Sep 1989

r c I I > ¦ 6>J % w*» i!*^ I r^ : A? kM .«3 ¦•^^egggggggg^ r ¦ 1 irf-4* '.I t r* f - IBMJt September 1989 Volume 12 Number 3 •« EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama 3 Readers’ Forum EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Gandhi 8 Events and Personalities ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana Kaka 13 Zoroastrians Abroad DESIGN Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez, Deborah Fernandes 16 C. J. Hall by Meher Pestonji MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry 18 The Virtue of Truth by Stanley Insler ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D’Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B. L Arora 21 Good and Evil: twin co-workers by Roni Khan 25 Seasoned hoteliers by Gustasp Irani EDP Rohinton E. Daroga 29 Gourmet Homi Wadia CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver 32 Milestones OFFICE Rajendra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia Lewis, Raialakshmi Krishnan, Bakhtavar Batliwalla and Nowzer Batliwalla 34 InMemoriam Cover: A trail in Mahableshwar. Inset: View of the valley from Dina Hotel Transparencies: Homyar Mistry (Homz Prints) 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/0 Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. 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 upcountty 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> READERS’ FORUM tUniUKhyi l>iM ,, < > t u,,,, i,.M l>»» i > t, 11 >..,, ,• .MHUMIhoix »11J 1 *1 k-. i' ¦» !» J II i* It I* (ifi I* F I, something quite different from what some Parsi reincamationists would have us be ­ lieve. Again, the principle that the dead do don ’t want to rely on others, not return to life (in the reincamationist sense) is enunciated in Koran 23.99,100: ‘ ‘Until when death overtakes one of them, he says: ‘Send me back, my Lord, send me back. Haply I may do good in what I have left. ’ By no means! It is a (mere) word that he speaks; and before them is a barrier anybody wants to pay more, he may do so. (barzakh) until the day (when) they are At the same time, if someone cannot af- raised ” (see Maulana Muhammad Ali, ford it, the service is provided at die Translation of the Holy Quran, Lahore Anjuman ’s expense. 1928). Further, there is a saying attributed to the Prophet of Islam according to which depends upon the wishes of individual Abdulla ’s son Jabir ‘ ‘was informed by the Prophet that his father Abdulla, who was slain in a battle with the enemies of Islam, on being asked by the Almighty what he desired most, expressed a wish to go back InterrcligiouS dialogue into the world, and be slain again in the Interreligious dialogue being the need of cause of truth, but received the reply that this could not be for ‘the word has gone forth from Me that they shall not return. ’ ’ ’ This episode is quoted by Muhammad Ali dents of St Xavier ’s College who recently in his work cited above on page 334 fn 1. Finally, it can be said that in Zoroas ­ trian, Vedic, Judaic and Christian doc ­ trines, we find no mention of reincarna ­ tion. However, when Islam was revealed, interreligious understanding through var- times were different in that some people committee, we used to get nassessalars from Poona but after my coming to the committee we clean it by ourselves as we Till now no non-Parsis have requested to see the face of the dead. But if anybody makes such a request, then we will grant the request just outside the dokhma. The cost of the funeral and for the first four days ’ ceremonies is Rs 650 but if The duration of prayers after death families, most people continuing them year after year. maneck j. shroff Lonavla the hour in a pluri-religious nation like India, your readers may be interested in learning from the experience of the stu- visited many religious institutions inclu ­ ding the Athoman hoarding Madressa at Dadar. The new Department of Religious Studies at the College aims at promoting Reader*’ view* are welcome on any subiect of times were different in that some people ied programs, two among them being ‘ ‘ A intereet to the community and should be eent had started talking about reincarnation and Dialogue with World Religions ’ ’ and ‘ ‘A ?“**”*’ ^**'*"« P®**!*™, hence, in the Islamic tradition we find an Yatra of Religious Shrines. ” object to’‘edltl’nfl Issa’S i*"ambiguous denial of this un-Zoroas- Participating in our “Dialogue ” series, clarity. Unsigned letters or those without a un-Vedic, un-Judaic and un-Chns- Mr Ramiyar Karanjia, a research scholar comi^ address will not be published. hence, in the Islamic tradition we find an unambiguous denial of this un-Zoroas- trian, un-Vedic, un-Judaic and un-Chris- tian doctrine. It is indeed intriguing that closely associated with our department, some Parsi scholars, who claim to be stu- had instructed our students on the Holy dents of comparative religion, should seek Scriptures as well as on the socioreligious refuge in “can ’t say ” while answering significance of Zoroastrianism. However, question 1 Id of the Parsiana question ­ naire referred to by your correspondent. FARIBOURZ NARIMAN “Does Zoroastrianism...’’ Mr D. K. Balsara claims to have come across an evidence of reincarnation in the Koran (“Does Zoroastrianism... ” Parsiana, June 1989). But “life again ” in his citation from Koran 2. 28 does not (rather cannot) have a reincarnation ring, that is to say, life again on this earth in human form. This citation when read in India except our dokhma of Lonavla. sons of the respective shrines, the Parsi along with Koran 71.17,18 C.“And God As the vice president of the Lonavla-Khan- fire-temple remained the only religious shrine that denied us admission. Tliat is, till Ervad Rustomji Panthaki, principal, Athoman Madressa, welcomed us to visit his model fire-temple where he trains his as we went along our * ‘ Yatra of Religious Shrines ” and profitably visited a Hindu temple, a Jain mandir, a Muslim masjid and dargah, a Christian church, a Buddhist vihara, a Sikh gurudwata and so on, and received a warm welcome at every shrine “How the Parsi dead...” I was surprised to read in “How the Parsi dead are disposed ” (Parsiana, May 1989) with a fruitful dialogue between the Col ­ that you have mentioned ail the dokhmas lege students and the heads and holy per ­ in India except our dokhma of Lonavla. has made you grow out of the earth as a dalla Parsi Anjuman I would also like to growth. Then He returns you to it, then answer your questionnaire on behalf of our will He bring you forth a (new) bringing Anjuman. In Lonavla there are about one or two deaths in a year. The mode of disposal of Parsi student-priests, the dead is by the dokhma system. Our forth ’ land Koran 56.57-61 (“We have created you, why do you not then accept the truth? Have you considered the life ­ germ? Is it you that create it, or are We the Anjuman prefers the dokhma system but Creators? We have ordained death among you and We are not to be overcome, that We may change your attributes and make don ’t have a sufficient number of vultures, you grow into what what you know not ”) clearly shows that “life again ” means Fifty college students participated in the Yatra and their eagerness to witness we have no professional nassessalars or the Zoroastrian religious ceremonies was khandhias. We have volunteers. Also, we well rewarded. Madressa students, attired in their traditional priestly dress, performed The cleaning of the dokhma is done by parts of the yasna, boi a^ jashan ceremo- us. Formerly, before my coming on to the nies, while Ervad Rustomji, Mr Ramiyar 3 Parsiana September 1989Karanjia and the teacher, Mr Berjor Pan- thaky, gave us a detailed commentary on the deep meaning, the rich symbolism and lues, marriage is but a matter of time. But, the spiritual significance of each cere ­ mony. proximity with the community are de- worship. These gatherings are not solely This special demonstration naturally prived of any social contact with their own for the purpose of prayer. They meet regu- led to a fruitful dialogue and exchange of kind and consequently suffer in more ways larly at their nearest and most convenient views on Zoroastrian beliefs and prac- than one. place of worship. Friendships are made tices. It was gratifying to leam that the “What do they lose? ” you ask. Well, and ties are strengthened. People get to Athoman Madressa was a unique institu- for one thing, we Parsis have an endearing know each other well. A kind of bond tion in Bombay, providing religious priestly culture which we are fast losing out on. So develops which sustains itself. training with regular academic education, many are not even aware that there is one Now Parsis don ’t have this kind of all free of cost, thanks to the generous financial support of the Parsi community. Voluntary donations had also raised the Culture belongs to the past and should stay does not believe in any kind of compul- new Madressa Annexe, to continue and there. That ’s the general trend. sion. But for other communities it is expand the valuable services of this Insti ­ tution. The Parsis have indeed contributed the young people of our community get no much to the city of Bombay both in the opportunity to mix with their own kind. So secular and spiritual fields, one shining they are obliged to seek company else- example being the establishment and where. Being young, it is natural that they Inbreeding! 3 clcsn Chit maintenance of such a Madressa which is ’ ’ ¦" ' " ' ’ ” ' ’ ' ' now launching out into interreligious dia ­ logue in keeping with the need for reli ­ gious harmony and national integration. Fr AUBREY A. MASCARENHAS, S. J. Head, Dept of Religious Studies, St Xavier’s College all over the globe. For those who stay in baugs and colo ­ points of social interaction from other communities. Take Muslims or Christians for instance. They have regular prayer the unfortunate percentage not in close meetings in their respective places of proximity with the community are de- than one. “What do they lose? ” you ask. Well, for one thing, we Parsis have an endearing many are not even aware that there is one and those who are in the know, feel it has regular interaction on a daily or even a no practical use in our busy modem lives, weekly basis. This is because our religion there. That ’s the general trend. Another important repercussion is that religion itself which has been responsible in bringing people closer. Ms H. S. IRANI Problems we can’t ignore Today ’s Parsis need to be pitied, espe ­ cially those who live a scattered existence should fall in love. Even old people do Many times it has been made out that our nowadays. So one can ’t fault those who receding population may be due to in ­ end up marrying outside the community breeding. The Times of India, September especially when they have not been ex- 2,1989 sets our doubts at rest. (The Times posed to any kind of healthy interaction reports that Dr N. Appaji Rao, professor in with their own community and cultural the department ofbiochemistry at the Indian heritage. They don ’t realize what they are Institute of Science ig Bangalore, announced losing out on because they have never that a study by a team of scientists from the known it. Institute has refuted the longheld notion What we need to do is borrow a few that consanguinous marriages increase infant . -MB For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS 324. GRANT ROAD, BOMBAY 400007. TELEPHONE: 371483 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 5 Parsiana September 1989Il li ( mortality or genetic disorders in children. The study began in 1980 and so far 1,20,000 newborns have been tested. The study involved interviewing mothers who delivered in 50 hospitals and the collection of three drops of blood of the newborn which was analysed to determine the quantity of 20 different amino acids. Thirty percent of the children exam ­ ined were bom to closely related couples of which 17 percent were bom to uncle ­ niecemarriages, 11 percent to first cousins and two percent to second cousins, notes the report. The six different genetic disor ­ ders in 40 newborn babies registered an in ­ cidence rate that varied between one out of 7,000 to one out 32,000. “This rate is astonishingly close to that seen in an es ­ sentially outbred population like in west ­ ern Europe and America where marriage among close relatives is less than one percent compared to 30 percent in South India, ”notes the report. The survival rate of the offspring was 95.6 percent in the case of consanguinous marriages and 96 percent where the parents were not re ­ lated. “The observation highlighted that consanguinity has no marked effect on fer ­ tility,” The Times added.) I am the fifty-fourth direct descendant of Saint Naryosang Dhaval. My sons are big, hale and hearty and also their children. Our entire clan, known as the “Sanjan Tola, ” comprising nine families of Udwada, have always married their cousins for the last 1^80 years that we have been in this country and all our relations were big, larger than normal size and each family had more than TO children. I am one of 12 issues of my parents. I went through a few wars,including World War II. R. J. KATILA “Parsi