Feb 1988

- J r; February 1987 Volume 9 No 8 Rs 3 'r'^ (' ' Obstacles to a na^jote When the Mistrys wanted their children’s navjotes 5 performed in Bangalore, they found themselves in the midst of a bitter controversy. Parinaz Toddywalla “It was such a relief when Dasturji inter-community marriage, as well as Dar-e-Meher since 1965, noted that ' Minocnehr-Homji landed in Bang- the navjotes of his own grandchildren, Minochehr-Homji had flouted the aldre... Till the last we did' not the Damanias. rivo/ (well-established tradition) of < know whether the navjotes would be At that time Ervad Nadirshah Un- awaiting an invitation from the local performed. We were so panicky - the valla, panthaky of Bangalore ’s sole panthaky or seeking his permission be- invitations had been sent, the accept- ¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦ fore performing a ceremony in the I panthaky ’s diocese. I At Unvalla ’s behest, a sp^ial gener ­ al body meeting of the Bangalore Parsi Zoroastrian Anjutnnn CBR^^) was called on August s and it was resolved, by a thumping majority of 73 to 13, “that the time-tested and the well- established rivay (protocol) that has I been observed by the Zoroastrians [ since the last 50 years with regard to I performing the navjote/wedding and any religious ceremony be strictly ob^rved by every member of the com ­ munity who desires to take advantage I Minochehr-Homji (right) and Bamji j performing the nayjotes of the Mistry [ children / ¦ ances confirmed. ” Ms Redu Sharukh Mistry, the non-Zoroastrian mother of the children whose navjotes were to be performed, seemed to be reliving the suspense which overshadowed the family ’s preparations for the joyous occasion last December. * The Mistrys had called upon the Bombay Fasli Atash Kadeh High Priest Dastur Navrooz Minochehr- Homji to perform the navjote cere ­ mony of their two children. This was I the second time that Minochehr- i Homji had gone to Bangalore to per- ’ form navjotes. In mid-1986, he per ­ formed the navjote ceremonies of the Soonavala children, offspring of an ' f J - - - riiilllilb«iMiMiii^ i*** if i li .1*4;^I ! r i 1 !• of the facilities available at the Banga- I lore Dar-e-Meher through its elected I panthaky. ” As to what is meant by I “the time-tested rivaj,"' an explanatory I note has been added: “According to I the long-standihg practice, a panthaky I of a place or a city has a right to per- I form the navjote, marriage or any I other religious ceremony at that place I under his jurisdiction. If a Zoroastrian I wishes to invite a Dastur or any other I priest to perform the ceremony at that j place, and if the panthaky is willing I and agreeable, he (panthaky) would I invite the Dastur to perform the cere- I mony, and extend all the necessary I help in performing the said ceremony. I If the panthaky is not agreeable, then 1 the Dastur cannot perform the cere- I mony. ” I U4 * Correct procedure Not wishing to upset Unvalla on any I / ¦< ki '4* r /¦’ ¦ The only r/Va/which this panthaky was interested in, was a letter from the Dastur seeking his permission." f / I i f * L Ikv' count, the Mistrys were determined to panthaky would object to the Mistrys accepted. A supporting invitation by follow the correct procedure from the sending a personal invitation to the Behram Sidhwa, president of the start. In August 1986, the Mistrys - Dastur, Unvalla replied that he had no BPZA noted, “In this case no permis- • Sharukh and Renu - approached Un- power or authority to object so long as sion from Ervad Nadirshah Unvalla is valla to perform the navjote of their the navjotes were not performed with- at all necessary, and you are most wel- children in December. Unvalla ex- in the Bangalore Anjuman premises cometoperformthenavjotesinBang- cused himself on the grounds that he is (Kothari Hall, Dar-e-Meher Hall, alore since it is legal. ” personally opposed to the idea of in- Dharamshala, etc) and he was not ex- An annoyed Unvalla reportedly itiating children of mixed parentage pected to provide the nirang or the complained to the presidents of the into the fold. They then requested him Dar-e-Meher vessels. Bombay Jarthosti Jashan Committee to invite Minochehr-Homji to which Interpreting his non-objection as in- and the Athoman Mandal. In a letter the panthaky pleaded, “I cannot ask direct consent, the Mistrys invited to Minochehr-Homji dated October someone else to do a job which I con- Minochehr-Homji to perform the nav- 31, 1986, jointly signed by Cowasjee sider improper. ” When asked if the jotes in December and the latter Dinshaw, president of the Bombay fc 4 3 Parsiana February 1987 Interpreting his non-objection as in-/ r r f r i Jarthosti Jashan Committee and Jehangir Shroff, president of the Athornan Mandal, they appealed to Minochehr-Homji to “desist from per ­ forming such navjotes... Ervad Unval- la has refused to perform this navjote as per his personal conviction and de ­ votion and may we mildly suggest that (a) Dastur of our community must take this into consideration...In fact, no Dastur worth the name except your predecessor (Dastur Framroze Bode) has performed such navjotes. The letter continued, “You may have re- JOB ORIENTED TRADE COURSES IN I / I cannot ask someone else to do a job which I consider improper. /1 1' ceived the invitation from very high sources but not from the panthaky as ought to have been done...(The) re ­ cent resolution (on the issue of rivaj, passed by the BPZA on August 3, 1986) is fresh in the memory (for the) action of all concerned. ” Barely a few days before the nav- jote, the Mistrys received a letter from Minochehr-Homji which took them unawares. In his letter of November 25, the Dastur wanted a confirmation from them as to whether he should proceed with his visit to Bangalore or await a letter from the panthaky. “Please consult him for reassuring his approval and oblige. It is our rivaj, ” he explained. Posthaste Sharukh re ­ plied, “We respect (Unvalla ’s) condi ­ tions (of not utilizing the Anjuman property) and have- taken pains to abide by them, ” and ended on the note, “We eagerly await your arrival. ” Not content to just/sit and hope for the best, Renu sent a copy of Shar- ukh ’s letter by hand delivery to Minochehr-Homji “just in case you have still not received the same. ” She • further added, “After writing the above letter to you, we had a talk with Mr (Farokh) Bamji (of the BPZA), who has asked us to inform you that further to the resolution passed by the Anjuman, in the next meeting it has been minuted that if the panthaky saheb of Bangalore should refuse to perform a ceremony, as well as refuse to invite another priest to do the same, then the matter should be referred to 6 Parsiana February 1987 (1) LICENTIATE IN RADIO AND AUDIO SERVICING (LRAS) Recognised by the Govt, of MAHARASHTRA_____ S.S.C. with English, Maths, General Science. English One Year (Monday to Friday) The Govt, of MAHARASHTRA awards CERTIFICATES to the Successful Candidates. (a) ELIGIBILITY (b) MEDIUM (c) DURATION (d) AWARD (2) LICENTIATE IN TELEVISION SERVICING (LTS)_________ Recognised by the Govt, of A/IAHARASHTRA (a) ELIGIBILITY : Pass the LRAS Examination (held by the Board of Technical Exams. Govt, of Maharashtra). English One Year (Monday to Friday) The Govt.of MAHARASHTRA awards CERTIFICATES to the Successful Candidates. (b) MEDIUM (c) DURATION (d) AWARD (3) FILING, FITTING AND TURNING TRADE COURSE (a) ELIGIBILITY : VIII Std. (b) MEDIUM (c) THEORETICAL INSTRUCTIONS ALSO GIVEN IN: Trade-Theory, Machine Drawing & Work-shop Calculations. (d) DURATION : 6 Months, 3 Hrs. per day (Monday to Friday) English, Hindi, Gujarati (4) ELECTRIC WIRING & APPLIANCES SERVICING COURSE (Both PRACTICE & THEORY) (a) ELIGIBILITY : VIII Std. (b) MEDIUM (c) COVERS THE SYLLABUS OF P.W.D. II CLASS WIREMEN'S EXAMINATION COURSE ALSO (d) DURATION 6 Months, 3 Hrs. per day (Monday to Friday) English, Hindi, Gujarati (5) PART-TIME; AUDIO, RADIO, TELEVISION & VIDEO SERVICING (a) ELIGIBILITY (b) MEDIUM (c) DURATION S.S.C. or Equivalent English 4 Months, 2 Hrs. per day (Monday to Friday) B.N. GAA4ADIA POLYTECHNIC Gamadia Colony, Tardeo, BOMBj Tel: 4944345; 4945362 Tardeo, BOMBAY 400007 I i.the Anjuman who shall then decide Damanias) that Mr (sic) Minochehr- ceremony of a man who was bom of a what is to be done. Mr Bahadur Saher, Homji should inform the panthaky non-Parsi mother? Do his orthodox the secretary of the Anjuman also con- that he was to perform the ‘navjote. ’ views somehow get diluted when it firms this decision that has been mi ­ nuted. ” She concluded with a remin ­ der, “Kindly bring with you the nirang, haoma sali and the sacred ash. ” [¦ I t Homji should inform the panthaky non-Parsi mother? Do his orthodox that he was to perform the ‘navjote. ’ views somehow get diluted when it The panthaky w^s told that the ‘Das- comes to wealthy or influential peo- tur ’ would call on him after his arrival pie? ” in Bangalore, which he never did! ” The Damanias argue, “According to Courageous saga the so-called rivai...he (the panthaky) The Bombay Samachar, supporting should have sent a letter inviting Das- Minochehr-Homji ’s cause, was the tur