Nov 1992

SX' Sf«; S'C- ¦v-' )92 NOVEMKR W92 Rg.lS ••j S ?*• ’S ’< 4 »’ M : * •' ¦i '" *¦. •Wt iVRi" 4 » ? : k < L ?*^ -4 lIB. I 1 '9t^ 4* i* '¦*:;. •Va ; 4t •,, < • I '. ( 1 r Ise ti^ t 4 -f'. D|:OLALI a quiet retreat!• November 1992 Volume 15 Numbers EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana A. Mirza 3 Readers’ Forum 9 Events and Personalities DESIGN Kranti M. 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 DTP Bakhtavar R. Batliwalla, U. Raghunathan SUBSCRIPTION/CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar, Khurshid Panthaki, Bindu Pillai MANAGEMENT Jasmine Driver 16 BPP elections: CER comeback by Gustasp Irani 20 Sixth All India Zoroastrian Youth Seminar by Jehangir Bisney OFFICE Nowzer Batliwala, OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare, Pramod Patil 28 Seminar Stirring by Daraius Bharucha 30 Retiring to Deolali by Parinaz Gandhi 33 Speculations about the Sasanians by Farrokh Vajifdar 35 Books 38 Milestones Cover: Chinoy Dar-e-Meher at Deolali Inset: Bahadurji Sanatorium Photograph: Parinaz Gandhi Photograph: Varghese Fernandez Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd, at C/o H.L.Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Color processing. Comart Lithographers: and black and white processing, Samir Scantech Pvt Ltd. 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 tor 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 tor 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 400001i k READERS' FORUM < f » H ‘ ‘ ' » » > I u s Uii> O t . I > I» > t i t > i>P >»- i U . > »i i ‘ \ • i •»«Io . »¦ »»r 5»‘ hOMpO’ . 4 T............................ » >< hiHxithiop . >Iz i, , , , . <1 9> •there was fear of dust, debris and rubble extinguishing the holy fire. So, whoever carried out the repairs, the fire had to be ell it .»»¦ • ’ »» >• t • It is the Zoroastrian priest who should be castigated for this blasphemous act. Persons who choose to marry outside our religion have no right to bring such shifted to retain its dignity and purity. : The joint charity commissioner, com- community. Nor do they have any right menting on these points, stated in his to demand any communal or religious judgement: “According to me, if the trus- rights which they do not have, nor will tees are ready to perform the necessary they ever have — unless of course, if ceremonies while shifting the holy fire, it they go to Delhi, where it seems Zoroas­ trianism does not exist anymore. RUSTOM KAIKHASHROO DISAWALLA Idl^lUll IldVv iiU ll^ill LU UXlIl^ oUVll disgrace and dishonor upon our noble r*nmtYiiiniti7 Mnr th7>\z kiQt/A an\z rifrht »>> ii’’ Bl cannot be said there is any damage or wastage of the trust property. Temporary injunction can be granted under Sec 4 IE (of the Bombay Public Trust Act) only if “The reenthroning of...” there is damage, wastage or improper al- Apropos “The reenthroning of the Banaji ienation of the trust property.” fires (Parsiana, May 1992),” it all began with two phobias: the phobia of a lady refened to the certificate dated February who found the environs very bihamna 14, 1991 given by architect Pheroze (frightening) and the phobia of a priest Kudianavala. According to it, there was who feared that in the absence of a bar­ rier, someone would defile the fire — a point which had not struck anyone in the the roof level. The dome also required 146-year existence of the Cawasjee Byr­ am jee Banaji Atash Behram in Bombay. Through the years, these two main phobias had a snowballing effect, finally resulting in the fire-temple trustees suc­ cumbing to their whims and the most dethrone­ ment of an atash behram padshah in recent years. Despite a public protest meeting in “Doors closed to Darius ” October 1988 against We refer to your report on the navjote of the shifting of the a non-Zoroastrian child which took place padshah (“Don’t de­ in Secunderabad (“Doors closed to Dar- throne the pad- ius,” Parsiana, August 1992). shahs,” Parsiana, We look upon this incident with great January 1989), the regret and consider the event wholly ille ­ gal. We hope that the Parsi Zoroastrian community will now come to realize the danger imposed by intermarriage and its devastating effect on the survival of our proach the charity commissioner (Par- race. and religion. ’ ' J. F. SHROFF President, Alhoman Mandal n t»1 II! 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. ignoble Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. COWASJI NASSERWANJI DINSHAW (ADENWALLA) President, Jarthosii Jashan Committee The joint charity commissioner also also work to be done in the form of strengthening of columns and rafters at repairs. It would have to be opened and inspection would have to be taken to as­ certain whether repairs are necessary. Even while the suit was on, tire same architects stated in yet another certificate throne shahs,” refusal by two senior priests of the Atash Banaji Atash Behram:''‘The dome was Behram itself to shift the fire, and per­ sonal representation to all concerned to let Parsi workmen carry out the painting work, the three applicants decided to ap- hardly even touched” k Please refer to your article “Doors closed to Darius (Parsiana, August 1992).” I bad shape; sincerely hope and pray that the doors of ’they were ready to follow the necessary our sacred, consecrated places of wor ­ ship will always remain closed for such non-Zoroastrians like Darius. No one can truly blame the innocent child or his religiously ignorant family. dated May 18, that after further inspec­ tion it was found that the dome also re­ quired major repairs and the rafters and siana. May 1992). The main arguments the beams would have to be changed af- of the trustees were as under: •the building of the Atash Behram was last repaired in 1958 and thereafter the that unless a scaffolding was erected, the walls had turned black and were in very dome couldn ’t be thoroughly inspected. And for that, the fire had to be shifted. Now, suddenly, without the fire being procedure and ceremonies, rites, rituals shifted and without any scaffolding, it while shifting the holy fire from one place to another in the same compound: it was necessary to repair the room in which the holy fire was burning; and ter the plaster of the dome was broken! In the first report, a case was made out was discovered that the rafters had to be changed! Did someone in the Kudiana- vala group develop X-ray eyes in the three months that had elapsed? 3 Parsiana November 1992I I ¦ El I ¦ s All this, of course, to help the fund­ raising lady overcome her phobia of the erstwhile bihamna (sic) atmosphere in the prayer hall! And what about the other phobia of the adarian fire, next door, being defiled in the absence of a barrier? Oh yes, this phobia of the priest, too, has gone, with a wall coming up on the eastern side of the adarian, with the floor of the adarian also being resurfaced in the process. The other major untruth presented be- Facts spoke otherwise. The applicants had initially attached the report of a fa­ mous architect firm of Bombay, R. M. J. Balsara, which had given a clean chit to the dome and the roof of the building. The opponents’ architects, the Kudiana- vala group, had first referred the case for inspection to the structural engineer- cum-licenced architect, Mr Behram Un- walla. After a detailed inspection of the dome with another structural engineer, SSXZJl fo- Se chanty commissioner of R. M. J. Balsara. Among other things, -hat all Ihej^essary ceremomesjdft e requisite procedures would be followed while shifting the padshah. This was just not done. Consider these facts. A non­ practising priest, the son of the senior priest of the Atash Behram, who was in- _ _______ : :.i instigating the trustees to shift the fire, went through the farcical first floor of the adjoining building, which is a hall occasionally given out on Dhcanls siann inc "...c hire for different functions, while ma- bt •^nened" was hardly even touched! sons, electricians and carpenters worked P ¦ neither on the ground flpor of the same building! the men nor the material to match the Worse still, only one vendidad, instead me men noi , mandatory three, was performed, iiic i.iiu-..n.k-vvv..vr. both while shifting the padshah to the ad- untruth of the trustees of joining building, and while re-installing him in his original place! Here, it may be argued that on ac­ count of the paucity of good Kadmi yaozdathregars, three vendidads could not be performed; and that even Shehen- shahi atash behram fires, have been shifted in this manner. Dastur (Dr) he stated that the dome was in an abso­ lutely sound condition, and paid rich tributes to the builders of yore. The op­ ponents, of course, did not present this report! It was thereafter that the oppo­ nents 1 ¦ another architect! Events, six ..........- ------ i XL -------- --- - * * * . presented the second report from strumental m , ckifr thA fir A 3ix months later, after the process of lating the presto / ’ Atash Behram fire was shifted to the ad- itouJfc lw, ' joining building, fully vindicated the ap- "Stand. The domc which was to ilw ’’j plicants ’ stand. The dome which wouldn ’t dare to! They had neither men nor the material to match the / §5' caliber and competence of the craftsmen ™.J Jhaveri Bros., stands for the ever- popular classic collection of silver-plated ware since 1914. Visit us today for quality and dependable silver-plated ware like Diva-nu-glass,Khumchi,Sopara, Gulabdani ,Phigani .Chipio.t’hanicho. A fargaliu,teasets,trays,salvers,tumblers, bar accessories,cutlery etc. Also available is a wide range of sports cups, shields and medals. M JHAVERI BROS. 1914 • 5,Metro House,Dhobitalao.Bombay 400 020. Tel : 29 14 23, 29 70 26. • 345,Abdul Rehman Street,Bombay 400 003. Tel : 32 00 65.32 61 96/97. o 2 m co and artisans of the mid-nineteenth cen­ tury. Thus, one l----------- the C. B. Banaji Atash Behram Trust was laid to rest. What then was the actual nature of the work carried out by the trustees? All the original glass panes of the doors and win ­ dows were removed, so that opaque glasses could be fitted; tiles that would shifted in this manner, be appropriate for a toilet or a bathroom Kotwal is on record (Journal of • were^ fitted on the walls of the sanctum Cama One ntall nstitute. No 50) that du sanctorum, and the old stone flooring mg tlie 151s^t„»ers^ therein, with which the padshah’s mag­ netic circuits were connected, was re­ done with synthetic Spartex tiles. Since not even a piece of wood was found out of ioint on and around the dome, six ex- ---- ---- , , haist fans (and even perhaps tube city of pnesls. lights?) were installed to make it at once the most unique uJ Behram in the world! That too with a high priest as a trustee and a navar-ma- ratab athornan as a managing trustee! Two doors at the rear to prevent any out­ sider from going up the steps to the roof were constructed and a board put up, say­ ing, ‘No admission, except boy wallas. ’ And what about bumbawallas (men of on this point, that the trust^s of the C. the fire-brigade), one may ask, what with those exhaust fans’ electric wires criss- A. 4 Parsians November 1992 2 crossing above and around the padshah’s head, to avoid the occurrence of a short circuit? Wadia Atas Bahram, “only one vendidad was performed,” although “doctrinally three vendidad ceremonies should have been conducted, paralleling each of the yasnas.” This was because of the scar- nor any trustee of the Wadia Atas Bah- and bizarre Atash ram had given any solemn assurance to any competent judicial authority, that all the necessary ceremonies would be per­ formed while shifting the fire! It is very pertinent to re-emphasize that the joint charity commissioner’s decision that sec­ tion 4IE, which empowers him to grant a temporary injunction, was based mainly B. Banaji Atash Behram Trust would perform all the necessary ceremonies while shifting the fire. This, the trustees failed to carry out. It, therefore, doesn’t lie in the mouthI r k aware of the fact that what was required to be done was not only the painting work, but also plastering, masonry and roof repair work. During the repair work it was found that a certain portion of the roof was affected by white ants and the trustees had to fix new teakwood beams. Parsi workers could not have carried out tarfelt work and dammaring. Mr Doctor thronement of an atash behram padshah is fully aware of this fact, but all along in recent years” is not only false, but also misleading and misguiding the members of our community. It is pertinent to note that the trust deed prepared by the settlor more than 100 years ago has specifically included a does not require an architect’s report in support. Commonsense and the prevail ­ ing condition of the premises on visible inspection demanded that the premises of managing trustee Burjor Antia to aver that, “the historic judgement closes the controversy” that a temporary shift in the fire is tantamount to diminishing the “spiritual power and sanctity of the holy should be repaired and repainted imme- fire.” On the contrary, the Banaji Atash Behram case and its aftermath will pro­ vide ample ammunition to those faithfuls such as “... the trustees succumbing to who, like the present applicants, would like to take up cudgels on behalf of an atash behram padshah! Nor will the out­ come of this case “ward off disputes” in the future, as the author, Parinaz Gandhi, puts it. The Banaji Atash Behram renovation case provides an abject instance of the criminal waste of nearly Rs 15 lakhs of clause that the trustees will be entitled to the gullible donors of the community, just to please the fancy of a handful of worshippers who, mesmerized by the outward gloss and sheen of synthetic tiles and gaudy paints, glibly talk of the build ­ ing looking like a mahal (palace). A thousand pities that they can’t differenti­ ate between mahal and pavmahal\ ADI DOCTOR diately. Under the circumstances, the al ­ legations contained in the above letter lheir whims... (and) the most ignoble de- he has misguided himself by writing that the building required painting only. It is to be borne in mind that the ceiling was about 30 feet high and that Parsi work­ men would not be able to do the work at such a height. In any event, tenders were invited from the public i.e. from Parsi and non-Parsi contractors and our archi­ tect awarded the tender on its merits and on the credibility of the firm to Messrs Banaji Atash Behram's managing trustee Burjor Antia replies: It is common knowledge that the holy that, the trustees had