Jul 1989

L 3 JULY Rs 8 s I r ¦' \ I • <«- L F 4^: 4 i .i •J— *¦• I'i 3 r)' /¦ > .5July 1989 Volume 12 Number 1 i t i 3 EDITOR Jehangir Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama ' EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Gandhi [ ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana Kaka DESIGN Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez, Deborah Fernandes MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D'Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B.L Arora EDP Rohinton Daroga CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver OFFICE Rajendra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia Lewis, ¦ ¦ Rajalakshmi Krishnan, Bakhtavar Batliwalla 3 Readers' Forum 6 Events and Personalities 12 Zoroastrians Abroad 16 Decree for Dastur Hall 18 Thena lan^^evelopment stayed by Homi Rogers 20 Federation: focus on the future by Parinaz Gandhi 26 Agra's monumental task 29 Artist Frenny Billimoria by Gustasp Irani 32 Books 36 Milestones 38 In Memoriam Cover: Frenny Biliimoria's painting Lagan Feast 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 Pvt Ltd, C/o Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Phototypesetting, Ace; color processing. Comart Lithographers; and black and white processing, Shilpart. All rights reserved. Phone: 2048730. For editorial enquiries: 2048183. Telex 115710 RABO IN Fax 2042922 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 one year, Rs 525 for two years. For US cheques add $5 to cover bank charges. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 4 for bank charges. Cheques and drafts are 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. sOf i ( I 11 READERS’ FORUM , , . 4 ? O t, If . a I ; »iu- ¦^1: Mo». I “ •»>«• f twL**’***‘'l I i tt •»n. «»»>»»»»* early, response because we intend to “The Parsi Sena” enthrone the holy fire in our new Dar-e- We learnt from the letter by Mr Homi J. Meher in Sanjan in January 1990. H. Taleyarkhan, member. Minorities If hp Correspondence may be addressed to: Commission, in Readers ’ Forum (“The * J J» T. T 13___________ , ?.2_ -d'?', ILGI­ S' Offiman Centre, 13, Nanabhoy Lane, few disgruntled Parsis - whose main Fort, Bombay 400023 (Tel 244329). ’ ........................... Chairman, Mazda Adarian Trust The Trustees, Mazda Adarian Trust, Parsi Sena, ” Paraana, May 1989) that a Fort, Bombay 400023 (Tel 244329). grouse is that they did not receive any »»> HOMi p. RANiNA accommodation from the Parsi Pun- j chayet - have formed a Parsi Sena. This IHi “The rebel priest” is most annoying and disgusting as also kO On reading through In Memoriam (Par- the fact that a leading newspaper like K< siana. May 1989) I noted two errors The Times of India has taken the cud- which I point out to you for correction, gels to bring to light the shortcomings Dastur Framroze Bode wrote his the- of the Parsi Punchayet. Would it not ¦ sis for PhD on Zoroastrianism, not on have been better for these gentlemen to ¦ Aurobindo. He used to teach Aurobin- have discussed and sorted out matters do at the California Institute of Ancient across the table than to form a Parsi Studies. Sena and go to the Press with a view to ¦ You state on page 40 and I quote: mudslinging the Punchayet? ¦ “Homai who had left her first husband It is imperative that timely steps be fo join the rebel priest... ” This is incor- taken so that the cobwebs can all be ¦ rect to the extreme. To write about an cleaned out. The chairman of the Parsi individual ’s personal matters without Punchayet, Dr Aspi Golwalla is due to even a simple enquiry, to say the least, retire and there will be an election, is unethical. As the other party involved Cannot we select from such outstanding ¦ has long since passed away, it is not in persons as Mr Nani Palkhivala, Mr the fitness of things for me to dilate Homi J. H. Taleyarkhan, Mr Jehan upon this as the person is not here to Daruwalla, Mr Fall Poncha, Mr Jam- ; ; •: 'shed Bhabha, Justice Bakhtawar Lentin, * As a responsible paper and editor, Mr Russy Karanjia, etc? It is possible you should be careful to find out facts that some of them may not have any before giving your readers incorrect, depth of knowledge on the Zoroastrian false inforntation. religion, but any of these gentlemen can surely steer the community onto a better footing with the wide experience and “Navjote by choice...” knowledge they have attained. It is high Sanjan Dar-e-Meher I liked the eloquence of Ali A. Jafarey ’s time that we leave out all our differen- In November 1987, the Mazda Adarian Fravarane (“Navjote by Choice, not ces and work for the common goal of Trust laid the foundation of the Dasturji Chance, ” Parsiana, May 1989). How upliftment and welfare of the Parsi Kookadaru Saheb Memorial Dar-e- well he has explained Jasa me avenghe community. jehangir r. balsara Meher in Sanjan (Parsiana, December Mazda. Mr Jafarey says, “In recent 1987). Over the last 20 months, we have times no authority has thought of con- , collected about 16.5 lakh rupees and the tinuing the tradition by either substitut- This is in response to the letter Why work of the Dar-e-Meher is nearing ing or adding to the Pazand part of the cremate? ” (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, completion. We need approximately prayers... in one of the languages the April 1989) from Ms Shinn Cooper, five lakh rupees more to give the finish- praying person understands best... ” I strongly condemn the last words of ing touches. I believe an important part is under- the letter, “Why cannot we think of the In keeping with the community ’s standing. But then what about the vibra- noble future of going to Iran where we needs and sentiments, we would like to tions created by Manthra-Spental Can once belonged? ” accommodate a holy fire from an exist- you or any of our scholars illumine? I fail to understand why Ms Cooper ing agiary which may be under pressure The readout in Mr Rogers ’ article finds it disadvantageous to live in this to close down. We could work out a stated, “Among the Iranis, the age limit great country, India. scheme with its trustees which would for the sadreh-pooshi ceremony has It ’s a blessing of Ahura Mazda that, enable us to preserve such an existing disappeared and even pregnant women of all nations, we landed in India when holy fire at our new Dar-e-Meher in have been initiated. ” I personally think we were being persecuted in Iran. Thus, ’ ' '¦ ' * -------- 13 centuries earlier, India had the same unclean. How then can she be initiated? vision of secularism. Whatever it may be, we have become an inseparable part of Indian society. •-??? *liftl*M***^ !« ¦ffl !¦ ¦B u • I It is imperative that timely steps be Readers’ views are welcome on any subject of speak for himself . interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons o1 space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without a complete address will not be published. Ms HOMAI FRAMROZE BODE “Why cremate?”’ ing agiary which may be under pressure scheme with its trustees which would for the sadreh-pooshi ceremony has enable us to preserve such an existing disappeared and even pregnant women Sanjan - the place where we landed it is foolish. A woman at that stage is 1,354 years ago. : —^"‘3 This offer is open to all anjumans and Even in the First Testament Jesus Christ . • •. ««r ij ' Fiq/4 cQirl FALI F. MULLAN trusts in India. We would appreciate an saiu so. Udwada 3 Parsiana July 1989MATRIMON IAL A46-Year-old well-known businessman, an English Chartered Accountant and divorced, invites alliance from fair educated Parsi girl (33-44) of respectable family, willing to settle in London. You will be home proud, sociable, jovial and enjoy travel. You could be either single or divorced without any children as the UK regulation will not permit resictpnce to the latter. I have two grown-up boys at public school and are not residing with me. I enjoy my business, socialising, outdoor sports and travel. It is anticipated that I shall be visiting Bombay sometime in December. Please reply in confidence to; The Advertiser Matrimonial (5) Parsiana GPOBoxNo892 Bombay 400001 And, what ’s more, our forefathers Barsi surnames prayed to the great King Jadavrana to Whereas ‘English ’ surnames among us accept us in his kingdom permanently. Parsis, like Cooper, Captain, Driver, Are we becoming communal-minded Guard are readily understandable as day by day? dinyar n. jalnawalla coming from professions/occupations, 1 intriguing how we came to acquire Calcutta Youth rest English ’ surnames like Baxter, Forbes, Parsiana, February 1989, carried very Ashton, Morris, Grant, etc. We have interesting reports (“A world body of quite a few of them. Some historically youth ” and “A youth trustee in every well-versed reader(s) may perhaps elu- city ”) on the All India Parsee Youth cidate. Fest, held in Calcutta from November Looking at the history of northern India 5-8, 1988. _ the various incursions of Greeks, Per- However, while going through the sians, Bactrians into India - it seems articles I noticed a discrepancy which I plausible that long before the advent of must point out. You have mentioned Mr Zoroastrians via Sanjan, there already Godrej Engineer as the principal of La could have been sizable, well-established Martiriiere. This is a mistake as Mr Zoroastrian groups/communities in north- Godrej Engineer, at that time, was the em India which eventually merged with principal-cum-administrator of Park the mainstream. Parallel surnames like English School. Chibber (north Indian Chabra, Cha- Unfortunately, there is no mention of bria), Davar (Dabar), Madon (Madan), the work, effort and coordinating done* Lally (Lal), would seem to support this, by Ms Aban Medhora, who was the Perhaps some historians could spell out convener of the All India Youth Fest, the part (which was probably considera- No doubt she had an excellent band of ble) played ^y these early groups, dedicated workers but at least a mention , r. h. kuka would not be out of place. NOSHIR S. WADIA Calcutta Edited by Arnavaz S. Mama MP*- With Best Wishes From STEELAGE INDUSTRIES LIMITED I I Fi 4 Parsiana July 1989¦F B Events and Personalities Jame daily closed da Mobeds. Along with trustees Hosh- who is a candidate for trusteeship of the After struggling to survive for the last ang N. Wania, Adi J. Bhoot and Ervad Bombay Parsi Punchayet, stated, few yesrs, the veritable Parsi institu- Keki S. Dastur, Magol registered the tui­ tion, the Jam-e-Jamshed daily ceased Trust in Bombay on March 3, 1988 “to publication on June 30, 1989. i that day, the paper was suspending pub- socio-economic order for our mobeds. ¦‘There are funds in Udwada (for) help ­ ing the local mobeds and their families, remove these economic disparities and Under the circumstances it is necessary According to a notice in the paper on discrepancies, to change the present for mobed sympathizers to answer the ¦ ¦ .... ’ ’ question, ‘To what extent is it advisable lication on account of rising costs, to enable them to maintain the dignity to divert rupees one crore of Parsi char- especially of newsprint. The Jame of their office. ” ity in the cause of mobeds? ’” weekly, however, would continue. And like the AET, the new Trust is And as in the case of the AET the Subsidized by Nanabhoy Jeejeebhoy also talking of raising a crore of rupees, lawyers have questioned whether the and his family, the paper had disposed In an attractive printed brochure, the new Trust could claim exemption if it of its historic, red brick building on trustees state that the Trust is not a cos- was meant for communal purposes. Marzban Path early this year and con- mopolitan but “a communal trust Apart from assisting the Udwada tracted the printing of the publication to exclusively working for the mobeds of mobeds, the trustees also wish to form Onlooker Press, a commercial job print- Udwada. ” The trustees wish to “remove similar trusts for the benefit of mobeds ing unit. The appearance of the paper existing defects in the current system of residing in Navsari, Surat, Bombay and greatly improved after it switched from mobedi ” and provide a fixed guaran- other areas. For this Magol has said the the old letterpress hot metal printing teed monthly stipend to all Udwada financial requirement would be approx- procedure to photo offset, but the eco- mobeds. They would also like to assure imately 15 crore rupees. nomics did not improve. The editorial perquisites like medical assistance, old Stung by the criticism levied against- content was more often than not devoid age security benefits, house allowance, the Trust, Magol retorted in a letter to of Parsi news. The paper was read by an construction of a hostel for outstation The Bombay Samachar of January 8, aging readership whose main items of mobeds, the creation of a community 1989, “For God ’s sake let us have our interest were the obituary column and kitchen and ensuring that facilities pro- priorities straight. We don ’t want to lose the vartas (serialized stories). vided under the Trust do not result in a ceremonial heritage which is our cul- But whatever its shortcoming, the the encouragement of slothfulness. In ture, our history, our everything. ” To paper brought a sense of community addition, the Trust will also endeavor to which the editor replied that though belonging to the households that recei- create congenial, tranquil work condi- Magol “feels deeply for the mobeds of ved the paper and its loss was deeply tions conducive to the overall intel- Udwada, his approach is however uni ­ felt by its loyal readers. lectual and spiritual growth of mobeds lateral, emotional and illogical. ” A public meeting was convened by - ultimately benefiting the entire Parsi While all efforts to assist any section Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy on July 30, community. While the objectives are of the community are welcome, those 1989 to voice the community ’s appreci- laudable, the notion that the trustees who wish to assist would find a better ation of the paper ’s services. Udwada trust rancor. nity, noted Daruwalla. If there is one thing more controversial Editor of The Bombay Samachar, In the meanwhile, trustee and char ­ than the future of dokhmenashini Jehan Daruwalla noted, “The most tered accountant Hoshang Wania in- and intercommunity marriages, it is the astonishing thing about the Trust is that forms that the Trust has thus far rece- formation of trusts to ameliorate the the Udwada Anjuman, Udwada Dasturji ived nearly one lakh rupees in donat- conditions of the priests. Sahebs or the mobeds of Udwada resid- ions. At the time of The Bombay Sama- After the furor created by the found- ing in Udwada have not been associated char controversy, donations had dried ing of the Athravan Educational Trust with the Trust. Worse still, the opinions up, he says, but now there ’s a revival. (AET), anyone would have thought of the Udwada Anjuman, the Dasturji Moreover, they have been promised twice about venturing on another such Sahebs and prominent social workers of funds from abroad, says Wania adding scheme to benefit mobeds. But out of Udwada who are themselves athornans, that when these build up to a feasible Karachi comes young Ervad Paurusasp do not seem to have been consulted. ” amount, the trustees will proceed with D. Magol, full of high hopes and fer- In a letter in The Bombay Samachar, the Trust ’s avowed goals. Until then, vor, to talk about the formation of The Peshotan Nargolwala, who is actively they are unwilling to allow the interest Zoroastrian Religious Trust for Udwa- involved in the Athornan Mandal and income to accumulate and have dis- A public meeting was convened by - ultimately benefiting the entire Parsi laudable, the notion that the trustees have all the answers and can succeed reponse if they first started to do some where others have failed, created some thing and then approached the commu- rancor. Editor of The Bombay Samachar, involved in the Athornan Mandal and income to accumulate and have dis- 6 Parsiana July 1989V 3,000 to 4,000 meters, the aircraft is based Damania holds an ME degree in capable of flying Up to heights of 7,000 aeronautics from IISc and a doctorate in meters, at a minimum speed of 100 engineering from the Mississippi State kmph and a maximum of 350 kmph. It University. He was also a member of the can take off and land comfortably in an American Institute of Aeronautics and airfield which has a runway length of Astronautics. At several seminars has one kilometer, noted a press release from NAL. Earlier in 1983, Damania and his Left: LCRA piloted by Damania Below (from left): Damania (gesticulating) in discussion with aviation authorities including J.R.D. Tata (second from right) he contributed papers and in addition written articles for aviation journals, further adds his bio data. For the future, Damania and his team plan to design a light two-seat trainer aircraft for the use of the Bombay Fly ­ ing Club. Adi Marzban Award To perpetuate the memory of the well- known playwright and theater personality, the Adi Marzban Memori- 5 al Award has been instituted. The Adi L Marzban Endowment Fund Committee, I under the aegis of the National Centre V for the Performing Arts (NCPA), will H recognize outstanding innovations in || contemporary theater, notes The After- " noon Despatch and Courier of June 19, 1989. This year, the award of Rs 5,000 will be presented for the best-original play in English or Gujarati. Marzban ’s own creativity was expressed in these two languages. The last date for submitting the plays is November 30, 1989. A pm^ el of judges comprising theater person- * alities are to judge the scripts. The copter and an aeroplane, a gyrocopter Afternoon notes. For more details con- 1 1 • •.4r bursed Rs 3,000 to some mobeds in Udwada, says Wania. India’s ‘Voyager?’ An eight-minute flight by the Light has a free-wheeling rotor which emph- I on r/1 D rx i»• z-i A / T Ti A\ * ‘.a.. a < team had fabricated a one-man, single ­ engined gyrocopter, based on the Benson model. A cross between a heli- rtii eigni-minute riignt Dy the Light has a tree-wheeling rotor which emph- tact the Programmes Department, NCPA Aircraft (LCRA) asizes its superficial resemblance to a Tata Experimental Theatre, Nariman piloted by Prof Rustom B. Damania, helicopter, and controls which are very Point,- Bombay 400021, Tel 233939 was billed by The Times of India of Jan- similar to those of an aeroplane, noted uary 29, 1989 as the highlight of the air Indja Today of June 30, 1983. From literature tO laW Reshad Sarosh Forbes ’ decision to with NAL since 1983. His studyTaw at the London School of Eco- 1 nomics and Political Science has meant and development, flight mechanics and forsaking the national scholarship that display at the diamond jubilee function of the Bombay Flying Club. Damania, asizes its superficial resemblance to a similar to those of an aeroplane, noted The 50-year-old aeronautical genius head of the flight experiments laborato- field of interest includes aircraft design ry of the National Aeronautical Lab- i ’ ' ' ~ 1____ ____ „ __ _ oratory^ (NALj, ^^angalore, together flight testing. He also holds a private would otherwise have been his due. He , --------------- r —J was declared a scholarship winner for the aircrart which made its maiden licence and with a team of 10 scientists,had built pilot ’s licence, a commercial pilot ’s flight two years ago. The original design of the LCRA was borrowed from Burt Rutan, design ­ er of the Voyager aircraft. (The Voy ­ ager created aviation history when it department of aerospace engineering. Weighing 600 kgs, the LCRA is report operator ’s licence, notes his bio data. Before joining NAL, for nearly two decades he was with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, in the flew non-stop around the world.) (Since Damania ’s retirement,°the IISc, Weighing 600 kgs, the LCRA is report- * edly the first Indian aircraft to be made from rigid foam and fiber glass com ­ posites. The total cost of the aircraft is five lakh rupees. The Times noted. Called a ‘Canard, ’ as it has its tail in the front and the wing at the tail end unlike other planes, the LCRA is a two- seater having a fuel capacity of 200 _______________ ............ liters. Normally flown at a height of Scholarship in 1959-60. Bangalore- a flight radio telephone ranking among the top 10 successful candidates at the Bombay University ’s bachelor of arts examination in 1988. A letter dated April 24, 1989, signed by the University ’s vice-chancellor Dr (Ms) Mehroo Bengalee, certified that Forbes had excelled in his studies. Forbes hopes to complete his law studies by mid 1991 after which he plans to return to India and practise law like his maternal grandfather. For his BA degree Forbes chose to founded by J. N. Tata, reportedly has no Parsis, either on the faculty or as students.) Graduating in science from the Bom ­ bay University in 1958, Damania subsequently passed the bachelor of major in English literature. He scored a total aggregate of 65.5 percent, and attained his best marks in the literary criticism paper (71 percent). Whilst studying at St Xavier ’s College, Forbes, mechanical engineering exam with dis ­ tinction from the Baroda University. He was awarded a Government Open Merit 8 Parsiana July 1989who is ‘passionately ’ fond of dramatics, rative bowls. Her bowls reportedly won The idea of the exhibition, the book had organized and directed a few plays, acclaim at a show of Asian bowls (dedicated to Vasudevs ’ son Bharani) Formerly studying at the Cathedral organized by the Crafts Council of and a documentary film in memory of and John Connon High School, Forbes Australia, notes S. Krishnan, a Madras- later went to Creighton Comprehensive, based freelance writer, in the brochure. England, to complete his schooling. the late artist, was conceived by her husband, S. G. Vasudev, also an estab- Whether dealing with realistic or lished artist. In a foreword to the book, Reading literary books and elocution abstract subjects, the contents of her he acknowledges the help of organiza- are Forbes ’ chief interests. paintings depicted nature, and Hindu tions like the Lalit Kala Akademi, New mythological forms and figures, each Delhi, MRF Ltd and Sarala ’s Art Centre frame bearing her distinctive style. in keeping alive Arnawaz ’s memory. Described by Doctor as a purist both in her taste for music and her response The SOUnd of ghungroos to people, she could be both, very aus- Arnawaz: a retrospect On the occasion of the first death anni ­ versary of artist Arnawaz Vasudev, Sarala ’s Art Centre, Madras presented a to people, she could be both, very aus- Over the years, Ms Arnavaz Sukhadia retrosj^ective of her works from tere and yet down-to-earth in her has made her mark at dance ballets, February 24 to March 4, 1989, notes a emotions, generous and yet inflexible in inter-exchange sessions and solo recit- brochure announcing the exhibition, her attitudes. als presented by the Khurshid Nritya The exhibition was sponsored by the Three years before succumbing to Kala Mandir. In March last, she gave Arnawaz Vasudev Charities Trust set up cancer in February ’88 at the age of 42, her arangetram (solo public perform- 1 rr,, Arnawaz did a mural in metal for the ance to test a dancer ’s virtuosity) at the Grindlays Bank, Madras. In 1987, she Hinduja Auditorium in Bombay, notes a did another outstanding mural for the brochure printed on the occasion. Madras branch of Standard Chartered Bank, the book notes. Some of Arnawaz ’s best works are emotions, generous and yet inflexible in her attitudes. Three years before succumbing to Kala Mandir. In March last, she to perpetuate her memory. The pro- L* c Forbes (right): law is a priority Vasudev (below) and her metal creation Evolution of NJan The presentation of a shawl (belong ­ ing to the late Dastur Navrooz Mino- chehr-Homji) to the dancer set the abroad, in institutions like the mood for. the evening ’s performance. Smithsonian in Washington DC. In Sukhadia ’^had learnt much about reli- India they can be seen at centers like the gion from Minochehr-Hcfmji, and he in National Gallery of Modern Art in New turn, would always be present for her Delhi and the Lalit Kala Akademi, also dance programs, notes her father Beh- in New Delhi. ramji. The 23-year-old classical dance^, who has since migrated to Canada ’ (where she will work as a textile designer), staged her first performance abroad at a summer festival in Bramp ­ ton (a suburb of Toronto city) where she was “very well received by the crowd ’’ which asked for a repeat per ­ formance, noted Sukhadia in a letter to her father. Since the age of four when her par ­ ents encouraged her to learn Bharata Natyam, Sukhadia has imbibed the knowledge and experience of dance from teachers like Ms P. N. Rajalaxmi, Dr (Ms) Khurshid Irani, Guru Kutti Krishnan and Ms Gayatri Venkatra- man, notes the brochure. She studied at the St Joseph ’s Con ­ vent High School and the Amrutben Jivanlal College of Commerce. A diploma holder in textile designing from Sophia Polytechnic, Sukhadia was, till recently, working with Tata Textiles in the rotary screen-making department. Among her other qualifications are a foundation course in fine arts and a certificate in computer programming. According to the brochure, besides dancing she also enjoys painting and music. _____________ Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka ,5''' 4 ceeds from the sale of her works will be Sukhadia : creating dance awareness utilized to grant annual scholarships to two artists. A 24-page book recounting Arnawaz ’s life and the evolution of her art was also published to commemorate this occasion. Nearly every page of the book has the stamp of her drawings and an interesting narrative by Ms Geeta Doctor that recounts the highlights of her career. Working in a variety of mediums - pen and ink drawings, color and wash, oils, and metals - Arnawaz particularly enjoyed metal designing, making deco- book 10 Parsiana July 1989 y. 3 VasZOROASTRIANS ABROAD jjj fo^iis according to the advance intima- ship paying realistic subscriptions, this tion published by ZAC’s May newslet- body will not succeed. If Zoroastrians The World Zoroastrian Organisation ter. The panel of speakers included simply rely on bequests, anonymous (WZO) has decided to purchase a prop- Professors L. Heller and Kaikhosrov donations and the like, and expect to get erty for its use as headquarters, informs Irani, both of City College, New York, something for nothing, they are being the June newsletter of the Zoroastrian Dr A. Skjervo and Dr James Russell, unrealistic. This is particularly true for Association of Metropolitan Chicago both of Columbia University, Dr Far- those who live in the West and therefore (ZAC). Quoting an appeal from the hang Mehr of Boston University, Dr Ali for whom the WZO should have more Organization, the newsletter notes that a Jafarey of the Zoroastrian Center, Cali- significance... It is commonly said by modest freehold building would cost at fomia and Dr Lovji Cama of ZAGNY. “ least £200,000 plus another £30,000 for renovadbn and possible extension. The appeal refers to WZO’s work on subject of the world body in Vancou- they themselves are often mere takers, behalf of the community and speaks of ver ’s bilingual (English and Persian) offering no constructive suggestions for its “vital role in assisting and safe- publication Pak-e-Mehr drew a cogent improvement, nor financial aid. ” guarding the community globally ” in analysis of the needs and problems fac- time to come. To enable the Organisa- ing the WZO from Shahin Bekhradnia problem of differing cultural back- tion to “operate freely on an interna- in Oxford, England. The letter to the grounds of Parsi and Irani Zoroastrians tional scale, ” it needs a separate identity editor, published by the magazine in (“Language, dress, food and social cus- and adequate space. Donors are direct- two instalments, provides an insight toms are different. Even religious ed to the honorary treasurer, WZO, into how lay Zoroastrians think of the practices are different and, in some cas- AMP House, 2 Cyprus Road, London world body. es, religious beliefs and principles are NW3 3RY, England. Acknowledging that the WZO “was at issue between the two groups ”) Bekh- set up in recognition of the increasing radnia essays, “A sensitive and tolerant Worldwide integration, the regeneration dispersal of Zoroastrians worldwide, ” leadership must exist to produce a uni- of the community through entrepre- Bekhradnia notes that “all the practical versally accepted representative body. It neurial skills and the role of Parsi youth problems of running such an organiza- will not be achieved if accusations of in'national development will engage the tion were not foreseen and perhaps being somehow incorrect in doctrine'Qji attention of WZO’s first International could not have been anticipated. ” He liturgy, or impure in descent or tradl- Youth Congress scheduled to be held in suggests a clear enunciation of the tion are levelled by any one group at Bombay on December 28, 29 and 30, body ’s purpose and intentions followed any other, which is what we wimess at 1989, notes an announcement in the by the willingness of individual mem- FEZANA Journal (Vol II, No 2). The bers to become involved in its working. Youth Congress will thus immediately “We frequently hear complaints about eliminate this problem within the next precede the Fifth World Zoroastrian those who give their time up to serve on generation with their children all grow- Congress being organized by the Bom- committees, and yet, ironically, there ing up in a western milieu with a bay Parsi Punchayet at the behest of the seems to be a dearth of new willing common language, the cultural and doc- Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anju- members to take their places, ” he says. mans of India in the first week of Janu ­ ary 1990, and will provide the youth an determination of procedures for the atmosphere of greater tolerance incul- incentive to attend both meets. selection of working members that cated by sensitive accommodation of Religious, cultural, social and eco- would be fair and identical in all coun- different viewpoints, says Bekhradnia. nomic aspects of the community will tries. But he is chary of allocating “The Organisation cannot afford to be occupy workshops and discussion national representation based on popu- rigid, ” he concludes. “It must use the groups. Entertainment, games and lation ratios (a moot point advocated by wisdom and conscience of individual sightseeing is also on the cards. Those the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian members to ... adapt itself as necessary, planning to attend the Youth Congress Anjumans of India and the Bombay Par- trying always to increase the sum total are required to contact Ms Farzana si Punchayet) as “this would result in of its achievements towards its ultimate Bodhanwalla in Bombay. he domination of policies. ” target: the well-being and perpetuation of the Zoroastrian community. ” Zoroastrians of themselves that they are very good at criticizing others ’ efforts In the meanwhile, an editorial on the and contributions, but fail to see that Addressing himself to the thorny present. ” Even if Zoroastrians in the West trinal differences between India and Bekhradnia advocates a careful Iran will need to be confronted and an he domination of policies. ” The Organisation, to be effective. Just before going to press Parsiana learns that the WZO has dropped the will need an efficient secretariat staffed idea of the Youth Congress. I _ activities, inform, and liaise within the A recent activity cosponsored by the Organisation and outside it, feels Bekh- WZO and the Zoroastrian Association radnia. “Inevitably, all this translates (FEZANA) emerged clearer at its sec- of Greater New York (ZAGNY) was a into a highly sophisticated and costly full-day conference on “Zoroastrianism operation. Money is a subject about in Iran ” at the Arbab Rustom Guiv Dar- which people get uncomfortable. Yet be Mehr in New York, scheduled for without a strong suppportive member- by permanent employees to coordinate Clearer perspectives The mission of the Federation of Zoro ­ astrian Associations of North America ond annual general meeting in Montreal on March 24 and 25, 1989, according to its president Rohinton Rivetna. “As a coordinating body for North American 12 Parsiana July 1989Zoroastrian associations... FEZANA the same as the long-term objectives but informs that they have collected $ 7,00C serves as a forum to seek out items that with different priority ratings, with the so far and invites donations with che need to be addressed, and then ensure exception of three items' not listed ques payable to the ZAMW at 463S that they are addressed. ” Rivetna ’s reflections after the event have been published in tht. FEZANA Journal of information on youth scholarships and June 1989. ' ' ' ” Rivetna was not as happy about attendance at the meet, especially of the members of the coordinating and plan ­ ning committee which includes many ly available in Canada and the USA for the recipients of the scholarships. The community elders. “Sending reports or children ’s religious education. This will financial needs of the applicant, a supe- proxies is not enough - the value of enable the small anjumans and Zoroas- rior educational record and extracurric- interpersonal dialogue and interchange trian pockets to avail of programs cur- ular activities including involvement ir cannoWbe over-emphasized, ” he writes, i The coordination and planning com- < mittee, under the chairmanship of Homi Homji, had shortlisted 12 long-term ' objectives to enable the Federation to ready for discussions on issues facing educational field who was associatec determine its projects, with suggestions on who should initiate them. Identifying who is a Zoroastrian, adopting a uni ­ form calendar and rituals, and creating better trained, multidisciplinary mo- beds and paramobeds are its first three suggestions. The intention is to invite discussion at North American seminars and congresses with the education com ­ mittee initiating the first and the Angeles, CA 90049. mobeds initiating the next two. ' Member associations are advised to strive for better Parsi-Irani social inte ­ gration and, along with the youth munity, the Journal will publish short ing the last few years in the US. above: immigration and welfare assist- Bettswiid Drive, Olney, Maryland ance to Irani Zoroastrian refugees, 20832. While the funds of the Trust will “acceptance, by retrieval of ex-Zoroas- repose with the ZAMW, the overall trians who had left the faith. ” business of the Trust will be conducted To begin with, FEZANA will compile by a three-member Trust committee a descriptive list of all material current- which shall be responsible for selecting rently in use among the larger asso- community affairs will be the criteris ciations, notes the Journal. for selection. The Trust commemorates Bombay- “The community at large appears to be born Chothia, a pioneer in the us in North America, ” notes the FEZA- with the universities of Bombay, Lon- NA Journal (June, 1989) as it invites don. Harvard and Queensland. It was thoughts and suggestions to make the Chothia ’s belief that “education is cru- Seventh North American Zoroastrian cial to the well-being and survival of oui Congress, due to be held in Houston in community. ” After nearly 20 years ir 1990, more participatory. Comments establishing innovative systems in India, must be directed to Ms Dhunmai Dalal, Chothia served as a United Nations chairperson of the FEZANA Congress Educational, Scientific and Cultural Committee at 2906 Elvida Drive, Los Organization (UNESCO) field expert ir Nigeria and an International Laboi Organization (ILO) expert in Malaysia In the interests of promoting marriages He died in Washington DC in Wf' within the far-flung Zoroastrian com- where he lived in retirement after woi ’f committee, to create the atmosphere for (four to five-line) announcements from more marriages between Zoroastrians, and higher birth rates. The education committee is asked to assist Sunday school teachers with standardized texts with a good balance between philoso ­ phy, ethics, rituals, scriptures, mytholo- Journal. FEZANA will discourage third gy and history, in the interests of better party involvement, will not be aware of and more comprehensive education for which two parties are in correspond- adults and children alike. Acceptance of ence and will accept no responsibility the non-Zoroastrian spouse in mixed marriages and their children stands sev ­ enth in order of priority, in the listing. A prod to all concerned to project a bet ­ ter understanding of Zoroastrianism by 7 Cleveland Lane, RD# 4, Princeton, NJ participating at all levels in the affairs of governments and communities,fol ­ lows. Brief pamphlets on different PQ J4Y1B4, Canada. rituals and prayers in English, demo ­ graphic studies, a central charity trust The Fall Chothia TrilSt fund and a composite North American Zoroastrian center as supportive infra ­ structure fo'r FEZANA are the remain ­ ing injunctions. The 13 short-term objectives are by the Zoroastrian Association of Met- based on the results of the grassroots ropolitan Washington, (ZAMW), in ­ survey carried out earlier and reflect the forms the FEZANA Journal of March desires of the North American Zoroas- 1989. trian community. They are essentially individuals in search of spouses, begin ­ ning with its September 1989 issue. Each party will be assigned a box number and confidentiality will be pre ­ served, notes an announcement in the for any mail lost through redirection, notes the Journal. Announcements may be mailed to Dr Addendum The item “Refugee resettlement ” (Zoroastrians Abroad, Parsiana, May 1989) had omitted mentioning the fact that the efforts 6f FEZANA and the Zoroastrian Society of Ontario (ZSO) were aimed at helping Iranian Zoroastrians who had fled to India and Pakistan. The lapse is regretted. Jehan Bagli, Editor, FEZANA Journal, Compiled by Arnavaz S. Mama 08540 or Ms Dolly Dastoor, Secretary, FEZANA, 3765 Malo Street, Brossard Scholarships to attend institutions of higher learning open to young Zoroas- trians everywhere is the aim of the Fall Chothia Charitable Trust incorporated Trust fund chairman Soli Choksi Matrimonial alliance invited from well-settled, good ­ looking young man for a 30-year-old BCom graduate, attractive and homely girl presently working as an Air Hostess in a reputed international airline Write to: The Advertiser Matrimonial (4) Parsiana GPO Box No 892 Bombay 400001 14 Parsiana July 1989TRUSTS Decree for Dastur Hall Gustasp Irani The joint charity commissioner has ruled that the disputed Dastur Hall land is private family property ? ? ? Whose land is it anyway? Private prop- the documents of 1843 and 1852 executed dispute pertaining to the Trust property. ” ................ .. ' . - - — - - points put that in this document the boundaridB (of the S. R. Patel Trust) are described: “On its southern side are the ‘lands and premises of Dastur N. .. I as Nana Peth, Pune, popularly known as trusting him with the sacred duties of Dastur Hall... ’ Therefore, it is beypnd erty of Dastur Hormuzdiar N. K. Dastur by the “original settlor ” of the Trust, S. R. and not trust property decreed P. V. Patel. “It appears from the records that S. Kakade, joint charity commissioner, R. Patel executed a document in 1843 F\ine. The judgement was served on the transfering the said property unto Dastur title dispute over the plot of land at Nosherwanjee Jamashpjee Dastur, en- Jamashpjee and his brothers known dastur Hall. maintaining the fire-temple and the Patel As reported in “To whom does Das- Hall for the purpose of the Parsi commu- tur Hall belong? ” (Parsiana, January nity. It further appears that S. R. Patel ___ __ _____ 1989) Eruch M. Irani and three others executed a will in the year 1852, and died appertaining are not the properties ded- ~ icated for the purpose of the Trust... The fact that (Dastur Hormuzdiar) has not conclusively established as to how his Irani ’s counsel asserted that the docu- original predecessors in title came to possess and own that property, is quite immaterial for our present purpose. ” He goes on to observe though: “Since it is evident that the office of high priest has come by hereditary rights, it is quite logical that thT Dastur Hall residence was given to the private ownership of and legal deed of trust. ” the family for the purpose of their Having established the legal status of residence... ” the document of 1884, the joint charity commissioner relies on it to “settle the commissioner ruled that the earlier inte ­ rim injunction of t 1987 stands vacated and that only 5,150.41 sq m of land belong to the S.R. Patel Trust. Irani and his as ­ sociates intend to appeal against the judgement. any shred of doubt established that trf lands and premises known as Dastur Hall and the residences and buildings filed for and obtained a stay order during the same year. ” The judgement against the sale of the land on the observes that neither party was able to grounds that the property belonged to produce this will. Sardar Sorabjee Ratanjee Patel Charita- 1 ' ' .... ble Trust (S. R. Patel Trust). In reply ment of 1884 “merely reiterates the Dastur Hormuzdiar, chief trustee of the foundation of the Trust made by the ear ­ same Trust and High Priest of the Trust Her documents (of 1843 and 1852).” fire-temple located on the land adja- However, the joint charity commission- cent to Dastur Hall, argued that only er concluded that “the recitals of the 5,332.66 sq yards of land belonged to document dated July 2, 1884 are more the Trust and the residue was his family than sufficient to show that it is the true property. In resolving the issue, the joint char ­ ity commissioner observed in his judge ­ ment: “The crux of the matter lies in the document which created the present Trust.. In this conne ­ ction therefore, ii would be necessary for us to determine the legal status of the document exe ­ cuted on July 2, 1884 which was registered during the same month." He refers also to II 16 Parsiana July 1989 In his final order, the joint charity ¦ August vacated t Land adjoininj^ Dastur HallTRUSTS Thana land dtTTlopment stayed Homi J. Rogers The Bombay High Court and the charity commissioner , have ordered a stay on the development of the Divecha Trust property at Thana Justice S. P. Bharucha on April 11, 1989. On this occasion, Radhika Build ­ ers, the developers of the property gave, through their counsel, an undertaking to the High Court that they have “neither created any third party rights so far... and shall not do so ” pending disposal of the case bdfore the charity commission- iiitaiivmuiu, ___ 1"____ ¦ violated the Urban Land Ceiling and trian Aniuman (TPZA) to prevent the Regulation Act. They also asserted that developed by a builder — as against being put to use for housing the Zoroas ­ trian community - has resulted in the charity commissioner passing a stay i^ame. order on all development on the 8583 sq Th: — . - m Dlot at Charai, Thana, till the final the charity commissioner s court 19 ----------- dis^sal of the case. The Bombay High days after the application tras filed^For er^ ^ oTt'rh X^fhTt ™s soi^ht'-riprilT 1989710 the tion was adj^ourned. Thereafter, cdmmissioner (be) stayed pending dis- meanwhile, construction work was fur- April 25, t.e c. an y commissi 1 nf tKic nptitinn ther speeded up, and on the open, er directed the respondents (DiyecOT ¦“The TKA “may be recalled (see maidan like Diwcha property, a five- Trust, Radhika Builders, Kiran Entef- storey building rose »ith alarming pnses). to January 1989), had filed an Wl' “t'on vehxi^^ nirenive from the testina the sale of the tand. The order in the charity commissioner s court last year contesting the Divecha Trust ’s ^hiTn-PaBr'LvX^r “"lnS"'ihe bay High Court on March 20, 1989JO JetlTit1o'XvWe% ’'aX" «Z teirust^s •h^r'e breach- Court admitted the petition on the ,50 Pa^i famil^^s on a^^o^s ^i/h'SunToX ’X WM/SrZ w w" penXT^^^ tratention of the Urban Land Ceiling directed the jrespondents^ to mainta n th^cl^arilv commissioner's® court, and Regulation Act. ” The writ petition status quo as instructed by the charity Radhika Builders, the developers of the came up for hearing before the court o, commis^MonerThe .ordej^ fun e^^^- land, proceeded with construction on i„ progress on the p^rsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India which had promised to support the cause of the TPZA (see “The Feder ­ ation offers to intervene, ” Parsiana, November 1988). The Bombay High Court order has had the case “stayed ” from the charity commissioner ’s court pending its dis ­ posal of the petition. The next hearing r has been fixed for August 14, 198S when the Divecha Trust, the develof^rs and promoters can show cause againsi ¦ § the petition. Cursetji believes- that tht ¦ 1 trustees/builders are “likely to appea I o against this order admitting, the wri ¦ petition. ” The attempt by the Thana Parsi Zoroas- Di^echa ’ Trust 'land in Thana being they were unable to reach the contractor at the address mentioned on the board at the site, the flat being always locked and the nameplate bearing another carried out any development work.„nor The case first came up for hearing in times thereafter, an adjournment hearing for the admission of writ peti ’ --------------on April 25, 1989, the charity commission ­ er directed the i . ' , Trust, Radhika Builders, Kiran Entei testing the sale of the land. The order also called for the parties to “expedite w.. _ ____ __ _ ____ — Subsequently, on June 15, 1989 Jus- further construction. They tice S. M. Daud of the Bombay High Court admitted the petition on the In the absence of a directive from the charity commissioner, the petitioners (TPZA) filed an application in the Bom- hearing of the application. 1 on the site. The Anjuman hence made a fresh application on December 14, 1988 to the charity commissioner, requesting him to use his powers to grant tempo ­ rary injunction/stay. The Anjuman prayed that the trustees, builders, and the contractor - Kiran Enterprises, whose bonafides the Anjuman doubts - be restrained from carrying out further construction activity. The two petition ­ ers, Rustom Cursetji and Zarsis Udhna- wala, president and committee member respectively of the TPZA, pointed out that the developers wanted to present a. fait accompli which was not in the inter ­ est of the beneficiaries and, moreover. Construction in progress on the Divecha Trust land in Thana 18 Parsiana July 1989POLITICS AND POLICY FOCUSSING ON THE TV The Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC) will focus on the community ’s existence in the twenty-first century, announced Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPPj^trustee and subjects committee chairman Jamsheed Kanga at the exec ­ utive council meeting of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India. The delegates assembled at the Muncherji Khareghat Hall in Bombay on April 8 and 9, 1989 were intimated by BPP trustee and Congress chairman Jamshed Guzder that nearly 500 Zoro ­ astrians from Iran are interested in attending the Bombay Congress to be held from January 3 to 7, 1990 if they can manage to convince the Iranian government to waive the departure fee of around 20,000 tomans (approxi ­ mately Rs 20,000) per person. The air ­ port fee is an additional 5,(XX) tomans. Some Federation delegates criticized the all-India body for not keeping them informed of developments pertaining to • the Congress, nor involving them in the decision-making. Pointing out the diffi ­ culties in coordinating meetings in input. It is high time we invest in Bombay with out-of-town representa- knowledge, ” recommended Moddie. tives, the Federation however issued an “We have to think the unthinkable; look open invitation to members who for high quality minds, ” he continued, wished to serve on the Congress execu- Despite its institutional nature, the tive committee. Representatives from think-tank will be above politics, clari- Delhi, Surat, Poona, Ahmedabad and fied Mistree. Its solutions will not be the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman (IZA) binding on the decision-makers, but showed their willingness to be included once the specialists come together, “a on the planning team. subtle form of leadership will emerge... The Poona Youth Association has healthy discussions that spring from an offered to host the next all-India Parsi informed community, ” added Mistree, youth seminar in Poona during the Diwali holidays. The subjects that are Madame Bhikhaiji Cama ’s portrait will to come up for discussion at the next be hung up in the central hall of Parlia- World Congress will be deliberated ment, announced Minorities Commis- League of Ahmedabad. Delegates upon by the youths and the representa- sion member Homi Taleyarkhan. To be attending the executive council meeting tive views that emerge will be ex- unveiled by the Vice President of India, were presented a copy each. In additior pressed at the Congress. her photograph will be in the distin- to the exhaustive list of names anc To create a “happy blend of leader- guished company of other stalwarts addresses of 2,093 Parsis in Ahmed- ship with the exj^rtise available, ” the whose frames line the Gallery of Free- abad, the directory also refers to the formation of a think-tank was mooted, dom Fighters. age-composition of the populace. Founder of Zoroastrian Studies Kho- The inclusion of the Parsi New Year Nearly 24 percent are in the 1-20 age- jeste Mistree and management consul- (Shehenshahi) in the list of holidays group, 53 percent in the 21-60 age- tant Aspi Moddie as guest speakers .declared by the Government of India is group and 21 percent over 60 years ol explained the implications and working a breakthrough that was made possible age. A list of