Nov 1989

< r-"- < • > f *¦ I, w< ' 'Hf&W , NOVEMBER 19« Rs S" ••***«***.*,* b-** ¦ > y J - .r . .? ¦* „ ¦ ¦ ; h ? .Vz sx i v coiiimamj iam **•»« •i y>« ‘taV 'i. ¦7^: . i.i-s ! i ? f r t..- *• - ® liT" ii ¦. * •^’^ - : W;«.W * 'tt. ¦^' Yf ¦t V , . , ; • -• • • . ' • 1^2- 9t • ,* ' • ' I •, • ’• -I ¦« November 1989 Volume 12 Number 5 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz Gandhi ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana Kaka DESIGN Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez, Deborah Fernandes 3 Readers’ Forum 5 Events and Personalities 8 Zoroastrians Abroad MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D'Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B. L. Arora EDP Rohinton E. Daroga CIRCULATION Bebram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver 12 “Philosophy is dialogue’’ by Arnavaz Mama ___________________________________________________________________________ :___________________i______ 18 Poona Youth Festival: coming to terms by Gustasp Irani 25 Nineteenth century India: advantage Parsis by Joy Fernandes 32 Panchgani Anjuman: marked by a plateau A 35 Engineer: on the firing line OFFICE Rajendra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia Lewis, Rajalakshmi Krishnan, Bakhtavar Batliwalla, Nowzer Batliwala 36 Milestones 38 In Memoriam Cover: Illustration by Mickey Patel Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd, at C/o H.L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd, C/o Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Color processing, Comart Lithographers; and black and white processing, Shilpart. All rights reserved. Phone; 2048730 Fax 2042922 For editorial enquiries; 2048183. Telex 115710 RABO IN Annual inland subscription Rs 60 for one year (12 issues); Rs 100 for two years (24 issues). Foreign subscription rates; Seamail Rs 130 for one year, Rs 245 for two years; Air mail Rs 275 for one year, Rs 525 for two years. For US cheques add $5 to cover bank charges. For Indian upcountry cheques, add Rs 4 for bank charges. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favor of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 or C/o H.L.Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 jI READERS' FORUM p pKtinnui::, ihinunhu'. K ta » 'S, ? “achievers, ” heightens such an impres ­ sion. JAL M. KQRKHAO ^^Outcaste milestones With reference to Ms Reena Kavina ’s let ­ ter “Outcaste milestones ” {Parsiana, tures enshrine layer upon layer of esoteric August 1989), there is scriptural evidence ’ meaning whose depths can never be plumbed from the Gathas that Zoroastrianism does by rationalistic scholarship alone. not and cannot preach conversion. The • Z. M. Zend ’s spirited defence of the whole idea of conversion is contrary to the Iranis (“Irani achievements ”) will hope- truths set out in our Gathas. m fully temper remaining pockets of Parsi • A. A. Jafarey ’s excellent reply to H. Michael Simmons (“Does Zoroastrian ­ ism...? ”) again demonstrates the fact that '? spiration if it is not to become dry and. |i » scholarship must be accompanied by in- spiration if it is not to become dry and, possibly, misleading. Our Avestan scrip- »> I ! fully temper remaining pockets of Parsi A Hindu trying to convert a Christian I jingoism exemplified by epithets like will have to say that Krishna is superior to ‘ ‘jungti’Inin ” still employed by otherwise Christ. A Parsi Zoroastrian cannot say that responsible journalists. Never forget that because he is taught by his prophet that all I while we Parsis spent the post-Sassanian religions enunate from the divine design 1 period under the benign hospitality of our of Ahura Mazda and for every man the I Hindu cousins, the Iranis endured and religion of his birth is prescribed as the I survived a persecution as brutal as any in path to his salvation. I recorded history. For that alone they de- I , ) 1 recorded history. For that alone they de- I also wish to clarify that cousin mar^ I serve our profound respect. Above all riages, and not intermingling among 1 else, can it ever be forgotten that we are members of a community, leads to the I both the common custodians ofthe exalted biith of retarded children. I legacy of Asho Zarathushtra? I • Neville Sarkari ’s clear thinking on f conversion (‘ ‘ Declining numbers? ’ ’) must Ms PERVIN BHARUCHA Propagating Zoroastrianism be applauded. Far more for spiritual than It appears from a news article that Mus- symbolic reasons, the minimum qualifica- lims in North America are propagating Readers'views are welcome on any subject of ^ount as a Zarathushtrian is un- Islam on TV for half an hour daily, ex- !?*tl^ PnreS! flinching adherence to sudreh and kusti plaining in detail what Islam is. Cars with G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001.’Letters are without which the spiritual initiation by large stickers like “Read Koran for salva- subject to editing for reasons of space and navjote lapses through wilful default. It is tion, ” “Allah is great, ” roam the city and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without a a disease ofthe times that we may possibly perhaps other parts of North America, complete address will rxrt be published. hav^ rnHay more Parsis than Zarathushtri- The Hindus propagate their religion. Conversion of apostate Parsis into culture, tradition through conferences. '*1 have today more Parsis thain Zarathushtri- ans. Zarathushtrians should be the sole conno- seminars, garhas (folk dance of Gujarat) tation of that term (conversion) at the and cultural shows inviting large crowds present critical juncture. We must first of of westerners including luminaries. Thus fellow ethnics from Asia put them ­ selves in the forefront in every walk of life in mainstream USA, religiously, cultur ­ ally, economically and even politically. In contrast, the Parsisjiropagate mixed Fraternal bonds My mother expired in Sholapur on Octo ­ ber 7, 1989. I would like to take this all set our own house in order before opportunity of thanking the members of seeking to invite guests, roni k. m. f. khan the Sholapur Parsi Anjuman for the excel- Nasik lent help, support and sympathy shown to our family during this tragic happening. The president Ms Zarin Amaria, secre ­ tary Mr Rohinton Darukhanawalla and all others were extremely helpful and kind. We did not have to lift a finger for the 1989) are inspiring, arrangement of the ceremonies. This was done in a spirit of camaraderie and love. ------ . . „ . , _ The question of remuneration or caste and the “non-achievers. ” In particular, there our youth about the essence of our religion creed was not even whispered. 1 hope people of other anjumans emu ­ late this wonderful example of brothef- liness. Dr yezdi mistry - Trichur Commenting on comments "Readers ’ Forum ” {Parsiana, August 1989) those living in villages, carried a particularly interesting crop of letters and 1 would like to comment appre ­ ciatively on some of them: How about non-achievers? Articles on Peshotan Kuka, Adi Marzban marriages and hold esndless stereotyped and others who achieved success through seminars and conferences with no end dedication and hard work {Parsiana, August result and no progress. ------ _• Such effort could better be applied to However, please also let us have, from the fundamental requirement of consoli- time to time, articles about common people, dating our cultural identity by educating are numerous poor Parsis living in old and working towards the resurgence of our dilapidated buildings in the Fort area, women established codes and heritage vis-a-vis in vidhwa (widow) chawls in Dadar, Grant those of the other communities. Road, etc, old people living alone with It is high time we adopt more condu- scarcely any organized assistance like home- cive methods to gain the limelight in the , visitors, homes for the aged, etc, as well as mainstream of the western hemisphere. PHIROZ D. DOTIWALA Houston. USA It is high time we adopt more condu- The general impression, among non ­ Parsis in particular, is that Parsis are all - - -------- — very rich; reading articles only about Edited by Amavaz S. Mama 3 Parsiana November 1989 !Events and Personalities 1 Dorabjee trust dispute The Bombay High Court has admitted a writ plea filed by Dr Sam Bhacca and the trustees of the Surat Parsi Punchayet (SPP) challenging the sale of property belonging to the Dorabjee Pallonji Patel Trust (DPPT) in Poona. Since thf SPP trustees (as per the settlor ’s wish) are the custodians of 50 percent of the charitable funds earmarked for education, they are contesting the sale of the property on Moledina Road which they say is worth over a crore of rupees and is being sold for a paltry Rs 9,75,()00. The funds entrusted to the SPP are to be used for the education of poor Parsi boys and girls, as per a report in the Indian Express of December 2, 1989. This is the second time that a writ plea has been filed in the High Court by the SPP trustees alleging that the sanction granted by the joint charity commissioner of Pune P. V. Kakade, permitting the DPPT to sell property to one of its former trustees was obtained by fraud. Justice S. P. Bharucha and Justice B. U. Wahane ruled that the hearings be expedited and Savak Patel to whom the property was sold, be restrained from disposing of the property or creating any third party rights, notes a UNI news report. The main contention of the SPP trus ­ tees was that when in March 1988 the DPPT trustees applied to the charity com ­ missioner for permission to alienate their property “what was not stated in the appli ­ cation was that Savak Patel had been a trustee of the DPPT until February 1988 and that the value of the property was over one crore rupees. ” In fact, it was men ­ tioned that the original offer of Savak who is the nephew (wife ’s brother ’s son) of the settlor was Rs 6,00,000 and only later was it raised to Rs 9,75,000. When the first writ petition was filed before the Bombay High Court, Justice Chittatosh Mookerjee and Justice Khatri directed the SPP trustees to appeal to the charity commissioner instead, and issued instructions that the hearing be expedited. Before the charity commissioner, the DPPT trustees contested on two grounds: that it was not within the jurisdiction of the charity commissioner to hear the appeal; and that once a conveyance is drawn up, the charity commissioner could not revoke his sanction. They further announced that Savak Patel had already sold the Moledina Road property to Mehta Raheja Construc ­ tion company and had authorized them to develop the property. The SPP’s counter arguments were turned down by the char ­ ity commissioner so once again an appeal was filed in the Bombay High Court. R. A. Dada with S. J. Kathawala, B. H. Antia and H. N. Vakil instructed by Mulla and Mulla and Craigie Blunt and Caroe appeared for the petitioners, F. D. Sorab- jee appeared for the DPPT trustees, R. R. Salvi for Savak Patel, Ms Anita Agarwal for Mehtajlaheja Construction and W. M. Yantje for the charity commissioner. Strength of MP anjumans There are 77 Zoroastrian families in In ­ dore, 60 in Mhow and 17 in Ratlam with a total Zoroastrian population of 435, ac ­ cording to a press release issued by the Indore Parsi Anjuman. The listing of Zoroastrians in the Directory of Parsi Zoroastrian residents of Madhya Pradesh (MP), released on September 17, 1989, indicates that MP too, like the other parts of India, has an aging population. The age distribution pattern shows that nearly 50 percent of the 145 Zoroastrians in Mhow are over 60 years of age while only 17 percent are less than 24 years of age. In Indore and Ratlam almost 50 percent fall in the 25-59 age-group and about 25 percent each in the under 24 and over 60 age-group. The sex-wise break-up indicates that the males are just marginally larger in number than the females in Indore and Mhow. In Ratlam the males account for 65 percent of the total population of 64. While Zoroastrians have been living in MP for the last 150 years, they are mainly concentrated in the western MP towns of Mhow, Ratlam, Nimach and Indore with Indore accounting for the largest concen ­ tration of 226 Zoroastrians. “The trend in MP is not at all different from that of Parsis in other parts of the country, ” writes the Indore Anjuman sec ­ retary Meher Khurody. “MP too... faces the same problems of mixed marriages, disposal of the dead and confusion in matters of religion. And yet (the Zoroastrian there) are the very picture of solidarity and integ ­ rity. ” Both Indore and Mhow have their own dokhmas. In addition, Indore main ­ tains a dadgah and Mhow an adarian. Since August 1988 the MP anjumans have been organizing inter-city meets “to promote kinship and fellowship amongst various anjumans. ” In September last, it was the Indore Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman that hosted the meet when fun and enter ­ tainment was accompanied by discourses and question-answer sessions on subjects concerning the religion, traditions and culture by Dastur Kekobad Dastur of Udwada, Ervad Pervez Karanjia of Mhow and Noshir DadrawaTa of Bombay. I s ( Stree Mandal past 40 Over 300 Zoroastrians had assembled at the Sir Ardeshir Dalal Hall on Khordadsal, August 29, 1989 to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Jamshedpur Parsee Stree Mandal, notes a press release sent by Ms Homai Patel, secretary of the Mandal, To mark the celebrations, the surviving founder members of the Mandal were felicitated, and the audience entertained with a garba dance and a Gujarati comedy. The guest of honor at the evening ’s function, Tata Steel ’s joint managing di ­ rector Dr Jamshed Irani, commended the organization for initiating the rotating trophy, in memory of the Mandal ’s founder president Ms Khorshed Kutar, to encour ­ age the Parsi youth to strive towards aca ­ demic excellence at the school level, states the write-up. To help the poor members of the community with financial assistance for school fees, books, clothes, etc has been the main thrust of this social welfare organization, as outlined in a write-up. With the introduction of three trophies donated by Behram Aibara and his wife, academic performance among the youths of Jamshedpur is now recognized at the school level, higher secondary education level and at the graduation level. The awardees this year of the Khorshed Kutar Trophy for excellence at the school finals were Ms Binaifer Davar, Ms Benaifer Tar- 1 s 1 5 Parsiana November 1989r At a felicitation function organized by the Giants International on September 17, 1989, well-known homeopath Dr Sa- rosh Wadia (left) receives a memento from Bombay's sheriff and world chairman of Giants International Nana Chudasama T JI apore. Marzban Bharucha, Kaizad Wadia and Ms Dimple Raisurana. The Dr Nari ­ man Kutar Trophy for excellence at the higher secondary level went to Ms Havovi Vasania and Zubin Bharucha; and the Phiroz Kutar Trophy for excellence at the gradu ­ ation level went to Ms Franak Karai and Shiraz Bharucha. The Mandal will next concentrate on creating religious awareness among the children. To encourage the Parsi children of Jamshedpur “to acquire knowledge of ourteligion, customs and rituals...in their formative years, ” the Mandal will be organizing a competition early next year in which they hope to involve the young ­ sters between the ages of 6 and 19. Minority cell appointee A recent entrant to the political scene, 34- year-old Ronnie Wadia has been appointed co-convenor of the minority cell of the Bombay Regional Congres.s Committee. In a letter dated September 4, 1989, the chairman of the Congress (I) minority cell, Azeez Sait, notes that Wadia will work with the Congress party member of parlia ­ ment from South Bombay, Murli Deora, to make “the cell active. ” Wadia is also on the executive committee of the Maharash ­ tra Pradesh Congress Committee. “The main objectives of the cell are to B Bilimoria (left): forte is defence Wadia (center): ; to redress Parsi ; problems Irani (far right): I commendable I service I B- ~1 t ^.1 protect the interest of the minority com ­ munities in India, ” notes a press release. According to Wadia, the cell takes special interest in removing communal tension, promoting national integration and redress ­ ing various problems of the minority communities. Wadia has plans to organize a session on Parsi problems “shortly ” and is keen to assist Parsis in areas of education and socio-economic development. A financial consultant and property developer, besides holding a law degree, Wadia is preparing for degrees in char ­ tered accountancy and company secre ­ taryship. He has earned a black belt in karate, having studied under the noted karate expert Pervez Mistry and runs ka ­ rate classes. His wife Hutoxshi is a com ­ pany secretary with the Mazda group of companies. Wadia can be contacted at 277572 (office) and 388943 (residence). Armed for a new post Lieutenant General Faridoon Noshir Bili­ moria took over as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command in November 1989, notes a write-up for ­ warded by the family. He is reportedly the third Zoroastrian to become army com ­ mander, the first being Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw who was chief of army staff and the second being Lt Gen Adi Sethna who was vice chief of army staff. It was in June last that Bilimoria was promoted to the rank of army commander. Prior to that he has held several important posts as notes his bio data: commanding the Second Battalion The Fifth Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) in the Indo-Pak war, the Infantry Brigade in the Rajasthan desert, a mountain division in the Eastern Sector, and a corps in the Western Sector. He has also served as Indian Army liaison officer at the school of infantry in UK and as Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. In defence studies Bilimoria holds a master of science degree from Madras University. He is the author of two theses, “Non-alignment — its relevance today ” and “Strat^y in the age of nuclear deter ­ rence and Its application to developing countries. ” Police medal for Irani Inspector Homi Sorabji Irani of the speCTai) branch of the Criminal Investigation partment (CID) was presented the Presi ­ dent ’s police medal for meritorious serv ­ ice in August last, notes The Times of India of August 16, 1989. His name was in ­ cluded in the list of 22 awardees selected from Maharashtra. During his 21 years of service with the police department,-45-year-old Irani has been attached to different police stations in Bombay, the traffic control branch and, since the last two years, with the special branch of the CID. In the course of his duty he has succeeded in arresting smug ­ glers and drug peddlars, nabbing thieves and burglars with booty running into lakhs, and tracing dacoits and murderers. Of late he has also handled the security arrange ­ ments during the Festival of the USSR, Apna Utsav and the Festival of France in India, notes his curriculum vitae. When in 1984 a recurrence of thefts at the fire-temples in the Fountain-Girgaum- Grant Road locality had created a scare in the Parsi community, it was Irani ’s inter ­ vention that succeeded in identifying the thief, it is reported. The President ’s police medal for gal ­ lantry was awarded to Irani in 1985 -when continued on pageI6 6 Parsiana November 1989ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD As Secretary to the Senate of South Dakota, Feruzeh Jacobsen has several onerous responsibilities •r a b U b r ' f March. That includes listing the bills, equipment manufacturer of UK. Afterher resolutions, etc to be discussed and im- marriage to Peace Corps volunteer Jerry plies grouping together of topics so as to Jacobsen, home to Feruzeh was her in ­ allow the maximum convenience to the laws ’ sheep ranch in South Dakota. “It members of the Senate ’s subcommittees, was all like a big adventure...so different When the session begins each day at 2 from anything I had experienced, ” says p.m., presided over by the Lieutenant Feruzeh, recalling her stints at cooking for I Governor, Jacobsen calls out the name and a crew of 12 to 15 shearers, looking after number of the bill under discussion, main- I tains an “action sheet ’ ’ to ensure an effec- I tive counteicheck to the stenographer noting farming economy was an asset when a I the proceedings and, after each debate, I takes a tally of the ayes and nays. Whereas the larger states have installed electronic of a primarily agricultural state, where her • voting systems in the legislatures, “Our ability and interest in the work resulted in senate leadership has chosen to keep the increasing responsibility. Before reaching I old way (of manual tally of votes), ” says her present position she was chief of the Jacobsen. This system permits each sena- t tor to vote not only according to his own ----------------- stand on the issue but also to temper his of the legislative body. Here she learnt sail to the wind. Indeed, until the final tally is called out, senators have the facil- the lifestock, including such chores as branding. The firsthand experience with senator neighbor provided the lead to the first three-month stint with the legislature training an^ management section catering to the needs of the various subcommittees “how to train people to do a job... You can ’t give them all the information all ity to change their minds, informs Jacob- together... (It’s) too much to absorb, ” sen. At the end of the day ’s session — explains. which may last till 4 p.m. or extend to 10 * ........................... . p.m. or later — all the shorthand minutes are typed into the computer and by next faiths ”), most people take it for granted morning the printed text of the daily Sen- • ” * ate Journal is available for distribution. It’s her job to check the minutes before Zoroastrian “and the conversation ends printing to ensure that the report of the there! ” she smiles, adding, “At home we proceedings is accurate in letter and spirit, do more Zoroastrian things like hatti, sa- says Jacobsen. Any valid objections to the gan and all ” but lack of coreligionists in day ’s report are included in the following the vicinity has curtailed community in ­ day ’s Journal. volvement. The senators represent each of the state ’s Hitherto Feruzeh helped in the family ’s “I get requests all the time and get accused 35 districts, informs Jacobsen and clashes successful ice cream shop - a seasonal all the time! ’ ’ laughs Ms Feruzeh Jacobsen of opinion and personality are a part of the business March through September - which about the occupational hazards of being game. But the administrative staff must the Jacobsens sold recently after 11 years. Secretary of the Senate, the upper cham- remain above these party and political Her social service commitments include ber of the legislature, of the state of South maneuverings. Since the proceedings are work for the cancer society , volunteering Dakota, USA. This top staff position came televised and Pierre, with its population of at the museum and with the Hospice - an her way three years ago as a summation of 12,000 is the smallest state capital in the organization that helps the terminally ill 17 years spent working for the legislative United States, most local people know of and their families to endure the anguish branch of the state government. The ma- the confident administrator who, along and debilitation of fatal diseases. Volun- jority party in the Senate - currently the with the rest of the legislative staff, gets teers help by collecting funds, visiting and Republicans — determines who will hold appointed afresh every year. staying with the patient while the family the job, informs Jacobsen. Surprisingly, Jacobsen has had no legal works, or helping out with domestic chores The only Zoroastrian (and Indian) in training. Daughter of Ms Nergish and Hitherto the majority of cases were cancel Pierre, the miniscule capital of South Dakota, Keki Erani of Bombay ’s Steelage, her patients, though now AIDS victims an Jacobsen schedules each day ’s program strengths are her command of the English increasing in number, says Jacobsen. ’¦ 1 Feruzeh and Jerry, who now looks aftei weeks in January, February and with Chubbs, the well-known security public relations for the transportatior Keeping the tally Since Jerry is a Christian (“though he doesn ’t go to church — he ’s open to all that Feruzeh is too. The rare individual who enquires is baffled when told she is a /krr\a\faz S. Mama for the state ’s 35 senators when they meet language and a secretarial background honed overseven ’ 8 Parsiana November 1989s ¦ Dr Rumi Sukhia presented his book, Pre ­ ventive Dental Measures for Handicapped Children to Pakistan Prime Minister Ms Benazir Bhutto at a reception at Avari Towers, Karachi. Byram Avari (center), minorities representative in the Pak Par­ liament, looks on. The book has been distributedfree of cost to institutions working for the handicapped in Pakistan and else­ where. Zav (Zavahir) Patel has been appointed vice president, supply, of Ultramar Can­ ada. ¦¦ ¦¦ - Si y- - department of the government of South HoUStOU dirCCtorv z,-, ' ' ‘ The compact, 34-paged directory of the '* Zoroastrian Association of Houston, re- 1 A r^TW <1* * ceived by Parsiana on August 10, 1989, Li AvrJM Y directory members of the Association. Its The ninth edition of the directory of the 115 entries are interleaved with advertise- „ Zoroastrian Association of Greater New ments, among them a supplier of kustis, A course of 12 lessons on the Gathas of York (ZAGNY), published earlier this year, topis, sudrehs, sandalwood, etc. The ex- Zarathushtra has been compiled by Ms lists more than 300 family units. It is not ecutive committee report of March 21, Dina McIntyre of Pittsburg. Presentedin limited to ZAGNY members — currently 1988 which prefaces the directory notes, the form of short essays in clear, contem- numbering 280, as per the introduction by “Because of the sluggish Houston econ- porary language easy for a lay person 'SbK Association president Erach Munshi — but omy, we have continued to see some of our grasp, one lesson per month will be circu ’. includes the non-Zoroastrian scholars who members leave Houston for better oppor- lated by mail to interested people in the US reside and work in the area as well as tunities elsewhere. However, despite this and Canada, informs the October newslet- others who do not belong to the Associa- downturn we are also seeing new Zoroas- ter of the Zoroastrian Association of Met- tion. The directory seeks to provide infor- trians and their families move to Hous- rqxilitan Chicago. McIntyre may be reached mation including names of spouse and ton. ” at 1609 Lawyers Building, Pittsburg, PA children, the residence and business ad- vr j 15219. dress of both husband and wife, their pro- ZAC S Scholarship tUIlCl fessions and their country of origin. Not The Zoroastrian Association of California Fulbright scholar Dr Beheruz Sethna has everyone, however, has obliged with all (ZAC) has instituted an educational fund been appointed dean of the College of the answers. to help students Ilnance their college/uni- Business at Lamar University in Beaumont, Revised by Ms Behroze Clubwalla and versity education. The scholarship awards Texas, informs Mid-day of August 3,1989. Ms Teshtar Irani, the directory has 18 must, however, be returned to the Associa- He joins the faulty as professor of mar- “yellow pages ” and advertisements on its tion after completion of study so that the keting and information systems manage ­ inside covers. The front and rear of the money would be available to help other ment. attractive plastic covered, 116-page vol- students on an ongoing basis, informs the Sethna, who earned his doctorate in ume bear the ZAGNY logo and a sketch of Association ’s June newsletter. business administration from Columbia the Arbab Rustam Guiv Darbe Meher, respectively. Other information provided includes was based on assessed needs as indicated tional corporations in the US, reports the the names and addresses of 28 Zoroastrian by past statistics, adds the newsletter. organizations worldwide. The Federation , of Zoroastrian Associations of North NA achievements America (FEZANA) and the Zoroastrian The United States government has granted Potsdam, New York. Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) however theFederation ofZoroastrian Associations are conspicuous by their absence from the of North America (FEZANA) a retroac- been honored fOr five consecutive years list. Zoroastrian publications listed in- tive tax exemption from June 2,1987 — the with the national award for instructional elude only Gavashni,Hukht, Parsiana and date of its registry as a non-profit organi- innovation, notes Mid-day. Ushta (erroneously referred to as Par- zation- informs ZAC’s September news ­ van da). letter. Dakota, have two boys — Eric (19) and Zak ZAC’s scholarship fund students on an ongoing basis, informs the 10 Parsiana November 1989 ZAC has also bought four burial plots University, is also Master of Philosophy, for the use of the community. The number His career includes stints with multina- newspaper, as also a 13-year term as pro ­ fessor and chairman of the marketing and MIS department at Clarkson University in A keen scout and Rotarian, Sethna has Compiled by Arnavaz S. MamaRELIGION The reformists as well as the orthodox must learn from each other, says professor of philosophy Dr James Boyd Arnavaz S. Mama attitude towards foreign scholars. “The role of non-Zoroastrian students of Zoroas ­ trianism is a very complex one. It requires provide no information — just an endless repetition. Furthermore, the sensibility of the re ­ formist is totally at variance with that of the orthodox and is established by family upbringing from early childhood. The child is made sensitive to the person^ “How would you define ritual? (An ­ swer: religious ceremony) “Who does it?” (The priests) “What about the laity? ” (Both do it!) “What are lay rituals? ” (kusti, a great deal of thought and discussion, nahn...) “Do all rituals deal with God? ” What is being expected? What shoujdjthe (It’s all in the mind...Rituals make a con- ' ’ ' nection between the divine and the pro ­ fane) “Do you believe you have a soul? ” (Yes, yes...) “Any dissenters? Will you please tell me about it?” These are some of the questions Dr James I , Parsis assembled at the M. C. Ghia Hall to s;^ integrity The orthodox, on the other hand, have itv of authentic ritual in religion, ’ ’ under of both positions. He defines a reformist grown up learning values in terms of exter- the auspices of Zoroastrian Studies (ZS) as one characterized by a general position nal, social roles as when explanations - on January 19 1989 The comments in that favors conversion and intermarriage, fered to the questioning child are couched ckelT^umeth^some of the responses, emphasizes the ethical teachings of the ^sa^to ”"^6eX o„ Their predicament was sampled earlier by Gathas, finds the pnestly rituals less than ( Because I say so. Because you are Pnorinnowhenwhatseemedtobeslraight. meaningful and considers Avestan man- the ; oldest f ' forward questions were subject to philo- tras unnecessary mumbo jumbo. Boyd tuned to organizedI patterns ot though sophical autopsy and tossed back with the suggestion, “Let ’s take this question to a different level ” or “I am asking for this question to be reworked. ” Nor could one take umbrage at Boyd ’s responses - he was obviously delighted in channelling us, individually and as a crowd, into challeng ­ ing new approaches instead of accepting pat statements. I with Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal, High Pnest scholars) offer?... I suspect some non- Zoroastrian scholars are playing a neo- nriestly role... I would object to any scholar feelings of others (e.g. How would y “The worth of a community is known in Third Youth Festival too, the ghosts from would help. “I know of a Parsi student admission into a medical college, ’’ said Mhow. :- If the man from MhovAvas ‘shushed, ’ of the Minorities Commission. “But the forget the ego problem. Idon ’tsee why we Parsi girls did not like to settle outside to offer the youth of the community today, alternative? Parsi run medical and engi- A more concrete proposal made by girl. “The Parsi boy has been described by some of the Poona-based industrial houses < ' ' “ was in the area of job opportunity. Irani, Legha par Parelo Parsi, ’ ’ says Ms Sanaya extent of facilities available. Nationalized industrial houses are willing to give prac- trustee ofthe city ’s anjuman. The battle of the sexes was generally a good-humored 21 Parsiana November 1989 ¦It series of youth festivals, Moddie, a self ­ confessed organization man, asked a perti ­ nent question: what is going to be the nature of the organization bridging the different festivals or for that matter the nature of the organization bridging the different World Zoroastrian Congresses? The answer: a loosely held group of repre ­ sentatives from different comers of India glued together with pride in being part of the community - of being hawajis as one speaker observed. The next festival, Gandhi feels, should schedule more time for group discussions and less to speakers pontificating to an impatient generation. The lesson to be learnt is: ‘ ‘If you want better results out of these youth festivals, send the topics for discussion along with briefs well in ad ­ vance, so that the youth can hold local meetings to thrash out the issues first. This way delegates will come well prepared. ” But what has emerged from these an ­ nual youth festivals? The first in the series ... .... -.J 1987 on the promptings of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India. DUI wiiv will __________________ _______ ‘‘Since it was the first, a lot of time was leaders? “In a small community like ours, spent briefing youth on the various aspects and problems of the community — from the**community where will it come religion, personal law, career opportuni- from? ”Mistree ’s search for religious lead- ties, social aspects, etc. It was a very If did not schedule any group discussions but since delegates wanted to discuss matters we organized informal groups that kept _________ The following year, the festival held in Mdi^'rimCT,"of Bombay, offered Calcutta programed time for group discus- . „ . . ji.- placed considerable emphasis on the so- 1 1 « •» t-... ----- time for games and sports and even had a ¦fi S { community of 70,000 we will be breeding of youth festivals was held in Delhi in oviiiiig. ..... ............a race of infirms and mental retards. The atmosphere; young men ferrying hot water community needs a shot of fresh blood, up two floors for the ‘weaker sex, ’ the But who will decide? Where are the common dining room, the indoor and out- 1_------- ---------- door games, the camp fire night sprinkled leadership is crucial.. If it does not come with fun and a touch of lewdness, the tour -“ “* * of the National Defence Academy at Khadakv ’asla and the farewell dinner-dance night. If nothing else, the youth festival general leadership in the community, was an enjoyable social occasion at which there are two Zoroastrians, you have one Parsi youth from the different regions of anjuman. If there are three Zoroastrians, _ » .j • go. .0 mee. and Jw each you have .wo anjumans. ” joked a young Other - some intimately too. The sight of man m one group discussion. The following year, tne resnvai ne vXl«S>XeniKdmeachMher ’s Malcolm Primer, of Bombay, offered Calcutta programed t.me for ^oupdiscus- armslnlhedancefloormusthave warmed to carry the torch of the religion and the sions but from what Gandhi 8“hers^t theheartsofthosewhochampionthefight community via his otganization-The Zara- placed considerable OTphasis aTahts. mixed marriages. thustrian Project^The Proj^ goal .s: To c.al aspects also._^ The same hearts might have quivered, solve all the problems of the community “ ., ,, n'jk- i • c however, if they had sat in on some of the by 1992. “Wecandoit. ”declaredPrinter, camp Ara mghk J^an^J/. ’^pla^J-ur- group meetings. “I’d like to marry a Parsi, ” said one young girl, “But I don ’t know. I just might marry outside. After second aim is to generate finances, all, love is blind. ” But love is not blind to power of context, he believes, is force nthfar realities like the issue of accepting enough to attain the final objective, just as , ¦ • k .4 Xen of Zoroastrian women married the power of context helped US President fact ’invitation^ outside the community into the fold. The J. F. Kennedy put a man on the moon reaction to the issue was mixed. One within seven years. assumd^cSidle;;^^^^^^^^ 'sough. sttike some sori ofWauce be- ”inh“f"meu m/rried oLlde^tt-e ye. .0 come. On Augus.,.9.J990 XT ism, moves into Leo, the sign that presides Ganc^i. over the religion, the lucky phase of the . ..... affair. The setting helped. The dormitory "p two floors for the ‘weaker sex, ’ the common dining room, the indoor and out- children of Zoroastrian women married V ership could apply equally to the dearth of exhaustive briefing, ’ ’ says GandhL , i j_ .I.- • „.!_____________________ nr*tcphpHiilp j^nvarnnndiscussic ‘ ‘Our first goal is to enroll a critical mass ther, while Delhi restricted the number of of 20,000 Zoroastrians worldwide and the delegates to two pw-city , Calcutta placed ’’The no limits on numbers. Poona too opted for the open arms reception: send as many as you want. In community are accepted, why not children Jupiter, the planet that rules Zo^trian- of women married outside the commu ­ nity? ” demanded one girl. Commodore _ .. School, confessed that he himself had a noh-Parsi wife and warned: ‘‘Don ’t dis- _ ,, card those who have married out of the 75 years the best is still to come, communtiy. ies like the World Zoroastrian Organisa ­ tion, ZS, CER and the madressas to send UllXll O^VWll yw***u»» " ” , . Noted astrologer Bejan Daruwalla youth representatives. The organizers also assured a cheering audience that the best is sought to strike some sort of balance be- On August 19, 1990 when tween the social activities and the discus ­ “Oh yes, the frustration of the youth Schoo,, confessed .ha. he hin,se,f had a oJ Sd^ eom: we also can,e ’ •’ to talk. In Calcutta, it was a desire to get y Cell a UIC UVOV lO OVAAi vv V-VBOV/* w V** • * * Back on earth, in the context of the involved in community affairs, to partici- With intramarriage in a 22 Parsiana November 19891 pate in assessing the problems and finding laments Irani. ‘ ‘There is something wrong fact, they should come forward and help solutions. In Poona it was: we are tired of with these anjumans. Either there are and guide. On their own the youth have to talking, we want action. ” ----- -—’-----------*•- -- --------------- -• ... ... . It was apparent that the youth are impa ­ tient with endless talking about commu ­ nity problems and the lack of follow-up action, a frustration that was voiced re ­ peatedly. ‘‘We are repeating ourselves; _________ _______ _____ ____ I’m getting stale with all the talk, ” said Ms Anjumans of India held in Bombay in have not been the talking type; we^have Roxanne Kavarana who represented Bar- April 1989. It was proposed that since been the active type, ” declares Irani. ‘‘For oda and who had attended the two earlier Poona had the second largest population of instance, we have been holding sports camps festivals in Delhi (1987) and Calcutta (1988). p—' ' ' -- We talk, we discuss, we identify the hold an all-India youth festival in the city problems and then nothing happens. The prior to the Fifth World Zoroastrian Con- elders tell us that it is not easy to change things and so we come back again for more __ ______ ______ ____ < talk and mor^discussion and all we have Year 2000’ - and topics slated for the Mental Hospital (there are 10) and they are to show for it is a big zero, ” observes Ms Congress could be brought up for discus- fed and entertained. We want them to Yasmin Bhote of Mhow. sion. When it was suggested that Poona know that the community cares for them, ’ ’ ‘‘One difference between Poona and host the youth festival, Irani remembers says Irani. Later, at the main function, all the other two festivals, ” observed Gandhi, Dinshaw Anklesaria, trustee of the Poona Parsi boarders at the J. N. Petit Technical ‘‘is that in Delhi and Calcutta it was the Parsee Panchayat, tossing the proposal to High School in Poona are invited to par- anjuman elders who did most of the work the ZYA: ‘‘Our youth representative is ticipate free of charge. ‘‘We make it a m organizing the festivals. Here in Poona present, ’ ’ refering to the presence of Irani point to let the kids know that they are part it was totally a youth affair; they did it atthemeeting, ‘‘Why don ’t you ask him? ” of the family, that they belong to the entirely on their own. ” A tribute to the or words to that effect. Irani picked up the community, ” he adds, youth ofPoona, a tribute to the youth of the gauntlet but... Though presently an estimated 85 community - they have come of age. At first, accommodating delegates was members contri#)ute to the ZYA’s success, a problem. Jamshed Guzder, Bombay earlier it was intergroup rivalry that con- Parsi Punchayet trustee and trustee of the sumed their energies. Prior to the