Jan 1998

R '.' .*1 f ?.*s Mi c.'*\r JANUARY 1998 Rs 25 I rr^’ •i-’V/ •i! vAV 1^ B .'•I**- ft :• >! 1-. ¦jj •4> Lv*. j L t- Li./' 'r: ¦ft 1^ r 'oi p' In .3- 1. ’ 2*wt k iS d 1 1January 1998 Volume 20 Number 6 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz S. Mama 2 Readers ’ Forum EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi SENIOR EDITORS Dina K. Mehta, Hilla P. Guzder ASSOCIATE EDITOR Roxana A. Driver 8 Events and Personalities 16 Zoroastrians Abroad: Rustom Kevala and Sarosh Manekshaw DESIGN Kranti M. Shilotri, Nivedita S. Dhotre MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel 22 In the evening of their lives by Arnavaz Mama ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Susan Hadvaid 24 Bharat Tiles: Paving the platinum way by Hilla Guz^r FINANCE B. L. Arora 30 Godrej Centre: In search of excellence by Sarita Sawhny MANAGEMENT Jasmine Driver DTP Bakhtavar R. Batliwalla, K. P. Ravi SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Khurshid Panthaki 32 Zarathushti Business Seminar by Roshan Rivetna 42 Bomi Sachinwalla: Tread the chosen tract by Malcolm Printer ASSISTANT SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Swarupa Kamat ACCOUNTANT Anagha Korde ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT Varsha Godbole 48 Milestones 52 In Memoriam: Ratan Mama ACCOUNTS ASSISTANTS Indu Pillai, SatwantKaur, Hufrish Chama OFFICE ASSISTANTS Umesh Poojary, Selvan Mark, Sunil Sakhare, Govind Salgaonkar, Mahipat Jadhav Cover: Bharat Tiles ’ carpet patterned floor of the ’20s Photograph: Chetan Mistry 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 .vsni.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: Seamail 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 J 36/UK £ 22 (please allow six months or more foi 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 jOO We concede that Jal has a valid point — Editor tee members who had formerly led the ZTFE. “Together, to the...” In the Parsiana issue of July-August 1997, in the cover story “Together, to the 21 st century, ” Mr Dinyar Cooper of Mistree at the Second World Zoroas- London, UK, a committee member of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE), is reported to have recounted “how (Khojeste) Mistree had helped 1997). I quote these below: the London youths come to terms with the ZTFE-WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) split in the 1980s (osten ­ sibly over the question of whether non- Zoroastrian spouses could continue to attend religious ceremonies). ” Repeatedly, in your magazine and other newspapers of Bombay, WZO has made it amply clear that in no way was it involved in the split in the com ­ munity that occurred as a result of (and not “ostensibly ”) religious strife intro ­ duced into a peaceable and harmonious community of London by six members of the ZTFE committee of 1985 and 1986 reversing the established practice Readers ’ views are welcome on any <’•’ ^^e ZTFE of religious tolerance by subject of interest to the community and allowing non-Zoroastrian spouses to 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. Some baseless and irresponsible state ­ ments have been made in respect of the correct Fasli calendar by Mr Khojeste 1 (ggj jgSjy than Youth Congress held in London from July 4-11, 1997 (“Together, to the 21st century, ” Parsiana, July-August on any ‘Whither, ParsianaV^ Without getting into the controversy for increasing or not increasing air mail charges (“Whither, ParsianaT’ Readers ’ Fomm, Parsiana, September 1997), I and families. It was a purely ZTFE take serious objection to your remark, “Wouldn ’t his remark concerning Zoro- astrians in the New World ‘who failed to return to their fatherland ’ hold true for all Parsis who did not return to Iran? ” No sir, it wouldn ’t! The Parsis did not return to Iran because they were victims of persecution there and fled to save their religion. Those Parsis who have failed to Arnavaz Mama replies return from the New World are there for Dinyar Cooper had referred to “the material benefits. They went of their own accord and settled in greener pastures. I don ’t think any Parsi worth his salt would want to return to a theocratic state from a democratic one where free­ dom for women and worship is a matter of course. soonu jal Neeinuch ii' •“In India there are no seasons and therefore no need for a seasonal calen ­ dar ” •There is a 10-year difference between the Shehenshahi/Kadmi. calendars and the Fasli calendar. The former two count from Yezdegird Ill ’s ascension to the Sasanian throne while the Fasli “starts with the flight of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina. How can you follow a calendar whose genesis is in another religion? ” Regarding Mr Miftree ’s first state ­ ment, it is strange that he is unaware of the four seasons in India, viz, sui^mer, south west monsoon, north east mon ­ soon and winter. Mistree ’s second statement is sim ­ ply astounding. The flight of Moham ­ med from Mecca to Medina took place in 622 AD, which means 1,375 solar years (Fasli) ago. Now the Fasli (solar year) is 1,366 which means the counting started from 631 AD which was the year of ascen ­ sion of Yezdegird III to the Sasanian throne. Hence Mistree ’s assertion that •4' 2 Parsiana January 1998 participate fully in all religious cer ­ emonies. The six members of the com ­ mittee who suddenly changed course were the Sethna brothers, Zal and Darius, Mr Bailey R. Irani, Mr Shahrokh Shahrokh, Mr Rusi Dalal and Ms Beroze Mody. These members of the ZTFE committee were supported by the Jassavala family, Mr Filli Marawalla and family and some of their friends the Fasli (solaryear) reckons from Hejira in 622 AD is not only false but an attempt to mislead the public. A reference to the Parsi calendar indicates that the Shehenshahi calendar is ahead of the Fasli calendar by seven months, and the Kadmi calendar ahead of the Fasli calendar by eight months. A further corollary can also be drawn. During 1992-1995 AD, Hormazd roj fell on March 21 for all the three calen ­ dars, viz Fasli, Shehenshahi and Kadmi. It follows that the last intercalation (i.e. matter and at no time was WZO in ­ volved in this affair. Mr Dinyar Cooper knows the situa ­ tion very well and yet chose to make the erroneous statement as quoted in Parsiana SHAHPUR F. CAPTAIN Chainnan, The World Zoroastrian Organisation conflict of the 80s. ” In my above quoted paraphrase I have referred to it as the adding one day every four years, or ZTFE-WZO split because after 1986 adding one month every 120 years) was the two organizations became antitheti ­ cal. Whereas both organizations had had a common leadership until that time, after the schism the WZO contin ­ ued to be led largely by those commit ­ done for the Shehenshahi calendar 840 years ago, that is in 1152 AD and for the Kadmi calendar 960 years ago, that is in 1032 AD. Obviously the community cannotwait for another 1,440 years for a coin ­ cidence of Hormazd roj on March 21 Jabalpur, ” in the context of the Bharuch Arnavaz Mama in “Federation aid to when the amount could be put to better use. He complimented the trustees for their ‘social awareness. ’” The dinners were actually stopped in 1957 when the trustees found they could not afford them with the money that was coming from the Trust ’s prop ­ for all the three calendars. The Seventh punchayet ’s cy prc.s application pend- ing in the Gujarat High Court for four years and MrMarazban Patrawala opin ­ ing that trustees would lay themselves open to criminal misappropriation of lunds, if they utilize moneys or funds erty. The balance sheet on December for other purposes, your readers may be interested to read the following two judgements: •As reported in The Tinies of India on November 13, 1983 under the head permitted use of monies for purposes “Age old convention allowed to end, ” World Zoroastrian Congress to be held in USA in 2000 AD could take a deci ­ sion to implement the common Fasli calendar for all Zoroastrians retrospec ­ tively from 1995 to obviate a sudden change in roj. Dr p. d. sunavala Trust funds in excess? Thi.s is with reference to two articles in your issue of July-August 1997, both essentially touching on the same point: the liability of the trustees for utilizing the City Civil Court Judge, G. B. Dingal, “has released the trustees of a 19th century trust from the obligation of the trust money and income a.s laid down by the original settlors and chang ­ ing the purpose when the original intent holding annual dinners for the members ol the settlor is diluted or non existent. This reference came up in Mr B. T. Dastur ’s letter (“Revive assets ”) where ­ in he mentions that trustees normally are afraid to utilize moneys or assets for objects other than the intent of the origi ­ nal settlors even when the said object i.s not feasible or non existent. The second reference came up when the Bharuch Anjuman ’s excess funds problem was discussed in the Federa ­ tion meeting in Pune. As reported by 31, 1981, showed that the corpus of the Trust together with the accumulated surplus amounted to just Rs 200,000. This landmark judgment clearly other than the original intent of the settlors. In another case in the Bombay City Civil Court as per the oral judgment of Justice H. Suresh on April 5, 1975, “The petitioners are the trustees of the funds and properties ^of the Parsi ol the Lad Baniya community and per­ mitted them to utilize the Trust ’s funds lor medical and educational facilities Punchayet in Bombay... The petition (for) that community. The trustees of the Bai Jhaveribai Bhagwandas Purshot- tamdas Trust, created in I 887, had made a plea for exemption from a provision of the trust (deed) which obliged them by the authors of the said trust, there is to hold caste dinners... “In exempting the trustees from this obligation. Judge Dingal noted that giv ­ ing a caste dinner was a criminal waste days. However, the petitioners had pre- ers state that after defraying from the income of the aforesaid trust the ex­ penses of the performance of the reli ­ gious and other ceremonies as directed now a certain balance. Under the deed of trust, the balance ^as to be utilized for giving public feasts on certain named JOIN DAVAR’S COLLEGE OF COMMERCE BANKING, SECRETARIAL, COMPUTERSAND LANGUAGES Established 1900 For * Personal Secretaries Diploma with Computers * Computers * Accounts * Languages * TYanslations in all languages FREE PLACEMENTS Only at Davar ’s FIRST COUNTER from FRONT ENTRANCE at Fountain Phone Fountain: 2042007/2824678 Vashi: 7685046/7686567 Goa Panjim: 221140/234155 4 Parsiana January 1998 * 22 Carat Guaranteed Gold KUMAR JEWELLERS House of Gold, Silver & Diamond Jewellery Specialist for: Asho Farohar & Lord Zarathushtra Medals in Gold and Silver 596, Chira Bazar Near Wadia Fire Temple Bombay 400002 Tel: 2017707/2011894 We buy old Gold, Silver and Diamond Jewellery We accept Master, Visa, Diners, BOB & Inter cards -itr t ferred a petition on December 23, 1966 to this court for the purpose of utilizing the said balance by way of giving relief to needy Parsi Zoroastrians in the shape of grains, medicine, education and other necessities of life. The court by its order dated March 2, 1967 directed that the said balance may be utilized for a pe­ riod of seven years. The petitioners state that the said period had expired and today there is a further balance, and only if the applicant can prove that it therefore, they seek further directions for the purpose of utilizing that amount by way of giving relief to poor needy Parsi Zoroastrians in the shape of grains, milk, medicine, education and other reallocating is done for the general ben necessities of life. In the petition, the t ' ........................ petitioners state that the balance may be < utilized a,s above for a period of seven i years commencing from January 1, i 1974. However, I do not propose to In fact traditionally in such an applica- Justice Dorab Patel led a very simple restrict the period as in my view, if there tion the charity commissioner steps into life. His house was a modest two-bed- is a balance, the balance may be utilized the shoes of the original settlors and on room bungalow on 1, Sunnyside Road in tor cy pres. If however there is any any application made by beneficiaries Karachi; he possessed a very ordinary car change in circumstances, it is always alleging criminal misappropriation, the (Mazda 1600). He did not even possess a open to the trustees to move the court charitycommissionerhastodecide.What for further directions in the matter. ” From a perusal of the second judg ­ ment, two points emerge: •The court has permitted change of use of trust monies. •It was the definite intention of Judge H. Suresh not to restrict the exemption for any specific period. Regarding a trustee ’s criminal liabil ­ ity in reallocating trust income as men ­ tioned by Mr Marazban Patrawala, this statement is only technically and legally High Court which will certainly tie correct but practically a non-starter: •A trustee can be held criminally liable reallocation of funds the trustees should write to the charity commissioner quot ­ ing the above two case laws and stating their intention to utilize the unutilizable trust money for the general welfare of the beneficiaries of the trust without going in for a cy pres application in the their hands for a number of years. “A trustee can never benefit from the trust ” is the only rule that a trust must was with the intention of defrauding the scrupulously follow to avoid attracting trust monies for his personal gain that the reallocation of trust monies was done. It would not be the case when efit of the beneficiaries. •As there are no identifiable settlors it is not likely that any application would be entertained by the charity commissioner. In fact traditionally in such an applica ­ tion the charity commissioner steps into the shoes of the original settlors and on any application made by beneficiaries 5. any criminal misappropriation action. B. S. NAGARWALLA Ahmednagar “Patel: Pakistan’s Pride” I have read the obituary (“Patel: Pakistan ’s Pride, ” Parsiana, July-Au ­ gust 1997). Permit me-to add: television set, which in the very recent would the original settlor do when the past, I had presented him with. The set original objects are not being achieved? Hence reallocation is the only answer. I therefore recommend that before remains unpacked even today! Yet, he was magnanimous in giving donatiohs continued on f^ge 46 * For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS 324, Grant Road, Bombay 400007. Telephone 3099648 Fax 3073483 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 6 Parsiana January 1998Events and Personalities Visible presence At the 10th International Conference on Cataract, Intraocular Lens Implants, Micro Surgical and Refractive Kerato ­ plasty at New Delhi, eminent oph ­ thalmic surgeon of Bombay, Dr Keiki R. Mehta was honored with the Lim magnifying International Award of the Asia Pacific Intraocular Implant Association. Mehta became the first Indian to receive this award named after the internationally the Blind) Kantaben and Varjivandas proprietors were considering its sale to SaraiyaLow Vision Centre at the Work ­ shop for the Blind, Worli, to honor Mehta who ha.s been chairman of the Centre since its inception. The Centre provide.s patients with defective vision lenses and other optical aids free of cost, besides rendering sup ­ portive and rehabilitative services, psy ­ chological, social and vocational guid ­ ance. In addition to his commitment to alleviating the cause of blindness in India, Mehta has been given credit for pioneering intraocular lens implants in Bombay and inspiring other ophthalmic surgeons to keep pace with the latest advances in technology. With his in- depth knowledge of computers and bio ­ engineering, he devised the “lirst solt intraocular lens implant in India...helped the front page obituary announcement, to raise the art of small incision cataract surgery to the levels of safety compa ­ rable to any place in the world...pio ­ neered the development of a soft Hema Hood for use during cataract surgery to prevent damage to the inner corneal reputed ophthalmologist Prof Arthur Lim layer, ” writes Desai, of Singapore, notes a press release is ­ sued by Capt Hormazdiar J. M. Desai. In appreciation of Mehta ’s outstand ­ ing achievements in the field ot re­ search and contribution to the advance ­ ment of medical science, an Excellence Award was also conferred on him by the Intraocular Implant and Refractive Sur ­ gery Society of India, announced lead ­ ing ophthalmic surgeon Dr Rumi P. Jehangir at a felicitation function at Bombay ’s P. V. M. Gymkhana on De­ cember 7,1997. The function was hosted by Manoramaben Saraiya, co-founder of the NAB (National Association for 1' /Z 4. * Mehta (left) receiving Excellence A ward from Lim 'c 8 Parsiana January 1998 non-Parsis. Guided and encouraged by the then editor Adi Marzban, Dhondy “evolved into a highly mature reporter, ” and was assigned “some of the most prestigious engagements ever to be reported in the Jamef mentioned the news report. Whether it was functions graced by the governor, chief minister, prime minis ­ ter, Dhondy was ofttimes present to cover the event with her “fair anti unbi ­ ased ” reporting, as acknowledged by statesmen like S. K. Patil, Morarji Desai and others. When the then Prime Min ­ ister Jawaharlal Nehru had returned from his tour of the United States, Dhondy covering the function was privileged to shake hands with him and give him some news on Jame, it was recalled in :se la % Late into the night she would be covering functions, then walking the Jame'^s saviors “She was the first lady of Parsi journal ­ ism, ” acclaimed a tribute to the grand dame of Jam-e-Jamshed, Jer Adi Dhondy, after her passing away on May Dhondy (left) and N. Jeejeebhoy 13, 1997. Having joined this publica ­ tion as a reporter, she ultimately rose to become its managing director. But more important than either of these roles, she story, returning home much later to take has been given credit for her determina ­ tion and efforts which enabled this sec ­ ond oldest newspaper in India to remain a community institution when, faced with severe financial constraints, the deserted streets of Bombay in the 1950s to the publication ’s office to submit her charge of domestic responsibilities which i ncluded four children . Her husband Adi, being a crime reporter, was able to empa ­ thize with her duties. “Even when she was one of the se-nior directors, we always found in her a rich dividends today, ” acknowledges her status of the Jame. polite person and a lady of fine under- son Rusi, the present editor. To stead- As chairman of the ByramjeeJeejee- standing who always remained helpful fastly maintain the orthodox policy and bhoy Parsi Charitable Institution he took to the extent she could be to any of the staffers or subordinates who saw her with their problems, whether they were