Apr 1996

APRIL 7ft - jj* 7 \' - - j: I • T tS22 F t : W.M^de- 5- e i« i •in: A -¦^. t J I >»' rr. fApril 1996 Volume 18 Number 8 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi SENIOR EDITOR Dina K. Mehta ASSOCIATE EDITOR Roxana A. Driver DESIGN Kranti M. Shilotri, Jayshree R. Ghosh MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Niloufer Panthaky, Susan Hadvaid FINANCE B. L. Arora EDP Rohinton E. Daroga ADMINISTRATION R. S. Pingle MANAGEMENT Jasmine Driver 2 Readers’ Forum 10 Events and Personalities 17 “Surrounded by storytellers” by Parinaz Gandhi 18 “Each one of us is a perfect individual” by Arnavaz Mama 20 Zoroastrians Abroad 22 The Mahatma on the Parsis by Burjor Karanjia 26 Status of Women: sacred and secular - 5 by Dr Ketayun Gdwld 33 Burjor Mistry: For sound results 4’ * DTP Bakhtavar R. Batliwalla, K. P. Ravi SUBSCRIPTION/CIRCULATION Khurshid Panthaki, Swarupa Kamat ACCOUNTS Anagha Korde, Bindu Pillai OFFICE Indu Pillai, Chetan Halani OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare, Govind Salgaonkar, Mahlpat Jadhav 37 Books 41 Milestones 44 In Memoriam Cover: Tableau at Mani Bhavan depicting crowd receiving Gandhiji in Bombay upon his return from South Africa in 1915. Photograph: Varghese W. Fernandez Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd at C/o H. L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Color processing. Comart Lithographers; black and white processing, Samir Scantech. All rights reserved. ISSN: 0971-3786. Phone: 2078730 Fax: 2072922. For editorial enquiries 2078183. Tlx: 11-85710 RABO IN. For subscription enquiries and payments: C/o Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman St (Behind Reserve Bank of India), Bombay 400001; Phone: 2658619, 2665661. Annual inland subscription for one year (10 issues) Rs 200; for two years (20 issues) Rs 375. Foreign subscription rates: Seamail for one year Rs 375/US $ 14/UK £ 9; for two years Rs 700/US $ 23/UK £ 15 (please allow six months or more for delivery from the time of publication). Airmail for one year Rs 700/US $ 23/UK £ 15 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 500); for two years, Rs 1,300/US $43/ UK £ 27 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 950). For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 10 for bank charges; for US cheques add $ 5; for UK cheques add £ 3. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favor of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001. IREADERS' FORUM ¦ariWBSiJIOU Readers’ views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. Zarthushti entrepreneurs I am glad to read that the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), in its special supplement, has highlighted the strides made by the first generation of Zarthushtis in various busi ­ nesses in North America. I thank Parsiana for bringing to the notice of its readers and devoting its entire issue of January 1996, released very recen ­ tly, to the achievements of these entrepre ­ neurs. When we were young, we often used to hear our elders state “Apra bap dadao dario dohwta hatha (Our forefathers sailed many an ocean). ” Implicit was the fact that Zarthushtis stuck to honesty, integrity, cha ­ rity and hard work, ingrained in them even as they traded in far-off lands. I am heart ­ ened to find the practice alive among North American Zarthushti entrepreneurs. May these ladies and gentlemen flour ­ ish and prosper. And may they never forget to come to die succor of the less fortunate and needy members of their community, wherever they may be. BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA “‘Ubha’ Parsi” This is in connection with Bhikhaji M. Adenwalla ’s letter “‘Ubha ’ Parsi, ” Read ­ ers ’ Forum (Parsiana, November 1995). I don ’t know whose picture you have printed alongside. It certainly is, not of my great greatgrandfather ‘Ubha ’ or ‘KhadaParsi! ’ What you have printed about Manockjee Cursetjee under the title ‘The Editor re ­ plies ’ is correct; but Manockjee Cursetjee, was the son of ‘Ubha ’ or ‘Khada ’ Parsi — Seth Karsetji Manekji Shroff, bora 1762, a sethia of the Parsi Punchayet, a contractor to the Government of Bombay who did a lot for his community. So his son, Manockjee Cursetjee, and some other friends and admirers presented the bronze, imposing statue of Seth Karsetji Manekji Shroff to the then municipality to be installed at the junction of Bellasis, Ripon and Clare Roads (near Nagpada). About Manockjee Cursetjee, you have omitted to mention that he was twice Sher ­ iff of Bombay in 1856 and again in 1863. Maybe you were also unaware of the fact that Manockjee Cursetjee was not only the first Parsi, but the first Indian to become Chief Judge of the Small Causes Court at Bombay. It used to irk the then British advocates to plead their cases in front of him. But he was much respected: a just, upright, farseeing man of impeccable char ­ acter and integrity. As to the question of the protruding ‘kathli, ’ sticking out of the back of his pugree, the explanation is as follows: There was no kathli at the back of his pugree but there was a protruding spout. My grandfather Cursetjee Manockjee Cur ­ setjee (generally known as CMC) had ex­ plained to me that as the statue was origi ­ nally copied from a fountain of The Three Graces dancing on top of a tall column, the sculptor had provided a spout. But it would have looked pretty odd for water to gush out of the back of the venerable gentleman ’ s pugree, and Manockjee had it blocked. It could not be removed, so there it stayed! However, in the good old days, when water was plentiful and Bombay was in ­ deed beautiful, water did gush from the large conch shells, held in the hands of the ornamental mermaids at the foot of the statue, into a surrounding trough from which thirsty Victoria-garee (horse car ­ riages) horses used to drink on a hot summer ’s day. This statue was shifted from its original place where it had stood for 70 years, to its present, commanding site at the comer of Byculla Bridge (a stone ’s throw away from where his son Manockjee used to reside at Villa Byculla). It was kept in the municipal workshop at the corner of Foras Road for cleaning before it was reinstalled. I used to visit the place with my grandfather, CMC. It was rubbed over with oil and cleaned before it was reinstalled where it stands today, minus the water trough which would have occupied too much space at this busy junction. Anyway, there were fewer horse- drawn carriages and bullock carts by then. Ms PERIN M. R. B. JEEJEEBHOY krnavaz Mama replies Parsiana goofed! The photo published on page 4 (Parsiana, November 1995) is that of Maneckjee Rusj^mjee (1815-1891), the first Indian sheriff of Calcutta. “The Priests’ Rebuttal” Must we continue to accept the disrespect shown to our priesthood? When was the last time any of us went up to our serving mobeds, dasturs or wada dasturji sahebs and said: Thank you? ‘‘Thank you for not becoming a doctor or a banker and for dedicating your life to serving our community and Ahura Mazda! “For working long and tiresome hours for very little reward, and keeping our places of worship open and our sacred fires burning day and night. “For performing our ceremonies — navjotes and jashans, weddings and funer ­ als — and allowing us to witness and ex­ perience our customs and rituals. “Thank you for keeping Zarathu- shtrianism alive! ” For those of you who have and continue to do so — I say no more! For those of you who don ’t... stop to think! It is very easy for us to ‘crucify ’ those who stand for something and have to make important decisions (“The Priests ’ Rebut ­ tal, ” Parsiana, October, 1995). Time and time again, history shows that those who stand up to lead have to bear the burden of all the indignation people throw at them — never any reward. For the selfless and non ­ glory seeking leaders, this is unjust! I personally wish to say that our wada * 2 Parsiamt A\pnl 1996 I «' , decision to implement the Fasli calendar March 1993 and September 1995). Even will be taken either at the Sixth World dasturji sahebs, like the very few who do June 1992, September 1992, January 1993, the true work for our community, are vic- I' ‘ / ’ " ? tims of a sad clan of ‘stone-throwers ’ in our two panels under topics III and VIII at the Zoroastrian Congress to be hosted by the community. They are forced into very unfair comers to make decisions that most of us haven ’t even the capacity to compre ­ hend — although I am sure many may think they do! They are not corrupt officials amassing Parsi Punchayet (BPP) have become para ­ Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress held in Zarthoshtian Anjuman at Tehran, Iran from Bombay, January 3 to 7,1990 had recom- June 19 to 22, 1996 or at the Seventh mended the adoption of the Fasli calendar World Zoroastrian Congress to be hosted with Jamshedi Navroze on March 21 every by the Federation of Zoroastrian Associa- year.ButtilldatethetrusteesoftheBombay tions of North America (FEZANA) at Houston, USA while the BPP trustees will bundles of wealth by abusing the system; lyzed on this issue because the high priests be left mute spectators to the event, victims they are not unscrupulous officials schem- of Bombay have not reconciled themselves to the whims and fancies of the priests, ing to close down our places of worship; to the change-over on some flimsy grounds Dr p. d. sunavala they are not hungry for ‘I did it ’ awards, for of the difficulty of reciting the mah and the fickle praise and glory ; they have not roj on the varsi (prayers on the first death Allow me the privilege of your columns to worked so hard and dedicated so much of anniversary) for a person who dies on a respond to Hoshung S. Kotval ’s hand- their lives just to destroy all that they leap year day. The priests seem to forget wringing on leap-year day (“Leap year uphold! that the heavens are not going to fall if the day? ” Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, Septem- They are our priests, with a very high varsi is held a day later or earlier. The ber 1995). But firstly, a firm rap on your caliber of religious and spiritual acumen priests should also know that the Fasli editorial knuckles for letting slip for the and they are human beings too, in case anyone has forgotten! So, isn ’t it time we did something a bit more constructive? Rather than sensation- pitious for the change-over to the Fasli ing a Zoroastrian parallel to the Gregorian alizing abstract cases that, to my mind, calendar for during these four years, universal calendar. If this was denied all will never shake the core ethos of our ex- Hormuzd roj fell on March 21, for all the forward-looking Zoroastrians on the feeble istence and our tradition, can we look to three calendars viz. Shehenshahi, Kadmi ground of “controversiality, ” it must be the things that matter: direct ourselves to ­ wards the issues that need to be addressed? lost because of the apathy of the priests. For example, our youth need education to appreciate our documented history and calendars are basically faulty because they culture, they need to meet and form re- account for only 365 days in a year, whereas lationships, they need to be housed, they the true solar or tropical year (the period outlook and renown, need help to start businesses and successful the planet Earth takes to make one com- careers to prosper. They need to feel proud plete revolution round the Sun) comprises to be Zoroastrian, they need to feel they of 365.2422454 days or 365 days, five door is now being opened — though ever belong! hours, 48 minutes and 45.5 seconds. Thus so slightly — for his “more rational and scientific reasoning? ” If so, then for the benefit of genuinely interested readers we are in a position to offer some re-workings from earlier articles on the unified calen- four years, and ignoring the leap year dar which had appeared variously in The calendar is working effectively in Iran and past four years a sound opportunity for the neighboring Central Asian republics. placing before your thinking readership The years 1992 to 1995 were very pro- the facts about and the desirability of adopt- pitious for the change-over to the Fasli calendar for during these four years, Hormuzd roj fell on March 21, for all the and Fasli but the golden opportunity was straightaway pointed out that every issue confronting our communities world-wide The present Shehenshahi and Kadmi has been hurriedly and irresponsibly shel ­ ved as controversial! No kudos, therefore, to a progressive journal of'^nternational hours, 48 minutes and 45.5 seconds. Thus the Shehenshahi and Kadmi calendars fall < •< Would publication of Mr Kotval ’s letter be Parsiana’s way of signalling that the 4' * Members of other communities help each other and make sure their future is behind by 0.2422454 days every year. This looked after. They are united in thought mismatch is overcome in the Fasli calen- and united in faith. Their pride is their darby adding one extra leap year day every motivation! We need to create the atmosphere for additional day every 100 years, but adding Bombay Samachar, Hamazor and the our young and old to know, love and again the extra leap year day every 400 FEZANA Journal. Progressive and understand the beauty of living a good years, ignoring a leap year every 4,000 unificatory views there were counteracted Zarathushti life; to address the issues that years and again ignoring a leap year every by proponents of the op-action-no-change matter. By insulting our priesthood we are dam ­ aging our religion and damaging ourselves. plain how the matching is carried out: We are not being threatened by persecu ­ tion, dilution or extinction. Our ignorance and our neglect to do something good and creative for our community, especially our youth, are our real ememies. FARHAD D. SETHNA Harrow, U.K. 200,000 years as is done in the Gregorian lobby whose long-term interest, as always, calendar. The following mathematics ex- was to suppress verifiably accurate infor ­ mation based on both our prayers as well as 0.2422454 religio-encyclopaedic texts. Refusal to put = (1/4-1/100+ 1/400-1/4000-1/200000) into action the very precepts of our emptily = (0.2500000 - 0.0100000 + 0.0025000 - 0.0002500 - 0.0000050) All the seasons of the year, viz, spring, summer, autumn, winter and monsoon as well as all biological rhythms or circadian dars miss the necessary quadrennial inter ­ clocks in nature follow the solar or tropical calation to maintain them in synchrony “Leap year day?” year whether the variations are diurnal with the seasons and the rest of die world. Over the last five years, various parties (daily) or annual (yearly), whereas our These so-called calendars drift back including myself have expressed in your existing Shehenshahi and Kadmi calen- steadily; like rudderless ships they are magazine the need and importance of dars have absolutely no relevance to the unable to cope with currents, winds, tides changing over to the Fasli calendar seasons. and points of the compass! The analogy {Parsiana, November 1991, February 1992, It now appears to me that the final with a slow-running watch which can never mouthed prayers has resulted in our rituals and commemorative prayers still being out of step with the seasons. Both Shehenshahi and Kadmi calen- 4 Parsiana April 1996 seasons. It now appears to me that the final Itell the correct time may make our point clearer: one either gets it repaired or dis ­ penses with it. In calendrical terms, one either intercalates it in accordance with the universally accepted Gregorian system, or one rejects it in favor of a religiously inculcated system, i.e. the so-called Fasli. For those ritually inclined, it can only be fair to indicate that the gah Rapithwan has become so displaced that it is being largely observed when it should not, and vice versa! If, as they would have us be­ lieve, our prayers are so sacred that they can only be truly effective at the reli ­ giously appropriate periods, then the ritu ­ alists have a great deal of explaining to do to justify such untimely recitation. The emotive issue of the fravardegan was cynically brought up, doubtless to promote the fears of the less educated against those favorite bugbears — the lib ­ erals, the reformers and similar disturbers ___________________ ofthetraditional (time-honored, of course!) seeming push-pull adjustment, may was whispered, suppress any number of days in their calendar at any time, just as they had 10 days in 1582! The fact is it was a one-off move made to prevent a huge drift in seasonal time-reckoning. For the rest of foreseeable human history it was to try to convince its ecclesiastical and secu- be regulated along very careful rules: •Each year whose (full) number is divis ­ ible by four is a leap year and one day is to be added to the shortest month of Febru ­ ary. _ •The exception to the above is that the last December should refer to theTewnth" 2200...) becomes a leap year only if the lively, but these they plainly do century number (= 20, 21, 22...) is divis- ................. ' ibie by four. •To account for the minutes excesses (11 perfected a working time-reckoner at least minutes 48 seconds per year, or one day in 600 years before the westerners awoke to 128 years), the years 4(X)0, 8000, 12000 the imperfection of their annual observa- and 16000 are to be common or non-Ieap tions and festivals; it may sadden him in years. The year 2000 will be leap. advance were he to know that when their To forestall Mr Kotval ’ s protests at this 10 days were suppressed, the ignorant ma- , _„i. -J rioted throughout, being given to believe by opportunists and bigots that their lives were being shortened by hor ­ rible reformists who, yes, existed even in •the unevenness of the months, •the quite meaningless beginning of its year on January 1 — speaking sun and season-wise (that date should be on its March 21, but foolhardy the one who would lar authorities!), •the caprice of its religious year with its fixed Christmas and a floating Easter and associated feasts! •erroneous month names — September to centu^ (i.e. 2000, 2100, eighth, ninth and tenth monthsTespec- > not. What might gladden Mr kotval ’s heart is that our wise priesthood of yore had and 16000 are to be common or non-Ieap order. Little could they let on that their point out that these rules allow for an' pious prayers were being offered up seven months after their true time of commemo ­ ration, but the lie had to persist. Another ploy was to “expose ” the falla ­ cious Gregorian system by dint of falsifi ­ cation: those crafty westerners could, it pious prayers were being offered up seven we error of one mere day in 3323 years. Having, however, indicated the sagacity of the _______ ___, Gregorian system solely with regard to its the 16th century of our Common Era. quadrennial intercalation, we are con ­ strained to present its eccentricities which our Zoroastrian calendars do not share: But let us got become unduly compla ­ cent — who among us can explain the six- day discrepancy in the 40-day reckoning MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER To do so we offer you: O Diploma Course in Business Management (Postal) (IMC) O Executive Secretarial Course O Private Secretarial Course Personal Assistant ’s Programme (Working Stenographers) O Shorthancd & Typewriting (English/Hindi/Marathi) Telephone Operating & Receptionist Techniques Electronic Telex Operating O Electronic Typewriting & Word Processing < English Conversation & Writing Skills LATEST ADDITION: COMPUTERS * Enquire at: Sir J. J. College of Commerce 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Bombay 400001 Tel: 2871058 6 Parsiana April 1996 I «of our Prophet ’s day of birth and his death welcome, the government had made elabo- obtained from any individual during his [Our Zarathushtra was said to have lived rate arrangements, but Gandhiji and Moha- professional career, as fees for the physical for 77 years and 40 days. If his birth was, mmed Ali Jinnah of the Khilafat movement as agreed by tradition, on Hormazd roj, hadjoined hands and appealed to the people FravardinmaZi, only then does the 40th day to boycott the reception and not go to the (his death) fall on Khwar roj of Ardi- behesht mah. If we observe his birth on Khordad Sal, i.e. on Khordad roj of Fra- vardin mah, then the 40 days do not add fused to comply, and went to the docks to up]; also, who can satisfactorily explain the real significance of the order of our Zoroastrian months? Muslim mob and our small community. Parsiana arrives regularly and is read with Last but one, who can convincingly Many Parsis and their homes, and perhaps much interest. The low level of subscribers explain why Mr Kotval ’s “well-educated, our fire-temples, suffered from their at- noted in your subscription appeal is not enlightened, rational and scientifically in- tacks, and, thereafter, a huge mob passed necessarily due to dwindling numbers but dined ” Parsis remain the most religiously through the narrow streets of the city and backward of such communities, and why advanced towards Crawford Market where our self-elected “policemen ” do nothing about it? Lastly, who will excommunicate our ever-ready excommunicators? FARROKH VAJIFDAR London, U.K. harbor to welcome him. All Hindus and Muslims followed these commands. But the Parsi community re ­ treatment he gave to the Parsi magnate. It was therefore but natural that he had a soft corner for the Parsis, whom he called ‘one of the most remarkable people I have come across in all my travels. ’” receive him. This was followed by a most serious riot between the combined Hindu- Whither, PorSUina 1 Muslim mob and our small community. F. K. DADACHANJl Karachi to the apathy of community members. NOSMIRN.DASTUR Bangalore were located a number of shops of Parsi wine-merchants, and other Parsi proper ­ ties. Had this situation been allowed to Much as I would like to renew my sub ­ continue, hundreds of Parsi lives and homes scription to Parsiana, I have decided would have been in danger. against it, the reason being that with mad- At this point. Sir Dhunjibhoy, being dening regularity the issues reach us three “Late Dnunjisha Kalian” quite influential in the police department. In Parsiana (Readers ’ Forum, September procured arms and ammunition for the 1995) I find a letter written by Mr Bhikhaji Parsi shopkeepers who bravely faced the such old news. It is just looked through and ‘ , goes straight into the raddi paper lot. This firing blindly. is the only magazine which gives news Fortunately, the mob was carrying no about Parsis, but when you read about arms, so the Parsis, though small in num- things and happenings that took place ber, succeeded in stalling their advance till months ago it doesn ’t stand\o reason. If issues within the city are not received on time, how can one even suggest gifting it to anyone else within the country let alone abroad? Would you please ensure that future issues are received by the read ­ ers during the current month and not three months later? Ms r. a. vaadoliwala !»» months too late! The reading makes no sense when it is M. Adenwalla soliciting details about the onslaught of the mob for over an hour, late Dhunjisha Kalfati. I am surprised that the people of Bombay are so ignorant about their own great man whose real name was (Sir) Dhunjibhoy Bomanji —Kalfati (Kt), and not Dhunjisha; the arrival of the British troops dispersed and I, sitting in Karachi, am supplying the hostile crowd, information as requested by the letter writer. Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji was a Steve- act of his, and the yearly jashan ceremony dore —never a “Commissioner of Police ” ——p------ > — j—• — and by sheer hard work he made a fortune. He moved about in a Rolls Royce, had a European chauffeur, and was very jubilee souvenir of Stri Zarthosti Mandal influential with the high officials of the notes, “It was at the special invitation of The Editor replies British government, including those in the the late Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji, Kt. that No one is more perturbed abontParsiana ’s police department. Eugene Sandow (1867-1925), the Samson publishing delays than the publication ’s In 1921, the Prince of Wales — later to of the last generation, paid a visit to this proprietors and staff. Financial stringency become the Duke of Windsor — waspay- 1 ’’ ” ..................... - ing an official visit. To give him a rousing patron a large sum, the largest he had ever Sir Dhunjibhoy is remembered for this continues to be performed to this day. An article on Eugene Sandow by J. R. B. Jeejeebhoy appearing in the golden * land in 1904/1905. He received from his adds to the constraints of a very small editorial team, leading to bottlenecks. Keeping our readers and subscribers in mind, we try to ensure that we include whatever is newsworthy at the time of going to press, irrespective of the issue ’s month-line viz the December ’95 issue included coverage of the BPP press con ­ ference of February 12, 1996 on the pros ­ pective Iran Congress. You many wonder why we do not em­ ploy more editorial staff. The reason is that our small specialized publication needs Parsis to understand the nuances of the community and the religion. Talented ones prefer mainstream journalism which of ­ fers wider avenues for career growth. 22 Carat Guaranteed Gold KUMAR JEWELLERS House of Gold, Silver & Diamond Jewellery Specialist for: Asho Farohar & Lord Zarathushtra Medals in Gold and Silver 596, Chira Bazar, Near Wadia Fire Temple, Bombay 400002 Tel: 2017707/201J1894 We buy old Gold, Silver and Diamond Jewellery We accept Master, Visa, Diners, BOB & Inter cards Edited by Arnavaz S. Mama 8 Parsiana April 1996 IEvents and Personalities Sanjan stambh’s 75 For the 500-odd Zoroastrians assembled for the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Sanjan stambh (memorial column) on November 22, 1995, there was little to distinguish this Sanjan Day (traditionally celebrated on roj Bahman, mah Tir) from the last. Or the ones held earlier. A loosely strung cloth banner that announced the jubilee, in its own cynical way drove the point home further of a momentous occa- || sion for celebration and consolidation be­ ing lost. If anything was achieved, it was the platform the occasion provided to launch newly elected Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Rustom Tirandaz to the community, and permit veteran serving trustee Jamshed Guzder to announce his willingness to stand for re- election in the forthcoming hustings. Guzder, as Sanjan Day Celebrations Committee president Rohintan Daviervala IH reminded the gathering, has always graced Sanjan stambh: momentous occasion the function “since ’91, if in the country, ” and had made it to this year ’s celebration too “cancelling all his other appointments. ” After the traditional jashan ceremony Dastur Kaikobad Firozi of Udvada gave a clarion call to the community to live peace- judgement of 1908. Guzder ’s pronounce- fully in cohesion (“samp vadhaare aave“), discussing matters of conflict amicably ¦ tri 'J « ¦IjRS. ' ' 1 IfsiS I ' a? service every day for the community... We stayed in colonies, not just for marriage, ” said Tirandaz, raising a hearty laugh, “but to help one another. ” He suggested that colony residents who are now consider ­ ably well-off put aside some money for community welfare in fixed deposits, let ­ ting the weaker sections use at least the '' interest from it (while retaining the amount themselves) tq^further their means. “Noth ­ ing can be achieved without saath (togeth- j emess) or sahakar (cooperatibn), ” he re ­ minded the gathering repeatedly, citing j his own example of setting up an electro- I plating business with a small venture capital I provided by friends and well-wishers. I Tirandaz further asked the community I to participate in a computerized census I initiated by him. “I’ll bear the full cost of I this community database, ” he announced, I requesting assistance from people to gather I data from their mohallas (areas) and vil- I lages, so as to arrive at an actual figure and break-up of the community ’s population. (Forms for the census as devised by Tirandaz may be obtained from him by writing to P.O. Box 5514, Dadar, Bombay * born of Parsi mothers married to non- Zoroastrian fathers. Guzder ’s belief was that this debarment was not in our "dharam" (religion) but a result of the Daver-Beaman 400014.) ** The amrit mahotsav (platinum jubilee celebrations) may have lacked the glitz and glamor that was expected of it by some and rising"above in-fighting. Guzder in his the orthodox view ” had the gathering sections of the community. Former mem­ address to the community informed that in equally bewildered and a fair section smol- ber of the Government of India ’s Minori- response to his scheme of the BPP subsi ­ dizing the third child in a family (an ­ nounced from this very platform two win- man, a member of the organizing commit ­ ters ago) “only 12 girls had come forward ' to claim the benefits. ” At this rate, rea ­ soned Guzder, the community ’s popula ­ tion would decrease to just 22,000 in an ­ other 25 years time, “and we would no longer be called a community, but a tribe. ” In response to queries raised, Guzder announced his intentions in his re-elected term to accept in the community children ments on adoption law, and promise to “change things there, but keeping in mind equally bewildered and a fair section smol ­ dering too. Strongly chastizing the lady tiesCommissionHomiTaleyarkhan,retir- who raised these points with the BPP chair- ing BPP chairman Eruch Desai, amongst others regretted they could not attend, despite promising to do so in communica- tee thundered, “This is not the platform, ” and brought out the garlands hurriedly. It tions released earlier by ±e Committee to was only by negating the call for lunch that Daviervala managed to speak his few words, or read out the messages received. In his address to the gathering Tirandaz Tirandaz ’s exhortations find fruit, the 75th had called for a commitment to service. “If commemoration day of the Sanjan stambh you cannot give money, give of yourself, ” could signal a new coming in the commu- he beseeched. “Provide at least an hour ’s nity. Homij.Rogers the community. There was no entertain ­ ment, or even a sense of history breathed into the function. Yet, if even a part of 10 Parsiana April 1996Boost for self-starters Sixty-one more Zoroastrians seeking fi­ nancial assistance to start their own .enter ­ prising ventures and thereby become self Roodi Savaar, Sad Hojo and ended it with under the songs are all about. This welcome employed will receive Rs 1,11,35,000 Dafey, Dafey, Dafey. Both these are incor- effort is published by Giara, Dhunmai through the offices of The WZO (World porated in the booklet. But then those were Building, 667, Lady Jehangir Road, Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust Funds, the halcyon days when children, teenagers Bombay 400014. Adi Doctor informs a press release issued by chairman Dinshaw Tamboly. These funds have been made available to The WZO Trust Funds which screens the applications and for ­ wards the requests to the donors — a Zoroastrian trust in the memory of Bai Maneckbai and Seth Pirojshaw Bomanjee composed by Parsi lyricists like Firoze R. Jeejeebhoy, acknowledges Tamboly. Batliwalla and Jehangir Desai, and set to Applicants from Aanand and memorable tunes by VistaspBulsara, Kersy Ahmedabad to Valsad and Vangaon, spread Mistry and others, over 16 different urban, semi urban and rural areas of India will benefit through this project which extends interest-free loans. The maximum number of be­ neficiaries, 40, seek to establish themselves for posterity these already-forgotten songs. ” He also rightly exhorts the major Parsi libraries, like the K. R. Cama and the J. N. Fascination for floWCrS Petit in Bombay and the Meherjirana in “Flowers have a special place in my heart... Navsari, to collect such songs so that they (reflecting) creation in its full splendor and glory, ” mentioned Ms Hutoxi H. Madon in a press releasdraccompanying the invite to As Giara himself says in his introduc ­ tion, in his childhood days, Parsi schools began ±eir day, among other things, with know what the various ragas mentioned sette, it’s a moot point how many will be able to sing these songs. They need to the halcyon days when children, teenagers Bombay 400014. and even the elderly, sang with gusto, songs in honor of Ahura Mazda or those Marshall’s gold shot praising Lord Zarathushtra. There were At the 39th National Shooting Champion- the popular numbers too like Jaya ship Competition, winning a gold in the Jarthosht, Nabee-o-na NabeeAmar, Amari Deen Jarthoshti, etc., many of which were veterans category was Darius Marshall of Calicut. He scored 80 percent in the .22,50 meters free rifle prone position event, notes a press release. This competition was hosted by the Coimbatore Rifle Club in the first week of It is in this context that this anthology is September 1995. Marshall, who repre ­ sented the Kerala state from the Calicut Rifle Club, informs that in his tally of medals this is the fourth gold apart from the two silver he has secured so far. to be particularly welcomed. Giara has indeed rendered a great service to the community in collecting and preserving in transport related activities. Engineering workshops and computer centers are the other fields to be pursued by 10 applicants. Manufacturing and trading activities will see four new Zoroastrians on the scene. The other enterprising individuals want to introduce provision stores, cold storage beginning with songs in honor of Ahura her exhibition of water colors and glow facilities, cable TV network, watch repair Mazda and ending with “Parsee Gayano. ” glass at the ANZ Grindlays Bank from establishment, pathology laboratory, export of handicrafts, improved farming inputs. The 41 Zoroastrians helped last year “have not only been gainfully self employed, but have ] begun to make repayment as per | schedules drawn up, ” notes the release. To accelerate their screening process, the WZO has requested prospective candidates to furnish details of their back ­ ground, financial resources available, field of self-employ ­ ment, funds required, realistic pay-back schedules and other relevant particulars. Individuals seeking to diversify their existing business Marshall: veteran takes aim or disinvest their own funds will not receive any priority, clarify the WZO officials. are not lost for good. The book is divided into six sections. •'i b' ¦SB |l|l ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ B / ill I ®l In between you have monajats, both Per- sian (including that indispensable one in The torgotten songs honor of the Prophet of Prophets, Nabee-e- Last Pateti, the indefatigable Marzban J. bahaq morsele ba kitab... by the late Mulla Giara brought out yet another booklet in Gujarati. This time, an anthology of Zoro ­ astrian devotional son^sjarthoshti Gayan Sangrah (Bhakti Geeto), most of which have long been forgotten. These used to be sung in Parsi homes in the good old days when the chief source of entertainment being in Gujarati, is out of bounds for most was the gramophone (or better still, the phonograph). 12 Parsiana April 1996 October 24 to November 4,1995. Preferring to use flowers as the - theme of her paintings, she adds, “It offers the greatest challenge ’' ------ of color besides being a feast to " the eyes. ’’Ofthe 40 odd paintings — on display, 70 percent were sold. * informs the artist. Chinese landscapes and oriental flowers also captivate the 44-year-old artist who paints abstracts and landscapes too, stating, “There ’s never an end to how vivid one ’s imagination can run especially when it comes to planning the color schemes. ’’ Before she became a full-time artist Madon had perforce to work for two decades as a stenographer with Bayer, devoting time to painting only in her free hours. The untimely demise of her father Jamshed K. Panthaki, when she was 18 years of age, shattered her dreams of join ­ ing an art college as she now had to assume Firoz bin Kaus — strangely, only half of it has been published!) and Gujarati prayer the role of breadwinner for her family, songs, songs pertaining to Prophet Following her schooling at the J. B.Vachha Zarathushtra, etc. High School for Parsi Girls in Dadar, she There are only two drawbacks, which opted for a correspondence course in Giara possibly couldn ’t help: the book, psychology to complete her graduation ----- 1 from the Bombay University. The self- of our youth; secondly, unless the book is taught artist who began with a Walter ’- - FosterPublication,//owroDraH'ant/Pain/, accompanied by the relevant musical cas-w t:«ri , I I 9 L s 1 has since acquired a personal library of books on painting that have helped to tutor her. Another gift that she treasured immensely and which boosted her enthusiasm for art were the Windsor and Neuter oil paints gifted by her father who used to do etching on glass as a hobby. Before this exhibition Madon had dis ­ played her works in some shops and bou ­ tiques that earned her the necessary confi ­ dence to display her works. For the future she plans to continue with her chosen themes believing painting helps man to discover himself “both personally and ar ­ tistically and, in its highest form, (is) an expression of freedom and an enrichment of one ’s soul. ” "nS-" '( F ¦ ¦ meets too have their Group members par ­ ticipated, as detailed in the historical ac ­ count of their activities. A unique distinc ­ tion accorded to the Group was in the year 1938 when the chief scout of the world. Lord Baden Powell visited India. The youngest cub of The 15th East Bombay Marzban Scout Group led the grand howl and garlanded the dignitary. It was at the instance of Kaikobad Marzban, one of the founders and princi- Madon with her paintings pals of the New High School, that The 15th Bombay Scout Troop was started in 1921 after he came in contact with B. T. Char, provincial commissioner, scouts, Mysore state. Among those involved in laying a firm foundation for the Group were A. B. Homavazir, Phiroze Lally, Rustom Talati and M. C. Mafhiudar. On Marzban ’s de ­ mise in 1933 the Group was renamed the 15th Bombay Marzban ScQut Group. Among their scouters cou 10 went on to 75 years and ever new “We take pride in the fact that over a period of 75 years our group has partici ­ pated in all the national and state jambo ­ rees, ” notes a write-up in the souvenir published on the platinum jubilee occa ­ sion of The 15th East Bombay Marzban Scout Group. To mark their anniversary year, the Group presented a play Satam Atham on December 30, 1995 when the chairman and managing director of REPL Engineering Ltd, Homi Patel, was the chief guest. Guided by their motto “Ever new, ” the Group invariably participates in the vari ­ ous activities organized by the district - association — inter-pack and inter-troop efficiency competitions, on-the-spot draw ­ ing competition for cubs and scouts, ad ­ venture awards, camporees, athletics, games, aquatic sports, elocution competi ­ tions and Ambulance Cup, mentions the article. At international jamborees and rover b ‘ I'- - 1 t 1 ' F L 13 Parsiana ApriH 996 At the All Parsee Bonny Baby Contest organized by the Rustom Baug Association and sponsored by Wipro on March 17, 1996 are the winners (from left): Meherzad Dhunbhura who was conferred the rotating trophy and the first prize in the one to three years category, the most charming baby Anainah Patel, Arzan Balsara who stood first in the under six months age-group and Baktiyar Patel who won the first prize in the six to 12 months category. Seated in the front row are the judges (from left): Dr Sandeep Mehta, Dr Armaity Deboo and Dr Taher Kagalwala with the convenor Dr Mehercher Chaina Iwin acclaim for themselves were Dr Homiar Dastur who was appointed ophthalmic sur ­ geon to the President of India, Yezdi Gandevia who became Commonwealth secretary, ministry of external affairs. Government of India, plastic surgeon Dr Bomi (left) and Hormuz Bhaka: promoting Reza Sam Mahalaxmivala, district commission ­ ers (scouts) Minoo Damania and Pesi Damania... Presently the troop is led by group leader Behram Dalal with J. R. Mody serving as cub master. The crush concern The best form of publicity is a satisfied and happy customer and they have no dearth of them... The best test of any product is its ability to withstand competition from cheap and mass produced substitutes and Reza fruit crushes have stood the test of time for many decades, maintains Hormuz Bhaka, the third generation entrepreneur referring to the family business started by his grand ­ parents Shavak and Mehroo Bhaka in 1945. Over the last 50 years it has been run under different names: In Shavak ’s time the com ­ pany was Victory Fruit Products and the products marketed under the brand name Venus. When his widow Mehroo and son Bomi ran the business the company name was S. D. Fruit Products and the brand name Reza. Since Hormuz ’s inclusioH in the business, the manufacturing and mar ­ keting activities have been compartmen ­ talized with the incorporation of another company S, D. Marketing Services where Hormuz and his mother Kety are partners. The marketing company deals directly with the customers obtaining useful feed ­ back about existing and future trends and consumption patterns. It also gives a clue to varying consumer tastes by feeling the pulse of the market and is expected to serve as an outlet for future diversification into other products in the retail food busi ­ ness. This will help the parent company in offering what the consumer demands. Their marketing is mainly concentrated on bulk supply. Grade I restaurants and deluxe hotels are their major clients, with Indian Hotels Company Limited (Taj Group) being one of their most reputed customers, they inform. However, they sell through retail outlets too and welcome direct customer contact, their motto being “Customer is king. ” Among individual customers there are loyal ones like one Parsi lady who gets a couple of jars of fruit crush delivered every week since years now, and people coming from as far as Gorai and Vasai just to pick up a can of fruit crush for their homes and parties. Also, many going to Goa, take a can of crush for their parents and relatives only to return with a can full of fenny or wine! Reza fruit crushes are basically fresh fruit extracts without the use of any syn ­ thetic elements. Their product range con ­ sists of fruit crushes (orange, pineapple, mango and lime), synthetic syrups (rasp ­ berry and rose) and fruit sauce. The prod ­ ucts are competitively priced compared to other brands in the market and have a standing of their own. Hormuz, a computer buff, avers that strict quality control standards are main ­ tained with every thing under their per ­ sonal supervision. “Nothing happens with ­ out our knowledge, ” he says. Purchasing is done personally by them from a network of regular suppliers with whom they share an excellent personal rapport. Although essentially a family business, initially Shavak and Mehroo were joined in the business by their Parsi neighbor ’s wife who offered to be a sleeping partner. However, Shavak ’s demise on June 30, 1960, led to the other partner not wishing to continue in die business with his widow and the matter went into litigation for four years until arbitration resulted in a verdict in Mehroo ’s favor, we are informed. Ih the meanwhile, on October 1, 1960, Mehroo had started business afresh. Equipped with all the knowhow but no premises, she started operations at a friend ’s bungalow at Shivaji Park. At that crucial juncture, she was supported financially and in every other way by her brothers and friends. After receiving their share of the dissolution from the other partner, the Bhakas — mother Mehroo and son Bomi (who hadjoined her by then) — purchased their present premises at Wadala. Bomi recalls how his wife Kety got involved in the business. Soon after the demise of his mother in 1988, Bomi met with an accident. As soon as he gained consciousness after an operation, hc called Kety to his bedside with a paper and pencil. He proceeded to dictate all the aspects of running the business from manufacturing to marketing, and Kety creditably ran the business single-handedly for four months. After weathering many a storm their business has grown from strength