Jan 1993

I I I b f f '“' : V ; 1 W Ct •i 1 ^S? X .< • > « l\ If. " >i*SKli; •Vs^iS’.f liL' l^n WlM|^M||tt3pjiBWBBBMBr ^mMWBEBBB^ WMjBHMP^M ^9 '.^l S'.r Pa« I January 1993 Volume 15 Number? EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana A. Mirza DESIGN Kranti M. Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Hormazd N. Dastur 2 Readers* Forum 8 Events and PersonalKies 14 Zoroastrians Abroad 18 BPP trusteeship elections by Gustasp Irani 23 The Crux of the Community * 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 46 Milestones Cover: The headquarters of the Surat Pars! Panchayat Photo: Ashvin Mehta OFFICE Nowzer Batliwala OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare, Pramod Patil 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 Ltho- graphers; and black and white processing, Samir Scantech Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved. Phone:2048730 Fax; 2042922 Telex 11-85710 RABO IN For editorial enquiries: 2048183 For subscription enquiries. 2665661,2662709 Annual inland subscription Rs 125 for one year (12 issues); Rs 225 for two years (24 issues). Foreign subscription rates; Sea mail Rs 350/US $ 12/UK £ 7 for one year, Rs 550/US $ 20/UK-C 12 for two years (please allow six months or more from the time of publication): Air mail Rs 600/US $ 25/UK £ 15 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 320) for one year, Rs 1,100/ US $ 48/UK £ 28 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 600) for two years. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 5 for bank charges; for US cheques add $ 5; for UK cheques add £ 3. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favor of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001.H READERS' FORUM l.) it»» I ’ ’ »11 , O t » M «* ’ > » I > U I » H » <,? > IUMHH »»r I* 11H ... I OR , »•,> < t,•It, . !•»?•»»»»»».. . toft 1••,»•« •?t»tV * »?t' ’ •MMi 1 <«*»**.**>« *«• 11 » I M m***fj^| ¦rti’ r ft- .1. ¦ (t •S' 1 * ** musical chairs, rivalling a student body such new dimensions of leadership, the election. Who really cares whether the election game is only a palliative for orthodox or liberal candidates prevail? self-seekers. In case of their inability, the g What difference will that make? least they can do is. to constitute a very What difference will that make? Time is getting dangerously near for high level multi-disciplinary scholarly more drastic action to be taken to save body of wise Zoroastrians who, free of * the community and the religion, keeping political pressures, can decide upon vital i», in view the unprecedented social and community matters on a global basis. » economic changes taking place all This body ’s decisions should be final, binding and acceptable to the trustees (as their mechanism for implementation), to in view the unprecedented social and J < ' ' _ r’ j* around us globally and affecting us di- i rectly. The trusteeship institution was i good while it lasted in a static society the clergy (as their guidelines for reshap- K needing some overall guidance and fi- ¦ nancial management. This is not the I only thing now required, specially when outlook suited to modern society), and to I in all situations fraught with possible re- - - I percussions the trustees feel obliged to I look for spiritual endorsement from the universal salvation). I clergy (high priests) and the latter pro- homib. MiNocHERHOwn I nounce on it only in the light of what Onuno, Cmida I they read into our inadequately translated I scriptures. Neither they nor the trustees " I specialize in the disciplines of sociology, tions: Parties and Pacts ” by Gustasp I community organization and develop- Irani {Parsian^, September 1992) I I ment, social welfare, demography and would like to issue a small clarification. ¦ such other societal situations. Their _ views and decisions therefore take no ac- ing ecclesiastical standards, ceremonies and activities and so broadening their the international Zoroastrian community (as the road to discipline, tolerance and In the context of “The 1992 BPP Elec- Mr Irani ’s report is factually correct in that the representatives of the CER Readers' views are welcome on any subiect count of these modem sciences so vital (Committee for Economic Revival) did of interest to the community and should Qyj- survival. approach me for mutual understanding be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forurn, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. .Lstters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. to our survival. In such a situation, what will the but I kindly declined that offer as I be- newly elected trustees provide to the community other than the traditional, outdated recipe? My plea is that trustees, with the connivance of the community, rewrite their own job description and re ­ quired qualifications such as are ade ­ quate to meet our current socio-eco- lieve in the principle that the BPP elec ­ tions should not be fought on group basis as it will destroy the very basis for which the BPP was founded by our enlightened forefathers. The Parsi community is an enlight ­ ened one and can manage its affairs with- nomic and religious problems and the out unseemly group politics. The original electorate itself insist on such compe- donors and founders of the BPP had en- tence from their nominees. We want visaged that their funds and properties strong and fearless leadership with inde- would be managed by Parsi Zoroastrians pendent but wise views — not figure- of standing and goodwill without any “The 1992 BPP Elections” Reading Parsiana, August 1992, one is flabbergasted at the diversity of views and activities that afflict our community. We seem to have no focus nor impact on where we are going and what we are do- _ ing. We lack a central guiding authority heads representing merely the views of selfish personal interest and not by parti- and leadership; we are individually too the organizations which elected them, san groups as is the sad picture today, fiercely independent — which fact may We want specialists in the aforemen- There was no group as such put up by normally be good as a system of balance tioned disciplines whose integrity could me — or anybody having allegiance to . me of any sort — in the Colaba ‘A’ con- the organizations which elected them. We want specialists in the aforemen ­ tioned disciplines whose integrity could and check, but not when we are leading command local and global leadership; ourselves headlong to perdition. We are preoccupied with petty institutional and the bed-rocks and shoals of modem soci- administrative matters and theological ety, with broad enough views and power views, ignoring the more vital problems to carry out drastic socio-religious re- of our demographic annihilation and spiritual degeneration. In this bleak background, the lime and energy being lost in pecking at each other (as gleaned from “The 1992 BPP capable of navigating our ship through siituency. I only took the liberty of rec ­ ommending 40 Parsi 2k>roastrians of standing and merit to the voters on the Colaba list. forms; bearing in mind that time is of the essence, that our religion is no longer “ viewed as our sole monopoly and that re ­ ligion is not ritual but the day-to-day liv- MARA2BAN J. A. PATRAWALA ‘Leading the court. It was very distressing to see the portrait of a Parsi gentleman with a pipe between ing of the values and virtues embedded his lips in Parsiana (“Leading the court Elections — Orthodox set to win ”) in our Prophet ’s exhortations. campaign, ” September 1992), a Parsi seems, to an outsider, a game of political campaign, ’’ September 1992), a Parsi Unless the trustees arc able to provide paper. 2 Parsiana January 1993 •a » III It is an individual ’s right of choice if our religion which preaches goodness he wishes to smoke, but I think it is the responsibility of the editor to see that what he publishes does not hurt the senti ­ ments of his readers. I hope that in fu ­ ture such publications will be avoided. Ms D. J. NALLADAROO Madias to all. No scientific evidence is available at present to prove that the chromosomes of a Zoroastrian male are better and holier than those of a Zoroasuian female. Re ­ gardless of its sex, a child receives one half of its chromosomes from the mother and the other half from the father. It ’s the mother who gives birth to all (male or female), after nourishing and carrying The Editor replies Some photographs/illustrations do cause offense to some readers. The level of that load for months. After birth, she nur- sensibilities, however, has to be weighed tures her baby, takes care of physical and against the need to illustrate the text. But if they are relevant and reflect real ­ ity, publications do print them. If one were to avoid publishing pictures on the of understanding of human biology, basis that some reader ’s sensibilities males have had a difficult time accepting could be offended that would limit the female sexuality and have debased her pictures one could use for publication, fertile biological cycle as impure: a As it is a small publication finds it diffi- mythological, superstitious hangover, cult enough to always get pictures that are technically (sharp focus, clarity, etc) time will come when the Zoroastrian correct and tell the story. If Ms Nalladaroo ’s sentiments and those of any other readers have been of ­ fended, we tender our apologies as that human dignity on equal basis — male or was not our intention. female. In the end, I pray: let us open a win ­ dow in our hearts little by little, and let the Light shine on those dark spots so that* we can slowly unfold the divine na- emotional needs and helps the child to grow strong in body and mind. Since aeons, out of ignorance and lack If the sexist practice is continued, a clergy will have less and less to say about the new changing world unless it can adopt a philosophy that will speak of “From spades to spoons” A couple of errors have crept into Homi Rogers ’ interview of myself (“From Spades to Spoons, ” Parsiana, August ture of the soul in the way Zarathushtra 1992). wanted, for the upliftment of all man- I have stopped catering patras as I kind. behrams deboo find them too messy and only cater Evereu, wa. usa buffets whether they are for less than a hundred or for over a thousand persons. Secondly Alexander did not bum the purpose, to deliberately use a sacred ob- royal library “at the behest of his mis ­ tress ” but, as per Greek historians, at the behest of Thais, the mistress of his general, Ptolemy. Dr (Ms) KATY FEROZE DALAI. “To desecrate ” is to divert from a sacred ject or place for an unclean or sacrile ­ gious purpose; to profane, to desUoy them; to treat them with contempt, with spiteful intentions. History is full of such acts of desecra ­ tion and profanity, perpetrated by people of one religion or denomination to spite, to degrade and hurt those of another. “Doors closed to...” It is the height of absurdity to say that an eight-year-old boy (Darius Puz-Surti) What selfish and ambitious men will not whose features appear so indelibly inno- do in order to achieve their ends! And cent could desecrate a fire-temple all in the name of God and religion! (“Doors closed to Darius, ” Parsiana, Au ­ gust 1992). It is sheer meanness, intoler ­ able. Such acts violate the basic human family being guilty of (“Doors closed rights — the same rights for which to Darius, ” Parsiana, August 1992). Geush Urvan lamented to Ahura Mazda The Surti family only desired that (Y29.1). ...... • • • Unleashing Darius, (his mother) Rati or (the late) Roxan (Shah) and their families,is despi ­ cable. How sad! We are persecuting our own people! Such dogmatic behavior stopped to think how Ahura Mazda will severely erode the credibility of must feel? How He must regard this And this is the kind of thing the likes of Mr Nagarwala accuse Darius and his viciousness child be initiated into the Zoroastrian re- against ligion, and after this was done he was taken to the dar-e-mehr to worship the God and Creator, Ahura Mazda. Have these self-righteous objectors 3 Parsiana January 1993 MATRIMONIAL Alliance invited for a Parsi professional, divorc6 without issue (31 years, 5’ lOV^ ”), from a well-educated family with a lucrative practice and good accommodation in Bombay, from Zoroastrian girls up to 28 years. Responses are invited with full particulars and preferably with photographs (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana Matrimonial (Jan/2-93) GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 MATRIMONIAL 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 (Jan/1-93) GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 Beat Water Shortage! Complete installation of loft tanks and full renovation of flats with plumbing, tiling, pump installations, welding of MS tanks and guaranteed damar repairing of roofs/t err aces. Contact: Mr Homyar J. Master Plumbers and Contractors The Reward Adjoining Ganga Jamuna Tardeo, Bombay 400007 Tardeo (Off): 4947939 (8JO-11 am) (Res): 292892 •k 3 Inot possess all the truths of our religion, all human beings, righteous, protector of ofimportance. Then let us see*^what other days, nights and months, aU Iranians and texts have to tell us. •We praise all the men and women from and whose goodness is judged by right- abs), and all righteous and pure Zoroas- Mah Boiihtar Niyaesh, Ardvi Sur Sarosh Yasht Wadi). ..w. __) ‘Ahura Mazda, our Creator, may I sub- ”x^ma*MazdaLord! You benefactor of due the Evil One who leads us astray and humanity and of the races of mankind may I also convert the Daevas as well, and of other kingdoms of nature. Thou (Nirang of the Hormazd Yasht) .1 ___ _ o __ The above expresses a desire to con- me, a believer in the good faith of vert even the Daevas, yet the orthodox Mazda-worship, an understanding of it, are not prepared to hold on to fhe chil- unshaken fidelity towards it and the dren of mixed marriages, or accept true goodness of it. So may it be. seekers of Zoroastrianism! If we say we May the knowledge extend and the are moved by fame of the commandments of the excel- ‘ *¦ lent Mazda-worshipping religion ever in ­ crease over the world, over all the seven regions So may it be. (Ardvi Sur out of our places of worship. Mr N. F. Nagarwala writes that he is The last verse is repeated again and shocked and surprised that (the late) Dr again in other Niyaeshes. Bahman Surti, a renowned scholar of the •May the glory and radiance of righteous Zoroastrian faith and a former trustee oi Sarosh increase, let him be strong and the Anjuman should have allowed the victorious, helper of souls, watching over navjote ceremony of his grandson to be child to whom He hss given life; in -----------— — w _ - - whom dwells His divine essence? Do the that they are not the only scriptural texts the righteous. May Sarosh protect during members of the PZASH (Parsi Zoroas- of importance. Then let us see what other days, nights and months, all Iranians and trian Association of Secunderabad and texts have to tell us. followers of the old religion in the wor , Hyderabad) grasp the reality of this act? ‘We praise all the men and women from (all) followers of the ol<^ religion, (a ) Or do their own acts of worship lack this reality and therefore they fail to realize it "?TV piUiOV Max (.sav ..av.. - - > f / • 11 r* ’A among the living whose actions are good kusti tying Arabs (i.e. all Zoroastnan Ar- rcaiiiy aiiu uiviciuit uivy lan iv ivaiiz.v XI and whose goodness is judged by right- abs), and all righteous and pure ^foas- in the worship of others? Can they only eous Ahura Mazda. {Khorshed Niyaesh, trians of the seven continents (Nirang theorize legal aspects of their laws and i— thus fail to understand God ’s universal Niyaesh, Hormazd Yosht, etc) laws — His wishes? Do they really believe that Darius, his mother and grandmother entered the _ Agiary with the purpose of desecrating ideal of existence for the righteous, grant it? The value of everything we do de- pends on our intentions, for nothing can be hidden from God. As for the act in question being “ille ­ gal, ” and wounding the “religious senti ­ ments ” of the community, who comprise this community? You and I. All of us. Of course the community has a right to its laws and rules — as long as they do not contradict, or render God ’s laws null Niyaesh) and void; and as ’long as they make sense at any given period in history, and are beneficial to the people they are sup ­ posed to serve and safeguard. The orthodox say that the Gathas do should be moved by God ’s holy spirit. I just cannot imagine God ’s spirit willing us to keep Darius, and others like him, Mr N. F. Nagarwala writes that he is Conference, Wedding or Party — Leave it in West End’s experienced hands. 4 Your Favourite The Gourmet* Restaurant offers Executive Buffet Lunch • 16 delicious courses • From 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Including Sundays. Restaurant open from 8 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. Conference Plan inclusive of: Room Rent, Buffet Lunch, Morning and Evening Tea. Ask for special concession offer for larger conferences. _____ AIACABTE in the soothing comfort of *The Goumet* or TAKE AWAY to the comforts of your home.or office Continental, Moghlai, Tandoori, Vegetarian A NAV JOTE, A LAGAN. A SILVER f OR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY A RRST . BIRTHDAY PARTY — OR ANY SUCH A HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR LIFE. Celebrate them at West End Hotel, in the beautiful setting of tenace Hall which is covered during monsoon. ite<* West End Hotel L 4 Parsiana January 7993I performed and for him to worship in the dar-e-mehr.. Dr Surti was able to do so because he knew and understood what our ancient religion is really all about. He would have failed in his duty to God if he didn ’t bring his grandson to Ahura Mazda. Ms perin divecha Kent, UK dar issue in Karachi, Calcutta, Delhi, Bombay and London in January 1993. It is time for change. Luckily, the Century. ” Hormazd roj of the Kadmi, Shehenshahi of the Congress is “Unity, Preservation, Prosperity of Zoroastrianism in the 21st Hormazd roj of the Kadmi, Shehenshahi The three-day program schedule in- and Fasli calendars fall on the same day eludes benediction, opening address, — March 21, 1993 — enabling a smooth transition. Our present Shehenshahi calendar evening on September 4. talk, and discussions from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., followed by a cultural show in the '. Talks, dis- made a commendable change centuries cussions and youth workshops from ago to correct the loss of the quarter 9 am to 5.30 pm followed by a dance day in the 365-day Sassanian calendar party is the agenda for September 5. A picnic/bar-be-cue is scheduled for Sep- Understandably, that has been difficult ternter6. to remember and maintain, not being “ in one ’s lifetime, resulting in our er ­ rant and ever-changing calendar. An ex ­ ample of this tragic mistake is that so few Parsis know Asho Zarathushtra ’s “For rightful justice” We refer to the article “For rightful jus ­ tice ” reporting the first general meeting by adding one month every 120 years, of the Association of Inter-Married Zoroastrians (Parsiana, August 1992). How can one claim a right that has been abandoned by one ’s own choice and actions? A Parsi Zoroastrian, male or female, who marries outside the Ttoroastrian fold birth date, ceases to be a Parsi Zoroastrian — as unanimously declared by all the seven vada dastur sahebs of our time as also all the great dasturs of the past. The learned scholar and our most re ­ spected Dastur (Dr) Kaikhusroo Jamasp day appropriately on March 26. Asa back in 1964 stated, “The right F . . ' claimed by a Parsi Zoroastrian lady of and panthaks are aware of the dis- sponsibility of individual delegates, continuing to observe her religion by crepancy in our calendar. Many mobeds The scheduled ^peakers will also be birth even after marrying a juddin and today are well-read and knowledgeable from within the same age-group. demanding all rights of a Parsi Zoroas- as attested by Ervad (Dr) Jehan Bagli. trian, naturally comes to a flight of We appeal to, and await our priests to imagination and can never be accepted, supported or encouraged. ” Can any Parsi Zoroastrian who has married outside his fold — having violated the most cardinal precept of his own religion — honestly education, housing, fund-raising and so- stand up before any court of law and, make a judge believe that he/she pro ­ fesses or belongs to the very religion dum after Dr Bagli ’s talk in Vancouver cussed. which he/she has abused and betrayed? at the Eighth North American Zoroas- The organizers would appreciate your The article quotes advocate Berjis trian Congress has created a tremendous help in locating talented Zoroastrian Desai, the AIMZ honorary secretary; momentum, not only to educate our youth in your community to attend the “We intend to take a test case to court Zoroastrian communities on this impor- Congress and to submit, not later than and see how the courts react. ” At the same time it is mentioned that “The celebrate correctly AIMZ is only interested in pursuing a matter through court if they can be sure of victory in establishing that the chil ­ dren of Parsi Zoroastrian women should enjoy the same privileges granted to the worldwide! progeny of Parsi Zoroastrian men and their non-Zoroastrian spouses. ” The above statements clearly establish World Youth COF!gFOSS their doubtful legal position and evi- The Federation of Zoroastrian Associa- dently shows the degree of confidence in tions of North America has decided to what they believe and the strength in sponsor the First World Zoroastrian what they hope to achieve. ProfM, l, pavri Youth Congress which will be held in Clarita, CA 91386-0676, USA. President, Parsa Conservative Greater LOS AUgClCS, USA from ScptCm- JEHANGIRR BISNEY ber 4 to 6, 1993. The Congress is being President, The Federation of the Zoroastrian hosted by the Helping Hands Zoroas- Youth Associations, India, trian Youth Communication Network Committee of North America. The theme The registration fee per delegate is US $ 60 before April 1, 1993. From April 1 to August 15,1993 it will be US $ 80 per person. The age of the participants should be between 12 and 40. Delegates who are unable to make their own personal ar- The Fasli calendar was corrected like ­ wise, centuries ago, by adding one day rangement for accommodation will be every four years and has been correctly provided accommodation with a local followed since then. The Zarthoshtis of family but all other expenses including