personal or related to the work in office Byramjcc Jeejeebhoy, ” adds Rusi. or Press matters, ” acknowledged one of the ex-staffers of the newspaper, Tehmi D. Anklesaria. Fondly referred to as “aapi i inai (our mother), ” Dhondy was known for her charitable and humorous disposition, abundant patience and boundless sympathy for the less fortu ­ nate. She was additionally a trustee of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Charitable despite knowing lully well that it was a Institution and Junior College and acom- mittee member of the J. N. Petit Institute being a one-time regular face at the li ­ brary there. Even while she was in the Intensive Care Unit at Bombay ’ s B. D. Pet it Parsec General Hospital she showed concern for the publication ’s welfare. “Her love for the Parsi community, her determi ­ nation to serve her beloved community through the Jain-e-Janished and her unshakeable faith in the community itself to keep the paper going have paid rich dividends today, ” acknowledges her son Rusi, the present editor. To stead- a keen interest in the school ’s new ven ­ tures and as acknowledged a poetic trib- great philanthropist, the late Nanabhoy ute, he “acted in the present, to make the future bright/added opportunities with vision and foresight... ” His birthdays were celebrated “with great gusto ” each year with the school ’s food science teacher baking a unique cake for him, it was recalled at a condolence meeting in values of the paper she had the “con ­ stant support of the then chairman, that “Today, if the Jain-e-Janished con ­ tinues to reach Parsi homes, it is due to the munificence of this great philan ­ thropist, ” stated Rusi Dhondy in his editorial following the demise of Jeejeebhoy in March 1996. “Nanabhoy his honor, was solely responsible for buying a fair share of the Jam-e-Jainshed in 1968, Jeejeebhoy also served as trustee of the Framjee Cawasjee Institute, Seth Jeejeebhoy Dadabhoy Trust, Faredoonji Bomanji Jeejeebhoy Fund, N. M. Petit iving every bit ol satislaction Irom the Charitable Trust Fund, Sir Jamsetjee loss making proposition then, but de ­ riving knowledge that the only Parsi news- Jejeebhoy Parsec Benevolent Institution, paper...could never be sold to a non- Parsi as was contemplated by the then management. From 1968 to 1989 he kept funding thi.s newspaper. To quote him, T’d rather die than sec the Janie die. ’” His orthodox beliefs however prevented him from accepting the view ­ points of less die-hard community pub ­ lications. For example, he had refused to grant Parsiana an interview on the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebbo'y Charity and Allied Trust Funds... “His association with numerous charities culminated in his establishing two charities after his family name viz Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Charity Trust and Jeejeebhoy Charities and later Nanabhoy Jeejeebhoy Charity Trust named after hiitjself, ” states Rusi Dhondy. This last Trust which has a corpus comprising mostly of his own * 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(10Lines),Fax; 2652841,Tlx: 11 82307PSABIN Email; g=prudential / s=bom / p=gems / a=vsnl / c=in Internet; prudential. bom@gems.vsnl.net. in Registered Office: 77, Mint Road, Fort, Mumbai 400001, India Tel; 2694203,2659055,2658396 Branches Bombay - Nhava Sheva - Kandla - New Delhi - Ludhiana - Ahmedabad 10 Parsiana January 1998 «donations “can boast of having helped innumerable unfortunates since its in ­ ception (including) the pathology de ­ partment of the Parsee General Hospi ­ tal. ” On completing his postgraduation Time and Talents Club at the National from the Bombay Uni versity, Jeejeebhoy Centre forthe Performing Arts and was in joined his father ’s business and became touch with maestros ¦ IIIBIlll one of the biggest landlords in Bombay Zubin Mehta and Yehudi f at that time, recalled the write-up, adding, “But far bigger than his properties and estates was his heart that embraced all the poor and the downtrodden, espe ­ cially the blind and the handicapped. ” It wasn ’t just a passive role that Cowas article, referring to him as “a guardian of played in the field of music. A violinist all living creatures. ” “of high caliber ” he was a regular with the Bombay Chamber Orchestra, had per- When in dCSpsir formed with Mehroo Jeejeebhoy of the Having experienced the “special powers of Behram Yazad and the woodcutter story ,” Kaizad Bhabha was keen to share THE STORY OF MOSHKIL AASAN BEHRAM YAZAD F Menuhin, as mentioned j in the article. In fact his Dalal: novel exposure At youth pilgrimage Nineteen-year-old Delnaz F. Dalal of Ahmedabad was the only Zoroastrian to represent India at the World Youth Day Pilgrimage held in Paris from August 1 I to Sep­ tember 3, 1997, notes a press re­ lease from Roxanne Kavarana. In addi ­ tion to the several Christians included in the Indian contin ­ gent there was a Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Jain representative as well, she writes. Referring to her month long experi­ ence in France and Italy, Dalal stated, “I came across people from different conti ­ nents, countries and religions. I got a chance to attend several inter-religious prayers, seminars and discussions. Whenever possible, I tried my best to spread some knowledge about our reli ­ gion, especially our principles of good thoughts, good words and good deeds. ” Before the second year BCom student joined the Indian delegation led by the Catholic Bishops ’ Conference of India Commission for Youth, she was briefed on Zoroastrianism by Noshir Daboo of Ahmedabad, according to the write-up. with other coreligionists his knowledge, having personally “found this story to be a very power ­ ful link in life in asking for Ahura Mazda ’s help when in need or in despair, ” notes the author in his preface to the 48-page booklet. The Story of Mushkil Aasan Behram Yazad. While those who be ­ lieve in Mushkil Aasan Behram Yazad may have been . typically invok- I ing this holy spirit ^on Tuesdays ' and/or Fridays, I on Hormazd and/ or Behrai^ roj, Bhabha ’s signal service is to ren ­ der the version in English. Until he leamtthe Gujarati script Bhabha had been dependent on his mother to read aloud the story. “I do f I career in music started at j anearly age and while yet • a student at Pune ’s Bi­ shop ’s School, he formed a band of his own. There ­ after he spent five years in London ’s Trinity Col ­ lege, and at the Juillard School of Music in 1 York. He also gave les ­ sons to little children showing an apti ­ tude for music. “A personable man with an imposing presence, he was sharp, lived life uncon ­ ventionally, and largely, in an off-duty manner, ” commented Vani Dayal Heerjce in the Poona Herald. “To his innumer ­ able friends, he remained a gregarious and amusing bon vivant, ever cheerful and incapable of being moved to anger...He was constantly given to acts Bhabha: sharing a of rare kindness for which people remem- profound message her him with gratitude. ” He showed extraordinary concern for his cars as also animals. “To Cowas, cruelty to animals constituted the first of not think that an inability to read Gujarati the deadly sins (and) on the road, he was ........................ known to hold up traffic in the thorough- early age and while yet L/yC student at Pune ’s Bi- * K --'J [» Ft*. J ..... 5^. ¦4^ * should preclude any Zoroastrian from _____________ being able to recite this story and avail of fares attempting to rescue a poor fellow its powers, believes the author who . took upon himself the task of translation I under the guidance of Khojeste Mistree 1 of Zoroastrian Studies and the support 1 oi'Daslur (Dr) Firo/.c Kofwal. “I do find the story itself and some of the events recounted therein to be very I elementary in the telling, but I have also I found a deep and profound message of I apromise hidden within this simple tale, ” I acknowledges the author in his preface. C As per the narration of the story, when B the poor woodcutter was desperate to ¦ earn extramoney to feed his family, a fire I ravaged the forest for three consecutive * days depriving him of his livelihood, a When he was sitting forlorn in the forest, the fiveyazatas —Bahman, Ardibehesht, Meher, Sraosh and Behram — tried to L-' “A guardian of all” Atthe 1997 Rock Yatrafestival inBombay, singer Gary Lawyer dedicated his Night.s On Fire to the memory of his friend Cowas Jehangir Jeejeebhoy who died in Pune the preceding March. Grandson of Sir Byramjee Jeejeebhoy who had founded several educational institutions in India, Cowas had sportingly played creature. ”In 1996 when he seized “medi- endhismisery. Behram Yazadpickedup the role of achauffeur in Lawyer ’s music video,Ort The Other Side Of Dawn, it was reported in the Poona Herald. j 12 Parsiana January 1998 C. Jeejeehhoy: rare kindness eval instruments of torture ” from the a fistful of sand and pebbles and told the Pune Cantonment Board ’s dog squad, woodcutter to preserve it. He also im- he made front page news, mentions the pressed on the woodcutter the need to %future editions self supporting, the book- and extreme work pressure, I am unable to let has been priced at five rupees. It is visit the agencies regularly with my port ­ folio, hence these (bimonthly) sheets keep them abreast of the quality of my 400023, Tel : 2047990,2831511. A white mouse peers out of a black slipper. Is it with excitement, trepidation or wonder that it looks forward to the first is no knowing. What we do know is that this eye-catching visual is the work of knowledges Sethna. Rumi Sethna, a professional photogra- pher who reportedly freelances for the SPOTLIGHT leading advertising agencies of Bombay . Whether it is the still of a little baby snuggled in the kitty' basket enjoying recount this episode with gratitude and make an offering of flowers, grams, sugar, cardamom and water, if his problems distributed by Zoroastrian Studies, K.R. were solved. After the woodcutter Cama Oriental Institute Building, 136, reached home, the sand and pebbles Bombay Samachar Marg, Bombay work, ” Sethna explains his rationale, turned to precious stones, making him a very prosperous man. When he set out on a pilgrimage, he entrusted his daugh- Eye-catching visuals ter to continue the task of paying devo ­ tion to Mushkil Aasan Behram Yazad. But it seems that in the midst of all mirth and merriment she forgot her devotional two months of the 1998 calendar? There duties and once again the family was enmeshed in sorrow. Reprimanded for this lapse, the woodcutter was given one more chance to seek an end to hi.s troubles and offer prayers and thank.s to Mushkil Aasan Behram Y azad. “There are many different traditions with regard to the Mushkil Aasan Behram Yazad ritual. Some merely recite the story whilst oth ­ ers recite the story as well as the Nirang. However, the Nirang it ­ self can be used without reciting the story, ” explains Bhabha who has included in his booklet the Mushkil Aasan Karnaar Beh­ ram Yazadni Nirang with its relevant translation. In preparation for the ritual, persons are advised to sit on an east-west axis as far as possible. On the table before them aelivo is a must. It can also be accompanied with a tray of grams, cardamom, sugar crystals, Howers, dried dates, some sweets and a bowl of water along with a photograph of Zarathushtra, a small afarganiu with glowing embers, agarbatti, a mirror, a prayer book and a ing its way up the ladder... every two framed photograph of the Mushkil Aasan icon peculiar to India. While the cost of the first publication has been borne by Bhabha, to make Specializing in still life and people photography, Sethna states, “Each and every calendar is a result of extreme hard work and perfection. ” While the execu ­ tion of photographs comes under Sethna ’s domain, the themes are con ­ ceived by his cousin Dinaz Hosi Dastur who too “is a very good artist, ” ac- *1 After successfully completing 12 years as president-trustee of The Allahabad Parsee Zoroastrian Anjuman,CaptHomi P. DandiwaUa yvas unanimously reelected for the fifth consecu ­ tive three-year term on Novem ­ ber 20, 1997, notes a press re­ lease. Despite his physical dis ­ ability and ill health, “he has done more than his duties, ” remarked vice president Dossu F.Gandhi. * The use of the public toil^ block newly constructed by me Ro ­ tary Club of Mumbai Sunrise near the BhikhaBehram well was discon ­ tinued following a stay order granted up to February 23, ’98 by the Supreme Court on January 12, ’98, on apetition filed by the Parsi Punchayet Funds and Proper ­ ties and others against the Bombay Mu ­ nicipal Corporation and others. The Court however clarified that the drinking water and health care facilities, though not yet started, could function. Sethnci (left) einel Dustiir with their creative outputs (below) himself while the cat on his high chair savors his meal, a hamburger filled with erasers, notepad and shavings, held to- getherby apencil,asnake literally wind- months he circulates 500 single sheets with a spectacular photograph accompa ­ nying the calendar dates for the forth ­ coming months. “Due to paucity of time ig Compiled by Parinaz M. Gandhi 14 Parsiana January 1998 % IIC^ ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD Projecting Zarathushti viewpoints FE7ANA publications committee chairman Rustom Kevala believes that Zoroastrian organizations must work out the Zarathushti angle on matters of contemporary concern Arnavaz S. Mama national center had to be ............. ¦ ¦ ' - shelved for shortage of funds and the take certain restricted priestly functions) money collected was given to Vandsar recently when the Zoroastrian Associa ­ tion of Metropolitan Washington In ­ corporated (ZAMWI)’s resident mobed, Ervad (Brig) Behram Panthaky, trained Jamshed Mistry. Mistry is Surat ’s late Ervad Jehangir Turel ’s grandson, informs Wash ­ ington based Dr Rustom Kevala, who chairs FEZANA’s (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America) infor ­ mation and publications committee. .............................................\ W Increasingly involved \t in community affairs since ' he resettled in Washing- Kevala: “Ta talk of ton many years ago, camps is ta talk of Kevala has been secretary, divisions ” vice president and presi ­ dent of ZAMWI and was intimately involved in their project to set up a Zoroastrian national center in Washington. As ZAMWI secretary Kevala had had to make a presentation about it to Rostam Sarfeh of the Guiv Foundation. However, the grand vision had to be best organized religious education pro substantially abridged in the face of a financial crunch as the Guiv Founda ­ tion which had initially agreed to sup ­ port the project “almost withdrew their North America acquired its first Parsi plans for mobedyar (a behdin trained to under- 5 who a community informed about what ’s hap ­ pening. ” Although he feels that the Toronto community is fairly orthodox, Kevala is of the opinion that “every ­ body can say what they want without criticism. ” He sees the North American community free of camps, for to talk of camps is to talk of divisions, he says. “We feel that whoever expresses an opinion does it with the intent of main ­ taining the Zoroastrian religion. What ’s important is that it must make sense to young people. (We)^ee different view ­ points on web pages, wonder if they (the youth) really want to belong to die (Parsi) community. To them wh^ ’.s im ­ portant is their (Zoroastrian) religion. ” Kevala says there is “good harmony between the two mobed councils (North American Mobed Council and Council of Iranian Mobeds of North America). Each is invited to the other ’s meets. ” tion of the site approved by Moreover he maintains that two such the zoning authorities. separate councils are required because the Iranian community still has lan ­ guage problems. They can ’t communi ­ cate with Parsis. Moreover, the death, wedding, navjote ceremonies (are also) slightly different. “The prayers are the same but the trappings are different ” although the Iranian cu^om of praying seated on chairs with the afargan on a table in front is catching on. The Seventh World Zoroastrian Con ­ gress (WZC) being planned for Hous ­ ton in December 2000 will be held right at the end of the year to usher in the third millennium, says Kevala. By then the Houston Zoroastrian Center will be a to renovate the property, narrates Kevala. As of now the community prop ­ erty in Washington, a very small house which can seat 75-100 people with kitchen facilities and a residence for a ¦|||hhbh|h mobed upstairs, is called “Mobed ’s Residence. ” The large antique afarganiu that ZAMWI re­ ceived from Surat was in ­ stalled in the prayer room on the precincts in Novem ­ ber ’97, informs Kevala. But ZAMWI president Kersi Shroff, the Vandsar Committee and other asso ­ ciation members are work ­ ing together to get architec ­ tural plans for the renova ­ 5) 1 ¦ ^1: * Photo: Arnavaz S. Mama Personally involved in framing FEZANA’s strategic 10-year plan for the North American community (see Zoroastrians Abroad, Parsiana, Sep­ tember 1997), Kevala believes that ZAGNY’s is the oldest running and gram, closely followed by the one in Chicago. The two have been put to ­ gether under FEZANA sponsorship by Chicago ’s Kayomarsh Mehta “as a gift ” in\he aftermath of their legal guideline for all associations who want tussle with the Zoroastrian Association ' ' ' ' of Greater New York (ZAGNY). It was then, recalls Kevala, that “some Iranian Zoroastrians in Washington gottogether under General Shahriari to convince the Guiv Foundation of the bonafides of Washington Zoroastrians. ” Thus emerged the 'Vandsar Commit ­ tee with its Iranian board of trustees to manage the gift from the Guiv Founda ­ tion. Although the Vandsar Committee “worked closely with ZAMWI,” the to follow a curriculum but (there is) no imposition, ” he adds. As chairman of the FEZANA publi ­ cations committee Kevala is actively working entity. Though the theme of involved in the planning and presenta- the Congress is yet to be finalized, a tion of the quarterly FEZANA Journal mutually accepted formula has helped which carries an editorial from him in each issue highlighting top priority con ­ cerns, historic, religious or social. The FEZANA web page on the Internet is another project which keeps Kevala busy. He hopes “to keep the whole to form committees under various heads, each to be cochaired by a member of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston and of FEZANA. Kevala is the FEZANA cochair of the fundraising committee. The WZC is expected to stage a cul- 16 Parsiana January 1998own strengths to the organization. ” With Dastoor in her last year in office (the FEZANA constitution stipulates a maxi ­ mum two terms of two years each), Kevala is concerned that “whoever runs for it must get a lot of support; should be able to bring a positive outlook for the future of Zoroastrians in North America. ” According to Kevala the controversy