blood donors as alsc of “this pool of informed talent. ” “We by Taleyarkhan. Coihmending his addresses of Parsi dharamshalas in The Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India is preparing for the Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress and the community's future in the next century efforts, Federation joint honorary sec ­ retary Keki Gandhi hoped that Taleyar- khan would be equally successful ir bringing about a unification of calen ­ dars in the community instead of tht prevailing practice of three different ones observed by the Shehenshahi Kadmi and Fasli sects. A directory of Parsi Zoroastrians residing in Ahmedabad was compilec and published by the Parsee Youth .20 Parsiana July 1989 Parinaz Gandhi & think we know, but every single prob ­ lem in the community lacks hard data The revolutionary freedom fighter ISr i EMTY-FIRST CENTURY India are included to make the direct- lore Anjuman had years back shown an maligned in the community when actu- ory a “useful book of reference. ” interest in joining the all-India body, ally “it is the decision of the oyer- Three new anjumans - Jalgaon, asking for clarification and papers, whelming majority ” that is responsible Mandvi and Mysore - have applied for promising to take a decision at its next for Bangalore ’s refusal to join the Fed- membership of the Federation body, general body meeting and ultimately eration. But according to Gandhi, This subject mad^the Federation pres- deciding to defer enrolment. The pan- “There is no doubt that a lot of weigh- ident and BPP chairman Dr Aspi Gol- thaky of the Bangalore Dar-e-Meher tage has been given to Unvalla ’s opin- walla raise the question, “Can ’t Ervad Nadirshah Unvalla is grieved ion by the Bangalore Anjuman and the somebody persuade Bangalore to with reports in the Press publicizing his past history is very clear that if Unvalla join? ” Once again Gandhi provided the personal opinion that it would be pref- would agree to Bangalore joining the background picture on how the Banga- erable for the Bangalore Anjuman to Federation, Bangalore would join... but I we respect his right to express his views I and congratulate him for the influence I he is able to exercise over the Banga- I lore Anjuman... ” I Though the numbers on the Federa- I tion rolls keep increasing, there is not a I corresponding regularity in attendance at the executive council meetings, espe ­ cially when they are hosted by far-off anjumans. With the next meeting scheduled for September 9 and 10 in I Madras Gandhi urged, “Let me know I in advance whether you are planning to I attend the meeting. Otherwise we can ? cancel the meeting...It is not fair to the hosts and others who spend time and money... ” And, with the third meeting of the year planned in Ahmedabad, not I even a month before the World Con ­ gress, participation was doubtful there too. It was thus recommended that only one more meeting be held in 1989 at either of these venues. (Subsequently it has been finalized that the. nbxt meeting will be held in Madras on September 16 and 17.) “Let ’s make the meetings more business-like, ” advised Kanga. Offi ­ cially only two people from each anju ­ man should benefit from the host ’s hospitality, the rest should be asked to foot their own bills, he continued. BtM when Gandhi explained that it was up to the host anjuman to lay down the restriction on attendance, Kanga explained, “Most would not like to be r iR ' n »d jBwk bL «e «'¦ Pz •K I Top row (from left):Taleyarkhan, I Golwalla, Gandhi andGuzder I Middle row (from left): I Desai, Mistry, Sethna and Shroff I Below: J am she ed Kanga I stay away from the Federation, branded as inhospitable. We have Io I reported Gandhi. In his letters to two impose this discipline on ouraelves. ” I members of the Federation, Unvalla “For the last three hours I didn ’t I felt that he was indirectly being held know whether this was a meeting of the responsible for Bangalore ’s non- Federation or the BPP,” complained I membership and his name was being Brig Noshir Grant of Poona, The Ilengthy discussions on affairs concern ­ ing the BPP made him declare, “I’m not mterested in your problems; I want to shir ’s emphatic statement that the Fed- religious education, Gandhi admitted! discuss my problems. No wonder peo- eration “is a lot of hot air... This is not that “we are guilty of neglecting the' pie are not attending. It ’s a bore I’m a religious problem but a practical Dadar Madressa ’’where previously one t. experiences of problem, ’’ left the delegates uncon- boy used to be sponsored by the Feder- the BPP other anjumans can take a vinced. She further elaborated, “the ation. It was decided to clear the cue, pointed out Gandhi. “My regret is volunteer nassessalars are of my age. that messages are being carried back home, but nothing is being done . Z Z regarding implementation, ” Gandhi We think we know, lamented. “It is the responsibility of those present to prepare a report/ summary of what transpired at the meeting and to circulate it to the mem ­ bers of tiieir anjuman, ” was Kanga ’s view. Further, when Golwalla repeat ­ edly asks the smaller anjumans to bring up issues of relevance to their commu- . T***,*!!^ juuiii aiiM ^iMiuyuiIK CAVCUCIIUC. expressed, said They have to put to rest people whom Of all the proposals, the subject of Gandhi. thev have known No one likes the hnneinn ao .imni gious issues. Even the young Calcutta the Anjuman, representative Ms Khursheed Arde- I ' In the sphere of contributing towards' eration is a lot of hot air... This is not that “we are guilty of neglecting the' a religious problem but a practical Dadar Madressa ” where previously one ni-Akkw. ” Uft 4.1_ ______ _ _ ______ I_____ J . < f . J I but every single problem in the community lacks hard data input" Gandhi declared, “If the Federation has mentioned therein had been touched no guts to write a letter just because of upon before, or that the members Meherji Meherjirana of Navsari to give request Meherjirana to expedite a reply a prompt reply to their query on ’ " ' whether in the absence of vultures the dokhma should be substituted by a cemetery was argued heatedly, and largely by those who were not present at the preceding meeting in Calcutta. Not realizing that the initiative had come front the Calcutta Anjuman, issue aiiu me nanaji Agiary wnicn nas tion s responsibility. Mistry wanted to some felt that the Federation ’s corre- been closed down, its courtyard occu- know who constituted the executive spondence with Meherjirana would pied by encroachers. They were asked committee and why there was a prepon- * members. When it was explained that arrears since ’88 and revive the spon ­ sorship by paying at the rate of Rs 4,000 per annum. A letter from Bahadur Postwalla of Calcutta (circulated in advance with the agenda notice), was brought up for dis ­ cussion. Postwalla was advocating that the Federation adopt a more pragmatic approach when dealing with the time ­ worn problems of dwindling numbers, maintenance of funds and assets, moti ­ vating youth and promoting excellence. V r. known. No one likes the housing as usual was discus^sed at With the demise of the former Surat thought of a relative rotting... ” Affron- length, and the other recommendations Parsi Punchayet president Maneck ted by the “Federation ’s weak knees, ” bypassed on the grounds that the points Gheyara in March this year, there is Gandhi declared, “If the Federation has mentioned therein had been touched founder member left to steer no guts to write a letter just because of upon before, or that the members the Federation ship. And the vessel the fear of it being misconstrued, then needed time to “digest ” the proposals, occasionally tends to drift. A simple we should close down the Federation. ” On the sijbsequent day when the request from the Calcutta Anjuman that An applause from all corners greeted members were presented with a prog- ! ,e Federation should urge Dastur his words and he was authorized to ress report on the preparations for the . J ensuing World Congress, a topic not to the Calcutta Anjuman. mentioned on the agenda, the Federa- At the Calcutta meeting in December tion secretariat was faulted for not giv-"-^ 88, the trustees of the Calcutta Anju- ing the members sufficient time and man had chastised the Federation for chance “to study the subject and partic- not coming to the aid of anjumans ipate in the discussions, ” as noted Delhi which were beset with problems. Their representative Dadi Mistry. And since own difficulties then were the dokhma the WZC is supposed to be the Federa- issue and the Banaji Agiary which has tion ’s responsibility. Mistry wanted to been closed down, its courtyard occu- know who constituted the executive to forward the documents concerning derance of Bombayites amongst its .u» A ~ ’1 members. When it was explained that would then seek Taleyarkhan ’s help, the members were selected on the basis cation has since been forthcoming from Moddie (left) anePMistree ^1 3 tantamount to an intervention in the t _________ ______________ ___ internal workings of an anjuman, while the Agiary to the Federation which others opined that it would mean v 2 1. __ _ infringing the ban the Federation has But, as reported, no written communi- laid on dabbling in controversial reli- 22 Parsiana July 1S89 '! ¦ t ahim that even when youths approached i of their availability to participate in the to be in favor of adopting this step on executive commi^e meetings and more the grounds that they have already been him to form a youth wingunder^the involvement was welcome,^ Dr Mino- “thinking about the youth, and for the Federation s canopy, he advised them to rhpr Cnntractor of Surat Aspi Irani of youth. ” Judging by the accounts of dif- function independently without aligning Si mSw M A™ of AtaSw ferent anjumans tot are received by the themselves wid, any pamcular body. S^’oYan?l ’f£SSlices. They Federation, Gandhi was emphatic tot Stressing to tmportance of .n™lv- will sunnlement those presently on the the proportion of expenditure incurred mg youth from the formative stage of committee: Guzder, Gdwalla. Kanga, on youth activities is Kgligible. He was life/ ’ Eruch Desai, Gandhi, Ms Homai strongly in favor of the youths having a tary and BPP trustee Eruch u vouth. ” Judging by the accounts of dif- function independently without aligning < . ® ® . - J 1 x1 Q Wl r*l 11 €1K HrtHv, Stressing the importance of “involv- i ss Pudumjee, Ms Daisy Mehta, Hector |_ Mehta, Moddie, Dadi Engineer, Lt Gen ¦ Adi Sethna, Prof Khurshed Sheriar, H Dinshaw Anklesaria, Dr Sam Bhacca, H Bazun Dittia, Homi Bodhanwalla, S. D. ¦ Daver, Ms Nergish Palkhivala, Darius H Forbes, Dr Burziff Khan, Khushroo ¦ Merchant, F. Sidhwa, Ms Tehmi Grant, I Taleyarkhan, Rustom Kushesh, Yazda- I nyar Bonsht^i, Meher Anklesaria,Rus- H tom Anklesaria, Ms Sheroo Master and ¦ joint honorary secretaries Ms Gool ¦ Tata, Ms Homai Modi and Peshotan ¦ Nargolwala. beiM ^“2(W0^^n(?^]Syond^^the focus say in future policies that concern them. (From left): Marfatia, Pavri and Debara should be on “growth ” emphasized “2000 and beyond is going to belong to . . , Grant and Mistry They felt tot if tore whom? Cetonly not to you and me," to to^^uth' XiSn^te ’-t^SldT^roA'l ’:^ "-A^AS’^S’hovteverwasnot tl!:;i:: X i^med to Allo,: to S^ss topics hte toLet them come'^p on toft own down; to get used to their mature change processes on contemporary -------- . , Sr^hie “ o:S: ”tria “i! SjtohrHelaSmom ’Xto astrian Association of Dahanu was taSZs attiXo ’iitiSiage, prob- tot to yLhs would be us^ ite tools •'J^em ™P^7"g ipiris of the txxir and the aged, strength- by those who were anti-establishment. the youth in rural areas. Auaressing ening of c^munity organizations. Mistry did not agree with Pavri and the the decision-makers of the community, net! dialogue that followed thereafter was she continued^ Jou Jhink; work religious education and survival more of a personal affront, questioning act. To this^ Gandhi rephed that me m nf^fr«dition each other ’s age qualification and right tiative should come from their end. It is As explained by Kanga, “The aim of to monopolize discussions. Disagreeing up to the local apjuman to support t e the Congress is to try and understand with Pavri, Pbrus Karanjawalla from the you^ programs, felt Gandhi. Xus happing an over the world. ” Ahmedabad Phrsee Youth League enquir- “Please leave the thinking to us... Gandhi had mother query: “What steps ed, “How many youth-onented schemes u^d Zeree will be taken to ensure that recommen- have been floated since the new managing sentative from Thana. We have our dations arising from the Congress will committee has come to power? If the own minds; we learn from history... be implemented' ’” He was also keen that youth puts its own view forward, does it This does not mean that we won t listen “no attempts should be made to sweep mean that we are encouraging politics? ” to you, but let the motivation to work live burning issues and controversies Rather than see the discussion continue for the community come from withim under the ca%et. If we cannot arrive at f Gandhi internioted. “This is not As BPP s chief executive Rustom a consensus, let us at least become 1 . aware. ” He felt that the problems of the to voice Aeir (internal) disagreenaents.^ panel consisting of high priests and _ select other qualified priests who could and a rogue, and every old person as a arrive at feasible solutions. The time ’ » '•m adhered to strictly, advised Gandhi. The topic of anjumans providing a seat for a vouth trustee on their manag- voiced his concern that the inclusion oi svcnc ..vwc»c. u.n,, inQ committee has repeatedly come up a youth on the management sounded ria. In the ocean of politics, along with for discussion at FedSation^ meetings, like “a political theme that the Federa- the sharks and whales must su^ive the Hoi^::;X tion is preaching, ” Gandhi reassured small fish too. But he was quick to clar- k- IL I i: * * «r< <4 ¦Hl ....YYZiCiS Pavri of Ahmedabad however was not then he may get accustomed to follow ­ ing the good precepts which elders have - - - • ' fc with hard work and perseverance. Why thinking. ” Ms Puran Irani from the Young Zoro- be implemented? ” He was also keen that youth puts its own view forward, does it * . . < . ____ _______ _ AMz«z^ii«>orrirfenpvpr ««ii oox, __ ________7*. you^mendon marriage, they are like dikri ne panva nikalyo (What does the ' '" damned fellow earn that he has the an ethos should be audacity to propose marriage to my a stigma would be daughter)? ”’ conveyed Contractor. BPP trustee Minoo Shroff explained that with the new company policy of printing the salaries of its employees, many girls refuse to consider marriage found out that Rs 36,000 per annum “ni , - income nathi (jgcome is less than Rs frightened horses... 