surnames” I would like to add a little more to what Mr R. H. Kuka wrote on “Parsi surnames ” (Parsiana, July 1989). “English ” surnames were acquired by Parsis working with Englishmen as in the case of Bolton, Bennett and Crawford. It would be interesting to read if a “ sumame- o-logist ” could dig into the matter. The surname “Lally ” is notfiom “Lal; ” in the north “Lali ” is also a surname. In the UK telephone directory there are Englishmen with the surname “Lally, ” which was known to me in 1919 when my brother went there for his studies in for ­ estry. Besides, “Lally ” is a French sur ­ name. I have observed the same in Swit­ zerland also and even seen a ‘ ‘Lally Villa ’ ’ there. Hope more information will be forth ­ coming. PHEROZE F. LALLY To be an Indian citizen Smuggle out silver. Smuggle in gold. Murder your enemy. In a packed court-room. Be a mafia. To be a good Indian citizen. Your forefathers were ship-builders. They started textile industries, IfiOO workers are employed in them. Thousands in affiliated industries. Your wealth is given in many charities. For maternity and animal hospitals. Then you have to beg for Indian citizenship. Ms R. BULSARA Edited by Amavaz S. Mani* 7 Parsiana September 1989I Al Events and Personalities Poona’s prominent Parsis At the onset of the program which was Parsee Club at a function held on August held at the Mazda Hall of the Dastur Pri- 19, 1989 for her outstanding performance Eight Poona Parsis from different walks of mary School, a prayer was recited by the at the Fifth Asian Veterans ’ Champion ­ life were felicitated by the Poona Parsee Poona High Priest Dastur Hormazdiar Dastur ships, notes a write-up by Ms Persees Panchayat (PPP) at a function held on July Noshirwan. Each award winner ’s citation. Antia from Calcutta. A silver salver and 23, 1989, notes a press release signed by was read out by trustee Marzban Kaikobad flowers were presented to the runner to Meher M. Anklesaria, president of the while chief guest of the evening Marazban convey the community ’s appreciation of PPP. Th^e honored were: Dr (Ms) Banoo Patrawala, minister of state for general her achievements at the Championships, J. Coyaji for being awarded the Padma administration (including protocol), law held from December 3 to 5 last year in Bhushan this year for her work in the field and judiciary and tourism, presented the Taiwan, where Mehta won two silver medals of family planning. Dr Jal M. Mehta for commemoration plaque and floral tributes (in the 200 and 400 meters) and a bronze winning an international award for his to the recipients, the release notes. On the 100 meters). The relay team in selfless service in the field of leprosy eradi- * >-- -> - ..................... cation. Dr Zal S. Tarapore for his receiv- < ing the Central Board of Irrigation and the board of trustees for honoring “the Power ’s diamond jubilee award. Dr past, the present and the future. ” Tehmurasp R. Sarkari for being recog- ‘ ‘ nized by the Government of India when he inspire the youth to rise to great heights, developed a technique to achieve substan- said Patrawala in his address. He prom- ________ _____ ________ tial fuel economy, sports organizer Ms ised the PPP all governmental help for brought a^sense of professionalism in Amavaz D. Damania on bagging the their proposed housing scheme, ’n., Government ’s Shiv Chhatrapati Award for community, he thought, had enough talent Club. 1986-87 for her contribution to hockey, and funds available but lacked a willing- Bejan R. Fisher also for receiving the Shiv ness to work. He noted that conflicts ___________ __________ ___ Chhatrapati Award, Ms Kayanush G. Irani between trustees hampered the successful ing the Club fordionoring her, The spoi^ on getting an all-India ranking in the 1988 working of many a punchayet. - - ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Edu- The evening ended with a vote of thanks cation) examination and Piroj M. Devier- by trustee Dinshaw Anklesaria and sing- the 1988 HSC (Higher Secondary Certifi- of the Dastur Girls ’ Schoo!, the release cate) examination. further adds. Calcutta runner honored Calcutta ’s veteran sportswoman Ms Pro- was presented the* Dadabhoy Naoroji chie Mehta was felicitated by the Calcutta Memorial Fund Award for 1988 for his held at the Mazda Hall of the Dastur Pri- After the presentation ceremony, Coyaji, which she participated also came in sec- on behalf of all those felicitated, thanked ond. Those speaking at the function lauded Mehta ’s contribution to various activities The achievements of the awardees should connected with sports: She has been in- strurhental in training young players in the field of bq^ketball and athletics and has The conducting the annual sports day of the Mehta is a familiar figure at the Club on weekends where she diligently exercises and practices running. Thafil^ woman spoke of her experiences in Tai ­ wan and at the World Olympics held later in Eugene in Oregon, the write-up further wala for standing fifth in Maharashtra in ing of the national anthem by the students notes. Naoroji award for Tata Eminent head of the Tata industrial empire and India ’s aviation pioneer, J. R. D. Tata At the felicitation function (from left): Minoo Irani,D. Anklesaria, Patrawala, M. Anklesaria,Noshirwan and Coyaji < $• Mehta: Calcutta's veteran sports­ woman ¦ 8 Parsiana September 1989 outstanding contribution to the develop ­ ment of industry in the country, notes The Times of India of September 13, 1989. Tata was presented the award, constituting a plaque -and a cash purse of Rs 10,000, by Dr M. S.Gore, chairman of the Dadabhoy Naoroji Memorial Fund, at a function heldI sented to Soonawalla by the Prime Minis- Rashid Bamanbehram (far right) receiv­ ing the Best Press Photographer Award for the year 1988-89 from Rotary presi- The National Citizens ’ Club, that con- dent Adi Mulla at a function organized in Bombay on Sejhember 12. Every year awardees are selected from ter of India Rajiv Gandhi at the PM’s among those who have made a notable residence in New Delhi on August 1. contribution to their chosen field of en ­ deavor. The prize, instituted in 1917, fers this award on eminent Indians is com- by the Rotary Club of Bombay on June however does not recognize efforts in the mitted to the cause of social welfare and 20, 1989 arena of politics. Tata now shares the strengthening national and cultural inte- Left: Soonawala (in suit) receiving distinction with former recipients of the gration. Some of the other recipients award from Gandhi award like Homi Seervai, Astad Gorwala, selected for this award are: Baba Amte the late Vijay Merchant and the late Dr (social work). Justice Y. V. Chandrachud two exams in FRCS in London in a record Salim Ali. (jurisprudence), Sam Pitroda (scientific time of six weeks. He returned tb India as The award money, and added to that his research), Raj Kapoor (posthumous - films) a qualified surgeon * A ? I "v The Iranian names of boys and girls along with their meanings which originally appeared in Parsiana have now been reprinted in an attractive 24-page booklet. The book, which is priced at Rs 15, is available on sale at: Kaiser-E-Hind, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Behind Reserve Bank of India, Fort, Bombay 400001. Faredoon and Burjor Sandalwood Shop, Princess Street. \ Union Press, 13, Homji Street, Bombay 400001 t SR3 A.INSTITUTIONS (H)all in Vain Plans for converting Sir Cowasy Jehanqir Hall irvto a national gallery of modern art remain in limbo Meher Pestonji ^The smell of pigeon droppings is strong I as one enters the empty shell of the Cow ­ asji Jehangir Hall (C. J. Hall) in south Bom- 'bay.'But inside, two tiers of horse-shoe shaped balconies speak of a grand past. Only the prison-like iron poles are new to this imposing structure that has recently been selected by the tourism department of the Government of Maharashtra for illumination as one of the most beautiful monuments in Bombay. Measurements of height, width and breadth have been taken and the flood-lit illumination is likely to be completed in three months. But even while the exterior is being plumed to peacock perfection, the hall itself is in a terrible mess. Neglect, bu­ reaucracy and mismanagement have con ­ tributed to its reduction to nothing more than a historical near-ruin. Donated to the city of Bombay in 1911 by Sir Cowasji Jehan^ir, the hall was bein^l managed by the state government till 1984 1 when it was decided to convert it into a ’ contemporary arts museum in collabora ­ tion with the National Gallery of Modem j Art, Delhi. A 30-year lease was signed and the hall handed over to the National Gal- a vdnth is managed by tine central gov- ’ emment. Though five years, which is one-sixth of the lease period, have passed, little seems to have been done until now. Even the contract between the government and the architect^ appointed to renovate the C. 7. Hall: need to make it functional Photo: Shailendra Yashwant/The Independent I# • «• ¦ TT ; ¦i' 5® 16 Parsiana September 1989! place has not yet been signed. In fact, it is the central issue which has resulted in the ____ _____ __ ______ ___ long delay and the subsequent neglect of concerned ministries, both from the cen- thehall. 1 ’ J I_____ _ _______ Till the mid 50s C. J. Hall had played just no man on the spot to push the project events - concerts of the Bombay Sym- after six, eight months; there is constant coming and going of officials from the “You can ’t run a museum like a gov ­ ernment department, ” he adds. “There is need for decentralization...the gallery tral and the state governments; and there ’ s (should) run as a semi-autonomous in- stitution like the Prince of Wales Mu- seum which receives funding from both The quality of PWD construction work central and state governments as well as is notoriously poor, particularly the finish ­ ing touches of plaster and painting. And, a museum has to be particular about such host to the cream of Bombay ’s cultural along in Bombay. ” fJTZ maestro Zubin is notoriously poor, particularly the finish- private donations. It is independent in its Mehta made his debut under the tutelage ing touches of plaster and painting. And, day-to-day functioning. ’ ’ of his father Mehh Mehta, annual exhibi- a museum has to be particular about such Both the director and the architect are tions of the Bombay Arts Society, political details: partly for aesthetic reasons and based in Delhi. At least three government hv IVAr\fl1a1 onj Toilrrkl>«n«« ______ xt________ 1____1.1 . 1 . . __ __ ® meetings addressed by Motilal and Jawahar- partly to preserve the valuable works of art lai Nehru, as well as annual meetings of especially in the humid climate of Bom- the Parsi Punchayet for which a special bay. Poor quality cement would result in provision had been made by Sir Jehangir. bad plastering and the dampness that would It fell into diSise with the construction of the Jehangir Art Gallery in 1952 fol ­ lowed by auditoriums like the Tejpal, Birla and Patkar which were air-conditioned __________ ___ _____ and had better facilities for lighting and office expressing his doubts about the r ----- ¦ — ¦ ¦ " would be given on rent for wedding parties plans and has asked to be relieved of the and for sales of an assortment of goods responsibility such as^readymade garments and leather decide to go ahead with the CPWD community, who resented this degenera- ____________ _____ _____ w tion from culture to bazaar, were mainly walking away with the prestige and the responsible for the decision to convert it ’ ' ' into a museum. The conversion of a hall into an art gallery necessitates major architectural _________ _____________ _ changes. It was decided to award the department of culture, is reportedly con- . 11 . . . sidering legal action against Khosla. Should this happen the project will only get de- lai Nehru, as well as annual meetings of especially in the humid climate of Bom- officials - Ram Pradhan and Shankar Menon from the state government and Sarla Gre- wal from the center, each of whom is said to have been extremely helpful while they were on the project — have been trans ­ ferred to other departments. Members of seep in during the monsoon would damage precious paintings. The architect, Romi Khosla, is reported the Bombay-based advisory committee have to have written to the prime minister ’s acoustics. In the ’60s and ’70s the hall feasibility of the CPWD executing his and for sales of an assortment of goods responsibility craft. Strong protests from the creative been replaced. There is unanimous agreement on the need for a local director who would have a finger on the city ’s pulse rather than oper ­ ate by remote control from Delhi. He should be empowered to take decisions and report directly to the committee. Ten t on creating residential accommodation for the incumbent on the premises but no ap ­ pointment has yet been made. Senior artist K. K. Hebbar who has been on the panel from the beginning is “disgusted with all these grandiose plans and no one to take a decision. ’’ Sabavala is not in favor of piecemeal solutions and would like the city to have a small but full- ^e present director of the National fledged museum of contemporary art. Artist T-.