Minochehr-Homji. At the time, first to bring these events to the notice the only rivaj which this panthaky was of the community. In Unvalla ’s favor ¦ ¦ The Parsee Voice explained “the events as they occurred ” to report on “a courageous saga of an aged and re ­ commitment made earlier, became ground against the pressures and poli- ¦ " elitist elements in The Damania navjotes Minochehr-Homji, in his letter in Gu- , jarati to The Samachar, merely noted interested in, was a letter from the that he had undertaken the Mistrys ’ nav- P " ' 'C 7 jote after Sharukh and his brothei; Dadi ter his territory. When this did not had assured him of Unvalla ’s verbal ’ sanction. It was his daughter and son-in- law - the Damanias who took it upon , . ,, themselves to clarify their point of started spreading misinformation and Bangalore... view: On the insistence of their chil- distortion of facts. ” They further On reviewing this whole episode, dren to have their navjote ceremony added in defence of Minochehr- Renu Mistry, her enthusiasm unmar- Lther Dastur Minochehr-Homjl, the other priests or run publicity cam- la. He was informed “well in. advance done in the name of religion and Dastur seeking his permission...to en- ¦’i I ’ll j i' i- J r a happen, he completely changed his spected Parsi priest who stood his vindictive, boycotted the navjote and tics of some distortion of facts. ” They further uitii lu iiavv added in defence of Minochehr- . , . . performed by their maternal grand- Homji, “He has never spoken ill of red, was still pleased with their deci- Liiivi Lzaoif. Xvz... . 7.- L:.: ;r “7. ------ sion to initiate their children into parents approached panthaky Unval- paigns the way others have recently Zoroastrianism which she ,views as la. He was informed “well in. advance done in the name of religion and “such an intellectual i^^h. But t e of our intention ’and deep joy to invite rivaj.” furore spurred her husband Sharuk the children ’s grandfather to perform , The Parsee Voice also excused Un- to raise certain queries. The nayjo es the naviotes.* We had requested the valla for not parting with the haoma being legal and a time for rejoicing, panthaky s participation and this was accepted by him, ” they wrote. According to The Parsee Voice’s version of the incidents as reported in their issue of October 16-31,1986, “At this stage it was made clear to (the stating that it was “rightly refused...on rivaj.” The Parsee Voice also excused Un- sali and pomegranate leaves required why did they have to face so many ...... - . . . . r. --------------------------1---------------------- Soonavala children whose navjotes be performed of children of mixed were performed by Minochehr-Homji, a week prior to the Damania navjotes. for the nuhan (holy bath) of the obstacles? Every time a navjote has to marriages, would the parents have to undergo such anxiety or would they be forced to leave Bangalore and perform religious grounds. ” The Damanias it outside? Most important, what ab- countered, “Are you aware that this out the impression on young minds en- panthaky has performed the wedding tering the religion? ¦. .1 Golden Opportunity We buy old toys with keys and models of Mechanical Cars, Scooter, Ship, Marble Statue, Stamps, Coins. Currency Notes. Postal used Covers. Chinese Crockery. War medals. Picture Post Card. Cinema Star Books. Playing Cards, album collections. Gold and Silver Pocket Watches, Cigarette cards. Please write: B.K. Gohel Plot No 225/2 Jawahar Nagar Road No 14 Goregaon (West) Bombay 400062 Gifts& —IMittpiSi 1 1 The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive ^fts, , religious artefacts, executive desk sets, exclusive shell items, designer jewelry & spedalizing in wood & copper-enamel ^fts. BOMBAY SWADESHI STORES LTO. (Mezzanine Floor) Sir P.M. Road, Bombay-400 001 I STUDIO AKAR 6T/2660 6 Parsiana February 1987 JI READERS’ FORUM «• Bombay...At the seat of the Assisi “Not so quickly responded Bishopric, Homi Dhalla, a white-clad Hooshang Havare'sf of Jacksonville, a • ; Zoroastrian, sat in a tiny study under a practitioner of that faith. Fire plays an ’ painting of the Madonna and Child, essential role in the practice of this j He read and explained Zoroastrian faith, he explained, but it is not wor- ’• j prayers while seated in front of a flam- shipped. It is a symbol, he said, and ' ing iron brazier. His mother and a few plays the same role as the cross in ; curious journalists watched. ” Christianity'or the Star of David in We do not know in what manner Dr Judaism. ‘We pray to God. ’ “At his suggestion, the Associated , ters the significance of fire and light in Press foreign desk in New York con- the Zoroastrian religion. We can guess tacted Prof Erach Munshi, president for sure that he must have stated that it of the Zoroastrian Association of stands as a symbol of Ahura Mazda ’s Greater New York. Nat Polowetsky, creative principle and not an object of AP Foreign Editor, said Munshi told worship. However, it seems that his him that the presence of fire is essen- explanation has caused a great mis- tial in the prayer ritual, but is not wor- understanding. If our guess is correct, shipped. The ‘fire worshipping ’ term then I think it is of utmost importance itself is not offensive to him, Munshi that he should promptly and strongly said, but he would like to see its use write to the AP, with a copy sent to the done away with. ” Vatican, and demand a correction. Dr Havaresf continues in-his letter: A letter received from Dr Kaikhos- “It could be understood from Prof row Havaresf of Jacksonville, Florida Munshi ’s statement that he does not says: “Florida Times Union, the local consider the term ‘fire worshipper ’ an paper in Jacksonville, following a re- insult or offensive, which consequently port received from the Associated could be interpreted that we are fire Press, calls the Zoroastrians'fire wor- worshippers. I, Dr Havaresf, as a shippers. ’This remark has hurt all the Zoroastrian, expect the leaders of our Zoroastrians in this area. My brother. Readers' views are welcome on any Hooshang Havaresf, called the repor- 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. !, MM-f . I . . n. f 1 > fill} M » * » * ¦ I > I I, U I 11 t» »»»I III II ipirMtO »> .......... ------- *•*»*?»* bny«»-»b«t ¦ »?»»> ten St:-- MO * I B a ‘Not so Homi Dhalla explained to the repor- I i K?; b's:** .«.r, I community to explain to the world the truth of our religion which is the ter of the paper and expressed his ‘worship of God ’ and not the ‘worship objection on behalf of the community, of fire. ’ I would also like to suggest After asking many questions on the that the subject of fire worship be subject, the reporter asked for the taken up promptly and discussed in the name of a community leader who World Zoroastrian Congress and the could clarify the situation for him. result of the deliberation, which I am , . Hooshang gave the name of Prof sure will be favorable', be declared to Not fire worshippers Erach Munshi. president of the the world Press. ” Dr Havaresf ends his I am sure many of you have read the Zoroastrian Association of Greater letter with the sentence: ‘‘I hope this report in local newspapers about New York, the only leader of the com- Zoroastrians being called ‘‘fire wor- munity he could name. shippers. ” The news was spread by the - - - reporter of the Associated Press. (AP) with the reporter, I called Prof Munshi cause of unity among our ranks. ” and is estimated to have been pub- to inform him of the situation and lished in 300 to 400 papers. Representatives of 12 world reli- false accusation. However, the result bated to his kind and tolerant nature, gions gathered in Assisi, Italy on Octo- of Munshi ’s discussion does not seem He does not like to hurt people ’s feel- ber 27, 1986, at the invitation of Pope to have convinced the reporter, be- John Paul II, for prayers for world cause the following conclusion was peace. The report was reflected in The published in Florida Times Union of Dr K. Namdaran of Belmont, Califor- Washington Post, World News section November 9:‘‘In an Associated Press nia. It expressed his grave concern on October 28; ‘‘ln_a day marked by story from Assisi, Italy on the October over the report published in the San separate prayers and common fel- assemblage of religious leaders called Francisco Chronicle on the event in lowship in this medieval, gray stone by Pope John Paul II to spur global Assisi, in which the Zoroastrians are hill town, eagle-feathered Indians peace efforts, the opening paragraph described as ‘fire worshippers. ’ from Montana rubbed shoulders with referred to'fire worshipping Zoroas- “ fire worshipping Zoroastrians from trians. ’ letter of mine will not hurt the feelings of true Zoroastrians (Parsis or Ira- FoHowing Hooshang ’s conversation nians) and that instead it would be the Regarding Prof Munshi ’s remark, strongly requested him to clear the although regrettable, it may be attri- ings, but deep in heart, he is with us. I have received another letter from To get to the depth of the matter, is the term ‘fire worshippers ’ such an in- 1 Parsiana February 1987 jjg^ ¦A % J I I I