May 1987

I MAY 1987 PRICE Rs 7¦ara- i'.- - '-a- i. EDITOR Jehangir Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Toddywalla ASSOCIATE EDITOR Niloofer Madon DESIGN CONSULTANT Mini Boatwala DESIGN ASSISTANTS Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez, Deborah Fernandes MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D'Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B.L. Arora CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver, Khurshid Daruwalla OFFICE Rajendra Nayak, Khurshid Panthaky, Patricia Lewis May 1987 Volume 9 Number 11 'a 3 Readers' Forum 9 Events and Personalities 15 Zoroastrians Abroad 19 Fifth World Congress in offing by Parin az Toddywalla 27 The Madressa's annexe by Arnavaz Mama 33 "Changes always upset people" 36 A resounding success by Jeroo Irani 39 Mazda here...there...and everywhere 41 The post made easy 44 A sporting community by Niloofer Madon Cover: Order of the British Empire medal conferred on Jini Dinshaw Transparency by Homyar Mistry z 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 Rs 210 for one year, Rs 400 for two 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. .1 ? .4 »f READERS’ FORUM K'Mtt. . ¦H .............. fl hiiMMHiH I i II >» navjote or a sachkar, we always re- the brashness Shown towards a very jpj- quest our panthaky-saheb to formally senior High Priest. invite the priest concerned. We think it khorshed j. marker !•»» is not just rivaj, it is good manners. MANECK KAPADIA :::: }»! ” H l»‘ »• nr. “Not fire worshippers’’ Belgaum pv^ould like to add my protest to those As one of the hundreds of admirers of of Dr Rustom Sarfeh and Dr Homi Dhalla the silent, philosophically-minded and against those who accuse Zoroastrians of modest Dasturji Minochehr-Homji, I being fire worshippers (Parsiana, find it most shocking that the Jashan February 1987). We Parsis are partly J- ¦y tv/' linCl 11 IIlUbL bnUCK.llig llldl llic Jd-blLdll JCCUlUdiy 170/VVC rcllolo die pdl Lij if Committee should adopt a reviling to blame for this misunderstanding. U attitude towards him. In the last 30 Perin Bharucha writes a lively novel K years many have attacked him, but ex- under the misnomer. The Fire Wor- ¦ cept in one or two cases, he has always shippers (1968), while the orthodox I maintained a dignified silence. He has Peshotan Peer, in an article, “Stray ¦ continued his research in Zoroas- thoughts on fire as the object of adora- I trianism and comparative philosophy, tion, ” printed in the collection of semi- ¦ Those who have attended his talks in nar papers. The Sugar in the Milk B various parts of the world have be- (1986), concludes: “After observing ¦ nefitted by his learning. He has been carefully and understanding the sig- fl taking Gatha classes for the last so nificance of fire worship, one can say fl many years. Besides,he has published without hesitation that the worship of fl prayer books which are in great de- fire is the worship of God. ” ¦ mand and also tapes of certain I prayers. I What can the Bombay Jashan Com- our beautiful Atash Nyaish, our hymn ¦ mittee have against such a dedicated, to fire, (para 7): “Fire offers to teach silent and self-effacing High Priest'.^ the sacred doctrine (Sasna) to all who Moreover, he has kept himself away approach, he the Fire of Ahura Maz- from controversies as a matter of prin- da, to all for whom he cooks the even- ciple and even when he gives an oral or ing meal and the morning meal... ” written rejoinder, it is free from harsh The ancient Iranians were not plain words. All these qualities are very stupid. They were perfectly aware that My own approach is based on the texts of our scriptures. To quote from Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Read­ ers' Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O.Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and Clarity, rarely seen in a single scholar, whom the physical fire was incapable of it »> they are trying lo belittle for perform- teaching a doctrine. Then what fire is ing a navjote, the likes of which have being referred to? been performed by the dozen in diffe- - - • rent parts of the world. The answer is given in a Gathic verse quoted towards the end of the Nyaish'. “Therefore, O Lord of Life, Considering the plethora of factors we long for Thy Fire, all-powerful, connected with the navjote episode, mighty through Truth (Asha). This en- Obstacles to a navjote How often is it said that we are our own worst enemies, that we Parsis are best when fighting amongst ourselves? Now through your columns (“Obstacles what appears to me as most out- during, blazing flame brings clear'gui- to a navjote, ” Parsiana, February 1987) rageous is the audacity of the Editor of dance and joy to the true believers, we are allowing outsiders, albeit married ----- _ to Parsis, to cause deep divisions in our community. M. C. MASANI The Par see Voice, Mr Adi F. Doctor in but as for the destruction-loving, this referring to Dastur N.D. Minochehr- quickening flame overcomes their evil Homji as “Mr!” A layman who is una- with a ‘turn of the hand ’” (Yasna ware of the difference between a das- 34.4). tur, an ervad, a mobed and himself may be excused if he prefers to use “Mr” for anybody and everybody, but “The first thought that was ever lucky to have a panthaky of his caliber. Mr Doctor is an Avesta-Pahlavi scho- thought blazed into myriads of sparks I have had the good fortune to know him for the past several years and a more principled and upright priest 1 have not met. As for rivaj, when we in Belgaum tur saheb. Differences in views and in- Ahura Mazda states: “Through Khra- want an outside priest for a wedding, a terpretations can be tolerated, but not tu (my Divine Intelligence) and Chisti • I was greatly upset to read the arti ­ cle which is a not so thinly veiled attempt to malign Ervad Nadirshah Unvalla. Any dar-e-mehr would be To understand this verse, we must turn to the Gathic view of the creation: lar, who gives lectures on religion once of light and filled the blessed expanses or twice a week, and so there can be with joy ” (Yasna 31.7). This concep- no excuse from his side to cover up the tion of the creation is again empha- disrespectful way of referring to a Das- sized in the Ahura Mazda Yasht where 3 Parsiana May 1987J' fj:. jfi ¦ I 1 . (my illumined Ray of Wisdom), life first came into being, and so shall hu ­ man existence continue till the end of time ” (para 26). In the Haptan Yasht, the role of fire is further clarified: “Through your Fire, Atar, we first of all reach up to you, O Mazda Ahura, to you. Spirit most holy. If impurity clings to a man. Fire immediately removes that impur ­ ity. “Such a man is verily overjoyed by this (manifestation of power). O Fire of Ahura Mazda, come to us through the joy of all joys in the heart of man, through the yearning of all yearnings in his prayer, for the enactment of the most glorious of all deeds. “O Fire, you are a sign of Ahura Mazda, a sign of that most holy Spirit. Among the names yoii bear, one is cal ­ led Vazishta (lightning). By that (light ­ ning penetration) may we reach up to you, O Mazda Ahura ” (Yasna 36.1-3). Two points strike one from the quotations given. The purifying fire of thought, emanating from an illumined mind, forges a pathway to Ahura Maz ­ da. Secondly, physical fire is but a “sign, ” an emblem of that fire of thought which illumines the mind of man. Ahura Mazda is life (Ahu), and He is Wisdom (Mazdam). Wisdom comes from a fully conscious and en ­ lightened mind. That mind expresses itself in the fire of thought, which, in turn, is embodied in words leading to action. That is why fire is repeatedly described as “majista yazata” the high ­ est yazata or angelic being, who can give “clear guidance and joy to the true believers ” which is what the physical fire could never do. As an emblem or “sign ” of Ahura Mazda, the physical fire is venerated in our fire-temples, being fed with sweet-smelling incense and sandal ­ wood, and also in our homes. At every ceremony, fire has to be present and is honored by being given a symbolic throne by the priest who arranges four pieces of sandalwood in a square. On this throne sits the “king, ” Atash Pad ­ shah. The physical fire thus becomes the focal point for concentration and meditation on Ahura Mazda Himself. It is never identified with Ahura Maz ­ da. I do not think our protest will have any effect upon the Vatican or on the western Press, but protest we must. For centuries it has been dinned into western minds that Zoroastrians are 1 fire worshippers. Ingrained prejudices 1 die hard. What would be more effec- ’ tive is the suggestion made by Dr Sar- feh that Iranians and Parsi Zoroas ­ trians, well versed in our religious texts, should write full-length articles in leading western newspapers and journals so that the common man may have a chance to judge for himself, on the authority of the Zoroastrian scrip ­ tures, whether the believers in this re ­ ligion are fire worshippers or not. PILOO N. JUNGALWALLA New Delhi Dr Dhalla clarifies that at Assisi, he only stated that fire, to us Zoroas ­ trians, is the symbol of divine light, that the symbol serves to remind us of Ahura Mazda whom alone we worship (“Not fire worshippers, ” Parsiana, February 1987). The Prophet ’s Gatha is non- symbolic and the one and only reality I of his Gatha is Ahura Mazda. Zoroas ­ ter is heard to say in the Gatha, “I j know nothing and nobody other than | Thou (Ahura Mazda). I only know Thee, all others I dismiss from my mind. ” Zoroaster ’s only fight was I ' j :! ! MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER To do so we offer you: Ij l’ ? ? ? ? •k ? ? ? Diploma Course in Business Management (Postal) (IMC) Banking: C.A.LI.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 I !i^- i ? J PLUS Electronic Typewriting and Word Processing Q3 Enquire at: Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Bombay 400 023 Tel. 2871185 -3 1 4 Parsiana May 1987 b UiMaUUeena COMPANY 1 IATA Approved Air Cargo, Clearing, Forwarding, I Sea-Air Service, Warehousing Agents. 10, Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Bombay-400 023. Cable: “JUSTITIA” Telex: 2313 Phone:2042032 BRANCHES: 1 ADVERTS No.2, Lavelle Road, Bangalore-560 001. 205, Gera Chambers, Off Boat Club Road, Pune-411 001. Phone: 65942 “Jeena House”, 50, Hanuman Road, Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110 001. Phone: 310821 E.Merc House, 19/B, Shakespeare Sarani, Calcutta-700 071. Phone:444711 No.6, Jaffar Syrang Street, Madras-600 001. Phone:26215 Devtha Plaza, C. 14, Residency Road, Bangalore-560 025. Phone: 26215 against worship by symbols - idolatry. In the later A vesta, it is clear to see that fire is a useful element in the ser ­ vice of humanity, to cook man ’s food for his health, to burn away rubbish for his hygiene and to run industries for his prosperity. For this, fire may be revered, not worshipped, dara cama direct vote. a Electoral scheme amended In 1981, the Committee for Electoral Rights (CER) won with a thumping majority in the E Register and the Committee of United Zoroastrians (CUZ) received a crushing defeat. Mr B.K. Mistry had then advised that the F Register could be inflated by donating Rs 5,000 simply to purchase a vote. The result was that the F Register rose from 300 to 700 and odd within a period of six years. Of course, F Regis ­ ter voters became a controlling power for the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship elections. In the revised scheme, endorsed by the High Court, these F Register vo ­ ters have lost their purchasing power. Only the present donors of Rs 50,000 and more (whose number is hardly 20 at present, according to the CER ver ­ sion) have a direct vote. The mushroom voters of Rs 5,000 are the real sufferers as they will have to elect their representatives (100, less those who have donated above Rs 50,000) on the F Register. Hence, one may ex ­ pect mudslinging, street campaignsand bitter controversy in the near future. Same is the case with the E Regis ­ ter. This will also consist of 100 mem ­ bers. Hence, we may expect in future CER, CUZ, Council of Vigilant Parsis (CO VP), Ilme-Kshnumists, Pundo- lites. Independents, etc. Any way, this new system is a bles ­ sing in disguise. This shows that Khuda-ni darharma der che parantoo andher nathi (God ’s justice is slow but sure). ” A. K. KATHAWALLA “The 11 days’ controversy” I have read Mr Darius Sethna ’s letter (‘•The 11 days ’ controversy, ''Parsiana, January, 1987). To me it seems that Mr Sethna has revealed lack of know ­ ledge of the religion of Zarathushtra. Also, it seems that Mr Sethna is prone to making untrue statements,as for ex ­ ample his statement concerning the late Dasturji Sohrab Kutar. (Sethna had said that barring Dasturs Kutar continued on page 48 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 Zaveri Bazar Bombay 400002 (A/c Show-Room) Govt approved valuers Tel 325422 342638 342639 251118 Business Hours 11 am to 7 pm I I f a 7 Parsiana May 1987F t Help Vyara Agiary I i Events and Personalities Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman ” and for- and pap smear tests. The center is ex ­ warded to the president. Dr pected to maintain full confidentiality The president and trustees of the B.P.Jokhi, Prem Sagar, Mahadev and give each patient a complete re- Vyara-Songadh Parsi Zarthosti Anju- Street, Vyara, District Surat, 394630. cord of the results. The data will be man at Vyara, Gujarat have appealed to Zoroastrians all over the world for Cancer detection Center donations to help rebuild the Vyara A cancer detection center for Parsi Agiary. Vyara, a small town located in women has recently been started at the . , the eastern corner of the jungle area of Lady Jehangir Health Unit in Gama- Mew Wing at BoyS lOWn Gujarat, opened an agiary and a hall dia Colony, Tardeo, noted a report in for festive occasions on November 20, The Bombay Samachar of April 19. 