a negative growth situation like the Parsis. “If you try to tell Parsis to change their habits, values, attitudes, have more children because our community is dimi ­ nishing, it does not have the effect that you hope for, because each individual family somehow has to make that change and then everybody will say, ‘Let the other person do it, I cannot afford to have more children. L negative growth rate for the community — it might be worth studying. On the other hand you have to recognize, that a trend which might not be productive for the community, might be a positive, self ­ affirming process for the women themsel ­ ves. There may be some element which is not completely negative, some self-image which says, T can survive. ’ But from the community ’s point of view it becomes a problem, because our numbers are going down. So there is a positive and a nega ­ tive element in it and your point of view determines how you see it. ” I 'rlFlw While the Parsi women’s level of education has risen tremendously in a relatively short time, the boys are more highly educated “I found that actually there is discrimina ­ tion in terms of females being provided the best education, being sent to the eli ­ tist schools, especially those where the - medium of instruction is English. There ’s a lot of feeling that comes out in inter­ views about educated Parsi women. They are depicted as being aggressive — as somebody said, they are ‘tiger women ’ — and so I think, despite all our claims about being a modem community, we have really traditional attitudes and ideas about male and female roles and about sex education. It might be changing, but it might play a part in terms of some fear of “None of the alternatives suggested thus can really understand what we are doing equalitarian relationships. There might be far by the community, like providing — whether we are inculcating some ideas fear of educated women on the part of housing to the engaged couples, is going in the children about marriage or some to change the community ’s mores. If we dislike of that state, which results in a »»> AUG. 1903 PICKINGS FROM THE HINDI PUNCH men — that women might be too asser ­ tive — and women might fear being ac ­ cepted if they are assertive or they may fear assertiveness in themselves. ” I ? -------------- - I XaW 7 Brother Bejoo— Our aunt ’s daughter won't suit me. She may be pretty as you are, but pretty girls lack brains. I want a wife with brains. Sister Bachai— Why, haven ’t you got them yourself? (Brother B. buries himself behind his paper.) “Even data on the total number of Parsis is at times a conjecture, so that we don ’t really have reliable information on what was happening to the community during the earUer (pre 1881) period. That is part of the problem in putting together any kind of a composite picture. The studies that have been done in the west are based on parish records and church records but we do not have anything like that (in India). If we had some documents where we had recorded the number of children in the family, if we had family Bibles like people had in the west. .. But we do not have anything like that from which we could conduct a study. ” 51 Peirsiana Manh 1387I 1 I i' FEDERATION GUEST SPEAKERS A question of attitudes Arnavaz S. Mama Professor Kaikhosrov Irani requests the Federation to evolve a common core of beliefs to cement the community together thus create a common core of understand ­ ing. ” Recounting the problems the com ­ munity faces in North America, Irani described how the Darbe Mehr property that ZAGNY acquired — a large villa, the home of a wealthy toy manufacturer — ne6ded extensive repairs before it could be used by the community. People on the housing board objected to a temple in a residential locality. To the American mind the idea of an Indian temple was associated with the Hare Krishna cult and they wanted no such noisy rituals in their midst. Luckily, there were a couple of Jews on the housing board with some Not all members of ZAGNY are knowledge of Zoroastrianism, who inter- “We Zoroastrians are far more united than people think; but elements of unity are equally interested in the problem of pre- ceded on behalf of the Darbe Mehr pro- not highlighted, only discord is highlight ­ ed. ” Guest speaker Professor Kaikhosrov ferentiated between those who only attend have sometimes “come to felicitate us. D. Irani of the department of philosophy, functions and dinners — “the dhansak There were a few people who said that the City College, New York, addressed the Parsis ” — those who “participate inter- presence of non-Zoroastrians invalidates a assembled executive council of the Federa- mittently in some kind of discussion, ” jashan. (But it is) not polite, proper or tion of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of and the regular members who spend the moral to ask people to leave, ” Irani added. India at Bhiwandiwalla Hall, New Delhi first Sunday of each month at the Darbe There are divorced Zoroastrian women on December 28, 1986. Mehr. Their children attend the classes who wish to bring up their intercom- Zoroastrian settlements in North initiated by Lovji Cama, one-time munity offspring as Zoroastrians. There America have substantially antedated the president of ZAGNY, covering five grades are Zoroastrian women married into other formation of associations there, noted the according to age and maturity, and learn communities where the non-Zoroastrian suave, bespectacled philosopher. The first Zoroastrian history, culture, traditions, spouse is willing to allow the child to be generation of Zoroastrian settlers, largely prayers and rituals. Simultaneously an raised as a Zoroastrian, noted Irani. How- professionals, having established them- adults ’ discussion group studies the scrip- ever, in one case where the parents spoke selves and their families in reasonable tures including the various /las (para- to a visiting Zoroastrian lecturer from material comfort, began to realize that graphs) of the Gathas, the Yashts, passa- India, they were told that “the child would concerted effort was needed if their child- ges of the Vendidad, etc. The idea is “to be cursed by the fire, ” noted an exasperat- . ren were to grow up as Zoroastrians and give our children (and adults) sufficient ed Irani. not be lost in the American melting pot. understanding so that they can have a An answer to this need was the establish ­ ment of anjumans that sprang up in North America. For example, the Zoro- pitch for adequate educational material: US bigamy is not permitted, a large num- astrian Association of Greater New York “Ms Piloo Jungalwalla has written emi- ber of Zoroastrian women will perforce (ZAGNY) to which Irani belongs, is nently valuable material. The American marry out of the community. What about about 15 years old and serves about 320 Zoroastrians would pay a reasonable price their children? ” he questioned. members within a radius of 40 miles for it (if it could be made available to covering New Jersey, New YorkJ ’hil- them). More valuably, the same material prayers, know Zoroastrianism well. The adelphia and Connecticut. would be used across North America and practices in Iran are different from the serving community identity in North ject, and the embargo was lifted. Sub ­ America ’s multicultural society. Irani dif- sequently at Darbe Mehr jashans they The ratio of female Zoroastrian chil- rational discussion with children (of dren to male is 2:1 in North America, other faiths), ” explained Irani and made a said Irani, and “since in Canada and the “Iranian Zoroastrians know their 53 Parsiana March 1967eena COMPANY ,1 * IATA Approved Air Cargo, Clearing, Forwarding, Sea-Air Service, Warehousing Agents. 10, Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Bombay-400 023. Cable: “JUSTITIA” Telex: 2313 Phone: 2042032 BRANCHES: E.Merc House, 19/B, Shakespeare Sarani, Calcutta-7G0 071. Phone: 444711 “Jeena House”, 50, Hanuman Road, Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110 001. Phone: 310821 Devtha Plaza, C. 14, Residency Road, Bangalore-560 025. Phone: 26215 No.2, Lavelle Road, Bangalore-560 001. 205, Gera Chambers, Off Boat Club Road, Pune-411 001. Phone; 65942 No.6, Jaffar Syrang Street, Madras-600 001. Phone: 26215 I 1/^ w ADVERTSI practices in India. It is important that we maintain unity of the Zoroastrian tradi ­ tion without maintaining uniformity, ” emphasized the gentle savant and urged the assembled delegates “to evolve a com ­ mon core of beliefs and practices ” to cement the international Zoroastrian brotherhood. “It is not a problem of commitment but a problem of attitudes, ” said Irani, ventilating the North American grievance against “calumny across the seas... priests, preachers and lecturers who... come and tell us that we are not Zoro ­ astrians or that we are makeshift Zoro ­ astrians or neo-Zoroastrians. Names don ’t matter, but seeds of disunity are sown and every time this happens some people stop being members... Itinerant religious visi ­ tors must not speak as though they bear the imprimatur of the Zoroastrians of India, ” demanded Irani. Reverting to his professorial role, Irani referred to archaeological research in Iran being completely at a standstill after the Shah ’s departure as there are mosques con ­ structed over the remains of old fire ­ temples and in the present political cli ­ mate, not even defunct mosques may be tampered with. However, in Tashkent, USSR, a fire-temple has teen excavated but the New York Zoroastrians have not succeeded in striking a rapport with the Russian embassy there and Irani requested the Federation to use its good offices with the Russian embassy in India. He sug ­ gested a conference of scholars and arch ­ aeologists to consolidate the material which, when available, would throw light on the early history of the Zoroastrian people. “It may take some investment, but it would be an investment wortfi making, ” the scholar added. In the discussion that followed, Bom ­ bay Parsi Punchayet trustee Jamsheed Kanga enquired if there was any historical parallel 2k»roastrians could adopt to recon ­ cile conflicting viewpoints and Bejan Dit- tia of Hyderabad and Secunderabad sug ­ gested the Christian ecumenical councils. But Irani responded, “An inviolate doc ­ trine is not part of the Zoroastrian tradi ­ tion. ” The Christians, like the Jews, have split into sects, said Irani but “the Zoro ­ astrian community cannot afford to sepa ­ rate. It is so small that if it separates, it will disintegrate. ” Conceding that “the Federation is ^ot a ' kind of body which can generate attitu ­ des, ” Irani nonetheless added optimistical ­ ly, “But who knows, if you persevere, reasonableness may be reestablished in a religion v/here reasonableness was always a virtue. ” LALA TOURS * r A WEALTH OF HOLIDAYS SUMMER 1987 Sih ¦ r KASHMIR WITH OELHI & AGRA Cost: Rs. 2,690/-(II Class) BY SUPERFAST TRAINS ANO SUPER OELUXE BUSES WITH TWIN ACCOMMODATION Cost: Rs. 3,890/-(ll Class) DELUXE TOUR BY AIR WITH SUPERIOR HOTELS Cost: Rs. 6,190/- Detailed itineraries available on request. ANDAMANS BY RAIL S AIR Cost: Rs. 4,975/- (II Class) NEPAL BY RAIL S AIR Cost: Rs. 2,975/- (II Class) DARJEELING-SIKKIM Cost: Rs. 2,750/-(II Class) NEPAL-DARJEELING BY RAIL S AIR Cost: Rs. 4,950/- (II Class) SIMLA-MANALI Cost: Rs. 2,750/- (II Class) NAINITAL Cost: Rs. 1,975/-(II Class) SOUTH INDIA Cost: Rs. 2,975/-(II Class) MUSSOURIE Cost: Rs. 1,885/-(II Class) J 4 I , 6 IP ijl I , r ‘ (If I ® I •1 t;;; I T t- St" 3 ! ’U .¦ ALSO FOREIGN TOURS BY AIR WITH FIRST CLASS HOTELS: ? U.K. & EUROPE ? U.S.A. ? AUSTRALIA ? AFRICA ? NEW ZEALAND ? JAPAN ? HONGKONG ? SINGAPORE ? THAILAND ? PHILIPPINES ? MALAYSIA ? DUBAI Detailed itineraries available on request. ‘¦Si’ J I 1 I ir >’4 I 1 For further details contact: H.K.LALA&CO. Capitol Cinema Bldg., 1 st floor, Opp. New Empire Cinema, Murzban Road, Bombay 400 001. Tel: 204 3006, 204 5094, 204 5744 Cable: EDTOURS, Bombay Telex: 011 -3680 LATO IN Dattaram-LT 45A/87 S7 Parsiana March 1987 I } ' ^'‘U? r »#¦ - * M » *'v BUSINESS ’i' -> w J , f r r »«• r'P ? S The Avans arc Achievers Looking to elegance and function, Avari Towers strikes a fine balance between customer satisfaction and profitability Mumtaz Currim “It was the pre-partition era in 1947.1 ficers ’ Club with the last was midway through the construction i_^___"__/ of the Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi Avari, KarachPrieadlng^h^telTe^rince when some contractors to whom I had the forties, entrusted large sums of money fled the city. I was adamant. I arranged for a of two lakhs fr<^ the manager of the other bungalows in the elite Queens legal fray with the rindlays Rank. .. People laughed at Road area on the western waterfront of Hotels over ihe naming ana manage- me for sinking money into a hotel when Karachi, its restaurant, bar, swimming ment of a joint venture i^ Karachi The members of the minority community pool and tennis courts became the focal outcome wa^the inSon Tf Avar! were leaving the country But I set the point of high society. The embassies. Hotels LtT wWch ownsSoth aZS hotel going even though I had to buy my ministries and business houses that were Towers, Karachi, and the Lahore first set of crockery, cutlery, serving being set up in the provincial capital of Hilton, with perhaps one more hotel to counters and the dining room curtains Pakistan gave it full occupancy. And in from a closing down sale at the US Of- time to come, it became just the right ^ho^sand spot to break journey to travel inland, ’xTt!® ?