Jan 1989

see I f •// B' 1 I I I I t© n steel cdHruOf M.N. Dastur // W'- ¦7' f> I ^,n 1 fI i 1 3 Readers' Forum January 1989 Volume 11 Number 7 4 , EDITOR Jehangir Patel ' Wt^AGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Gandhi ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana Kaka Design Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez, DiBborah Fernandes, Pauline Ferreira marketing DIRECTOR Veera Patel ? . advertising MANAGER Zarin Miatry t ApVERTlSlNG EXECUTIVE Cheryl D'Penha t^lEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B.L Arora EPP Rohinton Daroga i^RCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, jasmine Driver i OFFICE Rajendra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia Lewis, Rajalakshmi Iyer, Bakhtavar Batliwalla I 5* ¦¦- 9 Events and Personalities 15 Zoroastrians Abroad 18 Thana land dispute by Horn! Rogers ___________ 23 To whom does Dastur Hall belong? by Gustasp Irani -------- n High court stalls Katrak by Arnavaz Mama 29 'Don't dethrone the padshahs' 31 M.N. Dastur: a man of steel by Parinaz Gandhi 34 Pony - the movie by Prochi Badshah 37 "Why I became a Zoroastrlan" - 2 by William Brawner 39 Books 42 Milestones _____ _________ , j Cover: Transparency of Dastur by Varghese Fernandez 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 60 for one 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 bhe year, Rs 525 for two years. For US chequeis add $5 to cover bank charges. For jndian upcountry cheques add Rs 4 for bank charges. Cheques arid drafts al's 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.I READERS’ FORUM ,,,, If , ! J . . , I , > « . O . . I , , :* -J I If’ V 't j I K ¦ oni A V ::.A fl- . ence until about two months before he thinkable what would be the plight of died. He loved books and was a vora- poor and middle-class Parsi families, cious reader. DrH. s. adenwalla were it not for the existence of this hospital. The Hospital regularly re- : ceives donations from Parsis in India, on solemn and happy occasions. Recently the Parsis of Dubai don ­ I yeoman service and, indeed, it is un- ft*' ’ M' ! » •» ’ ¦¦¦ * , iii :i »» cious reader. Trichur “The view in Iran” , uii 5U1CII.1. a..u i.aHHJ In respect of Dr James R. Russell ’s .*‘,1 Recently the Parsis of Dubai don- letter “The view in Iran, ” (Parsiana, irJ ated a handsome collection of Rs September 1988), I would like to state ;»j 20,000 to the Hospital. It would be that: U! very good if other well-established • The view as expressed by Russell is Parsis abroad were to take the cause of damaging to the Zoroastrian commun- n the Hospital to heart and contribute ity in Iran and not the article “The I generously and collectively. view in Iran. " • Zoroastrian and other recognized minorities like Jews and Christians have been given full religious freedom as per the present Iranian constitu- 1 ?’!! JAL M. KORKHAO I was so happy to see the article on Rustomji Katrak (“The father of Indi ­ an orthopedics, ” Parsiana, October tion. 1988). How I wish it had appeared in • Many Zoroastrian functions like the his lifetime! The dear old gentleman birth and death anniversary of prophet died neglected and uncared for, both Zarathushtra are being broadcast from by the profession and the community. Iran TV and radio.it He was looked after by a faithful old .Those who have left the country after driver, called Jetha, who adored him. the revolution have done so due to There is not the slightest doubt that he reasons other than religious persecu- ninneered orthonedics in this country, tion. • The actual number of Zoroastrians may be even more than what is figured the revolution have done so due to pioneered orthopedics in this country. An inspiring teacher, he trained gen- He was such a gentle individual, in the present Iranian census. Many moral courage. I knew him as a child abroad. Among the Iranian Zoroas- at the Jerbai Wadia Hospital and later trians it is a sin if a person does not became his house surgeon and reg- marry and does not produce chiWren. istrar. We maintained a correspond- The present Zoroastrian families in Iran have a minimum of two and a maximum of eight children. •There was no census in the year 1979. YAZDANYAR A. BONSHAHI ‘Zoroastrian Orthodoxy’ Going through the article “The state of Zoroastrian orthodoxy ” (Parsiana, August 1988) I am shocked at what Adi Doctor states and I quote, “Dr Bode, though belonging to the Shehen- shahi sect, became a Fasli Dastur. ” He also states, “wrongful consecration of the Fasli fire-temple. ” People who have a sense of respon ­ sibility, would first find out facts be ­ fore going to the Press, giving incor ­ rect and harmful information to the readers. I am compelled to write the following to put the record straight. Dastur Framroze Bode ’s father was a panthaki of an agiari at Badnera. At Readers* views are welcome on any subject of erations of orthopedic surgeons, interest to the community and should be sent ___ ' to the Editor, Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, honest to a fault and with tremendous may have been temporarily travelling G.P.0.80x892, Bombay 400 001. Letters are . . . . - subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without a complete address will not be published. Dr Rustom Katrak That was a fine article on Dr Rustom Katrak (“The father of Indian orthopedics, ” Parsiana, October 1988). Dr Katrak was a unique person. He and his sister, Dosanmai, adopted a little servant girl, brought her up as a daughter in their household, got her married and even had the children educated - to graduate and post ­ graduate levels - at their own expense. They similarly brought up a servant lad as a ‘son ’ in the household. Despite differences with the man ­ agement in later years', Katrak has left handsome legacy of three lakh rupees to the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital, Bombay, for the benefit of patients. (“The a The Parsee General Hospital is doing Katrak: pioneered orthopedics in India 3 Parsiana January 1989 It! age 17, Bode was initiated as a navar, and at 18 a maratab, both at Navsari; __ _ ________ _________ u uaai several at 19, he started yozdathragori (official- very low as one does not have to purch- thousands had gone to China. One mg at high rituals) at the Anjuman ase the land. ' ~ Atash Bahram, Bombay, then became 7 '/___ a teacher and later principal of the the needful at the earliest. Athornan Madressa at Dadar. He has performed more than one Hama Surat Yasht and also supervised for 72 days „ and 12 nights. There is no need to Prospects in New Zealand mention the numerous such religious In “Zoroastrians Abroad, ” (Parsiana, ceremonies etc performed by Fram- ’ ------ ' ' Dastur Bode was born and belongs to opportunities available in New Zea- the athoman sect and not shehenshahi, land, as stated by Doctor. The work of the ceremonies of con ­ secration of the Fasli Atash Kadeh was entrusted to Bode and these cere ­ monies went on for four months. ______ __ __ ______ „„„ ..iui,.uuqi xi swuis ma luuuwci Where and what does Doctor mean taken a downturn and one has to wait carried this freedom of choice when he writes “wrongful consecra- till conditions change again. tion of the Fasli Atash Kadeh? ” Through your columns I would re- I would like to know on what ___ ____ ___ ___ __ _ sweeping understand the above position as it Is criticize Zoroastrian religious rites, it each one. is unethical to put his writings in print. Ms HOMAl FRAMROZE BODE Feeding the fires” To keep the fire burning 24 hours a day in our agiaries and atash bahrams (“Feeding the fires, ” Parsiana, August ZOFOastrianS in the UK” 1988) we require the kathi of the babul Prof John Hinnells in “Zoroastrians in ....... a..u tree. The cost of kathi increases day by the UK” (Parsiana, April 1988) refers wisdom are two entirely different lem of kathi will be solved to a large ancient Persia after the downfall of the extent. The project cost would also be Sassanian dynasty, several hundred city, Chang ’an, alone had I hope that the SPP trustees will do 2,00,000 Zoroastrians and over Zoroastrians and four Zoroastrian temples. Chang ’an had ROHINTON B. BHATHENA boulevards 280 feet wide. Zoroastrians were said to have had a hand in the planning of Chang ’an. Even Yezde- gard ’s son Prince Phiruz was in Chan ­ g’an. There were other religious com- „ . - . - , - June 1988),you had excerpted a letter munities there as well. They survived roze Bode _ It is enough to say that of mine informing readers of the job until the ninth century when the emperor liquidated all the clergy. Ev ­ ery religion made a comeback except Besides being overwhelmed by the the Zoroastrian religion. There seems response, it was heartening to note the to be some weakness somewhere, spirit of our Zoroastrian youth. In Gatha 30.2, the Prophet speaks Unfortunately the economy in New about the freedom of choice of every Zealand in the last few months has individual. It seems his followers have ------------ — —.V./ to tho other extreme with the result that the community finds itself in total dis ­ when he writes “wrongful consecra- till conditions change again. * J . r.„ Through your columns I would quest those who have responded to array. . . TT 1 1 • ..,n. “ -------r- ------------ - The same Parsiana issue features an statements. Unless he is qualified to difficult for me to write individually to interview with Mr Mehraban Kushesh ------------ of Tehran, Iran. It is heartening to I thank all those who have written to note that ai; effort is being made to me on this account, and as and when have an atash bahram in Tehran. And conditions improve, I will be glad to the same issue tells us of the Austra- advise them. farokh kolah lian Zoroastrian Association holding Auckland, New Zealand .— . i .... .. ° Zoroastrians in the UK au- 6i an attitudinal survey which is very dis ­ appointing. We do hope that power will not fail ‘d, into the wrong hands. Intelligence and day while the income from the kathi to four migrations of ^the Parsis, the things. A highly educated individuaTis fund has remained the same. Some of aging of the Parsi population in India, our agiaries do not even have a kathi and the shifting of power from Bom- fund, so in these agiaries, the trustees bay to younger, highly educated and or mobeds have to search for kathi _ donors. r> 4.1 rx 1- • 1 . ---------- iiiivivjvvpv vwiiiii Recently Mr Dara Deboo, indus- couver in August/September 1987, the like ours will surely be affected, trialist and social worker of Navsari, professor had said, “l am holding a jamshed k. pavri has come up with a good project, mirror before you. The future of Vancouver, usa Different small trusts of Navsari have Zoroastrianism is in your hands. ” (Excerpted from a circular letter dated June 12,1988) joined in this common cause and are Prof Hinnells ’ commitment to the y . . . r//-,,,, * purchasing 250 acres of land near Nav- study of the Zoroastrian religion and Introducing ZCWA sari to grow babul trees for kathi at a of the Zoroastrians is deeply appreci- We were most pleased to learn of the projected cost of Rs 60 lakhs. ated. Like Prof Hinnells, there are Zoroastrian Cultural Welfare Associa- The Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP) some others who think that the future tion (ZCWA) headed by Dr Syrus and other trusts under Daver Kavasji of Zoroastrianism is in North America Darvish Irani, a medical practitioner Modi have plenty of idle land. The and that the Darbe Mehrs (should be of Mahim. This welfare association has SPP itself has 136 acres of land at the Dar-e-Mehers) created by Arbab Rus- hardworking, honest and dedicated Umerwada dokhmas and also at tarn Guiv are a part of this process. It youngsters, well placed in high posi- Karanj, adjacent to the present site of is possible that Prof Hinnells ’ study tions. These youngsters came together the dokhmas. Besides, there is plenty and ultimate analysis may prove him and formed the Association in 1987 of land at Vesii, Amroli, Bhesan and right. and, within a span of one year, they J More people today speak of the have helped not only Zoroastrians (as ™ today lies idle. On some Gathas as if they understand them and the name suggests), but many people of this land, unauthorized slums have wish to discard everything else as in need of funds for medical purposes, come up. If, like in Navsari, babul trees something added in later times. Whilst They had taken pains to organize a are grown on this land, then the prob- only a handful came to India from show in January 1988 and from the ^4 Parsiana January 1989 a not necessarily a wise individual. In America, every fifth child is being - - _ . born with AIDS symptoms with a life more vibrant Zoroastrians in England expectancy of about two years. A or North America. In a lecture in Van- widely spread microscopic community (Excerpted from a circjilar letter dated June 12, 1988) 1mortal remains be denied prayers for the first four days? The question is therefore asked, “For whose benefit? ” With all humility and malice to- meagre amount that they received. Spiritual tyranny they arranged a free lunch for poor people in June 1988. Two poor pa- ‘ tients, admitted for major heart opera ­ tions in Breach Candy and K.E.M. . . _ hospitals from whom appeals had of Parsis. In fact, the Parsi_priests of come on humanitarian grounds, also /’ • • * aid 1»— •J"”'”' ——— —____ J Recently they have given help to the marriages. Such families have to call Verse 13). I can only say, there is no should b?encouraged with funds°from tend to bring up the'ir children in the itual tyranny. Rusi b. pastakia different organizations so that they can faith. Children of non-Parsi fathers are expand their base of activities. It is not accepted for the navjote ceremony chalo heard that this organization is now as a rule all over ”(Courtesy: The •f ., . . readying itself to create more funds by Times of India, Ahmedabad, Septem- What do Parsis think and how do they organizing another show on a grand ber 21, 1988). feel about the rush and the queuing for scale and we do liope that not only However, doors for the funds and dinner sittings at navjote and marriage people from different walks of life but institutions were open for the children receptions? Many believe that the pre- also the Press and government will en- of Parsi fathers by alien mothers who sent practice denies the mynage and courage such activities. had been duly and properly admitted, navjote functions orderliness and We have also found that the ZCWA (The Illustrated Weekly of India, June dignity. youths, although with their busy sche- 15,1980). Further, on the vexed ques- This can be avoided and decency dule have taken pains to register tion of quality rather than quantity, we and dignity restored. A suggestion is themselves with the Commissioner of Charities, Public Trust as also the In ­ come Tax undeT section 12 A and 80G. uu -----,----------- ¦ .* J • x r These youngsters hold regular meet- bright scholars and citizens ” (Kaiser- tings rob marriage and navjote func- tags every Sunday. E-Hind, July 13, 1980). tions of elementary civility arid digni- Why should bigotry demand that ty. To avoid this, y«u will find a table those people who choose an alterna- near the entrance where each guest, NEKOO, mspervee N|Fatakia^^il n^gthod for the disposal of their on entering the compound, can take ‘More and more Parsis are marrying outside the community, though it is still frowned upon by a large number wards none, I quote from the Bible: L__ T . " “Because they seeing, see not; and Ahmedabad refuse to perform the hearing, they hear not; neither do they received aid. navjote ceremony of children of mixed understand ” (St Matthew, Chapter 13, Iwwiiu y HIK/J IKA.V ------------------------------------------------ 1 J- 4.U. ' ¦ widows at Lalbaug. These youngsters priests from Bombay, if they still m- tyranny m the world greater than spir- O - . . £ ... . -.J.