-r- . . . . Akbar Padamsee feels that major altera ­ tions are not imperative and favors a more modest but time-bound plan that involves repairs, painting and air-conditioning the hall, and getting the gallery functional before the year ends. Even with minimum renovation, air- conditioning is high on the list of priori ­ ties. It is recalled that the French museum authorities did not permit their painting exhibition to be brought down from Delhi to Bombay during the Festival of France as they were not satisfied with facilities in the existing galleries. Bombay should no longer be left without even one exhibition center that meets international standards. Meanwhile paintings worth lakhs of rupees have been bought and stored by the art selection committee since 1985. Whether and when the public will gain access to view them remains a one crore rupee question. should the government . - _> as con ­ tractors. His stand has irked the bureau ­ crats in the ministry who accuse Khosla of lakh rupees have already been s^nt prize money from the competition and walking out on his responsibility for the construction. Manmohan Singh, joint secretary in the contract after an all-India design competi ­ tion. Architect Charles Correa was re- rr ___ tained as technical advisor on the advisory layed further, committee. The competition was won by T.. ______ 11____ Romi Khosla from Delhi. In addition to Gallery, Dr Anis Farooqi, who heads the exhibition space, his design includes mezzanine floors with provision for semi ­ nar rooms, a library, a cafeteria, office and storage space for permanent exhibits as well as a travelling collection. While the outer shell of the building was not to be disturbed, the alterations involved strength ­ ening the structure ’s foundation, which, being on reclaimed land, was found to have a sandy base. The estimated expen ­ diture ran into crores. “Renovating an old building is much more difficult than constructing a new one, but things were moving all right till project from Delhi is reported to be “nice, two years ago, ’’ says artist Jehangir Sa- ‘ bavala who has been on the project ’s advi ­ sory panel since its inception. ‘ ‘The prob- pushing for their implementation, he ends up sticking to regulations and taking in ­ structions from the department of cul ­ ture, ’’says Kekoo Gandhy, of Bombay ’s is to be undertaken by its Public Works Chemould Art Gallery, who was on the Department (PWD). But does the PWD original advisory panel but was dropped tion. Architect Charles Correa lem seems to have come up after the de ­ sign competition. According to govern ­ ment policy, all government construction I have the skill for this kind of a project? f The advisory committee meetings are held u Renovating an old building is much more difficult than constructing a new one JI but too soft to deal with the government. Instead of taking policy decisions and later because he belongs to the private sector. Edited, abridged and reprinted with permis­ sion from The Independent, Octobers, J989 17 Parsiana September 1989tAR COMMENT The Virtue of Tr uth Stanley Insler From the Gathas, old Achaemenid inscriptions, the writings of historians and travellers, Prof Stanley Insler has culled a social order where truth prevailed tS Parsiana September 1989 I L Herodotus, the Greek historian who was a from the sixth through the fourth century contemporary of the great King Darius of BC. But, to cultural and religious schol- ancient Iran, wrote in his remarkable his- ars, these records from Persepolis offer tory that the Persians esteemed the truth equal fascination, chiefly because the tab- above all things. He went on to say, speak- lets containing these economic records are ing with great respect, that the Persians also accompanied by the names of the hold it unlawful to speak of anything which officials who were in charge of these in ­ is unlawful to do, and according to their ventories and their distribution. There are thinking, the most disgraceful thing in the some 1,5(X) such names contained in the world is to tell a lie. This veneration of the tablets —names not of kings or princes, nor truth among the ancient Iranians was in- priests and judges; simply names of minor deed their most noteworthy feature, and officials and clerks who oversaw the wares throughout the history of the land, there in the storehouses. Herein lies their im- was not a single foreigner who came to portance: they gave us a glimpse into4h “ visit or to live among them who was not social constituency of the common peof strikingly impressed by the love and res- much as the names contained in the pect for truth in that country. Through the records of towns and villages allow us to passage of centuries, in the woiks of Greeks, see the composition and character of the Chinese, Indians and Arabs, this love and society of early communities. respect for the truth is mentioned endless Remarkably, more than 75 of these names times as perhaps the most remarkable trait contain the word, truth. We encountei of all Iranians. >T»en called protector of truth (artapana) What these foreign visitors wrote was lover of truth {artakama), truth-minded no myth, no embroidery upon hearsay, or {artamanah), possessing the splendor o! rumor, no pipe dream of their own arising truth {artafarnah), delighting in truth {ar- from the lack of ethic or moral principles tazusta), pillar of truth (artastuna), pros ­ in their own countries. Recent evidence pering the truth {artafrada), having th< has shown us that truth was indeed associ- nobility of truth {artahunara), in additiot ated with the spirit and life of the ancient to a variety of others of similar composi Persians in such an intimate fashion that tion. When we look further and find othe we ourselves today must take serious note fellows are named strong as a horse (as of the honored and important role it played paugra), sweet smelling {huhaodi), httk in their world. I am referring to the ar- hero (viraka), having good fame (usavah) chaeological records unearthed during the winning a good prize {humizda), and th( past few decades in the excavations at like, we realize at once how singular an Persepolis in Iran. the names containing the word truth. These records are naturally of great in- By this I intend the following. If the ma terest to the economic and political scholar jority of other names are built with ele because they represent the accounts of the ments signifying horses, heroes, fame different wares and products stored at the wealth, prizes, good fortune and all thos treasury and fortress of the Achaemenid other desirable things which parents wis kings, those royal rulers who founded and for their children when they are bom, the maintained a vast and powerful empire the great many truth-names show us thi throughout the Near East that endured there were many parents who believed Mthfi oldf. t These solemn words of the Old Persian then, according to the Prophet ’s view, is kings are but an echo of the teachings of the most essential component in the world the more ancient Prophet Zarathushtra. In of God because it motivated him to create t 19 Parsiana September 1989 was more important for their children to mistreated by the mighty, nor that the between God and truth is deeper — so love the truth, uphold the truth, prosper the mighty be treated wrongly by the weak. Zarathushtra informs us — because Ahura truth, delight in the truth, and so forth. What is right and truthful is my desire. ” Mazda is both the creator and companion rather than to simply seek after material Lastly, let us quote the following state- of truth. Further, we are told, that the spirit benefits in this world. The name chosen ment in an inscription of King Xerxes: “If of God himself, the spenta mainyu, be- by parents for their children often ex- you wish to be happy when living and came beneficent and virtuous through the presses a wish, and the predominance of blessed when dead, have respect for the effects of truth, and that Ahura Mazda truth-names among the Old Persian offi- law established by Ahura Mazda and learned to distinguish between what is just cials reveals how deep-seated was the wish worship Him and truth reverently. ’ ’ and unjust through the help of truth. Truth, and respect for truth over all things even among families of humble origin. But it was not only the common man who so dearly esteemed the truth among the Gathas, we find the important thought what is salutary and good, and it taught the ancient Persians. It was also the great that whether a man be rich or poor, he him to discern between right and wrong. It Achaemenid kings who expressed their should be a friend to the truthful person but is through truth, therefore, that God achieved love and admiration for the truth and their an enemy to the follower of deceit and lies, his nobility and his higher wisdom which thorough despiserWent of lies and deceit. There too we learn that heavenliness and characterize his very name, Ahura Mazda, exactly as Herodotus informs us. On the immortality shall be the future possession the Wise Lord. great inscription of Bisotun, the magnifi- of those who support the truthful in this Similarly, truth plays a dominant role in cent King Darius incised the following world, but thata lifetime ofdarkness and a the life of man. It is truth which prospers words with imposing solemnity: “The lie woeful existence shall be the final reward the creatures and makes the plants and made these provinces rebellious, so that of the deceitful person. Further, Zarathush- waters increase. It is through the quest for they deceived the people. But afterwards tra tells us, that a man who is good to the truth that good understanding arises in the Ahura Mazda placed them into my hand... truthful person and serves the laws of spirit of man, an understanding that teaches Thou who shalt be king hereafter, protect Ahura Mazda shall himself reach the pas- him to further the principles of God in thyself vigorously from deceit. Punish tures of truth and good thinking, and save good thoughts, in good words and in good well the man who shall lie and deceive, if his family, his village and his country from actions. It is truth which also teaches man thou shalt hope to keep the country se- destruction. In fact, when we read through to discern between w^at is right and wrong, cure... Know that I did this by the favor of the great words of the Prophet, we realize It is man ’s adherence tq truth which gives Ahura Mazda, who bore me assistance that truth lies at the center of his whole full meaning to the existence of Go3 and because I was not aggressive, because I moral and ethical system. grants strength and enduring life to Him as was not a follower of deceit, because I was First and foremost we see in the Prophet ’s well. Can the ethical principles God cre- not a doer of wrong — neither I nor my work that there is an intimate relationship ated have any life of their own if they find family. I conducted myself as befits the between God and truth. Not only does no support in the world of mankind? truth. Neither to the weak nor to the Ahura Mazda dwell in the heights of truth. Herein lies one of the great contribu- powerfuldidldo wrong... ” Similarly, on and in the paths which follow the straight tiohs of the Prophet Zarathushtra. By another of his inscriptions stand these noble ways of truth, but He is also of the same placing truth at the center of existence of words: ‘‘I do not delight in what is false. It temperament as truth, sharing the same both God and man, he taught us that a is not my desire that the weak should be likes and dislikes. But the relationship meaningful life is not possible without truth, because truth is the ultimate source of all good insight, all good action, all good discernment and all good achieve ­ ment. It is essential to know in order to act correctly and justly, and the origin of all correct knowledge derives from the grasp of truth. This is .an astonishing doctrine in terms of the early intellectual history of the world, but it is a doctrine that is so powerful and persuasive, so vigorous and positive, that it became the central idea of all eariy Iranian thought. It is not possible to think of the history of old Iran without thinking of the veneration of truth among its people, and it is Zarathushtra who first conceived and formulated the central role which truth holds in all of existence. Why was Zarathushtra so preoccupied with the position of truth in the life of both God and man? He lived in a very remote age, long before there was a settled society in any modem sense of the term, and cer ­ tainly long before the development of rich SI »and powerful kingdoms where priests or philosophers could gather in peace and quiet in order to discuss the questions of existence, and the nature of both God and man. To find an answer to this question we must once again look into the works of the Prophet and search his own words for clues to the problems he faced, problems which caused him to meditate upon the nature of human behavior and its results upon the human condition. Once we do this, we find certain disturbing facts about the times in which he lived. First, Zarathushtra