IS' suiting and damaging attribute to our think that the religious and community 1986. From his quote from The religion to justify sucjM of an- leaders of each of the cities and the Washington Post, “eagle-feathered In- . .......................................................dians from Montana rubbed shoulders with fire worshipping ZLoroastrians ger and frustration on our part? The states in North America should write answer is yes. Possibly for some who to the AP and demand the correction, _ live in a cultural environment in India and also send copies of the protest to from Bombay, ” it obviously appears > which tolerates any dogma or belief the Vatican. We should explain to as if we are being Treated as exotica, under any name, it may not-be so them that the “fire ” mentioned in the This by itself is objectionable. What is grave. But for the Zoroastrians of holy Gathas (as beautifully described worse is the latent suggestion that Iran, living in a strictly monotheistic by the late Dr Iruch J.S. Taraporewala Zoroastrianism is some ancient cult culture, it is a damaging insult. Some and other Zoroastrian scholars), refers dedicated to the worship of fire. ............. ............... . While in Assisi, I was asked about the significance of fire in our religious tradition. I had explained that fire,to us, was the symbol of Divine Light. I of us Still remember what degree of to the “divine inner fire ” in the hearts hardship and struggle we had to go of all mankind and that Zarathushtra through in Iran in order to convince chose fire as the outward symbol of his the Iranian Moslems that we are wor- faith —a sublime altar to turn to and shippers of Ahura Mazda and not fire. faith —a sublime altar to turn to and _____________ concentrate on, when worshipping had categorically mentioned, as I have This*^ was finally achieved under the Ahura Mazda. We may add that the always been doing, that Zoroastrians worship Ahura Mazda and not the fire. The symbol served to remind a Zoroastrian of his creator Ahura Maz- great leadership of the late Arbab attention paid to the physical fire in Kaikhorow Shahrokh, who was a great later prayers and rituals are but a rem- favorite of Reza Shah. nant of the old Aryan cult which reap- Now.after one half of a century, we, peared centuries after the revelation of da, whom alone he worshipped. In the Zoroastrians of India, Pakistan the Zoroastrian religion. Our Gathic spite of this explanation, my remarks and Iran, have come to this land of prayers are all addressed to Ahura have been misrepresented. freedom, North America, which also Mazda alone. We perceive Ahura I shall certainly write to the Associ- Dr ROSTAM SARFEH I thank Dr Sarfeh and all others who California. USA spite of this explanation, my remarks I shall certainly write to the Associ- happens to be monotheistic. Here too Mazda and we praise and worship ated Press and the Vatican about this. have protested at the use of this term in the American Press. Dr homi dhalla we find that due to misrepresentation Ahura Mazda, of our religious rituals, we are being accused of fire worship, a practice con- Homi D hat la replies • sidered to belong to polytheism and Dr Rostam Sarfeh expresses justifiable chagrin .at Zoroastrians being called “fire worshippers ” in news reports on nature worship of the Stone Age. chagrin .at Zoroastrians being called ‘‘Cailia’s COmimtmeilts’’ This is a grave situation, and if we “fire worshippers ” in news reports on In “Cama ’s commitments ” (Parsiana, want the survival of Zoroastrianism, the Day of Prayer convened by Pope December 1986) there is a reference to we must react swiftly and strongly. I John Paul II at Assisi on October 27, The Bombay Samachar trying to main- ! f 9 Parsiana February 1967 With the Best Compliments of INGERSOLL-RAND [INDIA] LIMITED Manufacturers of Air & Gas Compressors * Rock Drill EQuipment * Vacuum Pumps 4tain a tradition of appointing Parsi successors of today lack. Moreover, “Why single OUt Antia?” Editors. It may interest the readers to The Samachar, though always owned learn that in The Samachar's long and by Parsis and edited, with the above Mr Roudbari is puzzled as to why illustrious history'of about 165 years exception, by Parsi Editors, through- Kersey Antia should be singled out there were only two exceptions in this out the entire career has been always a when there were others also who col- ' direction. After Cowasji Hormusji cosmopolitan paper, appealing to all laborated in the performance of the Mama, two Maratha Hindus were the sections of the native community of much debated I’affaire - the navjote of fifth and the sixth Editors of The Bom- Western India. ” Joseph Peterson (“Why single out bay Samachar. The above words of appreciation Antia? ” Parsiana, December 1986). Mr R.P. Karkaria in his article in were written way back in 1898, but the Obviously, Mr Roudbari is referring to the Calcutta Review (April 1898) enti- same compliments may be given to this the two recently published booklets, tied “The oldest paper in India - The oldest living vernacular newspaper the first by Dasturs Hormazdyar Mir- Bombdy Samachar” writes: “Under even after about nine decades. za, Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa and Firoze these two Editors (Temulji Mirza and A passing reference to the first ver- Kotwal, and the second by Zoroas- Gowasji Mama) as well as their two nacular papers will be found interest- trian Studies, and also their very in ­ successors, the Samachar sustained its ing. The first “native ” vernacular teresting reviews penned by Homi Ro- early reputation fairly well. These lat- weekly Sungbad Cowmuddy (or the gers and Faribourz Nariman respec ­ ter were two Hindus: Janardhan moon of intelligence) was edited by tively. Wasudev and his brother Vinayak Babu Tarachand Dutt and Babu Bhu- _ Wasudev, who both rose high in Gov- bani Charan Bundapadia, and started ignored is that everybody does some- ernment service later on, the former in December 1821, only seven months thing wrong sometimes, but everybody becoming acting judge of the Bombay before The Bombay Samachar. Prior does not justify the wrong done. As he Supreme Court, the first native to sit to that. Samachar Darpan was started says, a few persons were involved with on that bench, and the latter rising to by the Serampore missionaries and the wrong done, but only Antia tried be the oriental translator to the Gov- was edited by J. Marshman. Accord- to justify it in many ways. In spite of ernment. They were Maratha Hindus, ing to Mr Karkaria it existed for 21 the fact that the wrong done was con- and it was a unique thing for such Hin- years. He adds, “strictly speaking, it demned by the highest ecclesiastical dus to edit a Gujarati newspaper own- cannot be called a ‘native ’ paper as it authority (the above mentioned Das- ed by Parsis. But the Maratha learned was conducted by Europeans. ” turjis), the trustees of the Bombay men in those days studied Gujarati ratan r. marshall Parsi Punchayet, other scholars, etc, well, an accomplishment which their Surat continued on page 26 The point which Mr Roudbari has RATAN R. MARSHALL Surat With Best Compliments From: MAZDA ESTATES Sf EirtAMCE PRIVATE LIMITED For Land, Residential Flats, Shops fie Commercial Premises, Estate Advisory Services 1 1 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, Mavsari 396445 Tel: 3249 11 Parsiana February 1987POLITICS AND POLICY High Priests attend Federation meet Training of paramobeds to begin with the aid of High Priests Arnavaz S. Mama i The need for informmg Parsi women of their l^d rights through a series of public leches in the various bangs and Noshir Kaikobad who is currently hand ­ ling the Federation ’s school and family _ _ _______________________ counselling services. Kaikobad noted that Meherjirana, High Priest of reports of injustice to and atrocities Navrooz "Minochehr-Homji of the Fasli lore in the course of family counselling . Atash Kadeh in Bombay have, moreover, a^eed to personally help in the training of paramobeds — a t — trained to perform certain permissible reli- various fields, donations have been re- ^ous ceremonies. ceived towards the co^us of three, in- Jhe long discussed youth exchange pro- formed Fe^iation joint honorary sec- jcct, wha-eby youngsters from Bombay retary Keki Gaidhi. would visit with Parsis in other parts of The Federation has deci^ to accept bidia and vice versa, came closer to being foreign anjumans as associate members implemented with an offer by the without the right to vote. '' Federation jH’esident and Bombay Parsi Mazda Industries and Leasing s man- Punchayet (BPP) chairman Dr Aspi aging director Homi Mehta offered a sum Golwalla volunteering, on behalf of the of Rs 30,000 per year for five,years to BPP, to pay travelling expenses. enable the Delhi Parsi Anjuman ’s (DPA) , With the increasing number of married Ms Piloo Jungal walla to publish work ­ working women and the growing need for books authored by Ms Perin Lalkaka. ' day-care centers for children, the Federa- Jungalwalla had appealed for funds from tion has agt^ to partially finance a pilot the Federation and its member