/ the loan, ” confides Dinshaw or to Afghanistan and Iran. Adverse circumstances have come up again and again in the lives of Dinshaw When completed, the Beach Luxury and his son Behram Avari In 1977 2®‘fJ®®^®socid history. Rising above Behram Avari became involved in a owners of Hilton over the naming and manage- members ot the minority community pool and tennis courts became the focal were leaving the country. But I set the point of high society. The embassies. r >5^ [1 'W 'X I 41 r ’I -il ¦y '» t S’ >>4 ;k- ;«! # I" *"i i r1 ‘^^=8^ ‘ I 'o i v; M R s ,¦*1 .^T:- I MM 2! come up in Islamabad. Opened in April 1985, Avari Towers showed a profit before the year was out. “I was determined to succeed, ” says Behram Avari, managing director. “My team of professionals and I pushed hard. We curtailed expenses, made sure of facilities and broke even in five months. ” Looking to elegance and function and not to ritzy plush , atop a concrete plinth that houses a shopping plaza, multina- I tional offices and a gigantic car park. 9' > p , J ( -‘W n >1 , I* 1 "’ * * S:-W ¦B H Avari Towers:prime location ¦ Shangrila, the coffee shop at A vari Towers R Avari Towers strikes a fine balance bet- ¦ ween customer satisfaction and profit- J ability. “After all, a hotel is no longer just a place to lodge and board in, ” says ¦ Behram Avari , a graduate in commerce I and law and a diploma holder in hotel I management from Cornell University, "j i •1 fl i I ;1 - 'I 1 . q ' - i 'r A' A” i? USA. “It is an industry like any other. It has its own products, organization and marketing ... it is a question of survival of the fittest, ” says Avari,onetime chair ­ man of the Pakistan Hotels Association. ' . With Best Compliments From DUBASH FRERES & CO Exporters, Importers, Agents & Manufacturers of Machine-made Precision Neutral Glass Ampoules, Vials, Suture Tubes, Test Tubes, Tablet Tubes Etc. Victoria Building Parsee Bazar Street (S.A. Brelvi Road, Fort) Bombay 400001 Cables "DUBFRERES" Tel Nos 2860069 2860130 Telex 11 4739 DECO IN Plus Points Avari Towers has several plus points. It occupies a prime spot in the heart of town. It is impossible to miss its impos ­ ing structure and bold name looming over its distinguished neighbors — the colonial Governor House, the Sind Club and Baug-e Jinnah built around old Frere Hall. Most guests find the hotel a convenient few minutes from the business and shopping districts. Nearby are the offices of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and Pakis ­ tan International Airlines. The flyover from Fatima Jinnah Road that leads to the hotel gives a sense of ar ­ rival. The marble-chrome interior and the gigantic brass surai (pitcher) dispel thoughts of the outside heat. We see a group of Japanese tourists talking ex ­ citedly near the banking counter in the foyer. One of them has just bought a cream and blue Afghan carpet —an Adarbi with a rich central motif, from the carpet shop in the Avari Shopping Plaza. Further down the road are more carpet shops, also travel agencies and airline offices. We are introduced to Ms Vera Han- sotia from Japan Airlines. She has come to the hotel to finalize arrangements for a Japanese team to go trekking in the northern glacial regions. “It is going to be quite an adventure for them. They first fly to Islamabad, then take a van and driver from Valji Travels to. journey up the 500 mile winding Karakoram Highway to the Himalayan snowfields, ” she explains. There is an impression of diverse people —perfumed Arabs, American executives, Nordic sun-bathers ahd, to add local color, ladies in salwar kameez having elevenses at the Samovar lounge. The hotel has room for all, and more —four restaurants, a large ban- quethall, 21 floors with 230 rooms rtmg- ing from reasonable standard rooms (single Rs 1,000; double Rs 1,150) and deluxe rooms (Rs 1,050; Rs 1,200) to suites at Rs 1,800. For business top ­ brass, Arab potentates and dignitaries, are the heavily carpeted and noise-free upper floors. President (Rs 4,000) and Executive (Rs 3,000) suites and the pent ­ house (Rs 2,500) complete with visitors ’ rooms and kitchenettes. 60 Parsiana March 1987j 1,/; / S’.- f brought in record business and received I Rs 5,000 in commission . ” I Given a 48-hour option to become I territorial manager for the province of I Sind, he sailed for Karachi that year. ; I Once again, he registered record busi- j I ness. But even as Karachi became a cen- I ter for troops and a midway port, the I Swaraj and Quit India movements ad- I versely affected the business of foreign | I insurance companies. | I “With an expanding family and lite- | I style, I was beginning to make inroads | 9 into my capital and decided to enter a J I new field. I bought the Briston Hotel J I from the Weysemans with my entire I ¦ savings of a lakh of rupees. I Just as he bought the hotel, the j f government requisitioned it . Fortunate- 1 ly Dinshaw Avari was able to prevail | M upon the home secretary, Samuel Rid- | « ley, to derequisition it. “As an Indian i running a western-style hotel, I was a i made to reduce the tariff from Rs 14 to | I Rs 10.” But with a twinkle in his eye he 1 ’ adds, “I lowered the lodging and boar- I ding rate but doubled the rate of drinks 1 from one or two rupees per peg to two or I four rupees and survived to make a. 1 profit in the first year. ” I B Behram Avari operates not only the | B empire of hotels and cuts a social figure I as the Honorary Consul for Canada, I but is also a member of parliament, the I manager in Pakistan and Bangladesh 1 for Canadian Pacific Airways and the | tional Hotel Association for Asia. For- 1 mer Pakistan delegate to the United I Nations General Assembly, Behram is I also a trustee of the Karachi Parsi 1 ____ 1 Trust Funds and vice- j president of the Dastur Dr Dhalla | Memorial Institute. | His great love? “Rowing, of course, 1 “I don ’t mind the extra tariff as long as they make my travel arrangements and give me priority check-in and check ­ out and certain other amenities ... courier and concierge services, a selec ­ tion of international newspapers over a M complimentary breakfast, ” says Vijay r 1 Rana of San Diego, who is m town to meet a representative from Faisalabad, i and occupies a Renaissance Club room (single Rs 1,300, double Rs 1,450). Avari Towers is a member of the world- wide Ramada-Renaissance hotel ser ­ vices. 1- • I “As 70 percent of our clients are busi ­ nessmen, we concentrate on their com ­ forts and requirements ... an executive business center, conference rooms, recreational spots, ” says Tariq Saeed Khan, director, sales and marketing, vj “The hotel industry has made tremen- dous strides in the last five years, what )i| with Karachi ’s escalating growth and p the need for five-star hotels. ” We travel to the rooftop Teppan & j Yaki, the only restaurant in town to j | serve Japanese specialities. The terrace | outside opens to an encompassing view of Karachi —the wharfs to the right, far left the airport, in the foreground the chaste mausoleum of Qaid-e Azam, fur ­ ther north the old Sharafa bazaar area. The menus at Avari Towers have an international touch. They read like a cookbook on the great dishes of the _________ world »in color,with a limitless choi^ of hpr hiKhand and other founder vice-president of the Interna- 1 seafood. The Tower Grill luncheon buf- spiration to her husba .tt-.-i fnr Ac.a For- 1 fet features a dozen and more aes- <----------- » -r .... serfs —apple strudel, black forest and at the entrance to Avan Towers, firni. The executive chef is an expert from Germany, while the Moghlai cook Success Story ''“r^dlin ’t forget the people of sL^y'for me Avaris, Dinshaw Avari re- Karachi are fond of food and^hey ™T^X’e.feThei.. “weight! and Wedgwood that compliment .he says Probably the only solution is to head for ice-1 ---- “SsSJ^l ’ilrTw'npa, yachfng a. me r.e ano,.. ding by the masseur. Or step past the w _ . jji Parel Bombay, Games in Thailand and India. Equally cane canopies of Shangnla to swim a ’ through proud moments were the receiving of few lengths in the pool. givmg to pay my way tnroug p^g.ident ’s Gold Medal, January Shut off from the outside world by college. crmnndincs 1979 and Pride of Performance Medal high walls, the poolside with its garden ®uet^av"the*unsettled childhood, (Yachting) Independence Award 1982 , and rockeries offers a private place for and the risks that and the 1984 Government Cultural i a gathering. “This place holds a sit- hard-worked y I started Award for Minorities. down gathering of 1,500, and 2,000 ‘ j. month ’as a clerk The Avaris are achievers. They sail standing, ” continues Khan, '^e venue ™y sunlife Insurance of Canada, equally through balmy breezes and for indoor functions is Khorshed Sir Pheroze Sethna, general rough weather. No wonder the crest for Mahal, a multi-purpose banqu« hall fXaiS my Avari Towers is a sailing boa., an dedicated to the memory of Ms Khorsh _ months and also unusual logo for any hotel. xr.:i;^niX"^:.i:ii “Tnd7n ’- 1939.s.gna.». -W i r a > • style, I was beginning to make inroads | 62 Parsiana March 1987 ’’ 0^4; J t Dinshaw Avar! (center) with Behram, daughter-in-law Goshpi and grandchildren (from left) Xerxes, Zeena and Dinshaw associates is acknowledged on a plaque Jack and the beanstalk Anjuman ¦blue silken furnishings and Persian Sethna. spreading gentle colors in the triumphs is .____1. u.. “T thrillpd to r Memorial Institute. | close friend and teammate Russi I Behram ’s individual list of I c --i endless, but we were all 1 I thrilled to receive the gold medals for j " yachting at the 1978 and 1^82 Asian | hardly betray the unsettled childhood, hard-worked youth and the risks that and the equally through balmy breezes and Rs 150 in just three months and also unusual logo for any hotel.J '¦ft. i-. ’ J f Capturing 50 percent of the refrigerator nnarket Kelvinator intends to continue diversifying under the guidance managing director Jamshed Desai of b d tf: Si A visit, to the Kelvinator factory Agrati-Garelli but will be almost sounds an attractive i-------- ' ... I . J . . <------’**** xx*v*2g,x^xjwuo uy uic IlllUUie OT - “•» 'he course of the next sounds an attractive % - Ji ¦Wi f 100 ~ P^J^^ent indigenous by the middle of couple of years we want to go into on reaching washing machines and enquiries ovens. The rest of the future plans htirzs ,-zaf.-. nebulous, ” informed Desai. “We have a strong research and de- - , - ----- “J al( times modifying and upgrading the existing products and bringing out new ories as and when demand warrants, ” said the dapper managing director. Manufacturing 1,500 refrigerators season, Kelvinator is ----- „ _ J per ­ cent of the market share, the balance 50^ percent being divided among the When asked if the sales of Kelvinator Haryana border and entering the town ­ ship of Faridabad. But the Kelvinator complex, j like “Would you like to see the refri ­ gerator, deep freezer and compressor [ plants here or would you prefer veloprnem a^riiLcS^^s'at some other divisions like the cash all times mndifvin., oo.i ,—xu. register, the lamination, and the ( ............ Ballabgarh (about 10 kms from" the Faridabad property)? ” leaves one fvxa..uiaviurrni faltering for a reply. The decision to day in the peak < " “ • "’U luuder todiy commanding 50 .R".®""”)' Dusai cent of the market share, thphal controls division on our premises at p _ 1 1 _ I_ 1 z. __ Faridabad property)? ” leaves speak first to Kelvinator ’s microwave are a appears to be the right beginning. „Zh ’’.“''h?, “ uninterrupted other three'o/VuhmMSurere growth rate of 25 percent compounded ?__ d* mv ? j per annum with the exception of last products “i^uId'lLC?'b^L year when there was a severe recession the Parsi association j in consumer durables, ” says Desai. > Starting out with the production of refrigerators, deep freezers and com- ! pressors, “everything else grew after I that. ” ' J o selected the right site for his industrial empire, “Haryana is a very good place fr n •> greater if to have an industrial enterprise in ” 4- • , — ‘—w-.tH Kelvinator is an Inumii v^oiriDanv name tkough there 2s to think^n? If be conceited of is only a small American shareLlding, S, everytning else grew after it will sell HoweXr^^'^i^^-Desai who has been in- | At their Ballabgarh premises identi ie^ls' a Par7coSir^^^^^^^ grumental n the building up of this | are located the cash registers (the elec- North of India beXuse Companv almost s,nPP th^ 1 trnnir-wzifi, --------ii_i---------- • . I, u x puuiiu niiiiieu Company with *'>' «•.«» shareholders, their aSnuJl tur- of India. was,made known Kelvinator is an Indian Company only a small American shareholding, - in- Wr ¦ k; J t'! 'iKi tronic with Japanese collaboration and ; electro-mechanical with English); the ' Controls division having an Italian col- j laboration; the lamination division we are case in the east, south and west coasts of India. Certain products like refrigerators the factory is located) ? Thus the largest ... „ single market for our refrigerators is Desai in the Company almost since the very begin- pretty ning. A public limited company with ' nover is in the vicinity of Rs 150 crores. Ranking among the larger industrial enterprises of India, on the Kelvina ­ tor ’s board of directors in addition to ------ i are Shiavax A. Lal (chairman), I F•^ ' “ Ji?? know-how was mastered; and the factory is located)^ Thus the largest m addition the stamping division and sittgiv maiKci lor tne centralized tool room division. On Northern India ” hp c T------vvnauuianj, ' at |s.^trRutrv^aL"tl ’ i Tropicana."^: fa!