36,(X)0).” From the experiences of his matrimonial bureau in Ahmedabad, Pavri narrated an incident of a mar ­ riage being cancelled because at the last moment the girl ’s family felt that the boy ’s income was Rs 500 less than what they had expected. Golwalla said that he had even heard of marriage being broken because the parties could not agree on a caterer for the wedding function. The BPP’s matrimonial bureau has resulted in 25 marriages, with one heading for a divorce, informed Anklesaria. An optimistic "Whenever you . ¦ uioiiy giiis I Cl use lu cuiisiucr marriage mention marriage proposals from suitors if they have they are like bharke" 24 Parsiana July 1989 and Arde^r Youth repre­ sentatives Irani (1^) Shroff suggested, “See the success ratio. Study how they clicked; how they are clicking. Marriage is a matter of mutual adjustment. ” Personality problems and ego prob-I r lems are the chief causes for marital eration has intervened in support of the explained that this was a separate man ­ conflict in the community, announced Thana Anjuman which has moved the agement over which the BPP could Ms Roda Pardiwalla who is in charge of Bombay High Court for a stay order exercise no control. the BPP’s family counselling program, against further development of the And reconciliation becomes difficult Divecha Trust property (see “Thana prevailing in the community: where when one party refuses to cooperate at land development stayed, ” page 18, land is available, the funds are missing; counselling sessions, she continued. Parsiana, July 1989). Though the Fed- where funds are in surplus, there is no The legal aid cell is an ongoing weekly _________________________________ land; often, there are assets, but no per ­ feature. She also recommended the set- "pipocp IPAVP thP sonnet In Bina (in Madhya Pradesh) ting up of a work shelter for psychiatric _ rlCflOC ICCl VC L ^C there are more than three acres of land cases who are not considered safe at home. Whether marriages are being dis ­ rupted or delayed for want of adequate accommodation was once again a topic featuring at the mf eting. While Gandhi could not understand why people with lakhs in their pocket turn to the BPP for housing instead of being self-reliant, others recommended that the BPP eration has not yet impleaded itself in a non-Parsi, now that its fire has been expand its housing construction plans the controversy surrounding Dastur shifted to Surat. While some in the by joining hands with trusts which have Hall, Eruch Irani ’s appeal to the Feder- gathering wondered whether the Feder- lands lying spare. In the merit-rating ation to lend its name will be consid- ation would be treading on the forbidden system for accommodation, amend- ered after examining the papers. territory of “controversial religious ments are being considered to reserve There are two other community issues, ” the general opinion seemed to 50 percent of the allotments for the properties in Thana which are ideally favor selling the building, preferably to engaged-to-be-married and newly mar- suited for residential complexes. But a Parsi, though not f(^ a song, and if no ried couples, in the hope of increasing while the dokhma plot comes under the one was interested, to a non-Parsi. One the community ’s population. purview of “non-agricultural ” land member suggested that the land be used To reduce the pressure on housing, which cannot be developed until all the to restore Parsis whether in agriculture Golwalla announced that there is room necessary permits and licenses have or small scale industries. It was realisti- for aged males at the Punchayet-run been secured, on the land adjoining the cally pointed out to him that Parsis Parukh Dharamshalla at Bombay. The agiary (about 40,000 sq ft), 60-70 flats can ’t be expected to stay in isolation in Surat infirmary too is in a position to will be constructed once the charity the rural regions. accommodate senior members of the commissioner ’s sanction is obtained. Agra ’s effort to lease their hall at the community. When Gandhi was hopeful that some of dharamshala building so that the mone- Several flats in Bombay have only those on the BPP’s waiting list could be tary compensation could contribute one or two old Parsis staying there. The transferred to Thana, Anklesaria continued on page 40 threat that such flats would be lost to non-Parsi servants if adoption was rec ­ ognized in the community, has deterred the initiation of an adoption law for Parsis. Lest any move on this front have future repercussions on the community, it was decided to study the problem, consult legal luminaries and then decide how to proceed. Meanwhile, proposed amendments to the Indian Succession Act as applicable to Parsis, which seek to remove discrimination on the grounds of sex and to prevent bequests to charity from being invali ­ dated, will be forwarded to Taleyar- khan who will take up the matter with the authorities concerned. Lands belonging to Parsi individuals and trusts that have become the subject matter of legal controversies are the Divecha Trust land in Thana and the Dastur Hall property in Poona. In both these cases, the intended sale of the trust lands has evoked opposition from members of the community. The Fed- Indicators point to the conditions I 25 Parsiana July 1989 "Please leave the thinkinq to us... Let and the last Parsi there died, some 10 - years ago, reported Ronny Dick of Jhansi who wanted the Federation ’s help in preventing the property from being lost to the community. In Karanj, there are reportedly no Parsis left and Pheroze Karanjia sought the Federa ­ tion ’s opinion on whether it was per ­ missible to selloff the agiary building to the motivation to work for the community come from within" Gifts& The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive ^fts, reli^ous artefacts, executive desk ^ts, exclusive shell items, designer jewelry & specializing in wood & copper-enamel gifts. BOMBAY SWADESHI STORES LTa (Mezzanine Floor) Sir P.M. Road, Bonibay-400 001 STUDIO AKAR 6T/2G6d IINSTITUTIONS Agra's monumental task Gustasp Irani “When we first came to Agra in 1969 there were 45 to 50 Parsis here. Now we are down to 21. What more can I say? The statistics speak for themselves. ” To Hosang Debara, secretary and treasurer of the Agra Parsi Anjuman (APA) since 1972, the future of the community in this historic city of the Taj Mahal is bleak. Eleven of the community mem ­ bers are over the age of 60 and only four below 30 - no, make that three - in a community of 20. Shortly after the interview Debara ’s daughter was mar ­ ried and settled in Poona. “The last Parsi wedding celebrated in Gujarat. Of course this only encourages the dining hall and the main hall (Keku- ” godrej Hall) lie desolate and empty. Sad Girls are not the only ones who are testimony to this fact were the clouds of dust that belched out of the room that was being readied for us during our There are only 20 Parsis left in Agra who are making every effort to hold on to community institutions Nassiruddin, has taken charge of the place. Along with his wife and children, he cares for the premises. “Mohammed is a qualified caterer and he knows how to cook Parsi food. He cooks as per the guests ’ requirements, ” explains Debara. The dharamshala charges Rs 15 per bed per day, breakfast costs Rs 5, lunch and dinner Rs 15 per meal and tea Re 1, Debara informs us. However, there are very few who avail of the facilities. On an average only about three to four guests use the dharamshala every month. Most of the time the 10 rooms. Agra was about 10 years ago, ” says intercommunity marriages. ” Debara. And navjotes? “Where are the children? ” asks Debara in reply. To his reluctant to -make Agra their home, son Porus, youth trustee of the APA, the After Ervad S. Dastoor left in 1980, the lack of Parsi youth poses another prob- APA has not been able to persuade recent visit, lem. “There is just no social life in another priest to relocate in Agra. There was a time when Rustam Bagh Agra. We crave for company. We look Debara recalls that Ervad Daraius Bagli (named after Rustomji Rustom-Faram forward to our visits to Delhi where we had served as a priest in Agra before he who along with his wife Putlibai donat- • can meet Parsis of our own age. ” moved on to Delhi in 1952. “Now, ed it to the Parsi community in 1918), Ftorus accepts the reality of his pre- whenever we require a priest we have to bustled with traffic: Lala ’s Tours used it dicament: “I’m stuck in Agra. ” He is rely on Delhi to lend us one of their referring to the fact that the family busi- priests. We pay for his complete expenses. ” ness, Hindustan Crushers and Ferti ­ lizers Co, precludes the option of cannot get a Parsi to manage their dha- try; and Parsi boys on temporary looking for opportunities elsewhere, ramshala, Rustam Bagh, and cater to posting to the city were accommodated And he sees no reason why other Parsis, the youth in particular, would want to facility. Till a year ago, trustee Homi settle in Agra. Debara senior shakes his Khambatta managed the guest house. head when asked about job openings But since then, a Muslim, Mohammed Kekugodrej Edulbehram built and that the city can offer to Parsis desiring ’ ' " to make it their home. “Few, ” he says. Hosang Debara: a bleak future “The opportunities are few. ” But the g matter, according to him, is hypotheti- I cal and superfluous. “Parsis just don ’t I want to leave Bombay, ” he observes. I This reluctance of Parsis to leave r Bombay creates another problem for young Parsi boys and girls settled out ­ side the great metropolis - finding suitable life partners. It is not just a problem that Agra faces, but concerns all pockets of Parsis that do not fall on the West Coast, according to Debara Sr. “Boys doing well and with good future prospects are not able to find girls because they (the girls) would rather marry and settle in Bombay, Pdona or lem. “There is just no social life in another priest to relocate in Agra. as a base; groups visiting Nani Tai stopped over as did Parsi visitors from Priests aside, the APA finds that they Bombay, Delhi and the rest of the coun- the guests who might want to use the here. In 1953, extensive renovation and restoration work was undertaken at a cost of Rs 75,000, says Debara. In 1956, L br 9 - —y. 26 Parsiana July 1989 donated the Kekugodrej Hall. The introduction of the Delhi-Taj Express and, more recently, the Shatab- di Express, has had a telling effect on the occupancy of the dharamshala, says Debara. People now prefer to use Delhi as a base; visiting Agra in the morning and returning by evening. Luxury bus operators have also started to offer same day return tours from Delhi to Agra. “People come to Agra in the morning and rush back by evening. There is more to Agra than the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. There is Itmad-ud-Daulah ’s Tomb, Dayal Bagh, Agra Fort, Sikandra and more. A per ­ son should spend two to three comfort ­ able days in the city rather than rushthrough it, ” says Debara. Till Parsis appreciate the wisdom of : Debara ’s views, the dharamshala will continue to wear a deserted look. The revenue as a result is negligible and this in turn puts a financial strain on the APA. Funds to maintain the dharamshala premises and also the aramgah (burial . ¦ grounds) of the community are scarce. “The Agra Parsi Anjuman is a finan ­ cially weak anjuman, ” Porus Debara writes to us. He informs us that in order . _ to raise funds, “We (the APA) are try- ing, since the last one year, to rent out the hall, an adjoining room, verandah |H and a store room at the dharamshala, having a carpet area of approximately ' 1,250 square feet, to some government organization or a Parsi-owned business house. ” He adds, “People reading your mi article may respond and we may get a H| suitable party. ” According to Debara senior, the APA has already leased out, for tree planta- iiii tion, a 15,000 square yard plot of land adjoining the aramgah. Other funds available to the Anjuman are member- ship subscriptions. These are Rs 10 per family per month towards maintenance of the dharamshala and Rs 5 per family per month towards the aramgah fund. The general body meeting of the APA is held every two years when trustees H and office bearers are elected. The present committee has been the same for the last four years, says Debara. The committee comprises president Dr (Ms) m| Meher Bharoocha, retired professor of Agra University, Dadi Sohrabji, Ms Homai Pestonji and Homi Khambatta, I -• »• K LM'iii. J, I ¦*»; 39V ¦' > 4 ¦ IbIB • ¦. .........................................^...- I f ’ ¦*: f"" ’ 2 - j ^MV (Top) Dharamshala: deserted by Parsis Photo: Gustasp Irani (Above and left) Parsi aramgah: scarce resources to spend on grave issues I trustees; and Porus Debara and Dr (Ms) Rati Khambatta, youth trustees. The task before the committee is one of holding on. In their quiet battle for survival they suffered a setback when in 1985 they could no longer look after the aramgah at Hathras, 55 km from Agra, and handed over the responsibility to the Delhi Parsi Anjuman. If the trend continues, it will not be long before the city, where the Taj Mahal was built in memory of a dead queen, acquires another ‘tomb ’ - Rustam Bagh dharam ­ shala, a monument to a dead commu ­ nity. fs,- . ¦ j!;; i"*r ART COVER STORY Of Pits, Paints ¦¦ ¦I" ? and Parsis Gustasp Irani Potter turned painter, artist Frenny Billimoria's exhibits on Parsi themes were on display during the Parsi Festival in Delhi of the Parsi Festival tanced her from their sensitivities. She Every day, for a week, the Fiat drew up exhibition was ®and^organized admits that she had to impose certain in front of the potter ’s hut. The lady tn S^uf^n herself when irking on r-."raiX:sx^'z.'. je «>,^»tKrtrSe lady ’s hands would get dirty. Mehn- Why _ not. credentials to woman Mashya and ‘'Mashyanag, d“-hSs ™s"Xo5;;^ ®o" ‘stop ”ft^ underrate such a task, being part of the enterging front a single — pUn. spirited Frenny Billimoria. For her, the c------ iourney into the world of art was about tivity that comes to one to begin when in 1960 she was cast in i-*- »“tLl:\aTS:^d^^ works best When there Is Company ’s director of personnet a Pars, Ud^nofttag m curb or hold back the crea- Pottety, clay sculpturing, black and Bombay ^^M^rfat You are nm g^^^ Billimoria. Yet, white sketching and painting - it was a Bombay_P^ ) • ® restrints imposed by market and public voyage of self-d.scovery and self- ^“imX incident than acceptance am real and are factors that “ Thrioumey, which culminated most there is. Billimoria ms bejm^a SrWat m “JJ* “^s toS tZfs iaiisi 5O='Bh strokes refers to the painting titled The Crea- with 15 leaves. “I had to keep a sem- who does not fit blance of truth... If I had my way I would have gone wild...but as my hus- community yet blessed with an objec- „,lv .'..... ___ -1: —! V--— ---- SmorTrec^lsEmewhen,yduring band said, ‘We don ’t want another March 18 to 21, 1989, can be traced 1----------- back to Billimoria ’s Parsi roots. The Parsis in Bombay, however, has not dis- 29 Parsiana July 1989canvas, Lagan (Wedding) Feast, in which three seated women are seen floating on a cloud, only tljteir hands on reality - the Billimoria s paintings: Annwersary (left); Going to the Race.s (right) and A Patriarch of Yore (below) wavelength of current fashion. They Billimoria, is one of several criteria that keep repeating themselves. Com- determine a good painting. It does not mercialism kills that certain necessarily have to be a definitive work, spontaneity... ” “Photography now is so sophisticated patra or banana leaf. “If you have got a' “Commercialism is good. ” No, there that you don ’t want to reproduce a is no contradiction here. The commer ­ cialism that Billimoria is referring to is the current trend in which large indus ­ trial houses are emerging as the modern day patrons of art. Japan, according to Billimoria, is an example of how this . form of patronage is manifest. Painters ’ and artists are adopted by industrial I houses and their every human need is I taken care of. “These artists can devote ! their entire energies to creativity; they I don ’t have to model their work after I money. ” To a degree Billimoria has also I done her bit towards promoting indus- I trial patronage of art in India. Years I ago, in the early 1970s, she had sug ­ gested that artists visit the Tata factories and paint their impressions. “We got a very successful calendar that year, ” Billimoria recalls. Industrial houses, she believes, stand to gain too. “It costs them so little and considering the way art appreciates in value, the investment is well worth it. ” Billimoria does not subscribe to the belief that a suffering artist begets good art. Van Gogh, we prompt. “It makes no suggests. ” difference that he suffered or not. What is important is that he enjoyed his paint ­ ing. An artist has got to enjoy painting and that quality comes through to a trained eye. It shows, ” she insists. This quality of enjoyment, according to body is there. ” She points to another kills certain reflection. What you want is to capture emotions and feelings... A painting may be perfect; its color scheme, its compo- ... 3'i V 30 Parsiana July 1989 I v sition. Its structure may be just right, but if it has got no feeling or emotion, it ’s quite soulless... A good painting Billimoria illustrates this idea of sug ­ gestion through the canvas titled Dog. “I had the option of putting a corpse on the bench (there is none), yet the paint ­ ing conveys the feeling that a (dead) sense of humor, it shows. ” We are now before the canvas Humata- Hukta-Huvarshta in which good thoughts, good words and good deeds are portrayed as vapor steaming out of a - crater. Billimoria explains the balance of colors, of brush strokes, of structure and the composition of the canvas. One understands this intimate bond between creator and creation better when Billimoria states that she talks to her paintings... “and they talk back. One false stroke and they protest that you are going wrong. ”i A painting, we understand, is creativity. It ’s also disci ­ pline, we are told. It is also an inner eye... “Like a third eye...like a foreign language... You ’ve got to tune in to the right wavelength of the composition... It ’s meditation. If you sit in front of a painting for five hours every day, it ’s very much like meditating... “It ’s labor, ” says Billimoria, “child ­ birth labor... Painting is not relaxed, easy inspiration. It ’s hard work, like having a baby. You feel the same pangs, the same doubts and anxieties, the same joy, the same wonder. Then after the painting is done, the same attachment and then the slow emotional detachment till it becomes like a foster child. ” Billimoria ’s house is filled with her foster children. “I like to keep one piece continued on page 35BOOKS Madame I Bhikhdlji Rustom Cama by Khbrsfaed Adi Sethna. Published by Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Gov­ ernment of India, Patiala House, New Delhi 110001, 1987. Price: Rs 32. Pp: 171. Jamshed Nusserwanjee: A Memorial. Published by The Jamshed Memorial Volume Committee, Karachi. Second edition: 1987. Price in India: Rs 60. Pp: 266. Available in Bombay with: Ms Armaiti A. Desai, Mino Meher, 22 ,Union Park, Bombay 400052, and Ms Meher D. Engineer, _______ ____ _ ____ ________ _____ _ _______ &hrab House, Garden Road, Coiaba, Bombay ried to “a good-looking, wealthy, edu- cherry, Cama also smuggled pistols . a J .1 to die “unhonored and unmourn ­ ed ” on August 16, 1936 after braving 75 pioneer patriot is the fact that we belong winters. Approximately 34 of these to the same community and religion were spent in the unhospitable climes of ...