anjumans day-care project from the Federation ’s for the project in February ’86. The women and children ’s fund. A voluntary announcement of the Mazda largesse was agency under BPP supervision will man- made, appropriately, just after Professor age the center. Kaikhosrov Irani of New York, the day ’s Differences of opinion between mem- guest speaker, had appealed for adequate bers of the Madras Parsi Zarthosti An- educational material to train Zoroastrian juman apparently resulted in the secretary children in North America. of the Madras Parsi Anjuman, Rusi ------- - «*ih- Ginwalla, questioning the FederatitMi ’s practice of coopting five individual mem- . .ru ­ bers on the body which is supposed to president of the Ni^^ne. represrat anjumans and punchayets. Cur- •- i—» rently Ms Mani Clubwala of Madras is Zone. The council, however, unani- coopting individuals, citing the example vice president of the Rajya Sabha. The usual horseshoe seating arran- the first time in the history of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroaslrian An- jumans of India, two High Priests attend- , _ ed the executive council meeting held at colonies has been proposed by I^fessor toe Bhiwandiwalla Hall, New Delhi on December 11 and 28, 1986 and parti ­ cipated in its deliberations. Dastur Meher- ----- - -1^-- ~* toe orthodox citadel of Navsari and Dastur committed on Parsi women came to toe sessions. Of the nine awards instituted by the corps of behdins Federation to recognize excellence in ceived towards the corpus of three, in- The Federation has decided to accept With no other nominations forth ­ coming, the DPA’s acting president Nowsherwanji was confirrr^ as vice of Ms Nergish Nargolwala, now a DPA tte “cdopted**member from the South some solace to the delegates who sorely _ .y. ¦« ¦ _ _ ___ I ' l«.Mt IntA iShaoVA'v ttlA mously voted to craitinue the system of Federation ’s architect and its founding trustee, at the council meeting, was of missed her late husband Shiavax, the Minochehr-Homji and (top) Meherjirana i 13 Pardana Fabniaiy1987uncultivated land around tempts 1 occupied. He advised tiie council to | ‘The mischief starts by an innocuous I on the land records of the local patwari. It is necessary that ndghbOTing j anjumans keep' tabs on revenue I i ! . 1 ¦ [i ' Katpitia to complete the deal, is tow ------------ - lying with Desai ’s assistant, awaiting the croachas arid the bungh is illegally lawyer ’s approvaL _ j, « T^ persons mi salary or job work dispose of the land once and tor au. basis will be appointed to ferret out ‘T* *"¦* ‘•tangible data ’’regarding defunct anjuman entry properties, announced the BPP chief ex- i ' ecutive^ Rustom Anklesaria. One indi- anjumans keep' tabs on revenue au- I v iHiiai will concentrate on Gujarat pro- thorities and get the record of rights. If I perties and the other will be free to take any new name is found, it .is an advice | mi all-India issues. The costs will be warning of what is happening. But if fm I borne by the BPP and SPP which the 13 years smneone ’s name is on the 1 Federation will reimburse when the records, it ’s too late. Maintain the pass- | pimialies are sold. book regularly, advised B^ trus^ 1 Al Niyamahad, anjuman ptopertv land Jam^eed Kanga, an IAS office with | stands in the name of a non-Parsi agri- experience in matters of land revenue I culturist since 1972. Thus for over 13 records. Khodaiji, an ex-IAS man j years the anjuman ’s name is off the land himself, suggested that an alternative to I records. At the Junagadh aramgah, land is court proceedings is to come to terms 1 ; i ; i While the community in all parts of India demonstrated the same demographic characteristics, the socioeconomic aspects of each anjuman stand out distinctly K ¦ I I h 4 r. f i *4 'W V '¦.' gement of the executive council sessions in the resplendent, floodlit Bhiwandiwalla Hall with charcoal braziers adding to the delegates ’ comfort in the chilly Delhi —_ winter, led Professor Irani to liken the sold, according to retired SPP president scene to the Sassanian court with Ma^k Ghey^ Golwalla in the role of Nosherwan the wiU. Kauty and otto a cons.JerHl.on fcr when aU the bff trustees uepaiLcu Tom. nn««Mion of disouted otodo^ 4.00 pm oh the second day, leaving a truncated council to continue with the issues at hand. being encroached and gravestones being Above: (from 1^) Nws^mji. - • ------- 1 J—Gohvalla, Gandhi, Giader, Kanga and MinooS^off At Neemach there is disaffection bet- j^ggai (i^) and Clubwala ween the few Parsi families (30 to 50 peo- ' I Federation joint honorary treasurer Jam- vacant possession of di^ut^ joopm^ - ' The DPA’s Rusi Engineer, who on shed Guzder the vice president of the SnCU vJUaUvI uiv viw w* - ------ V* ir Neemach anjuman is a lady over 70 years behalf of the DPA has t^en on himself the onus of looking after the Simla aramgah, reported that there are iron rails and a gate oh two sides but the l(X)-year- old and her cousin, over 80 years old, is the president The one energetic Parsi man, who runs a petrol pump and is ------ --------- . . - croable of delivering the goods, resigned old cemetery is othmwire quite depict^ aTfrustee. Katpitia noted, however, that and overgrown with weMs and no records “SES are distinct chances of Utigation. Gol- the approach road to the aramgah is no w alla meanwhile informed the delegates longer motorable. The two rooms on each that the old lathes have volunteered to sell side of the gate are illegally occupied. Defunct anjumans Though an offer of one rupee per square meter has been received from die encroa- chers on the dokhma land at Diu, BPP trustee and Federation joint honorary sa- retary ]____________ should try for a better price. The issue of the Diu lands has been ^scussed at Federa ­ tion meetings for the last pne year and thaiiks to the efforts of Mindc^w Bharu- Sts siTS s saidBwan Khodaiji of^Lucknow. The agreed to help train those behdins wUlmg Sd b« to «,leto.«,p»f«n.c»tonpnesdydo«. are traceable. Situated deep down a valley are distinct chances of litigation. Gol- A^e lathes have volunte^ to^U side of the gate are illegally occupied. 14 Febtvary 1SB7When Peshotan Nargolwala, die Fed- I nation ’s joint hemor^ treasurer, sug- | gested that the BFFs committee in I charge of mobed amclioraticm be entrusted with selecting inthviduals for paramobed i training, Meherjirana responded imme ­ diately, “I visft Bombay very oftoi and shall be most willing to be on the committee. ” Minochehr-Homji declared: “I am ready — it is high time! ” The Ahmednagar and Allahabad an- ; jumans are in the forefront with can- | didates ready for training. The Federation, | the BPP and the local anjuman will share I the cost of the training and if a local I anjuman cannot afford it, the Federation ? and the BPP will absorb the costs, offered I Golwalla. I Minochehr-Homji noted that the topic a A ¦s 8, t » - 2Loroastrians. The runner-up team re- ressa ’s biannual, bilingual publication, terms of 25 years of service to the ceived a smaller monetary compensa- Listing new facilities such as new over- Surat Parsi Punchayet (SPP) and-the tion and token surprise gifts awaited head tanks, a new pump to fill them, Parsi community in Surat, Maneck the first to reach Tata Palace and Cen- new water heaters, a TV, new dining Gheyara, the retiring chairman of its tral Bank. A contributory lunch, at the room furniture, etc, the magazine residence of Zal Contractor, WZO’s notes: “Almost everything has Bombay secretary, followed. changed in the past 20 years (since the The decision to hold the treasure Madressa reopened in 1966) except hunt was reached barely a month be- the building and the principal! ’’ And, fore the scheduled date. Falling short with the foundation stone for the of finance, the Youth Wing decided to building ’s new extension having been contact Mazda Industries and Leasing laid on December 9, Knowledgiate'9 or the Kavarana Trust or BPP trustee editor, Cyrus Sidhva^ a graduate in [ Homi Ranina to sponsor the event. Luckily, one of the committee mem- bers bumped into Ranina at the Kara ­ s' ni Agiary and he agreed to sponsor the “Almost everything Hi i I ( I Avesta-Pahlavi fropi St Xavier ’s Col ­ lege, will have more new happenings to announce in the next issue. Publishing the magazine is a lot of event on the spot, says committee work as advertisements have to be member Ms Hutoxi Khan. sought and accommodated and edito- Even though the treasure hunt was rial matter composed in English and t - . t advertised in Mid-Day, The Daily and Gujarati, and Sidhva acknowledges i E* ! I I H i' Hi! ; Jam-e-Jamshed and non-Parsi friends the help he receives from Ervads were permitted to enter the game, the Ramiyar and Kersi Karanjia. turnout in terms of numbers was dis- — appointing, admits Khan. Although the Youth Wing has about Madressa, sports, natural history, donation of one lakh rupees. The “1 45 members, largely in the 19 to 35 stamps, essays, poems, fiction, humor, SPP’s gratitude has been recorded by age-group, only a core group of less riddles, cartoons and crossword puz- way of a press release from its chair- than 20 attend the functions orga- zles. man. Dr