1895, notes their appeal. Today, The higher incidence of cancer of the gurated on March 29 by Pune indus- however, the wooden pillars have rot- breast, uterus and ovaries among Parsi ted and are sinking slowly. In spite of women compared to women from being repaired four times in the past 10 other communities may perhaps be years, the building is deteriorating and due to late marriage, infrequent J.N.Marshall Technical Wing offers is, they say, in danger of collapsing. Experts have advised the board of the report, trustees to raze the building to the ground and rebuild it. However, re- due to the lack of knowledge about the construction of the Agiary will cost ab ­ out eight to 10 lakhs of rupees, a sum the local Parsis are unable to raise as tected in the early stages. Since cancer they belong mainly to the lower mid- starts with very minor symptoms, a die class^ notes the appeal. In spite of yearly checkup by a gynecologist is an the contributions of the members of important precaution, especially for the Anjuman, the amount collected is far behind the target. Contributions will be acknowledged pm and on Saturdays from 8.30 to 10 by the Anjuman ’s official stamped re- am, the center offers a full medical ex- ceipt. Cheques or drafts may be made amination by a lady gynecologist as out in favor of the “Vyara-Songadh well as blood sugar, urine, blood count computerized every year to note and update information on the incidence of cancer among Parsi women. A new technical wing at the Boys ’ Town Public School, Nasik was inau- trialist J.N.Marshall, whose donation had made the building possible, states a press release from the School. The breastfeeding and low fertility, states students training as fitters and wire ­ men. Students will'now be able to Preventive treatment is not possible exact cause of cancer, but the disease is said to be completely curable if de- woraen over 40, adds the report. Open on Wednesdays from 2 to 3 9 Parsiana May 1987 - Above: At Boys’ Town School (from left) Marshall, Behram Mehta and Desai Left: Blueprint of Vyara Agiary offer these additional optional subjects at the SSC level and will be given priority for admission into technical in ­ stitutions, adds the release. Formerly, at the School ’s P.N.Mehta Vocational Craft Centre,hobby classes in technol ­ ogy used to acquaint students with the fitter ’s course^, electrical maintenance, woodwork technology, plumbing and engineering drawing. Marshall and his family, and chief guests Vinay Pathak, chief executive officer of the Zilla Parishad, Nasik, and his wife were welcomed by repre- J tI j i .i ! ! i sentatives of the School and the P.N.Mehta Trust: principal Bejon De ­ sai, trustee Behram P. Mehta and edu ­ cational advisor to the Trust, Soli Pav- ri. Declaring open the new wing, Mar ­ shall urged the students to take advan ­ tage of this opportunity to study tech ­ nical subjects. Patuck’s golden jubilee The Patuck Technical High School celebrated its golden jubilee at a func- ri. Declaring open inc new iticax shall urged the students to take advan- £.Ee-t856H38B 4 ,X 5 * * n X) 1 •n X) z *•* 4 o cn -0 I 1.^ : o O c i 3 L The Patuck Technical High School celebrated its golden jubilee at a func ­ tion held on February 28, 1987 at Bombay ’s Dinanath Mangeshkar Natyagrih, according to a press re- loase IL-X - — vice-chancellor of the University of Bombay was the guest of honor and Dr V. Subramaniam, Maharashtra s minister for housing, was t.._ ----- guest. Tracing the growth and develop ­ ment of the institution. Prof Rustam the development of vocational and d Despatch and Courier technical education in India. ihe /ijiernouo r Believing that only technical skills Dinanath Mangeshkar ¦lb MB » rm, accuidiiig .. pre:: “¦ ,4, fame* .SVlmu/bsuMcn/iiMec (/rum Zyp Si,b™,™nw^M^ Dr (Ms) Mehroo Bengalee, j Patuck member of the organizing board (Above right) i>nrojj At the Patuck School's the J.N.Tata Endowment, also spoke the chief on the occasion. Shroffs fifth film USA-based filmmaker Ms Beheroze Shroff ’s fifth film, which is based on • Virgins by Ms Kamla (ADC) of April 15. Shroff and her colleague Ms Lindy Laub Karnataka, that the audience for the kind of with me, ” notes Shroff Shroff ’s involvement in filmmaking began at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she had gone in 1975 to study English literature on a J.N.Tata Endowment Fellowship. Af ­ ter four years of studying English liter ­ ature, doubts about its practical use made her switch courses: from litera ­ ture to teaching English as a second language, and then to critical studies in filmmaking. While this course too was completely academic, it required each student to make a film to understand made the film (Expectations), I knew there was no turning back. ” Shroff ’s return to India has made and vocational training could give the American X^Tpe'l'.XZnSSo^ Smr» smaen. .0 m.e a mm .o in^932 puThiT Naval, Naseeruddin Shah and Amol the nature of the medium. ^en^^^ 111 __PalcVQr nn their tale lakhs of rupees into a 1» — — promotion of technical education. The School originally gave specialized J^sed training in spinning, weaving a.._ - runs S inX;r(;sld “r987)’a’nd submissive, gentle the Patuck Junior College tional (estd 1986). Having moved from its old premises at Kandivli and Andheri to its own campus in Santac ­ ruz East, the School has a well- . 3 car ­ smithy, moulding, fitting, ¦ -3 as trust for the Palekar on their talent-shopping list Shroff ’s tour previous films have to- I on Indians and Indian themes. and Her first. Expectations, handicrafts, notes a press release^ runs^^the Patuck Polytechnic High how she School (estd 1936), the PatuckJndusF the Patuck Junior College the “made arpar. her nostalgic. Td love to come back of her course in critical studies in film- ® beginning." perceived as an Asian Essayists encoufaged woman in Los Angeks^-meek, s { -/ ¦ ffh iiQA erouDS at the Rathestar Mandal- Voca- stereotyped irnpressions of the USA.essav competition on Shah Her second film. Sweet ----- - Sikhs of Yuha City, dea\t with the 8,000 member Sikh fruit farming communhy in Northern California. “I was fasciri- ated by the fact that while most Indi ­ ans abroad are technocrats, this group consists of farmers, and some speak Nilooter only Punjabi though they ’ve lived in Girls stood first in all the four age- groups at lie r-- Jail: The organized essay competition Namah characters Zal and Rodabeh which was held on February 7 at Lady Jehangir High School, Tardeo, accord ­ ing to a press release. The winners were Sherzadi Jamshed Khambatta, Minoo Irani, Parizad Tehmurasp Sidhwa and Nazneen Jam ­ shed Hodiwalla. In addition to cash prizes, the three ‘ J technical high school catering to the Later Shrott Sir Horm^usfi Cowasjee AdenwaL western suburbs between Bandra and ° g. : lqs Angeles la Proficiency Medals of Firdausi Tusi. SIS.:: . ........................ ...... at Kandivli and equipped workshop, comprising pentry, Suii,,*;, ------ •-< machine-shop and welding sections 1 Pnniabi thougn iney ve uveu m ........... . made a Irani, technical library, notes the release, it me cjo _____________ _ '’TateV made a short best in each age-group were presented Bandra and documentary on a Gujarati woman who runs a motel in the Los Angeles board of the Patuck dowry murders - A Mother's Lament. organizing st^ggle -for money Since she makes films outside the Hol- .1 and fame like chayet trustee and Bombay University vice-chancellor Dr (Ms) Mehroo Ben ­ galee gave away the prizes at the annual function on March 1, at which 11 Parsiana May 1987,•3 “ly ^r <* ¦t i, '!• E1:«! 1 ¦F 1^ i'i ii Pi ft I t ¦¦ SO s in Melbourne at the end of this year, 3 she will have to pay her fare herself. ’ Calling for government support, Panthaki explains, “The government I wants results (before encouraging) any I sport and we veterans are doing much ~ better than the youngsters. At least 50 I to 60 percent of us get gold medals in " international meets. We should be given support. ” Young achiever Zahir Fardoon Soonawalla, who won all the eight prizes and scholarships of the Bombay University including the Fenelon Bossuet Godhino Gold Medal Hotel ’s regular guests and its corpo- for the first year MBBS (Bachelor of ....... J Medicine and Surgery) examination. Prior to this appointment Billimoria has been included in the prestigious L 35 Z o Q z o z From left: Niloufer Billimoria, Soonawalla and Panthaki Cowasjee Dinshaw presided. Founded in Bombay in 1911 by rate clientele in the city Khurshedji J.B.Wadia, Boman S. F _ Banaji, Burjorji Framji Bharucha and headed the Hotels ’ department of International Youth in Achievement, Jehanbux Bomanshaw Vatcha, “the advertising and publicity. Having publishedby thelnternationalBiog- aim of the Mandal is general ameliora- joined Obcroi Hotels ’ guest relations raphical Centre in Cambridge, Eng- tion of the Parsi community and ser- department in 1981, Billimoria was la- land, notes a press release. This is a vice of the Motherland. ” The Mandal ter transferred to sales and specialized biographical reference work publiciz- tries to do this through “the celebra ­ tion of the birth and death anniversar ­ ies ” of Zarathushtra, “the populariza ­ tion of Persian and other epics, ” and Among the 45 athletes representing ing the academic and professional suc ­ cesses of young people from all over the world. Son of eminent surgeon Fardoon gives prizes to encourage Parsi boys India at the International Veterans Phiroze Soonawalla, Zahir also bag- and girls Athletic Championships in Singapore, ged five prizes of the G.S.Medical Col- . slated for April, was Maki Panthaki, a lege and K.E.M.Hospital, and a Billimoria strikes gold 47-year-old Bangalore housewife and National Council of Educational Re- Cawas Billimoria, bronze medalist in mother of three, noted a report in The search and Training (NCERT) Scho- judo at the 1986 Asian Games, won his Afternoon Despatch and Courier of larship of the Government of India for first international gold medal at the April 8. The Indian team, one of the his performance at the All-India five-nation South Asia Judo Cham- 12 to participate in the Cham- National Talent Search Examination, pionship held on March 2 and 3 at pionships, was led by 95-year-old Baba An all-rounder, Zahir has represented Kathmandu, Nepal, notes a press re- Prithvi Singh Azad, who has won the Cathedral and John Connon High lease from the Judo Federation of In- seven golds in the two previous World School, Jai Hind College and the dia. Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakis- Championships held at Puerto Rico G.S.Medical College in a variety of tan and Sri Lanka were the five coun- (1983) and Rome (1985). sports events including boxing, gym- . tries that participated. Billimoria, one of the seven mem- „ , bers of the Indian judo team which ticipants and 40 for male participants, won the Championship with two gold and one brohze medal, won all his meet, Panthaki ran more than nine bouts in the openweight category with in advertising and publicity. Veteran athlete One of the criteria for qualification nasties, swimming, hockey, cricket is a minimum age of 35 for female par- and football. While preparing for the Singapore ¦J . I kilometers every day. She was careful ‘Ippons, ’ i.e. the highest possible about her diet too: “I’ve realized that score. Khurshed Pastakia, leader of when I take off weight, I do better. Panthaki won tw'o bronze medals in the 1985 Asian meet in Singapore, and four gold medals in the Veterans ’ Yet another Parsi, Kerfegur Nationals in Bangalore in February last, states the report. A good sportswoman in school and college, she has represented Bombay State and Bombay University in hock ­ ey tournaments. After her marriage to Oberoi Hotels, Bombay is Ms NiToufer Jimi Panthjiki, “a good swimmer, ” she Billimoria, states a press release. Her current post will involve liaising with the local, domestic and international Press, and keeping in touch with the . Khurshed Pastakia, leader of when I take off weight, I do better. ” the Indian team, became the first Indi ­ an, along with Ravindra Patil, to re ­ feree an international judo tourna ­ ment. Doctor, accompanied the team as an official, adds the release. Oberoi’s PR manager The new public relations manager of shifted to Bangalore, reared three chil ­ dren and continued playing for local clubs. If she is selected for the world meet To our readers In response to the consistent de ­ mand from our readers and advertisers to bring out all issues of Parsiana in the color cover format, Parsiana will do so effec ­ tive July. As additional reader service, for which there have been regu ­ lar requests, a column on births, marriages and deaths will also be introduced in the July issue. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our grati ­ tude to our advertisers and sub ­ scribers for their generous and extended support. 12 Parsiana May 19871 ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD I Ownership update Arbab Rustam Guiv Darbe Mehr per- tions to renew for five years at a time; manently on the property. At this sug- all taxes levied on the property be paid The Rustam Guiv Foundation ¦ has gestion Arbab got very much upset by the Guiv Foundation (hitherto the fired a fresh salvo in its continuing tus- and told me adamantly, ‘No! ’ He ex- property, being owned by a religious sle with the Zoroastrian Association of plained that (for) any big donation of organization, had been tax exempt); a Greater New York (ZAGN^Y) for this size in any part of the world, he written agreement from the Guiv ownership of the New York Darbe has donated the use of the property by Foundation guaranteeing that $5,000 Mehr at La Rochelle. An undated let- the local communities and not the — ¦ • ¦ - • ter from the Foundation ’s president ownership. The ownership he would Dr Rostam Sarfeh, addressed to the keep for the Foundation of Rustam ty; ZAGNY to have appropriate rep ­ community at large, noting that the Guiv which was under his personal ” late Arbab Rustam Guiv had released direction while he lives and it will be funds for the purchase of the property under the supervision of the trustees of under certain specific terms. Was re ­ ceived by Parsiana on April 10, 1987. To shore up the claim of the Founda- currently vests with the Arbab Rustam tion, Sarfeh annexed a copy of a letter Guiv (ARG) Trust which was estab- dated September 11, 1976 from Rus- lished in 1976 under the legal and tax cember 15, 1985 the transfer proposal tarn Guiv to Erach Munshi, then presi- requirements of New York. was “overwhelmingly ” rejected and dent of ZAGNY, stating eight condi- As per its constitution and bylaws, instead it was resolved to form a sub- tions to his donation. the Trust has three representatives committee to look into the matter. In The most relevant clause notes, from the Foundation and three from the meanwhile, the Guiv Foundation “The property must not be subject to ZAGNY - the president being always had agreed partially to the ZAGNY any liens or claims against the Zoroas- from the Foundation, empowered with conditions except those of having the trian Association of Greater New the casting vote in case of ties, notes attorney general approve the transfer York Incorp. ” Two other conditions Sarfeh. The original trustees were and of signing all documents simul- noted, “If ZAGNY becomes inactive Rustam Guiv, Rostam Sarfeh, Erach taneously. or is dissolved, the proceeds from the Munshi, Ervad Pervez' Patel, Lovji sale of the property should be transfer- Cama and Framroze Patel. Wrote Sar- red to the donor, i.e. the Rustam Guiv feh, “This procedure worked smoothly Arbab Rustam Guiv Darbe Mehr per ­ manently on the property. At this sug- the foundation after he is deceased. ” The ownership of the Darbe Mehr As per its constitution and bylaws, the Trust has three representatives I !t i I J per year will be paid to ZAGNY for maintenance and repair of the proper- resentation on the Trust which will own the property; the attorney general of the State of New York approves the transfer; and all the necessary docu ­ ments are signed simultaneously. At a general meeting of the Zoroas- trian community of New York on De- Arbab had intended to donate the rumors property to the Zoroastrians of New York. Others present felt that the transfer was necessary in view of the other Zoroastrian organization - the Iranian Zoroastrian Organization - The individuals who had been in ­ volved in the purchase of the Darbe Mehr and who were present for the Foundation in Tehran, to be used until the Arbab ’s decease in October meeting were of the opinion that the either for other charitable purposes or 1980 (throughout which no questions the purchase of another piece of prop- were posed ) Thereafter, erty for the use of ZAGNY or for any started as to the true ownership of the Zoroastrian association in the US, so property... ” He further alleges, “con- far as the same does not conflict with tinuous and numerous meetings have the Religious Corporation Law of the been held with ZAGNY’s past offic- State of New York; ” and “The donor ers, (and) its members at large, and being formed which, as per the current has the right to appoint a representa- although at times, some of the original live who will be a member of the con- signatories have agreed to sign for the trolling body of the property to see correction of ownership docum- fee for its hire. According to yet that the association carries out its acti ­ vities according to the wishes of the donor. ” The rest of the conditions dealt with required fixtures in the Darbe Mehr actually belongs to the Darbe Mehr hall and the prohibition Zoroastrian community of New York of gambling and political activity on and that the transfer of ownership the premises. could take place only if agreed to by Sarfeh notes, “When the Arbab was members of the Zoroastrian tommun- Yes to the Federation invited to the USA to be present at the ity of New York, was spelt out in their The Zoroastrian Society of Ontario inauguration ceremony, the under- earlier newsletters. However, no in- (ZSO) has decided to join the Federa- signed (Sarfeh) being unaware of the timation of ZAGNY’s current position tion of Zoroastrian ’Associations of certificate of incorporation signed by has reached Parsiana. North America (FEZANA) the three ZAGNY officers, mentioned * to Arbab that probably it is to his stipulated six conditions for negotiat- fee of $500 (approximately Rs 6,435), advantage to donate the property to ing the transfer. They are: ZAGNY notes a report on the proceedings of ZAGNY with the only condition that get a new five-year lease on the Darbe the extraordinary general meeting of ZAGNY should keep the name of Mehr property, with successive op- the Association held on January 10, ents, they have reneged on their pro ­ mise. ” ZAGNY’s contention, that the earlier newsletters. However, no in ­ timation of ZAGNY’s current position 15 Parsiana May 1987 situation, is unable to use the Darbe Mehr hall unless it pays a stipulated another point of view, if the property no longer belongs to ZAGNY then it is not feasible for ZAGNY to spend the $10,000 to 12,000 annually on its repairs as against the $5,000 given by the Guiv Foundation. as a ZAGNY’s October 1985 newsletter founder member and pay the annual'1 ¦d j ' I J ’ 31 ’ ;; ] I V-i a' •’J * v'l House “for free, to spend a night with friends/families or as a camp over the weekend, or even a second honey ­ moon, ” assuring them “complete Dinyar privacy! ” Topical released Sarfeh, Prof Kaikhosrov Irani and Dr The first issue of The Topical, the ; Zoroastrian community magazine of Meherabab the United Kingdom was published on March 21, 1987 as planned. The 17- ¦ , which contains five pages of advertisements, covers such diverse topics as recent events, a true-life ex ­ perience, a fashion section, a tale from Zoroastrian mythology, money mat ­ ters, a readers ’ forum, a feature on Zoroastrian festivals, a history column vi. i.v.v7—Tamboli; Pakistan representative the"request'^of the • Dhan Ghadiyali; Iran representative nloVof land for Bailey Irank Meherwan Sepoy, Burjor F .. t T____ T^i n\zar Tamboli; 1987, in ZSO’s March newsletter. IrM^ans^at the meeting, th^e board has Rustom decided to purchase “a p---------------- . . scattering of ashes and burial of bodies Magol, Jamshid Falahati, of Zorolstrians, their spouses, and Hakhamaneshi and Ms their children, ” i.«.------- Accordingly, the executive committee notes the newsletter, gara; USA representatives Dr Rost^ /ACCOrUlimiV , me cAevunw^ vwi......vv~~ ---------- through its religious subcommittee has Kersey been entrusted with the task of nego- Meheraban Zarthosti Meherabab Fafhangi and Dr Russi Balsara; Singa ­ pore representative Dadi Balsara and page issue, Australian representative Noshir Ira- ni. were Fund-raising conccrt ---------- — - . _ Wr,rlH ctrnlian ZoroaStriail AsSOCiatiOU Z,oroasiliail icsuvais, a 7F-"x “A":iE;r.i Roda Mistry, Nani Palkhivala, Burjor In me ‘“’‘'‘fTu,! a 7a a nnrtrait of Zarathushtra Aga, Dadi Engineer and Dinshaw been invited to make use of the AZA a portrait ot zaratnusnira. tiating for the land and will present a report on its findings at a future meet ­ ing, states the news item. WZO office-bearers elected at the September 7, 1986 In aid of their building fund the Au- Zoroastrian se„,a,ives Ho™ ™eyarkhan,^ Ms Sers have -g *=^00400 skyjine^ and Dinshaw been invited to make use of the AZA MAZDA ESTATES 8e EIMAMCE PRIVATE LIMITED For Land, Residential Flats, Shops 8f Commercial Premises, Estate Advisory Services 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 Hatdi, Havsari 396445 Tel: 3249 .16 Parsiana May,1987POLITICS AND POLICY I Fifth World Congress in offing World meet tentatively scheduled for end 1988/early 1989 Parinaz Toddywalla 0 The Federation and BPP sponsored hanging from the projecting eaves lent The Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress reneurship category, so also would chairs to accommodate the invitees, may be held in the last quarter of 1988 second place awards be offered to guests and friends of the local Daman or the beginning of 1989. The im- other willing financiers. Anjuman. Brightly colored streamers, promptu, informal announcement was — - made by Bombay Parsi Punchayet day-care center will initially operate a festive air to the proceedings. (BPP) trustee Jamshed Guzder at the from two flats at Dadar. Working pa- On behalf of the Surat Parsi Pun ­ executive council meeting of the Fed- rents should now be able to leave their chayet (SPP) which hosted the meeting eration of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans children in the hands of trained per- in Devka, president Dr Sam Bhacca ex- of India at Oliaji ’s Duke ’s Hotel in sonnel. tended a welcome to all the members. Devka on March 28,1987. Guzder was A new subcommittee is to be Oliaji ’s Hotel in Devka represents a chairman of the Third and the Fourth formed under the chairmanship of blend of the modern and the old world World Congress. Follow-up measures Guzder to work on the paramobeds where mental peace and natural beau- on what was “resolved, partially re- scheme. Laity, volunteering to work ty is found, emphasized Bhacca,appre- solved and unresolved ” at the end of on an honorary or paid basis, will now ciating Dosabhai Oliaji ’s involvement each of the five business sessions (de- be trained in the performance of cer- in the function “as if there has been a liberating on the condition of Zoroas- tain permissible rituals. wedding in his own family. ” A special trian settlements, bettering com- The Federation ’s monthly English welcome was also extended to Maneck trian settlements, bettering com ­ munication, relevance of Zoroastrian- newsletter ’s continuity for another Gheyara, former president of the SPP ism, findings of modern research and year is assured with several delegates and the last surviving founder member formation of a world body) at the promising to sponsor or to find spon- of the Federation who was recovering Fourth Congress will be tackled and sors on behalf of their anjuman. from an operation on a fractured leg. implemented by core committees. The Delhi Parsi Anjuman will host Another dignitary who addressed Sponsors have been found for all the an all-India youth seminar during the the Federation delegates was chief nine awards instituted by the Federa- Dassera/Diwali holidays in October to minister of Goa, Daman and Diu Pra- tion to recognize excellence in diffe- involve the youth in community affairs tapsing Raoji Rane, who according to rent fields of endeavor. The annual and seek to discuss issues concerning Golwalla had “added luster to the awards will be presented to the win- religion, administration, employment, function. ” Reminding the gathering ners for the first time at a special func- and marriage of Parsi youth. assembled at the specially erected sha- tion in Bombay in early September The Delhi Parsi Anjuman will host i “There seems to be a record attend- miana on the shores of Devka that . which will coincide with the executive ance at this Federation meeting, ” re- they owed their gratitude to the Hindu committee meeting of the Federation, marked BPP chairman and Federation King Jadav Rana who permitted the informed Federation ’s east zone vice- president Dr Aspi Golwalla after sur- Parsis to settle in India, Bhacca refer- president Homi Bodhanwalla. veying the venue of the meeting — the red to the honor of being addressed by In addition to the nine awards of Rs courtyard adjoining the rooms at another Rane after 1300 years (1000 10,000 each. Federation ’s joint honor- Koover Bagh at Hotel Duke ’s. At the years is closer — Editor). Inviting Par- ary secretary Keki Gandhi clarified two main tables, spread with burgundy sis to start their enterprises in Goa, that just as trustee of the Delhi Parsi red table cloths, the delegates sat fac- Rane was hopeful that more Parsis will Anjuman Rusi Engineer had spon- ing each other while the central aisle now start taking an interest in politics, sored a second award (at a cost of Rs provided a free passageway. Behind “Daman owes much to your enterprise 5,000) in the small scale entrep- the main tables were parallel rows of and outlook, ” said Rane. 19 Parsiana May 1987IF I t? The Engineers - Rusi and Homai - who have their Industrial Boilers com ­ plex in nearby Vapi had invited Rane, on behalf of the SPP and the Federa ­ tion, and also arranged for a flypast by the coast guard. r k f k' •• ¦ Si- Long to belong The latest additions to the Federation family are Pardi and Hubli whose membership was accepted subject to their completing certain requisite for ­ malities. The strength of the Federa ­ tion now stands at 57. Golwalla, who was gratified to see in Devka the largest ever attendance at a Federation meeting, was “more anxious that anjumans which were once members, like Bangalore and Ahmedabad, should rejoin. Why aren ’t the big anjumans coming? ” Taking the issue lightly Nariman Bal- sara of Saronda replied, “Don ’t ask for reasons. Just persuade them. (It ’s like) rajhath, strihath and balhath (the obstinacy of the government, the woman and the child which cannot be questioned). If we could melt Navsari (the orthodox anjuman which did not join the Federation for several years), we should be able to do the same with Bangalore. ” Gandhi was more wary: “The deci ­ sion to join the Federation vests with the anjuman. Ours is not a political body, so lobbying for membership would not be considered dignified. The Federation will welcome any and trust ’s assistance and involvement war- everyone. We do not want to create dissension in any anjuman. If I could get the mailing lists of these anjumans Bombay will be followed by one at I would post the Fed Newsletter to all Jamshedpur in December and the first the members so that the individuals meeting of 1988 will be hosted by the could decide on the utility of the Fed- Vyara - Songadh Anjuman which is eration. ” celebrating its silver jubilee. The announcement that K.S. Pavri of Ahmedabad would be attending the Rallying on religious topics meeting in Devka as an observer had “Mobeds in Bombay are right now on raised hopes in some quarters that a very good wicket, that is why we are Ahmedabad might be contemplating thinking of paramobeds (to serve out- rejoinimj the Federation. But Pavri station anjumans), declared the Fed- ' ... ... «I I _ .cV - ______ _ ____knnnrarv tr/^QClirf*r *! Above: Desai (left) with Gheyara Right: Rane (at the mike) with Golwalla (left) and Bodhanwalla Federation invariably led to local issues being deferred unduly. Nargol (in Gujarat) and Neemach (in Madhya Pradesh) are the Federa ­ tion ’s prospective members expected to join the body shortly. Deciding not to accept membership of Zoroastrian trusts working for the social and economic welfare of Zoroastrians on the Federation ’s body, it was agreed that Golwalla and Gandhi would be authorized to invite a trust to a Federation meeting if the ranted it. The next Federation meeting in 1 FAT I the paid paramobeds who will be working full-time for monetary gains, our idea was to train volunteer para ­ mobeds who would serve their anju- mans in an honorary capacity or on a part-time paid basis. ” Not favoring the idea of unpaid joint honorary treasurer voluntary paramobeds Nargolwala celebrating its silver jubilee. could not finally make it to the Federa ­ tion meeting. The Bangalore Anjuman is yet not decided on rejoining the Federation. Since its resignation in 1981 the ques ­ tion of rejoining has been raised time were eration ’s joint honorary treasurer voluntary paramooeos iMargoiwaia Peshotan Nargolwala who was upset doubted whether anyone would be that anjumans which had earlier con- willing to serve in that capacity. sented to pay a minimum promised Gandhi: Homi Dandiwalla (president salary, of Rs 1,000 to the paramobeds of the Allahabad Anjuman) is willing. now refusing to commit them- Nargolwala: And I’ve told him he will not succeed. Gandhi: That may be your opinion. refusing to commit them- and again but decision deferred each selves. Gandhi explained. The ques- time. A common reason cited by some t..:,/. cf 2” , , . .. of the trustees for Bangalore ’s staying the employer-employee relationship. Nargolwala: And who will bear the away from the Federation, as reported It is the law of demand and supply, cost of training? by Gandhi was that debating on the Why ask the anjumans to state a price Gandhi: It was decided at the last worthiness'and unworthiness of the for a hypothetical product? Besides meeting that the Federation, the BPP tion of remuneration is dependent on 20 Parsiana-Msy 1987 LI - ........... . Gandhi: Simultaneously voluntary pa- serve as a pallbearer 60 times). There ramobeds could serve the purpose of are no vultures frequenting our dokh- an anjuman where volunteers are ready. There is no reason why anju ­ mans who are able to depute volun ­ teers should have to wait until the pro- should be religious reforms. ” Golwalla fessionals are trained. Besides, the did not permit him to digress from the professionals will have a price-tag subject: “You can ’t talk all sorts of which the poorer anjumans may not be things. ” able to afford. BPP trustees Eruch Desai and •k The Pardi representative T.E. Pardi- Minoo Shroff suggested that the walla wanted to highlight that at their modalities of the paramobed project agiary there were two aged mobeds be worked out by the proposed sub- but Bulsar and Billimora (in committee which will be formed under Gujarat) had no mobeds. It is difficult Guzder ’s chairmanship. The responsi- to find mobeds and khandhias when bility fell on Guzder ’s shoulders as someone dies. Despite being a lawyer, Golwalla considered him to be the best he had often to volunteer to act as a suited: “He is the most religious pallbearer. "'Me amna soodhi saath among our BPP trustees, going to the khand maarich (To date I have had to fire-temple every day. mas, and I’ve seen bodies just de ­ caying there. Yet our priests refuse to pray if a family opts for a burial. There Guzder, and the anjuman concerned would share the cost. Nargolwala: I am more interested in the regular cadre of paid paramobeds. Not those playing cricket on Sundays. Dandiwalla: Why are yoii against voluntary paramobeds? Nargolwala: It will not succeed be ­ cause only a few days back you were in Neemach. What will then happen to the Allahabad fire? Gandhi: Training of both types of pa ­ ramobeds should proceed simul ­ taneously. If you have no confidence in the project for voluntary para ­ mobeds then you assume responsibil ­ ity only for training the paid ones and I will organize the training of volunteer paramobeds. Nargolwala: Let the paid paramobeds be trained first. The voluntary group can come later. I’m going on record as stating that voluntary paramobeds will not serve the mobedi shortage prob ­ lem. »«w. f ¦'*' I - k s K / Top: Guzder Above: Bhacca reading a welcome address to Rane Above left: Oliaji offering a rose Left: Gandhi (wearing topi) talking to Minocher Contractor accepting the chairmanship, replied: “I go to the fire-temple because of my association with God and not the mobeds! ” , When the smaller anjumans were given an opportunity to voice their concern on issues of importance to their anjuman, several representatives spoke on subjects connected with reli ­ gion. Rusi Engineer taking up cudgels for the Hubli delegate complained that the larger anjumans (like Madras) ¦ with more money power were trying to ’’ distract mobeds diligently serving the smaller anjumans and trying to entice them away. Explaining the prevailing situation in the case of the Jal Phiroz Clubwala Dar-e-Meher in Madras, Mani Clubwala was apologetic, “Sorry 21 Parsiana May 1987•/i; marriage ceremony was performed under the customs and scriptures of any other religion which required him/ her to embrace that religion, the per ­ son would henceforth cease to be rec ­ ognized as a Zoroastrian. When Dinshaw Anklesaria of Poona asked Golwalla, “What would you advise? ” Golwalla ’s immediate reply was “Ask the dasturs, not me. But according to rivaj (tradition) she would not be considered a Zoroastrian if she has married outside the fold. ” From left: Kavasji Modi, Rusi Engineer and Homai Engineer Though Desai claimed to be una- .... , ware of any such rivaj, Golwalla na ­ if you feel we are snaring away your Pervez Avari of Poona said, “There rrated an incident during his trus- mobed. We are desperate because r“- ---- ’ ’ ¦ ¦¦ ours is an adaran (if there is no priest three priests-in-charge have different the geh sarna of a lady, they to tend it, the fire ’s status would be ” r------j , reduced to that of a dadgah). ” Refus ­ ing to be placated. Engineer insisted. ¦ 1 » I \ i n I- 6 >*1 Hi A , t .’j ware of any such rivaj, Golwalla na- are three agiaries in Poona and all teeship tenure when after performing were in ­ views on religion. ” Guzder then reported a recent inci- formed that she had been married to a Muslim. It was thereafter decided to dent that is believed to have occurred confine the body to the chotra (a - ' \ , four-walled structure open to the sky where a Zoroastrian lady married to a at doongerwadi),used chiefly for cast- -7 bodies of illegitimates, prosti ­ tutes, menstruating women and dis ­ ease torn bodies. Lest the discussions on religious _ ____i W3S explained that under the prevailing quick to point out, “We have not ------------------------------------------------ broken the code of not discussing con- to three agiaries in a mohalla (locality) the community ceases to be recognized asked (these questions) from the floor and dearth of mobeds, the answer lies as a Zoroastrian. Acknowledging the of the house, we have only imparted in the amalgamation of fires. ” right of individual anjumans to act in factual information about known cus- Faced with an