Apr 1992

I APRIL1992RS12 i ¦j.'iS'’ r>' ( ¦5; BHARAT RATNA JRD TATA ,3. .< •5:[ t April 1992 Volume 14 Number 10 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana A. Mirza DESIGN Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl Sequeira CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B. L Arora EDP Rohinton E. Daroga CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Jasmine Driver 2 Readers' Forum 8 Events and Personalities 13 Zoroastrians Abroad 16 BPP Elections In August by Arnavaz Mama 18 Youth Federation: Plan of Action by Parinaz Gandhi 23 J.R.D. Tata: A jewel in his crown -----------------—--------------------------- s___ 27 Behroz Vacha's Helen Keller Institute... by Gustasp Irani OFFICE Rajendra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia D'Silva, Bakhtavar Batliwalla, Nowzer Batliwala, Bindu Pillai, Sugatha S. Kurup 33 Wedlock's end: 1 by K. C. Vajifdar 35 Books J 4, OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare, Pramod Patil 41 Milestones 46 In Memoriam Cover: Photograph by Superstar Video Labs I Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd, at C/o H.L.Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Covers printed at Malti Art, 320, A-Z Industrial Estate, Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Bombay 400013. Color processing. Comart Lithographers; and black and white processing, Samir Process. All rights reserved. Phone: 2048730 Fax: 2042922 For editorial enquiries: 2048183 Telex 11-85710 RABO IN Annual inland subscription Rs 100 for one year (12 issues); Rs 180 for two years (24 issues). Foreign subscription rates; Sea mail Rs 260/US $ 12/UK £ 7 for one year, Rs 475ZUS $ 20/UK £ 12 for two years (please allow six months or more from the time of publication); Air mail Rs 550/US $ 24/UK £ 14 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 290) for one year, Rs 1,050/ US $ 45/UK £ 26 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 560) 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 h5 J ) 4 0 READERS’ FORUM I Ml vti) mJiJ -i:: I U-p- I u, II ; “A Zoroastrian in Japan” The letter “A Zoroastrian in Japan ” (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, February was of this very firm opinion and if the 1992) does not give the full details. I am trustees of the Agiary were asked to inter- happy to add the following: vene by my family, to permit me admis- Mr Rustomji Vasunia and Mr Fram- sion to the Agiary for my mother ’s roze Vasunia started the firm of Messrs prayers, he would refuse to conduct such Vasunia and Company at Kobe (Japan), prayers and would be ready to resign on H They were later joined by their two other this score. I may add that I rarely visit this family held at the Agiary. He (the panthaky) reiterated that he f. M « « < I « i » 4 * « « « « » uBStUhf ««•»«< ?iitl > I ( 4 o 4 « 1 H<•• •» .Hlllllfll Hlhh.ut hWIF r’ brothers Mr Pesi and Mr Homi Vasunia. brothers worked togetho*. They Agiary as I have been residing in Worli »»¦ Wj ** "St *» were all intelligent and hardworking, since my marriage 17 years ago. Their main business was trading in silk msRoshnianand piecegoods. I The Company flourished largely be- ^^Mozart and. I cause of Framroze and his popular rela- There is a discrepancy in “Mozart and a I tionship with members of the Silk Mer- Zoroastrian ” (Zoroastrians Abroad, Par- , chants ’ Association. At that time, it was siana, January 1992). The article based I an honor to be president of the Silk Mer- on “Mozart and a Zoroastrian ” in the In- I chants ’ Association and candidates for the formal Religious Meetings ’ (IRM) news- I office avidly solicited votes in their favor, letter (November-December 1991) has I Framroze never cared for the presidency, been ascribed to Dorab Patel, retired jus- I So a delegation of the Association mem- tice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. I bers comprising Sindhis, Marwaris and The author of 'the IRM article is Mr I Gujaratis approached Framroze to be- Dorab J. Patel, a friend of mine who is come president Framroze thanked them ' and courteously declined this offer. They is a trustee of its fund, continued to press him, but to no avail. Unfortunately he channelised his intelli- Arnavaz Mama replies: gence only in his trading business; he We regret the assumption that there is »» closely associated in IRM activities and VIRASPP. MEHTA Karachi Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers* Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. ... Lenars sre subject to editing for reasons of would also have been famous if he had only one Dcrab Patel in Karachi and space and clarity. Unsigned letters or tIraM applied his mind to the manufacturing in- apologize to both gentlemen. without ansddress will not be published. HnctriAc dustries. , During World War II, luckUy all the “The Purifying... brothers were in Bombay. Today, except Ervad Darius N. Sethna in “The Purifying “Things fall into place” Homi, all the brothers, staff members Prescriptions ” (Readers ’ Forum, I was delighted to read what Amavaz Phiroze Mehta, Minoo Wadia, Minoo Parsiana, January 1992) calls Dr Ali A. Mama wrote about Homai Modi (“Things Master, Rusi Billimoria (Dandiwala) and Jafarey a “self jxoclaimed Muslim fall into place, ” Parsiana, February other Hindu staff members have expired, scholar (whose) motive is to distort, ma- 1992). As a past member of the Young Mr Homi Vasunia and myself from nipulate and convert the Zoroastrian Collegians ’ Zoroastrian Association the staff are leading an active life though teachings to suit hi& Muslim Iranians... (YCZA) many years ago, I had very little retired. jEHANGiRM.ENtHNEER and make it acceptable for them to swal- contact with Homai Modi. Since then I , . have come to know more about her. What “Safeguarding the rights... perhaps few know, is her private life and I * _ _ _ JEHANOR M. ENONEER (Readers ’ low the pill. ” _ I would say it is our own fault if any- I In the ^ticle “Safeguarding the rights, thing of this sort is really happening to- how courageously she turned her misfor- privileges, benefits... ” {Parsiana, January day. Dr A. A. Jafarey is right when he tune into an opportunity for developing 1992) there is a reference to a recent inci- claims that in Iran nirang is not admini- her great administrative talent for thb dent I experienced at the Bomanji stered at navjotes or weddings, and I benefit of her community. - ................ . ....................... For her great faith in her religion and Victoria Gardens in Byculla, Bombay, a strong belief that “things fall into place ” I admire her greatly. She put clarify as under: aside her own personal sorrow and After the 10th day ceremonies of my plunged into working for others. She has mother ’s demise, the panthaky of the truly practised her religion. We need Mewawala Agiary, mentioned to my fa- majority community on the minority. In many more Homai Modis today to show ther to ensure that I do not ever visit this India among the Hindus the cow is sacred our little community that “practice is bet- agiary in future, whether as a devotee or and drinking bull ’s urine would not be ter than precept ” MsPareenlalkaka Merwanji Mevawalla Agiary near don ’t think Mobed R. Shahzadi will be ready to swallow the pill either and pro- To put the record right I would like to vide gomez at the ceremonies or stop signing wedding certificates and perform ­ ing navjotes in which gomez is not taken. It is a question of the influence of the agiary in future, whether as a devotee or for any future death ceremonies that the looked down upon. In Iran among the 2 Parsiana April 1992 i i iand solutions could be studied from all cally. So don t be surprised or blame oiieivo. . ............- - 1 1^’’™ '''taring the kusti to be- a^Tcould be included in the council for gin with and replace the sutkeh with the • - — -- the easily available ‘ganyi (vest). ’ ¦ ; In Yazd, from where the majority multifaceted. of Iranian Zarthushtis come, there is We should not forget Iran where the only one fire-temple,^ which Js again origin and history of Zoroastrianism lies. _______________________ The Muslim population know of their an- is bom into it by the master'plan of the cestors being ^rc^tti^s and^^®^^ has all the rejjgions included in its mast^ to conversion and even have used coer- maiority community, the Muslims, urine scriptions, ” Parsiana, October 1991) but two parts; the upper part, the pure one, the is a^efiler and a person coming in contact if such a council would include scholars, mind, and the lower with it requires purification. Here you businessman, physicians, engineers, etc it the sexual part, thus he f«ls that the pant cannot (Ufferentiate, justify and prove that would be more broad based. Problems and shut do the same job more pi^tt- bull ’s urine, call it nirang, geushmaes- U..1 ;---- mana or gomei, can purify instead of angles. Even those with whom we do not being a defiler. As it is, non-Muslims are i _ considered untouchable. If you add to it a they could raise their opinions in urine drinking non-Muslim, it is an odd council and the final solution would be position to get into. ' ¦* About conversion Ervad Sethna says “like one cannot choose one ’s parents, one cannot choose one ’s religion — one L vv... —~ .. -------------------r— - cosmos... ” I think he means the cosmos know about their old religion. Many re- has all the rejjgions included in its master l plan, but then all other religions are open Now if you go to conversion and even have used coer- j cion for conversion. Thus if we accept books on the Zoroastrian religion wr^ten interested, sincere converts we would 1, not be Hisn ipiing the cosmos plan more Dawoud, Hashem Razi, Bohran, Hussain than other religions but rather we could Vahidi, etc; but no one has translated into say it is part of the cosmos plan to change Persian what has been written in India or the t hinkin g of a person, from, for ex- around the world. The Iranian Zarthushti ample, saying a ‘Doroug-e-maslahati’ (a hears Mobed R. Shahzadi at Porsa cere- lie for good reason) to saying no lies moniesfindingparallelsandtryingtoex- 'Homato Huktho Havaresth.' .r .u- I think Dr Jafarey has made a sincere suggestion regarding the formation of a Council of Mobeds (“The Purifying Pre- kusti are meant to divide the body into 5 d -u considered an 'Asar-e-bastani' (historical monument) and is partly open to visitors. The non-Zoroastrian visitors outnumber us. ______ It is time we change our ways and lode Sazeman Fravahar beyond the borders. It is time to be cot- structive. Instead of booing our critics it is time we find answers and teach them to gret that their ancestors had given in. ¦* _ I to r " bookshop in Tehran you will find more by'" Dr Ali Akbar JafareyT Dr Pour our children. Don ’t just say cosmic plan, Dawoud, Hashem Razi, Bohran, Hussain full stop. Prove it Today ’s child needs more reasons than his father. Give them to him. In Iran the dokhmas have been closed down, again because of the Muslim influ- _ __________ __________ „ e* ’ce. Our people lacked the knowledge plain things in Fight of what the Muslim to prove that the system had a solid base, majority believes; he reads in a Persian The walls were often broken into or book on his religion that the sudreh and climbed and photographs taken to find out what it is like inside and the dead were majority believes; he reads in a Persian MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER To do so we offer you: # Diploma Course in Business Management (Postal) (IMC) 5!e Banking CAIIB Course (Postal) 5*6 Executive Secretarial Course 3!