Nov 1997

« PaW NOVEMBER 1997 Rs 25 1 I f "***0 MRWb. . Xi .. / iM* I %•' K A g# 'yl V \ / K I t, Madame Bhikhaiji CamaNovember 1997 Volume 20 Number 4 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi SENIOR EDITORS Dina K. Mehta. Hilla P. Guzder ASSOCIATE EDITOR Roxana A. Driver DESIGN Kranti M. Shilotri, NiveditaS. Dhotre MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERT1SING.EXECUTIVE Susan Hadvaid FINANCE B. L. Arora MANAGEMENT Jasmine Driver DTP Bakhtavar R. Batliwalla, K. P. Ravi SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Khurshid Panthaki ^(ASSISTANT SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Swarupa Kamat ACCOUNTANT Anagha Korde ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT Varsha Godbole ACCOUNTS ASSISTANTS Indu Pillai, Satwant Kaur, Hufrish Charna OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare, Govind Salgaonkar, Mahipat Jadhav 2 Readers ’ Forum 9 Events and Personalities 15 Zoroastrians Abroad 16 Madame Cama: Unfurling freedom ’s flag by Dr Nawaz Mody 24 She dared to defy by Hilla Guzder 26 A memento of the Meherjis by Parinaz Gandhi 36 WCZF: The world body in perspective by Arnavaz Mama 44 A new structure for the WZO? 46 A union of federations 50 Hunt for the oriental treasures by Capt Hormazdiar J. M. Desai 52 Books 53 Milestones 56 In Memoriam: Dr Noshir Dastur Cover: Photograph by Hoshi Patei Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd at C/o H. L, Rochat, K. K. (Navsari) Chambers, ground floor, 39 A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Color processing. Comart Lithographers; black and white processing. Tricolour. All rights reserved. ISSN: 0971 -3786. Phone: 2078730,2072624. Fax; 2074541. For editorial enquiries phone: 2078183. E-mail; parvo@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in For subscription enquiries and payments: C/o Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman St (Behind Reserve Bank of India), Bombay 400001.Phone:2658619,2665661. Fax: 2654585. Annual inland subscription for one year (10 issues) Rs 250; for two years (20 Issues) Rs 475; for three years (30 issues) Rs 700. Foreign subscription rates: Seamall for one year Rs 450/US $ 14/UK £ 9; for two years Rs 850/ US $ 25/UK £ 15; for three years Rs 1,250/US $ 36/UK £ 22 (please allow six months or more for delivery from the time of publication). Airmail for one year Rs 750/US $ 23/UK £ 15 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 525); for two years, Rs 1,400/US $43/ UK £ 27 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 975); for three years Rs 2,100/US $ 60/UK £ 37 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 1,450). For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 20 for bank charges; for US cheques add $ 5; for UK cheques add £ 3. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favor of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001./ READERS’ FORUM ^00 wifwowm “Honor thy father...” Khorshed Javeri ’s article on her father Rustomji Andhyarujina titled “Honor thy father..." (Parsiana, June 1997) is perhaps You should publish^more articles^like one of the nicest pieces of journalism I have seen in a long, long time. That a daughter, and a married one at that, salutes her father for his trying efforts to bring up a family of seven in real rough nity should be proud of. weather is perhaps the ultimate acknowledg ­ ment of a child ’s reverence for her pater. I was quite moved after reading the article twice. In the autumn of their lives, I was perhaps their only nephew (Rustomji You should publish more such articles in Parsiana. N. r.dalal “Honor thy father... ” (Parsiana, June 1997). It feels so good to read about a family that weathered storms and succeeded. That brood of five children is one the commu- R. BATLIWALLA An eye opener I was very happy to read in Parsiana that an Association of Inter-Married Zoroastri- ans has been in existence since 1991 to and his wife Freny ’s) to have frequently uphold the rights of Parsi Zoroastrian visited them. Sitting with them for a couple of hours was an experience. His help, dedication and advice (both legal and oth ­ erwise) towards the Udvada Anjuman, the Readers ’ views are welcome on any subject of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. women (who have married outside the community but have not renounced their Zoroastrian faith) to be free to practice all the rituals connected with our religion as Damanwalla Dispensary and the Iranshah normally practiced by Parsi Zoroastrian problems went unsung... perhaps that was one side of Rustomji with which his daugh ­ ter Khorshed was unfamiliar. Rustomji was a very dear uncle to me and his wife Frenymai was instrumental in seeing me getting married and happily at that. I cherish the wonderful moments I have had with them. Rustomji always be ­ lieved in the bond of consanguinity... a true father figure of the Andhyarujina fam ­ ily. ROINTON H. ANDHYARUJINA “Concretizing dreams” In the write-up “Concretizing dreams ” on the housing project of the Salsette Parsis Association (Parsiana, June 1997) we regret not having mentioned a few agencies which we wish to thank for century ago. making this great dream project possi ­ ble. They are our solicitors, J. R. Gagrat and A. R. Jani of M/s Gagrat and Company, who framed the scheme and gave it legal shape, our architect Rusi Khambatta ol Rusi Khambatta and Associates who was originally responsible for designing the whole project, Fall Sarkari, chartered ac ­ countant, and M/s Arolkar and Associates for getting the scheme approved from the Bombay Municipal Corporation. We also take this opportunity to thank all others associated with the project whose names may have been inadvertently omit ­ ted. ASPl P. ENGINEER Technical Consultant. Persepolis Construction Company Private Limited ladies. It is now high time that we come out of a narrow mold which denies our Parsi Zoroastrian sisters the right to practice the Zoroastrian religion and to bring up their children as true Zoroastrians. The restric ­ tions imposed by the bigotry of orthodox priests have to be vacated, if need be by legal measures, as the Indian Constitution gives equal constitutional rights to all women as enjoyed by their male counter ­ parts. Recent judgments by the Supreme Court, in connection with restrictions prac ­ ticed by other minority communities, should be an eye opener for our small but for her success to her parents. It showed the enlightened community, love of a noble man for his companion who had stood by him through thick and thin; and it showed up the strong family values that prevailed among the Parsis half a The article “Honor thy father... ” (Parsiana, June 1997) was a touching tribute by a successful daughter who gives the credit I salute the writer as much as her par ­ ents. Would there were more like her! 2 Parsiana November 1997 In several cities in India, even children of Parsi fathers and alien mothers are re ­ stricted from entering places of worship till the navjote ceremony is performed. A view of the first building of the Salsette Parsis Association complexIn Memoriam Mr Fali Meherji Variava Ex-Director BLAZE TOURS & TRAVELS PVT LTD Indian Merchants Chamber Bldg, Opp Churchgate Station, Bombay 400020 Tel Nos: 2044439, 2020233, 2840026, 2843901, 2843910, 2029406, 2835140 Fax: (022) 2048037 1Such ridiculous restrictions can only lead to ignorance about our religion for the quality and not the quantity that matters, as unfortunate children fallacy of this quote will be evident in gentle the hardened heart, during the most for- the next few generations. In spite of efforts mative period of their to encourage intracommunity marriages, lives i.e. up to seven increasing number of intercommunity Zoroaster was the first man we know who or nine years till the |y| Aw marriages are taking place for a number of navjote is performed, reasons, the commonest being that the These children are heart wins over the head, not exposed to the or m. d. disawalla sanctity of our places of worship and our prayers, and the first time in their lives they ever see the kebla is after the navjote Virtue brings victory ceremony. By such thoughtless restric ­ tions we are ourselves depriving our chil ­ dren from learning and appreciating our glorious religion and its practices. I personally would prefer intracommu ­ nity marriages as this has a lot of advan ­ tages in understanding each other ’s cus ­ toms, culture, religion, etc. But if for any destroy the child but nothing worked, reason this has not been possible, then the ’ " “ children of Parsi Zoroastrian mothers and alien fathers should be permitted to be passion. He helped the aged; he healed the brought up in all aspects as Zoroastrians sick; he fed the hungry; he lightened the provided the non-Zoroastrian father has no objection and the mother has not renounced among his fellows to comfort them in their her Zoroastrian faith at the time of mar- ..................... * riage. An increasing number of such chil ­ dren are being lost to our already depleted living, community. Miracle of miracles, Zoroaster had at- Let us not delude ourselves that it is the tained honor within his own country. His greatest miracle was his ability to make Rabindranath Tagore had written, “There can be hardly any question that gave a definitely moral character and di ­ rection to religion. ” Though surrounded by believers in magical rites, he proclaimed in those dark Bangalore days of unreason that religion has its truth and its moral significance. Zoroaster regarded Ahura Mazda as a seven-point personality — eternal light, wisdom, righteousness, power, piety, be ­ nevolence and eternal life. The three cornered foundation of good God in his eternal effort to protect man ­ kind has taught them the art of peace, thrift, friendship, love and domestication of cattle. When Zoroaster was born, alt nature thoughts, good words, good deeds — rejoiced. A divine light illuminated the humata, hukata, huvarashta are strangely world. The evil spirits tried their best to not mentioned in our Gathas. The Zend Avesta which is a book dealing with the nature of God, the duty of man and destiny of life says our duty is to teach friendliness to the enemy, righteousness to the wicked, wisdom to the ignorant and above all, to loads of the beasts of burden; he wandered hate falsehood, to expose injury, whether to man or beast. Well-being is not a duty but a joy. In the next 15 years, Zoroaster refined his character in the sacred waters of com- hours of distress; he perfected himself as master in the practical art of independent Virtue brings its own victory and vice its own defeat. HOMI J. H. TALEYARKHAN PRUDENTIAL SHIPPING AGENCIES PRIVATE LIMITED Shipping agents, cargo brokers and container operators 55A/63A, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Opp G.P.O., Mumbai 400001, India Tel: 2692787 (10 Lines), Fax: 2652841, Tlx: 11 82307 PSAB IN Email: g=prudential / s=bom / p=gems / a=vsnl / c=in Internet: prudential.bom@gems.vsnl.ne.t.in Registered Office: 77, Mint Road, Fort, Mumbai 400001, India Tel: 2694203, 2659055, 2658396 Branches Bombay - Nhava Sheva - Kandla -- New Delhi -- Ludhiana - Ahmedabad 4 Parsiana November 1997Bands at bangs Time was when our baugs and halls used to reverberate with music played by good movie makers, advertising agcncies/lele- Parsi bands; Kashinath ’s, Khodaiji ’s, Goody Seervai ’s, Nellie ’s. The host would invite band players to dinner and the leader of the band would be presented a bottle of good liquor. Alas! With the passage of time these bands, which used to entertain the gatherings with popular music and songs of yesteryear, put down their batons. Hardly do we now find a good Parsi band. The void is filled in by taped music. Whether music is played by a band or is cl gentlemen conversing recorded one, a host is burdened with an additional sum of Rs 1,000. The worst part is that this music must be stopped from being played at 9.30 p.m. Why can ’t the time be extended to 10 p.m. or 10.30 p.m.? Why should we Parsis remain docile and silent when other communities, on their festive days, are allowed to blare deafen ­ ing music right up to midnight or even beyond? bhikhajim.adenwalla the passage of time, during the ’50s and ’60s some new brand of Parsi writers, The Young Men’s Parsi Orchestra playing at Allbless Baug in the early ’40s (seated on stage first and third from left are Nariman Khursedji and Nani Palkhivala) lost supremacy when the young breed of Parsi cricketers lacked real enthusiasm, interest and steadfastness. Today there is no Parsi cricketer in the Indian team. Some years back a Parsi cricket team went to England to play some matches with the English team. Have you ever heard that an intelligent and peace loving people like the Parsis can create riots in the city of Bombay? In the year 1863, according to a book called Mumbaichi Varnan by Mr K. R. Mondker, some 50 robust Parsi youths created the riots. It so happened that some dog catch ­ ers made bold attempts to carry away some pet dogs from Parsiwada. To catch pet dogs was a great offence in those days. These 50 youths went on the rampage, even ordering all traders to down their shutters; not only that but an attempt was made to stop food supplies like meat. Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy as a respectable citizen of Bombay intervened in this matter and vision started a new trend of comedies, not knowing the humiliating consequences that these youths were released from prison, would follow within a few decades. Then a favorite slogan was coined that Parsis can laugh al themselves. Not only that, but they appeared to be a bunch of buffoons. Another reason for the degrading image On August 15, 1997 India celebrated the golden jubilee of its independence with great pomp and show. Our political leaders and freedom fighters gave some good speeches recalling names of past freedom of our community is our poor knowledge fighters and their unique contribution. May ofHindi and Marathi. Have you ever heard I' , old Parsi ladies and with Hindi and Marathi speaking maid servants? When we have a great inclination to learn for ­ eign languages like Ger ­ man, Russian and French why refrain from learning our own Indian languages that would definitely upgrade the image of a dwindling Parsi community? Be ­ sides, in the past, Parsis, I know how many of them remembered the This sagging image This religious, intellectual, homogenous, enterprising and peace loving community both young and old, which has contributed immensely towards the progress and prosperity as well as wel ­ fare ofthis country has been humiliated too. ----- ---------- - „ , - Parsis themselves are to be blamed to that, they were loyal to their employers. Mehta and Dadabhai Naoroji who contrib- some extent for creating this sagging im ­ age of our community. In the early part of this century, prestigious Parsi playwrights ness and not prepared to face strenuous like Pijam and Kabraji used to churn out ‘ ’ strong social dramas apart from comedies which used to captivate the audience. With whether educated or un ­ educated were “willing workers. ’’ They names of great Parsi freedom fighters like believed in the dignity of labor. Not only Madam Bhikhaiji Cama, Sir Pherozeshah uted immensely in our freedom struggle? Who knows after another 50 years Parsis will have no voice in anything in this coun- jobs. It is a fact that in the past Parsis were try. d. d. neterwalla record holders and pioneers in sports like cricket but with the passage of time they The modern generation of Parsis is more selective in its jobs, profession and busi- Edited by Parinaz M. Gandhi 6 Parsiana November 1997about and deciding to implement the projects spouses are outnumbering Zoroastrian most suited to their long-term survival. But this can only be viewed as a cata ­ lytic attempt to wake up to the dangers confronting us. In this writer ’s view what needs to be done additionally, is to consti- CORRECTION Due to an oversight, the second page of Readers ’ Forum was inadvertently repeated as the fourth page in the October 1997 issue of Parsiana. Since there is a mix-up in the two letters, “Any options for survival? ’’ by Homi B. Minocher Homji and “Punchayet ’s preoccupation ” by Pesi D. Muncherji, we are reprinting the letters in this issue. Parsiana regrets the error. Any options for survival? The Parsi Zoroastrian community is well aware of its inevitable demographic disas ­ ter before the middle of the next century, but does not seem sufficiently concerned to avert it. It prefers to look to its past glory stitute such a think tank and, in these days and more recent achievements as a dike against the deluge. There is no attempt to mobilize public awareness or to form a -------------------- . . _ . think tank or to constitute a group of multi- the saviors ol the community. There do exist some assemblies/asso- disciplinary wise men to even deliberate Prima facie what are these options.^ ciations/Mazdayasni groups who have upon the subject. The Iranian Zoroastrian •Do nothing because we cannot agree on wisely held a far-sighted view of such community is better placed in its demo- anything. That is our current tradition: tragedy and are busy converting many graphy and reproduction rate but as they Ahura has helped us to survive 4,000 years ethnics into the Zoroastrian faith at a level migrate towards cities or to the West and and will continue to do so (hope springs of purity we ourselves fail to achieve or fall prey to modernization, they too may eternal in the human breast!); take for granted. All praise to such pio- soon find their growth stunted. ‘Ask the youth to marry early a Zoroas- neers, seers and saviors. But if we adopt The Zoroastrian Society of Ontario trian spouse and produce more children the ostrich mentality of burying our heads (ZSO) recently gave some thought to un- (demographers and sociologists will con- in the sand and condemning them as a dertaking a long-term plan of activity, sider such a behest ridiculous); danger to our ethnic insulation, we will right into the beginning of the next cen- •Go back to the Gathic age of Asho Zara- irreversibly damage our own existence. It tury. It issued a list of some 34 schematic thushtra and open up the religion to all we know any better and viable alternatives helpful projects grouped into eight major mankind. If all this seems ‘so sudden, ’ then let us proclaim thern in the Press an sectors and circulated it to the Ontario then do it by stages e.g. acceptance of non- face the community with such options, community with a view to eliciting their Zoroastrian spouses and children of mixed Else get under the caps of the wise men. choice of five projects therefrom in their marriages and widows and those who had homi b. minocher homji order of priority. The outcome was: Zoroastrian narentaee two or three genera- Toronto, Canada •Encourage Zoroastrian youth (to partici ­ pate) particularly by involving them in all spouses and we hesitate to accept at par such spouses and their children? We are already in the process of gradu ­ ally evolving into a different culture, influ- ____ _____________ enced by the Judeo-Christian culture and tute a global think tank of some multi- education process abroad, and by the Hindu and Muslim culture by contact at home. If we do survive as a community past the middle of the next century, it will be in a form considerably different from the tradi ­ tional or the present. Thanks to the tele ­ communication miracle, the world is disciplinary wise men, to deliberate upon the options we have within this crunch and then circulate their thoughts to all commu ­ nity associations around the world in order to seek their individual views and priori ­ ties. Could the Federation of Parsi Zoroas ­ trian Anjumans of India or the Bombay shrinking in space and time. There is little Parsi Punchayet take a constructive and serious global lead in this matter and con- of immediate ‘e ’-mail, also include some members from Iran, Pakistan, UK and North America? These will hopefully be thinking caps. the saviors of the community. Prima facie what are these options? •Do nothing because we cannot agree on anything. That is our current tradition: room for survival of smaller ethnic faiths in their pure form. The challenge is to find out if and how we can survive such calam ­ ity and keep afloat. That is where our group of wise men should put on their and will continue to do so (hope springs eternal in the human breast!); •Ask the youth to marry early a Zoroas ­ trian spouse and produce more children (demographers and sociologists will sider such a behest ridiculous); •Go back to the Gathic age of Asho Zara- thushtra and open up the religion to all mankind. If all this seems ‘so sudden, ’ then do it by stages e.g. acceptance of non- Zoroastrian spouses and children of mixed marriages and widows and those who had Zoroastrian parentage two or three genera ­ tions back; •Acceptance selectively of known non ­ activities of ZSO, including membership Zoroastrians who are prepared to fully and on the executive and other working com ­ mittees; •Assist the home-bound Zoroastrian eld ­ erly and the handicapped, with a network of voluntary care through friendly visits, meals, etc; •Enhance the Zoroastrian faith and spiri ­ tual needs of the community by providing religious education, by age groups, and educating parents to maintain Zoroastrian practices in the home; •Develop appropriate physical facilities for the community for housing of seniors and establishing a Zoroastrian cemetery. con- Punchayet’s preoccupation The Parsi Punchayet may be doing their best to solve the housing problem of the community, but what they are doing is not good enough and it seems that the scheme is not executed in a proper and suitable manner. The . board of trustees of the solely accept the good religion and abide by its injunctions. When considering these options one must keep in mind that the only other alternative is total numerical disaster and final disappearance. We have gone through Punchayet consists of seven highly com- a long period of Sasanian conversions and ' ' abundant non-Zoroastrian spouses. We are already carrying the genes of Dubra con ­ verts within India, much as we would like to deny it. Besides, what percentage of Parsis today continue to wear their sudreh- kusti and earnestly follow the Gathic or Vendidadian religiosity, behavior or pu- This report and the format of projects has