unprecedented situa- conformity with their own views, Gan- tion where a Zoroastrian lady married dhi cited the definition of a Parsi to a Christian but wearing a sudreh- Zoroastrian as recognized under the kusti on her death wanted to be con- prevailing Parsi law: If a Zoroastrian Plans for prosperity signed to the dokhma, the Parsi marrying a non-Zoroastrian under the Approximately 30 Parsi children be- Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunder- civil rights continues practising his/her abad and Hyderabad (PZASH) were religion, the person would be consi- __ _______ ___ _ about to grant permission when they dered a Zoroastrian. However, if the dian care ” at the proposed day-care were informed that the lady was buried in a Christian cemetery. While Federation meeting in progress at Oliaji’s Duke’s Hotel in Devka the PZASH trustees have written to the high priests for their counsel, they were perturbed that their priest who was originally willing to perform the geh sarna was threatened by a phone call stating “Zan pugree oodaree karsu - (we will defrock you), ” as a result of which he backed out of the situation. According to Gandhi, the priest in question may be owing allegiance to an orthodox mobedi tola (group) con ­ trolled from Poona. The priests be ­ longing to this tola, as per Gandhi's knowledge, are required to abide by certain instructions issued by the head of the tola and any breach of such direc ­ tives could result in the loss of existing or future job prospects. Not having heard of any such tola. “You are not trying to take him away at the Jejeebhoy Agiary in Poona, Kiif CTi nt (-*1-1 ” ^..1________ ___ '“Z . ¦ It • 1 Summarizing the situation, Gandhi non-Zoroastrian was not permitted to noted, “There is no way you can keep offer a maachi in the anjuman ’s name, a disgruntled employee in your ser- “The people concerned should go and vice. If you prevent him from getting a have their heads examined. You must __ job with the desired salary, he may be liberal, ” Guzder repeated. Avari topics be misconstrued, Gandhi leave the mobedi profession. ” t ’ ' ' ’ ' ' , _' Davar Kavasji Modi of Surat had constitution of the Poona Parsee Pan- __ another solution, “When there are two chayat, a Zoroastrian married outside troversial religious subjects. When and dearth of mobeds, the answer lies but snatch him away. 23 Parsiana May 1987 toms, and legal provisions and pro ­ nouncements. ” tween three to seven years of age will be provided “safe and healthy custo- •Ba? ( center while their parents are away at port to the managing committee of the Daman and Diu, who has promised to work. Incurring a monthly expend!- Federation when necessary. Anklesar- render his assistance in getting them ture of Rs 2,500, the proj.ect will be ia had recommended the first step of certified as protected monuments jointly sponsored by the Federation dispensing with the subcommittee, but under the Archaelogical Survey of In- and the BPP, availing temporarily of on hearing the subsequent decision he dia. the BPP accommodation in two flats at was quick with a repartee: “My prop- TL, the Dadar Parsi Colony. BPP s chief osal to have the defunct anjumans sub- desperately trying to protect their executive Rustom Anklesaria was keen r " ' " • • ¦ that the BPP should commit itself to aged! ” ghar. They first faced difficulties in later providing alternate accom- Anklesaria and Katpitia will be getting the tenants evicted after the ex- modation to the center when the assisted by a paid worker J. J. Makwa- piry of the lease period. Soon thereaf- Dadar flats would have to be vacated, na, a retired revenue officer, who has ter the government claimed rights I and tnat the Federation should assure been engaged to gather data on de- under the land ceiling act and a com- a continuous flow of donations. Gan- funct anjurhan properties after these promise was reached with the latter, dhi clarified. We are rendering this have been brought to the attention of But Anjuman vice-president Aspi Ira- service for the proper development the Federation. ni revealed that the Anjuman has now and growth of the child ’s personality and not as (free) social service. The we see it should be changed, ” advised cannot be considered bonafide as the parents will be charged for this service Katpitia. “We should approach the Anjuman was not in possession of the except in deserving cases ” where the scene earlier before everyone goes committee appointed by the BPP to from there and we lose everything, ” supervise this project will decide on Katpitia replied to Dandiwalla who Casting votes in unison the genuineness. was wondering why the Neemach Zoroastrian associations overseas will Delhi will be hosting an all-India Anjuman which has a population of 25 now be permitted to enrol as liaison youth serninar during the Dassera/ Parsis and is economically indepen- members of the Federation since the Diwali holidays in October when Parsi dent should be the subject of discus- annual general body has unanimously youths in the 21 to 35 age-group will sion at the Federation meeting. ratified the executive council ’s deci ­ exchange ideas and experiences on community affairs and attempt to in ­ volve the youth in the service of the community as its future social workers and leaders. Various topics of discus ­ sion will be tackled including employ- population in Bhopal, the anjuman meetings so as to establish closer ties ment opportunities and preparation would, as a safeguard, consider adding with Zoroastrian for marriage. In the absence of the the name of the Federation as joint throughout the world. seminar s key spokesman Rustom owner of the properties, Bhopal Anju- The elected zonal vice-presidents Daroga, Delhi ’s youth trustee Farokh i ’ ' " .................................. Rustomji invited suggestions and whose job is of a transferable nature, proposals on the convening of the said he would consult his colleagues, seminar. ' ' The Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman is _ ___________: ----------------- they did not support it and proposed trian organizations of New York and The effort to fill the religious vacuum in which the children are ¦ , has necessitated special effort on the part of parents which is . . , not put in by parents in Bombay, like Zoroastrian choice ot spouse...people realize that all humanity is the creation of Ahura Mazda." belong to the first revealed religion of I d i I 11 1 I ¦ i I ! irdl 1 ! u "When their own child nnakes a non X i about their religion than the Parsi chil- _______ dren of Bombay, ” partly because of make sweeping changes and therefore the classes organized by the Zoroas- instead that Rohinton Rivetna (whose Chicago which have inade significant grew up views are <----------- - - ------ hence acceptable) look into FEZA­ NA.” ... - . There are a lot of differences be- within the four walls of the family that tween the first settlers and now, says i _ Bagli, though the community at large the views va is “beginning to notice that what they ’ve been brought up with is be ­ coming impractical (in the new con ­ text). ” There is no agiary-going or spe- ,.... . cial prayers on hamkaras, for instance, ican Zoroastrian Congress which met America. People are beginning to realize that in Los Angeles in 1985, Bagli recaUed, As mor rituals must necessarily be curtailed, ° r.r.Aniv cq.h thpv didn ’t he feels. within the confines of an considered moderate and impact. “But these classes are held, andhyaru household. Though put once a month. In between it ’s what the through the paces of navar and mara- ura ^nicrprise Manufacturers of Printed Packaging Materials Corrugated Boxes, Plastic Carrier Bags, Plastic Containers 10/4, Rustom Baug,Byculla, Bombay - 400027 Tel.8722885 J ____________ ______ - through the paces of navar and mara- parents do and their way of thinking tab as befitted the traditional priestly .1 \ ' t scion, he says he grew up ignorant of is finally most important. Therefore the religion s intellectual message, uiv ..ary from family to family: Like many others of his generation, within the younger generation there Bagli pursued his science career with are groups which think more liberally single-minded attention and fled from and less liberally. ” Referring to the the intellectual and material limitations youth panel of the Fifth North Amer- of Bombay to the freedom of North . . X,. ___ _ ___,___________ , As more Zoroastrians settled in that "Some youths openly kid'they didn ’t continent, several prospective brides want people like Bagli and (Kersey) flew in to join their naturalized Amer- Antia (who performed the navjote of ican spouses and Bagli found himself American engineer Joseph Peterson). ' ----- -- + Others had quite liberal views and ex- weddings, and jashans for their pressed them openly. ” Noting that differences and dis ­ agreements will go on to the next gen ­ eration, Bagli observes, “When an in ­ cident touches an individual close to the heart, people evaluate their own thinking...when their own child makes has by now a non-Zoroastrian choice study music with the late Ms Gladys Noon. Ms Adela Facharri, j George Stratton and Antonio Brosa, Her music teaching career began on her return in 1959 when she also co- founded the Bombay Chamber Orchestra (BCO). the society of which she has been trustee and joint honor ­ ary secretary since 1962. Setting up the Bombay Chamber Orchestra was a feat, beset as the pro ­ ject was with numerous problems lack of finance, good instruments and Bombay 1 36 PiUSiana May ^98?i ' I oof :2 trained musicians. Started with six tra ’s progress. “He was very pleased, ” PaVri also a pianist, is at the moment members “the whole string section of says Dinshaw. He left before the arriv- doing well in Moscow, she says. Dinshaw studied in Salzburg the art - the present 55-member orchestra com- al of the principal conductor, Bram- E'' prises mainly of my own pupils and well Tovey with whom the orchestra of teaching music to children through those of my colleague, Myra Menzie. had full day rehearsals. However, the the concept of Orff-Schulwerk which The wind and brass sections come musicians rehearsed for just a few she puts into practice by teaching from the police and navy bands and hours prior to the show with the ballet rhythm and music through games and they are self-taught, ” she says. Spe- group. “We were instructed not to special instruments. “Children would cializing in military band music means that this section had to be retrained - which is done free of cost. For the wind and brass students, the BCO Society has co-sponsored workshops under visiting teachers from the Royal College of Music, London. The orchestra gets free training from visit ­ ing conductors and opportunities to play with foreign guest conductors, states Dinshaw. Considered to be the best in India, the Bombay Chamber Orchestra can ­ not compare with its international formance. So we never got the oppor- counterparts. “Abroad, orchestras tunity to see the ballet, ” she rues. The enthusiasm and dedication look at the dancers during the per- benefit much more if parents took in ­ terest in music and made a habit of taking them to concerts. Moreover, good music should be played at home as well, ” she adds. This would apply to Indian classical music too, she says. “However, there is a tendency here to look upon western music as alien, ” she says. “Culture is culture. Both East and West should experience each other. Why draw a political line as far as music is concerned? ” While Dinshaw is sceptical about re ­ cent experiments in East-West synth ­ esis, some of her favorite composers consist of trained musicians from pre- The enthusiasm and dedication are Brahms, Beethoven, Rachmani- i stigious academies of music. ” Deplor- shown by the Bombay Chamber nov and Tchaikovsky. She is wary of ing the fact that there are no Orchestra has been greatly com- j academies of music in the city (though mended by visiting conductors. Delhi and Calcutta have one each), “Abroad, the attitude is very profes- Dinshaw emphasizes that there is sional. The orchestra rehearses for a tremendous interest in western classic- specific period of time and leaves even if the conductor wishes to continue. ‘'Children would benefit much more if parents took interest in music and made a habit of taking them to concerts i some ultra modern composers whom she occasionally finds discordant. As for opera, whose relationship to music has been described