« Private Secretarial Course « Personal Assistant’s Programme (Working Stenographers) ? Shorthand & Typewriting (English/Hindi/Marathi) # Telephone Operating & Receptionist Techniques Electronic Telex Operating ? Electronic Typewriting & Word Processing « English Conversation & Writing Skills LATEST ADDITION: COMPUTERS J 0 c > j Enquire at: Sir J. J. College of Commerce J 0 c J Events and Personalities Elections in Poona cem Trans Environ Consultants (TEC) Honor for pFOSthodontlSt Heading the new board of trustees of the manages projects outside the country, the At the World Congress of the Intema- Poona Parsee Panchayat (PPP) is Dara K. company brochure informs. tional Research Committee of Oral Im- Irani who will officiate as president for the year 1992. Thereafter the president ’s seat will be filled by rotation from amongst the six other trustees who were elected to the board on December 5,1991 at the Pudumjee Hall, notes a press re ­ lease from the PPP. Working with Irani for the 1992-96 the director of the National Environ- company brochure informs. For 14 years Arceivala served as re- plantology (IRCOI) attended by 450 im- gional advisor for environmental health plantologists from 16 countries. Dr Firoze with the World Health Organisation ’s D. Mirza was honored with a gold medal. (WHO) regional office in Europe and also The meet was in Berlin in end November, officiated as chief of WHO’s South-East as reported in The Afternoon Despatch Asia region covering 11 countries. Be ­ fore his stint with WHO, the engineer was and Courier of December 10,1991. President of the Indian section of the IRCOI and founder chairman of the Bom- term will be trustees Jamshed S. mental Engineering Research Institute bay Society of Oral Implantologists, Bokdawala, Minoo P. Davierwalla, Marz- (NEERI) in Nagpur. Mirza was reportedly the first to introduce ban C. Kaikobad, Dr (Ms) Perwin M. Davierwalla, Boman E. Amaria and Din- shaw S. Anklesaria. The 66-year-old environmentalist who dental implantology in 1962 and porce- ’ has authored three books on his subject of lain technology in 1970, according to a specialization is affiliated with educa- write-up in Mid-Town Musing of January j tional associations in different comers of 22, 1992. In addition to his appointment j Environmental award the world. Many a technical institute in Conservation of water in industry in India Yugoslavia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Vene- nor or ivianarasnira, jviirza aiso manageu j and tertiary treatment of municipal sewer- zuela, Muscat, Bangkok and Netherlands the prosthodontic department at the Naif age is Prof Soli J. Arceivala ’s major con- has Arceivala on its visiting faculty, the Hospital Dental College which Iw had*] tribution. Master planning of storm water I drainage and sewer rehabilitation for his bio data mentions. He has also been he accepted professorship at the Govern- | Greater Bombay is the important World credited with introducing the first post- ' “ ~ Bank funded project of which Arceivala has been appoint^ co-director. Such out ­ standing assignments in the field of engi ­ neering research and design earned Ar ­ ceivala, the managing director of Associ ­ ated Industrial Consultants (India) Private partment, further informs his bio data. Limited (AIC), the Environmental Engi ­ neering Design Award, 1991, notes the company ’s January ’92 newsletter. The award came to him from the Institution of Engineers (India) at the Indian Engineer ­ ing Congress in Poona on December 22. Keeping things environment friendly is the aim of AIC, a Bombay based con ­ sultancy company, founded 30 years ago to specialize in environmental pollution control work. A team of about 40 profes ­ sionals work under Arceivala to service AIC’s major clients which include Hin ­ dustan Lever, Tata Oil Mills, Rallis India, Premier Automobiles, Mafatlal, the Inter ­ national Airports Authority of India, the Poona Municipal Corporation and the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, amongst others. While AIC ac ­ cepts assignments in India, its sister con- as honorary dental surgeon to the Cover- i nor of Maharashtra, Mirza also managed has Arceivala on its visiting faculty, the Hospital Dental College which he had* last one having him for the past 18 years, been heading for the past 25 years. Before j mental Dental College, Mirza was in the USA for seven years. When in the States, | 3 graduate program in environmental engi ­ neering at the Bombay University. At the Mirza qualified for his masters from the Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute he Tufts University in Boston and later served as vice president, rector and head served as associate professor in two top J of the civil and sanitary engineering de- American universities, informs a press re- | R American universities, informs a press re ­ lease from the family. 3 Mirza: researching dental implantology. (Left) Arceivala (in suit) receiving the Environmental Engineering Design Award 8 Parsiana April 1992newable energy resources. He has been the WWF (India). Godrej was instrumen- Iicwduic ‘vouu. ____ ffca Tn/lion hAaHnnartftrs vice president of the Energy and Fuel Us ­ ers ’ Association and has chaired the en- Presently he is chairman of the Con ­ tinuous Education Program of the Indi^ Dental Association. He has 62 scientific — --------- - KTofjzxnoi AiUanpp papers to his credit and has been invited ergy committee of the Nauonal A^i^ce torture in different cities in Europe, of Young Entrepreneurs, his bio data USA and the Far East, further reads his notes, curricuium vitae. Rajiv Gandhi medalists The Rajiv Gandhi Gold Medal for Excel ­ lence in Management was awarded to Ms Zeenia Lawyer, partner of Associat^ Breweries and Distilleries (ABD) while the Gold Medal of Merit for Industry was bestowed on Rusi Engineer, managing di ­ rector of Induttrial Boilers Limited. The awards were presented on January 30, 1992, under the aegis of the Special Ey ecutive Magistrates' Directory Commit ­ tee, at the hands of Ramrao Adik, minister for finance. Government of Maharashtra at a special function at the Indian Mer ­ chants ’ Chamber. Hailed as one of the leading woman entrepreneurs of the country. Lawyer has guided ABD, the manufacturers of the popular beer London Pilsner, into achiev ­ ing the number one slot in Bombay, in ­ forms the company release. In the fore ­ seeable future, the businesswoman who is reportedly the first to inculcate the pub culture in Bombay, plans to open a chain of exclusive ‘London pubs ’ in the city. A well-known figure in the field of Prince Philip boilers, being the founder member ^d immediate past president of the Indian Boiler Manufacturers ’ Association, Engi ­ neer has now adopted a new manufactur ­ ing technology. The acute shortage of fossil fuel has made Engineer opt fw re- Adik presenting the Rajiv Gandhi gold medals to Lawyer (left) and Engineer J J 3 tai in establishing the Indian headquarters of the WWF at the Pirojsha Godrej Na ­ tional Conservation Centre in Lodhi Es ­ tate, New Delhi. His concern about na ­ ture conservation is evident at Pirojshanagar, the Godrej industrial gar ­ den township in Bombay, which boasts a . - ---- — haps the best on the Indian west coast, ” as _____ ; _ ___ * . In a city like Bombay where more than 12,5 million •* _ , •_ J believes that every tree is a symbol of I To arouse environment I consciousness at festival I time, Godrej has initiated two I movements: Sarvajanik Holi I curbs the wanton destruction i of trees while Sarvajanik I Diwali marks the occasion as I the festival of lights rather I than as a festival of noise, fur- I ther informs the release. I Amrapali in London I F^ty-one shows of the dance I ballet Amrapali, directed by I Hosi Mulla, were brok^ I even prior to the premier in ¦ London. The British Broad­ casting Corporation (BBC), impressed by.J the program, shot scenes from the ballet^ and interviewed Mulla along with his | first of the avians to be taken off the list of partner Mahendra Boricha in Wl.^ | endangered species in Canada, according same duo was also resj^ible de- j toaraessreEe. The chairman of the signing and sutching of the costumes^- Godrej companies who was conferred the cording to a wnte-up m the Jam-e-Jam- awarf at Buckingham Palace last year has after a successful running of 40 shows in Lon­ don gained popularity in the States where is Wildlife benefactor (--------- , - ,, The White PelicanpMng autographed ofjnMgov^foreste by Prince Philip was presented to r . Sohrab Pirojsha Godrej who qualified for notes the press release, the 25th Anniversary Benefactors Award " ''........ (WWF). The painting of the white peli ­ can is particularly symbolic for it is the hope, ¦ill 4 B 3 i from the World Wide Fund for. Nature people live in Godrej (left) shaking hands with joined the select band of 25 donors who have earned this recognition. Founder trustee and vice president of 10 Parsiana April 1992* I « Students excel in law The righteous Parsis are always r known to fight for the right or I rather their perception of the right. I Pursuing legal battles with fresh I fervor will now be a new crop of F Parsi solicitOTs and lawyers who L have excelled at different law ex ­ aminations in the recent past. ; Ms Sanober P. Nanavati was , reportedly the only candidate from India to appear and pass the ex ­ aminations of Solicitor — Eng ­ land and Wales in November last year. After she completed her ar ­ ticles in India, the scholarships she received from the R, D. 1 Sethna Trust and the Higher Edu- I cation Committee of the Bombay I Parsi Punchayet enabled her to I appear for the examinations I abroad, notes a press release. I When a student at Queen Mary -¦ School, the H. R. College of Com ­ merce and Economics and the Govem- Siez Hahnemann, the great great grand- ment Law Collie, Nanavati had won crtn rif r4r Cnmnoi u.,hnan,nn„ several prizes at'the Bharat Scouts and Kala Kendra formed in 1975, Mulla has ered the father of homeopathy. Guides competitions, elocution competi- performed Indian classical and folk I ’ ................... " ~ ’ dances in East Africa, Canada, USA, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Australia ate degree, the press release further in- besides several places in India. Starting his dance training at five years (Clockwise from top left) homeopath Master, dentist Mistry and solicitors Nanavati, Contractor and Pardiwala 6 1 i I I Mulla was invited to direct the flav to clcct its rcDresentatives. m April 1992 to enable residents to effect their transfer, only 3,805 certificates have notes the Bre^ announcement. The BPP’s response tA by toe Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) for can vote on any of these days at toe desig ­ toe general election of 802 members of r.atcd places, ccccrir.g ~ to? , • h tr, ov the Aniuman Committee. But a further note of June 4, 1992. According m the so iBted are reqm^ to ra- extension was sought and granted by the Bombay High Court on June 16. The new for holding of the Anjuman Committee ^ngle day to el^t its representatives, elections. The elected Anjuman Commit- -i-- tee members together with 802 donors al ­ ready on toe Punchayet rolls will then 5.30 p.m. enrolment on toe BPP’s general register figure now stemds at “4,000 andjxid.' will be entitled to vote. The register is required to close on November 30 prior to is elect (by December 31, 1992, as per the new court order) trustees to the BPP board for the next seven years. For the first time in its long history the BPP’s elections will be held constituency- The booths in all the vicinities were scheduled to be open from 9.30 a.m. to been exchanged, --Zi,..... 