^*" [ have an Italian collaboration with [ Fadngpage (clockwisefrom top left): ¦ Range of Avanti Garelli mopeds j Moped on the assembly line f Refrigerator on display j Interior of controls division Scooter division plant at Alwar f oiir rach f ^1 Ali Khan Muffakham Jah. our cash registers and laminations, re- uur cdsn registers and laminations, re- “Contrary to general belief it is not gionality is not the criteria. So also is impossible to do business in India he case with our mopeds where cer- while remaining b dealings, saidlesai^^ho has “ ^^nnlme Desai was happy that he had „ . - - in our js, ” said Desai who has a repu- forthright in his frames for projects do get extended" one can operate with integrity if the ?t r'l- jj fc'- 1 I eS Parsiana March 1987 EL K ',1 'Td 'd if I- Jw if r ¦i HliS i V > ‘‘‘ ’h'' .'Sit * ' wJ ¦ 'd' ' < >' •> ?4 y I will is strong. ” Recently export of refrigerators had dropped due to high costs of raw mate- mcc ui cieanimess in thp air •* j ----------- ° rials which “makes the product un- conditioned rooms ° conceited. While some get the competitive in the international mar- A score and mnrp handin d opportunity to do well, others don ’t... ket. ” When the quality of raw mX plole? who St'To ’ ' some en- rials does not meet the required stan- work shoulder to shnnldpr^ joyagement to the Parsis, make them SalSfHSuSS upX'tVquaBty oHhX s"uppfe° S oftoe" wmk^ ’'ex to a product. RawXterials a “d cS^p^; todwrSg fnd ±bk nents are first received at the incoming ception according Fn n^cai of businessmen and entrepreneurs but inspection area where quality ch^SL® S Ti tSl VtoXn wo?ke^^^ ToXXXI ’ equal «•«”( hi: ^Vto’^oXTbu^le^nXraS S •!>“ professions. Even to the se^™“s un- mar- if#*f ” l x £ 2>vuic dnu more nanaicapped em- rink P'*”;''’ sp“ia ‘ly trained to and that too after changing one ’s foot- ___________ _ ® clinical de- selves have no ri^t either to feel smug gree of cleanlmess m the air- or conceited. WhiiA «««,« <, conditioned rooms. A score and more handicapped which matters. Individuals by them- A look round some of their divisions ....... provided ainnsight into the makings of that nents are first received at the incoming i inspection area where quality checks the approved items to stores. After a num ­ ber of more processes, the inputs are ready for the assembly area where the ultimate product is finally manufac ­ tured. The roaring of the huge per. machines housed in the expansive plants are in contrast to the silent man- the Electronic Data Processing Estab- the managers at Faridabad. The belief ’_______ _____ t an average Indian worker is not the slide. ,w7used to be Fostering harmony between our work- t ___ _ ers and management has helped both of. We should names to be heard I organize a conference what could be done to rejuvenate the csxwaissa: lishment. In some rooms, deft fingers December 27 1986 Hiq npnptmanufacturing sterilised dispos- ¦ of women employees are busy a Su- winding and oJheJoperations, to oSer Sdonr-^i toX r“”“rn, ¦ areas of the factory, entry is permitted Company to kUp a lot proflie Uto S ’““ns types only after getting speciflc sanction, mately W is S of SS P'“"8- TT’“y l>3 ’e Iwo daughters lb only me grace ot Cod continued from page 108 Company to pros- to highi igh t these issues and debate The well-groomed Desai, seated in of women employees are busy at coil- eyes and gentle smile corroborate his STARVATION WILL REACH ITS PEAK What can we do to minimise it? A NEWS ITEM READS AS UNDER the DonulaHnn. Why «h™riri by 50% in A Grand opportunity comes your way ON^JAMSHEDI NAVROZE occasions, donate your mite and leave the rest to In the year 2000 AD there will be i 2______ _____ _ should we not attempt to minimise the same frommow on? or any of your FREE FOOD SERVICE CHARITABLE TRUST who are always ready to serve the poor, crippled and blind and in return get heartfelt blessings of our poor brethren. See for yourself in the above photograph the plight of our poor brethren, who 1'.’ I • _ _____ --------- XJUtSi IZUDLJl llVUOl Crown Building, First Floor, Uranwalla Street, Grant Road, Bombay 400007 A * ------------ J are served by YOU through US FREE FOOD SERVICE CHARITABLE TRUST >. 67 ParsZana Afensft 1B87 ¦jH H 111 -r.V 1 I t4 ! < I* il w -1 /' d f* ¦¦¦ .-t J 'J 1 t } .1 .4 ;!f r j: I ’U ' t' W b ¦fl 1'• ¦* ’r-P* "¦¦J, I FOOD fl rrl y £ I Vi BJ7 1^- I On the occasion of Jamshedi Navroze, noted culinary expert Bhicoo Manekshaw gives the recipes of a full-scale traditional Parsi wedding menu T, K 11 - C‘ I J St R A rare treat p Nudity., Oth^ was chicken, cither cooked mogWui like Nellie ’s and the police and reeim- ctvip fnr^h^ mogniai TKrnories of my youth! (s'^uted'''in''dSXri- I \ invitation in There was no question of eoine late even^W m to these functions as fc ^he^ZMS telephone our close now. Everybody invited had the cour- fnends and ask what each one was tesy to attend the ceremonv althnnoh t^®^tain of our friends it was understood that some working there! men could not heln hm « iittu io»/ Those were the days of exquisitely embroidered saris. The embroidery would be on thick georgettes or satins in silver and gold kusub or teelees ox childVust FnitratedTnto JhZ but who would not eat aakhi badl^ or in silk thread. Those were faith) qx tl^ sunny side up) Jhe days when we did not know what it friends and wait until the'raH g^'ttly cooked till they are just set in [was to wear an oodhi sari (sari worn m /vo^Xame ^he secret is a well- Swith the pullav over the left shoulder) towards thi tables Toa^u wT greased thali, with a little water at the «r to go to lagans and navjotes withou tXe hosts the brS ln.TnT n 'll ’' W broken over the wa- wvering our heads with a saur (part of navjoti during the mea ST h simmered till just set. Ihe sari draped over the head) in whiJe Sd co,^p rn. h ^"’’ved eggs mritah ! Those were the days when every rying a large t/wZ fsendng^nlaitJrt per, or papeta per (on pan wore a crisp white dugli with Sher seeing the Sd^Th^vegetables, tomatoes or potatoes). Mther a phito qx a pugree and never. would'LTwhh the list. The but never, dressed m a suit. (If onlv lest and thickened milk, nuts, eggs, rose water, sugar^ and a grating of nutmeg are all we came to have caster served in the middle of meal. In ancient Iran skarbet served in the middle of a meal (which . '' JjvrtAA Uo for dinner). ” Just this cry, alas uttered no more. creates such nostalgic ental groups mv vrfeiifhf . friends and ask what each . Everybody invited had the saris. The embroidery Bhicoo J. Manekshaw ’•<3 '-1 » I' j' H' IM —- meat, the most - . - - . ’ papeta ma kid, ox sali another classic of our cuisine. We “ may get a vindaloo, or ^a bafat ox any other dish the hosts may fancy, just for variety. cour- men could not help but be a little late, was no mad rush to the laid-out dinine foklx&e _ ___IJ ® Other dish the hosts may fancy, just for variety. Eggs were next on the menu. It was . „ ' we managed to come so far into the menu and yet eat the eggs, but who would not eat aakhi ........_ nexi on i ceremony was over, there really surprising how was nn mad rnch tr> tk>/» ........._ _ _ ¦' S . tables. would wish the navjoti (the towards the tables. Toasts ..______ _ to the hosts, the bridal couple or the navjoti during the meal. Men dressed in white would come round, one car- every tying a large thal (serving platter) and --------- serving the food. The meal would start with laganoo achar (pick- thickened milk, nuts, eggs, rose water, MirI- J V . ^es) and rotlies (unleavened breadt ur men realized that it gives them a ‘made of rice or wheat (Todav Parsis warn charm that the besMut suit have forcotten ,he !t not ,„ey would start wearing rorfes.) Beautiful, thin ' Dale "CSiinw tent al these functions.) There would wafers were nibbled with drinks. The hie that comes Io my mind easU™ (cri'sX “SS,mL!i''' ’'7'’‘'"-............... i".—. he ton favnritf* HnnHi, Ces,ar„„; xu, Ifc- fried pomfrets), patrama mac- copied by the Greeks and later hv 1 ch, or suns „,acel„ Nc» on the list the Italians 'and French) “o Xs^ toes not, they would start Wways be a band in attendance and the wafers were nibbled with drinks. The our * was H «l f 'Hi 5!' lia f i Itll fi ’’ he top favorite Goody Seervai and the lAntarwMveft 1387 chi or saas iff i*’! I ¦ ftflr V ' ‘‘T^V ' . 'Ct J-J' Burjor Framji & Co. Licefned Phirobers Sanitary & Drainage Contractors MARINE MANSION 1ST MARINE STRSr BOMBAY 400002. TELfPHONE: 313207 P PanlanaMarch 1987 one ’s palate, but can our beloved cas­ ter achieve this? Maybe it is put there to go with the piece de resistance, the famous Parsi pulav! (Yes, pulav is the next dish! We have sugar with dhan and dar, eat strawberry jam with pora, so maybe caster with pulav!) Aleti Paleti would be served to the ghemawallao (hosts) in the last paat (sitting). Paneer (cottage cheese) was sometimes served as well as mooram­ bo made out of marrow. To finish off the meal a kulfi was served together with macroons, pan and sopari (betel leaf and nut). If it was a lagan or navjote lunch, dhan dar ne patio would be preceded by meethu dahi{s^eet. yogurt), elctti keroo (yellow-skinned banana) and sugar! It ’s a very rare host, indeed, who can afford to serve this entire banquet today. The wedding feast, though still significant, has been whittled down by economic necessity. But let me give you the recipes for a few of the dis ­ hes... WAFERS Why am I giving you a recipe for a simple dish like wafers? Because I feel that it is one of the most difficult dis ­ hes to make perfectly. Potatoes (uniform-sized and old) Salted water Oil Take large uniform-sized old potatoes. Peel and wash. Slice them with a potato slicer so that all slices are evenly thick. Wash until all the starch is removed. Soak in cold, salted water for half an hour. Drain and dry them a few at a time, otherwise if you remove all from the water they will discolor. Heat oil till smoking in a large karai /(round bottomed pan). Take a handful of dried potato slices and sprinkle them into the oil and lower the heat at once. With a fork or a skewer separate any that may cling together. Fry on slow fire till they are crisp but still yellow. Remove from oil and drain well. Allow the oil to heat again before the next lot of wafers go in and proceed in the same way. Sail (potato straws) can be made in the same manner. TARELI MACCHI Yet another simple dish, if you have the knack of making it perfectly. APPOINTED VALUERS OF JEWELLERY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA GAZDAR PVT. LTD. « « 0 Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay. Tel: 202 3666 Telegrams: “MANUSCRIPT” -fe- 3 ¦d -w! ‘*J' li l( I ^f' f; h! t’’ it ^1 •i! J' i H aJJ f*.(¦ V t With Best Compliments From White Cloud Filter Pads Pvt Ltd Pioneer Manufacturers of Finest Quality machine-made Filter Pads in the Country 412 Gultekdi Road Pune 411037 Phone 32236 Grams Filterpads 73 Psrsiana March 1987 One pomfret Salt (to taste) Chilli powder (11/2 tsp adjusted to taste) Turmeric powder (l'/2 tsp) Cumin seed powder (¥2 tsp) Lemon (1 large) Til oil Tomato and coriander leaves (for salad) Wash and dry the pomfret. Cut off the head and clean out the stomach. Cut through the bone into slices. Wash and dry the pieces. Make the salt, chilli powder, turmeric powder and cumin powder into a paste with the juice of a large lemon. Rub mixture on fish and keep for half an hour. Heat oil till smoking in a shallow frying pan. Lower fish pieces into the oil. Lower the heat at once and cook on one side till it is crisp and brown. Turn the fish and cook on the other side. Serve hot with the tomato and coriander leaf salad, and slices of lime. The secret is til oil, and slow cooking, once the oil is hot. KID GOSHT Young lamb (1 'A kg - cut into about 10 pieces) Cloves (6) Cinnamon (% - inch piece) Red chillies (Goa or Kashmiri - 3) Potatoes (old and large - 500 gms) Onions (4 large - finely chopped) Coconut milk (2 cups - Extracted from one coconut) Oil (100 ml) Salt to taste Ginger (3/4 - inch piece) Garlic (1 whole pod) Cumin seeds (1 tsp) White peppercorns (6) Peel and parboil potatoes. Cut leng ­ thwise and fry lightly in oil. Remove from oil and fry onions till soft. Grind white pepper, ginger, garlic and cumin. Add meat, ground masala, cin ­ namon, cloves and red chillies to the onions and brown lightly. Saute for a few minutes and add 2 cups Water. Cook gently till the meat is nearly done, add potatoes and coconut milk, and simmer till a thick gravy remains and the meat and potatoes are tender. Note; Another way of cooking this dish is to boil the meat separately and add it to the mixture of masala and coconut milk, and simmer till the gravy is thick. I! -I ., I Selvel For Effective Outdoor Advertising Throughout India With Best Compliments from SELVEL PUBLICITY & CONSULTANTS PVT. LTD. Ravindra Mansion Annexe 194, Dinshaw Vatcha Road 4th Floor BOMBAY 400020 Tel. No. 2026512 2027560 «¦ n 1 t 'HI;-' j ¦! Hi *!l b li il With Best Compliments From NATIONAL PEROXIDE LIMITED MOGHLAI MURGHI Chicken (1) Potatoes (300 gms) Onions (3 large) Saffron (1 tsp) Cinnamon (1-inch piece) Cloves (4) Black cardamoms (4) Black peppercorns (6) Ghee (100 gms) Red chillies (Kashmiri or Goa - 5) Milk (I/2 cup) Cream (Vz cup) Curds (100 gms) Oil (125 gms) Salt to taste Masala 1 Almonds (50 gms) Pumpkin seeds (50 gms) Masala 2 Garlic (6 cloves) Ginger (ly? - inch piece) Cumin seeds (1 tsp) Red Goa chillies (5) Joint the chicken. Peel and slit pota ­ toes lengthwise in half and keep in wa ­ ter. Slice onions. Grind both the masa­ las separately. Rub masala 2 into the chicken. Heat 100 gms oil and lightly brown onions along with the cinna ­ mon, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns and salt. Add chicken and whole chil ­ lies. Saute, adding water a little at a time until the chicken is half done. Lightly fry potatoes and add to the chicken. When the chicken is just done, mix masala 1 with the saffron, cream, milk and curds and add to the chicken. Simmer till gravy is thick. ter (about 2 to 3 tbsps) at a time. Add 1 meat and brown well. Add Va cup wa- 1 ter, cover the pan and simmer on low | heat. If you have the traditional con- | cave lids, put a little water at a time on I top of the lid before adding it to the 1 meat till it is cooked tender. It should I haye a thick gravy. 