Jun 1996

f I JUNE 1996 Rs 22 I I I f j I b< I '>j .'•i Petit vsjejeebhoy ;i. fl * •Xi I I f^- b Tkenght Tfw Parsi Puncfiayet 1906 >un.•rrjrnsotiij;.rJ»Mgsirrrg..m.' wr 1 '6. ^^3 - ® Ms Diinavaz Vanava with BPP trustees Dinshaw Mehla and Lngitteer lAhiive right) Ms Thirty Tateyarkhan, Variava, Shroff and TaleyarkJian at the inaugural Marfalia: "growing year after year associate ourselves with the programs and the prospects and the development of our country," leading to a vista of “Parsis in minority, but Parsis in command," in India and elsewhere. Variava urged the youdi to “come into the legal profession (where) there is a dire need of good, competent people... To sue ceed a.s a counsel, apart from just intelli ­ gence and knowledge of law, you require a certain aggressiveness... because your opponent will be trying to run you down appreciation of pretty young women, Ma- nek.shaw concluded his roll call of Parsi achievers in India with this little gem: “In the marital sphere too wc did nut do badly. We prtxluced a bride for Mohammed Ali Jinnali. We produced a groom for Indira Gandhi. We ’ve also produced our share of crooks. Way.4)ack in 1970 we produced a Parsi who did away with lakhs,and lakhs of rupees... and when I was bom, we had a Parsi named Cynis whdfcwas sent to jail (when the Manekshaw family learnt of this they changed the name of the new baby from Cyrus to Sam)." Maneksliaw added*, 'humor' to the list of qualities — integrity, responsible for the Noting that “Ireinendous opportunities exist in our own country," Forbes referred loyalty, hard work to the 196(ls when a foreign exchange community ’s success, crunch first prompted the J. N. Marshall group of companies to venture into manu- and very often, a firm judge like myself lacturing, much against the grain of J. N. will be running you down. There you have to combat and to deal in a manner which does not cause any offence. Tliis is not a simple thing to do. ” According to Darius Rhappu, an ex customs officer who is president of the Rustoiu Baug Association, rhe HPY is intended to inculcate in the participants a spirit of.sharing and receptivity to the ideas of others. "Tolerance is one of the greatest virtues and a very important aspect ot Hindu philosophy, but for which oui fore ­ fathers would have been pushed into the sea... Tlie basic idea of the IIPY is Io learn to live together with the spirit of accom ­ modation." The HPY has'instilled in the youth "a legitimate pride of then ancestry and reli- gitius heritage. It has brought together the best of the community to give their best to thecommunity ’s future its youth," noted Ervad Ratnyar Karanjia, principal of the Athornan Boarding Madressa at Dadar. Il has become tlie tradition for the UPP board ’s senior trustee (the senionnust after the chainnan) Iti chair the inaugural func ­ tion and the BPP chairman to preside over the valedictory event. Accordingly man agement consultant and Raymond Limited vice president Shroff presided over the in- that we went all out to see that anything augural funetion.^In the absence of BPP that wc did was the best (just) as you ’ve been told now, and that if you wanted to succeed, you had to .specialize... Think in term.s of what you feel you are be.sl at... I Engineer, still feel that the organization which 1 have pioneered and succeeded, is still number one as far as that strength and activity is concerned," noted the patriarch who i.s now chairman emeritus of the Forbes Marshall group of companies, lie urged the youth to "stand like a rock" in matters Marshall himself. As recalled his nephew I'orbes, “It was neecssaiy in those years to pioneer everything and we had to he enlrc- prencurs to succeed. We had to make sure diairinan Jainshed Guzder who was out of town, the valedictory function was chaired by RP? trustee and noted solicitor Dadi At both events of what is considered to be iheBPP ’sbestprogram, thePunchayct ’s board was well represented leading Mistree to remark, “I think it is perhaps the only function that I have ever attended where six of the seven Punchayet trustees have been in my midst and it makes me posi- of principle, "swim with the current" in lively nervous... ” Responding to the ban- matters of taste. Manekshaw refused to give any advice; "T hale people giving me advice, so 1 never give advice to anybody." Winning over the audience by his usual mix of humor (much of itself deprecatory) and unabashed ter, Shioff noted, "He is the only formi ­ dable person who said that he is ratlier nervous in the presence of the trustees. At least somebody takes the trustee.s seri ­ ously! Thank you." Placing die Punchayet's concept of the 22 Parsiana June 1996] program on record. Shroff .said, “(It) is to polities and the armed forces where our prepare the youth to face the future with greater confidence, plan a career, dream about the future, and set out a path how they want to achieve." In lhe last 40 looking (only) at the lear mirror. This years the Indian economy had grown 10 times over, opening up opportunities and competition, said Shroff, adding how lhe Parsi.s who made up nine percent of the total population of Bombay a century ago, now barely constituted 0.4 percent of it "and yet we have been able to hold our own." Not so, however, in lhe spheres of as to Maneksitaw: "no doubt in my mind" Awards and salutations: from Silloo Engineer to Hoshedar Wadia (middle, left) and from Maharuk Forbes to Fabian Panthaky; Bhappu, Anklesaria and Master on the. valedictory dais with Engineer speaking (below, left); Forbes, Fhroffand BPP chief executive Behram Laskari: etialuating a month's ejfort at instilling values, promoting competitiveness, generating confidence presence has been declining, and the bu ­ reaucracy where it is now zero, says Shroff. “It is said that you can't drive a car well by applies to life as well. If you plan, you get results. If you don ’t, you gel consequences. A winner has a plan; a loser has an excuse. But the templalion is to take short cuts. Today 1 find that a lot of youth want to t climb right to lhe top, want to get very affluent^ get into the jet set. resort to dubi ­ ous way.s Io achieve temporary success — and society lets you... Al lhe end of the day you must judge yourself (by) your own benchmark, with your own yardstick what did you want to achieve and where you have got, ‘Success ’ comes before ‘work ’ only in lhe dictionary... In life you must have both luck and pluck, but I think pluck is more important. Pluck is great determination; luck is a bonus. ” Speaking of lhe HPY as a program designed “to mold the thinking of the young along lhe right lines, ” Engineer advised the young in lhe words of the 18th century English poet Oliver Goldsmith: "If I am a cobbler, lhe best cobbler I will be/If I am a tinker, no tinker can mend a kellle like me," even as Ije pleaded with the assembled parents and guardians, "Do not force a young man or woman to lake a particular career." In Shroff's words; "I see a distinct pre ­ dilection for women here in terms of orga- •J 4 lJI * 12’' J 23 Psrsiana June 1996 Ii. each and every participant of HPY feels sincere gratefulness to Diana, it is not everyone who realizes the extent of her efforts, richness of her contribution to ­ wards this program... We who have worked with Diana over these years (know) the multiplicity of demands that she has met... There is no denying that (the participants) take away a little bit of Di with them as so many of us have done over the years... So Diana, thanks for HPY, and more impor ­ tantly, thanks for being you... ” A dazed Marfatia who had been surrep ­ titiously wiping her eyes through Bhuj- wala ’s words of praise, responded with “I am growing year after year only because of your affection and respect, ” and was greeted are headed, ” and assured Martatia, Monaz by a second standing ovation by the youth. Manekshaw ’s words fittingly described the emotions prevailing over the Rustom HPYteamoforganizers, “We(have)started Bang lawn: “For generations the Parsi striving for excellence and I promise you youth has been told by their fathers that the we will continue to do so. ” An impromptu speech by co-organizer Wadia-said, “We not only understand our ­ selves better today but we know where we Excellence comes from a certain religious perception which I believe Zoroastrianism Qi' 5? nizing. ” With the exception of former BPP petition we are quite used to, ” attested chief executive Rustom Anklesaria who participant Hoshedar Wadia. In addition continues as its honorary advisor (projects). Dr (Ms) Mehroo Bengalee, BPP trustee and ex vice chancellor of Bombay Uni ­ versity, was known to have been the initiator of the project and Ms Sheroo Master, the Punchayet ’s additional joint secretary, has supported it every step of the way. The principals of Parsi schools like Ms Roshan Driver of the BJPC, Ms Daulat Doongaji of the New Activity, Ms Khorshed Bharucha of the J. B. Vachha High School have been actively associated with the project. Doongaji (who has contributed two tro- off CFS extremelv WCll phies to help enthuse the children on cur- rent affairs and on health, hygiene and diet as she believes “Parsi diet is very, very ;....................... " ' ' ' wrong, especially lagan-nu-bhonu — too Tarapore, Priya Bhujwala, Urvakshi much protein and everything fattening ”) is Mistry, Burzin Mehta and others on the keen that the Punchayet create a course for the benefit of teachers — “a refresher course to prevent them from stagnating. ” To the participants, “the essence (of the HPY) is that you do things that you would Bhujwala was an index to the success of never have dreamt of doing. For example, a month ago half of us musn ’t have dreamt of being in afashion show!... (But) nothing was haath ka khel (sleight of hand). Every ­ thing had to be planned out and worked pants demonstrated beyond doubt where hard at, which is why today healthy com- Marfatia stood in their esteem. “Although Parsi youth is deteriorating. My father said the same thing of my generation. People are saying the same thing about you. Don ’t believe it. You have inherited in your the HPY and particularly of the efforts of Martatia, though it obviously caught the blood the genes of your ancestors. I have latter by surprise. A standing ovation and resounding cheers from the young partici- no doubt in my mind that in the future some of you — I hope most of you — will do as well for the community as pas't Parsis have done... ” . C0NTUCTJI.O1.M. 25 Parsiana June 1996 4* *HISTORY COVER STORY The Parsi Punchayet Case — 1 Challenging the trustees In the absence of approval from the anjuman the Punchayet could not claim to be constituted of duly authorized trustees, alleged the plaintiffs Should the entire community have a say in the election of trustees of the Bombay Par ­ si Punchayet? There is a constant fear that by disregarding the present scheme for October 1981 to March 1983. In four epi- , — --------- 1 sodes, beginning this issue, we will be Cama and Bomanji Dinshaw Petit. The verdict on the latter issue had been serialized over 16 issues of Parsiana from Bombay Punchayet funds and properties. The judgment on this topic is being carried almost in its entirety barring those references which-are technical, or of com ­ mon knowledge to the community, or re ­ petitions of statements made earlier. Minimal editing and stylistic corrections have been undertaken to facilitate smooth reading. ^he first instalment gives an account of the origin and necessity of establishing the Punchayet as a^overning body to regulate the internal affairs of the community. The nature and constitution of the earlier * Punchayets is analyzed in the second instalment such that it establishes “beyond all doubt that the right of electing members of the Punchayet always was in the general body of the Parsi community of carrying at length Justice Daver ’s opinion Bombay. ” In the subsequent instalments we leant election of trustees, a time-honored insti ­ tution may be abused and po- , wer may vest in the wrong hands. Many community members may not be aware that original ­ ly the Punchayet, whose selec ­ tion was ratified by the entire anjuman and in whose hands the affairs of the community were entrusted, were invari ­ ably accountable to the anju ­ man or the community at large. Though the Punchayet mem ­ bers could suggest new names on its body as replacements or additions, it was only after the anjuman sanction was obtained that the changes were recognized as official. These facts come across clearly in The Parsi Punchayet Case (Suit No 689 of (fully supported by Justice Beaman) re- In the subsequent instalments we learn 1906) when in the historic plaint filed by fleeting the careful scrutiny he made of how exigencies of administration necessi ­ tated the appointment of the first four trus ­ tees who assigned to themselves the power of the community...They had themselves to nominate success ‘6r trustees, an authority no legal right to appoint trustees of prop ­ erty that belonged to the community, and they had certainly no right whatever to confer on others the power which they themselves never had. ” The court however noted that the defen ­ dants were of impeccable integrity and honor “and their management of proper ­ ties devoted to charity have been so fair and faultless that not a complaint has been [¦ M Daver and Beaman: in agreement Sir Dinsha Manockji Petit, II Bart and varied documents. In his words, “The mem- others against Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy, IV bers of the Punchayet were the appointees Bart and others, Justices Dinshaw Dhan ­ jibhoy Daver and Frank C. O. Beaman no legal right to appoint trustees of prop- later codified by the deed of 1851. How- ruled on two issues in 1908; whether the erty that belonged to the community, and ever, as per the court ruling, “nothing that Punchayet trustees were validly appoint- they had certainly no right whatever to is subsequently done can validate an act ed and entitled to fill up vacancies in their confer on others the power which they which in its inception was invalid and unau- ranks; whether the funds and properties in themselves never had. ” thorized. ” the custody of the trustees were intended The court however noted that the defen- The original intention of the donors of for all Zoroastrians (including converts) or dants were of impeccable integrity and immovable properties, analyzed in depth only the born Zoroastrians. The six others honor “and their management of proper- by Justice Daver, has been summarized by who joined Petit as petitioners were Sir ties devoted to charity have been so fair Parsiana and carried in parenthesis for Cowasji Jehangir, Rustomji Behramji and faultless that not a complaint has been reasons of brevity. Parsiana has also abri- Jijibhoy, Ratanji J, Tata, Bapuji Sorabji heard against them. ” The judges observed dged the last part of the judgment that " ” refers to the status of the defendants. The developments in the Punchayet after the Patel, Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and that they were forced to remove the trust- Nanabhoy Naoroji Katrak. Arraigned as the defendants were Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, 'Hannusjee 'Edaijee AJbless, Jamsetjee framed, Daver authorized the surviving Cursetjee Jamsetjee, Merwanji Muncherji ees from office on technical defects. Thus, while ordering a scheme of elections to be judgment, presented in the article, have been taked from Sapur Desai ’s History of trustees to once again take charge of the the Bombay Parsi Punchayet: 1860-1960. 