rity whilst lured by hopeful miracles or been circulated to the Zoroastrian Press in Bombay, Delhi and North America. A copy can be requested by mail from the ZSO, 3590Bay view Avenue, Willowdale, Ontario, M2M 3S6, Canada. The objective is to get all Zoroastrians around the world thinking petent, wise persons, drawn from the cream of society, each experienced in his own profession. These trustees are not able to work in harmony. Different statements are issued by different trustees at different times and at times the same trustee is known to have expressed different views on the same subject. The trustees have practically no time to devote to the welfare activities of the com- evil eye) as promised by other faiths? Will munity except those concerning housing our next generation, outside of India/Paki- stan, even know or respect or follow our religious and behavioral practices or mo ­ rality, particularly when non-Zoroastrian showers of wealth (and in some cases, the matters, considered to be a very lucrative business today. The flats once built could not be allotted to the needy for almost five continued on page 56 8 Parsiana November 1997Events and Personalities Surat’s mounting assets Entrusted with the management of several institutions and trusts, the eight trustees of the Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP) with Dr Sam Bhacca as president have been suc ­ cessful in augmenting their financial sta ­ tus as indicated by their accounts for the year ended March 31, 1997. They are in charge of assets valued at Rs umm 117,789,565.40, with investments accounting for Rs 86,264,459.38 and immovable property for Rs 24,025,468.65. While they have I sent a comparative statement of 1 their performance in 1997 as ver ­ sus 1985, since they have not ex ­ plained the rationale for choosing this 12-year evaluation, Parsiana has analyzed the recent figures with the 1995 statement of accounts, the latest available with us. Two years earlier their assets were valued at Rs 82,634,569.27 of which Rs 13,373,003.45 constituted immovable property and Rs 69,809,364.38 were shown Panchayat office Photo: Ashvin Mehta as investments. When studying the corpus of the differ ­ ent bodies, it appears that the SPP is most Burjorji Dastur Darab Pahalana Trust, comfortably placed with Rs 40,909,346.87, the Nariman Home coming next in line with Rs 23,357,258.25 and the Parsi Gen ­ eral Hospital with Rs 11,360,815.37. Also included in their immovable prop ­ erties are the Surat Parsi Boys Orphanage, Nariman Girls Orphanage, Parsi Mater ­ nity Hospital and the Patel School. When comparing the reserve, development and sinking funds of the different properties, the Boys Orphanage continues to show a maximum, Rs 1,505,357.01 and the Patel School a minimum Rs 80,270.95. In 1995, their respective figures were Rs 1,255,391.04 and Rs 70,332.23. In the case of rent and income from land re ­ ceived, the Patel School continues to show Rs 127,536 as it did in 1995 while the Boys Orphanage shows a drop from Rs 170,300 to Rs 101,655. For the SPP too the rent and income from land declined from Rs 764,573.16 to Rs 473,772.94. Also within the purview of the SPP are the Parsi Surat Charity Fund, the Polytech ­ nic Institute, the Alapaiwala Institute, the Dastur Meherji Rana Trust, the Dastur 1__ Kb !S The building housing the Surat Darab Phalana Trust and the Sorabji Donations though, continue to pour in for the SPP: Rs 61,518.12 from public Youth, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Scholarship, trusts and Rs 149,675 from individuals in 1997 as compared to Rs 52,444.02 from public trusts and Rs 158,676 from indi ­ viduals in 1995. In both the years, the highest expenditure was incurred on edu ­ cation; Rs 7,625,552.20 in 1997 and Rs department of psychological services and 5,146,676.07 in 1995. The Boys Orphan ­ age too received sizable donations, Rs 107,135.68 from public trusts and Rs 22,007 from individuals, lower however than in tional and employment agencies and there- 1995 when it was Rs 210,987 from public after submitted her report to the Punchayet, trusts and Rs 37,691 from individuals. The Girls Orphanage registered an increase in donations as altogether it received Rs 53,206 (Rs 43,350 from public trusts and Rs 9,856 from individuals) as compared to Rs 35,750 from public trusts and Rs 13,191 from individuals in 1995. In Master’s stride Manifold are the portfolios Sheroo Master has handled in the course of her associa ­ tion with the Bombay Parsi Punchayet spanning almost 40 years: educational. matrimonial, stipendiary, wel ­ fare... Appointed joint secretary of the Punchayet since July 8, 1997, she is now additionally re ­ quired to oversee matters con ­ cerning the F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, the doongerwadi, elections, staff administration and allied welfare, states Master. Having joined the Punchayet as an assistant even before she completed her postgraduation from St Xavier ’s College, over the years she has had an opportu ­ nity to work “with several be ­ nevolent trustees whose life ’s mission was and is the welfare of the community, ” mentions Master. Involved in the Punchayet ’s different educational projects, principal among which are the Holiday Programmes for J. R. D. Tata Scholarship, Master ’s special interest and important contribution has been in the vocational guidance bureau. In fact she joined the Punchayet as assistant to the central employment bureau and the vocational guidance bureau. In 1964 she had an occasion to visit the Scandinavian countries where she studied their voca- notes a press release. Monitoring incoming donations by lega ­ cies, settlements, estate and corpus dona ­ tions as also outgoing donations to anju- mans and community institutions have 9 Parsiana November 1997t MM Com- ~~—j Limited. To be known as Brachy ­ stelma Naorojii, Britain ’s Royal Botanic Gardens have confirmed its status as a separate plant and have given permission IV V.. V,. 10 name it after the late industrialist, it was is related with reported in Godrej News, the house journal named Salman-e-Farsi, by Godrej and Boyce ManufaclLiiin 'g a Zoroastrian stating that the Buddha ’s main teaching of pany the middle path was borrowed from Zoro- ‘ astrianism. The familiar tale of the first Parsi mi ­ grants to India adding sugar to the bowl of milk brought by the natives is ..2'.. . . ' a new twist. The leader ofthe group dropped of Godrej and Boyce, in its centenary not sugar but a big golden ring into the issue, volume 4, 1997. bowl of milk, according to Chothia! That Parsis contributed to the building of India is reiterated. But Chothia doe.s not mention by name the three Parsis who were elected to the British Parliament, nor the names ol the first Indian bank, the lirst Indian newspaper, the first ship that were fallen within Master ’s , purview. Devoting most of her time to the Punchayet, she finds she has limited ener- gies at the end of the day to pursue other in- - • ¦ terests like reading and Master: sewing. Given a chance, she does like to set out on tour, being particularly fasci ­ nated by sites of archeological interest. In a controversy ridden community she pre ­ fers to adopt the adage of ‘live and let live ’ and has learnt to take in her stride the ...... . . . accusations levelled against the Punchayet supposedly pioneered by Parsis, nor the by its critics. More than a religion “This little book is not a thesis on Zoroas ­ trian theology or a historical work on the Parsis. It is not a ‘user ’s manual ’ either. It is just a humble attempt at introducing ourselves and our lofty religion to our friends and well-wishers of other laiths. It can also help the modern generation who know absolutely nothing about our reli ­ gion or history... The material used in the following pages is neither new nor origi ­ nal, ” candidly admits the author Rustom C. Chothia in his introduction to the 35- page booklet The Parsis And Their Reli- Starting with “Who are the Parsis : and ending with a chart on the Amesha Spentas, the author has traced the an ­ tecedents of the Parsis and summarized the key tenets, ceremonies and customs which characterize their life ­ style so that “this little book can answer the most often asked questions. ” When referring to the Prophet, Chothia writes, “Prophet Zarathushtra did not teach a mere religion. He taught a way of life. Also Zarathushtra did not teach a new religion. The Mazdayasni religion already existed at the time of his birth...But the people and the priests had corrupted it. Prophet Zarathushtra revived the religion and re ­ stored it to its pristine form. ” That Zoroas ­ trianism influenced other religions is con ­ veyed briefly by alluding to the common ­ ality with Vedic Hinduism, by mentioning ___ that the three wise men who greeted Christ A floral pilCHOniCllOn with gifts at the time of his birth were Botany books will now include a new Zoroastrians, by recalling that Prophet species of plants named alter Naoroji Mohammed ’s main adviser and guide was Godrej, the former managing directoi of manifold duties o’ 1 ‘g into the names of the biggest hospital and hotel built by Parsis. Chothia ’s own interpretation of the re ­ ligion is conveyed directly or indirectly in certain passages. On conversion: “When a person converts to another religion it is an 1 converts to another religion it is an insult to the person ’s religion of birth. ” “Just as a married man should not covet another woman, a Zoroastrian should not engage in worship of anything else. It is adultery. ” On intermarriage; “Most people who marry outside are ignorant ol the religion and hence become indifferent to retaining our ethnic culture and values. On charity: “It is our duty to give at least 10 percent of our earning to religious and charitable institutions. Remember God is nobody ’s keeper. ” On prayer: “Babbling prayers '.1 Botanical samples of Brachystelma Naorojii for hours without piety or devotion is of no use. Another impor ­ tant aspect of prayer is that it has to be backed by righteous living. ” On the status ot V women; “It is therefore neces- sary for a woman to be in the house and bring up the chil- ! dren rather than go to work and bring lots of money. Chil ­ dren, not money, will be the future of the community. ” While it is difficult to over- Rustom C. Chothia . < •« look certain spelling errors like Zoroastrian being spelt Zoroastrain occa ­ sionally, visuals in the form of illustrations and photographs make the book more read- should approach the author who is also the essential for us for in botany a plant is The Parsis And Their Religion able. Those interested in procuring a copy publisher at 757, Road No 7, Parsi Colony, Dadar, Bombay 400014, telephone 4148394. with gifts at the time of his birth were Botany books will now include a new Godrej, the former managing director of 10 Parsiana November 1997 This wild tuberous plant, often eaten raw by locals, was discovered by Dr P. Tetali and his team from the Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research (NGCPR) at Shinde- wadi in Satara district, mentions Godrej News. When combing the almost barren hill slopes of the nearby Gavadewadi for rare and endemic (restrictedly distributed) plants in 1992, they came across this species which was then nurtured at the NGCPR nursery for two years after which it flowered. “That was identified by its flowers, ” Tetali was quoted in The Times of India of August 25, 1997. Attempts are now on to “seriously try and cultivate, propagate and multiply ” the new species which is found only in the Western Ghats, said Tetali. “It ’s a great honor for us in the Godrej family especially as only five to sevenInstituted for the best kindergarten teacher of Gujarat, the Hari Om Ashram Prerit Award (worth Rs 5,001 )for the year 1996- 97 was recently conferred on Armaity P. Choksey of Baroda, according to a write­ up by Roxanne Kavarana. Head of the kindergarten section of Shreyas Vidyalaya. beyond mirrors is routine tor artist Rusi Choksey is reportedly a multi-faceted Rutnagar who is constantly exploring new woman who not only has a flair for interior ' ' ' ' • • ¦ ¦ • design, cookery and organizing cultural shows, but also holds a first clas.s radio technician’s certificate. Centre ’s eventual aim is to identify teams Prayers and floral tributes were offered at of growers and give them free seeds and saplings of rare plants, it was reported. His mark on the mirrors Looking into mirrors, behind mirrors and and members of The Bombay Parsee Asso- subjects and themes which he can paint on this glass medium. His latest exhibition at Cache, The Arts and Crafts Gallery in Bandra, had on view over 100 such mirror and glass paintings from November 7-12, 1997. Although he managed to sell 42 art pieces at this exhibition, he rates the viewer response as “average, ” indicating that he would have experienced greater satisfac ­ tion “if I had come home with less pieces. ” While usually he undertakes exhibi ­ tions once in three years, Rutnagar held two during the last 12 months. Another recent development is that his paintings are on view and sale at the first class lounge of British Airways at Bombay ’s Sahar Aiport. To buy a place of his own where he can permanently display his work species of new plants are discovered each year in our entire region (including India, Nepal and Bhutan), ” said Vijay Crishna, director, NGCPR to The Times. NGCPR aims to “initiate research and attempt pres ­ ervation and conservation of rare and near- extinct plant species of the Indian subcon ­ tinent, ” stressed Crishna. The Centre pres ­ ently houses 300 plant species of which about 70 are rare and endemic to the West ­ ern Ghats of Maharashtra. While the ma ­ jority are medicinal plants, aromatic and wild edible plants, bamboo, timber and orchid species constitute the balance. The is among his priorities now. 12 Parsiana November 1997 the statue of Veer Savarkar and the memo­ rials of 16 other prominent freedom fight­ ers on the occasion of 50 years of India s independence by some of the office bearers ciation. His mirror works span abstracts, figures and objects, sea and sandscapes, graphics and animals, and celebrity portraits of well-known names like Rajiv Gandhi, M. S. Oberoi, Charlie Chaplin... His meticulously executed paintings are available in the Rs 3,000 to Rs 18,000 price range. An exception though is his 10” X 15” bust of Zarathushtra which is priced at Rs 2,500 because he would “like it to go into every Parsi home. ” “The highly impressive 7’ x 3’ portrait of Marilyn Monroe at RGs (discotheque) is his personal favorite, ” notes an article in Swagat. At other discotheques like Cel ­ lars, Go Bananas and Cyclone too can his work be glimpsed. Starting with the Oberoi pastry shop in Bombay, Rutnagar has also been commis ­ sioned to leave his stamp on the Ramada Palm Grove at Juhu, the Aurora Towers in Pune, the Leela Beach Resort in Goa. Perfecting his fine art for the last 14 years, Rutnagar maintains, “Patience and concentration are the two prerequisites you need. ” He starts, though not always, with a free-hand drawing on paper, then transfers the sketch onto the back of a mirror after which he etches the area which he plans to paint. Next follows an acid bath for the mirror and later a wash with water. Once it is dry, he paints the exposed parts. While certain works can be completed within Rutnagar: fascinated with glass Photo'. Piakash Raohours, there are others on which he has to toil for weeks. His medium being so sensi ­ tive, he can ’t risk etching wrongly for then it would be almost impossible to camou ­ flage it. The glass below must also not get scratched. This concern for details was imbibed by Rutnagar during his stint as interior designer at the architectural firm, Talati and Shroff. The motivation to launch his own venture was “to do something, which from start to finish was created by me. ” Sethna’s survey standing Her forte being survey research and inves ­ tigations as also advertising and communi ­ cations, many are the organizations on which Arni N. Sethna left her imprint before succumbing to cancer at the age of 67 on June 11, 1997. At the Indian Market Research Bureau she served as senior research executive. At Pathfinders, the research division of Lintas India, she worked as general manager. But many more years (almost seven) did she spend as convener of the Committee for Consumer Education for Schools and Col ­ leges where she was instrumental in orga ­ nizing training programs for school and college students and teachers, notes a write ­ up in Keemat, July-August 1997, the news- letter of the Consumer Guidance Society we were working on a readership survey, of India (CGSI). She was also committed to ensuring that Highway heists consumer awareness is inculcated from a young age. Towards this end she strove, even approaching the gov ­ ernment of Maharashtra to see that consumer edu ­ cation is included in the syllabi ofstandards IX and festival days. X, it was recalled. “Her friends in CGSI will miss her, her gaiety, vigor and dynamism, ” added Keemat referring to her association with the Deterred by traffic jams on the highway have you been tempted to traverse the route by night? Better beware, for stone throwing and other measures to stop your vehicle and procure money from you is a common phenomenon in India, especially during A frequent traveller by road from Bombay to Navsari, Piran Behram Doctor was on one such nocturnal sojourn when his Tata Estate was pelted with stones around mid ­ night between Manor and Charoti in Octo­ ber last. Emboldened by similar experi- complaints committee of the CGSI during ences in the recent past. Doctor, who was which time she went about collecting affi- travelling with his wife, father and children, davits from persons who had paid large drove on. Fortunately for them, the passen- amounts to Tabe clinic for the miraculous cures it was purportedly offering. “As a result of her efforts, Tabe clinic was issued an injunction by the Bombay High Court, ” Sethna: consumer vigilance gers in the car were unhurt although the vehicle was damaged, relates Doctor. An unprepared novice might have halted his vehicle and faced even greater debarring it from publishing misleading difficulties. But for a seasoned traveller advertisements, mentions Keemat. like Doctor who due to work exigencies is A graduate in sociology and marketing compelled to take this route by night, there management from London University, Sethna is known to have undertaken social work for the handicapped, the hearing im ­ paired and the blind. Even Parsiana had ____________ benefitted from her honorary guidance when Compiled by Parinaz m. Gandhi was nothing so alarming. Such incidents happen on all the national highways all the time, he states matter-of-factly. For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS 324, Grant Road, Bombay 400007. Telephone 3099648 Fax 3073483 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 14 Parsiana November 19973 ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD Perth Zarathushtis unite The Zoroastrian Association of Western Australia (ZAWA) held its first Navroze expectations? luncheon at a hall in Perth, note Ruki and Farhad Mehta in a jubilant fax message to Farhad ’s father Behram Mehta. Chairing the fledgling — we do not know what the Association ’s strength is so far —is Darius Pavri. Farhad Mehta is vice supported the formation of FEZAA, writes chairperson. The team includes secretary Firoz Pestonji, treasurer Mehernosh Buha- riwalla and committee members Purveen Meher-Homji, Homee Wadia and Behram congratulated the AZA for its decision to use Cooper. ZAWA can be contacted care of Pestonji at lOB Birch Road, Padbury, Western Aus- Fifth time president tralia 6025, informs the fax message. An unprecedented feat was accomplished leaves). ” by Homi Khambata when he was elected vice president of the Karachi Gymkhana (KG) for the fifth time for the year 1996- 97, informs the Parsi Sansar Ane Lok Sevak, dated January 4, 1997. Khambata secured the highest number of votes (1,208 out of 1,450). He is reportedly the only became its president. He died in office in Zoroastrian among its 11 managing com ­ mittee members. “The KG was founded in 1886 on a vast tract of land leased from the government. From that time almost until the creation of Pakistan the club was reserved exclusively is a lot of religious awakening among the for members of the European commu ­ nity, ” notes its centenary celebrations sou ­ venir. For a monthly fee of Pakistan Rs 400, its 6,000 members can avail of the facilities of the cricket grounds, tennis lawns, swimming pool, squash and bad ­ minton courts and billiards, bridge and card rooms, informs Khambata adding, “there is no life membership. ” “A most FEZAA in the making The birth pangs of the Federation of Zoro ­ astrians in Australasia (FEZAA) has been recorded by its chief nursemaid, Capt Noshir Sachinwalla, president of the Sydney-based Australian Zoroastrian As ­ sociation (AZA), the largest association in the area. His letter of May 4,1997 to fellow Zoroastrians recounts how Dr Sam Kerr and he had been working on the idea since it was mooted in October 1995 and the basic aims and principles were circulated to other associations in the region. “We have come to realize that to form a federation is a mammoth task involving more people, a large expense and mainte ­ nance, ” writes Sachinwalla. Several ques ­ tions plague the organizers: •“Is the involvement, commitment and finance from the surrounding region and from Sydney (sufficient)? •Who should be part of the preparatory popular and homely place... we have the committee? •What should be included in the constitu ­ tion? •Who should be the representative body? •Should the word “Religion ” be incorpo ­ rated? •How should it be financed? •What are your aspirations, hopes and •What safeguards should be incorporated? •Do you have any suggestions or recom ­ mendations? ” The Myanmar Parsee Religious Head ­ quarter from Yangon, Burma has heartily Sachinwalla while president Jamsheed Si- dhwa of the Traditional Mazdayasni Zar- thushtrian Anjuman of New Zealand has the Fasli calendar as its official calendar. chairman of the centenary celebrations com ­ mittee writes in the brochure. At the KG, where quite a few members are Zoroastrians, there is one day every month which is a Parsi Day, when only Parsi food is served, Khambata gives an insight. “Muslims are very fond of