-- XL- - ------------ RUSIB. PASTAKIA faith. Children of non-Parsi fathers are Ahmedabad ¦Because they seeing, see not; and organizTng another show on a grand ber 21, 1988). feel about the rush and the queuing for • However, doors for the funds and dinner sittings at navjote and marriage of Parsi fathers by^alien mothers who sent practice denies the marriage and had been duly and properly admitted, navjote functions orderliness and This can be avoided and decency have been informed by the Editor of that with each invitation a slip can be Kaiser-E-Hind, that “out of this Bans- attached on the following lines: da Group (Gujarat State) have arised ‘The rush and queuing for dinner sit- E-Hind, July 13, 1980). tions of elementary civility and digni- Why should bigotry demand that ty. To avoid this, y«u will find a table Conference, Wedding or Party — Leave it in West End’s experienced hands. Your Favourite 'The Gourmet Restaurant offers Executive Buffet Lunch • 16 delicious courses • From 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Including Sundays. Restaurant open from 8 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. A* Conference Plan Inclusive of: Room Rent, Buffet Lunch, Morning and Evening Tea. Ask for special concession offer for larger conferences. A LA CARTE in the soothing comfort of ‘The Gourmet ’ or TAKEAWAY to the comforts of your home, or office Continental, Moghlai, Tandoori, Vegetarian I A NAVJOTE. A LACAN. A SILVER West End Hotel 45, New Marine Lines. Bombay-400 020 Te! 299121 Telex. 011-2892 BEST IN Gram: BEST HOT EL t f OR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY A FIRST H . BIRTHDAY PARTY — OR ANY SU< ...... OR ANY SUCH I HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR LIFE. Celebrate them at West End Hotel, in the beautiful setting of the Terrace Hall. Choose the day and leave all the other problem to us. 5 Parsiana January 1989 I Ithe appropriate token for the first, second or third sitting. One token per guest please. You are requested to kindly cooperate and add grace to the occasion. ’ It is for the host families and cater ­ ers to accept or reject the suggestion . It has always been the few pioneers with courage who put ideas into prac ­ tice. Thereafter the favourable experi ­ ence of the practice would soon earn almost universal following. prac- P.S. DA VER Behavioral contrasts The Parukh Dharamshalla and the Narimai are full < children, nieces and nephews are set ­ tled abroad in affluent Western coun ­ tries doing well for themselves. These people have toiled hard, borrowed money, and sold off their properties and valuables to be able to send their children abroad for studies and subse ­ quent migration. Some of them are now destitute. One widow, living in a punchayet chawl, has toiled hard doing house ­ hold chores like a maid servant, and income for the aged in Surat of old and infirm people whose borrowed heavily from Parsi educa ­ tional funds and charities to be able to send her son abroad. It is now eight years since he has settled down in the US. Today, she is still working in the same condition and sending cooked meals to support herself. The general complaint is that no re ­ mittances are forthcoming from those settled abroad, even towards the trust loans that they have borrowed, leaving the old parents to pay off these loans and insurance policies. Some of the parents have not had a letter or phone call from them for years. Some of them do not even know in which part of the United States their children re ­ side. Contrast this to the situation _____ _ tt.iwih ..v uas other Indian communities. Parents of low God*whom he has young people in the Gujarati, Punjabi, Maharashtrian and Sindhi communities proudly display their monthly remitt- ance cheques in dollars and pounds which they receive regularly from their children abroad. The young remain in touch with their parents regularly, send free tickets for the old people to visit them, and in many cases, send for them permanently. This is a direct result of close family ties and upbringing. We Parsis get what we deserve. We ingrain in our children an attitude that the Western philosophy and way of life is the best, that Western values are to be copied and imitated, shrugging off respect for elders and for religious rituals. The sudden upswing of religious fer ­ vor among Parsis settled abroad is a mockery: While long and lengthy dis ­ courses are held on religion, their old and destitute family members are pin ­ ing and dying across the continents for want of a little warmth and attention. It reminds one of a quotation from the Bible which, with a slight change, may read: “He who loves not his father/ among mother whom he has seen, how can he , i not seen? ” MsZARINR. MEHTA Edited by Arnavaz S. Mama Addendum The photograph of Mehlli Gobhai which accompanied the article “The color of Black ” {Parsiana, November 1988) was Shot by Burjor Banaji. The omission is regretted. Delhi Parsi Anjuman OUR RELIGION Series Children’s Books in colour, recently published Activity Book I, Zarathushtra and Me, with its reader Book I, Zarathushtra (reprint), the set for Rs 20 Activity Book II, The Navjote and Me, with its reader Book II, The Navjote (reprint), the set for Rs 20 Available limited supply, from Mr R.P. Chinoy Union Press, 13, Homji St, Fort, Bombay 400001. Cash down All other orders to be addressed to Ms P. N. Jungaiwalla A-2/2 Safdarjung Enclave New Delhi 110029 Orders received in June, July, August will be kept pending till September 6 Parsiana January 1989Events and Personalities ____________________ . dent of the SPP, recounted the activi- s New pdvilion for Surat of Panchayat. He, however, S At the inauguration of the newly built regretted the dwindling number of pavilion of the Zoroastrian Club run Parsis in this historic city where the by the Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP), community had abounded in earlier the Governor o( Himachal Pradesh years, and former vice-admiral Rustom K. S. Ghandhi was the chief guest. Gandhi was given an official wel ­ come by Dr Kadir Pirzada, the young b According to a report of the func- mayor. The ailing former SPP presi- J tion held on November 29, 1988, from dent Maneck Gheyara ’s speech was i Dr Ratan Marshall of Surat, Ghandhi read in his absence. “commended the attitude of our then For their outstanding performances leaders ” in not asking for special pri- in the field of sports, Adil Palia, Dinki , vileges for the Parsis at the time of In- Bhujwala and Firoze Amaria were • dia ’s independence. To prove them- honored by the anjuman. selves in the years to come, the ~ youngsters will have to toil and labor ary secretary of the Club, Dadi Elavia, and give up softness in life, he stres- conveyed a vote of thanks to Ghandhi. sed. In order to prosper they will have Shawls and a sandalwood casket were to look in various directions like army presented to Ghandhi by Ms Roshan services instead of regular jobs, he Modi and Ms Mehroo Bhacca on be- Dastur: on lines of the great singers added. , half of the Panchayat and the Samast Exhorting the gathering to continue to Parsi Anjuman of Surat. tread the path of righteousness and _ , , _ _ prosperity as taught by prophet Zarathush- Eonavsla S iirst ghambar tra, he felt that the qualities of straightfor- On Saturday, November 19, 1988, the Seth Cowasjee Dinshawji Adenwala wardness and honesty, inherited by the Par- permanent residents of the hill stations Agiary , the ghambar was organized by sis, have made the community rich and of Khandula and Lonavala, numbering Rustom Bapuji Joshi, an ex-principal around 135, were invited for the first- at Khandala ’s D. Cowasjee School (6 ever ghambar at Lonavala, the bracing kms away), and a member of the Lonavala Parsi Anjuman ’s managing committee. The ghambar - catered by Maneck and Rashida Shroff of the bustling Hotel Plaza of Lonavala - was Davar Kavasji Modi and the honor- w I I o s I - hill resort, 100 kms south-east of Bombay. Held in the sprawling courtyard of wardness and honesty, inherited by the Par- permanent residents of the hill stations Agiary , the ghambar was organized by <¦*" 1----------- - J. •• •« . - - . . — _ ... popular throughout. Dr Sam Sarosh Bhacca, the presi- Below: Ghandhi receiving casket from Mehroo Bhacca while (from left) Sam Bhacca, Dastur Nosherwan Manchersha and Elavia look onpresented to Dastur by the State ’s Natyashastras (proclaimed treatise on dia and Jade Gardens, at Nehru Cen- chief minister Arjun Singh on Decern- Indian dancing) yet not averse to “a ber 16, at Gwalior. The award con- whiff of fresh air as far as themes, sisted of Rs 51,000 and a citation. Pandit Dastur, who took his training cemed, ” Irani has performed Sanskrit Restaurant at New York and the re- under the late Sawai Gandharva and ballets like Pragnya, Prerana and Shiva novation of Goa ’s Hotel Zuari. ‘Stressful’ invitation tre, Worli, mentions the release. Kat- pitia ’s past ventures reportedly also in ­ choreography and presentation are con- eluded the setting up of the Tandoor A I ) the late Khansaheb Abdul Karim Kautukam, She has also presented Man- Khan, the great exponents of the Kira- thra Spenta, a classical dance ballet na gharana, is also the 1986 recipient based on the Shah Namah. In 1983, Ira- A professor of the Indian Institute of of the national award of the Sangeet ni toured North America and Canada Management, Ahmedabad, Dinyar Natak Akademi, New Delhi, add and was invited to perform and teach at Minocher Pestonjee had been invited to newspaper reports. Topping the SSC board Topping the October Bombay di- most ambitious and lifetime pro ­ visional Secondaty School Certificate (SSC) examination was J.B. Vachha Girls ’ High School student Ms Kash- mira S. Karkaria, notes The Daily of December 22, 1988. Karkaria secured 80.14 percent in the examination, along with Ms Rakhi Tulsiani of St Joseph ’s Convent High School, Ban ­ dr a. The exam was conducted by the Maharashtra State Board for Secon ­ dary and Higher Secondary Educa- Katpitia (left) coping with tourist tion. - _ - . . According to a press release, Bom ­ bay divisional board chairman Mohan the international exhibition Man and attend the twenty-fourth International His World in Montreal. Congress of Psychology at Sydney, Au- For the future, Irani is ready with stralia, from August 28-September 2, 1988, as a special invitee, notes a press release. For the Congress he was to pre ­ sent a paper on the topic “Organization ­ al Role Stress in Middle and Top Man ­ agement, ” and was also scheduled to participate in a symposium on “Burn ­ out and Stress in Cross-Cultural Pers ­ pectives. ” Pestonjee has, for the past nine years, held the rare honor of being the only Asian member to be elected on the In ­ ternational Social Sciences Council of J * J n'~ J. the United Nations Educational, Scien- demand.Peston]ee: cross-cultural Cultural ’Organization (UN- ESCO), informs the release. He has also Awate said that only 20.76 percent of ject ” Journey to Shiva, a solo Bharata been elected a member of the executive students passed the examination, the Natyam recital with English lyrics. She and program committees of the Intema- paper adds. Karkaria says she would like to be ­ come a lawyer or a chartered accoun- thropic trusts tant, notes The Bombay Samachar of ...(would) come forward to help her, ” December 25. adds the write-up. Doctorate in dance Plans in collaboration Bharata Natyam danseuse Khurshid Freelance hotel consultant Minoo D. is looking for sponsors and hopes tion^ Sociology Association from 1986 “more cultural organizations, philan- to 1990. At present he is the chairman of (and) institutions Internal Reorganization Committee of the Indian Council of Social Science Re­ search, adds the release. “Magic of the hand “I am glad I do not have my wife with Irani ’s research thesis entitled Devan- Katpitia and Alpha Consultants of me today. She would have left me bank- ganas - A Critical Study won her a New Delhi have joined hands to prom- rupt! ” Maharashtra ’s deputy chief doctorate degree in dance last year ote more properties to cope with in- minister Ramrao Adik exclaimed after from the University of Bombay, notes creasing foreign and local tourist de- reviewing the Shilp Utsav at the Sunder- a press release. Choreographer, direc- mand, notes a press release issued by bai Hall on October 28, 1988. The dis- tor, researcher and teacher, Irani has Advertising and Publicity Media. play of choice all-India handicrafts com- done her thesis under S.A. Upadhyaya, In the pipeline are four-star projects memorated 25 years of Shilpi Kendra ’s head of the postgraduate and research like the Vijaydeep Hotel at Santacruz, service to the craftsmen of India, department of the Bharatiya Vidya Bha- Hotel Executive at Andheri and Hotel Regal in purple and yellow, the van, Bombay. Ramani at Juhu, details the press re- Kendra ’s chairperson, Ms Thirty H. “The first Zoroastrian dancer ” to lease, which also refers to plans for a Taleyarkhan recounted how the Shilpi acquire a PhD in dance from Bombay 300-room, five-star project in Gujarat Kendra - a social welfare organization University, Irani has based her re- labelled Hotel Hazira. with a sales outlet at Hotel Majestic on search work on rare Sanskrit manu- Well-known as the general manager Bombay ’s Colaba Causeway - was scripts and on the expeditions she con- of Sun-n-Sand Hotel for over two de- born in response to the then Prime ducted to isolated temple sites to study cades, Katpitia ’s achievements in- Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ’s sugges- the important poses of the devanganas eluded the renovation of Sun-n-Sand, tion of opening a chain of emporia. He (celestial dancers). Trying to put these and the commissioning of such five- was keen that voluntary organizations postures into practical use to enrich star properties in Bombay as the Sea market the creations of India ’s master contemporary Indian dance is what Princess Hotel, Ramada Inn Palm craftsmen who were struggling for sur- Irani hopes to achieve, notes the re- Grove and Hotel Horizon, notes the vival. The fashion then weighed heavi- lease. write-up. He has also helped in setting ly in favor of foreign industrial pro ­ Adhering to the guidelines of the up the catering complex. Jewel of In- ducts, she recalled. i 11 Parsiana January 1989wif *^1 Left: At the Shilp Utsav (from left) Homi Taleyarkhan, Thrity Taleyarkhan (in border sari) and Adik Below: Irani injured but victorious I S' 4b li Kirtankar and social worker Parvez Katrak receiving the award ¦ ’ for human excell­ ence from Nana •1 Chudasma, world ? chairman of Giants 1 Internationa^ at a function held by f The Indian Centre for Encouraging ^1 Excellence k r 1^ J , . ____J ____ ___ ! to Race scheduled to take place from Ahmednagar to visit his relatives. He in New^ Horiz^, the newsletter of the around Pune, finishing among the first 10. However, the Bombay-Pune Race _ Iran£had taken part in the Bombay- was the first time that he had taken from next to nothing to 25 and 30 at 16 became the youngest competitor article. ° Providing a much needed sales out ­ let, Shilpi Kendra was also the first to give state awards to Maharashtra ’s craftsmen, Taleyarkhan informed. Its success over the years was manifest in the presence of the many state govern ­ ments which were represented at the exhibition, noted Taleyarkhan with pride. “We want to focus attention on the man behind the craft; cherish the human spirit behind the magic of the hand, ” Taleyarkhan eulogized the tenacity and dedication of the crafts ­ men, many of whom still labor below the poverty line. nedal niichpr contestants, “grown-ups ” in- Presented with a bouquet of roses peoai pUSHCr eluded, approximately 20 completed from the government of Maharashtra At a recently held race-track meet in the race, notes New Horizon. “Due to in appreciation of her social welfare October 1988 in Bombay, Hamoz his inexperience, Hamoz had not work, Taleyarkhan shared her triumph Sarosh Irani excelled himself in the arranged for his own pilot - someone with an emotional tribute to the late under-18 category, notes M.B. Nagar- to accompany him on a scooter with Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (who had walla in a letter to Parsiana. During fruits, water, etc - during the long arrived in Bombay to attend the Utsav the tenth lap of the 3,000-meter indi- race. So he was on his own with only a inaugural but had to be hospitalized vidual race, he collided with one of the bottle of water, ” the article says, with a sudden illness to which she sue- 20 cyclists. “Despite bleeding profuse- Despite this handicap, he managed cumbed) as “truly the inspiration of ly from the head injury, he went to keep up witlrthe other cyclists for a Shilpi Kendra. ” She was equally warm courageously over the remaining 11 good part of the way. Collapsing at the in her praise of the colleagues who had laps and managed a third place. After finish, an ambulance was about to be helped shoulder the burden of the en- the race he was rushed to Breach Can- called for, when he recovered and terprise over a quarter century. dy Hospital where he received two “was taken home by his friends to his Many craftsmen, brought to Bom- stitches, ” adds the letter, quoting from parents, Sarosh and Vera Irani, ” notes bay by the Kendra, demonstrated their The Times of India of October 16. the article. skills to fascinated onlookers, includ- A schoolboy from Pune, Irani is Irani had developed his skills by ing Maharashtra Governor Brahma- training for the Bombay-Goa Cycle cycling frequently from Pune nanda Reddy and Ms Reddy. P ’ ’ ’ ’ ' * * j __ 2_______ _ The exhibition cum sale which con- January 15 to 20,1989, notes an article had taken ”part in many races in and tinned for four days, ranged from met- rr ¦ . .. .. . . _ - - - ¦ al work and ivory to carpets, textiles, Ahmednagar Parsee Anjuman. 