Mar 1991

fl ft i. I I »•- A Forces to reckon with ; I 'X I ? K • 'ij' ¦ s.'.ywy - I i I i J ' t I i 4 X /Pj 1* 4 ll t ! I *» * :lf /March 1991 Volume 13 Number 9 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 D'sousa 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 OFFICE Rajendra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia Lewis, Rajaiakshmi Krishnan, Bakhtavar Batliwalla, Nowzer Batliwala, Bindu Pillai 3 Readers ’ Forum 27 Events and Personalities 36 Zoroastrians Abroad 47 Pars! Collegians: Low grades on religion 53 Caravans from Yazd by Gustasp Irani 58 The Gallant Decades by Arnavaz Mama 64 Joining the Forces? 1 66 Adi Tarapore: Beyond the call of duty 72 Move over please, Field Marshal! by Aspi Moddie 74 Youth Fest: “Action Please ” by Roxanne Kavarana I 90 Baroda beckons 103 GIFTed Babies 108 “Audiences want to be entertained ” by Geeta Doctor I 112 Recipes by Bhicoo Manekshaw I 115 Milestones Cover: Navy personnel at Teen Murti The Cavalry Memorial, New Delhi I I 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 80 for one year (12 issues); Rs 140 for two years (24 issues). Foreign subscription rates: Seamail Rs 200/US $ 12/UK £ 7 for one year, Rs 350/US $ 21/UK £ 12 for two years (please allow six months or more from the time of publication); Air mail Rs 320/US $ 20/UK £ 11 for one year, Rs 600/US $ 38/UK £ 20 for two years. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 5 for bank charges; for US cheques add $ 5; for UK cheques add £ 3. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favor of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 or C/0 H.L.Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 4000011 READERS' FORUM t»•»i r. - •»* MUMli.,,,, > Il 5 WW 11 M • « H & Hr*! I**?! t « •> 11, .BS. *»«?>»»»»! wr > fa h B Nargolwala complained that the Forum, Parsiana, December 1990). ifl |K‘ summation did not carry detailed discus- As you may be aware Lady Tat . - . ----------------- As you may be aware Lady Tata was sions, Taleyarkhan lamented. Tn some the wife of Sir Ratan J. Tata and be- cases even the chairman ’s views have not longed to the well-known Parsi Seth fam- been included. ’ The final report may also ily of Bombay. Jjj* include a summary of every paper pre ­ sented at the Congress. ” This is not, strictly speaking, correct. __________ ______ _ I had made it sp^ifically clear that the counter-checking we learn the name was Moddie, was a true reflection of the com- The photograph depicts Ms R. D. Tata. Il ments made by each chairman of the ses- m mehta Sion in his report to the Congress on the concluding day of the Congress. The Parsiana erred. Our apologies. summation does not contain any of Mr Aspi Moddie ’s own views. The summa- “Karachi... ” tion was considered at the executive .............. \ ______ _ ___ committee mee^g (of the WZC) on Ms Parinaz Gandhi (Parriarta, ”septem- adopted as the final draft. The summa- sions, Taleyarkhan lamented, Tn some the wife of Sir Ratan J. Tata and be- 4 Readers ’ views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. Mr R. D. Tata was the cousin of Sir Ratan. The controversy following the navjote related to his wife Soonoo (on summation, as drawn up by Mr Aspi Suzanne), the mother of Mr J. R. D. Tata. Nagpur “Karachi... “Karachi: the cross-cultural bind ” by August 21, 1990 and unanimously ber 1990) was very interesting ’but\here adopted as the final draft. The summa- are a couple of statements which are tion had earlier been sent to all the federa- slightly misleading and need clarifica ­ tions for their information and distribu ­ tion to their respective anjumans in that area. tion. • In para one she states that whenever any Indians come to Pakistan, the first ques- pie purpose of circulating this sum- tion they are asked by their host in Paki- mation is that the president and office stan is whether they have reported to the bearers of each federation may read and police. This is true, but it is also equally make comments in case something has true that when Pakistanis visit India, we been omitted from the statements made also have to report to the police — so, re- by the chairmen. In my covering letter I porting of Indian nationals to police in have made this clear and it has been im- Pakistan is not something extraordinary, plied that if they have no comments to At the same time, I would like to men- offer, the executive committee will go tion that at least when Indians come to ahead and print the summation. Pakistan, it is not obligatory for them to The question of acceptance of all the visit the police in person to report arri- views in the summation does not arise, val/departure. Whereas in Bombay when The recommendations in the summation are not mandatory; they are only recom ­ mendatory and it is the responsibility of each federation/anjuman to accept, reject or modify them to suit the requirements sum- “Confronted by... ” I refer to Ms Parinaz Gandhi ’s report on the executive council meeting of the Fed ­ eration of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of and conditions prevailing in their area. India in New Delhi on September 22 and P ‘ ___ 1... 23,1990 (“Confronted by Controversies, ” that the summation will be subject to Parsiana, December 1990). ' ‘ On page 24, under the sub-title “Time to report, ” reference is made to the sum ­ mation of the Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress: “The summation of the Fifth “What ailS the... ” . World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC) will In “What ails the community, ” (Par- be finalized after each Federation siana, December 1990) Dr Farokh throughout the world evaluates the report Udwadia says that “The... Parsee Gen- prepared by Aspi Moddie who was on eral... has become geriatric. ” The truth the organizing committee of the Con ­ gress. Every Federation will be given an opportunity to submit its views and thereafter the ultimate finalization of the report will be done by the Federation in India, briefed BPP trustee Jam shed Guzder, chairman of the Congress. From your article it may be implied change, rewording, additions and modifi ­ cations, which is not correct. J- N. guzder Chairman, Fifth World Zoroastiian Congress eral... has become geriatric.' of the matter is that the general Parsis have gone geriatric. >9 Mobed P. D. MAGOL Karachi 3 Parsiana March 1991 “Lady Tata ” 1 refer to the caption “Lady Tata ” below the photograph on page five (Readers ’ Suzanne Tata: landmark navjoieWith Best Compliments From JMME AGENCIES & EXPORTS PVT LTD Exporters of Frozen Seafoods Sole Buying Agents in India for Arista Industries Inc, USA Ken Bell (International) Ltd, UK Pierre Hottlet & Co, Belgium Gresham House, 4th Fl Sir P. M. Road Bombay 400001 Phones: 2862319, 2862997 Cable: ROOFTOP Tlx: 0118 4620 JIM IN WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS OF MAZDA MEDICAL ELECTRONICS BUR JIS N.KHURSEDJI &CO. BOMBAY 400012 4 Parsiana March 1991 customs, traditions and basic tenets, to suit a few individuals who deliberately Eivad DARIUS N. SETHNA we arrive, it is obligatory for every pas ­ senger to visit the police station for re ­ porting and at times it takes a few hours violate them? before your turn comes. . . • Dry fruits — yes we have plenty avail- *All injustice Ht... able, still we miss cashew nuts and we It was good to read the portions of Ms bring plenty from Bombay. Similarly, Dina Nayar ’s letter, “An injustice at... ” all dry fruits are available in plenty in (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, October Bombay but when Parsis return to Bom- 1990) correctly extolling the holy Gathas bay they carry kilos of almonds and pis- with particular reference to and admira- tachios. So once again there is nothing tion for their highly-rated translation by extraordinary for Pakistani Parsis bring ­ ing cashew nuts. • It could be that Parinaz was misin ­ formed about Parsis holding their func ­ tions at Hotel Metropole if they are sup ­ porters of Minwalla and Cowasjee and the late respected Dr I. J. S. Tarapore ­ wala. As that great scholar aptly puts it, “These Gathas are among the most pre ­ cious possessions of humanity and they are the very fountainhead of the teach- Beach Luxury and Avari Towers if they ings of Zarathushtra. ” The Gathas (root favor Avari. Parsis hold their functions ga, to sing + tha, nominative suffix) are in Metropole — not because they support Asho Zarathushtra ’s intensely personal Minwalla, the Cowasjees have nothing to devotional outpourings in the form of do with the Metropole — because of the metrical chants. quality of food which is served at Hotel Metropole plus its central location. F. K. KHAMBATTA Karachi ding Hymn. Taraporewala says that the fifth and final Vahishta-Ishti Gat ha “has been re ­ garded by many scholars to be a ‘Wed- As his erudite translation of the seventh verse of this last Gatha is “The Controversy... ” of timeless as well as special topical sig- In “The Controversy Continues, ” (Par- nificance, I exactly reproduce below the siana, October 1990) Ms Amavaz S. Mama writes, “The Dasturs ’ edict re ­ portedly runs diagonally opposite to the opinion of retired Chief Justice of India, Y. V. Chandrachud... ” The Special “But-on-the-other-hand the reward Marriage Act, 1954 may be special for (mizdem) of this Brotherhood (ahya those who wish to get married outside Magahyd) awaits you as-long-as in-the- the religious order and precept of their united-couple (hakhtayao) (there exists) own community — but we Parsi Zoroas- trians have a legally approved Parsi Mar ­ riage Act under the Constitution of India, and any marriages performed outside the structure of this Act are not recognised as legal by the Parsi Zoroastrian commu- »»» entire verse in its two convenient parts, with emphases and explanatory com ­ ments supplied by me. The initial part of the verse states: The Special “But-on-the-other-hand essentially the-most-devoted zeal, acting whether for-the-higher or for-the-lower (life). ” It is well-known that Maga (variously mentioned eight times in the Gathas) means the great Maga Brotherhood or nity, even if performed by two Zoroastri- Society founded and headed by Asho ans, leave alone a union of a Parsi with a “ non-Parsi. Surely, the learned judge is not imply- Mazdayasni section of the ancient Ar- ing that the Special Marriage Act (SMA) yans. It is equally well-known that the 1954 stands to abolish our time-honored non-Mazdayasni section of the ancient Parsi Marriage Act? Aryans comprised the opposing Dae- Obviously due to lack of proper vayasni community {Daeva is variously understanding of the Parsi Zoroastrian mentioned eleven times in the Gathas) doctrines, tenets and precepts, the which followed a different religious per- leamed judge may have assumed that a suasion and did not accept the religion of Parsi Zoroastrian lady marrying a non- Asho Zarathushtra. Since the term Parsi under the SMA may have some hakhtayao (united couple) is specifically Zoroastrian communal or religious used in meaningful association with rights. Maga (the Zarathushtrian Brotherhood), Surely, the learned judge is not trying the inference is self-evident and unmis- to suggest to the Zoroastrian community takable that Asho Zarathushtra ’s concep ­ that a ‘Civil Act ’ (such as the SMA) of tion of the marital union only envisages the land could overrule our established it taking place wholly and solely within Zoroastrian religious beliefs, doctrines, the Mazdayasni community which alone Zarathushtra at the nucleus of his new re ­ ligion which was accepted only by the orF owed religious allegiance to the Prophet ties, this is a profound expression of the enquirers may easily a^ertmn just how and his Maga. Just as obvious is the in- i . ference that the mizdem or reward (to be the religious affiliation determined by m- understood in the highest spiritual conno- < ' „ ration as specified in the 15th verse of ued in all resp^ts throughout life. the fourth Gatha} flowing from the Fw* of-c he 2":.---- «au _ Prophet ’s great Maga would be bestowed Dr Taraporewala ’s inspired rendition of lowing from the Vishtasp Yashf. ^\3ia upon those wedded couples who, already the holy G at has, the bald injunction of ^zda spake thus to the ngl^us subscribing to it as Mazdayasni- pak Vendidad against mixed marriages Zarathushtra, and thus did rep^t Zarathushtrians, also strive with devoted contracted by women or by men should Zarathushtra unto Ae yoimg &ng Vi^- zeal to fully implement its teachings in come as no surprise. An objective and taspa: Have no ted or all spheres of their lives. dispassionate analysis of our community for bad and unfriendly pnests occasion The final part of the verse states: should reveal just how many of the futile much harm, and yoiK desire to samfice “wherever the spint of-the-follower-of- Untruth prevails, should-you-renounce rem)," then in-grief ( vayoi ) your final word shall-be (uttered). ” This statement amply reconfirms the earlier inference that Asho Zarathushtra Your corrcsiraidenl Ms^^Dina Nayiir t^ community, for he now pointedly advises them to continue to remain within the S^°*coniencX^^ foUovfshould ^ieaders ’ Forum, Parsiana, Ociaber Dasturji does not find ge^etry m diey be deluded into not doing so. Not to I---- . be ignorantly misconstrued as a cheap by Zarathushtra himself in his Gatnas: threat or as an insult to other communi- karpanism. She universal spiritual law which requires that much energy our Prophet has devoted, vine design at birth be assiduously contin- For those of us who admire and accept come as no surprise. An objective and dispassionate analysis of our community some 3,000 years before, in strong con­ demnation of precisely such destructive forces of deceit and disruption. Let them digest the import of the fol- --___ ________ ‘ unto the Amesha Spentas will be as dokhmenashini, that have bedevilled though the sacrifice had not been of ­ fered. ’” The Vendidadists amongst us should have no difficulty in recognizing this supplement to the ffrst karde of far- Not for nothing do these desperate persons now resort to attacking the pertinently asked what faith such people hymns are wholly incompatible with (as Dastur Kotwal and his fair-weather their version of what they mask under friends both in India and the UK) follow Zoroastrianism! It is not surprising that __ - - - - ¦ _------— -1 “a 1990). The answer was, in fact, supplied book of poetry, ” any more than it would 1- : be surprising for him to find any uplift- She and other earnest ing spirituality, noble philosophy or high controversies, ranging from conversion J,.____ _ _____ ________ to (____ {ivizayatha) this Brotherhood (Magem and disunited the Parsis for close to a tern), then in-grief ( vayoi ) your final century are, in full or part, the direct or indirect fallout of this particular practice. RONI K. KHAN gard 18. Nasik ] 9»9 NEW DHARAMSALLA - TRAVELLERS' BUNGALOW AT KARACHI Jehangir Rajkotwalla Baugh Trust has opened a fully furnished new Dharamshalla in the Parsi Colony at Karachi for Parsi Zoroastrians 1923-1991 Sixty-eight years of clean service! DIANA-ECLIPSE For all your carpet and upholstery cleaning ? "Parag" 27, Peddar Road, Bombay Tel: 4941987, 4945302 ENQUIRIES MAY BE SENT TO The Manager, Jehangir Rajkotwalla Baugh Trust, No 49, Katrak Parsi Colony, Karachi-3 (Pakistan) 6 Parsiana March 1991you, ” Parsiana, September 1990). May I af.y. ” (§139). refer interested readers to this particular Zarathushtra his mouthpiece. His puta- they may judge the old socioreligious Dasturji ’s contention is invalidated by named, doubtless for their pious achieve ­ ments in the early days of Zoroastrian- ethics, when the very purpose of able maneuver occurs in his version of well know? to Dasturji, simply reads, e.g. Zarathushtra ’s teaching eludes him. We the Fravardin Yasht, karde 30: an at- **Hvovyao .ashaonyao fravashim notice instead much preparation for the tempt at establishing the second-rate yazamaide [(a.f.y.') — we revere the fra- after-world, and priestly intercession, at- status of women in Avestic times (“If vashi of the truth-owning Hvovi], ” as also tempted postmortem, for the acceptance you want to come back, I want to stop with “Pouruchistyao af.y. ” “Hutaosayao of errant souls into garo-demana. Hav- “ “ . “ ' ing failed to come to terms with the reli- refer interested readers to this particular When, however, it comes to distin ­ gion of light and life, Dasturji himself object of manipulation first, and then to guishing between the four Freni-s of a has now become the prophet, and its earlier kardes 25-29 in brief so that later section (§140), then we indeed have -I 1 V.— u; ----------------.1—; Ti; ----------- ,.1.4 “wife Of SO-aud-SO ” Or “wifc of the SOU of five followers, the Parsi thunderers situation for themselves? so-and-so ” (their fathers-in-law being (“The orthodox response, ” Parsiana, October 1990), make a considerable din clear reference to Hvovi, Zarathushtra ’s — a sure indication of impoverishment of wife without mention either of her illus- ism), their married status being shown ideas, tired dogma and obscurantism. trious husband or her father Frashaoshtra, solely by nairyao. Thereafter we have the Our apathy and silence, coupled with Vishtaspa ’s minister and early apostle unmarried pious womenfolk whose right- the conscious stifling of major “contro- of the faith. Similarly Zarathushtra ’s eous souls are venerated — these are sim- versial ” issues, have emboldened these daughter Pouruchista (referred to in ply designated as kanyao. In the section persons to blaspheme against and vent Yasna 53 as “Zarathushtra ’s youngest immediately following, the worship their spleen upon any and everybody daughter ”) holds pride of place on her embraces all the pious men and all the who d^es not to conform with their own, though married to Jamaspa, another pious women in all countries, painstak- closed-minded outlook on everything minister, apostle of the faith, first propa- ingly listed. — - ¦ from racism to religion. Is it to be won- gator of the Gathasl Witness also Hu- dered that the holy Gathas themselves taosa, wife of Vishtaspa, Zarathushtra ’s are presented as some sinister tool in the Kavi-protector and first propagandist for qualification save that they be truth-pos- hands of the so-called “liberals? ” the new faith — again no mention of her sessing. The expressions used are naram It appears that Dasturji has no qualms renowned husband, so lauded in the and nairinam, and if the man is placed whatever about forcing our sacred texts to Gathas (together with Frashaoshtra and first, it is no more indicative of inequality suit his argument. One such remark- Jamaspa Hvogva). The Avesfic formula, or precedence than is “Mr and Mrs ” The insistent appeal to universalism and the full equality of men and women was extended without any SERSON Electrolytic Capacitors For All Electronic Applications From 12 VDC To 350 VDC MaHufxtiffers: Serson Industries Pvt. Ltd. Pimpri P.F.P.O., Poona-lS. Cable: Etcbfoil Poona-18. Phone: 82379 8 Parsiana March 1991negative effects can be minimized. In closing I implore your readers and the eight Kavi-king list were quali- everywhere to quietly meditate upon the implications of the laconic three-liner in Milestones (Parsiana, October 1990): “Roxan Darshan Shah (26)... July 27 fravashim FARROKH VAJIFDAR London, UK which in the next moment can become sonification of pious riches, etc. The “Lady/Ladies and Gentleman/Gentle- point being made here is that all of these men ” used in personal address. i * ' J ' " * ; Dasturji and his prayerful acolytes fied solely as righteous or truth-possess- will also have no difficulty in recalling ing. “nerebyascha nairibyascha zarathush- Dasturji is pleased to poke priestly fun trahe ” from the oft-quoted Airyema at Behdins John and Tom. Perhaps he (cremated) ishyo prayer immediately following the will now tilt his jolly “orthodox gibes yazamaide\ “menfolk and womenfolk of Zarathush- Russ, Gus, Ronnie, Percy, Freddy, tra ” whose pious assistance is sought in solemn convocation. Women never were chattel, work- or sex-objects in Zoroastri ­ anism. Our great Prophet had no inclina- ------ . .. . . tion or use for hair-splitting, distressing Fareydun, Jamshid and, of course, doongerwadi. classifications. His glorious vision for a Firoze! views have created a forum for regenerated world, this world ('"ateha toi ’------ ----- ------ - . . vaem hyama yoi im ferashem kerenaon priesthood which threatens, insults and supposedly liberal, progressive ahum and thus may we be those who terrorizes, what hope is there for the nity have been exposed. The result will, shall make this world renewed! ), per- ceived the need for pure-minded men are in consonance with Truth and the ity? To callously and mischievously group Good Mind. < . To return briefly to the earlier kardes Truth, ’ says — ----- of the Fravardin Yasht where the saintly proper last rites to those thus singled out their place, menfolk are enumerated, we perforce on trumped-up pretexts, is to demean begin with our noble Preceptor himself themselves and their daena. To effec- .. -----jjo re- L ¦_____ • specters of the living or the dead, is to Spitama Zarathushtra... (whose) forget that they too have to confront the ........................... Chinvato Peretu/Chinvad Pul. Goodness is bom of the wisdom which in the next moment can become sonification of pious riches, etc. trahe" Ashaonam last Gatha-. it is Gathic Avestan for the at the nominally christianized behdins Parsis take heart! The fossilized patri- __ _ ___________ archs of our religion could not have zalions for the wonderfully resounding done the community a greater service Jimmy and, dare I say it. Filly, being, in case we have all forgotten, sad populari- Rostam, Gushtasp, Ruyintan, Pishyotan, than by denying Roxan the use of the When there exists a section of the public debate. The hypocracies of our commu- wonderful life-affirming religion of hopefully, be a change in the right direc- _____ _ ________ _________ 2Larathushtra to waft its darkness-dispel- and women whose utterances and deeds ling currents over a beleaguered human- To return briefly to the earlier kardes Truth, ’ says tion. Perhaps (Dastur) Kotwal and his ) should be sent to a reeducation deny the holy fire (‘strengthened through camp while men and women with a bet- Zarathushtra!) and the ter understanding of their religion take We are grateful to Roxan for being the catalyst for change. Ms MAHROUK VEVAINA Calcutu menfolk are enumerated, we perforce on trumped-up pretex^, is tr^dernean L.e________ ___________________ . ‘ and his excellent qualities: “A blessing lively proclaim that they are upon us, amidst whom is bom the athra- van ! / - - - good Mazdayasnian religion will come and spread through all the seven keshvars of the earth (the whole world). ” scholarly High-Priest Zadsparam and the Ahura-created earth. Each and every one Denkard were to echo these very senu- u. ------- ------- - r ------ . j i • ments some 1,500 years later, after the entrusted to us to enable the making of such enlightened people in Islamic conquest of Iranshahr!) Thereaf ­ ter the early disciples of the faith are catalogued, systematically grouped by not go ¦ .-.j • nomenclature prefix (e.g. Atare-), suffix exercise themselves and their children in (e.g.-okhshan), or family affiliation (son steadily increasing of so-and-so). Some early luminaries our Prophet ’s teachings as embodied in of so-and-so). Some early luminaries were : e.g., the saintly Saena, son of Ahum-stut a who enriched the faith with 100 dis ­ ciples, the Karesna family blest with I feel compelled to congratulate Dr H. S. ... __ — Adenwalla from Trichur for his letter (The within each man or woman on this regarding “An injustice at doonger- - ¦ ¦ _ > '----------- wadi ” (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, oFurhas that little part of Ahura Mazda November 1990). I wish there were more '1 our commu- this a better world for all humanity. nity. Unfortunately today, barring a few, Ms Nayar ’s plea to all of us should our Zoroastrian faith sadly lacks inter- unheeded. Parents should indeed preters of this caliber. I l We must learn a lesson from history, their knowledge of When any religious sect of people begin to think that they are the God ’s chosen ana-SO). ouinc caiiy luiiuiicuivo uul X u ---------------------- . J singled out for special mention, the Gathas. Nothing is too much trouble, few, then thejMmtiate a sure downfall for be saintlv Saena, son of Ahum-stut and fulfilment of all our spiritual yearn- themselves. The Jews have experienced ing is assured. Drawbacks and obstacles are I there, but with determined selfless * three sons in whose house tarried the per- persons of goodwill everywhere, thew spe^^ MATRIMONIAL Parents of 29-yGar-old, slim, attractive, intelligent, highly educated Parsi girl from well-placed, cultured family, invite correspondence from equally matched, well-qualified, settled, sociable, mature Parsi bachelors between 30-35 years. Apply with photograph (returnable) and details to: The Advertiser Matrimonial (March/9-91) GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 10 Parsiana March T991If there are even a handful of truly en ­ lightened people, they can yet save our perience. No amount of intellectualizing religion from the crisis it faces today, for " one must remember that it needed only 12 simple committed people, even though they were not self-realized, to spread the message of Christ to all the comers of the world. Preceding Dr Adenwalla ’s letter, there day. In fact, toleration is the essence of was one by a 15-year-old girl on the same girl can think along these lines. It does not to make such a useless bid! ” True religion should be a heartfelt ex- this, at the cost of very tragic circum ­ stances all throughout their history, reach ­ ing their nadir during World War II. '__ . of man. So, it cannot be interpreted by trian rituals, which have a lot of meaning merely using one ’s mind, or by taking a limited meaning from a few sentences, taken out of context, from a i... prayers. Further, we must remember that much of our holy scriptures have been lost, and that they are written in a lan ­ guage which is extinct today. Also, most of the religious texts, in fact for any reli ­ gion, are couched in metaphors, and so ------ ---------- — ----- . . . we cannot understand them by merely book. Message of Zarathushtra, by one comprisetme sample ot mejhinking ot taking their literary meaning. If one im ­ bibes the essence or spirit of one ’s reli ­ gion, through one ’s heart, then one can understand the entire religion. I will try and make myself more clear that all good thoughts propounded any- through a poem: “When the heart takes up, leaving the brain behind. It is only then that we truly find, the limits of our limited mind. Oh vain vanity! did you really think, that you were the doer, of all that you did. How foolish could you have been — True religion is an appeal to the spirit can ever replace it. Most of our Zoroas- behind them, have now become meaning ­ less because, except a few, many really do set of not understand their true significance. Today, toleration is the need of the any religion. By being bigoted and dog- topic. It pained me to read that a young matic, one loses the boat altogether. l * * ' * In this context, I would like to suggest augur well for our community. I sincerely to any seeker of truth to read a small pray to Ahura Mazda that she does not Ms ARMAITY H. BHABHA of the few truly enlightened priests of our our youth today, community, the late Dastur Khurshed S. Dabu. In fact, somewhere in the book, he has written, “having taken a pledge and gracefully expressed by Ms Veera . ¦¦ . ¦ r " . . - -—= where and at any time would deserve our girl (“An injustice at.. ” allegiance how can we exclude any true ” and good idea from the field of Zoroastri ­ anism? ” The threat to our religion comes not from those who marry outside the com- It was a treat to read the view so wisely Doongriwalla, a young 15-year-old Parsi ¦’ Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, November 1990). I consider this young girl ’s angry outburst against marriages between Zoroastrians and non-Zoroastrians an echo of the un ­ forgettable voice of our forefathers, de ­ munity but from a lack of understanding serving of support and encouragement that we show towards it. from all right-thinking Parsis. If most of Compliments Of J. M. SHROFF TRANSPORT PVT. LTD. TRANSPORT CONTRACTORS For Bulk Liquids, Petrochemicals, Petroleum Products, Acetic Acid and other Chemicals all over India Sita Estates, "A" Wing, No 1 1st Floor R. C. Marg Chembur, Bombay 400074 Tel: 5555425,5519359 BRANCHES BARODA: Tel No 329924,329818 HYDERABAD: Tel No 76515 12 Parsiana March 1991? I i our youth felt the same way as young Veera, we should have no fear of our community and religion ever dying out. HOMIF.BANA when he was a trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet and reprinted in The head held high. It is shameful that our community, after living in India for more than 1,300 years, should talk about the Bombay Samachar of Februa^ 3,1991. rest of the Indians (who accepted us in Dasturji Kotwal says that “if there is a their fold when we needed their succor conflict between the legal position and the the most and who hold us in high esteem) religious view, the divine law of God in this manner. must prevail (Parsiana, September It is better that we do die out — if Dasturji Kotwal says that “if there is a Ms Veera Doongriwalla ’s letter (“An —--------- _ - injustice at doongerwadi, ” Readers ’ in this manner. must prevail . Forum, Parsiana, November 1990), is It is better that we do die out — if 1990).” Who made these ±vme laws in really appreciable and encouraging, these are the views forced down on the the first place? Man, not God. Oastuqi more particularly as she says that even a future generations of our community. Kotwal must realize that an educated 15-year-old girl, as she is, knows well that Dr L. M. Singhvi, the eminent jurist, community like ours will not accept any a Parsi girl married outside her religion who is an authority on the constitutional longer, as he says, “the customs and tradi- cannot remain a pure Parsi. This shows law of India, stated on the television pro- tions of the Zoroastrian religion which Veera ’s boldness. I- m. bilimoria gram Focus on December 16, 1990, that have been prevalent in the p^t for several the law under the Constitution of India is centuries, ” which are unfair to women I was most distressed to read “An injus- above all other rules and laws, therefore and are completely outdated in this day tice at... ” (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, no one, be it the BJP, VHP, RSS, BPP, or and age. He says that they arc “traditions November 1990). That a young girl of fundamentalist Muhammadans, or Dastur and customs; ” yet he calls them the 15 should write a letter saying “Even a (Dr) Kotwal can say, that they will not divine law of God. ” Surely, they cannot 15-year-old girl like me knows that if abide by the law of the land. be both! you are foolish enough to marry outside The question is not whether the Spe- It was a black day for me community vour religion — you do not remain a pure cial Marriage Act of 1954 entitles one to when young Roxan was denied the last ® — - •• ’ • • ------•- ------------ rites — we will never live it down. We future generations of our community. Dr L. M. Singhvi, the eminent jurist. (Dr) Kotwal can say, that they will not divine law of God. ” Surely, they cannot The question is not whether the Spe ­ cial Marriage Act of 1954 entitles one to you are foolish enough to marry outside Parsi! ” Nothing has horrified me as this claim the right to enjoy the saine pnvi- statement, from a young person in her l-o ------ - L. -S.: ;::: : teens, in all the correspondence that has marriage, but, whether anyone has the Roxan and shame for the community, been written about the young and unfor- right to say that one is not a Zoroastrian msBhicoo j. manekshaw tunate Roxan. If young children write, or fh** marriaae under the Act. if one New Delhi are brainwashed into writing such letters, then I feel there is no hope for the Parsi community to live in this country with its leges and benefits one enjoyed tefore hold our heads down — in sorrow for right to say that one is not a Zoroastrian after the marriage under the Act, if one has not changed one ’s religion. The answer is amply clear in the late The feelings of non-Parsis should not be Mr Justice Jal Vimadalal ’s speech made hurt in any way, with all our talk of ‘jud- A ‘IVI'.Ll.