Nov 1990

lU4-r1 f :X: 'ts.^^i-?.'?!: 11^®^ ?; NOVEMBER 1990 Rs 8 341' .? x'.is -'¦'•’J ¦••i’ r «S.'.‘T ’‘9:''."Zi'.-.:Z\‘:‘',iii': > ^ . ^ : , > -..^^ii, :?« ?*'* '®- OiSS." <' :->• II '•M? t . -S C^5 4 hl *• ss Rosna^s cool c€ •'M' .¦^? on. 5' <• ij- 7,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 MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D’Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B. L. Arora EDP Rohinton E. Daroga CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver November 1990 Volume 13 Number 5 3 Readers’ Forum 8 Events and Personalities 17 Zoroastrians Abroad 20 Rasna: concentrate(d) success by Parinaz Gandhi 25 Travels in Iran - 4 by Manekji Limji Hataria 28 Rumbling, crumbling Doongaji House by Gustasp Irani 31 Books 36 Milestones (¦ OFFICE Rajendra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia Lewis, Rajalakshmi Krishnan, Bakhtavar Batliwalla, Nowzer Batliwala 39 In Memoriam Cover: The Rasna story Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd, at C/o H.L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd, C/0 Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Color processing. Comart Lithographers; and black and white processing, Samir Process. All rights reserved. Phone: 2048730 Fax: 2042922 For editorial enquiries: 2048183 Telex 11-85710 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 (please allow six months or more for delivery); Air mail Rs 275 for one year, Rs 525 for two years. For US cheques add $5 to cover bank charges. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 4 for bank charges. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favor of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 or C/o H.L.Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 rREADERS' FORUM r>»»i i:-: T ---- — to young Roxan Shah, daughter of Dr Adi In “1989: The telling figures^ (Reader^ ’ Nazir, is in keeping with our religious at- " " * ‘ titudes (“An injustice at doongerwadi, ” Parsiana, August 1990). . . I have always been nauseated by the of the population, the death rate for UK oft repeated comment heard when sancti- has shown a rise from 10.4 to 10.7. Same monious Parsis get together: “Apro is the experience of all developed coun- dharam ketlo chokho che (How very pure tries. is our religion)! ” Any group of people who propagate the concept that God is their private preserve and that their reli ­ gion is better and cleaner than any other, . . have missed the essence of what the their number is not adequate to replace founders of their respective faiths have the present number. It is important to note taught. I do believe in the broad and all em­ bracing avataric concept that God comes righteousness burns low, to give mankind a push, and to teach the same eternal mes­ sage of love, always giving it a complex ­ ion to suit the times. It stands to reason therefore that every vey of Parsi Population of Greater Bom- religion in its pristine state is as pure and bay --1982 and a paper on Parsi demog ­ as clean as any other, and therefore any raphy presented to the Fourth World true member of one can never desecrate ZLoroastrian Congress in 1985). the ceremonials of another by his or her F - - . The shocking episode of denial meted out *‘19891 The telling flgl^es MB SfF .... •In I ..... B'l a i ’ i ¦ I f * «iS4!4»« '’I!*' >'( Forum, Parsiana, August 1990) Dr P. D. Sunavala discusses the birth and death rates of the Parsi population. With aging », ,, IS« i < ( .jl M i.gi.OO.,., . I ( I I > I I P « > t ’ ........... Hifii '11 »• iM* <*i i t F I ai- ¦z. Low birth rate is a cause for concern. Migration of the young has its influence. But assuming all the babies bom today and yesterday, continue living in India, that the marriage and childbearing pat ­ terns will further reduce the number i.e. ______________ even when all those ‘now bom ’ opt to live again and again every" time the wick of in India. In keeping with the trend of Par- • ¦ ’ sis’ behavior, not all will marry and the children they will bear will be too few. All this was discussed by me in a paper that the community is well aware of (Sur- From my general observations I feel Readers'views are welcomo on any subject presence. that the community must trrat every preg- of interest to the community and shouid jg strange that basically most Parsis nancy as ‘most precious ’ i.e. each preg- be sent to the Editor , Readers ’ Forum, ingrained almost genetic, sense nant woman should be offered adequate of compassion for all living Ih.ngs, hu- medical and nutritional guidance and space and Clarity. Unsigned letters or those man and animal. How can we then be so nancial assistance, if neces^, till the without an address will not be published, bigoted and unkind to our fellow humans child becomes five years old. Ms Aloo - • ~ Mowdavala at Godrej, had an excellent program for the past few decaaes and there are virtually no infant deaths or in ­ stances of maternal mortality among the population under her program. Much more positive were the health effects. This approach is essential since experi ­ ence shows that it is the poor who were likely to go for pregnancy and births. Dr (Ms) MALINl KARKAL It is strange that basically most Parsis have an ingrained, almost genetic, sense of compassion for all living things, hu­ man and animal. How can we then be so when it comes to religion? As Aurobindo, in his profound wis ­ dom, has said, “True theocracy is the kingdom of God in man, and not the king ­ dom of a pope, a priesthood or any sacer­ dotal class of any denomination. ” The teachings of all the divine masters such blasphemy. Even a 15-year-old girl are full of universal compassion and love. It is we humans who have “caged the “An injustice at...” This refers to “An injustice at doonger- wadi ” {Parsiana, August 1990). It is a crying shame that a Parsi should write like me knows that if you are foolish devoid of any dogma or ceremonial laws, enough to marry outside your religion'you It is we humans who have caged the do not remain a pure Parsi. Could Roxan bird ’’ and given their teachings the garb of There was no greater iconoclast than enough to marry outside your religion' you “The Place where...” _____________ It was really interesting to note that Firoz, Zoroaster when he strode this earth and the father of the sizzler, started by selling mava cakes to the British soldiers bivou ­ acked at the Worli sea face (“The Place 1 am sure inai 11II1U51 nave uccii 4UIIV wiumuq, -------------o---------- - . „ . , loon'i sad for Roxan ’s family, but they should And now we, his followers, have turned where it sizzles, Parsiana, J"®/- have expected it if they allowed her to marry outside the religion. To conclude I feel that if Ms Amavaz Mama feels so and mortify her inconsolable p^ente, strongly about it, she should start her own doongerwadi for Parsi women who have married outside our community. There was no injustice at the doonger ­ wadi... it was justice to our religion. Ms VEERA K. DOONGRIWALLA have helped our dwindling community? The answer is ‘no, ’ because even if her children do have their navjote ceremony , performed, they are not pure Zoroastrians. walked into King Gustasp s court like a I am sure that it must have been quite colossus, breaking every existing taboo. into such hidebound conformists that we find it in us to deny a child her last rites His son forgets to mention that Firoz ’s second stop was the Friend ’s Cabin be ­ tween the old Golwalla and Backbay only because she married outside the Baths (swimming pools). It was a big community. If any Parsi believes this to “ * '*** ***“ ”’***" be in keeping with his religion, then I would like to know what religion is all about DtHSACENWAUA Trichur cabin touching the sea when Backbay was still a bay. There was no Mantralaya or Sachivalaya or Oberoi Hotel. It was all sea, which literally used to lap the steps of the Cabin. 