10. However, the Bombay-Pune Race fashion garments, paintings, jewelry, 1 . • .. __ . .. .__ -__ earthenware, et al. The prices ranged Pune Cycle Race in January last, and part in a long-distance race, says the thousand rupees for exquisite wall to complete the race, finishing fif- ________________________________ _ hangings with ivory inlay. Amavaz Mama teenth, according to the write-up. Of Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka bay by the Kendra, demonstrated their The Times of India of October 16. A schoolboy from Pune, Irani is 12 Parsiana January 1989.ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD New Zoroastrian Temple A consensus has emerged that a new larger building was vital for “the sur ­ vival of the Zoroastrian community in the Greater New York area, ” notes plus a smaller prayer hall and separate sent major areas of the tri-State re- the profile of the proposed New atash room. The structure would also gion. The casting vote, if necessary, Zoroastrian Temple and Cultural Cen- ideally have classrooms for religious will be that of the chairperson of the ter (NZTCC) compiled by NZTCC and group discussions, an apartment NZTCC committee. committee secretary Dr Farokh Tara- for a resident caretaker, restrooms, in- Two proposals have been made to- pore. A target of $ 2.5 million (later door games and adequate parking faci- wards the Center ’s future mainte- scaled down to $ 1.3 million) was lities, notes the write-up. nance: renting out the premises to accepted as also the conception that the money should be gathered from to five million dollars as notes Munshi, part of the initial funds to generate fu- every family within the Zoroastrian has accepted responsibility as architect ture income. Association of Greater New York and contractor for the project. (Wadia (ZAGNY) and from wealthy Zoroas- has announced he will forego his com- counsel, as well as ZAGNY’s, has re- trians elsewhere, informs the release. The first $ 300,000 were pledged at a dinner hosted by the project ’s fund- spirit! ” acknowledges Munshi.) Wadia New Zoroastrian Temple and Cultural raising committee on December 3, 1988, writes Erach Munshi, ZAGNY president and the NZTCC’s prime mover, in a letter to Parsiana dated De­ cember 23. The promises came from 35 tuted subcommittees to cover fund- of ZAGNY’s 150 families, he adds. The project is in response to the community ’s “need for a new, more efficient and larger premises to house and Connecticut Zoroastrians, the and that is the feasibility of a smaller, our Association, ” states Tarapore ’s note. The present premises at the From left to right: Lancashire skipper David Hughes, newcomers Phil Arbab Rustom Guiv Darbe Mehr are DeFreitas and Irani with coach Alan Ormrod authorized to hold only 99 persons whereas 250 to 275 people get together for Navroze and new year celebra- tions, he writes. Apart from the prot- |j j|jjj ||{|({{f{| >1111111111,1}*”' "| racted litigation with the Rustom Guiv ~~ Foundation on the ownership of the New Rochelle Darbe Mehr which cur ­ rently houses ZAGNY, the building is dilapidated, notes the write-up. The third floor is beyond repair and sealed off, it informs. The Iranian Zoroas ­ trian Association (IZA) which has split from ZAGNY, “to date has not contributed to the cost of the upkeep nor has the Rustom Guiv Foundation which abdicated its responsibility to contribute $ 5,000 per annum, ” in ­ forms the release. An informal committee formed in 1987 to study the proposal includes Dr Lovji Cama, Ms Freny Dalal, Farokh Deboo (treasurer). Jamshed Ghadial- ly, Khushru Hakim, Hutoxi Kanda- walla, Erach Munshi (chairman), Fredy Patel, Dr Farokh Tarapore (secretary). Ms Kuku Bunshah, and Dinyar Wadia committee ’s first choice is New (architect), by invitation. Rochelle, an area with which the com- The new premises are expected to munity is familiar. The final decision include a hall to accommodate 350 to will be made by the site approval sub- 400 people (with a kitchen to match) committee whose four members repre- Wadia, who builds houses worth up generate income; and/or reserving a Legal advice from the NZTCC’s mission which would amount to nearly commended the setting up of a sepa- $ 190,000: “What a Parsi Zoroastrian rate religious corporation, called the has recommended a five-acre plot as a Center, to best serve and protect the minimum requirement for a project of interests of ZAGN^ members as well this size. as qualify for tax exemption, writes The NZTCC committee has consti- Tarapore. “While we fully expect to succeed in raising, site selection, building and fi- this great and challenging community nance. To be located conveniently for endeavor, this committee thinks it pru- the benefit of New York, New Jersey dent to have a simple alternative plan 15 Parsiana January 1989 '! I 'i lllll ¦ 'I r"l ¦II III I iI L scaled-down project. If this too isn ’t possible, then the committee proposes that the remaining monies be returned proportionately to the respective donors, ” adds Tarapore ’s proposal. The NZTCC committee has re ­ quested that, in the interests of con ­ tinuity, its members remain with it un ­ til the end of the project, irrespective of changes in the ZAGNY board whose president remains an ex officio member of the NZTCC committee. letter/, explaining that individuals in ­ volved in the purchase of the property had noted that the property had been titled in the name of the Trust for tax and other reasons, on legal advice. ZAGNY had then countered with six conditions subject to which it would be prepared to accept the transfer of own ­ ership. At the present juncture the court had three options, notes the newslet ­ ter: It could have granted the petition; it could have dismissed the petition; it could have instituted a trial on merits. The Foundation has filed an appeal The Darbe Mehr tussle The Supreme Court of Westchester County has ruled i« favor of ZAGNY with the Appellate Division, further and dismissed the petition of the Rus- informs the newsletter. tom Guiv Foundation seeking to ac ­ quire the ownership of the Arbab Rus- Farsi publication tom Guiv Darbe Mehr at New Rochel- “We are determined to maintain and le. The information is conveyed by the expand our Zoroastrian culture today, ZAGNY newsletter of October 1988, in North America, especially, received by Parsiana on December 19. Although most of u^ have made this The ownership of the Darbe Mehr (our) home for more than 10 years, currently vests with the Arbab Rustom there is a lot of hard work we have to Guiv Trust which includes three repre- do to ensure we will not lose this in- sentatives each from the Foundation valuable heritage, ” writes Dr Mehra- and ZAGNY, the president being al- ban Shahrvini, publisher of Pake E ways from the Foundation and empo- Mehr, a publication in Farsi from Van- wered with a casting vote. Arbab Rus- couver, Canada, in a letter to Parsiana tom Guiv had remained a trustee until dated December 1, 1988. his demise in. 1980. The majority of readers are Persian The first intimation of disaffection Zoroastrians all over the world. Only was contained in ZAGNY’s April 1985 about six of the 48 mimeographed newsletter which noted that the Guiv pages of the magazine are in English family wished to change the name of for the benefit of Parsi Zoroastrians in the Darbe Mehr in New York from Vancouver, writes Shahrvini. ‘Arbab Rustom Guiv Darbe Mehr Zoroastrian Temple ’ to ‘Arbab Rus- collage of the mastheads of some of tom Guiv Foundation of New York. ’ the well-known newsletters o* North The announcement was made at the American associations. The contents annual general meeting of ZAGNY include references to the Second held on March 23, 1985. North American Zoroastrian Youth It has been the contention of Found- Congress, a story on the renowned ation president Dr Rostam Sarfeh that Persian poet Hafiz-Shirazi, a short ex- the Darbe Mehr ’s donor had only in- planation of Mehrgan, news about the tended to donate the use of the prop- Federation of Zoroastrian Associa- erty to the local community: “The tions of North America and, interes- ownership he (Guiv) would keep for tingly, an item in Farsi from (or about) the Foundation of Rustom Guiv which the Fed Newsletter, the publication of was under his personal direction while the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian he lives and it will be under the super- Anjumans of India. vision of the trustees of the Founda ­ tion after he is deceased, ” Sarfeh had Into the big league noted in an undated letter received by Sixteen-year-old all-rounder Ronnie Parsiana in 1987. Irani, who has signed on to play for It has been claimed by the Founda- Lancashire County, is tipped for the tion that the property was mistakenly top in English cricket, writes Peter titled in the name of the Trust in the Mensforth in Evening News of rush of the purchase in 1976. This September 7, 1988. stand has been strongly contended by ZAGNY, vide its October 1985 news- and his wife Anne, “Ronnie is a local North The front cover of Poke E Mehr is a Son of league cricketer Jimmy Irani 17 Parsiana January 1989 lad who has always wanted to play for his county, and now he has the chance, ” noted Lancashire chairman Bob Bennett at a press conference at the Old Trafford to introduce the new members included in the team The press conference was covered in sever ­ al local newspapers. Though Ronnie has played for Lan ­ cashire and El gland school boys at ev ­ ery level, his six-foot-three-inch frame had often raised doubts about his age, note the newspaper clippings for ­ warded to Parsiana by Anne: “We were so fed up with people checking Ronnie ’s age that Anne used to settle all arguments by producing his birth certificate, ” remarked his father Jim ­ my. “With Ronnie going into the re ­ cord books as the youngest century maker, his age should not now come into question. ” In her letter Anne notes that Ronnie is also a basketball and football player, has earned a swimming medal and that “his local tennis coach was upset as he packed in everything to concentrate on cricket when he was only 15.” Compiled by Arnavaz S. Mama MATRIMONIAL An unmarried Parsi lady Doctor (45) with a pleasant personality and amicable disposition, and enjoying residential family accommodation in Bombay, seeks matrimonial alliance with a healthy Zoroastrian aged around 50 years, reasonably successful in his profession, business or job and respected by his associates. Widowers or divorcees will not be ruled out if otherwise suitable. Please respond with full details and recent photograph to: The Advertiser (Matrimonial) C/o Parsiana GPO Box No 892 Bombay 400001 rr TRUSTS Thana land sale dispute The Divecha Trust ’s decision to sell trust land in Thana to a builder has been opposed by the local Anjuman and others Homi J. Rogers I Barely 30 kms from the heart of Bom ­ bay, lies Thana (or Thane, as its pre- _______ dominantly Maharashtrian residents of Thana. By the 193ds, however, the now call it) which has come into its ~ own during the past few years. The town (population: 3,10,000) has its own municipal council, a new sports brother, recalls that they had moved stadium has been built, a convent ------ school has the distinction of one of its teachers (a Parsi, incidentally) being accompany his father for the tradition- honored by the Maharashtra govern- al ghambar (feast) at Thana, ment as one of the finest in the state. P * . . - _ And since the past one year. Thane family ’s links with Thana were rather the time of writing, the matter is being even boasts of having launched the t ------------ ’— .i . .. .... . = country ’s first floating restaurant. Despite the industrialization and quent, and as Parvez Bhesania, secret ­ growing commercialization which has ary of the Thana Parsi Zoroastrian resulted in an upsurge of building Anjuman charges, the present genera- activity. Thane has retained the 1' " ~ quintessence of a small Maharashtrian sons) would visit Thana, probably, just town. It yet has its share of narrow winding lanes, swaying palm fronds, rows of cottages and bumpy little Zoroastrian residents, as outlined in maidans over sandy mounds where the ubiquitous bicycle is steered around and young Gavaskars-in-the-making en ­ joy a game of cricket. One such piece of open land, that families at Chanrai, in a lane bran- drawn up by the Anjuman to meet the has currently kicked up a storm dustier ching out from the Patel Adarian (fire- twin purposes of keeping the land within than itself, is a plot admeasuring 8,583 temple). That, today, only 10 Parsi the community, and offering apartments j sq meters (approximately 80,000 sq ft) families should be residing amidst the constructed here to Parsis at the modest 4 on Eduljee Road at Chanrai, belong- 32 tenements, is a reflection, as Bhesa- rate of Rs 450 per sq foot - practically, I ing to the Cowasji Behramji Divecha r" ------ j -• .. .... . _ Trust. The Trust was set up in April i 1930 during the lifetime of Cowasji, a settle outside Bombay^ scion of the Divecha family who had :_____ contributed immensely to the growth cally during the last two decades. Tha- The situation has changed dramati- na has matured into a town with its | own identity. And the housing prob- ¦- Divechas had shifted out from Thana. Keki Divecha, one of the present trus- lem, especially amongst the Parsis in 4 tees, and a grandson of Cowasji ’s Bombay, has multiplied manifold, 'f causing the Thana Parsi Zoroastrian into Malcolm Bang at Jogeshwari in Anjuman, to quote The Bombay 1928, and as a boy he would readily Samachar, “to put up a gallant fight, ” kJe ggainst the Divecha Trust, to prevent the sale of land lying around the But, ghambars aside, the Divecha abovemejitioned four buildings. At __ __ ___ _ ___ tenuous since then. With the passage hotly debated in the Charity Commit of time, visits became even more infre- sioner ’s court, on whether the Trust is empowered to sell its land for pur ­ poses that allegedly may not serve the betterment of the community. The tion of the Divecha family (Keki ’s Anjuman charges the Trust with sell- . . t ing out on the community ’s interest, at k once in five years. Yet, the love for a time when housing is its dire need. Thana and the betterment of its and has requested a stay order on the ing out on the community ’s interest, at a time when housing is its dire need, sale of the property. Simultaneously, as Rustom Cursetji, the soft-spoken , . ' ------ T--- ...J------- the trustees constructed four buildings past 10 years, puts it, “an elementary the trust deed, remained. In the mid ’50s to early ’60s (around 1955 to ’62), president of the Thana Anjuman for the 1 ---------------- ---- ..g,.. 11, ail viviiiviiiaiy of two storeys each, housing around 32 plan, in embryonic form ” has been 32 tenements, is a reflection, as Bhesa- i nia himself admits, of the unwilling- half the going rate in Thana today for a ness of the community in the ’60s to flat in a well-constructed building in that T' particular locality. 