1-__________ _ Only those with valid certificates of an enquiry on June 8 revealed that this _ « • . /*• _ __ _ I_ A* AM/1 zwizi ** The last day for transfer of certificates ¦! two clear days before the first each Anjuman Committee election as per election day. “ the city has been cited as a The summer exodus from 1 wise. This change has been necessitated by the large number of persons who must be elected. The number of seats have been distributed between 11 constituencies demarcated by the BPP ad ­ ministration depending on the demographic distribution of the community. According to this distribution, the Fort area has the maximum represen ­ tation (see box). The elections will be held in five different parts of the city for the convenience of Zoroastrians resident in those areas. The place's earlier des ­ ignated were the BPP office . , , building on D N Road, the Khareghat clause 10(i) of the electoral scheme. In stalled by August 31, 1992 and the elec- ---- - - this case the register is deemed to have tion of the trustees — there are two vacan- closed on December 17, 1991 when the cies with the terms of Dr Aspi Golwalla final High Court order cleared the way for and Jamsheed Kanga having expired — the election which has been delayed by completed by end October 1992. Electoral distribution into constituencies Constituency Denoted by Allocated seats Colaba Fort Kalbadevi Malabar Hill Worli Parel Dadar Borivli, Goregaon and Jogeshwari Bandra and Mahim Tardeo and Hughes Road Grant Road A B C D E F G H I J K 74 90 79 71 84 64 81 57 69 79 54 reason for the lack of a significant number of nomi ­ nations. According to Parsiana sources only 80 nominations had been re ­ ceived by end May. The trustees also had sec ­ ond thoughts about holding the elections in June as origi ­ nally planned on account of the rains. According to the High Court order of December 17, 1991 which was framed with due agreement of the Pun- chayet, the Anjuman Com ­ mittee was required to be in- According Colony ’s Khareghat Hall, the Rustom Bang Pavilion, the Recreation Center at S. V. Bharucha Baug, Andheri and the Madressa Annexe in the Dadar Parsi Col- 16 Parsiana April 1992I POLITICS AND POLICY i YOUTH FEDERATION Plan of Action Parinaz Gandhi * Identification of career opportunities and support of community institutions are the initial projects of the newly constituted Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations cided to enrol members on the basis of givings were expressed as to whether announced there would be something worth reporting FOZYA president Jehangir Bisney, on a monthly basis, Parakh was insistent. The five young executive council mem ­ bers of the newly constituted Federation g^graphical of Zoroastrian Youth Associations rZZY. ------ - (FOZYA) solemnly sat round the table broaching the first item on the agenda, “It must be monthly; even if it means Most of the Bombay youths 1^1 present reported that they were living in the Parsi colonies in the city ’s different localities. As their statements, each 1 seem to have its own association. But many of the youths ’ alle- ¦H giance appeared to rest more with the Bombay Parsi Punchayet W (BPP) Youth Club with which they ’ve associated ever since they completed the Holiday Rro- gramme for Youth. (A project of the BPP, the Holiday Programme H for Youth is a month long series of ¦ activities conducted annually for students who have appeared for their school leaving examinations. There ­ after if they wish to retain their ties, the students join the Youth Club.) And since the BPP Youth Club is a vibrant body meeting every month for social, welfare location, ” of Zoroastrian Youth suiciiiiiiy mi luuuu mv ....... -------------j,-----------, — -------- u J ‘ on March 27, 1992. Facing them were a “enrolment of other Zoroastrian youth writing that ‘nothing has haj^ned. " motley of 20 bewildered invitees, most of whom had little idea why they had been summoned barring the knowledge that their interest and involvement at earlier all-In- dia Zoroastrian youth meets had earned them this distinction. This was the scene at the com- mencement of the first executive ¦¦ council meeting of FOZYA. A registered body, barely four months old, FOZYA is constituted with the intention of “promoting unity and solidarity amongst the Zoroastrian youth. ” A delayed start by 25 minutes; a last-minute change in the venue from the Muncherji Khareghat Hall to the Parukh Dharamshalla at Bombay ’s Khareghat Bisney, Parakh and Karanjawalla Colony; and the presence of two senior guest speakers before the business slated associations. They had envisaged differ- on the agenda could be initiated contri- ent baug associations in Bombay nomi- _ nating their representatives who would and leadership training projects, the serve as focal members between their re- i. . '' >. ns per J baug did| ¦ Council members (from left): Debara, on the agenda could be initiated contri ­ buted to the prevailing uncertainty, c- " comers of India enrolled with FOZYA, spective geographical locations andjhe was eviden't'from *the self introductions main aim is interaction, ” reinforced membership? ” “Why can ’t you channel- that the maximum attendance was from FOZYA secretary Ms Mehernavaz Par- ize the group available? ” “Which other Bombay even though the Bombayites akh; “not to become members and forget organization has worked for the Parsi * . - J _____u.,*_______ _ rto LTDV /'UrhIHoij PrAffTQmmA thr had only been invited as observers and no one was officially representing the largest Parsi settlement in India. This is because Bombay had yet to join FOZ Y A. “Bombay being a vast city, we have de- spokespersons from this group failed to vuiiioio ui iiiuia _____ ___ _____ appreciate why the Club could not be only four were represented that day. It FOZYA secretariat in Hyderabad. “The made a member: “What is the criteria for . _ * . (Xiain aim i" ” roinfAr/'a/l momh/>rphin7” **\XZhv Pan*t vnil phxinnftl- FOZYA secretary Ms Mehernavaz Par- Of the 15 youth wings from different all about it for six months but someone who ’ll give an immediate reply ” and be Youth)? ” prompt in correspondence. To maintain " continuity each association was asked to send in a report every month. When mis- youth as HPY (Holiday Programme for Over the cross-talking Bisney pa- j tiently tried to explain the complications ' that could ensue: Youth wings from dif- | i 18 Parsiana April 1992you accommodate larger numbers within a restricted budget, advised Bisney, notic ­ ing the interest and awareness generated Representations of his talk narrated experiences, colored by earlier youth meets. The role of youth in community organizations and entrepre- in their traditions and imparting certain keynote messages of Zoroastrianism was ferent camps within the community would then demand membership too re ­ sulting in rivalry and attempts to super- Lt Gen Adi Sethna who during the course cede one another. would then also come forth from other by years of association with the armed cities and towns demanding that youth forces, the Delhi Parsi Anjuman where he neurship is what the organizers plan to bodies other than the one recognized by serves as president and the FPZAI where include in the sessions, stated Karanja- the anjuman be granted membership, he is vice president. “Can anyone present walla enquiring what else the prospective “This would lead to conflict. Why don ’t recite the Din no kalmo, with meaning? ” participants would like to see introduced, you activate the bangs in- Variety, greater group par- stead? ” persisted Bisney. ticipation, overcoming sex- The youths who had come ual biases and the need to in their individual capacity break through different rather than as rflpresenta- ' i pockets of isolation without tives of their bangs were compelling anyone to share thus convinced to get a let- SSn^ lodging quarters with ter from their respective ^llr strangers were the views colonies indicating their 1 • IB ^1S|||b||I||H that came forth. willingness to enrol on j|||||||FB|H i' The subject of career and FOZYA. * Bisney ’s contention that FOZYA is aiming to bring together the Parsi youth of the entire community, led to another series of interroga ­ tions: “What will be the benefits from joining FOZYA? What do he challenged. Goad- we expect from getting together? ” De- ed by his guidance the spairing the community attitude of always group seeking returtis, one of the FOZYA sup ­ porters queried, “What is the association quence and the mean ­ going to do for FOZYA?” How are you ing right, going to help? ” As youth you should not wait to be told to do something; take the initiative, do it. This was the message impressed by guest speaker Homi Bodhanwalla of Jam- tober 24 to 26, 1992 shedpur, vice president of the Federation there will be a session of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India on religion, but not (FPZAI) and advisor to several Tata com- the social aspect of re- panies. This, he believed, would be an ligion, it was stressed, adaptation of a Tata philosophy for the Taking up subjects employee: “give him what he deserves like the Roxan Shah case (which created employment opportunities has been taken before he asks for it ” With health, educa- a major controversy when a Zoroastrian tion, spirit of adventure, tolerance, dignity woman married to a Hindu was not per- of labor and discipline, every Parsi could mitted to be interred at the Bombay doon- achieve wonders, he was sanguine for he gerwadi), the youths felt, tantamounted to periences. FOZYA instead plans to do believed that “there is no royal route to going round in circles for ultimately the sometliing more definite on this issue by becoming great. ” An advocate of yoga discussion came to nothing. Zoroastrian taking it up as its “main project. ” From who at 70 plus regularly docs the head- history is what the session will focus on, the deliberations it emerged that there was a need to bring together employers and youths, and to disseminate information M quarters 1 I I r i I ¦ ¦¦ collectively fumbled to get the se- At the Sixth All India Youth Seminar Ahmedabad from Oc- Zoroastrian in Execulive council members of FOZYA (above) and youth invitees (below) hear Sethna (gesticulating) relate his experiences up at earlier youth meets too. But this only went to the extent of inviting out ­ standing entrepreneurs to share their ex- An advocate of yoga discussion came to nothing. Zoroastrian taking it up as its “main project. ” From history is what the session will focus on, stand, Bodhanwalla maintains, “The briefed Porus Karanjawalla from Ahme- world today is so much upside down that dabad, vice president of FOZYA. La- it is when you are on your head that you menting on the level of ignorance among along the lines of a glossary on careers are actually seeing the right side of the community youth, he said, “We do not describing the training and funds — avail ­ things. ” “To educate Zoroastrians in general and Zoroastrian youth in particular on all matters affecting the Zoroastrian religion would like to restrict the number of par- and culture ” is one of the objects of ticipants to 200, working within a budget tional purposes. The formalities, the bu- FOZYA. Trying to instill in them a pride of two to three lakh rupees. Better that reaucratic procedures and the time lapse. know who is the father of Zarathushtra able and required — for different courses, but we know who is the brother of Ram. ” Another area where the youths seek im- The organizers of the Youth Seminar provements is in the operation of trusts that extend grants and loans for educa- 19 f^siana April 1992 I 'Fthe Parsis. But little could they do to rem ­ edy the situation on this front as youths, so they were advised to consult the sen ­ iors at the executive council meeting of the FPZAI on the following two days (March 28 and 29). There were other issues too left unre ­ solved. With enrolments from Bombay still unconfirmed, FOZYA decided to de ­ fer the co-optation of five members on the executive council. But as Bisney summa ­ rized, “Today was the first meeting so don ’t expect to come to a decision on all matters... The most important thing is that we keep in touch. ” The next meeting of “Can anyone present recite the Din no kalmo, with meaning? ” they complained, defeat the purpose and voring this monthly over the other com- particularly irksome was the media mak- the energies spent in procuring the loans, munity publications. In response Bisney ing a laughingstock of the community and What they recommended instead was the detailed Parsiana's financial position suggested legal measures like injunctions formation of a central body of trusts that running as it has in the red over the years, against producers for tarring the image of could screen the applicants and then sane- and counter questioned, “Has any one tion scholarships of higher denomination found out how Jame is doing? ” This de- to a select few rather than nominal bate came to a natural end when a Bom- amounts to several such that the aid ex ­ tended could, in terms of the devalued rupee, measure up to requirements. The ambitious youth were urged to be more practical by senior invitee and joint hon ­ orary secretary of the FPZAI Keki Gandhi who