-'WIS'JI'L'K, IS Parsiana March 1991I dins ’ and purity of race, so that they are aroused to join the fray. India has been home for the Parsis since centuries and it is our bounden duty and heritage to live as ‘sugar does in milk ’ that is sweetening an already nutritious product and not, like logic and spunk has met with enonnous salt, making it curdle. support of the silent majority of our com- Let us view the situation in the overall munity. I hope you will not at any time in teaching of Zoroaster as well as the laws of the land of our adoption and birth. MsSOONUJAL Neemuch editorial on the front page of the same is- from social custom. Let the former be the sue is a tremendous contribution to the purview of the priestly class and the ap- sanity and wisdom of our community and pointed custodians of our places of wor- an appropriate slap in the face of follow- ship, and the latter be the exclusive pur- ers of a blind and quaint orthodoxy. Your view of elected trustees of the Punchayet. support of the silent majority of our com- If the trustees do not have the capacity of solving even the social problems and con ­ flicts, then they should not aspire to this future feel browbeaten by such one-sided time-honored position. They should be orthodox antics largely derived from the able to lay down our civic laws, if neces- writings of priests and authors, reflecting sary in consultation with scholars, and not the political and social exigencies of their run to take cover under the jama (ceremo- One does get tir^ of being told what is alleged to be “divine law ” or “time-hon ­ ored tradition; ” or that it is “against the commandments of the Zoroastrian relig­ ion ” to perform the navjote ceremony of children bom of mixed racial marriages, standards nf r itualis rir. tradition and there- versely then, if we look for an under- Could we quote these so-called laws and ____ _ ___ — __ ___ -—O--_ U,, ’ ' • commandments? If they are not supported dokhma. Such a sacrilegious ukase is then tomary or community __ problems, we by the Gathas, they are obsolescent and attempted to be reinforced by other high should not have to look to Madressa- redundant and mostly the product of pro ­ priests in the style of an elitist club and trained ritualists for an answer. We liferating ritualism over the historical mil ­ then by 130 mobeds — the proletariat of should go to our scholars for a logical ra- lennia of Zoroastrian theocracy in Iran the club — by signing on the dotted line, tionale, as they do not depend for their and our floundering efforts in India. Let or else... bread and butter on orthodoxy or liberal- us pray with Dastur Dhalb {Homage unto In view of such theo-political maneu- ism. Ahura Mazda, pg Til). Txt me discern vering by the sacerdotal fraternity (meaning the part that signed up), your the strange mixture of religious tradition time much after the lifetime of Zarathush- nial robe) of the high priests. “The divine laws... ” traandhisGa//uw. The High Priest on the cover of Parsiana When questioned about the authentic- (September 1990) has assumed to himself ity of our proliferated ritualism (not evi- the interpretation of “divine laws ” and the denced in the Gathas), we are ‘advised ’ mantle of a Grand Inquisitor and decided that for understanding geometry, you who is an ‘acceptable ’ Zoroastrian by don ’t look for answers in poetry. Con- ________ versely then, if we look for an under- fore worthy of being consigned to the standing of our social, sociological, cus- >» attempted to be reinforced by other high should not have to look to Madressa- then by 130 mobeds — the proletariat of should go to our scholars for a logical ra- bread and butter on orthodoxy or liberal ­ ism. It is therefore time that we unravelled the signs of the age I live in. Let me be in harmony with it... Let not unthinking and ..... In step with The fastest growing Industry Worldwide “TRAVEL AND TOURISM JJ ASIATIC TRAVEL SERVICE One Call Does It All... International & Domestic Air/Rail Bookings, Guided Tours in India &. Abroad, Passports, Visas, RBI formalities, Hotel Bookings, Car Rentals Motor Coaches, Air Cargo, Shipping Clearing & Forwarding. We take pleasure in taking care of the Traveller. ASIATIC TRAVEL SERVICE The House of Travel 12 Murzban Road, Bombay 400 001 Tel.: 2048151 (8 lines) Grams: AIRASIA Telex: AIRA IN 011-83151. G-3 Konark Apts., 175 Dhole Patil Road, Pune 411 001 Tel.: 667934/666431/668493 Telex: 145 472 AIRA IN 17 Parsiana March 1991 2 ATA 4L ATS/APM/91-2blind traditionalism retard and arrest my straightforward teachings to everyday against Dasturji Kotwal on the st^d progress. ” homib.minocherhomji "" * * ' ....................... • —- Ontario, Canada life. Are we not taught to “Hear the best adopted by him with regard to pristine with our ears and ponder with a bright 2Loroastrianism (“Whither good thoughts, mind, then choose... (Y30.2)?” Isn ’t the words and deeds? ” Parsiana, September “The divine laws of God must prevail, ” emphasis on intelligence? Has Asho Zara- I9^). elucidating Dastur Kotwal ’s views (Par- thushtra not repeatedly reminded us to re- .. ...... v.. siana, September 1990), was horrifying to ject concepts and thoughts that defy rea- read. Kotwal claims that he and priests of son? Isn ’t the achievement of perfection who do not know the A, B, C of Zoroas- his ilk have the sole right to arbitrate on (harmonious society) by upholding the trianism but who profess to have studied matters of religion. By whose authority? truth (Asha) through humata, hukhta and the religion and are ‘altruistic ’ enough to Divinely inspired or self-styled? Relig- hvarshta and renewing this world, the “educate ” the Parsis on the principles of ious texts, like statistics, can always be bottom line of His teachings? Zoroastrianism. Where such ‘Parsis ’ are interpreted to suit the individual. For So, how can one achieve the preserva- concerned, “ignorance is pure bliss ” be- ¦ " .................................... ¦ comes an understatement. However, with due respect to Dasturji Kotwal ’s views on Zoroastrianism, I fail his ilk have the sole right to arbitrate on (harmonious society) by upholding the Divinely inspired or self-styled? Relig- hvarshta and renewing this world, the Dasturji Kotwal has been maligned by a certain section of the Parsi community ... • So, how can one achieve the preserva- many years successive South African tion of a community by adhering to illogi- govemments quoted the Bible as God ’s cal precepts that are archaic and contrary will to enforce apartheid. ............................... to the fundamental teachings of our Consider a practical aspect... A consid- Prophet? Handing down outrageous de- to understand why navjotes are permitted to be performed in open-air baugs and not in the agiary attached to the baug. If our prayers cannot be recited in the presence of non-Parsis, this means that all navjotes/ weddings performed in baugs are Ms PERVIN BHARUCHA erable number of Parsis have married crees not only alienates certain members non-Parsis. Many such men hold high of the community but also generates a positions in business and industry. How great deal of anger and disbelief among many jobs will such men give to Parsi others. Mobeds and dasturs need to real- youth? How much of a helping hand will ize the sensitive position they hold in our they extend to struggling Zoroastrians community and should not let personal meaningless, when high priests spew hatred on them? interpretations of scriptural matters get in A number of Parsi girls have not found their way of responsible leadership. Your editorial “Whither good thoughts, Parsi boys to marry. Are they then to Dr Kotwal quotes the Vendidad in a words and deeds? ” (Parsiana, September remain barren spinsters or marry outside number of instances to defend his posi- 1990) is most welcome. Dastur (Ik) and be excommunicated by some priest tion. It appears to me that he holds the Firoze Kotwal and his supporters, with delusions of grandeur. Vendidad in higher esteem than the very The Parsi community is dying. Demo- words of Asho Zarathushtra. If we are to graphic projections show a grim future, accept the Vendidad with its ancient pu- interpretations of scriptural matters get in ¦ ¦ ¦ I Dr Kotwal quotes the Vendidad in a remain barren spinsters or marry outside number of instances to defend his posi- throughout their writings, interviews and talks have emphasized ‘age-old customs. ’ Questions on Gathas are swept aside with The inexorable logic of arithmetic related rity laws and civil codes (some of which remarks like “Gathas are sacred hymns... ..................... ' - Would you find geometry in a poetry book? ” etc. The members of our commu- cial values) as the core of our religion nity are not so dumb as to swallow such a to declining numbers cannot be denied are deemed obsolete in the wake of ad- and Kotwal has no answer. Can anybody vances in health sciences and modem so- seriously believe, like Kotwal, that some < miracle will take place to dramatically while dismissing the enormous value of statement, increase the Parsi Zoroastrian population? the Gathas as “metaphysical, ” then we '' It is for the community to do everything may no longer call this religion Zoroastri- possible to augment numbers, but it is doing exactly the opposite. Spurred by fanatics and megalomani- to preserve the continuity of the Parsi world. They wCTe known for their hon- acs, the Parsi community is racing, lem ­ ming-like, to its own destruction. It may be appropriate now to recall James Du- port: “Whom God would destroy. He first sends mad. ” cer $, 1990, governor of Maharashtra Subramaniam jsecondfrom right) presents a copy to mayor Ch^gan Bhtybal as C^eJ Dotd- ¦vaiat editor tmd compiler the book looks on . prior to December 1986 and not routinely renewed every three years as prescribed, or where the new questionnaire form has not been filled and submitted, will not be j merit rated according to the revised I guidelines. However, a request to the- I trustees maybe considered on merit. In | any case, the trustees reserve the right to relax the norms and/or to give extra merit rating points for immediate relief in extraordinary cases according to I clause 10 of the revised guidelines. I Anuvaz S. Mana I t. IB I R memorating the patriot ’s 75th death anni­ versary. The meeting on November 27, 1990 was convened under the joint aus ­ pices of the Navsari Parsi Association, The Iran League, the Athoman Mandal and the Jashan Committee at the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute where the Minis ­ ter of State, Government of Maharashtra, Arun Gujarathi presided, informs a press release. Eminent speakers like Bombay Uni ­ versity vice chancellor Dr (Ms) Mehroo Bengalee, Bombay Parsi Punchayet trus ­ tee Eruch Desai, corporator Rustom Ti- randaz, philanthropist Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and president of the Navsan Parsi Association Ms Shera Vajifdar paid their tributes to Mehta. In their speeches they referred to the ‘Lion of Bombay ’ serving the city ’s Municipal Corporation for 42 years; of his being elected its presi ­ dent (equivdent to today ’s Mayor) for a record four terms; of his statue standing at Bori Bunder; of his fearless efforts to make Bombay the urbs prima in India; of his fight for local self gov^ment which earned him the title of the ‘Father of local self government in India; ’ of his associa ­ tion of 48 years with the Bombay Univer ­ sity and his emphasis on liberal education suitable to Indian conditions; of his work for the Parsi community... The principled fighter was also one of I the founders of the INC and elected its • president at its sixth session in 1890, in ­ forms a brief biography of Mehta com­ piled by Vispy Dastur, convenor of the evening ’s program. Mehta had studied at Ayrton School and the Elphinstone Col- _ ____ r lege for his arts degree. After his Mas- leam more about us, ” writes Tata Iron and ters exam he proceeded to England to _ :----- ----- ¦ study at the bar. Dastur quotes his ap- man Russi^^Mody in his message to the proach: “Immediately after I began my career I had to make a choice between en ­ tering public service. I mean official gov- ¦ 3 ¦ ¦ Jamshedpur ’s Manashni “The ultimate success of a newsletter (lies in) not how well the editors and reporters write, but in how many people enjoy reading what is written, ” notes Ms Silloo E. Surti, managing editor of Manashni, the newsletter of the Jamshedpur Parsee Association (JPA). In its first issue in December last, Manashni carried news of JPA activities Steel Company Limited (TISCO) chair ­ and reported on the progress of its differ- i ent projects. Information on its members community as president of JPA. ___ too features in the four-page newsletter ¦¦¦" ... which has also kept its pages open for new team as mentioned in a release from emment service and entering me ^rvice contributions from readers. Published by the Association: Dr Jamshed J. Irani and of the public... But I unhesitandy chose to Pesi E. Tarapore, others involved in this Sarosh J. Ghandy, vice presidents; Eruch enter into the service of the public, production are executive editors Ms Di- * " " naz P. Tarapore and Ms Silloo N. Doti- vala with design and layout by Jamsheed ary assistant secretary and Firdaus Van- S. Dalal. The quarterly will be circulated free of cost to every f , Jamshedpur anjuman and an extra copy will be made available on payment of a — ------------- - „ . - . . . . w u n- nominal charge of five rupees per year, Pherozeshah Mehta. Let his rooms at months which made the pubhshers. Bis- according to the publication. “The Parsis of Jamshedpur are a well- knit community and such a publication Indian National Congress (INC) be de ­ should strengthen this bond of fellow dared a national monument. These sug- feeling. Eventually, I hope Manashni will gestions emanated at a function com- Mehta: donning the robes as vice- chancellor of Bombay University Photo: Godrej Dotivala's Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Memorial Volume reach other anjumans so that they may Working under him will be the JPA’s the Association: Dr Jamshed J. Irani and of the public... But I unhesitantly chose to F. Surti, chairman; Pesi E. Tarapore, hon ­ orary secretary; Jehangir Ardeshir, honor- Unmatched records Unparalleled feats as listed in the 240- drewala, honorary treasurer. page Limca Book of Records (LBR) 1991, wu. show 54 Zoroastrian individuals and 13 fernily 'S^iaterwidi the Patriotic PherOZeshah zoroastrian owned/started establishments Let a postage stamp be issued in honor-of as trailblazers. The first edition in 1990 the ‘Uncrowned king of Bombay ’ Sir reportedly remained a best-^Uer for four Jhulelal Building where meetings were leri Beverages Limited, bring out a sec ­ held to deliberate on the formation of the ond edition this year featuring Indian rec ­ ords in different spheres. The LBR is meant to promote a spirit of enquiry, competition, endurance and adventure Jhulelal Building where meetings were 28 Parsiana March 1991besides fostering a culture of excellence, states the second edition. The maximum number of Zoroastri ­ ans, 31, feature in the sports category. Of these, seven have outshone in cricket. Piloo Reporter was one of the two first official neutral umpires in test his ­ tory. For scoring 152 runs and 102 not out on debut in the 1952-53 test in Bar ­ oda, against Baroda, Nari J. Contractor made it to the LBR. Russi Modi of Bom ­ bay holds the unique distinction of scor ­ ing the most huncteds in a row, in suc ­ cessive matches and in a season besides having scored the maximum number of centuries in successive innings, while Polly Umrigar scored over a double cen ­ tury (223) against New Zealand in the first test at Hyderabad in 1955. In 1933- 34, at 41 years and 27 days, R. J. D. Jam- shedji was the oldest player on the Indian team which played against England. Farokh M. Engineer along with R. G. ? Nadkami holds the eighth test record partnership of 143 runs against New Zealand in the 1965 series in Madras. Ms Diana Eduljee has taken 114 wickets _ since her test debut in women ’s cricket in I 1975. I The 143-year-old Parsee Club also I features in the book for being the first I Indian cricket club and the first to have I toured England in 1866, when it played I 28 matches but won only one. I Yachtsmen too have made their mark. I Lt Cdr Sohrab Jamshed Contractor with | Afsar Hussain won a bronze medal in the Enterprise Class in the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok. Fali and Jamshed Unwalla took a silver in the 1982 Games in the was conferred the Arjun Award in 1983. Enterprise Class. Lt Farokh Tarapore and Zarir Karanjia were the first Indians to Pandole as the youngest junior squash oldest competitor when he completed the win a gold medal in the Fireball Class in champion. The Pandole family has re- Eighth Himalayan Rally in 1987. the 1982 Asian Games. They won all portedly given three generations of play- their seven races. ers to the game: Pheroze, son Dinshaw, Ms Persis Madan holds the 100m and and grandsons Darius and Farokh. In athletics, sprinter Adille Sumar- 'Cl * . Mb#!-; ' Mhim i \ "s- W"' The motor rallying section lists The squash category mentions Darius Jehangir Nicholson at 73 years as the Pesi Shroff for being the youngest jockey to win the most races in a season and Ms Ayesha Captain for being the 200m backstroke and 200m and 400m In athletics, sprinter Adille Sumar- only woman jockey have been listed in individual medley national records in the iwalla for being a 1986 Arjuna awardee the horse racing category. The Poona- 1982 national meet amongst women and in shot put Ms Bhakhtawar Kham- walla Stud Farm in Poona has also made swimmers. batta for holding the 1982 women ’s na- it to the LBR for being the biggest stud In cycling the two sisters Armin tional record, made it to the LBR. farm in terms of the number of horses Palkhiwala and Jasmin Arethna have - - - made international news. While Armin won a silver in the 1,000 m time trial in the 1982 Asian . Games in Bangkok, Federation in 1967 and Ms K. Charge- Shireen Khushroo Kiash who has the younger sister Jasmin bagged a bronze in the 1,000 m sprint and 100 m time trial at Seoul in ’85. medal. different games — hockey, basketball and In weightlifting the Daroga brothers, Representing India in three interna- cricket, and Jal Pardivala for being a re ­ Neville and Vispy, made their mark, tional competitions and bagging the first cipient of the Olympic Bronze Order. Neville holds the 1987 national record in international medal in judo has earned Arts and entertainment is another the over 110 kg category while Vispy Cawas Billimoria a name in the LBR. category where Parsis have excelled, par- and in shot put Ms Bhakhtawar Kham- batta for holding the 1982 women ’s na- In the table tennis category, Farokh raised. Khodaiji was ranked twenty-eighth in the world by the International Table Tennis game, ’ features versatile sportsperson Ms A separate category, ‘All in the man was one of the four who gave India unique distinction of being the only one her first Commonwealth Championship to have represented the country in three medal. Representing India in three intema- international medal in judo has earned I 30 Parsiana March 19911 I . . 7^ .. ( another country. The first cinema hall and the first multi-purpose banner are also ticularly in the sub-category cinema where foe first talkie Alam Ara was made by Ardeshir Irani, and Pirojshah Mistry credited to Madan Theatres as also foe and B. Irani were foe first music direc- tOTS, Ardeshir was also foe first to make an Indian film in English. J.B.H. Wadia ’s Court Dancer was foe first silent film to run for 25 weeks. Regal j Theatre in downtown Bombay, founded by Framji H. Sidhwa and K. A. Kooka, was foe first air-conditioned theater in foe first film to be made in three languages country. S and his Naujawan was foe first songless M filtn. Madan Theatres ’ Indra Sabha holds Hollywood, Firoze Rangoonwalla who « foe record of having foe maximum num- ber of songs (71) in a film. Theirs was also foe first Indian film co-produced with tor Sohrab Modi who won foe Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1979, have also earned a mention in foe LBR. The first dramatic club was foe Parsi Natak Mandali estab ­ lished in 1853 in Bombay. In the sub-category music, western music maestro Zubin Mehta holds foe Ms Persis Khambatta who made it to has written the maximum number of film books and the late actor-producer-direc- world record for having the longest in- | Featuring in the Limca Book of Records (from left) Top row: First all-Parsi Indian cricket team to tour England, Farokh Tarapore and Zarir Karanjia. Second row: Engineer, Eduljee, Persis Madan, Armin Palkhiwala, Arethna and Neville Daroga. Third row: Vispy Daroga, Darius Pundole, Sumariwalla, Billinwria, Nicholson and Shroff. Fourth row: Pardivala, Ar deshir Irani and J£.H. Wadia nings as conductor of an orchestra. Oth ­ ers mentioned in foe music category are Ms Coomi Wadia, conductor of foe Par- anjoti Academy Chorus which is foe only Indian choir to win an international com­ petition, and Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji for his longest piano composition, run ­ ning into 500 pages of manuscript in three volumes. In communications, Furdoonjee Murz- banjee gets a mention in foe print cate ­ gory for launching foe Mumbai Sama ­ char, foe oldest extant newspaper. Ms Cornelia Sorabji is mentioned in foe ‘legalia ’ category for being foe first woman advocate and Manackjee Rus- tomjee merits a mention in foe same category for being foe first Indian sheriff of foe Calcutta High Court. In awards and honors, Dara Khurody and T. K. Patel shared foe Ramon Magasaysay award for community lead ­ ership in 1963. The sciences category has foe names of Rustom Jal Vakil and Ardaseer Cursetjee Wadia. Vakil was foe first In ­ dian to be awarded foe International Al ­ bert Lasker Award of foe American Pub ­ lic Health Association and Wadia was foe first Indian to be elected fellow of the Royal Society of London. The Indian economy and business chapter features Nani Ardeshir Palkhivala for making the maximum number of speeches on foe union budget and Cawasji Dawar for establishing foe first cotton textile mill. Instrumental in setting up Kelvinator of India Ltd is Jamshed Desai, managing director of the company whose refrigerators were one of the largest sell ­ ing products of 1989-90 with a sale of Rs 226.57 crores. I i II 31 Parsiana March 1991 1iin Ftxihder (^Tata Airlines, India ’s first air ­ line that was later renamed Air India, J.R.D. Tata had chaired several other companies in the Tata group. Among these rank: Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited which showed the highest net profit of Rs 112.15 crores in 1987-88 and Tata Tea which runs the first and largest tea estate spreading over 1,372.85 hec ­ tares under cultivation. Tata Power Com- pany with a capacity of 5,765 mw of power makes it the Ingest private sector " power company. Tata Air Mail service, started in 1932, was the first regular air mail service. The first five-star hotel was also founded by the Tatas in 1903. H The distinction of being the first pilot H on the first commercial flight of Tata H Airlines from Karachi to Bombay in a H one-seater Puss Moth on October 15, 1932 goes to J.R.D. Tata whose achieve- ment has been listed in the transport chap- ter. Tata also holds the record of having received the highest civil aviation award Illi — The Edward Warner award. The largest travel agency, mentions the LBR, is Travel Corporation (India) Ltd (TCI) under the directorship of the Katgara brothers Nari and Adi, with an annual turnover of Rs 57 crores. Airfreight Private Limited under Jam ­ shed Guzder and son Cyrus is credited with being the first airfreight service. The human story chapter lists unusual accomplishments by Edul Palamkote who had earned himself the name of the “Man with the Iron Grip. ” He was the first Indian to tear into shreds two tele ­ phone directories. He could snap heavy iron chains and stop a 10 hp motorcycle with his teeth. Ms Behroz Nadirshah Daruwala is credited for being the most versatile adventure sportsperson. The Armed Forces section features names like the first Field Marshal, Sam Manekshaw and Param Vir Chakra re ­ cipient, Lt Col Adi B. Tarapore. There are several classifications like the freedom stuggle, hobbies and collec ­ tions, literature, football, dance, navy and air force where Zoroastrians do not fea ­ ture at all. In cases where it was not pos ­ sible to identify from the names whether the person concerned was a Zoroastrian, their names have not been listed by Par ­ siana. One such entry where the identity could not be ascertained was that of “Behram, ” a member of the Thugee sect in Awadh who strangled over 900 victims with his scarf between 1790 Wjg i : t / : B « 77te Limca Book of Records mentis\ Tap raw: J. F, Mati&n of Madan Theatrei, Bpw^ay's R^gai Theatre and Mehta. Secand rpw: Coomi Wadia^ MurxbOfyia imd Sdrabji. Third row: Pustontjee, Nani Patghivala aftdGesod, Pourth raw: Tata, Nari Katgara and Adi Katgara. Bottom: Jamshed (fuzder 32 Parsiana March 1991 f¦ 51 and 1840, mentions the LB/?. i Top row: Cyrus Guzder, Palamkote, Manekshaw and SohrabModi Bottom row: (Left): Dhalla at the Assembly of the World's Religions (in Parsi dress) and Bagwadia (right): resourceful executive auditor of VolLas Limited, report ­ edly becomes the first lady presi ­ dent of the Bombay chapter. The other 2k)roastrians officiating on the directorial board are Phillie D. Karkaria, vice president; Rusi S. Mahudawala, secretary and Ms Homai A. Daruwalla, joint secre- serve the whole of humanity, the release tary. further informs. In her two decades of service with For global fraternity There was yet another International Voltas, Bagwadia has worked her way up At four international conferences in 1990, Meeting of Prayers for Peace at Bari, Italy the corporate ladder. She started as assis- in different parts of USA and Europe, did when Dhalla, as a Zoroastrian representa- tant confidential secretary in the person- Dr Homi Dhalla from Bombay participate tive, lit the lamp of peace. Both he and Dr nel department and after getting ac- as a Zoroastrian representative, notes a (Ms) Meher Master-Moos, founder of quainted with various other nitty-gritties press release. Mazdayasnie Monasterie, spoke on the of the Voltas system of functioning, con- “God and God-Equivalents ” was the concept of peace in Zoroastrianism and sequently qualified herself for a promo ­ theme of the scholars ’ meet in Assisi, It ­ aly where Dhalla presented a paper on English translation. “The Other Names of Ahura Mazda." The important role of children in Zoroas ­ trianism was stressed by Dhalla at the ference. She then proceeded to Switzer- UNICEF-sponsored Conference of the land and London to give lectures and con- Sydenham College and subsequent de ­ World ’s Religions for the World ’s Chil- duct seminars on Zoroastrianism. On re- grees in arts, law and CIA (Certified In- dren at Princeton, USA. As in years past, once again at the As ­ sembly of the World ’s Religions, in San Francisco, where about 700 religious noted, leaders, teachers and scholars partici ­ recited Zoroastrian prayers with their tion to the managerial cadre, reads her bio data. Prior to joining Voltas she was with the National and Grindlays Bank. Her studies for a commerce degree from Master-Moos also showed the video film Message of Zarathushtra at the con- duct seminars on Zoroastrianism. On re ­ turning to India, Master-Moos summoned temal Auditor) as also a diploma in per- an interfaith prayers for peace meeting for sonnel management were largely self fi- more harmonious conditions in India, it is nanced, working and studying at the same time. During her college days she was _____ , ______ __ ______ r ____ . . also a good sportswoman representing her pated, Dhalla represented Zoroastrianism, Auditing her WUy up college in athletic meets and hockey tour- ’ the release notes. Dhalla recited Zoroas- “It is up to the women executives to ex- naments. Her other interests include gar- trian prayers before a fire vase. Dr hibit their effectiveness and indispensa- dening and cooking, further mentions her Farhang Mehr, professor of international bility which should make the manage- bio data. relations at Boston University, presented ment realize that women are resources a paper and Ms Jeroo Chavda gave an In- that the company can ill afford to let go, ” Of insurance and exportS dian dance recital on the occasion. The stressed Ms Shireen A. Bagwadia, the The Export Credit and Guarantee Corpo- purpose of the Assembly was to encour- newly elected president of the Bombay ration (ECGC) under the chairmanship of age mutual respect and understanding chapter of the Institute of Internal Audi- Jamsheed Kanga showed a profit of Rs 35 among the various religious traditions and tors — India. lakhs last year, notes a report in the to initiate cooperative action that could “It is up to the women executives to ex- tors — India. Bagwadia, who is the chief internal money and banking section of The Eco- 33 Parsiana March 1997 f j JW-TKH B 1! i * PCpsa. .... MJ r ¦I . 