Nov 1988

< I''; I NOVEMBER 1988 Rs 7 N ' • ’’ ly **1£BR >7 ¦ I » *HX... MBFirte f’ r . ’^'.'/¦X. •’.AV*.J 4. Motorcar rallyist Farad Bhathena I \- I lW$ N I Autocross racer Kaizad Patel 4November 1988 Volume 11 Number 5 EDITOR Jahangir 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 EDP Rohinton Daroga CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver, Khurshid Daruwalla OFFICE Rajendra Nayak, Khurshid Panthaky, Patricia Lewis, Rajalakshmi Iyer, Bakhtavar Batliwalla 3 Readers' Forum 11 Events and Personalities 19 Zoroastrians Abroad: North American Youth Congress 22 The Federation offers to intervene by Parinaz Toddywalla 30 The color of black by Gustasp Irani 34 The masters of motorsport by Joy Fernandes 43 Milestones 47 In Memoriam Cover: Transparencies of Bhathena and Patel by Varghese Fernandez. Transparencies of the rally by Hormazd Sorabjee 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 white processing, Shilpart. All rights reserved. Phone: 2048730 Annual inland subscription: Rs 60for-orie year (12 issues); Rs 100 for two years (24 issues). Foreign subscription rates: Seamail Rs 130 for one year, Rs 245 for two years; Air mail Rs 275 for one year, Rs 525 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 is to be drawn in favor of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 or C/o H.L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K. Nayak Marg, Fort Bombay 400001. SREADERS’ FORUM I » > , , . u-l fUllttlK.,.? 1 fr>>> ¦ n»» > ¦ tmunruo,,! ‘lOttKKott.?? HinttxMtxti* ‘Miihhii »»»» >*» »•» >•<’j »> 1 I I .X Si’ the month and no final decision had been taken regarding the retiring age. We also had to consider the letter of .. „ „ wx uxcai sausi resignation of Dr Sam Batlivala since a that the minority of four have retired dean of a hospital was in- . . ~ . terested in a full-time appointment. All the trustees except Mr Keki Alpaiwalla attended the meeting in Mr Burjor Antia ’s office. ________ x,,c My stand in the matter has all along Apropos Mr Manjra ’s^etter, some re- been based on two principles: primari- 1___ _ aiaicu ly, that the superintendent ’s post is a scholars who responded as weh tull-time one, and secondly, to have a those who did not respond there controversial figure as a superinten- ' dent would not be in the interest of the institution. Does Zoroastrianism...” I The inquiry regarding evidence of i reincarnation in 7______ ' IZT teach rein- not respond because they were not in- k August 1988) IS dined to be conspirers. Some Parsis I considered by some of my friends as an need to be informed that for dedicated are one thing and matters pertaining to J '» * ¦ ¦ »n** ». »»* • »»i»r > *« r| been based on two principles: primari- (( are the only true Zoroastrians; the others are Zoroastrians only in name. It is a matter of great satisfaction ! come out with flying colors by affirming reincarnation with documentary evi- FARHAD K. MANJRA Faribourz Nariman replies -r-’I--------- . —o XV/LVVl, OVIIIC IC levant facts may be stated. Among the 'as well as 3 are quite a few who are not known to me personally or by correspondence ’. Dr ASPi F.GOLWALLA Even assuming that I know all of them, it would be the height of absurdi ­ ty to suggest, as Manjra does, that the _ views of 25 distinguished scholars were Zoroastrianism doctored by me and that 23 others did rein- STj ’drelationships Tha-t Maha^ahopadhyay Faribourz XlSpr'^uXr ’^nZSded scholar who drew up scholars of Iran, Europe and the USA the questionnaire is clearly mentioned ¦’ Readers ’ views are wetoome on any subject of in the introduction and also that it was and should be sent he who selected the scholars to be pol ­ io the Editor, Readers Forum, Parsiana, IpH tf Jc imAivr, FkoF m G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Letters are ! “’,, ^h^t Nariman is averse subject to editing for reasons of space and '' clarity. Unsigned letters or those without a managed. Let me explain. will not hesitate to differ from their closest colleagues. And what is more, their differences would have the back ­ ing of years of intensive study. Thus, X -3 meant “to lower the image of the lectured in Iran? Europe, Auslraita •¦-aopnists ,s and the United States, he is in close and constant touch with several fore ­ ign professors and scholars. Isn ’t it ^11 u . --------- o * wx niLviiaivc bluUY. inUS. to dl who see retncarnation as a part the insinuation that the inquiry was _____ of too Zoroastrian doctrine. It is also meant “to lower the imaoe of tho compM. «»»«. WHI n« b. puhllrtwl. known that being a scholar who has khshnoontists and the theos?ph°sts ‘^s - lectured in Tmn piirrvrio A n __ i_ “The rift at Masina... pital {Parsiana, August 1988) I was possible that he might have asked his ists and tin Fk« i ^urprtsed to read the reference to nty- j"™ -^'h^s^lX^S; The author, Mr Homi Rogers, had phoned me one afternoon to be wanted to interview me < Parsiana in connection with the Masi ­ na Hospital controversy. I told him I that Hospital was concerned. And that is all. There was no question asked about >> Manjra does not seem to realize that almost till the last quarter of the last century, there were no Parsi theosoph- particular type of reply? I have often enjoyed Nariman ’s mel- say that lifluous voice (as a speaker) and in- on behalf of vigorating language (as a writer). Still, hk ?k^ x>r..... J fggj inquiry is the effort of one his assertion that “the khshnoomists and the theosophists are the only true Zoroastrians ” and that “the others are Zoroastrians only in name ” is prepost ­ erous, for surely, one cannot aver that turies gave birth to some “true Zoroastrians. ” Also, it may be recal ­ led that till the beginning of this cen- r 4. J* • . . wiiv vaiiiivi aver S':?c s rut “^'!: - “ tire country. His is an attempt to “ X. ' : '’7-----------ivu mill uu me oeginning ot this cen- the trustees ’ meeting on December' 'l?: h." geniu“s""s ’' ntS ^“e'n' 52 S„"nV pressing the need for an early meeting • < J ^'wr****^ ***VH*iXT OKzVllIO UV 11 Since the renewal of honorary appoint- made to lower the i; ments ’— x_ i.. , . . . ... en- ---------------en ­ force a new (non-reincarnation) creed remaining 23 were not ready to be P^?k°^ conspiracy? reincarnation with documentary evL The inqui^ seems to have been dence, ” asserts Manjra. Three of them ----------—..Kxx.wiuxj aypvtiiii- made to lower the image " ’ .... was to be made by the end of khshnoomists and theosophists a of have studied in the madressa under who two or three of the following scholars: 3 Parsiana November 1988ONCE THE FLAME OF FREEDOM IS EXTINGUISHED, IT NEVER LIGHTS AGAIN Dear Ladies & Gentlemen "Right of Worship" United Farvardian Prayers At Brookwood Zoroastrian Cemetery On Sunday, September 11,1988 at noon just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another" (Swift). , I have never made any statement that can be chel- lenged by anyone. If by chance I have made a mistake, I have always corrected it immediately. All the figures given under the heading "All Worship- Rv the orace of the Almighty and the blessings of the pers" are 100 percent correct. Figures of the "Zoroastrian departed soub^ou? Sd Far^ardian prayers%n Sun- Worshippers" were given by a reliable and honest Haw 1 mittee on defunct anjumans will soon ta^rtrnorpSi'builders'' handling of matters, eansino nn1uz1 Abstract art is an attempt to simplify life, says artist Mehlli Gobhai Gustasp Irani r 1 I 6 ill S are a crazy Parsi). ’” He does not wear a sudreh and kusti but is strongly tempted to relearn his prayers and start the practice again. “Traditions and rituals are an important part of our lives, ” Gobhai comments. But, he points out, there is also the vibrant and living Indian tradition from which Par ­ sis are alienating themselves. He talks about Indian classical music and about his regret when he is told at recitals, “You are one of the very few Parsis who ever come here. ” No, he is not damning the Parsis, he only regrets that the community is insulating itself from what are rewarding experiences. Most young Parsis he meets are obses ­ sed with getting out of the country - “like I (was), ” Gobhai concedes. Before he did make the move West, Gobhai graduated in economics and political science from St Xavier ’s Col ­ lege, Bombay in 1950. He then studied Gobhai has steered clear of the tran- Gobhai describes a stroll along law for two years, the aim being to join sient trends in the West. “Being Indian Chowpatty beach after sunset. Small a family law firm, which (luckily, in and Parsi is of primary importance, groups of people from the various vil- retrospect) never happened. Instead, It ’s inevitable that my roots filter lages across the land have assembled, he joined an advertising firm, J. Wal- through my work and I am proud of the sweat and toil of the day behind ter Thompson, and won “notoriety ” it, ” he declares. He has reservations, them. They dance the dances of their with an Air-India campaign for Time however, about the general attitude of villages; they sing the bhajans (de- Life publications. When Gobhai opted Parsis to the country they live in - votional songs) and folk songs that for a transfer to the company ’s Lon- India. “How much are we a part of the they learnt back home; or listen in an don branch in 1959, he was the crea- culture we live in? Our Iranian herit- enchanted trance to stories they have tive coordinator of the Bombay opera ­ age is uncertain and if we don ’t get heard a hundred times before. And as tions. In London he took time out and • involved and assimilate Indian culture, he speaks, Gobhai smooths the goose joined the Royal College of Art, but what do we have? ” he asks. “We are bumps on his arms. could not come to terms with being a depriving ourselves by our cultural and Gobhai is proud of being a Parsi; student again and rejoined the com- social isolation. ” He points out that proud of the community ’s wonderful pany for another three years. the West is struggling to keep its tradi- features, like its cleanliness; proud Thereafter, Gobhai applied for a tions and folklore