Sam^hacca. Gheyara has re- i nized, says Khan who is filing her soli- ; citor ’s articles at Mulla and Mulla, ' Craigie, Blunt and Caroe. Members ’dues for the WZO Youth commissioner and Bombay Parsi Pun- nity in Surat. The Gheyara family has consistently I SB. Gheyara: generous aid H The 80-page, offset xerox magazine includes articles on recent events, the board of trustees has made a personal In a message, published in the quested the SPPboard to use the inter ­ fourth issue of Knowledgiate, Jam- est accruing on the money to relieve sheed Kanga, Bombay ’s ex municipal the distress of the poor of thecommu- Wing are Rs 50 per annum for working chayet trustee, says: “An institution of I members and entirely free for stu- this sort which prepares young men for and generously aided the SPP. Not v dents. Other eye-openers organized by the honorable profession of the priest- long ago, the family donated Rs 21,000 21 f^rsiana February 1967 IH t Hl 1 i H i ! IHr to the Surat Parsi General Hospital in honorary consultant to the B.D. Petit memory of Bai Najamai Ratanshah Parsee General Hospital, the Tata Gheyara, notes Bhacca. Memorial Hospital, the J.J. Hospital | Among Maneck Gheyara ’s other and the INS Asvini Armed Forces | accomplishments is that of being a Hospital; honorary visiting urologist to founding vice-president of the Federa- the Bombay Hospital; and honorary tion of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of advisor to the Shere Kashmir Institute India. His unstinting help has also of Medical Sciences, Srinagar and the been available to Parsis from other Gujarmal Modi Hospital and Re ­ parts of India. Gheyara himself attri- search Centre for Medical Sciences, butes his success to the friendship he Delhi, notes his bio data. He is also enjoys with the other communities of visiting professor to the Universities of Gujarat. Wisconsin, Denver and Detroit in the USA. lAd COaCtling A member of a number of organiza- A coaching scheme, for the benefit of tions for urology surgeons, Karanjava- students of minority communities la has chaired many conferences both appearing for the entrance examina- national and international and has tions of the Indian Administrative Ser- several publications to his name, vice and other allied services, has been , .j x sponsored by the Minorities ’ Training World Slirgeons president ! I »• ! I / Vajifdar (right) receiving the Freedom Fighter Award from Sinha occupy the post, will assume office as Sub-centre of Allahabad University, The first Indian to be made president- president in 1989/1990, adds the notes the November issue of the Fed elect of the International College of report. Newsletter, the bulletin of the Federa- Surgeons, Washington, for 1987 and The College is affiliated to the Newsletter, the bulletin of the Federa- Surgeons, Washington, for 1987 and tion of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of 1988 is Bombay ’s eminent surgeon Dr World Health Organization and brings India. The scheme is open to those Tehemton E. Udwadia, notes The together 13,000 surgeons spread over whose guardian ’s annual income is be- Economic Times of October 8, 1986. low Rs 20,000. Further details may be Considered the highest recognition obtained from Dr Ratan Sagar, P.O. conferred by the international surgical at the J. J. Hospital and Grant Medical Agricultural Institute, Allahabad community, Udwadia, the youngest to College and consultant to several oth- 211007. Karanjavala with the Dhanvantari Award. Sagar has also offered to provide vocational guidance in agriculture, especially in animal husbandry to those individuals who wish to start a small scale enterprise in rearing birds or animals, adds the write-up. Laurels for Karanjavala For his contributions to the field of urology. Dr Dara Kaikhushroo Karan ­ javala was presented the Dhanvantari Award by the Maharashtra Governor Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma at a func ­ tion organized at the Taj Mahal Hotel on October 26, 1986, note newspaper reports. Karanjavala is the fourteenth doctor to be presented with the award and citation which was instituted in 1973 by the Dhanvantari Foundation. The cita ­ tion of the award reads: “You are an • authority on uroscopy... In the detec ­ tion of urinary calculus you have few equals. Urology has made great adv ­ ances in this country in the past three decades or so. Your significant role in its development cannot be overstres ­ sed. ” Awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1983, the 65- year-old doctor has a string of qual ­ ifications to his name, and is at present 23 Parsiana February 1987 »i>i < !] |j ii il h ¦ Bi- ' I |ia, -il ' -.1 ib 111 nations, states the write-up. Dr Udwadia is honorary professor er hospitals, add newspaper reports. Patriot recognized One-time active Congress worker who later joined the Forward Bloc formed by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, 71- year-old Ms Shera Vajifdar was pre ­ sented the Freedom Fighter Award by the Collector of Bombay A.P. Sinha on October 24, 1986, note news re ­ ports in Bombay ’s dailies. A close associate of Bose, she claims to be among the last persons to have met him before he left India for good. A former municipal councillor of Bombay, Vajifdar continues with her social work activities and is presently president of the Bombay-based Nav- sari Parsi Association, vice-president of the All India Animal Welfare Asso ­ ciation and joint honorary secretary of the Mayor ’s Fund Committee of Bom ­ bay, states a press release. Gold at Stampex For his Aden Victorian Era study col ­ lection, Vispi S. Dastur was awarded a gold medal at the recently concluded Stampex-86 Philatelic Exhibition in Australia, notes a press release. The collection consists of Indian stamps used in Aden during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 to 1902). A spe- I i )• n lif ii' ilicial prize from the Postal History Soci- Pax Mundi Organization was formed SPOTLIG HT ety of Australia, of old Australian pen- to commemorate the late Dag Ham- nies converted into silver-coated marskjold, the activist secretary gener- ... spoons, was also presented to t>astur al of the United Nations Organization Erach Udwadia has been awarded the for the same collection. to whom the Nobel Peace Prize was Padma Bhushan this yem while social Honorary secretary of the Empire of posthumously awarded in 1961, TTie worker Capt Hprmazdiar Jamshedji India Philatelic Society, Dastur is also Pax Mundi governing body consists of Muncherji Desai and J.P.Birdi have joint editor of India’s Stamp Journal eminent international philanthropists been awarded the Padma Shri (The and regional representative of the In- * ' • -r. mo-? dia Study Circle based in UK. At the same exhibition. Dr Jamshed in the spirit of the late Dag Hammars- Madan was awarded a silver medal for kjold. To encourage individuals work- his stamp collection based on the ing for peace, the Organization insti- Bombay-based physician Dr Farokb Pax Mundi governing body consists of Muncherji Desai and J.P.Birdi have and -aims at promoting peace within Times of India, January 26, 1987). troubled nations and between nations One of the eight new judges of the Bombay High Court, sworn in on November 21, 1986, is 46-year-old Chinese Boxer Rebellion of 1900, adds tuted the annual Dag Hammarskjold Sam N. Variava, specializing in rom- the release. Hansotia’s delivery team Bombay ’s second test-tube baby was brought into this world by a team of report. doctors headed by Dr Mehroo Hanso- ber 21, 1986. The 30-year-old mother, the Pax Mundi Organization and the 85. The silver plaque was presented by who was unable to conceive due to Medicina Alternativa International, Maharashtra ’s minister for finance and blocked fallopian tubes caused by whose silver jubilee was also being industries, Sushilkumar Shinde. genital tuberculosis, gave birth by an celebrated. elective caesarean section to “a nor- , , „ Management consultant and BPP trus- mal, healthy female child weighing Commerce Cnlei tee Minoo Shroff has been elected 2,340 grams, ” notes the Free Press The newly elected president of the president of the Indo-Japanese Asso- Journal of November 22. Bombay Chamber of Commerce and ciation, (Financial Express of In March last year, the team of doc- Industry for the year 1987-88 is Jehan- September 14, 1986). tors had been successful in getting gir S. Khambatta, president and man- three fertilizable mature eggs aging director of Glaxo Laboratories Beheram Dastoor has been appointed (oocytes) by laproscopy from the (India), notes The Times of India of the Air Canada sales manager for the mother, each of which were then fertil- January 2. Indian subcontinent and will be re- ized by one lakh sperms from her hus- An advocate by profession, Kham- sponsible for marketing the Airline band. Two oocytes were successfully batta is a fellow of the Institute of throughout India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, fertilized and transferred to the Company Secretaries of India and has Nepal and Bangladesh {Jam-e- mother ’s uterus, 24 hours after recov- been a member of the senior