Apr 1995

I y 'll ,« t- s > **>. ^rP” * rxi •<* . p-'i *¦ r’::. Ks < 'K V' I- ¦ - - fL "¦*1 IApril 1995 Volume 17 Number 8 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Amavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi SENIOR EDITOR Dina K. Mehta ASSOCIATE EDITOR Roxana A. Driver DESIGN Kranti M. Shilotrk, Varghese W. Fernandez, Jayshree R. Ghosh MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Niloufer Panthaky Susan Joseph FINANCE B. L. Arora EDP Rohinton E. Daroga ADMINISTRATION R. S. Pingle MANAGEMENT Jasmine Driver DTP Bakhtavar R. Batllwalla, K. P. Ravi SUBSCRIPTION/CIRCULATION Khurshid Panthaki, Bindu Pillai ACCOUNTS Anagha Korde OFFICE Smitha Nair, Swampa Kamat OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare, Pramod Patil, Govind Salgaonkar, Mahipat Jadhav 2 Readers’ Forum 10 Events and Personalities 18 Zoroastrians Abroad: South Africa’s Dr Khorshed Ginwalla 23 Jamsheed Kanga steps down by Arnavaz Mama — ____ _ 24 Aesthetician Dinyar Workingboxwalla by Gustasp Irani 33 The Federation reviews the Wadia navjote 41 Books ? 43 Milestones Cover: Dinyar Workingboxwaila’s creative artistry Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd at C/o H. L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Color processing. Comart Lithographers; black and white processing Samir Scantech. All rights reserved. ISSN: 0971-3786. Phone: 2048730 Fax: 2042922. For editorial enquiries 2048183. Tlx; 11-85710 RABO IN. For subscription enquiries and payments; C/o Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman St (Behind Resenze Bank of India), Bombay 400001; Phone: 2658619, 2665661. Annual inland subscription for one year (10 issues) Rs 150; for two years (20 issues) Rs 275. Foreign subscription rates: Seamail for one year Rs 375/US $ 14/UK E 9; for two years Rs 600/US $ 22/UK £ 15 (please allow six months or more for delivdiy from the time of publication). Airmail for one year Rs 625/ US $ 23/UK E 15 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 350); for two years, Rs 1,150/US $ 40/ UK £ 27 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 6M). For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 10 for bank charges; for US cheques add $ 5; for UK cheques add E 3. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favor of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001.READERS' FORUM it'1 rj s:*' ¦ ¦ I IF Readers' views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana, Q.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. The Boys’ Town offer The trustees of the P. N. Mehta Education Trust that runs the Boys ’ Town Public School at Nasik have decided to admit five Parsi boys at Rs 5,0(X) per annum, per boy. While uniforms and the basic essential items will also be supplied by the School, it will not be responsible for any items purchased by the parents arbitrarily. The trustees have further decided to admit five Parsi students completely free. They may be recommended on merit by a social worker of standing or by a charitable trust or organization. We are desirous of admitting students from rural Gujarat and such other parts of our country from the start i.e. at the age of four or five years, so that the English medium will not be an obstacle. Such students ’ applications must be forwarded to us by the chairman of the local anjuman, punchayet or similar body. We will be very happy to admit the above two categories of children in our School from June 1995 onwards. The trustees of the P. N. Mehta Educa ­ tion Trust will be pleased to receive com ­ munication in this respect at Cook ’s Build ­ ing, 3rd Floor, 324 Dr D. N. Road, Fort, Bombay 400001. bejonn.desai Secy, Boys’ Town Public School, Nztsik “Portrait of an artist” I have read with interest your cover story — “Portrait of an artist (Parsiana, January 1995).” I must admit that I did not know that our community had produced an out ­ standing artist, Pestonji Bomanjee, who was called the Indian Rembrandt. The cover painting Naughty Girl show ­ ing a teenaged girl traditionally clothed and wearing a sapaat, is a picture of pure innocence, whilst another painting Pray­ ing for the sick would tend to suggest efficacy of prayers. It is a tragedy that Pestonji Bomanjee ’s 13 years ’ labor of love — the Ajanta project — ended in disaster. '^'iWParsiana satisfy the curiosity of its readers by printing Bomanjee ’s three other memorable paintings, Parsi Priest at Prayer, Feeding the Parrot and especially that of his wife Jiloobai, portrayed in the Leisure Hour? Whilst on the subject, will any of your readers enlighten me whether Mancherji Pithavala, one of Bomanjee ’s contempo ­ rary artists, was the father of Sorab whose paintings of our Holy Spitman Zarathusthra adorn the walls of our atash behrams/ agiaries? Will Ms Aloo Polson and Ms Gool Vachha throw light? BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA The Editor replies If Parsiana is able to obtain transparencies or color prints of the concerned paintings, we shall consider publishing them. “Tell us about Pithavala” Mr Bhikhaji M. Adenwalla has enquired in the Readers ’ Forum (Parsiana, October 1994) about the artist Sorab M. Pithavala. I have the following information to offer based upon books on Parsi history at the Shields Library, Universtiy of California, Davis. Mr Sorab Manchershaw Pithavala was the second son of the famous Parsi artist and portrait painter Mr Manchershaw Fakirjee Pithavala (1872-1937). Mancher ­ shaw visited England in June 1911 and had the distinction of holding a one-man show, the first in England by an Indian artist, at the Dore Gallery, London, when Sir M. M. Bhownaggree, one of the then three Parsi and Indian members of the British House of Commons, hosted a reception in his honor and introduced him to society. Among his various portraits were those of Khurshedji Rustomji Camaand Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy, first baronet. The photograph, and four pages of information on the life of this illustrious Zoroastrian is given inParsi Lustre on Indian Soil by Hormusji Dhunjishaw Darukhanawala, Vol 1. (G. Claridge and Company, Bombay, 1939, pages 190-193). Mr Sorab M. Pithavala studied portrait painting for 10 years under his distin ­ guished father. In addition to portraits of Zarathushtra (modelled on the Sasanian sculpture of our Prophet at Takh-i-Bostan in Iran), Sorab M. Pithavala also painted the portrait of Sir Sorabji Pochkhanavala, the founder of the Central Bank of India. When this portrait was unveiled at the head office of the Bank at Flon^ Fountain, Pithavala was accorded high praise from the public and the Press. Together with a photograph of the young Sorab, Daru ­ khanawala notes in his above-mentioned book that “It is highly gratifying to find the son keeping green the name and fame of his revered father as a great artist. ” ARDESHK B. DAMANIA Davis, USA *‘^Ahd~nameh authentic?” I was astounded to read Dr Ali Akbar Jafarey ’s acknowledgement of Omar Khayyam ’s greatness (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, January 1995). Dr Jafarey has not directly refuted my assertion that it is he himself who has branded Omar Khayyam, a celebrated Sufi, a “drunkard lecher. ” To refresh his memory, this derogatory statement about Omar Khayyam, in paiticular, and Sufis, in general, was made to me personally at a dinner in Toronto, at the time of the Youth Congress of 1989. During dinner, Dr Jafarey and I became engrossed in a discussion pertaining to the Sufis, Khshnoom and mysticism. Dr Jafarey acknowledged to me that he does not be ­ lieve in mysticism and things “not seen ” or physically existing, and that he believes in only the verbatim translations and inter ­ pretations. 2 Parsiana April 1995 *The reference to Khshnoom was made by me while discussing the esoteric inter ­ pretation of “sons, ” as referred to in the Bahram Yasht. He advised me not to be ­ lieve in mysticism and to stay away from consumed was the wine editor ever bothering to tender an apology o him, these interpretations have no scrip- which intoxicated them physically, that Just two glaring and pertinent examoles th Td insisting that Omar should be more than enough to amplify^the msisted on the validity of esoteric mean- Khayyam was a “drunkard ” who led a point. Parsiana in its Readers ’ Forum of mgs (“razeng, ” i.e. parables) which “lecherous life. ” Januarv 1992’ cI^ried^XoTeLr^^Wnh Khshnoom ™Parts, by drawing on the Parsiana'3 editor may tender his bi- exnosed Dr Jafare.v nn twn rn,.ntc and t,, parallel of the Sufis and the wine ” they zarre apology to Dr Jafarey, but I am drink to become “intoxicated. ” As this was < 2. my very first introduction to Dr Jafarey, I pushed to acknowledge Omar Khayyam ’s thoughtmyanajogyofillustratingthemystic spiritual greatness. Now, let in spiritual ecstasy might convince him to accept the mysticism which Khshnoom imparts. I specifically pointed out that the “wine ” the Sufis thirstily partake is the mystic “ ¦ ’’ .............. . I _____ __________ _________ ’’and divine love. I compared Jafarey ’s letter, "’Ahd-nameh authentic? ” I was absolutely astounded at the editor ’s unsolicited and totally unwarranted apo- Forum , Parsiana, January 1995). A clear the Gathic “freedom of moral choice, ” into with Dr Jafarey will not find it hard to accept his contempt for mysticism in gen ­ eral, and Sufis as well as Khshnoom, in particular. During our personal conversa- ________ ____ _ ... . c..oh*,m4 ? tion, he distinctly emphasized that the Readers ’ Forum in'the pit^ without The wine the Sufis consumed was the wine which intoxicated them physically, that cation, ” especially in letters sent in by readers expressing their views. Any num ­ ber of patently ridiculous or fallacious statements have appeared in Parsiana'3 Parsiana'3 editor may tender his bi ­ zarre apology to Dr Jafarey, but I ______o- - _____ &-•- / ..wxvjyij amply demonstrated that ,, i Dr Jafarey, while quoting Prof James us hear Dr Darmesteter ’s translation of the Vishtasp exposed Dr Jafarey on two counts and to which he gave (could give?) no reply: Dr Jafarey, while quoting Prof James acknowledge the Sufis ’ wine as the Nask (Sacred Books of the East, vol 23 pg SDiritual ecstasv m.aht rnnv.n.,. h.rr, tz. “mystic wine of the spirit, ” then jaam as 336) to denigrate the use of sacred gome^z! “divine wisdom ” and their “love ” as “spiri - had actually suppressed a crucial footnote tual ecstasy! ” mspervinj.mistry given by Darmesteter (fn.no. 5, on the very same page !) which completely contradicted and nullified Dr Jafarey ’s mischievous (mis)interpretation; b) In the second, it was amply demon ­ strated that in his clumsy (mis)interpretation of Dr Irach Taraporewala ’s translation of Yasna 30.2, Dr Jafarey ’s attempt to twist , __ > a non-existent “freedom of religious choice, ” in order to ventilate his conver ­ sion mania, was equally misdhievous. In both these instances of blatant intellectual and scholarly deception by Dr Jafarey, did ‘divine wisdom” and their “love” as “spiri- , ’ MsPERVINJ. MISTRY Ontario, Canada “wine ” of the spirit which tead.s to spiritual J 4 ZX « z*x aiX ’ zx MX zj zj 1 X . t zz. — _? 1 the Sufis ’ jaam (i.e. container) to the con ­ tainer of divine spiritual wisdom, their _______________________ “love of the beloved ” to the divine love (of logy appended below'the letter**(Read^ ’ God) and their “intoxication ” to spiritual ~ ecstasy. In short, I was extolling the splen- the mysticism of the Sufism of Omar Khayyam. Anyone who is even faintly acquainted While I was amused to read Dr Ali A. case of bending over backwards to assuage Parsiana is no exception to the fact of journalistic experience that many “state ­ ments slip into print without proper verifi- did mysticism of Khshnoom by illustrating the feelings of a favorite “blue-eyed boy. ” 4' ¦% For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS 400007. Telephone 3099648 Fax APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT oAnDIA L »h the editor of Parsiana rush to tender his apologies to the Parsi/Iranian Zoroastrian community? Parsiana's insidious editorial bias to ­ wards heterodoxy in general, and Dr Ali This refers to "’Mid-nameh authentic? ” and Dr Ali. A Jafarey ’s comments on the Yes, it does behove Ms Mistry to make known wnen and where Dr Jafarey has called Omar Khayyam “a drunkard ” who poetry of Omar Khayyam (Parsiana, Janu ­ ary 1995). Omar Khayyam died in A.D. 1123. ____ ____________ Fitzgerald ’s Rubaiyat was published in direct allegation by decisively denying 1859. Only 250 copies were printed by that this “cheap slander ” lies at his door. A Qharitch, the publishers. Not a single copy was sold for 10 years. In 1869 two friends of the poet and painter Dante Gab'iel Rossetti found a copy in an obscure bookshop near Leices- “led a lecherous life. ” But, at the same ____________ time, it should be noted that in his letter. Dr Jafarey in particular is, by now, well known. Jafarey has not directly refuted Ms Mistry ’ s To illustrate: a full one-third of Parsiana’s " ” ’ ’ ’" ¦* cover story (“The bitter-sweet lure of choco ­ late, ” December 1994) deals with conten ­ tious issues like intermarriage and the HVe. Pray, what has intermarriage to do witi wholesome, innocent and non-controversial subject of chocolates? Which business is ----- , . . Parsiana in — journalism or propaganda? Dr Ali A. Jafarey regarding the description Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam To come to Dr Jafarey ’s bone of conten- U - -- ’--'' ' . ¦ ' - * *-*- t. tion — Ms Mistry, in the Parsiana of mathematician Omar Khayyam as a mously published andjjnced five shil- October 1994, states, “In promoting the ‘ ...................... ’ ’ Fasli calendar, he (i.e. Dr Jafarey) relies on 1995). Omar Khayyam. But in Dr Jafarey ’s own words Omar Khayyam, a Sufi, was a drunk ­ ard and led a lecherous life! How can one trust a drunkard to compute? And, was expansion ofthe binary polynomial, (x-i-a)' Omar intoxicated with alcohol or love for his beloved Creator? ” Clearly, it is not Ms Mistry who is throwing stones at the sagacious philoso ­ pher and poet, Omar Khayyam, but claims ------------ it is Dr Jafarey who ascribes these vices to his poetry The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam dards a Persian scholar and though he Khayyam. Ms Mistry, in fact, questions Dr which was translated by Edward Fitzgerald, produced a profoundly beautiful work in Jafarey whether “Omar (was) intoxicated *' ’ ' * - n t- .— ............ with alcohol or love for his beloved Cre ­ ator? ” »e direct allegation of this kind demands a direct refutation (if there is any), instead of an oblique answer, noshir h. dadrawala I fully endorse the sentiments expressed by ter Square, a small volume entitled The .......................... ~ ' '' by Ms Pervin Mistiy, of the greatest Arab tronomer poet of Persia. It was anony- “drunkard lecher ” (Parsiana, January lings, these friends ofRossetti bought two copies for a penny, almost the price of scrap paper, and when Rossetti was shown this he was excited beyond measure. He in turn gave it to the poet Algernon Charles Swinburne who read it to his friends at an evening gathering and so it was that Lon ­ don was set aflame by this new find. Copies Omar Khayyam who lived in the 12th century had contributed immensely in the field of algebra. His masterpiece was the .... . ... which goes by the name of the Binomial Theorem. His other notable contributions were summation of series of squares and of within a week were being sold for a guinea, cubes; and solution of cubic equations. There is no doubt in my mind that Omar Khayyam is also remembered for Edward Fitzgerald was not by any stan- his poetry The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam dards More than the Editor ’s apology is an expression of regret required from Ms Pervin Mistry. Dr p. d. sunavala the Rubaiyat it is far from what Khayyam would have authenticatetkas a faithful translation. So popular is the Rubaiyat, % With Best Compliments From LEACH WEBORNY When in Bombay Contact For attending to your laundry. They are Launderers & Dyers of repute. They will also attend to your carpets for cleaning or dyeing. 