Jun 1988

r t- L> I I I Singer Gary Lawyer > I > \\' 3! AINE1988Rs7 '<<5 t. >' It y.' I, { A 5 F/^ ''**** ^ iML ... .'O'*? X w»a r/'. •' ’a ftcI June 1988 Volume 10 Number 12 EDITOR Jehangir Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Toddywalla ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana Kaka DESIGN Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez, Deborah Fernandes, Pauline Ferreira 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, Rohinton Daroga OFFICE Rajendra Nayak, Khurshid Panthaky, Patricia Lewis, Rajalakshmi Iyer, Bakhtavar Batliwalla 3 Readers' Forum 7 Events and Personalities 15 Zoroastrians Abroad 18 Should Parsis migrate to Bombay? by Niloofer Madon 26 Burjor Karanjia's new direction by Horn! Rogers 31 The second blood book by Roxana Kaka 35 Councillor Noshir Mehta by Parinaz Toddywalla 38 The music of Gary Lawyer by Jeroo Irani 40 Milestones 42 In Memoriam Cover: Karanjia's transparency by Varghese Fernandez E I Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd at C/o H.L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Parsiana Publications, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Phototypesetting, Ace; color processing. Comart Lithographers; and black and v.-hite processing, Shilpart. 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 ohe 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 drawh 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. I i I i 1 fREADERS’ FORUM 0 1(0111 • I »,»**»* 'Mhtm. irr*:::: .... ¦BBii ‘Ml I .a »r '»»»**¦ I' • If brF Ff*«» I *' ft! nt! iMittn,. US TS-- »» iti: Effects of intermarriage” I I refer to the letter by Dr P.D. Sunava- Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, I la (“Effects of intermarriage, ” Par- can (vouch for) the truth of the state- j siana, March 1988). I am in complete ments made by these two gentlemen. I agreement with Sunavala when he says (While the statements made by the that “our microscopic community is two may be valid, Parsiana has not striving hard for the propagation of the been able to establish whether they ex ­ community abroad, ” and his observa- ist or are fictional. Letters sent to their tions on the factors leading to inter ­ marriage. Tlowever. with the greatest of re ­ spect I disagree with his view when he directory.) suggests that “the community may also consider accepting children of Parsi triaris who undermine the “religious fatjiers who erred in straying into doctrines and traditions to gain their other faiths, ” and further suggests that selfish ends. ” Ms Jasavala and mem- “By such reforms we may at least be bers, of her family never raised any " objection to non-Zoroastrians attend ­ ing muktad and Farvardian cere ­ monies, held for 30 years during the and Mr A.P. Irani but, from my per ­ sonal experience as president of the addresses were returned undelivered and we are informed that their names are not listed in the local telephone Ms Jasavala opines that it is Zoroas- 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. able to retrieve such people as Rajiv Gandhi, the Wadias, and the like, back into thg Zoroastrian fold. ” I would heartily support Sunavala if lifetime -of our revered Dasturji this was the truth. In fact, a man of any Sohrabji Hormasji Kutar. But just one religion, not necessarily a Zofoastrian, year after Dasturji ’s passing away, who opts to father a child from a they were running around, to friends ’ woman of a different faith, hardly has houses to obtain signatures on a peti- any love or respect for his own faith, tion asking the committee to debar By simply performing the navjotes of non-Zoroastrians from attending muk- his children they do not come into the tad and Farvardian ceremonies which Zoroastrian fold as 99.9 percent never was against the locally established practice the religion, nor wear the “tradition and practice. ” Why? To ¦sudreh-kusti, nor continue to be any ­ thing like Zoroastrians. Furthermore, 99.9 percent of such children marry non-Zoroastrians and are totally un ­ able to maintain the Zoroastrian identity. Thus, merely introducing a reform Government of India has decided to to please some “erred Zoroastrian bring out an encyclopaedia on diffe- gain whose “selfish ends? ” SHAHPUR CAPTAIN Herts, U.K Parsis and music The Minorities Commission of the A new home for ... Please refer to the article (“A new home for an old fire, ” Parsiana, March 1988) in which it has been pub- fathers ” and accepting the children of rent religious minorities, and Parsis, lished; ‘“Perhaps (the house of) God- mixed marriages into the Zoroastrian being one of them, have been in- rej may build a hall in honor of fold, neither increases nor benefits the eluded. ...saadaa maadaa (austere) Pirojsha Zoroastrian community. I have been requested to write a seth, ” the consolidator of the Godrej . We say '"'apro (our) Zubin (Mehta) ” paper on the “Contribution of Parsis enterprise who, according to Golwal- only because he was born to two to Music. ” The contribution to music, la, had started life as a BPP (Bombay wonderful Zoroastrian parents and has both Indian as well as Western, by the Parsi Punchayet) employee!' a right to the Zoroastrian identity. I Parsis, is considerable, and we, the BPP chairman Dr A.F. Golwalla wonder if his next generation will be Parsis, should not miss this opportun- has advised that what he actually viewed as “apro? ” darius sethna ity of letting people know that we have stated on the occasion was that Dr Harrow, u.k. been in the forefront in this sphere Golwalla had started life as a BPP em- , ,, also. I shall be glad to receive any in-, ployee, as a doctor on salary, and not 1 He 11 OayS Controversy formation on the contribution of Parsis Pirojsha seth, the consolidator of the I have read with some amusement the to music either in the form of an ori- Godrej enterprise. What is inadver- letter written by Ms Silloo K. Jasavala ginal musical score or in its perform- 7 ~ ~ ¦ ance. siana, November 1987). Please contact me at Cosy Corner, Ms Jasavala decries the contents of 29A Dongarsi Road, Malabar Hill, DARIUS SETHNA Harrow, U.K. The 11 days’ controversy 99 tently published would therefore con- (“The 11 days' controversy, ” Pur ­ vey a wrong impression. R.K. ANKLESARIA Chief Executive, BPP the letters Written by Mr K. Vatcha Bombay 400006 at the earliest. 3 Parsiana June T988i 1 PERCY & KAIZAD ROADLINES PVT LTD Transport Contractors & Fleet Owners Contractors To Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co Pvt Ltd Goodyear India Limited U.P. Asbestos Limited Eastern Ceramic Limited Daily & Direct Service To Maharashtra, MP UP, Rajasthan Haryana & Delhi Chandigarh & Punjab 1 a world As several aspects of the commun ­ ity ’s achievements will be included, it will make such an encyclopaedia a worthwhile book of reference to stu ­ dents and scholars all over the world. BANOO N. CAMA Dastur Minochehr-Homji Under the joint auspices of the K.R. Cama Oriental Institute, the Rahnu- mae Mazdayasnan Sabha and the India-Iran Cultural Society, a condo ­ lence meeting was held for Dastur Navrooz Minochehr-Homji on March 11, 1988 at the K.R. Cama Oriental Institute library hall. Captain Horfnazdiar Desai, trustee and joint honorary secretary of the K.R. Cama Oriental Institute referred to Minochehr-Homji as teacher who did not enter into any < controversy and respected all reli ­ gions. Ms Mehra Shroff, joint honor ­ ary secretary of the India-Iran Cultural Society stated that Minochehr-Homji had great love for Iran. Ms Sheroo Vakil, joint honorary secretary of the Rahnumae Mazdayasnan Sabha stated that he was a person of a quiet and peaceful nature, and never lost his temper with anyone. Dr Sarosh Wadia stated that Minochehr-Homji was not tied down to custom and if changes were neces ­ sary he would support them. Trustees of the Bombay Parsi Pun- chayet, Mr Eruch Desai, Mr Jamsheed Kanga and Dr (Ms) Mehroo Bengalee also paid their respects. BOYS’ TOWN Public School Nasik 2 Regd Office 111, Trapinex House 1st Floor Sholapur Street Bombay 400009 Residerrce 215674. 212885 Office 860913, 867531 8727831, 8518679 JAL VAKIL (Abridged from a report on the meeting) Katrak’s kirtans Mr Parvez J. Katrak, apart from rendering more than 550 free kirtans (musical discourses) in India and abroad during the last 15 years without gaining a single paisa therefrom, has donated thousands of rupees collected at these functions to different char ­ ities. Since the last eight years he gives free entertainment (twice a year) to the old, sick and poor senior citizens residing at the Parukh Dharamshalla and distributes sweets to them. He also renders such humanitarian ser ­ vices annually for the inmates at Sir J.J. Dharamshala, widows ’ homes, ru ­ ral orphanages, etc. It is my humble suggestion that we Zoroastrians should honor him pub ­ licly. N.J. SHROFF Edited by Arnavaz S. Mama Recognised as a Public School by the Department of Education for Indian Merit Scholars. Excel­ lent Climate — All-round Education: All Academic Subjects—Tech­ nical Subjects: Workshop. Tech­ nology, Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance, Carpentry & Farm­ ing. Training in SeU-Govemineot through Elected Boys’ Office bearers. Games—^Physical Train­ ing — Daily Assembly with Congregational Prayers — Week­ ly intensive Zoroastrian Geeta- Koran classes — Excellent Modem Kitchen and Dining Room facilities — Airy Dormi­ tories. Moderate Fees. Freeships and Concessions to Deserving Students. Apply to-: THE MANAGING TRUSTEE P. N. MEHTA EDUCATION TRUST Cooks Building, 324 Dr. D. N. Road, Bombay 400 001. 