3 Parsiana November 1990Here Firoz used to sell samosas and ZTFE was “Which way to 2000 and be- they are - with human foibles yet gentle chicken sandwiches cut triangularly (for yond? ” by Ms Parma/, Gandhi, as the understanding, lovable, charitable and af- thc first time in Bombay). The chicken other pieces dealt with other issues. Since fectionate, literate and socially conscious rolls had not yet arrived on the scene. ----- .:~i----------------- -> -r. „ . . . ’. . . vunsviuus Then on to Excelsior and Empire cin- i ____ , _________ ___ ema stalls for the American style hot dogs implied that several associations other and chicken rolls. He used to serve in a f ' - ------- --- small garden in the old Excelsior cinema the issue, building. Firoz had picked up the idea on one of his trips to the USA. At that time a Japanese performing _______________________ troupe was performing at the old Regal community. Also, ZITO president ^1 cinema. Firoz joined them on their return Sethna and secretary Rusi Dalal found a journey to Japan and himself returned to pictorial place in the issue. Bombay with “The Sizzler ” at the Excel ­ sior cinema. Also, clay models of the various dishes he was going to serve, — — - were displayed in the showcase at the en ­ trance of the restaurant. ______ _ I have not tasted the likes of the sizzler life. I entirely agree with the views^ex- pork chops and mixed gnll he used to pressed by Ms Gulistan Engineer on this there, ever, anywhere again. Per- filra (-Percy." Readers' Forum, Parsiana............... ueeauseournumuentare haps, was younger and more voracious August 1990). I cannot accept the wishy- dwindling is indeed a novel explanation. - > way back in the 1960s, when I used to buy a dozen copies of your journal for free dis ­ tribution. The real reason is (that) you wish to cater to the upper class and to cajole whom you sometimes print rubbish — but your real subscribers live way down the line. Tell me factually, how many of the seven trustees (of the Bombay Parsi •w ---- . ' You are simply wasting good space ZTFE was “Which way to 2000 and be- Gandhi ’s article compressed four days of human beings. And yes, Mr Merwanji, words, this restriction you will have to arrange the finance for it ¦ ------------------- ------ ' yourself (not by Ms Engineer as sug- thari the ZTFE also found no mention in gested by you in your reply). Then, per- the :cs"c. haps, you will be able to mitigate to a cer- However, UK Parsis were referred to tain extent the wrong Percy has done to by the author in quoting Dr (Ms) Rashna the Parsis. I wish you success in your ^^riter s considerable research on the UK venture! ms gooloo rmehta Subscriber blues You state in your letter of reminder for subscription renewal, “Our issues are sometimes behind schedule due to limited editorial personnel and financial sources. ” This is a euphemism. You are The film Percy is an obnoxious, unimagi ­ native, unpalatable and incomprehensible ______ _________ ___........ »„„ way of always late, right from day one. You i.f« T—....I.. . .. have enough staff to come out at the right moment, not only day. To say that your circulation drops because our numbers are re- washy comments of the director Mr Perhaps you remember the days. Then he moved to Paradise, Colaba Pervez Merwanji and his defence of the and then to the Isle of Mann (UK). Well, “ that ’s another story. z. m. zend “Which way to 2000...?” People over here could not miss obser ­ ving that neither the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) nor their dele ­ gates were once referred to or mentioned in the body of the report on the Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress {Parsiana, January 1990). .ki . .J **«vuioi uui voiiiiui wnen you give a list or a hreny marrying a We arc the second largest suonghold show his true feelings? His disgusting fa- Karsomali or a Cavas mai^g a of Zoroastrians outside India, and the old- ther is shown mouthing crude and vulgar Christine. And then why lament the language, implying that Parsis can only dwindling numbers? Despite all these Whether one likes it or not, our commu- "¦—•* **'¦—-------' “ nity in Europe has a major role to play zenly. and will be a very great contributory fac­ tor in the formation of the world Zoroas ­ trian stage in the future. Your publication is very important to _______________ ______ _ vw...u.iiv p free from claims, he has made a wrong choice by December or else,^as a no^ce politics and prejudice It will not be able to filming it, apart from doing a great dis ­ serve our community, and if that happens service to the Parsis. Our Maharashtrian, then you would have missed a golden Muslim, Gujarati and other friends received the June ’79 issue today, optxirtunity which Ahura Mazda has phoned me after viewing this Film. Many fact ’s a fact any day. b essed you with to serve your commu- were outright sarcastic and it was mortify- There is, further, an insulting line 1 r . I f , ing to hear what the others had to say. thrown in gratuitously (the Parsiana sub- I consider factualness, frankness and And lastly, what is this nasty remark scription renewal form carries a money tTveloumalhm Merwanji about Parsis living in back guarantee for the balance period, if ti\e journalism. &v.dZAL sethna one-crore apartments and criticizing the at any time the subscriber chooses to can- London. UK poor? I stTonglv susDCCt a streak of vin- cel his subscription). Though chronologically I am 75 — and a BSc — I belong to all age-groups you forget the old adage, “Never ask a woman her age or a man his wage? ” (An film. Nile are not disputing the many awards it won. Maybe, cinematically, it was good. What we are trying to say is that can we not have had a more -sympathetic exposure as a community — the commu ­ nity which has done such a lot to improve social conditions for itself and other com- ______ „ munities? Why should Percy have shown Punchayet) subscribe to your paper? himself to be a mamma’s boy who obvi- __ e>'~- ously despises his mother but cannot when you give a list of a Freny marrying ehnu/ trnn J*-,™_ *:__ r*. _ «. J J ther is shown mouthing crude and vulgar Christine. Karsomali or a Cavas marrying ¦ And then why lament the speak about such things openly and bra- . He does not change after his mother dies — but fades away in the hori ­ zon. ITien what, may I ask, did the picture convey? If that was the story as Merwanji factors, I still have two gift subscriptions to my account. This is without malice and written be ­ cause you asked fw it. Perhaps you re­ member that I had given you the idea to combine issues e.g. October/November/ ,-------------- J you were posting the single issues so late-that had the practice continued, we might have by Mr Merwanji about Parsis living in one-crore apartments and criticizing the poor? I strongly suspect a streak of vin ­ dictiveness coupled with chauvinism on his part as regards the lady! No, Mr Mer- wanji, the film was a bad reflection on our (but) how, as a seasoned journalist, could community, and not all the awards in the " ... The only^ article^in the issue world can wipe out that stigma unless you _____ ___-o-..*o ....gv „ ...e make another film showing the Parsis as optional questionnaire, append^ to the The Editor replies There was no intention to willfully leave out the name of any association or indi ­ vidual. “ .......................... where we could have referred to the 4 Parsiana November 1990 Isubscription renewal form, enquires about dia, in a press release dated September 7, the readers ’ age, educational qualifica- tions, income group, etc). _ _ _ _ I run Spenta Engineering Co (Pvt) Ltd nomically weak sections and that as its chakman and managing director, i ZZ L____ Z. _ _______ _ making scooter locks and, keep yourself ment so that their talent arid ability was awake, each lock carries a printed life- not lost, time guarantee for replacement. This is The release continued that Parsi stu- the Zoroastrian virtue of excellence in dents, in spite of obtaining high marks in every field which you are trying to de- f ~ ___ __ _ stroy by advocating mixed marriages, examinations, were unable to get admis- When a thoroughbred mare is crossed with a donkey, the result is a mule, which has no pride of aocesuy nor any hope of posterity . dinshaw a. merchant Appeal for donations The Mancherji Joshi Memorial Education tional needs would be attended to. Fund (MJM^ was established and reg- C " istered as a public trust in the year 1969. copy of the above release to Dr Aspi It aimed to commemorate the name of the Golwalla, chairman, the Parsi Punchayet great social worker and founder of the Funds and Properties, Bombay, and re- Dadar Parsi Colony, by giving educa- _ _______________ tional aid to deserving and needy Parsi know what a representative and authora- families. - - As the cost of education is increasing __ ________ ___ ___ ______ day by day, it becomes more and more Dr Golwalla" whilst acknowledging my difficult for the parents from the lower letter on October 5, 1990, stated that the income group or even for middle-class matter was under consideration and the families, to b^ the entire burden of the decision, when finally arrived at, would be conveyed to me in due course. The contribution of the Parsis in the ________________________ ____ field of education is next to none. And through charitable trusts and societies. not exceed 40 KMPH and drove from 1990 had pointy out diat the Zoroastrians dawn to dusk, with halts in between. I start at 6 a.m. on November 12 for the second phase of my journey touching Nagpur, Jhansi, Agra, Delhi and, if per­ mitted, to Kashmir. Petrol proved another handicap as eve ­ rywhere the bunks would refuse to fill the _ _ five-liter tin which I carried, as the the Ifigher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Champ’s capacity is only three liters. ~. .