18 Parsiana January 1989 6. r i I I 1 I [¦‘i * i f’ W •« i S( H Divecha Trust land in Thana being developed by the builder 7 >i'’ t Mahal sale plus 3.5 lakhs) had to aban- don plans for developing the site them- selves. The estimate for development ; of the land was invited on November 29, 1987 as per the Trust ’s records, a full year after the Raj Mahal prr^jerty had been sold on November 26, 1986, according to Zarir Jehangirji, a young Parsi who is contesting the Divecha Trust ’s action. “It was a calculated step to sell off the Thana land. Other ­ wise, ’’ Jehangirji queries, with re ­ course to a simile, “which husband would sell his wife ’s jewelry to get into business, without having drawn up even a blueprint of the proposed en ­ terprise? ’’ The Trust, estimate and ULC in hand, requested the Charity Commis- Cursetji, a research scientist at the a clause, work on development had to sioner for permission to offer the land Associated Cement Companies plant start within two years from the date of for sale for development, as it was'not at Thana, came to know about the sale obtaining the Certificate, and end in a position to undertake the task and of land early this year, through a series within five years. the two-year deadline was fast of anonymous letters sent to him, Bhe- The Divecha Trust, however, ex- approaching. The Commissioner ’s sania, and other committee members plains Bhagwagar, was not in a posi- permission was obtained, and an of the Anjuman, exhorting them to tion to develop this land. The Trust advertisement was released, as per the wear bangles, and sit at home, as they had a corpus of only three and a half stipulations, on December 18, 1987 in could not do anything to save a piece lakhs which, when invested in three one English and one vernacular news- of land belonging to a Parsi trust from percent conversion loans, would yield paper offering the land for develop- being sold to a non-Parsi for site de- just Rs 10,000 per annum to be spent ment. Cursetji points out to the clause velopment. “It was the first time I on the Trust ’s four-fold objectives in the trust deed which makes it man- came to know about the sale, ” says among which, incidentally, “building datory for the trustees to make Cursetji. Even Bhesania, who stays in chawls or other residential quarters for announcements and declare the the Trust buildings opposite the dis- the poor of the Parsi Zoroastrian com- Trust ’s statements of accounts in Parsi puted plot, was ignorant about its sale, munity at Thana ” features last on the papers, as against which the advertise- though, he admits, he always did have list. However, with the sale in Novem- ment was released in the Free Press a hunch that the Divechas wished to ber 1986 of an old building owned by Journal, and its sister publication, the sell this land, and at one time, had the Trust, a sum of Rs 17,51,600 was Marathi daily Navshakti. The circular even helped Behram, Keki ’s son and added to the Trust ’s coffers. This tion of neither paper is verified by the now the managing trustee, in obtain- building, Raj Mahal at Altamount impartial ABC (Audit Bureau of Cir ­ ing the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) Road, fetched for the Trust vety low culation), and is reportedly very low. Certificate. While the move to procure rents as against very high maintenance “We preferred a Marathi paper in the ULC is viewed by Bhesania, a loc ­ al self-made businessman, as a precur ­ sor to the sale, Burjor Ratanji Bhag- permitted on the express proviso that than that of the community. the two-year deadline The Divecha Trust, however, ex- approaching. rents as against very high maintenance costs by way of taxes and repairs on its the vernacular press as the population 90-year-old structure. The sale was in Thana of Maharashtrians is more ., ” argues wagar, the manager of the Divecha the money so raised would be utilized Bhagwagar. Bhesania is of the opinion Trust, explains that since the Trust had for developing the Thana plot of land, that on this technical flaw, the Anju- no finances to develop the land, it was the ULC for which was already one- man has a strong case, and the sale can important for them to obtain the ULC, - ¦ — failing which the Government could architect, Pathekar and Pathekar, sub- Moreover, according to the adver- acquire any excess land being held by mitted an estimate in November 1987 tisement, tenders for development the Trust without so much as a by- for Rs 1.68 crores towards develop- needed to be accompanied by cheques your-leave. The Certificate was ment of the land, the Divecha Trust for Rs 10 lakhs. Remonstrates Curset- obtained on February 17, 1986, and by holding only 21 lakhs (17.5 from Raj ji: “The trustees did not want a con- year-old. However, when the Trust ’s be invalidated. Moreover, according to the adver- 19 Parsiana January 1989cerned individual or body like the Anjuman to bid and save the land from being sold; otherwise, they Anjuman to charge that the Trust builders (25 percent of the sale price) would not have demanded this ridicu- *—’-**---------- j - ... ..................................- - lous price. ” On January 19, 1988 the land was 1 sold - subject to approval by the Char- ; _____ __ ____________ ___ _ ____ ity Commissioner - to Chaitanya clearly indicates that only the net in- Rs 1(X) each to 77 people. ” This is a Parekh of Radhika Properties De- r *¦ ’ . . ...... velopments Pvt Ltd for a sum of Rs i 1.3U crores. Even at this juncture the building of other residential quarters. ” just three and a half lakhs, it distri- Anjuman state they knew nothing ab- r out the matter. Three months later, <’ cajoled Into action, the Anjuman permissible only from the wrote to me Divecha Trust seeking in- is strongly contested by th the Anjuman building on his Trust the additional funds collected by way land, but it was very wrong o£ the of advance payment received from the ------------ -------------------------- --------- y*—j/vivviii VI H4V kJUlV should have used its funds to do so. “I has already “gifted a sterilizer costing did not have the money, even if I were around a lakh to the B.D. Petit Parsee to put my full corpus into just one General Hospital, disbursed scho- scheme. And further,, our trust deed larships worth Rs 75,000, and doles of . _______________ I come of the Trust property is to be quantifiable leap from the Trust ’s ear- used towards giving donation for lier disbursements. With a corpus of Despite its recurrence in the trust buted towards its objectives only Rs deed, this clause, of donations being 20,199 in 1984 (doles constituting the disbursed scho- : net income, main expenditure worth Rs 14,632), is strongly contested by the Anjuman. Rs 19,233.90 (doles: Rs 17,152) in ) Cursetji points out that the settlor 1985, and Rs 19,100 (doles: Rs 16,120) j formation on the sale. For want of a proper reply, the Anjuman moved a (Cowasji Divecha), in all his foresight, in 1986. Cursetji, however, queries the petition on June 20 to the Charity has not made the trust deed as water- disbursements stating that he has no Commissioner challenging the sale and tight as the managing trustee and his evidence or reason to believe that any- requesting a stay order. ----- * • - . . . — . . .... In the meanwhile, bracing up to the challenge of developing the land if l i----------- given an opportunity to do so, the Ine land has been Anjuman approached the Godrej Foundation, and received from its trustee, P.D.F. Lam, a written assur ­ ance that the Foundation would associate itself with the Anjuman on a no-profit no-loss basis for the housing of ^arsis. The terms proposed were “practically on the same lines as God ­ rej Bang, built by them (Godrej) on Bombay Parsi Punchayet land (at Ne­ pean Sea Road), ” notes Cursetji. The 22, the last clause in the indenture, ceedings for contempt of court, for its assurance provided the Anjuman with Cursetji argues that the Trust “de- comments on a sub judice matter. At the necessary boost: that with the sup- <' port of like-minded bodies and indi- time to time to vary and revoke all or Commissioner has quashed the Di- viduals, it could match the builders ’ <""" **'“ —*-*— —' ” —'— ------- * - • offer to enable the Trust to buy back Moreover it empowers the trustees to cause notice of contempt of court on the land, and construct apartments “appoint the Trust property and pre- Jehan Daruwalla for his write-up in thereon only for Parsis. Cursetji esti- mises to some other charity or char- The Samachar. The Commissioner ’s mates that providing for land costs at ities for the exclusive benefit of the order has, however, decreed that Rs 1.30 crores (i.e. Rs 160 per sq ft), Parsi Zoroastrian community in In- should the trustees, as a result of the with a first class construction, as dia. ” Therefore Cursetji feels that the article, feel that they have been de­ guaranteed by Godrej, and provision Divecha Trust would be well within its famed, they are “at liberty to take any has not made the trust deed as water- disbursements stating that he has advocates interpret it. Quoting clause one in Thana has benefited from the Divecha Trust. In August, with no breakthrough in sight despite Behram Divecha ’s air ­ dash, the Anjuman, with the intention of creating an awareness amongst the community^ spoke to Jehan Daruwal- la, editor of The Bombay Samachar. Daruwalla, in an unsigned piece, put forth the Anjuman ’s case, and berated the trustees “for depriving the Parsis . who are the real beneficiaries of th^ benefits of the Trust. ” In the process, ' The Samachar called upon itself pro- -_______________r- --________7 —» assurance provided the Anjuman with Cursetji argues that the Trust “de- comments on a sub judice matter. At .1 , . .. . ... dares it lawful for the settlor from the time of going to press, the Charity any of the uses, estates and trusts. ” vecha Trust ’s appeal to issue show lying vacant for the past 50 years. Why did the Anjuman not approach us all these years? ” “appoint the Trust property and pre- Parsi Zoroastrian community in In ­ dia. ” Therefore Cursetji feels that the article, feel that they have been de­ fer contingency, an apartment would powers to hand over the land to the suitable action if so desired and cost Rs 450 per sq ft. Such a colony on Anjuman for development. advised ” against Daruwalla. Divecha Trust • land could house Divecha regrets that the same may To further support its plea for pro- around 150 Parsi families. When last not now be possible, since he fears curing the Divecha land for housing contacted, the Anjuman was contem- litigation from the builders, if he were Parsis, the Anjuman has conducted a plating for itself the role of a catalyst in to pull out of the sale. As Bhagwagar survey which has been placed before the formation of a cooperative society points out, “The land has been lying the Commissioner, confirming that which could build the flats. vacant for the past 50 years. Why did 300 incumbents who are at present Behram Divecha, the managing the Anjuman not approach us for its either staying or working in the Thana trustee, had air-dashed from Muscat, development all these years? ” area, are ready to purchase flats here where he is a management consultant The trustees feel that ‘donating ’ the at Rs 450 per sq ft and have the capac- to a host of companies, to discuss the land to the Anjuman would impede ity to pay likewise. Earlier, on July 20, matterwiththe Anjuman members. In the fresh spurt given to the Trust in at the behest of the Anjuman, its a telephonic interview he disclosed to meeting its other objectives. The member, Edulji Jehangirji Kalwachia, Parsiana that he had no objection to Trust, Divecha informs, flushed with the vice president (Management Ser- cost Rs 450 per sq ft. Such a colony on Anjuman for development. ----- ------ -------' Divecha regrets that the same may 20 Parsiana January 1989r I sought permission on behalf of the sig- cidentally, he is related. “Should ’ the A andBoyce at Vikhro- argued by the Anjuman. ’Reams of under the ULC lapses or the leoal h, had addressed a letter to the Charity verbiage later, Jehangirji ’s affidavit wrangles continue, the developers m^ay Commissioner, ^pended with over was admitted, and Jehangirji, deter- back out of the agreement thus caiis^ Requesting that the mined to fight to the very end, is now a ing a setback to the Trust ’s working A !!! Cursetji, to whom, in- reasonable parallel had been enacted Fund .:“p fis'un ’: “The trustees did - plex of three buildings, waiving aside control of two, on consideration of a donation from the builder. The Anju ­ man had, even at that time, opposed the move, and called a general meet ­ ing. Today, though the municipal plans are ready and the commence ­ ment certificate obtained, the project has not got off the ground, as the re ­ sentment voiced by the community led to differences between the Agiary ’s trustees and the builder. Homi Talati, a trustee jif the Agiary Fund and the (established: 1873) which runs"the 278- year-old Tower of Silence here, hints _______________ J . , . , . . Agiary Fund Trust and the Anjuman, A long drawn out legal battle is the which had stymied their earlier pron- ... .U.„„ H I Fuelled, probably, by old animosi- not want a concerned body like the Anjumaii to bid and save the land from being sold' w Zoroastrian Charity Fund Trust, but Jehangirji, an affable yj™g man. persisted. “As a ^roastnan ity, he claims, are prepared to fight the at the growing reswZem between the Trust by a regular income, ” while pro ­ viding accommodation for over 120 families. Kalwachia ’s Work pressures, which frequently kept him out of Bombay, forced him to drop his presentation, but the mantle was taken up by his younger colleague, Zarir Jehangirji, a personnel manager at Godrej, who on August 19, placed before the Commis- ____________________ _____ _______ sioner an appeal to be made party to the higher courts, and go right up to the proceedings. The move ’— c’ ’"I— ~ w ««. >> vwzwkJkJWA J OU y o strongly resented by the Divecha Jehangirji with quiet determination. Trust, but Jehangirji, an affable young The best legal brains in the commun- man, persisted. _ Z_____ 1__ , ..j , and thus a beneficiary to the Trust, I case for him. should be entitled to have my say, ” / 2_______ ____ _ Jehangirji asserts, and promises to put last thing the Divecha Vrust war/.o. forth different points than those being They argue that if the permission With the Compliments of P.S. KUKA Chairman GOODWILL THEATRES PVT LTD Owners NOVELTY CINEMA (THEATRE MAGNIFICENT) CINE PROPERTIES & FINANCE PVT LTD Owners DREAMLAND CINEMA Rendezvous of the Elite 21 Parsiana January 1989ties, and its ongoing concern for the The scales seem evenly balanced be- for the community ’s needs the 25- community, the 270-member strong tween the^ivecha trustees and the year-old body formed with the inten- 1 hana Anjuman is determined to pre- Anjuman. While the trustees stress the tion of bringing Parsis together social ­ vent the Divecha land from slipping cosmopolitan nature of the Trust, the ly, will present a most suitable silver away into the control of non-Parsis, * ’ for an annual income of just around Rs 10 lakhs, which, even if used solely for housing purposes, could provide shel ­ ter for just about two or three families every year at the present rates. Talati, a personnel manager at Fibreglass Pilkington ’s Thana plant, opines, “There is ample land in Thana with us for development. ” If the Divecha Trust gives the money, the Thane Zoroast^an Charity Fund and the • • j Anjuman, could build residential corpus into just one quarters on a planned program on the land next to Doongerwadi. This land, oVllC-UlV Talati says, is currently rented out to “ parking their vehicles at the Anjuman feels that as waui mi me rarsis Rs 30,000 per month. Talati doubts 7(d), “the trustees... have regard to who followed them. The return of the the Anjuman s ability to develop the the wants, necessities and requests of community in 1774 to Divecha land as the members of the the Parsi Zoroastrian c„......' proposed cooperative society may not Thana ” and concentrate on housing, be able to pay the amount when the ’ “ time actually comes. Jehangirji is however confident of raising up to six crore rupees, and hints at having many fight for the land heats up. Should the PateTs framed all aces up his sleeve. * ’ The scales seem evenly balanced be- for the community ’s needs, the 25- Anjuman is at pains to impress that jubilee gift to the community. On the the settlor wished to better the lot of other hand, should the builder take his fellow community members. While the matter to court, the dispute could the trustees wish to address themselves continue for another 25 years. Any to all the different objectives outlined, settlement therefore would have to get the consensus of all the three parties involved, namely the Divecha Trust, the Thana Anjuman and the Radhika Property Developers Pvt Ltd. In 1774, Cowasji Patel, after whom P. Street are named, was entrusted the administration of Thana by the British who conquered it from the Marathas. The Patels were the first Parsi family to settle in Thana and build a fire- as per clause temple and doongerwadi for the Parsis “I did not have the money even if I J J r* -f'l i /z't, vuwdiji raid, alter wnom were to put my luU c. p Tank in Central Bombay, and C. a town where it community of had initially settled way back in the eighth century before fleeing to Ka ­ in the next few months, accusations lyan to escape Portuguese persecu- and counter-accusations could fly tion, could^well be re-lived two centur- thick, and even get personal, as the ies later. And the Agiary, with the . --------- —1 over, could once Anjuman succeed in securing the land again hum with the activity of yore. and counter-accusations could fly Steamship agents — master stevedores dubashes — lighterage contractors Darabshaw B.Cursetjee's Sons (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd. Darabshaw House, Ballard Road, Bombay - 400 038. Grams: 'DEADWEIGHT' Phone: 260021 (4 Lines) (Dock Office: 262230) Telex; 5824 DBCB IN Also associates at Calcutta, Vishakhapatnam, Kakinada, Mangalore, Bhovnagar, Bedi-port, Navlakhi, Veraval, Porbunder & Kandla. Also sole Government Landmg esntradtdfs at Jamnagar, (Bedi) Bhavnagar. 