Feb 1990

I EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana H. Kaka DESIGN Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez, Deborah Fernandes r MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin MIstty ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D’Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B. L. Arora EDP Rohlnton E. Daroga CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver OFFICE Rsyendra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia Lewis, Rajalakshmi Krishnan, Bakhtavar Batliwalla, Nowzer Batliwala February 1990 Volume 12 Number 8 3 Readers* Forum 8 Events and Personalities 15 Zoroastrians Abroad 19 Federation focuses on the elderly by Parinaz Gandhi 27 K. Ravi nd ran; religions ’ common factors by Arnavaz Mama 28 Wibs: a well-bred bread by Gustasp Irani 32 Dr Taraporvala ’s mending ways 35 Books 38 Milestones 41 In Memoriam Cover; Transparency by Varghese Fernandez t f 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. AH 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.LRochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001READERS’ FORUM rtbooii i r ‘Si-2-’ Is the failing because of some gullible how can a religion, which is unable to people who may have received favors, hold its own people, possibly attract oth- which they erroneously believe were ers?) they have overlooked the fact that so through a baba, and hence spread the many of their own have drifted away, word around? Is it because our priests are not enlightened enough to exert their in ­ fluence on the community like religious stray instead of searching for ways to heads in other religions do? Or, is it be- draw them back again. , cause our anjuman trustees are too occu- . t pied with their local squabbles to make a “Navjote by Choice...” I concerted effort to i^event this exodus of This is in response to Ms Piloo N. Jungal- ’ faith? walla ’s remarks on the meaning of the I It may not be strictly relevant, perhaps word 'fravarane" (“Readers ’ Forum, ” I only coincidental, that, within a span of Parsiana, October 1989). I wish Mr Homi I one month, six Parsi girls, from Pune Rogers had had his review (“Navjote by I alone, all pretty, all brilliant with a career. Choice, not Chance, ” Parsiana, May I and all coming from good affluent homes, 1989) of the books in question published I have married outside the community, in separate issues and saved me this re- I The surprising part is that four out of the sponse to a very old and dear friend of I six families had leanings towards the mine. However, here is what the word I Baba. Brig n.b. grant (Retd) I Pune iH*- l»*f iHKi I ¦«*lr Lit And the community ’s predominant re ­ sponse has been to condemn those who means: Philologically fravarane (first person singular, present tense, reflexive verb) is The Editor replies derived from the root fra-var. Avesta Parsiana is neither attempting to extol var/Sanskrit vr has several meanings: (1) nor denigrate the Baba cult. The attrac ­ tion for other religious orders and indi ­ viduals is a pervasive reality and needs to be highlighted. In the same issue of Par- pregnate, make pregnant. siana we also carried a write-up on a Parsi couple that brought Ganpati to their used more frequently in the extant Avesta home. Several people commented ad- than any other meaning. Fra as a prefix versely on the coverage given to this inci ­ dent. In both cases, we knew publishing the choose, to choose forth, etc ” and philol- articles would cause offense to readers. “Shirdi kc Homi Baba” But there was no doubt we had to carry I was surprised to see the publicity given the stories as they reflected what was hap- (see Altiranisches Worterbuch, to “Shirdi ke Homi Baba ” in your cover pening in the community. The decision to Bartholomae; Worterbuch zum Rigveda, story {Parsiana, October 1989). It is bad put Homi Baba on the cover was taken Hermann Grassmann, Wiesbaden 1964; enough that so many Parsis should take to because, of all the options available to us, “ the Baba cult, and that Parsi transport op­ erators should arrange special buses for taking Parsi Baba devotees to Shirdi. not comment adversely on the Baba cult Fra-var occurs three times in the However, as reported, when Homi Baba, or the worship of Ganpati by Parsis. It is Gathas (Yasna 30.5; 31.10; 53.2), and all who worships Lord Shankar and daily not for us to sit in judgement on other the three have been translated by Prof pours water over the lingam to keep it people ’s beliefs so long as those beliefs Irach Taraporewalla to mean “to cool, is given this type of publicity, one wonders whether Parsiana is frying to ’ extol the Baba cult or to denigrate it. The question is, why are so many Par ­ sis (so-called Zoroastrians). turning to why and how Zoroastrianism has failed to only exception who, very likely under Shirdi for their salvation? The specific inspire its followers. In nearly every the earlier Christian translators of the question to be answered is that, when all Parsi home, one member or the other Avesta, renders fravarane as “I confess ” over the world, specially in the UK, USA looks to other religious orders or beliefs and yet translates Yasna 31.10 as “to and Iran, Zoroastrians are doing their ut- in addition to 2k)roastrianism. In the choose ” and has the other two instances most to revive this great religion, what community ’s concern — and sometimes as “putting faith in religion or any reli- reasons make the Parsis in India seek sol- obsession — to keep non-Parsis out of the gious deed ” in his dictionary — all de ­ ace in the various babas? Where have we religion (though there is hardly anybody rived from fra-var. But strangest of all, failed? who wants to come in to begin with — the late Dastur Framroze Bode and Ms Rawtar*' view* are welcoine on any aubjed of inlareat to the community and ahouM ba aani to the Editor, Readara ’ Forum, Paraiana, Q.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400 001. Leiter* are aubiect to edlt^ tor rea*on* of apace and clarlly. Unsigned letter* or thoae without a complete addreap wW not be pubNahed. to cover, screen, hide, prevent, hinder; (2) to choose, select, choose for one ’s self, prefer, (3) to turn, twist; and (4) to im- It may be pointed out that var, to choose, has been gives the verb a “forward, fore, forth ” meaning. The root fra-var means “to ogically it simply cannot mean “to de ­ clare, to proclaim, to affirm, to confess ” (see Altiranisches Worterbuch, C. The Practical Sanskrit-English Diction- it was the best visual we had. ary, V. S. Apte; Sanskrit-English Diction- Some, readers have asked why we did ary. Sir M. Monier-Williams). not comment adversely on the Baba cult mean are not harmful to others. If people find choose. ” Prof Stanley Insler renders one solace outside their religion, we should as “choose ” and the other two as an ad- not deny them that peace of mind. verb from a separate form to mean “con- The question we have to ask is where, tinuously. ” Prof Maneck Kanga is the 3 Parsiana February 1990 aaJungalwalla have also rendered two as enoughofAvesta,Sanskrit,Pahlavi,Per- “chose, ” and one as “have faith in ”: “Of r' ” ‘ *’ ' ’ " these two mentalities, the Evil One chose i to perform the worst deeds (30.5); “So meaning, and not interpretation of the Naval Tata ’s life bears ample testi- from these two she chose for herself... ” scriptures, especially with regards to key mony to this. (31.10); having faith in the adoration and ' . . _ 2 worship of Mazda ” [(53.2) Songs of vairya, varana, fravareta, fravarti and “Mushkll-C-Aasaan” Bode and Piloo Nanavutty, London 1952]. I wish Ms Jungalwalla had looked __ ____ into her own rendering before making a Manthran. sweeping statement. I have rendered all the forms of var, with or without prefixes, used in the Gathic dialect to mean “to “The Touch of Tata” choose religion for one ’s self, ” pointing The story of Naval Tata ’s adoption to one ’s “ultimate conviction. ” That is (“The Touch of Tata, ” Parsiana, Sep- privileged status in life always carried sian, linguistics, and Indo-Iranian studies with it high responsibility and concern for to be able to firmly present the correct fellow-men — noblesse oblige. meaning, and not interpretation of the Naval Tata ’s life bears ample testi- words, like var and its derivatives of DINSHAH MALEGAMVALA Naval had the rare privilege of being Fifth World CoUgrCSS brought up by this noble, aristocratic There was a great deal of discussion at „ -3 only to Naval, but also to the entire Parsi held in Bombay, January 3 to 7, 1990. community. The influence of her nobility Various speakers and delegates from all in his formative years left a mark on his parts of the world exchanged views entire life and guided him in many ways, though only a few ideas were original. He referred to her as "Maiji” (respected Will these views be implemented, or will .It was they all end like soda fizz, forceful but temporary? We need more action than words. It is up to the organizers, the trus- ^rathustra, J)astur^Framroze Ardeshir fravashi, on which the very foundation of I am a staunch believer in Bahram Yazad T,. ’ jiie Good Religion “of Good Choice ’’ “Mushkil-e-Aasaan ” but, in the story, was laid by Zarathushtra, the Divine Pirkhun, the kathiyara (woodcutter), was ---—1----- Dr AU A. JAFAREY assumcd to bc 3 Muslim. For that reason Buena Park, California I was often questioned how we Parsis could accept the ritual, and I was unable to give any explanation. . . -r __ Now, thanks to Ms Aban Minbati- to one s ultimate conviction. ” That is (“The Touch of Tata, ” Parsiana, Sep- vala ’s letter (“Mushkil-e-Aasaan, ” Par- what the word means. It is purposely tember 1989) is very moving but hardly siana. August 1989) my doubts have been avoided by some only because it speaks anything has been mentioned about Lady cleared. mssilloo parvez mahava of a “thoughtful choice of religion ” lead- Navajbai Tata who adopted him. . silloo parvez mahava ing to acceptance of the person by those Naval had the rare privilege of being Fifth World CoUgrCSS who have already made their choice. brought up by this noble, aristocratic There was a great deal of discussion at I agree that “it is sad that very few lady (n6e Sethna) who was a mother not the Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress Parsis study and know the ancient Ian- only to Naval, but also to the entire Parsi held in Bombav. Januarv 3 to 7. 1990. guages in which our prayers are writ ­ ten. ’’ Should most of them earnestly learn Avesta and understand their pra ­ yers, if fact the message in their prayers, ___ __ then no one — scholar, layman, Parsi, or mother) with great reverence, f non-Parsi — will ever be able to fool Maiji who groomed him for the high sta ­ them. But still we shall essentially need tion in life which was to be his and in- __________ _____________ scholars of high caliber who know grained in him from childhood that a tees of the Bombay Parei Punchayet MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER To do so we offer you: * Diploma Course in Business Management (Postal) (IMC) * Banking CAIIB Course (Postal) * Executive Secretarial Course * Private Secretarial Course * Personal Assistant’s Programme (working Stenographers) * Shorthand & Typewriting (English/Hindi/Marathi) * Telephone Operating & Receptionist Techniques * Electronic Telex Operating * Electronic Typewriting & Word Processing * English Conversation & Writing Skills Enquire at: Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Bombay 400001 Tel: 2871185 Q0 4 Pareiana February 1QQC(BPP), and each one of us to see that this in charitable blocks and bangs, should be cess but the session which stood out the great and expensive Congress does not asked to vacate and give way to those best was the Youth one and among them become just a wasteful expenditure with- Zoroastrians who are desperately in need Ms Bapsy Dastur, Ms Fahriz Cooper and out fruit of accommodation and hence unable to Ms Khursheed Khurody shone out to There is not a single number one marry. Unless proper action is taken, my make the older generation really happy. problem facing the community, but fear is that a grave situation may arise The views expressed by them were not many; and each one is interlinked with and we yill find ourselves washed into revolutionary except a certain statement the others. The main problem facing the the community is that our girls, being more ccanpletely. westemiz^ and educated than boys, do not find suitable life partners within the are now taking an active part in the wel- community and wish either to remain fare of our community and religion, and take her near any of the dokhmas to ascer- unmarried or many outside the commu- all encouragement must be given to them tain the incorrectness of the statement nity. Those who get married within the with special seats reserved for them on made by her at the Congress. (Ms community, marry late in life, and do not the advisory committee, and their views Khurody had mentioned that there was an wish to have more than one or two chil- i ’ ’ ’ "¦ ' ' ' " ..................... dren. This gradually leads to a steady ture custodians of our faith and of the kstream, and lose our identity made by Ms Khurody about our dokhmas which has no foundation in truth. Let some member of the dokhma subcom ­ mittee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet It is heartening to find that our youths taken and considered. They are the fu- unpleasant smell near the dokhmas.) Among the other speakers, Mr Byram decline in the population which can be welfare of our community. Avari of Pakistan made a great impres- checked considerably by proper religious In conclusion, I applaud the gigantic sion on the audience. It was a pity he guidance, knowledge of our ancient reli- work organized by the BPP under the was cut short. Dr (Ms) Rashna Writer of gion and culture imparted from child- auspices of the Federation of Parsi the UK was another outstanding speaker ~ ----- who knew what she was talking about as also Ms Ava Khullar and Prof Farrokh Mistree. Now a word about the distasteful inci- D. F. GANDHI dents. On the last day during the open Allahabad In conclusion, I applaud the gigantic hood and proper values inculcated, as Zoroastrian Anjumans of India in staging was being done by our forefathers in the the Fifth Congress and its chairman, Mr past J. N. Guzder, in handling this great ven- Those girls who marry outside the ture so deftly and smoothly and making community and maintain the Zoroastrian faith should not be allowed to drift away and should be permitted, if they so de ­ sire, to have the navjote ceremonies per ­ formed for their children. Those girls which ended on January 7, 1990 had its non-Parsi fathers, who have been converted into the reli- highlights and a couple of incidents who was presiding over the session, had gion of their husbands and are unable to which left a bad taste in the mouth. On have the navjotes performed, but reside the whole the Congress was a great suc ­ it a big success. discussions, BPP trustee Mr Eruch Desai was speaking on the question of accep- The Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress tance of children of Parsi mothers and Dr Farhang Mehr, announced that five minutes would be al- continued. on page 44 Conference, Wedding or Party — Leave it in West End’s experienced hands. Your Favourite 'The Gourmet' Restaurant offers Executive Buffet Lunch • 16 delicious courses • From 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Including Sundays. Restaurant open from 8 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. ® Conference Plan Inclusive of: Room Rent, Buffet Lunch, Morning and Evening Tea. Ask for special concession offer for larger conferences. A LA CARTE in the soothing comfort of 'The Gourmet ’ or TAKE AWAY to the comforts of your home, or office Continental, Moghlai, Tandoori, Vegetarian ——7 rt nrtvdui L. a LrtUAi'i, A ; I f OR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY J' bin'TuriAV nAmnz rvn a A NAVJOTE. A LAGAN. A SILVER ' A FIRST . BIRTHDAY PARTY — OR ANY SUCH < HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR LIFE Celebrate them at West End Hotel, in the beautiful setting of the ^Terrace Hall.Choose the day and leave all the other problem to us. West End Hotel •i-j Manne Lines. Bombay-400 020 lei 299121 Telex 011-2892 BEST IN Gram I BEST HOT EL 1Events and Personalities India’s new AG To make his office a guardian of public Jazz India, Delhi, interest and not to “act as a hatchet-man . of the government, ” is the commitment Mehta ChairS lata Company made by the newly appointed attorney The chairmanship of the Tata Industrial Queen Mary School, Wadia ’s alma mater, general of India, Soli Sorabjee, notes The Finance Corporation Limited (TIFCO), Daily of December 10, 1989. For a pe ­ riod of three years Sorabjee, an eminent company promoted by Tata Industries constitutional lawyer and former solici ­ tor general, will hold the esteemed law officer ’s post. The list of priorities of the 59-year-old attorney general will include tor of Tata Sons Limited, Tata Industries checking the delays occasioned by the Limited and various other companies, government in filing affidavits and ap- The other Zoroastrians on the nine-mem- peals, reads The Daily. He is determined ber board of directors are N. A. upon streamlining and speeding up the Soonawala, J. K. Setna and Y. H. Male ­ judicial process such that court time is optimally used. Sorabjee is keen that the right to in ­ formation be granted constitutional effective packages in the area of indus- status and that the Official Secrets Act trial and consumer finance, merchant and whose film Percy was among the 18 of a should not be misused to prevent expo ­ sure of the working of the Government. The Official Secrets Act must “be made retail sectors, adds the Jam^. precise and restricted to essential matters of defence and national security, ” the Akcinksha at film fete paper quotes Sorabjee. “I am also anxious to see that proper traditions and standards are maintained the Indian Panorama at the Twenty-first music enthusiast and is the president of sionary school. The girl remains a misfit in school until she puts on a mask that may perhaps stay with her for the rest of her life. The locale for the film is the A first-class student throughout her the comprehensive financial services academic life, Wadia graduated in arts from the St Xavier ’s College before she Limited, has been entrusted to Dr Fredie took up a three-year diploma course in A. Mehta, vice chairman of Tata Preci ­ sion Industries Private Limited and direc ­ film direction at the FTII. In fact this film was her final project that qualified her for a diploma. Recently married, Firoza (now Khan) plans to gain further experience in the field of film direction. Next on her cards is working with director-producer Ra- gam, notes the Jam-e-Jamshed of mesh Sippy on his ensuing feature films, December 24, 1989. The new company plans to offer cost Zameen and Akela. Another Zoroastrian to feature in the Film Festival was Pervez Merwanji investment banking, and hire purchase total of 93 feature films selected for and leasing services to the corporate and viewing. Percy is the story of a young man who fails to develop a balanced per ­ spective on life due to the constant fric­ tion between his parents. It is reportedly Akanksha, a film directed by Ms Firoza the first film to be made in Parsi-Gujarati Wadia, was one of the films selected for featuring an all-Parsi star cast. ¦ ¦ ; ¦___________ 1. 