26 Parsiana June 1996T I he seven plaintiffs in the suit are mem cised them for some time though they had The ancient documents put in before us bers of the Parsi community of Bom- no legal right to do so. In their plaint the as exhibits are more useful. They extend bay. They profess the Zoroastrian religion, plaintiffs make no charges of misconduct over many years. Out of the documents The five defendants are also members of the same community and profess the same religion... No authentic record exists as to when the Parsis firstcame and settled in Bombay, be declared and established in this suit, but it seems fairly well established that a small number of them were settled in the island some time before it was ceded by the that the right to appoint trustees is in the summer vacation that followed the con- Portuguese to the British as a portion of the general body of Zoroastrians in Bombay, elusion of the hearing of this case...All dowry of Princess Catherine on her mar ­ riage with King Charles II in 1668. They for the appointment of trustees and for the continued to inhabit the island of Bombay, due administration of these funds and pro ­ increased in numbers, and became in time perties, a prosperous and flourishing community - under the British Government. They built and contend that they are validly appointed for themselves many fire-temples and from trustees of these properties and funds and the two principal questions : Are the defen ­ time to time erected dokhmas as the in ­ creasing wants of the community required them. They started many charitable funds and institutions for the benefit of the members of their own community, and as the community grew more numerous and more prosperous, their charitable institu ­ tions and endowments became richer and more extensive. At the present day, there are many valuable immoveable properties in Bombay dedicated for charitable pur ­ poses exclusively for the benefit of their community, and the funds in cash or secu ­ rities dedicated to charities of religious or public nature amount to over 53 lakhs of rupees. These properties and funds are in the custody and management of the five claim that they have the right to fill up known as the Parsi Punchayet. The history defendants in this suit. These properties vacancies in the ranks of the trustees as of the origin of the Punchayet — the and funds came into existence either by such vacancies occur. They say that their vicissitudes it underwent during its exist- public subscriptions amongst the members predecessors in office had a right to fill in ence and its eventual demise — is to be of the community or by gifts and bequests vacancies and that they had continued to gathered from the documents before us. made by individual members thereof. The do so for over 50 years, and they submit This evidence is necessarily of a fragmentary defendants are generally known by the that this arrangement has worked satisfac- description. members of the community as trustees of torily for all these years and that therefore the properties and funds of the Parsi it should not be disturbed and no scheme Punchayet. They have all been appointed should be framed either for the appoint- of some of the wealthy, influential, and trustees by their predecessors in office as ment of trustees or for the administration elderly men of a community or a caste, vacancies occurred by resignation or death ofthe trust properties and funds. This is the Such an institution was wholly unknown amongst them, and they claim to have the first branch of the case... to ancient Persians. It is an institution that power of filling in vacancies in their ranks At the hearing before us, in addition to is essentially Indian. The original Persian whenever such vacancies may occur. The plaintiffs contend in this suit that the parties, a large number of documents ships and sufferings, eventually found a the defendants are not validly appointed have been put in as exhibits and a great peaceful home in India. The Hindus ex ­ trustees. They contend that their immedi- number of passages were read from vari- tended to them a friendly welcome, and, ate predecessors in office were also not ous books — such as dictionaries, histo- out of gratitude for the kindly consider- validly appointed trustees and that they ries, encyclopedias and journals of various ation shown to them, the Persians seem to had no power to appoint the defendants. They claim that the right to appoint trust ­ ees of these charitable funds and properties who had visited India and Persia at differ- bilities. As time passed, they adopted many belonging to the Parsi Punchayet has al ­ ways been vested in the general body of the have been very helpful in forming, our Zoroastrians of Bombay and that the trust ­ ees have usurped those powers and exer- cised them for some time though they had no legal right to do so. In their plaint the against any of the defendants, but they available to them at the present time, both claim that as the right to appoint trustees is parties have put before us such of them as and always has been in the general body of they thought would assist us in deciding Zoroastrians in Bombay, such right should the questions that arise in the case. I have gone through every one of these exhibits with care and attention and the study of They pray for a declaration that the defen ­ dants are not validly appointed trustees — them has absorbed the best portion of the and they ask that a scheme may be framed these exhibits, however, taken together and carefully studied, are sufficient to enable me to come to conclusions which leave my mind, at all events, free from all The defendants deny these allegations doubts... I will now proceed to discuss the first of The most powerful weapon in the hands of the Punchayet has always been the power of excommunication dants validly appointed trustees of the funds and properties belonging to the Parsi Punchayet and now in their possession and under their management, and are they en ­ titled to fill up vacancies in their ranks as they occur? The consideration of this question mainly depends upon the documentary evidence reci^ded by the court. To appre ­ ciate the present position of the defen ­ dants, it is necessary to see how the body known as trustees first vame into exist ­ ence, and for that purpose it becomes necessary to correctly appreciate the con- stitution and position of that ancient body* — now defunct —which was formerly The Punchayet, as I understand the meaning of the word, is a body composed At the hearing before us, in addition to the rather lengthy oral evidence called by emigrants, after undergoing great hard- number of passages were read from vari ­ ous books — such as dictionaries, histo- societies. Also, we were given the benefit have shown great anxiety to do nothing to of the impressions of various travellers wound their feelings or hurt their suscepti- ent times. I do not think that any of these of the customs and usages of their Hindu brethren and copied some of their institu ­ tions. Amongst the institutions they copied was the system of entrusting the power of opinions on the various questions that were argued before us... 28 Parsiana June 1996regulating the internal government of their community in all social and religious mat ­ ters to a committee of a few headmen of BombayTthey hiv^ forall pracS their community. Such a committee has ... been known in India from the most ancient ____ ___ ___________________________ times as the Punchayet. The most powerful caste amongst the many castes that exist i weapon m the hands of the Punchayet for enforcing their orders and behests has al- ways been the power of excommunica ­ tion, which means exclusion from all benefits which a member of the caste is entitled to and ostracism from all social functions and religious rites. We are at present concerned with the Parsi Punchayet as it existed in Bombay. As the Parsis began settling in Bombay and itSAlf trt tKo ArHore Aeir numbers began to increase, they found OraCrS now grown into a large, wealthy, and by no Punchayet was a self-constituted body an uninfluential community of This statement can only be based on sur- US as re- as- pur- were when they first settled in Bombay — a in poses, remained today what they “I do not think any community wouid render obedience to or submit of such a body ” mise. The documents placed before _ the result of elaborate and laborious search by both sides negatives this sumption. The Punchayet exercised certain powers of correction and had the right to impose penalties and inflict punishment on the delinquent members of the caste. Such powers can only be delegated to them by the consent of the caste, and I think no caste would submit to the exercise of those powers unless such powers were exercised by those alone who were chosen by the body of the caste to perform the functions of the Punchayet. It does riot recommend itself to my mind that five, 10, or 15 persons getting together can say we elect ourselves the Punchayet and we will gov ­ ern the members of our community, and I do not think any community would render caste obedience to or submit itself to the orders 'a the people of a community to its chosen headmen. The documentary evidence be ­ fore us as to subsequent election of mem- k , » ---- — sumption that the body in its inception was a self-constituted body. it necessary to have some sort of consti- tu^ authority to govern the internal af ­ fairs of their community, and to check __ __ ___________ and if^necessary punish — social, moral this city. One of the absolute essentials of They regatded themselves in exactly the wholeofthecasteinameehneT,"*^hi'a' The essenhal element of a sanm position as one of the numerous "‘s no.^nchaye, ,s,he delegation of authority hy Hindu castes by whom they were sur ­ rounded. They were in official documents v-ux..v spoken of as the “Parsi caste. ” Although Punchayet the Punchayet is long dead and although the small community of Parsis that first settled in Bombay over 250 years ago has There is no reliable evidence before us as to when exactly the Parsi Punchayet first came into existence and how the first ” . t was <’ ¦ Parsi Punchayet, the late Mr Dossabhoy Framji in his History of the Parsis, at page 217 of Volume I, says that the first Parsi SpeakHg of lhe hers of the Punchayet^egatives the as- 7b be continued 4^ * For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS OF INDIA 29 Parsiana June 1996BUSINESS Behind the White Cloud White Cloud’s Rusy Kapadia is not only committed to making a success of his business but also promoting the cause of small scale industries in India Homi J. Rogers try (SSI) wing to which Kapadia has been Meher Baba whose portrait hangs in the room, business prospered. “Sales figures a unique distinction. doubled in the very first year of my joining Yet Kapadia wears his achievements the company on July 1, 1965,” recalls For 58-year-old Rusy Jal Kapadia life has been, literally, a rags to riches story. Over elected chairman for two successive terms, the past three decades he has made the finest filter paper from rags, steered a family concern founded by his father-in- nonchalantly, almost shrugging them off Kapadia with quiet pride. They have never law into a leading manufacturer of special- with a modesty that could be a journalist ’s looked back since then. ity paper and spawned an equally success- bugbear. He is reticent to speak about The White Clouds have floated happily, ful sister company to pioneer the manufac- himself, preferring to talk, if he must, though there has been the occasional black ture of a wide range of filter pads. “It ’s the about his companies, which he has been lining caused by labor problems about result ofplain hard work, ” affirms Kapadia, ,,, which Kapadia is reticent to speak. “My looking up from a letter he has just put his j father-in-law employed people indiscrimi- signature to, while dedicated staff mem- nately, providing them with housing (in bers buzz around in his longish cubbyhole | HHH kholis) on the factory site, ” says Kapadia, of a cabin which he shares with his sons turned the business round from being Adil and Zubin. It is a Thursday, the weekly holiday in ¦ Pune where Kapadia runs his eminently successful White Cloud Paper Mills and White Cloud Filter Pads Private Limited. But for the portly Kapadia it is business as usual, and he is on the line personally f attending to calls from his clients, follow- b ing up on outstanding dues and carefully ' * examining the samples brought to him. L “Nothing can be achieved without hard w work, ” he states, adding a wee bit reluc- -..p tantly, “We Parsis are too pleasure-lov- ! 