Aug 1993

in tn X 0 n 1 1 ) f ¦'V 8h :";>J r f Il Ml E"«- 'i? •'\iy. k t 1' aasG^W • <¦ r I 1^ iS^s B«»S S^S! fig! i^S^' P^S *s ,«'¦ I fe' I fe' *f ¦ efts X. 'IS to interact with government and other public authorities, associations and indi ­ viduals dealing with commerce and trade in other locations in India and overseas; •to collect and disseminate information on state of the art technology, business and other opportunities and matters of general interest to members. The minimum annual subscription for membership of the wing is Rs 20 only, but you are welcome to pay more if you so desire. A loose-leaf directory of the members of the wing will be published shortly. Your cheque in favor of the Federa ­ tion of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of In ­ dia along with your visiting card will en ­ able you to enroll as a founder member of the wing and incorporate your particu ­ lars in the directory. j. N. guzder President, FPZAI RETAIL SHOP Durlab Bhavan, R. M. Roy Marg Charni Road Junction Bombay 400004 Tel; 3856675, 351637 Young Parsi Entrepreneurs I have been toying with the idea of form ­ ing a non-profit organization called Young Parsi Entrepreneurs (YPE). The purpose of this organization would be to rekindle, increase and main ­ tain the entrepreneurial spirit among Parsis. Worldwide registration could as ­ sist in an exchange of ideas, technology and commerce so as to once again put In ­ dia on the world economy map. Though this may sound a bit farfetched. Parsis at one time were certainly responsible in making this happen for India. ROHINTON BAJIMALOO SALES DEPOT & FACTORY Hooseinabad Compound Off Champsi Bhimji Road Old Anjirwadi Mazgaon, Bombay 400010 Tel: 3713869, 3755640, 3728346 Telex: 71609 SRCO Cable: INSANDAL Rustom “Bloodwalla” A simple Irani gentleman, Mr Rustom Dinshaw Irani of Dahanu Road has do ­ nated blood 203 times to the people of Dahanu Road within a span of 26 years. He thus claims the title of Rustom Bloodwalla. Rustom, a matriculate from St Xavier ’s School, Bombay, took to the share market and by prudent investment, he made his pile and retired. While he doesn ’t have the skills, the expertise that can benefit others, Ahura Mazda has endowed him with sound health. He, therefore, made up his mind to be a blood donor whenever and wher ­ ever there was a call for blood. Rusi has turned up unfailingly regardless of caste, creed, social status or religion of the pa ­ tient. He answers the call for blood do ­ nation promptly and readily at any time of day or night. The 66-year-old bachelor lives all alone in Dahanu with his circle of Irani: ever ready to donate blood friends. Fond of cricket and early morn ­ ing walks, Rusi does not fancy any spe­ cial or dainty dishes. A modest man, Rusi is little known except among those who have got a longer lease of life by his timely dona ­ tion. But he is a friend and benefactor to all with whom he has come in contact. Ms RATTY DHUNJSHAW DASTUR Dahanu Road Knock! Kpock! Parsis Knock, Knock, Who ’s there? Afried. Afried who? Afried, these are new Parsi jokes. * Knock, Knock, Who ’s there? Navaz. Navaz who? Na-vaz, where do I put the flowers? Knock, Knock, Who ’s there? Roda. Roda who? Rod-a horse, bum is sore. Knock, Knock, Who ’s there? Aspi Aspi who? (A)spi(k) to you later after this joke. Knock, knock. Who ’s there? Cyrus. Cyrus who? Cy-rus to your car, it’s on fire. Knock, Knock, Who ’s there? Sanam. Sanam who? My fingers have gone Sa-nam, knocking. 22 Parsiana August 1993RATAN SURVEYOR and Company Engineers and Contractors of Repute For Construction Work of Good Quality Piramal Mansion Dr Dadabhoy Naoroji Road Fort, Bombay 400001 Phone 2619670 24 Parsiana August 1993 Knock, Knock, Who ’s there? Tenaz. Tenaz who? Ten-az, good as 5 plus 5. Knock, Knock, Who ’s there? Zubin. Zubin who? Where ’s Zu-bin, I’s looking for you. Knock, Knock, Who ’s there? Prochie. Prochie, who? You gotta, (A)Prochie my dad, for hoard ­ ings. Knock, Knock, Who ’s there? Naval. Naval who? Don ’t you think these jokes are a Naval idea? d .b.rustomji Calcutta Edited by Amaviz S. Mama Do you have a G6PD enzyme deficiency? The G6PD enzyme deficiency, among the Parsis, makes th* susceptible to certain drug; deficiency may cause jaundice in the newborn and severe hemolytic crisis (destruction of red blood cells) in adults. ', common lem highly |s.* The newborn and severe hemolytic crisis (destruction of red blood cells) in adults. Ask your family doctor to arrange for a blood lestto detect whether you have G6PD blood testto detect whether you have G6PD enzyme deficiency. If you happen to be a G6PD-D patient, it is essential that you carry your card at alt times so that in any emergency you would receive appropriate treatment. ‘Analgesics: Acetanilid, Acetylsalicylic acid, Aspirin, Acetophenetidin (Phenacetin), Antipyrine, Pyramidone. Sulfonamides and Sulfones: Sulfanilamide, Sulfapyridine, N2 Acetylsulfanilamide, Sulfacetamide, Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), Thiazolsulfone, Salicylazosulfapyridine (Azulfadine), Sulfoxone, Sulfamethoxypyridine (Kynex). Antimalarials: Primaquine, Pamaquine, Pentaquine, Oulnacrine (Atabrine). Nonsulfonamide antibacterial agents: Furazolidone, Nitrofurantoin (Furadantin), Chloramphenicol, Para-aminosalicylic acid. Miscellaneous: Napthalene, Vitamin K (Water soluble analogues) , Prodenecid, Trinitrotoluene, Methylene blue, Dimercaprol (BAL), Phenylhydrazine, Quinine and Quinidine; Sulpha containing compounds including Septran, DOS and Daraprim; Nitrofurantoin, Nalidixic acid Including all derivatives of this group, AntistIne, Diphenylhydramine, Pronestyl, Nitrites; Large dosesof Chloroquine, Chloromycetin, Vit. C and Published in the pubNc Interest by Parslana tt best compliments from NARIMAN NALLASETH Pvt’Ltd •> PLUMBING ENGINEERS CONSULTANTS 27, Tamarind Lane Rajabahadur Compound Apollo Street Bombay 400023 Phone Nos: 2650066 & 2652986 «r ' 1Events and Personalities Suburban youth join hands Both Antia and Sethi share a common bond being born and educated in the co ­ lonial era, dreaming of finding solutions Suburban youth join hands against the impersonal pharmaceutical- “If you qualify as a ‘youth, ’ don ’t wait advertising-electronics combine which Sharing the dais with Sethi that day to health problems, and later facing dis- were chief guest. Dr Venkatvardhana, di­ rector of the Nehru Planetarium and for an invitation, ” stipulates the July has reduced the patient to “a shadow. 1993 issue of the Borivli and Suburban Zoroastrian Association (BASZA) news ­ letter that announces the formation of its Youth Wing. “All you guys and girls Antia, an honorary consultant at the J. J. who ’ve passed SSC and are still below -- --- 40 qualify to join in, ” the admission cri- illusionment as they witnessed “the con ­ gealing of what was at one time a healing profession into something mechanistic Hospital ’s Tata Department of Plastic and often commercial. ” Surgery and director of The Foundation teria are spelt out. The first Youth Wing for Medical Research and The Founda- meeting was to be convened by Ronnie - - . . - Siganporia and his wife Phiroza. “There ’s a whole world of fun and op ­ portunity waiting for you, ” promises the community health and BASZA newsletter. “That the future lies with the youth, ” BASZA was willing to admit. “But we aren ’t going to let our guished youngsters wait until the future... ” they who created the Jaipur were determined. foot, a simple flexible Their picnic to Gorai beach in the device that has enabled monsoons brought 21 youths together many an amputee to lead whose spirits could not be dampened al ­ though the rains came incessantly, as re ­ Sethi indicted himself and his fellow practitioners for “paying too little atten ­ tion and respect to the built-in durability and sheer power of the human organism ” and for selling out, instead, to the lie of the pharmaceutical ind- ustry that depicts “the human being as totter- ing, fallible contraption always needipg bot- ching and patching — always on the verge of falling to pieces.” Ref- erring to David Gold, a . former editor of the New Scientist, and his book Medical Mafia, Sethi added, “We have in fact become partners Research. Antia: meaningful health care in their profit making “It was easier for me enterprise... The entire in a smaller town in the backwaters as it continuing education of most doctors is were, away from the fiercely competitive through sales literature freely distributed environment that characterizes Bombay, by the drug industry... to sit back and dream of alternative ap- tion for Research in Community Health. His original work, reflected in 250 publi ­ cations encompass the fields of surgery, biomedical research. Sethi, the distin- the orthopaedist ¦ a more normal life, has lent a new dimension to ports Percy Paghdiwalla in their August health care. He had been newsletter. Urging fellow youth to regis- a member of the govern- ter for the moonlight cruise on October ing body of the Indian 30, he noted, “After all our parent body Council of Medical has always been forthcoming in encour ­ aging us and we must (respond) by par ­ ticipating in the boat ride in large num ­ bers. ” I of rJ Antia: meaningful health care I Whither, doctor? to sit back and dream of alternative ap- “Medicine should consider the possi- “It is the person and the presence of the proaches and even experiment with some bility of contributing more by doing . . o -T-x. less, ” he advised his audience of young doctors and research scientists, the ad ­ mirers of Noshir Antia, who had banded which the health care system is heading together to form the N. H. Antia Society to honor the renowned pioneer plastic surgeon of India on his 70th birthday in doctor just as much as or more frequently of them, ” noted Sethi. “For Dr Antia to than what the doctor does that creates an turn around from his position of emi- environment of healing... Words used by nence and start questioning the direction the doctor...can open the gate of recov- _ ery... The wrong words can complicate towards required much greater courage the healing environment... ” Delivering the first N. H. Antia Ora ­ tion in Bombay last March, Dr Pramod Kiran Sethi built a powerful case for the world of plastic surgery and now direct- need to rehumanize the doctor-patient re- ing sophisticated research in leprosy at a and strength of character. He has this ex­ traordinary capacity to move with ease in February 1992. two different worlds, the rather esoteric Moreover, according to Sethi, “many of the so called achievements of modern medicine should really be attributed to lationship. In a speech entitled “Looking level that can match the best in the world social reformers. Food, housing, work- ahead: the doctor in the 21st century, ” Sethi surveyed the current dismal sce­ nario, contrasting the ideal of service that prevailed when he was a medical student health delivery system. ” and simultaneously spend time moving ing conditions, neighborhood cohesions around in villages and slums, looking as well as cultural mechanisms make it into community medicine and our rural possible to keep populations stable. ” Sethi noted that it was only after he 26 Parsiana August 1993 ' 'W It tBritish honor Photo: Vishwanath Salian, The Afternoon Despatch and Courier set up as a consultant, after years of work Bandorawalla: earned in the outpatients ’ departments of some hospitals, that he realized “that most people come to me to talk. ” Years of ex­ perience and introspection behind him, Sethi observed, “Informed self-care reports The Afternoon. should be the main goal of any health Bandorawalla ’s loyalty program or activity. Ordinary people to the Deputy High Commi- I provided with clear, simple information ssion ’s office makes her can prevent and treat most common health problems in their own homes — organized office, perhaps | earlier, cheaper and often better than doctors. ” Amavaz S. Mama /<¦ ? ssion ’s office comment, “It is a very well the most efficiently run in I Bombay. ” Of her employers | she states, “The British are | lovely people to work for, ¦ very MBE for Bandorawalla Proclaimed Member, Order of the British very considerate and Empire (MBE) in the birthday honors list helpful, ” The Afternoon announced by Queen Elizabeth II, Ms quotes the MBE awardee. Katayune Bandorawalla responded, “I was very touched and honored... I couldn ’t react in words. ” For 37 years she had worked for the British Deputy the subject, ” believes the octogenarian admits the photographer. There have been times though when his patience has in the second week of May 1993 at the paid off. Once he found a branch of a . ~ ~ . t fallen tree forming a graceful arch but he fall in the house resulted in cracked ribs felt something was missing. for Kharas. He therefore was able to put waited till three pigeons sat on the bough in an appearance only on the last day of to reward him with a satisfying picture, the show and hence missed out consider- reported The Independent of May 21. So he His photographs, bearing a certain sensitivity, have been featured in photo ­ graphic magazines and exhibited in inter- Many rare moments captured by his _ _ lens were on view: the fog cloaking the national salons, adds the handout. To porch of the B. D. Petit Parsee General promote pictorial photography among Hospital, the Bandra causeway under re- a valley... “Homi keeps his pictorialism ‘alive ’ and interesting. He is always “Seeking new angles” seeking new angles on everyday sub- I “The approach is more important than jects, ” mentions the press release. In | ________________________ J ,. „ * certain cases when waiting for a perfect | High Commission and just a month prior photographer Homi Kharas who for the composition the picture has eluded him, | to her retirement came this award, ac- first time displayed his pictures in a one- • • • ¦ ¦ _ cording to a write-up in The Afternoon man show. Shortly before the exhibition Despatch and Courier of July 8, 1993. i , The MBE was awarded in “appreciation ANZ Grindlays Bank at Breach Candy, a and recognition of my services to the office, ” she mentions. The decoration, accompanied by a medal and a scroll signed by the Queen, is due to be pre ­ sented to her by the British High ably on the public response, notes a dis- Commissioner when he flies down from appointed Kharas. Delhi to confer this distinction on her. Hailing from Calicut, Bandorawalla, fondly called Kitty, started out as a sec­ retary at the British Trade Commission. Hospital, the Bandra causeway under re- casual amateurs Kharas had for over 25 j When the Trade Commission merged pair, a man attempting suicide caught years served as editor and publisher of j with the Deputy High Commission, she midair, a monkey on a ledge overlooking Agfa Photo Gallery and later as editor of j Photography Today. I Humor and photographic creativity i are Kharas ’ hallmark. Come Christmas I time and his friends are sent a topical I greeting card depicting him and his wife. | Some of these speciiTiens too were on j view at the exhibition. | This talented lensman learnt the finer I points of the art of photography from his | mother Shirin. Before he had even I handled a camera Kharas used to help I her develop her plates in the dark room, I recalls the ace photographer. When he I was presented with his very own Kodak I box camera, he shot a picture that was to I win him a prize in The Times of India I Illustrated Weekly. i Over the years he has succeeded in I building up a massive portfolio of which I nearly 80 creations were on view and fl sale at the last exhibition. Though the I exhibits were “priced low to enable ev- fl erybody to own them, ” Kharas retains I I Hharas (left) I Her Majesty became secretary to the first secretary, commercial. Since 1981, Bandorawala had been working as secretary to the British Deputy High Commissioner. Remembering the good and bad days, among her pleasant memories Ban- dorawalla lists the visits and her meeting some members of the British monarchy like Prince Philip and Prince Charles. One of the saddest days of her life was when Percy Norris, then deputy high commissioner, was assassinated. 