advised, “set goals where you can succeed. ” “Support Parsiana'' is a project that FOZYA hjft voluntarily undertaken, even including the item on the agenda of its first meet. To augment Parsiana's lim ­ ited subscription base, every member bay resident who had never heard of The next meeting of FOZYA is present was urged to enrol at least six sub- Parsiana enquired, “But what does scheduled in Ahmedabad to coincide scribers before the next meeting. Bisney Parsiana do? ” with the Youth Seminar in October. advocated gifting Parsiana on festive oc ­ casions and told the youths to adopt a dheela (ineffective). ” “We are getting The executive council members present at door-to-door approach to overcome the bogged down because we have no politi- the meeting were: Porus Debara from inertia of potential subscribers who could cal voice. ” “It is one thing that we Agra, Porus Karanjawalla from Ahme- not be bothered to make out a cheque and choose to laugh at ourselves and another dabad, Mehemavaz Parakh from Hydera- mail it. This made Karanjawalla question thing to have others laugh at us. ” These bad, Sarosi} Palkhiwala from Poona and whether an appeal had been received from ~ ~ - - - — Parsiana and the reason for FOZYA fa- “As a community we are becoming were the opinions expressed during the Jehangir Bisney from Secunderabad. The open forum. What many youths found Press was represented by Parsiana. WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS FROM ) J SOn-HEARTED ‘ WIBS'BREAD ) WESTERN INDIA BAKERS' PRIVATE LIMITED ¦ KHODADAD BUILDING, 100 D'LIMA STREET DOCKYARD ROAD, BOMBAY 400010 20 Parsiana April 1992AWARDS A jewel in his crown Arnavaz S. Mama J J.R.D. Tata, the first Zoroastrian awardee obthe Bharat Ratna, was accorded a special reception by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet “You have endowed me with qualities, expectations and desires which I do not think I really deserve. If I did my job fairly well and honestly and sincerely it was to a large extent because I wanted to be worthy of Jamsetji Tata and the tradi ­ tions he created for us. ” Jehangir R. D. Tata gently disclaimed the tributes paid by speaker after speaker at the function organized by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) to felicitate the conferment on him of the nation ’s high ­ est civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. The community, whom JRD ad ­ dressed as “all my fnends and fellow Parsis, ” crowded the central lawn of Cusrow Baug and gave the punctiliously correct octogenarian in dagli and pugri a standing ovation. The few empty seats at the punctual start of the function at 6.15 p.m. on April 7, 1992 had been occupied as the evening progressed and latecomers thronged the side aisles. Fortunate Cusrow Baug denizens viewed the pro ­ ceedings from their ringside windows as Tata wondered aloud why he deserved “the esteem, affection, recognition of these fine people for whom I’ve done so little in any organized way. ” Confessing that he “had not been a concerned or active Parsi, ” JRD spelt out for the assembly the development of his ideas on the subject of communities and religions: “Since I was much younger I have felt that communities, organized re ­ ligions and activities, for too many cen ­ turies despite being well-intentioned, have been res^nsible for quite a lot of hatred, lack of friendship, violence even, among billions of people who needed the opposite. ” However, “if there is one thing I’m proud of, it ’s of being bom a A part of the audience on Cusrow Bang's center lawn PMo. superstar video Labs i m / .A } ‘46 aw* gr“ I r 23 Parsiana April 1992 » L'9 situations; ” his physical and mental en ­ ergy generated by ‘ a cool head, an empty questioning of his own worthiness for the stomach and a warm heart... You believe award. At Cusrow Baug he reiterated that that man is made to live to 125. The the Bharat Ratna should be reserved for dumbbell and weights are your compan- tional press had been an unassuming ions... You are young at heart... Your eyes of Jamsetji Tqp,” JRD, bom 1904, the J— -I— '----- ---------------- ¦ ¦ , . _ had been a student of his illustrious distress at the community ’s dwindling ing your 100th birthday. ” grand-uncle since the earliest years of numbers and that “a time will come when *- - ------------------------ maturity. He quoted from a letter written by Jamsetji, then in the US, to his sons on hearing that they and their team had suc ­ ceeded in finding the ideal loca- i tion for Tata Steel at what subse- ” ** quently became Jamshedpur. i Jamsetji had exhorted them to > j plan out the town for the optimum benefit of all its inhabitants. |HH JRD said he had been “enormously impressed. Jamsetji Tata not only created industry but ' was a great humanist who be ­ lieved in doing things right and honestly. He was human at a time when no one bothered about the rights of labor, when there were no unions. His whole life showed the humanity of the man... I con ­ tinue to be a big admirer. I was determined to be largely guided by him. On a number of times, on problems that were not directly connected gone down to this extent, ” im with Jamsetji, I asked myself how Jam- the nonconformist did not setji would respond to such a proposal... I elaborate. In a very rare ar- y have tried to, want to and continue to do tide on the subject about 12 ? ’’ whatever is right and honest and simple years ago he had propagated [ and humane. ” Another name JRD respects greatly is that of Dadabhoy Naoroji. The compara ­ tively recent development came about the ire of the orthodox. The three or four years ago when the Dada- lesson learnt, Tata now bhoy Naoroji endowment wanted to give urged the Punchayet, the its award to JRD who decided he must high priests and others to try know more about Naoroji than that he had and arrest the decline, “find been an MP and had propagated the case ways, new ideas, projects to of India ’s freedom. Going through Sir serve the people of this Rustom Masani ’s biography of Naoroji, community. ” Only half JRD found that Naoroji “had done one jestingly did he promise, “(When) I do try in India and nurtured it for 46 years. It pass on. I’m telling you I’m going to was, said Palkhivala, “also a recognition come back to find out for myself what our of the business class — that good values youngsters have done in the direction of in business have played a vital role and will play an even more important role in the context of liberalization. ” Recalling a the need for widening the | community base through in- j termarriage. It had attracted ' j 1 •! thing that amazed me. As a young man who had just finished college...he tried to find who had paid for his education. More than 100 years ago (he discovered that) it revitalizing this great community! ” was being paid out of taxes on items of The evening had begun with an invo- 24 Parsiana April 1992 Tata, garlanded and shawl-draped, receiving salver and bowl from Golwalla (left) Photo: Superstar Video Labs On the dais (L to R) Minoo Shroff, Homi Ranina, Kanga, Wadia, Tata, Golwalla, Palkhivala, Desai, Bengalee, Guzder and JamaSpAsa Photo; OoHyOvecha 1 ii ** .j sheed Kanga. Nor did he hesitate to loan his top men to government, Kanga added. Ardeshir Dalal, Nani Palkhivala were all conscripted for national duties: “The gov ­ ernment never hesitated to entrust govern ­ mental affairs to a Tata man. ” In today ’s to get a pilot ’s li ­ cence; the establish ­ ment of Tata Airlines Dr John Matthai, Sir Homi Modi, Sir in the 1930s and Jeh ’s “extraordinary dedica ­ tion to the new ven ­ ture, ” his profession ­ alism — stymied for a atmosphere of low ethics in business and pilot to fly Wadia industry, “the country ’s best exponent of from Jodhpur to Bom- the ethical way...owes it to the business bay, Tata himself had community...to record his experiences, ” taken over, exactly 55 urged Kanga. years ago! Wadia also remem ­ BPP trustee Jamshed Guzder referred to JRD’s promptness in furnishing a 50 lakh rupee bank guarantee that enabled I Guzder to set up a customs clearance of- I Hee to clear air cargo in a day instead of the two to three weeks that it originally I took. Guzder also noted that Daimler ! Benz, makers of Mercedes cars, quickly chose Tatas to collaborate with even though there were many others vying for the tie-up. The decision, according to Guzder, was based on their finding in JRD “a man who had a reputation that A glimpse of the audience Photo: Superstar Video Labs^ Isn't it time to start? (from left) Desai, Guzder and Tata before the function began Photo: Rusi Davar how Dadabhoy Naoroji had teen elected to the British Parliament in 1892, Palkhivala underlined the symbolism in a Parsi win ­ ning the highest national award exactly 100 years later. As one who had known and admired JRD for half a century, Palkhivala spoke of the man ’s tendency to live dangerously, of an instinct for court ­ ing danger in contrast to the general ten ­ dency to seek safety, wanting “to live on the verge of disaster ” and enjoying it! Added Palkhivala tongue in cheek, . . “When the heart specialist told him he did mission to circle overhead so as to land the five Parsi recipients. The University not need open heart surgery, he was dis- exactly on the dot! had declared him “prince of industrial- appointed. He wanted to experience sur- Referring to the 88-year-old as the ists, master manager... patron saint of geiy! ” “Grand Young Man of the community ” Indian aviation... an ornament of this Tata ’s profound sense of humor pre ­ vents him from being pompous, attested Tata ’s “renaissance intellect, ” his “un- Palkhivala. So “he walks up to your of ­ fice rather than call you to his ” and em- _________ w whatever he undertook should (net) the best for the shareholders and the com ­ pany — nothing for himself. ” In a ringing votb of thanks BPP trus ­ tee and vice chancellor of Bombay Uni- versity Dr (Ms) Mehroo Bengalee de- tered Air India ’s first flight to London on clared with “pride and confidence that June 8, 1948 when it took off punctually this ‘Ratna ’ is ours; belongs to us... As a at 0005 hours and after special receptions community, this achievement makes us at Cairo and Geneva, all meticulously richer still. ” Bengalee read from the cita- planned and executed, reached London 15 tion that had accompanied Bombay Uni- versity ’s selective awards to 18 promi ­ nent citizens in 1981. Tata was one of minutes ahead of time. Wadia says JRD told the captain in the cockpit to seek per- exactly on the dot! Referring to the 88-year-old as the “Grand Young Man of the community ” BPP trustee Eruch Desai commented on city. ” More importantly, Bengalee com­ mented on Tata ’s “unparalleled humility right" job, the leader who knows where that the community (witnessed) this eve ­ ning ” and brought to his notice the prob ­ lems of education and employment faced nity has made is following Tata ’s advice by the community today: “Our children ¦ fall by the wayside. Can our youngsters plan for the future? Even dream of a fu- troF India ’s runaway population growth, ture? They ’re looking up to you to ex- He was, perhaps, the first in the country to » point to it as die most urgent national canny ability to pick the right man for the barrasses his juniors! Each speaker bore he ’s going and gets others to follow him. ” __ UzxtvrAvrA** ffviiefoVA "PoFCi witness to Tata ’s courtesy, respect and However, “one mistake the Parsi commu- sensitivity to the suffering of others; to the quest for perfection which drove on family planning, ” noted Desai, refer- lesser people to the wall; to his zest for ring to Tata ’s concern for the need to con- life; to his reverence for human literal ­ ism; to his desire to “see as far as one may into the great forces behind the detail; ” to his ultimate Zoroastrianism. Neville Wadia, who has known him avid in curtailing their progeny and the Punchayets of Bombay and Surat had for more than 50 years, sees JRD’s ex- results are a dwindling community. also presented him with a shawl and sil- ample of how he expanded the House of In an era when nepotism was fashion- ver salver. His low tones husky with emo- tend a helping hand to them... ” Tata had been showered with garlands problem. The Parsis have teen the most by individuals and organizations. The results are a dwindling community. In an era when nepotism was fashion- Tatas as his greatest gift to the younger able, Tata chose outstanding profession- tion, Tata responded from the depths of A ««r «• 1 _ _ J _______ .