1 Sail Peel and julienne the potatoes very j thinly. Wash in water until all the i starch is removed. Keep in cold,salted i water for half an hour. Heat oil in a karai. Dry the potatoes thoroughly, a little at a time. Sprinkle into very hot oil, lower temperature and fry gently until crisp but still yellow. Drain and keep aside till all the potatoes are fried. Place the meat on a platter and sprinkle the sail all over. 7^ Parsiana March I9d7 SALI BOTI Lamb with bone (1 kg) Onions (4 large) Cloves (4) Cardamoms (4) Cinnamon (1-inch piece) Oil (125 gms) Salt to taste Masala Garlic (9 cloves) Ginger (2-inch piece) Green chillies (4) Turmeric powder (1 tsp) Cumin powder (2 tsps) Sail Potatoes (1 kg) Oil for deep frying Cut meat with bone into pieces. Slice onions finely. Grind masala. Heat oil, add onions and fry till brown. Add masala and salt and continue frying for about two minutes, adding a little wa- aleti paleti Chicken liver (250 gms) Chicken gizzard (250 gms) Worcestershire sauce (1 tbsp) Onions (3 large) Garlic (6 cloves) Ginger (IV2 - inch piece) Garam masala powder (% tsp) Chilli powder (1 tsp) Oil (125 to 150 gms) Salt to taste Wash chicken liver and gizzard well. Cut each gizzard and liver into four pieces. Slice onions. Grind ginger and garlic. Brown onions in oil. Add gin ­ ger and garlic paste, chilli and garam masala powder, and salt. Fry for a few minutes. Add gizzard and simmer till done. Add liver and Worcestershire sauce and cook till done. Add a little water if the mixture gets too dry. It should have a little thick gravy. Statement of Ownership & Other Particulars about Parsiana: Form IV (See Rule 8) Place of Publication: Bombay. Periodicity of Publication: Monthly Printer, Ihiblisher, Editor: Jehangir R. Patel Nationality: Indian Address: 285, J. Dadaji Marg, Bombay 400007 Proprietor: Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd 39 A.K. Nayak Marg, Bombay 400001 Directors: Jehangir R. Patel, Veera J. Patel and Rustom P. Thanavala I, Jehangir R. Patel, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Sd. (Jehangir R. Patel) 1 March 1987TRADITION 1 |h Sapats: out of step with the times? 11 i tl '*1 1 li ¦ 1 The supply of sapats in Bombay is on the decline, though for a select few Parsis it is still the most comfortable footwear Jeroo Irani In one of the backstreets of Bombay, a innovations in footwear machinery which smile and mentions that his colleague, cobbler labors over a sapat, the relic of a have mechanized operations earlier done who specialized in making sapats, is un ­ bygone era. As he stitches the Parsi by hand, states Kerawalla. well and another who was versatile enou- version of the bedroom slipper, little does he realize that his handiwork may soon workers, for today ’s cobblers prefer to a few months ago, after putting in 50 “slip ” into oblivion, to become a foot- make shoes where they reportedly make years as a cobbler. note in history. more than three to five times as much —' Kerawallas produce around 10 sapats a Closed in front and open at the back, Rs 40 to Rs 50 per day. “Most cobblers day and notch up a sale of around 300 per usually devoid of any ornamentation, the do not wish to hand stitch the items and month. The handmade sapat, however, custom-tooled perfection of this handmade prefer to paste the shoes. Moreover, the remains a narrow market which is the ex ­ slip-on is a dying craft, according to Keki younger generation is reluctant to learn elusive preserve of those who have tradi- Behram Kerawalla who owns one of the and the sons of cobblers are branching out tionally worn them and can afford them, two shops in the city which have become into other professions, ” states Kerawalla. Worn at the time of the navjote, the sapat- synonymous with sapats. Kerawalla and Fortunately, Kerawalla has lately dis- shod Parsi occasionally gets addicted to Company, the only shop to both manu- covered a cobbler in Ulhasnagar who has the comfort the slipper offers. In the facture and sell this Parsi footwear, and successfully made sapats from a copy. Darabsha N. Mulla who stock sapats, are beset by labor problems and spiralling men bent over the simple tools of their walking barefoot on soft sand or on a costs. trade, their legs pulled in close to their thick-piled carpet. ” After a hard day ’s “In my great-grandfather ’s time, we soiled aprons. One gives us a toothless work, to slip the feet into a pair of old, had 12 cobblers who made sapats alone -i worn sapats, is a great comfort, say users, and four workmen who made topis. To- I '''''' ' ' • ¦ ’ - day, we have just two workmen who can f m^e sapats, ” says Kerawalla as he rises t from his great desk in his shop located on * what was once known as Dukkar Gulli, ¦ now called Dr Cowasji Hormusji Street, . aL JIL next to the Anjuman Atas Bahram. Lined with wood and glass cases, rep ­ lete with sapats, shoes and chappals, the ; i shop has the rich patina of age. Having pampered, for close to a century, slim r feet, broad feet, damaged feet and even per ­ fect ones, sapats continue to be manu ­ factured today in the age-old way. One mold is used as there is no dis ­ tinction between the left and right foot, the difference arising only after use. The simplest tools are married to the skill of the cobbler, with only the border of the uppers being machine stitched. Sapat manufacture remains largely unaffected by However, there is a dearth of skilled gh to make shoes, sapats and slippers died words of Roda Mistry, who wears sapats In an attic in the shop, we see two old at home, “A sapat gives the sensation of TJ Parsiana March 1967 ¦1 ii It I- if .1 1 Sb. * ,1J Offering warmth in the cold as the j front portion is closed, sapats can accom ­ modate the stockinged foot when necess ­ ary. Moreover, they reportedly ensure that a child does not get crooked feet. Th© per ­ son who routinely wears ill-fitting shoes, where heels and toes do not have the freedom to move, will get corns, calluses and ingrown toe nails, informs Kerawalla. The sapat with a sponge in-sole pampers abused feet while the one with luxurious velvet uppers (without a leather lining) cossets feet prone to skin infection. Generally made of chrome leather or velvet, the uppers are also occasionally made of satin, cotton or canvas on order. Some people have the velvet embroidered and give it to the shop to be made into sapats. Made generally of burnished brown or jet black leather or with uppers made of maroon, black, blue or red vel- I • »l<» »vet, the price varies, ranging from Rs 20 day ’s inches. ” Sapat sizes range from six t _......................................... - . costing more. The Kohlapuri chappal (traditional , __________ footwear much appreciated in Maharash- rat, where freelance cobblers would peddle tra) is cheaper, priced as it is from Rs 25 f " '___________ ____ to Rs 30. “Cheaper still are tlie plastic sapats today is largely restricted to these chappals typical of the Plastic Age, ” rues two Bombay shops. “Unfortunately, in Noshir Mulla of the 93-year-old shop Udwada there isn ’t a single cobbler, and Darabsha N. Mulla, fragrant with the the mobeds and residents place their orders aroma of sandalwood and stocked with all here, ” informs Kerawalla. the items .required for navjotes and wed- While sapats are generally worn by dings —shawls, towels, net sudrehs, caps Parsis, Kerawalla often has the odd and sapats. The life expectancy of the Kutchi customer who asks for canvas sapat, however, can be as much as five sapats while Mulla gets Jews from years, depending on the wearer. “We have Cochin and Israel who buy his skullcaps regular customers who walk into our • - shop and say, ‘A pair of sapats for my _______ mother, please! ’ And we know the old Closed at the front with a single leather mother md her si^, ” states Mulla. piece as a heel, the ‘patakri ’ sapat is Turning to his stem-faced father to different, being open in the front with a verify a fact or two, MuUa reminisces higher heel. Priests, however, tend to how in the old days “we had three cob- prefer sapats whose uppers have a earlike biers who supplied the sapats. Now we flap where the foot is slipped in. Sapats are down to one old man, ” Sapats, then, are worn by priests in the sanctum sanc- were measured in terms of fingers or torum where the fire is kept and also in angals. “ ‘I want a fourteen-and-a-half the sacred precincts where other cere- angal ni sapat,' people would say, and we monies like the baj, ijashni, etc are would know which size they meant, performed, informs Dastur (Dr) Firoze People from the villages still order them Kotwal, High Priest of the H. B. Wadia in this way and I translate the size in to- (Right) Keki Kerawalla and (below) Cobblers working on sapats at his shop Photos: Homyar Mistry to Rs 55, the ones with a sponge in-sole inches for a child to 12 inches for a man, the size changing for every half inch. Once available in the villages of Guja- them from house to house, availability of While sapats are generally worn by in bulk. The shape of a sapat can vary slightly. J used to do athletics and Later, after touring India and some swimming. Now these have to be kept, Asian countries where he also won aside... to concentrate on squash. ” Z ’ ' * " . " - ¦ Listening to good jazz, though, is me the Men ’s National Champion in Meherwan ’s abiding passion, so much - . - . ’ 2 .^22 ..2_-i so, that he has started hiring out music countries and Meherwan is he defeated the six-year reigning for various functions as a side business j with his partner Farhad Kuka. The 1 name of their business - Fame! Apart from this small detour, there is not much time for anything else. His family is “of course...very Notes Meherwan: “By the time I come proud, ” according to Meherwan, who home (from evening practise) I’m when,like his father Rustom, he began of encouragement from my family. If tions,.though I try to make it to family fn nioi, of fha '¦ you have a lot of encouragement only gatherings. But whenever there is a they make their appearance in India. started playing club and inter-club father Rustom, who is to start an ex- 5 It 1 J -3 f 1 i '.rS SORABJI RUSTOMJI & CO. EXPORTERS & IMPORTERS STOCKISTS & MANUFACTURERS OF SANDALWOOD, SANDAL OIL & OTHER SANDALWOOD PRODUCTS SALES DEPOT-CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS Durlab Bhavan Shop No. 4, R.M. Roy Marg Charni Road Junction Bombay-400 004 Tel: 351637 Cable: INSANDAL SALES DEPOT-FACTORY Hooseinabad Compound Off Champsi Bhimji Road Old Anjirwadi, Mazgaon Bombay-4(X) 010 Tel: 8728346 83 Parsiana March 1987 ! ¦’i 'n V t’M Sr t i •It u >iis INSTITUTIONS The 'diamond'of Rustom Baug The sixtieth anniversary prompted the 1,500 residents to contribute towards the reconstruction of a hall for community activities Parinaz Toddywalla Where now stands Rustom Baug at Byculla, was years ago forest land the Rustom Baug Association which graved on it, was presented to Neville, which was converted into an ammuni- looks after the social interests and wel- The accompanying scroll, eulogizing tion godown and a stable. Intended to fare activities of the Baug. On behalf the contribution of the Wadia family, perpetuate community awareness and of the tenants, a memento in the shape further thanked Neville “for your per ­ sonal interest in our comfort and well ­ being, your wise counsel, and for the immense benefits we have enjoyed throughout these 60 years...For your abiding interest in Rustom Baug, we wish to say thank you in concrete form. We gratefully dedicate the Neville Wadia Hall for social, reli ­ gious, cultural and educational activi ­ ties to you. ” In the reconstructed hall hung por ­ traits of Zarathushtra, Jerbai, her hus ­ band Nowrosjee, Rustom and Neville with candles burning below the frames. After the benediction by Ervad Rustom Panthaky, principal of the Dadar Madressa who, over the rtf s' The celebrations were organized by of a diamond, with the Wadia crest en- loyalty among the upper middle-class Parsis residing in this housing com- H plex, Lady Jerbai Wadia, on the de- ¦ ’ mise of her son Rustom in 1919, don- H ated his entire estate towards the con- m struction of a baug in his memory. To- n day, the Baug is considered a “haven from this modern hectic world, ” in the H words of Neville Wadia, grandson of H Jerbai by her other son. Sir Ness. H In a message written to the tenants of the Baug on the occasion of Rustom Bang ’s diamond jubilee which was celebrated on January 31, 1987, Nevil- le Wadia stated, “If there is anything more valuable than a diamond in Bombay today, it is a home of your fli own. Its great importance to the family is that it is the base from which you come and go, radiate and return...On- ly you know how much- it means to each one of you. ” Top: Neville Wadia Below: children at the new nursery 9H Right: a view of Rustom Baug • j & t, ^>7 1 -I®?*;- 23 Par^ana March 1967 A w « iH> 91 , >. J ^^*^^** mmii^ 1.