alive, even if it is when non-Parsis comment that one transfer again, this time to the com- through highly synthetic cultural prog- can eat off the floor in a Parsi house- pany ’s New York branch. “New York rams. In India, tradition is still raw and hold. “I love the fact that there is an is fascinating, ” Gobhai recalls. “It has unadulterated, still a part of the fabric element of eccentricity in the com- an agitated, seething quality that is not of people ’s lives, even in cities like munity. I love it when people say, ‘Tm unlike Bombay. Bombay. * * ‘ - - - If advertising in bee tadan mad cap Parsi cM (You too London was fiin - “like working on 31 Parsiana November 1988campaigns in a pub ” - in New York it pates in nature ’s creative process, ” was treated with dead seriousness. ~ “There was no middle way. One either not imitate it. ” could be bought. In India the attach- got totally involved with selling trifling While in the US, Gobhai partici- ments are deeper; traditions here are consumer products or quit, ” and quit pated in a group show titled “Marking . alive and eternal. Gobhai did. “New York never lets things ......................... fester, it brings issues to a head. ” Gobhai then buckled down to the the Consul General of India to hold a vegetables - a ritual he loves - task of writing and illustrating chil ­ dren ’s books based on the Panchatan­ tra tales of India, doing six books in Giles Gallery, Eastern Kentucky Uni- setting of the Kangra valley in the all. Concurrently, he joined the Pratt versity, held an exhibition titled Himalayas, or being disturbed by the Graphic Center, New York, where he learned etching and lithography for was one of the six Asian printmakers vehicles. two years. Next he enrolled in the Art whose works were on display. In the Students League, New York and came under the influence of Robert Beverly Art, New York, hosted his exhibition limits of Bombay. Here his father, a Hale, an old academician on human titled ““ anatomy. Gobhai recalls: “He would medium. start with a drawing of a bone, then over it the first layer of muscle, and maintained contact with India by spoilt, in water colors. His mother then the successive layers, till each and spending three to four months of each chipped in with collections of books on every part of the body was minutely year in this country. Since 1984, the paintings of the great masters. studied. ” This, the human anatomy, however, the pattern reversed: he Where will it go from here? Time was to be the solid foundation of spent more time in India and about a will prove the litmus test. For, as Gobhai ’s work. His so-called “inert month in New York each year. Does Gobhai points out, the old masters geometrical patterns ” are reductions he regret his decision? “No, ” says survived history ’s weeding-out process from the human form. “Art partici- Gobhai, “I missed more things from which only retains the best. here than I miss from the West. In Gobhai explains, “echoes it, but does New York things were dispensable, not imitate it. ” While in the US, Gobhai partici- This tradition black ” at the Bronx Museum of Art in Gobhai hopes to distill into his art; 1980. The same year he was invited by that is when he is not shopping for his " ~ - - -.......... one-man show at the New India attending to the nagging details of life. House. Two years later, in 1982, the like building a house in the beautiful Identity and conflict ” and Gobhai piercing wail of music from reversing Where did it all start? At Goregaon, spring of 1984 the Islip Museum of Versova, Chembur and the outer Drawing as the primary businessman and Sunday painter, ” would take his son, set up easel and Gobhai, though based in New York, capture the landscape, then still un- however, the pattern reversed: he SORABJIRUSTOMJI & CO. LARGEST EXPORTERS & STOCKISTS OF SANDALWOOD, SANDALOIL, OTHER SANDALWOOD PRODUCTS LOBAN & AGGARBATHIES RETAIL SHOP Durlab Bhavan R.M. Roy Marg Chami Road Junction Bombay 400004 Tel: 356675 351637 Cable: INSANDAL SALES DEPOT & FACTORY Hooseinabad Compound Off Champsi Bhimji Road Old Anjirwadi, Mazgaon Bombay 400010 Tel: 8513869 8728346 32 Parsiana November 1988SPORTS COVER STORY The masters ofmotorsport Joy Fernandes Its bright lime-green stands out against find sponsors - a notoriously difficult didn ’t stand anywhere! ” Protective the scorched brown of earth and grass as the impressive Kawasaki KX 125 cc motorcycle blasts through the 1.45 km dirt track course to post the meet ’s fas ­ test timing of 1 minute 57.08 seconds. The rider: 19-year-old Kaizad Patel. The event: f " motorcycles at Bombay ’s first auto ­ cross run where 112 contesting vehi ­ cles whizz singly round two laps of a dusty, bumpy, twisting course. Rank ­ ing amongst the top three in four diffe ­ rent races, Kaizad proved himself the best rider of the meet. Earlier that day, 24-year-old Farad motorcycles roaring out of a haze of di rides in the Demonstration class. task. “People say to my father, ‘He ’s garb for riders consists of a light plastic not earning, just losing money, ”’ says guard for the rib cage, worn over the Kaizad. “But they don ’t see you ’re riding suit, a helmet with a mouth making a big name... ” guard, calf-length boots and gloves. A slim, quiet boy, Kaizad appears And how does his mother Gulrukh content to let his father answer ques- react to these dangers? “She just sits the Open class for tions on his behalf when we interview there and keeps praying when we ¦ ................................. him at Fall ’s wooden barrel factory in race, ” he smiles. Mazagaon. “He ’s saying what I would For Kaizad is not the only motorcyc- say, ” he assures us when we protest; list in the family. His father, who raced but later, when he and his cousin bring regularly when he was younger, still us a videotape of his races, he is more participates as Kaizad ’s supporting rid- talkative. er when Fall ’s brother Kersi doesn ’t; On the screen, the images race past, and Kaizad ’s 15-year-old brother Yez- Bhathena had drawn even dedicated dust and exhaust. Starkly functional, Kaizad was six when his father taught refreshment-seekers away from the their mudguards high above slim ‘but- him to ride, and as he grew up, he rode food stalls as he roared round the toned ’ tyres, they race up ramps of in their compound and in the lane near course in a Formula Indian racing car beaten earth and take suicidal-looking the factory. “There was no police van to take the Car and Bike Trophy in the jumps as they negotiate the plain, there, ” he grins. Open class. Emerging as the best driv- camel and reverse camel jumps, posi- Though the family regularly er of the day, he was also first in two * ‘ ' * " ““ ' other events. For Kaizad is not the only motorcyc- camel and reverse camel jumps, posi- "" tive and negative berms, bridges and attended the races, Kaiza'd had no par ­ tabletops that constitute a motocross ticular ambition to participate. TTien course. (To date, India has only sta- came the ’83-’84 intematipnal at dium motocross where the course is Poona in which “an 11 or 12-year-oid Two-wheeler ace In his three years on the Indian moto- landscaped within the confines of a boy called William ” rode as a demon ­ cross and dirt track racing circuits, stadium.) “You can break your head, strator. Inspired by him. Fall wanted Kaizad has won 22 firsts, 14 seconds neck, anything, ” says Kaizad casually, to “bring Kaizad into the picture. ” and six thirds, according to his bio “It may be due to overconfidence and Permissions were applied for, and at data. And on July 30, his one-year trying to show off - taking jumps in the first Bombay Motocross on May 5, contract with TVS-Suzuki to ride with crowded sections - or you may not ’85, the seven sons of Fali, Kersi, and the Suzuki team was announced in have a good bike. When I broke my their sister Godafrin Billiardmaker - Bombay. “They give you the bike (a wrist in a practice session at Poona, it (from oldest to youngest) Kaizad, Supra), mechanics, spare parts, the happened so fast, I didn ’t know I was Neville, Yezdi, Zubin, Percy and Fir ­ full team backing, ” says Kaizad ’s falling. ” daus Billiardmaker, and Rustom - father Fali. But he is unwilling to dis- But serious accidents aren ’t com- were among the 13 riders in a special close how much his son will be paid mon, he says, and tells us about a rider Demonstration class. because he does not want the competi- who finished third after falling off and says Kaizad ’s falling. ” But serious accidents aren ’t com- because he does not want the competi- who finished third after falling off and “I taught all these other six to ride, ” tors to know. Riders have necessarily being ridden over by another competi- says Kaizad, and his cousin Zubin puts to depend on their own resources or tor. “And the one who rode over him in, “He ’s our coach. ” Kaizad com- 34 Parsiana November 1988t i ¦ % - ¦ 'I .<¦ w- %* iraniil pleted a one-year diploma course in automobile engineering at the Fr Agnel Technical Institute, Bandra af ­ ter his ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) from St Peter ’s High School, Mazagaon. This has equipped him to prepare the bikes for the races. With the whole family in ­ volved (even his sister Havovi Irani learnt to ride after her marriage, he I ' ' says), Kaizad feels his riding requires ‘ no sacrifice of family life. “They all come here (to the factory) when I’m working on the bikes, ” he points out. Though his initial victories in the a Demonstration class (white a minor) thrills of the track for Bhathena - in his Premier Padmini (above left) and for Patel on his Kawasaki KX " , 125 cc (below) All action shots of race meets by Hormazd S. Sorabjee (The Indian Auto Journal) Far left: Close-ups of Bhathena (above) and Patel Photos; Varghese Fernandez ¦il > - V • * u 1«¦ K‘ . tiS^ —» wni ¦;_» .... n 4 At Bombay’s first autocross meet, Farad Bhathena was declared the best driver, while Kaizad Patel emerged as the best rider 35 Parsiana November 1968r ----------- --------------------- tennis, dating back to his school days. zz-TA ---------------------• X ‘J----- He enjoys music too: “All I need when the rally is outside pm working on my bike is music, any Bombay, the car is flown there. Otherwise you may reach there and your car may turn up four young again. Yezdi told me, ‘I’ll beat Jrtirt. (when I turn 18).’ I have chal- oays laier. lenged him. ” He turns to grin at He enjoys music too: “All I need when music with a beat. ” Talking about his long-term plans, Kaizad is very matter-of-fact: “I’ll ride for as long as I can, (until I am) 25 or 26, for a good position. That depends on how hard I work. You can repair a bike, but you can ’t make your body - -¦ -• .... X you (when I turn 18).’ I have chal ­ lenged him. ” He turns to grin at Zubin: “And the same goes for all of you... ” made him interested in racing, Kaizad ’s determination to win crystal ­ lized only after narrowly losing a race at Baroda. Since mid- ’87, an intensive two or three weeks of preparation precedes each race. “I go to Dahanu-Gholvad to practise. There is a bare paddy field of my brother-in-law ’s relative where I’ve made a slope and about 10 jumps, ” similar to what he had seen on a video cassette. There, his daily reg ­ imen includes an hour ’s running, ex ­ ercise, swimming, and two riding ses ­ sions on his Open class motocross machine, a Kawasaki KX 125 cc. (For Sports Clubs m India (mSCI) may the Indian classes he rides borrowed pick riders from the clubs and send UphiU driver bikes.) “To gain that stamina yon have ttam abroad as a national team, says motMTOK if the bod ™is norabsolute- And who are the best riders? Kaizad Sports Association) Moi^n Rally on kfiT^i won ’i^wh. But even if enumerates Shyam Kothari, Pratap July 15,1988: “You can ’t say that any you ’ve not kept up with physical fit- Bhagwat, Ashok Raja, Ashok of these guys is the top favonte except ness practice is very essential. ” Bhairavkar, Arif Shaikh, Rajiv Aggar- for Farad who has an excellent re- His^other aids are video cassettes of wal. “But who wins, depends on the eord. ’’J^o-and-a-hal£day^^ races J nique ---------------------- tion and preparation. “In India we don ’t have research and development walla and Porus Irani in motocross for racing bikes as yet, but the com ­ panies are just getting interested. En ­ gineers from the research and develop- Crete tracKj. uui noi many ui men v.^i ux ment department come to study the families are involved in the sport, to Roha and back Ss perfoXnee under racing^on- “Actually, most of the parents are ditions- for them this is like a test against it, ” confides Fall. landslides, flooded nullahs and irate laboratory ” explains Kaizad. And, When not involved in racing, prac- villagers. Ourconeeptoffonissub- though no ’one has competed abroad rising, or overhauling the bikes, jF^^mg ourselves to dirt and rmna^^^ so far, “talk is in rite air. The highest Kaizad ..works at his father ’s (actoty, - -- -- t*e‘» • -1 _ X xl— outdoor"workr ’l ’m stiU kaming (the prize distribution where an exuberant Xoad-tVpoliZwsriZru^ .Tack and on how yo ’u ri3e that day, ” anonymous byst^dcr was proved , T^d iXL m bike modifica- he adds. Other Parsis.in the field are right Farad Bhathena ^d^ngmor Firdaus Chindhi, Neville Darukhana- Raj Bagri in their Maruti Gypsy were waiia and rorus Irani in mulwviMoS, the first to reach the finish line at Ban- , and Aspi Bhathena and Nozer Kyani dra ’s Hotel Searock Sheraton (spon- are lusi gening imcicsvcu. x^u- in circuit racing (on a tarred or con- sors of the event) with the lowest num- from th ^research and develop- cre.e_ track). But not many of dteir t«r_of penalQ, pomts^ey in circuit racing (on a tarred or con- sors of the event) with the lowest num ­ so tar, talk is in tne air. me mgucsi ivaiz.au wuiaa o. ...c ----------- z ’ Indian bodv, the Federation of Motor New Fily Cooper and Company. 1 l. , don ’t do much, just supervising and back, said one MASA official at the * ___ - . z.« • ____xi____ —AM Avttkaront Bhathena enjoys the excitement of racing and rallying in his Formula Indian racing car (left) and Maruti Gypsy intricacies of) accounting, ” he gri- Bhathena and Bagri sprayed the crowd maces. LVlCb “^7 dVWUlIVlli^, XIV gx* iz****. o r J J 1 J —Kaizad ’s hobbies include car with champagne after being declared rallying, cycling, athletics and table the overall winners. 36 Parsiana November 1988 I ii ! Left: Patel takes a suicidal-looking jump The family’s seven young riders: (from left) Rustom, Zubin, Percy, Yezdi, Firdaus, Kaizad and Neville I ¦ have distance A to B, and you have to ledges Farad. “I’ve had a few break- do it in 10 minutes. If you come into downs in rallying. ” Racing is also his the time control post a minute early, favorite: “It ’s more exciting, more you ’ll get 10 penalty points, if you ’re fun. For the Grand Prix races, we do one minute late, one penalty point. It ’s 25 laps of a two to three-km circuit, very difficult to go in early, almost im- That takes about one hour and it ’s tax- A week earlier, we had interviewed possible, 90 percent can ’t. The winner ing the engine because you ’re using Farad, stocky, mustachioed, and very is the team with the least penalty your gearbox and brakes to the limit much at ease, in his garden overlook- points. ” A rally is conducted over all the time. ” The most famous races ing Juhu beach. “Everyone ’s involved varying terrain - bumpy roads, dirt are those held on the Sholavaram air ­ in my house.* my mum, dad, myself and roads, smooth and broken tarmac, strip in Madras every January. my sister, ” he explains. “My dad still slush, climbs, and stream or river cros- Preparing the car for a rally begins a rallies - he navigated for me for the sings. “The speed will vary according month before the event. “We should first two years - but my mum stopped to the road condition and the climate, ” start it two months ahead, but we nor ­ competing when I started. ” Parents points out Farad. “It could range be- mally rush it, ” admits an unrepentant Darayus and Katie had been compet- tween 90 and 140 kmph, and you Farad. The car is stripped down, the mechanical and electrical parts rebuilt, and certain modifications carried out. Rallying is not “professional enough here in India (to warrant taking) a month off ’ before the event, remarks Farad. “We normally give (the car) out to a garage or mechanic, and in ­ struct them for an hour or two a day... We do a lot of experiments, try new things to make it (faster), more reli- I L ing ever since rallying first came to In ­ dia in 1967. Darayus had also been in ­ volved in Formula Indian racing. Katie now officiates as a marshall. Last year, his sister Navaz, a 19-year-old arts stu ­ dent at St Xavier ’s College, also started rallying. At the autocross, she won the Ladies ’ class, and along with Neeta Chopra, she made up the only all-women team in the MAS A Rally. And though still too young to partici- might have to cover between 700 and able, better to handle. Then 10 days pate, his 13-year-old brother Zoru 1,000 km per day. ” It is under such before the event, we test it on the'dirt attends all the events he can, and looks conditions that endurance becomes roads around Bombay. ” These would forward to the time when, “hopeful- important. As MASA official Nitin most closely approximate the competi- ly, ” he too will rally. Dossa put it, “You need a hell of a lot tive sectors which are tougher and “It was exciting and great fun, ” re- of stamina to survive the three days. In more challenging than the transport . calls Farad, talking about his first racing you need to be at your peak for sectors where the pace is easy and ‘ ” competitors can stop to carry out The Monsoon Rally was Farad ’s minor repairs. ! Major defects are corrected by the ‘‘You can repair a bike, but you can’t make your body young again” ! Himalayan Rally when he was 18. “I only three hours. ” knew a lot about it so I wasn ’t expect- ~ - - ing it to be cushy. We got all sorts of ninth, and the fifth meet in which he temperatures, ranging from 45°C to ranked among the top four according service team during the halts. All this — 2°C, and for the first time, we got to his bio data. He has also won class inflates the expenses incurred, snow that year. I had no practice - just placings (e.g. for the Mahindra and According to Farad, the minimum cost driving around in the streets, fooling Mahindra Jeep category) four times, of taking part in a national event is around. My dad and I came first in the And in track racing, hill climbs, auto- “Rs 40,000 if you ’re doing it cheaply, Jeep class, second in the Indian class, cross and gymkhana events, he has with a minimum of everything, includ- and thirteenth overall. ” He goes on to won 11 firsts and six seconds. “My rac- ing service and preparation. ” And if explain the basics of rallying. “Say you ing has been slightly better, ” acknow- the race or rally is outside Bombay, 37 Parsiana November 1X8“After subjecting ourselves to dirt and rain we come back and say, ‘Never again/ but soon we are back at the rally” the car is flown there. Actually it ’s On August 28, Farad and Raj Serchu and Leh, where the rarefled air relatively cheap and it ’s far safer, ” he embarked on something far more of mountain passes gave the crews points out. “Otherwise, you may reach arduous - the National Great Desert nausea and headaches. But Farad and there (on time) and your car may turn Himalayan ‘Raid ’ where, in nine days, Raj stayed in the lead nearly all the up four days later! ” they would cover 5,000 punishing kilo- time, reaching Srinagar first, an hour To coyer these costs, competitors meters to emerge the overall winners, ahead of the other Mahindra Jeep have to find sponsors. “They are very Flagged off from New Delhi ’s National team of Hormazd Sorabjee and difficult to get, ’’ says Farad, obviously Stadium on August 28, only 14 of the Farokh Commissariat. unhappy about it. “For rallies I try for 27 four-wheeler teams who traveled Assessing the competition. Farad in- MRF Tyres - they give us free tyres _____________________ dicates, “There is nothing like the best, but