executive Jamshed, January 30, 1987). ery of the eggs and 18 hours after in- program of the London Business semination, notes the report. School. Recently, he was elected com- The venture cost Rs 20,000, part of pahion of the British Institute of Man- which was to be borne by the parents agement. Director in three companies, _ and the rest by the Fertility Clinic he is also associated with hospital and appointed chairman of the Association where the artificial insemination was health trusts, adds the report. of Business Communicators of India, performed, adds the write-up. , , „ , Gujarat Chapter. Daruvala’s fourth Award for Master Meherwan Daruvala won the National Teh mu rasp R. Doongaji, manager “For her work in promoting the know- Squash title for the fourth time in sue- (planning and coordination) TISCO ledge of the divine universal natural cession when he defeated Lt Col Raj has taken over as chief executive of the laws contained in the Mazdayasnie Manchanda, 9-4, 9-4, 9-3 at the glass- metals division of the Ahmedabad Zarathushtrian Daena, Ilm e backed courts of the Cricket Club of Advance Mills Limited, at Navsari Khshnoom, ” Dr Meher K. Mas ter- India, on January 23, 1987, notes the (The Economic Times, January 24, Moos was awarded the Pax Mundi Indian Express of January 24. Organization ’s Dag Hammarskjold In the final that lasted for 65 mi- ' award on September 20, 1986 at Col- nutes, “quick-footed ” Daruvala “avoi- ombo, Sri Lanka, notes a press re- c-J —j -—-j ’ ... . . lease. Among the 12 individuals who ball in play, knowing that he had the a lodge for past masters, in Bombay on received the 1986 awards were two In- i _ dians, the other being Mother Teresa 43-year-old Manchanda, adds the re ­ fer “her work for the upliftment of port. people in India, ” adds the report. A non-governmental organization with its head office in Belgium, the Arjun Singh 9-2, 9-2, 9-1. awards from the Nobel Prize money, pany and commercial law (The Times 1986 being the Organization ’s silver of India, January 22, 1987). jubilee year, an unprecedented 12 in ­ dividuals were thus honored, adds the For the third successive year, Darab C. Pader of Veera Tanneries Pvt Ltd re- _______ —_ _____ The well attended, international ceived the award for “outstanding ex- tia and Dr Sadhana Desai on Novem- conference was jointly organized by port performance ” for the year 1984- Maharashtra ’s minister for finance and 24 Parsiana February 1987 celebrated. Commerce chief Bombay Chamber of Commerce and ciation. Express 1 Jimmy H. Havewala, deputy public re ­ lations manager of Indian Petroche ­ micals Corporation Limited, has been 11 '1 ,3 ¦ 1987). Dara Contractor was installed as the ded any fancy shots and kept the right worshipful master of Lodge Tara, ..... ¦ • - --------------------------------=- r.---------1-----------------1 advantage of age and fitness ” over the August 30, 1986. This achievement is • • ¦ considered rare in Freemasonry as he is among the “very few members ” who In the meanwhile, Farokh Pandole merit a presidentship in all three — the won the juniors title when he defeated Scottish, the English and the Irish con- ------ - - - stitutions, notes a press release.f ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD Nonacceptance dilemma “Intermarriage is a very real problem our community has to face, ” notes a letter written by a 26-year-old Zoroas- .. _______________ ___________ trian woman to the Editor of Gavash- by the Zoroastrian Association of trian co mmuni ty of India whose J.- xV. r .. r, . . . . . . - . . .. .. Association of Quebec. Zoroastrians and non-Zoroastrians on gree of religiosity, to that of Iran the subject. Referring to the report, he where educated Zoroastrians tended says that most Zoroastrian traditions either toward complete secularization “forged over several millennia can be or, in some cases, to conversion to the traced back to show a continuity in the Baha ’i faith. ” The study will also ex- or another. ” But, he adds, the tradi- nian Zoroastrians to Bombay and their ity, to turn the Zoroastrian women Stiles further plans to make a com- ' and their children away by not accept- parative study of the Zoroastrians of ing them. We just cannot accept such Iran and those of India - to explain losses here. ” “the differences in responses to mod- Bagli talks of the report compiled ernization on the part of the Zoroas- . ’ ” .... - .-------- ------ ...______________ ! wes- zii, the newsletter of the Zoroastrian Quebec on the opinions of learned ternized elite maintained a larger de ­ Association of Quebec. r, . . . „ ..... Relating her experience, the woman notes, that being brought up in an orthodox household in the USA, it was expected of her to marry a __________ _______ _________ " Zoroastrian. She had every intention teachings of the prophet, in one form plore the immigration patterns of Ira- of doing so to the extent that when she (............. " , " ' , ' ' ' Z_____ 1_____ Z ___ received her degree from her college tion of nonacceptance finds nowhere impact, integration and economic rela- . in USA, she moved to a city in Canada such a continuation. tionship with the Parsi community to meet others of her own religion. She „ , , there, notes the report. » met and went out with, for the first *>3113 I COnvertS 111 IrSll / time, a Zoroastrian, who later left her Zoroastrian conversions to the Baha ’i Australia’s State Champion for another woman. Calling this “the faith in Yazd, Iran may be due to the The new under-13 New South Wales ; turning point of my life; ’the lady notes fact that religious reform failed to that “through that relationship I real- keep pace with social change. This ____________________ , _ .. __ . ized that although it is very important conclusion was arrived at via a study old Cherag Kalapesi of Sydney,"'Au- * to have a common religion, it is not the undertaken by Susan Stiles of the Uni- stralia, notes the November- answer to a happy relationship. ” versity of Arizona, the scope of which December issue of Manashni, the Soon after, she met a Canadian and encompasses the period extending newsletter of the Australian Zoroas- for the first time, she says, “I decided frpm the early 1880s to the beginning trian Association of New South Wales, to^ye a non-Parsi a fair chance with of th« twentieth century, notes the De- Part of the athletic squad which rep- me, ” and the two decided to get mar- cember Gavashni, the newsletter of resented his school, St Pius X College ried. “It was very painful and trauma- the Zoroastrian Association of ' tic to tell my parents about this rela- Quebec, quoting from the Bulletin of tionship. They tried to discourage it the Center for Zoroastrian Research, the best they could; but as much as I Part of a thesis completed in 1983 love them, I had to stand by my deci- for her MA examination, Stiles details sion, ” she recalls. Before they decided the cause of this conversion. When the . in USA, she moved to a city in Canada such a continuation. Baha’i converts in Iran ..?.r to get married, the couple agreed to Parsis of India sent emissaries to their “the differences in responses to mod- state champion in athletics, for the 100 meters and 200 meters run, is 11-year- I i i j A raise their children as 2k>roastrians - a decision which was “very important ” to the lady. i I feel it a great loss to the ZOroas- anu vvuuuiuiv itiumia, wiuvu icu lo I trian community to turn away young the formation of a new mercantile elite women who marry outside (the com- in the ZLoroastrian community of Iran, munity). Especially the North Amer- notes the report. However, when reli- ican community will have to come to gious reform failed to keep pace with grips with this dilemma. Has the social change, an ideational vacuum Quebec Zoroastrian Association done was created amongst this educated > any further research in this area?