^ -r. 4 rtl tI S;’: I h ' •'¦ n (J h I- h ¦|a f ¦ not be further considered, by the ¦ Wadia Trust as '‘•we have our priorities ¦ and difficulties. While (the Wadia ¦ donated bangs) Navroz Bang and Jer 4 Bang are without even a hall, the Cus- I row Bang wants to build a swimming I pool. We have told them to raise their I own funds...We must learn to help I ourselves. ” I Neville pointed out that a celebra- a tion connected with Rustom Bang, 1 means commemorating Jerbai ’s last 9 gift to the community because soon af- 1 ter the completion of the Bang, she I died in 1926. During her last illness, I the buildings at Rustom Bang were I completed but the roads had yet to be I levelled out so she instructed her son I Ness to press into service the steam I rollers from their factory to expedite I work on the roads. Soon thereafter she | fell into a coma for nine days. On the I tenth day after regaining conscious- I ness she wanted to know the date and immediately enquired if the rollers had been transported to the Bang... As a permanent gesture to her, we should emulate her determination...In a community everyone has their own opinions and strong ideas. If we were to get together with the same spirit and determination it would help. ” The Neville Wadia Hall was origi ­ nally a ruvanni bungli built for the con- - r venience of the Rustom Baug resi- < dents. Within a few years, however, j thaT\he7 considered the Hall stopped being utilized for the intended purpose and weekly religious ; started there. When a portion of the roof caved in some years ago, they were advised to discontinue the use of the Hall. On the recom ­ mendation of their architects Behram continued on page 102 A At the diamond jubilee function (from left): Nusli Wadia, Daraius Bhappu, Neville Wadia, Aspi Golwalla, and Maureen Wadia. Inset: Kumi Daroowala Below (left) Sir Ness Wadia Pavilion and (right) Neville Wadia Hall at Rustom Baug (Photographs of the Baug by Joy Fernandes) ¦ years gave religious instruction children at the Baug, and Dastur Nav- rooz Minochehr-Homji who con- on the Bang ’s history and services ren- ducted religion classes for adults, the dered by its stalwarts; Kamaz Medora Hall was inaugurated by Dr Aspi Gol- paid a youthful tribute to the Wadia walla, chairman of the Bombay Parsi family saying t , Punchayet and Committee of Manage- ' “ ment, R.N. and N.N. Wadia Trusts, in the presence of the Wadia family, On _ Association, president Daraius Bhap- of thanks. to the the Association ’s activities; committee member Nariman Daruwala reflected (.i themselves “blessed with an atmos ­ phere of togetherness and Parsipanu classes were sence or me waum lanuiv, in aapro Bang; and committee mem ­ behalf of the Rustom Bang ber Khurshed Katki proposed a vote ZboovV-ICII-IvJII 5 L?1 V'Oivav'ii u a-^»-» £- , , • /» i i 1 11 nu welcomed the gathering; vice- In his brief address, GolwaUa ex ­ president Cyrus Bagwadia projected plained that the appeal for funds can- SIR NESS WADlA'-PAVlLlpN ¦la ) ' 24 Paraiana Maneh 1907,1 sketches of automobiles, some of which have been published in eight to 10 publications including some foreign ones. He has also held exhibitions of his work. Aspi, the third in line, also races along with Neville and helps his eldest brother in the Racecrafters. He also gives accounts classes and deals in real estate. Mother Perin, a primary teacher at the Sardar Dastur Schools,was not too happy with their involvement because motorcycle racing can be dangerous, but had to give in to her sons ’ overrid ­ ing interests in the sport. In fact it is for this reason that Adil did not take up racing but involved himself in its administration wherein he has been most successful. JOB ORIENTED TRADE COURSES IN (1) LICENTIATE IN RADIO AND AUDIO SERVICING (LRAS) Recognised by the Govt, of MAHARASHTRA_____ S.S.C. with English, Maths, General Science. English One Year (Monday to Friday) The Govt, of MAHARASHTRA awards CERTIFICATES to the Successful Candidates. (a) ELIGIBILITY (b) MEDIUM (c) DURATION (d) AWARD / ! Before a race you have a bit of fear in you. If you have a crash you're sure to break something f 9 (2) LICENTIATE IN TELEVISION SERVICING (LTS)__________ Recognised by the Govt, of MAHARASHTRA (a) ELIGIBILITY Pass the LRAS Examination (held by the Board of Technical Exams. Govt, of Maharashtra). English One Year (Monday to Friday) The Govt.of MAHARASHTRA awards CERTIFICATES to the Successful Candidates. (b) MEDIUM (c) DURATION (d) AWARD which Racecrafters, which Adil has started, is a club for motorcycle racers in Poona which recently had a tie-up with Bajaj Auto, the leading two ­ wheeler manufacturer in the country. Racing is very expensive as it involves not only the cost of the bike itself but, perforce, the participants have to bear the transport costs to wherever the race is organized. Accommodation and cost of motor mechanics also add to the financial burden of the racers, explains Neville. So, for an entrance fee of Rs 100, Racecrafters takes on itself all the administrative problems involved in racing which, according to Neville, “eases quite a lot of burden from the rider ’s head. ” Standard bikes in the market are manufactured for regular use and for racing they need to be modified, in ­ form the brothers. Modification in- . volves extracting greater acceleration and greater power but in no way changing the engine capacity. One way of doing this, according to Adil, is to discard whatever is not useful to the rider, like the headlights and the horn, and adds, “Every one kilo weight re ­ duced is two to three kilometers gained in speed. ” Unfortunately, however, though special motocross bikes are available for Rs 14,000 to Rs (3) FILING, FITTING AND TURNING TRADE COURSE (a) ELIGIBILITY : VIII Std. (b) MEDIUM (c) THEORETICAL INSTRUCTIONS ALSO GIVEN IN: Trade-Theory, Machine Drawing & Work-shop Calculations. (d) DURATION 6Months, 3 Hrs. per day (Monday to Friday) : English, Hindi, Gujarati : English, Hindi, Gujarati (4) ELECTRIC WIRING & APPLIANCES SERVICING COURSE (Both PRACTICE & THEORY) (a) ELIGIBILITY : VIII Std. (b) MEDIUM (c) COVERS THE SYLLABUS OF P.W.D. 11 CLASS WIREMEN'S EXAMINATION COURSE ALSO (d) DURATION : 6 Months, 3 Hrs. per day (Monday to Friday) (5) PART-TIME: AUDIO, RADIO, TELEVISION & VIDEO SERVICING (a) ELIGIBILITY (b) MEDIUM (c) DURATION S.S.C. or Equivalent English 4 Months, 2 Hrs, per day (Monday to Friday) B.N. GAMADIA POLYTECHNIC Gamadia Colony, Tordeo, BOMBAY 400007 Tel: 4944345; 4945362 a i 87 Parsiana March 1987t T S. With Compliments Of RAILWAY HOTEL R.M. Roy Road Bombay 400004 TEL 351028 BEER PARLOUR PERMIT ROOM COMFORTABLE LODGING MODERATE RATES 88 Parsiana March 1987 20,000 abroad, one is not allowed to import them into India, where with the imposition of customs duty, they would anyway cost a shocking one lakh! According to Adil, Bajaj is plan ­ ning to rectify that by manufacturing such bikes within the country itself. Noting that there are a lot of Parsi two-wheeler racers in India, Neville notes that in Poona there are Firdaus Chindhy, Raian Mazda, Porus Irani and Nozer Kayani while in Bombay there are the brothers Kersi and Fall Patel who now also take part in the Himalayan motorcar rally. The first The prize money is nothing. Taking up a career in racing is not just right in India 11 11 person in the country to own a motorcycle, inform the brothers, was Poona ’s Ratan Mody, a doyen of the sport who founded three to four orga ­ nizations devoted to motorcycle rac ­ ing. Schooled at the Sardar Dastur Schools, Poona, Neville is currently studying in the First Year BCom at the Ness Wadia College of Commerce, Poona, and later plans to post gradu ­ ate in business administration, though he has not quite made up his mind on that. Neville does not think he can take up motorcycle racing as' a profes ­ sion; “The prize money is nothing and everybody would like to earn some money. Taking up a career in racing is not just right in India. ” Though in the past five years the sport has seen A “terrific spurt, ” and the Government has at last classified it as a sport, it has not yet arrived in India as a profession. Adil, however, is very optimistic about the future of motorcycle racing espe- cialy since the formation of the Fed ­ eration of Motor Sports Clubs of In ­ dia, the central body which looks into the administration of the sport in the country. Though there is still time for the sport to take firm root in the country, Neville is nonetheless happy with things as they are. He notes, “I have done quite well in the one and a half years of racing...! am young and I can put in a lot of riding. As long as I’ve got my brother to help me I don ’t think I should have any problems! ” With compliments of Starlite Electrical Works Electrical Engineers & Contractors FERN HOUSE 13, BEST MARG BOMBAY400039 Tel: 241496 rst 4'. i 3^ continued from page 9 This leads to another debatable Him for His many blessings at every and especially over its rituals, is futile, issue. Every written word in ancient turn and at the same time carries on Another point to remember is that scriptures or religious texts is not His worldly duties with diligence, throughout the ages there have been God ’s word, and has to be examined in sincerity, honesty and love, unmindful many religions, pagan or non-pagan, the light of today ’s knowledge. Our li- of the outward results. He loves God and they have all been dominated by mited human minds can never con- for His own sake, without any thought the priesthood. In the earlier times, ceive or visualize the real “being ” or of reward or punishment. the priesthood or clergy was the main makeup of God. If you believe in His Such an esoteric person thinks.well learned class in society, and as such, it existence and in the universe as His of his fellowmen, sees their virtues in- was able to wield considerable influ- creation, then you realize how utterly stead of harping on their faults (of ence over those who were less learned impossible it is to conjecture what He is which all of us have plenty), serves or unlearned. like or to define the limits of His pow- people willingly, spontaneously and In our own Iranian history, through- er and abilities. It is enough if you selflessly, and puts their interests be- out the ancient dynasties, the head have the faith that He is actually there, fore his own. God or Ahura Mazda (or priest occupied only second place to all around His creation, and even with- whatever name you address Him by) the king, and the priestly hegemony in you. sees no shadows in individual lives be- was in evidence even when we landed Religion, as practised, has two cause every human being is a small re ­ al Sanjan, and for several centuries aspects; the exoteric one and the flection of Him and of His goodness afterwards. It is only recently that our esoteric. The exoteric part of religion and perfection. There is a spark of di ­ priesthood ’s control and influence indulges in outward show and gives vinity in every one of us. over the laity has waned, owing to its mental satisfaction that something has We Parsis must therefore shed all failure to move with the times, and been done to please God. Whether it ideas of a superior or pure race and reli- due to the laity having surpassed it in does please Him and add to one ’s gion, treat all mankind as God ’s chil ­ learning, scientific knowledge and eco- score-sheet for entry into His King- dren, adopt humility, count our bles- nomic progress. Our priests therefore dom is another matter and none have sings and develop a wide sense of occupy a backseat today but they are come back from the other side to tell brotherhood and of service to others, being bolstered up every now and then us if all this has had any effect. God will not ask you to do more. A by some so-called modern savants who The esoteric side of religion is where good life is the best form of prayer and continue to impose some kind of one is devoted to God spiritually, the best offering you can make to Zoroastrian fundamentalism on the where one speaks to Him ofttimes ev- Him. n.h. vajifdar community. ery day with utmost sincerity, thanks Ootacamund j.' Religion, as practised, has two In service of the suffering ¦¦ BURJIS N. KHURSEDJI & CO MAZDA MEDICAL ELECTRONICS MAZDA HOSPITAL AND INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT PRIVATE LIMITED ‘1 ;¦ 6 Datta Mandir Road Bhandup, Bombay 400078 Phone 5601861 5617879 5614920 Grams SHADOWLESS Bombay 400078 Telex 1171233 M AZDIN 90 Parsiana March 1987 j¦ i. 'H continued from page 13 Oberoi Towers. Members of the at inculcating enthusiasm. That ’s the the Orchestra ’s efforts were worthy of Orchestra Dei Maggio Musicale most important thing. Your pupils the occasion. However, notes the news Fiorentino were given a traditional In- must learn to love music. Every thin g report, her receiving this honor could dian welcome of tikka and aarti. They else follows, ” he says and he advises also be the outcome of her large and were also garlanded with sandalwood music teachers to “emphasize musical- i more general contribution to western garlands specially designed for the ity rather than the- technical aspect. ” classical music. occasion, according to the press re- In addition to teaching music which Born in 1930, Dinshaw left for Eng- lease. gives him “tremendous satisfaction ” land in 1948 where she studied music , he gives lecture-recitals regularly, with the late Ms Gladys Noon, Ms RsstOIHJl S FCCltfll often under the sponsorship of the Adels Facharri, George Stratton and “A dazzling performance of virtuosity Connecticut Humanities Council as Antonio Brosa, States her bio data, and musicality that will be remem- when he presented Brahms ’ later Her music teaching career began on bered as one of the season ’s musical piano music for the Brahms Ses- r “A dazzling performance of virtuosity Connecticut Humanities Council as and musicality that will be remem- when he presented Brahms ’ later her return in 1959 when she also co- highlights, ” wrote Priya Chaturvedi in quicentennial. founded the Bombay Chamber the Poona Digest describing USA- Mozart and Debussy are his favorite Orchestra, the society of which she has based pianist Khurshed Rastomji ’s in- composers: “Mozart - his music calls vitation concert on January 4, 1987, for a total lack of affectation. It must which was organized by the Poona flow like oil...Debussy is one compos- the Bombay Chamber the Poona Digest describing USA- been trustee and joint honorary secret ­ ary since 1962. When she went to Salzburg, Au- Music Society. “Color, searing at er who ’s captured the sense of eastern stria, on a Berlin Council of Music times, brilliant, mellow, but always time in western music. I bridge both scholarship, Dinshaw studied the art achingly vivid, is what Rastomji draws cultures so I have a particular affinity of teaching children music through the from the music of the great for him. ” 11 i p4oove} Zubin and Nancy Mehta get a t “Early training should basically aim 93 RBrsanaManft 1987 I Pune-born Rastomji who says he “began banging away at the piano masters ..