informs us that some of the nobles have been stealing the pos ­ sessions of the true inheritors, and that in their greed, so^ie of the priests have as ­ sisted them in this deceitful and dishonest activity. He informs us as well that even the old gods have ordained and hence permitted their followers to perform ac ­ tions that result in dismal consequences for the rest of mankind. They have been destroying the pasture lands of the truthful persons, they have threatened ’them as well, and there has arisen a rift among the peoples, one which has caused strife and destructon in families, clans and pro ­ vinces. In short, the world seems to be tom in two by conflicting forces, and deceit and destruction seems rampant. It is exactly under such troubled cir ­ cumstances, when the world seems to be caught in the upheaval of contrary forces, when the past seems unfortunate and the future ever so dim, that a man of great insight like Zarathushtra wonders about what is right and wrong, what is just and unjust, and how the way to salvation might occur. It is exactly under such vexing conditions that he saw that the way for mankind to survive and create a good kingdom here on earth was to follow the principles which Ahura Mazda, in His higher wisdom, had created in harmony with truth. Although millennia separate us today from the time of the prophet Zarathushtra, the problems of existence still persist. We are tom each day by conflict, sometimes in our family, sometimes in our profession, sometimes in our country and sometimes in the world at large. We see deception, theft and pointless destruction present all over the face of the globe. “Which way should we act? ” we often ask, looking for the way to resolve the problem, to end the anguish. “What should we believe? ” we also ask, looking for guidance in the face of trouble and woes. Sometimes the an- • swer lies within our power; ihost often there is no solution available to us on an individual basis. Nonetheless, we should follow the teachings of Zarathushtra and strive after the truth, giving life to it through our good thoughts, our good words and our good actions. Even though immediate solutions may elude us, the force of truth must persist. For, one day, the truth shall certainly prevail. What the Prophet stated some 3,000 years ago is equally appropriate for all of us today: “Do persevere, for He shall grant to you the firm foundation of good thinking and the alliance of truth and wis ­ dom. Come to terms with your reason, and bring to realization the most virtuous and blessed acts. If you are truthful to the truthful, the Wise Lord shall grant to you the sun-like gain of good thinking for your whole lifetime. I tell these words to you: bear them in mind. Through the correct conception acquire for yourselves and your people an existence of good thinking. Let each of you try to win the other with truth, for this shall be of good gain for each of you. ” Dr Stanley Insler is professor of Sanskrit and Com­ parative Philology at Yale University, USA. His" translation of the Gathas was published in 1975. 1 * ¦ With Best Wishes From STEELAGE INDUSTRIES LIMITED * 20 Parsiana September 1989 Is » f COMMENT AND 0 twin co-workers Roni K. Khan u A monotheistic, all-powerful God has fabricated a dualistic universe based balance between opposing forces when Life began ” (Y43.5), leave nothing unsaid to authenticate that there is one and only one Supreme Being who created both Spenta and Angra Mainyus, the good and evil spirits, at the dawn of Creation. At the same time, it is also not open to debate whether duality exists - Asho Zarathushtra himself tells us explicitly and unambigu ­ ously that it does. His categorical state ­ ment, “the Spirits Twain...are ne ’er agreed; one ’s Good, the other Bad ” (Y30.3), could not be clearer. Monotheism and dualism coexist in the Good Religion; they are not mutually exclusive. Therefore, all that remains open to us is to strive for a proper under ­ standing of the existence of duality within the context of a monotheistic Supreme God, and to try to fathom the whys and wherefores of evil within the ambit of the framework revealed to us by Asho Zarathushtra. Evil is the proverbial red herring that sidetracks monotheists and dualists alike. As dualists point out, it can embarrass those championing an exclusive monothe ­ ism. It is no less an embarrassment to the champions of an exclusive dualism, for they readily style Ahura Mazda tis the “Lord of Creation ” but then try to have their cake and eat it too by applying a convenient double standard to deny him any role whatsoever concerning the phe ­ nomenon of evil, even though it is nakedly visible everywhere as part and parcel of that selfsame Creation. In seeking to “protect ” Ahura Mazda from any supposed “taint ” of evil, dual ­ ists have perpetuated the confusion of some on ancient Greek writers by hopelessly mix ­ ing up their concepts and rendering Ahura Mazda identical to Spenta Mainyu, His good spirit. Ahura Mazda is thereby demoted to a status of combative equality with Ahriman or the ‘evil spirit Angra Mainyu, with the ludicrous result that two rival creators are set up instead of one. Dualists thus believe that they have solved Wiliam H. Brawner ’s article, “Why I admitthattheirGod,whocreatedevery- becameaZoroastrian ”-2(Parsiana,Janu- thing, is also the culpable father of evil, ary 1989), perceives monotheism and allied to Ahriman and tainted by evil. His dualism in the Good Religion as mutually solution, therefore, would lie in demoting the “problem ’ ’ of evil once and for all, by exclusive concepts. Advocating dualism Ahura Mazda from single to dual status, as the only truth, monotheism is denounced placing Him on a level of equal but counter- as a gross heresy and condemned as a active footing with Ahriman, perversion and distortion of the religion of Zarathushtra. open to debate whether Ahura Mazda is demolish their basic premise by acknow- Brawner claims that believers in a single, monotheistic - Asho Zarathushtra himself lodging a filial relationship but refusing to Supreme Creator canngt explain the exis- tells us explicitly and unambiguously that grant an equivalence of identity between tence of evil without denying that their He is. The Prophet ’s categorical state- monotheistic God is good, all-powerful or ments, “the Two Spirits Mazda did cre- the creator of all things. Thus, in his view, ate ” (Y30.1; This and all subsequent quotes Mainyu ” i.e. Ahura Mazda ’s good spirit, monotheists are locked in a hopeless, self- from The Gathas of Zarathushtra by Dr I. Yasna 47.1 carefully enumerates Spenta defeating contradiction, embarrassed by J. S. Taraporewala, 1947 edition) and “O Mainyu, each of the Ameshaspends and an unsolvable enigma of evil and forced to Lord Supreme, Thou wast the First, I know, Ahura Mazda as distinct and separate enti- ensuring that Ahura Mazda is hermeti ­ cally insulated from and hence “untainted ” by any reference to the origin of sin. In the Zarathushtrian daena, it is not Unfortunately for them, the holy Gathas open to debate whether Ahura Mazda is Ahura Mazda and Spenta Mainyu. Yasna 43.6 refers to Spenta as “Spenta Thva 21 Parsiana September 1989 LWould you ever be in a position to recognize “good” if “ bad” wasn’t around to define 4‘good” by providing the __ ____ contrary example? righteous conduct in thought, word and ties. Not to mention that Yasna 47.3 de- tual interaction governs the mechanics of comes a viable alternative placed befo dares, with nothing left to the imagina- Creation. In cosmological terms, Spenta the scrutiny of our free will, and “Of ther tion, that “this Holy Spirit ’s Father true art can be viewed as the positively-charged. Two the Wise do choose aright/The Un Thou. ’’Thus, the eternal conflict between centripetal force in nature, and Angra as wise choose not thus, and go astray ’’ good and evil is squarely between Angra the negatively-charged, centrifugal force. (Y3O.3). Creation ’s majestic scheme is and Spenta as the direct antagonists. It Look no further than the atom, that mi- consummated when “with Asha ’s Truth i cannot be recast as one between Angra and nutest buildingblock of all matter that exists we tread the narrow Path and reach where in the universe. Its structure is composed Lord Ahura reigns supreme ’’ (Y33.5). The of positively-charged protons that oppose pivotal role of Spenta and Angra in this negatively-charged electrons. These are grand design cannot be better expressed nothing but the dualistic forces of Spenta than in the words of Yasna 30.4: “And and Angra at work deep within the atom, when together did these Spirits Twain/ Foregather at Creation ’s early dawn/Life did One make, the Other made Not-Life/ The purpose of Creation is the reunifi- And thus Creation ’ s purpose is achieved; ’ ’ cation of all creations with Ahura Mazda, and Yasna44.5; ‘ ‘What Architect did fash- by consciously choosing to tread the path ion Realms of Light, as also Realms of of Asha through the correct exercise of Dark...To teach the Wise the purpose of all free will. In the field of human behavior, Life? ’’ I The blueprint of the Master-Architect deed is the highest virtue. That would be reveals an inner logic and pristine har- a sheer impossibility without the instru- mony that leaves one breathless with awe. Ahura Mazda to accommodate precon- ment of Spenta and Angra. Is it conceiv- Evil can only be understood as an inex- ceived notions. able that you would ever be in a position to orable, indispensable ingredient of a dual- All acrimonious controversy and un- recognize “good ” if “bad ” wasn ’t around istic Creation fashioned by a monotheistic necessary confusion is levelled at one stroke to define “good ” by providing the con- Creator; but if it serves as a springboard for when it is realized that while the Creator is trary example? Only through the one does extreme views and dissension, it is only monotheistic, His Creation is dualistic, the other stand defined for us. Our God- Ahriman who would laughing up his That is the crux of the matter. given gift of free will (“Thou gav ’st to all sleeve! The letter and spirit of the holy When the one, all-powerful Ahura Mazda that live the choice of Paths. ” Y31.9) Gathas yield only one balanced conclu- initiated the momentous act of Creation, becomes a hollow mockery if there are no sion: that the revelation of Zarathushtra is He created Spenta Mainyu as the active moral alternatives from which to choose, so profound in its depth and so majestic in representation in the manifested universe It is only due to the presence of the path of its sweep that it provides room enough for of His own perfectly good nature. Simi- evil that the path of righteousness be- both monotheism and dualism to coexist, larly. He also enacted the first and fore ­ most edict of the universe, the immutable Law of Asha or Righteousness, as the only path to salvation. In the milli-second that Spenta manifested as a distinct entity, the opposing pole Angra Mainyu instantane ­ ously sprang into being in automatic con ­ formity with Ahura Mazda ’s mastercon ­ cept of Creation, as an inexorable response to the birth of Spenta. Why? Simply be ­ cause Creation axiomatically demands the interaction of opposing, dualistic forces as the sine qua non for both its existence and purpose. Interactive pairs of opposites, dualities, relativities or polarities are the very stuff of which the manifested universe is made. Without them, it simply could not and would not exist. Birth and death, action and reaction (the basis of the Law of Ke- shash or Karma), light and dark, male and female: the list is endless. At the center of them all, and at the cornerstone of Crea ­ tion, stand the primal twin spirits, Spenta and Angra. Though diametrically opposed to one another, Asho Zarathushtra point ­ edly labels them as “twin co-workers ” (Y3O.3). “Co-workers, ” because their mu- Gifts& The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive reli^ous artefacts, executive desk sets, exclusive shell items, designer jewelry & specializing in wood & copper-enamel gifts. BOMBAY SWADESHI STORES LTD. (Mezzanine Floor) Sir P.M. Road, Bombay-400 001 I STUDIO AKAR 6T/266O ( 23 Parsiana September 19891“ nc (JH <3, BUSINESS COVER STORY tj Gustasp Irani Season^ hoteliers HI 9 <; h I § I X The well-established Parsi hoteliers in the Mahableshwar- PanChgani area are now offering different fare as their clientele changes and so also customer expectations ¦r But a holiday in the two hill stations, as the elite guests; non-Parsis turned away with a gentle, “no room. ” But times have changed and now, ex- By the second day the calories of your But a holiday in the two hill stations, ropean and in the better establishments, breakfast spread are weighing you down located 12 km apart, is more than pamper- exclusively so, says Ms Alamai Maha- with guilt. A liver dish, two fried eggs, a ing the palate; it’s time out from the grind bleshwarwalla whose father-in-law built plate of fresh cream, fresh bread, butter, and routine of daily urban life, an opportu- Dina Hotel. There is a story, often told, of jam... The diet be damned. You are on a nity to flush your lungs out with pure a