received donations fire of eight atash behrams and other agiaries are shifted every five to 10 years for repairs to buildings housing them. I would like to know why Mr Doctor has remained silent on such occasions and padshah and repair the building, why he has chosen to take up cudgels with the trustees of the Banaji Atash Behram when they wanted to repair the building after 40 years. The trustees were not awttre of the two phobias until they read Mr Doctor’s rejoinder. The fire-temple was last re­ paired and painted in 1958 by non-Parsi workers. It is respectfully submitted that carrying out repair work after 40 years repair the building from time to time. It is further pertinent to note that the settlor has also provided a separate building in the same compound for keeping the holy Maneck Dinshaw and Company, who fire during such repair work. Mr Doctor has stated that all this was done despite a public protest meeting in October 1988 against the shifting of the „ padshah. In this context, it was argued were rusted and they were to be replaced, before the learned charity commissioner that the Cama Hall can accommodate a maximum of about 200 persons. Against that in 1958 the fepair work was carried out by non-Parsi workers under the guid­ ance of the late Mr Shapurji Mistry. The three high priests of the commu­ nity had given their certificates that there is no religious bar to shifting the holy fire temporarily, provided proper ceremonies are carried out. One of the high priests is a trustee of the Banaji Atash Behram and under his guidance and supervision the necessary ceremonies were performed for the purpose of temporary shifting of the holy fire. The learned charity com­ missioner perused not only the certifipate of architect Mr Kudianavala but also other documents such as the trust deed carried out the work satisfactorily within the stipulated period of four months. It was found that some of the valley gutters in the roof of the main building There are no Parsi workers who could do this type of work. It is significant to note from more than 1,500 persons which in­ dicates that against 200 persons object­ ing to the shifting of the holy fire, more than 1,500 persons wanted to shift the Regarding the alleged refusal by two senior priests of the Atash Behram to shift the holy fire, the fact is that all the priests including the said two senior priests cooperated with the trustees in shifting the holy fire and performing the necessary ceremonies. Regarding the representation to allow only Parsi workmen to carry out the painting work, our community is fully and the certificates given by the three Always remember Wlc-lHi TfiTfi t’JS'Hi BRTA KHR MBRi n Ketayun & Bomi 22/A, Wellington Terrace. Wellington Street, Bombay-400 002. Tel. No. 2069636. .3 2130 5 Parsiana November 1992I I I I I b high priests of the community to ensure that there is no religious bar to the shift­ ing of the holy fire if the necessary cere­ monies are performed. Regarding repairs to the dome, Mr Kudianavala had stated that it would have to be opened and inspected for nec- • essary repairs. The certificate given by architect’s certificate. Because Mr Doc- him is in consonance with the prevailing condition of the building and the rafters. The rafters were to be changed in the main hall and not in the dome. So here again, Mr Doctor has misled himself and others. The insinuation against Mr Kudi­ anavala is regrettable, when the highly qualified and widely known professional has given honorary service to the Trust. Instead of appreciating the same, Mr Doctor has tried to find fault with him on wrong presumptions. It is a matter of regret that Mr Balsara, architect, made his report without the rough and difficult to clean and therefore knowledge and consent of the trustees. Spartex tiles were fitted on the old exist- In the first instance, he had no business to inspect the fire-temple building with ­ out giving notice to the trustees, and make a report without taking the permis­ sion of the trustees. Had he done so, the trustees could have been present to point out to him the portions of the building which required to be repaiied. His report of buying and fitting the Spartex tiles in is silent on the condition of the roof. Mr the sanctum sanctorum was borne by our Balsara could not visualize the presence senior boywalla saheb personally and not of white ants or rusting of galvanized by the trust. valley gutters in the premises. Nor has Mr Doctor referred to these aspects. As pointed out above, repair to a 40- year-old building does not require an Electric Corporation for quick disposal of the smoke and dust. The boywalla sahebs of our Atash Behram, who have Fixing exhaust fans on the four win ­ dows of the attic was suggested by our architect and experts of the General tor and his supporters had first brought the certificate of Mr Balsara, the trustees experienced the nuisance of smoke, were compelled to consult another archi­ tect and Mr Phiroze Kudianavala readily gave his valuable services to the Trust without charging any remuneration to the trustees. The glass panes of the doors and win ­ dows were replaced by opaque glass, as our senior boywalla saheb had suggested, so that nobody could look in. It was also suggested by him that the old black wires, two feet in length, have been pro­ stones of the sanctum sanctorum are agreed to the suggestion. It was done for their convenience, health and also for proper maintenance of the building. The wire work of the exhaust fans was carried out by a well-known electrical contractor. The whole wiring is carried out in lead wire at the ground floor ceil ­ ing level and all control switches pro­ vided in the boy wallas ’ area. Only head ing flooring. It may be mentioned that in the sanctum sanctorum of other atash behrams in India, similar types of tiles or marbles are fitted. It is difficult to understand why Mr Doctor is only after the trustees of the Banaji Atash Behram. I would also like to mention that the cost vided near exhaust fans in the attic. Thus there is no crisscross wiring in the attic as alleged. To avoid the occurrence of short circuit near the exhaust fans, the contractor has fixed 10-foot aluminum sheets all around, covering the windows from floor to ceiling. The point which I want to emphasize to Mr Doctor and the general public is that the trustees have taken abundant precaution while fixing the exhaust fans. Conference, Wedding or Party — Leave it in West End’s experienced hands. Your Favourite ‘The Gourmet* Restaurant offers Executive Buffet Lunch • 16 delicious courses • From 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Including Sundays. Restaurant open from 8 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. ’*’**'confcrcncc Plan Inclusive of: Room Rent, Buffet Lunch, Morning and Evening Tea. Ask for special concession offer for larger conferences. A LA CARTE in the soothing comfort of *The Gourmet* or TAKE AWAY to the comforts of your home, or office Continental. Moghlai. Tandoori, Vegetarian —7 A NAVJOTE A LAGAN. A SILVER f Z OR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY A HRST I . BIRTHDAY PARTY — OR ANY SUCH I > HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR UFE Celebrate them at West End Hotel, in the beautiful setting of terrace Hall which is covered during monsoon. West End Hotel : .) fviciuiie L.nc;-,. Bo'tibay-400 020 99121 Teicx 0 9-2092 BEST IN Gram BEST HOT EL fvkifiiie Lhic '? 1 E It** sePllSS 6 Paraina November 1992 Ir i I ( I I ! MATRIMON IAL time and energy to them rather than to a closed chapter of the repair work, which Alliance invited for fair, good-looking, medium-built, Parsi girl, aged 24, 5’6”, honours graduate. Please reply with photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana Matrimonial (Nov/4S-92) GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 MATRI MONI AL Affluent parents of a 20-year-old, home-loving and good-natured Manglic girl invite correspondence from decent, equal status parents of groom up to 26 years. Write with details and photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana Matrimonial (Nov/46-92) GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 MATRI MONI AL Alliance invited from parents of educated, good-natured, working girls for well-settled Parsi boy, aged 31, well-educated, with very decent income, in good service. Boy has slight defect in right leg. Matchmakers invited. Please reply giving full details and recent photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana Matrimonial (Nov/49-92) GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 MATRI MONIA L Cultured Zoroastrian engineer, well-settled in Germany, 55 years, invites correspondence from attractive, well-educated ladies, preferably settled abroad. Apply with full details to: The Advertiser Parsiana Matrimonial (Nov/50-92) GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 irrational stand of persons like Mr Doctor gives a bad name to our religion and scares away our younger generation from our religion and religious institutions. illuminate the minds of our coreligionists so that they can understand and interpret the principles of our religion in a logical and rational manner. Dr Homi Henry Mehta was born in Ran­ goon in Burma (Myanmar) on January 1 t. * Mr Doctor’s allegation that the neces­ sary ceremonies and the requisite proce­ dure for shifting the padshah were not is already completed. The illogical and followed is incorrect. The trustees cate­ gorically state that in the given circum­ stances, the requisite ceremonies and rituals were performed by the priests with full responsibility and to the best of May the holy fire of our Atash Behram their ability. I reiterate that the charity commis­ sioner’s order in the Banaji Atash Behram case is a historic judgement be­ cause it decided once and for all the right of the trustees to repair the building Searching for roots where the holy fire is housed. If the trus- ~ tees had not carried out the repairs, the charity commissioner would have held 29, 1887. He had his basic education them guilty of negligence and dereliction of duty. With reference to Mr Doctor’s state­ ment that the “present applicants would like to take up cudgels on behalf of an atash behram padshah” I would like to say that the proper course for the appli ­ cants was to go in appeal to the higher authorities against the order of the char­ ity commissioner. This they failed to do and therefore any honorable person would treat the chapter as closed and would not pursue it further either through the Press or by any other means. It is emphatically denied that the re­ pair work carried out to the building of who have worked as doctors on ships, the Banaji Atash Behram is an abject in­ stance of a criminal waste of nearly Rs 15 lakhs as alleged. It is also denied that money quite regularly to a sister in India the renovation of the Banaji Atash (name unknown). This sister used to Behram is “just to please the fancy of a reside in a place called Green View in handful of worshippers who, mesmerized Tardeo, Bombay. by the outward gloss and sheen of syn­ thetic tiles and gaudy paints, glibly talk trying to get more information about of the building looking like a mahal," as their late father. Readers in the know alleged. It may be noted that the color of may kindly write_to the undersigned at the paint was selected by experts consid­ ering the conditions in which the build- 68000 Ampang, Malaysia. ing is to continue to exist in future. Z may add that after the renovation of the ADDENDUM Atash Behram building, the trustees have Subsequent to the reproduction of the received several bouquets from the de- stained glass Zarathushtra on the cover voted worshippers and at the same time of Parsiana, August 1992, Ms Freny they have expected to receive some brickbats and Mr Doctor’s letter is a sample of the same. However, the trus­ tees leave the matter to the general pub­ lic to judge the issue. In our community there are certain persons who want to thrive on non-is­ sues. The repair work of the Banaji Atash Behram building is a non-issue and since we have to concentrate on more pressing problems of the commu­ nity, I appeal to Mr Doctor to devote his there and then came to Malaysia where he had his higher education. I He settled in Penang where he passed away on January 28, 1963 at the age of 76. He. had also Mehta: any memories? worked on a ship as a doctor for some time and later took up a govern­ ment job. Since our community is so **' very small, there can’t be many Parsis * * I understand that he did not have many friends but used to write and send The two sons William and Jack are 1534, Jalan Bulbul, Taman Ulu Klang, Dr S. J. TATA Malaysia I Ashbumer (nee Alpaiwalla) has provided the following information: The portrait was brought from Paris by R. D. Sethna and placed in Tata Pal ­ ace where he then lived. After his de­ mise Lady Navajbai Tata had it trans­ ferred to the Tata Agiary where the fam­ ily ’s prayers are said. Ms Ashburner, now 90 years old, is the daughter of R. D. Sethna’s nephew. Edited by Aniavaz S. MamaEvents and Personalities i i I Divorce matters After a seven-month interval divorce pe­ titions will be heard by the Parsi Chief in that year. To obtain a more accurate Matrimonial Court (PCMC). The next session, to be presided over by Justice M. S. Rane, is to commence on February 22, 1993, according to a communique from PCMC registrar U. G. Mukadam. “No adjournments will be granted for the purpose of filing written statements of defence, affidavits of documents and/ or for discovery and inspection,” the reg­ istrar has warned the “advocates and par­ ties appearing in person.” Once the pro­ ceedings commence they will be taken up “from day-to-day till they are heard and finally disposed of.” Formalities like filing of legal papers as also procedures like inspection should be completed in advance, the registrar has urged. The petitions which will be considered are “suits and matters as separately notified on the notice board of the PCMC Bombay in the High Court, as also (those) filed with the registrar on or before Friday, February 19, 1993.” With the exception of Parsis, the Bombay High Court does not hear the di­ vorce proceedings of any other commu­ nity (it is the lower courts that deal with them). Also it is only under the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act that the jury system still continues in India. While the presiding judge rules on matters of law, the five-member jury (of the 30 delegates