you have a lot of people win ­ ning rallies. People like Kamlesh Patel from Madras, Vickey Chandhok, Nikhil Taneja. .. Most of the bawas are from Bombay - Sam Katgara, Farokh Commissariat and Jeharigir Nichol ­ son. ” The last continues to rally and race though he is in his seventies. Currently, Farad and his navigator - either Bagri or Paresh Dattani - par ­ ticipate in four or five of the 10 major Indian rallies. “they (FMSCI) are going to start the . - - . , „ _ . _________ :-“__ ____ .1 Unt stu^nt at Stanislaus ’ High stretches and Himalayan mountain take the best results from five or six for his father ’s company, Nat Steel, and money - and for track racing it is McDowells. We paint the car with their colors and logos. Maruti only sponsors us for the Himalayan Rally for which they give us the car. ” For the national events, he says, the prize money can range between Rs 25,000 and Rs 65,000 for the winners, with the runners-up collecting Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 less. In addition to the first five overall winners, the first three in each vehicular class are also awarded _________________________________ Indian rallies. “But now, ” he says, prizes. “they (FMSCI) are going to start the Adinitting to having been a reluc- through the ruggedly beautiful desert Indian Championships, where they ’ll School, Bandra, Farad today works passes reached the finish line at Srina- races and give you a points rating, for his father ’s company, Nat Steel, gar. The route led them through Then we may have to compete in one which manufactures laundry and hos- Bikaner, Jodhpur, the meandering or two more rallies. ” pital equipment. And his hobbies? sand dunes around Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Gearing himself for the next event, “Motorcycling, swimming and fooling and the rocky tracks, choking dust. Farad refuses to think of brakes; he around, ” he grins. and sheer gorges of Simla, Manali, would prefer to accelerate... SERSON I Electrolytic Capacitors For All Electronic Applications From 12 VDC To 350 VDC I Manu factu ren: Serson Industries Pvt. Ltd. Pfmpri P.F.P.O., Poona-lS. CaUe: EtcbfoU Poona>18. Phone: 82379 38 Parsiana November 1988I I i ¦ THE FEDERATION OFFERS... continued from page 28 formed in Secunderabad, Thana, Nag ­ pur, Poona, Ahmedabad, Jamshedpur and Mhow. Kanga recommended that circulars concerning the youth should be addressed to the youth and not the elderly office bearers of the anjumans. He further indicated the desirability of the Federation agenda including an item on youth affairs when reports of their activities in different areas could be exchanged, thereby providing an incentive to each other. Pavri felt that a policy of directly corresponding with the youth would inadvertently intro ­ duce politics within an anjuman. He was specific, “The youth in Ahmeda ­ bad have got so mixed up with politics that it is almost undesirable to con ­ tinue with things as they now stand. ” The youth being the future leaders, their involvement in community affairs was a must, felt Sethna. He also stated the need for anjumans to make a con ­ stitutional provision such that at least one youth trustee would serve on the board of trustees. This request is being repeated at every meeting, clarified Gandhi, further qualifying that it was only a recommendation from the Fed ­ eration, and the anjumans were at liberty to accept or refuse the sugges ­ tion depending on their own circum ’ stances. As opined by Federation ’s south zone vice-president Bezun Dit- tia, “The time has come to infuse life into Zoroastrian associations, some of which have become fossilized. ” While some were not keen that youths dabble in community politics, there was a strong sentiment that youths should be sponsored to enter the country ’s political scene. Even BPP’s Anklesaria, who had hitherto been concentrating his energies in in ­ ducing the youths to opt for careers in the civil and administrative services by availing of the specialized coaching facilities provided by the BPP, was of the view that “Parsis cannot afford to . stay aloof ’ from the country ’s political activities. Those with the potential should be given the community ’s en ­ couragement and support, he stressed. It was then urged that the Federation should maintain a close rapport and recognize the contributions of those Zoroastrians who had joined politics. Students aspiring to pursue degree courses in medicine and engineering but lacking the requisite percentage for entry into such colleges are being guided by Taleyarkhan. He was suc ­ cessful in getting an assurance from the chief ministers of some states that they would reserve one seat for Parsis from their quota. But as informed by Taleyarkhan, “In Karnataka and Gu­ jarat, there were no applicants. ” In Calcutta, Minoo and his sister Meher Batiwala stood first and seventieth in the joint state entrance examination for medical and engineering courses and thus got admission on their own merit and did not need to avail of the seat reserved for Parsis from the chief minister ’s quota. Among the applica ­ tions received from Maharashtra, the highest percentage scored was 93 and Parsi couples usually wait for a family income of Rs 6,000 to 10,000 per month before planning a second child Taleyarkhan was trying to get the stu ­ dent admission despite the cut-off per ­ centage for medical and engineering courses announced at 95. The team of lady counselors appointed by the BPP - Homai Billi- moria, Diana Marfatia, Kamal Shroff and Jasmine De bar a - were invited to brief the delegates on the progress of the BPP’s family and school counsel ­ ing projects. Based on the findings of the marital survey conducted by Billi- moria, corrective action would be sug ­ gested (for attitudes among Parsi females which do not contribute to marital happiness) before undertaking a survey of the males. To ensure that the intelligent stu ­ dents maintain their standards even af ­ ter completing school and that the academically brillityit students are not demotivated, Gandhi felt that a coun ­ selor should be appointed to monitor their progress. He also lamented that when funds were sought for challeng ­ ing courses like that of a commercial pilot, grants were not available. Though he acknowledged that such courses were primarily for the econo ­ mic betterment of the family, he men ­ tioned that similar was the case of those going abroad for further studies, many of whom never return. Golwalla further qualified, “Every year, the cream of our students - ab ­ out 25 - go abroad. Seventy-five per ­ cent don ’t return, and out of those, 50 percent marry outside. What is the com ­ munity gaining? ’’ He also referred to a similar situation in Karachi where, with the increasing emigration of the youths, the Parsi population has drop ­ ped from 5,200 to 3,500, with 60 per ­ cent of them over 65 years old. This led to a suggestion that aid for overseas education should be stopped and given only to those who study in India or return to India after complet ­ ing their studies abroad. But this prop ­ osal may not find many supporters and the trustees concerned may not be empowered to take such a decision. In the reader interest “I wouldn ’t like to introduce a sub ­ scription fee for the Fed Newsletter. I would like everybody to read it, ” was Gandhi ’s preference when it was sug ­ gested that the Newsletter that he edits be made available at a price to subsi ­ dize the monthly expenditure of Rs 5,000-6,000 borne by the Federation. “Advertisers who pay Rs 2,500 to ­ wards the sponsorship cost of one issue and the few voluntary contributions do help, but more than 50 percent of the expense has to come from the Federa ­ tion ’s meager resources, ” Gandhi pointed out. He was also appreciative of the ad hoc donations in kind - the largest contribution being for 50 reams of paper and the smallest, but equally appreciated, being postage stamps worth Rs 15. On a rotational basis, the financial responsibility for each month ’s News­ letter should be distributed among the different anjumans, suggested Jehan ­ gir of Mhow, though she also specified that the anjuman should be informed in advance when their turn is diie so that they could make the necessary arrangements. Another recommenda ­ tion mooted an increase in the spon ­ sorship advertisement rates from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000. Dittia was of the view that the Fed Newsletter and Par­ siana should be merged, making Gan ­ dhi enquire in jest, “Are you trying to kill two birds with one stone? ” to which Dittia said, “No, save them. ” Gandhi was quick to acknowledge the sponsorship contribution of Rs 3,750 from the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad over which Dittia presides. 