Somebody with a “long range vision ” regarding the formation of a world body to continue the process Dastoor started and the ding-dong battle between the when she built upon Rivetna ’s long WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) range vision is what Kevala has in mind. Both Dastoor and Rivetna work as a cil of Zoroastrian Federations) is being link with other organizations when they perceived in the community as a tussle tions for the community: “What do you do when it happens? ” The focus will be on experience rather than the view of scholars, Kevala elaborates. “Each per­ son is capable of making up his/her own mind. The audience will be given enough time to ask questions to panel- tural program which wilt showcase Zo ­ roastrian culture from alt over the world, notes Kevala. Zoroastrian artists will have a chance to display their works and Zoro ­ astrian businesses will have booths. The program committee will welcome pa ­ pers from all over the world, he adds. “Itisouropportunity tobecomeknown ists, ” he assures, all over the world, ” so Kevala says they will be planning heavy Press coverage. Kevala believes that we must “come out of our closet... project Zoroastrianism to the rest of the world. ” As an NGO (non and the proposed WCZF (World Coun- governmental organization) recognized by the United Nations, FEZANA’s aim i.s to project the faith ’s viewpoints on the between personalities. If the personali- environment, birth control and other major issues of our times. “We can have a voice but it ’s really up to us. If we can have a world Zoroastrian body that president Rohinton Rivetna that “there Kevala was on a honeymoon visit to (adopts) these Zarathushti viewpoints, it i.s room for both ” organizations in the Bombay after nine years. His bride would help us project them to the rest of international Zoroastrian arena —WZO Yasmin Naterwalla has an insurance the world, ” he maintains. As a prelude, the 11th North Ameri ­ can Congress in 1998 in New York will experiment with a new format. Indi ­ vidual speakers will be replaced by the “general perception ” is that there is panels on various topics. The intention is to consider all viewpoints on a topic, assures Kevala. If the topic is intermar ­ riage, the accent will be on the implica- are not working for FEZANA itself. The new incumbent should be able to con ­ tinue that process plus provide “a new ties withdraw, a solution may be easier to conceive, he believes. Although vision and a new method of operating, ” Kevala agrees with FEZANA founder hopes Kevala. president Rohinton Rivetna that “there international Zoroastrian arena —WZO could continue with its role within the brokerage company in Maryland. It was community whi le the WCZF could reach the second marriage for both. out to build bridges with other organi ­ zations, religion.s and communities — A product of the Ahmedabad Engi ­ neering College whence he graduated in civil engineering, Kevala acquired his masters in aeronaj^tical engineering from Bangalore ’s Indian Institute of a struggle for power, he notes. In FEZANA itself there is “natural progression... Each of its presidents Science and worked for a year with (Rivetna and Dolly Dastoor) brought their continued on ptige 27 18 Parsiana January 1998 «> 4* LZOROASTRIANS ABROAD Concerned about cohesiveness Sarosh Manekshaw speaks about plans for the next World Congress to be held in Houston, Texas in the year 2000 Arnavaz S. Mama We didn ’t want the social and communal level, ” Manekshaw elaborates, admit ­ ting that this did “put off a lot of people. ” He has gleaned that there is “demand from the former Soviet republics for in ­ formation on the Avesta in Russian (and) the work is proceeding.' ” There is also genuine concern among some members of the lay community who are looking for material for a format to teach the youth, he adds. Fifty percent of the Houston commu- “We are working as a team all the time. I We don ’t want any one group — Iranis, ) conservatives, liberals, youths — to feel I left out. We want to bring in the millen ­ nium in this united environment, ” say.s Zoroastrian Association of Houston ’s Sarosh Manek ­ shaw. As a member of the Congress committee under chairman Homi Davicr, Manekshaw is certain that the Seventh World Zoroas ­ trian Congress, December 28,2000 to January 1,2001 “will be an open congress. ” Giving full credit to Davier for having “built up Manekshaw: ‘‘Doctrine a close working team, ” doesn’t bring cohesion" Manckshaw says it meets Photo: Arnavaz S. Mama on the first Wednesday of every month and functions like a corpo ­ ration: “People are assigned tasks and they arc accountable to the executive 11 committee. ” The committee doesn ’ t want !, this occasion to be perceived as a “Parsi ¦ Congress, ” says Manekshaw. So, to make up for the lack of a large Iranian Zoroas ­ trian contingent in Houston, the organiz ­ ers are trying to get the larger community ings of the Second North American Gatita in Dallas involved. The Congress ’ program committee has three cochairs —Kaemerz Dotiwalla, Yezdi Rustomi and Khorshed Jungalwala, informs Manekshaw. Though the theme ofthe Congress is yet to be finalized, they he joined forces with Ichaporia and have a “bunch of very good suggestions, ” he says. He also notes that the main committee hopes to subsidize the travel costs for people from India wishing to attend the Congress “if we can raise enough funds. ” Manekshaw observes that topics like conversion “raise emotions out of hand and stupid things are said. ” He would prefer the subjects to focus on “common ­ alities. ” In any case he is of the opinion that the conversion and intermarriage issues cannot be decided in a general forum. They need a “think-tank approach to develop solutions that meet the limes. Debating it won ’t reach a solution. (There ’s) a vocal group for and a vocal group against and people in the middle get pul off. ” Manekshaw bclieve.s that organizations like the World Zoroastrian Orga ­ nisation (WZO) or the pro ­ posed World Council of Zo- roastrian Federations (WCZF) should be work ­ ing on it — “people who have the background and nity — “a very cohesive group of Zoro ability to discuss these is ­ sues unemotionally. ” Hav ­ ing “no personal bias," Manekshaw is interested in seeing decisions “based on what is good for the future of thecommunily. Until th is issue is resolved, it'll keep destroying us. ” The chemical engineer ’s main side interests arc the study of Zoroastrianism and ways of educating the youlh.s and adults ofthe community. Hence the tall, lanky Manekshaw has been involved in such aclivitie.s as coediting the Proceed- Conference held in Houston in 1996 with Pallan Ichaporia and the organization of the First North American International Avesta Conference in Framingham, Massachusetts in November 1997 when astrians ” — is ex Pakistani, informs Manekshaw. Among the 400 to 450 souls that the Houston community numbers (including children) there arc “rtp ultra radicals and no ultra conservatives, ” he infomis. He wonders if this closeness will remain in the next generation. Not ­ ing that the elders have to find ways of holding people together, Manekshaw believes that “what has held us together in India is our rituals and traditions. As these disappear and we don ’t promote them to have people come in (it may result in) people moving away. Doctrine doesn ’t bring cohesion, ” he opines. Hence, after the inaugural jashan at the new Houston Zoroastrian Center (which Manekshaw is anticipating with much excitement) they expect to start celebrating the six gambhars, hold Sun ­ day school and adult religious classes. “As people congregate together cohe ­ siveness builds up and develops, ” he maintains. It was a team effort led by Parvez Rustomji that succeeded in building the % 20 Parsiana January 1998 Jungalwala. “Everyone made great presentations ” at the Avesta Conference, declares Manekshaw. Among the battery of 18 international scholars who participated Center. On the educational side, the duo there were two from Russia and two from Gemiany, he notes. Unfortunately, Prof Kaikhosrov Irani took ill and Prof Anto ­ nio Panaino of Bologna, Italy had to opt spirit in the religious education field, out because of work related pressures, he informs. “We wanted to keep it at a scholarly nian Zoroastrian families have tradition- level ... a forum forexchange of informa ­ tion from the scholars ’ point of view... at work are Dotiwalla and himself. Ear ­ lier, before he moved to Atlanta, Prof Farokh Mistree had been the moving The social and cultural areas are manned by several others. Houston ’s Ira- ally arranged the Navroze and Jashan e Sadeh functions and done so very well. '* ¦ kattests Manekshaw. PROJECTING ZARATHUSHTI.... Son of the late Jan Manekshaw of continued from page 18 Hindustan Aeronautics before proceed ­ ing to the US for a PhD from the Okla ­ homa State University. Spending an initial seven years in Chicago Kevala recounts that the Zoro ­ astrian Association of Chicago was then Calcutta and nephew of the redoubtable Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Sarosh has been in Houston since 1976 after seven and a half years in Pittsburg as a student. Director of environmental safety and health for the Pennzoil Company, Manekshaw and his wife Gulu have a only an informal organization. Rivetna, teenaged son Cyrus in high school. It was during his recent trip to Bombay in De­ cember ’97 thatParvzanri was able to talk to him. Having attended the last FEZANA then. ” Interestingly, his American first annual general meeting in Crestone, Manekshaw was all praise for its illylic charm and considered it an “ideal setting for a spiritual center; you go there if you want to mentally unwind, for spiritual awareness. ” He is concerned however that “there aren ’t enough Zoroastrians likely to go up there. ” All the 10 del- egates from Houston “felt it was wonder ­ ful, ” yet Manekshaw ’s question is, “How much use (will it be) for the amount of funds to be invested there? ” While Manekshaw is not a WZO responsibility. At the last AGM (annual member, he is “not averse to being one. ” He feels however that the “WZO should concentrate on charity work in which it has done such an admirable job. ” The strength of the WZO, he feels, lies in the fact that “it can rise above political con ­ siderations. But if it gets involved as a world body, it will become politically involved and its charity work will suf ­ fer... WZO will find that their donations/ contributions will increase if they remain out of the political arena. ” He is inclined to believe that the “WCZF should be the governing body. ” Manekshaw consider.s FEZANA founder president Rohinton Rivetna and his wife Roshan as “probably two of the hardest working Zoroastrians ” in North America and give.s great credit to Dolly Dastoor, its current president. “They have dedicated themselves to the cause... con ­ sidering that they all have their own careers !” Manekshaw registers hi.s amaze ­ ment at the indefatigable trio. According to Manekshaw he and his colleagues “learnt a lot ” in the sphere of organizing events when they staged the Seventh North American Zoroastrian Congress in 1990 and the second Gatha Conference last year. It may have whet ­ ted their appetite and their abilities. What world Zoroastrians will have to say in 2001 may be even more commendatory. After all, they have almost three years of preparation ahead. Jamshed Mody, Keki Bhote were al ­ ready prominent on the scene, he re­ members, but he was himself “not much involved with community activities 21 Parsiana January 1998 manded a budget and are getting it. (There are) new ideas about what they want to do which the adults hadn ’t thought of. We will see more of it... in the next few years, ” Kevala is confi ­ dent. Already there are younger mem ­ bers on the FEZANA’s education team and they are being prepared for leader ­ ship; similarly with the other commit ­ tees and for planning for the WZC. Kevala is of the opinion that the youths should not be isolated. Though “some adults want separate youth conferences, ” Kevala believes that the issue will be sorted out in the coming years. His per­ sonal suspicion is that “adults want to control youth congresses as happened in London. Is a 35-year-old a youth? ” he queries, adding “An 18-year-old is a youth but you can ’t expect (18-year- olds) to organize a whole congress. ” Kevala thinks that the adults and the orthodox are “afraid that youths will wife Cheryl was secretary of the infor ­ mal organization! The couple have two children — Karl and Ruby. It was on settling in Washington that Kevala attended some functions of ZAMWI and was coopted as vice presi ­ dent by Dinshaw Joshi and Adi Davar, because they “had difficulty findin people to run for office, ” he recalls. Now with his own children growing change the religion; that they will say up Kcvala notices that “as youth.s are getting older they are taking on more general meeting) youths spoke up, de ­ manded more responsibility and are getting more responsibility; they de ­ O.K. to conversion and intermarriage. But that ’s not what (the youths) are saying! They are merely asking! But nobody is listening to theffi. When we start listening to them then we’ll start working together... ” We never take our guests and breath-taking views for granted < * ¦» 1 ¦»si , '*'*{*i 4' -f ir Lord’s Central Hotel Matheran 410102 Matheran Telephone 021483-0228 Fax 021483-0595 Bombay tele phon 03867776 5 31 r 1 ii I s *T INSTITUTIONS In the evening of their lives The Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Senior Citizens Centre is a new landmark in Navsari Arnavaz S. Mama “Today a dream has turned into real ­ ity, ” managing director of WZO (World couples or siblings) and one _ „ . , -----' room with a gas geyser. Aquaguard and matka of drinking water. Every room has an attached bath, toilet, wash basin with toilet cabinet. - water for baths from the service room. In with charge is Shermin Tamboly who handles Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust Funds four beds plus a service in India Dinshaw Tamboly sighed with satisfaction as a four-storied building in Navsari, with an atrium and an elevator, was dedicated to the aged and aging Parsi community. The Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Senior Citizens Cen ­ tre, from property purchase to furnish ­ ings, has been financed by the Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Trust (MJT). As noted Bombay Samachar's Mehelli Cama who performed the inau ­ gural honors in his capacity as a MJT trustee on January 6, 1998, “All the hard work was done by Dinshaw and his wife Bachi. Giving money is easy; ex­ ecution is difficult. It ’s been an act of love and charity. ” A jashan by 23 mobeds led by Ervad Kersey Homji preceded the unveiling of the marble plaque commemorating the event. “The home has been built to UK standards, ” noted WZO chairman Shahpur Captain. Meant for the mobile aged, a living room with sofas, chairs, a TV with cable connections affords com- single rooms, two double rooms (for room'?' equipped other WZO administrative work in Navsari. People will pay Rs 1,000 and up per month for the facilities which include boarding, lodging, Ijiundry and medical attention for passing illness for which arrangements have been made with the D. N. Mehta Hospital (once k^wn as the Parsi suvavarkhanu or maternity home where a 40-day accouchement is still possible for Rs 800, as notes Tamboly). In case an inmate becomes infirm, he/she has the option to go back to the family or to be forwarded to the Navsari Infirmary. Anticipating growing pres ­ sure on that 40-bed facility which is ? almost always fully booked, Tamboly has planned for a new wing of 40 beds to be added to it, together with refur ­ bishing of the old wing at a cost of Rs 51.25 lakhs, also to be financed by the • MJT and readied in ^year. “Five to seven beds in the Infirmary will always remain for our residents if they choose to go there, ” says Tamboly. The Tambolys anticipate that it will be six to eightmonths before the Centre WITH THE BLESSINGS OF AHURAMAZDA BM MANECKBAI P.B.JEEJEEBHOY SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE SECAMt OPERATIONAL ON TUESDAY JANUARY 06, 19«6- IROJ RASHNA MAH AMAROAD.1367 Y.Z4 rSE CAME INTO EXISTENCE,ENTlkELT DUE TO THE BENEVOLENCE,MA0HANIHITT AND fORESIOHT OF THE trustees of THIS CENTRE QENEROSITY 6M MANKK8AI P.B. JEEJEEBHOY DEED OF SHTLEMENT FUND THIS CENTRE HAS SEEN CE2XATED TO PERPETUATE ’OR POSTERITY THE. PIOUS MEMORY OF A GREAT ZOROASTRIAN BENEFACTRESS BAIMANECKBAi PIR05HAW BOMANJEE JEEJEEBHOY THE ZC«OASTHIAN COMMUNITY MAS BEEN TRULY FORTUNATE have been blessed with such a magnanimous BENEFACTRESS HER SOUL REPOSE IN EVERLASTIwa PEACE IN QAROTHMAN BEHST ATHA ZAMYAD.YATHAAFRINAMI. -THE W.Z.O.TRUST FUNDS TO HAVE MAT Hua w Plaque commemorating the donors Photo: Homyar Mistry, Homz Prints _ ________________________ buckets, mugs, etc. The rooms are fur- monspace where the inmates can gather nished with a bed, a desk, a chair, a steel i • ¦ — •• almirah and hanging arrangements for becomes fully operational as they m- clothes complete with hangers. Bed and homely atmosphere. It leads to the bath linen is provided, office of the manager. Soli Vandrewalla and beyond the plant-lined atrium to a spacious dining room with ample crock ­ ery and cutlery. A well equipped mod ­ ern kitchen is manned by a Parsi lady door ensures that in case of emergency cook and two helpers. A pump fills overhead tanks from a tubewell below the atrium. On each of the upper floors are four for recreational activities. The walls are livened by prints and plaques to create a I tend to proceed by allocating rooms on one floor at a lime. “It ’s a new venture for us, ” says Tamboly who has not been able to anticipate the problems that in its : wake. But he is confident of solving them as they arise. Bachi noted that of the many applicants five had been screened and approved. “Ours is an aging community — 50 Bearing in mind that the inmates may need assistance in a hurry, there . . . . are call bells in the rooms as well as the running the facility may bring m i toilets and an opaque glass panel on the access is possible by the simple expedi ­ ent of breaking the glass. A maid has been assigned to each lloor whose duties include providing hot percent of the population is on the wrong 22 Parsiana January 1998 % * ¦Uh Hill: 111! 111! 