* . * - However, my AASI (Automobile Asso- sion in professional colleges. In view of ciation of Southern India) membership their pioneering services — the Parsis, in true secular spirit, had helped in the de ­ velopment of the country and welfare of ____________ ____________ the people Mr Taleyarkhan expressed expenditure has gone haywire and much too had a sizable number of poor and eco- ..I some provision could be made by the Govem- not lost. The release continued that Parsi stu- However, my AASI (Automobile Asso- card did the trick and we were able to ob ­ tain our requirements. Because of the present conditions, my hope that their economical and educa- beyond what I had expected. If some phil- ’ —'1’2 - -2,:’^ x. anthropic Parsis could offer any monetary On September 12,1990,1 forwarded a help, however small, it would mitigate - D.C.PATELL . Secunderabad .,1 re­ quested him to let the Parsi community To train trust managers .**“* r The Centre for Advancement of Philan- tive body like the Parsi Punchayet thinks thropy (CAP) set up since October 1986, recommendation, provides professional advice and assis­ tance to public charitable trusts, societies and nonprofit organizations in areas of trust law, management and taxation. - -----------y-------------- . -------- Now, the Centre has initiated a training education of their children and, therefore, be conveyed to me in due course. program in trust management for volun- the demand for educational help from The contribution of the Parsis in the teers interested or involved in social work our Fund, is ever increasing. field of education is next to none. And through charitable trusts and societies We entirely depend upon philanthropic yet, Parsi youth is sent from pillar to post The curriculum includes an overview of persons and institutions to give us gener- " - • ¦ OUS donations enabling us to extend edu- , ___ cational aid to many more deserving Parsi that fo/ admission w academic institu- boys and girls, to further their studies and f ‘ ’ J_ _ thus grow up to be worthy citizens of our have certain facilities? of fund raising, proposal writing, program community and the country. They can It is a matter of regret that apart from selection and leadership development are also bring happiness and prosperity to Mr Homi Taleyarkhan, no other leader of included. The program will initially be their families, as one single educated per- our i----------- ’ - - son of a family can change the destiny of fowaid. his/her family. Last year we received donations of The highway rider reports over Rs 57,7(X) which enabled us to grant My daughter and I started from Kan- Rs 33,775 as educational aid to 111 de ­ servingstudents. We assure you that every rupee that Lions Club of Kanyakumari whose you contribute will be utilized very dis- I ’ " ' Z____ criminatingly. Cheques may be drawn in Mahatma at 6 a.m. to see us off. . favor of the “Mancherji Joshi Memorial Education Fund ” and addressed c/o the undersigned at 614, Jame Jamshed Road, Mancherji Joshi Parsi Colony, Dadar, Bombay, 400014. jalkhan guided us and we made the journey de ­ spite the daily downpour. It was only at Bangalore that we got some respite, with a shining sun. In all other respects, the journey was comfortable, though very tiring as we did Hon Treasurer, MJMEF The Parsis as a minority Mr Homi J. H. Taleyarkhan, member. Mi­ norities Commission, Government of In ­ 6 Parsiana November 1990 some of the financial pinch. I for admission to academic institutions. Is the Bombay Public Trust Act, the Socie ­ ties Registration Act, Income Tax Act and other legislation affecting charities, tions, as well as in jobs, the Parsis should Brainstorming sessions on various aspects It is a matter of regret that apart from anything wrong in urging the Government community has openly come spread over four Saturdays every month and participants will be awarded a certifi ­ cate on successful completion of the course. Due to paucity of space, only four par- yakumari on November 1, 1990 on our ticipants will be enrolled every month on -r-- ¦ • ................. a first come, first served, basis. There are no registration or tuition fees. Participants must bring their own stationery and refer ­ ence material prescribed by the Centre. We had a tough time with incessant Those interested may write to the under ­ rain for three days and got wringing wet, signed at the Centre for Advancement of so much so that I nearly decided to abort Philanthropy, C/o J. N. Marshall Ltd, my mission at Salem, but Ahura Mazda Mistry Mansion, 4th floor, 107, M. G. Road, Fort, Bombay, 400021 NOStnR H. DADRAWALA Executive Secretary, CAP BHIKHAJIM. ADENWALL\ moped after a touching send-off by the ~ mem­ bers had gathered at the Samadhi of the Edited by Amavaz S. Mamakb Events and Personalities Thana landz an update sought permission to implead itself in censor body... for trustees who are abdi- The litigation over the 80,000 square support of the Anjuman. Armed with eating responsibility, ” and requested foot land on Eduljee Road at Chanrai be- “ longing to the Cowasji Behramji Di- vecha Trust at Thana may be resolved shortly once the parties involved sign the expedited (see “Thana land development reportedly succeeded in negotiating an consent terms, says Rustom Cursetji, stayed, ” Parsiana, July 1989) the increase in the area for the community president of the Thana Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman was reportedly able to establish from 25 percent to about 41 percent of Anjuman. that the original sale price (Rs 170 per the total. While it had been agreed some square foot) was much below the market There are still a couple of issues months ago, on the intercession of Homi rate (Rs 1,000 per square foot). On the which remain. For example, to whom Taleyarkhan, member of the Government assurance of the Godrej Foundation would additional benefit accrue in the of India ’s Minorities Commission, that which agreed to build on a no profit no event of a change by the municipality in 33,000 square feet of the total built-up area would be reserved for the commu ­ nity and offered at Rs 550 per square fool be absorbed by Parsis at the rate of Rs 450 amenities would be available for the use as per a write-up in the Jam-e-Jamshed of per square foot. * . ~ — June 10, 1990, the payment schedule had been a continuing source of disagreement, said Cursetji. Now it has been agreed — though the consent terms remain to be ratified — that 15 percent of the amount would be pay­ able on signing the agreement and 30 percent on the plinth being ready — a to ­ tal of 45 percent within two months of signing the agreement, informs Cursetji whose involvement has thus saved a part of the plot for the benefit of the com ­ munity. It may be recalled that the Divecha Trust reportedly sold the property for Rs 1.30 crores to Radhika Properties Deve ­ lopments Private Limited in January 1988 with the charity commissioner ’s permis ­ sion (see “Thana land sale dispute, ” Parsiana, January 1989). When the Thana Anjuman became aware of the commercial and non-Zoroastrian aspect of the anangement, Cursetji, as president of the Anjuman, interceded with the char­ ity commissioner to stay the deal. Alar ­ med by the brisk construction on the dis ­ puted land and repeated adjournments Federation in Bombay in March 1990 Motivala helped increase India ’s medal at the charity commissioner ’s court, - - the Anjuman moved the Bombay High pose? ” Parsiana, July 1990). On that Court. Simultaneously, the Federation occasion Cursetji had urged the Federa- of Parsi Zoroastrians Anjumans of India tion to create a surveillance machinery “a silver medal. The Indian girls clocked High Court orders in their favor staying Taleyarkhan to intervene, further construction and instructing that the charity commissioner ’s hearings be parties to the dispute, Taleyarkhan had Accordingly, at a meeting of all the which agreed to build on a no profit no loss basis at Rs 160 per square foot, the the town ’s floor space index (FSI)? Anjuman maintained that 300 flats would Also, how much of the ground area and of the community? These questions are The charily commissioner eventually pertinent, informs Cursetji, in view of the likely combining of the disputed property with other property acquired by the builders. Only if Mulla and Medal winning yachtsmen at the Asian Games: Motivala (above), Tarapore (below left) and Cama 1 8 Parsiana November 1990 ¦ fc«-«*S8S5S J ¦ I I___ _____ _ _____ __ _ Mulla, Craigie, Blunt and Caroe, solicitors to the Federation, accept the consent terms, will the Anjuman sign them. And when it does, the petition before the Bom ­ bay High Court will be withdrawn, adds. Cursetji Amavaz S. Mama Asiad highlights HH Of the six Zoroastrian ¦n participants representing IH India at the Asian Games held in Beijing in Sep­ tember 1990, four won ruled that 25 percent of