Aug 1991

AUGUST 1991 Rs 10EDITOR 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 August 1991 Volume 14 Number 2 3 Readers ’ Forum 19 Events and Personalities 27 Zoroastrians Abroad 33 Federation on adoption by Parinaz Gandhi 44 A portrait of poverty by Gustasp Irani 52 The Steadfast Stalwarts by Burjor Karanjia 60 An exchange of flowers by James Boyd and Ron Williams 69 The number one problem: Sth WZC Questionnaire Findings OFFICE f^jendra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia D’Silva, Bakhtavar Batliwalla, Nowzer Batliwala, Bindu Pillai, Sugatha S. Kurup 77 Khusro Rustamji: “We had a winning team ” 85 Fall Nariman: Spare the honor 90 Rustom Soonawala: A doctor in labor 96 “I sing with paint ” 100 Recipes by Bhicoo Manekshaw 104 A royal laugh by Yasmin Poonegar 110 Milestones 117 In Memoriam Cover: The Afrinagan ritual illusA'ation by M. A. Kesel 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 subsaiption 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 400001 iREADERS’ FORUM fc» ? t»»»fji » fl IrSI 'tt Hi •?>*?»»»» IM » »» »l • M . ». . .IHtHIHIthl., ’ lb »r»»H»»».»»’SP'i M»»f»»•»»»*»>»•* >• "*¦- *«*•*•; ..J Bl I Mr Nariman K. Balsara, also of Bom- from the Sacred Books of the East (SEE) ~ '1 — Darmesteter ’s translations which are hotel. He too was a bom Bombayite and quite old and antiquated. This is not to say > left a good job to start his hotel. that the Vendidad is on par with the holy |K* I have seen, both these lads work very Gathas. Far from it. This is the book hard and without feeling ashamed of which has been highly tampered and at S « doing Tow ’ work like carrying crates and places written in corrupted Avesta which »• delivering them to customers or washing shows its tampering (Vendidad, Fargd. 4 Vt dishes and standing at the tables, taking xiii, verses 31-35), and also gives magical formulae of chanting certain passages bay, came down to Bardoli to run a small left a good job to start his hotel. I have seen, both these lads work very Gathas. Far from it. This is the book kW 4 dishes and standing at the tables, taking orders. Further, there are two more lads from from the holy Gathas twice, thrice, four Bombay who are leaving their very good times, etc (Vendidad, Fargd. ix, verse 46) jobs with reputed companies and intend to achieve results by short cut and this settling down in Bardoli. One is starting a does not fit the reflective religion of Zara- poultry farm while the other is taking over thushtra. There exists enough scholastic his family farm for cultivating sugarcane, knowledge among the present Zoroastrian etc. I am sure there will be many such cases in other towns and villages where ious environment, too young Parsis from cities like Bombay, having good jobs, opt for hard labor-ori ­ ented work. If this is happening then I am sure we Parsis will once again be the lead ­ ers and pioneers of trade and industry in India. m.r.bhoja Baidoli savants to retranslate the Vendidad to as ­ sess its rightful place in the present relig- I can well imagine that in anger McIn ­ tyre has written that “Kotwal ” is not an Avestan name but the fact of the matter is, the great majority of Parsi surnames are not derived from Avesta. The history of how Parsi families had to take the last names during the British Raj may or may not be known to her (for example there existed a last name — “Soda-water-bottle I “What heritage must we...” . The comment “What heritage must we openerwala ” — because the guy ’s work Readers' views are welcome on any subject preserve? ” by Dina McIntyre (Parsiana, only involved opening soda bottles in of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Leiters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those keen to fight over issues facing the com- without an address will not be published. May 1991) is very interesting indeed. It marriage or ghambar gatherings, etc), seems that Parsi history repeats itself and as usual we, the Parsis, are always very community will always remain a catch 22 question. Zoroastrian religion is funda ­ munity rather than solving them in a calm mentally a proselytizing religion as can be and cool manner. clearly seen from the Gathas, the Ydsna The McIntyre article has been written Haptangaity and several other Avestan in anger as for example, others ’ opinions literature as well, besides the Pahlavi “are dead wrong ” and the conduct of the writings and the Persian Rivayats. It is a historical fact, however, that our forefa- givable. ” As I know her, she is a very thers in their utmost wisdom had stopped fine, dignified, rational, cool and calm conversion and that may have help^ us in preserving our ethnic uniqueness and In all honesty, I think that it should be prevented us from being absorbed ^ong Conversion and marriage out of the “Where there was...” I would like to comment upon the article on Central Bank ’s Noshir Mistry (“Where Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) “unfor- there was opportunity, there was a Parsi, ” Parsiana, May 1991). Mr Mistry wants us to believe that person, young Parsi boys lack the will to work hard and think it is below their dignity to pointed out that ancient Iranian history the multitude of natives of the land where do menial work. vis-a-vis the Shah Namah as given by her we were granted asylum when we first I do not agree with these statements of is not well balanced, and the following came as refugees to preserve our religion. Mr Mistry and why I do not agree can be historical facts should be noted: “Al- Had we wanted to preserve our lives, we seen from the following instances. though Chosroes II had succeeded (in would have converted to the religion of About six years ago, a Parsi youth of stretching) the frontiers of the Sassanian the conquerors of Zoroastrian Iran. about 35 years started an aerated waters empire almost to the limit of the Acheme- But now, as we face extinction, new factory (manufacturing various sweet nid empire... he was imprisoned and foresight and outlook are badly needed drinks), in the town of Bardoli. His name killed with the connivance of his son Shi- to preserve once again the great religion is Mr Pervez Bahman Mehta. Mehta was roe (Richard Frye, The History of Ancient of Prophet Zafathushtra. Maybe in the born, bred and worked in Bombay. He Iran, pp 336-337, Munchen-Beck 1983).” new settings in the West, Zoroastrianism was employed by Bank of Baro^ and This infamous son, from his wife of alien may flourish and grow and again, maybe held a good position when he left the bank faith had thus laid the foundation of total new blood will be infused and a new after about 17 years of meritorious service ‘ ' - in Bombay, and mind you, all his rela ­ tions were, and are, in Bombay. empire almost to the limit of the Acheme- destruction of the mighty Zoroastrian awakening will come. But we Parsis have empire. not to fear. We.can still be Parsi Zoroas- Ms McIntyre has extensively quoted trians while the new entrants will be non ­ > 3 Parsiana August 1991ZZZPATETI SAL MUBARAK Royal Sweets say things in style Royal Sweets. The taste that’s near. And dear. For your convenience Royal Sweets have branches at 4 focal points in Bombay. Crawford Market. Grant Road. Byculla. Bandra. Wherever you buy from, you can get your sweetmeats packed in the same distinctive Royal packing. So that when you gift somebody Royal Sweets they can be ' sure they are getting ' the best. f; t Rj«ftL --------- SWEETS............ Every bite tastes just right. Mein Retail Outlet: Opp. Crawford Market, Bombay-400 003. Tel; 329414/344108 Branches: Grant Road, Bombay-400 007. Tel: 352972 Byculla, Clare Road, Opp. St. Agnes High School, Bombay-400 008. Tel: 3094262 Bandra, Sona Shoppirig Centre, Bomb^-400 050. Tel: 6425997 KITASU-RS-3 4 Parsiana August 1991 Parsi Zoroastrians. But in present times, even as the Hormuzd Yasht says several names of Ahura Mazda, so must we also be benevolent, knowledgeable and toler ­ ant of the views of others. Dr PALLAN R. ICHAPORIA Womelsdorf, Pa, USA Dina G. McIntyre ’s article (“What heri ­ tage must we preserve? ” Parsiana, May 1991), where she states that “everyone knows that Vedic and Gathic are sister languages and that Zarathushtra ’s people and the people of the Vedas shared a com ­ mon ancestry ” was interesting. However, does “everyone ” know this? Dr Ali Jafarey ’s interesting article on the equal status of men and women in the Gathic period (Women venerated and victimized, ” Parsiana, April 1991), brought to mind Shakuntala Rao Shastri ’s book Women in Vedic Times (BVB publi ­ cation). In a chapter on Atharva-Vedic times she shows how Zoroastrianism was responsible for the liberating influences on those times, and how Aryap/Zoroas- trian thought, fused across a wider, north ­ ern intercontinental sphere. For those who put down the Hindu-Zoroastrian link to the physical presence of Zoroastrians much later it is a revelation to know that the ’twain had met much, much earlier and the world of ideas flies lighter, faster and leaves a lasting impress. Perhaps your magazine could, with the help of scholars like these develop the theme further. It seems relevant and ur ­ gent to Zoroastrians (albeit a fast reducing minority) in India today. Ms S. N. NANPORIA “Decreasing... figures?” I refer to “Decreasing world figures? ” (Events and Personalities, Parsiana, May 1991). My friends and I have tried to work out how the figures of 27 and 216 for great ­ grandchildren have been arrived at. I would like you to enlighten me, fail ­ ing which I wish to approach Ms Jessica Mathews. p- s. da ver The Editor replies The statement assumes that the rate of re ­ production remains constant in each case. Thus, if a lady has three children and they have three children each, there will be (3x3=) nine grandchildren who will produce (9x3=) 27 great-grandchil ­ dren in their turn. At the rate of six chil ­ dren each, the initial six produce (6x6=) 36 grandchildren and (36x6=) 216 great ­ grandchildren.In Ahmedabad The CAMA is simply the best “Family figures” What does Ms Malini Karkal mean — that all the Malkanis and Vasvanis, Shahs and Patels, Puris and Khannas, Shettys and Nambiars, Ibrahim Alis and Suleman Bhais, Krishnans and Venkatramans are Maharashtrians? (“Family Figures, ’ Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, May 1991). They quite abound in Bombay. I suggest she ask some of them and see. ‘Maharashtrian ’ is a politicized label of convenience attached to the Marathi speaking peoples. With her nationalist bend she must have noted that the na ­ tional anthem goes “...Punjab, Sind, Gujarat, Maratha... ” and not Maharashtra which is a much later invention. If during a press conference a correspondent had asked Shivaji Maharaj, “Sir, as a Mahar ­ ashtrian king how do you see... ” he would not have quite understood what was meant. He may have just replied, “for my Maratha people I see a bright future... ” As for the belongingness of the Parsis, she need not worry. When they came, there were no Maharashtrians around. There were only Marathas, if at all. F. M. SOONAWALLA Lucknow ? 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 ? ? ir NEED WE SAY MORE Cama cares for you coma hotel Khanpur, Ahmedabad, India Tel: 25281 (9 lines) I do not know how you acquisced to Ms Malini Karkal ’s suggestion that all Parsis living in Maharashtra are Maharashtrians. If a Parsi takes up a job in Bengal does he become, overnight, a Bengali? And then with a job in the Punjab, does he sud ­ denly become a Punjabi? No, of course not. Central government servants are of ­ ten shifted from north zone to south zone, etc. That doesn ’t mean that their linguis ­ tic or religious classification also changes. Are the Gujaratis in Maharash ­ tra all Maharashtrians? None of the Gujaratis would agree to that. A Sikh remains a Sikh whether he resides in Andhra Pradesh or Arunachal Pradesh. Yes, we are all Indians first and" last; fur ­ ther categorization can only be on the ba ­ sis of mother tongue or religion, not ac ­ cording to the state where he resides. Dr RD. SUNAVALA “Highway rider” A small error has crept into the distance I covered every day in the course of my trip from Kanyakumari to Delhi (“Highway rider, ” Parsiana, May 1991). I travelled 200,-250 kms per day, on an average, and not 50-55 kms as printed in your report. The support given by Parsiana on my two earlier missions, has inspired me to attempt one more from the west coast of 6 Parsiana August 1991assa nr 'J » f 1 > / ! rv^ ’ «:L '>¦ « X5» ( .( kxIH ;=^; -^Z' ...A •«. «';?j ?** fl i^**^*7i j M H. .'*¦ i MUBASy^ i J r ( §c|^iun 9-r To ^^AgA^LMlGHTV MERClF^^g??^^ PRAYS ?O^ pfOF OUR BEEO^uS a^^OTHERS and SiSTEj^g ^'rto have eecome one 'wntt AWD r a 'SUGAR IN MlLlC, all over we^Sod. E blossom of BROTHERftOO ^u/''^'? ’' °*'r friends elernalW Sni^ day of the ne>w ^d health, new spiril, and che i ¦st r I 1 Ml % ‘ ! ¦> i X ^7 >V'^ ¦>' // { I ^... ..Tar . .' ¦¦—• amarsons collcctio^i '•^ * I ® 1 DEPARTMENT STORE • BREACH CANDY BOMBAY-26.PHONE: 8225130. 8227746. * 2» SKYLARK-91* Get Good Value For Your Money * VISIT Railway Refreshment Room India (Porbander) to the far east, right up to the Burma border, and, if I am able to obtain the permission of the government of Burma, to drive up to Rangoon and re ­ turn by ship, a total distance of 4,000 to 5,000 kms. The last two missions were for the joy of it, with no thought of any record. How ­ ever, this time I am hoping to set a record in our community for being the first Parsi, over 65 years, crossing the length and breadth of India all alone (as no one will be with me on this trip) on a moped, which I don ’t think has ever been at ­ tempted before in our community any ­ where in the world. Undoubtedly the younger set may have achieved the same on their fast and heavy machines travelling at speeds of 90-100 kms/hour but to keep a steady speed of 40 kms/hour at the age of 68, is a difficult task in itself, and I have done that on my previous missions. I hope to prove that the pioneering spirit of our forefathers re ­ mains undimmed. d. c. patell Secondenbad Railway Hotel Bldg Chami Road Grant Road Junction Bombay 400004 Tel. No. 351028 * Beer Parlour Permit Room * The error is regretted - Ed. “Dinshaw Petit, I refer to the article “Dinshaw Petit, the Genial Gentleman ” by Amavaz S. Mama (Parsiana, April 1991), and take excep ­ tion to the statement herein stating that “the Bomanji Petit branch is now ex ­ tinct. ” My sister Sylla and I are great-grand ­ daughters of Bomanji, our mother being Coomie Vakharia, n6e Coomie Petit. Her father Dhunjibhoy Petit and her brother, Manekji Petit were both chairmen of the B.D. Petit Parsee General Hospital during their lifetime. My mother also has cousins, de ­ scended from Sohrab and Maki Moos (nde Maki Petit who was a daughter of Bomanji Petit) and they also have chil ­ dren as we do — so we certainly do not like being referred to as extinct. Maybe, what Ms Mama meant is that there are no descendents of Bomanji Petit who still carry the Petit name. In that she would be correct. m» roshan cooper Pune “The Gallant Decades” I read “The Gallant Decades ” (Parsiana, March 1991) with great interest and pride. In this article, on page 61, you have mentioned “Capt. J. M. Cursetji. ” There is a slight error: he was Hirajee Jehangir Manockjee Cursetjee of the Indian Medi ­ cal Service (IMS): all the rest is practi- WHAT? NEVER HEARD OF PARAGON TOY SHOP? MY GOODNESS! It’s a shop with a good selection of TOYS, DOLLS CYCLES, SCOOTERS, PEDAL CARS, EDUCATIONAL TOYS, PRESENTATION BOOKS, PUZZLES, NOVELTIES, ETC Established in 1943 in Calcutta Branch in Bombay since 1971 A shop known for reasonable rates & good service.Many families have been our regular customers for 3 to 4 generations now ADDRESS No 108, Heera Panna Shopping Centre (With car paricing space) Bhulabhai Desai Road (Old Warden Road) Near Haji All Bombay 400026 8 Parsiana August 1991Roxan Darshan Shah... ” Parsiana, March cally correct. He was wounded at Gal- Roxan Darshan Shah... ” Parsiana, March to five holy places, Rs 10,000 towards lipoli where he won the Distinguished 1991) to allow Parsi women who have helping deserving Parsi peasants, Rs ¦’ ’ ¦¦ 15,000 towards the betterment of athra- vans. During muktad, 180 families will re ­ ceive three kg rice, two kg dal, one kg sugar, one kg ghee, 500 gms sev (ver ­ Service Order (DSO). married non-Parsis the grudging privilege He was my mother ’s kaka'3 (father ’s of using the Tower of Silence provided brother) son. Not only did he get the rank they agree to the official status of un ­ touchables: To require an entrance ticket in the form of an affidavit, a “special _ place earmarked for the purpose ” — what micelli) and 250 gms tea per family nonsense! Dogs and horses and Parsi men don ’t have their pedigree cancelled if they choose the ‘wrong ’ mate. Why this very special and different treatment to the Blanket aid K women? msmahroukvevaina Six years ago, distressed by the plight of our needy Zoroastrians, a few of us la ­ dies got together and started a Zoroas ­ trian Winter Relief Fund encouraged by Kg Calcutta I I member, up to a maximum of three. Dr SAM S. BHACCA President, Surat Parsi Punchayet We organized a blanket drive, and in 1985, we distributed over a thousand blankets, covering those in need in Grateful for bounties Members of the Zoroastrian Association Ms Mitha Rustom Marazban (Mummy). I of Greater New York, the Iranian Zoroas- I trian Association, the Zoroastrian Asso- I ciation of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Zoroastrian Association of Greater Gujarat villages and in Bombay city. The Boston Area, and the Zoroastrian Asso ­ ciation of Pennsylvania got together at the annual luncheon organized by Ms Perin of major general during World War II and Erach Munshi and Ms Mehroo and (1939-45), but was knighted and titled Lovji Cama and had fun. Honorary Physician to the King. To show their gratefulness to Ahura This is just to give you more insight Mazda for bounties received in the shape into my mother ’s illustrious family, the of continued prosperity, health and happi- Manockjee Cursetjees. ness of the whole community in America, My great-grandfather, Mr Manockjee they collected a sizable amount for the Cursetjee, was the first Indian to become maintenance of atash bahrams at Surat chief judge of the Small Causes Court at and Navsari, and especially the holy Iran- Bombay. He was the one to start The Al ­ exandra Girls ’ English Institution in 1865, which is still functioning with more Rs 71,263 has been sent to the Surat Parsi than 800 girls on its rolls. He was twice Punchayet to be distributed as under: Rs sheriff of Bombay — in 1856 and again in 1863. M» PERIN M.R.B.JEEJEEBHOY s 12,600 to 42 Parsi priests, Rs 16,500 to 165 nassessalars, etc, Rs 15,000 as kathi Manockjee Cursetjee: pioneered female education shah at Udwada. One-third of their collection, namely the mstter of...” The Iranshah (right) and fire-temples at Let ’s hope the Parsi community does not Navsari (below left) and Surat: accept the Bombay Parsi Punchayet ’s de- worshipped, long distance, from North c.isinn f “In the matter of the late Ms America Photos. Homyar Mistry, Homz Prints 11 Parsiana August 1991editors of The Bombay Satnachar and the Jam-e-Jamshed have played a major role in our success by giving due publicity. Because of the continuous flow of dona ­ tion from well-wishers, we have not looked back since then. Year after year articles of necessity like bed linen, sudrehs, pyjamas, gowns, woollen gar ­ ments, utensils, kusti, clothes old and new, renovated furniture and so on, have been distributed to the unfortunate and needy of our community. In the 18-month period (January 1990 to June 1991) a sum of Rs 35,000 was utilized for the distribu ­ tion of abovd articles, and financial aid for education, medicines, weddings, navjotes, etc. But for the bountiful help of large hearted individuals and trusts this would have been impossible. The pressing demand this year, is again for blankets. In these days of price escalation, the lowest cost per blanket is Rs 100. To reach a majority of those in need, we should aim at a target of mini ­ mum l,(X)0 blankets. Our accounts are open for your scru ­ tiny and every paise is accounted for. Cash by money order or cheques may be drawn in favor of the “Zoroastrian Winter Relief Fund ” and despatched C/o Ms Kumi J. Daroowala, 16/1, Rustom Baug, Sant Savta Marg, Bombay 40(X)27, or Ms Shirin Manekshana, Nariman Parsi Girls Orphanage, Shahpore, Surat 395003 or Dr (Ms) Amy Gustadji, 8/526, Bamji Wad, Navsari 396445. "Lift out of order again” **We don't want a new lift" "Call Concord” "Concord services old lifts "Concord converts them to electronic elevators” **But ours is ancient"' "Our push buttons are missing” "Concord installs vandal proof self- illuminating touch buttons” "Our doors don't open and close” Ms KUMI J. DAROOWALA Ms SHIRIN N. MANEKSHANA Dr (Ms) AMY GUSTADJI and other committee membeis of die Zoroastrian Winter Relief Fund "Concord "We don't can make them have a automatic” liftman” "Concord uses the latest technology, minimum maintenance” "This calls for a celebration” *‘Just call Concord'* Tavadia hit for WZO In June this year, London saw the per ­ formance of an old Homi Tavadia hit, Pestonjee na Parakram, by a group of very talented, hardworking amateurs. The play was directed by an old colleague of Homi ’s, Mr Dara Madon. He had been flown in from Bombay and hosted by Rumi and Hilda Sethna at great personal cost . Homi Tavadia was an actor, director, writer, magician and at times worked as a legal authority, but above all else he was a man driven by a passionate desire to be involved in any good cause or char ­ ity. I had the immense good fortune to be associated with him as a cast member of the Parsi Medical Amateurs from 1969 when he took over as our director. That our shows were such big hits and we were Sdie to ctJiieci and donate'large funds was CONCORD ELEVATOR Telephone 2041830 2047460 C0N CORD Maintained & Supplied by Zaina Electric & Mechanic Works Prospect Chambers Annexe, 2nd fl D.N. Road, Bombay 400001 13 Parsiana August 1991I L. in large measure due to his good humor and very able stewardship. It was there ­ fore an even greater thrill for me to hear a sell-out audience enjoy and applaud the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) show. The WZO has worked diligently for the poor, particularly the destitute Par ­ sis of Gujarat. Wherever he is now, in his special place in heaven, Homi must be smiling and chuckling at the thought of his play being put to such a good cause. DrNUSLYP. J.POCHA Job-oriented scholarship Through the Bai Dinbai F. S. Patuck Me ­ morial Scholarship Zoroastrian women are helped to learn a trade or a non-aca ­ demic profession where training is for a short period i.e. one year or less. After that the individual is able to earn a decent income and be self-supporting. The courses for which this scholarship is available include Montessori and kin ­ dergarten diplomas in teachers ’ training, handicraft training, home science, nurs ­ ing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nutrition, studies in computer science, typing, shorthand, telephpne operating, b^utician and hair dressing, and librari ­ anship. Scholarship for these sort of courses ESTD 1850 JEWELLERY Well-reputed firm for buying guaranteed gold ornaments & jewellery. We pay highest price for old gold & jewellery ornaments. (Approved Valuers by Govt of India for Jewellery) M/s Franiji Rustamji Choksey 253 Sheikh Memon Street Bombay 400002 Tel 325422/342639, Resi 251118 a Sa n With Best Compliments From 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 noTsit I MJ There ’s everything. ! Simply everything / from a friendly I welcome to a I personalised service. \ You ’ll find all the \ comforts eind luxuries V of a 5 star hotel at 3 star cost, amidst the right atmosphere of grandeur. ! The rooms are air conditioned and I equipped with telephones, 4 I channel T.V. and piped music. We \ also provide rooms to accommodate 25 to 125 persons for seminars, meetings and receptions. Our restaurant offers you a wide choice of muglai, Chinese and continental dishes and our bar the finest choice to stimulate your appetite and mood. Come wy time. You ’ll love being here. We ’ll make you smile in everything we do. W{ II J Ballard Estate, Bombay-400 038 PHONE: 261 8211. X CABLE; GRANDOTEL \»'l 4 ir i sW b Forever pleasant forever yours X I o ¦i t ¦H r- 1 /'.I pears as Rajivratua Birjees Gandhi. Silloo Sam Commissariat of the Bai R. F. (Right) At the Bombay Parsi Punchayet The Delhi Parsi Anjuman summoned a D. Panday Girls ’ High School and Ms convened condolence meeting for Rajiv meeting on May 26 to condole 47-year- Roshen Phiroze Framji Driver of the Byr- Gandhi old Rajiv ’s death when president Lt Gen amjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Insti- (Left) Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi (far right) Adi Sethna reminisced: “Many of us in tution and Junior College (BJPC) — were interacting with members of the Surat this hall will recall the carefree laughing honored by the Bombay Association of delegation in Delhi Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who was Heads of Secondary Schools for their (Below, from left) Educationists with us together with his charming...wife “dedicated service as principal and (for) Engineer, Commissariat andDriver: less than two years ago at pateti... Some valuable contribution in the field of "dedicated service as principal ” of us will also remember his visit with Ms Indira Gandhi in 1984... He took easily from piloting the Avros and Boeings to piloting the ship of (the) state of India be ­ cause the mainsprings of his personality were his own instincts: those of a gentle ­ man. ” The Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Mhow noted in its resolution, “His grace and bravery in political defeat, his charm ­ ing personality and endearing smile, will always be remembered. ” When unable to attend the World Zoroastrian Organisation ’s (WZO)awards function at Bombay ’s Raj Bhavan on March 2 this year, Rajiv had sent a mes ­ sage, reportedly his last to