1 •f A new challenge for the speed special ­ ists was the Gulf Autocross sponsored motor gymkhana race in October last which tested the competitor ’s skill for slow riding, Kaizad once again emerged the winner in the scooters class while cousin Neville came second. In the mo ­ torcycles class, Kersi came in first with Kaizad second. The 56 competitors at this meet had to go as slow as possible and yet maintain their balance without touching the ground which would have otherwise disqualified them, the release notes. A fine innings His completion of 50 years as a cricketer probably makes Melhi Dinshaw Irani the oldest active cricketer in the world play­ ing competitive cricket, reads a tribute to the sportsman in The Afternoon Despatch and Courier (The ADC) dated December 6,1990. Sixty-plus Irani was presented a silver salver and a citation by the Bombay Gymkhana a few months back for being the oldest playing cricketer. The first of his cricket matches was at Patel (right) receiving trophy from Hameed Jaffrey of Petrosil Oil Company at the Gulf Autocross in December (Below) Kanga: boosting India ’s exports tends insurance cover for exports to Uganda, Zambia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Mozambique. They are striving instead to buy goods there and bring them back to the age lading Indian export houses like Tata went^on Exports. Hoshie H. Malgham of Tata Exports sounds a note of hope: Trade can be re ­ vived as there is a lot of scope for devel ­ oping industries. Masters of motorsport “You had to see...these dare-devils work ..p so much speed in the short stretches to the turns and twisting barriers, ” noted a * _ . The venue was the Na- Uganda, Zambia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Mozambique. They are striving instead to S^Jia ’^eEcwhe. wiO. assiswn. of hS college, St Xavier ’s, team and the Bom ­ bay University team. Besides, he has also played for Indian universities and for Bombay in the Ranjit Trophy Tourna­ ment, The ADC notes. Though he never got a chance to be selected on the na ­ tional team, Irani ’s commitment to the game continued, believing, “some get the break, some don ’t, that ’s cricket. Formerly an ace left-handed opening batsman, these days Irani plays mainly as a wicket keeper. His only regret is that he organized by veteran ’s team, adds The ADC write-up. Kaizad Patel emerged the fastest rider of Patel participated in three races. Even though he had a fall in one of the races, it did not “deter Kaizad from taking risks. "The ECGC premiums are perhaps the He was just su^rb... ” on his 125 cc ¦ *’ • wasnki KH bike, reads The Aftcfitoofi lowest m me wunu suiw? uiv aiiu v* wdbOM oi Corporation is to help boost exports. Despatch and Courier of Dwember 21. * - ___;______ ^11-. uir. vafcI wiic 1116 winner maintains Kanga. . _ maximum premium income came from long-term business (five to 15 years), of late it is short-term policies (up to 180 days) that are gaining popularity. The risk for ECGC is definitely lower but so IS ------------ dK income from shon-term policies, wo evems^ m Kanga told the paper. Losses in Africa had severe repercus ­ sions on ECGC. Hence, it no longer ex- w \ 5^ V nomic Times November T3, 1990. Their recovery last year followed a period up of losses in the preceding two years. t — Even though only 16 to 17 percent of press, release.^ the total insurable exports are covered by » ’ ' the ECGC, Kanga is <-----'' , • • figures compare favorably with those of Company^ LmmM man, who was former Secretary for In ­ dustries to the Government of Maharash- the^ay. tra, is gearing his marketing setup to make more exporters take to insurance cover. '________ , lowest in the world since the aim of the Though originally His uncle Kersi was declared the winner in the 265 to 360 cc class. At the same meet Ms Farah Vakil was declared the fastest lady driver. Among the other driv ­ ers who were declared winners were Farokh Commissariat who stood first in On the fast track At the last Himalayan Rally, Ms Farah Vakil, in her first international event, won the Coupe des Dames prize along with her navigator Ms Renuka Lalwani, notes The Independent dated November 27, 1990. Of the 77 participants only 33 succeeded in completing the race. Vakil ’s overall ranking was 29th, the paper reports. Driving a Maruti Gypsy, the 26-year- old rallyist had only one major problem when the transmission oil seal broke. A punctured tyre and stones hurled at her car, she accepted in her stride. Luckily for her it was only after the final stage that her car engine and fuel pump gave Katgara who stood second in two events _ and Hormazd Sorabjee who stood second trouble, further reports the paper in one, the paper further reports. compiled by Roxana h. Kaka Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka 34 Parsiana March 1991ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD “Zarathusti: My Past, Our Future” 99 The emphasis of the Seventh North American Zoroastrian Congress was on channeling experience to establish a harmonious community in North America Niloofer J. Madon Sootliehting education as the need of Association of Houston (ZA^ wan^ UIC llUUl, pivgltun - —---------- 1 --------------------w . »/!• Mistree emphasized, “It ’s not the Sunday Zoroastrians to learn about their ^t (reli- school type of education ” but the knowl- QZ--:.z. edge that an adult can internalize before understand their present posiuon in A___ i:__ on/1 TAf* tnft ill* “They have told me to put together some- opuuignui.e v,«uv« —. — -— -- - foj. thina which could be the financial engine the hour, program coordinator Farrokh the Congress to cr^te a lorum lor rSSSmunhy^meSn^^^Xe^e Mistree emphasized, “It ’s not the Sunday Zoroastrians to learn about thej it could havTSssTn^Sng, where school type of education ” but the knowl- gious, ntuahstic, cultural and histone) professionals could be memberl where edge that an adult can internalize before ^^^tandfo- the monies made in this type of an organi- taking a position on issues. According to North America, and zation could be used for^ education of Mistree, the Houston Congress was a step ture in this new land, zation couia oe useu lor ue along the line of preparing an “informed and nurtunng the talents, strengths, crea- proletariat ” in North America that could tivity and gifts of each Zoroastnan. ....................... ......................... ________ _ Tha ftiamo nf thft CnnffteM ---- the monies made in this type of an organi- the hour, program coordinator Farrokh school type of education ” but the knowl- taking a position on issues. According to Zoroastrian children by way of scholar- ’^‘S'Meherwan Boyce, chaiiman of the even^By debate and decide on the issues ‘heme * Con^_ - Seventh North American Zoroastrian agitating the community - an exercise Congress (7NAZC) held in Houston, that currently, accordmg to Mistree, placed the focus on ng past t^a TexS August 31 to September 3, 1990, “would be divisive. ” He emphasizes that each i^n has come from a different SrefSg to a concrete result of the the pressure is on each one of us “to gain part of the world and ‘o^ fotm (^) gathering /Uthough the proposed body ’s that wisdom, put in the effort, put in time, collectively ijre name is yet to be formalfred, it could be put in that which is necessary to make wmething in North Amenca, explained a manifestation of a Zoroastrian chamber ourselves comfortable with what we are istree. of commerce, an idea rising phoenix-like doing — not (be content) with the limited at many a Zoroastrian meeting over the knowledge that we have... ” nework of Zoroasirian a ‘of Towed by jn professionals in the social sciences from knowledge - not tom one side but Fifgd Kmwg. all over the world “to promote the cur- from all sides and then educate our Atash Bahram, Bombay. AMon Ki^tom, rent thinking in the social sciences and anjumans and community and use that preadent of the ^roastnan Youth (^oup the humanities relative to matters of ra ­ cism and sexism — paramount issues in the religious controversies today, ” was suggested by Houston sociologist Yezdi we take a decision now... Rustomji. The Congress steered clear of any de ­ cisions on major issues which agitate the community. “There are c which we have to live with, ” noted Boyce, pinpointing conversion as the major divisive issue between the com ­ munities in the old and the new worlds. Boyce conceived of the role of the Hous ­ ton Congress as essentially one of ce ­ menting the community together. Seventh North American Zoroastrian agitating the community — an exorcise manifestation of a Zoroastrian chamber ourselves comfortable with what we are Zoroastrian meeting over the knowledge that we have... ” To that end Mistree advocates creating to make something in North America, explained Mistree. The business sessions of the Congress began with Kersi Engineer, chairman of the ZAH, giving a welcome address fol- UAIJ tAABAMABM w—» O* ’ knowledge to see if we can harmonize of Houston and Rohinton Rivetna, presi- our different positions and proceed, be- dent of the Federation of Zoroastrian As- cause in harmonization is happiness. If sociations of North ^®fca (l^ANA) —'z -------_ __ wearet.1 , going to have half the group that is not lighting of the diva by the community happy and I don ’t think that is the way *¦ ___ we can build harmony and prosperity and differences good feeling among the community. ” The Emerald City on the Bayou, as Houston is fondly known, was host to Zoroastrian delegates from North Amer ­ ica as well as Europe and the Indian sub ­ continent during the four-day proceed- panel. ings at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The . organizing committee of the Zoroastrian parents and offspring was chaired by lor- our different positions and proceed, be- we m'e always added their own words of welcome. The heralded earnest work. The 7NAZC boasted two innovative sessions: “Our present and future in North America ” presented in the form of an intergeneration dialogue and an ex ­ amination of “Zarathusti Women: Past, Present and Future, ” by an aU-female The dialogue between five teams of 36 Parsiana March 1991f With best compliments from NARIMAN NALLASETH Pvt Ltd ENGINEERS & CONSULTANTS 27, Tamarind Lane Rajabahadur Compound Apollo Street Bombay 400023 Phone Nos: 270066 & 272986 38 Parsiana March 1991 mer Zoroastrian Society of Ontario (ZSO) ments of women of Iran, India and Paki- president Minoo Treasurywala, retired Stan as well as the work of Maneckji director of finance and administration Hataria in Iran. It also included the educa- with the Hydro Electric Power Commis- tion of Parsi Zoroastrian women starting sion of Mississauga, Toronto. As they from 1857 to the early twentieth century explored the topic from both points of in India. view, the session focussed on the ques ­ tions that troubled the youth and the ex ­ planations their parents put forth. Thus, a paper on “The Traditional Role of mother Aban and daughter Nerina Rus- Zoroastrian Women — A Legacy For tomji of Houston talked about “the nature Today. ” Rose outlined some of the of the family and the meaning of family sources for determining what may be re ­ loyalty... and the transfer of eastern val- garded as the traditional role of women, ues to western family lifestyles; ” father and then concentrated on specific areas Rohinton and daughter Zenobia Rivetna wherein the traditional role of women is of Chicago talked about the fact that seen to have fostered the promotion of 2k)roastrians who came to America for Zoroastrianism. She also suggested con- economic reasons have succeeded fairly tributions which women could make to well and “almost as a gift ” have discov ­ ered the need to be religious. They dis ­ cussed values, the creation of an appropri ­ ate infrastructure including programs and psychology department at Chicago State a home environment conducive to the University, read a paper on Zoroastrian success of their motto: ‘succeed we must parenting. She called on the need to make and succeed we shall. ’ When it was the children aware of the inherent beauty and turn of Parvez and Susan Varjavand from logic of their faith and be taught to prac- California and their son Behram from tice the tenets instead of blindly parroting Houston, Susan, who is a convert to words they do not understand. “They will Zoroastrianism, talked about what part of then find pride in their religion and be se- the religion appealed to her the most, cure in their Zoroastrian identity while Then the family focused “on the extent to living and working with others of diverse which these impressions need to be sup ­ plemented to achieve a complete under ­ standing of the religion. ” Ms Jennifer Rose, a doctoral student at Columbia University, New York, read the future development of the commu­ nity. Dr (Ms) Avan Billimoria, chair of the backgrounds and creeds, ” Billimoria noted. Dr (Ms) Vera Mehta, secretary-gen- Mother Dolly md daughter Natasha eral of the International Association of Dastoor from Montreal, Canada dis- Schools of Social Work at Vienna, Aus- cussed the need of the youth for strong tria, focussed on the need for greater role models and the parents ’ own di- ' “ lemma as they find that the “old, tried and true techniques of parenting ” do not alization through service for human- seem to hold good “with the contempo ­ rary challenges posed by their offspring ’s independence and social behavior. ” Mother Magdalena Rustomji and son Irani, professor of philosophy at the City Aaron Rustom of Houston talked about College of New York, aimed nt highlight­ acculturation, wherein values of both cul- ing the “commonalities and dissimilarities tures — Zoroastrian and North American between Zoroastrianism and Hinduism, — are taken into account and the best of Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam each are passed on to the next generation, and Bahaism. ” Khojeste Mistree, founder The session “Zarathusti Women: Past, of Zoroastrian Studies, Bombay, dealt Present and Future, ” chaired by Dr (Ms) with Hinduism; James Russell, associate Dolly Dastoor, secretary of FEZANA and professor of Middle East languages and assistant professor of psychiatry at cultures at Columbia University in New McGill University in Montr^l, Canada, York with Judaism; Jamsheed Choksy, a was aimed at preparing a future in which junior fellow working on his doctoral the- Zoroastrian women could play a signifi- sis in history and religions of the Near cant role, as noted the souvenir. East and Inner Asia at Harvard Univer- A founding member of the World sity, with Buddhism; Alan Williams, lec- Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO), and its turer in comparative religion at the Uni ­ chairman since 1980, Dr (Ms) Shirinba- versity of Manchester, with Christianity; noo Kutar spoke on “Evolution of Dr Ali Jafarey, board member and trustee zarathusti Women — A Personal Per- of the Ancient Iranian Cultural Society spective. ” The paper dealt with achieve- now in Los Angeles, with Islam; and Ek contribution from Zoroastrian women “in raising human consciousness and re ­ kind. ” “Zoroastrianism And Other Reli ­ gions, ” chaired by Dr Kaikhosrov D.:l I Reasons! ” The dialogue tried to answer such questions as: Is marriage within the religion a privilege or a burden? What are the obstacles preventing the youth from Four sessions were held concurrently, matching up with the right Zoroastrian? “Coping in North America ” was the Other such questions addressing the prob ­ lem of finding the right mate in North America were also deliberated upon. Noshir Jesung, vice-president of the Traditional Mazdayasni Zoroastrian Anjuman of California, chaired the ses­ sion titled “Focus on Religion, ” a session highlighting the synergism between thought, ritual and religious practice where “The Evolution of Zoroastrian Thought ” was presented by Prof Irani, the “Consistency of Zoroastrian Rituals Through the Ages ” was demonstrated by Khojeste Mistree and a lecture demon ­ stration by Dastur Kotwal on the jashan Gathas and advocated* the idea that often the best, and sometimes, the only ceremony andon the afringan concluded “rituals and reason are not mutually ex- way to learn from and value true experi- clusive, but are complementary aspects of ence, ” noted moderator Aaron Rustom Farhang Mehr, professor of international vance to our own times and progeny. — IT.:---- „.;,u “When wc doubt, we can, and should, haism. only turn to his own very words as con- “With the demographic degeneration tained in the Gathas ” advised Antia. of the Parsi population in India and Pak- " istan and the upsurge and unity in North America, it is conceivable that...the global Zoroastrian focus may move from Bombay to North America, and FEZANA, in turn, may provide a world Zoroastrian democratic leadership, ” speculated Homi Minocher-Homji, presi ­ dent of ZSO. Minocher-Homji ’s paper was a part of the session on “2toroastrian Demography, Beliefs, Identity and Unifi ­ cation in North America ” chaired by Dr Farhang Mehr. Lawyer Ms Dina G. McIntyre identi ­ fied our spiritual roots as the way of life theme of a rap session for Zoroastrians which Zarathustra propagates in the under 25. “Listening to one ’s peers is relations at Boston University, with Ba- democratic “The global Zoroastrian focus may move from Bombay to North America” the session. The session on “Zoroastrian Business the human experience, each with its part in his summary of the session. For this Network ” was chaired by Dr Boyce. It to play in nurturing the religious needs of session, Mehran Sepehri, director of Pro- was aimed at highlighting “the necessity a community. ” gressive Technologies in Los Angeles and to form an economic and cultural tie Psychologist Dr Kersey Antia, honor- part-time professor at the California State which could help business and profes- ary High Priest of the Zoroastrian Asso- University in Northridge, chaired a ses- sionals of the Zoroastrian community in ciation of Chicago, spoke of the “Unver- sality of Zoroaster ’s Message: ” its rele- University in Northridge, chaired a ses ­ sion titled “Why Marry a Zoroastrian? North America and throughout the Doing the Right Thing for the Wrong world, ” as per the session summary. Pa- Steamship agents — master stevedores dubashes — lighterage contractors Darabshaw B.Cursetjee's Sons (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd. Darabshaw House, Ballard Road, Bombay - 400 038. Grams: 'DEADWEIGHT Phone: 260021 (4 Lines) (Dock Office: 262230) Telex: 5824 DBCB IN Also associates at Calcutta, Vishakhapatnam, Kakinada, Mangalore, Bhavnagar, Bedi-port, Navlakhi, Veraval, Porbunder & Kandla. Also sole Government Landing contractors at Jamnagar, (Bedi) Bhavnagar. 39 Parsiana March 1991pers by Bomy Boyce, a marketing con- ]” suitant and a founding member of the North American Mobeds Council gave quet organized by Fereshte, Houshang ..... Yazdani Khatibi featuring Persian music, food and friends. Dinner was fol ­ lowed by Dr Boyce ’s welcome address An open session titled “Let the and a talk on “Our Iranian Heritage ” by Zarathushti Speak, ” chaired by Minocher- FEZANA, the WZO, London, and the ton and in the evening, an Iranian ban- ZSO, Minoo Dastoor, manager of the an overview of their respective organiza- Environmental Technology Program at tions at the session on Zoroastrian net- the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of the working. California Institute of Technology in Pasadena; Adi Davar, senior vice-presi- Zarathushti Speak, ” chaired by Minocher- Mehr. The Iranian Refugee Committee dent and board director of International Homji, presently director and vice-presi- and the Department of State Representa- — ••• - -- - received special thanks from Ka- emarz Dotiwala, past president of ZAH. A special award presentation — the key to the city of Houston given by the mayor to noted conductor Zubin Mehta — prol- oguized a music and dance performance and dancing into the wee hours of the Development Specialists Inc and Interna- dent of FEZANA, aimed at giving the tional Development Training Institute; Kaemerz Dotiwala, founder and president of Tex Fuels Inc; Kymus Ginwala, presi ­ dent of Northern Research and Engineer ­ ing Corporation; and Nes Lakadawala, chief executive officer of Blanchard-Ness cated to others selected at random from Limited^examined concepts of small busi- names drawn out of a pugree (traditional night! ness, professional network, banking and headgear). Thereafter the session chair- their integration. “Zarathushtra ’s Religion — of the items for the next Congress, followed by 7NAZC awards. Ways and Means ” was discussed from the perspectives of clinical geriatric psy ­ chologist Dr (Ms) Dolly Dastoor of delegates and passed on the diva to United States Institute of Peace in Wash- Douglas Hospital, Montre^; professor of FEZANA for the next Congress — in education and psychology Dr Mehraban Vancouver in 1992. Khodavandi of Lakeland College, with professor of sociology Yezdi Rustomji of relieved by a judicious sprinkling of music recital accompanied on the piano the North Harris County College who faith, festivity and fellowship. Thus the by Keith Chapman. Zubin Mehta, then also functions as coordinator and counsel- first day had been reserved for getting lor at the College ’s Life Skills Center, in acquainted, for registrations, a commit- the chair. tee meeting of FEZANA, tours of Hous- participants of the Congress a chance to air their views. Six persons were selected at the “total discretion of the chairperson ” and were given four minutes each to have their say. The remaining time was allo ­ The following evening was reserved persons made their reports giving action for a banquet and the presentation of the Jamsheed K. A. the closing ceremonies wherein Dr Boyce Marker, former Pakistan ambassador to thanked and Dastur Kotwal blessed the the USA and Distinguished Fellow at the The substantial intellectual fare was ington DC, gave a talk on “Leadership and the Zoroastrian Community. ” So ­ prano Ms Sonia Behrana followed with a in his twelfth season as music director of the New York Philharmonic, spoke about the achievements of the Zoroastrian com ­ FEDERAL PROTECTION & INTELLIGENCE SERVICES (Manpower Consultants) 10th Anniversary Federal Trade Agencies H. P. Enterprises 250, Perin Nariman Street 2501 /1, Bazar Gate Street Fort, Bombay 400001 Fort, Bombay 400001 Tel 2611926 Tel 2617178 2617331 Ahura Mazda Agencies Bombay Poona Consultancy Services Pune 411001 Partners Mr Dady P. Hataria Mr Jal B. Contractor Deputy Commissioner of Police (Retd.) Federal Trade Agencies Tel: Res 8221581 40 Parsiana March 1991 I! munity in North America. Marker and fession or business to Dr Meherwan Mehta gave away the seven awards: the Boyce of Houston, Texas; and the Out- S tudent Award for an outstanding Zoroas- was appointed program coordinator, Sa- rosh Collector, treasurer, Magdalena Rus- Student Award for an outstanding Zoroas- standing Zoroastrian Award, for a tomji, committee secretary, Bomy Boyce, trian high school or college student to Zoroastrian who has achieved excellence Canadian coordinator and Ms Katie Irani, Neville Meherji Billimoria of Lombard, i Illinois; the Young Zoroastrian Award for much of his energy in promoting Zoroas- a Zoroastrian under 30 years of age who trian causes (an all encompassing Zoroas- has excelled in his/her field of endeavor trian) to the husband and wife team of the speakers were "Agoing to be. ” to Sarosh Viraf Kanga of Boilingbrook, P “ ___ ______ Illino^; the Community Service Award Hinsdale, Illinois. Jehangir K. Shroff, of cratic, open fashion with the idea" that we would find the most appropriate people to give that particular lecture as opposed to saying, ‘that person is a big shot, well, we must have him, ’” added Mistree. The objectives of the Congress were identified in March and the letters went out inviting the speakers. The program was slightly modified and adjusted in in his profession and who has devoted medical director. Said Boyce, “The first ’ “ thing we had to do was to decide what the agenda of the Congress should be, who The Rohinton and Roshan Rivetna of speakers were select^ “in a very demo- for a Zoroastrian who has devoted his/her J. S. A. Consulting Engineering, was the time and service to the furtherance of the president of the awards committee and a Zoroastrian community to Ms Sabar panel of five judges had evaluated the 41 Eruch Patel of Toronto, Canada; the Hu ­ manitarian Service Award — rechristened the Jamshed Pavri Humanitarian Service conducted a jashan ceremony at the Award in homage to the late Zoroastrian Rothko Chapel, a 20th century sanctuary stalwart — for a Zoroastrian who has de ­ voted his life to various humanitarian causes for the Zoroastrian community to Chapel, where the Zoroastrian Associa- the husband and wife team of Ervad tion of Houston has held community Meheraban and Khannum Paridokht gatherings since 1985, imposes no par- Zarathosty of Vancouver, Canada; the ticular traditional environment. After the Boyce, Dr (Ms) Vera Mehta lauded the Lifetime Achievement Award for a Zoroastrian who has achieved interna ­ tional prominence and is looked upon as a community leader to Zubin Mehta of New York; the Excellence in Professional or about 40 members under the Chairman- Business Achievement, for a Zoroastrian ship of Dr Meherwan Boyce, with 14 sub ­ considered to be a world leader in his pro- nominations received. Dr Kotwal with more than 30 priests where all may meditate and pray. Not committed to any one religion, the April and consolidated some time in May. ¦ “ The papers started arriving in July and all was set for the Congress by the end of August, detailed Mistree. In a letter to ceremony Kotwal explained the steps Congress ’ innovativeness, creativeness, and rituals. To orchestrate the Congress the ZAH had formed an organizing committee of this Congress. All the money was raised through ads — the Tata group from India, Dadi Balsara ’s Perfumes of Singapore committees. In addition, Farrokh Mislrce and airlines such as Lufthansa, Air India objectivity. “We raised around $70,000 to have Happy Jamshedi Navroze to all our Parsi Patrons With the Compliments of SUN-N-SAND HOTEL 39 Juhu Beach, Bombay 400049 Tel: 620-1811 /4821/4831 General Manager: Minoo D. Katpitia AND JEWEL OF INDIA & JADE GARDENS Nehru Centre, Worli, Bombay 400018 Tel: 494-9204 ! 