Parsi-run hotel which had room for the holiday. You tuck in. At lunch you are unpolluted air, a chance for your feet European chauffeur of a rich Parsi gentle ­ tucking in again — tamota par edu (eggs to rediscover the joys of walking. “There man but none for the Parsi himself. If the spread over a base of spiced tomatoes), are such beautiful walking trails through rich Parsi had visited the hill station a few sail gosh (lamb served with crisp shoe- these forests, ” says Afrid Bhiwandiwalla, decades later he would have found that string potatoes), dhandalpatio (traditional manager of Hotel Mayfair in Mahablesh- members of his community were treated three-tier dish of white rice, tur dal and war, “but the only walking visitors seem spicy gravy), custard. And after a dinner to do here is in the bazaar. ” Nature is of soup, cutlet gravy, chicken farcha (fried wasted on most, is the consensus. With a chicken), bhinda ma gosh (combination of few exceptions, the average tourist, acc- cept for Jerroz, Mount View and Virjee lamb and okra) and a sweet dish, you are ording to die Parsi hoteliers, whizzes around Guest House, all in Panchgani, the Parsi stuffed. Take comfort in the observation in private cars and taxies to the various guests in all the other hotels are in the of Ms Mani Khambatta, mother of Noshir scenic points and then spends the rest of minority. “If I wooed only Parsi clients I Khambatta who runs Mount View Hotel, the time at the Boat Club — often referred would have to close down, ” says Naval Panchgani, and who personally prepares to as the Chowpatty of Mahableshwar. Jal, manager and grandson of the founder the meals: “Panchgani, Mahableshwar ni Back in the hotel, the demand is for the TV of Dina Hotel. “It is a reflection of the hava path che: You dbn ’t get fat here. ” A and video. economic status of the community. Parsis trait common to the eight Parsi-run hotels The profile of the tourist visiting Maha- don ’t have the financial clout they once in the twin hill stations of Mahableshwar bleshwar and Panchgani is changing. To had, ” says Bomi Davierwalla of 11 Palazzo and Panchgani in the Satara district of survive, the Parsi hoteliers must necessar- Maharashtra is that they feed you; and feed ily adapt to the times. During the British you well. raj their clientele was predominantly Eu- Hotel in P^nchgani. Another marked change is in the dura ­ tion of stay of the tourists visiting the hill 25 Parsiana September 19391 stations. Mahableshwar and Panchgani have now become places to visit over long weekends. Referring to this as a reflection of the fast food culture, Jal observes: Earlier no one ever came for overnight stops or weekend breaks; they stayed for MahableshX,' with 25 room's seven days or more. My father refused to staff of 30. (For the last few take season booking for less than 45 days. ” “----- ¦ According to another hotelier, this is largely a result of the i------ travel amenities. The rich, affluent ParsVs included, now spend their long holiday; abroad — Europe, America — or i„ 2.^ distant reaches of India like Kashmir and Goa which have become more accessible. As the rich holiday at other pastures, the middle class has moved in and in recent timSs its numbers have swelled as package tour operators ferry them in. And, course, there are the honeymooners. Panchgani has boomed but the growth can largely be attributed to the efforts of non- , Parsi entrepreneurs. But for Jerroz (estab ­ lished 1955), Mayfair (established 1972) and Belmont Park Hill Resort in Maha ­ bleshwar (established 1981) the others trace their origins to the pre-Independence era when Parsi-run hotels were a majority in the fledgling industry. Presently there are 27 hotels in Pan ­ chgani, according to Dorabji Kalyaniwalla of Jerroz Hotel.Bhiwandiwalla places the numbfer in Mahableshwar at around 100. Many of these are large by the hill station standards — Dreamland Hotel in Maha ­ bleshwar has 130 rooms and the Mahar ­ ashtra Tourism Development Corporation ’s (MTDC) Five Hills Hotel in Panchgani has 64 rooms. In addition there are innu ­ merable lodges; almost every house in the bazaar has a room or two to let out. Marketing the hill stations is an exer ­ cise in extremes. “During season time there is such an overflow. in Panchgani Photos; Yasmin Poonegar there is not enough work to go around, and one cannot keep too few for during the season the resources are stretched to the limit. Jerroz, a four-room outfit makes do two helpers while Raceview Hotel ii - with 23 rooms, needs Raceview has not been operating.) in a seasons In Panchgani, the extremes of seasonal constant flow of parents visiting their chit ­ 's dren in the numerous boarding schools in the there. But the grass is greener on the other side of the mountain. The Panchgani hoteliers observe that business is better in Mahableshwar. They have a point — the tariff of their highest priced hotel is lower than the tariff of the lowest priced hotel in Mahableshwar. But the hoteliers of Maha- * *" fluctuations are less obvious thanks to the Sctan'i “? and,I Palazzo H •it. . .u •. bleshwar are quick to assert that in addi Shpil^rT ’¦eservations, ” says Ms tion to the year-round flow of Sheila Ghandy, proprietress of Belmont i ' he has no place to go, says Davierwalla. during these months -J—-1' Sheila Ghandy, proprietress of Belmont ----- — customers and who come to meet their wards, the Pan ­ monsoon months. For -, Mahableshwar is oyer 250 inches of rain, mak- in the coun- palates with a large variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes: Chinese, Mughlai, Continental and yes, Parsi too ’ “During the off-season it’s easier to cater to individual tastes. We ask our guests what they would like, ” Davierwalla might have been speaking on behalf of all the Parsi hoteliers. “I get a lot of Gujarati „ , 3 men want non-veg and women veg, ” says Ghandy. “The meals we serve are very large — SIX to seven courses. Since we don ’t serve a la carte, we offer our guests a large choice and variety. I don ’t expect every- Khambatta of Mount View: “We don ’t week. The rest of the year is discount time when hotels offer 10 percent to 40 per ­ cent off on the season tariff — which, paradoxically, is in-season for the Parsis from ’thTinvcssani rams tnevreoui f'P- “-a.ion and maintenance. . pe Parsi horn,ier, as ’ also others of his trade, must do a balancing act of sorts the twin hill **** -ecus ano . ness. Take labor, for instance. One cannot clients Hoteliers have m add t ti,” • j r ''' ------- - uun i heeptooma„,fordnKn,theo.-season cnlinat, m^-Xl^^n^Xr^nl^^ rain shadow. And the monsoons add to the costs; as the buildings take a battering incessant rains, they require care- Like the reality of the monsoons and in the changing needs and demands of their culinary repertoire and pamper their guests ’ 26 Parsiana September 1989I At Mount View and Jerroz the fare is annas, a kilo (seer) of meat was two and a bungalow belonging to the Mazda family still home-cooked Parsi food. Khambatta ’s half annas. She was a driving force at the before Sharook Mazda converted it into a mother Mani, assisted by her family and Dina Hotel with a reputation for remem- hotel in 1972. Initially the establishment three staff members, prepares the food bering the idiosyncracies of her regular wasrunby non-Parsis till in 1986 Bhiwan- personally as also Kalyaniwalla ’s wife customers. To celebrate Alamai ’s70-year diwalla, formerly assistant manager of Sea Coomi, assisted by her two daughters and stay at Mahableshwar, the family orga- Rock Hotel, Bombay and with 18 years of two staff members. nized a memorable reunion function in hotel experience behind him, took over as Then, of course, there is the demand for October ’89. “The grand old lady of Ma- entertainment — the TV and video. Most hableshwar, ’’ as she is popularly known, of the newer hotels pander to this need Alamai was one of the first women coun- with small auditorium-like video rooms cillors of the Mahableshwar municipality, but the Parsi-run establishments frown upon Of late, her days are spent in prayer, the idiot box. Belmont Park, Hotel May- embroidery, cooking, socializing and tele ­ fair and Mount View however, have pro- vision viewing. To this day the supervi- vided video facilities. “Why do people sion of some of the Hotel chores falls come all the way to Mahableshwar and under her domain. Presently the rates at , ____ want to sit in a,^oom and watch a stupid Dina Hotel are Rs 3(X) per head per day Farookh of Friendly and Kentucky Ice ­ movie? ” asks Jal. No, he does not plan to (children under the age of 10 get 40 per- cream fame. Tucked into the hillside near keep a video at Dina Hotel. Rather than see cent off) and off-season charges are Rs 200 Wilson Point, its 14 rooms can hold 50 his guests glued to a screen Jal would per head per day. Assisting Jal in the beds. The charges are Rs 250 per head per prefer that they savor the “grandeur of running of the hotel are his charming young day during the season and Rs 160 per head nature ” in Mahableshwar. “Go for a walk, nephew Hormazd and niece Ferine. per day during off-season. Discounts for go boating, be by yourself, play a round The most expensive Parsi-run hotel is children are also available. mu There was a time in Mahableshwar when Ripon Hotel, Mahableshwar Club, ¦¦ Grand Villa and a hotel run by the Adajania brothers were part of the family of Parsi hotels. The community, like elsewhere in India, has been imable to hold onto its assets in an era of fast foods dnd TV entertainment. The TV again? “I’m quite browned off with the TV,” says Pesi Virjee of the Virjee Guest House jL ¦ in Panchgani. “It’s killing after-dinner Nn conversation. Guests don ’t interact with Qu each other anymore. ” We sample a flavor of the post-meal conversation as also Viijee ’s ^9 homemade wine of apples, currants and' H oranges. Virjee tells us about the time when Mahatma Gandhi visited their place in 1944 to recuperate from one of his many nized a memorable reunion function in hotel experience behind him, took manager. Located a short distance from the market, it has 13 rooms with a capacity for 38 beds. Season rates are Rs 250 per head per day with off-season discount of 30 to 35 percent. Children between the ages of three and nine get a 50 percent discount. Belmont Park Hill Resort, established in 1981, is run by Ghandy, wife of the late S- '*• .¦L. . 4 J S I tn Sst of golf; there is so much to do here. ” Dina Race View, established in 1904 by Cooveiji Hotel also has children ’s playgrounds and Dosabhai and now run by his grand ­ indoor games facilities — features com- daughter Nevaz and her husband Capt mon to other hotels too, but in varying Sam Engineer. Situatedjust below Wilson degrees. Point it has a view of the lake nestling in Dina Hotel, which has 20 rooms and the valley of forested hills. The rates are can accomrnodate up to 75 beds, is sit- Rs 375 per head per day during the season uated on a hill overlooking the golf course with an off-season discount of about Rs and the lake. Jal s grandfather who earlier 100. The hotel aims to provide their guests ran Fountain Hotel, reportedly the oldest with good food, cleanliness and good ser- hotel in Mahableshwar, established Dina vice —not much to ask for, but which takes Hotel (named after his wife Dina) around a lot of effort to deliver. The 23 rooms are 80 years ago. Jal ’s mother Alamai Maha- furnished with four-poster beds, reclining bleshwarwalla, a charming lady of 87, easy chairs and old-world furniture, a fea- recalls the early days when she had come ture that is common to all the older Parsi- to Mahableshwar in 1919 as a young bride run hotels. However, due to some reported of 17. The charges then were three rupees differences in the family, the hotel has per head per day; when eggs were three been closed for some time, annas a dozen, a full chicken was four Virjee Guest House (left) and Bhata Sanatorium in Panchgani Photos: Gustasp Irani H ( < @3 27 Parsiana September 1989 Hotel Mayfair was originally a private | <4 ¦“*, fc. sSw; 'rf rniK^.v-^ 1?N lit T I 1 Bp* A A 1 Dina Hotel in Mahableshwar and Ala- BH mai Mahal^eshwarwalla Photos: Yasmin Poonegar his doctor ’s protests o (“I’ll have to answer to the nation if some- some- ¦man J_____ I a in the Virjees ’ compound? It still j Dorabji has built and runs Tex Palazzo in Surat the hotel with India ’s first revol- 1 ving restaurant.) Tucked behind the fire- 1 temple, it has a large well-maintained garden ’ • in the foreground and the towering table ­ land as the backdrop. Season rates are Rs 200 plus 10 percent service charges and off-season rates are Rs 180. Special dis- counts are offered to children. Just across the road is the smallest in the family of Parsi-run hotels —Jerroz with four rooms and a capacity for 20 beds. Established in 1955 by Faramroz Deboo, it I was taken over by his nephew Kalyaniwalla I in 1957. Charges are: season Rs 185 per | head per day; off-season Rs 165 per head 1 per day with special discounts for chil ­ dren. The place is small, simple, clean and Finally Jhere is the Bhata Sanatorium nearly nine months in a year, the row of . , • Its 14 cottages can each accommodate four adults and two children below the age of 12 years. The and are available on a monthly charge of Rs premises in 1927 to 210 each. For the three summer months IS Rs 150 per head per day; off-season Rs 130 per head per day with discounts for children. Thrown into the price is a hotel has 12 rooms Vall.