the commu ­ nity. A copy of the message was for ­ warded to Parsiana by WZO member to the students and ex-students who turn reading, music, cooking and gardening, Dadi Mistry. It read: “It is a tribute to the to her for guidance, notes a press release, genius of the Indian civilization, and to A regular participant at different educa- the good sense of the Zoroastrian commu- tional seminars and World Education Fel- nity, that the Zoroastrians have been able lowship Conferences, for over 25 years classes in 2Loroastrian studies and navjote to live in this country in perfect security, peace and harmony, without any interfer- over All India Radio and used to contrib- ence in their identity, customs, usages and religious practices while at the same time considering themselves to be Indians first and last, and contributing in full measure at the Panday School where she has been suits at the SSC (Secondary School Cer- to the building of modem India... (The principal for the last 15 years and before tificate) board examinations, for making Zoroastrians) have helped make our that its head teacher for eight years. Of it a co-educational school, for introducing world a better place in which to live. ” the approximately 1,050 children on the junior college facilities, for introducing School ’s roll, 101 are Zoroastrians, she the school band and rifle shooting as Principals win honors informs. Commissariat, who always cocurricular activities, for expanding the Three principals of Parsi founded schools wanted to be a teacher from her early laboratories and libraries and for starting — Ms Mani Dhunjishaw Engineer df the childhood, says: “I love children, espe- job-oriented classes like electronics at the Alexandra Girls ’ English Institution, Ms cially the handicapped. We have several post-SSC level. education. ” Mg J J ¦ 20 Parsiana August 1901 ^¦1 o I 5 During her 41 years ’ association with of ±em in our school. ” Herself interested Alexandra, Engineer has endeared herself in subjects like Vedic literature, yoga. Commissariat has introduced these co- curricular activities for the benefit of her students too. The School also conducts Engineer broadcasted school programs prayers, she adds. As principal of the Byramjee Ute articles to a technical journal for Jeejeebhoy Institution for the last 20 teachers, notes her curriculum vitae. years. Driver has been credited for the For 34 years Commissariat has taught school ’s achievement of cent per cent re-Yet another principal to win acclaim Poonawalla was presented the Mother In- continue with its charitable activities, as for her outstanding contribution to educa- dia International Gold Award at the hands notes the appeal for advertisements. “To tion was Ms Nergish Daruwalla of the of the former President of India Giani Zail keep the Mancherji Joshi Colony a place Hindi Vidya Bhavan who was felicitated Singh, reads a news clipping in The Times worth living in, a place to be proud of, a by the state government on Republic Day of India dated February 6. place that could be an example for others last January, informs the Jam-e-Jamshed to follow in their efforts to provide whole- of February 10,1991. The USeful guide some living conditions for our people, ” is She is presently a member of the Asso- The fourth edition of the directory of the what the DMPZA is striving towards, the ciation of British Council Scholars, the Mancherji Joshi Colony at Dadar where release mentions. World Education Fellowship, the World reside the largest concentration of Zoroas- Council for Curriculum and Instruction I . . and the World College of Experimental 1991, according to Jehangir R. Gazder, Learning, notes the write-up. Daniwalla committee member of The Dadar-Ma- has also been privileged to represent the tunga Parsi-Zoroastrian Association state at various educational seminars and (DMPZA) which is publishing the direc ­ conventions, adds the write-up. tory. In addition to listing the names, ad- Poonawalla feted twice dresses and telephone numbers of resi- brought out the fourth edition of his book The president of the Serum institute of dents in each building, the fourth edition India Research Foundation (SII) Dr Cyrus will also mention the blood groups of the Soli Poonawalla was presented the Man of the Year Shiromani Award 1990 by the major landmarks in Dadar, a map of the intended to be a standard text and a refer- then Prime Minister of India Chandra Shekhar on February 26, 1991, notes a Right: Dinshaw (left) press release. with Air Marshal Fifty-year-old Poonawalla is member Minoo Engineer trians in Bombay will be out in September Brain and brawn “Food for the brain and the brawn in a militant red jacket. ” Handy for those “who find the need for physical action when humility and good manners are of no effect. ” These are the reviews re ­ ceived by Sensei Farokh Dinshaw who Parsi-Zoroastrian The Code of Bushido in early ’91. Reportedly the first book on karate , occupants. The founders of the Colony, written by an Indian author. The Code is . 'A' I* i ST I 1 ence manual for all prospective martial Left: Vaccine artists, claims the author. The text and expert Poonawalla graphics in the book explain the basic ka- (in white suit) rate terms, major styles of martial art, being felicitated by weapon training, 140 basic karate tech- Chandra Shekhar niques and other points related to the art. Anecdotes from Oriental classics and the question-answer format adopted in the of the Vaccine Production Board and the Colony, names and telephone numbers of latter part of the book make interesting expert group of the Science Advisory educational and civic institutions, and reading. Committee, both of the Government of medical facilities available in the vicinity India, and on the expert committee to as- of the Colony will also be presented in knowledge from the experience he has sess the vaccine production capacities and this edition, as it had been in the earlier gained over the years when he trained need for upgradation of technology, in- editions of 1937, ’64 and ’81, notes a under Sensei Pervez Mistry “who taught forms his bio data. The SII which he press release from the Association. me my first punch, ” Shihaan Teruo Ch- heads supplies serums and vaccines that have resulted in import substitution. In fact, the SII fully handles the country ’s Rs 25 each. Additional finance for the shi Eiichi Miyazato who “opened my eyes requirement of measles vaccines for its publication was raised through advertise- to what lies beyond the physical forms of immunization program. ments and the surplus income is intended Prior to the Shiromani Award for poverty relief to enable the DMPZA to l«S Thirty-year-old Dinshaw shares his One thousand five hundred copies of inen “who tested me to gruelling extremes the directory will be published, priced at and awarded me the black belt, ” and Han- karate. ” These three earn a special men­ tion in the 129-page book priced at Rs 50. 22 Parsiana August 1991{¦ Umil His work experience at the K. E. M. Hospital, from where he did his intem- ship, was as house physician in pediatric medicine and as registrar in pediatric medicine and neonatology. A distinction student throughout his academic career. Contractor had studied at the St Mary ’s High School, the S.LE.S. College of Arts and Science and the G. S. Medical Col- ^^1 lege. He had been conferred a scholar ­ ship for postgraduate studies by the Bom ­ bay University, the bio data further in ­ forms. The doctor ’s other interests include reading, indoor and outdoor sports, and music. Byramjee (left): from local to national meets Bharucha (center): forte is obstetrics 1 Contractor: concern for child health Dinshaw is presently the principal of has instilled in me a sense of discipline Combat Centre. His students include ca- which is helping me immensely, ” ac- Fight tO SHVC the Oval dets from the National Defence Academy knowledges the swimmer. Though she “Right now our main battle is to prevent (NDA) and also officers and soldiers from does try to better her performance at each the government from building on the the Indian army. He is reportedly the youngest veteran in the country to have have neither the aspiration to be like one we can never get back, ” says Ms Shireen conducted over 100 training camps. In of those celebrity international swimmers Bharucha, president of the Oval-Cooper- May last, he conducted an adventure nor do I have an idol on which to mold age Residents ’ Association which is con- camp at Fort Purandhar, for adolescent my career. I am perfectly satisfied being testing the government ’s proposed move children of the armed forces personnel. myself. ” Researched by Ruzbeh n. Bhamcha to construct a sports complex at the Oval Maidan. Presently overlooking this ex ­ Making waves Topping the MD list panse of land are residential buildings on After a series of wins at local swimming Topping this year ’s list of successful stu- one side, and landmarks like the Bombay competitions organized in Bombay Ms Kainaz Byramjee was selected to repre ­ sent the Maharashtra state in the 200 m gynecology was Dr (Ms) Azmy Pesi complexes and clubs which lie unused breast stroke and the 200 m individual Bharucha, informs a family source. most of the time, believes Bharucha who medley at the junior nationals in Gwalior scheduled for August 1991, notes a fam ­ ily source. Another notable success for gynecology, bagging two gold medals. Byramjee was at the open tournament in December last, swimming a five km presented the best paper at the All India pitches, complete with spectator stands, stretch from Apollo Bunder to Sunk Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology reports The Independent of January 15, Rock. The swimmer has also been in- for two consecutive years in 1988 and 1991. eluded on her school (Queen Mary) team ’89, mentions the write-up from the fam- An alternate proposal recommended competing at the national school games ily. Additionally she has presented papers by the Association is to set up a trust that since 1988. Her potential in the under- 15 age- group was recognized by the government which has granted her a scholarship of Rs HonorS in pediatrics 1,800 for the entire year. But what Byr ­ amjee would have appreciated more is availability of coaches of national stan- the Bombay University was Dr Cyrus Since negotiations with the government dard. “The diet, the training, the pool, the Pheroze Contractor, informs a write-up officials do not seem to have yielded any coach, the hours put in daily are all from the family. Last year Contractor had results, Bharucha, a solicitor with Tata • equally essential to bring forth talent and scored the highest marks at the diploma Services Limited, is all set to pursue the sustain this talent which we in India are failing to provide, ” notes the swimmer. Kainaz practises for two hours in the morning before proceeding to school and two hours in the evening daily at the YMCA (Young Men ’s Christian Associa ­ tion) pool under coach Chin Shin Yang. Interested in outdoor sports since her childhood, Byramjee has also been uting articles to pediatric journals, his trained in karate and gymnastics. “Karate curriculum vitae reads. t successive meet, Byramjee clarifies, “I Oval... Let us not wantonly destroy what have neither the aspiration to be like one myself. ” Topping the MD list Topping this year ’s list of successful stu ­ dents at the Bombay University ’s Doctor University and the High Court on the of Medicine examination in obstetrics and other. Bombay has no dearth of sports Researched by Ruzbeh N. Bhanicha Bharucha, informs a family source. In 1990 Bharucha had stood first in the has been appealing to government offi- diploma examination in obstetrics and cials to abandon their ambitious project for the Oval: to build a football ground, She also enjoys the distinction of having volleyball field, tennis courts, cricket for two consecutive years in 1988 and ’89, mentions the write-up from the fam- at several other national and international will maintain the lawn, mend the fence meets. around the Maidan, plant new palm trees and make security arrangements so that the Maidan becomes a “recreational Standing first at the Doctor of Medicine ground for the use of everybody,'even the examination in pediatrics conducted by poorest of the poor, ” notes Bharucha. examination in child health, according to matter in court, his curriculum vitae. He is presently lecturer at the K. E. M. Hospital ’s Department of Paediatric Bharucha whose Association was last Medicine and Neonatology. Twenty- year conferred the Urban Heritage Award seven-year-old Contractor has partici- by the Bombay chapter of the Indian pated in many workshops on perinatal Heritage Society, further mentions The care and pediatrics, in addition to contrib- Independent. “By putting up stadia the government will destroy the entire cityscape, ” fears Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka 24 Parsiana August 1991ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD ‘^Anything can happen to you Parsis, as they become fewer and live longer, must plan for their own care in old age, says geriatric psychologist Dolly Dastoor Arnavaz S. Mama “Half our hearts are here (in India) be ­ cause the parents are alone, ” says Ms Dolly Dastoor, secretary of the Federation from dementia. Beginning with loss of most elementary functions like eating, of Zkiroastrian Associations of North memory, dementia becomes a language washing, dressing, etc. He/she “becomes America (FEZANA) and associate editor problem, a perception problem. Dastoor suspicious, paranoid, resistant, heavy, of Gavashni, the quarterly newsletter of detailed the course of failing mental ca- aggressive, abusive, ” says Dastoor. the Zoroastrian Association of Quebec pacifies during an interview with Par- (ZAQ). Also cochairman of Zonta Inter- siana earlier this year. In the case of Alz- nafional ’s status of women committee, Dastoor moots the forming of an interna ­ tional Zoroastrian women ’s network through which Zoroastrian women from major pockets across the world can liaise with each other, undertaking joint proj ­ ects such as old age residences. The Dastoor concept is for middle and upper-middle-class people where the fi ­ nancial resources are available: a center where the old can be supervised with proper professional care instead of indi ­ vidual ayahs and tours can be organized for them to meet their children. “Sell the idea to people, sensitize them... only then the community will change its way of thinking, ” she urges. Assistant professor in psychiatry at Montreal ’s McGill University and a re ­ search scholar in different types of de ­ mentia in the psycho geriatric program of Douglas Hospiti, Dastoor is deeply con ­ cerned about the provision of geriatric care for Parsis. “Our community is get ­ ting smaller and smaller and living longer and longer, and hence is prey to more age-related illnesses, ” she says. The well-known Parsi tendency to hoard isn ’t normal, but a pointer to mental illhealth, according to Dastoor. “Our so ­ cial and emotional (needs) are becoming pathological, ” she says. Dastoor ’s work in geriatric psychol ­ ogy has made her acutely conscious that identifiable in the mainstream. every fifth person over 80 years of age the form of premature senile mental dete- (and one in 18 over the age of 65) suffers rioration, the patient forgets even the aggressive, “There is a complete reversal of personal ­ ity as all repressive control (ingrained heimer ’s disease where the central nerv- from early childhood) is forgotten. OUS system degenerates, showing up in 1 T' ¦ 27 Parsiana August 1991 I ¦ I’ Dastoor (right) with daughter Natasha: “Dementia destroys the whole family in caring for die patient The demented person needs lots of space. What happens to families living in two-room tene ­ ments? ” she shudders. What ’s more, if you cannot recognize the symptoms as they set in, you may even feed them by making the wrong responses, she cau ­ tions. Dastoor differentiates between normal aging and Alzheimer ’s: “When you re ­ member that you can ’t remember, it ’s normal aging. A diet that ’s poor in vita ­ min B12 could lead to memory problems. An Alzheimer patient never remembers. Once the memory is gone, it ’s gone. Au ­ topsy of Alzheimer (victims) could lead to better genetic counselling, ” for there is a 20 percent chance of the children of an Alzheimer parent inheriting the disease, says Dastoor who is president of the Alz ­ heimer Society of Montreal. For Parsis, as an aging, dwindling community that tends to marry within itself and often within the family, the forecast may be bleaker, she implies. “If we are closing our minds to inject ­ ing new blood, we must think now of cre ­ ating institutions where you and I are going to live... The 40-50-60-year-old age-group should start planning for them ­ selves, (provide) more open spaces, pro ­ fessional care, ” advocates Dastoor whoTARAC AND Co % Suppliers of the Meatiest of Venky’s/Mafco’s/ Al Kabeer’s/Shalimar’s Non-Veg. Delicacies This Side of Town joined the staff of Montreal ’s Douglas Hospital Center ’s psycho geriatric pro ­ gram in 1973. She was conferred the Dr C. A. Robert Award in 1990. The award recognizes the individual who has con­ tributed the most to the objectives of the Center. “Quality care to elderly patients ” has been “one of her preoccupations, ” noted Gavashni, in its September 1990 issue. The publication noted that her expertise in the field of “cognitively im- Our social and emotional (needs) are becoming pathological (( n K St D Distributors Exclusive Suppliers of Venky’s for South Bombay 80, Sleater Road Grant Road (West) Tel 3883691/3889531 C. D. Coelho Services paired elderly is internationally recog ­ nized through her work and her publica ­ tions. ” She also suggests that the community undertake a survey to assess “how exten ­ sive is the problem, build a building in one of the bangs to provide day-care for the elderly. ” Dastoor ’s other preoccupation is com ­ munity survival in North America. Past president of ZAQ, her concern is “How do we entrench, ourselves in the wider North American community — in busi ­ ness, entrepreneurship — be a part of the mainstream but remain an identifiable body? ” Tracing the changes in her own per ­ ceptions, Dastoor (nee Bharucha) notes, “When I left Bombay in 1964, I had no concept what it was to be a Zoroastrian. You were a Parsi... ” She had spelt it out in greater detail in the course of her contribution to the Sev ­ enth North American Zoroastrian Con ­ gress (7NAZC) in Houston in August 1990. “Not being very steeped in the reli ­ gion and philosophy of Zoroastrianism in India, I had very often mistaken the cus ­ toms, practices and rituals of daily living as the fundamental tenets of our religion. I had failed to appreciate the fundamental doctrine as mentioned in the Gathas and other scriptures... I now appreciate the value system of Zoroastrianism, namely freedom of choice and yet assuming re ­ sponsibility for one ’s action, the contribu ­ tion of man as Ahura Mazda ’s helper by standing up, of his own free will, for the final victory of good over evil, the af ­ firmation of life and the appeal to be ac ­ tive in shaping the world... ” Now, “surrounded by a culture that ’s 28 Parsiana August 1991not very religious, the personal religious identity matters more than the cultural identity, ” says Dastoor. According to her, many Zoroastrians in Montreal are mem ­ bers of ecumenical councils. “We partici ­ pate by exposing our religion. On interna ­ tional bodies I always say that I’m a Zoroastrian. ” Participating in a parent/offspring dia ­ logue on “our present and future in North America ” — an innovative feature of the 7NAZC — Dastoor, a mother of three ‘M.tH 'Best CompCiments J'rom Dementia destroys the whole family in caring for the patient * * * Si ^dl-^isher grown-up children, noted in the preamble: “Like all first generation immigrant par ­ ents we have had no traditional role model of parenting to follow and were very much left on our own to muddle along, when faced with contemporary challenges posed by our offsprings ’ inde ­ pendence and social behavior... Achiev ­ ing a harmonious balance between the fundamental values of Zoroastrianism and the application of these values in the con ­ text of the 1990s is a challenge which all parents of my generation face. ” Dastoor ascribes FEZANA’s slow growth to peoples ’ fear that the autonomy of member associations will be under ­ mined. However, they “have now begun to realize that that ’s not the idea ” and that FEZANA has been formed to help asso ­ ciations and not take them over, ” she adds. Two new associations — in Dallas, Texas and in Washington state — were then in the process of being formed, she noted. Another assertion of local identity is the McGill Zoroastrian Students Soci ­ ety with Zoroastrian girls generally at ­ tending functions in a sari. She considers “Iranian Zoroastrians to be much stauncher Zoroastrians — they went through a lot to preserve whatever they had ” and expects the Zoroastrian community in North America to become self-sustaining when marriages between Parsis and Iranian Zoroastrians become a normal practice. Dastoor left Bombay for Nigeria in 1964 to work as a research fellow in the University of Ibadan ’s department of psy ­ chiatry where the Work! Hcaltli Organiza ­ tion ’s program on schizophrenia was underway. In 1973 the family — Dolly, continued on page 62 APPOINTED VALUERS OF JEWELLERY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA GAZDAR PVT. LTD. Ta) Mahal Hotel Bombay Tel: 2023666 2023366 Ext 3204 Telegrams: “MANUSCRIPT” I 30 Parsiana August 1991POLITICS AND POLICY Adoption only of Parsi children After deferring this issue for over a decade, the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India has agreed to pursue legislation sanctioning adoption of only Parsi children Parinaz Gandhi By a majority vote, the Federation of Wells, pipelines and levelled fields have ber 14 and 15, 1991 after the delegates Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India re- helped some agriculturists while others discuss this subject with their respective solved that it would pursue legislation were to gain from the training program anjuman members. On behalf of the Cali- sanctioning adoption of Parsi children by that was to commence in March ’91 to Parsi couples. Supporting the Bombay induce them to use their scarce resources Parsi Punchayet (BPP) stand that a Parsi effectively, law on adoption should be introduced were 13 anjumans, while six dissented common calendar beginning March 21, and four abstained from voting at the ex ­ ecutive council meeting of the Federa ­ tion at Bombay ’s Muncherji Khareghat shahi, Fasli and Kadmi. The prevailing relations; if there is more than one repre- Hall on March 23 and 24,1991. practice of three different calendars sentative from an anjuman, one should be The subject of adoption has been being observed by the different sects a youth. ” hanging fire with the Federation for over a decade. Initially individual anjumans, punchayets, groups had sent their repre ­ sentation to the government until the Zarthosi no disos (death anniversary of whether adoption should be permitted, . then Prime Minister Ms Indira Gandhi Zarathushtra), was the observation made. had asked the BPP chairman Dr Aspi When Federation joint honorary secre- Golwalla why the community could not tary and BPP trustee Eruch Desai won ­ speak with one voice. Since then the dered whether a uniform calendar could subject has been debated at various meet- ‘ ings of the Federation. and BPP chairman Dr Aspi Golwalla re- ported the BPP decision that the commu- The rehabilitation assistance package plied, “If the BPP takes the lead and the nity should proceed with a law on adop- offered to the farmers by the Federation, Federation agrees, the rest will follow. ” tion on the proviso that only Parsi chil- jointly with the World Zoroastrian ------ Organisation (WZO), has benefitted form calendar will be taken at the next many Parsi families in south Gujarat. Federation meeting in Calicut on Septem- cut anjuman, its managing trustee Darius Marshall extended a cordial invitation. However, Federation joint honorary The community was urged to adopt a secretary Keki Gandhi reminded the dele ­ gates that in light of their being a small anjuman of barely 15 Zoroastrians, “let ’s 1992 when it would be Hormazd roj ac ­ cording to all three calendars - Shehen- not go with bag, baggage, family and within the community, while it gives an occasion for celebration of three New Selective adoption Years, creates an anomaly of three The prevailing divergence in views on whether it should be restricted to adop ­ tion of a Parsi child, or whether it should be disallowed altogether resulted in member anjumans casting their vote on be enforced on all. Federation president this sensitive issue. The majority sup- and BPP chairman Dr Aspi Golwalla re ­ Federation agrees, the rest will follow. ” The final decision regarding a uni- dren would be considered for adoption. Fearing that voting at Federation meet ­ ings would divide the anjuman loyalties. 33 Parsiana August 1991Dinshaw Anklesaria of Poona claimed, take advantage by claiming rights to com- “When we joined, it was decided that munity flats on the presumption of their there should be no voting on any issue... being "palak betas (adopted sons). ” Please refrain from taking votes and get- “Drai ’t consider only the monetary as- ting things done. ” Replied Gandhi, “There pecL The emotional attachment of ‘my is no understanding either in the constitu- child, ’ ‘my parent ’ doesn ’t exist under the tion or verbal that no votes will be taken law of guardianship which is presently at Federation meetings... On certain mat- applicable to the community, ’! was ters voting has to be done. Otherwise it Gandhi ’s rationale. Federation vice pre- would mean that no decision can be taken sident Homi Bodhanwalla of Jamshedpur if there were to be even one dissenter. ” went a step further, advocating the pro- If the community were to apply for a tection of rights of non-Parsi children who have been accepted as wards by Parsi couples. In Jamshedpur, “we allow a non-Parsi adopted child even into our fire-temple. The BPP has a right to its views, but it can ’t be binding on smaller anjumans. ” A legislation on Parsi adop ­ tion will not come in the way of accepting non-Parsi children as wards or even per ­ mitting them access to institutions if the trustees concerned have no objections, clarified Gandhi. 