Parsi food, ” he says “hav ­ ing a particular liking for dhansak with kababs and patra-ni- machhi (pomfret pie ­ ces coated with coco ­ nut chutney and steamed in banana t The Khambatas moved to Karachi after partition when Homi ’s father Bomi, who was in charge of the credit facilities of the Central Bank of India, was transferred to its Karachi branch. Bomi was elected vice pre ­ sident of the KG in 1971 and 15 years later November ’87. As a tribute to its late presi ­ dent, the Gymkhana ’s cricket pavillion was named after him, reminisces Homi. Giving an insight into the Zoroastrian life in Karachi, Khambata notes that there honor of having our Prime Minister, chief minister, the Governor of Sind, judges of the supreme and high courts, ministers, sena ­ tors, top government officials, industrial ­ ists, members of the diplomatic corps and leading citizens of Karachi, ” Aslam Maniar, 15 Parsiana November 1997 youth in Pakistan. “There are several talks and debates on religion. Classes on Zoro ­ astrianism are held too. Parsis are very well off. You will not find a single Parsi begging. ” Women do intermarry and non ­ Parsis are allowed to view the face of the dead. The (Parsi) women in Pakistan are quite “fashionable and don ’t wear a bur ­ kha. ” Except at the swimming pool, where there are separate timings for females and males, women mingle quite freely with the opposite sex, says the bachelor matter-of- factly. On the political scene too, “there is a special seat for minorities in the senate and provincial assemblies. ” Parsis take an ac ­ tive part in politics. Currently there are three Parsis in the political arena: Yezdiar Cool and Homi Ainrolia cel­ ebrated their diamond wedding Kekobad, Minoo Bhandara and Dinshaw anniversary at Bayshore Hotel, Vancouver, Canada last Septem­ ber. Greetings and best wishes were received from HM Queen Elizabeth, the Governor General and the Prime Minister of Canada, clarifies. He would like to see relation- infornis their niece Tehnii Ankle- saria. (L to R): Daughter-in-law Persis, Honii, Gool, granddaugh­ ter Rojcanne, daughter Sheroo and son Dinyar. Anklesaria, Khambata tells us. Among his other interests he includes cooking, “because I am a connoisseur of food ” and gardening and does social work in his spare time, but “anonymously, ” he ships improve between India and Pakistan in their 50th year of independence. Roxana A. Driver Compiled by Arnavaz S. MamaHISTORY COVER STORY I'niiirlin^ freedom’s An overview of the life and work of Bhikhaiji Rustom Cama, one of India’s foremost revolutionary freedom fighters Dr Nawaz B. Mody The arena of the great struggle for the independence of our country was not con ­ fined to the boundaries of India alone. There were many revolutionaries who lived and worked abroad, who did their best to attract world opinion in favor of the independence movement of India, who rendered political and dip ­ lomatic help, provided arms and other assistance to their colleagues in In ­ dia, and trained other revolutionaries in the use of arms. Madame Bhikhaiji Rustam Cama was one of those outstanding Indian revolutionaries in Europe who, even before the First World War, came to be known as the high priestess of Indian nationalism. Her portrait ap ­ peared in French papers along with Joan of Arc. It was a unique tribute to her indomitable spirit. Born on September 24,1861 in an affluent Parsi family in Bombay, her father was Sorabji Framji Patel, her mother Jaijibai. Bhikhaiji ’s father was a prosperous businessman and the family ’s affluence was reported by British intelligence reports. Sorabji Patel had formed a trust giving thir ­ teen lakhs of rupees to each of his sons and one lakh rupees to each of his eight daughters. Bhikhaiji was educated at the Alexandra Native Girls ’ English Institu ­ tion where she gave evidence of a recep ­ tive mind and a flair for languages. That she was strong headed, spirited and uncon ­ ventional even from her early years has been documented. The social standing of her family can be judged from the fact that her father was able to arrange a match for his favorite daughter Bhikhoo with the scion of one of Bombay ’s wealthiest and best known Parsi families —Rustam Cama, son of Kharshedji Cama, the renowned Oriental scholar and his first wife Avabai. The marriage which took place in 1885 Bombay in 1896, she threw herself whole- was not a happy one. Impatient with her heartedly into the task of nursing the sick husband who held more conservative views, had little interest in public life and ac ­ cepted the ‘benevolence ’ of British rule. 16 Parsiana November 1997 and dying. Her work amongst the plague victims, her awareness of the ravages of famine and economic depression that had ruined the country left an indelible mark on her sensitive heart. Her marriage, never a happy one, broke up and within a few years they were sepa ­ rated, though never actually di ­ vorced. She turned to politics and vowed to fight to liberate her coun- 1 try from alien rule. * In 1902, owing to ill health she I had to go abroad for treatment and an operation. It took almost 35 years for I her to return to the land of her birth. I Cama lived in England from 1902 I to 1907. During this period a remark- 1 able transformation took place in her ’ personality and she earned the epi- I thet “Mother of the Revolution. ” K After regaining her health she I sought an avenue for service. She I enthusiastically started her political I work in England under Dadabhai ¦ Naoroji, the Grand Old Man of In- B dia, who was the first to shape her I career. She actively canvassed for ¦ his election to the British House of fl Commons. Through Dadabhai she I got the opportunity to meet many B eminent Indians involved in India ’s freedom struggle. She also developed an enduring friendship with Perin Naoroji, Dadabhai ’s granddaughter. It was Dadabhai who introduced her to Bhikhaiji gradually drifted away from him. Sardar Singh R. Rana through whom she She used to say that she was also wedded met Shyamji Krishna Varma. Rana and “to the uplift of my countrymen, both Varma brought a more pragmatic direc ­ social and political. ” She enthusiastically tion into her life. She also came under the followed the proceedings of the first ses- influence of Mazzini and Garibaldi, the sion of the Indian National Congress and Italian liberators who had inspired aspir- thereafter. She grasped its significance ing revolutionaries all over the world. She and the opportunity it offered. At the time of the outbreak of the plague epidemic in I fc 1 '4-z ¦¦ ¦ ¦ a' ? ¦S t* = * Cama: “Freedom is a conquest and never a bequest” Photo: Bombay University Transparencies of photos: Chetan Mistry soon drifted away from the politics of ‘petition ’ to the ranks of militant extrem ­ ists.¦i ¦ I ¦ ¦i ¦rt. K X*sg** ‘ ¦i M ¦ ¦ 1 modelled on the lines of Mazzini ’s ‘Young going on in our country and so many Italy. ’ Cama became a member of the Abhinav Bharat Society and took the oath sworn by members of Abhinav Bharat pledging themselves to fight under its revo ­ lutionary banner against the British ty ­ rants. She never tired of repeating: “India will be independent, India will be a repub ­ lic; Hindi the national language; Deva- nagari the national script. ” Bande Mataram — Bankim Chandra Cama was closely associated with the Chatterjee ’s hymn — had been adopted as Indian Home Rule Society founded by the national hymn by the revolutionaries. The Cama family around 1890: (standing, L to R) Spittama, Rustam, Bhikhaiji, Freany M. Murzban, Saoshyant, Threat)’ J. Patel, Jehangir and Sarosh; (seated, L to R) Ashish A. Namdar, Maneckbai (Kharshedji’s mother), Kharshedji, Aimae (Kharshedji’s second wife) and Pouruchishti R. Cama Photo: Alexandra School deportations are cabled every day and all peaceful methods are denied to us. ” The difference of opinion between Mahatma Gandhi on the one hand and Savarkar and Cama on the other is well known. When Gandhi visited London in 1906 to promote the cause of Indians in South Africa, he had an argument with Cama on the question of independence for India. In response to Gandhi ’s request not to talk of independence at that stage, she had strongly asserted that “India must have Varma in 1905. The aims of the Society Cama attached great importance to these independence here and now. ” were to secure home rule for India and carry out propaganda in the United King ­ dom. Cama also wrote for The Indian Sociologist, a penny monthly published by established the New India Society on the Varma which was an organ of the Indian Home Rule Society and was very critical of the moderates in the Congress. words. With Savarkar, Cama came to establish a close bond. After arriving in Paris, she In Paris at a meeting to condemn the arrest of Lala Lajpat Rai in 1907, Cama made an inspiring speech: “I wish I could break open the very prison doors and bring out Lajpat Rai. Lajpat the patriot should not be left to breathe the foul air of captiv ­ ity. For he who loses his liberty loses his Cama and Veer Savarkar Vinayak Damodar Savarkar came to Lon ­ don in 1906 as the recipient of the Shivaji Fellowship awarded by Sardar Singh Rana, efficacy of violence. The latter particu- In London, Savarkar established the Free India Society which has been described as the recruiting institution of the Ahhinav Bharat Society (New India), which was lines of Abhinav Bharat. Later on the Society came to be known as the Paris Indian Society. (According to historian V. S. Joshi, Burjorji Godrej, father of Pirojsha virtue. Freedom is a conquest and never a Godrej, was the vice president of this unit bequest. ” of Abhinav Bharat.) Savarkar and Cama both believed in the in April 1908, Savarkar completed the writing of his epic The first Indian War of Independence-1857 in Marathi . Cama was closely associated with the publication of the book. Moreover she, with the help of larly started advocating Russian nihilistic methods of individual terrorism. She stated, “I want to speak on the methods, as I M. T. Acharya, translated the entire book cannot keep quiet since such tyranny is into French for its second edition — a 18 Parsiana November 1997ac- with the Hindus against the English domi ­ nation. They are no fanatics. From the great Dadabhai Naoroji to the renowned revolutionary lady Madame Cama, the Parsis have contributed their quota of true patriots, nor have they ever displayed any but goodwill towards the Hindu nation which to them has proved a veritable sav ­ ior of their race. Culturally too they are most akin to us. ” mammoth task. Both Savarkar and Cama wrote extensively and their articles were widely translated for worldwide distribu ­ tion. Savarkar meanwhile started training his assistants in the use of arms and making bombs with the help of the Russians. Cama, having accepted the need for recourse to violence as inevitable, organized the tual training of young revolutionaries in the use of arm,s and manufacture of bombs. She became the inovin Abhinav Bharat in Europe and also the receiver and manager of its funds. In 1909, Savarkar was sought to be implicated in the Nasik Conspiracy Case. Savarkar had managed to get smuggled to India 20 Browning automatic pistols and ammunition from Paris concealed in the perhaps the most significant act of her entire career. To expose the atrocities of the British, to raise the rebel flag in front of an international gathering required defiant courage of a high order. This she had in ample measure. Camel made a brilliant speech at the Congress. While conveying the greetings of the Indian people who had been suffering at the hands of the British capitalists, she de ­ scribed the deteriorating economic condi ­ tion in the country which was suffering from the ravages of famine. She made a fervent >g spirit behind Unfurling the flag Madame Cama ’s ‘crowded hour of glory ’ was at the Second International Socialist Congress at Stuttgart in Germany on Au­ gust 22, 1907 which was attended by nearly 1,000 delegates from different countries. She made her mark in history and it is false bottom of a suitcase. A week before the guns arrived, Savarkar ’s brother Ganesh was arrested in Bombay. The police found a copy of the Bomb Manual in his house. The British police sought to implicate Rana and Varma with the case. To save her colleagues, Cama in an act of unparalleled courage took the unprecedented step of making a signed declaration at the British Consulate in Paris, taking on the entire responsibility of having sent the pistols to India. This was followed by the great struggle plea for human justice, human rights and launched by Cama to save Savarkar from the clutches of the British. Cama, Varma and Rana took up the issue on an interna ­ tional plane and even succeeded in refer ­ ring Savarkar ’s case to the Hague Interna ­ tional Court. When he wa,s eventually im ­ prisoned, she regularly sent Rs 30 per month to his wife and Baba Savarkar. This fact has been gratefully acknowledged by Savarkar in his writings. Savarkar ’s letters from the Andamans to his brother Narayanrao reveal how deeply he was impressed by Cama ’s loyalty. In his letter of March 9, 1915 he wrote, “I was very much afraid that owing to the inva ­ sion of France you would be unable to hear from Madame Cama — who had ever since my coming here been a second mother to you and who had so nobly and so faith ­ fully stood by us in the darkest hour of our life. ” In later letters he worried as to how expressed in it. It took several decade.s for she would pass her days in exile. It was indeed no surprise that the ardent advocate of militant Hindu nationalism should have high word,s of praise for the Parsis. During his presidential address at the 19th session of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha at Karnavati (Ahmedabad) in 1937, Savarkar stated: “The Parsis have ever been working shoulder to shoulder ig independence of the Indian people. Unfurling the Hag she held in her hand she said: “This flag i.s of Indian indepen ­ dence. Behold, it is born. It i.s already sanc ­ tified by the blood of martyred Indian youth. I call upon you, gentlemen, to rise and salute the flag of Indian independence. In the name of this flag I appeal to lovers of freedom all over the world to cooperate with this Hag in freeing one-fifth of the human race. ” She was greeted with thunderous applause. Cama moved a resolution at the end of her speech demanding complete indepen ­ dence for India, something even most ofthe Congress leadership could not think of then. It was Cama who had the foresight to envis ­ age this. The president of the session ruled that the resolution could not be put to vote because it had a procedural flaw. However he overwhelmingly supported the sentiments Indians to take up the slogans of Cama and decide on the national flag. The flag Cama unfurled was a tricolor designed by the early Indian revolutionar- ie.s and was said to be inspired by the Hag From top: Periit Naoroji Photo: Hindustani Prachar Sabha, Mmichersha Godrej Photo: S. P. Godrej and Cama 19 Parsiana November 1997of the French revolution proclaiming the principles of liberty, equality and frater ­ nity, according to one version. As per this, in the original flag on the red strip at the top of the records of the revolutionaries. This there were seven lotuses indicating seven bundle contained Cama ’s original flag. On Indian provinces, the yellow strip in the August 18, 1937 after his release, Savarkar middle had “Vandemataram ” inscribed in Devanagari. In the green strip at the bot ­ tom were the sun and the moon as symbols of the Hindus and Muslims. This flag was first hoisted in Green Park, Calcutta on August 7, 1906 — Boycott Day. This flag returned to Bombay in November 1935. was also hoisted at the 1906 session of the Indian National Congress under the presi ­ dentship of Dadabhai Naoroji. Hemchandra Das Kanungo, another revolutionary in Paris, described the flag thus: red, saffron, blue, in that order. The red at the top with As a journalist eight half open white lotuses to saffron at the center with “Vandemataram ’’ in Deva ­ nagari and blue at the bottom with a sun on one side and crescent moon and star on the other. Later Kanungo claimed that he had made the flag in Paris for Cama to attend the Stuttgart Congress. In this version it is not clear who designed the flag. There is of course a striking similarity between the two flags — the Stuttgart flag of 1907 and the swadeshi flag of Calcutta of 1906 with minor differences. This proved that the flag hoisted in Calcutta in 1906 had reached the revolutionaries. The other view attributes the designing and her husband while she was running a and making of the flag to Savarkar and Cama in August 1907. This flag was also a tricolor. Savarkar was inspired by Maz ­ zini ’s flag for Italy which was also a tri ­ color and had the slogan “Young Italy ” written over it. The Indian flag had three strips — green, saffron and red. On the green strip there were eight lotuses depict ­ ing the Indian provinces. The color green represented courage, saffron, victory and red, strength. In the middle in the saffron strip, “Vandemataram ” was inscribed in Devanagari. On the red strip the sun and moon were depicted. There was no star in this design. As per this version Madame Cama her ­ self brought the rich satin silk for the flag tion that she would personally read and and sewed it. Cama once again unfurled the flag on February 20, 1909 at a meeting of the India Society in London. And she declared that she would henceforth make her speeches under the Indian flag, which she did. The subsequent accounts of the fate of the actual flag are confused. Biographer the French whose hospitality she enjoyed. Dr Minocher Contractor states that the flag Though they did not succeed in persuading was smuggled into India along with other records of the revolutionary patriots by the well-known socialist leader IndulalYagnik ish banned her from ever entering India. and kept hidden in Bombay. While in prison he revealed to G. V. Ketkar, the grandson of Lokmanya Tilak, the location unfurled the flag and placed it in the Li­ brary Hall of the Kesari and Mahratta office in Poona. Another version states that Cama brought the flag back with her when she One Rustom Jchangir prevented her be ­ longings, including the flag, from being confiscated by the British police when she was taken to the Parsee General Hospital. Cama ’s interest in journalism was appar ­ ent even during her married life in Bombay. “The Parsis have ever been working shoulder to shoulder with the Hindus against the English domination” 20 Parsiana November 1997 British intelligence described her as “the notorious Parsi lady of Rue de Ponlhieu. ” Cama was also connected with the publica ­ tion of the short-lived Talwar. Internationalism Cama was the first Indian revolutionary to be impressed by Lenin. Russian comrades used to call her India ’s Joan of Arc. Lenin reportedly invited her to reside in Russia but she did not accept. She maintained very close contact with Russian revolutionaries like Mikhail Pavlovich in Paris. She was attracted by the Narodnik tactics of individual terror ­ ism. Later, however she realized that a successful revolutionary movement needed mass support. Cama was particularly interested in the writings of Maxim Gorky. She was in correspondence with him and had sent him some Indian revolutionary literature. Gorky had asked her to write an article for the Russian magazine Russian Democracy. Cama replied to Gorky on October 31, 1912 accepting his offer. The letters are preserved in the Gorky archives together with Cama ’s photograph picturing her next to an unfurled Indian flag. The inscription on the photo reads, “Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God, ’’ the tenet which Khorshed Sethna in her book Madame Bhikhaiji Rustom Cama, describe.s the quarrels which occurred between Cama Cama devotedly espoused. She put her internationalist ideas in perspective by conducting regular corre ­ spondence with the Irish Republicans, the Polish Nationalists and the freedom fight- journal on social work and reform with his help. However, she and others are incor ­ rect in stating that Cama helped Sir Pherozeshah Mehta in starting iheBombay ers ofEgypt, Turkey andMorocco. During Chronicle. Cama left for England in 1902 and did not return to India till November 1935. The Bombay Chronicle was begun in connection with the holding of the Egyp- by Mehta in 1913 and he himself died in tian National Congress in Paris in the last 1915 so Cama could not possibly have week of September. The holding of the assisted him with the Chronicle. Cama wrote extensively in Shyamji Vanna ’s Indian Sociologist till it closed down in 1922. The journal Bande Mataram was launched in September 1909 by Cama and Lala Har Dayal. The money for Bande Mataram was invested by Cama on condi- September 1910, Cama was frequently visited by Farid Bey, the Egyptian leader. Congress was banned by the French Gov ­ ernment as a result of which the venue had to be shifted to Brussels. Before departing for Brussels, a meeting took place between the Egyptians and the Indians where Cama was present along with others including Perin Naoroji and Burjorji Godrej. When the First World War began, Cama wrote in her paper calling upon Indian her poor financial condition, sadly troops to lay down their arms as India was not concerned with the War. For this she was interned by the French government in Vichy and Bordeaux. She was allowed to stay on in France only because of her edit every word. Later Cama was to be ­ moan stating that Bande Matarain was able to survive only on account of her self-denial. She penned the fiercest attacks on the British in Bande Mataram and published it from Geneva in order to avoid embarrassing French Socialist and Russian friends. This in all probability saved her life. the French authorities to hand Cama over to them for her anti-British activities, the Brit- The woman and friend It is necessary to understand what Cama was really like as a person. British govern-ment reports on “Political Trouble in India 1907-1917” described her as “anarchical, revolutionary, anti-British and irreconcil ­ able. ” Undoubtedly, she was a fierce rebel who advocated and even incited violence. But beneath this surface lurked the warm ­ hearted woman who was generous towards young revolutionarie.s and became for many, their adopted mother. Many of her relatives shied away from her. Cama always