22 Parsiana January 1989TRUSTS TO WHOM ¦ beDAsfuR ><*¦ .1 -*5-. HALL BELONG? While Dastur Hormuzdiar claims it as family property, four Pune beneficiaries legally contend that the land belongs to the S. R. Patel Trust Gustasp Irani when interviewed at his office in Pune. My 5332 « A ya d riYust land', tn,e of which he is a trustee and chair- kJiiiy ] ___ Ts-or.; «,hAn pnntacted. insisted =£=“3= SSBSi; :.y:pvj,s\:£=Tr;S^;:=-£ “S dispute center around the sale bJen issued. Ho™nzdian when__con^ out that XfsUfng^X three other applicants, Burjor Sadn and he did not wan p J Dasturji. ;"XhT^“X Xani claints that on dune 10 19^ dseSl" Th: “dX has got to to.e forward and protect Ratanjee Patel Charitable Trust (S. R. Herald in which Hormnadia,s tawyer th^, he remains Patel Trust). Dastur Hormuzdiar served public notice of^h,s client.s Historically, it chief trustee of the same Trust and tention “ ®ell and ttansfe q ,,^„ajgj|,aH;,o j824whenS. R. high priest of the Trust fire-temple meters of the dispu. P . P |21"opa Patel after whom the Trust was which is located on the land adjacent Irani feared thaUhe land o„s,„c,ed a fire-temple or to Dastur Hall, claims that the dis- the S. R. Patel Trust he checked out On his re ­ puted land is private property, his the city survey records whKh J^c d^^^^ Bombay Parsi Punchayet own, and not part of the Trust estate, mg to him, P deputed Jamashpiee Eduljee Dastur The issue before the joint charity were not unfounded^ states that fo Took after the fire and discharge the commissioner, Pune, is: What part be- Hormuzdiar, in his reply states that to iook required. On August longs to the Trust and what part to Irani is pursuing a p t no oo 1843 Patel executed a document Homuzdiar? All the land is Trust He substantiates t^he charge__by citing ;'b““"XSs which in- land, says Irani in his application and two m^sm fire-temple at Nana Peth. Ke“XX:“S™’, SmTuh^X^SX^fare- Firdous Kayani and Farrok Irani, all case. m iq«a ’ -- Irani claims that on June 10, 1986 Patel Trust). Dastur Hormuzdiar, chief trustee of the same Trust and tention to sell and transfer 1178 sq high priest of the Trust fire-temple meters of the disputed property. Since may the use of certain properties he man- and the S. R. Patel Trust’s fire-temple he denied 23 Parsiana January 1989 I I K I g . ¦ L>j 0 ? t f Portable Compressors ¦«*ie ¦ Process Gas Compressors 8 Air and Gas Compressors • Construction & Mining Equipment Q INGERSOLL*flAND ^ngersolVHand Ondia) Ud Waybaker House, S K. Abire Marg, Bombay 400 025 IR.191.88 28 Parsiana January 1989 Ir A RELIGION t ’ “St' It'. 1 a mmM !i'- ¦tfiHUI I I MlW !!!’» I1||M r In? I ¦“ab* . X 41 Don ’t dethrone ¦ the padshahs . "- , . . . ......... . The proposal to shift the atash padshah to tHo (holy fire) of Bombay ’s Seth Cawasji Cpa I lU IIIV Behramji Banaji Atash Bahram, from fire-temple structure its sanctum sanctorum while repair work is carried out on the 143-year-old building housing the fire, has met with stiff opposition from a section of the community. The resistance i spearheaded by the Council of Vigi­ lant Parsis (COVP) which, at the meeting called on October 28, 1988 at the Sir Jivanji Modi Hall of the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute, lay its case before a reasonably packed room. The holy fire can be shifted only under c... ‘compelling ’reasons, they insisted and The CO VP addressed its first public a fire in the neighborhood, or a natural Atash Bahram. “They will soon ask for stained glass to be installed, like in cathedrals, ” adds an agitated Adi Doctor, one of the founding spirits of CO VP, and editor of the now defunct The Parsee Voice which, in its issues earlier, had campaigned against the shifting of the holy fires? Doctor ’s views as put forth in sever ­ al issues of The Voice, and Parsiana (May 1988 and October 1988) is that holy fires cannot be shifted, unless there are “compelling reasons ” like the sudden demise of the priest while saying prayers, an attack by an enemy, threatened to seek the refuge of the meeting after a hiatus of three years, calamity. UnJer no circumstance court if the Banaji atash padshah was because “f shifted by the trustees against the suffer fools in silence, ” stated presi- try. Doctor, and Ervad Kaikhushroo wishes of the community. dent B. K. Mistry who introduced Dastoor-shouldthepadshahbe “de- The issue of shifting the fire has pro- himself as a “madcap. ” The move to throned ” for painting and renovation vided fresh grist to the orthodox mill, shift the padshah. Mistry argues, is work. “You refer to Him as the spir- Seth Cawasji Behramji Banaji Atash Bahram Photo: Noshir Gobhai The is not sufficient ground ‘is to shift the holy fire, asserts the Council of Vigilant Parsis Homi J. Rogers the organization does not charged all the three speakers - MiSW foolhardy, and is being undertaken by itual king, yet you shift Him around the trustees at the behest of society like a piece of furniture. ” The shifting women who wish to glamorize the of the Iranshah in the recent past and 29 Parsiana January 1989the H. B. Wadia Atash Bahram " Bombay w^s wrong, thundered Doc- oriesioy me trustees that Parsis are not cap- .or and as “,wo wrS;,gsdo no.Ltea S™ asefaimedZfte nght, the precedents set in the past tees ’ ‘ community has no skilled labor of cannot condone the future. ” it’ howpvpr ronrainc , are baseless, charged the According to Mistry, the issue that whether the n P®iut speakers. According to Doctor, there the holy fire is in danger if repair work as the CO VP make?k out tVbe^for at least three Parsis who, given the IS not undertaken immediately on the even Doctor in hi«! sneenh n ' opportunity, can undertake the entire building has been blown out of propor- that the two nnrt,>n. conceded necessary repairs, but as Mistry noted, tion bv the trustees. FImhJrt Lh th® ladies and trustees are “mote repair fund was used for khasre Bombay was Ps™g“hS\“S ab'.“Xg tees. it was not loose, as claimed by the tnis- tion by the trustees. Flushed with down. The funds, they are being forced to spend the them according to the dictates of a ( the fund, he continued. One lady, in ­ formed Mistry had told him that when she stood in front of the fire, she felt rjuci afraid in Ae dark (^^ketlu biyumnu have lagech ”). Though Mistry did not men- « ' tion the lady ’s name, his near-to- < perfect imitation left few in the gather- been with us ” u „ j ------- 1 ---------- mg guessing the lady ’s identity. The The resistance to shifting the fire gathering to do ady m question, the prime mover in has been further buttressed by the “Vam i co ectmg 18 lakh rupees for the repair boiwaUas' (attending priests) reti- lOU TOlGr tO Him dS work at the Atash Bahram, denied cence to do so. In a letter to Jam^, the th© SDiritlJAl kinn VOt having made such a foolish and anti- trustees have blamed the boiwallas for ® religious statement when queried by delaying the repairs. The solidarity YOU Shift Him ©rOUnCl raz-jiflzifl. . amongst the priests who belong to the HIxo o Mistry charges that it is a bogey that Kadmi tola {szcX), of whom there are F PIGC© OT the gMmbflz (dome) IS in such a state of just a handful of priests today, has fumitUrP ” disrepair that it will crash, or that the given religious backing to the propo- ______________ __________ beams supporting the roof are so rot- nents of the theory that a fire once “just this little act for the atash nad- Chain^ give way, or that the sanctified and installed in a particular shah, who has done sn m..Ph for vL Cham hanging from the dome would place covey of women who helped to amass shifting of the ’fire. Doctor insisted. ¦/note . - --------- na znanas (from high societv), ” favor of iSser-known jo* ’ calls for “We have no j ’ / '_____ me mucc oi m BahramT recently''appoimed Doctor m Guj^ati, adding that ‘we ing trustee, solicitor Burior nni? shifted l^e-temples, and with letters decrying the course oi ac- ffad ’oi- ^dhk^ proposed by him. “This will bring (false notion) him to his senses, ” sneered Mistry Deen with us. who oaiio/i _ The resistance to shifting the fire, has been further buttressed by the ' ' ” - . ) reti ­ cence to do so. In a letter to Jami, the trustees have blamed the boiwallas for names. . . The meeting called upon the etssem- “y to flood the office of the Atash 1 manag ­ ing trustee, solicitor Burjor Antia, ¦ course of ac ­ amongst the priests who belong to the J are just a handful of priests today, has given religious backing to the propo- (( ----------------- — in a particular shah, who has done so much for you ” cannot be shifted. F—. .............. .......... - Editorial Assistant required for Candidates must have excellent command over English and should be able to edit, proof, rewrite and write. Write giving full details to The Advertiser (Edit) C P 0 Box 892 Bombay 400001 „ Ervad Doctor similarly beseeched (“God will Kaikhushroo N. Dastoor, an orator bless you ”) the audience to pass a re- who would put Mark Antony and Atal solution, later reworded on observing Vajpayee together to shame, wound a lukewarm response. up the evening ’s discussion on these Read out by Ervad Dastoor the re- very lines. He stated that a fire which solution in the form of a Nivedan Patra A no V praying of (application) stated that an atash 1,128 Yajashnes when consecrated, bahram or an agiary belongs to the and on whom innumerable Nyaishes community, and not the trustees, and by the laity and bois (prayers said to as the beneficiaries ’ feelings are being usher in the Gahs - periods of the day) hurt by the trustees, their action could by the priests have been uttered, can- be challenged by the community in not be shifted “without knowledge of court. Dastoor informed that such a the mechanism. ” Dastoor argued that plea would be adnutted under Article the fire is the spiritual strength of the 25 whereby the Indian Constitutioh community, and both the fire, and the grants every citizen a right to freedom building in which it is housed, are a of religion and exhibition of his senti- composite unit, as the community ’s ments as he may think proper. The prayers echo through the building, trustees, by undertaking to shift the Hence, shifting is irreligious, especial- fire, are hurting the sentiments of the 7’ u at Thakurdwar ’s Banaji beneficiaries, and can be hauled to Atash Bahram it is being undertaken court for committing this breach of only to satisfy the ornamentation stinct of a few donors. “We could re ­ turn such donations, ” challenged Das- far" from “bdnV'unanfmour bardv toor amidst lusty cheering. scraped a majority U ** undertaken. Will the trustees, however, kow-tow the COVP speakers called upon the to the community ’s decision as con- trustees to entrust it to Parsi workmen veyed by the CO VP? Or will thev if Read out by Ervad Dastoor, the 30 Parsiana January 1989 in- trust, stated Dastoor. The ‘resolution ’ was carried by a show of hands which. scraped a majority. Will the trustees, however, kow-tow I as con- and artisans, thereby negating the the crunch comes, fend off the CO VP need to shift the fire. The arguments in a legal battle? i If M.N s BUSINESS COVER STORY DASTUR “I had enough faith in the future of India and the country ’s development; so I decided to come back and start a consultancy firfi in the field of iron and steel plant engineering. ” Dr Minu N. Dastur, the chairman and manag ­ ing director of M. N. Dastur and Com ­ pany gave his reasons for launching his firm in a newly independent develop ­ ing country when he had established himself as consultant in the United States. Thirty-three years later, his Company today ranks among the tur ’s own base is in Calcutta, the Com- to be based on sponge iron and not the conventional blast furnace for the manufacture of steel. We are also working in Venezuela, Algeria and a number of other countries. ” At present, their largest consultancy assignment is for the construction of India ’s first coast-based 3.4 million ton integrated steel plant in Visakhapat- nam. Estimated to cost Rs 7,000 crores when completed, the project, once it was the red marker pencil. While Das- becomes operative, “will have an easy access to imported raw materials as largest consultancy firms in the world pany ’s other principal offices in India well as provide an excellent outlet for in steel plant engineering. The enterprise ’s annual turnover is in the region of Rs 20 crores, accord ­ ing to Dastur. He makes sure that the International, based in Dusseldorf and towards coast-based steel plants that is figure has been accurately noted New York. “About 20 to 30 percent of being observed in many countries, down. Simply attired in a safari suit, our income is from foreign projects, ” Dastur briefly outlined the scope of the self-effacing chairman,with his lean states Dastur. consultancy services: When appointed diminutive frame and perceptive eyes , ~ conveyed his facts and views explicitly large project in Libya which is nearing Dastur engineers first conducts the at his office in Bombay ’s Opera House completion, Dastur announces, “It feasibility study to establish the finan- locality on December 15,1988. On his will cost US $ 4,000 million and is the cial and technical soundness of the sparse desk, the most prominent item first integrated steel plant in the world project. If the client decides to go A chance meeting with Nehru prompted Dr Minu Dastur to return to India and start his consultancy firm, one of the world’s largest today in steel plant engineering Parinaz Gandhi 31 Parsiana January 1989 1 AMAN OF STEEL are located at Madras, Bombay and the steel products, ” says Dastur. He is Delhi. Its international operations are happy that India*too has taken a step handled through Dastur Engineering forward, keeping in line with th© trend our income is from foreign projects, Reporting on the progress of their consultants on any project, a team of Iahead with the project, Dastur and scene at a very opportune time, when Company prepares a detailed project India was on the threshold of a large report. Thereafter, the complete de- steel development program and there sign and engineering are carried out were people like (the then Prime for the implementation of the project. Minister) Pundit Nehru around with including the supervision of construe- that foresight and faith in the ability of tion and erection of the entire plant India to accomplish things. This went a and equipment. The consultants may long way in giving us the necessary also be required to inspect the equip- support and encouragement to de­ ment during and after manufacture, velop from scratch. ” Dastur remem- Finally, they assist the client during bers his chance meeting with Nehru the commissioning of the plant. They during a visit to India as steel consul ­ witness the performance guarantee tant to advise the Indian government tests that