Iran celebrate Asho Zarathushtra ’s birth- travelling from India to USA and back and from, place of residence to the con- Fortunately, many of our own priests ference venue and back will be the re- continuing to observe her religion by crepancy in our calendar. Many mobeds Though general participation from ev ­ eryone is encouraged, there will be some lead us on a subject so close to them. If special sessions for youth only. not, once again the laity will lead the community, as has been the case in so and officially delegated youth represen- many other matters such as welfare, 1 " " In addition a special session of limited cietal law. The overwhelming, positive referen- at the Eighth North American Zoroas- Unify the calendar, now! I am delighted that Ervad (Dr) Jehan Bagli was invited to speak on the calen- 6 Parsiana January T993 tatives of various Zoroastrian orga ­ nizations from around the world is sche ­ duled and it is hoped that the outcome helps centralize views on the topics dis- if It momentum, not only to educate our Zoroastrian communities on this impor ­ tant topic, so that we may once again March 15, papers and speeches of 15-20- our ghambars, minute duration. These will be printed navroze, festivals and last but not the and distributed amon^ the participants least, our Prophet Zarathushtra ’s birth ­ day, together and united, but also to unify the calendar for all Zoroastrians Ms DHUNMAI P. DALAL Chairperson, Congress Committee, FEZANA and taken up by special sessions for dis ­ cussion. Active participation of the delegates in the cultural and talent show and enter ­ tainment activity (time limit: 10 minutes) has also been requested. For more information including regis ­ tration forms, etc, please contact the un ­ dersigned or Mr Khushrow Machhi/Mr Sarosh Motivala, P.O. Box 1676, Santa Edited by Amavaz S, Mama »Events and ' 55^ L Personalities Seeds of self<*dependence vember 1992, assistance was also ren- Laying of pipelines. insLllation of pumps dered by digging wells, and helping with Laskari Road, Shahpore, Surat 395003, or as mentions Captain ’s appeal, cheques, drafts from out of India should be made S w^re the farming inputs like bullocks, seeds^d three ^heres in which maximum help fertilizers, dairy livestock, and other cio^ Sops was accorded to 85 Zoroastrian families sources of income like sewing machines h m at 25 Wmow Ctos^ Bis p in 31 viUages of Valsad. Different was and establishment of grocery shops and a Stortford, Herts CM23 2 R , the emphasis in the help proffered in the poultry farm. Similar help was also ex- nppj fppnaoers a/; viiinffpc nf Surat where 81 families tended in the Surat district. In addiuon ABCU lOF leenagers tere rehabiUtated. The priority in this expenditure was incurred on building/re- ABCD for adolescents about to complet area was on the installation of pumps and pairing huts, setting up of flour mills, and engines, (fistribution of food grains and presenting household gadgets and private expenditure was incurred on building/re- pairing huts, setting up of flour mills, and school? These first four letters of the English alphabet signify not just the pre- M liminary exposure H to the written vo- cabulary but an 1^, avenue for the I choice. The acro- . nym stands for a formula: Aptitude I + Behavior = Ca- I reer Direction. ¦ These series of tests have been devised by Calcutta ­ based management consultant Ms Ros- han Devadasan (n^ Balsara) to help teenagers “recognize their potential and ....___ ___________ select suitable careers, ” as mentions a identifying the common issues affecting write-up in the Calcutta Gavashni of Oc ­ their operations. The conferences are ad- dressed by the faculty members of the lo- the forest department and the members of her marks but frustration levels, ” sutes •’ the oromotional literature. We share Expecting that the relief measures for fort for many more years to come, the or ­ ganizers have sought funds. Those desir ­ ous of donating may send their cheques in her aptitudes and strength, favor of “Surat Parsi Panchayat A/c SPP” to Bhacca at Rustomji Mancherji Kooka — . . Parsi Panchayat Buildings, Dr Jamshedji stantial, Devadasan has offered to waive modes of transport like bicycles. To de- velop human resources, training was given in poultry farming. a Neither doles nor cash are given to the recipients, mentions the WZO report. fl Further they attempt to create awareness 1| presentation of sewing machines. A sum ­ mary of the work done in the two regions was forwarded to Parsiana by Dr Sam Bhacca, chairman of the rural welfare subcommittee of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India. ---- , - With the rural welfare work being of the work imdertaken through_vidTO jointly shouldered by the Surat Parsi Pan- chayat (SPP), the Bombay Parsi Punchayet and the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO), the representatives of each of these bodies have helped raise funds and also personally monitored the relief measures. L. — ---------------- Dinshaw Tamboli of the WZO is master ­ minding the work while in the Surat dis ­ trict Davar Kavasji Modi of the SPP is giving the lead, acknowledges Bhacca. “The members, especially the office bear ­ ers, of the WZO have shown keen inter ­ est, ” writes Bhacca. “Besides collecting very handsome amounts (over Rs the WZO technical team. 25.00,000 according to WZO president E..,. ..1 „ ‘‘ , Shahpur Captain ’s report of the Gujarat the rural areas will require sustains et- project) they come from long distances to " '' " see the work that has already been exe ­ cuted ” and to chalk out work for the fu ­ ture. In the Valsad district where over 15 lakhs had been expended as of end No ­ career presentations. There is reference to many farmers being jwovided training in “mod ­ em agro and poultry farming methods at The Tata Marginal Farm Management In ­ stitute at Navsari prior to the supply of re- _ ____ _ ___________ habilitation inputs. (Besides) an annual In the^ Valsad district conference of farmers is arranged at Navsari where the Zoroastrian farmers are encouraged to interact with one another in their operations. The conferences are ad- cal agricultural college, the officials of child ’s hard work will increase not his/ tober-November 1992. •‘Without matching aptitude your the promotional literature. your anxiety and concern over our chil ­ dren ’s future, ” notes the handout “We cannot change the future but we can as ­ sess it and help our child to build on his/ Though the fees for these one-and-a- half-hour tests are normally quite sub- 8 Parsiana January 1993f 1 t i > .5 I the charges for Parsi students from stan- Mehr and Dr Homi Dhalla, notes a press dards IX to XII. The child need only release. Several research papers were come equipped with a pen. When the presented at this multi-faith meet inclu- computerized results are ready after a ding one by Dhalla on “The role of reli- - 1 week, Devadasan will personally counsel gion in overcoming communal dishar- ' the children at her center, adds the write- mony and violence in India. ” When con- up. In fact a clear profile would emerge ducting a Zoroastrian worship, Dhalla Golfers Bharucha (left) and Kabraji through successive annual tests, it is stood before a symbolic afarganiu and promised. Heading for a hundred Work, worship and walks are the step ­ ping-stones that enabled him to enter the meet on “Europe, Religions and Peace" chanted Avestan verses, giving their in ­ terpretation at the end. A month later Dhalla was in Brussels to participate in the sixth international the Eclectic I Round tournament. Com- “ ¦ ¦ ¦ ~ " monly known as “tiger ” because of his lOdth year of his life, acknowledged Da- at which nearly 200 representatives of fierce temper, Palamkote was heading rasshah R. Edibam, for the Golfer of the Year title, scheduled former headmaster to be instituted in ’92, informs Kabraji. of the Billimoria Often partnering Palamkote is Ms High School in Pan- Ruby Jhunjhunwalla, winner of the chgani at the recep- Mody cup, who “plays her golf with tion accorded to clinical precision and is capable of him. More than a springing a few surprises in any touma- hundred ex-students ment, ” adds Kabraji. joined in the cel- Marazban Bharucha who bagged the ebrations at the Gen Chaudhari Cup, the Sapal Tata Tro- Ripon Club on phy and the Foursome Bogey proved to January 2, 1993 to be “a calculating and big hitting golfer. ” meet the father-fig- As involved as Bharucha in this game is ure who from 1919 his wife Shanu and son Zardust. At three to 1973 “virtually tournaments — Centenary Cup, Dharam- ruled the School sey Cup and Foursome Bogey —Zardust and put his stamp on it, ” notes a write- Above; Edibam at the reception was the winner and at three others, the up in The Afternoon Despatch and Cou- at Ripon Club runner-up. rier of December 30,1992. Below: Dhalla lights the lamp of peace A newcomer himself, Kabraji won a “The classic schoolmaster of the old in Brussels second place in his very first tournament style, good at all subjects, teaching eve ­ rything, ” Edibam aroused both awe and different faiths were present, affection in his students. Living in a bun- The Bombay scholar spoke galow on the school premises meant that on the “Tlie Zoroastrian “he was always in the school, ” recalls an concept of peace ’’ and addi- ex student. ITie present joint principals tionally participated in the Buijorji and Rustomji Billimoria are also peace march held near the said to have studied under him. Soon af- main Brussels square. At ter completing his schooling from St the closing ceremony Dhalla Xavier ’s School and his science gradu- lit the lamp of peace in ation with honors from St Xavier ’s Col- keeping with the Zoroastrian lege, Bombay, Edibam joined Billimoria tradition, mentions the news School and decided to settle in Pan- report, chgani, informs his daughter Bachu Rao. Since his retirement the gentle and Poona gOlferS strict “Edibam has been as active as ever; Golf is a game very avidly reading, writing, going for walks, presi- pursued by the Parsis of ding over his family as he once presided Poona, writes Zubin over the bigger family of teachers and Kabraji. students of the Billimoria High School, ” champion golfers is Murad states the news report. Palamkote. Altogether he won five tournaments, lift- The peace role . ing the Gustasp Rashid, Gen Amidst nearly 125 religious leaders and Bakshi, Governor ’s, Mody scholars assembled at Seoul, Korea for and MTDC cups, in a short the Third Assembly of the World ’s Re- span of three months from ligions in August last were three Zoroas- July to September 1992. trians: Dr (Ms) Vera Mehta, Dr Farhang Earlier he was runner-up in Amidst nearly 125 religious leaders and 11 Parsiant January 1993 I '^'4 I. r; Below: Dhalla lights the lamp of peace writes Among Poona ’s I J «— Rabbit ’s Cup — and improved his [ performance at the next game to record a victory at the Gen Bakshi Cup. “He drove like a veteran and chipped like a professional, ” wrote the sports reporter in the Maharashtra Herald, Pune, July 14,1992. Other Parsi golfers who deserve men ­ tion are Meher Nicholson, Ms Aimee Wadia, Dara Cooper, Darius Mody, Phe- roz Sethna, Ms Falak Patel, H, F. Ed- uljee, and Macki and Naushad Palamkote (Murad ’s parents). City sprinters Twelve-year-old Ms Zenia Daruwalla was declared the best girl athlete at the Bombay City District Amateur Athletic Association organized meet, reports an article in The Afternoon Despatch and Courier of December 23, 1992. In the l(X)m sprint event Daruwalla ’s timing of 13.3 seconds bettered a 15-year-old rec ­ ord. International sprinter Ms Zenia Ayrton stood first in the 100, 200 and 4()0 m run, setting new meet records in the 1(X) and 400 m events. Ms Perinaz Printer in the girls under- 17 and Cyrus Doomasia in the boys un ­ der-20 set new records in the javelin throw events. (Earlier Doomasia had set a state record with his throw of 59.68 m.) Printer also stood first in the discus throw and second in the shot put and 100 m hurdles. Another prominent youngster in the girls under 17 category was Ms Delna Avari who stood first in long jump and third in the 100 m and 400 m run. Among the men, Homiyar Mistry stood first in the 200 and 400 m run. In the boys under 20 group, Burzin Mehta stood first in the 400 m hurdles, second in the 200 m run, and third in the 400 and 800 m run. Others to win more than one event were Malcolm Anklesaria in the boys under 12 age-group who stood first in the 100 m run, second in the 200 m run and third in long jump; and Afshad Mistry in the boys under 10 category who stood third in the 50 and 80 m run, further mentions The Afternoon. mPmo[7cherTshed^person ” in the life the'senior Ambani an instant grandfather handled the complication that arose of tycoon Dhirubhai Ambani of Reliance of a boy and a girl. Industries is believed to be gynecologist Dr (Ms) Firuza Parikh, according to . a the couple had initially been unable to write-up in The Afternoon on Sunday, conceive. ‘He Industries is believed to be gynecologist Dr (Ms) Firuza Parikh, according to.a 13 Parsiana January 1993 r I fiiif I le; anmual th Octol' r f I I J iX I I ¦ 1 ¦ r-A .¦.-in'.l '•¦’I I I President of the Indian Boilers Manufacturers’ Association, Ms Dhun B. Bal- dawala (right) being recognized as an outstanding woman professional by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The FICCI Ladies Organisation 1991-92 Award was presented to her by Ms K. R. Nca^ayanan on October 10.1992 at New Delhi. I The victorius Dadar Parsi Colony Gymkhana Football Team which won the Dadar Parsi Cup in 1991 and 1992, the Cusrow Baug Cup in 1991 and 1992 and the Sir Ness Wadia Cup in 1991. sought, prayers offered ” before Parikh took charge of Neeta ’s case, as per the Neeta Mukesh Ambani, under Parikh ’s report. 1 . December 21, 1992. The reason, as re ­ ported, is that his elder daughter-in-law ------- „ Neeta Mukesh Ambani, under Parikh ’s report. Parikh not only steered her care was able to deliver twins and make through the pregnancy period but also . z. . 1 JI. J .^1 tKr** Aezveo the ninth month, the newspaper men- The joy was all the greater because tions. “World specialists were Compiled by Parinaz Gandhi 1 JZOROASTRIANS ABROAD The th North American Zoroastrian Congress: * Pragmatism and Progress t The Eighth North American Zoroastrian Congress sought guidelines on ways of coping with the changing North American scenario Arnavaz S. Mama xo VW...X..6; American experience with speakers at- tended by about 80 individuals. Ranging Ate you ready? ” proclaimed a series of tuned to the environment, as admitted in age from 16 to 65, they represented 20 skits presented by North American Ms Bella Tata, chairperson of the Con- * «»«» Zoroastrian youth at the Eighth North gress ’ steering committee, in the course American Zoroastrian C „ “ '**¦ " '* (NAZC), informs the FEZANA Journal visit to Bombay in Deceird^r 1992. This (November 1992). Held in Vancouver in 2- :: . September 1992 with the objective of the interview, the Congress souvenir and our fnend and not our enemy. ‘Looking ahead to the 21st century, ’ “the a detailed report in the FEZANA Journal, welcome address to the delegates Tata speakers talked about changes in the way With an emphasis on progress, the or- had noted “...one thing is certain, there we are going to think, pray, study reli- _ . gion, and even what we call ourselves and past antagonisms in an effort to (Zoroastrian, Zarathushtrian or Zar- evolve traditions suitable to the commu- thoshti?). And along with change, an nity ’s new homeland, says Tata. A high- overwhelming theme was perceptible: of light of the meet was “a straw poll (an in ­ togetherness, unity, working together to- formal vote) on the ratwnale for the wards a yet undefined vision for tomor- * • row. The issues facing us today tug at the core of our beliefs and value sys ­ tems... ” writes Dr Rustom Kevala, chair ­ person of the FEZANA Journal commit ­ tee. Hosted by the Zoroastrian Society of ------------- ------------------------' c nf British Columbia (ZSBC), the three-day conducted in Farsi, says Tata. Another vetna, president of the Federation of get-together held at the Vancouver Trade innovation i from the very beginning as a North decline — an evening for singles at- “Change is coming! Change is coming! skits presented by North American Ms Bella Tata, chairperson of the Con- Congress of an interview with Parsiana during her — — • -AAA rm • J report on the eighth NAZC is based on percent of those attending, who thus got a chance to make intercity acquaintances — and maybe more. The Congress foreshadowed Bill Clin ­ ton ’s inaugural appeal to “make change In her a detailed report in the FEZANA Journal. With an emphasis on progress, the or ­ ganizers abjured controversial speakers will be change, ” aria wondered, “Will we have the wisdom to bend with the breeze, adapt and survive or be rigid and die? ” The ZSBC organizers had consciously tried to instill a pragmatic approach. The Congress really got going on Sep- ado^on of a unified Fasli calendar tember 5, the second day of the three-day which resulted in an almost unanimous ' support for its adoption, ” informs Tata. anjumans to decide what course of action the ceremonial of prayer, the lighting of they would like to take. For the first time an entire session was evolve traditions suitable to the commu ­ nity ’s new homeland, says Tata. A high- I meet as strains of Wagner ’s Thus Spake Zarathushtra echoed through the hall, in- However, it is left to the individual forms Tata. The first hour was devoted to the diva by two children and welcome addresses from Tata and Rohinton Ri- _____________ ;_____^.1 at this Congress was Zoroastrian Associations of North Ame- and Convention Center had been planned prompted by concern at the demographic nca (FKANA). When the first session got under w&y its time allotment ot m 14 Parsiana January 1993hours saw the presentation of I two aspects of the theme I “Zarathushtra ’s message — I its relevance to the present, its I significance for the future: ” I ‘The Global Message ’ by Dr I Farhang Mehr,,and ‘Two mod- I els, two paths, one commu- I nity ’ as presented by Prof Far- I rokh Mistree. A summary of Mehr ’s lecture as reported in the FEZANA Journal empha ­ sized constructiveness, truth ­ fulness, justice and equality 4 as the main constituents of the 5 law of Asha. * Mistree ’s models were the traditional and reformist schools within the commu- I nity, the former laying equal I emphasis on the Gathas, other 1 Zoroastrian scriptures and the I primacy of rituals; the latter I abiding by the Gathas as the I only Zoroastrian scripture I with but peripheral impor- I tance for rituals. “Mistree I feels that the differences bet- I ween these two models are ir- I reconcilable, and a move to- I wards two parallel systems | would ensure the survival of | Zoroastrianism. If the reform culture collapses, then at least the tradi ­ tional structure which has survived the vicissitudes of time will be'there. If on bearers of FEZANA: Rivetna, Ms Dolly through computers. According to Shah- the other hand, the traditional structure Dastoor, Farshid Salamati and Framroze breaks down, then the new reformist Patel. Rivetna presented a mission state ­ model will be there, ” notes the Journal. The second session that morning was a half-hour presentation by Dr Jehan Ba ­ gli on “Adopting a unified calendar. ” Tracing the historical evolution of the tims of (their) fate, ” the statement also three calendars that divide the micro community, Bagli convinced his audi ­ ence about the unifying aspects of a com ­ mon calendar attuned to the seasons so that the community ’s festivals could be Payk-e-Mehr, was the first of the two correctly celebrated. The emphasis on speakers in the Farsi session which fol- through interfaith dialogue and participa- the need to change to the Fasli or sea- lowed. He spoke about the worldwide tion in community projects. sonal calendar further acquires its ur- dispersion of Iranian Zoroastrians and After the break Dr Parvonakhon Jam- gency from the current synchronization emphasized the potential for loss as shed of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, speaking of the Hormazd roj of all three calendars finely dispersed Zoroastrians “distanced on “Toponymy of Zoroastrianism in on March 21 for the years 1992 to 1995, from social glues that bond us ” face the making for an easier changeover. The risk of assimilation into the host popula- spring equinox marks the end of winter tion. Ms Farangis Shahrokh traced the and the beginning of the new year not history of Zoroastrians, from past glory cient Sogdiana) had died only eight years only for Iranian Zoroastrians but many of to present diaspora. ago. Behramshah Shroff is supposed to the peoples of central Asia. The next day began with a focus on have passed through this area in 1875 Post lunch a public “speak out ” ses- education when Dr Mehraban and it was here that he is said to have re- sion, “Future directions for the Zoroas ­ trian community in North America, ” TUG EF- ZORC fe “U t ¦? > and & 15 Parsiana January 1993 I- I ( i I s ? A. K r I ^.3 -¦W iW I I I Above left: Ranji, Dalal, TBH Pavri and Zartoshiy at the closing ceremony. Right: Tata welcoming delegates Below: Jamshed, Rukshana Daruwala and Bagli in the mH lobby It fairs as also to observe the re- ligion on a personal level. Equally pressing is the neqd , to attract qualified teachers t| who can help the student sort I out th^conflicting beliefs that ml pervade our tradition, as notes m the summary of Khodavandi ’s speech in the Journal. Mobed Fariborz Shahzadi, was chaired by Homi Minochehr-Homji delineating the role of mobeds in the 21st with panelists comprising the office century, visualized them networking zadi the future mobed will be chosen ac ­ cording to his ability and interest, and ment to the community. Aiming to build not on the basis of gender and heredity, a FEZANA strong enough to ensure that _ Zoroastrians in North America may be and survival of Zoroastrians in a multi- “masters of (their) destiny and not vic- Speaking on “The role, participation cultural society, ” Eddie Eduljee noted that as a result of North America ’s cli- sought to create a strong environment for mate of free thought and opinion “we the development of the individual and the community. Dr Mehraban Shahrvini, editor of standing and respect, not just tolerance. ” He advocated increased societal contact have an opportunity to turn diversity into a positive force through mutual under- I ^'•4 I ! ?' lowed. He spoke about the worldwide