on the PCMC, five are assigned to hear each case) decides on matters of fact, ac­ cording to the amended Act. Divorce by mutual consent has been introduced in the revised law and certain other grounds like cruelty, desertion and unsoundness of mind been made more rational. The marriage and divorce figures from 1961-1992 (see box alongside) both show a decline. However, they indicate a consistent divorce rate: around seven to Sacrcd SOil Of SHnjHIl nine percent of the marriages performed “Sanjan Day offers a unique opportunity to all of us staying in different places and different countries to meet on the sacred soil of Sanjan and remember with reverence...Ahura Mazda, our ancestors vorced for the determination of a reliable and also that noble king Jadi Rana who trend regarding the community’s marital provided refuge to our ancestors.” So success. read the invitation from the Sanjan Me­ morial Column Local Committee (SMCLC) soliciting the attendance of all Zoroastrians to the annual celebrations on November 22,1992. In response to this invite, 1,600 Zoroastrians from South Gujarat, Bom­ bay and other areas came by trains, buses and private transport, as notes a write-up by Dara Kadva detailing the highlights of the day. For the convenience of Parsis, three up and down trains made special halts at Sanjan that day. With the gham- bar luncheon through five sittings ex­ tending until 4 p.m., many Bombay Zoroastrians were reportedly unable to return by the scheduled Janata Express. Since 1920 when the Sanjan stumbh was erected to commemorate the landing of Parsis, the occasion has been annually celebrated with a jasTian cum ghambar, informed Rohintan Daviervala, president of the SMCLC. In the early days, the or­ ganizing of the function was made pos­ sible by the athornans and behdins of Udvada as Sanjan then had hardly any Parsis, no dharamshala and no agiary. Even during the World War II years the jashan parampara (tradition) was not in­ terrupted by the Udvada priests who would bring with them their own afar- ganiu, sandalwood and even the food, added Daviervala. The former practice of ghambar cum jashan has been revived since 1981. During the last nearly 10 years Sanjan has witnessed many new developments: percentage figure one would have to ex­ amine the year in which the couple were married as versus the year they were di- Marriage and divorce figures Yesff Marriages Divorces 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 Marriages 505 497 508 450 523 436 527 419 487 411 466 503 465 467 464 434 405 471 427 327 443 ' 366 388 358 350 360 371 283 366 270 343 260 36 40 36 47 47 40 49 47 42 36 58 24 37 20 33 34 20 28 28 44 31 27 37 33 27 30 25 7 33 37 18 9 Parsiana November 1992I I I I I ! a new dar-e-meher as also some 400 flats for Parsis. But their dharamshala has only two rooms with no attached bath fa­ cilities. Daviervala therefore appealed to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) to build more rooms at the dharamshala to accommodate Zoroastrian families com­ ing to Sanjan on a pilgrim tour. In the course of his speech BPP trus­ tee Jamshed Guzder remarked, “I find it quite amazing that on the one hand we are faced with the problem of decreasing population, while on the other hand we have a greatly increasing de- mand for flats and there is simply no end to it.” He re- ferred to the BPP’s hunt for land in Bombay following the receipt of substantial monies from a Canadian do- J nor towards construction of housing for Parsis. “Parsis, don’t ask what |||k fl the punchayet is doing for you, but ask what you have done for the punchayet,” ad- monished Dastur Kaikobad Dastoor of Udvada. He re- gretted the prevailing atti- tude among Parsis of criti- - cizing the punchayet, the ?j^fl anjuman, the government . for lapses instead of attemp- **** mi ting to improve on them. Chief guest Homi J. H. Taleyarkhan drew the audience’s atten- At the Sanjan stumbh celebrations (from tion to little known facts about Dadabhoy left): Pali Master, Taleyarkhan, Guzder, Naoroji: that he was three times the Naval Nariman and Shirin Daviervala president of the Congress party; that he (standing) holds the distinction of being the only In­ dian in whose memory the government has issued two postage stamps; that he fi­ nally died in extreme poverty at the age of 93 in his spacious bungalow at Versova; and that the father of the na­ tion, Mahatma Gandhi, regarded Naoroji as his guru. * w 1^1 Bi “The YCZA must lead” To bridge “a vital gap in educational and personal development of its members vited to participate in the weekly meet- which the normd family or educational institutions are... not able to cater to ef­ fectively, ” The Young Collegians ’ Road, Gamdevi, Bombay 400007. Zoroastrian Association has undertaken manifold activities during its 40 years of existence, notes a press release sent by vice chairman Prof Khurshed Sheriar. “Within the chosen field the YCZA Charitable Fund, established in 1977, To finance its varied activities the As­ sociation had planned a fund raising pro­ gram on December 12 as part of its anni­ versary celebrations. The recent political upheavals led the Dinyar Contractor play Prasnath to be postponed to February 21, informs Sheriar. Surty’s striking pose On Christmas eve he was to entertain au­ diences at Fantasy Land, the new re­ creational park in north Bombay. On New Year’s eve he was scheduled to per- _ form at the United Services’ I Club in south Bombay. I Whether he teams up with I singer Baba Sehgal or Remo I Fernandes, Zoobin Surty has I been warmly received by I jazz dance buffs in India. Barely six months old, I his troupe already has a * string of engagements: His I choreography will be wit- I nessed on Bachchan’s TV I Asia where his troupe will I performing the Chalo Ud I Chale number to be ren- I dered by Sehgal.* By Janu- I ary his fans can also hope to I see him on MTV where he I has choreographed a compo- I sition for Fernandes. Audi- * I ences in Pune, Goa, Banga­ lore, Delhi and Calcutta too will get a chance to see Surty’s 14-mem- ber troupe in action in the near future, he informs. Realizing the “need to be different,” Surty acknowledges in an interview with the Indian Express, “My choreography draws heavily from my initial years of Odissi. In this sense even my jazz danc­ ing cannot help but be influenced by In­ dian dance form. This makes my chore- ¦ i Bil rizons. Since its foundation in Novem­ ber 1952 by a group of Zoroastrian pro­ fessors and students of Jai Hind College, over the years nearly 18,000 Zoroastrians from different colleges must have associ­ ated themselves with the YCZA weekly ography different from the hoi polloi... I meetings and activities like debates, reli ­ gious discourses, picnics, socials and an­ nual pilgrim tours, according to a press should flag the personal touch of the cho­ release. All young Zoroastrians are in- do acknowledge the importance of inspi­ ration, but even the best of inspiration reographer so much so that the final out­ come is perceived as an original form,” maintains Surty who first trained at the ings held every Saturday evening at 6.30 at Modi Lodge, 13, Vachha Gandhi Gurukul Dance Academy and was there- . after groomed by Shiamak Davar. In The YCZA Book Fund, started in Alyque Padamsee’s Kabaret Surty per- 1955, today caters to the needs of nearly formed jazz dancing on stage for the first 900 Zoroastrian and non-Zoroastrian col- time. Since then there has been Last legians. The YCZA Educational and Tango in Heaven, Carry on Bombay and ..................................Eva Mumbai Maa ChaalJaiye in the last must lead, not follow, ” has been the provides scholarships and freeships for of which he is serving as chief assistant motto of this organization spurring its higher education to deserving students, choreographer. Among the innumerable nearly 500 members to broaden their ho- notes the write-up. dance shows in which Surty has partici- 10 Parsiana November 1992L Surty: "the need to be different' ing, Surty elaborated in an article in Up­ beat, August 1992, “Jazz is not for disco but for stage performances. And since the entertainment world has opened up, a edge by reaching a larger consumer base lot of youngsters want to do shows and they come for jazz ballet classes to be­ come tight dancers. Jazz dancing helps manufacturing 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg and 10 kg to strengthen muscles and fire safety products. The diversification the workouts keep you in program envisages the launch of elec- proper shape. You need tronic safes for both household and com- technique and strength mercial use, and a sophisticated food for dancing...” preservation system. Constant adaption to consumer needs along with its ethos of innovation and new market creations has cable TV while its sales force actively monitored user needs, notes the article. To gain an additional competitive — defence, banks, hotels, industrial units, etc — Real Value will also be Surefire success Other than attempted bur- helped Real Value Appliances become glaries, fire is the single largest hazard in India, points out Pheroze Engi- The driving force neer, chairman and man- Errant drivers beware! Working as in­ aging director of Real spector of police (prosecution) in the city Value Appliances Lim- traffic police department is Naval Driver ited. “The real challenge with “a lot of drive,” as acknowledged in lay in confronting the complacent and the Tailpiece of the Bombay Notebook sanguine approach that the lay Indian Column in the Indian Express of Septem- had about fire hazards,” he notes on be- ber 14, 1992. From the increasing num­ half of his company which, after the sue- ber of traffic offenders apprehended every cess of its Cease Fire fire extinguisher, is month it appears that Driver is literally planning an ambitious diversification living up to his Thame as also gaining and expansion program, as reports an ar- fame. the success it has, informs the article. pated the prominent have been the En­ counter Show as part of the Festival of tide in the Dalal Street Journal of No­ France, the Asian Track and Field Show, vember 16-29, 1992. Part of the fi- Man on a mission the Mother Teresa Show... Additionally nances were raised in end November This time round, 69-year-old Dady he has done shows as also commercials when the company announced a public Cowasha Patell is on a 4,500 km good- for numerous corporate houses. issue of shares, offering 59,30,000 eq- will mission from the west coast of India The first major musical which Surty uity shares of Rs 10 each at a premium of to the Burma border. His journey on his choreographed was the Kid Parade. Rs 20 per share. TVS Champ moped started in Jamnagar Prior to that it was at smaller shows that In just three years since it was and was to end in Pang Sau. Surty was asked to take charge: the Mai- 1 . . har show for Nirmala Niketan College, over 8,50,000 pieces nationwide and is the fashion-cum-dance show for Don Bosco Fair, the WIAA Club as also some discos in Bombay. Community institu­ tions with which Surty has been associ­ ated have also benefitted from his talent. A resident of Nowroz Bang, he has taken charge of several of their annual cultural metallic fire extinguishers.” What was programs. When the Byramjee Jee- ------ 1----- 1- •• jeebhoy Parsi Charitable Institution was tn sucrepfl wflt nf IQQO tho form >• -------------- __________ yy.____ v-..______•• . He described an intrapreneur as an inter­ nal entrepreneur who is employed in a competition, etc, Khambatta replied, “Be a jack of all trades and also a master of all. ” Khambatta then offered the dele- own ideas and concepts. Describing to- ing, he would organize (free if possible) for them a 10/20/30-day course in en­ trepreneurship. Banking expert and retired executive director of the Industrial Development “Management of finance and entrepre- To this Pestonjee strongly neurship.” “Each one of us has the spark . J of entrepreneurship,” claimed Palia. He our community but on personal efforts added, “An entrepreneur is not bom, he for success and satisfaction. is made... We must stand on our own feet depend on others.” He then ex­ making of a^entrepreneur.” Citing the financial institutions. Quoting the classic example of Nirma which has overtaken a giant like Hindustan Lever, Palia men­ tioned, “You will never get the same sat­ isfaction working for others as you get WArVinrr ** entrepreneur has changed since then and lent, Pestonjee concluded by defining . ... trepreneurs as “dreamers who do.” In the question-answer period that fol- _______ _______ lowed, Farokh Dastoor asked, “Why Bank of India (IDBI), Sam Palia'spdce does our community not help its young- --------------- ------ — ------- sters?” — • • - stressed that we must not depend upon the successful entrepreneur were action, determination and a sixth sense. ______ _____ _ “Nowadays entrepreneurs have to be all- working for yourself.' 