11 ill /a fiisi Clockwise from top left: exterior of the Centre; the dining area; kitchen; living room; room for four Photos: Homyar Mistry, Homz Prints A ¦^1’ side of 50,” noted Tamboly as he re­ counted the build up to the project. The Centre, which cost the MJT about 1.3 crore rupees, was first conceived when the WZO project for ameliorating the report. Within four weeks of his submit- plight of rural Zarathushtis drew pro ­ spective donors from abroad to the the project. Gujarat backwaters to see conditions at first hand. They felt the need for a home for senior citizens. An elderly bachelor from Bombay was willing to donate seven to eight lakh rupees for the purpose and disabled Jews in Connecticut, USA. suggested that the WZO find a property on the outskirts of the town where he wished to be the first inmate. By the time such a property was located however, he had lost interest but the idea had caught the Tambolys ’ imagination. Dinshaw says he spoke about it to the Maneckbai Jeejeebhoy Trust who wanted a project Hathi, who had graduated in architecture from Ahmedabad, had done his masters at Columbia University and had worked for 13 years in the US before returning to set up for himself in India two and a half years ago. “By the time he had planned it for us, Hathi got an assignment else ­ where, ” so he gave the design to local architect Jayant Mehta to implement, ting one, the MJT trustees approved of continuedTamboly.BetweenMehtaand Parsi builder Yazdi Kassad the plan fruc- Simultaneously Tamboly received an tified into the building we saw. The ser- offer to design the Centre from young vices of the three men were publicly architect Rustom Hathi who had built a acknowledged by Tamboly. sophisticated 120-bed nursing home for continued on page 40 u s JI r 1 3? s J 23 Parsiana January 1998BUSINESS COVER STORY Paying the platinum way Spurred by the emotions of the Swadeshi movement, Pherozesha and Rustom Sidhwa of Bharat Tiles pioneered cement tile-making in the 1920s Hilla P. Guzder They were the pioneers, they say, of the cement tile-making industry in India. In 1922, Pherozesha Sidhwa and his nephew Rustom, in partnership with explains. Outlining Bharat ’s plans to Karachi based Jamshed Mehta, his brother Homi and Minocher Dinshaw, founded The Bharat Flooring Tiles Com ­ pany. In 1940, the company became Bharat Tiles and Marble Private Lim ­ ited and through the 75 years of its existence, millions have tramped their tiles at Bombay University, Mantralaya. Reserve Bank of India, Santa Cruz Air­ port, Bombay Central, Churchgate and other railway stations, the K. E. M., J. J., Jaslok, Bombay and Parsee General hospitals, Brabourne Stadium andC.C. 1. Club House, Willingdon Club, Breach Candy Bath, Taj Mahal Hotel, Metro, Excelsior and other cinemas...the list goes on. “It is still our pride that our floors should last as long as the buildings in which they are laid, ” says director Dilnavaz Variava (nee Sidhwa), daugh- elaborates, “We have brought out a new ter of Pherozesha. “Though all tiles may look the same to a layman, a poorly made tile deteriorates with age, a good fering platinum jubilee discounts to old one improves. Ours is not a company which brings out a mass product of questionable quality. We do quality anyone who has a Bharat Tiles floor. ” work in supplying,and fixing Italian and Indian marble, granite, stone, ce ­ ramic tiles and all types of floors. In the 1960s we started making heavy duty, non-slip tiles under the registered trade name STILAN for use in factories, warehouses, driveways, pavements, etc. The strength and abrasion resistance of our STILAN tiles is so high that forklifts and trucks can safely go over them, ” she celebrate its platinum jubilee from De­ cember 1997 to December 1998, Variava range of heritage or classic designs for farmhouses, bungalows, etc. We are of- clients, scheduling free consultancy for them, etc. We would love to hear from inform you that not only are the tiles still existing and in excellent condition but are very much,^ admired by our ­ selves, by many of our tenants and by visitors to the building. In fact we like the tiles so much that we do no^allow them to be replaced by any of our tenants! ” Variava also displays a re­ cent letter from Maneck Engineer, vice president, construction, Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Company Lim ­ ited, stating that the tiles, marble and granite installed from 1950 onwards at the Godrej family residence at Wal- keshwar, the showroom at Flora Foun ­ tain, the company headquarters at Godrej Bhavan and plant no 3 at Vikhroli are still in use. Another letter from noted ENT surgeon Dr L. H. Hiranandani relates the story of how his architect insisted iiT'1958 on his using Bharat Tiles for his seven-sto ­ ried building at Malabar Hill though the price was 25 percent higher and he could ill afford the additional expense! “I had to work harder to pay more for the Bharat Tiles. These tiles are still there and they really look like marble tiles, ” he writes. Other eminent citizens who reposed their trust in Bharat Tiles over the And hear from old customers they years included Sir ByramjeeJeejeebhoy have. Referring to the tiles laid in the 1920s when their Readymoney Mansion at Flora Fountain was built, Jehangir H. C. Jehangir, great grandson of Sir Cowasji Jehangir, writes in his letter of Currimbhoy, Purshhotamdas Thakor- January 19, 1998, “We are very happy to das. Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala, Sir 24 Parsiana January 1998 who wrote way back in 1929, “Far from being worn out, they improve with use, ” Sir Dinshaw Petit, Sir Ibrahim Rahimtulla, Sir Fazalbhoy * hI ¦ k' 4 / Remembrance: Jamshed Mehta, Phemzesha Sidfnva, parents Dosibai and Hormusji (rear), Dmbai and Dhunjisha Sidhwa and son Rustem 2 Tehmina SuRiwa 3 Mdteru Mdaa, Variava. Sidhwa, Mold Bilimoria emd Almitra Pestel 4 Tiles etf die’20s at Reaefymetney Manaon 5 Messedc tiles of the’SOs est a priveste home —™ . ¦ '¦’i B S' •r J J * Hormusji Adenwalla and many more, their tiles are being transported to loca- land across Bombay harbor, the factory booklet of tions as far away as Uttar Pradesh and shifted in 1955 to Kurla in Bombay Its mentions, and “we have sister concern, Bharat Floorings^and T maharajas of recently done extensive marble, granite Tiles (Mumbai) Private Limited mar- Jodhpur, Bikaner, Gwalior, Mysore,Tra- and stone work for the elegant Jindal kets the tiles and aims to provide a one- the Government Houses Mansion and Essar office in Bombay stop shop for a wide range of flooring at Madras, Bombay and Pune (for the and the Birla temple at Revdanda. ” materials. company ’s head office and The Bharat group also makes fire National Defence Academy at showroom are located in the heart of retardant Thermo-Litecrete boards and Khadakvasla, among others. Bombay ’s central business district ad- blocks, an effective insulation they No we are not resting merely on our jacent to the Stock Exchange. Though it claim, against heat, cold and noised started operations at Uran on the main- which can also be used for partition their tiles are being transported to loca ­ tions as far away as Uttar Pradesh and Sri Lanka, she mentions, and “we have and stone work for the elegant Jindal kets the tiles and aims to provide a one- Mansion and Essar office in Bombay stop shop for a wide range of flooring and the Birla temple at Revdanda. ” materials. The company ’s head office and Bombay ’s central business district ad- i>io we are not resting merely on our laurels, ” observes Variava. Even today. started operations at Uran on the main- 26 Parsiana January 1998 ?'¦ i ¦* w 11 1 ar 6 R&i cement tiles of a ’70s fofmkouse reflect greenery 7 Afarble and stone work of Biriatenple 8 Iteviving heritage designs 10, JI Minton-t^ ceffpet patterns cf the ’2ds 12 Assortment of cur rem tiles 13 OldfiKtory at Uran' walls and decorative false ceilings. The these products were used as far back as ¦ old records of the company show that these products were used as far back as 1937 by, among others, Hindustan Con ­ struction Company for terrace insula- don, in 1944 by Polson Limited to insulate their cold storage room, and in 1946 by the Karachi Municipal Corpo- j*»r. S' - 1^^ .i- S 31 ir n ¦ii ration to improve the accoustics in their ! meeting hall. Its Feathercrete v. in the reconstruction of Quetta afteV earthquake, while S was used --------• an more recently the 27 Parsiana January 1998 J IS-w le*-- M B* W nil liii^ n Government of India used Thermo- Litecrete at the Bhabha Atomic Re­ search Centre in Trombay, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, the Tata Memorial Hospital, etc, according to company sources. Though still a family concern, the company has professionalized its op ­ erations through managers, with mem ­ bers of the Sidhwa family functioning at the board level , asserts Variava. Head ­ ing the board of directors is 88-year-old Tehmina, Pherozesha ’s widow. “1 am grateful to God that I am still heie and that the.company could subsist lor so long as it has gone through so many problems, particularly during the 'World that my War n years when overnight the British ¦ government told us to surrender every bag of cement for defence purposes in 1940. As we were also the agents for the Associated Cement Companies, we had a large stock of cement and so incurred a big loss, ” she narrates in soft, mea ­ sured tones, her pronounced German accent a lingering reminder of her birth and residence in Germany for the liist 23 years of her life. “My father used to teach Oriental languages like Persian and Sanskrit at Berlin University, ” she explains. “I came to India in 1933 and ______ . 1____ ________ ‘ ’ ig her advanced years, the octogenarian and residence in Gerrnany for the liist married Pherozesha in 1935.” Belyin: Marble and tiling work at Air India hitilding and Expiess Toneis nearly 3,000 students in Deolali (sec “The lost legends of Deolali, ”Pan ’fan«, October 1997). Tehmina is also direc ­ tor emeritus in Grindwell Norton Lim ­ ited, originally established during the ‘g F. ‘I’Y I'^t 'Tift Sc. nent freedom fighter and philanthropist Jamshed Mehta, who was the president of the Karachi municipality for 12 con ­ secutive years and the first mayor of the Karachi Municipal Corporation, then part of undivided India. They were every stage pioneers, 10 years ahead ol their time. Not only was Bharat Tiles the pioneer in cement tile manufactur ­ ing, but also in the cutting and polishing of granite. We have set up tile factories in Delhi, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Pune in partnership with locals and then a at War year.s by the Sidhwas as Grindwell Abrasives, now a leading manufacturer every of abrasives, refractory and other prod ­ ucts, which still functions from the origi ­ nal site in Uran. Other directors on the board of Bharat Tiles include Tehmina ’s two daughters Almitra Patel and Variava, son-in-law ... i , _ Hoshang Patel and Mcheru Mehta, handed them over. Sometimes we have daughter of co-founder Rustom. States remained on site for a ^ng time, as in : llmitra “Xt I am most proud of is Korba in Madhya Pradesh where we that my dad and Rustom started the were making tiles for three years for a factory under the inspiration of the emi power station. 1922 I* Al 4^ * I I —_ __ BHABAT tiles&MARgLE»n° i s ¦ ¦ I ‘H still attends office every morning and has also functioned since 1949 as the honorary secretary of the Sarasvati Edu ­ cation Society which runs English and Marathi medium schools catering to ,,.f<****^ r V, > (I ET-I Directors and staff at head office Photos: Chelan and Vikram Mistry ¦ VU -— 28 Parsiana January 1998 * . b“My sister and I are now . leading muses M. Mehta, who is also one of the national School and takes active part. newer and different freedom struggles, founder members of the Bombay Inter- From 1969-71 I worked as project of- national School and takes active part, ficer for The Bombay Natural History along with Tehmina and Roomi Shroff, Society on a project to save the Gir " ................ ' ' ‘ lions, India ’s last lion reserve. My cur ­ rent passion is to clean up India ’s cit ­ ies. ” Having visited by road as many as 80 municipalities, Almitra filed in 1996 public interest litigation in the Su- , „ preme Court to stop open dumping of her father dedicated his whole life to garbage by all Class 1 cities (over 300 Bharat Tiles. “Every weekend too he of them with a population in excess of would take a boat to Uran, nurturing the one a Mirza on the early years of the com ­ pany, the Bharat tale of tiles began in 1922 when Pherozesha, then studying for his solicitor ’s exam, abandoned the legal profession and with his elder brother ’s son Rustom, started a tile manufacturing unit at Uran, which was in the early 1920s, according to Tehmi- na, almost a wilderness, with no elec ­ Grindwell ’s retired administration man ­ ager, in the running of the Sarasvati Education Society schools. Rustom ’s second daughter, Bhicu Cowasjee, lives in Karachi, while the youngest, Maki Bilimoria, recalls that tricity, no piped water or telephone Bharat Tiles. “Every weekend too he services, the only link with the main ­ land being the fishing boats which plied in good weather, in which the tiles were lakh each). The Court, in its order of January 12,1998 has directed a com ­ mittee (including herself and some of the most successful municipal commis ­ sioners) to recommend practical guide ­ lines to amend municipal byelaws, she explains. Almitra, who now lives in Bangalore, holds a master ’s degree in ceramic engineering from the Massa ­ chusetts Institute of Technology. She was into research and development in Grindwell Norton and was for 30 years the chief executive officer and consult ­ ant for Daka company, another Sidhwa- established company which “pioneered the import substitution of silica-based induction furnace linings. I retired and sold my shares, but the company is still running in Thane, ” she elaborates. Her husband Hoshang, who has a bachelor ’s degree in metallurgical en ­ gineering and a master ’s in chemical _ engineering from the University of chosen to face international competi- Michigan, was for 24 years the project tl„... ” ” "Z" business their spirit of entrepreneurship transported. The promoters ’ forefathers had already built in Uran large factory sheds to manufacture liquor from mahua flowers, rose petals, etc, but in 1918 the British government decided to take over all liquor production, leaving the Uran units idle. Bombay at that time, notes the company ’s history, was the largest importer of foreign floor tiles and Pherozesha, spurred by the emotions of the Swadeshi movement, decided to take a step towards reducing the import of foreign tiles. Enormous difficulties presented themselves, not oq^y in manu ­ facture but in sales as well, as every ­ thing swadeshi was considered inferior and unreliable. The then trademark of> the company, patriotically stamped on the back of every tile, was a map of India (Bharat) including what is now Pakistan and Bangladesh. Persisting in their efforts to develop a good indigenous cement tile, the com- had launched. I am delighted that my son Navroze, promoter-owner of Smok ­ ing Joes, the pizza chain, also works director and later the managing director the tile business from 1980 till his re of Grindwell Norton. Now retired, tirement in 1995. weekends like his grandfather and has tion. ” Maki ’s husband Russi managed pany soon put on the market Minton type tiles of carpet patterns for the first time, at half the cost of imported tiles of the same pattern, causing some conster ­ nation among importers. However be- Another director, Faiyaz Mukhtiar, chartered accountant, has been with the company for 20 years and is presently lieving that their tiles, though good, executive director of Bharat Floorings. “Bharat Tiles has a reputation for Hoshang is vice chairman of Gharda Chemicals Limited. Variava is from the first batch of — j----------- , . - .u or students to graduate from the Indian executive director of Bharat Floorings, would not last for more than 25 years insuiuic Ui “Bharat Tiles has a reputation for and would need replacement the com ­ in 1966 and has worked in marketing quality which is a credit to the company pany took the unusual step of dumpi^ and human resource development in and to the family. I have had an excel- a consignment of tiles worth Rs 57,000 Voltas and Grindwell Norton. Also into lent working life with them, ” remi- (originally intended for Readymoney environmental issues, she has offici- nisces Rusi Mirza who joined the com- Mansion) into the sea, closed down the ated as the chief executive officer of World Wildlife Fund, India and is cur ­ rently one of the three vice presidents of the Bombay Natural History Society. . . Variava was, awarded a knighthood in “Rumi Palsetia, who joined us 30 years ago and trained under Mirza, is still with us, looking after the contracts divi- _ ___ _____ ______ _ sion with the same dedication to qual- jubilee, I feel nostalgic and very happy ity. We have been very fortunate in that what was started decades ago by a having employees at all levels who family member has survived in spite of consider Bharat Tiles as part of their According to a report prepared by Institute of Management, Ahmedabad the Order of the Golden Ark by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in 1979. “On the occasion of dur platinum and to the family. I have had an excel ­ lent working life with them, ” remi ­ nisces Rusi Mirza who joined the com ­ pany in 1943 as a fitter and was factory factory and sent its representatives to manager from 1964 till retirement in •<-> cnidv 1985. Recalling the contribution of old Italy and other parts of Europe to study methods of tile manufacture. It was manager from 1964 till retirement in employees, Variava picks up the thread, aftermuch experimentation and research having employees at all levels who the many setbacks that were often due family, to circumstances beyond our control, ” > that the factory was restarted, adopting neither the ‘wet, ’ ‘dry, ’ or ‘semi-dry ’ cement process, but by adopting their own formula which they believed was best suited to Indian conditions. Unforeseen factors came into play with the outbreak of the War. Cement was unavailable and the founders tried continued on page 44 ir S )i r 1 3? s I 29 Parsiana January 1998¦ €1! f * Top row: Gujral (left) and Joshi addressing the gathering; middle row: Sohrab Godrej sharing memo­ ries with Gujral; J. Godrej (center) showing Gujral and Alexander (extreme right) the model of the proposed Centre; bottom row: Adi Godrej (left), J. Godrej, Navroze Godrej, Freya Crishna, Smita Crishna, Vijay Crishna, Soonu Godrej and Pheroza Godrej Photos: Sudhir Sethia 30 Parsiana January 1998 •INSTITUTIONS In search of excellence The foundation stone for the CII — Naoroji Godrej Centre of Excellence was laid by the Prime Minister Sarita Sawhny and senior-level Godrej executives, Jamshyd Godrej declared that the Cen ­ tre was being established in memory of his father, the late N. P. Godrej. “He did not have the privilege of going to col ­ lege, but started work at Lalbaug after completing his schooling. ” Jamshyd, who is a past presi ­ dent of the CII, is also the chairman of the CII—Naoroji Godrej Centre of Excellence. President of CII, N. Kumar, adding his words Vwwi i,i w itaw / a Giijral unveiling the plaque in the presence of other dignitaries know-why. ” And unless we have the