to strength and Reza fruit crushes have become a name to reckon with. Villie Daruvala Compiled by Parinaz Gandhi MATRIMONIAL A 35-year-old Parsi physician from a good family, well settled in USA, seeks matrimonial correspondence from well-disposed Parsi lady professionals (25 to 35 years). Please send bio data with photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/13-96)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ‘Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. MATRIMONIAL' A 38-year-old bachelor having own business and accommodation invites correspondence from slim, good-looking, cultured, and domestically trained women. Apply with recent photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/11-96)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ‘Please make sure the rfeply envelope bears the reference number cited here. 4/ Always remember TATA I BATA KHAMBATA I ¦ \ i Ketayun & Bomi 22/A, Wellington Terrace Wellington Street, Bombay 400002 Tel No: 2069636, 2057242 Pager No: 9602-104007 15 Parsiana Aprit 1996ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD “Surrounded by storytellers” I The struggle to retain her minority identity has considerably influenced the works of Dr Roshni Rustomji-Kems Parinaz Gandhi sity, California. “Being a teacher and writer takes the same creative energy, ” she maintains. g soning her literary work. She has also penned a series of “Par ­ si stories, ” set against a J I make-believe town cal- I led Devinagar. They are “I think I recognize the voice and the vi ­ sion... The way women look at the world... Their language reverberates. ” Dr (Ms) Roshni Rustomji-Kerns explains her affin ­ ity for writings authored by members of When she was full-time her own sex. “To hear what women say and into teaching, she ser- how they say it; how they use the English ved as coordinator of ' ‘ 4- recollection of her language, ” is particularly fascinating for the India Studies Program from the BA young days spent partly in Bombay and Rustomji-Kems, a penperson herself, who course, and had for a while coordinated subsequently in Karachi, of her holidays took time off from her teaching and writing women ’s studies too. with the family. “Remember, Vwas very schedule to co-edit Blood into Ink, a book Following Blook into Ink, Rustomji- thoroughly colonized, ” she states. “How wherein “South Asian and Middle Eastern Kerns edited another anthology Living in do you fight back against colonization? women write war. ” The pathetic price that America: Fiction and Poetry by South females have to pay for the bloody battles Asian American Writers, brought out in waged by males is portrayed through the 1995 by Westview (See “Sheltering against names from Jamshed to Jimmy...” fiction and poetry presented in this work, the hurt ” on page 38). For the last few mon- To explore how thought processes work Since Rustomji-Kerns herself would not ths though, she has only been focussing on differently, what can be construed and write such stories, she was even more her own writing. As contributor to a histori- interpreted at different times, she worked captivated. And as the co-editors mention cal account of Asian Americans, she will for a while at a Sleep-Dream Laboratory, in the book, “The hope behind our antho- - - — logy is that by transfiguring blood into ink south America, giving a first person acco- and death into discourse, we may survive beyond war into peace. ” What would Rustomji-Kerns like to present to her read ­ ers? “My writing crosses continents, (fea ­ turing) places, houses, people. They are support received from her husband Charles tions, the enjoyment of being with people stories heard from my parents, grandpar ­ ents, friends. I have always been surrounded and helped her make the transition to the by storytellers. These stories indicate how people relate or don ’t relate to one another. Some parts are imagined or come in dre- of Multi Media Library at Stanford Uni- tic circles for Behram was the principal of ams, ” reveals the author who in the past versity, who has been constantly reminding the Bai Virbaiji Soparivala Parsi High has seen her short stories published in jour- her to concentrate on her own writing. School in Karachi and the late Gool was a nals and anthologies in the USA and Cana ­ da, and is currently finalizing her novel The Braided Tongue which she hopes will Rustomji-Kern ’s first attempt at writing a be published soon. “I wish I had started writing earlier, ” admits 57-year-old Rustomji-Kerns, pres ­ ently professor emerita, Hutchins School she explains how her unwillingness to ofLiberal Studies at Sonoma State Univer- hoard articles could have led to her jetti- Following Blook into Ink, Rustomji- How do you retain your identity and yet be true to yourself? I was very against changing J 1 17 Parsiana April 1996 the hurt ” on page 38). For the last few mon- her own writing. As contributor to a histori ­ cal account of Asian Americans, she will be focussing on those settled in central and That periods of sleep or quietude can last for 24 hours was a revelation to Rustomji- unt of why they migrated, what their journey Kerns who finds stimulation in adventure was, their encounters with the dominant community. “Now all my writing is done on the computer, ” she acknowledges the the respect for people of all denomina- and new experiences. The love for books, music and travel. who in her words is a “big computerwalla ” — all these pleasures she imbibed from her close family. Her parents, Behram and Gool Rustomji, well-known in the com ­ computer even though she did not know typing. It was also Charles, head librarian munity, were respected figures in scholas- of Multi Media Library at Stanford Uni- ber to concentrate on her own writing. The Braided Tongue will be her first Montessori directress of different schools, novel to be published. But this is not Among their commendable efforts was the English translation of Dastur M. N. Dhalla ’s autobiography which has been serialized in Parsiana. “Ours was a very simple household full of books and music. To this day I get continued on page 40 novel. She had in the past written two novels but can ’t seem to trace that particu ­ lar notebook. “I don ’t like to keep things, ” I I IZOROASTRIANS ABROAD st Each one of us is a ! ¦ ¦ I PERFECT INDIVIDUAL” You must know the constituents of your body before you can treat it, says ayurvedic practitioner Mehlli Bhagalia Arnavaz S. Mama * During a brief interview with Parsiana gifted with his/her ownprakruti (variously on December 29, 1995 Bhagalia had ex­ plained how lifestyle and )bod habits work for health or its detriment. His thesis em- sea- sons, the time of day. “Like attracts like, ” he says, comparing the body to a driveway where no seeds could take root unless there . were cracks. Bhagalia theorized that dis ­ ease could never strike where mind and body were in harmony with nature and “A rose does not want to be a daffodil, but (fire), kafa (water and earth). Each one is we want to be different from what we are, ” says Mehlli Bhagalia. The co-founder and interpreted as balance, harmony, nature, co-director of the Ayurveda Institute of because everything in nature is in balance). Upstate New York (with his wife Perin) shakes his head ruefully as he reflects on stout people wanting to be slim, or short people wanting to be tall, on men who necting link between the body and the want to be like Robert Redford, or women who seek to resemble some famous ac ­ tress. “Each one of us is a perfect individual, an original masterpiece at the time of conception when the blueprint is established, ” he states on the authority of secondary element. Chanaka, the ayurvedic sage of ancient India. life ... It teaches us to read the book of life Cold fluids in the cool hours of morning “Chanaka tells us how one can have a — our own book. If one only reads this one or night increase the build-up of mucus in happy, healthy baby, ” Bhagalia told host- book, it would enable us to have a happy, the body. To keep colds, coughs, flu in ess Theresa Cosco on the TV show Insight (Bhagalia had provided Parsiana with a that is what his Institute is all about. “I try video cassette of the interview), adding that classes at his Ayurveda Institute teach for themselves as to who they are ” and American couples the route to harmony what they should do for themselves (US before they conceive as also the post- law prevents Bhagalia from prescribing, conceptual care of the expectant mother — anyway) in an intensive 10-hour program family happiness would depend on the of four equal sessions. He says he seeks to much heat in the system, skin, blood and well-being of the infant in and out of the empower them by teaching them to look at womb, he comments. The dominant ele ­ ment in the dominant parent would domi- wrong with you, look at your tongue... tis, he told us. The correct dietary principle nate the child physically and emotionally. Everything below the waist is taboo in involves an evaluation of which is one ’s he adds. Dominant element? Quoting the an ­ cient shastras, Bhagalia says each human being is a compound of vata (air); peeta “Without all three elements we couldn ’t phasizes harmony with nature, the survive, ” he says, neither in our bodies nor in our mental state. “They form the con- emotions, ” he explains, because “thought produces the molecule which translates into emotion. ” Every human being is domi ­ nated by a combination of two of the challenges anyone to give him a cold. “I’ll elements, known as the dominant and the sit in a room full of people with colds and coughs. I’ll sit and read until the cows “Ayurveda is the science (or book) of come home, ” he promised Cosco. life... It teaches us to read the book of life — our own book. If one only reads this one contented life, ” Bhagalia told Cosco. And check, we must control the water element in the system, especially during the cooler to make them (student-patients) find out hours of the diurnal cycle, he amplifies. “There are two types of asthma — dry and wet, ” he told Cosco. “In the first case you balance with water; in the second you remove the excess fluid. ” If there is too eye disorders would result; excess air can themselves in the mirror, “know what ’s lead to joint and bone disorders like arthri- wrong with you, look at your tongue... Westem society, ” he notes, but advises dominant element. Bhagalia identifies observation of the eliminatory functions which are a good barometer of the state of one ’s health. “alienation from nature ” as the primary cause of trouble. Bhagalia distinguishes the ayurvedic 18 Parsiana April 1996 * I( i I I I ohilosophy. of health from the allopatic education in his leisure hours. Since retire- „ tv t^viutv ment he has been teaching the ayurvedic The latter is doomed to failure, he path to good health, yoga and meditation techniques. (“Meditation is not something you can ‘do; ’ you fall into the state of me­ ditation by using certain techniques. Con ­ centration is not meditation; but it could be used as a technique be- yond which you might fall into meditation. ”) He also couples the ayurvedic route to harmony concern to “isolate germs, conquer dis ­ ease. ” —-------------- says “because we can ’t conquer the envi ­ ronment. ” Ayurveda, on the other hand, seeks not to cure a disease but to remove it. “Medicine is something that removes the disorder and removes itself, leaving only good health. Allopathy leaves the original poison and the medicine ” in the system. In contrast Bhagalia says that ayurvedic medicine “toni ­ fies, metabolizes and remo ­ ves. ” A basic resource in the deshi arsenal is trifala or three fruits: amalaki (a tonic), bibitaki (an elimi- natory agent) and haritaki before they (a metabolizer). But each plant/stem/bark has an affi ­ nity to certain areas of the body, he adds. Anabolic metabolism, he and development (R&D) center (one of the reminds us, is the normal rebuilding state largest R&D centers in the world, accor- of the body; catabolic metabolism implies ding to Bhagalia) and teaches a gentle an excess of adrenalin (the fight or flight form of yoga for older people. Of their syndrome) produced by stress that leads to three children, the eldest Nilufer (also premature aging because it robs the body called Shraddha because she trusts in the of the chance to rebuild. Divine) is married to an Englishman in It is difficult to accept that Bhagalia New Mexico, speaks Japanese and has started professional life as a banker. An been a teacher in Alaska and England. The economics graduate from Bombay ’s St Xavier ’s College whom the Bank of India sent on assignment to Ahmedabad, Bha- conceive provides massage therapy to four or five persons a day as he says he is profi ­ cient in oriental, ayurve ­ dic, Japanese and Chinese systems of massage. Perin, who had been executive secretary to the managing director/chair- man of Brady/Glaxo in Bombay, continues as an administrative assistant in General Electric ’s research Investment in Property: Pune is the best city I Bhagalias ’ son Zarosh is in electronics sa ­ les in Syracuse and Zerxes is a third year computer science student at the State galia got talldng with a yogi fellow traveller University of New York, in a bus. Having grown up in Jogeshwari ™ with an academic interest in his uncle Pal- lonji Bhagalia ’s ayurvedic practice, Bha- state capital Albany, Schenectedy and Troy galia readily accepted the yogi ’s invitation to the Sabarmati Ashram where, he says, people come from distances to learn what physician Chanaka and surgeon Sushruta had taught millennia ago. Pursuing it as a hobby outside of work ­ ing hours, Bhagalia learnt yoga — pranayam or the science of breath. “Ev ­ erything in our Indian sciences is to be done, not read, ” he avers, explaining that when you breathe through the right nostril you are inhaling the male, or sun, energy; through the left, the moon, or female, energy; and laughs at our dearly held belief promoting harmony between the home/ that the nose functions as a single entity! business and the natural environment. No “Change the chemistry in the body by Oriental businessman, large or small, ever changing the nostril through which you are breathing, ” he advises. The Bhagalias had no intention to mi­ The Bhagalias are the only Zoroastrian family in the three city ambit of New York though there are four to five intermarried Zoroastrians in the area. At Syracuse there are about 10 Zoroastrian families, he info ­ rms. Though the entire area lies within the purview of the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York (ZAGNY), it is only a rare function at New York ’s La Rochelle darbe mehr that the Bhagalias say they are able to attend. With his penchant for awareness — “knowing your surroundings ’’ — Bhagalia has also imbibed the Tibetan Chinese sci ­ ence and art of Feng Shuai which aims at starts a business or building construction without consulting a Feng Shuai practitio ­ ner, he informs. “I do (these things) on a grate but a visit to the US in 1978 changed very small scale... It makes me feel good their perceptions. Mehlli continued there because I’m teaching, (doing) something as a bank executive, practising ayurvedic worthwhile... ” 19 Parsiana April 1996 We accept bookings in exclusive schemes in Pune, like a Bungalow ­ scheme near the Pashan Lake, 6 km from Pune University. It is a small township consisting of: 17 Independent Bungalows — Rs 38 lakhs 4 Twin Bungalows — Rs 1610 19 lakhs 22 Rowhouses —' Rs 17 to 39 lakhs Possession around March ’96. Payments by cheque. We also offer flats (small and large) at prices ranging from approx Rs 900 to Rs 5,000 per sq ft (built-up area), besides bungalow-plots, offices and^shops in exclusive Commercial Complexes coming up In Pune. For details write to: Minoo Bhathena BySel Estate 302 Devika Apt 2010 Janmohmed Str Pune 411001 Tel; 650757 *ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD In and around Manchester Some of their functions are attended by Cyrus Jokhi. Their committee of three ex- almost 90 percent of the members. At other times barely 40 percent are present. In addi ­ tion to the five or six functions annually every three years as per their constitution, organized by the North West Zoroastrian The NWZC came into being in 1987 under it be the management of their small Community (NWZC), the nearly 80 strong the leadership of Prof John Kinnells. Among circulating library or providing transport for Zoroastrians of Manchester, Blackburn, those who worked very hard to bring about functions, those with facilities invariably Bradford and Birmingham, located within a this association is Burjor Avari, mentions help out. They dream of having their own radius of 30 miles, get to meet on other Khambatta. community center but unfortunately the large occasions too. At anniversaries and social Barring two or three life members — one majority being salaried people, “koi khas functions of importance invariably all the Zoroastrian contacts are invited, including Farrokh Engineer — who have contributed those settled in Newcastle and Leeds, informs Ms Annu Khambatta who served on the first of them pay £ 5 as their annual membership Sustaining the NWZC for the present is committee of NWZC. The members of the fee. When they organize functions, the their membership subscriptions and their nine-year-old association also keep in touch catering for the meals is done by the members fund bottle brought out each time a function through their three-page newsletter brought themselves to minimize costs . Yet the hiring out every month. of the hall plus overhead charges necessitate Despite all their attempts at community collection of £ 6 or more from each person interaction they find that four or five indi ­ viduals opt to stay away from the commu ­ nity. What is of far more concern to the NWZC is to “try and keep the youth within the flock, ” points out Khambatta who has two children in the marriageable age-group. They organize debates for their young, encourage them to attend seminars in Lon ­ don but find that though there is camaraderie from Woolverhampton or Ervad Jal Karkaria, among them it is difficult to match-make as these youths, who constitute nearly one- fourth of the NWZC population, are not in the appropriate age/sex bracket. “There should be more communication between rest choose to be cremated. In case of burial, London (at a distance of 100 miles from the body is interred at London ’s Brookwood Manchester) and our group, ” observes Cemetery. Irrespective ofthe cause of death, Khambatta. Members of their community try to adopt from where it is released after three or four a neutral stand on community controversies, days. Often by the time the geh sarna is done, Khambatta gives the details, with many of the chahrum prayers in Bombay or Karachi, them enrolling as members of both the depending on the country of one ’s origin. World Zoroastrian Organisation and the would have been completed by the family Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe. To ex­ press their solidarity and support towards setting up a new community center in London have adopted from their new environment is their members purchase raffle tickets and the‘wake. ’Following a burial or cremation, ciples in an easy-to-understand form — has participate in their dinner-dance. But the friends and relatives go to the house of the led them to break down each verse into NWZC constituents are essentially liberal deceased to pay a condolence visit when syllables which even the beginner can recite in outlook. As per their constitution, non- Zoroastrian spouses, as also children of chaval. “Everything is very solemn, very intercommunity marriages, are enrolled but dignified, ” impresses Khambatta. Just as the without voting rights. They are happy that turnout is good for celebrations, similarly, edged the help of the published translations there is no Parsi-Irani divide as a cause for ' possible conflict. In fact the first president of their associa ­ tion was Taraneh Zomorrody (daughter of first generation migrants, believes ShahrokhShahrokh) who to this day arranges Khambatta. Khambatta ’s family has been for the publication of their newsletter from residing in Manchester since 1986 when her husband Shahariar ’s employers, Ingersoll- Rand International, posted him there, ecutive members and four members-at-large, Referring to the community settled in the one of whom is a youth officer, is rotated area, Khambatta states, “We are a very unassuming, simple, friendly lot. ” Whether her printing press. The present chairman is those who worked very hard to bring about this association is Burjor Avari, mentions Barring two or three life members — one of whom is erstwhile international cricketer paisawalu nathi ke motu donation aape (no one is so wealthy that the association would £ 75 as their dues to the association, the rest benefit from large donations), ” of them pay £ 5 as their annual membership is held. One member may contribute £ 10, another a penny. This is their way of ex­ pressing their solidarity for a community cause. Parinaz Gandhi to cover expenses. Currently they are seeking registration with the government and hope that some finance will be forthcoming from CIMNA’s Gothtt C3SSCtte that end. The CounciP of Iranian Mobeds of North Among their regular functions is a jashan America (CIMNA) has been actively pursu- organized at least once a year. On such ing the task of educating the Zoroastrian occasions they have to rely on the services of community in its scriptures and history. Its Ervad Behram Udvadewalla who is invited regular camps for children have been popu- lar locally for a number of years. But theii^ felicitous prayer recitation on tape benefit aft from London. Just as the priests help out on auspicious occasions, in the event of a death Zoroastrians all over the world. too are their services summoned. While some NWZC members opt for burial, the The three-cassette compendium of Khordeh-Avesta prayers initially launched in 1991 had been well received. The same team of mobeds — Mehraban Firouzgary of the melodious voice, Firouz Azargoshasb a body is invariably taken to the mortuary who provides the translations in