(and) share a common birthday. ” England and France from where she Under such propitious circumstan- waged her relentless battle for India ’s ces, we have a 171-page biography freedom. Advocating revolution by bringing into print the incredible life writing and collecting monies for sedi- story of a remarkable Parsi woman. She tious literature which she sent to India was bom in the lap of luxury, and mar- through the French colony of Pondi- cated barrister from one of Bombay ’s and weapons through false bottoms of wealthiest and best-known Parsi fami ­ lies. ” But, the comforts and luxuries of life were spumed to serve her country. ‘book ’ boxes. Yet, Madame Cama was no spring chicken when she embarked upon her mission to secure independence for When orte thinks of the Parsi involve ­ ment in India ’s struggle for indepen ­ dence, two names immediately spring to In the process, she embittered her hus- mind - Dadabhoy Naoroji and Bhikhaiji band, Rustom, the son of the great India through violence. In 1902, when (often wrongly spelt and pronounced as Orientalist and Avestan scholar, K. R. Cama was 41, she fell gravely ill (of Bhicaji, a man ’s name) Cama. The Cama, and many of her own relatives* what, Sethna does not tell) and had to images portrayed by the two, however, are diametrically opposite: Dadabhoy, cool, composed, a man who bearded the British lion in his own den with consti ­ tutional methods by winning a seat in the House of Commons; and Cama, a young firebrand revolutionary who created history by unfurling for the first time ever the Indian tricolor on foreign soil. The flag, as many revolutionaries believe, was improvised by Cama by tearing off her precious silk sari. Many tales have been woven around Cama, mainly due to the paucity of tru ­ ly historical material and their proper documentation. Shattering such myths comes a biography published by the Government of India as a part of its Builders of Modern India series. The book is authored by Ms Khorshed Sethna, wife of the Delhi Parsi Anju ­ man president Lt Gen Adi Sethna, who candidly admits in her introduction that the “urge to popularize the work of this Cama: self-exile turned to glory go abroad for treatment. By the time she settled down in London after spend ­ ing a year each in Germany, Scotland and France, enlarging her vision and contacts, she was 45. It was at this ‘mature ’ ag^ that Cama orated from the soapboxes at Hyde Park, berating the Englishmen for their economic and social pillage of India. It was also at this time that her path crossed with that of Dadabhoy Naoroji, the “Grand OttX^ Man of India ” (a biograpy of whom ha!^ , also been published in the sanie series by the Indian Government). Coincident- ally, he was known to her inlaws, who had helped him financially to set up a newspaper, Rast Goftar, over 50 years ago. Naoroji, for whom Cama ‘worked ’ as an unofficial secretary, introduced her to Shyamji (Varma), the founder of India House in London, and editor of Indian Sociologist. Cama contributed profusely to this journal until, angered and alienated Varma ’s vacillating One for arms another for armis Homi J. Rogers 32 Parsiana July 1989of India House, and Cama, judging by school records, or families known to *e Sethna ’s narration, merely continues opinions on martyrs, and his purely the- off"aia House an Patels, more facts about the early years .—us suauds am uo. delved land), and a few years later, with accepts her services. Butdoes hein mt^^^dably Sethna provides a Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, Talvar, view of his relationship^with the Cama d Y P^^ edited and primed in Holland. The latter ever work for a rsumen of Bhikhf,,., nicture openly adwcated physical force, both with her husband? For a woman, else- ^--¦"•Aual and collective, against British where portrayed as sentimental, and India. Hence, both these publica- who weeps when family Ph^gr^ ^^"^f.ordeh Avesta in her handbag, ^uld and constantly repeated the AAunumr uama WllCll VIICMRVU - --------------- —- ----------------------- W- British Government. It would have been have been important. But Sethna pre ­ edited and primed in Holland. The latter ever work for a tndividuara7dToUective, against British where portrayed^ as ......—- rule in L___ Cama when cha«ed for sedition by the course of fighting for a cause 1 J 1_______________________________ imnArtont Kilt .SPjnl . ^:ci^™ i^;7t;-;arra^ a straight tale,rmdy . photographs of the mastheads, or a page getting beneath the skin, or Providing from a copy of these journals. fresh insight through introspection or Based on her writings and the various investigation on C documents, letters ‘written to and by relationships. . ftwo such reproduced in the Of equal disappointment is the fact reunion of Bhikhaiji picture of Madame Carna as a Zoroastrian. Despite her modern out ­ look, Cama, we learn, never parted with her sudreh and kusti, always kept a (Yatha Ahu Vairyo) prayer. She yearned vj read Jam-e-Jamshed and Kaiser-E- Hind, and chastised the young who had forgotten to speak in Gujarati. Such photographs of the mastheads, or a page getting from a copy of these journals. f" Based on her writings and the various investigation on Cama (two such reproduced in the appendixes in C---------------- - , . , , should delight graphologists), Sethna Je has woven together the strands in C Cama ’s fierv life. It is, as Sethna puts it, iii«x - ------------- — —- - . “one crowdecI hour. ” We marj^l at fte Carnap Hfe^ ^^^gX^y ” (no deSlTof brogra ”phy. ’ WithJf. its narrati^ lie energy and the spirit of thejady. She the Y ® sisters she had) numerous unanswered questions which, left Indian shores beleaguered by il ness how y endowed probably, a later-day biographer could and a broken marriage, yet miraculous- of the af „„iarv in Bombav undertake Why, for one, did Cama take ly converted her period of sei -ex,le,nto char.t.es and an a^ary ,n Bombtry nndenak SXiSefof -Mo^roFfev^^^^^^^^ ?bon, which Pa,el Agiary is being trigger of any of .he gunsJ Was Ca™ XX^ho^eLcross continents, referred to. Images about her ch^^dhood o^ an a ----------------- , , From London she even went visiting and adolescent days are amiss, barring a fX and America She pleaded justice the facts that she played cricket, and by Setl fo?^mdia amongst the people at The wore frocks, being “perhaps the first 0 yeai Hague Tribunal, and amidst the Parsi young lady^to do so.would ^916)^ 1 socialists at the historic conference m Stuttgart, where on August 10, 1907 she first unfurled the Indian tricolor on for ­ eign soil. . Yet, where Sethna disappoints in her narration is that she is unable to flesh out the relationships. Varma drops out Carnes personal vignettes are, unfortunately, few and far between. Considering that so little is known about Madame Cama, and there is^a and times, Sethna ’s attempt to fill the \ . is a s me. wc i«u u ««o - ------ more a patchwork quilt than an original already large family ” (no details of biography. Withiti ----------- . 11. J\ _______ 1 Cama's own handwriting that, h^ in Cama^^earlier biography oTmaterial chromcjm her We Chowdhury, Sethna too provides mini- i,..2 Tu ' V ** mal information on the first 40 years of lacuna is praiseworthy though it an onerous task but, probably, from Mehta: renounced his riches _.i armchair revolutionary, sans the adventurousness of Savarkar? Judging by Sethna ’s biography, it was for only 10 years out of her 75 (from 1905 to 1916) that Cama was really in the fray. She lived in tumultous times when Russia overthrew the Czar and Sun Yat I Sen ushered in the Revolution in China, r deposing the ‘Last Emperor. ’ Yet we I gather little from Sethna ’s biography of I Cama, of her involvement or interaction I with her co-socialists.at a time when . "1^ I tice I s 1 33 ParsianB July 1989 The biography of Mme Bhikhaiji Cama portrays her fiery approach, while the Jamshed Mehta memoir provides glimpses of a humanitarian lifei 1 t history was being made in Asia and In memory of the “Maker of Modem Hatim Alavi, a councillor elected to the Europe. References to her marginal Karachi, ” the Jamshed Memorial Vol- Karachi Municipality in 1927 (seven links with the Russians are a repetition ume Committee decided to bring out a years after Jamshed) writes that of Chowdhury ’s work. ------ -* ----- ™i.-— Aa nin, in hi« hnnHs «« Jawaharlal Nehru writes in his auto ­ biography: “She (Cama) formed her own impressions and stuck to them, despite facts to the contrary. ” She was then 65. Had Nehru analysed occasioned by the partition of India, the Cama rightly? Why did a much-ailing rush and burden of modern living ” Cama end her self-exile period by sign- 1 In memory of the “Maker of Modem Europe. References to her marginal Karachi, ” the Jamshed Memorial Vol- Despite her modern outlook, Cama never parted with her sudreh and kusti, and always kept a small Khordeh Avesta in her handbag second edition to die original volume “Jamshed seized the city in his hands as published in 1954. This compilation a potter does his clay and, in the words ... . ---- =--------- ‘1-r to ‘remold it nearer to the heart ’s desire. ’” Alavi outlines the major contri ­ butions initiated by Jamshed who gave Karachi city its constant water supply, macadamized 72 miles of road from just 14, laid out a dozen public gardens, raised loans for housing the offices of second edition to die original volume includes tributes from those who had of Omar Khayyam, worked incessantly come in his contact though, with “the scattering about of men and women ^amongst other reasons, many were pre ­ cluded from contributing to the volume. However, it is not very clear from Gool Minwalla ’s preface whether the second the Municipality, edition has added on to the contribu ­ tions published in the first. Yet, the reprint - with or without the additions - is. a most welcome volume for the new generation who has either not heard of Jamshed Nusserwanjee (he dropped his Mehta surname on his father ’s death, according to a contributor, Kewal Motwani) or forgotten him. Jamsned, like Cama, was bom to office in July 1934, as the new Karachi riches. His father had a large wholesale Municipal Act gave wide powers to the business in addition to a retail shop, a chief officer, leaving the Mayor as a tile factory, a flour mill, an aerated dignified head, which was irksome to water company, an ice factory, and a saw mill amongst other interests. His mother, in his own words, “was a votary of purity and her love for God tran ­ scended her love for any human being on earth. ” Jamshed was blessed with a _ compassionate nature, and in his ado- him...(but) he never 1______ nn 110 * * at the sight of the agony writ over a cow ’s face, as she was being led to the slaughter house. The early stirrings continued, and Jamshed leamt to give Yet, as M (probably, Minwalla) tells in the life sketch, “from time to time, the meanest accusations were levelled against him...(but) he never resented even the worst calumnies that were hur ­ led. ” Elected unanimously as the first Mayor of Karachi in November 1933, in recognition of his 12 dedicated years as President, Jamshed resigned from the ing a written undertaking that she would not hold any meetings or make any speeches in India? The answers remain locked in the tinderbox of history. Cama is known to have died unhonored and unsung at the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital. But if it be any consolation, a complex in Delhi, and a road in Bom- . . bay, are today named after Madame lescence, he turned vegetarian, repulsed Cama. If Cama argued that we need not “deplore the use of violence when our enemies drive us to it, ” her contemjw- rary in Karachi, Jamshed Nusserwanjee up luxuries, living on the barest mini ­ Mehta (1886-1952), while whole- ' ’ heartedly supporting the Home Rule ----------- , Movement, did not even join Mahatma en bed without mattresses. “Wealth the Higher Ones, for higher services, Gandhi ’s nonviolent Satyagraha Move- meant nothing to him, except as a not to be judged,in visible values. ” mpnf Fnr “hp did not like the idea of means of snreadine hanniness, ” wrote It is hence unfortunate that a man like "Meanest accusations were, levelled against resented even the worst calumnies" ment. For, “he did not like the idea of means of spreading happiness, ” wrote mass passive resistance ” which stemmed from a secret hatred for the British. “To a man like Jamshed, to whom hatred was a nausea, in whose heart there was a sea of love for all... Gandhiji ’s doctrine naturally appeared known of, or as experienced by the undesirable. ” """ Celebrating the first birth centenary of this Buddha-like personality who, in spite of his riches, lived a life of auster ­ ity and renunciation, the Parsis of Karachi have brought out the second edition of the Jamshed memorial vol ­ ume. They had to abandon their original making Karachi a clean, beautiful, well ­ plan to bring out a biography for want ' ' of “someone who could really handle this great undertaking. ” him. Six years later in 1940, he retired mum simple food, wearing handspun from public life, and for the next 12 cotton clothes, and sleeping on a wood- years, M tells us that “he was used by meant nothing to him, except as a not to be judged,in visible values. ” _______; 5 It is hence unfortunate that a man like the late Dastur Khurshed Dabu, the Jamshed was not to be active at a time equally austere High Priest of the Wadia when the subcontinent was being rent Atash Bahram in Bombay, in the book, apart. A few contributors have briefly Innumerable examples of his charitable dealt with Jamshed ’s feelings on the disposition are quoted in the book, as Partition. One Naval Fakirji Gabla tells that writers. watching an infuriated mob at Ratan His greatest contribution was natural- Talao in January 1948, Jamshed stood at ly to the city of Karachi, of which he a distance crying like a child, grieved at held the proud distinction of being his own helplessness to stop the car- Municipal President for 12 consecutive nage. A life-long theosophist, the events years. All contributors to the volume must have saddened Jamshed greatly, have acknowledged his sei vice into As B. F. Bharucha tells us. Jamshed ............ ... __ , L___ maintained his relations with Moham- planned modern city with amenities like med Ali Jinnah, generally regarded as school, park, dispensary and public the Father of Pakistan, and the man conveniences in each municipal ward, responsible for Partition, with the sole 34 Parsiana July 1989OF POTS PAINTS ... continued from page 30 Ub 1 a, rAii> ......... . „ , J jjjQSg are pots, clay sculp- years were to be my most creative - 1 ones. ” Her artistic expression found r sculptures. There was no stopping her even i’ J— German refractory furnace at tempera- object of maintaining harmonious rela- rtons beween Hindus y Muslims. ” ttrom) cu^ m u., “y ,o be my most creative The much-illustrated volume carnes a explains. There are pots, clay sculp years expression found Parsis to Jinnah. Ketayun Saklat of even if she had to fire the clay m a There is a strong hagiographic ele- Y housed^eir studio in German refractory furnace at tempera- meat - expectedly - that tuns thrygh the^buyt^mat tures of molten smell the book. One does not expect warts in Rikash Bhatachaga a “Pots have a sensual feel. There is a memorial volume; they are a biogra- oo/r p J something very earthy and basic about pher ’s prerogative. Yet, it is the Rhatarhaea as also Gonal .. them. A good pot has a certain sensual- freshness in many of the writings that ’j. gjjg studied water ity; that ’s how you judge its artistic pleases, and helps the reader in viewing „ Billimoria. Chinese Ming Jamshed as a normal person. Minwalla, , pots, according to her, ooze with this for example, in “To Whoni Life was formal art edu- sensuality unlike Japanese pots which, I to her, have a “hard feel. a bachelor, couio nave ™. « 5.x. ^975, Billimoria moved to his choice, had he not been the arche- guidance may take five, ” she Delhi, she set up, in partnership, m typal silent lover who never revealed his g graduated from interior-decoration unit which for 10 heart to the girl he yearned for and who Loreto House, with years beautified private homes and also pined for him but married else- oity. “Personally I prefer where receiving no response frorn him. ___ __ a minimum of clutter and furniture, and the maximum of art, ” says Billimoria when expressing her preference in home and office decor. But though the work was absorb ­ ing, there was . Oi uiauiioiiiui^ ----- v-F* between Hindus and Muslims. ’ (from) each of my exhibitions,^ she me mucn-iiiusuaivu _________ l-j a explains. There are r~ ‘" '""J ohotoeraph of Jamshed reading an tures, black and white- sketjes and _ r>r«»cpntftd hv the rnlored canvases all over. There are explains. There works of other artists too, including one done by her sister Ketayun Saklat of the building that housed their studio in Ghosh under whom she studied water as an artist. Billimoria has had no formal art edu- i and, by trial and error, learn in 10 years what with guidance may take five, ” she explains. In fact, she graduated from I lovr ’ na^a es how Jamshed, who died Billimona has had no rormai an cuu- kShe"oTSave wedded a girt of carton, V™ f typal silent lover who never revealed his 1 « _ _ ______ ] also pined for him but married else ­ where receiving no response from him. “A friend ” from Karachi reveals that ice creams were Jamshed ’s weakness, and a year of voluntary self-denial when he resolved not to have any ice cream, “was rather gloomy for him. ” The memorial volume is a commend ­ able work. The contributors - num ­ bering over 80 - are drawn from diverse backgrounds and places. A handful are from Adyai;, and are possibly Jamshed ’s theosophist colleagues. For the others, including some from England too, a line in introduction to the author of the - . , , piece would have been appr^iated. The compensates wuh dn« and ctetermma. book is further embellished by quotes t of Jamshed and over 40 photographs^ maniiesi nseii These were primarily Interestingly, in the photographs, house in Jamshedpu Jamshed is shown with his head cov- every day’ she ^p of color. They represented the period of ered, but not with a Parsi topi o ’’ ‘ . j. dozens ” At the end her transition from one form of painting . ano^e. -.he cusp,- as Bil.taorta despite this. Jamshed, was acknow ­ ledged by all as a man of God, and one T M. Advani even narrates two inci- dents of him as a mystic. He was not, damned thing, she recalls, however, to quote Behram Sohrab The setback was tentporary. She mod- Rustotnii of Karachi, an “orthodox big- ified her sewing machine by mount oted Parsi. ” and ‘one rarely saw hint at ing u^ it a bread teard «htch hi>d^ both Rustomji and spindle^^dr ven through «mer^ A " S’his ’S Blrtmorta was molding clay once teacher) went yd andlorn -« eachines again For 10 years in Jamshedpur she sure that we had pushed hirn o^r the ¦ •• -3 made pots and did social work which, brink, ” Billimoria laughs and adds, I Uita nramai, oiugittpuvi xx. ...— j maoe pois . . a-u-- guess it did rub off, this exposure to art 10 leading business houses, has_^tated she admUs,^ id I enjoyed !s kids. ” Her sister, she points out, is an thography^is not* in'raking over the past, Jamshedpur too; it was a quick lesson in but i^ sealing for the whole meaning life. After that experience you can Billimoria ’s mother, of a person ’s life and times. Both Seth- throw me anywhere in Cove niiiimr»ria “Wft Hofi’t undcrstHiid “'lurtfg^o^ “h^S?^ "7n"969 the Billimorias moved to why mother yy ion. “x of - Wolog; .nd Jmees m me Chy. “^rsonally 1 p^er 3 1 ---- - - - , economics. But what she might lack in She talks to her and thov decor. But though the work was aosoro- paintings...ana iney .^g growing rumbimg of talk back. One false discontent within her. ‘ * — —— - _______1J QTtZI Stroke and they protest the agiary. ” Yet, as 1 Dabu, amongst others inform us, he was a true Zarthosti, and 1 according to the faith s teachings. , Gita Piramal, biographer of India ’s U ____ -- ' ' that the value of any autobiography or I 35 Parsiana July 1989 theoretical grounding, she more than tion^ the same determination that manifest itself as she sat at the potter ’s . “I felt that it would burst forth and then one day it did. I closed shop. Enough was enough. ” In 1985 Billimoria started to paint. Her first works were in black and white. Here, she explains, she used dif ­ ferent pencils to create the effect of brush strokes. Shades of this period were evident in three canvases at her exhibition at the broke them by the dozens. ” At the end of the two 1— ----------- . would try her hand at the rod that turned refers to i . the wheel. “It looked as easy as choco- late cake, but, I couldn ’t move t ’-- The setback was temporary. She mod- Billimoria ’s art has witnessed many the cusps, the first probably.when she was a little girl and her parents - Rustom and Homai Saklat - took her and her sister to all the exhibitions in Calcutta. “I went along for the ice cream that came In Ranchi, Bihar. “Everyone felt sorry accomplished artist too. But one person who might have reservations about the Says Billimoria, “We don ’t understand ¦ i so pretty; she does for no/ understand why we paint so ugly! ” IA girl to Jasmine and Ardaviraf Benaifer Feroze Guard and Mogal-, June 8 A boy to Nayneem and Jal Thanwala-, June 11 A boy to Jasmine and Rohinton The data on births, marriages Mehta-, June 18 and deaths has been compiled A girl to Shenaz and Hormuz from information provided by Cooper, June 20 various newsletters and anju- A boy to Jenai and Burjor mans in India and abroad, Banaji-, June 20 courts and hospitals. It must be A boy to Dilshad and pointed out that this informa- Shahbaram Jammehdiabadi-, tion is not always complete or June 21 consistent. A girl to Anahita and Dara Heart disease claimed 19 of Sherdiwala; June 22 the 70 who died in Bombay. A boy, Cyrus, to Roshan and Eleven succumbed to pneumo- Homiar Poonawala-, June 24 nia and di^ases of the lungs, A boy to Mahazarin and and nine to old age. Blood dis- Rohinton Gandhi-, June 26 ease and circulatory problems A boy to Firozi and Fall Mistry-, MILESTONES :cu isei Pervez Maneksha Makhania; June 6 Ruby Minoo Amra and Yazdi Nariman Parekh', June 10 Ternaz Freddy Bagli and Danny Firoze Hansotia-, June 13 Meher Tehmuras Bodhanwalla Md Percy Furrokh Hataria-, June 20 Syrine Burjore Mehta and Bomi Naval Khandhadia of Achhad, Thane; June 25 Zarin Ratanshah Gandevia of Navsari and Dinshaw Eruch Elavia-, June 29 Apt, Worli, 400018; June b Alamai Gustadji Kudianiwalla (77), 11/17, Ratan Tata Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400034; June 6 Phirozshaw Sorabji Bhathena (79), 2, Habib Hse, Grant Rd, 400007; June 7 Khodadad Ardeshir Irani (80), 22, Baimai Bldg, J. B. Wadia Rd, Parel, 400012; June 7 Savak Dinshaw Kotwal (85), B-9, Navajbai Contractor Baug Mori Rd, Mahim, 40(X)16; June 7 Nariman Boman Tarapore (60), K-3, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039;June 7 Shirinbai Jehangir Confectioner (96), B-6, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; June 8 Maneckshaw Fardoonji Desai (73), ‘B,’ Imperial Mhl, Died Maneckbai Kekobad (five), brain disease and cancer June 27 Mobedjina (92) residing at (four each), kidney failure and A girl to Arnawaz and Rohinton 681-A, Parsi Clny, Dadar, diabetes (three each) and liver Garda-, June 28 400014; May 3'1 disease and septicemia (two Behramji Maneckji Wadia (76), Khodadad Circle, Dadar, each) were some of the other Married 724, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; June 8 killers. There were isolated cases Mahrukh Pervez Bhatporia and 400014; May 31 Rustom Bomanshaw Bhagat of nervous disorder, dehydration, Dara Pirojshaw Saher, Gool Jehangir Anklesaria (89), (67), 34/51, Manish Ngr, J. P. hypertension, accident, gastro- April 22 12-A, Mayflower, Carmichael intestinal bleeding and Park- Sanober Jalejar Daruwala and Rd, 400026; June 1 inson ’s disease. A five-day-old Xerxes Pirojshaw Saher, baby and a youth of 28 lost out April 22 to congenital defects, and a Jasmine Hiraji Medhora and 22-year-old girl to diabetes. In the breakup of deaths May 1 Rd, Andheri, 400058; June 10 Banoo Sohrab Elavia (JC), 654j!^arsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; June 10 Bahadur Framroze iCerawalla Perin Jivaji Porter (80), Gulmohr, Pali Hill, Bandra, 400050; June 1 Khorshed Homi Engineer (84), (65), B-12, A. S. Mistry Bldg, Adenwalla Bldg, 626, Parsi according to illnesses, it must Navaz Faramarz Bengalee and Clny, Dadar, 400014; June 2 Pustoffi Sheriar Irani (70), 4, Manik Bldg, 112, Lamington Rd, 400008; June 2 Rustom Sheriar. Irani (74), Ideal Farm, Dahisar (W), 400068; June 3 Banoobai Jehangir Sidhwa (70), Kashinath Hse, 7th Lane, Khetwadi, 400004; June 3. Ketty Phiroze Commisariate (67), Noor Mhl, Sir Ratan Tata Dady Hormusji Cooper (84), Rd, 400034; June 4 Rustom Merwan Irani (Tehmurasp) (60), Happy Home Bldg, l^nvel, 410206; June 4 Nadirshaw Navroji Jotwalla (76), Moose Manzil, N. Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; June 4 Jer Dady Ghadialy (68), Edena, 91, M. Karve Rd, Farokh Piroz Bharucha; be noted that in some cases, Dara Savaksha Dordi-, May 7 especially in those of the very Niloufer Jamshed Wadia and old, death is often due to a Kersi Minoo Godiwalla-, combination of several dis- May 14 eases. Anahita Soli Doctor and If readers have any informa- Darayus Minocher tion they would like published, Colabawalla-, May 15 some proof to ensure the verac- Anaita Adi Irani of Poona and ity of the report would bfe Zubin Bomi Mistry-, May 21 required. We are sure our readers Bakhtawar Rustom Anklesaria would appreciate this require ­ ment and cooperate with us. Parel, 400012; June 10 Banoobai Bomanji Mistry (80), 8, Hendre Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; June 10 Meheremai Jamshedji Todiwalla (13), 3/1, A. F. Petit Block, Grant Rd, 400007; June 10 Rustom Perozshaw Bharucha (70), Meher Mans, Near Tardeo Bridge, 400008; June 12 and Homi Rustomji Patel-, May 21 Hufriz Dadiba Chhapgar and Dara Ruttonshaw Nariman-, BOMBAY May 23 Born Hoofrish Kersi Hozdar and A boy to Rukhshana and Kersi Jehangir Rustom Bisney of Baria on June 1, 1989 A boy to Yasmine and Mehernosh Patel, June 1 A girl to Khushnoor and Emmanuel, June 4 Twins (girls) to Bakhtawar and Mevawala of Valsad and Nozer Bhamgara-, June 5 Hoshang Adar Dumasia-, A girl to Hutoxi and Hoshang May 26 Boman-, June 5 “ ................. " A girl to Gulshan and Sarosh Kolah-, June 6 A girl to Ditber and Hoshi Daruwalla-, June 7 A girl to Kami and Rusi Mistry-, Kaikhushru Biok of Kansas, June 7 USA; June 5 A girl to Yasmin and Firdaush Armaity Sam Irani and Yezdi Laskari-, June 8 Darasha Irani-, June 6 Secunderabad; May 25 Goolcher Rustomji Vajifdar and Hoshang Noshir Bajan', May 26 Mahazarin Tehmurus Zenobia Nadershaw Gazdar and Dinshaw Darabshaw Golwalla-, May 27 Mahvash Mashallah FallahTafti and Aspandiar Guest End, Cuffe Parade, 400005; June 13 DhunmaiPirojshah Deboo (95), 18/A, Marazban Clny, Gilder Lane, 400008; June 13 Rusi Eruchshaw Engineer (57), Dubash Bldg, Kashinath Rd, Tardeo, 400034; June 13 Homai Ardeshir Irani (65), 17, Markar Bldg, 5th Lane, 400020; June 5 Khetwadi, 4()0004; June 13 Khorsaed Dinshaw Mistry (83), Goal Jamshedji Vajifdar (69), 10/8, Ratan Tata Bldg, Tata “ “ ‘ Clny, Tardeo, 400034; June 5 Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; June 13 Tehmina Bomanshaw Mistry (85), Contractor Bldg, Kashinath Rd, Tardeo, 400034; 400012; June 14 June 5 Roshan Homi Dhalla (78), F/13, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; June 6 Arnawaz Khushroo Jivaasha (22), Flat 17, 62, Neelkanth Room 1, Tower Bldg, Nowroz Keki Jehangir Contractor (74), Toddywalla Bldg, Parel, Pesi Khershedji Cooper (72), Ava Cottage, Malcolm Bang, Jogeshwari, 400102; June 14 Khushroo Merwan Irani (63), Block 1, Petit Chawl, Balaram St, 400007; June 14 36 Parsiana July 1999Perin Phiroze Kapadia (85), Perin Phiroze Kc^tadia (85), Piroja Jehangirji Engineer Wadia Bldg, 604, E. S. Gandhi (77), 11, Khareghat Clny, 32-B, Marg, 400002; June 14 " ’ Roshan Fredoon Madan (54), 17, Sagar Darshan, 81-83, B. Desai Rd, 400026; June 15 Nergish Framraze Mistry (61), Tehmton Khurshedji Byramji Sethna Bldg, 689, Parsi Clny, ~ '''' ’ Dadar, 400014; June 16 Homi Edulji Noble (75), 151, Noble Bldg, Manubhai Desai Rd, 400004; June 17 Hoshang Burjor Panthaky (28), Rd, Byculla, 400027; June 21 2/12, Lalbaug Agiary Chawl, Lalbaug, 400012; June 17 Dhunmai Keki Ayem (80), Jer Mans, Girgaum 400002; June 18 Khorshed Naval Hansotia (75), Contractor Bldg, Victoria J-1, Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Garden Rd, Byculla,400027; Andheri (W), 40{X)58; June 18 June 21 Perin Sorabji Karanjawalla (89), Shahani Villa, Gamadia Rd, Peddar Rd, 400026; June 18 Armaity Nusserwanji Khan (75), 65, Om Ark, Nepean Sea Dabholkar Rd, 400006; Rd, 4OOO06; June 18 Piroja Pestonjee Sodawaterwalla (86), Soona Bldg, Zoroastrian Blocks, Chikalwadi, 400007; June 18 Naju Jamshed Irani (58), 286/D, Irani Hse, Supari baug Rd, Parel, 400012; June 19 Kaikushru (Keki) Maneksha Daruwalla (74), 51, Sainara, Cuffe Parade, 400005; June 28 Minocher Hormusji Kanga Alamai Hormusji Balsara (12), (82), C/o Ms T. Ghadiali, 'C,' E-n/2, Tata Hsg Soc, Lallubhai Empire Mhl, Khodadad Circle, Park Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; Dadar, 400014; June 28 June 25 Alamai Rustomji Mehta (80), Room 544, Radha Bldg, Pavwalla St, 400004; June 25 Firoze Navroji Mistry (63), Room 7, Bhedwar Bldg, Khan Hormusji Ratanji Limboowalla Est, Chhotani Rd, Mahim, (80), Generalna Est, Golanji Hill, Parel Tank Rd, 400012; June 21 Rusi Behramji Pajdiwalla (50), Gunpowder Rd, Mazagaon, 400010; June 26 Bhikoo Noshir Vania (75), B/2, Died Godrej Baug, Off Nepean Sea Khorshed Shroff, mother of Rd, 400006; June 26 " Dosa Jehangir Choksy (86), B-1, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; June 27 Daulatbanoo Adarbad Irani (65), Q-14, Shapurji Bharucha Baug, Andheri (W), 400058; Hughes Rd, 400007; June 20 Mini Adi Ichhaporia (56), Gai Bldg, 646, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 4(X)014; June 20 (56), Room 28, Petit Sanatorium, Cumballa Hill, 400036; June 21 Piroja Minocher Karma (88), B/16, Jer Bang, Dr Ambedkar Feroze Shavaksha Panthaki (84), Preyas, 20, Dadyseth 400007; June 21 Manek Rustomji Daruwala (70), 22, Bakhtawar, N. Rd, ( ! I J ii 400037; June 24 Dossoo Kavasji Sanga (15), Diamond Court, 40, Nepean Sea Rd, 400036; June 24 400016; June 25 Khusrav Neville Chaina {5 days), 22-A, Maria Hill, CALCUTTA Bom A boy to Khushnum and Vistasp Mehta', June 4 HAMILTON, ONTARIO Born A girl, Ava, to Arooza and Adi Irani', March 2 HOUSTON Rohinton; March 8 KANGRA, HIMACHAL PRADESH Died Tehmi Uppal, wife of Balbir; May 10 June 23 Homai Ardeshir Mukati (73), 7, June 27 Wadia Bldg, 585, Lady Manek Hormusji Langrana LAHORE^ Jehangir Rd, Matunga, 400019; (89), 11, Clover Apt, 29, Cuffe Born June 23 Parade, 400005; June 27 A boy, Shahvir, to Yasmin and' Neville Patel; April 16 Banoohai Pirozsha Amroliwala Ratty Ratanshaw Chinoy (80), (82), 3/24, Vaibhav, Barkatali Darga Marg, Wadala (E), Dastur Block, Naigam Cross Rd, Dadar, 400014; June 28 Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka 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, Bliavnagar, Bedi-port, Navlakhi, Veraval, Porbunder & Kandla, Also sole Government Landing contractors at Jamnagar, (Bedi) Bhavnagar. 