4 Parsiana June 1988Events and Personalities Elections postponed expires in October this year. was in him “a deep interest in art and a The court has set July 12 for the desire to generate art appreciation ” An appellate bench of the Bombay hearing of the appeal. and encourage artists. High Court, in an interim judgment, -j 1 C II ’ ^75 important function of any gal- has ordered the postponement of the * UnUOlC Liaiiery S 25 jgj-y jg jq jjgjp artist in pricing his already overdue Bombay Parsi Pun- The Pundole Art Gallery celebrated work. The price should always be chayet (BPP) Anjuman Committee its silver jubilee in May this year with based on a realistic assessment of his elections until an appeal pending be- an exhibition of lithographs and seri- work, notes The Daily Weekender of fore the court has been disposed of. The appeal, filed by Jehangir Bamji Husain, and three other donor members of the F Register, contests the new electoral lery has displayed the works of artists a year, the sales of which net Rs 50,000 scheme handed down by Justice H. like Ramkumar, Akbar Padamsee, to 60,000 on an average. The Gallery Suresh in March 1987. Suresh ’s judg- Gaitonde and Krishen Khanna, and has receives one-third of the entire ment was in answer to the Punchayet ’s also discovered artists like Babu Xavier, amount as commission. own petition seeking to update the 70- notes the Mid-Day of May 7,1988. Branching off from the family busi- year-old scheme for electing BPP trus- Described as a short man with an ness of clocks and watches. Kali Pun- tees. According to Suresh ’s concept, aquiline nose and a white bushy beard, dole opened the Gallery in 1963 with only donors of Rs 50,000 and more owner Kali Pundole notes that for an an exhibition of 24 paintings of 12 con- had the direct right to elect trustees, art gallery to be successful, “you ’ve temporary artists like Shiavax Chavda, Hitherto, all those who had donated got to go after people. ” When he Homi Patel, Jehangir Sabavala and Rs 5,000 and more to BPP charities started the Gallery 25 years ago, there K.H. Ara. were members of the F Register - the donor wing of the electoral college - At the Pundole and had the right to vote. Gallery,Husain According to the original scheme, (belowleft) talking the E Register of elected members and to Dadiba Pundole the donors ’ F Register together comprised the Anjuman Committee - had to be equated at the time of the general elections every seven years. Since the F Register has grown to include more than 800 mem ­ bers, the anticipated total Anjuman Committee of over 1,600 people elect ­ ing BPP trustees promised to become an enormous administrative load. This was one reason why the Punchayet, ~ prodded by other social organizations like the Committee for Economic Re- ,. vival (CER), agreed to revamp the \ scheme. The appeal court, comprising Jus- .' i tice Shah and Justice Sawant, has ex- f tended the life of the old Anjuman Committee. The term of the erstwhile Committee, elected in 1981, had offi- . cially ended in December 1987. Now, revived by the order of the court, it will decide the successor to Dr Aspi Golwalla, the chairman of the BPP’s board of trustees, whose second term Pundole Gallery’s 25 graphs by noted artist Maqbool Fida May 7, 1988. Costing Rs 5,000 to plan an exhibition, the Pundoles (Kali and During the past 25 years, the Gal- son Dadiba) organize nine to 10 shows which Inset: Kali Pundole 'W 1 Parsiana June 1988 1 s a. A i" «e» • The Mid-Day report notes that the names of Husain and Pundole have been interlinked even since the incep ­ tion of the Gallery. “It is said that one day Husaia was passing by the Gallery and saw Kali hanging some paintings. He offered to help, walked in and be ­ came a life-long friend. Of course, Hu ­ sain himself has grown in stature all these years and the business has been good for Pundole. ” Borivli’s new committee At the annual general meeting of the Borivli and Suburban Zoroastrian Asso ­ ciation, a new committee was formed comprising Ms Dhunmai Minocher, presi ­ dent; Phiroze Mu 11 a, vice-president; Noshir Paghdiwalla, secretary; Bomi Umrigar and Zubin Batlivala, assistant secretaries; Yezdi Motivala, treasurer; and Kersi Amrolia, Sam Patel, Sham Wadia, Sorab Nargolwala, Khurshed Pas- takia and Rohinton Battiwala, members- at-large. The Association ’s newsletter is “re ­ ceiving very good response from all quarters and we (get) a lot of feedback from members, ” notes the secretary ’s annual report. Contributions on va-rious subjects of interest to-the readers are invited. A desire to increase the size of the newsletter has also been ex ­ pressed by the members of the Asso ­ ciation. In addition to its social and religious get-togethers, the Association has in ­ stituted awards for outstanding per ­ formance in academics and sports. Autocross winners In the car and motorcycle events of the Sportscraft-organized autocross, Farhad Bathena and Kaizad Patel India ’s well-known journalist K.A. emerged as respective winners at the Abbas who was conferred the award in I J.K. Sports Foundation ground at 1984. I Nerul on May 15, 1988, notes The Times of India of May 16, 1988. “The dirt track and the obstacles At the fourteenth World Congress of I were a perfect foil to test the drivers ’ Natural Medicines and Rheumatology I and riders ’ skills in speeding and brak- held in Malaga, Spain, the Academic ' ing, ” notes a report in the Indian Ex- Diplomatique de la Paix has awarded perimental theater, held in Boston press of May 16. the Pax Mundi merit of professional from January 8 to 24, 1988, modern With over 100 participants, “It was no excellence to Dr Sam Batlivala. The dance exponent Uttara Asha Coorla- easy going for the motorcar and bike driv- recognition, which includes a silver wala gave a performance of Winds of ers. They had to ride two laps in a 1.45 km medal and a certificate, was bestowed Shiva - a seven part dance about the dirt track road, negotiating the treacher- on April 29, 1988. It is the first time myth of creation, notes The Boston OUS turns, the bumps on the road and that that the award has been conferred on a Globe of January 7, 1988. too in the scorching heat, ” adds the Mid- medical practitioner from India, notes Nine international artistes featured Day of May 19. a press release. in this festival which included work- Emerging as best driver, Bathena stood first in two events and second in one. He was driving a Maruti 800, a Premier and a Formula - a modified Fiat. Described as the motorcycle king, Patel pitals, further adds the release. society, ” the report adds. emerged winner in three of the five events Outstanding contributions to scien- Earlier in January, Coorlawala and stood second in the other two, accord- ce, art, literature, solidarity or coop- choreographed and performed Life ing to the Times report. Navaz Bathena was the winner in the ladies class, also notes the report. USSR award for Karanjia The Soviet Union ’s highest prize for outstanding achievements in interna- Paix was originally founded in Switzer- a press release by Rael Padamsee. The tional journalism has been awarded to land on February 1, 1963, “to streng- Solkattu Game (also from Life Force) Blitz Editor Russy Karanjia , notes the then the ideals of peace and progress was an experiment with the energy of Blitz of May 21, 1988. ‘ “ ....................... ............................................... Karanjia is “one of the two foreign tual and moral self-determination. ” journalists to be named for the Un- I . ion ’s annual awards announced on the the memory of the late Dag Hammars- composer John Gilbert, eve of the Soviet press day on May 5, kjold, the first secretary general of the 1988,” notes The Times of India of United Nations, Pax Mundi annually the Bombay Arts Festival to honor the May 6, 1988. The other recipient of awards those who, by their activity, late sculptress Piloo Pochkhanawala the award is Ferenc Varnai, deputy contribute to the attainment of the who encouraged her to interact with editor-in-chief of the Hungarian ideals of peace and progress for the artistes of many disciplines, Sixakam Magayarorszag. good of mankind. involved six dancers moving to the The award was instituted in 1961 a vi ,1 f ,i count of six, to music by Vangelis. memory of the major revolutionary DieiKl 01 QdllCCS Performing with Coorlawala were journalist and literary figure Vatslav At Electra ’88, the first festival of solo some of the leading dancers of the Vatslavich Vorovsky. performances by women in ex- Bombay theater like Shiamak Davar, I Above: Karanjia (left) and Batlivala Right: Coorlawala The list of past recipients includes Pax Mundi merit winner 9 Parsiana June 1988 % r'-'H- medical practitioner from India, notes a press release. Medical superintendent at the Masi- shops and symposia to represent a na Hospital, Batlivala is also the con- range of performances, styles and sub- sultant medical officer of Glindia and jects. “If they (the nine artistes) have an honorary acupuncturist at the B.D. anything in common, it is their inde- Petit Parsee General and Masina hos- pendence, both in the theater and in Outstanding contributions to scien- eration are recognized by the orga- Force, an exciting new modern dance nization. Batlivala, who was conferred concert at the Sophia Bhabha Auditor- a lifetime appointment for his achieve- ium, Bombay. ments in science, is now entitled to a diplomatic passport. The Academic Diplomatique de la series of group and solo dances, ” notes Life Force, based on traditional In ­ dian forms, presented a “compelling based on the foundations of intellec- the sound of bol (rhythmical syll ­ ables). The computerized score of this In order to honor and perpetuate lively group ballet had been created by Choreographed by Coorlawala for good of mankind. A blend of dancesJ A Dastur Meherji Meherjirana presenting Ervad RamiyarKaranjia the Parakh Gold Medal for securing a distinction inAvesta Pahlavi at the Bombay University s MA examination at a function in Vyara to greet the delegates of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India on April 2,1988 (Above right) Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N.T. Rama Rao, unveiling the foundation stone ofBapoo Bagh, a residential colony for poor Zoroastrians, at the Jamshedi Navroze function organized by the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad. Eminent lawyer Nani Palkhivala f in tie) and Bezun Dittia, president of PZASH look on I ra. Karla Singh, Dodo Bhujwalla and Neesha Jhaveri, further adds the re ­ lease. With her background in yoga and Bharata Natyam, she has given an In ­ dian touch to what she has learnt in the studios of stalwarts like Martha Gra ­ ham in New York. Coorlawala has stu ­ died at the Merce Cunningham Stu ­ dios and the Dance Theatre at Har ­ lem, and is the recipient of the Rock ­ efeller Fellowship, writes Sumitra Sri ­ nivasan in The Indian Post of January 6, 1988. On her merging of the Indian dance forms and the Graham techniques, Coorlawala says, “If you want to be creative you have to express what ’s in ­ side you - emotions, colors, sounds that culturally you are familiar with, things you grow up with, and with your own country... ” notes The Sunday Observer of January 17. “Modern dance leaves the canvas a| wide open to the creative strengths of both dancer and choreographer. It calls for the mastery of body language and ideas, ” The Indian Post notes. According to Coorlawala, it is “con- stantly redefining itself. The moment it becomes established, it ’s not mod- H ern, it ’s traditional. ” H Courageous nine-year-old I “I don ’t know with what intention she H was followed, but thank God she had her wits about her, ” says Jasmine Rusi Bi s i 3 Described by Karishma as “young, well-built with dark and curly hair, ” the assaulter walked past her and into her building and hid on the landing be ­ tween the ground and first floors. As soon as Karishma entered her building (Yusufi Building at Grant Road) “which is quite dark, he caught her by the waist. Dropping all the packets of bhel, she responded by hitting her Kika about her nine-year-old daughter right elbow in the man s stomach, Karishma. adds the mother. Karishma who is a On the evening of March 22, 1988, two stripe holder in karate, managed Karishma, a fourth standard student at to loosen herself from his grip and the Activity High School, was dropped started shouting for help. To prevent home in her school bus as usual. As her from shouting, he caught hold of the mother had left early that day to her mouth. With her hands free, give tuitions, Karishma decided to go Karishma reportedly slapped him and and buy bhel (a spicy local snack) for kicked the man in the groin. Seeing herself and her younger sister, Almit- the neighbors respond to