7....::.A and the legal profession is looked upon International Film Festival of India Bank advanCCS as a means of public service rather than which concluded in Calcutta in January. “The Bank continues to give priority to an instrument for accumulating wealth, ” Sorabjee was quoted in The Indian Post films screened from a total of 68 entries of December 10, 1989. Vice president of in the non feature film category, notes the Bar Association of India and an hon- The Times of India of November 2, 1989. orary professor of the Bangalore-based Produced by the Film and Television In ­ National Law School, Sorabjee is of the opinion that lawyers should act as (Hindi and English) film has a running guardians of public interest, uphold the time of 26.5 minutes and is made in 35 rule of law and promote human rights, mm black and white. Akanksha, meaning particularly for the weaker sections of ambition, is a story of a nine-year-old the society. The supreme court lawyer has ap ­ peared in several landmark constitutional best of education at a posh Christian mis- ? cases and has also authored two books titled The Law of Press Censorship in (From left) Sorabjee: guardian of public India and The Emergency, Censorship (Photo: Varghese Fernandez) and The Press in India 1975-77, notes Wadia: making memorable films the Sunday Mid-Day of December 10, Dadrawala: studying non-profit bodies 1989. Karanjia: into corporate planning Besides his interest in law, he is also a Irani: follow-up on fertility which concluded in Calcutta in January. Akanksha was one of the 11 short the safety of the depositors with a certain amount of conservative approach in giv ­ ing advances. But we must also keep in mind the role which our Bank must play to assist entrepreneurs as also individuals stitute of India (FTII), the bi-lingual in their daily needs, ” said Noshir S. girl from a lower middle-class family whose parents insist on giving her the 8 Parsiana February 1990 0^chairmanof Pochkhanawala, chairman of The and other associate companies like nation held by the Institute of Comply Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Limited, at the annual general meeting of the Farm, Greenfield Farms, etc. Bank on October 20,1989. Acting on these guidelines the Bank ’s advances increased from Rs 19,45,000 in _ _ .. - . 1988 to Rs 49,53,000 in ’89. The ac- of the limitations of the small and me- It was on an all-India basis that she counts also showed an increase in depos- dium units in setting up offices in the secured the highest percentage of marks its from Rs 4,58,00,000 to Rs USSR, the paper reads. The group ’s past in the aggregate at the examination in 5,63,00,000 indicating a growth rate of expereince of five years has given them June 1989 from amongst successful can- ¦ ¦ ....................... didates who had appeared and passed all the nine papers of the final examination under old and new syllabi, at the first at ­ tempt and in one sitting, without claim- The US-based Center for the Study of ing any exemption, it was further de- Sealol Hindustan Limited, Poona Stud Secretaries of India in June last. Thedis- ~ ~ ~ - He be- tinction brought in its wake several lievesthat the potential for exporting a awards including the President ’s Gold wide variety of engineering and con- Medal, according to an intimation sent by sumer goods are not being tapped because the deputy director of examinations. of the limitations of the small and me- L -------- — '----- 2--------- 23 percent. The Business Development the confidence to deal with foreign mar- Fund and the Building Fund approxi- kets. mately stand at Rs 1,75,000 and Rs ixjrn 20,00,000 respectively, both of which Dadrawala Selected lellow will be used for furthering the Bank ’s T,. _ _ ------ objectives. In the final analysis, the net Philanthropy selected Noshir Dadrawala tailed. profits of the Bank stood at Rs 9,22,885 as one of its three international fellows for Karanjia was also a rank holder at as compared to Rs 6,67,665 of the previ- 1990. the intermediare company secretaryship OUS year, notes a brochure featuring the During his four-month period of ap- exam and the intermediate and final ex ­ annual report and accounts. The total number of shareholders of wala, secretary of the Centre for Ad- the Bank increased from 4,193 as on vancement of Philanthropy and freelance June ’88 to 4,259 as on June ’89. A 12 correspondent, will be involved in study- percent dividend was declared by the di­ rectors. With the rapid progress in communi ­ cation technology, the Bank is preparing itself to meet the possible impact on in ­ dustry and trade as also the repercussions on 1_________ with the unification of Europe in 1992, further noted the chairman. as one of its three international fellows for 1990. During his four-month period of ap ­ pointment beginning February, Dadra- aminations in chartered accountancy. Twenty-five-year-old Karanjia is pre ­ sently working as a trainee officer in the resources and corporate planning depart ­ ing operations and management of a wide ment of the Industrial Credit and Invest ­ variety of non-profit organizations, and ment Corporation of India, notes her bio learning about the workings of key or- data. A distinction student throughout ganizations in the United States, reads a school and college, Karanjia completed letter of appointment from the Center. He her schooling from the J. B. Vachha will also be expected to complete a re- the financial world that are expected search project and participate in the ac- High School and her commerce gradu ­ ation from the R. A. Podar College of tivities of the Center at the Graduate Commerce and Economics. School of the City University of New ' ¦ ¦ — - -- , Planning to utilize her qualifications York. In addition to bearing his boarding “to venture further in the field of fi- costs the Center will pay him a stipend of nance, ” she is also keen to gain an indepth ~' — ¦. knowledge of computers, further reads Also on the international circuit will be her curriculum vitae. of Philanthropy in India ” which has been To Germany, tO Study selected for presentation by the Wash- Accepting an invitation from the medical ington-based Independent Sector Re- department of the Kiel University, Dr search Selection Committee, at the 1990 (Ms) Shirin A. Irani left for Germany to New base for exports The Poona walla group of companies set $ 1,000 per month, up Span Overseas Private Limited i .1------1------------------------------------ (SOP),an export trading house, in October Dadrawala ’s paper titled “The Role last, notes The Economic Times of Janu ­ ary 1,1990. The new company will con ­ centrate on exporting products manufac ­ tured by medium and small-scale units in the Pune-Bombay industrial belt. Initially Spring Research Forum scheduled for study operative laparoscopy for a year most of the goods will be exported to the March in Boston, Massachusetts, notes a beginning August/September 1989, notes Soviet Union and thereafter to other coun- letter from the Independent Sector. a press release. The finance for the en ­ tries as well. tire cost of boarding and lodging which The decision to start this company Top COUnt approximated 12,000 DM (approxi- was made by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Ms Zarin Rustam Karanjia topped the list mately Rs 1,01,160) was made possible ¦ “ ‘ " ¦ . . ~ donations from several community and cosmopolitan trusts, acknowledges her father Adi. Twenty-seven-year-old Irani working as senior resident medical officer at the Dr R. N. Cooper Municipal Hospi ­ tal before she left for Kiel, states her bio data. It was in January ’89 that she passed her MD examination in obstetrics and gynecology from the Bombay Uni ­ versity. The topic chosen by the young gynecologist for her dissertation was: “Selection of patients of infertility for in vitro fertilization. ” A first-class student throughout her chairman of the Serum Institute of India of successful students at the final exami- 9 Parsiana February 1990 wasacademic career, Irani passed her Di­ ploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology ex ­ amination in Apail 1988. The MBBS ex ­ aminations she cleared with a first class, getting a distinction in the subject of ob ­ stetrics and gynecology at the third MBBS examination. Her medical train- __ ___________________ ing was at the Seth G. S. Medical College. High School, has been known for giving Prior to that she had studied at St Xavier ’s financial and educational College and Queen Mary ’s School. Many clinical papers have been au ­ thored by her and to many journals has with whom she she contributed on the subject of gyneco- __ ______ _________ lo^ and obstetrics. The Dr L. M. Shah Hormusjee has used the proceeds from Prize for the best scientific paper at the her literary skills to benefit the poor and Seventeenth Annual Bombay Conference the needy. Ms Sheroo Bilimoria is asso- of Obstetrics and Gynaecology was pre- ciated with several local Dadar-based sented to Irani in 1988. auvim Equally good in sports, the obstetrician work, raising funds for different chari- has participated in chess, basketball, throwball and athletic tournaments at the ____ ____________ ____ _ ______ _ mterscholastic and intercollegiate levels. Tata has been active in educational and social institutions and the helping of poor students. Ratan Kakalia has been in ­ volved with Parviz Hall, the industrial section of the Dadar Parsi Youths Assem- _________ ____________ _ chiefly in providing June and July ""89 w^ honore^Tat the the ^underprivileged. ^Dr AtW Batliwala Among the participants who deserved 7" 7 ' - - - special mention were six-year-old Ms family pining work Jerjadaity Homavazir of the J. B. Vachha Intern^o^ly ac- speech and Khushad Bamji, barely three- T_. and-a-half-years-old, further adds the re ­ lease. educational activities, medical assistance " "J__‘_ ;___ _ _ and communal harmony are the chief ob- musical performance by Farokh Bar- jectives of this organization. It is in these doliwala and his troupe who regaled the very fields that the services of the eight audience with popular musical hits, the award winners were recognized. release further adds. Of the three ladies, Ms Ratan Bana, former vice principal of the J. B. Vachha Keeping Up the gOOd WOrk J To this day Zoroastrians in Iran are re- assistance jo spected. But the cost of living in Iran is voy high, informed Cowasjee Dinshaw The felicitaticKi function included a children from poor homes besides mold- vCTy high, informed Cowasjee Dinsha w ing the careers of innumerable youths (Adenwalla) at the annual day function of "he — comes into contact. ‘ " Freelance writer and author Ms Perin the Iran League at Albless Baug on Octo- bo" 28,1989, reads a press release issued by the League. Referring to the Shah Namah recital, elocution, essay writing and music com­ petitions regularly organized by the Iran bodies involved in community and swid League, Jamshed Guzder, trustee of the ------------- • Bombay Parsi Punchayet, appreciated table causes. --------------------------------------- the enthusiasm the League managed to . _ _ .He also commend^ the League ’s honorary secretary Ervad Pali Master for his com­ mitment. The winners and participants of dif ­ ferent competitions held in the months of self-employment to women and* assisting function" smd invited "to 7 dinner" JV-----J-----. . ... _ .. . renders medical and financial aid, devot- Among the male recipients, Kershasp evoke in the younger gp-npa-ation, raised the standard of sports in the com­ munity. Ervad Rustom Panthaki, princi ­ pal of the Dadar Athoman Madressa has AMA Completes 25 Foundation has devoted itself to and financial status of the Madressa and in imparting religious knowledge to vari ­ ous students. 10 Parsiana February 1990 She has also been involved in dramatics, participating in shows for the past 11 years, the bio data further informs. Dadar workers honored Eight distinguished residents of the Man- cherji Joshi Colony, Dadar, were felici ­ tated by the FKS Foundation on Novem ­ ber 29, 1989 at a public function held at Bombay- amongst mill workers. He is also a keen High School who delivered a spirited Justice Dinshaw Mehta who was the environmentalist. ;;; ¦ chief guest at the function, commended claimed athletic coach Jal Pardivala has the eight selfless workers who were ren ­ dering yeoman service, noted a press re ­ lease issued by the Foundation. _______________________ ____________ ______ In its seven years of existence, the succeeded in improving the education^ In the course of its 25 years, the Acad- FKS Foundation has devoted itself to and fmaticial status of the Madressa and emy of Martial Arts (AMA) founded by public welfare and social activities in the in imparting religious knowledge to vari- Sensei Pervez B. Mistry has grown from community. Promotion of sports, musk, ous students. “a mere base for teaching judo and ka ­ rate ” at a small place in Colaba into an institution with “an infrastructure pro­ viding training in judo and karate in the country, ” notes a write-up in The After ­ noon Despatch and Courier of December 6, 1989. Presently the Academy is housed at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Instituticxi at Chami Road. At the silver jubilee function held on the lawns of the United Services Club at Colaba, different speakers and col ­ leagues of Mistry highlighted the Sensei ’s involvement with judo and ka ­ rate. Besides being the moving face of the AMA, Mistry is also one of the founder members of the All India Karate Federation (AIKF), the nation ’s only government recognized body for the coi- Organizers, prize winners and invitees at the Iran League functionb trol of karate, notes the write-up. athlete who had in the past set records in down. It is not just words and sentences He also holds the distinction of being the hurdles events. that he is apt at. Short letters too, that the only Indian to have completed the In the girls ’ intermediate group. Peri- are dictated to him, he will memorize instructor s course conducted by the Ja- naz Printer of St Agnes School and before starting at the bottom with the pan Karate Federation which has made Firoozi Dastur of the J. B. Vachha last word and ending with the salutations, him eligible to teach in that country. School bagged the first and third prize Half an hour of such intense concentra- Besides, he is one of only two Indians to respectively in the 1(X) m hurdles event, hold a certificate to judge international reports The Daily. tournaments, further adds The Afternoon. Reportedly the only instructor in the Dental Student excels country to have a senior dan in judo (fourth) as well as in karate (sixth). Mis ­ athlete who had in the past set records in the hurdles events. In the girls ’ intermediate group. Peri- _______ naz Printer of St Agnes School and before starting at the bottom with the Khory has given many perform ­ ances on stage and television in India and abroad in countries like England, It- tion is sufficient to tax Khory. There are certain words like ‘Czechoslavakia ’ and alliterations that he finds particularly perplexing. But with experience and The first prize for the best scientific paper skill he has learnt to cross these hurdles, at the All India Dental Students Con ven- try informs that he started learning judo tion held in Bombay, November 3-5, at the age of 13 because he was not very good at studies. Today, the karate expert is so much in demand that in addition to teaching karate himself, he has delegated responsibilities to his deputies who assist him in conducting different classes. Stu ­ dents include personnel from the Border Security Force, the naval command and the army, whenever they are down in Bombay, it is further reported. Wrestling to fame The Valsad District Wrestling Associa ­ tion adjudged Dali Firoz Baria as the “Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Year, ” notes the Jam-e-Jamshed of Oc- Mistry, notes a write-up. Titled “Com- aly, USA and Canada, notes his bio data, tober 8, 1989. This is the fourth con- puters in Dentistry, ” the paper high- Many government officials and top com- secutive year when Baria has been desig- lighted the cost effectiveness and the pany executives have lauded his unique nated the Gujarat State Wrestling Cham- utility of computers to a general dental skill. While on a holiday in Canada in pion. At the national level he has won sil- surgeon. A third year student at the 1978, Khory was asked to perform for ver medals. Government Dental College and Hospi- the city TV. His feat was featured in a It was at the Kanga Gymnasium that tai, Saiesha was selected as the first run- popular Sunday morning serial Sounds of Baria received his training at the hands i - - _ _ . of Firoz Jokhi. A student of the Tata organized by her College. Boys High School in Navsari, Baria was also selected to attend the training camp 1989, was awarded to Ms Saiesha K. (From left) Mistry: denial bridges yvith computers Khory: write to the left Photo: Varghese Fernandez Mistry, notes a write-up. Titled “Com­ puters in Dentistry, ” the paper high ­ lighted the cost effectiveness and the pany executives have lauded his unique surgeon. Government Dental College and Hospi- the city TV. His feat was featured in a ner-up at the Smile Beautiful Contest the East. In Srinagar too he was invited to perform for the TV. His first break on Daughter of eminent orthodontist the TV was made possible by the late _ Keki Mistry, Saiesha ’s brother Rushitum Adi Marzban who featured him in Avo for the All India Handball Tournament is studying for his masters in surgery in Mari Sat he, says Khory. Prior to that he slated to be held in Andhra Pradesh in USA, specializing in orthodontics. At featured in Marzban ’s variety entertain- October ’89. the close of his first semester he had won ment programs on the Bombay stage. Khory, whose roots are in Kanpur, came to Bombay 35 years ago when he joined the Indian Navy. Previously he served the Army Ordnance Corps as as­ sistant commandant and was stationed at slated to be held in Andhra Pradesh in USA, specializing in orthodontics, the close of his first semester he had won distinction in advanced anatomy and oste ­ ology, it was further reported. (ISC), BycuUa who set meet records in The reverse writer the 400 m hurdles and the javelin throw There is pin-drop silence as Jail Rustomji ___________________ _____________ events, emerg^ the joint champion in Khory concentrates on the sentence he is Agra, the bio data notes. the boys seniors group at the Inter- about to write. But why does the mas- His foray into backward writing was School Athletic Meet at the University * .... - ......... - - Stadium, Boihbay, in mid-January. Doomasia sets records Cyrus Doomasia of St Mary ’s School about to write. But why does the mas- I” ~ __ ter ’s degree holder in English literature accidental. One day when thinking "of his require such concentration? Simply be- ‘ - - - - In the 400 m hurdles, Doomasia cause he will write the sentence back- “combined power and grace to glide to a ward from the last letter of the last word. late father, he had a pen in hand. And be ­ fore he knew it he had started writing ------ backwards. Today with old age and fail- new mark of 63 seconds, ” informs The And it is cursive writing that we see; not ing eyesight he finds it difficult to con- Dailyoi January 19. He further set a rec- disjointed letters. --------------------------------- centrate. Yet he is keen to display his ord in the javelin throw event (39.24 m). This way he has to memorize thei ability around the world if sponsorship is Besides, the athlete came second in the spelling of each word in a reverse order, available. 