resur- J. N. Petit Technical High School, Poona, gence of the ZYA — Poona, the youth of solved the problem by arranging to make the city were divided into two organiza- available the premises ofthe School while tions: Zoroastrian Association of Poona the children were away for their Diwali (ZAP) and United Zoroastrian Youth As- • holidays. sociation (UZYA). While the two crossed The next task now was finance: ‘‘Ac- swords with each other, the ZYA, started cording to our estimates the festival would by Burjor Patel in 1970, lay moribund, cost us around one lakh rupees. Initially Yetitwastheonly legally registered youth we approached a few institutions and trusts body in the city. ‘‘It was disturbing that A hard day ’s night and they still shunned meant for youth welfare and Adi Bhatena, the youth ofour community in Poona were sleep. With boundless energy and enthu- founder trustee of the Jagruti Trust, was divided,soweralliedbothZAPandlJZYA siasm the young volunteers at the Third the first to donate Rs 10,000 from the trust to dissolve themselves and unite under All India Zoroastrian Youth Festival 1989, held in Poona from November 3 to 5, zations and individuals chipped in: J. N. is alive and vibrant under Irani ’s leader- pushed the days into the wee hours of the Marshall, Selvel Publicity, Penosh Trans- ship, next morning; the chatter of work mingled port, Poonawalla Stud Farms, ABC Farms, Yet, Irani feels that more youth from with laughter and fun. The joy of being N. M. Wadia Trust, Firdous Kyani, Tehmina Poona should come forward and partici- involved, participating, radiated from their Grant, Avi Doctor, Rustom Jeejeebhoy... pate in the activities of the organization, tired, lack-of-sleep-weary faces. Then when “There were so many others too who “For instance, we don ’t have a single it was all over, they materialized from 5 helped out and we are grateful to all. member from Mody Colony. ” He pauses, a.m. in the compartments of different trains. Every penny counts, ” says Irani. Darious thinks, scratches his beard, his light eyes reserving seats on behalf of delegates re- Khurshedji of Zamu ’s Place provided his distant as he mentally scans the member- turning to Bombay and other parts of the catering staff who along with the Petit ship file. “No, not a single member, ” he country. “It was not all maja-masti (fun School staff fed the delegates on a cost-to- confirms the statement, and games), Eruch Irani, founder mem- cost basis. Likewise, wedding caterer Irani also sees no reason why the or- ber and the chief moving force of the Jehangir Dorabji took care of the last eve- ganization ’s activities should be restricted resurgent Zoroastrian Youth Association ning ’s patra-nu-bhonu on a no-profit-no- to Poona. “Should any youth organiza- (ZYA)-Poona which organized the Fes- ' ' ' ‘ rival, assures you. Behind the scene was quiet planning and coordination. Invitations were sent to elders their monetary support. “The eld- i, 1 " “______ ____________ _ about 100 anjumans and punchayets around ers of the community should not feel that concluded Youth Festival is a shot in the the country. “Most did not even reply, ” genuinely no youth in these communities run around from pillar to post, ”Irani Con ­ or they are just plain not interested in veyed his point. youth activities. ’ ’ Apart from the successful organizing of The origins of the Poona Festival goes the Third All India Zoroastrian Youth back to the executive committee meeting Festival 1989, ZYA has a number of other of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian activities to commend it. ‘‘Poona youth Parsis in India, it would be appropriate to We have a hockey and football team. ” Another activity on the organization ’s calendar is its Navroze function, a con ­ gress scheduled for January 3-7, 1990 tributory dinner cum social event. ‘‘First whereat the same theme - ‘Beyond the we invite all Parsi inmates of The Central Behind the Festival Scene Gustasp Irani 24 Parsiana November 1989 amount, states Irani. Soon other organi- ZYA,” says Irani. Today the organization zations and individuals chipped in: J. N. loss basis. ‘ ‘There were so many who gave tion from other parts of the country come so much, ” said Irani. forward with any suggestions or propos- The youth gave their enthusiasm, the als, we, in Poona, will be happy to follow ¦ up on them. ’ ’ The success of the recently the youth are stealing their thunder. In arm for the ZYA; it exudes confidence.4 ( K I9tl) TRADITION I'liluru ? la ir ADVANTAGE PARSIS Joy Fernandes £ Adapting their life-style to the ways of the British, the Parsis were privileged to win recognition in every walk of life “On the seventh day of June 1853, the i Parsis enforced a hartal (strike) in the city and made a big riot (because) on the previ- OUS day the dogcatchers entered the Parsi wada (locality) in the Fort (area) and took I •¦•I 3 fl away a number of dogs (pet dogs from the J11^^ verandahs). The Parsis had tried to prevail i on them not to do it as it was against the Mil LllVlll 11V7L lU UU lU IL VT (BO CBgCBAlIOV VtlV fl law to catch dogs in that manner, and to release the dogs caught by them. But no heed was paid to this... “Later 50 or so Parsis from the neigh- ) j borhood got together and made a plot that all provision shops should be made to 1 “ close...thus stopping supplies of food to the Englishmen. One happy thing in this ? ’•’fl 25 Parsiana November 1969 a""., I '* Mil .ill .Jlli ¦ MM!. R ?r /¦ I J’’ «)¦ I 1 cai« ¦ i / J. Il '' I was that rich Parsis were neither in this plot nor were they even aware of it. The rioters were mostly cooks, domestics and such other low-class men, and 25 or so men from the middle class. ” This unusual episode is from K. R. > Mondkar ’s English translation of Mum- i haiche Varnan, a Marathi book by Govind ¦ Narayan Madgaokar, which was first pub- lished in 1863. It continues, “Thej forced the bazaar to close and stopped supplies of ' I roti (unleavened bread) and bread to Co- laba. Many butchers who were...carrying J ' meat (to the Fort) were beaten up and the meat snatched from them and thrown into - the moat of the Fort. Christians who were : fi i 'j There were loud protests and there were continuous efforts to take back the converts into the original faith but to no avail carrying bread were driven away and the for many years. However when they were try, religion and language lay languishing bread thrown onto the roads...Thus the riot convinced later that the respectable and because his people had chosen to isolate continued from the morning until eleven o ’clock...(Sir John Audrey ’s) carriage was stopped and dirt from the road and a couple the rioters, they were reconciled and be- of dead bandicoots were thrown into it. < " . “After this the magistrate arrested many, bly a little more. ” and Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and other respectable P^sis were called upon to see that this was stopped. However, those contemporary Parsis. The author has not headings: the coming of the Parsis, life- uncouth fellows with their heads lost could dealt with the Parsis in a self-contained style and culture, religion, trade and indus- not be brought to their senses. ” So the chapter, but makes references to them in try, charity (to co-religionists), philanthropy, soldiers from the garrison were called in various parts of the book. These remarks and miscellaneous references. and were ordered to shoot. “Seeing their have been gleaned, grouped and translated — - determination the Parsi gang started disin- into English by K. R. Mondkar who ex- when cholera swept Bombay, killing most tegrating and took to their heels helter- plains, “As far as possible the translation of the English armed forces and much of skelter...They became so piteously help- has been literal...(but) in the process some the local populace. The island being ren- less against 50 or 100 whites...Some were of the flavor of the author ’s forthright and dered practically defenceless, the Siddi of given gaol sentences of two, others of homespun diction has been lost. ” Janjira attacked Bombay, but his invasion was repelled by a Parsi, Rustom Dorab. He was the soff of Dorabjee, a settler who educated Parsis had no part whatsoever in themselves from the burgeoning knowl- the riot and were, in fact, strongly against edge of the day. To him, the Parsis of his . ¦ time were a living illustration of his faith came as fond of the Parsis as before, proba- that a community must keep moving with the times in order to prosper. ” Mondkar has grouped his translations Mumhaiche Var nan gives an account of the city and a nineteenth century view of of varying length under the following There is reference to the year 1692 given gaol sentences of two, others of homespun diction has been lost. ’’ three years. Throughout, Madgaokar ’s tone is ad- “As a result of this riot, the Englishmen miring, often verging on the reverential as remained somewhat hostile to the Parsis he details the thousands of rupees donated had worked for both the Portuguese and Ice from America being unloaded in Bombay (circa pre 1880). to worthy causes, the esteem in which the the English administrations. “Transform ­ community was held by the British, or ing the Kolis into soldiers (Dorab) met the 7 their spirit of enterprise. He writes, “See! invasion on all fronts and finally repulsed Jeejeebhoy who provided Bombay with a Parsis had no ancestral properties here it,” says Madgaokar. For this he was cheap and constant supply ofice by break- and they were utterly supportless. Yet awarded the office ofthe Patel of Bombay, ing the monopoly of a European firm. (Right) Cotton merchants ofthe mid nine­ teenth century. Third from right is Mer- and liberality. ” wanji Panday who founded the Panday Sanatorium in Bombay Photos: Parsi Lustre on Indian Soil It was Nanahhoy K fe’ U ; 1 4, fri X '/ 4 * / ry" if s: fr'- 26 Parsiana November 1989 today they have come to own half of and was “empowered to dispense justice Bombay. This is the fruit of their industry among the Kolis ”—both of which endow ­ ments would be hereditary. After the death of Dorab, his son In his covering letter, Mondkar explains the author ’s “downright adoration ’’ of the Cowasjee Rustomjee was given the office community. Madgaokar felt that his coun- of Patel by Governor Hornby, It was he 'MH' i ••r 1^8^ “T ....L ¦ ............ r I ^&'~jS 7 I liii \ }’llfes 1 ¦••• i3S l) jn V ¦¦ V/; Is 'M .'J % ,1V it Si ¦nW It;, /J 'yi^ II KM¦ ¦ L t I j ¦ 1 I Parsi students in England in 1838. They were sent abroad to receive further training in matters of trade on the under­ standing ‘ ‘that their religious sentiments would be preserved from the influence of strangers’ ’ Photo: Parsi Lustre on Indian Soil of the olden days were known to be people spending their lives in eating, drinking and merriment. Once they learnt Gujarati a little and knew how to sign their names in English, they went straight into business. ” Because the Parsis had begun to read, sales of Gujarati books went up and the writers were encouraged. Many schools were also established. In less significant ways too, prosperous Parsis modelled their lifestyle on that of the English. “Any rich Englishman has in his house a minimum of five to seven clocks and two or four gold or silver watches. The clocks are placed like this — one each in the kitchen, on the staircase, in the hall, near the dining table, in the study, in the living room and in the bedroom. In the same manner clocks have places also in the houses of Parsis and other rich people... ” But the Parsi fondness for the ways of who built the Cowasjee Patel Tank, ar- numbered 1,10,544, approximately 20 the British did not extend to the ar€a of ranged for a Parsi settlement in Thane percent of Bombay ’s total population of religion. In 1839 Dr Wilson (after whom after the English wrested the area from the 5,65,160, according to the author. Wilson College is named) converted two Marathas (in 1774), and, in 1735, was Many of the Parsis who grew prosper- Parsi students of the Free Church School, instrumental in bringing over to Bombay ous in Bombay put their money into real “There were loud protests on the very day Lowji Nusserwanji Wadia (a shipbuilding estate. “In (Khetwadi), the Parsis have the rites were administered, and there were expert) who was the superintendent of the raised mansions as also fashionable, well- East India Company ’s ships in Surat. ' Other families also chose to come to the English... ” notes the book. Several of the original faith...