4 ¦ I Mi them for future responsibilities? These uncertainties were voiced before it was can ’t afford one meal a day: others work as servants at neighboring farms ¦ 34 Parsiana August 1991 Grooming the young legislation on adoption exclusively appli- Would the presence of some select cable to Parsis, “it will give us undue youth at Federation meetings give them publicity, ” believed Delhi Parsi Anju- the impression “ke mohtao larya karich man president Lt Gen Adi Sethna. “Do (the elders keep fighting) or does it gear we want to show ourselves as a funda- ’ ~ mentalist community? ” he continued. Davar Kavasji Modi of Surat feared, “It would mean an infringement of personal liberty because everyone would be bound Some Parsi farmers by it. ” But the most persistent objec ­ tions came from Desai: “There will be no bountiful blessings if we push through with this legislation nor will community numbers increase. This will unnecessar ­ ily create a hornet ’s nest. Presently there is no bar to adopting anyone of any com ­ munity. If we can get (the same results) without legislation, why have legisla ­ tion?... The BPP’s view is not to have finally decided that four to five youths any legislation on adoption. ” Continued of outstanding caliber from the BPP Desai, “We have only chosen the lesser of Youth Club who had attended the BPP the two evils (adoption of a Parsi, rather Holiday Program for Youth and subse ­ than a non-Parsi child). ” Corrected quently been put through their leadership Golwalla, “We (the BPP) unanimously training program would be invited to,the ’ said we want legislation. If we want to Federation meeting. Other anjumans change our minds, we should reconsider. ” were also called upon to bring their In the absence of a law on adoption, youth representative to the Federation the adopted child can have no rights to meetings by quoting the practice of an inheritance in case of intestate succes- overseas association which gives merit sion, pointed out BPP trustee Jamsheed points to those who work for the commu- Kanga. Further, certain people tend to nity and giving the highest scorer a free air ticket to attend a national meet of Zoroastrians. “In many anjumans youths are treated as a nuisance. But by not involving them we are making them into worse rebels, ” stated Kanga before giving his own ex- From top: Bodhanwalla; Sethna (left) andBhacca: Katpitia (left) and Anklesaria; Tandjoly (left) and Modi; Taleyarkhanample, “I started out as a rebel in the BPP; I am now accused of being over-conser ­ vative. ’ The formation of a Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations of India that had been agreed to at the last youth festival in Secunderabad is still awaiting the completion of formalities and registra ­ tion by youth groups in different areas. A model constitution for a youth association is available with Jehangir Bisney of Se ­ cunderabad, informed Gandhi. The next All-India Zoroastrian Youth Festi ­ val will be hosted by Nagpur, the dele ­ gates were notified. The new projects introduced by/for youths in different areas/anjumans were reported: In Ahmedabad, a minimum of one youth member has been coopted on >» . organize a trip to Bahrot Caves for any every subcommittee of the Panchayat. Also the Youth League there has passed an amendment that any youth, whether male or female, who marries a non-Parsi will cease to be a member of the League. Previously only the woman married out ­ side the community was discriminated against. Delhi is contemplating a ‘roots tour ’ to familiarize the youngsters with places of historic significance to the com ­ munity. Baroda youths are planning a trip to Udwada to improve on their religious knowledge. The enterprising Dahanu youth offered to host the next BPP youth leadership training camp, volunteered to MH In On grave matters “We are criticized for caring more for the dead than the living, ” stated Gandhi in ' Above (from left): response to a query from Surat Parsi Golwalla, Gandhi and Guzder Center: Minoo Shroff (left) and Kanga Below: Desai (left) and Modi Punchayet (SPP) chief executive Sorab Katpitia who conjointly with BPP chief executive Rustom Anklesaria manages the work on defunct anjumans. Katpitia was seeking the Federation ’s sanction on whether some Parsi graves in Junagadh and Nadiad could be relocated such that maximum returns could be obtained from community lands in those areas. When it was established that neither the names nor the years were legible on the graves, and no family member known to evince interest, it was decided that on the sale of the land, a part of the income would be used to look after the relocated graves and the rest for the benefit of the community. Members of the Thana Anjuman who had initiated litigation against the Di- vecha Trust for reportedly selling off community property to a non-Parsi builder were pleased to report that they were “nearing the end of the tunnel. ” Strengthening their case by getting the Federation as intervenors, and securing a compromise such that 25 percent of the allotments by the builder is to Parsis, the Tirana Anjuman president Rustom Cursetji noted that 50 Parsi families would be accommodated in this prime locality about 10-15 minutes ’ walk from the railway station. (Subsequent an ­ nouncements in the papers indicated that the Thana Anjuman was authorized to invite applications for tenements of ap- anjuman interested, and gave a brief of the school they propose to start at a cost of Rs 65 lakhs. As an alternative to the only overcrowded English school in Dahanu they are confident it will be pa ­ tronized by the increasing student popula- introduce a boarding section, mentioned tion. The newly formed Yazd Education Ms Banoogoshasp Irani, the youth repre- Trust will look after the school which will sentative from Dahanu. There is need to proximately 480, 600 and 825 sq feet at be largely Parsi managed on a four-acre keep some seats reserved for Parsis, re- the rate of Rs 550 per square foot.) plot of land. It will be gradually upgraded commended Golwalla. Misuse of community assets by their to a high school and subsequently even * ¦F f 1 ¦ I 36 Parsiana August J 9913)a/r to stem the flight of Parsis from the rural areas to urban centers, especially Bom ­ bay. This, Tamboli believes, can only be achieved if the land becomes economi­ cally viable. To be economically viable it must be able to produce two or three crops annually. This, in turn, can only be done with assistance in the form of equip ­ ment and facilities provided by the com­ munity as a whole. For the first time in many years the Parsi farmers are getting aid from the more fortunate members of their commu ­ nity, says Tamboli. Apart from the active participation of the technical team, ar ­ rangements have been made with the Gujarat Agricultural College to conduct special programs in growing cash crops and on new methods of cultivation. Furthermore, direct assistance is beingdonors have distributed Rs 1,32,501 in the form of clothes and food grains, and a given to Parsi farmers in the form of Top: The WZO team of volunteers with bulls, pumps and other farming equip- some rural Parsis ment, and even in the construction of Center and right: Glimpses of the wells. About eight lakh rupees have al- frugal lifestyle of Zoroastrian ready been collected, Tamboli informs agriculturists us. Of this sum, six lakhs have been in ­ vested in aid to the farmers. It is the ru ­ ral welfare committee of the Federation ' of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India container of 101 cartons of clothes and under whose auspices the Surat Parsi shoes collected by the Parsis of the UK Punchayet (SPP), the Bombay Parsi was shipped to Bombay to be distributed Punchayet (BPP) and the WZO are con- to Parsis living in the rural areas of jointly functioning. The BPP and the SPP Gujarat, have contributed two lakhs each while other trusts and institutions have given them (the rural Parsis) dependent but self- about Rs 60,000. The WZO, to date, has reliant, ” says Tamboli. He shows us a contributed Rs 3.5 lakhs and has commit- bulging folder with requests for assis- ments and pledges adding to another four tance. Each application is studied and if lakhs towards this effort. Two individual the needs of the farmer are genuine, he is “The aim of our project is not to make The Parsi farmers are steeped in the culture of poverty given whatever assistance the constraints of finance permit. The exercise does not end here. There are follow-up visits to see how the farmer is faring. Tamboli shows us a letter from one farmer who was presented with two bulls to plough his fields. In the letter the farmer states that he cannot afford to maintain the ani ­ mals and is therefore returning them. “Because we keep a track of things, he has returned the bulls. Otherwise he might have sold them and pocketed the money. Now we can give them to some other Parsi farmer, ” says Tamboli. He adds that all equipment given to the farm ­ ers remain the property of the donor, hence the beneficiary cannot dispose of it as he chooses. “We enter into legal con ­ tracts with them, ” he says as he shows us a file where these officially stamped documents are stored. One problem that impedes the recipi ­ ents is attitudes. “These people (the Parsi farmers) are steeped in the culture of pov ­ erty. Their mental blocks have to be 48 Parsiana August 1991breached, ” says Tamboli. From the or- < " ’ “ ganizational end the problem is lack of materialized; Homi Taleyarkhan, chair ­ manpower. “It is not a question of giving person, WZO India, was the catalyst. He them money and equipment and forget- arranged to visit the rural Parsis of parts, ting about it. We need people to regularly Gujarat in his official capacity as a sen- go to the villages and follow up. ” After ior member of the Minorities Commis- the video had been shown on the cable TV networks in most of the Parsi bangs in Bombay and at a public screening at All ­ bless Bang many contacted Tamboli with plight and condition of the Parsis there. Zoroastrians who might have difficulty requests to organize trips to the rural ar- Many of them recorded their impressions following the language. eas. “But we need more. We need a com- on the video: Aspi Irani, Kersi Limath- “The video film is a record of how mitment of time. ” Among those who are walla, Zal Contractor, Dara Deboo, things were, ” Mistry makes a point of ready to make this commitment, apart among others. Also actively involved in from the members of the technical com ­ mittee, is Davar Kavasji Modi, member of High Priest of the Navsari Atash Bahram, the WZO and trustee of the SPP, who is The common thread that binds these looking after the affairs of the villages people together, regardless of the various to the fact that panthakies of some agiar- around Surat. organizations they represent, is the con- ies are complaining. Formerly many of The area around Valsad remains unac- cem for the poor farmer, the Parsis came to the city to work as tivated yet. In fact, the selection of the districts of Navsari and Surat are not ar- try. “Before photography, mountain bitrary but based on Bhaya ’s survey, an climbing was my first love. I knew such that they are getting, and their ability to effort co-sponsored by the WZO, the BPP conditions and had been filming in them; and the SPP, to assess the conditions of it was not a new experience for me. I the rural Parsis in Gujarat The proposal to make such a film had along, ” he observes. Some of his footage been tossed around for some time. Mistry beautifully evoked the rural ethos — hens the agiaries. That is the greatest reward recalls that he had been informed about it pecking at unwashed utensils, a pair of for the dedicated team working for the three to four years ago but nothing came dusty shoes lovingly hung up on the walls welfare of the Parsi agriculturists. of it. Then almost overnight the project of a mud hut, people walking barefoot through slushy trails, farmers in sudreh and kusti... the nuances are delicate in If the film lacked slickness it was a result of the limited budget — Rs 15,000 only. The interviews with the farmers in sion. A convoy of 13 jeeps with local dis ­ trict officials and WZO members buzzed Gujarati are subtitled in English for the the village trail for two days, taking in the benefit of Zoroastrians abroad and Iranian on the video: Aspi Irani, Kersi Limalh- using the past tense. “Already as a result the project is Dastur Meherji Meherjirana, of this film, things have changed and the conditions of the Parsi farmers are im ­ proving. ” To illustrate the point he refers organizations they represent, is the con ­ cern for the poor farmer. Outdoor filming was not new to Mis- chasniwallas after harvesting their only seasonal crop. Now, with the assistance work round the year in their fields, reap ­ ing three crops in the process, they have knew what to expect and what to take informed their panthakies that they will not be coming back to do menial work at Conference, Wedding or Party — Leave it in West End’s experienced hands. Your Favourite *The Gourmet' Restaurant offers Executive Buffet Lunch • 16 delicious courses • From 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Including Sundays. Restaurant open from 8 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. Conference Plan Inclusive of: Room Rent, Buffet Lunch, Morning and Evening Tea. Ask for special concession offer for larger conferences. t A LA CARTE in the soothing comfort of ‘The Gourmet* or TAKE AWAY to the comforts of your home, or office Continental, Moghlai, Tandoori, Vegetarian West End Hotel 45, New Marine Lines. Bombay-400 020 Tel 299121 Telex 01 1-2892 BEST IN Gram BEST HOT EL E 50 Parsiana August 1991 -y A NAVJOTE, A LAGAN. A SILVER { OR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY A FIRST . BIRTHDAY PARTY — OR ANY SUCH HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR LIFE Celebrate them at West End Hotel, ill in the beautiful setting of the — Terrace Hall. Choose the day and leave all the other problem to us.COMMENT stedcifast stalwarts Burjor K. Karanjia Disre gar ding the inconvenience they brought upon themselves, men of conviction fought for the values they cherished vided the beginnings of international corporation. trade. Today, when unparliamentary lan- But the zeal to reform with which we guage is the rule rather than the excep- Zoroastrianism makes of life a battlefield of the shipbuilding industry, the Tatas of measure of convenience from the tenants with the righteous ranged against the the steel and other industries, Godrejs to landlords, the latter became legally forces of evil. Small wonder then that who were the first to manufacture soap rate-payers and got the vote. The election even more than the spirit to pioneer, the out of vegetable oils and steel safety and principle was still excitingly new. For urge to reform is inbred in the commu- other equipment, and early Parsi traders better and, alas, also for worse, it trans- nity and has found expression in various who by travelling to, far-off China pro- formed and enlivened the working of the spheres of public life like civic admini ­ stration, banking and the world of fi ­ nance, education and social reform. “Is ” and “has? ” Actually it is all in the are concerned in this article more closely tion in corporation meetings and council ­ past tense, for the urge to reform seems touches our daily lives. Take civic ad- no longer to be there and has been re- ministration as an example. Bombay, placed within the community by petty, which Rudyard Kipling described as “no eshah Mehta had to say about this in a pointless bickerings and internecine mean city ” but which another writer motion of order mov^ on April 20, feuds. The lessons of the past need to be denigrated as “a charnel-house in which 1905: “Freedom of expression and de- releamt today, not only by Parsis but by two monsoons were the age of a man, ” bate is a valuable privilege which I shall all communities. was one of the cities in the world to always strictly support. At the same time Much has been written about the Parsi know a variety of municipal govern- there are restraints imposed by well-un- pioneers. Dadabhoy Naoroji, the Grand ments. But since they were found in derstood rules which are founded upon Old Man of India, was undoubtedly the practice to obstruct and counteract one the good feeling and courtesy of members greatest of them all. Lokamanya Tilak another, the whole municipal executive for the maintenance of peace and suppres- once commented that Dadabhoy ’s politi- authority was, by the Act of 1865, vested sion of disorder. One of these rules is cal views were of a professor rather than in a single commissioner under the con- that no member ought to use expre- the leader of an oppressed people. But trol of the first nominated Corporation of ssions which are offensive or insulting to Mahatma Gandhi returning to Bombay Bombay with a seal, the Bench of Jus- . on board the S. S. Pilsna in December 1931 from the Round Table Conference proved a signal failure, unable to exer- put Dadabhoy ’s achievements in the cise any control over the commissioner, proper perspective by saying that in the It was argued hotly, particularly by Phe- can take pride in two things above all circumstances then prevailing Dadab- rozeshah Mehta, that nominated members others — a fairly streamlined system of hoy ’s policy was “the right one ” and rarely possess the qualities and virtues to committee management, and freedom that were he living in 1931, “he would ensure civic success. So by the Act from day-to-day interference by the Gov- follow the same policy that I have been of 1872,50 of the Corporation ’s 60 mem- emment. How this came about makes for pursuing for the last few years. ” bers were to be elected by the rate-payers, interesting reading. It has been said of There were also other Parsi pioneers Since the responsibility of paying the committees that they have neither a soul like the Wadias who laid the foundations rates had recently been transferred as a to be damned nor a body to be kicked! A lors are known even to come to blows, it is pertinent to recall what Sir Pheroz- members of the House individually or tices. But the justices as aediles had collectively or are disrespectful to the House. ” The Bombay Municipal Cwporation 52 Parsiana August 1991persistent paradox of municipal working ber. Masani, who didn ’t believe in minc- was that much was discussed and quite a lot decided, but little was actually accom ­ plished. The practice for years of refer- could be lightly offended. As expected, ring individual cases to separate committees re ­ sulted in a lack of coordina ­ tion and a multiplicity of pending cases. The Hon ’ble Mr (later Sir) Phiroze Sethna gave notice of mo ­ tion recommending the ap ­ pointment of special com ­ mittees for special subjects. Accordingly the municipal secretary Rustom Masani was deputed to study at firsthand the system of committee, work in the London County Council and other important mu ­ nicipalities in England and certain countries of Europe. After his study tour Masani submitted a report in De ­ cember 1921 building up a strong case for efficient committee management. The report was adopted and a bill to amend the Munici ­ pal. Act accordingly was passed. The effect was dra ­ matic. Of the 45 commit ­ tees functioning at the end of 1921,18 were not recon ­ stituted at all. Of the re ­ maining 27, nine were re ­ tained and the remaining 17 were amalgamated into seven committees so that the total number Masani received a communication from ous, most willing and unfailing adherence became 16! And strangely, not a corpora- the private secretary that His Excellency to the policy of strict neutrality which I tor shed tears over the passing of so many wished to see him in Poona. had laid down for myself. ” Actually, his of the old committees, although whispers were heard against the alleged high- ing Masani that he had appointed him more positive and far-reaching one. If as handed manner in which members for the municipal commissioner in spite of the deputy municipal commissioner his major various special committees were ap ­ pointed. The independence of the Corporation Service being deprived of a prize ap- that, siding with the Corporation against was hard-won. It brought the then mu- pointment, because he knew that Masani the Government, he helped to restore the nicipal commissioner (Sir) Rustom Mas ­ ani in sharp conflict with the governor of encourage him. But what did he find? . Bombay, Lord George Lloyd, an imperi- During his regime he had received reso- ous satrap who, in those early days of the lutions from the Municipal Corporation Credit should really be his that he was the Civil Disobedience Movement, had against the counsel of trusted advisers resorted to the drastic steps of deporting port of Masani ’s speech regarding the B. G. Homiman and arresting Gandhiji. Departing from the traditional practice of Port Trust), His Excellency added that no appointing the municipal commissioner to the board of the Port Trust, Lloyd had on his own asked the Indian Merchants Government. Politely but firmly Masani Chamber to nominate a non-official mem- ing words, publicly referred to this as a “blunder. ” Lloyd was not a person who under the circumstances. It was he, Mas ­ ani, who was the aggrieved party, since he felt that a word of explanation was due to him, as a matter of courtesy if nothing else, as to why Govern ­ ment had decided to make a departure for the first time from the estab ­ lished practice. “Explanation? ’ claimed the governor. “Has any Government ever given an explana ­ tion to its officer? ’ “That is the blunder, ” Masani rejoined quietly. “I am not your officer. I am an officer of the Cor ­ poration who was in ­ vited to accept the office ©f commissionership. ” He pointed out that as a servant of the Corpora ­ tion, his loyalty was only to the Corporation. At a dinner held on his retirement from the commissionership, Mas ­ ani enunciated the motto that had steadfastly been his: “My caste, the Cor ­ poration; my creed, the Corporation; my party, the Corporation. ” All, he claimed modestly, brushing aside the glow ­ ing tributes showered on him, was “a little credit for the most spontane- ex- 1” wished to see him in Poona. Lloyd began that meeting by remind- claim to the Corporation ’s gratitude was a ing Masani that he had appointed him opposition from some of his officers who contribution was reform of the committee were naturally averse to the Indian Civil system, as municipal commissioner it was pointment, because he knew that Masani was a popular officer and he wished to supremacy of that august body. Masani has often been credited with having been the first Indian municipal commissioner. first municipal commissioner to correctly define and demonstrate the commis ­ sioner ’s constitutional position vis-a-vis commissioner ’s non nomination to the the Corporation on the one hand and Gov ­ ernment on the other. It was another Parsi, Sorabji Pochkha- 55 Parsiana August 1991 couched in language never before used by it. Not only that (producing a printed re ­ municipal commissioner in the past had used such language with reference to the navala, who conceived the daring idea of a banking institution wholly Indian in pointed out that the language was justified outlook and approach and having the de-I wiopment (rf indigenous enterprise as its felled as many as 64 banks, as well as tacts between teachers and the taught, the HMM objective. World War I which dislocated trade and craze for amassing degrees and the short- The latter half of the nineteenth cen- industry throughout the world. Its author- age of universities. Along with his prede- tary saw two banks spring up that were to ized and paid-up capital were progres- cessor Dr John McKenzie, Masani was iHumine the financial horizon. One was sively increased and branches were responsible for making long-neglected the Bank of India resting securely on opened in Calcutta, Karachi, Lahore and Indian languages — Marathi, Gujarati, In 1923, the Urdu and Kannada — the subjects of hon- felled a.s many as 64 banks, as well as World War I which dislocated trade and industry throughout the world. Its author ­ ized and paid-up capital were progres- opened in Calcutta, Karachi, Lahore and Indian languages — Marathi, Gujarati, __ : In 1923, the Urdu and Kannada — the subjects of hon- Central Bank took over the management ors courses. A journal was launched with of the Union Bank of India and amalga- a view to promoting research by teachers mated with the Tata Industrial Bank so and students and encouraging the publica- that its paid-up capital grew to Rs tion of original articles, abstracts of theses 16,800,000 as against Rs 10,000,000 of and reviews of books. By encouraging the Bank of India. As the then finance the Deccan College to conduct the first minister of the viceroy ’s executive coun- Gujarat Prehistoric Expedition in 1941, a cil declared: “Among the services which tradition of archaeological research by the Central Bank has rendered to India, possibly not the least pregnant with re ­ sults for the future, has been its absorp ­ tion of the Tata Industrial Bank. ” It was in the sphere of education that bay Presidency Adult Education Associa- the zeal to reform of two vice-chancellors tion was encouraged to widen and inten- honest and efficient management and other important centers, with a resourceful and powerful director ­ ate at its helm. Among the first to join the service of the bank was the young Sorabji Pochkhanavala on a salary of Rs 20 a month. Frustration was his lot which, however, led him to found the Central Bank of India with the cotton merchant, Kalianji Jetsy as his main sup ­ porter and with the redoubtable Sir Phe- rozeshah Mehta as its chairman. The Central Bank of India was ac ­ cordingly bom on December 21, 1911, with its registered office in Bombay. The first issue of 40,000 shares of the to ­ tal face value of Rs 20 lakhs was taken of Bombay University, Sir Rustom Mas- up in less than three months, half the ani and later Sir Bomonji Wadia, was amount being paid-up. Deposits from most strikingly evident and with the most the public mounted steadily, the net far-reaching consequences. The Sargeant dence, according to Masani, to hail Zara- profit at the year ’s end was Rs 62,000 Report of 1944 had pointed out the glar- thushtra as the first apostle of adult educa- and a maiden dividend of six percent was ing shortcomings in Indian university tion. As the fountainhead of all knowl- declared. The foundation was so se- education such as undue emphasis on ex- edge, he could be identified with the curely laid that the Bank was able to sur ­ vive the financial crisis of 1913, which universities was established. In the con­ text of World War II then raging, a scheme to provide military training to undergraduates was initiated. The Bom- tion was encouraged to widen and inten­ sify its activities. Education in those days had its roots in religion and there was sufficient evi- ing shortcomings in Indian university education such as undue emphasis on ex ­ aminations and on book learning as con- teachings of his disciples which speak trasted with original thinking, lack of con- specifically of the duty of giving adult MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER To do so we offer you: Diploma Course in Business Management (Postal) (IMC) »!