66, Off E. Moses Road, Worli, Bombay 400018 Phone: Head Office 2654294 Factory: 4924384, 4925644 IInvestment in property Pune is the best city Flats: We offer flats and row-houses to your requirement to suit your budget at rates of Rs 600 to over Rs 4,000 per sq. ft., with or without amenities like Club-house and Swimming pool, etc. Bungalows: At prices ranging from about Rs 50 lacs to over one crore, depending on size of the plot and the location. and its theme so persuasively compelling, same and not turn elsewhere for comfort at that modern scholars believe that the author every misfortune. With due respect to other was a hedonistic atheist and a lecher. Far from the truth, Omar Khayyam was a highly reputed philosopher and seeker It is up to us individuals to take greater deeply immersed in Sufi thought and ide ­ ology. He had broken away from conven ­ tional Islamic dogma to a more liberal understanding of the ‘Truth. ’ His reference to ‘wine, ’ the ‘tavern, ’ and ‘love, ’ were symbolic and there was nothing profane or erotic in his poetry. Fitzgeralds ’s translation was based on a 1 Sth century manuscript of dubious origin. The recent work of Robert Graves is founded on an authenticated 12th century religion as is possible and try and under ­ text which was translated by Omar-Ali- Shah, a renowned Persian scholar. It was then put to verse by Graves. Graves ’ work, though not half as beau ­ tiful as Fitzgerald ’s, discloses that the po ­ ems express deep and constant religious Lady ” (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, De ­ faith. It is possible that Fitzgerald lacked cember 1994). I can ’t believe such things sufficient knowledge of Persian or that the can happen in Bombay, the bastion of symbolism of the Rubaiyat simply eluded Zoroastrianism in today ’s world. him, or that perhaps he took poetic licence to cater to the times. faiths, I feel that one should adhere to the faith in which one is born and brought up. interest in our religion and what it stands for. Only then would one feel its greatness. I am not a religious zealot, but having read about all the other faiths, have come to the conclusion that all preach the same doctrine. Then why go elsewhere? That is a question each of us should ask himself/ herself. I only hope the members of our commu ­ nity would read as many books on our Stand the importance of being a Zoroas- trian of which one should be truly proud. HOMI H. JALNAWAI LA I was surprised to read “Beseeching the Dr H S. ADENWALLA In our Pakistan there is the “«/tiGanga. ” I know of two or th^ee Muslims working in Trichur Parsi firms who keep a small phonograph of Zoroaster in their wallet. Asked why, they say that their Parsi bossed do that and that is the reason why they are so prosperous and happy. It is a pity that while Muslims have faith in Zoroaster, the Parsis of Commercial: Offices and shops as required. “The bitter-sweet...” I read your article on chocolates (“The bitter-sweet lure of chocolate, ” Parsiana, December 1994) with great interest, being in the business myself. The brand name I Bombay have lost their faith. Maybe they sell under is “Soft Centres. ” The various types of chocolates I make include flavored, soft centred and nut. I may be contacted on telephone number 4127307. Ms DILNAVAAZ DARUVALLA Bungalow Plots: In different locations in town and within a radius of about 15 kms. A few plots of 5,000 sq. ft. near the Race course in an open, green location, at the most reasonable rates available. Write to: Minoo Bhathena BYSEL ESTATE 302 Devika Apt 2010 West Street Pune 411001 Tel: 650757 8 Parsiana April 1995 are only a few exceptions. A card captioned “Light of Zoroaster ” which I had first published in 1980 was in such great demand that I had to print it again and again, to satisfy the public de ­ mand. It has now become a collector ’s “Beseeching the Lady” item. A Parsi lady in UK keeps it on her I read with interest letters written by Rustom bedside table so that when she goes to bed C. ChothiaandMs Piloo Jungalwalla( “Be- and gets up in the morning she reads it, and seeching the Lady, ” Parsiana, December acts upon it. 1994) regarding members of our commu ­ nity seeking solace and inspiration from other religions. This reflects to a great extent on our clergy, many of whom are unaware of the meaning of our prayers and unable to impart the same to members of our com ­ munity. I would like my brethren to make “Women’s rights?” it a point to read a book entitled Teachings of the Magi by the German scholar, R. C. Zaehner (publishers: Mcmillan and Com ­ pany). This little book gives in a small way the meaning of our basic prayer, Yatha Ahu Vairyo. It may be noted that the vibra ­ tions of the prayer when recited with real intent would go a long way in overcoming most of our problems. I request my brethren to take heed of the I know many ladies in Karachi who are known to be keeping the card upright in their cupboard so that it is seen instantly when the cupboard is opened. FAREDUN K DADACHANJI Karachi, Pakistan Dr P. D. Sunavala ’s selective acceptance of Hindu and foreign surnames (Parsiana, December 1994) into the Parsi commu ­ nity, e.g. Mehta, Gandhi, Rao, Forbes, Marshall, etc, while rejecting others for the reasons given, is patently absurd and illogical. Are we to assume from his arguments that: •If a Parsi girl marries a non-Parsi with ajI name like Mehta or Gandhi, her children obtaining equal rights with their Parsi letter appears on the same page. can be brought up as Zoroastrians, while if menfolk in this regard proves that they n.d. khurody she marries someone with a surname that mean business — and more power to them! As for Dr Sunavala ’s suggestion of “A Zoroastrian again” Parsiana deserves to be commended for our dwindling population, Ms Khorshed publishing the complete unabridged corre- R. Ghandhi ’s remark that it is too absurd to spondence between Mr Neville Wadia and be taken seriously says it all succinctly the seven learned dasturs from whom Mr F. F. VAKIL Wadia had sought permission(!) for his navjote (“A Zoroastrian again, ” Parsiana, October 1995). It is not my intention to dation for bigamy (Parsiana, May and comment on the opinions of the individual dasturs. However, I feel that instead of I, I I she marries someone with a surname that does not conform to Dr Sunavala ’s idea of an “adopted ” Hindu surname she may not bigamy (or polygamy!) as the answer to do so? The same no doubt would hold for Johnson and Thompson as opposed to Forbes and Marshall! •If a Parsi forefather had worked for a (Parsiana, December 1994). Portuguese employer called Fernandez and adopted the name as his own, would Dr Apropos Dr P. D. Sunavala ’s recommen- Sunavala then have accepted Fernandez as aParsi surname as he does British ones like December 1994) and Ms A. Mehta ’s re ­ Marshall and Forbes? Why then should not sponse (Parsiana, September 1994) I would indulging in separate correspondence with Mr Wadia and conveying their individual opinions on the issue, it would certainly have had more significant impact and set a precedent for future similar cases if the seven learned dasturs (who all live in and around Bombay) would have got together in a conclave like a “Council of Elders ” and then released a joint opinion with reasons thereof on this important issue. The two dasturs who had reservations could have attached a minute of dissent giving their own reasons. Parsiana has seen many contentious social and reli^ous issues relating to Zoroastrians discussed in its columns with very vehement opinions, scholarly the same happen with recently introduced urge our high priests to make trigamy surnames whichoverthe generations would mandatory on the conditions that come to be accepted as “Parsi ” in the same way as say, Rao and Shastri? As for Dr Sunavala quoting from Dr •the younger wives agree to assist the older Fredie Mehta ’s article (“We are getting in her chores, wiped out, ” Parsiana, September 1994) if •the inheritance rights are equal for all. it is true that Dr Mehta has indeed stated that “Parsi women married to non-Parsis are reluctant to bring up their children as Zoroastrians ” one must enquire where Dr •male virility — currently suspect — will Mehta has come up with such a categorical conclusion? In fact, the reverse is true except that every impediment is put in their way by the prejudiced and the em and forward looking community. ” This system would also reverse the trend perceptively described by Aspi Patel and otherwise, expressed but finally without continued on page 31 •the second and third wives are tribal, •the man is above 40 years and fit, Under such a system •bickering over petty matters would cease, •genetic rejuvenation will occur. revive, •the white skin complex will dissolve and vanish. We can then call ourselves a “mod- orthodox. Indeed, the fact that many such ladies have got together and formed an association, primarily for the purpose of ofUK (“The Parsi male outgrown? ”) whose I V/a jk into ^. stylish ready-to-VJse 0ffice Executive Centers 6 Business Centers in India & 140 Business Centers abroad in tie-up with GLOBAL-ALLIANCE NETWORK I Bangalore: Tel: 2267272 * Fax: 080-2261133 Bombay : Raheja Chambers. Tel : 287 2641 * Fax: 022-2872640 Calcutta ; 8, A.J.C. Bose I Road, Calcutta-700 017. Tel: 2477280 * Fax: 033-2474614 Madras : 31 A, Cathedral Garden Road, Near Palmgrove Hotel, Madras-600 034. Tel: 8275191 * Fax: 044-8257258 New Delhi : World Trade Towers. Barakhamha I ana Naw nalhi-iin nni ToI- 'I'li/iftR 1 in I to CD Road, Calcutta-700 017. Tel: 2477280 * Fax: 033-2474614 Madras : 31 A, Cathedral Garden Road, Near Palmgrove Hotel, Madras-600 034. Ts!: 9275191 * Fax: 044-8257258 New Delhi : World Trade Towers, Barakhamba Lane, New Delhi-110 001. Tel: 331466 * Fax: 011 -3312830 Secunderabad: 111-115 Chenoy Trade Centre, Park Lane, Secunderabad-500 003. Tel: 842588 * Fax: 0842-846855 1Events and Personalities The ^sanding’ of Udvada With the monsoon barely a month away, the anti-erosion exercises of the Save bring back from the UK a component that cost of transporting it from Madras to Udvada. He has also agreed to personally fisherfolk 25 years ago which has acted an underwater bund constructed by " ’. _ I as an offshore breakwater, but the idea fell by the wayside. Shoring up the forestry aspect of the Udvada Committee (SUC) have acquired is required for the unit, a measure of urgency. The ingress of the sea at the Zoroastrian pilgrim center has been a source of anxiety for community by tetrapods to break the impact of the members in residence there as well others (see “Iranshah: Time and Tide,' Parsiana, May 1994). At a meeting convened by chainnan recurring exercise —as ecologically friend- 12,1 ” ". ____ Homi Taleyarkhan at his residence on May lier. He says that the burden of maintaining fast growing special species of trees which 7, 1995, the Committee has accepted the a sea wall would be as taxing as the main- suggestion of experts that a two-pronged tenance of the beach with the added burden drive is essential — engineering work buttressed by tree plantation that would help to bind the soil as well as to control, if not eliminate, the salinity in the ground water that is turning local wells brackish. A high powered team from the Central Water and Power Research Station, Khadakwasla, led by its director Dr Zal Tarapore and including additional director amounting to about a crore of rupees, Ms V. M. Bendre and R.Kale has sugges- ~ ted the concept of teach nourishment — Ae replenishment of sand on the teach, plications as different sets of people would "" advocate different sites for the wall. It was pointed out by Committee mem ­ ber Ms Aban Bana that local contractors Originally it had been suggested that a Shoring up the forestry aspect of the sea wall be constructed, further supported project were Ravi Kumar, conservator of - ! forests from the Bulsar division, Binny as incoming tide at the most vulnerable parts Mondal of the social forestry department of the shoreline. Tarapore considers the of Bharuch district and Dr Yash Varma, replenishment of the beach — an annually conservator of forests, Gujarat, besides Meher-Homji. Their concern is to plant a sea wall would be as taxing as the main- would provide for a multiplicity of inter ­ ests: counter soil erosion, provide fuel needs of the adivasis and fight salinity in the ground wat^. To that was added an- beach replenishment would be a faster other proviso: provide for the Ifanshah ’s solution in the face of the oncoming mon- kathi requirements. It was agreed that the . district collector be requested to permit the The cost of a wall, about 2.5 to 3.5 forestry department to reafforest waste meters in height, would approximate Rs land in the area. 800 to 1,000 per meter, the total cost of its potential misuse by the local popula ­ tion as an open-air toilet. Besides, the estimated Tarapore. Apart from the fi­ nance Tarapore spoke of its political im- kathi requirements. It was agn district collector be requested t< According to Tarapore, five to 10 cubic meters of sand, dredged from Kolak creek, would need to be transported and laid out on the beach along the King and Majestic mine sand from the beach at Udvada and Hotels. One way of doing this is by way of that natural erosion is only a part of the pumping through a pipeline. However, problem. Countered Tarapore, “Bring it to since the distance is about three to four the official attention (of the district collec- kilometers, piping may be costlier than tor) that you cannot mine from an eroding East OH 3 transportation by truck. * ' . . . A Madras-based firm has introduced such a pump and Tarapore and his team are seeking the assistance of its owner Vaidya ­ nathan to rent the device at minimal or no cost in return for free publicity. The operation would be the first of its kind in India, Tarapore said. Tarapore places the upper limit to the cost of sand replenishment at Rs 10 lakhs fident of persuading them to see the ex- Another subject of concern for the SUC was the state of the road linking Udvada station to the town. Taleyarkhan main ­ tained that the road has now been repaired “all the way to the fire-temple, only one kilometer from the station being a bad patch. ” However, the committee members felt that with heavy duty trucks continuing to ply over it, together with the force of the rains, the road would again be reduced to rubble in a few months. Amavaz S. Mam beach...It is a matter of implementation. The 700-strong Zoroastrian community ii There is an order of the Government of Calcutta has been having a busy wintei India that you cannot take sand from the judging by the events held as reported ii the December ’94-January ’95 issue o( The Government of Gujarat had agreed Calcutta Gavashni, the newsletter fron to contribute to the cost of a sea wall. Whether that contribution would be avail- _____ _______ able for the teach replenishment project is The publication which was originally a bi _-.i nn-, .. . monthly has since April ’95 teen con . . - ¦ verted into a quarterly to allow time for th but anticipates that the costjnay decline: If pens ’ viewpoint. Savak Patel, president of secretaries of the Parsi institutions to sub the Baroda Parsi Punchayet, opined that mittheir reports which can be incorporate! about 50 lakh rupees could be raised if all the anjumans of India contributed. V. M. Meher-Homji, a geologist at the not known. Taleyarkhan however was con- the Calcutta Zoroastrian Community ’i Religious and Charity Funds (CZCRCF) the solution works, the Committee can invest in a pipeline, he adds. about 50 lakh rupees could be raised if all in the newsletter. If the pump for the project is provided the anjumans of India contributed. A barbecue dinner was held on Decen) by Vaidyanathan, Rohinton Chinoy of V. M. Meher-Homji, a geologist at the ber 3, 1994 at the Calcutta Parsee Cluj Union Press has undertaken to bear the French Institute in Pondicherry, spoke of (CPC); a vegetarian thali lunch ushered i 10 Parsiana April 1995 ?t the New Year; the annual atletic sports were held on January 15; and the CPC lawns were filled with the aroma of good Parsi food as the third Annual Parsee Bazaar got underway on January 22,1995. Thirteen of the 17 stalls at the Bazaar were devoted to food (ranging from home- cooked bhakras to popatjis and mava-na- samosas to chicken dhansak and sali- marghi) and one to beverages. The White Elephant Stall was a new attraction, and “since most Parsis normally reject a hand-down except from a family member, the sales here were surprisingly good, ” writes Ms Mary Bharucha in the news ­ letter. Other events in the Calcutta calendar included the annual Tin-and-Bottle Ten ­ nis Tournament held on January 26 and the Zoroastrian dentists: preventing caries annual ghambar on January 28 and 29. At the ghambar, “two specialist babarchis (cooks) from Navsari enjoyed the thrill of displaying their expertise in the culinary art, ” as the community feasted on a “simple but delectable dinner of papeta-ma-gosh r * 1 B IMHIM HftI Ife ’ 1 HIT K I P < WIP a^.NFjJk 4th OeCEMIU M. ontxonJs in f f'll.ib Jr.itioi, uiih wgBSW COLGATE- PA L,N IOU VE( IN DI A) LM mb Iintk'r I'• \oi 11 i;i h' Jamshed Guzder, Dr Sam Bhacca, Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and Dastur (Dr) Hormazdyar achieved. The books can be obtained from th BPP office at 209, D. N. Road on paymei of Rs 15 (Modi) and Rs 30 (Marzban), h. j.i and a sister publication of humor, Gupsup. OpCFd AhuPO, He distinguished himself as a radio and Mirza. The occasion at Allbless Baug on September 24, 1994 marked the 97th anniversary of Bombay’s Anjuman Atash Behram. scheme launched by Damania Airways Marzban was Editor of Jam-e-Jamshed, and Damania Shipping wherein passen- i gers on board Damania aircrafts and cata- He distinguished himself as a radio and Billed as the first ever full-fledged musiq maranjiuring January 1995 were asked to stage playright and director. His inquisi- rendition of passages from theZendAvest 1 . . in the choral an3 orchestral tradition) Western classical music, Ahuna is th handiwork of a 55-year-old i^usic teach contribute funds in envelopes marked five mind brooked innumerable interests: “Welcome Change ” that were distributed astrology, occult, plant and animal life... to them. H.j.R. He was also, as his fans would recall, one ei A 1. i«f I X 1 ^0 perform _ dketeny life sketches on Indian television, ¦¦¦¦¦¦ The Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) has and give Doordarshan published two more booklets in its on- some of its finest and going series on biographies of eminent most popular programs Parsis. Authored by Hormazdyar Shah- to date, like Aavo A/an purshah Dalal, the biographies. Dr Sir Sathe and What’s the Jivanji Jamshedji Modi and A di Marzban Good Word. Sadly, the sSjil' H. J. R. * — a gentle genius seem at first glance to be booklet makes no men ­ tion of these facets and seems more a personal more detailed than the other works in the series. However, this is not so, and neither title really provides any comprehensive recollection by Dalal of Marzban and his theater world. There is a move spear- t' I . ft a ¦& look at