39 Parsiana November 1988u* Finally, one by one, provisional or essential at this meeting for the idea of of Sethna, “A new resurgence appears confirmed sponsorship commitments instituting the Federation awards for ex- to be creeping into the community. ” came forth from Dadi Mistry, the De- cellence, had originated from him. While Golwalla was keen that ex- Ihi Anjuman, the Madras Anjuman, Bodhanwalla noted that he had got the cellence in literature be recognized, Rusi Engineer, Bodhanwalla, the shields made within a restricted time Nargolwala insisted that a category be Ahmedabad Panchayat, the Firdaus span, and rather than risk any schedules introduced for a “large, happy fami- Memorial Trust and the Surat Pun- being upset, he opted to undertake the ly. ” Gandhi felt that such decisions chayet. Desai offered to find joint sponsors for one issue. The Gujarati counterpart of the Fed Newsletter seems to be assured of a more permanent support. As con ­ veyed by Sethna, “My vewai-vewan (son-in-law ’s parents) in Bombay (the Camas of The Bombay Samachar) had heard of the Fed Newsletter and they ’ve offered to print the Gujarati versidn. ” But whether this includes should be left to “the managing com ­ mittee which had not met in two years. ” Recognizing excellence within the community settled abroad, it was de ­ cided, would not be feasible as eva ­ luating the performance on a compara ­ tive basis could prove difficult, and be ­ sides, the excellence achieved by those abroad could disqualify many in India. ____ The award winners were presented the cost of the paper and whether they shields costing Rs 600 plus a cash gift would consider extending the offer to _____________________________________ of Rs 1,000, while those who won a the English newsletter too, was to be long and arduous train journey from Jam- special mention were presented a determined by “the doctor (Golwalla shedpur to ensure that the awards shield costing Rs 200. Since some of happens to be the Camas ’ physician) reached safely. the awardees returned the cash gift - and the vewai” The awards and special mentions the same amount, doubled or multi- were conferred on 35 recipients in the plied five times - Gandhi lamented in fields of sports, fine arts, community jest that the awardees were robbing service, religion, adventure, educa- Peter (Federation) to pay Paul (BPP). The time has come to infuse life into Zoroastrian associations, some of which have become fossilized I” Meritorious achievements “We welcome Mr Bodhanwalla, and we welcome the shields he has brought all tion, science, research and technology. But Anklesaria tried to console him die way from Jamshedpur, ” said Golwal- and small-scale entrepreneurship for saying, “We are a body of poor rela- la. Bo^anwalla ’s presence was deemed the years 1986 and 1987. In the words tives. ” With Compliments Feroze K. Khambatta INDENTOR PULP - PAPER - BOARD PRINTERS' EQUIPMENT state Life Building 1-B I.I. Chundrigar Road, P.O. Box 4 Karachi Pakistan Telex: 23675 FKK PK Phones: 233218, 224564 cable: "FARASHEEZA” Karachi 40 Parsiana November 1988thusiasm. He urged the different pun- kept in a separate bank account with the permission of the income-tax au ­ thorities, and withdrawals made only astute business- for the purpose of repairs and renova- T rusts attract tax _ _ The entire income of the trust, includ- chayets to start their own business uti- ing donations to the corpus which were lizing the services of their trustees, hitherto exempt from tax, is liable to most of whom are be taxed if the amount donated is not men. ” Kanga pointed out that in case tion, it was explained, spent or invested in the prescribed of a loss, the trustees would be further The 50 percent tax relief to donors recalled, the Godrej Memorial Press, to cosmopolitan trusts, or a commun ­ ity trust for the exclusive benefit of women and children. Gifts up to Rs When a delegate lightheartedly 20,000, as also amounts bequeathed to charitable trusts are tax free. It was suggested that a note on the spent or invested in the prescribed of a loss, the trustees would be further The 50 percent tax relief to donors manner during the accounting year, in- censured by the public. As Nargolwala under section 80-G continues to apply formed Ranina. i •• • • ’ '' ’ The proposed amendments to the run by the BPP, was not successful as a income-tax laws (sought to be im- business venture. plemented beginning 1989) have also _ introduced a provision whereby trusts asked Ranina whether trust income, will be permitted to carry on business invested on horses, could classify as (after amending their trust deed) and business, there was a prompt clarifica- amendments, as applicable to Parsi utilize the profits accrued towards the tion, “Winning money on betting, trusts, be circulated among the mem- charitable objectives, without being li- crosswords, puzzles, lotteries, etc ber anjumans. On behalf of the Centre able to tax. However it is still not would not be considered as business, ” for Advancement of Philanthropy which known how the profit is to be com- and would therefore continue to looks after the interests of charitable puted, or whether depreciation will be attract tax as before. Ranina further trusts, its executive secretary Noshir allowed. Also, the government is yet helped to distinguish that while renting Dadrawala offered to send a copy of to spell out the recommended modes furniture on hire would not classify as their newsletter. Philanthropy, to of investment, Ranina added, refer- business, but merely letting out of an anjumans interested in the detailed app- ring to the government ’s inability to asset, renting a hall with services like lication of the proposed amendments, implement the changes. But, already, chairs, air-conditioners, food, etc several bodies are opposing the would amount to a business. Income The choicest chair moves. Bodhanwalla sounded a cau- from running a dharamshala can also The last half hour of the two-day meet tion: “In this case I don ’t think we be equated with a business activity, he was spent in acknowledging Golwalla ’s • should go into business. After two said. Funds earmarked for repair and contribution to community causes. His years, the government may withdraw renovation of the trust property, if not co-trustees on the BPP board com- their provisions. ” invested in prescribed securities, mended him: Guzder spoke of his But that could not curb Gandhi ’s en- would attract tax unless the money is “harmony and constructive work; SMRTBf FLOOR TILES India’s largest selling ceramic tiles For wholesale rates and expert workmanship contact: Authorised Stockists: 1 E Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. BUILDING PRODUCTS DEPARTMENT 54, Abdul Rehman Street, Bombay 400 003. Phone: 321517 ! 41 Parsiana November 1988Desai appreciated his “able ste- Meherwan Gai R F t, wardship, capable and tactful hand- Maharukh Shroff from Ahmpdnlo^^ Jabalpur; ling; ” and Kanga lauded “his sagacity Capt Homi Dandiwalla frnm a^u *^’ Pesuna and Adi Mistry from and sorting of differences in the most habad' Edulii Dnmnc' r n r" Homi Bodhanwalla from amicable manner ” TaleXSan R^f^ r Jamshedpur; Ronny Dick, Pesi Pes- praised him for his “integration^ in- ChotWa^S J^^nsi; tegrity and intrepidity, ” while Mist^ BhaJucha from RhKaranj; Dr acknowledged his overall success in diwala from. Bilimora-^nr Sarosh Wadia from Kutch; Rustom the Federation projects even though ’ from Lucknow; Nariman the reconciliation of the WZO and the ~~o -------T-------- -- --------------- Mogrelia from Madras; Ms Katy Federation was not possible during his ' 3rSIS ShOUld ©ntAf and Ms Pervin Jehangir from ----- ® Mhow; Dastur Meherji Meherjirana, Dara Deboo and Firoj Panthaky from Navsari; Dinshaw Anklesaria from Poona; Rohintan Daviervala from Sanjan; Homi Palsetia and Nariman Balsara from Saronda; Bezun Dittia, Noshir Nagarwala, Ms Mithra Atash- band and Burzin Atashband from wardship, capable and tactful hand- Taleyarkhan Baman Cama, Shavak Patel and Homi Jalgaon; Homi Bodhanwalla from Jamshedpur; Ronny Dick, Pesi Pes- chairmanship, Gandhi said, “L., under his unassuming and unobtrusive leadership that the Federation came to full strength, grew in stature, and func- It was becomG leaders in the field of food processing ticmed harmoniously and effectively. ” walla Eruch Desai famchood v- and ^'“"derabad; Dr Sam Sha'c;;; d’;;;; months or so, following the Bombay Tata Peshota^ Nar Kavasji Modi and Sorab Katpitia from High Court order that ife continue till (Ms) ’Ketayu^^^^^^ Surat; Rustom Cursetji, Ms Nargis the next Anjuman Committee elec- krtkst MobSai from tST J’’Bhesania, Zarsis tions are held. The elections are pend- Dosabhai from Udhnawala, D.P. Vevaina and K.R. mg the preparation of constituency- Gen Adi Sethna 7ai Daruwalla from Thana; Ruzbeh Patell wise voters ’lists. S Gandh ®^hadur Jokhi, Rusi Keki Gandhi, Farokh Rustomji, Dadi Parabia, Faivcz nmana ano Those present at the Federation meet- Sol ’wab an^" h’®®’-’ Buhariwala from Vyara-Songadh ing were: Ms I^lat Debara and" S SdZiW; A^pi iST^d ’^Kl" ” Pervez Bhesania, Zarsis Debara from Agra; Keki Pavri from i ______________ Ichhaporia, Nariman Elavia from “indore^ Nozar Parvez Amaria and Persi „ i; and and Navel Mulla from Zai Bordi. The Press was represented *•7 Jam-e-Jamshed, The Bombay Ms Samachar and Parsiana. Steamship agents — master stevedores dubashes — lighterage contractors Darabshaw B.Cursetjee's Sons (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd. Darabshaw House, Ballard Road, Bombay - 400 038. Grams: DEADWEIGHT' Telex: 5824 DBCB IN Phone: 260021 (4 Lines) (Dock Office: 262230) Telex; 5824 DBCB IN Also associates at Calcutta, Vithakhapatnam, Kakinada, Mangalore, Bhovnagar, Bedi-port, Navlakhi, Veraval, Porbunder & Kandla. at Also sole Government Landing contractors Jamnagar, (Bedi) Bhavnagar. 42 Parsiana November 1988I MILESTONES I Parsiana publishes the first listing of civil marriages be ­ tween Parsis and intercom ­ munity maniages in Bombay. It has been compiled courtesy the Registrar of Marriages. This first series includes mar ­ riages registered with the Reg ­ istrar between October 1987 and October 1988. Hereafter, intercommunity marriages will be published on a three- monthly basis. A scanning of the Chandan- wadi electric crematorium reg ­ ister revealed two Parsi crema ­ tions in the 12 months ending October 1988. These names are, however, in addition to the three cremations Parsiana had notified earlier. We have not been able to ascertain where the earlier-mentioned cremations took place. In case we have omitted any names, the lapse is regretted. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information provided by various newsletters and anju ­ mans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. However, this information is not always complete or consistent. Of the 82 Parsis who died in the city of Bombay in Octo ­ ber, 25 succumbed to heart disease, while cancer and old age claimed nine victims each. The other killers were kidney failure (six), lung and brain diseases (five each) and hyper ­ tension (three). Diabetes, bronchitis, pneumonia, blood disease, Parkinson ’s disease and liver disorder claimed two each. There were isolated cases of gastroenteritis, ner ­ vous disorder, shock, ulcer, septicemia, gastric- hemor ­ rhage and chronic enteritis. In one case, the cause of death has not been revealed. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, it must be noted that in some cases, espe­ cially in those of the very old, death is often due to a combina ­ tion of several diseases. If readers have any informa ­ tion they would like published, some proof to ensure the veracity Nanavati-, October 28 of the report would be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us. A girl to Farida and Behram Mullan-, October 16 A girl to Shahnaz and Hormuz Kermanian-, October 17 A girl to Firoza and Percy Dubash-, October 18 A boy to Shirin and Rohinton Mistry-, October 18 A girl to Shahnaz and Aspi Irani-, October 20 A boy to Mahnaz and Khushroo Soof October 21 A girl to Armin and Farokh Bhathena-, October 22 A boy to Veera and Jimmy Tarapore-, October 23 A boy to Dilruba and Firoze Kermanian-, October 24 A girl to Pervin and Mehemosh Dubash; October 25 A boy to Dilnavaz and Khushru Kerawalla-, October 25 A girl to Feroza and Jehangir Major, October 28 A girl to Kermin and Geive A boy to Jasmine and Sorab Billimoria-, October 30 Joseph K.E. Mathew, December 11 Hufrish Dinshaw Oomrigar and Rajiv Sunderlal Bahb, December 15 Simi Rameshchandra Shah and Vispi Fardoon Dadachanji-, December 15 Sandra Edwin Pais and Darius Pali Kavarana; December 17 Kinnari Kanubhai Zaveri and Zubin Faramroze Khambatta-, December 17 Utt ar a Narayan Paranjape and Malcolm Darayas Pestonji-, December 24 Pervin Phiroze Meherji and David Ling-, December 28 Arlene A. Paul and Cyrus F. U35ati^ja4SaiJ?£cemhfir.29- - Roshni Keki Bhagwagar and Hoshang Burjorji Panthaky, January 1, 1988 /oe/Dcsa ’ Ja ’HflSiy ’9’¦ Honey J^KakttsndrGaneslr Rtt^hekar Jarruary 13 - BOMBAY Born A boy to Meher and Percy Edibam on September 30, 1988 A boy to Zarina and Aresh Gutta-, October 1 Twins (boys) to Rani and Percy Kerawalla-, October 1 A boy to Yasmin and Rumi Bhada-, October 2 A boy to Pervin and Noshir Daruwalla-, October 2 A boy to Dolly and Sarosh Khambatta-, October 2 A boy to Dinaz and Jemi Siganporia-, October 2 A girl to Katty and Homi , Wadia-, October 2 A boy to Kety and Minoo Bhagat-, October 3 A girl to Maharukh and Vispi Patel-, October 3 A boy to Homai and Khurshed Shroff-, October 3 A boy to Mahrukh and Gustasp Forbes-, October 5 A girl to Hutoxi and Yazdi Siganporia-, October 5 A boy to Hutoxi and Hoshedar Antia-, October 6 A boy to Rashna and Porasp Baria; October 7 A girl to Pervin and Kairus Dadachanji-, October 7 A boy to Benaifer and Phiroze Karanjia-, October 7 A boy to Shernaz and Mehernosh Tureb, October 8 A boy to Benaifer and Tehmton Engineer, October 10 A boy to Seema and Behruz Kavion-, October 10 A girl to Priti and Avinash Kothare-, October 11 A girl to Pervin and Pheroze Wadia-, October 11 A girl to Zarine and Soli Damania; October 12 Twins (boys) to Zarin and Behram Mehta-, October 12 A boy to Parizad and Firoze Mistry-, October 12 A girl to Persis and Cyrus Panthaki-, October 12 A boy to Perviz and Hormuz Parbhoo-, October 12 A boy to Farida and Kerman Bodhanwala-, October 14 A boy to Arnavaz and Nozer Udwadia-, October 15 Married Dinaz Fali Batliwalla and Arvind R. Rotiwar-, October 2, 1987 Dinaz Sam Patel and Ravi Parkash-, October 5 Maneck Sorab Aibara and Manoj K. Bhatia-, October 11 Jyoti Laxman Khadtale and Percy Keki Billimoria -, October 19 Taina Phiroze Motiwalla and Themtan Dorab Pavri (Timmy)-, October 29 Harjit Khara Nikki and Rohinton Baji Maloo-, November 6 Daisy Neville Patel and Deepak K. Purohif, November 6 __________ Yasmin Dhunjishaw Patel and March ’ 1 - Ivan Glen Fernandes-, November 9 Jenny Aron and Bohman R. Shahmardan-, November 12 Anahita Firoze Gandhi and Cyrus Jehangir Asundaria-, November 18 Marietta D’Silva and Adil D. Dastoor-, November 23 Shenaz D. Baria and Milan Virendra Golatkar, December 11 Havovi Cushroo Elavia and Sheila Sarla Putekh -dutTAdi P PettonJfmas-, Jaft»ary''T7 Nina Eruch Mastcr dxvA fJarinder Bhalla; Janudiy-24 ^.txadrPerty-Stivaksha^ Jittai; .Uanuaiy 24 Shtrm Dinshaw Dajan and GlennPaul-Conway JjHUiary 31 AaoeXomie/ Vaz and Jamshed Rustom Narielwala; .Eebruary* 14. -- AMttmty PMrvrz Antia arid .Deepak Devraj Tulwar; Itebfuary 18<-- •^BteZ-and - ^Ramesh JCarsanbhai Patel;' 26 , Khushnuma Soli Fatakia and Bomi Dinshawji Kerawalla-, March 1 Jyotsna Bhindshai and --Gawas Dhunjiskaw Saher; y4rzna/fy >1. Shekari and Kersi Dhunjishaw Marolia-, ¦ March 12 Kgrsi-Demaita-fNbu^ Vb - '^Rft^havwi MadfidHtao Godke an^ Eradr^Dtn^shaw Copper; April 12 - Benaifer Driver and Rustom Kharegat; April 12 and Dara Jamshed'MiTzkJJOry-, Aprtny . I 43 Parsiana November 1988and AaxitfrNoGfalL Merchant; Daulat Jehangiz and Anand. Kumar, Apftl-T?~~ - KuphnsinzuJ. AnthnTly and ~ 'JaTS^krab'Kanvar^zpi^r^A^ 'Sharda-Mathurdaj-pamani aadSorab~Aspi Wddia; ApriL-27- Samina^^Abzar AZvi and — ,J^ehangir Shavak Bharucha-, ¦May 1 _ Shiraz Homi Meherjina and Sohrab Framji Jussawalla-, May 3 Rasfina~Dmshaw Irani and PadarrtMrdBahaiFNIay~9 Biruiifer Rattan Pardiwalla and Sarosh Behram Behdin -, May 20 Manda-Sewvemt-eeadi-EaredorJTr (Freddie) -Niskndh'Pety^ezBalsara and Rajiv Krishan-i^hyap; -27— ¦'Patton No^wi>‘-Daruw'ala; Junfr .6 - _ Armin Adi Pohocha and Zareer Peshoton Wadia; June 23 _ FanSa^Ani^ree) tehanbux -Hday-Shanker Gurjai^ Katrak aai-Jifirmal Kejriwal; Ruby Feroze Icfthttporia ~&hd Mehemosh -Homi-Noble-, PrithvirahBapusaheb-Pol; ©etober 16 - Maharukh Kaiyos Marfatia and Bhicaji Dorabji Davierwatta-, October 17 Swapaa,-Hirf^i Boatwala of Du^ and Afoj/itr __ ¦ah Athmedi- ^^ram •tnsi Prithviraj‘Bapusaheb -Pol; Shayax-S^rtlbjFVakfiariS; Juafr>-30 •" S€keherazade=Koli^Kt^adiS- 400007; October 4 Banoobai Nariman Lawyer (77), 23, Dadabhai Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; October 4 Darabshaw Maneckji Pithawalla (83), C-1, Avabai Petit Chawl, Balaram St, 400007; October 4 Jamshed Nariman Popat (72), _____________ Motibai Bhavan, 3, Proctor Ya»ad F. SorabjE Oc^hjer-^S^ Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; Rphrnmxhah Ehotographer of UABr-Oetdbef it Mehernaaz Soli Irani and Yazdi Dhunjishaw Arethna; October 18 (Khanj-StfSTFarzirri Elizabath (Vilot) Ruban Jojm. Kashmira Jamshed Merchant ^j^u^^y^nbux and Yezdi Minu Daver, Daruwalla; A.\igast 5 October 21 R Knlwachia and Persis Minoo Rana and Pervez Qfau£w AiParikh-JBept.emloet“2 Soli Mohta-, October 21 Septi&ifhbef Shiwiiia Aibmtiiia Var^nd- "v I October 4 Furdoonji Ruttonji Suderwalla (86), 15/6, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 4 Manijeh Dadabhoy Karkhanawala (85), Botawala Bldg, 239, Tardeo Rd, 400007; October 5 Piroja Munchershaw Rana (80), 1/7, Bredy ’s Flats, Colaba, 400005; October 5 Dhun Jimmy Unwala (52), Ready Money Hse, 785-A, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 5 Mehroo Noshir Bharucha (60), Room 5, Hormusji Baug Bldg, Kasinath St, 400034; October 6 Burjor Pestonji Dastur (72), 16, Abbas Bldg, Jalbhoy St, Charni Rd, 400004; October 6 Soonie Firoz Digaria (58), 706, Poonam Apts, Dr A.B. Rd, Worli, 400018; October 7 Savaksha Dorabjee Kapadia (92), Hopgkongwalla Cooper Bldg, 9th Khetwadi Back Rd, 400004; October 7 Rohinton Shavakshaw Ghandhi (51), Dubash Bldg, Novelty Cinema Lane, Grant Rd, 400007; October 8 Mucca Gave Mehta (91), G-4, Palacimo, Silver Oak Est, Warden Rd, 400026; October 8 Sheran Jehangir Chinoy (92), 604, Silver Cascade, Mt Mary Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 9 Khodabux Jehangir Irani (61), 17, Prem Milan Bldg, 87-B, Nepean Sea Rd, 400006; October 9 Minoo Gustadjee Patel (81), Old Chinoy Bldg, Chikalwadi, Tardeo, 400007; October 9 Tehmi Homi Sethna (65), Wilson Bldg, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; October 9 Cooverbai Aspandiar Mani Dosabhoy Engineer and Homi Ratanshaw Wadiw. October 3 Tanaz Soli Patel and Boorzeen Jahanbux Kootar, October 6 Kashmira Rustom Fuladi and (cremated) Zal Homi Irani; October 7 Zal Fardunji Taleyarkhan Fttrideh 'Lashkary and John' (82), Navroze Apts, B. Desai Doualas Robinson; October 7” Rd, 400026; September 27 «» z __ Dara Perozshaw Choksey (82), Golf Links, 7, Pali Hill Est, Khar, 400052; October 1 Perviz Hormazd Irani (60), Irani Hse, 204, Perin Nariman St, Fort, 400001; October 1 Rusi Jehangir Patel (71), Marker Mans, 623, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 1 Kharshed Fardoonji Desai (73), ‘C’, Imperial Mhl, Khodadad Circle, Dadar, 400014; October 2 Homi Rustomji Mistry (64), Hill View, Ragavji Rd, Gowalia Tank, 400036; October 2 Perin Nariman Mistry (75), Wagla Cooper Bldg, 12th Khetwadi Lane, 400004; October 2 Zarin Rusi Oonwalla (70), Aziz Bldg, 135, Tardeo Rd, 400034; October 2 Chadan Minocher Sethna (82), Sharma Niwas, 599, J.J. Rd, Matunga, 400019; October 2 Rohinton Nadirshaw Sethna (56), 275-B, Captain Bldg, Chikalwadi, Grant Rd, 400007; October 2 Manek Burjorji Talati (61), Wadia Bldg, 726, M. Joshi Rd, Dadar, 400014; October 2 Jehangir Rustomji Contractor (87), K-1, Cusrow Baug, S.B. Rd, 400039; October 3 Meherbai Jehangirji Khambatta (83), 22, Essup Bldg, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; October 3 Mani Bejonjee Choksey (68), Khareghat Bldg No 2, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, Died Jahangir Hormusji Dhunjibhoy (65), residing at Soonaiji Mans, Gowalia Tank, 400036; September 15 Zal Fardunji Taleyarkhan (82), Navroze Apts, B. Desai Navaz.Tehmuras Bodhanwalla (cremated) and Porus Rustom Disawalla', October 10 Hutokshi Faramroze Patell and Ho^hi Tehmurasp Rao', October 14 Kos^ufft^NermwarPlttel and ©Cibber 16 ¦Shu Fen Bombay intercommunity marriages - 14 percent appears that of the 47 mar ­ riages, 32 were to Hindus, 12 to Christians and three to Muslims. According to the Registrar ’s files, around nine were civil marriages between Parsis. Parsi marriages registered during the same period with the Bombay High Court, as per the requirements of the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, numbered 328. If to these are added the nine civil marriages, the total comes to 337. Thus an estimate of 47 intercommunity marriages as versus 337 marriages within the Parsi community works out to a percentage of around 14. Of