by some connois ­ seurs as that of a bawdy house to a al music in the younger generation, if the conductor wishes to continue, cathedral, Dinshaw enjoys a live per- “Bombay is so culturally advanced. We would go on rehearsing and not formance rather than a recorded one. there is so much talent here, but no want to stop. ” If the price of perfec- Pop, rock and jazz arc idioms that are . . , difficult for her to accept, she admits. academy. ” Of the few teachers of the Bombay Orchestra enjoyed it! “In “T here is a tendency among young ¦ ears am in the drop off. Later on, hearing could be our mem- progress can be made unless there is tion is heavy striving and cruel pain, an ; "" violin in the city, only two or three fact, no other orchestra rehearses at people to amplify sound till their continue to teach. Due to the lack of such unearthly hours (7 • ¦ ¦ - cello teachers Dinshaw took cello les- morning) mainly because sons in Switzerland in order to help bers are college and office going peo- cello students. With the result, when the renowned British company, the Sadler ’s Wells hearsals, Dinshaw teaches violin, viola Dinshaw plans to invite other young Royal Ballet Company performed the and cello from 3.30 pm to 8.30 pm ev- i ' ' famed ballet Giselle in Bombay in ery day. She has found to her delight l 1985, the Bombay Chamber Orches- that western classical music has not pie, constituting the Indian National tra, chosen to accompany the ballet, gone out of fashion, that it has always Symphony Orchestra. She also hopes to invite an internationally known con ­ ductor and artist. The main stumbling pie. ” Aside from attending arduous re- impaired, ” she adds. What are her future plans? To cele ­ brate the silver jubilee of the Bombay Chamber Orchestra this September. musicians from different parts of India to form an orchestra of 80 to 85 peo- tra, chosen to accompany the ballet, g had to work extra hard to attain the been round the corner, and has re ­ expected level of proficiency. “The turned with a bang. No longer is it the ’Royal Ballet brought along eleven exclusive province of the Christian and block is finance. wind and brass players to complement Parsi communities. Deserving students the orchestra. ” A conductor was flown who cannot afford her fees are down from the Royal Opera House to awarded a “schoiarship ” by Dinshaw emotion, brains and technical virtuos- take the initial rehearsals of the local i.e. free tuition and an instrument for ity. Dinshaw seems to have a generous orchestra. “After the conductor, Ema- their use. “Such students are already helping of all three. Unmarried, she nuel Young ’s departure, we worked in the orchestra, ’ adds Dinshaw. has dedicated her whole life to music, on our own. ” explains Dinshaw. By way of young Parsi talent she “Itcanbealifelongstruggle.Younev- Nearer the time of the performance, mentions the late pianists, Neville Chi- er stop learning either technically or he came back to monitor the orches- noy and Hilla Khurshedji, while Pali musically, ” she says. afford her fees It has been rightly said that what makes great music is a combination of i.e. free tuition ; their use. "Such in the orchestrti. By way of young Parsi talent she mentions the late pianists, Neville Chi- er stop learning either technically or ..JI '¦ I ' I i' t , ¦¦ i L' 37 Parsiana May 1987? BUSINESS i - B "Tuided by the Mazda maxim of converting old Parsi sick units into profitable businesses, the foods division of Mazda Estates and Finance Limited bought over OK Wafers. Seeing many Parsis adept at “spin ­ ning yarn(!) ” spurred the launching of Mazda Textile Industries. Optimizing on the favorable climate for business expansion in India led to Mazda also venturing into leasing, financial con ­ sultancy, properties, foods and drinks, travels, and publications. Giving the raison d ’etre of the eight companies incorporated by the direc ­ tors of Mazda was Yezdi Master who helped promote the Company ’s very first concern, Mazda Estates and Fi­ nance, and since then has been in ­ strumental in implementing different projects initiated by Mazda chairman Dara Deboo. “We felt the need to serve the grow ­ ing virgin market for leasing in Gu­ jarat, the second most industrialized state in India, ’’ said Master, managing director of Vitta Mazda Ltd, which he believes is Gujarat ’s second largest leasing company. With a capital base of Rs 345 lakhs, this Mazda associated company showed business transactions worth Rs 409 lakhs in the first 14 months. Rapidly calculating the break ­ up of these figures. Master (a char ­ tered accountant by profession who was formerly chief accountant of Tata Textiles at Navsari) explained that nearly two-thirds of the total amount was collected from leasing operations share market with a public issue of tionsarebasedinGujarat,theremain- (where ownership of assets vested with 6,00,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each, ing 10 percent comprising hire- the leasing company); the source of Deboo noted at the meeting, “At a purchase agreements in Bombay, the remaining one-third being hire- time when the market conditions have The new government-imposed four purchase operations (where on paying been generally discouraging, and abso- percent tax on leasing will never affect the final hire instalment, the purchaser lutely adverse for leasing companies the lessee, assures Master. “Because would be entitled to ownership of the particularly, the public issue of Saheli of competition among leasing com- asset) and immovable property lease. Leasing, with your Company acting as panics, lease rentals will never be in- “Vitta Mazda makes good money lead manager to the issue, was fully creased. The new tax would affect the from tease counselling services, ” Mas- subscribed. ” leasing companies to the tune of 15 ter added. With a 6,000 crore rupee investment percent of book profits, but that is no ­ An interim dividend of 10 percent as coming up in the vicinity of Surat by thing compared to the corporate tax against a promised 20 percent final di- different concerns like the Gas Au- paid by companies. Hence you cannot vidbnd, was declared by Deboo at the thority of India, petrochemicals divi- grudge the increase. Yet Vitta Mazda Company ’s extraordinary general sion of Reliance, Hazira pipeline pro- has joined hands with other companies meeting at Navsari on April 18, 1987. ject and the engineering division of who have filed a writ petition deman- Referring to their merchant banking Larsen and Toubro,Master considers ding that the increased tax be abo- division ’s successful handling of the the future of leasing in Gujarat very lished, ” Master provided the details. Saheli Leasing Company ’s entry in the bright. Ninety percent of their transac- here... there and everywhere From, estates and finance the Mazda group of companies has branched into leasing, consultancy, textiles, foods, travels and publications Parinaz Toddywalla Recalling their humble beginnings ¦ ii 5 ¦ u I U- I i ' fl. 1 if 'f If if if I i t-i i I'i 39 Parsiana May 1987j 1 h when Mazda Estates and Finance was incorporated in Bombay in 1982 and was operating from a flat at Girdhar Ni­ vas at Colaba, Master,, enjoying the momentum of his rotating chair at the Company ’s new premises at Elphin- stone House near Victoria Terminus, admitted, “Now what you see in this office is the prosperity of Gujarat. ” His cabin, located alongside those of other directors, was on the morning of April 1.5, 1987 almost converted into a lounge with the constant arrival and departure of several colleagues and frequent telephone calls from clients who all probably wanted to avail of his limited time in Bombay, the expansion activities in Gujarat necessitating his staying away. With a strong, hefty build, his percipient eyes dominating his facial expressions. Master was will ­ ing to answer all queries except when it came to explaining the reason for the parallel existence of two leasing companies: Mazda Leasing (first public limited company floated by Mazda Estates and Finance in 1983 and now part of the Mazdalease Group) and Vitta Mazda, with their sister concerns diversifying into similar enterprises. Elaborating on Mazda ’s diversifica ­ tion programs. Master announced that Mazda Textile Industries Limited is real estate, land and property develop- likely to announce a publi.c issue in ment, is expected to come out with a July. Incorporated with non-resident public issue in another three months. Indian participation from UK, their Construction work onTransportnagar, factory at Kim (26 kms from Surat) their 15 lakh rupee warehousing pro ­ will be installed with sophisticated wa ­ ter jet looms and a twisting and textur ­ ising unit,as also a unit for weaving art silk fabrics. It was reported that in Surat,fabrics worth Rs 1,000 crores are machine which is the product of an Ita- woven on an esfimated 1,50,000 looms lian collaboration, and is the sub- every year. Surat also has the largest canvassing agency for the sale of JCT "The market conditions have been generally discouraging and adverse for leasing companies... (Jagatjit Cotton Textile) yarn in Surat. Mazda Foods and Drinks will short ­ ly be introducing squashes and syrups in the market. On Mazda Publications ’ immediate cards was the introduction of a magazine on automobiles, Car and Bike International, in the second week of May. They are also planning to bring out three more publications relating to travel and tourism, hote- liering and real estate. Mazda Travels undertakes agency work from its office at Nariman Point. Master candidly admits that he finds it difficult to remember the multiple off-shoots of their Company. As an afterthought he informed that recently they bought over two old sick leather units in Ahmedabad from a closely held group and plan to nurse them back to health. With an administrative staff of 40 to 45, Master noted in mathematical terms, “you can consider me the lowest common multiple (LCM) or the highest common factor (HCF) of the companies. Our directors are rotated amongst our different concerns. (Others serving as directors of diffe- congregation of wholesale textile mar ­ kets in India and consumes 70 percent rent Mazda subsidiaries are Farrokh J. of the total yarn produced in India. Mazda Properties, dealing with Sidhwa, Farrokh E.D.Mehta, Kersi K.Deboo, Hoshie Deboo, Pradeep Shukla and D.N.Shukla.) Dara Deboo is the chairman of all the Mazda com ­ panies. He continues to be a director of Mazda-Leasing. “I don ’t know why everyone thinks there is a conflict be ­ tween the two groups (Mazda under the chairmanship of Deboo and Maz- dalease under the chairmanship of g I ' I ' ¦ I ^1 ' * I 1 I I pF I s • I s F '7don't knoiv why eueryone thinks there is a conflict between the two j Mazda groups... Life is too short^ for petty quarrels ject comprising 100 warehouses, was expected to commence in May. Mazda Estates and Finance enjoys the sole selling rights to the Drow texturising Homi Ranina...Life is too short for petty quarrels. ” Farrokh Mehta, director of several of the Mazda companies, tried to put the situation in a clearer perspective. “There was a clash of personalities. Mazda Leasing being the,eldest son wanted to show that he was earning enough and could stand on his own feet. Mazda Leasing ’s operations were based in Bombay. We wanted to reach the Gujarat market. When the Maz- ¦ dalease group wished to reach the market in Calcutta, they launched Mazda Eastland. This does not mean / that there is a conflict internally. Final- • ly it just works out. Zee ghee dhoro tau bhi khichrima ne khichrima (any seep ­ age is okay if it percolates within the community)... ” (Top) Deboo: initititiiig projects (Left) Master: reaching the Gujarat market ^rJ ' -st' f*K t 40 Parsiana May 1987 'ff , I' ¦ S \K r-jrik^T I,..