«Banking CAIIB Course (Postal) # Executive Secretarial Course Xc Private Secretarial Course Personal Assistant’s Programme (Working Stenographers) Shorthand & Typewriting (English/Hindi/Marathi) 5^ Telephone Operating & Receptionist Techniques # Electronic Telex Operating ? Electronic Typewriting & Word Processing English Conversation & Writing Skills Enquire at: Sir J. J. College of Commerce jSi D 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Bombay 400001 Tel: 2871185 66 Parsiana August 1991education. He who has little knowledge, but shares it, offers a love-service more acceptable to Ahura Mazda than one who knows a lot but keeps his knowledge to himself. This love-service Masani exem ­ plified in himself and enjoined upon teachers and students alike. In the municipality Masani had come across cases of nepotism. To encounter them in an academic institution was more of a shock. One way to curb the evil was by personal example. Coming across his son Minoo ’s name in the list of examiners for the LL.B, examination, he immedi ­ ately struck it off. The Dean of Law who had recommended Minoo protested that he had got it on his own merit, but Masani was adamant that as long as he was vice- chancellor his son could not be on the ex ­ aminers list. At dinner that evening Mas ­ ani casually mentioned what had hap ­ pened at the University meeting. “There is far too much of this sort of thing in the country and I won ’t add to it, ” he told his son. Minoo who was at the time a strug ­ gling young barrister with few briefs re ­ plied: “Do you realize, papa, you ’ve de ­ prived me of the chance to earn Rs 2,000?” Masani said nothing, but after 58 Parsiana August 1991 dinner went to his study and emerged five minutes later to hand the astonished son a cheque for Rs 2,000. “Here ’s the income you lost, ” he said. Minoo did not cash the cheque — it was too precious a memento of integrity in public life. The zeal to reform in various spheres of public life appears to be vanishing now; within the community itself it is nowhere in evidence. In an age of equal ­ ity between the sexes, it does seem anach ­ ronistic that while the children of Parsi fathers who marry outside the community are accepted within the fold, the children of Parsi mothers are denied the privilege. Housing poses a burning problem. We have these so-called charity blocks dotted all over the city, with Mercedes cars parked in their compounds. We have composed a special proverb, charity be ­ gins with the rich. I know of a top execu ­ tive of an industrial empire, drawing over Rs 15,000 a month, who occupied a char ­ ity flat to the end of his days. At the same time scores of couples are unable to marry for lack of a roof over their heads. And we talk of our dwindling numbers... We need a Pherozeshah Mehta or a Rustom Masani to solve these problems, not I A e I I i 66,000 people say ¦ / at 16,500 establishments. From Electronic goods to Household provisions. Airline ticket.s to' Restaurant bills. Centralcard gives you the confidence of free credit. So unleash your buying power and enjoy its unique benefits. ¦ Cash withdrawal at over 2900 branches. ¦ Special add-on membership for spouses. ¦ Corporate membership scheme for organisations. ¦ Mediclaim Insurance policy at a reduced premium. ¦ Personal Accident Insurance upto Rs. 1 lakh. ¦ Mail order facilities at your door-step. ¦ Easy Railway bookings in Bombay. ¦ Accepted by British Airways. Centralcard is also issued by Vysya Bank & United Bank of India. AND NOW' The Leela Group of Hotels has joined the Centralcard family — through the issue of Leela Centralcard. Centrnkqrd Your Cant of Confidence & Convenience. For more information, contact your nearest branch of Central Bank of India. puppeteers with their silken strings. Forget the living, even the disposal of our dead rouses unseemly controversy. Consigning our dead to the vultures might have been based on highly hygienic prin ­ ciples, but when there aren ’t enough vul ­ tures to divide the spoils, surely the prob ­ lem needs to be discussed dispassion ­ ately? Or shall we start vulture-breeding farms? If only half the zeal being dis ­ played in fruitless controversies were to be devoted to finding cool and sensible solutions! There mayn ’t be much of pio ­ neering left for us, but there ’s still a hell of a lot open for reform. Among his writings, the author Burjor K. Karanjia • rates Portrait of a Citi- zen, a biography of his mentor Sir Rustom Mas- ani, as his best work. He did also have an occa- Ch -¦'.•ill sion to work with Masani -Ij ' ¦ ‘Jill as literary assistant at the National War Front. 3 Former editor of Screen ' * ' and Filmfare magazines, Karanjia was chair ­ man of the National Film Development Corpo ­ ration. For several years he was the public re ­ lations manager of Godrej and Boyce. cn CM S cCOVER STORY RELIGION An exchange of flowers James W. Boyd and Ron G. Williams Centuries of performance have honed Zoroastrian rituals into aesthetic masterpieces Every sophisticated culture produces ar- spects, rituals are like performances of to illustrate the aesthetic qualities of tistic masterpieces, however widely these classical symphonies. Persons who have Zoroastrian ritual. The ceremony offers may differ in meaning, media or struc- repeatedly participated in the perform- an abundance of flowers, fruits, drinks, ture. Perhaps it has not been sufficiently ances of these ritual masterpieces know manthric recitations and scripted ritual recognized that the Zoroastrian tradition, of their religious and aesthetic impact. gestures to the spirit creations of the over many centuries, has developed and Traditionally, the Zoroastrian com- Lord of Wisdom and invites their bless- maintained aesthetic masterpieces in the munity is informed by a variety of differ- ings. As such, the ceremony seeks to fofm of its ritual practices. ent kinds of ceremony, ranging from the enhance the connection between this In speaking of rituals as artworks, the inner fire-temple purification liturgy, the physical world and the unseen realm of intent is not to confuse religion with art, Yasna, to those rituals which can be held reality and to extend purity and blessings but rather to celebrate the fact that when outside the temple, such as the Afrinagan, to the whole creation. rituals are viewed aesthetically they dis- a ceremony of blessings. For centuries. The central dramatic feature of the rit- play features normally attributed to mas- major community events have been com- ual is a thrice repeated exchange of flow- • terworks. Thus, they constitute an artistic as well as a religious tradition. Manifestly, Zoroastrian rituals contain elements of drama, the visual arts, litera ­ ture and vocal performance. Over time the rituals have been honed until there the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria, is nothing aesthetically superfluous in :----------------------- _ - them. The tradition also requires that anniversary of the_ installation of the frankincense. Against this rather elatro- they be performed with precision and at ­ tention by those specially chosen and highly trained f^r the task. In these re ­ recognized that the Zoroastrian tradition, of their religious and aesthetic impact, over many centuries, has developed and ~ Traditionally, the Zoroastrian com- a ceremony of blessings. For centuries, major community events have been com ­ memorated by holding public acts of wor- ers between two priests, accompanied by ship, called jashans, in which an Af- prescribed prayers and recitations from rinagan ceremony is performed. Among the sacred Avesta. The flowers are part the historically memorable jashans in the of a rich sensory setting: a patterned rug, Bombay area are the 1897 celebration of silver trays laden with fruits and pre- "¦ ¦ , pared foods, vessels of milk and wine, a and the celebration in 1980 of the 151st living fire, and fragrant sandalwood and prescribed prayers and recitations from sacred fire at the H. B. Wadia Atash Bah- rate background the gestures of the ram. The Afrinagan ceremony serves well highly articulated and simple. They pos- flower exchange stand out, for they are $0 Parsiana August 1991t sess a rhythm interspersed with pauses person important questions about life, which create elegant, posed images. “ US locate ourselves. On the other hand, it is also something that continually reced ­ es from us as it is approached; it never can be reached. Likewise, this beautifully unlimited range of interpretations compelling and disciplined ritual ex ­ change of flowers may serve as a refer ­ ence point for orienting our lives, and ing that all human relationships should at the same time remind us that no one interpretation exhausts its possibilities. As a ritual gesture it suggests a limitless ceiving between two exemplary human horizon of potential meanings, continu- ¦ ¦ _ . ally luring us on to discover levels of The flower exchange, in other words, significance. is like a “horizon. ” A horizon, on the one just one set of meanings but is open to an by those who witness it. It can act as a ers: a simple and honest giving and re- I which create elegant, posed images. Furthermore, as a simple gestural act. When enacted attentively, these gestures this exchange of flowers conveys not exhibit aesthetic righmess. The flower exchange is not only an ideally beautiful gesture, it is also an enigmatic visual/poetic image, which, if visual metaphor, for example, suggest- contemplated, seems to overflow with i _ an excess of meaning. In addition to be as graceful as this exchange of flow- possible theological meanings (the move ­ ment of the flowers is like the soul ’s journey between this world and the beings, next), there are the universal meanings as- sociated with flowers: abundance, re- is like a “horizon. ” A horizon, on the one The aesthetic dimension of ritual is newal, brevity and seasonal rhythms, all hand, can serve as a reference point essential to its power and efficacy, of which may evoke in the attentive which gives us our bearings and helps Although ritual is more than art, it is important to understand that the artistry of a ritual is not merely a decorative addition to a religious act. The artistic dimensions of a refined ritual provide the symbols and forms (flowers and rhythmic gestures) which allow the ceremony to convey multiple meanings. The very nature of artistic expression is the subtle, complex and multi-leveled mode of communication. The arts, in other words, provide a kind of language which enables a people to articulate the rich diversity of their culture and their encounters with the sacred. The multi ­ valent dimensions of the Zoroastrian tradition, including its ethical, aesthetic, historical and religious teachings and practices, are mirrored and suggested in its established ritual celebrations — in the simple gesture of exchanging flowers. It follows that ritual masterpieces are artistic masterpieces, and that the rituals which have played such a central role in Zoroastrian life for centuries are aesthetic achievements of the highest order. y. i:jiMiliiiMaik^ ¦ T- ' ¦ ¦ ....... • • • ........................... « •¦fife Scholars involved in the field of ritual studies, Professors James Boyd (left) and Ron Williams belong to the University of Colorado ’s de ­ partment of philosophy. They have collabo ­ rated on a book titled Ritual Art and Knowl ­ edge, Aesthetic Theory and Zoroastrian Ritual awaiting publication. Boyd's forte has been the history of philosophy and comparative religion. Williams entered the study of philosophy via physics, with special interest in aesthetics.BE AT HOME, WHEN YOU ARE OUT OF HOME Cable: KEL'S Ph: 27,91,92 HOTEL KELL’S Near Left Bank Canal, Ukai Dam 394660 Dist Surat (Gujarat) WELCOMES YOU With Luxury, Homely Comfort and Modern Facilities With AC/Non-AC Rooms, wall-to-wall carpet, Attached balcony and bathrooms with running hot and cold water, T.V. in Lounge. Overall ABE-ROOZ RESTAURANT Serving A La Carte and Parsi Varieties YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR MOnO G2 Parsiana August T991 continued from page 30 her husband Phirozc and the children — migrated to Canada. Her elder son Fara- had has now completed his master ’s in microbiology, Ervad Zubin, the younger, is a mechanical engineer who wants to be a pilot, daughter Natasha intends to opt for physiotherapy. Dastoor ’s Zoroastrian faith and back ­ ground in psychiatry have shaped her phi ­ losophy of living: “What you are today is only by chance. Anytime, anything can happen to you. Live life as it comes. We don ’t know what is there is the future... ” * * * Launching ZAAC Shahpur Bhathena is the founding chair ­ man of the Zoroastrian Association of At ­ lantic Canada (ZAAC), informs Gavashni, the newsletter of the Zoroas ­ trian Association of Quebec (ZAQ), in its issue of June 1991. The Nova Scotia Zoroastrians who have grouped them ­ selves into an association as of March 31, 1991 elected Ms Roda Godrej and Ms Shirin Jagosh as treasurer and secretary respectively. The Association ’s current address is P. O. Box 8382 Station ‘A’ Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3K 5M1. (ZAAC), Shall we unite in 1992? Growing religious awareness in North America has led to increasing demands for the unification of the three Zoroastrian calendars. For the first time in genera ­ tions, Jamshedi Navroze 1992 will coin ­ cide with Hormazd roj in the Kadmi and Shehenshahi calendars also, although their respective months will be Adar and Avan. Of course, the Fasli day is always Hormazd roj and Fravardin mah on March 21. This concurrence of the calen ­ dars will continue until the next leap year., i.e. 1996, when the Kadmi and Shehen ­ shahi calendars will drift by another day. An increasing number of people, especially in North America, have urged that the opportunity — which cannot recur for another 120 years — be seized to unite all Zoroastrians and revive their common Iranian heritage. Notes Shah- rokh Vafadari of the UK in an article, “One has to live on the Iranian plateau to appreciate the natural significance of (Jamshedi Navroze). After the harsh cold winter, overnight blossoms appear, bare trees start to be clad in green leav ­ es, the melting snows swell the streams, birds and animals leave behind their winter hibernation and everything with a grace of life manifests a physical resurrection. (March 21) is regarded asWith best compliments from NARIMAN NALLASETH Pvt Ltd ENGINEERS & CONSULTANTS 27, Tamarind Lane Rajabahadur Compound Apollo Street Bombay 400023 Phone Nos: 270066 & 272986 64 Parsiana August 1991 some Shehenshahis. Thus, the two calendars came into existence. It is for this reason that the Kadmi calendar is one month ahead of the Shehenshahi. Later, in 1906, “Zoroastrians of North America who nature ’s day of transformation. ” the return of the Mobed to Iran, some Gavashni, the newsletter of the ZAQ, Parsi Zoroastrians arbitrarily decided to discussed the issue extensively in its follow the computation followed by the March 1991 issue. According to Dr Jehan Iranians. They called themselves Kad- Bagli, editor and author of the article mis, and the others called themselves the titled “Zoroastrian calendar questions answered, ” the Fasli calendar is the only one that maintains the computa ­ tions by starting with the vernal equinox. Thereby, the main Zoroastrian religious the Zartoshti Fasli Sal Mandal initiated days, like the ghambars, have a fixed cor- by Khurshedji Cama brought the Fasli relation with the Gregorian calendar in calendar into existence... universal use. The Fasli calendar also ensures that Zoroastrian festivals concur value their heritage; who wish to follow with the season that they are connected the devotional days of ghambar as out- with. This is especially relevant to the lined in the religion; who wish to ration ­ observance of the Rapithvan gah which is ally understand and explain the calendar prayed during the hours immediately fol- problem to their children; who value the lowing noon or “the hottest part of the goal of perpetuation of the Zarthoshti day, ” as notes J. J. Modi in The Religious faith on this continent, have an obligation Ceremonies and Customs of the Parsecs, to fulfill. They must realize that the Fasli The Rapithwan gah is not prayed from the calendar is the only one-that can put order month of Avan until the onset of Frav- into this confusion and bring back all the ardin. The praying of the Rapithvan gah traditional rituals to their rightful place, begins again after the jashan on roj That will be the resumption of the tradi- Ardibehest, mah Fravardin because with tion on this ‘New Zoroastrian Home- the “vernal equinox, the winter being land, ’” notes Bagli. over, spring sets in and the sun begins to be hotter, ” says Modi. To pray it during FaCCtS of 3 profcSSOF autumn and winter as required by the Shehenshahi and Kadmi calendars which are out of step with the seasons, when daylight hours are diminishing, becomes ator on American life in Commerce a travesty, argues Bagli. Moreover, the Fasli calendar, like the Gregorian, intercalates an additional day (Avardad sal) each leap year unlike the Kadmi and Shehenshahi systems where the intercalation of a month every 120 years tends to be forgotten by generations which may be surrounded by other prob ­ lems and different systems as has hap ­ pened in India, Bagli further adds. “The saga of the three calendars pres ­ ently observed, was started by Zoroastri ­ ans in India, ” writes Bagli. “Somewhere nal guidance. ” This tongue-in-cheek cita- between 1125-1131 AD the community in tion accompanied $ 1,000 which consti- India corrected their religious calendar by tutes the Excellent Teaching Award at adding an extra month. This was done to Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis- get the receding roj Hormazd of mah consin. The prize was voted by senior Fravardin to coincide with the day of the faculty members who were past recipients vernal equinox (March 21). Historical and came as a total surprise to Dr Minoo evidence clearly points out that then the Adenwalla, the University ’s professor of major Zoroastrian community of Iran was completely unaware of this intercalation, siana. In 1989, Adenwalla had been The result was that the calendar of the awarded the Mary Mortimer Cnair in Lib- Indian community fell behind that of the eral Studies. Iranians by one month. Adenwalla notes that there are cur- “History records that this difference of rently three Parsi students at Lawrence, one month revealed itself some six centu- which he considers “one of the top under- rics later when Mobed Jamaspa Vilayati graduate liberal arts universities in the visited Surat from Kerman in 1720. After country. ” He is anxious to see many “We salute you in all your personae: as Dr Adenwalla, feared for your pro ­ vocative erudition, as political comment- (Bombay ’s equivalent to The Wall Street Journal), as an aristocratic Parsi known for your gentle ­ manly care and concern, and as an adviser and friend with rep­ utation for both gracious advice and firm, pater- government, as he notes in a letter to Par­ siana.istry at McGill University for standing first. In its March 1991 issue Gavashni, had featured Neville Billimoria, another out- 22-year-old who in Michigan, USA in a letter to her father Jimmy Meher-Homji. The extrovert graduated in politi ­ cal science, com ­ puters and econo- Billimoria is proud to be a Zoroastrian, mics had got a scholarship from Aquinas, notes the write-up by associate editor Ms informs her mother Ratusha. A squash, gymnastics and drama cap ­ tain during her school career at the Cathe- more Parsi and Indian students there. Young achievers Ervad Zubin Panthaki, Ms Natasha Das- toor and Bergez Mistry have been admit ­ ted to the McGill University's faculty of standing student achiever who had been medicine this year, informs ZAQ presi- honored at the Houston Congress. An all ­ dent Capt Khushroo Mirza. The school is rounder with sports and musical skills considered to be one of the best in North plus a commitment to community work, America, he writes. 'The son of Dr Nergish and Jal Pan ­ thaki who graduated earlier this year with Dolly Dastoor. What he most values honors in electrical engineering from about Zoroastrianism is that “it gives man McGill, Zubin had been awarded the the free will to choose the path of right- dral and John Connon in Bombay, Aimee 1988 North American Zoroastrian Stu- eousness or evil, truth or wisdom, the two isvery good at jazz ballet which she stud ­ dent Excellence Award. Dolly and Dr Phiroze Dastoor ’s daughter Natasha had studied in the tal ­ ented and gifted students program at Cen ­ tennial Regional School. She had at ­ tended and stood first in the junior college chemistry program while she was still in school, notes Mirza. The son of Amy and Capt Faredoon Mistry, Bergez had completed his school- honor, the Monsignor Arthur F. Bukow- Gere. The error is regretted, ing in Bombay and, earlier, had been awarded the faculty scholarship in chem- eousness or evil, truth or wisdom, the two main virtues of Zoroastrian ethics, ” and ied with veteran dancer Shiamak Davar, asks “Did you ever wonder why Zoroas ­ trian youth are so smart in school? It is the effect of religion on our family and ourselves that pushes us to learn. ” adds Ratusha. Erratum . The write-up on Murzban Morris (“A true citizen, ” Zoroastrians Abroad, Parsiana, “This year it will give me great pleasure July 1991) referred to the movie An Offi- to present Aimee with an Outstanding cer and a Gentleman as starring Tom Student Award as well as our highest Cruise. The movie had starred Richard ski Leadership Award, ” noted R. Paul ----------------- ---------- Nelson, president of Aquinas College CompUed by Amavaz s. Mama MATRIMONIAL Correspondence invited from Parsi boys up to 31 years of age with good character and good family background for 25-year-old girl, B.Com , medium-built, attractive and fair-complexioned, living in Karnataka. Only Mangals need apply. Please write giving full details with photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Matrimonial (August/23-91) Parsiana GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 66 Parsiana August 1991 MATRIMONIAL Correspondence invited from parents of a very well-settled qualified Parsi boy, having own accommodation, up to 34 years, for a highly qualified Parsi girl, 29 years, five feet tall, fair, good-looking, earning good salary. Please apply with details and photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Matrimonial (August/24-91) Parsiana GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 MATRIMONIAL Correspondence invited from well-educated, well-settled, good-natured, good-looking Parsi boys under 32 years of age, for a 27-year-old, well-educated, attractive, slim, 5'4" tall Parsi girl from a good . family and with a good job in a foreign airline. Please apply with photo ­ graph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Matrimonial (August/25-91) Parsiana, GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 IPERCEPTIONS The number one problem 217 delegates at the Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress responded to a questionnaire on community problems and issues The declining population was perceived naire concerned demography, religion, Forty-five percent expressed their belief as the number one problem facing the calendar, life after death and other gen- in reincarnation. On the subject of con- Zoroastrian community, according to the eral issues. The other salient findings version, 47 percent felt that the commu- findings of a survey conducted by Par- showed that 96 percent wore the sudreh- nity should not accept converts to Zoroas ­ trianism. Another trend observed was on the issue of reservation of seats with 66 percent opining that seats should be reserved for Parsis in educational insti ­ tutions. Parsiana publishes the find ­ ings of the survey. Percentage figures have been rounded off to the nearest whole number. Where the responses do not to ­ tal 100, it means that the re ­ maining people have not re ­ plied to that question. Where respondents have ticked more than one alternative, the per ­ centage figures add up to more than 100. findings of a survey conducted by Par- showed that 96 percent wore the sudreh- siana of participants at the Fifth World Zoroastrian Con ­ gress held in Bombay in Janu ­ ary 1990. While 41 percent marked declining population as the primary problem, 10 per ­ cent viewed intercommunity marriages, nine percent, hous ­ ing, one percent, care of the elderly and zero percent, con ­ version as the most important problem. Of the 750 questionnaires distributed over two days, 217 were returned; the response rate working out to 29 percent. While studying the results of the survey, readers must keep in mind that the respondents did not represent a cross-sec ­ tion of the community but those who are sufficiently interested in community affairs to attend the Congress and also sufficiently motivated to ans ­ wer the questionnaire. The personal data, gleaned from the respondents indicated that nearly 50 percent were in (I I MY GRANDFATHERS FAMILY CONSISTED OF Five BOYS seven girls t>f(i FATHER HAP THREe QIRL5 AND FOUR BOYS, ANP A 5 FORME... < "z ' I'm very happy with my one little GIRL." I* ft \ 1 / V Demography Question 1: What do you see as the number one problem facing the community? Declining population: 41% Housing: 9% Care of the elderly: 1% Shortage of priests: 6% Conversion: 0% the over 45 age-group, 54 percent were kusti and almost 90 percent assured that Intercommunity marriages: 10% males, 62 percent were married, 78 per- they would continue wearing the sudreh- Any other: 6% cent were ^graduates or postgraduates, and kusti as also offering sandalwood despite the increase in prices. Seventy-three per- Question 2 (a): Do you believe that the cent were in favor of the traditional mode population of the community is: 31 percent were in the Rs 50,000 plus in ­ come bracket. The subjects covered by the question- of disposal of the dead, dokhmenashini. Increasing: 0% 69 Parsiana August 1991 ibbo... . . Dwindling: 91% Question 4: How do you rate the facilities Religion Steady: 7% for looking after the elderly in your com- (b): If dwindling, do you believe that the munity? population of the community can be in- Adequate: 18% creased? Yes: 86% No: 6% If yes, is it by: More housing: 45% Monetary incentives: 28% Conversion: 16% Adoption: 16% Any other: 36% If no, will the community become ex ­ tinct? Yes: 20% No: 22% Inadequate: 54% Totally inadequate: 23% Question 6: Can Zoroastrianism survive if there are no ethnic Parsis .or Iranian Zoroastrians? Yes: 30% No: 63% Question 5: Do you feel that there should Question 7: Should we accept converts to be reservation of seats/quotas earmarked Zoroastrianism? for the community: LI'' ••• V J__ 7/ Question 3: you in favor of adoption?