^1_________...1_____ __________4.^ UAn«*«^ *kAnlr «r/>ii mA* generation of entrepreneurs. Wadia re- als and gave them the freedom to grow, called the years he flew at Juhu airport retaining their respect and affection, with JRD and the latter ’s sister, the late noted BPP trustee and member of the In- Sylla Petit who was the first lady in India dian Administrative Service (IAS) Jam- my heart... thank you for honoring me; thank you for liking me. I say goodbye with a great feeling of thanks and grati ­ tude for tonight and for being a Parsi." 25 Parsiana April 1992r- WELFARE Emerging from the valley of silent darkness Gustasp Irani The founder of The Helen Keller Institute for the Deaf and Deaf Blind, Behroz Vacha believes in the handicapped child's right to education tience, caring and dedication. We see it reflected in the smile of a mother who sits observing her daughter interact with it, for to her it is a recognition of the the teacher and learns how to reach out needs of the deaf-blind and the people and touch the hidden crevasses of her around her, volunteers and professionals daughter ’s life. At a neighboring table, a Then, who work selflessly to meet these needs, little girl leans forward (she recognizes people by their smell), her hands seek ­ ing out Vacha who is then drawn into a great big affectionate hug. There is a great deal of activity at the table where two teenaged boys sit with their teacher; hands darting around in fu ­ rious conversation. Nearby another teen ­ ager interacts with his counsellor, both sporting wide grins. “They have a great sense of humor. They joke about a lot, ” says Vacha. Later she calls the boys over to meet us and we realize that if there are any inhibitions about their handicap, they are within us. But soon they draw us across the barrier and briefly we are com ­ municating, sharing each other ’s worlds. One boy gently runs his hands over our Recognition, it appears, came in a rush to Vacha who started her pioneering work Let ’s play pretend; pretend that you are deaf, dumb and blind; pretend that the dimensions of your world are defined by for the deaf-blind in 1977. She welcomes touch alone. Into this world a lady in- " trudes. Gently she takes your hand in hers and caresses away any resistance you might have to her touch. ' , slowly she starts to communicate with signals. Repeatedly she sits and rises, makes you sit and rise, and through her touch and signalling alone reaches across the void to you. Next, she signals she cares, that she is there to guide and love you. Welcome to the world of silent darkness; Ms Behroz Vacha, founder, di ­ rector and motivating force behind The Helen Keller Institute for the Deaf and Deaf Blind, Bombay, the first and only one of its kind in India, demonstrates that it is not as despairing as it might seem at first. In recognition of her role as a beacon of light in the bleak dark world of the deaf-blind, Vacha was presented with the “I am just a part of the Helen Keller Insti- . _ Anne Sullivan Medal at an international tute. Any award I receive is on behalf of body, exploring its, physical form, conference in Sweden on August 8, the institution, ” says Vacha, adding as she strangely the touch is not an intrusion on 1991. The award, instituted in 1966 to takes us around, “To know me is to know our physical form, no more than soineone commemorate the birth centenary of Ms my children. ” looking at us is, for the hands are, in ef- Anne Sullivan, the teacher of the world There is a little girl of six just learning feet, his eyes. renowned deaf-blind Ms Helen Keller, how to walk; her parents had unwittingly “Anyone whose grey cells are ticking comprises five medals presented every cocooned her, fearing she might get hurt can be treated as a nramal child no mat- four years. Vacha is the first Indian and because of her multiple handicaps. Va- ter what his or her handicap. It is often Asian to be so honored. cha aids the child ’s teacher with the ex- the way we, the society, think and feel The same year (1991) she was pre- ercise; one hand firmly but gently across about them which is the real handicap, ” sented with the Rotary Club of Bombay the small of the girl ’s back and the other says Vacha, adding that every child Public Service Award and selected as the hand working the legs up and down. “It is should have a right to an education ac- Woman of the Year by the Zonta Club painful for her, ” Vacha informs us. The cording to his or her ability. ........................... • • ’ .L - At the deaf-blind Institute the right to education is offered at present to 23 deaf- blind students. Because of the nature of their handicap the teacher-student ratio is Finger movements effectively used in communication takes us around, “To know me is to know my children. ” There is a little girl of six just learning feet, his eyes, how to walk; her parents had unwittingly “« four years. Vacha is the first Indian and because of her multiple handicaps. Va ­ cha aids the child ’s teacher with the ex ­ ercise; one hand firmly but gently across Public Service Award and selected as the hand working the legs up and down. “It is International (Bombay III Branch). A girl winces, but playing among the year earlier she was conferred the Rus ­ tom 1 Award by the National Association for the Blind, India. ' " - • " pinched features is a smile; she recog- Merwanji Alpaiwala Memorial nizes the familiar loving touch. The foundations of the deaf-blind In ­ stitute, Vacha explains, are rooted in pa- high — one to one for the young and one 27 Parsiana April 1992 4If 8 Mi 4 ¦ git I 9, T ¦¦li ^¦1 jifc ¦ ¦ ............................. Vacha being presented the Woman of the Year Zonta Club award by Mitha Shroff (left). Looking on (from left) are J ay as hree Masur and Freny Paghdiwala ¦ ¦ Bulsar I had a deaf boy in my class and I noticed that people and other students picked on him only because he was so timid and handicapped. ” Years later when she revisited Bulsar she noticed a grave in front of the school and was informed that it was the last resting place of that same deaf boy. To Vacha, the grave was sym ­ bolic of a muted spirit that was denied the right to education for no fault of its own. After qualifying in the education of the deaf from Banbay and the UniversiQr of b a to two for the more advanced students, dom in my work but Qualified counsellors help the older chil- has actively supported dren. “Many of them are reaching their adolescence and must deal with the prob ­ lems that the age brings, ” Vacha explains, cha, there is a differ- In addition the Institute has its own resi- ence between pity and dence quarters in Borivli where 16 of the sympathy. With pity, deaf-blind students reside. It all began in 1977, with three stu ­ dents, a meager Rs 150 in the coffers and is the true foundation a whole lot of courage, caring and deter- of philanthropy. “Phi- mination that a handful of determined lanthropy is to give of women started work from one residential yourself, not just your abode. According to Vacha, the starting wealth. ” Vacha de- was important for she believed that assis- rives part of her inspi- tance from well-wishers would follow. “I ration from the lines believe that people have a lot of goodness of an unknown author in them and it is for me to reach out and who observed: “A > tap it. Often what I get may not be what I hundred times I re ­ want, but I know that it will eventually mind myself that my help the Institute and the children, ” says inner and outer life de ­ Vacha who does not hesitate to ask for a pends on those living good cause. “I even fight with my God for and dead and that I my children, ” she confesses. And miracles, small and big, do hap ­ pen. Vacha shows us an unsolicited let ­ ter she received from the Gulf Refugee am receiving and pass Relief Fund. In it they state that their it on to posterity. ” primary objectives have been met and - - from the surplus funds they are donating pass it on... ’ Vacha in- a part to the deaf-blind Institute. There forms us, is her own are companies which have donated furni ­ ture when refurbishing their offices. Then there are people who have supplied doing. On the walls of transport, the qualified and dedicated her office almost all inspirational lines The handicapped children at the Helen teachers and staff, the volunteers who have handwritten tailpieces. Itisareflec- Keller Institute learn at the hands of have donated their skills and time to the tion of her drive to give a little more and qualified instructors Photos: Gustasp Irani Institute and of course there is Vacha ’s husband Nariman (formerly a secretary of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet and of the hood that were to influence her commit- N. N. and R. N. Wadia Trusts): “He has not only allowed me unhampered free- me in my task. ” According to Va- one gives and forgets. Sympathy, however. must exert myself in the same measure that I have received and The last part ‘and addition. It is some ­ thing she is constantly inspire those around her to do the same. Vacha recalls instances from her child- Manchester, Vacha started her career as a teacher to the deaf. In 1965 she met a 17- ment to the deaf and deaf-blind in her year-old girl Shyama Mehta who was adult years. “As a young schoolgirl in bom deaf and progressively lost her eye-I j s i OUR SPORTS CUPS ARE WINNERS ALL THE WAY Any sports event requires cups and shields to honour the winner. We have a very wide range of sports cups,shields and medals that can make any sports event a memorable one. Oome to our show-room and choose from our exclusive range. We can engrave names and messages on sports cups and shields according to your requirements. ‘Silver plat'pO • and engr^'^Q ^undertaKeni S JHAVERI BROS. 1914 • 5, Metro House,Dhobi Talao, Bombay 400 020. Tel.:29 14 23, 29 70 26. • 345,Abdul Rehman St., = Bombay 400 003. 5 Tel.:32 00 65. 32 61 96 / 97. ‘ 1914 > o z m m -I co I sight till she was totally blind by the age of 16. “Her courage, her sense of humor, her sharp memory amazed me. She was instrumental in showing me the true spirit of courage. Indeed, she changed the en ­ tire pattern of my life, ” Vacha records. From then on Vacha started to think in ­ creasingly about deaf-blind children. In 1971 she took a seven-year-old deaf-blind bc,y Persy, diagnosed as men ­ tally retarded too, under her wing. She believed in him and his mental abilities. This was certified by Dr Edward Water ­ house of the Perkins Institute of the Blind and Deaf-Blind in the USA who, on one of his annual visits to India, diag ­ nosed Persy as a deaf-blind boy with re ­ tarded milestones and not as a retarded boy. In 1974 Dr Waterhouse invited Va ­ cha to participate in a program of the deaf-blind at the Perkins Institute. Vacha returned to India and, despite the odds, ventured into the country ’s un ­ explored valley of silent darkness. And in this valley there was self enlightenment too. “I learned that ideas may come from others sometimes, but I am responsible for my own decisions, ” says Vacha. To Vacha it was a rediscovery of the true 2k)roastrian teaching of choice based on good thoughts, good words and good deeds. Vacha sees a disturbing contradic ­ tion within the Parsi community. Parsis are renowned for their charity and philan ­ thropy but when it comes to sharing their best gift, their religion, they are selfish. “Nowhere does Zarathushtra talk of non­ conversion. He in fact asked his follow ­ ers to spread his message to all comers of the world. ” And spreading goodness, in her own way, is Vacha as the story of Ashok illus ­ trates. When only one year old, Ashok, a deaf-blind boy, was referred to Vacha by an adoption agency as they did not know how to handle a child with his kind of handicap. The Vachas, who have no issue of their own, took the little boy to