^ ’she class, and, the Baha ’i faith with its asks. tolerance and rationality amongst • In his reply, Gavashni's Editor, Dr other things, succeeded in filling this zz Jehan Bagli, while stating that “there vacuum, adds the write-up. exists no doctrinal evidence to prevent Yet, even after conversion, the at the New South Wales Pulsar Games a Zoroastrian woman, married to a ZLoroastrian Baha ’is continued to (an inter-school athletic meet) held on non-Zoroastrian rrtan, to bring her associate themselves with the Zoroas- October 16 and 17,1986, Kalapesi also child up as a Zoroastrian, ” notes, “I trian community. It was only after the took part in the shot put event where believe your approach is ideally exem- Zoroastrian community ceased to rec- he finished second. plary in fashion, and of course has ognize the converts as Zoroastrians This year, Cherag has won two yielded results, to this point satisfac- that they developed a distinctive school awards.Thefirstwasforbreak- tory ... I fully agree with you that it is a identity and the conversion process ing 11 records in athletics and the tragic loss to the Zoroastrian commun- was slowed considerably. second for academic achievemejit. co-religionists in Iran, who were de ­ spised and oppressed by the Muslims, they brought about a series of social and economic reforms, which led to i I 25 Parsiarta February 1987 // c I 1 IIIr ( ( Having migrated from India to Au- READERS’FORUM... continued from page 11 stralia in 1980, Kalapesi ’s family first ‘ ; 7~ settled in the Northern Territory, Antia not only refused to apologize reminds me of my Judaic heritage, where Cherag took part in the Terri- but tried to rub salt into the wound by So I am a “Parsephile ” and through tory Championships and won five sil- publishing The Argument for Accept- your magazine I keep up with the ver and two bronze medals. Four years ance. This is why he has been singled events and interests of the community, later they moved once more to Sydney out and reprimanded. I only wish that there was a mail order where he joined the athletic club, rodabeh j hamavandih service where one could order books Manly-Warringah Little Athletics, _ on Zoroastrianism in English. adds the write-up. Parsis akin to Jews? A keen sportsman, Kalapesi is also a In 1972 I had the opportunity to live competitive swimmer and plays rugby and work in Bombay in the area of Problem Of SUdrehS and tennis. Byculla. I noticed a number of the Mr Naval B. Vakeel ’s letter published neighbors reminded me of Jewish peo- under the heading “Problem of kustis ” Films for pesce pie. My host who was, as I am, of the {Parsiana, December ’86) bemoans The Film Festival of World Religions, Jewish faith told me that these lovely the shortage of kustis and its high organized by the World Conference on industrious people were Zoroastrians. price. What about sudrehs? Fine mal- Religion for Peace, Canada, on As an American I had never met any mal is costly and beyond the reach of November 16, 1986, included “a look of this faith and so Tbegan to read up most Parsis who can just about afford at the Zoroastrian religion with slides on their religion. I was impressed by the coarser variety which too is not and video on ‘rites of passage ’ in fami- the Zoroastrian emphasis on ethics cheap. ly life, ” notes the December newslet- and ritual, and a sense of daily piety in ter of the Zoroastrian Society of both thought and deed. I was also im- Ontario. The slides were followed by a dis- overcome religious persecution and of the garment, after bath, is essential, cussion on the spiritual values held and emerged to be an example of econo- The hot and humid months necessitate cultural customs practiced by Zoroas- mic and cultural leadership. The change twice daily. This problem of trians in Toronto. Thfe other two reli- struggle to preserve identity and to sudrehs calls for a more urgent solu- gions discussed were Islam and make the religious heritage relevant in tion than that of kustis. t.c. katrak Buddhism, adds the write-up. this age also was a familiar story which Calcutta RODABEH J. HAMAVANDIH Sudrehs do not absorb sweat - they are not sweatshirts - and are therefore pressed how such a small minority had smelly and unhygienic. A daily change •I a l&the Many old lancttnoiks kt India Ao* ap0i»eiCMv» mmola ftom vwtoo. Uka #ta gratdout Bombay CtWiol StcAoK Ibe NcmBc Socully Pwm: lhe (Moty oid BMonm Bonk building wtd tnony moO’-dii butt by SbcqpQe^ FQllontiaCo Pvt Ltd. over me tail no yoon DMkq^ltaeping poo* wMb Hmi OmiMi, ntbpoof Faleb| IWWelnngedtttatacaafBtaiky linawWitky-iCRBMri w* Wliltw I cb rnnfconimenm ana loww* A ? ! ¦ ¦ IM ¦ BP SHAPOORJ PALLONJ & CO. (PVT.) LTD. Engineers & Construction Contractors New India Centre, 17 Cooperage Road, Bombay-400 039 India. Telex: 011 -2124; Tel.: 2026614, 2020228,2020762 26 Parsiana February 1987f I r INSTITUTIONS A palatable transformation The Parsi Amelioration Committee's confectionary store on Forjett Street is undergoing a change in decorand menu. Parinaz Toddywalla The ladies were busy taking stock of the-road sales counters from where in the evening. By 9.45 in the morning, I * the day ’s sales of dar ni poris, bhakras, items can be selected, orders booked, the fresh items as listed in the day ’s murabbas, gharis, jam tarts, patrel and payments made and deliveries col- menu are ready to be sold. There is a j tarapori patio - the items most in de- lected. This new approach will de- good demand for their moderately mand at the Parsi Amelioration Com- finitely be a breakthrough from the priced badampak, eedapak and vasanu mittee (PAC) Cooking and Confec- present mode of reaching the sales- - seasonal favorites among the Parsis. tionary Store. Accommodated on the room by walking past an unwelcoming The PAC even sends home tiffins - the ground floor of a building at the June- entrance to the building and a gloomy special bhonu which includes a non- tion of Forjett Street and Gowalia desolate passage before reaching the vegetarian dish at both meals costs Rs Tank, the shop, whose good odor has main entrance to the shop. 660 and the ordinary bhonu which in- so far been confined to this locality, “’..................... will soon cater to the tastes of a more place...it has got so much potential varied clientele. and not even 10 percent is being util- “Parsis being a limited market, we ized. Even I had never heard of this meal, no rates have been quoted so far. will venture into the sale of fast-food place until last year... ” stated Khan. The cooking is compartmentalized preparations and tandoori dishes to On hearing of the difficulties faced by among the staff, with the ladies being attract customers from other com- the trustees of the PAC in managing .... - - ' munities also, ” informed Keky Khan this place after the demise of their su- • who has been authorized by the trus- pervisor Ms Roda Ichhaporia, Khan tees of the PAC to manage their center put in an application urging them to general dish^ in another. One of the and enhance its financial returns. A allow him to manage this outlet on helpers, labelled “patrel specialist, ’/ is hotelman with 15 years of experience their behalf. The application was sub- exclusively in charge of patrels. Pre ­ in estq^blishments like The Taj, Fariyas mitted in April 1986 and a few months sently on the staff are eight Parsi ladies and Sahil, Khan, along with three later was given a clearance by the trus- and nine non-Parsi helpers. “You will others formed his own enterprise last tees. be surprised at how we get work out of year, Midas Hotels Pvt Ltd. His part- “Though we are still getting our our staff, ” said Khan who is commit- •ners Rajiv Nayan, Rakesh Bhatnagar footing in it, we have already started Ted to the PAC’s main objective ofem- and Merzi Chinoy also share his work- getting a good response from our cus- plowing as many deserving Parsis as load at the PAC and participate in the tomers, ” said a satisfied Khan on De- possible. “We have advertised, put renovation activities. cember 16, 1986. “When people come forth our resources, but it is very diffi- New cooking gadgets and modern back with good comments we feel hap- cult to find Parsi staff, ” he briefed. stoves will soon replace the earlier py that our efforts are appreciated. At worn-out equipment. 'The day ’s delica ­ cies will soon be displayed in newly de- but already it is showing healthier signed showcases, and to tempt pas- signs. ” Khan ’s optimism was infec- We shouldn ’t underestimate this eludes a non-vegetarian dish at only one meal costs Rs 540. Not having re ­ ceived any enquiries for a vegetarian . will venture into the sale of fast-food place until last year... ” stated Khan. entrusted with the work of preparing sweet concoctions in one room and the men busying themselves with the “Though we are still getting our signed showcases, and to tempt pas- signs, sersby, windows which are normally tious. found shut will be converted into off- “ 21 Parsiana February 1S87 1 Over the years, the PAC has been first, there was no question of profit functioning on a “hand-to-mouth ex ­ istence, ” informs one of the active members of the Committee. The orga ­ nization ’s trust deed of 1963 shows continued on page 31 The shop is open from 9.30 am to 6 liSPORTS r % Jockeying to victory With 56 wins to his credit in a single season, jockey Pesi Shroff has ? broken the record of 54 wins held by the late jockey Karl Unnrigar. Niloofer J. Madon 9 I r The stall gates swung open as the start- The 21-year-old, five foot seven inch Pesi “really decided to become a lock ­ ing shot was fired and a stream of jockey, whose face is transformed into ey ” no one was too surprised. His horses surged forward onto the tracks, a mass of laugh lines when he smiles, mother took him to Pune where he , ending the tension-filled minutes be- has a simple explanation for taking up trained as an apprentice jockey “for a fore the start of the race. Excited horse riding as a profession: “I loved month or two ” under the trainer Mr shouts from the milling spectators fil- horses and I loved riding them, so I Marable and the senior stipendiary led the racecourse, keeping pace with became a jockey. I was riding since I steward. Dr S.R. Captain. the reverberating hooves of the was five years old when I had a pony of After the training, Pesi started rid- eqnines, as they thundered past the my own. I was good at sport, never ing as a