^ Yes: 76% / No: 22% If yes, would you adopt ” 1 (a): Only a Zoroastrian child: 58% I (b): A. non-Zoroastrian child: 24% If you answered yes to (b) then is it be ­ cause: (i): A Zoroastrian child is not available: 13% (ii): A non-Zoroastrian child because he Yes: 47% needs a home: 12% No: 45% I, (a): In educational institutions Yes: 66% No: 31% (b): In government/public jobs Yes: 39% No: 59% If you feel they should be accepted, y should they be permitted: , (a): To enter fire-temples ¦ Yes: 36% No: 21% » ,i/dJ. To be interred in Zoroastrian f dokhmas/cemeteries Yes: 37% No: 20% (c): To avail of trust benefits "I Yes: 30% i No: 26% -TTTl ’ Question 8 (a): Should a non-Zoroastrian spouse, if desirous, be converted to ^roastrianism? Yes: 48% No: 47% (b): Should a non-Zoroastrian spouse, al- WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS FROM ASPI IRANI ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS Irani Building, 1st floor 80, Janmabhoomi Lane, Fort Bombay 400001 Tel Nos: 2040094,2040267 Tel No (Res): 4950087though not converted, be permitted tend: (i): Religious ceremonies Yes: 45% No: 51% (ii): Socio-religious functions Yes: 80% No: 16% to at- Question 9: Should non-Zoroastrian Ira ­ nians, if desirous, be accepted into the No: 1% religious fold under “reclamation ” of per ­ sons of Zkjroastrian origin? Yes: 50% No: 41% No: 4% If yes, how often do you tie the kusti in a day? Once: 29% Twice: 33% Three times or more often: 32% Question 12: Will you continue to buy the kusti if the price of kusti keeps increas ­ ing? Yes: 97% Yes: 68% No: 29% (b): Is there a full-time mobed in your area? Yes: 83% No: 13% Question 17: Do the women in your fam ­ ily ‘sit separately ’ during menstruation? Yes: 12% No: 86% Question 13: Will you continue to buy Question 18: Do you know the meaning sandalwood if the price of sandalwood of the prayers: keeps increasing? (a): Ashem Vohu Yes: 89% Yes: 77% Question 10: Should children of inter- Nb: 8% No: 20% community marriages be admitted into (b): Yatha Ahu Vairyo the religious fold? Question 14: Would you substitute san- Yes: 75% Yes: 73% No: 21% (i): Children of Zoroastrian fathers Yes: 66% No: 28% (ii): Children of Zoroastrian mothers Yes: 66% No: 28% Question 14: Would you substitute san ­ dalwood by another kind of wood if it No: 23% were cheaper? Yes: 29% No: 64% Question 15: Is there an agiary (atash- kadeh) in your neighborhood? Yes: 88% No: 10% Question 19: In which century was Zoroaster bom? 6000 BC: 15% 2000 BC: 24% 1500 BC: 18% 750 BC: 12% Any other: 6% Question 11: Do you wear the sudreh- kusti? Yes: 96% Question 16 (a): Do you have a family Question 20 (a): Do you attend religious priest? classes on Zoroastrianism? ZMsSwner is, “^alvwiys Light When he entrusts his Household Packing, Shipping, Removal, Storage.... all his problems to B.C. Buhariwala & Sons. Make the right Move, Cali: R R Ruianitfata S' Sons Door to door Service 5 J.fS. Heredia Marg, Ballard Estate, Bombay-400 038. Tel.: 2615451/3, 2620785 2613137 Tlx.: 011-75139 BCB IN. BRANCH OFFICE: 1310, Pragati Towers, Rajendra Place, New Delhi-110 006. Tel. Nos.: 5711876, 5713540. Tlx.: 031-61928 BCB IN Represented throughout the World by more than 600 offices 72 Parsiana August 1991Yes: 31% No: 63% (b): Do your children attend? Yes: 16% No: 44% Question 24: Do you know by memory Question 29: Do you observe the four-day the names of the 30 rojs and 12 mahs? death ceremonies? Yes: 70% Yes: 93% No: 27% No: 5% Question 25: Do you observe major rojs? Question 30 (a): Do you have muktad Yes: 51% No: 43% If yes, which ones: Hormazd: 38% Bahman: 18% Ardibehest: 21% Question 21 (a): How often do you fre ­ quent an agiary (atash-kadeh)? Daily: 13% Weekly: 22% Monthly: 30% Any other: 33% (b): Aside from Zoroastrian places of Adar: 22% worship do you go to any other Ava: 16% Churches: 10% Behram: 41% Mosques: 4% Farvardin: 17% Temples: 10% Sarosh: 19% Shrines: 5% Meher: 20% Dargahs: 6% Any other: 6% Any other: 2% prayers said for your family? Yes: 88% No: 10% (b): Do you say the muktad prayers your ­ self? Yes: 26% No: 69% Question 31 (a): Do you believe in rein­ carnation? Yes: 45% No: 45% (b): Do you believe in heaven/hell? Yes: 63% Question 26 (a): Do you eat meat during No: 26% Bahman mah? Yes: 71% No: 27% (b): On Bahman roj Yes: 40% No: 43% Question 22: Do you have faith in any other individual(s) besides Zoroaster? Kookadaru: 37% Behramshah Shroff: 11% Sai Baba: 18% Satya Sai Baba: 2% Jesus Christ: 11% Buddha: 5% Bahaullah: 2% Pir: 2% Emamzadeh: 2% Any other: 6% Calendar Question 23: Which Zoroastrian calendar Question 28: Do you favor non-Zoroas- do you follow? Fasli: 10% Kadmi: 6% Shehenshahi: 81% General Question 32: Do you read the community press? Yes: 83% No: 12% If yes, which publications: After death Newsletters: 48% Question 27: What mode do you prefer The Bombay Samachar: 34% for disposal of the dead? Jam-e-Jamshed: 57% Dokhmenashini: 73% Parsiana: 71% Burial: 5% Fravahr: 3% Cremation: 12% Any other: 13% Question 33: What is the language spo- trians viewing the face of the dead after ken at home? the geh sama? Farsi: 5% Yes: 47% Gujarati: 91% No: 45% English: 66% Any other: 4% ENGINEERING COMPANY CHEMICAL PROCESS EQUIPMENT 57, Bombay Samachar Marg, Bombay 400023 — India Tel: 2863007 • 2863390 Telex: 011 79220 MCIE-IN Fax: 2624202 2024202 Attn; BY CTO FAX A/c No 491 India Grams: ‘Primemover’ — Bombay 74 Parsiana August 1991 Question 34: Is Parsi/Iranian food cooked in your home? Yes: 97% No: 1% If yes, how often: Daily: 48% Weekly: 14% On special occasions: 15% Question 35: Should a World Congress be held every four years? Yes: 90% No: 6% Question 36: Where would you like the next World Congress to be held? Tehran: 23% Bombay: 52% London: 8% USA: 9% Any other: 3%PROFESSIONS In recognition of his contribution to building up the Border Security Force and towards the maintenance of law and order in the country, Khusro Rustamji was awarded the Padma Vibhushan this year Gustasp Irani Combing out dacoits from the ravines of the Chambal, piercing deep into enemy territory on reconnaissance missions dur ­ ing the Bangladesh liberation war, pro ­ tecting a Prime Minister, Pandit Jawa ­ harlal Nehru to be specific - adventure has been an integral part of Khusro F. Rustamji ’s police career. There is a temptation to romanticize his exploits, but Rustamji, looking much younger than his 75 years which he carries with proper grey-haired dignity, sees them in terms as crisp as the uniform he once wore; “My field has been maintenance of law and order, and police work. ” The nation rec ­ ognized his commitment to his task when, in 1971, after the Bangladesh war, it conferred on him the Padma Bhushan and then 20 years later, in 1991, honored him with the Padma Vibhushan, the sec ­ ond highest civilian award in India. “It (the Padma Vibhushan) reflects excellence in any field, ” says Rustamji who however pegs his personal concept of excellence even higher: “The thought that came to me was how totally unde ­ served it was... I should have done more, I could have done more. ” It is an obser ­ vation that- does not spring from false modesty but a compulsion to give of his best which has been the hallmark of Rus ­ tamji ’s career, “My men did a great job... We had a winning team... There was nothing that my men could not do... ” When talking to Rustamji we constantly find him ready to share his achievements with his col ­ leagues and subordinates, ready to give credit where it is due. It probably ex ­ plains his ability to get together a team of men and galvanize them into giving their best. The creation of the Border Security Force (BSF) and molding it to become a vital institution in the country particu ­ larly highlights this ability of his. Pro ­ moted by General J. N. Choudhuryfthcn “We had a winning team chief of army staff and L. P. Singh, then home secretary, the task of turning the BSF concept into a reality fell upon Rus ­ tamji who was its first director general. From scratch he put together the para ­ military force that was soon to play a sig ­ nificant role both during war and peace. “We took what was the best from everywhere: from the armed forces, from the universities. We even took scientists, administrators and accountants. It was a very interesting and exciting period and I got together a first-class group from all sides, ” Rustamji recalls, adding: “When you get a group of young men with the right experience and right motivation they can work wonders. ” Within a few months the BSF was repairing its own weapons; they were the first force in India to make rockets and also use them in war. The achievements of the BSF are as impressive as they are long. But most significant, probably, was the role it played in the Bangladesh liberation war, particularly during the early stages when the BSF group infiltrated into East Paki ­ stan, now Bangladesh, to prop up the re ­ sistance forces. “I must say that great acts of valor were performed T)y the BSF boys and as a consequence the task of the Indian army was made easier in defeat ­ ing the Pakistani army, ” is Rustamji ’s view. Rustamji himself was in the thick of the action. “I remember going deep into Bangladesh and establishing rapport with the people. I remember sitting on the floor with a hurricane lantern plotting strategy and helping the Mukti Bahini (as the resistance force was known). ” Later the BSF was also called upon to deal with the enemy within the country. President of India R. Venkatraman decorating Rustamji with the Padma Vibhushan 77 Parsiana August 7997ouv.. waoM. ---__r ___J not the solution. They probably knew, as tiiat five constables made a gang of 80 Rustamji did, that the real Ufe dacorts dacoits run.” Then along cam© the holy were a far cry from the rom^UClzed men seeking to reform the bandits. They ___ ____ J___ asked for and managed to get a pardon on geni^ oF secessionist forces in Punjab, a Supreme Court d^th sentence on one When Naxalites kiUed 78 policemen on gangs... Such was die morde of om Force the streets of Calcutta, the BSF was '' '' pressed into service to train the Indian po ­ lice force on how to deal with urban guer ­ illa groups. With the subsequent emer- 3ammu''lnd^Smk (J&yJ and As^, ^oil, now a prominent politician, who and terrorism in different parts of the country, the BSF H has even a greater role to play in maintaining law and r order. > It was in a way Rustamji ’s w legacy to the nation and he looks back at it with justifi- | able pride. Yet his selection i as the first director general of the BSF was most unex ­ pected. “I was dazed, ” he remembers. “I was lifted from a comparatively junior 'I ' fl were a far cry from the romanticized he- Their" main' strength was the ravines that they infested, deep fissures, 60 to 70 feet, which were very easy to hide in and cer- tainly very difficult territory lllllllll for Rustamji and his men to operate in. ' But if the task of elimina- ting murderous bandits was difficult, then the task of pro- tecting the then Prime Minis- terof India, Pandit Jawaharlal ll equally trying. “We had a lot of differences I of opinion, a lot of argu ­ ments. He would complain about the excessive security. He would get very angry with me; then he would lean across and say something to wipe out what he had said before. ” For five and a half years Rus ­ tamji was his shadow. “I can say that he was really an out ­ standing Indian, the greatest I met after Gandhiji. ” There is another aspect of < security that one may tend to S ignore, but of which Rustamji 1^ gives a glimpse: “Apart from the security of the person you have to guard, there is idso the security of the crowds; the stampedes, the trampling... That ’s part of the job too. ” Of course the security pro ­ vided to the Prime Minister today is far in excess of what Rustamji had for Nehru, had killed 150 men, including four wit- “We had no Punjab or J&K proWem Rajiv Gandht the problem was made more complex after Operation Bluestar 7 X ¦' es position and asked to head this organization. From in ­ spector general of police (IGP) of Madhya Pradesh (MP) with some (experience in) dealing with dacoits in MP and insurgency in Nagaland, I was catapulted into organizing this force. ” Insurgency in Nagaland? “The Nagas were experts in ambush — they would wipe out entire army patrols. I too had one or two narrow es ­ capes, ” says Rustamji. Since the MP police had some suc ­ cess in dealing with dacoits they were sent to train the j v army in Nagaland on how to deal With the Rustamji with Naju (left) and Kerman insurgents and later convince them to re ­ solve their problems across the negotia ­ ting table. It was here that another Parsi, timeTplayed a signific^t role. One prob- reUpous one. lem that cropped up was f ' of the Naga militants and in this matter Rustamji, now head of the BSF, had the solution. “I BSF J____________ Naga forces, became my lifelong friend, press • Just last week he sent a shawl woven by Advani. ” Rusuanji's w«d^.we. infested the ravines of the Chambal. This his wHe. ;what hap,^ “JJ” “^e^^ination only highUghts tte deteriorating law and order situation in the country. The rot, according to Rus- !¦ SO ’Wj .1 fe' ¦ >9 t.ngtat,.e.ttwasnereun..„.ou„..a..., nesses during his trial. “They (the holy to/ Ros^Jt Yezdi Gandavia, foreign secretary at the men) were making a crime problem into a it rnie One Drub- idiKiOuS onc* As Other dneoits started to —- * - the rehabilitation surrender, aarti was performed on them when gS^Si^en- - - - J- •’ ^0 qqIq^q Teinpie iroin uiKn lunuanien J UlOY WV1& liiaviv Aiavw r - Rustamji was not one to stand by and talists. “It is possible that an over-realous _ UavIzI ii« trarrir* nut the Golden Temple from Sikh fundamen- and they were made into religious heros. ’’ U.I. “I"readily'took"them ’into the be a passive wimess to the farce or to and General Zuheto, chief of the cower before the Acharya. He called a - ----— — -- - » “dropped a bomb. I told them that Vi- -—- _ -- . noba Bhave ’s actions were contrary to the nty of Chandra Shekhar, V. P. Singh o police officer may hold up traffic, but luiv uiv ™..«x _____ _______ given today ’s political climate, I don ’t see wnferencV and,' ’in his words, the security provided to Rajiv Gandhi as excessive. The same applies for the scen ­ was at a time when Rustamji and his po- amazing. Almost the enure rress su] lice force had the dacoits on the run. ported me.^ They ‘We had wiped out 14 of the worst < dacoity and obstructing operations. ” It prophetic for, two wee^ after Ae intCT- was a bold step, for Rustamji had placed - ............................. his career on the line and the only person he consulted before taking the plunge was _ “What happened was rather ass^sinated. Almost the entire Press sup- ! a crime problem into a religious one was 13 Parsiana August 1991I tamji, is reflected in the caliber of the men Independence period was comparatively who rule the country now. “We used to less complex. “In the first 20 years the worship the white cap (symbolic of the real political problem was the rioting During the pre-Independenc6 years the Gandhian way of life) in our youth. They over the formation of the linguistic main task of the police was dealing with (the men who wore it) did so much for the states, but these were problems that the civil disobedience movements country. Now they (the politicians) are could be handled. ” The most significant launched by Gandhiji. Historic distor- motivated by money and a desire for power. I write (freelance) for seven newspapers in India and I criticize all the political parties of today, ” says Rustamji who admits that his harshness, meted out fairly, earns him the respect of all. Politicians aside, Rustamji traces part of India ’s woes to the US funding and arming of Pakistan. “As a result our de ­ fence expenditure shot up to impossible levels. ” This meant diversion of funds which could have been better utilized in development of the time, according to a country suffering from chronic poverty Rustamji, was how well India functioned tamji. It was a baptism of fire. Rustamji and an ever-rising population. The new problem of terrorism in Punjab, J&K and the northeastern states had led to cracks showing up in the law and order mecha ­ nism in the country. police is pretty full at the moment. They are a harassed lot, ” says Rustamji. Add ­ ing to the problem is the growing indisci ­ pline and corruption in the ranks: “It is a country had to fight bitterly for, had not reflection of our time. ” The role of the police during the post- over the formation of the linguistic states, but these were problems that “To see the Parsi spirit in its true and vibrant form you have to go to North America' ’ lice force, however, he found himself on the wrong side of the freedom struggle. tions aside, Rustamji points out that the police exercised the greatest of restraint: “For instance during the entire Quit In ­ dia movement, the all-India casualty fig ­ ure was only 42. Today you have more people killed in a single day in UP (Uttar Pradesh) or Punjab alone. ” Another problem during the pre-Inde- pendence days was .the communal riots. “From the very first month of my joining (the police force) I was posted in one riot-tom area or another, ” recounts Rus- as a democracy. “We grew as a democ- emerged from the ordeal unsinged. Even racy in the right way. The real test was now, years after Rustamji has retired the manner in which India treated its his police uniform, we feel the force of Muslims and other minorities, and the “The cup of the result was that you had a new generation the man, his quiet dignity and an air which might be termed as “very proper. ” from these communities coming up as Today, apart from being a director of scientists, educationists, entrepreneurs... ” Bombay Dyeing he is also a member of The gains of Independence, which the the National Integration Council. He has also been asked to become a member of the Minorities Commission; his decision on whether to accept or not been squandered in the early years, be ­ lieves Rustamji. As a member of the po- 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 80 Parsiana August 1991stand. The gates were opened and till to- ing his formative years in Nagpur, an us- day the open gate policy is part of the tad (maestro) would visit their house. has been defeired for the moment. No, he does not see himself as a pro ­ tector of the Parsis. “1 do not consider Delhi community ’s ethos. “But here (in Banoo Lodge, to teach the children Indian the Parsis as a minority community at all. Bombay) poor Roxan Shah was turned classical music. That level of commit ­ in fact we have almost become a part of away. If we can ’t set these things right ment to the local culture is lacking, and the all-embracing Indian culture, ” says as a thinking community, who else sadly so, in the community today. Rustamji. He recognizes the fact that the can? ” he asks. Not the Minorities Com- Parsis do have problems, “but the Parsis need to set their own house in order more than anything else. At least we should Commission to get reservation privileges of Parsi mothers and non-Parsi fathers, be able to run our funeral ceremonies for the community in jobs or educational opines Rustamji who has two children, properly. ” He refers to the time he went institutions. “It is a small problem that son Cyrus and daughter Kerman. Ortho- to the funeral of a Parsi admiral and found the community must deal with by itself, doxy has made the religion and commu- the movements of the dead man ’s non- In fact getting into the reservation trap nity in India sterile: “We are all het up Parsi colleagues severely restricted, might damage the interest of the commu- about the opening up of the (B. D. Petit) “How can you keep these men away? ” he asks. serves. other trust funds, ” Rustamji notes. A similar situation had cropped up The major setback, according to Rus- But not all is lost. The flame of the when Rustamji was the president of the tamji, was when the community banked community and religion is still alive, but Delhi Parsi Anjuman. A young Parsi air entirely on the British, the English Ian- beyond Indian shores. “To see the Parsi force officer had died in tragic circum ­ stances. A large number of his non-Parsi colleagues had come to pay their respects ans, we refused to learn the local lan- and were barred from entering the ar- guages, we would not sing Hindi songs, amgah. Rustamji protested; he asked that we would not even see Hindi films. ” This enterprise that the community was once the gates be opened. The late Ervad Dar- was during the period just before Inde- famous for; the courage to pack up their ius Bagli, who then looked after the reli ­ gious needs of the Delhi Zoroastrian community, initially objected, but Rus ­ tamji prevailed on hint to change his Another setback, has been the comm ­ mission. unity ’s policy of keeping its religion to Neither is it the job of the Minorities itself, its refusal to accept even children nity rather than benefit it, ” Rustamji ob- Parsee General Hospital and sharing our serves. The major setback, according to Rus- guage and the European culture. “There spirit in its true and vibrant form you was a time when we refused to be Indi- have to go to North America, ” says Rus- tamji. Parsis settled there are the ones who reflect the spirit of adventure and was during the period just before Inde ­ pendence and has carried over to the pres- bags and follow opportunity. “I think that ent too. “Those who have adapted to the the spirit of wanderlust is still very alive Indian culture in the right way have fared amongst us Parsis, ” Rustamji asserts. He well, ” says Rustamji. He recalls how dur- should know: he personified it. Kermani Transport Service Truck Owners & Contractors H.O. & Admn. 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Phone; 887 Valsad: Kamla Nehru Road, Phone: 2284 Billimora: Gohar Baug Road, Phone; 2493 Navsari: Opp Central Bank, Phone: 4008/4009 Delivery Godown: Zaveri Sadak, Phone: 1601 Udhna: Road No 2, Phone: 88611-12 Surat: Delhi Gate, Dangi Sheri, Phone: 29995 - 35428 Delivery Godown: Ring Road, Near Surat Textile Market, Phone: 24026 82 Parsiana August 1991From left: Kasad, Dick, Jokhi (top) and Palsetia, and Dumasia co-trustee in Boisar were what two trus ­ tees of the Jeevanji Jamasji Mistry ’s Surat Adarian Fund were alleging. They as ­ sured that if the Federation ’s name was lent as intervenors, from their corpus running into four crores of rupees they would assist other poorer anjumans, if mX vanu M neigh .id Con^e. and Mulla were he is partner, offered to Other hnhitation is 10 km Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress look at the papers before pledging the uon when the h Federation ’s cotnmitntent aw^^or .tetchy teport in hand? to we n« ^ing Fair deal for the farmers phanages as tn Surat, their st^todrf to give a ^e In the hope of improving the yield of education is better as compared to those _ - .. •-« __ ___ • .-.Kz*v lz\/'oi cr*n/'\olc nP. Jlnriftii- Other disadvantages are the life of isola ­ tion when the nearest habitation is 10 km away, or 1......