^y .*««<? i" vX" nefi'im on view UOu' '• -J * w • ; I unpolluted, like Panchgani itself. B s Finally there is the Bhata Sanatorium j ’’nn by the Bhata School in Panchgani. For nearlv niriA monftno « _ ____ ..i.-______ r- F cottages lie deserted and empty, cottages Cfln af'i^rknnri'izvlri*** thing should happen to you, ” the poor m, of medicine pleaded) Gandhi planted tree bv^hAlSIh i". “ Sunny Bank, near rhe octroi rZr. rt ° J the Nation — the other is naka (post) leading to Mahableshwar to stand at Kensington Gardens in establishment moved i ’ ' ’ the UK There is local history too. The where II Palazzo now stands before find ­ cottage Maidstone, that houses the Virjee i SSSS tion in 1842. per head per day with discounts for hastening the onset of dusk. We are . The distinction of being the oldest hotel tncntview' ”o™he"'vX' ’Wot ’ P'eu^wly exhausted with a day of boating, J in Panchgani, however, goes to Prospect hotel has 12 rooms in all ' “"'“1^"'die bazaar, our palate | pampered. Hotel, established by the Satarawalla family The largest of the Parsi mn hrvtAi ¦ ?sumach bursting. It is time to relax in in 1914 but sold to non-Parsis about 10 PanchganTFs II The film on view is years ago. Kalyaniwalla also informs us 1933 bv Sorahii naviAr„,oiio _____ ’2 projects the historical s “•x:xTi-."xrs • .j- The oldest existing Parsi-run hotel in band toiled to make it the Panchgani is Mount View, first established The a walk in the bazaar, our palate ) pampered. —. . o X uxi iivi-via 1 Panchgani is II Palazzo, established in --------s us 1933 by Sorabji Davierwalla and now run years from by his son Bomi. It was only after the death . t 10 1933 by Sorabji Davierwalla and was another Parsi-run of his older brother Hoshang about I wnt/*h ________ reasons shang ’s widow Perin recalls how her hus- -------------e premier estab ­ lishment in Panchgani. (The third brother 8 - . 'F —. u / r « •/tai'' B- fej '4 1 II ¦ - w 28 Parsiana September 1989 development of the Zoroastrian religion. There comes a scene when philosophical issues are being discussed. The hills in the - ---- —i must be Parsi Point and, of course, that is the table ­ land. Yes,it is Panchgani — preserved on celluloid along with Parsi history. land. Yes,it is Panchgani — preserved on F’* Lfi- J Hotel Jerroz in Panchgani (left) Photo: Gustasp Irani I Hotel Mayfair in Mahableshwar Photo; Yasmin PoonegarI t 1?’ a FOOD With over three decades of experience in five-star hotels, Homi Wadia observes that chefs in India are hesitant to experiment with new dishes F or almost three decades, Homi Wadia Wadia is of the opinion that it is ideally has been purveying to the palate and suited to an independent restaurant owned gastronomical needs of diners in five-star by an enterprising chef or where the chef is •hotels. Vice president in charge of food and beverage operations in the Oberoi Hotel chain, Wadia is one of the most accomplished food and beverage experts producing a cuisine of their own without in the country, feel hoteliers. An epicure ready to “try new selec ­ tions from a culinary list anywhere in the world, ’’ Wadiasays, “I have savored most food. ’’ Recognizing the human trait of few restaurants in India where the health ­ eating first with the eyes, then through the ier practices in ‘la nouvelle cuisine ’ have nose and lastly through the mouth, Wadia been adopted such as smaller portions, less says, “Very often a gourmet will fault or ‘ reject a dish at first glance or after taking just a whiff. ’’ For example, one look at a presentation openly displaying the main piece of grilled meat exposes its quality to ingredients rather than concealing them an expert. Smelling and eating it is just a under heavy sauces or masking them with confirmatory test, he elaborates. Having moved around in many depart ­ ments oflarge hotels, Wadia is as familiar possibility of making a success of it in with the entire gamut of hotel operations India, given time, ^hat he notices is the as he is with the kitchen. And it is this limited market for European food inJndia acquaintance with the kitchen which en- and the reluctance by and large of the local abled him to answer our queries on ‘la nouvelle cuisine, ’ a form of food formula ­ tion tried out by a few master chefs in Europe, in the 1970s and early 1980s. Since it calls for exceptional skills, crea ­ tivity and a willingness to experiment. Tremendous market for good Indian Cuisine a 29 Parsiana September 1989 an active partner in the business. In India, Wadia doubts whether there are many chefs who could meet the challenge of any ground rules to go by, or whether their employers would encourage any uncon ­ ventional practices. He hastens to point out that there are a fat and heavy sauces, use of only the best and in-season ingredients and attractive spices. He would rather call this ‘contem ­ porary cuisine ’ and feels there is some clientele to try anything other than Indian cuisine or the few European dishes they are already familiar with. The constraints in getting the right quality of raw materials for the new cuisine also causes many a chef to despair and revert to traditionalI I concepts of European food, points out Wadia. Regarding the ingredients available in India, Wadia feels that though there has been an improvement in the quality of chicken and beef over the last three dec ­ ades, much still remains to be done for other poultry, lamb, goat, vegetables and fruit. The variety as also the quality fall far short of international standards, he ob ­ serves. The Indian cuisine offered in our hotels and restaurants is boring in Wadia ’s opin ­ ion. There is a tremendous market for good Indian cuisine and we should make an effort to research the various cuisines of India and adapt them to the catering trade. Regrettably, the Indian kitchen in hotels and restaurants does not always attract the kind of chef who can be moti ­ vated to research and experiment. By and large they reproduce what they have learnt from their fathers or gurus and there the matter ends. His view of the future in the catering field in India is optimistic: It will grow but not necessarily in hotels. As the restau ­ rants outside the hotels improve their stan ­ dards more and more, local business will move away from the star hotels to the neighborhood restaurants. The taxes the government levies on diners in our better hotels also dissuades local clientele from visiting them. Hoteliers will treat the in ­ house guest as the key to their fortunes, pampering them further. All food and beverage activity will he aimed at this clientele rather than the local market. A decrease or a change in use of the in-house restaurants is very likely in most of our major hotels in the forseeable future, says Wadia. On the beverage scene, Wadia is over ­ joyed by quality products like the Mar ­ quise de Pompadour sparkling wine, now produced in Narayangaon in Maharashtra, and feels it will not be long before reason ­ ably good table wines, comparable with those available abroad, will be produced in India. Despite gaining some knowledge of wines during his sojourns abroad, he feels his expertise would improve considerably if imported wines were more freely avail ­ able at reasonable prices in India. Regret ­ tably, for the same reasons, most of our restaurateurs and hoteliers have only a passing acquaintance with wine, he says. Besides spending time at the Oberoi group ’s major properties in India, Wadia has also been active at the group ’s hotels in Egypt and Iraq. He had joined them after a seven-year stint in the kitchens and res ­ taurants of various leading hotels in Aus ­ tria, France, Switzerland and Italy. In fact he had dropped out of his graduation course at a Darjeeling college to join a hotel school in Austria. Wadia assesses career prospects in the hotel industry in India as ‘ ‘excellent. ’ ’ In the 1950s and 1960s most middle-class parents dissuaded their children from en ­ tering the hotel and catering trade or con ­ sidered it a last resort. Today there are many more bright youngsters entering the profession and competition for the top jobs is fiercer. Correspondingly, hotels have mushroomed and many more openings are available. “A five-star hotel offers a good career but you must be equal to the demands placed on you, ” he points out. “Those who desire free evenings for pleasure would be better advised to stay away. ” Extracted, edited and abridged from an article bv Rangan published in The Daily of Septem­ ber 29, 1989:^ IF YOU WRITE YOUR COMPANYS NAME HERE. I I I I I I I I I I I I I YES. I would like to order Cry greeting cards and/or calendars on behalf of my company. Please send me your colour catalogue, for me to choose from. Company’s Name:------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Address:------------------------------------ ------ -------------------------------------------- Name:----------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------- Designation: --------------------------------------------— Tel.No.: -------------------- I would tike to place a bulk order of not less than 300 cards/25 calendars. YOULLHELP GEETA, RAJU, MADHU AND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS TO WRITE THEIRS. Geeta, Raju and Madhu should be in school learning how to read and write. Building a foundation for a future. Instead they are learning how to earn a living. On construction sites and in factories. CRY, an Indian charitable trust has been doing all it can for children like Geeta and Raju. But we need your I company ’s help. ! By merely picking Giy cards and calendars this year, I your company can put these children in school. I Because all the money collected from the sale of Ciy I cards goes towards education, nutrition qpd health care I for deprived Indian children. So hurry. Write in. And give Geeta, Raju and Madhu an opportunity to team to do the same. Send a CRY card. Give a child a future. Mail your coupon to: CRY, 183, SLMaiy’s Road, Alwaipet, Madras 600 018. Or Gall: 45 8551 'Sales Tax Extra Mail your coupon to: CRY, 25, Cover Road, Cox Town, Bangalore 560 005. 'Sales Tax Extra Mail your coupon: CRY, 21, Gautam Apartments, Gautam Nagar, New Delhi 110 049. or caU: 65 442L'Sales Tax Extra Mail your coupon: CRY, 2nd floor. Ideal Industrial Estate, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Bombay 400 013. or call: 492 9153,493 8224. CHILD RELIEF AND YOU Caids: Rs.3.00*-Rs.4.50* Desk calendar Rs.l5.0(rWall Calendar Rs.25.00 EnterpriseCRY/SO 30 Parsiana September 1989I MILESTONES The data on births, marriages and A boy to Tenaz and Navzer deaths has been compiled from Tara\ August 15 information provided by various A boy to Aloo and Keki Vacha\ newsletters and anjumans in In- August 16 dia and abroad, courts and hospi- A boy to Shernaz and Gev Daji; tals. It must be pointed out that August 17 this information is not always A boy to Diaz and Hoshang complete or consistent. Jhaverv, August 23 Of the 93 Parsis who died in A boy to Shanaz and Dinsha Bombay, 28 fell prey to heart dis- Cooper; August 24 ease while old age claimed 18. A girl to Lily and Xercsis Six victims died due to pneumo- Marker; August 26 nia and fife people succumbed to A boy to Freny and Gev different types of accidents in- Jabulee; August 27 eluding electrocution and head A girl to Ketayun and Aspi injuries. Other killer diseases Sarkari; August 27 were kidney failure (four), dia­ betes, hypertension and cancer Married (three each). Lung, brain and Armaity Dadabhai Mirza and liver diseases, asthma, bronchitis Mahiar Hoshang Gandhi of and gastroenteritis claimed two Poona; May 22 victims each. Isolated cases of Mahzabeen Jamshed Irani of anemia, tuberculosis, viral fever, Poona and Jimmy Eady Eduljee; gastrointestinal hemorrhage, os- June 29 teoporosis,' shock and nervous Shenaaz Palanji Palkhiwalla disorder were registered. Still- and Homi Faredoon Mistry; bom twins (girls), an eight-month- August 27 old baby boy and a 27-year-old Homa Sohrab Biyuki of Poona youth were lost to the commu- and Khodadad Faredoon nity. In the break-up of deaths according to illnesses, it must be Died noted that in some cases, espe- Naju Jal Kapadia (72), residing daily in those of the very old, at Irani Bldg, 36, Balaram St, death is often due to a combina- Grant Rd, 400007; July 31 tion of several diseases. Firoz A. Wadia (65), Asha If readers have any informa- Daan, Sangli St, Byculla, tion they would like published, 400008; July 31 some proof to ensure the veracity Pestonji Dossabhoy Karani of the report would be required. (63), 8, Arbuda Darshan, We are sure our readers would Sunder Ngr, Kalina, Santacruz appreciate this requirement and (E), 400055; August 1 cooperate with us. Mani Maneksha Boatwala (72), 664, Roshan Mans, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; August 2 Twin girls of Ava Peshotan Irani (stillborn), Irani Wadi, Shivdas Chapsi Marg, Mazagaon, 400010; August 2 Jal Framroze Mehta (78), Meher