a total of 384 marriages contracted by Parsis in Bombay for the 12-month period - October 1987 to September 1988 - around 14 percent were to non- Parsis. Statistics collected from the Registrar of Marriages show approximately 47 intercom ­ munity marriages during this period. This figure is arrived at on the basis of one name in the Registrar ’s records being that of a Para. Parsiana has not accounted for those mar ­ riages where it has not been possible to ascertain whether a name applies to a member of the Parsi or, another com ­ munity. Again, going by the assumption of names, it it 44 Parsiana November 1988 ! i hk L 1 Anklesaria (89), Halima Manzil, 13, Forjett St Cross Lane, 400036; Qctober 10 Dinbai Khurshedji Ghadiali (95), 147, Lentin Hse, Lamington Cross Rd, 400007; Qctober 10 Farida Farokh Irani (30), 3/1, Tata Blocks, S.V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; Qctober 10 Manek Hormusji Katnod (75), H-23, Cusrow Baug, S.B, Rd, 400039; Qctober 10 Shirin Pirojsha Karva (86), Ghatalia Mans, 803-D, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; Qctober 10 Tehmina Dhunjishah Mistry (60), 4/9, A.H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; Qctober 10 Piloo Sorabji Buhariwala (65), M-26, Cusrow Baug, S.B. Rd, 400039; Qctober 11 Nusserwanji Hormusji Banu Burjorji Daruwalla ~ “ (82), B-2/4, Tehmi Ter, 805, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; Qctober 11 Dara Nariman Doctor (81), Hill View, Gowalia Tank, 400036; Gctober 11 Najamai Bomanshah Karadia (85), 282, Yasmin Villa, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parel, 400012; Gctober 11 Banoo Dara Mirza (84), Wadia Bldg No 5, Parel Tank Grant Rd, 400007*; Qctober 19 Rd, 400033; Gctober 11 Sheriar Behram Irani (69), 12-A, Park Heaven, Malcolm Hormusji St, 400002; Baug, Jogeshwari, 400060; Qctober 12 Jerbai Ardeshir Jijina (78), Rusi Hse, 12, Police Court Lane, Fort, 400001; Gctober 12 Godrej Keki Appoo (78), Ramesh Bldg, Powalla St, Grant Rd, 400004; Gctober 13 Vabiz Sam Bhagwagar (60), Room 6, Aarsiwala Mans, Sassoon Dock, Colaba, 400005; Qctober 13 Pestonji Bhikhaji Daruwala (78), Lady Navajbai Tata Bldg, Tata Blocks, S.V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; Qctober 13 Najamai Ruttanshaw Tody walla (73), Nusserwanji Bldg, 157, Alibhai Premji Marg, 400007; Gctober 13 Roshan Rohinton Capadia (57), B-9, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; Gctober 14 Goolbai Rustom Irani (82), C/2, Bharucha Parsi Clny, S.V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; Gctober 14 Dolat Kuverji Sethna (84), 302/A, Seagull, Carter Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 14 Caw as S. Wadia (59), G-003, Vishal Apts, M.V. Rd, Andheri (E), 400069; October 15 Dina Savakshaw Bhagat (82), Wilson Bldg, 194, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; October 16 Dara Framji Daroga (79), 7/3, Gulshan Bldg, Colaba, 400005; October 16 Hilla Dara Billimoria (78), Engineer Bldg, 11, Sleater Rd, 400007; October 17 Maneck Fardunji Kanga (80), D-10, Cusrow Baug, S.B. Rd, 400039; October 17 Pillo Dinshaw Katrak (59), Room 59, Petit Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; October 17 DadyBurjor (74), Banoo Manor, 12-13, Dadysheth Rd, Chowpatty, 400007; October 18 Maneck Dinshaw Mistry (54), Sethna Bldg, Nawroji Seth St, 400002; October 18 Soona Noshir Secretary (70), 71, Jehangir Mans, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 18 Meheraboon Murzban Irani (35), Wagla Cooper Bldg, Noshir Temorus Pavri (58), Mulla Bldg, Dr Cawasji October 19 Nargish Rustomji Engineer (73), 223, Reward, Tardeo, 400007; October 20 Burjor Cawasji Khambatta (86), Botawalla Bldg, Opp Boyce Fire Temple, Tardeo, 400007; October 21 Homai Tehmurasp Suntoke (78), Gulshan, Cawasji Jehangir Rd, Colaba, 400005; October 21 Coomi Boman Anklesaria (82), Dhunbad, Sleater Rd, 400007; October 23 Rattanbai Cawasji Antia (86), 15/4, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; October 23 Aloo Dadabhai Bharucha (70), F.S. Parukh Dharamshalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 23 Sam Darab Daruwalla (44), Karanjia Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; October 23 Shera N.Gheewalla (80), 17-B,Shapur Baug,Lamington Rd, 400004; October 24 Daulatbanu Gustad Aga (93), Queen ’s Chmbs, Queen ’s Rd, Meherji Jamshedji Behramkamdin (75), Room 10, Hirabai Petit Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; Qctober 30 Homai Dinyar Bhathena (45), 10, Mistry Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; Qctober 30 Marine Lines, 400020; October 25 Piroja Nadirsha Bharucha (85), 19, Bella-Vista, 28/1, Bandra, 400050; October 25 Pestonji Dorabjee Bharucha (79), Hormazd Mans, Opp Bhatia Hosp, Tardeo, 400007; October 26 Ratanshaw Jivanji Mithaiwalla (85), Society Bldg, 672, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 27 Aloo Dinsha Appu (76), 12/10, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 28 Don (Dadi) J. Mody (65), 70-B, Jer Mans, Gowalia Tank, 400036; October 28 Cooverbai Hosang Writer (85), Railway View, Uranwala St, Grant Rd, 400007; October 28 Khorshed Kawas Billimoria (63), 310/C, Bldg 43, Manish Nagar, Andheri (W), 400058; October 29 Narges Dadabhai Kurlawalla (85), ‘V’, Dalal Est, Bombay Central, 400008; October 29 Jalejar Ruttonji Merchant (78), Makavi Mans, Gunbow St, Fort, 400001; October 29 Nariman E. Sher (72), G-22, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; October 29 THE PARSIANA BOOK OF IRANIAN NAMES The Iranian names of boys and girls along with their meanings which originally appeared in Parsiana have now been reprinted in an attractive 24-page booklet. The book, which is priced at Rs 15, is available on sale at: Kaiser-E-Hind 300 Perin Nariman Street Behind Reserve Bank of India Fort, Bombay 400001 Faredoon and Buijor Sandalwood Shop Princess Street Bombay 400002 Union Press, 13, Homji Street Bombay 400001 CALCUTTA Born A boy to Kumkum and Adi Balsara-, August 11 A girl to Meher and Ribhu Chatterji; October 13 A boy to Pervin and Phiroze Tarapore-, October 27 A boy to Roshni and Urvax Wadia', October 31 Died Maneck Framji Khan (60), husband of Lily, father of Viraf, brother of Behram, Jal and Dolly Adi Irani; October 19 ILFORD, UK Born A girl, Katy, to Hutoxi and Filli Maravala-, August 2 NEW SOUTH WALES Bom A girl, Anahita, to Ketayun and Farokh Keeka-, September 2 Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka 45 Parsiana November 1988four races were better than the boys ’, Ahmedabad (Rs 2,000), Baroda Parsi notes the paper. Panchayat (Rs 1,001) and Zoroastrian In the shorter 100 meters, the boys Ladies Industrial Mandal, Ahmeda- Engineer, who has been selected by the sports officials of India to partici- cles it used to come out once in six the 800 meters, her timing surpassed pate m the national swim camps, is re- the boys ’by over a minute, and in the portedly preparing for the national “Farnaz ’s feat is all the more credit- EVENTS AND PERSONALITIES continued from page 17 help in the editing of the Gujarati sec- ------------------------------ . tion, she adds. Until the mid- ’80s the recorded a faster time but for the 200, bad (Rs 1,000). magazine was published regularly, but 400, 800 and 200-meter individual with the drop in the number of arti- medley events. Engineer was faster. In ( months and finally, had to wind up. , Bharucha sees a conditional future: 400 meters, by nearly 30 seconds. If she receives articles, she will bring ‘------------------------------- out another issue. But, “I don ’t want able as she had to blaze her own pace QpQy|_|(3|-j’[’ to reprint from other publications, ” with no obvious competitor to egg her ---------------- - ------ she stresses. " Rippling the pool “Shattering records has become a habit for Gujarat ’s new mermaid but a ing for a period of more startling fact emerged - she is al ' ’ performing better than the boys... ” dabad. This was due to the financial “Shattering records has become more startling fact emerged - she is Panchayat (Rs 1,001) and Zoroastrian aquatic meet to be held in December this year. , notes The Minoo Irani’s term as assistant com ­ missioner of police has been extended an Post of September 30, 1988. Irani heads the vigilance branch of the Cri- on to greater efforts. Times. ------- . . . , t In 1987, Engineer had gone to Fort for a six-month period, notes lhe inai- Lauderdale in Florida, USA for train ­ i letter from Brig A.R. Irani of Ahme- minal Investigation Department. Winning a gold medal after clocking 12.2 seconds at the twenty-seventh - Dinshaw National Championships at Kanpur, “nation ’s fastest lady ” by the Free Press Journal of August 21, 1988. said The Times of India of August 1, support from many Parsis and non- 1988, referring to Farnaz Engineer ’s 2------ 1 \ - - t performance in the Gujarat State Zoroastrian donors Aquatic Championships in Gandhina- A. T* garon July 31,1988. Taking part in the Godrej Foundation (Rs 7,500), Sir Seniors age-group. Engineer won Ratan Tata Trust (Rs 5,000), J.R.D. eight swimming events, seven in re- Tata Trust (Rs 5,000), Dorab Tata cord time. Of these, her timings in Trust (Rs 3,000), Noshir Combatta of compiled by Ramgopai Baiakrishnan Zoroastrians, writes Irani. The main 1..,. Jv,.were ¦ ---------- Merchant (Rs 11,500), Pirojsha Ms Zenia Ayrton was described as the A. With the Best Compliments of INGERSOLLHRAND [INDIA] LIMITED Manufacturers of Air & Gas Compressors * Rock Drill Equipment * Vacuum Pumps 46 Parsiana November 19881 IN MEMORIAM I ' . . ’/N I wi ¦< .1 Rustomji: reaching X his ' readers ’>¦ > L V ga W-i'.'ill Parinaz Toddywalla would never hesitate to revise the text personally go to bookshops like the even six times after the manuscript was Nalanda to ensure that his paperbacks submitted. “We knew that every time were prominently displayed. he touched it, it became better. He Died: Mindo K. Rustomji, 72, well- readers ’ point of view. Rustomji culous and painstaking that he would known author and management con ­ sultant, on September 3,1988 at Bom ­ bay ’s Northcote Nursing Home, fol ­ lowing cardiac arrest. he