— -------- However, when children are sent to or ­ phanages as i- ------ a « _ ___ who attend local schools, he added. “Whom to help and whom not to help... To choose the right people is also difficult. Of 10, two will be bogus, get- their agricultural holdings with the assis ­ tance of the BPP, the SPP and the WZO which were working on the rural welfare committee constituted by the Federation, nrPddpnfDr three chasniwallas of different agiaries in ting help for nothing, SPP ^r Bombay conveyed to their panthakies that Sam Bhacca admitted. In .... ------ informed Dinshaw Tamboly of WZO. sketchy report in hand? Are we not going advocated the preparation of a more com ­ prehensive report than the summary worked on by vice chairman of the WZC subjects committee Aspi Moddie which, according to Gandhi, suffered from wrong emphasis and a one-sided slant of liberalization... His summation does serve a certain purpose... It is his view of what happened at the Congress... So let it ' ‘ ' ’“t of time and effort (like Jamshed Guzder and Jamsheed Kanga) in organizing this — In the interests of a “comprehensive LU UH uxAi lu representation ” Guzder sought the dele- Bhacca mentioned the gates ’ views on what should be includ^ in the report: the papers presented by the speakers, discussions that ensued from that the the floor of the house, the chairperson s summary of each session. “Keki ’s views are based on evidence; Aspi ’s are based on interpretation of evi ­ dence. The report has been lying with us for more than one year; when are we going to implement it? ” was Kanga ’s concern. Besides, “we (the Federation) are only one of the constituent units that participated in the Congress. We have no authority to direct how the report should read, ” Kanga added. In response to Kanga ’s statement that it is the execu ­ tive committee of the Congress which had the right to finalize the report, Gandhi In the mean ­ while a video cassette projecting the pov- they would like to return to their farms, while a video cassette projecting me po - informed Dinshaw Tamboly of WZO. erty of the rural Parsis is being circulated The plight of those in the rural areas m t ----------------- living below the poverty line was de- *** scribed by Modi who regretted that such an important subject was only brought up for discussion at the fag end of the Fed ­ eration meeting. Some can ’t afford one square meal a day; others work as ser- From left: Meherjirana, Meher Anklesaria, Minoo Irani and Dinshaw Anklesaria V 01 ine rural riU5)i5 IS UV1115 viivuiMuv/v -—----------- . . ¦ I the USA and UK to get donations for go down as that... He has aj^ this cause. The long walk for miles to reach the hapless farmers and the accompanying Congress. ” exhaustion notwithstanding, the team of volunteers are getting used to the task ahead of them. 1----------------- experience of a young city girl who first complained that walking on bare rocks was difficult and now states t*.._: th; “rocks have become softer! ” 38 Parsiana August 1991LAW Spare the honor Despite his protests the Goverment of India conferred the Padma Bhushan on noted jurist Fali Nariman Gustasp Irani On Republic Day, January 26, 1991, Fali Sam Nariman, senior advocate of the Supreme Court of India, former additional solicitor general of India and, in brief, a leading legal light of the country, was honored with one of the nation ’s prestigious civil awards - the Padma Bhushan. “Believe me, ” Nariman, based in Delhi, writes to us, “it is an in ­ nocuous encomium — how innocuous I discovered when applying for a new passport... the authorities required sub ­ mission of graduation certificate of the applicant. (As) my BA and LLB scrolls were somewhere in Bombay I thought I could ‘swing it ’ with the P.B. (Padma Bhushan). Polite* and prompt came the reply: ‘we would prefer proof of univer ­ sity graduation. Initially he had reservations about receiving the award. When the ‘good news ’ was conveyed to him, Nariman . wrote to the authorities to spare him the honor for two reasons which he spelled out in a letter to them: “First, ever since my resignation from a government posi ­ tion (additional solicitor general) a day after the declaration of the phony Emer ­ gency, I have refused to be aligned or to »>» ?¦ k ' r? li President of India R. Venkatraman conferring the Padma B has han on Nariman I be regarded as being aligned to any politi ­ cal party, and second, I have consistently held the view that bestowing of titles is not in keeping with article 18 of the con­ stitution. ” The government dismissed his protests and proceeded to make the announcement I of the award. Nariman relented only so as I not to appear “ostentatious ” or be discour- j teous to the President. After meeting Nariman we realize he is too much a gen­ tleman to have acted otherwise. He ac ­ commodates us for an interview during his short and busy visit to Bombay with I brief sessions over two days in his 21st I floor suite at The Oberoi; on both occa ­ sions he graciously excuses himself from a clutch of clients. In expressing his I views he is forthright, articulate and ex- I acting, often pausing to find the right I word. But more, it is his sincerity and I optimism that strikes us. I Nariman believes that despite some I “agonizing ” and “anguishing ” devel- I opments the Indian judiciary is “basi- I cally sound and healthy. ” TTie blackest I hour was when the late Prime Minister Ms Indira Gandhi imposed her infamous Emergency in June 1975 and Nariman was in the thick of it as the country ’s ad- , ditional solicitor general at the time. I Nariman recalls that trying period when the Allahabad High Court nullified the I * ig X V 'wMRAJUL 85 Parsiana August 1991L M. NUSSERWAflIJI & COMPANY Transport Contractors & Fleet Owners PUNE—BOMBAY MADRAS —BANGALORE Trusted name in Road Transport for over three decades Head Office: 94, Mahatma Gandhi Road Pune 411001 Tel Nos: 664891 & 666422 Gram: TIMBER 86 Parsiana August i991 Prime Minister ’s election to the Lok from the British. Let us first acknowl- Sabha. “Ms Gandhi wanted me to settle edge this and salute the British tradition the matter of appeal to the Supreme which has its basis in idealism...' Court, which I did, and that same evening I flew down to Bombay. ” That night, her system, according to Nariman, is delay, political lawyers advised her differently “inordinate delay. This is because of and instead of pursuing the matter few judges and few courts in the coun- through the courts, she chose instead to try... You must realize that in a country impose her Emergency. The very next ’ with so many people, with so many day, Nariman submitted his resignation. Were there any personal repercussions dous pressure. ” But there is hope for as a result of his action? “No, ” says judges have started to sit on extra days Nariman, “I distanced myself from them when they take up matters that they be- and they distanced themselves from me lieve can be settled quickly and amica- and that ’s where the matter ended. I be- bly. lieve that a government is like an indi ­ vidual; if you take a firm decision and stand by it, they respect you; if you lose your self-respect you are finished. ” The sad part of the episode was that in contrast to many High Courts which re ­ fused to be cowed down, the Supreme Court during that time lost much of its self-respect when, in its now infamous Bombay High Court, Prabodh D. Desai, judgment, it came to the conclusion that who started this trend as Chief Justice of law courts were powerless to give relief Himachal Pradesh. to people who could be detained without tri^. “The only dissentient was Justice sensitivity of law to the needs of the Khanna who said that human rights were common man. “People in the law are not the gift of the state or law but our in- traditionally resistant to social change herent right as human beings, ” says but this has been reversed in the last 15 Nariman, adding: “After the dark days years and lawyers and judges are now of the Emergency, the Supreme Court has more responsive to change, ” observes made valiant attempts to redeem itself, and it has. ” More recently, dark shadows fell before. “He can now tilt at windmills, across the country ’s judiciary system large windmills and far more effectively when the integrity of senior judges (four than before because of the Supreme of the Bombay High Court and one of Court promoting public interest litigation the Supreme Court) was suspect. The is ­ sue, according to Nariman, is not just a question of the behavior of judges but that when public interest is involved, any one of reassessing the attitudes in. the member of the public, even if not di ­ profession at all levels. “There should rectly concerned with the breach of law, be greater responsibility and dedication can apply for court redressal in the inter- on the part of advocates and all members of the bar... The health of the profession will be reflected on the bench for, in In- the judiciary has played in safeguarding dia, judges are drawn from lawyers. ” Yet for all its failings, Nariman has gency episode aside. “We are governed enormous faith in the legal system. In an by a set of laws and not by' the whims of article in the Indian Express he writes; people in power... An independent judi- “Even today, isolated instances apart, ciary is essential to see that the rights of judges of die higher judiciary (of the individuals are not encroached upon, ” High Court and Supreme Court) are men says Nariman. Even in today ’s bleak po- and women of tried merit, and of high litical scenario of a hung parliament (do believe me), extremely high integ- Nariman exudes optimism: “It means rity. ” In the same article he traces the greater responsibility for the political origins of the Indian legal system: “We, leaders of today, more than any time in in India, inherited the tradition of judi- the past. I am hopeful, only because I be- cial independence not from the Moghuls, lieve that our country is greater than any not from the Shastras or the Smritis, not of the governments it has had. ” from Manu ’s Hindu law; we inherited it M Another problem with the Indian legal grievances, the courts are under tremen- For this practice Nariman gives credit to the current Chief Justice of the “If you lose your self-respect you are finished It is a trend that reflects a growing Nariman. As a result the common man has greater access to the courts than ever which has caught on in the High Courts too. ” According to Nariman, the view is est of the public as a whole. Probably most significant is the role democracy in the country, the Emer- The country is vast and diverse. And itWith compliments of * Start ite Electrical Works * Electrical Engineers & Contractors * 104, Shree Hanuman Ind Estate 42 B, G D Ambekar Marg Bombay 400031 88 Parsiana August 1991 they had to flee from the advancing Japa ­ nese army. Nariman was only 12 then civil code in the near future, even though but he remembers the anguish of the it is one of the stated objectives of the flight, emotionally shattering, the physi- constitution. “It is not just a matter of re- ’ ' ' ---------- ligious differences but one of cultural dis ­ parity between the various regions of the country. ” The Parsis, in other words, need not feel unduly threatened; their per ­ sonal laws will survive for some time still. Should the Parsi personal law be threatened there are enough Parsi lawyers ordeals with his optimism unscarred, to defend the community ’s rights. Parsis Married to Bapsy, an active social have, over the years, produced a large worker, the couple have a son Rohinton, a number of eminent men in the legal pro ­ fession. Nariman attributes this, in part at least, to the fact that Parsis, with their working with the Spastic Society. English-based education, were better equipped than most other communities to assimilate the British legal system that the country inherited. Today, when lawyers prowl around the courts soliciting clients, competition gQ Hiaiiy gnCVailCeS is fierce. While Nariman does ascribe luck as an important factor to success, he adds: “It is also a matter of a lot of integ ­ rity and application, and the ability to be useful to your senior with that additional bit of information you had to work for. ” Nariman sees himself as very fortu ­ nate in having had Jamshed Kanga as his mentor. “Even at the age of 90, he would say he had a great deal to learn; it was the hallmark of his great humility. Apart from being a great lawyer he was a great man, ” says Nariman adding: “All is for this reason that Nariman does not envisage the emergence of a common cal exhaustion as they worked their way to safety through the jungles on foot. Then after World War II was over, his family returned to Rangoon in 1947, only to lose everything once again in 1964. This time, Nariman ’s mother, now a widow, had to flee a brutally repressive regime. Yet Nariman emerged from the Supreme Court lawyer like his father, and a daughter Anaheeta, a speech therapist “In a country with so many people, the courts are under pressure ” Nariman sees the problems confront ­ ing the Parsi community at two distinct levels; the rural and the urban. In the ru ­ ral areas of Gujarat it is a problem of pov ­ erty; a great many of the poor Parsi farm ­ ers there are caught in the mire (his wife is actively involved in assisting them). In the urban areas, the issue facing the com- who were fortunate to be in his chambers munity is lack of proper housing, have done well. Palkhivala, Seervai, Sorabjee... ” and, of course, Nariman himself. Success, however, is eventually an always a proselytizing one — we encour- outcome of personal commitment and aged and accepted converts; there is no drive, and the fact that a man has 24 ‘ hours in which to fit his day ’s work. “It ’s not really difficult, ” says Nariman. “In life you can achieve competence in whatever you do. The more you work at it the more competent you get. It ’s like the magician in Mahableshwar who used to do a version of the Indian rope trick. I strict people from embracing the religion remember as a child being fascinated by if they want to, particularly so when it the trick. The point is that if you do involves children of Parsi women married something often enough you become to .non-Parsis. Parsis abroad, he believes very skillful at it and that applies to all have the equation right: “T.ie Parsis levels of life, regardless of whether you settled in Canada and the US are forward- are a magician or a lawyer... I won ’t be looking and yet traditional in one sense: able to do magic tricks and I don ’t expect they have gone back to the roots of the re- him to do law. Nariman was born in Rangoon in 1929. His father was the manager of the Nariman, a rational, thinking lawyer, who New India Assurance branch there. In sees no contradiction in the concurrence 1942, the family lost everything when of traditional and modem perceptions. Quite distinct from community issues however, are the issues facing the Zoroas ­ trian religion. “As a religion we were doubt about it, ” Nariman observes. Ac ­ cording to him the community survived in India only because the forefathers had the foresight and vision to break away from tradition and ban conversion to the relig ­ ion. Now times have changed and Nari ­ man feels that it is non-Zoroastrian to re- »5 ligion. ” That probably sums up the attitude ofMEDICINE A doctor i n labor Gustasp Irani I f ever there was a celebrity gynecolo- Egypt, that is in addition to the efforts in- lieve that the family planning program gist and obstetrician, then Dr Rustom vested in training local doctors in all parts should be ’delinked from politics, and Soonawala, 62, is probably the closest we of the country. jwlicy decisions taken by the organiza- have to the concept in India. Fair, rug- But more, he has designed an ad- tion should be universal: no discrimina- " ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ 'i tion, no exceptions. He concedes that been instrumental in bringing the children something similar to the loop; only it is the steps that must be taken — whatever of the rich and famous into this world, more convenient so that even less skilled they might be — must be harsh to be ef- Industrialists and filmstars are his patients doctors can use it safely, ” he explains, fective. The other option is education, and family friends; his name appearing in In recognition of his contribution, the “The moment a person is educated, his the Press is now routine. He had been spe- Kiel University in Germany awarded desire for more children is curtailed, ” he cially flown down to Delhi by the then Soonawala the prestigious Dr Von Graf- explains. “ - - - . _ . ..............~ The agony of the nation ’s growing cance of the medal is that Soonawala birthrate aside, Soonawala has also to now belongs to an exclusive club where deal with agony at a very personal level have to the concept in India. Fair, rug- But more, he has designed an ad- gedly handsome and well-spoken, he has vanced intrauterine device (IUD). “It is more convenient so that even less skilled they might be — must be harsh to be ef- Prime Minister, Ms Indira Gandhi, for her enberg Gold Medal in 1984. The signifi- daughter-in-law Maneka ’s delivery. There is however another side to this _ _ , high profile medical man — a dedicated the membership will not exceed 10, that — the birth throes of women in labor. In doctor working on cpntaining the cancer- being the number of medals the Uni ver- recent times however, as a result of medi- ous growth of the country ’s population, sity plans to award for what it considers cal advancement, the birth process is less It was in recognition of his efforts in this .. j.l.j area that he was decorated with the technology internationally. Instituted in Padma Shri by the President of India R. 1981, the birth centenary year of Von Venkataraman, on Republic Day, 1991. Grafenberg who developed the first IUD, lent pain killers, ” he says referring par- “The Padma Shri is awarded to profes- only six of the 10 medals have been ticularly to the epidural process (that ........................... numbs the lower half of the expectant Soonawala refrains from singling out mother ’s body during delivery). He re- any one contraceptive method as the buffs fears that the process could cause best. “It varies from person to person, paralysis to the lower part of the body. What may suit one, may not suit another. ~ In medical terms, it is what we call a significant contributions to contraceptive painful both for the mother and the doctor ' ¦ ’ ¦ who has had to endure screaming women as part of the job. “Today we have excel- sionals, scientists, social workers who distributed to date, have done outstanding work for the country, ” says Soonawala who views the recognition as a measure of job satis ­ faction. “As a gynecologist and obstetrician one ( people ’s problems at an individual level, but I have, in a way, got involved with the nation ’s problem, ” states Soonawala. He is the honorary medical director of growth rate remains one of the country ’s the Family Planning Association of In- i J , dia, member of the WHO (World Health achievements, ” says the doctor. The if pain can be muted, there is little one can do about babies who want to make their Further, included in his consulting _______ ________ rooms at Peddar Road is a fully does °get dir^tly involved with cafeteria approach; you can pick and equipped, modern, prenatal clinic where choose. ” expectant mothers and their spouses^are But for all Soonawala ’s and his col- readied for the big day. “Fear causes ten- leagues ’ efforts, the high population sion, tension causes pain. At the prenatal clinic we reduce fear and as a result the tension and pain are also less. ” But even the Family Planning Association of In- major problems. “It drowns out all our dia, member of the WHO (World Health achievements, ” says the doctor. Organization) advisory panel on sterili- country, according to him, just cannot zation, and other national and interna ­ tional bodies. Interestingly, India ’s staggering popu ­ lation problem has given it expertise in contraceptive and sterilization tech ­ niques which have been sought by other will have to build 100 new schools, ac- developing countries. Soonawala has con- commodating 500 children each, every- ducted advanced training programs in day. these fields for doctors in Sri Lanka, Paki- L------------------------------------------- Stan, Iran, Iraq, Bangladesh, Nepal and answers to the problem but he does be- Hospital, the Jaslok Hospital and Re- generate enough jobs or provide ade- grand entries at night. Soonawala is quate educational facilities to keep pace called upon six to eight times a month at with its numbers. To illustrate, he points unearthly hours to welcome the little out that, just for education to keep up crying bundles into the world. And his with the population growth, the country days that follow are long — rising at 7.15 a.m. the doctor rarely ever gets home be ­ fore 11 at night. He is attached to the Breach Candy Hospital and Research Soonawala does not claim to have the Centre, the Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity 90 Parsiana August 1991Gynecologist Rustom Soonawala, whose effort to check the national birthrate has been rewarded with a Padma Shri, would like to see an increase in community numbers 8? SO „s Xi The President of India awarding the Padma Shri to Soonawala. Right: Soonawala (seated) with his immediate family w ¦ O w - search Centre, the B. D. Petit Parsee Gen ­ eral Hospital and the Masina Hospital. Gynecology, he explains, deals with the female reproductive system; andro- logy, which is not his line, deals with the male reproductive system; obstetrics deals with childbirth. Unlike other branches of medical specialization where the doctor has the flexibility to plan, in gynecology and obstetrics almost every case is an emergency. “It is also a line where there is more involvement with the patient and her family. Patients also become family friends, ” says the gyne ­ cologist. Soonawala learned his skills at the Topiwalla National Medical College where he studied to obtain his MDBS and MD degrees. He then proceeded to UK to qualify as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS). But the question of settling abroad never arose. “One can ­ not hope to reach the top there or become 91 Parsiana August 1991L the crisis of declining numbers facing the explains the chicken and egg dilemma as community. On a serious note, Soonawala sees the Parsi population crisis as a direct off- a first-class citizen, ” he observes. It was an important consideration, for excel ­ lence was, and is, an important factor in whatever he did. Take sports for example. He repre ­ sented his college in its hockey, football, athletics, badminton and tennis teams. He _--------. also represented Bombay University and can provide for it, ” he observes, adding ten than not they would rather check in at Bombay State in athletics, and was on the 4 X 100 meters relay team that set a record at Jabalpur at an all-India meet. “My fa ­ ther encouraged us (four brothers) to ac ­ tively participate in exercise and games, ” says Soonawala. The father. Dr Phiroze ----- „ Soonawala, a popular consulting physi- Bombay Parsi Punchayet playing a key add a word in favor of the present com- cian at Nair Hospital, probably influenced role, Soonawala believes, is the need of mittee members of the Hospital: They his children ’s professional choice too, for the hour. “Many Parsi families settle for are a real hardworking lot. It is the duty of all his four sons took to the medical orfe child when they should have two, every Parsi to help them in whatever way profession. Jamshed, the eldest became a preferably three. ” The first two children, they can. ” physician; Faredoon, the next m line, be ­ came a urologist; and Soli, the youngest, a dental surgeon. And Rustom relayed the tradition on to his own two sons Behram and Feroze, who have presently become doctors and indirectly accounts for the poor utiliza- are specializing in gynecology. /-2-1 wife Piloo and two daughters, Jenai Ba- ----------- naji and Kamal Tata to complete the fam- “When you average 10-14 births a ing, housing... and abortion of unwanted ily portrait “We have done our bit for the month you can ’t expect the management children. community, ” Soonawala laughs as he re- (of the Hospital) to invest their limited “When a Parsi couple comes to me for fers to his four children in the context of patients are reluctant to use the Hospital till facilities are improved first. He is ___ _________ __ however quick to add that the amenities shoot of a housing crisis. “The Parsis are nevertheless are quite adequate. In fact he an educated community. They will not encourages his Parsi patients to have their take responsibility for a child unless they babies at the Parsee General, but more of- ... . . .. .. ..-------------. 