Oct 1991

I S' 1 Byramjee Jeejeebhoy School’s Centenary 3ar I i w 1October 1991 Volume 14 Number 4 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Amavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana H. Kaka 3 Readers’ Forum 9 Events and PersonalRIes DESIGN Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez, Deborah D'sousa MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D’Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B. L. Arora EDP Rohinton E. Daroga CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver OFFICE Rajendra P. Nayak, KhurshkJ Panthaki, Patrida D'Silva, Bakhtavar Batliwalla, Nowzer Batliwala, Bindu Pillai, SugathaS. Kurup 14 Zoroastrians Abroad 20 BJPC: At the centenary signpost by Noshir Dadrawala 24 The New York incident by Rustom Wadia 26 “The Purifying Prescriptions” by Ali Jafarey 31 On the traii of death by Gustasp Irani 32 Adi Davierwalia’s “Signatures in stone and steel” by Shirin Mehta 34 Books 37 Milestones 39 In Memoriam Cover: Stairway at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy School Photograph: Varghese Fernandez Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Lti, at C/o H.L Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd, C/o Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Color processing. Comart Lithographers; and black and white processing, siunir Process. All rights reserved. Phone;2048730 Fax; 2042922 For edtorial enquiries: 2048183 Telex 11-85710 RABO IN Annual inland subscription Rs 80 for one year (12 issues); Rs 140 for two years (24 issues). Foreign subscription rates; Seamail Rs 2OO1ZUS $ 12/UK £ 7 for one year, Rs 350AJS $ 21/UK £ 12 for two, years (please allow six months or more from the time of publication); Air mail Rs 320AJS $ 20/UK £ 11 for one year, Rs 600/US $ 38ZUK £ 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/o H.LRochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 JREADERS’ FORUM V* ’ ’¦ • \ ?»1«I« • 11 » » H » • « »1 • ¦«i»»11 <4 I. I H M i » H « » » , t g M * i O » * < ) k « I MO r » » t« t» < 4 ?•I M * » t *» . » , Je tr. » » ? >» f,. ,». .f; t • « * < I M M r » . " » t »•»* t i , M*t>« ***»>« M M »> I > »»« ma >1 »t»t»»n,, »11» » *?» »! r I t i I » ** >* , 1 1 J - • J *>9^>iw***^t*^ mn ;?rr tion of poor Zoroastrian boys and do not •Why is it that the Parsis who live outside specify whether I mean Pars! Zoroastrians India do not feel so strongly about or Zoroastrian Iranis, can my trustees dokhmas? later on object to a particular boy and say •Doesn ’t cremation pollute the revered because he is not a Pars! Zoroastrian he element of fire? Or are we taking the is disqualified for the scholarship? modem view that fire bums everything If the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) clean? An orthodox Parsi gentleman told us in London that smoking is carrying a ‘portable fire ’ and does not contravene SHAHROKMR. VAFADARI Surrey, UK 'f * >>!•; trustees are unable to gather the real in ­ tentions of the settlors, they would com ­ mit a breach of trust if they prohibit the our faith! J*i last rights of any Zoroastrian to be por ­ !»»»»’¦ .itl'il formed at the Doongerwadi. It may be noted that the courts do not “Whither ParsianaV^ At rule on pure issues of any religion or Mr Yezdi Panthaki (Readers ’ Forum, faith. It is only when a person ’s legal Parsiana, June 1991) seems to be a bit right is denied that the court takes cognizance. dinyar n. jalnawalla Jalna It may be noted that the courts do not naive in his advice to Parsiana’s editors and writers. He writes that readers are turned off by reading articles on contro ­ versy, fading images and partisan views. I “The correct position?” He concludes that it would be better if I Mr A. B. Damania ’s letter from Aleppo the magazine only reported “in simple I (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, June 1991) terms ” with impartiality. I was most interesting. It raises many ques- i tions. Isn ’t it true that: I •Most of the Aryan tribes who are sup- t posed to be our ancestors buried their and not to have an open debate in a pub- 1 dead? lie forum like Parsiana? Would he pre- • •Some ancient people like the Mongol!- fer that we keep burying our heads in the - ans, Scythians and Medians exposed sand and hope that the situation might Readers' views are welcome on any subject their dead? improve? of interest to the community and should .jjj recent times, exposure is seen A good magazine must report impar- be sent to the Editor, Readers Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those hard to dig for burial. American Indians versial issue to inform the readers. I without an address will not be published. > If* *• ’ • ? * 1 * iF* •« < 4 ¦* i J 4 < .<->* t/s " * * » » * 1 *' -¦ « *•< & * • # t » 4, ? » « <»*»«•»* • - * «* » ¦3; « * X. May I ask what good would be achieved by not reporting a burning issue such as “An injustice at doongerwadi ” •In recent times, exposure is seen amongst the American Indians who live tially on any issue and report all views. It on the prairies where the soil is dry and must do more so in the case of a contro- are the descendants of Asian Mongolians believe Parsiana tries hard to accomplish who ventured to the American continent these goals. This magazine is the platform over the frozen Baring Straits over for debate and clear thinking that will 100,000 years ago. •Some African tribes and Australian abo- “A stab in the back” According to Dastur Firoze Kotwal (in the matter of Roxan Darshan Shah) the rigines also practise exposure as they be- intentions and wishes of the settlors lieve that the soul departs more easily if should always be respected and to main- the corpse is left in the open. “An injustice at...” tain their iman (faith) is the work of the •Why is it that a Christian can remain a Readers ’ response to the article “An in ­ trustees. (“A stab in the back, ” Parsiana, June 1991). Now, in the first place, what were the intentions of the settlors? Assuming that a matter of circumstance and conven- and distressing to find is that it is the the settlors intended that the women mar- ience? younger generation who have highly big- ried outside the religion shall cease to be •How old are the dokhmas in India — oted views. A letter from a young girl the beneficiaries, did the settlors take from the first one constructed in Surat to named “Sanaea ” {Parsiana, July 1991) upon themselves the responsibility to the relatively modem one near the Hang ­ rule on issues of faith? If the settlors did not foresee any such eventuality and were silent on this point, is it legally proper for the trustees to hold Palmyra? Were they used by Zoroastri- that what they do or shall do was, in fact, the intention of the settlors? Suppose I create a trust for the educa- motherland of Iran? pave the way to a successful future. NEVILLE G. M. PANTHAKI Mississauga, Ontario, Canada “An injustice at... Christian irrespective of burial, crema- justice at doongerwadi ” shows they are tion or sea burial? Why is it that for Par- either completely for or against the sub ­ sis exposure is part of religion rather than ject of intermarriage. What is surprising a matter of circumstance and conven ­ ience? •How old are the dokhmas in India — ing Gardens in Bombay? •Can Mr Damania or anybody else find out how old are the funeral towers in ans or other people? •How old is the oldest dokhma in the and an earlier one by “Veera ” {Parsiana, November 1990) are typical examples. The older generation and sections of the younger, upcoming generation display sectionalist and partisan views. The middle generation grew up without reli ­ gious teaching. Could it be that the recent mushrooming of religious classes, started 3 Parsiana October 1991cance of what Dr Kotwal regards as mere “mystic poetry. ” In her letter (“An injustice at... ” Par- m fiB this lacuna, are directly responsible ^^'^iraa^yX- S Rabindranath Tagore: "lust IPOO/Ms ^da our Zoroastrian religion and race. The last four words show how Uttle he understands fee nature of relipon, as well as fee quotation from Prof Kinnells. The “nobility ” of Zoroastrians in posi ­ tions of authority and trust is indeed very for this? To quote ----- as health is a condition of man ’s whole body, so is religion of his whole nature. money is put in raie ’s palm. But it Religious teaching. asks, “If a politician has a right to speak —'' iT .L nrna virQv Thp touT worQs suow HOW uluc lie OU politics and a lawyer to speak on law. Health cannot be given m fee same way The last o^ relirion as whv^should a scholarly priest not have as money is put in one ’s palm. But it un^rst^ds the ra Wnnells fee^right to give his opinion on Zoroas- may be induced by bringing about suit- weUias fee quomuon 1San reliXn? ” She Sds wife voicing able conditions. Religious te^hing, anmnStv and trust is indeed wry her appreciation feat at least a priest had "S5SS? 4r:^^\^Terid.erighfm vironment must be created in which and honor of infeiaM pnwte religion may have its natural growth. ” pnests had dese Mazda Himself as to who may In fee quest for absolute truth (another honor om commmi y worship Him and who may not which is name for God), a human taing is ^ways thetad diamertX opposed to the spirit and -kT?i^ ”thTS ’Te dmt d,e “v^'2cTSle ‘T„s’&°:JS SS’tad by listening to wtat^od.^ good mind, and a free will to choose be ­ tween good and evil. Let us make fee religious environment so f„_l- “ ‘ feat fee seed of inquipr can take proper root and grow in fee direction of Light. Ms ARMATTY BHABHA their syllabus altxig questionable, as fee correspondence in Parsidna and The Bombay Samachar has us t - -- to be treated wife “dignity and honor ” — and honor of individual priests. If all priests 1— ----- . . . Shown. AS .0 whefter^^l^esB*«rve “yright to well on Ae'iidierent dignity speak his mind. But when 1 r ui iiiuividuai If tates as to who can remain a Zoroastnan had deserved such respect and and who cannot, he begins to dictate to have known more than their prayers, sto ­ ries from the Shah Namah, episodes from XT in the practice of have to say, it is obvta that such is n« Zoroastrian principles in their social and the case. These p^le seem to be quite - • •—¦-----incapable of thinking for themselves or listening to others, and ate therefore un ­ able to form a correct assessment of what uvnvii giuuvn. w* they read or hear. In this lies the danger fee Gathas, and Prof Kinnells also spoke of — that either side should fail to listen to fee other. As for fee politician and lawyer Ms Antia mentions — well, if they fail to do out, or few will employ fee lawyer; but what can be done about a priest within fee “Zoroastrian ” context? As for “a priest who had fee courage to speak ouL..” Well Ms Antia, he is only who have been most outspoken. So vo- cifoxius, so strident have these voices been feat you, and others like you, have fee failed to hear those which have contra ­ dicted their views, but in far ’ quieter and fertile and rich communal life; in their business prac ­ tices and in whatever fee nature of their employment may have been. Since few Parsis have been guided or encouraged to study i— --------- greater emphasis has been placed on fee nractices, observances and customs, fee of U-en, have been quoBri out of ^ly. tey gious and spiritual concepts, fee essence of Zoroastrianism. It is far easier to hold on to fee practi- There have been many quotations in Par­ siana to support one ’s point of view^ Some (------------- context, others have been misinterpreted; for example the one in the letter by B. H. Minochehr-Homji (“An Appeal, ” Par­ siana, April 1991), in which he refers to L— -¦ ‘ “ Prof John Kinnells of Manchester Uni ­ versity. The quotation I refer to is: “The Parsi community is not just a racial group; it came into existence for religious reasons. -------- Your ancestors did not come to save their sions which kept alive only m heritage feat has made you^« whj ot Thi« is what has han- honor; ” there was no doubt about his you are. Lose your religion and you lose your community ’s existence. ” How is it possible for anyone to mis ­ understand fee above quotation? In every sentence Prof Kinnells emphasizes fee importance of our Zoroastrian religion Minochehr-Homji then exhorts lose fee religious and spiritual signifi- in feTwords of a scholar of our religion, cal aspects of a religion nt^s. observances, customs and traditions^ whatever religious and spiritual signifi ­ cance they had —than things of the spirit, such as thoughts, ideas, concepts and vi- • / ’ ’t the heart and mind yet nourish the spirit of a XSS^iiy^e routine and lose one of the 130 very v^^ pri^ ! what tos tap- honor; ” diere was no doubt ^t his to our community: a fact which the scholarehip. He ; cett^y needed Snhodox refuse to acknowledge or under- •- >>» d.d But the rabble Stand. If these self-styled “devout pnests truly desire fee survival of fee spiritual fey of such men. identity of fee community let them not ’ to speak out when he did. But the rabble shouted and booed, and pelted him with eggs and tomatoes. They were not wor- I was struck by the spirituality I saw his face and in his demeanor, the 4 Parsiana October 1991that they can arrange accommodation in colonies managed by the Punchayet and Wadia Charities if they are paid money. They also claim that they can gel irregular occupation of flats regularized by trus ­ tees. It is often alleged that they would be paying part of the money so received to some or all die trustees. Members of the community arc warned to beware of such persons who arc confidence tricksters. very clearly and emphatically brought to everyone ’s notice that allotment of flats sweetiiess of his expression, his serenity. I was in my late teens then. But then spiri ­ tuality and goodness have never had an easy ride among the Parsis these last six or seven decades. Have they? A few oth ­ ers have tried to speak with the voice of truth, but not many have had the sense to listen and appreciate what was being said, or why. How long will false pride about our “racial purity, ” and ignorance about our good religion continue to blind the ortho ­ dox, causing confusion and illwill amongst our truly endangered species? For according to the terminology used by is done strictly on merit and trustees can- the devout priests and their supporters, we Parsis have been reduced in biologi ­ cal terms to genes, and in religious terms to performing zombies — without a mind or the many attributes of a soul, deprived of our will and choice, our per ­ sonal accountability and responsibility, our spiritual freedom to strive for the highest good. Ms perin diveciia Keni, UK now three and a half years old, is physi ­ cally weak and underweight, but his men ­ tal prowess and intellect are above aver ­ age. When Dr G. B. Parulkar, cardiac surgeon and former dean of KEM Hospi ­ tal, examined him in October 1990, In; said: “It is**?! miracle iliat he still live.s, in spite of all tlicse cardiac defccis. ” He slated that these defccis arc so serious and so complicated that Hormazd ’.s only salvation would be an operation per ­ il is hereby formed in USA or Canada where a total correction of these defects would tie pos ­ sible because of the late advanced hospital equipment and good IKist-operaiive care. In December 1990 Hormazd was ex ­ amined by Dr Navin C. Nanda, a leading technology, not allot flats out of turn, except for valid reasons, if any person makes a false claim of arranging allotment, it should be immediatelj' brought to the notice of the US cardiologist who had come to Bom- trustees, Bombay Parsi Punchayet, 209, bay for a conference on cardiology. Dr D. N, Road, Fort, Bombay 400001. Nanda has opined tliai open-heart surgery under Dr Pacifico, a renowned pediatric cardiac surgeon at the University of Ala ­ bama Hospit.ii will help save Hormazd ’s life and give him an almost normal life span as well as improve the quality of his life. Expenses are estimated at Rs 10 lakh for the operation and hospitalization in USA. A break-up of exjienses and doc- conlinued rm page 40 Dr ASl'I F. GOLWALLA, ERUai H. DESAf, JAMSIIEED G. KANGA, nOMI P. RANINA, JAMS! lED N, GL'ZI»:R, MINOO R. SlIROn, Dr (Ms) MEIIROO D. BENGALEE Beware of tricksters “A miracle that he lives” It has come to the notice of the trustees My son Honnazd is bom with senou.s of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet as well as heart defects such as a single ventricle, the R. N. and N. N. Wadia Charities that parachute mitral valve, transposed great some unscrupulous persons are claiming arteries and several others. Hormazd, Rotary Screw Air Compressors Portable Compressors Process Gas Compressors Crawlairs and Blasthole Drills I riB ? 