28 Parsiana August 1993L the copyright. His fascination with nature and her diverse moods led Kharas to become the founder secretary of The Bombay Hikers which is now in its 50th year, adds the release. J. N. Tata’s select 17 More than four crores of rupees have been disbursed by the J. N. Tata Endowment in its 100 years of existence, writes director Dinshah K. Malegamvala. Over the years 2,400 select Indian students have benefitted from the grants accorded for their higher education abroad, as per the press release. Among the Tata scholais to have shone in the (From left) Top row: Batliwalla, trust ’s centenary year are eminent Bhagwagar, Choksey personages like K. R. Narayanan, the Second row: Divecha, Kotwal, Mody vice president of India, Armeane Choksi, vice president of the World Bank in- charge of human resources development dia competition with exacting high stan- and operations policy, and Dr Jamshed dards of selection, ” 17 are Parsis, nine Irani, managing director of the Tata Iron boys and eight girls, mentions Malega- and Steel Company Ltd, notes the press release. In its 101st year, yet another batch of Tata scholars have been announced. Of most nnnnlar choice with five of them 30 Parsiana August 1993 opting to specialize in it: Rustom Bandorawalla (chemi- 1 cal engineering, Oklahoma State University, USA); Faridun Dotiwala (civil engi­ neering, Wisconsin Univer ­ sity); Arshish Kapadia (mechanical engineering. Uni- | versity of Texas, Austin); | Poras Khajotia (computer I science engineering, Kansas 1 State University): and Umeed . Kothavala (computer science I engineering, Purdue Univer — I sity, Indiana). Other science I related subjects have drawn: 1 Dr Cyrus Joshi (internal I medicine/sports medicine, I State University of New 1 York); Farhad Vesuna (bio- I logy, admission awaited) and Neville I Wadia (physics, Louisiana State I University). Rayomand Eranee has opted I for hotel management (Les Roches Hotel I the 123 who cleared the “rigorous all-in- Management, Switzerland). I Three of the girls too were keen to I pursue science/medicine: Dr Franak I Batliwalla (biocliemistry, admission I awaited in USA or Canada); Kejmeen I Divecha (life science/microbiology, I Arshish mvala, providing a brief introduction to each of the Parsi scholars. Among the boys, engineering is the Baylor College of Medicin^ and Dr | Yasmin Wadia (surgery, Alfred Hospital, j SPENTO PLASTICS Manufacturers of H.D.P.E./P.P. Pipes & Fittings Zarnavaz, H. K. Marg Dahanu Road, Thana Dist, Maharashtra 401602 Phone:2049 I?debating and dramatics. Ahmedabad ’s Choksey is a first rank holder from , amongst 400 students from Gujarat who appeared for the j final examination of the five- j year course in applied art i with specialization in graphic i design. She will be studying 1 communication design, I Divecha did her bachelors 1 in life sciences, her masters in . life sciences and biology with J macro molecules, and will ] now be specializing in neuro f science at the Baylor College 1 of Medicine. The university i has awarded her full financii | assistance with a tuition I waiver. | On the other hand is Dotiwala whose I GRE scores are over the 95 percentile | but who has still not been awarded any I financial assistance by the Wisconsin I University where he will pursue his mas- | ters in structural engineering. He did his | graduation from Bombay ’s Victoria Jubi- | Australia). Three other girls were into fine art/performing arts. Gulnar Bhagwagar (inte ­ rior design, Arizona State University, Tempe); Ferzin Choksey (graphic design, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn); and Avan Patel (performing arts. Trinity Repertoire Conser ­ vatory). choice was law (University of Cambridge, England), and Perveez Mody ’s development study/third world study (University of Cambridge, England). Financial assistance of $ 6,539 per annum has been awarded to Bandorawalla who will be pursuing his masters/doctoral studies in chemical engineering. engineering from the Manipal Institute of Second row: Yasmin Wadia, Eranee, Technology, he had secured distinction Joshi marks of over 78 percent. A graduate in life sciences Batliwalla chose to do her post graduation in bio- _ , chemistry. She subsequently did her sign from Nagpur, Bhagwagar will now lee Technical ^pstitute. | doctorate in biochemistry from the Can- be doing her masters in the same subject. After studying hotel management for | cer Research Institute. In addition to academic prizes she has also been awarded the bronze and silver medals Amaz Kotwal ’s world (From left) Top row: Patel, A graduate in chemical Bandorawalla, Dotiwala from the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. With a BTech degree in interior de- be doing her masters in the same subject. The “versatile girl ” who is a member three years at Bombay ’s Sophia Poly- of the National Cadet Corps has a ranee of interests: para sailine. trekkinc. technic, Eranee has left fgr Switzerland. To his diploma from Bombay will now a % SERSON Electrolytic Capacitors For All Electronic Applications From 12 VDC To 350 VDC Mariufacturers: Serson Industries Pvt. Ltd. Piinpri P.F.P.O., Poona-18. Cable: Etchfoil Poona-18. Phone: 82379 1 I I 32 Parsiana August 1993Quality Steam-Jet VACUUM Systems for the process Industries first in performance urzZZ ]=i '.ti- Tj- -j^r Performance Test Facility Mazda guarantees overall vacuum system performance to 100% of the Heat Exchange Institute (HEI) Standards. All ejectors except the very largest (over 300 mm) are 100% factory tested for performance before shipment. This facility is the only of it s kind in India today "O fl o - ,¦ I ¥ steam Jet Vacuum Systems - Hybrid Vacuum Systems Liquid Ring Vacuum pumps - Fume Scrubbers Desuperheaters - Thermocompressors Mixing Jets - All Ejector Designs Designed in USA by : CRDLX-REYMDLDS Manufactured In India by : p lilazda CONTROLS LTD. Patel Chambers, Near H.K. House, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad-380 009. Phone : 408967, 408014, 408654 Fax : 0272-427394 Telex : 0121-6620 (From left) Top row: Kapadia, Khajolia Second row: Kolhavalai'a Vesuna, Neville Wadia /I be added a qualification from Switzerland. i Joshi who did his MBBS from the G. S. Medical College | and is an ace sportsman, winning prizes in cycling, swimming j and athletics besides being competent in football and hockey, i will specialize in sports medicine. The State University of New York has awarded him a handsome financial assistance of $ 33,173 (approximately Rs 10 lakhs). A bachelor of mechanical engineering from the JSardar 1 Patel College of Engineering, Bombay, Kapadia is now set on doing his masters. His father-too was a Tata schoIW from the 1959 batch. . With 68 percent marks in his bachelor ’s examination in j computer engineering Khajotia succeeded in securing a seat j at the Utah State University. His brother too was a Tata i scholar. 1 Besides securing over 67 percent marks in his BE | (computers) degree course from the Pune Institute of Com- I puter Technology, Kothavala who will be doing his masters j in the same subject also makes time for other activities. He | was editor of his college magazine; participated in public I speaking, dramatics, intellectual marathon; was a member of I the badminton and ball badminton teams and an active 1 member of the Computer Society of India. 1 Law is the subject Kotwal will be studying at the Gonville I and Caius College in Cambridge, Sir Dorabji Tata ’s alma I mater. A first rank holder in the MCom examination, she is I presently readying for her final year LLB examinations. The I all-rounder ’s other interests include public speaking, athletics I and swimming. | Selected by the United World Colleges, Mody did her I baccalaureate from the Atlantic College (Wales), UK after I which she was selected by Outward Bound, Lesotho I (Southern Africa) to teach multi-racial groups for eight I months. She was associated with the Narmada Bachao I Committee and extracts from her report have been included in I the Morse Committee Report. At the Commonwealth Scho- I larships interview in Delhi she was granted a full scholarship fl covering her fees and a two-way air fare. The Trinity College fl has awarded her a generous grant to cover her maintenance I expenses. She has also been awarded the Bombay Cambridge I continued on page 61 I Society Scholarship of Rs 40,000. 34 Parsiana August 19931 COMMENT T; T hey sailed across treacherous seas in a wooden craft: refugees fleeing religious persecution in their homeland. The local ruler on the west coast of India, where they landed, welcomed them and under his patronage they set about recon ­ structing their lives. Rapidly they assimi ­ lated the local customs and language, but clung fiercely to their ancient religion. Initially they were rural folk but once the Europeans landed in India they migrated in increasing numbers to the urban trad ­ ing centers. Once more they were quick to assimilate the new Western culture and they prospered. Then came Independence for India, and with it decay in the community set in. Rapidly their numbers declined and soon they were down to 24 members spread over six families and clinging desperately to their last remaining place of worship which they knew would even ­ tually end up as a heritage monument with the Government of India. ThiscouldbethestoryoftheParsis.lt dominated by the elderly, the Sabbath “Our synagogue will survive as a I IS, however, the story of the Cochin Jews service would lapse unless visiting Jews house of worship, ” says 80-^ar-old S. S. | of Kerala, the White Jews. As we walk are roped in to make up the quorum. Koder, the warden of the synagogue. In I down the streets of their settlement in Either way, on the Sabbath the syna- his red brick mansion at Fort Cochin, I Fort Cochin, appropriately called Jew gogue belongs exclusively to the Jews: overlooking the famous Chinese fishing I Town, and towards the 400-year-old the rest of the week tourists virtually nets (resembling giant spiders these are I synagogue, we experience a terrible overrun the shrine. But the takeover is commonly used in the Kerala backwa- 1 sense of foreboding: as if this could well respectful. They remove their footwear ters), the grand old man of Jew Town | be the fate that awaits the Parsis of India. • ..... i Ghosts of the past linger on in a colony now virtually deserted by a thriv ­ ing population which at its peak had numbered around 4,000. The Star of around the central altar where David on walls and railings of buildings, Hebrew inscriptions, ‘Solomon Hall ’ em­ bossed near the entrance of one structure, ______ , ______ _____ all hint at what had once been a vibrant light, towards the collection of crystal lady dismisses our queries brusquely. At 1 community. The flourishing trade in an- ---- . . . • ¦ - • i tiques, now run by non-Jewish entrepre ­ neurs who have moved into the area, ________ ___ heightens the tragedy of a group that ferry tour assembles his flock around the hovers on th^ brink of extinction as a re ­ sult of an exodus of their young to the promised land after the establishment of presents from the ex-rulers of Cochin un- the state of Israel in 1948. der whom the Jewish community thrived. Every Sabbath (Saturday), the handful Also on display is an item that is equally, of Jews who remain are reminded of this grim reality as they go through the ritual of mustering up the minyan, the group of 10 adult males needed to hold a commu ­ nity service. When we visited the en ­ clave they had just about managed to form a minyan. Should even one fall ill, a common occurrence in a community Waiting for the end jj 36 Parsiana August 1993 Gustasp Irani With the mass exodus to Israel, the few Jews remaining in Cochin are struggling to continue with their time-honored traditions dominated by the elderly, the Sabbath service would lapse unless visiting Jews are roped in to make up the quorum. Either way, on the Sabbath the syna ­ gogue belongs exclusively to the Jews: the rest of the week tourists virtually _ overrun the shrine. But the takeover is commonly usecT in the Kerala backwa- at the entrance and walk barefoot over hinges his optimism on the hope that i intricately designed blue and white tiles ¦ ¦ - - that had been imported from China. With a sense of hushed reverence they move ------- -------- —. ........„c prayer shawls and holy books lie wedged be- visitors from Israel will keep the tradi- I tion alive, now that the country has re-es- I tablished political ties with India. 1 Few share his hope or his willingness I to talk about their predicament. An eld- I tween twisted golden bars that spiral up erly gentleman we approach pleads with I ... '> folded hands: “Please let us be. ” One I in devotion, towards Jehovah, towards chandeliers and colorful glass lanterns that reach down from the ceiling. The guide of the government-run browsing tourists the Jews rnight appear main altar as it is unlocked. On display are a set of solid gold crowns that were the synagogue is a freshly painted sign ­ board that reads: “No photographs. ” To to be — and disturbingly so — part of 1 the antique market that has taken root in | their midst. I “It’s really sad, ” Jackie Cohen, the 1 71-year-old caretaker of the synagogue I laments. “It’s too late now to do any- I thing. ” According to Cohen, of the 24 I if not more, precious to the community - _ ____ , the Torah. The guide informs us that Jews left in Jew Town only four, all these scriptures had been transcribed in ' - - ¦ Hebrew on sheep skin scrolls several centuries ago. His voice resonates in the reverent stillness of the room. The spell broken, the tourists bustle out onto the street again. males, are below the age of 30 — 13, 21, 23 and 29 — and he expects them to mi ­ grate to Israel like the others before them. “Marriage is a problem. With no Jewish girls around, what else can they do? ” he adds. ¦I We experience a sense of foreboding: this could well be the fate that awaits the Indian Parsis --------------------------------- ? ? ?--------------------------------- The problem of finding a Jewish spouse, an elderly lady protests, is at best a simplistic explanation for the crisis that I understand that your Parsi community threatens to consume the community. The fabric that held the tapestry of Jew­ ish tradition and orthodoxy together has collapsed. For instance, she points out that since they eat only kosher meat, their diet today is largely vegetarian but for the occasional chicken slaughtered in the traditional way by an elderly Jew who goes from residence to residence providing his services. In her youth ko ­ sher meat was available in variety and abundance. She recalls the days of her childhood: “We lived like one big happy family. On Fridays we would dress, in what you might say our Sunday best and gather at the synagogue to bring in the Sabbath. ” Her charming face, strikingly fair- skinned like the rest of her community, lights up, her eyes sparkle as memories stir within her. Jew Town then was peopled with relatives and friends who shared a common religion and origin. “I grew up here, but the Jew Town I knew Settlement of Jews Records of the first settlement of Jews on the Malabar coast of South West India are at best obscure. The popular belief is that they came in 72 AD, soon after the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and were later enriched by the as a girl does not exist anymore. Today influx of Jews fleeing persecution in we are marking time, waiting for the end. is also declining rapidly, ” she adds. There is a sadness in her eyes; it is a sadness we can empathise with. Painting of Jews landing in South India in 72 AD. Photo: Gustasp Irani i I - /I Spain and other European countries. These refugees were offered more than shelter by the local ruler. In 379 AD their leader, Joseph Rabban, was awarded a small fiefdom in Cranganore ' along with symbolic privileges that could be claimed only by royalty. However, the landing of the Portu- i guese in the mid 16th century upset the rhythm of their rural lives. Fired by the zeal of the inquisition in Europe, the Por ­ tuguese set about persecuting the Jews ; who fled en masse to Cochin. Here the ’ local ruler again offered them his protec- s tion, and even land adjacent to his palace ' to rebuild their lives and their place of i worship. By 1663 the Portuguese were S dislodged from the region by the Dutch ’ and under the pa^onage of these new Eu- j ropean overlords the Cochin Jews pros- ; pered, becoming the main trading agents i of the Dutch East India Co^any. It was during this period that one of them was called upon to mediate in a succession • dispute for the Cochin throne. Despite their prosperity under the i Dutch and the British after them, the Co- ’ chin Jews integrated themselves with the = local community around them. They | spoke, and still speak fluent Malyalam. I They even divided themselves into two j sub-castes — the White Jews and the i Black Jews, each with their own syna-^ gogues — conforming to the caste-ridden j society in which they lived. Today these j distinctions have become irrelevant and j the only functioning^ynagogue in South i India — and there were eight — which I once served the White Jews of Jew Town I is open to all, tourists included. I Today it appears that the exile of this ? community in India is over. With the es-1 tablishment of the state of Israel in 19481 the young of the community started to| migrate to their ancient homeland. | But even to the promised land they| have taken a part of Cochin with them. Al Jewish lady tells of two settlers on thej same street in an Israeli town. One looks! back at his past in an anti-Semitic Eu-| rope with horror. The other looks backat| India with nostalgia: to him Jew Town ini Fort Cochin is a treasured memory. I * i r * I 38 Parsiana August T993r COMMENT J I i I J < ! ba. Damning the Dam A posse of Parsi activists are opposing the Government’s Narmada Project which they say will endanger the dislocated tribals “Be ready with thy hands, feet and un ­ derstanding, o Mazdayasnin Zoroasiri- ans, for the prompt discharge of timely Lily Jehangir ters, etirth, plants, animals, humans and tire. “We were enjoined to preserve the works. Be alert to accomplish here, in harmony amongst them and keep them this very world, your good deeds.” Heed- undefiled. ” She paused, then added rue- ing this call of Zarathushtra, ready with fully, “And look at the mess our planet their hands, feet and understanding, is a ( . • • . ~ ____ _ group of dedicated Zoroastrians, actively pleted, vast tracts of land parched involved in the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), a movement which challenges and opposes the claims made ____ , by the government for the huge Narmada that the Narmada Project will ’help project. According to the government the project — which consists of two dams of colossal size and several large, medium and small dams — will provide drinking Sardar Sarovar in Gujarat and the water to the drought-prone areas of " Kutch and Saurashtra, irrigation facilities and electricity to other areas in need; and the persons displaced by the scheme will be rehabilitated in a manner that will improve their life-style. But the NBA is emphatic that these claims are not based on reality; and that the pro ­ ject will not accomplish its avowed pur ­ poses. Unfortunately, I could not meet all the Parsi activists involved in the NBA, but those I interviewed struck me as being selfless and committed individuals. They came from all walks of life, had varied tastes and interests, and belonged to dif­ ferent professions. Their ages varied from a sprightly 24 to an even sprightlier 77! “Isn ’t it ironical, ” said Ms Pervin Jehangir, 42, “that 20th century man, who claims to be technologically ad ­ vanced, is so ecologically myopic and to ­ tally disregards what our ancients saw so r It became apparent, as she continued | to speak, that Pervin Jehangir, a post- J integrity of the seven creations, maintain graduate in social work from the Nirmala 1 Niketan College and a mother of four, is j deeply involved in the work of the NBA. i She feels that it is necessary and impor ­ tant to create an awareness on the issue | and has taken < on herself to talk to 1 groups of people to spread the rrtessage. 