their home and cared for him for four months, until such time as he was adopted by an American couple. Vacha shows us a let ­ ter from Ashok ’s new parents. In it they mention the medical treatment and opera ­ tions the child has undergone as doctors try to retrieve his vision. They end by thanking the Vachas for giving them Ashok, stating: “He certainly has brought a lot of joy, love and happiness into our home. ” ! j ! i < I r i 30 Parsiana April 1992 With best wishes from Farah & Tanya 1 i ¦i t i 11 i aLAW Wedlock’s end: 1 K. C. Vajifdar With the last amendments the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act is once more in step with current thinking I I the SMA. The only relevant sections of the IPC are 494 and 495 which deal with bigamy. It is important to note that bigamy is not allowed either under the PMDA or the SMA and both these laws lay down that if any marriage is con ­ tracted in violation of these laws it would not only be void but would attract a pen ­ alty of seven years ’ rigorous imprison ­ ment under Section 494 and 495 of the IPC. Under section 32(d) of the PMDA, a Parsi can get a divorce if he/she is able to prove that the defendant has committed adultery, fornication, rape or an unnatural act (defined as carnal intercourse against the order of nature with man, woman or animal and punishwle under section 377 of the IPC with imprisonment up'to 10 What are the responsibilities imposed by marriage and what redress does one spouse have when the other spouse chooses to disregard them? Answers to the question have been a part of the gen­ eral social environment, changing with time. The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act (PMDA) was the first to codify such so­ cial expectations in 1865, becoming the most advanced concept of social justice in India at that time. It was amended in 1936 but, 50 years later, contemporary Parsis were chefing at the restrictions and prejudices of a bygone social era. What is more, in comparison to other, later legislation in the arena of personal law, like the Hindu Marriage and Di­ vorce Act, the PMDA had lost its preem­ inence as a legislation that was in keep­ ing with the spirit of the times. Legal personality K. C. Vajifdar to bring the PMDA in line with the pro- has been filed more than two years after analyses the main clauses of the PMDA visions of several other marriage laws and the plaintiff learned of the fact. since its last amendment in 1988. In a specifically the Special Marriage Act series of six articles Vajifdar explains the (SMA), 1954 and the Hindu Marriage Parsi has no right to get a divorce by cus ­ tom. This sort of custom is, in effect, di ­ vorce by mutual consent. Particular caste punchayets or tribunals have the supported by the Bombay Parsi years). However, a divorce would not be Punchayet (BPP). These amendments are granted on any of these grounds if the suit Unlike some other communities, a changes that have been incorporated as Act (HMA), 1955 whose provisions are also the main heads under which either party to a marriage may apply for di­ vorce. In this issue Vajifdar discusses the similarities and common grounds be­ tween the PMDA, the Special Marriage Act of 1954 and the Indian Penal Code. Forthcoming articles will discuss the le- present amendment includes this provi- hind closed doors), ” where no members gal ramifications of impotency, bigamy, sion in the PMDA and henceforth a Parsi of the public were alloxVfcd, only if such a adultery, desertion, cruelty and change will also be able to get a divorce on the wish was expressed by either party to a of religion. Alimony, distribution of ground of cruelty. Cruelty can be either matrimonial suit. The law now states property and custody of children, all of mental or physical and divorce can be that every suit filed under the PMDA which follow when a marriage breaks up, granted on account of mental cruelty to shall be tried in camera and it shall not be will be discussed in the concluding ar- either party. Mental cruelty is not de- lawful for any person to print or publish tide. fined anywhere in both the Acts but it de- any matter in relation to any such case on more in consonance with the times in which we live. The similarity between the PMDA and authority — recognized by the courts — the SMA now is that it is possible to get a divorce by mutual consent. Under the SMA a person could always get a divorce if cruelty is proved. The hearings were conducted “in camera (be- to pronounce decrees of divorce. This right, however, is not vested in the BPP. Under section 43 of the original Act either party. Mental cruelty is not de ­ fined anywhere in both the Acts but it de ­ pends on the circumstances of each case pain of a fine of up to Rs 1,000. Only the The changes which have taken place in and the Court would decide the issue judgement of the Court may be published the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act bearing in mind the status of the couple, with the previous permission-of the Court. (PMDA) of 1936 under the amendment their background, their financial level, of 1988 were recommended by the Fed ­ eration of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of can get alimony if the wife is rich and India to the Government of India in the has her own income. No such amend- form of proposals to amend the Act. The ment has been made uptil now in the Minorities Commission then considered SMA. these proposals and recommended the proposed amendments which were also nothing to do with either the PMDA or tai problems. Proceedings under the SMA, 1954 and etc. Now, under the PMDA a husband the HMA have always been conducted in camera. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has Koover C. Vajifdar is an advocate of the Bombay High Court. He is a frequent contribu­ tor to rhe general Press on the implications of rhe Rent Act and the legal ramifications of mari- 33 Parsiana April 1992BOOKS JRD An Endearing Portrait Burjor K. Karanjia v. Beyond The Last Blue Mountain — Life Of J. R. D. Tata by R. M- Lala. Published in 1992 in VIKING by Penguin Books India (P) Ltd, B4/ 246 Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 110029. Pp: 398. Price: Rs 295. > i j J. R. D. Tata is a biographer ’s dream sub ­ ject for many reasons: for his achieve- u ments in spheres as diverse as aviation J and family planning, hydroelectrics and ¦ women ’s uplift, soap and steel; for his I unbending qualities of discipline and I leadership that enabled him, bom to the I top echelon, to stay there and at the same I time to consolidate and expand Tata inter- I ests, the exercise tempered always by the I recognition of human relations as the first I principle of management; and, above all, I for the man that he is, cultured, refined, I sophisticated and charmingly aloof, with I an infinite capacity to see the funny side I of things and the quite disarming ability I to laugh at himself. I There is another quality of JRD that is I also a mark of his greatness, but in the I instant case might have proved to be un- I fortunate. That is his humility which led him initially to object to his “life ” being JRD seated in the boardroom. Behind published. His objections were over- " - - ruled, fortunately for posterity and for young men and women with stars in their eyes who might otherwise have been de ­ prived of a glowing success story. But a subject like JRD imposes upon the biographer an additional burden. In a world in which, normally, deeds find it difficult to keep in step with words, he has to find the words to match the deeds. He has to rise to the height of his subject, catch the spark of inspiration off him, as it were. R. M. Lala brings to his biogra- It IS • i s«s»«« - ¦ ¦ ( personal plane used to land to the excite- him is a bust of Jamsetji Tala ment of the residents. Nob^y was more excited than little Jehangir; From then on One does not have to read this record I was hopelessly hooked on aeroplanes of JRD’s achievements to realize how and made up my mind that, come what richly deserving he is of the Bharat Ratna may, one day I^would be a pilot. ”^ _ award. But having read it, one gets the *' ’ rather uncomfortable feeling that the gov­ ernment, having acted dishonorably and dishonestly with JRD on more than one . . occasion in the past, by conferring this aviation industry and its development, in belated honor on him is seeking to redeem itself. Aviation was JRD’s first and remains Sure enough, years later in 1930, he undertook a solo flight in a Gypsy Moth from Karachi to Paris. This was the his ­ toric precursor to the initiation of Indian _¦ ; ¦ ¦ ’ ’ * '1 the course of four decades, into one of India ’s success stories. Tata Air Lines, founded in 1933, became Air India Inter- pny, /jcyona ine his constant love. How this came about national m 1948 wjth the inaugurai mght the requisite amount of hero-worship, but makes for interesting reading. The legen- !• J__ T fk/i flwct t/A Tiv a nianp 35 Parsiana April 1992Then in 1953, like a bolt airline, the int^madonal airline from the blue, came the nadon- and New India — were iiation- alizadon of the aviadon Indus- alized within four years of each try. JRD and Sir Homi Mody H other. Was the enterprise expressed their indignation to worth it, asked JRD, whra the the then union aviation minis- fruits of it were snatched away ter, Jagjivan Ram, at the back- with confiscatory compensa- door manner nadon- tion ? alizadon had been brought in, But the worst was yet to at the cost of heavy losses to come. When, later, the nadon- the shareholders. In the course alizadon of Tata Steel was sug- of discussion JRD asked gested, the then minister Jagjivan Ram whether a bu- George Fernandes added insult reaucradcally run airline sys- to injury once again by telling tern was in the interest of the the magnate patronizingly that country. The minister replied fe - the government would make that it would nq| be run as a him “the czar of the steel in- govemment department and dusiry, ” putdng him in charge hoped that JRD would help them run it. At an Air India reception (from l^t): of all the steel plants of India, including I told Mr Jagjivan Ram that I was so in- Bobby Kooka, Thelly Tata and JRD all the government steel plants that were dignant at the manner in which the gov- making heavy losses! emment had treated the air transport in- ponent of socialism, persuaded him to JRD was hurt and disillusitmed. All dustry during the last three or four years accept — dll 25 years later in 1978, by the hopes he had cherished of budding an and had deliberately brought it to its t' --------. ______________________ •. .... knees, in order to acquire it for a song, removed by Morarji D^ai, the then Prime that to ask me to be the head of the nadon- alized company was to add insult to injury and that I had no intention to preside at him. the much talked about concept of “con- my own execudon, my duty being only to JRD’s protest at what was virtually a t ____ ____ ____ protect the interests of the shareholders dismissal was replied to by the Prime his own case, he said, “I doubt that th«e ard the employees. ” -----...---------. . .