the area be re- medals, notes a press release. Sprinter Ms served for Parsis, as Cursetji reported to Zenia Ayrton won a silver and yachtsmen the executive council meeting of the Farokh Tarapore, Cyrus Cama and Homi (see “Does the Federation serve a pur- tally by winning two bronze. Ayrton was the first runner in the 4 x 100 mts women ’s relay team which won a44.99 seconds in the event. < j '____ j___ ; _ Tarapore and^ his crew Cama won a quarrel, as per his own admission re­ event. In^ the seven races on seven days Courier of August 28. The nmider position to^the fifth position, but their who stays across the street. Mehta who " — yggjj (Q daily supply tiffin to the old lady was concerned when Valmiki did not _________ _______ come to fetch it that day. He decided to from unwarranted restrictions (and) to deliver the lunch himself only to find the promote high standards of ad ve rtisin g fronj door^open, MeherHomji ’s body on practice ” through self regulation, devel- __j. J . opment of advertising codes and ex- Twenty-year-old Valmiki had ab- change of ideas, notes an lAA kochure. Mehta had earlier served as vice presi ­ dent of this organization. He is a founder strangled her to death with a rope after a bronze in the 470 class men ’s yachting ported in TAe Afternoon Despatch and event. In the seven races on seven days Courier of August 28. The muider was their performance differed from the first reported to the police by Zubin Mehta overall perfOTmance won them the third place. Similarly Motivala and his crew came third in the Enterprise class, it is re­ ported. Another Zoroastrian to play an impor ­ tant role in the Asian Games was Ms Arnavaz Damania, deputy chef-de-mis- sion of the Indian contingent. Vice presi- The lAA is a worldwide orga ni zation, with more than 2,3(X) members from 74 countries, providing a common forum for advertisers, media and advertising agen ­ cies and representing their common inter ­ ests. The main aims of this non-profit or ­ ganization, founded in 1938, are “to ad ­ vance commercial communication free deliver the lunch himself only to find the promote high standards of ad ve rtisin g the bed and two cupboards also open. ¦ f Representing India at the Asiad: Sprinter Ayrton (left) and deputy chef-de-mission Damania sconded but was traced to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh by sen- _____________________ ior inspector Bhagwan member of ^e Advertising Standards and head constable G. A. Council of India and was involved with Satam of the Colaba Po- the Bombay Master Printers Association, lice Station who are in- He is also associated with a number of vestigating the case, fur- professional bodies connected with mar- I ther notes the newspaper, keting, advertising and publishing. He is K I Barely a week later, on the board of Rifa Investments Private another victim Nanavati Limited and is a trustee of the Asian mH was mugged in the same locality, informs the Jam-e-Jamshed of September 9, 1990. As per the write up, two lads offered to do carpentry work at her house. When, she ice department. Whilst with the natio nal refused, the boys asked for a glass of wa- carrier, he qualified from the London ter. When she went to fetch water they School of Communications in mass me- came into the house, gagged her and ran dia communication studies. He then away with whatever jewelry and cash joined the Blitz group of publications as a *¦“; ' ¦ * ’i on. One of the youths who was subse ­ quently nabbed in Vashi by the Colaba biodata. Police Station officers was identified as Mohammad Amiruddin Mohammad Za- The ^plastic’ president I jj :- it; r.. ............................. cover some of the stolen jewelry, it was Book Trust, notes his curriculum vitae. The 44-year-old executive started his career in 1966 with Air India where he worked for 11 years in the in-flight serv- dent of the Indian Olympic Association, Damania is presently the president of the Indian Women ’s Hockey Federation. Her responsibilities as deputy chef-de-mission they could lay their hands involved organizing for the Indian team ’s clearance kits, travel details and coordi ­ nating with the Beijing organizing com ­ mittee, adds the release. ______________ Though she did visit camps and give heeruddin. His confession helped to encouraging talks to the participants, ( " ' - ¦ - Damania was of the opinion that she reported. “could not do justice ” to her assignment because the appointment came at very Mehta lAA president short notice. “There is a lot of work in- ----- volved... I feel that one should study all was recently elected to the board of di- dia (OPP), notes The Economic Times of the disciplines and know the participants rectors of the International Advertising September 1,1990. well. Hence the appointment should Association (I AA). Subsequently he was To improve “the image of plastics with come at least three months in advance, ” ? said Damania. on. management trainee in ’77, becoming its director 10 years later, further adds his Science-inclined Pheroze P. Kharas qited out of his responsible job with the Atomic Ener^ Commission and later at Union Carbide to pursue a business in plastics. This year he was elected president of the Director of Blitz publications Karl Mehta Organization of Plastic Processors of In- was recently elected to the board of di- Hence the appointment should Association (lAA). Subsequently he was __ ~ ' thrAA ja » elcctcd president of the Association ’s the Government and the public and to Indian chapter, notes the Financial Ex- highlight the potentials of plastic applica- pressof October 7,1990. tion and research ” is what the OPP has Two muggings in Colaba The insecurity of aging women who are sole occupants of flats came to the fore in August last. Within a span of eight days, two Parsi ladies were attacked in their flats at Colaba, South Bombay. While 82-year-old Ms Tjehmina Vikaji Meher- Homji was murdered on August 19, Ms Freny Nanavati, aged 70, lived to tell her harrowing tale. The motive for both these assaults is believed to be robbery. In MeherHomji ’s case, it was her do ­ mestic Mahesh Rambharose Valmiki who Mehta (left): advancement of advertising Kharas: potentials of plastic 10 Parsiana November J 990been concentrating on. Kharas is himself | the director of Ecoplast Private Limited, a seven-crore-rupee company that manu ­ factures and sells plastic films for llcxiblc packaging and other specialized applica ­ tions, notes Plastiscope, the journal of the I OPP. A growth rate of 20 percent is pro- I jected for Ecoplast in the coming year. I Since it is “easy to get outdated in a I short time, ” the technocrat has plans for I expansion in the field of flexible packag- | ing. With flexible packaging costing I nearly one-fifth of rigid packaging, there | is a good demand for the Ecoplast prtxl- ucts. Sometimes it is the clients ’ unusual demands (like in the case of a gentleman who wanted to make a specialized iden ­ tity card sealed between two layers of thermoplastic) that result in unexpected innovations by the company. “In the fu­ ture we want to broaden our market, preferably in the branch of engineering plctcd a three-yetir diploma course in ho ­ tel management and catering followed by a yctu ’s specialized course, mentions her bio data. >•-1’ r i I ihc Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay. The executive is a member of the Ho ­ tel Catering and Institutional Manage ­ ment Association in London. Her train ­ ing was at Bombay from where she com- Boat race winner Ms Cyrene J. D. ! Bilimoria receiving the women’s single trophy from Dr A. S. Anand, chief justice of the Madras High Court, in Ooty early this year and print media journalists and one each from Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Philippines and Australia, Bana — as the Indian representative — was first put onto a “rigorous schedule at the East-West Center ’s Institute of Culture and Commu-' nications, ” he informs. In addition to lec ­ tures by specialists on Asian-Pacific af­ fairs, discussions, workshops and semi- nars were conducted where the fellows presented papers in their areas of exper ­ tise. Bana’s presentation comprising two parts was on the “Political Transforma ­ tion in India ” and “Environmental Politics in India. ” During his two months ’ stay, he visited plastics, ” reiterates the plastic specialist. A graduate in chemical engineering from the University of Technology, Loughborough, England, the entrepre ­ neur ’s etirly education was al Bombay ’s Davar for Sterling papers Cathedral and John Connon High School The Sterling Newspapers Group which and Wilson^ Colley. His years with publishes five magazines — Gentleman, 7V & Video World, Business Comp­ uter, Technocrat and GEQ — has been taken over by the Indian Express Group, as per a report in The Economic Times different cities in America meeting a ol October 2, 1990. The