(but) they were of no .... ..... . . avail. ” Not surprisingly, the section dealing a ¦ i > j ¦ Many of the Parsis who grew prosper- Parsi students of the Free Church School. I “There were loud protests on the very day continuous efforts for a month or two ventilated bungalows for being let out to thereafter to take back the converts into Bombay, and the Parsi population grew these houses were located in the area ex- steadily. Thus, in the 1850s, the Parsi tending from Byculla to Mazagaon, and men, women and children in Bombay were reputed to be of great beauty. “Sir with trade and industry is very extensive. Jamsetjee (Jejeebhoy) was one of those The author recounts the achievements of who had such a garden and bungalow in the community not only in the larger fields Mazagaon. ” The account continues, “The such as factories, but also their work in area from Bazargate to Churchgate is in- humbler professions such as printing, the habited by the Gujarati-speaking people liquor trade, carpentry attd clock repair- such as the Wanees, the Parsis, the Bohris, etc, the Parsis more so. ” Their residences were also scattered from Churchgate to Madgaokar says, “every road is dotted Apollo Gate. with five to 10 shops belonging to Parsis Though not the attire, the ornaments and others engaged in repairs of clocks and worn by the women have been described. It was not customary, it states, for Parsi common one. “Retail liquor shops be- women to wear ornaments on their feet longing to Parsis and Bhandaris are at and toes, and even the nose rings were every few yards all over the city. Addi» Simple and not uniformly worn. The men tionally, the Parsis and the English have were not accustomed to adorn themselves warehouses in the Fort from where liquors with jewelry, except, perhaps, with a dia- of all varieties are sold on a wholesale mond ring. basis... ” There were also many who specu- With the advent of the art of printing, he lated in opium, a trade which was on a writes, the Parsis developed a liking for very large scale. In 1861, for example, the learning and even among the poor, the opium trade in Bombay “covered 45,000 ' -Ml Oi IH'^ilHiltliHl a ’ vs I® hi! Hi ing. Talking about the smaller trades. Il-J watches... ” The liquor business too was a common one. v f'Is I children were sent to school. “The Parsis boxes, each box costing Rs l,50Q andcontaining three and a half maunds of small sailing ships in the East India Com- opium... ” Trade was a prominent means by which pany ’s works at Surat. “This extraordi- many Parsis made fortunes: “Among the Then there were steamships for coastal nary man showed great skill and honesty native businessmen. Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy | ffic whose operation was conducted in his work and later built a number of was verily a jewel. He had made five trips | Framji Cowasji too was famous — he traffic whose operation was conducted mainly by Parsis for the Oriental Steam sailing ships, ” reports the book. A big to China. He had also seen Calcutta and 1 Navigation Company. They were also man-of-war named Miani was built in his Ceylon. This famous person feamed lakhs involved in the manufacture of furniture — dock in 1810. It could carry 74 guns. It upon lakhs of rupees in business through “When it comes to woodwork the Parsis took 10 years to build and the cost was his own effort. ” Madgaokar includes an are generally the people to do it; however, seven lakh rupees. Jamuna and Narmada extract from another book which traces the any carving is offloaded to Gujaratis. ” were two other men-of-war to be built progress of Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy ’s career: Among their more famous creations was here. ” Obviously impressed by the ship ’s from helping his father-in-law sell bottles “an exquisite palkhi (ornamental seat) for furnishings, Madgaokar writes, “The in- to trading with Calcutta, Singapore, Siam Baijabai (probably Her Highness of temal arrangements of these ships could and China while he was still in his twen- Gwalior). Its price was about Rs 5,000 and have made even the tent of Aurangzeb ties. many people used to go there to see it.” himself or the halls built by the heavenly There were others too — one craftsman architect pale into insignificance. Inside had ventured into diverse fields. “He had sold his chaqp for Rs 8(X) each, an exorbi- there are all kinds of rooms hating four- established a factory at Powai, a village tant sum for those times. poster beds, chairs, sofas, almirahs and about nine miles away from Bombay in the Madgaokar mentions that Parsis were chandeliers. ” district of Salcette, for the production of among the owners of residential hotels But it was chiefly in the field of Indus- sugar, sugar candy, silk, tea, cotton and which were then a novelty in Bombay, trial enterprise that the Parsis were true other valuable commodities which are “The customers are served with liquor, pioneers. “All the efforts put in to date to natives of China. He had employed some meat, bread, tea, coffee, and anything else start mechanized and other factories were Chinese and wanted to generate a variety they may desire. Each meal here costs probably made by Parsis alone, ” enthuses of skills in his factory. He endeavored to from one to five rupees, so steep are their Madgaokar. “The (textile) mills were breed silk worms from the ones he had rates. ” There were about 40 or 50 such first put up by them. The spinning and imported. For their feed (mul)berry plants hotels; small and large, in Bombay, and weaving machines were brought in first were planted over many places. ” The besides the Parsis the owners were Mus- only by the Parsis. It was again a Parsi who factory ’s annual income was 20 or 25,000 lims, Christians and Englishmen. started the first printing press. Again only rupees, and attached to it was a farm which On a larger scale was the shipbuilding the Parsis went to China, England, Amer- produced sugarcane and a variety of fruit, industry which, after 1735, was carried out ica and other foreign lands and pioneered “In 1838 Framji Cowasji sent to Victoria, by Wadia who had started out by building trade with them. ” the Queen of England and Empress of M 1 I Steamship agents — master stevedores dubashes — lighterage contractors Darabshaw B.Cursetjee's Sons (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd. Darabshaw House, Ballard Road, Bombay - 400 038. Grams: 'DEADWEIGHT' Phone: 260021 (4 Lines) (Dock Office: 262230) Telex: 5824 DBCB IN Also associates at Calcutta, Vishakhopatnam, Kakinada, Mangalore, Bhavnagar, Bedi-port, Navlakhi, Veravai, Porbunder & Kandla. Also sole Government Landing contractors at Jamnagar, (Bedi) Bhavnagar. 28 Parsiana November 1989'J I I India, a present of the best mangoes from Jejeebhoy in 1843 at a cost of Rs 1,53,000 sioned and installed at the Town Hall. It Bombay... Seeing that he brought great and his wife donated another Rs 25,000 to was paid for by voluntary subscriptions prosperity to the village. Sir John Malcolm have a road laid out on it; at the time of the which amounted to Rs 20,000. granted him the title of Inam in 1830.” 1797 famine, several philanthropic Parsis Under the miscellaneous head there is a The community was famous for its philanthropy as well as its enterprise. Bengal and distributed it to the poor; since Madgaokar lists their charity to co-re ­ ligionists, and to society in general. “The commuters, Dhunbai, the widow of the was triggered off by a badly printed pic- navjote of a Parsi gentleman ’s son took late Dhunjibhoy Nusserwanji Cama, do- ture of Mohammed that was published by place in 1862...The gentleman donated nated Rs 15,000 in 1861 so that the creek a Parsi in a journal called “Chitranyana- lakhs of rupees to the (community funds) could be filled in, a bund built, and a road darpan. ” The outlines of Mohammed ’s and his wife gave away eight or 10,000 laid out on it; others, such as Seth Kharsetjee face were blurred and a blotch of ink over rupees in general charity. ” Many schools Nusserwanji Cama, spent much money to one eye depicted him as if he were blind in were set up by benefactors such as Sir help poor students every month. one eye; this picture was stuck on the main Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, and a sanatorium for the convalescence of the sick of the com ­ munity wal provided for when, in 1863, “a well-to-do Parsi ” set aside three lakhs of rupees for the purpose and purchased a the larger amounts being contributed by in their hands, surged through the streets to piece of land in Colaba on which it would Parsis. take revenge on the Parsis, ” reports be built. Similarly, says Madgaokar, an ­ other Parsi had set aside four to five lakhs philanthropists was Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy of rupees, the interest from which would who, the book estimates, spent about Rs 35 beaten up. Many non-Parsis also were be used to give grants to “Parsi gentlemen lakhs on charity during his lifetime. For hurt. There was looting in the bazaars, who fall on evil days and have to suffer his generosity and attentiveness to the The Parsis themselves were greatly fright ­ poverty. ” In the field of general philanthropy, the author cites numerous examples that tran ­ scended the barriers of religion and even Consequently, Queen Victoria issued a sub-station) in the bazaar for.a month. The of nation: At Bhendi Bazaar, Seth Kharsetji ’s charter giving him the title of ‘Knight; ’ in hostility continued for about a year during Lake had been constructed to alleviate the 1843 she bestowed a bejewelled crescent which time the Parsis dared not move suffering of the Byculla residents who upon him and in 1858 he got the title of through the Muslim localities. faced severe water shortages; the Mahim baronet — a hereditary one. After his Then the police commissioner and sei 1797 famine, several philanthropic Parsis brought thousands of khandis of rice from report of the Parsi riot over the dogs and another riot when the Muslims rose up the Chembur creek was an obstacle to against the Parsis in mid-October 1851. It In 1862, Bombay heard that Lancashire door of the Jama Masjid of the market area was in the grip of a severe famine. And, on a Friday morning. Thinking that some within a fortnight, Bombay collected three Parsi had done this deliberately, the Mus- quarters of a lakh of rupees, with most of lims resolved to avenge it and “with staffs Among the most famous of the Parsi Madgaokar. “Any Parsi who could be sighted was welfare of his country. Sir James R. Car- ened. ” Since the riot could not be quelled, nac — ex-Govemor of Bombay — had the military was called in, and a platoon commended him to the English court, was posted ^t the chowkie (local police faced severe water shortages; the Mahim baronet — a hereditary one. After his Causeway was built by Sir Jamsetjee death, a marble statue of him was commis- government officials arranged a meeting between the two communities and amity was brought about. The printer explained that it had been a mistake, and was made to apologise. And so peace returned: “On the evening of the day the settlement took place, many respected Parsis and Mus ­ lims, seated in their carriages, toured the Muslim localities. - The arrangement was like this. Two Parsis, two Mussalmans, and an English official occupied a carriage and toured one qt two main streets. ” There are other interesting items among the miscellanea: the Parsi loyalty towards the English rulers, the belief of some Par ­ sis in horoscopes, and the dramas that they had started staging at the English-built theatre at Grant Road. The success of the Parsis of yore made Madgaokar comment, “In sum it is only these people that secured leadership in trade and all other big tasks. They travel to all continents. Name any business and they will do it... That is why the goddess of wealth resides in their houses. ” Gifts& —iWttQg 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 STUDIO AKAR 6TZ2fi60 J Mumbaiche Vaman’s second edition was brought out in 1961 by the Mumbai Marathi Granthasangraha- iay, Thakurdwar, Bombay 400002, and it is this edi­ tion that Mondkar has used for his translation. 30 Parsiana November 1989I i ¦ y INSTITUTIONS A- Panchgani Anjuman : marked by a plateau 2®* * A /¦ Gustasp Irani 5^ JI, nessman Hormuzdiar Choksi, trustee of PZA, grandson of the man who built the Panchgani agiary, the criteria for selection noon E>espatch andCauvier, in his famous of a trustee are: “The person must have a When John Chessen discovered Panchgani in 1852, in the party of explorers accompa ­ nying him was one Merwanji Mottabhai Mistry — the first Parsi known to have set foot on the world ’s largest tableland, By the time Mistry died, in 1898, the commu ­ nity had grown large enough to have an aramgah of its own (established in 1897) to recfeive his mortal remains. By 1928, a prayer hall was built on the land adjoining the ararngah by Ms Sirinbanoo Bhedwar those who have spent their student days as and four years later, in 1932, Nanabhoy boarders in the various schools there. Choksi gave the Zoroastrians of the town Behram Contractor, editor of The After- their own agiary. But the Panchgani Zoroas- - trian Anjuman (PZA), earlier known as the Busybee column often reminisces about religious bent of mind and must dedicate Panchgani Parsi Anjuman, “is more than his childhood days at Billimoria High himself to the welfare of the community. ” an anjuman of property, ” clarifies B. N, School. The other Parsi-run school is the The other trustees, in addition to Choksi Billimoria, trustee of PZA and principal of Bhata High School which, along with St arid Billimoria, are Parvaiz Khambatta of the Billimoria High School, Panchgani. Peter ’s Boys ’ High School, has been the Panchgani, Hormuzdiar Dastur of Poona, According to him, the Anjuman is also . alma mater qf a number of young Zoroas- Darab Bajina and Navroze Kotwal of concerned with its local populace: “We trians. Likewise, two girls ’ schools, St Bombay. Only three of the trustees reside hold about two jashans a month to which Josepli ’s and Kimmms, have housed in Panchgani. •- . ' all Zoroastrians are free to come. ” In riririi^roriS^ Parsi girls in their dormitories. “A trustee once appointed can ’t be addition, there is the fire-temple which is “AU Zoroaslrians of Panchgani are forced to resign, ” says Irani. “Though we used not only by the Zoroastrian residents considered members of the Anjuman, ” may not be democratically constituted, we of Panchgani, but also by the coreligion- states Behram Irani, a Panchgani-based are not above accountability, ” adds Choksi. ists of neighboring Mahableshwar and businessman who recently resigned from Three weeks before the annual general to Australia. Yet, beyond “considered invitations are sent to all Zoroastrian resi- members ” there is no membership regis- dents of the town to attend. “The audited trafion, membership dues of any demo- statement of accounts of the Anjuman are left at the agiary where anyone from the corifimunity