the lives of its subjects. Jivanji Modi is a sketchy account of the ___ ____ _ ______ _ son of the Colaba Agiary panthaky who as headed by the editors of both Jam Jamshed and The Bombay Samachar to have the work recalled. Both the books lack material that would provide new insights into two of our community ’ s greats and, at best, are only a three years, used certain sacred words fnj the Zoroastrian prayers to create an oven known, or culled from books with easy stirring and stunning musical compositio access. Even these seemed to be riddled ‘ " with mistakes. Modi is said to have ad ­ dressed the 8th Oriental Congress in Stockholm in 1887, whereas the chrono ­ logically laid-out sketch which appears as an appendix to the recently released edi ­ tion of Modi ’s magnum opus. The Reli­ gious Ceremonies and Customs of the Parsees informs us that the year was 1889. Further, while Dalal devotes a chapter to a result of a fortuitous meeting with his mentor K. R. Cama, and his own love for nature and books grew into a savant. The book recounts Jivanji ’s lectures, his ordi ­ nation into Zoroastrian priesthood, and his _______ ______ _ ______ appointment as secretary of the BPP, a record offactsTmany of them already well- position Cama was not keen to see his ' protege accept. Nevertheless, Modi, sol ­ dered on balancing his work with Iranian studies, and writing, during his eventful life of 70 years. And Marzban comes across as a man who seemed to owe his position to his parentage: more than 70 percent of the book i.s devoted to telling the history of the Marzban clan and Jam-e-Jamshed. A re ­ naissance man who defies categorization. Sir J. J. Modi (left) and Marzban: sketchy sketches and composer, Ms Meher Madon-Jansa The 45-minute piece, on which Jansen hi been working erratically for over the p( And her coordination with Parvez Dock with whose Bombay Chamber Orchesi she has been associated since 1968, i suited in the fruition of her experimt with professional finesse on October 2 1994: its performance by a 30-piecet chestra and an equally-strong, talent choir drawn from the Bombay Schoolf Music and the Dadar Music EnscmK conducted by the dedicated Doctor, f 14 Parsiana April 1995 * 1 Jpride), “I noticed very definite rhythmic BharUChH bagS tWO golds Sahavir Sarosh Bharucha won two gold medals on securing first rank at the BE Ahura consists of six movements [ through which Jansen has tried to convey patterns in our prayers. ” Jansen incorpo- a philosophical idea with the right use of rated these intonations into the chorus __ Avestan words and a suitable melody. The and, slowly but surely, built up Ahura (Meeh) examination conducted by the opera starts with the clashing of sounds as a harmonious blend between the Gujarat University. His consistently good and harmonies that are discordant on the mystical East and the melodious Western performance earned him a first rank not ear, signifying chaos before the advent of school. only in the final semester but in nearly all Zoroastrianism. The second movement is Jansen is all praise for Doctor and his the semesters while he was a student at the rendition of Ashem Vohu in the form of group who worked with her in right earnest Ahmedabad ’s L. D. College of Engineer- a Western classical hymn. “The melody, for over six months of rehearsals forAhura. ing, notes a press release. the discipline of a set form used here, is to “I would write out my notations, play them Bharucha is a resident of Ahmedabad indicate the coming of Order, the Truth or ‘ the Good Mind on this Earth, ” explains they would truly sound only when the Jansen. This is followed by the Ahunavar (choir) and conductor worked on (hem, ” prayer where only certain words of the Yatha Ahu Vairyo are sung as invocation. Jansen is all praise for Doctor and his for over six months of rehearsals forAhura. “I would write out my notations, play them on the piano, but would get to hear how and presently employed with Ingersoll Rand (I) Ltd at their Naroda unit. The 22- year-old engineer further plans to do his states Jansen. She then incorporded the MBA studies at one of the top 10 institutes changes in the master sheet. The Fravarane prayer is next rendered working into the wee hours as a soprano aria. A little girl seated next to us stifles a giggle as lead choral singer, Ms.Freny Dalal-Paghdiwala breaks into a wafting ‘ha-ha-ha-ha ’ after saying Jasa- me-avenghe-mazda in a manner redolent director of B. P. Musical of traditional Western classical singing in Enterprises, the bell canto style of the 17th and 18th centuries. “The aria is a musical elaboration, ” explains Jansen, “where hasn ’t been another public > words take second place, ” justifying her interpretation. The Zoroastrian influence, however, was soon re-ushered with the Tandarosti blessing rendered in a manner akin to its intonation by priests at a fire-temple. The sixth and final movement with which the concert climaxed was a paean to Ahura Mazda executed with full-throated voices and soaring instruments. For Jansen, who grew up in a Zoroas- trian atmosphere (she had dedicated her rendering since the premiere; and the con ­ cert though recorded live isn ’t being sold as a shy and reticent Jansen doesn ’t wish to of the morning. Put up at a cost of over Rs 60,000 as per Ms Bepsy Marzban, the organizational A/zwra was a unique experiment. Despite the “good response ” there \ i attempt to the memory of her parents) complete with Parsi influences that in- __________________ eluded appreciation and learning of West- explore the possibilities of commercially ern classical music, Ahura was the culmi- releasing the music. h. j. r. nation of a life-long dream. The theory of I ¦ Top: engineer S. Bharucha I (lef^ and cricketer ¦ Z Bharucha K Alongside: prosthodontist Mirza (left) and educationist Ghadiali oFh if I itt * of India and, if funds permit, to pursue a master of science degree in the USA. A brilliant student all through his academic career, Bharuchaj who had won sports certificates at thei school level lists billiards, snooker, swimming, cricket, volley ball and table tennis among his extracurricular activities. Bharucha’s unbeaten 164 An unbeaten 164 in the Irani Trophy tour- . . nament brought opening batsman Zubin Communications Art Bharucha the distinction of being able to carry his bat through an entire innings. He ... - w c, ------------ is the first player on the Bombay team to torship for a short while), I was impressed A<&A/honor was presented to Birdy in New achieve this feat and the second in the by the Latin masses put to music by Haydn p - and Mozart, ” informs a publicity-shy received the C AG title at the organization ’s ' ' " . - . awards function in Bombay. Thirty-two-year-old Birdy works for releasing the music. classical music that she learnt under Ms Birdy’s best copy Gool Tata stood her in good stead when The Best Copywriter of the Year distinc- composing the opera, a fact she remembers tion was conferred on Freddy Birdy by with gracious gratitude. I ’ As a singer in the Cantata Choir (of Guild (CAG), and Advertising and Mar- which she had later taken up musical direc- keting (A&M), a fortnightly magazine. The is the first player on the Bombay team to Delhi on M^ch 11 and on March 2 he history of the tournament (Sunil Gavaskar ’ had performed this feat in 1974-75), notes a report in the Mid-Day of October 14,1994, Bharucha, 25, who had hit a century on debut, batted “for 531 minutes, faced 591 balls, and had 21 hits to the ropes ” when Jansen. Then she thought of casting Parsi prayers in a similar mold, and was en ­ thused when her hymn Ashem Vohu met Mudra Communications and has in the last with a good response when first performed in this style by the B. P. Orchestra at their Pateti concert a few years ago. “Besides, ” smiles Jansen who is mar- — the highest award — in the category of “It ’s a great feeling to get a hundred, ” say( ried to a Hollander but was brought up in Cinema/TV/Video film in English at the Bharucha, adding, “(but) you must not liv if t-**. l» i? '^'d^ ®.iV! .i? ” 4 «’ 'ay^ .A ?> I .r ’> -^1 tli^ b -\i ;c a ¦- top): fied Indian and lioness;ment of our face: “If s oily, except for the would sit by my phone all day long waiting realm of “what might have been. ” Twi area under the eyes where it is dry . And you for clients tb ’ ring up, ” Workingboxwalla trophies, won at international competition of creative make-up — where the beauti cians paint the most amazing designs oni face — adorn a shelf in his room, a test) with people begging mony to his artistic skills, to get their names squeezed in. The job he needed to set out on this uncertain ad is demanding and venture in his Zoroastrian roots, for in i Workingboxwalla Workingboxwalla sees the same spirit ( starts early and ends work that helped the community to surviii ‘ late, well after sun- and establish itself as a leading one in th set. Since the nature past. Yes, he wears the sudreh and kustiani ofhisjob requires that believes in the message of the proph^ he segregate the sexes, he gives appointments to male realm of “what might have been. ’’ Twi have not been sleeping too well either recalls fhose'. ’early days. (true!). ” ' “Your face is your calling card. It is the first thing a person sees, and his first impressions about you — which are very important, es ­ pecially if you are looking for a job or COtTl^ ^1/ to clinch a business , deal — will depend UPPOintlflClit on what he sees, ” * says Working boxwalla. Women seem to realize this instinctively. Men are slowly clients only after sundown. He laughs at the realizingthatthemachomaninthecorporate suggestion that the dark is a good time for world is the well-groomed expense account executive who is edging out the savage Tarzan they idolized as kids. Many men, like women, are slowly ac ­ cepting the fact that they don ’t need to have an acne problem as an excuse to have a facial. It not only relaxes and rejuvenates ingboxwalla has even conducted private but also delays the aging process. This is so because, according to Workingboxwalla, the facial muscles are directly under the skin and keeping them in shape is the best way of stopping premature facial wrinkles. Yet social conditioning is hard to brush ledge that it was not by design but by aside; there are many who see good groom ­ ing as effeminate and a threat to their ma ­ cho image. “These people are stupid and with a false sense of pride, ” says Working ­ boxwalla. If you detect a trace of bitterness in his voice it is understandable, for he bore the brunt of similar prejudices when he started out on his career as a beautician some 20 years ago. That was the time when it was viewed as a profession suitable only for women and definitely not the one for the son of a doctor — his father was a GP. “My relatives, friends, everyone thought I was after he obtained his SSC from Sir Cawasji education in Bombay JMts Gool Ghat crazy wanting to become a beautician! I Jehangir High School was filed away in the principal of the New Era School, was ' Today there are no gaps in his appoint ­ ment diary and the phone rings incessantly, // 'Movie stars are like any other clients and must It is probable that he found the courag “I will be a Zoroastrian from womb t tomb, ” he says. It is a spirit that he believe is less and less evident in the current get eration, and he fears that it is this — thei them to sneak in undetected. inability to tune into the realities of tlr “If they are embarrassed to come here I changing world and act decisively —ratht will insist they don ’t come at all, ” says the unrelenting aesthetician. His confidence is a reflection of his acceptance even by those who scoffed at him earlier. Indeed, Work- classes and many of his students, some males, even Parsi males, are recognized beauticians in their own right. Yet, if he is seen as a pioneer of sorts in his profession, he is the first to acknow ­ than the issue of declining numbers that i, the main problem facing the communitj But what about the problem of declinin numbers? Workingboxwalla does not visualij himself contributing towards solving it i real terms: he is a confirmed bachela Where he can contribute is cleaning up th faces of its individual members and thet are few around who can do it better. ------------------------------------ EVENTS AND PERSONALITIES continued from page 16 of clearing up the acne problem he was SPOTLIGHT plagued with as a kid. Then after one pain ­ ful treatment when his face was inflamed and bloated (“I could not even open my eyes, ” he recalls), Workingboxwalla plaque for promoting oral health in Ind4 reached the breaking point, or rather the Mirza was the first implantologist in Indf turning point. “I decided at that point to to successfully perform full mouth iii| start treating myself, ” he states. Using him- ' ¦ - ¦ — self as a guinea pig he launched out on a new career. His ambition to become a graphic artist For her outstanding contribution in the fieldt after he obtained his SSC from Sir Cawasji default: default on the part of the innumer ­ able beauticians he had visited in the hope At the five-day world congress on prosthi dontics held in New Delhi in mid-Februa^ 1995, Dr Firoze D. Mirza was awarded plants way back in 1962, notes The Aft^ noon Despatch and CourierMarch 6,199| it’ sented a certificate by Dr P. C. Alexand Governor of Maharashtra, at Raj Bhavan February 20, ’95. The selection for this hot was made by the “I Love Bombay ” Coi mittee. Dr Jimmy N. Vazifdar, honorary seen Gold and silver Lord Zoroaster and Asho Farohar medals available Gold, silver and diamond exclusive showroom 594, Chira Bazar, Girgaum Road, Bombay 400002. Tel: 2065137 We accept CitiBank, Taj Premium, Visa & Master Cards. tary of the Indian Red Cross, Maharashti ¦ chapter was presented the Bombay Med I cal Aid Foundation ’s Karmayogi Puraskt ( on April 8, 1995 by State health ministt ) DaulatraoAher,accordingtoanewsrepa f i n the Indian Express of Apri 19,1995. Th I award was conferred for his work in bloo I ii. banking and transfusion services. Compiled by Parinaz Gandhi E 26 Parsiana April 1995VI I, j t i, •V •J t “TOO MUCH WELFARE HAS SAPPED US” continued from page 23 that youngsters are not coming forward for community work. ” On the flip side, the Punchayet “has been able to continue to service so many poor people. Creaky as the machinery is, it has been able to stand up to the pressure of a massive housing program. No matter how much criticism there ’s been about allotments, in the absence of any other method, the merit rating system has worked fairly well. (Retired Justice Bakhtawar) Lentin when he was Ombudsman, was unable to find any flaws. However, if the applicant conceals facts, the Punchayet machinery is not strong enough to detect it. We give every opportunity to people to let us know (their objections) by publishing the names of the allottees. Yet the allegation is of favoritism. ” Changing the focus from the Punchayet to the community Kanga notes, “Parsis have become so helpless. To no other community in the world has subsidized housing been given to this extent. Almost 15,000 to 20,(X)0 of the 50,(XX) Parsis in Bombay (are accommodated in Punchayet and other trusts ’ flats). The date of registration of their application is considered by many people as the sole criteria for their right of entitlement. If I had registered in 1956 when I started service, I too would have been on the waiting list even though not otherwise entitled! ” Many people don ’t plan for themselves when they are earning well, as other communities do, and merely rely on the Punchayet, says Kanga. He cites the example of top bankers and police officers who have never thought about their own accommodation after retirement. At the other end of the spectrum parents don ’t accommodate their married sons, preferring to keep the extra space for their own comfort, says Kanga. “I know of a woman who has three flats but won ’t allow her brother to use one! ” he adds, quoting the frequent line “Hun kai aapun? Tu Punchayet pase maag (Why should I give you? Demand it from the Punchayet). ” How do the young people of other communities manage and prosper, he asks. Defending the Punchayet staff who are often accused of being hard-hearted and rude, Kanga notes, “Social work is a very difficult task. All the time you are dealing with people in misery. Nature anesthetizes you in time. When they respond to hard luck stories with 'Tare thi vadhare kharab cases che (there are cases worse than yours), ’ people say they are hard-hearted. But they couldn ’t survive if they fell for every sob story! They are doing a creditable job inspite of the pressures and other handicaps. ” Remarking on the declining role of philanthropy in the community, once considered an article of faith in the Zoroastrian religion, Kanga draws an exception in the house of Godrej. The BPP’s program on the housing front was possible because of them, he adds, though he “would like to qualify that the Godrejs have also benefitted by it. For example, their charity was not done purely altruistically as Jamsetji Jejeebhoy had done. The Godrejs used (their philanthropy) to provide accommodation for the community but it also helped their retired employees through their right of recommendation. But, without the Godrejs, Godrej Baug wouldn ’t have happened and many more Parsis would have been suffering from the accommodation shortage. ” Tracing the history of Godrej Baug development Kanga recalled how cosmopolitan builders were upset when the court ruled in the 1970s that the FSI (floor space index) purchased by them at the Dadar Parsi Colony could only be utilized for Parsi residences. At that time the Maharashtra government