are carried out by the sup- on behalf of a U.S. consultancy en- plier of plant and equipment, and pro- gineering firm with which he was then vide technical support to the client in working. It was Nehru who briefed the trial operations of the plant. him on the country ’s steel develop- With thS* addition of a computer di- ment potential and suggested that it vision, much of the firm ’s design and would be an ideal opportunity for a engineering work as well as routine consultancy firm to be involved in that “We came on the scene at a very opportune time, when India was on the threshold of a large steel development •V 91 program '0 V ’ I t < ' li _ < I i al « ¦J \ t office work has been computerized, keeping abreast of the latest technolo ­ gical developments. Dastur elaborated on the introduction of sophisticated steel plant technology into the country. A 3,000-strong multi-disciplinary organization today provides the sinews to the Company ’s leadership in the program. “He did not promise any- Projects for Tata Steel (top and consultancy field. Dastur remembers thing; but he gave me the idea to re- above) designed and eTigineered by the time when he had made “a small turn home, ” Dastur acknowledges, beginning ” with a workforce of two - he and his secretary. Playing down his and the contacts and associations that efforts and role in the success of the 1 Company, Dastur attributes it to the America, Europe and other countries ployeesofTISCO, and his own school ­ management ethos: “In our company, helped very considerably the work of ing was at the steel township of Jam- we all work as a team so we don ’t the present firm, Dastur points out. “I shedpur. After graduating in electrical emphasize the role played by any sing- must not forget the Tatas, ” he adds, and mechanical engineering from the le individual including myself. Team “Our very first job was from Tatas Banaras Hindu University, he too work and fair play - that has been the which we won on a global tender basis worked with TISCO in the steelmelt ­ secret of our success. ” and which in fact laid the foundation ing shop. He.later proceeded to MIT When asked to enumerate on the of our Company in the early stages. (Massachusetts Institute of Technolo- qualities and work ethics which had Since then we have been involved in gy) from where he obtained his ScD in brought the Company to the fore, he all the recent modernization and ex- steelmaking. And after a useful and was more inclined to attribute his sue- cess to “favorable time and circumst ­ ances. ” In his words, “We came on the shedpur. 7 His earlier experience in the States *W: * M.N. Dastur’s c&nsultants Dastur had other links with Tatas. he had built up worldwide in South His father was one of the earliest em- qualities and work ethics which had Since then we have been involved in pansion programs of TISCO (Tata long stint abroad, he returned to India Iron and Steel Company) at Jam- confidently looking forward to a future in his homeland. “I am not sorry for 32 Parsiana January 1989 »ground in the country because that old iviii dw.iv vL«h‘'-“J- ground in the country because that old The community abroad “is doing His^ons Nariman andRus^ have entrepreneurial spirit doesn ’t seem to fairly well, ” observes Dastur. “They are trying to organize themselves which is a good sign. ” But he feels having done that, ” he says. i::____ __________ recently joined him on the directoral be there. In my view, we have false board of M. N. Dastur and Company, notions of our superiority. We are His wife Mehroo, a medical doctor handicapped because of our small strongly about the segmentation of the and virologist by training, is now more numbers, ” was Dastur ’s analysis, community- into Parsi and Irani be- involved in activating Zoroastrian “Our younger generation doesn ’t cause “of a superiority complex which youth, spread thinly over the world, to show the determination to make good; take an interest in understanding and to really work hard and go after it, preserving their distinctive identity, evenifitmaymeangivingupimmedi- His eldest daughter Jeroo is a compu- ate returns. They expect things to „ ter expert. come their way, ” Dastur noted before forefathers came from Iran. In the in- _ . !• _ _________ ______________xl_„ ?rti-ru.t r-vf it is much better ±at we don ’t make this artificial differentiation. We are too small community- into Parsi and Irani be ­ cause the Parsis unfortunately seem to suffer from. I don ’t agree with this distinc ­ tion. We are all Zoroastrians by reli ­ gion, whatever be our nationality. Our 4 (Below) Steelwork erection at Visakhapatnam (Bottom) Dastur:^teely guts (Bottom right) Dastur (suited) entering into a contract with Libyan officials |R;; <¦)•««¦•*' -• » *’ * ¦ '-.41 *ik• -««MF .- fWHB i 4 I I -~/w r ’-.‘i f y If Our community seems to be losing conceding, “In some respects the dice terest of preserving our religion and faith, seem to be loaded against them be- --------*' cause of preferences and quotas that are set up for other communities. This a community to allow this. ” has caused a great deal of frustration On the issue of conversion, Dastur among our Parsi youth with a con- feels, “If someone wants to follow the siderable amount of migration out of Zoroastrian faith, I don ’t see why he the country. ” should be prevented. After all, we are all converts, ” he states before pro- I ceeding to clarify, “I am not a re- I former. ” I The community is not just losing out 1 in numbers but in financial resources I too, in Dastur ’s opinion. “We haven ’t I been able to manage our charities and J use the funds available in the right ' manner. A lot moft could have been done. ” He does not believe in doling g out; the main priority should be educa- I tion, he stresses. Dastur admits, I however, that he has not been able to I get involved in this type of community ¦ work. “Right now I don ’t have enough I time for my own work. ” He does not I rule out the possibility of serving the I community causes at a later date. I Until then does he have any sugges- I tions for improvement? “If I had tips, I I’d follow them myself, ” was the ¦ prompt reply. “Otherwise tips are not ¦ worth anything. ” r I » «* ' 1’ ’' it .f »/’• n • < t. a I* < '3^ ¦ 5 ; «ii»I» ¦ ’? 1; J. 11*. * ¦ «1 r ¦CINEMA Percy - the movie Said to be the first film to be made in Parsi-Gujarati, Percy boasts of an all-Parsi star-cast Prochi Badshah L |U3:=?5J t H ¦. J 4 It 1 SSiS t M t * I * . w. » »» Three years ago - in March 1985, to be precise - documentaries producer Per ­ vez Merwanji did the most unusual thing. He bought a copy of Bombay, a city magazine. “I am not very hot on magazines and I rarely ever buy them, ” he explained. “But it was the cover headline which prompted me to w j pick this one up. It was a special issue on short fiction. ” He brought it home, skipped through the pages, reading a line here, a paragraph there, when he suddenly got engrossed in a story pen ­ ned by Cyrus Mistry, titled Percy. Words took the form of visuals in Mer- wanji ’s mind and he wanted to put it on celluloid. A Film and Television Institute of 4S»» < < ' *»« * ¦ **( 34 Parsiana January 1989 ><1 ^SBK dia (FTII) graduate, Merwanji has cine- |eK||I matographed the controversial and HH|l award-winning documentary, Hamara HmM Shaker, made by Anand Patwardhan WESa (the same film which inspired actress, ¦89 Shabana Azmi, some time ago, to go on a fast unto death and compel the Chief Be Minister to look into the slum-dwellers of the Sanjay Gandhi Nagar). Merwanji ¦UH has also photographed Rakshak, a serial on wildlife, and has also made a half hour docu-drama on Auroville and a documentary on Kalari Payot, a form of martial art in Kerala. And now Percy was Above (from left): Mahava, Roshon HBR Tirandaz and Patel Photo: Jaggi Gupta (Inset) Deboo Ii I If*- Far left: Menvanji (in specs) with Contractor Photo; Jaggi Gupta Merwanji instructing Deboo I .^5, '"fc’! If' J ' the first feature film that he wanted to try his hand at. He tried to find out who Cyrus Mis ­ try was and where he could be con ­ tacted. Mistry, who was the former literary editor of Debonair magazine, was far from excited and thrilled when he heard what Merwanji wanted him to do - write a screenplay. “I wasn ’t too sure I was interested in the propos ­ al, ” he revealed. “More so, when I heard that Pervez wanted to make the film in Parsi Gujarati. ” By then, an excited Merwanji who was not going to take ‘no ’ for an answer, rubbed off more than just a little bit of his enthu ­ siasm on Mistry, who allowed himself to be persuaded into accepting this offer. He roped in his wife, Jill Mis- quitta, and the couple got down to working out the screenplay. Both Mis ­ try and his wife got so involved in the project that Cyrus even decided to work on the dialogues of the film him ­ self. Neither Merwanji nor Mistry are pucca bawas (100 percent Parsis). Both the men have phoren (non Parsi) wives and as for Merwanji, he neither wears a sudreh-kusti nor has he per ­ formed the navjote ceremony of his teenage son. “That does not mean I ---------------- Authenticity was Merwanji’s first priority and he wasn’t ready to make any compromises ________________ am not religious, ” he argued. “I have my own beliefs and am perhaps more religious than all those who go through all the reet-reevaj (traditional rituals). I am certainly very proud to be a Parsi. ” However, he explained that he was making a film on people and it just so happened that they were Parsis. “And that ’s when I thought why not make it in Parsi Gujarati? ” he said. But how many people would understand the language? “Tell me, ” reasoned Mer ­ wanji, “would a Maharashtrian make a film in Assamese? And yet there are films being made in these languages. We can sub-title it, can ’t we? ” Au ­ thenticity was obviously Merwanji ’s first priority and he wasn ’t ready to make any compromises to sacrifice even a little bit of it,^Apart from insist ­ ing on a Parsi star-cast (we ’ll talk ab ­ out that later), Merwanji is even shooting the major portion of the film in the Kharegat Colony at Hughes Road. Fortunately for the filmmaker, the National Film Development Corpora ­ tion (NFDC) now headed by Burjor Karanjia, was extremely impressed with his script and has agreed to fi ­ nance his project. Which gets us to Pestonjee, the recent film on Parsis made in Hindi by Vijaya Mehta, and also financed by the NFDC. Is there Irani plays Percy as a child s R ! F i 1 G I < 35 Parsiana January 1989I I I! II! any similarity between Pestonjee and Percy (both revolve round lonely Parsi men)? “Not at all, ” Merwanji snap ­ ped, not liking the comparison. “Percy does not only have a totally different story line, but even the taking is going to be very different. For example, I do not have any of those typical flash ­ backs in my film. I have dealt with it in a very different way, which I would not like to disclose at this stage. ” Merwai^i, the film ’s producer ­ director, agreed to give a vague idea as to what it was all about. “It revolves Percy loses his mother and is left all alone. Can Percy cope? Is this the end? Or perhaps a new beginning? The Moorat I was 15 minutes late. By the film in- lands mandatory u,i ausuiviuus dustry standards, I was before time occasions) ritual. “Ai bus saean na (when the invitation card states 9.30 J,' a.m. sharp, it normally is taken for traditional rituals), granted that the function wouldn ’t _ _ „uaiui a.m.). But this was not family, friends, theatrewallas a Hindi film moorat (ceremonial in- p_____ ;;__' auguration). It was the beginning of film however the first Parsi film and Parsis and r_„: __ v punctuality are synonymous. I ran jashan ceremony at her place into the Khareghat Colony and real- was informed by one of the ized that I was absolutely wrong. Not itwallas. only was I extremely early (they didn t break the coconut till noon) Tirandaz but I was also disappointed. Percy is the first film on Parsis to be made in Parsi-Gujarati. An origin- _ __________ idea indeed and somehow I clap. In fact, he had thought that producer-director Per ­ vez Merwanji would have an ekdum joodi jaatnu (totally different type of) function. I expected the day to start with a proper jashan (normally film- wallas call a pandit and perform a __ ui ua pooj^and instead of the usual pedas scribes (professional repor- Md Ihums-up I thought they would ters), were totally uncontrollable distribute sev-dahi or rawo (Parsi de­ licacies served on auspicious occa ­ sions) or at least sooterfeni (traditional sweetmeat) and Rogers na (Rogers is the oldest soft-drink manufacturer in Bombay - a Parsi concern). Merwanji grinned from ear-to- ear when he heard of my expecta ­ tions. “I didn ’t even think of it, ” he laughed, as I observed a couple of ladies busy with the chowk-toran (floor decorations and flower gar- on auspicious ..4 chowk che (this takes care of the ,he said. The guest list was a mixture of presswallas. The main star of the - --------- was missing. “Ruby Patel couldn ’t make it because of a ” I un- Muncipal corporator Rustom : gave the clap. After clowning around a bit, Tirandaz did a couple of rehearsals with the clap ­ per board before sounding the final . ’ " J more rehear ­ sals than the actor facing the camera! Most of the onlookers (which in ­ cluded most of the press as well), were new to filmmaking and much to the amusement of us phillumi when it came to clapping. Not only did they clap in appreciation after each of Tirandaz ’s rehearsals with drinks the clapper board, but they also J 1. raali maroed (interrupted) in ­ between the moorat shot and con ­ tinued to do so till the horrified un- itwallas rushed towards them and had them literally holding their hands to stop them from clapping. All in all, though it was one of those mundane moorats, it was a morning of mazaa (fun)! round this 35-year-old man called Per ­ cy, who lives with his extremely reli ­ gious mother, and works in a Unani Pharmacy. ” Merwanji narrated and continued, “His life is a boring rout ­ ine; his only interest in life is classical music; and his childhood has been fil ­ led with fights that his father had with his mother. He loses his father and la ­ ter realizes how much he is like him. He falls in love with his bajuni chhokri (girl next door), cannot convey his feelings to her and is helpless when she marries another man. Life for Percy goes on, in spite of that. He then loses his mother and is left all alone. Can Percy cope? Is this the end? Or perhaps a new beginning in his life? ” Well-known stage artistes Ruby Patel and Hosi Vasunia play Percy ’s parents in the film and 25-year-old Kurush Deboo, who ’s come all the way from h^vsari in search of star ­ dom, plays the title role. Kyrush, who has done a one year acting course from Roshan Tarneja ’s classes, is of course very thrilled to have bagged the role. “I have selected my artistes with great care, ” insisted Merwanji. “Each one ** fits the role. They ’re exactly what I had in mind. ” The cast also includes Sharad Smant, Rajan Bane, Sam Kerawalla, Marzban Bhesania, Hor- muzd Chesan, Aban Sheikh, Firdausi Jussawalla, Pervez Mehta, Dinyar Tirandaz, Silloo Mahava, Roshan Tirandaz, Ratan Batliwalla and others with Porus Irani playing the young Percy. On the technical front, Navrozc Contractor is dirfefctor of photography, Roshan Kalapesi is in charge of art direction and costumes. Vanraj Bhatia provides the music and A.M. Padma- nabhan looks after the sound effects. Priya Krishnaswamy is the film ’s edi­ tor with Farhad Ostavari as chief assis ­ tant director. With a combination of such authen ­ ticity, perfection, technical expertise and talent, Percy is a film that will de­ finitely be worth waiting for - at least by the Parsi community. Prochi Badshah, ex-editor of Stardust, a monthly magazine, is currently editor-producer (along with Surender Bhatia) of Starbuzz, a new video cassette providing similar fare. I S 36 Parsiana January 1989 ICOMMENT “WHY I BECAME A ZOROASTRIAN’’ - An American defends his right to choose to be a Zoroastrian William H. Brawner In his first com- upon to make an unqualified commit- gion revealed to Zarathushtra by ment evaluating ment to the Good Religion: to believe in Ahura Mazda? For the Iranis? For the comparative theo- its supreme, unparalleled excellence Parsis? No, it was revealed for human- fogies, published in and divine origin. Thus the Din-no