4(X) m sprint, the discus throw and the 'While writing backwards he says that he 110 m hurdles, and third in the shot put, i The Daily highlights. Cyrus ’ elder his mind and holds the image for 10 to 15 brother Viraf too was reportedly an ace tries to picture the word or sentence in Khodaiji Champion seconds before proceeding to write it The senior girls ’ title at the Inter-School continued on page 33 12 Parsiana February 1990ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD It is one of ZAC’s aims to acquaint the to the Zoroastrian Scholarly Society of general host population with the North America, established under the aus- A project to render the Gathas into easily theme and spirit of 2Soroastrianism in or- pices of the Federation of Zoroastrian understandable Persian is being spear- der to establish the community ’s identity Associations of North America headed by Dr Keikhosrow Harvesf of in North America. (FEZANA). Expected to represent Florida, Dr Rostam Sarfeh of California ~ - - - and Dr Mehraban Shahrvini of Vancou ­ ver, British Columbia. The Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago and history to a group of students of ter of January 1990 names Adi Davar, (ZAC) — whose membership has reached comparative religion from the College of Dinshaw Joshi, Nariman Hasheimian, an all-time high of 142 family units, as St Francis of Joliet. In the audience was Prof Kaikhosrov Irani, Ervad (Dr) Jehan jubilates its February 1990 newsletter — reporter Mike Nichols of the Chicago Bagli, Dr Ali Jafarey, Dr Mehraban has been requested to function as custo- Tribune whose report appeared on De- Khodavandi, Kayomarsh Mehta and Er- dian of funds, as per a report in its Janu ­ ary issue. Harvesf contacted ZAC president visitors soon realize, that in the process Kayomarsh Mehta for assistance and in ­ volvement, and according to the details worked out for the establishment and ac ­ counting of the Gatha Translation Fund, Mehta and Ervad Pesi Vazifdar will be the ZAC committee members in charge old center, the only one in the Midwest, of the project. Harvesf and Sarfeh have already donated $ 1,000 each to the Fund. Further donations will be ac ­ knowledged in the ZAC newsletter, fol ­ lowed by quarterly reports on receipts and disbursements. Thanking Mehta and the ZAC board for their support, Harvesf writes, “(The the purpose is only to increase awareness Gathas are) a divine message or gift and encourage acceptance, to show from Ahura Mazda brought to us by Americans of all religions that Zoroastri- 2Larathushtra, our great Aryan prophet, anism is not a cult or even a religion very belonging not only to us but to all man- far removed from Western religious tra- kind. Therefore, it is everyone ’s duty ditions. ” and responsibility to do all they can, fi ­ nancially and spiritually, to help spread While the Seventh North American Khushrow Machhi, youth coordinator Ms this divine message to the whole world, “ so we can benefit from it and make this world a better place to live in and in the Regency Hotel, Houston, Texas will look process prove that we all are the Saoshyants of our times. ” Gathas into Persian der to establish the community ’s identity Associations in North America. In pursuit of the same goal ZAC presi- Zoroastrian interests in religious aca- dent I^yomarsh Mehta presented the ba- demic institutions like the American sics of Zoroastrian philosophy, religion Academy of Religion, the ZAC newslet- Tribune whose report appeared on De ­ cember 1, 1989. Notes Nichols, “It is vad (Dr) Kersey Antia as having been the irony of Mehta ’s predicament, the nominated by the member associations of FEZANA on the basis of their demon ­ strated and acclaimed scholarship in the of telling a little bit about the develop ­ ment of his religion he cannot help but Zoroastrian religion, tell them almost as much about the devel ­ opment of theirs... “The short life of the small six-year- Patel takes ZAC’s helm The promotion of greater unity and har­ mony among the members of the Zoroas ­ trian Association of California (ZAC) and focus on youth activities are the pri- is almost invisible on a historical calen ­ dar of Zoroastrianism that dates back 3,000 to 4,000 years to the preachings of mary aims of Cowas Patel who leads the the prophet Zarathushtra. ” TTie full page article concludes with the words, “Though talks to students such as the ones from Joliet are common. new executive committee into the first two years of the nineties as per the Asso ­ ciation ’s newsletter of January 1990. The elections were held at the California Zoroastrian Center, Westminister, on December 17, 1989 with the professional help of election officer Nawzer Tavaria, informs the newsletter. The incumbents include vice president Nadir Camay, treasurer Viraf Bodhanwalla, joint secre ­ taries Ms Aban Commissariat and Zoroastrian Congress, slated from Au- Shehnaz Patel and program chairperson gust 31 to September 3, 1990 at Hyatt Khushroo Lakdawala. Outgoing president Ms Roshan Moti ­ vala placed ZAC’s current strength at at the future, as notes the ZAC’s Febru ­ ary newsletter quoting Congress chair- 200 members, in the course of her vale ­ man Dr Meherwan Boyce, the Chicago dictory address reproduced in the news- Youth News is seeking history oriented letter. Motivala reviewed past successes researchers who would ferret out inter- Ervad Kersey Antia, carrying a divo and chanting Gathic verses, 1^ 38 Zoroastri ­ ans at the opening celebrations of the esting information regarding the commu- Parliament of the World ’s Religions, in ­ forms the ZAC newsletter of December or from other local sources. The excite- 1989. The venue was the Rockefeller ment focuses on a report that “two Parsis hope that the youth will “preserve the Memorial Chapel at the University of had approached President Abraham Lin- Chicago where 20 different religious coin and offered to fight in the Civil groups participated in the procession and War. They even asked Lincoln to bring we encourage them by providing activi- the gathering. The Zoroastrians, chant- more Parsis from Bombay in order to win ing As hem Vohu and Yatha Ahu Vairyo, the battle, provided that they were al- comprised one of the largest delegations. The procession was followed by a pro ­ gram of hymns and lectures and was well received, informs the newsletter. as well as the backlash of religious strife that finally led to the establishment of a nity at the Lincoln Library at Springfield separate body by the orthodox group. She then referred to the normal parental traditions and uphold Zoroastrian be ­ liefs, ” adding, “So it is imperative that ties which bring them harmoniously to ­ gether in diverse events, and most of all, by setting an example ourselves in our behavior towards each other. ” In a brief encounter with Parsiana in lowed to settle permanently in the US!” FEZANA scholars Nine nominations have been made so far Bombay, Motivala had estimated the 15 Parsiana Febraury 1990strength of the largely Iranian California to provide additional accommodation for Zoroastrian Center at about 3,000 mem- i ‘ tos and of the TradiUonal Mazdayasme equipped kitchen wUl soon be installed, the Association sought permission to re- Zarathosti Anjuman at about 80----- * ---------”' ’ - — • ............... ® bers. f Zoroastrians, irrespective of their coun ­ try of origin, to pull together so as not to alienate the youth: “We cannot be abu ­ sive in our outlook. Then we lose (them). ” One indicator she offered of the increasing interest that youths were tak ­ ing in community affairs was the pres ­ ence of three on the new executive com ­ mittee. Dar-e-meher’s face-lift __ , ' yz ---------1—Mwawavza f VKJ -r\^ ? IM Oppvai IM committee of the newsletter, Balsara has been playing since land and environmental miirt against the Zarthoshti Anjuman of Northern Califor- the age of six, helping win trophies for present restraint The verdict of the ex- nia (ZANC) for 1990-91 as listed by its her home team, including the Wedge- January newsletter is led by Erach Tar- wood-Keele Classic Tournament in Eng- apore. He will be aided by vice president land. In the recent event Balsara is said Shazad Contractor, secretary Perviz Mai- I ’ ~ _ bari, treasurer 21areer Bhathena and dard despite a sore ankle, members at large Ms Katy Doctor, Ms Perin Marawala and Ms Parvin Wadia. Tarapore ’s update on the dar-e-meher The Australian Zoroastrian Association informs that it has been spruced up with (AZA) of New South Wales has voted to a new roof and fresh paint. The non- retain AZA House on Annangrove, in ­ load-bearing walls have been demolished forms its newsletter Manashni, Novem ­ ber-December 1989. The property has more than 100 people and a well been hamstrung by litigation ever since mem- A new well has been drilled on the prop- She spoke of the need for all erty and three tanks installed to store with its requirements. the driveway has been rebuilt and the bam demolished, “much work remains to be done, ” adds the report. build and renovate the property in tune , ---------- The Baulkham nearly 30,000 gallons of water. Though Hills Shire Council has upheld the objec- tko ri.-., 1 -_j *1-- tion of neighbors on grounds of noise and sanitation and excess traffic in a residen ­ tial locality and refused to pass the AZA’s plans for restructuring. Though the majority recommendation “A well-bred young lady, a leader, an in- _____________ spirational and versatile player and an of the management committee as well as encouragement to her teammates, ” is the House subcommittee was to sell out how The San Ramon Valley Times of and relocate, the general body voted 126 January 24, 1990 describes Roxanne to 99 in favor of retaining the property. A (Rocky) Balsara. As quoted by ZANC further 175 to 40 voted to appeal to the die age of six, helping win trophies for present restraint The verdict of the traordinary general meeting held on No­ vember 12, 1989 “proved one point. We care, ” notes Manashni editor Kersi to have performed to her usual high stan- Meher-Homji. In the meanwhile, the address for all correspondence of the AZA is in care of its honorary secretary Ms Villie Meher- Homji, 3 Dallas Place, St Ives, NSW 2075, Australia. wood-Keele Classic Tournament in Eng- Stay and fight Compiled by Amavaz S. Mama For Pure Diamonds \ JEWELLERS 324. GRANT ROAD, BOMBAY 400007. TELEPHONE: 371483 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 16 Parsiana February 1990 bPOLITICS AND POLICY THE PLIGHT OF THE Cl ncDi \/ Lb L/ LZ ll La I Parinaz Gandhi The Federation explored ways of providing quality care to the aging community and inducing the youth to work harmoniously within their anjuman set-up T he awards for excellence for the warm welcome saying, “We have to be reviewed. There is no need to set years 1988 and 1989, instituted by looked forward to this meeting after so up more homes for the aged until opti ­ the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India, may be presented on the occasion of the F^eration meeting sence of Federation president and Bom- scheduled for September 1990 in Delhi, bay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) chairman Dr sensual decision. Surat has sufficient The Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) will Aspi Golwalla, Bazun Dittia, vice presi- also be organizing a function, to recog ­ nize the gallantry of Zoroastrian ex-serv ­ icemen, as also those currently in the armed forces, in September to coincide ranged from the welfare of the elderly in Surat authorities wish to correct the atti- with the twenty-fifth death anniversary the community, the need for youth and tude of the relatives of many an old per- of Lt Col Adi Tarapore who was posthu- senior members of an anjuman to work son who just dump the family member in • mously awarded the Param Veer Chakra, with mutual respect, the motivation for the Home and do not even acknowledge India ’s highest wartime gallantry award, the Bombay youth to move to other re- This announcement was made by Lt Gen gions where better openings are avail- Adi Sethna, president of the DPA and able, to the support to be offered to vice president of the Federation at the Zoroastrians living in the rural areas so executive council meeting of the Federa ­ tion at the Conrtemara Hotel in Madras on September 16 and 17,1989. To the delegates who had assembled concern to a dwindling community, from different comers of India, Minoo when the life span increases, resulting in the aged, even pay a monthly contribu- Belgamvala, president of the Madras a higher proportion of elderly dependents tion, but are not willing to house the old Parsi 2^arthosti Anjuman, accorded a who need to be supported, priorities need family member under their own roof. many years (the last time the Federation mum use is made of institutions like the met at Madras was in 1985).” Intheab- Nariman Home in Surat and the Parukh Dharamshalla in Bombay, was the con- bed space to accommodate 30 or 40 more inmates, said Dr Sam Bhacca, president of the Surat Parsi Punchayet (SPP) and dent of the south zone, chaired the delib ­ erations. During the two days the discussions vice president of the Federation. But the correspondence from the SPP until noti ­ fied of the death in which case they make a request for a death certificate. BPP’s chief executive Rustom Ankle- saria brought to light some instances in Bombay where family members are will- that they are not tempted to relocate in congested areas like Bombay. Just as premature death is a matter of ing to make an initial donation of a lakh of rupees for admission into a home for 19 Parsiana February 1990When the elders are left in a home, they miss not the material needs, but the love and companionship and hence was pointed out the need to establish volun ­ tary service where the youth could step in and show their care and concern. At the initiative taken at the BPP’s Holiday Youth Programme, three youngsters have adopted grandparents, informed Ankle ­ saria. Such a step substitutes for the love they miss out from their natural family. But what should an individual do when confronted with moral and ethical issues on one side and practical demands on the other? BPP trustee Jamsheed Kanga gave instances when he felt it would be appropriate to use an institu ­ tion: if, with the arrival of grandchildren, there is genuinely no space in the house, or when there is no one to look after the elderly in a mofussil area, or when the children have settled abroad and there is no one to look after the parents, or when there is no compatibility between family members. “If my son were to tell me that he wanted to get married and have chil ­ dren and therefore I should leave our home for him and stay in an old people ’s home, I would rather commit suicide, ” was the emotional reply of Keki Gandhi, joint honorary secretary of the Federa ­ tion. “I want to enjoy my grandchil ­ dren... (Forget) demographic issues... If you can ’t support your father and mother, don ’t have children. ” Ms Mani Clubwala of Madras offered another al ­ ternative to Gandhi, “Don ’t commit sui ­ cide! Tell your son, ‘It is my house. You get out if you want more comforts for your wife and children. ’” BPP trustee Minoo Shroff suggested that counselling should be initiated to create a harmoni ­ ous atmosphere and better adaptability among members of the family. With modernization and loss of Parsipanu, we have started imitating the life-style of the West, adopting the nuclear family norm, pointed out Sethna. With the result, obli ­ gations and duties are being forgotten, he continued before citing the phenomenon in the West ‘where conscience money ’ is collected and distributed to the elderly. This problem of neglecting the aged is witness^ largely in Bombay and Poona. The other anjumans have a practice of members visiting the old periodically in their own houses or admitting them into institutions only if the old so desire. While both Bombay and Poona provide doles and medical assistance to the de ­ serving, in Bombay they are considering the introduction of a system whereby young itx)fless couples could be accom ­ modated with the old staying alone in spacious homes and thereby serving a mutually beneficial purpose, reported BPP trustee Jamshed Guzder. When old people take to beggary it is not necessarily out of desperation, in ­ formed Anklesaria. As shown by experi ­ ence, while some may be deserving, many take to beggary b^ause it is more lucrative or because they do not want to be confined by the discipline of institu ­ tional homes. Such cases were reported in Bombay as also in Poona. The presence of elders in the house may be perceived as increasing the finan ­ cial and work load but if there are chil ­ dren to look after and no creches in the vicinity, that is when the value of elders is most realized. And instead of going by the usual premise that the population of Top (from left): Kanga, Guzder, Dittia, Gandhi and Bhacca Middle row (from left): Ervad Hoshang Bhandara, Sethna, Shroff and Kanga Middle row (right): Invitees at the Federation meeting Bottom (from left): Mistry, Clubwala, Belgamvala and K. Ravindran the community is not increasing because of shortage of housing. Shroff suggested that a survey of the community be con ­ ducted to ascertain whether the size of the family is rising, and if not, why not. Seeing the trend of declining numbers even in anjumans that have no housing problem. Shroff felt that the small size of the family indicates a sociological and motivational problem. Housing would only serve as an upgrading and motivat ­ ing factor. Anklesaria proposed that a survey be delegated to Ms Roda Par- diwalla, the family counsellor appointed by the BPP, who could determine whether there has been an increase in the family size in the 200 flats recently allot ­ ted by the Punchayet. Estimating an ex ­ penditure of Rs 20,0(X), he requested the Federation and the BPP to contribute in equal amounts towards its cost. Sociolo- 20 Parsiana February 1990tive who would convey the viewpoints of The WZC organizers merely suggested the names of those who » gist Ms Ava Khullar of Delhi is report ­ edly conducting a quick survey to gauge the anjuman. the trend of the community ’s numbers. Joint treasurer of the Federation, Pe- they felt would make useful contribu- shotan Nargolwala was in favor of hold ­ ing an all-India demographic conference to discuss the issue threadbare. Only one country. East Germany, has succeeded in reversing the declining trend so far, he cited. Nargolwala was also keen that the supported by Clubwalla who said, “This Federation excellence awards introduce is only a courtesy we are asking for. ” one new category for a “large happy Said Mistry, “When the theme of the family. ” He undertook to provide the Congress is Zoroastrian unity worldwide, guidelines on how ‘happiness ’ is to be determined and to get the necessary fi ­ nances, Rs 10,000, for the award. Fed ­ eration vice president Homi Bodhanwalla was to finalize the adjudi ­ catory guidelines for the different How can we then invite them? ” asked categories of awards by end November Guzder. He was however willing to send tions, DPA representative Dadi Mistry per ­ sistently requested that just as the other organizations were approached, the WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) be ex ­ tended an invitation too. His plea was f I president why not extend it to the WZO?” Ac­ cording to Guzder, chairman of the Con ­ gress, only the apex bodies in each coun ­ try were sent letters. “From the platform we say we don ’t recognize them (WZO). i ¦¦ u ] Age differences are bound to be there but it is not becoming to sort out differences on the floor of the Federation n l!t- .1 21 Parsiana February 1990 and Gandhi was to announce them in letters in his personal capacity inviting advance so that “no heartburning would office bearers of the WZO like Shahpur be caused later. ” It was suggested that Captain to the Congress. “We have to February 28, 1990 be the cut-off date af ­ ter which no entries be qualified for the Bodhanwalla. 