9214 / 9217 / 9586 General Manager: Kersi N. Patel 43 Parsiana March 1991 Jgave us major ads... A lot of business people took a number of small ads. The hotel also cooperated and gave us dis ­ counts. Personal donations were given by Zubin Mehta and Jamsheed Marker... We had no government help or anything like that so all of the money had to be collected from scratch, ” Boyce said. En ­ trance fees also helped defray the costs of the Congress. Adults were charged $101 and students $51. Next on the agenda is the compilation of a report on the Congress. A longer term goal is to edit and compress the video tape of the proceedings so that a compact version may be available to the public at large at a nominal fee. “Throughout the Congress there was an air of fellowship and happiness and that was extremely rewarding and that made me feel very, very good, ” noted Boyce after it was all over. Added Mis- tiee, “The beauty of the Congress... was that (it) had more slickness and content (than earlier congresses). It was really done with panache... and for the develop ­ ment of that slickness I think two people should get most, if not all, the credit...Zarine and Meherwan Boyce. ” Burj or Framji With Best Compliments From & Co Licensed Plumbers Sanitary & Drainage Contractors © © © Marine Mansion 1st Marine Street Bombay 400002 Tel: 313207 TRIKA AGENCIES Quality Printers & Suppliers of All Kinds of Stationery Items Tel Off: 2041334 2042119 Res: 8225375 Address: 41. Manek Abad 5, Setalwad Road Off Nepean Sea Road Bombay 400036 M/S. STERLING & WILSON ELECTRICALS PVT. LTD. LEADING ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS CITY OFFICE ESPLANADE HOUSE, 2ND FLOOR HAZARIMAL SOMANI ROAD FORT, BOMBAY-400001 TELEPHONE 2044177/2041882 TELEX on 85153 SWIL IN REGO OFFICE 70, NAGINDAS MASTER ROAD MEDOW STREET FORT, BOMBAY-400023 TEL NO. 273287 44 Parsiana March 1991RELIGION Parsi Collegians: Low grades on religion Gustasp Irani A study of Zoroastrian undergraduates by sociologist Dr Sam Taraporevala reveals that they are intellectually ignorant of the faith unable to score when defining the role of “quality not quantity. ” man in Zoroastrianism. Even on basic The general portrait of the Bombay knowledge the figures were distressing: knowledge of his faith — a brittle outer crust encasing a void. Statistically, 73 “The community is illiterate on religious who brush aside the grim reality with issues. If Parsis are to survive, they will have to do something about their igno ­ rance and almost total lack of knowledge Parsi collegian that emerges from the 27 percent were unable to recognize about Zoroastrianism. ” Grim words, but 424-page thesis is one of a student who good thoughts, good words, good deeds they sum up the feelings of Dr Sam Tar- takes pride in his religion, practices its as the comer stones of the religion while aporevala, lecturer in sociology at St ritual precepts but almost totally lacks another 19 percent could identify only Xavier ’s College, who prepared the the- knowledge of his faith — a brittle outer one or two items of this good trinity. sis Religiosity in an Urban Setting — a crust encasing a void. Statistically, 73 On almost every count the findings Study of Parsi College Students in the percent of the respondents expressed were grim. For instance: only 64 percent City of Bombay for his PhD degree. The “great pride ” in the Zoroastrian heritage knew the Prophet lived in Iran, only 3.7 research work is significant as for the and another 19.5 percent “some pride. ” percent knew that the first Parsi landing first time the religious attitudes, know- Yet, when probed on the characteristics was at Diu. A couple of respondents de ­ ledge and practices of the Bombay Parsi of God as conveyed by the Zoroastrian fined Parsi as ‘Par ’ meaning ‘by means collegians have been probed scientifi- religion, slightly over half (50.79 per- of ’ and ‘si ’ as referring to ‘sea. ’ Funny, cally. It is significant on another count cent) were not in a position to answer the but the joke is on the community. for it shows that the community is stand- question. The study showed that only It is the same story in the ritualistic ing on the brink of an abyss, intellec ­ tually and spiritually impotent, as it informed and another 38.36 percent only full-time wearers of the sudreh and kusti, stares extinction in the face. It gives the partially informed while another 10 per- about 60 percent frequent the fire-temple lie to the oft-touted refrain of the diehards cent mistook Zarathushtra for God. 11 times or more a year, 30 percent visit the fire-temple 40 times or more a year. But the figures are deceptive. At best. question. The study showed that only 10.58 percent seemed to be relatively well aspect of the religion: 90 percent were cent mistook Zarathushtra for God. Ninety-one percent scored zero on the concept of creation according to Zoroas ­ trianism, and another 60 percent were they show a respect for the religion but it 1' PCHU 47 Parsiana March 1991 UJJJd 1>» It was more than the ered. Then he bought himself another life story of an adventurer; it was the truck. And he set up a garage. And he story of the courage and spirit of a tribe of Closer home we saw the same courage the Kermani Transport Service. Today 20 grandfather. Around 1885, at the age of 14, his family landed in Bombay — pau ­ pers. On the footpaths of the city, they built a tin shack where they lived and sold tea. Later, he and his brother were to be ­ come the leading builders of their time in Kohinoor attributes his sales tax con- stances. The conspiracy started in 1946 when sales tax was first introduced in Bombay and between themselves, con- India; the Bombay office of the depart ­ ment was located over his restaurant Bri- tania and Co. Irani restaurant owners coming to the department for accounts landmark as integral to the city as the would stop by at Kohinoor ’s restaurant Irani restaurant. structed over 40 buildings in the city, in ­ cluding the four around Khodadad Circle which were named after their father — a didPROFESSIONS COVER STORY The Gallant Decades Arnavaz S. Mama Naval uniforms and starched daglis glis- lora and Chawinda when he was sud- tened against the background of turf and denly counter-attacked by the enemy ’s stone, relieved by the somber olive of the heavy armor; how Tarapore, at the head respected because there was one Parsi army and the khaki of the air force. “Mindful of the valor of former days, ” charge, held his ground and gallantly at- beribboned, sword-girdled men offered tacked Phillora with one of his squadrons silent tribute to coreligionists and others supported by an infantry battalion; how slain in long forgotten battles, even as the evening shadows lengthened. Wreaths encircled the Teen Murti Cav ­ alry Memorial in New Delhi as serving regiment to capture Jassoram, Wazirwali officers headed by Admiral J. J. Nadkami, chairman of the chiefs of staff enemy tanks at a cost of only nine Indian with him when Sanjan was sacked by Al- committee, Lt Gen Faridoon Billimoria tank casualties, before he succumbed in- laudin KhiIji in 1255; of the Parsi Auxil- on behalf of the Indian Army, Air Com- stantaneously to a splinter that pierced his iary Unit raised in 1805 when the British modore Teestar Master on behalf of the temple, as informed Col Girdhar feared an invasion by Napoleon. In nor ­ Air Force, and Rear Admiral Keki Singh. “The valor displayed by Lt Col mal times educated Indians had not been Pestonji on behalf of the Navy, profferred Adi B. Tarapore in this heroic action permitted to bear arms, said Sethna. It floral homage followed by family, excol- which lasted six days was in keeping leagues and civilian organizations like the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India, the World Zoroastrian Organisa ­ tion, and individual anjumans and punchayets. Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) president Lt Gen Adi Sethna had chosen the occa ­ sion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the posthumous award of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC). to Lt Col Adi Tarapore of The Poona Horse to enlighten the com ­ munity on the service, bravery and valor of Parsi officers in various fields of ac ­ tion. The wreath-laying ceremony was thus the culmination of a day of remem ­ brance and gratitude which had begun with the recitation of the Afreen-e Buzorgaan (“We meet today to honor famous men, our fathers who begat us, ” to paraphrase it in the words of the Bible) at New Delhi ’s Bhiwandiwalla Hall in the . morning of September 22, 1990. Several non-Parsis in civies had been visibly moved by Sethna ’s recitation of Parsi bravery. They were Tarapore ’s col- leagues from The Poona Horse. 'IIHF The citation accompanying the award nCr / notes how Tarapore, assigned the task of est decoration for military bravery, delivering the main armored thrust for equivalent in every way to the Victoria capturing Phillora in the Sialkot sector of Cross of pre-Independence days. Pakistan during the Indo-Pak War of 1965, was driving forward between Phil- evening 58 Parsiana March 1991 ence. “We, the regimental officers and men of The Poona Horse, are known and of his regiment, defied the enemy ’s gentleman who commanded us in war and won the PVC,” rhapsodized a nostalgic Col Girdhar Singh who had been Tar ­ apore ’s second-in-command. Taking a historical purview of the he remained unperturbed throughout this action and, when wounded, refused to be community ’s exploits, Sethna spoke of evacuated. On succeeding days he led his the Parsi force under Ardeshir many cen ­ turies ago who fought, unsuccessfully, and Butur Dograndi, taking a toll of 60 alongside the king of Sanjan and fell enemy tanks at a cost of only nine Indian tank casualties, before he succumbed in ­ stantaneously to a splinter that pierced his as with the highest traditions of the Indian army, ” notes the citation to India ’s high- was only during World War I that the British began to recruit Indian doctors when Parsi members of the Indian Medi- 5 lu ’It i M i'\ 1 I There have been only 17 awardees of the PVC in the 43 years since Independ- % I ft * * b I?,* Si ¦V An exceptional chapter in Parsi history was recalled at ceremonial functions in Delhi attended by veterans and serving officers of the armed forces cal Service (IMS) acquitted themselves fully. Many an intrepid cadet joined up be ­ tween the two ' World Wars, noted Sethna: Aspi Engineer, who was to be ­ come chief of air staff and ambassador to Iran in later years, earned the Distin ­ guished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1938 for his gallantry on the North West Frontier; Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, among the first batch of cadets at the Indian Military Academy, was to distinguish himself in Burma where he was awarded the Military Cross; Jal Cursetjee who joined before World War II was to be ­ come chief of naval staff in later years; Jal Cama joined as a sawar (a jawan in the cavalry — the horse cavalry in those days) and rose to become a colonel. Recalling the opportunity offered to Indians to enter officer ranks during Horse. Below (left) Ex-servicemen in daglis and ‘ribbons;’ (center) The ceremonial red carpet preparation for the wreath-laying ceremony at Teen Murti Memorial; (right) DPA trustee Nari Tarapore and SethnaWorld War II, Sethna underlined how Parsi youth of that time were encouraged by their mothers to join up in large num ­ bers: “Jao, yatha ni madad ihi jao, faleh karo (Go with God and may success be yours)! ” Sethna ’s roll of honor included many I i a famous name: Capt J. M. Cursetji of I the IMS was the first Indian to be deco- I L rated with the Distinguished Service Or- I der (DSO) in the Gallipoli campaign, the I I, second highest gallantry decoration in I the British forces, and the first Indian to | reach the two-star rank of major general • during World War II; Capt Bharucha, also of the IMS, was awarded the DSO in Mesopotamia; Jangoo Satarawalla, commander need have been, ” saving Conducting the Afreen-e Buzorgaan awarded the Military Cross (MC) and Chhamb; Major Sam Doctor, F/Lt made Member of the Order of the British Farookh Bunshaw, F/Lt Jal Mistry win- Empire (MBE) would later rise to be i ' Lieutenant General; Soli Nazir of the down their lives. Among those who vived the operation with a Vir Chakra Maldives; Majors Yezdi Elavia and Par- were F/Lt Adi Gandhi and Lt Col Bajina. vez Pavri are currently on UN missions in The Bangladesh campaign of 1971 Nicaragua and Iran/Iraq; Brig Rustom ' '' Nanavati is guarding the passes in Sia- chin; Rear Admiral Keki Pestonji re ­ ceived the AVSM in 1990 and Gp Capt Fali Major was awarded the CAS’s Com ­ mendation Card... Bravery of a different kind was dem ­ onstrated by a young Parsi second lieu ­ tenant who refused to open fire on an In ­ i Ml I Jangoo ¦BIBi — for counter-insurgency operations in ning a posthumous Vir Chakra, also laid Manipur. In 1988 Brig Farrokh Bidsara led the 50 Parachute Brigade to the sur- Army Medical Corps won an MC in Pj Burma; Minoo Engineer, Aspi ’s brother, ‘^won the DFC in Burma, the Mahavir Chakra in Kashmir in 1947-48, the Param Vishisht Seva Medal ^VSM) during the nekshaw. Possibly Manekshaw ’s great- ’ ’ est success came months before the ac ­ tual campaign when he refused to allow his military judgement to be swamped by political pressure and insisted on choos ­ ing his own time for the campaign and he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan and elevated to the rank of field marshal, said dian crowd in Bombay in 1942 during the Quit India Movement. For politick reasons he was permitted to resign rather was orchestrated by General Sam Ma- Chinese aggression in 1962 and the Padma Bhushan in the 1965 Indo-Pak War. He is possibly the most highly decorated officer in India, says Sethna. Capt Dara Mistry was awarded the Mahavir Chakra posthumously for his gallantry at Nowshera, Jammu and Ka ­ shmir (J&K) i Nadirshaw was awarded the Vir Chakra for leading his Gurkha battalion , in ac ­ tion. “During that period Parsis were where the action was: ” Noshir Grant, later to become brigadier, was building the road through the Banihal Pass to keep Bagdogra commanding the Air Force Sta ­ tion; Faridoon Billimoria commanding ____ __ the 2/5 Gorkha Rifles^ and Sethna himself fortunately a small trickle has started 1 coming in, ” said Sethna, adding a special welcome to Second Lieutenant Kaizad ters of Eastern Command. Capt Rusi Bhaya. Two other . second * lieutenants Gandhi commanding the INS Mysore was in 1948; Lt Col Jimy Sethna. Vitally involved in the campaign ”' was Khusro Rustamji, chief of the Border Security Force. Also involved were three than be court martialled. The informa ­ cousins, each of whom rose to three-star tiog came to light when state papers be ­ came open to public scrutiny after 40 years. The officer has chosen to remain anonymous, said Sethna. “For some time there were hardly any fresh entrants, but rank as army commanders and air com- mander-in-chief: Minoo Dotiwalla at I the line open to the Kashmir Valley; General Master was DMS (Army) and became India ’s first director general of — Padma Bhushan, PVSM, Ati Vishisht the Armed Forces Medical Services and Seva Medal (AVSM) — at the headquar- “left an indelible mark on medical ad- i *' ” ¦ ~ ’ ministration in the country; the first indi- Gandhi commanding the INS Mysore was were called off at the last minute because genously made rocket engine was fired by awarded the Vir Chakra and later rose to of the operational commitment of their Cawas Sethna; he and Sarosh Dastur, be Vice Admiral and chairman of the later to become an air vice marshal and Shipping Corporation of India and later still, governor of Himachal Pradesh. Ma ­ jor General Rusi Khambatta ’s contribu ­ tion in the Rajasthan Sector was recog- chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Lim ­ ited, worked on rocket propulsion at the Air Force research and development and defence production centers; Major Jamy nized with a PVSM. Dorabjee, with his Assam Rifles, es ­ corted the Dalai Lama into India on his escape from Tibet. Parsi officers acquitted themselves ^counter-insurgency operations in with outstanding gallantry in the 1965 Nagaland in the 1960s and in 1981 Sec- Indo-Pak War. Some died, many more i served: In addition to Tarapore, Byram Pithawalla was awarded the Ashok Masters was killed while rallying his Chakra — the highest gallantry decora- troops “far more forward than a brigade tion for action when not engaged in war units. Retired Parsi officers, invited by the DPA on behalf of the Federation to par ­ ticipate in the function, had been in ­ structed to pin their service ribbons and decorations on their daglis — a command requiring some ingenuity to execute as Edul Dhatigara, later to rise to the ___ rank of air marshal and vice chief of the daglis and heavy medals were not made air staff, won the Shaurya Chakra for for each other. Among those who hon- ^counter-insurgency operations in ored the summons was a bemedalled ¦ Noshir Santook, ex RAW (Research and ond Lieutenant (now Major) Cyrus Analysis Wing — the intelligence arm of "’ ' ' the defence services). That the invitation had touched a sympathetic chord was evident in the turnout of the veterans, ca- 1. 61 Parsiana March 1991maraderie and nostalgia vying for predominance. Then Prime Minister READERS’ FORUM continued from page 24 Vishwanath Pratap Singh had been that many students of the Parsi commu- billed as the chief wreath layer that nity do not avail of the excellem educa- September day. Called away to a tl„.. --- shedpur to address a public meeting. Some of us young boys accompanied by our leaders, Mediomah Madon and Keki (mamaji) Dastur who were very popular reasonable: °Rs 1,000 per month charged freedom fighters of Jamshedpur, caljed on to boarders is inclusive of lodging and tion and facilities of the Bai Dhunmai conference instead, Singh had been Cawasji High School. The fees are very replaced by Nadkami. Another notable ~ * absentee was Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, away in Sarawak at the boarding, school term fees, toiletries, time. The wreath laying had been medication, tuck, postage, dhobi charges, preceded by a brief recital of prayers birthday sweets and a complete set of ex- by a Parsi mobed, a Hindu pandit and ercise books. Tasty, nutritious food is a Sikh granthi. The poignant notes ...................... of the last post, a two-minute silence and a final reveille, sounded by the tional supplement is provided to all Nagpur, regimental buglers, ended a ceremony boarders daily at no extra cost. Meat, fish Mediomah willingly agreed to abide that was rare and memorable for most and chicken are served regularly, and by Bapuji s request, but unfortunately, civilians. eggs daily. Considering the high cost of during their freedom campaign, our lead- Though “many a brave man is living, the facilities provided, and the care ers were arrested and sentenced to jail at remembered not by medals but in the taken by the school for the welfare of the Hazaribag where some of their followers memory of those who fought with him, students, the fees charged are negligible. would visit them clandestinely. Amongst it is indeed a matter of pride that all Or (Ms) ketayun r. a. j. madon those young men was one firebrand our officers of the three-star rank, of Principal, b. d. Cawasji High school named Minu Nariman Dastur (Dr), all the three services, have been award- Khandaia Ironically, Martyrs Day was also ed the PVSM, some being the recipients observed as Leprosy Day and it is sad to.-* of Padma Bhushan, ’’ said Sethna. “It is Martyrs ’ Day report that Mediomah conttacted leprosy not because they are Parsi that they have January 30, 1991 was observed as Mar- during his term of imprisonment and, been so honored, but because they are tyrs ’ Day and coincidently, I am re- shortly after his release, passed away in good officers, good Indians who have minded of an episode which happened Jamshedpur. sou m. kotwal done their service and their country way back in the early ’40s when Mahatma Calcutta proud... ” Gandhi visited the steel town of Jam ­ provided and students are free to eat as much as they want. Milk with a nutri- boarders daily at no extra cost. Meat, fish Mahatmaji who advised Mediomah that , he should surrender his Bihar State Legis ­ lature Assembly ticket offered to him as a Congress candidate to Dr Rajendra Prasad. Furthermore, they were advised to ¦¦ propagate their freedom activities in the surrounding Adivasi districts of Chota eggs daily. Considering the high cost of during their freedom campaign, our lead- living, the facilities provided, and the care taken by the school for the welfare of the students, the fees charged are negligible. Dr (Ms) KETAYUN R. A. J. MADON Principal, B. D. Cawasji High School Khandaia January 30, 1991 was observed as Mar ­ tyrs ’ Day and coincidently, I am re ­ Edited by Amavaz S. Mama DINSHAW SHAPOORJI & CO 414/3, Kasarwadi, Bombay-Poona Road, Pimpri, Poona 411034 Branch Office Bombay Grams Phone Telex Poona Grams Pjmpri Phones Phone Poona Telex 92-C Mohamedali Road, Bombay 400003 “Motor Truck” 323977, 335392 011 76597 DSA IN “Truck” Poona 87033, 83055, 83056 662052 0146 204 DIN IN TRANSPORT CONTRACTORS. LUXURY COACH & STAFF BUS OPERATORS 62 Parsiana March 1991PROFESSIONS 1 Joining the Forces? Seventeen Zoroastrian officers rate the armed forces as a career option Arnavaz S. Mama them to serve the Parsi community in any University Officers Training Corps way. They were also asked to comment (UOTC) and two were fascinated by life on what they considered as the main ~ “As the rising sun after a rainy day ” is how one young Zoroastrian officer views his present career in the armed forces, on what they considered as the main at sea. Three joined because World War Indeed, 16 of the 17 Zoroastrian officers stumbling block to Parsi boys joining the II was on — one of them after doing his of the armed forces who responded to profession, whether it was possible to MDBS, another because he was to go to Parsiana's questionnaire when they met overcome it and what were the modes of UK to study for a legal career but “no stu- in Delhi recently (see “The gallant dec- enthusing youngsters to join. The gentle- dents took law in 1939!” Inspiration from ades, ” pg 58 ) said their careers had fully men ’s views on the community ’s status in and admiration for soldiers enthused the (and, in some cases, more than fully) general and suggestions for reversing the rest while one responded to a recruitment lived up to their expectations. The ques ­ tionnaire attempted to gauge their atti ­ tudes towards life in the military services and the reasons for the decline in the of the individual as also its relative bene- number of Parsis now seeking to join. The respondents included Lt Gen Administrative Service (IAS), the Police, the officer cadre, two cited selection fig- Faridoon Billimoria, Maj General D. D. the academic and other professions. ures: two from among 150 in 1939; 10 Doctor, Brigadiers Adi Irani, Soli Jam- busarwalla. Noshir Grant and Russi the Army — had joined as a matter of to 300 or 400 from among 15,(X)0 who Bajina, Col Sam Mehta, Capt Hormuzd family tradition. Among the rest, two apply, as noted a retired senior officer Jangalwala and Second Lieutenant were enthused by auxiliary organizations who had served as commanding officer of Kaizad Bhaya of the Army; Air Marshal like the Indian Air Training Corps and the the National Defence Academy in later Minoo Dotiwalla, Wing Commander Per ­ vez Mehta, and Group Captains F. H. Major and Dhunjishaw Marker of the Air Force; Rear Admiral Keki Pestonji and Commodores Jal Postwalla, Khurshed Sanjana and Loveji Mehta of the Navy. Billimoria, Pestonji, Postwalla, Pervez Mehta, Major and Bhaya are currently in service. The officers were requested to inform why they had opted for the defence serv ­ ices as a career, whether it had been easy for them to join, how they viewed their career today, whether it had lived up to their expectations and if it had enabled demographic decline had been sought, as drive at his engineering college, also their opinion about the defence serv ­ ices as a career option from the standpoint been easy for them to join. Of the five who considered that the British were fit to the community vis a vis the Indian choosy and wanted educated Indians in Six of the 11 retired officers said it had Only two of the officers — both from from among 1,400 in 1954 (as compared In the higher echelons of the armed forces Parsi presence is still effective, as witness the naval officers (above) and the airforce officers (below) who attended the ceremonial wreath laying at Teen Murti, The Cavalry Memorial, New Delhi & it 3^ a ¦SI 64 Parsiana March 1991years). “It is never if you don ’t have the Major. JJjStiSXS ‘a^ 'wenVthSS "rSr' z dren a lot of good, few could report active tfonal ? r"?. ^^‘^blishments and opera- nvolvement on behalf of the cSiX ofTLS±?' “¦^¦Wishment beyond setting a role model to those sis "« school exclusively for Par- Sr? inS •<> Phss the en- contact. Two exceptions were spninrrtff; • • cers who were able to help P,-- ’"sututions run < through selections, occasionally. financially satisfactory, are entering it in numbers? Most of the respondents attributed the shying away of Parsi boys from the armed '^ys were at the 10 SDec7rwiTk"*T*. - community rx forces to parental attitudes — especiallv fhP influencing n^tand '^bat ’s of the mothers who tend to han ^^em was generaJiv _ _ ° wrong and to ensure ihai i.»i.n. children - and the attachm^nrof the c^munity to their life in Bombay city their par ­ ents and vice versa, ” says Dhava. — have a hang-up about leaving their mies, adds Major. “Women (’ ray) are strong in their opinions hoU young men from imagined dangers and a demanding career, ” notes Pestonji the ‘bem ii uw Ume. They are very insular in their attitudes: life begins and ends with Bom- nay... consider themselves Parsis first - —! spirit of enter- ¦ the same „ 3 and early minor blocks are that they •V dAmonzIo ’»__• _ w ’o join the forces —-w! aptitude, ” notes career h7d H 1 services • , - ¦——“-J report active involvement on behalf of the youngsters with whom thev ('Antor'f ’7’.,,.,.^______ .• cers who were able came into were senior offi- to help Parsi boys Why, if the profession is so psycho- respondents attributed the forws to parental attitudes children and the attachment of the ents and vice versa,' f* ¦ mies, ’ adds Major f- ' hold young men from i Mys Bhaya. “They ' _ ' ’mum- ‘Women (in Bom- — with- , -^O***^ VIIV ray... consider themselves ----------------------------aaicij na. The youth lack “the t ; pnse to take up a challenge... young marriages children. Other r ’ create imaginary demands, ” opines Jam- Jusarwalla. to secure a bache- awillingness to take calculated liis* — SL?2? ® fitial careei M ^ventmous life, to want to learn to Stand on their c" r. _..J t^hed to the family. One live trainmg establishment own and not be overly at- ; suggested the with the achievers deserved. <-- they are ageing. " Asked their mg the demographic decline, netting the respect they As the colonel phrased it. uulonei pnrased it th^ P^sis but suggestions for overcom- 5. the replies vv pxcpare the boys to pass the en- as'^ ’Sn^ ’^K ^^’’^eption of the problem trance exams on the lines of a couple of handir^ overall msmunons run commercially in Dclh, A third suggested educating narents rp c. inhibitions of food and requirements of mainsfr^m ” ” health and education for the armed forces ih? ®ilhmoria; “join so that a child, who shows such an apti- tivelv ’™aHd ^oj^ter charges instinc- tu^, brought up accordingly. 60 v^s boys were at the 10 community re- .. —».i’s wrong and to ensure that what is 1 generally considered indeed, as Jambusarwalla — ’ K, join a.e armed forces, .o ¦la iM no 'trmy Ceitiral -boyss^ciei ’-£i?u7:^:« ! several.^nden'^ ‘Tte “Sk'o'f'^ life ‘ThJ'SSl^d' ’f ill to sacrifice comfort in order tn rJc» • armed forces — i" the pfefercnee for "'’7™ “> i'-” JMhent r^dence rather than transfers dav S h" “remunity ’s status to- • ^ee tn field areas,- are odter tea- ¦M if the comm^itrwS ?o S •*«*» «™8 » FmirT^^.!; bsh itself in the armed forces Be- fromthe community lA^as thf X nn the age of nine and 13 vSn; wfs other comm.,no.«.«, the profession "feed fee best time to incST pie mental attitudes in children m Tho" almost the reverse le a love of the outdoors, a desire ’for res^X^oL^T?'