1;; ing. ” .,. For Colombo-born Kapadia, 1995 had * been a particularly successful year, as if in vindication o( his lifelong belief that hard work pays. On August 19, he received the Rajiv Gandhi National Unity Award 1995 for excellence. Three months later his valu ­ able contributions were once again recog ­ nized when R. K. Dhawan, minister for retiring in Pune, after spending most of his anti-asbestos lobby by pointing out the urban development, presented him the working life in Iran. “Being active his environmental value of asbestos. “Though Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award ’95. whole life, he felt resting would be equiva- he is not a scientist, he keeps himself well And, as the year came to an end, Kapadia lent to rusting, ” Kapadia says of him. The posted on subjects of his interest, ” says crowned his achievements by organizing a initial sales figure (in 1963-64) was less Thombre. very successful Trade Fair in Pune to com- than Rs 23,000 and “anyone else would And Kapadia, despite being a self-con- memorate the diamond jubilee of the have wound up the show. ” But Karkaria fessed workaholic has several interests Mahratta Chamber of Commerce and In- persisted and, with the help of a jamai which he pursues with the same intensity dustry(MCCI), an association of over 2,0(X) (son-in-law) who seems to have imbibed he brings to his work. Deeply fond of members, which has a Small Scale Indus- the older man ’s work credo and a belief in western classical music —a passion shared. with a modesty that could be a journalist ’s bugbear. He is reticent to speak about labor-intensive to a fully ^tomated unit. Today, the factory is a lean setup with 50 workers and 18 engineers against the ear ­ lier staff strength of over 200, and manu ­ factures around 30 different grades of filter paper to the exacting standards demanded I by reputed industrial concerns and labora- I tones. The crucial aspects of the business * are still looked after by the family mem- I bers themselves. “We deal directly with I our clients, otherwise relationships get I spoilt. ” ' According to Kapadia, the business of manufacture and sale of filter paper and pads “is highly specialized, and calls for a lot of reading and hard work. ” These are two qualities never found lacking in nurturing since 1965 when he was “first Kapadia, and P. G. Thombre, deputy sec ­ brought into the picture. ” His father-in- retary,MCCI, an unabashed fan of his SSI law, Meherjibhai Karkaria, started a small chairman, talks of the time when an “ex ­ unit to manufacture handmade paper on tremely well-read Kapadia ” squashed the J i ¦<» * 30 Parsiana June 1996 i-'ii Mil I IV’ J BEU Kapadia: “highly specialized" business than Rs 23,000 and “anyone else wouldr by the entire Kapadia family — he has been involved with the Poona Music Soci ­ ety. During his 10-year tenure as an active committee member, he organized for the Society (established in 1947) its first ever International Piano Festival Competition with performers coming in from Australia, Europe and Russia. “If I’m not mistaken, ” adds Thombre, “Kapadia was a program associate of Zubin Mehta too, when the latter came to India. ” Last year, as a “true Zoroastrian, and believer in Zoroastrian principles, ” Kapadia made time to be involved in raising funds and organizing charity shows and programs to conunemorate the 150th anni ­ versary of the Sir J. J. Agiary in Pune. “The task of raising the eight lakh rupees re ­ quired for undertaking full repairs on the Agiary seemed daunting, ” admits Kapadia, one of the four members of the local (Pune) managing committee involved in the project. But by spearheading this effort and personally contributing Rs 25,000 to the fund, Kapadia made this figure achiev ­ able. “He is one person who never hesitates to be right in the center of the action, ” mentions Thombre, recalling the time when Kapadia led the Pune contingent of small scale units to demonstrate against excise. Kapadia greeting Narayan, executive director, Bank of Maharashtra, Pune “He is probably the first chairman to do so, ” states Thombre, suppressing a slight chuckle at the thought of his portly but dignified chairman shouting slogans as the procession wended its way through Bombay ’s streets from Azad Maidan to Mantralaya. Kapadia has always been an outspoken man conscious of his rights. When the NCAER (National Council for Applied Economic Research) study on SSI seemed to indict the small scale units in its find ­ ings, Kapadia immediately commissioned an impartial study of the report and orga ­ nized a meeting, through the MCCI, to acquaint the SSI members with the falla ­ cies in it. He is happy that several recom ­ mendations made by him to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for small scale units have now been implemented. “I don ’t believe in socialism or capitalism, ” he laughs, “but only in humanism. ” This ex ­ plains his guiding force in life. His humanism is manifest in one more sphere: family planning. “All our prob ­ lems are linked to over-population, ” claims Kapadia, “be it health, food or housing. ” He is perpetually spreading the message of family planning amongst his staff, and should family planning be introduced on a massive scale throughout India, he would like to take part in such a campaign. His views on family planning are exemplified in his own hum do hamare do family. Kapadia ’s plans for the future are like a mirror reflecting his own life and beliefs. The best testimony to his credo of work is his own approach to it. He wants to add an agricultural wing to the MCCI. This is a natural extension of his own active in ­ volvement in horticulture, and he plans to go into floriculture as well. And his simple mantra to the youth, “make your own way; don ’t be dependent on others, ” is rooted in the poignancy of his having ‘made it ’ despite being orphaned at a tender age. As Kapadia ’fputs his principles into practice, die message of a life well lived filters past with telling transparency. ) Progressives * Distance - - The lens tor uninterupted vision at ditterent ranges distance, mid-distance & reading. Progressives are muitifocai lenses without the tell-tale 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, 2871762 • Dhobi Talao: 614, J.S. Seth Marg, Bombay 400 002. Tel: 201 4006 Parel: J.Menwanji Street, Parel, Bombay 400 012 Tel: 412 6051 32 Parsiana June 1996T ADVERTISEMENT Under the auspices of the M AZDAYASNIE MONASTERIE and the ALL INDIA SHAH BEHRAM BAUG SOCIEPf (for Scientific and Educational Research) The one and only in the world THE ZOROASTRIAN COLLEGE HISTORICAL TOUR OF IRAN commenced with a long coach drive from Tehran Rustom Baug Aglary where the coach driver, Darius Mobed ’s father is the Panthaky. This is a beautiful Fire Temple in lhe heart of a Zoroasirian Colony in the suburbs of Tehran. We drove through Zanjan, Gilan, and Kermanshah provinces viathe world famous All Sadr Limestone caves near Hamadan. The underground lake and stalactite formation are amongst the largest in the world. Al Kermanshah, we caught up with Sassanian history of lhe 4lh and 6th centuries A.D. at Takht e Bostan, where the tragic sculptor Farhad ended his life, after spending a lifetime carving lhe historical bas-reliefs of Emperor Khushro Parviz, in the hope of marrying the Empress Shirin. There too is lhe famous bas relief of the coronation of Shapur I, receiving the Royal Seal from his father Ardeshir Babegan, the founder of the Sassanian Dynasty, with lhe Parthian Emperor Artebanus, conquered and crushed underfoot. In this famous canring the Emperor is seen being blessed by a holy person, whom some historians identify as Mani, the founder of I Manicheanism and others as holy Prophet Zarathushtra. The I former is likely more correct. I Enroute from Kermanshar to Hamadan, (the ancient i Achemenian capital called Ecbalana,) we passed the rock carvings ’ of Darius the Great high up on the cliffs of Bisutoon, overlooking a river on the Great Silk Road, which went from Rome to Chiriavia f Iran. Darius was a great administrator of his vast Empire and constructed the longest and besLroads which merchants with their I caravans could traverse in 3 months from from Babylonia to Central i Asia Khozand and his fleet postal system horses within two weeks. 5 He was an official law maker and administrator and founded the I postal system, banking system, customs duties and taxes and - judicial system which remain a model for the people of today. Here ihe depicted putting down with firm hand the rebellion of 9 kings of different Satrapies who disobeyed his laws. The present Iranian Govt, is busy restoring ancient monuments and it was difficult to get near Hamadan are also rockinscriptions of Darius the Great and ________,___ _______________ _ ____________ ___ ______ his son Xerxes in Cuneiform script in Old Persian, Elamite and <2)ZoroaslnanCollegeDelegationmembersinlronloftheTombofAchemer)ianEmperorCyrusTheGrBatatPasargade—LtoREryadGodrej Babylonian languages. Hamaden is also renowned for the Tajik Sidhwa, Mrs. Roshan Riventa, Mr. Farhad Sidhwa, Mrs. Homai Biilimoria, Dr. MeherMaster-Moos, Mrs. Arnawaz Mirza, Mrs. Roshan Doctor, 10th century scientist Avicenna, father of Unani medicine, and the and to the sides, Mrs. Tehmina Turel, Mrs. Rashida Shahparast and Mr. Cyrus Cama. Tomb of the Jewish Queen Esther, whom 'Jterxes married. Io Tu , I , J J L « annex the kingdom of Susa Io the Empire. We paid homage to The success of any tourprogramme largely depends on the Grace continuously recording lhe entire proceedings, broadcast within Avicenna at his Museum ol^Qod, ar^ the expertise, wllingness to please, and management Iran as well as in foreign countries. The World Congress was ably Zoroastrian Migrations into India originated in various places ability of the Tour Conductor. W^e were blessed with having an organised by Dr. Parang Mehr (formerly Chancellor of Shiraz of Iran and frequently the migrants called their new home in India excehent person in Mr. Sohrab Poormandegarian, a Tehran University)andDr.MahiyarArdeshiri,supportedbytheOrganising afterlheiroriginal home in Iran. From lhe fortress near Neyshapour based Zoroasirian Tour Manager , and thankslo his personal care. Committee Members and the Zoroastrian Women’s Associa- in Khorrassan, named Sanjan, came lhe group led by Mobedan and contacts al local evel throughout Iran, ours was not only the tlons,whohostessedtheexcellentdinnerfunctionseveryevenirig. Mobed Naryosangh Dhaval, who consecrated Iranshah Atash test Tour arnongst all those who visited Iran dunng the 6th World The Speakers from around the World included Mr. Rohinton Behram in “Sanjan ’ India about 1275 years ago The Palace built J T 9'°“P »**!• U.S.A., who suggested the formation of another World by Shapur I at Neyshapur stands ruined by the invading hoardes sttondinythGConyrGss,withpsrsonsfroniIndid,Pakistan,Csnddd nmonieo«nn m ammimama. bi* rv^n.. r*,*...*......- . .. and U.S. A. Sohrab provided us with a Zoroastrian coach driver— a Mobed named Dsryush, a naturally gifted Ambassador of the Zoroasirian Comm unity in Iran. He taught us the Iranian equivalent of the Parsi National Anthem — Chaye Hame Jurtoshti — whose opening words are “Bamdad Asho’, a song which predominated in lhe Opening and Closing Sessions of the World Congress. Sohrab also look great care to provide us with Zoroastrian style Irani food cooked by a lady from near Shiraz, and even senzed vodka and Shirazi wine within the safe precincts of the Agiaiy and Dharamshala complex in the heart of Shiraz, although at all places we stayed at good hotels; and enjoyed the fresh fruits and “maeva ” that Iran is famous for, apricots, cherries, honey-dew melon and watermelon, pistachios and walnuts being included in our daily ZOROASTRIAN COLLEGE Correspondence address: Mustafa Building, (2nd floor), Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Road, Bombay 400001, India, Tel: 2660214 2662950 after hours: 3644737 Fax: Bombay India 022-2662735-A/c 121 & 3634274 A/c 141 6TH WORLD ZOROASTRIAN CONGRESS & PILGRIMAGE TOUR OF HISTORICAL IRAN .... > rv-.. 8 1 a good view of the carving due to scaffolding. At the GanjiMmsh (1) Piesidenl ol Iran Ralsaniani’s daughter, Madame Fatema Seen discussing with Zoroasirian College President Dr. Meher Master-Moos. Sidhwa, Mrs. Roshan Riventa, Mr. Farhad Sidhwa, Mrs. Homai Billimoria, Dr. Meher Master-Moos, Mrs. Amawaz Mirza, Mrs. Roshan Doctor, continuously recording lhe entire proceedings, broadcast within Iran as well as in foreign countries. The World Congress was ably organised by Dr. Parang Mehr (formerly Chancellor of Shiraz Universityland Dr.MahiyarArdeshiri, supported by the Organising Committee Members and the Zoroastrian Women’s Associa ­ tions, who hostessed the excellent dinnerfunctions every evenirig. The Speakers from around the World included Mr. Rohinton Rivetna of U.S.A., who suggested the formation of another World ,, ________ __________________ „y,. Organisation of Zoroastrian Anjumans; Ms. Dolly Dastoor of Gengis Khan. From Sari, the capital city of Mazendaren, came (Canada) FEZANA President; Lt Gen. Adi Sethna of Delhi and ' ........................... “ the Federation of Parsee Anjumans of India; Zoroastrain College President, Dr. Meher Master-Moos, (who released the Zoroastrian Flag designed by Dr. Jehangir Medora of Canada, which was in great demand) and who spoke on the International Education Work of the College; and Mrs. Homai Billlmoria who spoke on Social Work Education and various projects of Social Service for Zoroastrian Community. From India, Ervad Peshotan Peer and other Mobeds who had accompanied Ervad Nader Turel, per­ formed, Jashan and spoke about the conditions of the Priests. From Iran there were many speakers, including the wife of the the people who settled the Zoroastrain settlement of Navsari in India. And from the historical Anahita Temple of Kangavar came the line of Priests bearing the surname Kanga in India. This ruined temple is well worth a visit enroute from Bisutoon to Hamadan. From Hamadan we headed for lhe beautiful Caspian Sea Coast via Rasht in Gilan province, and Mangil, famous for snakes, high winds, fjords and olive plantations, to Bundar e Anzali, the beautiful Queen of the sea ports of the Caspian Sea, where big ships take the merchandise to Azerbaijan, Russia and Turkmenia. The most beautiful women of Iran are Io be found here, and with ,, . . , „ , , • . .,-------------------------- typical sea port insoucance, they walked in public witout Burkah. Mobed of Yazd who wanted Io become a qualified Mobed herself From there we motored every inch of the scenic Caspian Sea Coast (as she was anyway doing most of the work in the Yazd Atash fare. Io offset lhe monotomy of the Chello Kabab ’ — or rice with Behram). Prof. Faredoon Juneidi released his Magnumpopus, sheep mutton, chicken or fish, and for the vegetarians —rice and “* ' ‘ yogurt. For anyone wanting to visit Iran, a tour conducted by Mr Sohrab Poormandegarian Is highly recommended. The Sth World Zoroastrian Congress had several high- If-U... - ---------------------------------- countries — India, Pakistan, Canada, U.S.A., New Zealand, * from West Io East, savouring the famous sturgeon fish, and fresh olives, cherries and other delicacies of this coast. At Noshar, the private beach-side Motel enabled us. (including the ladies) to have a swim in the cool waters of the Caspian Sea with its pebbly beach , .