English and Farsi and Fariborz Shahzadi, the compiler ­ editor — have now produced the Ahuna- vaiti Gatha on tape. Unlike the Khordeh Avesta venture,>-the English and Farsi translations are not spoken but separately published in an accompanying volume. The producers ’ objective — to make the work of Zarathushtra accessible to his dis- members who have stayed on in the subcon ­ tinent. A custom the Zoroastrian migrants they are treated to a simple meal of dar- correctly. A pronunciation guide in English accompanies the cassette. In his preface Shahzadi has acknowl- “when someone dies, the whole community of the Gathas by Dr Iraj Taraporewala and is there and all help out. ” Almost all the residents in their area are Dr T. R. Sethna in providing the background and explanation to each verse. Moreover he has tried to capture the essence of each verse in its title. While the Gathic content is intact, Shahzadi notes, “It is possible 20 Parsiana April 1996 I¦ Daruwalla has also earned praise and suitable incumbents from among students thanks for his involvement with The Royal living in New Rochelle. They are then trained by the District Attorney ’s office, a adopts a highly selective process to pick that the interpretations in this version may vary from oUier ones. This is because the Gathas are poetry (hence) the interpreta ­ tion differs with each audience. ” The Ahunavaiti Gatha book has been defence lawyer, a judge and the City British Legion ’s Poppy Appeal — a mode of fund collection for Britain ’s war veter ­ ans — from G. W. C. Peacock, chairman of financed by the family of Meherbanoo Marshall. Upon successful completion of the Wood Green Branch of The Royal (Zartoshty) Soroushian and Mehrborzin ’ ’ Soroushian. Expenses for the Ahunavaiti Gatha tape were borne by Mitra and Dr prosecutors and defence attorneys. Pun- Margaret Thatcher. The Legion itself had Rostom Kavooshi. The package has been ishment for the guilty is meted out in terms distributed free of charge “because the words of our Prophet should be available to all Zarthoshtis regardless of their financial situation, ” as notes Shahzadi. More Zoroastrian textbooks and a cor ­ respondence course on the religion are on the anvil and financial support is welcome. Requests/donations may be mailed to The Council of Iranian Mobeds, P.O. Box position, the first being his sister Kervin. ” 22911, San Diego, CA 92192, USA. the training they are appointed to serve the British Legion, the chairman of London Youth Court, taking turns to act as judges, Transport and ex prime minister Ms conferred upon him a special award in 1991 — a certificate of appreciation — for 21 years of involvement in the Legion ’s work, as notes the press release. The Appeal provides for the rehabilitation, training, employment and welfare services for ex- servicemen, their widows and families. “This is a very worthwhile cause and I should like to join the Legion in thanking you for all your work, ” MP John Marshall They are the children of Ervad Shapur had noted in a personal letter to Daruwalla Doctor of New Rochelle. whose other social service activities in ­ clude scouting. of community service and sentences can range up to 50 hours, notes the write-up. The Youth Court is said to have led to a very significant reduction in juvenile crime in New Rochelle. Z. M. Zend, who forwarded the news item to Parsiana, notes, “Jimmy is the second Parsi Zoroastrian appointed to this Lion Eric Daruwalla of Hounslow was privileged to take part in the 50th anniver- Compiled by Amavaz S. Mama Serving the Youth Court Jimmy Doctor was sworn in as a member OrUSSrOOtS inVOlvement of the Youth Court of New Rochelle by Mayor Tim Idoni and presented with offi ­ cial credentials at a special ceremony in sary VE and VJ (the victory of the Allies in the city’s Court House on February 5, Europe and Japan respectively, which 1996. Following the appointment ceremony ended World War II) day parades in London Doctor was administered the oath of con ­ fidentiality by Judge DeLuca in the pres ­ ence of commissioners of the Youth Bu ­ reau, members of the legal profession, derground — he is station supervisor at the police detectives, prominent citizens and Finchley Central Station — Daruwalla has dignitaries, notes a press release. The Youth Court of New Rochelle is an official court under the United Court Sys ­ tem in the State of New York where first ­ time juvenile criminal offenders between don Underground is an integral part) is said the ages of eight and 17 are tried. This to be the only civilian organization permit- “justice of the youth, for the youth by the ted to march with the armed forces on youth ” has proved to be very time efficient Remembrance Day — a right conferred by and decreases the load on the Family Court the royal command of King George V in in the County of Westchester, informs the recognition of the dedicated busmen who write-up. drove their buses to the front line in France The executive board of the Youth Court during World War 1. last year, notes the Lions Club of Hounslow ’s newsletter of March 1996. A long serving member of the London Un- been a regular part of the annual Remembrance Day parades at the Ceno ­ taph, informs the newsletter. London Transport (of which the Lon- Gold and silver Lord Zoroaster and Asho Farohar medals available Gold, silver and diamond exclusive showroom We also undertake polishing of ses 594, Chira Bazar, Girgaum Road, Mumbai 400002. Tel: 2065137 We accept Diners, BOB card, American Express, Taj Premium, Visa & Master Cards. 21 Parsiana April 1996 THE PARSIANA BOOK OF IRANIAN NAMES The Iranian names of boys and girls along with their meanings which originally appeared in Parsiana have now been reprinted in an attractive 24-page booklet. T^g book, which is priced at Rs 25, is available on sale at : Kaiser-E-Hind, 300 Pehn Nariman Street, Behind Reserve Bank of India, Fort, Bombay 400001. Faredoon and Burjor Sandalwood Shop, Princess Street. Union Press, 13, Homji Street, \ \ Bombay 400001 * IHISTORY The Mahatma on the Parsis For a miniscule community, the Parsi contribution to the freedom struggle was remarkable, believed Mahatma Gandhi Burjor K. Karanjia to prohibition, which he considered a very necessary reform: “The liquor shop pick ­ eting has an intimate relation to Parsis. We had got had made them seek Government employment, and it was a great pity. Com ­ merce had taught them to be honest and collect money dnd do good to other com ­ munities in this country. ” Gandhi asked the Parsis to take stock of the present conditions and their future, and noted, Few people may be aware that while many in the Parsi community were sharply criti ­ cal of Mahatma Gandhi ’s imposition of prohibition, particularly because it deprived will have to exercise great forbearance a large section of the community of their towards our Parsi countrymen. While we income, Gandhi himself was appreciative cannot stop picketing altogether, we must of the suffering imposed on the Parsis and meet the liquor dealers in conference, un ­ willing to discuss the issue with leaders of derstand their difficulties and explain our “They had fully paid their debts to the the community. This apart, Gandhi was own. Mr Godrej has earmarked his dona- country by producing such great men as full of praise for the community — for its philanthropy as well as for its contribution to various spheres of national life. Researching recently on material for the Godrej Story, our attention was drawn by the eminent Gandhian, Ms Usha Mehta, to what the Mahatma had to say about the ____ „______________ ______ . ______ ___ ______________________ _________ community in The Collected Works of writes: “When in South Africa the whites in tkic ntr,, tko Mahatma Gandhi (Vol. 20). In the extract had besieged (my) house in the dead of were they keeping themselves aloof from below the Mahatma refers specifically to night and wanted to kill (me), it was Parsi the movement now? They were a rich the donation of three lakh rupees by the Rustomji who had protected (me) at the community, possessing crores of rupees, pioneer founder of the Godrej enterprise, risk of his life and that of his people and and why had not they given any more Ardeshir Burjorji Godrej, to the Tilak stood by (me).” As long as Gandhi lived he money to the Fund? Dadabhai had served Swaraj Fund: “Mr Godrej of safe fame has could never forget what Mr Rustomji had India by leading the life of a political eclipsed all donations to the Tilak Swaraj done for him. The Parsis were full of recluse for the purpose of making India Fund with his announcement of three lakhs virtue, truth and honesty, and he was proud of rupees. His donations to public purposes of them as a race. Even if the Parsis had not have been hitherto quite unknown. But he collected Rs 30,000 and had only given speak to the Parsis “as their friend because was induced to appreciate the necessity him Rs 5 he would still have been satisfied he was a great aij^irer of theirs and was this time of a public announcement. I tender my congratulations to Mr Godrej him a sum of Rs 3,00,000 and he had and the whole Parsi community. I wish also to testify that, during the collection week in Bombay, not a day has passed publication, without Parsi donations. Parsi ladies and gentlemen are also making door-to-door sought government employment, he re ­ collections. Parsis are also working as pickets. Among the newspapers, too, not all the Parsi papers are hostile to the movement. But Mr Godrej ’s generosity that by coming to India they had not done puts the Parsis easily first in all India. Parsi Rustomji ’s Rs 52,000 would in any case were a commercial people, and it was a were true to themselves, they would see have put the Parsis in a respectable position, pity that they had taken up government that not a Parsi was starving before they Mr Godrej has secured the first place. ” appointments lately. It was a loss to the took any morsel of food. If Hindus or The Mahatma goes on to call for an whole ofindia and not to the Parsi commu- Muslims wished to do anything else, then understanding of the community ’s attitude own. Mr Godrej has earmarked his dona ­ tion for liquor prohibition and the uplift of Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta and the suppressed classes. ” Recalling his experience in South Af­ rica when some whites had besieged his house and threatened to kill him and how Parsi Rustomji had come to his rescue risking his own life in the process, Gandhi every department of life. If they had done-* ’ so much in this country in the past, why* Jamshedji T^a. ” He appealed to the Parsis to take part in the swaraj movement which was now go­ ing on in full swing: “Th^ Parsis were able to compete with other communities in free, not for Parsis alone, but for all com ­ munities and races. ” Gandhi promised to with them. Mr Godrej had already handed very intimate with them for a long time.” Continuing, the Mahatma said, “If the Parsis wished it, they could easily accom- shown to the whole of India what the Parsis were capable of doing, further notes the plish anything, because they were a small, compact community of 80,000, but that was not so with the Hindus and Muslims. ” If they could remain independent even commended the example set by some great before the English came, he did not know Parsis: “The Parsi community had given why they could not be so when they got liberally in many ways and it was not a fact While deploring that Parsis as a rule swaraj. “It was the first duty of Hindus and Muslims to protect the smaller communi- any service to this country. Naturally they ties in this land. If the Hindus and Muslims were a commercial people, and it was a appointments lately. It was a loss to the whole of India and not to the Parsi commu ­ nity alone. But the education which they they were not working for a dharmarajya? 22 Parsiana April 19961! h 1 41 #¦ // __SL 4' I MM «*» ,1 In the struggle against oppression: (From left) Pandit Malvia, Kaikobad Cowasjee Dinshaw (Adenwalla), Gandhiji and Sarojini Naidu. Picture taken at Ballard Pier prior to Gandhiji's departure for the Round Table talks; and Parsi tomji (inset and second from right, below) "the Grand Old Passive Resister" of South Africa. To his right are Gokhale and Gandhi He wanted “to make the Parsis fearless and drive away their doubts ” and he wanted them “to devote their energies for the welfare of this country. If they could do so, they could get swaraj this year, and they could also right the Khilafat wrong. ” ^In passing, the Mahatma criticizes those provided the same numberof movement launched by him. He quotes the example of Ardeshir Godrej against whom the British rulers passed a secret circular not to purchase any Godrej products, for his temerity in donating three lakh rupees to an anti-British cause. Gandhi writes: “A close friend points out that those who inveigh against non-cooperation seem to forget that all these years the Government has non-cooperated with our culture, our language and our race. We would be the biggest fools if we do not resort to non- --• W VIII VllIIIU IlIVlllUCl cooperation against this system. A fresh Congress and doing excellent example of the Government ’s non-r : ~ ¦ eration even at the present day, and have merely smiled. The Parsi population in the country totals one lakh. On the basis only of numbers, their contribution would be full if they gave Rs 4,120, could also right the Khilafat wrong. ” who inveigh against the non-cooperation members and accounted for 824 spinning-wheels. As a matter of fact, Rs 4,120 have come from them just by way of petty contributions. The sums which Parsi friends sent anonymously must have come to this total. I also include in this Fund Parsi Rustomji ’s contribution of Rs 52,000. The Parsis must have, I believe, provided 4,120 members too. Some Parsi volunteers have been enrolling members of the t work in coop- Bombay. There has been a Parsi lawyer, , , . . ¦ . .. "dan too, who gave up practice. One gentleman example which reveals its meanness, is has resolved to utilize his scientific knowl- Lra “h r Mr Godrej. This edge for the service ofthe people. It is true large-hearted gentleman has donated that the number of .sninnina-wLpk money to the Tilak Swaraj Fund earmark ­ ing the contribution for the uplift of the untouchables and for propaganda against drink. This (has) provoked a secret circu- no Godrej safe should be ordered for any of that they have in any way done less than papers run by them are ¦I .¦ ( - 5 ¦ ' ** s ..4« 8 IT ¦ I 1 .«¦ I J too, who gave up practice. One gentleman has resolved to utilize his scientific knowl- that the number of spinning-wheels among them is small, but even so Parsi women, and some men too, have taken up the work. Some Parsis also go out to picket liquor ­ booths. “How can one say, in the face of this, to them, would have no reason for pointing a finger at them. But the fact is that Shri Godrej has done something which far exceeds any other performances. He has contributed three lakhs. No other single individual has given so much. True, the entire amount is not available in cash today, but it is as secure as if offered in gold. He has ear ­ marked the sum for two of the purest items in our program, banishing liquor and Antyaj uplift. Money was eamiSrked for the latter cause on his insistence. For myself, I would have preferred to employ only Hindus ’ money for this work. It is for them to carry out this particular reform. But how could I stand in the way of this friend who offered * its departments, which used to go in for others? Not all numbers of them in the past. Because Mr ooDosed to the mnvpmpnt Th.,',,..., • f ”'7““ i......“““ onerea Godrej(has)eo„.ribu>edto>heTilakSwa ” S^nTvanmar.?k„X„ J ail X h X of heart? Fund, the‘jusfGovernmenthasboycotted not heard of Shri Bharucha ’s hard waf ‘I"®I believe his safes. How should the people deal with As fonhe Xk bein v do„, h, o by P"sis, so far as Reverting again to Parsis and their con- CraXl^Lrhl beS w^ i' X ’¦ “'"r?" nection With the freedom Struggle, Gandhi lessly. She has actuallv ndnnipH A the Parsi community sufficiently. ” refers to the many contributions made by pletely khadi dress Even if the Parsi com f ‘^ohected 23 Parsiana April 1996 ladies, I shall give my experiences some other time, but there is one name I must mention. The granddaughter of India ’s Grand Old Man ’ has been working tire- 1 a com- .. . - —..i com ­ munity had done no more than what they have, we would have reason to be grateful IGLOBE THEATRES Pvt Ltd Established April 3, 1915 Pioneers of Show Business in India for the last 81 cial Congress Committee appointing a sub ­ committee to manage the funds, on which the only Parsi member was Ardeshir Burjorji Godrej. “The Bombay Provincial Congress Committee has come to a decision on the question of the management of the big collection made by it in a most business ­ like and becoming manner. I quote from memory the effective part of its resolution; “‘Whereas the All-India Tilak Memo ­ rial Fund collections made during the month of June were made not to meet provincial needs merely but in order to fulfil the obligation incurred at Bezwada and in order to meet the requirements of pro ­ vinces in need of help, in the opinion of the LORD’S CENTRAL 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 era Mani Bhavan at Gamdevi, Bombay, houses the memorabilia of the Gandhi HOTEL Matheran 410102 Erijoy the mountains,- antics of the monkeys and our hospitality * Controlling: REGAL BOMBAY CAPITOL BOMBAY * GLOBE CALCUTTA The above three cinemas installed with nni DOLBY STEREO I are Committee it is desirable to entrust a spe ­ cial committee with the control and man ­ agement of the collections. Messrs Raghavji Purushottam, Velji Lakhamsi Napu, Revashankar Jagjivan Jhaveri,Umar Sobani, Jamnalal Bajaj, Ardeshir Burjorji Godrej, Shankarlal Banker and Lakshmidas Tairsi be appointed a committee to control and manage the said funds, subject to the following conditions: ‘“•The non-cooperation expenses of the Provincial Congress Committee to be a first charge on the funds. ‘“•The other provinces to be helped on the advice of the All-India Congress Commit ­ tee in respect of the spread of the charkha and khadi, elevation of suppressed classes, national schools, famine relief and prohi ­ bition of liquor. ’ “It is an act of self-denial, for which the Bombay Committee deserves the warm congratulations of the country. The one intention running through the resolution is to put the administration of the large funds beyond suspicion and on a sound footing. ’’ 25 Parsiana April 1996 Matheran telephone number 021483-0228 Fax 021483-0595 Bombay telephone number 3867776 ISCHOLARSHIP unable to bear children. At the same time, however, the patriarchal structure of soci ­ ety was gradually being eroded by the fact that by the middle of the 17th century the Parsis had made the transition from vil­ lages to towns, and had branched out from agriculture to become artisans, merchants, traders and bankers. By the end of the 18th century, there was an exodus from the hinterlands to the port of Bombay, where the Parsis assumed the mercantile role, which became a source of their wealth and power. They established a mutually ben ­ eficial relationship with the British as “mediators and pace-setters of social change ” (Kulke) — a role that would ex­ pose them to what must have seemed like a very liberal Western system of sex-role relations. Gradually, the Parsis abandoned the system of purd^, and the female mem­ bers of the families of prominent reformers and some sethias (business magnates) mixed socially with outsiders at private and public functions. By 1884 this “inno ­ vation ” had grown into a popular custom among the Parsis (Sahiar). The changeover though was not as smooth as Kulke maintains — that Parsi reformers interested in “purifying the reli ­ gion ” were successful in eliminating such customs as infant marriages, polygyny, or the prohibition of widow remarriages, since these practices were only assimilated su ­ perficially from the Indian environment. In fact, the tenacity with which these cus ­ toms hung on for a few generations attests to the fact that the priests, who were the spokespersons of the community diring the early years of the Parsi settlement in India, gave it their tacit stamp of approval. However, when Bombay became the new stronghold of Parsi immigrants, it was evident that the strength of the clergy in the new city was weak. The Bombay Punchayet, which sought to carry on the leadership function of the community, became an organ for hereditary member ­ ship for leading merchant families. This change from priest to laity in lead ­ ership positions was a mixed blessing for rulings affecting the status of women. For example, the Punchayet passed regula- tions against bigamy, but tolerated it among T’he socioeconomic independence of to the adoption of certain Hindu customs its own members. It tried to control the free X women has often been pointed out as like infant marriages that did not show a movement of females by interjecting an an outstanding characteristic of the Parsi decline until the last part of the 19th century interesting religious twist in one of its Zoroastrian community (Eckehard Kulke, (Gooloo H. Sahiar). Polygyny also pre- ordinances. In 1819 the Punchayet ruled T aaU VtcoriQ x^ai,«. vailed during this period, with the Parsi that no woman could stir out of the house the checkered history of this phenomenon Punchayet (a quasi-judicial-cum-social before sunrise and after sunset, and no has usually been glossed over in an effort body) forbidding bigamy, but dispensing _i r.. rr-. ... .J permission to remarry if the first wife was Status of Women: sacred and secular - 5 Educated, not emancipated Dr Ketayun H. Gould Higher education for their women could threaten the domestic peace, feared the Zoroastrian men The image of a liberated Zoroastrian deemed allies of Ahura Mazda to fight female on par with the male is only an the evil forces. The domestic routine illusion, an ideal that has yet to be though was considered to be of prime realized. There is no denying that in concern to the female in the ancient certain spheres she