1 — Water Well Drills Jt I i ~.......J J 1 ^-1 « I 9 Air and Gas Compressors • Construction & Mining Equipment INGERSOLL-RAND Ingersoll-Rand (India) Ltd., Maybaker House, S.K. Ahire Marg, Bombay 400 025 Itl n.i9iM 6 Parsiana October 1991Events and Personalities Thana land dispute solved TPZA members and some other indi- Society on August 1, 1991 at the Theo- After three years of legal battle and ne- viduals like Zareer Jehangirjee had been sophy Hall, Bombay, during his recent gotiations, a compromise was finally resisting the sale on the grounds that the and brief visit to the city, reached entitling the trustees of The property was meant for use of the Parsi Thana Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman Zoroastrian community, and particularly Journey, has been shortlisted along with (TPZA) to have a say in the allotment of for those residing in Thana and Bombay, five others for the prestigious Booker 25 percent of the 80,(XX) sq feet land in the release adds. They managed to get a Prize that includes a gift of £ 20,000, Thana belonging to the Cowasji Behramji status quo order from the charity com- reports The Economic Times of Septem- Divecha Trust, reads a press release from the Anjuman. Forty;eight self-contained flats in the Builders from developing the property, proposed seven-storeyed building will be made available to Parsi Zoroastrians at a price of Rs 550 per sq foot of built-up area, the details are provided in the press sanctioned the sale subject to certain release. This building, to be constructed conditions, one being that the builders by Radhika Builders who bought the sell 25 percent of the built-up area to terview. He then takes the back door exit property from the Divecha Trust, will in- members of the Parsi Zoroastrian com- with: “I’m here for only five days. I will elude 12 flats of three-room-kitchen, 30 munity. Not happy with this order, once call you if I have the time. ” The call, as of two-room-kitchen and six flats of one- room-kitchen. The trustees/managing Court. Finally negotiations with the as- His reluctance to speak surfaces again committee of the Thana Anjuman with sistance of Homi Taleyarkhan, former during the post-reading session when the whom the allotment rights vest will give member of the Minorities Commission, audience is invited to field questions, weightage to couples getting married and and the advocates and solicitors of the His answers are crisp, often briefer than persons expected to surrender their com ­ pany accommodation on the event of their being granted allotment rights over a retirement. The Godrej Foundation which had as ­ sisted the Thana Anjuman in its legal community, battle against the Divecha Trust at the charity commissioner ’s level and also at Mistry Oil BookCF list the Bombay High Court level will be The voice is mellow as it caresses the permitted to nominate allottees for 24 words and characters from the pages of His characters, his hero Gustad Noble in flats. Further, members of the Anjuman the novel Such a Long Journey, it mod- particular, transcend their origins, who had personally incurred more than ulates over the direct speech passages, “These typical Parsi characteristics we Rs 3,000 towards the litigation costs imitating the nasal screech of an overly see in him, they (his readers in Canada were to be treated as promoters and per- protected Parsi youth or mitted preferential allotment, the release the thunder of a virago or further informs. the sing-song cadence of The Anjuman has decided to charge the hero ’s Parsi Gujarati- every member allottee Rs 4,000 towards English. Rohinton Mis- the cost of fighting the litigation and a try, the Bombay-born, further donation at the rate of Rs 10 per Canada-based Parsi au- sq foot, proportionate to the area of the al ­ lotted flat. Ever since it had come to the notice of function sponsored by the members of the Thana Anjuman that The P.E.N. All-India the Divecha Trust had applied to the Centre, The Indian Insti- charity commissioner for permission to tute of World Culture sell the property to Radhika Builders, the and Stage Two Theatre TPZA members and some other indi- Mistry ’s latest novel, Such a Long missioner, later confirmed by the Bom- ber 29. bay High Court, injuncting Radhika Mistry ’s writings are full of his Bom­ bay Parsi roots which he readily shares After the Federation of Parsi Zoroas- with his audience. But when it comes to trian Anjumans of India stepped in as in- talking about himself, he is a closed tervenors, the joint charity commissioner book. “Will it mean the wrath of the en ­ tire Parsi community will descend upon my head? ” he responds as we seek an in- again an appeal was made in the High expected, never did come. The trustees/managing Court. Finally negotiations with the as- different parties, resulted in the TPZA the questions. Asked if his writing is autobiographi- portion of land they so determinedly cal, Mislry replies: “It is as much bio­ strove to prevent from being lost to the graphical as all Action is biographical. Reliving (one ’s experiences) is not equal to an autobiography. ” Similarly he does not see his writing in the narrow perspec ­ tive of a portrait of the Parsi community. thor, read selected pas ­ sages from his novel at a 9 Parsiana October 1991 I ¦ Ml and abroad) see him in a more universal light They see things we miss. Gustad is a noble man with universal appeal. It ’s easy to miss the for ­ est for die trees. ” Mistry does not feel particularly handicapp ­ ed writing about Parsis in an Indian setting. Ac- Mistry: "engagement with Bombay”b ships held at the renovated Vallabhai Patel Stadium in Bombay in April last. The other Zoroastrians participating at Dr (Ms) Firuza Parikh, obstetrician and the meet where the main sponsors were cording to him the general scope of nov- devote himself to his writing. ” Oususp Irani els have changed. “Once upon a time we felt that all great novels had to be set in The Combinstioil twinS London or New York. Now we realize - - - — that Bombay works as well as London head of the Infertility Management and Balsara Hygiene and Mahindra and or New York. ” Bombay, he states, will be the location of his next novel too. “I Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, don ’t know more than that, ” he says but along with Dr (Ms) Kamal Alimchan- he does know that his “engagement with dani, has been credited with a new break- Bombay ” will not be forever. through in infertility treatment in India. The change of location, when it does The twin girls born to the Srinivasan come, will be not unlike Mistry ’s transi- couple on June 24, 1991 were reportedly tion from short stories, a collection of the first case of successful conception in which were published by Penguin under India from a combination of IVF (In the title Tales from Firozsha Baag (see Vitro Fertilization) and GIFT (Gamete “Home is where the ‘Baag ’ is, ” Books, ------ Parsiana, January 1989), to the novel. Says Mistry of his shift in literary em ­ phasis: “It was to see if I could write a novel or (to see) if I was doomed to write short stories forever. ” He laughs. We see flashes of Mistry ’s humor, records 20 percent and IVF, 18 percent, terse glimpses of the generous and subtle the news report specifies, sprinklings we find in his books. When asked if he believes in magic as em ­ ployed by one of the characters in the book whose world revolves around the stimulatory injections. While normally title Photo HomyarMisiry.Homz Prims supernatural. Mistry laughs: “Of course there is a single egg produced by a I do. Life is difficult enough. If it works, let it work. ” Mistry does not view himself as a ing 10 female egg cells by ultrasound. Assisted Reproduction Department at the Mahindra, were Ms Sheraz and Aastad Palkhiwala, Kerman Framna and Ms Intra-Fallopian Transfer), notes a write ­ up in The Times of India of June 26. It was after seven years that the Srinivasan couple was able to conceive. This combi ­ nation technique is believed to show 25 percent success as against GIFT which J. I >««**?*' JI |j^ In addition to being expensive, this procedure is considered very stressful for the patient since it involves taking 150 Arethna: retains national championship woman every month, the combination Monaz Siganporia. method used by Dr Parikh involved pick ­ Riding an Italian Colnago bike, Are ­ thna was of the opinion that the standard messiah of sorts, spreading awareness of Four of these were put back in the of the competitors .was better this year. Parsis and Zoroastrianism through his woman ’s uterine tubes along with the the paper notes. Twenty-three-year-old writing. “I think there are a lot of experts husband ’s sperm and their mobility en- “ on Zoroastrianism, ” he observes, exclud ­ ing himself from the list. “Should Parsis it was the GIFT method in use, the write ­ take more interest in their religion? ” up informs. The remaining eggs were Mistry focuses an ambiguous reference fertilized in a petri dish and one embryo Oil industry doycn is 75 by one person from the audience to a from there was put back in the uterus. Dr Burjor Pirojsha Godrej has been to passage which he has read in which his Thus was combined the IVF technique, the oil and soap industry what Sir Jamsetji hero Gustad finds solace in the hypnotic The other embryos lie frozen in the labo- Tata was to the steel industry in India, chanting of prayers at the doongerwadi. ratory iri case the procedure needs to be noted chairman of the Federation of As- He further clarifies, “Gustad is sitting repeated, details an article in Business sociation of Small Scale Soap and De- there (at the doongerwadi) and what he India, August 5-18,1991. tergent Manufacturers of India, Popatlal experiences is a universal involvement. I think the chanting of mantras will have 300 couples seeking treatment for infer- the same effect on a Hindu. ” Sensing Mistry ’s reluctance to talk, tility Management Centre was set up. The function held on June 22, 1991 the volley of questions peter out. “Can notes the Business India write-up. All at the University Department of Chemic- you read more? ” someone asks and Mis- couples have to be necessarily screened al Technology was organized by the try readily accepts the offer to share and counselled before offering them Oil Technologists ’ Association of India more of his characters and writing with treatment (Western Zone), notes a press release. In us and less of himself. For that we have a special souvenir brought out on this to refer to the handout wherein a brief Arcthna’S nCW reCOrd occasion, life sketch of the author is given. It reads: “Mistry was born in Bombay in 1952. He emigrated to Canada in 1975 and be ­ gan working at a bank. While at the Uni- setting a new record of 1 minute, 23.07 his philosophy and pioneering efforts in versity of Toronto, he won two Hart seconds, reads a write-up in The Daily India. House Literary Prizes and, in 1985, he of April 25,1991. She was chosen to cap ­ won a Canadian Fiction Contributor ’s Prize. That same year he left the bank to the 46ih National Cycling Champion- duced the first pure vegetable oil toilet Arethna who works with Tata Housing hanced by laboratory techniques. So far Limited has also had international expo ­ sure in cycling. The Jaslok Hospital already has over Shah, in his felicitations offered to the doyen on the occasion of his 75th tility, barely nine months after the Infer- birthday. tility Management Centre was set up. encomiums were paid to Nine times national women ’s cycling Godrej by some eminent figures in the champion Ms Jasmin Rohinton Arethna oil industry. Additionally an interview won the 1 km time trials for women by with Godrej acquaints the reader with setting a new record of 1 minute, 23.07 While Ardeshir Godrej, the founder of tain the 25-strong Maharashtra team at Godrej Soaps, is believ^ to have pro- 11 Parsiana October 1991nnCWB lOi ¦ oMqBAia (Left) Burjor Godrej with salver presented by Sethna (Right) Lawyer, with identification badge, receiving award from Chandra Shekhar under Lawyer ’s guidance, started render ­ ing technical assistance to other breweries to meet the escalating demand for this drink. The award was in recognition of grandsons, had once contemplated forsak- this effort. Venus and Dasappa, two Ban- ing farming in favor of a career in Bom- galore-based breweries, will be among bay when a cyclone ruined his orchards, the new distilleries that will manufacture But it is said that while at the railway sta ­ tion he changed his mind at the last min ­ ute and decided to start afresh in Gholvad. vators too. The prosperous tiller, whose farms now keep expanding under his sons and soap, it was his nephew Burjor who is recognized as the first person to introduce beer under the supervision of ABD. deodorant soaps in the country and to With their advanced testing and qual- manufacture soaps from fatty acids. A ity control facilities ABD are able to senior managing director of Godrej Soaps maintain their own as also their collabo- Cinema (in)sights Limited today, Burjor holds a number of rates ’ quality, notes a press release, patents for the use and production of al- pha-olefins (a detergent intermediate), as Labor bears fruit mentioned Dr Homi Sethna, sheriff of The litchi trees grew but bore no fruit. Bombay and chairman of Tata Oil Mills Nevertheless Darabsha Cawasji Patel was books Cinema Mystique (India) and Company Limited (TOMCO), who was determined to acclimatize the litchi trees Bimal Roy—Life and Works. The Delhi the chief guest at the function in Godrej ’s to the coastal environment of Gholvad. Doordarshan also took the opportunity to honor. Besides his pioneering efforts in the fruits of his labor, soap-making industry, Godrej is also known for his diverse interests in horti ­ culture and comparative philology, par ­ ticularly Indo-European Godrej had studied in Germany at the Rs 11,000 on Krishi Din (Agriculture of the film Ek Duje Ke Liye, mentions Technical University of Berlin, Chariot- Day) celebrated on July 1, 1991, notes a the report. While Cinema Mystique re- tenburg in the pre-war years which gave press release sent by Ms Shirin Wadia. him a fluent command over the German language. He had also been deputed hon- ing the litchi plant from the cooler con- Bimal Roy provides an insight into the orary consul general of Austria, notes a fines to the more temperate climate, but life and works of the noted pro ­ press release. he also sought to popularize the fruit ducer/director of films like Do Riga through his per- Zameen, Sujata, Bandhini and Devdas. Vijay Rattna for Lawyer sonai interest in Demand for beer in the country keeps in- marketing and creasing and with it the popularity of As- sales. His self- sociated Breweries and Distilleries earned knowl- (ABD) whose partner Ms Zeenia Lawyer edge, he will- was honored with a Vijay Rattna in April ingly last, by the then prime minister Chandra with other culti- Shekhar, notes the Mid-Day of April 15, 1991. The popular manufacturers of beer like popularizing London Pilsner and London Diet have, litchis At a function organized by the Press Club of India in New Delhi in May last, cinema critic Firoze Rangoonwalla was felicitated for the publication of his two to the coastal environment of Gholvad. He kept experimenting until he saw the interview Rangoonwalla, notes the Jam- e-Jamshed of May 12. His book Cinema Mystique (India) was released at the International Film His success at cultivating litchis in Maharashtra and his pioneering efforts in the field of horticulture won 88-year-old Festival in Madras earlier this year at languages. Patel a silver plaque and a cash purse of the hands of K. Balachandra, director counts the personal experiences of the Not only did Patel succeed in bring- author in the film world, the book on shared w 12 Parsiana October 1991 Patel: '¦it' SPOTLIGHT Vice president of the Philatelic Congress of India, Vispi Dastur has been ap ­ pointed national commissioner for the Granada ’92 International Philatelic Exhi­ bition to be held in Spain next April, notes a press release. Compiled by Roxana H. KakaZOROASTRIANS ABROAD Medical Benevolent Fund The increasing number of appeals for the ized and learned about their religion at the drift away from our community. Having funding of medical treatment in the West Fifth North American Zoroastrian Youth thoroughly enjoyed this Congress, and has prodded the London-based World Congress in Vancouver, British Columbia having gained a new respect and bond for Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) to estab ­ lish the Medical Benevolent Fund. The news release signed by WZO president in a write-up submitted to Parsiana. youngsters to future congresses. ” Shahpur Captain targets the fund, ini- Titled “2001: A Zoroastrian Odyssey, ” daily, at £ 1,00,000. Appealing to donors the Congress included such topics as: AtaSn kadctl pfOgrCSS worldwide Captain notes that between Where will I be in 2001, Memory and “Construction of the atash kadeh can now June 10 and July 31, 1991 receipts have concentration. Path to my destiny, Bridg- proceed, ” announces Erach Tarapore, amounted to £ 5,312. i _ _ 'The amounts raised by donations will Spiritual prayer. Achieving goals, etc. be capitalized, invested and only the in- About 250 Zoroastrian youth met, social- oriented programs, they will eventually in August (23-26) this year, notes Ms my religion and community, I strongly Shehnaz Maneck Bhujwala of California recommend all parents to send their Titled “2001: A Zoroastrian Odyssey, ” ing generations, Navjote ceremonies, president of the Zarthoshti Anjuman of Northern California (ZANC) in its news ­ letter of August 1991. Now reconciled, come* thereof utilized to help defray the ence were restricted to young adults, but, ZANC and Persian Zoroastrian Organiza- medical costs of deserving applicants, elders were also given an opportunity to tion (PZO) members had jointly launched upon a project to build an atash kadeh at an estimated cost of $ 1,20,000 (see “The “The main discussions of the confer- “We do not expect to fund the totd cost of exchange their views with the youngsters. any applicant, ” notes Captain. Each case “ “will be scrutinized by die WZO manag- , _ _ _ . ing committee in London with the closest and two speeches describing the essential Parsiana, September 1990). Now, with liaison with WZO members in all parts of beliefs of the Zoroastrian faith, ” notes the world, ” he adds. A bound register recording the names and addresses of donors, the date, amount people, young Zoroastrians discussed is- and dedication of the donations, will be sues such as conversion, intermarriage, located at the registered office of the adapting religious practice to American ted $ 16,103 plus some equipment for the WZO — AMP House, 2 Cyprus Road, society, uniting Iranian and Indian ~ London N3 3RY — and will be available Zoroastrians, and preserving the Persian for perusal on request, informs the press ________ , release, 'the donees will be similarly encouraging marriage within the com- listed by name and country of residence, munity. date, amount and purpose of assistance. The Fund will probably begin disper- participants handled it in good spirit, ” sals after January 1, 1992 when income comments Bhujwala. has begun to accrue. Congresses in Vancouver “Looking Ahead to the 21st Century ” will tour of Vancouver city, a dinner cruise be the theme of the Eighth North Ameri- i___ ‘ ‘ can Zoroastrian Congress scheduled for dancing programs provided entertain- Trust, informs Tarapore. September 4-6, 1992 in Vancouver, in- ment and socializing for the youngsters. forms its chairperson Ms Bella Tata. “And, every evening, there were infor- “Jimmy Lashkari must be God ’s littlest. Sponsored and organized by the Zoroas- mal parties which cemented the bonds of but most effective quarterback, ” writes trian Society of British Columbia, the new friendships, ” adds Bhujwala. Ms Helen Brosio, in the Contra Costa panel of organizers includes vice chair- f ", , ’' - - person Mehraban Zartoshty, finance di- Bhujwala of the Zarthoshti Anjuman of mighty 10-year-old whose courageous rector Farrokh Namdaran, planning and Northern California, 16-year-old Bhuj- four-year fight against cancer ended on hospitality director Ms Perviz Madon, wala, bom and raised in Pasadena, con- July 20, 1991. But not before the sports program director Ms Soonoo Engineer, eludes, “Reflecting on the Congress, I fan and “football hero ” had taught the public relations director Ms Kashmira realized the need to have organized community around him “daily lessons in Dastur and secretariat director Ms Shirin youth social programs in local 'Zoroas- courage, faith, gentleness and kindness. Sethna. The Congress ’ mailing address trian communities. It was delightful to Jimmy never complained despite the sur- is 401-840 Broughton Street, Vancouver, observe the closeness of the Chicago geries, the chemotherapy, the pain, ” in British Columbia V6G 2A1, Canada youth who were attending the confer- and contact phones (604) 681-5250 and ence. Unless we arrange for our youth to (604)421-7591. Formal talks were limited to brief wel ­ come and farewell talks by the organizers, narrowing gap? ” Zoroastrians Abroad, $ 54,000 in the kitty, the anticipated Bhujwala. shortfall has been reduced to about $ Divided into groups of eight to 10 10,000, writes Tarapore. “ ¦ Tarapore ’s jubilation springs from two sources. The fund raiser on June 29 net- atash kadeh. But, more significantly, “the evening was also a success from a human Zoroastrian identity by facilitating and point of view. Members of both commu- - nities shared a common vision and mis ­ sion. Everyone hoped that we would con ­ tinue to build this relationship in the years to come. ” The ZANC newsletter also announced A comedy skit, a dance item, and the the purchase of 24 burial lots at the Los navjote of four children relieved the te- Gatos Memorial Park at a cost of $ 970 dium of sustained discussions. A bus each. Meant for the use of^ll Zoroastri- ¦ J ans, the purchase was financed from the around the harbor, barbecue dinner and cemetery funds donated by the Guiv “Although opinions were di ­ vided almost equally on some issues, the ment and socializing for the youngsters. “And, every evening, there were infor- Daughter of past president Maneck Times of July 22, in a tribute to the the words of Brosio who is an instruc ­ tional assistant at the Donald Rheem meet each other, with interesting youth School, Moraga. Jimmy ’s enthusiasm for 14 Parsiana October 1991ESTD 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 foi; Jewellery) M/s Framji Rustamji Choksey 253 Sheikh Memon Street Bombay 400002 Tel 325422/342639, Resi 251118 Available paying guest accommodation with common entrance in Central Bombay for a young Parsi couple. Write giving full details of ages, occupations, etc to: The Advertiser Accommodation (Oct/2-91) Parsiana GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 WANTED A copy of the book In Search Of My God, Contact purchaser at Phone 2042543 or write to: The Advertiser (Search) Parsiana GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 16 Parsiana October 1991 football had earned him a 49er jacket his residence for the use of the commu- signed by well-known quarterback Joe nity in memory of his wife. By 1905 he Montana. Another football star, Steve had bought a piece of land on Rattigon Young, had called Jimmy “the hero. ” Road and constructed a new dar-e-meher “A lively toddler entertaining people to enshrine the atash dadgah. By 1913 he around him by his imitations of Michael had maintained the fire for 20 years be- Jackson, ” by the age of four the son of fore handing it over to the community. A Goolu and Dinyar Lashkari had devel ­ oped a keen interest in football and sports, notes the ZANC newsletter. A continu ­ ous blood donation drive had been sus ­ tained by the community in the hope that berg Colony. Jimmy would pull through. Even so, he attended school during the last weeks of trusts were springing up. The Bhandara the academic year while other children foundation was initiated in 1966 in mem- applauded. ory of the late Peshotan Bhandara. It “Those of us who were fortunate helps other organizations with donations enough to know him well were touched both within and beyond Lahore, by his courageous spirit and his winning ~ smile, ” notes the newsletter dedicated to his memory. Pakistani Parsis At present there are about 70 Parsis in Lahore, 26 in Rawalpindi, eight in Multan library and gifted it to the Lahore Canton- and five in Peshawar, notes an addendum at the base of the Lahore directory for ­ warded to Parsiana by Ms Freny Bomanji of Multan Cantonment. Since the 1987 willed his entire estate for the benefit of directory speaks of 115 members, the students, the aged and the infirm. Outright community in Lahore has dwindled by donations and monthly stipends are con- over 39 percent in four years. Some have trolled by its six trustees, expired, others have left to resettle in the — - - UK and North America. There were nine marriages in Lahore focus of community tournaments, din- — the highest in recent years as normally ners, new year ’s eve dances and other there is one marriage in three or four functions, though the dwindling number years, informs Bomanji — and four of resident youth has slowed down its for- deaths in the last two years. During this mer tempo. period one Zoroastrian died in Multan. By now the Lahore Parsee Anjuman One of the guesstimated two Parsi has faced a mobed problem at its agiary “ twice over. Each time the ladies and gen ­ tlemen of the Anjuman take turns to mind the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Syria based Dr the fire, adds Bomanji. For the present, Ardeshir Damania writes to inform Par- Ervad Rustom Pavri, ex Hong Kong, is siana of an honor bestowed upon the providing good service, she notes. other — ICARDA’s office administrator The Lahore Parsee Anjuman was in Quetta, Pesi Amaria. On September 5, formed in April 1935, informs the direc- 1991 the Lions Club of Pakistan met in tory. Earlier the anjuman had built a Lahore to bestow its prestigious Melvin block of flats where 11 families reside in Jones award on Amaria. Additionally, the prestigious Gulberg Colony. Named Amaria was presented the Best Lion of after the late Dr Edulji Bharucha, a noted the Year award by the Governor of Balu- benefactor, the construction had been fi­ nanced by donations from Zoroastrians in Lahore and elsewhere. The Gulbagh Trust maintains the ar- amgah and prayer room donated to the Research (CGIAR) whose main donors community by Edulji Burjoreji Setna in are the World Bank, USAID, UNDP, 1877. The Bai Avabai Cooper Agiary governments of developed economies, dates back to 1893 when Ardeshir and other donor organizations such as the Burjoreji Limbuwalla Cooper opened it at OPEC Fund. These 15 centers are dis- trust was founded to maintain it thereaf ­ ter. By 1971, deteriorating conditions in the vicinity had made it imperative to shift the fire to a new dar-e-meher in Gul- Even into the 1960s and 1970s new The same year the Dinshaw B. Challa Trust was set up by Challa in memory of his wife to help needy, deserving indi ­ viduals of all communities. In 1923 Challa had bought a 20-canal plot whereon he had constructed and stocked a ment. His trust continues to contribute towards it. In 1975 the late Savixa Jarriwalla The Lahore Parsee Club, reformed in 1971 at the Edulji Bharucha Flats, is the Zoroastrians in the service of the Interna ­ tional Center for Agricultural Research in chistan at Quetta, writes Damania. “ICARDA is one of the 15 interna ­ tional centers sponsored by the Consulta ­ tive Group on International Agriculturalmanaged to compile them in the latter part of the 19th century. Prominent amongst single color illustrations on the same theme, enlivening the pages. The recipes are systematic and easy to follow. Tips them was Meherbai Jamshedji Nusser- ture improvement programs. The CGIAR on substitution, conversion charts and system employs some 7,(XX) employees hints on basic techniques make life easier worldwide, ” adds Damania. for the beginner. In his foreword, Virasp Mehta of the Informal Religious Meetings traces the advent of Parsis in India: “Parsi babarchis chi Parsi Institute by novelist Ms Bapsy 1 Sidhwa on June 29, 1991. The I occasion was used to make a I public acknowledgement of “the I untiring dedication of the I Mandal ’s eldest, quietest, sincer- 1 est, most knowledgeable and ul- I tra-efficient worker, Ms Allan R. I Billimoria (nee Gheyara)... In- spired by Allan hundreds of our young mothers, wives, ttiV /IniizrklArc lioirA morlA persed around the world to serve the needs of farmers based principally in the third world through the national agricul- At 20, Karachi ’s Ms Cyra Noshirwani is already a fashion designer and impres- sario, as informs a write-up from g Ms Sunnu Golwalla. B Noshirwani ’s second fashion H show. Catwalk ’91 at the Beach B Luxury Hotel on St. Valentine ’s ¦ Day (February 14, 1991) was an g extravaganza of color and glitter ¦ that netted the young designer a two-minute standing ovation from the audience, notes ® Golwalla. . Creations, encompassing the needs of the very young (under Sunnu audience. needs of the very young (under three) to the seductively young, were presented as music, dance and tableaux interspersed with promenades on the catwalk. There were casuals and party clothes, pants and salwars, cot- tons, lace and sparkle in shades of pink, blood red, whites and blacks, blues and yellows. Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry, Pretty ¦¦ Woman — a kaleidoscope to gladden the eye, as informs Golwalla. Commentator Ms Azermin Jamasji declaimed the vir ­ tues of each creation from a script pre ­ pared by Ms Delara Jamasji. Bon appetit! wanji Wadia who brought out two hefty volumes in Gujarati, called Vividh Vani, containing 2,050 recipes. ” Manna (priced at Rs 400) was launched at a special function at the Kara- I I**’ I u sisters and daughters have made the KZBM an altar of service, ” notes a write-up from social worker Behram Rustomji. One of those so inspired, adds Rus ­ tomji, is Ms Hutoxy Cyrus Cowasjee, the Mandal ’s joint honorary secretary who has ed ­ ited and compiled the book. I Ms Perviz Viraf Daroga, the I incoming president of the Man- I dal (its ninth president to date) ¦ welcomed Sidhwa. In a gracious gesture, copies of the book were ceremo ­ nially presented to designer Ms Tannaz Minwalla, artist Ms Michelle D’Silva and (cooks) were a class of their own. Ac ­ cording to a census of Parsi professions in 1864 there were 111 in the field of gas ­ tronomy and 1,641 in the field of cooking, adviser Saheedullah Baray, informs Rus- Within the next 50 years professional tomji. Parsi cooks disappeared from our homes and they were replaced by Goanese mis- The Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal tries, Surti lalyas and Muslim khansa- (KZBM) has served up Manna of the An­ gels — a treat for gourmets everywhere. The 214 glossy art paper pages present an The KZBM started as a small group of far-sighted ladies on November 11, 1912, drawing up a constitution with the help of mas... Karachi stalwarts Nusserwanji Mehta, “Cooking with professional expertise Ardeshir Mama and Dastur (Dr) Maneck has not only brought extra income into array of dishes — the gamut of traditional Parsi homes but it is said that this art once Parsi cookery from eggs, rotlis and rice to saved a Natak Mandli which went bank- eeda pak and khajur ni ghari and include rupt in London. In 1885, the then famous all the mouthwatering staples that Parsis Victoria Natak Mandli ventured to per- lectures for general enlightenment of the grew up relishing in undivided India. form Parsi nataks (plays) in London, community. Cooking classes and compe- The recipes totalling 135, including Somewhere a slip was made and having titions used to be a regular feature till the several variations on a theme, are pre ­ sented under 11 different heads. For ex ­ ample, there are three different akuris, three versions of rf/ia/uoufc and as many of the passage home. In the troupe there siasm among its present 581 lady mem ­ fish palao to tickle the palate in a variety were some who could cook. They rolled bers, 43 having contributed to the book in of ways. For the pickle and chutney en- - ¦ - . thusiasts there are 19 to choose from, in ­ cluding bafenu and gajar-sookha meva nu (lagan nu) achar. There ’s eeda pak and badam pak, but no vasanu. The sepia and green color scheme of gastronomy, but greater honor shall al- the jacket mirroring the ancient frescoed walls of Persepolis, continues within as Dhalla, notes Cowasjee in an introduction to the book. With “Seva an^ Sakhavat (service and charity) ” as the motto, the ladies began to teach arts and crafts, held failed to get a proper licence to perform end of the 1940s. Now these popular nataks, the Mandli was fined heavily and classes have been revived and the book it was left with little or no money to buy compiled as a result of the general enthu ­ up their sleeves, prepared delectable Parsi a variety of ways, sweets and sold them on London streets for their passage to Bombay. “All honor to those gentlemen who replaced their histrionic art with the art of modem Parsis pay to those they cherish than the gift of good eating? Appropriately, the cover design fea ­ tures minions bearing gifts to Achaeme- nian potentates. What greater tribute can ways be for those diligent Parsi ladies who made copious notes of recipes and Compiled by Amavaz S. Mama 19 Parsiana October 1991INSTITUTIONS At the centenary signpost Text: Noshir Dadrawala • Photographs: Varghese Fernandez task in the school involves maintaining overall discipline... the students of BJPC other option but to make the school cos ­ mopolitan. ” The Junior College, men ­ tions Driver, was commissioned in the today compare favorably with any other year 1975, and in 1986, the portals of the school in the city. ” Institution were opened to all other com- “ The year 1972 was a turning point in munities. “We had to take this decision the destiny and image of the school. “I after a lot of used a strategy of making the boys feel hesitation, ” noted Deboo. “Fourteen untidy and ill-mannered never really years ago I change with punishment However the was catering presence of the fairer sex in the class- to the needs of rooms changed their attitude. Almost mi- 480 Parsi Stu- raculously they seemed more dignified dents in three and well behaved, ” noted Driver. shifts, ” said Ms Sheroo Tavadia who has been Ms Khorshed connected with the school for over three Dolasha, the decades and is presently the general su- school ’s kit- pcrvisor, observes that ^though the boys Chen supervi- of the school are less disciplined than the sor. “Today, ” she continued. ashamed rather than strike tenor and fear in their hearts. Boys who are habitually w said “The dream of a generous man. Many years have come and gone But the spirit still lives on Benefitting from the past. Working now to face the future. Hold the dream and make it last ” The school song wafts across the spacious classrooms, passages and imposing stair ­ way of the Gothic brick and lime masonry of the 100-year-old Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Charitable Institution (BJPC). The I cool Arabian Sea breeze lends freshness and so'enity to an atmosphere charged | with nostalgia. I Laboriously aiid virtuously — the 1 school motto — is not only a goal but a | way of life at the Institution, according to | the principal Ms Roshen Driver. “This is | reflected in the faith parents, especially j non-Parsis, place in this school, ” she says, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy's adding, “Today the image of the school liberal endowments compares favorably with any other educa- tioni institute in Bombay. ” Driver how ­ ever laments the Parsi community ’s lack including the Parsi students of the Junior games, project work, competitions and of interest in the school: “If the title College. ” According to Dolasha the free ‘Saint ’ had been prefixed to the school ’s lunch served to Parsi students includes I name, Parsi parents wt^ld have made a mutton dhansak, fish curry rice, etc, etc, J beeline for the Institution. ” on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. S “Our school offers the best all-round On Tuesdays and Thursdays there is usu- education, free meals and a number of ally lentils or vegetables served with scholarships. Yet Parsi parents have a bread. H passion for Anglo-Indian schools. It is a pity. While other communities take ad ­ vantage of our charities the Parsi commu ­ nity fights shy! ” despaired Ms Khorshed the principal, trustees and staff