."" •* ifisana March 1991 retting to botiwalla who are chances of being rejected le end of the training period even at — makes Lack of educa- 5 was underlined The aii “The lack of corvette to be built at areas, ’ are other rea- a change officer was perceived as most in the armed forces. rees- Be- le I. ’s er or in, no in ­ e ’s 1 a tan ------------------------ two gentlemen re ­ need for housing — one of suggested the shifting of cremation to - J — and acceptance of women married to „„„ thinking. Only can provide an ferred to the^ them even dokhm^ and adoption of two others sugges'ted the create housing on prime property ’ two OlhArc «...J ign, of J of The orse the with 1 the d of I be- Per- earn- ;r the :ase. reit that the response to the r ----- from members of other communities was ihP ________ respondent reflect^ hi?own7x^enS Ss ’"** shourd'h^ the 'dreidtag very satisfactory. At the lower^hdons the Dermnhrmo _ ___ . Vivilb, the most likely to help I " -J military self-employment, a youth ’s own prefer- community; six preferred The rest felt that sights econd K. K. JHISTORY Beyond the call of duty Lt Col Adi Tarapore’s colleagues in The Poona Horse relive the glory of their 1965 campaign Arnavaz S. Mama I notes Singh matter-of-factly. It is It is his first mess night. Solemnly the from the Army Central Command in The Poona Horse. ” Twice their sector of young second lieutenant (2/Lt) of The Lucknow, routed to them through their operations changed. “There was utter Poona Horse kneels before the Param Brigade Commander, crackled: Be ready confusion, as is normal in war. It is a Vir Chakra (PVC) — the gunmetal deco- to go to war. War was anticipated but question of who survives the chaos, ” ration that is one of the celebrated Regiment ’s proudest possessions — and raises a toast to the memory of the hero whose exploits have earned the regiment undying glory: Lt Col Adi Tarapore. Thereafter he salutes Lt Col Tapp whose Victoria Cross (VC) preceded Tarapore by 128 years. The young initiate is par ­ taking in a ritual that has grown around these legends. India ’s highest award for gallantry in battle, the PVC replaced the VC which is the highest British decoration, aw^ded by the nation with great re ­ straint and those who earn it display nearly, superhuman bravery in circum ­ stances of extreme duress. Indeed, in the 40 years since it was instituted (in 1950) there have been only 17 PVCs in India (including Sri Lanka) six of whom are alive today, according to Col Girdhar . Singh who had been Tarapore ’s second- hhmmmmhhmmb in-command (2/C). “The PVC (medal- Lt Col Adi Tarapore PVC list) is a God-sent class. (Their deeds are) beyond the call of duty, ” adds not yet declared, recalls Girdhar Singh. Singh. In early 1965, Tarapore ’s unit had just advance train towards the Pakistan bor ­ der. “We went to a place near Amritsar. The action The Poona Horse, under Tarapore ’s com ­ mand, was given the task of capturing Phillora in West Pakistan. The enemy ’s crack armoured division, consisting of highly touted Patton tanks by the score, “was poised for the kill. ” The Poona Horse, Tarapore at the head, crashed through the steel cordon and established itself in enemy territory for the final as­ sault on Phillora and the enemy unleashed a fierce counterattack with a barrage of mortar and heavy gun fire. The first casualty of the war was the one-tonner truck which served as the ad ­ jutant, Capt (now Maj Gen) Surrinder Singh ’s office, the nerve center of their functioning. “We got bombed and shelled like hell, but Tarapore wouldn ’t close his bloody cupola (protective cover ­ ing)! You must be seen to command troops! He won ’t close down, so Surrin ­ der Singh and Girdhar Singh had to stay By 4 a.m. the next day they were on the open also! ” tells Girdhar Singh. “During this action on September 11, completed a training session and was in der. “We went to a place near Amritsar. 1965 Tarapore was seriously injured on the middle of a normal dance party in Adi was calm, collected, solid like a the right hand. His tank was ambushed Babina, a family station which is the rock... Even when leaving the family by a Pakistani recoilless gun (RCL) headquarters (HQ) of the Armoured there was no fuss, no emotion... His mounted on a jeep and hidden in a sugar- Coips 16 miles from Jhansi. A message whole life was the glory and tradition of cane field. The tank was badly dam- 0 66 Parsiana March T991 Iaged... but he maneuvered it to engage the RCL gun and blasted it to bits. Then, abandoning his tank, he dashed across to another... For two days and nights they remained as enemy artillery targets, met the onslaught of enemy counterattack and yet crossed the Sialkot-Chawinda- Narowal railway line and established the Jassoran pivot. ” The proud story of a Regiment, led by a man of exemplary courage, was related in a Government of India press release on the occasion of the announcement of the gallantry awards by the President on October 16,1965. “On the night of September 15, the Garwal Battalion of Infantry was told to cross the Akhar Railway Station which lay between us and Pakistan. We had been moving for the last four days, at ­ tacking and fighting and going from one place to another. Tarapore, being the seniormost combat leader, was to lead this group and go into Pak territory. He had to give some orders after 2 a.m. He wanted that everyone should sit properly to hear the orders. He wanted to instil confidence... We crossed the railway Daughter Zarin, brother-in-law Host Buhariwalla and wife Penn with embankment... By 3 o ’clock one of the the urn of Tarapore's mortal remains. The ashes lay in state at the Buhariwalla squadrons of the Sikhs had gone behind residence until they were transported for the final emersion on a gun-carriage. the enemy and was in the DFSOS (Direct with full military honors, through the streets of Poona Fire SOS). They were in serious trouble . , . and had lost a lot of tanks. So Tarapore ‘----------------- r- - « - _ .. . „ . . savs ‘Follow me, we ’ll go and help Regiment had made Phillora a literal VC to a Bntish officer in World War I. them. ’ We went there and he came out of the bloody tank to tell those chaps to carry on fighting, not to worry. Only a -------------- - „ very brave person can do this. I thought, will go down in the annals of military in the words wounds meant no pain, _ “ - . . _ ___ _ I” .--. r__ __________________mAAnt onri mponl nf) charm. ” Noted a squadron commander in ­ volved in the action under Tarapore ’s command, “I have never worked with a more clean-hearted and honest man (than) he. ” Until Tarapore ’s Phillora campaign, the most glorious event in the history of The Poona Horse had been the Battle of Khooshab of February 8, 1837 when The Poona Horse, then a regiment of horse cavalry as the name denotes, under the clever deployment, and the second for command of Lt Col Tapp, together with tank battles even ” surpassed those of the Persian Forces under the command of North African War between Generals Gen Shuja Ul-Mulk. The battle had be- Montgomery and Rommel, including the gun at daybreak and by 10 a.m. the Per- famous battle of El Alamein, ” notes the sian forces were completely routed, eam- __2___ ing the Regiment and its commander the Tarapore ’s PVC is said to be the first Victoria Cross, informs the press release, that the commanding officer of an ar- ____ __ ¦ I among the armies of the Commonwealth Anecdotes and asides prwide insights and only the second instance of anyone ' -i- being so recognized in a tank action. “Under his inspiring leadership, the Tlw only other case was the aw^d of the graveyard of Patton tanks, destroying 60 Recommending him for the nation ’s of them for a loss of about nine... The highest honor, his Brigade Commander tank battles of Asal Uttar and Phillora K. K. Singh summed up Tarapore ’s valor history, the first for its strategy and death meant no terror and life meant no ‘He must be mad, ’ but all PVCs are mad! His tank was hit and the young Capt Amarjit Singh Bal was wounded. He abandoned the tank, carrying Bal with him and was rescued by Surrinder (Singh). His maimed tank was pulled into Pakistan and displayed as a war trophy in Karachi, ” informs Girdhar Singh. ITiis was followed by a lull and Tarapore, a great tea drinker, was savoring a mug of tea on his tank, the enemy within firing range barely 2,(XX) yards away, when, ac ­ cording to Girdhar Singh, a shell ex- ------ —r —j----- . — —- ----- ploded and a splinter pierced his temple, sheer dash and gallantry. These fierce the Third Light Cavalry, had charged the killing him on the spot Radio Pakistan announced the death of "Fakr-e-Hind (pride of India) Tar ­ apore ” as a great victory. The Pakistani national daily Dawn, in its editorial, press release, similarly used the title Fakr-e-Hind for Tarapore, informs his daughter Zarin _ Boyce. Now it forms the proud prefix of moured regiment has been awarded The man ............... The Poona Horse; “The enemy called us this, which means we have earned it, ” as Zarin relates it. “It was black or white, there was no shade of grey for him!” into Tarapore ’s character. On the second or third day of the action. Brig K. K. 67 Parsiana March 1991 k>s Top: Regimental officers of The Poona Horse and their wives flank Zarin Boyce (center) and her daughters behind the PVC citation and photograph of Tarapore, after the wreath-laying at Teen Marti Right: President Radhakrishnan presenting the PVC to Perin at the Republic Day parade and an intensely loyal friend. When Adi joined the Hyderabad State Army Officers ’ Training School at Golconda, about 15 miles away from his farhily residence, it had no residential ac ­ commodation for cadets. So Adi cheer ­ fully cycled the distance back and forth every day. Though his heart was set upon joining an armoured regiment, he was commissioned into the infantry. He would have continued there had it not been for a certain incident, as relates his brother Noshir. While his battalion was being inspected by Commander-in-Chief Maj Gen El-Edroos, Tarapore ’s company was routinely training at the grenade ­ throwing range. One of the new recruits panicked and failed to 16b the grenade correctly, resulting in its falling within the danger zone. Adi picked it up and threw it away to safety, but it burst on leaving his hand and he was peppered with flying shrapnel. The General, who had witnessed the incident, sent for him after he had recovered from the accident to congratulate him in per­ son. Adi seized the oc ­ casion to express a de ­ sire to be transferred to an armoured corps. The General acceeded to his wish and ordered his transfer to the First Hyderabad Service Lancers. On duty in Palestine, as the Nizam ’s contri ­ bution to World War II, the Lancers were under the command of within Pakistan territory and the ashes a British officer whose social deportment Singh had instructed Tarapore to get medical aid for his injured hand, but he came back from the hospital. “A normal person would have used it as an excuse. But in his heart of hearts Tarapore did not want to leave, ” relates Girdhar Singh. “Before we crossed the border the gen ­ tleman Parsi officer had told me — be ­ cause I was his 2/C — ‘You will do three things for me if I’m killed in action. ’” Tarapore wanted his body cremated, his secured by subterfuge because the Paki- left much to be desired, being often rude ‘rosary ’ given to his daughter Zarin and stanis would not have given them if they and always commenting adversely on the his pen and diary to his son Xerxes. “His had known whose they really were. Ac- fighting capacity of the Indian soldier Parsi God must have told him he was cording to another source, both sides tac- and, on one occasion, being insulting to going to die. Because you don ’t go to war to die; you go to save yourself, ” states Girdhar Singh. Brig (then 2/Lt) Gurdial Singh recalls cremated by a senior NCO (non-commis- Imperial cording to another source, both sides tac ­ itly observed a mini ceasefire while the the Nizam himself. Tarapore took strong cremation was completed. According to a objection and said, “You have insulted third source, the body was taken back and my country and my king — and I do not ' ¦ mean George VI.” “This created quite a . telling" Tarapore at one stage, “You ’re sioned officer) and the ashes brought to flurry — the regiment was kept in isola- too far forward. Please withdraw ” and Poona... The plethora of stories contribute tion, all the ammunition was withdrawn Tarapore ’s response, “No, Goody, I will to the legend. and the matter was sorted out only by the not leave you alone. If we have to die, we - - - _ ... ... _ . will die together. But only after we ’ve knocked the hell out of the Pak tanks! ” There are several versions about Tar ­ apore ’s cremation. According to Girdhar boxer, swimmer (Zarin remembers about Tarapore. Tarapore was Khajuria ’s Singh, they had to carry the body for two him “gliding through water ” in later 2/C (second-in-command) at one stage days because there was no time to bum it. years), cricketer and tennis champ of the but had strong reservation about his CO Eventually it was cremated by them Sardar Dastur Boys ’ School in Poona (commanding officer) and would refuse One of three children, Tarapore was visit of General El-Edroos to General the third generation to serve the Nizam Montgomery, ” writes Noshir Tarapore. of Hyderabad. An average student aca ­ demically, he was star athlete, gymnast, which Lt Gen Khajuria had told him Lt Gen Adi Sethna relates a later story i 69 Parsiana March 1991to speak to him except in die course of and career precluded regular attendance face, remembers Zarin. official duty. After two years of ostra- at agiaries, Tarapore was said to be a By 1982 Perin knew she. was dying of cizing Khajuria thus, Tarapore realized staunch Zoroastrian, doing his kuSti cancer and the family decided that the that he had been mistaken in his judg- twice a day and longer prayers on a PVC that Tarapore had earned at such ment and, of his own volition, apolo- weekly basis. enormous cost, should not lie forgotten gized and ceremonially shook hands! tn a drawer a generation hence. Its most According to Sethna, Tarapore was an The epilogue zealous keeper, they concluded, would be “officer transformed when he went into Zarin cannot forget the month of intense The Poona Horse. action. ” The jawans of his time, who had grief following her father ’s death, nor the Accordingly, with a scant five-day no­ served under British officers and valued transformation of grief into pride, with tice from the family because of Perin ’s their correctness and sense of fair play, * •---•*•- « - used to say ‘Te/i to bilkool Angrej offi ­ cer hai (This officer is positively an Eng ­ lishman)! ” informs Girdhar Singh. Zarin remembers growing up in a very happy family. She describes her fa ­ ther as “very, very ‘propah ’... he was such a stickler, it was black or white, there was no shade of grey for him! ” A passionate reader of history, Tar ­ apore had found a role model in Napo- the announcement of the PVC on October contribution only when they wimessed leon. On his desk used to sit a statuette of 16. It was an extremely emotional mo- the ceremonies at New Delhi in 1990 (see the legendary French general. Tarapore ment as she, a scant 16, together with her “TheGallantDecades, ”pg58). would talk to his children about 14-year-old brother Xerxes, watched ‘ ‘' *- ** Napoleon ’s immense contributions to President Sarvapalli Radhaknshnan which ’still unde^ins the country^ ’s ad- mother Pain on January 26, 1966. Gen- apore: “They always have such jolly sto- ministrative and judicial systems. t\ ’ " ' - —« »- - - Though the circumstances of his life sympathy, as tears coursed down ha not laughing at him but with him... ” at agiaries, Tarapore was said to be a twice a day and longer prayers on a PVC that Tarapore had earned at such “You have insulted my country and my king — and I do not mean George VI” deteriorating health, the Regiment pre­ pared to receive its heritage. From all over India officers and jawans of The Poona Horse congregated to witness the historic ceremony — simple, unpreten ­ tious, sincere. ITie jawans brought their children and grandchildren asking mataji to bless them. Perin succumbed to cancer in 1984. Zarin says her own daughters realized the worth of their grandfather ’s A man of few words but an intensely affectionate person, Zarin notes how his Fnmce, including the Code Napoleon ent the posthumous decoration to their brother officers still reminisce about Tar ­ tly the President patted Perin ’s hand in ries, told with such affection. They are With Best Compliments Of SEPULCHRE BROTHERS (INDIA) LIMITED Indentors, Marketeers and Channelisers of Technology Taj Building, 210 Dr D. N. Road, Bombay 400001 Phone: 2041871 • 1872 • 1873 • 3175 • 3176 TELEX: 83143 SBIL IN Gram: BELEAST FAX: 22 204 0758 also at* NEW DELHI * CALCUTTA * MADRAS * BANGALORE 70 Parsiana March T991COMMENT Move over please Field Marshal! Aspi Moddie Though Parsis produced three chiefs of staff in the armedforces, the community's involvement in defence seems transitory oring to enroll as, what was then called, “volunteers. ” On June 30, 1877 a public after the constellation of the three at the top, and more in senior positions in the last generation. I was witness to one such meeting was held in the Town Hall of amusing effort at the youth meeting in Bombay by the sheriff , Kharshedji Far- For most of a thousand years, there is only one record of Parsi military action — the defence of Sanjan in 1305 AD on the appeal of the Hindu chief, when Ala-ud- din Khilji sent an army to Gujarat under Pune in 1989, preparatory to the Fifth dunji Parekh, on the requisition of 23 Alp Khan. When his 30,000 men arrived World Zoroastrian Congress. under the walls of Sanjan, one Ardeshir Noshir Grant reserved a whole half day Temple, presided over the question of collected 1,400 Parsis (the one and only of the two-day program for a visit to the raising a corps of European volunteers. Parsi volunteer battalion!), joined the National Defence Academy (NDA). Mr (later Sir) Pherozeshah Mehta disap ­ troops of the Rana and gave brave battle. They were defeated, and then began the migration with the holy fire to Bahrot, Bansda, Navsari, and ultimately to journey to the NDA was marked by cas- Udwada. That was a flash in the military pan. During most of those centuries, the Par ­ sis were given to agriculture, artisanship rassment of the good Brigadier. When Poona petitioned Lord Lytton, the Vice- and trade. Gone was the military fire of we arrived at the gates of the NDA, the roy. On June 17, His Excellency in the Ardeshirs, the Shapurs and the potential troops had to be reminded that Council replied that he had “no objec- Noshirwans. “As to their seeming reluc- they were entering a different world, tance to accept military service, ” writes The patient Brigadier rose, and said Mlle Delphine Menants in Les Parsis firmly, “Gentlemen, (there were ladies the Volunteer Corps. ” Then followed a (tfanslated under M. M. Murzban), there too), this is the National Defence Aca- patriotic military rush. However, when was a theory put forward by certain Eu- demy! ” Quiet and order was restored, ropean authors that “it proceeds purely despite gross unmilitary unpunctuality, from religious motives, on account of the homage they were supposed to pay to fire, which would prevent them from handling a canon or shouldering a gun! ” In his History of the Parsis, Dosabhai Framji Karaka repudiated such a theory. Ironically, since the 1970s, the Parsis have taken pride in a strange congruence when, in a short period, the chiefs of the three armed services were Parsis, and one became a field marshal, India ’s first. Since then, Parsi officers retired from service have lamented the lack of attrac ­ tion of the armed forces for young Parsis. In career planning efforts, attention has been drawn to this recent lack of interest. Brig Europeans. The Governor, Sir Richard On account of the traditional passion proved of any invidious distinction and for food, a prolonged lunch delayed de- moved an amendment to that effect. The parture by over an hour. The delayed Governor explained that, according to law, a native volunteer corps could not ual, youthful, ‘civvy street ’ fun and games be formed, but if they passed a resolution and singing, a continuous cackle and to that effect, consideration would be noise at the back of the bus to the embar- given. On May 13, 1878, the Parsis of tion to the admission of Parsis, or any other native subjects of the Empress into 72 Parsiana March 1991 Yet, a century ago Parsis were clam- one of the first of the petitioners, Kavasji Dorabjee Mess-agent applied for admis ­ sion into the Bombay Voluntary Rifle Corps, he was advised to apply to the GIP Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps — a subtle nuance! Mr D. F. Karaka still pro ­ tested that “there are certainly no Indi ­ ans more eager than Parsis to share in defence. ” In later years. Parsis in Quetta, Kara ­ chi and Poona were admitted freely into the Corps of European Volunteers. A Dinshaw Dosabhai Khambatta was en ­ rolled in 1894 as a lieutenant in the Poona Volunteers. By 1906 he was a Major, and was specially deputed to at ­ tend the coronation of George V with 63 British officers in 1911. He retired in1913, as a much decorated lieutenant colonel. Pretty good for the times. In 1883 the Baluchistan Volunteer Rifles became “the cradle of Parsi vol ­ unteering, ” and later. Parsis formed one- third of the corps. By 1900, their strength in Poona was nearly a half, and one Dor- abji Padamji was “one of the best shots in India, the champion shot of the Bom ­ bay Presidency. ” So much for an abhor ­ rence for firearms for religious reasons! Away from the imperial inhibitions in India, Rustomjee Khurshedji Cooper was admitted into the Queens Westminister Volunteer Corps in London on Septem ­ ber 16,1860. Yet another, Jehangir Dor- abji Ghaswala was enlisted as a private and promoted to corporal in the European Second Battalion of the South African Light Horse in the Boer War. He was shot through both knees in the battle of Colenso, on November 15, 1899 — no case of weak knees! llien Rustam Jivanji J. Modi, bar-at-law, “was the first and only Parsi and Indian member of the Hon ’ble Artillery Company of London. ” From the bar to the gun was only a change of weapons. In World War I Parsis served in Mesopotamia and in Europe. R. A. NecmochwaJla of the Poona Volunteer Rifles got into the Fifth Royal Dublin Fu ­ siliers as a “color-sergeant ” (no reference to the present connotation of ‘color ’!) And so the story goes. But even in 1896 (as in the late twentieth century?), there seemed to be one serious reserva ­ tion. The historian then wrote, “The most serious consideration which pre ­ vents a Parsi from enrolling himself in the army seems to us to be the insuffi ­ ciency of emolument. ” Then Hindu and Musalman Indian soldiers got seven rupees a month, whilst a Parsi cook or domestic servant got twice that “How can a Parsi soldier then manage to live and bring up his family on seven rupees a month? ” The indefatigable D. F. Karaka asked why Parsis should not be given commissions in the army like Germans and other Europeans? In his History he writes, “We have not the slightest hesi ­ tation in saying that Parsis would be . found to be as good and brave soldiers as Anglo-Saxons, while their loyalty and at ­ tachment to the Government would al ­ ways be above suspicion. ” On the whole business of drawing dis ­ tinctions, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, sup ­ ported by Dadabhai Naoroji, had the last word. He considered Parsis “natives to the back-bone. ” Alas, in all societies, some natives consider themselves more equal than others! TARACHAND & Co Suppliers of the Meatiest of Venky’s/Mafco’s/ Al Kabeer’s/Shalimar’s Non-Veg. Delicacies This Side of Town K & D Distributors Exclusive Suppliers of Venky’s for South Bombay 80, Sleater Road Grant Road (West) Tel 383691/389531 C. D. Coelho Services 73 Parsiana March 1991SEMINAR SECUNDERABAD-HYDERABAD A record 140 delegates from 24 cities and towns deliberated on the theme “Action Please” at the fourth All-1 ndia Zoroastrian Youth Festival Roxanne Kavarana “Forty-eight hours before the Fest we sured them that the nearly 35-strong were in a dilemma, 36 hours before we delegation was definitely on its way, were tense, 24 hours before we were somewhat better and 12 hours before we _ knew we were finally going through with Bombay had backed out, the Fest would Sarosh Parakh, better known as the have fallen through. Our hopes rested on nation ’s events tagged along. Thus, the fourth All-India Zoroastrian Youth Fest come what may. That gave them the began with a collective rendering of the green signal since, as Bisney put it, “If national anthem, a gesture which brought ' “ the organizers many accolades. In his inaugural address, Maneck Bombay because it had the largest Goiporia, chairman of the State Bank of group. ” India, exhorted the youths to v/ake up The enthusiasm displayed by the out- and face, the challenges as the Parsi station delegates, some even travelling youths of yore were known to do. “Parsi from as far as Patiala and Dehradun, in youngsters, ” he lamented, “are no more prepared to live out of suitcases aS their ancestors did. ” Clutching security close it. ” compere of the fourth All-India Zoroas ­ trian Youth Festival, summed up the mood of the organizers, confronted as they were with hurdles. In fact, the Twin Cities Zoroastrian Youth League (Secunderabad and wanting to come for the Fest was evi- Hyderabad), led by Jehangir Bisney, its dent: the Calcutta team took a train that president, seriously contemplated putting was already nearly half-a-day late; Jhansi to their hearts, there are fewer of them off the three-day event just two days prior turned up towards the end of the first day willing to slog it out and take risks. In to D-day — October 26, 1990. By then when all hope of their presence was given other words: there are fewer success sto- the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid con- up; the Bombay and Surat delegates had ries. troversy was out on the streets and the re- to wait notjust for the long-distance trains He asked them not to lose heart at percussions were already being felt. A but also for the crippled local services to their lack of numbers. “Small, ” he Bharat-6and/i call was given for October start on the bandh day in order to travel noted, “is not insignificant. ” But he 24, the day most Fest delegates were all the way to Kalyan, outside the city, to cautioned: “Our young people should scheduled to embark on their journey, and take the Secunderabad-bound train; not only have the desire to learn, to ex ­ communication modes, especially trains, Nagpur and Ahmedabad, after cancelling cel, but also to be good human beings. ” were expected to be paralysed. To add to their tickets, decided otherwise. So they In the race towards modernity, traditions that, the by-now infamous “kar-seva ” of bought fresh tickets and made it! are often sacrificed, giving rise to vari- the Ayodhya complex was to begin as Was it worth all tl/e effcrt? Only the ous dilemmas for Parsi youths caught be- scheduled. October 30 hung like a sword next three days would tell. tween the two... An adequate knowledge of Damocles not just over the country ’s C destiny but also over the fate of the Fest. Hyderabad! welcome of roses greeted the In such an uncertain situation, the organ ­ izers reasoned that most delegates, be ­ cause of their own or their parents fears gates.) No matter how late one ’s train youths not to be despondent. Praising (the latter seemed more likely), would not arrived, the organizers were there to re- the pioneering spirit of the community, be able to make it to the Fest. Says Bisney: “When the bandh was announced, many of us wondered whether all our ’pain and toil of six months would be washed away. We were on the verge of postponing the Fest, but I prevailed upon our members to go ahead with it. That was one of the most important and crucial decisions I have Dynshaw Italia, Hoofrish Bisney, Kcr- ever uiken, and which proved to be cent percent right. ” But not before frantic phone calls were made to the Bombay group leader, Shiraz Khambatta, who as- when all hope of their presence was given up; the Bombay and Surat delegates had to wait not just for the long-distance trains but also for the crippled local services to start on the bandh day in order to travel their tickets, decided otherwise. So they Was it worth all tl/e effcrt? Only ths next three days would tell. Come Secunderabad and a typical of religion backed up by its daily prac ­ tice can do wonders, ” opined Goiporia. Senior member of the minorities com ­ mission, Homi Taleyarkhan, asked the record 140 delegates from 24 cities and towns. (There were nearly 50 local dele- arrived, the organizers were there to re ­ ceive each team, even past midnight. Prominent among them were the general Facing page: secretary of the Youth League Mchcrna- (Above left) Goiporia lighls the inaugural viiz PiU’akh, vice-president Diniyar lamp Marshall, joint secretary Tanaz Wadia, (Above right) At the workshop to discuss treasurer Farhad Hirji Khurshed, and oth- the formation of a youth federation (from ers like Kerfegar Aria, Navaz and Berjor left): Parin Vakharia, Gandhi, Jehangir Bulsara, Sarosh Parakh, Diana Mistry, Bisney and other delegates (Below left) Hoofrish Bisney presents a man Katrak and Mehernosh Dittia. memento to Krishan Kant Although everybody was cocooned in (Below right) Guest speakers at the a very Parsi world, to deliberate on the inauguration (from left): Taleyarkhan, theme of the Fest — Action Please — the Manekshaw and Goiporia 74 Parsiana March 7 99 JI Youth Fest: “Action Please ” If so far it was all advice, the chief heard a speaker with rapt attention! With “Wherever I go, everybody com- tongue-in-cheek quips, left an indelible plains about the youth. I find that the mark on his young audience who gave he said, “We are still playing an out ­ standing role in spite of our dwindling guest - none other than Field Marshal the Field Marshal holding center-stage, numbers. We are still appreciated and Sam Manekshaw — was all experience, back-bench distractions like ‘cross and held in esteem by others. ” He added It would be no exaggeration to say that knots ’ and ‘join the dots ’ waited for an ­ that we are not a dying community and his was the speech of the Fest. His other day. So, too, volleyball and shop- expressed optimism that the youth will charming manner and powerful persona- ping. overcome cynicism and play a leading lity, aided by his thundering words and role in society. Taleyarkhan called for efforts to in- mark on his young audience who gave nation ’s youth are frustrated... The crease the population of Zoroastrians him a standing ovation. It was also one trouble is with my generation, ” so began who, according to him, are practising of those rare occasions at this Fest when Manekshaw, in a refreshing departure “family planning in reverse gear. ” the full youth house was present — and from the common line of argument. Said b’f * * , , 75 Parsiana March 1991 'hl;he: “What we Indians lack is leadership, when your knees are knocking and you ’re discipline and character. ” The Field about to make your own geography, that ’s Marshal then went on to expound: when the real leader comes out. ” That ’s thing. “Leaders are not bom, they ’re made. Give me a man with reasonable common sense and decency and I’ll make a leader the 1971 Indo-Pak operations. out of him. ” His leader also has the gift of the gab. What makes a good leader? At the top an essential ingredient if he is to effec- of the scale, Manekshaw listed profes ­ sional knowledge and competence. In fact, “professional knowledge, ” he ob ­ served, “is the sine qua non of leader ­ ship. ” But the ability to decide, to make up one ’s mind quickly is as important. He ridiculed the T’ve-been-thinking ’ at ­ titude. A leader is also one who does not hesitate to mete out punishment fairly. According to Manekshaw, “no man likes being punished yet he will accept punish ­ ment stoically if he knows it is fair and meant for all. ” This is moral courage. By the same logic, a ‘yes man ’ is a dan- fessional knowledge. And yet our (na ­ tion ’s) leaders think they know every- • “I’ve produced a Manekshawism - if you want to be a bloody fool, be one quickly. • “If a man is not scared, he is either a liar or a Gorkha. tively and comfortably communicate • “If you want to see loyalty, see our cen­ tral government. • “Caesar, Napoleon, Wellington had one facial feature in common — they all had long noses, like me! As also Cather ­ ine de Medici, Golda Meir and Indira Gandhi. ” From chiseled, venerable noses, the scene shifted to the seven official ses­ sions with eminent personalities speak ­ ing on topics of contemporary relevance to the community, especially the youth. The first such session, chaired by Hyderabad ’s Mehemosh Dittia, was ad- an experienced army man taking about how he led the Indian forces to victory in Parsi youngsters are no more prepared to live out of suitcases u with his team, he said. Not forgotten is a sense of humor. Discipline for Manekshaw is synony ­ mous with punctuality - no surprise coming from an army man. “Lack of dressed by Minoo Shroff, well-known fi- 1 gerous person because he is used by his punctuality is not conducive to decent nancial consultant and Bombay Parsi superiors. “He should be boycotted, ” ad- living in society. Therefore, it is an in- Punchayet (BPP) trustee. Speaking on vised the Field Marshal. But Manekshaw ’s leader is not super ­ human; he is not devoid of fear. “Fear is as natural as hunger or sex, ” he said, adding, “When your mouth is chattering. living in society. Therefore, it is an in- disciplinary act. Character is the ability opportunities in the 1990s, Shroff stres- to know oneself and one ’s worth, ” he said. And now for his quips: • “One can never acquire sufficient pro- sed self-employment and identified two major areas- rural employment and the service sector. Though the eighth five- year plan has decided to concentrate (50 Customer IS, always Light When he entrusts his Household Packing, Shipping, Removal, Storage,,., all his problems to B.C. Buhariwala & Sons, t r Make the right Move, Call: R S/ifiartufa/a & 5 J.n. Heredia Marg, Ballard Estate, Bombay-400 038. Tel.: 2615451/3, 2620785 2613137 Tlx.: 011-75139 BCB IH. BRANCH OFFICE: 1310, Pragati Towers, Rajendra Place, New Delhi-110 008, Tel. Nos.: 5711876, 5713540. Tlx.: 031-61928 BCB IN Represented throughout the World by more than 600 ofBces Door to door Service 77 Parsiana March T99i iiiiypercent of the total resources) on rural broking, financial broking and insurance, development, the real potential area is the service sector. According to Shroff, “We do not know our strengths ” - there is enormous scope in poultry, horticulture, food processing and flower nurseries which Parsi youths can tap. He lamented the vanishing tribe of Parsi hoteliers “who until recently had a hotel in every decent hill station in India. ” Il is unfortunate that when tourism all over the world is the fastest growing in ­ dustry, Parsis are choosing to sell off their hotels and move to other fields. Tourism is not all. Rural marketing, said Shroff, is a highly ignored field. Parsi youngsters should spread their net wide since the urban market is more or less stagnant now, whereas the rural one Shroffs speech, audience was in ­ formed that in the last six months no Shroff decried the lack of community influence in the last three fields. “Thirty Parsi has come forward jo seek aid from to 40 years ago, all the tall men in invest- - - ment counselling were Parsis. ” Now, the Minorities ’ Finance Commission. Taleyarkhan announced that the Ma ­ you hardly see a Parsi broker — in a field nipal Medical College was prepared to consider admissions for minorities, in ­ cluding Parsis, firom next year with 75 percent cut-off marks. Medical College would similarly con­ sider 70 percent cut-off marks. How ­ ever, in both cases, the applications should be made well in advance. Mahrukh Minocherhomji of Poona complained that insufficient funds were given by the BPP to those wishing to go abroad for further studies, to which "What we Indians lack is leadership, discipline and character Pondicherry ff which is relatively easy. “All you need to do is a course in investment coun ­ selling, be an apprentice and then make Taleyarkhan questioned the wisdom of money while working from your home, ” is growing at an average of 15 percent he observed. He criticized the lackadai- per year. Get away from the cities, from total security, was Shroff ’s clarion call to the youths. “Spread your canvas wider. Parsi charitable trusts giving funds when the tendency among Parsi youngsters is sical attitude of the community ’s youths not to return to India after their studies, and exhorted them to struggle. “Let ’s not live in the past... This talk of no gui- We have the advantage of credibility, of dance and no money is useless... Tell me being dependable. Hence, we should < . . exploit those services where personal struggled. Success comes before work be encouraged to have foreign exposure • ¦ - — ........................ " • - as it would give them a wider perspec ­ tive. He was quick to add, of course, that cants for self-employment loans, only they should return to the country and the two or three are Parsis. In the open session that followed Eruch Desai, BPP trustee and head of its Foreign Education Committee, decried the ‘go West ’ mania among Parsis but a success story of one who has not opined that young girls and boys should rapport is needed, ” he said. He urged only in the dictionary. ” Citing an ex- the youths to take up plumbing, carpen- ' • • ¦ '''''' try, painting, interior decoration, com ­ puter software, servicing consumer pro ­ ducts and durables, hoteliering, sub- M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M ample, he said that out of 1,000 appli- community. “Is anything wrong in Parsis thriving With best compliments from M/s M.Palloiyi&Co Private Limited Industrial painting and coating, anti-corrosion water-proofing and construction contractors 87, Abdul Rehman Street Bombay 400003 Tel: 324150/330306 Telex: 011-75871 MPEL IN Cable: “PALLONJIM M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M 78 Parsiana March 1991In Ahmedabad The CAMA is simply the best ? A Garden Hotel in the heart of the city ? Excellent Amenities ? Spacious Rooms with TV and Fridge ? MAJLIS, the Conference Room with all the facilities ? AAB-O-DAANA, invites you to a gourmet ’s delight ? RANGOLI, the only Poolside Restaurant in town ? SILVER LEAF, the Coffee Shop for the young at heart NEED WE SAY MORE Cama cares for you coma hotel Khanpur, Ahmedabad, India Tel: 25281 (9 lines) 80 Parsiana March 1991 abroad? ” countered Keki Gandhi, hono ­ rary secretary of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India, to the thundering applause of the young audi ­ ence. Bisney chaired the session on the sub ­ ject of Parsi laws of succession and mar­ riage and the need for a law on adoption which solicitor Eruch Desai dealt with at length. Substantial time was devoted to the history and concept of the Adoption Bill. As currently acceptable to the com­ munity (most read this as the Parsis in Bombay), the Bill provides that the adopted child may inherit everything from the parents except the right to be a Zoroastrian. Until the Bill becomes a concrete legislation, Desai advised the parents to make a will immediately in the interests of the child they wish to adopt. He said the BPP trustees had for ­ warded a proposal to the Federation that like the Hindu law a legislation should be passed whereby a Parsi can adopt only a Parsi child. As at the last Federation meeting in Delhi in September, Desai re ­ iterated that there were very few cases of adoption among the Parsis. Hence, said Desai, “in the larger interests of the com ­ munity, which is largely against conver­ sion, and in the absence of a viable alter ­ native, let sleeping dogs lie. ” In other words, let the status quo remain. Referring to the case of Roxan Darshan Shah (a Parsi Zoroastrian girl, married to a Hindu under the Special Marriage Act, whose body when denied admission to the Bombay Towers of Si­ lence, triggered a controversy within the community), he said Dastur Firoze Kotwal was not being flippant when he recently described parties to intercaste marriages like Roxan ’s as living in sin or adultery. The revered priest was only re ­ ferring to adultery in respect to the Zoroastrian religion which, according to him, only accepts the ashirwad ceremony as the basis of a marriage. A wedding not solemnized by this ceremony is no marriage, he believed. Hence, the attack on Kotwal was uncalled for, maintained Desai. On this topic, Desai advised the trus ­ tees to obtain an affidavit from the girl that in spite of a civil marriage she con­ tinues to profess the Zoroastrian faith. The trustees have a right to be satisfied, he observed. After Desai ’s marathon session, which lasted hours, the ‘chowki ’ dinner and the sound and light show at the residence of Iqbal and Bilkiz Alladih were anticipated* SMiaU * Railway Refreshment Room Railway Hotel Bldg R. M. Roy Road Bombay 400004 * PERMIT ROOM BEER PARLOUR * with delight. On the instructions of the organizers, the delegates turned up in their traditional Indian finery. Gujarat ’s mirror-work ghagras and skirts vied with Parsi saris while the males rushed to buy kurtas or borrowed them from those hav ­ ing an extra to spare. Unfortunately, the weather gods decided to make their pres ­ ence felt once again after a brief lull (unseasonable rains had made the organ ­ izers change the venue of the sessions at the last minute from the Zoroastrian Club to the indoor precincts of the Chenoy Dharamshala, where most delegates were housed). A heavy downpour washed out the son et lumiere, making the delegates rush to the drier confines of the Alladin porch. Until the house was thrown open to them, the youths, amid jostling and pushing, sang the by-now popular (but with a touch of lewdness) number at the fests: “Open the door/darling open the door/why are you angry so... ” Once in ­ side, they lapped up the delicious Hyderabad! haute cuisine; never mind if it was not served ‘chowki ’ style. The next day started with an im ­ promptu workshop of the group leaders of each city to discuss the formation of a Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Asso ­ ciations of India (in line with the ‘Action Please ’ theme of the Fest). Under the able assistance of Keki Gandhi — whose association with the youth fests dates back to the inaugural gathering in Delhi four years ago — a draft constitution was approved. A final one would be later sent to youth associations for their ap ­ proval. It was also recommended that each city form a youth association and get it registered. Secunderabad (and Hyderabad) was chosen as the adminis ­ trative office for the proposed Federa ­ tion. In a departure from previous fests, youth groups from each city were asked to submit in advance a report highlight ­ ing their activities in the preceding year and the proposed plans for the following year. These reports were read out by the group leaders with Gandhi giving a cri ­ tique after each report, and Agra ’s Porus Debara, a veteran of youth meetings, in the chair. If the Delhi Fest climaxed with a visit to the President of India R. Venkata- raman, the Secunderbad one was graced by Andhra Pradesh Governor Krishan Kant who addressed the gathering. A hurried sight-seeing trip to the Salarjung museum and the zoological park was also part of the program. After APPOINTED VALUERS OF JEWELLERY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA GAZDAR P\n. LTD. Taj Mahal Hotel Bombay Tel: 2023666 2023366 Ext 3204 Telegrams; . “MANUSCRIPT” 83 Parsiana March 1991dinner, delegates from some cities put up indiscriminate distribution of doles Madressa. Gold medallist in Avesta- an enjoyable entertainment fare with where people “are treated like beggars. ” Pahlavi at the bachelor ’s and master ’s Bombay ’s brief satire on the functioning Such charity, which makes individuals levels, Karanjia traced the role of the of the BPP, and a qawwali ‘contest ’ bet- more and more dependent on community priests down the ages, with Bombay ’s ween males and females (a copy, of the funds instead of putting them back on Shiraz Khambatta as chairperson. But one staged during the Fifth World their feet again, is self-defeating. Unfor- when the questions flew from the young Zoroastrian Congress) coming out on tunately, this abounds in the community, audience, they pertained not to Kar ­ top. Fittingly, two Bombayites — Shiraz Patch-work, short-term direct solutions anjia ’s walk down history lane but to the Khambatta and Khushru Sarkari — were that do not search for the root of the living present. “Why aren ’t behdins declared the best female and male artiste, problem, are the rule of Parsi charity, welcomed into priesthood if there is a respectively. Mobedji deplored. shortage of prieste in the community? ” The most hectic turned out to be the last day. The first of the four sessions had Bombay social worker Mahrukh trusts indiscriminately. “You can ’t ex- Mobedji spe^ng on social welfare atti- pect the punchayet to give you houses... tudes and practices in the community, and cars... and people to marry. Let us with the host city ’s Navaz Bulsara in the work for it, ” she said. But does the com- chair. Mobedji lashed out at the manage- * .............. . - -- ment of community trusts. “The custodi ­ ans of our trusts know very little... whether they ’re benefiting the commu ­ nity or weakening it. ” 7,"— 1- ------------- - ----------- . , - - . ., goal, she asked. of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Se- young pnest we know who is suitably “it should be the object of all charity cunderabad and Hyderabad, suggested qualified to guide us. We look up to you to render itself progressively unneces- the BPP send learned priests from Bom- for leadership on religious matters, he sary at least in the case of the applicant bay to other cities to train and suitably told the learned priest, a regular at fests, helped, she added. Stressmg that all q-----,---------- ------------ . - charity must maintain the individual ’s such intellectual input. Bharucha, who is incidentally a^roas- dignity, self-respect and personality, e,— ---------- ----- -—¦- ¦ , Mobedji decried the present system of Ervad Ramivar Karanjia of the Dadar from Mhow and a few others fired a vol- j indiscriminate distribution of doles Madressa. enjoyable entertainment fare with where people “are treated like beggars. more and more dependent on community priests down the ages, with Bombay ’s funds instead of putting them back on ' staged during the Fifth World their feet again, is self-defeating. Unfor ­ tunately, this abounds in the community. that do not search for the root of the living present. Mobedji deplored. _ . She asked the youths to revive the asked Hormazd Sidhwa, himself an as- spirit of enterprise and not seek the aid of piling priest Where are the enlightened had Bombay social worker Mahrukh trusts indiscriminately. “You can ’t ex- priests we can look up to, another dele- - . gate queried. “We know so little about our religion, yet where do we go for an answer? There are so many interpreta ­ tions, ” lamented yet another. Daraiyus Bharucha from Bombay ______ ___________ tried to pin down Karanjia into accepting that in “our religious ethical system lies the no-small responsibility of leading the munity have the will to solve its prob ­ lems? As a follow-up to Mobedji ’s statement What is their the answer, ” B^un F. Dittia," president community ’s youths. “You are the only of the Parsi Zoroasirian Anjuman of Se- j _ . ‘ qualify the local priests, so far starved of But Karanjia was non-commital. When such intellectual input. Bharucha, who is incidentally a Zoroas- Then came a barrage of questions for trian Studies (ZS) member, Navil Marker THE COMMUNITY FARES WELL AT TATAS Community welfare is a social responsibility voluntarily accepted by Tatas many years ago. It was this sense of responsibility that prompted Sir Ratan Tata to finance studies into the causes of poverty in 1912, and the Tata Trusts to establish institutions like the Tata Memorial Hospital for Cancer Research and treatment and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. In fact, Tatas have gone so far as to turn the entire town of Jamshedpur into a model in community living. There are wide roads, tree-lined avenues, hospitals and family clinics, and schools which any community would be proud of. TATA ENTERPRISES 84 Parsiana March 7dd7_ ___ 2 11 _ ' ' dancing away last night. That ’s also part life and not choose 50 wives? Am I being of our religion... it tells you to be happy, bigoted by being married to one woman? I choose to do so because I’m happy and have one wile and live with her all your ley of questions regarding the priest ’s “contradictory ” views on the Roxan Shah -------------------------- - - . case, Karanjia admitted he agreed with bigoted by being married to one woman? it tells you to experience joy. But any- the views of the high priests in this re- I choose to do so because I’m happy and thing in excess is wrong, anything in de- uard He added that it was unfortunate able to grow- with that person. ” Ditto for ficiency is wrong. ” The limited audi- that the community had no central lea- dership. Hence, one should seek gui ­ dance from the high priests. The major ­ ity decision of the community is the most important, he added. After this intense probing, the audi ­ ence settled down to hear ZS founder Khojeste Mistree ’s talk on the relevance of Zoroastrianism in the twentieth cen ­ tury. Sarosh Parakh chaired the session. Although a strong proponent of T’m a Zoroastrian first and then an Indian, ’ the rise of religious fundamentalism in the country was not lost on Mistree. It is not religion per se which is destructive, but . — ---------- . . . the wrong application of religion, he on to this slogan. Surely, every religion (one body, one soul, one spirit) Ull then clarified. It is not religion which has teaches this, ” he said. So, what does How else do you justify muktad ripped India apart today but what is hap- Zoroastrianism propound? “Happiness (prayers for the peace of the departed pening in the name of religion. is my birthright, ” he replied. (No apolo- souls)? Reincarnation does not make in- He asked the youths to be proud to be gies to Lokmanya Tilak, though!) tellectual sense, ” he replied to a query. Zoroastrians because “our religion has But everything within limits, warned Mistree explained the jashan ceremony the answer better than any other religion, because it gives you an intellectual per ­ ception which no other religion offers. ” This is not being bigoted, he said, using the analogy of monogamy: “Why do you religion. ence now knew what was coming. To Zoroastrianism, stressed Mistree, does their claps Mistree added: “So if you not only stand for good thoughts, good went dancing all night and then didn ’t chnu; iin fnr »hp talk fhar ’<; alsO WFOnp! ” Parsi hoteliers until recently had a hotel in every decent hill station show up for the talk, that ’s also wrong! We have seen that before at previous youth fests. From all-night dancing to another ¦ world. Mistree said that although most Parsis believe in reincarnation, it does * not exist in the original religious texts. He referred to a Parsiana survey wherein 25 of the 29 scholars consulted substanti­ ated this. Reincarnation has cropped up words and good deeds, as most people only in the past 120 years in the scrip- say. “The community has just latched tures, he said. It was solidly resurrection “The community has just latched teaches this, ” he said. Zoroastrianism propound? is my birthright, ” he replied. (No apolo ­ gies to Lokmanya Tilak, though!) But everything within limits, warned Mistree. It was a pity many more youths and said his organization was willing to were not present to hear him because they had toogied away the previous night, a fact which was not entirely lost of the Fest that ZS has made considerable on Mistrcc. “It was nice... all the people progress in this since it first made such an impart religious education, even outside Bombay. It was known during the course > For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS 324, Grant Road, Bombay 400007. Telephone 371483 Fax 3099648 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 86 Parsiana March 1991With compliments of * Star lite Electrical Works * Electrical Engineers & Contractors * 104, Shree Hanuman Ind Estate 42 B, G D Ambekar Marg Bombay 400031 88 Parsiana March 1991 offer at the Poona Fest in 1989. Much of what Bapsy Dastur, Bombay ­ based solicitor and ZS member, said on “contemporary Zoroastrianism — a youth perspective ” overlapped with Mis ­ tree ’s. The chairperson was Farhad Hirji Khurshed. As at the Pune Fest, Dastur spoke from experience, making many youths feel one with her. She recalled how her heart misses a beat every time she steps into an agiary and sees “pow ­ dered up people ” who have smeared ra- khya (ash) all over or when she sees Par ­ sis “stroking the length of Zarathushtra ’s picture... Do you become less of a Zoroastrian by restraining yourself from doing this? ” she asked. Dastur spoke for the youths when she observed that they want “informed ac ­ tion ” from an authoritative source. She has the ability to rally people around but many eyebrows were raised when, while referring to the Roxan Shah controversy, she announced: “The case of those mar ­ rying outside the community is similar to painter M. F. Husain coming barefoot to Bombay ’s Willingdon Club. Naturally, they will be refused entry. ” Dastur ques ­ tioned the hullabaloo raised over the is ­ sue, saying the youths were more both ­ ered about other issues than over contro ­ versies like intercaste marriages. A lot of the youths are not asking about the con ­ troversy or do not even know about it, she added. The much looked-forward-to open general session was scrapped for lack of time... and enthusiasm. Yes, towards the end of the program, there were less than 50 youths attending. Maybe too much was crammed into the last day. The valedictory function was fol ­ lowed by a grand dinner and dance. Dynshaw Italia ’s music had the delegates dancing till the wee hours of the mor ­ ning. Bombay bagged all the prizes but one in the dancing and costume competi ­ tion. The Fest should have aptly ended on this merry note. But Mr Trouble decided to raise his head once more. A 40-wink sleep and everybody woke up to find the peace of Hyderabad shattered — curfew meant uncertainty about train schedules. So, the story was repeating itself. Never ­ theless, some made it home on time, some made it late and... some even had to hang on in Secunderabad till suspended rail service was resumed. For the diligent team of organizers, sapped of all energy now and wanting a welcome break, it felt like beginning all over again. BOYS’ TOWN Public School Nasik 2 Recognised as a Public School by the Department of Educa ­ tion for Indian Merit Scholars. Excellent Climate — All- round Education: All Academic Subjects — Technical Subjects: Work ­ shop Technology, Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance, Car ­ pentry & Farming. Training in Self-Government through Elected Boys ’ Office bearers. Games — Physical Training —Daily Assembly with Con- gregational Prayers — Weekly intensive Zoroastrian —Geeta —Koran classes — Ex­ cellent Modern Kitchen and Dining Room facilities —Airy Dormitories. Moderate Fees. Concessions to Deserving Students. Apply to THE MANAGING TRUSTEE P. N. MEHTA EDUCATION TRUST Cooks Building, 324 Dr. D.N. Road, Bombay 400001.INSTITUTIONS BARODA beckons Zoroastrian strength is increasing in Baroda with a corresponding rise in the youth figures Gustasp Irani The Baroda Parsis offer news, good news — their numbers have grown. In a com ­ munity plagued with dwindling popula ­ tion figures, the Parsis settled in Baroda stand out as achievers. According to the foreword of their Directory of the Parsi Zoroastrian Residents of Vadodara pub ­ lished in 1989, the total population of the rochemicals Corporation Limited, Guja ­ rat State Fertilisers Corporation... the list of industrial units, big, medium and Bhesania, panthaky of the Panchayat managed Umrigar Agiari for the last 14 years, 50 percent of all Parsi marriages in Baroda today are outside the community. “Even if it is an all-Parsi marriage, very into the city. The young are lured by not bother the Parsis of Baroda, the issue business and job opportunities; the old by of intercommunity marriages does, the comparatively cheaper real estate Crouched into the population statistics prices that make it possible for them to ' " retire in urban surroundings. The rapid industrialization of Baroda about 22 marriages took place outside has created boom conditions: Indian Pet- the community. We were very per ­ are the names of non-Parsi spouses. “From 1980 to ’82, within two years, city has grown from 739 in 1982 to 955 in 1989 and the number of families over the same period rose from 203 to 277. Age-wise too, the statistics are encoura ­ ging: in 1982 only 12 percent were be ­ low 10 years of age, now the figure is 23 percent. The growth pattern is also re ­ flected in the assets of the Vadodara clerk; let him look around for other the community. turbed, ” says Patel. According to Ervad Hormazdiar J. small, that have set up shop in this one ­ time capital city of Baroda State,is large. Says Patel: “There are many job oppor ­ tunities for qualified persons. A Parsi need not settle for the job of a bank rarely will you find a Baroda girf marry- ' ' ------ - ------op- ing a Baroda boy. More often the Parsi Panchayat (VPP). While in other portunities. ” He estimates that the total matches are with someone from Bombay The young. parts of the country, Parsi dharamshalas population of Baroda has grown from about three lakhs, 20 years ago, to around 20 lakhs today. In comparison, the growth in the number of Parsis is minuscule. It ought to be much more es- and institutes are going to seed for one ’ ' ' ' ‘ reason or the other, the VPP has built a new hall and added a second floor to their B. N. Seervai Parsi Dharamshalla building. But yes, there are issues that pecially since housing is cheap compared trouble the community: the chief ones being dokhmenashini and intercommu ­ nity marriages. But first, the growing population. De­ spite the encouraging figures, Shavaksha F. Patel, president of the VPP, assures us that it is not due to couples having more children. “The average size of the fam ­ ily is still about 3.5 to 3.7. Parsis gene ­ rally do not have more than two chil ­ dren, ” he says. According to him, the growth has t^en place because of migra ­ tion of both the young and the elderly or somewhere else. ” bearded, soft-spoken priest displays con ­ siderable sensitivity when performing the navjotes of children of Parsi fathers and non-Parsi mothers. “We try not to insult the non-Parsi mothers; after all they are to Bombay. Recently a Parsi family the parents of the children, ” says Bhe ­ sania. No, he does not perform the navjote of children of Parsi mothers and non-Parsi fathers, but he observes: “As the community ’s numbers decline we must look at our customs afresh. ” Homi P. Chothia, ex-trustee of the ! case community is our dependence on the of a girl married out of the community who wants her children ’s navjote done. But if the non-Parsi father agrees, then, in my personal opinion, we should accept The bought a two-bedroom ownership flat for Rs 2.75 lakhs in one of the better areas of the city. “Housing is not a problem as it is in Bombay, ” says Patel, adding: “The Parsis in Bombay want everything to be done for them by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). The main weakness of VPP adds, “I don ’t know of a single Punchayet. If other communities can manage their own housing, why not the Parsis? ” Though the problem of housing does these children into the religion. ” 90 Parsiana March 1991Sa Ma ;iir J.' W-i o Pirojsha Godrej Hall adds a new dimension to the Seervai Dharamshalla . Below: Umrigar Agiari Photos: Pramod Mistry there were so many vultures. There must have been 50 to 60 birds that day. ” Yet, even the strongest defender of dokhme- nashini will concede that this case was an s exception. I Bhesania laments: “What can the I poor birds do? They can ’t keep waiting I endlessly for some Parsi to die. They I have got to go and eat somewhere else. I In 1989 there were seven deaths in a I single month and none for the rest of the I year. ” He adds: “Personally I think that I the trustees should consider instituting an I aramgah if