-his mastery of Mozart ’s sing ­ ing notes is as great as his interpreta ­ tion of a fiery Liszt, ” notes Chaturve- concept of Orff-Schulwerk. This in ­ volves the learning of rhythm and traditional welcome at The Oberoi music through games and special in- (Above right) Dinshaw receiving her struments, and Dinshaw currently con- award from the British High ducts such classes for children. She Commissioner, Sir Robert Wade-Gery also teaches the violin, viola and cello, (Right) Rastomji: “learn to love music” notes her bio data. Zubin welcomed Zubin Mehta and his wife Nancy re- • ceived a warm Parsi welcome from Ms di. Colleen Khan, guest relations execu ­ tive, on their arrival at The Oberoi, Bombay on March 2, ’87, notes the when I was four ” and studied with Ms hotel ’s press release. His arrival was Violet Fonseca, Ms Marjorie Fonseca heralded by brass drums and musi- and Ms Olga Craen in India has mas- cians in colorful Indian costumes play- ters degrees from the University of ing famous pieces of Indian classical Connecticut in piano and music his- music. A colorful flower screen with a tory, and a diploma from the Royal welcome message composed of roses Schools of Music, London. and marigolds stood in the foyer of Ir i" 1 1 3' 1 b 11 fi fi ill BW I « fj ? i ' » #<• (»* t •1 [ would encourage her to take more tute of Maaagemeat^ Baa^alore^ who ] I strenuous feats in future. observed that a chef was not just a “su- : I per bawarchi” but a manager who, I Student chefs of ’87 along with his team, contributes to 50 • Looking for “ingenuity, presentation, percent of a hotel ’s profits. I organization and scheduling, ” and ' finding these qualities in the menus An Sppeul J served up by Zubin Dara Aria, Ms “If my son Sorab fails to regain signifi- I Jyoti Anand and Ms Monica Pandey of cant vision in his- left eye, he will not I Bangalore, the judges placed them be accepted ” back into his marine en- I first in the Student Chefs of 1987 con- gineering course at Mazagaon Docks I test which was held in Bangalore on “and three years of training will be I January 29 and 30, states a news report wasted, ” notes Roshan Minu Daver in I in The City Tab of February 8, 1987. her letter of appeal for aid to help I Organized by the Institute of Hotel meet the expenses of the triple proce- I Management, Catering Technology dure operation Daver requires to re- I and Applied Nutrition, Bangalore, in cover his vision. I cooperation with local five-star hotels I and sponsored by the Governments of result of a serious accident on October I India and Karnataka, the contest 12, 1986. Twenty-year-old Daver, rid- I attracted eight teams from catering ing a scooter, was hit and dragged I colleges all over the country. along the road by a Fiat, whose driver, I In addition to the Student Chefs of under the influence of alcohol, was I ’87 trophy. Aria ’s team also won the speeding on the wrong side of the I highest points in Western cuisine with road, states Ms Daver in her letter. I a menu that included cream of pump- Apart from abrasions and lacerations I kin soup, mackerels in mustard sauce of his face, eye and hand, dislocated I and brussels sprouts stuffed with saus- foot and a fractured leg, consulting I ages. “The contest aimed to create an ophthalmic surgeon Dr Rustom Patel, Left: Aria receiving certificate from Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, Union Minister for Tourism Top: Daruwala and Anklesharia spreading the message of unity Below: Daver awaits operation This loss of sight in his left eye is a Bharat jodo I Travelling 18,000 kms on a Yezdi I motorcycle to spread the message of I Indian unity - Bharat jodo - Surat ’s I Percy Godrej Anklesharia (Daruwala) I and Ms Behroz Nadirsha Daruwala vi- 'I sited important places in all the 23 . states, notes a press release. I Daruwala (34) and Anklesharia (26) I left Surat in early November ’86 after I an enthusiastic send off. Throughout I the two months they were warmly wel- | corned wherever they went, and peo- >. pie everywhere had shown interest in their mission, said Daruwala on their return in January ’87. This experience of the love and affection of their com ­ patriots had, she said, made the trip a -fci* - IWWB ... very pleasing one, and they had en- awareness of excellence in catering, who treated him at the Parsee General countered no major difficulties on the Chefs in hotels are more than just Hospital, noted a corneal laceration, way. cooks. Earning up to Rs 12,000 a prolapse of the iris and injury to the Meeting Prime Minister Rajiv Gan- month, chefs today are managers who lens. As a result, Daver lost vision in dhi. Chief Minister Laldenga of Mizor- supervize 40 to 50 men under them, am. Chief Justice Desai of Himachal and sell the hotel to its guests by dis- Pradesh and the then Chief Justice of hing out good taste, ” says Rajkumar three other noted ophthalmologists of the Supreme Court, Justice Bhagvati, Saxena of the Institute of Hotel Man- Bombay - Dr T.N.Ursekar, Dr Keiki were among the highlights of their agement. Bangalore. R. Mehta, and Dr A.C.Shroff - who travels, according to the press release. A well-known swimmer and moun- ceived a certificate, an HMT wrist- eration consisting of a corneal graft, taineer from South Gujarat, Daruwala watch and a cash award of Rs 400 from cataract extraction and lens implant to is quoted as saying that this experience Prof J.Philip, director, Indian Insti- continued on page 99 .4t » the left eye. The Davers have since consulted Aria, who is a final-year student, re- have all advised a triple procedure op- 94 Parsiana March 1B87Notes Irani, ‘‘The advantages of this * ‘ scheme are obvious. You are support- “To support and care for overseas ing an identified family whom you get munity in its decision-making. ' ’^««« i continued from page 16 Iranians, Armenians, etc would qual ­ ify for membership, as their, ancestors > were Zoroastrian. To trace and sub- Zoroastrian families whose financial to know. You are not just giving char- ' ¦ stantiate such ancestry would be im- status is so dismal that it deprives them ity but caring for the family on a long -< possible and the concept of Zoroas- even of the basic necessities of life, ” term basis. SZOP wjll take care of all j trian identity would be lost; Noshir Irani of the Australian Zoroas- administrative work. ” •“Accept as full members all indi- trian Association has come up with the viduals whose one grandparent was a Support Zoroastrians Overseas Prog- At the Indo-Australian Table Tennis Zoroastrian. This could solve our ramme (SZOP). Championship, “which attracts players 1 problem for the next generation or The Programme is expected to coor- of international standard, ” Khursheed ; two; dinate between Australian donors and Pestonji won both the singles and dou- , ; •“Permit the navjote ceremony of any deserving Zoroastrian faniilies over- bles tournaments held in February, j child whose one parent is a Zoroas- seas, furnishing such details as the according to Kersi Meher-Homji, edi- xj trian. Such a concept is very radical name, address and other relevant data tor of Manashni, the AZA newsletter. ' and would need an approval of a large of the needy. Two honorary coordina- “In table tennis she is unbeatable, majority of AZA members and gener- tors have been selected in India, who having won all tournaments she has / al acceptance of Zoroastrians through- will personally see to it that each fami- participated in in Sydney - AZA com- , - out the world. This could lead to se- ly receives the monthly assistance, re- petitions, club tournaments, andlndo- rious dissent and disunity amongst our turning a signed montly receipt to the Australian championships...twice in , community; donors via Irani. succession, ’’notes Meher-Homji. Be- • “Maintain the status quo. This is the Initially dealing only with India, fore she migrated to Australia with path of least resistance as no action though deserving Zoroastrian cases her family in 1982, Pestonji had won would be necessary. However, the ma- from other countries may also be many trophies in Karachi, Pakistan. ? jor danger is by our apathy our future helped, Irani wishes to concentrate Khursheed ’s husband, Cyrus, too is existence in Australia would be mainly on those families in Bombay a “natural sportsman ” according to jeopardized. ” Kolsawalla quoted the and Udwada where, according to him, the editor, “excelling at cricket example of Afghan camel drivers who more than 64 percent of Zoroastrians (Cyrus ’ great-grandfather was Burjor came to Australia at the turn of the live. “Twenty families, 12 in Bombay Macchliwalla', the great Parsi cricketer ' J century and who no longer exist as a and eight in Udwada, have been of the 1920s), table tennis and tepnis. .. J separate identity, to caution the com- selected to start up the Programme. For Western Suburbs in Sydney he The records of these 20 have been per- plays grade cricket and is consistent > sonally scrutinized and eight homes vi- with both bat and ball...In Pakistan sited. As the SZOP gathers momen- (Lahore) he had played with Imran turn, mOre families will be added on, ” Khan and Wasim Raja (currently notes Irani, in the January Manashni. members of the national Pakistan 2 2 4 ura Enterprise Manufacturers of Printed Packaging Materials Corrugated Boxes, Plastic Carrier Bags, Plastic Containers 10/4, Rustom Baug,Byculla, Bombay - 400027 Tel.8722885 Gifts& The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive reli^ous artefacts, executive desk sets, exdusive shell items, designer jewelry & spedalidng in wood & copper-enamel ^fts. BOMBAY SWADESHI STORES LTD. (Mezzanine Floor) Sir F.M. Road, Bombay-400 001 ** A' J' K '< i I ¦ I SWOlO AKAR 6T/jf660 t L F*’ 97 PanlanaMarcb19^ L'‘A* ' >s ib '?• Jcricket team). . .In table tennis, Cyrus EVENTS AND PERSONALITIES... continued from page 94 and Khursheed have combined to win ' - ------- ---------- - --------------- —------------------- - many trophies - in Karachi, Lahore be carried out abroad. Dr Mehta lyrics, Desai ’s own, are full of a light- and now in Sydney, ” ndtes Meher- wrote to Dr T.A.Casey in London, hearted whimsy, much like the man Homji. asking him to operate on Daver, and himself, ” writes Thayil. . . the date for the operation at the-Old Karachi statistics Court Hospital has been fixed for Fraiiiha wins a Promisc Twenty-five marriages took place in April 13, 1987 said Sorab ’s father. Karachi in 1986, an increase of one "" over the previous year, according to a Sorab and his father), surgery, hospi- report compiled by Ervad Dinshaw talization, medicines i Charna and the Karachi Parsi Anju- operative care is Rs 1,36,000, notes Ms man Trust Funds, and reprinted in the Daver. She asks for aid to help them Cycling Association on February 1, January/February issue of the newslet- defray this expenditure, pointing out 1987, according to an Indian Express ter of the Informal Religious Meet- that her husband, a third engineer with report dated February 2, ’87 Cloc kin g . four hours, 42 minutes 10.60 seconds, the Poona District Cycling Club rider crossed the finish line nearly five meters ahead of his nearest rivals. Subash Pawar and Rajasaheb Attar. From the 86 riders who set out from In spite of calf cramps and a minor The estimated cost of travel (for mishap, Maharashtra state cycling „ , ’ . ¦ champion Kerman Framna of Pune and post- won the eighth Promise Bombay-Pune ¦'i open cycle race of the Maharashtra ings. Two of the couples have settled ‘the Shipping Corporation of India, is in Pakistan though outside Karachi, the only earning member of the fami- and six abroad. Of the 17 couples who ly. have opted to remain in Karachi, eight have made use of accommodation Roshan Minu Daver, Malabar Man- offered in communal properties while sion. First floor, 37 Garden Road,Gol- nine have found their own accom- aba, Bombay 400039. Foreign donors Bombay only 25 completed the race, modation elsewhere. may send their contributions to Sorab The birth figures for 1986 were not Daver, C/o Old Court Hospital, 19 available. The number of deaths was Montpelier Road, Ealing, London 50 (28 males and 22 females), being W5, UK. three more than in 1985. The average age at death was 71.76 years. The 24 navjotes performed in 1986 Ronnie Desai ’s rock album Bedlam, (12 male and 12 female), five being of released by CBS,is the first Indian re ­ children residing outside of Pakistan, lease by a major label and the first marked a substantial decline. There album of original songs in English by were 17 more navjotes in Karachi in 1985 than in 1986, as per the report. California’s youth scroll Leslie Lewis on the guitar and drum the sponsors of the race. Into its fifth issue. The ZAC Youth synthesizers, and Shiv Mathur on Framna, who represented India at Scroll, a five-page youth section piano, bass and vocal harmonies. the internationals in Egypt last year, attached to the newsletter of the One