of the S| i Deboo, a trustee of the Institution. school. ” Daroga was grateful to the 5j l “In 1954 when Morarji Desai was min- school for encouraging him in sports and ister for education, ” says Nanabhoy looking after his nutritional requirements: Jeejeebhoy, chairman-trustee of the Insti- “I used to get an additional quota of milk tution, “he had passed an order that and vitamin tablets.' schools catering to the needs of any one girls, the former are much easier to handle. “The students are now fully oc- “the number has been reduced to just 180 cupied with extracurricular activities like According to champion weight lifter Vispy Daroga, a former student of the school, “I owe much of my fame today to schools catering to the needs of any one The quality of students seeking ad- ? community would not be eligible for mission in the school keeps improving [ grants-in-aid. At that time the trustees of year after year, feels Ms Tehmina | the Institution decided to forgo the grant Damanwala who has been associated with I and continue to run the school for the the school for more than 17 years. I benefit of Parsis only as per the wishes of Damanwala who teaches food science in I the founder. However times changed and junior college and work experience in the I by the mid-eighties the trustees had no IX and X standards, notes, “My main I I “i 20 Parsiana October 1991 II o Jl! kM » _____ . JI ffilESt sS^ scBCt-aroiRjNow coeducational and cosmopolitan, the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Charitable Institution and Junior College encourages students to think creatively Khursheed Khurody, a young social ac ­ tivist with a flair for working with the have very little time for mischief, ” she amination with 85.4 percent marks con- says. Scouting, social service, compute veyed that their son would pursue his science, aerobics, karate, judo and horse Higher Secondary Certificate studies in youth and bringing about social change, riding are other activities introduced by the science faculty in the same school. Explaining the need for this project the BJPC. The Institution ’s present board of trus- Khurody said, “The entire system of edu- The school band, which represented tees include chairman Nanabhoy cation in India is focused towards one Maharashtra state at a rally arranged by Jejeebhoy, managing trustee Rustomjee J. goal -- passing the examination. This the Central Government, had been appre- R. B. Jeejeebhoy, Sir Jamsetjee Jejee- kind of text book orientation undermines ciated by the then Vice President of India bhoy, Rustom N. B. Jeejeebhoy, Ms the student ’s ability to think creatively M. Hidayatullah, says Driver. She also Jer A. Dhondy, Ms Katy F. Mehta and and intellectually. ” ~ . 3 Using the BJTC Institution as a labora- the principal, includes 29 teachers all tory to experimmt with her innovation. claims to have introduced rifle shooting, Ms Khorshed Deboo. The staff, besides job-oriented courses like electronics, en- f vironmental studies and helped build of whom are qualified educationists. Khurody invited noted surgeon Dr Adi for physics, chemistry and biology. To classes have no divisions and the total Driver also goes the credit for creating a number of students including the junior full-fledged library with nearly 5,000 college comes to 750. books on all modem subjects, of which 25 percent are classics of English litera- Learning to think ture. Dara and Gulshan Patel, whose son Sa- project, programmed to improve the stu- cation was followed by talks on the “Dan- rosh passed the Secondapr School Certifi- dents ’ ability to think for themselves and ger of AIDS” and the “Hunger Project ” cate (SSC) Board examination with 86.8 improve all-round performance. The proj- Between talks by professionals and ex ­ percent marks, “strongly advise Parsi par- ect was initiated at the request of Ms perts Khurody acts as a facilitator for in- ents to admit their children in this school tellectual discussions and debates on cor- and take advantage of the various bene- ruption, terrorism, friistration, etc. The fds. ” topics are analysed and no text bode defi- Nawroze and Mehroo Mamlatdar nitions are entertained. Students are whose son recently passed the SSC ex- given the opportunity to express their in- t^ well-equipped separate laboratories There are just two Parsi teachers. The Nazir to speak to the students of Std XII on “Safe sex and the use of contracep ­ tives. ” The students “are biologically ma ­ ture but socially and emotionally sup ­ pressed. It is very important for them to face adolescence with the ri^t sex educa- In June 1991 the school introduced a pilot tion, ” said Khurody. The talk on sex edu- project, programmed to improve the stu- Facing page: Schooling under the roojs of this palatial structure built in 1908 From left: Principal Driver; the kindergarten class and the electronics workshop introduced at the School I E'kf ¦ 21 Parsiana October 1991of the people. In 1876, Her Majesty, with the navjote of two deserving Parsi Queen Victoria conferred on him the students of the school, felicitation of the companionship of the most Exalted Order Institution ’s trustees and teachers, and a of the Star of India, (C.S.I.) and when the musical concert, the Preeti Sagar Nite. In between on November 24 and 25 the school had organized a “Centenary one of the small number of citizens in- Fair ” in the school compound, followed ner feelings and encouraged to put aside and dinner, ended on September 12,1991 their fears and inhibitions. Said 17-year- old Vivek Sethia, a student of Std XII, “Till now, on our way home in the bus we used to discuss Hindi films and who was the best hero on celluloid. Now this has all changed. Our discussion in class about the world around us now spills over in the bus and we continue to think and by a “Bonanza ” on December 31 at the talk intellectually. ” “Khursheed, ” inter ­ jected Ms Nina Lala, another student of Std XII, “helps us to discover ourselves and express our thoughts with clarity. ” Wilson Rogrigues of the same class felt the facility of this program should be ex ­ tended to all other schools in Bombay. “It opens up a whole new world before us, ” he said. Doing a self analysis Khurody said “the program breeds excitement and also helps to bring out grudges. I am so far handling only Stds VI, VII, IX, X, XI, XII and they are all very responsive and en ­ thusiastic. ” Besides debates, creative writing (a few weeks ago students of Std VI were made to write a love story involving a poor boy, a rich girl and her dominating father), talks on topics hitherto considered taboo, Khurody organizes cooking com ­ petitions. “It really draws out the culinary instinct in the students, ” she said. Stu ­ dents, according to Khurody, create all Grant Medical College grounds. Then Time for fun and relaxation at the kinds of pakodas (fritters), juices and came the “Centenary Sports ” on February recreation hall sandwiches. 9 in which every student of the school What will happen to the program when participated and a splendid performance with the Durbar Medal by His Excellency Khurody ’s vacation in Bombay ends and (March 9) at the Patkar Hall on the life of Lord Lytton, Viceroy and Governor Gen- she returns to the United States to pursue Sir Byramjee Jeejeebhoy. eral, informs the school ’s Golden Jubilee her studies in European literature and his- Volume (1941). tory? Khurody ’s response is positive, “It The founding footsteps Noted Nanabhoy, “He aided deserving will go on. Counsellors like Ms Diana “It is not so much for his political and causes but contributed even more gener- Marfatia (coordinator of the Bombay commercial activities as for his munifi- ously to help the spread of education. He Parsi Punchayet ’s school counselling and cent charities that the name of Byramjee liberally endowed the Government Medi- holiday youth programs) will keep it Jeejeebhoy, the founder of the school, is cal Schools at Ahmedabad and Poona, the alive. The experiment has succeeded and cherished to this day, ” states Nanabhoy. High School at Thane and the Anglo-Ver- it would be a shame if it died out. ” The youngest of Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy ’s nacular School at Bhiwandi. Byramjee four sons, Byramjee was bom on June 16, also extended generous help to the Centennial activities 1822 and educated at an elite private Gujarat Provincial College, The Parsi “As part of the development project for school. In recognition of his qualities and Girls ’ Schools Association, the Bombay the centenary year the school will be by way of appreciation for the services he Native General Library and the Alexandra equipping an electronics laboratory, ” said had rendered to the city, the Government Native Girls ’ English Institution. But his Damanwala. “In the meantime, ” informed of Bombay appointed Byramjee a Justice crowning act of benevolence which also Driver, “Nanabhoy Jeejeebhoy has al- c. -----------...-------- ------------------- ready made a grant of Rs 1.5 lakhs for the later, he was made a fellow of the Bom- development of a computer laboratory. ” 1 , ” . / Queen assumed the title of the Empress of India on January 1, 1877, Byramjee was vited to take part in the Durbar ceremony held at Delhi, where he was presented I .1*1? I t I / iS?. -a /A: '¦ W' *ya I of the Peace in 1855. About a decade was his last, was the establishment of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Charitable In ­ stitution. ” “Barely a fortnight prior to his death, ” said Ms Jer Dhondy, “he created a bay Legislative Council where his career trust, transferring in the names of his ’ bay University. In 1868, he was nomi- The centenary year, ushered in on Sep- nated an additional member of the Bom- tember 12, 1990 with the navjote of one poor Parsi student of the school followed was marked by devotion to public interest grandson Rustomji Nanabhoy Byramjee by a jashan, prize distribution program and an untiring solicitude for the welfare Jeejeebhoy, Sorabjee Shapuijee Ben- 22 Parsiana October 1991"Our discussion in class about the world around us now spills over in the bus" galee, Khan Bahadur Rustomjee Jamasjee house. The work of erecting the building Banaji whose unusual academic achieve- and Pestonji Nusserwanji Wadia, four commenced in March 1906 and the open- ments secured for him a fellowship in the percent promissory notes of the Govern- ing ceremony was performed by Bai Av- Elphinstone College and who was later ment of India of the value of Rs 3,50,000 abai Byramjee Jeejeebhoy (the grand- nominated a fellow and a senator of’the for establishing an institute for the educa ­ tion of the children of his poor coreligion ­ ists. ” “The Trust and the intended charity, ” continued Nanabhoy, “could have been rendered null and void since Byramjee of the school. According to the Golden education in India, Pallonjee Dorabji died within a fortnight of executing the Jubilee Volume, the founder ’s grandson Pavri, the first to introduce a system of deed. According to the Succession Act Rustomjee ’s sporadic donations to the circulars, meaning to build up intercourse then in force, the son and grandson of school totalled Rs 1,50,000. He also con- between parents and teachers, physical Byramjee could have allowed the charity tributed Rs 12,400 for founding several education and supply of free milk and to be defeated and claimed their person^ prizes, scholarships and sports funds, nourishing meals to the students of the right over the promissory notes, but to their eternal credit they waived their 1914 has a corpus of about 11 lakhs. rights and did not invoke the provisions Milk is provided daily. ” of the Succession Act ” The Institution . was opened on September 12, 1891, Line of principals the first anniversary of Qyramjee ’s According to Driver, Bomonsha Bejonjee death, with 214 students on its rolls. The Kotwal enjoyed the distinction of being figure rose to 320 by the end of the year. The first difficulty with which the trustees were con- | fronted was the absence of a | suitable building. “After a I great deal of trouble, ” said I Dhondy “they were able to I rent the late Mr Dossabhoy I Pesikaka ’s house opposite I the Marine Lines Railway I Station. ” I The school, according to I Driver, began with primary I and middle sections. High I school classes were added in I 1895. The school ’s present I palatial structure opposite 1 the Chami Road Railway I Station was erected in 1908. I The style of the building is I modem Gothic, with a gable roof over the second floor in the center Wailing to return home and also gable roofs over the end wings. The marble figure in the central finial is graduate in arts from St Xavier ’s College, the goddess of learning with a lighted “his students reposed complete trust in his torch in one hand and a book in the other. According to the Golden Jubilee Volume, the Government had given a grant-in-aid principals of the BJPC Institution pub­ amounting to nearly a lakh of rupees to ­ wards the building of the new school- daughter-in-law of the founder) on March Bombay University. Next in the line of 15, 1908. The founder ’s grandson Rus- distinguished headmasters were Kai- tomji, Sorabjee S. Bengalee, Khan Ba- khashru Ardeshir Enti, K. S. Aiyar, the hadur Rustomjee Jamasjee Ashbumer and school ’s first non-Parsi headmaster and a Pestonji N. Wadia were the first trustees pioneer of accountancy and commercial 23 Parsiana October 1991 if “The Bhojan Fund which was created in school and Framroze Meharwanji Dalal who instituted a provident fund scheme for the staff of the school. The school ’s first lady principal, Roshen Driver, joined the institution in 1970. Sitting relaxed amid an assortment of files and books in her spacious and airy principal ’s office. Driver seemed to over- .......... . flow with ideas and crea ­ tivity. “When 1 joined the school, ” she said, “the school ’ s reputation was at a nadir. It was brimming ' "¦ with dropouts no other school was willing to take. R was a herculean task re ­ vamping the place. The first thing I did was to in ­ troduce a system of proper khaki uniforms. ” According to its joint honorary secretary Dr Eruch Daruwala, the Old Boys ’ Union performs a jashan every year in the memory of the founder, supplies text-books on loan to poor students, provides medical relief, organizes excursions, of­ fers scholarships, freeships and much more. For the ageing Nanabhoy, according to benevolence and his solicitude, despite Driver, “the BJPC Institution is a ‘pathar his stem discipline, ” notes a tribute to the no dikro (a son in stone). ”’ What will be- the first headmaster of the Institution. A Uh Lwi'i srl Wi * V k*. *¦ 4^. iKfl no dikro (a son in stone). come of it in the year 2001, we ask lished in the Golden Jubilee Volume. Nanabhoy? His response: “The spirit of Kotwal was succeeded by Framji Kawasji the founders will guide its destiny. ”COMMENT The shadow of suicide An account of Feroze Laskari's tragic death in New York on his wedding day Rustom D. Wadia were hard working and lovingly fond of note that our inherent proud Parsi com- each other, as a young couple should be. In the first week of June 1927, an in ­ vitation was sent out by SaklatwaJa to all in New York City — in reality, a social the resident Parsis in New York to meet club. It so happened that our host, Mr Saklatwala had also graciously invited Dastur Maneck Dhalla, the High Priest of the Karachi Parsi Anjuman, who was in New York to receive his doctorate de ­ gree in Avestan literature from Columbia University. It was a happy coincidence that the High Priest was here to give his blessings on this auspicious occasion. Little did any of us know then that it would also prove to be a celestial miscal ­ culation and would end, in a colossal tragedy, the life of my young friend Feroze Laskari. It is the inscrutable way in which Nature works sometimes. With unanimous consent, the Zoroas ­ trian Association of New York came to light for the first time in America. A proposal was made and accepted that Saklatwala be appointed chairman with permission to select a co-chairman and a secretary of his choosing. He promptly appoint^ me, Rustom D. Wadia, as sec ­ The year was 1927. It witoessed an un ­ happy incident on a bright summer Sat ­ urday in the city of New York. There were then approximately 12 Parsis in the whole city of five million New Yorkers, the foremost industrial and commercial at his spacious residence with the sole emporium in the world. Even among that miniscule number of Zoroastrians, there were three millionaires, one Rolls Royce, and one Indian restaurant. The accepted leader among us was Pheroze Saklatwala, a Wall Street oil magnate, and the brother of Hon Shapurji Saklat ­ wala, the second Indian member of the British Parliament. The first, of course, was Dadabhoy Naoroji, now long de ­ ceased. Feroze Laskari, a very likable young man in his early 20s, had come to New York after working at the Ford Motor Company factory in Detroit, Michigan as an assembly line mechanic. From the noise and drudgery of a factory life, he had come to New York, a city of glamor, adventure and opportunity. He promptly found a job as a sales clerk in the only Indian gift shop in New York, the House G* — _____ ~j - ----- -J— ------ named Verma Singh. It was there that I delighted to attend the meeting on a retary, protem, which I accepted. ~ Before the meeting ended on a cor- most"of the Parsi students from Columbia dially enthusiastic note, a surprise an- University, one importer of spices and nouncement was made by Saklatwala. pickles, Jchangir Khambatta, one wealthy With his arm around my dear friend, he stated that at noon the following Satur- _ day all members of the newly formed of New York ’s world renowned shopping cier, S. R. Bomanji. Including myself. Association were cordially mvited to