may come and examine them, ” ‘We trians. ' all Zoroastrians are free to come. ” In numerous Parsi girls in their dormitories, addition, there is the fire-temple which is of Panchgani, but also by the coreligion- states Behram Irani, a Panchgani-based are not above accountability, ” adds Choksi. ists of neighboring Mahableshwar and businessman who recently resigned from Three weeks before the annual general members'of the community visiting the the" board of trustees as he plans to migrate, meeting is held at the agiary premises, hill station. As a community, the Zoroastrians con- stitute a small proportion of the town ’s total population. There are no exact fig- cratic system of election of the trustees, ures. Ask for an estimate and invariably Whenever a seat on the trust board falls your source counts the families on his vacant, the ruling trustees appoint another says Choksi. finger —the Virjees, the Sethnas, the Kaly- incumb@ht who could do justice to the aniwallas. the... “about 20 families. That post. The trustees are primarily respon- makes it a total population of about 50.” Yet Panchgani has been home for a great number of other Zoroastrians too — hall. According to Bombay-based busi- (« Presently , the assets of the Anjuman are valued at seven lakh rupees, according to sible for the maintenance of the assets, Bajina, partner of the Bombay-based char- sible for the maintenance of the assets, Bajiiia.partnerolthetJombay-oaseacnar- particularly the agia^, aramgah and prayer terea accountancy firm Bajina and Jain. Of this Rs 4.9 lakhs are liquid assets, 32 Parsiana November 1989One important factor leading to the Despite their informal set-up and limited financial and human resources, the trustees of the Panchgani Zoroastrian Anjuman have succeeded in preserving community assets Community assets in Panchgani: Agiary (top left) and aramgah Photos; Gustasp Irani Benefactor Nanabhoy Choksi (below) residents and parents of children studying use — the last person to be buried here was in the various schools in Panchgani. in 1955. “The aramgah is only for the use To get around this dependency on do- of Zoroastrian residents of Panchgani, ” nations, the trustees are tossing around the states Billimoria. Even those bom in idea of renting out the prayer hall. The Panchgani but settled elsewhere do not prayer hall, informs businessman Kham- qualify. Many Zoroastrians from Bombay batta, is used only one day in the year — and elsewhere have sought permission to Farvardin roj of Farvardin mah— when a be buried in Panchgani but all such re- jashan is held there. “The ideal tenant will quests have been refused. be some Parsi owned company that will return the premises without the least bit of disuse of the aramgah has been the im- problem, ” clarifies Khambatta. He sees provement in the traftSport facilities, the proposal as a means of setting idle According to Billimoria, most families assets to work for the anjuman. “ Of course, now transport their dead to either Bombay invested in securities specified by the we will make provisions in the terms and or Poona to be consigned to the dokhmas provisions governing public charity trusts, conditions so that we can legally take back there. The other factor is that in recent “The average yield on investments works the premises whenever we want to, ” he years there have been very few deaths in out to about 10 to 12 percent, ” says Bajina. adds. Bajina points out that the Maharash- the community. “The last Zoroastrian Total annual expenses, including the cost tra Tourism Development Corporation resident to die in Panchgani was about of kathi and the priest ’s salary, works out (MTDC) Ltd, which runs the Five Hills eight years ago, ” says Billimoria. to about Rs 75,000. “We have got to make Hotel on the adjacent plot, was interested good about Rs 25,000 per year through in using the place as a conference hall but Panchgani. donations. The problem with a communal the trustees said ‘no ’ to the proposal. Bil- navjotes and weddings are rare too. The body like the anjuman is that there are no limoria however sounds a note of caution: last navjote celebrated was about four years tax benefits, ” says Bajina. The shortfall “Once you surrender possession of a prop- ago. The two youngsters initiated into the of income over expenditure, however, is erty it is almost impossible to get it back. ” religion at the time were the Canadian- made good by collections in the charity The Anjuman could be drawn into unnec- based grandchildren of Jal Irani who ear ­ box kept in the agiary (about Rs 10,000 per essary legal and court battles, he warns, year) and contributions made by local But it is not only deaths that are few in The celebration of births. Likewise, the aramgah also lies in dis- lier ran the Mahableshwar Boat Club and continued on page 40 33 Parsiana November 1989 LBUSINESS L k Entrepreneur Pheroze Engineer has IBHHB successfully introduced a compact fire extinguisher in the market V Engineer on the firing line Adwor/d, October 1-15,1989. He clarifies gage, more popular by its brand name ___ _ ~ Aristocrat, sold out to Blowplast a year guisher can only be effective if put into ago. Engineer resigned as chairman and action in the first three to five minutes of a managing director of the company. He ... -, . .----- a new company. Real Value Appliances, __________________ in June ’89. Presently Ceasefire is being ’'^e^convekiencTorthe customers has tionai'^sector like factories, godowns and produced at Real Value ’s plant at Bhor ¦ ’ ’¦ ‘ near Pune, notes the fortnightly. Ihein- _ _ ______________ ___________ , stalled capacity is 60,000 pieces per month. bZcreated. For domestic purposes, their Engineer received his experience in ad- ______ _______________..._________ ¦ J vertising and marketing when he worked husband whom they expect will be the with Lintas for two years before he took decision-maker since wives are generally over as marketing director of Universal believed to be indifferent to their own Luggage. Prior to th^ he was the works manager with Universal, his foundation in The marketing of Ceasefire is being manufacturing and engineering aspects concern where he started as management trainee. —__________ Under the Real Value umbrella, they Distribution of this safety device wTll be decided to make their ‘ ‘ debut in the safety- ............. I security sector and build a name around a marketing strategy involving door-to-door safety-security product, notes the entre- -______J __________ , earmarked for the launch budget by Engi- duce new household convenient electronic neer' to 10 crore rupees in the first year itself, as and the home sector where the need has to “Every man thinks that a fire will not hit his home. We have to convince each however that “any portable fire extm- individual that it can happen to him, ’’says gu.a..v. —---------- — r-- „ Pheroze Engineer, chairman and manag- action in the first three to five minutes of a managing Erector of the company He ing director of Real Value Appliances Pvt fire, depending on the combustibility of used his share of the sale proceeds to set up Ltd which recently launched its fire-fight- the material. ’ ’ =• Value Aonliances, ing apparatus. Ceasefire. The product is directed at the institu- been kept in mind when designing this shops where the needjs pre-established, product, asserts Engineer who was for- ’ ’ ' ‘ ’* *' merly the head of Universal Luggage Pvt - Ltd. Its “user-friendly ” qualities have been advertisements address the office-going enumerated in detail: It weighs just 600 gms, can fit into a palm, has a sprayer-type arrangement, has a longer shelf life so doesn ’t necessitate refilling or regular safety, checking, it is non-corrosive, leaves no residue behind so documents won ’t be defaced, does not hamper visibility nor causes i_______ ____ reasonably priced at Rs 300. Packed in the aluminium aerosol can is Halon 1211, a liquified low pressure gas “internationally proven to be the safest and most effective way to extinguish a fire, ” notes the information brochure pro ­ moting the product. Since there is no cumbersome seal to be broken in an emer ­ gency, it can be operated within seconds reported BusinessWorld, September 27- while ‘ ‘it would take an average person 15 October 10, 1989. minutes to start a larger conventional sys- It was Engineer ’s contribution that set tern, ” according to Engineer, quoted in the project moving. When Universal Lug- manager with Universal, his foundation in - • ' > handled by Direct Marketing Pvt Ltd whose being laid in different departments of the ___ ___ ____ ______managing director M. M. Abadan was untoward toxic reactions, and is formerly working with Engineer as vice president (finance) of Universal Luggage. effected through a personalized direct selling. Thirty-five lakh rupees have been preneur. After Ceasefire he plans to intro- who hopes to show a turnover of eight appliances in the Indian market. Once ¦ their market position is secure, they will diversify their production range relying on the company logo, the tick mark, to con ­ vey their “assurance on products which work the way you want them to. ’’ 35 Parsiana November 1989MILESTONES The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by various anjumans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. It must be pointed out that this information is not always complete or consis ­ tent. Of the 81 Parsis who died in Bombay, 22 succumbed to heart disease, while cancer and old age claimed seven victims each. The other killers were diabetes and pneumonia (five each), kidney failure (four) and hypertension, septicemia, blood disease, infec ­ tion, lung disease and general de ­ bility (three each). Isolated cases of bronchitis, bums, respiratory failure, malnutrition, dehydration, high blood pressure and liver disease were also registered. A 22-year-old youth, a two-day-old infant and a stillborn baby were lost to the community. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, it must be noted that in some cases, espe ­ cially in those of the very old, death is often due to a combina ­ tion of several diseases. If readers have any informa ­ tion they would like published, some proof to ensure the veracity of the report would be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us. i I I I BOMBAY Born A girl to Niloofer and Rumi Patel on September 28, 1989 A girl to Sunnoo and Sarosh Mirza; September 29 A boy to Daisy and Aspi Daru­ walla; October 3 A boy to Roshan and Neville Deboo; October 3 A boy to Dilshad and Sheriar Irani; October 3 A girl to Jasmine and Darius Kotx’al; October 3 A boy to Roxana and Meher- nosh Khushrushai; October 4 A girl to Rupi and Viraf Chinoy; October 5 A girl to Hufrish and Darayas Sarkari; October 5 A boy to Firuza apd Rumy Patel; October 8 A boy to Ketayun and Farhad Irani; October 10 A girl to Thrity and Gaiv Mistry; October 12 A boy to Nargish and Bomi Irani; October 13 A boy to Pervin and Framroz Ghaswala; October 15 A boy to Tina and Pesi Shroff, October 15 A boy to Hufrish and Rohinton Barucha; October 16 A boy to Ruby and Sam Daruvala; October 17 A boy to Percis and Hoshi Dubash; October 17 A boy to Kamal and Rusi Rus­ tomjee; October 17 A girl to Senober and Nozer Pajnigara; October 20 A boy to Jasmine and Adil Bha­ rucha; October 21 Twins (girl and boy) to Nargish and Zarir Mehta; October 21 A girl to Arnaaz and Keki Mistry; October 24 A boy to Mahrukh and Daryus Panthaky; October 26 A boy to Nazneen and Percy Bilimoria; October 27 A boy to Jeroo and Farokh Mis­ try; October 28 A girl to Farida and Maher- noosh Govadia; October 29 Married Yasmin Framroz Kalwachwalla and £rZc Rusi Kheswalla\ October 1 Navaz Jahbaux Dastoor and Cowsi Rosi Writer oi Banga ­ lore; October 1 Dinaz Tehmurasp Patel and Kayomars Burjor Bajina., October 5 Lily Jal Irani and Rustom Jam­ shed Karai', October 8 Pervin Fall Variava and Aspi Noshir Panthakr, October 10 Shenaz Jalejar Dalal and Shahrouk Behram Jogina; October 12 Roshan Gustasp Mithuji and Homa Homi Mistry; October 12 Roshni Behram Jogina and Rumi Khurshid Vakil of Ahmedabad; October 12 Firuza Minoo Forbes ahd Noshirvan Nariman Dubash; October 13 Tanaz Khodadad Irani and Cyrus Soli Deolaliwala; October 15 Armaity Dadi Gazdar and Freddy Keki Dinshaw; October 15 Daisy Homi Korkhao and Hos- hang Pirojshaw Ichhaporia; October 16 Shiraz Homi Meherjina and Sohrab Framji Jussawalla; October 17 Arnavaz Merwan Irani and Rohinton Jamshed Rostami; October 19 Maharookh Nariman Patel and Pesi Feroze Bilimoria; October 21 Farida Jehangir Banaji and Shiraz Tehmasp Mogul; October 31 Died Shirin Savaksha Vakil (72), residing at Meherbai Wadia Bldg, Chikalwadi, 40(X)07; September 30 Homi Framroze Bamboat (78), Bhabha Sanatorium, Bandra, 400050; October 1 Shirin Rustomji Malia (82), 1, Manikunj Co-op Soc Ltd, San ­ tacruz (E), 400055; October 1 Daulat Khodayar Raisi (60), A/8, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 40(X)27; October 1 Roshan Bejon Shroff (48), B/72, Cozy Bldg, Gowalia Tank Rd, 400036; October 1 Female baby of Rohinton Parvez Chinoy (stillborn), 646, Gai Bldg, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 2 Mani Kaikhusroo Mehta (81), 28/9, Godrej Clny, Vikhroli, 400079; October 2 Freny Cawas Dastur (38), 19/31, Panthaki Baug, Andheri (E), 400069; October 3 Dina Jamshedji Billimoria (88), Phirojshaw Bldg, Gowalia Tank, 4(K)036; October 4 Jamshed Rustomji Desai (82), 19, Cumballa Chmbs, Cumballa Hill Rd, 400036; October 4 Jerbai Savaksha Dover (68), C/1, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; October 5 Burjor Hormusji Gandhi (68), K/7, Dalal Est, Lamington Rd, 400008; October 5 Khorshed Phiroze Kotwal (53), K/12, Shapurjee Bharucha Baug, Andheri (W), 406058; October 5 PeroJa Dadabhoy Sett (79), Rustom Villa, 91, Worli