there are not enough birds; it ’s I better than cremation. ” I The manager of the B. N. Seervai Dhar ­ amshalla Murzban Khajotiareacts strongly ¦ to the idea of cremation: “It was in or ­ der to save the fire that we Parsis fled Iran. We can ’t defile what we pray over and worship. ” He defends the use of the dokhma even if there are no birds around. “The purpose of exposing the dead body is to dry it in the sun; it ’s not put out for birds to eat. It makes no dif ­ ference if they eat it or not. ” However, the birds are indeed eating the bodies in Baroda, states Shapurji catch phrase is ‘in my personal opinion. ’ Patel clarifies the position of the trustees of the VPP in these matters: “If a Parsi girl married to a non-Parsi wants her children ’s navjote to be done, the Pan- chayat will not get involved. It is a per ­ sonal matter that the individual must de ­ cide upon. ” The same policy of non-interference extends to the issue of dokhmenashini versus cremation in Baroda. Says Patel: “In any Parsi community the majority The crux of the matter is that not enough Khambhadia, Baroda ’s only official view is most often orthodox, so a trustee - _ - must respect this sentiment irrespective this claim innumerable references are of his personal views. That ’s why in made to the occasion when Ervad Man- Baroda we believe that the trustees should ecksha J. Kudianawala, panthaky of the eaten. The birds eat the soft parts first: the not come in the way of religious customs as no one really knows how these customs came into existence. We leave it to time, for time solves all problems. ” Patel cites a number of examples to illustrate how Parsi customs have changed with the pas ­ sage of time. For instance, the practice of keeping a fire burning at all times in every Parsi home, or the segregation of women in a separate room during her menstrua ­ tion, are practices that most Parsis let lapse with time. Then there is the practice of having khandhias carrying the dead to the doongerwadi until the task was done . by the horse-drawn carriages and later by motorized municipal hearses though, of course, the horse and the hearse couldn ’t be given a nahn (purificatory bath). In- cidently, the VPP has their own hearse, “Change is bound to come, ” asserts | Patel, “let time, not the trustees, decide | how things should be. ” | Recently the issue of dokhmenashini I in Baroda came to a head when the rela- I tives of a Parsi lady had her cremated. I In any Parsi community the majority view is most often orthodox (( J> birds frequent the dokhmas. To disprove nassessalar-chasniwalla and odd-job man. “Sometimes it may seem that the bodies are not touched, but actually they are Contractor Agiari died and the sky was stomach, internal organs and the thighs, ” filled with birds. Says Chothia: “I re ­ member observing that our mobed must have been such a pious person because consumed. In Baroda, volunteers must Khambhadia explains why volunteers may wrongly believe a body has not been ’V-- 93 Parsiana March 1991 > •J ¦Iyoung resident of Bombay, “what hap­ pened here... well, it happened. ” He ex- 5 plains that in Bombay, cremation is prac ­ ticed more by the rich Parsis. “The prob ­ lem is the result of not allowing the face of the dead to be shown to non-Parsis. ||||||H Since the rich have many non-Parsi con- 1^1 tacts and friends, they don ’t come to the doongerwadi but opt instead for the cre- matorium, ” he observes. “The trustees must resolve this matter; it is causing more Parsis to stop using the dokhmas. ” The trustees of the VPP have had no UB occasion to dictate what the right cus- toms and rituals should be. However, in non-religious matters they have shown Recently they n ¦ ¦ Ui necessarily carry the dead into the wells. ¦ After the task, the priest gives them a I nahn. There is nothing rigid in the cere- I mony; each individual volunteer decides I for himself if the rituals are necessary or I not. In one case, a volunteer decided that 3 the nahn was not necessary but his wife | thought otherwise. She obtained a bottle i of taro (consecrated bull ’s urine) from the 3 priest and emptied it on her unsuspecting 3 spouse as he bathed. The second time 3 around there was no taro handy so she 3 doused him with a bottle of dettol! I A more crucial question is finding a | priest to say the death prayers for some- I one who has been cremated. In the case 3 of the lady whose body was consigned to the electric crematorium the local priests refused to perform the ceremonies, but Bhesania arranged for a friend to come down from Bombay and say the neces ­ sary prayers. “I will not pray for anyone who has been cremated. This is not a dictate of the trustees; it is my own con ­ viction, ” says Bhesania. Sharukh Mirza, the Bombay priest train to Baroda. He dismisses the sugges- who obliged his friend, wore his arm in a sling some time thereafter; the result of but confesses that this is the first and last ah accident on his way to Bombay Cen- 1 . , tral Station from where he boarded the been cremated. “Never again, ” says the active participation. doubled the accommodation available at their Dharamshalla when they inaugu ­ rated the eight-room Cyrus Daver Memo ­ rial Block. The project was made pos ­ sible from a donation of two lakh rupees by Jal Daver of Bombay in memory of his late son. The Dharamshalla charges a nominal Rs 10 per head per day. For room with tion of divine displeasure over his deed, attached bathrooms (two on each floor) ¦ ’ I the charges are double. Meals are sup ­ time he will pray for anyone who has plied by the manager Khajotia and his wife Ruby. In 1988-89, 566 Parsis from Seervai Dharamshalla: popular with tourists Photo: Pramod Mistry Best Wishes From RUSY & PURVIZ SHROFF 95 Parsiana March 1991all over India used the facilities, accor ­ ding to the annual report of the VPP. “There is no seasonal traffic here, ” says Khajotia. “We get guests all year round, mainly from Bombay. They come for navjotes, weddings or death (ceremonies). The Dharamshalla is used for rejoicing and for sorrow; ” Meals too are reasona ­ bly priced: Rs 5 for breakfast and Rs 12 for dinner or lunch. Khajotia also does the catering for community functions like navjotes and weddings. A patra-nu-bhonoo of chic ­ ken, fish, meat pulao and ice cream costs between Rs 40 and Rs 45 per patra. | “Unlike Bombay, we don ’t have a soft drink system, ” says Khajotia. Also, un- Trustees Patel (left) and Cama like Bombay, special care is taken over the vegetarian section since a large num ­ ber of invitees are orthodox Gujaratis, dharamshala cum hostel, he reminds us. According to Khajotia ’s estimates, the Baroda Parsis average about four to five navjotes and one or two weddings per year. His catering business takes him to Navsari, Surat, Bharuch, Ratlam, Indore price which includes electricity, water, and other places around Baroda. And linen... Hostel accommodation is also of- what about his Dharamshalla guests fered to Parsis on temporary job transfers that now houses the Panchayat Agiari: when he is out of station? “My wife and assignments. We meet two of the and the plot adjacent. The Agiari like manages the Dharamshalla then. ” The Dharamshalla that he manages is wo more than just a dharamshala — it is a family left in Dharahgadhra and Khushroo Satarawalla who informs us that there are only three Parsi families left in Jodhpur although it even boasts a dokhma. The origins of the hostel goes back to the time when the then Pro Vice Chancel ­ lor of M. S. University, Nasserwanji Vakil, drew the attention of the VPP trus ­ tees to the plight of outstation Parsi stu ­ dents who were generally living in appall ­ ing conditions as paying guests. The VPP galvanized funds and a collection of Rs 2.5 lakhs was made. “We named the rooms after the donors, ” says Patel, “and by the same token we retained the name oftheoldB.N.Seervai Dharam shalla. ’ ’ Old Dharamshalla? Yes, 150 years old and dilapidated. In 1874 the VPP demol ­ ished the structure and sold the land for Rs 50,000 which was used to start con- Of the total of 16 rooms, four (two on each floor) are reserved for Parsi students struction of the new Dharamshalla build- from outside Baroda who are charged a ing at Hirabaug on land donated by Hira- nominal Rs 250 per six-month term — a bai Contractor of Baroda. In her will Contractor also donated two other prop ­ erties to the Panchayat: the family house grateful hostel students: Ronnie Palia the Dharamshalla was relocated in 1963 who tells us that his is the only Parsi and is still referred to as the Umrigar I 1 I With Compliments From JEENA & COMPANY IATA APPROVED Air Cargo, Clearing, Forwarding & Warehousing Agents 10,Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Bombay 400001 CABLE: “JUSTITIA” PHONE: 2042032 TELEX: 82313 & 83495 FAX: (22) 2026853 BRANCHES NEW DELHI, CALCUTTA, MADRAS, BANGALORE, PUNE,TIRUTUR, COCHIN 96 Parsiana March 7 991Agiari. The original fire, about 150-year- old, was housed in an old, rundown build ­ ing in the heart of the city when the prop ­ erty was sold for Rs 10,000. The other property owned by the Pan- chayat is the 10-acre plot of land around the dokhma. The dokhma has no name though the Directory records that it was founded in 1843. “There is no record of its origins. It may have been purchased by the Panchayat or donated by the govern ­ ment, ” says Patel. About h^f of the land is given out for agriculture. “It is a no ­ profit, no-loss agreement, ” notes Chothia. “The idea is to keep a man there so that he can look after the property. ” And still, encroachment is a problem. Chothia, a retired forest officer, has been trying to grow babul trees on the land but since there is no wall or fence around it, cows stroll in and destroy the saplings. Recently the VPP added another build ­ ing to its assets when on March 21,1988 they inaugurated the Pirojsha Godrej Hall located at Hirabaug. The Pirojsha Godrej Foundation donated Rs 2.5 lakhs towards its Rs 8.5 lakh cost of construction. The balance funds were collected through do ­ nations. Patel refers specifically to the assistance of the BPP and the trustees of the Surat Parsi Punchayci, “If efforts are made, funds can be arranged. J^and and property is investment for the future. For a good cause you do gel donations, but you ’ve got to show performance, ” says Very rarely do Barodagirls marry Baroda boys Patel. The new Hall has an indoor bad ­ minton court and indoor games facilities. It is also rented out for public functions. According to Khajotia, Parsis have to pay rental charges of Rs 300 while non-Parsis pay Rs 1,200 to use thefacility. In addition, there is the Agiari and Dharamshalla man- agedby the Pestonji F. C. Contractor family trust. According to Patel, a sum of Rs 35,000 expended on the construction of the Godrej Hall is still outstanding. “It is our major liability at present, ” he says. Au ­ dited accounts of the Panchayat are placed before the community every year at the annual general meeting. Accor ­ ding to the accounts for the year 1989, the total annual income was Rs 3.12 lakhs with the Panchayat helping 19 poor Parsi families in cash and kind during the pe ­ riod. Ms Goolbanu S. Wadia who served as trustee of the VPP for 29 years, 14 of which were as president before she re ­ signed because of her advancing age, points out that though the Baroda Parsis have always been a fairly affluent com ­ munity they have their share of the poor . who cannot be ignored. t Should any section of the community feel ignored, they have an occasion when they can redress their grievances — the elections of the trustees. Though mem­ bership on the Panchayat is family based (annual subscription Rs 20 per family), voting rights are given to all members of the family over 21 years of age. “Even girls married to non-Parsis have the right to vote, ” says Patel. A trustee ’s term has been reduced from five to four years, mentions Boman R. Cama, trustee of the VPP. “After four years every trustee resigns, even if he was elected mid-term, ” says Cama. He clarifies that should a vacancy arise within the last year before the elections are due, there is no need to go through the election process; the sitting trustees Rota^ Screw Air Compressors Crawlairs and Blasthole Drills Water Well Drills •t Process Gas Compressors Portable Compressors wsbrsou.'H*''® I T n 0 D B 9 i / u i Air and Gas Compressors • Construction & Mining Equipment INGERSOLL-RAND Kt Ingersoll-Rand (India) Lid., Maybaker House, g.K. Abire Marg, Bombay 400 025 IK191.88 sZ 98 Parsiana March 1991may co-opt anyone to fill the seat. On the question of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrain Anjumans of India ’s recom ­ mendation to co-opt youth trustees, Cama observes: “We will consider it. However we do have a trustee still youthful enough to fill the youth category. ” In April 1990 the term of the trustees expired. Nine candidates contested the seven seats. In the preceding election, some candidates withdrew their names to allow for unanimity. This time around too, two candidates sought to withdraw but their papers reached too late. The Baroda Parsis did get to vote this time. They elected as their trustees Patel, Cama, ’ Ms Mehroo Palkhiwala, Kersy Kavina, Jal Patel, Aspi Vajifdar and Jimmy Havewala. The elections however were not fought on party lines. “There may be differences of opinions but these are for the individ ­ ual families and persons to resolve. The Parsis of Baroda have kept clear of politi ­ cizing issues, ” notes Cama. WITH BEST WISHES FROM PETROSIL OIL COMPANY BUZY in Baroda It is an uproarious affair, a deafening din as kids have good wholesome fun. On the ground floor of the B. N. Seervai Parsi Dharamshalla premises, the third get-to ­ gether of the Baroda United Zoroastrian Youth (BUZY) is in progress. At the cen ­ ter of the commotion is a young man with blindfolds on, wielding a stick as two teams scream conflicting directions at him. The object of the game is to see if the young man can hit the suspended bucket with the stick. He could well rep ­ resent BUZY, a little in the dark, groping, seeking direction, with a lot of enthusi ­ asm, promise and hope. “Let ’s hope it is not just a flash in the pan, ” says Ms Roxanne Kavarana, a [young Baroda girl working with The ’Times of India in Bombay, who got the ball rolling. As the Baroda representa ­ tive at the fourth All-India Zoroastrian Youth Festival held at Secunderabad and Hyderabad in October 1990 she con- [veyed to the trustees of the "Vadodara sParsi Panchayat (VPP) the recommenda ­ tion made at the Festival that all cities ¦ without a youth organization should imake efforts to start one. She recalls LIMITED (Associates of Gulf Oil International Co, USA) Apeejay House 3, Dinsha Wacha Road Bombay 400020 Tel: 220818 Tlx: 011 3520; 6857 Fax: 91 22 2042521 f 96 Parsiana March 199iMEDICINE GIFTed Babies The GIFT method of conception could counter male infertility among Parsis Gustasp Irani GIFT, to a student of medicine, stands for cumstances is 25 percent, ” observes Irani. Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer, to a layperson, the childless couple in particu- him, can be the result of tension, child­ hood illnesses like smallpox, mumps or typhoid and accidents in the genitd re ­ gion among other factors. Clinically, a course of hormone tab ­ lets can improve sperm count. The pa ­ tient can help himself by worrying less, and cutting back on his consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and betel nuts. Tight fitting clothes are out as also synthetic underwear. Cold water baths help and even more, ice packs applied to the geni ­ tals... And yes, lest we overlook, early marriages do make a big difference. “Parsis tend to marry late and that could be one factor for tlie high incidence of low sperm count in Parsi males, ” says Whereas GIFT costs between Rs 10,0(X) Irani, and Rs 15,000 each time the process is lar,* it is a gift of life. The Thiers of used, irrespective of success or failure, Bombay knew full well the pain, the the natural process is free. hope, the anxiety, the des- imi GIFT is probably the an- peration and the longing of a swer when under certain childless couple. They ap- circumstances the male proached Dr Faram E. Irani, sperm and female egg are the gynecologist running the unable to meet in the fallo- Southem Cross Clinic at ||H pian tube where fertilization Prabhadevi, Bombay. On al takes place. The most com- August 30, 1990 they be- flH mon cause of infertility is came parents of twin boys. the male deficiency factor Start working on having a baby straight Other babies have been bom (low sperm count) which away after marriage. If there is no con- with the assistance of GIFT; accounts for 30 percent to there are other gynecolo- 40 percent of all cases, gists in Bombay and India IHI GIFT in such cases is ideal who also offer this treatment. However, for when sperms are unable to journey up the birth ofthe Thaker boys is significant to the fertilization zone on their own for it was the first time that twins have been bom in India through this process. “GIFT, unlike IVF (in vitro fertiliza ­ tion) or test tube babies, is a natural proc ­ ess, ” says Irani, 33, his bold black mous ­ tache prominent on his fair features. “Christians and Muslims who are op- . posed to unnatural birth methods accept Irani. A low sperm count, according to GIFT.” In this process, according to Irani, external assistance is kept to a minimum (see box). Ripe female eggs ™ are removed from the ovary, externally » brought in contact with male sperms and reintroduced into the ’ fallopian tube where fertilization under normal condi- .tions takes place. The patient checks into the clinic in the morning and goes home by evening. Within 10 days, it can be determined if fertilization has in ­ deed taken place and from there on, it is like any other normal pregnancy; nine months of waiting, the anxieties, the la ­ bor pains, the first wail of the new born child... But wait. The success rate of GIFT is only 21 percent. “The chances of successful fertilization under natural cir- Late marriages also account for an ­ other infertility factor among Parsis — fibroids in the uterus. “The function of a uterus is to produce something. If it does not produce a baby it produces fibroids, ” says Irani. Here GIFT is not the answer, but removal of the undesired growth is. Parsis, according to him, get married late and wait for years before even consider­ ing having their first child. Irani ’s ad ­ vice to the community: “Don ’t wait. ception within a year, consult a special­ ist. ” The reasons are simple. After 35, the chances of conception diminish con­ siderably and after 40, menopause is just around the comer. In fact, Irani does not steam, a little help is welcome. recommend GIFT for a woman who has “The male deficiency factor is very crossed 40. common among Parsis which is what you would not expect as Parsis do live health ­ ier lives than the average Indian. Yet it accounts for the full 40 percent of infertil- duction chamber. If the ovary cannot ity in the community or more, ” observes produce healthy eggs, then GIFT is of little value. Also common among Parsis Age is tied up to yet another infertility factor common among Parsi females — deterioration of the ovary, the egg pro­ duction chamber. 103 Parsiana March 1991 BIH Thakertwins conceived by the GIFT method (Above): Iraniis what Irani refers to as endometriosis. I ' '__ 1 „ Here chocolate colored cysts, or dark Howard and Georgeanna Jones Institute blood globules, form in the ovary. In for Reproductive Medicine, East Vir- such cases the cysts are removed from .................... the egg to which they are attached and University and Queen Victoria Medical ____________ ________ only then is the egg mixed with the male Centre, Melbourne, Australia with special pending on the couple, I will select a suit ­ method. also written and co-authored a number of The good news for the community papers for national and international con- i’ **• ‘ ...... . _ blockage in the fallopian tube, are low. i , Should a Parsi or anyone else for that setting up his own Southern Cross Clinic matter have such a problem then GIFT is not the answer; IVF, or test tube babies, is. Yes, Irani undertakes the test tube rest before and after GIFT implants or baby procedure too, and all the other routine tests, tasks that routine gynecology requires, r ’ ’ * __ including attending to normal pregnancy GIFT, I do not do abortions; it is a matter cases. Being on call at unearthly hours to of principle. On one side you are giving deliver babies and enduring the screams life, on the other you are taking life. I am of women in the throes of labor is part of i ' -- his daily work. But he does admit “I involving a Parsi couple should come his tutes of higher learning including the it up to a good Parsi home for adoption. ” ... Should he get a case where the male sperm count is zero, he is willing to use ginia Medical School, USA and Monash the GIFT process using a donor ’s sperm. TTnivArcJtv ond “J will ensure complete anonymity. De- spemi and reintroduced by the GIFT emphasis on the GIFT technique. He has able donor who will not know what his sperms are used for and the couple will in - . turn not know who the donor is. All they is that instances of tubal factors, or sumption. Between 1985 and 1988 he will know is that the donor is a Parsi; that worked with Dr Rusi Soonawalla before much I will guarantee, ” says Irani. _ . * ~ “ ? ’ J It is not a hollow promise, for Irani is in 1989. The Clinic is a self-contained strongly opposed to intercommunity unit including an operating area. There marriages. “I will not even consider the are four rest rooms where patients may question, ” he replies to a query if inbreed- " '' • • jng among Parsis could be one reason for their high infertility rate. Despite our Does Irani entertain abortions? “After pushing, he brushes the issue aside, unan ­ swered, unconsidered. The doctor is opposed to intercommu ­ nity marriages on two counts: One, pro life, ” says Irani. If an abortion case people who marry out of their commu- nis daily work. But he does admit I involving a Parsi couple should come his nity, any community for th^t matter am better known as a GIFT specialist. ” way, his pro-life stance is more pro- spend half their energies fighting people He qualified as an obstetrician and nounced. “Our population is declining; opposed to their union. “If I have suc- gynecologist from Bombay University even one life counts. I strongly advise ceeded, it ’s because I have the full sup- and honed his skills at a number of insti- Parsis not to abort. Keep the baby or give port of my wife (Gulastan), my parents way, his pro-life stance is more pro- rc ’jrced. “Our population is declining; opposed to their union. “If I have sue- lij With Best Compliments Of I HOSHANG J. BUCHIA & CO ENGINEERS & CONSTRUCTORS 4/24, Tata Mills Co-op Housing Society Ltd Elphinstone Road, Bombay 400012 Tel: 4112539 I i 105 Parsiana March 1991fertility rate in any society is 10 percent. To stay off extinction for a little among Parsis whose total population is an longer, Irani believes that the B. D. Petit estimated 70,000 it works out to 7,000 and my in-laws. ” He would like his two of declining numbers. sons Ness, aged nine and Jehan, aged four, to marry in the community. The other problem with intercommunity mar- Parsee General Hospital should consider people or 3,500 couples. The actual num- riages is that it dilutes the Parsi identity, the feasibility of instiling a GIFT unit on To Irani, the threat of dilution of commu ­ nity identity is more real than the problem have to be weighed. Since the average in ­ ber could be even less given the high per- its premises. Of course, the pros and cons centage of aged and unmarried people in the community. The five lakh rupee capi­ tal investment in equipment plus opera ­ tional costs could be probably used more beneficially on other life-saving, life-sup- port equipment. As an alternative, chari- GIFT (Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer) pared to accept quadruplets! ” says Dr table trusts and organizations could con- is based on one simple principle: getting Faram Irani. sider subsidizing couples who could the female egg and the male sperm to- The operation itself is brief, 45 min- benefit by GIFT facilities available at pri- gether in the right place at the right time, utes, and done under general anaesthesia, vate clinics which, because of their wider In a normal pregnancy the female egg. The eggs are removed by laparoscopy, use, can minimize cost overruns. when ripe, moves from the ovary to the loaded along with the sperms into a cathe- For those who are unable to conceive fallopian tube. Here it meets and is ferti ­ lized by the male sperm which has jour ­ neyed up the vagina. The fertilized egg then gion, below the navel will testify to the moves to the uterus where it grows into a operation having been performed, baby. ~ In the case of GIFT, to improve the chances of success, the mother-to-be is given a course of tablets and injections to stimulate the ovary to produce a larger tion under natural circumstances is 25 number of ripe eggs which are closely percent, ” observes Irani. In other words. Fertile facts The operation itself is brief, 45 min ­ utes, and done under general anaesthesia. The eggs are removed by laparoscopy, loaded along with the sperms into a cathe ­ ter and reintroduced into the fallopian for no apparent clinical reason, the dent tube. A two-inch scar in the abdomen re- in their bank account could be alarming. Such cases account for 10 percent to 25 percent of all infertility. According to The success rate of GIFT is 21 percent Irani, in such cases, GIFT is ideally which, according to Irani, is good. “There is a certain thing such as nature ’s law. The chance of successful fertiliza- suited. An inexpensive alternative is a change in attitude towards sex. “When sex life revolves around the calendar, it takes the fun out of the act. It becomes sex for pregnancy sake and not sex for sex monitored by ultrasound and laboratory a couple should expect to conceive within sake, ” says Irani. Often when such tests. When the eggs are ripe, as many as ' three to seven may be extracted, mixed with sperms and reimplanted in the _ mother. “It is possible that all the eggs who could probably solve their problem riages, excessive family planning and de ­ may fertilize. A couple should be pre- with the GIFT of a child. dining numbers, GIFT may be a better ____________________________________________________________ _ answer. four months of trying. Allowing for vari- couples give up hope they suddenly find ance they may keep at it for a year after that a baby is on the way. That too is a which they should consult a specialist gift of life. But with Parsis, with late mar- Wall-to-wall i'ncakpetinc. rROM k’hnson. '!S'5Sfi53;Sfe'SS:S!SrSS^^ XvSSf’?