of India ’s first Western folk has won a record 11 races this season, Zoroastrian Association of California, musicians, Desai later turned to rock in addition to the state track and road includes a plea by its editor Sarosh music and put together one of India ’s championship. Motivala for greater youth participa- premier rock bands - People. In the tion in the religious classes and the va- ’70s, after a couple of years with such SPOTLIGHT rious activities of the Association. Let- advertising agencies as Lintas, Chaitra - ----- -------- -------- —- ----------- --------— ters to the editor, Zoroastrian news, a and Enterprise as a copywriter, he section on famous Parsis and an enter- started Musica, a radio and television tainment page which includes a car- jingle agency. toon entitled The Puri Family all form a part of the January-February issue of to the contemporary feel of Leslie din H. Daya, sheriff of Bombay, will The Scroll. Lewis ’ biting guitar work while the inaugurate the exhibition on April 20. Contributions may be sent to Ms Bedlam let loose in spite of a record 35 climbing the dif ­ ficult Western Ghats. Twenty-one- year-old Framna also won the King of the Ghats title with a record time of 21 minutes 40.04 seconds thus breaking the previous best of 23 minutes 41 seconds held by Pune ’s Homi Bhathe- na since 1982. Framna received the Promise trophy, and the winner ’s prize of Rs .7,100 including the King of the Ghats prize of Rs 3,000 from the total prize money amounting to Rs 17,850 an Indian musician, reports Jeet Thayil in Bombay (January 7 to 21, ’87). Desai ’s lyrics are accompanied by awarded by Balsara Hygiene Products, Leslie Lewis on the guitar and drum on a five-page youth section piano, bass and vocal harmonies. One of India ’s first Western folk musicians, Desai later turned to rock ’70s, after a couple of years with such SPOTLIGHT Behram Rana will hold his fourth one-man show of paintings The Sun at Jehangir Art Gallery, from April 20 to 26, 1987 from noon to 7 pm. Sadru- ‘The music (of Bedlam) owes much 4’ f' I. 1 99 Rarsuna March 1887 VIDEO SHOOTING The First Parsee Outstanding Lady Armaity R. Bamanbehram Free colourful scroll titles with beautiful effects. Latest equipment and many other facilities. Guarantees Video Shooting with professional touch. Audio-dubbing music of your choice. Demonstration tape at home service to judge our professional quality and superior work. No sub contracting. Colour photography at reasonable rates. Transferring of super 8 mm movies is also done. For Wedding, Navjote, Parties and other functions. Res : 822 6074 No. 6, Khareghat Colony, Hughes Road, Bombay 400007. »i.-Mf I f' ¦ '>4^1'W -J " ‘ continued from page 20 5 toral s^tem was Httle khb^ and the ligdhtsi^M to tite formation of comm iiTii ty ’s general ignorance and Committee for Electoral Rights (the apathy enabled power seekers to con- ’----- — - -- : . . lates general rules to be followed as and when constituency-wise voting is ^”As to the C Register of graduates, wards and stooges onto the Anjuman orginal purpose had been served^. , ri.o i.w uiv v.- AwgAo J ° J , r’k.U eArwonf TumcllAAH KnnOA SOtlCl- 51 sought to be reaccommodated by en- CER was renamed Committee for trol blocks of votes by steering their Economic Revival in 1984 after, its J Civil servant Jamsheed Kanga, solici-. tor Dadi Engineer, management con ­ sultant Minoo Shroff, insurance expert Pali Poncha and others, gave freely of their time, energy and money to edu ­ cate the community in the complex ­ ities of the system, rousing awareness and interest and fielding candidates for the 1981 Anjuman Committee elec ­ tions. For the first time in the Commit ­ tee ’s 70-year existence, 20,000 Parsis voted, and the CER acquired a thump ­ ing majority. When BPP chairman B. K. Boman - Behram ’s trusteeship term expired that year, the orthodox autocrat, who had battled the CER all the way, did not seek reelection and ¦ ¦ * I re- suririg 10 percent representation, the Judge noted, “In the present context, it is not necessary to have any such ¦ ’9 The trusteeship termlis now officially abridged to seven years from the ori ­ ginal 10, but contrary to general opin ­ ion, His Lordship argued that “if the ,' trustees are doing good work, there is ¦ no reason why we should prescribe any restrictions on the number of terms. ” >• Although the principle of accounta ­ bility of trustees was much debated in 'X. the past year (it was one of the issues > leading to the resignation of Jal Vima- Committee. Dependent people thus "• CER president Ja^sheed lege was pubUcly criticized..ime and nne referrine to the subject merely again. As late as 1980, such commun- chayet s board ot trustees.^ states .“Trustees shall as far ’as prac- ity stalwarts as industrialist Naoroji The penod up to early 1984 was one ticable hold meetings of the Anjuman Godrej , hotelier Hosi Mistry, scientist of comparative tranquility. The Fah . Commftte^ re- Dr Homi Sethna and 21 others had P^^^^ha-HomiRanma race for the s^^^ SlT?X”nSbeenvesfedin.he pnbUshed a lener in the Aniuman Committee. Jamshed, demanding a change in the m July 84 was the curtain raiser to a Prior to 1980 the complicated elec- system. The awakening of the intel- continued on page r ’ 1^- ?p’ * fe r ’ »<• E"? 5^"^ L*’* wo Pama^fi Muth 1987 *• Judge noted, “In the present context. distinction at all. ” The donors must now exercise their right to registration on the Donor Register within 180 days of making a donation trustees),!! has been given short shrift ;4 referring to the subject, merely again. As late as 1980, such commun- • Taaaaww... ___ ___ — r ¦ stalwarts as industrialist Naoroji ticable hold meetings of the Anjuman Godrej , hotelier Hosi Mistry , scientist — • • Dr Homi Ccthns “d <* IWUV'l. I-**.**' ww- _ - * • X Jamshed, demanding a change in the in July ’84 was the curtain raiser to a Prior to 1980 the complicated elec- ^cde/iQ^ PROTECTION & INTELLIGENCE SERVICES Ahura Mazda Agencies (Manpower Consultants) Federal Trade Agencies 250, Perin Nariman Street, Fort, Bombay 400001 Tel 261926 H.P. Enterprises (Courier Services throughout India) 2501/1, Bazar Gate Street, Fort, Bombay 400001 Tel 267178 Partner Mr. Dady P. Hataria Consultant & Adviser Mr. Jal B. Contractor Deputy Gommissioner of Police (Retd.) of Federal Trade Agencies Tel: Res. 822-1581 ¦t- » * \ • i X 1 ¦iuThe Parsi Hell Keki Daruwalla .A ) it! Ur, i II I I « 1 1 1 The Parsi hell is insubstantial; a long stint in the house of falsehood, foul food and speech turning base on a wailing tongue. the thread showing through frayed edges. Desires fester in the body’s abscessed tabernacles. Like afire-temple I hoard my inner fires. Even the Chinvat Bridge which turns its edge towards the evil is not an Aztec knife which cuts through fat, spliced tendon, cartilage. hoard my semen, brown with inbreeding. Genetic rust? I carry within me the city of faith desiccated with the salts of lust. -il H It is allegorical, a bridge you cannot cross in your quest for the region of endless lights. In the Gathas there is nothing gross; Death hums over the wires: what afflicts the spawn is rickets, polio, a drug gone rogue. Daughters walk out on the tribe. The forepaws just one material reference—the darkness is so thick you can cut it with a knife. No other hells confront you in their rancor. of wilderness reach for the heart. Anxieties congregate ana claw at your dreams as they prospect for helf You will cross the hump and come to terms with fate Our hell and heaven have no locus, the scriptures for ego all reference to the damned. The three-fold dark is hinted at, and a passing mention of the states of woe. Standing at the dark heart of my dreams, the small change of guilt turning sweaty in my hands, I watch my slow surrender at the seams. as you wind up naked at the dakhma well. Burdens vary.Throughout life a man carries his death even as a woman carries her child. A Parsi carries his hell. iu iiii From The Keeper of the Dead by Keki Daruwalla published by Oxford University Press New Delhi, 1982 L t 101 Parsiana March 1987 if•1 We would like the youths to take over...many of our old stalwarts are retiring 11 are continued from page 24 ary 31. Giving the details, she explains mittee members of the Association, Unwalla and Hafiz Contractor, they that appeals were also sent to indi- they even hope to hire out the Hall at decided to renovate the Hall as an ’ ' . ¦ - < .....x... “ambitious diamond jubilee project. ” In fact, the celebrations were post ­ poned by several months because the delay in the generation of funds, hin ­ dered the renovation activities. The targetted fund collection drive of three lakhs of rupees was nearly met but fell short by Rs 75,000 due to inflated costs, noted Bagwadia. The R.N.Wadia Trust ’s first donation of Rs 50,000 set the ball rolling. The other major donations were: Rs 40,000 from the Cowasji Sorabji Framji Titi- na Charity Trust and Rs 20,000 from the Ranina Trust for the equipment cupboards and a piano for the nursery, necessary to run the nursery class for and chairs for the hall are still awaited, children between two and four years C ’ ’ old on the Hall ’s mezzanine floor, j Almost Rs 2,00,000 were collected by cookery, music, art and elocution; viduals and trusts in India and over- nominal rentals. With a seating capac- seas, but from abroad, donations were ity of 150, it is hoped that “Instead of only received from ex-students of the our Baug members going to the Sethna religion class. Donations in the form of Agiary Hall and.the Cama Baug nallo _____________ otlo (smaller wing) they can use our Hall. Even the residents of the nearby Baugs could avail of the Hall facili ­ ties, ” says Daroowala. With Bhappu as president, the other office-bearers are vice-presidents Cyrus Bagwadia and Dorab Ghadiali, treasurers Rohinton Anklesaria and Ader Tarapore and joint honorary sec ­ retaries Daroowala and Ms Bapsy Chi ­ noy. To involve the children and the youths of Rustom Baug, competitions Conducting classes in religion for in elocution, on-the-spot painting, juniors and adults, hobby courses like bonny baby and general knowledge ~ - —-* ; quiz have been conducted. “But we way of personal follow-up measures by group study and coaching classes; Gu- find that there is an apathy - parents the Association ’s secretary Ms Kumi Daroowala who the opportunity to learn the language, received were from the tenants,includ- proposed plans to effectively utilize laughingstock). ’ Even if they joint honorary jarati classes for those vUio never had have their own priorities and the chil- _ ________2 2 ¦ ' _ ' ' ' dren refuse to participate for fear ‘fcc says that 60 percent of the donations and weekly scouts meetings are The bijaao maskeri karse (of becoming the received were from the tenants,includ- proposed plans to effectively utilize laughingstock). ’ Even if they win a ing proceeds from a special show of the new Hall once the equipment and prize, their spirits are dampened be- The Wiz and income from brochures personnel are available. In addition to cause of anticipated ridicule, ex ­ published on December 28 and Janu- providing a meeting place to the com- plained Chinoy. Giving scholarships cause of anticipated ridicule, ” Matrimonial Advertisement Well-to-do respectable parents with means invite Matrimonial correspondence for their daughter 31 Graduate Slim Tall Beautiful Accomplished from well settled boys of respectable families willing to settle anywhere. Reply Parsiana (Matrimonial) GPO Box No 892 Bombay 40(XX)l cleaning machined I 1923-1987 Sixty-four years of clean service! DIANA-ECLIPSE For all your carpet and upholstery cleaning. ? Holland House, Colaba Causeway, Bombay. Tel: 2020619 ? "Parag" 27, Peddar Road. 102 Parsiana March 1987’’J and prUes for outstanding perform^ shiandBehramUnwalla, jointhonor- ance in academies as wejlas in technic ­ al and commercial fields, and felicitat ­ ing the community ’s newly ordained navars every year, are among the regu ­ lar activities of the Association. This Rustom Baug, housing over 1,500 Par- year prizes were given to 30 newly ordained boys. “Our main objective is to make the its present shape, stood friendly and youths aware of their responsibilities, habitable. But since then some build- in the organization of celebrations, in ings have been repaired and others will the management and planning of the be repaired by 1989. various programs, we would Hke the youths to take over...many of our old security after a spate of robberies and stalwarts are retiring^ ’saidDaroowala. the murder of an old Parsi resident in When the Association was founded May last, more watchmen have been employed, identity cards issued to domestic employees and better light ­ ing installed on the roads and- to the rear of the buildings. Raising of the wall separating the Baug from the Masina Hospital as well as construc ­ tion of speed breakers was also under ­ taken. A senior citizens ’ drive was con ­ ducted in the interests of the aging re ­ sidepts of Rustom Baug who comprise 30 percent of the total population, according to Kumi Daroowala ’s esti ­ mates. Under the joint auspices of the Rhstom Baug Association and the in 1954, its first president was Bejon Association of the Welfare Organisa- Bhappu and secretary Kaikhushroo tion of Road Safety and Prevention of Fitter. Each of the past presidents (the Accidents, the elders have been in- late Hormus Kasad, Bejon Mistry, duced to move about with accident Sorab Postwafa and Jivan Jamadar) carry cards detailing their blood group “contributed their best for the proper and contact number of next of kin. establishment, organization and func- Most of the older generation residing tioning of the Association, ” noted a ~ write-up in the diamond jubilee souve ­ nir. The other “two pillars ” of the and usually don ’t approve of interfer- Association retiring this year, were ence in their style of living, ” informed Maneckshaw Mistry who started the Chinoy. 