Sea Face, 400018; October 5 Tehmi Nadirshah Boatwalla (73), 664, Roshan Mans, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 6 Dhunmai Peshotan Damkevala (76), A/406, Kalpita Enclave, Sahar Rd, Andheri (E), 400069; October 6 Behram Rustom Irani (Rodmard), (85), 722, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 4{)0014; October 6 Hughes Rd, 400007; October 16 Homi Bomanji Mistry (85), B Rd, Marine Drive, 400020; October 6 Veera Sarosh Sukhara (38), 140, Char Pul, Navsari, 396445; October 6 Noshir Rustom Mistry (59), C/785, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 7 Framroze Sorabji Contractor (80), 10/5, Rustom Bang, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 9 Manijeh Dhunjisha Dalal (87), B/1, Monolith, 7, Nepean Sea Rd, 400036; October 9 Kety Framroze Elavia (37), B-1, 618, J. S. Rd, Dhobitalao, 400002; October 9 Bomanshaw Rustomji Vakil (92), 109, Maharshi Karve Rd, Churchgate, 400020; October 9 Rattans haw Munchershaw Wadia (84), 603, Jame Jamshed Rd, Matunga, 400019; October 9 Ratanbai N. K. Dubash (77), A/4, Sterling Apts, Pedder Rd, 400026; October 10 Maf^ Kaikhushroo Commi­ ssariat (72), Rajesh Mans, D. Vatcha Rd, 400020; October 11 Bomanshaw Ardeshir Printer (83), Prem Court, 24, Peddar Rd, 400026; October 11 Piloo Firoze Vachha (71), Sealand, 41, Cuffe Parade, 400005; October 11 Mani Dhanji Bharucha (79), B, Mancher Manzil, 35/C, Jairajbhai Lane, 400008; October 13 Homi Sorabji Hirji Khorshed (89), 22, Gulistan, 34, B. Desai Rd, 400026, October 13 Homi Darabsha Parakh (80), A, Bhiwandiwala Ter, Dhobitalao, 400002; October 13 Jer Jam^d (Jimmy) Mistry (67), Green Acres, Rd 5, Khar, 400052; October 14 Pestonji Edulji Shastri (55), G/9, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; October 14 Roda Jehangir Garda (83), High Peak Apt, Bandra, 40(X)50; October 15 Eruchshaw Burjorji Kasad (69), 35, Homi Hse, Fort, 400001; October 15 Female baby of Zarir Dali Oonuigar (2 days), E-7/2, Godrej Hill Side, Vikhroli (W), 400079; October 15 Hiraji Kawasji Bharucha (84), F. S. Parukh Dhtumshalla, 34, 36 Parsiana November 1989Baimai Burjorji Jijina (64), 17, Ahura Apt, Gunpowder Rd, 400010; October 16 Hosang Behramji Khambata (47), 9, Patel Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; October 16 Jeroo Peshotan Moudawalla (62), F. S. Parukh Dharam- shalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 16 Sorabjee Dhanjishaw Todiwala (83), 3/14, Jamas Tata Blocks, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 16 Meher Adi Palkhiwala (22), Khorshedbai ShrofFBldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; October 17 Nariman Nadirsha Rabadi (78), 21, Dubash Bldg, Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 17 Khorshed Phiroze Billimoria (64), 1/11, Somerset Hse, Off B. Desai Rd, 400026; October 18 Kaikhushru Kavasshah Dastur (89), Rajab Mhl, 144, M. Karve Rd, 400020; October 18 Cali Framji Madon (11), Roshan Mans, 664, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 18 Nariman Shc^urji Sahiar (65), Brightway Anodise Ravi Ind Comp, Thane, 4(X)601; October 18 Kersi Kershabhap Vajifdar 678, Divine Grace, 16th Rd, Khar, 400052; October 18 Piroja Nadirshah Lakdawalla (85), New Chinoy Bldg, Chikal- October 26 wadi, 400007; October 19 Minocher Phirozshaw Lentin (81), 6, Gool Villa, Laburnum Rd, Gamdevi, 400()07; October 19 Homi Sheriar Irani (76), A/106, Nagina Hsg Soc, Jogeshwari; 400102; October 20 Goolbai Rattansha Sodawater- wala (91), Arsiwalla Bldg, Near lal Ardeshir Lala (63), O, Dalal Novelty Cinema, 400007; October 20 Dina Framji Zaiwalla (78), C/o K. F. Jassawalla, B/46, August Kranti Marg, 40(X)36; October 20 Eruchsha Dhunjisha Daruwalla wala (84), Venus Bldg, (76), Saidunnisa Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; October 21 - Aban Minoo Sethna (51), Stone Ridge Central Avenue, Chembur, 400071; October 21 Hilla Keki Bilimoria (80), Eddie Homi Burjorji Gazdar (87), Hse, 3, Dr G. Deshmukh Marg, 400026; October 22 Eruch Manecksha Medhora 37 Parsiana November 1989 Alamai Jalejar Chawda (12), A/1, Dinbai Petit Bldg, Balaram (87), P/35, Cusrow Bang, S. B. St, 400007; October 22 Shavak Pallonji Gandhi (10), 'RH, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; October 22 Keki Hormasji Patel (53), B/7, Old Wadia Bldg, Chandanwadi, 400002; October 22 Minoo Nariman Vesuwalla (64), J/16, Cusrow Bang, S. B. Rd, 400039; October 22 Morvarize Sarosh Yazdani (88), Katie Ter, 7, Sleater Rd, 400007; October 22 Dinshaw Jahanbux Bulsara (69), Taber Bldg, Jalbhai St, Chami Rd Junction, 400004; October 23 Phiroze Hormusji Contractor (Id), 195, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 23 Roda Pestonji Damkevala (61), B 1/12, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Parel, 400012; October 23 Faredoon Jamshedji Motafram (83), 12, Peridot, 22-A, Perry Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 23 Jaloo Jimmy Virjee (69), 32, Silver Arch, 66/A, Nepean Sea Rd, 400036; October 23 Dinshaw Sorabji Buhariwalla (81), Abbasi Bldg, 148, Grant Rd, 400008; October 25 Dhunmai Cawasji Dolly (83), Sakarbai Petit Bldg, Gilder Lane, 400008; October 25 Jamshed Shavakshaw Dubash (73), A/170, Mahurkh Mans, Lamington Rd, 400007; Rd, 400039; October 30 Freny N. Wadia (70), D-9/106, Yogi Ngr, Eksar Rd, Borivli (W), 400092; October 30 Noshir Framroze Gagrat (76), K/7, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; October 31 CALCUTTA Bprn A boy to Hilla and Eruch Bhathena; August 10 A boy to Mehroo and Percy Mahernosh; October 2 A boy to Marina and Yezdi Engineer, October 26 A girl to Sharmila and Sohrab Italia; October 31 CHICAGO Died Mani Vania, mother of Homi and Avi; October 15 DAR-ES-SALAAM Born A girl, Delna, to Purveen and Khusroo Poonevala; September 23 JABALPUR Born A girl, Binaz, to Gulshan and Jimmy Dossabhoy; October 18 NEW SOUTH WALES Born A boy to Meena and Homi Mirza; October 1 POONA Married Anahita Kersi Dastur and Laid Mishra; October 2 Khorshid Khodamorad Irani (73), A/3, Holland Hse, 10/18, S. B. Rd, 400039; October 27 Minoo Dinshaw Master (71), 112, Love Lane, Mazagaon, 400010; October 27 Ketty Ratan Merchant (62), B, Kanta Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; October 27 KARACHI Died Jehangirji Dhunjisha Sachin- wala (86); September 2 Sarwar Khudabakht Namira- nian (90); September 7 Sohrab Burjorji Vatcha (75); September 15 Noshirvan Edulji Sopariwala (69); September 23 Died Hoshang Firozsha Mehta (74), 16, Green Fields, Fatima Ngr, 411013; October 9 Khorshed Dorabji Bhanja (70), 290, Amroliwala Bldg, Delisle Rd, Lower Parel, Bombay, 400013; October 10 Farokh Bomanji Irani (74), 161, Yeravada, 411006; October 15 Jivanji Jehangirji Khambatta (70), 595, Sachapir St, Camp, 411001; October 16 Hira Gustad Dalal (15), 953, Nana Peth, 411002; October 20 Keki Sorabji Ghati (74), 63, Universal Apts, East St, 411001; October 23 Dhunjishay^Fardoonji (68), 513, Sachapir St, 411001; October 25 Maneck Shapoorji Mehta (89), 315, Main St, 411001; October 30 Allan Ardeshir Talati (87), 23/2, Bund Garden Rd, 411001; October 30 Villoo Jehangir Limhoowala (65), 5/7, Khan Est, Chhotani Rd, Mahim, Bombay, 400016; October 31 SHOLAPUR Died Dhunmai Eruchshaw Mistry (82), mother of Diniyar, Banu, Yezdi and Nowzer; October 7 Compiled by Roxana>H. Kaka Est, Lamington Rd, 400008; October 28 Adi Jehangir Irani (56), 786, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 29 Nadirshah Cawasji Jamshed- Lamington Rd, 400007; October 29 Manekshaw Edulji Bhathena (82), 304, Zaveri Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; October 30 West View, Uranwalla St, Grant Rd, 400007; October 30 THE PARSIANA BOOK OF IRANIAN NAMES The Iranian names of boys and girls along with their meanings which originally appeared in Parsiana have now been reprinted in an attractive 24-page booklet. The book, which is priced at Rs 15,is available on sale at; Kaiser-E-Hind. 300 Perin|Nariman Street, Behind Reserve Bank of India. Fort. Bombay 400 001. Faredoon and Burjor Sandalwood Shop. Rincess Street. Union Press. 13. Homji Street. Bombay 400001.zf j IN MEMORIAM__________ Died: Jamshed Khurshed Pavri, 72, com ­ munity chronicler, long-term honorary secretary of the Zoroastrian Society of British Columbia and founder editor of its newsletter, of heart failure in Vancouver on October 14, 1989. “Literally the ‘father of the Zoroas- ’ trian community of British Columbia, ’” Jamshed Pavri was a pioneer who had “not only presided over the birth of the nascent community but had nurtured its growth with tender solicitude, care and competence. ” Homi Gilan ’s (the Gilans were the first Zoroastrians in Vancouver) spontaneous tribute at the funeral of the late Pavri attested to the high regard in which his compatriots held him. Busy with humanitarian tasks to the end of his life, Pavri was ‘ ‘the first port bf call ” for nearly every Zoroastrian who bloc if we delay, and certainly not at these wealth of detail included important min- lahded in British Columbia, said Gilan. bargain prices. ’ So this determined and utes, annual reports, constitution and by- The magic words, “I come from Jam ­ shed, ” opened other doors as well, related tablished the first Zoroastrian cemetery in Gilan. Canada, ifnot in North America, in 1969,” Speaking at the Fifth World Zoroas- recalls Gilan. In ZSBC’s ninth annual anism and the calendars, the Shehenshahi trian Congress on behalf of the Zoroastrian report in 1977, Pavri, its honorary secre- calendar worked out to 2632 AC when it Society of Ontario, its one-time president tary and director since inception, had noted would correct itself, and more. ~ " ... - •. . J-.. Pavri ’s personal library of Zoroastrian towards the purchase of 73 burial plots: lore, including several rare books and “Our Society is now a debt-free society manuscripts painstakingly accumulated over and we do not owe anything to anybody. ” Jamshed Pavri: The nurturing of a community Arnavaz Mama farsighted community-building man es- laws, details of membership, condolence messages on community deaths, roster of navjotes, as well as articles on Zoroastri- E Minoo Treasurywalla recalled Pavri ’s that the Society had paid off all outstandings “yeoman service in putting Zoroastrian ­ ism on the map in Canada. ” Unlike other , . „ parts of North America, “Parsis and Ira- and we do not owe any thing to anybody. ” a lifetime, now lies with Prof John Hin- nian Zoroastrians have a common society A later donation from an Iranian Zoroas- nells of Manchester University. in British Columbia. It goes to the credit of trian funded a Fravahr die to mark the Pavri who laid the foundation in that direc ­ tion, ” attested Iranian philanthropist there. In an interview with Parsiana in Meheraban Zartoshty in the course of an interview in Bombay. “I don ’t think had arranged with the London anjuman to anybody can replace him. He was so perform the muktads for those buried in dedicated, so hardworking, he had such thecemetery in Vancouver and had added, love for the community , ever helping, ever guiding... I feel lonely when I have trouble everyone (Zoroastrians who have died in matic as people here (in Bombay) we and need advice, ’ ’ he added. Vancouver) in my (own) house. I think it would probably end up fighting. We might Keen to start a local anjuman more than is my duty to. ” disintegrate this way but there is a possi- 30 years ago when there were barely a Pavri published the first directory of bility also that we might preserve our- handful of Parsis, Pavri was able to make Zoroastrians overseas in the mid-1960s, selves. Perhaps, the religion as practised his dream a reality in 1968 with the relaxa- An active correspondent, Pavri ’s newslet- today in India, and in Bombay in particu ­ tion of immigration restrictions in Canada. ters from Vancouver were not only regu- lar, has also become so diluted that the As soon as the local community popula- lar, but provided full-length articles on original message of the prophet is proba ­ tion numbered 50, the Zoroastrian Society individuals and events in the community bly all lost... of British Columbia (ZSBC) was regis- and had a mailing list at one time esti- “We perform the navjote of a child tered as a religious and charitable organi ­ zation “with the usual legal and other seas community informed of its historical ents is a non-Parsi or non-Zoroastrian; to formalities (cleared up) at almost negli- heritage in India and abroad. When the us it is immaterial... I have found that the gible cost, ” recalled Gilan. Society completed 10 years, Pavri sug- ~ . To Gilan ’s astonishment, Pavri pressed gested the publication of a 150-page his- In the Parsiana interview Pavri had 4^ graves. Nor did Pavri ’s commitment end indicated the difference between Indian Zoroastrians and those settled overseas — Bombay in 1977 Pavri had related how he the latter are more outward-looking and more open-minded, he had stated can ­ didly. “The bond that holds the commu ­ nity members overseas together is our “For those 10 days I say the prayers for freedom of thought. If we were as dog- An active correspondent, Pavri ’s newslet ­ ters from Vancouver were not only regu- and had a mailing list at one time esti ­ mated at over 3,000. They kept the over- irrespective of whether (one of) the par- I non-Parsi or non-Zarthosti spouses take greater interest in our activities than com- for a Zoroastrian cemetery as a top prior- tory of the association “for the sake of our munity members who are supposed to be ity. “1 found it difficult to contemplate posterity. ” The Zoroastrian Society of Zarthostis and Parsis. In Vancouver, a death so soon after coming halfway round British Columbia 1968-78, painstakingly Parsi is married to a Japanese lady. Last the world to start a new life (but) Jamshed compiled by Pavri, appeared at the end of year we performed the navjote