has been granted period. While marriage and the equal opportunities but she has had to begetting of children is advocated in suffer discrimination too. This article Zoroastrianism, the prevalent belief was that menstruation causes a woman to lose her ritual purity and spread impurity if she comes in contact with others. Even though religious equality was denied to females in ancient times. which will run into six instalments ana­ lyzes the relevant texts and traditions to study the status of women in the an­ cient, medieval and modem periods. As it originally appears in Religion and Women (a publication of the State within the confines of a patriarchal University of New York Press, 1994) the society women were ceded certain eco- paper entitled “Outside the discipline, inside the experience: women in Zoro­ astrianism" is a researched, academic suffering in the medieval period when presentation. Since Parsiana will be Zoroastrianism was relegated to the status of a minority religion. Also no­ ticeable were the double standards that condoned remarriage and adultery among men but censured females who dared to take the same liberties. With the introduction of formal edu­ cation for girls in modem times they were able to assert their socioeconomic nomic and legal rights. Women had to bear considerable hardships and carrying an abridged version ofthe text to make it simpler for the lay reader, we will not be detailing the sources that the author painstakingly cites at each instance. In the fir st four instalments we learnt that certain divinities perceived as female entities were venerated, that the soul of a dead man was said to be met by independence. However within the a female figure on its upward journey, religious sphere they continued to be Yet within the stronghold of the discriminated against, as this fifth aristocracy and priesthood in the pre- instalment indicates, and the privileges Zoroastrian era, paradise was denied enjoyed by men who had married out of to women. With the advent of the community were denied to their Zarathushtra,bothmenandwomenwere female counterparts. to the adoption of certain Hindu customs like infant marriages that did not show a outstanding characteristic of the Parsi decline until the last part ofthe 19th century Leela Visaria, Malini Karkal). However, to glorify the past. The move to India led before sunrise and after sunset, and woman could visit Hindu temples or Mus ­ lim tombs or perform any related ceremo- 26 Parsiana April 1996 Inies in their own home. The accompanying charge that “super ­ stition and pernicious practices had taken school stirred up the community to a state The first Indian girl who was sent to root among Parsi women (Jehangir R. P. of frenzy, especially since Wilson attacked such a missionary school through the ef- Mody) turned out to be a very clever ploy the validity of Zoroastrian teachings. The forts of a very unusual, strong mother on the part of Punchayet leaders, because community realized that the double-edged happened to be a Parsi Zoroastrian. She it ended up appealing to both the orthodox effect of education, both in helping the has written a feminist document that and reformist wings of the community. The conservatives were looking for an acceptable way to turn the tide of alien themselves became knowledgeable about influences, which they blamed for ruining ' ’ the traditional sex-role structure of the Kinnells). (1911) is the only piece of literature that community. They were afraid that the There were, however, other changes drives home the point that although the newfound freedom of Parsi women would that were taking place in the educational male Parsi reformers, who are lauded for lead to “numerous cases of divorce and domestic trouble reported in England which outcry was no less bitter. The first schools education deserve all the credit, die girl s were attributed to mutual intercourse bet- for female education were being themselves — the real heroines — are a ween the sexes (M. M. Murzban). ’’ The established, originally by missionaries, and forgotten page in history. reformists worried about how the commu- later by organizations like the Students ’ ’ nity would “abjure priestcraft... organize a Literary and Scientific Society. At first, new national church founded on simple the schools provided education in the ver- ___________________ _ tradition of good thought, good word, good nacular language (Gujarati), although edu- public support to risk their participationin deed... ----- ----u; ---- —r T- ,• . .. . . „ ......... r (Behramji M. Malabari). ’’ schools after 1860. Of course, the females could have attended the girls ’ schools es- Christian teachings. The 1839 conversion that might lead women “to make slaves of of two Parsi boys in Rev John Wilson ’s their husbands (R. P. Masani). ’ school stirred up the community to a state ~ 9) community and undermining the religion, presents what it was like in 1842 to could only be dealt with if the Parsis encounter the ire of the community in xv . . ., . acquiring English education. Dosebai their own religious traditions (John R. Cowasjee Jessawalla ’s autobiography TT ,i_x (1911) is the only piece of literature that There were, however, other changes drives home the point that although the arena in the mid-19th century where the their pioneering efforts on behalf of female for female education were being themselves — the real heroines — Ultimately, the sethias themselves, and then the government, decided that the idea of female education had gained enough . _ _ - - - . . -----------------------rr-------------------------------------------f------- in weed scriptures of its verbiage cation in English was provided by Parsi establishing such schools. By 1881 the ntl .n I. .n. .n. 1 ,, 1 O^l\ ________ _ 11 n 1 a a ¦ _ The turmoil over the religious/ethnic could have attended the girls ’ schools es- community identity was also fanned by the tablished by missionaries between 1824 n 1-,. . . . 1830. But the Parsis, like other re ­ spectable families, were opposed to census recorded that “over 15 years of age, the smallest proportion of illiterate, either . - . ----------------- male or female, is found in the Parsi popu- mtroduction of Christian mission school and 1830. But the Parsis, like other re- lation ’’ (Census of India 1883). This fact education that the Parsi middle-class rec- spectable families, were opposed to did not exactly overjoy the majority of the ognized as an avenue of upward mobility, breaking purdah and sending girls out of community. Newspaper articles expounded but also feared for its ability to convey the homes to acquire English schooling the theory that “education would spoil the For Pure Diamonds or JEWELLERS 324, Grant Road, Bombay 400007. Telephone 3099648 Fax 3073483 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 28 Parsiana April 1996 Ii health and delicate bodies of the females. They need education in English, but they (Gould), need sufficient education, nothing beyond that {Kaiser-E-Hind 1902).” The 1880s saw the beginning of yet troversy regarding conversion and inter- another radical trend that was not so obvi ­ ous in terms of its consequences for the future of the community. Visaria has de ­ monstrated that as early as 1881 the marital fertility of the Parsis was only 46 percent of the maximum potential. Obviously, this finding indicates that even before the in ­ troduction of modem contraception, resort was sought to some form of control of fertility within marriage. The continuing demographic decline of the Parsi commu ­ nity during the 20th century with its pattern of late marriage, nonmarriage, and low fertility has led to a few studies to under ­ stand and possibly deal with this critical phenome^n (Visaria, Ketayun H. Gould, marriage, and the ambivalent attitude to ­ ward the status of women in Zoroastrian ­ ism. Among the Parsis, a marriage is rec- tion if these trends continue unabated years of their settlement in India (Sahiar). It is also evident that these non-Parsi wives, as well as some other adults like personal servants, were initiated into the Zoroas ­ trian religion (Sahiar). The children of these intermarriages between Parsi men and non-Parsi women, as well as the ille ­ gitimate children of Parsi men had also been accepted into the religion by having an initiation ceremony that is reserved for children of both Parsi Zoroastrian parents. The occurrence of these phenomena are attested to by the fact that from time to time there were public outcries about ad ­ mitting such persons to the fire-temples, and consigning their bodies to the towers of silence. In fact, in 1770, this matter was referred for clarification to the Zoroastrian authorities in Iran who saw nothing objec ­ tionable in admitting converts. In 1818 the Punchayet decreed that the initiation cer ­ emonies of children of Parsi fathers and “alien ” mothers could not be performed without its sanction. Notice that in the parties are Parsi Zoroastrians, and the priest patriarchal religion there is no record of consecrates the marriage by the ashirvad Parsi women marrying non-Parsi men, and This topic itself has great significance for understanding the bitter religious con- Newspaper articles expounded the theory that education would spoil the health and delicate bodies of the females Karkal). The 1981 census reveals that the Parsi population of India was 71,630, with _______ _______________ 62,478 or 87.2 percent of them living in ognized as a “Parsi marriage ” when both greater Bombay (Census of India 1981, - - Karkal). The 21.5 percent decline in popu ­ lation in the 1971-1981 decade (some of it (blessings) in the presence^ of two Parsi due to emigration) is disastrous for the i ~ ................. ............. survival of an endogamous ethnic minority been shown that many Pars?men took non ­ community that sees itself facing extinc- - the consideration that children of such unions can be initiated into the religion. In 1903 a melhber of a prominent indus- Parsi wives, especially during the early trialist family in Bombay married a French witnesses. Despite this regulation, it has CONTUCTJt.4».M. 30 Parsiana April 1996 * If woman while he was abroad. When he returned to India, he had her converted to Zoroastrianism and married her in a Zoro ­ astrian ceremony. An anjuman (commu ­ nity) meeting passed a resolution that she could not enter a fire-temple, use Parsi trust funds, or have her remains consigned to the towers of silence. The resulting court case, popularly known as “the Parsi Punchayet case of 1908,” set the standard on conversion that has not been challenged to this day. The Bombay High Court ruled that even if a non-Parsi is duly admitted into the Zoroastrian religion, such an indi ­ vidual is not entitled to the uses and ben ­ efits of the funds and institutions that are under the Punchayet ’s control, since these privileges are traditionally reserved for only those individuals who are Parsi Zoro ­ astrians (a caste). Thus, the ruling spelled out that a Zoroastrian could not be auto ­ matically considered a Parsi. The judg ­ ment upheld the customary definition of the Parsi community as follows: Parsis who are descended from the original Per ­ sian emigrants, and who are born of both Zoroastrian parents, and who profess the Zoroastrian religion, the Iranis from Persia professing the Zoroastrian religion, who come to India, either temporarily or per ­ manently, and the children of Parsi fathers by alien mothers, who have been duly and properly admitted into the religion (Sapur Faredun Desai). A related case, Saklat vs Bella 1925, did involve a child of a Parsi mother and a non-Parsi father. This child (a girl) was the “orphan ” daughter of a Goanese Christian father and a Parsi mother who was brought up in a Zoroastrian household of Rangoon from early infancy. After her initiation ceremony was performed, Bella was taken by her adoptive father (a Parsi) to the Rangoon fire-temple on March 21, 1915. Ten days later, three members of the Parsi community of Rangoon filed a suit against Bella and the adoptive father, claiming that they had “not only wounded the reli ­ gious feelings entertained by religiously inclined Parsis, but also caused the des ­ ecration of the said sacred temple (Privy Council Judgement). ” The case was thrown out in the preliminary judgement, and the chief court of lower Burma agreed with the initial judgement. But on appeal to the Privy Council,they ruled that Bella was “not entitled as of right to use the temple, or to attend or to participate in any of the religious ceremonies performed therein (Privy Council Judgement). ” But the j udges also noted that while the trustees “can treat her as a trespasser...it does not follow that they are bound so to treat her (Privy Coun ­ cil Judgement). ” Thus, the right of admis ­ sion to converts could be decided by the trustees of the fire-temple. This particular point in the ruling, however, is only a salve at this point, since nearly all the community trusts governing fire-temples and towers of silence require the beneficiaries to be both Parsis and Zoroastrians (Feroza Pay ­ master and Jeroo Gorimar, Parsiana). The succeeding years saw the conflict over these religious/societal issues trans ­ late itself into questions regarding the lit ­ eral meaning of Zoroastrian scriptures, tenets, doctrines and tradition. The ortho ­ dox and reformist camps battled it out at several Zoroastrian conferences, with some elite reformists, trained at Western univer ­ sities, pushing for a more rational, less ritualistic view of the religious tradition. The early 1940s saw at least two major events that shook the orthodox foundation of the community: the mass initiation cer ­ emonies of children of Parsi men and non- Parsi women in the village of Vansda, and the “wrongful ” consecration of the Fasli fire-temple in Bombay (Adi F. Doctor, Parsiana). The furor resulted in the re ­ formist group suggesting a round table conference to settle various religious is ­ sues, but the orthodox wing refused on the Progressives 4* * -- ®Q'/- ¦^'Stance Distance _ - The lens for uninterupted vision at different ranges distance, mid-distance & reading. Progressives are muitifocai ienses without the teii-taie lines of bifocals. Progressives need professional care . For the best results come to Baliwalla & Homi. One of the finest optometrists & contact-lens practitioners in the country. @) Baliwalla & Homi Private Limited Flora Fountain: 365, Dr. D.N.Road, Bombay 400 001 Tel: 287 4916, 287 1762 • Dhobi Talao: 614, J.S. Seth Marg, Bombay 400 002. Tel: 201 4906 Parel: J.Merwanji Street, Parel, Bombay 400 012 Tel: 412 6051 IWith best wishes from Farah & Tanya 32 Parsiana April 1996 grounds that further discussions would snuff out “whatever faith that Zoroastrians had should respond to inter-marriages of Parsi in their scriptures (Doctor). ’’ The attacks females was complicated further by the and counterattacks between the two camps passage of the Special Marriage Act of were played out in the Parsi newspapers over the next decades, with clear lines being drawn at times between those who marriage (required by the Civil Marriage supported the reformist and those who Act of 1872). The 1954 law strengthened supported the orthodox cause, and a turn- the argument that a Parsi woman does not around in editorial support at other times leave the community automatically when that infuriated supporters. Doctor mourns the effect of all these factors on community identity today, since he views with alarm the fact that “fissiparous tendencies and advice, and were told that the Bombay internecine squabbles and wrangles have Prevention of Excommunication Act, done far more damage to the orthodox 1949, had already established the rights of cause than the attacks of all the heterodox Parsi women who married non-Parsis but thinkers put together. ’’ An examination of some other laws might provide further proof of the ambiva- ing and maintaining the religious rights of lent attitudes toward women in Zoroastri ­ anism. In 1868 the Legislative Council, Calcutta, had introduced a bill to legalize priests who exert their authority in their marriages between members of communi- own “territories ” (Parinaz Toddywalla, ties who were not Christians. The Parsis, Parsiana), and influence their anjumans to afraid of the implications of such a bill for support their decisions to prevent such interreligious marriages, prevailed on the women from entering fire-temples, attend- govemment to pass the Special Marriage ing religious ceremonies, and having their Act, commonly known as the Civil Mar- remains disposed of in the customary Zo- riage Act of 1872, making the contracting roastrian traditions of the community. In ’ fact, they also refuse to ^cept the 1908 Parsi Punchayet case decision by not per ­ The issue of how the Parsi community 1954, which nullified the necessity of re ­ nouncing one ’s faith in the case of a civil she marries a non-Parsi, as long as she continues to profess the Zoroastrian reli ­ gion. Again, the trustees asked for legal continued to practice the Zoroastrian faith. The roadblocks, however, to establish- these Parsi women are numerous. The main problem are some orthodox high parties renounce their Zoroastrian reli ­ gion. However, in 1918 a Parsi woman married a Christian not under this act, but forming the initiation ceremonies of chil- under the Indian Christian Marriage Act of dren of any mixed marriages, or offering * 1872. She continued to practice her reli- the sacred elements that are required at gion, and on her death, her relatives wanted such ceremonies so that other nonlocal her body consigned to the towers of si- priests could perform the navjote lence. After consultation, her body was (Toddywalla). Thus, there is a checkered consigned to the chotra where “doubtful ” pattern of compliance with the Special bodies are assigned. The decision was still Marriage Act of 1954, with different based on the belief (supported by the advo- anjumans/punchayets following their own cate general) that even if she remained a individually defined rules or practices. Zoroastrian she went out of the community To be concluded. by having married a non-Parsi. During the intervening years, the ques ­ tion again surfaced in 1948 when the trust ­ ees of the Punchayet were concerned about the “large number ” of Parsis marrying outside the community (Desai). The trust ­ ees drew up a case for opinion, and they were advised that if the woman continued to be a Zoroastrian, the only way they could deprive a Parsi woman marrying a non-Parsi from enjoying the benefits of Parsi institutions was to prove one thing: that there was a prevalent custom that such a marriage meant that she left the commu ­ nity automatically. However, the opinion stated that legally, it was not possible to prove such a custom. As a result of this opinion, the Bombay Prevention of Ex­ communication Act, 1949, was passed. - Dr Ketayun H. Gould is professor emerita in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the United States. She is a partner, along with her husband, in Independent Scholars Associated in I Stafford, Virginia. She I opted for early retirement I- to pursue her research and scholarship. Her writings have dealt with two main areas: feminist theory, models and practice frameworks in the area of women and ethnic minority concerns, and historical and demographic studies of the Parsi Zoroastrian community in India. Currently she is authoring a book on the historical and demographic decline of the Parsi Zoroastrian community in the rural and urban areas of Gujarat. -r ;*iinPROFESSIONS FOR SOUND RESULTS 1 f i f i » I First there was sea. After that came the I land. Next followed the erections and with I that the sound effects. This is not a new I theory of creation but a measure of time to I indicate Burjorji Mistry ’s association with I the National Centre for the Performing I Arts (NCPA) in Bombay and the different I auditoria constructed on its premises at I Nariman Point. Mistry remembers the func- I tion when Sir Homi Mody had thanked the I then chief minister of Maharashtra for I gifting 10 acres of the sea at a nominal rent I of about two rupees a year for perpetuity. I Subsequently the land was reclaimed by | the NCPA to house thereon the Experi- I mental Theatre and the Little Theatre, the I Tata Theatre and the upcoming Drama I Opera Arts complex. I In all these ventures the man entrusted I with helping in the designing and/or ex- I ecution of acoustics was Mistry who along I with the architects, Patel, Batliwalla, I Manohar and Associates, has worked as a I team on different landmarks. “Everyone I talks of acoustic treatment which presumes I that the patient is sick. It should be acous- | tic design, ” clarifies Mistry, a physicist by j training. “A theater is built inside-out, ” he j adds, “after determining the parameters I and needs of the performing and viewing I space. ” At the auditorium under construe- I tion, the interiors will be designed such I that half the floor space will be reserved for the stage, the seating capacity being re ­ stricted to 1,300. “This project will be one of its kind in India and will enable foreign dance troupes or orchestras to come in full strength to perform in India. Until now they did not have such performing space, ” says Mistry, seated on his couch at the NCPA Guest House where he has presently taken up temporary residence to be able to monitor from close range the progress of the building. This living arrangement saves the energies of the 77-year-old sound and theater specialist who would otherwise have needed to commute regularly from his residence at Marine Lines, to the office of the architects at Napean Sea Road, to the NCPA complex at Nariman Point. Within this complex has also arisen a high-rise residential building which the I 1 Burjorji Mistry's acoustic expertise is sought in the construction of landmark auditoria in India Parinaz Gandhi HBjlll critics have dubbed a “monstrosity, ” but according to Mistry it was the revenue raised from the sale of these flats that helped finance the new auditorium esti- mated to cost between 20-30 crore rupees. The Tata group of companies are the other