1 that in Bombay the lack of accommoda- other hospitals. Breach Candy in particu ­ tion compounds the problem. “I get Parsi lar, for reasons that are social rather than couples who want more children but medical. “Just the other day I convinced won ’t plan for them unless they have a a middle-class Parsi lady to have her de ­ roof over their heads first. ” Low income livery at the Parsee General rather than housing for the middle-class with the the Breach Candy. ” He makes it a point to Returning to the low birthrate in the community, Soonawala points out that Soonawala explains, is to replace the par ­ ents, the third is to compensate for the .. _ bachelors, spinsters and childless couples infertility is not a problem; in fact, the in the community. average infertility rate among Parsis is The low birthrate in the community less than in other communities. The fac ­ tors effecting low birthrates are more ex ­ ternal: years lost in the pursuit of educa- the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital, tion, late marriages, both parents work- “When you average 10-14 births a Add tion of facilities in the maternity ward at (of the Hospital) to invest their limited resources in this department, ” Soonawala an abortion, I go through the exercise of For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS 92 Parsiana August 1991 324, Grant Road, Bombay 400007. Telephone 371483 Fax 3099648 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIAtrying to convince them to continue with the pregnancy and give the child up for adoption. I have not succeded in convin ­ cing anyone as yet, ” Soonawala laments. He refers to one case when a poor Parsi turned on him, “What are you saying? Are you asking me to sell my child? ” the man demanded when Soonawala assured him that the child would be adopted by a well-to-do Parsi couple who, out of a sense of fair play, was willing to put aside sums of money for his other three chil ­ dren. “He went and had the abortion done elsewhere. ” What about adopting non-Parsi children? Soonawala does not commit himself but states: “With the changing times one has got to rethink one ’s val ­ ues. ” For starters, he believes the commu ­ nity should accept children of Parsi mothers and non-Parsi fathers as long as the father has no objection. “On the one hand we are trying to maintain the iden ­ tity of the community while on the other hand, in another 50 years, we may no longer exist. ” Equally, if not more, important to Soonawala is the Zoroastrian identity, the Zoroastrian way of life. “It is a very positive religion, a good way of life. ” He tells us of a visit to Sao Paolo in Brazil when he went out to lunch with one of the leading medical men of the country and ordered a beef dish. His companion observed: “You are an Indian and you eat beef? ” To which Soonawala clarified: “I am a Zoroastrian. ” Whereupon the Brazilian doctor replied: “That ’s strange, for in Brazil, all the people who are honest are called zoroastra. ” The elation and pride Soonawala felt at the moment aside, the point he is driving at is a subtle one: “Zoroastrianism has so much to give to the world. We will be wasting it if we do not wake up and take practical steps. Why not share it with others? Conversion may be a difficult proposition but I don ’t think you have to be accepted by anyone if you want to follow a religion. If you like a religion, you follow it and there is nothing anyone can do • about it. ” Perceptions change with the context. Soonawala is used to dealing with para ­ doxes even in his professional life. At the national level he works to curtail the ever growing population and at the community level he aids and abets its growth. That he has been able to sU'ike the right balance and win the recognition of both the nation and his patients is a testimony to his skills and talent. With Compliments From S.F. Engineer Noshirwan Mansion Henry Road, Colaba Bombay 400039 Tel Nos: 241475, 241490 95 Parsiana August 1991ART I SING WITH PAINT Change is of the essence to artist Homi Patel Gustasp Irani A Parsi lady stormed into the art gallery. She demanded an explanation for the mess on display: this abstract modem art. She threatened the artist concerned that she was going to write to the papers un ­ less he closed down his exhibition imme ­ diately. Homi Patel, a quiet grey-haired .i bachelor of 62, recalls how it was during I his early exhibitions when contemporary Indian art was a fledgling movement. J Reaction to his work was particularly harsh for his paintings were, as they still are, abstract. “Now contemporary art is accepted. Then, people would come to the gallery and say; ‘What is this non ­ sense? Why are you wasting electricity on the fans, the lights? ”’ recounts Patel. Years later, in April 1990, Patel ’s contribution to the contemporary art ____________ _____________________ movement in India was recognized when But it was only a part of the story, he was awarded the Ara Memorial The other part of the paper on canvas Award. The journey through time has vaaohese w.fernandez phase was that Patel was dealing with the been turbulent. Patel could well fit the Gallery. There was a time when he was problem of space constraints. He'had no classic mold of the suffering artist, considered one of the promising and ex- studio then. He worked on the joint fam- “People, my family, have often tried to citing young artists on the contemporary ily ’s dining table between meals, dissuade me from my work. They have kept on telling me to take on a regular Gallery Chemould, one of the people . job. But I always said ‘no. ’ I have al ­ ways been an artist, ” he says. Patel ’s problems stem not from the fact that he has always been an artist but from the fact that he has been an uncom ­ promising one. “He is a senior and very serious painter who has not had the right kind of exposure. The problem is that he is not the sort of person who would proj ­ ect himself; he is very unassuming, ” says Dadiba Pundole of the Pundolc Art il 96 Parsiana August 1991 PHOTO: VARGHESE FERNANDEZ selves, once they have excelled at a style or theme that is popular with the public; but his temperament is different. “You ’ve got to move... each canvas is a new challenge. After every few years, I change my style, my technique. ” In his search for the perfect form of color, texture and movement, Patel has recently discarded the brush and conven­ tional artists ’ tools and developed a tech ­ nique that is uniquely his own. He em ­ bosses his paint onto his canvas via a newspaper. Earlier he used cloth to relay the paint. There was a time when he had Ik stopped using paint altogether; he gave his canvases movement and form by H sticking colored paper on them. It was part of the process of change, the only ¦ constant that Patel accepts. r i “I art scene in India, says Kekoo Gandhy of moved from one studio to another. I even once worked in a stable...but that is an ­ other story, ” says Patel. Like everything else, Patel ’s paintings closely associated with the early move ­ ment. Patel was one of the select few artists whose works were sent to galleries have gone through phases. Patel recalls in Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, Tokyo and the canvases done in his youthful days: other international centers as representa- “They were vibrant, full of energy. Then tive of the country ’s art movement. I sobered up and so did my Why has he not stayed with styles that paintings...There was a time when my were acclaimed and popular? He is ap- paintings reflected the solid form of palled by the suggestion. “What? Copy stones...Then there was the quiet phase myselt? ” he asks. He concedes that there arc many artists who do repeat them- which was very popular... ” The quiet phase, he explains, was when he workedwith subtle shades of white. He recalls one quiet phase exhibition at Gallery Chemould when mats were laid out for visitors to sit on and absorb the serenity of the canvases while different ragas (In ­ dian. classical music) were played in the background. There were other phases too: canvases awash in waves of color and others taut with electric energy. “I do not know if I am popular or not. I only know that I have painted and will carry on painting under any circum ­ stances... I do not let my creativity stop _ _ at ABC. I try to explore the DEF too, ” ted to the work alone. “We used to meet influence and he shrugs. “Maybe. I don ’t explains the artist. at the Artists Aid Center. We discussed know much about community matters. ” He takes us into his bedroom which is talent. Wc loved each other...It was a His lack of pretensions is disarming, also his studio to see his latest canvases, time when we had no money. We used to Indeed, he wears a sudreh and kusti... part of the ongoing evolutionary process, order one broon bread and one tea and But don ’t be fooled. As he attempts to ex- “Look at that. What do you see? ” he ' asks. We see color, in subtle shades on some canvases and blatantly loud on oth ­ ers. As we gaze on, figures emerge, teas ­ ing our vision and probing our memory bank for an identity; we see forests awash in mist and a cascade of colors. “I don ’t title my paintings. If I do, you will start looking for things you don ’t see. I leave it to you to see what you want, ” says Patel. “I see nothing, just form, color, texture, movement and portant that you are influenced, ” says space. That is the soul of my painting. ” His hands moved sensuously across the canvas as he illustrates a point. He compares his painting with music. “I sing with paint. It ’s something you can ’t define. It ’s a question of intuition, not understanding. People see a rose and say: ‘How beautiful. ’ But beyond the Suza. Between 1958 and 1962 the four rose and its beauty are other perceptions. I am seeking out these perceptions in my work. I don ’t know if I succeed but I am enjoying it. ” “My Indian background is reflected in my paintings. I live here” India was a Iledgling movement. Those were the days when artists were commit- tist, but the patron of the arts. That Bhabha was a Parsi was not significant, though the contribution of the commu ­ nity in most fields of endeavor cannot be ignored. “We Parsis have been pioneers, even in contemporary Indian art. Three of the four private art galleries in Bombay are Parsi-owned (Chemould, Pundole and Cymroza), ” says Patel. Being Indian is of great significance to Patel. “Of course, my Indian background is reflected in my paintings. I live here, ” he states. Extend the equation to the Parsi at the Artists Aid Center. We discussed talent. Wc loved each other...It was a time when we had no money. We used to order one broon bread and one tea and three or four of us used to share it. We plain the significance of his paintings, his were a family of artists. ” abstractions, he reaches out for ready It was a lime when Gandhy held the symbolism — fire. “Look at the fire, it ’s first art exhibition at his Chemould Frame Shop at Princess Street, a time when Ara, Raza and other leading artists formed the progressive group. “I used to admire their work and be inspired by them, ” Patel recalls. Earlier he was in ­ fluenced by the works of many artists, both Indian and international. “It ’s im- Patel, then adding, “but only in the be ­ ginning. ” A committed artist must evolve and furrow his own individual course. There was a time when Patel ’s furrow ran parallel with the furrows of three other artists: Ambardas, Nikkam and new ground in contemporary Indian art and as with all pioneers, they were mis ­ understood. So what if an agititcd Parsi of them held four group shows together. The common thread that ran through these shows was that all the works on display were abstract. The group of four, A good painting, according to Patel, as Patel refers to the clique, wa.s breaking must have impact. “First, it must appeal to the eye. The second time you look at it you are looking at the color effect; the inner silence of the work. This will stay lady ruffled her feathers at their show, if with you forever. ” The inner silence, ac ­ cording to Patel, is the acid test of any work of art. In today ’s world of growing commer ­ cialization in contemporary Indian art, the aesthetic and rupee values often get blurred, according to Patel. “Now it ’s all commercialization. You meet another painter and all he talks about is how much he is selling for; how much you arc selling for; how much so and so is selling for. It ’s all sell, sell, sell. It ’s destroying pride on the occasion when Bhabha the atmosphere. Ah! The good old days, when Patel was young, when contemporary art in others dismissed their work as nonsense? Patel knew the value of his own work. If anything, it spurred him on to push him ­ self further, see and explore what others did not notice. “A stone for insuince. You kick it but there is beauty in it too, ” he observes. One of the first persons to recognize Patel ’s talent was the late Homi Bhabha, then chairman of the Bhabha Atomic Re ­ search Centre. Patel still looks back with 98 Parsiana August 1991 bought two of his paintings. “It was my first significant sale, ” he recalls. The Bhabha Patel knew, was not the scicn- energy, you can see it, you enjoy its danc ­ ing flames but you cannot explain its form. ” In many ways Patel ’s mild manner and soft-spoken facade are deceptive: there is a rebel lurking within, and the canvas is his stage. Patel himself recognizes this. “I have not been a conventional painter, ” he observes. Burjor Framji & Co Licensed Plumbers Sanitary & Drainage Contractors o o o Marine Mansion 1st Marine Street Bombay 400002 Tel: 313207FOOD Less oil, better health Bhicoo J. Manekshaw Vegetarian fare for the calorie conscious BA I GAN batata KOBI NEH BHATl VAQHAREUY^ KHGECHRI >9 El OKRA I STEW Siffi Black peppercorns (4) Asafoetida (a pinch — optional) Garnish Cocunut (2-3 tbsp — freshly grated) Chilli powder (1 tsp) Coriander leaves (2-3 tbsp — chopped) Milk (72 cup) Green chillies (2-3 — chopped) Coriander leaves (chopped) Cut cabbage into four and blanch in boil- Put crushed roast^ masala in a pan with ing salted water for 2-3 minutes. Remove 1 tbsp water on a high flame. Stir till wa- from water and refresh in cold water, ter evaporates. Add ginger, garlic and Squeeze out all liquid by pressing onions. Add 1 tbsp of water and stir. Add between two plates. Slice thinly. Keep 1 cup of water, tomatoes and okras, tur ­ meric powder and salt to taste. Cook on a high flame till okras are done. (Do not seeds. When they stop spluttering, add overcook the okras and do not cover the pan while boiling.) Remove from fire. Add chilli powder, milk and coriander diately if possible. leaves just before serving. Note: The cabbage need not be blanched Excellent with grilled chops. if so desired. aside. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add mustard rest of ingredients. Add turmeric and cab ­ bage. Toss for a minute and serve imme- KOBI NEE BHAJI BAIGAN BATATA The doctors say a low-oil kitchen is a Cabbage (1 — firm, weighing about 72 to Potatoes (7^ kg — peeled and cubed, al- healthy kitchen. Besides, oil prices are kg) though peeling of potatoes is not a must) soaring in India, so here are a few recipes Turmeric powder tsp) Aubergines C/2 kg —cubed) with very little oil used in them. Oil (1 tbsp) Garam masala powder (1 tsp) Turka Coriander powder (1 tsp) OKRA STEW Cumin seeds (2 tsp) Cumin powder (72 tsp) This is without any oil at all. I have of- Mustard seeds (2 tsp) Chilli powder (1 tsp) ten served it at parties. It is not slimy as one would suppose. Okras (Vj kg — small, tender, cut in 2- inch pieces) Water (1 cup) Onions (2 large — chopped) Garlic (8 cloves —chopped) Ginger (1-inch piece — fresh, chopped) Curry leaves (2 strips) Tomatoes (2 large — chopped) Turmeric powder (7^ tsp) Salt (to taste) Masala (dry roasted and coarsely crushed) Dry roast the following ingredients sepa ­ rately and crush coarsely: Coriander seeds (2 tsp) Fenugreek seeds (1 tsp) Cumin seeds (1 tsp) Cinnamon (72 inch piece) Cloves (2) Cardamom (1 — peeled) o 100 Parsiana August 1991Tomatoes (2 — chopped) Vaghar or Turka Mustard seeds (1 tsp) Asafoetida (a pinch) Oil (2 tsp) Salt (to taste) Heat oil. Add mustard seeds. When they stop spluttering, add asafoetida. Add 1 cup of water, salt and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Add aubergines, tomatoes and rest of ingredients. Simmer on a slow fire till vegetables are cooked. With Best Compliments From White Cloud Filter Pads Pvt Ltd Pioneer Manufacturers of Finest Quality Machine Made Filter Pads in the Country. 412 Gultekdi Road, Pune 411037 Phone 432236 Gram: Filter Pads VAGHARELI KHEECHRI Basmati rice (V^ kg) Toover dal (pigeon peas —125 gms) Masoor dal (Egyptian lentils — 125 gms) Moong dal (green beans — 125 gms) Channa dal (Bengal grams — 125 gms) Oil (2 tbsp) Potatoes (125 gms — peeled and cubed) Carrots (2 — peeled and cubed) French beans (50 gms — cubed and blanched) Green peas (50 gms —shelled) Spinach (1 small bunch — stems removed and blanched) Yam (200 gms — peeled and cubed) Masala Onions (3 large — sliced) Ginger (2 tbsp — ground) Garlic (2 tbsp — ground) Turmeric powder (1 tsp) Chilli powder (1 tsp) Green chillies (2 — chopped) Cumin powder (2 tsp) Garam masala (1 tsp — whole) Salt (to taste) Soak rice for hour and drain for Vj hour. Half boil toover dal and channa dal together. Soak rest of dais. Heat oil, add onions and brown. Add Vj cup of water and cook till onions are mushy. Add rest of masala and brown. Add rice, all dais and vegetables and stir fry for a minute or two. Add salt and enough boiling water (about iVj inch above the rice mixture and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and cook in a medium oven for 20 minutes or over the stove on ‘Dum ’ for 20 minutes till rice is done. This dish does not need anything else with it except perhaps an onion salad. One can also add kharu gosht when the kheechri is done to make it into a meat dish. Bon appetit! Bhicoo J. Manekshaw, a graduate of the prestigious Cordon Bleu School of Cookery, London, and author of the Traditional Recipes of India, has been associated with many haute cuisine organizations in the country. 102 Parsiana August 1991BOOKS I royal laugh Author Gustasp Irani recaptures the ambience of British India in his first novel Yasmin D. Poonegar Some people write to change the Its characters have their share of pleasure writing, you know what it feels like to world, others to forget it... Freelance and problems. But the problems are not play God. You create a character and journalist and business executive Gus- to be taken as seriously as one*often define the boundaries within which he tasp Irani writes to entertain it! Called tends to. In short, failure should not get or she may act. Very often the character Once Upon d Raj, Irani ’s first book is a you down but goad you to fight harder, breaks through these boundaries and fun-filled foray into the lavish past of British India. A past where maharajahs changed their minds as often as Imelda Marcos changed her shoes; where hereditary royal res ­ ponsibility spelt the end of princely, youthful irresponsi ­ bility; and where palace in ­ trigues were often fueled by British power pumped by the mechanics of traitors inside the courts. This book has been published by the well- known firm of Orient Longman ’s and was due to be available in Bombay by end August for Rs 60. Once Upon a Raj is an ad ­ venture story in a simple, un ­ complicated genre. A prince who is spending his youth in quasi-mandatory decadence in firm t- ¦ J IF" i i fi I 5^ IO F, ii f i you let him move the way he wants... Picking up on this as ­ pect of the writing process, Irani talks about the charac ­ ters who broke through the boundaries that he had created for them in his book. “I started writing and the characters took over and almost wrote the bode themselves, ” he ex ­ plains. “For instance, I really didn ’t know what the prince was going to do till the very end. And the part where the grand vazir switched loyalties from his king to the British just happened by itself. It con ­ cerned me to see him doing that and I woke up Jeroo, my wife, in the middle of the night and told her how upset I was to have the vazir stab ­ bing his king in the back. It London is called back home to do his for in action is the answer to living, was only after I sat down and continu- duty — get married and help run his fa- Through this simple ethos, Irani sub- ed writing again that I realized that the ther ’s kingdom. Prince Vir ‘is not willin. ’ consciously expresses what he believes vazir was just setting up the British The plot follows the twists and turns to be the essential elements of his inspector. ” Irani subsequently woke up that seem fantastical today, but were faith — Zoroastrianism. “I think our reli- Jeroo at 2 a.m. to express his relief thM apparently quite true to life in the palace gion says that you have to live life fully the vazir was not such a bad guy after intrigues of those opulent, convoluted — you have to participate in it, you all. Jeroo, happy to g^ a good night ’s times. A diamond to beat all diamonds, cannot run away from it If you fail you sleep at last, commended the vazir on his and princesses that would make your can get up and fight again. Zoroastrian- proper (and timely!) behavior, jokes Irani, heart beat backwards are involved, as ism talks of man taking an active role For this author, writing is not a matter the British administration clashes wits* in God ’s creation, ” he explains. of inspiration from above. He puts it with the persistent prince and his wily vazir. Lighthearted, humorous and enjoy- he take an active part but also a de- One does not wait for it to happen. ” Dis ­ able to read, the book is all these things cisive part in the process of creation as cipline and hard work are the name of and more. Its breeziness conveys a P. G. Wodehousian message: Life ’s like that! ism talks of man taking an active role As a writer, Irani has an edge over this way: “I get my inspiration from sit- the rest of mankind, for, not only can ting on my posterior and just writing, he take an active part but also a de- well. Best-selling author John Fowles is every writer ’s game. One has to learn known to have said that when you are how to organize one ’s time and put 104 Parsiana August 1991I less remained static since his school Irani admits his days, but now he is blessed with a wife who corrects all of them for him effort ­ lessly since she is a travel writer and managing editor of a magazine in her letter to his sister Oovi from his own right. “I bounce a lot of stuff off Jeroo. It gives me the proper perspec ­ tive and her constructive criticism helps to put things in the right light, ” he acknowledges. Today, Irani has been called a “new author breaking ground. ” His sequel to Once Upon a Raj is already in progress, its characters creating new adventures for themselves. However, his author- of US and only releases itself if given aside those few precious minutes for rumination and writing. “I started Once the right instigation. Upon a Raj when I was about 38, close instigation to write and create his own to six years ago. I decided to put aside menagerie of characters came from a 10 minutes every day and just spend that childhood dream to write. He once wrote time at my desk, writing. There were ' times when I extended that period by hours and it just flowed, ” says Irani, his two daughters, Ayesha and Nekshan, occasionally sparking off an inspired session. His plan of action extended to making time also for reading other works of fiction. “In the space of one year I read something like 52 books of different kinds, ” he informs. John Updike, James Michener, Alistair boarding school in Bangalore (St ship has not been restricted to the Once Maclean, they all passed through his Joseph ’s): “I want to write. I don ’t know Upon a Raj series. Among his still to be curious writer ’s mind, sometimes leaving what I want to write. In writing this published works are two P^ys, To Hell an imprint, sometimes not. Surprisingly letter about my desire to write, I am ' ' ____I— T 1 aLiaA Ib a aMA.*. .a ./a A 1*4 T lllAWt t/X /IzX ” any of the numerous works written on the days when Britannia ruled the waves — and India. The current novel is entirely a creation of his ultra-visual imagination. The lo ­ cales, like the Maharajah ’s Club in “My spellings were so horrible in school persecution in Iran only to come to India London and the kingdom of Prince Vir ’s I . „ father are concoctions from a store of in English, ” he mentions, exotic fantasy that is there in every one a The problems are not to be taken as seriously as one often tends to ¦ ’ I with Dr Faustus and Taro, Taro, Taro..., enough, Irani says that he did not read writing which is what I want to do... ” and a semi-biographical work, on the Though the spirit was willing (to Zoroastrian Iranian immigrants who write), the spelling was weak, and he came to India in the last century, called laughingly tells us that his teachers and Tongue of Flame. It includes stories of classmates at school would never believe some of the people whose ancestors with- that he had become a published author, stood hundreds of years of religious that I ended up getting really low marks and find themselves diluting their be- He admits liefs and assimilating with the religion that his spelling prowess has more or of others. “I believe it is the price these With the compliments of P. S. KUKA Chairman GOODWILL THEATRES PVT LTD OWNERS NOVELTY CINEMA (THEATRE MAGNIFICENT) Rendezvous of the Elite 106 Parsiana August T991immigrants had to pay. Just to take my This is one of the reasons why we Zoroas- i example, within two generations my trians are facing these problems. We are heart. Former managing* editor and family had to deal with my almost unable to agree or act according to the converting to Christianity... ” But, his current circumstances, ” he opines. Our ion on a subject that is quite close to his _ „ 1 now a freelance contributor to Parsiana, Irani continues to retain an interest in days of flirting with other beliefs and forefathers had the strength not only of community affairs. Last year he was atheism ended when he found that what their convictions, but the intelligence to ------- he was searching so hard for was right there under his nose. “Strangely enough, I was led back to the philosophy of my own religion through Christianity, in a way, ” says Irani. “I was sitting, watching television one day in America (about 20 years ago) and there was this Christian program about how suffering is given to man by God as a signal to say ‘come back to me. ’ I was about to switch off the TV set, but for some of adaptability. Today, our circumstan- reason I left it on, ” he-adds. This par- i ticular episode set him thinking, and “I ability to react to these changed circum- slowly started realizing that I was born stances has also changed — we have lost the Harvard affiliated Iran Center for into a religion that does not talk of that adaptability, that ability to swim Management Studies and later did a stint constant suffering. It talks positively — along with the powerful currents of our with the United Nations Development gives hope. ” ‘ ‘ .................................. ....... - - His hope in the religion, even today in its state of flux and discord, is intact. We will make it through, he summarizes. If not in India then in other parts of the indiscriminately, the structure collapses: world. “Many of our best minds have “So, don ’t try to tear down the walls — gone abroad in search of opportunity and let ’s just build more doors, ” advises Irani we are left with the rest in this country, optimistically, expressing his own opin- seen in a TV documentary. The Parsees'. the Zoroastrians of Bombay, produced for BBC Channel 4 by a British team whom Irani had assisted with research material. With an optimism that his faith has underwritten in his life, Irani has done many things. Today he is a freelance writer, and manages a transport company. He worked for five years in Iran with a arm themselves with the survival tool Greek construction company until the \ ~ ¦ revolution in the country put an end to his ces have changed and, unfortunately, the “re-migration. ” While in Iran he acquired ' ’ . ' „ ¦ a degree in business administration from The grand vazir switched loyalties from his king to the British times, notes Irani. Orthodoxy is not bad Programme. Six weeks of his life were in itself — it is often the structure that subsequently spent in the highlands of holds together the religion. Sometimes Sikkim, discovering his direction in life, when one breaks the walls of orthodoxy In a way, Irani has traveled his own road, listening carefully for the sounds of his own silence; and finally using the accu­ mulated experiences to create his own world of words. Best Wishes From RUSY & PURVIZ SHROFF 108 Parsiana August 1991 6MILESTONES For the first time Pars'iana pub- f lishes intercommunity marriages general debility. Diabetes took registered at the MH ADA office in Bandra (East), between the period January to April, 1991. Civil marriages contracted be ­ tween Zoroastrians have also been listed. I’ which could not be identified as infection, accident, dianhoea, Zoroastrian have been omitted from the list. There were 21 intCTCommunity marriages regis ­ tered at Bandra in 1990. The previous year (1989) saw two civil marriages contracted be ­ tween Zoroastrians and 17 inter- communal marriages registered at Bandra. s'lana's riages list will include informa ­ tion from the Registrar of Mar ­ riages at the MHADA office as well as at the Old Customs* House, once every four months. The age of Zoroastrian brides in Bombay as listed in this issue (Parsi marriages only, as age sta ­ tistics are not available for inter- communal marriages) ranged be ­ tween 21 and 37 years, the arith ­ metic mean — the sum of indi ­ vidual ages divided by the total number of brides — being 29 deaths, according to illnesses, years. The corresponding figures s^ially of the elderly, death is Engineer; March 19 for the grooms were 22 to 32 ' ' years, averaging at 28. As compared to 22 Bombay birtlis emunerated in this issue, there were 94 deaths in the month of July. The major killer was heart disease claiming 31 patients of whom 11 were above tire age of 80. Fourteen victims fell prey to pneumonia and lung disease and 10 to old age and A boy to Behroze and Kurush : Billimoria; July 25 the lives of eight patients while A boy to Maharukh and Percy four victims each succumbed to cancer, stroke and hypertension. The other killers were liver dis ­ ease (three), bronchitis and kid- However, names ney failure (two each). Urinary July 27 Henceforth, P1), 13, Wadia Bldg, Dr Ambedkar Rd, 400014; July 17 Sir Ratan Tata Blocks, Parel Tank Rd, 400012; July 18 Nariman Naoroji Sukhidas (82), A/4, Sanjana Bldg, Forjett Hill Rd, 400036; July 18 Soonamai Pirojshah Behramkamdin (89), 3, Albless Bldg, 266, Thakurdwar Rd, 400002; July 19 Dhunmai Bujorji Jithra (90), Banaji Bldg, Forjett St Cross Lane, 400036; July 19 Kaikhushroo Ardeshir Master (94), Sakseria Sadan, Napean Sea Rd, 400026; July 19 Najamai Rustomji Sethna (88), M/12, Cusrow Baug, For NRI Parsee taking TR to Poona. Newly established small business for sale with orders on hand. Discussion only with suitable sales personality, age 35. Also disposing residence and office 1,000 sq ft midway camp and city near KEM Hospital. Please reply to: Send me ADDRESS For a liberal point of view subscribe to KAISEBBHIHD Fill out the application form and mail along with your payment to Kaiser-E-Hind, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Fort, Bombay-400 001. Annual Subscription Rs2Ql Cheques to be made in favour of Kaiser-E-Hind. Add Rs.4 for outstation cheques. ? 