editor and cross-section of experts and senior offi- publishcr of the new venture will be cials at Pearl Harbor, the Pentagon, the Mancck Davar, who wa.s fonnerly with White House, the National Security the Blitz Group before he took to editing Council, the State Department, the and publishing Johnson Space Center in Houston, the the law magazine arms producing plant of General Dynam- Lex El Juris. ics Corporation and Bell Helicopter in With this shift Fort Worth, Texas, apart from a range of in power t' magazine.s now have access to the editorial and marketing re­ sources of India ’s largest newspaper house, notes The Times. Merchant, founder editor and chairman of the Ster ­ ling Group will continue to function as di ­ rector on the new board, it wa.s stated. the Atomic Energy Commission and Un ­ ion Carbide helped him gain “in experi ­ ence, confidence and conutets, ” he ac­ knowledges. Calcutta Taj’s new GM The newly apptiinted general manager of the Taj Bengal, Calcutta is Ms Shirin a ¦ I O 1 1^. ¦ s the conservationist organizations, it is noted, will Minhaz Batliwala (left): climbing the hotel ladder and Bana: on informative lour Batliwala, notes the BusinessWorld of August 1-14, 1990. During her 20 years US fellowship for Bana of association with the Taj group she has " gained experience irt the food and bever- ages departments of different hotels in the ferson Fellowship program this Taj chain. For the last eight years she has been the food and beverages manager of Senior staff reporter of the Indian Express Sarosh Bana represented India at the Jef- ; year. notes a press release. Along with six American electronic He was also interviewed by some news ­ papers in Hawaii, by the Voice of Amer­ ica in Washington and by KERA Radio in Dallas. This Fellowship program is sponsored each year where six American journalists undertake information-gathering tours of Asian countries of their choice. A senior the journalist from each of these six chosen Asian states is offered a similar opportu ­ nity on the US mainland, reports Bana. India ’s turn comes once every five or six years. Bana was one of 30 applicants to be chosen from India this year on the ba- si.s of his professional experience, rele ­ vance of the fellowship to his future work and his capacity to contribute to the success of the program, notes the release. Since his childhood Bana has been 12 Parsiana November 1990interested in ecology. After completing his inter-science from Bombay ’s Elphin- stone College he pursued a course in or- _ ___________ ..vu.u. vjvivuw ganic agriculture and has completed a Center, Houston), Zubin N. T^porewala nary science, Cambridge), Ms Gulnar she ranked first in anthropology in the Aspi Surveyor (PhD in molecular biol- University of Bombay. She then studied ogy. University of Texas Health Science law at the Government Law College rank- rpn.pr KT T University in the first year . TT • ~ ----------- - xzaajVJjVM UI^ project management. University of Texas, privilege of doing practical woik with S'S^hTs "I"*? (’"^.^^-’^--"^tructionengineeri^ She hS enjo7eJl'^S^ Plant Research m Switzerland and Ger- project management. University of Texas, privilege of doing practical work with many. Now he is a guest Iwturer on this Austin) and Kairas J. Vakharia (master ’s tribes in India and East Africa. “These fljllid hsi6 a1c/*\ nagi Persian. be used more by scholars and students of and the other by die prc-Achacmcnid Regarding Zoroastrians in Iran, one comparative religion in North America One point not explained in the btxik is the contextual relevance of the “Prayers ago. As stated above, Choksy too attrib- t ¦ ’ ' . -o- __ Nyaish, or the usual yazamaide sentence Zarathushtra. In fact, the religious-edu- punctuating Yasna and Visparad pas- “ sages is not present in the Avesia. The 34 Parsiana November 1990 age and under in other Iranian towns have hardly seen or experienced the po ­ tent purifier, and with the possible ex­ ception of a dwindling number of old women, hardly anyone appears to have no longer a “stronghold, ” and young Vendidad to be a religious scripture, place. Another feature of the book is its pub­ lication by the University of Texas Press in the United States and its price, $ 22.50 Vendidad belongs to an age when man had not discovered any herbal or chemical no translation of it, done by a Zoroastrian scholar or a sympathiser, is available in Persian. Regarding Zoroastrians in Iran, one must say that Choksy s information is not and Europe, and a few Zoroastrian schol ­ ars in India. It could also be used as an appropriate tool by some “clever ” pester- up-to-date. Although he says that “many Irani Zoroasirians, both recent immi-ing missionaries who, for possible con ­ version, knock at doors or invite young, westernized Zoroastrians to their religious sadeh purifying rkuals. Photographic il- gatherings. lustrations of the barashnumgak, a candi- One would have liked to see here the (' author compare contemporary purifica- process, the sacred bull, and a few other als, ” had provided his firsthand experi ­ ence of undergoing any of the elaborate or first confined to those who had physical contacts with carrion but with the passage of time, their practice was generalized and made more and more arduous, until date in different stages of purification the present times when the changes (in the - - - . --------- -------------------------¦ way of life) have made Zoroastrians sim- tion rites in ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt purification scenes would have further plify some to suit their specific conditions and India as well as the rites practiced by enhanced the publication. and abandon some altogether. With the rapid changes going on all over the Zoroastrian world, particularly in Iran and North America where larger and larger concentrations are anticipated, and the Gathd consciousness attracting the growing elite among Zoroastrians, . , Jamsheed K. Choksy ’s Triumph over living law of purification and pollution. Evil appears to be the last compact work particularly in Iran. But these few shortcomings and a little lack of up-to-date information on the hard-to-reach Iran do not diminish the au- It would not have presented thenticity of the book. A perusal of the book proves a number of key points: That the Gatha.s of Zarathushtra have little on what is known as ‘purification rites, ’ that other part.s of the later Avesta have traces of it with no trace of bull ’s urine or the “pollutions ” it purifies, and that it is with the late-edited Vendidad alone that the barasknum i no sab and other rites make It seems that nothing can dislodge bull ’s urine from its purifying position enhanced the publication. Moreover, a deeper study of Muslim purification laws, particularly the doc ­ trinal treatises of the Shiite Mujtahids, would have shown that the Vendidad, en ­ larged and simplified, and freed from bull ’s urine and depending on “untinted, odor-free, tasteless ” pure water, is a very r ' '¦ • particularly in Iran. Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and Christian re­ ligions. I Zoroastrianism as so stark a purification- ist order. The book would have been more com ­ plete if the author, who was guided by a high priest of an atash bahram “through the intricacies of Zoroastrian rituals ” and for whose “edification the priest and the students of the athornan boarding ma- __ _____________ _____ dressa repeatedly performed these ritu- their appearance. Here too the rites were on Purity and Pollution in Zoroastrianism as practiced in the past and somewhat at present. A good job, timely, and worth its publication. 1 I Jamsheed K. Choksy I is Junior Fellow and I PhD candidate I at Harvard University. Familiar with i the ancient Iranian i scripts he has studied Zoroastrianism and authored papers on the religion s and Persian history. 35 Parsiana November 1990 SERSON Electrolytic Capacitors For All Electronic Applications From 12 VDC To 350 VDC MtuiHjodurtn: Serson Industries Pvt. Ltd. Pfmpri FT.P.O., Poona-lS. Cable: Etcbfoil Poona-18. Phone: 82379MILESTONES would be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us. This month ’s marriage list in ­ cludes seven civil marriages be ­ tween Parsis as well as 36 inter ­ community marriages contrac ­ ted by Parsis over the eight- month period January to August 1990. Cases of uncertainty, where the names could not be wholly identified as Parsi, have been omitted from the list. A scanning of the marriages list registered with the High Court Doongaji; October 2 revealed the age of Zoroastrian brides in Bombay — as listed in this issue — to be between 18 and 41 years, the arithmetic mean (the total of individual ages divided by the total number of brides) being 26 years. The corresponding figures for the Fulwadiwala; October 7 grooms were 24 and 38 years, A boy to Parizad and Xerkxis averaging at 29 years. There were 86 deaths as compared to 30 births in Octo ­ ber in Bombay. The major kill ­ ers were heart disease claiming Daruwalla; October 9 23 victims while 12 succumbed to pneumonia and lung disease. Old age and general debility A girl to Maharukh and Bhicaji took 11 lives. Six patients fell prey to septicemia, five to kid ­ ney failure and four each to dia ­ betes and brain disease. Hyper ­ tension claimed three while two victims each succumbed to ath ­ erosclerosis (deposition of fatty Amrolia; October 16 substances in the arteries) and paralytic stroke. Tuberculosis, cancer, meningitis, enteric fe ­ ver, dehydration, haemorrhage, haematemesis (vomiting of blood), dysentry, head injury, urinary infection, nervous disor ­ der and liver disease were the isolated cases registered this month. A 16-year-old boy and a 23-year-old girl were lost to the community. The highest age at death: 101 years. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled A boy to Armin and Neville from information supplied by Malegamwalla; October 23 various newsletters and anjumans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This infor ­ mation is not always complete Esfandyar Yezdani; October 25 or consistent. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, especially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several diseases. If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would like published, some proof to ensure the veracity of the report BOMBAY Born A boy to Yasmin and Hoshedar Carnac on October 1, 1990 A girl to Hilla and Byram A boy to Delna and Aspi Pooruwala; October 1 K boy to Coolleen and Merzi Chinoy; October 4 N girl to Carol and Kersee Kharas; October 5 A girl to Zenobia and Neville Khambatta; October 8 A boy to Dilnawaz and Khushroo Patel; October 8 A girl to Niloufer and Jimmy A boy to Dinaz and Sarosh Aibara; October 10 Davierwala; October 10 A boy to Nawaz and Kersasp Kalianwala; October 11 A boy to Hufreez and Aspi Shroff; October 11 A boy to Kashmira and Yezdi (vomiting newsletters 36 Parsiana November 1990 A boy to Arnavaz and Percy Buhariwala; October 16 A boy to Mahrukh and Gushtasp Forbes; October 16 A girl to Kashmira and Darayus Panthaki; October 16 A girl to Pervin and Dinyar Dumasia; October 17 A boy to Binaif er and Vistasp Katrak:, October 18 A girl to Shernaz and Sarosh Mehta; October 21 A boy to Aloo and Rohinton Tabelawalla; October 21 A boy to Tehmina and Uormazd Irani; October 24 A boy to Farahnaz and A boy to Benaifer and Khushru Dalal; October 26 A boy to Yasmin and Adil Commissariat; October 28 A girl to NHoofer and Maneck Daruwala; October 28 A girl to Firoza and Atul Sinha; October 28 A boy to Jasmine and Darius Homi Jamshedji; April 30 Roshan E. Tarapore and Daneshvar Samya; April 30 Rasika Bharat Narvekar and Married Noshir PourusTata; May 5 ATaynaaz R. Powvalla and Khurshid Dastur and Kaushik K. Amarendra W. Todankar; Shah; May 17 January 11 Khorshed Dinshaw Mody and Farah Nasrullah Khan and Aadil Jehangir Pochaji Munsiff, Eruch Bhoja; Jzaniasy 12 Perin S. Kolaporewala and PrabirRoy; January 1.5 Lalitaben Hirubhai Patel and Behram Shapur Irani; January 19 Aban Pesi Karkaria and - Mehrwan Pirojsha Dastur; January 24 Irene Luya Alva and Gev FramroJ Ktdcalia; January 30 Deepika Satyendranath Dhotre and Hoshi Dhunjisha Bhagwagar; February 1 Perwin Jehangir Hataria and Chirag Suryakant Mehta; February 2 Anahita Doctor and Jcffar Namazi; February 5 Kashmira Nariman Pardiwalla and Men Kong Thom; February 1 Khurshid Firoze J ilia and Prajakta Suresh Rout; February 10 Anahita Rustom Shroff and Rajesh H ar Hal Chaidtan; February 10 Lata H. Rana and Yezdi D. Daruwalla; February 20 Tanaz Sarosh Bhabha and Mark Selwyn; March 9 Sharon M. Warner and Sohrab Homi Dhondy; March 18 Dhan Sahpur Jabber and Noshir August 26 Kaikhusroo Vesuna; March 26 Aneeta Minoo Ghasvala and Sanjeev Kumar Malhotra; March 29 Rashida Jal Cursetji and Raghuveer Mendu; April 6 Tina Sanjana and 5. Padmanabhan; April 7 Mangala Vinayak Gadre and Neville Jijibhoy Mistry; April 12 Khurshid Sarosh Patel and Porus Behram Taraporewalla; April 17 Jesmine Eruch Baria and Nandan Manohar Golatkar; April 22 Parizad Pesi Vakil and Prashant C. Trikannad; April 22 Rina Mukherji and Rohinton Buhariwalla; October 30 A boy to Arti and Bahram Vakil; October 30 June 2 Prochy Mistry and Sanjay Saptarshi; June Indu Khandu Pole and Phiroze A. Khabardar; June 4 Asmita Sadanand Mokal and Farokh Adi Mistry; June 4 Jasnun D. Bhathena and Jayaram H.; June 12 Zenohid Jal Buhariwala and Ruzbe Rumy Bengali; June 19 Behnaaz S. Irani (Foroogh) and Darayush B. Irani; June 22 Sarita HansraJ Guglani and Jimmy Phiroze Mistry; June 29 Jeannie Persis Baliwalla and Cyrus S. Banker; July 9 Tinaz Homi Balsara and Shekhar Bhatchandra Wavikar; July 16 Celestine Thomas Mathais Sanctis and Bomi Hormusji Patel; July 26 Stella Horru Firozi and Mohammed Ismail; July 26 Vinita Sitaram Salvi and Kaizad Rusi Damania; August 4 Amavaz Noslur Irani and Motilal Narsilal Ahuja; August 9 Ganga Sariki and Gev B. Katrak; August 13 Jennifer James D'Souza and Cyrus Baji Kalwachia; Khorshed Shapoor Lakdawalla and Dadiba Kali Pundole; October 4 BakfUaver Nader Mullan and Hoshang Keki Italia; ’October 7 Sanober Rustom Irani and Hormaz Aspandiar Dashti; October 9 Farrida Farrokh Capadia of Thane and Ryan Rusi Irani; October 12 Shernaz Dhunjishaw Bharucha and Vaziyad Paul Nagarwalla; October 12 Zenobia Homi Mistry and Percy Keki Jasavala; October 19 Husnavaz Nozer Irani of Dahanu Rd and Fors/ieed Khodadad Irani of Dahanu Rd; October 21 Rita Jalejar Dharampuriwala ofNavsari and Meher Tehmurasp Jagirdar of Navsari; October 21 Shaken Aspan^ar Irani (Jdmasbi) and Feroz Rashid Jubani-, October 21 Amavaz Manekji Havewala and Cyrus Dady Dadabhoy (Sigan- poria); October 23 Khorshed Percy Garda of Deolali and Naushir Homi Engineer, October 23 Kashrrura Adi Bhumgara and Minoo Fall Titina', October 27 Gulcheher Bt»ni Shroff aoA Rormi Fall Titina; October 27 Bakhtavar Sammy Chichgar and Hoshang Jamsh^ Karai-, October 30 5 Died Jehangirji Barjorji Todywala (90), residing at 19, Umbergaon Bldg, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parel, 400012; September 30 Ruzbeh Hoshi Beheranffram (16), Pandit Mans, N. Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; October 1 Nariman Shavakshaw Dhaila (84), Lakshmi Sadan, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; October 1 Tehmurasp Dinshaw Iraru (80), Room no 6, Batliwalla Bldg, Station Rd, Mahim, 40(X)16; October 1 Mani Pherozshah Mehta (76), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 1 Rati Jimmy Mody (71), Bueno Vista, Windy Hall Lane, Colaba, 400005; October 1 Sheriar Ratansha Patel (69), Minoo Mans, Dhuswadi, Dhobi Talao, 400002; October 1 Banubai Munchershaw Sidhwa (88), Dinsha Petit Bldg, Gilder St, Lamington Rd, 4(X)008; October 1 Roda Jal Currawalla (85), 501, Cumballa Crest, 42, Redder Rd, 400026; October 2 Rustom Savaksha Fatakia (86), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 2 Nasli Edulji Ghasvala (66), Amarchand Mans, M. Cama ' Rd, 400039; October 2 Banubai Aspandiar Irani (78), 24/A, Kaila^, Dahanu Kerwadi, M. G. Rd, Kandivli, 400067; October 2 Fall Bamanji Driver (60), Rippon Bldg, Balaram St, 400007; October 3 Jalejar Shapurji Balki (83), C/8, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 4 Rusi Sorabji Cooper (64), 3/4-A, Bhiwandiwala Ter, Dhobi Talao, 400002; October 4 Dhunjisha Sorabji Pithawala {65), 11/12, Mishra Bhavan, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; October 4 Jamshed Framroze Printer {52), Room no 2, S. R. Contractor Bldg, Byculla, 400027; October 4 Metaoo Ratanshah Bharucha {1\), Devidas Bldg, Dinbai Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; October 5 Manek Tehmurasp Desai {71), Shiv Sadan, 131, Marine Drive, 400020; October 6 Jehangir Hormusji Sidhwa {IS), Kashinath Bldg, Khetwadi Back Rd, 4(X)004; October 6 Dinabai Dinshaw Commesariat (62), 44, Sai-Ashish, Peter Dias Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 7 Rusi Jahangirji Mobedjina {51), T!^, Dalal Est, Bombay Central, 400008; October 7 Piroja Darabsha Sidhwa (82), 347/C, United Chmbs, M. S. Rd, 400007; October 7 Nargish Sorabji Bharucha (71), Wagla Cooper Bldg, Khetwadi, 12th Lane, 400004; October 8 Meher Jamshed Bhuri (23), Room no 8, 256, Dinath Bldg, Pathe Bapurao Marg, 400004; October 8 Keki Dara Daruwala (32), 53, Panday Sanatorium, Panday Rd, Colaba, 400005; October 8 Manijeh Nariman Lakdawalla {16), BD5, Hill View, J. P. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; October 8 Hormusji Dorabji Billimoria (89), G/24, CusFow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; October 9 Alamai Hormusji Turner (86), 6n, Sir Ratan Tata Blocks, Tata Clny, Tardco, 400034; October 9 Soona Jehangir Irani (16), Chawla Hse, 62, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; October 11 Eric Sorabji Kharas (79), 303, Jupiter, Cuffe Parade, 400005; October 11 Dhunmai Jehangir Eduljee (69), D/2, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 12 Phirojshah Pestonji Dastoor (90), 2/9, Tata Block, Tardeo, 400034; October 13 Jehangir Gustad Irani (57), Auburn Hse, Forjetl St, Gowalia Tank, 400036; October 13 Jehanbux Framji 7.aroUwala (59), Municipal Qrts, Bhandarwada Hill, Mazagaon, 40(X)10; October 13 Mehelli Dinshaw Bilimoria (75), 6, Jehangir Mans, Marine St, 400020; October 15 Nargish Dinshaw Vazir (59), Vidwa Chawl, Jame Jamshed Bldg, Dadar, 40(X)14: October 15 Dina Kaikhusroo Daruwalla (68), Room no 21, Petit Widows ’ Chawl, 225, Thakurdwar, 400002; October 16 Meherbai Pallonji Kararyia (101), Ness Baug Annexe, 1/6, Nana Chowk, 400007; October 16 Hilla Kekobad Keshvalla (86), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 16 Jehangir Pestonji Mugasheth (88), 111, Monalisa, St John Baptista Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 16 Rusi Hormusji Umrigar (72), 808, Satya Bhama Nivas, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 16 Rustom Pirojsha Billimoria (76), Nargis Villa, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; October 17 Soli Meherwanji Ct^itain (90), 0/4, Palm Springs, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, 400005; October 17 Dinshaw Jahangir Hilloo (60), Royal Theatre, Grant Rd, 400007; October 17 Soonamai Rustomji Pastalda (85), 17/D, 38, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 40(X)27; October 17 Rusi Bujourji Gazdar (76), West View, Uranwalla St, Grant Rd, 400007; October 18 Motabhoy Ptdlonji Ichhaporia (68), 14, Tarachand Bldg, Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 40(XX)7; October 18 Minocher Kaikiiushroo Jabulee (79), B/75, Navyug Niwas, Lamington Rd, 400007; October 18 Dinaz Kaikhushroo Jangbarwalla (66), A/4, New Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 18 Roshon Rustomji Todiwalla (67), 22-G, Sakewadi, Nawab Tank Rd, Dockyard, 400010; October 18 A loo Shapurji Damania (77), Golwalla Bldg, Khetwadi, Sth Lane, 400004; October 19 Homi Irani (75), Asha Daan, Sankli St, Bycidla, 400008; October 19 Shirin Jainshed Pourkhorsand (58), Porbunder Rd, 3rd Pasta Lane, Colaba, 400005; October 19 Khorshed Cawasji Bardoliwala (86), 403/B, Concord, Cross Lane, Andheri (W), 40{X)58; October 20 Jamshedji Pestonji Bhatporia (77), Room no 2, Mistry Bldg, Sunmill Rd, Lower Parel, 400013; October 20 Rhoda Bomanji Siganporia (55), Vincent Ct, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; October 20 Rustom Pirojshaw Talati (73), 5/6, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; October 21 Zarbanoo Ardeshir Irani (54), Dadi Santok Hse, Dhobi Talao, 400002; October 22 Sunamai Behramsha Anklesaria (85), F/5, Mistry Bldg, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; October 23 Keti Rustomjee Engineer (68), Wadia Bldg, Princess St, 400002; October 23 Burjor Rustomji Hawewala (88), 530, Kachwala Mans, Chira Bazar, 400002; October 23 Phiroze Rustom Patel (73), 239/B, Botawalla Bldg, Tardeo, 400007; October 23 Khorshed Ratanshaw Motafram (80), 599, Sharma Nivas, Jame Jamshed Rd, Matunga, 40(X)19; October 24 Sovak Maneckshaw Mehta (82), 22, Malegam Bldg, Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400008; October 24 Dara Dinshaw Sanjana (87), Habib Hse, Grant Rd, 400007; October 24 Jerbai Nadirsha Vatcha (90), Naval Hse, Dr Ganti Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 25 Banu Rustom Broacha (95), C/o Aspy R. Broacha, Satter Sea View, Chowpatty Seaface, 400007; October 26 Shirin Darashah Sethna (84), A/302, Sea Gull, Off Carter Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 26 Bachamai Phirojshaw Wankadia (98), 202/C, Diago, Sherley Rajan Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 26 Rustom Maneckji Dariwalla (72), Atmaram Bldg, New Chami Rd, 400004; October 27 37 Parsiana November 1990Jamshed Jeharigirji Jijina (61), Bode Bldg, Marzban Clny, Gilder Lane, 400008; October 27 Piroja Nusserwanji Khori (88), V/5, Dalal Est, Lamington Rd, 400008; October 27 Meherbai Sorabji Madan (94), Khurshed Mhl, 725, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 27 Farokh Faramroze Patel (35), B/36, Nowroz Bang, Lalbaug, 400012; October 27 Rashid Merwan Irani IJb), Bana Bldg, 11th Khetwadi Lane, 400004; October 28 Pestonji Fardoonji Karkaria (85), E, Ginwalla Bldg, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; October 28 Dhunmai Manecksha Marker (98), 40, Pavwalla Bldg, New Chami Rd, 400004; October 28 Naval Nasarwanji Bhoot (JI), Meher Mans, Tardeo Bridge, Tardeo, 400008; October 29 Goola Darabshaw Cooper (76), A, Bhiwandiwalla Ter, Girgam Rd, 400002; October 29 Bapai Dinshaw Mobedji (95), E/24, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; October 29 Homai Cawasji Warden (93), Jesia Bldg, 797, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 29 Perin Dhunjishaw Engineer (83), Block 6, Vijay-Niwas, Grant Rd, 400007; October 30 Katy Framroze Nallaseth (65), E/6, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 30 Goal Homi Unwalla (75), 8, Hendery Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; October 30 Dinshaw Pirojshaw Hawaldar (75), Satyabhama Niwas, Kashinath Rd, Tardeo, 400034; October 31 CALCUTTA Married Dilber Jal Merchant and Kaikobad Minocher Pandey of Bombay; October 23 DELHI Born A girl, Anahaita, to Nilufer and Navroze Dhondy, May 23 POONA Born A boy to Yasmin and Jamshid Mody, October 27 Died Sorab Ardeshir Coma (89), 56/5, M.G. Rd, 411001; October 1 Sorab Sheriyar Irani (41), 484, Koregaon, Dist Poona, 415501; October 13 Daulat Rustom Hormazdi (56), 503, Pundol Apts, 160, Mtdiatma Gandhi Rd, 411001; October 29 Firoz Naval Siodia (41), 1012, Bottee St, 411001; October 29 Jal Jehangir Nanavaty (90), Napier Rd, 411001; October 30 SURAT Died Burjorji Nowroji Pithawala (92), Gam Suwali, Dist Surat, 395003; October 7 Nariman Meherwanji Tadiwala (72), Opp Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; October 7 Jehanbux Pirojsha Dallas (87), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; October 14 Nanubhai Faramroze Nava (66), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; October 17 o o o KARACHI Died Homai Jamshed Kavasji (72); August 31 Jal Dhunjisha Bhujwala (74); September 1 Kaitayun Darabshaw Shroff (87); September 3 Sohrabji Maneckji Bharucha (67); September 4 Pirozshaw R. Kavasji (87); September 9 Burjor Pirojsha Ghadicdi (72); September 27 TOTALS (for this issue) Births: Boys 21, Girls 11 Marriages: Parsi 22 Intercom munal: 36 Deaths: 101 Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka A TRULY BEAUTIFUL WAY TO SHOW YOU CARE. 38 Parsiana November 19901 t I IN MEMORIAM CHAVDA line, rhythm and melody He was particularly known “for the certs, he would enjoy sketching the per- The canvas is bare. A portrait of Sai Baba was to take shape there. • But the sweeping contours of his dancers and the formers in the dark auditorium with just a temple in South India which had com ­ missioned this piece was not destined to see it completed. The artist Shiavax With rhythm depicted through his strong Dhanjibhoy Chavda had just completed a lines, and melody and mood conveyed abstract art even though critics did not miniature pencil sketch and was about to through his colors, Chavda ’s early works appreciate this change. - ¦ transfer his image onto the larger canvas when heart and liver complications led to his hospitalization and subse ­ quent death on August 18, 1990 at the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital. Ever since he was elected one of the “Nine Eminent Artists of India ” by the prestigious Lalit Kala Akademi, awards by art bodies and government organi ­ zations have been regularly com ­ ing his way. He enjoyed the dis ­ tinction of being made a fellow of the Akademi and having a book on contemporary Indian art titled Chavda, published by the Akademi as a tribute to his tal ­ ent. Only this year two more rec­ ognitions were added to 75-year- old Chavda ’s list of honors: He was declared “Artist of the Year 1990” by the Maharashtra Gov ­ ernment and the Shiromani Insti ­ tute of Delhi included him on their list of outstanding people of Maharashtra who have contri ­ buted to national integration through art. He gave “character, stability and dig- • nity to the art world of Bombay, ” credited his compeer Kekoo Gandhy of Chemould illustrations for two of Anand ’s New Delhi, the Air India building in Art Gallery at the condolence meeting publications: Costumes of India and Washington, the National Centre for the held in Chavda ’s honor on August 31, Wrestling. Performing Arts (NCPA), Bombay... 