remained nostalgic about home, was eager for photographs and main ­ tained contacts. She never forgot her na ­ tive tongue and retained Indian food hab ­ its. As a young woman she was very attrac ­ tive but aged rapidly. Throughout she re ­ mained sociable and gregarious and re ­ tained her impassioned hunger for human kinship and affection. She had friends among the Parsi busines.s community in ­ cluding the Coopers, the Dinshaw Petit family, the Saklatwallas. She also had close links with Munchersha and Pirojsha and problems. Her skull had been cracked Burjorji Godrej as well as Burjorji himself. She was also a practical woman who managed her money matters quite effi ­ ciently. With advice and guidance from business friends she invested her money wisely so that even when the British gov ­ ernment deprived her of the income from her trust, she could manage. It was only We never take our guests and breath-taking views for granted ISliiSlii; fisiiis Lord’s Central Hotel Matheran 410102 Matheran Telephone 021483-0228 Fax 021483-0595 Bombay telephonai3867776 due to circumstances beyond her control during the War years that she was hard up. She lived simply in an old pension in Paris. Her attachment to her family persisted return to India. Sir Cowasji took the initia- to the end though most of her family tive, collected medical certificates from members had practically disowned her. She remembered and asked after them. She even looked after her brother Ardeshir in Paris at the time of his death even though he disinherited her. When asked why she did not return to India in her old age she had replied that it was because the British wanted her to give them a written apology for her ‘misdeeds ’ and guarantee that she would not take any part in politics. She declined to give this saying that she would like to addres.s po ­ litical meetings all over India. She also told Harendranath Chattopadhyay that she had taken an oath never to go back to India on a foreign passport. Age crept upon her with its infirmities in a motor accident and she had to be operated upon. She had also undergone a cataract operation and later her face was paralysed. Financially she had lost heavily. Thirumal Acharya wa.s one of those who helped her during her ill health. It was a deplorable situation. In 1935, Sir Cowasji Jehangir met her in Ji! J 'J Paris. By that time she had a paralytic stroke. According to Munchcrji N. Cama, she told Sir Cowasji that she wanted to the doctors in Paris and also suggested that she should give a declaration that she would not take part in political activities, something she had refused to do for the last 15 years. Finally on June 24, 1935, Cama wrote from Hotel Delft in Paris: “Being 75 years of age and naturally very feeble, I am anxious to go to India to spend the rest of my days in my birthland, amongst my numerous relatives and friends. “I undertake not to take part in politics, direct or indirect. I have obtained written statements of my doctors which explain my state of health. ” The reply from FI. F. Knight ol the British government described her a.s a “no ­ torious seditionist who was one of the recog ­ nized leaders of the Indian revolutionary movement in Paris. ” Later Knight went on to say that she was a “naturalized French subject. ” He also stated that her relations with her husband were at breaking point in 1913 itself. It was unlikely, according to him, that her relatives would look after her in Bombay and some arrangements would have to be made for this. Cama returned to Bombay in Novem ­ ber 1935 and was taken to the Petit Parsee General Hospital by a relative of Sir Co ­ wasji Jehangir. Friends including the Savarkars and Perin Naoroji came to visit her. Her husband also tried to meet her but she did not agree to meet him. She passed away on August 13, 1936. It is indeed shocking that national newspapers did not even take note of this. The only two papers who reported this as a news item alter two day.s were the Bombay Chronicle and Kai- ser-E-Hind. Perhaps the news was deliber ­ ately suppressed. The first public obituary which appeared was Chattopadhyay ’s trib ­ ute to Cama which appeared in the Kaiser- E-Hind of August 23, 1936. Indeed she was truly a leader who was unwept, unhon ­ ored and unsung in her own country. (An appeal has been made by the Sir Pherozeshah Mehta 150th Birth Anniver ­ sary Celebrations Committee to the trust ­ ees of the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hos ­ pital to honor Cama ’s memory by install ­ ing a commemorative plaque and photo ­ graph in the room where she spent her last days.) Cama left behind a will which she signed on February 16, 1936. In it she left her jewels, furniture and physical assets to the 22 Parsiana November 1997BOYS’ TOWN Public School Nasik 2 Recognised as a Public School by the Department of Educa ­ tion for Indian Merit Scholars. Excellent Climate — All- round Education. A new two-storeyed dormi­ tory with attached bathrooms, study and lounge rooms has just been completed to house 180 boys. All Academic Subjects -- Technical Subjects: Work ­ shop Technology, Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance, Carpentery & Farming. Train ­ ing in Self-Government through Elected Boys ’ Office bearers. Games — Physical Training - Daily Assembly with Congregational Prayers — Weekly intensive Zoroas ­ trian —Geeta —Koran classes — Excellent Modern Kitchen and Dining Room facilities. Moderate Fees. Concessions and even freeship to Deserv ­ ing Students. Children of priests-freeship. Navar Martab facility. Also arrangement to send such boys at Trust expense to their vari ­ ous destinations, so that they are in touch with performing religious rituals. Also further studies after SSC can be ar ­ ranged if desired. Apply to THE MANAGING TRUSTEE P. N. MEHTA EDUCATION TRUST Cooks Building, 3rd Floor trustees of the Bai Avabai Petit Orphanage for Parsi girls. The major share of her then meagre estate of about Rs 54,000 was be ­ queathed to her family agiary, the Framji Nusserwanji Patel Agiary at Mazgaon. That Cama remained a deeply religious Zoroas ­ trian throughout is amplified by the fact that her muktad ceremony is performed every year even today in the Patel Agiary. Cama had blazed a pioneering trail on India ’s political scene. In days when even brave men were afraid to associate them ­ selves openly with revolutionary activities, this fearless woman joined the ranks of the revolutionaries abroad. Her career as a maker of modern India was to be carried out while in exile abroad. Her fiery oratory often stunned her audiences, her dynamic personality and her own life example made her an effective leader. She was one of the earliest women to enter the field of politics in India and was followed by persons like Sarojini Naidu and Annie Besant. All her life Cama had dreamtofan India, free and united. That dream was neither fulfilled in her lifetime nor later. Even today regional and communal feelings are tearing our nation asunder. Edited extracts from a paper presented by Dr Nawaz Mody on February 15, 1997 at the first national seminar on the “Contribution ofthe Parsis to Western India between 1818-1920.” The semi ­ nar, held atthe Sir Cowasji Jehangir (Convocation) Hall of Bombay University was organized by the Si r Pherozeshah Mehta 150th Birth Anniversary Cel ­ ebrations Committee and sponsored by the Gulestan and Rustom Billimoria Trust. Dr Nawaz Mody is the head of Bombay University ’s department of civics and politics, the chairman ofthe board of studies in politics and the Sir Pherozeshah Mehta professor of civics and politics. She is also a member of the University academic council, man ­ agementcouncil and the Senate. She was earlierthe dean of the faculty of arts. Congratulations Dr Jimmy S Khodabux (M.S.) for your excellent performance in the Paediatric Section of the M.C.H. medical exams of 1997. Wish you the very best in all future endeavours and keep up the good image of the Zoroastrian Community with God Almighty ’s Grace. (' 23 Parsiana November 1997 For pretty painted glass windows, door and ceiling panels, screens, ventilators, etc., in exclusive designs, with neatness of work and aesthetically balanced color combinations assured and for revival of tradition at your doorstep, with the old-world, Parsi-style glass bead ‘torans,’ laid out in an exquisite splash of color, unusual design and good workmanship Phone (Bombay) 6289363 or 6282791 Ms Bharucha Alaska Cruises from Vancouver, Banff and Jasper, etc Freddy Amrolia BAINS TRAVEL LIMITED 9341 -- 120th Street Delta, B.C. V4C 6R8 Canada Call (604) 438 7617 (Res Tel) (604) 438 7617 (Res Fax) Tel (604) 584-1411 Fax (604) 584-1369SEMINAR She dared to defy Madame Cama’s 136th birth anniversary celebrations include an exhibition, seminar and commissioning of a ship in her name Hilla P. Guzder Cama ’s life and work, Godrej compli ­ mented the organizers on their detailed research. “So thorough a job has been accomplished. ” he remarked. Godrej la ­ mented however that “basking in freedom, we feel that our work is over. ” Had Cama after her death, been alive today, he said, she would have Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, Vijayalaxmi Pandit, Annie Besant and many others. “It was a tragic pity that Madame Cama died alone, uncared for, unsung, ” he stated and that her worth came to be recognized much Sparrows scouted the high vaulted ceiling of Bombay University ’ sConvocation Hall, add ­ ing a twittering accompaniment to the Uni ­ versity choir as they sang Bande Mataram. As a tribute to Madame Bhikhaij i Rustam Cama, the Sir Pherozeshah Mehta 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations Committee presented an exhibition and seminar on Sep ­ tember 24, 1997 in honor of the freedom - ----------- fighter ’s 136thbirthanniversary.Chief guest j Sohrab Godrej , chairman of the Godrej group of companies, inaugurated the exhibition, while veteran Gandhian Dr Usha Mehta ' presided over the seminar. F The exhibition traced the landmarks of j | Cama ’s personal and political life, display- j p ing for the first time material obtained from archival sources in India and abroad. These included rare photographs of Cama ’s family and her associates in Paris, her correspon ­ dence with Russian writer Maxim Gorky, cuttings from French newspapers of the time, her original death certificate, etc. The master of ceremonies, Homai Mod i, trustee and joint honorary secretary of the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute and a mem ­ ber of the Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Celebra ­ tions Committee, announced that the In ­ dian Coast Guard was to name one of its fast patrol vessels (FPV) after Madame utamp Cama at a ceremony in Calcutta on that day. (The 300 tonne CGS Bhikhaiji Cama is the seventh in a series of Priyadarshini class FPVs and is to be based on the eastern seaboard in Madras, according to Coast Guard sources. The Coast Guard has al ­ most 20 vessels named after famous free- , dom fighters and personalities, including Fifty years down the line, India has the ment council, urged a major project to Annie Besant, Kamala Devi, Jijabai and Razia Sultan.) The chief guest in his speech referred to Madame Cama as an “exceptional pa ­ triot. ” He noted that members of the Godrej What we need, he suggested, are more “In ­ family knew her personally and that he had heard many stories about her life through his uncle Munchersha. Deeming it a “touch- ing and very great honor ” to have been invited to inaugurate the exhibition on 1 1 A W a W' 0 Dr Y. D. Phadke, a scholar who accord ­ ing to Modi has “worked and researched extensively on the national movement, ” delineated the sacrifice and suffering of women freedom fighters. Women from all walks of life, even the tribals of Bihar and Nagaland, had offered resistance to British rule, he observed. They were often ha ­ rassed by the police, interrogated and tor ­ tured to make them disclose the names of their associates, he said. Even after their release from prison, they found it difficult to secure a job. Many died “unwept, un­ honored, ” he stated. In a powerful oration in Marathi , Vikram Savarkar, nephew of Cama ’s close associ- S ate Veer Savarkar, enumerated stories and incidents from her life. V. S. Joshi, the author of 19 books on the role of revolu ­ tionaries in the Indian freedom movement paid his tribute to Cama despite his ad ­ vancing age and poor health. Dr Nawaz Mody, the head of Bombay University ’.s department of civics and poli ­ tics and the Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Profes- 1 sor of Civics and Politics who is also the wasted ” in the 50 years since independence, member secretary of the Pherozeshah “Have we really won our freedom? ” he Mehta Celebrations Committee, disclosed questioned, adding that as long as the coun- how difficult it had been to collect old try is not economically strong, political records and details of Cama ’s life. Mody, freedom does not really mean anything, also a member ofthe University ’s manage- li' ' ii I: Sketch of Meideune Ceuuafroni postal “deplored the opportunities that have been look into old French records, ” as a large part of Cama ’s life had been spent in emphasized that the freedom won should France, “the refuge of the oppressed people not be lost through economic instability. ( “dubious distinction of being among the lO most corrupt countries in the world. ” He dian multinationals, not foreign ones. ” In his address, Homi Taleyarkhan, vice chairman of the Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Celebrations Committee, lauded the role of women like Madame Cama, Kasturba of the world. ” Describing Cama as the “first feminist ” she pointed out that Cama, born on September 24,1861, was the daugh ­ ter of a prosperous businessman, Sorabji Framji Patel and that she was married, at what was then considered the late age of 24, to Rustam, son of the noted Oriental 24 Parsiana November 1997, ? ¦ ' '¦ I* Era/** •W*-' i. K.UP9«c? j- f* , C •*:2**w r Clockwise from top left: Nawaz Mody (right) with Usha Mehta; Taleyarkhan, Vikram Savarkar and S. Godrej at the exhibition Photos: Hoshi Patel; CGS Bhikhaiji Cama at the shipyard; at the function commissioning the ship in Calcutta Photos: Indian Coast Guard had been issued by the Government of India Jaures (the renowned French socialist who to mark the centenary of her birth, and on helped Cama go to Stuttgart to attend the January 26, 1962 the Sachivalaya Road in Second International Socialist Congress in south Bombay was renamed Madame Cama 1907). Among the host of individuals she Road. Her portrait painted by the late Coomi thanked were Jamshed Guzder, industrialist Dallas of the Surat Parsi Pragati Mandal was [also Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) chair- installed in the Central Hall of Parliament on man], whose Shirin and Jamshed Guzder August 2, 1989, 82 years after she unfurled Trust was one of the sponsors, the BPP (the scholar K. R. Cama. Despite her affluent the Indian tricolor. The Museum of Revolu- other sponsor), trustee Silloo Kavarana, background, she plunged into politics, suf- tionaries (SwatantryaVeer Savarkar Smarak) Godrej for providing photographs of his fering exile and deprivation in furtherance of the cause dear to her heart. Despite her anarchist and communist associations, ex ­ plained Mody, Cama wanted her death cer ­ emonies to be performed according to Parsi rites. Even today, her muktad prayers are opportunity to work with Cama, Mehta records. being said at the Framji Nusserwanji Patel stated, “It would not be correct to say that Earlier, Homai Modi jocularly informed agiary in Mazgaon. In her presidential address, Mehta Godrej family too had been very active in Nawaz Mody, the driving force behind the complimented Mody on the “excellent exhi- the freedom struggle and that Sohrab Godrej exhibition, “ate, slept and drank Madame • bition, ” terming it “one of the most apt ways of celebrating the golden jubilee of India ’s goodwill. independence. ” She advocated “keeping green Madame Cama ’s memory by talcing up research projects ” as there still might be material lying unexplored, old photos rot ­ ting in dusty godowns. She suggested that a political science, history and French depart- had dispersed. The University garden was “permanent memorial ” in honor of Cama be ments had “worked very enthusiastically ” shrouded in darkness, its glowing Rajabai erected in Bombay to “make up for ” the earlier lack of appreciation. [A postal stamp consulate had provided the photo of Jean silent streets of Fort. at Shivaji Park in Bombay has a hall named uncle Munchersha, Keti Mehta, solicitor after her, while the Bhikhaji Cama Place is and director and trustee of the Alexandra a bustling commercial complex in New Girls ’ English Institution (where Cama had Delhi.] studied), and Freny Mehta, principal of the Regretting that she herself did not get an school, for making available old school stated, “It would not be correct to say that Parsis are outsiders to India, ” adding that the the audience that in the last few months. was “a roving ambassador of peace and Cama, disturbing me in my bath, meals, sleep, etc to share all the new details she had In her vote of thanks, Nawaz Mody researched. ” thanked the vice-chancellor, Dr Snehlata By the time the seminar ended, the hordes Deshmukh, for visiting the exhibition and of office-goers treading the pavements out- for her support. The students and staff of the side the hall on their weary way homewards 59 By the time the seminar ended, the hordes ments had “worked very enthusiastically ” on the project, she stated, while the French Clock Tower standing sentinel over the 25 Parsiana November 1997RELIGION A memento of the Meherjis On the occasion of the agiary’s 150th anniversary the heirs of the Meherji brothers and others paid the founders a memorable tribute Parinaz M. Gandhi Meher, and Ervad Kavas Umrigar and Ervad Tehmton Unwalla of the Bai They minted money, literally. They built August 6 when despite rains over 800 were rest houses, conveniently. They erected a present at the Parsi Dharamshala to wit ­ dam, impressively. They did... The meri- ness the garlanding of the portraits of the Maneckbai Nusserwanji Chinoy Agiary torious deeds of the Meherji brothers, founders and Dr Kaikhushru Jivanji, —who had participated in the jashan with Viccaji and Pestonji, came to light re ­ cently during the sesquicentennial celebra ­ tions of the fire-temple they founded in Secunderabad. Just as they provided fa ­ cilities for posterity, the present trustees paid a lasting tribute by inaugurating a park, a children ’s playground and a water ­ fall on the first day of the five-day festivi ­ ties which began on August 6, 1997. Actually the 150th anniversary celebra ­ tions of the Seth Viccaji-Seth Pestonji Meherji Parsi Fire Temple, reportedly the oldest Zoroastrian place of worship in southern India, catered to the needs of all segments of the Zoroastrian community. For those religiously inclined, there was the jashan led by Dastur (Dr) Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa of Bombay ’s Anjuman Atash Behram, an audiovisual presentation by Rati and Dady Wadia of Bombay on the present at the Parsi Dharamshala to wit ­ ness 1 founders and Dr Kaikhushru Jivanji, Pestonji ’s grandson who was the founder JamaspAsa and Ervad Faredoon Maneckji Turel of Surat had been presented garlands and peramnis by Moos. Shawls and me ­ mentos donated by Jail Noria were distrib ­ uted to the priests by Guzder. The chasni- wallas too had been respectfully garlanded and thanked and all the employees of the agiary were given gift cheques by trustee Rashid Mehta. Zoroastrianism is a simple religion with a great degree of ethical content, reiterated JamaspAsa in his talk. Children should know from their grandparents about the social conditions prevailing in the past, recommended Lt Gen Adi Sethna, presi ­ dent of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman who was the guest of honor, urging that such con ­ versations should be taped for posterity. The aim of the quiz competition was “to instil interest and knowledge about our religion in a manner that would interest the Zoroastrians and build in them a feeling of pride and faith in our ancient religion, ” according to the organizers. “It was a keenly contested event and generated a lot Pestonshahi sicca, which were reproduced of enthusiasm and interest amongst the gion, customs, rituals, traditions, culture by the family and donated to the Agiary to Rati and Dady Wadia of Bombay on the A new arch heralding the holy sites of Iran and fire-temples in and sesquicentennial celebrations around Surat and Bombay, and the navjote ceremony of Peshdad Pilcher and Malcolm of the Trust, and presentation of shawls The first set of the replicas of the Tarapore. Intellectual fare came through and mementos to the dignitaries, the speeches made by the invitees and a ~ quiz competition on the Zoroastrian reli ­ gion, customs, rituals, traditions, culture by the family and donated to the Agiary to community and the last two months saw and eminent personalities. Jollity ^as generate funds, was presented by the chief entire families involved in studying and known at the time of the thanksgiving guest of honor Jamshed Guzder to Eddie preparing for the same. ” The quiz master Sarosh Parakh was known at the time of the thanksgiving guest of honor Jamshed Guzder to Eddie ghambar on the last day. “A carnival mood prevailed on the pre ­ mises of the temple as young, old and children enjoyed every moment of the salgirah celebrations. The temple and its surroundings were colorfully decorated with series-bulbs, ” mentions a write-up in The Hindu of August 7, 1997. The event the dignitaries and outstation^guests. received “wide media coverage from - - Doordarshan and ETV and all the newspa ­ pers, ” in English, Telegu and Hindi, writes the president of the Agiary Trust, Hilla S. Moos. Among the best attended functions though was the program on the evening of Edulji Sohrabji Chenai Anjuman Dar-e- Aibara, the well-known ex-Ranji Trophy cricketer and one of the oldest members of assisted by Mehemavaz Aria and Tanaz the community. Another set of coins to ­ gether with the history of the agiary was given to Mehra Lashkari, a resident of the Wadia and questions not answered cor ­ rectly by the teams were put to the audi ­ ence. The competition was divided into agiaryanddaughterofoneoftheirpanthakies. three categories; 14 years and below; 15- The siccas will also serve as a keepsake for 7 ' , " . 