2 year subscription for Rs. 35 ? Cheque enclosed (sub + Rs.4) NAME ? 1 year subscription for Rs. 20 ? Money order sent The Advertiser Parvati Villa Road 5, Goli Bar MaidanRoad Pune 411040 Tel 671148 CITY STATE AND COUNTRY PIN CODE 112 Parsiana August 1991S. B. Rd, 400039; July 19 Banoobai Eruchshaw Siganporia (72), P/8, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; July 19 Khorshed Navroji Hozaeo' (80), 609, Siganpori Bldg, Girgaum Rd, 400002; July 20 Najamai Jamshedji Mistry (90), 4, Readymoney Bldg, 784/B, M. Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 20 Jalamai Behramsha Talavia (68), D/1, Bhatia Co-op Soc Bldg, S. Gandhi Marg, 400002; July 20 Dinshaw Cawas Wadia (88), F/1, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; July 20 Najan Dad^hoy Daruvala (78), La Fleur, Plot no 154, 30th Kolah Shiavax Bamji (74), 9, Rd, T.P.S. m, Bandra, 400050; " “ “ “ July 21 Framroze Ardeshir Katpitia (89), 5/5, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; July 21 Allamcu Kdikhushru Mistry (81), Sethna Bldg, MJ4.C. Rd, Mahim, 400016; July 21 Fakirji Maneksha Mobedji (85), 689, Sethna Bldg, Dinshaw Master Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 21 Goolbeu Phirojsha Moos (93), 1, Gooldhan Abad, S. V. Rd, Jogeshwari (W), 4(X)102; July 21 Mehernosh Ratansha Bhesania (31), Petit Sanatorium, Kemps Comer, 400036; July 23 Sehra Kaikhushru Gandhy (87), Meherabad, Juhu Koliwada, Santa Cruz (W), 400054; July 23 Aloo (Aimai) Hormasji Karanjia 400056; July 30 (91), 8, Henry Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 23 Jal Phirozsha Shrojf(J5), 40, Raja Ram Mohan Rd, 400004; Jul y 23 Shbin Homi Bilimoria (93), Maison Belvedere, M. Karve Rd, 400020; July 24 Meherji Hormusji Ghadiali (85), 18, Sai Darshan, 99, August Kranti Marg, 400036; July 24 Hirabai Jehangir Engineer (91), Talukdar Bldg, Marzban Clny, Dr Nair Rd, 400011; July 25 Minocher Rustomji Kapddia (81), 1, Shalimar Bldg, 216, Netaji Subhash Rd, 400020; July 25 Mani Jehepigirji Mirza (71), 24/1, Tara Manzil, Dhobitdao Lane, 400002; July 25 Percy Shavaksha Taraporewala (43), D/14, Chand Soc, Juhu Church, 400049; July 25 Framroze Naoroji Dandiwalla (80), A, Gool Mhl, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 26 Nariman Rustomji Mistry (78), 15/A, Row Bglw, Jesal Park, Bhayander (E), 401105; July 26 Adi Jalejar Pastakia (30), C/o R. K. Dastur, H. B. Wadia Atash Bahram, Princess St, 400002; July 26 DinshoM Mehrwanji Cooper (70), 8, Lady Navajbai Tata Bldg, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; July 27 Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; July 28 Ferdoon Maneksha Mehta (90), Vevai Villa, 686, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 28 Framroze Hormusji Pavri (63), Marine Chmbs, Above Marine Restaurant, New Marine Lines, 400020; July 28 Roshon Burjor JussawaUa (72), 18, Gamadia Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400007; July 29 Tehmurasp Erachshaw Sachimvalla (78), Saidunissa Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 29 Jerbanoo Framroze Umrigar (73), G-2Z7, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; July 29 Khorshed Sorabji Bhagat (87), Dhunbai Villa, Dhunbai Wadi, Tria Lane, Vile Parle (W), Cawasji Nusserwanji Cooper (88),PokonBldg, 731, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 30 Banoo Framroze Patel (72), A/7, Mehta Bldg, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; July 30 Kaikhushroo Rustom Surti (83), Dhanu Bldg, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parel, 400012; July 30 Shirin Maneckshaw Elavia iJQ), Bhabha Sanatorium, Bandra, 40(X)50; July 31 Darabsha Nasserwanji Patrawalla {IG), 9, Albless Bldg, Chikalwadi, Grant Rd, 400007; July 31 CALCUTTA Born A girl, Mehemaz, to Daulat and Firdause Jillar, July IS 114 Parsiana August 1991 Died Kuma Dorab Mogrelia, mother of Rusi, Phiroze and Burjor; July 12 POONA Died Freny Kaikusroo Irani (85), 21, Sasson Rd, 411(X)1; July 9 Minocher Ardeshir Thanewala (80), Irani Hse, Goga St, Fort, Bombay, 400(X)l; July 24 Khorshed Homi Cotter (46), 7/D, Modi Clny, Synagogue St, 411001; July 26 Boman Sheryar Irani (50), 5, Meher Apts, Sachapir St, 411001; July 31 SURAT Died HUlamai Darabshaw Dudkwala (75), Vakil St, Shahpore, 395003; July 13 Najamai Burjorji Dastur Lam Agiaiy, Maachli Pith, 395003; July 19 Hoshang Khodabux Baliwala (82), Saraswati Apt, Athwalines, 395001; June 20 Jamshed Nari/nan Mistry (63), Gam Amroli, Dist Surat, 395003; July 22 Hirji Jamaspji Kudianiwalla (73) Gam Vesu,Dist Surat, 395003; July 24 KARACHI Died Freny Darabsha Variava (68); June 4 Rustom Meherwanji Mondi (67); June 11 Jamshed Hormuzsha Wdnia (62); June 18 Jamshed Eruchsha Malbari ((>2)-, June 24 Naja Pirojsha Sarkari (83); June 27 TOTALS (for this issue) Births; Boys 11, Girls 11 Marriages: Parsi 5 Intercommunal 13 Deaths: 111___________ Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka 1923-1991 Sixty-eight years of clean service! DIANA-ECLIPSE For all your carpet and upholstery cleaning ? "Parag" 27, Peddar Road, Bombay Tel: 4941987, 4945302IN MEMORIAM Surti: revived a lost lore Arnavaz S. Mama Hall on April 30, 1991. “1990 was de ­ clared by UNESCO as the Year of Firdaosi. Bahman Surti lived through that year and had the deep satisfaction of knowing that the world recognized Firdaosi as one of its epic poets, ” he added. Palkhivala recalled how he had met Surti SO years ago in Hyderabad and had had a long chat. “He was steeped in “He wrote the entire manuscript in his Farsi literature and loved it... He be- own hand and himself typed out over lieved Farsi was the sweetest language 1,700 pages, all over a period of 16 the world has ever known. ” Palkhivala years... He achieved his ambition of res- remembered the deep emotion with which urrecting Iran for the benefit of all Eng- Surd had recited the poems of Sadi, lish knowing people the world over for Hafeez and Firdaosi. all (time) to come, ” noted the resolution adopted at the condolence meeting himself, financed the printing himself, ” jointly convened by the K. R. Cama Ori- added Capt Hormuzdiar Desai, joint hon- ental Institute (KRCOI), the Bombay orary secretary of the KRCOI, while ac- Parsi Punchayet, The Oriental Heritage knowledging Surti ’s gift of his entire col- Trust, the India-Iran Cultural Society, the lection of Persian literature to the Iran League, the Athoman Mandal and KRCOI library. Asked the venerable the Rahnumae Mazdayasnan Sabha to homeopath Sarosh Wadia, “How do we mourn the death of Dr Bahman Surd (74) perpetuate his memory? Merely passing in Secunderabad on March 21,1991. Twenty years ago, after retiring as the addidonal director of the medical and sional who “shared a dream (with Surd) health services of the Government of that the younger generadon and the Andhra Pradesh, principal of the Gandhi world should have a chance to know (the Medical College and superintendent of Shah Namah) ” recalled how “nobody the Government Maternity Hospital in even nodced Surd ” as he sought help to Surti: steeped in Farsi literature Hyderabad, he began to translate die Shah publish the labor of a lifetime. Calling the Namah's 55,994 extant couplets from the doctor “a simple, gentle, humble human especially his profound knowledge, his Persian of Firdaosi into 20th century Eng- being ” who lived up to his name — Bah- subtle humor and impeccable manners. ” lish prose. Throughout, he took “the ut- man, the good mind — Giara reminisced Surd has bequeathed his collecdon of most care to maintain the same idiom of about the “perfect rapport ” that existed books on medicine to the College, expression as in the original Persian, ” as between them, undisturbed by any gen- “ he noted in the preface to the seven-vol- eradon gap despite a 30-year difference Secunderabad and Hyderabad (PZASH) ume edidon. The travail overlaid the har- between their ages. wrote Ms Khorshed Surd a condolence tied obstetric demands of a practising gy ­ necologist The achievement was acknowledged read out in the original Persian by consul been a trustee of PZASH. The anjuman by the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Mohammad Reza Alirezai Abyaneh, fol- connection ended at the time of the last Anjumans of India with its 1987 award lowed by the translated version. Thank- presidential electitMi when Surti felt that for excellence in Zoroastrian scholarship, ing industrialist Sorab Godrej and the his candidature had been sidetracked.) It conferred on Surti in Bombay in Septem- Parsi community for the invitation to remained for five members of the general ber 1988. In November 1989 the address the meeting, Zali took “the op- body of the Anjuman to join together to Naishapoor Foundation of Tehran, Iran, portunity to throw light on the unbroken hold a condolence meeting at the Bai Pi- . which is involved in promoting cultural, bonds of unity between Iranians and Par- rojbai Chenoy Hall on June 23, 1991. historical and literary activities of the an- sis... Despite being away fix ’ years, you Convener Burjor Badiwala, at the outset cient Iranian and Zoroastrian civiliza- are most sincere about the homeland and of the meeting, recorded the cooperation dons, also recognized Surd ’s epic effort have helped Iran at the time of the earth- of Dr (Ms) Rashida Patel, Dr E. Re- with an award. quake. ” Zali extended an invitation to the porter, Kuman Reporter and Sohrab Dit- “Bahman was a great gentleman and community to visit Iran, “see the develop- da and noted that the meeting had no a great scholar... He did so much to re- ments, visit religious places... ” connection whatsoever with any local vive interest in the motherland and the language, ” noted well-known jurist Nani from principal Ms Lily Ebener, the staff tribute to the doctor ’s many fine qualities. Palkhivala who presided over the condo- and students of the Gandhi Memorial “Most speakers regretted not having lence meeting at the KRCOI’s Library College noted, “We cherish his memory, known and appreciated Dr Surd ’s serv- “He typed himself, read the proofs resolutions is not enough. ” Murzban Giara, the computer profes- The Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of A message from the Iranian Islamic letter but did not summon a condolence Republic ’s consul general Ali Zali was meeting or pass a resolution. (Surd had ments, visit religious places... ” A condolence message to the family organization. Several individuals paid 117 Parsiana August 1991is one perpetual struggle between the for he foresaw politicization of banking if it was nationalized, ” Gutta added. Firm and decisive he was, yet rarely ices during his lifetime, ” notes a press re ­ lease forwarded to Parsiana by Ms Ros- forces of good and evil and that the one han D. Chinoy. It was suggested at the and only God wants us always to be on meeting that an amount should be set the side of the forces of good by the strict given to dominating people around him, aside for scholastic purposes in memory observance of righteous thoughts... of Surti — an idea supported by PZASH words... deeds... president Bazun Dittia. Another sugges- tion to include Surti ’s name in all relig- resulting from resorting to violence be- ious ceremonies at the three fire-temples fore thinking calmly and cooly over the appointed by the ministry of finance to in the Twin Cities was declined as the consequences of an impulsive deed. As formulate the Lead Bank Scheme, Nari- meeting had not been summoned either example he holds before us the world man himself volunteered to take over a by the trustees of the fire-temples or the champion Rustam who was the protector few of the most backward districts in Ut- managing committee of PZASH. * ’ _..................................... Surti had also authored a booklet. He was so bent upon slaying Tooraanian Starting as a junior officer and retiring Thus Spake Zarathushtra, published by knights in single combats or massed as custodian after a stint as chairman, he the Sri Ramakrishna Math of Madras and battles...that he did not wait to recognize contributed articles on Mazdayasna, yoga and Hindu philosophy to Vedanta Kesari, the Math ’s monthly magazine. Not one to bandy his opinions but hedeprivedhiswifeofthehelpandpleas- forthright in his answer to questions, Surti ures that were due to her. “The entire had maintained a liberal stance. In an in- burden of bringing up my beloved chil- rector of the Agricultural Finance Corpo- terview with Parsiana in 1988, Surti had dren, son Navzar and daughter Rati, in- ration Ltd, on the board of the Industrial refused to “condemn men or women to eluding their education, fell on her with- Finance Corporation of India, head of the spinsterhood because they do not find out any help from me. The expenditure different working and steering groups ap- suitable (partners within) their own com- involved in the preparation of the type- pointed by the Reserve Bank of India to munity. ” And he was proud of his Swiss written manuscripts of the translation de- deal with specialized subjects like unse- son-in-law and had had his grandson initi- prived (them) of a corresponding amount cured advances and financing of small ated into the Zoroastrian faith in a well of money which they could have usefully scale industries... attended navjote in Secunderabad. spent towards their necessities as well as After his retirement from the banking It was an article of faith with the vege- luxuries. ” Thus Surti acknowledged “her scene, Nariman served as director of sev- tarian doctor — Surti believed that the devil had appeared in the form of a cook preface, to lure good people into meat eating — that a healthy mind could only function son Navzar and daughter Rati Puz Surti. fi ’om a healthy body, the right diet and exercise providing the key. Surti ’s father Sohraab, a surgeon, had cherished a copy of the Shah Namah in , Persian as a family heirloom, reading out OFl OFFIIf' A1*51 a few couplets every day to his wife VWllvllllV vl a Naazaan and son Bahman. Reading the epic, in the original, from his teen years, Surti was imbued with a love of the lan ­ guage as exemplified also in the Sufi po- as the “Father of Union Bank ” on January “Despite his financial skills, Mr etry of Omar Khayyam, Hafeez and J. 30, 1991 following complications arising Nariman ’s real interest lay in monitoring Rumi. He was also conscious that “it was from a paralytic stroke which led to his and nurturing the human wealth of the Firdaosi and his Shah Namah which in- being in a comatose condition for many organization. His prime concern was that stilled a spirit of fervent nationalism that months thereafter. careers should be planned and succession maintained intact (the Persian) language, culture and civilization and saved Iran presided over the destiny of the Union ciency. As a natural consequence, he was from losing its identity and becoming an Bank of India (UBI) he raised it from a a mentor to many, ” recalls Anand Mahin- Arab state unlike all other countries over- Bank with just three branches (under the dra, deputy managing director of Mahin- run by Arabs such as Egypt, Byzantium, managing agency of Central Bank of In- dra and Mahindra. Syria, Babylon. ” dia) to a forefront bank with over 800 “Until recently, a curious figure Surti believed the Shah Namah to be branches — and that too in an era when could be seen every day around 1 p.m. “a faithful record of the kings of Iran right there were no compulsions on banks to with comforting regularity wending his from the very beginning up to the last open branches here, there and every- way from Gateway Building at Apollo ruler of the Sassanian dynasty. Emperor where, ” noted Phiroze Gutta who sue- Bunder (where the Mahindra office is Yazdgurd III... 10.9 percent of the epic ceeded him as chairman of UBI. “He situated) to the Taj Mahal Hotel, (consists of) sermons on the greatness and fully supported social control but he was Dressed in a three-piece all-wool suit goodness of God (and) proclaims that life not keen on state ownership of banking topped by a Homburg hat, F. K. F. Nari- Gutta remembered. Instead, he set an example to others by his own example, “Firdaosi (had) pointed out the tragedy recalls Limji Mistry, former general man ­ ager of UBI. As head of the committee of Iran against the evil rulers of Tooraan. tar Pradesh for development by the Bank. He was so bent upon slaying Tooraanian was viewed as the “Father of Union his own son Sohraab... It was a case of Bank, ” recalls Mistry. ‘kill in haste and repent at leisure. ’” There are additionally other financial Surd ’s one regret was that by his work institutions that gained from Nariman ’s expertise: He was deputy chairman of the Indian Banks ’ Association, founder di ­ spent towards their necessities as well as luxuries. ” Thus Surti acknowledged “her innate nobility and generosity ” in the eral companies, notable among which are Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, Mafatlal Surti is survived by his wife Khorshed, Dyes and Chemicals Ltd, The Victoria Mills Ltd, the Navsari Cotton and Silk Mills Ltd. During the 15 years he served as chairman and five as director of the Navsari Cotton and Silk Mills “his sense of fiscal discipline and his judgment of people ” were remarkable, according to Rosal Mehta, present chairman of the company. Equally long was Nariman ’s Died: Fali K. F. Nariman, 80, eminent tenure with Mahindra and Mahindra economist and reputed banker, referred to where he was director for nearly 20 years, as the “Father of Union Bank ” on January Nariman’s “In the quarter of a century that he be arranged with smoothness ' and effi- dia) to a forefront bank with over 800 118 Parsiana August 1991t- '-bi L . 'gg si t'S 1, I 0 Nariman: fiscal discipline man would defy the tropical temperature in order to preserve his way of life. That was the kind of man he was — stubborn to a fault when it came to defending his convictions. It was this quality along with his wisdom and experience that en ­ deared him to all those who were privi ­ leged to know him, ” Mahindra continued. It was left to Jashwant Thacker, senior partner in the legal firm Mulla and Mulla and Craigie, Blunt and Caroe, to remi ­ nisce of Nariman as “a first class crick ­ eter... Fali represented the Parsis in the Pentangular matches and also played for Bombay in the Ranjit Trophy Tourna ­ ment. He was an excellent all-rounder and batted and bowled left-handed... the late Mr Vijay Merchant and Fali Nariman were the tormenting twins during their college days (at) Sydenham College. ” His sporting spirit extended to his pro ­ fessional life. As notes Gutta, “Like the true sptxlsman that he was, he never grudged a personal defeat or disadvantage as long as it was fairly meted out to him or his organization... To Fali, authenticity prevailed over conformity. ” The economist is survived by his wife Nargis, .and daughters Daulat Jaiswal, Ayesha Patel and Pheroza Bilimoria. Parinaz Gandhi Rustamji: practising and preaching law Died: Rustam Faramurz Rustamji, 82, freedom fighter and former advocate of the Supreme Court of India whose treatise on labor law served as a valuable refer ­ ence work on the subject, on February 10, 1991 following cardiac arrest His legal acumen earned him acclaim as an advocate, popularity as a professor teaching at the Law College, Nagpur, and respect as legal adviser to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. His forte espe- balanced his life adequately between the cially was labor legislation and his book on die subject, Law of Industrial Dis ­ putes, wherein he analyses the fundamen ­ tal principles governing labor laws in In ­ dia, was considered a work indispensable ¦I Rustamji: would incite students to rebel “The to lawyers, judges, industrialists, trade unionists, workmen and others. book assumed special importance in view of India ’s policy... to achieve industriali ­ zation in a socialist pattern of society, ” notes a write-up on Rustamji. His role in the freedom struggle was “to incite students to rebel against the British rulers, ” remembers a family source. “It is the duty of all Indians to join hands and to work together to make India united, independent and strong, ” wrote Rustamji in his book. India and the Parsees. He further called on the Parsis to “throw in their lot with the forces of nationalism; fw then, our children — who are hostages to posterity — will find that in the India of tomorrow they will not be looked down upon as those who stood in the way of India ’s progress towards swaraj. ” “He was extremely keen on joining politics and yet shied away when opportu ­ nities came his way. I still don ’t know why, ” reminisced Jal Gimi, director at the Nagpur University ’s Department of Business Management, in a condolence letter to the family. “I am sure if he had legal profession and political activities he would have become a political force to reckon with, ” Gimi continued. A graduate in arts and law from the Nagpur University, Rustamji is known to have been a fine orator and debater since his college days in Nagpur. Among those whom he inspired to take to debating was Gimi who remembered representing the Nagpur University along with Rustamji ’s brother Khusro. (Only a few days prior to Rustamji ’s death, Khusro was con ­ ferred the Padma Vibhushan.) Another consuming interest that began in his younger days was his collection of an ­ tique Chinese porcelain. Making his first purchase at the age of 17 at Bombay ’s Chor Bazar, the curios in his possession constituted one of the best private collec ­ tions in India, mentions his daughter Per- veez Aggarwal. Rustamji was conversant with Zoroas ­ trian ideology yet opted for cremation. “Every man shdl have it in his power to earn merit or demerit in this as well as in the next world by means of his own ac ­ tions, good or evil, ” was the doctrine he professed. Happy to recount the success stories of Parsis, Rustamji added, “It is a misfor ­ tune of the Parsis that at present they have no front-rank leaders amongst them and, as a community, they do not play that part in public life and politics which might be expected of them... There are those how ­ ever who realize that the community can ­ not live forever on its reputation nor must it expect to live forever under the shadow of the British empire. ” Rustamji is survived by his wife Parin, and daughters Perveez Aggarwal and Ruksana Mehta. p- «• 120 Parsiana August 1991 L