dispersion of Iranian Zoroastrians and Badakshan and evidence of it in the Pamirs, ” informed the gathering that the last Zoroastrian mobed in Tajikistan (an- f Ji I The next day began with a focus on education when Dr Khodavandi emphasized the need for the ceived the message that he conveyed to family to participate in community af- found the Ilm-e-Khshnoom school of 3 J '¦Jlong contribution to the world of western classical music won him the Award for Excellence. Dr Jamshed Mavalwala, Harvard graduate and professor of an- persons of the workshops held on Sep ­ tember 4, the day before the Congress ’ formal inaugural, were cancelled for lack of time. At the last session of the Congress, ihropology at the University of Toronto titled “Our vision of Zoroastrians in the west in the 21st century ” speaker Ms thought, noted the Journal in parenthe ­ sis. Jamshed emphasized the Zoroas ­ trian personal and place names still in use in the region and referred to Zoroas ­ trian elements in the wedding ceremo ­ nies of the Pamir region. Community reaction to Jamshed ’s talk was favorable: “He gave enough Sousan Heifetz noted, “We cannot ignore proof to believe in a chance for Zoroas ­ trian revival in Tajikistan, ” says Tata. The only other non-American speaker Zoroasirian community must be willing travel agency in Houston, for his busi- at the Congress, then World Zoroastrian to branch out and reach out to others. Organisation (WZO) president Shahpur We must refocus our energies on what is Captain traced its history. The WZO is of essence to us — truth, j’ustice, good ­ ness, compassion — in the hope of ized for children between the ages of six thwarting the destruction of this planet as - - -• the webs of interdependence which bind all the earth ’s children together. The was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, while the Outstanding Zoroas ­ trian Award went to Homi Davier, presi ­ dent and part owner of Baltic Interna ­ tional Airlines and Travel N’Tours, a ness enterprise and involvement with the Zoroastrian resettlement program. An art competition had been organ- Captain traced its history. The WZO is anxious to increase its membership base and Captain referred to the effort under ­ taken jointly with FEZANA to search for a whole. We must cherish and fertilize an acceptable formula which would en ­ able it to be a truly representative world its roots are left unnourished. Ultimately, Tushar Modi and Danesh Modi — were body. our greatness does not hinge on our com- announced at the banquet. There was time for “Concerns, queries mand of an empire or in the numbers we FEZANA’s fifth annual general meet- and viewpoints ” when panelists Dr Lovji call to our religion... Whether we have ing had preceded the Congress. Elec- Cama, Ms Pervin Mistry and Dr Pallan Ichaporia touched on traditionally con ­ troversial aspects of the community. Ichaporia, quoting from the Vaetha Nask, noted its acceptance of converts who chose to embrace Zoroastrianism of Mehraban Zartoshty and FEZANA Con- their own free will. Cama felt that the gress Committee chairperson Ms Dhun- youth should be encouraged to find Zoroastrian spouses but that non-Zoroas- trian spouses too should be welcomed gracefully into the community. Mistry, a traditionalist, maintained that religions Freni Ranji, president of the Zoroasirian have been established on earth according Association of Pennsylvania and New to the divine plan and it is the duly of ev ­ ery individual to practice the religion he is bom into. For 40 minutes thereafter the open session found the audience asking ques ­ tions: “Will converts from Tajikistan be accepted? ” “Why cannot a woman be ­ come a mobed? ” making requests: “Write our prayers in poetic English, ” “Concentrate on themes which bind us, ” “Allow more free time for networking ” and offering comments: “So long as there are part-time mobeds, Zoroaslrians will not pay for full-time mobeds, ” “More non-Farsi speaking delegates cnaya Deboo (See Parsiana, July 1992); should have at'ended the Farsi session. ” “With skits and audiovisuaks the youth of Vancouver led by the talented Shervin Shahriari, presented their mes ­ sage on the subject of ‘Change. ’ As al ­ ways, the youth session was the most in ­ novative and made an impact in a most entertaining way, ” informs the Journal. This was followed by a plenary ses ­ sion chaired by Behram Deboo who pre ­ sented a definition of a Zoroasirian based on the Gaihas. Reports from the chair- and 15 in three age-groups. The entries had been displayed in the conference our roots: a tree cannot branch out far if room. The winners — Narius Dastoor, its roots are left unnourished. Ultimately, our greatness does not hinge on our com ­ mand of an empire or in the numbers we made significant contribution in the past tions for the office bearers of the Asso- or not is not of consequence. Our calling elation resulted in Rohinton Riveina is not to be valued but to be of value. leading the team as president with The closing ceremony comprised Farshid Salamati as vice president, Ms votes of thanks from vice chairperson Dolly Dastoor, secretary, Framroze Patel, treasure^ and Ms Maharukh Mo- _ ________ tafram, assistant secretary. An amend- mai Dalal. The symbolic diva was lit by ment to the FEZANA constitution, re ­ Ms Roda Pavri, wife of the late well-be ­ loved Jamshed Pavri of Vancouver, and passed on to Dalal who handed it to Ms stricting the term of office of the officers to two terms of two years, will be circu- 16 Parsiana January 1993 j-; ! lated to member associations for voting. 4 The next AGM will be hosted by the Zoroastrian Association of Alberta in Calgary in July 1993. Tata gives ample credit to all her Jcrscy, the Congress host for 1994. Socially, the gala evening was the banquet on the second night featuring committee members — Zartoshty, fi- Prof Kaikhosrov Irani as the keynote nance director Farrokh Namdaran, Ms speaker and Dr David Strangway, presi ­ dent of the University of British Colum ­ bia, as the chief guest. The evening wit ­ nessed the presentation of the Zoroas ­ trian excellence awards, a feature insti ­ tuted at Toronto four years earlier and since then a part of the events of each North American Congress; the Student Award was shtircd by Murzban Morris (sec Parsiana, July 1991) and Ms Sh- Perviz Madon who was in charge of planning and hospitality, Ms Soonoo En ­ gineer who looked after the programs, Ms Kashmira Dastur who undertook pub ­ lic relations, Ms Zarine Dastur who handled the secretariat, Shervin Shahriari whose dcparimenk'was the youth pro ­ gram as well as publications and Feroze Nanavaiy, a director of the ZSBC who also functioned as secretary of the Con ­ gress executive committee. “I had no idea how to organize the Mchran Scpchri, director of Progressive Congress, ” says Tala. “I got a lot of Technologies in Los Angeles and part- time professor al California Slate Uni ­ versity, for excellence in achieving hi.s career goals plus leadership of the Per ­ sian Zoroasirian Association of Northern California; Rusiom Irani of California re ­ ceived the Humanitarian Service Award for devoting his life to serving Zoroas ­ irian causes in India, Iran and the USA for many decades. Mehli Mehta ’s lile- the Young Zoroasirian Award to Dr guidance from FEZANA and its various committee members like Roshan and Rohinton Riveina. She says she “sent out letters all over North America for suggestions for the program. By Sep ­ tember 1991 we had given in the names of the speakers to the program commit ­ tee... ” Noting that “FEZANA has brought a lol of awareness about religion to the community in North America, ” » —¦ ¦ ¦ '¦ ¦ '1 love?... We have to adapt... Half the should ameliorate the problem of finding people are Iranian Zoroastrians. They ’re not interested in Parsi traditions... “If I feel good about what I do, then I’m a Zoroastrian, ” avers Tata, adding, “We have learnt tolerance living in Van ­ couver. We have seen Zoroastrians come, having left everything behind them. They never had a navjote, never had sudreh-kusti. Did that mean they were not Zoroastrians? ” she asks. Every ­ one is welcome to the beautiful prayer veterans like the late Jamshed hall of the Vancouver darbe mehr “pro- Tata marvelled at the dedicated work of together, sharing together ” — which Roshan and Rohinton Rivetna. “They are ; trying their best to meet the needs of the Zoroastrian spouses to some extent, community in North America. But here —¦ - • again it ’s up to the associations to give FEZANA the strength it needs to do any work towards the progress and growth of groups, says Tata. 1993 marks the silver the community... I don ’t know how he jubilee of the ZSBC which has a mana- (Rivetna) does it, how he brings these di ­ visive forces together. I’m amazed at the size of the agenda. At least for a few years more he should be there (as presi ­ dent of FEZANA) to consolidate our po ­ sition. ” Tata, who has been involved on the and a unified community. The Parsi- educational side of community affairs for Irani divide has failed to bedevil the several years, believes that “religion ZSBC and the community is “happy to Bombay. ” She says it depresses her to should be made so interesting that chil- be together, to feel like one, ” as notes see hardly any young boys and young dren should be induced to come to classes. Otherwise there are too many diversions — TV, football and soccer... ” The lady is concerned about the sur ­ vival of the community “when more and nity there will have to be some amount more couples are marrying late and are childless ” and need to adopt. There are mobeds who perform the navjote of chil ­ dren of Parsi mothers, says Tata “but outcaste? Or treat them with love and what about adopted children? ” she asks. She is happy at the increasing Parsi-Irani rapport at the teenage level — “playing Zoroastrians The Vancouver community numbers about 650 individuals, more or less equally divided into four main age- ging committee of seven directors — three Irani, three Parsi and one from ei ­ ther side, elected every two years. Tradi ­ tionally the ZSBC has no president be ­ cause Pavri who formulated it wanted equality vided they cover their heads and remove their shoes, ” she says. Tata “can feel the aging community in be together, to feel like one, ” as notes Tata. There is a language barrier, she ad- girls walking in the neighborhood, mils, but at lectures and all functions Farsi-English translations are provided. “To get more people into the commu- of change without forsaking what we be ­ lieve to be right... Every family has one non-Zoroastrian. Do we treat them as “Where are they? I am seeing only old Parsis in Bombay, ” she says. The con ­ trast with Vancouver where “there are al ­ ways new migrants from Dubai, Kuwait, from all over, ” is striking. “The focus of Zoroastrianism is going to be in North America, ” believes Tata. And she and others of her ilk are pre ­ pared to help it flourish “with love, un- bring them into the fold if interested, al ­ low them to learn and be made into derstanding — the key ingredients in all-embracing living. ” (with) • 0 Pestonji & Co. Jewellers I I I I I I I I ¦i !1 t Exclusively designed & crafted jewellery in gold & precious stones Pestonji & Co. 296 Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road Next to Albless Baug Charni Road Phone. 361 1121 17 Parsiana January 1993! POLITICS AND POLICY Kudos for Kanga and Kavarana The two CER backed candidates Jamsheed Kanga and Silloo Kavarana secured an easy win over six other contenders to emerge BPP trustees Gustasp Irani However as the doors of the first floor muted frustration permeated the place. Hall where the polling took place closed The frustration was understandable for at 5.00 p.m, the only activity around was i , _ . _ . One casualty of the series of 12 bomb blasts that stunned Bombay on Friday, March 12, 1993 was the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trusteeship elections the sealing of the ballot box. It was an slated to be held and completed the fol- exercise conducted I, lowing day. The explosions ripped the Khurshed Sheriar, former vice principal scheduled one day exercise into two and of Jai Hind College and duly elected blew one segment 11 days away. In a public notice put up outside the election venue - _ ' J ’ „............. . — the trustees of the BPP announced Guzder, Eruch Desai and Homi Ranina. that polling will take place on both 13 and 24 March to accommodate those un ­ able to make it on the first day. Even as the polls opened at 10 a.m. on March 13, the fallout of Black Friday hung like a cloud of uncertainty over the gathering outside. All eight candidates, their supporters and volunteers, the BPP •ph© results of the etection have come in staff and the early voters buzzed around just as this issue of Parsiema b about to speculating about the implications and 14^27..™...'------ .* - outcome of the new development in the the Anjuman Committee vt^d at the erably more modest: snacks, packed election schedule. It was a buzz that Bombay Patsi Pimchayet^ trosteesliip ' would be sustained throughout the day. Six of the candidates — Phiroze Am­ roliwalla, Ms Perviz Dotivala, Hoshang March 13,444 wwie mendiers tmd I- not only was the agony of waiting pro- | 1 longed but the voter turnout far exceeded by Professor most expectations. A total of 1,106 from an electoral col ­ lege of 1,604 exercised their voting president of the 1993 trustee elections, in rights. The voter turnout showed a better the presence of the candidates and BPP response from the newly elected compo- __the Muncherji Khareghat Hall trustees Dr Aspi Golwalla, Jamshed nent of the Anjuman Committee: 662 “ - . - ...................." elected members (over 80 percent) as versus 444 donors (over 50 percent). Ac- went into private conclaves to speculate tually even the donor participation was about the available options. An air of considered high as a number of them are _ based outside Bombay and India. j As always there was the garb of fes- 1 tivity, a Parsi mela of sorts, outside the 1 Hall; a lol of embracing as relatives and friends met once again after the last la- w.. ~ bhonoo (wedding feast) eaten to- press. Altogether 1,237 members of gether. Only now the fare was consid- J lunches and flask tea that volunteers and cl^S in*Maroh* ”1993^*W*toc 1,706 friends^hared undy the shade of tempo- votors who exercised their ftmichire on *’ary bamboo and cloth canopies. And as - J the sun scorched down, a few tempers Wania, Dr Syrus Irani, YazdiMunsif and 662 elected reprraentmsves on the flared up. Dr Viraf Kapadia — signed a common Anjuman Committee. OW Mh»ch24, 131 point Dmshaw Mehta of the letter protesting against the trustees ’ de- cast vmes (72 donms ai^ 59 elated Dotivala got inw a dispute over cision which was taken without taking manbers). issue of trying to influence the vote them into consultation. Jamsheed Kanga The votes secured Iw the eight candi- visually impaired lady. Other candi- and Ms Silloo Kavarana, both candidates dates were; volunteers were drawn backed by the Committee for Economic Jamsheed Kanga ................................. 679 the shouting and hand waving that Revival (CER), expressed their frustra- Silloo Kavarana ...................................624 tions over the delay but did not sign the Perviz Dotivala .................................. 439 letter of protest. Kanga, a trustee seek- Hoshang Wania ...................................337 ing re-election, was unable to file a pro- Phiroze Amroliwalla ...........................259 test against a development to which he Syrus Irani ............................................ .37 was a party. At one stage there were a Yazdi Munsif ........................................ 14 few vociferous individuals who threat- Viraf Kapmlia ......................................... 8 ened to stage a sit-down gherao to press their demand that the election process be ' •___ completed on March 13. as originally ’“‘¦"S '¦'¦'I ¦" ‘ forthcoming planned, and the results be announced ’^sue. that evening itself. . .......... ... • —-----———--------- - As a tired BPP staff looked on, groups Voice of the voters Anjuman Committee. Ow MUvch 24,131 cast vmes ( The votes secured the eight candi- followed before sanity prevailed and the show went on. A verbal battle ensued between Noshir Dadrawala, editor of Deen Parasl and Mehta over some remarks pertain ­ ing to Dadrawala ’s loyalties alleged to have been made by Kavarana. After about 30 minutes the row was resolved A detailed report of die final day of and everyone started for home. ............... ’ '’ "**¦ ' And they all shall return once more in 11 days to lock horns one final time... hopefully! Hoshang Wania .......... Phiroze Amroliwalla.. issue. I •si 1 ¦.» ¦ ¦ I 'S II 18 Parsiana January 1993I r office, being unavailable because of the spells it as ‘Punchayet. ’ The typeface of the letter did not match any of the type- tions. writers in the BPP office. And the signa- The “defamatory letter ” allegedly ture of the person supposed to have writ- written by “a few staff members ” (of the BPP) and typed on a letterhead of the BPP was circulated to all members of the bitter aftermath on the election Campaign Before the scenes Previously, March 6, 1993 had been the Secondary School Certificate examina- date set for the election of two BPP trus ­ tees. But barely two days before the new electoral college of the BPP — 802 do ­ nors and 802 elected members — could exercise its franchise, the BPP issued a public notice posqjoning it by a week to electoral college. It was an unabashed which has eight candidates in the fray. March 13, 1993. The “reluctant ” deci- and savage attack on Kanga and Kavar- Apart from the CER backed candidates sion, according to the published notice, was taken “in view of the attempt to mis ­ lead voters by the circulation of a false Noshir. What made it even more vicious and defamatory letter on the letterhead of was that the allegations were fictitious the BPP purporting to bear the signature and clearly aimed at undermining the and independents Amroliwalla and of one of the joint secretaries which is credibility of the persons involved. Kapadia. clearly forged. ” A complaint has been According to a source at the BPP, the As always, prominent members of the lodged with the Bombay CID which has only valid thing about the letter was the community endorsed various candidates started investigations. letterhead of the BPP office. The refer- in letters published in The Bombay As a result, the election venue was ence number given was of January 1993, Samachar and the Jam-e-Jamshed. shifted to the Khareghat Colony hall, whereas the letter was dated February 27, Members of the electoral college were Bombay, the premises of the J. J. School, which shares the building with the BPP ten the letter was an obvious forgery. Undoubtedly, the letter will leave a I i I i } I ana, their CER supporters Fali Poncha Kanga and Kavarana, the others were the and the Mehta brothers Dinshaw and Anjuman Pax backed Dotivala and Wania, the Zoroastrian Cultural Welfare Association backed Irani and Munsif, i I I According to a source at the BPP, the letterhead of the BPP office. The refer ­ ence number given was of January 1993, 1993. The rubber stamp under the signa- flooded with appeals, manifestoes and ture reads ‘Panchayat ’ whereas the BPP letters from all the candidates. In addi ­ tion, three public meetings were held at Rustom Baug, the Dadar Parsi Colony and the Khareghat Colony where all eight candidates were invited to address members of the electoral college and the Parsi community in general. Irani and Murftif did not attend the Rustom Baug and Dadar Colony- meet ­ ings while Kanga, Kavarana and Munsif skipped the one at the Khareghat Colony. According to the independent candidates Amroliwalla and Kapadia who attended all three meetings, the Dadar meeting ap ­ peared to be a CER sponsored affair and the one at Khareghat Colony seemed to favor Dotivala and Wania. “The Rustom Baug meeting was the best and the fair ­ est. The only problem there was that it had such a small audience: about 25,” said Amroliwalla and Kapadia nodded in agreement. The Dadar meeting had the largest au ­ dience (about 100), but it also had the dubious distinction of being the most un ­ ruly. According to reports, the meeting ended in a fiasco. The open forum was reportedly used as a battlefield which witnessed the hurling of accusations, boisterous audience participation and al ­ leged mike snatching. To avoid a repeat performance, the Khareghat Colony meeting, spread over one Saturday evening and Sunday morn ­ ing, took tough precautionary measures: 1 8T Ml 19 Parsiana January 1993 1 I ! **1 On the first day of trusteeship elections: (above, from left) Ranina, Sheriar, Golwalla, Desai and Rustom Anklesaria; (below) suspense for the candidates and their supporters Photos: Guslasp Irani Bno candidate was allowed into the hall except the one speaking, and all ques ­ tions had to be submitted in writing be ­ fore they were picked by lots. The common ground covered by all candidates in their public statements and focused on the need for the healing fe- manifestoes, was that our traditional male and humane touch that they. community and that made it the ideal permost and not be subject to any party platform from which one could effec- < tively pursue his or her dreams for the Irani ’s, Munsif s and Kapadia s cam ­ community. *«—**•—...... --n.k., Kavarana ’s and Dotivala ’s campaign and political pressures. The thrust of paign was that they would champion the cause of the young and poor in the com ­ munity. Kanga ’s campaign differed from the Parsi/Zoroastrian values are challenged with their past proven record in social others largely ^cause he was seeking re- * «««•.. V zx «•" , ^yara-.Songadh • Mhow !’• • Kalyan • Ahmednagar • Belgaum R5 • Delhi J* Agra • AKola • Nanded •Ooty ^Jhanai • Nagpur =^3: 24 Parsiana January 1993 .'if' f individuals are employed by various anjumans to assist the management. Many small anjumans have neither a ¦''X .\6.f ¦¦ full-time nor a part-time employee to as- H ? .4. .VUJ? }.' sist in the anjuman ’s affairs, depending I solely on the services of the honorary 3 office bearers and members. And the j largest anjuman, Bombay, has 291 em ­ ployees on its rolls. When it comes to inducting new of ­ fice bearers, direct voting is the practice prevalent among 60 percent of the anjumans although the larger bastions 'i,' like Bombay, Poona, Surat do not ob- ¦ serve this system. To govern community assets, some anjumans like Calcutta, Ako la and Allahabad have only three trustees while Navsari has 27 (five trus ­ tees plus 22 managing committee mem- | bcrs). term var- yearsx' The • Lucknow- • Allahabad &¦ •’Jamshedpur V' <1 Sr V """fey ’' « '«/¦ * Secunderabad Hyderabad ¦d’y fr fr. -.j; ¦ 74‘ ii,. '’/'‘rif:’ .i f' ............ -I,’ I (I »f 'J- bti' i- length of a trustee ’s ? ies too from three | as was indicated ’ '^by 30 percent, to Qife appointment as mentioned 18 per ­ cent of the anjumans which responded. Responses to the ; <^estionnaire were re- j from: ' Agra, ceived Hosang R. Debara, presi ­ dent; Ahmedabad, Nowroz B.Kanga, joint honorary secretary; Ahmednagar, Mehemosh Mehta; Ajmer, Dr A. E. Contractor, joint secretary; Akola, F. M. Vajifdar, president; Al­ lahabad, Capt Homi P. Dandiwalla, president; Ankleshwar, B. B. Kavina, secretary; Bardoli, Edulji N. Dumasia, s secretary; Belgaum, H. A. Yazdani, sec ­ retary; Bhagwa, Davar Kavasji T. Modi, president; Bhatha, Davar Kavasji T. ** Modi, president; Bhavnagar, H. D. Bili- moria, president; R. R. Mahudawalla, honorary secretary and M. B. Bharucha, trustee; Bhesan, Davar Kavasji T. Modi, president; Bilimora, P. B. Dandiwala, trustee; Bombay, Ms Gool J. Tata, joint secretary; Broach, Dinshaw J. Dastur, managing trustee; Calcutta, Phiroze T. Dustoor, office manager; Calicut, Darius Marshall, managing trustee; Dahanu ' Road, Zarthost Mobarakai, president; Daman-Vapi, Dosabhai N. Oliaji, presi ­ dent; Delhi, Noshir B. Captain, honorary treasurer; Dumas, Edulji N. Dumasia, president; Godavra, Davar Kavasji T. Modi, president; Bombay-based Iran ­ ian Zoroastrian Anjuman, S. N. Elavia, secretary; Jamshedpur, Homi P. Bodhanwalla, representative; Jhansi, Ronny J. Dick, president; Kalyan, I IAspi Khurshed Aspi Shroff, trustee/honorary secretary; Karanj, Davar Kavasji T. Modi, president; Kashmir, Khushni B. Pestonjee, chairman-trustee; Lonavla- Khandala, Maneck J. Shroff, vice president; Lucknow, Boman Jalejar Khodaiji (since deceased), president and trustee; Madras, Nariman F. Mogrelia, presi ­ dent; Mhow, Ms Homai B. Illava, president; Nagpur, Keki R. Bala, honorary sec ­ retary; Nanded, K. R. Me- wawalla, vice president; Nargol, Marzban Khan- dhadya, ex-managing trus ­ tee; Navsari, M. K. Dastur Meherjirana, president; Nil- giris. Noshir Vajifdar, presi ­ dent; Poona, Meher M. Anklesaria, president; Rat- lam, Tehmton S. Ankle ­ saria, president; Saronda, Homi F. Palsetia, managing trustee; Secunderabad and Hyderabad, N. F. N agar w al a honorary secretary; SPP, Dr Sam S. Bhacca, president; Surat Anjuman, Davar Ka ­ vasji T. Modi, president; Thane, Rustom M. Cursetji, president: Udwada Sodfalia, Parvez K. Kumana, honor- B. trustee; apore, Tavdi, Udwada (Athoman Anjuman) and Valsad. Tavdi, Question 1: What is the official name of your anjuman/punchayet? Agra Parsi Anjuman Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat Ahmednagar Parsi Anjuman Shri Ajmer Parsi Jarthosti Anjuman, Ajmer The Zarthosti Anjuman - Akola The Allahabad Parsee Zoro- astrian Anjuman Ankleshwar Parsi Panch- ayat, Ankleshwar Bardoli Jarthosti Anjuman Belgaum Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman Bhagwa Village Parsi Anju- man Trust Fund Bhatha Gam Parsi Anjuman Trust Bhavnagar Parsi Anjuman Bhesan Agiary and Anju- man Trust Fund Bilimora Parsee Zoroastrian Anjuman —Bilimora. 'How- ever, the trust deed is regis- tered in the name of Bilimora Parsi Zoroastrian Trust Funds. Parsi Punchayet Funds and HHHi Properties, Bombay The Broach Parsi Panchayet Calcutta Zoroastrian Community ’s Reli ­ gious and Charity Funds The Calicut Parsi Anjuman ary secretary/trustee. Marzban H. Moti- Dahanu Road Zorastrian Anjuman Trust wala, president: Vadodara, Jimmy H. Fund Havewala, secretary; Vesu, Keki Marker, Daman-Vapi Anjuman president; Vyara-Songadh, Dr Bahadur Delhi Parsi Anjuman P. Jokhi, president and managing trustee; Zai Bordi, Firoze D. Patel, trustee. The anjumans that didn ’t respond: Abu Road and Mount Abu, Adajan, Am- Bombay roli, Aurangabad, Badnera-Amravati, Jamshedpur Parsi Association Banaras, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhusaval, Jhansi Parsi Anjuman Bodhan, Chhatisgarh (Raipur)/Durg, Parsi ZLoroastrian Anjuman of Kalyan Chikhli, Coimbatore, Davier, Deesa, Karanj Zarthosti Anjuman Kashmir Parsee Zoroastrian Anjuman Lonavla-Khandala Parsi Zarthosti An- B'ji *• ...... _________ ^1'.^ •* Vyara Agiary (above) and Bombay’s Godavara Agiary Dumas Jarthosti Anjuman Godavra Parsi AnjumaiVTrust Fund Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman (IZA), I I ! ( I I I s « 4* * t J >1 *1 I r , I Deolali, Dharwad, Dohad, Gandevi, I Gholvad, Godhra, Harda, Hubli, Igatpuri, I niav, Indore, Itchapore, Jabalpur, Jam- juman t. nagar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Khambhat, The Lucknow Parsi Anjuman, Lucknow I Khergaum, Kudiana, Kutch, Mahuva, Madras Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman I Mandvi, Manmad, Matheran, Navsari The Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman, Mhow I Malesar, Neemuch, Okhamandal, Olpad, Shri Nagpur and Kamptee Parsi Zarthosti Panchgani, Pardi, Porbundar, Rajkot, Anjuman, Nagpur Salsette, Sanjan, Satara, Sholapur, Surat Nanded Parsi Anjuman Nanpura, Surat Rustompura, Suvali, Tar- Nargol Parsi Jarthosti Anjuman 25 Parsiana January 1993 II 4 Navsari Samast Parsi Jarthoshti Anjuman by Jamshedpur Parsi Association and two 500003. This was inaugurated on August Nilguis Zarthosti Anjuman by the C. M. Shroff Trust (Mr H. P. 13, 1920 and is managed by Parsi Poona Parsee Panchayat .................................... - Parsi Anjuman, Ratlam Shri Saronda Parsi Jarthosti Anjuman Parsi 2toroastrian Anjuman of Secun- Lonavla-Khandbla: derabad and Hyderabad Parsi Panchayat Board, Surat (SPP) Shri Surat Parei Anjuman Panchayet The Thane Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman ______________ _______ ________ Udwada Sodfalia Behdin Anjuman, Ud- Navsari: Malesar Behdin Anjuman and No 4-1-889, Tilak Road, Hyderabad wada "• * • -------- Shree Parsi Panchayat, Vadodara Vesu Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman Fund pv. va. ^lunvy m mwiiuiy m The Vyara-Songadh Parsi Jarthosti and donations from members and others. Bai Maneckbai Nusserwanji Chinoy and ' is being managed by the above trust. All the three agiaries are in use. There are two towers of silence in Se- by the C. M. Shroff Trust (Mr H. P. 13, 1920 and is managed by Parsi t Bodhanwalla is the chairman); Jam- Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad I shedpur Zoroastrian Association Educa- and Hyderabad, and constructed from | tion Society. donations collected from anjuman mem- - - - - ---------- Lonavla-Khandala bers — major portion by Chenoy family — ------- -"—of Khan Bahadur Seth Edulji Sohrabji Parsi Zarthosti Dokhma Funds. < " Madras: Yes. The Madras Parsi Asso- Chenoy. ciation and The Jal Phiroze Clubwala Dar-e-Meher Trust Board. Bai Maneckbai Nusserwanji Chinoy Fire Temple Endowment Trust Fund at } Bhagarsath Anjuman. Nilgiris: No. The anjuman collects sub ­ scriptions, at present Rs 48 per annum. 500001 which was established in the year 1904. This was established by Ms Putli- bai Maneckshah Chinoy in memory of i I Anjuman This money helps to maintain the Parsi Shri Zai Bordi Parsi Jarthosti Anjuman cemetery and prayer hall, adjacent to it. Trust Fund as the funds of the Cemetery Trust are Question 2’ , in addition to your anju- man/punchayet do you have any other sizable local bodies representing the community? No; Agra, Ahmednagar, Ajmer, Akola, Allahabad, Ankleshwar, Bardoli, Belgaum, Bhagwa, Bhatha, Bhavnagar, Bhesan, Bilimora, Broach, Calicut, Daman-Vapi, Delhi, Dumas, Jhansi, Kal- yan, Karanj, Kashmir, Luclmow, Mhow, Nagpur, Nanded, Nargol, Ratlam, Sa ­ ronda, Vadodara, Vesu, Vyara-Songadh and Zai Bordi. Ahmedabad: The Zoroastrian Ladies In ­ dustrial Co-operative Society Limited — Bai Dhunbaiji Dalal Stree Mandal and the Buzum-e-Jashun-e-Ruze-Behram. Bombay: Yes, in their own spheres, such as religion, youth activities, etc. Calcutta: No. There are, however, diffo*- ent institutions catering to sports, cul ­ tural, charitable and other activities. These are Parsi 2Loroastrian Association, Calcutta Parsee Club, Calcutta Zoroas ­ trian Stree Mandal, Saklat Physical Cul ­ ture Institute (with scouts and guides sec ­ tion), Calcutta Parsi Amateur Dramatic very limited. Club and the Calcutta Parsee Youth Poona: Zoroastrian Youth Association, League. There is also the Mehta ’s Poona. Anjuman Adaran. Dahanu: Yes. YAZD — Youth Associa ­ tion Zorastrian of Dahanu Road. __________ _____ Godavra: The area covered by the Viccaji and Seth Pestonji Meherji Parsi anjuman lies betv/een the rivers Tapti Fire Temple-Agiary at 128, Mahatma and Narmada. Some of the villages do Gandhi Road, Secunderabad 5O(XX)3. have their ov/n local anjumans or Established on roj Behram, mah Spen- punchayets. darmad 1216 YZ — September 12,1847. /Z4; Yes. This jg being managed by Seth Viccaji Jamshedpur:: Jamshedpur Parsi Stree and Seth Pestonji Meherji Trust and es- Mandal run by a committee (run inde* tablished by the same trust. pendently by Parsi ladies); Cursetji Ma- Il __ _______ nockji Shroff Agiary which has seven Chenoy Anjuman Dar-e-Meher at 125, trustees appointed for life, five appointed Mahatma Gandhi Road, Secunderabad Ankleshwar, Secunderabad and Hyderabad: In addi- tibn to our anjuman we have two more trusts representing our community. Seth __ _ ____ _______ _ ______ Z__ i anjuman lies betv/een the rivers Tapti Fire Temple-Agiary at 128, Mahatma have their ov/n local 26 Parsiana January 1993 r- "I 4^ * -A] iFi k«(^ Left: Calcutta’s Olpadvala Memorial Hall Khan Bahadur Seth Edulji Sohrabji Right: Prayer hall in Calicut (above) and Madras Dar-e-Meher A. L «1 Seth Viccaji and Seth Pestonji Meherji . Fire-Temple in Secunderabcui (above) I and Katrak Dar-e-Meher in Delhi •w Udwada Samast Anjuman (comprising of both behdins and athornans). t- J Question 3: Is your anjuman/pun- chayet a registered trust? Yes: Ahmedabad, Ahmednagar, Bel- gaum, Bhagwa, Bhatha, Bhavnagar, Bhesan, Calcutta, Dahanu, Daman-Vapi, Delhi, Godavra, IZA, Kalyan, Karanj, m Kashmir, Lonavla-Khandala, Madras, m Nanded, Nargol, Saronda, Secunderabad and Hyderabad, Surat Anjuman, Thane, Udwada, Vesu and Vyara-Songadh. HH No: Agra, Calicut, Jhansi and Ratlam. Ajmer: Registered u/s 12A(a) of LT. Act * 1961 and Rajasthan Public Trust Act, 1959. Akola: The Zarthosti Anjuman Trust of Akola, Reg No C-1 (Akola). Allahabad: No. It has a deed of trust dated October 25,1925. Ankleshwar: Yes. Regd No C 11. Bardoli: Yes. Registered under No C- 164, Surat. Bilimora: Yes. The trust deed was regis ­ tered on February 26, 1938 at Gandevi (former Baroda State area now falling in Valsad district of Gujarat state). Bombay: Yes. Registered with the Char ­ ity Commissioner Registration No C-416 (BOM). Broach: Yes. Reg No C/2, Bharuch. Dumas: Yes. Registered under No GUJ C/G-245. Jamshedpur: It is a registered society. Lucknow: It is not a registered trust. In fact, it is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act (Act no XXI of 1860) as amended up-to-date. _ — ---------- Af/iow.-Yes, it is registered under the MP Seth Viccaji and Seth Pestonji Meherji PZASH Library, 125, Mahatma Gandhi Public Trusts Act. Trust. It was established on roj Behram Road, Secunderabad 500003. Nagpur: Yes. Under the Societies Regis- — mah Fravardin — 1202 YZ in 1833. SPP: are managing several institu- tration Act XXI of 1860 on November The New Tower of Silence at Zamis- tions such as a maternity hospital, a gen ­ tanpur, Hyderabad, managed by the Parsi eral hospital, an infirmary, a boys ’ or- Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad phanage, a girls ’orphanage, a girls ’high No C-48, Valsad. * and Hyderabad. It was established on school, an industrial institute for women, Nilgiris: The land was donated to the ^cember 29, 1915 — built by Dastur etc, under the banner of Parsi Panchayat Parsi Zoroastrian community by a phi- Khurshed in memory of his late father Board, Surat, having separate registra- lanthropist — Pestonji Nusserwanji Bot- Dastur Behram Dastur Asha. tion numbers as stated in answer three. tlewalla — who looked after the ceme- ~ several local tery himself. After his death, a trust deed zLV ”"'^ 2* ? 2 2 W ’ ~- L-- was signed by five prominent citizens on 500003 (dharamshala). Bai Ratanbai J. sides anjumans in all the Parsi localities June 29, 1904 and this was registered on August 31, 1904. The prayer hall was I. Yes^The Thana J^giary Fund and donated much later by Phiroze Clnhw alla of Madras in memory of his young son Udwada: Udwada Athoman Anjuman Jal who died at the age of 14. (comprising of only athomans) and Poona: Yes. Reg No F/144. V . , J# J * ¦1J F <• I*. .?w- cunderabad. The Old Tower of Silence, derabad 500003. Zoroastrian Stree Man- Bhoiguda, Secunderabad managed by dal, Secunderabad and Hyderabad. tration Act XXI of 1860 on November 17,1953 [No F 76 (N)]. Navsari: Public Trust Registration lanthropist — Pestonji Nusserwanji Bot- tlewalla — who looked after the ceme- Trust, Prenderghast Road, Secunderabad bodies like the Surat Parsi Punchayet be- 5(XX)03 (dharamshala). Bai Ratanbai J. sides anjumans in all the Parsi localities Chenoy Parsi High School, Park Lane, of Surat like Nanpura, Rustompura, etc Secunderabad 500003. Bai Ratanbai J. 7’ " “ “____ Chenoy Charitable Dispensary, Park The Thane Zoroastrian Charity Fund. Udwada: Udwada Athoman Anjuman Jal who died at the age of 14. Lane, Secunderabad 500003. Zoroas ­ trian Club, Sardar Patel Road, Secun- Zt Parsiana January 1993}¦ b I SPP: The Surat Parsi Panchayat Trust Belgaum: Five members of Karobhari honorary treasurer and seven trustees. Funds and several other trusts managed Committee, including president, secre- Dumas: We have six trustees (one presi- by Parsi Panchayat Board, Surat are reg- tary and treasurer. istered under the Bombay Public Trusts Bhagwa: Seven plus one additional trus- Act. tee. Vadodara: Yes, under Registration No Bhatha: At present six but the anjuman For administrative purposes there is a C/2. has the right to increase or reduce the committee known as The Godavra Parsi Zai Bordi: Yes. Registration No C/6 number when the necessity arises. Anjuman Committee consisting of 17 Thane, Public Trust Register. Bhavnagar: There are eight trustees in- plus six co-opted members, 23 in all. dent and five trustees). Godavra: Eleven trustees. They are cus ­ todian trustees for the assets of the trust. Bhavnagar: There are eight trustees in ­ cluding honorary secretary and president. IZA: Seven trustees and five office bear ­ ers. sort of constitution also. It provides the Jamshedpur: There are three trustees procedure for management of the trust who are responsible for the immovable funds including the other property be- assets particularly the land leased by longing to this anjuman. The local adar- ian saheb is also under administrative Question 4: If not, what is its legal Bilimora: The trust deed referred to is a standing? Agra: Not known. Allahabad: Registered with income tax authorities and accounts audited annu ­ ally. Calicut: Society, registered under the So- and financial management of the Bili- cieties Act. Lucknow: The Societies Registration Act number of trustees the specific provision ciation. has been made applicable to Uttar is made in the above constitution. Ac- Karanj: Four trustees, one vacancy is to Pradesh as amended by U.P. Act No 52 cordingly the trustees should not be less be filled. of 1975, U.P. Act No 13 of 1978 and than four and more than seven (vide ar- Lonavla-Khandala: Ten trustees and U.P. Act No 26 of 1979. Renewal for tide 12 of the constitution). Any number three co-opted trustees. registration is made for a period of two exceeding four but not exceeding seven Lucknow: President, vice president, hon- years at a time. The present registration could be decided by Bilimora Parsee orary secretary, honorary joint secretary is valid till March 31,1990. Nilgiris: The anjuman has no legal status and its funds, in the form of bank ac ­ counts, fixed deposits in banks and units passed by the general meeting, the num- of the Unit Trust of India are held in the joint personal names of the five trustees of the Cemetery Trust. Ratlam: Managing committee. i r Tata Steel for hostel building and resi- ( dential blocks and aramgah. There is a managing committee of 18 elected mem- mora Parsee Anjuman. As regards the bers who govern the affairs of the asso- number of trustees the specific provision is made in the above constitution. Ac- Zoroastrian Anjuman in its general meet ­ ing. The trustees have no say in the mat ­ ter. According to the last resolution (usually a lady), honorary treasurer, hon ­ orary internal auditor, honorary librarian, two honorary ^mes secretaries out of whom one is a lady and five members of the estate trust committee. ber of trustees is restricted to five only. However certain dispute arose regarding Madras: President, vice president, trea- filling up of the vacancies of trustees and other allied matters. The disputants ap ­ proached the District Court, Navsari. The dras Parsi Association. Total: Seven. Mhow: The managing committee con ­ sists of 11 members, out of whom one is However the High Court of president, one vice president, one hono ­ rary treasurer, one honorary secretary surer, honorary secretary, two ordinary members and a representative of the Ma- ’ Question 5: How many trustees/office District Court itself appointed four trus- bearers are there in your anjuman? Three: Akola and Calcutta. Four: Kashmir and Vesu. Five: Kalyan and Nargol. Seven: Bhesan, Bombay, Broach, Nanded, Poona, Saronda, Vyara-Son- gadh and Zai Bordi. of the Bilimora Parsee Zoroastrian six nominated members from various Eight: Agra, Bhagwa, Daman-Vapi and Anjuman), under which the procedure trusts. Total: 18. Jhansi. - 11: Surat Anjuman and Thane. Ahmedabad: We have a managing com- may be mentioned that during the course Nilgiris: We have five trustees as per the mittee consisting of five trustees, one of of arguments the presiding judge wholly trust deed and one secretary, and these whom is elected as a president, eight or- approved the scheme and directed that C - - . dinary members of whom two are lady instead of the court coming into picture, members, two joint honorary secretaries. Total strength: ?5. Ahmednagar: Nine. Ajmer: Seven office bearers including , , _ president. spirit of the provision relating to the trustees and seven members of the man- Allahabad: Three. President, vice presi- scheme of trustees as envisaged in the aging committee. dent and trustee. Ankleshwar: Three office bearers. Seven trustees (including the office bearers). Bardoli: We have 10 trustees (one honor ­ ary president, one president, one vice president, one secretary, one joint secre ­ tary and five trustees). Bhesan, 28 Parsiana January 1993 it tees and raised the number of trustees to seven. Gujarat set aside the District Court or ­ ders regarding the appointment of the and one joint secretary. trustees. The High Court took into ac- Nagpur: Four office bearers, one lady count the existing scheme (constitution member, seven committee members and of the Bilimora Parsee Zoroastrian for the election of the trustees, etc has Navsari: Five trustees plus 22 managing been adequately laid down. Incidently it committee members. may be mentioned that during the course also serve as the trustees and secretary of I the Nilgiris Zarthosti Anjuman. j it would be better if the procedure laid Ratlam: One president, three trustees, | down in the constitution — regarding one honorary secretary, four committee election of trustees is followed. This members. i was quite in keeping with the letter and Secunderabad and Hyderabad: Five | spirit of the provision relating to the trustees and seven members of the man- | Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 (as SPP: The board consists of nine mem- adoptcd in Gujarat). At present five trus ­ tees are in office. Calicut: Two. Dahanu: Six. Delhi: President, vice president, honor ­ ary secretary, joint honorary secretary. bers. Udwada: Six trustees — no office bear ­ ers. Vadodara: Seven trustees including three office bearers (president, secretary and treasurer). ¦ I SrUnder the auspices of the MAZDAYASNIE MONASTERIE and the ALL INDIA SHAH BEHRAM BAUG SOCIETY (for Scientific and Educational Research) The one and only SOROASTRIAN SOLLEGF, in the world Correspondence address: Mustafa Building, (2nd floor). Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Road, Bombay 400001, India. Tel: 2660214/2662950 after hours: 3674737 Fax: Bombay India 022-2662735-A/c 121 OR 91-22-3633509-011 Commencing with this issue, we bring to < __________ , Parsiana readers the monthly News Report of the their Diploma studies, including Avesta. Educational and social service work of the MAZDAYASNIE MONASTERIE, the ZOROAS­ TRIAN COLLEGE and the ALL INDIA SHAH BEHRAM BAUG SOCIETY (for Scientific and Educational Research). The Zoroastrian College was established un ­ der the direct inspiration and spiritual guidance received by its Founder President, Dr Meher Mas­ ter-Moos. The College is meant for the Universal Benefit of Humanity; to prepare people for the advent of Shah Behram Varzavand Saheb; to spread the knowledge of the Divine Universal Natural Laws of Ahura Mazda; to enable human beings to lead a life in obedience of the Cosmic Truths and Laws. December 1986 saw the inauguration of the first series of monthly lecture courses by Ervad Godrej Sidhwa of Karachi; and with Dr Mehroo Bengalee presiding over the first monthly convoca- and over 60 persons have successfully completed memory of their late parents and Maneckji L. . Hataria, are the Zoroastrians of England, Paki­ stan, Canada, USA, and the Mazdayasnans of Germany. The World Zoroastrian Organisation, the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Hong Kong, and other organisations gave their support for this Worldwide Zoroastrian Educational work. Late Ms Piloo M Katrak and the Residents of Cusrow Baug, collected over Rs 10,000/- in memory of late Ervad Nadirshah Aibara; Mrs Dost Jeejeebhoy, late Mr Jamshed Pavri of Canada, Mr Thornton Streeter of England, Parsis of Karachi in memory of late JAMSHED NUSSERWANJEE MEHTA, Mrs Shirin Cooper of Secunderabad, in memory of her late husband and many other persons have given generous donations, thanks to which it was possible for the Societies to continue with the construction work of the Zoroastrian College Build ­ ing. The workis continuing subject to availability of funds ; and it is estimated that about Rs 1,50,000 is required for completion of Phase A to put the 1 I The Faculty members for each Dept are out­ standing specialists in their respective fields. Every Faculty member renders service Honoris Causa for promoting the cause of spiritually based educa­ tion. In coming issues, the Fac- \ ulty of e a c h Dept • and the H Courses I avail- I able will I be high- I lighted. I The . I All India building into usable condition in 1993. tidn. Since then the College has spread its span of 1 S h a h educational activities to all the Continents, with y Behram expansion of centres in several countries. The ' “ ''Baug Zoroastrian College is established under the aegis Society (for Scientific and Educational Research) of the abovenamed Societies. During its 7th year, was registered in 1983 under the Societies Regis- it is expanding its centres in India as well as other ................. countries including Australia, Germany, Malaysia, Tajikistan, Khazakhstan and Europe and North raEii This is the first time in the history of the Parsees after landing in India, that the Zoroastrian College has been established for the spiritual benefit of Zoroastrians and all other fit persons. Muslims and tration Act " Christians have their own Colleges as minority communities, protected by the Constitution of In ­ in January 1982, Mr K D Kutar and other dia. In November 1991, Padmashri Homi J, H. America. munificent Parsee gentlemen prompted by spiri- Taleyarkhan, performed the first flag hoisting cer- tual guidance of late Ms Coomamai Kutar, gave a emony at the terrace of the College building. Al- TheCollegehas4Departments:THEAVESTA donation of land near the Sanjan river; for the work though the construction work is still continuing, AND SPIRITUAL STUDIES Dept; the INTER- of preparing for the advent of Shah Behram many persons from India and abroad have visited FAITH PEACE DIALOGUE AND STUDIES Dept; Varzavand Saheb. Lack of funds hampered the and even stayed at the College building; whilst the the MEDICINA ALTERNATIVA — HOLISTIC workoftheSocietiesprogressingsooneranditwas last portions of the carpentry, polishing, painting HEALTH Dept; and the ECOLOGICAL AND EN- l ____:__ ............. VIRONMENTAL STUDIES Dept. In the coming the Zoroastrian College building commenced, issues, news of the activities of these Depts will be given. The College provides facilities for studies lead ­ ing to Diploma and the Degrees of BPhil; MPhil; and PhD; in affiliation with the OPEN INTERNA­ TIONAL UNIVERSITY FOR COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE AND MEDICINA ALTERNATIVA (Sri Lanka and USSR) AND THE ALBERT SCHWEITZER INTERNATIONAL OPEN UNI­ VERSITY FOR REFUGEES AND MINORITIES (Central America) and in collaboration with the United Nations PEACE UNIVERSITY. Since its inception, 8 outstanding and original Research Theses have been submitted through the College for the PhD Degree by persons from College building, came through the support of Australia, Belgium, Jordan, Malaysia, and India on many kind persons in India, and from abroad. The only in October 1987 that the construction work of and other finishing work is continuing. Due to the , steep increase in prices of materials and labour thanks to the generous patronage of the charges, there is a shortfall of funds; DONATIONS ZARTOSHTY BROTHERS, MEHRABAN AND ARE TAX EXEMPT UNDER SEC. 80 G of the I.T. FARIDOON. R M J Balsara, initially were the Act. architects and surveyors; and later Mr Minoo Tumboli, Architect; and Mr P Kakalia, Civil Engi- thy Educational Cause. Tax Exempt Donation Re- neer and others rendered social service to ensure ceipts are issued; for Cash or Cheques in favour of the construction of Phase A of the College building; SHAH BEHRAM BAUG SOCIETY. The form on comprising of ground, first and second floors. Resi­ dential Research Library Centre with lecture halls, library rooms and residential place. Yadgari Donations are welcomed for this wor- this page may be used. ZOROASTRIAN COLLEGE BUILDING CON- STRUCTION CORPUS DONATION FORM I would like to contribute towards the College Building Construction. Please find enclosed my Cheque in favour of SHAH BEHRAM BAUG SOCI­ ETY or Cash of Rs...................................................... Name.................................................................. Address............................................................... awide variety of subjects, ranging from Avestaand main DONORS AND PATRONS, thanks towhose and Tel No............................................................. Iranian studies to Astrology, Alternative Medicine support, the construction workofthe College build- Signature .............................................................. and Public Health. Over a thousand persons in ing could continue, brick by brick, in addition to the India and abroad have availed of its educational benefits through lecture courses and conferences; Yadgari donations of Rs 10,000/- and over entitling the donors names and names of the persons in whose memory the donation was given, to be inscribed on the Roll of Honour in the main Please post to the Mustafa Building, 2nd Floor, main single donation of over Rs 2 lacs of Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Road, Bombay 400001, MEHRABAN AND FARIDOON ZARTOSHTY, in lndia;OfficeAddress. Advertisement lndia;Office Address. R I I i ( I I I I I *here that complete secrecy is observed at Jamshedpur: The committee members the time of casting votes. The voters list are elected members of the association is maintained in the anjuman office. For any new additions to the voters ’ list the applicant has to fill in the pre- Question 6: What is the system of election/selection of a trustee? Agra: All the officers are proposed and is maintained in the anjuman office. except three trustees of the aramgah who seconded by the members of the anjuman For any new additions to the voters ’ are ex-officio members of the commit- at its annual general body meeting. list the applicant has to fill in the pre- tee. The trustees of the aramgah are ap- Ahmedabad: All the members of the scribed application form and submit the pointed for lif^by the Jamshedpur Parsi managing committee are elected only by same to the board of trustees. Such re- those members of the anjuman who are also members of the Panchayat. The minimum age for a candidate is 35 years and the tenure is five years for the entire managing committee. Ahmednagar: Every three years there is an election from amongst the members according to the scheme laid down by the charity commissioner, Bombay. “ members have to give preference to nine out of all those who are standing for the tions passed by the board. It may be post. Ajmer: Direct ballot vote from members. Elections every three years. Akola: Election of trustees are unani ­ mous at a special meeting of the general supervision of the board of trustees (vide anjuman. body of all members of the trust. pl. articles 13,14,15 of the trust deed). Karanj: The anjuman elects the trustees. Allahabad: Election every three years by Any trustee can be removed from of- Kashmir: As there are only two perma- secret ballot. Ankleshwar: Voters directly elect the trustees. The seven trustees elect the of ­ fice bearers from them. Bardoli: Every three years. Belgaum: All karobhari committee mem ­ bers elected for a three-year term by the proval from the general meeting is re- anjuman members at general body meet- quired for expenditure exceeding the traordinary general body meeting elect ing. At the same meeting, the anjuman monetary limit. Trustees ’ powers are five members of the estate trust commit ­ members elect the president, secretary thus limited and approval from general tee for a fixed tenure of five years. and treasurer from among the five sabha is very much necessary. Madras: By election. elected karobhari committee members. Bombay: By a scheme of election ap- Mhow: Election once in three years. Bhagwa: A meeting of the anjuman is proved by the High Court of Bombay in Nagpur: Office bearers, lady member called and the trustees are elected by the the year 1906 and subsequently amended and committee members are elected by Parsis present. from time to time. (Scheme effective af- secret ballot whereas representatives Bhatha: The anjuman has the right to ter judgement delivered in 1908). from various trusts are nominated on the elect the trustees. Broach: Election. managing committee as full-fledged Bhavnagar: Selection. Bhesan: In case a trustee dies or resigns, the surviving trustees have a right to ap ­ point a new trustee. Bilimora: We have here the direct sys- again. the anjuman. tern of election. The provisions regarding Calicut: Once a year at every annual Navsari: Open general election every election of trustees and the related mat- general meeting the trustees are elected. ters are contained in articles 11, 12, 13, Dahanu: Election by vote. 14, 15, 21,28 and 29 of our constitution Daman-Vapi: Selection after three years, namely Bilimora Parsee Zoroastrian Delhi: Every trustee is elected by the Anjuman trust deed — 1938. One of the general body except two lady trustees trust deed. conditions for eligibility is that a candi- who are nominated by the board of trus- Poona: Elected by anjuman committee date for trusteeship should be a married tees. One trustee who has to be below the members. person and of 30 years and above age. age of 35 is elected as a youth trustee. Ratlam: By selection. Only men are eligible to be a voter and a Dumas: Every three years. Saronda: Every five years by election, trustee. Although women are beneficia- ~ “ ries they are not allowed to participate in whenever they occur. is nominated by the managing committee general meetings including a meeting IZA: A trustee is elected by the general by a majority vote and the nomination specially called for election. The ballot committee of the Iranian Zoroastrian will be approved by the general body. system prevails. Needless to mention Anjuman. SPP: The members of the Parsi Pan ­ Association. The 15 committee mem ­ quests are decided upon in the board bers (18-3) are elected annually at the meeting after considering whether the annual general meeting. A committee conditions prescribed in the trust deed (constitution) are fulfilled or not. Every year the managing trustee is elected by the board of trustees from among the trustees. He presides over the president and two vice-presidents are ap- meeting of board of trustees as well as The the general meetings of the whole anjuman. He is to implement the resolu- member or an office bearer (i.e. chair ­ man, vice chairman, treasurer, two secre ­ taries and seven ordinary members) hold office for not more than three years. The I 30 Parsiana January 1993 pointed annually but in their case they are permitted to continue for more than three years. The working of the associa ­ tion is generally in the hands of the com- mentioned here that all resolutions of mittee members. whatever nature are to be either passed or Jhansi: By vote. rejected by majority votes only. The Kalyan: Selected by the trustees and rati- managing trustee is to function under the fied by the managing committee of the pl. articles 13,14,15 of the trust deed). Any trustee can be removed from of ­ fice if a resolution to the effect is passed nent resident trustees i.e. Mr and Mrs K. in the general meeting (vide article 21). B. Pestonjee, the others have been nomi- Within six months of the closure of the nated. year the trustees have to present the an- Lonavla-Khandalaf^Partial election and nual accounts and report to the general selection (DW). meeting for approval. Similarly prior ap- Lucknow: All members of the Lucknow Parsi Anjuman sitting together in an ex- Bombay: By a scheme of election ap- from time to time. (Scheme effective af- Broach: Election. Calcutta: A trustee is elected by the members of the managing committee, anjuman at a general body meeting of the Nanded: By election every five years community and his term of office is for a through members. period of seven years, unless elected Nargol: Elected by bonafide members of again. three years. Nilgiris: Any vacancies in the number of trustees are filled in by the remaining trustees as per the terms of the cemetery ¦ f f * age of 35 is elected as a youth trustee. Godavra: The trustees fill the vacancies Secunderabad and Hyderabad: A trustee whenever they occur. %t members suggest names and with consent of community I members they are appointed. I Godavra: The community I members do not vote for the I appointment of a trustee but I they vote directly every three I years for the appointment of I the committee of manage- I ment known as The Godavra B Parsi Anjuman Committee. I Since there are 15 villages I represented on this commit ­ tee, two representatives are nominated by the trustees from amongst themselves and six Parsi Zoroastrians are co- opted by these 17 members. Jamshedpur: The voting is done directly on adult fran ­ chise basis by the membars. The office bearers do not hold office for more than three years. They must retire. The £- president and two vice presi- dents do not generally attend gUHfe meetings of the Association. These are positions where Zoroastrians who ctotinue to hold office of eminence in their profession and con ­ tinue to assist the Association in various ways are appointed. They are allowed to Akola, Ankleshwar, Belgaum, Bhagwa, remain m office for more than three Bhatha, 1_____ , ______ , . , Dahanu, Delhi, Jhansi, Karanj, Lonavla- general body every year. They normally Khandala, Lucknow, Mhow, Nanded, Nargol, Saronda, Thane, Udwada, Va- ing the best available trustee from the dodara and Vyara-Songadh. city or the surrounding villages. Indirectly: Bombay, IZA, Kalyan and Thane: The president, vice president and Poona. nine committee members are elected di- Ahmedabad: See answer 6. rectly by the general body. The office Allahabad: Minimum seven days ’ notice is given to all Zoroastrians who are resi ­ dents of Allahabad. There is no mem ­ bership fee. He/she must be 18 years of from amongst the members who are eh- age. No proxy is allowed. On day of gible to vote i.e. those 5Kho are above 18, meeting a member proposes and another members for a minimum period of six seconds. There can be more than one months and also those who are not in ar- nomination. Declaration by number of rears of membership fee (minimurn 50 voles. jail Al h I 8 »'i Li?'- IB I I J r 1 .. ft • Hi I Hid llil ft F. r r ft r !' Question 7: Do the community mem ­ bers vote directly for a trustee or is it in ­ direct as in Bombay? chayat Board, Surat are nominated by the Directly: Agra, Ahmednagar, Ajmer, trustees of the Parsi Surat Charity Fund ....................... - . as per the trust deed of January 1,1841. Surat Anjuman: Whenever there is a va ­ cancy on the board of trustees, the re ­ maining trustees fill in the same, select- Surat’s Kadmi Atash Behram complex which also houses the community kitchen Broach, Calcutta, Calicut, years. But they also are elected by the do not attend committee meetings. Kashmir: Not applicable as the commu ­ nity in Srinagar has only one permanent family residing in Srinagar i.e. Mr and Ms Khushru B, Pestonjee. Madras: Voting for all posts is by secret ballot by individual members. Nagpur: Three months prior to the gen ­ eral election an electoral list is prepared bearers - secretary, joint secretary, treas ­ urer and joint treasurer — are chosen from amongst the committee members at the first managing committee meeting. Udwada: As the behdin residents are ------- - -------------------------------- , , . , very few in number, and moreover no seconds. There can be more than one months and also those who are not in ar- voung blood coming forward, the trus- nomination. Declaration by number of rears iees^ selected. votes. paise) for more than six months They Vadodara: Eletaion committee is formed Bardoti: It is not by vote but prominent vote directly through secret ballot, to conduct the election by ballot of all members suggest names and with the Navsari: Direct voting rights for all Parsi the eligible members of the panchayat. consent of community members, they arc Zoroasirian residents of Navsari. Vesu: By meeting and passing a resolution. appointed. Nilgtns. Sec answer 6. Vyara-Songadh: Election by the general Bhavnagar: See answer 6. Ratlam: body every three years when three irus- Bhesan: See answer 6. Secunderabad and Hyderabad. The trus tees retire by rotation. Bilimora: Unlike in Bombay the commu- tee is nominated by the managing com- Zai Bordi: Every three years trustees are nitv memher.s vote direcilv for a trustee, miiiee and it will be ratified by the irian- elected by the members of the trust fund. Members are registered from Bordi, Gholvad, Dahanu, Savta, Ashaghad and Daman-Vapi: Not appIicaWe. surrounding villages. ft No proxy is allowed. On day of gible to vote i.e. those ikIio are above 18, members suggest names and with the Navsari: Direct voting rights for all Parsi consent of community members, they arc appointed. Bhesan: See answer 6. Bilimora: Unlike in Bombay the commu ­ nity members vote directly for a trustee. Of course under the existing constitution nuaj general body, only males are eligible to become voters. Dumas: It'is not by vote but prominent Vesu: Not applicable. SPP: Not applicable. Sural Anjuman: See answer 6. * g r 32 Parsiana January 1993I I i Zai Bordi: Members vote directly for the Belgaum: About Rs 3,00,000 as on De ­ election of trustees if more than seven < ’ .................. nominations are filed. If less than seven property. nominations are filed, trustees co-opt Bhagwa: Rs 94,000. from the registered members. For mem- Bhatha: Rs 57,000. bership, there is no fee but one has to fill Bhavnagar: Only one trust named Vesu: About Rs 80,000 or Rs 1,00,000, cember 31, 1990 including immovable approximately. Vyara-Songadh: Cash Rs 3,00,(X)0. Property worth about Rs 10,00,(X)0. Zai Bordi: Adarian building, 16 rented ----- -------- blocks, mobed residence for two and up the form as per the charity commis- Bhavnagar Parsi Anjuman.-------------------- dokhma property at Davier (which be- sioner s rules. Bhesan: Rs 1,90,000. longs to three anjumans — Dahanu, Bilimora: Rs 43,66,000 (according to the Bordi and Davier). , , Anjumans who do not wish to disclose 1988 to March 31,1989). the amount: Agra, Allahabad, Bardoli, Bombay: Rs 11,58,08,623.37 (in the year Calcutta, Calicut, Dumas and Madras. 1991-1992). Anjumans which have not replied to the Broach: Above Rs 1 crore (including question: Ankleshwar, Dahanu, Kalyan, Nargol and Ratlam. I I i i Question 8: What is the length of a balance sheet for the period January 1, trustee ’s term? ----- *' * ------ Two years: Agra and Thane. Three years: Ahmednagar, Ajmer, Al ­ lahabad, Ankleshwar, Bel gaum. Daman - Vapi, Delhi, Lonavla-Khandala, Madras, properties). Mhow, Nagpur, Ratlam, Udwada and Zai Daman-Vapi: Rs 2,00,000. Bordi. “ ¦ Five years: Ahmedabad, Akola, Broach, Dahanu, Jhansi, Lucknow, Nanded, Nar ­ gol, Poona, Saronda and Vadodara. Seven years; Calcutta and IZA. Till he dies, resigns or is declared unfit to ____ ___ be a trustee: Bhagwa^ Bhatha, Bhesan, Jhansi: Monthly Rs 250. Not flxed: Bardoli, Bhavnagar, Dumas, Kashmir and SPP. Bilimora: Under the amended provisions Kashmir: As it is a very small anjuman of the constitution (trust deed) the length f ________________ of a trustee s term is seven years. Before permanent trustee in Srinagar only. this amendment trusteeship was lifelong. Lonavla-Khandala: Not available at the Bombay: Seven years as per the new time of filling the form. scheme. Trustees elected under the old Lucknow: Corpus consists of landed scheme continue for 10 years. A trustee can stand for re-election also. Calicut: One year. Jamshedpur: See answer 6 and 7. Kalyan: Till death or resignation. Karanj: Till he dies or resigns. Navsari: Three years for trustees i " _____ _____ as for committee members or until a Nagpur: Rs 36,64,739.92 (as on March fresh election is held. 31,1989). Secunderabad and Hyderabad: Nine Nanded. Rs 40,04,697.20. years. Vesu: Permanent. Vyara-Songadh: Six years. Question 9: What is the corpus of your trust? Ahmedabad: Rs 76,64,002 total assets as on March 31, 1989. Ahmednagar: About Rs 3.5 lakhs. Ajmer: Fixed assets — Rs 1,46,000 (as per the assessment done in 1976). Rs 3,02,516.49 plus Rs managed under the banner of Parsi Pan- Punchayet (as per the closing balance on I I f L____ ..... —«u-, -..V. t Godavra, Nilgiris and Surat Anjuman. DeZ/ii.- Rs 21 lakhs. Question 10a: What is the income Godavra: About Rs 1,83,000. you receive from donations in a year? /Z4; Rs 38,00,000 including other funds. (Give figures for the last three years.) Jamshedpur: Rs 5,31,700 (hostel — Rs None: Allahabad, Calicut, Dumas, Kal- 2,46,700, aramgah — Rs 85,000, resi ­ dential blocks — Rs 2,00,000). yan, Nanded and Surat Anjuman. DW: Calcutta and Madras. Agra: Total income inclusive of rent re- --------r -1- - ceived from the dharamshala occupants, ties are estimated at Rs 50,000 (book banks and fixed deposit interests, and do- value). ----------------------------------------------nations, etc. 1986: Rs 22,878; 1987: Rs 23,925; 1988; Rs 23,762.80. Ahmedabad: Rs 1,11,583 (January 1988 to March 1989). Ahmednagar: About Rs 7,000 per an ­ num, including for kathi fund. properties and buildings in two estates Ajmer: 1986; Rs 17,957 (general fund), VIZ Pyakh Bagh — prayer hall, mobed Rs 5,458 (kathi fund); 1987: Rs 12,567 saheb ’s flat, dharamshala (four rooms) (general fund), Rs 10,467 (kathi fund); and 15 flats for Zoroastrians. Hormazd —" '' - ------- ~ --------- Bagh which is aramgah consisting of ra- vangah building and 20 outhouses. as well Mhow: Rs 20,30,000. Karanj: Corpus in investments is proper- there is a chairman-cum-trustee and one permanent trustee in Srinagar only. time of filling the form. * 1988 to March 1989: Rs 57,073 (general fund), Rs 5,131 (kathi fund). Akola: 1986-1987: Rs 44,800.13 (rent and interest), Rs 2,099 (donations); 1987-1988: Rs 40,884.17 (rent and inter ­ est), Rs 3,386 (donations); 1988-1989* Ki n A co-rozA 44,901.16 (rent and interest), Rs Navsari: Rs 9,58,500. 2,755 (donations). Nilgiris: The Nilgiris Zarthosti Anjuman Ankleshwar: Received donations for Bombay Parsi Punchayet and this is its corpus. Poona: Approximately Rs 34 lakhs in ­ cluding immovable properties. Saronda: Rs 2,00,000. Secunderabad and Hyderabad: Dona- Belgaum: About Rs 1,500/- per annum SPP: The total corpus of all the ’trusts 1990).' 2,755 (donations). ghambar and other donation with condi ­ tions. Average Rs 12,0(X). Bardoli: 1986: Rs 40,000 (We celebrated 100 years and renovated dadgah); 1987: Rs 2,000; 1988: Rs 3,000; 1989: Rs 3,000. 