- - r--------------- underfoot. The mountains slope down to the sea. A 4 to 5 hours Tajik Govt s efforts Io introduce the leaching of Avesta in Schools drive through breathtakingly beautiful mountain scenery took us to ............................................ mountain top resort known as ’Khandelous Museum’ its Delegation to the World Avesta Conference In Tajikistan In renowned for its herbal medicinal oils. From Noshar via Noor and September. There were many interesting personal inter-actions between the Iranian Delegates and the Foreign Delegates. From India and Pakistan the ZOROASTRIAN COLLEGE DELEGATION comprised of Dr. Meher Master-Moos, Mrs. Homai Billimoria, Mrs. Tehmina Turel, Mrs. Rashida Shahparast, Mrs. Roshan Doctor, Mrs. Arnavaz Mirza, Ms. Hovavi Kolah and Ervad Hormuzd Dadachanji, all of Bombay, Surat and Udwada; and Ervad Godrej Sidhwa, his son Farhad and Mr. Rustom Degamwalla of Karachi. The Canadian and American Delegates included Mr. & Mrs. Rohinton and Roshan Rivetna, Mr. Kersi Shroff, Mr. Rusi Kaywalla, Mrs. Hutokshi Contractor, her daughter Lyla and nephew Cyrus Cama, Mazda Antia, Prof. Frank Crocitio, Behroze Daruwalla, Bapsy Pavri, and Ms. Dolly Dastoor, who joined the Zoroastrian College tour half way at Shiraz, the ancient capital of Fars Province. the 4 Volumes of Avesta-Persian Dictionary (and presented a set for the Zoroastrian College Library). Prof. Kasra Vafadarl of France, and Madame Goirokhshor of Tajikistan, spoke of the lights; which included for the about 50-60 Zoroastrians from other and Colleges curriculum. Zoroastrian College is Invited to send mtriAe* _ a IIOA LI.... .I- .. England, France, Russia/Tajikistan — an invitation Io meet lhe Chief Ayatollah —Khamenei — in his Masjid; and the President ol Iran Mr. Rafsanjani in his Presidential Palace. The security arrangements were stringent — ladies having to wear the compulsory “Burkah — coat" and with all ornaments including wrist watches removed. A special wreath-laying ceremony with Military Guard of Honour and music at the Mausoleum of late Ayatollah Khomenl formed pari of the Opening Ceremony proceedings. There was a special visit by President Rafsanjani ’s daughter Madame Fatema and the Chief lady Dy. Minister of Majlis, Madame ShaMa Habibi, who held a meeting with the leading foreign and Iranian lady delegates. The Congress programme, with simultaneous translation facilities in Persian/English was held in the prestigious Iran Govt. T.V. Centre, with 4 T.V. cameras lhe mountain top resort known as “Khandelous Museum,’ Sari we proceeded to Gurgan, lhe North Eastern entry into Iran from Turkmenia, which boasts a small but well kept museum with artefacts going back 3000-4000 years. We proceeded onwards to Toos, lhe home of the Tajik poet Firdausi, of Shahnameh renown. The Rezashah Pahlavi Dynasty has constructed a magnificent memorial and mausoleum to comemmorate his work; and the museum is worth a visit. We lit agarbati at his shrine, to honour the greatest poet the world has ever known. From there our group proceeded to Mashad, the Holy of Muslim Holy Cities of Iran, where we were privileged Io visit lhe magnificent Masjid of Imam Reza of the 10th century, with its gorgeous golden and blue tiles domes, sparkling chandeliers and rich carpets. From Mashad we visited Neyshapour, the Shrine of Omar Khayam; and a live hours trek in lhe blazing noon day Sun,was rewarded by being able to visit and walk over the ruins of the Palace and City that Shapurl built. From afortress nearby this City named Sanjan the ancestors of the 9 families of Mobeds of Iranshah originated, and they called the place in which they settled in India also ‘Sanjan. ’ A long coach ride took us all the way back to Tehran in time to board the evening flight for Shiraz the city of roses, poets and culture. The Tombs of the Sufi poets Sadi and Hafiz are located here amidst beautiful gardens and 'chaikhannas'. Shiraz boasts an excellent University located atop the mountains, with its most modem Persian language Regional Computer Science Research Centre funded by the Govts, of Italy, France, Germany, U.K. and U.S.A. This services the entire Persian speaking region as far as Central Asia. Shiraz has beautiful museums and rose gardens of which the Naregestan is the most famous; and the Vakil bazar which caters Io the needs of the Iranian nomads and gypsies who travel with their flocks of sheep to whereverthe pastures are green. The Zoroastrain Centre In Shiraz has a Fire Temple and Dharamshala Complex in the heart of the down-town city. Although we stayed at an excellent hotel, our breakfast and dinner was cooked by a Zoroasirian woman at the Dharamshala complex. Using Shiraz as a base, and escorted by good English speaking guides — a Jewish lady named Hilda and a Muslim gentleman named Jamshid who informed us that many Muslims used the Asho Farohar symbol in Fars province—we proceeded for day trips to the historical sites in the surrounding areas. One day was a visit to the city of BlshapUr, in ruins, built by Ardeshir Babegan and Shapuf I, where a famous Atash Behram cum Anahita Water Temple were excavated by the renowned Archeologist Girshmann. This site also has bas reliefs showing the victories of the Sassanian Emperor over the 3 Roman Emperors Valerian, Philip the Arab and California. There are also bas reliefs of other Sassanian Kings canred into the mountain rock overlooking the river. All over Iran there are many ancient “ghanats", underground rock and bricks- lined canals, to carry the cool mountain water as a supply for the cities and villages in the plains. Some of these go back to Achemenian and Sassanian epochs. Another tult day trip took us to Pasargade, the ruined Palace of Cyrus the Great and the Tomb of the great Monarch and his Queen, also near the Pasargade river. To stick the collosal stones together, the Achemenian builders used iron rods coated with zinc as an anti rust measure. Here is the stone carving depicting the Great Emperor Cyrus wearing the Egyptian crown, (although he died before he coutd complete his Egyptian campaign) and with the wings of the Assyrian Genei. After a picnic lunch in the fields of the Palace we reached Naksh e Rustom, the site of the historic ashlodans of the Achemenian Emperors, Darius the Great, Xerxes, Artaxerxes, and Darius II. A Fire Temple in ruins still stands there. The Sassanian Monarchs have covered the lower portions of the cliff face with their bas —reliefs; one of which is also an Elamite carving. Next came a visit to Naksh e Rajab with 3 Sassaiiian carvings depicting the coronation ceremoning of Ardeshir Babegan, Shapur I and a scene depicting Shapur I being given the Divine Right of Kings to rule. From there we proceeded to the highlight of the Achemenian Dynasty, the great complex of Palaces and the most glorious Royal Atash Behram constructed at persepolis by Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes. Persepolis Royal Palaces were used lor the grand NOWROZE and Fravardegan Festival, when tribute was paid to the King of Kings by the subordinate Kings and Rulers ol the 28 Satrapies (or Provinces) of the greatest Empire of Iran. The grand staircase of the Apadana Palace has bas reliefs depicting the gifts brought as tribute from each province on the Nowrooze festival, and these were stored in the Royal Treasury adjacent to the Military Palace. The Women’s Palace has been renovated and converted into a museum housing archeological artefacts. In the 1935 archelogical excavations gold and silver tablets, buried in the four comer fondation stones of the Atash Behram were unearthed, in which the Great King Darius inscribed the praises of the Great God Ahura Mazda. The stone door jambs of the Tachera Palace of Darius the Great depict the Monarch over-coming all the evil in the Cosmos, battling with a creature composed ot the stars of the face of Leo the Lion, the wings of Aquila the Eagle, the scaly neck of Draco the Dragon, and the tail of Scorpio the Scorpion, the predominant star constellations over Iran. When that Greek Barbarian Alexander, misnamed the Great, the first Palace he set fire to was the private Palace of Xerxes, in revenge of Xerxes having burnt the Acropolis, and Temple of Pallas Athaena in Athens, Greece, over a century earlier. The cedarwood beams and strawmat ceilings were engulfed In the flames leaving only the stone columns and door jambs surviving. On the last day in Shiraz, Jamshedi escorted us to the historical Palace of Gur, re-named Firuzabad, where Ardeshir Babegan had constructed one of his three famous Atash Behrams, named Adar Gushnasp? Here again the Govt, was busy with restoration work. This Palace is a magnificent example of bricks structure constnjction of domes with a central hole for the smoke to escape. We lit a fire using “Sukher, Loban, Agarbati ” under the dome of the main Kebla of the Atash Behram room and recited “Atash Niyaesh ”. The Sassanians had the know how to construct circular brick domes over square buildings. This architectural style was later copied both in Europe and by Islam, for masjids in Iran and other countries. The structure has withstood the ravages of time, for over a millenium and a half. An over night coach journey from Shiraz to Yazd took us past a famous ancient living Cypress tree. The Municipality notice board, dimly visible in the glimmer of the moonlight and the early dawn, read that the tree is 4500-5000 years old, a magnificent poem to the power of Almighty God, that Civilizations had risen and fallen but this living tree still survives. YAZD in the midst of desert lands surrounded by arid mountains devoid of greenery, is the head quarters of Zoroastrain survival in Iran. In the small old villages around Yazd, Agiary fires, some over 1000 years old, are still burning; and in the hills, ‘Peeruns' (places of Pilgrimage having high spiritual power,) provide sustenance to the soul, forthe Zoroastrians from all over Iran. When considering the situation of Zoroastrianism in Iran care must be taken to distinguish between the existence and survival of the faith in ‘‘Baaten ” or mystic, invisible Iran through the holy Maghavans and Abeds; and the “Jaher" or outward visible ordinary folk living in Iran, in Yazd and in other places. Amongst the “Jaher ” Iran or outward places, the only Atash Behram building in Iran is located in Yazd, constructed by donations from India given by the Petit family, when the then Shah Abbas invited Dr. Dadabhoy Naoroji to send a Zoroastrian fact- finding mission to locate and uplift the Zoroastrians in Iran and Mr. Manekji Hataria was sent with funds from India for the purpose. This sacred fire has great power, and responded to the sound of the Avesta Manthras, by sending up a wiff of smoke from the smouldering embers, when sandalwood offerings from India were placed on the glassed-in window parapets, in the absence of any Mobed within the precincts. A sign-board outside the gate in Persian states “Admission is for Zoroastrians only. ” But despite this, in all the Fire Temples that we visited throughout Iran, the law and the practice is that Muslims, Christians and persons from all other religious communities may and in fact do enter the sacred precincts of the Rre Temples. The Mobeds also do not stop anybody from entering. We visited a very old Agiary in Yazd, now used as a school and Gahambar Community Centre with old style kitchen having huge tandoor ovens for making “Daroon" and “Naan ”. There are 3 old Dokhmas on the mountain tops near Yazd, but they are disused; and the present practice of the Zoroastrians is burial. We visited the cemetry at Yazd, where a “ghanat ” brings cool healing water from the mountains; and a quaint old Zoroastrian man, perched atop a donkey is the keeper of the cemetiy. There is a holy shrine called the City Peer. This was constnjcted as a memorial of a miracle which occurred in a well on that spot. A lady of nobility fully dressed had fallen into the well several centuries ago. Her body was not found and remained in the well. About a century ago, a Zoroastrian man of Yazd had visited Mashad. He was caught attempting to enter the shrine of Imam Reza, the Muslim Holy of Holies, and he was captured, imprisoned and sentenced to death. In a dream the lady came to him and requested him to go to this well recover, her remains, and build a shrine in her memory over the well . When he protested that he had no funds, she promised to help him forthat and also to save his life. He agreed to do as she requested. Next morning he awoke in Yazd; and narrated his story to the local Mayor. The Mayor did not believe him, and sent a messenger to Mashad to make enquiries. The messenger returned comfinning that a Zoroastrian man had been captured but he had mysteriously disappeared from the prison. Then believing his story, the Mayor helped him to clean the well; and the bodily remains of the noble lady and her jewellery were found. The funds raised from the sale of the jewellery were used to construct this “City Peer” Memorial building over the well. We visited it at night, and many persons had come to pray there. Near Yazd were were fortunate to visit the old villages among them Cham, where there grows another old Cypress tree. Cham village also has a fine old “Badgir" — wind tower which provides natural air conditioning system for