ity. The religion given through Asho Parsiana (December, Kalmo, which is central to the navjote, Zarathushtra is the one, true religion '88) the author de- states: “The true, correct, good reli- which has been divinely revealed for tailed the physical, gion, sent by God for humanity, is the the benefit of all mankind. Any emotional and men- one brought by Zarathushtra. ” attempt to limit the Good Religion to tai circumstances In the Fravarane and the Din-no the Iranis and the Parsis belittles God circumstances under which he chose to follow the reli- Kalmo some essential truths can be and is an act of theft: stealing from gion of Zarathushtra. found which should be clearly under- mankind that which was meant to be stood by all who call themseb'es Maz- shared among all men without regard During the navjote and in their daily dayasnis. As the prophet said: “Let to race. prayers, ail faithful Mazdayasnis each man choose his creed, with that A true disciple of Asho Zarathush- everywhere recite the Fravarane-. the freedom of choice which each must tra does not hog the religion to him- ancient confession of faith in the good have at great events. ” self, but actively seeks to spread know- religion. But how often do we stop to think just what the words of the Fra- another. Thus, if one goes through the out the seven keshvars of the world so varane mean or, indeed, what the very navjote without having chosen the that “the Good Religion of Mazda- word ‘fravarane ’ itself means? Mazdayasni faith freely after mature worship ” may “be victorious. ” ‘Fravarane ’ simply means “I choose consideration and without firm com- To keep the Good Religion of Maz- for myself. ” Thus several times each mitment to its teachings, then that da-worship confined to the Iranis and day we say, “I choose for myself, with navjote is invalid and not even an the Parsis is a betrayal of the faith; it is _ . akin to putting a knife in the back of Similarly, if one freely embraces the the prophet and then trying to lock Mazdayasni faith with sincere commit- “ ail faithful Mazdayasnis each man choose his creed, with that No one can make this choice for ledge of the Good Religion through- appreciation and conviction, to be a army of priests can change this fact. worshipper of Ahura Mazda and a dis ­ ciple of ZLarathushtra. ” Mazdayasni faith with sincere commit- God in a box. It is the sort of thing “I choose for myself. ” Not “my pa- ment and honest conviction as to the which must make Ahriman laugh with rents chose for me,” nor “I was born truth of its principles, then one is a joy. Indeed, the recent history of the to be. ” It is not given to me nor forced Mazdayasni and no one has the power Good Religion must be a comfort to upon me. I choose it for myself, by to alter this reality. that Foul One. myself and I alone am responsible for Thus, a true Mazdayasni is one who When the Christian missionaries ar- this decision, this commitment to the chooses the Good Religion and not rived in India, they stirred up a hor- good Mazdayasni religion. merely someone who has been born to net ’s nest among the Parsis. They Not only do I choose it but I choose Mazdayasni parents. A hundred mil- cleverly made use of the lack of scho- it “with appreciation and conviction. ” lion navjotes could not make an lars among the priests and laity to I appreciate the uniqueness of the atheist a Mazdayasni. The navjote is of attack the central strong-point of the Mazdayasni religion which “of the reli- no value to one who does not sincerely Good Religion: its dualism (which rec- gions which have been and that shall believe in the Good Religion for it is ognizes good and evil as opposing be...is the greatest, the best and the the act of choice which makes one a forces). To this day, most Parsis are most sublime. ” Mazdayasni: not the navjote itself, careful to defend Zoroastrianism as a Because I truly recognize and The navjote is but a public announce- monotheistic faith which is regrettable appreciate the unique status of the ment of an already existing commit- since dualism is vastly superior to Good Religion, I am convinced of its ment. monotheism. unique divine origin. Thus I must also The Mazdayasni faith is the true. When the Christians began their recognize its special status among the universal religion given to all mankind attack on the Good Religion, many of world religions. I cannot be a true be- and not just to one race of people, the orthodox took refuge in their liever and yet be of the opinion that all Ahura Mazda is the Lord of Creation; rituals, while the more scholarly religions are of equal value. The disci- not a mere tribal deity. among them turned to an ancient pie of Asho Zarathushtra is called For whom was the Mazdayasni reli- heresy for aid in fighting the Christ- Thus, a true Mazdayasni is one who The Mazdayasni faith is the true. For whom was the Mazdayasni reli- 37 Parsiana January 1989! I ians. Anxious to defend themselves against the Christian charge of dual ­ ism, they abandoned the faith and re- repeatedly affirmed, is central to its a vision. ” Through divine revelation, surrected Zurvanism by placing Ahura joyous message of hope. This is the the prophet learned of the existence of Mazda in the place of Zurvan, and r- .... making Ahriman, and Spenta Mainyu Fravarane, that we - which, in truth, is but another name for Ahura Mazda - the sons of God. This allies Ahriman to Ahura Mazda and thus makes God the father of evil the defeat of the evil one. who is therefore morally responsible for the existent evil. This gross heresy mind others of what they already know For too long the Good Religion of causes the Good Religion to share the or to ask them to affirm that which is Mazda-worship has been hidden from shortcomings of Christianity and Islam, common knowledge. In the age of the men. For too long Mazdayasnis have What the orthodox, who embrace prophet, life was harsh and often un- been apologizing for their beliefs this heresy, have failed to see is that just. Infant mortality was rampant and rather than actively affirming them monotheis • -¦ •• • - ¦ - ¦ - -- The orthodox among the Parsis and can ultimately triumph over wicked- no one foundation for the hope that mankind for this day ’s arrival. Now, the mes- ' \ sage must go forth to all mankind with the protectors of the faithful in Iran ness and injustice; indeed, over all all haste or we shall have failed in our were not alone in their rush to aban- manifestations of evil. mission and betrayed mankind, our don the faith. This tendency was far The Good Religion is unique, faith and our God. more pronounced within the reform Among all the religions of the world, it How joyous-a tune Ahriman must movement which quickly adopted alone affirms the existence of a truly be humming as he beholds the inactiv- ....,1 X. ’ ''' ’ _ ity of Mazdayasnis and our petty argu- slavish imitation of its Western men- God who is untainted by evil, ments. Let those who will agrue, argue; tors and now finds itself in the unenvi- Monotheism cannot honestly claim be- but let those who believe, take ac- able position of having to explain what lief in a truly good God since tion now and no longer delay. The makes the Good Religion unique, monotheism cannot explain the exist- mission field is open and calling now. Once dualism is taken away from the ence of evil. Evil is an enigma and an For those who will hear, the era of Good Religion, its internal structure embarrassment to monotheists since Ukhshyat-Ereta has come. When we falls apart until there is nothing left but they cannot explain it without impli- respond, as we should, then Ahriman common to all the world religions. were not alone in their rush to aban- manifestations of evil. The Good Religion is unique, pronounced within the reform Among all the religions of the world, it monotheism, without reservation, in a good Good. No other religion has a slavish imitation of its Western men- God who is untainted by evil, tors and now finds itself in the unenvi- Monotheism cannot honestly claim be- < makes the Good Religion unique, monotheism cannot explain the exist- Once dualism is taken away from the ence of evil. Evil is an enigma and an ........ , Good Religion, its internal structure embarrassment to monotheists since Ukhshyat-Ereta has come. When we pious truisms and ethical precepts eating their God as being responsible will be singing another, not so happy, common to all the world religions. for evil ’s existence. .................... If the Good Religion is not unique, ' - - - why follow it? Why not be more hon- affirms belief in a good God and only est and convert to one of the more re- the Good Religion has reasonable cent world religions such as Islam? grounds for the hope that evil will one The Good Religion is the unique God- day be defeated. for evil ’s existence. song and the final victory over evil will Thus, only the Good Religion have begun. The author (an American of Judeo-Christian ori­ gin) welcomes correspondence at Box 16024, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA. 38 Parsiana January 1989BOOKS I li The Memory of Elephants by Boman Desai. Pub ­ lished by Andre Deutsch Ltd, London. Pp:328. Price £ 11.95 (available in Bombay for Rs 251). “I am hflw'fl7i...but as my Bapaiji (paternal grandmother)...said to me: You do not know what it means to be a bawaji. You should be ashamed, ” are the opening lines of Boman Desai ’s first novel. The Memory of Elephants. A Parsi family saga, featuring three generations of the Seervai family, the book is also an Exploration into the community ’s ethos. The author uses his polio-stricken hero Homi ’s odyssey into history to discover what it means to be a bawaji. It is a journey in which the reader is tempted to join. A labor of love, the hardcover pub ­ lication details the eccentricities and customs of the community, conjuring endearing portraits which nag you with their familiarity. The characters re ­ mind you of relatives, friends and neighbors you knew, or had forgotten. There is an element of community nar ­ cissism, a kind of looking into a mirror and smiling back at the images re ­ flected there. Desai tells his tale with a blend of sympathy and humor, though not the kind of humor that caricatures Parsis in nataks (dramas) and Hindi movies. His humor is balanced by moments of tender anguish. And the author resists the temptation to convert the book into a swan song of a dying com ­ munity. The canvas is wide, probably be ­ cause Elephants is amongst the first few novels qn the Parsis published abroad. It is necessary, therefore, to define who ti^e Parsis are and what they stand for. Future generations of Desai interweaves the account of Parsi writers may be spared this task ancient Zoroastrian history in Iran Bapaiji, of course, loves her Navsari, (perhaps pleasure), but not Desai. At with the story of two brothers, the times, however, explanations spill warrior-like Bahman and the shy and over into trivialities: like for instance, retiring Xerxes. This is not without its Parjat (intercommunity) marriages clarifying what French beans are to the symbolism, as the new community of and de-Indianization is a problem of Americans - green beans. To be fair to Iranians in India - the Parsis of the the next generation - comprising Rusi, the author, these trivialities do not de- future - will have to survive, not by tract from the richness of the story. The prologue of his book is devoted in the face of Muslim invaders, but by to ancient Iranian history; the fall of the strength of Xerxes ’ religious faith, the last Zoroastrian empire and the The thrust of the main story is Homi BAWA SAGA Gustasp Irani and he wires himself to it, hoping to relive his only sexual escapade with an American girl who has lost interest in him. The machine trips. While his body lies like an empty shell on a hos ­ pital bed, his mind is plugged into the past - his family ’s past where he meets his dead relatives, Bapaiji, the mater ­ nal grandmother whom he refers to as Granny and his father. They guide and chaperone him as they relive their lives once again. (Homi finds himself hiding under the bed on the first night Bapaiji and her husband make love, a full year after they were married.) It is not only the dead that Homi meets; he encoun ­ ters other family members in their youth (his mother, his brother Rusi); and also looks back into his own child ­ hood. The main characters of Desai ’s story define the boundaries of the larger story he tells - the story of the Parsis. He starts with his |wo grandmothers: Bapaiji in semi-rural Navsari in Gu ­ jarat and Granny, in Bombay. The lat ­ ter marries into a rich industrial fami ­ ly, the Camas, who are progressive and comfortable with the ways of the West and yet remain fiercely Parsi. Then there is Homi ’s father, Adi, who studied in Edinburgh and Homi ’s Soli maama (maternal uncle) who studied at Cambridge, chaperoned by Granny. Both father and uncle return to India to marry and settle here. But the attachment their generation had for Britain is strong. In the heaven of sorts where the dead can be what they want. Granny has recreated her familiar world of Bombay in the heart of Cambridge while Adi, in top hat, tails and cane tucked under his arm has set up home in Edinburgh. *1 but...ah, ah... she is wearing the pants she could not wear while on earth. Homi ’s guitar-slinging, long-haired Bahman ’s sword, which he brandished brother, and Homi himself. Desai ’s direct speech reflects the times and settings of the story. In Nav- the last Zoroastrian empire and the The thrust of the main story is Homi sari, when Bapaiji speaks, the flavor of landing of the Parsis on the shores of Seervai ’s journey into his past. The colloquial Gujarati as spoken by Parsis India - the Sanjan milk and sugar epi- young Parsi genius from India has in- is strong, considerably different from sode included. vented a memory machine while the language spoken by Granny in Yet, all this is not mere drab history; studying at an American University Bombay, and Homi ’s parents. Homi ’s 39 Parsiana January 1989i ¦li s j 11 il and Rusi s speech is afflicted by arre, shifts to the children and their ligion, science and social change quite yaar and man - the lingo of urban attempts to adjust to the American masterfully. His eye for detail, his . . . - graphic, elephantine memory (which makes way tor American slang. cessive generation gradually lose accounts for the title) and his sym- shifts to the children and their ligion, science and social change quite Bombay youth which eventually wayoflife.Thecharactersofeachsuc- makes way for American slang. cessive l ... - As the manner of speech changes, depth and fullness. Rusi is almost re- pathetic and humorous treatment so also does the role of the^ Parsi com- duced to a stereotype of an urban Parsi make for very enjoyable reading, munity in the lives of the individuals; who encounters a series of prom- To a non-Parsi the book will be a its influence wanes with each succes- iscuous American women. source of information and insight into sive generation. The two grand- p—• . ¦ - ¦ ¦ ® mothers are products and victims of a autobiographical writing and Desai is the familiar in perspective. The Parsi cousin marriages, genetic deformities see them in a wider perspective. The book to' his children, rather than and illegitimate children (who were < ’ ' often dro^yned in buckets of milk or, era that Desai portrays: the slow ero- t- -1----- , ... . ..................................... drink milk ’), class and economic pre- and its traditions and the advance of ny ’s naiscarriage was the handiwork of tied abroad would probably would be considerably reduced if her acters later face: trying to adjust to, brother got a son). and assimilate, the American way of The role of the community recedes life, into the background in the second half P L of the book when the courtship and technique of narration within narra- _ ------ —--------- weaves described. The focus then together a tapestry of Parsi history, re- duced to a stereotype of an urban Parsi make for very enjoyable reading, who encounters a series of prom- " ......................... iscuous American women. Probably, there is an element of the community; to a Parsi it will place CJ 1----------------- --------------------------------------------- .U. ...V ruiiKiiu, Al* w. 4 IIV X eering through the rear win- suspicion, that one of the characters, Kersi Boyce, is the author, grows stronger when one reads the last story Swimming Lessons. Ah, there you are. Tell me, how was your visit to Firozsha Baag? Who does Rohinton think he is, prying into people’s lives? Just because he is a writer does not mean he has a divine right to mess about with private lives. Doesn’t he have any sense? What will people, the parjats (non-Parsis), think about the community if he goes around washing dirfy linen in public? I don’t see any reason for getting all worked up. You’ve got to appreciate what Rohinton is doing for the com- But come, we’ll discuss it later. For setting could have been Cusrow Baug now Ms Karani has invited us for bread! Paying Guests. Khorshedbai ’s dead writing for an international audience, Rohinton Mistry was born in Bombay in 1952. parrot visits her in her dreams and Mistry could not resist the temptation He emigrated to Canada in 1975 and began advises her on how to deal with the of explaining who and what the Parsis couple who have let out a room to her are; their contribution to the country; the social status they enjoy; their Ira- working in a bank. He started writing stor ­ ies in 1983. While at the . University of Toronto, ' and now want her to vacate. the social status they enjoy; their Ira- he won two Hart House Like The Paying Guests, Condo- nian origins. But for this single para- literary prizes (for One Sunday and Auspicious Occasion) and in 1985 he won Fiction lence Visit, is a sensitive piece. It is graph in the final story Swimming Les- about Daulat coming to terms with the sons. Mistry explains the community ¦ loss of her husband ano the right social through subtle character sketches. Fiction Contributors ’ gestures that are expected of her. But it is more than a book about Prize. The same year he Squatter, Lend Me Your Light and Parsis; it is also a book about Bombay left the bank to devote Swimming Lessons leave the shores of and its people - its dirty Tar Gully, its *’ * the country for that “great country, bus routes, its cricket grounds and Canada. ” But they are nevertheless a Hanging Gardens, its,Bhagwan babus Gustasp Irani himself full-time to his writing. 