1,42,778 with the Bombay Parsi chayat Board Surat and referred and interest on fixed deposits, (average of three years ending March 31, Bhagwa: Whenever a member of the anjuman dies Rs 151 is donated by his family to the Trust. Bhatha: The income from donations is 7,, . : , • negligible. lhane. Approximately Rs 1.5 lakhs. Bhavnagar: 1986: Rs 44 585' 1987* Rs Udwada: Rs 61,675. 12,205; 1988; Rs 7,625. 17,37,426 (as on March Bhesan: No income from donations. Bilimora: 1986: Rs 7,593 (revenue), Rs to in answer 2 is Rs 4,63,40,461.25 (as on March 31,1989). March 31,1990). _____ Akola: Immovable properties — Rs Surat Anjuman7Rs 40 000 1,41,184. Investments — Rs 86,782. Anideshwar: Trust scheme for rules and regulations. 33 Parsiana January 1993 I43.805 (capital); 1987: Rs 11,315 (reve ­ nue), Rs 39,212 (capital); 1988; Rs blocks — fees/rent: Rs 58,500, interest: 17,202 (revenue) Rs 42,204 (capital). Bombay: 1990; Rs 4,72,847.25 (from in ­ dividuals), Rs 24,49,316.85 (from other trusts); 1991; Rs 5,58,681.98 (from indi- Jhansi: Education fund interest from viduals), Rs 22,80,680.96 (from other Parsi Punchayet Rs 2,0(X) and Rs 262 in ­ trusts); 1992: Rs 16,61,150.01 (from in- terest of late Mr Lalla Fund. dividuals), Rs 12,55,014.97 (from other Karanj: No donations are asked for. trusts). Broach: 1988/89: Rs 3,26,500; 1989/90; Rs 2,20,700 and 1990/91: Rs 1,61,100. Dahanu'.: From charity box put in agiary 16,(XX), interest: Rs 21,000; Residential Nilgiris: 1987-88: Nil; 1988-89: R 2,148; 1989-90: Rs l,0(X)q)proximately. Rs 14,800; Aramgah — interest: Rs Poona: 1987: Rs 45,222; 1988-89: Rs 5,0(X). Contribution from members Rs 12,000. i : 1,21,737. Ratlam: Rs 1,000 approximately per an ­ num. Saronda: Rs 16,000, Rs 18,000, Rs 24,000. Secunderabad and Hyderabad: On an Kashmir: Negligible from visitors and average, agiary Rs 429, ghambar Rs 101, tourists during the last three years. In nassessalar Rs 351, subscription Rs 1991 a donation from the Delhi Parsi 11,343. Anjuman of Rs 10,000 was received for SPP: 1986-87: Rs 1,32,015.77; 1987-88; repairs to the boundary Rs 92,543.39; 1988-89: Rs 2,96,172.96. walls of the aramgah Thane: Not significant (less than Rs premises. Lonavla-Khandala: 1987-1988; Rs 2,515; 1988-89: Rs 504. Lucknow: 1986-87, Rs 12,508; 1987-88: Rs Vesu: Not answered. 28,004; 1988-89: Rs Vyara-Songadh: 1989-90: Rs 24,915; 15,801.86. Besides, do ­ nations in kind such as a ceiling fan and pieces of furniture were also (local), Rs 2,224 (from outside); 1988: received. Rs 10,870 (local), Rs 8,000 (from out- Mhow: 1984: Rs side). 25,177; 1985: Rs 3,854; 1986: Rs 14,403; 1987; Rs 9,743.26. Nagpur: 1,92,290; 24,420; 78,000. March 31,1989). NargoT. Different fig- Ahmednagar: About Rs 35,000. ures every year. Navsari: 1,000 per year). Udwada: 1986: Rs 5,054.38; 1987: Rs 6,472; 1988-89: Rs 8,104. Vadodara: 1986: Rs 27,958; 1987: Rs 16,107; 1988-89 (15 mouths): Rs 77,493. 1990-91: Rs 14,046; 1991-92: Rs Xlr^n. Zai Bordi'.'. 1986: Rs 9,410 (local), Rs 2,560 (from outside); 1987: Rs 10,850 9: ?r — 1987: Rs 4,600; 1988: Rs 4,750; 1989: Rs 7,700. Daman-Vapi: Approximately Rs 30,500, approximately over a three-year period. Delhi: 1985: Rs 2,27,034.65; 1986: Rs 7,90,024.85 (silver jubilee of agiary); 1987: Rs 3,11,020.55. Godavra: The income from donations is very small. Last year an amount of Rs 2,500 was received. IZA: 1988-89: Rs 44,000; 1989-90: Rs 48,000; 1990-91: Rs 51,000. Jamshedpur: Hostel — fees/rent: Rs 34 Parsiana January 1993 1984: Question 10b: What is the' income from other sources (interest, rent, etc.)? DW: Calcutta and Calicut. Rs Rs Agra: None. ’ 1 ^¦3^ ..^J9 fe 1986: 1987: 1988-89: Rs Ahmedabad: Rs 16,57,203.12 (as on Ajmer: 1986: Rs 4,324 (subscription), Rs Rs 26,851 (interest: general fund), Rs 3,817 21,700; 1987: Rs (interest: kathi fund), Rs 5,164 (dharam- 26,000; 1988-89 (15 shala maintenance); 1987: Rs 4,448 (sub­ months): Rs 53,991. scription), Rs 27,999 (general fund), Rs 5,500 (interest: kathi fund), Rs 8,679 (dharamshala maintenance); 1988 to March 1989: Rs 7,947 (subscription), Rs 31,871 (general fund), Rs 7,204 (interest: kathi fund), Rs 12;615 (dharamshala 1986: 1987: Left: Burial grounds in Calicut (above) and Allahabad Below: Property adjoining dokhma land maintenance). in Poona Akola: See answer 10(a). The rent is re- •5ia^ E. ¦ r w.o I I 5 ¦ ¦ I I e I 1 3 ¦i Ot iWlj h I p 1^ 7W. wy 1 ceived from five small shops in our agiary compound. _ _ _______ Allahabad: Interest from banks average ments), ’Rs 10,73,013.55 (income from Rs 22,000 per year, Antdeshwar: House rent: Rs 3,600, inter ­ est: about Rs 36,000, Zoroastrian Hall rent: Rs 12,000. _ _________ ___ _ Bardoli: Rs 10,000 from interest and Rs other sources); 1992: Rs 40 66 942 58 3,000 from rent. Belgaum: About Rs 45,0(X) per annum (average of three years ending March 31. 1990). Bhagwa: About Rs 10,0(X). Bhatha: About Rs 5,500. Bhavnagar: Interest: Rs 18,000 yearly. Rent: Rs 13,200 yearly. Bhesan: The income from other sources is about Rs 26,000. _____ ______ Bilimora: Income from house rent/Iand Delhi: Rs 3,01,428. - ----- March 1989) is Rs 1,74,424. Interest on investments is Rs 4,29,162. Miscellane- _______________ _____ ______ _ OUS income (furniture, utensils given on Jamshedpur: See answer 10(a). hire) is around Rs 2,(X)0 annually. Jhansi: Rent: Rs 330 from three blocks. Bondray: 1990: Rs 32,03,128.90 (rent Karanj: About Rs 27,350. occupation charges). 1,87,35,749.93 (income from invesi- Rs Dharamshalas in Ahmedabad (above left) and Agra (right), in Madras (below left) and Secunderabad Other sources); 1991: Rs 32,82,188.68 (rent and occupation charges), Rs Kashmir: Interest from fixed deposits in 1,53,90,264.19 (income from invest- the name of “Kashmir Parsee Zoroastrian ments), Rs 11,27^^3^3.49 (income from Aramgah Fund ” is the only source of in - X. come the anjuman has. (rent and occupation charges), Rs Lonavla-Khandala: Sorry, figures \iviii aiiu uvvupduuii ciidrges;, ks iMnavia-is.handala: oorry, figures not 1,37,97,031.87 (income from invest- available when filling the form. ments), Rs 7,48,089.07 (income from Lucknow: For the year ended March 31 other sources). ----- - ’ Broach: I 15,00,000 per annum; rent: approxi- was ks 4,ooy; ana interest received on mately Rs 18,000 per annum. fixed deposits and saving bank accounts Dahanu: Rent from Anjuman Chawl Rs Rs 15,658.20; from sale of fruits and 4,000 monthly. Daman-Vapi: Interest. rent (fo^^^e period January 1988 to Dumas: Rs 12,000 from interest. Godavra: About Rs 17,(X)0. IZA: About Rs 20,00,per annum. available when filling the form. 1988: from rents it was Rs 59,825.30; Interest: approximately Rs from anjuman and club subscriptions, it 4,689; and interest received fixed deposits and saving bank accounts flowers in the aramgah it was Rs 2,500. Mhow: For the year ended December 31, 1984: Rs 1,56,201.16; for the year ended December 31, 1985: Rs 2,01,654.43; for the year ended December 31, 1986: Rs 2,18,132.99; for the year ended Decem ­ ber 31, 1987: Rs 2,58,473.63. Nagpur: 1986: Rs 1,65,384 (interest and dividend), Rs 94,320 (rent); 1987: Rs 35 Parsiana January 1993I 'f. t I. 1) it 2,09,311 (interest and dividend), Rs Ahmednagar: Not yet. We have applied tions and running neck to neck. 1,25,880 (rent); 1988: Rs 2,96,724 (inter- for the special exemption certificate. Bilimora: Yes. The annual income is est and dividend), Rs 1,67,080 (rent). Nargol: Interest of deposits. ~ Navsari: 1986: Rs 50,600; 1987: Rs Bombay : No, it being a communal trust. 52,000; 1988-89: Rs 98,200. Nilgiris: The trust has no income except to Agiary Repairs and Renovation Fund. Rs 280 per annum from a cultivator on our land and Rs 100 per annum from a man who cuts and takes away the grass growing on our land. Poona: It varies, considering the rent and donors under section 80G of the Income period January 1, 1988 to March 31, quantum of interest. Tax Act, 1961. 1989, the total amount spent by this Ratlam: Rs 20,000 approximately per Nanded: No, applied for. Anjuman came to Rs 5,25,()00. At pres- year. SPP . Certain trusts are eligible according ent on an average we spend around Rs Saronda: Rs 21,(XX) from interest. to income tax rules and regulations. 4,20,000. Out of this, the salary bill Secunderabad and Hyderabad: Average Vesu: Not yet obtained. amounts to Rs 1,25,000 annually. rents Rs 5,30,000; interest Rs 1,40,000. Not applicable: Calicut, Kashmir and Bombay: No. In some of the Parsi SPP; 1986-87: Rs 43,45,948.57; 1987- Ratlam. Punchayet accounts such as doonger- 88: Rs 47,30,572.56; 1988-89; Rs 49,02,530.16. Surat Anjuman: Income from other sources is over Rs 95,000. Thane: Approximately Rs 25,000 per punchayet self sufficient (i.e. is the an- year from interest and membership fees. i—- - ----------- -------------------- ---------- Udwada: 1986: Rs 9,107 (interest), Rs expenditure)? 542 (utensils hire charge); 1987: Rs Yes: Ahmedabad, Bardoli, Bhesan, 10,476.75 (interest), Rs 738 (utensils hire Broach, Calcutta, Calicut, Delhi, IZA, Ajmer: No (as registered under section generally sufficient to meet the annual 12A(a) of Income Tax Act, 1961). expenditure. However under certain heads such as sickness funds (medical Delhi.-800 relief is granted for donations expenses), agiary kathi funds, monthly help to needy people, etc the requirement exceeds the availability of the income from the specific funds. In such cases, to meet any urgent demand, we are required Jhansi: No donation received. Lucknow: For the present, no. However we are making efforts in the income tax department to secure relief for our future to draw upon the general funds. For the Not applicable: Calicut, Kashmir and Bombay: No. Ratlam. Anjuman which has not replied to the wadi, dharamshalla there are large defi- question; Nargol. cits and donations have to be raised. Dahanu: We can just manage. Question 12: Is your anjuman/ Dumas: Vi/e were not self-sufficient. We appealed to various funds and friends and nual income sufficient to meet the annual have collected Rs 50,000. Now we will have no problems except for major repair work. Godavra: Yes ^d no. The trust mainly charge); 1988-89: Rs 13,327.01 (inter- Jamshedpur, Karanj, Lonavla-Khandala, gives educational help, medical help and est), Rs 433 (utensils hire charge). Madras, Mhow, Nagpur, Nargol, Poona, relief to those who are poverty-stricken Vadodara: 1986: Rs 1,12,984; 1987: Rs 1,37,134; 1988-89 (15 months): Rs Surat Anjuman and Vyara-Songadh. 1,93,089; 1 „ . ¦ Vesu: Interest approximately Rs 2,300 dodara and Vesu. per year. Vyara-Songadh: 1989-90: Rs 61,760 (in ­ terest), Rs 11,520 (house rent), Rs 1,626 (miscellaneous); 1990-91: Rs 24,110 (in ­ terest), Rs 11,520 (house rent), Rs 2,002 Ajmer: As our annual income from inter- (miscellaneous); 1991-92: Rs 22,003 (in ­ terest); Rs 11,520 (house rent), Rs 6,903 (miscellaneous). Zai Bordi: 1986: Rs 16,641 (rent), Rs 29,961 (interest); 1987: Rs 15,705 (rent), Rs 34,346 (interest); 1988: Rs 18,290 A/z,/a. Thepresentincomeisvcryinsuf- (rent), Rs 46,676 (interest). Anjumans which have not replied to the question: Kalyan, Madras and Nanded. Madras, Mhow, Nagpur, Nargol, Poona, Ratlam, Secunderabad and Hyderabad, and cannot work. The deficit is met from other trusts under the management of the No: Agra, Daman-Vapi, Saronda, Va- president Davar Kavasji Modi. Jhansi: No. Donation is required for re- Ahmednagar: Sufficient but not enough pairing the dharamshala and aramgah. to carry out developmental work. Mostly Kalyan: Short of funds for kathi for it goes in maintenance of agiary, priest ’s salary, chasni person ’s salary. agiary and maintenance of agiary. Kashmir: The annual income is just suf ­ ficient at present to meet the annual regular expenditure on salaries to em ­ ployees. No other expenses can be borne. est and subscription is insufficient to meet our annual expenditure, hence we . _ rely heavily on donations to general Lucknow: No. We are desperately short fund, kathi fund and rent from dharam ­ shala. of funds. Our aramgah-ravangah was constructed in 1872. It was submerged _____ __ __________ in the devastating flood of Lucknow city ficient. We are unable to give a good in 1960. The building was repaired md salary to our old mobed. Our income is just enough to cover firewood cost and other expenses, but we are unable to meet the demand for a better salary to our per month salary. Allahabad: No. We cannot proceed in any other activities. Ankleshwar: Yes, just two end.s meet. We want to repair our properties but compound, can ’t manage. Belgaum: Just about meets expenditure. renovated in 1963-64. Now its roof is leaking badly. Other repairs are also re ­ quired such as replacement of windows, etc. The same is the position in Parakh mobed. At present he gets Rs 800 Bagh. The old building complex which was put up, viz prayer hall, dharamshala, mobed saheb ’s quarters and the flats need heavy and special repairs. So also other residential flats in the Parakh Bagh Question 11 ¦ Do donors get any tax relief, if they donate money to you? No: Agra, Akola, Allahabad, Anklesh ­ war, Bardoli, Belgaum, Bhagwa, Bhatha, Bhavnagar, Bhesan, Bilimora, Broach, Calcutta, Dahanu, Daman-Vapi, Dumas, Godavra,IZA,Jamshedpur,Kalyan,Kar- ... --------- . . anj, Lonavla-Khandala, Madras, Mhow, can ’t manage. Nanded: Self-reliant and self-sufticient. Nagpur, Navsari, Nilgiris, Poona, Sa- Belgaum: Just about meets expenditure. Navsari: Income not sufficient to cover ronda, Secunderabad and Hyderabad, Bhagwa and Bhatha: No. It is difficult to all annual^xpcnses. ................. Surat Anjuman, Thane, Udwada, Va ­ dodara, Vyara-Songadh and Zai Bordi. Ahmedabad: No, not yet. maintain the sacred fire and to pay the Nilgiris: The anjuman is self-sufficient salaries of a mobed, etc. Bhavnagar: No, it is going on with dona- and is able to provide funds for the main ­ tenance of the cemetery, and also to do- I t f fe 36 Parsiana January 1993 Inate to charities, both Parsi and non-Parsi charities. SPP: Our liabilities arc vast as will be Bombay: 271 as on July 31, 1992. clear from the number of institutions we manage and we find it extremely and in ­ creasingly difficult to make two ends Dumas: We have two full-time mobeds. meet. Thane: Our present activities (limited as they are by financial constraints) are car ­ ried out within our annual budget of ap ­ proximately Rs 25,000. Udwada: With limited corpus and invest ­ ments, and of course limited income, no sufficient help is extended cither for edu ­ cational, medical or any other cause, either in cash or in kind. Zai Bordi: It depends on donations we receive. If we get less donations, we arc in loss in that particular year. watchmen for keeping watch over the Ankleshwar: Three — accountant, two anjuman land. watchmen. Bilimora: See answer 13a. Bondjay: 20 as on July 31, 1992. Broach: Four. Calcutta: DW. /Z4.- Four at the office and three at our Jamshedpur: Three part-time employees wadi. Jamshedpur: Three persons in aramgah. Kalyan: Administrative — only honorary other for writing accounts, secretary. Agiary employees — onepan- thaky, one assistant mobed, one agiary servant and one sweeper. Karanj: The anjuman ’s finances, ac- part-time seasonal helper when required, counts, etc arc managed by Shri Surat Lucknow: One part-time sweepress at the Parsi Anjuman Panchayct hence no staff Parakh Bagh. is required. Kashmir: Two full-time malis-cum- chowkidars who demand an increase in salary every year. Question 13a: How many full-time Lurjtziow. Oncfull-timcscrvantfordhar- employees does the anjuman have? None: Lonavla-Khandala, Madras, Rat ­ lam and Thane. Two: Calicut and Jhansi. Three: Agra, Nanded, Saronda and Surat Hormazd Baug premises. Anjuman. Madras: None — all honorary. Four: Bhavnagar, Daman-Vapi and Zai Mhow: Four including two mobed Bordi. Six: Broach and Navsari. Nine: Delhi and Nagpur. Ahmedabad: 10. Ahmednagar: One priest, one chasni per- and one peon. saria Hall, Sanatorium and residential es- son. Secunderabad and Hyderabad: 17 per- tates. Ajmer: One panthaky saheb, caretaker — manent, four temporary. Ahmednagar: Palentin Agiary. fire-temple complex and dharamshala, SPP: 269 full-time employees for all the Ajmer: Fire-temple, dharamshala, doon- watchman — at doongerwadi. institutions referred to above. gerwadi (only one in northern India), all Akola: One mobed and one servant full- Udwada: No employees. It is the secre- well maintained. tirne. lary who caters honorary service. Belgaum: Anjuman runs a small two- Allahabad: One. A mali at the aramgah. Vadodara: Three: manager of dharam- room dharamshala open only to Parsis Ankleshwar: Three — dasturji for hoi, shala, the priest (panthaky), upkeeper of visiting Belgaum. nassessalar and manager. agiary. Bhagwa: Formerly there was a dharam- Bardoli: One. " “ * . . - Belgaum: One full-time mobed. Bhagwa and Bhatha'. Accounts, etc are Anjuman which has not replied to the kept by the Shri Surat Parsi Anjuman question: Vesu. Panchayet. One full-time employee, namely the mobed. ~ Bhesan and Godavra: Accounts, etc are employees does the anjuman have? Bhesan: Formerly two agiaries and one kept by the Shri Surat Parsi Anjuman None: Agra, Ahmedabad, Ahmednagar, dharamshala. Panchayet. ' ............... ~ Bilimora: The office staff consists of Delhi, Godavra, Jhansi, Madras, Nilgiris, Calcutta: DW. Dahanu: Two mobeds, one helper. at the hostel. Kalyan: Two, one for collecting rent and Karanj: None for the reason mentioned in 13a. Kashmir: One part-time accountant and a Mhow: Three including accountant. SPP: A few. The responsibilities are so vast that in certain directions we require more full-time employees. Vadodara: One office accountant. amshala and Parakh Bagh premises as Anjumans which have not replied to the well a.s to do errand work. One full-time question: Dumas, IZA, Nargol and Vesu. gardener (mali) who lives in an accom ­ modation provided by the anjuman in Question 14: What are the institutions run by your anjuman/punchayet? Agra: We have our aramgah established since 1881 and ke^t in a spick and span sahebs. condition, with all facilities. Nargol: One mobed plus assistant. Ahmedabad: Vakil Anjuman Aa'daraan Nilgiris: One — a mali or gardener. (agiary), Parsi Doongerwadi, Parsi Dhar- Poona: Seven, including three gardeners amshala. Dr Dhunjishaw Edulji Ankle- and one peon. Secunderabad and Hyderabad: 17 per- institutions referred to above. Cdwada: No employees. It is the secre ­ tary who caters honorary service. Vadodara: Three: manager of dharam- agiary. Vyara-Songadh: One mobed for the shala and an agiary. However, the sacred agiary, one agiary kamdar. fire has been shifted to Bhatha and kept in a separate room in the premises of the adarian saheb there. ' Bhatha: The adarian saheb and a dhar- Question 13b: How many part-time amshala. First the fires of both Akola, Allahabad, Belgaum, Bhesan, agiaries were merged and later shifted to --------- .... ......----- ------------- Surat. Agiary buildings and dharamshala four persons including a secretary and Poona, Ratlam, Saronda, Thane and building were sold this year and the other employees. At present two mobeds Udwada. amount capitalized. and one kamdar are attached to adarian One: Bardoli, Bhagwa, Bhatha, Bilimora: The following institutions are saheb. For Tata Baug and Rustom Baug Bhavnagar, Secunderabad and Hydera- run by our anjuman: adarian saheb; Tata we have a manager and a peon. For rent bad, Surat Anjuman and Zai Bordi. Baug and Rustom Baug for navjote, mar- collection we have one rent collector. Two: Calicut, Lonavla-Khandala, Nan- riage functions, community dinners For dokhma we have a part-time Parsi ded, Navsari and Vyara-Songadh. (ghambars) and for lodging and boarding worker, a watchman and a servant for Three: Dahanu, Daman-Vapi and of the passengers, etc; two dokhmas. cleaning bungli, etc. Besides due to en- Nagpur. croachment trouble we have kept two Ajmer: Three —servant, gardenersweeper. Bhaiha, bad, Surat Anjuman and Zai Bordi. Two: Calicut, Lonavla-Khandala, Nan ­ ded, Navsari and Vyara-Songadh. ~ Daman-Vapi Dahanu, Bombay: Lady Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Health Unit and Cottage Hospital, F. S. i L 1 ! ( I I 38 Parsiana January 1993 it J IParukh Dharamshalla, Doongerwadi, Sir Jamshedpur: There is no separate institu- J. J. Zarthosti Madressa, Bai Soonabai tion run by our association, and Seth Behramji H. Sorabji Parsi Stu- Jhansi'. Children Gujarati school, dents ’ Hostel, F. D. Alpaiwalla Museum, learn the prayers (Sunday school). Godavara Daremeher, Boyce Dharam ­ shalla and Vimadalal Pavilion at Sanjan and Bai Ratanbai (Tata) Edulji Bamji Sanatorium at Navsari. Broach: Motlabai Wadia Parsi Girls ’ High School and R. M. Dalal Ladies Tai ­ loring work class. Calcutta: A dharamshala for Parsi trav ­ ellers, a ravangah and a tower of silence. Daman-Vapi: Agiary. Delhi: Katrak Dar-e-Meher Delhi, al though a Dar-e-Meher all five bois are performed daily; Navroz Bagh Aramgah number of years no one was using it at Shah Jehan Road, New Delhi; Ar ­ amgah adjacent to Dar-e-Meher, closed since many years; Mengusi Dharamshala to Surat. It was maintaining a dokhma having about 70 beds; Bhiwandiwalla but it has not been used for over 20 years community hall which has a sitting ca ­ pacity of about 150 people; Deepanjali, six-monthly magazine of Delhi Parsi Anjuman provided free of cost to all members. Silence at Surat. charitable trusts, including atash behram. In addition we look after the requests Lonavla-Khandala: Guest house for Par- adarians, agiaries and trusts for several of the smaller anjumans in our vicinity sis who cannot afford hotel rooms. purposes. Il has va^i powers and also by providing them with services of our Madras: See answers 1 and 2. gives aid for education, medical relief, priest and any other assistance required Nagpur: Parsi agiary called Mullan relief of poverty, etc. by them. We also look after the ararngah Daremeher, Billimoria Brothers Parsi Thane: The Anjuman plays a focal role at Simla. Dharamshala, burial ground called Parsi in providing a platform for all its mem ­ bers to meet and thus consolidate com ­ munity spirit through the organization of six to eight functions in a year. At pres ­ ent there is no other institution I managed by the Anjuman. I Udwada: No institutions — ex- I cept help to the Zoroastrian in I cash or in kind. I Vadodara: Dharamshala, com- ' munity hall (Pirojshah Godrej I Hall), agiary, dokhma. I Vyara-Songadh: An agiary and a dokhma. None: Akola, Allahabad, Ank- I leshwar, Bardoli, Bhavnagar, I Dahanu, Dumas, Godavra, IZA, I Kashmir, Lucknow, I Nilgiris and Zai Bordi. I Not applicable: Calicut , Poona. I Anjuman which has not replied I to the question: Vesu. Anjuman also owns seven residential buildings housing 60 Parsi families all in To one complex called Tata Bang. Handed: Balak Mandir, blood bank. Arti ­ ficial Limb Centre. Kalyan: A Parsi agiary at Kalyan. The trust has two rental buildings for middle- Nargol: Shri Punjiaji Daremaher and class Parsis at Kalyan. One was built out Anjuman Dadgah. of donation from ex-chairman Ardeshir Navsari: Khan Bahdur Mervanji H. H. Bhiwandiwalla and the other from the Aboowala and Bai Jaiji M. Aboowala trustees of the D. N. E. Dinshaw Trust. Parsi Infirmary, Sohrab Baug Dharam- The rent is utilized for maintenance of shala. the Agiary, salaries of agiary staff and Ratlam: Aramgah. maintenance of trust buildings after de ­ ducting municipal taxes. Karanj: It was running a dharamshala till some years back but now since for a long Library. SPP: See answer 2. Therein there is no reference about our Sir J. J. English Saronda: Agiary, water-well for animals, dokhma, dispensary (partly). Secunderabad and Hyderabad'. PZASH hence it was sold. It was maintaining an agiary but now the fire has been shifted School (a full-fledged English medium school having coeducation), sanatoriums, residential facilities, etc as they form a part of our principal trust fund generally known as Parsi Panchayat Daftar. Surat Anjuman: The anjuman admini- now, surrounding lands have been sold. If a death occurs the body is brought to Surat in the Surat Parsi Panchayet ’s hearse and consigned to the Towers of sters the accounts of about 45 other Silence at Surat. Lonavla-Khandala: Guest house for Par ­ sis who cannot afford hotel rooms. 