the basements rooms of the entire village. The Dokhma of Cham is located on a hill top nearby but is in disuse, although the “Bungli ” buildings are said to be still in use. Nearby is the village of Zainabad, of Flying Fires Fame. The ancient Agiary, with its kebla room in one comer and spaces for placing additional fires, is tended by a local Zoroastrian shepherd and his family. The building is being modernised and under renovation. This Shepherd's mother and wife were weaving Kusfis, and carpets, on their looms in their home, next to a barn full of sheeep and goats. The wool from the sheep is cured after ADVERTISEMENT shearing, carded and combed, and made into fine thread for weaving. They hospitably offered us “chai" and “kharbooch ” — melons, and we were fortunate to purchase these home-made Iranian hand-woven Kustis from this family. Another old village is Shanijabad, where we visited a Zoroastrian family. The old grand mother was sitting on carpets on the porch, with an old style Kusti weaving “jantar" making a kusti. Some of the ladies from Udwada and Surat in our Zoroastrian College Delegation, being accus ­ tomed to weave Kustis, sat down at the “jantar" with her and gave her a hand. She was delighted to be able to sell her entire stock of Kustis to the persons in our Delegation. She averaged making one Kusti in three weeks of hard and detailed labour of weaving. All these village houses have underground basements. The further down you go the cooler it is. Outside the summer heat is blistering and even the rocks are pulverised to dust. These chambers are comfortable with carpets on the floor for keeping and sitting and modem amenities such as T.V. and telephone. The Zoroastrian women wear a typical costume of “Eejar ”, covered with a frock, Sudreh, Kusti, and a short blouse or “Budian ” and over all this, they cover their foreheads with a kind of band over which they wear a big semi circular shawl called a “Cheddar. ” Another old Zoroastrian village withan Agiary,is Taft.Highup in the mountains are places of pilgrimage Pir e Hirsht, has an excellent Badgir with four towers and a big water tank dome. This holy place has high spiritual power; whose vibrations can be positively felt. The story of the miracle of this place is that the servant woman of one of the daughters of King Yazdegard III was carrying a small baby in her arms; when the Arabs In hot pursuit followed and overtook her. Shfe called to the mountain lor help. The outline of a woman with a baby is visible in the black basalt volcanic rock of the mountain side; now covered and converted into a shrine. PhotographsofZoroastrianswhohadcontribuledfundsfor the constniction of the shrine and its Dharamshala adorn the walls around the central alter-place, where fragrant herbs, dried fruits, nuts, “maevo” and agarbafi are placed around a small fire urn. The old shrine-keeper and two old women worked as caretakers; and they served the customary “herbal chai ” and watermelon to all pilgrims visiting this Pir. Enroute from Pir-e-HiFshttoPir-e-ShabsChakChak, perched high up on a mountain side, we passed through^! most sandy desert, and were caught in the midst of a dust-storm typhoon around 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The coach ground to^^halt with dim visibility and the Sun darkened and hiding behind the dust clouds. Surprisingly, on emerging out of the storm about 6 p.m. we saw the only rainbow during our entire trip, arching over the blue sky from the foot hills of the mountains on which this most sacred Pir e Shabs shrine is located. In the natural rock formation there appeared the face of a woman looking up at the rainbow. Just then a motor car carrying Mrs. Pvichar Farhang Mehr, accompanied by her brother and Mr. Aflatoon and Majlis member Mr. Parviz Ravani crossed our coach on the desert road. They were awaiting the arrival of our Zoroastrian College Delegation all day at the special Gahambar function being celebrated at Pir e Shabs. This is an annual event of great significance which all Zoroastrians from all over Iran try to attend. Staircases winding up the steep mountain side require a climb of over2000 ft. All the guest houses built along the entire mountain side were buzzing with people who had camped there for the five days festival, using sleeping bags and carrying their own portable stoves for doing cooking. The aromas of mutton and chicken being roasted and “naan ” being baked filled the night air, with the sound of Ir^ian music. Way up on top is the actual shrine. Here water is dripping through the mountain rock; where green fems and mosses grow. In the centre ofthe rockhewn shrine is the fire altar place. The room was full of pilgrims. It is beautifully adorned with marble, and has a place for collecting drinking water and pictures of persons who had given funds to build the shrine. The water has curative properties. The story ol this Pir is that the two daughters of King Yazdagard III were fleeing from the Arabs; and reached the mountain rock face. They called to the mountain to help them. The mountain opened into a cave and rescued them; and closed the rock wall behind them. A piece of clothing remained fluttering in the rock where they had entered inside the mountain. At this spot, a natural spring of water having healing properties bubbled out of the mountain side. This place too has high spiritual vibrations. The third mountain side Pir we visited enroute from Yazd to Isphahan. This is known as Pir e Banoo. The small white shrine with a few deserted buildings is perched clinging to a mountain side. An old woman was selling apricots and fragrant herbs as offerings for the shrine to the pilgrim visitors. This place was arid and had no water even in the bathrooms; although a mountain stream was trickling down the mountain side near by. Of all the Piruns that we visited this one had the highest spiritual power and several members of our Delegation had mystic experiences and visions approaching this place. * IDRAMA Rahul da Cunha's I Am Not Bajirao adapts an American play to the life-style of the Parsi and Maharastrian communities of Bombay Dina Mehta IMvepsal experience, local cotar The audience that packed the Tata Theatre through the reading of da Cunha ’s text was on the evening of June 2,1996 was resolute in one thing; they had come to laugh their heads off. One could read the determina ­ tion in their eyes, in their air of suppressed merriment, of excited anticipation. After all, wasn ’t / Am Not Bajirao advertised as a hit comedy? The two very gifted actors had barely scary, hurtful moments as the two 75-year- underlying seriousness (and validity) of fP®?®", opening lines on stage when olds struggled to come to terms with their the theme? There was no real menance in the bottled fizz spilled over. (As during the mortality on a park bench located at Five Kunal Roy Kapoor ’s portrayal ofthe young plays of AdiMarzban And the sputtering Gardens, in the heart of Bombay. Why, ’ ’ ¦ ® and the guffaws accompanied all the lines 1' ?? j; ____ ____________ throughout the performance, whether they production mounted at the Tata Theatre? were meant to be frothy and bubbly or whether they seriously alluded to the attitu ­ des and mindset of the two elderly prota ­ gonists and, by cutting through their anti ­ cs and posturing, to the sadness of old age. Which was a pity. Because by his adap ­ tation of American playwright Herb Gardner ’s / Am Not Rappoport, Rahul da Cunha has essayed a welcome trend in In ­ dian English theater which breaks away from the usual imitations of foreign scripts. Madhukar ’s tragedy is that he is a Mr Fix- daughter Archana Pathankar ’s filial ajirao IS distinctly local. Distinctly aapro. it who dismally fails at everything he tries cerns are not very convincing (the writing Then how was it that that evening the nua- to fix, and the timing of Joshi ’s lines is seems to be at fault here) and her voice nces and subtleties that give the script its impeccable. lacks the resonance required of a stage significance got buried under the ha-has.? Irani is a relatively new stage artiste actress. And the high jinks the old duo They had surfaced when I saw an ex- and, by his own admission, had to fall back engage in to rescue a reformed junkie (Po- cerPt as it was on his observations of senior citizens at his oja Mehta) from the clutches of the drug presented by da Cunha one evening at family wafer shop to bring out on stage the pusher somehow lack credibility — and nm e xTn subtle shadings of an old Parsi bawa who only succeed in orchestrating more laughs, was nurtured on the haug ambience. Once " ‘ the strapping Irani slips into the sudreh, shirt, Parsi topi, spectacles and slouch of the language. The spoken language oil Am mental and emotional stress, its insecuri ­ ties and fears, yet his lines (like Madhukar ’s) were received by the audi ­ ence as if they were written only to elicit the bonding of two endearing old men who are as different as chalk from cheese, but are drawn to each other as with courage and humor they try to banish the fear of giggles. ' ' loneliness and infirmity inherent in the Could it be that the mino^ characters condition of old age. werenot fully rounded and indifferently The hilarity was there, but also the played, and by default they eroded the scary, hurtful moments as the two 75-year- - - - olds struggled to come to terms with their loneliness and infirmity inherent in the Gardens, in the heart of Bombay. Why, then, was this dimension lost in the full were not fully rounded and indifferently roadside goonda who extorts money from the old men for the use of the park bench. It was a caricature of a scene — and the audience laughed. (Is there not also a slide into parody in the characterization of the Who was to blame for turning a sensitive, thoughtful script into a farce? Not the actors. Sudhir Joshi (46) is a Parsi*?) veteran of the Marathi stage. His casting as Madhukar, the Maharashtrian from Hindu ________ ____ ________ Colony, Dadar (in Gardner ’s original script has his moments as the Harvard-returned Kunal Vijaykar as Kamli the drug pusher is more believable. And Shahrukh Irani this character is a Jew) is as inspired as the Parsi who must perfonn the distasteful casting of Boman Irani (38) who brings to task of throwing out the almost-blind life Dhanjisa, a Parsi from Parsi Colony, Dhanjisa from his flat and a job in which he task of throwing out the almost-blind Dadar (the black janitor in Rappaport\ has become redundant. But as Madhukar ’s Madhukar ’s tragedy is that he is a Mr Fix- daughter Archana Pathankar ’s filial con ­ it who dismally fails at everything he tries to fix, and the timing of Joshi ’s lines is impeccable. Irani is a relatively new stage artiste and, by his own admission, had to fall back on his observations of senior citizens at his Chauraha (an offshoot of Bombay ’s Na- ( tionalCentreforthe Performing Arts, where was nurtured on the baug ambience. Once But what the audience apparently found the artiste — dancer, director, writer, etc the strapping Irani slips into the sudreh, irresistible — and mirth inducing — was — may meet a small informal audience for shirt, Parsi topi, spectacles and slouch of the language. The spoken language oil Am feedback ^d sharing of problems and advanced age, he steps into the psyche of NotBajiraois what may be called Bombay insights). On this occasion what came Dhanjisa. And this psyche has its share of English. The way a Parsi speaks English, 35 Parsiana June 1996 1 * Iuneconomical — the danger of this kind of English stage. We have yet to evolve our own idiom, but it is clear that it is not sual patter can overwhelm the text. The enough to have a foreign script, a cast that tragi-comedy of ploys that don ’t work as we grow older. The laughs were there, the with smatterings of Gujarati words, and the way a Maharashtrian weaves in Marathi/ experiment is that the ad-libbing and ca- Hindi words in his speech pattern, is ex ­ plored with zest here. No doubt the experi- interpolations end up by playing to the works hard at shoring up its American/ ment helped the audience to identify with the characters on stage — and tickled and the thrust of the play — in this case the it pink. But because the raw material of ordi ­ nary speech can never be the language of poignancy was blurred, theater — even the most natural-sounding dialogue has to be edited, molded, dis ­ tilled, etc if it is not to be repetitive and gallery at the cost of blunting the insights British/European accent, or an audience that flocks to the theater for the snob val ­ ue of sampling an item from abroad — as it would an imported shampoo or deo ­ dorant! I Am Not Bajirao is a landmark on our What one does appreciate is that pro- ducer/director da Cunha has recognized journey to a relevant English theater. And that we in India must have an indigenous for that reason we applaud it. MATRIMONIAL A double graduate, computer literate, fair, Parsi boy, aged 43, well-settled in Canada, seeks matrimonial correspondence from fair, good-natured, home loving girts. Please apply with recent photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (JuneZ18-96)* QPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ^Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited here. 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 4P0002 Tel: 2017707/201 fl 894 We buy old Gold, Silver and Diamond Jewellery We accept Master, Visa, Diners, BOB & Inter cards * With Best Compliments From LEACH WEBORNY When in Bombay Contact For attending to your laundry. They are Launderers & Dyers of repute. They will also attend to your carpets for cleaning or dyeing. 