Jun 1992

> 'a *' I 22 USA - r ,« .c* #« f :e ao 2T^^ »? •t 22 - 22^" 1 ^'1 ¦' I' 22 § 222^^ ; 22"^* il'Xi - 3 "0^1 . USA ^1 , t 7 SSS^-' * I .F^ '1 I SEDITOR 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 OFFICE Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia D'Silva, Bakhtavar Batliwalla, Nowzer Batiiwala, Bindu Pillai, Sugatha S. Kurup, Asha Pillai OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare, Pramod Patil 2 Readers’ Forum 9 Events and Personalities 17 Zoroastrians Abroad 20 The stamp safari by Meher Marfatia 23 The 1992 BPP Elections by Gustasp Irani June 1992 Volume 14 Number 12 25 Federation lends a sympathetic ear by Parinaz Gandhi 31 Wedlock’s end: 3 by K. C. Vajifdar 33 Dastur’s Deliveries 35 Milestones 39 In Memoriam Cover: Stamps on wildlife from Darabshaw Mistry’s collection 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 SUeet, Bombay 400001. Covers printed at Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Color processing. Comart Lithographers; and black and white processing, Samir Process. All rights reserved. Phone: 2048730 Fax: 2042922 For editorial enquiries; 2048183 Telex 11-85710 RABO IN Annual inland subscription Rs 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 475/US $ 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 400001READERS’ FORUM »f * * • i >'» » i » « . I » U » » * • «» r I » < » ? »»k I»F»?»» ? < • ? * ‘ f ‘ ‘ • l.y I (I «.« 1 * '* M i » r 9 » 9 1 » « t < t M > 1 , I t , 4 '9 > » »i I j I» f 1 »»»»» * . .»•«» *?* • > » * » , , ? (ft**** » M ? > » * t rt t»911 * 9 9 9 * * ytf 4^ * « 9 t < M M** Iranians. A Kurd litterateur in a very . ............... . suggestive writing acclaims himself as a Zardoshti and dinbehi (of the excellent and religious. Why should the modem faith). Prince Sureya Bedr Khan, a re- Parsi/lrani relegate his/her age-old cus- nowned leader of the Kurdish Independ- toms to the dustbin of history, when ent League, mentions in one of his jour- younger members of other Indian com- nals that many Kurds, notably the munities are taking a renewed interest in Yazidis, have clung to their ancient faith. The late Prince Amadudda Davla, who belonged to the royal family of Kajjars cred Avesta, Pahlavi and Persian writings ! arc as important as the holy Gathas. For «•»» »»»»!?( k t», I it Liiihihii Si’ wb:- I. »’• ¦»nt ¦ Each religion has its own set of tradi ­ tions, customs ahd injunctions, both legal their own customs and traditions? For Parsi/lrani Zarathushtrians the sa- <-**»*.<*«# * •* r «« k I ¦ * - * W 4 » 4 < , 5 x* 5^ Ki ___ „_________,______, and whose administration of the province M of Yazd is still remembered by the people us, even the famed SAoh Namah oi ¦ with gratitude, used to identify himself as Firdausi is considered a sacred and be- ¦ Ahura-Parast and Mazdayasni (worship- loved heritage. It is not a “socio-religious ¦ per of Ahura Mazda and of the heritage ” as Mr Jafarey would have us ¦ Mazdayasni faith). ” believe but an entirely religious heritage I The fact that these Kurds acknowledge in spite of virulent criticism from various I ‘Zaradhust ’ as their prophet and that they quarters. The learned Firdausi himself ¦ accept the Zend A vesta as their holy book ¦ should dispel any doubts that they are pre- ¦ tenders. ¦ The Parsis in India have flourished in a ¦ secular, multi-religious, multi-linguistic fables and fairy tales because every age is ' ¦ and multi-racial society, whereas our an- different from another and things are dif- I cient coreligionists have struggled for ferent in each era. This same mature view over 1,300 years in a hostile atmosphere. However, as your article and the ex­ tract from Sanjana ’s book suggest, if not Yashts as well as the Gathas. all the Kurds, at least the Yazidis of Kur ­ dish origin should be recognized as the Zarathushtra ’s teachings according to his conscience and individual interpretation. This, however, does not mean that re ­ formist Parsis/non-Parsis impose their own views on a community that still be- li states: “7'm een raa dooroogh ofasaanah madaan, Ba yaksaan ravesh dor zatnaanah ma2aan,” which means don ’t regard the stories in the Shah'Namah as Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers* Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of followers of Zoroaster, space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. holds good for non-Galhic writings, Parsi/lrani Zarathushtrians revere the Any individual is free to follow Asho DrP. D. SUNAVAl-A “The Purifying... ” I have read the arguments of Mr Ali A. Jafarey in his very informative article lievcs (and will continue to believe, come “The Purifying Prescriptions ” (Parsiana, what may) in ancient traditions and hal ­ lowed customs. On religious matters like The ancestors of the modern Parsis and dokhmenashini, nirangdin and gomez, we Zarathushtrian Iranis suffered untold (Parsi/lrani Zarathushtrians) would prefer to follow ancient traditions. We also do not accept conversions and mixed mar ­ riages. There is also a strong feeling that “Are the Kurds...” The article “Are the Kurds Zoroastrians? ” October 1991). (Parsiana, March 1992) begins with the statement that reports on surviving Middle Eastern tribes witli Zoroastrian hardship, persecution and tyranny in the antecedents have been a major revelation days after the Arab invasion of Iran. The of 1991. This suggests that the claim Jazia tax was not abolished until late in made by the Iraqi Kurds of professing the the nineteenth century when a handful of only Parsi/lrani Zarathushtrian children ancient Zoroastrian faith is something in the nature of a discovery. However, this relevant connection was and through British influence got it abol- recognized over 60 years ago as borne out ished forever. Even in India, the an- by J. B. Sanjana ’s A Comprehensive His- cient Parsis were not totally immune to tory of the Par sis, published in 1935. I persecution during the Mughal era. quote the pertinent extract from Sanjana ’s Considering all this and more, I feel the els, depending On the soul ’s keshash (des ­ book (p 605): Parsi and Irani Zarathushtrians deserve tiny). For this reason Parsi/lrani “The Kurds, who number over two and a half million, claim to be descended di- ancient religious customs and practices ets of the Vendidad in its totality. They rectly from the ancient Persians and lake without any hindrance from friends and should not shun the use of bull ’s urine and pride in recognizing themselves as genu- critics both here and abroad. other ceremonies which recomm^d conscientious Parsis made a represenia- be considered for adoption, tion to the then Muslim Shah of Iran While it is true that ancient Zara- thushtrian tenets have influenced Islam in Iran, it is also a fact that all religions have their own distinct features. Each religion caters to individual souls on different lev- Parsi and Irani Zarathushtrians deserve tiny). to be encouraged to follow all their Zarathushtrians require to follow the ten- ancient religious customs and practices 2 Parsiana June 1992i 2 BETTER WAYS TO KEEP YOUR PRECIOUS POSSESSIONS SHINING BRIGHT. hilver Sparkle Instant Silver Cleaner Silver Sparkle ’ cleans, polishes and removes tarnish faster than conventional polishes. Just dip and rinse. ‘Silver Sparkle ’ cleans and polishes without removing silver. ‘ Silver Sparkle ’ is a real labour and time saver. o s: m m (D io l\5 Mso avato'’'® lAade in - • -Cto* on yott’ 1 JHAVERI BROS. 1914 • S,Metro House,Dhobitalao,Bombay 400 020. Tel : 29 14 23,29 70 26. • 34S,Abdul Rehman St.,Bombay 400 003. Tel ; 32 00 65, 32 61 96/97. washing with gomez and water as a pre- know the importance of gomez. For those r^uiske. Ervad Shams-ul-Ulama Dr Sir bom in the Zarathushtrian faith, mere Jivanji Jamshedji Modi in his scholarly work on The Religious Ceremonies and Customs of the Parsees quotes Proi Rapp body. The beast within us, however, as follows: “And before we determine to bring in accord all the customs of the an ­ cient world that were employed for purifi ­ cation to our modem rational notions, we to life the greatest good. ” In practical, might like to know to be sure what advan ­ tage has that blood of an animal which Moses used, in respect of the purpose in both gomez and water are a strict neces- view, over the urine of an ox!... the entire sity. Mr Ali Jafarey has quoted Prof ceremonial law of Zoroaster rests upon James Darmesteter from the Sacred the conception of a pure and impure crea- Books of the East, Vol 23: “Wash thy tion... corporeal impurity was just as pun- hands with water, not with gomez.” Mr ishable and just as abhorrent in the eyes of Ali Jafarey has however forgotten to pub- Ahura Mazda, the Pure, as the moral im ­ purity of the soul. ” The Ahd Nameh is no “fabrication ” as Mr Ali Jafarey would have us believe. In num purification (Vendidad VIII, 39). fact there are three AhdNamehs. The first The unclean man washes himself with Ahd Nameh “was granted by the blessed gomez first and with water last. ” Clearly Nabi Muhammad himself to Mehdi the gracious king was not in a state of un- Farukh been Sakshan, brother of Salman- cleanness to warrant washing with gomez. e-Farsi, and bears the Nabi’s seal at the Hence the instruction to wash his hands end. The second Arabic Ahd Nameh was with water only. It would be wrong to granted by the blessed Hazrat Ali to interpret this as a command to .wash with Zarathoshlra Behram Shad bin Khiradars, and bears the date of the month of Rajab in the Hirji year 39. The third Ahd Nameh ways been a peace-loving people, never in the Iranian language was granted by Ali interfering in the rites and religious cus- ibin Abu Tahlib to the descendants of toms of other people. All of us would Adarbad Marispand to his posterity. ” obviously like to see the same sentiment These Ahd Namehs are “documents of expressed by members of other communi ­ concessions, rights and privileges granted ties. by the blessed Nabi and Hazrat Ali his saintly son-in-law to the Zarathushtrians of the times. ” Salman-e-Farsi was in the words of has no faltering utterance, the faith that Prof Edward G. Browne “the only Persian wields the felling halbert, the faith of kin- (bom in the Zarathushtrian faith) who was dred marriage, the holy (creed) which is included in the honored circle of the As- hab or ‘companions. ’” He has been iden ­ tified as Dastur Dinyar who conferred that shall in future come to knowledge, with the prophet on religious matters. The Vendidad from the word Vi- daeva-dat (law against the demons) is the good, and such shall be the worship of the Leviticus of the Parsi scriptures. The Mazdayasnian belief! ” Jews had laws regarding purification of duunframbillimoria women, clean and unclean food, and other Caicmu sundry laws. The Vendidad is a complete code on sanitary living for persons bom in Perils of purity the Zarathushtrian faith. It is more valid We Parsis take pride in boasting about the today in the densely materialistic time.s in which the Zarathushtrians live. Over ­ crowding and congestion, immorality and The census carried out every 10 years in vice in urban areas bring about conditions India gives us a grim reminder of an that require remedies as set out in the alarming rate of decline in our population Vendidad. Unfortunately many modem figures, of 10,000-15,(XX) every decade. Parsi/Irani Zarathushtrians do not care to A.s a community we have one of the high- soap and shampoo are of no avail. The first duty is purity — of mind and makes things difficult for us and the duty is more often, not fulfilled. Zarathushtra says: “Purity is for man next Asho everyday life, water {ab) is of course a very great asset, but there are times when lish the learned professor ’s footnote on this quotation. Prof James Darmesteter says: “This is an allusion to the baresh- water and give up gomez. Parsi/Irani Zarathushtrians have al- A quotation from Yasna XII (verse 9) will be in order here: “Yea, I praise at once the faith of Mazda, the faith which I ¦i i 1 ! I i I 1 i J *! '! »>» the most imposing, best and most beauti ­ ful of all religions which exist, and of all Ahura ’s faith, the Zaralhushtrian creed. Yea to Ahura Mazda do I ascribe all purity of our race. We are one of the smallest ethnic communities in the world. 4 Parsiana June 1992 I i 5incidence of genetically vulnerable have to survive as a small community ..................................... -----•------:iii ------f ---------- •--’3 population. Let not the swan song of our community but we will die pure! ” buildings adding to the congestion of the city in general and the Nepean Sea Road and Walkeshwar area in particular. DrEP. ANTIA est incidence oi genetically vuineraoie nave lo survive as a wiwu wmuuumy diseases like cancer of breasts, high blood with the teeming millions of our country ’s pressure, diabetes, G6PD deficiency, etc. population. Let not the swan song of our With a serious drop in our population die-hard orthodox be we are , a dying and our norms insisting on marriages community but we will die pure! ” within our community, we are heading to- Dr m. d. dis aw alia wards a grave concentration of genetic Bangalore abnormalities in the generations to come. _ , . „ . In the present circumstances even mar- riages between first cousins may be con- Dr Russi Dastur ’s meritorious work in a mango grove, .etc. It is situated five sidef^ a§ risky on eugenic grounds and promoting the good health of thousands kms away on the Agra-Bombay Road, a in the generations to come our small com ­ munity will face disastrous repercussions of genetic abnormalities. Our archaic laws and customs debar children bom of a Parsi woman and her non-Parsi spouse from being inducted as Zoroastrians even though both the parents may be willing to do so. Strangely, the same rule does not apply to children bom of a Parsi male and his non-Parsi spouse. I am not advocating marriages outside our community. But we must now be practi- But for this Park... Dr Russi Dastur ’s meritorious work in Indore dokhma needs help The Indore dokhma complex has over five acres of land on which stand a dokhma, a bungli, two rooms, a well, a mango grove, .etc. of citizens and hundreds of athletes portion of land measuring 2.43 acres should be ap- was in the possession of a cultivator, preciated. The Recently, it wasrelievedofencroachment, Priyadarshini but the cultivator, in turn, has filed Park at Nepean civil and criminal suits against the Sea Road has Anjuman. come into exist ­ ence the efforts of Dr Parsi charitable organizations. We need Dastur. He is two lakh rupees to meet the expenses of the president of litigation, construction of a w^l round this sprawling the dokhma site, fencing of the open area, of land which serves as a place for keeping watch to avoid further encroach- This appeal for help is addressed to ev- through ery benevolent Zoroastrian as well as sprawling the dokhma site, fencing of the open area, cal and sensible, and salvage hundreds of area of land which serves as a place for keeping watch to avoid further encroach- -- _____ 1____ - - - - •—. nients, etc. All help may please be sent to our community. We could thus introduce, merable citizens of Bombay. This Park is the Indore Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman •__________________________________(which is a registered body), C/o Dr J. N. The area covered by this Park far ex- Pohowalla,6/2,SouthTukoganj,Indore, ceeds that of the Hanging Gardens in the ’ phiroz madan same vicinity. But for this Park there convener, Dokhma Protection Commiltee, Indore would have been many more residential ------------------- - ------------------------—— children and bring them within the fold of recreation and outdoor exerci^ even in a small measure, a change in the also used for training Indian athletes, genetic profile without in any way ad- ~ versely ^fecting