Mans, 515/C, R. P. Masani Rd, Matunga/K)0019; August 2 Phiroz Jehangir Choksi (79), F-10, Contractor Baug, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; August 3 Sherbanoo Dhunjisha Lilam- walla (75), 12/1, Kashinath Bldg, Tardeo, 400034; August 3 Nesserwanji Shapurji Mahuvawalla (80), 21/C, Laxmi Ngr Soc, Four Bglws, Andheri (W), 400058; August 3 Moghani of Poona; August 31 BOMBAY Born A boy to Rashna and Firoie Wadia on July 29, 1989 A boy to Kamal and Jehangir Motivala; July 30 A girl to Farah and Rohinton Surty., August 1 A girl to Zenohia and Cyrus Bhadha\ August 3 A girl to Prochi and Rumi Masalawala', August 6 A girl to Parvin and Parvez Balsara-, August 12 A girl to Munira and Jamshed Banaji; August 12 A boy to Jiloo and Kaiyoze Billimoria\ August 12 Banoobai Dhunjishaw Javeri (90), Meherabad, B. Desai Rd, 40(1026; August 4 Rashid Noshirwan Irani (76), 13, A. H. Wadia Bang, Pare! Tank Rd, 400033; August 5 Godrej Pallonji Joshi (75), 40-A, Ridge Rd, Malabar Hill, 400006; August 5 Mehra Maneksha Meher (80), C/o K. M. Meher, 8, Breach Candy Hse, 68, B. Desai Rd, 400026; August 5 Banoobai Dosabhai Patel (74), ‘E,’ Adam Mhl, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; August 5 Piroja Phiroze Pavri (84), 77, Rajat Apt, Mt Pleasant Rd, 400006; August 5 Eruch Cawasji Tavaria (78), Haji Adam Mans, Store Lane, Fort, 400001; August 5 Khorshedbanoo Pallonji Bharucha (86), ‘A,’ Ness Bang, Nana Chowk, 400()07; August 6 Pirojbai Edulji Daruwala (90), ‘F,’ Adam Mhl, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; August 6 Dolly Nadar Karva (58), 610, Jame Jamshed Rd, Dadar, 400014; August 6 Manekshaw Pestonji Nanji (92), Rd, 400027; August 13 36, Jame Jamshed Bldg, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 40(X)14; August 6 Sheroo Rustomji Vajifdar (69), 275/B, Captain Bldg, Zoro- astrian Clny, Tardeo, 400007; August 6 Najoo Jamshed Daruwala (62), 23, Jame Jamshed Bldg, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 40(X)14; August 7 Perin Kaikhusroo Irani {Farshed) (55), 314, Kaiser Bldg, Chandanwadi, Marine Lines, 400002; August 7 Banoo Kaikhushroo Engineer (82), ‘B,’ GowaliaTank Bldg, August Kranti Marg, 4(XX)36; August 8 Shirin Manekji Gowadia (79), Nargol, Stn Sanjan, 396135; August 8 Shirin Navroji Dadabhoy (72), Maskati Court, M. Karve Rd, 400020; August 9 Dhunjisha Jehengirji Daruwala (74), A/29, Navyug Mans, N. Bharucha Rd, 400007; August 9 Rusi Hormasji Mowdawalla (54), Sudersan Apt, Jivdani Rd, Virar (E), 401303; August 9 Soona Sorabji Hakim (95), 11-A, Khurshal-Naz, Dadar, 400014; August 10 Hormuzdyar Limjeebhai Sopari- vala (93), 502, Happy Hse, Hatiskar Marg, Prabhadevi, 400025; August 10 Sam Khurshedji Cooper (62), C/10, Banoo Villa, TTieosophi- cal Soc, Juhu, 400049; August 11 Nargis Khaikhushroo Daru- khanawalla (85), Kashinath Bldg, Kashinath Rd, Tardeo, 400034; August 11 Phiroze Hormasji Narsang (65) 804/C, Rati Lodge, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Da^, 400014; August 11 Meherbanoo Jamshed Behroozi (74), 7, Tarachand Bldg, Old Khareghat Clny, 400007; August 12 Dorabji Framroze Poonawalla (81), B/20, Mahesh Apt, Off S, V. Rd, Santacruz (W), 4&0054; August 13 Russi Manekji Bhomishaw (60), 73, Queens Rd, 400002; August 13 Dina Nadershaw Patel (73), 17/D, Rustom Baug, Victoria Darabshaw Jijibhoy Patel (67), Bode Bldg, Marazban Clny, Gilder Lane, 400008; August 14 Darabshaw Cowasji Vmrigar (86), A-1, Shaper Bang, V,.P. Rd, 400004; August 14 Khurshed Cowasji Avasia (73), C/o Gazdar Pvt Ltd, Jony Castle, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400(M)5; August 15 Rustomji Sorabji Bhiwandiwalla (90), ‘B,’ Bhiwandiwalla Ter, Dhobitalao, 400002; August 15 Kaikhushroo Sorabjee Commis­ sariat (89), 35, Homi Hse, Police Court Lane, Fort, 400001; August 15 Villi Darabshaw Dalal (47), Shirin Mans, 228-A, Tardeo Rd, 400007; August 15 Rusi Edulji MuRa (64), Dhanesh Mans, 12, Laburnum Rd, 400007; August 15 Nariman Kekobad Dordy (81), Lam Bldg, Delisle Rd, Lower Parel, 400013; August 16 Najamai Cavasji Engineer (71), 785, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 40(1014; August 16 Themurasp Maneksha Gandhy (91), 401/C, Blue Bird, Sherley Rd, Bandra, 400050; 32 Parsiana September 1989* r August 16 Frani Framroze Irani (60), Gool Mans, Dinbai Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; August 16 Kharmen Aspandyar Irani (75), Fakruddin Manzil, Grant Rd, 400007; August 17 Jamshed Phirojshah Tarapore- walla (53), Sanjay Apt, Hansraj Lane, Byculla 400027; August 17 Eruchsha Edulji Khasimay (77), Hormuzd Bldg, 33, Sleater Rd, 400007; August 1? Aloo Rustomji Dordi (75), Nusserwanji Tata Bldg No 1, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; August 19 Mahyar Kerman Katrak (8 months), 45/A, Silver Oaks Est, Bhulabhai Desai Rd, 400026; August 19 Freny Minoo Udwadia (63), Railway View, Uranwala St, Grant Rd, 400007; August 19 Framroze Kaikhushroo Warden (74), Hormuz Baug Bldg, Tardeo, 400034; August 20 Kolan Firoz Cooper (67), 410, Jiten Soc, D. P. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; August 21 Rati Darabsha Nariman (62), Mackavee Mans, Rustom Sidhwa Rd, 400001; August 21 Commai Minocher Pundole (92), B-9, Surbazan Co-op Hsg Soc, Shivshirishti, 400024; August 21 Framroze Rustomji Bhandara (69), Wadia Bldg, Dr Nair Rd, 40()011; August 22 Soli Minocher Dubash (62), Buena Vista, Pochkhanawala Rd, New Worli, 400025; August 22 Pestonji Sorabji Merchant (83), Hendre Mans, 8, Sleater Rd, 400007; August 22 Dina Jehangir Parakh (71), 602, Rajni Mhl, 89/95, Tardeo Rd, 400034; August 22 Goolbanu Dossabhai Patel (84), P/3, Dalal Est, Lamington Rd, 400008; August 22 Mehrbo Nusserwanji Pochee (75), Daruwalla Hse, 779, Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; August 22 Sharukh Keki Shroff (21), Jassawala Wadi, Juhu, 400049; August 22 Bomi Rustomjee Bisney (70), 21, Nanabhoy Chmbs, Fort, 400(M)l; August 23 Naju Dinshaji Kotwal (78), 461/463, Kerawalla Bldg, Chirabazar, 400002; August 23 Backhtavar Manek Daruwala (55), D/15, Shapur Bang, V. P. Rd, 400004; August 24 Sorabji Navroji Deboo (94), 19, Moti Mhl, Sir D. Wachha Rd, 400020; August 24 Minoo Munchershaw Nanavaty {lA,), Palacimo, Silver Oaks Est, Bhulabhai Desai Rd, 400026; August 24 Noshir Fardoonji Todiwala (45), B/13, Captain Clny, 27-A, Tardeo, 400034; August 24 Savaksha Khurshedji Bhathena (69), ‘B,’ Bhiwandiwalla Ter, Dhobitalao, 400002; August 25 Jer Framroze Ghadiali (65), Transvel Ter, Grant Rd, 400004; August 25 Manijeh Ratanshaw Tolat (88), Mahalaxmiwala Bldg, 19, Sleater Rd, 400007; August 25 Meherji Dinshawji Avari (65), ‘K,’ Indira Dock, Walchand Hirachand Marg; 400001; August 26 Khorshed Rustomji Baria (79), Panna Bhavan, Gopcharpada, Virar (E), 401303; August 26 Rus tom Seriar Irani (60), Satnam Hse, Sahar Rd, Vile Parle (E), 400099; August 26 Jalamai Phirojshah Langrana (90), Godiwala Widows Chawl,. Mazagaon, 400010; August 26 Burjor Dinshawji Bharucha (55), 77, Rajat Apt, Mount Pleasant Rd, 400006; August 27 Perin Sorabji Havewalla (91), 15, Petit Widows Chawl, Fort, 400(X)l; August 27 Jamshedji Burjorji Bajina (77), 20, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; August 28 Kety Jal Daruwala (60), 11, Cooper Bldg, Marazban Clny, Gilder Lane,400008; August 28 Meherbai Fardoonji Motafarm (89), 9/3, Patel Bldg, Gamadia Clny, 400007; August 28 Sorabji Cawasji Patel (91), 5, Merwan Bldg, Uranwalla St, 400007; August 28 Manekji Navroji Putel (88), 10, Old Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; August 28 Jehangir Hirjibhai Dadiseth (82), Banu Mans, Forjett St, 400036; August 29 Shirinbai Jalejar Dick (85), F/618, Bhiwandiwalla Ter, 400002; August 29 Jal Cawasji Gilder (83), C/o R. K. Banajee, Crown Mans, 6/13, Forjett St, 400036; August 29 Kersi (Kersasp) Meherjibhai Patel (84), Dolat Manzil, 607, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; August 29 Kitty K. Vachha (83), 22, Hampton Court, 125, Wode­ house Rd, 400(X)5; August 29 Bobby Jehangir Dalal (69), 10/A, Woodlands, Redder Rd, 400026; August 31 Gaimai Aderji Kapadia (90), B/3, Ness Baug, Nana Chowk, 400007; August 31 BURNPUR, WEST BENGAL Died Dhunmai Mehta (84), wife of Firoz and mother of Marzaban, Meher, Hosi and Nergis Master; August 5 CALCUTTA Died Sarosh Bhesania (44), son of Dina and Dali, and brother of Zarin; August 19 Homi R. Devitre, father of Ricky, Diana and Laila; August 25 DELHI Died Dhunjishaw Sorahjee Mehta (80), husband of Dhun and father of Daly, Kamal Wadia and Shenaz Patel; August 10 KARACHI Died Daulat Kaikobad Bharucha (67); July 3 Meher Jamshed Patel (68); July 10 Pesi Darabsha Vania (74); July 10 Amy Jamshedji Sethna (62); July 21 Shavax Nassarvanji Mistry (85); July 31 LONDON Died Noshir J. Masani (76); July 24 NANDED, MAHARASHTRA Died Banoo M. Shrojf(^G)', May 18 POONA Died Manek Sheriyar Elavia (68), 5/67, Poona Pared Apts, East St, 41 icioi; August 10 Merwan Nasarvanji Katrak (82), 49, Banoo Apts, 411001; August 11 Daulat Boman Irani (81), 3, Mody Clny, Synagogue St, 411001; August 13 Faramroz Burjorji Patel (78), 4, Samadhi Rd, Yerwada, 411014; August 14 Lovji Cawasji Hansotia (82), 6/B, Harmesh Apts, College Rd; August 19 Hillabai Sorabji Balaporia (88), 707, Taboot St, 411001; August 25 Baby of Jamshed Mody (still­ born), 303, Nalini Apts, Sholapur Rd; August 25 Piroja Cawasji Hormazdiar (83), 4, Mody Clny, Synagogue St, 411001^ August 28 Burjorji Dhanjisha Vesuna (82), Bara Bungla Rd, Lonavla, 410401; August 30 Manibai Dadiba Dalal (90), 1153/A, Saify St, 411001; August 31 SECUNDERABAD Born Twin girls, Ruksana and Armita, to Mahnaz and Bomi Karaka; April 24 A boy, Zahan, to Parvina and Dara Patel', June 26 A girl, Sanayah, to Goolcher and Yanush Wadia', July 22 A girl to Behroz and Astad Bokdawala', July 31 A boy to Shiraz^A Ronnie Behramsha', August 11 Married Geetanjali Hoshang Thacker and Feroze Rustomji Bhote\ March 5 Shadbanoo Irani and Gaive A. Irani', August 6 Died Jamshedji C. Desai (85); April 14 Sohrab K. Jalnawalla (63); May 18 Dinamai N. Lakdawalla (86); June 3 Shirin R. Chinoy (82); July 6 Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka 33 Parsiana September 1989IN MEMORIAM “I f I have been able to do something in ,my long association with Tatas it is simply because God gave me an opportu ­ nity - a rare one. And from that day, somehow or other, it became a mission in my life. ” That important ‘day ’ was his day of adoption when an unassuming 11- of unorganized workers, employment and year-old Naval Tata, used to poverty and poverty has significantly influenced the thing; I prefer that we fmend. ’” hardship, was promised a rewarding fu- approach and policies we see today in the Some of his fights with the trade union ture. He was chosen to be the heir to his activities of the ILO... The benefits accru- leaders were known to last for two and a uncle Sir Ratan Tata. Thereafter, until his ing to India as a result of your long and half to three hours. “These would be death of cancer on May 5, 1989 at the age close association with the work of the ILO savage fights; calling each other names; of 84, a beholden Naval Hormusji Tata, are your lasting tribute, ” read the scroll. using abusive language. ” At the end of chairman of the Tata electric companies and deputy*chairman of the parent body, Tata Sons, strove to promote the Tata image in the industrial sphere. His influence extended beyond the House of Tatas to The Employers ’ Federation of quently Naval would be referred to as “the convened by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet India where for over three decades he served as president, to the labor commis ­ sions constituted by the government, to the governing body ofthe International Labour which time JRD had evaluated his per ­ Organisation (ILO) whereat he had repre ­ sented the employers for over 30 years. Particularly it was the fields of textiles, power generation, banking and industrial relations where he served as the industry ’s spokesman. The President of India R. Venkataraman described Tata as “a lead ­ ing captain of industry who broke new ground in labor-management relations. ” Nana Chudasama mooted the erection of a monument in the city in honor of the versatile man at the condolence meeting convened by him as the sheriff of Bombay, on May 23. The nation had conferred upon Tata the Padma Bhushan award for his contribution I to the field of industrial growth, and the Sir ‘ Jehangir Ghandy Medal was in recogni ­ tion of his endeavors to improve industrial peace. Barely a month prior to his death, “I don't like proposing the I prefer we'mend the ILO honored him on its seventieth anniversary. Ratan, his eldest son by his first wife Soona Commissariat, and named successor to the Tata empire, received the scroll of honor on behalf of his ailing father. “Your advocacy of the problems Pendse, economic advisor to the Tata group, “I don ’t like proposing the ‘end ’ of any- opponents which in his own words was more through ''conviction rather than coer ­ cion ’ or more through ^vision than venom, ’” remembers his personal assistant K. D. Skandan. Tata would often tell D. R. approach and policies we see today in the activities of the ILO... The benefits accru ­ ing to India as a result of your long and close association