1 j i. Vadodara’s dharamshala and Pirojshah Godrej Hall Daremeher, Billimoria Brothers Parsi Dharamshala, burial ground called Parsi aramgah, Guzder Library. The above four institutions are owned and controlled by the Anjuman. The i<’• ¦ J "is 40 Parsiana January 1993 * f hl f "11 11 II’ 5l Mhow, f I 9fi i Question 15: What are the major problems faced by your anjuman/punchayet? Financial only: Bhagwa, Bhatha and Godavra. Agra: The major problems faced by our anjuman are shortages of funds for the maintenance of ¦1 ( t J ¦ Ik-p B i dharamshala which consists of 10 rooms Belgaum: Very small anjuman with only attached with bathrooms, a common din ­ ing hall, a prayer hall and a manager ’s quarters, and aramgah. The trustees of the Agra Parsi Anjuman have taken the decision to rent out certain portions of the dharamshala provements. Only one full-time mobed admeasuring 1,264 sq ft carpet area to and cannot afford assistant. I’ Zoroastrian firms or banking/insurance chasniwala available at salary affordable and have been unsuccessful in getting by anjuman, thereby cleanliness of dar-e- someone to occupy this place. We are meher affected. At present it is cleaned sure if we could get a rent then we can periodically by a few volunteering shortage of birds at our tower of silence, stand on our own feet without asking any anjuman members. We recently obtained the services of two • financial help from others. ~ Ahmedabad: Similar problems as faced by our community elsewhere in the country. However, job opportunities are comparatively lesser. gives only vegetarian food. Even he does are trying to overcome as best we can. Ahmednagar: That of dwindling popula- not touch eggs also. For our agiary, at Otherwise we have a small and contented tion as faced by others also! We have present one Parsi gentleman is working community, about 20 families and about 95 persons as safai kamdar, but he is also thinking only. We are helping outsiders to settle of resigning. Now what to do in future if down in Ahmednagar. Recently, about Parsi gentleman is not available? Kathi four to five persons have come from out ­ side with the intention of settling in Ahmednagar. Ahmednagar has a good lem. Important thing is shortage of vol climate and industrial and business po ­ tential. Also it has engineering, medical, management, law and computer technol ­ ogy colleges. as volunteers? For our agiary and dhar- Delhi: Fortunately we do not have'any Ajmer: Being a small anjuman, with lim- amshala buildings, repairing work is ab- major problem as an anjuman. The com- ited financial resources of our own, we solutely necessary and we are short of munity is less than 800 in numbers, rely heavily on outstation donations for the upkeep of staff and property of the fire-temple, dharamshala and doonger- Bilimora: We have a major problem of wadi. Unwillingness of panthakis to protecting the lands against the litigation number of aged persons. serve long in small up-country panthaks started by the so-called tenant under the Jhansi: Due to lack of funds we are un- with restricted source of income results tenancy laws. Similarly we are involved able to keep dasturji. in frequent changes. in cases where certain land was sold off Kalyan: Irregular payment of rent by ten- Ahola: Our agiary and dharamshala are previously at a rate much below the then ants. Maintenance of agiary and build- about 120 years old. Some piece of prevailing market price. Even at the very ings. agiary compound was sold with the per- modest estimate the land involved in Kashmir: As there is one family of Mr mission of the charity commissioner, and five small shops were constructed out of rupees. this income. We are running our institu ­ tion from the rent received from these shops, but this rent is now insufficient to meet our requirements as the shops carry a rent which were built some 20 years ago. We are unable to carry out repairs to our agiary and dharamshala buildings fees, etc. We have moved the courts for due to lack of funds. Allahabad: None except outside en ­ croachment of cemetery boundary walls. Ankleshwar: We have published public difficult due to the fact that tenancy laws appeal for donations to repair our dar-e- are very much loaded in favor of the ten- meher and dokhma, Zoroastrian hall and ants. other properties which are all almost 100 Bombay: Provisions of the Rent Act treat Lucknow: The major problems at present years old. From donations received so even a charity trust like any other land- faced by the anjuman concern our land far, work for dar-e-meher could be com ­ pleted. We need more amount for reno ­ vation work of other properties. for maintenance and repairs of rented 26 family and 12 single members. Most properties. Inadequate availability of members quite elderly, no younger Parsis lands for meeting with demand for hous- migrating to Belgaum, and poor growth ing. prospects. Income just covers expendi ­ ture with no surplus to carry out im- Broach: Not applicable. Calcutta: The usual ones which, we pre ­ sume, are being faced by many other No anjumans. There is an acute shortage of mobeds which we are trying to overcome with the good offices of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). There is also a anjuman members. Bhavnagar: For our dharamshala we do experienced employees of the BPP to not get Parsi caretaker. At present we clean out the well and bury the bones are having one non-Parsi caretaker who nearby, as is being done in Bombay, does not give non-vegetarian food, he Housing is another problem which we gives only vegetarian food. Even he does Calicut: The community as such is very very small and we require an influx of Parsis to Calicut. We are unable to find a full-fledged dastur after the last man retired in September 1991. We have now a paramobed only. unteers for ruvan (i.e. dead body). Very Dahanu: By the grace of God nothing se- acute shortage and what to do in future if rious till now. we do not have Parsi young boys to work Daman-Vapi: Financial and mobed. as volunteers? For our agiary and dhar ­ amshala buildings, repairing work is ab- for holy fire i.e. baval wood has become very costly. That is also a future prob- funds. Repairing work requires at least There is a shifting population and as minimum one and a half lakh rupees. most of our population is in Delhi for work therefore we do not have a large modest estimate the land involved in such cases is worth more than a crore of and Ms Pestonjee in Srinagar, there is no Further the anjuman has got one to share the responsibilities of the quite a good number of houses given on upkeep of the aramgah. Khushru Peston- hire both for residential as well as busi- jee goes fairly regularly to supervise the ness purposes. A good deal of litigation is involved on this account also. We have to spend very substantial amount on expenses such as lawyer ’s fees, court recovery of such lands as well as defen ­ ding against the sham character of ten ­ ancy. However, the task becomes very maintenance. However, the aramgah be ­ ing in the army cantonment, a special pass is required to go to the area. With the ongoing disturbances and violence in the valley, it is with considerable risk that he goes there. Hence there are many problems that cannot be attended to due to unavoidable circumstances and weather hazards. Lonavla-Khandala: Finance for a new guest house for poor Parsis. circumstances even a charity trust like any other land ­ lord which comes in the way of helping and buildings estates — Parakh Bagh and the poor and needy by way of allotting Hormazd Bagh — which were valued by old charity rent Hals. Inadequate funds a government approved valuer in 1986 E i I I * 4 41 Parsiana January 1993 1 I1 sheer lack of young people. Total mem- bership:300. Total number of families : 100. j Udwada: Like anjumans of other places, ies and towns make the priests think Udwada does not have one anjuman. J who had as a result of inspection, analy- tractive terms and free accommodation, sis and appraisal given his considered Nargol: No permanent panthaky is avail ­ opinion that as on March 31, 1986 the able. High income and good living in cit- value of our Parakh Bagh property was Rs 23,92,300 and that of Hormazd Bagh twice about going to far off places, in The athomans (priests) being a majority, was Rs 20,54,600. After March 1986, spite of being offered good pay and other most of the lump is achieved by them more than three years have elapsed and facilities. Missionary zeal (as in Chris- through donations or by other means. so there is no doubt that value must have tian priests) should be instilled in the Behdins being small in number, and with further appreciated. As such, our bal- present generation of our priests. ance sheet as at March 31, 1988 shows Navsari: Problems of unemployment, that our general fund, maintenance fund, reserve fund and aramgah fund are mini ­ mal. The position of repairs has been briefly described in reply to Question 12. three acres which the trust owns. We are With limited funds, limited income Particularly so, our dharamshala block in consultation with a prominent lawyer and limited donations, the help extended ) although it has been repaired from time over this matter. to the behdin families are of course lim- » to time has dampness in walls especially Poona: The major problem facing the ited. If more funds are received we can ( so during the rainy season. The founda ­ tion of dharamshala block constructed in 1948 is not damp proof and requires spe ­ cial treatment by an expert agency. Efforts have been made to raise dona- Housing Development Company, Bom- knowledge; no significant population tions both from amongst our members bay, we are taking steps to get this ambi- and Zoroastrian philanthropists residing tious project going shortly. outside Lucknow. In the previous years, Saronda: One mobed is very old and we appeals have been published by Par- need a young man to assist him. We are siana. The Zoroastrian and Jam-e-Jam­ shed. So far, from June 1, 1985 till this date we have been able to collect pro ­ gressive donations of Rs 92,136.06 with and lack of sufficient funds for housing. Nilgiris: We are unable to get the culti ­ vator to vacate the land he occupies which is about two acres of the roughly retary. three acres which the trust owns. We are a limited corpus, do not even have place to make office premises. The furniture, utensils are kept in rented premises and the books, etc are with the honorary sec- I I Poona Parsee Panchayat is providing extend the hand of cooperation to the housing for needy 2Loroastrians. For this needy even outside Udwada which are purpose we have adequate land received often left out. as donation and in conjunction with Tata Vadodara: Lack of spread of religious I growth; no set-up for career counselling; amelioration of priestly class; lack of funds for the welfare of poor, sick and in need of medical help; lack, of interaction j in need of a donor to gift one electric among members; lack of funds for proper motor for our anjuman well. maintenance of ^anchayat properties. Secunderabad and Hyderabad: Housing Vesu: We cater to elderly members of | J t-.i. r__ i-----our Community. all possible personal approaches and ap- SPP: There is lot of accommodation in Vyara-Songadh: All buildings are dilapi- peals published already. Ours is a small some of our institutions such as orphan- - - • ..... anjuman consisting of a total population ages for Parsi boys and girls, Parsi mater- of 110 persons including children. We nity hospital, Parsi general hospital, in ­ firmly believe in self-reliance but we c __ ’ need support from the Bombay Parsi of now scanty Parsi population. These enchroachment. Punchayet and other bigger punchayets are such useful institutions but these days Zai Bordi: Major problem faced by our and anjumans. there is not sufficient number to take ad- anjuman is short of funds. Whatever we * ....................................... collect, it goes again for the increment of pays to mobeds, chasniwala, secretary, mali. We get old rents which are very dated and require renovation. Old agiary building was reconstructed. Nashakhana requires renovation. Dokhma land re- dustrial institute for women, etc because quires compound wall to prevent 1 I s there is not sufficient number to take ad- Mhow': Shortage of fully qualified vantage thereof as these institutions are mobeds for the only adarian saheb in the meant for Parsis only. In proportion to whole of north and central India; short ­ age of kathi at reasonable rates. Mhow is a cantonment with no municipal area. Hence, we are finding it difficult to build are concerned.- We have open lands and will be happy to construct residential None: Bardoli, Bhesan, Dumas, IZA, | quarters thereon if liberal donations are Jamshedpur, Karanj; Madras, Nanded, | Ratlam and Surat Anjuman. Question 16: What assistance, if any, | expenses incurred the gain to the com ­ munity is less because of shortage of low. Moreover 12 blocks building is beneficiaries as far as such institutions ’ very old and it needs major repairing which is beyond our limit. will be happy to construct residential None: Bardoli, Bhesan, Dumas, IZA, blocks/houses on the lands available with us as the central government does not en ­ courage building in an army station. For given, in the name of donors, the same reason no industry is permitted Thane: The major problems are not in Mhow. This drives the younger gen- unique to Thane but in line with the is- _ eration out in search of employment op- sues which face our community in Bom- do you require from the community at i portunities. The result is dwindling Parsi bay. They mainly are: The identity crisis large? I - - .... .. . • - — -—. Agra: We require the following assis- I ucuicasiiig 11U111W13 uuv lu iiuiiiuvi' tance: financial help for the maintenance | of deaths than births. It may be noted that of the dharamshala; financial help for the | ' ¦ maintenance of the aramgah. The most J important is this that we require a Parsi | Zoroastrian firm to occupy on rent cer- | tain portion of our dharamshala measur- | ____ , ing 1,264 sq ft carpet area. From the rent j nearby areas such as Kalyan on one side we shall be in a position to maintain the | tant mobeds to assist our panthalcy saheb and suburbs of Bombay up to Vikhroli; in running our agiary in spite of very at- absence of a vibrant youth body due to unique to Thane but in line with the is ­ sues which face our community in Bom- population, most of whom are elderly. A caused by the miniscule minority status; consequence is that the properties held decreasing numbers due to larger number by our anjuman tend to fell vacant and < ................................. there are often difficulties in having the ‘absolute ’ number of members has them occupied by coreligionists. An- been increasing but this is due to the fact other consequence is the often inade ­ quate utilization of financial resources. that more Parsi families are settling in __________ Thane and/or due to the fact that our Nagpur: By God ’s grace none; except anjuman also accepts members from that we find it very difficult to get assis- i ’ dharamshala and aramgah, or recom ­ mend someone for the same. 42 Parsiana January 1993 J1 i come forward we may do something in Jamshedpur: The only major problem is the matter. Bombay: Larger amount of donations; greater cooperation from tenants/occu- housing for those who retire from TISCO, TELCO or other major compa ­ nies. They have to vacate company houses on retirement/death of an earning member. Apart from this, there is no Ahmednagar: We have started a kathi fund. We would appreciate if we receive funds for this. Ajmer: Regular monetary assistance. Akola: We shall be very happy if some pants of rented flats with a view to in ­ donor comes forward to help us carry out crease the rent, in giving service charges repairs to our old buildings. If any person and towards maintenance and repairs of other problem. For this we need assis- is willing to help us we will send neces ­ sary information regarding the costs of ill-informed criticism of the organiza- repairs, paint, etc. We shall be thankful to you if you can help our old and repu ­ table institution. Ankleshwar: Donations for repair of tations. dokhma, roovan-ni-bangli, compound Broach: Not applicable, wall for 2k)roastrian Hall. Belgaum: Mainly financial to augment from asking the community for financial the anjuman ’s corpus and income, thereby enabling it to: meet rising annual expenditure; better maintain and improve our children. and graveyard, anjuman ’s properties — dar-e-meher, Dahanu: Thank you but we try to make Kalyan: Donations for kathi and for con - dharamshala, mobed ’s residential quar- ends meet. With the help of members of structing building will be appreciated, ters and burial ground; employ a our community we get things done for Kashmir: Assistance in the form of dona- chasniwala, mainly to ensure cleanliness our dar-e-meher of Dahanu Road. But we tions for the repair and upkeep of the of dar-e-meher; employ an assistant have a dokhma at Zai which is used by premises is required. Due to heavy snow- mobed (also as a standby if present our community from Davier, Zai Bordi, fall in the winter there has been consi- mobed quits). Golvad and Dahanu Road. There was no derable damage to the graves, bunglis, Bhagwa: Donations to maintain the fire " ................. and to pay the mobed ’s salary. Bhatha: Donations to maintain the sa ­ cred fire, to pay the mobed ’s salary and and now we need approximately Rs show any interest or concern about it. As to maintain the dharamshala. 30,(X)0 for the completion of this wall, there is no one else here, all the responsi- Bhavnagar: Very important is building Hence if we can get funds for this good bility and burden of looking after the sa- repairing fund and the rest is above. Our cause it will be vwy helpful. ’ .... agiary is 98 years old, and after two Daman-Vapi: Financial. years we are having agiary centenary and Dumas: When major repair work arises, for celebration of centenary we require we call for dona- tions. funds. Godavra: Dona- tions in or- Bilimora: Since the population here is der to give more help to- Lonavla-Khandala: We intend to demo ­ declining day by day we want more wards education, medi- people from outside to come and settle cal aid and relief *** of pov- down here. For this we have no funds at erty. present to construct houses. If the donors old buildings; avoiding misplaced and tance in the form of donations. The Jamshedpur Parsi Association was formed in 1937. Although, on pa ­ per, it covers Jamshedpur, in practice it covers the whole of Bihar and Orissa. It has 234 families on its rolls (number of households). The total number of Parsis Calcutta: As far as possible we refrain covered by the association including women and children is 610. assistance. Jhansi: Funds to keep a permanent das- Calicut: In finding suitable partners for turji; funds to maintain the dharamshala our children. tion; need of greater awareness in the community to know and appreciate dif ­ ficulties of the apex body as also its limi- our dar-e-meher of Dahanu Road. But we have a dokhma at Zai which is used by our community from Davier, 2Sai Bordi, Golvad and Dahanu Road. There was no wall around this dokhma and with the walls, tanks and equipment. Unfortu- help of donations we have built the wall nately hardly a couple of families of the but unfortunately the funds are exhausted departed souls buried in the aramgah, and now we need approximately Rs 30,(X)0 for the completion of this wall. we call for dona- Godavra; Dona- der to give more IH - * * * s i i I ¦3 I I Cursetji Manockji Shroff Agiary at Jamshedpur R ’¦ e 43 Parsiana January 1993 H cred premises has been borne entirely by the Pestonjee family, which we would now like to share with other anjumans or philanthropic people of our community in view of the uncertainties here. lish the present two-room structure and build about six rooms guest house for lower middle class and poor who cannot afford hotels. Pres- . ently we are ^^^8 B i 1IIIIIISUI»iiuiiitiM,itait^^ —^.,................... ¦:^ ^"wiiuiwiiRafc.