affluent host, Pheroze Saklatwala, we can girlfriend. He further stated that he were a baker ’s dozen. It is of consequential importance to note that in the above list of staunch Par- purpose of forming a Zoroastrian Asso- All members 0f the newly farmed Association were cordially invited to Laskarfs wedding to his Amer dan girlfriend of India. It was owned by a Punjabi ciation. I received the invitation and was munity spirit drew us together that after ­ noon to form a Zoroastrian Association met Feroze, one of the dozen or so Parsis sunny Saturday afternoon. Present were like myself. Naturally, we became very close friends and often dined together in the only Parsi restaurant in New York. The restaurant was located on a side owner of an art gallery, Nash Heeraman- • street off Times Square, the very center eck, another wealthy Wall Street finan- district, drowned in the fantastic glamor a budding electric^ engineer, and the come to Laskan ’s wedding to his Ameri- ofblinking electrical advertising signs. affluent host, Pheroze Saklatwala, we can girlfriend. He further stated that he It was not long before Feroze Laskari were a baker ’s dozen. was sure that our Dasturji Dhalla would found a very attractive Hungarian girl- It is of consequential importance to be present to add his blessings on the oc- friend. She was a well educated, serious minded and professionally well-paid sis, nine out of 10 were married to fashion designer. To my mind they ap- / ~ “ "" peared well-suited to each other. Both faith. Despite this fact, it is creditable to casion. Saturday noon came and a few of us American or English wives of Christian Parsis went uptown near Columbia Uni ­ versity to await the arrival of our High 24 Parsiana October 1991Priest in front of Feroze ’s apartment in very unhappy. A youth of a respectable order to accompany him inside. But to family of Bombay had come here to our horror, we arrived to see policemen study. He came to see us thrice. He was and a hospital ambulance with medical a kind and humble young man. Twelve equipment outside the apartment The or 13 days after our acquaintance we apartment lobby was in turmoil. There heard that he was to marry an American was no Dastur, but instead the horrifying girl in a Church on New Year ’s Day. A news that my friend had committed sui- day before the wedding he was to accom- cide by swallowing carbolic acid. A note pany his bride-to-be to purchase the was left, which the police retained but the trousseau, contents of the note indicated that our High Priest had flatly refused to take any meet him at four o’clock at the University part in the wedding ceremony. We were subway station, whence they would pro- all left speechless by this tragedy. It was ceed for their shopping. As arranged the a case of the sanctimonious practice of the girl arrived at four and exactly at the same Zoroastrian religion, by a learned priest, time for some unknown and inexplicable having dealt a mortal blow which no reason that unfortunate young man swal- amount of logic, common sense or human lowed some acid and committed suicide decency can justify. Only bigotry can in his own apartment. account for or justify such tragedy. “That night a Bengali youth came to us Funeral arrangements were made to and informed us that the deceased was a bury my friend in a local cemetery on friend of his and that they boarded to- Long Island. Among the few Parsis who gether. He wished to cremate the corpse came to the cemetery in a small proces- early in the morning. Personally I pre- sion of hired limousines was Dastur ferred cremation to burial yet I refused to Dhalla. In the car our Dastur regretfully sanction such a move and told him that it told us that he had refused to take part in was just possible that by doing so, the Laskari ’s wedding ceremony, thus unwit- feelings of the relatives of the deceased tingly causing the colossal tragedy of a residing in Bombay may be hurt, hence young Parsi ’s untimely death. no one had the authority to take such a I do not believe that the sanctimonious step, practice of any manmade religion is justi ­ fied in usurping the right of Nature over per and began to prattle as he pleased, life and death. Venting his anger upon me he said that India was full of old-fashioned and out- H Resident in the USA for moded people like me, hence the country the past 68 years, Rustom D. Wadia, 92, retired as a New York restaurateur (Rajah Restaurant, Ceylon- quickly as possible made US rather suspi- India Inn) in 1985. A quali- cious of his motives. My wife asked him fied electrical engineer, his jjjgj since he was a friend of the deceased, 08ny proiGSStondi hf& hdu been spent with the Gen- eral Electric Company and the Edison Com- cide. The dead man was ready to wed, pany, working as a design engineer. then what had driven him to take this drastic step at the last moment? --------------------------------------------------- “To the many replies he tried to give to The liberal Dastur (Dr) Maneck Nusser- those queries, he added that the deceased wanji Dhalla, had spent four years at Co- was not marrying the girl for love, nor for lumbia University, New York, studying her wealth or her beauty. My wife then under the famed Iranologist Prof A. V. H. ' Jackson. In 1929, as part of its 175 th jubi­ lee celebrations, the University conferred he decided to wed? He replied that the an honorary D. Litt, on Dhalla. deceased, the girl and he himself — only In his Autobiography, as translated those three knew the answer to that ques- into English by Gool and Behram Rus- tion. ‘And God is the fourth, ’ my wife tomji, Dastur Dhalla provides a different gently intervened. scenario. According to Dhalla it was the~ end of1929: “They had arranged that the girl should “On hearing this the man lost his tern- had come to such a sorry state. His exces ­ sive impatience to cremate the corpse as he must be aware of the cause of his sui- t questioned that if he was not marrying for these three natural reasons then why had “With disdain he stated that he was not so foolish as to believe in the existence of God. Without even wishing us farewell he “On New Year ’s eve a sad event took stalked out of the room. Eventually the place midst the 11 Zoroastrians living in body was buried. Later the police scented New York and the unfortunate circum- foul play and tried to investigate but noth- stances in which it happened made us ing came to light. ” 25 Parsiana October 1991 With best wishes from Farah & TanyaCOMMENT H The Purifying Prescriptions u In his rejoinder to his critics the author notes that in the only reference to the use of gaomez (bull ’s urine) outside the Vendidad, Zarathushtra advises King Vishtaspa against its use All A. Jafarey There is a growing understanding among weigh them with care before you choose phethood in Mecca, migrated and estab- Zoroastrians, both Parsis and Iranis, that which of the two Paths to tread — decid- 1—--------------- -----, There is a growing understanding among weigh them with care before you choose phethood in Mecca, migrated and estab- Zoroastrians, both Parsis and Iranis, that which of the two Paths to tread — decid- lished himself in Medina, more than 2(X) the Gathas are the most sacred scriptures ing man by man, each for each... ” (Dr I. miles north, and had won a large number and their study the most enlightening J. S. Taraporevala ’s translation). I am of followers in and around the two dties. experience. All other writings, Avesta, “ ‘ ' ’ ’ ’ ’ Pahlavi and Persian, are held in high re- g--------J------------------------- „------------- Iran. While appreciating and lauding the paused and pondered over this and other but finally settled with Islam. Ifrstory authenticity of the book Purity and Pol- similar passages in the Gathas. knows of no “Dasturan Dastur Dinyar ” lution in Zoroastrianism, Triumph over I would have gladly listened to his (said to be Salman ’s true name and des- Evil authored by Mr Jamsheed Choksy, I advise on Islamic studies but what can I fgnation) who abandoned the luxuries of had enumerated its salient points, and do? I know comparatively much more the gardens of his theocratic Iran and then pointed out, what I believe, are cer- about Islam and its scriptures than Ervad traversed the sands of the pagan Arabia, tain shortcomings in the book with a Sethna does about Zoroastrianism. It is to teach Muhammad to found a new relig- view to drawing the attention of the with my profound knowledge of Islamic ion that would eventually bring about the learned author to them. If accepted, they laws and rites, full comprehension of the downfall of the Zoroastrian empire, and may be included and/or discussed in its ever-enlightening Good Religion, and to sign a treaty that would remain unhon- second edition (“The Purifying Prescrip- sufficient bookish knowledge of Zoroas- ored on paper for the scholars of today! tions, ” Parsiana, October 1990). This trianism that I wrote “that the Vendidad, I agree that the Vendidad correspond would make it more comprehensive, enlarged and simplified ” survives in the to the 19th word of Ahunavar. But this is However, I have a strong feeling that “doctrinal treatises of Shiite Mujtahids. ” what the Pahlavi book Denkard of the Ervad B.’ H. Minochehr-Homji had not Again, it is with the same knowledge that 9th century AC tells us. It classifies the read Choksy ’s book when he labeled my I dismiss the so-called Ahad Nameh (it Vendidad among the Datik, the legal review a “blasphemous article ” on the should be spelled Ahd, meaning treaty category as against the scriptures listed Vendidad (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, and not ahad which means one) as a very among Gathic, the religious and Hadl^- February 1991). To Ervad Darius N. Sethna I am grateful for first tarnishing my image for overlords. {Sethna had urged Jafarey to the reader and then presenting his schol- \ ' arly rebuttal (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, Mu^mmad’s preceptor was Dasturan the devastated scriptures over a period of April 1991). He has also arbitrarily Dastur Dinyar, alias Salman Farsi, to 5(X) years from the reign of the Parthian graced to relieve me of the divine choice whom and to whose coreligionists King Vologeses I (51-78 AC) to the date given by Asho Zarathnshtra and making Muhammad had promised protection and they were cannonized by the Sassanian the religious preference so easy for me freedom.) The “treaty ” is a favorite sub- Emperor Chosroe I (Anushiravan the {Sethna had dubbed Jafarey a Muslim)*, ject for some Zoroastrian scholars to Just, 531-579 AC). It means that they However, some 54 years ago, I read quote in their writings but there is hardly were cannonized no earlier than 1460 Asho Zarathushtra ’s thought-provoking any Muslim ulema who knows about the years ago. Its position as the 19th nask words and made my choice: “Sraota very existence of such a “scripture! ” was, obviously, a Sassanian act. {Accord- geushaish vahishta, avaenata sucha As far as Salman Farsi is concerned, ing to Sethna the Vendidad was carried manangha, avarenao vicftithahya narem he was not “the most holy prophet... by oral tradition for thousands of years.) narem khvakhyai tanuye... {Yasna 30.2) Muhammad ’s preceptor ” as Sethna wants We hardly know the contents and the for- Hear with your ears the Highest Truths I us to believe but a simple follower who mat of the Avesta prior to Alexander ’s in ­ preach, and with illuminated minds joined Muhammad in Medina, some 12 vasion and devastation. All scholars, *Aii italic statements in parenthesis by Parstaaa editorial years after he had proclaimed his pro- Zoroastrians or not, agree that the Gathas ~~ ~ \ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ' I of followers in and around the two cities, sure Ervad Sethna has recited the 72 In search of a more satisfying religion, chapters of the Yasna numerous times in gard only as a socioreligious heritage of his life, but I wonder how often he has Salman had earlier embraced Christian ­ ity and then went over to Manichaeism 26 Parsiana October 1991 I would have gladly listened to his and not ahad which means one) as a very late fabrication by the Iranians to win mansrik, the semi-religious categories, some favor from their belittling Arab The Denkard also says that the 21 Nasks __ ' ; ¦ ) were discriminatingly selected from the study the work according to which vast collection of what was salvaged of As far as Salman Farsi is concerned, he was not “the most holy prophet... by oral tradition for thousands of years.) years after he had proclaimed his pro-There is no need to come down to the are the only extant composition of Asho There is no need to come down to the to the Mobeds Council in Tehran, Iran, to Zarathushtra, and that every other part of 9th century AC to provide a proof of an verify my statements about the present the Avesta was either composed in pre- Iranian Dasturan Dastur performing the procedure in Iran and among Iranian Zarathushtrian eras or in post-Zara- nirangdin ceremony. No one denies the Zoroastrians abroad, and then give the thushtrian stages. Many will also agree purification rite with bull ’s urine. It did verdict. that, as attested by the Avesta, the Gathic exist among the “Vendidadic ” school. It texts, known as Staota Yesnya, well-pre ­ served in the 70-chapter Yasna, were the long as this school lasts, only texts recited at die jashans described by the Vispered, the Mihr-Yasht, the scholar provide a single evidence from which eventually subsides. They do not Nirangistan and other scriptures. The the Avesta outside the Vendidad (I mean prove preventive or curative. Has the questions posed are: When was the col- the Gathic texts, the Yasna, the Vispered, outcry against Joseph Peterson ’s navjote lection formated and cannonized before the Yashts, the Niyaishes, the Afaringans, stopped the acceptance movement, or is it the reign of Anushiravan? Where was the the Aerpatistan and Nirangistan, and the on the move and gaining momentum, par- Vendidad positioned? Regarding the esti- remaining fragments) that it was prac- ticularly among those involved in mixed mated date of the Vendidad's composi- deed by those who composed these parts marriages? Did the boycott of a high tion, I simply gave what has been written of the Avesta? The solitary evidence pro- priest in North America stop him from by die scholar whom Ervad Sethna will duced by Ervad Sethna, if translated cor- participating in the jashan performed at never call a critic. My own opinion, ex ­ pressed in anq^her essay, is that its roots lie deep and remote in pre-Aryan Iran. I missed to see the sole mention of five, the lack of evidence in the non- diet against mixed marriages working? Is gaomaeza outside the Vendidad. How- Vendidadic Avesta is a good proof that the controversy regarding the late Ms ever,* I would have been more grateful if there was another school which did not Roxan Shah going to solve the problem to Ervad Sethna had translated the sentence perform gaomez purification rites, and the satisfaction of the conservatives? Will (in the Vishtasp Yasht) in which it is used. The Avestan text is given in Wester- gaard ’s edition but dropped by Geldner in agent The Sassanian theocracy belonged sired result? his edition. Since I do not have the Aves- to the Vendidadic school of Zoroastrian- My piece of advice is that the learned tan text here at my instant disposal, I give ism, and their legacy survives. dasturs form a council similar to the the translation by James Darmesteter in the Sacred Books of the East, Vol XXIII: that he cannot purify me with gaomez. “Zarathushtra said: O young king Vish- taspa!... Wash thy hands with water, not proach him or any person else for such a the community badly lacks, establish with gomez, and let thy son, who will be rite even if I was invited to. But what close relations with the councils abroad, bom of thy wife, do the same. Thus thy about Irani Zoroastrians? I better repeat Do not waste time in creating and feed ­ thoughts will be powerful to smite him, what I gave in my review, and this time ing controversies. Devote enough time to who is not so (friendly to the law); thy after abetter check up. “The use of bull ’s publish books on the religion and a speech will be powerful to smite him, urine, consecrated or not, has practically “standard ” translation of all the ceremo- who is not so...; thy deed will be powerful disappeared in Iran...Navjotes, marriages nial prayers. Explain their relevance to to smite him...” I leave the interpretation and other ceremonies which have wash- the actions and occasions they are recited to Ervad Sethna. ing as a prerequisite, have it in the for. Enlighten the elite, educate the indif- Whether books of philosophy or simple form of a soap, shampoo and wa- ferent and floating members of the com- more, the Avestan parts outside the ter bath... (Persons) of 60 years of age munity who are turning more and more to Vendidad richly contain epic, legend, and under have hardly seen or experi- Sai babas and matas and other cultic prac- history, geography, flora, fauna and many enced the potent purifier. ” Now it is up to tices, make them knowledgeably and ac- other subjects of diverse natures. (Ac- the Ervadji to state whether he and his tively participate in religious affairs in- cording to Sethna "one cannot read phi- colleagues consider “all initiation cere- losophy from a book of geography'") monies like the navjote, navar and mar- They mention sky, earth, sun, moon, riage ” of the “bom” Irani Zoroastrians, stars, haoma plant and its extracted and except those who have had it in India, as quire much less energy and effort than consecrated juice, zaothra libation, “improper ” or exceptionally valid. (Ac- baresman twigs, firewood, incense plants, coring to Sethna gaomez is an