Kika s shouts Returning home with the eats, she for help, the man ran away. noticed a young man following her. Karishma Kika: safe with the knowledge of karate • ¦ ¦ • ’¦ ¦¦ ’¦ ¦ L' f - “The neighbors also said that the same man had kept a steady watch on our building. Karishma just had ten rupees with her so he couldn ’t have come with the intention of stealing. But she ’s a girl and now-a-days any- thing is possible, ” adds the mother. Ub Sidhwa’s third novel Bapsi Sidhwa ’s third novel, Ice-Candy- Man, set in the partition times in La­ hore, has been described by Island, a monthly magazine, of April 15, 1988 as “a work of imaginative depth. ” Centered around a small lame Parsi gkl with a “truth-infected tongue ” and her young Hindu ayah, the novel draws into its circle “the bustling pre ­ sence of aunts, siblings, friends, pa­ rents and even political leaders. ” Sidhwa ’s work, with its traces of “honest humor, ” is studded with many moments of truth - be they about family matters or larger issues like reli ­ gion, nationality or the sexes, adds Is­ land. lx 10 Parsiana June 1988Gifts& WttgiSi The Friendly Gift for handicraft fcshv® reli^ous, artefai^, exera^e d^^ jewelry & spedaBzing m wood for handicraft cxdusive shell items, designer & coppet-cnamel gifts* BOMBAY SWADESHI STORES LTD. (Mezzanine Floor) Sir P.M. Road, Bombay-400 001 SPOTLIGHT __ Chairman and deputy chairman of Tata Industries and Tata Steel respectively, xui Tata has been recently appointed the deputy chairman of Tata En- ¦ J and Locomotive Company (TELCO) notes The Indian Post of vala who will continue as a director of the company. Ex-ranked player of Maharashtra and former national table tennis coach, Bomi Amalsadvala has been appointed a national selector for the junior men s and women ’s team by the Table Tennis Federation of India, notes The Indian Post of May 1, 1988. The other mem ­ bers of the committee are Jal Godrej, Tapan Bose, Sudhir Phadke and Usha Sunderraj. At the Seventh Open Athletic Meet organized by the Thane Metropolitan yiiirk****..**, - -------------------------- • . , record distance of 9.81 meters in the Ratan as I gineering Aoril 17,1988. He replaces Nani Palkhi- STUDIO AKAR 61/2660 At Gymkhana, Ms Shirin Wadia putted to a record distance of 9.81 meters in the girls under-18, notes the Mid-Day ot May 8, 1^’^.______ _________ Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS GRANT ROAD. BOMBAY 400007. TELEPHONE: 37I4BJ 324. APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 12 Parsiana June 1988ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD I I representations made by some of our politan Chicago (ZAC) The Assoeia- neighbors. tion has decidedlo sponsor-10 such re- “The Association has scrupulously fugees with the help of its members - Acrimony at Annangrove It ’s a year since disgruntled neighbors have successfully stalled an application followed parking rules within our receive them, assist them in settling from the Australian Zoroastrian Asso- property and a fully fledged car park down and help them start a new life, ciation (AZA) of New South Wales to has been designed. It would be built as The newsletter solicits pledges from the Baulkham Hills Council for per- soon as the Baulkham Hills Council volunteers to host a refugee in their mission to refurbish AZA House and gives us the go ahead... homes; or support one by providing build three shelters for Sunday School “We have given a written guarantee food, clothing, household goods dur ­ classes on the Annangrove property, to the Council that we would comply ing the initial period; or fund and sup ­ notes the AZA newsletter Manashni, with all the Council requirements re- port their incidental expenses while of May 1988. “We have met the Coun- garding planting of trees to act as noise cil in an open meeting and a meeting barriers, proper sewerage, etc. with our neighbors on our property “We wish to reiterate that our prop- “If you cannot volunteer your along with Council officials. The erty has never been used for any night home, your time or your efforts, Council has kept on postponing mak- functions for the last six months and please pledge and donate generously ing a decision about our application, writes AZA president Purviz Kolsa- tion is ever used or will be used in the walla. The neighbors are protesting the traffic noise, the inadequate sewerage place once or twice a month. State- letter. system and invasion of privacy, ments made by our neighbor regarding according to an article by Tom Olsen use of the place twice a week is a bla- In an attempt to augment ZAC funds entitled “Religious group faces strong tant mistruth. without pinching the members ’ pock ­ opposition, ” in the local paper The - - -- Mercury, of April 12, 1988. According majority of our members do reside in cial deal with the Jewel chain store, to the article, phase two of the AZA Baulkham Hills Shire and adjoining informs the newsletter. ZAC members proposals calls for a construction of a councils. When our community center were requested to shop at their local community center for up to 300 peo- will be built, it will be available for use Jewel store during three specified days pie. The neighbors contend, “We (by) any member of the public pro- in May and again in July and Septem- moved out here six years ago for peace vided the Council approves of such use ber 1988. Shop and share identifica- and quiet. If they have 300 people and subject to the rules and regula- tion certificates, distributed along with meeting up there, all that is gone. ” tions of the AZA. the newsletter, were required to be Another contention is the use of “We also wish to point out that presented to the checkout person who toilets, designed for a single dwelling Zoroastrianism is not an obscure reli- would enter the amount of the purch- home, by a large group: “The septic gious movement but a fully recognized ase on the certificate. The store has system gets overloaded and we end up revealed religion dating back to at undertaken to donate five percent of with some pretty evil smells down least 2,000 BC and was a major reli- the total amount of the sales to the here. ” A further irritant according to gion of Asia and parts of Europe for ZAC. the locals, quoted by Olsen, is that ac- centuries as defined in Encyclopaedia cess roads are jammed by Zoroastrians Britannica and other standard books. ” attending functions at Annangrove. The residents are peeved moreover by solved to meet the mayor, the local na Writer of Wembley, England, spent the Zoroastrians being exempt from aiderman and the member of the NSW 10 days in Chicago interviewing 25 in- the annual tax collection on the basis Parliament to explain its case. The dividuals, informs the newsletter. Wri- of their status as a religious organiza- mayor and the chief town planner have ter, who is working with Professor tion. been invited, together with their fami- John Hinnells of Manchester Universi- Referring to the Zoroastrians as “an lies, to the jashan and ghambar sche- ty, plans to publish a book on her find- obscure religious movement, ” The duled for June 12 so that they could ings. Mercury article presented an overly meet the community and dispel mis ­ brief version of the AZA viewpoint on apprehensions. “ the issue. So Kolsawalla followed up with a letter to the Editor which was published on April 20: “It was unfor- Over 100 Zoroastrian youths who are ership can avail of Gavashni, the tunate that you had to abbreviate de- in India and Pakistan are eligible for a quarterly newsletter of the Zoroas- tails about the AZA to the barest refugee status visa for the United trian Association of Quebec, notes the minimum. However, we wish to high- States, informs the May newsletter of ZAC newsletter. The tariffs vary from light some glaring half-truths and mis- the Zoroastrian Association of Metro- $ 100 for a full page to a quarter page “We wish to reiterate that our prop- they are settling down; or assist them in obtaining a job. no loud music or electronic amplifica- to the ZAC’s Refugee and Immigra ­ tion Fund. The money you donate will future. be used to provide interest-free loans “We are currently using the AZA to these refugees, ” urges the news- “We wish to point out that a large ets, Ms Dinaz Weber arranged a spe- “We also wish to point out that presented to the checkout person who In the course of her research in estab- The management committee has re- lishing Zoroastrian identity. Dr Rash ­ Refugee relief Zoroastrians wishing to advertise their business, services, profession or pro ­ ducts to the North American read- } f i 15 Parsiana June 1988i secutive variations on a theme, had been rapturously received however, notes Lebrecht. Composer ” ’ 1 11 -3 “a »mmunl.y\o try ’.heir hand a. design- music.- Others had likened it to the «htt a. no ing the brochure cover of the Second works of Bach. North American Zoroastrian Youth Congress which ZAC is hosting this September. The winning entry, to be judges, will be awarded $ 50. half inches bv 11 inches,are the stipula- composer. dons TOelS. date for entries, accord- “The Opus had gamed someth,ng 7 AC newsletter was June more than a cult following when in mg to the ZAC newsletter, was June .explai,.,- at $ 25. Contracts for four issues rate a 25 percent discount. The ZAC is luring the under-25s in.the Brian had hailed it as Opus. The job was done in three ses- iiuvvvvvi , sions, a month apart. But it is said that Havergal Ogdon himself does not consider the rebirth of piece to be too long and appreciates time does Sorabji repeat The 95-year-old Sorabji is “a law in NcW Zealand in Esse^^^Eriglan?tn 1^892 to a Parsi “My Japanese friends say that New ocpicuiuvi. X..W ...........D -----pnaineer father and a Spanish Zealand is the last paradise on earth selected by an »» e" ’ singer mother, “he has and I strongly endorse it. In ths cotin- ’“Sue on whi?