1988-89 awards. I Kanga, chairman of the subjects com- I mittee of the Fifth World Zoroastrian youngsters unity. ” I Congress (WZC) scheduled from January take a dispassionate view, ” asserted ~ " " . “What is wrong? We have to invite them. We want to enrich Zoroastrian unity. We are teaching I Congress (WZC) scheduled from January Youth organizations per se are busy ' 3-7,1990 in Bombay, briefed the Council working on sports events, religious on an innovation in the Congress program. ’ ’’ ‘ ’ For the first time there were to be two workshops progressing concurrently - assisting their respective anjumans in the one to deal with the elderly and the poor, tasks undertaken by them. While in Se- and the second with the youth. In addi ­ tion, one half day of the plenary sessions was scheduled for issues concerning ? the youth. Rather than have individuals I voice their personal views as in the ear- 5 lier Congresses, this time anjumans-asso- I ciations were asked to send a representa- I classes, cooking competitions, social welfare activities, cultural programs and cunderabad they perceive the youth in ­ volvement as “breathing life into Parsi institutions, ” most of Jamshedpur Parsi Anjuman ’s activities were conducted by the youth last year, as reported Eruch Surti. In Lucknow they blend “experi ­ ence and youth ” to maximum ad van-training to youngsters in the West was noted. But it was pointed out that most different regions of India were to sum ­ marize their views at the Congress. India having a large Zoroastrian population, of the associations abroad run their own "_ __________ J “divergent views religious classes imparting religious and among the youth too. ” Mistry however historical knowledge, and sending them literature could either lead to duplication or be construed as “forcing your views on our youth. ” Ultimately it was de ­ cided to sound out the overseas youths coming for the Congress before sending them any material. Once again an appeal was made to the youth to join the armed services. The decision-makers of the community con ­ stantly beseech the youngsters to pursue careers in the services through which they can help the community. But “what are we going to do to make the With modernization and loss of Parsipanu, obligations and duties are being forgotten tage, mentioned Jal Khodaiji, just as in Delhi “the youth work side by side with the trustees, ’ ’ as noted Farokh Rustomji. The situation is not as cordial in Kanga expected Poona as evinced through sporadic out ­ bursts - charges and counter-charges - between the senior trustees and the youth representative at the Federation meeting. Eruch Irani complained that the youth were not conveyed the messages for ­ warded by the Federation and questioned as to who should have the right to depute a youth representative to the Federation meetings. Gandhi clarified that the Fed ­ eration ’s recommendation that a youth representative be included on the Federa ­ tion delegation was “not binding on any anjuman... This is a Federation of - anjumans and punchayets and not youth felt that, “It is possible that the youth of jobs more lucrative? In case of acciden- - - - ¦ • • -< -L- -ij tai deaths, what provisions can we offer to widows and families? Are we as a community going to offer any additional anjuman... bodies and you can expect the Federation today may be more united than the eld- * ers. ” While discussions were proceeding on how best to arrive at a representative incentives or will the recommendations remain only on paper? ” Gandhi ad ­ dressed his questions to the members of to support its members. This is not a fo ­ rum for local differences. ” “Age differ ­ ences are bound to be there but it is not becoming to sort out differences on the view of the youth that could summarize floor of the Federation, ” Kanga advised, the points raised at the Youth Festival, It was the Zoroastrian Youth Associa- Meher Anklesaria, president of the the Federation. • - - ’ ’ The lack of enthusiasm shown by the youth today as compared to the involve ­ ment of Zoroastrians of yesteryears indi ­ cates a difference in attitudes towards the services, pointed out Sethna. He men ­ tioned how our enthusiastic coreligion ­ ists had even formed a Parsi Auxiliary Battalion in 1805 to defend Bombay against a possible invasion by Napoleon and highlighted the achievement of Sec- floor of the Federation, ” Kanga advised. tion of Poona which was to host the third Poona Parsi Panchayat, querried: I d all-India Youth Festival in November ’89 and provide a forum for the youth to de- World^Zoroastrian Congress. “Making Panchayat is not aware of any festival. ” Zoroastrian religion more meaningful to Answered Gandhi, The Federation is the youth of today, and involvement and only acting as a conduit and communica- ¦ tion link between the host youth anjuman and youth groups in other locations. ” TTie suggestion that religious litera- „ _ ture printed in India be distributed ond Lieutenant Cyrus Pithawalla who the nation ’s prestigious gallantry award like to know whether the youth festival is __ ___________________ _ ___ under the auspices of the Federation or liberate on topics slated for the Fifth the youth body in Poona... The Poona Answered Gandhi, “The Federation is Zoroastrian religion more meaningful to Ml participation of youth in community ac ­ tivities ” was the topic of the plenary ses ­ sion devoted to youth at the WZC. In ­ stead of one youth submitting a compre- — r ------ - . , hensive paper, three youths representing abroad or our speakers be sent to impart had been conferred the Ashok Chakra, the nation ’s prestigious gallantry award (From left) Rustom Ankles aria, Kat pit ia, Nargolwala, Dinshaw Anklesaria, jigfoism displayed during peace time. Me her Anklesaria and Surti The announcement that two enterpris- HH ing Parsis from Madras and one from H Dehra Dun had joined the armed services was well received but it was regretted that many still stayed away because of ^B parental and peer pressures. The-empha- ^B sis should be changed from offering them ^B a choice, to pushing the youngsters to ¦ join the services, recommended Kanga. H He further report^ that when it comes to seeking information on entrance qualifi- Sj cations to the banking sector, knowledge liil is easily available but that is not the case with information on the armed services. H At the last Holiday Youth Programme organized by the BPP, six youths have ^B shown an interest in joining the services, ^B informed Anklesaria. In addition to no- m table ex-servicemen talking to the youth, ¦B let the wives and mothers convey their impressions also, suggested Ms Homai UH Mehta representing 2^i Bordi. The fear n settlers. She further added, people may cally distressed and Rs 40,000 on medi- talk of charity but “whenevCT there is a cal aid. With the assistance of Tata religious cause.. .25 paisa boi ma nathi Housing Development Co Ltd, the Poona mukta (will not offo a paltry sum in the Anjuman is progressing on its housing tray by the fireside along with the sandal- project on the dokhma lands available wood offering). ” The Allahabad with the community. In Seychelles, as wood offering). ” The Allahabad with the community. In Seychelles, as Anjuman was awaiting the arrival of a reported by Guzder, the government has paramobed who would attend to the Dar- requisitioned a portion of the cemetery e-Meher and the religious needs of the land belonging to the Parsis and the BPP’s help has been sought Surat too is faced with depleting num- Ef r I local populace. In addition to the para- I mobed deputed to Allahabad, the para- f mobed subcommittee with the assistance bers. As against 103 deaths, there are I of Ervad Behram Vimadalal has also believed to be only 22 births in a year. I succeeded in training one more para- The community ’s main resources, ac- 1 mobed whose services would be made cording to Bhacca, are utilized in daily I available to an anjuman in need. feeding 400 inmates of the institutions I The Secunderabad and the Ahme- run by the Surat Punchayet — the orphan- I dabad anjumans are presently involved ages, the hospital, the maternity home I with their housing projects where they and the Nariman home for the aged. The I are striving to provide accommodation to From left: Bisney. ErucK Irani and hw ”' with “Hom? Taleyaikluii ’s assis- tance: the Gujarat Express train will now that a valuable Zoroastrian life (in light be making a halt at Udwada on week- I ? :.::SSt!Sa£;x:,.: ^sis-- ¦- newly established club house is well pa- Ahmedabad was tronized by the community. Suggested Nargolwala, “Make Nariman Home at ­ tractive so as to reduce the pressure on Bombay ’s Parukh Dharamshalla. ” of the dwindling numbers of the commu- ends. Jamshedpur, Visakhapamam and Bhacca was open to modifications: “ I “Come and tell us where we can settle in their area. “No one in the last change. ” 10 years has come to settle down in Jam ­ shedpur, ” said Bodhanwalla. Calicut ’s nity) would be lost when serving the Calicut have invited Zoroastrians to armed forces is not justified, it was ar ­ gued, because though an airforce job is viewed as dangerous, people don ’t view an airline job with the same caution. Besides, as pointed out Bodhanwalla, the housing for those couples wishing to chances of dying when walking on the settle in Calicut and on behalf of the 15- road are just the same. The firing line is one issue of concern; the other is the fires in the fire-temples. Zoroastrian associations overseas, it was there are barely 125 Zoroastrians now reported, find it difficult to procure a remaining there. In Allahabad ’s 36- steady supply of sandalwood. Individu ­ als going abroad were urged to carry with them five kilos of sandalwood, the maximum permissible under the present export laws. In India, there is no dearth of sandal ­ wood; it is the maintenance of the fire ­ strong community there even offered to host a Federation meeting. Lucknow is faced with an exodus and They had even formed a Parsi Auxiliary Battalion in 1805 to defend Bombay against a possible invasion by Napoleon temples and priests ’ quarters that is a problem to some anjumans. Dahanu is collecting funds for its fire-temple and Madras for its priests ’ quarters on the occasion of its Dar-e-Meher ’s eightieth anniversary. Dumas manages to con ­ tinue with its fire-temple largely from the support of visiting ^roastrians, there being barely two Zoroastrian families re- member community, every person who siding there. In Sanjan, Homai Mehta crosses the 18-year age limit automati- announced the proposal to inaugurate a cally becomes a member of the anjuman. new agiary in 19W and sought funds. In Poona where members are enrolled. When Dittia asked, “But is there a need only one-tenth of the community is regis- for an agiary? ” Mehta explained that ter^ as members of the anjuman, ac- Presently Surat is concentrating on the rural amelioration program under the di­ Darius Marshall offered to subsidize rectives of a rural subcommittee consti ­ tuted by the Federation. Those assisting Bhacca on the subcommittee are Dara Deboo of Navsari, and Rustom Ankle- saria of Bombay. Further co-opted are Rohinton Davierwalla of Sanjan, H. Homawalla of Bharuch and J. F. Chavda of Valsad. With the SPP and the BPP promising a two lakh rupee donation each and an additional Rs 20,000 prom ­ ised from the estate of the late Maneck Gheyara, former president of the SPP, the subcommittee will start relief work in the Surat and Bharuch districts. The survey report of the rural Parsis in south Gujarat indicated that the farmers needed help of Rs 75 lakhs frqm the community. While an appeal was made to all the anjumans to pay a minimum Rs 500-1,000, until the sums materialize the subcommittee will give priority to those families whose houses have collapsed, provide well water facilities, pay off the debts on behalf of those who are genuine and encourage self-employment training, be it in diamond polishing, tailoring or plying rickshaws. The idea is to make them self-reliant. Reportedly there are about 100 Parsi boys in Navsari who are when the Sanjan township was planned cording to Kanga ’s estimate. As reported making a decent living from plying rick- the intention was to encourage migration by Meher Anklesaria, on an average ev- ' from Bombay. And an agairy, it was felt ery year Rs 80,000 are spent on educa- would be an added attraction for the new tion, Rs 65,000 to uplift the economi- shaws. The subcommittee has indicated the need for two full-time investigators who could constantly monitor the field I 23 Parsiana February 1990also the necessity for local records stand in the name of the office tion Act was also expressed and the BPP -.. urged to consider its repercussions soon so that illegal adoption and transfer of flats to non-Parsis could be checked in 1 work as :__ , j anjumans to keep a surveillance over the bearers of the Federation, i project work in die area. * ’ ’ When it was proposed that the gham- bar funds, lying idle, be utilized for this —e, ----------------------------- . project, Anklesaria explained that the Gen Sethna for north zone, Homi ' In his concluding rem^ks doctrine of cy pres applies whereby Bodhanwalla for east zone, Bazun Dittia Bodhanwalla, who twk the chair after funds which have fallen into disuse can i----- only be redirected towards an objective zone which is most akin to the settlor ’s origi ­ nal intention. He cited a recent court di­ rective that the ghambar funds be used for medical aid if necessary but not for housing. Another request was made that instead of dispersing the funds among Zoroastrians in different regions, one vil ­ lage at a time be concentrated upon until it can stand on its own feet. Whether the WZO (which had jointly commissioned At the annual general meeting of the Federation on September 17, the follow- ______ _______ __ _________ ing were reelected as vice presidents: Lt community institutions, project, Anklesaria explained that the Gen Sethna for north zone, Homi ' In his concluding the survey work) should be invited to participate in the rural welfare program was discussed at some length and the views voiced indicated that their finan ­ cial assistance or participation on the committee should be accepted. Said Kanga: “Somehow the impression is for south zone. Dr Sam Bhacca for west Dittia excused himself from the meeting A, Meher Anklesaria of Poona for a short while before closing time, was all ’________________ ___________ praise for the Madras Anjuman which ‘ ‘has done a wonderful job in hosting this Federation meeting. ” He was equally appreciative of the Federation ’s success in involving the youth of the community and its work on the defunct anjumans ’ front. The recognition by the Minorities Commission in various ways is largely due to Taleyarkhan ’s help, he acknowl ­ edged. He had a few recommendations though: there should be a better form of agenda presentation instead of jumping from one point to another; issues affect ­ ing Bombay should be solved by them and the rest of the anjumans need only listen and help; there should be intro ­ duced a system of an evaluation sheet • an election wherein at the end of each meeting the for the Federation president as the chair- strengths, weaknesses and suggestions man of the BPP becomes the ex officio for improvement can be offered by each president of the Federation. Eruch Desai member. and Keki Gandhi will continue as joint honorary secretaries and Funds which have fallen into disuse can only be redirected towards an objective which is most akin to the settlor’s original intention west zone B. As per the Federation being created that we are treating the constitution, there is never Wzd as a pariah. We can agree to dis ­ agree. When we cooperate we do so be ­ cause of ideas, suggestions, money. There is nothing wrong with that. The Thana trustees were able to ob ­ tain a stay order in the High Court of Guzder and Peshotan Nargolwala as joint Bombay preventing further construction honorary treasurers. C.. ihc activity by the non-Parsi builders on land belonging to the Divecha Trust. I Nanded, the charity commissioner ’s in- community property going into the hands dras (south zone), Ahmednagar and of non-Parsis. In Nizamabad, Chan- T , drapur, Harda and Bhopal the Federation Bhavnagar (west zone B). When Cal- occupied by encroachers. Since neigh- of their continued absence, Kanga sug- boring anjumans too are usually not in a 2.; im­ position to safeguard the land interests of asking them whether they are interested Calicut; Lt Gen Adi Semna, Keki the community, it was proposed that in attending the meetings. “That "’ill Gand* ”, Nnshir Canmm anjumans numbering less than 50 include a Federation representative on their trust I boards. --- - ----- ----------- ! Katpitia reminded the gathering that a similar proposal had been put forth two years ago and when Gheyara wrote to the eration in its early days, different anjumans, there was not a single reply. The Federation ’s success in getting its name included on the land rec- -- --------------------- „ . - . ords in Junagadh and Surendranagar the Civil Marriage Act instead of the zone; Dr Sam Bhacca and Sorab Katpitia made Gandhi stress on the need to safe- J „ . guard it now. ” But Katpitia had his a marriage is registered under the Parsi Bisney from Secunderabad and Hydera- doubts whether a chowkidar (watchman) Marriage and Divorce Act would the bad; J. P. Engineer from Visakha^t- could serve any purpose especially since couple be governed by the laws of suc- the Federation ’s intention was to liqui- cession as applicable to Parsis, it was re ­ date the assets. In the meanwhile the iterated. The need to have a Parsi Adop- Parsiana. t The Ahmedabad Punchayet had origi- Jamshed nally offered to host the first meeting of _______ J_¦ t 1990. That venue however would be- ________________ On the executive come too hot and sultry by March/April. committ^-. the following anjumans will Hence it was decided that the next meet- In have a permanent representation: Agra, ing would be held in Bombay and the ' ¦ winter meeting in Ahmedabad. Those present at the Federation _ __ ____________ _ meeting were: Porus Karanjawalla from of non-Parsis. In Nizamabad, Chan- Nagpur (west zone A), and Baroda and Ahme^bad; Capt Homi DandiwaUa drapur, Harda and Bhopal the Federation Bhavnagar (west zone B). When Cal- from Allahabad; Jamshed^Guzder, Jam- has not been able to retrieve the property cutta ’s inclusion was questioned in light sheed Kanga, Minoo Shroff, Rustom _ __ __; J-____ Anklesaria and Peshotan Nargolwala gested writing to the permanent members from Bombay; Darius Marshall from _______________ ____"That will Gandhi, Dadi Mistry, Noshir Captain wake them up from their lethargy, ” he and Farokh Rustomji from ^Delhi; __________ explained. At the meeting special refer- ~ SPP’s chief executive Sorab ence was made to the late Ardeshir Batli- . vala, a stalwart of Calcutta who had Eruch Surti from Jamshedpur; Jal made significant contribution to the Fed- Khodaiji from Lucknow; Minoo