___ Worse was the government ’s sheer hypocridcal praise the government is past any industrial execudve in charge of a dishonesty in the matter of compensadon. master at laying on thick on such occa- major enterprise with less power than I “First, they were going to take over — to ’ .................... pay for what they took — and then did an absolutely ^rty thing... The government country and the government itself which banned their (the planes ’) export. We were the worst sufferers. The demorali- said these planes have a value of Rs zadon of Air India, the decline in service. ri At an Air India reception (from left): ponent of socialism, persuaded him to the cruellest of ironies, he was summarily alliance for progress between industry “7? " *' ‘ and government came to nothing. Afirm Minister. Even the elementary courtesy believer in Andrew Carnegie ’s principle of informing him directly was denied of the trusteeship of wealth, he debunked him. the much talked about concept of “con- JRD’s protest at what was virtually a centration of economic power. ” Taking Minister with the sort of meaningless and is anywhere in the wwld outside India master at laying on thick on such occa- i J sions. But, as subsequent events proved, it have. ” wasn ’t JRD but the aviation industry, the He deplored the abolidon of the man­ aging agency system in spite of its tre ­ mendous contribudon to the growth of cAAA/vi- 1. ------------------------------ - Indian industry, recalling how years ago 500,000 in the world. They said exports popularity and profitability, began with Sir Dorabji Tata had pledged his per- were banned and they banned them... just the dismissal of JRD. sonal fortune and his wife ’s jewellwy for before (the) negodations. So what they But JRD had sdll to run an empire, a bank loan to pay the wagp-g nf .Steel paid us was the original cost minus the —'— '• - • • • depreciadon. ” JRD noted that the petrol tax alone, paid by the airlines in seven years, exceeded the total amount paid for when he took over as chairman, the endre I ’ ‘ ‘ _ - _ group consisted of 14 companies. When the one hand, and toTelease for nadon- But JRD had still to run an empire, ____________ unique in India, of steel, electric power, employees. In vain he pleaded that the insurance, cement, oil and soap, and tex- right policy for a socialist government, tiles. A measure of his success is that armed with enormous powers, would be , -----------^-3 to curb the use of illegitimate funds, on the assets by the goveminent. group consisted of 14 companies. When the one hand, and to ’ielease for nation- It was the same thing, complained he laid down office 52 years later, there building purposes all the resources of JRD, when they nationalized the banks were 95 companies, their turnover having those in the private sector whose past rec- and the insurance companies. “With iden- increased from 17 crore rupees to an esti- ord had shown them worthy of the deal dishonesty, they said, ‘When we can mated Rs 10,000 crores. Perhaps the se- nation ’s trust, on the other. But his pleas save money, why not?! So they didn t cret, as he confided to Lala, is : “If I have fell on deaf ears. The manaEinE aEenev care a damn, including Jawaharlal! ” --------------------- ----------- . ..............................? Of course JRD was offered the chair ­ manship of both the domestic and inter- nadonal airlines. He was reluctant to ac ­ cept it, fearing that if he did, the govern ­ ment would be emboldened to grab an ­ other industry, pay minimum compensa- ______ ________ ___ don and then get the top industrialist to fecdon. pears to have been quite a charactn, he preside as a government nominee. But JRD’s fears when offered the chair- would say: “She was a very formidable his colleagues, the 18 heads of depart- manship of Air India and Indian Airlines lady. Her husband was a humorist and merits at Bombay House, including, sur- proved to be true. Three companies after some dme with her ran away, as prisingly, M. R. Masani, a vigorous op- ¦ ..... .. . were 95 companies, their turnover having those in the private sector whose past rec- increased from 17 crore rupees to an esti- - - - - mated Rs 10,000 crores. Perhaps the se- any merit it is getting on with individuals system was terminated in April 1970. according to their ways and characteris- " tics. In 50 years I have dealt with a 100 top directors and I got on with all of them. At times it involves suppressing yourself. _______________ It is painful but necessary... to be a leader Mountain is replete with examples of this you have to lead human beings with af- quality. Of his Granny Briere who ap- JRD’s fears when offered the chair- If JRD wasn ’t embitter^, it was be ­ cause he could always fall back on his inner resources, chief of which was his sense of humor. Beyond The Last Blue proved to be true. which Tata had nurtured -- the domestic anyone would have done had he been 36 Parsiana April 1992 I 4 *1 t1 M V, 1 Imamed to my grandmother. ” When the my name is spelt ‘Jeh, ’ in abbreviation of human aspect in all that he did: “All my Germans took over Paris, Granny Briere, ‘Jehangir ’ and that any resemblance be- management contributions were on the then 90, was one of the very few to be al- tween me and the bird is purely coinci- human aspect, through inducing, convinc- lowed to leave the city. Comments JRD: dental. ” ing and encouraging the human being.... ” “I always say they allowed her to get out More than his remarkable achieve- JRD had the example of his forbears to of Paris in self-defence! ” ments, it is the little personal touches that live up to. Beyond... shows how it was the No other chairman could possibly have make JRD come alive in these pages: The pioneer Jamsetji who dreamed a magnifi- got away with what he told an earnest inferiority complex he suffer^ from for cent dream. Sir Dorab and Sir Rai an Tata ‘Jehangir ’ and that any resemblance be ­ tween me and the bird is purely coinci ­ dental. ” More than his remarkable achieve ­ ments, it is the little personal touches that live up to. Beyond... shows how it was the shareholder at an annual gen ­ eral meeting. This share ­ holder complained that his wife, who had been using Tata Hamam soap for years now, found that its quality had deteriorated. JRD told him, “If your wife is so dis ­ contented, she must change the soap. ” The shareholder replied, “Sir, she won ’t do that, she will never do that. ” “Then, ” said JRD, “you must change your wife. ” When as president of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), JRD was asked for a photograph to hang on the walls of his IATA office, he complied with a covering letter: “As re ­ quested, I send herewith a photograph of myself to join the ‘Rogues Gallery ’ on the walls of your room. ” But JRD could be bitingly sarcas ­ tic too, as he was when Romesh Thapar, a known who gave it rich substance, and JRD himself who con­ solidated and expanded its parameters. In this he was helped by all the members of his family, his dear wife Thelly with whom he has had a love affair spanning several decades, his brothers and sis ­ ters, his co-directors, col ­ leagues and workers who gave of their unstinted loyalty and devotion, a truly dedi­ cated team. What might have struck a jarring note in this story is JRD’s initial support of the Emergency. “I diink I was wrong, ” he later admitted. “But it was my feeling at the time. You could put if that I regret it today, but in those days the apparent disintegra ­ tion that could have led to anything, appalled me. ” JRD feels that the presi ­ dential system of government is more suited to Indian con- 1 I s supporter of the Communist Party, wrote Suzanne (Sooni) R. D. Tata with her five to “My dear Jay, ” that he had given JRD’s children (from left): Rodabeh, JRD, name as reference in his application for a Jimmy, Sy Ila and Darab position in the Foreign Service. JRD gave a scorching reply: “I have no objec ­ tion at all to your having given my name engineering degree at Cambridge. His appointed Municipal Commissioner of as a reference, although I do think it is a debt of gratitude to John Peterson, ICS, the Bombay Municipal Corporation. It sad commentary on the present condition then working for Tata Steel, for initiating and frame of mind of the proletariat that him into the principles of management. its leaders are reduced to seeking the sup ­ port of bloodsucking capitalists such as one occasion to berate no less a person myself! However, I shall cooperate out of than His Excellency the Governor, Sir colleague of JRD’s is reported to have enlightened self-interest, as I may one day Stanley Jackson, for keeping several said that in some ways the doyen of in- have to come to you for similar support hundred persons including women and dustrialists had everything, but in other under somewhat altered circumstances. I children waiting for an hour, so that His ways nothing. If a colleague seeing him would be content with a minor post, say. Excellency ’s car could pass, on a bitter working late in the office pleaded with as commissar for industries with a couple cold morning in Daijeeling. His meticu- of dachas, three American cars and a few lous attention to detail, even to the lip- servants (including a member of the se- stick worn by Air India hostesses: “White cret police) thrown in... Yours, Jeh. ” APS lipstick from a distance makes you look able to loneliness, which tends to creep to the letter is uproarious: “I have looked like a corpse and the passenger is not very in like a thief in the night But in the up the dictionary and find that jay is ‘a interested in being served by one who light of day this is only a delusion of the noisy, chattering, European bird of bril- looks like a corpse. ” His preference for mind, a strange revenge of the whirligig liant plumage, ’ and, figuratively, an im­ pertinent chatterer or simpleton. For fu- is a little on the edge, on the verge of dis- and reaped handsomely, there is now a ture reference please note therefore that aster... ” The importance he gave to the whole rich harvest to be gathered. not having been allowed to acquire an ditions than the parliamentary one. One wishes, though, that his case for the for ­ mer had been less sketchily presented. And, to set the record straight. Sir Arde- shir Dalal was not the first Indian to be was Sir Rustom Masani. It is said that lonelihess is the penalty The flashes of temper that drove him on tagged on to greatness. The top is always a lonely place to be. In the biography a him to go home, he was wont to reply: “What have I to go home to ?” True, a life lived so glorious is vulner- living dangerously: “I like everything that of time. For one who has sowed wisely, is a little on the edge, on the verge of dis- 37 Parsiana April 1992BOOKS Saklatvala A Compassionate Socialist THE FIFTH C Dina Mehta The Fifth Commandment — biography of Shapurji Saklatvala by his daughter Sehri Published in 1991 by Miranda Printed by Manchester Free Press. Saklatvala. Press. Paragon Mill, Jersey Street, Manchester M4 6FP, UK. Pp: 487. Price: £ 4.95. StUPi \PUHJI \ATVALA 0 M M A N D M E N T died in Vienna. Apart from his grief, Shapurji felt personally vulnerable now that the loving protection of his powerful uncle was no longer there. His fears were not unfounded, according to his daughter, for after the crucial minerals were located (thanks to his perseverance against all odds) and the company was being structured, Shapurji was eased out of the business. With his uncle dead, his health failing and faced with antagonism from his cous ­ ins, Shapurji left for England in 1905, where he met Sally Marsh, his future wife, whose name he changed to Sehri. He fathered a brood of five children, the youngest of which was daughter Sehri who was to publish his biography in 1991, when she was 72 years old. Had Shapurji flourished in the family i naa-t<-kr3, Vrundavan Soc, Marjiwada, Thane (W), 400601; March 21 Pestonji KuverjiAsli (86), 9/10, Cool Mhl, Noshir Bharucha Rd, 400007; March 21 Dinshaw Rustomji Battliwala (73), 764/F, Sarosh Court, Tilak Rd, Dadar, 400014; March 21 Bomanshah Behramji Bhesania (71), 688, Wadia Bldg, Dinshaw Master Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 21 Gool Menekaji Dalal (J3), Silla-Villa, 21, Megharaj Sethi Marg, Bombay Central, 400008; March 21 Minocher Rustomji Keravala (91), bll, Palia Mans, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 21 Banoobai Jehangirji Khot (79), (,i9r22. Dr D. Master Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 21 Tehmurasp Dadabhoy Patel (90), Kuver Hse, Sassoon Dock, 400005; March 21 Jal Nawroji Elavia (Ji), 12, Bai Hirabai Petit Bldg, Grant Rd Stn, 400007; March 22 Bahadur Keki Gotla (27), 684, Lalkaka Hse, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 22 Piroja Phiroze Panthaki (81), Wadia Bldg, 604/E, S. Gandhi Marg, 400002; March 22 Shireenbai Jalejer Mistry (88), H/14, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; March 23 Perin Jehangir Virjee (73), 801, Coover Villa, Khareghat Rd, 400014; March 23 Aloo ManekshaJt Billimoria (76), 266, Patel Bldg, Opp Central Cinema, Girgaon, 400004; March 24 Shainaz Mherwan Irani (35), 30, Jamaji Todiwalla Chawl, Sun Mill Rd, Parel, 400013; March 24 Banoo Cawasji Mody (78), 648, Kaka Bldg, Firdoshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 24 Khorshed Bejonji Talati (85), 52, Jupiter, 1, Anstey Rd, Cumballa Hill, 400026; March 24 Banoo Burjor Sinor (75), 1/11, A. H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; March 25 Keki Furdooryi Zaveri (60), 5/1, Ratan Tata Clny, Sir Ratan Tata Rd, Tardeo, 400034; March 25 Rutton Dossabhoy Patel (83), C/4, Sangam Bhavan, Opp Strand Cinema, Colaba, 400005; March 26 Homai Sorabji Aderianwalla (90), C/o Ms Roshan Hoshang Tata, Dara Mirza Bldg, Tata Blocks, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; March 27 Tehmina Cawasji Tatra (85), D, Petit Chawl, Dinsha Petit St, 400004; March 27 Gool Ratansha Kearak (81), 5, Jehangir Mans, 1st Marine St, Dhobitalao, 400(X)2; March 28 Houshang Darabs^haw Elavia (54), 5/12, Tau Clny, Sir Ratan Tata Rd, Tardeo, 400034; March 29 Nusserwanji Sorabji Masalawala (80), 12/A, Panthaki Baug, Andheri, 400069; March 30 Dady Burjorji Mistry (81), 607^, Sohrab Hse, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 30 Ratanbai Rustomji Mody (92), 386-B, Sir Jagmohandas Bldg, J.S.S. Rd, 400002; March 30 Homtu Rustom Andax (78), Windsor Chmbs, Cawasjee Patel St, Fort, 400001; March 31 5 I ? CALCUTTA Died Dinshaw Madan, husband of Behroz a^d father of Armine and Neville; March 13 I I i * M.PkLLOHJl & co PRWKUMn®- Industrial Pointing, Coating,Anti-corrosion Water-proofing,Construction, Diving & Offshore Contractors. 