latter, India cannot progress, he said. Maharashtra chief minister Manohar The chairman of the Godrej Group of Companies, Sohrab P. Godrej felt that such endeavors reflected an enlightened swadeshi movement. The bedrock of Godrej policy had always been self re­ spect through self reliance, he stated. In fact, one of the first major productions here was 17 lakh ballot boxes for free India ’s first elections, he said. Concluding with a vote of thanks, Rajesh V. Shah, vice president of CII said Welcomingthearray of guests which that the 102-year-old CII and the 100- year-old Godrej were compatible part ­ ners. “We in this city owe much to Godrej, who have made (Bombay) a better and more interesting place to be in. ” excellent choice in selecting Bombay as the venue for this, the fourth such Bangalore, Calcutta and Gurgaon near Delhi.) Bombay has “all excellent things, including an excellent chief min- ter. The chief minister felt that govern ­ ment officials too would benefit by a stint of training at such a Centre of Liladhar Dake and governor Dr P. C. Alexander, plus a gathering of diplo ­ mats, industrialists, business associates ir S 3I ir 3? s jSEMINAR A gathering of dreamers The blueprint of a permanent Zoroastrian business organization is being prepared in North America Roshan Rivetna that “traditionally all Zarathushtis are pledged $ 1,000 to set up a Zarathushti Business Network to help other Zara ­ thushti entrepreneurs. The Conference, apxpropriately lo ­ cated at the glitzy MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas (for were not all the entrepre ­ neurs there, gamblers after all?) opened “I’ve got the time to give, I’ve got the money to give. I’ve got the energy to entrepreneurs. ” give, ” said Purvez Rustomji. The owner of an industrial coating plant was speak ­ ing at the Zarathushti Business Confer ­ ence and Expo 97 in Las Vegas, October 30 to November 1,1997. Most who came to the Conference sponsored by the Federation of Zoroas ­ trian Associations of North America (FEZANA), came to share —their knowl ­ edge, their experiences and their inspira ­ tion; and to learn and draw strength and KaemerzDotiwalla(hadnottravelled)30 furthernetworkingsystemforthebenefit supportfrom fellow Zarathushtis. Many miles to buy a$ lOOairlineticketfromme. ” took the opportunity to showcase their Dotiwalla, in the petro-chemical recy- wares and services — from retail goods cling business, had himselfridden a fickle to motivational speaking. Many had walked the long, hard way alone. While some, like the keynote speaker, former ambassador of Pakistan Jamsheed Marker, were at the zenith of a long and distinguished career, others to supporters in Bombay for believing in The participants were next inspired were taking their first fledgling steps him and giving him the opportunity fi- byatape-recordedmessagefrompromi- towards their dreams. Like Adil Irani, for nancially, to come to the United States, nent businessman Jamshed Guzder, chair example, who quit his well-paying job They now lelt it was their turn to pay back of the Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian and partnered with a friend to start a computer consultancy business just four months ago. Tehemtan Ank- lesaria and his wife Nina, who make diesel generators and motor cycles in India, came to look for business opportunities in the ¦ West. And Rustom I (an ENT surgeon) and I Roshan Mehdiabadi I came from Lubbock, « Texas for they believe v Through the Conference one heard stories of Zarathushtis helping Zara ­ thushtis. When entrepreneur Homi Davier was “dead broke ” in 1983, it was only with the encouragement and confi ­ dence of good friends (and a lot of guts) on Friday afternoon with a welcome by that he was able to build up his Capricorn Farshid Salamati, chair of the FEZANA Travels and become part owner of Baltic International Airlines. “I could not have ---------- --------------- -------------------- succeeded, ” recalled Davier, “if my friend Conference was to “prepare a tool for a business committee. Salamati ’s goal for this first Zoroastrian business network economy ’s waves and whims. And there was Freddy Engineer, part owner, with Mehrdad and Nooshin Banki in the software firm MINC Incorpo ­ rated who expressed a debt of gratitude and charity. ” to supporters in Bombay for believing in ~ him and giving him the opportunity fi­ nancially, to come to the United States. of our community. ” In his openmg re­ marks, (FEZANA founder) Roninton Rivetna spoke of sowing the seeds to once again “make Zarathushti business a hallmark of industry, ” and “to earn our reputation here, as we did in India and Iran, for honesty, industry, goodness toni * ¦ Left to right: Davier, Rohinton Rivetna, Collector and Salamati \ in a small way — MINC Incorporated AnjumansofIndiaandtheBombayParsi Punchayet, and president of Airfreight and other busi ­ ness ventures. He related a short history of how the Parsis, from the time they landed in India, were able to establish business rela ­ tionships bringing about prosperity to the commu ­ nity. In the first session, “Zarathushti business — past, present and future, ” Rivetna and Salamati con ­ ducted an open discussion to identify needs, and es ­ tablish goals and objectives for a permanent support in ­ frastructure (a network or chamber of commerce or 32 Parsiana January 1998 ZART BUSINESS I t *»KB ‘ Iw I « w u Left to right (first row): Phiroze and Dhunmai Dalal, Janished and A rnaz Marker; Purvez and Aban Commissariat distribute Poonjiaii’s chutney and other products to mainstream American consumers; (second row) Perviz and Cowas Patel and Pervin and Maneck Chichgai impoit Kraft cheese from Australia, fruit juices from the Philippines and other fine foods for their mail order business; Daboo (educational publishing); Rumi Engineer (engineer turned jeweller) and Hosi Mehta (auto repair); (third row) Hilla Munshi (catering); Adil I ran i( computer consultancy); consultant Jimmy Kumana; Rashid Mehin; Mehrdad Banki and Freddy Engineer (pioneers in electronic design automation) other structure) for Zarathushti busi ­ ness. Sarosh Collector reviewed the “Lim ­ ited liability corporation ” structure that has been currently set up to support this activity. In the session on “Starting new busi ­ ness ventures,' ’FramrozePateI spoke on “Business valuation and start up busi ­ ness. ” His motivation for serving the community was to repay in some small 3 }i r 1 s I 33 Parsiana January 1998B Linder the auspices of the MAZDAYASNIE MONASTERIE and the ALL INDIA SHAH BEHRAM BAUG SOCIETY (for Scientific and Educational Research) in the world ZOROASTRIAN COLLEGE Correspondence address : Mustafa Building, {2nd floor), Sir Pherozeshah , MehtaTJoad ¦ Tel: 2660214,2662950 after hours: 3644737 Fax; Bombay India 022-2662735-A/c 121 and 3634Z/4 /vc The one and only JANUARY 1998 WIEDICINA ALTERNATIVA WORLD CONGRESS IN MUMBAI AT RUSSIAN CULTURAL HOUSE The World Congress was co-ordinated Vaid System, Nutrition Therapy, Home- by Prof. Dr. Dame Meher Master-Moos opathy, Kriya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga. - ’ * Post Congress training session was held on 12th January at Veer Bhavan, courtesy Mrs. Medhaben Mehta; and POST CONGRESS COURSES are be ­ ing held in Bombay/Sanjan on Chinese REPORT OF THE MEDICINA GRESS OF HOLISTIC HEALTH Resident Zoroastrian College andjfr. M. Prominent personalities attending the Opening Ceremony, Convocation Cer- ALTERNATIVA WORLD CON- ORGANISED BY ZOROASTRIAN C. Bhandariji Convenor Bharat Ninnan. COLLEGE/ALL INDIA SHAH Prominent personalities attending the BEHRAM BAUG SOCIETY (for Sci- Opening Ceremony, Convocation Cer- entific & Educational Research)/ emony and Closing Ceremony included BHARAT NIRMAN/MEDICINA distinguished past and sitting Bombay Q*gong by Ancient ALTERNATIVA INTERNA- High Court Judges - Justice V. S. mS R;X‘DesS; e„ces by Dr, Meber Mas.er-Moos TARY MEDICINE ESTABLISHED Sheriff of Bombay Sardar Kulwant Sanjan with special session on yrami IN ALMA ATA & COLOMBO ON Singh Kohli, Padmabhushan Dr V. V. Therapy Dr. Jiten Bh tt V 9th/10th/Ilth JANUARY 1998 AT Shah, Padmashree Homi J. H. The Zoroastrian Co « y RUSSIAN CULTURAL CENTRE, Talcyarkhan, Dr Ushaben Mehta of Members ‘g;“H;"^8^„'Da;^;„ai,aProf, Sam Doctor in charge of Avesta Dept., Dr. Mrs. Mangala Chavan, Dr. Mrs. Vijaya Sathe, Dr. N. Sukumaran, Dr. A. H. Gosalia, Dr. Mrs. Rama Jha, Dr. Mrs. Pervin Bhamgara, Dr, Sharad Nayampally, Dr. Dinanath Rai, Dr. Sashi Khosla, Dr. Punamchand Rathi, Dr. Mrs. Rekha Kinger, Dr. P. M. Rahmany, Dr. Mahnud Hasan, Dr. Hakim Arshad Shaikh, Principal Tibbia College and others presented speeches and papers. Committee Members included (1) Mrs. Homai Billimoria, (2) Ervad Noshir Kanga, (3) Mr. Rustom Chothia, (4) Dr. Shiavux Khambatta. The following persons were awarded Ph.D. or D.Sc. degrees either by Re­ search Thesis or Honoris Causa; 1. Prof. Dr. Victor Inyushin, Khazakhstan, (2) Prof. Dr. Kazimierz Imielinski Poland, (3) Prof. Dr. Alexander Trofimov, Siberia, (4) Omar Ralph, En ­ gland, (5) Dr. Hermann Schmidt & Dr. Marianne Schanckig Germany/Spain, (6) Prof. Dr. M. Manmohan, Coimbatore, (7) Prof. Dr. Gunasekaran, Coimbatore IIMI ivivuiv.itv ,_______ o (8) Dr. K. G. Venkatesan, Tirupur, (9) nosis, Kirlian Photography, Spiritual Sophy Kelly, Bombay (10) Dr. T. V. INTERNA- Therapy, By Dr. B. Lakshmi, Ancient Cosmic Wisdom & I^olistic Health Sci- by Dr, Meher Master-Moos at RUSSIAN CULTURAL CENTRE, Taleyarkhan., MUMBAI. Mani Bhavan Gandhiji Foundation, Proi. This important annual World Con- Dr. A. R. K. Pillai President of Indian gress held for the 11 th year to celebrate Leprosy Foundation Dr. M. Manmohan 11 I X klliu T Ufc»* T'-'*.---—- 1 attracted specialists in Holistic Health Coimbatore & Tirupur Associations, Sciences world wide and from all over India. About over 400 persons attended including a large Delegation from Tai ­ wan of Chinese Acupuncture and Qigong specialists, who introduced Qigong into , _ , . India- Dr Russel Des Marais of U.S.A. Anjuman e Islam, Consul D. Chelychev also a Qigong specialist, Madame Giselle and Mrs. Chelychev representing Rus- Melinin of France, a collaborator of Dr. sia. Dr. Mrs. Makles representing Pol ­ ish Consulate, Hon. Consul for Israel Mr. Walid Mansour and representa- This important annual World Con iiviu 1^/1 J - ------------------------- -------r- J • 1 f 50th Anniversary of Indian Independence & Dr. VenkaUsan, Presidents ot Tapasvi Janakshahiji of Delhi and Dr. Sashikant Seth of Bombay, Healers, Prof. Dr. Harishbhai Dhutia, President International Federation of Astrologers, Dr. Ishaq Jamkhanawalla, President of Melinin of France, a collaborator of Dr. Alexander Trofimov of Siberia in Geo Magnatism studies and their effect on global health; Mr. Thornton Streeterof tives of the different religions who par- England who has introduced the Aura ticipated in the Inter Faith Prayer Cer- P.I.P. Photography Diagnostic method emony at the commencement of the ofDr. Harry Oldfield; Dr. Mrs. Makles of World Congress. Poland who deputed for Prof. Dr. The World Congress Deliberations Kazimierz Imilienski of Poland President covered a wide range ol Health J^are niques which ranged from Yoga, Unani/ Hekimry Medicine, Acupuncture, Poland who deputed for Prof. Dr. of the Polish Medical Academy; Lord Natural Methods and Diagnostic^Tech- Dr. AntMiJayasuriya of Sri Lanka, Chair ­ man of Medicina Altemativa International, Dr. Mrs. Mehmke of Germany; and Delega- Acupressure, Su Jok, Bio Therapy Mag- tions were expected from Khazakhstan nets/ Pyramids/Colour/Aroma/Music & headed by Prof. Dr. Victor Inyushin of Sound Therapies, Nature, Cure, Natural Khazakhstan University and Mr. Boris Herbal Medicine, Astrology, Aura diag- Fedotov, President of the Khazakhstan As ­ trological Society known as Zero Astry. Healing, Neuro Therapy, 6 Tastes Nari Sairam, Delhi; and the following persons %r - * il 1 r' >K uHiaiEMKann .1 nwiw lEMmm J H t, •i hl I,: w* Upper: Dr. Ushabehn Mehta, Dr. M. C. Bhandariji, Dr. V. V. Shah, Dr. Meher Master-Moos, Dr. Prof. Sir. Albert Naiyen Kou, Prof. Pandit Dr. Wu Hsi Ming, Dr. Harishbhai Dhutia, Dr. Prof. A. R. K. Pillai, Mr. Sameer Mehta and others at the closing ceremony. Middle: Prof. Dr. Dame Meher Master-Moos, Dr. Harishbhai Dhutia and Dr. M. C. Bhandariji. Lower: Prof. Dr. Dame Meher Master-Moos, Dr. Ushabehn Mehta, Dr. Prof. Sir Albert Kou, Dr. Prof. Panditr Wu Hsi Ming and members of the Taiwan delegation. were honoured as Patrons in Chief/Pa- trons Prof. Dr. Sir Albert Nai Yen Kou; Prof. Dr. Pandit Wu Hsi Ming, Taiwan, Dr. M. C. Bhandariji, Lord Dr. Anton Jayasuriya, Prof. Dr. A. R. K. Pillai, Mrs. Shirin Cooper. | The prestigious Kaikhushroo A. Master Q.C. International Memorial Medal was conferred on Dr. M. C. Bhandari (Calcutta) & Prof. Dr. Kazimierz Imielinski. Through the work done by the one and only Zoroastrian College in the World, of organising World Congresses of Alter ­ native Medicines and Holistic Health Sciences every year since 1990 in the Russian Cultural Centre, Mumbai, the people of India have benefitted for Public Health. The credit goes to the -Zoroas- trian College for introducing into India for the first time, several new methods of diagnosis and treatment, and training doctors in India in such methods so that I the suffering people can get the benefit of , these methods of Health Care within India and save foreign exch^ge for go ­ ing abroad for treatment. These new I methods include: (1) Kirlian Photography of the Hu-^ I man Aura/Bio-Energetic Field; which I was pioneered for the first time in India by Dr. Meher Master-Moos in 1978, I which originated in Russia/Khazakhstan/ I former U.S.S.R. I (2) Dr. Harry Oldfield of England ’s I P.I.P. equipment for Aura Photography I diagnosis and Crystal Therapy treatment I introduced into India for the first time by I Zoroastrian College Student Mr. I Thornton Streeter, in 1992 at the I Bombay World Congress. I (3) Dr. Fred J. Fox of England ’s I Bio-Testing and Bio-Therapy Method, I for which over 25 doctors from alThost all the states of India have been trained, through Dr. Fox attending the Bombay ™ World Congresses every year during I 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. I (4) Korean Dr. Park Jae Woo’s Su ¦ Jok Method of Acupuncture and Acupressure which was introduced into India by Dr. Park Jae Woo attending the 1992 Bombay World Congresses at the invitation of the Zoroastrian College for the first time; and thereafter visiting In ­ dia annually to train doctors from almost all the states of India. Since 1996 Dr. Park Jae Woo is permanently based in Mos ­ cow, and doctors from India receive their training in Moscow from him. ir 5 }i r 1, Jy s iA » I j; I i ¦ I RENCF Top: author and speaker Meher Anialsad and human imaf^ination consultant Shahriar Shariari Below: Jehangir Bulsara has a roofing enterprise in Ontario (left) and Mehrahan Mehr who left his engineering job with Boeing to do custom construction tn Seattle 36 Parsiana January 1998 I small business, ” Rashid Mehin outlined I the stages of a small business: survival, I stability, success and finally significance I when you share your wealth and your knowledge with your community. In his I talk on ‘ ‘The role of fear, ” J immy Kumana, I said business offers a way to wealth, I while employment offers only comfort. I The keynote address at the gala ban ­ quet was delivered by Marker, pres ­ ently personal representative of the sec ­ retary general, United Nations, for East Timor, with the rank of under secretary general. During his distinguished dip ­ lomatic career, he has also served as I ambassador of Pakistan to the US, > France, Ireland, Germany, Japan and other countries. “We are in the midst of a second diaspora, ” said Marker.' “The first one was when we went from Iran to India. ” He spoke of Zarathushtis in North America as pioneers, who would have “the responsibility as we go into the next millennium, of maintaining a reli ­ gion, culture, beliefs and values that go back 3,000 years. ” Hp felt that assimi ­ lation for Zarathushti,s in USA and Canada is easier, for we have the same ideals on which these countritjs arc founded: belief in God, in freedom, public service, generosity and philan ­ thropy. The second day opened with ‘human imagination consultant ’ Shahriar H Shahriari relating, in his own ininii- K table and enthralling manner, the “Story R of money... Money has value only when IP it flows, ” he said. “It gives life to our ideas, to create better things, to reno ­ vate and rejuvenate, as Zarathushtra teaches us. ” Three accountants led the morning session on “Insights into doing business in North America. ” Jamshe'3 Gandi spoke m on “Business entity formation to maxi- H mize tax benefits, ” outliningpartnerships, ¦ limited partnerships, corporations and ¦ LLCs (limited liability companies). Sarosh Collector talked about “US tax implica ­ tions of investments in foreign busi ­ ness ” and gave abusiness/personal taxa ­ tion overview. Two things are certain in life — death and taxes, and Tehemtan Arjani in his talk on “Estate planning ” ¦ ¦ measure the debt of gratitude he owes to the Surat Parsi Orphanage of which he i.s a product. Hosi Mehta, speaking on “Youth and business, ” suggested that covered both, youth congrcssc.s have a business ses ­ sion. “I.s franchising the way to go? ” asked Aspy Daboo and noted that own ­ ing one ’.s own busines.s was the epitome Through a leveraged buy-out, with just of the American drcam. In “What it takes to start a successful In a talk entitled “Middle market asset based financing, ” Edul Daver talked of creative ways of financing a business. t s. 4^ % $ 200,000 of liquid equity, Daver was able to raise the $ 10 million purchase price of » bACuPowder International, a company with sales of $ 35-40 million and 80 em ­ ployees. Another treat lay in wait during the southwestern buffet lunch, as motiva ­ tional speaker Meher Amalsad ener ­ gized the audience with his presenta ­ tion of “Ushta and Asha in the world of business... If we want to create magical relationships, ” said Amalsad, “we must learn to separate the being from the doing. There are no bad people, only good people who do bad things; that is why we are called human beings and not human doings. ” In his talk on “multinationals doing business in India, ” Dara Rivelna spoke of his experiences setting up a can manufacturing plant for American Na ­ tional Can in India, and of the burgeon ­ ing growth and opportunities in uiat country. Speaking on “Emerging tech ­ nologies ” Adil Irani felt there is a tre- mendous market out there in the infor ­ mation systems and technology area, and he is determined to “get a piece of the pie.” Others in this burgeoning computer consultancy market were Aspy Tara ­ porewalla (originally from the village of Dahanu in India, where his family has been in the horticulture business for three generations) who has started his software services company CompuZone Incorporated in Atlanta. And veteran