indispen- water, watershed, stream, river, lake, sable part of the ceremonies.) The same pond, milk, meat, cow, bull, stag, dog, question may be asked about the growing wolf, jackal, frogs, ants... (I can go on number of Parsi and Irani residents of adding to the list). Many are apparently of North America and Europe (I am told, less importance. Yet the “vit^ ” purifica- even in India and Pakistan) who take tion agent and the “most holy ” ceremony pomegranate or any other fruit juice in- without which none of the other ceremo- stead of nirangdin. nies were supposed to be properly valid was left out Why? A concluding counsel: Experience has exists, and it will continue to exist as shown that unfair criticism, condemna ­ tion, calling names, personal attack, blas- The question remains: Can any phemy and outcry may stir up a storm rectly, points to the other direction: Wash the Seventh North American Zoroastrian with water and give up the gaomez! In Congress in Houston in 1990 in which the addition to this lone instance in the nega- boycotters were also present? Is the ver- which believed in water, mentioned over the policy of “cry wolf ’ and tarnishing the and again, as a sufficiently good purifying image of certain individuals yield the de- to the Vendidadic school of Zoroastrian ­ ism, and their legacy survives. Ervad Sethna should not regret at all Council of Mobeds in Iran, select a Das- turan Dastur from among themselves. Let me assure him that I would not ap- make the Council the highest authority I leave the interpretation and other ceremonies which have wash- But before he does so, he better sat ­ isfy himself and many others by writing 28 Parsiana October 1991 stead of stationing them as silent, some ­ times absentminded observers, and then watch the result! It will, I am certain, re- what is blown up for emotional motions. AH A. Jafarey, who stud­ ied Avesta and Pahlavi under Dr Manek I Pithawalla and Dastur f (Dr) M. N. Dhalla, ob- I tained his doctorate in I Persian literature from p Karachi. He has au- ' thored 11 books on Zoroastrianism in English X and Persian. DrLAW On the trail of death Yasmin Tavaria's struggle has resulted in the court directing the Bombay Municipal Corporation to monitor the functioning of nursing homes and hospitals Gustasp Irani bial iceburg for Tavaria soon discovered that things would not move unless she Tavaria ’s campaign is rooted in tragic circum ­ stances — the death of her personally aided them along. “Every step father Erach Tavaria on Au- of the way I had to keep pushing or every- gust 5, 1989. She believes one would have conveniently forgotten that his death was the direct everything, ” she observes. One discovery result of his being admini ­ stered mismatched blood while recuperating at the B. “The court directs that all the registered nurs ­ ing homes/hospitals/in- stitutions be visited and that the progress report should contain the rind- ings in respect of the breaches, if any, and the action taken or pro ­ posed to be taken... ” In so directing the Bom­ bay Municipal Corpo ­ ration (BMC), Chief Justice P. D. Desai commended the public interest writ petition filed by Ms Yasmin Tavaria and the Med- ministered to the patient, it was not the against the doctor who administered the ico Friends Circle (an organization of direct cause of his death which was more mismatched blood to her father as he was doctors and health activists) demanding a result of his age, 78 years, and poor not an allopath doctor but a homoeopath, that the Corporation enforce the Bombay physical condition. and hence not registered with them. Nursing Home Registration Act of 1949. Tavaria however decided to resolve At the Homoeopathic Council it was “This writ petition has served the purpose the matter legally by taking the PGH to much the same story. They promised of activating the concerned authorities court, and this, with the blessings of her Tavaria to ask the doctor concerned for a who seem to have woken up and taken mother. “My father was very gentle; my detailed report on his version of the affair certain steps in the direction of implemen- mother, determined like me. She was the and then take appropriate Action against tation of the various provisions of law, ” one who said we should fight no matter him if necessary; but as regards the Hos- Desai observed in the preface to his order what the expense, ” says Tavaria. The pital there was little they could do. “Pri- of April 26,1991. expense proved to be enormous in terms vate hospitals were going scot free. They As a result of the Chief Justice ’s direc- of time and effort. could function as they liked and there was lives the functioning of all private medi ­ cal institutions operating in the city have death Tavaria filed a written complaint Tavaria. come under the strictest purview of the with the Gamdevi Police Station against law as never before. Yet the person who the PGH authorities. “Six months went was largely responsible for this, Tavaria, by and no follow-up action was taken, ” deputy sales manager of Bharat Petro- i , . . 'leum, had not visualized that she would harashtra Home Secretary who sparked register and monitor the functioning of I homes within its jurisdiction. In actual month ’s time. As a result, the police fact, however, Tavaria found that the Municipality failed to exercise its author- Tavaria was to make was that private hos ­ pitals and nursing homes were virtually unaccountable to anyone. When she ap- D. Petit Parsee General proached the Maharashtra Medical Coun- Hospital (PGH) from inju- cil she was informed that they could take ries sustained in a road acci- action only against doctors registered dent. with them but had no authority over medi- The PGH concedes that cal institutions such as hospitals and nurs- while 15 cc of mismatched blood was “probably ” ad- ing homes. Further, according to Tavaria, the Council was powerless to take action ministered to the patient, it was not the against the doctor who administered the ico Friends Circle (an organization of direct cause of his death which was more mismatched blood to her father as he was Tavaria however decided to resolve the matter legally by taking the PGH to much the same story. They promised expense proved to be enormous in terms of time and effort. On the third day after her father ’s nothing anyone could do about it, ” says Or so it seemed till she dug around and discovered that there was a Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act of 1949 deputy sales manager of Bharat Petro- she says. So she took her case to the Ma- which empowered the Municipality to have to don the robes of a champion of the police into action by issuing a notice all privately run hospitals and^ nursing social justice when she started out on her to which he demanded a reply in a ‘ campaign to redress a personal grievance, i " . “Initially I had no idea that I would have started their investigations and conse- to fight the Municipality. But as things quently issued warrants for the arrest of ity beyond the mere act of registering the “ ¦ " " ¦ ¦ institutions and even here they often failed in their task. “It came to light that continued on page 36 developed, I figured that I must. I found three staff members of the PGH who were all doors closing on me and that was the thereafter released on bail. only option left, ” states Tavaria. But that was only the tip of the prover- 31 Parsiana October 1991ART "Signatures in stone and steel The late Adi Davierwalla ’s contribution to modern Indian sculpture is depicted on celluloid by Homi Sethna Shirin Mehta ft Homage to a Sculptor, veteran filmmaker and outside a housing colony off Scandal Homi Sethna ’s newly released documen- Point (Breach Candy, Warden Road). __________ _ u.v ..m- tary on Adi DavierwaUa, is a personal They seem to dwarf the buildings they are maceutica? firm "in Bombay where *he , worked. A self-taught sculptor, who re- • mained always true to his material, he worked in the period that followed India ’s Independence, constantly struggling to resolve and harmoni ­ ously incorporate into his creation the conflicting influences of Indian and western sculpture. “Meticu ­ lous about shaping both his work and his life, he was moved forward by a sense of mission, ” notes the commentary. “Right from the be ­ ginning we see in Adi ’s work carved or sculpted shapes and fig- fl ures which seem to be trying to I stretch their limits and reach out to ¦ the unattainable heights above I them. ” I Among the things we are not ¦ told is that Davierwalla ’s creations I were widely exhibited in India, Eu- ¦ rope and America. According to I an obituary write-up in an earlier ¦ issue of Parsiana, his sculptures H were on display at the Asiatic Bi- B ennale held in Middleheim, Bel- ¦ gium, a few months before his I death. The article continues to list I the notable awards he received, I among them, the gold medal of the t,-^ All India Sculptor ’s Association, the bronze and silver medal of the Bombay Art Society, the first prize in the Bombay State Art Exhibition and , the prize for sculpture at the annual exhi- mantic and graceful wood sculptures of flowing with the music of his soul. ” bition of the Lalit Kala Akademi in 1965. The documentary glosses over the He was also selected for a one year John facts of Davierwalla ’s life and while one D. Rockefeller Fellowship, having given may argue that there is much left out — up an earlier opportunity to try for the the thought that shaped his work, his own prestigious Fellowship due to the tragic Homi Sethna ’s newly released documen- Point (Breach Candy, Warden Road), outburst. The short 14-minute film is an juxtaposed against, making th^m indeed, unabashedly awed personal statement. “... his signatures in stone and steel: over- Sethna admits to being “thunder ­ struck ” by Davierwalla ’s sculp ­ tures when he walked casually into a 1979 posthumous retrospective of the artist ’s work at the Jehangir Art Gallery. Within hours, Sethna had managed to get his entire film crew together and spent the next two nights committing every nu ­ ance of the sculptor ’s work to cel ­ luloid. The result: a simple, sensi ­ tive, strangely moving record of the sculptor ’s work and life. Regrettably Sethna learnt that there was no footage available on the brilliant artist ’s life but luckily he discovered a personal friend and long-time admirer in critic Dnya- neshwar Nadkami who provided the informative script. Nadkami paints the picture of a gentle and |H helpful man, a man of few words. The reticent sculptor would proba- bly have been relieved to find that Homage refuses to probe into his life so much as his work. Opines RM the filmmaker, “This is not an in- depth study or biography. It is a visual-aural interpretation of Adi ’s work as it affected me. ” The camera moves evocatively and chronologically through the volume Davierwalla: the essence is laid bare of Davierwalla ’s work — from the ro- unabashedly awed personal statement. Ml s ¦ ¦ years to devote all his time to sculpture. He was married to a colleague in the phar- Jl feiSiS E B Ji ¦ isll I ¦ Bl ¦ • his earlier days, to marble and stone crea ­ tions which gain a movement and elastic ­ ity all their own, to the metaphysical ab- may argue that there is much left out — up an earlier opportunity to try for the straction of his most crucial phase in the thought that shaped his work, his own prestigious Fellowship due to the tragic welded metal and sculpture. Here the reflections on his work, his method of death of his great patron, nuclear scientist camera itself seems to soar with the sheer sculpting or the tragedy of his death — Homi Bhabha, in an air crash. However, largeness and grandeur of the works the essence of the man is laid bare. This his visit to the US in 1968, as a which were filmed later at Larsen and much we are told: A trained chemist. Rockefeller Fellow, according to Tourbo, Indian Institute of Technology, Davierwalla gave up chemistry after 16 Nadkami, was “a traumatic experience camera itself seems to soar with the sheer sculpting or the tragedy of his death — much we are told: A trained chemist. Rockefeller 32 Parsiana October 1991mi J i for him.” Adds the critic and friend, “There his inventive mind was fascinated by the discovery of a new material: per ­ spex. Already his work had taken a highly cere- bral direction, away from his beginnings, and one hHH . waited for him to settle down and project the new insights he had gained abroad. ” Sadly this was not to be for on October 14, 1975, Davierwalla was struck down by can- cer, a fact that the film BBBL_ _ _ sensitively omits, for “How is this relevant to his work? ” Sethna asks. However, the Lalit Kala Akademi monograph on Davierwalla had noted as early as 1971, “Even should Davierwalla stop working at this point, he has rendered to modem Indian sculpture the services of two or three artists. ” While the camera also captures objects Sethna with Nellie: creative reflections of everyday use like a straight-backed chair or an unusual table sculpted by the Sethna himself, the documentary was put dio making government documentaries artist, it becomes apparent that the themes up to the Films Division for purchase in that preoccupied Davierwalla ’s mind right through his life were drawn princi ­ pally from Biblical lore or Greek mythoi- only in 1989 and was finally released on ogy. The screen throws into sharp focus February 8, 1991. While one hopes that an iconic Christ ’s face steeped in compas ­ sion; a wooden Icarus, its surface bril ­ liantly worked into tortured wavy lines; an O^ipus tormented by his terrible reve ­ lation. “There is great poetry in the dif ­ ferent versions of the crucifiction, ” notes usual candor, “No, I am not working on Nadkami. “But only in retrospect can we appreciate the spiritual urge that lifted all one is willing to finance anything. ” bureaucracy of a government organiza- these works above the merely earthly. ” Sethna had once aspired to become a tion. ” And the recent release of Homage No wonder then that the filmmaker lawyer and had spent nine months in his offered audiences the opportunity to view some of these works as well. One notices the same humility in his documentation of filmmaking. ” Towards the end of his stay in England, Sethna was working in a stu- where John Grierson, “the father of 1985 when it was approved. But due to a documentaries, ” was head at the time. In lack of funds, it was acquired by them 1951 Sethna returned to India. “Don ’t ask me how many films I have made, ” he says, “I really do not recall. ” this is only the beginning and that Sethna Making documentaries for over 40 years, will thrill audiences with more works of his career is almost as long as the Films the same genre, it seems unlikely. Says Division itself where he started off by the staunch and articulate defender of the lending his voice and writing commen- much neglected documentary with his taries for news reels. He soon left the Films Division to do “independent, un- any more films in this vein because no hampered work away from the stifling Sethna had once aspired to become a I tional skill of the pottery maker or the minute art of the wood carver. An articu ­ late anti-nuclear pacifist, Sethna ’s film theater and films. However, he soon real- highlights the tragedy of a nuclear winter approaches his subject with a feeling father ’s firm of solicitors before he dis ­ close to veneration and a humility which covered himself disagreeing with the fun- indeed are a hallmark of Sethna ’s best damentals of law. However, Sethna, with the unknown artisan, whether he is in ­ work. Sethna, who had only a nodding his background in theater — as early as volved in the intricate hand painting and acquaintance with Davierwalla though his school he had won an all-Bombay trophy hand printing of kalamkari, in the tradi- wifc, the noted weaver Nellie, knew him for acting — got a professional assign ­ better, discovered the man and artist ment in theater in 1943 and used this as a mainly through his diaries and detailed stepping stone to come out of law and into sketchbooks which have been repro ­ duced in the documentary. “Drawing ized that “theater itself was not going to with footage on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, books filled with sketches led to the in- work since professional theater just did Somewhat apart in execution from all the nermost workings of his mind; what he not seem to take off.” So he joined the above is Happiness Unto Others, a 22- felt about man, life and the universe. ” Army Film Centre of the British Govern- minute documentary on the historical His last words as noted by him in his ment where he apprenticed for nine backdrop of the Parsis and their contribu- sketchbooks seem to prophesy his tragic months before being commissioned a tion to Indian life. This work is obviously and untimely death at 53. A few days be- lieutenant. He directed and made films for close to his heart and Sethna is quick to fore his death he wrote, “At this period I do not know what will happen hereafter. Scared of death? Yet why should I be? It ence in the studios there. “I did every- is the only thing in life one can never thing, ” he remembers, “from the hack- know of oneself. ” Made in 1980, financed entirely by everything there was to leam about the Centre from 1944-46 after which he defend it against any criticism. Does left for England to gain practical experi- Happiness tend to rest on its haunches, content in the past glories of the Parsis, skimming only superfluously over the work to the conceptual work and learnt present? Says the ever-articulate Sethna, continued on page 40 33 Parsiana October 1991BOOKS Inner dissection sweet quietude.'' Overall, thi.s cs an mipitssivc collec ­ tion of pocm.s, not specmtnlar. but solid. It shows a mature poet tmnmg m upon Makarand Paranjape compassion, sclMoatbrng. uhamyn - ail these, remain, but ari .nfisiimcl by a Mirroring by Gieve Patel. Published Mi a 01 in I.Til under the New Poetry in India series by Oxford University Press. YMCA Library Build Pp. <7 Price: Rs 50. Jai Singh Road, New Delhi 110001. There is a quiet self assurance about Gieve PateT.s third collection of pcKtms, Agp bncx are 'pare bitr- >s no I :¦ .] ,1' .PateT.s third UP lab i'iie:a 11 li i b ityu- n lIl ihe bi.