66, Off E. Moses Road, Worli, Bombay 400018 Phone: Head Office 2654294 Factory: 4924384,4925644 36 Parsiana June 1996 IBOOKS A tale of Zoroaster’s progeny Dilnavaz E. Bhagwagar Creation by Gore Vidal. Published by Ballantine Books, 400 Hahn Road, Westminster, Md, 21157, USA. Pp: 593. Paperback edition price: US $ 6.99. aster and his followers by the Turanians. By some miracle, Cyrus Spitama escaped his life across his chest. For tl and so came to be looked upon with awe and respect in the Persian court. Kings are Creation is a compelling novel of vast always respectful of popular religions and dimensions. Gore Vidal impresses with his fate had thrust an unwanted onus upon the deep study and comprehension of eastern young Cyrus, philosophies and religions. The reading becomes more meaningful for a Zoroas ­ trian because running parallel to the explo ­ ration of other schools of thought, is a commentary on the Wise Lord (Ahura taliates by telling them Zoroaster said Mazda) and his teachings, as propounded by His Prophet Zoroaster. The novel which opens in Persia, takes one on a panoramic tour of Sth century BC from Babylon and Athens in the west, through the plains watered by the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Indus, the Ganga, the Jamuna, to the Yellow River of China. From a number of Persian and Greek characters there emerges the central fig ­ ure of the novel, Cyrus Spitama the “...last living grandson of Zoroaster, the Prophet wards for trade, he sends of the one God, Ahura Mazda. ” The novel Cyrus Spitama as the Per ­ sian ambassador to India and Cathay (as China was then known). He, however, warns Cyrus to tree. ” He is more comfortable with the not to challenge their gods but to find much points of similarity between their religions and his own. Thus does the grandson of Zoroaster go to realize what we today would do well to house of happiness. Those who hawfoliow- remember: “Nothing is true except from a < ' ____J..;____ single point of view. From another point of Eventually, when the Wise Lord whelms all evil, all souls will be He found the doctrines of Buddhism opposed to those of the Wise Lord. For Buddhists and Jains, man moves towards nirvana or extinction. A passive philoso- threads, which he will wear for the rest of warrior the cord is of cotton, for the prieS, hemp, for the merchant, wool. Persians have a some ­ what similar rite of initiation but without any visible differentiation of caste. In his quest for answers to the riddle of creation and annihilation, Cyrus Spitama comes across an array of philosophers — Socrates, Pythagoras, Gosala, Mahavira, the Buddha, Master Li, Confucius. Some ­ times their words make the complexities of life fall so easily into place; but more often, the more Cyrus learns, the more confused he becomes. ^ins, he finds, believe in the passage of souls from person to person, or to an animal, tree cy rock, till / one ceases to be. To be blown out like a candle, esi. As he grows older, he is often infuriated by the new doctrines Zoroastrian priests pronounce in his grandfather ’s name to suit their own convenience. When he re- no such thing, with a straight face they reply, “You are right. The Prophet did not say it in this life. He spoke the verses to me in a recent dream and ordered me to write them down the mo ­ ment I awoke. ” Thus the Truth is defeated by the Lie. 0XC©Ot fFOITl “y Whpn thp ctnrv iinfrxldc i_i_. is to attain nirvana. Cyrus finds this appal ­ ling. “I cannot imagine anything more horrifying than hopping from body to body, or from snake to wasp When the story unfolds, Darius is king of Persia. As his covetous eyes turn east- "Nothing is true consists of the recollections of Cyrus Spitama as recorded for posterity by his nephew Democritus. Creation can best be described as his ­ toric fiction. It tells of a time as i shrouded in legend, as recorded in history. While the geographic locations and the ___________ ___ dynastic rule of Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes and forth in all humility and faith. And he Artaxerxes are accurate and historically acclaimed as the Golden Age of Zoroastri ­ anism in Persia, Cyrus Spitama himself is fictitious. The head priest of our Nagpur Agiary demolished Cyrus Spitama in one stroke by telling me that Zoroaster was a celibate. He never married, had no chil ­ dren and so there could never have been a grandson. (This, of course, has been dis ­ puted.) Anyway, Vidal fleshes out the charac ­ ter of Cyrus Spitama with convincing stro- ___ ___________ kes. Cyrus father was Zoroaster ’s third They make abundant use of the soma juice and youngest son. His mother Lias, was a in their ceremonies: a variation of our own Greek. Cyrus Spitama was supposedly the only person alive to have heard his grand ­ father ’s last words. He was seven years old then and witnessed the butchering of Zoro- a singie point of view" 37 Parsiana June 1996 Zoroastrian concept that once free of the body, the soul returns to the Wise Lord. But first the soul must cross the Bridge of the Redeemer. Those who have in life followed truth and virtue, will go to the ed the lie or Ahriman, will suffer torment. ¦ J over- as one. view the same thing will appear to be quite different. Hence the story of the blind men and the elephant. ” In looking for similarities, Cyrus Spi- tama notes that the Indians also worship agm'(fire) ’ and one of the chief Aryan gods phy. According to Zoroaster each man must make his way through life exercising a positive choice between right and wrong. Buddhist sacrifices are not of animals but of the animal in man. There are five moral rules. Don ’t kill; don ’t steal; don ’t lie; don ’t get drunk; don ’t indulge in sex. When Cyrus Spitama questions this last rule and asks what would happen to the human race if everyone obeyed it, he is is Ashura Varuna or Ahura Mazda. Indians also believe that fire is an aspect of good ­ ness because it destroys darkness and dross. in their ceremonies: a variation of our haoma juice. When an Indian boy is old enough for what is called his second birth as an Aryan, he is given a cord of three intertwined Ii With best wishes from Farah & Tanya 38 Parsiana June 1996 told that the human race would cease to be and that in the Buddha ’s eyes is the perfect, ultimate state. “Like^wnyata. It is the word for a circle that stands for nothing, yet still exists. ” While in India, Cyrus Spitama is wed ­ ded to Princess Ambalika, granddaughter of Bimbisara, the mighty king ofthe Mag- adh empire. It was a marriage of diplo ­ macy, and Cyrus went into it prepared not to like his bride but, to his surprise, found her beguiling. Recounting the event, he tells how both of them were carefully and elaborately painted for the wedding night. “Inside the tent, Ambalika let slip her shawl. I was delighted to find she was a fully developed woman . Around each small breast, leaves and flowers had been drawn. At her navel, a bird stretched its red wings beneath the flowering breasts. ‘This is Garuda, ’ she said, patting herself. ‘Vishnu rides him. ’” Ambalika was well versed in the 64 arts of keeping a man fascinated. Cyrus returns to Persia, promising to come back for their son and Ambalika, now ripe with their second child. But the great king Darius sets his sights on the far- off lands of Cathay and sends the trusted Spitama there, to establish trade routes. Interacting with the aristocracy of China, the grandson of Zoroaster comes in contact with Master Li and Confucius and is fasci ­ nated by their teachings. The basic premise of Tao or Chinese philosophy is harmony — with oneself, and with one ’s surroundings. To accept with tranquility whatever happens, is to put oneself beyond sorrow or joy. It asks you to cast yourself into the ocean of exis ­ tence, forgetting what is good and what is evil. Neither exists, except in relation to the other. The ideal is to free one ’s spirit and to make oneself as serene as a flower or a rock. “To do nothing is an immense spiritual labor. The really wise man has no ambi ­ tions. Therefore, he has no failures. He who never fails, always succeeds. And he who always succeeds, is all powerful ” — Master Li. In later years when Cyrus Spitama re ­ calls these philosophies, he remembers Confucius ’ advice: “To think without hav ­ ing first learned is dangerous. To learn and not to think over what you have learned, is useless. ” Entertaining and educative. Creation has received wide acclaim in the US Press. It doesn ’t make for light reading but is strongly recommended to the reader — specially a Zoroastrian — who wants to learn and think over what he has learned. GLOBE THEATRES Pvt Ltd Established April 3, 1915 Pioneers of Show Business in India for the last 81 years We rededicate ourselves to the ideals we have cherished and practised all along — namely to show NOTHING .pUT THE BEST to our ever increasing number of Patrons Controlling: REGAL BOMBAY CAPITOL BOMBAY * GLOBE CALCUTTA The above three cinemas are installed with nni DOLBY STEReO | 4' 4MILESTONES The age of Zoroastrian brides — as listed in this issue — ranged between 19 and 44 years, the arithmetic mean (the total number of individual ages divided by the total number of brides) being 27 years. The corresponding figures for the grooms were 23 and 43 years, averaging at 31 years. Compared to 83 Zoroastrians who were consigned to the Towers of Silence there were 18 babies born in June. Heart disease claimed 24 victims of whom 11 were 80 years and above. The other killers were pneumonia and lung disease and cancer (nine each), general debility and old age (six) and hypertension, brain disease, septicemia, kidney failure and diabetes (five each). There were 10 isolated cases registered for June: marasmus (wasting away of a body), hemiplegia BOMBAY BORN A boy, Zaal, to Dehlna and Cyrus Coma on April 6, 1996 A girl to Benaifer and Adil Elavia', May 31 A girl to Ava and Kersasp Bhof, June 1 A girl to Bachu and Mehernosh Kasad', June 2 A boy to Gulshan and Porus Daruwalla', June 7 A boy to Binaifer and Homiyar Mistry', June 9 A boy to Rasna and Dhanjisha Tangri', June 11 A boy to Binaaz and Hoshi Mistry', June 18 A boy to Sharmeen and Kevic Setalvad', June 18 A girl to Ketayun and Kersi Sub, June 18 A girl to Arnaz and Phiroz Soonawalla', June 19 A boy to Tannaz and Mehernosh Bhiwandiwala', June 20 A boy Monaz and Rayomand Noble; June 20 A boy to Behroze and Yezdi Cooper, June 21 A boy to Maharookh and Pesi Bilimoria', June 23 A boy to Mehroze and Firdosh Cardin', June 23 A boy to Madhavi and Ruzbeh Irani', June 23 A girl to Soonoo and Pervez Sinor, June 24 A boy to Parvin and Homiyar (paralysis of one side of the body), urinary tract infection, arterio ­ sclerosis (degenerative arterial change associated with advancing age), asthma, urinary infection, tuberculosis, Parkinson ’s dis ­ ease, anemia and hepatitis (in ­ flammation of the liver). A still ­ born female child and a 20-month old girl were lost to the com ­ munity. The oldest to breathe his last was a 99-year-old male. The Zoroastrian life expectancy at birth, in Bombay in June, was 74 years. 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 Aibada-, June 29 A boy to Roshini and Firdosh Bhathena; June 29 MARRIED Havovi Jehangir Amroliwala of Pune and Khushru Homi Kanga of Pune; April 27 Armaity Noshir Cooper and Jal Rustomji Amrolia of Billimora; May 12 Persis Maneck Shroff of Charai, Thana and Shahzad Hormuzdyar Wadia\ May 14 Naazneen Soli Billimoria and Mehernosh Firoze Deboo\ May 19 Shehnaz Sam Vasania and Kairas Jehangir Vakharia; May 25 Diana Minocher Bacha and Dinshaw Rustom Doctor, May 26 Katayun Bhikhoo Daruwalla and Vispy Nader Kapadia', May 26 Dinaz Kersi Panthaki and Merzy (Merzban) Behram Patel', May 27 Yasmin Sarosh Tavadia and Ermin Homi Sarkari', May 30 Firuzi Homi Achhadwalla and Aftab Sohrab Meherhomji'. May 31 Khushnam Aspi Screuwalla and Rohinton Hoshang Polishwala', June 1 Hutoxi Framroze Buhariwala and Adi Soli Kapadia', June 2 Anahita Percy Vatcha and 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 rehgious ceremony. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, es ­ pecially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several diseases. If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would like published, some proof to ensure the veracity of the report would be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us. Behram Kaikhushroo Tafti', June 3 Farzeen Phiroze Dhabhar and Jamshed Aspi Patel', June 7 Jenifer Kawas Katpitia and Aspandiar Noshir Sarkari', June 9 Rashna Dhunjishaw Goiporia and Kobad Minoo Bulsara', June 14 Bakhtawar Keki Buhariwalla of Pune and Yezdi Firoze Canteenwalla of Pune; June 21 Gulnar Rustom Irani and Minocher Tirandaz Irani', June 22 Kashmira Eruch Dastur and Burjor Pallan Ichaporia of Womelsdorf, USA; June 28 DIED Roshen Noshir Dhanbhoora (69), residing at C/o R. B. Dharukhanawalla, B/5, Godrej Baug, Nepean Sea Rd, 400026; May 31 Khorshed Pirojshaw Mistry (75), Jamali Hse, 12, Police Court Lane, Fort, 400001; June 1 Ratan Dosabhai Variava (90), 3, Baria Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; June 1 Nergish Behram Garda (76), D, Dinbai Petit Lane, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; June 2 Perin Minoo Gobhai (89), Dharbharga Mans, Carmichael Rd, 400026;June 2 Dolatbanoo Kavasji Karanjia (74), 204, Flyover Apts, Telligalli, Andheri (E), 400069; June 2 Fakirji Fardoonji Mistry (86), 38, Dubash Bldg, Walchand Hirachand Marg, 400001; June 2 Shahrukh Merwan Irani (47), Mistry Bldg, Widows ’ Chwl, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; June .3 Rustomji Cawasji Kakalia (80), 625, Nariman Bldg, Dhobitalao, 400(X)2; June 3 Kekobad Sorabji Khan (54), Chhatriwala Bldg, Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; June 3 Dina Rustom Patell (85), 16/A, Altamount Rd, Cumballa Hill, 400026;June 3 Jal Minocher Mistry (53), 803/A, Mistry Manor, Dr Ambedkar Rd, 400014; June 4 Kersy Sorabji Pardiwalla (66), 808, Khushnum, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; June 4 JamshedjjfLimjibhay Taraporewala (90), B/11, Rustum Palace, 222/E, Tardeo Rd, 400007;June 4 Bachanmai Taimurasp Badhniwalla (87), 502-501, Kavita Bldg, Yari Rd, Versova, 400061;June 5 Jaiji Naoroji Jadashapur (78), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes Rd, 40(X)07; June 5 Roshan Eruch Master (74), B, Reward, Tardeo, 400(X)7; June 5 Pervez Jamshedji Sabawala (69), 11, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; June 5 Fall Jehangir Shroff {12), dl-i, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039;June 5 Shavaksha Meivanji Bhagalia (89), 83, Yad-El, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; June 6 Keki Boman Irani (72), Mogra Village, Western Express Highway, Andheri (E), 400093; June 6 Dhunmai Nariman Sidhwa (81), C/18, Atul Clny, Post-Atul, Dist Valsad, 396020; June 7 