25 years; and 26 years and above. The three-member teams vied for the five cash Earlier, the priests of the Twin Cities — prizes plus gifts in each category. Ervad Hoshang Bhandara, Ervad Jehangir Pilcher and Ervad Farokh Ghadiali of the initiated boys too whose navjote expenses Seth Viccaji-Seth Pestonji Meherji Parsi were borne by the agiary. The peramnis Fire Temple, Ervad Dara Bhathela and received by the boys have reportedly been Ervad Aspi Patel ofthe Khan Bahadur Seth placed in a fixed deposit account in their “ ' . .. — ... names for their college education. Gifts were in store for the two newly 26 Parsiana November 1997;'5 ’«. ' 1^ 4 «t* mw » M '"W" IM«i r ,-¦ liw' ¦ I ’ 1 *' fo ?¦»*! r * .. < J ***«»««»«*•.: £¦ < I’ f- ^Illltfll w* fc'S ' j ’¦ I I&dil I * 7“ ;Jh:. ¦ wi '¦« L-' *• L. ¦*«4~‘ « b k r ti -F^ .p r wrl^" •S-i 155 w F ,Xi9k. "'f-. >¦J- ri . and Peshdad Pilcher; the congregation in attendance at the navjote ceremony Above: Pestonshahi sicca replicas Top row (from left): a view of the Seth Viccaji-Seth Pestonji Meherji Parsi Fire Temple; the portraits of Viccaji Meherji, Dr Kaikhushru Jivanji and Pestonji Meherji; Sethna inaugurating the park and waterfall. Center row (from left): Moos I presenting a replica of the sicca to Guzder K (Pestonji in the back- I ground); devotees I attending the jashan; I the newly landscaped I waterfall. Bottom row ¦ (from left): Edulji I Turel inaugurating H the children’s play- ® ground; the initiation •J’’ of Malcolm Tarapore'm3 Jashan in progress (top); posing for a group photo (center) and a section of the gathering attending the jashan prayers (bottom) IS W x \ ’1 & 32 Parsiana November 1997 J? .» Ay k . > '¦ A . a i-'t *.• r f-^ b> ¦ < iLl I “We have received a most encouraging I response to the offer of replicas of the I Pestonshahi sicca, ” writes trustee Capt K. I F. Pestonji in his report on the celebra- I tions. Available on sale for one year till I August 1998, the cost of a set of two I mounted silver coins weighing around 11.5 I grams each in an attractive presentation I pack with a brief history of the coins and I the brothers, is Rs 450. For inland postage, I add Rs 25, for overseas, Rs 50, to the demand draft/cheque favoring “The Old Parsi Fire Temple Trust, ” and mail it to the trustees at 128, Mahatma Gandhi Road, ® Secunderabad 500003, Andhra Pradesh. “They blazed the commercial trail” The only coins believed to have ever been minted by a Zoroastrian family in India, the Pestonshahi sicca bore the initials of Pestonji Meherji, the younger of the two brothers who was permitted by the Nizam of Hyderabad to mint coins in the Auran ­ gabad Mint. “Over a crore of such coins in silver and copper in various denomina ­ tions were struck at the Aurangabad Mint from 1832 to 1842,” notes a press release from Pestonji. (The Pestonshahi sicca was part of the collection of rare Indian coins displayed at Numismatica-97, an exhibi- I tion jointly organized by the State Mu- ^1 seum and the Numismatic Society of Hyderabad on the eve of 50 years of Indian independence.) Hailing from a family of agriculturists originally from the small seaport of Tara- nl pore in Thana district, Viccaji and Pestonji chose to venture into the fields of trading Illi and banking as well. They began by farm- ing the revenues of a small “mahal ” named Aseri in the Bassein district under the ^B government of the Peshwas. The farming ^B of the land and sea customs of the northern and southern Konkan, and the land cus- toms of Poona, Ahmednagar and a part of the Khandeish zillah was also entrusted to them for many years, according to the ¦ write-up. “They blazed the commercial ^B trail in those railroad-less days, ” mentions mu the write-up, by constructing at their own expense “cartroads through the Ghats, pro- |B viding facilities for crossing certain rivers by erecting halting places and caravanse- 1, 1 rais for travellers, repairing tanks and wells, h I and installing cotton screws and presses. ” Regarded as the pioneers of the cotton trade between the Nizam ’ s dominions and BB the Bombay presidency, it is said that theeffective measures adopted by them en ­ abled the traffic in cotton from the Berars to Bombay to rise from 500 bullock cartloads in 1826 to 2,00,000 cartloads in 1836 “the value of which to England and India can in those day s only be estimated by hundreds I of crores of rupees. ” I In 1835 they secured a I letter of recommendation I from the Bombay Govern- I ment to the British Resi- I dent at Hyderabad “and g thanks to his good offices I the firm of Pestonji Viccaji p was established in Hydera ­ bad to develop and improve trade communications. .. At the highest period of their prosperity in trade which 5 was from 1835 to 1845 they I had their head office in ' Bombay with branch offices in every im- Guzder (at the mike) with (from left) portant town of the Bombay presidency Sethna, Mistry, JamaspAsa and Dittia and also in Calcutta, Singapore and China. ” Impressed by the performance and in ­ tegrity of the brothers, in 1836 the Prime Minister of the Nizam, Maharaja Chun- doolal, invited them to open a cothee or and Aurangabad. ” banking house at Hyderabad (later it came to be known as Viccaji ’s Hotel) and make Preserving the sanctity pecuniary advances to the State. In return, the Nizam mortgaged to the brothers the revenues of the valley of the Berars to ­ gether with the province of Aurangabad, and made them in-charge of the revenues of Balapur, Akola, Parbhani and other Pestonji: “Secunderabad, the new city in districts. They were allowed to retain a those days, was the place where a big, open small armed force for which they had to pay the Nizam the usual feudatory homage or nazarana. The downfall of the brothers began in 1845 when Chundoolal was succeeded by Raja Rambuksh. The government defaulted side than on the south. ” on the repayment of loans and their firm was ordered to relinquish and restore all compound, away from the maddening traf- the taluks assigned to them. “The process fic of M. G. Road, ” stated an article in the of ejectment was attended with bloodshed Andhra Pradesh Times of August 17, 1997. and casualties on both sides, ” states the Colonial in appearance, the structure has release. They had to liquidate all their dominant round columns supporting the management, ” mentions the Deccan assets and properties to pay back their entablature, wrote Pestonji. On the side is a Chronicle. In addition to Moos, Mehta creditors and they retired into private life, targe verandah running through the entire and Pestonji, others presently on the trust Later, though, the Prime Minister of Hyde- depth of the building wherein are held reli- board are Roda Mistry, Cyrus Irani and rabad. Sir Salar Jung I is supposed to have gious functions and gatherings. “The build- Bazun Dittia. made up for the past acts of injustice of the ing built on strong foundation has withstood They are intent on retaining the sanctity Nizam ’s government. the test of time, ” noted Pestonji. of this hallowed place for, as commented Close to the village of Parnali, gifted to the brothers by the East India Company, Viccaji had built adam across the Banganga river to shut out the salt water tides from the river. Fresh water was thus made avail ­ able for drinking and irrigation purposes. w, Besides public utility works, the broth ­ ers also built religious institutions of sig ­ nificance to Zoroastrians. Whilst further corresponding to September 3, 1839 in the details were not available, the write-up Gregorian calendar. Six years later, it states, “They built no less than five dar-e- seems, the brothers purchased land adjoining the dar-e-meher to thereon a new dar-e-meher was consecrated on 12, 1845 by Noshirwanji Jamaspasana of Poona. The edifice, write-up, bears marble tab ­ lets on which are inscribed couplets in Farsi. As mentioned in the Parsi Prakash, Volume I, which has quoted a report from The Bombay Sama­ char of October 14, 1847, the brothers were able to get consecrated a dar-e-meher in Secun ­ derabad on September 12, 1847 (Behram roj, Aspandad mah) at the hands of Dastur mehers at Tarapore, Belapur, Hyderabad Jamaspasana. For the regular maintenance and Secunderabad, and four towers of si- of the fire-temple the brothers purchased lence at Belapur, Hyderabad, Sholapur the adjoining bungalow of Col Haffkeine and declared themselves and their heirs the trustees of this institution. On being conferred a scroll of honor by eminent Zoroastrians of Hyderabad, Pestonji re ­ dar-e-meher in Secunderabad was first consecrated on Adar roj, Aspandad mail. 34 Parsiana November 1997 / “Strangely, while the Parsis were concen ­ trated in Hyderabad, the agiary was built in . sponded, “We must thank God for His bless- Secunderabad, ” noted an article in the Deccan Chronicle of August lO, 1997 which further cited the explanation of K. F. according to a report submitted by Marzban Giara. Initially the dar-e-meher, according to the Deccan Chronicle report, was man- ings. ” Four dar-e-mehers, four dokhmas and 17 dharamshalas were built by Viccaji, land was still available. The Meherji broth ­ ers were very particular that certain basic aged by the family after which it was norms should be adhered to: one, the fire ­ temple should face the east, and secondly, there should be more space on the northern original founders. “So particular were the descendants about the agiary ’s sanctity that at one time when the temple was caught in a dispute between the head priest who claimed that he was the owner of the temple, they had fought up to the Privy Council to preserve the sanctity and the decided that a trust should be formed com ­ prising basically of all descendants of the “The temple is tucked inside a large entablature, wrote Pestonji. On the side is a large verandah running through the entire depth of the building wherein are held reli ­ gious functions and gatherings. “The build ­ ing built on strong foundation has withstood the test of time, ” noted Pestonji. No further particulars about the agiary or Pestonji, “Even today you have a lot of any detailed historical records were avail ­ able from the organizers of the celebrations. As was gleaned from the Gujarati tome Parsi Dharmasthalo which has cited its just attracts people but gives them peace of source as Parsi Prakash, Volume I, the people who have seen the aura. All of them have said that (the agiary) has a very large and very strong aura around it which not mind. ”POLITICS AND POLICY The world body in perspective The Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America has opted in favor of having a single world body of Zoroastrians Arnavaz S. Mama trustees are directly elected by donors and indirectly by about 20,000 Bombay based Zarathushtis on its general register). And on that issue, despite the concerted at ­ tempts of WZO representatives to woo the BPP and the Federation of Parsi Zoroas ­ trian Anjumans of India (FPZAI) which aging community with a plethora of health problems where cures are increasingly ex ­ pensive; provision against the growing apathy, especially among the youth, who find the unequal struggle for higher educa ­ tion and job skills frustrating, debilitating, depressing; motivation of an athravan class whose self-respect has been eroded by Parsiana has witnessed since 1984, the ignorance and lassitude. In its 17-year existence the WZO has increasingly and successfully focussed at ­ tention upon these problems and by dint of two demands from the Indian Federation dedicated work of a few individual profes ­ sionals and donors has helped many an individual and family out of the doldrums of want and illness, provided funds for the WZO to gauge its actual strength small entrepreneurs, made provisions for poor mobeds and nassessalars and even set Stalemate continued. For years on end WZO representatives speaking at the FPZAI ex ­ ecutive council meets verbally agreed to before the latter would even consider join ­ ing the WZO: •The FPZAI sought a list of members of •The FPZAI wanted a change in the WZO constitution that would ensure anjumans a separate and overriding vote over certain areas of community policy. At the Fourth World Zoroastrian Con ­ gress in Bombay in 1985, a bicameral scheme was mooted for the WZO at a special session. It envisaged two chambers — one of anjumans and the other of indi ­ viduals — each having jurisdiction over Then, a few years ago the WZO amended specific areas of policy. The arguments have been replayed over the years with no follow through. The FPZAI claimed the WZO representatives made no concrete offers after returning from the meets. In the course of an inter ­ view with WZO chairman Shahpur Cap ­ tain, Parsiana had enquired why its mem ­ bership list was held so close to the WZO chest. Captain volunteered to send Parsi- With the North American community vot ­ ing in favor of a single body, the debate on the formation of a representative world body of Zoroastrians, one with the author ­ ity to speak for the community (in all its many ramifications and beliefs) on the stage of an increasingly shrinking world, has entered a new phase. The 22 member associations of FEZANA (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North Ameri ­ ca) voted 28.14 to 20.71 against the motion “FEZANA join the World Council of Zarathushti Federations (WCZF) as a founding member. ” There were 5.14 ab ­ stentions. (The FEZANA constitution en ­ ables its member associations to divide their votes to represent individual ‘ayes ’ and ‘nays ’ at the grassroots.) There is a total of 54 eligible votes and the simple up a professionally managed home for the majority needed to pass the motion was 50 aged (in Navsari). percent plus one, i.e. 28 votes, notes FEZANA president Dolly Dastoor in a letter dated December 12, 1997 notifying Zoroastrians lleeing from Iran after the member associations, FEZANA officers, Islamic Revolution of 1978) largely emu- committee members and other small groups lated the constitution of the Zoroastrian of Zoroastrians in North America of the Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE). results of the mail ballot. As Dastoor notes in her letter, “There has been a 100 percent its constitution to provide equal status to response from all the associations. ” Zoroastrian activists believe that our microscopic community has a substantial part to play in an international society that is only now becoming conscious of the tinuously and unambiguously professed to need to preserve the environment and each other — a mandate that Zarathushtra gave his followers aeons ago. Here, as in every other aspect of communal life, Zarathushi i s belong to two vocal schools of thought. The formation of the World Zoroas ­ trian Organisation (WZO) in 1980, with a mixed bag of individual and association members, has effectively channelled peoples ’ energy towards what was hitherto perceived as the most important job at hand — the economic amelioration of a large slice of the population struggling for Parsi Punchayet (BPP) which represents that have annihilated distances and the survival in rural India and Iran; care of an The hastily drafted WZO constitution (the WZO had been set up to help Iranian non-Zoroastrian spouses. It also eliminated clauses dealing with international repre ­ sentation to avail of tax benefits as a UK based charitable organization. It has con- follow the liberal interpretation of the Gathas and hence won the support and acclaim of liberal Zoroastrian individuals, many of them of unimpeachable standing ana the list in question. The interview within their own local communities, both on professional and personal planes. However, its mishmash of individual and association members, each having a single vote, has led to concerted attack as it is intellectually befuddling to believe that a lone Zoroastrian ’s opinion is equiva ­ lent to that of a body like e.g. the Bombay growing technological changes in the world “Captaining the WZO” was published in the February-March 1996 issue; Parsiana is yet to receive the promised list. The question of a representative world body dates back to the First World Zoroas ­ trian Congress in 1960. It has assumed urgency in the 1990s for two reasons: The over 50,000 Bombay Zarathushtis (BPP formation in 1987 of FEZANA. 36 Parsiana November 1997With FEZANA growing in strength both well, I would strongly urge the leadership numerically and intellectually, its founder and first president Rohinton Rivetna pur ­ sued the idea from 1991 and took the foresightedness by taking this opportunity opportunity of presenting a draft constitu- to dialogue with each other to find a viable tion for a World Council when several organizational solution which would re ­ international Zoroastrians congregated in Chicago to attend the Second Parliament of World Religions (the first one had been held a century ago). Here Zarathushtis received respect and acclaim from the international congregation, in large mea ­ sure due to Rivetna ’s personal involve ­ ment with the organization of the Parlia ­ ment. Among those present at the meet to discuss the formation of the Council were also WZO representatives. At that stage it had been mooted that the Council could be created under the WZO umbrella with significant modification of the WZO con ­ stitution. It was a sort of revival of the bicameral idea suggested in 1985 but even after 1993 there was no attempt to change representative world body which would the WZO constitution. It may be the acceptance of the idea of the WCZF as a viable proposition by FPZAI and an anticipation that FEZANA may follow suit that seems to have at last acti ­ vated the WZO leadership. Even so, no drafts of its proposed constitutional changes by several associations. I trust that the (see “A new structure for the WZO?” page 44) have been circulated for general de ­ bate. The refusal to join the WCZF does not, however, mean that FEZANA is ready to join the WZO. Thanking Rivetna for “pro ­ moting and sensitizing the community to the concept of a hierarchical representa ­ tion, ” Dastoor writes, “Almost all the as ­ sociations have felt that the current struc ­ ture of WZO is not adequate for a world body as it is not properly representative and the proposed amendments do not go by them in November 1997 can lead to the claim to the status of a ‘world ’ body sus- far enough. The prevailing sentiment from proponents of WZO and WCZF to realize tainable? ” dated July 29, 1997. each of the associations was in favor of this community objective. I would like to “That the WZO has been in existence only one truly representative apex world offer my services, to both, in achieving this for over 17 years and that it has done body which would be capable of represent- objective. ” excellent socioeconomic work particularly ing the Zarathushti community on issues The London based ZTFE has kept a for the Zoroastrian community in India are requiring political/humanitarian/doctrinal vote on this issue in abeyance. With a irrelevant to the issue of whether it is the intervention. “It was felt that a world body must be more inclusive, and have representation from the mobeds ’ councils, as well as from the institutes of learning all over the world. It was the wish of all that the proponents of both WCZF and WZO should dialogue Mistry, and come up with a viable solution within a specific time frame which would be satisfactory to all. “Given this sentiment of our associa ­ tions in North America, and the sentiment prevailing in other parts of the world as of WZO as well as of the still to be formed WCZF, to show vision, flexibility and suit in the community getting one fully “The world body’s constitution should mandate that all its officers are internationally elected by all member federations/ associations” to play. Rivetna, who had mooted a memoran ­ dum of understanding between the two bodies, stated in an open letter dated June 15, “I see no need to re-sculpt what has been so fruitful and successful — there should be no rush to transform the WZO. Let us, rather, fine-tune and develop each of them to best accomplish their own man ­ date. As our community grows from strength to strength, I see even more Zoro ­ astrian bodies with global scope and stat ­ ure, developing to serve our communal needs. Let us not constrain the willing spirit. Rather let us nourish and nurture all initiatives to create an institutionally rich community. ” The acrimony of the debate as recorded in the Parsi Press in Bombay led respected Iranian philanthropistMehraban Zartoshty, himself a WZO committee member, to write a strong letter dated June 6, 1997 to WZO supporter Noshirwan Cowasjee of London, asking, “What is wrong with you and your colleagues? Why are you con- speak for all — individuals, associations and federations. “I also strongly urge the leadership of cerned about another world body whose WZO to correct the perception, right or wrong, which is generally prevalent, of an ‘entrenched management ’ as mentioned aims and objects are different from WZO? You have claimed that they are going to divide the community. While in fact the way you people have been alarmed and leadership of WZO will interpret this vote started writing letters and articles and play ­ as a measure of goodwill of the North American community to transform WZO into a truly representative world body en ­ compassing the basic principles of WCZF, namely that the several associations that now exist should have proper representa ­ tion in the global affairs of the community in one world body. “I hope that the dialogue initiated to ­ wards that end by Adi Davar and Rohinton Rivetna in August 1997 and since pursued culated an article titled “The WZO; Is its by them in November 1997 can lead to the proponents of WZO and WCZF to realize this community objective. I would like to ing power games and creating havoc, is going to divide the community... I wonder, is WZO trying to help the Zarathushtis worldwide, financially, politically and cre ­ ating unity worldwide or just wants to be world power? ” Dinshaw Joshi, former president of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington Inc (ZAMWI) and chairman of FEZANA’s awards committee has cir- objective. ” The London based ZTFE has kept a vote on this issue in abeyance. With a younger committee in the saddle the body that should represent Zoroastrians ZTFE’s first