was embarking on a program of slum development and Kanga, then a public servant, got wind of the builders ’ plan to ed^e the CROLt-REYNOLDS TWO-STAGE VACCUM PUMPS iiu. TWO STAGE VACUUM PUMP CR-25 MODEL-|—F MOTOR-5 “ ------ 21 Parsiana April 1995 100 oe X n' S 20 HP 1450RPM I '!'r rrM .. — -CURVES ARE BASED ON- : 30-C SEALANT WATER . V SINGLE STAGE VACUUM PUMP __ WITH rfePLON / RubBER BALLS 580 MOTOR-7 5 HP 2850 RPM . t - i 600 « 710 720 740 VACUUM-MM HG HIGHER VACUUM & CAPACITY AT REDUCED POWER CONSUMPTION & RPM Over 75 years of depth and Experience Technically the most advanced of its type on the market ¦ EFFICIENCIES THAT PAY OFF IN SAVINGS OF THOUSANDS OF RUPEES PER PUMP PER YEAR- CR Pumps offer the first real improvements in Vacuum Pump technology in nearly 75 years. They have dramatically improved operating efficiencies and offer long-term savings of tens of thousands of Rupees in power costs. You not only save elecricity to run the Pump, you can often downsize the motor to gain additional savings. niazda CONTROLS LTD. Patel Chambers, Near H.K. House, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad-380 009, India. Tele. No.; 408967, 408014, 408654 Fax; 0272-427394 Telex: 0121 -6620 *4’ Y 1 I I t to be claiming a hefty tax on what they Parsis will get flats at a lower price and the community ’s coffers will get less funds, says Kanga. “There are Parsi trusts with “There is a difference between the IT lands which are getting encroached. If they come forward, we are ready to help, ” he adds. On the heels of the induction of CER the appeal, he notes. “Of course, the money candidate Dinshaw Mehta on theBPP board of trustees at the end of Homi Ranina ’s tenure in June 1994, the community grape- government into using the BPP’s idle land adjoining doongerwadi — then already consider to be the BPP’s commercial pro- under government embargo thanks to the fits from Spenta apartments. Urban Land Ceiling Act — to rehabilitate ” the Simla House slum. Kanga says he department ’s and our assessment ofthe tax urged the BPP trustees to do something, liability, ” concedes Kanga, but the Pun- Fortunately prime minister Indira Gandhi chayet has the resources to pay up if it loses came to Bombay for an Indian Merchants ’ Chamber function of which (trustee, now (for the tax) could be used more pro ­ chairman of BPP) Jamshed Guzder was ductively, but we took a conscious risk, then president and through her intercession after taking expert advice, for the sake of vine had been humming with stories of the land was made available for the the community. At least now we have so Kanga ’s disenchantment with the party he construction of housing for lower income much more housing, ” he adds, referring to had helped to found in 1980and his eventual Parsi families. Development plans were passed in a hurry but the Punchayet didn ’t have the machinery for such a large scale construction program. It was the Godrejs who came forward and helped to undertake the construction which prevented the land from falling into the wrong hands, notes Kanga. “Some new trustees are trying to modify the terms of the agreement with Godrej, ” says Kanga. (The Godrejs had 50 percent right of allocation of flats on buildings they donated. In the case of those buildings which they constructed for the Punchayet at cost, eschewing their professional fees, the Godrejs had sought that the savings to Bharucha Baug at Andheri and elsewhere, the Punchayet be treated as a donation, earning the industrial house the right to Kanga provides the genesis of the -....... ¦¦¦¦Illi.............. resignation from its membership. “In its initial phase it did what it promised to do, ” In building Spenta says Kanga listing among the CER’s we took a conscious risk, after taking expert advice, for the sake of the community” contributions the amazing awareness that it created in the community regarding the election of trustees, the ensuing community participation at the AC elections, the shake ­ up in the Punchayet ’s priorities and the benefit to the Punchayet board of getting trustees with commercial and managerial experience like Minoo Shroff who were prepared to work for the community. But, he notes, “I felt that it was cramping my style as trustee. As trustee I felt I.should the BPP constructions at Godrej Baug, the take decisions liased on my own judge ­ ment, independently, not because some- Turning to the contemporary scene body else felt it was right, I^also disagreed r ; con- allocate the proportionate quantity of nection between the Tata Housing Com- J pany and the Petit Trust: The new building (with the party) on certain issues. I wanted to convert the CER into a welfare organi- housing.) “The initial formula was loaded pany and the Petit Trust: The new building zation. It was not able to continue to en- I in favor of Godrej. The Punchayet is now being constructed in the compound of the thuse young people as it did in the begin- trying to renegotiate with them, ” says Petit Sanatorium at Cumballa Hill has ' Kanga, adding; “however, the Punchayet been challenged at the Charity Commis- would loose its credibility if it does not sioner ’s court by some individuals. “The keep its commitment. Besides, at that point Petit Trust approached Tata Housing as in time that was the best deal the trustees they had no money for (the upkeep of) the could have got. ” Sanatorium, no money even for salaries. ” Punchayet, make it more effective. It would There are also plans to build 40 to 50 Tata Housing took a management contract ownership flats at Godrej Baug. As Kanga about four to five years ago, to construct explains, the concerned plot was originally for the Trust which would sell the flats and on the doongerwadi side of a meandering make a profit. “Unfortunately the trust line dividing it from Godrej Baug. Thanks deed limits the use of the land to Parsis to a straight new road the area now falls only. The Trust wanted to make the within the housing colony and the new development plan empowers the BPP to utilize it for residential accommodation. Russy Khambatta has been appointed the profits are to be used only for poor teeship term drew to a close, the CER and . , - - B--------------- theorthodoxcamphadcometoanunder- that this project would yield a good income vation plus 30 more rooms and moder- standing that CER president and mutually when completed as land values on Napean **-- - ' ¦ • • •- ¦ Sea Road are very high. Kanga rose to the defence of the CER’s Robin Hood concept (sell flats to the still be a surplus left in the Trust ’s coffers group or stood independently. At the last rich and use the proceeds to build tenan- which is to be used for more housing and minute Mehta filed his nomination and the cies for the poor) which led to the con- other charitable needs of the Parsis. It is CER pressured Engineer to withdraw, en- structionofSpenta, a building of ownership only if the maximum profit is generated ablingMehtatoentertheBPPboardunoo- flats at Malabar Hill: “Without this project •*-- ¦ - • - - no new housing would have been possible. ” The Income Tax authorities are now said ning when electoral registration was the main aim. I thought if we continued on welfare (lines) we ’d get people, supple ­ ment the Punchayet ’s creaking organiza ­ tion... Young volunteers could help the also help young people to come forward. The CER could have been that institution. “I am not a politician. I abhor the rancor and bitterness at election time...When Ranina ’s term got over we had a good opportunity for consensus. Unfortunately, the way things worked out at the last new residential building cosmopolitan (to gen ­ erate more funds). Some people have election has given a setback to the consensus objected to this cy pres petition although approach. ” [When Homi Ranina ’s trus- ychitect in charge, informs Kanga, adding Parsis. ” According to Kanga much reno ­ vation plus 30 more rooms and moder ­ nization of the toilets and kitchen are respected solicitor Dadi Engineer would ----- -- ------ —A takeRanina ’splace. Accordingly, no other planned at the Sanatorium to meet the t ' ~ ‘ * community ’s needs. Thereafter there will candidate was fielded by the orthodox still be a surplus left in the Trust ’s coffers which is to be used for more housing and other charitable needs of the Parsis. It is from the rich that the Trust can raise posed, thereby flouting the earlier under ­ resources for the weaker members of the standing (see “More Effective Outside, ” community. Otherwise a few well-off Parsiana, July-August 1994).] 29 Parsiana April T 995 ¦<» IAlways remember Assessing another community body not been practised by Zoroastrians since . « • 1* _ __ t T*_ I*• z»zvV n«/l OAr'i ” * ¦ ¦ ¦ ! reasons, Kanga notes that at the beginning Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of the 20th century the Parsis were per- of India has done good work, answered a t .? . ‘ which he has served ex-officio during his coming to India for historical ^d social Punchayet years, Kanga feels that the i „ - TATA BATA KHAMBATA Ketayun & Bomi CJ22/A WellingtonTerrace Wellington Street Bombay 400002 Tel No. 2069636, 2057242 MATRIMONIAL Divorcee gentleman, 42 years, working in the Middle East for the past 16 years, earning a five figure salary, seeks matrimony with a homeloving, sociable girl. She can be a divorcee or widow and must be willing to reside abroad. Reply with details and photograph to; The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/18-95)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ’Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. MATRIMONIAL Matrimonial alliance invited by parents of tall, slim, fair, good-looking youth, 27 years old, with a postgraduate degree from a prestigious US University, holding a senior executive position in a leading company. The girl should be well-educated, good-looking, cultured and belonging to a respectable family. Apply with full details and photograph (returnable) to; The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/15-95)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ‘Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. MATRIMONIAL Parents invite proposal for their daughter, aged 24 years, 5’61/2” BCom, domestically trained with good family background. Apply with full details and photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/17-95)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ‘Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. realized that if he gave an opinion in favor of conversion, it might lead to a mass influx as Parsis were a very rich community with huge welfare funds. We might have lost our identity. ” Con ­ trasting that scena ­ rio with the present one Kanga asks. “Now where are the attract others to become Parsis for monetary benefit?” Kanga says that at the time of Ms Sooni (Suzanne) Tata ’s navjote, when the ques ­ tion of allowing her access to the Anjuman Atash Behram f3r prayers came up, its trustees had written to a large number of scholars and priests including Prof A. V. w. _ ______ _____ __ -__ ______ ‘ ceived as a very rich and progressive need. “It ’s got a limited agenda and it ’s community. “Justice Daver may have going on that basis, perhaps a bit slow ­ ly ...Its main achieve ­ ment has been the . creation of a feeling funds which would of brotherhood among associations all over India. It ’s a body to which (the smaller anjumans) can turn in case of need (like to) an el ­ der brother. ” A major plus point for the Federation, according to “Now where are the funds which would Kanga, is the creation of the Federation of attract others to become Parsis for monetary Zoroastrian Youth Asso-ciations(FOZYA) benefit? ” Also, the national reservation and the involvement ofyouth in community policy in favor of the scheduled castes affairs . ensures that they are better off the way they He is comparatively more sceptical are. about the need for an international apex body. “It ’s nice to say there should be an international organization. But what would be its role? ” Kanga wonders aloud. It could provide networking for students, a mat ­ rimonial bureau, maintain the community ’ s demographic profile. “When Zoroastrians W. Jackson, Prof Miller, Dr Sir Jivanji were fleeing Iran, a representation at the Modi and all other high priests asking UN may have been necessary, but it didn ’t categorically whether there is anything in materialize. The WZO (World Zoroastrian our religion which prohibits conversion. Organisation, which came up at that time) “The answer they received was in the is doing good work as a welfare organi- negative, ” infoims Kanga, wondering what zation...It has good workers but it has no had happened to the Expert Committee representative character — it does not Report referred to in the Daver-Beaman represent Zoroastrians all over the judgement which had also come to the world...There is no urgent need (for an international organization). If there had been one, it would have been formed. ” Recalling the “bold, enterprising, risk ­ bearing Parsis of yore... gregarious, unin ­ hibited by social customs, even then too small a minority to be a threat to anyone, ” Kanga notes that the community “capita ­ lized on these advantages in the first half of present-day scholars differs from that of the 20th century. It was our heyday...We went everywhere — to Quetta, to Bur ­ ma...Too much welfare has sapped us. If (Parsis) leave Bombay now, they only [By June 8, 1995 — the last day for filing want to go to the west. “What to do when the community is declining? The pros and cons of conversion need to be examined according to a correct Bombay municipal corporator Rustom Ti- interpretation of our scriptures. Why is randaz, homeopath Dr Viraf Kapadia and everyone pussyfooting? Why is it not tack ­ led head on? ” Placing reliance on Justice Daver ’s judgement of 1910 — that Zoroastrianism enjoins conversion but that conversion has 30 Parsiana April 1995 I w-f* t*' ’>* • •>, I ; S’ same conclusion. Quick to clarify that he was not ad ­ vocating conversion per se, Kanga says he is seeking a proper examination of the scriptural interpretation and of all the available evidence irt*the interests of a rational policy decision regarding the fu ­ ture of the community. “If the opinion of '¦5 ?fl -'-L 1 the Expert Committee, is it not fair to 1 .t . __________ 1_ - _ _1__ I know the reasons? ” he asks. nominations —the Punchay et had received applications from noted solicitor and CER • president Dadi Engineer, businessman and president of the Zoroastrian Culture Wel ­ fare Association of Mahim Dr Syrus Irani. On the last date for nomination with ­ drawals, June 22, Irani pulled out. The election is scheduled for July 8, 1995.] r: 1/; i i«; ¦ B’i.'i choose to bring their dead to be interred in the tower of silence here. An adarian saheb, like an atash behram, has a perpetual fire burning, and special boi repairs. It had received major repairs and renovation in 1916. The most recent sub ­ stantial repairs were done about 13 years All this work had prolonged the life of prayers are said five times a day, at every change of the gah. It is vital therefore, that a READERS’ FORUM continued from page 9 any conclusion. This is because there is no organized structure within the community back, for the guidance of all Zoroastrians. Even A’ - . in resoect of our holiest scriptures, the the fire-temple far beyond expectations. ~¦ j * ? • • Gath^diere is no consensus on their However, a portion of the building sud- place of such religious and strategic signifi- interpretation and translation. Most Gathic denly collapsed in January 1995, and ex — - scholars have their own interpretation and/ perts have opined that the present structure or translation. This is confusing to lav 1—- -- — A"'/¦ persons interested in learning about the Gathas. Which one is he/she to accept as authentic? The Gathas were the subject of two recent colloquiums in London and Los Angeles attended by many learned Zoroastrian and non-Zoroastrian scholars of the Gathas. Perhaps the time and effort expended by both the organizers and the schol ­ ars would have been more fruitful and efficacious if the organizers had arranged first for a few selected Zoroastrian and non-Zoroastrian Gathic scholars to meet in a con ­ clave and enjoined them to come up with a single interpretation/ translation of some if not all the Gathas (or even parts thereof) agreed by a majority of the schol ­ ars if not all, and then arranged for the presentation of the agreed ver ­ sion to the community. It is high time that the commu ­ nity organizes such “Council of Elders ” comprising members of all shades of opinion and then refers contentious social and reli ­ gious issues to such councils for thorough in-depth study and deci ­ sion. There could be different councils or conclaves for different issues and, for specific issues, the Council ’s members could include non- Zoroastrian scholars of our religion. Of another time, another place course, the first barbican that would need to be crossed would be to resolve the contentious issue of who will select and appoint members to such councils and conclaves. cance is not allowed to perish. X..WV _ ___ _ ____________ Please send your donations by demand h^ lived its^full life, and ^s beyond resto- draft or crossed cheque, favoring the “Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman, Mhow. ” All donors sending Rs 5,000 or more will be acknowledged, if they wish, with a mention on a plaque which will be installed at a prominent place in the new structure. We have applied for a certificate under sec ­ tion 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961 so that donors too could