our Zoroastrian tenets. Let us not gloat in the glory of our re ­ vered ancestors but be practical if we MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER To do so we offer you: Diploma Course in Business Management (Postal) (IMC) 5JC Banking CAIIB Course (Postal) Jje Executive Secretarial Course ? Private Secretarial Course # Personal Assistant ’s Programme (Working Stenographers) # Shorthand & Typewriting (English/Hindi/Marathi) Telephone Operating & Receptionist Techniques jJs Electronic Telex Operating « Electronic Typewriting & Word Processing ? English Conversation & Writing Skills LATEST ADDITION: COMPUTERS Enquire at: Sir J. J. College of Commerce -ik 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Bombay 400001 Tel: 2871185 6 Parsiana June 19921 k * j i j t I i Events and Personalities World Dental Congress “Excellence in dentistry ” has been se­ lected as the theme of the Second World Zoroastrian Dental Congress to be con ­ vened at Karachi ’s Beach Luxury Hotel will be US $100 or its equivalent per per- the cooperation of their spouses, under- from December 25 to 27, 1992. Partici- son. Registration charges include admis- took 64 emergency extractions, 38 tempo ­ pants from India, Pakistan, UK, Canada and USA will avail of the “common venue for presentation of research and and hospitality. The accommodation and travel formalities in Karachi will be managed by the chair- Udwada Dastur Kekobad Dastur, the man of the Congress Dr Rumi camp at the M. C. Damanwalla Chari- Sukhia of Pakistan with the table Dispensary was open to all commu- cooperation of well-known ho- nities. Oral health was emphasized at telier Byram Avari. Those in- this camp sponsored by Colgate Pal- terested may contact Sukhia at molive (India) Limited under their Gulzar Bldg, 1st floor, Abdul Young India Dental Health Programme. Haroon Rd, Karachi, Pakistan Free toothpastes and toothbrushes along ference course on dental implants will be and Ms Daisy Sidhwa, informs a press re ­ conducted a day prior to the inauguration. The registration fee for delegates from countries other than India and Pakistan effectively used by the medicos who, with lease from the ZDO. The limited time at their disposal was son. Registration charges include admis ­ sion to all scientific sessions (except the rary fillings and il prophylaxes (scaling pre-conference course), dental trade fair and cleaning of teeth) in the course of ¦ / . ~ I their check-ups. Inaugurate by the high priest of 1 I J ¦B ¦ i Turner (examining a patient) with his teammates at the dental camp in Udwada. (Right) World Congress logo: cementing bond for dentists clinically oriented papers on...aspects of dentistry in a congenial atmos- phere, ” as notes the pamphlet an- Q / nouncing the Congress. “ Of the 300 participants expected, the majority will be Zoroastrians, though non-Zoroastrians too will be or Turner at B-1, Rustom with basic literature on oral health were Baug, Victoria Road, Byculla, distributed to the children attending the MWIB Bombay 400027. The 40-year-old ZDO’s fu- plans as announced in the pamphlet include publication realize the need for a permanent dental of a quarterly journal, organization of a service in that area for which they have dental congress, recommendation of one sought the assistance of the ZDO. Zoroastrian for admission to a private ____ dental college every year, NcW president fOF BPA camp, the release further mentions. The awareness created by the camp has made the local medical authorities o r provision for dental Jehangir Shroffs 25 years of service as treatment at afford- president of the Bombay Parsee Associa- able rates to needy O Zoroastrians, and tra and a memento presented to him at the tion (BPA) was rewarded with a manpa- \c ------------ --- --------- ------—--------------------- - encouragement to Association ’s annual function on March 1^ conduct research ''' -y in dentistry. Preventive den ­ tistry and treatment camps in rural and urban areas have been a regular feature of the ZDO whose membership totals 120. Re- 4 37 conduct research 19,1992. His successor Vispi Dastur committed himself to promoting the organization ’s ideals and donated a rotating trophy for a quiz contest on the Shah Namah and Per- welcome. The organizers of this Con- gress, the Zoroaswian Dentists Organiza ­ tion (ZDO), believe that “science is never areas have been a regular feature of the sian history, according to a press release restricted to any one community, ” as con- ZDO whose membership totals 120. Re- from the Association. He expressed his veyed by ZDO president Dr Porus Turner, cently 153 locals eagerly registered for a disagreement with the statement “Parsis Like the First World Zoroastrian Den- check-up at the dental camp in Udwada are living on past glory, ” citing the ex- tal Congress in Bombay in 1988, the sec- organized by the ZDO on April 12 this amples of present-day achievers. ond Congress will give the participants year. But due to time constraints not all of At the function where Bombay Parsi an opportunity to learn of advances in them were fortunate to receive treatment Punchayet trustee Eruch Desai was the dental technology and the evolution of at the hands of the seven-member team of chief guest and businessman and philan- restorative materials that have inspired dental surgeons comprising Turner, Sa- thropist Dinshaw Merchant, the guest of new treatment, concepts and practises, ' • - notes a press release. A one-day pre-con- check-up at the dental camp in Udwada are living on past glory, ” citing the ex­ organized by the ZDO on April 12 this amples of present-day achievers. year. But due to time constraints not all of At the function where Bombay Parsi them were fortunate to receive treatment Punchayet trustee Eruch Desai was the restorative materials that have inspired dental surgeons comprising Turner, Sa- f / ‘ ‘ _ rosh Master, Dinshaw Sorabjee, Framroze honor, seven members of the community Antia, Ms Mehroo Turner, Fali Driver were frlicitated. Those who received the 9 Parsiana June 1992 1 tf-While Mercury fans throughout the world got a chance to witness the show silvermedalsandflowcrswere:PadmaShri cury made a guest appearance at his own winner Homi Taleyarkhan; Dhanwantari tribute concert... His face appeared on award winner Dr Eddie Bharucha; lady giant video screens high across Wembley long distance thanks to the live telecast principals of four schools, Ms Nergish Stadium, ” The Afternoon reports. and a repeat viewing on the Star TV net- Daruwalla of the Hindi Vidya Bhavan, Considered the biggest concert since work, fans in India benefitted from an Ms Mani Engineer of the Alexandra Live Aid seven years ago, those in the additional audio treat of his music. The Girls ’ English Institutibn, Ms Roshen music world who put in an appearance to record company HMV released a four- Driver of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee support this show were rock groups and cassette set of recordings. Four-Ever Charitable Instutution and Junior College solo artistes performing Queen ’s num- from Queen ’s early years, mentions the and Ms Silloo Commissariat of the Bai R. bers: Annie Lennox and David Bowie Blitz of May 9. sang Under Pressure, George Michael and Lisa Stanfield Arjuna for Daruvala teamed up to sing These Are The 13 th Parsi and the fourth squash The Days Of Our Lives, Roger player (the third among men) to earn the Daltrey Sang I Want It All, Arjuna Award was Meherwan Rusi Led Zeppelin leader Robert Daruvala. He was presented the Award Plant performed Innuendo and — a statuette of an archer with a drawn Seal Sang Who wants To Live bow mounted on a square pedestal — by Forever. Elton John, report- the then President of India R. edly one of Mercury ’s greatest Venkataraman on June 20 this year, as friends, sang Queen ’s greatest notes a report in The Times of India of hit of 1975 Rhapsody while Liza Minnelli led the stars in the final wrested the national championship title number We Are The Champi- for the first time. He retained the distinc- ons, the paper notes. tion for the next four years after which he Remaining members of Queen, drum- has maintained his national runner-up mer Roger Taylor, John Deacon and position, informs ^is bio data. Beginning Brian May came on stage to give “the ' ’ *' ' '**¦ ‘ - most glittering send-off any showbusi- Gillis SB Considered the biggest concert since ! u ( AS -A ‘ Bohemian the next day. At 20 years of age Daruvala had Shroff (right) being felicitated by Dastur F. D. Panday Girls ’ High School; and Brian May came on stage to give “the his series of major wins with the junior Burzin Mehta, the release notes. most glittering send-off any showbusi- national title that he won in* 1981, Sixty percent of the Parsi population is ness star has been given, ” The Afternoon Daruvala has year after year won a spate aged, 60 percent of the remaining 40 per- informs. “This show is for Freddie, for cent are either unmarried, have no child you and for me, ” Taylor told the audi- or only one child, pointed out Merchant, stressing the need for housing. Desai wanted the youth in the community to be inspired. Unutilized idle funds due to ob- ence who were waving Union Flags em­ blazoned with “Freddie, we love you, ” “Freddie come back” and “Freddie for ­ ever. ” “It ’s also to show that AIDS af- solete trust deeds, and encroachment of fects us all, ” said Taylor. The proceeds upcountry dokhma properties was of con- from the spectacular show were to be di- cem to Taleyarkhan, further mentioned reeled to the victims of AIDS. The mes- the release. sage of this extravaganza was a warning that AIDS, the disease that killed Mer- “Freddie forever” cury, could do the same to others. Seventy-two thousand fans of Freddie Mercury thronged the Wembley Stadium in London on April 20 this year at a trib ­ ute concert in his memory, barely five months after the lead singer of the British K rock band Queen had died of AIDS. The H admirers of Farokh Balsara, or Freddie H Mercury as he was better known, had re- H portedly queued up all night to buy tick- H ets for this concert. Outside the Stadium, H tickets were being sold at £ 250, up to H five times the face value. Those unable fl to afford the rates satisfied themselves H with laying flowers and messages at the fl gates of the rock star ’s home in Kensing- H ton, reads a write-up in The Afternoon H Despatch and Courier of April 30. H “Everybody who was anybody in pop H music was there as the late Freddie Mer- fl 11 Parsiana June 1992 ,r I -J I. Above: Venkataraman (left) commends Daruvala's squash distinction Left: Mercury glorified at tribute show of events and even represented India at the Asian Squash Championships and the SAF (South Asian Federation) Games. “When he first came on the scene...(he) was shy and very reserved... He has grown to be one of India ’s finest players, ” reminisces 16 times national women ’s squash champion Ms Bhuvane- shwari Kumari in an article in The After­ noon Despatch and Courier of May 27. rwhich was used in the last match at which Judoka ’s C’wealth silveF Winning a silver medal in the over 95 kg he officiated in the World Cup series. • - Fondly called “chief ’ by the players, on the field Reporter is said to tolerate no homeopath Dr Zubin Phiroze Marolia, informs a press release. The sessions from October 20 to November 23, ’91 exposed Marolia to the application of category, national judo champion Cawas Rillimoria became the first Indian to earn mt uwu -------- — a medal at the Commonwealth Judo nonsense. A hard glare from Reporter and iscador therapy (using exttacte Championships, reports The Afternoon many an erring player would fall back on Despatch and Courier of April 23, 1992. line, mentions The Times of India of The meet at Cardiff, Wales from April March 11. His vigorous swing of the arms when declaring a boundary earned him a comment from Sir Richard Hadlee, one-time fast bowler, “There goes Mr Reporter putting his signature on the shot. ” The wickets in Australia and New Zealand are more even in bounce and turn nent specialists, less than the ones found in India, Reporter drew a comparison. Also the , smaller crowds and the plies the iscador injections to India. Isca- lesser time involved in one- day cricket permits the um ­ pire to be relatively free from worry on those tricky pad-bat decisions, the umpire fast plant) for tre- I ating cancers. I During the I Seminar the I doctors I tended nearly I 10 hours of I lectures daily I and used their ” spare time for reference and intercourse with other emi- at- Billimoria (left): wins a medal for India 17 to 19 this year saw 160 participants is quoted in The Times. from 14 countries. _ „ A third dan black belt judoka, Billi- QuCSt fOF CanCCF CUFe moria is said to have given a remarkable Along with 26 other participants from dif- performance in the semifinal bout when ferent comers of the world at the Intema- he completed the match in 2.50 seconds tional Medical Seminar, the only Indian to by throwing his Welsh opponent before get an opportunity to study an c----------- his home crowd. For most other partici- ‘ ‘ ‘ pants and for Billimoria too this tourna­ ment was a qualifying event for the Olympic Games in Barcelona this year, informs a press release sent by the f^amUy. WoFld Cup umpiFe The sight of umpire Piloo Reporter sig ­ nalling a boundary had become a regular feature on the New Zealand commercial accompanying the World Cup Cricket series. To honor this popular umpire, the cricket fraternity assembled at the Bom ­ bay Cricket Association ’s Prabhudesai Hall on April 8 this year to felicitate Re­ porter on his successful completion of the Australia and New Zealand tour, reads a write-up in the Indian Express of April 11. Organized by the Association of Cricket Umpires, this meet gave Reporter an opportunity to recount his experiences at the World Cup event, interspersed with photographs and other mementoes he had brought back from the tour. Particularly dear to him was the white ball, auto ­ graphed by umpire David Shephred, qualifying event for 12 Parsiana June 1992 From Switzerland Marolia proceeded to Germany where he visited the Weleda Factory in Schwabisch Gmund that sup- dor injections (one box of seven ampules cost around Rs 1,000) are given twice a week or on alternate days depending on the severity of the disease. In Germany as also in Loqdon where he later spent two weeks, the enthusiastic doctor deliv ­ ered lectures on homeopathy, the release mentions. Twenty-five-year-old Marolia is pres- ____ ently a consulting homeopath at the - ev-i —. _____ j _______alternative Homi Wadia Basant Charitable Trust in treatment for cancer at the Lukas Cancer Chembur and has a private pi^tise at Klinic in Switzerland last year was young Dadar and Mahim. Standing third in the Dadar and Mahim. Standing third in the r/ie talent and creativity of the children were harnessed by Gul and (the late) Air Marshal Minoo Engineer (seated center and right) to entertain the audience with mu­ sic using appropriate costumes and live props of chickens and snails. The proceeds of Rs 5,000from the salon concert were given to the chief guest Dinshaw Tamboly of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (seated left) for use in their rural welfare project. IBombay University at the Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery ex­ aminations, Marolia did his internship at the Bombay Hospital under Dr Farokh Master. Since early 1990, Marolia has been working as clinical assistant to Mas ­ ter and Dr Kershasp Kasad, the homeo ­ path ’s bio data informs. MATRIMONIAL SPOTLIGHT The junction of Bhulabhai Desai Road and N. Gamadia Road has been named af ­ ter the late Firdaus Homi Taleyarkhan, well-known lawyer who died whilst on a mountaineering expedition last year. The mayor of Bombay Chandrakant Handore unveiled the stone landmark on Taleyarkhan ’s first death anniversary on May 24, 1992, reads the Jam-e-Jamshed of the same day. Parents of Parsi doctor, girl aged 27 years, fair and attractive having M.D. in special field, invite correspondence from suitable, decent, educated and well-settled Parsi boys up to 33 years. Apply with full details to: Th* Advertiser Persian* Matrlmonlsl (Jun*/20-92) QPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 MATRIMONIAL Assistant commissioner of police Sam D. Patel was presented the police medal for bravery by the acting governor of Maharashtra Gurup Singh on May 1, 1992, reports the Jam-e-Jamshed of May 3. Patel ’s expertise lies in detecting explosive bombs and exposing forged passports. Alliance invited from Parsi/lrani Zoroastrian girls around 25 years, well-settled in USA, having green card, for Parsi boy of 29 years, studying and working in Florida, USA. Contact: Mrs R. Adhia (USA) Ph: (510) 935-8650 ESTD 1850 JEWELLERY Well-reputed firm for buying guaranteed gold ornaments & jewellery. We pay highest price for old gold & jewellery ornaments. (Approved Valuers by Govt of India for Jewellery) M/s Framji Rustamji Choksey 253 Sheikh Memon Street Bombay 400002 Tel 325^22/342639, Resi 251118 Corniced by Roxana A. Mirza Tata Housing. Building magnificent new ideas in housing comfort. Ui Ills 3£3B?k<' J/j In keeping with their spirit of innovation, Tata Housing has designed a wholly different concept in living — a concept that represents comfort at its -------- '---------------------- most luxurious, spacious apartments, splendid views, peaceful surroundings and ft excellent amenities. Beautifying and enhancing the quality of living — the guiding philosophy of Tata Housing. ia’52 ¦?» / /.j..i.Y>-, Y. 