5 “Are you aware, ” she spoke softly but | with vehemence, “that the imaters of the j Narmada are to be diverted via highly in- | dustrial zones where they will get so pol- 1 luted that they will not be fit for drink- 1 ing? The real dry areas like central and | western Saurashtra will not get any water 1 at all. And what is most disturbing is that 1 all except one canal will be dry from | the 50s and the 60s everybody believed February to June, as per the govern- 1 I ........ ..................... ment ’s own reports. In any case, ” she I added, “not a drop of water will be avail- 1 able during the summer when drought ! Today these erstwhile and famine hit these areas. 1 “Besides, the Narmada has 17 percent I less water than assumed by the project I earth is in! Our waters polluted or de- I or eroded, many birds and animals on the extinct list. ” “But the government, ” I said, “claims ? us tackle some of these very problems. The scarcity of water, for instance. With the construction of massive dams like the Narmada Sagar in Madhya Pradesh —” “Look, ” Pervin interrupted me. “In that large dams were symbols of devel ­ opment and progress. Nehru went to the extent of calling them ‘temples of mod ­ ern India. ’ “ ‘temples ’ have proved to be watery tombs spelling destruction all over. ” And Pervin pointed out how the US, one time planners. Thus, the likelihood of water j the builder of the world ’s largest dams, reaching the far ends of the colossal ca-1 „ - nal system is minimal. ” The tragedy, ac- j has stopped building large dams. “Unfor- nal system is minimal. ” The tragedy, ac- tunately, ” she went on, “we refuse to cording to Pervin, is that 80 percent of learn from mistakes of the recent past Gujarat ’s irrigation budget is being ? and continue to cling to outdated models pumped into the Sardar Sarovar, while! other minor and medium-sized projects, ! which could really benefit the state, aie^ stalled. d “This outmoded project is doing more! « A of development. ” Pervin continued; “Okay, let ’s take the government ’s much touted claim that the dam is the lifeline of Gujarat and the only hope for Kuich and Saurashtra. But harm than good, ” said Ms Pareeaj ' ..................... Lalkaka, a retired Sophia College lec-?j turer. Pareen holds a masters degree in 1 of the total water available? ” And it psychology, with a BEd in English and „„ " her. d dFrench, and a diploma in vocationail ago, ing water plan exists; and that the cost of counselling. Pareen, among other things^l .. 1. - _ . ’ ¦ _ J is a grandmother, 77 years old, with a| yet! passion for trekking and nature walks.! do you know that Kutch will only get 1.6 percent and Saurashtra only nine percent clearly? And she explained that a.s far shocked me when she said that no drink- back as about 35 _ _ _____ ___ ______ Zarathushtra had preached the message supplying it has not even been calculated of the seven holy creations: the sky, wa ­ 40 Parsiana August 1993 ceniuriesI I. I J L ‘RIANS ABROAD Y Vi fc-'J t' "-Or ScrffirmaliSn •> Arnavaz S. Mama & w -T'. •1 B, B' V > *5 aS « «E Kia i E *9 I ar ¦ J Sf^ 'fir* S enjoys pride of place. The inaugural jashan 'in the Pherozshaw Kaw^sji Pavri Memorial (prayer) Hall in the morning by resident mobed Burjor Bhada dedicated the new building to the greater glory of Ahura Mazda, writes Master. This was followed by the unveiling of a plaque ' in the entrance lobby by ITZCFHCM president Jal Shroff. “The ribbon cutting k ceremony was performed by the president assisted by the three past presidents of the anjuman. Dr Naval Karanjia, Sammy Shroff and Noshir Pavri, ” notes Master and the chil ­ dren sang songs put together by Ms Dina Shroff to the accompaniment of popular tunes — a rousing commemoration of fixtures have been restored to their former good deeds old and new. The morn ­ ing festivities, at which one of the VIP guests was Ervad Jal Kuka, the “The challenge of putting to- . gelher bricks and mortar is ’ over. The community is now ever more mindful of their custodianship of one of the most significant and prized Sjll||| assets of Zoroastrian.s world- wide.” flBfi The reference is to the new I8-storey glass and .steel edifice that The Incorporated Trustees of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hongkong, Canton and The oldZoroaslrian Building, Macau (ITZCFHCM) inaugurated on a/mmissioned in 1931 March 21, 1993 as the new Zoroastrian Top: The fravahar and afargania light Building in downtown Hongkong. Built up the new 'building's street level atop a four-storey podium, the completed entrance lobby structure which cost HK $ 33 million (over Rs 13 crores) provides 3,850 sq m of built up area of which 715 sq been retained for community use _ ___ prayer Ml muldp^se function room and Hongkong, A painting of Sir' jams^rji Hongkonr^anji^ ’an's priest'for'* mZ '¦ related racilltip.*! nllK Hvincr miJirtArc fnr (h<. To:»akkA.. _ ____ a i_____ _ u.. e.._ . U- , a .k . ft- ... -------- . , years prior to his reuremcni and current fwiest ana other stat I, one of the better known pupils of the residence in Bombay, concluded with a ' China coast Chinnery school of painters champagne reception in the Jehangir H. ' Despite future uncertainties Hongkong Zoroastrians launched and completed a major project in record time samaM up ihe new building's street level m have splendor before being reincorporaied into a.s a the new premises, writes Jimmy Master of related facilities plus living quartens for the Jejeebhoy, second baronet, by Sun Oua, Old paintings, photos, furniture and years prior to his retirement and current residence in Bombay, concluded with i 1 I 55 Pars/ana August J993Rutionjec Hall, the multipurpose function hall designed to seat 160 persons at a full table service meal and equipped with a piano, karaoke and aidiovisu^ facilities. A festive lunch and dinner followed, “among the happiest memories of my long suy in the f’ar East, ” as notes busi ­ nessman Manek Daver of Japan in a letter to Parsiana (see “An awesome achieve ­ ment, ” Readers ’Forum). ... - , .o.. A few days before the grand inaugural growing families in Hongkong.' are some of the questions in the community mind as voiced by Master. This building, “a marvel of modern yet functional Zoroastrian dcsign...has been a time capsule had been placed in the foundations of the entrance lobby. It is in ­ tended to be unearthed on Navrozc day 2018. “Who amongst us will be left in .. .. Hongkong 25 years hence to open the financed and completed with an aplomb time capsule, and from the 40 children ---- amongst our community, how many will choose to make Hongkong their home'? And amongst the younger families will Davar ’s open they continue to make a home for their ¦’ ¦ •' and precise schedule any international business would be proud of (with) no financial strain on the community. ” I admiration needs to be viewed in the context of the roller coaster economic and political climate in % % SB 56 Pirsiana August IS93 :'TS£}3^r 1 , '-i 1'. f 4 i. 8 I IH.^1 mi''. ifc I 1 V' •• fl •:VW i%: 4 j,.r I !¦ < ( 1 < < i the trust funds and enhance taciliues available for the local anjuman." By early ' 1989 a prominent property management company had beeq^called in to explore the * I- i' I- 1- 1 I' I- r Jubilant ITZCFHCM trustees (from left): Homi Italia, Ruby Master, Jal Shroff, • VirafTarekh and Keki Jokhi Below: In the J. U. Ruttonjee Hall, a place for drinks, recreation and meals, are seen Dina Shroff leading the children's choir through a rendition of special lyrics to honor the occasion and (left) a section of the audience. Inset: Simultaneous ribbon cutting (from left): Karanjia, J. Shroff. S. Shroff t Or -/ < 5/”- •“>: . «4, Hongkong that pre.sagcs the British colony ’s return to China in 1997. “The preservation of a relic from a by ­ gone age, or a reaffirmation of the community ’s faith in the future was the possibility of a jo'int venture redevelop- • issue seeded in the collective mind during merit and call for suitable tenders'for the * an annual general meeting in 1988,’’ informs Master. With a truly positive Zo ­ roastrian outlook the community wanted to move ahead, “to maximize the plot ra ­ tio, earn a significantly higher income for project. The Tiananmen Square tragedy of . June 1989 however put an “entirely dif­ ferent perspective on the commercial vi­ ability of the project, ” recalls Master. Ini- ' 1 ii I s I 1 1 ; I ! I » II 1 '? k.. .'. I 3 1 I I I IK I EVENTS AND PERSONALITIES continued from page 34 Committed to making theater her ca ­ reer is Patel. Having completed her BA with a double major in English literature and philosophy from the Bombay Uni ­ versity, she has been admitted for a two year MA course in theater for a com bined program with the Trinity Reper Though a certain nervousness prevails toire Conservatory for practical training and the Rhode Island College for theo now barely four years away (community retical course work. On her return to In dia she hopes to start a school of her owr in Bombay. With distinction marks in botany anc environment sciences from Bombay ’s Ja Hind College, Vesuna later did his mas ters in botany from Bombay ’s Institute a Science. Faced with financial difficul ties, Vesuna ’s education has been depen daily the issue was shelved and when ten- come the ITZCFHCM. In 1860 they pur- ders were put out towards the end of the chased a property for their first Zoroas- year, the “response was dismal. ” trian House which was sold in 1923 and Yet, at a meeting in January 1990 the proceeds invested into a plot of land community businessmen and profession- on Leighton Hill Road where a new build- als reached a brave decision: to press on ing was erected in 1929 — the one which, with redevelopment financed by bank together with an additional floor raised in borrowings and engage a professional 1970, was demolished to house the property management firm to oversee the present construction, construction and leasing on behalf of the anjuman. Hongkong Zoroastrians at the regarding the change of regime which is grass roots provided the mandate that was sought and by mid 1990 the relevant members in pbssession of locally issued official permission and a loan from the Hongkong and Shang ­ hai Banking Corpora ­ tion had been secured. In April 1991 the anjuman moved into temporary premises and by the middle of the month began the demolition of the old two-storey structure — the only economic primacy dwarf among the new towers in Cause- may be enhanced in the years to come, way Bay District, the island ’s prime The main proviso is that international business area. trade continue undisturbed. Master, a University for* his doctoral studies ii Less than two years later Zoroastrians businessman, anticipates migration of physics. The University has awarded hin were rededicating their faith “with appro ­ priate sagans and festivities. ” Not only is the bank loan expected to be repaid lower land and labor costs. But briskly from the lease rent of the commer- Hongkong, he expects, “should remain as cial property but new income is expected to place the ITZCFHCM “in the coveted position of becoming one of the largest highly developed infrastructure which it donors of charity funds for the Zoroastrian i community worldwide, ” exults Master. the new economic relationship. ” To the youngsters on the threshold o Presently numbering 186, Hongkong Endorsing Master ’s optimism Davar “a new world ” Malegamvala advises Zoroastrians are principally involved in notes, “In the 1920s and 1930s there were “Apart from academic studies whici trading though banking, accountancy, en- a good number of 2Soroastrians in China, should get their first priority, the; gineering, law and medicine have their Once again, China receives huge foreign (should) imbibe the spirit of Westen votaries too. Most families have been investment from all over the world. There resident in the colony for two generations are increasingly great possibilities for us though there are those who count back Zoroastrians to again enter China for thereby missing an^ssential part of edu to five generations, informs Master, business or professional careers, both on cation. ” Already, with the economic surge in our own and as representatives of other “In face of the galloping cost o Hongkong in the 1980s, the anjuman in- . . _ . . come by 1990 enabled it “to make some very meaningful donations to specific Hongkong. ” charity projects in India. ” Master refers to Hongkong House, a fully funded contri ­ bution from the Zoroastrians of Hong ­ kong to Bombay ’s Godrej Bang. Official Zoroastrian presence in South project: “If within the next 25 years this China dates to 1822 when they purchased building can act as an inspiration to others Punchayet, the R. D. Sethna Trust as als< a cemetery plot in Macau, a part of the to strive for greater things, as well as other educational trusts. “A time ha j trust holdings to date. With the acquisi- make a meaningful contribution towards come when we must also approach th i tion of a cemetery in Hongkong in 1845, improving the livelihood of our less fortu- various Zoroastrian associations in th i the community codified a set of rules and nate Zoroastrians, then the bold decision US and the UK,” believes Malegamvala I regulations which formalized the estab- ’------- *¦* — * '------------------ lishment of what has over the years be- rented “Who amongst us will be left in Hongkong 25 years hence to open the time capsule? ” British dependent territory citizen pass ­ ports are in the process of securing foreign passports as an ‘insurance policy ’ and there is a tendency to diversify assets and establish bridgeheads dent on scholarships and the income h( overseas, as notes has earned through giving tuitions. H< Master), it is probable still awaits final admission and financia that Hong- kong ’s economic as assistance to pursue biology. An alumnus of the Indian Institute o Technology, Kharagpur, Neville Wadij has been admitted to the Louisiana Stab 61 Parsiana August 1993 manufacturing activity from Hongkong to mainland China to enjoy the benefits of the dominant service and finance center for southern China due to its already must exploit to maximum advantage in the new economic relationship. ” Endorsing Master ’s optimism Davar notes, “In the 1920s and 1930s there were a good number of 2Soroastrians in China. a financial assistance of $ 11,500. “A committed, matifre surgeon, ’ Yasmin Wadia wants to pioneer hear and lung transplant surgery in India When stydying for her MS and MCh de