^ wMnefght-and-a- never considered himself a British try, if one is wdhng to work,__there ,s Sicilian opera singer mother, “he has never considered himself a T and I strongly endorse it. In this coun- enough room, ” notes an extract of a letter from Farokh Kolah in Auckland to his friend Astad Parakh who has forwarded it to Parsiana for the be ­ nefit of the community. The Kolahs, who migrated to New Zealand from Singapore in January 1988, held a small party to celebrate Jamshedi Navroze and the total Parsi population, young and old numbering 20, attended. One family came all the way from Havera which is about 700 km from Auckland, notes the letter. Kolah writes that it is currently fair ­ ly easy to enter New Zealand, though July onwards there may be a tighten ­ ing up. “If any young Parsi wishes to come to New Zealand, I would cer ­ tainly recommend it, ” he adds. The occupational priority list en ­ closed includes accountants (any area of expertise), chemical engineers, computer personnel (software), architectural draughtspersons, eco ­ nomists, electrical, electronic and technical engineers, banking and financial personnel, furniture uphol- 15. New Majlis member Aflatoon Ziafat, former vice governor of Kerman and an agricultural en ­ gineer by profession, has been elected to represent the Zoroastrian commun ­ ity in the Iran Islamic Majlis (national parliament), notes a press release from the Anjuman Zartoshtian Tehran. Ardeshir Fehrahmand (Yezdi) and Dr Khodram Bustani had also contested the election. This is the third term of the Majlis since the Islamic revolution, notes the write-up. The community ’s repre ­ sentative in the second Majlis was Par- viz Malikpour, also a professional en ­ gineer. The release informs that Malikpour withdrew his candidature just prior to the election. Born in Yazd, 41-year-old Ziafat is assistant director of the civil service and protocol auditor to the Governor of Kerman state, informs the release, t ’ sorabji’s Opus “£ S The Opus CtovtcemftaZKttcum - the highly tt watpra physiotherapists, refngera- longest non-repetitive piece of solo only PP tion mechanics, speech and language music in human history recorded m the his closest inenos. therapists, secondary school teachers, d°u “ie7forrbi«t;;.it: ^No^an ““t tL SnS; thei" finthngs “’Sescribes New Zealand as “t y’:::^aVhrc ’omroSS anr^SSa i^^^^^^^ Sorabji first performed it in Glasgow, ^ngsi and c ' “ j garden, fruits grow and most of th, the 25'2-page score will be performed tacu about ^^XTfromt father people do no. even bother to pick th, by virtuoso John Ogdon. earnine a living. He fruits; they just drop to the ground an< ci.I.‘’%Tne —"tT SiteX;: wrote ™”oks and 50¦¦ ¦ KU ."1 > 33 O I W m a . Z , z I o 0 films Homi J. Rogers 56%I * K ig 1 •mB. IJ Z¦ 28 Parsiana June 198SI I lems of the industry on various fronts : story of a romance between a Parsi 80,700 ABC certified) with a greater film finance, taxation, censorship, film girl, Shirin Mody, and her Hindu boy- degree of panache and pizzazz than festivals, a national film policy, video friend, Ashok Jhaveri. “It must have her uncle gave to film magazines. “But piracy, etc. Hindustan Lever Limited been a kind of premonition, ” muses then, I have always been involved with sponsored a compilation of Karanjia ’s Karanjia, since about five years after serious aspects of the cinema, ” reflects . editorials in a book form, A Many the novel ’s publication, his eldest Karanjia, who will now be concentrat- Splendoured Cinema, and may soon daughter Ruttan decided to marry a ing all his editorial skills on Cinema in sponsor a series of 13 short stories by Muslim dentist. “My entire family was India, a NFDC-published quarterly, of Karanjia for broadcast on television. " ‘ “Six or seven of these stories are on supported Ruttan, ” says Karanjia, Parsis, ” informs Karanjia who has echoing Kersasp, Shirin ’s father in the work, as he attends film festivals, already had one short story drama ­ tized earlier on Doordarshan. The stories are to be directed by famous new-wave directors, including Sai Pa- ranjpe who brings to the screen Karan ­ jia ’s delightful bitter-sweet tale of an uninvited wedding guest. How Dhujti _ Doki Fell. Two other short stories by bile TTIflHp Film ^^e world over. “The film industry in Karanjia are being made into feature tJtJl 1 da 1 allc India has a future, ” he asserts, “and it films. Phani Mazumdar, the veteran j from New Theatres is directing Karan- . J * 1 f recapture the spirit of our pre-war pa's The Man in Quest of Gold, a story UIliappCQ 13.16111 films. of a Parsi film producer, inspired by Zoroastrianism, to make it a better the legendary rags-to-riches builder --------------------------------------------------- and more appealing religion to its and impresario Shapoorji Pallonji, and novel, by expounding that the ban on numbered followers, are equally tell- a young new filmmaker, Cyrus Das- proselytizing, or marrying only within ing for the film industry: “Let us not toor, is directing Fourth Day. Publica- the community was not in the original be ritualized. ” tion of a compendium of Karanjia ’s religion, but imposed much later. short stories is also in the offing, "his Karanjia ’s younger daughter, Del- (Below left) At a recent function second work of fiction, the first being a shad, works on Channel 4 at the Bri- (from left) Naushad, Abad and Burjor novel. More of an Indian, pubMshed in tish Broadcasting Corporation, while (Below) The Karanjia family in its 1970. son Yuzud is a sales executive at younger days: Burjor and Abad Karanjia ’s novel, set against the General Electric Company in Bom- with children (from left) Ruttan, turbulent background of the linguistic bay. His niece, Rita Mehta, Russy ’s Yuzud and Delshad disturbances of 1956, narrated the daughter, edits C/ne (circulation: /Photo: Har Bans Chadha) against the match, but my wife and I which he is founding Editor. Karanjia has his hands full with His own trials and tribulations in his largely checkered writes his reminiscences for serializa ­ tion in Screen, dreams of setting up a Film Council as in France and Austra ­ lia, and sets about laying down new film policies tha^ would, hopefully, once again usher in better times for the industry and Indian cinema enthusiasts sympathetic towards lies in our past. We have to revive and « J . I . recapture the spirit of our pre-war untapped talent films. ” And Karanjia s views on ,, i= B w nW Bl li-. iliS ’a L ¦ V K'c > i V t. K > • v 7 5?- f. J L ¦*' ™WELFARE The CER Youth Wing hove compiled o revised ond expanded edition of the Blood Donors Directory Il “Blood donation has been universally acknowledged as the most humane form of charity - a charity which flows from the heart and not the purse. The sole and primary object of such a ges ­ ture being that no fellow being - young or old, rich or poor - may succumb to fatality for want of blood, ” reads the foreword to the second edition of the Blood Donors Directory 1988, com­ piled by the CER (Committee for Eco­ nomic Revival) Youth Wing. Released on March 20 this year by eminent physician Dr Farokh Udwadia, the re ­ vised edition contains 1,700 names of voluntary Parsi donors who have pledged to answer the call of humanity at all times. “The first Directory had manually compiled data and contained 1,000 names while the second edition, I Largehearted donors wherein 700 more names were added, Limathwalla talks with due respect of has computerized data, ” informed Nariman Mistry and Dinyar Tukina chairman of the CER Youth Wing, who have donated blood 108 and 103 Kersi Limathwalla, in an interview KOXana rl. Kaka times respectively. He draws a close with Parsiana on April 20, 1988. The parallel between them and Nobel compilation “which took more than a prizewinner Mother Teresa. (“She year to complete, involved tremendous The names of those who are reg- got a Nobel prize first and then a Bhar- work, and made great demands on the istered in the Directory were collected at Ratna, ” he adds.) He hopes that time and efforts of Meher Gazdar and by organizing blood donation drives in Mistry and Tukina will be recognized Zarine Limathwalla (coordinators of the places like Cusrow Baug, Jer Baug, in some way: “They should be given Directory project) and Kersi Gazdar Khareghat Colony, etc. “This served a some free medical aid or the commun- (honorary general secretary of the CER dual purpose, ” says Limathwalla, “we ity should honor them suitably. ” The Youth Wing). ” got blood for the blood banks and also CER showed their appreciation by Presented as an attractive plastic co- the names of the donors. ” The Youth felicitating the two at their ghambar on vered 181-page manual, the Directory Wing also approached private blood Navroze eve, this year. Mistry and lists the donors blood groupwise, area- banks and those of major hospitals, Tukina have both been awarded certifi- wise and then alphabetically. The “but they were not very cooperative, ” cates by the hospitals and blood banks 1,700 names are divided into eight he adds. The CER batch of volunteers where they have donated this life-saving blood groups, starting with the rarest even went from door-to-door request- liquid so selflessly. group - AB-ve - which has only 33 ing people to register. What prompted them to donate? names. The O-f ve blood group has the Disheartened by the general public Citing his mother as his source of in ­ maximum ' number of registered response, Limathwalla says, “For any spiration, 54-year-old Nariman Mistry donors - 489. kind of social work that you do, the says, “When I was 21 years old, I de- Only 100 copies of the Directory public response is limited. The motiva- veloped a bad fever and was hospital- have been printed. These will be distri- tion should be from one ’s own end. ” ized for 35 days. Koi loko sara thai to buted among leading doctors and ma- Talking about how the idea of this faresta kare, (when some people re- jor hospitals. To enable the lay person Directory materialized, Limathwalla cover they have a thanksgiving cere- to have better access to the names of referred to the earlier difficulty in con- mony), but my mother said that if I got the donors, the Directory is kept with tacting blood donors in times of well, she ’d donate her blood. So I said prominent people residing in different emergency, especially if the patient to myself that if she can donate blood localkies. Though the Directory lists was a negative carrier or when more why can ’t I? And that is how I started. ” For Dinyar Tukina it was just that a poor man whom he knew piled data on blood donors, the CER wanted blood. So he gave it willingly. I r THE^ DLOOD K VOLUME II •I*E Roxana H. Kaka f The names of those who are reg- Youth Wing decided to publish a directory. Research was done, and names collected and put together for the first edition of the Directory which was released in 1983 by eminent physi ­ cian, the late Dr Minocher Mody. “In open heart surgery which has become very common now-a-days, doctors al ­ ways stress on fresh blood. This is turn has created a tremendous demand for the Directory," noted Limathwalla. Enthused by the response by way of phone calls and people approaching them directly (“they even came to our houses, ” says Limathwalla), the Youth Wing decided to work on a second edition. To update their data, post cards were sent to all those who were formerly registered. Disheartened by the general public Citing his mother as his source of in ­ only Parsi donors ’ names, it can be re- than one bottle of blood was required, ferred to by non-Parsis too, notes Realizing the need for properly com- Limathwalla. 