- i, 11* 4' -i- ¦ ¦ 2’ ; BUSINESS ¦z;- *• £ The post made easy Operating in prime commercial areas, the Mail Order Marketing Service offers postal facilities at the client's doorstep Jeroo Irani visits the client ’s office to collect the ||||||||||||||||||||^^ day ’s mail which is then checked (for They sit there mountainously - letters. New Year greetings, Xmas cards to be posted all over India and the world. Dr incomplete addresses etc), sorted, •, Behram Badhniwalla, onetime general categorized and speeded on to. the va- practitioner turned businessman, who rious destinations via the closest postal has started a new concern called route related to the mail. MOMS (Mail Order Marketing Ser- The agency at Versova is licensed to vice) runs a professional eye over the accept almost any type of mail includ- tottering pile of packaged goodwill: ing registered letters and those under “Our mail is a miniscule fraction of the certificate of posting. It also sells post- three and a half crore letters per day al stationery at postal rates. “We are that are handled by the postal depart- simultaneously easing the load on local ment in India, ” he says. post offices and decongesting postal A service oriented agency geared to routes while safeguarding postal re- eliminating the bottlenecks that ham- ” per the growth of business organiza ­ tions, MOMS provides support ser- despatch departments of companies? vices to companies with a view to in- _ creasing productivity and efficiency. One of the first and unique services offered by MOMS is Mailcare. Every day at a prearranged time, daily office mail is picked up sorted and despatch- ed via a shorter route, thereby saving *1 time and labor. Badhniwalla also oper- | ates his own mini post office at Yari q Road, Versova, under special notifica- ¦ tion from the Government of India, H Ministry of Communication, Depart- H ment of Post. ¦ His Mailcare service, “a bold, ¦ pioneering venture, ” in his words, will I revolutionize the despatch depart- |H ’ ments in his clients ’ offices. “Mailcare W will ensure quick, convenient and effi- J| cient movement of daily mail, ” he states. As we sit in his bamboo colored van stationed opposite Bajaj Bhavan, Nariman Point, Bombay, Badhniwalla explains how he started by serving six offices in the area in October 1986 1 and as of December 1, he had 40 clients on his roster. f Prior to closing hours, a mail boy u venue, ” explains Badhniwalla. Why did he set out to streamline the ’Tirr-'i?: •f 4 ¦S' ¦4. 41 Parsiana May 1987 ^4 I I I a- '/ f 4 ) ¦ 1 0^ (Above) Badhniwalla: “pioneering venture” (Alongside, on right) D ’lima helps sort mail Photos: Abraham Mathai Badhniwalla states that a survey by his executives revealed that the main bot ­ tleneck in the growth of business is communication. Badhniwalla, who looks more like a sheriff in a western film than an entrepreneur, will "wave his magic wand over a target group of 250 companies in the commercial areas of Nariman Point, Worli and Cuffe Pa ­ rade. The target, he hopes, will be achieved in the span of two years by which time he will have to invest in more staff and more vans. Elaborating from experience on the bottlenecks that can occur, Badh ­ niwalla cites an everyday example: A boss dictates a few letters in the after ­ noon. They go to the despatch depart ­ ment where they are stamped and on the way home, the peon is supposed to post them at the General Post Office -.¦;4 I •¦-J '1A survey revealed that the main bottleneck in the growth of ij business is J communication I T«.>e3M«9 rOSTAL MENT8 kJ* and MOMS would be case studies for tificates, annual reports and dividend warrants; intra-city documents deliv ­ ery service within 24 to 48 hours with 5.40 train home to Bandra, they will marketing, Narsee Monjee Institute of acknowledgement; payment of elec- be posted the next day - causing furth- Management Studies, “MOMS is the tricity, telephone, telex, credit card, er delays. company of the twenty-first century on club bills on the clients ’ behalf; the The emphasis is not on speed, which your doorstep today. ” whole year ’s greetings for various fes- is the province of the courier, as much Gerard Pacheco of the Bankers tive occasions planned in advance and as on minimizing unnecessary delays Trust Company, a small representative posted on behalf of the clients; and when posting routine mail and eli- arm of the New York bank, welcomes consultancy and trouble-shooting of mination of interminable waits in long Mailcare. “We were one of the first six postal administration and despatch queues at the post office for office staff clients. Mailcare takes care of the run- problems. who could be better utilized else- ning around and a certain amount of where. “Mailcare ensures optimum time-consuming, administrative work, use of personnel, man-hours and re ­ duces administrative costs, ” enumer ­ ates Ms Carmelita Badhniwalla, the person which would mean utilization American company in 1974 in Bombay doctor ’s wife who looks after the admi ­ nistrative side. “When you put a letter in the post, you are not sure when it will reach, ” says Cyrus Desai, an executive in ch ­ arge of sales and marketing. “With us, there are more chances that the letter promotional gifts such as calendars for personnel management and human re- will reach earlier - locally within 24 which a professional fee is levied. “We sources training programs. ” hours. Our responsibility ceases once don ’t encourage parcels, though if a or at the closest post office. If he mis ­ ses the post or does not post the letters management students. According to that day because he wishes to catch the Dr Rajan Saxena, faculty head. Starting his career as a general prac ­ titioner, Badhniwalla drifted away Our overheads have been reduced as from the medical profession after we do not have to hire an additional being appointed medical officer for an of Space. Mailcare is easy on the for their projects in the Middle East, budget, ” he says. Subsequently, he became human re ­ Charging Rs 250 per month plus sources consultant for a major Amer- actuals for the service, the fee is not ican company which was a consultant applicable to mass or bulk mailing of to the Saudi Arabian Government, say 2,000 to 3,000 annual reports or “My key strength as a result became hours. Our responsibility ceases once don ’t encourage parcels, though if a Soon he got involved in the first ever the letters are in the postal system, ” he client wishes to send a telegram or a training for air hostesses by a private adds. Though the concept is new and the even requested that we pay his chil- project is in an embryonic stage and dren ’s school fees, ” says Desai, the young and enthusiastic staff is still / , finding its feet, the postal agent has New India Cooperative Bank), curious hotel and catering industry. His latest met with a promising response. Clients passersby stop to ask questions which venture, MOMS, is based on all the who started by entrusting Mailcare are courteously answered by Norman various problems which he personally with a few stray letters, relieve them- D’lima who looks after the operational experienced as a businessman. • selves of the full day ’s load while side of the concern. Suddenly, a jubi- another client who spent several lant shout “new client ” rips the air pioneering projects, ” states Badh- thousands of rupees sending important and D’lima brandishes a cheque. This niwalla, also a jazz musician, recalling documents to Bhilai every week by calls for another round of tea and how his 45-piece jazz band was the In ­ courier, has now turned to Mailcare, sandwiches which are downed in an dian entry at the Jazz Yatra 1984 when states Badhniwalla. atmosphere of camaraderie. Soon mail they gave a novel rendering of jazz and Flashing a letter of recommendation from various offices in the Nariman Indian ragas. “Music is his first love, ” from the Indian Society for Training Point area starts pouring in, waiting to exclaims Ms Badhniwalla. “Talking and Development praising the project, be sorted and categorized. about love, my company MOMS con- Badhniwalla says another client has gone so far as to suggest that Mailcare MOMS are mass mailing of share cer- money order, we do oblige. One client agency with joint participation by a noted Middle East airline. Other train ­ ing programs included training for As we sit in the van (financed by the midmanagement level cadre fof the 1 have always been involved in The other services offered by notes a motherly touch or mother care, ” concludes Badhniwalla. ¦ I •a i 43 Parsiana May 1987> ’ te T. 4'^ SPORTS -5 1 . A sporting community Niloofer J. Madon notes Sohrab Shastri, past honorary was largely defrayed this year by the secretary of the Play Centre who has ten thousand rupee donation by indus- subsequently settled in Pune but was trialist Dinshaw A. Merchant and nonetheless present for the Meet. The other sponsors like Parle (Exports) participants included 13 persons from Private Limited, and Associated Pune and 12 from Navsari. The Nav- Breweries and Distilleries, the makers of London Pilsner. A 38-page souvenir brought out on the occasion also trialist Dinshaw A. Merchant and Limited, "Chalni, jaldi karni (come on, be quick)! ” noted an anxious parent, goading his daughter into tying her dis ­ obedient shoelace. “The certificates here don ’t carry weight, ” wailed a par ­ ticipant. However, “It ’s better than my school sports, ” noted another sari team had travelled the same morn ­ athlete from Navsari. The hot swelter- ing by train to be present for the occa- ing afternoon sun added a hazy glitter sion, and were provided free lodging brought m money by way of advertise- t_ ___, “ ' ' ' y _ ‘ y'y ~ spacious grounds of the Brabourne Sta- hall. Qualified officials from the Bom- dium played host to the two-day All bay Athletics Association who were Parsis Annual Athletic and Cycling officiating at the Meet deserved Meet on April 18 and 19. Held under the joint auspices of the Nowroze Baug Play Centre, the not take a single pai ” from the orga- Zoroastrian Physical Culture and i Health League (ZPCHL), the Cusrow tances to be there on the weekend. Baug United Sports and Welfare ~ • ' ¦ • js Rs 26,000 (the medals to the kaleidoscope of events as the and boarding at the Nowroze Bang ments. spacious grounds of the Brabourne Sta- hall. Qualified officials from the Bom- Yet, for all the organization, there dium played host to the two-day All bay Athletics Association who were were problems and complaints too: - - - - • . th: j--------i “They don ’t check your birth certifi- kudos, according to well-known coach cate, ” noted one participant pointing Jal Pardivala who noted that they “did to a boy who had competed in the _____' ' ¦ under-16 category but was obviously nizers and had travelled great dis- older. “The ones who are taking : ¦ ¦ names should check certificates. They Though the total cost of holding take anyone in any age-group and then League and Dadar ’s Mancherji Edalji such a Joshi Memorial Trust, the Meet aims and certificates themselves cost Rs to revive the once held All-Parsi 7,000, according to Homi Ustad, joint Zoroastrian Sports Meet organized by honorary secretary of the Nowroze the ZPCHL. r „ ’ — - - Sixty officials from the Bombay Athletics Association and 20 honorary Right and below: Sprinting and cycling workers toiled under the burning April events under way at the Zoroastrian Sports sun to ensure the smooth running of the games, shepherding 425 boys and (Facingpage) 1*1 Ds«<,Az-tr«>*Ftz7 iTrnm ii^rti girls through the 87 events which span ­ ned the two days. The events included the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,500 and 3,000 meter run, the 110 meter hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw and the relays (100x4 and 400x4 Bang Play Centre and of the Meet), it Athletics Association and 20 honorary Right and below: Sprinting and cycling Meet At the Braboume Stadium (from left) Bakhtaver Merchant, Gamadia, Dinshaw Merchant and Pardivala (Center) Us tad and (right) Shastri 1 I meters) and the 1,000, 1,600 and 4,000 meter cycling events. Throughout, the Stadium grounds seemed to be dotted with participants scurrying here & and there for their events or practising jul on the center field. Hg The organizers having advertised in the newspapers and having sent invita- tions to various schools, baugs and jB athletic associations both in Bombay and the nearby cities, the response was “50 to 60 more participants than last year, which hopefully should increase to 500 and 550 in the coming years, ” ¦¦ 5 44 Parsiana May 1987r r i The two-day All Parsis Annual Athletic and Cycling Meet showered recognition on young Zoroastrian talent V -1 ¦31 1 there is no fun! ” Another complained lodged, while another complained ab- wanted to invite other Parsis to partici- of the lack of professionalism among out the transport to and from the Sta- pate in the athletic meet and asked Jal the competitors and suggested that a dium. Pardivala to guide them in the matter, short training camp be held before a ~ meet to teach participants