grees, the Jamshedpur girl did her surgi cal training and examinations from th< Tata Memorial Hospital. civilization... Indian students tend ti move in small cliques and mini ghettoes business or professional careers, both on our own and as representatives of other organizations. Today the entry for almost higher education abroad today, unless th, every business project into China is from community consolidates and coordinate J all available resources it would be im H Projecting this positive attitude 25 possible for Parsi students to go abroai j years ahead Master anticipates the com ­ munity reopening the time capsule and embarking on a similar, nay grander. for higher studies, ” writes Malegamvala The Tata Endowment had been workin: j conjointly with the foreign education committee of the Bombay Parsf * to strive for greater things, as well as make a meaningful contribution towards improving the livelihood of our less fortu ­ nate Zoroastrians, then the bold decision taken in January 1990 will have truly ex­ ceeded all our expectations. ” Compiled by Paiinaz Gandhi IPROFESSIONS ¦s - Recently appointed managing director of theTata Electric Companies, Kersi Gherda is well placed w* 'w* - U. .» * • Kersi Gherda is' to harness resources for the betterment of the industry Ina ‘power ful position Homi Rogers The two things that Kersi Minocher on the edge of the Western Ghats in companies find it an uphill task to chart Gherda, newly appointed managing di- Maharashtra: Shirota, Andhra, and their electrifying coufse. But with the rector of the Tata Electric Companies, ap- Walwhan near Lonavla. The Walwhan, pears to value ardently are privacy and winds of change blowing, and their re ­ flection on the stock market (on the day job dedication. He is soft-spoken, re- early 20s, is only a little smaller than the Gherda took over as managing director served to the point of reticence and with- great dam constructed at Aswan (in the stock price of the three power compa- drawn from public glare. Thus, with Egypt) in the 1960s. nies ranged between Rs 1,030 to 1,335), minimal fanfare, 64-year-old Gherda as ­ sumed charge on June 25, 1993 of the pipes since then. In its founding years at strong accountancy background is the Rs l,0(X) crore block grid of the country ’s three major power companies: Tata Hy­ dro-Electric Power Supply Company Ltd in 1916, and TPC in 1919), electricity (THPS), the Andhra Valley Power Supply had yet to be tried in Bombay, and the early. After passing out from Bombay ’s Company Ltd (AVPS) and the Tata textile mills worked on coal. The Tatas Cathedral and John Connon School, he Power Company Ltd (TPC). offered to buy the huge steam engines joined the Sydenham College of Com- The Tata Power Companies have had used for propelling machinery, to tempt merce and Economics from where he ob- a long and checkered history. One of the mill owners to lift their electric power, earliest plumes in the Tata pheta (hat). Some 50 years later, the scenario was re- the enterprise was envisioned by the versed. Power was in short supply. The the final examination of the Institute of founder, Jamsetji, who according to Tatas, foreseeing the coming crunch. Chartered Accountants of India before Russi Lala in The Creation of Wealth, proposed to set up a 500 MW multi-fuel proceeding to become a Fellow of the In- “visited the Niagara Falls to study hydro- unit. Scepticism based on the grounds of stitute of Chartered Accountants in En- electric generation of power. ” An anec- size, availability of fuel (coal and gas) gland and Wales. After a couple of stints dote from the Tata archives has it that and the dangers of breakdown of such a elsewhere as an accountant, Gherda Jamsetji first proposed to harness the large unit, along with bureaucratic pro- joined the Tatas. When Gherda talks of Dhuandhar (Fall of Mist) waterfall near crastination delayed the project. It was the Marble Rocks at Jabalpur for the pur ­ pose. But from central India the choice moved to the mountain slopes of western India. And a pioneering page was written when, for the first time in world history. considered an engineering feat in the early 20s, is only a little smaller than the Much water has flown down the Tata indications are that Gherda with his the beginning of the century (THPS was right man in the right place at the right established in 1910, followed by AVPS time. Gherda ’s romance with figures started tained his BCom in 1949. Three years later, Gherda passed “at the first attempt ” “loyalty to one ’s organization ” as an in ­ gredient of success, he is delivering a only a few years ago that the govern ­ ment, realizing that power is the core of message from the heart: he himself has the core sector, relaxed controls and pro ­ posed to increase rates of return. Till then private sector electric companies been with the Tata Electric Companies for over 25 years. “ Gherda ’s elevation to the top slot is a hydroelectric power was generated by were viewed as dead investments: a natural culmination for a man of his waters stored in artificial reservoirs “widows ’ scrip ” at the stock exchange. abilities and 37 years ’ managerial experi- speeding down pipes to power houses at the foot of the mountain side. The Tata government policies on power genera- power companies built a “lake district ” “widows ’ scrip ” at the stock exchange. Suffering from the stranglehold of ence. “The Companies are technically competent, ” declares Gherda who, in tion, distribution and pricing, the power keeping with the needs of the times, will ¦62 Parsiana August 1993scope in the finance and accounts sphere, and with the advent of computer infor ­ mation, in similarly related fields. The key to success does not lie only in the tial rise in other incomes, the companies ’ net profits would have remained more or less unchanged. Some of the heads under choice of one ’s vocation, but in. “being prepared for a hard grind in one ’s initial years. ” His advice is: “Work your way to the top. ” What Gherda laments is the trend among today ’s youth to work for self-in ­ terest rather than for the good of the company. “It is,” he admits regretfully, “also prevalent amongst Parsi youth to ­ day. ” But Gherda does not censure. “It is this schedule are rentals on land and a worldwide phenomenon, ” he adds. buildings, income of units from Unit All days are the same; God has to be equal to ail mankind" (( 99 Yet it is apparent that this new trend hurts the selfless worker that Gherda is. He is not prone to confide in us, but when we prod him about his social wel ­ fare interests, he reveals that he is the be turning his attention to “reviewing ad- increase in other receipts. Market sources ministration ” and “maintaining standards feel that had it not been for the substan- achieved ” — in that order. “The main problem today with our business, ” states Gherda, “are the plethora of rules, per ­ missions to be obtained, licences to be procured,... ” all of which call for a high level of liaison and effective administra ­ tion. “The contact with government agen ­ cies has to be considerable — much more than with other businesses, ” stresses Gherda. Power companies in the private sector are mere licencees of the state government, through their respec ­ tive state electricity boards (SEBs), to whom power has to be sold at contractual Trust of India, income from trade and rates. The Tata Electric Companies enjoy other investments, profit on sale of in- a monopoly only for Bombay city where vestments. If the shareholder is all set to they are the sole suppliers of electricity laugh his way to the bank with the pro ­ to BSES (Bombay Suburban Electric posed dividend being hiked to 25 percent chairman of Cheshire Homes in Bombay Supply) and BEST (Bombay Electric (from 20 percent for 1991-92), some (“an institute for the incurable who can- Supply and Transport) but, as Gherda ob- credit is surely due to Gherda ’s brilliant not afford to be kept at home ”) and the serves, they have to sell the power gener- accountancy. Maharashtra State Branch of the Indian ated to other boards. Gherda, though, would dismiss the Red Cross Society. He is also a trustee of Gherda ’s stress on administration and plaudit with characteristic modesty. “A the Breach Candy Hospital and serves in "accounts is thus not unfounded. For the financial background is required for any- a similar capacity at the C. B. Banaji (year 1992-93 the companies ’ net profits one, whether in trading or in a technical Atash Behram. » irose by almost the same amount as the field. ” But there is, he admits, a lot of ~ ] Though Gherda claims no in-depth With Best Compliments From PENOSH ] ) 1 I 94-A, M. G. Road Pune 411001 Tel; 645162-65 Fax: 645166 1 1 '( 64 Parsiana August 1993be tt knowledge of the Zoroastrian religion, he shrugging off the phenomenon. -min; avers that the renovation done at the achi Atash Behram — despite the long-drawn prot and vociferous carpings of critics — was The young lad from Calcutta who lost his father, a medical practitioner, in his early teens and migrated to Bombay, has Ghe quite in order: “Our elders had provided come a long way since then. Yet as he mis! for another gumbaj (dome) where prex prayers could be said when the padshah j leve (holy fire) needs to be shifted. ” A navar- tion martab (one initiated into priesthood) “ from Navsari, the ecclesiastical capital of cies the Bhagaria tola (group) of athravans moi (priests), Gherda concedes to being reli- stre gious by nature. But, in keeping with his priv personality, not bigoted. Ask him about stall the Monday evening phenomenon al the tive Banaji Atash Behram (see “If it’s Mon- wh( day, it must be Banaji ’s,” Parsiana, July rate 1992) and he, in his personal capacity a m and as a trustee, claims to see little the ’ wrong in the worshipping frenzy pro ­ to fessed by fellow Zoroaslrians at a fixed Sup time (Aiwisruthrem Gah) on a fixed day. Sup “It is a matter of personal faith, and who sen am I too dislodge it?” he questions. But atet then he adds, “All days are the same; < God has to be equal to all mankind, ” 'acc tyea iiosi -------------------------------------------------- 1 sits on his 'powcr ’ful throne, Gherda re ­ tains his humility and an open, unbiased mind. His term at the top, in keeping . with the new “retirement-at-65 ” policy of Tatas, will be short. But with his no- nonsense, down-to-earth policies he seems all set to sow the wind. So that, in the years to come, the company he heads can reap the Walwhan(d). S ^desU & WV.^Vj-fe"2872730 Jr— ( I ] 1 < I 1 ] i t J 1 t I I 1 A A iL 1 64 n For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS 66 Parsiana August 1993 46 Hars/a^’d luyuui 324, Grant Road, Bombay 400007. Telephone 3099648 Fax 3073483 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA i I Hf I kn 1 av . i Al 1 an < qu I fo 1 Pr 1 (h I m: fn < thi ' (P ¦ gi' 1 pe ! thi I Bi ’ da 1 19 i an I wi I fe: ! tir : “Il I an i ih< G( BUSINESS In league with the ¦11— giant Elf The multinational French giant Elf chose REPL Engineerings chaired hy Homi Patels as their Indian partner for manufacturing and marketing lubricants Gustasp Irani L ‘Elf, ’ the emblem that roars across the them. To compete on the international globe on sleek racing cars of champion market we have to be price competitive, drivers like Alain Prost and Nigel and offer a better product and better ser- Mansfield, streaked into the Indian vice,” says Patel. Almost a quarter of market when plans were announced REPL’s Rs 37 crore turnover in 1993 recently to produce and market auto- . . _ motive and industrial lubricants under that brand name for the first time in the country. Homi Patel, the 49-year-old chair ­ man and managing di­ rector of REPL Engi ­ neering Ltd, a fledg ­ ling Bombay-based company, pulled off a coup of sorts over the more illustrious names in the Indian cor ­ porate sector when Elf Lubrifiants, part of the 40 billion dollar French cor ­ porate giant Societe Nationale Elf Aqui ­ taine — a top Fortune 500 company — chose him as a partner in their Indian venture. “We had what Elf Photo: Gustasp Irani was looking for — a small company that is professionally run and quick to respond, ” says Patel. Larger Indian companies have larger their full range of products here and were egos, want a greater say and higher not interested in exporting from India, stakes in operations. “With us there will So I pulled out, ” Patel explains the be less interference, quick implementa ­ tion and the identity of Elf, not REPL will be highlighted, ” he adds. This low key image of the portly, ge ­ nial, casually dressed chairperson of sue of 36,00,000 equity shares to finance REPL who obtained a masters degree in its expansion plans. Being Parsi helped, chemical engineering from the Univer ­ sity of California in Berkeley, can be misleading. From his unpretentious, compact, wood-and-mirror paneled of ­ fice at Fountain, Bombay, he runs a suc ­ cessful high-tech outfit that manufac ­ tures and markets heat shrinkable cable jointing kits for the telecom and power industries. “We are number one in our field in In ­ dia. Worldwide, there arc only 12 play ­ ers in this business and we are one of hazel eyes twinkling). His knowledge of Patel: prepared to take risks was exported to markets in Europe (France, Portugal, UK, etc), the USA, Canada, the Middle East and Asia. A keen sportsman and athlete in his youth, Patel carried over the competi ­ tiveness of the track I field to his profes- I sional life. He pione- I ered heat shrink I technology in India I* in 1979 when he was in charge of the subcontinent opera ­ tions of a leading company in the field, Raychem Cor ­ poration. Subsequen­ tly, he promoted Raychem Engine ­ ering Pvt Ltd in India with technical assistance from the parent company. But the union did not last. “Raychem Corporation did not want to introduce in * I ' L 66 58 Parsiana August 1993 parting of ways. With the courage of a David taking on a Goliath, Patel launched REPL in 1986. In 1992 REPL went public with an is- “The fact that the directors of the com ­ pany are Parsis,has its impact. ,The mar ­ ket sentiment is that the integrity and honesty of a Parsi company should be above average. Being a Parsi-managed company is a definite asset, ” Patel ob ­ serves. Being Parsi, however, did not make much difference with Elf. Nor did the fact that Patel knows no French (“I don ’t know a word of the language, ” he laughs.! a -.n 3)- spi 7; 9 > !fl > TJ the oil industry in the country, a major outlet for REPL’s high-tech products, helped. On the anvil are plans to con ­ struct a plant at Taloja, Maharashtra, with an annual capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes of lubricants. And REPL is al ­ ready pirating personnel from the country ’s oil industry with hard-nosed professionalism. “You ’ve got to do it if you want the best, ” Patel laughs. “It’s part of the game. ” Part of Patel ’s larger game plan was to break a few conventional molds along the way. This he did in 1979 when, against the trend of Parsis migrating to the USA and staying on there, he opted to return to India. “I think that most Parsis, when they go to the States, plan to ‘ - return to India. But once they get a job and settle down, the decision, whether to give it all up or not, becomes more diffi­ cult, ” says Patel. Kids, he believes, often become the deciding factor — for once they grow up and get used to the Ameri ­ can lifestyle, relocation back in India can be a traumatic experience. As a result many Parsis stay on, not by choice but by default. “In our case, it was a question of timing. If my wife, Roshan, and I had not returned when we did, the break would have been more difficult later, ” says Patel. This was in 1979 when the first of their children (Rutton, Lyla and Cyrus) was still too young to influence their de- cision. It is a decision Patel does not regret. H “Life in the US is a lot more comfortable 8 if you are an employee. However, an 8 employer in India is probably better off Hj than his American counterpart. Here you are able to influence a lot more people. ” REPL's product range: (above) hybrid Patel illustrates the point by observing insulators (left) and telecom joint; that while his company employs over 100 people in India, a similar outfit in the States would have to manage with 40 or 50 at best. Of course, the India Patel returned to had its problems. “The infrastructure was very bad when we first came back. Even to get through a telephone call or get onto a flight was a problem, ” Patel recalls. Today, things have improved, economy. “Now the need to have influ- “The days when consumers had to wait ' ’ in line for what was available are over.