professional, winning his first cheering crowd on April 13,1986-the good in studying - never used to race on the horse My Squaw, in day turf history was made. study, ” he adds nonchalantly. His first September 1981 in Pune. Since then Jockey Pesi Shroff, riding the horse pony, he informs, was called Proxy Pesi has never looked back, if his rid- Side by Side,galloped to his fifty-sixth and the second Munni, and Pesi is ing statistics are anything to go by ..Out victory in a single season, breaking the quick to add that the pony came with of a total of 1,278 rides, Pesi has won record of 54 wins held by the late jock- that name! 427 (approximately 3^41 percent) ey Karl Umrigar - a feat not likely to be repeated in the next hundred years, as notes turf critic Timur of The After­ noon Despatch and Courier. However, Shroff says matter-of-factly: “It ’s not a be able to sit behind a desk , and so she through a calculator by Pesi who keeps ing. It ’s not easy to know you are The 21-year-old, five foot seven inch Pesi “really decided to become a jock- However, a mere interest in riding while he has been placed either first, doesn ’t necessarily make one a jockey, second or third 842 times (approx- “My mom was the main person behind imately 65.88 percent) - statistics me, ” says Pesi, “She knew I wouldn ’t which have been laboriously processed question of breaking records, just rid- encouraged me, ” but adds, “My dad a neatly written, comprehensive regis- 5 wasn ’t too keen but he ’s not too sorry ter wherein all his ups and downs are going to break a record. ” now! ” Mom is Tehmi Shroff, honorary carefully recorded. Keeping a register. Walking in a trifle late from his secretary and administrative director is Pesi ’s mother ’s idea, in whose abs- usual morning exercise at the race- of the Research Society for the Care, ence keeping track of the wheres and course, dressed in brown breeches and Treatment and Training of Children in whyofs of his racing career falls on the riding boots, the jockey announced Need of Special Care, at Sewri and thin shoulders of his girlfriend, Tina that he had completely forgotten ab- Dad, Dadi, owns a foundry of pressure Umrigar, sister of the late jockey Karl out the appointment with Parsiana set dye-casting machines. His three elder Umrigar and Pesi ’s first cousin. At for November 24,1986 at his home on sisters, Zarina, Zia and Roxanna, all periodic intervals, therefore, cries of Warden Road. Apologizing briefly, he previous Maharashtra state swimming “Tina! ” rent the air as Pesi has yet immediately settled down to being in- champions, also used to ride, making another question to ask her on one of terviewed. horse riding a family affair. when his own races! I i •i i • ; r J ¦ 29 Parsiana February 1987At the major racing centers in India “doesn ’t really have any spare time, ” continued from page 27 Bombay, Calcutta, Bangalore, he plays squash, runs, and swims “a their total assets as worth Rs 48,000. little, sonietimes. ” With this limited corpus, the PAC, Asked about the monumental stakes founded by Lady Jerbai Engineer 25 years prior to the registra- ' tics that has entered the field, the jock- tion of the trust dead, manages diffe- ey notes, ” Anything that involves a lot rent philanthropic activities. In addi- . „ • tion to their PAC Store where Parsi It is not a sport any more, it ’s a busi- ladies are trained, employed and en- ness. A two-year-old horse costs three couraged to earn their own livelihood, to four lakhs and people are going to they also run two institutions at Tar- Hyderabad and Madras - there is rac ­ ing every day arid every center has its r own particular races apart from the involved in horse racing and the poli- classics like the Indian Oaks, the Indi- - - an Derby, the Indian St Leger, the In ­ dian 1,000 Guineas, the Indian 2,000 of money is going to attract attention. Guineas and the Invitation Cup. However, racing in Bombay, accord ­ ing to Pesi, is considered the best as it attracts the best horses and the best be business-like for that sort of deo: a hostel for Parsi girls which is competition. money. ” now under repair, and the Lady En- Risks involved in horse racing are ” . With this limited corpus, the PAC, money. ” However, racing in India has not de- many and Pesi has admittedly had veloped as it has in England, USA and many a fall. “Just a few months back I the Middle East countries (“We are was riding in a race, when the horse still in the Stone Age of racing, ” says broke his leg and had to be shot, ” Pesi). Nonetheless, he has represented notes Pesi adding, “Many times I fall India in many Asian competitions, with the horse itself. It ’s like a tyre chief among them being the Asian coming off. ” Racing Conference and the Interna- [ Perforce the salary for a good jock- tional Jockeys Series for which Pesi ' ey is substantial. Usually, a jockey is had been selected this year, but which paid Rs 200 just to ride a horse, ( whether he wins or not. It he wins however, he gets seven-and-a-half per- / / When people come back with good comments we feel happy that our efforts are appreciated. /1 has since been cancelled. Shroff ’s six-year career has not been without its ups and downs. Recently cent of the stakes or prize money, part while in Pune, on October 4, Pesi was gineer High School which was founded- ¦ of which is^ comprised of the money riding the odds on favorite, Emula- to educate poor Parsis. The Commit ­ entrance fees. Initially riding for par- pulled her out of it, causing a great charities listed in the deed,when funds ticular trainers and owners, notable commotion in the stands and among permit. among them being trainer Bezan Chi- the stewards. After the race, however. On the present trust board are eight noy, Pesi has recently started freelanc- when Emulation was examined by the ladies: president Freany Paymaster, “g- vet, she was proclaimed sound and fit. Pinny Pochkhanawala, Makki Patel, Very interested in training, Pesi out- The stewards after hearing Shroffs ex- Mehroo Cooper, Mehroo Contractor, ’ put up by the owners of the horses as tion, but during the course of the race tee assists flood victims and other commotion in the stands and among permit, the stewards. After the race, however. lines in simple terms the various pro- planation severely cautioned the jock- Jaloo Wadia, Jerbanoo Vatcha and cesses involved. Race horses are spe ­ cially bred at various stud farms all over the country, attention being paid to the lineage of the stud as well as the filly. After the foals are two years old , i they are sold privately to interested considered the best I buyers or auctioned at the annual o+tmntQ tho hoQt I horse sales at the major racing centers iLaiuabLO ui lo ucoi I ¦ ey and officially put down the cause as Mehra Shroff. The trustees have now entrusted the day-to-day management — [ ;------------------------ “7— of the PAC to Khan who is assisted by Racing in Bombay, is a full-time supervisor, Ms Pilloo Driv- Undeterred by the present constric ­ tions, Khan is all set to meet the fu- , I I ture: He is planning to accept catering horses and the best assignments for Parsi functions in 1987 difference from the pre- UUI I ipc LI LIUI I. sent Parsi caterers, ” and is also nego- jockey, “You first start teaching the -------------------------------------------------- dating for contracts to supply office horse to accept the rider, the saddle lunches to certain companies. All this and the bit in the mouth, like teaching “misjudgment. ” Pesi nevertheless ex- will be in addition to the restaurants a baby in nursery school and slowly plains, “I felt something went wrong and hotels which come under the ban ­ taking him onto college ... that sort of with my filly and I pulled her up be- ner of Midas Group like Channel Nine 4hing. ” < ’ .................. “ • -- Explaining his own daily routine brought her back. ” Pesi notes that mornings are spent at [ of India. It is after the sale, that the actual I training of the horse begins. Says the cause I was scared she ’d collapse. So I at VersOva and Food Affair at Juhu. To the epicure who is familiar with Planning to keep on riding as long as the PAC confectioners, the change in the stables (at the Mahalaxmi Race he can (till about the age of 50, he their style of functioning may make lit- Course) to exercise about eight to 16 says), Pesi ’s dream is to be a trainer tie difference. But to many others who horses and to see if they are eating well and have his own stables. But while a have yet to be acquainted with the and are in health. The afternoons he jockey he intends to follow his own Store, the pangs of hollow hunger on and have his own stables. But while a have yet to be acquainted with the spends at his fatHei; ’s foundry and the advice: “By the time you are really their next visit to the area may be sati- evenings once again see him at the there (at the top) you are on your way ated on trying out the refreshments stables, planning out the next day ’s down, and so before you crack, you ’d available at this easily accessible cen- program for each horse. Though Pesi better get down! ” ter. I ^, 31 Parsi^na February T 987