1990 under the joint auspices of 12 art The inspiration for his Indian dance Maintains Gandhy, “His murals at the organizations and galleries. During the drawings came from his dancer wife NCPA are not a true reflection of his last 45 years that he established himself as Khurshid, while Indian classical music caliber. Perhaps, given the growing an artist, Chavda ’s draftsmanship was was a subject he himself had studied un- popularity of abstract art, he thought he considered unique, “which no Indian der renowned musicologists and vocalists wanted to keep pace with the new genera- could surpass,” noted artist Madhav and even had performances to his credit. tion...Maybe that in aiming for versatility, Satavlekar at the condolence meet. When attending dance and music con- he moved away from his forte, sketch ­ graceful outlines of his musicians, ” noted an earlier review by The Times of India. torch light for illumination, recalled one artist. _ .At a later phase he preferred to go into Explains his were marked by these characteristics. “I wife, “Artists always want to move for- don ’t know anyone in this country who ward. He used to say, ‘They will under- stand me much later. ’” In fact, when his son Pervez, who is into architecture and interior design ­ ing, used to regularly ask him to repeat a series of paintings on horses, he would say, “I have passed that phase.” A family source mentions, however, that while in hospital he offered to comply with his son ’s request. “As a fine artist, he never wanted to reproduce the same painting, even if in demand. ‘I’ll be inspired to do another; I can’t copy, ”’ was his conviction, re­ members his wife. His works feature in the col ­ lections of connoiseurs and dig ­ nitaries like the late president Sukarno of Indonesia, govern ­ ment bodies like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bom ­ bay, art centers like th? Lalit Kala Akademi, museums in Bar- oda and Nagpur, business houses HHbk Hr like Tata, Godrej, Mafatlal, could draw a dance movement so vi- Voltas, besides banks, airlines, etc. brantly as Chavda, ” said litterateur Dr Among the landmark buildings that his Mulk Raj Anand. Chavda had contributed murals adorn are the Parliament House in two »>» 39 Parsiana November 1990 The inspiration for his Indian dance and even had performances to his credit. When attending dance and music con-ing...It was a pity really that in the later phase his work did not attract as much at ­ tention and enthusiasm as he deserved... ” One of the few Indians to have re- style, says one critic. He was also for class, ceived direct tutelage under the great some time a professor at the Sir J. J. Russian master Valadimir Polunin, r • ¦ - Chavda also got an opportunity to learn at students was the late Piloo Pochkha ” the Academic de la Grande Chaumiere, i Paris and the St Martin School of Art, energies to sculpting. London. Navsari-bom Chavda had ear- j ‘ ’ _ ’ ' “ lier graduated from the Sir J. J. School painters like Hebbar, Sadwelkar, Ara and thushtra for the dar-e-meher at Chicago. " * ¦ ’ " , . _ ' " ' ..................................„ During his lifetime he had gifted many ized in foreign countries. From his inten ­ sive travels he got to learn of various cul ­ tures that came to be reflected in his art Jeroo would be conducting the dance him company or the sounds from across the partition where his wife or daughter Among the recent assignments that School of Art. One of his outstanding Chavda has worked on are a portrait of 7-31¦ the late Naval Tata, commissioned for the nawala who subsequently devoted her Tata Agiary in Bandra and one of _ . Ganpati. Some years before he had been Along with the Bombay group of commissioned to do a portrait nf Tara- ¦J of Art in Bombay and upon receiving the Gaitonde, Chavda “rebelled against the During his lifetime he had gifted many Sir Ratan Tata Scholarship had pro- established ‘holies ’ in art to break fresh paintings, the sale proceeds of which ceeded to Europe to study under the great ground, ” noted The Daily of August 22. were utilized for different causes like masters, finally getting a diploma from the Slade School of Fine Arts in London, notes his bio data. On his return to India, he held his first one-man exhibition at the Princes Room of the Taj Mahal Hotel, his favorite in his regular routine: Usually attired in a used to infuse fresh life in the Artists ’ venue for the subsequent exhibitions that white flowing kurta and pyjama, he Centre of which he was a founder mem- he organized with “almost clockwork would climb two stories from his resi- regularity. ” At nearly 40 exhibitions has dence to the art studio twice a day, and in he displayed his works, in cities like later days with the support of a stick, Bombay, Ahmedabad, Djakarta, Sin- even when arthritis started troubling him. gapore, London, Paris, Zurich and New Working on an average for eight hours a shid, son Pervez and daughter Jeroo. York. Besides, his works have been in- ".................................. * eluded in exhibitions on Indian art organ- His art colleagues remember him as welfare of the blind. To perpetuate his being kind, considerate, dignified, quiet memory after death, Anand suggested set- and reticent. ting up of a trust in his name. He further The discipline and simplicity govern- recommended that an exhibition and sale ing Chavda ’s work habits came through of his works be organized and the amount in his regular routine: Usually attired in a ber. Thereby his own talent as also that of the next generation could be kept alive. “Artists don ’t die... ” maintained Anand. Chavda is survived by his wife Khur- day the master of the brush would either have music from his transistor keeping Written by Parinaz Gandhi ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD RASNA : CONCENTRATE(D)... continued from page 19 continued from page 22 and which incorporated his godown full Ahmedabad increased from Rs 9,000 to ___________ ____________ of silks, offices md residence. By a quirk 50,0(X), according to the Panchayat Pa- neurship Development Institute (EDI) of rr/jfcfl. But Khambatta preferred to pass on India where he frequently lectures, and the credit for this success to Edulji Turel, also finds time to speak to the students of chairman of the Bombay Mercantile Bank the Indian Institute of Management, which is a tenant of the Panchayat prop- Ahmedabad. He is particularly perturbed erty. On the occasion of the golden jubi- with the comments he has heard from his Gujarat Sports Club and the Ahmedabad Rifle Association. He is associated with the Entrepre- of fate the whole family escaped unhurt, the wife and children being away on vaca ­ tion while Rustomji, seeing off a friend sailing to the US, was left standing on the part of the jetty which did not collapse. A French vessel, which picked up lee of the agiary in Ahmedabad, Kham- colleagues at the EDI who have opined 2,000 survivors from the waters, carried Rustomji to Kobe with the shirt on his back as his sole asset. Daver ’s main bankers in Yokohama - “Your faith in God helps you in busi- girls at the EDI,” he recommends, urging had been the Hongkong Bank and so he ness. ” Actually he regrets that he did not those interested to get in touch with him sought out its Kobe branch where he was qualify as a navar considering that his at Rasna House, Panchwati, Ahmedabad, received with courtesy and presented a great grandfather was the head priest in 38(X)06 or the Panchayat at Parsi Agiary, cheque book with the assurance that Ahmedabad. Bukhara Mohalla, Khamasa Gate, Ahme- “every cheque he wrote would be honored immediately, ” writes Bejan, now the sole surviving son. The Bank ’s instant response enabled a 'the Ahmedabad Home Guards for over 15 entrepreneur. “Our Parsi boys have to confident Rustomji to successfully rees ­ tablish himself in Kobe. Today the firm, known as R. E. Daver KK, is located in Tokyo with Rustomji ’s grandson as presi ­ dent and Bejan as chairman. A fourth generation of the family has joined the lege team in hockey and table tennis, batta reasoned, “In a job what are you fi- firm, informs Bejan. Khambatta retains his interest in sports, nally going to get? After all business is Compiled by Amavaz s. Mama Continuing with his membership of the business. ” batta personally spent nearly Rs 3,00,(XX) that entrepreneurship is lacking among towards the cost of renovation. Relig- Parsi boys. “We should have special en- iously inclined, Khambatta maintains, trepreneurship courses for Parsi boys and Ahmedabad. His commitment to national, social, dabad, 38(XX)1. and sports causes has persisted over the years. He was the chief commandant of tend to bask on past glory, ” lamented the How many will avail of his offer? “We years. His association with the Home become bold, dashing... the distinguishing Guards and Civil Defence has won him mark (of the community of yore). ” To awards like Samar Seva Star, Sangram dissuade Parsi boys from opting for sala- Medal, Paschmi Star and the President ’s ried service and luring them into business Gold Medal. Having represented his col- spheres instead, the enterprising Kham- 40 Parsiana November 1990