-i 1 1 hay Central shows trains waiting like good pels, “chained patiently to plat ­ forms. ” Never Did is a longer poem in three sections; autobiographical, it take.s us through the poet ’s reminiscences of himself to dissect, as »l were, the stuff that school right up to the dissection chamber his life is made of. An..\.iety. uiuaiion, in medical college. Simpleton, Speeding, and Aegis are reflections on nature. And Slummy Story observes a “corpulent and general sense of conlideuec aii'l ix epileptic girl ’ in her convulsions. But what makes Mirrored, Mirroring different is an overwhelming preoccupa ­ tion with two related themes: God tuid death. The very first poem in the collec ­ tion, The Difficulty, sets the tone: It is difficult even to say, ‘God, ’ one i: Z\nd e.mbarra -scd. I,i.ke lisping u public about candy. Family factors X.) out ¦('practice. Burjor K. Kara nj ia t'liigp! iHid ’. .Al fl'. pin iti Ax le y has Another half-a-dozen poems arc of- e in A ith the themes of fered as variations on ihi.s theme. 'Fhc eo.ncern with the human imperfections, its iraumas, it.s anti with the nitly- ti’I' 1 1 Keys to H.iopy L/imily L’V S. Dabu 1959, thi-.; bo' Marzban J Gi on behalf o! Dafju'-', Jfgir'uiPy' rvp y has SS w,7s tr.'ift ara and nui:. 1 p:'Ip.' I'l sulfcr gi ytj. pi pur biology persists; CNcrpowered once by ibe odriur of genitals I contemplated the possibly tv! O' qml ! i 1. I'lOm by in mo I .iVUii.lble n-j. Lt'id.'r. O rg; iC. 7 from Gi-'ca Jebangii Rs. nooolz, i ddy d. Pars! Cob Pr, iX Aid PriCi- most important of these is Lite title poem. Mirrored, Mirroring. Beginning with a visit to the ze'O, it ends witfi die spcak(*r finding his h ue image in a dog: Furiously I will wag my tail, Shtrke my butt. Rump my rump, arch my back in every which way dimen ­ sion, and Yaaooooul , y; iatxxx)ul , It seems I’ve found Someone to like! Typical Parsi self-hatred? In Hill Sta­ tion, which I consider to be ihc best poem in the collection, an elaborate parallel is traced between fornicating monkeys (“A totally at peace with himself, mount, three little thrusts. Climb down, and back to the lice ”) and two tourist couples, including the poet and his wife: The monkeys, us. And the lurid couple. O sweets of Nature, Not for me to bestow or dispel. Each ecstatic thrust i.s Freely conumiinate with an appetite for lice. Some years ago when 1 had an oecasion to call on Daslurji Khnrslicd Dabu, the liberal High Priest of Bombay's H. B. Wadia Atash Bahram, to clarify eertmn doubts in my mind about a Ix'ok 1 was writing, I was struck by a (inality m him that is unfortunately rare in 'sir priest ­ hood: tire quality of enlighleument. As we got to Liiking af ’oui n hgious and other matters, ( discovi u (I tici! having lived up to the Zoroastrian [»rccept of gocxi decrls. g,ix)d word,; and, most dif ­ ficult of all, good thoughts, he ext niph- fied soniething tliat was even rarer, a man body. s prime, possessing ftf’’ wish lor, irlcss. I -1. ;if>oi ii eovi.'ii.-d Lilli! No doubt .a contribntoiy factor to this was that bis own was the happie:,t of mar ­ riages. Married al the c.eliow his wife lost her eyc ught vmii after mar ­ riage. f-'or ?.7 ycar.s tliemaiier. until she expired, he am ndcti to al! her neerls with a devotion tfcil was truly exemplary. This sacrifice, though it wasn ’t at all a sacrifice for him, colors his view;, on wlial makes for a happy marriage in Ins dehg.litful little booklet Keys to Hapi>\! ! atnily Life. The precepts he exfxiund.s m it, fstges arc not only made credible bm arc ennobled Fan 27 years tl ’ic.r ol 18, one but or even, in marshier areas, delicately jasmine-scented, Thc notion was unpleasing. Return, rather, to sulphurous steams, to scarcely betuable vollcys of suggestion a flair's breath from decay. Or: Doctors and tailors are lucky men, Stick-ing their fingers up Everyv. here. 'Teachers come next. Nuzzling close to the taught. Peering from over a shoulder. Deep down into a chest; this intimate Sublimity in a goat ’s pen. As in the earlier poems, here too Patel Comics, and many more such dislrac- lixiks al the body dispassionately, almost lions, with clinical clarity. There i.s keen aware ­ ness of the smell of mortality, but that ship with Grxl, he is more comfortable by practice. doesn ’t result in disgust. thinking about death. “When it ’s lime, ” Likewise, Patel ’s observations and he ’d like to be “carried away ” on a “liiird- class carriage/with open windows/on a by elders with the advantage of c.xpcri In Turning Aside ence have greater chances ol sin ccss than he sees death a.s a settling down “to love marriages. He deride:, the wasteful If ihc poet has an uneasy relation Patel ’s observations and inedilation.s on hi$ self and family, on landscapes and cityscapes, and on human day/nof/too crowded, being.s in distre; We may not agret with all hr. as, for example, that marriages arianged views 'S continue. From Bom­ ence have, greater chant love marriages. S4expenditure on navjote and wedding cele ­ brations as “a mockery of God ’s gifts. ” He pleads for an intelligent attitude to True service: “They also reach God death, believing that wailing and breast ­ beating have a harmful effect: “The main thought of pleasing God by lots of prayers hospitals were not even registered with thing to bear in mind is how the parents is not right ” behave at home at the time of death. For Equality of treatment between the sexes: that is the pillar of our children ’s psychol- “If today a man resorts to adultery with a ogy. Where there is loud wailing, such prostitute, no complaint is made against practice is harmful to the house. Even the thought of any error or injustice in God ’s creation should not spread in the family, ried lady is found taking even slight liber- In life ’s ups and downs there is always a divine plan of wisdom. ” Even when we disagree, however, it the quotable quotes at the end. If Dasturji is often not so much because of any- Dabu was himself responsible for them, thing wrong with his views but because of then he must also have had a refreshing a lack in ourselves. Since marriages are no more made in heaven, Dasturji Dabu advocates patience, tolerance, under ­ standing in a married couple ’s day-to-day from his cares, multiplies his joys and life, and righteousness, always righteous- practises reduction in expenditure. ” As ness. He elaborates on different virtues- wife is an addition of care, subtraction of “People advised me: ‘You can ’t fight the Humility; “I became a double graduate, pocket money, multiplication of expenses Municipality, ”’ says Tavaria, but that did professor, principal, and yet I have not and division of friends. ” Or again: “Be- acquired the common sense or natural wisdom of my wife. ” Contentment: “There is no mishap in pov ­ erty. Kings have embraced poverty dis ­ carding the throne. Real poverty is in ab ­ sence of good qualities. He who is of that originally appeared in his column good conduct has unlimited wealth. ” Self-discipline: “There was a time when, if receipt of my scholarship amount was been translated into English by Marzban The Times of India. delayed, I used to survive on peanuts and J. Giara who considers them to be “a stop the meals coming to college. After I treasure house of worldly wisdom ” and and her plea was admitted by the Chief started earning also, at the month ’s end recommends that the booklet be present- Justice whose subsequent directives to the when cash was running low, thrift was ed as a wedding gift. It is probable that Bombay Municipal Corporation has re ­ practised. Never borrow from anyone is a rule still observed. ” The cultivation of right values: “In this difficult to put into practice. Difficult, life a degree can be a stumbling block or a yes, but as Dasturji ’s own marriage crusade prejudice her practicality. Re ­ curse. The boast of scholarship is not proves, by no means impossible. cently, when her mother suffered a heart attack, she admitted her to the PGH. Sub­ sequently Tavaria herself was admitted to the same Hospital. “We went there be ­ cause our doctor advised us to. We have implicit faith in him,” she states. And the PGH responded magnani ­ mously for, according to Tavaria, the nursing she and her mother received was courteous and attentive. Even a senior trustee of the Hospital paid them a cour ­ tesy call. Tavaria admits she perceives greater efficiency today than when her fa ­ ther was admitted in 1989, but there is still room for improvement. It is for this reason she has not softened her resolve to pursue her fight to the end. “It is better the Hospital is made to gear up than be forced to close down, ” she states. useful in running a home. That requires cooperative effort with humility. ” ON THE TRAIL OF DEATH continued from page 31 who dedicate themselves to serve. The between 1987 and 1990 some private him, because as per law there is no re ­ striction against a prostitute! But if a mar- the municipal authorities. It only shows that the hospitals and the Municipality were not bothered, ” she states. It was now no longer an issue con ­ cerning a single institution — the PGH — but confrontation with the entire ties, then hell is let loose. ” An added attraction in the booklet are sense of humor. One of the quotes reads, “The arithmetic of a good wife; She adds to her husband ’s happiness, subtracts The Maharashtra Medical Council could take action only against doctors registered with them against this, there is another quote: “A medical machinery and the Municipality, wife is an addition of care, subtraction of not deter her. Along with the backing of the Medico Friends Circle, she took her case to the High Court. Here, however, her petition was rejected on the grounds fore going to war, say a prayer; before going to sea, say two prayers; before mar ­ rying, say three prayers. ” Keys to a Happy Family Life are a that it did not qualify as a public interest collection of Dasturji Dabu ’s writings litigation as Tavaria had a personal griev ­ ance against the PGH and had also filed a “Nari Jagat ” (woman ’s world) in the Jam- damage claim (of five lakh rupees)against e-Jamshed newspaper. The articles have the institution, according to a report in Tavaria, undaunted, went into appeal most married couples will find Dasturji suited in a major overhaul in the function- Dabu ’s precepts idealistic, unworldly and ing of all medical institutions in the city. Tavaria, meanwhile, did not let her 5 exdusW®. wood ----- BOMB’o.rSool) 400 0®} .2730 36 Parsiana October 1991MILESTONES The age of Zoroastrian brides (as listed in this issue) ranged be­ tween 19 and 32 years, the arith­ metic mean — the total numba of individual ages divided by the total numba of brides — teing 26 yeas. The corresponding fig­ ures for the grooms were 25 and 35, avaaging at 29 years. As compared to 33 births there wae 66 deaths in Bombay in Sqjtember. Heart disease was the major killa, claiming 17 lives of which seven wae above the age of 80, while pneumonia and lung disease took 10 lives. Five patients each succumbed to old age and genaal ddnlity, sep­ ticemia, brain disease, canca and diabetes. Head injury (three victims) and kidney failure and asthma (two patients eadt) were the otha killers. Isolated cases registaed last month were tuba- culosis, jaundice, dementia, gas­ trointestinal bleeding, hyperten­ sion, haanorrhage, fracture, pa­ ralysis and kyjboscoliosis (ex­ cessive backward or lataal cur­ vature of the dorsal spine). A 65- yea-old man was stabbed to death. Two youths, aged 16 and 25 yeas, wae lost to the com­ munity. Highest age registered at death: 96. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by various newsletters and anju- mans in India and abroad, coats and hospitals. This information is not always complae or consis­ tent In the breakup of deaths ac­ cording to illnesses, especially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of causes. If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would like published, some proof to ensae the vaacity of the report would be required. We are sae oa readas would appreciate this requirement and coopaate. BOMBAY Bom A boy to Shernaz and Bomt Boyce on July 8,1991 A boy to Hofrish and Rumi Sethna; August 3 A girl to Pervin and Jimmy Captain; August 21 A girl to Farida and Minoo Mis­ try, August 30 A girl to Jasmine and Farokh Bharucha', Septonber 2 A boy to Mahrua and Zahir Contractor, September 2 A girl to Sonia and Percy Vasunia', September 8 A boy to Feroiy and 5am Chapgar, September 11 A boy to Hoofrish and Sarosh Dastur, September 12 A girl to Banoo and Riard Jasubhoy, September 12 A girl to A/eArw and SoU Karanjia-, September 13 A girl to Kashmira and Porus Daruwala; September 17 A boy to Armin and Rotunton Shroffi September \1 A boy to Wahbiz and Cyrus Engineer, September 18 A girl to Yasmine and Hooshman Irani', September 19 A boy to Syrine and Bomi Khandha^a.', September 20 A boy to Mehru and Beheram Madon', September 21 A boy to Roshon and Daneskvar Samya', September 22 A boy to Roshon and Rusi Bhada', September 23 A girl to Kashnura and Zubin Contractor, September 23 A boy to Shahen and Feroz Jubani; September 23 A boy to Laila and Rakesh Lamba', September 23 A boy to Meher and Perzion Zend; September 23 A girl to Valerie and Zortr Baliwalla; September 24 A girl to Maharukh and Kaiyomerz Sattha; Sq>tanber 24 A girl, Thea, to BtMitawar and Cyrus Shroff, September 24 A boy to Guls han and Porus Daruwalla; September 2S A girl to Goolrukh and Rustom Mehta.', September 2S A boy, Xerxes, to Hutoxi and Vurpi Panthtdd; September 25 A ^y to Amaz and Firoz Shroff, September 25 A boy to Huffish and Darayas Sarkari', Sqjtonber 26 A boy to Phiroza and Percy Siganporia; September 26 A girl to Dinaz and Aspi Avari; September A girl to Bakthavar and Hoshang Italia; September 28 A boy to Jeroo and Ness Buhariwala-, September 29 A boy to Ketayun and Meh&nosh Parekh\ September 29 A girl to Maharukh and Aspi Wadia', Sq>tanber 29 Married Pinky Hoshang Merchant and Zerksis Minocher Antia; March 4 Teruiaz Rohinton Bamooat and Zorir Framroze Bhandara; Augast 29 Parichaher Dadi Dordi and Nevil Rusi Jokhi; Septemba 1 Shirin Adi Irani and Darius Firoze Mirza', Septemba 9 Pheroza Eruch Surti and Yezdi Adil Daruwalla; Septemba 12 Dilnavaz Framroz Engineer and Rohirdon Homi Karai; Septonba 15 Daisy Dara Elavia and Hazir Dinshaw Kermani; Septemba 17 Tfaitty Behramshaw Kaliartwala and Farokh Behram Bhanja; Septemba 29 Died Piloo Merwanji Katrak residing at 23, School Bldg, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; August 31 Dinshaw Rustomji Kotwal IffJ), M/33, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; August 31 Jerbai Khurshedji Taraporewala (85), 20, Mehta Bldg, Panthaki Baug, Andheri (E), 400069; August 31 Behramji Dinshawji Daruwalla (85), GUT, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; September 2 Tehmina Khurshedji Wadia CIS'), Afl, Glory, Theosophical Soc Hsg Clny, Juhu Tara Rd, 400049; September 2 Meherbai Rustom Irani (83), T/15, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; September 3 Jal Pherozshaw Mirza (80), H/10, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; September 3 Nergish Gustad Patel (81), J/15, Cusrow Baug, S. B. R^ 400039; Septanber 3 Framroze Hormasji Bharucha (JQi), B/6, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; September 4 Aimai Tefu^asp Daruwalla (75), F/18, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; September 4 Nergish BurJm'Ji Antia (84), C/9, Sh^ur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; Septemba 5 SohriA Rustomji Katrak (62), E/5, Ja Baug, Dr Ambe^a Rd, Byculla, 400027; Sq)temba 5 Allahyar KaramaJla Rahmani (6J), B Type Bldg, Contractor Baug, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; September 5 Kali Jehangirji Watha (66), 326, Karim Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; September 5 Jerbtu Nanabhai Patel (89), 6/11, Khan Est, Stn Rd, Mahim, 400016; Septemba 6 Maneck Shapurji Bengali (82), B/25, Ja Baug, Dr Ambedka Rd, 400027; Septemba 1 Ratanshaw Dhunjishaw Marker (86), 66/D, Gowalia Tank, 400036; Septemba 7 Dolly Rustomji Mirai (50), M. F. Pandey Sanatorium, Colaba, 400005; Septanba 1 Tehmasp Cooverjee Dangore (12), 6/2, Seth N. Tata Bldg, S. V. Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; September 8 Dhanjisha Ratansha Daruwala (65), C/26, Ja Baug, Dr Amtedka Rd, Byculla, 400027; Septemba 9 Phiroze Hormuyee Maju (73), Kaanjia Bldg, Grant Rd, 4(XX)07; Septemba 9 Jer Jamshed Desai (82), 31/D, Nand Dham, Bhuvsaheb Paag Mag, Dahisa (W), 400068; September 10 Coola Tehmuras Fitter (86), Banaji Bldg, Forjett St, 400007; Sqitemba 10 Nadersha Ardeshar Mistry (19), F/22, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; Septemba 10 Khurshed Noshirwan Jussawala (86), CI2Qi2, Poonam Apts, Dr Annie Besant Rd, WaU, 4(XX)18; Septemba 11 Dhunmai Framroze Kongo (82), B/41, Jivan Sudha, Juhu Lane, Andheri (W), 400058; September 11 Amy Roos Kt^tadia (S2), Navroze Mans, Tadeo Rd, 400(X)7; Septemba 12 Hirjee Nariman Kotwal (83), 725, Khurshed Mhl, Parsi Clny, Dada, 400014; September 12 37 Parsiana October 1991Gulbai Edulji Buchia (89), 618, Bhiwandiwalla Ter, Girgaum Rd, 400002; September 13 Darabshaw Dinshawji Golwalla (83), 17/A, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, BycuUa, 400027; September 13 Meherwanji ManecIgee Cooper (92), A/35, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; September 14 Sarvar Sheriyar Irani (80), 19, Jer Bldg, 6th Khetwadi Lane, 400004; Septemba 14 Piloo Jamshedji Dadinath (68), 36, Mistry Bldg, Sun Mill Rd, Lower Parel, 4(X)012; September 15 Rashid Rustomji Soonawalla (78), 13, Mehar Ali Mans, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; September 15 Franrue Bejon Boywala (91), 43, Jal Darshan, Nepean Sea Rd, 4(X)036; September 16 Adarbad Marzban Irani (74), Q/14, S. B. Bharucha Baug, Andheri (W), 400058; September 17 Rustomji Hormasji Panthaki (70), Village Saronda, Via Sanjan, Dist Bulsar, 396001; September 17 Jehangir Bomanji Engineer (86), 5/A, Contractor Bldg, Kashinath St, Tardeo, 400034; September 18 Adi Pirojsha Madon (65), Elysium Mans, Walton Rd, 400039; September 18 Rotan Sorabji Contractor (79), B, Wassiamal Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; September 19 Adi R. Patel (71), Shanti Daan, Home for the sick and dying. Missionaries of Charity, Borivli (W), 400092; September 19 Zubin Boman Billimoria (25), B, Rustom Palace, Tardeo, 400007; September 20 Adi Manchershaw Elavia (59), 347/C, United Chmbs, Grant Rd, 400007; September 20 Runu Hoshang Jabbar (16), B-7/2/12, Doodh Sagar Co-op Hsg Soc, Goregaon (E), 400065; September 20 Minoo Sorabji Sarkari (70), Albless Bldg, Opp Chami Rd Stn, Thakurdwar, 400004; September 20 Pilloo Meherwanji Jaorewalla (59), K/10, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; September 21 Adi Cawasji Lerunwalla (85), 123/B, Chamarbaugwalla Bldg, Parel, 400012; Sept^ber 21 Mehra Shavaksha Naterwalla (82), Palm Spring, Cuffe Parade, Jehangir Baug, Juhu, 400049; September 29 Rati Hormusji Randeria (61), 5/11, Mody Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; September 29 CALCUTTA Died Adi Pardiwala, husband of Homai and father of Keki, Rohinton, Freny Lobo and Pilloo; September 5 Shirinbai Rustomji Bhesania (92), mother of Bomi and late Dhunmai Adi Medhora; September 11 Minoo Phirojshaw Aibada (69); September 13 MADRAS Died Sovak K. Tarapore (69), brother of Firoze; August 24 NAVSARI Died Jerbanoo Vandriwalla, mother of Shahrukh Dadabhoy; June 5 SURAT Died Minocher Ardeshir Patrawalla 400005; September 21 Homi Bomanji Irani (82), Parsee Salsette Association, Parsee Pan- chayat Rd, Andheri (E), 4{X)093; September 22 Homi Kekobad Soonawala (79), Sanjana Bldg, Forjett Hill Rd, 400007; September 22 Dhun Minoo Achhadwalla (58), Patel Bldg, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; September 23 Tehmina Framroze Austin (78), 32/3, Tata Hsg Soc, Parel, 400012; September 23 Ratamai Ratansha Kotwal (Panarwala) (76), Amy S. Sanjana, Vithal Bhavan, 6th Khetwadi Lane, 400004; September 23 Minocher Dhunjeebhoy Mistry (85), 2, Old Adenwala Bldg, Mahim, 400016; September 23 Faredoon Ratanshaw Karbhari (68), 251/16, Adarsh Ngr, Worli, 40(X)25; September 24 Mehli Faramroze Munstu (61), Mehta Bldg, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; September 24 Nergish Rustomji Sethna (69), 785, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 4(X)014; September 24 Khursetjee Jamshedji Jejeebhoy (96), 36, Irani Bldg, Chami Rd Junction, 40(XX)7; September 25 (77), Nariman Home and Nariman Pestonji Mody (74), 23, Tata Ngr, Chunabhatti, Sion, 400022; September 25 Dinamai Jalejar Elavia (79), 72, Bai Hirabai Petit Bldg, Opp Grant Rd Stn, 40(X)07; September 26 Nargis Ardeshir Munsijf (68), A, Mota Mans, Opp Bhatia Hosp, Tardeo, 400007; September 26 Rati Perojshaw Sethna (70), Presswala Bldg, 190, Lamington Rd, 400007; September 26 Shirinbai Framji Bhatherui (83), 3, Motibai Bhuvan, Proctor St, 400007; September 27 Meherji Byramji Ghaswala (59), 618, A/I Girgaon Rd, Dhobitalao, 400002; September 27 Gaiyomard Cawasji Mehta (88), 786, Ready Money Bldg, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 4(XX)14; September 27 Framjee Dinshaw Parakh (82), 1, Ready Money Bldg, Tardeo, 400034; September 27 Edul Naswanji Avasia (63), J/4, Captain Clny, Haji Ali, Tardeo, 400034; September 28 Tehmina Hirajee Kerawalla (JI), 4, Jassawala Sanatorium, Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; September 10 Jamshedji Tehmurasp Panthald (75), Parsi Wad, Gam Dumas, Dist Surat, 395()03: September 14 Dhunmai Dosabhoy Ichhaporia (84), Bharucha Hse, Bibini Wadi, Saiyedpura, 395003; September 22 Cawasji Kaikhushroo Dalal (84), Malesar Mohallo, Rustompura, 395002; September 29 CALIFORNIA Bom A girl, Anahita, to Meher and Nauser Tavaria; May 12 A girl to Rooki and Khushroo Fitter; June 11 A girl, Delna, to Ernaz and Mahyar Irani; July 13 Died Jimmy Lashkari (10), son of Goolu and Dinyar and brother of Karl; July 20 CONNECTICUT Married Zarin Noshir Medhora and Sandip Jagdish Kapur; May 18 HOUSTON Born A boy, Kayaanoosh (Kian), to Pearline and Sarosh Contractor; May 21 A girl, Mitra, to Nazneen and Kershaw Khumbatta; May 21 MANCHESTER Died Pervez Merwanji (42), husband of Suzaime and father of Punya; September 8 MARYLAND Married Shehernaz Joshi and Farhad Verahrarru', August 10 Died Dinshaw Minwala (92), husband of Nergish and father of Hoshedar; August 22 MISSISSIPPI Born A boy, Trevor, to Jill and Kaizad Tandjoli; July 28 MONTREAL Born A girl, Daisy, to Sanober and Dinyar Dover; June 9 NEW YORK Married Anahita Rustom Seth and Dilaawar Jal Mistry of North Caldwell, New Jersey; June 23 ONTARIO Died Najamai Kaikobad Karkaria, mother of Gulshan, Aban and Roshan; June 6 Noshir Patel, father of Khushroo; June 12 VANCOUVER Died Jal F. Dastur (92), father of late Roda Dhun Mehta, Piroja Faredoon Amrolia arid Nani; August 26 VICTORIA, Australia Born A girl, Amy, to Savar and Sharookh Bhathawalla; July 2 TOTALS (for this issue) Births: Boys 23, Girls 22 Marriages: Parsi 10 intercommunal 1 Deaths: 84 Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka 38 Parsiana October 1991IN MEMORIAM Wania’s visionary work in Karachi. Impressed by Wania ’s pro- Surgeons and the College of Ophthal- fessionalism, the President even mologists, UK. Among the national bod- agreed to abolish the taxes and excise ies he was affiliated with were as founder duties levied on equipment imported for member of the Ophthalmological Society the treatment of complicated eye ail- of Pakistan and as president for severaJ ments, thus benefitting several eye hospi- years of the Pakistan Medical Associa- tals in Pakistan. Wania ’s life “was dedicated to restor ­ ing the sight of the blind, ” remarked Da- raius Kandawalla, vice president of The knowledge to others. Besides serving on tion, his bio data lists his accomplish ­ ments. He was ever willing to impart his He was at the operation theater at Kara ­ chi ’s Anklesaria Hospital, concentrating Zoroastrian Association of Pakistan that the faculty of the Aga Khan Hospital and on the delicate eye surgery case before convened a condolence meeting in his Medical College, the MCP Institute, and him, when a massive heart attack caught memory on July 27, 1991. “In this en- other local training centers, he was also a him unawares. But the experienced oph- deavor he constantly acquired new visiting professor at the University of thalmic surgeon. Dr Jamshed Hor- knowledge... so that those who came un- Chicago. Many students are known to muzshaw Wania knew what had to be der his care would receive the latest have been helped by him with stipends, in done; the events that led to his demise treatment available in the field of oph- addition to many more for whom he stood were recounted in prominent Karachi thalmology, ” he continued. One of his as guarantor (even though he may not newspapers. He immediately arranged for a substitute to take over before being admitted to the intensive care unit Dur ­ ing the brief interludes of consciousness over the next 12 hours before the second fatal attack struck, his enquiries con ­ cerned the progress of his incomplete operation and his keenness to get his eyes donated on his death. Instrumental in arranging the first ever donation of two human eyes from the Sight Conservation Society in New York to Karachi as a Christmas gift on December 25, 1960 and in the concep ­ tion of the eye donation movement in Pakistan, Wania was also the first among the physicians and surgeons of Pakistan to donate his eyes for corneal transplant on his demise on June 19, 1991, wrote Iftikhar Husain, president of the Pakistan Eye Bank Society. After his death, his eyes have restored vision in a 14-year-old youth as also a publication on Recent Advances in Lacri- 60-year-old man. And during his 62-year mal Surgery, notes a write-up by director, recounted Kandawalla. lifespan, the thousands of operations he Faresteh Gati in the Parsi Sansar ane had performed, including some delicate Lake Sevak. ones stretching over several hours, brought light to several others with fail- thalmology on the world map goes to of principles, he is known to have been ing eyesight, continued Husain. His pa- Wania, recognize his peers. Having par- vociferous in his fight for the just cause tients included not only senior bureau- ticipated in over 60 international confer- and his denunciation of the shenanigans . crats and business tycoons but several ences on ophthalmology, presented pa- within his community. But once he was from the poor strata who were given free pers for international publications, and inside his consulting room, his entire surgical and medical treatment. associated himself with several interna- demeanor was transformed. Full of sym ­ pathy and consideration for his patients. Wania: sight saving measures have known them personally) for he was determined to see them further their ca ­ reers. His own education was at the Bai Vir- baijee Soparivala Parsi High School, D. J. Sindh Science College and the Dow Medical College in Karachi before he proceeded to the UK and USA to gain experience in hospitals there. While in college he was a good swimmer, as also a tennis and badminton player, even hav­ ing had an occasion to represent Sindh in an all-India badminton championship. Since his return to Karachi in 1958, the different medical institutions he served were the Spencer Eye Hospital, Ma- soomeen General Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, Layton-Rehmatul- lah Eye Hospital and the Muslim Associa ­ tion Eye Hospital. One of his most endur ­ ing commitments was to the Bamonshah own techniques, labelled “Wania ’s Op­ eration, ” finds a mention in a Japanese Minocher Homji Parsi General Hospital where he was appointed honorary medical “He had a quick temper and he spoke his mind though he had the rare gift to The credit for bringing Pakistan oph- forgive, ” noted Gad. Regarded as a man Wania, recognize his peers. Having par ­ ticipated in over 60 international confer ­ ences on ophthalmology, presented pa- associated himself with several intema- Among his most celebrated patients tional bodies, among his most recent ap- was the late General Zia-ul-Haq, former pointments was as president of the Asia he is remembered for having the rare gift president of Pakistan. As recounted by Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology. He of greeting each patient with a cheerful Hamdan Amjad Ali in the Daily News also enjoyed the distinction of being ap- Weekend, when President Zia invited pointed fellow of the Society of Eye Sur- Wania to Islamabad, the ophthalmologist geons, of the International College of his wife Shireen, son Hormuzshaw and opted instead to treat him at his own clinic Angiology, of the American College of daughter Niloufer. smile. The ophthalmologist is survived by 39 Parsiana October 1991Vajifdar’s civic connections Died: Shera Noshir Vajifdar, 73, freedom fighter and municipal councillor, on May 25, 1991 at Bombay ’s B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital following cardiac arrest. The contacts that she had established during her years of active struggle for India ’s Independence, Vajifdar used in later life to promote her social work ac ­ tivities. Herself a Congress worker who was conferred the freedom fighter ’s award in 1965, as noted a write-up in the Jam-e-Jamshed of September 1, 1991, among the leaders with whom she is sup ­ posed to have come in close contact are Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Presi ­ dent Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. She once READERS’FORUM continued from page 6 tOTs ’ certificates will be furnished on re ­ quest. At the moment I do not have ade ­ quate funds to support my dear son in his hour of need with any sizeable contribu ­ tion, as I am presently not living with my husband but with my parents in Bombay. Time is of the essence. If the pressures in his heart change he will become inop ­ erable. As the days go by, he is experi ­ encing more and more difficulty in breathing and constantly makes a panting noise. The color of his nails and veins is also becoming more and more blue. In fact doctors have advised that I must get him operated before the year is out Please help me save my son ’s life. The Lioness Club of Byculla, a service oriented organization, has come to my Vajifdar: alleviating others’ woes rescue and will help in the collection of funds. male labor situation in pre-Independence Cheques may be drawn in favor of India in which connection she had to visit “Lions Club of Byculla and sent to Lion- _2 2___ 1_‘-____ ’ ' . • ess Havovi Gandhi, President, Lioness She was widowed at a young age, and Club of Byculla at P-18, Cusrow Bang, Colaba, Bombay 40()(X)5. Donations to the Club are exempted under Section 80- G of the Income Tax Act. Ms FEROZA NOWROIEE I ___ _ India in which connection she had to visit very narrowly escaped being imprisoned different industrial zones in the country, by the British for attempting subterfuge. f' : Z Among the causes she is credited with even though she had to earn her own liv- having espoused, during the five years ing she found time to apply hwself to Founder member and president of the Navsari Parsee Association for over two she served as councillor of the Bombay community issues. Municipality from 1957-61, was provi ­ sion of quarters and uniforms to nurses in municipal hospitals. As a member of the decades, Vajifdar used that forum to up- ___ _______ Mayor ’s Fund Raising Committee for lift the condition of the poor residents^of “SIGNATURES IN STONE AND STEEL several years thereafter, she continued to ‘ promote different civic projects. When municipal sanctions were sought by dif ­ ferent Parsi organizations and business residents now staying in Bombay, and fe- houses, it was often Vajifdar ’s assistance that was sought, remembered Vispy Das ­ tur in his reference to her at the condo ­ lence meeting on August 5, 1991, con ­ vened by the Youths Own Union in honor of some Parsi activists. Poverty and tribulations she had expe- ---------- — ----- , _ rienced during her young days, hence she Pherozeshah Mehta, the celebrated mayor put on his kurta as a visitor is announced, was always sympathetic to the cause of of Bombay, mentioned Dastur. Another He sits at the large bay windows of his those who had to study under the street ' ’ ' *¦ «ch,n«,. lights or those who had to run around for employment openings, remembers Jal Bombay Parsi Punchayet. When the trus- Tata, chief accountant, Tata Services, t ---------- --------- - She started a night school for the down- ------------------- „ v- u, trodden and as director of Sahkari Bhan- reaching a wider range of worshippers, the day for both of them is being nght dar tried to promote cooperative distribu- she was one of the handful who opposed there watching the sun setting and saying tion networks, notes the Jame tribute de- the move with a vengeance until the trus- their evening prayers to the glow of a city tailing her bio data. Vajifdar completed hw schooling from stamp issued on the Shah Namah theme. Young Ladies at Bombay and her com- ' ' *¦" merce graduation from Sydenham Col ­ lege. Believed to be the first Parsi lady to remained unrealized, do her MCom from the Bombay Univer ­ sity, the subject of her thesis was the fe- Edited by Anuvaz S. Mama her birthplace, improve the amenities for continued from page 33 the priests in Navsari and Udwada, pro ­ mote socialization among former Navsan “Show me men of that caliber in any com- ¦ " - munity today. There just aren ’t any that licitate outstanding dignitaries who had can compare with the Parsis of yester- their roots in that town, recalled Sam year." _ Bajan who has served as secretary and treasurer of the Association. Last year she was active in organizing tenets of his religion. A Noah-like figure, a commemoration program in connection comfortable in his large white sudreh and _______ with the 75th death anniversary of Sir lehenga (loose trousers), he rushes in to rienced^during her young days, hence she Pherozeshah Mehta, the celebrated mayor put on his kurta as a visitor is announced. institution that was very dear to her was highrise apartment which offers a stupen- the Godavara Agiary managed by the dous view of the sea, surrounded by the ~ ¦ - crafts and artefacts collected by him and tees sought to relocate the fire from the Nellie over the years. He admits that the Agiary in the interests of saving costs and most peaceful and fulfilling moment of she was one of the handful who opposed there watching the sun setting and saymg the move with a vengeance until the trus- Sethna is obviously a devout Zoroas ­ trian and Parsi, deeply involved with the tees were forced to relent. To see a postal twilight. Perhaps, after the sun has set, ....... ....... , Sethna will continue to sit there on his old remembered Dastur, was one of her chief wooden jhoola (swing), contemplating ambitions towards the end, but one which upon his latest and deliberately independ ­ ent project — an interpretation of the Gathas — or perhaps reflect on the stu ­ pendous works of Davierwalla. Written by Parinaz Gandhi 40 Parsiana October 1991