Phiroze Dalal who is part owner with Farrokh Dastoor of Management Appli ­ cations Programming, a service bureau started in 1964 that employs over 200 people. Seasoned businessman Alayar Dabestani, film distributor and owner of dozens of theaters across USA and Canada, spoke on “Working with part ­ ners. ” His advice: ‘ ‘Avoid them . If a part ­ ner was a good idea, God would have had one too. ” Homee Shroff, vice president of Mountain States R and D International (MSRDI) in Tucson, spoke about “Inno ­ vations in small business infrastructure ” focusing on social aspects and human behavior in today ’s fast paced, techno ­ cratic society. “Success must not only be honey, but our Zarathushti background, economic, but humanistic as well, ” said Shroff. “Otherwise, no matter how great, in God ’seyes it will alwaysfemain incom ­ plete. ” Several Zarathushtis spoke in the open session on “Business helping busi ­ ness. ” Cowas Patel is looking for some ­ one to manufacture or purchase his patent ready donated many hundreds to the ¦ I Fl AB is Left to right (first row): Dara Rivetna (can manufacturing); Tehemtan of a noise suppressor for plant boilers. Roshan Bhappu, president of MSRDI, spoke about opportunities in the mining business overseas. Since strategic min ­ erals are not available in North America, most of his business is in 37 countries Arjani (accounting); Homee Shroff abroad. In the business for 27 years, (environmental/industrial) Bhappu said it was not “all cream and (second row): Tahamtan Aresh (real estate); Roshan Bhappu (mining); Rusi Gandhi (realtor) upbringing, our values and our charac ­ ter, help us perpetuate the entrepreneur- (third row): Edul Dover ial spirit of our forefathers. ” Realtor Rusi Gandhi ofRE/MAXreit- erated his offer to donate 10 percent of Gandi (accounting) his commission from any real estate sale to a Zoroastrian association. He has al- (manufacturing); Aspy Taraporewalla (software consultancy); Jamshed ir S 3I ir n 3/ s j 31 Parsiana January 1998fe GLOBE 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 nniDotgysTiB^ Sound System 38 Parsiana January 1998 Zarathushti O Business & Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York and others. He deals in real estate in US, Canada and 52 other countries. Farshid Khosravi, chief executive officer and management consultant with Great Star Cement Corporation, spoke of his experiences setting up a $ 300 million project building acement, sand and gravel and concrete plant near La.s Vegas. Rohinton Rivetna and Salamati led the final session — “Walk the Talk. ” Major innovations expected: •Shahriar Shahriari to set up a Zoroas ­ trian business web site and directory on the Internet. Funds were raised to get it started •Adil Irani to help produce a business directory •A list of mentors generated to be placed on ZBNet •Rohinton Rivetna to head a committee to draft the vision, objectives and struc ­ ture of a permanent business organiza ­ tion; Jamsheed Marker to help with drafting the preamble. Roshan Bhappu to provide input on forming a “Founda ­ tion ” •In the interim, Farshid Salamati ’s ad ­ dress to be used: 8301 Edge water Drive, #103, Oakland, CA 94621, Tel : (510) 632- 0104, Fax: (510) 632-0474 •Phiroze Dalal to design an application form for requesting venture capital •Freddie Patel to head the committee to plan the next business conference, pos ­ sibly in conjunction with the 11 th North American Zoroastrian Congress in New YorkinJuly 1998. All in all, it was a successful confer ­ ence. Everyone left with a feeling of pride in being a Zarathushti, and happy in the knowledge that they were not alone. Everyone left energized and in ­ spired, ready to take on the challenges. The odds were certainly better than at the gaming tables in Las Vegas! (Edited and reprinted with permission from FEZANA Journal — Winter 1997.) With best wishes ” from Farah Tanya¦ i ¦tGS GF AHURAMAZOA rt tan CEN ¦ ¦4' '3 per annum and hoped that the inception Bharucha. “Since 20years there has been of the new Centre would not affect dona ­ tions to the Infirmary. Another WZO project in the pipeline at Navsari is a housing construction of 14-3 floors for poor Parsis on a bungalow property donated by Keki Jokhi of Hong as ‘Udvada products ’ with outlets in Kong. This too the MJT has agreed to finance. And on a plot at Mochi Wadi another residential building, its height to get people on the Bombay Parsi no birth ” in the Parsi community there, he notes. But they are keen to provide the locals with more earning avenues, branding their dar-ni-poris, bhakhras, kustis, kors Parsi shops in Bombay and elsewhere. A second prong to the revival attempt is available, is planned from the WZO’s own funds. The WZO youth wing, barely a year old entertainment to people already resident in its second avatar, is preoccupied with there. The depleted gymkhana and li ­ lts Udvada project which aims to make brary are the focus of attention. Housie the town a heritage area, informs joint once a month is under consideration, secretary Marazban Bharucha. Pained at informs Bharucha. the disposal of Parsi properties to other communities by its aged (70-P) popula ­ tion which is unable to maintain them, the Entrepreneurs in and around Navsari are repaying the loans that the WZO IN THE EVENING OF... continued from pa^’e 23 The MJT had specified three criteria for the Centre. That it be located in a Parsi mohalla (locality) and that it be situated close to an agiary and a market, informed Tamboly. Once the property was ac ­ quired the building was completed in the space ofayear with MJT sanctioning 10 lakh rupees at a time. Inmates who wish to participate in depending on the ESI (floor space index) Punchayet ’s doles or in — sanatoriums the day-to-day working of the Centre will available, is planned from the WZO’s with depleted means, to resettle in be encouraged to do so. Individuals from own funds. Udvada. the less affluent sections of the commu- Tomakethe place moreattractive, the nity will get priority. “Essentially our Turning the tide? thrust may be to start by providing some entire administration is based on the theme, ‘Let the winter of their lives be better than their spring and summer ’... One individual has made this project a mission and that ’s my wife Bachi, ” said Dinshaw to the assembled guests. “She knows where every brick and nail has gone! ” Navsari Infirmary trustee Homi youth wing wants to turn the tide of MinocherHomji informed the gathering history but is not sure how to begin. To (India) Trust provided to help them make that his 50-year-old institution, which that end journalist and youth wing a new life for themselves. At OnchiVil- had begun with two patients, works on president Sarosh Bana has been making Iage,BurgisBamji,superintendentofthe donations amounting to six lakh rupees fortnightly trips to Udvada, avers Navsari Boys ’Orphanage has set up a Back to business c t fortnightly trips to Udvada, avers 40 Parsiana January 1998 'IkLeft to right (first row): Unveiling the plaque; inaugural jashan; a section of the audience (second row) D. Tam­ boly, Kassad and B. Tamholy; Cama; Hathi and Silloo Engineer; Dastur Meherjirana, Jerry Kumana and Ms Meherjirana Photos: Arnavaz S. Mama ¦> i Al poultry farm. Buying day-old males and readying them as broilers for the table at the optimum weight of 1 ’/zkg, he maintains l,000birdsatatimeinwiremeshcageswith With a five lakh rupee loan from the wire mesh flooring so that the birds remain unsullied by their own droppings. The restricted area and Godrej brand feed helps the chicks acquire the requi ­ site weight in about eight weeks, he potatoesyouget5.5kgofwafersorsixkg informs, each bird consuming 2.5 kg of - •• ¦ feed. As the fledglings cost Rs 13, any price beyond that adds to the kitty . More ­ over the droppings constitute prize ma ­ nure, sold every three-four months. The farm had cost the WZO Rs 1 lakh which is now being repaid in monthly instalments. At Tigra Village the hardworkingDara Singpurwalla and his wife have estab ­ lished a reputation for providing quality wheat flour. Their clients include Avan Bang households where they deliver sup ­ plies to the door. Originally jobless, the WZO provided a loan of Rs 1,20,000 to buy the land, shed and machinery which SingpurwallaisnowrepayingatRs2,100 Dinshaw Tamboly. a month. His newest customer is the Senior Citizens Centre in Navsari. once idle plot of land, growing vegetables. The project is barely a year old but under the tutelage of ex forest ranger Firoze Panthaky, the Orphanage land has been planted with 1,000 casuarinas, 250 teak trees and 63 to 70 mango trees. The per acre yield, which was once Rs 250, has potatoes for chips and sali. “From 20 kg now shot up to one lakh rupees per ¦ ¦ annum, he says. Besides, the mangoes will yield Rs 63,000 per annum in 11 years, he adds, noting that a 20 percent loss on account of the vagaries ©f nature is worked into his calculations. The homeopathic pharmacy of Adil Sukheshvala, the TV repair workshop ends with aconsumption ofthe delicious of Kersey Toddy walla, the desk-top crispies! Avari sells his chips at Rs 50 per kg in wholesale. He also produces farsan like sev, gathias, chura, etc under the brand vidually studied, says Tamboly, the type name “Asho Foods. ” Avari has been repaying the WZO at the rate of Rs 5,000 per month and may step up the amount shortly. He is currently researching a recipe for banana ketchup, informs Rohinton Avari, director of the Tata Marginal Farming Institute has a doctor ­ ate in horticulture and food processing. WZO, Avari has built himself the bare walls of a small house with a couple of rooms devoted to processing and frying of sali, ” he notes, with every three kg of wafers soaking one kg of oil. A demon ­ stration of mechanical scrubbing/peel- ing of the special white potatoes from three to four tractor loads being Indore, slicing them and finally manually frying them in a giant diesel fired wok computer printing shop of Mehernosh Gheevala are other successful WZO- funded enterprises. Each case is indi- Boys at the Navsari Orphanage are now getting vocational training on a Tamboly. of work involved, the gestation time, etc being taken into consideration for the leeway between giving the loan and re­ ceiving repayment. In case of trading activities, repayment instalments begin immediately, he notes. “Only two per­ sons have defaulted so far, ” adds ir $ }i r 1 s I 41 Parsiana January 1998OBSERVATION Tread the chosen tract *5 Architect Bomi Sachinwalla ’s company is endeavoring to promote Hariyali Holiday Home as a spiritually charged center in Valiv Malcolm R. Printer Every once in a while a human being appears who captures our imagination with his or her achievements. In the Parsi Zarathoshti community of today, such beings are rare. Today ’s Zara ­ thoshti is characterized mainly by a lack of will, purpose and enterprise: in a word, by a pronounced lack of vision. It was therefore my privilege to have been introduced to a most unusual Parsi entrepreneur a few weeks ago. I refer to Mr Bomi Sachinwalla of Vasai (erst ­ while Bassein). An accomplished ar ­ chitect and chairman of Dharitri Con ­ struction Private Limited, Sachinwalla left the familiar, comfortable environs of Bombay for the little-known, almost forbidding jungles of east Bassein. Dis ­ playing the pioneering zeal of a true Zarathoshti, he proceeded to acquire a small tract of land in Valiv — a village about 20 km away from the Bassein station. With little by way of a family fortune, he transformed the lush foliage into the haven that his delightfully land ­ scaped home is. An adjoining plot was then set aside for future use. In this manner, Sachinwalla began his vocation in a remote outreach of Bombay. Steadily he invested the fruits of his success as an architect into a career in building and development. Success was rewarded with success. This ability to dare manifested itself in perhaps his most ambitious program to date. Proceeding into the ghats, he next purchased a mountain called Parshuram Parbat. This vast tract of land is approached by road through the tranquil village of Medha, about 40 meditation, discussions on alternate minutes by bus from the Bassein sta ­ tion. Thickly wooded jungle was then aesthetically chiselled away to fashion what is today called the Hariyali Holi ­ day Home (renamed Brahmaagni Yoghashalla). This project won him ‘The Best Landscape of the Year ’ award secration of this deeply spiritual en- instituted by The Accommodation Times. Hariyali Holiday Home is a nature- lover ’s delight. Thickly wooded, its naturally cool air is manna for the toxin- ridden bodies of urban dwellers like us. Flanked by Vajrcshwari, Ganeshpuri and Tungareshwar, it i.s also a spiritual center. Towards this end, Sachinwalla has created a cave in which fire is burnt continuously . He thought at length about how this fire ought to be initiated, then decided that it should be lit from the into urns. After a lengthy wait, smoke plumes suddenly billowed from the wood — without a heat source being introduced to them, at about 4 a.m. on a cool, clear monsoon morning ! Less than an hour later the wood burst into tower ­ ing flames. God had approved. The seekers were rewarded. Purity of inten ­ tion had triumphed. Several plots of land on this 27-acre I property have already been donated I free of charge to various trusts with I lofty aims. These include a rural hospi- I tai, a home for abandoned children, the eradication of hunger, etc. These premises ar? to be underwrit ­ ten by the proceeds from the sale of beautifully landscaped bungaloxy plots M ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 square I feet. Priced at Rs 70 per square foot, these plots invite development from individuals seeking peace and driven by noble ideals. A few plots (of the total 218) are still available. At his home in Valiv, Sachinwalla ’s vision and spirit of charity continue to break new paths. He has appointed part of his own home to be consecrated as an atash dadgah for the benefit of the teem ­ ing Zarathoshti community in Vasai. Having contributed this land and his time freely, he now solicits donations towards the daunting task-of raising Rs 25 lakhs to create this enduring place of worship. Of this amount, he cheerfully informs me, about three lakh rupees have already been contributed through the largesse of some of our committed fellow Zarathoshtis. For more details about the Medha medicine, prayers and rituals — both bungalows scheme please contact Bomi Vedic and Zoroastrian. The hall is abut ­ ted by a manmade dam of mud and stones. On the other side at another level are additional pits. I was privileged to witness the con- Siicliiiiw (illii (Il the rcsoil stoves of the poorest of the poor, hence closest to God, the Adivasis or sons of the soil. In this manner he lit the fire in this cave with a flame from the kitchen hearths of ‘God ’s own. ’ “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto Me.” These words have been translated into direct action by Sachinwalla. He then con ­ structed a central prayer hall that has three atash pits. This hall is a master ­ piece of architecture: constructed with ­ out walls, it is 1,120 square feet in size, with a straw topped roof. It is used for clave some time ago at a special propi ­ tiation ceremony. Prayers were chanted for a few days as dry wood was heaped P. Sachinwalla, Director, Dharitri Con ­ struction Pvt Ltd, 275, Village Valiv, Taluka Vasai, District Thane 401208. Tel: 0252 355182, 0252 355557. For the Valiv Atash Dadgah fund, send your contributions to: Manijeh P. Sachinwalla Charitable Trust, 275, Vil ­ lage Valiv, Taluka Vasai, District Thane 401208. r 42 Parsiana January 1998 Itt were members of the Uran municipal ­ ity, with the Smaranika (Uran munici- THANKS Madon was once the president of the municipality, while D. Patel was elected to its managing committee. Supplying water to the villagers from the well on PAVING THE PLATINUM WAY continued from page 29 many different ways of tiding over the pality centenary souvenir) recording that crisis, including the manufacture of tents for military purposes! Finally the com ­ pany struck a deal with Egon Kaufmann, a Czech salesman of the Carborundum Benatki grinding wheel company (which factory land (water shortage being a supplied tile and marble polishing chronic problem), cleaning of the pub ­ stones), who was stranded in India at that time. Together with Frederick Lima, a Czech engineer of the same company who was brought over from Australia, the Sidhwas started India ’s first grind ­ ing wheel company — Grindwell Abra ­ sives — operating from the Uran fac ­ tory. Years later, they entered into a tory to do so. collaboration with the world ’s largest abrasive manufacturer, Norton Com ­ pany of USA and became Grindwell Norton Limited. Another offshoot of Bharat Tiles, Bharat Metal Printers, was taken over years later by Metalbox (India) Limited. Mirza ’s report relates that at Uran, Bharat Tiles was more than just a fac ­ tory, it was an institution. Its managers, Shapoorji Madon and Dinshaw Patel, & lie water tank, paying the rent of the Mora (village) school, were some of the social services rendered. Workers were given free lunch, medical care at nomi ­ nal rates, employment to spouses wher ­ ever possible and other benefits pro ­ vided at a time when it was not obliga- “I see Bharat Tiles as more than a business. It is an attempt to keep alive certain core values — quality, integrity and service — which have been the bedrock of the company since its found ­ ing, ” maintains Variava. Underscores M. Mehta, “I hope our younger family members will later take up the business. I do foresee a very bright future and trust the family will always stay as close as we are now. ” On the auspicious wedding day of our son Mahabarin and Nancy Bhesania we wish to thank our relatives, friends and co-workers, who graced our function on Sth February, 1998. We wish to thank Nazneen Vajifdar (Spectravision) for videography and photography and Maharukh Dadachanji (Valentine Audio Lab) for the lively music. We are most thankful to our caterers Mr Bomi and Ketayun Khambata for the lovely delicious food and all the cooperation given by them. With warm regards Khorshed and Farokh Bhesania and Family % With Best Wishes From Mr Rusy M. Shroff, M.B.E. and Mrs Purviz R. Shroff 44 Parsiana January 1998 -«1 READERS’ FORUM continued from page 6 and charities, both to institutions and individuals, once he had determined that the cause was genuine. In the words of Justice Fakhruddin, “Dorab Patel possessed the three most important qualities one can find in a human being — courage, compassion and courtesy. The twin negatives ab ­ sent in him were fear and hatred. His simplicity was endearing. He was born to give and all his life, he did nothing else but give, be it his intellectual en ­ ergy, his financial resources or his time. Men like Dorab Patel do not die. ” In my humble opinion, Dorab ’s in ­ tegrity, sagacity and other endearing qualities were on display and greatly Dorab ’s mother, admired at his funeral ceremony. The respect and honor he received posthu ­ mously from the myriads present that afternoon were far beyond those re­ ceived by any other person, even one in a more important office. On a couple of occasions I had sug ­ gested to Dorab that he start writing his autobiography, but he had always turned down the suggestion saying that his life had been rather drab; he said he had never known his mother ’.s love and father ’s fret. Yet, in the recent past, he had decided to dictate his memoirs and would have completed them had he been blessed with a couple of months ’ longer life. Unfortunately, his memoirs remain incomplete, but only in minor details. Dorab was born in Quetta on Septem ­ ber 13, 1924 in the Patel family bunga ­ low situated on land measuring more than 25 acres. Dorab ’s delivery, though understood to be normal, was followed by the death of his mother. Perin, five days later — perhaps due to post-deliv ­ ery complications. Dorab ’s father had two sisters — Gool and Tehmina. Gool had married Sardar Tehmuras Modi of Surat, and Tehmina had married K. Karanjia of Bombay. Tehmina had three sons, Rusi, Burjor and Shiavax. Rusi was respon ­ sible for the establishment and publica ­ tion of Blitz — the popular weekly of Bombay; Burjor is a freelance writer and Shiavax ran a toothbrush and other brush-making factory. Gool gave birth to two sons — Kavasji and Darius. Kavasji, who died in December 1996, had taken over his father ’s responsibility of several social work enterprises. He was also a trustee ofthe Surat Parsi Panchayat and a trustee of The World Zoroastrian Organisation. Darius has a doctorate in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry, and retired as a divisional director Glaxo Labora ­ tories, India, a few back. Darius was born at about the same time as Dorab in Quetta; it was Darius ’ mother who breast-fed Dorab upon the death of Patel: "ham to give” of years was an Armenian lady professor from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA, She told me a very interest ­ ing tale of how Darius III and Alexander traded insults for several days before they actually clashed in battle near Iskanderun in today ’s Turkey with re­ sults we Zoroaslrians are well aware of. This talc is narrated in the book Iskandarnama (or the Book of Alexan­ der), one of the volumes of the Sltaraf- naina or the Book of Kings, which was completed in 1010 AD. Accompanied by a miniature painting of Alexander feeding sesame seed.s to birds, the story relates the parleying before battle be ­ tween Alexander and Darius III of Per­ sia around 330 BC. It seems Darius was offended since Alexander had not sent him gifts in the traditional manner and despatched a messenger to tell him so. Alexander, equally angry, replied that Darius had treasure enough already and therefore Dorab ’s father, Framrozc remarried in the late 20s. His wife was Jer Vania. They later produced two children — Jahansus and Rhodabe. Jahansus quali ­ fied as a mechanical engineer from Loughbourgh University. He spends should not ask for gifts, whereupon most of his time in a suburb of Scotland — Aylon. His wife, Shiela is a gyne ­ cologist. Rhodabc was a successful pro ­ fessional secretary. She married a world renowned cardiologist — Dr Roeinton Khambatta. Dorab ’s grandfather, Khan Bahadur Burjorji was originally from Kundian — a suburb of Surat. He was the archi ­ tect of the Patel family business in Quetta. Khan Bahadur Burjorji died in 1931. Upon his death, his widow, Rattanbai left Quetta for good, and chose to live with her daughter, Tehmina in Bombay. It would not be an oversimplification would draw towards himself with the to say that throughout his school career, Dorab stood at the top of his clas.s in all subjects. Even in history and literature, he left the second highest scorer far be ­ hind. This fact was revealed by Dorab ’s classmate Dr Noshir Sahiar of Bombay, about three years ago, Dorab will be remembered in all the text-book.s of history, not only in this country, but also in many other parts of the world. A. B. madon Karachi. Pakistan Darius, furious by now, sent Alexander a polo stick with a ball and a bowl of sesame seed.s saying ^at since Alexan ­ der behaved like a child he should have the playthings of a child. The sesame seeds, conveyed Darius ’ messenger, represented the countless soldiers in the great Persian army which Darius pro ­ posed to send against him. However, Alexander, the story goes, chose to interpret the gifts in somewhat another way and saw them as omens of victory. To him the polo ball repre­ sented the world (i.c. Darius ’ posses ­ sions at that time) which Alexander Stick as in the game of polo. He threw the sesame seeds to the birds which pecked every one of them from the ground and told Darius ’ nrtessenger that it would be thus that his soldiers would wipe out the army of Darius. He then sent the messenger back to Darius with a bowl of mustard seeds as a symbol of his own soldiers. The miniature in the book graphi ­ cally portrays this incident with a flock of parrots, pigeons, starlings and crows pecking the seeds watched by Alexander Exchanging gifts and blows and his retinue while the polo stick and I was recently back in Syria for several months and among the various tasks I background, organized an international conference on the “Origins of Agriculture and Do- 13th of COnSCQUCnCC mestication of Crop Plant.s in the Near East. ’’ There were over 60 participants from all over the world. One of them bowl of remaining seeds are in the Dr ARDESHIR B. DAM ANIA Born on the 13th, as well as being the only survived 13th child of his parents, the figure 13 played an auspicious role 46 Parsiana January 1998Lcingrana: active and resourceful I in the 74-year life span of Parvez Fakirji Langrana (Parabhia) until his demise in Navsari on October 23, 1997. After passing the Bombay Univer ­ sity matriculation exam he joined M.T.B. College, Surat and studied up to Inter Science but family circumstances compelled him to study and join his father ’s bakery business. On account of fe-, 4 /TiHlnBI monetary circum- stances he left the business and in March 1955 joined N.O.P. Limited, a big chemical fac ­ tory in Navsari, as a typist-cum-clerk, retiring after a ser ­ vice of 32 years as acting manager. Thereafter in July 1986 he joined Vitta Mazda Limited as an office super ­ intendent. From 1974 to 1990 he was the founder president of Avan Baug Residents Welfare League and since 1982 he had been a member of the working committee of the Samast Parsi Anjuman of Navsari. Footwork photography and writing were his hobbies. His articles and short stories were regularly published inJani- e-Jainshed Weekly. Using key words that best expressed Mahatma Gandhi ’s life history and phi ­ losophy, he had typed out a figure of Gandhiji with his walking stick which was published in The Gujarat Mitra, a Surat daily, on September 1, 1955. DrC. ANKLESARIA Kota. Rajasthan Prime predictions Mr Bejan Daruwala ’s collection of po ­ ems, / am the Sky, recently won The Federation of Indian Publishers award for excellence in publishing. In early September 1997, he had correctly pre­ dicted that Prime Minister I. K. Gujral “has a strong Jupiter and is good for India, but he is on a sticky wicket till April next year. ” The article, “Bejan ’.s back with a bang, ” further quoted him as saying: “The 21 st century will be the greatest in the history of mankind. There is the possibility of a World War in 1999, but that will not stop India from turning into a super power. ” JAYRSH PATRI. Ahiiiedabad r.ilitcil by Parinaz M. Gandhi 47 Parsiana January 1998 Top Professional Services Under One Roof 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 Always remember : • it I \ it ^IcahItata BATA ig^^HlKHAMBATA Ketayun & Bomi 22/A, Wellington Terrace Wellington Street, Bombay 400002 Tel No: 2069636,2057242 Pager No: 9602-104007 Economic pilgrimage tour to Iran (Madar Vatan-e-Ma) 1 st May to 1 Sth May 1998 * See the beautiful cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, Hamadan, Kermanshah and Kerman * Feel the spiritual vibrations at holy pirs and agiaries * Appreciate the grandeur of Achaemenian emperors at Persepolis, Pasargade, Naqse Rustom * Marvel at the beauty of Mount Damavand, Caspian Sea and lots more Contact: Mr A S Gotla, Mumbai Tel: 6452247 Mr S Chindhy, Pune Tel: 635860 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 Dorrabji’s JERROZ HOTEL Under Cliff, Ring Road Panchgani 412805 Phone: (91) (02168) 40238 MATRIMONIAL Alliance invited from educated young man for our UK born and educated daughter of outgoing personality, aged 30, willing to settle in the Western world. Please send bio data with photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana, Matrimonial (Jan/1-98)* GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 ‘Please make sure the reply envelope bears the reference number cited-here. Flat for sale Parsi Colony, Dadar Compact, airy, one bedroom flat overlooking park, 1 st floor, built up area 620 square feet (carpet area 464 square feet) with one parking space, only for Parsis. Contact: Mrs Kara! 2614363 - 12.00/5.00 pm 3733670 - 7.00/9.00 pm I ir $ >1 r 1 J 5 I- *r I MILESTONES This issue of Parsiana include.s intercommunity marriages reg ­ istered both at the Old Customs House and at the MHADA of ­ fice in Bandra (East) for the eight-month period of May to December 1997. However, names that could not be con ­ firmed as Zoroastrian have been omitted from the list. There were 34 intercommu ­ nity marriages plus three civil marriages between Zoroastrians registered at the Old Customs House and 22 and three, respec ­ tively, at the MHADA office. A scanning of the Chandan- wadi crematorium registers re ­ vealed the names of five Zoro ­ astrians cremated between Sep­ tember and December 1997. The age of Zoroastrian brides (as listed in this issue) ranged between 18 and 44 years, the arithmetic mean — the total number of individual ages di ­ vided by the total number of brides — being 27 years. The corresponding figures for the grooms were 21 and 42 years, averaging at 29 years. There were 92 deaths in Bombay in January as compared to 16 births. Thirty-four Zoroas ­ trians fell prey to heart disease of AHMEDABAD BORN A boy. Azman, to Behroz and Berziz Contractor on November 14, 1997 AJMER BORN A girl to Rukhsana and Navil Marker, January 11, 1998 BANGALORE DIED Homai Cawas Dalal (87), mother of Cyrus and Zarine Downer and sister of Gool S. Contractor; December 26, 1997 BOMBAY BORN A girl, Friyana, to Anahita and Khurshed Mirza', November 4 A boy to Rukshan and Aspi Gotla', December 24 A boy to Diana and Navroze Dastur, December 28 A girl to Yasmin and Kaivan Doctor, January 1, 1998 whom 16 were above the age of 80. Pneumonia and lung disease took a toll of 11 lives and cancer of 10. Hypertension claimed five victims, whereas brain disease claimed four. The other killers were diabetes and old age/gen- eral debility (three each) and non ­ Hodgkin ’s lymphoma, asthma, cerebral malaria, dehydration and septicemia (two each). There were 11 isolated cases registered in January. They were: anemia, peptic ulcer, kidney failure, meningo-encephalitis (inllam- mation of the brain and the sur ­ rounding membranes of the brain and the spinal cord), gastro-in ­ testinal bleeding, multiple organ failure, bronchiectasis (stretch ­ ing or enlargement of the bron ­ chial tubes following infection), tuberculosis, hemiplegia (paraly ­ sis of one side of the body), fal ­ ciparum malaria and death due to multiple injuries. In the case of three deaths, the coroner ’s re ­ port was still pending. The young ­ est to breathe her last was a two- month-old baby girl as compared to the oldest — a 99-year-old lady. Two youths, both aged 25, were also lost to the community. The Zoroastrian life expectancy at birth, in Bombay in January, A boy to Rukshana and Kerman Mehta\ January 1 A boy to Jerttaz and Mehernosh Mehta', January 6 A boy to Amy and Berzis Meher-Homji', January 8 A girl to Rashna and Raiomond Poncher, January 8 A girl to Nyra and Darius Siirti', January 8 A girl to Aban and Yezdi Chinoy, January 9 A boy to Sherry and Sarosh Doodhmal', January 9 A girl to Roxana and Viraf Mody, January 10 A boy to Jasmine and Robin Sherdiwala', January 10 A girl to Jasmin and Mehernosh Hormuzdi', January 20 A girl to Havovi and Kaivan Antia', January 21 A boy to Dinci and Nadir Karanjia', January 22 A girl to Khurshid and Nazhan Mehta', January 22 A girl to Nina and Kayomurz Taraporewala', January 22 A girl to Behnaz and Danesh was 75 years. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by various newsletters and anju- mans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This information is not always complete or con ­ sistent: we are unable to carry data from areas where the anju- mans do not furnish the particu ­ lars; the birth figures for Bom ­ bay are supplied by four hospi ­ tals — births in suburban hospi ­ tals and private nursing homes are not included unless indi ­ viduals send us information to ­ gether 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 ceremony. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, especially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several diseases. If readers have any births/ marriages/death.s 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. Najadkay; January 29 MARRIED Leena Madhukar Gaikwad and Malcolm Darayes Pestonji', May 1, 1997 Scherezade J. Khambatta and Mahendra R. Mansukhan', May 2 Dhanlaxmi Chauhan and Behruz K. Farshid (Itani)', May 6 Chintan A. Sanghavi and Ardeshir Y. Bonshahr, May 8 Pareezad Nanu Daruvala and Anand Vishwanath Birje', May 9 Sunita Sebestian Saldanha and Perves Percy Tatary, May 9 Manisha Telana and Rustom Dotivala', May 11 Anuradha Sridhar and Fram- roze Dara Pochara', May 12 Rael Padamsee and Jehangir Chinoy, May 26 Srija Rajan and Freddy Doctor, May 26 Farida Maneck Talavia and Anilkumar Sharma', May 29 Persis Adi Khambatta and Bahram Palanji Fitter, May 30 Amrita Singh and Hanoz Maneckshaw, May 31 Sonal Suhas Nerurkar and Zubin P. Driver, June 2 Ingrid Noakes and Khushrav R. Kotwal', June 16 Daisy Dara Dudhia and Nariman Jamshed Zohrabi', June 16 Diana P. Katrak and Kenin Kenneth Dias', June 27 Delna Sethna and Zarvan Patel', July 4 Shernaz Shawak Writer and Richard Santan Saldanha', July 7 Pervin N. Anklesaria and P. Saiprasad Naidw, July 14 Monica Punjabi and Farzad Buxey, July 19 Flavia F. Fernandes and Husman B. Khusravshahi', August 7 Arnavaz Darwwalla and Roland Santamaria', August 1 Ij, Anita V. Cnavan and Roomy M. Shroff', August 12 Marina Ranee Kanuka(tam and Boman Irani', August 20 Sumitha Nair and Jamshed Khushro Desai', August 21 Tenaz Burjochmeher Wadia and Stanislaus Vency Fernandes', August 25 Shernaaz Minoo Bilimoria and Kerbad Rustomji Palkhivala', September 5 Sandra Joquim D’Souza and Sohrab Rustom Nejabaf, September 9 Yasmin Aftab Ahmadabadwala and Cavas Dadiba Panthaki', September 9 Yasmin Noshir Bharucha and Phiroze Hoshang Mehta', September 12 Kermin Hoshang Khandhadia and Suleman Sadruddin Lalani', September 20 Rita Lopes Gonsalves and Jal Kavassha Bala', September 26 Rita Hiralal Sindhavad and Paterasp Percy Cooverji', October 6 Sharon Gregory Carvalho and Khushru Adi Mistry, October 10 Tasneem E. Kadwani and Shiraz Erach Poonevala', October 24 Shaheen Tata and Aman Bbasin', October 29 Zheng Xiao Wen and Mehernosh Hosang Pastakia', ¦4' 4¦ r November 3 Kamal Hiraji Mistry and Pradip Tarachand Kothari; November 6 Farzana Phiroze Cama and Manan Nayankamal Munim; November 13 Hufrish A. Mody and Bakul Govind Gohil; November 15 Raslma Karai and Soumya Dutta; November 18 Maharukh Minoo Kalwachia and Sumit Dasgupta; November 21 Geeta Purushottam Gore and Murzash Sohrab Manekshana; November 22 Anahita Oomrigar and Jude de Chagas Pereira; November 24 Avantika Khanna and Adi Jimmy Pocha; December 5 Farida Tata and Irshad Husain Poonawala; December 6 Graziella Ciliberto and C. P. Motiwalla; December 8 Parizad Gustad Sidhwa and Harish Chandrakant Shah; December 8 Priscilla D. Viccajee and Viraf K. Mistry; December 12 Anahita Sethna and Nishith Saiighvi; December 14 Sonal H. Rawal and Nozer M. Pardiwalla; December 15 Arzin Homi Daruwalla and Sorab Minoo Italia; December 16 Benaifer Hoshang Tata and Rupen Vasant Vikamsey; December 16 Bernadine Fernandez and Viraf M. Engineer; December 19 Patricia Robert Amara and Homiyar Minoo Kalyaniwala; December 20 Shanoor Irani and Ognish Ghoshal; December 22 Molds ha Kishindas Sadarangani and Adil Jamasp Kasad; December 23 Teena Homi Panthaki and Bijal Vikram Sheth; December 23 Shernaz Jal Dastur and Behram Homi Patel; December 27 Zarin Nusir Anklesaria and Robin Menezes; December 29 Yuriko Toshio Yamashita and Malcolm Farrokh Mehta; , December 30 Benaifer Minoo Kotwal and Myung Soo Suh; December 30 Shiraz Dinshaw Irani and Yazad Bejan Gandhi; January 3, 1998 Delnar Adi Dastoor and Kaizad Behram Irani; January 3 Jenaz Sam Daruwala and Javid Soli Canteenwala; January 4 Kerafrid Piroj Daroga and Nitash Naval Damania; January 4 Maheet Rusi Pagdiwala and Kaiomerz Nariosang Desai; January 4 Huloxi Rusi Karbhari and Firdosh Jamshed Patel; January 4 Diana Zeheer Ginwalla and Rishad Mehli Reporter; January 4 Freida Jehangir Fitter and Syrus Minoo Cdwadia; January 4 Shirin Baji Setlma of Poona and Russa Furrokh Mehta; January 5 Ghaver Jehangir Master and Xerxes Homi Buhariwala; January 9 Monaz Minoo Italia and Zubin Adi Patel; January 9 Mahatab Aflatoon Irani and Sheroy Boman Kermani; January 11 Binaifer Viraf Dadachanji and Framroz Aspi Langrana; January 11 Zeena Behram Khambatta and Rushad Dinyar Bhathena; January 12 Persis Firoz Printer and Arees Shahariar Khambatta; January 12 Hutoxi Parvez Buharivala and Rushitum Keki Mistry; January 12 Firozee Tehmul Umrigar and Rustom Adi Mistry of Vasai, Dist Thane; January 12 Binaifer Jal Vakil of Surrey, UK and Darashaw Murzban Motashaw; January 12 Sanober Burjor Irani and Porus Pervez Tampal; January 12 Shehnaz Keki Engineer and Rohinton Kershasp Jijicowna; January 13 Pervin Roomi Shroff and Khursheed Kairshasp Choksy of Colombo, Sri Lanka; January 15 Hufriz Burjor Jijina and Farokh Rohinton Bharucha; January 16 Khushnuma Sarosh Dumasia and Darayas Keki Bhappoo; January 18 Kerafrid Minoo Kapadia and Adil Minoo Damania; January 18 Anahita Manek Cooper and Nevielle Shahrukh Irani; January 19 Furzeen Pervez Tantra and Nasha Rusi Jassawalla; January 19 Delnaz Noshir Chinoy and Adil Kali Mistry, January 23 Navaz Behram Sidhwa and Kaizad Jal Patel; January 23 Shazneen Shahrukh Kapadia and Jahangir Nariman Dhatigara; January 25 Delnaz Sheriyar Vajifdar and Marzban Yezdi Jasoomani; January 26 Kamal Eruch Amalsad and Godrej Aspi Fanibanda; January 27 Maharukh Palanji Dastoor and Khushroo Ratan Sarkari; January 27 Parinaz Sam Forbes and Manecksha Pervez (Polly) Dee (Dotiwala); January 