- Now you have a choice of cars, TVs, It’s serves, but adds: “I don ’t know if it is fear or a matter of principle, but Parsis as a rule have been put off by govern ­ ment red tape. ” But entrepre ­ neurship has its price tag. “Not many Parsis are cut out for it. You ’ve got to be prepared to take risks and make sacrifices, ” says Patel who has been through the grind of long hours, endless travelling, not being able to spend much time with the family and more. “In- fact you should see if your wife ?an handle the pressures, ” he adds. His advice to young entrepreneurs “Start young. It takes around 10 to 15 years to esta ­ blish oneself. ” Parental guid ­ ance and encour ­ agement, according to Patel, also play their role, mother would always en ­ courage me and my brother (Jehangir) to go out and do things on our own: join the boy scouts, ride cycles and things like that. I remember when we were 10 and 12 she had sent us alone by train from Bombay to Bangalore, ” says Patel. That was a time might want. To succeed now, a product when there was no direct rail service has to be good and right for the con ­ sumer, ” says Patel, about as . _ _ government ’s policy of opening up the terminated at Bangalore, but evidently. ¦ ~ Pater.s exploration did not end there. Rather it was the harbinger of the travels that would one day usher him into the world of high-tech enterprise. t- r 69 Parsiana August 1993 I tag. \ V 9 elf (below) automollve lubricant (left) and allied components washing machines or whatever you a ’. He sees the tum- direct result of the ence or be corrupt to succeed, is decreas ­ ing. It is a good time for Parsi entrepre ­ neurs to enter the market, ” Patel ob- is; ft “My (Makki) from Bombay to Bangalore, and a change of trains mandatory at Guntakal. The old smoke-puffing steam engine, kn E BUSINESS 1 av i Al 1 an ' qi I fo 1 Pr ¦ (h 1 m fr I th ' (I ¦ gi : P' ; tl B d I 1 . a V f< Scaling Everest Adman Darius Kapadia is once again making Everest Advertising conquer new heights For the uninitiated advertising agencies are peopled by anomalous denizens. Copywriters, at the creative nerve center. Homi Rogers what equivalent to the Indian ICWA (In ­ stitute of Cost and Works Accountants). _____ ..................... He confidently asserts that what is (now Hindustan Thompson Associates), are not writers paid to copy (that some do perceived to be his weakness is actually I ’ ‘ is another matter), but to think (and ink) his strength. The Zoroastrian-founded from his job as copywriter to establish li original. And a large genus teeming all Everest, according to him, “has always “ over the place with the word ‘account ’ been a bottom line oriented agency, rec- appended to hierarchical posi- .. , tions ranging from executive * to director, is as removed from accountancy as chalk from cheese. It was hence a great surprise when last October, Darius E. Kapadia, a 40-year- old chartered accountant with no formal background in ad- L vertising whatsoever, decided ' to take over Everest, the ailing, Rs 32 crore billing ad ­ vertising agency. Eyebrows | were raised, foreheads fur- I rowed in doubt. How would | the marriage of an accounts- ¦ based person with creative account Niloufer and Darius Kapadia (client)-oriented marketers work? Photo: Everest works is another matter), but to think (and ink) over the place with the word ‘account ’ est ad agency (Kharas informs us) in the country behind only J. W. Thompson took the plunge in 1945. Kharas resigned : a : tl C 1 I *^0^ J SiSi r’ 4 (client)-oriented marketers work? While the Cassandras wailed, Kapadia in his own quiet manner set about to reverse the agency ’s sagging graph (Everest had pfine, and building brands through notched a negative growth of 9.9 percent ative excellence, during 1991-92, according to a survey conducted by A & M, an Indian monthly on advertising and marketing) and to monitor its progress. “I don ’t see how my financial background could be a drawback, ” observes Kapadia. “All senior managers have to be, at the end of the day, well-rounded business managers, ” Kapadia is however at pains to clarify that he is not — as has been reported in the Indian media — a CA as understood close colleague of Patel right from th in the country, but a chartered manage ­ ment accountant, being an associate ognizing the need for financial disci- 1 crc- Everest in 1946. Patel, according to Kharas, continued to hold his job at The Times as their chief ad repre ­ sentative before assuming full- time responsibilities at Everest in 1948. , ChrFstened ‘Everest ’ after L ¦ the then unsealed Hiifialayan I summit by Khara^ an ardent g f trekker himself, the agency I , was started as a co-operative S , venture, owned by its staff f . who held the company ’s shares and partook of its prof ­ its. Kharas relinquished his shares when he joined Clarion in 1961 as retaining them would amount to a clash of in ­ terests. Kapadia turned the wheel full circle when after a miraculous escape from Kuwait, he decided to buy out his father-in-law ’s shares in the agen ­ cy from Ahmed Ibrahim. The 62-year- old Ibrahim, who is now chairman emeritus of Everest, agreed to offload the .1 * Kapadia should knew or though he shares Patel had passed on to him remained virtually unkno••-•n on the In- ' dian advertising scer .• ¦ 'i his dramatic entry last aulunn., ' ‘ ‘ Niloufei always toek a keen interest in the progress of Ex cresl, ifie agency hav ­ ing been set up in 1946 by Niloufer ’s fa ­ ther, the late Adi Paid. Reminisces Homi Kharas, one of the founder-directors of the agency, and a fortunately holidaying Tn Bombay. It was 'cir Bennett Colcmaii days; “Adi was always keen to s'et up his own ad agency. He was member of the Chartered Institute of the architect of Everest. ” The two Parsi Management Accountants in England employees of The Times of India adver- \ ' tising department, then the second larg- through a trust. “I’m returning what was given to me, ’’ says Ibrahim, recalling his and his wife debt of gratitude to the late Patel who had taken him on 26 years ago. “We lost everything, ” recalls Kapa ­ dia, “when Iraq attacked Kuwait on Au ­ gust 2, 1990. Our house was looted, our car stolen... ” The Kapadias were then and Wales (acronymcd ACMA), some- a holiday from which Niloufer never went back, and her husband, after his oc ­ casional trips to Kuwait, finally made the momentous decision. The homecoming for the Kapadias was not all hunky-dory. Though born and 70 Parsiana August 1993agency already handles some of Saat- chi ’s multinational clients. A keen golf ­ er, Kapadia seems all set to tee off Everest into the top five league “on pro ­ fessional and creative ground, ” targetting a turnover of 60 crores within the next two years. Kapadia extends a similar SWOT and devises methods to overcome them. Much of the community ’s decline in the not too distant past, is attributed by flair. “We have lost our business acumen, and our spirit of enterprise, ” he states. “Why did we prosper when the British bred in Bombay, Kapadia, an alumnus of equity arrangement. “The involvement is Cathedral and John Connon School and always greater, ” reasons Kapadia, whose St Xavier ’s College, was out of touch with his roots. He had left the country over 20 years ago to qualify in accoun ­ tancy in the UK where he stayed on and worked up to 1983 before going to Ku ­ wait. The atmosphere at Everest was not upbeat either. The agency had slipped peaks below its massive namesake, and managed to scrape into the 10th rank (strengths-weaknesses, opportunities- in an agency survey conducted by threats) analysis to the problems confron- A & M, a sharp decline from its number ting the Zoroastrian community today, three position only a few years ago. Kapadia concedes that there were a “lot of in-house problems ” caused main ­ ly by the resignation of the company ’s Kapadia to the lack of entrepreneurial two seniormost line managers who de­ parted with a clutchful of the agency ’s clients — and professionals — to set up their own shop. “But we have stopped ruled our country? ” questions Kapadia looking inwards, and are now brewing rhetorically. The main reason for the fall, new ground, ” confides Kapadia who has Kapadia opines, is that Parsis in India embarked on a consolidated program. Nine months later, the results have started to trickle in. The agency expects to close the current financial year (1993- 94) with billings around Rs 40 crores: a complete mind-set has to be changed. ” jump of four crores from their last year ’s performance, and a 25 percent increase since Kapadia took over. New accounts feeling is needed in our youth. But the are being signed on at a galloping rate, Niloufer herself pitching in for new busi ­ ness, in addition to being responsible for the agency ’s administration. The padlocked office of Edge, an Everest subsidiary started a few years ago, is being reopened to provide service to clients wishing to raise capital from just a handful of Parsis at the top. the market. “Equity capital is the cheap ­ est way to raise funds from the market, ” claims Kapadia who with his hands-on approach should be able to provide the thing for the community, ” he avers, edge in this specialized market. “We Hopefully, something which would, to have already signed 15-odd accounts for lift a line created by his agency, “dhoom public issue advertising, ” cheerfully macha de, rang jama de" (put the zing states Kapadia who, according to market buzz, has lured three professionals for this purpose from a rival agency by promising handsome pay. Be that as it may, Kapadia is rather explicit: “I explain to my managers the importance of monitoring finances, con ­ trolling outstandings, and reviewing the slipped, but the brand still retains good ­ credit standings of our clients. Cash man ­ agement is an important function with any agency. ” Kapadia ’s game plan for resuscitating Kapadia, like the community, has been Everest ’s fortunes includes yet another aptly branded by providence. Look again financial strategy. He plans to convert the agency ’s present nine-year-old affili ­ ation with Saatchi and Saatchi into an failed to make the transition from a colo ­ nial era to an independent age. The com ­ munity was not prepared to accept chal ­ lenges like they did in the past. “Our “We have to shake off our compla ­ cency, ” he declares. “The get-up-and-go urge to do something out of the way, to pioneer like our ancestors did is just not there, ” he rues. Even in the field of ad ­ vertising, which once boasted of stal ­ warts like his father-in-law and Bobby Kooka (credited to have designed the maharaja mascot for Air India), there are Kapadia is prepared to help in motivating the change in mind-set, and strengthen ­ ing our youth. “I would love to do some- back into life). Kapadia concedes that such a task would not be too difficult because the “Zoroastrian name still enjoys tremen ­ dous reputation. People even today love to deal with Parsis. ” Translated in adver ­ tising jargon: “the product may have will. ” In a business where Shakespeare ’s “what ’s-in-a-name ” would be scoffed at. at his surname, and you will discover that KapADia is, after all, an adman to the core. 73 Parsiana August 1993 APPOINTED VALUERS OF JEWELLERY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA GAZDAR Private Limited Taj Mahal Hotel Bombay Tel: 2023666, 2023366 Ext 3204 Telegrams: "MANUSCRIPT" . %BUSINESS 7^^ fragrance lingers Sarosh Bana on The cologne business started by Rustomji Bana in the last century continues to refresh its chosen clientele teresting to learn that the founder, Bawabhai, was as notorious for his lack of ambition as he was famous for his cre ­ ativity. During the Quit India movement, .one night unidentified per ­ sons in Bombay tarred the marble statue of Queen Victoria seated on her marble pedestal under a filigreed marble canopy uid has a gracious fragrance, is soothing facing the Alexandra Girls ’ English Insti- when applied on the body or mixed in ¦ ¦ - - > as In a pokey little flat in Bombay, in a century- old building over ­ looking the Grant Road bridge, one can buy a time-tested cologne that has become syn ­ onymous witli the elix ­ ir of life. The ancient brassplate on the door on the second floor indicates to the ‘Aban Eau de Cologne ’ — after Homi ’s customer that he is indeed at the right 42-year-old daughter — this golden liq- place, emblazoned as it is with the name “ ' ’ ‘ ‘R. H. Bana. ’ Though Rustomji Hormuzji Bana, the bathwater, and has healing properties scion of the Bana business of perfumes, well, akin to balm. “We cherish this colognes, essential oils, hair darkencr business as a family heritage which it veritably is,” says Homi. “It has genera ­ tions behind it, Rustomji having be- ' ----- --- ----------------- J ’ - —vjuvumvu iv Il IO ov/ii, iii j tuil ivi X-zwi ciujl, with it, his fragrances and his legends. It and he, in turn, passing it on to me. My son, Sarosh, will carry it on to ensure that the tradition survives. ” The shape of the bottle, the change lasting bouquets by treating the natural from cork to bakelite caps, and the ‘Aban ’ label (introduced about three de­ cades ago) are the only alterations the product has undergone. The present la- and soaps, died in his hometown of Navsari on October 31, 1924, at the age of 80, his name lives on to this day. And queathed it to his son, my father Dorabji tution in the Fort area. Instead of coming forward himself, Bawabhai provided to a fellow-chemist the formula to erase the smears without affecting the marble. The man, known as Gajjar, used it with success and was honored and felicitated by the British for his pains. Another of Bawabhai ’s innovations was a method he had devised to make flowers last. He woultLproduce long- is now left to his 83-year-old grandson, Homi Dorabji Bana, to forge ahead with the uninterrupted family enterprise, R. H. Bana and Company, established in 1876 with a small chemical factory in Navsari, 233 km north of Bombay. The 117-year-oId business still com ­ mands a steadfastly loyal clientele that bel was the brainchild of Hoini himself, swears by it. ‘Bana nu cologne water ’ is an artist in his own right, who chose rip- , still characterized by its i.ncompromising pling sand dunes as a background to the brand name. The company ’s earliest la ­ bel simply announced the product as ‘Eau de Cologne and Parfumerie Manu ­ facturers, Navsari. ’ The essential oil base for the cologne Bawabhai imported from passing through Baroda. It was only Messrs Burgoine and Burbidges of Lon ­ don. A product of such antiquity certainly this creation that the retiring and unas ­ suming Bawabhai stepped forward to ex­ quality that has withstood the vicissi ­ tudes of time and the rigors of contempo- , rary trade practices. But unfortunately this business, set up - by Rustomji Hormuzji, popularly known as Bawabhai Bana, is past its halcyon days, embattled as it has been with the mortifying con ­ straints of prohibition and excise. Known today by the trade name of has its share of history behind il. It is in- flowers in an aromatic wax he prepared, and which he patented both in India and in England. This fact had been noted in the 1924 issue of the Par see Prakash that carried his obituary. Bawabhai, in fact, also fashioned flowers out of cloth and paper and treated them similarly, market ­ ing them as ‘Bana Bouquets. ’ Homi nar ­ rates that Sayajirao Gaekwad had pre ­ sented one such bouquet to the then Duke of Windsor when the latter was when the Duke expressed his wonder ­ ment and asked to see the man behind' , H Parsiana August 1993 * * J I0^^ change a few words: whereupon the thumb. His wadi, or orchard, was abloom 1 ‘ with a variety of mangoes, dates, tobacco Gaekwad ’s incentives to expand his fac- and astonishingly, sandalwood as well, tory. The offer was accepted by a and the seedless ber {bor) that he had Gujarati instead and this man nurtured his plant into a vast enterprise known even today for its cough syrups. Darab who spent many holidays at Bawabhai ’s bungalow in Navsari, reminisces about the time he was visiting his maternal grandfather as a lad and the Gaekwad had halted his horse-drawn carriage en route from the station to his man- bilious was the man that he declined the evolved. manufactured lavender water, scents, vinegar, tooth powder aromatic oils. Soon an abiding association was struck between the Gaekwad and Bawabhai. The Gaekwad, whose seat was in nearby Son- He also His dispensations aiong with his charitabie zeal elicited the popular appellation of ‘Bawabhai Bana’ and holidays ited Navsari which fell within his purview, and took every opportunity to meet Bawabhai during these visits. Under Sayajirao ’s patronage, Bawa ­ bhai set tinker about with his potions and chemi ­ cals, he apparently also had a green Club ’ in 1937 on Ja^l Road in Lunsikui, not far from his own residence. , The Club is now cosmopolitan, much fre- ft Duke invited this Parsi inventor to Lon ­ don! Though he never ventured overseas and hardly travelled within the country, Bawabhai had a network of agents to sell his products and sent samples of his preparations to exhibitions both at home and abroad. His honors include one gold and two silver medals at the 1883-84 In ­ ternational Exhibition in Calcutta; a di­ ploma of honor at the International Exhi ­ bition in Antwerp in 1885; a medal at the 1886 London Colonial and Indian Exhi ­ bition; one silver medal at the Poona Ex- ____ hibition in 1888; and one silver medal gadh, occasionally vis- and a prize at the 1889 Rajkot Exhibi- - - tion. Bawabhai was a self-made scientist, highly imaginative and creative to the to meet Bawabhai during these visits, sion in Lunsikui (today the property of point of annoyance for his wife Dinbai, Under Sayajirao ’s patronage, Bawa- the Dharaka family) and ambled to the recalls his grandson Darab Pavri, propri- bhai set up a small factory that wicket gate of the Bana Bungalow to etor of Paragon Toys. Not only did he he named R. H. Bana and Co. The chat with his protege. Uackwad s munificence was exiraordi- Another gesture of appreciation nary. He granted Bawabhai a swath of shown by the Gaekwad was the estab ­ land along Navsari ’s present Station lishment of a club he christened ‘Bana Road on which the latter had a house constructed and also ceded around 150 acres at Bhinar, a hamlet near Navsari. ____ _____ Bawabhai set up a distillery at Bhinar quented by the advocates from the and soon took to manufacturing eau de magistrate ’s court in the adjoining com- cologne. Homi recalls that so unam- pound. Rustomji was one of the four children ---- —I one daughter) of Hormuzji and Ratanbai Bana. His father was a lakaria, that is, belonged to a po ­ lice militia of the Parsi Desais. Adverse circumstances possibly thwarted Hor ­ muzji from being ordained into priest ­ hood, but he look care to ensure that all his three sons became navars. Cawas died young, probably unmarried. Khurshetji was murdered when he was 41, a victim of business rivalry. Rustomji, who was later'to be addressed as Bawabhai, studied English up to the seventh standard and gained employment as a compounder at the dispensary run by Dr Jamshedji Behramji Vimadalal. Rustomji acquired the clinic upon Dr Vimadalal ’s death and soon his stature grew. Gifted with an inventive bent of mind, he concocted his own herbal medicines, embrocations, and mixtures for treating the periodic aantario tao (malarial fever) that seemed to afflict people regularly then, especially peasants during the har ­ vesting season. Queues of villagers and townspeople often built up at his door and his dispensations along with his charitable zeal elicited the popular appel- (Left) Goal, Aban and Homi Bana: value (three sons and the family enterprise (Below): Rustomji Bana (in pugree) with his family young, !