major financiers along with other business groups and individuals. In response to those who may well ask, ‘Does India need such a thing? Why not use that money to feed the poor? ’ Mistty has an answer: “For the sake of art every country needs such a thing. ” Work on this auditorium commen- B ced four to five years ago and should be I I ready for use by December 1996, hopes I Mistry. “India is a strange place, ” reports I Mistry . “On one side the government helps I and on the otk^er side functions so I bureaucratically, asking irrelevant I questions (tantamounting to) ‘Why is your I nose crooked? ’ That ’s takdn up consi- I derable time.” I The man who has been credited with I designing over 500 auditoria and cinema I houses all over the world has slowed down I his pace of work, preferring not to accept I any outside project on the rationale, “I’ve I become aged, insecure in mind and body, ” I he says with a straight face. Mistry has I benefitted from varied work exposure. His I pre-war and war years with the Royal Air I Force were rewarding. But when he opted to work in India, he was disappointed. For a while he worked with a group of people involved in the production and distribu ­ tion of films, and ownership and building of cinemas. He then branched out on his own. His first cinema, in Nairobi, built in 1949 for an international operator is still functional. But ask him which is his best work, and prompt comes the response: “The next one. People forget that you never stop learning. ” He then recalls the words of Einstein who when asked by an upstart journalist how much he had learnt in the course of his long hours of work had replied, “How little I know. ” Mistry too has adopted the same maxim and believes, “People should learn from their mistakes instead of trying to cover them up. We i should constantly analyze and find out 33 Parsiana April 1996 I^^People believe that if you study more science, you become godless. But it's exactly the opposite" \. ¦ I I li H year, when Zubin Mehta had toured India with the Israel Philharmonic, Mistry, as before, had designed that shell. When it comes to a cinema. Mistry takes maximum pride in the Satyam SundaramSachinam complex (a multiplex up of the Air Raid Precaution wing in unit of three auditoria) that he designed at India, he happened to be on the same ship Worli where for the first time he pioneered that exploded in the Bombay harbor, a technology whereby the screen would wounding him substantially. In the process have no black border which he perceived his colon was destroyed and to this day he was a “constraint and narrowing of the visual field... It’s like watching a madari (roadside artiste) perform from the second techniques developed to train man. Apti- floor. ” From their seats the viewers should tude testing, the theory of management, faster methods of reading and assimila ­ tion... are the outcome of war. Men were The constant urge to innovate, to ex- taught reading skills such that 400 pages of plore new avenues. Mistry says he imbibed technical matter could be covered in one from Father Rephal who taught him maths hour. And since the English language was and physics when he was an undergraduate found to contafh 50 percent of superfluous student at St Xavier ’s College. The ana- words, it became easy for th© reader to lytical and rational thinking that Rephal scan the written words. Iq^the process of have no bearing on the University curriculum awful spellings but I don ’t care to correct j ~_j .l-. u- them. Where are the rules and regulations? ” - interested in a degree was requested not to he adds defiantly. When aptitude testing was developed first class first and thence proceeded to the during the war, subjects were required to answer stupid questions without any forethinking. Questions were in the nature cannot eat any foods that leave a residue. The positive side of combat are the new what we could have done, what we missed out on, what we did wrong... There are only two people who never make mistakes — a bloody fool and God. ” A good theater, maintains Mistry, is one where the audience can see and hear in a comfortable and pleasant environment... where they don ’t have to keep shifting in their seats... after the show is over they don ’t feel the need to say a word about the auditorium. ” He talks at length about the creation and functioning of the Tata The­ atre that has a seating capacity of almost 1,100. On this assignment the world ’s lead ­ ing architect Philip Johson and physicist/ feel that they are a part of the movie scene, acoustician Dr Cyril Harris chose to work he insists, as a team for the first time. To resemble the intimacy and rapport shared between the artistes and the audience in the traditional Indian ‘baithak ’ setting it was decided that the Tata Theatre would have no pros ­ cenium, no barrier, no curtains to differen- lytical and rational thinking that Rephal scan the written words. In the process tiate between the performers and the inspired among his students may have had perfecting this skill he aamits, “I ha viewers. It was also expected that no i electronics will be in use at the Tata Theatre and any student indicating that he was for the simple reason that there is no sound system which will not color the sound that attend his classes. Mistry graduated with a it reproduces. Further, while in the west musicians are trained to become sound Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore to operators, such facilities do not exist in do his PhD. But midway through the course India with the result that “the attendant Mistry ’s services were requisitioned by of “How long is a piece of string? ” “How who finds it difficult to catch the whispered the Government of India defence wing and far can you go into the woods? ” There endearment ‘meri pyari (my dear) ’ will unknowingly increase the volume and when a man ’s shouts are supposed to be distur ­ bing to the ear, the attendant will tone it World War II. down, ” points out Mistry. Any talk of a multipurpose hall is anath ­ ema to Mistry who explains that a cinema is meant to reproduce what is recorded in the film while for an orchestra, an audito ­ rium is also part of the orchestra; another horrible things, ” in Mistry ’s opinion, instrument without which the music would be lifeless. An auditorium where you mix the two mediums is like a “woman in a man ’s body — a horror, ” was Mistry ’s invariable lesson to his students at the Film Institute and the Drama Institute. Since most auditoria in India are not able to do justice to visiting orchestras, for best ef­ fects, Mistry has often been called upon to diverting useful manpower, ” he elaborates, create an acoustic shell such that the sound does not get dissipated on the stage. Last then passed on to the Royal Air Force could be several correct responses to the (RAF) and he was deputed to their research first one: The distance from one end to the wing in England just before and during other; or twice the distance from one end to its mid point; or. .. For the second query the While abroad he availed of the opportu- right response would be: When you are nity to do his BSc in structural engineering halfway through it. After that you are and MSc in telecommunications from the University of London. “War does some good things and some terribly cruel and Mistry, is to “apply it truthfully and (pur ­ posefully) for result-oriented action. ” He gleefully cites the case of a Parsi who ran a workshop at Tardeo insisting on adding the suffix CIE to his name. When the British administration chose to question getting out of it. The purpose of education, according to “When it’s a choice of man or materials, the correct decision is ‘lose man. ’ Man is human fodder while the sinews of war are materials. The objective of bombing is more to maim than to kill; the reason being him diplomatically, his unabashed response if you kill one Johnny, a few will cry but if was, “I am a Cast Iron Engineer. ” you maim one person you take away the “Many people have degrees but no ap- ¦ ; “Many people have degrees but no ap- energies of others in caring for him, thereby plication, ” observes Mistry who worked as an examiner for the Bombay University. He is disturbed by the prevalent attitude of puted by the RAF to oversee the winding judging a person ’s prowess by his bio data Mistry should know for when he was de- 34 Parsiana April 1996 4 Iand refuses on principle, to supply it to anyone who wants to engage his services on the merit of academic qualifications. “I am prepared to be evaluated and cross- examined but I say no to a bio data... When you go to a doctor or a lawyer do you ask duplicately applied to a changed environ- for his marksheet first? ” Mistry ’s foundation in education was laid at the Master Tutorial High School. Staying in Andheri he would commute daily to the Nana Chowk area where his formerly, he informs. Mistry who has school was located. If he got a chance, he would surreptitiously cycle his way back and forth without his father ’s knowledge, remembers Mistry. His father Ardeshir Jivanji Mistry was an engjneer- architect who ran his own organization. “He had a very funny atti ­ tude to life, ” acknowledges Mistry. If personal capacity wherein Zoroastrian and everything in the world but we have no people would go to him with complaints about his son he would tell them, “I have fulfilled my obligation in educating him.” The nature of their complaints? The usual — roams around, does not put on integration, more than 50 percent mistook proper clothes... The latter is now con ­ stantly expressed by his wife, laughs the opposed to making translations of bald-headed physicist with a take-me-or- leave-me countenance, attired in a shirt that he seemed to have outgrown but with a pocket accommodating his constant sta ­ tionery companions including a six-inch Mistry who describes himself as “a stu- ruler. Mistry ’s wife Pola (nee Sabavala) pidly religious man. ” whom he fondly addresses as Popo or Popee much to her chagrin was an an ­ nouncer with the AU India Radio “reputed actly the opposite, ” claims Mistry. “If you to have one of the finest broadcasting genuinely study, you come to an end and voices in English ” because of which she is still invited there even though she has retired. Their son Kaivan does lighting for plays and exhibitions. “According to my wife, I am not mar ­ ried to her because (contrary to the prevail ­ ing Parsi custom that is supposed to have originated with our oath to King Jadav plainable presumptions. Eventually you Rana) I insisted on getting married before forced to acknowledge something which sunset, ” discloses Mistry, firmly of the you cannot perceive. Without that your view that under the Zoroastrian religion darkness is not good and besides it is not healthy scientifically. Parsis of the grand ways of God, Mistry narrates his personal old days had two marriages, he enlightens us. One was the aara-antar adopted from the Hindu rites following which the couple waited in the baug for the early rays of the sun to receive the Bamdaad na ashirwad. With the passage of time the two ceremo ­ nies came to be performed together and little difference to Mistry as he did not use Jater the second was discarded. it. Subsequently his left eye had to be In the course of his study of compara ­ tive religions Mistry has realized that ev ­ ery religion is divided into the modality of rituals and the spiritual aspect. The first functioning. “I keep asking myseff ‘why? ’” reflects the environment “and cannot be says Mistry. Does he wear the sudreh-kusti? Yes, says Mistry to the sudreh because he con- operated for a triple operation which was a failure. Three months before he lost the vision of his left eye, his right eye started ment, ” he points out. Our attire is now based on the Hindu dress. Even the style of siders it a very hygienic underwear. Again the topi — the headgear — has changed, no longer covering the ears as it used to "There are only two people who never make mistakes — a bloody fool and God" we probe about the kusti. The answer to that is yes too “because I know the purpose of the prayers said. Ninety percent tie it as a piece of rope. The mind can hear unspo ­ ken thoughts. It is now proved that the brain and mind are not the same. The mind is the functionary of the brain which inter ­ studied Avesta-Pahlavi up to the MA level re ­ minds us that Pahlavi is a dead language and Avesta is cent percent prets logic. The brain is like the computer parallel to Sanskrit. He and yet all computers are brainless, ” main- relates the incident of tains Mistry. simulated research conducted by the religion but he is not as sanguine about the officers of the Tata community ’s future days ahead. “The fu- Institute of Funda ­ mental Research in their The scientist may have great faith in the ture of the community is as stupid as that of the country in general. We have Hindu priests were made to recite Avestan sincerity to apply it for community use, ” and Sanskrit prayers backstage before a he laments. “If we could pool our assets we mixed audience who did not know either could be called one of the richest in the of these languages. Due to the phonetic world, physically and mentally. But we don ’t...” 36 Parsiana April 1996 the prayers as that of their own faith. “I am our prayers available to lay people because verbal translations give stupid and funny results. Without the philosophical background the mind gets biased, ” opines “People believe that if you study more science, you become godless. But it’s ex- you can ’t go any further. As an escape mechanism scientists take the help of a ‘constant, ’ a ‘factor x’ or even an ‘un ­ known factor. ’ This is an answer to God ’s work, by use of mathematical equations and thus God may be a phenomenal index used to explain unaccountable and unex- are progress stops. ” To cite an instance of the inexplicable experience. From his childhood he suf ­ fered from the lazy eye syndrome whereby he never used his right eye despite his stint with the airforce when binocular vision was important. When this eye developed a cataract it was operated upon but made matrimonial Parents of an attractive, fair, 24-year-old, post graduate daughter, 5’6”, invite correspondence from qualified, well-placed, tall, Zoroastrian boys. Girl is creative minded and domestically trained. She desires a modern and straight-fon/vard life partner. Apply with recent photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/10-96)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ‘Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. MATRIMONIAL Parents of a fair, attractive daughter, 25 years, studying for her doctorate in USA, desire matrimonial correspondence from suitable, young Parsi boys, 25-32 years old, well-qualified and settled in business or profession in USA. Write in confidence with photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Apr/12-96)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 "Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. ¦4^ * IBOOKS The verse below could apply to our age of all-pervasive corruption: “Unto Thee, O Lord, the Soul of Creation cried: ‘For whom didst Thou create me, and who so fashioned me? Feuds and fury, violence and the insolence of might have oppressed me. None have I to protect me save Thee, Command for me, then, blessing of a settled, peaceful life. ’” In the early stages of his divine mission, according to The Gathas, Zarathushtra was The Iranians initially felt let down by troubled by questions for which he had no this appointment. They had expected, ac- answers but which he dared to put to Ahura cording to the beliefs then prevailing, that Mazda. He calls upon Ahura to reveal to a mighty and powerful warlord would be him who balanced the ^arth and heavens to appointed to fight these destructive forces, keep them apart, who created the waters Instead, here was a weak man with no ar ­ mor except “the charm of speech. ” But Za ­ rathushtra is not deterred and asks for „__________ ______________ __ Can one presume to review The Hymns of the gift of righteousness in action, and for and produced the phenomenon of sleep Tarathushtra any more than one can re- the wisdom of the Good Mind. He knew and waking? Who made the dawn, noon view, say, the Bible? One can only bow in that the gift of revelation was not for the and night, that remind man of his duty? homage to the great truths enshrined in the chosen one alone, but that it was his duty In gradual stagSs Zarathushtra came noble hymns and be grateful for the schol- to spread the message throughout the to a full realization of God, but continued arship and dedication of Dinshaw J. Irani, world. He asks for help that would allow to be troubled whether his followers would Kaikhosrov D. Irani and the K. R. Cama King Vishtaspa, perhaps his earliest disci- achieve the same realization. He wanted Oriental Institute, who have combined to pie, to propagate the new faith among his them to appreciate that Ahura Mazda is not , J. , - o --------------- remote from their lives, that indeed He is little volume. Understanding The Gathas. enable people to decide bet- their brother and father The One finds portraits of Zarathushtra in ween Spenta Mainyu, the choice was always theirs: fire-temples and prayer books, and in the spirit of goodness and Ang- f following His teachings homes of rich and poor. This is the rather re Mainyu, the forces of evil. tUITJl tQ thcS^ to achieve the Abode of hymns to discover is assured of a place in a mission, in the evening of as he really was The Goodness of the Gathas Burjor K. Karanjia Understanding The Gathas, The Hymns of Zara- //jushfra.IntroductoryLectureson Gathic Themes by Dinshaw J. Irani. Edited with an Introduction by Kaikhosrov D. Irani. Published in 1994 by Ahura Publishers, Inc. Reprinted in 1995 by K. R. Cama Oriental Institute, 136, Bombay Samachar Marg, Bombay 400023. Pp; 87. Price: Rs 50 (for India and Pakistan only). and the plants, who yoked swiftness to the winds and motion to the clouds? What great artificer created light and darkness the wisdom of the Good Mind. He knew that the gift of revelation was not for the chosen one alone, but that it was his duty to spread the message throughout the to a full realization of God, but continued world. He asks for help that would allow King Vishtaspa, perhaps his earliest disci- introduce, interpret and reprint thks great subjects. He asks for enlightenment to enable people to decide bet­ ween Spenta Mainyu, the CinP tn spirit of goodness and Ang- ftCIO llJ -4* * unfortunate fate to which all great prophets are subject, with the exception of the Is ­ lamic Prophet Mohammed. The portraits loeai torm ot existence as of the Iranian prophet are so unlike each envisioned by Ahura Mazda, other that one puzzles how they could possibly bear any likeness to Zarathushtra. One has to turn to these hymns to discover Songs. Zarathushtra was no ascetic, preaching with ­ drawal from the world and its pleasures. He wanted his followers to lead a productive life, full of joy, and bring joy to others. He was the first Prophet to adoration of thy glory. ” emphasize freedom of choice: “Let each The most haunting and delightful of the . .... , --------- —-------- t-~~f--------- * Gathas relate to the wedding of the Pro- and priests, who had imposed a religion accept what they were told, but to think for phet’s daughter Pouruchista to Jamaspa a of fear upon the people with meaningless themselves, “for a thinking man is where minister in King Vishtaspa ’s court and a rituals and cruel sacrifices. To confront r ¦¦ •• * • . ... them and expose their hypocrisy. Lord i Ahura Mazda, as a discerning judge, chose cording to good thoughts, words and deeds, a religious act, the finest form of worship. He anticipated thinkers like the Buddha incorporated in the marriage service: ‘These words do I address to you, maidens marrying. These counsels do I give you bridegrooms. He who chooses rightly and lives according to Asha, the ideal form of existence Songs; if not, be relegated to the foul darkness of the House of the Lie. Towards the end of his heaven called the House of Zarathushtra as he really was, with his doubts and tribulations, his adoration of Ahura Mazda and fortitude in His service, his humility in contrast to his exalted spirituality, the earliest and perhaps the greatest of prophets, a born leader of men. Ancient Iran around 1300 BCE was in _ the^thrall of/c(7v;.s ’ and karpans, tribal chiefs choose his creed. ” He wanted people not to of fear upon the people with meaningless emphasize freedom of choice: “Let each young Zarathushtra: “As there is not a righteous, spiritual Lord, or secular chief/ So have I, indeed, as the Creator, made thee, Zarathushtra, the leader/For the wel ­ fare of the world and its diligent people. ” 37 Parsiana April 1996 his life, Zarathushtra did ac ­ quire a sense of fulfilment. He realized that Ahura Maz ­ da ’ s believers and followers would ultimately be vindi ­ cated in times of social uncertainty: “Then, at the time of salvation, there shall be full themselves, “for a thinking man is where wisdom is at home. ” A pioneering religious devout follower of the new faith. In fact, as Dinshaw J. Irani so aptly puts it: “These thoughts are timeless in their application, noble in their sentiment, worthy of being moralist, he made the good life lived ac- and Gandhi in his belief that social stress and political violence are to be corrected not by force, but by moral regeneration. IHeed them in your mind and lay them to That such encounters — the starting heart point of the quest for a place in the sun in Learn from the righteous the precepts of the Good Religion; disconcerting if not traumatic, is vividly illustrated in Living in America, a compi ­ lation of poems and fiction by South Asian boy at New York ’s Hotel Ambassador American writers. The voices here are of took charge of his suitcases. He simply exiles who straddle at least two distinct was not ready to let a white man carry his cultures and are struggling with questions luggage and it was some time before he realized that the hotel employee “was not directly related to the Queen of England. ” That perspectives change and