'j.7 / ‘ i <;?? i? u II; ’1^; Tata Housing q M Development Co. Ltd. D-20, Dhanraj Mahal 2nd Floor Ch. Shivaji Marg Apollo Bunder Bombay 400039 Tel: 2026607 2026427 2026656 Tlx: 011-3234 TAIN IN S I ot i ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD US based Dinsa Mehta masterminds The Chase Manhattan Bank's trade in foreign exchange and commodities Banking ™ gold and moving their assets into productive investments that offered higher returns. As a result of this the price of the metal plummeted from around $ 800 to $ 300 an ounce. Gold in India however, Mehta ob ­ serves, has been an important form of in ­ vestment that hedges against the uncer ­ tainties of the economy. It is also a Gustasp Irani means of stashing away assets generated in the parallel economy that operates in the country. But as the economy opens up, Mehta visualizes that disenchantment with the metal will creep into India too. with interest, with the gold they extract As people ’s confidence in the economy grows, they will start disinvesting in gold and moving their* funds into more re- One billion dollars! To most laymen the develop the mine; and they will repay us, figure is esoteric, with its uncertain num- i . ber of zeroes (there are nine); for Dinsa from the mine later. What we have done F. Mehta it is a part of daily routine. As a is created gold assets and gold liabilities, ” vice president of The Chase Manhattan says Mehta. Gold, he adds, was not warding forms of investment. “It is en- ... ................. .... - couraging to see the country (India) begin its journey to economic realism; and eco ­ nomic realism in any country is not a friend to gold, ” he observes. In simple terms, he advises « against gold from the investment point of view. It is advice that cannot be dis- i missed lightly for re ­ puted journals like I The Wall Street I Journal seek and I value his financial judgement. I . ^s Mehta de ­ ll taches himself from his role as a banker he lodes at his own image with a touch wildest dreams did I think that I would be a gold trader, ” he confesses. After qualifying as a chartered accountant in England (he schooled at the Cathedral and obtained his BCom from According to Mehta, it is an expen- Sydenham College in Bombay) he joined sive proposition to hold gold as a form of Chase as a financial analyst in London. . " . ,1 “It was at a time when the financial mar- is a sterile asset. ” In the West there is a kets in London were going through a pe­ growing disenchantment with gold. He riod of wild growth, ” Mehta recalls. ‘ Mehta ’s first significant contribution market to raise the finances needed to US, people started disinvesting in gold to the Bank was when he developed a sys- Bank, USA, and their global commodity thought of as a currency, not until he and research manager and chief gold trader. Chase marketed the concept. he deals with billions of dollars every P \ ‘ P' „ ‘__ day. His work environment is in the sponsibilities. He trades in copper, oil, sil- heart of a high-tension world where the ver... “I run the megabuck rules supreme. Five large Bank ’s commodity computer screens with a continuous flow business from Ncwlh of financial data keep him in touch with America, ” he says. commodity markets the world over, in Tokyo, London, Hong Kong, Australia... “It is a pretty crazy environment. A lot of noise, a lot of shouting... It ’s the touch with traders kind of situation where you make your in Japan, Europe, decision once every 40 seconds — on an America and all average, ” says Mehta. And on that deci ­ sion rides a lot of money, at times a bil ­ lion dollars or more in a single transac ­ tion. “It ’s a kind of situation that you ’ve got to enjoy or you can develop ulcers. ” No, he has none, not to his knowledge at big part of what I do least, he adds as a smile cracks his in ­ tense, bearded face. “Essentially I had pioneered the use of emments on how to manage their gold re ­ gold as a currency, ” says Mehta as he ex- serves, ” he says and does not elaborate, plains his contribution to Chase and the for the metal held by governments is commodity market. He illustrates the tinted with subtle political overtones, concept with a hypothetical example — the discovery of a new gold deposit The prospectors need, say, 200 million dol- personal investment for, as he sees it, “it lars to develop the mine before the gold can be extracted. “We will now lend them gold which they will sell on the points out that in the early 19^s, in the But gold is only part of Mehta ’s re- And advanced com ­ puters, like ten ­ tacles, keep him in over the world. He keeps in touch with the gov ­ ernments of various countries, too. “A is behind the sce ­ nes. I advise gov- Lift*''' ¦' ' 17 Parsiana June 7992 * F •*tern whereby he could scan all the major tralia open, ” he says. With billions of gions. On the children ’s birthdays she exchange markets in 12 currencies every 60 seconds. The idea was to locate small with the risks involved. discrepancies that could be translated into large profits. “This was at a time when PCs (personal computers) were not prises his English wife Carole and two around, ” he clarifies. He was made an children, Farah, 13, and Rustam, 11. He offer to go to the Bank ’s New York head office and see if his idea worked. “It was a lot simpler than I had navjotes were performed, Mehta has dollars at stake he has to learn to live makes sure that the proper sagan is per ­ formed for them. The children, according to Mehta, quite enjoy the uniqueness of being probably the only Zoroastrians in their area. Mehta confesses that he is guilty of not integrating more closely with the Zoroas ­ trian community on the North American . continent. On a few occasions he did at- thought, ” he. observes. Soon he had be- been conducting Sunday religious classes tend functions of the Zoroastrian Asso- come the Bank ’s leading foreign ex- for them. But first, such an undertaking change trader. Craving for greater meant that he had to rediscover Zoroas- challenges he suggested that he extend trianism himself and this he did by study- sumed in the dispute between Iranians his trading activities to the commodities ing whatever literature he could lay his and Parsis. “I must confess that I don ’t market — gold, silver, oil, etc. It was at a hands on and by visiting the local library, know enough to comment on the prob ­ time when the Bank had decided to set up “Of course all this has been very good lems of Zoroastrians in India or the US,” a gold trading department and offered education for me. It has brought home to he states. Mehta the job of managing it. Under me the real beauty of our religion and that his stewardship the activities of the Zoroastrianism is very relevant even to- department grew and today he claims: day, ” he says. “In terms of gold trading we are one of the most significant operators in the world. ” It was more than just another job; it “Sometimes we all say our kusti prayers School at Nasik. And of course there is was a commitment According to Mehta, together in English, ” he states. Together his mother Rose who brought up Mehta the different time zones mean that an in- they have studied the life of the prophet and his two sisters singlehandedly after temational trader has to keep odd hours and the history of Persia when the Zoroas- their father Fred died when Mehta was to be in touch with the global markets, trian religion flourished. The fact that his eight. Her little bpy has grown up now “My day starts at 6.15. I go home in the wife is a Unitarian, Mehta believes, helps and she looks on him with justifiable afternoon and I am back in the office at 8 for it is a faith that has no prophet but pride — he is virtually sitting on a pot of in the evening when the markets in Aus- seeks to draw the best from all other reli- gold! Sundays, Mehta treasures Ind he de ­ votes them to his family which com- uses his time off from work construc ­ tively. Since 1986, when his children ’s elation of Greater New York (ZAGNY) but was distressed to see its energies con- Yet, he looks back on his heritage with a degree of pride. His grandfather, Phiroz Mehta, was a self-made man who rose from humble origins to build the Mehta translated some of the prayers into English so that his children could re- Burhanpur Tapti Mills at Burhanpur and late to what they were mouthing, later founded the Boys ’ Town Public “Sometimes we all say our kusti prayers FIRDOS & S. CAMBATTA CO. 'Cambatta CentraT, Bharat Bobins Ltd Premises Rakhial Road, Ahmedabad 380023 Agents in Gujarat for: M/s ION EXCHANGE (INDIA) LTD For INDION Water Softening Plants, Demineralisers, Cation & Anion Resins, Filters, Chemical Dosers etc ? ? ? Sole concessionaires in Gujarat for: Ff{ M/s INGERSOLL-RAND (INDIA) LTD For Air Compressors and Vacuum Pumps IHOBBY COVER STORY The Stamp Safari A childhood pastime has resulted in Darabshaw Mistry's unparalleled stamp collection .4 Meher Marfatia But the philatelist ’s personal favorite Members from the second group, on the i 1 J All of which is He sizes you up with a slow smile spread- pages of his bound volumes to see short are framed in black ink panels accompa- ing across his wizened face, the octoge- paragraphs underlining each sample. The nied by a delicately written legend, narian visage crowning an immaculate brief introduction to the Birds on Stamps grey waistcoat and crisp silk tie. portfolio (dedicated to his daughter is not wing^, it happens to be hooved. j Darabshaw Ruston^i Mistry is clearly Ailera) explains three basic bird orders: The horse, followed by the dog, are rated j pleased to discuss his unique bio-philately Carinata, Ratila and Saurura. The first, most dear. Mishy ’s face clouds on recall- t collection with an interested visitor. you learn, possess keeled breastbones and ing his pet Alsation, lost in a car accident. A collector with a difference. Mistry the power of flight. 4 Butterflies charm him has — over 85 well-lived years — pains- Members from the g* greatly too. - Ex- takingly gleaned a veritable treasure- second group, on the * C4 amples of moths and house of the rarest stamps on birds, in- other hand, have raft- other lepidc^tera are sects, reptiles, amphibians, fish, mam- like breastbones and - reproduced actual- mals and prehistoric animals. are inctq)able of fly- size before being il- “Mine is not m^ly a happy hobby, it ing. The last is a liz- lustrated by their re- is an obsession, ” he presses in tremulous ard-tailed genus of spective stamps. Par- tones, and proceeds to place for perusal a which only txie spe- ticularly remarkable series of magniricently mounted albums, cies has been de- is an entire Israeli set j These are his most precious possessions tected, the extinct of butterflies with today, not, of course, forgetting his archaeopteryx. their progress traced ratho* unusual visiting card. Produced by All of which is right from caterpillar the Bombay Natural History Society just an example; (BNHS), it is a small, picturesque affair Mistry has detailed “It is an unparal- with a yellow-billed blue magpie swing- sections such as that leled range. No one ing from a bough. The neatly italicized on diving birds like can hope to compete lettering on the flap inside announces the tufted puffin and with me, ” Mistry de- him. Emperor penguin, clares, immodest Proud owner of a 50,0(X)-strong stamp swimmers like the albatross, cormorant even if correct. Yet, such judges of the ilk fund. Mistry little dreamed of being lion- and black skimmer, shore inhabitants like of C. P. Thomas, ex-postmaster general, ized as a distinguished philatelist in the the hoopoe, marshdwellers like the also observed that the philatelist ’s efforts autumn of his life. His early memories whooping crane... The highest number of have been “scholarly, impressive, ” while barely hinted at international accolades, bird stamps in a single set — 24 — was acclaim in his country, innumerable one- man exhibitions, rave press reviews and presidentship of the Empire of India Mistry about four years to complete. The Philatelic Society, besides a close and Latin and English name for every speci- of various countries. Historic Russia, abiding friendship with renowned omi- men is spelt out and elaborated on by way America, Switzerland and India are thologist Dr Salim Ali. of origin, characteristics, incidence and among his best-known, with the USSR A part of growing up for many people, endangered status. What is really excep- stamps alone totalling a staggering 4,(X)0. stamps only sometimes hold the same tional is the distinct layout he has himself Starting at the 1917 revolution and ex- apped for adults. Not in Mistry ’s case, designed for each sheet, making it appear tending until 1974, the Soviet Consulate though. His knowledge of flora and fauna striking enough to be Ae work of some authorities have pronounced it a portrayal is formidable. Run a quick eye down the professional artist. Beautiful backgrounds of their land on the grandest dimensions. one-time BNHS curator J. C. Daniel issued by Angola in 1951. praised his “impeccable standards and A thematically conceived album takes amazingly comprehensive repertoire. ” Equally noteworthy are his collections of various countries. 