• I I -I A 1 I ¦ Ilation of ‘Bawabhai Bana ’ or even Jamshed C. Katrak ’s account is correct, ‘Bawabhai Doctor. ’ the Bana surname has a martial origin. In 1664, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, volvement with the military presumably accorded the Banas their name which in Bawabhai was descended from a dis- In 1664, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sanskrit means an ‘arrow shot ’ and, on tinguished athoman (or priestly) lineage the Maratha ruler, plundered Navsari but qualification, ‘leader of a small local that traced itself to the ruling Sassanian dynasty of medieval Iran. The Bana family ’s genealogy in Navsari has been meticulously documented by Homi Bana ’s first cousin Ervad (Dr) Homi Ratansha Bana, a Zoroastrian scholar and author, and a geologist with the Associ ­ ated Cement Companies, who died in August 1984 at the age of 65. Curiously, the two Homi Banas have another first cousin also called Homi Bana, being the son of Bawabhai ’s third son, Framroz. Apparently, Bawabhai ’s fourth son, Jehangir, a government pleader at the Navsari court of justice, married late and left no children. Bawabhai and his wife Dinbai had four sons Ratansha, Framroz and Jehangir — and Shivaji ’s emissary, Pilajirao Gaekwad, three daughters — Soona, Shirin and Jer. It was an altogether normal-sized family at a time when Parsi strongholds pros ­ pered on the west coast, and 13 to 15 was a common age for marriage. If the Banas ’ cousin and author Nawab, Rustom Alikhan, and such in ­ could not dislodge the Mughal suzerainty army. ’ The Banas were in the service of over the area. Another attempt against Bawabhai was as notorious for his lack of ambition as he was famous for his creativity Dorabji, the Nawab of Surat was made in 1719 by the Desais and held vast forestlands in the areas surrounding Navsari which, in that era, offered sanctuary to tigers and other wild animals. Having appropriated these forests, gifted to them by the ruling Gaekwad on the recommendation of the Desais, the Banas traded in forest-based produce such as high-grade timber, fuelwood and fodder, and also ran a distillery and a tav ­ ern where toddy and country liquor were sold. The liquor shop was said to be enormous, measuring about 60 by 20 meters. The timber from the jungles was used to build the Banas ’ own family homes as well. The house that Bawabhai built, and which subsequently passed on to his son. Wishing you all "Happy Pateti" & "Happy New Year" With best compliments from The members of Bhopal Parsi Anjuman Dara Pavri President Rohin Gandhi Vice President Gev Dhunjibhoy Secretary 78 Parsiana August 1S93 with the assistance of the Parsi Desais who were then a dominant clan of Jehangir, and later to Homi Ratansha, Navsari. - their armies of the Koli and Bhil tribals commanded by the Banas to rout the The Desais reportedly used was sold off to one Babubhai K. Shah 15 years ago, recalled Balubhai Atmaram, the aged owner of Ganesh Marbles and Stone Suppliers.'\Vhile Atmaram ’s office cooking away. While waiting for the barbecue to be re^dy, we would sit in the garden sipping toddy and watch the sun go down, savofing the mo ­ ments of peace and contentment. We celebrated all the festivals of In ­ dia in our own way. Id was celebrated by eating biryani sent by Mohammedan ------ - friends. At Diwali the kitchen would be fish. Trays of this breakfast would be randah. She would send us doodh na whitewashed. At Dhanterus jewelry and sent to the next of kin and close friends, puff in large, old-fashioned glasses every coins would be washed and horses and along with a raw fish like mullet or winter, along with the fruit as it ripened cars festooned with garlands. Oil lamps pomfret. in her garden on the first floor, which di- would be lit and crackers burst. Christ- After the death of my grandmother, vided her drawing room from ours. mas was celebrated with presents, Christ- the old guard of servants like Ratonji My mother was not fond of cooking, mas trees and turkey. The New Year was gradually left and they were replaced by but whatever she created was excellent, brought in with much fanfare followed, superb Goan cooks. I remember aunt ” ' ‘ Jerbai ’s Bestian, for the pish pash he made. The origin of this dish is the rice ditional Recipes of India) it was ap- ' n/wroz 15 no fun GRANNY... NO TRee. to oeCORAte, NO , PRf5eN15, NO i PtUM PUPPIN a, / NO CARPUS TO SlNCi...'*' 'Mi I / I if sent to the next of kin and close friends, puff in large, old-fashioned glasses every winter, along with the fruit as it ripened in her garden on the first floor, which di­ vided her drawing room from ours. My mother was not fond of cooking. Her chutneys were superb, and when I of course, by a delightful supper. ~ ¦ On Pateti we would be awakened by . - the sound of music ’from the local kanji of the Goans and Konkans, but for plauded by the principal of the Cordon bandwallas who, for a couple of rupees, us it was altered by Bestian. Chicken or Bleu School of Cookery. My attempt at would play the current favorites gustily lamb was boiled with onions, bay leaves, whole garam masala and ginger. When almost ready, quartered potatoes and rice would be added, and lastly a little milk Mamai's." and butter. Aunt Manekbai ’s cook was Enas and no one has ever produced Chicken Kiev like he did. His sherry-fla ­ vored clear chicken consomme and pine ­ apple fruit ice were other credits. But the best of all was our cook John, His salted hump and Parsi chicken curry were un ­ beatable. Crumb fried oysters with crisp bacon and thin slices of rolled brown Accompanying these were rice and claret punch). I have never understood. made her tomato chutney (recipe in Tra- Bleu School of Cookery, My attempt at would play the current favorites gustily her famous Willingdon Chicken did not and out of tune. All of us, including our servants, would be given new clothes. After the traditional breakfast and a visit to the atash behram, we would visit our As schoolchildren I remember going paternal grandparents and have lunch to our paternal grandparents ’ home, where the famous papeta ma murghi or gosht would be made, along with Parsi curry and rice with kachumbar. If any other dish was prepared, there would be cries of protest from all, as we never, but never got tired of eating these dishes, (youngsters had to be satisfied with a go down as well with Sunil, my son-in- law, who told me it was “not as good as there, or at an aunt ’s home. In the evening we would go to the cinema and then to dinner at another aunt ’s place. While lunch would be traditionally Parsi, the dinner would be traditionally West­ ern with wines served with each course bread were a treat every Saturday in the wheat chappatis, and if a silver rupee though, why Pateti in Bombay is cel- 94 Parsiana August 1993 iL tl cooking it. The coffee is usually instant and not brewed, and food is cooked on gas or electricity. Many Parsis use artifi ­ cial sweeteners instead of sugar. I hear now that some of these are more harmful than sugar! Fads come and go and we blindly follow them. I must cry out in anguish that while most of the world is renewing its tradi ­ tions and customs, we are trampling on ours. We must of course keep up with the times, after all even we — when young — were the “mod ” of our age, but we kept our traditions, ate traditional food on special occasions, put chalk and hung lorans on auspicious days etc. An American or a European may not go to church every Sunday, but he will surely usually reserved for the family as a gift set up a Christmas tree, and eat turkey from the caterer. The lagan nu bhonu — ¦ ¦ • We were allowed to go dancing at the Taj Hotel dressed in saris with the head covered ebrated more than Navroze, when it is the last day of the year and supposed to be a day of repentance for the wrong we may have done during the year. When we grew older, we were allowed to go dancing at the Taj Hotel, the girls dressed in saris worn the Parsi way, with the head covered, lace sudrehs showing from underneath the blouses, and the men immaculately dressed in suits, not bush coats! Where are the wonderful weddings and navjotes of yore? The women would the dishes would be repeated for a sec- again .be dressed in beautiful saris em- ond helping, after which the palao and broidered in silver, gold or beads, with dal would be served. The meal would magnificent borders and always with end with a kulfi and almonds, pistachios, their heads covered and stockings on macroons and paan. Sometimes aleti their feet. The men would wear starched paleti would be served at the last sitting, daglis with either pugrees or phetas. We always had a live band in attendance, like our Goody Seervai or the police would be catered by giants like Navroji band, but never the taped music of today, ruining the entire atmosphere of the oc ­ casion. In those days we always attended the people, ceremony (not turning up at 8 o ’clock as some ill-mannered people do these days), patia would be served instead of the and when the dinner was announced, palao and dal. Sweet dahi (curd), small there was no rush as we see today. Ladies yellow bananas, korano murrarnbo and and gentlemen would stroll over to the paneer (cottage cheese) would start off tables. A trusted member of the caterers would come around with different brands of Scotch, brandy, sherry, port, and the Goan bearers with soft drinks. The tables had clean white table cloths: untom ba ­ nana leaves were placed for each person along with a crisp white starched napkin ing them with brandy! Now we get a stuck in a glass. The servers were dressed in spotless white uniforms. Instead of the traditional lagans and The secret of frying fish the Parsi way First would come the rotlis, then the navjotes many members of the commu- was shown to me by Ms Jhiny Sam achar (pickle) and wafers — crisp and nity now go to five-star hotels to cel- Mehta. The fish must be cut through the pale yellow, all the same color (Daddy ’s ebrate their functions. It is sad that not bone, about half an inch thick. It should and Uncle chips in their fancy wrappers only are we breaking with our traditions, be marinated in a paste of dry roasted cu- cannot compare). Fish would be the first but are destroying the livelihoods of min powder, turmeric and chilli powder, course; either fried or cooked in leaves or these talented master chefs who are with a squeeze of lime and salt to taste, with SOS. Next would be the chicken dish slowly dying out. for about 1 hour. Sesame oil should be — moghlai, or fried pieces or with potato I remember attending ghambars used if possible (in my youth all fish was fingers. This would be followed by a mutton dish, the most famous being kid partook of a simple meal of rice, dal and gosht (young gram-fed kid gently sim- kachumbar, with occasionally a meat mered with onions, ginger and garlic dish, paste, whole garam masala and red chil ­ lies, completed with coconut milk and cashewnut paste — a perfect recipe given to me by none other than Ms Khorshed Navroji Patel). Another mutton dish would be jardaloo (apricot) ma gosht or sali boti. Eggs would follow in large thalis, cooked with a little oil and water on tomatoes, potatoes or kothmir (coriander), etc, until just set. Then all and Christmas pudding at Christmas. I wonder if our young people realize the damage they are causing — the fu­ ture generations are losing out in a way typically Parsi, and they will not even know our delightful customs, traditions If the meal was a lunch, then dhan dar and food. « We Parsis in India, by our silly man ­ made rules, are slowly growing extinct, creating our own holocaust, hut Zoroas ­ trianism will carry on in the New World. I am so proud of the work you are doing out there in North America! Keep it up, and don ’t lose out on custom and tradi ­ tion. Will we in India ever learn? Patel or Mr Pavri, It was remarkable that food of such high standard could be pro ­ duced for anything from 300 to 1,000 the meal. We would all eat with our hands and at the end of the meal a man would come around with hot water and a small piece of soap for each person. I remember my mother washing her hands and then rins- spoon and a fork on the patra. Instead of the traditional lagans and navjotes many members of the commu ­ nity now go to five-star hotels to cel ­ ebrate their functions. It is sad that not only are we breaking with our U'aditions, these talented master chefs who are I where the rich and poor sat together and 96 Parsiana August 1993 ? TARELI MACHHI fried in mitthu tel i.e. sesame oil). The oil should be heated in an iron lohri (a vessel shallower than a frying pan and deeper than a griddle and with Meals like we had in our childhood, curved sides — to my mind, one of the are rarely made now, except perhaps in the rich homes of Parsis in the mofussil towns, where the eggs are farm fresh and not battery laid, and the chicken free range and not commercial broilers'. One seldom gets good charbidar gosht (fatty about three minutes, then turned on the meat) for dhansak, and if the cook does bring it home the lady of the house will make him remove every bit of fat before oldest and most beautiful kitchen vessels ever created). The oil must be hot, when the fish goes in and then the temperature must be reduced. The fish should be al ­ lowed to cook slowly on one side for other side and cooked for one to two minutes more and served immediately with slices of lime. I i i, 1 I ifT MACHHI NO PATIO There are many ways of making a patia, __________................... ............. but if you wish to make a fish or prawn of Bombay for Lady Willingdon when patia, I give below a recipe given to me ' ' “ by my niece Maja Daruwalla. It is super- ___ .............. ......... lative and made famous when I have Onions (2 — quartered) cooked it for my friends weddings and Ginger (1" piece — peeled and coarsely anniversaries. chopped) Fish (16 kg) or prawns (1 cup - shelled Celery (2 sticks — coarsely chopped) and deveined) ' Onions (6 — finely chopped) Garlic, cumin, red chillies (2 tbsp - ground to a paste in vinegar) Salt (to taste) Sugar (to taste) Vinegar (to taste) Tomato ketchup (2-3 tbsp) Oil (for frying) Use 1 cup cleaned prawns < ’' * _ ~ * cut into cutlets or fillets (I prefer cutlets Onion (1 - sliced) as the bone adds to the flavor). Maja Mace (javantri) (2 pieces) browns 6 finely chopped onions in oil Peppercorns (5-6) then sautes 2 tbsp of a paste made of gar- Eggs (2) Cheddar cheese (3 