the initial awe with which the exile regarded his hosts gives way to criticism, frustration, alienation and (after much conflict and One of the excerpts included here is agonizing) to a synthesis of cultures and from Ms Bapsi Sidhwa ’s novel. An Ameri­ can Brat. It describes the ways in which Sheikh ’s story also sketches in the dif ­ ference in attitudes of successive genera- the country of one ’s adoption — can be tions of an immigrant family towards the host country. His father before him, for instance, was appalled when a white bell- Let both then strive to lead the Life of the Good Mind; With upright hearts let each cherish the other; Then surely a happy life shall be yours. ’” Immortality, as surmised from these of assimilation and identity. What they are Gathas, is of two kinds: After death we live doing is participating in the on-going pro ­ in the recollection of all those who were cess of shaping 20th century American near and dear to us. But the good we do and literature — even if the rich complexity the transformation we are able to achieve, they bring to traditional literary norms has is a more lasting testament to our immor- yet to be fully acknowledged, tality. Death comes to all, but the degree to which we reach the spiritual state in after ­ life depends on the extent of our realization in consciousness of Truth and the Good Ms Feroza Ginwalla, on a visit to her uncle MindintheHouseof Ahura Mazda. So we Manek, a student at the MIT, is intimidated leave Zarathushtra standing, at last, at the by two “demon persecutors ” at the Kennedy example Saleem Peeradina ’s Reflections on the Otherwhich is hewn out of a “double consciousness. ” In Ms Qiron Adhikary ’s the fashioning of a new literary mythology, is illustrated again and again by the poems and stories in this volume. Sometimes the agonizing itself is the poem — as for i Gate of the Abode of Songs with this Airport. With their false allegations they prayer on his lips: ~ “With Truth moving my heart. With Best Thought inspiring my mind. With all the might of spiritual force within me, I venerate Thee, O Mazda, with songs of Thy praise! And at the last when I shall stand at Thy this piece does not disguise the vulnerability gate of people who enter the brave new world. I shall hear the echo of my prayers from ’....................... Thy Abode of Songs. ” States on a visitor ’s visa, though what he SHELTERING against the hurt Dina Mehta confuse Feroza into unwittingly incrimi ­ nating her uncle with her naive answers. Nosey Nakshitka ’s Adventures in America Manek manages to sort things out for the conflict is more down-to-earth: she is them, but not before Feroza has been overwhelmed by the vast, complex systems reduced to tears and is ready to catch the of the country and critical of the “many ­ next flight back to Pakistan. Aapri Bapsi colored peoplej^ese systems oppressed. ” writes a bouncy prose, but the humor of Ms Meena Alexander in the selection from Fault Lines included here, talks of the nurturing of children who liave inherited Ved Mehta also entered the United multiple cultures. Her daughter puts it in a 5 nutshell: “You are brown mama, papa is required was a student visa for studying at blond papa, Adam is brown Adam, and I the Arkansas School for the Blind — which am peach Svati. ” Such acceptance, sug- was not on the list of approved schools for gests the author, is like creating music out foreign students, which was why he had not applied for a student visa in the first place. All rather complicated. How he indeed makes music as in Darius Cooper ’s untangles all this in his joust with his I Have Been Offered My Country’s Beg- immigration officer is told here in an ex- ging Bowl Again in which echoes of Bud ­ dhism are skillfully woven with the Adam of discord. Sometimes the synthesis of cultures immigration officer is told here in an ex­ cerpt from Mehta ’s autobiography, Sound- Shadows of the New World. The disgruntled and Eve story as the poet keeps vigil over official becomes helpful towards the end his sleeping wife and son. The humble of the interview — impressed, no doubt, begging bowl strikes a note of compassion, by the sheer guts of the blind boy! - A truly harrowing experience of an expatriate ’s first day on the land “famous fornia to pursue a doctorate in literature for the Statue of Liberty ” is related with wry humor by Moazzam Sheikh in his In geopolitical terms, South Asia is a vast short story Kissing the Holy Land. (Could region of mixed ethnic affiliations. A South Asian can be a native of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, the Maidive Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, always admired American presidents, has (” ’ ‘ ___ And the South Asian experience of America his wallet stolen at the airport by one of the of objectivity and common sense, is aapro [Canada and the United States for the ~ “ purpose of this anthology edited by Dr the late Lincoln? Of Kennedy? Nixon? from his forthcoming novel. Asylum USA, (Ms) Roshni Rustomji-Kerns (see inter- " ............ — - - _ view on page 17)] usually begins with an encounter with the immigration official at the airport. Living in America Poetry and Fiction by South Asian American Writers edited by Roshni Rustomji- Kems. Published in 1995 by Westview Press, 5500 Central Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80301 - 2877, USA. Also Westview Press, 12 Hid’s Copse Road, CumnorHill, Oxford 0X2 9JJ, UK. Pp: xiv+ 277. Price: $17.95. which binds together all of humanity Aapro Darius is a Bombay boy who went to Cali- and film. He has presented papers on Indian cinema at various conferences abroad and we look forward to his essays on the late it be that humor builds a shelter against the Satyajit Ray in a forthcoming anthology to hurt, the frustration, the culture shock suf ­ fered by immigrants?) Sheikh, who had be published in India. Another writer who welds what is In ­ dian with what is American with a degree “President-looking men ” — a relative of Boman Desai. In This Thicket, an excerpt Totally unnerved by his loss, Sheikh weeps Desai takes us from one technique of with his head on the carpet. “He is kissing storytelling to another, from straightfor ­ ward narration to philosophical discourses — a technique used brilliantly in the the holy land, ” says a voice above him. “Welcome to America. ” 38 Parsiana April 1996 4^ * I «Mahabharata and other classical Indian exploring the concept of this collection, the same name brought out by a fiery literary works. Desai ’s novel is structured And she has contributed copious headnotes publisher, the late Amrutlal Sheth, in pre- as if it were a drive in a car, and the ' * ’ - . ‘thickets ’ are the perplexities the driver ploughs into. Here is one particular ‘thicket: ’ The driver of the car is married to an compile a volume by Parsi writers in _________________ _________ American in order to get his green card, diaspora. Help them emerge into light became free, Sheth shifted to Bombay and and is awaiting his divorce. But in the ................... ............ meanwhile his parents have sent him their blessings and gifts — and they want wed ­ ding pictures. What is he to tell them? That he is married to a gay and lives with her and her girlfriend? From this situation we are led to the protagonist ’s encounters with racism within his family (his father thinks he won ’t send the pics because he’s married to a black woman), and within the different cultures he has lived in. We are then drawn into his struggle to find a solution to end racism — “skin cancer ” — within all races and hier ­ archies. 380009). Price: Rs 25. jects like mixed marriages, etc. A ttiad of Parsi writers in an anthology The collection is, on the whole, feeble breaking new ground is exciting news! But Phool Chhab means a tray full of flowers, except for the first section of 10 articles, wait. The distinguished editor, aapri The wicker tray, shallow and circular in which discusses questions of death, nirang ’ Roshni brings the tally to four. She has not shape, artistically woven, is commonly satan, khoreh or aura, patet or seeking the only given us a taste of new writing, but used by female flower vendors. Almighty ’s forgiveness for one ’s sins, etc. provided two introductions (one authored The title of Noshir Dabu ’s book re- In these articles the author, well-known to by herself, the other by Ms Rashmi Sharma) minds this reviewer of a popular paper of Parsi readers as a columnist of Jam-e- the same name brought out by a fiery to place each poem and story in context. Independence days from Ranpur, and discussed their literary nuances. Saurashtra. Like a sentinel it sought to The writers are in very good hands. One guard the rights of the subjects of the ' former native states. Sheth was also a bitter critic of the British rule. Once India can only wish that Roshni will one day from every corner of the globe! Admonition and advice established an evening paper in Gujarati. Janmabhoomi was a very popular and well- edited paper. Today Janmabhoomi, Pravasi and Phool-Chhab are published under the aegis of the People ’s Trust, Saurashtra. Dabu ’s P/ioo/ Chhab, a collection of 27 articles in Gujarati, has been divided into four broad sections: 'Dini Prakash' throws a searchlight on some religious problems concerning the Parsi community; ‘Komni Karvaf deals with vexing community ques ­ tions; ‘Kavya Kalrav' is reflection in free verse on assorted topics; and ‘Chintan ni Hormazdyar S. Dalal Phool Chhab — Guru Prasad, Part II by Noshir Dabu. Published in 1995 by Mehr-e-Band-e-Khuda, Secunderabad (author ’s address: Gandhi Block, Parsi Sanatorium, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad Chingari' offers sparkling thoughts on sub- 380009). Price: Rs 25. Phool Chhab means a tray full of flowers. The wicker tray, shallow and circular in which discusses questions of death, nirang, only given us a taste of new writing, but used by female flower vendors. The title of Noshir Dabu ’s book re- With Best Wishes from Mr Rusy M. Shroflf, M.B.E. and Mrs Purviz R. Shroflf I *Jamshed, provides some direction to the presentgeneration ofthe community which continued from page 17 has lost its moorings. To a large extent it uncomfortable in a luxurious household, has drifted away from the basic principles We weren ’t brought up in an orthodox and Brian, Charles ’ son by his first mar- of the ancient faith. household and yet you woke up every riage. The “khichri ” that she speaks at The next section deals with the desecra- ] ' • " * ’ tion oftheholy navjoteceremony; cultural the loban. It purifies you, it makes you links between Iran and India; Irani names ready for the day, ” believes Rustomji- selected for newborn children in Zoroas- train families; and the knotty problem of non-Parsi husbands selected by Parsi girls . powerful a hold some of these rituals have, ” she points out. “To this day I lose my tem­ per if the house is dark when I step in. Chuk (her petname for her husband) knows her own in this city ! that he has to keep one light on. ” The values of manashni, gavashni, kunashni taken Rustomji-Kems to different parts of America, Europe, South East Asia and the grained in her as a child, abide with her but Middle East. Among the places that she she regrets missing out on navjotes and “the overwhelming sense of a jashan ” after residing in America for almost 30 the landscape — “the texture of the earth, years. It was the pursuit of higher education “SURROUNDED BY STORYTELLERS” and distress). Their family stories become my family stories and vice versa. ” Her immediate family though includes Charles household and yet you woke up every morning to the fragrance of grandma doing home has rubbed off on her husband too with the result that his vocabulary includes words like 'ekdam (absolutely) ’ and Kerns who now continues with this ritual "phataphat (quickly). ’ When in Bombay in her own home. “It is surprising how she indulges in the care and concern of family members like for instance her pa ­ ternal aunt who insists that Roshni have a companion and not commute by taxi on The open letter, Parkomi Jamai, is parti ­ cularly addressed by the author to Parsi girls who so freely walk out of the commu ­ nity fold. But Dabu also wishes it to be taken note of by Parsi boys. The letter is rather long, running into six printed pages (good thoughts, words and deeds), in- (69 to 74) and serves a heavy dose of advice. Section three consisting of five topics in versified form, is weak and trite. The first topic, 'Pasti' deals with the human weakness of preserving unwanted, useless things in life. But at the same time it is suggested that human beings carelessly that took Roshni to the States. Her school- allow their minds and souls to be cluttered with evil thoughts and sinful actions. The School for Parsi Girls and Karachi ’s Mama may not be able to recollect all the people simile is far-fetched. Other topics in the Parsi Girls High School. After two years of from her past, their voices have left a firm section are: Who am I?, Fountain of studv at the Colleee of Home Economics imnrint ' Knowledge, ’ 'Etlun to Karjo Nabi' — a prayer to the Creator for the dear departed souls. Prani Pukar is about the agony of University in Beirut. She spent six years in hunted birds. 'Antar-ni-Aag' tells of the Lebanon and thence proceeded to the Duke was uaiciy lu. u iouk me years lo realize j soulful repentance of a Parsi girl who University in North Carolina to do her the impact I had. Overnight, old friends married outside the community; and ] ¦ ~ " • > •• • - — ’ Sodagar deals with Satan ’s call to human her field of study being comparative litera- Her sojourns, most of them solo, have would like to visit are China and Peru. What she misses of Bombay and Karachi is the sounds, the smells. I think it is the same for a lot of us expatriates. The birds — the crows, sparrows, parrots — the bougain- ing was at Bombay ’s J. B. Vachha High villae, ” she cites in particular. Though she School for Parsi Girls and Karachi ’s Mama study at the College of Home Economics imprint, in Karachi she opted to go to Lebanon where she graduated from the American She also carries with her ehildhood memories of the Indian struggle for free ­ dom; of Pakistan ’s partitio^from India: “I was barely 10. It took me years to realize masters. For her PhD she went to Berkeley, disappeared and new ones came. We never - r _____ understood why. One day we were speak ­ beings to follow him in life by rejecting the ture, Sanskrit and Greek. ________________ ing Marathi. The next day we had to learn path of truthfulness and purity. Spanish is another language Rustomji- Urdu. Karachi was a small quiet town and The fourth and the last section begins Kerns is conversant with. In fact bits of one fine day we found it jammed with again with an open letter to young Parsi Spanish are woven into her novel. “There people... ” boys and girls. “Yuvan tun kon ChheT' is a is a lot of me, lot of my friends in this no- Indian music and dance have always fervent plea to the youth to sincerely fol- .................. ~ • low the ways of Ahura Mazda. 'Dukhi Thavaun Chhe to Bhale' is the topic of the Hispanic culture, Rustomji-Kems found the need to learn Spanish. “The texture of life in Mexico, ” she says, “reminds me of enthusiast who had tsained in modern dance my childhood. ” Since her first visit to the in America for several years until a back city (Mexico is the world ’s largest city, she problem compelled her to discontinue. Af- I ter learning the piano at length, she regrets ture, Sanskrit and Greek. Spanish is another language Rustomji- Kerns is conversant with. In fact bits of is a lot of me, lot of my friends in this no ­ vel, ” she declares. Being a frequent visitor captivated her, acknowledges Rustomji- to Mexico and always being interested in Kerns, particularly Bharat Natyam dan- ' J I cing. Given a chance of .another life she would love to learn this art, confesses the 24th article; it advises the reader to live without too much grumbling against ad ­ verse circumstances. Accept life as it is — with its clouds and sunshine. The last three articles have nothing informs us) 22 years ago when lack of hotel 1 ’ ’ / \ J.__ ___ much to say. They are insipid, written with accommodation had led her to the house of that she did not pursue it and is now totally ~ ~ ~ out of touch with the keyboard. Just as she misses the landscape, she offer of bed and breakfast, Rustomji-Kerns also misses company, Rustomji-Kems has must have returned to that city umpteen times. Now she is almost a part of their a too obvious desire to counsel readers. Signora Glafira Cruz Porras with whom They employ wornout images, they lack she had boarded for a while, accepting her artistic skill. "" .......................* - ¦ Phool Chhab sadly suffers from a pau ­ city of thoughts, too generous slices of advice and incorrect usage of words. For family and in fact they would not consider example, ‘KeriRasnePooliniMehfilJame' holding a social function of importance in on page 3, and 'Jeevanthi Parvadi Hath Masalta Raheshe' on page 101. The cor ­ rect Gujarati words are ‘Keri Rasne Poori and ‘Jeevan thi Parvari.' The book is also burdened with a sprinkling of wrong spell ­ ings (jodni) all over the 101 pages. realized. “A model of someone older. ” Someone like her father. Observing him grow old with grace she feels “it’s like a gift. No complaints; no envy of youth and her absence, smiles Rustomji-Kerns. on the contrary immense joy to be with the Removed from their close families, “a youth. ” Contemplating at length on the lot of us immigrants make families, ” she choice of an appropriate model to pattern notes. “Not just for social outings pun oneself on she finds that now “I have dukh-sukh ma oobha thai leva (those who can be counted upon in times of happiness become a model for the younger people. It’s a scary thing... ” 40 Parsiana April 1996MILESTONES This issue of Parsiana presents data for the months of March and April 1996. As the marriage regis ­ ter was not currently available at the Bombay High Court, the data on marriages for these two months will be published in the May ’96 issue of Parsiana. There were 147 Zoroastrians consigned to the Towers of Silence while 33 babies were born during these two months. The major killer, heart disease, claimed 53 lives of whom 22 were 80 years and above. Twenty-five deaths were attributed to respiratory diseases and 12 to cancer. General debility and old age took a toll of 10 lives, whereas eight patients succumbed to brain disease. Kid­ ney failure and diabetes claimed four victims each and head injuries, three. Septicemia, circu ­ latory disease, gastro-enteritis, gastro-intestinal bleeding, liver disease, bronchitis and Parkin ­ son ’s disease were responsible for two deaths each. There were 14 isolated cases registered for the two month period. They were: hepatitis, malaria, tuberculosis, uremia, thrombocytopenia (a re ­ duction in the number of platelets in the blood), neuro-muscular dystrophy, intestinal obstruction, nervous disorder, hernia, asthma, miscarriage, accident and peri ­ tonitis (inflammation of the deli ­ cate serous membrane which lines the abdominal and pelvic cavi ­ AHMEDABAD D ied Freny Marshall, wife of Ratan and mother of Rustom on March 23, 1996 BOMBAY B orn A boy to Meherangir and Jamshed Rangoonwala’ , March 5 A girl to Shemaz and Homiyar Bhumgar; March 8 A boy to Navaz and Darayus Marolia’ , March 9 A boy to Farida and Adil Sahukar, March 9 A boy to Firangiz and Eric Sethna’, March 9 A girl, Ayesha, to Tanaz and Mark Selwyn’ , March 11 A girl to Farida and Vizak Ankleshwaria’ , March 12 ties). Two girls, aged 11 and 19, a 40-day-old baby boy and a pre ­ mature female child were lost to the community. The oldest to die was a 101-year-old lady. The Zoroastrian life expectancy at birth in Bombay, was 75 years for the two month period. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by various newsletters and anjumans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This information is not always complete or consistent: we are unable to carry data from areas where the anjumans do not furnish the particulars; the birth figures for Bombay are supplied by four hospitals — births in suburban hospitals and private nursing homes are not included unless individuals send us infor ­ mation together with a copy of the birth certificate. There may be an inadvertent repetition of names in the marriage list when a civil marriage precedes a religious ceremony. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, es­ pecially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of 1 Aspandiyar Khodadad Irani several diseases. If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would like published, some proof to ensure Dinamai Edulji Engineer (92), the veracity of the report would be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us. A boy, Firdous, to Bakhtawar and Percis Sat ha’ , March 13 A boy, Farzan, to Phiroza and Mehernosh Surti’ , March 13 A boy to Rashna and Rayomand Choksi’, March 16 A girl to Jesita and Rajiv Mehra’ , March 18 A boy to Pervin and Percy Wadia ’, March 22 A girl to Pervin and Darayush Contractor, March 25 A girl to Gulshan and Mhernoos Bhesania’ , March 27 A boy to Shehnaz and Kaizad Dumasia’, March 31 A boy, Meheryar, to Gulshan and Rohinton Kasad’ , April 1 A boy to Ketayun and Kurosh Fallahzadeh’ , April 8 A boy to Renu and Rointan Katrak’ , April 9 Twins (boys) to Delna and Tarvinder Singh’, April 9 A boy to Khushman and Khushroo Cooper, April 10 A girl to Tanaz and Firoz Batliwalla’ , April 13 A girl to Shernaz and Yazdi Barooliwalla’ , April 16 A girl to Roshan and Neville Deboo’ , April 18 A boy to Yasmin and Nariman Khan’ , April 18 A boy to Rukshana and Hirji Choksy’ , April 19 A girl to Firozi and Adarbad Motafram’ , April 22 A girl to Mahtab and Burzin Daruwalla’ , April 24 A boy to Avan and Fredy Bam’ , April 25 A boy to Aban and Kiran Deohans’ , April 25 A boy to Phiroza and Yezdi Patel’ , April 25 A boy to Gitanjali and Bahadur Dastoor, April 27 A girl to Zarine and Dinsha Singpoorwala’ , April 27 A boy to Anahita and Kersasp Mistry’ , April 30 D ied (65), residing at Sukh Shanti Clny, Chai D/4/6, Tisgaon, Kalyan (E), 421301; March 2 E/2, Bhiwandiwalla Ter, Dhobitalao, 400002; March 3 Khodi Behram Irani (73), G/14, Godrej Bang, Nepean Sea Road, 4(X)036; March 3 Khorshed Jamshed Petigara (74), Jaiphal Ter, 31, Forjett St, 400036; March 3 < Coomi Pestonji Sethna (80), Panthaki Hse, 19, Turner Rd, Bandra 400050; March 3 Ratanbai Minocher Mirzan (82), 704, Brighton Tower, Lokhandwalla Complex, Andheri (W), 400053; March 4 Freny Maneckshaw Mistry (84), D/2, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; March 4 So hr ah Navalshaw Patwa (JAr), 4/4, E. M. Est, 291, S. V. Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; March 4 Maneckshaw Darabshaw Anklesaria (87), 3/B, High Peak Apts, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; March 5 'Soli Ardeshir Palkhiwalla (11'), Naoroji Hse, Naigaum Cross Rd, Dadar, ’400014; March 5 Jer Minoo Wadia (76), 619, Banoo Mans, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 5 ’ Sheroo Savak Gamat (79), 16, Shiv Sagar, Worli Hill Rd, 400018; March 7 Nerisa Bobby Khambatta (11), 7/18, Blossom Hsg Soc, Maroshi Rd, Marol, Andheri (E), 400059; March 7 Purviz Burjor Vakharia (68), Seervai Bldg A, 20/G, Sleater Rd, 400007; March 7 , Rusi Kaikashroo Bhagwagar (75), 247, Veera Hse, Dr Cawasji Hormusji St, Dhobitalao, 400002; March 8 Freni Homi Mistry (67), 275/L, Old Master Bldg, Chikalwadi, Tardeo Rd, 400007; March 8 Kolan Darabsha Hataria (74), 5, Petit Block, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; March 9 Kety Kaikhusru Daruwalla (82), Shirinbai Dinshaw Mody Hostel, 83-A, Annie Besant Rd, Worli Naka, 400018; March 10 Vicaji Man&fkji Engineer (97), 599, Sharma Nivas, Jame Jamshed Rd, Matunga, 40001^; March 10 Tehmurasp Dinshawji Pavri (79), D/16, Godrej Baug, Nepean Sea Road, 400036; March 10 Khorshed Russi Boyce (64), C/610, Usha Ngr, Khandelwal Marg, Bhandup, 400078; March 11 Manijeh Jamshedji Doriawala (93), Rusi Mehta Bldg, Dinbai Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; March 11 Bapsy Kersi Edibam (65), R/17, Shapurji Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; March 11 Khorshed Minoo Chinoy (78), 327, Bhesania Bldg, S.B.S. Rd, Fort, 400001; March 12 Jer Soli Cooper (64), 648, Kaka Bldg, Firdoshi Rd, Dadar, 400014; March 12 Gustadji Pestonji Dehnugara (80), 65, Firoz Villa, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; March 12 Shahrukh Nariman Kapadia (49), 10, Cama Bldg, Marzban Clny, Gilder Lane, 400008; March 12 ' Savaksha Munchersha Shahuna (82), 1/25, A. H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; March 12 41 Parsiana April 1996 I• 'Alloo Sorabji Bharucha 5, Dina Bldg, Shrikant Palekar Marg, Chirabazar, 400002; March 13 Homi Kawas Bharucha (60), 604/D, Lady Jehangir Bd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; March 13 Khorshed Cawasji Fitter (72), 18/6, Mahalaxmiwalla Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; March 13 Nerges Nusserwanji Talaty (85), M/32, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; March 13 Put Ian Rustomji Adajania {^1), 5, Turner Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; March 14 Mehramai Phirozshah Bilimoria 4, Quest-End, Cuffe Parade, 400005; March 14 Sorabji Cawasji Elavia (76), R/20, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; March 14 Dhun Pherozeshaw Shrojf {^1), K/13, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; March 15 ' Tehmina Jalejar Batki (jJl), di, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; March 16 Goolestan Cavasji Engineer (80), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes Rd, 4(X)007; March 16 Perin Jamshed Amroliwala (86), 5/BC, High Peak Apts, 20/A, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 4(XX)50; March 17 Mani Manekshah Bhadha (80), Burjor Bldg, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; March 17 Farrokh Munchershaw Bhesania {JS), 8, Asha Mhl, N. Gamadia Rd, 400026; March 17 Khorshed Burjorji BUlimoria (89), A/28, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; March 17 Kersy Darab Kutar (84), Nanabhai Chmbs, Rustom Sidhwa Marg, Fort, 400001; March 17 Goolbai Gustad Irani (80), 25, Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; March 17 Minoo Ardeshir Katrak (89), 72/B, August Kranti Marg, 400036; March 18 '1. Mahiar Maneksha Dastur (75), B/2, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; March 19 1 Minoo Dossahoy Engineer (86), N/8, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 40(X)27; March 19 Ketie Behramji Katrak (80), Central Studio Bldg, Tardeo Rd, 400034; March 19 Amy Burjor Mehta (68), Dalamal Apts, 15, Cuffe Parade, 400(X)5; March 19 Amy Sorab Pavri (92), 7, Swastik Court, 132, M. Karve Rd, 400020; March 20 Banoobai Fakirsha Anklesaria (83), C/3, Parijat, Patel Est, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; March 21 Tehmina Ardeshir Desai (91), Union Bldg, 54, Sleater Rd, 400007; March 21 Cavas Sorabji Mehta (65), 5/4, Petit Block, M. P. Agiary Lane, Balaram St, 400007; March 21 Darabsha Kawasji Patel (92), Darab Manor, Opp Rly Stn, Gholvad, 401702; March 22 Dinshaw Dorabji Patel (75), 347/A, United Chmbs, Next to Shalimar Talkies, Grant Rd, 400007; March 22 Bomanshaw Nadirsha' Akolawala (86), 14/1, Dhunbaiwadi, Dadabhai Rd, Vile Parle (W), 400056; March 24 Goolbai Framroze Elavia (86), G-2/11, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; March 24 Tehmina Kaikhushru Mistry (90), E/21, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; March 24 Banoo Camaji Bharucha (81), Vatcha Gandhi Fire-temple Comp, Hughes Rd, 400007; March 25 Jehangir Maneksha Katrak (73), C. D. Sethna Bldg, Golanji Hill, Parel Village, 400012; March 25 Pesi Jamshedji Motiwala (54), 8/B, Mota Mans, Tardeo Rd, 400007; March 25 Bachabai Jehangir Batliboi (93), Terrace Cama, Altamount Rd, 400026; March 27 Homi Rustomji Siganporia (73), C/o Eddie Bhot, 1103, Dun Apt, Tardeo Rd, 4(X)007; March 27 _____ ____ _ Nergish Pestonji Captain (70), ' Behram Rustomji Mistry (52), Nawab Manzil, Wadia St, ----- “ Tardeo, 400034; March 28 Najamai Ruttonshaw Nariman (78), R/32, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; March 29 Burjor Jehangir Davar (78), 5/B, Heera-Villa, Pali Rd, 400050; March 30 Roshan Jal Khambata (65), 32/33, Bhavashwar Niketan, August Kranti Marg, 400036; March 30 Meru Tehemurasp Havewalla (57), C/o Sheru, 5, Yogita Bldg, Daulat Ngr, Dahisar (E), 400068; March 31 Jamshed Dorabji Homji (76), Batliwalla Bldg, Zoroastrian Clny, Tardeo, 40(X)34; March 31 '.W Dhun Faramroze Panthaki (77), Beach View, 93, Bhulabhai De^i Rd, 400026; March 31 '^"Iwstom Behram Kermanian (75), 64/9/B, Wadia Bldg, Cawasji Patel St, Fort, 400001; April 1 Perrin Marazban Mehta (78), 5, Sayaji Bldg, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; April 1 Ratan Bhikhaji Patel (64), M/26, Nowroz Baug, Lalbaug, 400012; April 2 Ardeshir Khurshedji Wadia (88), 61, Las Palmas, 20, Little Gibbs Rd, 400006; April 2 Adi Savaksha Engineer (87), Indian Surveyor Hse, Above Kerala Hotel, 315, S. B. Singh Rd, Fort Market, Fort, 400001; April 3 Minoo Kaikhushru Mistry (15), 52/A, Sea Pearl, 7 Bglws, Versova, 400061; April 3 Framroze Rustomji Titina (72), Dr Dadina Bldg, Jehangir Daji St, Sleater Rd, 400007; April 3 Ketty Kaikhushroo Surty (11), 40, Powwalla Bldg, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Rd, Grant Rd, 400004; April 4 Rati Nariman Kapadia (74), 6/4, Tata Mills Co-op Hsg Soc, Elphinstone Rd, Parel, 400012; April 5 Meherbai Barjorji Lal (99), 17, Sheri Hse, Cawasji Patel St, Fort, 400001; April 6 ¦ Mani Erachshaw Khambatta (69), Motiwala Bldg, Proctor Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; April 7 - Dhun Jal Shrojf (66), 41, Aderbad, Hughes Rd, 400007; April 7 ‘Homi Framroze Chothia (68), 194, Talati Bldg, Khetwadi Back Rd, 400004; April 8 Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 10 Soli Dinshawji Siganporia (78), Q/1, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 10 Rohinton Ardeshir Tatary (46), 12/3, Baria Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400036; April 10 Dinoo From Dhondy (66), Kumar Villa, 1st Pasta Lane, Colaba, 400005; April 11 Goal Faredoon Nusserwanji (63), 22, Usha Kiran, Bank of India Bldg, Opp Lallubhai Park, Andheri (W), 400058; April 11 Banoobai Phirojsha Katrak (92), Vimla Sadan, 8, Navroji Vakil St, 400007; April 12 Bejanjee Bomanshaw Surtee (84), 51, Hill Rd, Bandra, 400050; April 12 ^Meharwan Naswarnji Taraporewalla (80), Post Barda, Via Vangoan, Dist Thane, 400601, April 12 Sharukh Jehangir Nanji (45), Om Yogeshwar, Kanderpada, Dahisar (W), 400068; April 13 Shavak Sorabji Tata (90), 29, Jaiphal Ter, Forjett St, 400036; April 13 Bhickoo Bejoh Chinoy (84), G/38, Cusrow Baug,^S. B. Rd, 400039; April 14 Rustamji Faran^i Karanjia (83), Yusuf Bldg, Mehella Patel Agiary Lane, Balaram St, 4(X)007; April 14 Minoo Kaikobad Tarapore (75), 794/C, Family Hse, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 14 J Dolly Jahanbux Bhathena (69), 5, Karani Widow Chwl, Gilder Lane, Tardeo, 400007; April 15 Burjor Nusserwanji Dantra (72), 13, Shri Vallabh Co-op Hsg Soc Ltd, Murbad Rd, Kalyan, 421301; April 15 Ketty Phiroaz (Parushesp) Daruwalia (75), Railway Clny, 4* 42 Parsiana April 1996 36/A, Engineers Bglw, Sunmill Rd, Lower Parel, 400013; Aprils . _ _____ Goal Marzban Master (88), Hill Taloja, 410208; April 15 View, 25, N. S. Patkar Marg, “ 400007; April 9 Rodabe Rus turn Vankadia (60), 35, Vidya Vihar Clny, Chakan Rd, (Dist) Pune, 411001; April 9 Dinshaw Behramji Chinoy (74), 11/2, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; April 10 Mani Savak Choksey (85), Divine Grace, 114, Turner Rd, Bandra, 400050; April 10 Dhunmai (Dhun) Eruchsha Dotivala (83), 4/6, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; April 10 Dolly Minoo Driver (55), F/20, From Sorabji Merchant (81), 602, Shiv Shakti, Caesar Rd, Amboli, Andheri (W), 400058; April 15 Ardeshir Cawasji Todywala (85), E/44, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; April 15 Khorshed Godrej Unwalla (82), 609, Mercury Apts, 4th Cross Rd, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (W), 400058; April 15 Goolbai Meherji Bharucha (82), Chhatriwala Bldg, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; April 16 Mani Kaikhushroo Chinoy (86), 751, Rustom Villa, Dr GhantiRd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 16 Dhunmai Jehangirji Vajifdar (101), 91, Cuffe-Castle, Cuffe Parade, 400005; April 17 ¦ 'Ratanshah Manekji Bhura (79), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes Rd, 400007; April 18 Villie Ker si Chavda (19), C/o Noshir D. Chavda, A/201, Bafna Apts, Mugal Lane, Matunga (W), 400019; April 18 Rusi Maneckshaw Daruwalla (78), 319, Samudra Mhl, Dr Annie Besant Rd, 400018; April 18 'Jamshed Rustum Ahrestani (84), 18, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; April 19 ip Baby girl of Jasmine Hormaz Daruwalla (miscarriage), C/20, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; April 19 ¦^‘ Najamai Ratansha Katrak (95), Gamadia Bldg, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; April 19 '¦ Nariman Ardeshir Palkhiwala (66), 785/A, M. Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 19 Bhikan Shapurji Govadia (92), 600, Bachan Manor, Jame Jamshed Rd, Matunga, 400019; April 20 Eduljee Jamshedji Nilgiriwala (80), E/22, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; April 20 -' Goolhai Erachshaw Taraporewalla (87), E/10, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; April 20 _____ , . ¦ Gool Framroz Mirza (74), AJh, Sarosh 'jamshe7Irani (39) 6 Tardeo Chmbs, Cassinath Rd, - • Tardeo, 400034; April 21 Jeroo Rusi Patel (65), Lam Bldg, Delisle Rd, Lower Parel, 400013; April 21 Jal Minocher Pavri (65), 650, Karani Charity Bldg, Firdoshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 21 Homi Jehangir Presswalla (86), Presswalla Bldg, 190, Lamington Rd, 400007; April 21 Rusi Pirojsha Sidhwa (67), 4, Sheetal, Chirabazar, 400()02; April 21 ' Ramyar Darabshaw Sukheswalla (76), 788, Avabai Mans, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; April 21 Banoo Eruchshaw Gandhi (78), 3/8, Panthaky Raug, Sanatorium Rd, Hargovindas Marg, Andheri (E), 400069; April 23 Dhunbai Manchersha Tata (2,5), -F Kety Cooverji Mistry (45) F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, ............. Hughes Rd, 400007; April 23 BORN Boys Girls A 21 12 43 Parsiana April 1996 TOTALS FOR 1996 Bombay B A India B A World B 34 26 3 1 1 3 MARRIED Parsi Intercommunal DIED CONSIGNED Male Female CREMATED Male Female 63 84 64 17A 142 167 1 6 7 2 3 26 19 13* 6* A: Total numbers in this issue B: Running totals for 1996 (February-March 1996-April 1996 issues) '' Males married out - 9 Females married out - 8 * Overseas deaths are listed in the consigned column as Parsiana does not have a breakup of those cremated. UISSSiJSf '"•O'^ation provided to or collected by Parsiana. They do not reoresent the total number of births, marriages and deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India and Xld (’'Mani Jamasp Tata (80), Husanali Bldg, 5, Jijibhai Dadabhai Lane, Fort, 400001; April 23 '' Mani Sorabji Wachagandhi _________ (93), 6, Nadirsha Dinshaw Bldg, Jamshedji Tata Bldg, Vv Rd 2, Babulnath Rd, 400007; _ . April 24 A^ Keki Rustom Avari (81), Shroff Mans, N. Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; April 26 Perin Sorabji Colabawalla (86), 38, Dubash Bldg, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Fort, 400(X)l; April 28 Mani Jal Laskari (86), 5, Bandra (W), 400050; April 28 Khorshed Dali Mistry Ifil), Mistry Hse, 49, 3rd Marine St, Dhobitalao, 400002; April 28 'Bahadur Byramji Udwadia (IW), Kavarana Bldg, Dadar Cross Rd, 400014; April 29 Aris Zarir Patel (40 days), BJl, Godrej Baug, Off Nepean Sea Rd, 400036; April 30 Rati Ardeshir Petigara (79), Hornby View, Rustom Sidhwa Marg, Fort, 400001; April 30 20/3, Mod^Clny, Camp, 411001; March 15 Nanabhai Jejeebhoy (?,7), Viloo Villa, Church Rd, 41io6,; March 19 Ardaiviraf Nosherwan Irani ((>3), Alh, Hermes Tower, 618, Sachapir St, 411001; March 19 4^ * Engineer Hse, Dhobitalao, 400002; April 26 ir ‘Mani Kaikhusroo Khambatta (83), New Khan Bldg, Chikalwadi, Tardeo, 400007; April 26 k'^Nusserwan Dhunjisha Mistry (74), 4, Mody Trust Bldg, Parel Tank Rd, 400012; April 26 U Dina Maneckji Mody (80), Navaz Mans, 25, S. B. Rd, 400039; April 26 ; Gool Jal Adaggra (87), 11, Vikas, 31, Peddar Rd, 400026; April 27 Eruch Jehangirji Billimoria _______ (75), Kashinath Bldg, Kashinath Firdose Vandrevala; March 14 St, Tardeo, 400034; April 27 Jehangir Fardoonji Dhalla (76), Sorab Manor, Henry Rd, Colaba, 400005; April 27 Aloo Eruch Engineer (75), 594, Wadia Bldg, J. S. S. Rd, 400002; April 27 CALCUTTA M arried Shehnaz Dalal and Sudeep Roy; April 19 D ied Najoo Kapadia, wife of Homi and mother of Aspi and Jeroo Jamshed Kotwal, son of Soona and Ardeshir and brother of Piloo Gan; April 30 Khalakdina Ter, Gowalia Tank, 400036; April 27 POONA D ied Gool Rustom Sethna (102), Bund Garden Rd, 411001; March 11 Gulbai Kekashru Writer (92), SURAT D ied Hormasji Fakirji Variava (92), Vegalpur, Parsiwad. Broach, 392001; March 1 Homai Jalejer Bhagat (86), Umra Jakat Naka; March 10 Dinamai Ardeshir Tavadia (82), Diwanjiwadi, Rustompura, 395002; March 12 Rustamji DosabHoi Patel (Bhesania) (65), Divali Baug, Athwa Lines, 395001; March 16 Bepsi Manchersha Katpitia (80), 11/2429, Muglisara, 395003; March 27 Eruchshaw Ardeshir Billimoria (80), Near Nagarelas ’ Wadi, Shahpore, 395003; April 3 CORRECTION A boy, Zal, was born to Farinaz. and Marzin Shroff. The mother ’s name wa,s mistakenly printed as Parizad h Parsiana, February-March 1996. The error is regretted. Compiled by Roxana A. Driver IIN MEMORIAM Jungalwalla: indoctrinating health Parinaz Gandhi a latrine be built near her hut also. Refusing the payment, Jungalwalla assured her that a latrine would be built for her too. When the sanitary engineer objected saying it was outside the purview of the Institute, the doctor answered that the payment would be borne by him personally, the incident was reported in The National Medical A firm believer in the efficacy of prayers. Journal of India (November-December Died: Dr Nowshir Kaikobad Jungalwalla, 82, founder director of the Government of he had related to his wife Piloo, reputed for 1995). On another occasion an old peasant India ’s National Institute of Health Edu- her discourses and books on the Zoroas- who wanted to show his appreciation to the cation and former director of the World trian religion, the incident when he was on doctor, came to him at the Institute with his Health Organization ’s (WHO) Health Unit, duty with an ambulance brigade engaged life ’s savings, all in small coins, totalling on May 8, 1995 following Alzheimer ’s in mine sweeping and the explosion of a several thousand rupees. With the donor ’s disease at London ’s Ealing Hospital. mine hit two men — killing one and injur- consent it was decided to use the money to Referring to Jungalwalla as “one of his country ’s most distinguished medical sci ­ entists ” Morocco ’based Dr K. W. C. Sin- clair-Loutit who had in the 1950s worked post, he fervently prayed the Yatha. An- with Jungalwalla at the newly started South other occasion when Jungalwalla had to East Asia regional office of the World Health Organization in Delhi, acknow ­ ledged in his condolence letter, “I did indeed appreciate his professional leadership and even more his human qualiti ­ es of kindness and of humor. ” Jungalwalla had then been appointed consultant, venereal diseases, by the WHO. There ­ after he served a three-year term as WHO’s first represen ­ tative to Indonesia. A certifi ­ cate of appreciation from the Indonesian health ministry as also two large wooden panels carved by Balinese Yatha in thanksgiving, artists was that country ’s way of showing their gratitude. Two decades later he was appointed the WHO representative to India, public health commissioner, ministry of The story of how Jungalwalla had earn- education. Government of India. In the in- ed his Order of the British Empire (among terim period between his WHO appoint- the last Indians to be conferred that distinc ­ tion) as a doctor in charge of a military hos- institutes in India. As acknowledged Dr P. pital during World War II, is interestingly K. Khosla, secretary of the National Aca- College of Physicians which appointed narrated by Sinclair-Loutit. Able to satisfy demy of Medical Sciences (India), Jungal- almost all the whims and fetish of the gen ­ eral relating to cleanliness and neatness, Jungalwalla so impressed his inspector a national loss “particularly (for) the medi- that he was even invited to dine at the divi ­ sional headquarters — a rare privilege! When the doctor was called up for war service, he was posted somewhere in a desert in Egypt, notes his bio data. He was given the charge of the venereal diseases kind in South East Asia. Identifying remo- section of a 1,000-bedded hospital. As te villages in need of fresh water and sani- remarked Col K. N. Khosla commander of tation was part of his job. On one such trip the hospital, “If Nowshirbh.ai says 'koshish he was approached by a poor woman who karunga (I will try), ’ the take it from me that the work is done. ” her discourses and books on the Zoroas ­ trian religion, the incident when he was on r • 44 Parsiana April 1996 ¦ in mine sweeping and the explosion of a mine hit two men — killing one and injur ­ ing another. Carrying the dead man in his help treat tuberculosis, arms while giving cover to the other with his body until they reached the first aid achievement was ’the founding of the Na ­ tional Institute of Health Education, ” Gov ­ ernment of India, later renamed the Na ­ tional Institute of Health and Family Plan ­ ning, states his wife. Among Jungalwalla ’s doctor, insisted on serving him other appointments with the Government during the Delhi riots of 1946. Once when Jungalwalla was driving to a hospital in old Delhi, he was held up by a gang of armed hooligans who cal Sciences, mentions hi^bio data, insisted on inspecting his car. They saw an old, torn, army blanket lying crumpled near the Rangoon University winning a gold the back-seat of the car, never suspecting that the Pathan lad lay trembling beneath it. They was conferred the Fellowship of the Royal waved the car on, the doctor reciting the College of Physicians. It was a decade la ­ ter that he was awarded a fellowship to do his masters in public health from the Johns fall back on the Yatha was when an order ­ ly, a young Pathan lad dedicated to the 4® “Nowshir himself felt that his greatest of India were as additional director gen ­ eral, health, an^ as convenor and honorary treasurer, National Board of Examinations affiliated to the All India Institute of Medi- Jungalwalla, whose roots were in Burma, had earned his MBBS degree from 4* medal for standing first class first. After his MD he proceeded to London where he In 1946 Jungalwalla had reverted to civilian life, working for a while as deputy Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. The expertise that he had gained over the years was put to use by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific ments the doctor was building up health and Cultural Organization), the Union Pub- ¦ ..... ...................* ~ lie Services Commission as also the Royal walla “evinced keen interest in the promo ­ tion of medical sciences. ” His demise was cal profession and different organizations including ours, ” he added. He served as director of the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Calcutta, reportedly the only institute of its him consultant. The last named organi ­ zation appointed him their first represen ­ tative in India. To Jungalwalla goes the distinction of being listed in the Indian Who’s Who, as also the British, American and Canadian Who’s Who. Despite his fail ­ ing health and the onset of Alzheimer ’s disease in 1993, the American Biographi ­ cal Institute nominated him Man of the Year in 1992 and 1994 and conferred on him an honorary professorship in 1993. Jungalwalla is survived by his wife Piloo, and son Hoshang who is a consultant was willing to part with her worldly wealth psychiatrist in geriatrics affiliated to the of two rupees to reinforce her request that National Health Service, UK. «