20 Parsiana June 1992Mistry ’s 1988 solo show held in lously locked away in the safety of his ? Mistry is of the opinion that by far one 1852 onwards. That was when postal him than the plethora of gold and silver of the finest collections is the British stamps were introduced to the country, 12 medals he has won lifelong. His cups and Royal. This was initiated by King George years after they were in England by Sir trophy awards along with the rarer stamp V who was such a keen enthusiast that he Rowland Hills. specimens he has acquired are scrupu- actually attended public auctions to bid for his beloved stamps. In the United Bombay with a view to celebrate the bank. States the honor was President golden jubilee of India's Stamp Journal, Strict import restrictions on both col- Roosevelt ’s who boasted an extensive in ­ dividual lot which was sold on his death. Back home it is the National Postal providethismuch! ” All 700 album sheets fame. This, along with the inferior qual- Museum formed from the postal archives systematically arranged by the philatelist ity of hinges in India is something Mistry in Delhi which, according to Mistry, is a were appreciated in similar glowing terms feels needs attention. He additionally must-see since it houses stamps from which, he maintains, mean much more to cautions the amateur to look for “used ” President golden jubilee of India's Stamp Journal, was a tremendous success. Declared a lectors and dealers alike thwart a fair visitor, “Even an encyclopedia may fail to amount of budding attempts to philatelic 1^ 6 - ---------- - — POLSKA I ' ISxa X*- -------------- ------- ---------------- . ...................../ H'li'i nil iijin ..........iJlii ¦ ¦ ;. .': W’5 9g jaJPrbOM. w*ww s POLSKHW ¦I »!.. »?s«»wp«ni(l«TS»g CH IS -- ¦ * i SaaMMHMU «2 k. fL^£^an££a-f^/>Jj£. 4 9. /Q^taje^y^augfu4 ‘f 1 » ¦"‘* * SiSSSl^Bs |X I*! I® S^S I fib JB W' 1 '¦' "III ‘ IW<«i|i«i..lilH t . .................... .... . Two leaves from the thematically conceived albums of Mistry (facing page). Prominent is the distinct layout with the Latin name for each of the prehistoric animals and reptiles appearing in his own neat handwriting Photos: Varghese Fernandez I4s- 4- n F Siuf ¦WWrWWIWWIH F256- { (n ^«9KM»aat? : J I I r I I i ! A^. I p hi I .1^ ' 4o .-AAfefi ' Xoitt^litui)). "AA, 1 bi r ? J i t 1 WSkl^ 2 i- *56- i-u^tyfteun, UStA xOl Xri* ? IB r %-' I -f I ^'srif ... < o ¦ djo = ScWi^AML iSoi' fi 'i % f- ' WliWWW*- S2(£. t I^H ¦ i O ffi !; F -- ¦ > 0 ¦ ¦ B ^^11 sW 44 "»iWW^ 4at^/4rea^ »* 4tt»^ were not CER proposed candidates, to illustrate the . . .. . ------ — point. “We believe that there is nothing persuading people to stand for like a CER trustee.We may support a can s I own independence of thought. ” Come October, and members of the community will awake from a long hibernation to exercise their independ ­ ence of thought as they participate briefly, even if indirectly, in the running of the BPP. Religion aside, the other issue of con ­ cern is housing. Both parties believe that in the new scheme of things the poor of the community have been forgotten. “How can you expect a poor Parsi to pay a monthly rent of Rs 1,000 (as will be required of the new allottees at Godrej Baug)? We admit that not enough has been done for them and much more should be done, ” says Poncha, The ZCWA “Message ” to the community vows to “fight against the maggots of corruption ” and champion the rights of the community. “The trustees do not understand the problems, ” says Irani. “We need trustees who are more sympa ­ thetic. ” As proclaims the ZCWA “Message: tina 5Uii suitable people we will field 802 -Do ihou wish to lead the rest of your life Stus' ”' 'ne°ffiR^' i£,n!? going to field under dictates of those who do not care status, ine CER too, though with less 802 only because we have to, ” Poncha for our rights? favor, believes in reservation. “These clarifies. According to him the CER will - are difficult times and I’m sure that if a __uiv/ Mncere effort is made through the believe are rational and independent and Punchayet and the Federation (of Parsi who will contribute to the community ’s Zoroastrian Anjumans of India) we will welfare. “The CER is not a formal organi- get our nghts, ” says Poncha. - • • •• - Another matter both parties propose to pursue is a system of adult franchise for BPP trusteeship elections. “When you The new election system prevents individuals from manipulating the system” « up the entire quota of 802 candidates, in ­ forms Irani. The CER by contrast had not _____ ......... . yet filled the quota by early July. “If we minority status, find 802 suitable people we will field 802 ZCWA’s Message To all apostles of Ahura Mazda •Awaken dear breathers and sisters for the time is short. •Be aware of your rights at the age of majority in a community deemed lost in minority. This will be our motto to seek * ‘We shall not deviate from the tenets of support individuals and groups who they Zoroastrianism for the lust of power and the flair for the chair. •We will stand against self glorification and fight against the maggots of corrup ­ tion for ours is an already dwindling community. •Come with us, for we must act fast to nave a totm ot 1,604, 802 donors and 802 do almost immediately as by December of “adult franchise ” Anjuman Committee members voting for 31, 1992 they will need to decide who -We need guarantee and counter guaran- tnistees you might as well have adult will be the occupants of the two seats to tee for seats in profession and jobs like franchi^ observes Poncha. Numbers be vacated by Dr Aspi Golwalla and medical, engineering etc. So ko wo aside, both parties point out inherent Jamsheed Kanga. The ZCWA has almost percent reservation for Indian Police FhP finalized who they will be putting up Service, Indian Administrative Service candidates. “I will definitely be stand- and other government jobs — this will be sutuencies on the basis of PIN (Postal ing for trustee, ” says Dr Viraf Kapadia, an our priority. •The security needed from “trustees ” is candidate, ” says Irani adding, “We don ’t force, we musTLve •In unity lies our true strength with which we shall strive. So come to us — we need each other now to protect what is still not lost. zation. (It) is an idea, ” states Poncha. Once on the Anjuman Committee, the main task of the members will be to elect _____ ___ ______ tmstees to the BPP, This they will get to eradicate injustice through solemnization Anjuman Committee members, voting for 31, 1992 they will need to decide who trustee you might as well have adult will be the (Kcupants of the two seats to fr^chise, ” observes Poncha. Numbers be vacated by Dr Aspi Golwalla and ^idC ’ _both parties point out inherent Jamsheed Kanga. The ZCWA has almost the BPP has divided the city into 1 con ­ stituencies on the basis of PIN (Postal Index Number) ccxles. To illustrate one of active member of the organization. “In many such cases, those living on one side all probability I will be the other trustee pg- I-----------T------------J w, . . „ . the Bombay 400019 code, fall in the Ban" dra/Mahim constituency while those on ____ ____________________ Ae other side of the road, using the but do not care for the real problems of Bombay 4(X)014 code, in the Dadar con- the community. ” stituency. These discrepancies aside, one spin-off of the new system is that it dis ­ courages parties endorsing slates of can- as candidates. “I will definitely be stand ­ ing for trustee, ” says Dr Viraf Kapadia, an active member of the organization, want trustees from the elitist group of the community who can afford to sit on pride 99 The CER however had no definite With love from candidate as of July, They would like to persuade Ms Silloo Kavarana, an active Dr SYRUS DARVISH IRANI AND OTHERS OFZCWA i 24 Parsiana June 1992POLITICS AND POLICY Federation lends a sympathetic ear A seven-member Tajik delegation conveyed their interest in Zoroastrianism and sought the Federation’s assistance Parinaz Gandhi The seven-member Tajik delegation seek- the topics slated on the agenda, the maxi- been done away with under the new ing religious collaboration with Zoroastri- mum time — 75 minutes — was ear- amendments applicable to intestate suc- ans and economic ties with Indians sought marked for youth affairs. Considering that cession thereby entitling a son and a assistance from the Federation of Parsi only a day earlier the youngsters had con- daughter equal rights in the property of Zoroastrian Anjumans of India. In the vened their first ever executive council their father in the event of his dying intes- course of their discussions with the ex- _ ‘ ” ecutive council members of the Federa- of Zoroastrian tion at Bombay ’s Muncherji Khareghat (FOZYA), the seniors were given a brief Hall they conveyed their need for books on the youths ’ priorities and plan of ac- ther have to fight for the continuation of on Zoroastrianism in Persian, help with tion. the dokhmenashini system, or opt for the Avesta Conference planned in Octo- - - ber this year, and priests to revive their vited to interact on all topics, as speci- ancient fire-temples fallen intodisuse. The fied Federation president Dr Aspi from a new construction envisaged by a Tajiks who are newly liberated from the Golwalla. However not all Parsi trusts, commercial builder. Though the Dahanu communist yoke were assured coopera- especially those granting scholarships for Anjuman has been advised to go to court tion. Even those Federation members who higher education, give them the same re- as also solicit assistance from powerful expressed some reservation initially had ception was a common complaint voiced lobbies, the ultimate outcome may mean no objection to aid being extended so long by the youth. In fact they are regarded as a change in the system of disposal of the as it did not interfere with their practice of “urchins of nuisance value, ” corrobo- Zoroastrianism in India. rated Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) Another new pocket of Zoroastrians trustee Jamsheed Kanga. The Sixth All the fertility behavior of Parsis revealed active overseas is Ali Jafarey ’s India Zoroastrian Youth Seminar in that Parsi couples were not inclined to Zarathushtrian Assembly which accepts Ahmedabad this October will see the produce more than two children irrespec- select converts to its fold. A confirmation youth make a concerted endeavor to bring five of the size of their tenements. How- from Rohinton Rivetna, president of the together on one platform spokespersons ever, had they not been in possession of a Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of from different trusts. The community ’s house, they may not have considered North America (FEZANA), that the As- dwindling population should be on the sembly was not soliciting indiscriminate agenda, opined Golwalla, “That ’s one conversion set to rest any further contro ­ versy on this subject. TTie FEZ ANA president was more not be invalidated if the stipulated 12- concemed about the community in dif ­ ferent pockets of the world growing inde- not registered) does not pass between the dents of the Tata Institute of Social Sci- pendently of each other as there was no making of the will and the death of the ences. Repeated references at past Fed- coordinating body in India: “We do not testator. The amendments to the Indian eration meetings to the declining strength know whom to turn to; we do not get Succession Act (ISA) as applicable to of the community and accounting for it guidance. ” Parsis were promulgated into law ip De- with the usual excuse — “lack of hous- The highest ever number of youths cember 1991 after getting a clearance ing in Bombay ” — had prompted the BPP were present at this two-day Federation from both the houses of Parliament. Dis- meet on March 28 and 29, 1992. Of all crimination on the grounds of sex has also the topics slated on the agenda, the maxi ­ mum time — 75 minutes — was ear- meeting of the newly formed Federation tate (hitherto a^ male would have got Youth Associations double the share of a female). In Dahanu, the Zoroastrians will ei- tion. At Federation meetings youths are in- burial as their lOO-year-old dokhma will now stand within a distance of 100 feet * dead. A study on the effect of housing on _ even one or two children, was the reac­ tion. Six hundred couples in the child- area where you can contribute. ” bearing age-group constituted the sample Bequests to charity will henceforth in the study conducted by the BPP’s fam ­ ily counsellor Ms Roda Pardiwalla with month time lag (six months if a will is the collaboration of the faculty and stu- to undertake this survey in 1990. When the Parsi partners in a divorce 25 Parsiana June 1992 1 ?suit are fighting over the custody of their to three million Tajiks are of Zoroastrian can (without allowing anything to come) child, as happened twice recently, the origin, was the estimate of Dr (Ms) Meher in the way of our own established prac- Parsi Matrimonial Court solicits the assis- Master-Moos who was considerably in- tices, ” was BPP trustee Eruch Desai ’s re- tance of the BPP’s family counsellor, volved in bringing the Tajiks to India sponse. Even in cases of divorce by mutual con- and introducing them to different Zoroas- There were some among the Federa- sent, the family counsellor ’s intervention should be sought so as to bring about a origin, was the estimate of Dr (Ms) Meher Master-Moos who was considerably in ­ volved in bringing the Tajiks to India and introducing them to different Zoroas ­ trian bodies. Their conversance with Farsi tion delegates who would have preferred as also Dari is a trait they share with the to tread the path cautiously. Frankly ex­ rapprochement between the couple. This Zoroastrian Iranians in Persia, the Muslim pressing her fears was young Ms Navaz suggestion was to be put forth to the Parsi Iranians speaking only Farsi, pointed out Palkhiwala from Poona: “I personally don ’t like the idea of their coming to our ji suggestion was to be put forth to the Parsi Iranians speaking only Farsi, pointed out They were put through a series of fold... to our fire-temples. ” Send an expert ....................... team from India to study the claims of the nomic ties or religious help they were Tajiks, suggested her husband Sarosh. seeking from Indian Zoroastrians, whether But they were outnumbered by the major- ____ _______ _______ ____________ they could, given the Avesta, recite the ity sentiment: “It is presumptuous to say mon calendar for the community, the prayers in Avestan (a challenge one of we are the keepers of the faith; ” “What Zoroastrians in North America may them promptly accepted by covering his we could learn from them is Avesta which reach a conclusion. Confronted as they head with a topi before chanting aloud), we have happily forgotten;^ “In^a gave are with the Parsi-Iranian divide, they are compelled to view the situation with greater urgency. They hope to arrive at a Matrimonial Court that meets twice a year Peshotan Nargolwala of Bombay, to decide on divorce cases that come ' , within the purview of the Parsi Marriage questions to establish whether it was eco- and Divorce Act (PMDA). Even before the Zoroastrians in India decide regarding the adoption of a com- I I ¦« 1 I The Tajiks were given a chance to com ­ municate their expectations from the Fed ­ eration fraternity: religious books in Per- decision on this subject at the Eighth sian, priests who could help them recon- North American Zoroastrian Congress in Vancouver in September 1992. us refuge when we sought it. What kind of Zoroastrians would we be if we refuse refuge to others? ” “I believe the Federa ­ tion has attained maturity, ” summed up secrate their fire-temples, cooperation for the Federation ’s honorary secretary Keki the Avesta Conference they propose to or- “ ................ “ ' ” ganize from October 16-20 this year... But the response they sought came in the next morning. “They have come to Zarathushtrian Assembly (he accepts con ­ cur door. We should try and promote our ” Gandhi. “This is really a Zoroastrian Fed ­ eration. ” Similarly intimation of Jafarey ’s Tajiks knock at the door “We have been following a frog-in-the- well policy. Think of Zoroastrianism as a our door. We should try and promote our verts to Zoroastrianism on proof of their world religion, ” was the response of religion, ” opined Tehmton Anklesaria of knowledge of the faith) did not trigger Mhow ’s Behram Masani to the Zoroastri- Ratlam. “If we reject them now, they ’ll ans in India who felt threatened by the never come back later ” because by then the other proselytizing faiths would have accepted them, stated Shavak Patel of Jafarey on his visit to India: “I hope Baroda. “Any group that chooses to im- he has not been threatened with broken bibe our faith has the freedom to do so, ” bones as was (Joseph) Peterson believed Cmdre Jal Postwalla of Bombay, (whose navjote in 1983 created a tumul- “We should assist as much as we possibly tous uproar in the community, the any antipathy from the Federation dele- > gates. Golwalla was however uncertain of the reception that would be accorded to . J as § <1 K. Tajiks ’ eagerness to learn more about their ancient faith and Jafarey ’s propaga ­ tion of Zoroastrianism in the West through his newly Zarathushtrian Assembly. The seven-member Persian speaking Tajik delegation visiting India spent nearly an hour with the Federation dele ­ gates during which time they briefed the gathering (with the help of an interpreter) on their life-style under different re ­ gimes, their observance of certain cus ­ toms and traditions that bear a semblance to the practices prevalent among present- day Zoroasdians, their fragmented knowledge of Zoroastrianism, the disused fire-temples in their midst... Nearly two his constituted Master Moos and N. Kanga (top left) with the Tajik delegation 26 Parsiana June 1992 1 h1 f I 1 orthodox being opposed to the initiation the last items to be discussed even of a non-Parsi). ” though this time they had a record high An exponent of Zoroastrianism whose registration of 164 students from 61 writings have inspired many community schools, members, Jafarey and his activities were T ....................... regarded by the Delhi Parsi Anjuman anjumans and associations referred to (DPA) president Lt Gen Adi ¦ Sethna as more I revivalistic than I proselytic. He I does not advo- I cate conversion I but keeps his I doors open to others like him ­ self who may have their roots in other relig ­ ions but an in- |j clination ___ wards Zoroas- trianism. “In a way he is going back to the old custom ” where one could not J practice Zoroas- trianism unless his knowledge of the scrip ­ tures was “publicly exam ­ ined, ” continued Sethna. In India, like in Iran, the practice of Zoroastrianism is an adaptation of the religion to the prevalent socioeco ­ nomic forces, it was poin ­ ted out. In India it is the topi, and in Iran, the sudreh, that is donned at the time of entry to the fire-temple. “Possibly Jafarey Youth delegates (from left) Top row: is only trying to vatlao (convert) a Bisney, Karanjawalla, Parakh and Parsi into a Zarthoshti, ” said Sethna Debara.Second row: Khambatta, in a lighter vein. Katgara,MehtaandBillimoria. Third row: Irani, Dick and Palkhiwala to- 1 ing weekly talks on religious awareness that have resulted in some of the children wearing topis to school, entertaining the Tajiks, and organizing summer camps. Reports of youth activities from other The pentangular cricket match hosted by — J -J so- the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad was a welcome distrac ­ tion for all. While unity is valued by certain groups, in Surat, “it is best when all youth groups don ’t come to- > gether (in the in ­ terests of a genial atmosphere), ” as conveyed Surat h Parsi Punchayet I (SPP) president I Dr Sam Bhacca. I The Parsee I Youth League of I Ahmedabad (PYLA) is con- cenu ’ating on the organization of the Youth Semi ­ nar and sought funds from different anjumans. To put the newly constituted FOZYA on a sound footing, donations were invited with Golwalla making a commit ­ ment of Rs 5,000 from the Godrej Foundation. The propagation and preservation of Zoroastrianism should be examined at youth forums, advised Minoo Davierwala of Poona. The youths, particularly those residing outside Bombay, seeking scholarships and loans for advanced studies abroad pointed out the disconifort of approaching different trusts, necessitating duplication cial gatherings, picnics, dances... making of forms and certificates and the unneces ­ sary time loss and legwork involved when it could have conveniently been avoided if all the trusts had come together under a common pool. While ideally it would <¦ R| I youth newly Strength of the youth The presence of a score or more young ­ sters before the commencement of the Golwalla comment: “Dancing and picnics Federation meeting made Golwalla are alright but you should concentrate on extend a “special welcome to the welfare activities. ” The Baroda youth are young boys and girls ” in his introductory involved in planting trees, cleaning the address. “Please do take an active part agiaries and dokhmas. The Thana sound a simple solution, Desai explained in the proceedings, ” he urged, simultane- youth had a raddi (discarded items) col- ously requesting the BPP trustees “not lection drive and the sale proceeds to, take too active a part ” and to defer re ­ ports on BPP projects till the last, twice the amount from the Anjuman ’s were to delegate powers to a central Allahabad ’s Capt Homi Dandiwalla coffers as incentive. The Poona youths body? ” he asked. Those who were able, was specifically assigned the task of have volunteered to help out with have already joined hands with the BPP’s keeping track of which speaker talks at data collection for their local directory. Higher Education Committee. Besides, what length on which subject. Informa- The Dahanu youth are involved in run- this kind of labor for seven days is just tion about the BPP’s Sixth Holiday Programme for Youth was among the difficulty of joining when the nature of the trusts differed, most being cosmo- went into their corpus, earning in return politan. “What are trustees for if they twice the amount from the Anjuman ’s The Dahanu youth are involved in run ­ ning the Learners Academy that they called for once in a lifetime. All commu- were instrumental in founding, introduc- nitics have to do it, he argued. 27 Parsiana June 1992 1 ,1Calendar calls “One form of unity would be to accept a mix, ” reiterated Rivetna. These views are supported by several others in the com ­ munity who would like to see uniform The two-child limit Two children was the norm among a large proportion of the 600 couples interviewed common calendar, ” advocated Golwalla. by the BPP, informed Pardiwalla. These “We (in North America) feel the need for celebrations among coreligionists, not a 600 couples who had married between a unified calendar much more than you January 1983 and December 1989 consti ­ tuted the total sample for the research conducted to study the effect of housing on the fertility behavior of Parsis. Hundred couples had been allotted flats by the BPP, 500 had independent accom ­ modation. Even those with more than two rooms “were not found to have produced more than two children, ” stated Par ­ diwalla. Ideally couples should have two to three children was the most frequently heard response. Among the reasons quoted for restricting the size of the fam ­ ily, the most common were inflation, lack of finance and lack of housing. Sex pref ­ reduction in the number of festivals but a more scientific calendar beginning with the spring equinox. While the Fasli calendar that begins with the vernal equinox on March 21 may appear to be the logical answer, who would be able to enforce that the Fasli calendar has in practice been adopted by everyone? How would the priests con­ vince their clientele that prayers for the dead would now be recited on different days? How scientific would the new cal ­ endar be for those in the southern hemi­ sphere? Would this issue, meant to unite, serve as ammunition to split the commu ­ nity further? 1 “The BPP trustees are called the akab- ars. If we don ’t face the task, who will? ” questioned Golwalla, adding, ‘If Bombay takes it up, the rest will fol ­ low. ” Postwalla had a more simplistic solution. . If only one calend^ is printed, all will per ­ force follow it. “Whether you pray on one day or another is immaterial. All days are equally holy, ” stated Kanga. While a subcommittee could be appointed to study this issue and arrive at a decision, it was (in India) because of our Parsi-Iranian will? ” 28 Parsiana June 1992 erence for a child was found to be negligible. With both the partners in a marriage working, day care centers are called for, especially at Godrej Baug, opined the counsellor. To corroborate these findings the youngsters present at the Federation meeting were asked to give their candid views. Barring one male Agra resident who would welcome more chil ­ dren as he had neither con­ straints of space nor finances, the others, particularly females, seemed to have decided on not more than two chil- From left: (Top dren. The child ’s welfare and qualitative row) Rivetna upbringing was one factor, the other (Second row): being time for the career, not wishing Kanga, Golwalla to be bogged down as child-bearing and Gandhi machinery. Whatever their inclinations, (Third row): the practice of late marriages and the Sethna, Desai and consequent delay in begetting children Bodhanwalla would inevitably restrict the size of the (Fourth row): family, BPP trustee Minoo Shroff be- BhaccaandR. lieved. Anklesaria ft >1 JU J 1proposed to defer taking any major deci- purpose...uplifting the poor farmers. ” As Mobarakai. The help he sought from the sion which could have lasting repercus- - . . sions. “Coming to the end of my trustee ­ ship term I’m deviating from the principle had been wanting it so as to get an early of the recommended alternatives it of not discussing any controversial is- tax exemption clearance. chooses to pursue; go to court, get the sues ” in the . Federation, admitted Ahmedabad Punchayet ’s guidance as Golwalla. While it may take time for mat- Property in a flx they ’ve experienced such a problem, so- ters to progress in India, in North Amer- The housing complex being constructed licit the support of the environmental ica they hope to arrive at a decision in within 1(X) feet of the dokhma at Dahanu group in the area, seek former minorities September when this topic is scheduled has created unrest among the residents of commission member Homi Taleyarkhan ’s for the agenda of the North American Congress in Vancouver. to whether its nature was cosmopolitan, Federation was assured. But before that Mistry replied that it wasn ’t although he his Anjuman would need to decide which tax exemption clearance. Property in a flx Dahanu, Gholvad and Sanjan, reported intervention, close down the dokhma and Dahanu anjuman president Zarthost resort to an aramgah. Rural review --------------------------- —------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Federation has committed a sum of Rs 50,000 for rural welfare work. But Jq whOIH should ttlCV tum? whether these monies could be used for the farmers of Maharashtra or only of “We need to grow together... If there is no sons amongst the community throughout south Gujarat where relief work is pres- communication between us, we ’ll go in “ ently concentrated, became a debatable divergent ways. You won ’t be able to rec ­ issue. The amounts collected so far (Rs ognize us in the next 40 years. ” Rohinton 21,00,000) are “earmarked for the poor Rivetna, president of the Federation of ving, “wehavestrayedawayfromourbusi- farmers of South Gujarat, ” clarified Zoroastrian Associations of North Amer- Bhacca, chairman of the rural welfare ica (FEZANA), was invited to the forum subcommittee. “Those who want to cover of the Indian Federation to address the strive to make the religion and the com ­ other areas must come forward and volun ­ teer ” with their own manpower and community overseas. schemes, he continued. * . .. Of the Rs 16 lakhs expended to date, follow-up of the (Fifth) World Zoroas- one lakh was spent on the education of the trian Congress ” and for quashing the ex­ farmers* families. Instead of giving out- pectations of working “as a world com- right loans the committee believes in part munity, ” mentioned Rivetna. Expressing the world is on their list. They will be ac­ cepting the membership of business houses in all comers of die world belie- ness heritage... we want to bring itback. ” They individually and collectively delegates on the issues confronting the munity better known in the North Ameri ­ can milieu. “We have people and finan- “We were very disappointed with the cial resources. Our challenge is to tap the resources and channelize them so that we can jointly achieve our goals, ” summa ­ rized Rivetna. ______________________ . .. . ,. . _ In the series of interrogations that he finance so that when the agriculturists ’ the acute need for a global body, Rivetna was put through, he was asked whether he own money is involved “they take greater assured cooperation from FEZANA; was speaking on behalf of himself or as a interest and are bothered about the re- “Whatever organization you fam is okay representative of the collective body, turns. ” by us. ” They perceive three choices in what was the North American Zoroastri- The work undertaken by all bodies the formation of a world body; continuing ans ’ reaction to Ali Jafarey ’s activities, should be publicized, said Kanga. “There with the World Zoroastrian Organisation why the seat to Zoroastrian studies in the is a wrong impression being created that (WZO) in its present format which is not Columbia University had been discontin- I work is done only by the World Zoroas- considered truly representative; strength- ued, whether they were encouraging mar- trian Organisation (1^0).” Dadi Mistry ening the WZO with FEZANA, the In- riages within the fold. Reiterating that the -------- ... points raised by him had come up to dis ­ cussion earlier in the States, Rivetna re- _______________________ _ plied that there are stories about thbu- limelight... I would be happy to provide Like all pockets, in North America too sands joining Jafarey ’s Zarathushtrian you articles showing that everyone has “we have all shades of Zoroastrians — Assembly which is not/actually correct; got the credit... Besides, our workers cmiformists, traditionalists, free thinkers. “If it happens, it happens. But he is not travelling all over the world have gener- We consider that our asset. Each person after any one... ” He then went on to an- ated a considerable amount of interest, has an organization to identify with. ” But swer the next queries: “The cost of a Even the non-Parsi spouses are soliciting when diversity gets divisive, as it did with Zoroastrian seat is believed to be one mil ­ funds for this venture. ”_________________Parsis and Iranians, they appointed an ad lion dollars... We encourage them (the The creation of a new WZO trust with hoc committee to coordinate the activities youth) to get together as much as pos- similar objects was a topic on which between them. They further have a North sible. However we don ’t disown them if Bhacca had scant knowledge. He was American Mobed Council and a Council they marry out We are not harsh. (The unable to confirm the receipt of funds ex- of Iranian Mobeds advising on the reli- attitude adopted is, irrespective of your pected from the government; “I don ’t gious score. A council of elders is also personal choice you are welcome and ac­ know what the donors ’ (specifications) proposed by them to address the questions cepted by the Association.) Invariably * : ' . then the children of such mixed marriages S^ing up of a capital fund that could have become Zoroastrians. We don ’t sub- ¦ ¦ " scribe to the view that intermarriages are a loss to the community. ” interest and are bothered about the re- of Delhi was quick to respond on behalf dian Federation and the Tehran body af- of the WZO, “It is easy to criticize... It filiating themselves as a council body; or has never been our intention to hog the forming a separate global body. American Mobed Council and a Council they marry out We are not harsh. (The of Iranian Mobeds advising on the reli- attitude