L. L-_________________________ Belgamvala from Madras; Meher Ankle- In many areas outside Bombay, for sana, Dinshaw Anklesana, Brig Noshir one reason or another, marriages be- Grant and Eruch frani from Poona; Ms tween Zoroastrians are registered under Mani Clubwala, co-opted member, soudi Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act. Only if from Surat; Bazun Dittia and Jehangir a marriage is registered under the Parsi Bisney from Secunderabad and Hydera- nam and Ms Homai Mehta from Zai Bordi. The press was represented by _____ _ ________ ___________ Allahabad, Delhi, Lucknow and Mhow tervention has been sought to prevent (north zone), Calcutta (east zone), Ma- Pervez Irani from Iranian Zoroas- trian Anjuman; Homi Bodhanwalla and Lucknow; 25 Parsiana February 1990FEDERATION GUEST SPEAKERS “ANJUMAN OF THE GODS!” Arnavaz S. Mama Jocularly introducing himself as “a young 61-year-old happy with four feeds Philosopher­ policeman K. Ravindran emphasizes the common factors that run through all religions really there were so many gods, there would be civil war in heaven or wherever they live! Call it an anjuman of the Gods! Ram Jaiimabhoomi, Babri Masjid and Zoroastrian temples are all the same. Politicians choose to ignore this basic fact! ” In response to Secunderabad-Hydera ­ bad Anjuman president Bazun Dittia ’s question on the need for rituals and gurus for the evolution of human beings ac- cording to the Zoroastrian and Hindu concepts, Ravindran notes, “Rituals help the common man to concentrate on reli ­ gion at some point in time. The rush of life and human weakness may not permit religious thought easily. The pantheon of gods helps to concentrate on some particular aspect of life, e.g. Saraswati on learning. If one can keep asking ‘Who am I?’ such rituals are not necessary... A good student can go through a correspon ­ dence course; one not so good needs a guru, needs to be made to work. ” Requested by Keki Gandhi, joint hon ­ orary secretary of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India, to ex- mental in establishing the Anna Institute faith, says Ravindran. “If a learned man suffers while the evil one prospers, Rav- of Management in Tamil Nadu) and so- C" ’’ , "—’-1— Z'— — cial service through the Rotary, as noted life) with purity, truth'and character, he Madras Anjuman president Minoo creates akshara (imbalance) which pro- . ... .. stint in Canada and the USA had led to words, misused education produces de ­ a day and hoping to be adopted by some wealthy Parsi couple, ” K. Ravindran, Tamil Nadu ’s retired director general of police, in his talk on “Zoroastrianism , and other religions, ” placed Zoroastrian ­ ism on par with Taoism, Shintoism, Bud­ dhism and Hinduism. Zoroastrianism ’s main advantage, according to Ravindran was that, unlike the other religions, J Zoroastrianism had experienced “no ma ­ jor split (but) only very minor cracks based on the matter of your calendars (which) could be papered over. ” The ex-policeman described his first seven years of life with the Theosophical . Society in Adyar where the multire- ,, ligious approach had been instilled from the first day. The Parsi temple there had | fascinated him and he later acquired a number of Parsi friends, notably the late Ms Mary Clubwala-Jadav, an outstand ­ ing social worker of Madras. Through ­ out his civil service career Ravindran never lost touch with Sanskrit and phi ­ losophy despite acquiring other interests like management training (he was instru- r Belgamvala. Indeed, a successful lecture duces rakhshasa (demons). ” fresh invitations from the universities of plain the paradox of the good man who does not live his religion, fashion (his indran replied, “Most of us s^ only a small section of each life. We do not see a man ’s full fate. What do we mean by ‘good time? ’ There are other parameters: does he have peace, contentment, can he look another in the eye? These are examinations in life (and there is a) sense of achievement Girlfriends, money...? mons. Referring to the two ultimate goals in life — the short term goal to reduce sor ­ row and the long term goal to increase when we overcome obstacles. Activities — must be pursued for their own excel- treme unhappiness can lead to a higher lence. ” An excellent job done in hope ’ ’ ’ ¦ .................... of a promotion can lead to frustration when the promotion is denied and thence to heart trouble, illustrated Ravindran. “But when a person does a job for its own sake, fee ted. ” In his vote of thanks for the “colorful mosaic of all the religions, ” Federation vice president Homi Bodhanwalla noted, “All religions teach us to be good. North America, added Belgamvala. Every religion teaches that to main ­ tain the quality of life “the golden strand ____________ which links the environment, the indivi- happiness — Ravindran'noted how ex ­ dual and the Supreme Being ” must be maintained, says Ravindran. P Zoroastrianism has two major principles sciously abjures possessiveness, that distinguish it from the others: the to brood or think of himself. “These so- maintenance of life, which frowns on lutions are offered by all religions... The celibacy ^d asceticism, and the fight color of the skin does not matter. The against evil. “Other religions place high color of blood is the same everywhere, value on (celibacy and asceticism) and Any blood saves life, ” says the man who place enough temptations to break the has been associated with the Golden rules! ” he adds. In certain schools of Hour project which alleviates the suffer ­ ings of accident victims. “But the reali ­ zation is not practised in day-to-day life, (Only) those who know very little ” reli- only in moments of crisis, ” he adds. gion — the fundamentalists — insist upon “Emphasize that all gods are one. If the disparities. ” But level of thought when the individual con- , ceases Hinduism, “corrupt and immoral people (can) do anything in life ” and atone for it by rolling in the temple; or by confess ­ ing their sins as in the Roman Catholic 27 Parsiana F^ruary 1990 his productivity is unaf- IBUSINESS COVER STORY o a well-bred bread Gustasp Irani After establishing a niche for themselves in the Bombay bread market, Wibs plans to diversify into cakes, confectionery, noodles and more The octroi clerk scratched his head; he was placed in a tricky situation — the rea ­ son, bread. As far as he could recall, the commodity always moved out of Bom­ bay; this was the first time he had heard of anyone transporting it into the city. He rechecked his octroi charts. No, bread was not listed. So he classified it under ‘all other unlisted items ’ and slapped the highest slab of tax applicable — seven percent. The incident occurred in 1974, a year after Western India Bakers ’ Private Limited (Wibs) had been established by the three Irani brothers Khodadad, Hos- hang and Sheriar at Turba, New Bombay. “Even we did not visualize the problem, ” says Khodadad, the eldest of the brothers. “Till today we are still paying seven per ­ cent octroi on bread which is supposed to be a poor man ’s meal and mind you, on biscuits the rate is only four percent ” It is the price the Irani brothers had to Loaves of bread being packed and pay for breaking the mold. It is a price readied for the market at the Wibs they were willing to pay. “The major bakery in Turba, New Bombay market for bread is Bombay. To expand we had to bring it to-the city or we would have had to restrict our sales to the of all sliced packaged bread sold in the Thana-Belapur belt, ” observes Khoda ­ dad. Facing established giants like Bri ­ tannia and Modem Bread did not deter pacity. Presently the Irani brothers own the Irani brothers for soon they were and operate four bakeries, one each at carving out for themselves a slice of the New Bombay, Andheri, Prabhadevi and Bombay bread market. Today, Khoda- Dockyard Road. dad claims, Wibs accounts for 30 percent dad ’s robust face, its features unmistaka ­ bly Irani Zoroastrian, breaks into a smile, his crisp moustache twitching. “Let ’s say it ’s tight personal control, timely de ­ livery schedules, quality inputs and of course, keeping abreast with the latest in baking technology. ” Personal control, according to Khoda ­ dad, is crucial: “We have our shoulders to the wheel all the time. We are mar ­ keting, production, purchase, all kinds of managers rolled into one. ” Khodadad is Photos: Varghese Fernandez city. Keeping pace with the growth in their market share is the production ca- “The secret of our success? ” Khoda- ¦i”. 28 Parsiana February 1990a science graduate and Hoshang holds a diploma in baking technology from the Institute of Catering, Dadar. In the case of Sheriar, knowledge of the bread busi- J ness was picked up on the job itself for I immediately after school he was in- I volved in the family ’s baking project. I And yes, they are distribution and trans- I port managers too. Prompt supplies to f 36 distributors, spread across die city ; from Colaba to Dahisar, involves operat ­ ing a fleet of six vans. “It ’s like running SBI MB ¦ I 111^ a VI OIA. Ttuio. XV a transport business too. It ’s part of the «¦»¦ - t. j ----- „ ----- “Our bakeries From left: Khodadad, Hoshong and Shenor Ifohi . slice in the bread market holes, is softer and has a longer shelf life. ‘Our bakeries related areas alone. At Wibs the philosophy of keeping pace with the latest in technology has trative levels too. A new computer de ­ partment has been installed in the cen ­ trally air-conditioned offices located at V _ _J _ J T azIa /I rtzl ’ cj cabin is modestly furnished, almost spar ­ tan. In fact, we first find him among the hot furnaces of the bakery floor instead of the cool comfort of his air-conditioned office where the administrative support systems are centralized. At the operational level, however. We monitor everything bread. ” sums it up, says Khodadad. 1 . Keeping pace with the latest in baking moved from the baking floor to adminis- technology is crucial in Khodadad ’s sue- ’ * cess equadon. “If a new and better proc ­ ess is developed, we ’ll get it ” Then what of the present equipment d:at he Dockyard Road. However, Khodadad ’s had to go to great lengths to develop in- digenously to meet the specifications set sell it. Scrap it, ” he clarifies. In fact, federation, sees his associate member ­ ship on FMBRA as an important link in and Bakeries Research Association (FMBRA) located in Chorleywod, a sub ­ urb of London. It uses, in Khodadad ’s words, “a heavy energy input machine they suggest solutions. ” ! of 25 Horse Power (HP) to knead a batch Central Food Research and Technologi- of 50 kilos of flour as against the conven- cal Institute comes closest to FMBRA, ! tional 2 HP units. Basically it is a high- but then the scope of the Jndian counter- speed mixing process. ” The bread you 1 Medina — our Udwada. Whenever we go abroad, we make it a point to visit them. Any problem and we write to them and bay and Andheri bakeries, packed, sweet game, ” says Khodadad. work around the clock to meet our com­ mitments: early morning deliveries to . Colaba, morning and evening deliveries Wibs ’ slogan, “Wibs — the^soft-hearted to Andheri... personally; even the purchasing of flour. We buy only the best; from Delhi and Punjab. After all, Punjab is the wheat bowl of India. ” However, if there is one area in which the Irani brothers have a distinct advan ­ tage over their competitors it is in the ap ­ plication of technological knowhow, by FMBRA? “We ’ll scrap it... No, not Khodadad claims that theirs was the very sell it. Scrap it, ” he clarifies. In fact, ¦ first bakery in India to introduce the Khodadad, president of the local bakers ’ Chorleywod Process in 1985 and are still federation, sees his associate member- the only ones in Bombay who use it. The . ................................r —------------ - . process was developed by the Flour Mills the Wibs success story. “It ’s our Mecca/ work is segment^. Only one -product is - A _ A___________________________ o.iv TWhpnpvpr wA art produCCd 3t 63Cn Ol UIC lOUF DHKCnCS. Packaged sliced bread at the New Bom- ................. ¦ ¦ ¦ I In India, the fruit buns at the one in Prabhadevi and ladi bread (loaves) at the Dockyard Road bakery. The rationale? “Flour, sugar, ghee...raw materials attract pilferage. It is easier to keep control over supplies if get as a result is white with smaller which confines itself to research in baking only one product is produced at one “It is easier to keep control over supplies if only one product. is produced at one place” part is wider than the British institute I 29 Parsiana February 1990 place, ” explains Khodadad. The Wibs story has had its share of hiccups. In 1979, labor problems hit the New Bombay bakery forcing it to close down. It took another four years (1983) before the Wibs label reappeared on the market, this time produced in a new bak­ ery at Marole, Andheri and operated by the Irani brothers under a new company name: Irani Foods and Investment Com­ pany Private Limited. Being well insideis >3 j8? Advanced technology employed by Wibs rolls. When that is on stream they plan to buy out another bakery where cakes and confectionery will be produced and I is reflected in the different attitudes of I Iranis and Parsis towards having children. I “A Parsi is in no hurry to have children. I He wants to get well-settled first, save I money and then probably have a child six I years after he is married. An Irani will marry and have children right away; eve ­ rything else will follow later — hope ­ fully. ” These attitudes filter down to the size of the family too. As far as Khoda ­ dad is aware, Iranis have more children than do their Parsi counterparts. Khodadad has also noticed that inter ­ community marriages are on the rise. One of his neighbors has married a Christian, another a Maharashtrian. “It is a reality our community has to face and come to terms with. It probably might happen to my sons too. ” An as ­ trologer, he informs us, has predicted that one of his children will marry out of the community. “It hangs like a sword over our heads. ” Till such an eventuality, the Irani fam- the octroi limits, the company was spared the seven percent levy on bread entering temporary wiu oe noodles aixl... as a whole wiU view the sitnation in a ra- though for, as bnsinras grew, the Irani And broon (crisp) bread? "It ’s diffi- tional and unemotional manner. Mean- XSiT 7?^ . U a” “T'?’’ •? **•” "Me. more productive energies Will be devoted to baking, in Khodadad ’s words: “bread for the breadwinners. ” sold under the Wibs label. And then it ily may fret and hope that the community will be noodles and... ........................................ And broon (crisp) bread? “It ’s diffi- bakery. After meeting the demand for explains Khodadad. “They get soft in loaves in the Thana-New Bombay area, Bombay ’s climatic conditions. Broons the surplus was transported to the city, need to breathe and perforations in the Meanwhile, in 1980, the Irani brothers packing will only let the moisture get acquired Model Bakery located at in. ” Making good broon bread, accord- Prabhadevi. Rather thaii run it as a bak- ing to Khodadad, is a tedious process __ ery for assorted eats, the success of the there are no short cuts. That broons are Wibs brand name made them concentrate associated with Irani bakeries only re- on the exclusive production of packed fleets the fact that Iranis have not shied fruit buns. away from tedious jobs, or so Khodadad The story of the bakery at Dockyard believes. Road can be traced back to their grandfa- For instance, Khodadad points out ther Khodadad who shares a common that in the past while liquor shops were name with his grandfather as also one of largely Parsi owned, bakeries were his ^andsons (it ’s not uncommon among largely Irani run. Both the trades were For instance, Khodadad points out CORRECTION It was mistakenly reported in “An encounter between Friends” (Par­ siana, October 1989) that Astad De ­ boo and his troupe performed at the inauguration of the Festival of France in India. Deboo was not in ­ volved in that presentation. The error is regretted. name with his grandfather as also one of largely Parsi owned, bakeries f ------ ’ __ ____ _ Irani Zoroastrians to name their eldest originally established to cater to the Brit- son after the grandfather even while the ish rulers* tastes — Indians prefered statement of Ownership & other man is alive). When Khodadad as a fresh, hot chapatties and cheap, locally . ..................... ... young immigrant from Iran landed in brewed hock — and the more tedious job Bombay, the Dockyard Road bakery also fell upon the the Irani brethren. Not that had a restaurant section and it was here there were no Parsi bakers or Irani liquor that he worked as a table boy. With time shop owners; it was a question of propor- he became part owner and then full tions. owner of the establishment. In 1942 his Khodadad believes that Zoroastrian son Phirojsha sold the bakery but in 1969 entrepreneurship is still vibrant “We • the family bought it back. In the mean ­ while, the name of the establishment ___________________ changed from Cafe Khodadad Stores and businesses around us. Earlier when the Bakery to Hygiene Bakery and the res- tions. Khodadad believes that Zoroastrian still have it in us, only now our efforts are not noticed because of the other big Bakery to Hygiene Bakery and the res- Indian economy was just developing taurant section had closed down. even a small enterprise stood out ” Ac- The expansion plans in the immediate cording to Khodadad, the Iranis today T\__ 1_______1 T*k _ 1 ¦ ... * bakery. Here under the Wibs name, the Irani brothers plan to produce and market jobs, packed hamburger buns and hot dog future center around the Dockyard Road . are more adventurous than their Parsi cous ­ ins who, as a rule, prefer white-collar I This spirit of adventure, or lack of it, 30 Parsiana February 1990 ¦ Particulars about Parsiana: Form IV (See Rule 8) Place of Publication: Bombay Periodicity of Publication: Monthly Printer, Publisher, Editor: Jehangir R. Patel Nationality: Indian Address: 285, J. Dadaji Marg, Bombay 400007 Proprietor: Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd, 39 A. K. Nayak Marg, Bombay 400001 Shareholders holding more than one percent of the total capital: Jehangir R. Patel and Veera J. Patel, address same as above. I, Jehangir R. Patel, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my kiwwledge and belief. Sd. (Jehangir R. Patel) 1 March 1990MEDICINE Dr Taraporvala's mending ways Gustasp Irani As president of the Indian Orthopaedic Association Dr Jamsheed Taraporvala has to ensure that the standards of research and practice are upgraded The scar that once ran down the patient ’s Hospital. He has also published 60 sci- left arm is barely visible. Even Dr Jam- entific papers and lectured in India and sheed C. Taraporvala who performed the abroad, operation had to dig between the hair to find the relic of his incision. In a way, he just bones. constructive hand surgery and bone tu ­ mors. “In the old days you chopped off a limb on the slightest excuse. Now limb- ---- - , saving surgery is the pattern of the day, ” was paying himself a compliment — it skeleton structure, tuberculosis of --- the and Taraporvala assures you that it is a was a job well done. In fact, all along bones, leprosy, tumors... Of all the speci- much more satisfying task. “You strug- during the interview, he refused to be alities, including general surgery, the gle all the time with hopeless cases. a ... .... Qrthopedic surgery is the larg- Some you win, some you lose. That ’s