48 East Bombay Sir Ness Wadia Scouts- Group and Ervad Rustom Association has given priority to the Panthaky who conducted religious repair of the Baug ’s roads and the sur- classes for children for over three de- rounding boundary walls. Neville had cades. another suggestion to offer along with While the Rustom Baug Association a donation of Rs 25,000: “To com- looks after the welfare and social memorate this landmark...(transform) aspects, the gymnasium, physical cul- Rustom Baug into a lovely green park ary general secretaries Rumie Gazdar and Burjis Taraporevala and honorary treasurer Adi Tavaria. There are today 326 tenements in sis. After the construction of the first blocks in 1923, by 1950s the Baug, in Seeing the pressing need for better 11 - - I In a community everyone has their own opinions and ¦ strong ideas...getting together with the same spirit and determination helps" in the Baug are “financially secure, pass their time in their own fixed ways For their next “five-year plan ” the ture and sports activities come under with flowers and trees as well as a play- • the purview of the Sir Ness Wadiai ground. Of course it does cost money Club. It was reported that when the but just think how much it would en- Ness Wadia Club approached Neville hance the value of your lives in Rus- for permission to erect a statue of his tom Baug. ” Like the paralysis- ’ father Sir Ness at Rustom Baug, it afflicted resident of Rustom Bang, was declined and hence the pro- who had successfully given himself a ceeds collected were channelized into deadline for becoming mobile to the construction of the Ness Wadia attend the Hall ’s inaugural function. Pavilion. The office bearers of the perhaps the residents, collectively, Ness Wndia Club are president Hom- 1 could make the garden dream come iar Shroff , vice-presidents Kersi Mun- true. 105 Parsiana March 1987 BOYS’ TOWN Public School Nasik 2 Recognised as a Public Sriiool by the Department of Education for Indian Merit Scholars. Excel* lent Climate — All-round Education: All Acadoiiic Subjects—Tedi- nical Subjects: Workshop. Tech ­ nology, Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance, Carpentry & Farm ­ ing. Training in Sdf-Goveninient through Elected Boys* Office bearers. Games—Kiysical Train* ihg — Daily Assembly with Congregatimal Prayers — Week­ ly intensive Zoroastrian — Geeta- Koran classes — Excellent Modern Kitchen and Dining Romn 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. A. I¦ V INMEMORIAM -31 I the “deep and beneficient influence He continued, “While others would Prof Choksi exercised in the Organiza- deal with machines and materials and tion. It is difficult to think of any other money, Choksi would deal with men. ” person who was as universally re- Choksi is survived by his wife Bhi- spected and loved as Prof Rustum ku, son Dr Jal and daughter Shirin Choksi. ” He was also a trustee of Kudchedkar. other Tata endowments like the J.N.Tata Endowment, the Lady Tata “MoFVarid of the Halls” Memorial Trust, the M.K'.Tata Trust Died: Morvarid Rustam Guiv, 81, and the Leslie Sawhny Endowment, known for continuing the philanthro- He also served as a council member of pic work started by her late husband in j the Tata Memorial Centre. the establishment of Darbe Mehrs in Poona-born Choksi who enjoyed North America and Austraha, on such hobbies as gardening, hiking and January 11, 1987 in Los Angeles after motoring, began his career as profes- a short illness. sor of English and Latin at Bombay ’s Fondly called “Morvarid of the Wilson College after postgraduating in Halls ” because the halls of several arts from that College. “Among the Zoroastrian-owned community cen- galaxy whom he taught were those ters in North America have been who rose to be vice-chancellors, scho- named after her, the December- lars and educationists and cabinet January issue of The Zoroastrian from ministers, notes a press release is- California notes, “Every person, sued by Tata Services. Former Un- young and old, had a special regard for . - , - - ’ Minister of Education, Prof her...A grey-haired, frail, stooping, former chairman of Tata Services and V.K.R.V. Rao said, “He was easily meek and soft-spoken lady was always director of Tata Sons and Tata Indus- our hero, and I for one was greatly tries who played “a formative role in influenced by his charm, easy accessi- the shaping of the leading Tata institu- bility and friendly disposition... ” tions, ” on December 17,1986 in Bom- Choksi was associated with the Uni- versity of Bombay and the Bombay over North America will be lasting J.R.D.Tata, chairman of the Tata Adult Education Association. monuments of their generosity and Group, viewed Choksi as a source of “For a student of Indian manage- concern for the preservation of the strength and confidence born not only ment history, Choksi ’s outstanding Zoroastrian religion and culture, ” it from the wisdom and maturity of his and indelible achievement was the was recalled at a condolence meeting advice and actions but also from his creation of the Tata Administrative convened under the joint auspices of devotion to the ideals and traditions Service (in 1955). It was the forerun- the two Zoroastrian organizations in which had motivated the Firm since ner of every other management de- California, Zarthoshti Anjuman of the days of Jamsetji Tata. In matters velopment scheme in our coun- Northern California and Persian t Best influence within Tatas ’ Died: Rustum Dossabhoy Choksi, 84, r Choksi is survived by his wife Bhi- i( Morvarid of the Halls notes a press release is- California notes, seen present in every religious and so ­ cial gathering in Rustam Guiv Dar-e Mehr, Westminster. ” “The Dar-e-Mehrs established all Sk^ A devotion to the ideals and traditions Service (in 1955). It was the forerun- me uays or jamsetji lata, in matters velopment scheme m our coun- Northern California and Persian of personnel and human relations in try ... intended to rival the Indian Zoroastrian Organization, on January the best influence within itself that the substance, and it did, ” wrote Arun Describing her as a “great benevo- Aguiar, one-time TAS member, in the lent lady, ” president of the board of Businessindia of January 12-25, 1987. the Rustam Guiv Foundation -and particular. Professor Choksi had been Administrative Service in style and in 25,1987. the best influence within itself that the substance, and it did, ” wrote Arun Describing her as a “great benevo- . Firm has ever had. ” * ' , . . . - -— Directors, executives and em ­ ployees of Tata companies and trusts, and some of his former colleagues and employees of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences - institu- ’ tions which he nurtured amongst the large gathering who had come to pay their last respects at the Sion electric crematorium, noted an obituary in the December issue- of Tatasphere. A close associate of Choksi for almost 40 years, J.J. Bhabha, who suc ­ ceeded him as managing trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and as chair ­ man of Tata Services,was impressed by Businessindia of January 12-25, 1987 Top; Choksi, Below: Guiv (left) and Dotivala s were V’"* WTPanianaU^t^!'fS; Trust, Dr Rostam Sarfeh wrote, “The lived a modest Zoroastrian life. She Army as a lieutenant colonel. He was Zoroastrian communities shall never was intensely human...Like her hus- the seniormost pensioner of the Indian forget the noble deeds of Arbab Rus- band, she gave away all she had for the Medical Service, notes a write-up in tarn Guiv and Ms Morvarid Guiv. ” benefit of the community. She sup- The Times of India of December 5, “Her latest deeds were the purchase ported her husband silently yet strong- 1986. of the old premises of the California ly while he was alive and upon Arbab ’s As Drugs Cqutroller of Bombay, 2Soroastrian Center to help release demise (in 1981)carried on the mission Dotivala “played a leading role in (funds for ^the) new premises then single-handedly. ” framing the Government of India ’s under construction; a donation of Born in Yazd, Iran, Morvarid was Drugs Act and Rules, ” The Times’re- $80,000 for the new Dar-e Mehr Hall, married to the Arbab while still in her port continued. befittingly named the Morvarid Hall; teens and settled in Tehran. “Since and a substantial help toward the then the two were seen as almost carpets, Dotivala had at one time a establishment of the Dar-e Mehr in Siamese twins together, ” noted The priceless collection of silk and woolen San Francisco. And she has been pro- Zoroastrian write-up. For the last 12 carpets, including one gifted by the viding the funds to print this bulletin days of her life Ms Guiv was in a coma. Shah of Iran, states a write-up in the (The Zoroastrian, copies of which are She was buried next to her husband in Mid-Day of December 4. He was also reprinted and distributed in India) Rose Hills Memorial Gardens, Los a scholar of Iranian culture and civi- since its initial stages, ” her philanthro- Angeles County, pic gestures were gratefully recorded in The Zoroastrian. Battles fought and won The members of the Australian Died: Naval Maneckji Dotivala, 96, Zoroastrian Association of New South oldest recipient of the Military Cross Godrej, Feroze and Meher. Wales remembered her for granting and pioneer of drug control legislation scholarships and her contributions to- and administration in India, wards publication of Zoroastrian liter- November 30, 1986 in Bombay. ature. For his “exceptional gallantry on the The Zoroastrian Association of field of battle ” during World War I, Metropolitan Chicago conducted a Dotivala was awarded the “Immediate prayer meeting in her memory on Award ”of the Military Cross. He had January 11 when president Kayomarsh also fought for the nation in World Mehta noted in his eulogy, “Ms Guiv War II and retired from the Indian Born in Yazd, Iran, Morvarid was Drugs Act and Rules, ” The Times’re­ considered an authority-on Persian lization and founder president of the- Parsi Zoroastrian Association at La ­ hore. Dotivala is survived by his sons tv- KELVINATOR’S COOL EDGE... continued from page 67 and one son. on Adi Marzban iAn obituary on Adi Marzban, Edi ­ tor of Jam-e-Jamshed who died on February 26,1987 will be carried in the April issue of Parsiana. ELECTORAL SCHEME AMENDED... continued from page 100 change in the scheme itself. Con- ing in early 1987, four trusteeship elec- fronted by an E Register dominated by tions had been conducted with similar his rival, Ranina ingeniously invest!- strife fortunately restricted to only one Though initially claiming to have gated the list of donors , of over Rs - the Eruch Desai-Hector Mehta con- » “no profound vidsdom to pass on to the 5,000 who had not hitherto exercised frontation in October ’85 (Naoroji next generation, ” he subsequently their right to be included on the F Reg- Godrej and Jamshed Guzder had suggested, “The youth of the com- ister, persuaded them to register and come in unopposed in February ’85 munity should have the courage to be vote, together with some new donors, and January ’86 respectively and honest, to uphold their and the com- In all, Ranina was accused of “pack- Minoo Shroff proved the all-out favo- munity ’s good name. It is not impossi- ing ” the F Register with 176 votes and rite in June ’86). ble to work under these guidelines. In the CER successfully petitioned the With legal hurdles thus ironed out today ’s environment,any industry will Charity Commissioner for a stay order and a reasonable, stable body estab ­ face severe competition because the on the scheduled election. On the lished in theory by Justice Suresh, the old days of protected markets are fast BPP’s appeal however, the High community ’s chore of finding 200 men " ’ ,. of mettle within the next 12 months Almost simultaneously, Mani Dalal should not prove too difficult. Yet it and Minqo Shroff petitioned the High must be performed with care, for diminishing. If afraid of competition. Court, vacated the stay, there are very few fields where you can / ‘ succeed. ” As to Kelvinator ’s success in the Court for a change in the scheme in though its legal duties continue to be market, Desai attributes it to “Divine the interests of justice and fair play, limited to the choice of trustees, the grace ...It would be easy but untrue to Though their request for an injunction caliber and composition of the Anju- say that I provided any great lead- against the scheduled election was dis- man Committee may well determine ership or sterling qualities or for that regarded, at a joint hearing along with whether the community will end the matter that our stringent standards of the BPP after the election it was de- twentieth century with a realistic, judi- quahty have been the main factors, but cided that new donors will not be cious appraisal of its assets and liabili- unless we can be sure of His grace allowed to vote at the next election in ties or thunder to extinction like in (Desai gesticulated skyward) every- January ’85 and the BPP was in- Tennyson ’s Charge of the Light Bri- thing else would be zero. Either you structed by the Court to file its own gade when 600 gallant but confused believe in this totally, or not at all. amended scheme by March 15, 1985. rnen charged to disaster because There is no halfway... ” By the time the case came up for hear- “Theirs was not to reason why. ” amended scheme by March 15, 1985. By the time the case came up for hear- ^06 Parsiana Mardi1SB7 ¦I