derive benefit. behram masani Hon Sec, Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman, Mhow DINSHAW F. D. JOSHI Maryland, USA. k«; ' bat Dead in Penang: Zoroastrians from ration. Therefore complete demolition and construction of a new adarian saheb will have to be undertaken, the most conserva ­ tive estimate for which is about Rs 13 to 14 lakhs (equivalent to about US $ 45,000). We are a tiny population of about 125, with limited resources, so a project of this magnitude is beyond our capabilities. We have no option therefore, but to appeal to our Zoroastrian brethren to help us out. This appeal is being made not just for the Parsi population of Mhow, but also to help Parsis in Penang I have been residing in Penang, Malaysia for the past 25 years. Re ­ cently I discovered two graves of Parsi Zoroastrians in the Western Road CemcStery of Penang. The inscription on the. tomb ­ stones read as follows: “In loving memory\)f Byramji Cowasji, a devoted husband and father, who fell asleep Feb 24th, 1951. Born in Bombay Feb. 2nd 1879. By caste a Parsee Zoroas ­ trian. ” “The earthly remains of 4 Parsee (2Soroastrians — names unknown). Originally interred in the Parsee cemetery situated at lot No. 251 Mukim XVI11 NED, Penang. Have now been exhumed and re-interred here on account of the closure of the previous burial ground. Penang 15th March 1939.” I would be interested to make contact with any of the family members or rela ­ tives of the deceased who may be able to enlighten me on the background. You may be interested to know that the only Parsi family here — the Maneckshas — has been in Taiping, Malaysia since the 1890s. My husband Pervez is the son of Rustom and Rhoda Manecksha. There are some expatriate Parsis in Kuala Lumpur now. MsNERGlSH PERVEZ MANECKSHA Penang, Malaysia 4^ Help rebuild Mhow Agiary Although Mhow is a small place with a small Parsi population, it is located strate ­ gically in central India, and has the north ­ ern most adarian saheb in the country. The ----- --------------------------,----------------- f. . , , fire-temple was first built as a dadgah preserve a part of our common heritage as InCOUSisteilt StutistiCS? during or before 1840. It was upgraded to many people passing through the area make It is a great relief to know that the Mile- an adarian in about 1857, and over the it a point to stop and visit and many Zoro- stones published in Parsiana are almost years it has been maintained with minor astrians from the surrounding regions nowhere near authentic. You mention that it a point to stop and visit and many Zoro ­ astrians from the surrounding regions 31 Parsiana April 1995i F With Compliments From your statistics are not always consistent. I think that the statistics are never consis ­ tent. The young cannot afford to buy flats in central Bombay today because of the soar ­ ing property prices. Hence most of the younger people live in the suburbs. You monly used word today — Can you spot it? “His disastrous failure was a great shock to Xerxes. Now he was afraid, afraid lest the Greeks, either on their own initiative or at the suggestion of the lonians, should sail to GLOBE THEATRES Pvt Ltd Established April 3, 1915 Pioneers oF Show Business in India for the last 7 9 years We rededicate ourselves to the ideals we have cherished and practised all along -- namely to show NOTHING BUT THE BEST to our ever increasing number of Patrons Controlling: REGAL BOMBAY CAPITOL BOMBAY Jjc GLOBE CALCUTTA 32 Parsiana April 7 995 the Hellespont and cut his bridge; afraid of ; mention that suburban hospitals are not being trapped in Europe; afraid ot dying | included. Today commuting time in Bombay is so great that even from a relatively close suburb like Bandra to reach Malabar Hill or Central Bombay takes an hour. What about people from Andheri? It is not con ­ venient for people from the suburbs to come all the way to south Bombay for a there. His immediate reaction was to think { . ofretreat. But he wanted to conceal his fear | • from the Greeks as well as from his own men, and so he gave orders for a causeway to be built across to Salamis. Phoenician r. J.'- cargo boats were lashed together to form a | bridge and a breakwater — great activity | went on as if another battle was to be fc ’ hospital. I hope this is brought to the light fought. Seeing this, everyone assumed that J- of our great community. he contemplated nothing less than a con- h tinuation of the war on all fronts in Greece, L ZUBIN C. M. SHROFF New Delhi Only Mardonios was not taken in. He knew very well what was going on in Xerxes ’s mind. “Meanwhile, Xerxes sent a messenger to Persia with news of the battle. These messengers are the fastest known method >¦ A stamp in his pehramni? It is understood that the government of India has decided to phase out currency notes of smaller denominations, viz Re 1, Rs 2 and Rs 5. The discontinuance of the Re 1 note is likely to create a problem for our fine art of “pe/iramni-giving! ” I feel that this problem could be solved by ‘tagging ’ a Re 1 postage stamp to the Rs 50, Rs 100 and Rs 500 currency notes to arrive at the accepted norm of Rs 51, 101, Rs 501, etc. This would do away with the carriage of heavy metal in the form of Re 1 coins to the various baugs where one usually attends navjotes and weddings. Besides the Re 1 postal stamps could also be used as postage towards the sending vice is called angareian in Persia. ” of “Thank You ” cards — one of the fast- rashidirani i disappearing social graces. Bombay SOLI canteenwala of communication and the system was , invented by the Persians themselves. For community which has developed the every day the complete journey should ; take, they havcxa horse and a man spaced out a day ’s ride apart. Snow, rain, scorch- > ing sun, night — it is all the same to these men; they get their messageihrough as fast as is humanly possible. The first hands over his message to the second, the second to the third, and so on until, by relays, it reaches its destination — like the handing on of the torch in the Greek festival of | Hephaistos. This form of messenger ser- I Kapadias of Astley Hall Spot the word in Dehra Dun an aged couple live This extract from Herodotus ’ The Struggle Who, this autumn, 1994, sixty years for Greece (circa 450 BC) contains a com- S.J MATRIMONIAL Matrimonial correspondence invited from an attractive, well- qualified, Parsi girl up to 30 years, for a well-settled, 33-year-old, tall, fair, handsome, cultured. Parsi computer professional and Green Card holder. Write to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/16-95)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ‘Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. of blissful marriago.celebrated. In today ’s matrimonial graveyard that is so inebriated, A happy record indeed this has created! He, a gentleman, a famous Dental - Surgeon of “90,” of the town. She, a gentle heiress, “83,” gracious, and never in a frown. No children have they - God, their mainstay - They live in their fine home in an exemplary way. Above bookshop “Jugal Kishore, ” With courteous elan and very much more. APPAN NAIR Dehra Dun b Edited by Amavaz S. Mama ?i 'r POLITICS AND POLICY THE FEDERATION reviews the Wadia navjote Neville Wadia's navjote was the key to an open t dialogue on community issues Arnavaz S. Mama 1 u- tthruVatrakDar- Federation awards and guests witnessed IntheaftermathofNevilleW^ia'snavjote ^SSe^ltTX^ edin* «>e pomp P^*-tr^nja_^h^^ theexecutivecounciloftheFederaU^ ^.S^d been tempered by Ahura Mazda inherited the Retreat at Parsi Zoroastrian its forthebenefitoftheassembledcommunity, he ceremonial bands of bated the issue at con^der^k^^^ noted DPA president Lt G^n Adi Sethna in regiments unfurled the Xp) chairman Jamshed Guzder stated. Block. The mounted camels of the Border “ s have asked for the Federa- It was a rare invitation to the Federation swune into the finale of ^are jehan se to discuss the ‘internal affairs ’ of a mem ­ ber anjuman, though it must be acknow ­ ledged that the matter was of interest and import to cnmmunitv at large. TheL astrians later this year and Ms Toxy Cowasji has extended a warm welcome to the Zo ­ roastrian youth of India. ZTFE (Zoroastrian Trust Funds or Eu ­ rope) president Rusi C— — Jamshed Guzder stated, , be considered a behdin). have asked for the Federa- invitation to the Federation ------ - Qf interest and the community at large. In his inaugural speech M. member Guzder (left) and Sethna: permitting AnjumanTrustFund open Comn-ission of WW —• - Block. The mounted camels of the Border Security Force were etched against the setting sun on the ramparts of the North and South Blocks which flank the road to Rashtrapati Bhavan as the military band swung into the finale of Sare jehan se achha, Hindustan hamara. terrain to reach the seats reserved for the delegates proved worthwhile for all except Capt Homi Dandiwalla, president of the Allahabad Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman and nmuin>u„------------ , The long and laborious walk over uneven vO reach the seats reserved for the delegates proved worthwhile for all except Cant Homi Dandiwalla, president of the W^d^T^x^ WsZf?Shim;n7Despi.. a fall, drauks fo SL extended a warm welcome .0 the Zo- -^^^Xcy^^drelh. lack of was due to receive the Federation award for professional competence, they gamely exceptionally successful exp^imem in ^“"^rS'XdT" X^ocS ’vXe ’’had lemned to live ^hedul^ te'Sl's “ons “tte following together for 24 days, eating food spectalt- they m^s ties from all over the country, experien- day! The quiet, matter o -------- cing a variety of life styles, customs and at the time of separation. “If you can gress will be held in Tehran; the dates cawu -- “^iJ'become set, drill presentation of the Eeoerauon , however are not yet known. . 8-^ed m , ^992 and 1993 And several Zoroastrian ladies mairied mm^thern ^Val^raian asserted. “Address to men invitation integrity as a nation; not poverty, 1"—- .. shelter or unemployment but the absence ¦ He recounted how Sethna and he had worked together on an ZTFE -who attended of the spirit of unity luuvy —* • 1 • ’x « -J the Federation meeting as a special invUee extended a similar invitation to India s Zoroaslrian youth to attend the Second World Zoroastrian Youth Congress in Lon ­ don in 1997. Though at the time of the Federation meeting the venue of the next World Zo ­ roastrian Congress (WZC) was under de ­ bate it is now likely that the sixth Con- r ties from all over the country, experien ­ cing a variety of life styles, customs and beliefs, building friendships, which led to tears <---------- catch hold of the kids acceptance of their pain and discomfort I in the courage ot elderly Parsis from the mofussil.) lhe tewee„ ‘;,gh; and delegate.ta of other faX re"spotded"to the be saved, ” '^’AUhX'tmeTrn Bombay in June 1994 , of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman the common issues t g Federation had collected funds for the (DPA), the host anjuman, to air their wishes India See if you P P ^tash behrams of India and to help nroblems in a special open session scriptions not only tor yourselves ^6^. ^is video dedicated to interfaith dialogue and to all o1e ctog docutnentatyontfieOathasofZ^atetoa keeping the community together. invited to receive This time Parsiana was the unexpected The DPA had organized atight schedule of the next World Zo- was an object lesson in the courage of will be held in Tehran; the dates keeping the community together. India. See if you can come up with pre ­ scriptions not only for yourselves but for all of India, ” he charged. The same evening, the delegates, out ­ standing Zoroastrians invited to receive scriptions not only for yourselves but for 33 Parsiana April J 995 IST* vene. However, even when the population is substantial, if an individual is trying to subvert the community property towards and grateful beneficiary of the Federation ’s largesse as individuals and anjumans pro ­ mised annual amounts ranging from Rs - 1,000 to Rs 15,000 to defray the costs of his own coffers, the Federation will inter producing what British scholar of Zo ­ roastrianism John Hinnells^ had dubbed “the only international Zoroastrian link medium. ” As usual the DPA had spared no effort to ensure the comfort of the delegates at the dharamshalla^with grazing and water ­ ing to match! Objecting to the use of the term “take over ” Gandhi noted, “The Federation is not ‘taking over. ’ The Federation can be a custodian of the assets and the Federation ’s name can be added as joint owner in the 7/12 (saat-baara) records. The Federation has only a watching brief. It will take over the responsibility of an anjuman only when vene. ” Katpitia however was determined that Federation members be aware of the problems before them when salvaging the . . property of an anjuman which is totally the anjuman no longer exists. Unless the defunct; “Landed property is affected by anjuman (or individual) comes forward 19 different acts. ” In certain cases the trust land lies in areas where the zoning has changed from residential to hazardous industry and the price has soared. Then a certain part of the land is lost under the agricultural land ceiling act and the urban the Federation will not go and say ‘We ’ll be custodian. ’” Volunteers from Nagpur have identi- f’ t t ¦ vuiuincvia num fied community properties in Gadak, | Defunct anjumans Back in the saddle after hospitalization for an angiography, the hard worked Sorab aguvu.Lu..*. .....---- -e —; — - _ Katpitia ofthe Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP) land ceiling act which claims almost 50 has been busy making up for lost time. His percent of the total. Releasing the land project report was laced, as usual, with from these restrictions is time consuming, pertinent details as he urged the council to “Onlv after completing all this (can we adopt a proper definition of the term “de ­ funct anjuman. ” “If five or six Parsis say they are not defunct and want to get dona ­ tions to maintain an agiary or dokhma should the Federation consider (such an anjuman) as defunct? ” think ^ofXindUng ’^Lfumans when the full'^of legal complications. ” He said he “Delhi has half-heartedly done things.^It s population is down to four or five tamilies. In such cases they should appoint the Federation as custodian (of their proper ­ ties), ” clarified Federation joint honorary may be prolonged, secretary Keki Gandhi. Declining in numbers, the generally aging communities are finding their pro ­ perties encroached or gratuitously annexed the Collector rejected his clairn that his by outsiders. Despite these obvious hurdles most anjumans are averse to include a Fed ­ eration representative among its trustees. The rising land values everywhere, es ­ pecially in and around urban areas, seem to , make the local anjumans fearful of not recounted Katpitia. Judicial ^proceedings being able to sell off their assets to their own benefit. In the case of Bhopal the Federation ’s defunct anjumans subcom- mitee rescued its property from the mo ­ rass, after which the Bhopal anjuman chose to ignore the Federation. The community ’s penchant for in-fighting often further ad ­ vantages its adversaries. An example is percent of the total. Releasing the land Harda, Chandrapur and Disa, informed Katpitia. The residents of Disa had even ­ tually migrated to Navsari. One survi ­ vor there had offered to help, he added. FOZYA (Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations) president Porus Karanjawalla { ‘Only after completing all this (can approach) the charity commissioner of the of Ahmedabad has volunteered to help zone applicable to the area (for permission with the Disa property which includes a to sell the property). ” Recounting the acquisition of two lakh rupees by selling scrap in Cambay and four aramgahs and other properties in Sahranpur, lakhs from the land sale in Junagadh, Hathras, Aligarh, Mathura, Jabalpur, etc Katpitia cautioned, “The entire project is DPA vice president Dadi Mistry noted, had just been informed that an application essential that ^e have one dedicated '___ * Sorabji. ” Easier said than done, as even a reliable assistant for Katpjtia has been hard to find. Katpitia cited a case where the _ opposing party “instigated our person to around the tower of silence, a Muslim has depose (before the court) in such a manner appealed to the Nadiad High Court after uaw _________________ __ _____ __ > forefathers tilled the land . In Nadiad where that he had had to go personally to Ambala > the negotiations were on the verge of fina ­ lization “a non-Parsi trust has put a claim on our property. We won the case but they ’ve gone to the Nadiad District Court, ” against the land sale had been filed with the charity commissioner and the matter In Cambay where there is more land tower of silence. Referring to the “phenomenal ” value of as to lose our case. Not only is revenue involved but public trust, ” he said, adding Cantonment, where there is said to be a graveyard, to file an application for infor ­ mation as a friend who had been requested to probe hadn ’t made a worthwhile effort. Ms Mini Boga, said to be the only • •<» ! t r are in progress in Khandwa and at Neemuch surviving trustee in Amritsar, had appro^- a compromise seems likely. The Dharwar and Hubli anjumans have expressed a de ­ sire to appoint the Federation as custodian and Badnera (with two families) Anjuman Katpitia noted on the basis of a volunteer js is considering the appointment of the Fed ­ eration as custodian of its properties — an ched the Federation to take over the management of the aramgah and the anjuman ’s corpus of Rs 8 lakhs according trustee. The Amravati (with four families) to Kerman Nowsherwanji of the DPA. But t i & information that the land is encroached. ' Guzder apprised delegates of the land in vaniaged iu> ™i VA.aiiij7iv *a w*«v*v.. , J JU ?u^ that of Suwali near Hazira in Gujarat where agiary on the main road with a good amount Colaba that was comand^red by the . of land and also a dokhma, as noted SPP’s Indian Navy four years ago. The concerned '¦ ¦¦¦ ¦; trustee returned the Navy ’s compensation silence is in decay... there are three or four Jal Dotiwala. cheque for one crore rupees and had got a Parsi families. They want to manage their As it was announced that Mulla and commitment for 7.5 crore rupees from own affairs because of the valuable land, ” Mulla and Cragie, Blunt and Caroe were them. BPP chief executive Rustom Ankle said Katpitia. But Gandhi cautioned, “We preparing a draft MOU (memorandum of sana felt that as Zoroasftian land had been walla asked if thc solicitors had any in- —to protect Bombay harbor —the commu- ing to an anjuman but to an individual? the land but agreed with Mistry, who had « __ A.