est, ” Taraporvala clarifies. “That ’s why something you’ve got to face — you can ’t “There is more to orthopedics than It ’s to do with muscles. was a job well done. In fact, all along bones, leprosy, tumors... Of all the speci- drawn into singling out any special case “Every case is important. or instance. scope of orthopedic surgery is the larg- be it a simple fracture or a complex joint doctors are now going into sub-speciali- replacement operation, ” maintained Tar ­ aporvala. In recognition of his skill, dedication and service to the medical profession, T^aporvala was elected president of the Taraporvala, decorated with jewel when Indian Orthopaedic Association (IO A) hg tooi(_ over as head of the Indian Or- for 1989-90 at the thirty-fourth annual thopaedic Association, with wife Armaity conference of the Association at Ahme- • • •¦ - dabad. He is reportedly the second Parsi to be elected to this post, the only other Parsi president of the Association being Dr Keki Masalawalla who held the office 12 years ago. The designation is more than merely ornamental. It involves travel to all the state chapters of the As- . sociation to see that the standards of postgraduate research and general prac- | tice are maintained. Taraporvala has -the qualifications, experience and authority to do the job well. A senior practicing ||^H| orthopedic surgeon of Bombay, he is honorary professor of orthopedics at the Grant Medical College connected with £ /r the J. J. Group of Hospitals and honorary * i orthopedic surgeon at the B. D. Petit i Parsee General Hospital and the Bombay I win them all. The key word according to the ortho- 99 ties of orthopedics. Reconstruction sur ­ gery, joint replacement surgery, spine pedic surgeon is dedication. “Don ’t go into the speciality if you are not totally dedicated, ” he advises aspiring young doctors, “otherwise you will end up making a mess of your career. ” He also cautions those who seek a medical pro ­ fession for economic reasons. “Medi ­ cine is not as big a money-making pro­ fession as it is made out to be — there ’s more money in business — but the satis ­ faction is tremendous. ” Working in India involves a distinc ­ tive set of experiences. The pattern of diseases in this country remains quite different from that in western countries, observes Taraporvala. Tuberculosis of the bones, polio and viral disorders, for example, have been largely eradicated in the advanced countries but not here. “So for better or for worse, we have ex ­ pert knowledge in these fields which does not exist in the west. ” Our doctors, we are informed, match up to interna ­ tional standards. “Where we fall short is in very refined, expensive operations that surgery... My special affinity is for re- holding another memento 32 Parsiana February 1990involve very sophisticated equipment doing as well as we were doing in the which is beyond the resources of devel- past and today the standards are rising, oping nations like ours. ” However in a A student has to get 94 to 95 percent city like Bombay — at Bombay, Jaslok marks to get admission. ” and Hinduja Hospitals — these facilities are available, but at a price. to contend with in the case of Parsi pa- dra Girls ’ English Institution, notes The The Parsee General Hospital? For tients is the formality regarding ampu- Daily of December 21, 1989, At the EVENTS AND PERSONALITIES continued from page 12 Table Tennis Tournament was won by A factor that the young medicos have Parveen Farrokh Khodaiji of the Alexan- to contend with in the case of Parsi pa- general care, general surgery and ENT it tated limbs: they are supposed to be meet held at the University Stadium on ‘ ~ _ December 20, “small built ” Khodaiji overcame opposition from Spenta Patel, I' matches up to the very best and where sent to the Doongerwadi. Though Tar- f service to the Parsi community is con ­ cerned it remains unparalleled, says Tar- { aporvala. “We can ’t expect to compete sure that the Parsee General Hospital fol- with Bombay Hospital or the Jaslok be- lows this prescription. cause of the lack of funds and I’m talking about equipment here, ” he clarifies. What about the suggestion one often hears about building a Parsi Medical cally wrong with the bones of the com- SPOTLIGHT College? Absurd, shoots back the munity. What they will find is that there --------------------------------------------------- doctor. “It ’s a whole lot of wishful is a high tendency for diabetes in the Ms Benafsheh J. Kotwal is the recipient thinking. The Indian Medical Council community. They will also find that of the Sir Cusrow Wadia Gold Med^ for the year 1989. She secured a first rank in geography at the third (final) year Bache ­ lor of Arts examination conducted by the Pune University, notes a write-up. Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka aporvala is not aware whether all hospi ­ tals observe this requirement, he is fairly also of Alexandra, to score an easy win. Though she lost in the first round (19- 21), in the next three games she beat Patel (21-12, 21-14, 21-16) to win the The young doctors of tomorrow, ac ­ cording to Taraporvala, will probably title, the paper notes, find that there is nothing characteristi- ? lays down stipulations and while a whole years of inbreeding has taken a toll. Tar ­ lot of teaching hospitals are being de-rec ­ ognized because they can ’t match up, to expect the Parsee General to match up is issue: “From the medical point of view most unlikely. ” Taraporvala explains we will not propagate better physical and that there are only four medical colleges mental progeny unless we breed out. in Bombay — the KEM, Nair and Sion There is no doubt about that. But reli- run by the municipality and the Grant gious and social issues are a different Medical at J. J. Hospital run by the state matter. I hold no strong views here. ” government. All are affiliated to Bom­ bay University and have to meet the re ­ quirements set by the body. Viewing the marriages into the religion, be they the suggestion of a Parsi Medical College children of Parsi males or females. from another angle, Taraporvala ob ­ serves: “If every community wants a medical college of its own, we would We talk briefly about other eminent Parsi have at least 15 different colleges in orthopedic surgeons, particularly Dr Rus- Bombay — an absurd situation. tom Katrak, India ’s first practising ortho- “I’ve come across Parsis who talk pedic surgeon who, though never the about establishing a Parsi nation on one president of the lOA, hovered over the of the Andaman Islands; educated people organization like a godfather. who you would not imagine could talk such nonsense. ” amused. He is agitated and perturbed pedic surgeon, and a married daughter that members from his community can Erzaan. Though Taraporvala is quietly think along these lines. It is an extension articulate, you sense that he is not very of this thinking, he observes, that makes comfortable talking about himself; he Parsis believe that when Parsis cannot prefers being himself — a doctor. He ex ­ compete, a special medical college amines a patient ’s hand that he had set should be set up for them. five years ago. He recalls having in- But Parsis are doing well, at least serted a pin but does not recall removing where admissions to medical college are concerned, he believes. Medical, where Taraporvala studied in the early 1950s, there were five to six Parsis in every batch of 120 students. Even now, there is always a Parsi in ev ­ ery batch. “That has not changed. Maybe there are fewer now than there old-world family doctor. The patient is were before, but the Parsis who do get in confident — his limbs are in the care of are pretty bright, I might add. We are Taraporvala ’s skillful hands. aporvala gives the medical and his per ­ sonal point of view on the intermarriage matter. He clarifies, however, that he sees no harm in accepting children of mixed It is past the sunset hour and the doc­ tor has still more commitments to keep. Taraporvala ’s family consists of his Taraporvala is not wife Armaity, son Farhad, also an ortho- iL It is still there the patient confesses. At the Grant In that case, it must come out. He reas ­ sures the person that it is a simple job, there is nothing to worry about. One is aware of being in the comfort ­ ing presence of a medical man with a bedside manner that is associated with the 33 Parsiana February 1990 i Pretty, talented, highly qualified MBA Parsi girl, 31, seeks matrimonial alliance from educated, handsome, well-settled Parsi boy. Apply to: The AdvertiMr Matrimonial (10) Parsiana GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 Handsome, talented, qualified Parsi boy, 34, well-settled abroad, seeks matrimonial alliance from pretty, educated, young Parsi girl. Apply to: The Advertiser Matrimonial (11) Parsiana GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 kBOOKS. Not by numbers ample source material “to strengthen the sang of great lives inspiring others to feeling of kinship within the community, —------ and outside the community...create a new and deeper awareness. ” . . , , j Yet, missing fron the directory are riches; yet others, with a tint of luck and some bright stars in the Tkiroastrian fir- a dint of labor worked their way to it. mamenL Eminent jurists like Homi Dara Acidwala led an existence almost Seervai and the new Attorney General similar to David Ogilvy, the guru of ad- Soli Sorabjee are conspicuous by their vertising men all over the world, having ~ • worked as a waiter (and later, as petrol station attendant) before scaling the rungs to head an advertising agency. Or, make their lives sublime. Some Zoroas ­ trians, as it lumpens with a community known for its affluence, were bom to alone Homi J. Rogers absence. A bio data on Justice Bakhta- war Lentin without a mention of his two shattering verdicts delivered in the mid- 1980s (on the former chief minister of Rusi Daruwala, Zarthushtian informs us, Maharashtra A. R. Antulay, and the who retired as vice president of the Taj Parsi-founded J. J. Hospital drug probe) group of hotels after 36 years of service is like serving dhansak without kababs. there and who as a child used to assist his Also missing are corporate czars like the father to augment the family^ income Godrejs and the Tatas. Anticipating the Zarthushtian explains the lapse as an in ­ tentional one. “It was not our intention to devote the entire volume to distin ­ guished bio datas only. For one thing, and especially figures, where quoted, seem dated. At least two Parsis person ­ ally known to the reviewer have left the ctMintry and migrated. And, as in the case of Minoo Rustomji, the present critics ’ their mechanical shop in Navsari, the barbs, place where he was bom and bred. What has, however, deprived Zarthushtian of a fair amount of its charm, is its belated publication. Facts, has. we wanted the cross-section; and for an ­ other, we wanted to avoid all the contro ­ versies that might follow upon some emi ­ nent people not being included... ” A laud ­ able rationale indeed, but not consistently tense used in the bio data becomes a Zarthushtian — A Cross-Section of the Zoroastrian j People in the Mid-Nineteen Eighties. Published by: • The Zoroasirian Community Development Institute of The Havrasbta Foundation, Bombay, 1989. Hard­ bound; Pp: 217, Price: Rs 150. It was exactly half a century ago observed, in 1939 that Hormusji Dhunjishaw Darukhanawala brought out Parsi Lustre ... on Indian Soil, the popular who ’s who of Shemaz. Both Karl and his wife Rita —---------- the community. Fifty years of solitude Mehta, editor of Cine Blitz are listed, but that which its editors aware of, have at last given place to an equally welcome publication of a similar nature. Zarthushtian, published by the Zoroastrian Community Development Institute, impressive in print (though un ­ fortunately with a few proofing errors), aims to present, as its subtitle indicates “a cross-section of the TLoroastrian people in the mid-nineteen eighties. ” Though anachronistic in its title, having seen the light of day only in 1989 (we will be in the nineties when this review appears), the work reflects the sincerity chilling reminder of those that the icy hand of death claimed from amidst us mentions: father Burjor and daughter during the ’80s. ¦ ¦ “ ¦ For all its shortcomings, including The theater family of Patel merits two namely, the absence of adequate repre ­ sentation of the overseas ^roastrians, the volume under review is a most wel ­ come addition to the library of any Parsi institution or individual. It is, in its size, as well as its scope, vastly different from Darukhanawala ’s epoch-making work in the same direction published five decades ago. Gone are the pictures of Parsi sethias, and portraits of ladies dressed to their feet in garas and tanchois. The times have taken their toll: the facts are now only in cold print. For that matter, gone are the sirs and baronets who studded Darukhanawala ’s work. And, reflecting UIC lliaiiy aUPIUllK VAOIIII/IVO U‘V - J nitv has thrown forth in a cross-sectiai of her more illustrious and hono ’red ’ father the changing Umes, gone tro are the (to- - - - . — ~ turs and mobeds, renowned for their wis- ^ateve/may have been the criterion dom and knowledge of the religion and ¦¦ ¦ Zarthushtian becomes a pointer to this ‘evolution. ’ The Zoroas ­ trian of today is of a different breed from of the publishers. It has brought to fore Gone are the pictures of Parsi sethias and ladies dressed in garas and tanchois. The facts are now only in cold print the many sterling examples the commu- 1 . ' ... , careers during the last 50 years. Through Russy Karanjia is not. over 400 bio datas occupying 212 pages, . . set in double column, Zarthushtian for selection, the directory, with its appar- linguistics, charts out the wide variety of vocations ent sins of omission and commission re- and avocations that the Zoroastrian has mains a veritable goldmine of infoima- ' earned a name for himself in: be it ad- 1 venture ot advertising, ballet or Bharata (----------. Natyam or business, the study of ancient tend to get verbose with laudatory adj^- viewed visually. Avesto or the advent of astrophysics. It tives and i . provides, as the trustees state in their Zarthushtian contains enough material to ent sins of omission and commission re- tion. Once you have separated the chaff his ancestor in the not-so-distant past, (and there ’s plenty of it, as the resumes do The regret is that the same cannot be • 2 " ’ ‘ ” . One hopes that if Avesta or the advent of astrophysics. It tives and inconsequential details) Zarthushtian is ujxlal^, it would in ­ provides, as the trustees state in their Zarthushtian contains enough material to elude, at least, thumbnail size photo- ‘foreward ’ (the perils of proof-reading!) warm the cockles of the poet ’s heart who graphs. 35 Parsiana February 1990BOOKS Yahoo Zarathustra Khusro F. Rustamji Zarathustra — A god that cart dance by Bhagwan Shree Rajnecsh. Published by The Rebel Publishing House GmbH, Cologne, West Germany. Available at The Sadhna Foundation, 17, Koregaon Park, . Pune. Price: Rs 220. “Beware of the poisonous in society. ” And one wonders why the kings of Persia did not take notice of his admonition be ­ cause rule after rule was destroyed by the poisonous priests and self-seekers who misled even the warriors by their talk of omens and superstitious rites. All religions have produced commen ­ taries from time to time. In fact, hun ­ dreds of faiths have faded away after the one charismatic figure that founded it was no more, because there was no one Zarathustra that have come down to us after him to affirm it. Those faiths en- from hymns, texts and inscriptions, dured or survived which had basic truths, Nietzsche has built up a man with the preached harmony and brought people deepest philosophical insights. What is together and taught them how to live, known is that Zarathustra spent some Nietzsche ’s Zarathustra may be part fic- years in the mountains and then came - - - down to preach a way of life which en- deepest philosophical insights. What is together and taught them how to live. I must confess I took up Bhagwan Rajneesh ’s book Zarathustra with a prejudice against the author who has ables man to live in radiant happiness, been expelled from many countries for his “ doctrines, is debarred entry into 21 coun ­ tries and about whose ashrams and com ­ munes there have been stories of sexual prepared to receive his word, license which have made cities shiver with disgust. Yet, as I went deeper into the book, my wonder grew at his scholar ­ ship and undoubted ability to expound Friedrich Nietzsche ’s Thus Spake Zara- _______ _____ _____________ __________ thustra. And when I closed the book it affirmation of life. There is no place for earth are still unexhausted and undiscov- could be said literally that “Those who renouncing anything. Life is a fight for ered. ” came to scoff remained to pray. ’ And existence. Learn to enjoy it! Relish it! Zarathustra feels that each man can what was more, it made me accept that Dance with the trees, dance with the explore life, relish it, rejoice in it, judge foe Zoroastrian faith was radiant because stars. Love without jealousy. Live with- it separately, action by action. There it was so simple and pure, and yet so —* * ' ¦ deeply philosophical and transcendental without a single trace of fanaticism or overbearing bigotry. I may not have learnt much about faith from parroted prayers or from foe lectures or foe books I had read. I did not even grasp foe basic principles when I read Thus Spake Zarathustra for foe first time, but I dis ­ cerned a deeper meaning from foe dis ­ courses of Rajneesh and I began to glimpse why this faith, perhaps the oldest of them all, has endured for centuries, and endured in such a way that it gives com­ mitment to anyone who approaches it tional; but how are we to divide what is fact and what is fiction in the life of a man who lived 25 centuries ago? His theme is: do not say yes to dead tradi ­ tions, dead conventions, dead gods. You His first sermon was received with indif ­ ference, recounts Nietzsche, so he de- ___ _________ cided to speak to only those who were have to create new values for yourself; trt rAr'Aixzo Ki’c 4.1___j;___________ _r i_ _ company with creators, with harvesters, with rejoicers. 