tbsp — grated) Mushrooms (116 cups - sliced) Mustard powder (optional) After boiling the chicken, allow it to cool in the stock. Remove the chicken from the stock and reduce the stock to 1 cup. Strain. Infuse the milk with the carrot, onion, i black pepper slowly for 5 minutes. WILLINGDON CHICKEN This was created by the Willingdon Club she was the Governor ’s wife. Chicken (116 kg) boiled with: Cardamoms (2) Black peppercorns (1 tsp - whole) Cinnamon (1 small stick) Salt to taste Enough water to cover the chicken. Bacon (6-8 slices — lightly fried) Butter (3 tbsp) Flour (16 cup) Milk (2 cups) or 16 kg fish Carrot (16 — sliced) lie, cumin and red chillies ground in vin ­ egar, for 2-3 minutes. She then adds the fish or prawns, and cooks it till just done. Lastly, she adds the salt, a pinch of sugar, a dash of vinegar and wait a minute — traditionalists don ’t get shocked — 2-3 tbsp of tomato ketchup! Yes, I was quite taken aback myself, it is not conventional but quite delicious. Cover and leave aside for 10-15 minutes. Slice the breast of chicken on the bone and place slices of bacon in be ­ tween. Reshape the breast and keep in place with a skewer. Melt butter, add flour and make a roux. Add reheated strained milk and mix well. Add the reduced stock. Bring to the boil and simmer till very thick, like a paste. Remove, from the fire. Beat the eggs and add to the sauce along with the mushrooms, grated cheese, seasoning and a dash of mustard. Place the chicken in an ovenproof platter and completely cover it with the sauce. Bake in a preset oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes until golden brown. Serve with French fried potatoes or roast potatoes and a tossed salad. Alternately, you may use ham and asparagus instead of bacon and mush ­ rooms, but don ’t call it Willingdon Chicken. You may join^ the chicken and place bacon in between the pieces in a^ baking dish and spoon the sauce over and bake — it is more convenient this way at a mace and buffet party. Bon appetit! i ¦e I if WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS FROM j i SOFT-HEARTED ‘WIBS'BREAD WESTERN INDIA BAKERS' PRIVATE LIMITED KHODADAD BUILDING, 100 D'LIMA STREET DOCKYARD ROAD, BOMBAY 400010 98 Parsiana August 1993BOOKS The spread of goodness Burjor K. Karanjia The Creation of Wealth, the Tata story updated by R. M. Lala. Illustrated by Mario Miranda. Published by Padmini Mirchandani for IBH Pub­ lishers Pvt Ltd, 412 Tulsiani Chambers, Nariman Point, Bombay 400021. Pp: XX + 240. Price: Rs 160. foresight. It takes much to create wealth perseverance, courage. Jamsetji Tata had these qualities in abundant measure. He lived at a time when the industrial revolution was sweeping the world. Very early in his life he realized that for industrial growth in j India three requirements 1 were essential: steel was ’ the mother of heavy indus ­ try; hydroelectric power was the cheapest energy to be generated; and technical education coupled with research was necessary for industrial growth. Jamsetji explored all these fields with almost un ­ believable success. His successors, too, carried on the same tradition in “basics ” by establishing a.chemical industry, an airline which be ­ came the country ’s flag canier, and India ’s largest and most sophisticated en ­ gineering complex, TELCO (The Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company). The total value of the Tata Companies ’ assets rose in 1989-90 to Rs 6,472 crores, a magnificent achievement by any stiin- dard. If the creation of wealth has the mark of excellence, its distribution for the be ­ nefit of society has- the quality of great ­ ness. Which brings to mind Andrew Carnegie who, rising from low-paid bob ­ bin-boy to high priest of steel, from Bombay House: hub of Tata’s offices Illustration: Mario Miranda, The Creation of Wealth b 100 Parsiana August 1993 12 Parsiana August ’993 humble beginnings in Dunfermline to a multimillionaire in New York, gave away over 350 million dollars to a wide variety of philanthro ­ pies, but whose greatest claim to fame is as enun- ' ciator and practitioner of the Gospel of Wealth. He held the man of i* i wealth to be “the agent and trustee of his poorer brethren, bringing to their ser ­ vices his superior wisdom, experience and ability to administer, doing for them better than they would or could do for themselves. ” Jamsetji Tata and the house he founded have carried forward and re ­ fined this gospel, so that in their hands the creation of wealth has led to the spread of goodness. In his painstakingly researched study, The Creation of Wealth, now in its third edition, and embellished by Mario Miranda ’s eye-catching sketches, R. M. Lala describes in fascinating detail the variety and range of the Tata philanthro ­ pies. Much of what is described inevita ­ bly duplicates what has been written in the author ’s biography of J. R. D. Tata, Beyond The Last Blue Mountain, but even so it does bear repetition. 4 ¦I 4As early as in 1892, in the belief that a by Dr Homi Bhabha, which became the nation ’s advancement depends on the el ­ evation of its most gifted members so that they may render the greatest service to the country, Jamsetji endowed a fund for higher education abroad of deserving adopting Jamshed Bhabha ’s project for ' - - - National Centre for the Performing Arts. In all this they were true to the spirit of best, but who did not have the training to thpir fniindpr Pnr „ ,c (Jq wcll. ” Credit gOCS tO the TatSS fOt replacing sentiment with a scientific ap ­ proach to social problems. It is the tragedy of this country that the efforts of a company with such a spectacular record of achievement in in ­ dustry, and an inspired concept of the trusteeship of wealth, were sometimes, hampered by the purblindness of govern ­ ments. The manufacture of gliders on which J. R. D. Tata had set his heart, could not be undertaken. A shipping line to the Far East was short-lived. But the outstanding example occurred in the mid 1960s when Tata Sons and Tata Chemi ­ cals prepared a scheme to set up a fertil ­ izer complex unique in the world. It was claimed that this project would have pro ­ duced fertilizer ><naterials capable of in ­ creasing foodgrain production by up to 15 million tons per year, sufficient to feed 75 million ^ople. ample. their time to the cultivation of the natural Nothing came of it because of the lack High purpose inspired everything and humanistic sciences. Given half a of political will to stand up to those who Jamsetji did. As his son Sir Dorab Tata chance, he would doubtless have spon- said that because the project was pro ­ said of him. The acquisition of wealth sored a monastery or two! posed by a large house it should not be was only a secondary object in life; it National concerns like family plan- sanctioned! It was the country ’s loss. It was always subordinate to the constant ning, prenatal care, environmental pollu- was only in the mid ’80s when it was desire in his heart to improve the indus- ................ trial and intellectual condition of the people in the country. ” Like his contem ­ porary Dadabhai Naoroji, Jamsetji too pioneered higher education among was when Tata set up a TELCO unit in women. ~ — - The pioneering trusts established by TELCO chairman and managing direc ­ tor, Sumant Moolgaokar, did on the bar ­ ren site was to plant trees, in thousands. cradle of India ’s atomic energy program. From the fields of medicine, science and technology, these philanthropies ex­ tended to the arts and humanities by • a students. Over the years it has benefitted India ’s engineers, doctors, educationists, lawyers and ICS officials. Six years later, in 1898, Jamsetji astounded his contemporaries by setting aside 14 of his buildings and four landed properties in Bombay for an endowment to establish something unheard-of then; a university of science “to promote original investi ­ gations in all branches of learning and to utilize them for the benefit of India. ” The Indian Institute of Sciences opened at Bangalore in 1911 with three major departments of general and applied chemistry, electro-technology chemistry and organic chemistry. Several disciplines were later added till today the Institute has over 30 depart ­ ments. Most of the research is on practi ­ cal lines. A wood-burning stove made of Swami Vivekananda spoke of the rising mud which is being used in the entire State of Karnataka, with a 35 to 45 per ­ cent efficiency range leading to 65 per ­ cent saving in firewood, is but one ex- their founder. For nothing was beyond When most trusts were communal in nature, they set the precedent of extending aid to all communities his ken and when, way back in 1898, ascetic spirit in the country, Jamsetji wrote to him suggesting the establisb- ment of monasteries for men dominated by this spirit, where they could devote their time to the cultivation of the natural Tata Institute of Social Sciences for the Kurukshetra refugee camp. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the first to appreciate what they did. “We found, ” he said, “the difference in their work and the work of many others who were earnest and had done their Jamsetji did. As his son Sir Dorab Tata chance, he would doubtless have spon- ...... . .. sored a monastery or two! National concerns like family plan ­ ning, prenatal care, environmental pollu ­ tion, eradication (in collaboration with perhaps already too late, that under the the World Health Organisation) of dis­ eases like small pox, automatically be ­ came Tata concerns. A classic example permitted to enter such forbidden fields! 1 Major Tata companies had in 1970 in- at Pune. The first thing corporated into their memorandum and articles of association, a clause on their social obligations to consumers, employ ­ ees, shareholders, society and the local community. Titan in South India claims tificial lake was created. Some directors credit for employing the highest percent- looked upon Moolgaokar ’s idea as a age of handicapped people in any Indian harebrained scheme, a waste of time and factory — 80 out of 1,800 employees, money. Not so the then chairman, J. R. higher than the recommended percentage D. Tata. “'v.. u„..„ -------- ... „ r . ------ .. lake to produce a truck, but we did it,” he policy of liberalization set in motion by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Tatas were his sons. Sir Ratan and Sir Dorab aimed to build the educational, social and scien ­ tific infrastructure of the nation. At a Trees need water, so a four kilometer ar- time when most trusts were communal in nature, these set the precedent of extend ­ ing aid to all communities “without any distinction of place, nationality or D. Tata. “We did not have to create a of 3.5. At the other extreme they encour- They made generous contributions to lake to produce a truck, but we did it,” he age sports. Tata Steel has a Sports Foun- the Servants of India Society founded by says with legitimate pride. dation with the Football Academy as one Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and to the cam- Tatas have not only extended the di- of its divisions. Tata Steel also assists a paign for racial equality in South Africa launched by M. K. Gandhi. They estab ­ lished major institutions of a pioneering character like the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, the Tata Memorial Centre for Cancer Research, and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, conceived of trained band of 20 social workers left the Tatas have not only extended the di­ mensions of social philanthropy, they total of 276 villages in the neighborhood have given new direction and purpose to of Jamshedpur, it. During the carnage that followed the country ’s partition, frantic appeals were sent out by the government for all pos ­ sible succor to millions of refugees. A Jayaprakash Narayan is quoted as say ­ ing that more than 85 percent of Tata profits go to the various trusts. A record of some kind, perhaps, in the industrial world? 102 Parsiana August 1993 t I 113 T Studying Abroad : How and where Parizad D. Batliwalla Handbook for Study Abroad by Dr Dina H. Dalal. Revised fourth edition published in 1993 by N. R. Rane, Institute of Management Studies. 1/45 Tardeo A.C. Market Building, Tardeo, Bombay 400034. Pp: 146. Price; Rs 75. of are I and the names and addresses of the chari ­ ties or institutions granting it, abroad as well as in India, is a wonderful compila ­ tion from various sources for which the author deserves all praise. Unfortunately, the book contains nu ­ merous spelling and printing errors. A few senicncc.s are left incomplete or make no sense at all. Since tlic book is aimed at the novice who has not been abroad for studies, a full explanation of terms such as a “grant-in-aid, ” or what exactly is an “open grant, ” or what con ­ stitutes the typical duties of a full-time (or part-time) “graduate research/teach- ing assistant ” etc, would have helped the uninitiated get some idea of what is ex­ pected of them if they do obtain the grant mentioned in one of the forms. In Chap ­ ter V, some useful terms have been ex­ plained, but the greenhorn could still get confused as to how these are applicable to him/her. Since the rankings of top schools vary, it would have been appropriate to mention the source from which the au ­ thor obtained her listings, as also the year of ranking , (since school rank.s - ‘ change from year toycar). The financially Pp: 246. Price: £14.99. I vulnerable should I be warned that Russell Lucas apparently believes that I eventually he or the funny bone is located somewhere just she has to person- below the belt and in his novel. The Ice ally visit most of Factory, we discover that he is not far off the institutions giv ­ ing financial aid. -r I * V C A U ¦ u jjfclgiwMlll I I Lust and ! laughter Gustasp Irani The Ice Factory by Russell Lucas. Published in 1992 by William Heinemann Ltd, London. j 1 6 the mark. The book, about a Parsi family in Bombay in the last two decades of the Raj, sets out at a hilarious pace often crossing over to the outrageous and ab- them up in great surd. Not that we are complaining; we detail, provide at least two photo ­ copies of each certificate and testimo ­ nial, as well as appear for an interview something has gone wrong. Lucas is as when summoned. This process usually funny, scandalous and absurd as ever. o This Handbook would be of primary in ­ terest to students who wish to study abroad, have very little knowledge about how to go about it and have ;; not been abroad before. The author gives a broad idea of the usual re ­ quirements courses in the UK, Canada, USA and Australia. She also lists names and ad ­ dresses of foreign universities; and their admission re ­ quirements sketched in along with some idea of the expenses in ­ volved. For the aca ­ demically good novice desirous of pursuing studies abroad, this is a very practical and useful book as the author has contributed sig ­ nificantly to the information available, takes place between April and July of the only now we have stopped laughing. It’s Students who live in towns and cities apart from Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Madras, invariably have to make several trips to any one of these four cities in or ­ der to get the basic information available at USEFI (United States Educational Foundation in India) offices only. To that extent, the format given here for the “preliminary application form ” saves these students time, expense and effort, thing else. The long list of financial aid available collect their par- ticular forms, fill .