Dinsha Dosabhai Bhacka (83), 12, Haji Habib Bldg, Nigam Cross Rd, Dadar, 400014; June 8 Manchersha Dhanjisha Driver (73), 1, Sir Ratan Tata Bldg no 1, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400050; June 9 Aloo Nariman Madon (78), B, * 39 Parsiana June 1996 ISeervai Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007;June 9 Behram Darabshaw Mistry (69), 11/A, Sea Pearl, Off Jay Prakash Rd, 7 Bglws, Versova, 400061;June 9 Hirabai Sorabji Siganporia (84), F/19, Nowroz Bang, Lalbaug, 400012; June 9 Ardeshir Vicajee Taraporvala (82), 621,Khush Villa, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; June 9 Alamai Maneckshaw Waghmar Bacha Mans, Bai Dinbai Marg, Tardeo, 400007; June 9 Sorab Rutonji Daruwalla (76), M/63, Cusrow Bang, S. B. Road, 400039; June 10 Saker Kekobad Katki (85), L/3, Dalal Est Apts, Opp Bombay Central Stn, 400008; June 10 Piroja Khodaram Kermani (86), 1, Kanga Bldg, Opp Hindmata Cinema, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; June 10 Tehmina Hormusji Mobedji (83), 18, C. M. Banaji Bldg, Forjett St, Cross Lane, 400036; June 10 Navroji Cawasji Mody (85), 16, Sangam, B.P.T. Qrts, Dumayne Rd, Colaba, 400005; June 10 Mehra Darabshaw Patel (69), 42, Golden Palace, Guru Nanak Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; June 11 Dinshaw Jamshed Hakim (47), 53, Jame Jamshed Bldg, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; June 12 Rus turn Jal Mehta (69), 11, Summer Breeze, 15th Rd, T.P.S. Ill, Bandra, 400050; June 12 Dolly Rustomji Motiwalla (85), B/8, Rustom Bang, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; June 12 Baby girl of Kashmira Cyrus Vatcha, (stillborn), 65, Piroj- Amin Villa, Malcolm Bang, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; June 12 Savak Erachshaw Munshi (66), B/2, Avabai Petit St, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; 400102;June 13 Dosa Kuversha Pardiwalla (72), 280-C/7, Bhatia Soc Bldg, Princess St, 400002; June 13 Ruttonshaw Shapoorji Patel (84), A/26, Raghavji Bldg, Raghavji Rd, A. K. Marg, 400036;June 13 Roda Ardeshir Daruwala (77), M/8, Cusrow Bang, S. B. Rd, 400039;June 14 Firoz Rustumji Kavarana (85), Daulatram Mans, 6, Kittridge Rd, Colaba, 400005; June 14 Khorshed Cawasji Mistry (80), M/40, Cusrow Bang. S. B. Rd, 400039;June 14 Maneck Minocher Pandole (58), Yusuf Mans, Khetwadi Back Rd, 400004;June 14 Ardeshir Pirojshaw Sanjana (85), 3, Maneck Bldg, 1/2, Lamington Rd, 400008; June 14 Dina Dinshaw Karany (71), l-C/7, Blue Arch, 4 Bglws, Andheri (W), 400053; June 15 Noshir Rustomji Romer (84), Rajesh Mhl, Opp Oval Maidan, Churchgate, 400020; June 15 Goolbai Rustomji Bharucha (92), 44/B, Gool Mhl, Sleater Rd, 400007;June 16 Mani Kekobad Rohinton (Doctor) (72), 376/A, Karanjia Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; June 16 Eruch Hormusji Daruwalla (63), Daoodi Mans, 1st # Lane, Off Sleater Rd, 400007; June 17 Merwan Sheriyar Irani (49), L/7, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; June 17 Khurdad Behramgore Anklesaria (76), Meher Villa, Besant St, Santacruz (W), 400054;June 18 Homee Ardeshir Hattria (86), L/4, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; June 18 Amy Sorabjee Mehta (80), 650, Karani Bldg, Firdausi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; June 18 Mehra Dorab Mehta (89), 580, Patel Palace, Jame Jamshed Rd, Matunga, 400019; June 18 Homi Ardeshir Bhacca ('ll), 625, Nariman Bldg, Dhobitalao, 400002; June 19 Pesi Merwanji Bharoacha (82), 17/1, Silver Arch, 66, Nepean Sea Rd, 400006;June 19 Bomansha Khushroo Irani (70), Hakim Bldg, Opp Novelty Cinema, 400007; June 19 Tehmina Hormusji Todywala (92), Godiwala Widows ’ Chawl, Mazgaon, 400010; June 19 Yezdi Savaksha Pardiwala (58), 17/17, Mehta Bldg, Panthaki Baug, Andheri (E), 400069; June 20 Rati Sam Bamjee (68), B/DI, 16, Dhunbaiwadi, Dadabhai Rd, Vile Parle (W), 400056; June 21 Bhikhamai Dadiba Sarkari (78), 12A/10, Panthaki Baug, Hargovindas Sanatorium Rd, Andheri (E), 400069; June 21 Noshir Eruchshaw Tantra (74), 645, Naju Villa, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; June 21 Dinshah Kaikhushroo Malegamvala (80), Shengre-La, 4, Carmichael Rd, 400026; June 22 Byram Barjorji Masani (99), 10, Ganga Vihar, 55, Marine Drive, 400020; June 22 Jamshed Rustomji Mistry (82), NavyugChmbs, 165, Lamington Rd, 400007; June 22 Pervin Firdosh Shrojf(A5), 72/B, Cozy Bldg, Gowalia Tank Rd, 400036;June 22 Shirin Rustomji Bhajiwalla (81), 1/D, Ambawadi Matarpakhadi Cross Rd, Mazgaon, 400010; June 23 Aloo Homi Irani (71), 47, Ram Mhl, Opp Mahim Rly Stn (W), 400016;June 23 Cawsi Jehangir Balaporia (51), Kavarana Bldg, Dadar Cross Lane, Near Ranjit Studio, 400014;June 24 Dinshawji Cawasji Calagopi (83), 386/B, Sir Jagmohandas Bldg, Chira Bazar, J.S.S. Rd, 400002;June 24 Minoo Dinshaw Contractor (74), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes Rd, 400007;June 24 Rebecca Kersi Hilloo (20 mths), Forjett Hse, Forjett St, 400036; June 24 Jeroo Kersasp Shroff ('ll), F/6, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039;June 24 Nergish Ardeshir Chinoy (87), Goolestan, 37, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, 400005; June 25 Dhunjibhoy Meherjibhoy Billimoria (86), 29, Alexandra Ter, Opp Palace Cinema, Byculla, 400027; June 26 Freny Cooverji Ghadially (74), Mahalaxmiwalla Bldg, Sleater Rd, Tardeo, 400007;June 26 Fall Nariman Pardiwala (62), 15, Dinshaw Bldg, Parsi Galli, Doodh Naka, Kalyan, 421301; June 27 Kaikhushroo Jehangir Dotiwalla (93), 757, Jashan Committee Bldg, Rd no 7, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; June 28 Mehroo Maneckshaw Hozdar (68), 275/C, Chothia Bldg, Zoroastrian Clny, Chikalwadi, 400007;June 29 Rusi Sorabji Patel (68), G/16, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400036; June 29 Ardaviraf Manchersha Zaveri (44), 203, Shree Prastha, Nallasopara (W); June 30 POONA DIED Pilloo Homi Irani (67), Darga Rd, Anand Bhavan, Gulbarga, 585101; May 2 Pesi Dorabjee Pocha (67), 8, Napier Rd, 411040; May 4 Vispi Sorabjee Watchmaker (56), 159, M. G. Rd, 411001; May 5 Jal Savaksha Khurshdjie (71), 6, Napier Rd, 411001; May 9 Homai Burjourji Sadri (76), E/15, Geeta Soc, 411001; May 20 Roshan Jal Patel (73), 716, Canopus Apts, Boat Club, 411001; May 22 Ruzwa Jahan Tambuwalla (44), 637, Le Repos, Parsi Clny, Dadar, Bombay, 400014; May 22 Banubai Temulji Mistry (95), 423, K. P. Tower II, Fatima- nagar, 411013; May 26 SURAT DIED * Hirabai Jahangirji Bhesarua (86), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, '^95003; June 3 Banoo Shehri Kotwal (86), Kotwal St, Nanpura, 395()01; June 4 Faramroz Nariman Lakadawala (74), Shahpore, 395(X)3; June 4 Jahangirji Meharwanji Nalawala (83), Nanpura, 395001;June 5 Faramroz Sorabji Ankleshvaria (78), Parsiwad, Sayedpura, 395003;June 9 Aban (Alloo) Eruch Umrigar (66), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395(X)3; June 10 Dhanjisha Rustumji Palia (65), Agano Vad, 395003; June 15 Kerbanoo Dadabhai Dotiwala (90), Dangore St, Nanpura, 395001; June 16 Aban Firoze Bhatporia (54), Village Bhatha, Dist Surat, 394510;June 25 Manchersha Pirojsha Katpitia (94), Muglisara, 395003; June 28 * AUSTRALIA Victoria BORN A boy, Ryan, to Zarin and Cyrus Irani; February 11 A girl, Meher, to Parizad and 40 Parsiana June 1996Hoshi Kayani', March 5 A girl, Ruhae, to Dainaz and Sohrab Illava-, May 3 HONG KONG DIED Minnie Talati, wife of Pesi and mother of Delnar Dowse; May 14 BORN Boys Girls A 14 6 TOTALS FOR 1996 Bombay B A India B A Worid B 54 38 4 1 3 4 9 9 IRAN Tehran DIED Firouz Namdor Azargoshasb (83); June 25 MARRIED Parsi Intercommunal 20 126 17* 3 3 1 PAKISTAN Karachi BORN A girl, Natalya, to Yasmin and Sheroy Haveliwala\ March 9 DIED CONSIGNED Males Females CREMATED Males Females 46 38 222 245 8 8 51 36 6 4 27° 16° DIED Savak Byramji Mistry (75); May 8 Eruch Burjorji Gazder (72); May 9 Khorshed Minocher Kaikobad (76); May 30 Phiroze Gustad Mehta (81); May 30 UK London DIED Khodarahm Pourkarimi, brother of Iradj and Gity Marzbani; March 26 USA Corona, California BORN A boy, Areya, to Sheila and Rohinton Aresh', June 12 Munster, Indiana DIED Perin F. Bilimoria, mother of Yaz; January 17 New Hartford, New York DIED Seran Keki Kotwal, mother of Jehangir and sister of Yezdi Antia; February 24 New Jersey BORN A girl, Tanaz, to Kashmira and Zarir Karav, March 22 A boy, Shawn, to Dinaz and Minoo Bengali-, April 13 San Jose, California DIED Marzban Mehrafshani, father of Fariborz; March 1 Compiled by Roxana A. Driver 41 Parsiana June 1996 A: Total numbers in this issue B: Running totals for 1996 (February-March 1996-June 1996 issues) * Males married out in 1996 - 9 Females married out in 1996 - 8 ?Overseas deaths are listed in the consigned column as Parsiana does not have r. L. ' These figures pertain to information provided to or collected bv Paraiana Thm, number o. bibbs, marriages anrj d.afhs in ,h. Births and deaths in the commu ­ nity continued to show a down ­ ward trend in Bombay in 1995. The birth count a.s recorded by Parsiana wa.s 221, a dec line of 27 as compared to the 1994 count of 248. (With the Bombay Muni ­ cipal Corporation no longer speci- tying the religion ofthe newborn on the birth certificate and our source of information mainly restricted to four hospitals in south Bombay, we presume that Parsi­ ana account.s tor only 50 percent of the births in the community in Bombay .) The tally of deaths was 941 showing a reduction of 77 a.s compared to the previou.s year ’.s figure of 1,018. Marriage.s in the city, how ­ ever, indicated a marginal incre ­ ase of six over last year ’s total of 372 to give a count of 378 for 1995. Here too, although commu ­ nity marriage.s reduced by 10 compared to the 1994 total of 294, there were 16 more intercom ­ munity marriage.s this year, giving us a total tai ly of 94. With the per ­ centage of intercommunity mar ­ riage.s rising to 25, (from 21 in 1994) if calculated a.s a ratio of intercommunity marriages to the as total number of marriages (94:378) it means that one-fourth a breakup of those cremated, t represent the total J The Telling Figures of all marriage.s contracted by members of the community were to non-Parsi.s in 1995. If the per ­ centage i.s calculated a.s a ratio of intercommunity marriages to community marriages (94:284) it indicates 33 (in 1994 it was 27), ____ ____ figures indicate 941 number of community deaths in Bombay, 476 males and 465 females. While there were 22 who opted for cremation in 1994, in 1995 there were only four, of whom three were males and one female. This, of course, need not be the total number of Zoroastrian cremations in Bombay as our knowledge of those cremated is restricted to the Chandanwadi crematorium. Our count of those consigned at the doongerwadi, 473 males and 464 females, is based on the monthly by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet. We list below the 1995 figures as collected by Parsiana for Bombay: first time Parsiana had computed intercommunity marriage f igures (for the period October 1987 to September 1988) the percentage.s were 12 and 14respectively. This year there were a greater number of lemales, 51, who married out of the community as compared to lhe 43 males, thereby indicating each month. For the year 1995, the highest LEB, 78 was in the month of May and the lowest 71 in the month of June, the mean LEB working out to 74 years. Although lower than the 1994 death count of 1,018, the 1995 4' * that 54 percent of the females a.s versu.s 46 percent of the males contracted intercommunity mar ­ riages. The birth count of 221 ________ s..v, accounted for 112 boys and 109 list ofthe deceased furnished girls. When compared to the 1994 figures it means a decline of 21 in the case of boys, and six in the case of girls. Assuming that Para- ______ ana must be reporting on only Born: 221 halt the total number of Parsi births m Bombay, it still indicates that the birth rate in the commu ­ nity i.s nearly half the death rate. From September 1994 we have also been presenting the figures for Life Expectancy atBirth (LEB) Boys 112, Girls 109 Married: 378 Parsi 284, Intercommunal 94 Died: 941 Consigned: 937 Males 473, Females 464 Cremated: 4 Males 3, Female 1 IIN MEMORIAM Banking on kis honesty Parinaz Gandhi i Died: Maneck Nadirsha Goiporia, 63, erst ­ while chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), and three other nationalized banks, on October 18,1995 in Bombay following wrong done to him...and the humiliation cardiac arrest during his sleep. Reputed for his integrity and acumen on wrote an indignant Palkhivala. Yet “during and finally State Bank. As chairman of SBI my meetings with him I never once found him utter a word of complaint about the which he was made to suffer. ” Corroborated Homi J. H. Taleyarkhan, banking related subjects, Goiporia has been former member of the minorities commissi- paid tributes by outstanding financial wiz ­ ards of this country. Senior advocate. Su­ preme Court, Nani Palkhivala knew him as “one of our most upright and honest Indians in a country where crooks and dishonesty have become a way of life. ” “He was one of the finest, honest and gentlemen bankers I have ever come across. I shall miss him...as a great banker whom one contacted for advice and guidance, ” wrote Ghulam Ghouse, chairman of the Bombay Mercantile Co-operative Bank Limited. “He F was with me on some committees on important subjects and he made significant contributions as a member of these com ­ mittees, ” acknowledged Amitabha Ghosh, former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). “By nature he was \ unassuming, sober and straightforward, ” 1 ¦ added Ghosh mentioning that “In his death the country has lost an outstanding ban ­ ker (who) had vast knowledge in banking and financial matters. ” “I have not met a banker who had a greater sense of honor and integrity than Maneck Goiporia had, ” wrote Palkhivala in The Bombay Samachar of October 22, 1995. “I have always found him totally withsuchdistinction...Evenafterhisuncere- above board and always ready to help, ” monial removal from SBI he was much in on, “A man of highest integrity in the banking world, (Goiporia) was also most I he was ex officio vice president of the Indian Institute of Bankers. He also served as chairman of the Indian Banks Asso ­ ciation and the committee