1 will show them the rain ­ bow and the stairway to the superman. ” Zarathustra loves life. “He is the only ** -- —- - — I will put which means that the discovery of what you are and want to be has to be made by yourself. He continues, “There are a thousand paths that have never yet been trodden, a thousand forms of health and mystic, ” Rajneesh says, “with immense hidden islands of life. Man and man ’s stars. Love without jealousy. Live with ­ out competition. Accept everybody may be so much hidden from us which has to be explored and discovered. In ­ stead of claiming to be perfect, Zarathus ­ tra asks his companions not to accept blindly what he says: “Truly I advise you to go away from me and guard your ­ self against Zarathustra... Perhaps he has deceived you... Now I bid you leave me and find yourself. ” This is the essence of the Zoroastrian faith: find yourself, develop yourself, depend on yourself and rely on your developed virtue. You do not need to be an admirer of the Zoroastrians to say that among the best that the community has produced, tnmd. without judgement. And then there is no among the men and women like Homi Perhaps Nietzsche may have given need for any god. And there is no need Bhabha, Zubin Mehta, Bakhtawar Lentin, more in the shape of philosophical con- " . tent to Zarathustra than is accurately known. Zoroastrianism is 9 faith that for very life can become the expression ties are uppermost, as they were in the a millenium and more was propagated by of godliness. ” Rajnecsh continues, political warriors that came up in the Brit- word of mouth. But has that not hap- __ J__ ________________ _ ' pened in the case of all the religions? It only religion. All other rehgions should was centuries after Confucius, Buddha - - - and Christ that the wise men sat down to _____________ __ ___ _____ _____ __ ______ _ compose their doings md sayings, and to for love there is no prayer. ” Zarathustra more foil of life and spirits, put them in notes that have endured. i ’ ‘ ' From the few fragmentary glimpses of of 'supcr-terrestrial hopes. And he Zoroastrianism is the faith for the warrior, the rebel, ever ready to fight for what he considers right without judgement. And then there is no for any paradise... We can transform this Astad Gorwala, the Tatas, the Petits, the very earth into a divine existence. Our Wadias and all the others, all these quali- very life can become the expression “Zarathustra ’s religion should be the ish regime and were the forerunners of Indian independence. One can go a little further and ask, “Were our fore- be buried in the cemeteries, because ex ­ cept for life there is no god, and except fathers and ancestors more happy, __ i_... -t. _ „ „ , „ ...... . . . , more is particularly harsh on those who speak creative because they were closer ' ' ' . ' i says, to the Zoroastrian faith? ” They were to the 36 Parsiana February 19901 I m _ J__ ' \ ¦ the hypocritical savants in dagli and those who believe that they have the right pheta (traditional jacket and head gear) to decide what is right and what is wrong who reap rich rewards in elections and — the ultimate reality — the brahm of the meetings of the faith. They are supposed certainly more generous, more caring of tainly for those who worship truth, for the sick and the weak, more solicitous to ' ’ ' ' all, including relatives and staff, more courageous in their industrial entrepre- --------------------- neursh'ip, more forthright in politics, Upanishads. It is for those who cherish to be incorruptibles, who corrupt the more venturesome in trade and travel, the desire to create values, who do not faith itself. even going as far as China in sailing ves- discriminate among human beings —just Zoroastrianism ought to be a faith as seis, more close to education, scoring being human is enough. It is for those relaxing as the old style easychair, as full • • ¦ of fun as an Adi Marzban play, as sharp ___ _ .1 as a mother ’s slap when you told a lie, as _T- the other arts, even in the gorpapri (a disarming as bapaiji’s (paternal grand- They sweet dish) of Goam (in Iran) and the mother), smile, as clean as the marble-top ; ‘ ¦ • * ¦ ¦ ; table in every home, as totally Parsi as a faith for the warrior, the rebel, ever ready reeking boomla-no-patio (highly spiced V..VVZ,... J__ _ __________ to fight for what he considers right. In the Bombay ducks) and as casual as the sym- in vision and so weakened by words of Nietzsche, it is for those who bolic gestures (suggestive of antics) of ¦ ' nassessalars at the funeral which make it difficult for the young to suppress their This is not a book meant for the laughter, and make the old smile that diehard who bars a girl, who has married even in death there can be some sheepish - ... - . . .. r,------------ --- yg the desire to create values, who do not faith itself, discriminate among human beings — just even going as far as China in sailing ves- 5._ , ____ - . first after first in women ’s education, and who see beauty in whatever way it is pro- finally more confident in all that makes jected, in person, in stone, in ceramic, in life joyous and complete. Yet they suf- f fered from one serious defect. , stood by helplessly when the bigoted pre- rosebuds of Shiraz (in Iran). It is the vented conversions and mixed marriages. In consequence, in later years we became so narrow in . other causes that we began to lose the believe, “May your work be a battle, your elan and zest which had marked us out in peace be a victory. ” earlier years. '---- — - ----- I must mention that this is not the type i „ ... of book meant for the orthodox, for the outside the faith, from the agiary, from reUef. That is Zoroastrianism, high priests of superstition and fanatical the uthamna, from the dokhma and the rejoice in it. ; ’ ¦ There are many, many statements in the faith; even from gambhars and social the book that one could ponder over for occasions. The men and women who hours on end: • The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but to hate his friends. • A new man will arise who will be reli- belief in heaven and hell. It is not meant cemetery; from introducing her sons into for those who want to make out Zoroastri ­ anism to be a faith in which there are “ch ­ inwad pools ” and rewards in other propagate such rancid doctrines, ruined worlds, superstitions of various types and court after court in the Persian empire, all sorts of fetishes about death. prevented the faith from spreading in In ­ Zoroastrianism is a faith for the dia in the British period, and to this day thinker, for the modem, for the scientist (“Religion without science is lame, sci ­ ence without religion is blind ” — Ein ­ stein had said). It is for youths want ­ ing to know what faith they should hold those who idly stand by and see ortho- on to, be proud of, propound in argu- ' " ' ** ment, and be able to live up to. It is cer- Gifts& prevented the faith from spreading in In ­ hold out in the citadels of orthodoxy gious but without religions, which may make the very faith that they cherish fade out from the world. Nor is Zoroastrianism the faith for the forest and the desert? Was it not be ­ cause I loved mankind all too much? ” • What is the greatest thing you can expe- placent to fight it. They love to applaud rience? It is the hour of die great con­ tempt. The hour in which even your hap­ piness grows loathsome to you and your reason and your virtue also. • Zarathustra says I can see only one vir- tue — the longing not to remain man, but to go beyond man to become god. • One must have chaos in one, to give birth to a dancing star. • An authentic reasoning man is always in search of truth. • Praised be a moderate poverty. Rajneesh sums up the Zoroastrian faith in the following words: “It is al ­ most inipossible in the long history of mankind to find another man with so many dimensions, so many insights, so wise and yet so human as Zarathustra. His ordinariness is absolutely extraordi ­ nary, his humanness is so pure that one can say it is even superior to any divine ­ ness. ” doxy dictate because they are too com- The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive reli^ous artefacts, executive desk sets, exclusive shell ite^ designer jewelry & spedalizing in wood & copper*enainel gtfts. BOMBAY SWADESHI STORES LTD. (Mezzanine Floor) Sir P.M. Road, Bombay-400 001 STUDIO AKAR 67/2660 J 37 Parsiana February 1990 • The highest virtue is bestowing virtue. • “Why, ” said the saint, “did I go into This review was written prior to Rajneesh’s death on January 19,1990. Another volume in Rajneesh’s Zarathustra series includes The Laughing Prophet; price Rs 220.MILESTONES The marriage list this month A boy to Mabrin and Rohinton comptises marriages — both Bcdliwalla; January 7 religious and civil — between Zoroastrians as well as inter­ community marriages con­ tracted by Zoroastrians over the eight-month period. May to De­ cember 1989. Names which could not be wholly identified as Zoroastrian have been omit- A boy to NHoofer and Khushroo Toorkey; January 8 A boy to Nazbcmoo arxl Sarosh Radmanesh; January 11 A boy to Kashmira and Rumi Iraru; January 13 A boy to Shiraz and Jehangir Morris; January 13 ted from the list A boy to Farida and Dinyar According to figures avail- Palsetia; January 14 able to Parsiana from four local A girl to Marukh and Sam hospitals, there were 14 births in Calagopi; January 16 marriages A boy to Farida and Dinyar A girl to Marukh and Sam and Kurush Jimmy Billimoria; Sqitember 12 < KnuMyarKktsnlu Potemdr^ Stepbaaioet 14* ______________________ _ Pearl M. Bengali and Kerman K. Jehangir Kotwal; Decembo' 23 Billimoria; September 15 Ddshad Dalat tatd lndranil ¦ Palit; Septenib&t 23 Hutoxi S. Ghorkhodoo and Fall D. Avari; September 26 Alka B.hagvatbhaiShtdt-m!eF Xeacft DaiaMiaw •W&BS', December 23 Firoza Noshir Wadia and Sharukh Adi Khan-, December 23 -- Jasmine Rusi Kutar and Honu Bombay, compared to 7S Aboy to Zenobia and Danesh Kermaru; January 17 A boy to Bakhtavar and Adi victims while seven victims fell Chindhy; January 29 prey to cancer and six to pneu­ monia. The other killers were ‘old age’ and general debility ________________________ _ (five each), lung disease (four), Joha.Michael Alercia tjf USA; brain disease and hypertension May 30,1989" (thrw each), and blood disease, AiHMib Sttbhash Pandit aiRl septicemia and kidney failure Rohinton Kaiyos Marfattb; {two each). There were isolated cases of asthma, dehydration, artherosclerosis (where the in­ ner layers of the arteries are jammed by progressive deposits Marie Yvette Edwin D’Souza of fat and tissue), tumor, acci- and Rohinton Pesi Damanid; deaths in the month of January 1990. Heart disease claimed 25 Married Firoza Minoo Daruwdld and Ameetd Sttbhaxh Pandit aHS June 4 Dilber Rustom Dalal arid Gurmeef SriigA Malhotra^ Jtrae 9 of fat and tissue), tumor, acci- j ' ~ ‘ dent and inflammation of the June 17 pancreas. A premature male in- £larehne^‘^iSBza-md.Kersee fant was stillborn, a three- /JWiiSwra^TmieTs' month-old baby boy succumbed BalmirtrEBWfbriySSttza auff to pnetunonia and a 26-year-old JDuuhroo Dinshaw Bhmfim-- youth was killed in an accident. '__ 2 2 The highest age at death was 99 -Bharari Ndroyan Pujari and . .. _. ----------- It may be noted that death is often due to a combination of Dinaz Sohrab Kamdin oi Mhow fant was stillborn, a three- Jime30 •LevejbSkBsnttdSKa'SKaiv; Jtiae^SO, several diseases, especially in ’‘^ Jftifendra . Tilly Q The data here has been com- P the case of the very old. Tilly Q piled from information supplied «)d Earvez^Minocf«r^hema; by various newsletters and anju- Ijjlly 11 mans in India and abroad, courts I^eena Dudnslair arid NevilJe A. and hospitals. This information ScreMwa/far Ju^ 25 is not always complete or con­ sistent. BOMBAY Bom A girl to Zenobia and Mino Framroze on December 28, 1989 A boy to Hira and Aspi Bhesania; January 1,1990 A girl to Monaz and Aspi Wadia; January 4 A girl to Zinobia and Pervez Karanjia; January 5 A boy to Kashmira and Adil Moos; January 6 Shahida Fazed Husstun KhoQ. and Rohinton Shr^, August 3 if9^£3^onl^pu JiUT/iaw arid NaMmartp!^»^ Jrani; Ats^t 6 Rddtye ^ar. c airi Keld R Aiiigasr29 MangkJlamfi 4Ujd Ratnakar Chandrakant Salkas; Septonber 1* Farida Dar^ mil VjininnnMrfn Vonr,’ 9BpW31HJLi 1 ^jputa Jethaktl Bha^^mi and Mwa/ri; S^tembef l l ' Behroze Norman Khunibatta \ 38 Parsiana February 1990 Freny Keki Bunshah oi Now York and Burges Keki Jokhi of New York; December 24^ Bakhtawar Kaikobad Majra and Sarosh Nozer Wadia; December 24 _ Atuta Banerjee and T Octobers * _ Pnteb TWembar Naada CAumAMiMarrSAmdfeind Behroze Dara Shroff and BioidugTMBBl^rfdfd^ - -¦ - Qochj>r Rta^diLa.^^--- SriMi Prasad Dhiremlra &uha; Na*«ftM»T Zarin Adi Haradwala and j^amdiashpra Vamnrrntr Nowemfaer 7 FhaivKa^-Siaaria^atiRavi Arcof; Noven^Hnr^' Farzin Khushro Daruwala and Jamshed Jal Bulsara; November 23 " Roopina J. Coma and Kai P. Nicholson; November 30 fej^murasp.Shraffr’ November 3© Armity Deceniber-T*"^ ShehnarRtt^om lrtmi and BemunaiiMohamedatt'’ttafait; DaeuiibCl T' Dinaz Bahadool Vazir and Keki Rustom Vazir, December 11 -- Kanta Bab" ^Wfi^iT and A/erier - -------------- Dccamber 19'' Vasiidett Jagwunl Ufltl Aspl-liomee Sfu^)ObbJSer~ Docuiiber 21 nus Cbblrdeloi^ Anklesaria and Cyrus J ale jar Bharucha-, January 7 Ruby Hiraji Mistry and Rustom Eruch Kakalia', January 7Zarin Cyrus Fozdar and Soli Manchershaw Desai; January 8 Afrid Eruch Mody and Kerman Sam Patel; January 8 Mehemaaz Porus Poonegcr and Freddy Phiroze Elavia; January 9 Hl^ish Parvez Charna and Rohintan Cowas Patel; January 11 Amawaz Framroz Boga and Tozdi Dali Sadri of Dubai; January 11 Raslma Byram Tarapore and Rusi Dhuryishaw Unvala; January 12 Benaifer Jehangir Irani and Rustom Adi Sui; January 14 Dinaz Pervez Tarryial and Farokh Sam Mojia; January 15 Hutoxi Kersi Anklesaria and Nozer Rusi Billimoria; January 16 Shehemaz Hormazd Dadachanji and Kaiwan Dossabhoy Kalyaniwalla; January 16 Zareen Adil Daruvalla and Kaiyomarz Pesi Mohta; January 16 Dilnavaz Behram Irani and Hormuz Merwan Gulestaiu; January 17 Rashna Sorab Bhumgara and Percy Noslur Gazder; January 18 Rashna Pirojshaw Bilimoria of Valsad and Adil Pesi Suntoke; January 18 Zenobia Baji Tavadia and Navil Rusi Edulludca; January 19 Veera Edi Vakharia of Deolali and Rohinton Sorab Mehta; lanaary 22 Daulat Rohinton Khoramshai of Dahanu and Dinshaw Adi Naterwala; January 22 Zarin Nariman Zhawari and Noshir Eruch Patrawalla; January 22 Hutoxi Naval Amrolia and Freddy Rusi Didxish; January 23 Khursheed Dinyar Aibara and Vispi Sorabji Engineer; Jmasry 23 Delshcul Burjor Karanjia and Dicl^ Jamshed Rutnagar; January 25 I Died Naja Noshir Baria (75), residing at Yusuf Manzil, Khetwadi, 12th Lane, 400004; January 1 Sheriyar Shapur Govadiya (72}, 19, Godrej Bldg, Contractor Baug, Mahim, 400016; January 1 Homai Hormuyi Kharas (80), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; January 1 Soona Burjor Master (75), Dadysett Bldg, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; January 1 Darabshaw Ardeshir Nikorawala (85), A/3, Mehta Block, Captain Qny, Tardeo, 400034; January 2 Sherinlmi Shorabji Mistry (82), 66IE, Gowalia Tank, 400036; January 4 Rustom Merwanji Batiwala (64), 14, Mistry Park, 77, B. Desai Rd, 400026; January 5 Eruch Minocher Bhot (58), F/35, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; January 5 Goolbanoo Jal Engineer (88), A, Empire Ter, Grant Rd, 400007; January 5 Minoo Kersi Kapadia (55), 65, Amin Villa, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari, 400102; January 5 Shavak Kaikhusroo Kerawala (52), Kanga Bldg, Gowalia Tari, 400036; January 5 Homai Khodamorad Mizan (66), Bana Bldg, Khetwadi, 11th Lane, 400004; January 6 Ratansha Pestoryi Morris (85), Bldg 11, Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; January 6 Khorshed Minocher Umrigar (75), Nicholson Bldg, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; January 6 Hormusji Phirojshah Writer (78), Sayaji Nagoji Bldg, 5, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; January 6 Keki Hormusji Bharucha (75), 8/2, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 7 Coomie Eddie Billimoria (82), Keki Court, Cumballa Hill Rd, 400036; January 7 Aloo Dinshawji Chinoy (85), 11/7, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 7 Perin Minocher Writer (83), 71, Lower Colaba, 400005; January 7 Phiroza Nadersha Kotwal (78), A Block, Kuka Bldg, Comer of Grant Rd, 400007; January 8 Behram Cooverji Lelinwalla (79), Adenwalla Bldg, Pavwalla St, 400004; January 8 Dirdfeu Ru^omji Denugara (80), Sawnta Bandar, Dahanu Rd, Dahanu, Dist Thane, 400601; January 9 Jerbanu Nadirshah Dubash (88), Cooper Bldg, 617, Girgaum Rd, 400002; January 9 Hilla Faredoon Marchant (75), C Block, Bhiwandiwalla Ter, Dhobitalao, 40(X)02; January 9 Jahangir Sbrabji Driver (J3}, Cf2S, JerBaug, Dr Ambcdkar Rd, Byculla, 4()0027; January 11 Mehroo Maneckshaw Elavia (61), Jassawalla Wadi, Juhu, 40()049; January 11 PiUlibtu Sorabji Mithaiwala (82), 6, P. C. Shroff Bldg, Gamadia Clny, 400007; January 11 Homai Rustomji Chhapkhanawala (80), 804-D, Jai-Bhagwati, Dadar, 400014; January 12 Framroz Sorabji Daruwala (84), 13, Chaina Hse, Koliwada, Mazagaon, 400010; January 12 Dhun Munchershaw Patel (17}, 741-B, Patel Bldg, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 12 Cawas Dinshawji Patel (63}, H Block, Tarachand Bldg, Captain Clny, 400034; January 13 Edulji Sorabji Tantra (89), 13, Shahnaz Manzil, M. P. Agiary Lane, 400007; January 13 Phirozshah Jamshedji Dubash (84), A Block, Mehta Bldg, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 4(X)034; January 14 Perin Aspi Dapoliwala (38), E/31, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027, January 16 Zerbanoo Behroz Kenyannagad tJS}, 11, Sir Shapurji Bharucha Baug, Andheri (W), 400058; January 16 Jal Dinshaw Sarbhanwala (58), 2/11, Sir Ratan Tata Bldg, Tardeo, 400034; January 16 Jehangir Navroji Shastri (59), 1, Pushpa Vihar, Colaba Post Office, 400005; January 16 Sorab Pestonjee Patuck, husband of Mehroo and brother of Roshun, Param and Dina; January 17 (cremated) Hirabai Jahangir Rabadi (90), Bldg 4, E. M. Est, 291, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; January 17 Khorshed Dinshaw Dalal (89), Dubash Bldg, Kashinath Rd, Tardeo, 4(XX)34; January 18 Rustom Sorabji Daruwalla (80), 88-13, Dady Ter, Cumballa Hill, 400036; January 18 Dhunmai Pirojshaw Kohiyar (76), Presswalla Bldg, Lamington Rd, 400007; January 18 Navroji Nadirshaw Patel (77}, 139-A, Nazir Hse, Cumballa Hill, 400036; January 18 Kaikhshru Framroze Dubash (85), Beacon, 140, Madame Cama Rd, 400021; January 19 Shirin Nariman OUa (86), 14, Meher Behram Bldg, Khetwadi, 7th Lane, 400(X)4; January 19 Jehangir Dadabhoy Bharucha (82), 17, Rustomji Bldg, Lady Pochkhanawalla Rd, 400007; January 20 Framroze Merwanji Khan (84), A/1, Flat 1, New Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; January 20 Shera Bomanshaw Mody (82), C/o Ms N. H. Bharucha, R/4, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; January 20 Goola Darvish Irani (62), Lower Bungli, Doongerwadi, Kemps Comer, 400036; January 21 Shavakshah Jehangirji Karkaria (74), Meherbai Wadia Bldg, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; January 21 Homi Faramroze Nalladaru (74), G/25, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; January 21 hoy of Ms Feroza K. Patel (stillborn), Talati Bldg, Seven Bglw, Versova, 40(X)61; January 22 Farhan Mehnoz Bhagwagar (3 months), 96, Nibbana, Pali Hill, Bandra, 400050; January 23 Noshir Ratansha Cooper (74), Dr Somnas Cottage, Lonavla, 410401; January 23 Khorshed Kaikhushru Firozi (79), Windsor Chmbs, Cawasji Patel St, Fort, 400001; January 23 Shera Dinshaw Appoo (91), 12/10, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 24 Thrity Fall Mefua (57), Rele Chmbs, Raghavji Rd, Gowalia Tank, 400036; January 24 Amy Kaikhshroo Rabadi (55), 2 Petit Chawl, Jamshedji Petit Rd, 400007; January 24 Homai Phiroze Aga (77), fianu Khush, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; January 25 Ratanbai Framroze Gheesta (72), 84-A, Nawal Bldg, Noshir Bharucha Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; January 25 Jehangir Nadirshaw Bamboat (75), B-15, Navroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; January 26 Moti Sorab Irani (87), C Block, Bhiwandiwalla Ter, Dhobitalao, 400002; January 26 Dhuryishaw Hoshangsha Nanavati (99), 38-A, Pali Hill, Bandra, 400050; January 26 39 Parsiana February 1990Rustom Temoras Bhamgara Dinbai Petit Bldg, Dinbai Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; January 27 Soli Kcukhushroo Panthaki (IT), Marine Chmbs, Marine Lines, 400020; January 27 Najamai Rustomji Udwadia (ji). Dr Marina Hospital Comp, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 27 Themurasp Manchershaw Daruwalla (61), 3/2, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 40(X)27; January 28 Rustomji Hormusji Gandhi (IS), Room 16, Irani Dharamshalla, Gamdevi, 400007; January 28 Rusi Kaikhushroo Marolia (30), Avabai Petit Bldg, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400008; January 28 Bhikaji Nanabhai Mehta (91), B/2, Sonawalla Bldg, Tardeo, 400007; January 28 Peppy Rustomji Wallace (86), C/7, Ben Nevis, B. Desai Rd, 400026; January 28 Banoo Ratanji Colah (78), 61/G, Somerset Hse, B. Desai Rd, 400026; January 29 Sheran Soli Gandhi (69), C/5, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 29 Peshotan Dins hawji Engineer (72), Banoo Mans, Cumballa Hill, 400036; January 30 Meherwan Kaikhushroo Falhazada {61), 'H. H. Marg, Fort, 400001; January 30 Hoshang Jal Kapadia {(H), Arsiwala Bldg, 59, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; January 30 Freni Godrej Meherhomji (81), 33/1, Godrej Hill Side Clny, Vikhroli, 400079; January 30 Jehangir Naoroji Mehta (80), C Block, Navroze Mans, Tardeo, 40(X)07; January 30 CALCUTTA Bom A girl to Persees and Baji Antia; January 6 A boy to Kashnura and Pervez Liloonwala; January 16 Married Gulnar Manek Manekshana and Cyrus Dastur-, January 2 GEORGIA Born A girl, Neza, to Mt and Ms Neville Homi Sarkari-, November 24, 1989 ILFORD, UK Khorshed Peshotan Kotwal (88); Bora December 26 A boy, Cyrus, to Hutoxi and Filly Dadabhoy Adarji Tamboli (66); Maravala; December 28 KARACHI Married Jasmine Pesi Patel and Piran Faramroze Karanjia; September 8 Nilufer Homi Javat and Kaikobad Behramji Aga-, October 8 Mailing Aspi Chmai and Farshad Farokh Mavabvala-, December 7 Hutoxi Rustom Naoroz and Polad Adi Irani; December 11 Meher Jal Birdie and Afshad Minu Mistry; December 22 Gulnar Minu Patel and Nadir Cyrus Cowasjee-, December 22 Spenta Minu Khar as and Rustom Hoshang Mavalwala-, December 31 Nerges Jehangir Karanjia and Cyrus Aspi Irani; December 31 Died Gulnar Framroze Marker (77); December 24 Framroze Kaikhushroo Navroji (70); December 25 December 26 Kaikhushroo Rustomji Petigara (72); December 30 POONA Died Russi Cawassha Vakil (53), 38, Bhavani Peth, 411002; January 19, 1990 Rati Jal Panthaky (11), Mody Clny, Synagogue St, 411001; January 21 Eruchsha Sorabji Postwalla (87), 202, Sahajand Complex, East St, 411001; January 29 TOTALS (for this issue) Births Boys 12, Girls 6 Marriages Parsi 60 Intercommunal 35 (May-December 1989) Deaths 861 Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS FROM SOFTHEARTED ‘WIBS*BREAD WESTERN INDIA BAKERS' PRIVATE LIMITED KHODADAD BUILDING, 100 D'LIMA STREET DOCKYARD ROAD, BOMBAY400010 40 Parsiana February 1990IN MEMORIAM Gorwala's gospel Parinaz Gandhi While some may prefer to single him out widely and easily. Reflective but ever nal reached 5,000 loyal readers ranging as a spirited writer and others as an in- cheerful, he had a penetrating insight... from small businessmen to eminent intel- corrup'tible administrator, all who knew But never would he countenance abr- lectuals, ” remembers Ashok Mahade- ..................... ........................ van, editor of the Reader’s Digest. Opin­ ion, priced at Rs 2 annually, “lost money most years, but Gorwala — a bachelor of ‘It took the infamous emergency to modest habits — didn ’t mind, ” remem- cheerful, he had a penetrating insight... But never would he countenance abr- Astad Dinshah Gorwala remember him idgement of individual liberty even in as a ceaseless crusader. In his life span the darkest moments of our recent his- . of 89 years he was committed to the tory. ” cause of righteousness and inspired oth- “P „ ers to fight for the truth. For 23 years he make people truly appreciate the worth of bers Mahadevan. “It had an influence was a member of the Indian Civil Ser- the man, ” noted an editorial in the that extended right up to parliament and vice, until disillusionment with the func- monthly Kaiser-E-Hind. While the gov- it was often quoted, ” recounted Behram tioning of the government prompted him emment resorted to different means to Contractor in his ‘Round and about ’ col- to champion the cause of the oppressed thwart his attempts at publishing Opin- umn in The Afternoon Despatch and and brine about nublic awareness ion, Gorwala made every effort to see Courier of December 5. But it is not only as a critic that Gor ­ wala was known to the government. the man, ” noted an editorial in the that extended right up to parliament and monthly Kaiser-E-Hind. While the gov- tioning of the government prompted him emment resorted to different means to and bring about public awareness ion, Gorwala made every effort to see through the columns of newspapers and that not a single issue of Opinion would ' .....’be missed. First it was the arbitrary cen ­ sors that he had to encounter. Next, the. During his 23 years of association with government threatened the press that the Indian Civil Service, Gorwala held printed his issues so one press printed a particular issue without the imprint line. his own weekly Opinion that he edited. His death on December 4, 1989 left a void in the hearts of many who appreci- „ . ¦ ated the principles he embodied. printed his issues so one press printed a various posts from assistant collector and “In all Gorwala ’s writings there runs particular issue without the imprint line, district magistrate to finance secretary to one common concept of the conflict an offence which made him accountable the government of Bombay and vice between... what is morally correct and ““ — - ... . *¦ ’ what is morally not correct, ” wrote H. M. Patel, a long-time friend and former threat of legal action. The government At the condolence meeting convened finance minister, in the Indian Express of finally invoked the dreaded Maintenance by the Freedom First Foundation, its December 22, 1989, quoting from one of of Internal Security Act to close down founder, Minoo Ma san i, explained how Gorwala ’s many articles: “Government Opinion. Not to be dissuaded, Gorwala the government functioned in those early is made good or bad not by words, but by propagated his message through cy- days after Independence: “The Congress *................................... ¦ ¦ • ’ - ministers wanted the civil servants to ferent post offices. tender advice which they themselves de- “He found it more than sufficient sired and they threw back advice which compensation that every week the jour- did not suit them. Mr Gorwala was much in court. The post office also refused to chairman of the First Foodgrains Policy deliver his copies but relented under the Committee. M. Patel, a long-time friend and former threat of legal action. The government the deeds — or misdeeds — of those in clostyled ‘letters ’ despatched from dif- power... No amount of progress in tech ­ nique or machinery can be of much bene ­ fit if the moral standard of those in charge of government is deplorable or the people as a whole are dishonest and self-seeking. ” Patel added, “For well nigh 25 years Gorwala rendered remark ­ able and indeed unique service through his weekly Opinion. Whether one agreed with him or not, what he had to say stimulated one ’s thinking... ” “True to form, Gorwala ’s language was often intemperate as his feelings were ever intense, ” commented noted •lawyer and writer A. G. Noorani in the ’ Indian Express of December 14. Noorani, who used to write regularly for Opinion over the years, said of Gorwala: “There were times when he was unjust. What none doubted was that the attacks were motivated entirely by deeply felt convictions on matters of public policy, never by personal considerations. Self ­ less to the core, he gave his affection and trust generously even as he won them 41 Parsiana February 1990 ***^5^*’*^ US I*® isS'SS gooo «««< 8 «A« ***** *--rtu **I ( too honest a civil servant to accept this quashed the autocracy of the landed zam- nonsense. ” His recommendations as sup- indars and to have gained a rejwttttion for ply commissioner to the government of despatching ‘Gorwala ’s justice. ’ He Bombay and president of the Commodi- even had novel ways of bringing about »<’ ties Control Board were noteworthy but law and order. Once when he was in- the government had no intentions of pay- formed that communal- riots were about ing any heed to his advice; When he had to break out, he had the leaders of the. ri- s proposed that the government retain full- val factions locked in the same cell and ’ scale control on foodgrains, Nehru ’s ad ­ ministration, reportedly under pressure from traders, rejected his advice. Gor- tegy paid off. wala resigned as a civil servant stating. Before he started out with Opinion, “Ordinarily a civil servant must imple- Gorwala used to write a weekly column ment the government ’s policies even if for The Statesman and The Times of In- he disagrees with them. But if you feel a dia — “probably the most talked about policy will cause great harm, you are honor bound to protest and in the last re ­ sort, resign. ” Many of his friends re ­ member his philosophy in life as enu ­ merated in the Bhagvad Gita, “Find full reward of right in doing right; Let right So ultimately he launched Opinion in of religion at Rutgers University, in North deeds be thy motive, not the fruits 1961. “It. was Gorwala ’s Opinion and he Brunswick on November 18,1989. thereof. ” expressed it, literally without fear or fa- Pangbom had researched widely on As a public servant Gorwala is known and the observance of laws. In those old age, arthritis and failing eyesight in- for his critic^ study ^yastrianis^^A days after World War II when he was c -,--------- , supply commissioner to the government used the columns of Opinion. Noted Ar- as notes an obituary clipping from a local of Bombay and there was a limited ration ’’ ' ~ t>, of milk and sugar available for the popu- ’ „ . . lace, he advised the citizens not to take source of strength and inspiration to Contractor of New York, sugar in their tea, and to set an example, those who worked in public life. ” _ ..... _ .. he started taking black, sugarless tea ’ .... - himself. During the latter years of his life, he is known to have led an austere . life, living alone, travelling by bus, maintained his grip on the nation ’s poli- tion of his book to his family with the drinking tea from an old lidless teapot, tics. He was happy that Rajiv Gandhi ’s words, “for whom, as for me, a sojourn His staple food was khakhra (savory in- government had been ousted from in India was an expwience in learning digenous crackers), it was noted. There power. But on hearing that the south that despite the poignant fragility of life, was a time though when “uncle G’s bloc had voted for Congress (I), Gorwala one can again and again surprised by (Gorwala) teas were the finest, most ele- asked disbelievingly, “What ’s the matter joy.” Indeed, Pangbom ’s concern for gant, most peaceful and the ones I miss the most, ” reminisces author-playwright are intellectuals and then they vote for warmth and gentle, self-deprecating Ms Nisha da Gunha of her young days in him?! ” However he also had reserva- Delhi in Gorwala ’s company. “Though tions about the opposition working unit- he loved his liquor, when Morarji Desai edly. A few days later Gorwala breathed introduced prohibition, as a government his last on December 4, 1989 in Secun- servant he refused to break the law of the derabad. land and stopped drinking. He would only drink when he went abroad, never in India... ” remembers Contractor. The disciplined Gorwala had no diffi ­ culty qualifying for the civil service. While studying law in Bombay the Brit- promised to release them as soon as they sorted out their differences. The stra- Us*' Things a conscientious person would do articles those days, ” says columnist M. P. Narayana Pillai. But these columns which irked Nehru were made to stop. Then he wrote for The Bombay Sama- Died: Dr Cyrus R. Pangbom (73), scholar char. That too was made to discontinue, of Zoroastrianism and professor emeritus 1961. “It. was Gorwala ’s Opinion and he Brunswick on November 18,1989. expressed it, literally without fear or fa- ~ _________________ vor. He challenged the erring mood of a Hinduism — specifically the Rama- to have been strict in the implementation nation with a pen... ” wrote Pillai. Until krishna Mission but was ‘best known •___ 2 ---------- ---- --- capacitated him, Gorwala relentlessly Beleaguered Faith, published in 1983,’’ vind Deshpande of the Leslie Sawhney publication of December 1, 1989 for- Programme, “His very presence was a warded to Parsiana by Farok and Joan source of strength and inspiration to Contractor of New York. ¦ .......... The course of these studies brought In Secunderabad, where Gorwala was Pangbom to India, initially as a Fulbright taken to recouperate from a bad fall that scholar in 1961 and on several occasions had led to several days of coma, Gorwala thereafter, a fact recorded in the dedica- tics. He was happy that Rajiv Gandhi ’s words, “for whom, as for me, a sojourn government had been ousted from in India was an experience in learning bloc had voted for Confess (I), Gorwala one can again and again be surprised by asked disbelievingly, “What ’s the matter joy.” I with the South Indians? They claim they higher values was balanced by human Towards the end “the BBC was his voice of the world, he would listen to it all the time and friends would take turns to drop in to read the papers, news, edito ­ rials... literature, poetry... He knew ev ­ erything that was happening and he had a ish government ’s announcement that the view on everything, ” recalls Contactor. Nisha da Cunha, who used to regu ­ larly go and read to him reminisces of his favorite lines from Tennyson ’s Ulysses'. ‘Tho we are not now that strength that in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are we are... ’ ICS examination would be conducted in India interested him. He applied, and was one of only nine candidates to be se ­ lected from India. After a two-year training at Cambridge he was posted at Sind, close to his hometown, Quetta. On his first appointment he is known to have 43 Parsiana February 1990tirement in 1981. A memorial service was conducted at humor. mdiiciiLiii ivox. READERS’ FORUM “What is religion ’s real place in our A memorial service was conducted at continued from page 7 lives? How should our religion shape our Voorhees Chapel on the Douglass Col- lotted to each speaker. Hardly had Mr lives out in the world? ” These were lege campus. A memorial fund has been Desai spoken for three minutes to the ef- Pangbom ’s overriding concerns. instituted in his name — the Pangbom feet that this could not be done in view of Zoroastrian scholar R. C. Zaehner ’s Student Loan Fund, at Kansas Wesleyan, the High Court judgement when the comment, “Of all the great religions of Salina, Kansas. The obituary write-up chairman fang the bell. Naturally Mr the world Zoroastrianism was the least indicated that contribution, in lieu of Desai protested and there were shouts well served, ” had registered strongly flowers, to this fund or to the Douglas from the audience in protest but the with Pangbom who tried to “remedy this Associate Alumnae, New Brunswick, chairman did not yield and Mr Desai had deficiency, ” to make knowledge of the New Jersey, would be appreciated. to leave without completing what he religion “accessible to collegians or r ............................ other literate and inquiring minds. ” \ ‘ Once the project was begun, “the in- and Richard, herent worth of many a tenet of Zoroas ­ trianism, the intriguing uniqueness of certain of its beliefs and practices and the very fact that it has survived ” almost precluded other interests. In “the hope that ... the religion of Zoroaster may be rescued from benign neglect and find acceptance as one deservedly included among the living religions of the world, ” Pangbom produced a thesis whose most avid students were Zoroastrians them ­ selves. A playback of the tape revealed that De- Pangbom was concerned at the sai had spoken for four minutes and four priestly preoccupation with ritual details Died: Mehrbanue (Morvarid) Bahman secondy —Editor __________ rather than the task of reinterpreting the Aidun (85), the Zoroastrian benefactress philosophy of the religion to deal with who recently donated 15 cemetery plots the problems of the twentieth century, of in Alexandria, Virginia to the Zoroas- providing the community with ethical trian Association of Metropolitan Wash ­ guidelines that would not only sustain ington (ZAMW), of heart failure in them in their daily lives, but make Manassas, Virginia on August 9,1989. Zoroastrianism more meaningful to younger minds. In an interview with Par­ siana during his last visit to Bombay in known for her interest in the social and 1985, Pangbom emphasized “duties in cultural activities of Zoroastrian associa- your home, community, temple — the tions, notes the obituary in the July-Au- things a conscientious person would do.” gust 1989 issue of Zoroastrian News, the He contrasted these with the search for newsletter of the ZAMW. Her other “hidden meanings for a special elite ” in interest lay in books on religion and his- which certain orthodox/mystical groups tory. of Zoroastrians tend to lose themselves, resulting in “the avoidance of hard tasks and Bahman Khodamorad Behriz, she and hard decisions that must be made in married her cousin Khodamorad Bahram society. ” Aidun at the age of 18. The union was Pangbom, named after his great graced with six offspring and lasted 52 grandfather who had been christened years, until Khodamorad ’s death in 1974, Cyrus after the reference to Cyrus the informs the newsletter. By that time the Great of Persia in the Bible, grew up in Aiduns had been resident in Tehran for . Kansas and was a graduate of the Kansas 27 years. Then, in 1979, Aidun migrated Wesleyan University and the Yale Divin- to the US to live with her daughter Homa ity School. He was ordained to the minis- and son-in-law Dinshaw Sohrab in the try after serving three years as a Student Washington area, notes the newsletter. Christian Movement staff member in- Only a few months ago she donated the forms the obituary. Earning his doctor- cemetery plots where she now lies bur- ate from Columbia University in 1951, Pangbom taught at the University of Iowa for three years before coming to Aidurt, Anooshah, Mahrafashani, Sohrab Rutgers University ’s Douglass College and Sotudehnia, states the newsletter, where he taught for 27 years until his re- A M. Pangbom is survived by his daughter wanted to say. The conduct of the chair- Wendy Littman and twin sons Robert man was annoying. Amavaz S. Mama Aidun’s endowment A matriarch with 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, Aidun was well- Bom in Yazd to Khorshid Khodadad ied. Aidun is survived by the families of 44 Parsiana February 1990 It was also observed that more time was allotted to speakers who expressed reformist views and when protest was made about it, the persons cm the stage shouted down the priest However, there was a rousing and joyous end to the Con ­ gress with the youths singing together a special composition prepared within a short time, followed by the entire gather ­ ing joining in to sing, Chhaiy^ Ham^ Zvthosu. JAL VAKIL Edited by Amavaz S. Mama THE 4 PARSIANA BOOK OF IRANIAN NAMES The Iranian names of boys and girls along with their meanings which originally appeared in Parsiana have now been reprinted in an attractive 24-page booklet. The book, which is priced at Rs 15, is available on sale at : Kaiser-E-Hind, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Behind Reserve Bank of India, Fort, Bombay 400001. Faredoon and Burjor Sandalwood Shop, \ Princess Street. % \ Union Press, 13, Homji Street, Bombay 400001.