31 Parsiana June 1988least realizing that I will donate my must say ‘no ’. Even I’ve had to refuse father, Parvez, underwent a coronary blood 102 times. ” (He has donated on many occasions, ” he informs. bypass surgery on February 25, 1988 one more time since then.) A few precautionary measures, both for which he required eight bottles of Mistry, who is the head of the phy- for the donor and the donee, are men- blood. “The doctors had particularly sics department and vice-principal of tioned in the Directory. “Blood, which asked for fresh blood, so contacting the Guru Nanak Khalsa College, is the most precious fluid mainly con- started donating blood at the age of 21 cerned with carrying oxygen and nutri- and continued doing so till 1986. “On tion to all parts of the body, has to be ________ ______ September 3, 1986, I donated for the collected, tested and stored under work Tn the Colony. The likely donors last time. ” Due to a surgery for the aseptic and hygienic conditions, so a ... replacement of an aortic valve, Mistry donor must always insist on a sterilized blood. I have to take anti-coagulant should inform the blood bank of any others came on their own. Ek to I do give my blood, it won ’t be of any the blood sample has to be help. ” .... ... .. An accountant at the Aryan Bakery, Tukina started donating his blood at a late age, 36. With two more years left (after the age of 55 it is not advisable to donate one ’s blood) he says, ""Thai tetlu karas (I’ll do as much as possible). ” Due to a surgery for the aseptic and hygienic conditions the donors was very vital. Appeals were also put up at the Rustom Fram- na Agiary and on the cable TV net- were contacted and they most willingly . , --------------------------- came and donated their blood. We has since been unable to donate Jiis disposable needle. Next the donor provided transport for some and the blood. I have to take anti-coagulant should inform the blood bank of any others came on their own. Ek to pills to keep my blood thin. So even if serious ailment before donating, and bicharo party chhorine bhi ayo (one I do give my blood, it won ’t be of any the blood sample has to be cross- poor fellow left a party and came). checked first with that of the donee ’s. ” The Directory is a God-sent book, ” adds Mistry thankfully. Though science has advanced so much, till date it has been unable to produce a single drop of blood artifi ­ cially. Therefore blood being an ex ­ pensive commodity the price of blood is a debt that the recipient owes to the donor. (According to the estimates ; cross ­ checked first with that of the donee ’s. ” 'The blood directory of the CERwqs the single most important factor in procuring the reouired blood for mV provided by the Breach Candy Hospit- donee has to pay Rs 250 for the fothef The price of blood Sitting in his comfortable air- conditioned office above a busy street in Dhobi Talao, Limathwalla, a char- first and second bottle, Rs 225 for the tered accountant and company direc- ______________________________ ___ third and fourth, Rs 200 for the fifth tor of Mazda Industries and Leasing, and sixth bottle and if more bottles are says that now-a-days donating blood The blood in the banks is not always required, Rs 175. If a donee brings his has become a money-making racket, r ——•• __ • .... “People just queue up to donate their should always insist on fresh blood, blood for a paltry sum. Secondly, their blood is not at all healthy. There are ated, ” notes Limathwalla. tion for the donor because he may also no hygienic measures taken. A Speaking on how useful the Direc- have been able to save a life, notes the person should not donate blood more tory was to his father, 21-year-old inside back cover of the Directory. .1 —r ’l _t- .1 ¦ - • - - . As a mark of tribute to the blood growing demand for blood, one cherji Joshi Colony, Dadar, says, donors the manual quotes: “The blood directory of the CER, No badge of service does he wear, though outdated (he had to refer to He lives a “hero ” unaware. the old edition as the updated version A man who rolls his sleeve to give was not available), was the single most His blood to help another live. .. important factor in procuring the re- No, none of these will know his name, quired blood for my father. ” Mistry ’s Nor see it carved on walls of fame. his comfortable stored in hygienic conditions so one own donor through his personal con- ’ . - . .. . tacts, he pays Rs 100-150.) After giv- “At least then you know who has don- ing blood, there is also great satisfac- ated, ” notes Limathwalla. f " ___ ",_____ Speaking on how useful the Direc- have been able to save a life, notes the than once in six months. Though there Ratan Mistry, a resident of the Man ­ is a j------• - - J J r <. . . .. . . . — . — - At the release of the Blood Donors Directory 1988 (from left): Dadi Engineer, Udwadia, Jehangir Nicholson and Limathwalla Below right: Ddwadia felicitating Tukina while Nariman Mistry looks on P I I i GO ' c p ¥ 32 Parsiana June 1988Honor thy father Parinaz Toddywalla Nearly four months after the municip- prevailing everywhere, ” Mehta ack- the candidacy of Congress (I) corpor- i_______ __ ___ man v ator Noshir Mehta was still aflutter on succeed in "his fighragainsrit Foras Road. The vernal features of then r ' “ Noshir, his late father Rusi whose assassination had created a vacancy in \ me municip- prevailing everywhere, ” Mehta ack- minimum 10 to 15 peoole ” This in- canSc? of nowledges “I. is in our society. There evitably leads to unhygienic living con- *¦- IS no cure for it. An honest man cannot ditions and a high proportion of filth, siicrepd in hic f't.rht aaomef if ” fjg gutters are overflowing. “The cites “unemployment, uneduca- municipality may issue a notice for the tion and overpopulation ” as the repair of drains but the landlord knows Ward 23 and the naim cvmhr.i ’'- ’¦easons for corruption. Until we can that the maximum fine imposable is Rs the Drotection of the ndina everyone good facilities for a 100, so he does not bother. The old the protection of the ru mg Congress lucrative living, we have to realize that buildings are not very well-ventillated party were all clearly distinguishable “for the sake of his stomach * ventiiiated on the sheet of cloth. The real life picture of Noshir was a little different: dark shadows under his tired eyes, an unshaven expressive have been one of those days when Mehta elaborates some I J I . •* ---------- I---------—AAAhZ VVllJVllUVlIV y. XII oned him from his residence post- small room of 10 by 10 feet reside haste. Khadi-clad Noshir, balding at the forehead, admits that serving as a § municipal corporator is “a difficult, ' thankless job, ” requiring him “to s attend calls at all hours. ” But the same “ \ responsibility which he views as a ’ “headache ” also brings the 40-year- old corporator satisfaction knowing that “he can serve the people better ” j because of his direct access to many He The gutters are overflowing. “The ____3 as the repair of drains but the landlord knows a person and are under disrepair as the landlord cannot afford to repair them. There is a constant conflict between landlords and tenants...The people are not edu- has to earn - in the right way or the wrong, ” reasons Mehta. As councillor of the D Ward, which _____ - . . ------ is believed to be one of the most den- cated. ” . populated wards in Bombay, To overcome the acute water shor- , ', , ---------- ''¦* problems tage problem, the six-inch oioes are “.’r ’ bJug^replaced by a plpebnf ^of ni„: a inches to increase the flow of municip ­ al water to his zone, reported Mehta when talking of the improvements in ­ itiated by him. Road repairs are cur ­ rently being undertaken at Falkland Road - considered the prime locale for prostitution, bootlegging and other nefarious activities - which happens to fall under Mehta ’s constituency. Plans are also afoot to lay out a garden and departments in the civic administra- H SsTthelrea ”‘‘"‘' tion which would otherwise be denied JIIIB Thn h r • j r to an ordinary citizen. Along the way ¦ W rtil"™?'' =>«?PPO™oned for he also has IO encounter frLtrations - W ^oor - inhe when, keen to solve some problem for C.li “ u .his constituency member, he is pre- a a mtro- * vented by bureaucratic hurdles. V duced within the budget. The drain- He does not mind being woken up in F Z T the middle of the night or called awav aBt ‘ ’’’¦ “P®™- " from a party but whit particularly irks him in the discharge of his duties is the 1 provision is in- ; unnecessary insistence on document ’W or mo^^ or-the citation of rules and regulations “ eonsrt?uen?v "ts by departmental authorities merely A At thr. i u- u with a view to delaying matters. Refetl A M^h,» «t„aT” ring to the •¦well-planned corruption \ h s hX°s ' in a week, ne tinds the proceedings Noshlr Mehta, who won the municipal by-election seat held by his late father Rusi for 20 years, is working towards improving the living conditions of his constituency members in Bombay, !l I I. I 35 Parsiana June 1988 Q £ -T UJ c F< A I I 1 i [( I ii II -1 a o I z IE LU (/) LU a l£ nt. •Sfiw. — *• ¦¦ 1 MEHt I “Independent candidates have no value. They may quote laws, make actively involved in community affairs being a managing committee member of the Committee for Economic Revival (CER). Yet, even from the periphery. Noshir remarks, “We must come together under a powerful, honest leader and im­ prove our pitiable state. The infighting amongst ourselves is degrading. We are so small in numbers that we do not stand a chance anywhere. The Parsis must regain their competitive edge . ’’ Noshir ’s current preoccupation with disappointing, for the members “bring Bofors scandal, Noshir maintains, Bombay’s politics and problems leaves up Lok Sabha issues at the municipal “The charges of corruption have not him with little time for any other activ- meetings. Most speak for the sake of been proved. ” Inviting Parsis to sup- ity. In fact, he says that he is so press ­ opposing. Most topics are politically port the Congress party and do social ured that he gives simultaneous motivated to blame the ruling party. ” work. Noshir opines, “Congress is the appointments to two or three people Emphasizing on the importance of only political party which favors the and then attends to the difficulties of affiliation to a political party, Mehta minorities and gives them a free hand the person who first arrives on the explained the practical side: “Indepen- to do anything. ” While Noshir has not scene. He feels that he is on duty all 24 dent candidates have no value. They been associated with any other politic- hours in a day because he can be sum ­ may quote laws, make good sugges- al party, during his college days at moned at any time: to the police sta ­ tions, but no one listens to them. They Wadia ’s in Poona and St Xavier ’s in tion, to help someone book a culprit; ultimately have to sit down because Bombay (from where he graduated in to the hospital, for the speedy clear- they have no party backing. Indepen- geology and chemistry) he was active ance of a post mortem examination; to dents are given weightage only when in different youth organizations. After the scene of a house collapse; and even there is a tussle between the parties ” completing a stint as a computer prog- to witness the choking of a house gul- and the votes of the independents rammer with Tata Consultancy, he ley. His constituency members know could turn the course of the tide. The Mehtas ’ affiliation with the dustan Petroleum. Congress party has spanned over two decades. The first time Noshir (then aged 20) and his father Rusi took an interest in politics was in the ’60s when Homi Taleyarkhan had contested the seat from the Walkeshwar constituen ­ cy. “We worked for him at the time of his elections. Then my father got in ­ terested and j father's intention was oniy to oe oi ser- , vice to the people. In a constituency flO 0116 llStCIlS tOtnCITl where there are hardly 50 to 100 Par ­ sis, my father won four successive municipal elections. ” (It was while re ­ turning home after attending