22 Parsiana November 19921 I I Diwan: no task, was too low for a Parsi to elder speakers and it was now the turn of their representatives to speak on Youth and community.” The organizers had given certain guidelines and the res­ ponse elicited from the audience showed that the youth speakers had done their homework well. All of them were brief and to the point and voiced concern over the present state of affairs. Jehangir Bisney of Secunderabad spoke from his personal experience. He felt that youth should avoid conflicts with their anjumans and instead get their support. He mentioned that young views are being seriously heard by the elders of our community. “But what is of vital im­ portance is the way we present ourselves to our elders, the tone in which we talk and the manner in which we behave,’ concluded Bisney. Jehan Panthaki of Delhi mentioned that his anjuman encourages the youth to meet. He gave a list of their activities not to be^ bigoted about their and regretted the lack of religious know- comparative study of religions. On the topic of priests, Modi said that priests should be looked up to and respected. They should be highly educated. Their between the speakers and the youth dele- precepts should be wise and unbiased, gates. She thought that leadership was Today we have no recourse to sage ad­ vice, she lamented. Sports and group training were impor­ tant to acquire a healthy mind. “We In- dians eat too much, work too little, have difference had a part to play in our com- tressed Modi questioning the youth, is the best help and self-respect must not be propped up by charity, believed Modi The last speaker of the day, Rumi Davar spoke on “Entrepreneurship — a risky step.” An engineer by profession, Davar defined entrepreneurship thus: “To go where no man has gone before, to do what others had not thought of be­ fore.” He advised youth to brave risks and quote the deeds of our forefathers as examples to our children. Contradicting the earlier speaker, Davar claimed that, “An entrepreneur is bom, not made.” However, he added that training, envi­ ronment and luck were important factors. Giving the example of Christopher Co­ lumbus, Davar said that an entrepreneur could be anyone — a scientist, con­ queror, sportsman, engineer, aviator, phi­ losopher. Even a politician! A hearty lunch was followed by the FOZYA meeting. (A separate report will be carried in a forthcoming issue of Par­ siana:) The evening variety entertain­ ment and camp fire were held at the reading it or attending classes. ” She ad- sprawling school compound of Kekobad vised them not tw bv. Pavri, president of the Ahmedabad Parsi religion but advised them Panchayat. For many of the delegates this was the evening they looked forward to and they were not disappointed — es­ pecially with the superb mimicry per­ formance by Nauzer Kazad of Surat. The final day, October 26, could be­ gin only at 11 a.m. The delegates were too tired to wake up early. Ms Homai Modi spoke on “Participation of youth in community organizations and decision- ______________ ___ ____ making systems.” Modi, a recipient of bandhs, tea breaks, etc,” noted a dis- the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India’s Shiavax Nargolwala Memorial Award in 1989 for excellence in social and community service, la- ___ „ ______ mented. Conference after conference, elaborating on the virtue of honesty, the same points are being discussed.” Ending her talk. Modi said she was She mentioned that the topics of the Fifth skeptical of youth participation in anju- World Zoroastrian Congress should be ' . studied. “Unfortunately in our culture money is important and values are bro­ ken down, ” she regretted. Adding that means,” Modi described the scams at Advancement of Philanthropy, writer of various books and articles spoke on “Parsi trusts and their role in the development of the community.” Describing philanthropy as “love for peals of laughter fi^m the^audience* man,” Dadrawala explained, “You give a ~ ‘ man a fish it is charity, you teach him how to fish it is philanthropy. ” Dadra- _ ____ wala mentioned that the communication grumbling, whereas the other gap and administration difficulties are the main problems faced by trusts. He According to advised how donations could be raised to make a ledge. Ms Hoofrish Patel of Poona was of the opinion that th^e youth seminars serve no purpose as there is a generation gap ies< X gates. She thought that leadership required at the local level. Representing the single largest dele ­ gation from Bombay, Ms Binokshi Billi- moria felt that mismanagement and in- <1 munity organizations. “Most Parsis like . - - . . an easy way of life, ” regretted Billimo- we progress?” Self-help ria. “We lack the ability to work hard u-i_ J -ir killer instinct,” she lamented. Attending a seminar for the first time, Karanjia from Surat felt that we were more interested in the vices of our soci­ ety than in its virtues. “Our elders are - ------ ---------- , ’com- is a very responsible job and experience mented Karanjia. She thought that the pro and anti-punchayet lobbies in many punchayets were a waste of energy. “We must talk and solve our problems through an unbiased arbitrator,” suggested Kar­ anjia, adding “It should be community first and me next.” She ended her talk with a very apt anecdote that brought “Four passengers, a Russian, a French­ man and two Parsis were travelling in an aircraft. One of the Parsis was always '' „ . ’ - ¦ was an op­ timist. During the journey the Russian had a few sips of a very expensive vodka, then threw the bottle away remarking that his country had no shortage of it. All along the youth had been listening The Frenchman sprayed some extremely Ending her talk. Modi said she was mans and punchayets. “Decision-making responsible for the state we are in,” i" ------- ----------¦'' ¦ ¦ comes through living, ” stressed Modi. . - Noshir Dadrawala, editor of Philan- Ends have become more important than thropy, the newsletter of the Centre for means,” Modi described the scams at Advancement of Philanthropy, and various levels of society and in all fields. The youth have to face corruption every­ where. “You are the promise of your land, ” Modi exhorted them. Modi then went on to explain in detail the requirements of our community. Firstly, religious knowledge is very im­ portant. Having a dig at what the politi ­ cians are doing in the name of religion. Modi mentioned that a truly religious man attains wisdom. / Modi, “The youth should promote right for higher education, religious training by living it and not just 24 Parsiana November 1992tary of the Federation and a father figure for many of the youth, was deservedly given a place on the dais and he too spoke a few words. Later delegates from different locations expressed their thanks to the organizers. This was followed by the customary dinner and dance. The Sixth All India Zoroastrian Youth Seminar working committee members included president Pardiwalla, vice presi­ dent Karanjawalla, general secretary -------- c/ u - • A . . . I r'n- Kapadia, joint secretaries Commessariat rh^r'iiSrexrerS theiT sudroh kusti and Cyrus Dastur, and the favorite of all, should donate their time and expertise to committee member, Ms Perizad Davar. the community. -------------------- - — considerable amount of their efforts end ofS^SeS Many delegates ex speakers spoke directly out of a text went into the compilatton of the souvenir pressed to unhappiness that in spite Of book. Ms Maharukh Minocherhomji of that carried many advertisements and the organizers spending so much money, Poona felt that • the topics should be me^ages. success’’ Were the the delegates did not take an active inter- clearly defined, there should be more Was the Seminar a success, were me est in the sessions and discussion^ This workshops and the lunch should not be friend" ? bw they widen BS^^ThlljVoXTfe'lX't^^^^^^ '’"jh^e "delegates then parted to meet their d,ink,ng7 Were their_e_xpecutions beginning a distinction should be made as to whether the meet is a festival, semi- rS se”mina: SuW S"*" IfsT‘ tTe'scribS' by' MCpe’^i Saba’vala, only) positive answer would mean that a advice and suggestions of youth of other master of ceremonies as, “The envy of year s el fort and tons of cities as regards the topics, entertain- all men of Ahmedabad,” spoke forcefully the organizers were not mpnt Pte on the need of unity within our commu- least the pledge taken by the youth will Ms Roxanne Kavarana of Baroda nity. He called the seminar a great sue- enable them to walk with their heads questioned, “What is the marketability of cess. Keki Gandhi, joint honorary secre- a festival? How long can our community spend so much? Is it bigger the better, or is small beautiful? ” She felt that the lec ­ tures were too long, and as there were no workshops the interest of delegates could costly perfume and threw the nearly full bottle away remarking that his country had no shortage of it. Seeing this, the Parsi optimist threw the pessimist out and when asked why he did it, he re- , marked: “We have plenty of such people not be sustained. She thought that some in our community. There is no shortage of them!” Speaking for the Ahmedabad hosts. “So many over Firdose Kapadia lamented, “We do not want to accept change as it involves nGf© ©f© AOT W©aring their sudreh kusti” speakers spoke directly out of a text The delegates then parted to meet later in the evening for the valedictory fulfilled? Did they interact? These ques- delegates who attended the Seminar and lavvi 111 uiiv vvviuH^ — J __ 1 1 11 gL function at the Zoroastrian Hall. Chief tions will have to be answered^^all the guest Dr Burjor Anklesaria, a gynecolo- held high. * M. PALLONJI CO PVT LTD 87, Abdul Rehman Street, Bombay 400003 Tel: 3424150/3436607 Tlx: 011-75871 MPEL IN Fax: 91-22-3423035 Cable: “PALLONJIM” Leading Contractors for Industrial Painting and Coatings, Anti-Corrosion, Waterproofing, Construction, Diving & Offshore Contractors Principal Contractors/Jobs Undertaken for all types of Epoxy/Polyurethane/on Structures/Flooring/Waterproofing Concrete Surfaces 26 Parsiana November 1992COMMENT I ! speakers on the panel when contentious questions were raised. Towards the end of the open forum, emotions and tempers were running high among the delegates who felt a deep sense of frustration at the inadequacy of the speakers to give convincing answers, causing the organizers to intervene and discontinue the session. Had the open forum been better controlled, such a volatile display of emotions, and some of the unpleasant exchanges which marred the occasion, could have been avoided. A continuation of the discussion was scheduled for later the same night but, due to organizational reasons, it did not materialize. The evening was given to sightseeing in Ahmedabad followed by a slide show organized by the World Zoroastrian Organisation on its Gujarat project. The second ^ay was devoted to en­ trepreneurship and Dr Dinyar Pcstonjee, Khambatta, Sam Palia and Rumi Davar addressed the audience on various as­ pects of entrepreneurship. The speeches of Pestonjee and Davar were lucid and well presented. Aimed at ___________ ________________ the young audience, they were well re- ried out in recent years, and that the ceived by the delegates at large. Peston- question of migration had not been con- jee stressed the need for the pursuit of If such a study were to be excellence and enumerated the qualities ¦________ • ! that made a good entrepreneur, while of the pitfalls that the Zoroastrian community, small Davar elaborated on these qualities, giv- though it may be, is not by any means ing analogous examples that impressed “¦ the delegates. Once again this morning, due to an unstructured time frame and the ques­ tion-answer sessions not being well co­ ordinated, the program did not run on schedule. The afternoon session was reserved Seminar Stirring The choice of speakers, topics and flexible time The Sixth All India Zoroastrian Youth Seminar was held in Ahmedabad from October 24 to 26, 1992 and was organ­ ized by the Parsee Youth League of Ahmedabad (PYLA). The three-day Seminar was attended by about 350 dele ­ gates from all over India. A jashan ceremony on the 23rd eve­ ning was presided over by the high priest of the Udvada Atash Behram, Vada Das­ tur Kaikobad Dastoor. It was a moving ceremony in which priests from all over India, who were among the attending delegates, as well as the senior priest of Ahmedabad, participated. The jashan was well attended by delegates as well as members of the Zoroastrian community of Ahmedabad. In his short address after frorroc H'lQPnPh A ntpH the ceremony, the Vada Dastur remarked Trameb UlbfcJl lUI Ictl 1LCU that he was pleased that members of the laity had attended the jashan with their heads covered, demonstrating their belief in and respect for the good religion and its practices. The main part of the Seminar com­ menced with inaugural speeches by chief guest Areez Khambatta, the guest of honor, ex-Chief Justice B. J. Diwan, and with the lighting of a divo by the Vada Dastur whose brief and simple address to the delegates evoked the greatest re­ sponse. He cautioned them against being sidered. led astray by the impetuousness of youth undertaken, it would surely go to show and highlighted some along the path. The topic for the first day was reli- declining in numbers. This argument was gion. Various aspects, such as identity further backed by a delegate reading out problems, religion and science, and the significance of Zoroastrian tenets were tackled in speeches by Ervad Kaikhushroo N. Dastoor, Noshirvan Daboo and Ervad (Dr) Rooyintan Peer respectively. Kaikhushroo Dastoor presented a seven-point formula for resolving the identity crisis amongst the youth, which he entitled “Identity or Extinction?” Un­ fortunately, he was unable to present his material in a manner that appealed to the delegates or in any way convinced them, for he often digressed into pseudo mysti­ cism and got sidetracked from the issue of identity. He raised the question of de­ clining numbers which was challenged inappropriately or inadequately an- from the floor by one of the delegates swered; and at one stage there was much who pointed out ^at no proper census of shunting of the microphone between the The topic for the first day was reli- speeches by 28 Parsiana November 1992 some delegates at the Youth Seminar Daraius Bharucha Zoroastrians the world over has been car- census figures indicating that a decline in numbers from the 1940s was commensu­ rate with the beginning of Parsi migra­ tion to other parts of the world. The speeches of Daboo and Peer were largely ineffectual in impressing the for the annual general meeting of the delegates as they were delivered in Federation of Zoroastrain Youth Asso- shuddh (academically perfect) Gujarati ciations (FOZYA) which is supposed to which most of the audience could not be the body representing the Zoroastrian follow. Coupled with this was the fact youth of India at large. But this claim was put under much strain when it turned out that most of the delegates from Bom- that the speeches were weak in content. The open forum which followed gen­ erated a heated exchange between the bay, which has the largest Zoroastrian delegates and speakers, as well as among j . _" J youth population, were not members of the delegates th'emselves. Many felt that this association; and their request to join FOZYA under the various organizations/ active youth forums to which they be­ long, was rejected by the managing com­ mittee. The latter insisted that the youth questions put to the speakers had beenof Bombay could join only along the further stated that in his experience there lines dictated by them. This position was a communication gap between the caused great disenchantment amongst beneficiaries and trustees, and that the the Bombay youth as they felt that repre­ sentation according to geographical loca ­ tions and bangs which FOZYA insisted of people could claim their benefits, upon would serve to fragment the youth of Bombay rather than unite them under sentatives from