ceremony insisted. ‘A cemetery is all-important for a 1979. Its 372 pages contained a wealth of of their daughter and the prayers were new Zoroastrian anjuman to take root, information on the pioneering activities of taught to the daughter by her Japanese Besides, we will not get suitable lotsen the community in the new world. Its mother and not by her Parsi father. ” Its mother and not by her Parsi father. ” 38 Parsiana November 1989 r-Pavri was a “very spontaneous, very f I I Sanatorium as Ms Piroj Amrolia noted in her obsequial address. In 1939 he had openhearted person with some very firm started the Buzum-e-Ruz-e-Behram, an opinions, ” as Dara Marshall, Bombay informal group to study Zoroastrian reli- University ’s professor emeritus of library gion and history. The Far Eastern associa- science, remembers him since their school tion was sundered by the Japanese inva- days. Marshall speaks of Pavri ’s intellec- sion of Hongkong in 1941. Pavri was then tual curiosity and scholarly bent of mind visiting Bombay and was unable to return which “would not accept a statement while his brother and friends were placed without a document to back it. ’ ’ He was so in concentration camps, informed Amro- devoted to his religion that any conversa- lia. tion would “veer round to Zoroastrianism The enforced stay in Bombay was con- and the Parsis, ” says Marshall. Though verted into a study period when Pavri genial of temperament — “koini bi saathe enrolled in the Sir J. J. Madressa to study mara mari nahi” — Pavri “would not the Avesta, Pahlavi and Pazand languages hesitate to say A is A and B is B even in as well as the scriptures under the august arguments with people like Hinnells, ” notes tutorship of scholars Behramgore Ankle- Marshall, saria and Irach Taraporewala. Swayed by the teachings of Gandhi, Pavri became an mation to go unchallenged. In 1984 Pavri Pavri had hoped for a federation of active member of the Congress party. To had taken strong umbrage at Webster’s North American associations — a dream maintain contact with friends and families New World Thesaurus wherein the syno- that was realized by the formation of the in Hongkong, Shanghai and Japan, Pavri nyms to ‘pagan ’ included “idolater, idolist. Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of started the Far East Club in Bombay and gentile, pantheist, heathen, Pyrrhonist, North America (FEZANA) in 1987. was instrumental in sending five ship- doubter, scoffer, heretic, unbeliever, infi- Pavri was also involved with other ments of medical supplies to Chungking, del, paynim, Gheber, Philistine, Zoroas- projects. He was one of those responsible the headquarters of Mao Tse Tung, in- trian, animist, fireworshipper, freethinker, for founding the India Club of British forms Amrolia. He was also actively asso- atheist, agnostic. ” . Columbia and later, the Gujarati Society dated with the Servants of India Society of British Columbia and did much to es ­ tablish friendly relations with the Ismaelis the Poona Mental Hospital and the Khen- “We are indeed distressed that Gheber, who held him in high regard, attests Gilan. dra Leprosarium. Zoroastrian and fireworshipper, appear (in A scholar of Avesta-Pahlavi, Pavri was well-versed in comparative religions, says ver with his wife Roda and son Yezdi in able volume bearing the name of Noah Gilan, and made it a point to organize 1958 he became a trustee of the Canadian Webster, the most respected American interfaith activities. Member of the Royal Folk Society for three years, earning a lexicographer... ” Contesting the “arbi- Commonwealth Society for the Blind, he merit plaque for his services and later a trary arrangement of the sense given in the worked particularly hard to raise funds for bronze medal for his work for the Centen- entry for the word ‘pagan, ” ’ Pavri remon- “Operation Eyesight ” which funded mobile nial Ethnic Group Committee. In 1973, on strated, “A Zoroastrian is not a firewor- eye clinics in India and elsewhere. the twenty-fifth anniversary of the signing shipper, an idolater, a pantheist, a doubter, Mahatma Gandhi had been Pavri ’s hero of the Human Rights Charter, the Zoroas- an atheist, an agnostic and other defini- and the latter did not rest in his self- trian Society of British Columbia pre- tions appearing in the Thesaurus. Zoroas- imposed mission of installing Gandhi ’s sented the province ’s Human Rights Coun- trians are followers ofthe sublime religion bust in Vancouver despite repeated set- cil with a gold coin minted by the Iranian propounded by prophet Zarathushtra backs, content only when the Simon Fraser Government depicting the cylinder of Cyrus (Zoroaster) in antiquity, the first monothe- University accepted it in 1969. the Great which is now considered the first istic religion in the world, One of the nine children of Bachubai human rights charter. “It is our request, ” urged Pavri, “that and Khurshedji Pavri of Surat, Jamshed Five heart attacks in a single year at the as and when a new revised edition of your was bom in Bombay and schooled at the age of 58 left him, in his own words, “a Thesaurus appears, the words Gheber, Bharda New High School. Then, at the disabled person. ” The subsequent pace Zoroastrian and fireworshipper be elimi- ageof 17, Pavri went to Hongkong to work was slower only by his own standards. By nated from the definition. ” in his uncle ’s import-export firm, and March 1986 when the ZSBC acquired the developed an interest in the Far East which Arbab Rustam Guiv Darbe Mehr — Zoroas- those who helped the community to com- never deserted him. Indeed, the final years trian House (“A small church which looks municate, Gilan informed how earlier this of his life were devoted to compiling a more like an agiary in India ” Pavri had year Pavri had “spent many hours sending History of the Parsis of the Far East, described it) he functioned as its director appeals to anjumans in Canada, USA, (Though Pavri was unable to complete the and honorary secretary. Its upkeep de- Britain, indeed all over the world to send remaining 20 percent of the work, Gilan volved on the Society in 1988 and the donations and to try to get new subscrip ­ informs that Jamshed ’s brother in Hong- Society began to work on establishing a tions to help (Parsiana) serve Parsis in the kong is arranging for its publication.) It maintenance fund, interest on which would future. ” was in Hongkong that he acquired initial service the Darbe Mehr. Predictably, the training in communal and social work and first donation came from the Pavri house- had noted that to maintain cohesion in the became an active member ofthe Ruttonjee hold. community “you must first of all take Nor did failing health allow misinfor- In his letter dated March 16, 1984 to and a regular volunteer for many years at William Collins Publishers Inc, Pavri wrote. Shortly after Pavri moved to Vancou- this context) in ap esteemed and respect- Always a friend of Parsiana and all The historian and community builder 39 Parsiana November 1989I I i 5 everyone under your wing and the only checked and certified by him. In addition Poona where he started Serson Industries way to do so is to communicate with the ' people... Ask for their views, opinions, ideas... You have to create and generate , ’ - - ------ —- vaaaw w ¦ IL/Vl tVl lUJ IIV W XJ interest and then you must sustain that bute highlighting his contribution to the manufacture but the Indian climate did interest. Only then can you expect partici- T . - . - pation... To hold the community together also supply of luminous road signs were committed as he was to running his com- there must be some cementing force... ” -i--------------------- -^2 _ “ ’' ' ’ ' ' Pavri is survived by his wife Roda and Ruttonsha (Burma) Ltd. Frequently, he compliance with the law, ” adds his son. son Yezdi. would install decorative lights and nnhlir Graduate in arts and law from Rangoon the impressive clock on the Secretariat to'manufacture electrolytic capacitors. He tower as well as numerous other public had envisaged this to be the first of the clocks bore his name, notes a written tri- several electronic components he would --------------------------------- 1 not Burma market. Sale of consumer goods as suit “the business genius of Ruttonsha, ” undertaken in the company name of E. pany “with strict honesty and almost minute Live wire of Burma would install decorative lights and public Graduate in arts and law from Rangoon address systems at social functions not for University, Ruttonsha was working as a any monetary returns but as a pastime, a tutor in English at the University before he hobby he enjoyed. And when he was at the took to business. His interest in reading pinnacle of his radio manufacturing busi- never waned. Though he never officially ness, producing Ekco radios in collabora- retired, in the latter years of his life he tion with E. K. Cole of UK, a new promul- found greater pleasure in orchid cultiva- gation in Burma concerning the ownership tion. of companies by foreigners “forced him The discipline that had been ingrained out of Burma for the second and final in him during his years with the Army in time, ” informs his son Cyrus. Earlier it World War II where he served first as was during World War II that he, like other captain and later as acting major, helped The discipline that had been ingrained Died: Sam Erach Ruttonsha, about 75, ' ' _ "............ .................. leading manufacturer of electrical and Indians, had perforce to leave the shores of him withstand many vagaries of fortune. ~ And the perseverance that he learnt during his youth, when he was known to be an electronic goods first in Burma and later Burma, in Poona, of cardiac complications on September 12, 1989. His reputation for in-depth knowledge Burmese, he could speak Burmese flu- life, as also the motto that he adopted: Row of electrical and electronic gadgets was ently. But he refused to take up Burmese till you are dead. officially recognized in Burma: Every nationality merely for the sake of his busi- T ’ \ 1*. ship calling at Rangoon port was required ness. He came to India and stayed for a roza and sons Cyrus, Zareer and Firdaus. to have its telecommunications equipment while in Bombay before he settled down in Parinaz Gandhi Burma was almost homeland to Rut­ tonsha; he had a rare affinity with the outstanding oarsman, stood him through Ruttonsha iSj.survived by his wife Phe- PANCHGANI ANJUMAN... continued from page 33 is now settled in Panchgani. “The last wedding was about 10 years ago — my brother Noshir ’s and my own, ” says Kham ­ batta. Panchgani does not have a hospital and hence in case of childbirth the resi ­ dents of the town use the facilities at Vai, at the base of the valley, or go to Bombay or ’ Poona; the age of midwives is past. Assisting the trustees in their task is the young priest Dinyaf Dastur who is re ­ tained by the Anjuman to look after the agiary and the religious needs of the Zoroas ­ trians in the vicinity. A qualified B Com who has done a stint in Tehran with the Iranian subsidiary of AT&T, he also main ­ tains the Anjuman ’s account books. Re ­ cently, he organized a contributory din- ner-cum-get-together for the Zoroastrians of the town. For a community that has little contact through navjotes, weddings with their hands? They are happy to be ria, “that we are not doing anything for the or other social functions, the get-together bank clerks. ” Parsis besides caring for their religious is significant; it shows that the Anjuman is reaching out. “Panchgani is ideal for retirement; there that bright. Earlier, Parsi-run establish- the people. ” is nothing for the young here, ” says Irani, ments were in the majority but in recent Through the years, the Anjuman has Billimoria ’s advice to community mem- times the community has contributed noth- succeeded in strengthening the bond be- bers who might want to make Panchgani a ing to the sharp rise in the number of tween the land and the community. And in permanent home is to consider teaching hotels, in fact a few have sold out to non- and education as a career. “Earlier we Parsis (see Parsiana, September 1989). used to have a number of Parsi teachers on our staff, but now it appears that Parsis nated the trade, they in fact strongly re- don ’t fancy teaching as a profession, ” sisted moves to establish a dharamshala in says Billimoria. Khambatta believes that Panchgani as they figured that it would . the hill station also offers scope to young affect their business, says Irani. That was a carpenters and electricians. “But tell me, ” time when Parsis constituted the main he adds, “are young Parsis willing to work clientele for the hoteliers. Nevertheless Shavaksha Bhata, founder of Bhata High School, felt that the poorer members of the community would benefit from the hill station ’s bracing climate and built the Bhata Sanatorium which is still managed by the School. Meanwhile Billimoria ’s father Navroji, founder of the Billimoria High School, was instrumental in^giving Panchgani its agiary. He prevailed upon the noted phi ­ lanthropist Nanabhoy Choksi to give the hill station a place of worship. Ever since, religious affairs has preoccupied th6 Anjuman. “It is true, ” concedes Billimo- “Once you surrender possession of a property it is almost impossible to get it back ” Hoteliering is also a major industry in needs. ” However, they would prefer to Panchgani but for Parsis the picture is not describe themselves as “an anjuman of ments were in the majority but in recent times the community has contributed noth- the case of Panchgani, a tourist and school ­ ing town, it is not the residents alone who As reported, when Parsi hoteliers domi- are attached to the land; the place is special to other members of the community too. 40 Parsiana November 1989