to his tion to national politics. Noshir com- again he may have to sacrifice his fami- constituency calls that he was killed on ments, “We were founder members of ly life if necessitated by some urgent the night of June 12, 1987, allegedly at the Congress. In the past we were in- work. the behest of an underworld gang- fluential. Today the standard has gone Operating within the municipal lord.) down in every field. While formerly limits of Bombay, Noshir visualizes a Noshir, who replaced his father after the mass used to go up the ladder, to- bright future for ''sunder Mumbai winning the elections against nine con- day only a few climb up. ” Though he (Marathi equivalent for beautiful testants by a 7023-vote margin, says, seemed to weigh his words when talk- Bombay)” where there will be very “Actually I was not at all interested in ing of national problems, on commun- good openings for business. His consti- standing. But when I was nominated by ity issues. Noshir was outspoken: “Many tuency members may not be that con- my party and assured support from are caught in bhang and charas which is on cerned with the city ’s future prospects, friends in the other major political par- the increase in Parsi colonies. Poverty is For them it is sufficient that Noshir is ties, I decided to contest. ” the cause of many ills in the Grant Road readily available to solve their prob- Though Noshir enjoys “very good area where many families cannot afford lems. Even the hapless children of his telations with the Shiv Sena party, ” his even one meal a day though they may not ward take a break in their conversa- loyalties apparently lie with the Con- beg. Good education is beyond the reach tion as Noshir walks past them. They gress. When asked to give his views on of many Parsis. ” Compared to the council- are able to identify their elected repre- the Congress involvement with the lor, his elder brother Dinshaw is more sentative. presently works as a dealer for Hin- where to contact him at what hour. In the mornings he is found at his ward office, from there he is ‘on the field ’ visiting different places in keeping with the nature of the complaints; af­ ter that he is at the municipal head ­ quarters at Bori Bunder; from thence a halt at the office of the Bombay Re ­ gional Congress (I) Committee. In the evenings he is at his Falkland Road joined politics. My QOOd SUGOCStiOnS but office where people come to him with father ’s intention was only to be of ser- ____ isZlL____ » personal grievances and where he I looks after his correspondence and ________________________________ other paperwork. That leaves him only Sundays for his wife Shobha and On the subject of Parsis ’ contribu- daughters Diana and Vera, but then 36 Parsiana June 1988r MUSIC I r ¦Singer Gary Lawyer's r first solo album iThis Cannot Wait, written 1 and composed by him, has Jeroo Irani been released by EMI/HMV 1 iiS'i The audience and the music reminded us that we had left our youth far be ­ hind. As the 2,000 plus teenyboppers swayed, rocked, screamed in mindless unison, and surged forward to the stage like the waves of a turbulent sea, the mayhem seemed almost rehearsed. The pounding music found its echo in our racing hearts and our not so har ­ dened ears protested occasionally as Gary Lawyer belted out nonstop for an hour, songs by Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison, the Doors, and Bruce Springsteen. As the crowd roared its approval from time to time, the con ­ cert took on the aspect of a primeval rite with Lawyer officiating as the high priest, wielding his microphone like a totem. There would be welcome lulls when he would subside into the softer and slower melodies composed by him. The recent rock show at the open- air Rang Bhavan was held to promote Lawyer ’s first solo album. This Cannot Wait, with 12 songs written, com­ posed, sung and produced by Lawyer. When we meet Lawyer at home, the hard edge of suppressed violence that he exuded on stage is missing. Clad simply in a T-shirt and blue jeans, the singer has none of the artifice one associates with the momentary stars of the pop industry who flare up on the pages of glossies, then flicker and fade like a paper flame. He has the scrub ­ bed look of the boy next door and his voice has a mesmeric timbre. “I am a singer, definitely, before anything else, ” says Lawyer (whose real name is Rohinton) in answer to a question whether he would describe himself as a poet who sings or a singer. “I have been singing all my life but writing and composing songs just recently. ” “The whole concept behind my album was to promote myself interna ­ tionally, ” says Lawyer who signed a two-year recording contract with EMI/ HMV. If Lawyer ’s solo album This Cannot Wait “has even one song that clicks internationally, it can promote my whole career. ’* Plans are afoot to have video clips to support the songs likely to be issued as singles. If the en ­ tire album is “discovered ” abroad, as one that gets better with every listen ­ ing, Lawyer could well become pop music ’s new hero. An earlier album. Country Superstars - Vol 3, released last year by EMI/HMV, had one duet by Lawyer and his wife Anita who jos ­ tled other country and western greats like Kenny Rogers, Anne Murray and Don Williams. “I am involved in every type of music, ” explains the singer who belts out not only rock, jazz and pop music but also ballads. “I would even enjoy singing in a choir, ” he says. In addi ­ tion, he writes and sings most of the advertising jingles we hear today, ranging from those for Wrangler Jeans to Palmolive Shampoo and Volfruit. “I did this rock concert because there is a ready audience for it. And I started off with an album based on 38 Parsiana June 1988 hrock because commercially it is the in a bad sense...that is why it is so professional recording and was ready most viable. I would love to do a jazz popular. The singer automatically be- to promote it with agents there when concert, but to organize one can be comes a showman. My gyrations were circumstances forced him to return to tough. One has to get the sponsor, not studied or for effect. They came India. It was this tape that won him a etc. ” naturally, ” he adds. recording contract from EMI/HMV. Just as organizing one can take its toll, so can the actual performance. Calcutta, Poona, Bangalore, Madras A Major which will receive all his in- “A concert can be strenuous, an emo- and represented India at a jazz festival tional and physical release. If it goes in Singapore. The show Are You well, it ’s a nice high. Nothing can ~ bother you for the day. ” But in India, things may not go so smoothly. “Any- Elvis Presley to storybook stardom music in his life. Greatly influenced by thing can go wrong here with the ‘ lights, the sound system, the audience. We don ’t have a professional infras ­ tructure. In America, a concert is a success before it ’s begun. Everything Bombay’s premier rock outfit. Rock House to return with Perry Como, has its own momentum, ” he adds. ’ -- -- -- Describing himself as a perfectionist into 20 shows. “The band was so tight strong or Duke Ellington albums. “I who worries about the minutest de ­ tails, Lawyer confesses that a live show takes everything out of him. This was obvious at the Rang Bhavan concert as Lawyer, shirt wringing with sweat, gy­ rated on stage, his twisting, twirling pelvis reminiscent of the rock king, singing at smaller clubs and theaters, Elvis Presley. “The secret of rock ‘n ’ roll is that it makes one lose one ’s in ­ hibitions. It has an earthy appeal. It basically “checking out the other smiles, brings out the basic instincts in us. . .not side, ” as he put it. He had made a semi comes a showman. My gyrations were not studied or for effect. They came naturally, ” he adds. Lawyer has held shows in Bombay, He has now formed a company called come from music. Lawyer, who is a bass baritone and Lonesome Tonight? (produced by can sing in the tenor range, cannot re- Hosi Vasunia) chronicled the rise of member a time when there was no and dramatized an era that worship- Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Jim ped beautiful girls, big, fast cars and Morrison and Ray Charles, he re- red hot music. With Lawyer singing all minisces about the time his father the Presley numbers and backed by would go every week to Rhythm Machine, Are You Lonesome...ran Bing Crossby, Mantovani, Louis Arm- and professional that they could sing had an almost unnatural love for the songs backwards, ” laughs Lawyer, music. It did things to me. It moved At the time of the interview. Lawyer me to tears, made me shout, scream, was to visit Russia to do a one-hour go into a depression or feel elated, ” show as part of the Festival of India. says Lawyer who described himself as Lawyer was in the States for a spell, a sensitive, moody man who listens to Mozart, Elvis or the Beatles as the fan ­ working as a proofreader, helping out cy takes him. “Singing is a little like Anita ’s aunt with her antique business- being in love with a woman, ” he The love of his life, however, is his family, says Lawyer. “Everything fol ­ lows from that. ” During the interview, as his daughters Lisa and Rhea gam- si The secret of rock 'n' roll is that it t>olled with the family dogs Thor and makes one lose nnp'c inhihitinnc ter to rock her on his knee. Describing UIIC o IIIIIIUILHJIlo. himself as a responsible, religious It has an earthy man, who says his kusti prayers three - times a day, the swarthy, rugged- looking singer does not look like he indulges in the excesses or lives the bohemian lifestyle one associates with his star brethren. Having been away in the States for a rather long spell, he has not been involved in or thought about community issues. He is still a part of the family ’s sandalwood busi ­ ness which has been running for gen ­ erations. Talking about Parsis and music. Lawyer refers to the flamboyant rock idol Freddie Mercury (nee Bulsara) of the rock group Queen and maestro Zubin Mehta whose lives are maps of hope and determination. “They are the superstars in the very big league. If you want to make it in the music \ world, you should aspire to that \ level, ” he says. Elsa, Lawyer would occasionally pick up his one-and-a-half-year-old daugh- appeal // .ir MILESTONES ¦f The data on births, marriages Shroff; May 12 and deaths has been compiled A boy to Kerbi and Fall Joshi; from information provided by May 13 various anjumans in India and A boy to Zarin and Burjor abroad, courts and hospitals. Chivalwala; May 14 The news provided differs from A boy, Burzin, to Dilnavaz place to place , depending on the and Rustam Luth, brother to source. If readers have any informa ­ tion they would like published, Nadirshaw; May 18 some proof to ensure the verac- A boy to Maherangiz and ity of the report would be re- Mehernosh Sidikara; May 18 quired. We are sure our readers A girl to Firouzeh and will appreciate this requirement Mehrdad Masarati; May 21 and cooperate with us. A boy to Viloo and Farookh Out of the 78 Parsis who died Subedar ; May 21 in Bombay, 25 succumbed to A girl to Anahita and Faraz heart disease. Lung ailmerJts Joshi; May 23 claimed 14. The other major kil- A boy to Zinobia