adopted is, irrespective of your are. I don ’t know...about the money with facing them. the WZO trust. ” Mistry ’s clarification f was, “All amounts collected by the WZO be used for welfare work, and the forma- are deposited in a local trust formed in Navsari. All monies will go to the same tion of a body to promote business liai- 29 Parsiana June 1992 Iawards-should be instituted in those fields where there are greater contenders; the Div^ha Trust property that they had from the funds expected from the sale of whether with the donor ’s consent, an managed to save from being lost to the commu ­ nity. But their failure to give the necessary credit for their success to the Federation, and the BPP in particular, irked some members who felt that the BPP should also have been permitted some al ­ lotment rights. In Khandwa, the fate of the 12 acres of From left: Mogrelia, Masani and the aramgah property is still to be re ­ solved as Darayus Panthaky, the one-time local resident was unable to testify. With the Junagadh (Rs 1.75 lakhs) and Suren- Ratlam ’s Anklesaria offering to involve dranagar (Rs 3,00,000) properties. If, himself as an individual, and the however, funds fall short, anjumans Federation ’s assurance to implead itself if would need to subsidize, necessary, the fear of the case being dis ­ missed now does not arise. No further details were available on The practical problems faced when select- the progress of the different issues con- ing the recipients of the Federation ceming defunct anjumans in the absence awards for excellence has prompted the candidates available for training, and the of SPP executive officer and active mem- Federation to reconsider certain guide- ones trained have now started demanding ber of the defunct anjumans subcommit- lines framed earlier. Whether a past re- a higher price for their services like the tee Sorab Katpitia. However BPP’s chief cipient of the award should be debarred paramobed empleyed at Allahabad. Since executive Rustom Anklesaria impressed from receiving the same award in the Allahabad has limited resource (there on the Federation the need to engage a same field in the future; whether more continued on page 40 . The Thana trustees happily reported full-time employee to work on defunct that they had shortlisted 48 allottees for anjuman matters for a couple of years T. Anklesaria J*; , : fc award in one field can be redirected to another or used in the subsequent year if there is no one deserving it in that particular year; whether the performance at the preceding year alone should be the criterion for adjudication; whether new awards should be instituted for ‘youth ’ and ‘miscellane ­ ous ’ to accommodate some achiever who may not fall under any of the categories stipulated. Jamshedpur ’s Homi Bodhan ­ walla who had conceived the idea of the awards was asked to frame revised guide ­ lines. BPP trustee Jamshed Guzder of ­ fered to sponsor one more award. 1 Awaiting action Federation to reconsider certain guide ­ lines framed earlier. Whether a past re- Deolali is in need of a paramobed. Agra, Jhansi and Jabalpur have jointly agreed to sponsor a paramobed. But there are no J * Steamship agents — master stevedores dubashes — lighterage contractors Darabshaw B. Cursetjee’s Sons (Bombay) Pvt Ltd Darabshaw House, Ballard Road, Bombay 400038 Grams: DEADWEIGHT Telex: 5824 DBCB IN Phone: 2610021 (4 lines) (Dock Office: 2612230) J J £ ! 3 J i 30 Parsiana June 1992 Also associates at Calcutta, Vishakhapatnam, Kakinada, Mangalore, Bhavnagar, B^i-port, Navlakhi, Veraval, Porbunder & Kandla Also sole Government Landing contractors at Jamnagar, (Bed!) BhavnagarLAW Wedlock’s end: 3 K. C. Vajifdar Absence of a partner need not necessarily mean desertion, though both can be used as grounds for divorce What are the responsibilities imposed by I on the basis that a husband or wife has not been heard of for seven years, is required to inform the other party of the existence of the earlier marriage. To keep the other party in the dark about the same is a grave offence under the IPC (section 496). What is usually done under such cir ­ cumstances is that advertisements are placed in two newspapers stating the fact that such a person has not been heard of for seven years and anyone knowing his or her whereabouts should furnish such information. If no such infofmation comes forth, then it is presumed that the person cannot be traced and a second marriage could be performed. ‘Not heard of for seven years ’ should not be confused with desertion. ‘Not heard of for seven years ’ means that a person, either husband or wife, suddenly leaves the matrimonial home and goes away and does not communicate at all and his or her whereabouts are not known ei­ ther to the spouse or the family including father, mother, sister, brother and other relatives. It would mean that the person is presumed to be dead even though he may tend to any person whose marriage with be alive. Thus the meaning of the words such husband or wife has been declared ‘Not heard of for severryears ’applies to an J entity who has not communicated with Also, when an allegation is made that a those who were supposed to keep in con- man has married twice it has to be de- L. 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 Divorce Act, the PMDA had lost its preeminence as q legislation that was in keeping with the spirit of the times. Legal personality K. C. Vajifdar analyses the main clauses of the PMDA since its last amendment in 1988. In a series of six articles Vajifdar explains the changes that have been incorporated as second spouse of the fact of a former mar- also the main heads under which either riage. However, this section does not ex­ parry to a marriage may apply for di- 1 vorce. ! ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ In his third article Vajifdar explains void by a court of competent jurisdiction. what constitutes bigamy, desertion, "not heard of for seven years" and the decree of restitution of conjugal rights. In the cided whether the first marriage was duly two prior articles Vajifdar had compared solemnized or not. What is to be remem- the PMDA with the Special Marriage Act bered is that the offence is directed other spouse of his or her own will and of 1954 and the Indian Penal Code, and against the second marriage. It is re- accord and does not wish'to keep up the had referred to bigamy, desertion, etc. quired that the second marriage also matrimonial alliance. In desertion the Future articles will deal withadultery,cru- should have been celebrated with essen- whereabouts of the party are known but eltyandchange of religion. tial ceremonies and should be valid in the party is not willing to resume cohabi ­ tation. A decree of restitution of conjugal * tact for a period of seven years or more. Desertion, on the other hand, means that either the husband or wife has left the should have been celebrated with essen ­ tial ceremonies and should be valid in form. If, however, either of the two mar- Under section 495 of the Indian Penal riages is found not to be duly solemnized. Code (IPC) bigamy is punishable with the only presumption in law could be that rights is passed when a husband or wife has left the other party and does not wish to return and resume cohabitation. This decree is a decree in name which cannot A person marrying for a second time be effected by due process of law. In simple or rigorous imprisonment up to 10 there is only one legal marriage and thus years and a fine. Bigamy, or marrying the charge of bigamy would not be sus- again during the lifetime of the husband tained. or wife, implies concealment from the 31 Parsiana June 1992 IBOYS’ TOWN Public School Nasik 2 Recognised as a Public School by the Department of Educa ­ tion for Indian Merit Scholars. Excellent Climate — All- round Education: The person is presumed to be dead even though he may be alive 'THE STAMP SAFARI continued from page 22 All Academic Subjects — Technical Subjects: Work ­ shop Technology, Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance, Car ­ pentry & Farming. Training in Self-Government through Elected Boys ’ Office bearers. Games —-Physical Training —Daily Assembly with Con­ gregational Prayers — Weekly intensive Zoroastrian —Geeta —Koran classes — Ex­ cellent Modern Kitchen and DiningRoom facilities —Airy Dormitories. Moderate Fees. Concessions to Deserving Students. other words neither the wife nor the hus ­ band could be forced either by the police machinery or any machinery to go and physically live with the other party. The a healthy recreational option to his regular only advantage is that after obtaining such job — that of an insurance agent and ac- a decree the party can go to a court of law countant. Sundays were devoted to work- and obtain a decree of divorce on the ing on his labor of love when “I could not ground that the decree of restitution of afford to spend more than Rs 25 a month on it. ” His wife Kattie (they married while he was employed with Volkart Brothers — the Swiss insurance agency) and Aileen, their only child, played a vital role in nur ­ turing Mistry ’s interest .helping out espe ­ cially with the research. “Both extended the kind of support I could scarcely have done without, ” he beams. Today his wife conjugal rights has not been obeyed by teaches cutting and sewing to aspiring the other party and that there has not been seamstresses and Aileen is a marketing any maritd relationship between the par- officer in a multinational bank, ties during the course of one year. I may “ add here that formerly the law was that faith in the Parsi community except that only the person who gets the decree could he ’s noticed a certain amount of honesty get a divorce but now the Parsi Marriage eroding over the years. “There is now and Divorce Act (PMDA) has changed more of a need to adhere to our central te- and it states that either party can go to a nets of humata, hukta and huvrashta than court of law, namely even the guilty ever before, ” he says. For Mistry, Zoro- party, and obtain a divorce if it is proved astrianism has'been the guiding light i that there is no marital relationship be- spurring him on “to wage a spirited fight i tween the parties during the time that the for justice ” in trying circumstances. He • | decree was granted. narrates how he was forced to struggle to 1 The philatelist affirms his immense ) ;icc was giaincu. Iiaiiaivo uvw uv iwawka tw fcvr 1 Section 52(2) of the PMDA states that retain his integrity when he assumed the I ’arsi who has contracted a marriage un- mantle of trusteeship of Surat ’s Jeevanji a Parsi who has contracted a marriage un ­ der the Act shall remain bound by the Jamasji Mistry Agiary; tempted with provisions of this Act so long as the part- bribes at every step of the 18-year battle ner is alive and so long as the marriage aiming to wrest the ancestral land (223 has not been lawfully annulled or dis- sprawling acres belonging to his solved by the decree of a competent court, grandfather ’s estate) from him. The case This would hold even if one of the was eventually resolved by the Supreme spouses were to change religion or domi- Court all through which he claims he fol- cile, lowed the lofty principles Zoroastrianism Thus, a Parsi cannot remarry without inculcated. obtaining a valid divorce and if he were to do so, he would commit the criminal of ­ fence of bigamy. Apply to THE MANAGING TRUSTEE P. N. MEHTA EDUCATION TRUST Cooks Building, 324Dr. D.N. Road, Bombay 400001. Misiry is not one to cash in on his as ­ sets. His rich wildlife cornucopia is pres ­ ently evaluated at approximately four to If a Parsi were to marry someone else five lakh rupees. Will be sell? Mishy, without obtaining a divorce, his second typically, shakes his head, remarking marriage would be declared invalid and earnestly, “I could do with the money but illegal and the property rights of the first can ’t think of it somehow. Maybe if it is wife would always remain if he were to a truly good rate, some day... ” Mean ­ die intestate. The second wife would get while, he continues to busy himself go- nothing. However, a person can certainly ing about collecting, corresponding, re ­ now that he is long past retired. _ ___________ His other interests include photogra- Fenge the right of the husband to make phy, and Indian and Western classical such a will. __________________________ music. None, however, are anywhere ____________ ____________________near receiving the affection lavished on his first love. As he says, “perhaps it would be no exaggeration to claim that I live for this, my most constant source of satisfaction, life ’s enduring reward. ” make a will and give his property to any- searching and making copious notes, one and in that case the wife who is le ­ gally married would not be able to chal- Koover C. Vajifdar is an advocate of the Bom­ bay High Court. He is a frequent contributor to the general Press on the implications of the Rent Act and the legal ramifications of marital problems. 32 Parsiana June 1992MEDICINE Dr Burjor Dastur’s enduring commitment to gynecology was recognized with a Padma Shri this year D ASTU R'S DELIVERIES Gustasp Irani Thirty minutes past midnight: the |||||||||M|||||||||||^m For Dr Burjor Das- and gynecolo- gist, this was unusud. This time, however, it was a delivery of a different kind that had caught the doctor unprepared. The call was from Delhi. The delivery: news that Dastur had been se- i|tj|IE lected for the 1992 Padma Shri ¦' award by the Government of In- dia. “It was least expected. It was a bolt from the blue, ” says Dastur, confessing that his initial reaction was laced with a trace pf irritation. This because he had a scheduled caesarian delivery the following day and had hop^ to enter the operation theater after enjoyed his quota of The events on the eve Re- public Day reflect, in a way, the personality of Dastur humble, low dedicated and still 74 though he looks years younger than “I don ’t expect them. I don ’t need them, ” The Padma Shri, if anything, he sees as a recognition of his service to the poor and middle “As an honorary obstetrician and gynecologist at the St Georges Hospital, it was not just a Then President of India, ¦ ] 4* * matter of going there for a few hours a /?. Venkataraman presenting the Padma week. I put in four to five hours a day, ” Shri award to Dastur (l^t) says Dastur. In recognition of his dedica- Shri award to Dastur (left) tion to the Hospital (27 years in all), the Government of Mahar-, ashtra broke past tradititxis and* norms andXjffered him two con­ secutive superannuation exten ­ sions and appointed him profes ­ sor emeritus of obstetrics and gy­ necology for life, he inf(»ms. Excellence has been ±e hall ­ mark of Dastur ’s career. He was the first Parsi to win the Prince of Wales Gold Medal and two scholarships — Hansraj Pragji and Sir Mangaldas Mehta — in his MD examination (1943) and the first member of the commu ­ nity to have a triple qualification of MD, FRCS and FRCOG. While in the UK, Dastur worked and carried out research under the guidance of Dr Wilfred h Shaw at the St Bartholomews I Hospital which culminated in the I discovery of a cancerous cell in I the ovaries called the Shaw-Das- I tur Cell. Later with ±e eminent I Dr V. N. Shirodkar he developed I an original operational procedure I called the Shirodkar-Dastur Sling I Operation which enables women I to retain their uterus and extend I their childbearing years. The I Dastur-Shiixxlkar team also per ­ formed a delicate operation whereby they were able to effect a blood transfusion to a child while it was still in its mother ’s womb. Yet for all his medical progressiveness 33 Parsiana June 1992 Iand innovation, Dastur is, by his own con ­ fession, an old-world traditionalist at least in matters of medical ethics. “Maybe I am