touched it, it became better. He “Minoo had an insatiable appetite Coauthoring 20 books with the Brit- was a perfectionist, ” concedes Prem to understand human relationships, ” ish management authority C. North- Manaktala, executive director of India summarizes Nari. “Whether he was on cote Parkinson, Rustomji had written Book House (IBH) which published a bus, tram or taxi, within seconds you several books on management and fi- 14 of Rustomji ’s works. While normal- would find him talking to people, nance for the layperson. His publica- ly it would take 10 to 14 months to offering his help... ” His advice in the tions were popular not only in India bring out a book, IBH would market book Understanding Management was, but abroad as well, and were trans- his books in a shorter time span “for “Never promise anything you can ’t de ­ lated into German and Hebrew among the simple reason that his books were liver and make sure no one can poss- other languages. awaited by all, ” notes Manaktala. Pre- ibly think you promised it. ” Rustomji had thrice won the first sently, IBH is finalizing the text of yet His consultancy work coexisted with prize of the prestigious Escort Book another book. Management consul- his writing phase. His last prestigious Award for the best management book tants - A user’s guide, while striving to management consultancy assignment of the year and had also been pri- maintain the standards that Rustomji was from Andhra Pradesh for which vileged to have one of his books on would have liked. he suggested “the reorganization and management made into a prize- He was by training a chartered streamlining (of) the entire adminis- winnihg film by the Indian govern- accountant “but his forte lay in selling tration of the state, ” wrote Ramu Pan- ment. There was even a demand for - whatever was necessary at any point dit in a eulogy to Rustomji in The video tapes of his books, informs his of time - an idea, a book or himself... Bombay Samachar of September 18. brother Nari. he was a one-man publicity depart- Other organizations which benefitted Usually, it was an expert from the ment for his books, ” was the impress- from his consultations, according to relevant field who would coauthor his ion of Ms Khorshed Javeri, his his son Jehangir, were International works, like did Dr Christian Barnard coauthor for the book Law and Tax Airports Authority of India, Hindus- on the management of health. Deriv- for the Layman. tan Shipyard, Madras Refineries, etc. ing the technical information from the One of his first books Getting Along It was during his retirement years af- savants, Rustomji would simplify the Better with People has seen 10 reprints ter he left the Tata Engineering and concepts and present the knowledge and a print order exceeding 54,000, Locomotive Company (TELCO) that with attractive visuals that could be according to a stock statement of IBH. his writing and consultancy career easily understood by the readers - Excellence in Management also had a gained momentum. In Rustomji ’s own whether executives or laymen. print order crossing the 50,000 mark, words, as notes his text on the subject. Every book was conceived from his He was believed to have been so meti- retirement means “a change from the One of his first books Getting Along 47 Parsiana November 1988 h\.7 u MSR (money, status, reputation) to READERS’ FORUM non-Parsi from getting residential the CIA (creativity, integrity, auton- continued from page 8 quarters at the doongerwadi. omy) value system... ” for this kind of work, because in addi- The approximately 70,000 strong In his three decades of service with tion to the resources of the Bombay community in Bombay finds TELCO, Rustomji worked first as Parsi Punchayet and other mandals, scapegoats from among the seven triis- financial controller and later as public money will simply pour in for the tees for the varied ills of the commun- affairs adviser. He gained his first ex- asking by well-wishers of the commun- ity. But may I ask what is the positive perience in writing when he took the ity. The most common excuse of non- contribution of the majority of these initiative to launch a TELCO house availability of time due to pressure of 70,000 towards the betterment of the magazine to inspire “an esprit de corps studies, normally put forth by the lai- community and the Punchayet, espe- among his team members, ” recalls ty, is utter nonsense; let them spare daily from those who are living in Pun- Nari who credits him with being a some time for this all-important duty chayet-owned properties? A sizable staunch believer in cooperation and from the hours spent in front of a number of us are lucky enough to have teamwork. video or an ‘idiot box. ’ The Bombay reasonably comfortable residences and Before joining TELCO, Rustomji Parsi Punchayet trustees who take in some cases even have luxurious flats was working as auditor for a company pride in calling themselves akabars, for a paltry rent. In a few cases, the in England manufacturing bombs, in- supported by the educated youth of families spend more money on forms Jehangir. From the time he the community, should give a lead in washing their cars than the actual rent completed his junior schooling in La- this direction. they pay to the BPP. hore, Rustomji ’s family has settled in Each one of us has his or her share Unfortunately the BPP is also co ­ Bedford in England, from where he of problems in life but regular practice vered by the Bombay Rent Act and is graduated in arts and accountancy. They did not get many opportunities needed spiritual strength to face them rents. Unlike other landlords, the BPP to be with the Parsi community in their and to counter the ills of the modem at least takes reasonable cognizance of formative years, Nari reports, adding age. sohrab navalshaw patwa the complaints and attends to these that this could be one of the reasons . .. (no doubt with financial participation why Rustomji had more of a cosmopo- * Strike implications to a certain extent from the concerned litan and world outlook rather than a Had the threatened strike by the Class tenants). parochial view. But Jehangir recalls IV staff of the Bombay Parsi Pun- for this kind of work, because in addi ­ tion to the resources of the Bombay community Each one of us has his or her share of religion alone provides the much therefore not in a position to revise BPP strike implications parochial view. But Jehangir recalls IV staff of the Bombay Parsi Pun- The present situation of a strike by his father joking about how the Parsis chayet (BPP) materialized, three dis- the Class IV employees would not “were of the heaven born! ” tinct groups would have been affected; come up if tenants occupants and An amateur boxing champion dur- the staff themselves, the trustees of the their associations and societies volun- ing his early days in England, Rustom- BPP and the residents of the various tarily come forward and make a finan- ji’s other hobbies encompassed yoga, colonies. In addition, the community cial contribution for the services ren- swimming, jogging, hiking and travel- at large would have felt the repercus- dered to them. ing. In his later years, “he was a fitness sions as the strike was going to affect fiend, ” say many of his close associ- the doongerwadi. ates. r “He was a shrewd judge of men and not help sympathizing with the Class by revenue could be generated, practised human psychology instinc- IV employees, but these employees phiroze amroliwalla tively and effortlessly, ” Javeri remem- too should realize that the BPP is not a bers, dismissing the mistaken impress- profit-making commercial organiza- ion people had of him as “a man with tion but, being a charitable trust, has his head in the clouds, a little woolly its own limitations. In the past, the and very garrulous. ” trustees had made an earnest effort to The guiding principle in his life, that meet all reasonable demands and even helped him come to terms with his own at present, they are willing to consider and others ’ faults, matched a state- a further, reasonable increase in pay ment in a book of his: “You simply scales. The employees, instead of re- have to overlook the weaknesses of sorting to agitational means, which your men, but make the most use of perhaps are instigated by outside un- their strong points. All the well-known ions, should nominate their own repre- leaders and executives of the present sentatives to continue negotiations and and the past had great failings and arrive at an amicable settlement, weaknesses but the important thing is One cannot blame the trustees for that these people produce results. Peo- every ill that besets the community, pie without any weaknesses generally Should they agree to the demands of produce very little. ” Coming from a the employees, they will no doubt be man who has striven for and achieved accused of Mttering away funds results, this philosophy becomes carelessly. There is however scope for meaningful. their being a bit more liberal when it Rustomji is survived by his wife comes to certain policies like barring Peggy and sons Jehangir and Rishad. the nassessalar who is married to a I offer to be the first to contribute for the use of these services if the trus- In these days of rising costs one can- tees should set up a machinery where- One cannot blame the trustees for Edited by Arnavaz S. Mama Correction In the article “Does Zoroastrianism teach reincarnation? ” (Parsiana, Au­ gust 1988), Dr Paul du Breuil ’s designa ­ tion was stated as professor at Sorbon ­ ne University, Paris. He is a regent to the board and a professor at the Cali ­ fornia-based Columbia Pacific Uni ­ versity ’s School of Arts and Sciences. In the response to question 11 a (From the viewpoint of compara ­ tive religion, do you find the doc ­ trine of reincarnation in Vedic tradition?) we inadvertently left out the names of Dasturs Navrooz Minochehr-Homji and Hormazdyar Mirza, Khojeste Mistree and Fari- bourz Nariman who had also re ­ sponded in the negative. The errors are regretted. 48 Parsiana November 1988