and Dinsha lers were old age (nine), kidney Roovala; May 23 failure (six), diabetes (five) and A girl to Shernaz and Cavas cancer (three). Liver failure, Sukheswalla; May 24 brain disease, blood disease and A girl to Maharukh and septicemia claimed two victims Mehernosh Hakim ; May 25 each. Isolated cases of asthma, A girl to Anita and Sharukh bronchitis, dehydration, hernia, Elavia; May 27 gastroenteritis, Parkinson ’s dis- A boy to Mani and Yezdi ease and ulcers have also been Dumasia; May 30 recorded. Two infants were lost to the community. Zubin; May 18 A boy to Tanaz and Farookh A girl to Hutoxi and Firdosh Mistry31 3 I' Married Maher Bahadur Arethwala of Navsari and Marzban Meherwanji Sadri; April 9 Benaifer Homi Hormuzdi and Rustom Irani of Australia; May 6 Rubyna Kaikobad Sethna and Parvez Jehangir Bilimo ria; May 7 ¦ i BOMBAY Born A girl to Maharukh and Gustad Engineer; March 22 A boy to Kamal and Sheriar Roohani; March 22 A girl to Roshan and Syrus Vakil; March 27 A girl, Roxanne, to Navaz and Nina Pesi Choksey of Calcutta Bohman Irani; March 28 A girl to Sanober and Pervez Bharucha;Maxch 31 A girl to Nilufer and Dinshaw May 7 Buhariwala; March 31 A girl to Farida and Jamshed Ukaji; April 2 A girl to Shirin and Farokh Daruwalla; April 3 A boy to Sanam and Rusi Mistry ; April 4 A boy to Mahrukh and Cyrus Khajotia; April 7 A boy to Shernaz and Firoze Vania; April 7 A girl tq Camelia and Rajendra Dalal; May 8 A boy to Zarin and Dinyar Shishbaradaran; May 8 A girl to Dolly and Dhanjisha Dhamodiwala; May 9 A boy to Maharukh and Piloo and Rustom Jal Modi; May 7 Homai Kersi Bardoliwalla and Yezdi Behram Pestonjamasp; Guishan Khudadad Fariborzi and Sheriar Faramroze Patel; May 8 Pinky Savak Bhathena and Rohinton Burjor Dadachanji; May 10 Aloo Naval Shroff and Rohinton Phiroze Tabelawala; May 12- Anahita Rohinton Bhathena of Vasai and Viraf Bamansha Jokhi; May 13 Havovi Phiroze Dumas id and yezt/j Dosabhai Karkaria; May 16 Roshan Ratansha Elavia of Surat and Tehmuresp Framroz Billimoria; May 19 40 Parsiana June 1988 Farida Rustomji Karanjia and Piroj Bomanshah Chinoy ; May 19 Bepsy Jimmi Karbhari and Freddie Hoshang Variava; May 20 Farida Behram Bhesadia and Mahernoosh Shavakshaw Govadia; May 23 Daisy Munchershaw Dotiwalla and Neville Adi Motafram; May 24 Sahanaz Savaksha Irani of Ahmednagar and Dinsha Sorabji Cooper; May 21 Armin Minoo Katrak of Bulsar Vispi Phirojsha Kapadia (16), and Malcolm Nariman Kotwal; May 28 Pervin Homi Billimoria and Phiroze Kavas Jamula; May 29 Veera Pesi Boocha and Romie Dara Umrigar; May 30 May 6 Navajbai Dinshawji Tavadia ('73), 19,Laxmi Nivas, Khetwadi, 19th Rd, 400004; May 6 Ratansha Hormusji Medhora (83), B/4, Nowroze Bang, Lalbaug, 400012; May "7 Homi Maneckshaw Cooper (68), Cama Bldg, Marzban Clny, Gilder Lane, 400008; May 8 Rashid Rustom Irani (78), Ramesh Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; May 8 607, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; May 8 Phiroze Naoroji Bharucha (77), B-24, Cusrow Bang, S.B. Rd 400039; May 9 Ratanbai Eruchshaw Bhagwager (80), Dhunmai Bldg, Opp VJTI Hostel, Dadar, 400014; May 10 Erachshaw Cawasji Damania (70), Lam Bldg, Opp Lower Parel Stn, 400013; May 10 Adi NusserwanjiJijina (80), Haji Abdul Latif Trust Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; May 10 Piroja Hormasji Patel (69), 221, Haveliwala Bldg, Bora Bazar St, Fort, 400001; May 10 Godrej Kaikhushroo Sanga (78), Old Sitaram Bldg, Princess St, 400002; May 10 Darab Ruttonshaw Shroff (79), Rutton Manor, Garden Rd, 400039; May 10 Perin Jehangir Choksy (65), 1-C, Matru Ashish, Napean Sea Rd, 400036; May 11 Hirabai Nadirsha Kawarana (92), Pallonji Mans, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, 400005; May 11 Morvarid Dinyar Kermani (68), 8-H, Gani Mans, King ’s Circle, 400019; May 11 Died Naju Sorab Bhagalia (66) residing at 34, Shanker Mahal, Sophia College Lane, 400026; April 30,1988 Homai Dorabji Billimoria (83), ‘E’, Wassiamal Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; May 1 Ardeshir Mherwan Yazdgerdi (68), Gyaneshwar Apts, New Prabhadevi Rd, 400025; May 2 Bachanmai Nadirshaw Cama (79), 581, Shirin-Abad, Matunga, 400019; May 3 Mehra Nadarsha Daruwalla (79), 3, Daudi Mans, Reay Rd, Mazagaon, 400010; May 4 Savak Faramji Motiwalla (81), 0/18, Dalal Est, Bombay Central, 400008; May 4 Chandan Dossabhoy ^hroff (58), 13, Ahura Apts, Gunpowder Rd, Mazagaon 400010; May 4 Darab Sorabji Bhagat (74), Dr Dossibai Home , Masina Hosp , Minoo Jehangir Unvala (85), Byculla, 400027; May 5 Keki P. Bhesania (40), Happy Home, Forjett St, Gowalia Tank, 400036; May 5 Freny Jehingirji Nikorawalla (64), R/18, Bharucha Baug, S.V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; May 6 Maneksha Ardeshar Patel (12), Umrigar Bldg, Zoroastrian Blocks, Chikalwadi, Tardeo, 400007; A-20, Cusrow Bang, S.B. Rd, 400039; May 11 Mehroo Dady Vatcha (60), M- 54, Cusrow Bang, S.B. Rd, 400039; May 11 Nargis Samy Engineer (54), 4, Crown Bldg, Uranwalla St, Grant Rd, 400008; May 14 Meherbai Sorabji Mehta (70), 12, Petit Sanatorium, Cumballa Hill, 400026; May 14Gool Rustomji Daruwalla (73), Godrej Bldg, 383 Bhavani Peth, Pune 2; May 15 Farrokh Ardeshir Lashkari (86), 4/42, A.H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; May 15 Dina Sorabji Dastoor (81), Jer-Adi, Prof Almeida Rd, Bandra, 400050; May 16 Phiroze Meherjibhai Engineer (86), 6/10, Sorabji Santok Lane, Dhobi Talao, 400002; May 16 Sam Manchershaw Daver (51), 6/B, Crown Mans, Forjett Cross Lane, 400036; May 17 Jamshedji Sorabji Kalwachwala (87), 29, Sethna Bldg, Naoroji Seth St, 400002; May 17 Dinshaw Meherjibhai Wadia (83), 11/12, Tata Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400034; May 17 Porus Shapur Irani (18 days), 24, Momin Manzil, Agripada Chawl St, 400011; May 18 Phiroz Ratanshaw Sanjana (67), 61, Ferena, Arthur Bunder Rd, Colaba, 400005; May 18 Mani Rustom Sidhwa (82), Dena Bldg, 53 M. Karve Rd, 400002; May 18 Keki Nusservanji Bharucha (57), Kasinath Bldg, Cadell Rd, Mahim, 400016; May 19 Phiroze R. Driver (84), 2/4, Nadirshaw Dinshaw Bldg, Babulnath Rd, 400007; May 19 Sakerbai Meherwan Irani (85), Shirin Mans, Opp Victoria Garden, 400027; May 19 Tehmina Minocher Pavri (91), Wadia Bldg, 22 Patkar Rd, 400007; May 19 Maneckshaw S. Buhariwalla (80), M-26, Cusrow Baug, S.B. Rd, 400039; May 20 Rusi Jamshedji Medhora (74), 2, A.H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; May 20 Manchershaw Burjorji Medhora (82), l/B/26, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Parel, 400012; May 20 Shapur D. Pithawala (70), Sagar Hse, Jehangir Daji Cross Lane, 400007; May 20 Gool Framroze Darasha (84), 42 Tardeo Apts, Tardeo Rd, 400007; May 21 Gul S. Kapadia (82), Band Javalkar Mans, 280/A, Sopari Bang Rd, Parel, 400012; View, 665, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; May 21 Meherbai D. Wadia (65), Fire- May 27 Temple, Dhobi Talao, 400004; Coovershah Hormusji Chothia May 21 ~ ~ Maneckbai D. Bodhanwalla (80), Contractor Bldg, Kasinath St, Tardeo, 400034; May 22 Gul Godrej Chichgar (72), 14 Faridoon Court, Colaba, 400005; May 22 Amy Noshir Bhesania (65), 5, Petit Blocks, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; May 23 Adarji S. Elavia (92), 1/10, C.J. Clny, Sir Ratan Tata Blocks, Tardeo, 400034; May 23 Female baby of Mehroo and Rustam Irani (10 days). Contractor Baug, Godrej Bldg, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; May 23 Minocher Jamshedji Lakdawalla (84), 5/14, Tata Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400034; May 23 Goolbai Sorabji Mehta (87), Sea-Side, Near Colaba Bus Stn, 400005; May 23 Minoo Jehangirji Mehta (57), B’, Dhun Bldg, Lamington Rd, 400007; May 23 Rata Meherji Pithawalla (82), 9/5, Rustom Baug, Byculla, 400027; May 23 Keki Navroji Kanga (56), B-8, New Khareghat Clny, Babulnath, 400007; May 24 Jerbanoo B. Ranikhetwalla (80), Cooper Bldg, Marzban Clny, Dr Nair Rd, 400011; May 24 Tehemina Navroji Bhesania (90), Pundit Mans, N. Petit St, Behram; May 3 Grant Rd, 400007; May 25 Tehmurasp Framji Dharwar (92), Dadachandji Bglw, 17, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari, 400102; May 25 Mithibai Sorabji Pavri (90), Marine Mans, Marine Lines, 400002; May 25 Noshir Bomanshaw Engineer (60), Shirin Manzil, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; May 26 Khorshed Minocher Kalapesi (83), L-59, Jagmohandas Marg, 400006; May 26 Piloo Hormasji Billimoria (64), Aziz Bldg, Tardeo Rd, 400034; May 27 ‘ Kavas Sorabji Patel (79), (73), 10/2, Rustom Bang, Byculla, 400027; May 28 Sarvar Dinshaw Irani (60), B. Merwan Bldg, A Block, Grant Rd, 400007; May 28 Motibai Rustomji Irani (85), 209/F, M. D. Chawl, Opp Gamadia Clny, 400007; May 29 Shirin Dorabji Siganporia (80), 13-D, Nowroze Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; May 29 Sonoo Rustomji Umrigar (16), Jamshed Mans, Tardeo Rd, 400007; May 30 Minoo Cawasji Daver (69), F.S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes Rd, 400007; May 31 Jaloo M. Jasawala (66), 19, Sleater Rd, 400007; May 31 Banoo Nusserwanji Karanjia (75), Cto Nagis N. Kelawala, Mbi, A.H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; May 31 MeherbaiJalejar Mistry (81), 11/4, Pirojsha Nagar Hill Side, Vikhroli, 400079; May 31 CALCUTTA Bom A girl, Tanya, to Shirin and Cyrus Mehta; April 17 Married Tehmina Kavarana, daughter of Roshan and late Homi and Gautam Ghosh; April 14 Died Piroja Rustomji Rana (86), mother of Dhanji and Kershasp Kaikhushroo Wadia (83), brother of late Beheramsha, Tehmina, Jal and Nergish Batlivala; May 18 Maneck Modi (83), wife of Dara, mother of Khorshed Phiroze Modi and sister of Soli, Burjor, Keki, late Daulat and Minoo Pavri; May 24 DELHI Born A boy, Navroze, to Tushnamaity and Phiroz Kotwal; May 4 Died Adi Chinoy (57), husband of Khorshed and father of Dinaz, Behroz and Jamshed; February 5 Mrs Nowrojee (95); May 13 KARACHI Died Eddy Framroze Dinshaw (46); April 2 Rustomjee Dosabhoy Behrana (95), April 10 Rustomjee J. Dholu (70); April 21 Cowas Manecksha Balaporia (68); April 24 ONTARIO Married Shireen Nanavati, daughter of Frene and Hoshang and Randy Preksta; April 30 PENNSYLVANIA Born A girl, Anita, to Mani and Murli Rao; April 23 SECUNDERABAD Married Roshan K. Daruwalla and FirozeJ. Nariman ; February 2 Bapsy M. Marker and Jehangir M. Jilla ; April 24 Died Alamai B. Gotla (75); February 19 Goolcher D. Driver (10); February 29 Najamai C. Nakra (81); March 14 Piroja Faram Madon (83); March 25 Ardeshir Hormusji Debara (70); April 17 Dhun Sohrabji Debara (57); April 27 Coomi Joshi (68); May 14 Minocher Karanjia (70); May 20 Homi D. Munshi (90); May 20 Roshan Dinyar Nakra (50); May 30 Saber J. Patel (88); May 31 SURAT Died Shapur Ardeshir Daboo (39); May 1 Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka 41 Parsiana June ? 