®'' H&R Johnson (India) Ltd., Kakad Chambers, Dr. A. Besant Road, Worli, Bombay-400 018. TrV<aya.HRJ.6.86 106 Parsiana March 1991e- DRAMA (• Bi ¦ a ¦ ¦ ii s ¦ ¦ B 1 1 m 31 5 n I I o (• “Audiences want to be entertained” A good play, every day in Bombay, is actor-producer Hosi Vasunia ’s dream Geeta Doctor “Do you mind if I take a leak? ” asks gance. He has a trick of lowering his trumpets blowing, as Vasunia responds Hosi Vasunia, the moment we sit down in the chilled recesses of the Sea Lounge about to charge — perhaps it has some- at The Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay, the thing to do with his increasing avoirdu- mind. The comers of his mouth have two'small wings that lift his smile up and started. ” He says it in his finely matured away into a ”1 can knock their pants off cherry brandy voice that is redolent with anytime ” brilliance. It ’s amazing to see it at work. A lady from across the room head and looking at you like a rhino with a smile. As she departs, he lowers his guard just enough to confide, “That ’s what it ’s dl about to be a star. If there is . slight rasp in his richly timbered voice pois — and just as suddenly changing his such a thing as a star system in the thea- making it sound like a naughty joke. mind. The comers of his mouth have ter today, it ’s only from me that it “Not at all, ” I reply, “Do you mind if I join you? ” There ’s a brief moment of shocked silence, before I hasten to anytime ” brilliance. It ’s amazing to see a flavor of cream, sprinkled lightly with add, “I mean in the ladies room next it at work. A lady from across the room iron filings. It ’s going to be very diffi- dbor. ” It could have been a scene from stops by at our table to tell him how cult to concentrate on what he is saying. I one of his plays. Hosi Vasunia appears much she has enjoyed his performance, a to be very much the rogue male, socking revue dedicated to the memory of Adi it to the unwary female with equal parts Marzban. All at once the sun is shining statement. Pause. A slight smile hovers of devastating charm and assured arro- all over our table, there is a sound of at the comers. Then the punchline. A realize that part of the charm in listening to him talk is the timing: He makes a 108 Parsiana March 1991whole repertoire. It was in the 1970s that son cry would be a very easy thing. To I was first asked to do a play by Ms Ros ­ winged smile of victory! A sense of timing has catapulted Hosi Vasunia to the top of the chart ever since han Kalapesi, Cyrus the Great (to cele- he appeared as the appalled, apoplectic brate the 25th century of the founding of ences want to come and be entertained, father of the mildly homosexu^ son in Ah Norman. Though Bomsi Nicholson Princes, a play written by Gieve Patel, was the cutie-pie of the show, Vasunia that was directed by Ms Pearl Padamsee. carved a niche for himself in the naughty, frothy, “who ’s sleeping in my bed ” comedies of the seventies. It ’s to his immense credit as an actor that he parlayed his basically “straight ” roles — as distraught father, cuckolded husband, or fuddy-duddy dentist-boss — into rib ­ tickling triumphs that have given him a that a whole new generation who had not range from 5,(XX) to 10,(XX); if we do a permanent place in the limelight. To use seen it the first time came to see it And comedy it goes from 5,000 to 50,000. A an example from ballet, the male dancer it ’s still the longest running play in Eng- popular production generates the money is often just an anchor who twirls the lish in India... that you need to do a serious play like prima donna about. In Vasunia ’s case, he is so good as the anchor that his very presence gives a certain credibility or au ­ thority to the mad whirl of comedy spin- Vasunia Productions — where I could be Vasunia ’s family was one of the old ning around him. It is with him that the free to experiment with new themes China-Japan hands who used to bring the audience identifies. and new directors. ” He had people like famous Chinese silk embroidered garas For those who imagine that this just Alyque Padamsee and Pearl to direct, to India, and export sandalwood. They happened by chance, he sets the record and actors like Vijay Crishna, Homi straight. “I have always had an abiding Daruwala and Ms Meher Jehangir in Clockwise from top left :Vasunia with interest in theater, particularly during plays as diverse as All the King’s men, Amjad Khan in Loot, Meher Jehangir my college days when I was at Sydenham Mass Appeal, St Joan dtoAAgrtes of God. College, winning prizes in intercollegiate competitions. I have gone through the English theater popular. To make a per- Ruby Patel in Mary, Mary make you laugh is much more difficult. I mean really laugh. In today ’s life, audi- the Achaemenian empire) and then You have to work at it. I think that what I am looking for is the basic excitement of the- theater. As long as I feel it is “Then came Ah Norman in '12-13. It alive, it is relevant to me. And let me broke all the records. It was the longest tell you that it is because of the comedies running English play. When I first did that people come to see serious theater, the role of the father, the make-up man Adi Marzban ’s bedroom farces and had to age me for the part. When we re- comedies increased the number of people vived the play after Bomsi came back in seeing English plays for sure. If we do a ’82, we made it a musical. We found serious play the number of people might “After Norman I was doing a whole Agnes of God where we ’ve lost money, lot of plays and this gave me the idea of It ’s no use putting on a good play and not forming my own company — Hosi make good money. ” Vasunia Productions — where I could be “I do have an ego. I want to make in Are you lonesome tonight (Photo: Fali Palkhivalal and WS Parsiana March 7997Versant Vasunia With Best Compliments From A Weii Wisher 110 Parsiana March 1991 “I have a theory that all Parsis are bom ducer himself, “finding it a little boring, ” actors, ” proclaims the veteran thespian is contemplating upon his next produc- Hosi Vasunia. His own climb up the his- tions — perhaps. The man who came to trionic ladder he attributes to: a Spanish dinner, or the musical Fiddler on the roof. Father who introduced him to theater “I have a good voice for that (title) role, ” during his school days at St Xavier ’s: a says Vasunia. “The only thing needed is little bit of training from Adi Marzban; my own self discipline — to give up and largely his own endeavor. Maturing smoking and get into training for six as he has from frivolous roles to in-depth months. ” enactments, Vasunia now believes on concentrating “on acting which is not fooling. ” Reviewing his own performances, in Even more than his own productions, Vasunia ’s time and energy these days is expended on building up . the Dynasty Culture Club that he launched in 1989 his own productions, it was his role in A jointly with producer Ronnie Screwvala flea in her ear, directed by Ms Pearl Pad- amsee, that Vasunia considers particu ­ larly fulfilling. And for the Elvis Presley a year to their elitist members, the organ ­ admirer, “A play very close to my heart izers are constantly on the lookout for is Are you lonesome tonight,” projecting good shows. the life and travails of singer Elvis. This is a musical “I’ve identified a lot with, got emotionally involved with, ” he adds. and Ms Dolly Dave. To offer the prom ­ ised choice of 30/40 cultural programs in In addition to the talented Parsis who are into theater — acting as well as train­ ing — there are many others from the cos- His farce Charley ’s Aunt, where Vasunia mopolitan Bombay population whose plays the female role to entertain his au- creativity Vasunia appreciates. Rather diences, was very well received not only than fear competition, Vasunia welcomes in India but also in Kenya and Sri Lanka new productions for “it lessens my work last year. In fact, his was the first Indian to program more things for Culture troupe invited to take English theater to Club. ” And, assures Vasunia, as long as these countries, claims Vasunia. ..................................... ~ But after so many repeat per ­ formances of Charley ’s Aunt, the pro- bare... talent abounds in the city, theater buffs can expect that the stage will not be Puinaz Gandhi had an office in Kobe before the war, and in our blood. It ’s extraordinary. You find even returned to the place afterwards, beautiful voices, a natural talent for sing- While he was still young the family ing or dancing. It ’s just there; Because of settled in Hong Kong for a while. After this, even though there are now so many his college education in Bombay, he different (theatrical) companies, it is a worked with Esso which was still an very incestuous relationship that we American company in those days, replete share. ” with the glamor attached to a foreign oil ¦ _ ¦] Among the hurdles he ’s had to en- company? Since his job meant travelling counter are finding a place to rehearse, around, he did not find the time for much “where you can come after a hard day ’s serious theater. He is now running his work regularly, for three to -six weeks, own leather export business. One thing you tend to give up is party- His dream is to have a situation where ing; you always land up late for any party a person can get to see a good play any even during weekends and you are con- day of the week, just as he or she might in stantly apologizing... Broadway or West End. For most of the performers acting is a hobby, with the . majority working for the sheer love of it, that if they let their children, their daugh- in their spare time. Why is he concentrating on the Eng ­ lish theater? ‘ speak other languages “But if there is anything I’d like to say it is that Parsi parents should not feel ters, act on the stage, it means they will go astray. We are made up of very nw- ‘Tor one thing, I can ’t mal, well-balanced people. We would ___ ¦ i — Marathi, look after these people, as we would look Gujarati — fluently enough... English after our own family. We need more theater is 90 percent Parsi, ” he says. “I don ’t know why it is. It is a hidden tal- people to come into the theater today, and by that I don ’t mean the audience, ent, a thespian talent that we have all got We need young talent. ”FOOD Warm Starters and Sweet Endings Bhicoo J. Manekshaw Exotic soup and dessert creations to titillate the tongue # have been often told lhat I do not think of vegetarians when I give recipes for Parsiana. Therefore, this ar ­ ticle is dedicated to them. But, I am sure that the non-vegetarians would also enjoy the dishes as they are unusual and deli ­ cious. The potato soup with sesame seeds is excellent and warming on a cold eve ­ ning. The sweet potato, leek and apple soup has a flavor that all connoisseurs of good food will enjoy. And, the baked pumpkin soup is a conversation piece for parties! Calling Sarosh, my nephew, in Houston, and all you non-pumpkin eaters: don ’t wrinkle up your noses just because it is pumpkin! Try it, it is really out of the world. One Of the desserts is my creation. Gateau Santorini, for a very dear and lov ­ able friend who was too shy to let me name it after her, so we decided to call it Gateau Santorini after the Grecian island where we had had a lovely holiday to ­ gether. The second one. Gateau Apricot, is one of the most delicious gateaux we did at the Cordon Bleu Cookery School. POTATO SOUP WITH SESAME SEEDS (serves 6) Leeks (2 large) or spring onions (6 — chopped with a little of the green) Butter (50 gms) Oil (1 tbsp) Potatoes (’4 kg — sliced) Hot water or chicken stock (1 Hr) Hot milk (1 Itr) Cream (120 gms) Garlic (2-3 cloves — crushed) Salt and pepper (to taste) Garnish Dry roasted sesame seeds (2-3 tbsp) Coriander leaves (1 tbsp — chopped) Melt butter with oil. Add leeks and cook till soft. Add potatoes and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add hot water or stock and gar ­ lic and simmer till potatoes are soft but not over-cooked. Add milk, cream and seasoning. Mix well but do not puree the potatoes. It does not matter if the potato slices are broken, but they should not be mashed. Spoon into soup bowls and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped coriander or parsley. SWEET POTATO. LEEK AND APPLE SOUP (serves 6) Sweet potatoes (1 kg) Chicken stock (2 cups strong, preferably) or water (vegetarians could use Maggi ’s veg cubes) Lime (’4—sliced) Leeks (6 — medium sized) or spring on ­ ions (8-10 — cleaned and chopp^) Apples (3 — green, sharp and hard. The apple should be on the raw side and not sweet.) Garlic (3 cloves — crushed) Ginger (’4 inch piece — crushed) Milk (P4 cups) Cream (1 cup) Salt and pepper (to taste) Garnish Butter (30 gms) Apple (1 green — chopped) Leek (1 — chopped) Peel sweet potatoes and chop roughly. Bring stock to boil, add sliced lime and potatoes, and cook over high heat till^x)- tatoes are tender. Remove lime and liq ­ uidize. Heat butter, add leeks and cook over low heat till tender. Add garlic and ginger, and apples. Simmer for 3-4 min ­ utes. Add potato puree with milk. Mix well. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Sof ­ ten leeks and apples in butter. Just be ­ fore serving, reheat the soup, add the gar ­ nish and cream. Note: Do not boil soup after the cream has been added. BAKED PUMPKIN SOUP (serves 6-8) (Oven temp 350°F 150°C Gas 4) Cinderella ’s pumpkin (3 kg) Bread crumbs (250 gms — fresh) Parmesan or Cheddar cheese (150 gms) Milk (1*4-2 pints) Garlic (3 cloves — chopped) Onion (1 large — chopp^) Salt and pepper (to taste) Chilli sauce (couple of drops) Wash pumpkin and dry. Cut the top off and keep aside. Remove all seeds and strands. Lightly slash the inside surface with a knife without cutting through the outer skin. Mix enough breadcrumbs with salt and pepper and grated cheese, onion and garlic and fill the pumpkin. Add milk to cover. Allow to stand for a while and add more milk if necessary to fill to the top. Add chilli sauce. Seal the top of the pumpkin with flour and water paste. Put the pumpkin on a greased baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to an hour. You will know that the soup 112 Parsiana March Td&lis ready by pressing the pumpkin. If it is soft to the feel, it is ready. Carefully put the pumpkin on a serv ­ ing platter, lightly rub the pumpkin with oil to give it a shine and bring it on the table. Remove the seal paste. When the ‘lid ’ is opened, scoq) out the inside with a soup ladle and serve. And sit back — and wait for the kudos! t GATEAU SANTORINI (serves 8) (Oven temp 190°C Gas 5) Sponge Flour (90 gms — plain) Salt (a pinch) Eggs (3) Castor sugar (115 gms) Lime (1 — juice and rind) Prepared cake tin 8 inches in diameter and Vi inches deep Sift flour with salt thrice. Whisk eggs with an electric beater till frothy. Gradu ­ ally add sugar and continue to beat till it is thick and mousse-like and has doubled in volume. (If you beat with a hand beater, place the towl with the eggs and sugar mixture over a bowl of hot water without the bottom of the bowl touching the hot water and whisk till thick and mousse-like, then remove from hot water and continue to beat till the mixture is cool.) In both cases, the mixture, when ready, should form a ‘ribbon ’ when the whisk is lifted from the mixture. Then add juice and rind of lime. Next add flour gradually with a cut and fold movement. Spoon into prepared tin and bake for 20-25 minutes. Then remove from tin onto a wire rack and cool com ­ pletely. In the meanwhile make the fill ­ ing. Lemon Curd Castor sugar (225 gms) Butter (115 gms) Limes (4 large — grated rind and juice) Eggs (3 large — beaten) Salt (a pinch) Put all ingredients in a stainless steel double boiler and cook till thick, taking care not to allow the water in the pan to boil. Do not allow the mixture to boil as it will curdle. Cool and use. Gooseberry Sauce Gooseberries (7^ kg) Sugar (115 gms) Salt (a pinch) Butter (60 gms) Lime (1 —juiced) Cornflour (1 tbsp — mixed with 2 tbsp of cold water) Mix gooseberries, sugar, butter and salt together. Put on a slow fire in a pan, stir ­ ring all the time with a wooden spoon till the sugar has melted, crushing the goose ­ berries slightly. Simmer for 10 minutes till the juice runs out of the gooseberries. Bring to a boil. Add the cornflour mix ­ ture and boil rapidly till the mixture is slightly thickened. If you want a thicker sauce, you can add more of the cornflour mixture. Garnish Lime-flavored cream (115 gms — whipped) To assemble the gateau Split the cake in half. Fill with lemon curd and cover with the other half. Cover cake with whipped cream. Cut into eight portions and place each portion on a half plate. Spoon the sauce over and serve or pour the sauce over the gateau and serve. APRICOT GATEAU (serves 8) (Oven temp 375‘’F 190°C Gas 5) Sponge Plain flour (90 gms) Salt (a pinch) Eggs (3) Castor sugar (130 gms) Prepared 8-inch cake tin Filling Cream (5 ml) Sugar (a little) Brandy (1 tbsp) Topping Dried apricots (250 gms — soaked over ­ night) Apricot jam (1 bottle) Lime(l —juiced) Salt (a pinch) Brandy (1 tbsp) Sugar (2 tbsp) Cloves (2) Cinnamon (7^ -- inch piece) Pralin Almonds (60 gms — unblanched) Castor sugar (60 gms) Place almonds and sugar in a small heavy saucepan. Place pan over a very slow fire and allow sugar to dissolve slowly. Do not stir. As the sugar caramelizes, stir the almonds with a skewer or a metal fork to make sure that they are toasted through. When the whole is a rich brown, turn that on a well-oiled plate and let it cool. When set, remove from plate and crush pralin with a rolling pin and use. Use the ingredients listed to make the sponge as in the previous recipe. Cool and split into two. Keep aside. Simmer apricots with enough water to cover, 2 tbsp sugar and cloves and cinna ­ mon. Cool and carefully remove seeds, keep the apricots whole. Break open the seeds, and remove the kernels. Blanche them in hot water for about 10 minutes. Cool and remove the skin. Keep aside. Put all the jam in a pan with 27^ ml of the water in which the apricots were cooked. Allow it to melt and pass through a sieve. Add brandy and a pinch of salt and keep aside. Make pralin. Crush and keep it aside. To assemble Whip cream and cover one split half of the cake. Cover with the other half. Brush apricot glaze over the top and let it set for a few minutes. Place apricots on top and cover completely. Brush again, heavily this time, with the glaze. Brush the sides of the cake with apricot glaze or a little of the cream. Cover the sides with pralin and decorate with a few blanched apricot kernels. Bon appetit! Bhicoo J. Manekshaw, a graduate of the pres­ tigious Cordon Bleu School of Cookery, Lon­ don, and author of The Traditional Recipes of India, has been associated with many haute cuisine organizations in the country. Required Field Staff For daily newspaper distribution agency in' Bombay city- Candidates will be required to visit various parts of die city early morning, liaise with vendors, follow up for collection and try io increase sales. Wrixe giving foil details to; The Advertiser (Circulation) GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 114 Parsiana March 1991 aMILESTONES A boy to Pervin and Zahir Irani; February 14 A girl to Daizy and Jal Irani', The age of Zoroastrian brides in Bombay — as listed in this issue — ranged between 19 and 37 years, the arithmetic mean (the February 15 total number of individual ages divided by the total number of brides) being 26 years. The cor ­ responding figures for the Dadachanji; February 18 grooms were 25 and 41 years, " averaging at 30. Last month ’s major killer was heart disease claiming 20 victims Sorabjee', February 19 from among the 72 Zoroastrians A girl to Pervin and Farokh who died in Bombay. Fourteen Dotiwalla', February 20 patients fell prey to pneumonia A girl to Keshmira and Porus and seven to old age and general Paghdiwalla', February 20 debility. Diabetes and cancer (four each), liver disease, hyper ­ tension, brain disease and kidney A girl to Annahita and Shapur failure (three each) and tumors Pagdhiwala; February 21 (two) were the other killers. Iso ­ lated cases registered this month; asthma, septicemia, bronchitis, high blood pressure, senility, leu- Daruvala', February 23 kemia, circulatory failure and A boy to Dilnavaz and Cyrus anemia. A 36-year-old male who Heerjee; February 23 committed suicide and a stillborn baby girl were also lost to the community. Ninety-seven was the highest age at death. The data on births, maniages February 27 and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by Married various newsletters and anju ­ mans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This information January 24 is not always complete or con- Havovee Noshirwan Engineer sistent. In the Ixeakup of deaths, (Sadri) and Hormuz Jehangir according to illnesses, espe ­ cially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of Kerman Gustad Master of several diseases. Poona; January 31 If readers have any births/ NiluferTehmtan Karanjia of mairiages/deaths they would Nasik and Rolunton Kersey like published, some proof to Dalal; February 1 ensure the veracity of the report Mehernavaz Behram Kermani would be required. We are sure and Viraf Minocher Ghadiali', our readers would appreciate February 1 this requirement and cooperate with us. A boy to Jeroo and Maneck Bhathena-, February 18 A boy to Pervin and Kairus A girl to Fidelia and Rustom Dubash', February 18 A boy to Naheed and Hormazd A girl to Thrity and Sorab Gimvalla; February 21 A girl to Nazneen and Feroze Katila-, February 22 A girl to Smita and Shiroy A boy to Irandokhi and Rashid Shahlori; February 23 A boy, Huzwak, to Shernawas and Kekobad Batliwala', Dilnawaz Fali Battiwala and Mehernoz Nariman Khambata\ Sethna', Januaiy 11 Keshmira Minoo Tarapore and BOMBAY Born A boy to Kamal and Bomi Damania on February 2, 1991 A girl to Binaifer and Kersey Bhesania; February 5 A boy to Jasmine and Behram Irani; February 5 A girl to Nina and Sharookh Mehta', February 11 A girl to Maharukh and Yazdi Elavia; February 12 A boy to Pourlohi and Boman Dhabhar; February 14 Farida Godrej Irani of Poona and Ardeshir Homi Khushrushai; February 1 Anahita Dara Mistri and Farokh Faramroze Tarapore', February 1 Shernaz Minoo Bamboat and Sammy Jimmy Marfatia', February 2 Arnaz Jal Kootar and Jamshed Farrokh Antia', February 3 yasmin Shapoorji Surti and Sharook Dlianjishaw Kt^radia; February 3 Farzana Purvez Chinot^^d Kali Rustomji Bordiwala; February 4 Mahrukh Dara Patel and Zubin Noshir Sutaria; February 4 Shireen Kekoo Gandhy and Kurush Noshir Jungalwala; February 5 Veer a Sorab Ghandhi and Ruzbeh Naval Barsivala; February 7 Goolshun Burjor Bajan and Viraf Noshir Variava', February 1 Farida Darabshaw Khambatta and Rohinton Dadiba Daruwalla; February 8 Daulat Rustom Irani and Adi Dinshah Irani', February 8 Diana Adi Tarmaster and Kersi Jamshed Tamboly oi Middlesex, U.K.; February 9 Ava Jalejar Lahewala of Surat and Kersasp Firoz Bhot; February 10 Nttaznin Sam Randelia and Farhad Hosi Dhanbhoora', February 10 Mithra Phiroze Mondegarian and Shahzad Behram Kalantary; February 10 Binaifer Aspi Doctor and Bomi Vicajee Patel; February 10 Shernaz Hosang Sidhwa and Kersi Rustomji Void; February 10 Perizad Eruch Dalal and Phiroze Hoshang Dalal; February 11 Firuzeh Sohrab Dubash and Kaikhushroo Burjor Vacha; February 15 Minkoo Nowzer Mehta and Zerxes Noshirwan Subedar; February 16 Kashmira Cawasjee Elavia and Viraf Tehemura^ Avari; February 17 Khushnaaz Keki Kharas and Zubin Manackshaw Mogrelia; February 17 Faryal Bomi Chesson and Homi Adi Katgara, February 18 Franak Phiroz Karai of Poona and Rumy Rusi Kheshwalla, February 19 Khursheed Pervez Daruwalla and Gev Befuam Bharucha; February 21 Mahrukh Rofunton Mobedji and Hoshedar Jmi Cooper, February 21 Sanober Rusi Randelia and Jimmy Ratansha Umrigar; February 21 Manizheh Meluraban Falahati and Firdosh Kaikashru Felfeli; February 23 Homai Dhunjishah Fitter and Dara Jehangir Akolawcda', February 25 Tanaz Noshir Bhathena and Karl Sheri Vaghchhipawala-, February 25 Binaif er Fali Turel and Firdosh Keld Homavazir, February 26 Died Arnavaz Homi Karkaria (75), residing at 9, Ness Baug Annexe 1, Nana Chowk, 400007; January 31 Dilawar Adi Baliwala (41), Tara Mans, 220, Khetwadi Main Rd, 40(X)04; February 2 Merwanji Maneckji Engineer (82), Karani Mans, 780, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; February 3 Jala Darabji Gowadia (16), C/o D. B. Dadachanji, Seth N. Tata Bldg no 1, Bandra, 400050; Fel^ary 3 Dolat Burjor Kapadia (li), H/14, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; February 3 Najamai Kcukhushru Mistry (81), 6/A, Bldg no 1, Dhanbai Wadi, Dadabhai Rd, Vile Parle (W), 400056; February 3 Jimmy Dady Mody (77), Bueno-Vista, Windy Hall Lane, Colaba, 400005; February 3 Framroze Rustomji Choksi (83), A/17, United Chmbs, Grant Rd, 400007; February 4 Lowjee Sortdyi Hodiwala (fJ9), 3, C. D. Sethna Bldg, Golanji HUI, Parel VUlage, 400012; February 4 Dara Nariman Karanjia (51), 573, Umrigar Bldg, Chira Bazar, 400002; February 4 Maneck Sorabji Pavari (85), 16, Happy Home, Forjett Cross St, Gowalia Tank, 400036; February 4 Roshon Maneck Cavasmaneck (fid), dQ3ll5, Adarsh Ngr, Prabhadevi, 400025; February 5 Jer Hormasji Golimar (10), Fatma Villa, Juhu Tara Rd, Santacruz, 400054; February 6 Perin Boman Irani (71), Flat no 8, Radha Bldg, 44, Pavwalla St, 40(X)04; February 6 Adi Jahangir Cooper (65), Happy Home, Forjett Cross St, 400036; February 7 Homi Ratanji Umrigar (69), Vishramalaya, 152, Sion Rd, Sion (E), 400022; February 7 Gaimai Darabshaw Masters (^6), 6, Wadia Bldg, Babulnath Rd, 400007; February 8 115 Parsiana March 1991Framroze Darabshaw Paymaster (70), Dhan Bldg, Dadar Cross Rd, Dadar, 400014; February 8 Darayus Muncherji Shroff (3i6), 41/42, Cozy Home, 251, Pali Hill, Bandra, 400050; February 8 Minocher Rustomji Tanksal- wala (86), G-2/6, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; February 8 Adeser Maneksha Damania (60), 25/4, Sethna Bldg, Old Khar- eghat Clny, 400007; February 9 Khorshed Jamshed Majoo (75), Jamasji Apts, N. Bharucha Marg, Grant Rd, 40(X)07; February 9 Jerbai Maneksha Bajana (86), 10/5, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; February 10 Hilla Dhunjishaw Engineer (88), G-1/11, Shtmur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; February 10 Mondegar Khashru Irani (Mondegarian) (75), 46, Mary Land, Worli, 400018; February 10 Dolly Jal Patel (65), 695, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 4(X)014; February 10 Behramji Palanji Sui (76), Umrigar Agiary, Mora Bunder, Raigad, Dist Uran, 4{X)702; February 10 Hillabai Cawasji Poonjiaji (97), Master Patel Chmbs, Cinema Rd, 400020; February 11 Godrej Behramji Mandviwalla (53), Kaka Bldg, 648, Firdausi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; February 12 Perin Feroze Saryana (69), E, Fazalbhai Mans, New Marine Lines, 400020; February 13 Maneckshaw Ratanshaw Tavadia (76), C, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 40(X)34; February 13 Tehmina Homi Chacha (89), Flat no 19, 51, Contractor Bldg, Near Victoria Garden, 400027; February 14 Framrose Kuverji Asli (81), 9, Gool Mhl, N. Bharucha Marg, 400007; February 15 Navalsha Dhanjishaw Elavia (91), Modi Hse, 9, Padamsi Rd, Near Dreamland Cinema, . 40(X)04; February 15 Jerbai Behramji Keswalla (86), B/14, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; February 15 Putla Rustomji Messman (83), Shirin Manzil, Walton Rd, Electric Hse, 400039; February 15 Framroze Shapurji Sukhia (93), Botawalla Bldg, 56, Bomanji Master Rd, 400002; February 16 Dady Jijibhoy Billimoria (78), 2/20, A. H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; February 17 Khorshed Nariman Buchia (62), D-89/90, Bhiwandiwala Ter, Dhobitalao, 400002; February 17 Aloo Nariman Forbes (79), R/16, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; February 17 Naja Sorabji Gazdar (83), 15/A, Shirin Manzil, Sleater Rd, 400007; February 17 Framroze Kaikhusroo Mistry (71), Veera Hse, 247, Dr Cawasji Hormusji St, 400002; February 17 Gool Dadabhoy Elchidana (76), Tehmi Villa, 798, Jame Jamshed Rd, 400014; February 18 Hiraji Bomanji Gandhy (88), Vimadalal Bldg, 731, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; Felnuary 18 Banoo Jehangir Lelinwala (70), 220/E, The Reward Bldg, Tardeo, 400007; February 18 Minoo Cooverji Taraporvala (68), Maneknagar, Tumsar, Dist Bhandara, 441904; February 18 Godrej Naoroji Unwala (79), 606/609, Mercury Apts, Hiranandani Complex, Samarth Ngr, 400058; February 18 Aren Jehangir Balsara (75), 3, Petit Block, Jamshedji Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; February 19 Framroj Cawashaw Choksey (85), Seervai Bldg, Wimbridge Comp, Sleater Rd, 400007; February 19 Rustom Jehangir Cooper (75), N. E. Dinshaw Bldg, 2, Babulnath Rd, 400(M)7; February 19 Bachamai Eruchshaw Engineer (75), 785/A, M. J. Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; February 19 Banoo Rashid Irani (70), 3/27, Tata Co-op Hsg Soc, Parel, 400012; February 19 Russa Sorabji Ginwala (73), Rehmat Manor, Sophia College Lane, Warden Rd, 400026; February 20 Jimi Navroji Guzdar (86), Baug-e-Sara, 16, Nepean Sea Rd, 400006; February 20 Phiroza Faramroz Mehta (75), Sidhwa Bldg, 221, Princess St, 400(X)2; February 20 Rustam Sorabjee Mevawalla (79), 15, Mantri Residency, Kersi Jalejar Colabawalla-, January 11, 1991 Ira Rajendra and Pervez Sherosh Kaikobad-, January 28 Aundh, Pune, 411003; February 20 Dina Homi Bardoliwala (63)^ 11/A, Jehangir Baug, Juhu Rd, Juhu, 400049; February 21 Sorab Ardeshir Alamshaw (81), Zenith Mans, 10, Nusserwanji Petit St, 400007; February 22 Sonabai Nariman Gimi (75), Avan Lodge, 40, Waterfield Rd, Bandra, 400050; February 22 Sam Hosangji Dastoor (60), X31/11, Godrej Clny (Creek Side), Vikhroli (E), 400079; February 23 Freny Ardeshir Madon (64), Mota Mans, Tardeo, 400(X)7; February 23 Shirinbai Cawasji Mahuvewalla (86), N/10, Dalal Est, Lamington Dina Cawas Sethna (86), Rd, 400008; February 23 ' Sohrab Rustomji Avari (90), 3, Haji Habib Bldg, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; February 24 Phiroz Jehangirji Dotiwalla (79), Family Hse, 793, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; February 24 Adi Dinshaw Mottrfaram (81), 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; February 24 Bachamai Munchershaw Harvar (80), 10, Modi Hse, Masjid St, Fort, 400<X)l ; February 25 Jahangir Homi Karbluiri (70), J. J. Dharamshala, Shanker Fufatu Rd, Nagpada. 400008; February 25 Rattan Cawasjee Mehta (64), 3, Mehta Ter, Dadi Santok Lane, Dhobitalao, 4(X)002: February 25 Diana Pesi Shroff (6i), Sharda Sadan, 7, Kohinoor Rd, Dadar, 4(K)014; February 25 Hosang Darasha Bharucha (50), Spencer Lodge, New Kant Wadi, Perry Cross Rd, Bandra, 400050; February 26 Baby girl of Dilnavaz Hormus Goolestar (stillborn), Pushpa Niwas, Uranwala St, Grant Rd, 400007; February 26 Firozshaw Vikaji Wadia (75), Old Wadia Chawl, Chandanwadi, Princess St, 400002; February 26 Bachoo Homi Engineer (71), Orient Hse, 666, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 40(X)14; February 27 POONA Died Maneck Ardeshir Cama (11), K. P. Tower, Fatima Ngr, 411013; February 3 Sillo Darabsha Chindhy (66), 1970, West St, 411001; February 9 Nariman Sorabji Saugar (79), 4/402, Pundol Apts, 160, M. G. Rd, 411001; February 14 Dady Ardeshir Sethna (90), River Crest Apts, 14/A, Boat Club Rd, 411001; February 19 La Shanz, Boat Club Rd, 411001; February 23 Dinbai Pirojsha Surtia (95), Khodadad Mans, Ma Parvez Rd, 411002; February 25 SECUNDERABAD Born A girl, Peenaz, to Mr and Mrs Meherwan Asundaria-, October 16,1990 A boy, Nashwan, to Mr and Mrs Astad Bokdawala-, October 23 A boy, Cheraag, to Mr and Mrs Behroze Salzeh, November 27 A girl, Nazneen, to Mr and Mrs Keld Irani; December 16 A girl, Shernaz, to Mr and Mrs Rolunton Bhathena; December 24 Married Fashutuna Rohinton Debara and Sam Phirozshah Bhagat; December 17 Died Hormusji N. Italia (85); September 8 Keikhushroo S. Irani (84) of Warangal; October 10 Jdlejar S. BankwallafflX)', October 23 Jinnie P. Gharda (79); November 9 Dina Sohrabji (90); December 13 Goolbai D. Mehta (100); December 21 Jehangir Billimoria (78); December 23 <1 ¦I CALCUTTA Born A boy. Jamshed, to Trista and Cyrus Madan-, November 8, 1990 Married Bapsy Dinshaji Sadri and TOTALS (for this issue) Births: Boys 13, Girls 14 Marriages: Parsi 39 Intercommunal 1 Deaths: 86 Compiled by Roxana 11. Kaka 116 Parsiana March 1991