priority seems to be to end the 12-year feud with the WZO leadership, acknowledging the fact that the WZO was spawned by the ZTFE to begin with, as notes its incoming president Dorab worldwide, ” writes Joshi. “WZO executives have stated that WZO was organized as a result of the need expressed at the first three World Zoroas ­ trian Congresses for a ‘world ’ body to represent Zoroastrians internationally. If so, WZO founder members should have I 38 Parsiana November 1997 While WZO sympathizers tended to be concerned about a new organization “split- drafted the Constitution, By-laws and Rules ting the community ” and its resources of and Regulations for the proposed world men and money, Rivetna had been at pains to ensure that the two organizations have complementary - not competitive - roles istration, funding, procedure for electing organization, detailing the organization ’s objectives, functions, membership, admin-officers, etc., circulated the drafts of these documents worldwide among all associa ­ tions or groups of Zoroastrians wherever General and other top UN executives were they then existed, and after incorporating always from, say, USA because the orga- comments received, submitted the final nization is located in New York? WZO’s draft to a subsequent World Zoroastrian reorganization proposal implies that the Congress for approval and ratification. To my knowledge, this has never been done. Hence, WZO cannot rightfully claim to have the authority to represent Zoroastri ­ ans worldwide, ” he adds. “WZO also claims that since it has members from different parts of the world and they are representatives of all Zoroas ­ trians of those areas, it is a ‘representative world body. ’ The question that begs an answer is, ‘Who appointed these represen ­ tatives? Were they elected or appointed by the Zoroastrians in the areas they purport existing WZO executives from UK do not to represent? ’Since these individuals, how ­ ever prominent and respected, were nei ­ ther elected by North American Zoroastri ­ ans nor appointed by FEZANA to repre ­ sent North American Zoroastrians in the WZO, they can hardly consider themselves world body ’s constitution should mandate ambassadors from North American Zoro ­ astrians to the WZO world body, ” main ­ tains Joshi. Challenging the membership structure (and not just limited to UK) and, more importantly, that these officers can hold United Nations, would the international community tolerate if the UN Secretary- “Distribution of administrative and executive work among officials living in different countries simply does not work” want to relinquish their hold on the organi ­ zation and want to continue to exert con ­ trol over the world body also when it is explored... formed. ” Additionally Joshi suggests that “the a rebuff?... “We should also be aware that the In ­ dian Federation and ZTFE genuinely do not believe in navjotes of children of mixed marriages and marriages with non-Zoroas- trian spouses. While these beliefs must be respected and have a place in our commu ­ nity, the question which we in North America should carefully weigh is, whether these beliefs of WCZF’s key proponents as well as locating its headquarters in India, could have implications for the liberal views of many associations in FEZANA and hence our youth and future genera ­ tions. ” Davar referred to the WZO offer as “a viable and negotiable blueprint of far reach ­ ing changes in its structure, as requested in Tehran in June 1996. The approach agreed there, and repeatedly recommended by community leaders since 1991, must be “WZO’s blueprint seems to offer much more than WC^; •a representative council of associations/ federations, with objectives far more rel ­ evant than WCZF’s of networking and representing Zoroastrians with interna ­ tional organizations and governments; of the WZO by analogy to the UNO, Joshi importantly, that these officers can hold •& better balance of 10 country and re ­ writes, “How can a world organization office only for two consecutive terms of gional groupings, having equal represen- have individuals as members?... WZO as a two years (as is the case in FEZANA).” A world body having both individuals and “permanent secretariat of paid employ ­ associations as members would be like the ees ” could be based wherever the body is UN having both the countries and the registered which should pose no problem eral legislative system; individual citizens of the same countries as its members. ” Acknowledging that many WZO members are “highly respected stal ­ warts of the community, ” and that dis ­ franchising them would be difficult for ern the future management and operations the WZO, he nonetheless considers it essential that the WZO do just that if it “wants to be recognized as a truly ‘world ’ body. ” According to Joshi, the WZO chairman had addressed a letter dated June 16, 1997 to the North American Zoroastrian asso ­ ciations proposing a revised organizational Adi Davar of Washington sought to an- structure for the WZO as a world body. Describing this proposed structure as “com- body should be formed “through a restruc- feet, hitherto. Comparing the WZO offer plicated, flawed and deficient, ” Joshi notes turing of the WZO... or as a separate world to the bicameral US legislature Davar notes, that “in the new organization, WZO ex- body. ” As published in the WZO bulletin ecutives from United Kingdom will con ­ stitute the permanent executive body for WZO. This executive body will be in addition to the international management board representing individuals and asso ­ ciations worldwide. This proposal raises two questions: ‘Why is it necessary to have a separate executive board and, even if talking of forming it as a separate world necessary, why should its officers be only body. They asked the existing one, WZO, from UK?’ Again taking the analogy of the ‘to join WCZF.’ Is it any wonder, they got that all its officers (president, secretary, treasurer, etc) are internationally elected by all member federations/associations with the modern telecommunication fa ­ cilities available. Moreover Joshi main ­ tains, “In the absence of a constitution which would be legally binding and gov- 40 Parsiana November 1997 tation in the council — not dissimilar to the way in which states are represented in a senate in any federal set-up with a bicam- •a more generous voting basis of a mini ­ mum of one vote for every association having 1,000 or less Zoroastrians living in its jurisdiction and one more for every 1,000 over that, in contrast to WCZF’s of of the world body, it would be hardly only one vote for 10,000 members in an correct for any Zoroastrian federation or association to support WZO’s claim as (a) representative body of Zoroastrians world ­ wide. ” At the FEZANA AGM in Crestone in August 1997, WZO committee member association/federation...; •an arrangement which ensures that the votes of WZO’s individual members ’ con ­ stituency simply cannot affect the repre ­ sentative council ’s work and responsibili ­ ties. ” Neither Captain nor Davar has offered swer the question whether such a world an explanation why the WZO dragged its body should be formed “through a restruc- “In democratic countries like ours having Hamazor (Autumn-Winter 1997) Davar bicameral legislative systems, you vote for recounted Rivetna ’s attempts since 1991 to raise the community ’s awareness about the need for such a representative structure and his earlier attempts to structure it within the WZO framework. “But in 1994/ represent your views on other subjects in 95 WCZF’s proponents suddenly began the senate. The same democratic concept is adopted by WZO.” Noting that the WZO chairperson would be an office rotating “every three years your district representative to represent your convictions on specific subjects in the lower house of representatives, and you vote as well for your state senator toABZEE FOODS FPZAI president Jamshed Guzder, “The Sixth Zoroastrian Congress did not en ­ dorse the creation of a new world body (WCZF). It recommends changes in the constitution of WZO to accommodate the views of the anjumans and, if agreed by a Try our barbeque sauce,thousand island dressing, chocolate sauce, mayonnaise, tarapori patio, etc we are opposed to proliferation of world bodies which results in duplication of work, waste of money and manpower. ” In a letter to Captain dated August 26, 1997, the Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal president Toxy Cowasjee notes, “As you know we are primarily a charitable organi ­ zation doing similar work as WZO but in Pakistan only... Rohinton had an excellent For details contact Bombay telephones 3866179/3879025 Also available at: Rustoms - Wodehouse Road, Colaba 22 Carat Guaranteed Gold KUMAR JEWELLERS between India, Iran, North America and UK,” Davar justifies the need for the UK members of the board to constitute its executive committee: “Repeated experi ­ ence of international bodies, even in today ’ s telecommunication age, suggest that dis ­ tribution of administrative and executive majority, its venue be moved to Iran. Hence work among officials living in different countries simply does not work. ” Refer ­ ring to “perhaps over 30 percent of the Zoroastrians in each of our areas (who) have not joined our associations, ” Davar asks, “How arc they to be given a represen ­ tative voice, if WCZF represents associa- tions/federations alone?... How does one also cope with the vested rights of Zoroas ­ trians who joined WZO, and are making tenure as president of FEZANA and if he sizeable contributions?... could be convinced to join WZO and give “WZO’sre-structuringblueprintprovides his expertise or do the things he aims to do such a prudent and simple solution by: re ­ taining an individuals ’ council for this size ­ able mass of Zoroastrians, and charging it only with specific responsibilities germane for it; and creating a representative council for associations/federations, and charging it with those through which it can best serve our global community. ” In an attachment to his paper answering questions regarding the WZO structure and operations, Davar notes that its “elected trustees do not represent countries or re ­ gions... into the board. ” He described the process of the creation of WZO as “ad hoc... international leaders from countries with major Zoroastrian populations were invited. Those who participated were from Canada, India, Iran, UK and USA. After the draft constitution was forged, it was sent for comment to all associations then existing all over the world, and thereafter objective to fully represent the commu- finalized. ” Writing as executive director of the Sixth World Zoroastrian Congress Dr Mahyar Ardeshiri notes in a letter dated August 7, 1997 to BPP chairman and with WCZF along with WZO instead, the Zoroastrian community will truly benefit. ” In an e-mail communication to con ­ cerned individuals and the larger North American associations, scholar priest Dr Jehan Bagli of Princeton, New Jersey, recapitulates the main points of criticism against the WZO. He then notes, “To put the above structure of WZO in proper perspective, it is im ­ portant to remember that at the time when the body was formed in 1980, many of the associations and federa ­ tions were not in existence. The situa ­ tion has now changed considerably with the mushrooming of representative as ­ sociations particularly in the West. How ­ ever, a sizable number of individual Zarathushtis still does not belong to local organized bodies, defeating their House of Gold, Silver & Diamond Jewellery Specialist for: Asho Farohar & Lord Zarathushtra Medals in Gold and Silver 596, Chira Bazar Near Wadia Fire Temple Bombay 400002 Tel: 2017707/2011894 We buy old Gold, Silver and Diamond Jewellery We accept Master, Visa, Diners, BOB & Inter cards 42 Parsiana November 1997 Investment in property Pune is the best city For sale, purchase or lease of residential or commercial properties in Pune, contact Minoo Bhathena BySel Estate 302, Devika Apartment, 2010 West Street, Pune 411001 Tel: 650757 nity. ” Bagli voices the oft repeated con ­ cerns: “Is it rational for a community of around 200,000 worldwide to have two world bodies?... Can we lavishly afford to spread thin our valuable human re ­ sources over the leadership and bureau ­ cracy of two major organizations? We know very well how severe a strain it is for the executives of any Zoroastrian body to muster funding even for worthy causes. Can we truly afford the luxury of having two world bodies, and is that money well spent? ” In an effort to bridge the chasm Bagli notes, “The issues here are not about win ­ ning or losing, victory or defeat. Those involved must realize that compromise and sacrifice of personal sentiments must prevail where necessary. The crucial issue here is, what is best for the community at this point in time... ” .1 hTOVmCS Al^D POLICY A new structure for the WZO? Arnavaz S. Mama It has become clear over the last few The two together constitute the WZO than ideal state of affairs prevailing in years, that the many pockets of Zoroastri- management board, the chairman of the various parts of the world “through bridg- ans across the world, including in North board being chairman of the WZO, to be ing differences of beliefs, traditions and America, Australia and New Zealand have elected by rotation from major countries, practices, ” notes Captain. formed numerous associations with demo- Where 30 percent of the board members Apart from this intra-communal work cratically elected boards. Except in India, “are uncomlortable with a recommenda- the council of anjumans, as part of the most have not yet coalesced into country tion received from either council ” it will WZO, is expected to represent and protect federations, while those in North America be passed to “an independent advisory Zoroastrian interests with governments and have chosen to form a bi-country international organizations, pro ­ federation. WZO (World Zoroas- mote the Zoroastrian presence at trian Organisation) has increas- interfaith and inter-cultural meets ingly lelt that as the community ’s j|||||||||||||L ¦||||||||||||B andpromotestudyoftheZoroas- world body it must respond to this trian response to critical global is- prevailing situation, writes WZO sues such as social welfare and chairman Shahpur Captain in a human rights which, according to Ltter addressed to All anjumans Captain, “will face humanity in the in India, dated August 15, 1997. 21st century. ” Other duties include To accommodate the repre- the organization of a worldwide sentative claims of organizations, community census every decade; Captain proposes that they should h|||^ J assist in the holding of triennial be encouraged to form a demo- ¦Bair.x.v ' World Zoroastrian Congresses and cratic hierarchical structure ol ensure a followup on those deci ­ country or regional federations, and even- Captain: accoinodating organizations sions; undertake referendums on the basis tually through their council, play an eflec- of “WZO study, proposals and agenda for tive and influential role in the community ’s committee of wise Zoroastrians for study action. ” global alfairs. and recommendation. The board will be “Residual responsibilities under the The plan for restructuring the WZO guided by that advice. ” constitution would be handled by the CI,” envisages the creation of “WZO country The WZO’s new voting system will be writes Captain. “Any major issue concern ­ chapters or federations ” to which an indi- based on guesstimates of Zoroastrian popu- ing the community will be put to the nia- vidual association/anjuman would belong lation in the relevant geographical areas, jority vote of the grassroots community, on becoming a WZO member. “Thus, there This will include those who are neither through each local association, ” he adds, will be federations/chapters in Iran, USA, members of anjumans nor ofthe WZO and “UK members on the CI, including the Canada, Pakistan/South Asia Region, etc, the weighting formula suggested is one executive vice president, will help handle like the one in India, he explains. Tenta- vote per every 1,000 Zoroastrians plus one the administrative work and execute Board lively, 10 major country or regional fed- for every additional 1,000 or fraction decisions, ” notes Captain because the erations/chapters have been demarcated, thereof. Associations with less than 1,000 WZO’s headquarters are in London. An- viz Canada, India, Iran, UK, USA, Africa/ members also get one vote. ticipating a significant workload. Captain Gulf/Middle East region, Australia/New The responsibilities of the two councils moots a professional secretariat including Zealand region, Europe region. Far East have been delineated in part. The council a secretary-general, a treasurer and, even- Asia region, Pakistan/South Asia region. • Representatives of the associations/ anjumans of the country or region in ques ­ tion would direct the work of that federa ­ tion and elect from among themselves two members to represent it on the WZO’s world council of anjumans (CA) to be created under the WZO umbrella. There will thus be a maximum of 20 members on this world council. Simultaneously a council of individu ­ als (CI), of equal number, would be “elected ” by individual and family mem ­ bers of the WZO. The two together constitute the WZO management board, the chairman of the board being chairman of the WZO, to be elected by rotation from major countries. Where 30 percent of the board members “are uncomfortable with a recommenda ­ tion received from either council ” it will be passed to “an independent advisory o 44 Parsiana November 1997 Captain: accainodating organizations committee of wise Zoroastrians for study and recommendation. The board will be The WZO’s new voting system will be based on guesstimates of Zoroastrian popu ­ lation in the relevant geographical areas. members of anjumans nor of the WZO and the weighting formula suggested is one vote per every 1,000 Zoroastrians plus one for every additional 1,000 or fraction thereof. Associations with less than 1,000 members also get one vote. The responsibilities of the two councils have been delineated in part. The council of anjumans is seen as the apex networker tually, a secretary for each council, part and coordinator, cutting across national boundaries. It will also be up to the CA to identify local and international matters of community world body which you know major concern to the community. The organization is aimed at fostering bonds of identity and heritage to overcome different ethnic and national backgrounds; the perpetuation of the faith and its values, especially among Zoroastrian youth; unity for making changes in the rules and regu- and cohesiveness within the community and better projection of itself among its various hosts. Hence the CA is expected to provide effective solutions to the often less (plus three annexures). time to begin with. He also deems it pru ­ dent to secure these aims through “a tested has served it meritoriously over 17 years, rather than seek to do so through a new untested separate organization with its additional operating overheads. ” Though there are separate provisions lations and the constitution of the WZO, no draft of a new constitution, as such, accompanies Captain ’s four-page letter bPOLITICS AND POLICY A union of federations Arnavaz S. Mama “As the erstwhile marginalization of reli- ( ’ ' ' ¦ - gions is giving way to close collaboration tonomy. It would however have the and partnerships among the religious insti ­ tutions, it is now becoming easier, and all the more imperative to develop a formal structure for ‘coming together... ’ for re ­ sponsible dialog with commitment and follow-up. Such a dialog and follow-up actions are not conceivable in any meaningful way between tens of thousands of individual Zarathushtis scattered across the globe, or even between the hun ­ dreds of large and small Zoroastrian anjmans and associations, ” notes foun ­ der and former president of FEZANA (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America) Rohin ­ ton Rivetna, in an “open Rivetna: ‘‘We shall improve, letter to all interested per- and refine ” sons ” dated June 15, 1997. Referring to the historical Zoroastrian custom to form an association/anjuman “wherever a few Zarathushtis settle, ” Rivetna cites 78 anjumans in India, 21 in proposed constitution and by-laws, pre ­ Iran, 21 (22 since August ’97) in North pared in conjunction with Keki Gandhi, America, five in Pakistan, four in Austra ­ lia, three in Europe, two in New Zealand and one each in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrain, Sri Lanka “and numerou.s other areas of the world. ” The Indian and North American anjumans having successfully come together as federations (since the past 22 and 12 years respectively). Rivet- has to be kept simple to facilitate that. ” graphic areas as India, Iran, North Ameri- na says that this structure (individu- Copies endorsed to 43 interested persons ca, Europe, Australia, Pakistan, UAE, als-»associations-»regional federations) “has (including two high priests each in India Singapore,HongKong, New Zealand, Ku- developed over the years with the mandate and Iran) apart from the four principal of the community ” and therefore cannot be (founding) regions — India (FPZAI), Iran bypassed. Maintaining the effectiveness (Tehran Anjuman), North America of the hierarchical chain, Rivetna notes, “I (FEZANA), Europe (Zoroastrian Trust give great credence to the collective intel ­ ligence of our community — listen to its beat. Organizers and leaders must set course accordingly, ” shoring up his case for the need for a World Council of Zoroastrian Federations (WCZF). Rivetna sees the WCZF as a coordinat ­ ing, networking and facilitating body in which each constituent would be ensured complete administrative and religious au- i man ­ date to represent and speak for the world Zoroastrian population, facilitate the set ­ ting of common goals and “give a gentle direction to our common destiny... coordi ­ nate and orchestrate the study and resolu ­ tion of issues and significant projects that religious heritage; strengthen the ties and to Zoroastrian communities and their wel ­ fare, Zoroastrian monuments, and Zoroas ­ trian archeology, as required, and estab ­ lish consultative status with global bodies, Zoroastrian and non-Zoroastrian; •helping Zoroastrians to acquire a broader sense of identity based on their common 