Hyderabad, one wanted. stand is counter to the aims of FOZYA, which is supposed to encourage unity youth were often used as tools by older and cooperation amongst the youth. corrupt people to further their own ends. After repeated requests and pleas by and that Parsis were being split up into the Bombay delegation to let them join under one banner, a concession was grudgingly made to the effect that if such an application was filed, it would be con­ sidered. Support from the floor during the pro­ ceedings of the AGM was thin at best, and the managing committee had to prompt a few of its own key members into proposing and seconding motions’ amongst themselves. When questioned as to whether the public deliberations be­ tween the committee and the Bombay delegates would be recorded, the com­ mittee stated that these were beyond the scope of the meeting and as such would remain unrecorded. Presumably, then, the invitation for an application for a uni­ fied Bombay youth association would also not feature in the recorded minutes. That night, the variety entertainment and camp fire organized on the premises of the Pavri School were enjoyed by all, with delegations from various cities pre­ senting items of entertainment. On the third day, Ms Homai Modi the next seminar. It was regarded as un­ fortunate that no city had as yet volun ­ teered to host the next youth seminar. Bombay was mooted as a venue by del- trusts should take steps to advertize their role and objectives so that a larger body egates from other parts of the country, but the Bombay delegates expressed their inability to host such a seminar un­ til such time as a united Bombay youth association was formed and gained recognition from FOZYA. The grand finale to the Seminar was a valedictory function which was well or­ ganized, and in which glowing tributes were paid to PYLA and the managing committee of the Sixth All India Zoroas­ trian Youth Seminar. On the organiza­ tional front, PYLA had taken great pains to see that all the delegates were housed and fed and that each day’s program was conducted as best they could. It took months of hard work and rallying around on the part of these youths to organize a seminar such as this, and they deserved to be lauded for it. It was noted that there was a marked lack of seriousness amongst a large num­ ber of the delegates. The serious ones were by and la^e dissatisfied with the selection of speakers and what they heard. It brought into question the entire Ms Binokshi Billimoria of Bombay felt purpose behind organizing such seminars that there was a lot of “mismanagement” among organizations which resulted in them losing track of their main goals. Ms Hufrish Patel of Poona opined that in a large sense the youth did not seem to This session ended with young repre- Delhi, umbrella, which is what they Poona, Surat, Bombay and Ahmedabad speaking on youth and community. Ms Mahrukh Karanjia of Surat felt that the The managing committee’s factions to highlight controversies which There was a marked lack of seriousness amongst a large number of the delegates tended to spoil the community image. and the thrust of what was sought to be achieved. It was felt that one positive outcome was that young Zoroastrians from all over India had congregated for interaction in a common forum. This know what it wanted, as in conference could not have been achieved otherwise, after conference the same topics came up, again and again. The youth, she It was an opportunity for the youth to unite and work towards the common goal cfaimed, had lost Interest as there seemed of spreading harmony arid revitalizing gave a talk on the participation of youth to be no answer to these questions after in community organizations and deci- all these years. She felt that strong lead- sion-making systems. This was a talk ership was needed not just at regional cord and ambiguity of aims and objec- from the heart. Modi suggested various levels but at the national level too. She tives. Many felt that they were being points the youth could focus on, such as religious education, promotion and orga­ nization of sports activities, putting back into the community pot what one has taken out, self-help and the dignity of la ­ bor, fighting drug addiction, the declin ­ ing demograp'iic trend and the need to build up an educated priestly class, for -------- -------- „— . which she felt some work was being session criticized the Seminar as being community m order to establish a coher- done by organizations such as the Cama unfocussed in approach and goal. Vari- ent identity m a changing, cosmopolitan Athornan Institute and the Athravan Edu- ous suggestions were offered to make fu- world. Young Zoroastrians must serve as cational Trust. tnre seminars more attractive and pur- beacons of light, forming a united com- This was followed by Noshir Dadra- poseful. Ms Roxanne Kavarana of munity flame that creates happiness wala ’s talk on “Parsi trusts and their role in the development of the community.” He emphasized that patchwork philan ­ thropy would not go tar and one must teach people to earn their livelihood. He the community. But at the same time there was a lot of frivolous activity, dis- levels but at the national level too. She also felt that organizations were shutting manipulated by unseen elders into taking their doors to outsiders and that people positions over which £hey had no control, should have open minds. The last part of the program was an If the future of Zoroastrianism lies firmly in the hands of its youth, it is es- open youth forum in which attending sential that they are not only equipped ¦ with the knowledge with which to make decisions, but are also motivated with an all-encompassing desire to rejuvenate the elders were invited to participate and give their opinions and comments. The handful of delegates who attended this unfocussed in approach and goal. Vari­ ous suggestions were offered to make fu­ ture seminars more attractive and pur­ poseful. Ms Roxanne Kavarana of Baroda felt that at such seminars, “youth around it. should be the only speakers, and not elders four or five times our age.” Other suggestions pertained to the raising of funds, and the agenda and structure of A member of Zoroastrian Studies, Daraius Bharucha has had more than one exposure to all-India Zoroastrian youth seminars. He is working for the Merchant Navy. 29 Parsiana November 1992 kINSTITUTIONS COVER STORY Retiring to Deolali Parinaz Gandhi For vehicular traffic, the entry and exit by Maneckji Cawasji Netarvala in 1916. route to and from Deolali is Lam Road. ----- Named after Bapuji Lam, a magistrate and one-time vice chairman of the Deo­ lali Cantonment Board, this road bears testimony to the efforts of Parsis in shap­ ing up this semi hill station and contri­ buting to its prosperity. Down the same road stands the distinctive Chinoy agiary doongerwadi property in Deolali. The and the adjacent Netarvala Rest House, a L ' “ " . ________ popular meeting ground for Zoroastrians of his mother Shirinbai, is his family ’s on festive occasions. • - - On either side of this busy thorough­ fare are lined rows of sanatoria, provided by different communities for their mem­ bers. It is either as a health resort or as a military base that Deolali has been pro­ moted. The tranquility permeating this Yet the members never opted to consti- in progress—mithaiwala (make sweet ­ place and its salubrious climate has led i ' L ___ ____ ________ ___ _ _ to many, including Zoroastrians, spend- preferring instead to join hands with their bhanwawala (recite prayers), ing their retirement years in this haven. r Of Deolali ’s estimated Zoroastrian I....................... J “ population of 250, “most would be above only occasional flashes of news from this 50,” informs Col Zal Penty who decided to set up base in Deolali after having travelled through different parts of the lakhs donated by Rusi and Aloo Lakda- country in the course of his military as- vala. Their low-profile Anjuman, al- ______ _______________ signments. “It is close and yet away though a member, is not represented at fectiveness. from Bombay, Penty explains the ra- the meetings of the Federation of Parsi The agiary is a common meeting tionale for Deolali ’s appeal to “upcoun- Zoroastrian Anjumans of India. How- ground for the Zoroastrians in Deolali. try people used to a quiet life. ” From Calcutta, Delhi and Jabalpur he has seen Parsis migrating here. Many from the bring in a stream of visitors, railways are also inclined to spend their retirement years in this resort. He knows of some people overseas who want to start life afresh in Deolali. When it is peace and serenity they are about 300 to 400 persons converge there, seeking, it is invariably the cantonment “'' • ¦•• • • - - area that Zoroastrians choose to reside (meal) sponsored by Shiavaksha Shroff derin 1991 of Burjor Paymaster, a long- in. The tree-lined avenues, the open which about 400 Zoroastrians partook of. space and tranquility unmistakably de- This time when there were meal coupons scribe the cantonment section of the sold at Rs 30 per head, the number of ceased prefer to inter the body at difficult, ” notes Penty. The convenience of the autorickshaws now Zoroasttians to socialize at least two or as- “It is the oldest among the existing estab­ lishments, ” we are informed by the pres­ ent proprietor Bomi Netarvala who has three times each year. The functions spent more than 60 years in this resort, sume a more festive look on occasions cornbming his commitment to the shop like the platinum jubilee of the Deolali ' ' agiary which was celebrated last year. According to the trust deed of the Dar-e-Meher, gifted by Bai Ratanbai Netarvala Rest House, built in memory Jamshedji Edulji Chinoy, the panthak of with his responsibility as secretary of the trust that manages the agiary and the encourages this fire-temple is in the jurisdiction of Sardar Dastur Kaikobad Aderbad of Poona and of his successors. Currently gift to the community. Institutions like the agiary and the dokhma, as also the nearly half a dozen they have one priest Erach Dastur work- Parsi sanatoria in Deolali served to bind ing at the agiary who, as his assistant the community which numbered nearly Pesi Mirza jocularly remarks, “has to 1,000 in the days prior to World War II. change his duties depending on the gah Yet the members never opted to consti­ tute a separate anjuman of their own, meats), boiwala (tend the agiary fire), , randh- neighbors to collectively form the Deo- wawala (cook).” lali and Nasik Parsi Anjuman. There are No details are left unattended at the agiary. In fact, in the enclosure assigned area as was conveyed last year when the for kusti prayers, the devotee is faced agiary was renovated at a cost of Rs 2.71 with specifically framed instructions di­ recting how the kusti should be held/tied and the prayers recited for maximum ef- the meetings of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India. How ­ ever, the informal ties they have forged The towers of silence are not as fre- with Zoroastrians near and far constantly quented. We expected to glimpse a dokhraa on one of the several knolls dot­ ting the landscape but were disappointed when our plea for directions evoked only a blank look from passersby. Usually The occasions when Deolali is brim­ ming with Parsi fervor is at the time of the agiary anniversary celebrations in Octo­ ber, and the periodic ghambars when Deolali does not see more than one . Zoroastrian death a year. But one trag- “Originally there used to be a free jaman edy it has still not overcome is the mur- time resident living on Dhondy Road. “In most cases the relatives of the de- . t a town which was developed by the British participants reduced by half, ” observed dokhma in Bombay as Deolali is left as a recuperating station for their sol- ................. .................................. .. diers. Predominant in the civilian sec- Frenny manages the Netarvala Rest House, tion of the town is the marketplace where we find the Cooperative Stores founded Namdar Khoramshahi who with his wife with no vultures, ” informs Ms Manicher Asundaria who since her husband’s ill ­ ness has been singlehandedly managing the responsibilities as caret^er of the “When there were only tongas as the mode of transport, get-togethers were 30 Parsiana November 1992 j it. M.A ¦ ¦ -f jl 1 - -a. Since the early part of this century Zoroastrians have participated in Deolali ’s progress, promoting it as a health resort and an investment avenue doongerwadi property. “The routine fir- j ' J _ z_ y, ing of gunshots (from the cantonment hadurji Memorial Sanatorium that area in the vicinity) has scared away the vultures, ” she adds. The doongerwadi property admeasur­ ing 39 acres and 14 gunthas comes merly the use of the sanatorium was within the jurisdiction of the Deolali Re- granted only when one member of the ligious Properties and Ceremonial Fund, family suffered from tuberculosis. Sub- as per the trust deed. Besides two sequently “any health ground, debility dokhmas and a sagri, there is also situ- and old age qualified for an allotment, ” ated thereon a building for performing he elaborates. Even though the spacious religious ceremonies, quarters for khan­ dhias and chowlddars (watchmen), a nassa- khana and a shed to accommodate a car­ riage. From her isolated lodgings on the by a medical certificate, rent receipt, ra- doongerwadi property, Asundaria will- tion card and an obligation abiding to undertakes the climb each day to conform to the 50 terms and conditions keep alight the fire at the sagri. However stipulated by the trust. she is not as comfortable when confront- ---- * ing strangers, visualizing her own help ­ lessness in the eventuality of an en­ croachment. Whether along the stone-step path­ way, around the sagri or the dokhmas, the wanton growth of grass testifies that there are few visitors to this site. When we try getting closer to the Bai Rutanbai among these must be the Dr K. N. Ba- ________ __ 1 was started in 1902. A witness to “all 40 cot­ tages being occupied in the earlier years’’ is Jehangir Irani, the manager there. For- two room cottages are available for Rs 400 per month, there are few takers for every application has to be accompanied Its location is ideal, situated as it is on Lam Road. But when just across the road, the popular, Irani-managed Netar­ vala Rest House and Orient Guest House offer better amenities at a reasonable price, there are few willing to undergo the hardships at Bahadurji’s. (On an av­ erage, the per head boarding and lodging Bamji Tower of Silence, Asundaria has day, while at the Orient it is Rs 13o") no objection but she cautions us against The community’s non-interest in sanato- moving nearer the Behramjee Mistry ria facilities havqjed the Bahaduiji Sana- Tower of Silence, built earlier, and torium trustees to plan a home for the which is now reserved for suspect cases aged on their premises, starting out with of death, like suicide. “14 cottages on a trial run,” reports Irani. rates at Netarvala work out to Rs 100 per The community’s non-interest in sanato- torium trustees to plan a home for the >*•» From top: Residential blocks and library building within the Bahadurji Sanatorium complex; Netarvala Rest House; and Orient Guest House I Now, only the Asundaria couple re- I side on the vast expanse of the doonger- I the surplus land for community benefit, __________ , I the trustees are considering whether the rickshaw driver even takes us to the sup- I proviso in the trust deed “to erect and I provide quarters for priests, khandhias, I servants or poor Parsis on the said trust I lands ’’ can be interpreted such that a housing complex for deserving Parsis prior, can be planned here. It is not only the doongerwadi land that lies idle. The Parsi sanatoria too, managed by their respective trusts, stand deserted and dilapidated. The largest There also continue to exist the Dubash, the Dam walla and the So- wadi property. To make optimum use of dawalla Sanatoriums in the cantonment the surplus land for community benefit, area of Deolali, all going to waste. Our posed Toddywalla Sanatorium where after a brief chat with the current occu­ pants we learn that the sanatorium must have been discontinued several years The popular Parsi hotels of yore too have given way to more profitable ven­ tures. Edward and Rugby are no more in existence; Coronation is now being man- continued on page 37 31 Paisiana November 1992SCHOLARSHIP Speculations about the Sasanians Prof Shaul Shaked’s lecture series casts a new light on Zoroastrian beliefs Farrokh Vajifdar Historical events and dilution of the Arabic sources. His credentials for these check. Restrictive measures were there- spiritual heritage of Zarathushtra had led Jordan Lectures were therefore impec- to a diversity of beliefs within the cable. Zoroastrianism of Sasanian Iran. To­ gether with the introduction of non-Ira- upon placed over the dissemination of the faith. They may have been deemed The everyday speculations of the necessary in view of the various non­ thinking Sasanian Mazdayasnian took “ nian religious ideas and practices after him through a variety of religious experi- the infamous Alexander ’s incursions into the homeland of Zoroastrianism came a change of complexion over the strong ethico-religious system of the Iranian jor interfering role in those early beliefs satisfied his dualistic enquiry. Good, evil Zoroastrian notions which threatened to engulf the accepted core beliefs. Resur­ rection, for example, was not universally Zoroastrianism of his"day. Problems of accepted and was made into an article of evil and its avoidance focussed his atten­ tion upon its origins and its ultimate fate. Zurvan, as godhead of time and destiny. ences which came together to shape the faith, suggesting that it needed affirma­ tion: “I am free from doubt concerning Prophet. Fatalism entered, to play a ma- Zurvan, as godhead of time and destiny, the resurrection! The High Pnest Kirdir, jor interfering role in those early beliefs satisfied his dualistic enquiry. Good, evil it will be reniembered, alluded neither to of individual responsibility, progress and — the one pervading, the other finally the resurrection 4ior to the Apocalypse: salvation. An orthodoxy became founded i-®-> neither to the raising of the ^ead, nor on this Zurvanite, or time-speculating, “ to the climactic end of the world, tendency which by turns contributed to a certain disintegration and then a consoli ­ dation of the faith. It is at this juncture that Prof Shaul Shaked took up the story at his memo­ rable three-day seminar at the School of Oriental and African Studies, affection­ ately known here as SOAS for short and pronounced “So-ass!” The Israeli profes­ sor of Iranian studies and comparative religions at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem was in London last December to deliver the Louis H. Jordan Bequest Lectures on “Dualism in transformation: varieties of religion in Sasanian Iran.” An introductory, “Cosmogony and dua­ lism, ” was given as a public lecture ......... — -------- — . „ „ , Thereafter the remaining four, delivered Mainyu: a scheme far removed from Shaked prefers the terms visible and “in camera ” were on “Eschatology and Zarathushtra, but one safely in the hands “invisible ” in these context. vision,” “Man and the divine,” “A hierar- of the priesthood who claimed full To those privileged with this inner vi- chy of religious expressions” and the very knowledge of these and their effective sion are revealed the mysteries of the substantial “The instruments of religion. ” intervention in the affairs of men. universe, of the last things, of man s rela- Reasons of space permit only a selec- The original Avesta had to be ex- tionship to God and, importantly, the al- • • • • ¦ ¦ J — Pahlavi legorical interpretation of the Zoroastrian scriptures. It was precisely to do with in­ terpretation that interdicts were placed There was, obviously, religious truth. Who could expound this, and how? Shaked, at his most persuasive, discussed the special kind of vision possessed by certain individuals who had the potential to partake of an especial consciousness through the use of hallucinogenic sub­ stances. This special vision, through the “eye of the soul (chashm-i jari)'’ was con­ ferred upon those pious ones who trod the fearsome path of the dead by them­ selves becoming as dead. Most Zoroas­ trians are acquainted with the narrative of the extraterrestrial journeys of the _____ _____________________ saintly Arda-Viraf/Wiraz, and the proce- the confrontation between Ohrmazd/ dure through which he traversed the Ahura Mazda and Ahriman/Angra getig (earthly) to the me nog (spiritual). It was feared that free access to the Zand would encourage unorthodox tampering with the ancient truths overcoming — was presented to him as Ahriman/Angra getig (earthly) to the menog (spiritual). Zarathushtra, but one safely in the hands of the priesthood who claimed full knowledge of these and their effective intervention in the affairs of men. The original Avesta had to be ex- tive summary of the proceedings, ad- plained through^ the ^nd, vance-circulated, and then discussed in considerable depth among some 20 hard- nosed Pahlavisants and comparative re­ ligionists. Let it be said straightway that or additional commentary. Shaked is a top expert on our Pahlavi too was memorized until it became too language and literature to which he bulky for that purpose. Its pliable char- brings his additionally formidable ! ' j-j .... knowledge of the Aramaic, Syriac and clergy who had difficulty in keeping it in commentary. Where that interpretation proved cumbersome or unsatisfactory, it was further retailed through the Pazand upon the transmission of our sacred texts. This Zand Whilst memorization of the by now little understood sacred words of the Avesta ______ _ ___ was inculcated, the commentary, or acter was regarded as dangerous by the Zand, was restricted to those possessing a ¦_ higher piety. Esoteric elements, denoted 33 Parsiana November 1992MATRIM ONIAL If you are a 30 to 45-year-old woman, single/widowed/divorced preferably with no or one child, attractive, healthy, open-minded, unconventional, considerate, honest, intelligent enough to be progressive, educated enough to realize that religion, caste, color, position, title, family background or wealth are not important, and believe in equality and fairness, we have lot in common. I was born a Parsi, am “Young” 51 years, settled in USA for 30 years, never married with a very healthy body/ mind/spirit. View matrimony. Please write with recent photo to; The Advertiser Parsiana Matrimonial (Nov/51-92) GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 34 Parsiana November 1992 in the Pahlavi books by raz or secret, rep- ever-watchful doctors of Islam. The resented the arcana which, stressed lengthy passage, which includes Vish- Shaked, had nothing to do with occultism or mystery cults or with anything sug­ gesting irrationality and ecstasy. The re­ strictions forbade dissemination among the commonalty. Kamdin Shapur's Ri- vayat enjoins: “A secret should be writ ­ ten in Avesta characters or uzwarishV' ever-watchful doctors of Islam. taspa’s proselytizing activity and the saintly Adarbadh’s public disputation with leaders of the other religions toler ­ ated in Iran, reconstructs an ideal history of religion. The Sasanian kings were fur- therers of the Zoroastrian religion inas­ much as they promoted the idea of inter- What would those early defenders of dependence between royalty and reli- our faith have thought of a much more gion: a doctrine enabling them to keep in recent unauthorized trans- check the religious ten- mission of a certain secret dencies of their times, message? The French The chief mobadh and Catholic scholar-priest Fr chief herbadh at the court Jean-Pierre de Menasce of the kings were there to urged the world-renowned tie management of the Jewish Indo-Iranist, Emile Mazdayasnians’ religious Benveniste, to flee France affairs to the kings’ will; during the Second World the heads of the various War (1939-45) to escape religions remained closely the Nazi menace and find supervised by them. Ac- a safe haven in neutral ceptance of honors and Switzerland. That mes- status at court resulted in sage was encoded into their collaboration, the Pahlavi! Shaked: sharing valuable more spiritually inclined To return to the Sasa- insights rural priests keeping aloof nian Zand being the from the worldliness of tool of interpretation, it was feared that free access would encourage unorthodox tampering with the ancient truths. And, in fact, it was well within the Sasanian epoch that two major heresies arose, those of Mani (the founder of shapiganishasapikanisichikanishayegan, Manichaeism — a synthesis of the teach- depending on one’s reading of the notori- ings of Zarathushtra, Buddha and Jesus ously multivalent Pahlavi. Basing him- Christ) and Mazdak (the founder of self on the biblical Old Testament Book Mazdakism — an extreme and primitive of Esther, 6.1, Shaked prefers to tell us communism), bringing to an ugly reali ­ zation the worst fears of the priesthood. The arch heretics were put to death and their followers driven underground or hounded out of the realm of Iranshahr. Nor should it be forgotten that Islamic mysticism and esotericism developed on the cultural ground of Iran, their propo­ nents being Persians of Zoroastrian de­ scent! Independent study of the Zand tive to counting sheep! was therefore prohibited to all but a few of the elite priesthood. Although magical practices and the occasional demon-wor ­ ship were condemned as jadugih and .several features of Sasanian Zoroastrian- dev-yasnih, their counterparts existed ism. Shaked, erudite and gentlemanly, among the common, largely uneducated ‘ folk who did not conform to the prescrip­ tions of the established religion. Shaked regards the history of the brimful with valuable insights and transmission of our sacred texts from the greater understanding of our present-day fourth book of the Denkard (our Zoroas- Zoroastrianism. trian “encyclopaedia ”) as pseudo-histori­ cal. The post-Sasanian redactors had carefully screened the earlier official Shaked: sharing valuable the court priests. In his brilliant translation of the pas­ sage in question, Shaked provides an un­ usual aside: a copy of the Avesta was de­ posited in the ganj, or treasury, of that it should be read ganj-i shabigan, or “treasury of the night-quarters.” It could then be surmised that our care-burdened Shahenshahs of old, unable to sleep, would have the royal chronicles and/or the Avesta read off before them — a pos­ sible cure for the royal insomnia, made entirely probable through Shaked’s new translation. Certainly a Sasanian altema- Three intense and glorious days dur­ ing which we were exhilarated, refreshed and provoked into re-assessments of bore up with us and our prolonged inter­ rogations valiantly with patience, tact and full indulgence. We came away ft J versions, doubtless with an eye on the The full revised text should shortly be available to us in book form. Diligent readers are urged patience: a rich reward awaits them. II BOOKS Profile of a pious priest Ruhshaad Dastur Khurshed Dabuni Jeevan Zalak by Noshir Khurshed Dabu. Published in 1991 by the Surat Parsi Punchayet, Dr Jam- shedji Lashkari Marg, Shahpore, Surat 395003. Pp:X+179. Price: Rs 12. Dr Peshotan Peer told this reviewer once that during this ' ’ period he refused offers of principalship Institute, at the P. D. Marker High School in Yezd in Iran and the post of professor of Eng­ lish at the Elphinstone College, Bombay, turship was made to Khurshed by the ' trustees of Hormusji B. Wadia Atas Bahram in Bombay. Dabu accepted the post with much reluctance in 1948, after some correspondence with the trustees and retired in 1977 due to old age. During this period of nearly three decades, he rendered yeoman service to the Parsi com- ¦ munity by imparting religious H knowledge, especially of its eso- ¦ teric side, Qf which many Parsis were totally ignorant. This spiritual knowledge he attributed to his study of Zoroastrian scriptures and mys- tical problems in the light of theo- sophical teaching. It is the opinion of this reviewer ¦ that in the last century, no other re- ligious scholar imparted manthra spenta (the most sacred knowledge) in its true spirit as ably as Dabu did. Most of our Parsi scholars blindly follow Western savants whose Zo­ roastrian studies do not go beyond t ' the letter of the scriptures and are merely a play upon words. But Dabu was a staunch follower of Zo- M roastrian tariqat (way of life). His « explanation of age-old ceremonies ’ lyas praiseworthy, especially the in­ ner meaning of the Yasna cere- Khurshed Dabu: unquestionable integrity mony, the philosophy of worshipping the when he became the principal of the During his tenure of office at the Cama Athoman Institute, an offer of das- This biography of Dastur Khurshed Shapurji Dabu is written in Gujarati