with the work of the ILO are your lasting tribute, ” read the scroll. Among the illustrious public figures the session the trade union leaders would who had known Naval intimately was J.R.D. come and embrace Tata, but not because Tata, chairman of Tata Sons, who also they had been bribed, remembered Fredie happened to be Naval ’s second cousin, Mehta, chairman of Forbes Forbes and their grandparents being siblings. Fre- Campbell, at the condolence meeting Other Tata ” to differentiate him from the senior JRD. For 59 years was Naval asso ­ ciated with the House of Tatas during on June 15, 1989 when community stal ­ warts and Tata ’s associates in the indus ­ trial sector shared their reminiscences of his human touch. He was in favor of both employers and workers setting up their own apex bodies. formance as “a hard worker... a fighter. When he had a belief in something, he strongly defended it and he strongly fought framing thefr respective codes of conduct for it. That he was a man of courage which and censuring members on either side who he demonstrated in an extraordinary way left me awed... He was a man who liked people, who liked to deal with people, to argue with people, if possible to get them spected and violence eschewed at all costsjJ to his view or ultimately to agree with —'T’-----— ----- ------------- theirs... ” “Mr Tata had a knack of winning over violated them. Recognizing the rights to work, to strike, to lockout, he was firm in his belief that labor laws should be r^- 1^, ' . ... . said Dr Ram Tameja of Bennett Coleman ' and Company. Yet, even when tackling the delicate issue of labor, Tata ’s inherent humor often surfaced. Some years earlier he had joked, “I am praying every day that in my next life the Almighty may make me a trade union leader so that I have less work and no worry about money. ” He always took pains to point out that “the prospects for higher productivity are rela ­ tively dim so long as our wage structure is almost totally independent of productiv ­ ity.” His rational views were constantly sought whether by the National Labour Institute, the Central Employment and Evaluation Committee, the Committee on Automa ­ tion or the National Safety Council. He was vice president of the International Organisation of Employers for more than two decades and also had connections with the International Chamber of Commerce, chairing one of its committees. THETOUt 34 Parsiana September 19895 i f -wk-- ' .Aw t r p-n 1 F I 1 Lil* \ / kW !J 1 1 Tata (in jeep): reaching out to electorate to be an important reason for Tata, whose wife Simone is a Christian, to have opted for cremation. (Unfortunately, both Si­ mone and Ratan who could have provided an insight into Tata ’s faith and beliefs, had a tight schedule and hence excused them ­ selves from replying to Parsiana's que ­ ries.) While the funeral ceremonies are supposed to have been performed accord ­ ing to Zoroastrian rites, the cremation was marked by its quiet restraint. Tata ’s involvement with national bod ­ ies and his connections with the top brass of the government notwithstanding, he chose to contest a Lok Sabha seat as an independent candidate in 1971. He lost to his opponent Dr N. N. Kailash, a Congress nominee. Yet, as industrialist Ramkrishna Bajaj observed, “For an industrialist to contest against a candidate of the ruling party...showed that he was made of sterner stuff. ” “I am grateful to God for giving me an opportunity to experience the pangs of poverty” Poverty molds his character Naval never forgot his travails and strict upbringing at the J. N. Petit Parsi Orphan ­ age. He had lost his father when he was barely four years old. Faced with the prospect of bringing up four sons, his mother enrolled them at the Petit Orphan ­ age. Naval, in fact, had been admitted as a free boarder on an extremely slender budget for food, clothing and shelter. He lost no opportunity to relate stories of his humble roots, remember his friends. As he himself admitted, “1 am grateful to God for giving me an opportunity to experience the pangs of poverty which more than anything (else) molded my character in later years of my life. ” His “fairy godmother ” came in the form of Lady Navajbai Tata who adopted Naval as heir on the death of her husband Ratan in 1915. Since neither Sir Ratan nor his brother Dorab (sons of Jamsetji N. Tata) had any descendants, and Naval ’s mother Ratanbai being a favorite cousin of Ratan ’s, Lady Navajbai selected one pf Ratanbai ’s sons as successor to her hus- Even in business affairs he advised a -------------- -------------------------------------- band. Yet, Naval was not permitted to firm approach. When industrialist Jam- disapproval nor the community ’s aliena- change schools till his matriculation, shed Guzder had been elected chairman of tion once he had decided on a course of Thereafterhe graduated in economics from the Indian Merchants ’ Chamber, he sought action. His preference for cremation over the Bombay University and proceeded to the advice of Tata who had held the same dokhmenashini created adversaries, but London for a short course in accountancy. 1 And in 1930 he stepped on the first rung . post years ago. Guzder recalled Tata ’s Tata did not relent. “A fully ordained / words, “Remember there will be people Zoroastrian priest, (serving as trustee of of the ladder of the Tata organization. He who will want to bully, but you confront the Tata and the Karani agiaries), he was joined as a despatch clerk cum assistant them and say what you want to say. Keep unorthodox, yet laid emphasis on the spirit secretary on a monthly salary of Rs 150. the name of the community. ' Carry the of the religion rather than its rituals, ” read Soon he was made assistant secretary of message of Rarsis to other regions of India, the May-June issue of Transmission Lines, Tata Sons and within years he had already People have faith in Parsi business; that is the house journal of the Tata Electric been appointed secretary to the Aviation not to be lost. ” Companies. “He was puzzled and at times Department. Five years later he joined as Neither did he fear the government ’s deeply hurt when he encountered bigotry an executive in the textiles department and and fanaticism of some religious zealots, ” shortly thereafter was made joint manag- noted an editorial in The Bombay Sama- ing director of the textile mills run by char of May 7. The uncompromising Tatas. In 1941 he accepted directorship of stance by the orthodox refusing to allow Tata Sons and then followed in succession non-Parsis to pay their last respects to the dead at the Towers Of Silence is believed H OF TATA his other designations like managing di­ rector of Tata Oil Mills, chairman of Tata 35 Parsiana Saptember 1989ness the first floodlit hockey tournament 1 I Mills, chairman of the three electric com- ness the first floodlit hockey tournament She was secretary for many years -of panics - Tata Hydro Electric, Andhra Valley thanks to Tata ’s largesse. He donated the the Poona Mental and Hygiene Society, and Tata Power - and eventually deputy floodlights to the Bombay Hockey Asso- notes a write-up carried in the July periodi- chairman of Tata Sons. His motto has ciation. He also made it a practice to set - -- - --- - - - —- always been “’Indian capital, Indian labor aside some amount from the Sir Ratan and Indian management ’ which was the essence of the Swadeshi movement during institutions. For 15 years he was the presi- and personally feed them. Seervai was our struggle for freedom, ” according to dent of the Indian Hockey'Federation during equally committed to the Physically Handi- the condolence resolution passed at the which time India won three Olympic gold capped Association where she served as sheriffs meeting. medals. His appointment as the first presi- chairman. As dedicated as he was to his industrial dent of the Indian Council of Sports was a The ailing she helped through her empire, Tata was equally committed to the nationwide recognition for Tata who in his connections with the Poona Red Cross different charitable trusts with which he was affiliated. Said Minoo Mody, then squash and badminton player, director of Tata Sons, “He did not con ­ sider charities as peripheral activities. ” dear to him as promotion of sports. His associates remember him as being a vora ­ cious reader whose fare was not confined spot where medical aid was urgently re- to industrial relations but encompassed quired, adds the write-up. Her contribu- world affairs in general. Astrology too fascinated Tata, revealed Vakil who added that ultimately astrology belied his faith ferred her with a medal, informs her long- because he died at the age of 84 and not four years later as predicted. Tata is survived by his wife Simone, and sons Ratan. Jimmy and Noel. cal of the Poona Women ’s Council. There was a time when every week she would Tata Trust to help clubs and smaller sports visit the sick people at the mental asylum institutions. For 15 years he was the presi- medals. His appointment as the first presi ­ dent of the Indian Council of Sports was a nationwide recognition for Tata who in his young days was known to be an ardent Society where she was an active member. During World War II, Seervai worked for St John ’s Ambulance. Whenever she was summoned, irrespective of the hour of the day, she would (hive the ambulance to the Pursuit of intellectual activities was as On more th2h a dozen Tata trusts he served as trustee, whether these were promoting the cause of education, housing, religion, health or poverty. He believed, it was “his bounden duty to ensure that... the institu ­ tions established by his ancestors...were preserved and well-maintained, ” noted Transmission Lines. Many an apprentice scheme did he launch, many a vocational training center did he start, especially to benefit those with a rural background. One such estab ­ lishment which he was very anxious to develop was the Sir Ratan Tata Industrial Institute (RTI) in the hope of bettering the lot of Parsi women who had come to the city from mofussil areas, informs S. R. Vakil, legal advisor of Tata Sons who had known Tata since the latter ’s electioneer ­ ing days. In the case of Parsis, the work output does not match the constant de- mentally handicapped or the neglected family members. She also shouldered the mand for a revision in pay scales, Tata always regretted. RTFs new restaurant^ the aid of the suffering whenever there was Landmark,was Tata ’s brainchild but man- a distress signal, power problems once again frustrated his efforts. “Earn, earn a lot of money and use it in diverse ways. But use a little at least for the good of the community, ” had been Tata ’s advice as remembered by Dr Sam Bhacca, president of the Surat Parsi Punchayet who was present at the function when Tata inaugurated a Parsi business venture in Surat. Philanthropy he encour ­ aged, yet he was not wont to spend funds on useless schemes like the erection of a Seervai's sweet relief statue. When a delegation from Navsari tion to the Women ’s Voluntary Service was recognized by the British who con- time associate Ms Ratal Patel 1. A founder member and secretary for many years of the Poona Women ’s Coun ­ cil, she played a prominent role in the social service activities of this organiza ­ tion. Whether at their dispensary, creche, school, rural welfare progtam or other charitable projects, Seervai was a guiding force. The amiable spinster who enjoyed re ­ laxing with a game of cards as also mah^ Died: Amy Pestonji Seervai, 76, well- known social worker in Poona on June 1, mAmu « gamv vaiuo aiov ..uma- 1989 after years of suffering from Al- jongg, always found time for her dogs?' zheimer ’s disease. specially the dachshund that kept her com- Be they the physically disabled, the pany in the absence of any immediate animals, Seervai would selflessly rush to responsibilities as honorary secretary of the Kennel Club. Bom to wealth in a family that had established itself in the business world with its popular Wimbridge Furniture, Seervai enjoyed making frequent trips abroad, being fond of travelling by herself. After her early education at the Ooty Convent, she proceeded to the UK to study at the Bristol College of Domestic Arts. She was reportedly an expert in making pastry and confectionery and would, with ­ out hesitation, impart her art free of cost to those interested. She was also a life member of the UK-based National Confectionery Industry which entitled her to certain rare privileges from this distinguished organi ­ zation. Combining her talent for making ‘sweet ’ dishes with her natural flair for social ‘relief, ’ Seervai ’s life seemed to be gov ­ erned by the spirit of ‘sweet relief, until she was incapacitated by Alzheimer ’s disease^ _____ _________ ' _____ _ Written by Parinaz Gandhi 5 ¦S:. approached him for funds to raise a statue of Jamsetji Tata, Naval convinced them to construct instead a cultural center with a community hall and a library. He made substantial contribution and today this monument is regarded as an important landmark in Navsari. While Navsari got a cultural center, hockey fans in Bombay were able to wit- I isE*v-< ^6^ Mb I 36 Parsiana September 1989 f