988IN MEMORIAM The spirit of Sikkim < Died: Jamshedji Rustomji Contractor, drink only wine and beer, had a repu- more than double the total revenue of 79, the intrepid entrepreneur who tation for tasting and testing every Sikkim from existing sources...and on founded the Sikkim Distilleries as well batch of liquor that was marketed obtaining permission from the govern- ......................... ment to embark on the venture, very soon made good his claims. ” The gov- Surat-born Contractor ernment ’s initial investment of two completed his BA from the Baroda lakh rupees is now reaping annually Rs Contractor, who pioneered Indus- Sydenham College before, joining, his valued at Rs 12.5 crores. Contractor trialization in Sikkim by setting up the father who was a sixth generation dis- informed the Bombay reporter. Simi- Sikkim Distilleries some 34 years ago, tiller. “Everyone thought my educa- larfy. Contractor helped the Bhutan had been virtually a legend in his life- f time... ” noted a report in the Sikkim that my knowledge of commerce en- Express for the week ending April 30, abled me to increase the distillery busi- 1988. Describing him as “a lovable man of unbounded charity, ” Nari Rustomji, Contractor bought a distillery in Rat- the former dewan of Sikkim, wrote a nagiri for Rs 2,500. Satisfied with his though continuing to maintain an ac- tribute commending Contractor ’s “adven- output, the government sold him tive interest in the distillery. “They turous and boundless enterprise in practi- another distillery on the border of Goa don ’t come to me when everything ’s cally unknown regions, his generosity and to dissuade the locals from crossing going smoothly, but only when they religious devotion... ” into the Portuguese territory for a are in a soup, ” he is known to have His range of liquors and liqueurs are drink. He was then selling his liquors jocularly said. In fact, barely three popular not only in India, but sold at at two annas per bottle, remembers hours prior to his death, he was dictat- his outlets in England, Switzerland, ’ Contractor. His next distillery was in ing a letter from his bed at the Parsee Sweden, Singapore and Hong Kong, the Panchmahals area, to be followed General Hospital to one of his cousins. In addition to the regular brews like by one in Ghodasar to avoid falling He preferred the "Parsioni katkat rum, whisky, brandy, gin, his special!- within the purview of the state prohibi- (constant Parsi chitchat) ” at the ties were coffee liqueur, zong wine, tion limits. In 1948 when prohibition Parsee General to the impersonal cherry brandy, creme de menthe, paan was reimposed. Contractor ’s five dis- treatment at the reputed Breach Can ­ liqueur and kanchan jangha. In 1983 tilleries, and 20 shops attached to dy Hospital, he told everyone, his firm, Nepal Distilleries, was con- each, were closed down without offer- ferred the Oro Verde gold medal from ing him any compensation. Spain in recognition of the internation- T al quality of its alcoholic beverages to increase his fortunes in the timber only got an air conditioner installed in and the superiority of its khukri rum. trade. But the earthquake in 1950 his room in the interest of his dog ’s Rum, which accounts for 70 percent caused the destruction*of his factory. ----- - of the total produce at Sikkim Distil- He set it up anew only to have it sub- leries, is a favorite with the Indian mer^d in the floods the same year. Army. “Rum keeps you warmer* than ‘ ‘ ' any other drink at high altitudes, ” be- consequential floods put a tragic end from jaggery and never from molasses and as distilleries in Bhutan and Nepal, on from his distillery. April 1, 1988 at the B.D. Petit Parsee General Hospital in Bombay, follow- uneventful, ing cardiac arrest. < “Popularly known as Jimmy, Mr University and BCom from Bombay’s 70 lakhs, while the distiUery itself is The start of his business career was tion was a waste of time but I believe distillery increase its turnover from Rs 30,000 to three crores of rupees, until it was nationalized in 1982. Retiring from active business at the age of 70, Contractor, a bachelor, handed over the reins to his cousins ness, ” he stated. To enhance his family business. Leading a very simple life, he never flaunted his wealth, remembers his From there he proceeded to Assam niece Freny Contractor. In fact, he health. He was very fond of travelling, says Freny, and in his younger days it would come as a surprise if he spent “The Assam earthquake of 1950 and two nights in one place. One other lux- , . 1 ury he allowed himself was a Walkman lieved the vintner. “My rum is made to this enterprise and it was a very sad to listen to recorded Avestan chant- from jaggery and never from molasses and impoverished Jimmy that ings and bhajans (devotional songs) ...which is why Indian liquors can give approached me when I was dewan of late into the night. you headaches, but never mine, ” Con- Sikkim with a proposal to establish a tractor had insisted in an interview state distillery, ” reminisced Rustomji. with Bombay magazine about three “He represented that the excise re- He was a great believer in the Iran- shah, notes a family source and started there a kathi fund about 18 years ago. years ago. Contractor, who used to venue from the distillery alone would His faith in the atash bahram was in- 42 Parsiana June 1968 r1 h r i ___ __________ _______ Pithavala is survived by his wife unannounced*"visits, were religiously wanath Sachdev, resident Editor of Thrity and father Peshotan. spired by the priests who, on one of his finish the task at hand, recalled Vish- performing the prayers in memory of Navbharat Times. his parents about 40 years after having “A straight and forthright man received a donation earmarked for the whose strict and disciplined exterior purpose. He had also contributed to- concealed a soft and mild man, ” was wards the cause of the priests ’ housing how Ms Vimla Patil, Editor of Femina, quarters. viewed him. Drawing from his strength. His donations to the Parsee General people from all departments would solicit Hospital, community institutions and his help, noted GovindTalwalkar, Editor other causes ’were always made in the of Maharashtra Tunes. name of his parents. A believer in Sai The Mumbai Mazdoor Sabha, in a Baba, he presented to the Baba fol- condolence message sent by its presi- lowers the Shri Sai Baba Ratanbai dent R.J. Mehta, noted that the Sabha Contractor Hall in Shirdi, the place and all unions affiliated to the free SHOULD PARSIS MIGRATE... associated with the saint. trade unions movement “have lost a continued from page 25 On several occasions, his philan- champion of labor and a strong advo- done by widely advertising the ave- thropic intentions were misconstrued, cate of productivity commensurate with nues of gainful employment, educa- yet he continued to give liberally for adequate compensation to labor. ” tion and medical facilities available in “no one could change the mind of the ’ ' ¦ - " man who was a law unto himself, ” states his niece. A straight and forthright Correction In “The compassionate priest ” (Par­ siana, April 1988), Dastur Navrooz Minochehr-Homji ’s stay at Boys ’ Town, Nasik, was said to have ex ­ tended to J5 years. In fact, he was associated with the institution for six years only. The error is regretted. Compiled by Parinaz Toddywalla Involved in the field of journalism those areas. for over 35 years, Pithavala was well- However, if circumstances compel known for his intimate knowledge of Parsis living in mofussii areas to mi- the newspaper industry and was consi- grate, the next best option would be dered an authority on subjects relating for them to go to the nearest city/town. to newsprint supply. During the past Since the proportion of Parsis migrat- five years he had been actively in- ing to other cities like Pune, Navsari, volved in the change of technology in Surat, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Nagpur, news composing and printing in the Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore, Calcut- Times group, ” notes a write-up in The ta, Madras, etc would be relatively low i Times of India of April 25. compared to the existing population, j As guest lecturer he used to teach the problem would certainly be much i newspaper management at the Pune more manageable than in Bombay. i University ’s department of communica- If at all Parsis migrate, the commun- tion and journalism. “Each year he used ity assets left behind should be vested to prepare the discussion topics so well with the Federation. that the students were immensely be- If a few Parsi families decide to stay Died: Tempton nefitted from his lectures. It was never on in certain small towns, the pun- Peshotan Pithavala, mere lecturing but always a very serious chayets and anjumans in various major 59, business director contribution which motivated them, ” locations as well as the Federation of Bennett Coleman wrote Prof L.N. Gokhale, former head should make an effort to organize and Co who also of Pune University ’s communication de- visits of religious leaders and active so- served as printer partment, in a condolence letter to the cial workers to those areas to maintain and publisher of The family. a live contact with them. In turn, Par- Times of India, The Pithavala had schooled in Navsari, sis in these areas should occasionally Economic Times, was a graduate in science and law from be invited to social and religious func- Navbharat Times and Maharashtra the Bombay University and a diploma- tions to nearby towns. Further, all Times, on April 24,1988 in Bombay, fol- holder in business management. His printed material compiled by the in ­ lowing cardiac arrest. first job was with the Free Press Jour- stitutions in other locations should be “Mr Pithavala had a total sense of nal where he worked for 14 years. In sent to such areas. commitment and identification with 1968 he joined The Times as assistant the company he served - a rare quality business manager and rose to the de- Mehroo Bengalee - and knew all there was to know ab- signation of business director. Parsis should not migrate. Wherever out a newspaper, ” said Manu Shroff, He was president of the Times they are spread, with trust belongings. Editor of The Economic Times at a Officers ’ Club but beyond that he was it is better that they continue there for condolence meeting convened at the not much of a socialite, informs his their security and well being, rather Times office on April 25. The pro- i were reported in the Times^ publica- leading a spiritual life, ” sh^e adds. De- tions of the subsequent days. ............ ' npi... A day prior to his death, he was found working in his office till 7 p.m. —........ — ------------ . - - and when reminded of the late hour, prayers that her husband breathed his tance, the families can meet tor special he reportedly said that he had to first last in the adjoining room. Parsi festivals. Moving with the Times However, if circumstances compel He was president of the Times they are spread, with trust belongings. Officers ’ Club but beyond that he was it is better that they continue there for __________ _ wife Thrity. “He was the type of man than cluster together in chawls and ceedings of the condolence meering who believed in working hard and charity buildings. - ¦ - .. .................. •_ I ------Topreservethecommunity ’stradi- scribing him as religious minded, Thri- tions, customs and identity. Parsis ty derives consolation from the fact should settle in their careers by 18 and that it was whilst she was reciting her marry latest by 20. If staying at a dis- 44 Parsiana June 1988