old-fashioned, ” he states, but then, in or ­ der to be contemporary he refuses to com ­ promise his beliefs. Every obstetrician and gynecologist, in India at least, must work out his own equation in relation to the paradox of his profession which makes him, in a way, partner in the unbridled population growth that is crippling the country. Ac­ cording to Dastur, the doctor must be viewed as an important link in the family planning program of the country — not just in his capacity as a man of medicine but as an educationalist and a catalyst of social change. Men must be educated and made aware that there is equality of partners in a marriage. “Men refuse to undergo vasectomy. It is always women who must take all the precautions in In ­ dia, ” says Dastur. One community, however, that needs children given for adoption are only from no education in family planning are the couples where both the parents are Parsis. Parsis. “Parsis must be discouraged from using contraceptives. They need to be re ­ educated on the need for having more children, ” says the doctor. He does not against girls. Though Parsis in general greatly from sharing such a relationship, believe that the Parsis will ever become are not so afflicted by it, there are cases “I know of one rich Parsi lady who had all extinct but he fears that the community (and here Iranis outnumber Parsis) when the possible illnesses imaginable. But will shrink to such a small number that it will become totally irrelevant. The prob ­ lem with the community is not one of fertility but of attitudes; they marry late, delay having children and stop having more once they have one or two, Dastur observes. “Medically there is nothing to suggest that there is any fertility problem in the community, ” he clarifies. To illus ­ trate the extent of the problem Dastur points out that in 1950 there were about 350 births in the Parsi Lying-in Hospital, almost one a day. Now the Hospital is virtually deserted. Dastur does not see the acceptance of children of Parsi women married to non ­ Parsis into the fold as a solution to the child is often surrendered for adoption, problem of declining numbers. “I am an orthodox, ” he declares and looks on with despair as children of such unions are smuggled into the community. And talking of adoption, Dastur has, is futile. Such couples normally come over the years played a quiet but effec- f — - • live role as the catalyst for adoption difficult to give up the child to someone within the community. “I have given a number of babies born to poor Parsis to rich Parsi couples. No names are asked, the identity of the real parents is known only to me. It is a matter of trust, ” he says. His orthodoxy is guarantee that the (From right) A ban, Guls han, Dastur with wife Mehru, S. B. Chavan and Fardun Who are these parents who give np their children? The answer, according to couples a chance for, according to the Dastur, lies in the traditional prejudice doctor, the foster parents also benefit . the need to have a son is compelling, once I got a baby for her to adopt she for- got all her illnesses and devoted herself to caring for the child. ” Recently Dastur was greatly distressed when a Parsi couple offered their child for adoption via sale. Dastur's family consists of his wife Mehru, one son Fardun who is a general surgeon and two daughters, Gulshan, an obstetrician and gynecologist like her fa ­ ther, and Aban, a lawyer. When Dastur was a lad of five he lost his father and was brought up by his grandfather Khan- badhur Fardunji Dastur who was the first Indian registrar of the Bombay Univer ­ sity. Dastur points to a photograph of his grandfather hanging on the wall. Photograph? Look again. It is a finely trying to convince Parsis seeking abor- etched drawing done by Dastur himself, tion, and there are many such cases, to His artistic talents of portraying life did have the child and give it up for adoption not get a chance to blossom as he im- ! mersed himself in life itself and partici- from the middle class. “They find it very pated in the miracle of birth with each new baby he helped into this world. But the task can be demanding. “In our pro ­ fession every call is an emergency. You are like a fire engine rushing about all day and night. And you get used to it, ” he adds with a smile. There are cases among Zoroastrians when the need to have a son is compelling Should they get a girl instead, then the Dastur has found that the exercise of else. They would rather not have it at all. ” Yet, Dastur will plead his case each time around hoping that one day someone will listen and give that unborn child a chance. They will also be giving childless Parsi 34 Parsiana June 1992 *MILESTONES inson ’s disease. The coroner ’s The age of Tbroastrian brides — as listed in this issue — ranged report was still pending in the between 19 and 42 years, the arithmetic mean (the total num ­ ber of individual ages divided by the total number of brides) being 28 years. The corresponding her last, figures for the grooms were 21 ~ and 50 years, averaging at 31 years. As compared to 75 Zoroastri ­ ans who died in Bombay in May, there were 21 births. Heart dis ­ ease was the major killer claim ­ ing the lives of 25 persons of whom 10 were above 80 years of ige. Twelve succumbed to old age and general debility. Pneu ­ monia and lung disease took 11 victims, cancer, five, and diabetes and hypertension, four each. Two patients fell prey to angina and brain disease. * The isolated deaths according to illnesses, es- cases registered last month were: tetanus (a disease caused by an anaerobe which may be present in road dust and manure), as ­ phyxia (suffocation), cellulitis marriages/deaths they would like (an inflammation of connective tissue), high blood pressure, ane ­ mia, bronchitis, septicemia, kid ­ ney failure, liver disease, arthri ­ tis, paralysis, bed sores and Park- Sunama Hse, 140, A. Kranti Marg, 400036; April 30 Deira Gusteidji Keirkeiria (67), B/5, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; May 1 Dinshezw Dhunjishaw Bharucha (69), Jeevan Complex, Khetwadi Main Rd, 400(X)4; May 2 Kho^ Ardeshir Driver (59), 10, Station Ter, 63, A. N. Bharucha Marg, 400007; May 2 Jeroo Jal Ge}drej (67), D/2, Jolly Highrise Apts, Bandra, 4(X)050; May 2 Adi Rustomji Melda (58), 614, Kashinath Bldg, Girgaum Rd, 400002; May 2 Gulbai Rustonyi Settha (87), 4, Church View, St Michael Clny, Mahim, 400016; May 3 Sorabji Cawasji Bhesania (90), Jeevanbai Tata Bldg No 2, Tata Blocks, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050-*May 5 Hilla Pheroze Boyce (89),- Schoem Hse, 13, Wodehouse published, some proof to ensure Verzetvand Jehangir Elavia; May Rd, 400039; May 5 the veracity of the report would 22 be required. We are sure our Ndash Rusi DadyBurjor and readers would appreciate this re ­ quirement and cooperate with us. Darius Irani of Indore; May 7 Shiraz Rustom Wadia and Kersi Rusi Dordi of Ahmedabad; case of one death. Two 32-year- old youths were lost to the May 9 community. A 98-year-old wo- Roxane Beji Bharucha and man was the oldest to breathe Darayus Spitman Desai; May 10 Mehroo Rusi Kodia of Surat and The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled Yezdi Jal Dumasia; May 10 from information supplied by Gulshan Parvez Boyce and various newsletters and anju- Mehernosh Jehangir Patel; mans in India and abroad, courts and hbspitals. This information is not always complete or consis ­ tent. For example, the birth fig- May 17 ures for Bombay are supplied by four hospitals; births in suburban hospitals and private nursing homes are not included unless in ­ dividuals send us information to ­ gether with a copy of the birth certificate. In the breakup of May 16 Diana Khurshed Dotnvala and Navroze Gustad Dastur; pecially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several diseases. If readers have any births/ Roxanne Jamshed Sethna and Pourus Roosi Panthakee; May 17 Moti Behram Irani of Bhivandi and Behram Nadirshaw Karbhari; May 18 Zarina Ratanshaw Bhathena and Keld Rustomji Bharucha of Thana; May 19 Kashnura Nariman Munshi and Bahmanshaw Dhanjishaw Baldawala; May 21 Nalud Rustom Manoocheri and BOMBAY Born A boy to Simone and Mar azban Bhumgara on April 21,1992 A boy to Percis and Sarosh Daruwalla; May 1 A boy to Anita and Sharukh Elavia; May 3 A boy to Mehernaaz and Freddy Elavia; May 4 A girl to Firangiz and Eric Sethna; May 6 Twins (girls) to Bepsy and Kerman Jalnawalla; May 8 A boy to Dhun and Noshir Vesuna; May 9 A boy to Roshon and Homiar Bbandari; May 10 A girl to Firoza and Porusp Tarapore; May 10 A boy to Anhaita and Khushroo Khambatta; May 15 A boy to Yanisha and Furokh Santoke; May 15 A girl to Shirin and Vistas Vesuwala; May 15 Twins (boys) to Soonoo and Hoshang Netarwala; May 19 A boy to Meher and Kersi Dubash; May 20 A boy to Rashna and Mahiyar Panthaki; May 21 A girl to Kashmira and Navil Hakim; May 23 A girl to Pakeeza and Kersie Merchant; May 25 A boy to Parveen and Porus Pardiwalla; May 25 A girl to Roxane and Behram Khodaiji; May 28 A boy to Shareen and Marbin Colah; May 29 Married Havovi Rusi Tavadia and Hoshang Fall Kerawalla; May 3 Nilufer Hoshang Kavarana and Behram Nariman Munshi; May 3 Shirin Behram Irani and Mehernosh Keld Patel; May 4 Zenobia Dorab Surti and Rustom Kharshedji Palsetia; May 5 Binaifer Behrtun Mehta and Hoshi Fall Sigtmporia; May 5 Farzeen Soli Irani and Shazad 35 Parsiana June 1992 Ratanbai Burjorji Cooper (92), 45, Ahmed Bldg, Gun Powder Rd, Mazgaon, 400010; May 5 Fardun Dara Dastoor (32), 401/ 402, Saidam, 719, Govind Patil Rd, Danpada, Khar (W), 400052; May 5 Adi Jehangir Dhollo (72), E/4, Captain Clny, Haji Ali, Tardeo, 400034; May 5 Jeroo Marteck Dhunboora (42), Lily Court, Churchgate Reel, 400020; May 5 Goolbai Manchersha Sukhadia Ratanshaw Behreungore Vakil; May 22 Niloufer Tehmurasp Boatwalla and Minoo Jal Mehta; May 23 Farzana Adi Aga and Sharukh Dinshaw Chothia; May 24 Khorshed Kawasji Poonawala and Behram Rashid Iram; May 24 Dolly Homi Mehta and Dinyar Behram Vandrewala; May 25 Meherangez Erach Elavia and Farhad Faramji Elavia of Vashi; (84), H/37, Jivan Ngr, Veera May 26 Arnavaz Erach Pardiwalla and Yazdi Sored} Seibaveda; May 28 ramieen Dara Tareiporwala of Thana and Zarir ManekBharda; May 30 Died Putla H(}mi Mandroina (61), residing at 16, Dubash Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; April 30 Dinoo Ardeshir Mistry (79), 17/A, Tardeo Chmbs, Kasinath Rd, 400034; April 30 Chandeibhai Rustomji Mucadam (86), Orient Hse, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; April 30 Dina Phiroze Tareiporevala (75), May 8 Desai Rd, AiMheri (W), 400058; May 5 GoolJenu Tavaeha (64), Jeevan Complex, Khetwadi Main Rd, 400004; May 5 Dosamai Jehangir Jijina (74), Sultan Manzil,.Bora Bazar, Fort, 400001; May 6 Bapai Pirojshaw Vesuna (72), Hormouz Bldg, Kashinath St, Tardeo, 400034; May 6 Khorshed Soli DadyBurjor (57), 801, Cdover Villa, Jame- Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; May 7 Dhun Rusi Mehta (61), Rusi Mehta Compd, JairajUiai Lane, R. S. Nimkar Marg, 400008; IKeki Sorabji Parekh (77), Jer Villa, Malcolm Baug, Jogesh ­ wari (W), 400102; May 8 Sorab Byram Engineer (88), 117, Depot Lines, Saddar, Karachi, Pakistan; May 9 Nariman Ratanji Mandviwalla (84), Heliopolis, Near Colaba PO, Colaba, 400039; May 9 Jamshed Maneckji Mistry (79), 9, Patel Chmbs, Gunbow Street, Fort, 400001; May 9 Meharbai Cawas Karanjia (80), Dharwar Bldg, Chikalwadi, Tardeo, 400007; May 10 Minoo Dinsha Magra (65), 94/D, Madhav Bhuvan, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, 400013; May 10 Darabsha Edulji Patel (80), 1, Al-Farooq Bldg, 31, Dilima St, Dockyard Rd, 400010; May 10 Homi Framroz Bona (75), D-Pavri, Way Side, 63, Clerk Rd, Mahalaxmi, 400011; May 11 Eruch Jehangirji Garda (75), Shirin Manzil, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; May 11 Jamshed Sheriar Irani (73), 4/24, Tata Clny, Tardeo, 400034; May 11 Jal Faramroze Kharas (69), Ali Mohmad Mans, Grant Rd, 400007; May 11 Coorru Tehmurasp Udwadia (77), R-5-14, Sunder Ngr, Malad (W), 400064; May 11 Minocher Mererwanji Engineer (85), C/5, Shanti Niketan, Garden Line, Ghatkopar (W), 400086; May 12 Rhoda Rustom Framjee (69), 61, Anita, Mt Pleasant Rd, 400006; May 12 Navzar Pirozshah Bamji (77), Bhika Behram Kuwa Bawadi, Churchgate, 400020; May 13 Dhunjisha Nawroji Elavia (73), F/21, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; May 13 Shirin Eruch Khasimay (73), Hormuzd Bldg, Sleater Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; May 13 Savak Soli Bacha (32), 208/8, Nandadeep, New MIG Clny, Bandra (E), 400051; May 14 Homai Savakshaw Mogrelia (84), M/50, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; May 14 Nariman Framji Daruwala (77), Nanabhoy Chmbs, R. Sidhwa Marg, Fort, 400001; May 15 Mani Phiroze Guard (70), Dubash Bldg, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; May 16 From Pestonjee Khambatta (80), P/14, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; May 16 Jerbai Hortu Narielwalla (76), D, KhalakdinaTer, Gowalia Tank, 400036; May 16 Khorshed Shapurji Wadia (78), Sanjana Bldg, Forjett Hill Rd, Tardeo, 400007; May 16 Eruch Jal Arjani (64), Edward Bldg, Lamington Rd, 400(X)7; May 17 Pesi Hormusji Dorabji (74), B/7, Taher Bldg, Jalbhai St, Chami Rd Jn, 400004; May 17 Noshir Nadirshah Elavia (69), 81, M. A. Patel Bglw, J. P. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; May 17 Aloo Dorabji KhambaJta (77), 32, Karelwadi, Thakurdwar, 400002; May 17 Mota Jal Mirza (80), B/28, Gool Mhl, Sleater Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; May 17 Aloo Jal Mody (65), 3, Chaman Chmbs, Dhobitalao, 40(X)20; May 17 Meheran Homee Billimoria (82), 4, Soona Mhl, 203, Marine stores .400 00^ Drive, 400020; May 18 Noshir Burjorji Nicholson (82), Old Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; May 18 Homi Jehangirji Engineer (92), Room 6, Chawl 1, Ambawadi, Hanging Gardens, 400006; May 20 Byram Dinshaw Desai (83), 4, Meher Villa, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; May 21 Mani Temulji Ghadiwalla (82), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; May 21 Goolu Salamut Irani (73), 17 D/39, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; May 21 Burjore Merwanji Katrak (91), J/20, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; May 21 Rustom Nuserwanji Ginwala (72), Clo Maj H. B. Vacha, 16, Hampton Court, Colaba, 400005; May 22 Eruch Ardeshir Wadia (62), 309, Zaveri Bldg, Girgaum Rd, 400004; May 22 Freny Rustom Kharegat (83), Khatau Mans, Oomer Park, B. Desai Rd, 400026; May 23 Freny Rustom Sanjana (86), 664, Roshan Mans, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; May 23 HillaNadirshah Udwadia (li), Katy Ter, 7, Sleater Rd, 400007; May 23 Kaikhushroo (Keki) Maneck- shawPavri (85), 36, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; May 24 A loo Nariman Gorimar (15), Abbas Bldg, Jalbhai St, Chami Rd Jn, 400004; May 25 Gustadji Pallonji Mistry (H), Arsiwala Bldg, Next to Novelty Cinema, Grant Rd, 4(X)007; May 25 Freny Rustom Dubash (64), Navroze Mans, Opp Bhatia Hosp, Tardeo, 400007; May 26 Rusi P. Mistry (55), 24 A/B, Nawab Tank Rd, Mazgaon, 400010; May 26 Aimai Manekshaw Jokhi (98), 660, Palamkote Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; May 27 Rustom Frcunji Hatturam (73), Habib Hse, Grant Rd Comer, 400007; May 28 Zomrot Khushroo Bastaru (Allahabadi) (76), A/4, Mehr Mans, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; May 29 Gulcheir Meherwan Irani (79), Dhun Villa, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari, 400102; May 29 Homai Boman Irani (73), Dubash Bldg, Grant Rd, 4(X)007; May 29 Nariman Nasarwanji Engineer (75), 614, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 40(X)14; May 30 Eruch Pallonji Sooi (75), 394 Mancharam Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; May 30 Najamai Sohrabji Taraporvala (91), Bniwandiwalla Hse, 583, Chira Bazar, 4(XX)02; May 30 Nariman Jehangir Chhapgar (80), 17/8, Mehta Bldg, Panthaki Baug, Andheri (E), 40()069; May 31 Dolly Keld Daroga (62), Niamat Manz, N. Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; May 31 H Sohrabji Taraporvala j i t i J CALCUTTA Died Aloo Bomansha Bhesarua (67), sister of Phiroze, Bhiku Pesi Avari, late Putli Pesi Avari and Mani Behman Mistry; May 22 POONA Died Ratanbai Savakshaw Mistry (77), Mody Clny No 2, Syna ­ gogue St, 411001; May 3 Mehrabcu Sorabji Motcfaram (86), 176, M. G. Rd, 411001; May 25 Farrokh Feroz Karbhari (44), Mody Clny, Synagogue St, 411001; May 29 SURAT Died Najamai Bomansha Elavia (78), Gam Vavadi, Taluka Rajpipla, Dist Bharuch, 393145; April 29 Ratansha Hirjibhai Olpadwalla (74), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; May 4 36 Parsiana June T992 I>> Perin Firoj Contractor (73), Rani Talao, 395(X)3; May 7 Bhikaji Hormusji Patmahelli- voalla (101), Gam Patbadeli, Taluka Mangrol, Dist Surat, 362225; May 9 Dinamai Kaikhushroo Katpitia {li), Khatki Wad, Near Patel School, Maachlipith, 395003; May 13 Najamai Manchershaw Tatti (Mobed) (80), Maachlipith, Shahpore, 395003; May 13 Phirozsha Dosabhai Katpitia (61), Stn Rd, 395003; May 17 Maki Nadir Daruwalla (15), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; May 19 Naval Sohrab Pithawala (75), Vademano Chaklo, Opp J. C. Munshi School, 395003; May 20 Dosibai Burjorji Bhathena (86), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; May 25 Burjorji Savaksha Bhoja (69), Opp Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; May 26 Jerbanu Rustomji Vajifdar (76), Kamani Bazar, Lal Gate, 395003; May 28 AUCKLAND, New Zealand Born A boy, Cyrus, to Dhun and Phiroze Karab, April 1 KARACHI Born A boy, Naozer, to Katayun and Jamshed Patel; March 14 A boy, Ardavan, to Maha-Zarin and Pervaiz Taraporewala; April 2 Died Dosa Jehangir Mohtafaram (72); April 13 Aimai Faramroze Daruwalla (82); April 23 Piloo Byramji Kotwal (IQ); April 25 TOTALS FOR 1992 Bombay Other Indian cities A Foreign cities A BORN Boys Girls 14 8 54 60 MARRIED Parsi Intercommunal DIED Male Female 24 40 39 128 24 6 10 225 189 A: Total numbers in this issue B: Running totals for 1992 (February-June issues) These figures pertain to information provided to or collected by Parsiana. They do not represent the total number of births, marriages and deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India and abroad. 23 36 12 9 NEW YORK Died Eruch Surti (68), of Calcutta, husband of Perin and father of Jal and Aban Nentin; May 24 VICTORIA, Australia Born A girl, Natasha, to Feroza and Khushroo Patel; February 24 Compiled by Roxana A. Mirza 5»' * B A B B 2 3 1 6 8 2 1 2 3 1 3 ! Best Wishes From RUSY & PURVIZ SHROFF 37 Parsiana June 1992 Ir IN MEMORIAM I >- I Engineer: building values Business on his own steam of a township at Poisar, near Kandivli in the northern suburbs of Bombay. He believed in “charity done quietly and unobtrusively, ” mentions his daugh ­ ter, instilling in the entire family “a deep feeling of commitment to give a part of whatever one has to charity. ” The progress of the Parsi community in particular was very dear to Engineer who would constantly express his willing- Died: Ardeshir Sorabji Bhathena, 83, in ­ dustrial entrepreneur who was instrumen ­ tal in founding Wanson (India), later re- ata condolence meeting convened by the named Thermax, and National Steel Died: Soli Framroze Engineer, 72, re- __________ ________ _____ puted builder and promoter, on January ness to help the communky, said Bombay 10, 1992 at Bombay ’s Breach Candy Parsi Punchayet trustee Jamshed Guzder Hospital following kidney failure. c____ __________ 1..^______ ,wiuim wiu i-Mauuiuu oieei The agent res^nsible for bringing the II Palazzo Coopwative Housing Society Equipment Company, on OctobeTo 1^1 Internauonal Real Estate Federation to In- where Engineer resided. The Zoroastrian ............ in Pune follow dia. Engineer has also been credited with Co-Operative Bank Ltd where Engi- ing a stroke, changing the skyline of Bombay. His firm neer served as director for nearly eight |B|Bp “He was an S. F. Engineer has, during its 50 years of years also passed a condolence resolution archetypal en- operation, sha- in the builder ’s memory. The Aslaji trepreneur a buildings Agiary was another Zoroastrian institu- BUf"" builder of men. ,Ji Engineer served as trustee. man of great In addition to founding and serving as courage and of senior partner of S. F. Engineer, some of great convic- the other companies of which Engineer tions, ” i^arked XI r J _ —-----son-in-law W^den Con^trucuon Company, ^ura Shipping * * Rohinton Aga Heights at Co- ments, Bombay Real Estate Development Bhathena and who took over as chairman laba, also one and TCI Hotels and Resorts. and managing director of Thermax since of the prime c t- ----- .. commercial centers of Bombay, the Engi ­ neering Centre at Opera House. “An upright builder of Bombay ” was and WIAA Club House on Mal ­ abar Hill, Nav- roze Apartments was promoter and director are l^da _ ___ on Warden Construction Company, Ahura Shipping Kvm..»5u «« Prt^rty Invest- who had jointly promoted Wanson with laba, as also one and TCI Hotels and Resorts. ____ company, was Bhathena ’s retirement in 1980. necessary work eiyerien^e from his seven viewed himself, writes his daugh ter Arna- .....u . T - director of human resources at U: “A founded in 1942 after Engineer gained the worker-entrepreneur ” is how Bhathena . _ V , years’ service with M/s Gilbert Lodge, an i___ ___ ______ _ 1!^ chartered surveyors, land Thermax. “He believed that every organi- construction circle. In his dealings with valuers and estate agents. For a brief spell —v the government, public and private sector, 1. ___ l ..IJ. „ national and international companies he Kuka and Engineer" which" wi sub^- was known for getting along with people quently dissolved, “whoever they were and whatever their ” ’ “ age” impressing them with “his wonder- __________________ __ _ ful smile, gentleness, great sense of senior certified valuer*of"The"l*ntenia- humor...and generosity. ” These eulogies tional Institute of Valuers. He was a pa- for Engineer were conveyed in the course tron member of the Estate Agents ’ Asso- of several resolutions and messages re ­ ceived by his family. ________________ _ _ _ S. F. Engineer ’s first venture being temational Real Estate Federafitm Amalfi on Malabar Hill, the Group ’s sub- r ' sequent developments have encompassed have been commented upon in Mid-Town large scale low income housing schemes Musings, the i.^„„ L-LLvl.. as well as b^utifully located five star ho- Ro^ Club of" Bonibay ^Mid-Town company. In fact, low cost housing Bombay in particular would remember schemes were projects very dear to him him by is the “permanent mark he has left and he worked endlessly to try and bring on this great city, ” as remembers a col- . - . zation is a human enterprise, and there- he was involved with a partnership firm fore fragile and to be handled with great care. He encouraged everyone to work m , an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect Educated at the Bharda High School, it and freedom — freedom to be used with IB utAr .n i.fi» i.c. J finesse, ” Amav^ remembem the lessons she had learnt from him. ‘Management by wandering about ’ came easily to Bhathena even before this term was officially coined. His constant interaction with the staff earned him trib ­ utes from his colleagues that were printed in the Thermax house magazine: “He had a loiack of putting people at ease and also ‘He had this re- tels, as notes a press release from the with which he was ifiliat^. But what couldn\^ foob'win? ’ *^e ^w^T"siraSe company. In fact, low cost housing Bombay in particular would remember ......... .. ................................... schemes were projects very dear to him him by is the “permanent mark he has left and he worked endlessly to try and bring on this great city, ” as remembers a col- * housing ’within the reach of the common league. man, remembers his daughter Yasmin H ;___ „ mo wuc Mody. Among the last projects that Engi- Mithoo and daughters Yasmin Mody, neer had taken on hand was the creation Feroza Mody and Kate Dinshaw. was later in life that Engineer qualified as tron member of the Estate Agents ’ Asso ­ ciation of India and was the only Indian member of the British chapter of the In ­ Engineer ’s hospitality and generosity in the Thermax house magazine: “He had news bulletin of the of making them jittery. ” “] man. He had no hierarchies in his mind. ’ “(He had) a puckish sense of humor — ready for a fight. Lovable, sometimes „ . devious, often exasperating, but always Engineer is survived by his wife human... ” Merit and hard work qualified for suc ­ cess, believed Bhathena who used to say. 39 Parsiana June 1992 I“deserve and then desire. ” Thermax which today has a turnover of Rs 280 crores with around 2,700 employees, has diversified from boilers to surface coating being barely 40 Zoroastrians residing in Those attending the Federation meeting systems to water treatment plants and the area) an appeal from the Federation were: Porus Debara from Agra; Capt chemicals, to electronics and computer made Aspi Irani of the Iranian Zoroastrian Homi Dandiwalla from Allahabad; Per- software. Thermax products are reported Anjuman offer to help meet the para- FEDERATION LENDS... continued from page 30 the next Federation meeting would be held in Ratlam in early 1993.) vez Mehta from Bardoli; Shavak Patel to have a m^ket in Europe and America mobed ’s increased demands. and Baman Cama from Baroda; Dr Aspi with Bhathena ’s eldest son Jamshed, Golwalla, Eruch Desai, Jamshed Guzder, based in Canada, boosting Thermax ’s The issues of the Fed Newsletter are Jamsheed Kanga, Minoo Shroff, Rustom sales by serving as a distribution agent. They made their beginning 25 years loss is in the region of Rs 10,000, in- Master and Peshotan Nargolwala from ago, manufacturing boilers in Chinchwad, formed Gandhi. Assurances for sponsor- Bombay; Darius Marshall from Calicut; Poona, with 15 workers and a capital of ship came from: BPP (three), Guzder Zarthost Mobarakai from Dahanu; Lt less than three lakh rupees, notes a write- (two), SPP, Delhi, Ratlam, Secunderabad, Gen Adi Sethna, Keki Gandhi, Noshir up from the Company. Prior to Wanson, Aspi Irani, Desai, Dinshaw Anklesaria, Captain and Dadi Mistry from Delhi; Ed- Bhathena had for nearly 20 years been Shroff, Bodhanwalla and the WZO. ulji Dumasia from Dumas; Aspi Irani and concentrating his energies on National Pervez Irani from the Iranian Zoroastrian Steel Equipment Company, a partnership The centenary of Dadabhoy Naoroji ’s Anjuman; Dolly Bajan from Jabalpur; firm he founded in 1947 in Sewri, Bom- election to the British House of Commons Homi Bodhanwalla and Eruch Surti from bay, and later entrusted to his son Da- will be celebrated in London, Delhi and Jamshedpur; Ronny Dick from Jhansi; rayus, to manufacture hospital equipment Bombay by different Zoroastrian associa- Nariman Mogrelia from Madras; Behram and appliances, catering equipment and tions. “Whatever we do must not be from Masani from Mhow; Dara Deboo from laundiy machinery. He was chairman of a parochial angle but (in our capacity) as Navsari; Minoo Davierwala and Dinshaw various Indian Standards Institution com- Indian nationals, ” briefed Sethna who in- Anklesaria from Poona; Tehmton Ankle- mittees on hospital appliances. formed that the DPA was expected to be saria from Ratlam; Homi Palsetia from His first independent venture was an the focal point as they had also handled Saronda; Noshir Nagarwala and Jehangir import-export business that he founded in the Parsi presentation for the India Inter- Bisney from Secunderabad and Hydera- 1942, being the first Indian to be allowed national Centre. bad; Ms Mani C^ubwala from the South to import food grains in large quantities Zone; Dr Sam Bhacca and Davar Kavasji on government account during the famine The amendments sought on the ISA by Modi from Surat; Rustom Cursetji, Hor- years of 1943-45, according to a family the Federation have now, after being maz Ghadially and Pervez Bhesania from source. The ctmfidence to launch his own passed by both Houses of Parliament, Thane; and Homi Mehta from Zai Bordi, enterprises Bhathena earned during his been declared law. But a complication ¦ decade of service with Godrej — starting foreseen is with regard to a Parsi marry- his career as branch manager of Godrej ing (another Parsi or a non-Parsi) under Jennifer Debara from Agra; Porus Kar- and Boyce in Madras on completion of the Special Marriage Act (SMA) and not anjawalla from Ahmedabad; Ms Parizad his commerce graduation from Bombay ’s the PMDA in which case the Parsi laws of Ghandhi, Ms Shireen Dandiwalla, Ms Sydenham College, and later working as intestate succession would not be appli- Banco Marshal and Nariman Marshal general manager of Godrej Soaps. cable. Desai was asked to study the im- from Allahabad; Dr Kersi Hozdar, Ms Parsis as a community were losing plications of the SMA and advise the Fed- Scheherezade Postwalla, Cyrus Driver, some of their cherished values and were eration such that amendments to the Ms Binokshi Billimoria, Khurshed Mirza, blindly aping the West in Bhathena ’s SMA, if called for, could then be pursued. Murzban Dadiburjor, Ms Parizad Patel, opinion. Years ago his essay on the Parsis Hushedar Mehta, Sheriar Kasad, Ms had won him a" award from the. Manp.rkji While some like Nariman Mogrelia of Shiraz Khambatta and Cmdr Jal Postwalla Cooper Trust and a subsequent appoint- Madras felt that the Federation meetings from Bombay; Gev Ayrton from Calcutta; ment as trustee of the Maneckji Cooper were “well represented ” as compared to Ms Banoogoshasp Irani froth Dahanu; Ms School, mentions his daughter. meets of other professional bodies, oth- Anahita Captain from Delhi, Ms Delnaaz Travelling, reading, music, sports and ers were dissatisfied and sought greater Mubarakai from the Iranian Zoroastrian especially yoga were Bhathena ’s chief in- participation from the members and non- Anjuman; Ms Parizad Batliwalla and terests. He also made time to visit pa­ tients at hospitals to bring cheer to their the border of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat Goolnaz Dick, Ms Roshni Bhagat and Ms lives, mentions his associate D. R. Edi- and Rajasthan, offered to host the next Kashmira Maneckji from Jhansi; Ms Na- bam. Another welfare organization that executive council meeting of the Federa- vaz Palkhiwala and Sarosh Palkhiwala Bhathena promoted is the Jagruti Trust tion on September 5 and 6. The Parsis of from Poona; Ms Hoofrish Bisney and Ms that he founded with the intention of giv- Ratlam numbering about 145, together Mehernavaz Parakh from Secunderabad ing guidance to the youngsters whom he with the neighboring Parsis of Indore and Hyderabad; Ms Mehroo Bhacca from believed could change the destiny of the (200), of Mhow (150) and Neemuch (15) Surat; and Hafez Katgara from Thane, country. will be glad to receive the delegates. Rat- Rohinton Rivetna was invited as the Bhathena is survived by his sons Jam- lani anjuman president Tehmton Ankle- guest speaker. The Press was represented shed and Darayus, and daughter Arnavaz. " ’ Written by Parinaz Gandhi sponsored every month yet the annual Anklesaria, Ms Gool Tata, Ms Sheroo Indian nationals, ” briefed Sethna who in ­ formed that the DPA was expected to be The invitees and youth delegates at ­ tending the Federation meeting were: Ms participation from the members and non ­ members of different zones. Ratlam, on Jehangir Surti from Jamshedpur; Ms saria extended an invitation to all. (Subse- by The Bombay Samachar, Jam-e- quent to this meeting it was decided that Jamshed and Parsiana. 1 * 40 Parsiana June 1992 L