-*— _______________ lUnf oxMAA “AfkarnAmiYiiini. land values have risen because of indus ­ trialization. “The property of the tower of Jamshed Dotiwala on behalf of his uncle As it was announced that Mulla and Mulla and Cragie, Blunt and Caroe were own affairs because of the valuable land, ’ do not intervene unless we ’re satisfied understanding) for these cases Dandi- about the mismanagement (of the trust ’s affairs). There are two prongs to the de ­ funct anjuman policy: If the population is _ dwindling, but still managing its affairs Can the Federation take it over on certain properly, the Federation will not inter- terms and conditions? ” r strument “to tak e, over property not belong- nity should not object to the acquisition of ...... . ... .----------1.. i--.j raised the topic, that since “other communi ­ ties benefit from a quid pro quo, so why terms and conditions? ” 34 Parsiana April 1995From left to right: {top row) Davierwalla, Anklesaria, Gandhi, Guzder and Sethna; (second row) Davierwalla, Mistry and Rustomji; (third row) Pervez Irani, Karanjawalla and Mogrelia; (fourth row) Kavarana, Syrus Irani, Karanjawalla, Farokh Irani and Eruch Irani Hi >' Irani, Karanjawalla, 35 Parsiana April 1995 aot us? ” . . Land in Boisar belonging to a private trust is worth crores of rupees according to Karanjawalla. It was alleged that there were encroachments and that a Sai Baba taiid in Boisar belonging to a private alleged that there were encroacnrnenvb Se,,na. Ka^arana. row) Navaz Palkhivala and Phiroza Singh ' . __ I • f /altifH »*Z3A47 I Del^ra and Con.raaar 37 ParsianaApril!995 Ireminded the gathering that more housing leading Dalal to remind the youths of the does not necessarily imply an increase in the number of children. Noting that the largest percentage of people who come for BPP flats do so on the vl.-v _ -- - ' '— • an venue was s — —---------- --------- ultimatum, Guzder°informed the" council the objection that Indian youth may have When Mistry urged FOZYA to book the 2001 meet for Ahmedabad Parvez Irani commented on the level of commu ­ nication: “The youth are invited at Federa- discharged two projects: increasing Par­ siana's subscription base and enrolling plea that the engaged girl has given an UlllIliaLUllX, kJULUVl llllVilllVW v**w -----~J--------------------- that the BPP has acquired four acres of problems with Pakistani visas^ land in Vasai to build another 250 to 400 flats. He also revealed that the BPP had received offers to the tune of three crore rupees to buy land. Social scientist and demographer Ms Ava Khullar of the DPA admitted that the adults were “putting the onus on the London venue of the Second World Zoro ­ astrian Youth Congress (SWZYC) in July community professionals as Zotarians, 1997. Earlier the SWZYC had been sche- “ ............ - -r duled for Karachi. According to Dalal the venue was s... .—---------------------- FOZYA is now entrusted with the task of ______________ helping with the field work in collection of shifted to London because of demographic data as well as the unearthing of background information on defunct anjumans. These are in addition to their normal activities in their home base. For example, the Young Zoroastrians of Dahanu have been running a school over the past four who have not attended a FOZYA meeting or seminar. Often, FOZYA members don ’t children but our elders don ’t give support know about Federation meetings. ’’He sug- the way other communities do. ’’ Noted " social worker Ms Dinaz Damania of Ban ­ galore, “As social workers and researchers, our good intentions and solutions fall far short of expectations. Solutions should work from the bottom up. Qualitative Pervez Irani also felt that since the Fed- research of concerned people should produce the solutions. ” ! ¦ lllvauull. 1 lie JVUUl €UV III vnvu X vuviu --------------- --- r tion meetings. But there are youths here years. It has now reached the seventh ' • L. five acre playground. Basket ball, cricket ? and other tournaments held locally and Standard level with its own building and a with neighboring anjumans help to main- tions should secure an invitation to depute tain their morale. They function as pall- their representative to attend Federation meetings instead of requesting the anju ­ mans to depute a youth representative. gested that alt FOZYA member associa- i. eration recommended that each anjuman should coopt a youth representative on its governing body it was only proper that the Youth activities Federation should coopt a youth represen- With an Asian youth meet being sponsored tative on its executive council, by Karachi during the Diwali or Christmas holidays this year, Karanjawalla urged lo ­ cal punchayets to sponsor at least one candidate each. To overcome the problem of costly council. He added that a proposal to amend international travel Gandhi suggested that the Federation constitution suitably could entries, the Karachi youths be invited to India be mooted at the next meeting, instead. Mistry urged FOZYA to host an international conference once in four years, bearers and help maintain the dokhma, informed Pervez Irani. In Delhi the Farohar Club has performed remarkably in the field of religious educa ­ tion, DPA’s representations at interfaith meetings being well applauded, as noted DPA trustee Farrokh Rustomji. A presen ­ tation backed up by posters, which had amazed the gathering at the Jhansi aramgah Gandhi, always partial to youth involve- centenary celebrations, had been reenacted ment in community matters, suggested for the benefit o^the Federation delegates that the FOZYA president be an ex officio ’ ’ ' ' * " member of the Federation ’s executive who were also presented a short religious • 1. i- p knowledge quiz to solve. Remarkably, not I a single elder featured amon^ the winning ¦ A report regarding the activities of the Having undertaken and satisfactorily Madras youth was presented by Mogrelia.I « ( 3S Parsiana April 1995 I Left to rightftop row) Entrance to aramgah; graves in aramgah; priests quarters at the dharamshalla; (bottom row) Ervad Bagli in front of the Katrak Dar-E-Meher; embroidered Zoroaster at the entrance of the Dar-E-Meher; delegates at prayer ¦fc JL - " r J ? I" r hM ¦ Left to right (top): Dalal, Kety Marshall, Khullar and Darius Marshall Far left: Vardharajan ceremonially received by Dhun Bagli Left: AU and Malikar: interfaith session ¦ ¦ » -4i He noted how the youth had collected Anklesaria. about Rs 1.7 lakh at short notice for repairs to the anjuman building and how they hold given time to make children say prayers at regular monthly get-togethers and help clean the agiary. It was a matter of regret for Gandhi and the other delegates that Calcutta and Jamshedpur did not participate in FOZYA activities. Even as Federation delegates, these centers are often unrepresented. “The late Ardeshir Batlivala used to travel sec ­ ond class and came to every meeting as long as he could... We had to give Adi Rabadi an award to make him come, ” noted Gandhi, only partly in jest. Quipped Anklesaria: “Keki Gandhi is the evergreen youth of Calcutta, but I hope cational endowment. We have a very good you don ’t think Keki Gandhi is the only library with thousands of pounds worth of youth of Calcutta! ” books... ” Khurshed Pastakia of the Borivli and Suburban Zoroastrian Association sugges ­ ted that the money from the Zartoshty brothers could be used to reprint the pub- the suggestion, anjumans and individuals pledged varying amounts: the Allahabad Parsee Zoroastrian Anjuman Rs 1,000; the BPP Rs 15,000; the Broach Parsi Puncha ­ yet Rs 5,000; the Calicut Parsi Anjuman Rs 2,000; the Madras Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman Rs ^000; the Surat Parsi Punchayet Rs 5,000; Sarosh Ginwalla an impressionable age. Every single parent Rs 1,000; Jamshed Guzder^ Rs 15,000; must create conditions for routine prayers. ” “*• ’ While agreeing with Davierwalla that “education begins from birth, ” Dalal advo ­ cated, “get teachers and pay them well. Create a ‘feel good ’ effect among the youngsters...The demand for information on Zoroastrianism is so great in the UK, we can ’t cope. There are special functions at Zoroastrian House; we take part in Com ­ monwealth Day observances; our children see Zoroastrians on screen and in the media... We are hoping to create an edu- Davierwalla noted that “We have not Aspi Irani Rs 1,000; Silloo and Farrokh Kavarana Rs 5,000; Areez Khambatta Rs 19,000; Boman Mehta Rs 10,000; Homi Mehta Rs 1,000 and Ms Pansy Dinshaw Mehte Rs 5,000. {Parsiana is thankful to the generous donors for their support.) Neville Wadia’s navjote Guzder referred to the Wadia navjote and Wadia ’s letter to the BPP seeking to be considered a Zoroastrian to which the BPP has since conveyed its assent. The Federa ­ tion members ’ response was wide and varied. “If Wadia gives you a donation, won ’t you put him oiiThe F (donor) regis ­ ter? ” queried Gandhi. “If not, he ’ll go to court...(It ’11 be) Wadia versus Guzder if you want to be immortalized like Petit versus Jejeebhoy, ” he jested. “What was Neville before he became a Zoroastrian? ” asked Mogrelia. Guzder ex- Zoroastrian literature Ms Arnavaz Chubb ’s plea for the pre ­ servation of Zoroastrian literature (“The enemy within, ”Par5iana, November 1994) lications now out of print and translate was taken up by Gandhi. Guzder informed others. Gandhi voiced FOZYA founder the members of a donation of Rs 23 lakhs president JehangirBisney ’ssuggestionthat plained how Sir Ness Wadia fell in love from the Zartoshty brothers of Canada and FOZYA be asked to chart out a master with the daughter of an Irish priest who Iran for inculcating a knowledge of Zoro- ? ' astrianism among school childen as well religious knowledge, as for creating a body of scholars. A com ­ mittee comprising Dastur.s (Drs) Hormuz- diar Mirza and Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa and Homi Dhalla has been set up under the chairmanship of Nadir Modi who has drawn up a program which is to be sent for Mehraban Zartoshty ’s approval, informed curred by the publication. Responding to FOZYA be asked to chart out a master plan as the youth have repeatedly sought insisted that Ness convert to Christianity • before he could be allowed to marry his A delegate present suggested that in the daughter. Neville, the son of the union, same manner as money had been raised for Homi Sethna ’s video documentary The Voice of Zarathushtra, various delegates applies universally. ” Agreed Guzder: should, turn by turn, offer their contribu ­ tions to Parsiana to offset the losses in- was baptised at birth. RespondedMogrelia, “The BPP should ensure that the ruling “Where the person is of Zoroastrian ances ­ try. ” Countered Navsari ’s Dara Deboo: “Neville Wadia was baptised so he was not 39 Parsiana April 1995r 38 MATRIMONIAL Parsi parents of only daughter, 30 years, 5’5,54 kgs, (very fair), PhD, internationally travelled, domestically accomplished, invite proposals from equally eligible gentlemen up to 35 years. Kindly respond with (returnable) photo to; The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/19-95)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 •please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. a Zoroastrian. ” ... . atash behramFasked Ginwalla and was informed that entry to an “What happens if Neville wants to enter the Navsy i agiary or atash behram is regulated by its trustees. Why not register navjotes? ” asked Dr Syrus Irani of the Iranian Zoroastrian Anjuman. “There is a law under which marriages must be registered. There is no such law regarding navjotes, ” informed Katpitia. . “We look to India for religious guidance from the priests, lhe P i MATRIMONIAL Matrimonial alliance invited for handsome, highly educated, Parsi youth, 34 years, well-settled in USA, shortly to be in Bombay, from educated, pleasant girls, 23-28 years, willing to settle abroad. Please apply promptly with photographs and telephone numbers to; The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/20-95)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 The Advertiser •Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. MATRIMONIAL Correspondence invited for a lady, 47 years, commerce graduate, 5'2”, working in a nationalised bank. Domestically trained good natured with affluent family background. Write giving complete 5'2”, working in a nationalised bank. Domestically trained particulars and recent photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/21-95)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 •Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. LONDON TSed^reaktast • oe'J i_»z^erTl • Homely • Congenial • Three i - * Atmosphere \ ^*1 t 1^ t 1 1 walk to \ central minutes Tube station to London bylube • Very • Visitors reasonable terms SpreteraW Zoroastn^^ CONTRACTORS Bombay Phone Nos: 3634161,3641581 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon, 8.00 p.m. to 10 p.m. 3760707, 3728549 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. London contact: Beroz Mody. No 10 Court Farm Road, Middlesex, UB 5—5 HQ Tel No: 0044-181-8413491 Katpitia. . “We look to India for religious guidance from the priests, lhe priests by a majority have accepted that (NevUle) is a Zoro- astrian. Here we i------------- priests, ” noted Dalal. . “Can ’t we examine (the prospects for creating) a uniform civil code of conduct for all anjumans to follow? Eliminate this frequent discussion...? ” asked Rustomji. To Gandhi ’s query “Apart from Navsari and Udvada are the other anjumans willing to accept the decision of the five high priests? ” came a barrage of views. “Embrace gracefully what one can ’t avoid, (face) the facts of life... ” advised Mogrelia. Syrus Irani requested the Federation to form a council of religious leaders and behdins to decide the issue. Davierwalla exhorted the council to “listen to me peacefully for five minutes. I believe in protecting my religion from dilution... It is the opinion of my ; anjuman also...20 percent of families have individuals married (it was) Nehru ’s condition that Phiroze Gandhi (a Zoroastrian) ¦ become a Hindu... By tradition there is no conversion in Zoro- astrianism. An apostate is always*an apostate...The impressiot , z.. . < /- i:r_\ ___________ nr- ** “Does religion get diluted by increasii^ fnllnwprs7 ” challeneed Gandhi. “Christianity mi ______________r - - ¦ must be advised by the decision of the high | I I out. The silent majority is orthodox. When Indira Gandhi married, become a Hindu... By tradition there is no con vision in Zoro- that we gather in"the first 15 years (of life) remains with us... ” “Does religion get diluted by increasine the number c followers? ” challenged Gandhi. “Christianity ^d Islam are note for conversion. It is their experience that the converted Muslin Christian is a greater devout than the born Christian or Muslin ‘Silent majority ’ is a term dishonestly used by those who canni Si muster majority opinion in their favor. If Nehru forced Phiroze t become Hindu, why don ’t Parsis say (to all non-Zoroastria suitors), ‘become Zoroastrian ’?” “May I suggest that everybody read the GathasT' interpose Shahpur Captain of the World 2^roastrian Organisation, Londoi - suitors), ‘become Zoroastrian ’?” Congress and census The holding ofthe Sixth World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC) wi tentatively scheduled for the first weekend of January 1996 i F Bombay. “India does not wish to monopolize the WZC,” sa L Guzder. Its claim of having the largest Zoroastrian population hi been disputed by Iranian Zoroastrians, who are keen to hold it Tehran, he continued. (It has since been noted that the next W2 i. will be hosted by the Tehran Anjuman, though the dates have n ; been finalized.) The Federation of Zoroastrian Associations North America (FEZANA) has already reserved the Congress 1 , the year 2000, he informed the council. It was generally conced Bombay. “India does not wish to monopolize the WZC,” sa L been disputed by Iranian Zoroastrians, who are keen to hold it that the number of Indian delegates who will be able to atte these Congresses may be very small. The question of visas for 1 i delegates to Iran was raised by Dalal. , Demography was the overriding concern of the 5WZC i ;• delegates to Iran was raised by Dalal. _____ Guzder noted that the 1991 census figures had not yet bi declared. The BPP has employed Ms Katy Shroff to work o detailed socio-economic survey of the community nationwi the cost of which over the next few years would exceed Rs lakhs. Guzder noted that he was personally committed to do