on customer service. Referring to his chairmanship of different banks Goiporia had said in an interview (see “Goiporia ’s mounting cre ­ dit, ” Parsiana, June 1990), “Cross fertili ­ zation (leads to) a healthy interaction. ” On other national bodies too Goiporia had played a significant role: as director of the Agricultural Finance Corporation Lim ­ ited, of the Industrial Development Bank of India, the Discount and Finance House of India Limited; as member of the govern- 1 ing board of the National Institute of Bank Management and on the state level secu- I rity committee oi" the RBI. Pune-born Goiporia did his commerce -1 graduation from Bombay ’s ^odar College Ki following which he did his articles for 11 chartered accountancy from A. F. Fer- 11 gusson ’s. For 25 years he served the Union 11 Bank of India, starting II ° IM UJ O z * 11 Bank of India, starting as an accountant and gaining varied exposure including on an assignment overseas with the National Westminster Bank Limited, London in connection with district office manage ­ ment and foreign exchange. A bank job is a “very challenging and rewarding experience but only if one is willing to work anywhere in India, ” Goi­ poria had maintained in his Parsiana inter ­ view. “The majority of Parsis, while prefer ­ ring bank jobs, do nofdesire responsibility stated the legal luminary, particularly per- demand as consultant by a number of outside Bombay and prefer to stagnate in turbed that Goiporia was “the man who companies. ” clerical or junior banking positions through- was sacrificed at the altar of the lowest depths of injustice to which India has sunk. ” Following the bank scam of 1991 (gross irregularities in stock exchange Mafatlal, chairman of National Organic Bank, “his contribution to the welfare of J-----:--i T_ T ,1 r-i„ our Community was immense, ” wrote Dr Russi Anklesaria, trustee of the Calcutta Zoroastrian Community ’s Religious and Charity Funds. “We recall with deep grati ­ tude his help to us in raising funds for our community, ” he recalled. Although very religious he was not very how painedl was that he had been singled Bank that he took over in 1978, Goiporia orthodox, informs Goiporia ’s daughter out for disapprobation when nothing had had held this apex position with other banks Zenobia Patel. In fact, much to her own been done to the swindlers and the cheats, ” like Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India pleasant surprise, her choice of a non- Goiporia: a gentleman banker efficient, hard-working and result orien ­ ted... He was about to be appointed deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India when unaccountably...he was removed from the chairmanship of SBI which he served companies. ” Letters of condolence from Jyotindra out their lives. ” Vakil, president and managing director of The Premier Automobiles Limited, Arvind spent in Calcutta while working with Union In the course of the 18 years that Goiporia transactions had implicated certain leading Chemical Industries Limited, Jamshyd Go­ bankers of the country) when it was made clear to Goiporia that his tenure as chairman of SBI whould not be renewed, he resigned from the post. “Nothing was proved against him and he was not found guilty of any wrong...I mentioned to him drej, managing director of Godrej and Bo­ yce Manufacturing Company Limited, M. Ramani, secretary of SIV Industries Limi ­ ted, indicate that he had enduring business associations with these corporate houses. Starting with the chairmanship of Dena had held this apex position with other banks like Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India 42 Parsiana June 1996Zoroastrian spouse elicited no opposition —————- --------- — from her father, she notes. Visiting an agi- S SOLdCC ary daily was a must for Goiporia. As often as possible he would frequent the Bhikha Died: Dr Ratan Hormusji Behram well. And yet believing in the Sagar, 68, former president ­ universality of all religions he would ac ­ company his daughter to the Mount Mary Church every month, as also regularly at ­ tend Pandurang Shastri Athavale ’s dis ­ courses on the Gita. His msin interest in life was to do good residence, January 8, 1996. and to help others in need, believes Patel. “During his tenure as Despite his preoccupation with banking, he was “actively involved ” in ameliorating always led the community in (making) the Sagar (second from rieht) at one of the the plight of the visually handicapped and right and honest decisions, ” remarked Capt early meetings of the Federation in the serving the National Association for the Homi Dandiwalla, president-trustee, at the mid 70s at Delhi Blind Committee on Rehabilitation, Train- ’ ’ u,usaiueini Died: Dr Ratan Hormusji trustee of The Allahabad f Parsee Zoroastrian Anjuman J (APZA) for 16 years and a I fellow of the Allahabad I University, at his Allahabad ' “During his tenure president-trustee of APZA he I Oi"- IS ¦'9 ¦ . J I-, 1 , . , ------------- VVIIVCHCU uy UK mg and Employment which “made a lot of Anjuman. “He was also responsible for re pmOTACC nnjcir kio ______________________________________________________ _ their condolence letter. Always willing to bestow affection and respect on others, he endeared himself to his colleagues. Remarked management consultant R. K. Ghotgalkar, “Success in life and the high positions which he held did not go to his head, although he had the micucu ai /Mianaoau s rarsi aramgah, we good fortune to be placed on “a higher are informed. Contrary to prevailing tradi- pedestal as compared to most of his peers. ” -------- Goiporiais survived by his mother Gool, wife Dolly, daughter Zenobia Patel and son Yazd. progress under his chairmanship, ” as notes .. „ remarked Capt early meetings of the Federation in the Homi Dandiwalla, president-trustee, at the ------ condolence meeting convened by the ____ i- viving the APZA which had become de ­ funct and for 1 ' APZA seized by the law courts, ” added Dandiwalla. Though Sagar had opted for cremation, the refusal by the priest to recite after- ath prayers resulted in his body being Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India. Besi- carry the body. “Even after his death he is still leading us as we have done away with recovering the funds of four traditions which have nothing to do with religion, ” remarked Dandiwalla. As president-trustee he used to freque ­ ntly represent his Anjuman at the execu ­ tive council meetings of the Federation of interred at Allahabad ’s Parsi aramgah. tions, neither was Sagar ’s body laid on marble slabs with hands tied nor was it placed in a coffin before burial. Further, non-Zoroastrians too were permitted to des, he was an active member of the World Zoroastrian Organisation and his papers on poultry farming^helped them in their work of ameliorating the poor Parsi farmers of south Gujarat. An eminent veterinary surg^n, Sagar i % With Best Wishes from Mr Rusy M. Shroflf, M.B.E. and Mrs Purviz R. Shroflf Iwas a professor at the Allahabad Agricul- depend on Master s co-operation to raise tural Institute and a fellow of the Allahabad University, “very helpful to his students, very kind to his friends and very dedicated to his medical work, ” wrote Dr Sohrab Mehta in the N. I. Patrika of January 18, 1996. Seeing his commitment to his work, his Institute sent him to America to gain further knowledge in animal husbandry. His teaching stints in different corners of the world included the last one at Sydney. “I had seen the loving and friendly day oltheirdiscussion. When ‘teacher-taught ’ relationship he had with his students, ” stated Mehta recalling the incident when he had to rush his dog to Sagar after an accident. Opining that an ur ­ gent operation was necessary he made days. Master took over as panthaky at the H. B. Wadia Atas Bahram in the 1970s following the death of his brothfer Minoo. During the nearly two decades he func- When the Madressa required fund.s for tioned as panthaky, he would be among the its annexe, once again it was Master ’s en ­ thusiasm that surfaced. Trustee Farokh Sidhwa recalled his surprise on finding a pile of 500 appeals readied by Master and left on his desk for signatures within one the necessary resources for this institution and also for some personal needs like stitching a jaamaa (priest ’s robe). Sidhwa questioned the logic of sending out so many ap ­ peals, Master ’s characteris ­ tic response was “Even il no monies arc received at least Mehta hold the dog while his students they will create an awareness surrounded the operation table so that they could see each step as he proceeded with deft hands. “Dr Sagar spoke to me before the operation and to the students during the operation, with such confidence and in such a light-hearted manner that it brought Madressa Ervad Ramyar Karanjia. Master relief to me and made the procedure seem so easy to his students. It appeared as if he was applying first-aid to a minor injury. ” Known for his wit and humor, his high- spirited company made him the life ol dif ­ ferent social gatherings, acknowledge his varied contacts. However it was not only ollice at Little and Company without an the well-to-do who were comfortable in his presence. He was sought even by poor villagers who would approach him at odd hours of the day and night with their problems being sure of his unfailing help. Sagar is survived by his wile Perin, sons Phiroze and Hanoz. i’ first to report to the Atas Bahram, often opening the doors of the fire-temple him ­ self by 5 a.m. every morning. Before he accepted the panthaky ’s post. Master was employed with the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trom- bay for 15 years where he handled secretarial and su ­ pervisory work. In the 10 years prior to this assignment he had gained varied work exposure: as a salesman with about our organization. ” - R. M. Karkaria and Com- To the children of the pany, Muller and Phipps and Madressa, Master cpitomiz- Master: mark of zeal Lever Brothers, as a super- ed the spirit of Santa Claus, visor with P. Kanga and mentioned the present principal of the Company and Abraham and Sons; as a sec ­ retarial assistant with The Tata Aircraft Limited, The Tata Sports Club, The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and The Bombay Presidency Adult Education Association. For the 18 years he was associated with the Athornan Vandal as office secretary “he evinced keen interest and great enthu ­ siasm in the working of t^e Mandal and took active part in its activities... ” notes their condolence resolution. After nearly two decades of active invol- % vement with the Athornan Mandal, when he was asked to tender his resignation on different trusts voiced some apprehensions October 31 due to old age and failing in approaching a particular dignitary. Mas ­ ter would succeed in arranging the necessa ­ ry introduction, irrespective of whether he did or did not know the personage himself! Despite his limited knowledge of Eng ­ lish, his scant knowledge of accounting procedures, he would strive to maintain re ­ gular records for the trusts with which he was associated, confidently urging his fel ­ low-trustees to sign the same saying “Jail javu parse tan (if the erroneous accounts attract a jail penalty) I’ll go. ” When he err ­ ed in his eagerness to do work, he would often annoy his colleagues, but as acknow ­ ledged Panthaky, “We could not stay angry . with him for long. He would promptly of whom were given prizes with Master send a letter, of apology signed ‘Fall (Gho- talona) Master ’— master of mistakes. ” His father ’s demise when he was yet a schoolboy compelled Master to discon ­ tinue his education to financially assist his widowed mother. Reciting prayers at the Farvardian would then earn him 25 paise per day, recalls his son Shapur to whom Master: mark of zeal was also known to share a rapport with the children who apparently had no inhibitions when approaching him. Just a.s he was easily accessible, Master comfortable when approaching oth- Often he would barge into Sidhwa ’s was as ers. appointment. If a meeting with a client ne- cc.ssitated making him wait outside, Master did not mind. After a while when Sidhwa would go to summon him into his chambers he would find Master asleep outside! When many of his well-established colleagues on 4* Master on the move Died; Ervad Framroje (Fall) Shapurji Master (Elavia), 78, honorary secretary of the Athornan Mandal, the Iran League and the Seth N. H. Karani Agiary Trust on February 19, 1996 at Bombay ’s Jaslok Hospital following cardiac arrest. Instrumental in reviving community in ­ stitutions like the Athornan Boarding Mad ­ ressa at Dadar as also in organizing commu ­ nity activities like the annual competitio ­ ns held under the auspices of the Iran Lea ­ gue, representatives of different organisa ­ tions had come to pay their tribute to Mas ­ ter at a condolence meeting held in his ho ­ nor on April 14, 1996. Referring to Mas ­ ter ’s hard-working temperament, Ervad Rustom Panthaky, former principal of the Madressa, recalled how Master would come to the Madressa by seven in the morning to start work. At a time when the Madressa , ... was hard-pressed for funds, Panthaky would would be related an account of those trying health, he seemed to have lost the verve and initiative that was so characteristic of his life that even at the age of 75 he would be organizing religious tours. Until he was 77 he was seen driving his scooter with a side-car. Many of his friends and associ ­ ates remember getting pillion rides from him and even having to push his vehicle in the event of an empty petrol tank! Despite his personal finances being lim ­ ited he would always assure the organizers of a new project that for a good cause funds were sure to follow. When the Iran League started organizing competitions, in the first year there were only five participants, all donating the first trophy in memory of his late wife Homai. Presently, over 150 chil ­ dren participate and vie for the 28 trophies in different events. Master was given credit for his foresight. Throughout his life his deeds and demeanor were governed by one principle; ‘the show must go on. ’ The dedicated priest is survived by his sons Shapur and Rohinton. p g. 44 Parsiana June 1996 I