46 Parsiana November 1997 cross national boundaries. ” Specifically the holding of world adult and youth con ­ gresses with adequate fol ­ low-up action, represent- ingZoroastrians as an NGO (non governmental orga ­ nization) in international and interreligious fora, con ­ ducting a world census of Zoroastrians, holding ref- erendums/surveys on mat ­ ters of global significance to the community, “coor ­ dinating and facilitating the evolution of common prac ­ tices among Zarathushtis ” are part of the WCZF purview. Presenting the sixth draft of the WCZF’s bonds between all followers of the Zoroas ­ trian faith; •dealing with matters arising with regard to assets of defunct Zoroastrian organiza ­ tions anywhere in the world, at the request of the concerned member region; •promoting formation of not-for-profit in ­ ternational associations of Zoroastrian professionals, businessmen, industrialists, educationists, social workers, and other such broad occupational categories, in or ­ der to network and establish support sys ­ tems to encourage entrepreneurship, in ­ dustry and charity among Zoroastrians. The secondary objectives include: •to promote, perpetuate and teach the mes ­ sage of Zarathushtra; •to encourage traditional offerings of char ­ ity and benevolence among Zoroastrians and non-Zoroastrians; •to nurture, perpetuate, sustain and sup ­ port the Zoroastrian faith and Zoroastrian communities living anywhere in the world, paying particular attention to the honorary secretary of the FPZAI (Federa ­ tion of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of In ­ dia), Rivetna notes, “Please keep in mind that this constitution is intended to be a youth, living document. As we start to function we shall improve and refine it through constitutional amendments, which process ciations/anjumans/societies in such geo- has to be kept simple to facilitate that. ” Copies endorsed to 43 interested persons Membership of the WCZF is open to any Zoroastrian federation, union of asso- Funds of Europe) and lO other potential member regions — also provided a form for commenls/suggestions/feedback/ap- proval. The l9-page constitution and by-laws spells out its primary objects. These in ­ clude: •working with governments of respective countries with regard to matters pertaining wait, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka or any other self-governing political region in which a minimum of 50 Zoroastrians reside. This provision applies to future migrations also; in the reverse, where Zoroastrian popula ­ tion in a region declines below 50, its WCZF membership would stand termi ­ nated. Where several associations exist in a region, the one representing the major segment of Zoroastrian population in the area has the authority to become a WCZF member with the proviso that it undertakeGLOBE THEATRES Pvt Ltd Established April 3, 1915 Pioneers of Show Business in India for the last 82 years We rededicate ourselves to the ideals we have cherished and practised all along -- namely to show NOTHING BUT THE BEST to our ever increasing number of Patrons Controlling: REGAL BOMBAY CAPITOL BOMBAY * GLOBE CALCUTTA All the above Cinemas have now been equipped with nn i DOLBY Sound System to liaise with the other organizations there and lead them towards the formation of a federation in the region. The criteria for membership, apart from the binding acceptance of the constitution and by-laws, require that the body file a written application with the WCZF secre ­ tary for approval by a simple majority of the Council; be registered under the rel ­ evant laws of its own country as a not-for- profit organization dedicated to serving the religious and other needs of the Zoro ­ astrians of the area; have a minimum of . 200 Zoroastrians living in the region it represents (but in no case less than 50); agree to pay all its dues within 90 days of the beginning of each fiscal year. A member who engages in activities detrimental to the WCZF’s declared ob ­ jectives could be expelled if 75 percent of member regions vote against its continued membership of the Council. It would how ­ ever be allowed 90 days after notification to submit a defense. Conversely, each member region has the right to terminate its membership of the WCZF through a written resignation accompanied by a full statement of accounts and dues. The Council may be quartered in any of the founding regions after seeking the con ­ sent of the member region and ensuring that its operations do not infringe upon that member ’s autonomy. The member region is at liberty to withdraw its consent after giving due notice. The fiscal year of the Council would hinge upon the fiscal year as prescribed by the laws of the host country. Minimum annual subscription for the founding mem ­ bers is set at US $ 1,000 (or its equivalent) and that of other members at US $ 500. Member regions are urged to pay higher amounts voluntarily, in accordance with their capacity to do so. It is envisaged that the Council ’s work will be financed principally through contributions and donations. The majority of the Council ’s endowments are expected to be deposited in the largest, government backed secure investment though it is open to invest (less than 40 percent) in real estate or in moderate risk securities. Created in painstaking detail, the draft constitution covers 14 articles, many with several subsections. The WCZF’s gover ­ nance clause declares that the Council will be “managed by bs membevship; ibe mem ­ ber regions shall collectively exercise all powers normally exercised by the board of directors or trustees of a not-for-profit religious corporation and delegate continued on page 5/ ‘5 48 Parsiana November 1997 With best wishes from Farah & TanyaCOMMENT Hunt for the oriental treasures When poring over countless manuscripts in Gujarat, Jamshed Katrak found interesting material which he compiled into Oriental Treasures Capt Hormazdiar J. M. Desai have entailed great expense. ” The Orien- They also include Sanskrit translations of the Avestan, Pahlavi, Pazand, Persian and Gujarati texts. There are manuscripts on science, chronology, geography, travels, rhetoric, logic, ethics and moral sayings. Jamshed C. Katrak, in his preface to Ori­ ental Treasures, writes: “The K. R. Cama tai Treasures is, “With deepest devotion. Oriental Institute (KRCOI)... founded in love and gratitude, dedicated to Mother 1920 a research scholarship through the Superior Gloria — the life and soul of the munificence of Mr and Ms Mazdayasnan movement in Eu- Jehangir R. Patell, for a period rope, America, India and the rest philosophy, theology and religion, mysti- of one year for the investigation, of the civilized world. ” examination and research of old The author states: “This is a manuscripts written in Avesta, unique work of its kind, never Pahlavi, Pazand, Sanskrit, old published before. Over a thou- Gujarati and other Iranian and sand manuscripts written in nine Indian languages, lying in the different Iranian and Indian lan- private libraries of Parsis... in ' • guages, ancient as well as mod- Gujarat. Particular attention was orn, dead as well as living were to be paid to the colophons of those manu ­ scripts. ” Entrusted with this research work by Dr Jivanji Modi, Katrak travelled extensively 31 and studied, in depth, various manuscripts in personal and private libraries in Surat, Broach, Ankleshwar, Navsari, Gandevi, Bulsar, Nargol, Udvada, Adajan, Bhatha, Siganpore and Saronda. Every month, he submitted reports which were examined by eminent scholars like Dr Modi, M. P. Khareghat, G. K. Nariman PJ||K and Ervad B. N. Dhabhar. The printing of these reports, bound in three bulky volumes, was consid ­ ered prohibitive. Even the con ­ densed version in a tabular sym ­ metrical form was prohibitively expensive for the KRCOI. Katrak, realizing that these pre- cious manuscripts should be known to future oriental scholars, generously undertook to publish the Oriental Treasures at his own cost. Khareghat who wrote the foreword to the book emphasizes, “The work is manifestly the result of great labor, learning and intel ­ ligence, and its publisher must Katrak (above, and right) being received by Shahbanu Farah in Iran 50 Parsiana November 1997 cism, Sufism, lexicography, philology, polytechnics, music, cookery, perfumery, astronomy, astrology, geomancy, books of fate, dreams, medicine, pharmacy, sexol ­ ogy, physics and mathematics. In the tabular descriptive statement printed in Oriental Treasures, Katrak has also given the colophons, that is inscrip- searched as well as examined in the private tions mostly on the last page or folio of the collection of 63 Parsi owners living in different parts of Gujarat. The remaining 1 were residing in different towns and villages. ” Most of the ancient, beautiful, rare and valuable manuscripts were lo ­ cated in Surat, Broach, Bulsar and Navsari and are on a wide variety of subjects. In addition to the original Zoroastrian scrip ­ tures, they include Avestan writings with Pahlavi. Persian and Gujarati versions. Z 4 M M manuscripts, giving the name, often with lengthy genealogies of the scribe, of the patron if any, and date and place of writ ­ ing. The nine appendices in the Oriental Treasures are most informative and edu ­ cative. They include topics such as immi ­ gration and earliest struggles of the Parsis in India, landing at Diu, arrival at Sanjan, the 16 Sanskrit shlokas, consecration of the Iranshah Atash Behram at Sanjan, Neryosan battles at Sanjan, Variav and Bahrot, flights therefrom, early Parsis in Sind and Punjab, settle- ment at Cambay, testimony of Persian Rivayats, earlydiistory of Parsis at Navsari, Broach, Ankle- shwar, Surat, Bulsar, Udvada, Daman, Thana, Kalyan and Bombay, and some leading Parsi dasturs, mobeds and behdins of old in India. This book is a trea- sure house of history ofthe Parsis in India and would greatly inter- est all those with a scholastic bent of mind. The Oriental Treasures is un- doubtedly Katrak ’s magnum opus. He has also authored, in Gujarati, other books, viz the History of Nanabhai Punjia, An- CT O Dhaval, Ia A UNION OF FEDERATIONS continued from i>age 48 certain business to the executive offic ­ ers and the executive director...by simple majority of all eligible votes. ” Any procedural or operating rules adopted by the Council would be annu ­ ally reviewed by the president and the expected to implement the Council ’s decisions made in the general assembly ever it provides for a member to elect to receive the decision only as a recom ­ mendation if il bears doctrinal or socio ­ economic import and to so inform the Council. On the Council ’s part, such a decision “shall be based on a proposition that has received an adequate study of all aspects of the issue, including the changing world in which Zoroaslrians live, and reasonable consultation with those espousing varying viewpoints. Complete details of the proposition in ­ cluding a fair statement setting out the pros and cons shall be circulated to the member regions and an opportunity given a c? cestor of the Davar Modi family of Surat, 1935; True causes of the Downfall of the last Zoroastrian Empire of the Sassanids in Iran; Literary Talks, Bombay, 1949; Afsun-I-Shah Faridun, 1959; Marriage in Ancient Iran, 1965; The Age of Zara- thushtra, 1968 and the Iranian and Orien­ tal Papers. As an eminent scholar, Katrak attended honorary secretary. Member region.s arc the All India Oriental Conferences in 1941, 1943, 1948 and 1949. He was a Persian scholar of the Government of Iran during (GA) in their geographical areas. How 1959-60. He ably represented the Parsi Punchayet, Bombay at the Eirst World Zoroastrian Congress held in Tehran in October I960. At the invitation of the Government of Iran, he attended the World Congress of Iranologists held in Tehran in 1966 and read a studied paper on The Age of Zarathushtra. Katrak graduated from Bombay Uni ­ versity as a scholar in Avesta and Pahlavi. He subsequently obtained a certificate in ancient Iranian language.s and was a San ­ skrit prizeman. Sir J. J. Zarthoshty Madressa. TheOriental Treasures need to be much better publicized. If internationally reputed to them to express in writing their views scholars are familiarized with Oriental Treasures, anew dimension would be given to research, oriental learning, scholarship, culture and literature. Are the oriental research institutions and the Zoroastrian community going to let this priceless, rare treasure-house of knowledge slip out of their hands? Kalrak has given detailed addresses of the owners, when he examined the rare books in the private libraries. I firmly duct the Council ’.s routine and adminis- believe that with the help of the an jumans and Zoroastrian organizations in the towns mentioned in Oriental Treasures, and with the help of the legal heirs and successors of the owners, it may still be possible to retrieve many of these rare books and manuscripts. Unless these manuscripts are secured from their present owners and preserved in a prestigious institute such as the KRCOI, they may permanently be lost to scholars and to posterity and may end up in secondhand book shops. We must act very expeditiously, effectively and deci ­ sively. after consulting their respective con ­ stituents. The process may take several months or even years. The Council ’s decision will thus reflect a unanimous or majority view arrived at on the basis of proper study and wide consultation. ” The GA is viewed as a coordinating body and as a “forum for discussions and deliberations ” for the benefit of the worldwide community. It will also con- Always remember 4 TATA BATA ISRWl KHAMBATA Ketayun & Bomi 22/A, Wellington Terrace Wellington Street, Bombay 400002 Tel No: 2069636, 2057242 Pager No: 9602-104007 Dorrabji ’s JERROZ HOTEL Under Cliff, Ring Road Panchgani 412805 Phone: (91) (02168) 40238 Top Professional Services Under One Roof Trustee and joint honorary secretary of the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute, Capt Hormazdiar Desai masteredin Persian literature before acquiring his LLB degree. He was promoted to the Indian Ad ­ ministrative Service in 1962 from the Maharashtra cadre which he joined after wartime army service with the South East Asia Command. Desai co ­ founded the National Association for the Blind and has published seven books, several of them on the rights of the disabled. irative work, ensure execution of deci ­ sions and serve as a secretarial in the absence of a secretariat. It will comprise executive officers including one presi ­ dent, four vice presidents (one each from the founding member regions), an hon ­ orary treasurer, an honorary secretary and three honorary vice secretaries. The total number of non-office bearer mem ­ bers of the GA would, together with all the office bearers excluding the presi ­ dent, equal the total number of eligible votes. Each member region would be free to appoint its representatives on the GA provided the nominees are bonafide residents of the region and affiliated to one of its member associations. The terms of the president and non ­ office bearer members of the GA i.s one year; that of the office bearers, two years. Everyone except the president would be entitled to reappointment at the end of their terms. Authorised agents for LIC/GIC/FD/UTI Buying and selling of flats/offices Buying and selling of shares ? ? ? Filling of income tax returns under VDIS and new provisions regarding house/ telephone/car/ foreign travels Rusi Mundroina 6284214 Sheroo Hiramaneck 4156791/2 51 Parsiana November 1997BOOKS Recreating Cama Burjor K. Karanjia Madame Cama by Shirin Darasha. Published in 1997 by A. R. Gala for Navneet Publications (India) Limited, Navneet Bhavan, Bhavani Shankar Road, Dadar, Bombay 400028. Pp: 157. Price: Rs 35. uprising. Bhikoo also became a member of Abhinav Bharat, a revolutionary organiza ­ tion, which believed in armed struggle. In London at India House, Bhikoo presided over a meeting to celebrate the 50th anni ­ versary of the sepoy uprising of 1857. She travelled to Paris, New York, Ber ­ lin and Geneva. In America, at a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, on October 28, 1907, she was introduced as “an Indian woman who dares to speak . _ not only for her country, but for the re ­ epidemic in Bombay, the Parsi Punchayet pressed humanity of the world. ” In Berlin she undertook a lecture tour to enlighten Germans about India ’s political problems. In September 1909 she launched a monthly magazine called Bande Mataram, which became the voice of revolutionary India. Bhikoo ’s fame spread through Europe. of her mother. Her father too was pro ­ British, but he doted on his daughter and tended to overlook her “trespasses. ” Even as a young girl, Bhikaiji had a strong sense of service. During the plague In a note prefacing her novel on the life of had organized a Parsi field hospital. Bhikaiji Madame Bhikaiji Cama, the author states; ’ .... “My novel is a fictional biography, for though I’ve tried to authenticate the facts and important milestones of Madame Cama ’s life as faith- fully as possible. I’ve also used my imagination to ere- hospital opened Bhikoo ’s eyes ate characters and events to the ravages of famine and which may not have existed poverty on the masses of her in her life, but which add flesh people. and blood to her personality Her differences with her and to the era in which she pro-British husband along with the sudden death of her The author, Shirin Dara- father, brought about a crisis Stuttgart in August 1907. After an irnpas- sha, who became principal ol « in her life. She broke up with sioned speech, she unfurled the flag she the J. B. Petit School after a Darasha: her husband and left India to had kept hidden, calling it “the flag of brilliant academic career, has Cama alive go to Europe. Her meeting Indian independence sanctified by the done the task she set herself with Dadabhai Naoroji in Lon- blood of martyred Indian youth. ” She was superbly well. Written in a simple narra- don deepened her feelings of patriotism, a trailblazer in that she thought and talked tive style, without any flourishes but ex- He asked her to work for him and the of swaraj, complete independence for In- p oiting to the full the dramatic highlights Indian National Congress. She campaigned dia, decades before anyone else did, as far of Madame Cama ’s extraordinary career, energetically for Dadabhai ’s election to back as in 1905-1907. the novel grips one s interest as it unfolds the House of Commons. Her work in Europe over, she returned the early struggles and later achievements ...................... _ . . of a remarkable woman whom Darasha Rana belonging to a princely Rajput fam- considers the greatest Indian woman of ily of Kathiawar and a young man named used to go to the hospital every day and attend to the sick and dying against the wishes of her own and her husband ’s fam ­ ily. She was married by then Rustam Cama of the Cama Hk family. This experience at the The French called "her “la citoyenne Cama ” and the American Press hailed her as the “Mother of the Indian Revolution. ” The British, of course, labeled her “an anar ­ chist, a revolutionist, anti-British and ir ­ reconcilable. ” It was Cama who raised the Indian tricolor for the first time in Europe at in her life. She broke up with her husband and left India to go to Europe. Her meeting with Dadabhai Naoroji in Lon ­ don deepened her feelings of patriotism. He asked her to work for him and the o energetically for Dadabhai ’s election to the House of Commons. Through Dadabhai she met Sardar Singh to Bombay in 1936, 75 years old, frail and ailing. She was admitted to the Parsee General Hospital where she survived for „ . - . J was a distinguished ' eight months till she died in August 1936, all times. ” P ' . ............................. The warmest tribute one can pay this philosophy of Herbert Spencer. The^ two remarkable novel is that within the space of 150 pages, Madame Cama is made alive from her birth in 1861 to her death in 1936. Bhikaiji Cama (nee Patel) showed two characteristics even as total independence of character and a na ­ ture that was remarkably high-principled. She did not do all that she wanted to do. She did only what her conscience told her 1 f -1 • • . literature, particularly by the great compulsion would really be needed to • 1- Pro-British by tradi- Italian revolutionary Mazzini, Bhikoo be- make one read it! An added attraction are tion, did not like her to attend meetings then came a revolutionary herself. Her writings the illustrations and sketches, which are being held by the Indian National Congress, in various newspapers and periodicals drew based on the photographs of J B Petit She attended these meetings nevertheless, - - ¦ • • - _ . . . and even invited a few patriotic friends to her home, to the consternation particularly Rana belonging to a princely Rajput fam her day and one of the greatest Indians of Shamji Verma who . Sanskrit scholar deeply influenced by the unwept and unsung. It was years after her death that Indians gave her the recognition due to her as one who played a prominent role in India ’s struggle for freedorri. India ’s men were leaders of a band of Indian revolutionaries in London. Verma was re ­ sponsible for the founding of India House recognition, alas, came long after the in London at 65, Cromwell Avenue. Da- a growing girl. A dabhai Naoroji was present at the inaugu ­ ration. An early entrant was the zealous Veer Savarkar. By 1905, influenced by Rana and Verma pulsory reading for all Indians — except ¦ • . that it is so interestingly written that no and having read a lot of European revolu- 52 Parsiana November 1997 world ’s. Darasha has rendered a truly national service by writing this insightful novel. This reviewer feels that it should be com- vivid pictures of the cruelties of British High School girls who enacted the play, misrule, the pathetic plight of the majority of the people and the need for a violent Madame Cama, before the play was made into a novel.MILESTONES The age of Zoroastrian brides (as listed in this issue) ranged between 18 and 36 years, the arithmetic ‘ mean (the total number of indivi ­ dual ages divided by the total number of brides) being 25 years. The corresponding figures for the grooms were 22 and 38 years, averaging at 29 years. As per the data collected by Parsiana there were 18 births in Bombay for the month of Novem ­ ber compared to 73 deaths. Heart disease claimed 26 victims of whom 10 were above the age of 80. The other killers were pneu ­ monia and lung disease (10), brain disease and cancer (seven each) and hypertension (four). Kidney failure took a toll of three lives whereas two Zoroastrians each fell prey to diabetes, ulcer and old age and general debility. Anemia, Parkinson ’s disease, septicemia, bronchitis, asthma, nervous dis ­ order, cerebral malaria, peritonitis (inflammation of the delicate serous membrane which lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities), viral fever and high blood pressure were the isolated cases registered in November. The age range fluc ­ tuated between 40 and 93 years. The Zoroastrian life expectancy at AHMEDABAD DIED Eruchshaw Gustadji Bhatporia, husband of Zarine and father of Daraius, Kurush and Arnavaz on November 3, 1997 BOMBAY BORN A girl to Mehemaz and Yazdi Bhot', November 4 A girl to Farah and Nader Paraklr, November 4 A girl to Roxanna and Jayesh Shah', November 5 A boy to Farzana and Daraus Mojgani', November 9 A boy to Jasmine and Porus . Mistry, November 10 A boy, Burzin, to Firuzi and Jamshed Rao', November 15 A boy to Zarin and Percy Rustomji', November 16 A girl to Farzana and Nevil Mistry, November 18 A boy to Abhan and Noshirwan Irani', November 19 A girl to Tanaz and Khushroo Mody, November 19 birth, in Bombay in November, was 76 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 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 information together with a copy of the birth certificate. There may be an in ­ advertent repetition of names in the marriage list when a civil marriage precedes a religious cere ­ mony. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, especially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several di ­ seases. 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. A girl to Nergish and Vishwanath Shetty, November 19 A boy, Delzar, to Pinky and Yezdi Bamji', November 21 A girl to Bakhtavar and Homi Mistry, November 22 A boy to Gulrukh and Behruz. Irani', November 23 A girl to Yasmin and Rushad Udwadia, sister to Farhad; November 24 A boy to Shiraz and Minoo Tarapore', November 25 A girl to Kashmira and Dinyar Aga', November 28 A boy to Mahazarin and Hoshang Dumasia', November 28 MARRIED . Kashmira Dara Mehta and Farrokh Homi Bhathena of Secunderabad; September 21 Tehnaz Kersi Bharucha of Baroda and Mebernosh Hoshang Patel', October 10 Jasmine Keki Balsara and Rashid Boman Pan'a', October 14 Monaz Hosang Madan and Sharookh Erach Randelia of Pune; October 18 Freny Bapu Mithaiwala and Kaizar Godrej Kotwal', October 28 Khursheed Dadi Wadia and Cyrus Marzban Marfatia', November 2 Shehnaz Ardeshar Kerawalla and Rustom Mehervan Billimoria', November 3 Banoo Mehernosh Dastur and Adil Rustom Makoojina', November 8 Daisy Pervez Bulsara and Hormuzd Meher Bharucha', November 10 Mehernaz Bomi Mody and Naushad Jimmy Mistry of Australia; November 10 Khushnum Dara Avari and Rayomand Jimmy Taila', November 10 Dhanu Homi Engineer and Cyrus Shavak Bhathena', November 11 Mahatab Rusi Gandevia of Thane and Pervez Dinyar Bajan of Thane; November 13 Arnavaz Jehanbux Daver and Kersi Rusi Mistry’', November 13 Jasmine Homi Patel and Farhad Rusi Bharucha', November 14 Naazneen Noshir Mody and Farhad Noshir Daruwalla', November 14 Nilufer Gev Vaid and Mehernosh Sam Rana', November 14 Parivaz Homi Irani and Burzin Jangoo Printer of Aurangabad; November 15 Sanober Parvez Patel and Sharukh Keki Anklesaria', November 16 Niloufer Eruchshaw Kolah and Mehercher Homi Hakinr, November 16 Shirley Feroze Master of Nasik and Arjasp Dady Motafaram', November 16 Percis Firoze Vandrewala and Ardeshir Sorab Billimoria', November 17 Delnaaz Soli Guzder and Cyrus Boman Irani', November 17 Dinaz Dinyar Daruwalla and Neville Jehanbux Raimalwala', November 17 Katy Rustomji Mistry and Farhad Rusi Damania', November 18 Aftab Kaikobad Bhamgara and Kerman Rusi Damania of Thane; November 18 Kainaz Aspi Kharas of Surat and Mehernosh Dara Dumasia’ , November 18 Fargish Jamshed Fitter and Kaizad Pervez Mistry, November 18 Hutoxi Gustad Waelia of Surat and Eric Minoa Randeria; November 20 Ketayun Darabsha Poonawalla and Kaizad Behram Sukhia; November 20 Delnaz Sam Mistry and Hoshang Soli Zaveri', November 20 Rashna Rusi Pithawala and Neville Jal Daruwalla; November 21 Sehnaz Cawasha Bacha of Nagpur and Khushrow Rustom Irani of Devlali; November 23 Dinaz Loveji Kapadia and Navzad Noshir Cooverji; November 24 Dogdau Jehanbux Dhamodiwala of Navsari and Darayus Rustom Mehta', November 24 Avnin Faredoon Kaifer of Dahanu Rd and Neville Behram Mehta of Dahanu Rd; November 24 Khureshan Maneck Boywalla and Nariman Phiroz Amaria; November 25 Binaifer Erach Buhariwala and Vispi Rohinton Badhniwalla', November 27 Mahanaz Hormaz Yegtahi and Sarosh Kaikhushroo Irani of Gholvad; November 27 Meher Jimmy Unvala and Farokh Minocher Cooper, November 28 DIED Khorshed Sheriyar Irani Damubed (87), 3, Patel Bldg, Cama Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; November 1 Burjor Hormasji Contractor (87), C/o C. J. Vervatwalla, Mota Parseewad, Valsad, Gujarat, 396001; November 2 Keki Hormasji Doongaji (88), 3/1, A. H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; November 2 Dhunmai Rustomji Ghadially (70), Room no 2, 189, Hirabai Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; November 2 Homi Darabsha Parelvala (79), Old Petit Mans, Noshir Bharucha Marg, 4(X)007; November 2 Jal Darashaw Masalawalla (87), 53 Parsiana November 1997 iBhiwandi Hse, 92, Cumballa Hill, 400036; November 3 Adi Nariman Mody (80), Najoo Villa, Vakola Bridge, Santacruz (E), 400055; November 3 Hirabai Murzban Commissariat (88), 11, Hormuzd Bldg, Dadaji Konddeo Marg, 400027; November 4 Khorshed Keki Ghadiali (85), C/o Behram D. Mohta, J-14, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; November 4 Nergish Keki Cassad (69), 17, Lotus Court, 196, Jamshedji Tata Rd, 400020; November 5 Kaikhushru Behramsha Nagwaswalla (85), Room no 8/9, Kach Bglw, Tukaram Javji Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; November 5 Perviz Jehangir Pastakia (67), Daulatram Mans, Kittridge Rd, 400005; November 5 Dhanjisha Shapurji Sadri (70), C/o N. D. Sadri, D-1/54, S. B. Bharucha Baug, S. V. Rd, Andheri (W), 400058; November 5 Nariman Hormusha Dotiwala (87), C-3, Ness Baug, Nana Chowk, 400007; November 6 Soli Rustomji Mistry (65), Captain Bldg, Chikalwadi, Tardeo Rd, 400007; November 6 Maneck Dhunjishaw Vandrewala (55), 780, Karani Mans, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; November 6 Sohrab Peshotan Unvala (68), Zarin Lodge, 103, TPS-4, Opp Bhabha Hosp, Bandra, 400050; November 7 Rusi Pestonji Dalal (64), B/102, Twin Towers, Prabhadevi, 400025; November 8 Gool Sorabjee Korkhau (81), Shroff Chmbs, 259, Bazargate St, 400001; November 8 Dhun Nariman Mistry (75), Avabai Kashinath Bldg, Kashinath Rd, Tardeo, 400034; November 8 Aloo Nariman Mowdawalla (63), B/102, Amiyarsha, Vasant Nagri, Vasai (E), Dist Thane, 401201; November 8 Jal Horinusji Amaria (72), 6/2, Khan Est, Station Rd, Mahim, 400016; November 9 Boman Shapurji Chothia (74), Sita Kunj, 164, M. Karve Rd, 400021; November 9 Mehra Faramroze Dadachanji (86), Wilson Bldg, Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; November 9 Noshir Nanabhoy Langrana (11), Lil 4, Tata Hsg Centre, FIGURES AT A GLANCE* BIRTHS Boys Girls Bombay This issue 1997* 92 94 India This issue 1997* World This issue 1997* 19 25 MARRIAGES Parsi INTERCOMMUNAL Males married out Females married out DEATHS CONSIGNED Males Females CREMATED Males Females 40 33 40 213 21 19 411 434 11 16 97 94 32 27 ?Running totals for 1997 (January-November issues) Overseas deaths are listed in the consigned column as Parsiana does not have a breakup of those cremated. ‘These figures pertain to information provided to or collected by Parsiana. They do not represent the total number of births, marriages and deaths in the Zoroastrian community in India and abroad. Lallubhal Park Rd, Andheri (E), 400058; November 9 Hilla Dinshawji Buhariwala (89), 10, Kanchan Mrig, Coal Dungri, Sahar Rd, Andheri (E), 400069; November 10 Nargish Darabshaw Karani (83), 2, Marine Chmbs, Marine Lines, 400020; November 10 Banoo Navroji Khara.s (70), DKL-2, Sharon Apts, I C Clny, Cross Rd No 3, Borivli (W), 400103; November 10 Dady Rustomji Meherhomji (89), Marble Arch, 52, Peddar Rd, 400026; November 10 Homi Faramroze Sukhia (67), 22/23, Soona Villa, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; November 10 Dhunmai Bomi Pesikaka (.11), 16, Hormuz Baug Bldg, Kashinath St, Tardeo, 400034; November 11 Minoo Phirozshah Deboo (68), 1, Maryland Rd, Paddington, London W9 2DLI, UK; November 12 Roshan Dorab Satha (75), 82-A, Empire Est, 147, August Kranti Marg, 400036; November 12 Aloo Fardoonji Bhabha (82), 36/A, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; November 13 Ardeshir Jehangirji Langrana (85), Room no 8, 654, Firdoshi Rd, Near D.P.Y.A. School, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; November 13 Behram Kaikushroo Mistry (77), Jehangir Mans, 73/1, Hughes Rd, 400007; November 13 Erucli Manchershah Bhabha (75), 12, Hava Bldg, Contractor Baug, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; November 14 Dolat Rustom Choksi (68), 23, Strand Hse, Opp Strand Cinema, Colaba, 400005; November 14 Eric Phiroze Shroff (60), B, Khalakdina Ter, Gowalia Tank, 400036; November 14 Rustomji Pestonji Daruvala (93), 10, Vatcha Block, Old Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; November 15 Banoo Hoshang Godha (90), 258, Bazargate St, (Perin Nariman St), Fort, 400001; November 15 Zarin Kersi Master (45), Petit Block No 3, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; November 15 Shera Rustomji Patel (89), Noor Mhl, Sir Ratan Tata Rd, 400034; November 15 Katy Fardoon Pauwalla (56), 8, C. M. Banaji Bldg, Forjett St Cross Lane, Gowalia Tank, 400036; November 16 Soona Jimi Shroff (1^), 7/C, Monisha, St. Andrews Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; November 16 Keki Jamshedji Vapiwala (70), C/75, Abhishek Apts, 2nd Cross Lane, Lokhandwala Complex, 400053; November 16 Aspi Cawasji Chhayela (60), C-8, Captain Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400034; November 17 . Coomi Keki Haevae (73), Pallonji Hse, Raja Rammohan Roy Rd, New Charni Rd, 400004; November 17 Perin Hos hang Irani (75), 20, Yusuf Manzil, 12th Khetwadi Lane, 400004; November 17 Shapur Kaikhashroo Irani (67), Haji Habib Bldg, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Dadar, 4CX)014; November 18 Sam Pirojshaw Sliekary (79), C-19, Jer Bang, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; November 18 Mehra Adi Anklesaria (87), Motibai Bhavan, Proctor St, Grant Rd, 400007; November 21 Dosan Jehangir Suratia (87), 789, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; November 21 Yasmin Hoshi Sahiar (40), 3/2, Meherhomes Co-op ,Hsg Soc Ltd, Station Rd, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; November 22 Coomi Adi Shroff (73), Row Hse no 1, Powai-Vihar, A. S. Rd, 9 9 3 5 1 6 4 3 1 1 1 1 9 4 1 2 54 Parsiana November 1997 L ¦I Powai, 400076; November 22 Khorshed Noshir Shroff (76), F/16, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; November 22 Nergish Rustomji Ichhaporia (66), Room no 4, Parekh Bldg, Gilder Lane, Tardeo, 400008; November 23 Tehmina Dinshawji Mistiy (90), 10/11, Tata Clny, Tardeo, 400034; November 23 Rati Jamshedji Soanawala (81), K-Villa, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; November 23 Goolhai Maneksha Mistri (91), 764-A, Banu Hse, Dr Ghanti Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; November 24 Naja Maneckji Cooper (91), 515/C, Meher Mans, R. P. Masani Rd, Matunga, 400019; November 25 Banoobai Framroze Mistry (78), B, B. Merwan Bldg, Opp Grant Rd Stn, 400007; November 25 Mehru Rustomjee Guzdar (85), 19, Contractor Chawl, Sussex Rd, Byculla, 400027; November 26 Freny Pirojsha Italia (84), C/o 238, Akhalwaya Hse, Dr Cawasji Hormusji St, Dhobi- talao, 400002; November 26 Boman Kaikhusru Irani (84), 6, Maneck Bldg, 112, Lamington Rd, 400008; November 27 Coomi Rusi Marolia (78), 7, Bai Ratanbai Tata Bldg, 38th Rd, Bandra, 400050; November 27 Kersasp Nadersha Rana (72), Billimoria Bldg, 7/C, Proctor Rd, 400007; November 27 Pirojshaw Burjorji Ustad (85), 273, Agiary Chawl, Dr S. S. Rao Rd, Lalbaug, 400012; November 27 Aloo Noshir Patel (65), Tarachand Bldg, Old Khareghat Clny, 14, Hughes Rd, 400007; November 28 Jaloo Sorab Coachman (81), 22-C, Nawab Tank Rd, Sakarwadi, Mazgaon, 400010; November 29 Jamshedji Jhangirji Cooper (76), 14, Anil Bhuvan, Opp Firdosi Restaurant, Parel, . 400012; November 29 Pestonji Faramji Mistry (91), 573, Umrigar Bldg, Chira Bazar, J.S.S. Rd, 400002; November 29 Burjor Hormasji Poonager (93), 11/19, Khareghat Clny, Hughes Rd, 400007; November 30 CALCUTTA MARRIED Feroza Jeejeebhoy and Faroukh Mogrelia; November 16 DAHANU DIED Rustam Dinshaw Irani IKermani) (71), brother of Mehelli and late Homi and Bahman; November 4 DELHI DIED Freny Batliwala, wife of Peshotan and mother of Pouruchisty Yezdi Batliwala, Percy and Thrity Farokh Sidhwa; October 29 Peshotan Kekobad Batliwala. father of I?oUruchisty Yezdi Batliwala,'T^ercy and Thrity Farokh Sidhwa; November 10 NAVSARI DIED Sheroo Adarhad Dastoor (72); November 6 POONA DIED Hutokshi Merwan Patel (47), 8/2, Bhrama Horizon, Lullanagar, 411040; October 3 Tehmi Sarabji Poonawalla (92), 1-B, Dr Coyaji Rd, 411001; October 6 Minoa Gustasj) Nagarwalla (84), 86, Koregaon Park, 411001; October 10 Phiroze Cawasji Engineer (86), Raj Garden, Survey no 43, Kondwa Kud, 411048; October 11 Prochee Phiroze Nariman (59), Perin Meher, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Aurangabad, 431001; October 13 Senam Aspi Irani (65), 687, Kamdhenu Park, 411040; October 19 Banoo Jehangir Khatau (85), 850, Dastur Meher Rd, 411001; October 19 Dina Rustam Banaji (71), C-2/104, Natasha Enclave, NIBM Rd, Kondwa, 411048; November 6 Eruch Eduljee Mehta (74), 56, Krishna Kunj, Old Poolgate, 411001; November 6 Banoo Fall Lord (50), 44/4, Sassoon Rd, 411001; November 6 Allan Keki Tavadia (88), 14, Castellino Rd, 411001; November 9 Jerbai Jamshedji Meherhomji (84), 61, Pushpak Soc, Kalyani Ngr, Nagar Rd, 411014; November 13 Behram Gustasp Gustave (73), JOIN DAVARS’S COLLEGE OF COMMERCE BANKING, SECRETARIAL, COMPUTERS AND LANGUAGES Established 1900 For Job Oriented Courses * Translations in all Languages * Jobs Guaranteed FREE PLACEMENTS Only at Davar’s FIRST COUNTER from FRONT ENTRANCE at Fountain Phone Fountain; 2042007/2824678 Vashi: 7685046/7686567 Goa Panjim: 221140/234257 * B-201, Nityanand Complex, Bund Garden Rd, 411001; November 15 Jamshed Naorojee Bandoowalla (79), 16-B-2, Dr Ambedkar Rd, 411001; November 16 Dina Burjor Kavarana Fl J'), 3, Narsimha Soc, 194, Boat Club Rd, 411001; November 25 SECUNDERABAD DIED Aloo Balsara (68), wife of Kekobad; October 9 SURAT DIED Kaikhushroo Nusserwanji Bhot (79), Sayedpura, 395003; November 1 Khorshedbanoo Darabshaw Panthaki (JQ), Village Adajan, Dist Surat; November 2 Minoa Babuji Dordi (61), Machlipith, 395003; November 10 Shavaksha Fakirji Mogal (52), Village Mahuva, Dist Surat, 364290; November 11 Anahita Tehmurasp Patel (26), Muglisara, 395003; November 22 Shirinhai Baharamji Surati (85), Rustompura, 395002; November 23 Ardeshir Hormasji Bhethna (90), Khatkiwad, 395003; November 24 USA California DIED Pheroze Engineer, husband of Perin and father of Kelly, Dinaz Weber and Prochy; October 8 Houston BORN A boy, Naadir, to Ouvie and Behramji Mehta, brother to Mitra; November 14 DIED Minoo Sanjana, husband of Jeroo and father of Roda and Rusty; October 29 San Diego MARRIED Jasmine Irani, daughter of Silloo and Khushru, and Firdaus Aryana, son of Dolly and late Behram, October 11 Compiled by Roxana A. Driver 55 Parsiana November 1997IN M EMORI AM On a milk mission Parinaz Gandhi READERS’ FORUM continued from page 8 years. Had the flats belonged to them and been built with their own money, would they have allowed the flats to remain vacant, without getting any remunera- . tion? Died: Dr Noshir Navroji Dastur, 84, former director of the National Dairy Research Insti ­ tute (NDRI) who had also served as dairy with DSc (honoris causa) from the NDRI development advisor and joint commissioner (dairy development) in the ministry of food and agriculture (New Delhi), on June 12, 1997 in Bangalore. “The members of the Indian Dairy Asso ­ ciation (IDA), while remembering the com ­ mendable work done by Dr Dastur in promoting dairy educa ­ tion and research in India, and particularly in dairy chemistry, feel that a void has been cre ­ ated... (His) life-style and ethics have become a benchmark for the future generations to emu ­ late, ” noted a tribute in Indian Dairyman, the newsletter of the IDA. What is presently known as the IDA was formerly the Indian Dairy Science Association of which Dastur was thefounder joint secretary. Besides serving as a member of its executive committee he was also on the editorial board of the Association which brought out two periodicals, Indian Dairyman and Indian Journal of Dairy Science. Similar roles as secretary and editor were undertaken by dairy education. Dastur for the Society of Biological Che ­ mists (India), notes a write-up. At the NDRI he served as director and was earlier the head of its dairy chemistry depart ­ ment and the dairy education and training division until he took over as officer-in-charge, western regional station. “The traditions and high ideals set by him...have made what NDRI is...today, recognized the world over, ” acknowledged an obituary in Milk Track, the conducted at the Low Temperature Research newsletter of the Alumni Association of the Dairy Science College. The first principal of the Dairy Science College, in appreciation of his contribution to Dastur. this institution, the alumni of the College instituted the Dr Dastur Award, given every two years, for outstanding achievement in the dairy field. Dastur himself had received innumerable awards in the course of his illustrious career as listed inIndian Dairyman. In 1965 he was bestowed the Moudgil Prize of the Indian for motivating a large number of young men Standards Institute (ISI). Eight years later he was conferred the Tamapatra by the Presi ­ dent of India on the occasion of NDRI’s golden jubilee. In 1989 he won theH. K. Sen Memorial Medal from the Institute of Chem- ists and in 1992, the Dr Kurien Award from the IDA. Two years later he was honored 56 Parsiana November 1997 9 In the old days, many lower and middle class families were residing in private build ­ ings owned by Parsis. Because of the rising cost of repair and maintenance, the owners are forced to sell their properties and the Parsi families are ejected from their homes, no doubt with undisclosed compensation. These tenants are in a position to compen ­ sate, to an extent, in order to get a house. Another highly controversial and dis ­ agreeable aspect is the rotation of families from one sanatorium to another. The members of the community, who are aspiring to get Punchayet flats and who may be deserving, are also no angels. There are families who have more than one flat, unoccupied for over 10 years, re ­ served for their children to occupy the same when they grow up. Nobody can expect any individual, how ­ ever rich or poor, or any institution to be one (deemed university) during its first convoca ­ tion in 1994. For eight years he was emeritus scientist at two technical institutes, one of them being the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). During his association with the ICAR he was involved with the scientific panel on dairy educa- “ ¦¦ tion and dairy science. He had chaired the ISI committees on I dairy equipment and milk prod- I ucts, and the central committee I for food standards, it was men- I tioned in Indian Dairyman. I Additionally he was a member I of a working group constituted I by the International Dairy Fed- I eration and the International Standards Organisation on Milk hundred percent efficient or above board. We are all human, bom with virtues as well as weaknesses, to a smaller or greater de ­ gree. With more power and higher position there is the possibility of allowing oneself to commit more mistakes and there is likeli- Products. With the Punjab University too, he had enduring ties. He was the dean, faculty of dairying and animal husbandry, served as member of the senate and subsequently be ­ came secretary and chairman of the board of hood of one becoming arrogant also. The Punchayet and the members of the commu ­ nity are trying to hoodwink each other and in the end the sufferers are those who may be desperate for accommodation. What was good enough for yesteryear may not be relevant today. We must move forward according to the changed circum ­ stances. It is fashionable to install a couple of computers to make the organization appear modern but that is not enough; there is need to change the work ethics and basic attitude. What is perhaps required today is a young, dynamic and energetic leader who is trusted implicitly by the community. We want action, quick, fair and just decisions. The present day management technique calls for highly specialized and efficient, cial aspects of the traditi'onai methods'of but well paid bare minimum work-force.^ It ghee manufacture. ” “Dr Dastur will always be remembered A science graduate from Bombay ’s Wil ­ son College, Dastur had worked with the Indian Institute of Science and earned his MSc from the Bombay University. Thereaf ­ ter he did his research on milk and blood lipids at the Hannah Dairy Research Institute in Scotland and obtained his PhD degree from the Glasgow University. His post-doc ­ toral investigation on dairy products were Station, Cambridge. On his return to India, he started as a junior dairy chemist at the Indian Dairy Research Institute, noted a profile on “His long association with milk chemis ­ try culminated in the study of minor pig ­ ments, ” it was reported in Indian Dairyman. “These studies have helped to bring out spe- and women, ” as eulogized in Milk Track, “and (for) introducing a high level of profes ­ sionalism in the dairy industry .” The dairy scientist is survived by his wife Silloo. is recommended that a commission be appointed, consisting of eminent persons, not even remotely connected with the Punchayet or the Parsi community, to re ­ view the organizational set-up of the Parsi Punchayet and recommend suitable mea ­ sures for its proper, speedy and efficient working. dali j. gundevia