the very meet should not be held in the summer vive the annual All-Parsi Zoroastrian basics of athletics. Moreover, the heat, Ustad noted that stadiums in Meet organized by the Zoroastrian finishing line string was too high for Bombay were not easily available and Physical Culture and Health League the younger competitors with the fe- had to be booked eight months in adv- started in -1920, but which died out due suit that they were moving abound the ance yet without the guarantee that to lack of organizational interest. Stadium with mercurochrome-covered they would be made available on the Eight beautiful silver trophies worth cuts round their necks, a fact brought promised day. Summer being the off many thousands of rupees, he said, . quickly to the notice of the organizers season the ground was more readily were still available with the ZPCHL by their parents. And while one com- available Furthermore, due plained that there was hardly any com- strained finances the aquatic meet Countering the charge that a sports Pardivala suggested that the Centre re- Furthermore, to Trust. t The Centre decided to take on the petition at the games (though national could not be held for the past two challenge and got in touch with the champions Jasmin Arethna, Porus Jas- years which they wish to remedy by Cusrow Baug United Sports and Wel- sawalla, Kerman Framna, Hirjee holding one during the monsoons at fare League which agreed to help in Nagarwalla, Zenia Ayrton and Bakta- the YMCA (Young Men ’s Christian the organization and “three years back war Madon were also competing). Association) which is mofe central Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust joined us and they gave a dona ­ tion of Rs 5,000 per annum, ” noted Ustad. The eagerly awaited prize distribu ­ tion, held on the evening of the last day, was acccompanied by much noise, jubilation, association songs and bugle playing while the silver trophies sat proudly on the table re ­ flecting the gleam of the sun. President than the Mahatma Gandhi Pool at of the Cusrow Baug United Sports and Dadar, which has been generally hired Welfare League, Dr Dinyar Gamadia, before. who chaired the Meet, thanked Mer- Talking of the problem of checkihg chant, the event ’s guest of honor and birth certificates, Ustad pointed out other sponsors,as well as Pardivala,for that “there is a clause in the entry rules its success. Pardivala himself talked that all juniors have to show their birth about the story behind Merchant ’s certificates with every entry form. It is generous donation and of the Rs 6,000 up to the secretaries of associations donated anonymously, and people in charge who should see that this is done. It is not possible to “Today, athletics and sports have be- dnother felt that “since its inception in check each and every entry form. ” come very competitive and remunera- 1981-82 it is improving as the years go However, he assures, he has taken up tive. In my days when Dadi Havewalla by. ” (The April Meet was the seventh the matter of the particular case with scored 5,050 runs in a (cricket) match in the series.) the person in charge, noting that last no one gave him even Rs 5,050, The outstation participants from year “we had disqualified six partici- Today...cricketers are laden with gifts Navsari (under their manager Feroze pants due to the (listing of) wrong and become millionaires overnight Jokhi) and Pune (under Eruch Irani) age. ” ...Time was when the first two cricket complained about the inadequate It all began in 1980 with the silver teams to England had all Parsi players, “bathroom and toilet facilities ” at the jubilee celebrations of the Nowroze Today there in no one in the race. Isn ’t Nowroze Baug hall where they were Baug Play Centre. The . organizers it a shame? ” he asked and proceeded 1 It? f I u s 45 Parsiana May 1987 I I 1 i I A t Fl Noted Merchant in his speech: It all began in 1980 with the silver teams to England had all Parsi players. u JI f r to tell the story of two frogs in a well, one of whom, an optimist, survived, because he would never give up. He then went on to praise Pardivala ’s un ­ tiring efforts for community sports and unexpectedly instated a Rs 5,000 Jal Pardivala Trophy for the best athlete of the Meet as adjudged by the orga ­ nizers, amongst many protests by its namesake, who was totally overruled by all present. The speeches were followed by “the best part of the Meet, ” when it was time to distribute the gleaming trophies sitting patiently on the table. Hirjee Nagarwalla was adjudged the Fastest Man of the Meet, while Zenia Ayrton was the Fastest Woman. The FKS Foundation Trophy for the Best Boy and Best Girl went to Kaiyumars Contractor and Farzin Kasad respect ­ ively, while the trophies for the Fastest Man on Wheels and for the one mile cycle race went to Porus Jassawalla. The Dr S.K. Nariman Sassanian Chal ­ lenge Shield for the 3,000 meter race went to Adil Mogrelia and the Kaikho Ratan Trophy for javelin throw was received by Salamat Irani of Pune. The team championships for both men and women went to the Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust. The organizers took the'opportunity to felicitate 13 sportspersons “who had made their presence felt at the nation ­ al and Asian levels. ” They were Farokh Tarapore (yachting), Cawas Billimoria (judo), Meherwan Daruva- la and Farokh Pundole (squash), Jas ­ min Arethna, Kerman Framna and Porus Jassawalla (cycling), Adille Sumariwalla, Hirjee Nagarwalla and Zenia Ayrton (athletics), Neville Daroga (weightlifting), and Hufrish Nariman (badminton), all from Bom ­ bay, and Navsari ’s Maneck Deboo (body building). The awards were pre ­ sented by Ms Bakhtaver Dinshaw Merchant. As for the continuation of sports in the community, Allan Roberts, secret ­ ary of the Maharashtra State Athletics Officials Association and manager of the Meet noted, “Now that other com ­ munities are taking an interest, natur ­ ally the Parsi victories are going to be curtailed. ” Pardivala would have none of it: “The Parsi community as a whole is a micro community in the world. Yet in the last Asian Games, the Indians who made their presence felt - Tara ­ pore, Billimoria, Nagarwalla, etc were all Parsis. What man can say that Parsi sports is going down? ” TRADE COURSES LEADING TO SELF-EMPLOYMENT I. (A) LICENTIATE IN RADIO AND________________ AUDIO SERVICING (LRAS)_____________ ___ (B) LICENTIATE IN TELEVISION SERVICING (ITS) (Both Recognised by the Govt, of Maharashtra) (a) Eligibility : For (A) S.S.C. with English, Maths, General Science For (B) Pass LRAS Examination (b) Medium : English (c) Duration : ONE YEAR each (Monday to Friday) (d) Award : The Govt, of Maharashtra awards Certificates to Successful Candidates II. (A) MECHANICAL FITTING AND MACHINE SHOP PRACTICE_______ _________________ (B) ELECTRIC WIRING JOINTING AND APPLIANCE SERVICING (including syllabus of PWD Wiremen Examination Course) (a) Eligibility : VIII Std. (b) Medium : English (c) Duration ; ONE YEAR each (Monday to Friday) III. PART-TIME AUDIO, RADIO, TELEVISION (Black & White,Colour) SERVICING (a) Eligibility ; S.S.C. or Equivalent (b) Medium ; English (c) Duration : 4 Months, 7.30 am to 9.30 am ( Monday to Friday) B.N. GAMADIA POLYTECHNIC Gamadia Colony, Tardeo, Bombay 400007 Tel: 4944345; 4945362 VJ Parsiana May T987'J p' w ¦ E fl ?. I h ii continued from page 7 group landed at Sanjan in India, other tury, made a study of Zarathushtra s and Navrooz Minochehr-Homji, all groups are said to have fled to Ger- teachings and philosophy and started the other priests had refused to join many. The latter groups got assimi- the Mazdasnan movement. The word Ervad Kersey Antia in a jashan at the lated in the respective cultures and Mazdasnan was derived by him from World Zoroastrian Organisation confer- only the group which came to India the word Zend, meaning ‘master ence. Antia had earlier performed Joseph kept its identity. Yet there are still thought ’ or the ‘thought that masters Peterson ’s navjote.) b. ghadially traces of Zoroastrian teachings and in- all things for good. ’ In fact. Dr Ha ’nish Herts, UK fluencc to be found in Germany considered Zarathushtra as his father - among the Mazdasnans which initially hence the middle name Zardost. made me believe that there is a distinct The Mazdasnan philosophy as prop ­ cult or stock of ancient Persian ounded by Dr Ha ’nish lays great im- Zoroastrians who fled from Persia to portance on positive thinking, diet, ex- " . ercise, breathing and music. The cen- During our recent visit to Germany ter at Bringhausen demonstrates these my colleague, Mr Homi P. Ranina and facets in a live form. The Mazdasnans : ¦ ¦ ; ... - - . - . stj-ict vegetarians; alcohol and quarters in Germany. The center, smoking are totally discarded. Multi ­ known as Neuzeitliche Diat-Und pie physical exercises are advocated Lebenschule is located in Edertal Es- and good breathing is manifested peree in Bringhausen, an idyllic spot through songs and music. The Problem of sudreh-kusti about 200 kilometers from Frankfurt weekend experience at Bringhausen In these days of spiralling prices of all near Kessel. We were given a warm gave us a personal insight into their commodities, why single out kusti reception as visiting Zoroastrians from philosophy and way of life. (“Problem of kustis, ” Parsiana, De- India. Fortunately, during that The Mazdasnans were very keen to cember 1986) and sudreh (“Problem weekend there was a meeting of the know about Zoroastrians in India, of sudrehs, ” Parsiana, February Mazdasnan council and we had an their customs and rituals. We gave 1987)? This attitude, I am afraid, will occasion to meet the president and them an overview. Excerpts of the rather tempt more Parsis to discard other council members. Avesta prayers have been translated by kustis and sudrehs. , rm n sfibna interface revealed a totally Dr Ha ’nish into German and they different experience. The Mazdasnan were chanted to beautiful music. The group had nothing to do with the group asked us to pray Yatha ahu ancient Zoroastrian cult or culture. It vairyo and Ashem vohu in Avesta and only the group which came to India the word Zend, meaning ‘master i! : 1 r I:' i 't'l B. GH ADI ALLY Herts, UK traces of Zoroastrian teachings and in- all things for good. ’In fact. Dr Ha ’^nish Youth seminar in Delhi Though originally it was planned to hold a youth seminar in Delhi from May 29 to 31, 1987, we wish to inform Germany, you that our board of trustees have de- cided to host this event during the Diwali/Dassera holidays in October I decided to visit the MazcJasnan head ­ ’s?, as it will be very hot in Delhi dur- " ing the month of May. The Mazdasnan philosophy as prop- F. RUSTOMJI Youth Trustee, Delhi Parsi Anjuman LT COL D. S. SETHNA Jhansi The German Mazdasnans There is a legend that, with the advent was a movement started by a German was greatly thrilled to hear it. ___________ 1 ~ ' , . — - Surprisingly, there was no photo- of Zoroastrians fled - one Ha ’nish who, at the turn of the cen- graph of Zarathushtra in the building nor were there any Zoroastrian arti ­ facts. We offered to send these to the headquarters for display. Our gesture was deeply appreciated. The Mazdasnan movement is spreading worldwide. There are Maz ­ dasnan associations in Great Britain, USA, France and Canada. There is a great desire on the part of the Mazdas ­ nan members to visit India and meet Zoroastrians of Parsi stock whose ancestors fled from Iran. We, on be ­ half of the Mazdalease Group, have assured them of our help to organize planned visits to India and to set up a small center at Sanjan for interchange of views and experiences. To Zoroastrians visiting Europe, it would be of interest, if they have time and are mobile, to drop in at Bring- hausen and meet the Mazdasnans. The address is: Neuzeitliche Diat-Und Lebenschule e.V., Kurstrasse 4, 3593 Edertal - Bringhausen, Bad Wil- dungen. West Germany. Herr G. Bohm (Tel 05623/4025) is the director of the organization.. Managing Director, Mazda Industries and Leasing of Muslim persecution in Persia, medical practitioner, Dr Otto Zardost groups c. ---------------- ---- Gifts& The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive reli^nus artefacts, executive desk sets, exclusive shell ite^ designer jewelry & specializing in wood & copper-enamel gifts. BOMBAY SWADESHI STORES LTD. Mezzanine Floor) Sir P.M. Road, Bombay-400 001 STUDIO AKAR 6T/2660 =/ HOMI D. MEHTA 48 Parsiana May 1987