29 Shernaz Dhunjishaw Ghaswalla and Zarir Behramshaw Mogal; January 29 Ancdiita Keki Mehta and Pheroz.e Edul Havaldar; January 30 Tanaz, Bahadur Panthaki and Percy Darabsha Mahuvawalla; January 30 Tanaz Faredoon Daruwala of Post Vasda, via Billimora, Dist Navsari and Abel Navalsha Pithawala; January 30 Hulokshi Framroze Darukhanawala and Rohintan Erachsha Meherjee of New Delhi; January 31 DIED Zed Navroji Gobhai (74), residing at 182, Mehr-Naz, Cuffe Parade, 400005; October 20, 1997 (cremated) Jehangir Rustamji Mody (81), 73, Blue Haven, Mount Pleasant Rd, 400006; October 28 (cremated) Najoo Munchershaw Ayrton (93), 302, Samudra Setu, B. Desai Rd, 400026; November 11 (cremated) Rutty Manek Bhiwandiwala (92)’, Doctor Bldg, 149/A, Cumballa Hill, August Kranti Marg, 4(X)036; November 19 (cremated) Jehangir Meherwanji Jussawalla (90), 47/B, Jussawalla Court, B. Desai Rd, 400026; December 5 (cre ­ mated) Banoo Nanabhai Bhathena (76), B, Dinbai Petit Chawl, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; December 31 Deena Minocher Sarkari (85), 811, Jame Jamshed Bldg, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; December 31 Aloo Behram Bhaijina (75), Mirza St, Udvada, 396180; January 1, 1998 Mani Kaikhasroo Dastoor (79), 811, Jame Jamshed Bldg, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 1 Bhikhaji Ardeshir Makujina (63), 815, B. A. Engineer Bldg, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 1 Arnavaz Cooverji Pastakia (72), Room no 3, Lam Bldg no 3, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel (E), 400013; January 1 Perin Kaikhushroo , Banatwalla (81), Dhundadina Hse, Sleater Rd, Daji Cross Lane, 40(X)07; January 2 Homi Dosabhai Patel (81), B, Gool Mhl, N. Bharucha Marg, 400007; January 2 Homai Jehangir Pavri (87), 811, Jame Jamsh^ Bldg, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 2 Rustom Ardesher Bharucha , (85), E-3, Utopia Palacia, Wanwadi, Pune, 411040; January 3 Shera Jehangir Zaveri (75), Karanjia Bldg, Grant Rd, 400007; January 3 Katty Jamshed Bonesetter (55), Jer Mans, 19, Gazdar St, Chira Bazar, 400002; January 4 Dara Jehangir Mehta (82), 4, Sir Dorab Tata Bldg no 1, S. V. Rd, Bandra, 400005; January 4 Dorab Ratanshaw Mehta (78), 5-A, Dolphin, Pilot Bunder, Colaba, 400005; Janu^y 4 Jer Eruch Kotwal (72), 32/C, Mulla Manzil, Balaram St, Grant Rd, 400007; January 5 Banoo Sorabji Mistry (79), Central Bldg no 2, Bombay Master Lane, Dhobitalao, 400002; January 5 Soona Jehangir Engineer (90), 10, Reay Hse, B.E.S.T. Marg, 400039; January 6 Aspandiar Gustad Jamaspi (74), 31-B, Heera Panna, B. Desai Rd, 400026; January 6 Silloo Sam Mehta (79), E/4, Godrej Bang, Off Nepean Sea Rd, 400026; January 6 Roshan Hoshang Batliwala (54), 606, Dara Hse, 15th Rd, Bandra, 400050; January 7 ir $ >1 r 1 i V ! ! s I INargesh Sorabjee Bhatena (83), 11/1, Baria Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; January 7 Dolly Keki Bhoora (71), Shirin Mans, Opp Grant Rd Stn (W), 400007; January 7 Zarin Dhunjishaw Karanjia (60), 13/7, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 7 Dinshaw Erachshaw Limathwalla (69), 11/4, Sai Niketan Bldg, Mount Rd, Mazgaon, 400010; January 7 Silloo Minoo Mavji (66), A-5, Sneha Sadan, N. Gamadia Rd, 400026; January 7 Homai Rustom Aibara (11}, Rockdale, 16, L. D. Ruparel Marg, 400006; January 8 Sanaya Percy Bhathena (2 mths), Petit Bldg, Opp Grant Rd Stn, 400007; January 9 Farecloon Erachshah Jalnawalla (90), Kalumal Est, A/55, Juhu Church, 400049; January 9 Dhun (Bapaimai) Keki Kuka (92), 811, Jame Jamshed Bldg, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 9 Nergiz Marazban Panthaky (79), N-9, Dalal Est, Badkamkar Marg, Bombay Central, 400008; January 9 Ereny Sheriar Daruwalla (82), B-13, Satyabhama Niwas, Avabai Kashinath Rd, Tardeo, 400034; January 10 Freny Burjorji Jalnawala (67), Jalnawalla Bglw, Jalna, Maharashtra, 431203; January 10 Mehelli Homi Kasad (70), 17/C-27, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 11 Homai Nariman Mandviwalla (84), Heliopolis, 157, Shahid Bhagat Singh Rd, Colaba, 400005; January 11 Kaikhushroo Pestonjee Eranee (92), Ram Mans, 4, Nepean Rd, 400006; January 12 Sheroo Dorabji Nagporewalla (81), 73, West Minister, Duncan Causeway, Chunabhatti, Sion, 400022; January 12 Nergish Sarosh Rustomjee (92), 6, Asha Mhl, Peddar Rd, 400026; January 12 Shirin Erachshaw Canteenwalla (82), 675, Amy Villa, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 13 Banoo Rustomji Katrak (78), E-5, Jer Baug, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 13 Firoze Dhunjishaw Lelinwalla (75), Soonawalla Bldg, Khetwadi 12th Lane, 400004; January 13 Jeroo Homi Maneckji (58), Mody Hse, Padamji St, 400004; January 13 Shera Jal Wadia (74), H/3, Captain Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400034; January 13 Noshir Ardeshir Aibara (87), 639, Rati Manzil, M. Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 14 Bomanshah Dinshawji Khambatta (73), Panday Sanatorium, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; January 14 Jal Burjor Mistrx (79), Old Cama Bldg, Chikalwadi, Nanachowk, 400007; January 14 Allamai Ardeshir Bhiwandiwalla (75), Parsi Punchayet Qrts, Ambawadi, Hanging Gardens, 400006; January 16 Homi Darabsha Khambata (72), B-5/45, Vijay Nagri, Waghbill Naka, Thane, 400601; January 16 Sheramai Kaikhushroo Kutar (91), Motiwala Bldg, E. S. Patanwala Marg, 400027; January 16 Barjor Edulji Pardiwalla (79), Minoo Lodge, 139, Tardeo Rd, 400034; January 16 Pearl Mehli Siganporia (70), 15/17, Patel Hse, Nawab Tank Rd, Dockyard, 400010; January 16 Honii Ruttanshaw Bugwadia (69), Bglw no 3, Chandrabala Est, T.P.S. 30, Bandra, 400050; January 17 Eruchshaw Bapuji Daruwalla (80), 111, Umbergaon Bldg, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parel, 400012; January 17 Firoze Maneckshaw Fraser (79), 35/A, Gopal Mans, Turner Rd, Bandra, 400050; January 17 Tehmina Rustom Irani (88), F/24, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; January 17 Shirinbai Edulji Delina (95), 18, Botawala Bldg, Raghavji Rd, Gowalia Tank, 400036; January 18 Minn Naoroje Siikhiya (65), 1-4/C, Amit Majestic Park Co-op Hsg Soc, Nalasopara (E); January 18 Adi Pestonji Surti (70), 55, Mini Apts, Bazar Rd, Bandra, 400050; January 18 Eruch Shavakshaw Vaghchhipwala (64), Motlibai Wadia Bldg, Chikalwadi, Grant Rd, 400007; January 18 Murzbun Kaikhushro Irani (Murzban) (80), Next to Dena Bk, Opp Rly Stn, Boisar, Tai Palghar, Dist Thane, 401501; January 19 Ratanshaw Cawasji Ragina (87), 15, Elava Bldg, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; January 19 Aspandiar Rustom Shahparast (73), 280/A, Jawalkar Mans, Dr Ambedkar Rd, Parel, 400012; January 19 Burzin Firoze Amroliwalla (25), 5/16, Khan Est, M. M. Chotani Rd, Mahim, 400016; January 20 Pesi Jehangirji Chinoy (84), C-7/8, Shapur Baug, V. P. Rd, 400004; January 20 Zenobia Nariman Davierwalla (25), 5, Park Heaven, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari, 400102; January 21 Aran Jamshedji Dubash (76), 48, Bazar Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; January 22 Khushroo Boman Andaz (Djainmehdiabadi) (64), 21/22, Windsor Chmb, Cawasji Patel St, Fort, 400001; January 23 Tehmina Rustomji Bandravala (94), C/o Sheroo N. Billimoria, 121, Aderbad, 34, N. S. Patkar Marg, 400007; January 23 Hoshang Navroji Daruwalla (87), Dhun Bldg, Batliwalla Villa Compd, Sleater Rd, 400007; January 23 Kaikhusroo Hirjibhoy Mistry (75), F-16, Contractor Baug, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; January 23 Katy Burjor Mithaiwalla (69), 723, Dinshaw Master Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 23 Cawas Ruslomji Photographer (53), C/o M. R. Photographer, 729, Jehangir Vimadalal Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 23 Eruch Pirozshaw Talati (75), 59, Blue Heaven, Mt Pleasant Rd, Malabar Hill, 400006; January 23 Ahan Noshir Hdwadia (63), 3/4, Tata Clny, Tardeo, 400034; January 23 Shirin Erach Vacha (87), 780, Karani Mans, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 23 Dina Homi Medhora (78), 11/D, Crystal, Altamount Rd, 400026; January 24 Homi Rustomji Mody (65), B-9, Ratan Manzil, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; January 24 Jal Jiwanjee Colabawalla (88), 29, Rosary Hse, Gunpowder Rd, Mazgaon, 400010; January 25 Dhunjishah Muncherji Marolia (85), 12, Jassawala Bldg, Jehangir Baug, Juhu Rd, 400049; January 25 Darab Bapooji Pagdiwalla (89), 12, Mancherji Seth Bldg, 262, Tardeo Rd, 400007; January 25 Jamshed Manchershaw Bilimoria (81), R/3, Nowroz Baug, Dr S. S. Rao Rd, Lalbaug, 400012; January 26 Putlamai Faramroze Mistry (94), 20/8, Garda Bldg, Panthaki Baug, Off M. V. Rd, Andheri (E), 400069; January 27 Dhunmai Manecksha Rumwalla (99), 614, Khorshed Manor, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 27^ Piloo Jamshedji Dastur (80), Raghavji Bldg, 17, Raghavji Rd, Cumballa Hill, 400'®36; January 28 Komai Hormusji Mani (87), 5/4, Turner Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; January 28 Jal Pestonji Shah (84), 70, Mahavir Mans, Trinity St, Dhobitalao, 400002; January 28 Shirin (Silloo) Rustomji Chanda (82), 6, Wadia Hse, 22, Hughes Rd, 400007; January 29 Minoo Darabshaw Farasman (68), 1/B, Sunmoon Apts, Jogeshwari (W)7'400102; January 29 Rohinton Ardeshir Pagdiwalla (55), Patel Chmbs, 9, R. S. Marg, Fort, 400001; January 29 Kersi Hormusji Bamboat (87), 10, Nusserwanji Tata Bldg no 2, Tata Blocks, S. V. Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; January 30 Cyrus Savaksha Mis try (46), B/12, Peace Heaven, St Andrews Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; January 30 Daulat Gustadji Bhamgara (85), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, Hughes Rd, 400007; January 31 Jal Sorabji Kanga (78), 61, * 4 •West Minster, Duncan Causeway, Sion, 400022; January 31 Nergish Jamshed Karai (70), 82, Aderbad, N. S. Patkar Marg, 400007; January 31 N'aju Nassarwanji Master (80), 2, Sea Crest, Dr B. Inderjeet Marg, Off N. Dabholkar Rd, 400006; January 31 FIGURES AT A GLANCE * BIRTHS Boys Girls This issue Bombay 1997° 1998* India This issue 1997^ 1998* World This issue 1997^ 1998* 8 11 103 101 6 10 1 2 7 4 2 1 1 21 28 1 CALCUTTA MARRIED Pallavi Roy and Jehangir Homi Gotla', January 18 MARRIAGES Parsi INTERCOMMUNAL Males married out Females married out 45 31 25 274 38 1 5 10 52 44 1 1 1 5 1 DIED Daulat Maneck Kapadia, mother of Cawas and sister of Jimmy, Shera and Nargis; January 2 Dinshaw Tata, husband of Putli and father of Darius and Nergish; January 16 Motamai Sorabji Patrawala, mother of Minoo and Mani Coachman; January 23 DEATHS CONSIGNED Males Females CREMATED Males Females 43 51 451 474 43 49 13 9 115 98 8 8 2 10 39 38 1 3 2 6 7 1 POONA MARRIED Jasmine Mistry of Bombay, daughter of late Gool and Dara, and Xerxes Postwalla, son of Nina and Noshir; December 26, 1997 DIED Phiroze Maneck Bhathena (67), K-9, Konark Puram, Kondhwa Khurd, 411048; December 15 Adil Jamshed Frenchman (72), 1-A, Lt Col Tarapore Rd, 411001; December 18 Pesi K. Pardiwalla (63), 305, K. P. Tower 1, Fatima Ngr, 411013; December 18 Erach Dorabjee (89), 850, D. M. Rd, 411001; December 22 Keki Framjee Shrojf (85), A/2, Dongusee Park, Bund Garden Rd, 411001; December 31 Behram Rustom Irani (64), A-5, Apsara Apts, 259, Bund Garden Rd, 411001; January 2, 1998 Noshir Rustomji Thanewalla (80), 328, Sachapir St, 411001; January 8 Aloo Faramroze Mirza (82), Brindawan Gardens, 438, Salisbury Park, 411037; January 9 Firoze Darabsha Mehta (76), 202/1, Nagar Rd, Opp Aga Khan Palace, 411006; January 14 51 Parsiana January 1998 ^Running totals for 1997 (January 1997-January 1998 issues) ?Running totals for 1998 (January 1998 issue) 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. Dhunmai Faramroze Soonawalla (84), 611, Sachapir St, 411001; January 17 Nariman Pirojsha Mehta (88), Homi Hse, Dr Saldanha St, 411001; January 21 RAJKOT BORN A girl, Zeba, to Shiraz and Khushru Dossabhoy, sister to Kurush; January 4 SURAT DIED Tehmina Nariman Elavia (90), Village Ilav, Dist Bharuch, 394810; January 3 Firoj Jehangirji Jalgaonwala (54), New Peth, Station Rd, Jalgaon, 425001; January 5 Kolamai Dinshawji Dumasia (85), Wadi Mohallo, Rustompura, 395002; January 6 Sorahji Pestany Bhatporia (76), Village Bhatha, Dist Surat, 394510; January 18 Banoo Bahadurji Firojsha (94), Khatkiwad, 395003; January 20 Hormasji Pestanji Sutaria (84), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; January 24 Hirahai Nadirsha Patel (82), Bibini wadi, Sayedpura, 395003; January 26 *** CANADA Calgary DIED Hilla Jamshed Khory, mother of Sheriar and Faroukh; September 28, 1997 Edmonton BORN A girl, Sanaea, to Kashmira and Gev Mahava, sister to Abad and Rayomand; October 21 DIED Khorshidbanoo Rashid, mother of Hormozdyar Varahramyan; September 18 Montreal DIED Goolbanu Eruchshaw Mirza, mother of Khushru and Freddy; December 16 Toronto DIED Dinamai Cooverji Engineer, mother of Noshir; January 12, 1998 PAKISTAN Karachi DIED Freny Faramrozc Vania (71); December 9, 1997 Nergesh Jamshed Dubash (89); December 25 Dhan Burjorji Colabawala (81); December 27 UK Essex DIED Rustom Dhunjishaw Captain (74), 24, Gordon Rd, Chadwell Heath, RM6 6DD; December 29 London BORN A boy, Rushad, to Delna and Viraf Doomasia-, January 8, 1998 ¦> DIED Gul Pesi Stone (85), 58, Warwick Square, SWl; October 18, 1997 Amy Dubash (75), 18, Diana Hse, Walnut Tree Close, Barnes; November 17 Tehmina Rustumji Daruwalla (86), 20, Lincoln Rd, East Finchley, N2; November 24 USA East Oakmont, Pennsylvania DIED Keki Irani, husband of Dinaz; December 18 Compiled by Roxana A. Driver If $ >1 r 1 k s I !IN MEMORIAM Facts, figures and fortunes i Parinaz Gandhi Died: Ratan Sorabji Mama, 70, among the founder practicing members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of and Company. In the beginning he “constituted his entire life ” leaving him woiked Irom the ollices of M/s Pheroze hardly any time for hobbies, he alway.s India whose firm Ratan S. Mama and provided a cabin, notes a press release “constituted his entire life ” leaving him Framroze and Company where he wa.s Company was reportedly the first In ­ dian based practice to venture to the Gulf countries, on May 25, 1997 at Gloucester in UK following coronary infarction. “I had the privilege of working with Ratan for quite a few years, ” re- call.s Tim Richmond, se ­ nior partner of Pannell Kerr Forster (PKF), an international firm of chartered accountants and management con- H suitants with which I Ratan S. Mama and Com- I pany has been affiliated Mama: ‘‘phenomenal for over two decades, achiever” “He was a delight to be with — the complete professional, en ­ terprising, strong in adversity, a spar ­ kling companion and friend, and a kind and gentle man. ” Impressed with the “esteem, respect and affection ” which “Mama sahib ” had earned, Richmond used to greet him with the same words, much to Mama ’s amusement. “He understood and cared for people, more than they knew, ” noted yet an ­ other partner of PKF, David Hunt from Nottingham. “Particularly I liked his sense of humor which crossed all barri ­ ers and often showed his deep under ­ standing. He was truly a multinational; there are many pretenders but he was Sharjah, Jebel Ali in the UAE and Mus- real. He could accept differences and build from there, ” added Hunt in his condolence message. “The world knows that he was most dynamic chartered accountant and a phenomenal achiever, ” acknowledge.s a fellow member of his fraternity, Jal Dastur. Before starting his own firm in 1952, Mama, who had qualified registered accountant under the then Government of India Rules in I94S. had served as a partner in R. B. Albless I 1 52 Parsiana January 1998 from his office. After Mama moved his office to the Vulcan Insurance Build ­ ing at Churchgate in I96S, he started expand- ¦b; ing his practice. The next made himself available to his family and friends, and enjoyed good food, mentions Yasmine. Being a good reader himself, he would often say that after he retired he would take to the pen, but he never reached that stage, reveals his wife. With his generous disposition, “he got absolute joy out-of helping oth ­ ers, often taking their problems to heart. ” As noted the condolence letter of year he took on his first partner Nairn Daruvala; in 1976 the firm became long-time friend Rustom Cambata who associated with PKF, amongst the first to rec ­ ognize the need for an international tie-up; the same year they opened the Dubai office of Ratan Mama and Company which is today report ­ edly amongst the largest and best recognized firms in Dubai; the fol ­ is with British Airways in London, “With him I could dare to be myself. You felt you could bare your soul to him. You could tell hjm anything, laugh with him, burden him with yourtroubles, and end up feeling comforted and al ­ most new again. ” Many were the Parsi causes and chari- ties to which he contributed, sometimes even without intimating his family, as was subsequently realized by Yasmine, lowing year they inaugurated an office Being religiously inclined, he would in Muscat. In 1995, their firm look over the prac ­ tice of Dalal Desai and Kumana, and in 1997 Arvind P. Dalal and Associates and Gautam B. Doshi and Company merged with Ratan S. Mama and Company. “Af­ ter the merger the number of partners in Ratan S. Mama and Company will go up Punchayet in 1990, discloses his wife, from II to 17. The firm will have 35 managers and a 40()-strong staff, ” noted it write-up in The Economic Times of August5, 1997. Besides their branche.s in Delhi and Bangalore, they continue to have offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, pray at home every day and regularly visit the agiary too. Favoring the dokh- menashini mode of disposing the dead, he was among those who had pleaded that Roxan Shah be permitted her last funeral rites at the doongerwadi which was denied by the Bombay Parsi t 4' 'A. a as a But since his death was in Gloucester and having earlier expressed a strong dislike of the body being embalmed, he was cremated there. The self-made man who had studied at St Maryks Boys ’ High School and Sydenham College in Bombay also al ­ ways advocated that students keen to pursue higher studies abroad and apply ­ ing to different Parsi trusts in India for financial aid shouldn ’t be made to feel like beggars. Let there be one central ­ ized body to assess the students ’ merits and prospects from which information can be disseminated to the other trusts, he recommended. The repository of facts, figures and cat in the Sultanate of Oman. “In his death, I have lost not only a professional colleague but also a very good personal friend, ” slated M. S. H. Al Mahruqy, secretary general for state audit in the Sultanate of Oman. Accompanying her husband to innu ­ merable national and international con ­ ferences, Yasmine Mama recalls how once work was over he could be totally at ease, discussing varied issue.s with • fortunes is survived by his wife Yasmine, diflcrenl colleagues. Whilst his work daughter Dr Khursheed and son Reyaz. St­ -* I f