by unquestionable. He was so strict in one who had the advantage of ob- . phases |||||||||g^|||||||||||||||||g||g|||||||^|||||||||||^g^^ Dabu’s life at close quarters. The biographer himself has made a fairly deep study of the Zoroastrian religion and is a gifted writer. As a result, we have a work of great authenticity, written in a graphic and forceful style, bearing upon an exceptional life. Khurshed was bom in Navsari on April 20, 1889, in a poor mobed family. He lost his father when he was eight. From his childhood he showed himself to be an intelligent boy with a promising future. After his matriculation Navsari, he joined the Wilson Col- I lege and passed out from Bombay I University with an MA degree and I a gold medal in Avesta and Pahlavi. I His first job was as professor of I English at the Fergusson College in Poona, for a couple of years. Thereafter he went to Adyar in Madras and came into contact with Dr Annie Besant and Bishop C. W. Leadbeater. There he studied the­ osophy, became a strict disciplinar ­ ian and learnt the value of service to oth­ ers. In 1914 he went to Kanpur as the sun, moon, fire and the other elements headmaster of the Dharma Samaj High observing discipline that no one guilty of of nature, the mystic emblems of angels School under Besant’s supervision. For ’ “ some time he was also headmaster of the biographer has noted such examples in Muslim High School at Aligarh. Then he returned to Gujarat to become the prin­ cipal of the Seth Rustom Kuka Parsi Or­ phanage and Sir Jamshetji Jejeebhoy resigned at the insistence of the trustees High School. Before he accepted this posting in Surat, he was offered more remunerative positions in an era of financial depres­ sion, but he rejected these to serve desti­ tute orphan boys. Dastur Khurshed had immensely in training and discipline Dabu’s sincerity and integrity were 35 Parsiana November 1992 in [Wi * ¦I misconduct-escaped punishment. The Aban, Hom, Bahram and of Barsam, etc. Regarding the disposal of the dead, Dabu was in favour of dokhmenashini, and fervently criticized the methods of various places. After rendering 27 years of service to the Seth Kuka Orphanage, Khurshed cremation and burial un-Zoroastrian, giving scientific explanations and scrip- of the Seth Mancherji Framji Cama tural references. Athoman Institute who wanted In the matter of conversion Dabu ex- Khurshed in Greater Bombay in 1946. It pressed himself against it with references was an agreement for three years. The to the religion and history of Zoroastrian- progeny of the priestly class benefitted wanted ism. In 1942, an incident occurred that took the Parsi community by storm. A ¦few Parsi priests performed the Vansda (juddin) navjotes in a group. The com­ munity was enraged and opposed this act. A huge Samast Anjuman Sabha was called at the Sir Cawasji Jehangir Hall under the able chairmanship of Sir Bah- ramji Jeejeebhoy, where many erudite scholars spoke against these navjotes. Dastur (then Ervad) Khurshed Dabu was the main speaker and carried the audi­ ence by his eloquence and profound scholarship. Above all, Dabu always fought In 1991 Noshir Dabu published a book against intercomm unal marriages and never performed a single navjote of a child bom in such marriages. In his bi­ ography the author cites several quota­ tions from the scriptures (pp. 113 to 118), which support the Dastur’s stand. In accordance with the tenets of to the teachings of the Prophet great epic were found scattered all over Zoroastrianism, Dabu was a teetotaller. Zarathushtra, and His daily food was purely vegetarian. Mostly he was dependent on fruits, dry society as a whole, fruits and milk. Though a borderline dia- Their belief in their betic from his youth, by his willpower religion, in simpli- and control over diet he lived to the ripe city, honesty and in- old age of 91. Dabu was loved and appreciated by plary. both the orthodox and the reformists, be­ cause of his immense integrity and sin­ cere guidance to his flock. He was free of all pretences. Even his opponents had respect for his piety. Only a few frus­ trated members of our community stooped to sling mud at him. Needless to well-known: Dastur say, no saint or prophet escapes such cal- Meherji Rana, Azar umny. Kaiwan, Dastur Jamshed Kookadaru, etc. Dabu’s pious soul passed away peace- Much has been written about them. fully in the early morning of October 30, Burjor Desai’s book in Gujarati on Azar benefit of the present generation. 1979 (Roz Aspandarmad, Mah Khordad, Kaiwan, for example, is well-known. It is 1349 A.Y.). The biographer has noted a biography of the scholar-saint, a con- down some condolence messages from temporary of Dastur Meherji Rana. Both his students and from various institu­ tions. Here are some excerpts: “It is no exaggeration to say that in the death of revered Dasturji Khurshed accept the king’s invitation and corre- Dabu we have lost a father and patron. He treated us all as his sons and molded our careers and future.” “It was he who through the moral in­ fluence of his spotless character steered our lives... The light that guided our many as a place of pilgrimage, community in a number of ways has at last been extinguished.” “Though bom of humble origins, his was chiefly responsible for introducing behavior was kingly. ” Kookadaru Saheb to the community, Dabu’s services to the masonic world through his book on this inspired soul. and to humanity at large were extraordi­ nary. He was the beloved guru of young people. A rational thinker, he was yet a profound religious leader and a faithful past, present and future. He has left a servant of Lord Ahura Mazda. very deep influence on his devotees. Glimpses of dedicated lives Hormazdyar S. Dalal Poonitoni Parabdi, Parsi Kirtivantoni Kahani by Noshir Khurshed Dabu. Published by Marzban J. Giara, Dhunmai Building, 667 Lady Jehangir Road, Dadar, Bombay 400014. Pp: 80. Price: Rs 15. Again, voluminous research has been done on the 17th century Parsi poets of Gujarat by Ms Perin Driver of Navsari. Her thesis for her doctorate was first pub­ lished in brief in 1974. An enlarged vol ­ ume came out in 1976. It is a tour de force in Gujarati literature. on the life and work of his father Dastur force in Gujarati literature. Rustom Khurshed Dabu who had lived a saintly Peshoton, a 17th century Parsi poet, life and left an indelible impression on his followers. The present work is a homage to men and women of our com­ munity who lived pious lives according tury. Nine handwritten copies of this wrote in Gujarati the epic poem, Ar da Viraf-Nameh, originally a ‘divine com­ edy’ written in Pahlavi in the third cen- 36 Parsiana November 1992 Zarathushtra, left their mark on tegrity was exem- They had dedicated their lives to their creator, Ahura Mazda. Some of them were also scholars and seers, and are This book provides us with the essence of lives lived according to the path of Asha Gujarat and Bombay by Driver. The late Behramgore Ankle ­ saria, an eminent Pe­ rsian scholar, had also done research on this masterpiece, editing and collating it. All these earlier studies in no way de­ value the present work by Noshir Dabu. The writer ’s efforts are praise­ worthy in the sense that he has given here in brief the lifework of some admirable men for the A Poonitoni Parabdi (or “At the fountain of the pious ones”) provides us with the essence of lives lived according to the lived in the times of Akbar, and both path of Asha — or truth. were invited by the Shahenshah to his court. Azar Kaiwan, however, could not In two ways the story of Arda-Viraf in Dabu’s book differs from the original' source. In the Pahlavi work Arda-Viraf spondence in 14 parts is said to have proved his infinite piety during the reign taken place between the two. Azar of Ardeshir Babegan or Bapekan. Ac- Kaiwan had a mixed following of Parsis cording to Dabu he was a contemporary as well as Muslims. He died in Patna in of Babegan’s father. Secondly, accor- 1618 and his grave there is considered by ding to the original, Arda-Viraf accepted the king’s challenge to visit the ‘other Similarly, Minoo Desai, writer, poet world, ’ a hazardous journey of seven and ex-editor of The Bombay Samachar, days and nights. According to Dabu’s version, Aderbad-Marespand was se­ lected for the mission by the king. Poonitoni Parabdi is in two parts. Part one covers the lives of spiritual leaders. Part two deals with men like Jamshed Mehta, a selfless politician; Dr Homi Mehta, who served the Parsi General Hospital for several years; Prof Pheroze Kookadaru, a panthaky of the Kappa- walla Agiary, Tardeo, Bombay, was a pi­ ous man and a seer. He could divine theDaver, an eminent teacher of English turned. Equally in demand were the language and literature, and others. If ‘J;; nzSj services of Dinshaw Irani, better known the late Jamshed Mehta was an ideal continued from page J as Dinshaw Baba, whose natural gift for politician. Prof Daver was a symbol of aged by Sindhi-Muslims; and the only bone alignment earned him respect not learning and piety. His lifestyle was a link that remains with Grand Hotel is only from Deolali citizens but also from model for friends and students alike in its Dhondy Road, named after Rustom the neighboring areas, summarizes Penty. The prestige associated with the Bar­ nes School in present times was then re- ____ :_________________________area named after a Parsi is the Capt Dara served for the Zoroastrian Boarding High Some other names are too well-known Mistry Marg, as a tribute to the gallant School. Children from respected families to be mentioned here again. Dr Ratan warrior who was posthumously conferred were sent to this institution where Marshall, for instance, has immortalized the Mahavir Chal^a^ Ardeshir Kotwal, the great son of Surat. 1 „ Also, Jehangir Vimadalal, an untiring Marshall Pourtry Farm have been long- figure who with the Chiniwalla brothers spread the message of Ilm-e-Khshnoom, and Ustad Behramshah Shroff, an en­ lightened person, need no introduction. On the whole this book should be rec­ ommended to our boys and girls conver­ sant in Gujarati. The last few chapters, however, seem to be the writer ’s after­ thought. They are but a catalogue of ral flair for agriculture have succeeded in names from either the past history of our enhancing Deolali ’s environs. A few community or the Shah Namah. Pages 65 Iranis have opted for the bakery business to 80 give verv sketchy information on L-,, ----- the subjects selected by the author. some are into hoteliering and catering principles of democracy and freedom. Finally, while reading Poonitoni Par- like Viram and Moti Khoramshahi who The ratio of 2foroastrians to the total abdi, this reviewer was reminded of have been managing the Orient Guest strength of the Deolali population would Jarthosti-Jyotirdharo compiled by Rusi House for seven years, and Dinshaw be in the region of 1:400. Yet they are a secure lot knowing that as a constituent unit of the Deolali and Nasik Parsi Anjuman they have a dual advantage. They can simultaneously enjoy their in- RETIRING TO DEOLALI continued from page 31 * ¦ link that remains with Grand Hotel is model for friends and students alike in its Dhondy Road, named after Rustom simplicity and ethical standards. Da ver’s Dhondy, the hotelier of Grand Hotel works on Zoroastrianism and its practice fame. Another road in the cantonment are informative and lucidly written. i------------- were Dhunjishaw Jal served as principal and Farzandibagh, Gustad Nursery and Tehmurasp Dastoor as vice principal, recollects ex-student Kaderbhai Ebrahim who now runs a hardware shop. As popu­ lar in recent times is the nursery school run by the Contractor sisters—Khorshed and Roda—where since the last 25 years many a child has received his first expo­ sure to formal education. The Leslie Sawhny Centre, a well-frequented meet­ ing ground for seminars, conferences and training camps^is a comparatively young institution started in 1974 to perpetuate the memory of J. R. D. Tata’s brother-in- law Sawhny who was committed to the Standing establishments. But not all com­ mercial enterprises have the same ele ­ ment of permanency for several Zoroas­ trian families bored with Deolali ’s un­ eventful lifestyle chose to cash in on their properties and move away. Con­ versely some young Iranis have started investing in this area and with their natu- like the owners of Empire Stores, and some are i like Viram and Moti Khoramshahi who Finally, while reading Poonitoni Par- VIIIO ivvivnvi < v/. vx* --*• • *' . ..................... ..........CJ-'O ------ -------- Jarthosti-Jyotirdharo compiled by Rusi House for seven years, and Dinshaw Besania in 1979. Irani and Thrity Irani who only last year have introduced a Chinese cuisine at the Roof Garden restaurant. If more Zoroastrians decide to settle in Deolali, the scenario would resemble dependence as also their dependence— maintain their distance and yet feel co­ cooned by their proximity to kindred souls. EVENTS AND PERSONALITIES continued from page 14 Bharda and Ms Mehemaz Ankiesaria, missed the chance of winning a triple the days prior to World War II when crown when his parmer failed to turn up for the men’s doubles finals. In the ladies singles, Ms Shiraz Sho- lapurwalla defeated Desai to win the title, reports the article. Mandolin on the AIR In the western music circuit, Dorab Phi- rozshaw Patel is a familiar name having for the last 35 years been invited to play the mandolin by the All India Radio. On September 14, 1992 he used the 25-min- ute time slot allotted to him to perform the works of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Lionel Bart, Xavier Cugat and others, he informs. His repertoire extends from classical to pop and jazz music. Having learned the mandolin from Behram Irani, he was further groomed by guitarist friend Bismark Rodriques. In his younger days, in film music renditions, he played the mandolin for guitarist Van Shipley, and also made some records for His Master’s Voice (HMV) with pianist Kersi Mistry, according to the write-up. Compiled by Parinaz Gandhi gateway to the sagritdokhma area there were several Parsi business houses dealing in wines, provisions, pharmaceu­ ticals and newspaper distribution. In times of ailment, it is to doctors Ba- Bamji dokhma (left) Mistry dokhma and hadurji and Fatakia that the local popu- 37 Parsiana November 1992 4' 4MILESTONES The age of Zoroastrian brides (as listed in this issue) ranged between 23 and 31 years, the arithmetic mean (the total num­ ber of individual ages divided by the total number of brides) being 27 years. The corre­ sponding figures for the grooms were 27 and 33 years, averaging at 30 years. As per the data available to Parsiana from four hospitals there were 37 births as com­ pared to 67 deaths in Bombay in supplied by four hospitals; October. The major killer — heart disease — claimed 17 vic­ tims of whom seven were 80 years and above. Old age and general debility took nine lives copy of the birth certificate. A boy to Dilnavaz and Vistasp while eight Zoroastrians sue- In the breakup of deaths accord- Mehta-, October 30 cumbed to pneumonia and lung ing to illnesses, especially of A girl to Nilufer and Kayomus disease. The other killers were the elderly, death is often due to Palia-, October 30 diabetes (seven), cancer (six), a combination of several dis- A boy, Shaun, to Bakhtaver brain disease (four), tuberculo- eases. and Gev Ayrton-, October 31 sis (three) and kidney failure and hypoproteinemia (deficient protein in the blood plasma) (two each). The isolated cases registered last month were: gas­ tro-intestinal bleeding, Alz ­ heimer’s disease (a form of pre- senile dementia), anemia, dehy­ BANGALORE Married Naveena Kumari M. and Kaizad Gustad Kermani on October 28, 1992 BOMBAY Born A girl, Riya, to Sher ria and Rustom Dhalla', July 6 A girl to Nargish and Homi Mobed', October 2 A girl to Shirin and Mehernosh Palia', October 2 A girl to Beniafer and Zarir Kerawalla', October 3 A girl to Bakhtaver and Kerman Wadia; October 3 A girl to Farahanaz and Pervez Iranpur, October 4 A boy to Thrity and Jehanjir Bacha; October 5 A boy to Dilber and Hoshi Daruwalla', October 6 A girl to Behroze and Yezdi Cooper, October 7 A boy to Aban and Neville Darbari', October 7 Ahoy to Skeknar and Farskid Goorabian', October 7 dration, bronchitis, liver dis­ ease, multiple organ failure, asthma, gangrene and hyperten­ sion. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by various newsletters and anju­ mans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This information is not always complete or consistent. birth figures for Bombay are A boy, Sarosh, to Gitanjali and Sorab Sidhva', October 20 A boy to Kamalrukh and Farhad Colah', October 22 A girl to Tina and Sriram Padmanaban', October 22 A girl to Diana and Homey ar Goiporia', October 26 A boy to Pearl and Kerssie Wadia', October 26 A boy to Veera and Yezdi For example, the Engineer, October 27 A girl to Anahita and Kersy Mistry, October 27 births in suburban hospitals and A boy to Nina and Rustom private nursing homes are not included unless individuals send us information together with a Navdar, October 29 copy of the birth certificate. In the breakup of deaths accord- the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several dis­ eases. If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would like published, some proof to ensure the veracity of the report Rohinton Ratansha Randelia', would be required. We are sure October 1 our readers would appreciate Benaifer Sam Amaria and this requirement and cooperate Homiar Kobad Sabavala', with us. October 4 --------------------------------------------- Monira Hoshi Mody and Jimmy (Jamshed) Noshir Bhada-, October 11 Samen Morad Rahmain and Kamyar A llahyar Kavianpour', October 11 Zarine Keki Sarkari and Percy Soli Ghaswala', October 15 A boy to Nargis and Rohin Daruwala', October 8 A boy to Bapsy and Farookh Dastur, October 8 A girl to Meher and Phiroz Dubash', October 8 A boy to Renu and Rohiruon Katrak', October 8 A girl to Yasmin and Karl Banorawala', October 9 A girl to Mahtab and Burzin Daruwalla', October 9 A girl, Sonia, to Veera and Cyrus Patel; October 9 A girl to Dinaz and Kersi Shroff', October 11 A boy to Diana and Darayus Vajifdar; October 11 A boy to Armaity and Adale Patel', October 16 A boy, Vistaspa, to Maharukh and Ruzbeh Sutaria; October 16 A girl to Nargish and Hoshedar Khambatta', October 18 A girl to Rashna and Camaji Cama; October 19 A girl to Pervin and Per sis Bilimoria', October 19 A g.irl to Kamalrookh and Zurvan Marolia', October 19 Modi', October 27 A girl to Dinaz and Farhad Married Daisy Purvez Dholoo and Died Homai Jehangirji Mehta (64), residing at S, Dalal Est, Bombay Central, 400008; September 27 Kaikhushroo H. Patel (90), Kamal Mans, Opp National College, Linking Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 1 Mehru Cur setjee Mistry (90), 305, Daruwalla Bldg, Dr Cavasji Hormusjee St, Dhobitalao, 400002; October 2 Nadir Cawasji Wadia (71), 30, Kashinath Bldg, 7th Lane, Khetwadi, 400004; October 2 Dara Maneckji Daruwalla (83), 734/35, Rane Nivas, Rd No 4, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 3 Byramshaw Navroji Deboo (90)^ 629, Homavazir Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 3 Boman Pestonji Munshi (74), 584, Lady Jehangir Rd, Matunga, 400019; October 3 Navroji Fardoonji Patel (74), 9, Bai Mhl, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; October 3 Gustad Rustomji Commissariat (46), 31B/21, Takshila, Mahakali Caves Rd, Andheri (E), 400093; October 4 Jehangir Faramji Shroff (87), 102, Aderbad, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 4 Soli Pestonji Udwadia (70), 1,. Kashinath Bldg, Kashinaih St, Tardeo, 400034; October 5 Dinamai Di ns haw Bharucha (80), U-7/5, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; October 7 Boman Dinshaw Irani (68), 3/8, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 7 Parvin Behram Kavarana (42), 11, Banajee Annexe, Forjett Street Cross Lane, Gowalia Tank, 400036; October 7 Fakirji Kharshedji Mistry (64), B, Mackarvae Mans, Fort, 400001; October 7 Firoze Jehangirji Zaveri (85), Karanjia Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; October 7 Behman Rustomji Bulsara (73), 309/10, Zaveri Bldg, Opp Albless Baug, Girgaum, 400004; October 8 Deena Merwanji Sethna (81), Silver Foil, N. Gamadia Rd, Off Pedder Rd, 400026; October 8 Jer Dinshawji Unwalla fTi), C/o Dossibai & J. R. Dadabhoy Home, Masina Hosp Compd, Byculla, 400027; October 8 Piroja Dady Billimoria (91), 15, Hamptoh Court, 125, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; October 9 Bejonji (Bejon) Ardeshir Homavazir (78), 696, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 9 Bejanji Bapuji Kanga (72), 3, Marine Chmbs, 2, Marine Lines, 400020; October 9 Nariman Dossabhai Cooper (90), 680, Comer View, Katrak Rd, Wadala, 400031; October 10 Najamai Kaikhushroo Daruwala (82), 3, Dr Daji Bldg, M. M. C. Rd, Mahim, 400016; October 10 Dhanjishah Sorabji Mistry (74), BurjQr Bldgx Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; October 10 « 38 Parsiana November 1992Sheroo (Shera) Pestonji Mistry (79), Old Master Bldg, Zoroastrian Block, 275, Tardeo Rd, 400007; October 10 Sakar Burjor Patel (75), Ben-Cover Mans, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; October 10 Rustomji Framji Vachha (94), 3, Roshni, Old Kantwadi Rd, Bandra, 400050; October 10 Aloo Jal Awari (65), B-24, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 12 Ratan Faramji Karaka (78), 6, Ashley Hse, Opp Colaba Post Office, 400005; October 12 Mithibai Dinshaw Irani (96), 9-A, Baharestan, Bomanji Petit Rd, Cumballa Hill, 400036; October 13 Darayus Hoshang Karkaria (44),-21/2, Multani Bldg, Khambatta Lane, Khetwadi, 400004; October 13 Piroja Behramji Medora (85), 10, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 13 Kettymai Kekibhai Patel (75), C/o Ms Khorshed Minoo Patel, Hotel Majestic, Udwada, Dist Bulsar, 396180; October 13 Behramji Cawasji Sakkai (78), 323, Madhuban Bldg, Cochin St, Fort, 400001; October 13 Phiroz Nanahhoy Daruwalla (79), Dubash Bldg, Kashinath St, T ardeo, 400034; October 14 Freny Rashid Irani (Dilgosha) (58), 158/6, Fakhruddin Manzil, Alibhoy Premji Marg, 400007; October 14 Khorshed Pesi Kanga (86), 34-A, Boyce Bglw, Sleater Rd, 400007; October 14 Monika Feroze Cama (26), 1, Malegamwalla Bldg, Chhotani Rd, Mahim, 400016; October 15 Bachamai Nowroji Captain (80), Jairaj Peerbhoy Bldg, 28, Forjett St, 400036; October 15 Rustomji Pestanji Damania (79), F. S. Parukh Dharam- shalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; October 15 Perin Cawas Mogul (65), 12, Papa Bldg, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; October 15 Tehmina Pestonji Siganporia (88), N-32, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; October 16 Motihai Faramroz Irani (80), 28-A, Todywalla Bldg, Sun Mill Rd, Lower Parel, 400013; October 17 Mehroo Rustomjee Fitter (58), 1/11, Tata Bldg, C. J. Clny, Tardeo, 400034; October 19 Behram Jahangir Aryana (50), Khorshed Villa, Murbad Rd, Kalyan, Dist Thane, 421301; October 21 Rutton Hormusji Bana (84), 686, Vevai Villa, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 21 Phiroze Kaikhusru Elchidana (75), 7, Elfm Grove, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; October 21 Shirin Rustom Patel (82), Maneck Bldg, Opp Navjivan Soc, 112, Lamington Rd, 400008; October 21 Mehelli Rustom Rustom (65), Temple Ter, Forjett St, Gowalia Tank Rd, 400036; October 22 Dali Faramroze Sethna (72), 76, West View, Jain Soc, Sion (W), 400022; October 22 Nargis Jal Billimoria (60), Piroja Villa, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; October 23 Mani Fall Mehta (76), 12-B, Rockside Apts, 116, Walkesh- war Rd, 400006; October 23 Jer Rustomji Antia (83), 618, Jami Lodge, Jame-Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 24 Hooshang Behram Bakht (62), C/2, Ness Baug, Nana Chowk, 400007; October 24 Gooljar Jehangirji Master (87), 608, Jer Villa, Jame-Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 24 Piroja Jamshed Patel (JJ}, Malegaumwalla Bldg, Marazban Clny, Gilder Lane, Tardeo, 400008; October 24 Darabsha KaikhusruArUia (81), F/8, Navajbai Contractor Baug, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; October 25 Rati Dorahshah Bhajiwalla (83), 9/2, Golf Links, Pali Hill Rd, Khar, 400052; October 25 Tehmurasp Dadiba Hathiram (75), 808, Boman Lodge, Khodadad Circle, Dadar 400014; October 26 Bomy Jamshed Bam (75), Sanjana Mans, Victoria Garden Rd, Byculla, 400027; October 27 Navaz Homi Billimoria (65), Sethna HSe, 251, Tardeo Rd, 400007; October 27 Nergish Pallonji Nicholson (80), Tata Blocks, Turner Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; October 28 For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS 324, Grant Road, Bombay 400007. Telephone 3073483 Fax 3099648 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 39 Parsiana November 1992 INargish Behramji Zaveri (80), Manibai Bhavan, 165, Khetwadi Back Rd, 400004; October 28 Behram Rustomji Adagara (15), Sethna Bhabha Bldg, Banaji Fire Temple Compd, Thakurdwar, 400()02; October V) Rustomji Bomanji Gotla (1(), 11, Lotus Court, Jamshedji Tata Rd, Churchgate, 400020; October 29 Dinaz Dara Hakim (59), 183, Dial Mhl, Dalamal Park, Cuffe Parade, 40(X)05; October 29 Rustomji Ardeshir Bilimoria (82), Pallonji Hse, New Chami Rd, 400004; October 31 BORN Boys Girls MARRIED Parsi Intercommunal DIED INTERRED Male Female CREMATED Male Female TOTALS FOR 1992 Bombay Other Indian cities Foreign cities A B A B A B 16 22 128 121 5 4 4 5 18 20 Jerbanoo Nusserwanji Billia (89); October 15 Lillian Pervez Karanjia (31); October 21 Mehroo Noshir Sopariwala (74); October 24 Shirinbai Jehangir Karanjia (69); October TJJ 5 35 33 151 45 363 420 4 2 1 3 3 2 5 7 NEW SOUTH WALES Born A girl, Anaita, to Roshni and Khushroo Talatc, October 5 8 10 65 71 6 5 37 25 NEW YORK Died Perin Munshi, wife of Eruch and sister of Pilloo Bharucha; June 24 NAGPUR Died Nargis Dalai, wife of Dadi and mother of Rukhsana and Anita; August 17 POONA Died Mani Ratan Chhoga (68), 616, Sachapir St, 411001; October 2 Ketty Ardeshir Irani (61), Sethna Mans, Khetwadi Back Rd, Bombay, 400004; October 4 Frenny Jamshedji Andharoojina (10), Sir J. J. Agiary, Dastur McherRd,411001; October 10 Kesarbai Ardeshir Kharadi (90), K. P. Towers No 1, Fatima Ngr, 411013; October 12 Persis Porus Irani (3), Central Apts, Convent St, 411001; October 20 Kety Keki Dubash (66), Clamatis Garden, 115, Boat Club Rd, 411001; October 22 Banoobai Merwanji Irani (92), 35, United Apts, East St, 411001; October 29 Fardoon Rustom Irani (10), 8, Mody Clny, Synagogue St, 411001; October 31 L A: Total numbers in this issue B: Running totals for 1992 (February-November issues) These figures pertain to information provided to or collected by Parsiana. They do not represent the total numter of births, marriages and deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India and abroad. Merwanji Dinshawji Doodhwalla (65), Aga-nu-vad, Saiyedpura, 395003; October 4 (Adi) Noshir Rustomji Medhora (62), Rustom Tabela, Junagam Fort, Songadh, Dist Surat, 364250; October 8 Tehmina J alejar Amalsadiwala (70), Gam Amalsad, Dist Surat, 396310; October 9 Kersi Kaikhushru Saher (16), Muccapool, Nanpura, 395001; October 13 Jamshed Nariman Mehenti (54), Sarkari Mohallo, Gam Adajan; October 14 Keki Merwanji Variava (78), Gam Pansar, Via Kim, 382740; October 21 KARACHI Born A girl, Ruzbey, to Dinaz and Rohinton Irani-, September 12 Died Pesi Dosabhoy Gamwalla (88); September 11 Behramji Edulji Mirza (84); September 16 Jamasji F. Balsara (89); September 21 Nariman Kaikhushru Irani (68); September 21 Fredi Jehangir Kabraji (69); October 1 PARIS Born A boy, Zal, to Anahita and Zubeen Shrojf’ , June 22 ROCHESTER, USA Married Deborah Di-Mascio and Kersi Jal Bharucha-, May 9 TORONTO Born A girl, Darcie, to Shireen and Randy Preksta-, July 16 A girl, Parisa, to Mitra and Bahram Khosraviani-, July 27 Died Hormuzdyar Damkevala (76), father of Y asmin Cummins and brother of Naju Daruwala; September 23 Compiled by Roxana A. Miiza ATLANTA, Georgia Married Marissa Sequeira and Carl Chinoy, July 5 Required Editorial Assistant SURAT Died KaikobadPestonji Elavia (41), Rani Talao, Bibini Wadi, 395003; October 2 Framroze Adarji Tipri (91), 59, Swami Satyanand Soc, Ramnagar, 395005; October 3 Alamai Dosabai Umrigar (87), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; October 3 CALIFORNIA Born A boy, Farhan, to Dilshad and Hoshan Hormasji-, June 9 A girl, Shanaz, to Dilnavaz and Burt Mooney, July 23 A boy, Karl, to Nina and Percy Aria-, October 23 CHICAGO Born A boy, Cyrus, to Mahzabeen and Jimmy Eduljee-, September 22 For Parsiana magazine in Bombay. Person must have excellent command of the English language and preferably two years' work experience in a publication. Job responsibilities include proofing, editing, writing, re-writing and production. Write with full details to: The Advertiser (Edit) GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 40 Parsiana November T992