37 Parsiana July 1989IN MEMORIAM The former president of the Surat Parsi Punchayet had followed a humanitarian approach in the management of community funds and properties He slipped away quietly, as was his style, on March 3, 1989. Surgery for a brain tumor had been followed by two and a half months of coma. There would be^o more quips or tongue-in- cheek comments. Maneck J. R. Ghe- yara, 76, who virtually embodied the Surat Parsi Punchayet (SPP) for 25 years, was no more. The cumulative impact of Gheyara ’s work became known as organization after organization held condolence meetings - 37 at one count - extolling his services to humanity at large, eulogizing his concern, care, philan ­ thropy, devotion... The Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India bid adieu to the last of its founding vice presidents with a two-minute silence at its executive council meeting in April. The Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) sumrhoned a samast anjuman meeting to mourn the death, the first in 37 years for one who did not belong to the city. The last individual the BPP had so honored had been Jamshed Mehta of Karachi in 1952. The Sarvajanic Education Society ’s schools in Surat remained closed in respect to his memory, and their examinations rescheduled. The BPP resolution speaks of a lifetime of work dedicated to various social and educational institutions of Surat - as Congres.s representative on the municipal corporation and chairman of its waterworks department, as head of the Sarvajanic Education Society, as trustee of several fire-temples including managing trustee of the Vakil Atash Bahram. The resolution attested to his concern for the rural Parsis of Gujarat, prey to flood and famine, whose cause he espoused so that again and again well-off Bombayites contributed to their welfare. The Siganpur Anjuman ’s resolution described Gheyara ’s disdain for personal rest or comfort when the needy sought his help. Each generation produces only one or two men like Gheyara, said Fe ­ deration president and BPP chairman Dr Aspi Golwalla. BPP trustee Eruch i I njll I cautious liberal ? Arnavaz S. Mama Desai spoke of the ex-SPP president ’s philosophy, love for community and humanity at large: “He had all the time in the world to be a social worker. And what a social worker he turned out to be! ’’ BPP trustee Jamshed Guzder noted that one aspect of trusteeship Gheyara had taught him was to make life worth living for the less fortunate by inculcating a sense of security, giving a sense of comfort and goodwill. “He will remain an example and an inspiration, ’’ said Guzder. Referring to Gheyara as one who had “many gifts by birth, position and wealth, ” SF^ trustee Dr Minocher Contractor said, “To do so much for the community and sister communities was not much. But (there are) others, better placed, who ’ve done nothing ... No one- was as tofani (mischievous) as Maneck, (but) he worked like an ordinary soldier (who) believed in ushta te — happiness unto others. ” Rohinton Davierwalla, pres ­ ident of the Sanjan Stambh Committee, could not recall a single time when Gheya ­ ra had not attended the annual Sanjan Day function. When the Committee had felic ­ itated Gheyara on his retirement from the SPP, he had advised them “not to be sentimentally attached to property but to ... dispose of the surplus and use it to best effect. ” He resisted all attempts by the SPP to honor him on retirement, said Dr Sam Bhacca who succeeded Gheyara as president of the SPP. Bhacca, who grew up under Gheyara and was his constant companion in community affairs, at masonic lodges, etc, described him as “soft-hearted, lively and friendly, ” and, at an earlier interview with Parsiana, as “very sensitive — one who was easily hurt. ” Bhacca had also recounted how Gheyara kept a suit of nassessalar garments ready to use in an emergency. Davar Kavasji Modi, chairing the condolence meet of the Parsi Samast Anjuman of Surat city and district, spoke of Gheyara ’s work for the Mahavir Gen ­ eral Hospital, the School for the Blind and 38 Parsiana July 1989 Ipersonal wealth, he “did not want to go abroad because of the (selfish) expense it would entail, ” she adds, recalling how Maneck “never used the pronoun ‘I’ in anything he did and stopped me from using it too. ” Bilimoria remembers her brother ’s ence to Gheyara ’s critics in Surat. “He shunned publicity for himself and for the good work that he and organizations connected with him did. The consequent communication gap often led to misunderstandings and allegations based on misinformation or lack of information, ” explained the Fed fondness for Indian classical music: Newsletter. Speaking of Maneck Gheyara ’s the Remand Home in Surat. ‘Twenty-five years of connection with the. SPP and my heart overflows with thanks, ” Gheyara had reflected on his retirement as president in 1986. “What had worried me was that ,my predecessors had been men of ex ­ perience and foresight. It was difficult to justify myself..! did all I could... Newsletter. “His radio was never switched off ” A consider myself lucky. ” Speaking of Maneck Gheyara ’s harmonica buff in his younger days. Duty and responsibility lay heavy on “religion of service, ” The Bombay Gheyara was wont to refer to himself as Gheyara and he never overlooked the Samachar editor Jehan Daruwalla noted “Ustad Mako, ” laughs Bilimoria with cooperation of colleagues and subor- at the condolence meet how Gheyara nostalgia. dinates which others tend to take for “gave a new dimension...to trusteeship, A special plaque in Surat ’s Gandhi granted: “If I attained any success, I (considered) the trustee as the first Gardens recalls his service as chief must thank my colleagues. For two and a half decades I received their love, cooperation, sympathy... It does not right for Parsi institutions... strained mean that there were no differences between us, but that when there were differences, we looked*at the other point of view and tried to reconcile opposing viewpoints...in the interests of the community. I had good administrators. Trustees may take decisions, but the job Daruwalla referring to the SPP’s of putting them into practice is that of withdrawal from the Federation of Parsi was particularly hurt when the ayahs the administrators and employees. Dr Zoroastrian Anjumans of India in the (maids) of the Nariman Home sued the Ratan Marshall and Soli Katpitia (in wake of the BPP. Gheyara, a founder SPP for higher benefits. Though by and turn chief executives of the SPP) have a member of the Federation, did not agree large “SPP employees continue to work big share in the SPP’s administrative with the BPP’s stand but felt incumbent in cooperation with trustees, how many success... ” to accept its lead. Hence, when the BPP such people will we find in future? He would come early to the Punchay- rejoined the Federation in 1981, the SPP Young people with affection and a sense et office and go late, recalled Marshall followed. < " . , and people would swarm in after him. Sometimes, Marshall said, he had pro ­ tested that there was no time to clean the office before Gheyara arrived. “He would bring his cotrustees with him and take them home on the return. Letters were replied immediately. As chairman .died, he was often of the waterworks department of Surat he would go to examine the waterworks every day at his own expense, ” informed Marshall, adding, “His own car was used even for Punchayet work (and he) never permitted the Punchayet to pay for the petrol. Whenever the hearse was not available, his van would go to fetch the body and he even volun ­ teered his services as driver... Every Sunday he visited the people at the days, Gheyara was never shy of facing ry bonus, etc has fettered the free flow Nariman Home. Every New Year he the police when they came to arrest of charitable services. These contradic- . J would distribute cash to them. This him, though he never was arrested tory pulls created inner conflicts in the I i March 21 he was missed by the inmates, because of the family ’s connections, man, resulting in hesitation and fear of even though the cash was distributed. ” recalls his sister Ala Bilimoria. His criticism. They were also evident in Marshall recounted that one non-Parsi courage, leadership and humanitar- Gheyara ’s steadfast opposition to the had written to the Punchayet to say that ianism were evident at the time of the concept of elected trustees (SPP trust- during Gheyara ’s illness he had Partition of India when he took the ees are appointed for life. When a beseeched God to bestow his own remaining life span on Gheyara. I A. ( K I “gave a new dimension...to trusteeship, (considered) the trustee as the first servant of the community... At great secretary of the flood relief committee difficulty and personal cost he set things that battled the floods in 1959 (and again in 1968). “During the Indo-Pak wars, he would visit soldiers on the trains bound for the front with food and gifts. He had a chance to join the Gujarat state government, but he preferred to con ­ centrate on the community, ” says Bilimoria Gheyara was saddened by the new tendency to work under labor laws. He was (maids) of the Nariman Home sued the every nerve. He was dedicated to ser ­ vice to the point of craziness. ” Daruwalla and Desai alike attested to Gheyara ’s loyalty to the BPP as the premier Parsi institution. “He could never cut the umbilical cord, ” noted member of the Federation, did not agree with the BPP’s stand but felt incumbent to accept its lead. Hence, when the BPP A Congress leader in his student ''If anyone at the Nariman Home the only person at the geh sarna, 'Because they are all alone and they expect me ! n because of the family ’s connections, recalls his sister Ala Bilimoria. His of responsibility are not available for such work either in Surat or elsewhere, ” Gheyara had bemoaned. His niece, Mahazaver Dalal, notes how the manaigers of the infirmary, the Hospital, the girls ’ and boys ’ orphanages and doongerwadi had to report to him every night between 10 and 11 o ’clock. “If anyone at the Nariman Home died, he always paid his respects ‘Because they are all alone and they expect me. ’ Often he would be the only person at the geh sar- na, ” says Dalal. w Gheyara believed that wealth and position could only be justified if they were used to help the underprivileged. But current socialistic legislation, with its labor laws, minimum wages, statuto- commissioner of Godra, a personal vacancy arises on the board of trustees, friend, to witness the arson on the the board nominates one, whom it con- ‘ “Despite all that, he received the usual border. With Gheyara, humanity and siders of suitable temperament, from the country ranked above the among the community to fill the seat), community, says Bilimoria. Despite his The proposition to publish a Punchayet mixed response from the community, ” said Marshall, rnaking an oblique refer- J ; Il ; 33 Parsiana July 1989I { J if .il 1 I newsletter was similarly rejected. Thus, nM'ruc ---------------------- finance came from Guzder (two), DPA despite his liberal views, he emerged as (one), BPP (three), SPP (one). Firdose “an advocate (for) slowing down the ued from page 25 Cambatta (one or two), Dinshaw pace and degree of change, ” as notes the Anklesaria of Poona (one), Desai (one). Fed Newsletter. towards the cost of managing the anju- Pavri (one) and Jamsheed Kanga (one). “In the name of religion there is man ’s affairs, may soon bear fruit. The Then followed the usual questions on maximum trouble. It is exploited by Canara Bank, is reportedly interested the effectiveness of the Fed Newsletter, trouble-makers... Social work and in the premises. The Allahabad Anju- its readership, its distribution network, religion are two different units. One man ’s Bazm Fund, which lies in the its possible inclusion in Parsiana. Jam- should not (hamper) the other, ” he had care of the BPP and which the Anju- sheed Kanga was worried that with an maintained. man now wishes to recall, is not being “overdose of community newsletters. He wa# proud of Surat ’s community released because of “ego problems ” the good ones may not be read. ” It was kitchen (the SPP reportedly uses its among those at the helm of Allahabad the statement of Hosang Debara from funds to feed nearly 400 Parsis per affairs. The progress of the Anjuman Agra that showed promise; “After rec- __________ ____________________ _ has hence been hindered. eiving copies we discuss... see the succ- “It is always dangerous to keep our ess of the Federation projects and how lands vacant for many years, ” was they can be made applicable to us. ” ' 1 advice to the anjuman representatives. “Someone or Those present at the Federation mee- the other always has an eye on the land, ting were: Hosang Debara from Agra; As soon as possible, action should be Keki Pavri, Navroze Kanga, Porus planned. Grow trees if nothing better. ” Karanjawalla, Behram Daruwalla and Dara Deboo of Navsari informed that Darius Gin^alla from Ahmedabad; in keeping with his project, “already Capt Homi Dandiwalla from Allaha- 40,000 babul saplings have been plan- bad; Baman Cama from Baroda; G. J. ted on 30 acres of land... Subabul can ’t Dalal from Belgaum; Ruhinam Fouzdar be used at agiaries so desi babul is the from Bhopal; Dr Aspi Golwalla, Eruch best wood... We ’ll gradually increase Desai, Jamsheed Kanga, Jamshed Guz-5^ day). He also believed that “Parsis the number of trees under plantation der. Minoo Shroff, Rnstnm Ankl esaria cannot stay alone but must live with every year. ” Ms Gool Tata and Ms Sheroo Master other communities. Hence, when the The questions and suggestions this from Bombay; Ms Khursheed Arde shir first deep X ray machine for cancer remark generated prompted Sethna to from Calcutta; Zarthost Mobarakai, (detection) was installed in the Parsi state, “All day yesterday and the half of Puran Irani and Zarin Bahamuni from General Hospital, in Surat, the facility today we are hearing of someone not Dahanu; Dosabhai Oliaji from Da man; was opened to all communities, ” he had doing anything. Today we are hearing Lt Gen Adi Sethna, Keki Gandhi, Dadi told Parsiana in 1986. The sale of of someone doing something. Let him Mistry, Rusi Engineer and Homi excess dokhma land has provided the do it. Let others take a lesson from his Taleyarkhan from Delhi; Aspi Irani and income that pays for free, funeral example. ” Pervez Irani from Iranian Zoroastrian services for the community. The successful compilation of the Anjuman; Zubin Chichgar from Jam- These developments have been directory of Parsis in Ahmedabad made shedpur; Ronny Dick from Jhansi; Phe- sometimes viewed negatively and the Sethna suggest to Gandhi that the mail- roze Karanjia from Karanj; Dr Sarosh motives of SPP trustees questioned. “I ing list of the Fed Newsletter be Wadia from Kutch; Ms Meheroo am content that thus far no aspersions extended by posting copies to all fami- Watchmaker and Ms Shiraz Doongaji have been cast about anyone here taking lies in Ahmedabad. But according to from Nagpur and Kamptee; Dara money, Gheyara had said, adding that Pavri, more than the English version, ~ ~ ~ the SPP functions on the “theory that the Gujarati version would be better whoever sanctions does not spend and appreciated in Ahmedabad. the one who spends, does not sanction... 1 ~ ...21__ 1.. .. ______________ _ ________ Anybody can go through the books of ed by the Federation in the intervening POona; Homi Palsetia, Nariman Bulsara the SPP via a chartered accountant... months, nearly Rs 19,(X)0 went into the and Meher Palsetia from Saronda; Dr People living outside Surat have printing of the Fed Newsletter. Spon- Noshir Marker from Secunderabad; Dr bequeathed their estates to the Surat sorship support — at<he rate of Rs 800 Sam Bhacca and Dr Minocher Contrac- Parsi Punchayet. It shows that they have - for the Gujarati Newsletter's 500 cop- tor from Surat; Rustom Cursetji, Pter-. " ' J ~ "J ..... . . - vez BhesaniaandZeree Jehangirji from live up to their trust, Gheyara had Bombay (six), and Thana, Guzder, Thana: Jehangir Doongaji from Iljj ain; ------ ---- -------Baman Cama of Baroda, Ahmedabad, Ruzbeh Patell from Vesu; and Peshotan FOCUSSING ON THE... continued from page 25 DSSpitO his iihsrsi lanas vacant tor many years, ” was views, he emeraed Taleyarkhan ’s general advice to the ' , ** aniuman renresentative! as an advocate for slowing down the pace and degree of change Deboo from Navsari; Rustom Daroga, co-opted member, north zone; Ker- shasp Irani, Eruch Irani, Dinshaw < Of the Rs 20,000 expenditure incurr- Anklesaria and Brig Noshir Grant from months, nearly Rs 19,000 went into the and Meher Palsetia from Saronda; Dr bequeathed their estates to the Surat sorship support — at<he rate of Rs 800 Sam Bhacca and Dr Minocher Contrac- r " ¦ ’ • ¦ ¦ . ¦ confidence in us and we have tried to ies distributed each month, came from I • -- - noted with satisfaction. Baman Cama of Baroda, Ahmedabad, laitu num vcau, oiiu rcsiiuum Gheyara, a bachelor, is survived by Surat and Secunderabad (one each). Nargolwala, co-opted member, west his sisters Ala Bilimoria, Dossa Limboo- The sponsorship of the English News- zone. The Press was represented by The wala and Banoo Colah. letter costs Rs 3,000 and promises for Bombay Samachar and Parsiana. 40 Parsiana July 1989