•o"*** ' «»«»* are enjoying Lucas ’ freeflowing narra ­ tive too much to protest. After a point, however, we notice that i 104 Parsiana August 1993 year in which he/she plans to go abroad, probably the result of fatigue caused by Most institutions give very little money flipping through pages and pages of as an outright gift; for the loans they give they require various formalities to be completed in terms of salary certificates, etc. Ultimately it is physically impos ­ sible to go to more than 20 places, so some shortlisting has to be done. Here i.s where luck plays a greater part than any- sexual exploits that hold the book to ­ gether. There are times, towards the end, when Lucas does venture out to see if there is any life form or motivating force above the waist; but finally, the gravita ­ tional force of the libido prevails. Another reason we stopped laughing is probably because we suspect that somewhere along the way the author lostthe empathy and enthusiasm with which fall short of their early promise. For in- he introduced us to his characters. The tale Starts with Fram Chutrivala, the cen ­ tral figure, in a sanatorium in care of Dr his famous kutragiari therapy, whereby Dilip Dilduktha, a psychotherapist, patients/disciples are encouraged to shed Fram ’s wife Banoo, sister Kety, a cham- their inhibitions by behaving like dogs. It pion table tennis player, and socialist is rather a let-down when later we find brother Soli are in attendance. His road to recovery is a journey into his kaleido ­ scopic past of aphrodisiacs, passion for of her canine therapy. maid servants, lust for Vanessa Beauchamp, wife of the British superin ­ tendent of police and a marriage of con ­ venience that lifted him from his humble origins to become the custodian of his fa- proud Parsi family. The characters, after ther-in-law ’s proud Wadia tradition and the family ’s ice factory. Once cured and back home, Fram sud ­ denly finds himself a widower and mentions Peter Shortland for his re ­ wastes no time wooing Rosie search. However, a Parsi Zoroastrian Sweetwater, an Anglo-Indian trumpet reader looking for a flavor of the com ­ player at Singleton ’s Hotel. The final munity, or for that matter a glimpse of segment of the book focuses on Fram and Bombay during the Raj, will be disap- Rosie ’s hunchbacked son Minoo, and his pointed. But then Lucas apparently did efforts to reconcile his physical defect with his sexual drive. As the story progresses, we get the rollicking, lighthearted romp which his feeling that Lucas has got bored with the readers (except perhaps for the overly Parsis of his creation and Stance, when we meet Friski Dalal, she is the torchbearer of the late Kala Baba and her in the role of a dance choreographer in a Hindi film studio, with no mention As a Parsi Zoroastrian reader we could not help but notice that the story fell into the now familiar pattern of de­ cay eating into the entrails of a once a while, slot into the format of effete and decadent one-dimensional paper cutouts. In his acknowledgements the author wooing not intend The Ice Factory to be a study of the community or the city, but rather a a result they sensitive Parsi) could enjoy. MATRIMONIAL Alliance invited for a girl aged 33, with post-graduate degrees from two prestigious American Universities, living in USA, willing to settle anywhere, abroad or in India. Equally educated, cultured, Parsi Zoroastrian males up to 38 years, well- settled in business, industry or profession may apply with a recent photograph to: The Advertiser Parsiana Matrimonial (Aug/30-93)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 'Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. FIRDOS & S. CAMBATTA CO. 'Cambatta Central', Bharat Bobins Ltd Premises Rakhial Road, Ahmedabad 380023 Agents in Gujarat for: } I I I M/s ION EXCHANGE (INDIA) LTD For INDION Water Softening Plants, Demineralisers, Cation & Anion Resins, Filters, Chemical Dosers etc ? ? ? Sole concessionaires in Gujarat for: fR MZs INGERSOLL-RAND (INDIA) LTD For Air Compressors and Vacuum Pumps • § 'i tog Parsiana August T993MILESTONES This issue lists 21 births in Bombay as compared to 92 deaths. Heart disease, themajor killer, claimed 191ives.Nineofthe heart patients were aged 80 years and above. The other major killer was pneumonia and lung-related diseases to which 16 patients succumbed. Seven victims fell hospitals. This information is not prey to cancer, whereas diabetes, and old age and general debility patients numbered five each. _ ___ Brain disease, gastro-intestinal hospitals; births in suburban bleeding and septicemia claimed hospitals and private nursing " homes are not included unless individuals send us information four each. Other killers were bronchitis and Parkinson ’s disease (three each) and nervous together with a copy of the birth certificate. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses. disorder, high blood pressure, urinary infection, hypertension and fracture (two each). There especially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several diseases. If readers have any births/ 8/D, Oyster Apts, Pilot marriages/deaths they would like Bunder, Colaba, 400005; published, some proof to ensure July 2 the veracity of the report would Najamai Jalejar Bacha (84), 6/1, Kashinath Bldg, Kashinath St, Tardeo Rd, 400034; July 3 Jamshedji Nusserwanji Patel (75), C/o Mr R. D. Daruwalla, Bldg No 1, Ashgarali, Vakola Pipe Line, Santacruz, 400075; July 3 Phiroze Jamasjee Siganporia (70), Room 12, 286/C, Irani Chawl, Supari Baug, Parel, 400012; July 3 Minocher Pestonji Dordi (80), 644, Dinabad, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 4 Perin Minocher Elavia (70), Motiwala Mans, August Kranti Marg, 400036; July 4 Nariman Faramji Hawaldar (69), 9, New Khoja Chawl, Lamington Rd, Bombay Central, 400008; July 4 Anaitis Sam Mama (17), Wimbridge Hse, 18/20, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 4 Rusi Jamshedji Patel (74), Merwan Bldg, Uranwalla St, Grant Rd, 400007; July 4 Sheroo Ardeshir Engineer (78), 16/B, Keval Mhl, 64, Marine Drive, 400020; July 6 Keki Dhunjishah Mistry (73), 12, Mehlla Patel Agiary Lane, Grant Rd, 400007; July 6 Rustom Jamshedji Patell (75), G, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; July 6 were 12 isolated cases registered last month: ulcer, shock, polycythemia vera (marked by an abnormal increase in the number of circulating red blood cells), gastroenteritis, angina, tuber ­ culosis, diarrhoea, anemia, malaria, tumor, kidney failure and asthma. The eldest to die was a 99-year-old woman as compared BOMBAY Born A boy, Jamasp, to Khurshid and Nozer Dumasia on May 13, 1993 A girl to Daulat and Dinshaw Naterwala-, July 1 A boy to Nawaz and K. Vijaykumar, July 5 A girl to Sanober and Hormaz Dashti-, July 6 A boy to Paricher and Percy Vapiwala-, July 1 A boy to Nilufer and Aspi Dastoor, July 9 A girl to Kamal and Pervez Dotiwala-, July 9 A boy, Shiavax, to Firuzi and Jamshed Rao-, July 9 A girl, Sanaya, to Beruiifer and Homiar Sabavala-, July 9 A girl to and Cyrus Poonevala-, July 11 A boy to Kiyan and Jamshed Jesia-, July 12 A boy to Havovi and Rusi Bacharuz-, July 14 A girl to Veera and Aspi Patel-, July 14 A boy to Khurshid and Darayus Mistry-, July 16 to the youngest, a girl aged 17. Aimay Maneckshaw Anklesaria Two other girls, aged 19 and 22, were also lost to the community. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled Neriosang Sorabji Bhesadia from information supplied by (72), C/o Adil Bhesadia, various newsletters and anjumans in India and abroad, courts and always complete or consistent. For example, the birth figures for Bombay are supplied by four Nergish Noshir Dodhi (86), Green Fields, 134, M. Karve Rd, 400020; July 2 Dhunmai Rustomji Guard (85), 13/1, Tata Bldg, Sir C. J. Clny, Tardeo, 400034; July 2 Pesi Hiraji Shroff (80), 13, Shehnez Manzil, Mehlla Patel Agiary Lane, Balaram St, 400007; July 2 Cooverbai Jehangir Vakil (99), be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us. A boy to Azarmy and Aspi AmroUa\ July 17 A girl to Philomena and Hoshang Nagporewalla-, July 18 A boy to Maharukh and Mukundan Ayyappath\ July 21 A girl to Zenob/'a and Percy Jasavala-, July 21 A girl to Freny and Homiar Goiporia; July 22 A boy to Soonu and Mar azban DarukharMwalla\ July 24 A boy to Meher and Percy Hataria-, July 28 Marmed Nilloufer Minoo Dastoor and Farhang Ardeshir Yazdgerdi of Freising, Germany; July 5 Ded Shireen A rdeshir Bharucha flQ), residing at 141, Ashoka Apts, 68, Nepean Sea Rd, 400006; July 1 Dina Phiroze Patell (JI), Rabro Hse, Opp Colaba Police Stn, 400039; July 1 (87), 61, Maneck-Abad, 5, Setalvad Lane, Nepean Sea Rd, 400036; July 2 35/l/B,Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Elphinstone Rd; Parel, 400012, and Village Nargol, Post Nargol, Dist Bulsar, 396135; July 2 Phiroze Maneckshaw Redder (80), Halima Manzil, Forjett St, 400036; July 6 Hilla Rustomji Banaji (70), 28, J ay r az Peerbhoy Bldg, Forjett St, 400036; July 7 Fardun Sorabji Bharda (Zaroliwala) (J5), EJ, Central Bank Soc, Dadabhai Cross Rd No 3, Vile Parle (W), 400056; July 7 Dara Framroze Bharucha (81), A/7, Shapur Baug, V. Patel Rd, 400004; July 7 Ratamai Dinshawji Buhariwalla (87), J/5, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; July 7 Sunamai Padamji Dehnugara (89), 608, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 7 Dolly Cavasji Sethna (73), Rabro Hse, 57, Colaba Causeway, 400039; July 7 Dilawar Dinshawji Naterwalla (75), 151, Noble Bldg, Nanubhai Desai Rd, 400004; July 8 Shahrukh Behram Pestonjamasp (46), 35, Sai Ashish, Peter Dias Rd, Hill Rd, Bandra, 400050; July 8 Put Ian Sohrab Bajan (85), M/37, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; July 9 Tushanamaite Bahadur Mehta (19), Tamrisk, Carter Rd, Bandra, 40(X)50; July 9 Bachan Pirojshaw Motawora (84), 275/F, Old Khan Bldg, Chikalwadi, Grant Rd, 40(X)07; July 9 Tehmi Dinshawji Sanjana (79), R/13, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; July 9 Shehra Burjor Bharucha (84), 512, R. P. Masani Rd, 4(X)019; July 10 Framji Ardeshir Bhujwala (89), 38, Panday Sanatorium, Panday Rd, Colaba, 400005; July 10 Humata Sorabji Coma (65), 1, Petit Sanatorium, Kemp ’s Comer, 400036; July 10 Kersi Behramji Dubash (52), Shroff Mans, N. P. St, Grant Rd, 400007; July 10 Sorabji Jamshedji Vachha (91), 614, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 10 Behram Nanabhoy Cawascama i s J I 108 Parsiana August 1993(78), 17, Hampton Court, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; July 11 Perin Nadar Mistry (63), 206/B, Vimlachal Apts, Ramchandra Lane, Ext Kanchprada, Malad, 400064; July 11 Khorshed Sorabji Kolaporewalla (70), 21, Deepak Mhl, P. K. Atre Marg, Worli, 400018; July 12 Nergish Pesi Sodawaterwalla (65), G/7, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; July 12 Homi Sorabjee Irani (79), 9, Sea View, 35, Shivaji Park, 400028; July 13 Piroja Farokh Karaka (84), Taj Bldg, Nana Chowk, 400007; July 13 Piroshaw Di ns haw Sutaria (87), 4, Elava Bldg, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; July 13 Nariman Meherji Frenehman (19), Mangal Darshan, 35/A, Waterfield Rd, Bandra, 400050; July 15 Meherbai Nasserwanji Hateria (95), 11/7, Golwala Bldg, Khetwadi 8th Lane, 400004; July 15 Doulat Feroz Boywala (85), Windsor Chmbs, Cawasji Patel St, Off P. M. Rd, Fort, 400001; July 16 Dhun Shavaksha Pardiwalla (73), 1A/12A, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Elphinstone Rd, Parel, 400012; July 16 Adi Darabshaw Siganporia (75), Nanabhoy Chmbs, R. Sidhwa Marg, Fort, 400001; July 16 Alamai Hiraji Tampal (80), 26, Jame Jamshed Bldg, Jamc Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadiir, 400014;July 16 Ratan.'iha Maneksha Randelia (76), 11, Gamadia Clny, Off Tardeo Rd, 400007; July 17 Pali Bamansha Daruwalla (60), 12, Sangam Hse, 160/170, Perin Nariman St, Fort, 400001; July 18 Dorabji Bhikaji Kaleli (93), M/2, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012;July 18 Jamshedji Hormusji Khamballa (82), 17, Abbas Bldg, Jalbhoy St, 400004; July 18 Minocher Barjorji Mistry (86), 13/A, Soonawalla Bldg, Khetwadi 12th Cross Lane, 400004;July 18 Khurshid Dara Tarapore (69), Puspavati Bldg, Chandanwadi, J. S.S. Rd, 400002; July 18 Freny Minocher Bhavnagri (76), 7, Maneck Mans, M. M. Chotani Rd, Opp Canosa Convent High School, Mahim, 400016; July 19 Jal Pestonji Cassad (83), 630, Gemfrina, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 19 Ratansha Jamshedji Dadachanji Generelna Est, Golanji (85), C/9, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; July 19 Ardeshir Pestonji Jafrabadwala Bacha Framroze Gazder (86), (80), 784/B, Mancherji Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 19 Rati Burjor Sahukar (78), H/8, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; July 19 Perin Phiroze Marolia (73), 10, Manjrekar Sadan, Dr Annie Besant Rd, Worli, 400025; July 20 Mehroo Jamshedji Dasioor (72), Raghavji Bldg, 17, Raghavji Rd, Gowalia Tank, 400036; July 21 Rusi Dinshaw Deboo (75), 11, Engineer Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 21 Keki Jehangir Laher (72), M/12, Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; July 21 Jamshed Rustomji Sarkari (68), Rusi Mehta Bldg, 8, Dinbai Petit St, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; July 22 Homai Nadir show Bhesania (66), M/2, Dalal Est, Lamington Rd, Bombay Central, 400008; July 23 Rumy Jamshed Driver (47), Hill, Parel Tank Rd, 400012; July 23 1 13, Las Palmas, Little Gibbs Rd,400006;July 23 Arin Rustom Taraporewala (58), Post and Stn Vangaon, Dist Thane, 401103; July 23 Dady Dorab Mody (79), 2, Sakina Manzil, Queens Rd, 400004; July 25 Nelly Gustad Patel (59), 401, La-Marie Apts, Caesar Rd, Amboli, Andheri (W), 400058; July 25 Framroze Hormusji Sanjana (93), 1^/2, Dalal Est, Lamington Rd, Bombay Central, 400008; July 25v Tehmina Nariman Commissariate (91), P/3, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039;July 26 I ( i J I } 'f Rotary Screw Air Compressors Crawlairs and Blasthole Drills Water Well Drills j ’l I Mum I Portable Compressors ¦SSSw** i Ma’4 h n ? 1 Process Gas Compressors Air and Gas Compressors • Construction & Mining Equipment INGERSOLL-RAND Ingersoll-Rand (India) Ltd , Maybaker House, S K. Ahire Marg, Bombay 400 025 DLIMM 110 Parsiana August 1993 kI I [ Dadee Fardunji Panthaky (87), 511/512/C, Rajshivam Apts, Shiv-vallabh Rd, Dahisar (E), 400068; July 26 Maneck Sorabji Thanawala (77), 114, Marine Mans, Marine Lines, 400002; July 26 Zarin Dinyar Engineer (48), 1, Dhunjishaw Daruwala Bldg, Tata Blocks, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; July 27 Ratta Behmanshaw Mehta (59), 2, P. B. Mody Bldg, Golanji Hill, Parel, 400012; July 27 Dhunjishaw Nowrowji Mistry (87), C, Dulabh Bhuvan, Jalbhai St, Chami Rd Jn, 400004; July 27 Sakarbai Dhunjishaw Surti (77), D/4, Dinbai Petit Chawl, B alaram St, 400007; July 27 Rustom Maneckji Tangree (70), 33/1/A, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Elphinstone Rd, Parel, 400012; July 27 Daulat Barjorji Chacha (69), 302, Brooklyn, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (W), 400058; July 29 Marazban Hormasji Irani (80), 205, Kapadia Mans, Bazargate St, Fort, 400001; July 29 Sharmin Faram Iraru (22), A/53, Flower Queen, Veera Desai Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; July 29 Bacha Hirji Malgam (91), 805, Tehmi Ter, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 29 Deena Sankurmy Nair (56), B/22, Reshma Co-op Hsg Soc, Plot 26, Sector 9/A, Vashi, 400703; July 29 Kumibanoo Eruch Sooi (70), M/17, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; July 29 Minocher Hormusji Amalsadvala (82), 22, Wadia Bldg, Marzban Clny, Dr A. L. Nair Rd, 400011; July 30 Behram Pestonji Gariwalla (57), 43, Ferena, 26, Arthur Bunder Rd, Opp Fariyas Hotel, Colaba, 400005; July 30 Nariman Jehangirji Madon (81), 3/39, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Elphinstone Rd, Parel, 400012; July 30 Mani Homi Umrolia (76), 3, Chateau Windsor, 86, V. N. Rd, 400020; July 30 Najoo Homi Bharucha (80), 4, Jehangir Mans, 1st Marine St, Next to Metro Cinema, 400002; July 31 CALCUTl'A Born A girl, Shara, to Trista and Cyrus Madan; July 6 Married Khushnuma Rohinton Sachinwalla of Bombay and Jimmy Jal Medhora; July 4 Michele de ’Silva saidAnosh Cawas Nazir; July 24 Died Nergish Piroz Keeka, mother of Viloo Marzban Batlivala; July 12 Piroz (Piloo) Cawas Keeka, brother of Najoo Ardeshir Batlivala, Mucca Pali Bhesania and Burjor; July 12 SECUNDERABAD Died Faramroze N. Joshi (82); June 7 Homi Faramroze Ardeshir (47); June 26 SURAT Died Jasmin Jariished Majra (27}, A BORN Boys Girls MARRIED Parsi Intercommunal 1 DIED CONSIGNED Male Female CREMATED Male Female 12 9 43 49 A: Total numbers in this issue B: Running totals for 1993 (February-July 1993 issues) * Overseas deaths are listed in the consigned column as Parsiana does not have a breakup of those cremated. These figures pertain to information provided to or collect^ by Parsiana. They do not represent the total number of births, marriages and deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India and abroad. Amarlal Apts, Nanpura, 395001; July 1 Dosabhai Ardeshir Killawala (71), Next to Bag-e-Parsian, Matkiwad, 395001; July 6 Minocher Behramsha Mandala (Parekh) (90), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; July 11 Dhunmai Bejonji Patalwala (86), Parsi Wad, Siganpore, July 24 Faramroze Ardeshir Jesung (85), 14, Sava Sadi Sadan, Bhavnagri St, 395003; July 28 Katyben Adi Patel (68), H/11, Navganeshwar Est, Tikhalwanji, Nanpura, 395001; July 31 **? CANADA Vancouver Born A girl, Jillian, to Jane and Kershaw Nanavaty, July 25 Died Mehru Sagar (62), wife of Pesi and mother of Mahrukh and Gustad; June 16 TOTALS FOR 1993 Bombay B A B 75 66 2 2 1 210 14 1 1 311 279 1 India 60 40 6 4 PAKISTAN Lahore Died Mahabanoo Khodadad Irani (63); June 2 I USA Chicago Married Shireen Daboo of Woodridge, Illinois, daughter of Aban and Aspy, and Firoz Burjor Ghandhi of Grosse Point Woods, Michigan; July 4 J Houston Married Jinobia Irani, daughter of Daulat and Keki, and Kaizad Machhi, son of Vira and Pesi; April 20 Lancaster Born A girl, Freya, to Yasnun and Dirdar Shroff-, July 16 Northern California B(«n A girl, ^ma, to Kolly and Darayus Confectioner; July 10 A boy, Bijan, to Lori and" Darius Sorabji; Julyp9 Compiled by Roxina A. Miiza - World B 1 3 -14 20 6 1 2 7 2 2 30* 18* I r 112 Pars/ana August J 933 I