would contribute in equal measure. He now urged the Federal continued on pagt S ting one lakh rupees each for 1995 and 1996 and that the IBOOKS f Enduring cures g Parinaz Gandhi Nature's Materia Medica — A Handy Guide on we endeavor through Prevention and Treatment of Diseases by Rational natural ways of living Methods by Dr J. M. Jussawalla. Published in 1994 by Popular Prakashan Private Limited, 35-C, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Marg, Tardeo, Bombay 400034. Pp: xvi+379. Price: Rs 450. “Some books are to be tasted, others to be bid encumbrances and swallowed, and some few to be chewed disease taints which and digested. ” This quote by Bacon, car- furnish the soil for the ried in Nature’s Materia Medica prepares development and mul- the reader for the morsels of information tiplication of disease . . „ . . „ •--------J the book. The thera ­ peutic measures he would recommend are and rational methods of treatment to purify the organism of the systemic waste, mor- co philosophy and a practice fol ­ lowing definite physical, mental and spiritual laws for restoration and maintenance of health and the correctioirr of bodily disorders without the use of poisonous drugs, ” Ofttimes palliatives worsen the prob- that will come his way in the course of this germs, ” it i^ stated in 379-page book. And since nature cure believes in treating the cause of the disease . rather than its symptoms, not surprisingly fasting, natural diet, massage, hjdro- the maximum number of pages (95) are f devoted to the section on the alimentary osteopathy and chiropractic treatment, tract which is believed to be the seat of mental and emotional equilibrium. many diseases. The 88-year-old author. Dr Jehangir M. Jussawalla, who is the recipi ­ ent of the Dhanwantari Award and has written 11 other books on health and diet states in this tome, “Many are the tonsils he sums up. The lymphatic constitution is and many the teeth that have been sacri ­ ficed in looking for the root of infection should have received the attention. ” and circulatory disorders; and the neuro- is also beneficial not only for constipation Covered under “Diseases of the Ali- pathic constitution is inclined towards ner- but for cleansing the system, diluting the mentary Tract ” are diverse problems from vous troubles. blood and wishing out poisons. To common indigestion and constipation, to The fundamental cure therefore lies in indigestion the person should be taught to diabetes and ulcers and obesity. Failing raising the vitality, purifying the blood and empty eyesight too finds a mention here as the right type of food is responsible for good -. . . eyes. According to Jussawalla the sense of material through elimination. A cold is sight is the most abused of all man ’s facul- ’ ties and it wouid be “no exaggeration to say 1 . . - nowadays suffer from defective eyesight. ” therapy, exercise; sun and air baths, lem. “Drug laxatives taken s^ trustingly and innocently by thousands for the cor ­ rection of acute bowel sluggishness is one ____ ___ _______ ______ of the most productive sources of our tion the predominance and combination of chronic cases of constipation. It can in- which determine the ailments to which stead be prevented, we are told, by a diet of different individuals will be susceptible, figs, prunes, raisins, apricots, spinach and other greens, whole grain cereal products, wholemeal bread, tomatoes, honey, mo ­ lasses and other fruits, all of which have a There are three basic types of constitu- * inclined towards gland troubles, skin dis ­ eases, tuberculosis; the acidic constitution is prone to rheumatism, diabetes, cardiac laxative effect. Regular,drinking of water and circulatory disorders; and the neuro- ’ ’ ' ———- pathic constitution is inclined towards ner ­ vous troubles. The fundamental cure therefore lies in __ _ _____ _ _ ______ _ _________ ‘ usually being 316 hours) by lying on the matter and removing the waste and morbid right side, thus lowering the discharging \ end of the stomach and bringing gravity to considered a cleansing process whereby the^aid of the weakened organ, the body eliminates systemic refuse. “Do that above 90 percenfof people not attempt to suppress a cold, ” warns ___ „„„„„ " Jussawalla. The chief causes of a cold as Among the organs in the human anatomy listed by Jussawalla are: overeating, die- the most abused is the colon, believes the author. He traces the problem of constipa ­ tion to “the civilized colon (which) has become a cesspool instead of being a sew ­ erage system. ” As naturopaths “we do not endeavor to ‘kill the germs ’ with poisonous drugs, . ..... vaccines, serums and antitoxins, but instead veteran practitioner, is an art, science, a lymph streams, or breaking up the waste That most humans don ’t control their food intake is known. That food is ram ­ pantly adulterated is also known. To indicate the extent of adulteration and its consequent ailments we are given Mwv. _____ ____ ____________ instances of common favorites that can ing, deficient skin activity, insufficient cause cancer: the yellow jalcbi contains tetic errors like excess of starch, sugar or both, constipation, inadequate water drink ­ exercise, fresh air and deep breathing, metanil yellow, a coal tar dye, the glowing wearing of excess clothing and being con- yellow turmeric powder has lead chromate fined too much in dry and superheated causing anemia, paralysis and sometimes quarters. Naturopathy, as defined by the abortion; the tempting pink papad has --=----- 1 Rhodamine-B; mustard oil is adulterated 41 Parsiana April 1995 bwith motor oil and diesel oil. A high fiber vegetarian diet will de ­ crease the likelihood of cancer of the stom- ach and rectum, advocates the naturopath prosperity who also cautions realistically that “some dietary pundits go a little too far in assuring that dietary change alone can offer cure for cancer (and) similarly some consider that bowel wash is specific for cancer. Not a rational approach in any case, ” says the veteran practitioner who in 1938 founded the Natural Therapy Clinic in Bombay and has served as member on the health panel of the Planning Commission and as ad ­ viser on nature cure to the Government of India. If seeking an answer to obesity —which affect the eyesight. Overweight persons are said to be more 1 diabetes, a disease associated with Many of humanity ’s aches and pains Certain proofing and editing errors sur- * • . --- -» heeling ” power is described as a divine WViKHV p/iOVUU —---I----- /» • *V likely candidates for face in the book where for instance the ____“hooiinrt” ru-«wAr is Hftscrihed HS a divine “The civilized colon has become a cesspool instead of being a sewerage system ” gift. Even then the plethora of facts should f << ____fnA * serve as “a standard text book on the practice of nature cure for students and training centers, ” as reads the introduction is «i^tS wl*:^ “coid wi ” - patience, are traced to the three overs and two unders: perwverance and moderation are the three “In this age of mechanization, j^p e are mg key words. Not appetite suppression but over-rested, over-fed, over-stimulated, omission of white sugar and starches for under-developed ^d under-disciplined, some time can help reduce the problem. When dealing with aches and pains the we are told. Overweight persons are also author explains that the site ot the pain advised to sleep less (growth takes place may be different from the cause of origin, during sleep); increase physical activity e.g. pain over the liver may indicate a by being more on “the heels than the diseased organ, but pain at the top and back wheels; ” reduce fluid and salt intake to of the right shoulder may also be due to avoid a waterlogged condition; and divide liver disease or congestion. Similarly m the day ’s ration into 45 percent for the hip-joint disease there may be no pam breakfast, 30 percent for lunch and 25 percent for dinner. Complete absence of butter or oil in the diet for a long time could are served by the same nerves. some time can advised to sleep less (growth takes place may be different from the cause of origin, r . . _i ________________________ livAr mav innmatft a of the right shoulder may also be due to in the joint while there may be severe pain in the knee. This is because both the joints causes are on the jacket. “There is a wealth of infor- | mation for the layman also on how to maintain health and prevent disease, ” im- | parting knowledge on certain vexing prob- | lems, by elaborating at length on the symp- I toms, causes and treatment for each dis- | ease. The guidelines summarizing every | ailment would be of use to those who want to be spared from the details. However, a mere passing reference to certain ailments like the foot-and-mouth disease and sleep- ¦ J sickness leaves the reader groping for more light. In his introduction to the book Jussa- walla cites the 1921 report of the president of the Rockefeller Foundation which states that the fundamental delusion of the medi ­ cal profession is that “it makes a living from diseases while the real scientific ap ­ proach to the problem of human welfare is through their prevention. ” Not all the lines of treatment advocated in the book can be practised by the patient himself but if the ------ —> studied serifeusly many of humanity ’s woes may be eliminated. S' 1’ lit THE DINA Bai Dhunmai & Cawasji Dadabhoy Sanatorium Trust C/o; D. Cawasji & Co., N M Wadia Building, 123 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bombay 400023 Where only the best will do * ‘(IS, Contact: Bombay: Mehta 2024005, Nayyar 6040298 Mahabieshwar: Jal/ Mehemooz (02168) 60246 SflMAM, Dina Hotel, Mahableshwar 412806 tcmTs - t Sohrab Jeejeebhoy Divecha (^5), 64, Belle View, 85, Warden Rd, 400036; March 11 1 Jolly Cowasji Doctor (75), 799, Minoo Mans, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 11 ’ Behroz Phiroz Motiwalla (69), R/1, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; March 11 Khudabux Rustom Atashband (73), 2/1, Ramodiya Mans, Opp Century Bazar, Worli, 400025; March 12 ; Rus turn Merwanji Baxter (81), 28/29, Sneh Sadan, Opp Colaba Post Office, Colaba, 400005; March 12 Najamai Phiroze Homavazi (85), Widows ’ Chawl, Modi St, Fort, 400001; March 12 T Arnavaz Aderji Gandhi (15), Old Petit Mans, Sleater Rd, 400007; March 13 Noshir Phirozshaw Chiniwalla (73), 16/1, Bomanji Kassinath Bldg, Kashinath St, Tardeo, 400034; March 14 Hilla Homi Elavia (86), China Bldg No 5, Carpenter St, Mazgaon, 400010; March 14 Daulatbai Khodadad Irani (98), 18, Sunita, Opp Colaba Post Office, 400005; March 14 Zer Adi Irani (72), 693, Dr Dinshaw Master Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 14 Soli Dinshaw Tata (74), F/5, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; March 14 Khodadad Rustom Irani (63), T/15, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; March 15 Jamshed Savakshaw Mistry (70). F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; March 15 Darab Pallonshah Nanavati (S6), H/38, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; March 15 ! Tehmina Darabshaw Oomrigar (S9), 668, Katrak Rd, Wadala, 400031; March 15 Sheriar Behram Tirandaz (75), D/804, Jai Bhagwati, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; March 15 Homi Phirozsha Choksey (85), 2, Sethna Bldg, Khan Est, Chhotani Rd, Mahim, 400016; March 16 Dali Jamshedji Doriawalla (61), Rtisi Mehta Bldg, Dinbai Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; March 16 Goola Ratanshaw Mehta (80), E/41, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, 400027; March 16 Dina Sorabji Pesina{S2), 31/28-A, Takshila, Mahakali Caves Rd, Andheri (E), 400093; March 16 ,: Soona Merwanji Mowjee (85), Sethna Mans, Near 10th Lane, Khetwadi Back Rd, 400004; March 17 .Jehangir Jamshed Tarapore (81), 878, Bootee St, Poona, 411001; March 17 Bapoo Burjorji Mama {JQ), Bel-Air Sanatorium, Dalkith, Panchgani, 412805; March 18 Jal Manekshaw Merchant (90), Mon Repos, H. K. Bhabha Rd, Bandstand, Bandra, 400050; March 18 Phiroje (Phiroze) Nariman Behramfram (75), 20, Dhanjibhoy Bldg, Lady Pochkhanawala Rd, Off N. B. Marg, 400007; March 19 Homi Burjorji Frac is (15), 55, Maharshi Karve Rd, 400002; March 19 Phiroze Bomanji Bhesania (74), C/o Daulat B. Bhesania, 679, Kildiana Bldg, Katrak Rd, Wadala, 400031; March 20 Dali Dossabhai Gai (65), 621, Dubash Bldg, % Homavazir Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 20 Fall Dhunjisha Jesia (69), 191, Jesia Bldg, lame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 21 Ardeshir Dadabhoy Revilna (94), 66C, Motiwala Bldg, Gow alia Tank Rd, 400026; March 21 Banoo Minocher Choquri (Javizian) (72), 682/B, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 22 Aspi Khodabaksh Irani (42), 5, Devidas Mansion, Balaram St, 400007; March 22 Framroze Ardeshir Rabady (83), Khushnuma Apts, Carmichael Rd, 400026; March 22 Maneck Cowasji Kutar (88), Shirin Manzil, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; March 23 ‘ Behram Jamshedji Karanjia h I i- fc f 44 Parsiana April 1995 J I i' I r (82), 1 -B, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg F Soc, Elphinstone Rd, Parel, 400012; March 24 ’ 1 Rustomji Mistry (86), B -11, Tardeo Chmbs, Kashinalh St, Tardeo, 400034; March 24 Parin Rustom Nagarwalla (90), 2, Scheherazade, Off Arthur Bunder Rd, Colaba, 400005; •i- r «Dhobitalao. 400002; April 20 Nergish Minoo Sethna (87),C 162, Jivanji Mistry Bldg, Khetwadi Back Rd, 400004; April 20 , Mani LimDumasia (71), 738, ' Shirin Villa, Dr Ghanti Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 23 . Faredoon Sheriar Irani (65).,- B. Avabai Petit St, Balaram St. 400007; April 23 Jal Ardeshir Bahadurji {15). Botawalla Bldg, Raghavji Rd, 400036; April 24 Hormusji Nusserwanji Madraswalla (95), C/o Maku P. Motiwalla, Joshi Hse, Cumballa Hill Rd, A. K. Marg, 400036; April 24 Hilla Noshir Bisni (68), A/4, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 25 Jamshedji Phirozshaw Desai (86), 238, Mulla Hse, Dr Cawasji Hormasji St, Dhobitalao, 400002; April 25 Furrokh Ratansha Hataria (68), R/11, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; /^ril 25 Dhunmai Ardeshir.Adrianwfilla A v {10), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, 34, Hu^es Rd, 400007; April 26 Minoo Nadirshaw Sidh\/a (87), Pemino North, Altamount Rd, 400026; April 26 Freny Sorabji Bharucha (69), - M/41, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 27 Khodadad Merwan Irani (70), ’ 1/4 A, New Dubash Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; April 27 Dhun Dinshaw Patel (72), C/o Jamshed K. Fatakia, 406, Vijay. Apts, Ceasar Rd, Amboli, Andheri (W), 400058; April 27 < Rutty Eruchshaw Sanga (84), B, Siddick Ebrahim Mans, Lamington Rd, 400007; April 27 Jerbai Dhunjishaw Anklesaria . (82), 15, Irani Dharamshala, Pandita Kamalabai Rd, Gamdevi, 400007; April 28 Keki Ardeshir Ghadiyali (76), 794, Family Hse, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 28 Faramroz Sorabji Patel (85), B, Wassiamul Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; April 28 Khorshed Peshotan Mama (89), 667, Lady Jehangir Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 29 Shirin Kaikhushru Motafram Near Tata Power Hse, Borivali (E). 400066; April 10 Shera Sohrab Dubash (78), ’ kl29, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; April 12 Zizuiz Rohinton M unde gar (40), A/6. Shakti Sadan, Falkland Rd. 400007; April 12 Rusi Jehangir Palia (75), S/7, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 12 Mehemosh Jehanbux Kapadia (44), Sector 8, Plot No 45. G-Lane, Vashi, New Bombay. 400703; April 13 Arnavaz Pesi Siganporia (54), E/11, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla. 400027; April 13 Homai Minocher Billimoria (86), 6, Narielwala Bldg. M. M. C. Rd, Mahim, 400016; April 15 Tehmina Cooverji Daroowalla (71). Dharamraj, Mith Chowki. Marve Rd, Malad (W), 400064; April 15 Dhunmai Manecksha Tarapcrevala (89), 1/4, Sir Ratan Tata Bldg, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; April 16 MinooJamshedji Dover (69), D-19, Jer Baug. Dr Ambedkar Rd. Byculla, 400027; April 17 Manek Rustamji Got la (88), J-22, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 17 Homai Kersasp Avasia (13), 625, Nariman Hse, Dhobi Talao, 400002; April 19 Kaikhushroo Jamasji Baria {95), 10/G2, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; April 20 Tehmina Munchershaw Bhumgara {9S), 623, Marker Mans, Parsi Clny, Dadar, Bhagwagar (stillborn), Nibbana Hsg Soc, Pali Hill, Bandra, 400050; April 2 Bana Eruch Mistry (72), The Reward, Tardeo Rd, Tardeo, 400007; April 3 Edulji Nusserwanji Tumboowalla {31), 51, Mehr- Dad, Cuffe Parade, Colaba. 400005; April 3 Kavasji Meherjibhai Suntoke {35), \I2K, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Elphinstone Rd. Parel, 400012; April 4 Gool Merwan Hakim {13), Firuz-Ara, Churchgate Reclamation, 400020; April 5 Dhunjishaw Framroze Mistry (81). B. Sanjana Bldg, Forjett Hill Rd. 400036; April 5 Dinyar Sorabji Mistry (86), 10/5, Wadia Block. Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; April 5 Freny Minoo Mistry {60), 18, Sai Darshan, Kemps Comer, 400036; April 5 Khushnoor Emmanuel Shailendra (33). 1, Wadia Bldg. Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; April 5 Rohinton Adarbad Bharucha {59), 3!A, Tardeo Chmbs, Kashinath St, Tardeo, 400034; April 6 Dolly Fardoonji Kuka (65), B/3, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; April 6 Feroz Merwanji Gazdar (80), 303/D-33, MIG Clny, Bandra (E), 400051; April 7 Maneck Phiroze Mistry (64), 808. Asha Hse. Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar T.T., 400014; April 7 Adi Sorabji Bharucha (80), Taher Bldg. Jalbhai St, Rajaram 400014; AprU 20 Mohan Rd, 400(X)4; April 8 Jehangir Mahiar Irani (59), Malegaonwalla Bldg No 2, M. M. Chotani Rd, Mahim, 400016; April 9 Soonamai Dhunjishaw Jasoomaney (90), 14, Manekji Petit Bldg, Marzban Clny, Gilder Lane. Lamington Rd, 400008; April 9 Boman Hormusji Mistry (84), E-12, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; April 9 Baheramji Dorabji Charna March 24 Arnavaz Ardeshir Vakil (80), Bellevue, Bandstand, Bandra. 400050; March 24 Soona Fall Jilla (60), 46/B, Gowalia Tank Bldg, Gowalia Tank Rd, 400036; March 26 Ketty Pervez Wadia (71). M/3/6, Tata Hsg Centre. Lalubhai Park Rd. Andheri (W), 400058; March 26 Roshan Rumi Dastur (51), 513, Bombay Market, Tardeo, 400034; March 27 Homai Sorabji Giara (15), 10, Gool Mhl, Naushir Bharucha Rd, 400007; March 27 Raru Nariman Khajotia (80), Toddywalla Chawl, Sun Mill Rd, Lower Parel (W), 400030; March 27 Homai Jehan Tamboowalla (67). 637, Le Repos, Parsi Clny. Dadar, 400014; March 27 Jamshed Nadir Batliwalla (58), 13/1, Malegamwalla Bldg, Station Rd, Mahim, 400016; March 28 Hosang Sorabji Billimoria (65), 1-A, Green Fields, S. V. Rd, Santacruz (W), 400054; March 28 Merwan Dinshaw Hakim (87). Firuz-Ara, Madam Cama Rd, Churchgate Reclamation, 400020; March 28 Shiavux Khusru Sethrui (74), 11-A, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, 400005; March 29 Jaloo Jehangir Kapadia (15), 693, Dr Dinshaw Master Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 30 Banoo Maneckshaw Poonawala (90), B-41. Bina Apts, Sir M. V. Rd, Andheri (E), 400069; March 30 Eruchshaw Manchershaw Wellington (80), 0/16, Dalal Est, Lamington Rd, Bombay Central, 400008; M^ch 31 Dinshaw Jehangir CEo^y ’ (66), Nicholson Bldg, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; April 1 Naju Jamshed Daruwalla (66), ’ 14/3, Sir Ratan Tata Clny. Tardeo, 400034; April 1 Mehru Homi Dharwar (75), - Sagar Tarang, 46, Bhulabhai Desai Rd, 400026; April 1 , Perin Sorab Gazdar (63), 11/B, f i (91L 32, Aderbad, Hughes Rd, lllava Bldg, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; April 1 Rusi Jehangir Mistry (72), 9/16, Burjor Bldg, Wa^dia St, Tardeo, Tala Clny, Tardeo, 400034; April 1 Baby of Nargis Mehemosh . .1 400007; April 10 Jehanbux Bomanji Gandhi (83), 400034; April 10 Gool Phirozshaw Jesung {15), Sai Sapiarishi Co-op Hsg Soc, Jer Burjore Burjorjee {^2), 12-A/B, Meherina, Off Nepean Sea Rd, 400036; April 20 Framroze Siavax Chandana (85), Al, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari, 400102; April 20 Homai Dins haw Daruwalla {i3), B/5, Botawalla Bldg, Tardeo Rd, 400007; April 20 Roshan Bomi Irani (72), Nav Hse, 14 B Rd. Khar (W), 400052; April 20 Pirojbai Editlji Karanjia (84), , 174, Mody St, Opp Fort Market, Fort, 400001; April 20 . Khurshed Jamshedji Pakka (63), D-28/2, Godrej Hill Qrts, L. B. S. Marg, Vikhroli (W), 400079; April 20 Faredoon Havroz Pavri {12);^ Mahavir Mans, 70, Trinity St, 45 Parsiana April 1995 hi * I(82), 2, Godrej Bldg, Contractor Baug, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; April 29 Homai Pheroze Shroff (i2), , GH, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 29 Meherji Mancherji Vakil (81), Hira Manzil, Gilder Lane, 400008; April 29 Freni Sorabji Chapkhanawalla (69), P/18, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; April 30 CALCUTTA Born A girl, Tashya, to Trista and Cyrus Madan; March 13 Married Lisa M. Mehta and Varun Shukla: December 12, 1994 Died Burjor Phirozeshaw Balsara (9Q), March 3, 1995 Nergish Behram Batliwala, sister of late Behram, Kershasp and Jal; April 18 Adi Pirojshah Balsara (11), husband of Dipti and father of Shenas; April 19 DEOLALI Died Fredoon Bavaadum; December 6,1994 JABALPUR Born A boy, Hoshedar, to Jasmine and Jal Engineer, April 10, 1995 JAMSHEDPUR Born A boy, Nekshad, to Jasmine and Percy Irani; October 9, 1994 A girl, Pallavi, to Behroz and Kayomarz Shroff; December 25 A boy, Zurwan, to Maharukh and Mediomah Patel; January 28, 1995 A boy, Danesh, to Rukshana and Homyar Cardin; March 3 POONA Died Aspandiar Bomanji Kaikohadi (Irani) (83), 5, Mody Clny, Synagogue St, 411001; March 2 Gulnar Faredun Irani (72), 3/3, Ardeshir Irani Baug, Ardeshir Irani Rd, 411002; March 9 Jal Jehangir Patel (79), Divine Ter, 913/914, Synagogue St, 411001; March 14 Lal Sohrab Irani (72), 4, East St, 411001; March 16 Jehangir Ardeshir Irani (75), 1/2, Ardeshir Baug, Nana Peth, 411002; March 19 Berzis Behram Shahbadi (32), 900, Boottee St. Pune 411001; March 21 Najamai Bejanji Bharucha (82), 872, Dastur Meher Rd, 411001; March 23 Rustom Kekobad Batliwala (87), 1, Salisbury Apts, Salisbury Park, 411001; March 24 Phirozeshah Cawasji Avasia (88), Devika Apts, Camp, 411001; April 10 Alamai Ardeshir Chindhey (85), 854, Dastur Meher Rd, 411001; April 13 Rusi Fall Rabadi (48), Pleasant Park, Hadapsar, 411028; April 18 Zarine Rusi Rabadi (41), Pleasant Park, Hadapsar, 411028; April 18 Dinshawji Pestonji Jalnawala (73), Hermes Apts, Bhavanipeth, 411002; April 20 Jerbanoo Mehranji Major (80), Tulsidas Apts, D. M. Rd, 411001; April 29 Phiroz C. Boomla (72), Viman Ngr, 411001; April 30 Sorab Rustomji Dubash (86), Pushpanjali Apts, Gidney Park, 411001; April 30 SHIRDI Died Homi P. Dady-Barjor (Homi Baba) (84); April 6 SURAT Died Motaji Adarji Mandviwala (78), Wadi St, Rustampura, 395002; March 2 Hormasji Barjorji Amrolia (81), 12/706, Wankibordi, 395001; March 5 Lilibai Beharamsha Karma (80), Malesar St, Rustompura, 395002; March 9 Tehmina Kaikhushroo Dumasia (82), Palia St, Nanpura, 395001; March 15 Banubai Darbshaw Bhada (74), Hira-Parekh Chawl, Nanpura, 395001; March 20 Nargish Shiavaxshah Bhagwager (82), Parsiwad, Sayedpura, 395003; April 7 Dinshaji Darabshaw Bhagvager (72), Meher Ngr, Adajan Rd, 396445; April 9 Nargish Jalejer Mobedjina (74), Dasturwad, Navsari, 396445; April 9 Ami Rustamji Tavadia (67), Lalgate, 395002; April 11 Ratamai Kawasji Dumasia (74), Faram St, Rustompura, 395002; April 21 Shirinbai Jahangirji Porbandarwala (68), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; April 23 Hillamai Rustamji Tadiwala (72), Bharbandwad, Ranitalao, 395001; April 30 *** AUSTRALIA Adelaide Born A boy, Darien, to Taina and Timmy Pavri, brother to Priya; March 5 The Telling Figures The count of births, marriages and deaths among the Zoroas- taiiy or lus/, me numoer. or j trian community in Bombay bodi^ cremated showed an in- | showed a decline in 1994 com- ------- ----- ----- - pared to the previous year. Seventy-eight of the 372 marriages were intercommunity crease by 14 over last year ’s } tally of eight. Yet, the*data may have the exhaustive listing from unions. The prior year there doongerwadi, our knowledge of V were 79 intercomtnunity mar ­ riages out of a total of 403 mar ­ riages. While the numerical bay, the Chandanwadi cremato- count of intercommunity mar ­ riages reduced by one, that of community marriages dropped by 30 to give a count of 294 as versus the 1993 figure of 324. Hence the percentage of inter ­ community marriages rose to 21 if calculated as a ratio of inter ­ community marriages to the to ­ tal number of marriages (78:372) and 27 if calculated as a ratio of intercommunity mar ­ riages to community marriages (78:294), The 1993 percentages were 20 and 24 respectively. Among the intercommunity mar ­ riages, it is interesting to note that there were 44 males who had married out as versus 34 females, compared to the number erf girls. This means that males account for 115, where the count was lower 56 percent of intercommunity by 20 from the 1993 figure. marriages and females, 44. Thd death count reduced by 77 to give us a figure of 1,018 Born: Boys 133, Girls 115 for 1994 when compared to the 1993 figure of 1,095, the differ ­ ence between men (513) and women (505) being a meager eight. While the number of bod ­ ies consigned to the dokhma of CANADA Toronto Born A girl, Alina, to Farahnaz and Darius Patel; March 23 Vancouver Married Niloufer Balaporia and Rustom Dubash of Shreveport, Los Angeles; April 22 KUWAIT Died Marazban Contractor; January 28 PAKISTAN Karachi Born A boy, Meherzad, to Diana were less by 91 over the 1993 tally of 1087, the number, of not be accurate Jor though we those cremated is limited to only one crematorium in Bom- I rium, where alone we have ac ­ cess. I The birth count which is ob- I tained from only four hospitals | in Bombay was 248 which is t lower by 24 when compared to | the 1993 count of 272. Ever I ' since the Municipality ceased to I list religion on the birth certifi-1 cate, there is no way of knowing | the numbgr of Zoroastrian births in Bombay. We may assume that Parsiana’s figures may be around 50 percent of the total number of births. From the data available with us we find that the number of boys born to the community, 133, fell by four as ¦f L We list below the 1994 fig-| ures as collected by Parsiana: I Married: Parsi 294 Intercommunal 78 Died: Consigned Males 501 Females 495 Cremated 22 Males 12, Females 10 I 46 Parsiana April 1995 %and Jehangir Bilimoria-, December 6,1994 A boy, Fars had, to Neilie and Hormazd Engineer, December 14 B TOTALS FOR 1994 AND 1995 C A B C A B C Married Natasha Baria and Naushad Mehta-, January 14,1995 BORN Boys Girls A 15 13 133 115 33 30 4 3 13 8 4 2 5 2 35 31 5 3 QATAR Doha Born A boy, Behzaan, to Navaz and Pesi Bhomisa-, February 9 married Parsi Intercommunal 45 294 78'' 123 25* 1 16 5 1 2 12 5 2 2 SOUTH AFRICA Durban Died Jer Randeria (64), wife of Dara and mother of Parvez; March 25 DIED CONSIGNED Males Females CREMATED Males Females 77 67 501 495 159 145 19 16 l^ 2)^ 34 28 1 1 37* 30* 2 6 12 10 2 USA Augusta, Georgia Born A boy, to Deborah and Kersi Bharucha-, March 31 A; Total numbers in this issue B; Running totals tor 1994 (February-March 1994-April 1995 issues) C Running totals for 1995 (February-March 1995-April 1995 issues) * Males married out in 1994 ” 44 Females married out in 1994 - 34 • Overseas deaths are listed in the consigned column as cremated. Houston Born A girl, Shayan, to Ava and Noshir Bharhena-, March 16 Compiled by Roxana A. Driver •Males married out in 1995 -- 12 Females married out in 1995 -- 1J Pa rs ia na does not have any breakup ol those * With Best Wishes from Mr Rusy M. Shrofif, M.B.E. and Mrs Purviz R. Shrofif 1 ?7 ParsianaAprill995 IJ the Zoroastrian female as guaranteed in tressed by the “great deal of misinformation j other matters by the Indian constitution. “ The DPA, that bastion of liberal Zoro ­ astrian practice in India, had invited a number of Parsi ladies married outside the that will bring out our heritage. “We need ’ community to participate in the pro- a global view...In all yashts we say ‘May ; ceedings. Noted Katy Hussain (nee Nazir), our religion spread to all corners of the : “When the community is dwindling, you should win us back, not push us away. When you call me an apostate, it doesn ’t make me feel very good. ” Phiroza Singh bers, anything dogmatic and not relevant j to the changing times should be avoided, ” i advised industrialist Sorab Godrej. “Even in China, Muslims are allowed more chil ­ dren because they are in the minority; a Catholic community like France only rec ­ ognizes civil marriages — the religious t in published word and lectures on Zoroas ­ trianism. ” She suggested that a team get to i work on a Zoroastrian manual, something earth, ’ and we say 'Manayoavayadshodan (May it be so). “If the main concern is dwindling num- »»» THE FEDERATION REVIEWS... continued from page 40 ting one lakh rupees each for 1995 and 1996 and that the BPP would contribute in equal measure. He now urged the Federation members to contribute in proportion to their population and income. Khullar, a member of the committee set up to monitor the project, affirmed the need to collect as much data as possible so as to get a total community picture. Once the complete data is in, it could be updated (nee Satarawala), who is the only Parsi in from year to year, she noted. “At the mo ­ ment there are wild assumptions that edu ­ cational levels are falling, that the rich are bearing (fewer) children and the poor bear- affect their rights to inherit property from ing more, etc. (We need) the fertility his ­ tory of women in the reproductive age- group, ” she added. in Delhi on March 19: “I want to know discrimination should be encouraged bet- | To objections from members regarding whether I’d be doing the right thing if I ween men and women... Our people don ’t f poor response from the community, Khullar takemy daughter to an agiary in Bombay. ” advised persistence and also the coverage of mixed marriages: “Get them in. In 1985 40 percent of Delhi ’s Parsis were married out. If we leave (them) out, our data won ’t anjuman functions). We only hope that a be complete. ” The four-page questionnaire percolating effect will take place. A lady noted, “You can ’t force someone to prtxiuce ; is totally objective, she added. i Sethna urged word of mouth motivation, mother ’s muktads . The (husband) sits out- “Tell them it is not for income tax returns , • - ¦ or litigation but for community survival. ” Ginwalla suggested that a Gujarati ques- both the boy and girl to be Parsi. It ’s a tribal And in a gesture besp^Udng classic tionnaire be circulated where the people feeling; it makes for easier adjustment democracy (or rabid one-upmanship) an ~ within the community, ” said noted mana- eight-year-old lad admonished the gather ­ gement consultant Aspi Moddie (who) has ing for failing to stand to attention when two children married out. “I was present at the navjote of my granddaughter in Aus ­ tralia. TTie priest is married to a Dutch lady Simla, tends the aramgah there. She said, “Our children should be accepted. ” But she also wondered how such a step would I the HUF (Hindu undivided family). Perin Das was planning on her daughter ’s navjote ceremony is not compulsory ...No religious I in Delhi on March 19: “I want to know discrimination should be encouraged bet- I know enough about our own religion and I Sethna was ever hospitable: “As far as heritage. ” ; Delhi is concerned, not only your child, but your husband is welcome (to the Adil Nargolwala whose father, the late } Shiavax Nargolwala had steered a liberal f course as the DPA’s president for 26 years, t married to a Swiss comes here for her kids. If the community is dying let my t ~ (Tibetan) wife jedn the community — and j anyone else who wants to... Excommuni ­ cate the priests who try to get people out! ” j side. We hope one day he too can come in. ” “All of us Parsi parents would prefer both the boy and girl to be Parsi. It ’s a tribal are not sufficiently conversant with Eng ­ lish. the agiary bell sounded the changing of the gah\ r-"' V Open session An open session devoted to keeping the community together and inculcating inter- (who) was (quietly) reciting the prayers of Among those attending the Federation the navjote to herself...We are living in the meeting were Hoshang and Porus Debara modern age of science... Is this exclusivity from Agra; Areez Khambatta and Porus t. humane and just? Does it make people Karanjawalla from Ahmedabad; Dr A. E. | happier or does it create more suffering? ” Contractor and R. J. Bodhanwalla from I According to Dr Ali “Decline of a re- Ajmer; Capt Homi Dandiwalla from Alla- » J J faith solidarity was flagged off by Khullar: “Keeping the community together is very closely related to keeping the community alive. (It is) our predominant preoccupa ­ tion... ” She spoke of the “listlessness that makes meaningful solutions impossible, ligious or cultural group indicates that habad; Sarosh Ginwalla from Bharuch; B our inability to produce babies, our failure something has gone wrong with its moral Jamshed Guzder, Ms-^illoo Kavarana and ¦ Rustom Anklesaria from Bombay; Khur- shed Pastakia from Borivli; Adi Rabadi from Calcutta; Darius Marshall from Cali- fe to garner the best specialized brains for and ethical values. ” He noted that groups (the good of) the community...Once a cer- of interested people were going from door tain group of people accept certain family to door telling Muslims in India that the and childbearing practices, it ’s almost children be given proper training...Every impossible to reverse. ” system of law is meant to serve the com- Retired secretary to the Government of munity, (must be) adjusted to the exigen- Brig Adi Sahukar, Yazad Kapadia, Farrokh India ’s law ministry Rustom Gae wel ­ comed the Wadia navjote as “an important change...a worthy precedent for the fu ­ ture. ” Noting that BPP trustees are akabars, viewpoint noted how the Jews attach more Zoroastrian Anjuman; Ronnie Dick from “leaders of the community whose views importance to the mother. If a male Jew Jhansi; Nariman Mogrelia from Madras; should be applicable to all Indian anju- marries outside the community their child- Farokh Irani, Eruch Irani, Sarosh andNavaz mans, ” Gae urged that a logical sequence should be the acceptance of the children of converts to Judaism after passing the Sohrab Katpitia and Jamshed Dotiwala Parsi mothers if both parents agree to the requisite tests. from Surat; Homi Mehta from Zai Bordi navjote. Decrying the “higher rights of males ” Gae advocated gender equality for Zoroastrian scholarship in Delhi, was dis- was represented by Parsiana. t cut; Pervez Irani and Kaizad Irani from Dahanu; Lt Gen Adi Sethna, Dadi Mistry, r. cies of the time. It is essential that it gives Rustomji, Sam Mehta, Homa Mistry and , Keki and Homi Gandhi from Delhi; Aspi r L up its rigidity... ” Mr Malikar who presented the Jewish Irani and Dr Syrus Irani from the Iranian marries outside the community their child ­ ren cannot be accepted until the mother Palkhivala from Poona; Dr Sam Bhacca, B Piloo Jungalwalla, high priestess of and special invitee Bejon Dittia. The press 48 Parsiana April 1995 %