^ *ir Sardar Dastur Schools’ Trust managing three renowned schools right from pre-nursery to twelfth standard imparting high level of education through English medium, with separate hostels for boys and girls, and best messing facilities (veg & non-veg) in the country. Parents desiring to enrol their wards in the schools ’ hostels and interested in the hostel prospectus are requested to write or contact The President Sardar Dastur Schools’ Trust 2, Lt Col Tarapore Road Poona 411001 Situation Vacant A car rental company requires a maintenance manager having good knowledge of car mechanism. Contact: Travel Cars G-9, Kalpataru, 39, Dr Deshmukh Marg Bombay 400026, Tel: 4941083 charging Rs 16 for a small block (accom- nent Parsi anjumans in India. I modates three persons) per day and for Poona: We would like more donations I the big block we charge Rs 21 per day not only for the proposed housing com- I which ac^mmodates four persons. (It plex but also for our various charity have about Rs 60,000 to start with the chayat members in the implementation 1 I new construction but the project requires of our various programs. nent Parsi anjumans in India. comes to Rs 5 per person per day.) We funds. More active involvement of pan- J have about Rs 60,000 to start with the chayat members in the implementation 1 new construction but the project requires of our various programs. about Rs 5,50,000 for six rooms and two Saronda: No young generation is left, all : shops. We will be happy to get donors are out of village. for each room named after him as other Secunderabad and Hyderabad: Dona­ tions. Thane: The major concern of the anjuman in recent years has been to en ­ sure that land assets belonging to the I dharamshalas. We intend to keep one _ room for the very poor who cannot af- J ford; it will be free. As you know I Lonavla is getting popular more and I more so the poor Parsis will also enjoy Agiary Trust and the Thane Zoroastrian I life. I Lucknow: It is our calculated and firm I conviction that in our pursuit for sustain- . ing the community and preservation in a for use by Parsis. The assistance from ¦ good shape of our immovable and mov- the BPP, the Federation and the media I able properties, we should have a fund of (Parsiana and The Bombay Samachar} I Rs 6,00,000 at least. Under the leader- has been invaluable. The efforts are still I ship of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet and on and all the assistance — moral, finan- I the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian cial and legal — is welcome. I Anjumans of India, we eagerly look for- . ward to assistance so that our financial Anjuman in Udwada so that the assets ¦ difficulties are solved on a permanent I footing. I Mhow: A flow of Parsis into Mhow, I which is 14 miles from the highly indus- j trialized city of Indore and about six Charity Fund and the Divecha Trust be retained within the community and that they be developed over a period of time Udwada: To get premises for the | and records of the anjuman can be kept 1 at one place apd could be well looked af- 1 ter. j Vadodara: Cooperation, interest and en- | thusiasm. Participation of youth. Suffi ­ cient funds required to implement vari- s J Always remember TflTfl BfiTA KHAMBRTA Ketayun & Bomi 22/A, Wellington Terrace, Wellington Street, Bombay-400002. Tel. No. 2069636. 44 Parsiana January 199J miles from the Pithampur industrial es ­ tate. Mhow is a semi hill station — about ous projects for the betterment of the 2,000 ft above sea level — and the can ­ tonment has its advantages by way of a quieter, cleaner, less polluted atmos ­ phere. It is situated on the Bombay-Agra plus whatever else — kusti wool, blan- national highway, reasonably well con- kets, milk powder, etc welcomed. nected by rail, air and bus, with Bombay Vyara-Songadh: Cash donations for the | and Delhi. Total nummber of Zoroastri- maintenance of our property. | ans in Mhow: 125, comprising 56 fami ­ lies. Nagpur: None whatsoever. Leave aside Nargol and Surat Anjuman. assistance, other larger anjumans would Anjumans which have not replied to the | do well to emulate the example of the question: Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Rat- Nagpur Parsi Anjuman in creditably run ­ ning the anjuman affairs, keeping the larger interests of the community at heart. May Lord help us as ever! Navsari: Regular donations to cover up all the aims of the trust. Nilgiris: The only assistance we need is in evicting the cultivator. We are pro ­ posing to write and seek the assistance of Homi Taleyarkhan of the Minorities Commission, as the land was given to the Nilgiris Parsis for burial and religious purposes. We would also like some gui ­ dance on framing rules and regulations for our anjuman and then registering it as a society in order to give it a legal status. We would appreciate receiving copies of the rules and regulations of some promi- community at large and to conduct useful activities for youth. | Vesu: Donations, help in cash and kind I maintenance of our property. Assistance not required: Bardoli, Bhesan, Delhi, IZA, Karanj, Madras, Nanded, I i lam, SPP and Zai ^ordi. I Wanted movie related material We pay Rs 10 to Rs 20 each for old English movie handbills, leaflets, pamphlets, theater programs, (colour pictures) posters, postcards, photographs and other old collections. Please contact: The Advertiser Parsiana Collections (Jan/3-93) GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 I 3MILESTONES ! ! The age of Zoroastrian brides (as listed in this issue) ranged between 18 and 38 years, the arithmetic mean (the total num ­ ber of individual ages divided by the total number of brides) being 26 years. The correspon ­ ding figures for the grooms were 23 and 42 years, averaging at 30 years. Due to rioting in Bandra, Parsiana was imable to collect data on intercommunity mar ­ riages during the latter half of 1992. This data will be pub ­ lished in a forthcoming issue. There were 28 Zoroastrian births in Bombay as compared to 80 Zoroastrians who were in- tened in the Bombay Towers of Silence in December last year. Heart disease was the major kil ­ ler last month claiming 26 vic ­ tims, while pneumonia and lung disease took the lives of 10 pa ­ tients and cancer, nine. Five Zo ­ roastrians succumbed to old age and general debility and four to brain disease. The other killers were kidney failure, hyperten ­ sion, diabetes and septicemia (three each) and bronchitis (two). Isolated cases of a frac ­ tured skull, malaria, hypopro- teinaemia (deficient protein in the blood plasma), Parkinson ’s disease, tuberculosis, congenital heart disease, tetanus (disease caused by a micro-organism which may be present in road BOMBAY Born A boy to Zenobia^d Neville Karkaria on October 17, 1992 A boy to Zenobia and Shah- rookh Davar; November 29 A boy to Farida and Cyrus Mehta; December 1 A boy to Nilufer and Vispi Damania; December 3 A boy to Jer and Behram Irani; December 3 A boy to Persis and Firdosh Sidhwa; December 5 A girl to Villoo and Homi Mehta; December 7 A boy, Sohrab, to Benaifer and Rasheed Mistry; December 11 A girl to Gulcher and Homiyar Amalia; December 12 A girl to Armaity and Aspy dust and manure), dehydration, gastro-enteritis, hepatic cephalopathy, liver disease, shock, arteriosclerosis (degen ­ erative arterial change associ ­ ated with advancing age) and Sanga; December 21 asthma were registered last month. Two stillborn babies, a two-month-old baby girl and two youths, aged 27 and 33, were lost to the community. The oldest to breathe her last Khurshed, to Dilshad and Firoz was a 94-year-old woman. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled Irani; December 26 from information supplied by A girl to Mrudangi and Behruz various newsletters and Khushrushai; December 27 anjumans in India and abroad, A boy to Firoza and Godrej courts and hospitals. This infor- Cooper; December 28 mation is not always complete or consistent. For example, the Married birth figures for Bombay are Firuzan Cavas Mistry and supplied by four hospitals; Rustom Homji Kavarana; births in suburban hospitals and November 19 private nursing homes are not Armaity Khusru Dinshaw and included unless individuals send Abesh Khodadad Irani of us information together with a Deolali; December 1 copy of the birth certificate. In Shirin Minoo ArMesaria the breakup of deaths according and Scan Burjorji Jijina; to illnesses, especially of the December 1 elderly, death is often due to a Kamal Ady Amroliwala and combination of several diseases. Carl Bahadur Kavina of Poona; If readers have any births/ December 1 marriages/deaths they would Hutoxi Sovak Merchant and like published, some proof to Zubin Noshir Batliwalla; ensure the veracity of the report December 3 would be required. We are sure Goolcher Homi Bhandari and our readers would appreciate Burzin Jimmy Poonewalla; this requirement and cooperate December 3 with us. Armin Manekshaw Patel of Surat and Porus Minoo Confectioner of Calcutta; December 4 Dilnaz Noshir Patel of Kalyan and Parvez Minocher Pestonji of New Delhi; December 4 Roshni Burjor Patel and Porus Dewa Tavadia; December 4 Navaz Noshir Bilimoria and Nowzer Minoo Dudhmal; December 5 Aban Sam Shekary and Rohinton Noshir Gazdar; December 6 Havovi Bomi Dadabhoy and Burzin Piroze Khan; December 6 Aban Dady Karbhary and Adil Kavas Desai; December 7 Roda Framroze Warden and Farrokh Hiraji Patel; December 7 Aban Fall Cooper and Nozar Homi Ichhaporia of en- newsletters Minocherhomji; December 13 A boy to Feroza and Jamsheed Panday; December 13 A boy to Dinavan and Adi Mehta; December 14 A boy, Meherzad, to Binai- fer and Cyrus Gagrat; December 15 A boy to Zomorrod and Darayus Gazdar ; December 15 A boy to Khushnaaz and Zubin Mogrelia; December 15 A boy to Avan and Fredy Bam; December 16 A boy to Pervin and Framroz Ghaswala; December 17 A girl to Armaity and Rohinton Dumasia; December 19 A boy to Arnavaz and Parvez Bhandari; December 20 A girl to Dhan and Nosheir Daruwalla; December 20 K girl to Mithra and Behram Kerawalla; December 20 A boy to Pervin and Jehangir Irani; December 21 A boy to Roshni and Hormazd A. boy to Ketayun and Kersi Sui ; December 21 A boy to Rashne and Mahiyar Panthaki; December 23 Twinj (boys). Jamshed and Behramkamdin; December 26 A girl to Dinbanoo and Darius Ahmednagar; December 8 Aban Raton Patel and Zarir Dadi Vasaigara of Secundera ­ bad; December 8 Tanaz Barjor Palsetia and Jehangir Kersasp Hilloona; December 10 Roshni Keki Chhoga and Homi Dinyar Bharda; December 11 Dehlna Jehangir Dalal and Cyrus Phiroze Coma; Diecember 11 Amavaz Rustom Wankadia and Firdosh Shiavax Anklesaria; December 13 Jasmine Shtytoor Fitter and Kaivan Jamshed Dfirukha- nawalla; December 13 Niloitfer Adi Taleai of Banga ­ lore and Cyrus Burjor Doodhmal; December 13 Veera Rustom Driver and Adil Phiroze Sarkari; December 13 Kamal Tehmura^ Tavaria and Marzban Jamshed Vesuna; December 13 Benai/^r Cyrus Kaikobadi and Aspi Dara Bilia; December 14 Jennifer Cyrus Kaikobadi and Firdaus Noshir Irani; December 14 Jasmine Sam Shroff and Feroz Kaiki Alpaiwalla; December 15 Kashndra Burjor Dumasia and Zarir Phiroze Bhadha; December 15 Roshan Jal Patel and Ae^aab Jehangir Irani; DecembCT 15 Mona Desai and Phiroze Nariman Mucadum; December 15 Anahita Homi Ragina and Homiyar Maneck Fitter; December 17 Kashmira ^uch Wadia and J^rirSam Karai; December 17 Prochie Jehangir Sumariwalla and Adil Naval Dorabjee of Poona; December 18 Kashmira Aspi Sodawaterwalla and Aspi Soli Bodhanwalla; December 19 Niloofer Hoshang Patel and Maneck Nariman Hansotia; December 19 Zia Tehmtan Andhyangina and Ashad Hector Mehta; December 19 Jennifer Dinshaw Wadiwalla and Hirji Marzban Gorimar; December 20 Anahita Jimmy Master and Nashman Adi Patel; I I if 46 Parsiana January 1993 I f I1^, ii s December 20 Navaz Jal Langrana and Percy Minoo Daruwalla', December 21 Rukshana Dinyar Kanga and Rayomand Kaikhushru Madam, December 21 Dilnavaz Mehraban Dehmeri and Eruch Jamshed Malbari of Karachi; December 21 Zeenobia Dadi Cooper and Khurshed Rustomji Printer, December 22 Jessica Minoo Fitter and Jamshed Sam Dubash of Karachi; December 25 Tinaaz Fali Bhathena of Surat and Minoo Jehangir Mody, December 26 Hutokshi Feroze Gundevia and Khushrooh Minoo Pardiwalla, December 29 Shirin Pirosha Sakhidas and Cawasji Minocher Kapadia-, December 31 Jennifer Khurshed Patel and Dinshaw Pesi Mavalwala-, December 31 Diana Keki Shroff and Jehangir Nariman Sethna-, December 31 I I I Died Tanaz Bezan Karadia (27), residing at B/5, Rosary Hse, Gunpowder Rd, Mazgaon, 400010; November 30 Banubai Fardoonji Mehta (75), A/8, Eksar Rd, Panchvati Sadan Soc, Borivali (W), 400092; November 30 Jimmy Jehangirji Patel (61), Gustad Mans, 224, Tardeo Rd, 400007; November 30 Framroz Nadirshaw Shroff (82), C/9, Ness Baug, Nana Chowk, 400007; November 30 Jamshed Rustomji Banaji (92), Sleater House No 2, Slealer Rd, 400007; December 1 Perin Boman Bddhanwala (69), Homi Hall, Lawrence Rd, Deolali, 422401; December 1 Soonamai Meherwanji Ditya (80), Ditya Hse, Gunpowder Cross Rd, Mazgaon, 400010; December 2 Ratanshaw Cawasji Wadia, (71), 286/C, Irani Chawl, So- pari Baug, Parel, 400012; December 2 Jalamai Jal Jhabwala (62), 1 Meghdool, Gul Mohar Rd, 6, J.V.P.D., 400056; December 3 Dinshaw Jamshedji Mistry (69), 7/6, Readymoney Bldg, M., Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny , Dadar, 400014; December 3 Rusi Cawasji Mistry (77), 2, M/40, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; December 3 Baby of Binaifer Khushru Dalal (slillbom), I-Go-Nidhi Bldg, 53, Hill Road, Bandra, 400050; December 4 Goolbai Dossabhoy Gheewalla (91), E/11, Godrej Baug, Off Nepean Sea Rd, 400006; December 4 llomi Ardeshir Todywala (78), 803/C, Laxmi Bhavan, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 4 Dinbai (Dinamai) Navroji Unwalla (94), 25, Aasha Kunj, Parsiwada, V. P. Rd, 400004; December 4 Sharmin Nevil Gr)diwalla (2 mths), Hosang Bldg, Vakola Majid, Santacruz (E), 4(X)055; December 5 Kershasp H-ormusji Jijicawrui (69), ()21, Dubash Bldg, A. Homavazir Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 5 Homi Adarjee Katgara (-86), 21, Godrej Hill Side Clny, Vikhroli, 400079; December 5 Hirabai Ardeshir Mistry (78), 2, Petit Bldg, Balaram St, 400007; December 5 GooLan Jehangirsha Pardiwalla (80), 12/1, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; December 5 Jimmy Dinshaw Anklesaria (45), 515/B, Ratan Mans, R. P. Masani Rd, Maiunga, 400019; December 6 Russi Sohrabji Chothia (74), 82/A, Paradise Apts, 44, Nepean Sea Rd, 400006; December 6 Savak Bomanshaw Gamal (85), 3, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Elphinstone Rd, 400012; December 6 Jerbaruw (Jer) Dinshaw Khan (75), 648, Firdosi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 6 Framroze Kavasji Karaka (82), Jaiphal Ter, Forjett St, Tardeo, 400036; December 7 Perinbanoo Merwanji Wadia (90), Yusuf Mans, Kheiwadi Back Rd, 400004; December 7 Framroze Ardeshir Irani (66), B/2, Petit Chawl, BalaranrSt, Grant Rd, 400007; December 8 Raili Ratansha Siganprjria (72), 5, China Bldg, Carpenter St, Mazgaon, 400010; December 8 Naju Moiabhai Gadalwala (74), Nazir Hsc, Cumballa Hill, 400036; December 9 Jal Manekshaw Javeri (75), 204, Godavri Apts, Phirozshah St, Santacruz (W), 400054; December 10 Sohrab Maneck Sukhia (73), 4, Mody Bldg, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; December 10 Minocher Bajanji Working- boxwalla (80), F. S. Parakh Dharamshalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; December 10 Tehmi Boman Batliwala (79), B/12,1.C.I.C.I. Apts, P. Balu Marg, Prabhadevi, 400025; December 11 Roshan Hormusji Divecha (47), Hasina Mandir, Bazar Gate, Santacruz, 400054; December 12 Khorshed Phirozsha Khoor- sigara (78), 0/8, Bharucha Clny, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; December 12 Tehmurasp Pirojsha Sidhwa (67), Ratan-Abad, Tukaram Javji Rd, Grant Rd (W), 400007; December 12 Alamai Rustomji Kaka (88), Piroja Mans, 49/50, Sir Ratan Tata Rd, Tardeo, 400034; December 13 Alamai Hormasji Ichhaporia (80), 5, Petit Chawl, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; December 14 Jal Nuserwanji Sethna (71), Theosophical Clny, Vasanta Puram, Juhu, 400049; December 14 Naju Navroji Anklesaria (79), 723, Dr Dinshaw Master Rd, Dadar, Parsi Clny, 400014; December 15 Yasmin Rustomji Ragina (45), B, Mancher Manzil, Jairajbhai Lane, Foras Rd, 400008; December 15 Jamshedji Fardoonji Vazi/dar (75), 2, Malegaonwalla Bldg, Stn Rd, Mahim, 400016; December 15 Edulji Jehangirji Patel (74), 101, Kooka Sadan, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parel, 400012; December 16 Goolbai Cawasha Bala (76), 302, Popular Apts, Azad Rd, Andheri (E), 400069; December 17 Nadirshah Ardeshir Kapadia (86), 2/6, Moonreach Soc, Behind Tata lYess, Prabhadevi, 400025; December 17 Burjorji Nasserwanji Mehta (88), 12, Cooper Bldg, Kheiwadi Cross Lane, 400004; December 17 Shera Jamshed Bamji (75), A/4, 43, New Kharcghai Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; December 18 Behram Dhanjishaw Kharadi (74), 2/A, Akhtar New Hall Lane, Kurla, 400070; December 18 Rati Sorabji Kuka (80), 602/B, Captain Hse, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Matunga, 400019; December 18 Diruz Cawashaw Parukh (75), B/1081, Poonam Apts, Shiv Sagar Est, Worli, 400018; December 18 Shirinbai Minocher Reporter (82), N/17, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; December 18 Homai Russi Vachha (63), 275/A, Hirji Seihna Bldg, Tardeo Rd, 400007; December 18’ Nargis Jal Aibara (55), D/70, Shanti Mhl, S. V, Rd, Borivali (W), 400092; December 20 DhunJehangir Damarua (75), 10, BatliwallaBldg, Khan Est, Stn Rd, Mahim, 400016; December 20 Faredoon Rostam Kermani (85), 22, Hampton Court, 125, Wodehouse Rd, 400005; December 10 Rustom Mancherji Mehta (70), P/9, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; December 20 Ratanshaw Sheriyarji Elavia (80), 32/A, Todiwalla Bldg, Sun Mill Rd, Lower Parel, 400013; December 21 Rumy Faram Hansotia (33), 19/10, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; December 21 Shirin Sorabji Kuka (82), 602/B, Captain Hse, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Matunga, 400019; December 21 Savaksha Hormazji Bamboal (76), Room no 9, Malegam- walla Bldg No tTM. M. C. Rd, Mahim, 400016; December 22 Mehra Perojsha Kavasji (88), 10/D, ILPalazzo, Little Gibbs Rd, 400006; December 22 Roda Ratan Mehta (64), 46, Bapai Mans, Dr N. M. Shah Marg, Chirabazar, 400002; December 22 Najamai Jahangirji Tampal (96), R/34, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; December 22 Ruslom Sorabji Vatcha (82), Saher Bldg, 51/D, B. Desai Rd, 400026; December 22 Bapi Hormusji (73), H/8, Palm Springs, Cuffe Parade, 40(MX)5; December 23 Baimai Jamshed Mehta (63), 5 I I s 0 h r •i Ik Parsiana January 1993 I:1 \ I Pearl Mans, 91, M. Karve Rd, 400020; December 23 Behram Kaikhushru Panthaky (83), G/3, Maitri Soc, Golanji Hill Rd, Parel, 400012; December 24 Nergish Eruch Sorabjee (68), 804/C, Rati Lodge, Dr Ambedkar Rd, 400014; December 24 Rustom Dadabhoy Sethna (54), Rustom Villa, 91, Worli Sea Face, 400025; December 25 Darab Dhunjishaw Katpitia (74), 11/1, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; December 26 Dhunjishaw Manekshaw Langrana (79), D/4, Dalal Est, Lamington Rd, 400008; December 26 Behramji Ardeshir Patel (91), 93, August Kranti Marg, 400036; December 26 Sarosh Rashid Irani (55), F/6, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; December 27 Homai Marezban Wadia (73), 603, Goola Mans, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 27 Shirinbai Burjorji Boy walla (85), 366, Ahmed Mans, Lamington Rd, 400007; December 28 Kershasp Ardeshir Tata (87), 658, Khorshed-Abad, Firdausi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 28 Freny Burjor Daruwalla (87), Karai Est, Tardeo Rd, 400007; December 29 Soonoo Behramshaw Hira (72), 33, Police Court Lane, Fort, 400001; December 29 Dadabhoy Byramshaw Carnac (77), Hornby View, 12, Rustom Sidhwa Marg, Fort, 400001; December 30 Nargish Pesi Dalal (62), Niamat Manzil, 3, N. Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; December 30 Khorshed Ardeshir Patel (78), C/o Jal J. Master, Zaver Mans, 43, Chowpatty Sea Face, 400007; December 30 Baby boy of Jasmine Sher- diwala (stillborn), E/1, Godrej Baug, Off Nepean Sea Rd, Near Simla Hse, 400036; December 30 Cawas Dorabji Bhabha (92), 42, Westminster, 294, V. N. Purav Marg, Sion, 400022; December 31 Maneckhai A rdeshar Suntoke (77), Albless Baug, Zoroastrian BORN Boys Girls MARRIED Parsi Intercommunal DIED INTERRED Male Female CREMATED Male Female 4S Parsiana January 1993 TOTALS FOR 1992 Bombay Other Indian cities Foreign cities A B B A B 22 8 47 1 41 43 168 147 243 46 442 505 4 2 1 1 7 5 1 2 20 24 1 3 5 6 5 8 3 12 77 91 3 2 40 27 Hillamai Sarosh Katelia (63), Sava Sadi Sadan, Bhavnagri St, 395003; Decembers Tehmina Darabshaw Madan (83), Dehla Mohallo-, Rustom ­ pura, 395002; December 10 Ratanmai Kaikhushroo Mistry (82), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; December 10 Pilamai Nusserwanji Bhathena (72), Saiyedpura Bhagal, 395003; December 12 Adi Maneksha Bailiff (fiS), Nariman Home and Infir ­ mary, Shahpore, 395003; December 14 Shirinbai Ratanshaw Elavia (86), Bhimkacchi St, Nanpura, 395001; December 26 t A: Total numbers in this issue B: Running totals for 1992 (February 1992-January 1993 issues) Ihese figures pertain to information provided to or collected by Parsiana. Ihey do not represent the total number of births, marriages and deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India and abroad. Clny, Chikalwadi, 400007; December 31 CALCUTTA Born A girl to Shenaz and Percy Kapadia', December 25 Married Nilufer Medhora and Sanjay Prakash', December 2 Deenaz Medora and Gautam Ahuja', December 28 Died Perin Irani, sister of Banoo Jehangir Irani; December 1 Ratamai Padamji Balsara, mother of Shavax, Jimmy and late Minoo; December 9 GOA Married Sheetal Makarand Riswadkar and Cyrus Kersi Sahukar, November 9 POONA Born A boy, Darius, to Mou- shumi and Zubin Kabraji', November 18 Married Larnaz Masalawalia of New South Wales and Viraf Kharadi\ December 6 Died Jerbai Savakshaw Aga (64), C, CHICAGO Born A girl, Anahita, to Sohila and Faridoon Parsinejad, sister to Mitra; November 29 A boy, Karl, to Aban and Cyrus Grant', December 16 J- Mehta Towers, Khadki, 411003; December 19 Sheroo Sheriyar Madan (65), Mody Clny, Synagogue St, 411001; December 20 Freny Sorabji Watchmaker (57), 159, M. G. Rd, 411001; December 22 Homi Dadabhoy Bharucha (85), Mahatma Gandhi Rd, 411001; December 24 Khorshed Savakshah Masani (81),'^040, Jan Mohd St, 41 iMl ; December 30 Minc(O B. Patel (60), 351, Rasta PethJ41 1011; December 31 Died DhunjiShaw Pulsetya, father of Rashna Engineer; December 17 KARACHI Died Dadiba Bomansha Purveyor (72); November 20 Rustam Nadirsha Pajrugara (64); November 23 Roshan Behman Feniwala (80); November 24 Ratanbai Sohrabji Mehta (84); November 25 J* SURAT Died Homai Pirojshaw Aibada (75), Khatkiwad, Maachlipith, 395003; December 4 MUSCAT Born A girl, Sanaya, to Jean and Jam­ shed Soonawalla', December 19 Compiled by RtHana Mirza Parsiana Publications requires a Steno/Typist cum Office Assistant having basic knowledge of computers and other office routine. Write giving full particulars to: The Advertiser (Steno/Typist) GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 t I I' f J r