87, Abdul Rehman Street, Bombay 400003 Tel : 324150/336607 Tlx : 011 75871 MPEL IN, Fax : 022-2152998 ( I k. 43 Parsiana April 1992Piroja Darab Driver, mother of Shirin and Jimmy; March 27 DARJEELING Bora A boy, Anaosfudt, to Dimple and Marzban Mody; February 11 KANPUR Died Dhunmai Bamanji Sukhia; March 2 POONA Died Munchi Ardeshir Gohvala (91), 661, Taboot St, 411001; March 20 SURAT Died Jalejar Faramroze Bhathena (68), Ami Cottage, Vanki Bordi, 395003; March 1 Alamai Gustadji Kavina {93), Elor Park, Gujarat Hsg Board, Baroda, 390002; March 11 Pervez Sorabji Junwamvala (58), Makipa Falyu, Vanki Bordi, 395003; March 21 Alabai Jehanbux Sena {96), Adagca Mohalla, Nanpura, 395001; March 23 Khorshedbanu Jehangirji Munshi (68), Gam Amamal, Post Karjan, Taluka Kamrej, 394180; March 28 ADELAIDE Bora A girl, Priya, to Taina and Tinmy Pavri; February 21 Died Ardeshir Maneckji Khory {69); January 6 Cooverbai Darabsha Gohvalla (90); January 10 Bachubai Gustad Framji (80); January 15 Jamshed Peshotan Patel {Tl); January VI Kersi Nusserwaiyi Patel {12); January 22 Sam Jamshedji Mulla (61); February 2 Shirin Jeahangir Mody (82); February 1 Noshirwan Rustam Asli {51); February 11 Parinbanu Ratanshaiiv Kapadia (91); February 25 Behram Rustanyi Kermani {12); February 25 LONDON Married Vera D. Shroff and Farroakh Homi Parekh-, December 22,1991 Died Vispi Mistri {A2), son of Hilla and Keki; February 23,1992 Nancy Ardesher Cowasjee {66); February 26 QUEBEC Married Dinaz Bhatena, daughter of Sheroo and Minoo, and Khushroo Kongo, son of Banoo and Adi; September 28,1991 TOTALS FOR 1992 TORONTO Married Zarine Dover of New Delhi, daughter of Freny and Rustom, and Rajiv Silgardo', January 18,1992 The telling figures The annual figures for births, marriages and deaths for 1990 were not published as Parsiana had been awaiting the birth fig­ ures 1 Corporation. After making sev- augmenting the Parsiana figure for total births in 1990 of 244 by 45 percent, the estimated total births may be reckoned at 354. from the Bombay Municipal Similarly, the Parsiana birth fig- „ • ure of 319 for 1991 may be aug- eral inquiries we were informed mented to an estimated 463. that the Municipal birth certificate In 1990 there were approxi- no longer states the religion of the mately 610 more deaths than child. Thus there is no way of births - a rise over the 1989 fig­ knowing the total number of ure of 571 (see 1989: The telling In 1991 there were 100 fewer deaths and 75 more births than in 1990. Hence, the difference be­ tween deaths and births — which depicts the numerical decline of the community - is estimated Petit Parsee General Hospital, the low^ at 407. Breach Candy Hospital, the Parsi The marriage totals for 1991, births to Zoroastrians in Bombay figures," Parsiana, May^ 1990). unless one were to visit each and every hospital and nursing home in the city to gather the facts. The birth figures cited are the totals of births listed in Parsiana. Their source is primarily the B. D. _____ , . . ~ i marriage totals for 1991, Lying-in Hospital wad the Masina 458, too showed an increase by . Hospital. It should also be spcci- 108 over the 1990 total of 350. fied that the births mentioned in While in 1991 the percentage of Parsiana include offsprings of in­ tercommunity marriages irrespec- intercommunity marriages was around 19 (if calculated as a ratio A ] five of whether the father or the of intercommunity marriages to mother is a Zoroastrian. the total number of marriages We may assume from past 88:458), and 24 percent (if calcu- percentages that the Parsiana fig- lated as a ratio of intercommunity ¦ ~ ~ . lated as a ratio of intercommunity ures represent around 55 percent marriages to community mar- of the Bombay births. Hence, riages — 88:370), in 1990 the corresponding figures were 22 (80:350) and 30 (80:270). We list below the actual Bom­ bay numbers: Hence, VICTORIA, British Columbia Died Naoroji D. Kooka, husband of Jini and father of Nergis, Rashna Charania, Yezdee and Farrokh; September 20 CHICAGO Bom A girl, Karishma, to Zenobia and Khurshed Kasad, sister to Cherag; February 7 BORN Boys Gills Bombay Other Indian cities Foreign cities A B A B A B 7 9 26 32 1 4 1 2 HOUSTON Married Niloofer Madon of Bombay, daughter of Dinoo and Jamasp, and Swapan Mondal; February 20 MARRIED Parsi Intercommunal 27 57 1 1 2 2 1 1990 Born: Etoys 142, Girls 102 Married: Parsi 270 Intercommunal 80 Died: Interred 964 Cremated 12 Body donated 1 KARACHI Bora A girl, Veera, to Alla and Burjor Rustomji; January 27 A girl, Tara, to Anaheet and Eddie Shroff, Ptksnary 13 DIED Male 46 Female 38 A: Total numbers in this issue B: Running totals for 1992 (February and March issues) These figures pertain to information provided to or collected by Parsiana. They do not represent the total number 99 the condolence resolution. The AAA’s chief purpose was to distribute text and exercise books to school and college stu ­ dents at nominal cm * no cost, an activity he had been undertaking in his individual capacity since a young age from his mea ­ ger pocket money. Besides, several Gujarati productions of this Association did Godiwala participate in or script. He also spared time and resources for the P. D. Marker Physical Culture Institute where he was trustee, states Dadrawala. Godiwala ’s own health in the mean ­ time was deteriorating with mounting ten ­ sion, increasing diabetes and kidney com ­ plications that required regular dialysis. Although there was a manifold in ­ crease in the work pressures, he never regretted switching over to catering mid- 1 Godiwala’s hearty helpings the taste of a dish before it was served. ” Therefore, while his wife Freny would stream in 1964, believes Neville, supervise the service tendered to the Godiwala ’s first job was with Indian guests, Rohinton would position himself Oxygen and later as foreman at near the kitchen. And since he had no Firestone. A graduate in arts from Bom- qualms about dirtying his hands when a bay ’s Khalsa College, he additionally cook or a rotliwala threatened to leave, he gave tuitions in mathematics. His love had only to start doing the work himself for challenges then made him start a bak- and the labor problem would be resolved, ery. Renowned, as a partnership venture, observed his son. Later he went On to run the canteens for Godiwala ’s magnanimity extended not the National and Grindlays Bank, the only to his customers, but to his friends, Parsi Gymkhana and the Cusrow Baug • neighbors, the poor and the destitute. Pavilion. The last served as a stepping I neignoors, me poor ana me uesuiuic. ravtiiun. luc uisi scivcu oa a stepping . When catering for ghambars, he would stone from where he started accepting J charge the lowest possible rates and even private orders. And as the husband and include an extra course on the house, ac- wife team slogged away, the children ; Died: Rohinton Bejonji Godiwala, 57, include an extra course on the house, ac- wife team slogged away, the children leading caterer of Bombay, on November knowledged Ms Homai Modi, one of the were left under the care of their grand- 12,1991 following renal complications. chief organizers of community functions, mothers, looking forward to the time A simple, unassuming man who would The surplus from his catering assignments spent with their parents on long holidays always be in the background, attired in a would often go to the widows ’ chawl at every two years. cotton shirt and trousers, Godiwala was Mazagaon. Several individuals too bene- Of the three children, Tanaz, the constantly sought by people of means for fitted from his largesse. Remembers his youngest is most interested in the cater- . ¦ * ing line. In fact, after her was named their allied business, Tanaz Dectxators, an off- would often go to the widows ’ chawl at every two years. Mazagaon. Several individuals too bene- a meal catered by him carried with it the neighbor Noshir Dadrawala, now execu- flavor of distinction. tive secretary of the Centre for Advance- With their increasing popularity, often ment of Philanthropy, “Knowing that shoot of the catering business that sup- the Godiwalas would be catering at more both my parents had died when I was 18 plies furniture, cutlery and linen to others than one baug in Bombay on the same and still studying, he had extended an in the trade. Just before Godiwala ’s evening. At massive community gather- open invitation that I cojuld always come death, the family had submitted a tender ings like Jamshedi Navroze ghambars for a free meal at any of the baugs where for the running of the canteen at Elphin- they would be entrusted with the catering, he was catering. ” Not only Dadrawala but stone Club, but subsequently withdrew it. But the ultimate recognition came when several others too availed of such offers. according to a family source. Several outlets in Bombay started sell ­ ing Godiwala eats off the counter. The But the ultimate recognition came when several others too availed of such offers, they had the dinner paats laid out with red ‘ " cloth instead of the customary white in i , _ honor of Ms Indira Gandhi, the then children, donate vessels every year during caterers twice tried to establish a daily prime minister, who was present at a cele- muktad to the Dalal Agiary, in Bombay ’s distribution network but could not suc- bration function hosted by her husband ’s Mazagaon area, mentioned Ervad Nari- ceed, reports Neville. Godiwala ’s “mam Parsi cousins. man Dalal at a condolence meeting con- dream, ” as was often conveyed to his Only last year, at an exhibition, Para- vened by the Amateur Artistes Associa- family, was to set up Godiwala Enter- sika, documenting the contribution of tion (AAA) on November 30. This Asso- prises, a setup akin to the Sir Ratan Tata Parsis in India, Godiwala was approached ciation which he was instrumental in Institute, supplying quality f^ and of- The caterer is survived by his wife Besides, he was also known to finance navjote ceremonies of poor Zoroastrian muktad to the Dalal Agiary, in Bombay ’s Mazagaon area, mention^ Ervad Nari ­ man Dalal at a condolence meeting con ­ vened by the Amateur Artistes Associa- sika, documenting the contribution of tion (AAA) on November 30. This Asso- for his ’recipes. He had a natural flair for founding in 1957, he further served as fering employment to the needy, cooking though he had never studied at a president, custodian, honorary general catering college, informs his son Neville, secretary and member of the managing Freny, son Neville and daughters Roxan adding, “He was a better cook than my committee at different times, according to and Tanaz. Puinax Gandhi 48 Parsiana April 1992 j I 5 I .« J s £ I i i t