41 Parsiana January 1989MILESTONES 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. It must be pointed out that this in ­ formation is not always com ­ plete or consistent. Of the 84 Parsis who died in the city of Bombay, heart disease claimed 26, while 12 fell prey to old age. TRe other killers were lung disease (nine), kidney fai ­ lure (seven), pneumonia and cancer (six each) and brain dis ­ ease (three). Diabetes, Parkin ­ son ’s disease and blood disease claimed two victims each. Iso ­ lated cases of hypertension, suf- ! 1 '1 ,1 ! 1 ¦ 1 i 'i I BOMBAY Born A girl to Jeroo and Ness Buhariwala on November 24, 1988 A girl, Benaaz, to Av a and Farokh Ghadiali', Noy,ember 24 A boy. Hector, to Goolshun and Freddie Nadirs haw, November 28 A boy to Armity and Farokh Mistry', November 30 A boy to Firoza and Percy Bhathena', December 1 A boy to Kianooshi and Shahrokh Mehershahi', December 1 A boy to Annahita and Pesi Sidhwa; December 1 A girl to Meher and Jeffrey Davis; December 2 A boy to Mani and Yezdi Irani', December 3 A boy to Anshera and Aspi Contractor', December 7 A girl to Shernaz and Behram Engineer', December 7 A boy to Sandra and Darius Kavarana', December 7 A girl to Neena and Homeyar Tavaria', December 7 A girl to Prochie and Sanat Mukherji', December 8 A boy to Niloofer and Sarosh Shroff', December 8 A girl to Meher and Tehmul Patel', December 9 A girl to Parizad and Gev Irani', December 10 focation, nervous disorder, gas- tro enteritis, liver disease, de­ hydration and asthama were also registered. Two youths, aged 19 and 22 years, and two infants were also lost to the community. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, it must be noted that in some cases, especially in those of the very old, death is often due to a combination of several dis ­ eases. If readers have any informa ­ tion they would like published, some proof to ensure the veracity of the report would be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us. A boy to Kashmira and Ramesh Kashyap ', December 10 A boy to Pervin and Hosang Antalia', December 11 A girl to Navaz and Rumi Umrigar, December 11 A girl to Roshan and Kaizad Bhathena', December 12 A boy to Hetal (Daisy) and Ajay Chokshi', December 13 A boy to Pia and Soli Dastur', December 13 A boy to Khushnuma and Jal Waghchippawalla; December 13 A girl to Dhun and Yezdi Patel; December 14 A boy to Hutoxi and Farokh Patel; December 14 A girl to Ruby and Sunil Nayyar, December 15 A boy to Khurshid and Dhunjishaw Vakil', December 15 A girl to Zarin and Hormez Khambatta; December 16 A girl to Shernaz and Rohinton Sanjana; December 16 A girl to Nilufer and Aspi Unwalla', December 16 A boy to Banu and Jamshed Gandhi', December 18 A girl to Ketayan and Porus Chinoy, December 19 A girl to Maharukh and Percy Panthanki; December 21 A boy to Kashmira ano Rumy Merchant',, December 22 A girl to Rashna and Dicky Contractor', December 23 A boy to NHoofer and Jim Lakadia', December 24 A boy to Rukshana and Mehernosh Bharucha', December 27 A boy to Roshan and Kerman Katrak', December 28 A boy to Pearl and Kerssie Wadia', December 28 A boy to Roshni and Jimmy Kelawala', December 29 Married Roshan Burjor Doctor and Dara Pesi Gandhi', November 18 Jasmine Ratansha Vajifdar and Yezdi Meherwanji Bharucha', November 22 Shanaaz Jal Haradhvala and Jehangir Rutton Mehta', November 22 Nilufer Beji Dumasia of Surat and Neville Burjor Patel', November 22 Ruby Dins haw Kamdin of Broach and Tehmtan Sam Nanavati', November 23 Coomi Kekhushru Elavia of Ahmedabad and Dinshaw Bamanji Variava-, December 1 Bakhtawar Keki Sumariwalla and Farokh Fall Panthaky, December 2 Ketayun Nariman Mehta and Khorezad Firoze Taraporewalla of Thana; December 2 Kamal Rusi Soonawala and Neville Pesi Tata', December 2 Silloo Keki Sethna and Yezdi Keki Jasoomoney, December 3 Firooza Khurshed Sheriar and Phiroze Rustom Wankadia; December 3 Nilufer Keki Sukheswalla of Valsad and Yezdi Jal Gandevia', December 4 Binaifer Savak Doctor and Rusi Manek Ratnagar', December 4 Lily Sorabji Siganporia and Percy Nariman Elavia', December 5 Zarin Minoo Press and Homi Edulji Mody of Ahmedabad; December 5 Tina Soli Madan and Neville Ardeshir Mehta', December 10 Meher Hormasji Panthaki and Naushir Keki Mistry, December 11 Thrity Erach Engineer and Gaiv Homi Mistry, December 12 Tanaz Pesi Shroff and Behram Jamshedji Panthaki', December 13 Dolly Minoo Dastoor of Navsari and Rusi Minoo Bajina', December 15 Phiroza Khurshed Tangree of Calcutta and Mehernosh Mirzban Surti; December 15 Daulat Behram Zorabi and Aspandiar Faroud Shahlori', December 16 Arnaz Homi Colombowalla and Cawsi Marzban Dhanbhoora', December 17 Pervin Jal Pooniwala and Cyr^s Sohrab Banaji', December 18 Benaifer Pervez Wahkadia of Thana and Adil Faramroze Bhesania of Thana; December 18 Pervin Jehangir Ranikhetwala of Kuwait and Keki Minocher Billimoria; December 18 Dinoo Feroze Katrak and Cyrus Minocher Shroff, December 18 Rashna Dadiba Sanjana of Valsad and Rohinton Bejanji Mehta', December 19 Kashmira Jimmy Merchant and Yezdi Minu Daver, December 20 Jeroo Minu Dastur and Shlroy Hoshang Ranji of Poona;*t)ecember 20 Rupi Firoze Patel of Dahanu and Viraf Kaikhushroo Chinoy, December 22 Maharukh Eruchshaw Katrak and Percy Pesi Dalal', December 22 Roshni Shavaksha Fitter of Pavai and Jamsheed Burjor Sidhwa', December 25 Died Khurshed Ardeshir Dotiwalla (93), residing at 24/A, Usha Sadan, Next to Colaba Post Office, 400005; November 30 Baman Cursotji Kalapesi (91), Hormaz Baug Bldg, Kasinath St, Tardeo, 42 Parsiana January 1989 I* 400034; December 1 Bomi Manchershaw Davar (60), 4, C. D. Sethna Bldg, Golanji Hill, Parel, 400012; December 2 Dinshaw Bomanji Irani (84), D.B. Irani Wadi, Mazagaon, 400010; December 2 Nusserwanji Jijibhoy Nazir (82), U-1/3, Cusrow Baug, S.B. Rd, 400039; December 2 Tehmina Phirozesha Kharas (80), 49, Turner Rd, Bandra, 400050; December 3 Ardeshir Dinshaw Shekari (67), E-19, Cusr<w Baug, S.B. Rd, 400039; December 3 Homi Jehangir Siganporia (63), Homi Villa, 778, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 3 Pershid Kersey Luth (19), 32, Karelwadi, Thakurdwar, 400002; December 4 Homi Pestonji Rustomji (80), \2I5, Wadia Block, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; December 4 Nergish Adi BomanBehram (57), 6, Old Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; December 5 Sheroo Shohrab Daver (73), Boyce Bldg, Chikalwadi, Tardeo, 400007; December 5 Shirinbai Kaikhushroo Davur (94), A/7, Ness Baug, Nana Chowk, 400007; December 5 Tehmina Phirozshaw Lalla (93), Bhagat Manor, 787, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 5 Tehmurasp Bomanji Shroff (65), FIVIIA, Shapur Baug, V.P. Rd, 400004; December 6 Rusi Boman Aria (76), ‘B,’ Satya Bhama Niwas, 3-A, Kasinath St, Tardeo, 400034; December 7 Shapur Merwanji Batliwalla (71), Baccha Mans, Opp Bhatia Gen Hosp; 400007; December 7 Ardeshir Dorabji Godiwalla (79), ‘A,’ Shirin Manzil, Petit St, Grant Rd; 400007; December 7 Nusserwanji Rustomji Rana (87), P-31, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012: December 7 Keki Ardeshir Vania (65), 25, Godrej Bldg, Contractor Bang, Mori Rd, Mahim; 400016; December 7 Sher a Kersasp Antia (80), M-52, Cusrow Bang, S.B. Rd, 400039; December 8 Pilan Framroze Daver (78), A/12, Jer Bang, Byculla, 400027; December 8 Mehroo Meherji Vajifdar (76), B-20, Rustom Bang, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; December 8 Bapsy Rustomji Sarkari (50), 13/3, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; December 8 Homai Bezonji Deboo (86), B/7, Shapur Baug, V.P. Rd, 400004; December 10 Nanu Jal Heerjee (70), Sea-View Guest Hse, Colaba, 400005; December 10 Meherwanji D. Patel (80), R-37, Panday Sanatorium, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; December 10 Burjor Sorabji Kanga (95), Ocean View, Warden Rd, 400026; December 11 Homi Ratanshaw Meherji (67), Botawalla Bldg, Master Rd, Dhobi Talao, 400002; December 11 Rustomji Fardunji Patel (82), 5/11, Hirabai Petit Bldg, Opp Grant Rd Stn, 400007; December 11 Thrity Navroji Suntoke (83), A/3, Shirin Manzil, Dinbai Petit St, 400007; December 11 Pillan Faramroze Taraporewalla (82), 1/2, Sir Dorab Tata Bldg, Tata Blocks, S.V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; December 11 Burjorji Nusserwanji Balsara (82), Crasto BJdg, Near Marine Lines, 400002; December 12 Tehmulji Jamshedji Neterwalla (90), F. S. Parukh Dharmashalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; December 12 Dinshaw Kaikhushroo Sadri (62), P-12^Cusrow Baug, S.B. Rd, 4B0039; December 12 f FLOOR TILES India ’s largest selling ceramic tiles For wholesale rates and expert workmanship contact: Authorised Stockists: E Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. \ BUILDING PRODUCTS DEPARTMENT 54, Abdul Rehman Street, Bombay 400 003. Phone: 321517 43 Parsiana January 1989I i ! i I i *!' t Jehangir Pirojshaw Suraliwalla (68), l-A/8, Tata Hsg Soc, Parel, 400012; December 12 Aloo Ardeshir Damkevala (82), 2, Lam Bldg, 173, Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, 400013; December 13 Keki Ardeshir Shroff (61), 598/B, Wadia Bldg, Girgaum Rd, 400002; December 13 Doll Fir^e Bharucha (83), B-24, Cusrow Baug, S.B. Rd, Colaba, 400039; December 14 Jamshedji Dhanjishaw Bharucha (90), Daruwalla Bldg, 115, Khetwadi Back Rd, 400004; December 14 Minoo Navroji Driver (70), K-3/14, Merwanji Cama Park, Andheri (W), 400058; December 14 Shapurji Eruchshaw Thanawalla (84), 13, Fairy Manor, Gunbow St, Fort, 400001; December 14 Jehangir Gora', son of Banoo and Homi, brother of M6hroo Kersi Irani and Rita Gora and husband of Shahidaparween; December 15 (interred) Ratanbai Sorabji Kaka (90), E/6, Jinwalla Bldg, Captain Clny, Tarcjeo, 400034; December 16 Najamai Minocher Ready Money (88), 9/9, Tata Clny, Tardeo, 400034; December 16 Jerbai Darabshaw Mistry (83), E/15' Shapur Baug, V.P. Rd, 400004; December 17 Darabsha Rustomsha Dalal (57), ‘A,’ Shirin Mans, Tardeo, 400007; December 18 Dina Nariman Bhivandiwala (77), Dr Dosibai Home, Byculla, 400007; December 20 Kaikhusroo Merwanji Katrak (81), C-10, Cusrow Baug, S.B. Rd, 400039; December 20 Bahdur R. Khan (77), Khareghat Bldg No 2, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; December 20 Pirojbai Behramshaw Patel (78), Fair-Heaven Central Edulji Sorabji Vesuvala (89), 305, Dr Cawasji Hormusji St, 400002; December 25 Kaikhushroo Cawasji Dastoor (86), Kaka Bldg, 649, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 26 Tehmina Rustomji Fitter (80), C-12, Malbari Bldg, New Khareghat Clny, Babulnath Rd, 400007; December 26 Bank Soc, Lallubhai Park, Andheri (W), 400058; December 20 Alamai Hormusji Turner (80), Soona Bldg, Chikalwadi, Grant Rd, 400007; December 20 Homi Sorabji Bhura (69), Sneh Sadan, Opp Colaba Post Office, 400005; December 21 Tehmi Nadarsha Commisariat Noshir Dhunjibhoy Irani (62), 15, Mistry Bldg, Dadar, ~ “ 400014; December 21 Hormusji Sohrabji Mogrelia (83), 41/43, Police Court Lane, Fort, 400001; December 21 Baby of Ms Yasmin M. Udwadia (1 day), B-‘402, Giriraj Apts, Evershine Nagar, Malad (W), 400064; December 21 Aloo Framroze Unwalla (65), 12-A, Gold Coin, Tardeo, 400034; December 21 Minochaher Cawasji Damania (74), Mody Hse, 9, Pawwalla St, Girgaum, 400004; December 22 Soonabai Nadershah Mistry (98), 4 Bglws, 3rd Bglw, Chunabathi, Sion, 400022; December 22 Cawas A. Velaty (76), Cama Bldg, Kasinath Rd, Tardeo, 400034; December 22 Kaikhusroo Muncherji Masani (86), 242/A, Jolly Maker Apt No 1, Cuffe Parade, 400005; December 24 Jal Eruchshaw Mody (77), 1, Sir Ratan Tata Bldg No 2, Tata Blocks, Bandra, 400050; December 24 Shirinbai Darabshaw Wadia (80), 18/A, Sar-Avsar Bldg No 1, Gilder Lane, Lamington Rd, 400008; December 24 Darabshaw Byramshaw Carnac (83), Katpitia Bldg, 733, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 25 Sheroo Jehangirji Master (78), Room 11, Pawwalla Bldg, 382-B, Grant Rd, 400007; December 25 Gulestan Burjor Seervai (91), 603, Coste Belle, Perry Cross Rd, Bandra, 400050; December 25 (78), 674, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 26 Phiroze Ardesher Irani (88), 410, Bavla Bldg, Chinchpokly, Parel, 400012; December 26 Manijeh Minocher Kapadia (84), B-10, Satya Bhama Niwas, 3-A, Kasinath Rd, 400034; December 26 Ardeshir Rustomji Wadia (70), 326, Currim Bldg, M. Shaukatally Rd, 400007; December 26 Phirojshaw Jalejar Patrawala (68), 19, Gola Lane, Fort, 400001; December 27 Allamai Faramroze Tavadia (72), 3/14, Panthaki Baug, Andheri (E), 400069; December 28 Dhunmai Framroz Bagli (85), Meherbai Sohrabji Shahookar Dr Dossibai and J.R.D. (94); October 25 Charity Trust Home, Byculla, Dara Burjor Mana (67); 400027; December 29 Ratanbai Dhunjishah Cama (80), 204, Silver Cascade, Mt (82); November 26 Mary Hill, Bandra, 400050; December 29 Zarin Zarksis Khandharia (41), 304, Shriniketan, Sainagar Vasai Rd (W), Thana, 401202; December 29 Baby of Ms Hutoxi Darayus Mistry (1 hour). Room 9, Gandhi Mans, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; December 29 Sharnaz Neriosang Tata (67), Karai Est, 248, Javji Dadaji Rd, Tardeo, 400007; December 29 Coomi Sohrabji Bharoocha (90), 63, Pedder Rd, 400026; December 30 Sheroo Tehmurasp Kavarana (78), 5, Iris, Cuffe Parade, 400005; December 31 Banoo Rustomji Machliwalla (60), 1, Baria Bldg, Gamadia of Sandra; August 21 Clny, Tardeo, 400007; December 31 Pirosha Ardeshir Mody (84), West Coast Apts, St Joseph Rd, Bandra, 400050; December 31 CALCUTTA Married Sharmila Satyen Sen and Sohrab Italia', December 28 INDORE Died Jehangir Chothia (22), of Poona, son of Khurshid and Rohinton, brother of Shahvir; December 8 JAMSHEDPUR Married Marina Patel and Yezdi Engineer, October 23 KARACHI Died M^hervan Rustomji Khairabadi (70) ; October 18 Dhunjishaw Sohrdbji Pastakia (94); October 19 Jamshed Burjorji Sidhwa (74); October 19 Jalejar Burjorji Sidhwa (80); October 24 November 1 Dhunmai Hoshang Shaikhdar OOTACAMUND Died Freny Noshir Vajifdar', October 3 SURAT Married Havovi Sorabji Katpitia and Afroze Jimmy Patalwala', October 23 TORONTO Born A girl, Anita, to Parviz and Farkhondeh Rashidi', July 30 A boy. Noshir, to Behroze and Dinyar Panthakee', brother to Shireen; August 16 Died Shahrukh Dadnam, husband Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka 44 Parsiana January 1989